Articulating Camera Wing With Base Wiper for Low-Drag Lens Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Camera monitor systems in commercial vehicles face obstruction issues due to rain, snow, and road debris, compromising the quality of the displayed view, especially when they replace traditional mirrors, and existing camera cleaning systems increase the drag coefficient and reduce fuel economy.
Innovation Solution
A camera arm with a base-mounted wiper and articulating pivoting arm that moves between deployed and stowed positions, incorporating a seal, drain, and washer system, with a controller coordinating the actuator and washer for effective debris removal, allowing the camera assembly to be protected and cleaned while maintaining an aerodynamic design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a camera cleaning system with wiper and washer components is integrated into the camera arm, then the camera can be cleaned effectively, but the packaging envelope increases the drag coefficient and reduces fuel economy
Solution Approach 1:
The camera cleaning system is segmented into separate functional components: the wiper blade is separated from the camera arm structure and positioned to contact the camera lens directly, while the washer nozzle is integrated into the base structure. This segmentation allows the camera arm to maintain a streamlined aerodynamic profile while still incorporating cleaning functionality through strategically placed separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system utilizes the temporal dimension by activating the wiper and washer only when needed (periodic action), rather than continuously. The controller activates the cleaning components based on detected conditions, allowing the camera arm to maintain its aerodynamic shape during normal operation while providing cleaning functionality when required, thus resolving the conflict between cleaning effectiveness and fuel economy.
2Loss of energy
If the camera arm is designed with a streamlined shape to reduce drag, then fuel economy improves, but access for cleaning the camera lens becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper blade is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be repositioned or extended when cleaning is required. The wiper motor can activate the blade to contact the camera lens at specific moments, enabling the camera arm to maintain a fixed streamlined shape during normal operation while providing dynamic access for cleaning when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper blade acts as an intermediary component between the camera lens and the external environment. Rather than requiring direct human access to clean the lens, the wiper blade mediates the cleaning process by contacting the lens surface and removing debris, thus maintaining both the streamlined camera arm design and the ability to clean the camera effectively.
3Reliability
If the wiper is positioned to contact the camera lens for effective cleaning, then debris removal improves, but the camera lens may be damaged or obscured during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper operates periodically rather than continuously, activated only when cleaning is required based on controller detection of dirty or obscured camera lenses. During normal operation, the wiper remains retracted or positioned away from the camera lens, allowing the lens to function without obstruction or damage risk. The periodic activation ensures cleaning effectiveness while minimizing harmful contact with the lens.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the controller monitors the camera lens condition and activates the wiper only when debris or obscuration is detected. This feedback-controlled operation ensures the wiper contacts the lens only when necessary for cleaning, preventing unnecessary contact that could cause damage or obstruction, while still maintaining effective debris removal capability when needed.
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 effectively removes debris from the camera lenses, maintains an aerodynamic profile, and enhances the reliability of the camera monitor system by ensuring clear views in various weather conditions without compromising fuel economy.
Implementation Method 1
A camera module is telescopically supported for longitudinal movement relative to pivoting arm. The camera module includes a camera that can be wiped by a wiper on the pivoting arm.
Implementation Method 2
The base includes a heater that is configured to be adjacent to the camera assembly with the pivoting arm in the stowed position.
Implementation Method 3
A base-mounted spray nozzle is configured to spray washer fluid at the camera when the arm is in the stowed position.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A camera arm for a camera monitor system (CMS) includes a base that is configured to be secured to a vehicle, and the base includes a wiper. A pivoting arm is mounted on the base at a joint. An actuator is configured to articulate the pivoting arm relative to the base with the joint. A camera assembly is provided in the pivoting arm and configured to face rearward with the base secured to the vehicle. Articulation of the joint is configured to move the pivoting arm between a deployed position and a stowed position, and the articulation of the joint moves the camera assembly across the wiper in a sliding direction as the pivoting arm moves between the deployed and stowed positions.