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

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a 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) that 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 channel (33) connecting the inlet opening to the outlet opening 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 a suction effect (SE) to the airflow (AF) 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.

Description

[0001] The disclosure relates to a camera arm adapted for an exterior camera arm system to be mounted on an exterior of a vehicle. In particular, the camera arm comprises a passive camera cleaning component formed by an inlet opening facing a 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 duct connecting the inlet opening to the outlet opening, wherein a cleaning air flow resulting from an interference of the air flow discharged from the outlet opening and a suction effect toward the camera lens when the vehicle is driven is provided. The disclosure further relates to a camera arm system comprising such a camera arm and a vehicle comprising such a camera arm system.

[0002] Motor vehicles include cameras for monitoring 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 for 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 the passive components do not require moving parts or actuators, and represent a cheaper solution.

[0003] Document DE 10 2019 004 778 discloses a camera system for an engine with a camera housing and a camera lens, wherein the camera housing has at least one airflow duct with an inlet opening for receiving airflow and an outlet opening for discharging the airflow to clear the camera lens and / or its field of view of contaminants. However, during driving, there is a speed-dependent continuous airflow around the vehicle. This driving causes the airflow to leave the outlet port and be diverted away from the camera lens, which has been cleaned by the airflow passing the camera system on the outside. For this reason, the camera lens is not cleaned in a controlled and reliable manner, resulting in residual contamination from water droplets on the camera lens, thereby reducing driving safety.

[0004] It is therefore desirable to provide a passive cleaning method that enables reliable cleaning of the camera lens even under driving conditions.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a passive cleaning method that enables reliable cleaning of the camera lens even under driving conditions.

[0006] The object is achieved by a camera arm adapted for an exterior camera system to be mounted on the exterior of a vehicle, comprising a recess provided for receiving a camera with an external camera lens that is part of an outer surface of the camera arm surrounding the recess or protrudes therefrom, wherein the camera arm comprises a passive camera cleaning component formed by an inlet opening that, 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 received in the recess, and an air duct connecting the inlet opening to the outlet opening to guide an air flow caused by an air flow when the vehicle is traveling, wherein the outlet opening is adapted to discharge the air flow via the outer surface surrounding the recess in a flow direction,wherein a main directional component is oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle, wherein the camera arm is suitably shaped to provide the air flow with a suction effect in the direction opposite to the direction of travel when the vehicle is traveling, wherein a cleaning air flow resulting from an interference between the air flow discharged 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 traveling.

[0007] The camera arm may have any suitable shape for supporting the camera and may be attachable to a vehicle. The camera arm may be mounted on the side of the vehicle. The camera arm may be substantially a hollow body with a substantially closed outer surface. The camera arm may be made of any suitable material. The material may be plastic, including other components inside made of any other or the same material.

[0008] The term "recess" refers to a cavity in the camera arm with a hole to the outside, where a camera can be suitably placed inside, allowing the recording of images of the surroundings of the camera arm or the vehicle. The recess is surrounded by the outer surface of the camera arm, where the outer surface near the recess is referred to as an outer surface surrounding the recess. The camera can be placed in the recess in such a way that the outer camera lens closes the recess to the outside in contact with the outer surface surrounding the recess, thereby forming a continuous surface in combination with the outer surface surrounding the recess. In other embodiments, the camera, and consequently the camera lens, can protrude from the outer surface surrounding the recess.

[0009] The term "camera" refers to any unit capable of optically recording a scene, comprising an optical lens as an entrance opening 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 that 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 from the infrared, visible, and / or ultraviolet spectrum of wavelengths.

[0010] The term "passive camera cleaning component" refers to a component of the camera arm where a specific airflow can be directed to a target, in this case the camera lens. The airflow is generated without any electrical components such as a pump or fan, simply by using a duct through the camera arm, where the airflow flows from an inlet to an outlet. The inlet and outlet openings can have any suitable shape, with the outlet opening acting as a nozzle to direct the airflow towards the target. The airflow is caused by the aerodynamic drag while the vehicle is moving, which results in an airflow flowing around the vehicle while driving. Here, the airflow also penetrates the camera arm via the air duct. The higher the vehicle speed, the higher the airflow speed.However, the speed of the airflow leaving the outlet opening 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 opening 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 speed, creating an airflow through the air duct at maximum speed. When the vehicle is stopped, there is no airflow or only a negligible airflow caused by the ambient wind through the air duct.The outlet opening is shaped and positioned such that the airflow exits the passive camera cleaning component in a direction suitable for cleaning the camera lens. The passive camera cleaning component may be made of plastic and may include one or more bends between the inlet and outlet openings.

[0011] The direction of the airflow leaving the exhaust port is a vector composed of a component perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of travel and a component parallel to the direction of travel toward the rear of the vehicle. Here, the main directional component is oriented perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of travel. This means that the angle between the direction of the airflow at the exhaust port and the direction perpendicular to the direction of travel (the direction toward the side of the vehicle on which the camera arm is mounted) is less than 45 degrees. However, the camera arm exhibits significant aerodynamic drag, with one side opposite the airflow caused by the vehicle's speed resulting in a suction effect on the air on that side opposite the airflow.The suction effect acts on the airflow after the airflow leaves the outlet opening, which pushes the airflow more strongly in the opposite direction of travel (reverse direction). The resulting airflow direction is referred to as the direction of the cleaning airflow directed over the lens. This cleaning airflow results from the interference of the airflow with the airflow direction at the outlet opening and the provided suction effect. In order to cause the cleaning airflow to pass the camera lens under driving conditions, the original direction of the airflow upon leaving the outlet opening, without interference from the driving airflow, is directed to an area of ​​the outer surface surrounding the recess, which is located between the camera lens and the front of the camera arm, facing the direction of travel. The airflow over the camera arm and the resulting suction effect push the cleaning airflow towards the camera lens.

[0012] The camera arm can be mounted on an exterior side of the vehicle, e.g., the left and / or right side of the vehicle, acting as a rearview device. The term "vehicle" refers to any means of transportation that provides the driver with at least a partial view of the traffic through additional visual aids, in this case, the camera monitoring system. Vehicles could be passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc.

[0013] The camera arm according to the present disclosure enables reliable cleaning of the camera lens even under driving conditions, 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 interval. Furthermore, the camera arm according to the present disclosure does not produce a whistling noise while driving.

[0014] In one embodiment, the air flow entering the air duct via the inlet opening has a first air flow direction, wherein the air duct has a curvature of 45 degrees or more and redirects the air flow inside the air duct from the first air flow direction to a second air flow direction, in which the air flow exits the outlet opening. In other embodiments, the air duct has a curvature of 60 degrees or more.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the air duct comprises one or more louvers arranged along the airflow within the air duct, which divide the airflow into two or more partial airflows. The number of louvers attached can depend on the size of the air duct perpendicular to the direction of the airflow. There could be two louvers inside the housing of the air duct. The housing also directs the airflow through the air duct. The one or more louvers can divide the inlet opening into separate partial openings. The louvers help to optimize the airflow. The size of the partial openings in relation to one another adjusts the amount of air to be admitted into the air duct. The partial openings can have inlet areas that increase in size from the partial opening, with the longest distance to a vehicle side of the camera arm being arranged to the partial opening at the shortest distance to the vehicle side of the camera arm.

[0016] In a further embodiment, a cross-sectional area of ​​the air duct decreases perpendicular to the air flow from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. The decreasing cross-section of the air duct leads to an acceleration of the air flow at the outlet opening by up to 50% compared to the air flow velocity at the inlet opening.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the inlet opening has a substantially round, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, diamond, rhomboid, cross, ring, arched, and / or rectangular shape, wherein a horizontal width of the inlet opening is preferably greater than its vertical width. A shape, preferably rectangular, 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.

[0018] In another embodiment, the outlet opening is covered by an air deflector to further shape the airflow toward the camera lens. The air deflector can be used to fine-tune the airflow exit direction and airflow velocity. This allows the same air duct design to be applied to different vehicle versions and to a different arm version. The air deflectors can be made of plastic.

[0019] In another embodiment, the air-guiding element is a ventilation grille element comprising one or more ribs extending toward the recess. At least one of the one or more ribs may taper toward the recess. The ribs allow for metering of the airflow, and special flow profiles may be implemented. The length of the ribs toward 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 covers an opening in a vehicle body to allow air to enter or exit.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the air guiding element is an air tunnel shaped to direct the airflow toward the camera lens, with the airflow being lifted by the outer surface surrounding the recess. The air tunnel compensates for the indirect influence of the main airflow around the arm, even in a case where the airflow is not directed toward the camera by changing its local airflow. The air tunnel can be used if the camera lens protrudes from the outer surface surrounding the recess.

[0021] In a further embodiment, the air deflector can be reversibly attached to the outlet opening. Attachment could be achieved using clamps and / or screws. The attachable air deflector allows the use of the same passive camera cleaning component for different camera arms, different vehicles, different driving speeds, and different cameras with different lens shapes, as the airflow direction can be fine-tuned via the attachable air deflector. This reduces production costs because only a small component needs to be adapted to different applications, eliminating the need for different passive camera cleaning components.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the outlet opening has a substantially round, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, diamond, rhomboid, cross, ring, arc, and / or rectangular shape, wherein a horizontal width of the outlet opening is greater than a vertical width of the substantially round, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, diamond, rhomboid, 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 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.

[0023] In a further embodiment, an imaginary reference line extends in a vertical direction from the horizontal width of the rectangular shape of the outlet opening to the center of the camera lens, wherein a geometric center of the preferably substantially round, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, diamond, rhomboid, cross, ring, arc and / or rectangular shape is 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, starting from the imaginary reference line, to the geometric center which is equal to ¼ of the horizontal width or greater.A camera arm with the exhaust port as described provides the camera lens with optimal cleaning airflow when driving at a vehicle speed of 80 km / h, which is a typical speed for trucks.

[0024] In a further embodiment, a vane 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 movement of the vehicle, and / or wherein the vane guide is substantially in 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 vane 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 field of view of the camera.The wing guide, particularly in a substantially wall-shaped embodiment, can serve as a vacuum generator due to its aerodynamic effect, directing the airflow toward the camera arm recess. The created vacuum deflects the airflow containing dust or raindrops away from the camera lens. The low pressure acting is generated by the surrounding airflow. This effect is normally used for the lift-off effect on an aircraft's wings according to Bernoulli's law of conservation of energy. The higher airflow velocity caused by the wing guide results in a force that lifts dust or raindrops away from the camera lens.

[0025] In a further embodiment, the vane guide is suitably shaped to provide an air cushion around the outlet opening and the camera lens, lifting the airflow away from the outer surface surrounding the recess. In the case of 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 flow velocities below 8 m / s, typically below 4 m / s.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the wing guide has a first surface facing the recess and a second surface facing in an opposite direction, wherein the wing guide has a sawtooth shape with the second surface as a gently rising surface and the first surface as a steeply inclined surface of the sawtooth shape. This shape provides a reliable air cushion behind the wing guide, covering the camera lens. As the travel speed "v" increases, the suction effect (drag coefficient) can change. Most vehicles are likely to travel over longer distances at a certain limited travel speed. This speed can be taken into account in the simulations, and the geometry of the wing guide can be profiled based on this so that the surface meets the precondition for the travel direction.It can be applied in any direction perpendicular to the direction of travel—an upward / downward / sideways shape is adapted to the shape of the vehicle and a selected driving speed. When the vehicle is stopped, the wing guidance has no effect.

[0027] In a further embodiment, the first surface protrudes from the surface surrounding the recess, optionally by a height that is at least twice the height of the camera lens protruding from the surface surrounding the recess. However, the height of the first surface is adjusted so that it does not affect the field of view of the camera. The permissible absolute height of the first surface also depends on the height of the camera lens protruding from the surface surrounding the recess.

[0028] In a further embodiment, the first surface protrudes vertically from the surface surrounding the recess. However, the first surface must not affect the camera's field of view and is adapted to and synchronized with the outlet opening of the passive camera cleaning component.

[0029] In another embodiment, the wing guide partially surrounds the cutout and / or the camera lens. The partially surrounding wing guide allows for the precise shaping of the lifting effect to remove dust or raindrops from the camera and prevent further dust or raindrops from reaching the camera lens as part of the ambient airflow while the vehicle is moving.

[0030] In a further embodiment, a seal is arranged between the camera and / or camera lens and the outer surface of the camera arm surrounding the recess, wherein the seal covers a clearance gap between the camera and / or camera lens and the outer surface surrounding the recess. Due to the tolerance chain, there is always a gap between the camera and the camera arm. The clearance gap between the camera / camera lens and a lower cover of the camera arm is necessary to avoid additional stresses in the housing. Additional stresses can have negative effects on the seam behavior at the general level of the camera arm system, in particular the seam formation behavior. Water leaks from the camera arm through the clearance gap between the camera / camera lens and the surface surrounding the recess as part of the camera arm housing around the camera / camera lens and covers the camera lens.The seal simultaneously provides freedom of movement and play parallel to the outer surface surrounding the recess, eliminating water leaks from the inside of the camera arm to the outside of the camera arm, keeping the camera lens free of water droplets. The seal allows the camera to be mounted to the recess by simply pushing the camera and / or camera lens through the seal.

[0031] The seal can be provided by an inserted elastic element and / or overmolding a portion of the camera and / or the camera arm's bottom cover. If a camera lens feedthrough is used, this feedthrough can be reinforced with an additional sealing lip. The additional sealing lip can be pre-bent (without radial force on the camera lens) onto the camera arm's bottom cover to provide a more robust seal.

[0032] 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 finally formed during camera assembly.

[0033] In another embodiment, the seal is applied using 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 molding two or more different materials into a plastic part at the same time, thereby creating a single structural component (here, the camera arm or part of the camera arm) with different regional materials. When two different materials are involved, the technique is also known as 2K molding.

[0034] In a further embodiment, the seal is attached or secured to the outer surface surrounding the recess or to a side surface of the camera and / or camera lens, while the side surface is directed toward the outer surface surrounding the recess. The clearance gap between the camera / camera lens and the outer surface surrounding the recess is intended to be closed. This can be achieved by bonding 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.

[0035] In a further 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 avoid seam formation. The term "seaming" refers to adhesion of the seal to the opposite side, which can hinder or even prevent movement of the camera in the xyz direction. The seal on the housing and consequently the distance requirement between the housing and the camera as design premises for image stability ensure that the challenge of seam formation existing with a WA and NA camera is solved. The provided solution gives the camera freedom of movement to avoid seam formation from one perspective and provides a sealing solution between the housing and the camera to block the potential water droplets.

[0036] The disclosure further relates to a camera arm system comprising a camera arm according to the present disclosure and a camera having an outer lens 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.

[0037] The disclosure further relates to a vehicle including one or more camera arm systems according to the present disclosure.

[0038] The embodiments described above can be combined with one another within the framework of the teaching according to the disclosure, if desired by the person skilled in the art, even in deviation from the claims.

[0039] The disclosure and its embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings, which show: Fig. 1: (a) and (b) perspective views of the camera arm system with the camera present, and (c) the passive camera cleaning component according to the present disclosure; Fig. 2: Simulation results for an air flow over the camera lens and through the passive camera cleaning component in a camera arm according to the present disclosure in (a) a perspective view, and (b) and (c) in a plan view of the camera arm with camera lens; Fig. 3: a perspective view of embodiments (a) of the passive camera cleaning component, and (b) and (c) of the camera arm system according to the present disclosure, all including a vent grille element as an air guiding element; Fig. 4: an embodiment of the camera arm system according to the present disclosure, comprising an air tunnel as an air guiding 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 disclosure with an outlet opening; Fig. 6: (a) a plan view of a camera arm according to the present disclosure, comprising a wing guide near the camera lens, and (b) and (c) schematic side views of the Fig. 6a shown camera arm; Fig. 7: (a) a schematic side view of the camera arm of Fig. 6 with indicated air flow velocities, and (b) a perspective view of this camera arm with camera lens and exhaust opening; Fig. 8: two perspective views (a) and (b) of the camera arm system according to the present disclosure, including a wing guide partially surrounding the camera lens; Fig. 9: the camera arm system according to the present disclosure (a) without a seal, and (b) with a seal covering the clearance 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 disclosure with a seal surrounding the clearance 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 disclosure, including a camera arm system according to the present disclosure, and (b) such a vehicle with wing guides, wherein air flow velocities are indicated by colors.

[0040] Fig. Figure 1 shows in (a) and (b) perspective views of a camera arm system 50 with a camera 60 present, and (c) the passive camera cleaning component 3 according to the present disclosure. The camera arm system 50 is mounted on an exterior of a vehicle 100 (see Fig. 11). The camera arm 1 of the camera arm system 50 comprises a recess 2 to which a camera 60 with an outer camera lens 61 is mounted. The lens 61 is part of the 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 laterally toward the camera lens 61 of the camera 60, and an air duct 33, which connects the inlet opening to the outlet opening in order to guide an air flow AF caused by an air flow AS when the vehicle 100 is traveling.

[0041] The passive camera cleaning component 3 is in Fig. 1b. The air guide duct 33 comprises two louvres 35 arranged along the air flow AF in the air guide duct 33 and dividing the air flow AF into separate partial air flows from the inlet opening 31 to the outlet opening 32. The cross-sectional area of ​​the air guide duct 33 perpendicular to the air flow AF decreases from the inlet opening 31 to the outlet opening 32.

[0042] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic view of simulation results for an air flow over the camera lens 61 and through the passive camera cleaning component 3 in a camera arm 1 according to the present disclosure in (a) a perspective view, and (b) and (c) in a plan view of the camera arm 1 with camera lens 61. The air flow AF and the air flow AS around the camera arm 1 are indicated by colored lines, where the color indicates the speed of the air flow. A blue color denotes a speed of 4-16 m / s, a green color denotes a speed of 16-28 m / s, and a yellow color denotes a speed of 28-32 m / s. The hardware design of the camera arm 1 is shown in Fig. 1. The air flow AF entering the air duct 33 via the inlet opening 31 has a first air flow direction AFD1, wherein the air duct 33 has a curvature 34 of more than 90 degrees and redirects the air flow AF inside the air duct 33 from the first air flow direction AFD1 into a second air flow direction AFD2, with which the air flow AF leaves the outlet opening 32. The outlet opening 32 is adapted to let the air flow AF out via the outer surface 21 surrounding the recess in a flow direction FD, the main 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 air flow AF in the opposite direction to the direction of travel DD while the vehicle 100 is traveling.The resulting cleaning air flow CF is created by an interference of the air flow AF discharged from the outlet opening 32 and the provided suction effect SE and is directed toward the camera lens 61 of the camera 60 when the vehicle 100 is driven. The air flow AS not entering the inlet opening flows around the camera arm 1, as indicated by the lines in the upper part of FIG. Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b. The two slats 35 divide the inlet opening 31 into three separate partial openings 31-1, 31-2, 31-3 and subsequently divide the air flow AF into three separate partial air flows 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 with the longest distance to a vehicle side 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 arranged at the closest distance to the vehicle side of the camera arm 1. In order to shape the air flow, the cross-sectional area of ​​the air guide duct 33 decreases perpendicular to the air flow AF from the inlet opening 31 to the outlet opening 32. The air flow velocity at the outlet opening 32 is higher than the air flow velocity at the inlet opening, see the color coding in Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b.

[0043] Fig. 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 disclosure, all of which include a vent grille element 41 as an air guiding element 4 to further shape the airflow toward the camera lens 61. The vent grille element 41 includes two ribs 41r extending toward the recess 2, wherein the ribs 41r taper toward the recess 2. The vent grille element 41 is reversibly attachable to the outlet opening 32 by clamping. In other embodiments, the attachment could be performed differently, e.g., by screwing. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3b, the inlet opening 32 as an inlet surface has a rectangular shape, wherein a horizontal width 31-h of the inlet opening is greater than its vertical width 31-v.

[0044] Fig. 4 shows a side view of an embodiment of the camera arm system 50 according to the present disclosure, comprising an air tunnel 42 as an air guiding element 4 in (a) a perspective view and (b) a side view. The air tunnel 42 is suitably shaped to direct the air flow AF to the camera lens 61, wherein the air flow AF is lifted from the outer surface 21 surrounding the recess. The air tunnel 42 is reversibly attachable to the outlet opening 32 by clamping. In other embodiments, the attachment could be performed differently, e.g., by screwing.

[0045] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a camera arm system 50 according to the present disclosure 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 in a perpendicular direction from the horizontal width 32-h of the outlet opening 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 shifted 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 intended when adjusting the position of the outlet opening 32.

[0046] Fig. 6 shows (a) a top view of a camera arm according to the present disclosure, including a wing guide near the camera lens, and (b) and (c) schematic side views of the Fig. 6a shown camera arm. Fig. Figure 7 shows a (a) schematic side view of the camera arm of Fig. 6 with indicated air flow velocities and a perspective view of this camera arm with camera lens and exhaust opening. Fig. 8 shows two perspective views (a) and (b) of the camera arm system according to the present disclosure, comprising a wing guide partially surrounding 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 travel 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 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 an opposite direction, the wing guide 5 having 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 protrudes from the surface 21 surrounding the recess by a height 5h that is at least twice as great as the height 61h of the camera lens 61 by which the camera lens 61 protrudes from the surface 21 surrounding the recess. The first surface 5a protrudes in the vertical direction from the surface 21 surrounding the recess. In . Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the air flow velocity is indicated by color codes that translate colors into speeds. As in Fig. 8a and Fig. As shown in Figure 8b, the wing guide 5 may partially surround the recess 2 and / or the camera lens 21. The shape of the wing guide 5 could be adapted to the most likely driving speed value of the vehicle 100 while the vehicle 100 is traveling.

[0047] Fig. Figure 9 shows the camera arm system 50 according to the present disclosure (a) without a seal 7, and (b) with a seal 7 covering a clearance gap between the camera 60 and the outer surface 21 surrounding the recess. In Fig. Figure 9a shows the complete camera arm 1 with camera 60, with a part of this figure showing the outer surface 21 surrounding the recess, where a water droplet WD is present on the outer region 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 thus arranged between the camera 60 and the outer surface 21 of the camera arm 1 surrounding the recess. When the camera 60 is mounted along the camera mounting direction MD on the recess 2, the seal 7 covers the clearance 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 curved outwards by the pressure of the camera 60 applied during assembly, so that the camera 60 can be pushed through the seal 7 and the seal 7 still fits tightly against the camera body to tightly close the clearance 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 using a multi-material injection molding technique 7-2K, here a 2K molding. 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, while the side surface is directed towards 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.

[0048] Fig. Fig. 10 also shows the camera arm system 50 according to the present disclosure with a seal 7 surrounding the clearance 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, see Fig. 9b.

[0049] Fig.11 shows (a) a schematic view of a vehicle 100 according to the present disclosure, comprising a camera arm system 50 according to the present disclosure, 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, wherein the outer lens 61 is part of or protrudes 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 translates colors into velocities). Certain features of the vehicle, as implemented in the airflow, create a low-pressure region, indicated by the blue regions. 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 during certain "frequently used" vehicle speed conditions. The high-speed airflow (red color) is directed away from this area, creating low pressure on the camera lens surface. This prevents dust and contaminants from remaining on the camera lens surfaces and is extracted from the surface by the airflow in a similar manner. Reference symbol 1 Camera arm according to the present disclosure 2 recess 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 face 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 with the outlet opening 34 Curvature of the air duct 35 slat 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, facing 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 respect to the outer surface surrounding the recess 62 Center of the camera lens 63 Side surface of the camera and / or the camera lens 100 vehicles AC Air Cushion AF Air Flow AF1 ... AF3 partial air flows 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 air flow released from the outlet opening FD1 main directional component FD2 secondary direction component MD Camera Mounting Direction SE suction effect WD Water Drop QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2019 004 778

[0003]

Claims

[1] Camera arm (1) adapted for an exterior 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 an outer surface (21) of the camera arm (1) surrounding the recess or protruding therefrom, 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 duct (33) connecting the inlet opening (31) to the outlet opening (32) to direct an air flow (AF) caused by an air flow (AS) when the vehicle (100) is traveling. wherein the outlet opening (32) is adaptedto release the air flow (AF) via the outer surface (21) surrounding the recess in a flow direction (FD), wherein a main 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 air flow (AF) with a suction effect (SE) in the direction opposite to the direction of travel (DD) when the vehicle (100) is traveling, wherein a cleaning air flow (CF) resulting from an interference between the air flow (AF) released from the outlet opening (32) and the provided suction effect (SE) is directed towards the camera lens (61) of the camera (60) accommodated in the recess (2) when the vehicle (100) is traveling. [2] Camera arm (1) according to claim 1, wherein the air flow entering the air guide duct (33) via the inlet opening (31) has a first air flow direction (AFD1), wherein the air guide duct (33) has a curvature (34) of 45 degrees or more and redirects the air flow (AF) inside the air guide duct (33) from the first air flow direction (AFD1) into a second air flow direction (AFD2), with which the air flow (AF) leaves the outlet opening (32). [3] Camera arm (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air guide duct (33) comprises one or more slats (35) arranged along the air flow (AF) in the air guide duct (33), which divide the air flow (AF) into two or more partial air flows (AF1, AF2, AF3). [4] Camera arm (1) according to claim 3, wherein the one or more slats (35) divide the inlet opening (31) into separate partial openings (31-1, 31-2, 31-3). [5] Camera arm (1) according to claim 4, wherein the partial openings (31-1, 31-2, 31-3) have inlet areas which increase from the partial opening (31-1), the longest distance to a vehicle side of the camera arm (1) to the partial opening (31-3) being arranged at the shortest distance to the vehicle side of the camera arm (1). [6] Camera arm (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a cross-sectional area of ​​the air guide channel (33) decreases perpendicular to the air flow (AF) from the inlet opening (31) to the outlet opening (32). [7] Camera arm (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet opening (32) has a substantially round, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, diamond, rhomboid, cross, ring, arc and / or rectangular shape, wherein preferably a horizontal width (31-h) of the inlet opening is greater than its vertical width (31-v). [8] Camera arm (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet opening (32) is covered by an air guiding element (4) to further shape the air flow towards the camera lens (61). [9] Camera arm (1) according to claim 8, wherein the air guiding element (4) is a ventilation grille element (41) comprising one or more ribs (41r) extending in the direction of the recess (2). [10] Camera arm (1) according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the one or more ribs (41r) tapers towards the recess (2). [11] Camera arm (1) according to claim 8, wherein the air guiding element (4) is an air tunnel (42) which is suitably shaped to guide the air flow (AF) to the camera lens (61), the air flow (AF) being lifted by the outer surface (21) surrounding the recess. [12] Camera arm (1) according to one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the air guiding element (4) is reversibly attachable to the outlet opening (32). [13] Camera arm (1) according to claim 12, wherein the air guiding element (4) can be attached to the outlet opening (32) by clamps and / or screws. [14] Camera arm (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet opening (32) has a substantially round, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, diamond, rhomboid, cross, ring, arc and / or rectangular shape, wherein 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, rhomboid, cross, ring, arc and / or rectangular shape. [15] Camera arm (1) according to claim 14, wherein an imaginary reference line (36) extends in the vertical 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, rhomboid, cross, ring, arc and / or rectangular shape of the outlet opening (32) is shifted along the horizontal width (32-h) of the substantially round, elliptical, semicircular, triangular, polygonal, diamond, rhomboid, cross, ring, arc and / or rectangular shape of the outlet opening (32) in the direction of travel (DD) by a distance (38) from the imaginary reference line (36) to the geometric center (37) which is equal to ¼ of the horizontal width (32-h) or greater is, begins. [16] Camera arm (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a wing guide (5) is arranged near the outer surface (21) surrounding the recess and • is suitably shaped to at least partially block the outer surface (21) surrounding the recess from direct contact with the air flow (AS) around at least part of the camera arm (1) caused by the driving of the vehicle, and / or • wherein the wing guide (5) has substantially the shape of a wall, preferably adapted to change the direction of the air flow (AS) and to reduce the pressure on the camera lens (61). [17] Camera arm (1) according to claim 16, wherein 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 air flow (AS) from the outer surface (21) surrounding the recess. [18] Camera arm (1) according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the wing guide (5) has a first surface (5a) directed towards the recess (2) and a second surface (5b) directed in an opposite direction, wherein the wing guide (5) has a sawtooth shape with the second surface (5b) as a slowly rising surface and with the first surface (5a) as a steeply inclined surface of the sawtooth shape. [19] Camera arm (1) according to claim 18, wherein the first surface (5a) protrudes from the surface (21) surrounding the recess with an optional height (5h) that is at least twice as large as the height (61h) of the camera lens (61) with which the camera lens (61) protrudes from the surface (21) surrounding the recess. [20] Camera arm (1) according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the first surface (5a) protrudes from the surface (21) surrounding the recess in the vertical direction. [21] Camera arm (1) according to one of claims 16 or 20, wherein the wing guide (5) partially surrounds the recess (2) and / or the camera lens (21). [22] Camera arm (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a seal (7) is arranged between the camera (60) and / or camera lens (61) and the outer surface (21) of the camera arm (1) surrounding the recess, wherein the seal covers a spacing gap between the camera (60) and / or camera lens (61) and the outer surface (21) surrounding the recess. [23] Camera arm (1) according to claim 22, wherein the seal (7) is provided as a deformable lip. [24] Camera arm (1) according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the seal (7) is advantageously attached to the outer surface (21) surrounding the recess by a multi-material injection molding technique (7-2K) or by reversibly attaching the seal (7) as a separate component (7-SC), preferably on the outer surface (21) surrounding the recess. [25] Camera arm system (50) comprising a camera arm (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and a camera (60) having an outer lens (61) placed in a recess (2) of the camera arm (1) for receiving the camera (60), wherein the outer lens (61) is part of or protrudes from an outer surface (21) of the camera arm (1) surrounding the camera. [26] A vehicle (100) comprising one or more camera arm systems (50) according to claim 25.

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