Exterior Camera Lens Cleaning Using Passive Cabin Air Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle exterior camera lenses often become dirty due to moisture, dust, and debris, leading to diminished or obstructed views, which existing systems fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A passive exterior camera cleaning system that utilizes pressurized cabin air to blow away or wipe debris from the camera lens, using a conduit to direct air from the vehicle's passenger compartment to the camera lens, optionally with a lens cleaning arm, activated by the pressure increase when a passenger door is closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a passive cleaning system using cabin air is used, then the system complexity is reduced and maintenance is minimized, but the cleaning effectiveness may be insufficient compared to active cleaning systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the vehicle's existing cabin air pressure changes (from door closing or HVAC operation) to automatically clean the camera lens without requiring external power sources, control systems, or maintenance. The lens cleaning function is achieved through the natural pressure differential created during normal vehicle operation, making the system self-powered and maintenance-free.
Solution Approach 2:
A conduit is introduced as an intermediary component to channel the pressurized cabin air directly to the camera lens. This simple passive conduit structure enables the transfer of cleaning force from the cabin air to the lens without requiring complex active control mechanisms, pumps, or motors.
2Reliability
If additional cleaning components are added to improve cleaning effectiveness, then the cleaning performance is enhanced, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages the multi-functionality of the cabin air pressure changes, which normally serve HVAC purposes, and repurposes them for camera lens cleaning. This eliminates the need for dedicated cleaning components while achieving effective cleaning through the existing vehicle systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning function is merged with the existing cabin air pressure management system. By combining the HVAC system's air pressure changes with the lens cleaning function through a simple conduit, the patent achieves dual functionality without adding complex dedicated cleaning mechanisms.
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 system effectively maintains a clear camera lens by minimizing debris accumulation, ensuring continuous visibility without the need for additional fluids or maintenance, thus enhancing driver awareness and reducing blind spots.
Implementation Method 1
The air outlet is configured to direct the flow of air toward an exterior vehicle camera lens to remove a debris from the exterior vehicle camera lens
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus for an exterior camera cleaning system for a vehicle include an air inlet configured to receive a flow of air from a passenger compartment of the vehicle in response to an increase in an air pressure in the passenger compartment. An air outlet is in fluid communication with the air inlet. The air outlet is configured to direct the flow of air toward an exterior vehicle camera lens to remove debris therefrom. The air inlet can receive the flow of air in response to a passenger door of the vehicle being closed, which generates a positive pressure in the passenger compartment, which in turn is directed through the air outlet toward the exterior vehicle camera lens.