Self-Cleaning Camera Lens Shield with Rotating Cleaning Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera lens cleaning devices are often bulky, not self-contained, do not continuously clean, have short battery life, require excessive cleaning fluid, or obstruct the lens during cleaning, making them unsuitable for prolonged use in debris-filled environments.

Innovation Solution

A self-cleaning camera lens system with a main case, lens shield, actuator means, cleaning member housing, and power supply system that automatically rotates a transparent lens shield with integrated cleaning members to continuously remove debris from the lens, ensuring unobstructed footage in harsh conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cleaning device is used to clean the lens, then the lens can be cleaned of debris, but the device obstructs the lens during cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens cleanlinessVSAvoidobstruction of light path

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning system is segmented into multiple independent cleaning members (brush, cloth, eraser) that can be selectively activated. Each cleaning member operates independently to clean different aspects of the lens, allowing the system to maintain continuous operation without requiring a single obstructive cleaning mechanism to block the entire lens at once.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic cleaning cycles where different cleaning members are activated at different times. The actuator rotates the lens shield to bring different portions of the lens into contact with different cleaning members sequentially, ensuring continuous cleaning without permanent obstruction of the light path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If existing cleaning devices are used, then lens cleaning is achieved, but the devices are bulky and not self-contained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens cleaning capabilityVSAvoiddevice size and self-containment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple cleaning functions (brushing, cloth wiping, erasing) are merged into a single integrated cleaning member assembly that rotates with the lens shield. The actuator, power supply, and control electronics are combined into a compact self-contained unit that attaches directly to the camera, eliminating the need for external cleaning devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning system is designed as a universal attachment that can clean various types of lenses (camera lenses, goggles, helmets) using multiple cleaning methods. The same rotating assembly with multiple cleaning members serves multiple cleaning purposes, making the device versatile and reducing the need for separate specialized cleaning tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If cleaning is performed continuously, then the lens remains clean for prolonged periods, but battery life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens cleanliness durationVSAvoidbattery consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic cleaning cycles instead of continuous operation. The actuator rotates the lens shield and activates cleaning members only when debris is detected or at predetermined intervals, allowing the battery to conserve energy while still maintaining lens cleanliness over extended periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The lens shield rotates continuously to maintain constant contact between the lens surface and cleaning members, ensuring uninterrupted cleaning action. However, the actual cleaning contact is intermittent as the shield rotates, allowing the system to maintain continuous protection with periodic energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Reliability

If cleaning fluid is used extensively, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the requirement for large amounts of fluid increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning fluid quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces fluid-based cleaning with mechanical cleaning methods. The brush, cloth, and eraser members mechanically remove debris from the lens surface through friction and abrasion, eliminating the need for large quantities of cleaning fluid while maintaining effective cleaning performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12189117B2Self-cleaning camera lens system and method

Publication Date: 2025.01.07 MACKEY JEFFREY

AI summary

A lens cleaning system is disclosed herein. The lens cleaning system includes a main case, a lens shield, an actuator means, a cleaning member housing, at least one cleaning member, and a power supply system. The lens cleaning system attaches to a camera to allow for longer shot durations without having the image obstructed by debris. The self-cleaning camera lens system may be particularly designed to be self-cleaning, self-contained, mobile, discrete, easy to use, easily attachable, unobtrusive and at least partially self-maintaining and self-powered.