Telescoping Rearview Camera Lens Cleaning via Flexible Track
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Solution Overview
Problem
Telescoping side mirrors with cameras face issues with dust, dirt, and grime entering the housing and soiling the camera lenses, affecting driver visibility.
Innovation Solution
A side-location rearview assembly with a housing maintenance system that includes a flexible track to cover the aperture adjacent to the camera lens and a lens cleaning system comprising a bracket, wiper holder, and wiper element to clean the lens as the housing telescopes between inboard and outboard positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the housing telescopes between inboard and outboard positions to provide extended viewing range, then the viewing capability is improved, but dust and dirt can enter the housing and soil the camera lens
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible track is positioned to cover the aperture adjacent to the camera lens before the housing begins to telescope, preventing dust and dirt from entering the housing during the telescoping motion. This preliminary protective action maintains lens cleanliness while allowing the full range of telescoping motion for extended viewing.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible track acts as an intermediary element between the external environment and the camera lens. It selectively covers the aperture to block harmful particles while allowing light to reach the lens when needed, mediating between the need for lens protection and the need for clear imaging during telescoping operation.
2Ease of operation
If the aperture remains open to allow camera imaging, then the imaging function is maintained, but the lens becomes exposed to environmental contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible track provides dynamic protection by flexing and conforming to the housing movement during telescoping while maintaining coverage of the aperture. This dynamic flexibility allows the protective function to be maintained throughout the entire range of motion without compromising imaging when the housing is in extended positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible track is implemented as a thin, flexible protective element that can conform to the housing geometry and movement. This flexible film structure provides effective sealing against contaminants while allowing the housing to telescope freely, maintaining both lens protection and imaging functionality.
3Reliability
If a cover is used to protect the lens during telescoping, then lens protection is improved, but the aesthetic appearance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible track provides a thin, minimally intrusive protective element that maintains the housing's aesthetic appearance while effectively protecting the lens. Unlike rigid covers that may be visually prominent, the flexible film conforms to the housing contours and can be made aesthetically pleasing while providing reliable protection during telescoping.
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 keeps the camera lens clean, enhancing driver visibility by protecting the lens from environmental elements and ensuring continuous operation regardless of the mirror's position, while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Implementation Method 1
a wiper element held by the wiper holder, whereby the wiper element is adapted to engage and clean the lens in the elongated aperture as the housing is telescoped
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~4A
AI summary
The present invention refers to a side-location rearview assembly (10) comprising: • one or more support arms (14) attached to and extending from a base assembly (12) configured for attachment to a side portion of a vehicle (11); • a rearview housing (24) slidingly attached to the one or more support arms (14) such that the housing (24) can telescope relative to the base assembly (12) between a retracted, inboard position and an extended, outboard position; • at least one camera (22) positioned within the housing (24) and attached to the one or more support arms (14), the camera (22) configured to provide images exterior to the vehicle (11) through an elongated aperture (32) in the housing (24), wherein the camera (22) is configured to remain in a stationary position relative to the base assembly (12) as the housing (24) telescopes, and wherein the elongated aperture (32) is configured such that the camera (22) can obtain images exterior to the vehicle (11) through the elongated aperture (32) when the housing (24) is in an inboard position and when the housing (24) is in an outboard position; and • a housing maintenance system for keeping the housing clean and operable.