Pivoting Dome Cleaner Head for Curved Camera Lens Wiping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Security cameras and overhead light fittings mounted at high heights are difficult and dangerous to clean due to their inaccessible location, especially when equipped with dome-shaped lenses or covers that accumulate dust and dirt, degrading their performance.
Innovation Solution
A dome cleaner head with pivotally mounted wiper arms that spread outward when pressed against the dome, utilizing angled surfaces and springs to ensure contact and efficient cleaning, and optionally equipped with interchangeable wiper sleeves or fluid nozzles for various cleaning tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cleaner uses rigid arms to maintain contact with the dome, then cleaning pressure is sufficient, but the device cannot adapt to the curved surface and cannot reach high mounting locations safely
Solution Approach 1:
The arms are made resilient and capable of movement rather than being rigid and fixed. The arms can pivot at the base and flex during operation to adapt to the dome's curvature, allowing the cleaner to safely reach high-mounted fittings while maintaining reliable contact through elastic deformation and mechanical adaptation.
2Reliability
If the wiper arms are held in a fixed position, then the structure is simple, but the wipers cannot follow the curved dome surface during cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The arms are designed with pivotal mounting at the base and resilient construction, enabling them to dynamically adjust their position and orientation as they contact the dome surface. This allows the wipers to follow the curved surface effectively through controlled arm movement and flexing during the cleaning operation.
3Reliability
If the cleaner head is pressed firmly against the dome to ensure wiper contact, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but the arms cannot spread out to conform to the dome shape
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient arms can simultaneously experience compressive forces from pressing against the dome while pivoting and spreading outward to conform to the dome's curvature. The dynamic nature of the arms allows them to distribute contact pressure along their length while adapting their configuration to match the curved surface geometry.
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
Facilitates safe and effective cleaning of curved fittings by allowing easy passage of wipers around the dome shape, maintaining contact through resilient arms and springs, and accommodating different sizes and cleaning needs, enhancing the performance and longevity of security cameras and light fittings.
Implementation Method 1
Return springs maintain pressure on the dome and return the arms to their closed position as the cleaner head is withdrawn from the dome
Implementation Method 2
Conveniently, the arms may be connected by a spring
Implementation Method 3
the or each pair of arms includes a co-operating surface slidable over a corresponding profiled surface on the base, the respective surfaces being so shaped that application of an axial force along the arms urges the arms to move apart
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A dome cleaner for overhead security cameras or light fittings comprises a pair of wiper arms (1) pivotally mounted on a base (2). Upwards pressure against the dome (10) causes the arms (1) to spread outwards and the wipers (8) to pass easily around the dome (10). Return springs (6, 7) maintain pressure on the dome (10) and return the arms (1) to their closed position as the cleaner head is withdrawn from the dome (10).