Vehicle Camera Lens Control Unit for Adaptive Dirt Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing on-board camera systems lack an optimal method for washing the photographic lens, leading to inefficient removal of foreign matter such as water drops, mud, and snow melting agents, which can affect image quality.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a control unit with an air pump and washer pump, along with a light shielding plate to block unwanted light, and uses image processing to detect and remove foreign matter by selecting the appropriate cleaning device based on the type and persistence of the accumulation, employing a no-change mask to prevent unnecessary cleaning operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If washer fluid is sprayed repetitively to remove dirt from the lens surface, then the dirt removal capability is improved, but the energy consumption and operation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives image data from the image-capturing device and determines whether dirt remains on the lens surface after each washing operation. Based on this feedback, the control unit decides whether to continue spraying washer fluid or stop the operation, avoiding unnecessary repeated spraying and reducing energy consumption while ensuring reliable dirt removal.
2Reliability
If multiple accumulation removing units are used to remove different types of accumulation, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the cleaning task into different segments by using multiple accumulation removing units (air pump for blowing away loose accumulation, washer pump for washing sticky accumulation) tailored to different types of foreign matter. The control unit selects and activates only the appropriate unit based on the detected accumulation type, achieving effective cleaning while managing device complexity through selective operation.
3Reliability
If the washing operation is performed continuously until dirt is removed, then the cleaning completeness is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the lens surface condition by receiving image data from the image-capturing device during the washing operation. When the feedback indicates that dirt has been successfully removed, the control unit immediately stops the washing operation, ensuring complete cleaning while minimizing operation time by avoiding unnecessary continued washing.
4Measurement precision
If image processing is used to detect dirt on the lens, then the detection precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical detection mechanisms with an image-capturing device and image processing algorithm. The image processing unit analyzes image data to detect dirt on the lens surface with high precision, achieving accurate detection while keeping the physical device structure relatively simple by using electronic/optical methods instead of mechanical sensors.
Data Source
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AI summary
An on-board device, that outputs a control signal to a cleaning control unit that controls accumulation removing units used to remove accumulations settled on a photographic lens in an on-board camera by adopting a plurality of methods, includes: an accumulation detection unit that detects an accumulation settled on the photographic lens from a photographic image output from the on-board camera when a vehicle speed input thereto is equal to or higher than a predetermined vehicle speed; a selection unit that selects an accumulation removing unit adopting a first method among the accumulation removing units adopting the plurality of methods; and a removal decision unit that makes a decision, based upon the photographic image, as to whether or not the accumulation has been removed from the photographic lens through a removal operation performed by the accumulation removing unit adopting the first method, which has been selected by the selection unit, wherein: if the removal decision unit decides that the accumulation has not been removed from the photographic lens, the selection unit selects an accumulation removing unit adopting a second method, different from the accumulation removing unit adopting the first method, based upon a number of times that the removal operation has been performed by engaging the accumulation removing unit adopting the first method.