Lens assembly and vehicle-mounted camera
By setting a drainage groove on the lens assembly pressure ring to remove water droplets using capillary effect, the problem of blurry imaging in rainy weather by vehicle cameras is solved, achieving clear imaging and reducing production costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-07
AI Technical Summary
The problem of blurry images from existing vehicle cameras in rainy weather is mainly due to the accumulation of water droplets on the lens surface, which causes light refraction. In addition, the hydrophilic film is easily damaged and has a high cost.
Multiple drainage grooves are set on the pressure ring of the lens assembly. The capillary effect is used to guide the suspended water droplets into the drainage grooves for removal, ensuring that the water droplets do not accumulate on the lens surface.
It effectively removes water droplets, ensuring clear imaging, reducing production costs, and improving the reliability and lifespan of lens components.
Smart Images
Figure CN224096068U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application belongs to the field of vehicle camera technology, and particularly relates to a lens assembly and a vehicle camera. Background Technology
[0002] A vehicle camera is an image acquisition device installed on a car to monitor the surrounding environment, such as capturing scenes when reversing and recording scenes while driving.
[0003] With the advent of the era of intelligent driving, precise vehicle recognition and intelligent obstacle avoidance functions are being applied to more and more vehicles, leading to a continuous increase in the demand for the number of vehicle cameras, and the pixel count is getting higher and higher, with increasingly higher requirements for image quality.
[0004] Since vehicle cameras are usually installed on the outside of the vehicle, when it rains or the car is washed, water droplets will fall on the lens surface of the vehicle camera. Due to the effect of water droplets refracting light, the image becomes blurry.
[0005] To eliminate the impact of water droplets on vehicle cameras, a hydrophilic film is coated on the lens surface. This hydrophilic film is a thin film material with hydrophilic properties (strong affinity for water molecules). Its surface chemical groups (such as hydroxyl and carboxyl groups) significantly reduce the contact angle with water (θ < 90°), making it easier for water to wet, penetrate, or adsorb. It allows water droplets falling on the lens surface to quickly coalesce into larger droplets (d9) and spread evenly across the lens surface, thus forming a uniformly thick water film (10). See [reference needed]. Figure 7 and Figure 8 It can basically allow light to penetrate the hydrophilic membrane evenly before entering the lens, thus maintaining a clear image.
[0006] However, since hydrophilic coatings are generally made of materials such as cellulose or polyvinyl alcohol, they are usually quite soft. Frequent wiping can easily scratch the surface of the coating with particles, causing damage and resulting in blurred images due to water droplets. Furthermore, hydrophilic coatings require uniform coating via vacuum deposition using a sol-gel method, which demands high precision and has a low yield (e.g., a thickness deviation >5% affects image optical performance), increasing production costs and reducing reliability over time, as the coating is prone to losing its hydrophilic properties. In addition, water droplets accumulating on the lens surface will slide down due to gravity. When they reach the junction between the lens cap and the lens, the droplets will linger due to gravity and surface tension, creating a large water droplet accumulation at the bottom edge of the image. The refraction of light by these droplets then causes blurring in this area. Utility Model Content
[0007] To address the aforementioned technical problems in the prior art, this application provides a lens assembly and a vehicle-mounted camera capable of draining water droplets from the lens surface, so that the vehicle-mounted camera can still maintain clear imaging even in rainy weather.
[0008] The technical solution adopted in this application embodiment is: a lens assembly, including a lens body and a retaining ring sleeved on the outer periphery of the lens body; the outer peripheral surface of the retaining ring is provided with multiple guide grooves extending along its axial direction, the first ends of the multiple guide grooves all extending toward the lens body, and capable of generating a capillary effect, so that water droplets suspended on the surface of the lens body flow into the guide grooves and are removed due to the capillary effect.
[0009] In an optional embodiment, the width of the drainage channel gradually increases from its first end to its second end, and the entire area of the drainage channel from its first end to its second end can generate a capillary effect.
[0010] In an optional embodiment, the end face of the wall of the first end of the drainage channel is inclined toward the second end of the drainage channel to form a water guiding surface, so as to guide water droplets on the surface of the lens body into the drainage channel.
[0011] In an optional embodiment, the inner surface of the drainage channel is a smooth arc surface.
[0012] In an optional embodiment, multiple guide grooves are evenly distributed around the outer peripheral surface of the pressure ring.
[0013] In an optional embodiment, the pressure ring is arranged laterally with its axis, and the pressure ring has at least a plurality of the guide grooves on its lower outer peripheral surface.
[0014] In an optional embodiment, the width of the first end of the drainage channel is 0.15mm-0.19mm, and the width of the second end of the drainage channel is 0.21mm-0.25mm; and / or
[0015] The minimum interval between any two adjacent drainage channels in the plurality of channels is 0.28mm-0.33mm.
[0016] In an optional embodiment, the lens assembly further includes an outer cover, which covers at least the pressure ring and exposes the lens body; the outer peripheral surface of the outer cover is provided with a guide groove that can generate a capillary effect and extends towards the lens body at its first end, so that water droplets suspended on the surface of the lens body can flow into the guide groove and be removed due to the capillary effect.
[0017] A vehicle-mounted camera includes a housing, an image sensor and a memory disposed within the housing, and a lens assembly as described in any of the above embodiments, wherein the lens assembly is disposed on the housing and is sealed to the housing.
[0018] In an optional embodiment, the second end of the pressure ring is provided with a flange, and the flange and the pressure ring are an integral structure; and / or
[0019] The flange is bonded to the housing with adhesive.
[0020] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the embodiments of this application are as follows: by adding a guide groove at the pressure ring of the lens assembly, the water droplets suspended on the lens body are guided into the guide groove by the capillary effect, thereby ensuring that there are no large water droplets accumulating in the image and ensuring that a clear image can be obtained.
[0021] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and illustrative only, and are not intended to limit this application.
[0022] The overview of various implementations or examples of the technology described in this application is not a full disclosure of the entire scope or all features of the disclosed technology. Attached Figure Description
[0023] In drawings that are not necessarily drawn to scale, the same reference numerals may describe similar parts in different views. The drawings generally illustrate various embodiments by way of example rather than limitation and are used, together with the description and claims, to illustrate the disclosed embodiments. Where appropriate, the same reference numerals are used in all drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. Such embodiments are illustrative and not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive embodiments of the apparatus or method.
[0024] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a lens assembly applied to an automotive camera according to an embodiment of this application.
[0025] Figure 2 This is a usage diagram of the lens assembly applied to an automotive camera according to an embodiment of this application.
[0026] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of section A.
[0027] Figure 4 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of section B.
[0028] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a lens assembly with an outer cover, according to an embodiment of this application.
[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the water droplet removal process on the lens assembly according to an embodiment of this application.
[0030] Figure 7 and Figure 8These are schematic diagrams of the three-dimensional structure of a vehicle-mounted camera with water droplets falling on it, as described in existing technologies.
[0031] Figure label:
[0032] 1-Lens body; 2-Pressure ring; 21-Main body; 22-Arc-shaped constriction; 23-Guiding groove; 24-Water guiding surface; 3-Outer cover; 4-Flange; 5-Housing shell; 6-Water droplet a; 7-Water droplet b; 8-Water droplet c; 9-Water droplet d; 10-Water film. Detailed Implementation
[0033] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the described embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0034] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this application shall have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this application do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Terms such as "comprising" or "including" mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the elements or objects listed following the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Terms such as "connected" or "linked" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. Terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are used only to indicate relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.
[0035] To keep the following description of the embodiments of this application clear and concise, detailed descriptions of known functions and known components are omitted.
[0036] This application provides a lens assembly for use in an automotive camera. The lens assembly can capture light and focus the light onto the image sensor of the automotive camera to ultimately generate a clear image.
[0037] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the lens assembly of this embodiment includes a lens body 1 and a retaining ring 2. The retaining ring 2 is fixedly sleeved on the outer periphery of the lens body 1, forming a seal between them. The lens body 1 is fixed to the housing 5 of the vehicle camera by the retaining ring 2. The effective optical surface of the lens body 1 for capturing light (i.e., the outer surface of the lens body 1) is exposed outside the retaining ring 2. The outer peripheral surface of the retaining ring 2 is provided with multiple guiding grooves 23 extending along its axial direction. The first ends of the multiple guiding grooves 23 all extend towards the lens body 1 and can generate a capillary effect, so that water droplets suspended on the surface of the lens body 1 flow into the guiding grooves 23 and are removed due to the capillary effect.
[0038] The lens assembly of this application embodiment provides a guide groove 23 on the pressure ring 2 that can generate a capillary effect. By utilizing the capillary phenomenon, water droplets on the surface of the lens body 1 flow into the guide groove 23 and are removed, thereby ensuring that there are no large water droplets accumulating in the image and ensuring that a clear image can be obtained.
[0039] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the width of the guide groove 23 gradually increases from its first end to its second end, and the entire area of the guide groove 23 from its first end to its second end can generate a capillary effect. In this way, it is more conducive to the water droplets on the lens body 1 flowing to the guide groove 23 through capillary phenomenon and thus being discharged from the effective optical surface of the lens.
[0040] like Figure 4 As shown, the end face of the wall of the first end of the drainage channel 23 is inclined toward the second end of the drainage channel 23 to form a water guiding surface 24. The setting of the water guiding surface 24 is more conducive to the water droplets on the surface of the lens body 1 entering the drainage channel 23, improving the water droplet removal efficiency and ensuring the imaging quality.
[0041] Continue to combine Figure 1 and Figure 4 The retaining ring 2 includes a main body 21 and an arc-shaped constriction portion 22. The main body 21 is annular. The arc-shaped constriction portion 22 gradually narrows inward from one end to the other, forming an arc with one end diameter larger than the other end diameter. The larger diameter end of the arc-shaped constriction portion 22 is connected to one end of the main body 21, and the smaller diameter end of the arc-shaped constriction portion 22 wraps around the lens body 1.
[0042] like Figure 4 As shown, the drainage channel 23 is provided on the main body 21 of the pressure ring 2, and the first end of the drainage channel 23 extends through to the first end of the pressure ring 2 to form a port, which forms the inlet for water droplets on the lens body 1 to enter the drainage channel 23. The end faces of the channel walls on both sides of the port are inclined toward the second end of the drainage channel 23 to form the aforementioned water guiding surface 24.
[0043] In some embodiments, the inner surface of the guiding channel 23 can be designed as a smooth arc surface to reduce the roughness of the inner surface of the guiding channel 23, thereby reducing the contact angle between the water droplet and the guiding channel 23, increasing the capillary effect, and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of guiding the water droplet. Furthermore, designing the inner surface of the guiding channel 23 as an arc surface allows the water droplet to have a more uniform flow within the guiding channel 23, making it less prone to irregular liquid flow distribution due to edge effects, which is beneficial for the formation of capillary effects and ensures the stability of the capillary effect.
[0044] For example, a hydrophilic coating can be applied to the inner wall of the channel 23 to reduce the contact angle. The hydrophilic coating can be made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl ether (PEG), etc. The inner surface of the channel 23 can also be treated with acid or alkaline solutions. Treating the inner surface with acid or alkaline solutions can change its structure, enhance its hydrophilicity, and thus reduce the contact angle. Alternatively, surface etching methods such as laser etching, plasma treatment, or chemical etching can be used to change the microstructure of the inner surface of the channel 23, thereby improving wettability and enhancing capillary action.
[0045] The specific number and arrangement of the drainage grooves 23 on the pressure ring 2 in this embodiment are not specifically limited. For example, multiple drainage grooves 23 can be evenly arranged around the outer periphery of the pressure ring 2, or a denser drainage groove 23 can be set in the position of the pressure ring 2 corresponding to the lens body 1 where water droplets are easily generated, a sparser drainage groove 23 can be set in the position of the pressure ring 2 corresponding to the lens body 1 where water droplets are less generated, and no drainage groove 23 can be set in the position of the pressure ring 2 corresponding to the lens body 1 where water droplets are almost never generated.
[0046] Vehicle cameras are installed at the rear of the vehicle body, typically in the shape of... Figure 2 The horizontal setting shown means that the axis of the pressure ring 2 is horizontal. In this state, due to gravity, the water droplets on the lens body 1 slide down to its lower edge. Therefore, the pressure ring 2 has multiple guide grooves 23 on its lower outer circumference to effectively guide the water droplets that have gathered there into the guide grooves 23 through capillary effect, so as to avoid the image blurring caused by the refraction of light by the water droplets.
[0047] Understandably, the shape, depth, and width of the drainage channel 23, no matter how they are set, must be able to create a capillary effect, thereby ensuring that the water droplets on the lens body 1 are drawn away.
[0048] In optional embodiments, such as Figure 3As shown, the width W1 of the first end of the guiding groove 23 is 0.15mm-0.19mm, preferably 0.18mm, and the width W2 of the second end of the guiding groove 23 is 0.21mm-0.25mm, preferably 0.24mm, so that the guiding groove 23 forms a wedge-shaped structure with a narrow first end and a wide second end. The minimum interval d between any two adjacent guiding grooves 23 is 0.28mm-0.33mm, preferably 0.28mm. The width of the guiding groove 23 refers to the dimension of the guiding groove 23 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the pressure ring 2.
[0049] In some embodiments, the pressure ring 2 and the lens body 1 can be made into an integral structure to prevent water droplets on the lens body 1 from flowing into the space between them and then into the interior of the vehicle camera.
[0050] like Figure 5 As shown, the lens assembly may further include an outer cover 3, which at least covers the pressure ring 2 and exposes the lens body 1. When the pressure ring 2 is provided with an outer cover 3, the guide groove 23 on the pressure ring 2 can be omitted, and the guide groove 23 can be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer cover 3. That is, as shown... Figure 5 As shown, the outer cover 3 is provided with a guide groove 23 that generates a capillary effect and extends towards the lens body 1 at its first end, so that water droplets suspended on the surface of the lens body 1 can flow into the guide groove 23 and be removed due to the capillary effect. In addition, by providing the outer cover 3, the lens assembly can be protected and its service life extended.
[0051] Continue to combine Figure 5 The outer cover 3 has an arched shape that protrudes outward from the middle and narrows inward at both ends. The two ends of the drainage channel 23 are respectively connected to the two ends of the outer cover 3 and form openings, so that one of the openings of the drainage channel 23 is as close as possible to the lens body 1, so that water droplets on the lens body 1 can enter the drainage channel 23 through the opening.
[0052] This application has a pressure ring 2 or outer cover 3 with a drainage groove 23. It has a simple structure, can be injection molded, can achieve mass production, and has a long reliability and is not easily damaged or loses its function of guiding water droplets.
[0053] It is understandable that, in addition to molding the guide groove 23 during the injection molding process, the pressure ring 2 or the outer cover 3 with the guide groove 23 can also be post-processed on the original pressure ring 2 or the outer cover 3, so that the technology can be applied to reused vehicle cameras.
[0054] The following is combined with Figure 6 The water droplet flow process in the embodiments of this application will be described as follows:
[0055] The surface of the lens body 1 is coated with a hydrophilic film. A hydrophilic film is a thin film material with hydrophilic properties (strong affinity for water molecules). Its surface chemical groups (such as hydroxyl and carboxyl groups) can significantly reduce the contact angle with water (θ < 90°), making it easier for water to wet, penetrate, or adsorb. When water in nature (such as rainwater or cleaning water from washing a vehicle) falls onto the surface of the lens body 1 under the influence of gravity, it forms water droplets a6. (See also...) Figure 6 On the left side, 6-1; water droplet a 6 continues to slide down the surface of the lens body 1 due to gravity, and eventually slides down to the lower edge of the lens body 1 surface. Due to gravity and the hydrophilic film, it will hover here and become water droplet b 7. See Figure 6 The water droplet b 7, located in the middle, will gradually enter multiple drainage channels 23 due to the capillary effect of the drainage channel 23 on the pressure ring 2 or the outer cover 3, and will become a water droplet c 8 as the water accumulates. (See also...) Figure 6 On the right side of the middle section, when the water droplet c8 continues to grow larger and its gravity exceeds the adsorption force of the guide groove 23, the water droplet c8 falls off, making the entire surface of the lens body 1 free of large water droplets. All light can pass through the lens body 1 completely and enter the vehicle camera. The light entering the lens is converted into an electrical signal by the image sensor inside the vehicle camera and outputs a complete and clear image, ensuring the clarity of the image.
[0056] This application also provides a vehicle-mounted camera, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle-mounted camera includes a housing 5, an image sensor and a memory (not shown) disposed within the housing 5, so that the lens assembly in any of the above embodiments is disposed on the housing 5 and sealed to the housing 5. This at least prevents water droplets on the lens body 1 from being introduced into the drainage groove 23 and flowing into the interior of the vehicle-mounted camera, thus protecting the image sensor and other electronic components from damage. Because the vehicle-mounted camera of this embodiment includes a lens assembly with a drainage groove 23, it ensures that no large water droplets accumulate in the image, ensuring a clear image.
[0057] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, a flange 4 is provided at the second end of the pressure ring 2, and the flange 4 and the pressure ring 2 are an integral structure. This not only improves the stability of the structure but also prevents water droplet leakage at the connection between the two. The flange 4 and the housing 5 are bonded together with adhesive, that is, the lens assembly and the housing 5 are bonded together with adhesive, which not only ensures the firmness of the connection between the two but also prevents water droplets flowing into the drainage channel 23 from entering the housing 5.
[0058] The above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make variations, modifications, substitutions, and alterations to the above embodiments within the scope of this disclosure. Moreover, the above examples (or one or more of them) can be used in combination with each other, and these embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or arrangements.
Claims
1. A lens assembly, characterized in that, The lens assembly includes a lens body and a retaining ring fitted around the outer periphery of the lens body; the outer peripheral surface of the retaining ring is provided with multiple guide grooves extending along its axial direction, the first ends of the multiple guide grooves all extending toward the lens body and capable of generating a capillary effect, so that water droplets suspended on the surface of the lens body flow into the guide grooves and are removed due to the capillary effect.
2. The lens assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The width of the drainage channel gradually increases from its first end to its second end, and the entire area of the drainage channel from its first end to its second end can generate a capillary effect.
3. The lens assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end face of the wall at the first end of the drainage channel is inclined toward the second end of the drainage channel to form a water guiding surface, so as to guide water droplets on the surface of the lens body into the drainage channel.
4. The lens assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner surface of the drainage channel is a smooth arc surface.
5. The lens assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple guide grooves are evenly distributed around the outer circumference of the pressure ring.
6. The lens assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure ring is arranged laterally with its axis, and the pressure ring has at least a plurality of the guide grooves on its lower outer circumferential surface.
7. The lens assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The width of the first end of the drainage channel is 0.15mm-0.19mm, and the width of the second end of the drainage channel is 0.21mm-0.25mm; and / or The minimum interval between any two adjacent drainage channels in the plurality of channels is 0.28mm-0.33mm.
8. The lens assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lens assembly also includes an outer cover, which covers at least the pressure ring and exposes the lens body. The outer peripheral surface of the outer cover is provided with a guide groove that can generate a capillary effect and extends towards the lens body at its first end, so that water droplets suspended on the surface of the lens body can flow into the guide groove and be removed due to the capillary effect.
9. A vehicle-mounted camera, comprising a housing, an image sensor and a memory disposed within the housing, characterized in that, It also includes a lens assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the lens assembly being disposed on the housing and sealed to the housing.
10. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 9, characterized in that, The second end of the pressure ring is provided with a flange, and the flange and the pressure ring are an integral structure; and / or the flange and the housing are bonded together with adhesive.