Rotating Optical Sensor Housing Centrifugal Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driving assistance systems with external video cameras face issues with dirt and water accumulation, leading to reduced efficacy and potential damage, particularly due to the use of bulky and noisy protection devices that compromise the wide viewing angle and image quality.
Innovation Solution
A protection device featuring a housing that rotates with a transparent optical element, utilizing centrifugal force to eject dirt and water, while maintaining a wide viewing angle and preventing entry of debris into the housing, with an actuator positioned externally to facilitate maintenance and reduce noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protecting glass or window is fixed to the bodywork to protect the video camera from external aggression, then the video camera is protected from external aggression, but the protecting glass remains subject to deposition of pollutants and requires cleaning mechanisms that increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the cleaning function from complex mechanical systems and replaces it with a simple centrifugal effect generated by rotating the entire camera assembly. The optical sensor and housing rotate about a vertical axis, using centrifugal force to eject dirt and water from the optical element surface without requiring separate cleaning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-cleaning through the centrifugal effect generated during normal rotation operation. The rotating housing and optical element automatically eject contaminants without external intervention or additional cleaning components, making the system self-sufficient for maintaining optical clarity.
2Reliability
If a rotating cover with wiper blade is used to clean the optical element, then the optical element can be cleaned, but the device becomes noisy and the wiper blade suffers premature wear
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the wiper blade and mechanical contact-based cleaning system entirely. Instead, it uses the centrifugal force generated by rotating the optical element itself to eject contaminants, eliminating the sources of noise and wear associated with friction-based wiper systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical friction-based wiper system with a centrifugal force-based ejection mechanism. The rotation of the optical element creates centrifugal forces that physically eject dirt and water without mechanical contact, substituting a wear-free mechanism for the wear-prone wiper system.
3Reliability
If the optical sensor is installed inside the passenger compartment, then it is protected from exterior climatic problems and dirt, but the viewing angle is not optimum for parking assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the optical sensor housing dynamic by enabling rotation about a vertical axis. This allows the system to adapt its viewing direction and maintain optimal angles for parking assistance while the optical element itself remains protected within the rotating sealed housing.
4Reliability
If cleaning liquid sprayer is used to eliminate polluting elements, then polluting elements can be eliminated, but large quantities of cleaning liquid are required and the optic is not protected from spraying damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the cleaning liquid sprayer system entirely and replaces it with a centrifugal ejection mechanism. The rotating optical element uses centrifugal force to physically eject dirt and water without requiring any cleaning liquid, eliminating both the consumption of substances and the risk of spray damage to the optic.
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 prevents dirt and water accumulation on the optical sensor, ensuring continuous operability and maintaining a wide viewing angle, while reducing noise and wear, and allowing for efficient maintenance by using centrifugal force to eject contaminants.
Implementation Method 1
A protection device according to the invention utilizes a housing (4) which is driven in rotation about a rotation axis (A1) and in which a transparent optical element (9) is constrained to rotate with the housing (4) so as to enable cleaning of the optical element (9) by centrifugal effect
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (3) for protecting an optical sensor (13) for a motor vehicle. According to the invention, the protection device (3) comprises: a housing (4) which is mounted in such a way that it rotates about a rotational axis (A1) and has a receiving element (19) designed to receive the optical sensor (13) such that the optical axis (15) of the optical sensor (13) merges with the rotational axis (A1), a transparent optical element (9) constrained to rotate with the housing (4) and designed to be arranged in front of the housing (4) facing the road and such that it is centred in relation to the optical sensor (13), and an actuator (5) for rotating the housing (4), so as to clean said optical element (9) by means of a centrifugal effect. The invention also relates to a driving assistance system (1) corresponding in this way to a cleaning method implementing such a protection device (3).