Motor Vehicle Camera Cover Actuation and Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera units in motor vehicles, used for exterior imaging, are not adequately protected from weather elements and dirt, leading to potential lens contamination and functionality issues.
Innovation Solution
The camera unit is designed to pivot into a rest position, facing away from the exterior, when not in use, with the cover element serving as an actuating element to transfer the camera unit between rest and operating positions, ensuring protection and indirect drive operation to avoid electromagnetic interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the camera unit is kept in a fixed position facing outward, then image capture is always possible, but the camera lens is exposed to weather elements and dirt causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The camera unit is made movable between a protected retracted position and an extended imaging position. The housing allows the camera unit to move along a movement path, enabling it to be positioned outward for image capture and retracted inward for protection against weather and dirt, thus resolving the contradiction between accessibility and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera unit is retracted into the protected position before adverse weather conditions or dirt accumulation occur. By proactively positioning the camera unit in the protected state when not in use, the lens is prevented from being contaminated, ensuring reliability when the camera is next activated.
2Manufacturing precision
If a separate drive mechanism is added for the camera unit, then the camera can be positioned precisely, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cover element is designed to serve dual functions: it protects the camera unit when in the closed position and simultaneously acts as a drive element to move the camera unit between retracted and extended positions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate dedicated drive mechanism, reducing device complexity while maintaining positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover element and the drive mechanism for the camera unit are merged into a single component. The cover element's movement is mechanically coupled to the camera unit's movement, so that opening and closing the cover simultaneously extends and retracts the camera unit, reducing the number of parts and simplifying the overall structure.
3Volume of moving object
If the drive mechanism is placed close to the camera unit, then space is saved, but electromagnetic interference with the camera is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The cover element serves as an intermediary between the drive mechanism and the camera unit. The drive mechanism drives the cover element, which in turn moves the camera unit. This mechanical coupling through the cover element allows the drive to be positioned away from the camera unit, reducing electromagnetic interference while still achieving precise positioning through the mechanical linkage.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (100) comprising a camera unit (10) for capturing images of the exterior of a motor vehicle and a cover element (20) which is movable via a drive (50) between a closed position (I), in which the cover element (20) covers an opening (2) of the device (100), and an open position (II), in which the cover element (20) releases the opening (2). In the closed position (I) of the cover element (20), the camera unit (10) is located behind the cover element (20) and is inaccessible from the outside. In the open position (II) of the cover element (20), image capture is possible. The cover element (20) acts as an actuator for the camera unit (10) to move the camera unit (10) between a rest position (A) and an operating position (B).