Integrated Vehicle Camera Cleaner Layout for Compact Air Blowing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle cleaner units for vehicle-mounted cameras lack space-saving component layouts and have poor operability during attachment, as the compressed air generation unit is typically separate from the camera.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle cleaner unit with a single motor, pump, and worm mechanism configured to generate high-pressure air, where the motor and pump are positioned on the same side of the worm mechanism, and the circuit board is integrated within the unit for efficient space utilization, with a nozzle integrated into the base member to improve attachment efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the compressed air generation unit is configured separately from the vehicle-mounted camera, then the operational independence is improved, but the space consumption increases and attachment operability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the compressed air generation unit with the vehicle-mounted camera into an integrated cleaner unit. The motor, pump, and camera are housed together in a single structure, reducing the overall space required while maintaining the functional independence of the compressed air generation capability.
2Reliability
If the compressed air generation unit is configured separately from the vehicle-mounted camera, then the operational independence is improved, but the attachment operability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the compressed air generation unit with the vehicle-mounted camera into an integrated cleaner unit. The motor, pump, and camera are housed together in a single structure, reducing the overall space required while maintaining the functional independence of the compressed air generation capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for the cleaner unit, then the functional versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the motor, pump, and camera into a single housing structure, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall device layout while maintaining all necessary functions for compressed air generation and camera operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated cleaner unit housing serves multiple functions: it houses the camera, contains the compressed air generation mechanism, provides structural support, and facilitates mounting to the vehicle. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate structural components.
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
This configuration achieves effective space-saving and improved attachment operability by integrating components and omitting the need for separate nozzle attachment, enhancing the overall efficiency of the vehicle cleaner unit.
Implementation Method 1
a piston capable of carrying out linear motion in the longitudinal direction inside of the cylinder and configured to blow the air outside of the vehicle cleaner unit at high pressure
Implementation Method 2
a single pump including a cylinder extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle cleaner unit, air being introduced into the cylinder, and a piston capable of carrying out linear motion
Implementation Method 3
a single worm mechanism configured to transmit rotary motion of the single motor to cause the piston to carry out linear motion to a second side opposite to the first side
Implementation Method 4
a nozzle configured to spray the high-pressure air toward a cleaning surface of the to-be-cleaned object
Data Source
AI summary
This vehicle cleaner unit, for cleaning a to-be-cleaned object mounted on the vehicle, is provided with: a single motor; a single pump comprising a cylinder which extends in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle cleaner unit and into which air is introduced, and a piston which can carry out linear motion in the longitudinal direction inside of the cylinder and which blows air to outside of the vehicle cleaning unit at high pressure; a biasing spring which biases the piston to a first side in the longitudinal direction; and a single worm mechanism which transmits rotary motion of the motor to cause the piston to carry out linear motion to the second side opposite of the first side. The rotation axis of the motor and the longitudinal direction are parallel, and the motor and the pump are positioned on the same side of the worm mechanism in the longitudinal direction.