Integrated Lens Heater Assembly for Automotive Camera Deicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive cameras mounted externally on vehicles are prone to ice buildup, which impairs their field of view and limits their availability, as existing solutions like heater elements often compromise vehicle styling or are inefficient in ice removal.
Innovation Solution
A lens assembly incorporating a heater element in intimate mechanical communication with the lens, where the heater element's electrical lead extends radially to provide power and communicate heat to the lens, ensuring effective ice or condensation removal from the outer surface while maintaining the camera's field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If heater elements are mounted outside the camera, then ice removal capability is improved, but vehicle styling is compromised and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater element is nested within the lens assembly, specifically positioned between the lens and lens barrel, allowing the heating function to be integrated into the existing camera structure rather than mounted externally. This eliminates the need for separate external heater components that would compromise vehicle styling.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater element is combined with the lens assembly structure, merging the ice removal function with the optical component. The heater is positioned in intimate mechanical communication with the lens, combining multiple functions (optical transmission and thermal management) into a single integrated unit.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If heater elements are mounted outside the camera, then ice removal capability is improved, but device complexity and wire management increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heater element is combined with the lens assembly structure, merging the ice removal function with the optical component. The heater is positioned in intimate mechanical communication with the lens, combining multiple functions (optical transmission and thermal management) into a single integrated unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater element is extracted from external mounting and repositioned to an internal location within the lens assembly. This extraction from the external environment eliminates the need for complex external wire harnesses and management systems.
3Productivity
If heater element lead extends radially, then ice removal efficiency is improved, but electrical connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical lead arrangement is optimized for the specific local condition of radial heating requirement. The heater element lead extends radially to efficiently distribute heat across the lens surface, while the connection to the lens barrel electrical lead provides a straightforward electrical pathway that minimizes overall system complexity.
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 effectively removes ice or condensation from the lens surface, maintaining the camera's field of view and ensuring continuous operation, without compromising vehicle styling or functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The heater element is in intimate mechanical communication with the inner surface of the lens and has a heater element electrical lead extending radially therefrom to provide power to the heater element
Data Source
AI summary
A lens assembly includes a lens, a lens barrel, and a heater element. The lens has an inner surface and an outer surface. The lens barrel supports the lens and defines an optical axis, the lens arranged along the optical axis such that the inner surface of the lens is within the lens barrel and the outer surface of the lens is outside the lens barrel. The heater element is in intimate mechanical communication with the inner surface of the lens and has a heater element electrical lead extending radially therefrom to provide power to the heater element. Lens heating methods are also described.