Bistable Lens Cap Membrane for Dust-Free Camera Lens Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lens caps for automotive cameras suffer from dust ingress due to pressure decrease upon removal, making it difficult to remove the cap and compromising lens cleanliness during shipping and installation.

Innovation Solution

A lens cap with a spring membrane that moves between convex and concave positions, maintaining pressure within the cavity and preventing dust ingress, while facilitating easy removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional lens cap with a cavity is used, then the lens is protected during shipping, but pressure decreases upon removal causing dust ingress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens protectionVSAvoiddust ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a spring membrane that changes the pressure parameter within the cavity. When the cap is removed, the spring membrane maintains positive pressure inside the cavity, preventing dust ingress. This transforms the static pressure environment into a dynamic one that adapts to the removal action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The spring membrane acts as an intermediary element between the cavity and the external environment. It mediates the pressure changes that occur during removal, ensuring that the cavity maintains sufficient pressure to prevent dust entry while allowing the cap to be removed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a traditional lens cap is used, then the lens is protected during shipping, but removal becomes difficult due to depression inside the cavity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens protectionVSAvoidcap removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spring membrane changes the pressure parameter to maintain positive pressure inside the cavity during removal, which prevents the formation of a depression and reduces the difficulty of removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The spring membrane introduces dynamic behavior to the system, allowing the cavity pressure to adapt during the removal process. The membrane can deform and recover, providing a dynamic pressure regulation that facilitates easier removal compared to a static cavity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a spring membrane is added to maintain pressure, then dust ingress is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust ingress preventionVSAvoidcap structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a thin spring membrane as a flexible element to maintain pressure in the cavity. This thin film approach provides the necessary pressure regulation without requiring a complex mechanical structure, keeping the overall device complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The spring membrane is a self-regulating component that automatically maintains pressure in the cavity without requiring external control mechanisms. The spring action inherently provides the pressure regulation function, reducing the need for additional complex systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a spring membrane is added to maintain pressure, then dust ingress is prevented, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust ingress preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The spring membrane is implemented as a thin flexible element that can be integrated into the cap structure using standard manufacturing techniques. This approach avoids the need for complex assemblies or expensive materials, keeping the manufacturing cost relatively low while achieving the dust ingress prevention function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Ensures high cleanliness of the optical portion by preventing dust entry and simplifying cap removal, ensuring reliable lens function and easy manufacturing at a low cost.

Implementation Method 1

a spring membrane (102) arranged to be movable between a deformed position and a rest position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Lens cap with bistable membrane for spring effect between concave and convex positions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring effect: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS12535716B2Lens cap with bistable membrane for spring effect between concave and convex positions

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 APTIV TECHNOLOGIES AG

AI summary

A lens cap for protecting a lens having an optical portion, the lens cap having a base with a spring membrane, and a sidewall arranged to surround the optical portion, so as to create a cavity between the base and the optical portion. The spring membrane arranged to be movable between a deformed position wherein the spring membrane is deformed toward the optical portion, and a rest position wherein the spring membrane extends away from the optical portion.