Vehicular Camera Lens Barrel Heating for Defogging Clarity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle cameras are prone to lens fogging due to temperature fluctuations and humidity, which can lead to reduced image quality and interfere with advanced driving assist systems or autonomous vehicle control systems.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle vision system that incorporates one or more cameras with a heating element, specifically an electrically conductive heating ring, integrated into the lens barrel to defog the lens by heating the outermost lens element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heating element is added to the camera to defog the lens, then lens clarity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is integrated into the lens barrel structure, merging the defogging function with the existing mechanical housing. This consolidation reduces the need for separate heating assemblies and simplifies the overall device architecture while maintaining effective lens heating capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens barrel serves multiple functions: it houses the lens elements, provides structural support, and now also incorporates the heating element for defogging. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed and simplifies the device while achieving the desired lens clarity improvement.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the heating element is positioned to contact the lens element, then heating efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is positioned to contact only the outermost lens element at specific locations, applying heat locally where it is most needed for defogging. This localized heating approach improves energy efficiency by concentrating thermal energy where it directly contacts the lens surface, while the contact points are designed into the molding process to manage precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is designed to automatically contact the lens element through elastic deformation or spring-loaded mechanisms, allowing the system to self-adjust to minor manufacturing variations. This self-adjusting capability reduces the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining effective thermal contact for heating efficiency.
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 heating element effectively prevents condensation on the lens surface, maintaining clear camera images and ensuring reliable operation of vehicle vision systems, even in low-temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The heating element comprises an electrically conductive heating ring that is disposed at or in an annular recessed surface at an outer part of the lens barrel such that, when an outermost lens element is disposed at the outer part of the lens barrel, the heating element contacts an inner surface of the outermost lens element to heat (when the heating element is energized or powered) the outermost lens element.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular camera includes a housing having a front housing portion and a rear housing portion, with the front housing portion including a lens accommodated by a lens barrel. A heating device is disposed at an outermost lens element of the lens. The heating device includes a heating element and electrically conductive elements that extend along the lens barrel for electrical connection to circuitry at a printed circuit board. The electrically conductive elements are disposed along respective channels established along the inner surface of the lens holder. An outer end of each of the electrically conductive elements is disposed at and in contact with the heating element. When powered, the heating element heats the outermost lens element. The camera is configured to be disposed at an exterior portion of a vehicle so as to have a field of view exterior of the vehicle.