In-Vehicle Camera Lens Hood for Dew Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-vehicle cameras attached to windshields with a forward and downward slope are prone to dew condensation, which can lead to reduced or lost image recognition due to water drops falling on the lens.
Innovation Solution
The in-vehicle camera unit features a body with a top surface designed to slope similarly to the windshield, equipped with prevention members that guide water drops away from the lens, preventing them from adhering or reaching the lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the in-vehicle camera is positioned under the windshield to attach to a forward and downward sloping windshield, then the camera can be securely mounted on the windshield, but dew drops may fall on the lens or flow down surfaces to reach the lens, reducing image recognition capability
Solution Approach 1:
A camera hood is introduced as an intermediary component between the windshield and the lens. The hood extends forward from the camera body and positions the lens below its forward end, creating a physical barrier that prevents dew drops from reaching the lens while allowing the camera to maintain its mounting position under the windshield
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a two-dimensional surface problem (dew on windshield) to a three-dimensional spatial solution by extending the camera hood forward in the longitudinal dimension. This creates a protected zone below the hood's forward end where the lens is positioned, effectively shielding it from dew drops that flow down the windshield surface
Data Source
AI summary
An in-vehicle camera unit has a body to which a lens is attached and prevention members that prevent water drops from falling on the lens. Specifically the body has a top surface where the lens is arranged, a front surface of the lens being exposed to an outside of the body. The prevention member is provided in or on the top surface across the front-back direction of the body.