Vehicle Camera Mounting With Integrated Cleaning Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of optical systems, including camera and cleaning devices, on vehicle body elements is complex and prone to errors due to the need for precise alignment and secure mounting, especially when exposed to environmental factors like rain and dust that degrade image quality.

Innovation Solution

A mounting arrangement that includes a housing element with flexible tongues for securing the optical device, a fluid projection device integrated with the housing, and a fixing element with snap tabs and latching feet for easy assembly and secure attachment to the vehicle body, allowing for pre-assembly and simple snap-on installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the camera and cleaning device are directly mounted to a support, then the assembly is secure and stable, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The camera housing and cleaning device are integrated into a single unified structure where the cleaning device is mounted on the camera housing itself. This merging of components allows them to be installed as one unit, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining secure mounting through the integrated design with multiple attachment points and interlocking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the camera housing and fluid spray device are directly mounted to a support, then the mounting is secure, but the assembly requires precise alignment and is prone to errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting securityVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is divided into modular components with standardized interfaces. The camera housing and cleaning device are separate modules that connect through predefined mounting points and alignment features, allowing for easier assembly without requiring high precision alignment while maintaining secure attachment through the segmented design with multiple connection points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the optical system is exposed to rain and dust, then the system remains simple and accessible, but image quality degrades due to contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidoptical contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device is integrated directly onto the camera housing, allowing it to self-clean the optical elements without requiring external cleaning systems. The fluid spray device is positioned to directly target the lens and sensor areas, enabling the system to maintain its own optical cleanliness autonomously while keeping the overall system design simple and compact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3969329B1Arrangement for mounting an optical system on a body element of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 A RAYMOND & CO SCS
  • EP3969329B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3969329B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~1d
  • EP3969329B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement for mounting an optical system on a body element of a vehicle, the optical system comprising an image capturing device and a device for projecting a cleaning fluid from the image capturing device. The arrangement comprises a housing element for retaining the optical device in a mounting position, the housing element having an electrical interface configured to couple to an electrical connector of the image capturing device when the latter is disposed in the mounting position; an element for holding the fluid projection device and an element for fastening the housing element and the holding element to the body element of the vehicle.