Aerodynamic Vehicle Camera Mount Reducing Drag and Lens Obscuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video camera mounts on vehicles, such as heavy-duty trucks, face issues with wind resistance, lens obscuration by dirt and spray, and inadequate viewing angles, which affect driver safety and fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A camera mount with an aerodynamic housing and support arm system that positions the camera above the fender or hood, providing a low wind resistance profile and a clear view similar to conventional mirrors, while allowing easy angular adjustments and protection from weather debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the camera is mounted with a low profile housing directly onto the fender, then wind resistance is reduced and fuel economy is improved, but the lens becomes obscured by dirt and spray
Solution Approach 1:
The patent elevates the camera from a low-profile mounting directly on the fender to a higher position using an extended mounting structure. This dimensional change in the vertical axis allows the camera to protrude above the aerodynamic footprint while maintaining a streamlined shape, thereby reducing lens exposure to dirt and spray while preserving wind resistance benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an aerodynamic housing as an intermediary structure between the camera and the fender. This housing extends upward to position the camera above the aerodynamic footprint while maintaining a streamlined shape that reduces wind resistance. The housing acts as a mediator that protects the lens from dirt and spray exposure
2Loss of energy
If the camera is positioned too far away from the mirrors, then aerodynamic resistance is reduced, but the camera image becomes too different from the mirror image, making driver judgment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an adjustable mounting structure that allows the camera position to be dynamically optimized. The support arm and bracket system enables positioning adjustments to achieve the optimal balance between aerodynamic resistance reduction and maintaining image similarity for driver judgment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the mounting parameters (distance from mirror, height above fender, angular orientation) to achieve the optimal position. By carefully controlling these parameters, the camera captures images that are sufficiently different from mirrors to reduce aerodynamic resistance while remaining similar enough for driver judgment
3Loss of energy
If the camera is positioned too low on the vehicle, then wind resistance is reduced, but the driver's ability to determine lane position of overtaking vehicles is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the camera in the vertical dimension above the aerodynamic footprint by using an extended mounting structure. This elevation provides the necessary vertical clearance to observe lane positions of overtaking vehicles while maintaining a streamlined profile that reduces wind resistance
4Device complexity
If an improper viewing angle or position is used, then device complexity is reduced, but identification of potential dangers from other road users becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the mounting parameters (angle, height, distance) to achieve the correct viewing angle for danger identification. By adjusting these parameters within the mounting structure, the camera captures images with proper perspective for identifying potential dangers while avoiding overly complex mounting arrangements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces wind resistance and noise, improves fuel economy, enhances camera lens visibility, and enables faster and more accurate driver judgments by providing a clear and relevant view of overtaking vehicles, thus improving safety and visibility.
Implementation Method 1
The camera housing (16) has a profile to achieve low wind resistance when the camera housing (16) is mounted to the fender (20) or to the hood (22)
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle camera mount has a bracket, a support arm, and a camera housing. The bracket is used to fasten the support arm to a vehicle. The camera housing is connected to the support arm, the camera housing contains a camera, and the camera housing has a wind resistance reducing aerodynamic profile configured to reduce wind resistance by the camera housing as the vehicle is moving. The support arm is configured to support the camera housing to the vehicle so that the camera housing is above a front fender of the vehicle and alongside a hood of the vehicle.