Rotating Vehicle Camera Lens Cleaner Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle vision systems face challenges in maintaining clear camera lenses, especially in adverse weather conditions, which can obstruct the view and affect image quality, leading to reduced system reliability.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle vision system that incorporates a rotatable or pivotable clear lens or cover element, movable relative to wiping elements, to continuously clean the lens and ensure a clear field of view for the camera, with optional motor actuation for automatic cleaning and redundancy in case of mechanical failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed camera lens is used in vehicle vision systems, then the system structure is simple, but the lens becomes obstructed by dirt or debris in adverse weather conditions, reducing image quality and system reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the lens or cover element movable rather than fixed. The lens assembly can rotate or pivot relative to the camera sensor, allowing different portions of the lens to be presented to the wiping elements. This dynamic movement enables continuous cleaning capability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by positioning wiping elements in advance to contact the lens or cover element before significant obstruction occurs. The system proactively cleans the lens surface by moving the lens relative to stationary wiping elements, preventing dirt accumulation that would degrade image quality. This preliminary cleaning action maintains reliability without requiring complex real-time intervention systems.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the lens is made rotatable or pivotable to enable cleaning, then continuous operation in adverse weather is achieved, but the mechanical complexity and potential failure points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the lens assembly dynamic by enabling rotation or pivoting motion. This allows the system to continuously present a clean portion of the lens to the camera sensor by moving the lens relative to wiping elements during adverse weather conditions. The dynamic mechanism enables extended continuous operation while keeping the mechanical structure relatively simple through straightforward rotational or pivoting joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing the movable lens assembly to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the optical element for image capture and the component to be cleaned. The same lens assembly that focuses light can also rotate or pivot to contact wiping elements, eliminating the need for separate cleaning mechanisms and reducing overall mechanical complexity while enabling continuous operation.
3Measurement precision
If a movable lens assembly with wiping elements is implemented, then image quality is maintained through continuous cleaning, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the lens assembly movable rather than static. The lens can rotate or pivot to bring different portions into contact with wiping elements, ensuring continuous cleaning and maintaining high image quality. This dynamic approach achieves superior image quality while avoiding the need for complex multi-component cleaning systems, thereby improving ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the optical function and cleaning function into a single integrated lens assembly. The lens element itself serves as both the imaging component and the surface to be cleaned, eliminating the need for separate protective covers or complex cleaning mechanisms. This consolidation simplifies manufacturing while maintaining image quality through continuous cleaning capability.
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 system effectively maintains a clear camera lens, ensuring continuous operation even in rain or snow, with redundancy to prevent obstruction by dirt or debris, thereby enhancing image quality and system reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a lens cleaner that moves a lens or cover element in front of the camera relative to at least one wiping or cleaning element to clean or clear dirt or debris from the lens or cover element
Data Source
AI summary
A camera module for a vehicle vision system for a vehicle includes a camera fixedly disposed at an exterior portion of a vehicle so as to have a field of view exterior of the vehicle. A transparent cover element includes an at least partial cylindrical element that at least partially surrounds the camera with a portion of the transparent cover element disposed in front of a lens of the camera. At least one wiping element engages an exterior surface of said transparent cover element. The transparent cover element is rotatable relative to the camera about a longitudinal axis of the transparent cover element to move portions of the transparent cover element across the at least one wiping element to clean dirt or contaminants from the transparent cover element.