In-car camera
The in-vehicle camera uses a heater and piezoelectric element to remove snow and moisture from the lens, ensuring a clear field of view by efficiently melting and vibrating away obstructions while maintaining thermal efficiency.
JP7882918B2Active Publication Date: 2026-06-30PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYST CO LTD
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYST CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-30
AI Technical Summary
Technical Problem
Existing in-vehicle cameras face challenges in effectively removing foreign matter such as snow and moisture from the lens, which obstructs the field of view and can impair their functionality, especially in adverse weather conditions.
Method used
The in-vehicle camera design incorporates a heater unit and a piezoelectric element positioned between lenses to melt and vibrate away snow and moisture, respectively, with a resin member supporting these components to enhance thermal conductivity and maintain efficient heat dissipation.
Benefits of technology
This configuration ensures a clear field of view by effectively removing foreign matter while minimizing heat loss, thereby maintaining camera functionality in various weather conditions.
✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Different types of foreign matter, such as snow or moisture, adhering to the first lens are removed by the heater and piezoelectric element. [Solution] The in-vehicle camera comprises a lens barrel 30 having a lens 35 including at least a first lens 35a and a second lens 35b, an image sensor 50, and a circuit board 40 on which the image sensor is arranged. The lens barrel includes a ring-shaped heater portion 10 positioned between the first lens and the second lens, along the first edge of the first lens; a ring-shaped piezoelectric element 20 positioned between the first lens and the second lens, along the first edge of the first lens; and a ring-shaped resin member 70 positioned between the first lens and the second lens, along the second edge of the second lens. The resin member is positioned closer to the second lens than the heater portion and closer to the second lens than the piezoelectric element, and supports the heater portion and / or the piezoelectric element. The first thermal conductivity of the lens barrel is greater than the second thermal conductivity of the resin member.
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