Vehicle Camera Outer Cover Step Design for Water Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices on vehicles often suffer from water droplets flowing onto the camera lens, which can obscure the view and spoil captured images, particularly when traveling in wet conditions.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with a stepped outer peripheral surface and a bent portion that directs the outer wall towards the rear of the vehicle, incorporating a light-transmitting portion and a camera housing, which suppresses water droplet flow onto the lens by creating a barrier and redirecting airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the outer peripheral surface is made smooth and continuous, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but water droplets flow freely onto the lens
Solution Approach 1:
The outer peripheral surface is segmented into multiple levels using step portions, creating a multi-tiered structure that interrupts water droplet flow paths while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard molding techniques
2Ease of operation
If the outer wall is directed toward the vehicle front side, then the imaging portion can capture forward views, but water droplets flow directly onto the lens from the front
Solution Approach 1:
The outer wall is positioned asymmetrically at the front end of the housing, creating an unbalanced configuration that directs the outer wall toward the vehicle rear side, thereby deflecting water droplet flow away from the lens while preserving forward imaging capability
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the step portion causes the outer peripheral surface at the outer wall side to protrude further, then water droplet flow is suppressed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The step portions are localized specifically at the outer peripheral surface near the front end, creating water flow barriers only where needed, while the rest of the housing maintains a simple, continuous structure for ease of manufacture
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
Effectively reduces the flow of water droplets onto the lens, minimizing image distortion and ensuring clearer views for vehicle occupants by preventing water from reaching the camera's field of view.
Implementation Method 1
water droplets that stick to the peripheral surface of the housing flow on the surface of the cover glass as the vehicle travels
Implementation Method 2
a bent portion, which is bent such that the outer wall is directed toward a vehicle rear side, is formed at the outer peripheral member
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
At an imaging device (10), a camera that captures images is housed in an outer cover (14) and is provided at a vehicle exterior, and captures images of the vehicle exterior via a cover lens (28) that is provided at an outer wall (22). A step portion (34), which causes an outer peripheral surface (36A) that is at the outer wall (22) side to protrude-out further than an outer peripheral surface (36B) that is at a side opposite the outer wall (22), is provided at an outer peripheral surface (36) of the outer cover (14).