Vehicle Lamp Camera Rainwater Removal Guide Duct
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle monitoring systems face challenges in accurately capturing images of the vehicle's periphery due to image distortion caused by rainwater on the camera's lens, which is difficult to remove effectively using existing methods.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle monitoring apparatus that utilizes vehicle-induced wind to remove rainwater from the camera's front side through a guide duct and nozzle system, potentially heated by the engine room or vehicle lamp, with optional components like a venturi duct, valve, detection sensor, and movement unit to enhance efficiency and minimize power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a camera is mounted in a vehicle lamp to monitor the periphery, then the driver can recognize objects around the vehicle, but image quality deteriorates due to rainwater attachment on the camera front side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful rainwater from the camera front surface by introducing outside air through a guide duct and nozzle system. The air flow removes rainwater droplets that attach to the camera lens, thereby extracting the harmful factor (rainwater) that degrades image quality while preserving the camera's monitoring function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces outside air as an intermediary substance to remove rainwater from the camera front side. The guide duct and nozzle system delivers this intermediary air flow to the camera surface, where it acts as a mediator to detach and remove the harmful rainwater layer without directly contacting or damaging the camera components.
2Productivity
If motor or pump is used to forcibly supply air for removing rainwater, then rainwater removal efficiency improves, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the vehicle's own motion to generate the air flow needed for rainwater removal. As the vehicle moves forward, outside air naturally enters through the guide duct due to the pressure difference created by vehicle motion. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional motors or pumps, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective rainwater removal through the nozzle system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system (motor or pump) with a pneumatic system utilizing outside air flow generated by vehicle motion. Instead of using an active mechanical device to force air toward the camera, the system substitutes this with a passive pneumatic approach where the vehicle's movement creates the necessary air flow through the guide duct and nozzle, thereby reducing mechanical complexity.
3Measurement precision
If guide duct and nozzle system is added to remove rainwater, then image quality improves, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide duct serves multiple functions: it introduces outside air to the camera area, protects the camera from direct rain exposure, and channels air flow through the nozzle system. By making the guide duct multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate components, thereby simplifying manufacturing while achieving the goal of improving image quality through rainwater removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the rainwater removal function with the existing camera housing and lamp structure. The nozzle system is integrated into the camera assembly, and the guide duct is combined with the housing structure, creating a unified design that achieves rainwater removal without requiring entirely separate manufacturing processes for each component.
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 removes rainwater from the camera's lens, improving image quality, simplifying the system structure, reducing manufacturing costs, and enhancing design flexibility while maintaining reliability and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a guide duct configured to guide outside air introduced into the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a nozzle connected to the guide duct and configured to discharge the air to a front side of the camera
Implementation Method 3
accurately capture an image of a periphery of a vehicle by effectively removing rainwater from a front side of a camera provided in a vehicle lamp using vehicle-induced wind (traveling wind)
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle monitoring apparatus including: a camera disposed in a vehicle lamp; a guide duct configured to guide outside air introduced into the vehicle; and a nozzle connected to the guide duct and configured to discharge the air to a front side of the camera, thereby improving stability and reliability.