Camera system with cleaning unit, vehicle body part, vehicle and cleaning method

Abstract

A camera system 1 for a vehicle body part 50 mounted to a vehicle 100 comprises a camera unit 2 with a lens 21, a cleaning unit 3 for cleaning the lens, and an actuator 4 for moving the camera unit. T

Description

Description The present disclosure refers to a camera system comprising a cleaning unit, a vehicle body part comprising such a camera system, a vehicle comprising such a vehicle body part, and a cleaning method to operate such a camera system. Motor vehicles comprise camera units to monitor driving situations by obtaining images of the surrounding of a vehicle. Such a camera unit may allow drive assistance or even autonomous driving. A lens of such a camera unit may become dirty during use such that the field of view of the camera unit becomes obstructed. This may result in a hazardous situation as the monitoring may become difficult or even impossible. Therefore, camera lenses have to be cleaned, in particular periodically. For that purpose, a camera system may comprise a cleaning unit in addition to a camera unit. Such a cleaning unit may comprise a nozzle for emitting a cleaning fluid. For example US 2023 / 0017426 Al describes an exterior rear view device configured to be mounted to a vehicle and equipped with a camera with a lens, a cleaning system with a nozzle for dispensing a cleaning fluid onto the lens and a camera cradle for holding both the camera and the nozzle. Said nozzle extends through a cover element of the rear view device such that cleaning fluid with removed dirt particles may impinge on other vehicle body parts such that the same become stained. Further, cleaning fluid emitted by such a nozzle may distract traffic participants. It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a camera system for a vehicle body part ensuring a reliable functioning of a camera system via a cleaning system, but avoiding the disadvantages of the state of the art. This object is solved by a camera system for a vehicle body part mounted to a vehicle, with the camera system comprising a camera unit with a camera lens, a cleaning unit adapted for cleaning the camera lens, and an actuator unit adapted for moving the camera unit between a camera position and a cleaning position relative to the cleaning unit, where the camera position is an extended position enabling observing the environment of the vehicle, and where the cleaning position is a withdrawn position with the camera unit being withdrawn into an interior of the vehicle body part, wherein in the cleaning position an open gap between the camera lens and an inner side of the vehicle body part is provided, and the cleaning unit is arranged to emit a jet of cleaning liquid through the open gap onto the camera lens such that the cleaning liquid brushes by the camera lens. The term “camera unit” denotes any unit, which is capable of optically recording a scenery and comprises an optical lens as an entry aperture for electromagnetic radiation from the environment of the camera unit and an optical path inside the camera unit suitable to guide the received electromagnetic radiation to a suitable sensor, where the electromagnetic radiation is converted into an electronic signal or image, where the properties of optical lens, optical path and sensor determine the resolution of the recorded scenery, which may be displayed on a suitable display to a driver of a vehicle, for example in the inside of the vehicle. The electromagnetic radiation received by the camera unit and converted by the sensor may be radiation of the infrared, visible and / or ultraviolet spectrum of wavelengths. The camera lens may at least partially be made of transparent material, e.g. glass or plastics. The lens may carry an optical coating for improving the optical properties of the camera unit, especially of the camera lens. The optical coating may comprise an anti-reflective and / or protective coating. The optical coating may comprise a stack of different layers. The applied camera lens may be an extreme wide angle lens. The term “cleaning unit” denotes any unit suitable to store a certain amount of cleaning liquid, which may be dispensed by the cleaning unit in case of demanding a cleaning of the camera lens though an opening of the cleaning unit connecting a storage compartment or conduit for the cleaning liquid to the outside of the cleaning unit. The storage volume should be liquid tight. The opening may be adapted to provide a jet of cleaning liquid in a certain direction with a certain emitting cone to direct the cleaning liquid towards the camera lens to be cleaned. The defined emitting properties of the jet of cleaning liquid avoids excessive loss of cleaning liquid passing the camera lens without contacting it. The cleaning liquid to clean (wash) the camera lens may be water of any other cleaning solution, for example comprising additives to dissolve grease, dirt and particles. The storage volume may be arranged exchangeable or re-fillable in case of fully consumed cleaning liquid. Therefore, it should be possible to open the vehicle body part containing the camera system for supplying new cleaning liquid to the cleaning unit and to close the vehicle body part again after having supplied new cleaning liquid. Skilled people are able to provide suitable mechanisms to open and close the vehicle body part and to exchange and / or re-fill the storage volume with new cleaning liquid. The term “actuator unit” denotes any unit suitable to move the camera unit at least between the two positions being the camera position and the cleaning position. The movement can be achieved mechanically, magnetically or thermally / electronically by applying suitable actuators. A mechanic solution may comprise a spring, which is tensioned or relaxed. A magnetic solution may apply electromagnets pulling or pushing the camera unit along a guiding from one position to the other and vice versa. A thermal / electronical solution may be applied as a bi-metal actuator. Skilled people are able to further consider other actuators suitable to move the camera unit at least between two different positions. The term “camera position” denotes a position, where the camera lens is in an extended position not covered by the vehicle body part or in a position, where parts of the vehicle body parts only marginally block the field of view of the camera lens, enabling non-disturbed observation of the environment of the vehicle to which the vehicle body part is mounted. The term “cleaning position” denotes a position, where the camera unit is in a withdrawn position such that the camera unit is withdrawn into an interior of the vehicle body part creating an open gap between camera lens and an inner side of the vehicle body part. The open gap may be of any suitable shape. The open gap may be present circumferentially around the camera lens or may be present only in certain areas of the circumference around the camera lens. The open gap may be present in at least two opposing regions around the camera lens. The area of the open gap may be geometrically larger than the opposite area where the cleaning liquid passes through. The larger area opposite the open gap for dispensing the cleaning liquid can be used to recapture the cleaning liquid so that it cannot get outside the vehicle body part. Since the jet of cleaning liquid expands from the opening or nozzle of the cleaning unit, the open gap may increase from the cleaning unit to the opposite side of the camera lens to allow the jet to pass. The camera system according to the present disclosure may be mounted onto the vehicle body part via a cradle or the like. Skilled people are able to provide suitable attachment means. The camera system of the present disclosure substantially keeps the cleaning liquid within the vehicle body part. Therefore, the jet of cleaning liquid with or without removed dirt particles will neither stain any vehicle surfaces nor disturb other traffic participants in contrast to devices of the state of the art. Thus, the present disclosure provides a camera system enabling observing the surrounding around the vehicle reliably while avoiding at least some of the disadvantages of the state of the art. In an embodiment the cleaning unit is arranged in the interior of the vehicle body part covered by the vehicle body part. Thus, the cleaning unit is covered from the outside of the vehicle body part for not disturbing the optical appearance of the vehicle body part. In another embodiment the cleaning unit comprises a nozzle to emit the jet of cleaning liquid. The nozzle enables to apply a cleaning liquid to the camera lens in a defined quantity, direction and liquid pressure. In another embodiment the nozzle is laterally arranged to the camera lens with an emitting direction of the nozzle aligned with the camera lens. The arrangement lateral to the camera lens facilitates to emit the jet of cleaning liquid through the gap. The jet of cleaning liquid may be emitted directly or indirectly onto the camera lens. The nozzle is arranged in a suitable nozzle position with respect to the camera lens to emit the jet of cleaning liquid with a grazing incidence onto the camera lens. A jet of cleaning liquid with a grazing incidence avoids non-desired mist of cleaning liquid that penetrates to the outside of the vehicle body part. In another embodiment the camera lens and an outer side of the vehicle body part form a continuous surface. For that purpose, the camera lens has to be very close or in contact to the outer side of the vehicle body part in the camera position. In the camera position there may be no or only a neglectable design gap around the camera lens with respect to the surrounding surface of the vehicle body part reducing wind noise caused by the vehicle body part compared to cameras in a camera position with gaps around the camera lens to the surrounding vehicle body part. In another embodiment a receptacle is arranged to receive the jet of cleaning liquid having passed the camera lens. Therefore, no cleaning liquid is flowing on or over the outside of the vehicles body part leaving the outside of the vehicle body part clean, without the need for cleaning and drying. The receptacle may be part of the camera system mounted onto a framework, where also the camera unit, the cleaning unit, the actuator unit and eventually further units may be mounted to. In another embodiment, the receptacle may be attached to the inner side of the vehicle body part in close distance to the camera system fulfilling the same purpose as in the embodiment, where the receptacle is part of the camera system. In another embodiment the receptacle is laterally arranged to the camera lens opposite the cleaning unit such that the jet of cleaning liquid emitted by the cleaning unit passes the lens on its way to the receptacle through the open gap. In another embodiment a control unit is adapted to control the actuator unit to move the camera unit from the camera position to the cleaning position and vice versa. The control unit may trigger the actuator to move the camera unit to a desired position on demand. The control unit may be a simple switch switching the actuator on and off or may comprise a component intelligence to receive and process external signals, either from the driver or based on automatically generated signals, e.g. in dependence of the driving situation of the vehicle, where the camera system is part of. In another embodiment the control unit is adapted to receive an external signal demanding the camera unit being in the camera position or in the cleaning position. This enables an operation of the camera unit or a cleaning of the camera unit on demand by the driver. In another embodiment the control unit is adapted to activate the actuator unit to move the camera unit to the cleaning position periodically for cleaning the camera lens. This procedure guarantees an always clean camera lens improving the vehicle and driver security. In another embodiment a drain system is adapted to drain used cleaning liquid from the camera system inside the vehicle body part. The receptacle, the control unit and / or the drain system may at least partly be comprised by the camera system. The disclosure further relates to a vehicle body part comprising at least one camera system according to the present disclosure. The cleaning unit of the camera system is neither positioned outside of the vehicle body part nor extends therefrom - it remains covered. When a cleaning program is ON, the cleaning unit is not raising above and beyond the camera lens, but the camera unit moves backwards into the inside of the vehicle body part and the cleaning process is accomplished beneath the vehicle body part’s surface. Thus, the cleaning liquid and the removed particles are neither exiting to the outside of the vehicle body, nor being left directly on an outer surface of the vehicle body part. The vehicle body part may be a part of the vehicle rear, the vehicle side, the vehicle front, the vehicle roof or any other component of the vehicle. In an embodiment the vehicle body part may be a rear view device. In another embodiment the vehicle body part comprises the drain system of the camera system and / or the vehicle body part is connected to the vehicle drain system of the vehicle to drain the used cleaning liquid from the camera system inside the vehicle body part to a bottom side of the vehicle. The disclosure still further relates to a vehicle comprising a vehicle body part according to the present disclosure. The internal camera cleaning solution of the present disclosure may include the cleaning unit as a sprinkler device which provides the jet of cleaning liquid. In an embodiment a drain system of the vehicle body part is connected to a vehicle drain system of the vehicle to drain the used cleaning liquid from the camera system inside the vehicle body part to a bottom side of the vehicle. The connected drain systems enable the used cleaning liquid going through the vehicle body part to a vehicle drain system of the vehicle to leave the vehicle at the bottom side, where designed drain holes already exist for condense and rain water. The vehicle drain system for condense and rain water may, thus, fulfill the further function to drain cleaning liquid with removed particles in a controlled way below the vehicle. The disclosure further relates to a cleaning method to operate a camera system according to the present disclosure, comprising following steps of: moving the camera unit via the actuator unit to a camera position as an extended position for observing the environment of a vehicle; moving the camera unit via the actuator unit to a cleaning position as a withdrawn position, where the camera unit is withdrawn into an interior of the vehicle body part opening a gap between camera lens and an inner side of the vehicle body part by the actuator unit; and emitting a jet of cleaning liquid by the cleaning unit through the open gap onto the camera lens when the camera unit is in the cleaning position. In an embodiment the method comprises the step of activating the actuator unit to move the camera unit from the camera position to the cleaning position and vice versa, via the control unit. In another embodiment the method further comprises at least one of following steps of receiving an external signal as control signal for the control unit demanding the camera unit in the camera position or in the cleaning position for initiating the actuator unit; and / or periodically initiating the actuator unit to move the camera unit to the cleaning position for maintaining a clean camera lens. The external signal may be an electronic signal issued by a driver control panel or by a driver assistant system. The external signal may be issued in response to a recognized contamination of the camera lens, e.g. from analysed sharpness or field of view of the images recorded by the camera system. The external signal from the driver control panel may be issued via a switch operated by the driver or automatically in response of a recognized cleaning demand. Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, wherein: Figs, la and lb: are schematic views of a camera system according to the present disclosure, each in a lateral cut through of a vehicle body part to which the camera system is mounted, with (a) in camera position, and (b) in cleaning position, where cleaning liquid is applied to the camera lens; Fig. 2: is a schematic perspective view to a rear view device as the vehicle body part with the camera system of Figs, la and lb being mounted thereto; Fig. 3: is a perspective view of a section of the vehicle comprising the rear view device of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4: is a block diagram of a method to operate a camera system according to the present disclosure. The foregoing objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description related to accompanying drawings. However, various modifications may be applied to the present disclosure, and the present disclosure may have various embodiments. Hereinafter, specific embodiments, which are illustrated in the drawings, will be described in detail. In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. When it is indicated that an element or layer is “on” or “above” another element or layer, this comprises a case in which another layer or element is interposed therebetween as well as a case in which the element or layer is directly above the other element or layer. In principle, like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification. In the following description, like reference numerals are used to designate elements which have the same function within the same idea illustrated in the drawings of each embodiment. When detailed description of known functions or configurations related to the present disclosure is deemed to unnecessarily blur the gist of the disclosure, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Also, numerals (e.g., first, second, etc.) used in the description herein are merely identifiers for distinguishing one element from another element. In addition, the terms “module” and “unit” used to refer to elements in the following description are given or used in combination only in consideration of ease of writing the specification, and the terms themselves do not have distinct meanings or roles. Furthermore, the use of a singular term, such as, “a” is not to be interpreted as limiting the number of components or details of particular components. Additionally, various terms and / or phrases describing or indicating a position or directional reference such as, but not limited to, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “forward”, “rearward”, “end”, “outer”, “inner”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, etc. may relate to one or more particular components as seen generally from a user’s vantage point during use or operation, and such terms and / or phrases are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for describing the disclosure to one skilled in the art. In addition, a suffix "region", "part", "unit" for a component used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of only the ease of writing the specification, and do not have meanings or roles distinguished from each other. Figs, la and lb are schematic views in a lateral cut through of a vehicle body part 50 having a camera system 1 according to the present disclosure and mounted thereto. The camera system 1 comprises a camera unit 2 with a camera lens 21, a cleaning unit 3 enabling cleaning of the camera lens 21 of the camera unit 2, and an actuator unit 4 adapted to move the camera unit 2 between a camera position Pl (shown in Fig. la) and a cleaning position P2 (shown in Fig. lb). The camera position Pl is an extended position, which enables observing the environment of a vehicle 100 (not shown) to which the vehicle body part 50 is attached, and the cleaning position P2 is a withdrawn position, where the camera unit 2 is withdrawn to an interior 50i of the vehicle body part 50 creating an open gap OG between the camera lens 21 and an inner side S2 of the vehicle body part 50. Washing liquid WL may be applied to the camera lens 21 through the gap OG. In Fig. la the camera lens 21 and an outer side SI of the vehicle body part 50 form a continuous surface in the camera position Pl. Alternatively, the camera lens 21 may be close to the outer side SI of the vehicle body part 50 in the camera position Pl (not shown). The cleaning unit 3 is arranged in the interior 50i of the vehicle body part 50 covered by the vehicle body part 50 to emit a jet J of cleaning liquid WL via a nozzle 31 through the open gap OG onto the camera lens 21 when the camera unit 2 is in the cleaning position P2. The open gap OG may completely surround the camera lens 21, and the nozzle 31 may be laterally arranged relative to the camera lens 21 with an emitting direction JD of the nozzle 31 being aligned with the camera lens 21. The nozzle position is adapted to emit the jet J of cleaning liquid WL such that the cleaning liquid WL brushes by the camera lens 21. The nozzle 31 may be in direct contact to the inner side S2 of the vehicle body part 50, while the camera lens 21 can be moved from the camera position Pl to the cleaning position P2 inside the interior 50i of the vehicle body part 50. In the cleaning position P2 the camera lens 21 is spaced from the inner side S2 of the vehicle body part 50 such that the jet J of cleaning liquid WL can reach the camera lens 21 from the side above of the camera unit. Furthermore, a receptacle 5 may be arranged next to the camera unit 2 to receive the jet J of cleaning liquid WL having passed the camera lens 21, wherein the receptacle 5 is laterally arranged relative to the camera lens 21 on an opposite side of the cleaning unit 3 with is nozzle 31. In the cleaning position P2 the open gap OG extends from the nozzle 31 to the receptacle 5 such that the jet J of cleaning liquid WL can pass the open gap OG. The vehicle body part 50 may comprise a drain system 60 guiding the used cleaning liquid WL from the receptacle 5 away from the camera unit 2, see Fig. lb and Fig. 3. The camera system 1 also may comprise a control unit 6 adapted to control the actuator unit 4 to move the camera unit 2 from the camera position Pl to the cleaning position P2 and vice versa. The control unit 6 is further adapted to receive an external signal ES, e.g. issued from a driver control panel or from a driver assistant system, to move the camera unit 2 in the camera position Pl or in the cleaning position P2. The control unit 6 may be adapted to activate the actuator unit 4 to move the camera unit 2 to the cleaning position P2 periodically for cleaning the camera lens 21 in order to ensure that the camera lens 21 remains clean. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a rear view device as the vehicle body part 50 with the camera system 1 of Figs, la and lb mounted thereto. The vehicle body part 50 is mounted on the driver side of a vehicle 100. The cleaning unit 3 is arranged behind the vehicle body part 50 next to the camera unit 1 such that only the camera unit 1 can be partly seen from the outside of the vehicle body 50, but not the cleaning device 3. Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a section of the vehicle 100 comprising the rear view device as the vehicle body part 50 with the camera system 1 mounted. The vehicle body part 50 comprises the drain system 60 (dashed white line) to drain the used cleaning liquid WL from the camera system 1 inside the vehicle body part 50. The drain system 60 of the vehicle body part 50 is connected to a vehicle drain system 110 (black dashed line) to drain the used cleaning liquid to a bottom side of the vehicle 100, where the used cleaning liquid is released to the outside or collected in a corresponding reservoir (not shown). In summary, the present invention provides an internal camera lens cleaning, in particular washing, without staining other vehicle body parts or bother other participants in the traffic. Fig. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of a method 200 to operate the camera system 1 of Figs, la and lb, with the following steps: • step 210 of moving the camera unit 2 to a camera position Pl as an extended position for observing the environment of a vehicle 100 when attached to the vehicle body part 50 of the vehicle 100 by the actuator unit 4; • step 220 of moving the camera unit 2 to a cleaning position P2 as a withdrawn position, where the camera unit 2 is withdrawn into an interior 50i of the vehicle body part 50 creating the open gap OG between the camera lens 21 and the inner side S2 of the vehicle body part 50 by the actuator unit 4; and • step 230 of emitting a jet J of cleaning liquid WL through the open gap OG onto the camera lens 21 when the camera unit 2 is in the cleaning position P2 by the cleaning unit 3. The method 200 may further comprise a step 240 of activating the actuator unit 4 to move the camera unit 2 from the camera position Pl to the cleaning position P2, and vice versa, via the control unit 6. The method 200 may still further comprise a step 250 of receiving an external signal ES as a control signal for moving the camera unit 2 in the camera position Pl or in the cleaning position P2 and / or a step 260 for periodically activating the actuator unit 4 to move the camera unit 2 to the cleaning position P2 for maintaining a clean camera lens 21. As described above, although the embodiments are described by the limited embodiments and the drawings, various modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art from the above description. For example, appropriate results may be achieved even if the described techniques are performed in a different order than the described method, and / or components of the described system, structure, apparatus, circuit, etc. are combined or combined in a different form than the described method, or replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents. Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and those equivalent to the claims also fall within the claims to be described below. Reference Signs camera system according to the present disclosure camera unit cleaning unit actuator unit receptacle control unit camera lens nozzle vehicle body part according to the present disclosure interior of the vehicle body part drain system of the vehicle body part vehicle according to the present disclosure drain system of the vehicle method to operate the camera system according to the present disclosure moving the camera unit to a camera position moving the camera unit to a cleaning position emitting a jet of cleaning liquid through the open gap onto the camera lens initiating the actuator unit to move the camera unit by a control unit receiving an external signal at the control signal for initiating the actuator unit periodically initiating the actuator unit to move the camera unit to the cleaning position for maintaining a clean camera lens external signal emitting direction of the nozzle emitting the jet of cleaning liquid jet of cleaning liquid open gap Pl camera position P2 cleaning position SI outer side of the vehicle body part S2 inner side of the vehicle body part WL cleaning liquid

Claims

1. A camera system (1) for a vehicle body part (50) mounted to a vehicle (100), with the camera system (1) comprisinga camera unit (2) with a camera lens (21),a cleaning unit (3) adapted for cleaning of the camera lens (21), andan actuator unit (4) adapted for moving the camera unit (2) between a camera position (Pl) and a cleaning position (P2) relative to the cleaning unit (3), where the camera position (Pl) is an extended position enabling observing the environment of the vehicle (100), and where the cleaning position (P2) is a withdrawn position with the camera unit (2) being withdrawn into an interior (50i) of the vehicle body part (50), wherein in the cleaning position (P2)• an open gap (OG) between the camera lens (21) and an inner side (S2) of the vehicle body part (50) is provided, and• the cleaning unit (3) is arranged to emit a jet (J) of cleaning liquid (WL) through the LO open gap (OG) onto the camera lens (21) such that the cleaning liquid (WL) brushesC\j by the camera lens (21), andwherein a receptacle (5) is arranged to receive the jet (J) of cleaning liquid (WL) having passed the camera lens (21).CO2. The camera system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit (3) is arranged in the interior (5Oi) of the vehicle body part (50) covered by the vehicle body part (50).

3. The camera system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cleaning unit (3) comprises a nozzle (31) to emit the jet (J) of cleaning liquid (WL).

4. The camera system (1) according to claim 3, wherein the nozzle (31) is laterally arranged to the camera lens (21) with an emitting direction (JD) of the nozzle (31) aligned with the camera lens (21).

5. The camera system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the camera lens (21) and an outer side (SI) of the vehicle body part (50) form a continuous surface.

6. The camera system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle (5) is laterally arranged to the camera lens (21) opposite the cleaning unit (30) such that the jet (J) of cleaning liquid (WL) emitted by the cleaning unit (3) passes the lens (21) on its way to the receptacle (5) through the open gap (OG).

7. The camera system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a control unit (6) is adapted to control the actuator unit (4) to move the camera unit (2) from the camera position (Pl) to the cleaning position (P2) and vice versa.

8. The camera system (1) according to claim 7, wherein the control unit (6) is adapted to receive an external signal (ES) demanding the camera unit (2) being in the camera position (Pl) or in the cleaning position (P2).

9. The camera system (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the control unit (6) is adapted to activate the actuator unit (4) to move the camera unit (2) to the cleaning position (P2) periodically for cleaning the camera lens (21).

10. The camera system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a drain system (60) is adapted to drain used cleaning liquid (WL) from the camera system (1) inside the vehicle body part (50).

11. The camera system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle (5), the control unit (6) and the drain system (60) are at least partly comprised by the camera system (1).

12. A vehicle body part (50) comprising at least one camera system (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

13. The vehicle body part (50) of claim 12, where the vehicle body part is a rear view device.

14. The vehicle body part (50) of claim 12 or 13, comprises the drain system (60) at least partly, with the drain system (60) being adapted to be connected to a vehicle drain system (110) of the vehicle.

15. A vehicle (100) comprising a vehicle body part (50) according to any of claims 12 to 14.

16. The vehicle (100) of claim 15 and the camera system (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the drain system (60) of the camera system (1) is connected to the vehicle drain system (110) of the vehicle to drain the used cleaning liquid from the camera system (1) inside the vehicle body part (50), in particular via a conduit through a door of the vehicle, to a bottom side of the vehicle (100).

17. A cleaning method (200) to operate a camera system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11 for a vehicle body part (50), comprising following steps of:moving (210) the camera unit (2) via the actuator unit (4) to a camera position (Pl) as an extended position for observing the environment of the vehicle (100) ;moving (220) the camera unit (2) via the actuator unit (4) to a cleaning position (P2) as a withdrawn position, where the camera unit (2) is withdrawn into an interior (50i) of the vehicle body part (50) opening the gap (OG) between camera lens (21) and an inner side (S2) of the vehicle body part (50); andemitting (230) a jet (J) of cleaning liquid (WL) by the cleaning unit (3) through the open gap (OG) onto the camera lens (21) when the camera unit (2) is in the cleaning position (P2).

18. The method (200) according to claim 17, further comprising the step of activating (240) the actuator unit (4) to move the camera unit (2) from the camera position (Pl) to the cleaning position (P2) and vice versa, via the control unit (6).W / 19. The method (200) according to claim 17 or 18, further comprising the step of receivingC\|(250) an external signal (ES) as control signal for the control unit (6) demanding the camera unit (2) in the camera position (Pl) or in the cleaning position (P2) for initiating the actuator unit (4).COI-20. The method (200) according to any one of the claims 17 to 19, further comprising the step of periodically initiating (260) the actuator unit (4) to move the camera unit (2) to the cleaning position (P2) for maintaining a clean camera lens (21).

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