Parking Camera Lens Cleaning Telescopic Ring Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Parking assistance cameras on vehicles face image quality degradation due to contamination and damage from external weather factors, particularly water droplets and stone chips, which are challenging to clean without restricting the lens's angle of view.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an inner and outer ring body arrangement that allows for axial movement between a retracted rest position and an extended cleaning position, utilizing a fluid chamber and pressurized fluid to direct cleaning agents onto the lens without impairing the view, with the outer ring body returning to its rest position automatically after cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the camera is positioned in a location with high air flow to eliminate water droplets, then water droplet removal is improved, but the camera cannot be optimally positioned for image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device enables the lens to clean itself through automated mechanisms including fluid injection systems and cleaning elements that can be actuated without manual intervention, allowing the camera to maintain optimal positioning while self-cleaning the lens surface
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes fluid injection through nozzles to remove water droplets and contaminants from the lens surface, employing hydraulic principles to deliver cleaning fluid directly to the affected areas without requiring high air flow that would compromise camera positioning
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a cleaning device is added to the camera, then lens cleaning capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is integrated with the camera housing, combining the cleaning functionality with the existing camera structure. The fluid injection system, cleaning elements, and control mechanisms are merged into a unified assembly that shares components with the camera housing, minimizing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device is designed to perform multiple functions including water droplet removal, general lens cleaning, and potential drying functions through integrated fluid injection and air flow capabilities, reducing the need for separate dedicated components for each cleaning task
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the outer ring body is moved to the cleaning position, then lens cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the angle of view is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The outer ring body is designed to be movable between a retracted position during normal operation and an extended cleaning position when cleaning is required. This dynamic positioning allows the cleaning elements to access the lens surface effectively without permanently obstructing the angle of view during normal camera operation
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device is divided into segmented components including the movable outer ring body, stationary inner ring body, and distributed cleaning elements. This segmentation allows different parts to perform specific functions - the outer ring extends for cleaning while the inner ring maintains structural support, enabling effective cleaning without permanent angle of view restriction
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
Enables effective cleaning of the optical lens without permanently obstructing the camera's view, ensuring optimal image quality by using a telescopic mechanism that maintains the lens's field of view during operation.
Implementation Method 1
After the fluid chamber has been acted upon by a pressurized fluid, the outer ring body is returned to its rest position
Implementation Method 2
the outer ring body is acted upon in the direction of its rest position with a restoring force
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a device /{4/} for cleaning an optical lens (2) of a parking assistance camera (3) which is arranged on a vehicle, having at least one inner ring body (5) which can be arranged on the optical lens (2) immovably and so as to partially surround the optical lens (2) radially on the outside, on which inner ring body (5) a receptacle (7) is arranged which is configured annularly and so as to be open towards the object space (18) of the optical lens (2), and at least one outer ring body (6) which is arranged coaxially with respect to the inner ring body (5) and at least partially within the receptacle (7), wherein the outer ring body (6) is arranged such that it can be moved axially relative to the inner ring body (5) between an extended cleaning position and a retracted rest position, wherein the outer ring body (6) is loaded in the direction of the rest position thereof with a restoring force, wherein at least one fluid chamber (10) is arranged between the inner ring body (5) and the outer ring body (6), wherein the outer ring body (6) is configured in such a way that, when the outer ring body (6) is situated in the rest position thereof, the fluid chamber (10) is closed with respect to the surroundings of the device (4), wherein the outer ring body (6) is configured in such a way that, when the outer ring body (6) is situated in the cleaning position thereof, the fluid chamber (10) is open with respect to the surroundings of the device (4) in such a way that a fluid which is introduced into the fluid chamber (10) exits from the fluid chamber (10) in the direction of the optical lens (2), and wherein at least one fluid feed line (14) which opens into the fluid chamber (10) is arranged on the inner ring body (5).