Fixed Camera Cleaning Head for Motor Vehicle Lens Clarity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera cleaning devices for driving assistance cameras in vehicles are not effective in maintaining optimal lens clarity, often interfering with the camera's field of view and requiring complex moving parts, which complicates installation and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A fixed-position cleaning device with a head carrying cleaning means, including spray nozzles and heating elements, arranged around the camera lens to ensure effective cleaning without interfering with the camera's field of view, utilizing a fixed position downstream of the lens and outside the camera's field, ensuring reliable and clear driving assistance information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cleaning device is installed to maintain lens clarity, then the quality of driving assistance information is improved, but the device complexity increases due to moving parts and installation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning head is divided into multiple functional components: a support structure, cleaning means (spray nozzles and/or wiping elements), and positioning features. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying overall installation and maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning means are pre-positioned in a fixed arrangement within the cleaning head, designed to automatically engage with the lens when the head is mounted. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for complex moving parts or adjustment mechanisms during operation
2Reliability
If cleaning means are positioned close to the lens for effective cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the camera field of view is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning head utilizes the annular space surrounding the lens in the radial dimension, rather than positioning cleaning elements in front of the lens along the optical axis. This dimensional approach allows cleaning means to access the lens from the sides and rear, maintaining an unobstructed field of view
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the cleaning head are designed with specific functions: the annular support structure provides positioning, while cleaning means are localized at specific positions around the lens perimeter. This localized arrangement ensures effective cleaning contact while minimizing obstruction of the central optical path
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed-position cleaning head is used to simplify structure, then ease of manufacture and reliability are improved, but cleaning adaptability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning head is designed as a universal component that can be mounted on various camera models with similar lens configurations. The annular support structure and standardized mounting features allow the same cleaning head design to serve multiple applications, maintaining simplicity while providing broad adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning head incorporates adjustable parameters such as the positioning of cleaning means relative to the lens and the orientation of spray nozzles or wiping elements. These parameter adjustments allow optimization for different lens sizes and camera configurations without changing the fundamental fixed-position structure
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 provides a simple, reliable, and effective means to maintain clear camera lenses, enhancing the quality of driving assistance information by preventing interference with the camera's view and simplifying installation and manufacturing, while ensuring consistent operation over time.
Implementation Method 1
the cleaning means carried by the head consist of spraying means of the nozzle type, capable of spraying a cleaning liquid onto the lens
Implementation Method 2
the cleaning means carried by the head consist of means for thawing the lens. Provision is made in this case for the defrosting means to consist of a heating element arranged on the internal wall of the head
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A device for cleaning a camera lens (8) (2) of a motor vehicle, adapted to capture images along a longitudinal optical axis, comprises a cleaning head (4) arranged in a fixed position relative to the camera (2) such that a portion of the head, carrying cleaning means (20, 36), is positioned along the optical axis downstream of the lens. The invention is particularly applicable to cleaning reversing cameras, located at the rear of the vehicle and oriented to capture images of a road scene extending behind the vehicle.