Side-Mounted Camera Housing Layout to Keep Vehicle Lenses Clear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicular camera systems with wiping or movable mechanisms to maintain camera visibility are structurally complex, increasing production costs and assembly steps, and are prone to interruptions due to dirt accumulation on lenses.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular camera unit with oblique forward- and rearward-facing cameras positioned in a camera housing, protruding outward from the vehicle's fenders, utilizing a snap-fit mechanism for attachment, and designed to minimize dirt adherence through angled surfaces and hoods to prevent visibility issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wiping mechanism or movable mechanism is provided in the side mirror to improve camera visibility, then the camera can remove dust and waterdrops, but the vehicle structure becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the camera from the side mirror structure and provides it with a dedicated camera housing attached to the vehicle body. This separates the camera system from the mirror assembly, eliminating the need for complex wiping or movable mechanisms within the side mirror while maintaining camera visibility and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera housing is designed with an inclined surface that automatically directs dust and waterdrops away from the camera lens using the vehicle's motion and gravity. This self-cleaning design eliminates the need for additional wiping mechanisms, reducing structural complexity while maintaining reliable camera visibility.
2Reliability
If a wiping mechanism is added to the camera to prevent dirt accumulation, then visibility is maintained, but the number of production steps and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera housing incorporates an inclined surface that passively directs contaminants away from the lens through the vehicle's natural motion and gravity. This self-service design maintains camera visibility without requiring active wiping mechanisms, thereby simplifying manufacturing processes and reducing production costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the camera is positioned to photograph travel environments, then driving support is provided, but dust and waterdrops adhere to the lens obstructing the field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the spatial orientation by providing the camera with a dedicated housing attached to the vehicle body at an optimal position, rather than integrating it into the side mirror. This dimensional repositioning allows the camera to photograph travel environments effectively while the inclined surface of the housing prevents dirt accumulation on the lens.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular camera unit includes a camera housing, an oblique forward-facing camera, and an oblique rearward-facing camera. The camera housing is attached to a side of a vehicle. The oblique forward-facing camera is provided in the camera housing. The oblique rearward-facing camera is provided in the camera housing. The oblique rearward-facing camera is disposed forward of the oblique forward-facing camera and on an outer side of the oblique forward-facing camera in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle.