A system that uses VOC adsorbent to prevent camera interference.

Abstract

This invention provides a system and method for maintaining optimal visibility and performance of a vehicle safety system that utilizes optical sensors and cameras mounted on a vehicle. [Solution] A system for preventing interference with a camera 108 inside a vehicle includes a sensor 110 mounted in optical communication with the windshield 104, and an integrated plastic component containing microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles positioned close to the sensor. In a particular example, the plastic component includes a polypropylene resin material having about 70% by weight of microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles having a crystalline structure and controlled pore size configured to capture volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs). The component includes a glare shield, a mounting bracket, interior trim components, and a lens hood strategically positioned to absorb VOCs before they condense on the windshield.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This technical field relates to systems and methods for maintaining optimal visibility and performance of vehicle safety systems, particularly those that utilize optical sensors and cameras mounted on vehicles. More broadly, this field encompasses technologies for managing environmental conditions that can affect the operation of vehicle detection systems and safety features.

Background Art

[0002] Modern vehicles are increasingly dependent on advanced safety and driver assistance systems that utilize cameras and optical sensors mounted within the vehicle cabin. These advanced systems, including automatic emergency braking and autonomous driving functions, rely on a clear line of sight through the vehicle's windshield without obstructions in order to function properly and ensure passenger safety.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0003] To easily identify the description of any particular element or act, the leading digit or digits of the reference number refer to the figure number in which the element is first introduced.

[0004] [Figure 1] A diagram showing a vehicle windshield having an inner surface, with one or more cameras optically communicating with the outside of the windshield and attached to the back side of the windshield.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0005] Modern vehicles are increasingly dependent on advanced safety and driver assistance systems that utilize cameras and optical sensors mounted within the vehicle cabin. These advanced systems, including automatic emergency braking and autonomous driving functions, rely on a clear line of sight through the vehicle's windshield without obstructions in order to function properly and ensure passenger safety.

[0006] A significant challenge arises from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) released from various polymer materials used inside vehicles, including plastics, adhesives, and synthetic materials used in seats, dashboards, and trim pieces. These compounds can condense on the inner surface of the windshield, particularly in areas where cameras are mounted, potentially obscuring their field of view and affecting the performance of critical safety systems.

[0007] In a particular example, a system and method for preventing camera (field of view) obstruction in a vehicle is described herein by utilizing a plastic component having integrated microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles positioned in close proximity to a camera mounted on the vehicle. The system includes one or more sensors mounted to communicate with the vehicle's windshield, and comprises optical and infrared detection devices including a camera, configured to provide input for vehicle safety functions, including automatic emergency braking and autonomous driving functions.

[0008] In some examples, the system incorporates multiple plastic components positioned close to the camera, manufactured from a polypropylene resin containing microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles embedded within, having a distinct tetrahedral framework that may consist of silicon (Si), aluminum (Al), and oxygen (O) atoms forming uniform pores in channels at a molecular scale. In some examples, these microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles constitute about 70% by weight of the resin material and include a crystalline structure with a controlled pore size specifically designed to trap VOC molecular chains. The plastic components may include a glare shield configured to block reflections, a bracket designed to mount the camera to a windshield, interior trim components, and a lens hood configured to block stray light from entering the camera optics. In some examples, the microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles have pore sizes ranging from about 3 to 10 angstroms (0.3 to 1.0 nanometers). In certain examples, a medium-porous zeolite with a pore size of about 5 to 7 angstroms can be used. In another example, large-pore zeolites with pore sizes of approximately 7–10 angstroms can be selected to capture larger VOC molecules and semi-volatile organic compounds.

[0009] In some examples, the manufacturing process involves combining microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles with plastic resin pellets, mixing them to achieve a desired microporous crystalline aluminosilicate content, and molding the mixture into various component shapes. The microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles maintain their effectiveness when incorporated into polypropylene resin materials and exhibit superior performance compared to other VOC absorbent materials such as activated carbon and bentonite clay.

[0010] In some examples, the system is integrated with various vehicle safety features and designed to simultaneously control both moisture and VOCs within the vehicle, prevent condensation on the windshield in the area corresponding to the camera's field of view, and maintain optimal image quality for the vehicle safety system. In specific examples, the crystal structure has pore sizes ranging from approximately 3 to 10 angstroms, selected to attract and capture long-chain fatty acids and other VOC compounds commonly found inside vehicles. The choice of pore size may depend on the target VOC molecule, with larger pores (7 to 10 angstroms) being particularly effective for semi-volatile compounds.

[0011] Figure 1 shows a vehicle 102 having a windshield 104. Detail area 100 shows a sensor housing 106 positioned behind the inner surface of the windshield 104. The sensor housing 106 houses one or more camera / sensor devices 108, 110. The camera / sensor devices 108, 110 can be positioned to provide input for vehicle safety functions, including automatic emergency braking and advanced driver assistance functions. The camera / sensor devices 108, 110 are mounted in optical communication with the windshield 104 to maintain a field of view through the glass.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, areas of VOC condensation can be seen on the inner surface of the windshield 104. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from the interior components of the vehicle can accumulate on the inner surface of the windshield 104. VOC condensation may be visible when viewed from outside the vehicle 102 and may appear as a frost or film on the windshield 104. If VOC condensation occurs in areas corresponding to the field of view of the camera / sensor devices 108, 110, the condensation may interfere with or degrade the image quality captured by the camera / sensor devices 108, 110.

[0013] To address VOC condensation, one or more plastic components containing an integrated VOC-absorbing material are mounted in close proximity to the camera / sensor devices 108, 110 within or adjacent to the sensor housing 106. The VOC-absorbing material may include microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles. In a particular example, the plastic components may include one or more of the following: a glare shield configured to prevent reflections and solar glare from entering the camera / sensor devices 108, 110; a mounting bracket bonded to and attached to the windshield 104, which functions as a mounting structure for securing the camera / sensor devices 108, 110 and other components; an interior trim component positioned adjacent to the sensor housing 106; or a lens hood configured to prevent stray light from entering the optics of the camera / sensor devices 108, 110.

[0014] In some examples, plastic components are manufactured by combining microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles with a polymer resin. The polymer resin may include polypropylene. Microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles may constitute about 70% by weight of the final material. Other weight percentages are intended, ranging from about 50% to about 80% by weight. Microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles may include zeolite material. The zeolite material may have a controlled pore size selected to attract and capture VOC molecules, including long-chain fatty acids and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), before the VOC molecules migrate to and condense on the inner surface of the windshield 104.

[0015] In some examples, the sensor housing 106 is positioned close to the rearview mirror mounting area of ​​the windshield 104. The sensor housing 106 can be attached to the windshield 104 via adhesive bonding. Plastic components containing VOC-absorbing material can be placed within the internal volume defined by the sensor housing 106, thereby absorbing VOCs emitted in the vehicle before they reach the inner surface of the windshield 104 in the areas corresponding to the camera / sensor devices 108, 110.

[0016] In some cases, VOC-absorbing materials are distributed throughout the entire plastic component matrix rather than being applied as a surface coating. This distribution allows the plastic components to absorb VOCs over a long period of time, as microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles remain available for absorption throughout the entire volume of the components. Examples

[0017] Example 1: A system comprising a vehicle windshield having an internal surface, one or more sensors mounted in optical communication with the windshield, and a plurality of plastic components arranged in close proximity to one or more sensors, wherein the plastic components include a resin material having microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles incorporated inside.

[0018] Example 2: The subject matter according to Example 1, wherein the plastic component comprises at least one of a glare shield, a bracket for mounting to a windshield, an interior trim component, and a lens hood associated with one or more sensors.

[0019] Example 3: The subject matter according to Example 1 or 2, further comprising a camera configured with one or more sensors to provide input for vehicle safety functions.

[0020] Example 4: The subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein the vehicle safety features include an automatic emergency braking function and a fully autonomous driving (FSD) function.

[0021] Example 5: The subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles constitute about 70% by weight of the resin material.

[0022] Example 6: The subject matter according to any one of Examples 1 to 5, wherein microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles include a crystalline structure having a pore size controlled to capture specific VOC molecular chains.

[0023] Example 7: A system for preventing (obstruction) of the (field of view) of a camera inside a vehicle includes a windshield having an inner surface, at least one camera attached to optically communicate with the windshield and configured to provide an input for a vehicle safety function, and a plurality of plastic components disposed in proximity to the camera, the plastic components including a polypropylene resin material having microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles incorporated therein, the microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles including a crystal structure having a controlled pore size configured to capture specific VOC molecular chains.

[0024] Example 8: The subject matter of Example 7, wherein the plastic component includes one or more of a glare shield for at least one camera, a bracket for at least one camera, an interior trim component, and a lens hood for at least one camera.

[0025] Example 9: The subject matter of Example 7 or 8, wherein the microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles constitute 70% by weight of the polypropylene resin material.

[0026] Example 10: The subject matter of any one of Examples 7 to 9, wherein the controlled pore size of the crystal structure is specifically selected to attract and capture long-chain fatty acids.

[0027] <00_{0}0091>Example 11: The subject matter of any one of Examples 7 to 10, wherein the vehicle safety function includes one or more of an automatic emergency braking system and a full self-driving (FSD) system.

Claims

1. The vehicle's windshield and One or more sensors mounted in optical communication with the windshield, A plastic component positioned in close proximity to one or more of the aforementioned sensors, wherein the plastic component includes a resin material having microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles incorporated inside, A system that includes these features.

2. The aforementioned plastic component is Glare Shield, A bracket for attaching to the aforementioned windshield, Interior trim components, or, Lens hood associated with one or more of the aforementioned sensors The system according to claim 1, comprising at least one of the following.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors include a camera configured to provide input for a vehicle safety function.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the vehicle safety function includes an automatic emergency braking function or an autonomous driving function.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles constitute at least about 70% by weight of the resin material.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles include a crystalline structure that defines controlled pores of a size that trap VOC molecular chains.

7. A system to prevent interference with cameras inside a vehicle, The windshield and, At least one camera mounted to communicate optically with the windshield and configured to provide input for vehicle safety functions, A plurality of plastic components arranged in close proximity to the camera, wherein each plastic component comprises a polypropylene resin material having microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles incorporated inside, and the microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles include a crystalline structure having a controlled pore size configured to capture specific VOC molecular chains, A system that includes these features.

8. The aforementioned plastic component is The glare shield of at least one camera, The bracket of at least one camera, Interior trim components, or, Lens hood of at least one camera The system according to claim 7, comprising one or more of the above.

9. The system according to claim 7, wherein the microporous crystalline aluminosilicate particles constitute 70% by weight of the polypropylene resin material.

10. The system according to claim 7, wherein the controlled pore size of the crystal structure is particularly selected to attract and capture long-chain fatty acids.

11. The aforementioned vehicle safety function, Automatic emergency braking system, or Autonomous driving system The system according to claim 7, comprising one or more of the above.

Images