Camera arm with cleaning device for camera lens with air duct system

Abstract

Camera arm (1), adapted for an external camera system (50) to be mounted on the outside of a vehicle (100), comprising a recess (2) provided for receiving a camera (60) with an external camera lens (61) which is part of or projects from an outer surface (21) of the camera arm (1) surrounding the recess, wherein the camera arm (1) comprises a passive camera cleaning component (3) formed by an inlet opening (31) which, when mounted on the vehicle (100), faces a direction of travel (DD) of the vehicle (100), an outlet opening (32) adapted to face the camera lens (61) of the camera (60) when it is received in the recess (2), and an air guide duct (33) connecting the inlet opening (31) to the outlet opening (32) to guide an airflow (AF) caused by an airflow (AS) when the vehicle (100) is driven, wherein the The outlet opening (32) is adapted accordingly.to release the airflow (AF) over the outer surface (21) surrounding the recess in a flow direction (FD), wherein a principal directional component (FD1) is oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel (DD) of the vehicle (100), wherein the camera arm (1) is suitably shaped to provide the airflow (AF) with a suction effect (SE) in the direction opposite to the direction of travel (DD) when the vehicle (100) is in motion, wherein a cleaning airflow (CF) resulting from an interference between the airflow (AF) released from the outlet opening (32) and the provided suction effect (SE) is directed towards the camera lens (61) of the camera (60) housed in the recess (2) when the vehicle (100) is in motion, characterized in that the outlet opening (32) has a substantially round, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, diamond, rhomboid, cross, ring, arc and / or rectangular shape exhibitswherein a horizontal width (32-h) of the outlet opening (32) is greater than a vertical width (32-v) of the substantially round, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, diamond, rhomboidal, cross, ring, arc and / or rectangular shape, wherein an imaginary reference line (36) extends in a perpendicular direction from the horizontal width (32-h) of the outlet opening (32) to the center (62) of the camera lens (61), wherein a geometric center (37) of the preferably substantially round, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, diamond, rhomboidal, cross, ring, arc and / or rectangular shape of the outlet opening (32) is located along the horizontal width (32-h) of the substantially round, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, diamond, rhomboidal, cross, ring, arc and / or rectangular shape of the outlet opening (32) is shifted in the direction of travel (DD) by a distance (38) which is from the imaginary reference line (36) to the geometric center (37),which is equal to ¼ of the horizontal width (32-h) or greater.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a camera arm according to the preamble of claim 1. It is adapted for an external camera arm system that is to be mounted on the outside of a vehicle. In particular, the camera arm comprises a passive camera cleaning component formed by an inlet opening facing the direction of travel of the vehicle, an outlet opening configured to face a camera lens of a camera of the camera arm, and an air guide channel connecting the inlet opening to the outlet opening, wherein a cleaning airflow is provided, resulting from an interference of the airflow released from the outlet opening and a suction effect towards the camera lens when the vehicle is driven. The invention further relates to a camera arm system comprising such a camera arm and to a vehicle comprising such a camera arm system.

[0002] Motor vehicles are equipped with cameras to monitor the driving situation around the vehicle. These cameras are exposed to the environmental conditions surrounding the vehicle and become dirty over time. Consequently, the cameras must be regularly cleaned of dirt and water to ensure reliable operation. Otherwise, driving safety could be compromised. In addition to active cleaning components, passive cleaning methods are also used to clean these cameras. The latter require fewer components, as passive components do not involve moving parts or actuators, and represent a less expensive solution.

[0003] German patent DE 10 2019 004 778 discloses a camera system for an engine comprising a camera housing and a camera lens. The camera housing has at least one airflow channel with an inlet opening for drawing in airflow and an outlet opening for releasing the airflow to clear the camera lens and / or its field of view of contaminants. However, while driving, there is a speed-dependent, continuous airflow around the vehicle. This driving causes the airflow to exit the outlet and be deflected away from the camera lens, which is cleaned by the airflow passing over the camera system on the outside. As a result, the camera lens is not cleaned in a controlled and reliable manner, leading to residual contamination from water droplets on the camera lens and thus reducing driving safety.

[0004] DE 10 2020 200 695 A1 relates to a camera module comprising a lens, a lens barrel over which the lens is held, and a heating element which is in contact with the lens and by which the lens can be heated. The lens barrel is made of a metal material, and an insulating material is arranged between the heating element and the lens barrel, thereby insulating the heating element from the lens barrel.

[0005] From DE 38 84 826 T2, a device for preventing the deposition of dirt on a rear light unit of a motor vehicle during driving is known, which is arranged in a corner position between a side surface and a rear surface of the body of the motor vehicle, wherein a light transmission area of ​​the unit has a side section extending along the side surface, as well as a rear section extending along the rear surface.The device comprises an air inlet formed as a recess in a surface of the side face adjacent to the lighting unit, which is suitable for generating an airflow directed towards the lighting unit when the vehicle is in motion; and airflow guides associated with the lighting unit and arranged fluid-dynamically downstream of the air inlet such that the airflow is guided in a manner generating turbulence near the light transmission area in order to prevent the deposition of dirt on the lighting unit; wherein the airflow guides comprise at least one air channel extending through the rear section of the light transmission area of ​​the lighting unit.

[0006] In generic US 11,634,087 B1, a housing device is described that is configured for attachment to an external housing of an optical device mounted in a vehicle. The housing device is configured to direct an airflow toward a lens of the optical device to prevent or remove blockages such as rain, dirt, pollen, insects, and other objects. In one embodiment, the device includes, among other things, a tunnel structure having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, and a top. The first end of the tunnel structure has an inlet opening for capturing the airflow while driving. The second end of the tunnel structure has an outlet opening to direct the airflow to a lens of the optical device.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to further develop the generic camera arm in such a way that it overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. It is intended to provide a passive cleaning method that enables reliable cleaning of the camera lens even under driving conditions.

[0008] The problem is solved by the features of the characterizing element of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the camera arm according to the invention are described in claims 2 to 22.

[0009] The camera arm, adapted for an external camera system to be mounted on the outside of a vehicle, comprises a recess provided for receiving a camera with an external camera lens that forms part of or projects from an outer surface of the camera arm surrounding the recess. The camera arm includes a passive camera cleaning component formed by an inlet opening which, when mounted on the vehicle, faces a direction of travel of the vehicle, an outlet opening adapted to face the camera lens of the camera when it is received in the recess, and an air guide duct connecting the inlet opening to the outlet opening to guide an airflow caused by an air current when the vehicle is in motion. The outlet opening is adapted to allow the airflow to exit over the outer surface surrounding the recess in a direction of flow.wherein a principal directional component is oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle, wherein the camera arm is suitably shaped to provide a suction effect to the airflow in the direction opposite to the direction of travel when the vehicle is in motion, wherein a cleaning airflow resulting from an interference between the airflow released from the outlet opening and the provided suction effect is directed towards the camera lens of the camera accommodated in the recess when the vehicle is in motion.

[0010] The camera arm can have any suitable shape for supporting the camera and can be attached to a vehicle. The camera arm can be mounted on the side of the vehicle. The camera arm can essentially be a hollow body with a substantially closed outer surface. The camera arm can be made of any suitable material. The material can be plastic, including other internal components made of any other or the same material.

[0011] The term "recess" refers to a cavity in the camera arm with an opening to the outside, where a camera can be suitably positioned inside, enabling the recording of images of the area around the camera arm or the vehicle. The recess is surrounded by the outer surface of the camera arm, the outer surface near the recess being referred to as the surrounding surface. The camera can be positioned in the recess such that the outer camera lens closes the recess to the outside in contact with the surrounding surface, thereby forming a continuous surface. In other embodiments, the camera, and consequently the camera lens, can protrude from the surrounding surface.

[0012] The term "camera" refers to any unit capable of optically recording a scene, comprising an optical lens as an entrance for electromagnetic radiation from the camera's environment and an optical path within the camera suitable for directing the received electromagnetic radiation to a suitable sensor, where the electromagnetic radiation is converted into an electronic signal or image. The properties of the optical lens, the optical path, and the sensor determine the resolution of the recorded scene, which can be displayed to a driver of a vehicle on the monitoring unit. The electromagnetic radiation received by the camera unit and converted by the sensor can be radiation of the infrared, visible, and / or ultraviolet spectrum.

[0013] The term "passive camera cleaning component" refers to a component of the camera arm that directs a specific airflow to a target, in this case, the camera lens. The airflow is generated without any electrical components such as a pump or blower, simply by using a channel through the camera arm, where the airflow travels from an inlet to an outlet. The inlet and outlet can have any suitable shape, with the outlet acting as a nozzle to direct the airflow onto the target. The airflow is caused by the drag created by the vehicle's movement, resulting in a current flowing around the vehicle. This airflow then passes through the air channel and into the camera arm. The higher the vehicle speed, the faster the airflow.The velocity of the airflow exiting the outlet also depends on the shape and dimensions of the air duct, the position of the passive camera cleaning component within the camera arm, and its orientation relative to the direction of travel. The term "direction of travel" refers to the direction in which the vehicle is moving. If the inlet of the passive camera cleaning component has an inlet surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel, the airflow enters the passive camera cleaning component at maximum velocity and creates an airflow through the air duct at maximum velocity. When the vehicle is stationary, there is no airflow or only a negligible airflow caused by ambient wind through the air duct.The outlet opening is shaped and positioned such that the airflow leaves the passive camera cleaning component in a direction suitable for cleaning the camera lens. The passive camera cleaning component can be made of plastic and may include one or more bends between the inlet and outlet openings.

[0014] The direction of the airflow exiting the outlet is a vector composed of a component perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of travel and a component parallel to the direction of travel towards the rear of the vehicle. Here, the primary directional component is perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of travel. This means that the angle between the direction of the airflow at the outlet and the direction perpendicular to the direction of travel (the direction pointing towards the side of the vehicle where the camera arm is mounted) is less than 45 degrees. However, the camera arm exhibits significant aerodynamic drag, with one side facing away from the airflow caused by the vehicle's speed resulting in a suction effect on the airflow on that side.The suction effect acts on the airflow after it leaves the outlet, pushing it more strongly in the opposite direction of travel (backwards). The resulting airflow direction is referred to as the direction of the cleaning airflow directed across the lens. This cleaning airflow results from the interference of the airflow direction at the outlet and the applied suction effect. To ensure that the cleaning airflow passes the camera lens under driving conditions, the initial direction of the airflow upon exiting the outlet, undisturbed by the driving airflow, is directed towards an area of ​​the outer surface surrounding the recess, located between the camera lens and the front of the camera arm, facing the direction of travel. The airflow across the camera arm and the resulting suction effect push the cleaning airflow towards the camera lens.

[0015] The camera arm can be mounted on the outside of the vehicle, e.g., the left and / or right side, functioning as a rearview camera. The term "vehicle" refers to any means of transport that provides the driver with at least a partial rear view of the traffic through additional visual aids, in this case, the camera monitoring system. Vehicles could include passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc.

[0016] The camera arm according to the present invention enables reliable cleaning of the camera lens even while driving, without the need for additional electrical components. Reliable cleaning can be ensured by providing a suitably shaped airflow channel and is therefore always ready for use and requires no maintenance intervals. Furthermore, the camera arm according to the present invention does not produce a whistling noise while driving.

[0017] In one embodiment, the airflow entering the air duct through the inlet opening has a first airflow direction, wherein the air duct has a curvature of 45 degrees or more and redirects the airflow inside the air duct from the first airflow direction to a second airflow direction, by which the airflow exits the outlet opening. In other embodiments, the air duct has a curvature of 60 degrees or more.

[0018] In another embodiment, the air duct comprises one or more vanes arranged along the airflow within the duct, dividing the airflow into two or more partial airflows. The number of vanes can depend on the size of the duct perpendicular to the direction of the airflow. Two vanes could be located inside the housing of the air duct. The housing also guides the airflow through the duct. The one or more vanes can divide the inlet opening into separate partial openings. The vanes help optimize the airflow. The size of the partial openings relative to each other adjusts the amount of air to be admitted to the air duct. The partial openings can have inlet areas that widen from the partial opening, with the longest distance to one side of the camera arm being the partial opening located closest to that side of the camera arm.

[0019] In another embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the air duct decreases perpendicular to the airflow from the inlet to the outlet. This decreasing cross-section of the air duct leads to an acceleration of the airflow at the outlet by up to 50%, compared to the airflow velocity at the inlet.

[0020] In another embodiment, the inlet opening has a substantially round, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, diamond, rhomboid, cross, ring, arc, and / or rectangular shape, wherein preferably the horizontal width of the inlet opening is greater than its vertical width. A preferably rectangular shape with a large horizontal length and a smaller vertical length makes it possible to provide a large opening while still minimizing the wind resistance of the camera arm. The term "horizontal" refers to a direction parallel to the ground on which the vehicle is located. The term "vertical" refers to a direction perpendicular to the ground on which the vehicle is located.

[0021] In another embodiment, the outlet opening is covered by an air guide element to further shape the airflow towards the camera lens. The air guide element can be used to fine-tune the direction and velocity of the airflow. This allows the same air duct design to be applied to different vehicle versions and different arm versions. The air guide element can be made of plastic.

[0022] In another embodiment, the air guide element is a ventilation grille element comprising one or more ribs extending towards the recess. At least one of the ribs could taper towards the recess. The ribs allow for metering of the airflow, and special flow profiles can be implemented. The length of the ribs towards the recess depends on the shape of the outer surface of the camera arm surrounding the recess. The term "ventilation grille" refers to a cover that conceals an opening in the body of a vehicle to allow air to enter or exit.

[0023] In another embodiment, the air guide element is an air tunnel shaped to direct the airflow to the camera lens, with the airflow being lifted from the outer surface surrounding the recess. The air tunnel compensates for the indirect influence of the main airflow around the arm, even in cases where the airflow is not directed towards the camera due to changes in its local airflow pattern. The air tunnel can be used when the camera lens protrudes from the outer surface surrounding the recess.

[0024] In another embodiment, the air guide element can be reversibly attached to the outlet opening. Attachment could be achieved using clamps and / or screws. The attachable air guide element allows the same passive camera cleaning component to be used for different camera arms, different vehicles, different driving speeds, and different cameras with varying lens shapes, as the airflow direction can be fine-tuned via the attachable air guide element. This reduces production costs, since only one small component needs to be adapted to different applications, and no different passive camera cleaning components are required.

[0025] According to the invention, the outlet opening has a substantially round, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, diamond, rhomboidal, cross, ring, arc, and / or rectangular shape, wherein the horizontal width of the outlet opening is greater than the vertical width of the substantially round, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, diamond, rhomboidal, cross, ring, arc, and / or rectangular shape. Consequently, the airflow exiting the passive camera cleaning component covers a wide area of ​​the outer surface surrounding the recess in order to completely cover and thus clean the flat lens. The term "horizontal" refers to a direction parallel to the ground on which the vehicle is located. The term "vertical" refers to a direction perpendicular to the ground on which the vehicle is located.

[0026] An imaginary reference line extends vertically from the horizontal width of the rectangular outlet opening to the center of the camera lens, with a geometric center of the preferably substantially round, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, diamond, rhomboid, cross, ring, arc, and / or rectangular shape being shifted along the horizontal width of the preferably substantially round, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, diamond, rhomboid, cross, ring, arc, and / or rectangular shape in the direction of travel by a distance from the imaginary reference line to the geometric center that is equal to 1 / 4 of the horizontal width or greater. A camera arm on which the outlet opening according to this description is located provides an optimal cleaning airflow to the camera lens when driving at a vehicle speed of 80 km / h, which is a typical speed for trucks.

[0027] In a further embodiment, a wing guide is arranged near the outer surface surrounding the recess and is suitably shaped to at least partially block the outer surface surrounding the recess from direct contact with the airflow around at least a portion of the camera arm caused by the vehicle's movement, and / or wherein the wing guide essentially has the shape of a wall, preferably adapted to change the direction of the airflow and reduce the pressure on the camera lens. Here, the shape of the wing guide can either be adapted to and synchronized with the outlet opening of the passive camera cleaning component and also be adapted so that it does not affect the camera's field of view.The wing guide, particularly in the form of a substantially wall-like embodiment, can act as a vacuum generator due to its aerodynamic effect, directing the airflow towards the camera arm's recess. The resulting vacuum deflects the airflow, along with any dust or raindrops, away from the camera lens. The resulting low pressure is generated by the surrounding airflow. This effect is typically used to create the lift-off effect on an aircraft's wings, as described by Bernoulli's law of conservation of energy. The increased airflow velocity caused by the wing guide generates a force that lifts the dust or raindrops away from the camera lens.

[0028] In another embodiment, the wing guide is suitably shaped to provide an air cushion around the outlet opening and the camera lens, which lifts the airflow away from the outer surface surrounding the recess. With an air cushion between the camera arm and the airflow around the camera arm, the camera lens is kept free of dust or raindrops carried by the surrounding airflow. The air cushion above the surface surrounding the recess is most stable at airflow velocities below 8 m / s, primarily below 4 m / s.

[0029] In another embodiment, the wing guide has a first surface oriented towards the recess and a second surface oriented in the opposite direction. The wing guide has a sawtooth shape, with the second surface being a gently rising surface and the first surface being a steeply inclined surface of the sawtooth shape. This shape provides a reliable cushion of air behind the wing guide, covering the camera lens. As the vehicle speed "v" increases, the suction effect (drag coefficient) can change. Most vehicles likely travel at a certain limited speed over longer distances. This speed can be taken into account in the simulations, and the geometry of the wing guide can be profiled accordingly, so that the surface conforms to the precondition for the direction of travel.It can be applied in any direction perpendicular to the direction of travel – an upward / downward / lateral shape is adapted to the shape of the vehicle and adjusted to a selected driving speed. The wing guidance has no effect when the vehicle is stopped.

[0030] In a further embodiment, the first surface projects from the surface surrounding the recess with an optional height that is at least twice the height of the camera lens projecting from the surface surrounding the recess. The height of the first surface is, however, adjusted so that it does not affect the camera's field of view. The permissible absolute height of the first surface also depends on the height of the camera lens projecting from the surface surrounding the recess.

[0031] In another embodiment, the first surface projects vertically from the surface surrounding the recess. However, the first surface must not interfere with the camera's field of view and is adapted to and synchronized with the outlet opening of the passive camera cleaning component.

[0032] In another embodiment, the wing guide partially surrounds the recess and / or the camera lens. This partially surrounding wing guide allows the lifting effect to be precisely shaped to remove dust or raindrops from the camera and to prevent further dust or raindrops from reaching the camera lens as part of the surrounding airflow during vehicle travel.

[0033] In another embodiment, a seal is arranged between the camera and / or camera lens and the outer surface of the camera arm surrounding the recess, the seal covering a gap between the camera and / or camera lens and the outer surface surrounding the recess. Due to tolerances, a gap always exists between the camera and the camera arm. This gap between the camera / camera lens and a lower cover of the camera arm is necessary to prevent additional stresses in the housing. Additional stresses can negatively affect the weld behavior at the overall level of the camera arm system, particularly the weld formation behavior. Water escapes from the camera arm through the gap between the camera / camera lens and the surface surrounding the recess, forming part of the camera arm housing around the camera / camera lens and covering the camera lens.The seal provides both freedom of movement and play parallel to the outer surface surrounding the recess, eliminating water leakage from the inside to the outside of the camera arm to keep the camera lens free of water droplets. The seal allows the camera to be mounted to the recess simply by pressing the camera and / or lens through the seal.

[0034] The seal can be provided by an inserted elastic element and / or by overmolding a portion of the camera and / or the lower cover of the camera arm. If a feedthrough for the camera lens is used, this feedthrough can be reinforced with an additional sealing lip. The additional sealing lip can have a pre-bend (without radial force on the camera lens) against the lower cover of the camera arm to provide a more robust seal.

[0035] In another embodiment, the seal is provided as a deformable lip. This allows for easy filling of the gap and attachment of the camera to the recess from the inside of the camera arm. The deformable lips are shaped during the final camera assembly.

[0036] In another embodiment, the seal is attached by a multi-material injection molding technique or by reversibly applying the seal as a separate component, preferably on the outer surface surrounding the recess. Multi-material injection molding (MMM) is the process of casting two or more different materials into a single plastic part simultaneously, thereby producing a single structural component (here, the camera arm or part of the camera arm) with different regional materials. If two different materials are involved, the technique is also known as 2K casting.

[0037] In another embodiment, the seal is attached or fastened to the outer surface surrounding the recess or to a side surface of the camera and / or camera lens, with the side surface facing the outer surface surrounding the recess. The gap between the camera / camera lens and the outer surface surrounding the recess should be closed. This can be achieved by connecting the seal either to the outer surface surrounding the recess or to the camera and / or camera lens, where the sealing lips contact the opposite surface, either the camera and / or camera lens or the outer surface surrounding the recess – depending on the component to which the seal is attached.

[0038] In another embodiment, the seal is made of a material suitable for preventing seam formation between the camera or camera lens and the outer surface surrounding the recess. Furthermore, the geometric design of the seal can be adapted to prevent seam formation. The term "seam formation" refers to the seal adhering to the opposite side, which can hinder or even prevent the camera's movement in the xyz direction. The seal on the housing, and consequently the required distance between the housing and the camera, as design principles for image stability, ensures that the challenge of seam formation inherent in both WA and NA cameras is resolved. The provided solution allows the camera freedom of movement to avoid seam formation from a given perspective and provides a sealing solution between the housing and the camera to block potential water droplets.

[0039] The invention further relates to a camera arm system comprising a camera arm according to the present invention and a camera with an outer lens which is placed in a recess of the camera arm for receiving the camera, wherein the outer lens is part of or protrudes from an outer surface of the camera arm surrounding the camera.

[0040] The invention further relates to a vehicle comprising one or more camera arm systems according to the present invention.

[0041] The embodiments described above can be combined with one another within the framework of the teaching according to the invention, if desired by the person skilled in the art, even in deviation from the references to the claims.

[0042] The invention and its embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings; they show: Fig. 1: (a) and (b) perspective views of the camera arm system with existing camera, and (c) the passive camera cleaning component according to the present invention; Fig. 2: Simulation results for an airflow over the camera lens and through the passive camera cleaning component in a camera arm according to the present invention in (a) a perspective view, and (b) and (c) in a top view of the camera arm with camera lens; Fig. 3: a perspective view of the embodiments (a) of the passive camera cleaning component, and (b) and (c) of the camera arm system according to the present invention, all comprising a ventilation grille element as an air guide element; Fig. 4: an embodiment of the camera arm system according to the present invention, comprising an air tunnel as an air guide element in (a) a perspective view, and (b) a side view; Fig. 5: a perspective view of a camera arm system according to the present invention with outlet opening; Fig. 6: (a) a top view of a camera arm according to the present invention, comprising a wing guide near the camera lens, and (b) and (c) schematic side views of the in Fig. 6a camera arm shown; Fig. 7: (a) a schematic side view of the camera arm of Fig. 6 with specified airflow velocities, and (b) a perspective view of this camera arm with camera lens and outlet opening; Fig. 8: Two perspective views (a) and (b) of the camera arm system according to the present invention, comprising a wing guide that partially surrounds the camera lens; Fig. 9: the camera arm system according to the present invention (a) without a seal, and (b) with a seal covering the gap between the camera and the outer surface surrounding the recess; Fig. 10: in (a) a perspective view, and (b) a side view, the camera arm system according to the present invention with a seal that surrounds the gap between the camera and the outer surface surrounding the recess; and Fig. 11: (a) a schematic view of a vehicle according to the present invention comprising a camera arm system according to the present invention, and (b) such a vehicle with wing guides, wherein airflow velocities are indicated by colours.

[0043] Fig. Figure 1 shows (a) and (b) perspective views of a camera arm system 50 with an integrated camera 60, and (c) the passive camera cleaning component 3 according to the present invention. The camera arm system 50 is mounted on the outside of a vehicle 100 (see Figure 1). Fig. 11) The camera arm 1 of the camera arm system 50 comprises a recess 2 to which a camera 60 with an external camera lens 61 is attached. The lens 61 is part of the outer surface 21 of the camera arm 1 surrounding the recess. The camera arm 1 comprises a passive camera cleaning component 3, formed by an inlet opening 31 which, when mounted on the vehicle 100, faces a direction of travel DD of the vehicle 100, an outlet opening 32 adapted to face laterally towards the camera lens 61 of the camera 60, and an air guide duct 33 connecting the inlet opening to the outlet opening to guide an airflow AF caused by an airflow AS when the vehicle 100 is in motion.

[0044] The passive camera cleaning component 3 is in Fig. Figure 1b shows in more detail. The air guide duct 33 comprises two louvers 35, which are arranged along the airflow AF in the air guide duct 33 and divide the airflow AF into separate partial airflows from the inlet opening 31 to the outlet opening 32. The cross-sectional area of ​​the air guide duct 33 perpendicular to the airflow AF decreases from the inlet opening 31 to the outlet opening 32.

[0045] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic view of simulation results for an airflow over the camera lens 61 and through the passive camera cleaning component 3 in a camera arm 1 according to the present invention in (a) a perspective view, and (b) and (c) in a top view of the camera arm 1 with camera lens 61. The airflow AF and the airflow AS around the camera arm 1 are indicated by colored lines, the color indicating the velocity of the airflow. Blue indicates a velocity of 4-16 m / s, green indicates a velocity of 16-28 m / s, and yellow indicates a velocity of 28-32 m / s. The hardware design of the camera arm 1 is shown in Figure 2. Fig. Figure 1 shows that the airflow AF entering the air duct 33 via the inlet opening 31 has a first airflow direction AFD1, wherein the air duct 33 has a curvature 34 of more than 90 degrees and redirects the airflow AF inside the air duct 33 from the first airflow direction AFD1 to a second airflow direction AFD2, by which the airflow AF exits the outlet opening 32. The outlet opening 32 is adapted to discharge the airflow AF over the outer surface 21 surrounding the recess in a flow direction FD, the principal directional component FD1 of which is oriented perpendicular to the direction of travel DD of the vehicle 100. The camera arm 1 is suitably shaped to provide an additional suction effect SE to the airflow AF in the opposite direction to the direction of travel DD while the vehicle 100 is in motion.The resulting cleaning airflow CF is generated by the interference of the airflow AF released from the outlet opening 32 and the provided suction effect SE, and is directed towards the camera lens 61 of the camera 60 when the vehicle is traveling at 100 km / h. The airflow AS that does not enter the inlet opening flows around the camera arm 1, as shown by the lines in the upper part of the figure. Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b. The two louvers 35 divide the inlet opening 31 into three separate partial openings 31-1, 31-2, 31-3 and subsequently the airflow AF into three separate partial airflows AF1, AF2, AF3 from the inlet opening 31 to the outlet opening 32. In this embodiment, the partial openings 31-1, 31-2, 31-3 have inlet areas, indicated by the arrows, which increase in size from the partial opening 31-1 located furthest from one side of the vehicle of the camera arm 1 to the partial opening 31-2 in the middle and then decrease again to the partial opening 31-3, which is located furthest from the vehicle of the camera arm 1. To shape the airflow, the cross-sectional area of ​​the air duct 33 decreases perpendicular to the airflow AF from the inlet opening 31 to the outlet opening 32. The airflow velocity at the outlet opening 32 is higher than the airflow velocity at the inlet opening; see the color coding in Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b.

[0046] Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of embodiments of (a) the passive camera cleaning component 3, and (b) and (c) the camera arm system 50 according to the present invention, all of which include a ventilation grille element 41 as an air guide element 4 to further shape the airflow towards the camera lens 61. The ventilation grille element 41 comprises two ribs 41r extending towards the recess 2, the ribs 41r tapering towards the recess 2. The ventilation grille element 41 can be reversibly attached to the outlet opening 32 by clamps. In other embodiments, the attachment could be carried out differently, e.g., by screws. As shown in Fig. As shown in 3b, the inlet opening 32 has a rectangular shape as its inlet surface, with a horizontal width 31-h of the inlet opening being greater than its vertical width 31-v.

[0047] Fig. Figure 4 shows a side view of an embodiment of the camera arm system 50 according to the present invention, comprising an air tunnel 42 as an air guide element 4 in (a) a perspective view, and (b) a side view. The air tunnel 42 is suitably shaped to direct the airflow AF to the camera lens 61, the airflow AF being lifted by the outer surface 21 surrounding the recess. The air tunnel 42 can be reversibly attached to the outlet opening 32 by clamps. In other embodiments, the attachment could be carried out differently, e.g., by screws.

[0048] Fig. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a camera arm system 50 according to the present invention with an outlet opening. Here, the outlet opening 32 has an outlet surface with a rectangular shape, wherein a horizontal width 32-h of the outlet opening 32 is greater than a vertical width 32-v of the opening surface 32. An imaginary reference line 36 extends vertically from the horizontal width 32-h of the outlet surface 32 to the center 62 of the camera lens 61. A geometric center 37 of the rectangular shape of the outlet opening 32 is displaced along the horizontal width 32-h of the rectangular shape of the outlet opening 32 in the direction of travel DD by a distance 38, starting from the imaginary reference line 36 to the geometric center 37, which is equal to 1 / 4 of the horizontal width 32-h or greater.The term “imaginary” indicates that the reference line 36 is not a hardware line in reality, but is only imagined when setting the position of the outlet opening 32.

[0049] Fig. Figure 6 shows (a) a top view of a camera arm according to the present invention, comprising a wing guide near the camera lens, and (b) and (c) schematic side views of the arm shown in the invention. Fig. 6a camera arm shown. Fig. Figure 7 shows a (a) schematic side view of the camera arm of Fig. 6 with specified airflow velocities and a perspective view of this camera arm with camera lens and outlet opening. Fig. Figure 8 shows two perspective views (a) and (b) of the camera arm system according to the present invention, comprising a wing guide that partially surrounds the camera lens. The wing guide 5 is arranged near the recess surrounding the outer surface 21 and is suitably shaped to block the outer surface 21 surrounding the recess from direct contact with the airflow AS around the camera arm 1, caused by the movement of the vehicle 100. The wing guide 5 is suitably shaped to provide an air cushion AC around the outlet opening 32 and the camera lens 61, which lifts the airflow AS away from the outer surface 21 surrounding the recess.The wing guide 5 has a first surface 5a directed towards the recess 2 and a second surface 5b directed in the opposite direction, wherein the wing guide 5 has a sawtooth shape with the second surface 5b as a gently rising surface and the first surface 5a as a steeply inclined surface of the sawtooth shape. The first surface 5a projects from the surface 21 surrounding the recess by a height 5h, which is at least twice the height 61h of the camera lens 61, by which the camera lens 61 projects from the surface 21 surrounding the recess. The first surface 5a projects vertically from the surface 21 surrounding the recess. Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. The airflow velocity is indicated by color codes that translate colors into velocities. As in Fig. 8a and Fig. As shown in Figure 8b, the wing guide 5 can partially surround the recess 2 and / or the camera lens 21. The shape of the wing guide 5 could be adapted to the most probable speed value of the vehicle 100 while the vehicle 100 is in motion.

[0050] Fig. Figure 9 shows the camera arm system 50 according to the present invention (a) without a seal 7, and (b) with a seal 7 covering a gap between the camera 60 and the outer surface 21 surrounding the recess. Fig. Figure 9a shows the complete camera arm 1 with camera 60, with part of this figure showing the outer surface 21 surrounding the recess, where a water droplet WD is present on the outer surface of the camera lens 61, highlighted by a white circle. Fig. 9b The seal 7 is present at the edge of the outer surface surrounding the recess, facing the recess, and is therefore located between the camera 60 and the outer surface 21 of the camera arm 1 surrounding the recess. When the camera 60 is mounted on the recess 2 along the camera mounting direction MD, the seal 7 covers the gap (not shown in detail here) between the camera 60 and the outer surface 21 surrounding the recess. The seal 7 is provided as a deformable rib that is slightly convexed outwards by the pressure applied to the camera 60 during mounting, so that the camera 60 can be pressed through the seal 7 and the seal 7 remains firmly seated against the camera body to tightly close the gap. As shown in the lower part of Fig. As shown in Figure 9b, the seal 7 can be attached to the outer surface 21 surrounding the recess by a multi-material injection molding technique 7-2K, here a 2K casting. In an alternative arrangement (not shown here), the seal 7 can be attached or fastened to a side surface 63 of the camera 60 and / or the camera lens 61, with the side surface facing the outer surface 21 surrounding the recess. In both cases, the seal 7 can be reversibly attached to the outer surface 21 surrounding the recess or to the side surface 63 of the camera 60 or the camera lens 61 as a separate component 7-SC. Preferably, the seal 7 is made of a material suitable for preventing seam formation between the camera 60 or camera lens 61 and the outer surface 21 surrounding the recess. Furthermore, the geometric design of the seal 7 can be adapted to prevent seam formation.Furthermore, a suitable seal 7 provides the camera 60 with freedom of movement to avoid seam formation from a perspective, in addition to the fact that the sealing function blocks water droplets.

[0051] Fig. Figure 10 also shows the camera arm system 50 according to the present invention with a seal 7 surrounding the gap between the camera 60 and the outer surface 21 surrounding the recess, in (a) a perspective view, and (b) a side view. For details, we refer to Fig. 9b.

[0052] Fig.Figure 11 shows (a) a schematic view of a vehicle 100 according to the present invention, comprising a camera arm system 50 according to the present invention, comprising a camera arm 1 and a camera 60, wherein an outer lens 61 is placed in a recess 2 of the camera arm 1 for receiving the camera 60, the outer lens 61 being part of or projecting from an outer surface 21 of the camera arm 1 surrounding the camera, and (b) such a vehicle 100 with wing guides 5, wherein airflow velocities are indicated by colors (see the color code that converts colors into velocities). Certain features of the vehicle, as implemented in the airflow, create a low-pressure area, indicated by the blue areas. This is known as a pull or suction effect, for example, behind a truck and behind rearview mirrors or camera arms. Implementing such a feature, e.g.,The wing guides create a guided low-pressure area at the camera lens under certain, frequently used vehicle speed conditions. The high-speed airflow (red color) is deflected away from this area, creating low pressure on the camera lens surface. This prevents dust and contaminants from accumulating on the camera lens surface, as they are extracted from it by the airflow. Reference sign 1 Camera arm according to the present invention 2 recesses 21 outer surface surrounding the recess 3 passive camera cleaning components 31 Inlet opening facing the direction of travel of the vehicle 31-1 ... 31-3 Partial openings of the inlet opening 31-h horizontal width of the inlet opening 31-v vertical width of the inlet opening 32 Outlet opening, adapted to be facing the camera lens of the camera 32-h horizontal width of the outlet opening 32-v vertical width of the outlet opening 33 Air duct connecting the inlet opening to the outlet opening 34 Curvature of the air duct 35 lamellae in the air duct 36 Reference line 37 geometric center of the outlet opening area 38 Distance from the reference line to the geometric center 4 air guide element 41 ventilation grille element 41r Rib(s) of the ventilation grille element 42 air tunnels 5 wing guide 5a First surface of the wing guide, facing the recess 5b second surface of the wing guide, oriented towards the intended direction of travel 5h Height of the surface 5a 7 Seal 7-2K seal applied using 2K technology 7-SC seal mounted as a separate component 50 camera arm system 60 camera 61 outer lens of the camera 61h Height of the camera lens with reference to the outer surface surrounding the recess 62 Center of the camera lens 63 Side surface of the camera and / or camera lens 100 vehicles AC Air Cushion AF Airflow AF1 ... AF3 Partial airflows AFD1 first airflow direction AFD2 second airflow direction AS Air Stream, caused by driving the vehicle CF Cleaning Air Flow DD Driving Direction FD Flow Direction of the airflow released from the outlet opening FD1 Main Directional Component FD2 Secondary Directional Component MD Camera Mounting Direction SE suction effect WD Water Drop

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