Underbody Camera Housing With Lens Cleaning and Service Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of vehicles face challenges in navigating obstacles that are not visible beneath the vehicle, such as rocks, which can damage the vehicle if not avoided, as existing systems do not provide a reliable means to view these hidden areas.
Innovation Solution
An underbody camera system is coupled to the vehicle, featuring a mounting bracket, camera housing, and a camera protected by a shell and lens, with a lens-cleaning system using fluid and air sources, and an actuator for adjustable viewing angles, allowing real-time image capture of areas beneath the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the camera is exposed to the environment for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but protection from debris and corrosion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The camera housing is divided into separable components including the camera module, lens assembly, and housing structure. This segmentation allows the camera to be removed and serviced independently while the housing remains protected, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
A removable housing or protective cover acts as an intermediary between the camera and the harsh environment. This intermediary structure provides protection when installed but can be removed for easy access and servicing, eliminating the need to choose between protection and accessibility.
2Reliability
If the camera is protected from the environment, then reliability is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is segmented into modular components that can be independently accessed and serviced. The camera module, lens, and housing are designed as separate serviceable units, allowing repair personnel to access and replace components without compromising the protective design.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera module is designed to be extractable from the housing as a complete unit. This extraction capability allows the camera to be protected during operation while enabling easy removal for repair or replacement, resolving the contradiction between protection and ease of repair.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the camera housing is sealed for protection, then protection from corrosion is improved, but servicing of components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is pre-designed with built-in access mechanisms such as removable panels, snap-fit covers, or threaded access ports that maintain the sealed protective structure while providing predetermined access points for servicing components. This preliminary design resolves the contradiction by planning for both protection and accessibility from the outset.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
An underbody camera located beneath and within a wheel base of a vehicle includes a mounting bracket coupled to the vehicle, a camera housing, and a camera. The camera housing is coupled to the mounting bracket and defines an interior camera compartment. The camera is coupled to the camera housing and is arranged to lie within the interior camera compartment.