Rotating Optical Element for Wide-Angle Vehicle Camera Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driving assistance systems with cameras installed outside vehicles face challenges due to exposure to climatic hazards and dirt, leading to reduced effectiveness and increased operating costs, with current protective solutions being bulky, noisy, or limiting the camera's wide viewing angle.
Innovation Solution
A protective device for the camera's optics that uses a rotatable optical element with a brushless motor to eject dirt via centrifugal force, combined with a fluid projection system for stubborn dirt, allowing for effective cleaning and maintaining a wide viewing angle without the need for bulky housings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the camera is installed outside the vehicle for optimal viewing angle, then the viewing angle is improved, but the camera is exposed to weather conditions and dirt which reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The protective housing is segmented into a fixed outer cover and a rotatable inner optical element, allowing the camera to remain protected while the optical element can rotate to eject dirt. This segmentation enables the camera to maintain both protection and cleaning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable optical element acts as an intermediary between the camera lens and the external environment. It protects the lens from direct exposure to dirt and weather while enabling dirt removal through rotation, thus mediating between protection and cleaning functions.
2Reliability
If a protective housing with cleaning equipment is used, then the camera is protected from dirt and weather, but the housing becomes bulky which limits installation locations
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable optical element is nested within the fixed protective housing, with the optical element having a smaller diameter than the housing opening. This nesting allows the cleaning mechanism to be integrated within the protective structure without significantly increasing overall size.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element is made rotatable rather than static, allowing it to dynamically eject dirt through centrifugal force. This dynamic component replaces bulkier static cleaning mechanisms while maintaining protection functionality.
3Reliability
If vibration is used to remove dirt from the protective window, then dirt removal is achieved, but the risk of breakage and cracking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the vibration mechanism with a centrifugal force-based system. The rotatable optical element uses rotational motion to generate centrifugal force that ejects dirt, substituting the mechanical vibration system with a different mechanical principle that avoids the breakage risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter from vibration frequency to rotational speed. By controlling the rotational speed of the optical element, dirt is ejected through centrifugal force without subjecting the lens and cover to the high-stress vibrations that cause breakage.
4Reliability
If cleaning fluid nozzles are used to remove pollutants, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but operating costs increase due to large quantities of cleaning fluid required
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable optical element enables self-service cleaning through centrifugal force. The system uses its own rotational motion to eject dirt without requiring external cleaning fluid, allowing the camera to clean itself autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the aerodynamic effect of rotating the optical element to create a centrifugal force field that ejects dirt particles. This pneumatic-based cleaning mechanism replaces the hydraulic cleaning fluid system, eliminating the need for large quantities of cleaning fluid.
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 solution ensures the camera remains operational in various weather conditions with reduced cleaning fluid usage, prevents damage from dirt and water, and maintains a wide viewing angle, optimizing the camera's performance and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
The optical element (9) is configured to be positioned upstream of the optical sensor (13) to protect it from dirt. The actuator (5) is coupled to the optical element (9) to rotate the optical element (9), thereby removing dirt by centrifugal force.
Implementation Method 2
The driver assistance system (1) includes at least one nozzle (22) for projecting a fluid onto the optical element (9).
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device 3 for protecting an optical sensor 13 for an automotive vehicle that is intended to be attached to the optical sensor, characterized in that the device includes: - a transparent optical element 9 exhibiting rotational symmetry and being rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation, configured to be positioned upstream of the optical sensor 13 so that the axis of rotation of the optical element 9 is merged with the optical axis 15 of the optical sensor 13; and - an actuator 5 that is coupled to the optical element 9 so as to rotate the optical element 9 in order to allow soiling to be removed by a centrifugal effect.