Conductive Plastic Camera Housing for Anti-Fogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera devices for motor vehicles face challenges in preventing fogging and icing on protective glass, particularly when used outdoors, and current solutions are either expensive or inefficient due to the low thermal mass of conventional heating foils.
Innovation Solution
A camera device with a housing made of electrically conductive plastic, featuring a conical air space between the lens and protective glass, where the conductive plastic acts as a heating element when energized, providing effective and even heating without the need for additional heating foils, and allowing for precise control of heat distribution using pulse width modulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional heating foils are used to prevent fogging and icing on protective glass, then heating function is achieved, but thermal mass is low and manufacturing cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure and heating element are merged into a single integrated component. The housing is made from electrically conductive plastic material that inherently provides heating capability when electric current flows through it, eliminating the need for separate heating foils and reducing overall system complexity while improving thermal mass
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is constructed from composite material with electrically conductive properties (electrically conductive plastic). This composite material combines the structural function of the housing with the heating function, providing both mechanical support and thermal management in a single component
2Temperature
If additional heating foils are installed to improve heating, then heating coverage increases, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical protection for the camera module, structural support for the protective glass, and acts as a heating element to prevent fogging and icing. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the system
Solution Approach 2:
The structural housing and heating function are combined into a single integrated component. The electrically conductive plastic housing replaces the traditional separate heating foil, reducing component count and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining effective heating coverage
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 camera device effectively prevents fogging and icing while being simple and inexpensive to manufacture, with improved thermal mass for sustained heating and reduced risk to sensitive components, ensuring reliable operation in varying weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the housing made of an electrically conductive plastic heats up the light window and/or the air space when subjected to electricity
Implementation Method 2
at least one air space between the light window and the camera module being arranged in the housing
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a camera device (10) comprising a housing (16) in which at least one camera module (12) is at least partially arranged and which carries at least one light window in the beam path of the camera module (12), at least one air chamber (20) being arranged between the light window and the camera module (12) in the housing (16), and the housing (16) comprising an electroconductive plastic that heats the light window and/or the air chamber when current is applied thereto. The invention also relates to a rear view device for a motor vehicle and to a motor vehicle comprising at least one such camera device (10), the air chamber (20) being provided such that it conically tapers away from the housing (16), from the light window outwards, in at least one cutting plane.