Movable Vehicle Camera Housing for Cleaning Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle vision systems, particularly rear view cameras, face issues with dirt and debris accumulation on lenses and nozzles, leading to reduced visibility and potential clogging, due to their exposed position, which conflicts with the need for wide-angle coverage and integrated cleaning systems.
Innovation Solution
An integrated on-board vehicle vision and cleaning system where the image sensor housing is moveable between extended and retracted positions, allowing cleaning fluid nozzles to clean the sensor unit from beneath the vehicle surface, maintaining visibility and preventing nozzle exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the image sensor housing is positioned in an extended position to provide wide-angle coverage, then the viewing angle is improved, but the sensor unit becomes exposed to dirt and debris accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor housing is made movable between an extended position (for wide-angle coverage) and a retracted position (for cleaning). This dynamic positioning allows the system to optimize viewing angle during normal operation and protect the sensor during cleaning cycles, resolving the contradiction between exposure for wide-angle coverage and protection from dirt accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system is segmented into distinct operational phases: the sensor housing is retracted to a cleaning position where cleaning nozzles can access the sensor surface without obstruction. This spatial segmentation allows independent optimization of viewing angle and cleaning effectiveness.
2Reliability
If cleaning nozzles are positioned close to the lens for effective cleaning, then the cleaning effect is improved, but the nozzles may be covered by the sensor's viewing angle and become optically distracting
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically repositions the image sensor housing to a retracted cleaning position during cleaning operations. This movement allows cleaning nozzles to be positioned closer to the lens for effective cleaning while ensuring they fall outside the sensor's viewing angle, eliminating optical distraction.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the image sensor housing is retracted below the vehicle surface for cleaning, then nozzle exposure is prevented, but the cleaning access must be achieved from beneath the vehicle surface
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system utilizes the vertical dimension by retracting the image sensor housing below the vehicle surface. Cleaning nozzles positioned above the surface can then clean the sensor unit from above, eliminating the complexity of designing cleaning mechanisms that operate from beneath the vehicle surface.
4Ease of operation
If the image sensor housing is made movable between extended and retracted positions, then cleaning access is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable image sensor housing is actuated using a piston-cylinder arrangement with pneumatic or hydraulic pressure. This approach provides smooth, controlled movement with relatively simple actuation mechanics, balancing the need for cleaning access with acceptable device 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
This solution effectively clears dirt and debris from the sensor unit while maintaining a wide viewing angle and preventing nozzle clogging, ensuring continuous clear vision and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning fluid pump (1) delivering a cleaning fluid through a cleaning fluid circuit (3) to a cleaning fluid nozzle (16) under pressure
Implementation Method 2
so that the cleaning fluid as a jet or a spray of fluid may be propelled onto the image sensor housing, thus, ultimately cleaning a sensor coverage
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention refers to an integrated on board vehicle vision and cleaning system, the system comprising an image sensor unit, a cleaning fluid source, a cleaning fluid circuit (3), a cleaning fluid pump (1), and at least one cleaning fluid nozzle (16). The image sensor unit is arranged in an image sensor housing (1), the image sensor housing (10) being arranged in a vehicle mounted casing (11), and the image sensor housing being moveable within the casing (11) between first and second positions. The fluid nozzle (16) is arranged below an external vehicle body surface (9) and cleaning fluid as a jet or a spray of fluid may be propelled onto the image sensor housing (10) if the image sensor housing (10) is in a retracted position.