Rotating Vehicle Camera Lens for Raindrop Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Raindrops and stains on a camera lens can affect imaging quality and pose safety hazards during vehicle automatic driving, especially in rainy conditions.
Innovation Solution
A photographing device for vehicles is designed with a rotatable lens holder and a driving assembly that uses centrifugal force to remove raindrops from the lens, ensuring clear imaging and reduced safety hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the camera lens is disposed outside the vehicle to capture road information, then the imaging capability is improved, but raindrops and stains accumulate on the lens surface affecting imaging quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the lens rotatable rather than stationary. The lens holder can rotate the lens around the optical axis, transforming a static imaging component into a dynamic one. This rotation enables the lens to actively remove raindrops and stains through centrifugal force during operation, thereby maintaining imaging quality while exposed to external environmental factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the lens to clean itself through rotation. When the lens holder rotates the lens, centrifugal force automatically hurl out accumulated raindrops and stains without requiring external cleaning mechanisms. The lens serves both its primary imaging function and its own cleaning function through the same rotational motion.
2Reliability
If a stationary lens is used for imaging, then the device structure is simple, but raindrops cannot be removed effectively affecting driving safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the lens holder to perform multiple functions: it not only supports and positions the lens for imaging but also rotates the lens to remove raindrops and stains. This multi-functional design integrates the cleaning function into the existing lens mounting structure, avoiding the need for separate complex cleaning mechanisms while improving driving safety.
3Measurement precision
If the lens rotates to remove raindrops, then imaging definition is maintained, but the device complexity increases due to driving assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing complex mechanical cleaning mechanisms (such as wipers, blowers, or injection systems) with a simpler rotational mechanism. Instead of using multiple nozzles, valves, and actuating mechanisms to remove raindrops, the system uses a single rotational degree of freedom that leverages centrifugal force, thereby maintaining imaging definition while reducing overall 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
The solution effectively removes raindrops at any time, maintaining high imaging definition and reducing driving safety hazards by ensuring a clear view of road conditions.
Implementation Method 1
During the rotation, a centrifugal force of the transparent lens can hurl out raindrops on the transparent lens
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a photographing device for a vehicle and relates to the field of automatic driving technology. The specific solution is that the photographing device includes a base; a camera mounted on the base; a lens holder mounted on the base and rotatable relative to the base; a transparent lens mounted on the lens holder and arranged opposite to the camera; and a driving assembly connected with the lens holder to drive the lens holder to rotate relative to the base.