Vehicle Camera Arm Wall Discontinuity for Lens Anti-Soiling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Camera lenses in vehicle mirror replacement systems can accumulate smudges or dirt, obstructing the views provided to displays, especially in harsh weather conditions and debris exposure.

Innovation Solution

A camera arm design with a peripheral wall featuring a discontinuity, such as a lip or groove, creates a high-pressure region near the lens, encouraging debris to be washed away by fluid flow, maintaining lens clarity and providing unobstructed views.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the camera lens is exposed to provide a clear field of view, then the viewing quality is improved, but the lens accumulates debris and smudges that obstruct the view

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing qualityVSAvoiddebris accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful aerodynamic flow that could carry debris into a beneficial cleaning mechanism. The discontinuity in the peripheral wall creates a high pressure region that actively pushes debris away from the lens, transforming the potential harm of fluid flow into a self-cleaning benefit that maintains viewing quality without blocking the field of view

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses aerodynamic pressure differentials created by the discontinuity in the peripheral wall to generate a high pressure region near the lens. This pneumatic mechanism actively repels debris away from the lens surface, providing a non-contact cleaning solution that maintains optical clarity while keeping the lens exposed for continuous viewing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a shield is added to protect the lens from debris, then the lens is protected from contamination, but the field of view is blocked or compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens protectionVSAvoidfield of view

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the protective function from a physical shield and relocates it to a pressure-based mechanism. Instead of placing a solid barrier between the lens and debris, the discontinuity in the peripheral wall creates a high pressure region that actively repels debris, providing protection without blocking the optical path or compromising the field of view

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces aerodynamic pressure as an intermediary between the lens and debris. The discontinuity creates a high pressure region that acts as a mediator, pushing debris away from the lens without requiring direct physical contact or a solid shield, thus maintaining an unobstructed field of view while providing effective protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the camera arm structure is simplified, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the lens becomes more vulnerable to debris exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoiddebris exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the peripheral wall multi-functional by incorporating a discontinuity that serves both structural and protective roles. The same peripheral wall that provides structural support also creates a high pressure region to repel debris, eliminating the need for separate protective shields or complex cleaning mechanisms while maintaining lens protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the protective function into the existing peripheral wall structure of the camera arm. The discontinuity in the peripheral wall combines structural integrity with aerodynamic flow management, creating a unified component that protects the lens from debris without requiring additional separate parts or complicating the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design effectively prevents debris accumulation on the lens, ensuring clear and uninterrupted views of Class II and Class IV fields for the driver, enhancing visibility and safety during vehicle operation.

Implementation Method 1

The discontinuity is configured to create a high pressure region near the lens that encourages debris to migrate away from the lens in response to a fluid flow over the peripheral wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHigh pressure region: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a fluid flow over the peripheral wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11780381B2Mirror replacement system with camera anti-soiling feature

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 STONERIDGE ELECTRONICS

AI summary

A camera arm (16) for a vehicle mirror replacement system includes a housing (22) having an exterior surface (38). The camera arm (16) also includes a camera assembly (32) that is mounted to the housing (22), the camera assembly (32) having a lens (34). The camera arm (16) further includes a peripheral wall (36) extending from the exterior surface (38) and at least partially circumscribing the camera assembly (32). The camera arm (16) also includes a discontinuity (41) provided on the peripheral wall (36), the discontinuity (41) is configured to create a high pressure region (PH) near the lens (34) that encourages debris (52) to migrate away from the lens (34) in response to a fluid flow over the peripheral wall (36).