Magnetic Vehicle Camera Cover With Water-Repelling Transparent Lid

Solution Overview

Problem

Exterior vehicle cameras are often obstructed or damaged by precipitation and debris, posing safety risks and incurring significant repair costs, and existing solutions fail to provide effective, non-damaging, removable protection.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle camera cover with a magnetically attachable base layer and a transparent, water-repelling lid or hood configuration that shields cameras from debris and precipitation without permanent attachment, using a magnetic or adhesive attachment method to secure the cover to the vehicle surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cover is permanently attached to protect the camera, then protection effectiveness is improved, but the vehicle surface may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidvehicle surface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces permanent mechanical attachment systems (screws, clips, adhesives) with a magnetic attachment system. The magnetic base layer generates magnetic force to hold the cover in place, allowing for secure yet non-damaging attachment to the vehicle surface. This enables easy removal and repositioning without leaving residue or damaging the vehicle exterior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the attachment parameter from permanent mechanical bonding to reversible magnetic attraction. By using magnets with appropriate holding force, the cover maintains secure attachment during normal use but can be easily removed when needed, providing flexibility while ensuring protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a cover is securely attached to protect the camera, then protection effectiveness is improved, but removability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidremovability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces permanent mechanical attachment systems (screws, clips, adhesives) with a magnetic attachment system. The magnetic base layer generates magnetic force to hold the cover in place, allowing for secure yet non-damaging attachment to the vehicle surface. This enables easy removal and repositioning without leaving residue or damaging the vehicle exterior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the lid is made transparent to maintain visibility, then camera function is preserved, but susceptibility to precipitation and debris increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera functionVSAvoidprecipitation and debris obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a transparent lid made of transparent material (such as clear plastic or glass) that allows camera visibility while providing physical protection. The lid acts as a barrier shell that prevents precipitation and debris from directly contacting the camera lens, while maintaining optical transparency for continuous camera operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of operation

If a magnetic attachment system is used, then removability is improved, but attachment strength may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveremovabilityVSAvoidattachment strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the attachment parameter from permanent mechanical bonding to reversible magnetic attraction. By using magnets with appropriate holding force, the cover maintains secure attachment during normal use but can be easily removed when needed, providing flexibility while ensuring protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 cover effectively protects exterior vehicle cameras from obstruction and damage by precipitation and debris while being removable without damaging the vehicle surface, ensuring safety and reducing repair costs.

Implementation Method 1

The cover is comprised of a base that further contains a magnet layer that removably attaches to a vehicle exterior surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attachment: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

The lid is further comprised of a concave outer surface that is comprised of a water-repelling coating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWater-repelling coating: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS11794665B2Vehicle camera cover

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 CARTER BEVERLY

AI summary

The present invention relates generally to the field of camera covers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle camera cover for exterior cameras of a vehicle. The cover is comprised of a base that is further comprised of a padded magnet or adhesive layer that allows the cover to magnetically or adhesively attach to the exterior surface of a vehicle. A magnetic base layer with a magnetic bottom surface further attaches to the top surface of the magnet layer, and is comprised of a hinge. A transparent lid further attaches to the hinge, wherein the outer surface of the hinge is comprised of a water-repelling coating. Therefore, the cover ensures precipitation or debris cannot obstruct, cover, or damage the exterior cameras of a vehicle, and wherein the cover can be removed as desired without damaging the exterior vehicle surface.