Integrated Camera Bracket Nozzle for Lens Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing foreign matter removal devices for in-vehicle cameras face inefficiencies in work efficiency and versatility due to the need for additional holes in the vehicle body panel, potential nozzle-lens misalignment, and interference between camera and nozzle attachment directions, which complicates the attachment process and reduces performance.
Innovation Solution
A foreign matter removal device design that includes a camera bracket with a through-hole for high-pressure air passage, eliminating the need for additional holes in the vehicle panel, and integrating the nozzle unit with the camera bracket to ensure accurate positioning and simplified assembly, while allowing for flexible attachment without dedicated brackets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a dedicated bracket is provided on the body panel and a hole is formed for fitting the nozzle bracket, then the positioning accuracy of the nozzle with respect to the lens is improved, but the work efficiency when attaching the foreign matter removal device is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the camera bracket and nozzle bracket into a single integrated bracket structure. The camera is fitted into a camera fitting portion, and the nozzle is fitted into a nozzle fitting portion of the same bracket, eliminating the need for separate brackets and reducing the number of holes required in the body panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket serves multiple functions: it positions the camera, positions the nozzle, and provides structural support. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the attachment process while maintaining positioning accuracy.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the in-vehicle camera is inserted into the camera bracket, then the camera is securely mounted, but the housing of the camera may come into contact with the tip end of the nozzle, causing positioning deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The camera fitting portion and nozzle fitting portion are designed with asymmetric geometries that guide the camera and nozzle into their correct positions during insertion. The asymmetric design ensures proper orientation and prevents the camera housing from contacting the nozzle tip.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket acts as an intermediary structure between the camera and the nozzle, providing separate fitting portions that maintain the correct spatial relationship between the camera and nozzle, preventing direct contact between the camera housing and nozzle tip.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the in-vehicle camera and pipeline are attached in different directions, then the attachment flexibility is improved, but the spaces required for each attaching work interfere with each other
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed to accommodate attachments from multiple dimensions and directions. The camera can be attached from one direction while the pipeline is attached from another direction, with the bracket's three-dimensional structure providing sufficient space for both attachment operations without interference.
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
Enhances work efficiency and versatility by streamlining the attachment process, maintaining effective foreign matter removal performance without the need for additional panel modifications and ensuring accurate nozzle placement.
Implementation Method 1
a nozzle unit (2) provided with a nozzle (22) for injecting the high-pressure air toward the lens (101)
Data Source
AI summary
A foreign matter removal device that removes foreign matters adhering to a lens (101) included in an in-vehicle camera (100), including a camera bracket (91) that attaches the in-vehicle camera (100) to a rear bumper panel (200b) of a vehicle in a state in which the lens (101) is exposed toward the outside of the rear bumper panel (200b) of the vehicle, a high-pressure air generation unit disposed inside the rear bumper panel (200b) and configured to generate high-pressure air, and a nozzle unit provided with a nozzle (22) that injects the high-pressure air toward the lens (101), wherein a through-hole (92) is formed in the camera bracket (91), and the high-pressure air generated by the high-pressure air generation unit passes from the inside to the outside of the rear bumper panel (200b) through the through-hole (92), and is injected from the nozzle (22) toward the lens (101).