Electromagnetic Wiper for Vehicle Rear View Camera Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rear view camera systems for vehicles, especially those mounted at the rear bumper or license plate, are prone to dirt splashes that reduce their effectiveness, particularly in rainy conditions, and require complex and costly mechanisms for protection and cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A rear view system featuring an optical imaging sensor protected by a flat transparent screen with an electromagnetic wiper blade for cleaning, using a ferromagnetic or magnetized element and electromagnet for actuation, and optional features like guide rails, heating elements, and a washing liquid sprayer to maintain clear vision with reduced bulkiness and lower manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the video camera is mounted at the rear bumper or license plate level for optimal viewing angle, then the viewing angle is improved, but the camera lens is exposed to dirt splashes that reduce its effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent protective screen is introduced as an intermediary element between the camera lens and the external environment. This screen allows optical transmission while blocking dirt and water from reaching the lens directly. The screen can be cleaned independently of the lens, resolving the contradiction between optimal lens positioning and protection from contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the protective function from the optical function by dividing the camera assembly into distinct components: the camera lens, the protective screen, and the cleaning mechanism. This segmentation allows the screen to be positioned in front of the lens to block contaminants while maintaining optical clarity, and enables independent cleaning of the screen without affecting the lens.
2Reliability
If a complex drive mechanism with a mobile flap and wiper blade is used to protect and clean the camera, then protection and cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the device becomes bulky and costly to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The complex mechanical drive mechanism is replaced with an electromagnetic actuation system. An electromagnet mounted on the protective support actuates a ferromagnetic or magnetized element on the wiper blade, providing simple and reliable movement control. This substitution dramatically reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining effective protection and cleaning functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper blade movement is controlled by changing the electromagnetic field parameters rather than complex mechanical linkages. By controlling the electromagnet activation, the wiper blade can be moved precisely to clean the protective screen without requiring complex drive mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective window with curved surface is used to protect the camera, then protection from external aggression is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases due to tight tolerances required for matching curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The protective screen uses a curved or domed surface geometry that provides protection while being easier to manufacture than tightly toleranced curved windows. The curvature is designed to work with the wiper blade's cleaning path, allowing effective cleaning without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances, thus reducing production costs while maintaining protective functionality.
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 system effectively protects the camera lens from dirt, ensures optimal vision, and reduces overall size and manufacturing costs by using an electromagnetic wiper blade mechanism for efficient cleaning and protection, while maintaining image clarity even in adverse weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a device for electromagnetic actuation of movement in translation of said wiper blade over the protective screen
Implementation Method 2
The electromagnetic actuating device includes for example at least one ferromagnetic or magnetized element and at least one electromagnet
Implementation Method 3
the electromagnetic actuating device includes at least one return spring for urging the wiper blade into its rest position when the electromagnetic actuating device is not supplied with power
Implementation Method 4
The means for heating the protective screen or the wiper blade include for example a heating wire integrated into the protective screen or the wiper blade
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a rear view system (1) of a motor vehicle comprising:—an optical image capturing sensor (3),—a protective support (5) comprising a transparent and flat protective screen (7), the optical sensor (3) being installed on the protective support (5) in such a way as to point through said protective screen (7), and—a scraper blade (9) for cleaning the protective screen (7) disposed on the face of the protective screen (7) opposite that of the optical sensor (3) side, characterised in that it further comprises an electromagnetic actuation device (11) for actuating said scraper blade (9) in translation on the protective screen (7).