Integrated automotive system, nozzle assembly and remote control method for cleaning an image sensor's exterior or objective lens surface
First Claim
1. An integrated automotive camera module and nozzle assembly, said camera module and nozzle assembly comprising:
- a substantially fluid impermeable camera module within a housing having an interior configured to enclose and aim an imaging sensor having an objective lens and a pixelated image sensor array, said housing being configured to support and aim the camera module;
wherein said camera module comprises a self-contained and sealed module enclosing said image sensor array and associated image signal processing components, said camera module being substantially sealed to limit or substantially preclude water intrusion into said camera module, and wherein said camera module housing is configured to be positioned at the vehicle as a unit;
wherein said camera module also includes an electrical connector suitable for electrically conductive connection to a vehicle electrical connector when said camera module housing is positioned at the vehicle;
wherein said camera module includes an objective lens and the camera module is supported within said housing with said image sensor having a field of view through said objective lens;
wherein said electrical connector extends to be accessible at a proximal end for connecting to the vehicle electrical connector when said camera module is positioned at the vehicle; and
wherein said camera module is responsive to a vehicle controller operable to process video images captured by said imaging sensor;
said housing further includes an integral nozzle assembly including a fluid inlet in fluid communication with a laterally offset washing nozzle configured and aimed to spray washing fluid toward said objective lens and across said image sensor'"'"'s field of view, spraying at a narrow, glancing aiming angle which is aimed at a selected angle that within the range bounded by 1° and
20°
in relation to the objective lens external surface; and
wherein said housing'"'"'s laterally offset washing nozzle is configured to aim said laterally offset washing nozzle from a selected lateral offset distance from said objective lens external surface and wherein said selected lateral offset distance from said objective lens external surface is within the range bounded by 10 mm and 30 mm,wherein said vehicle controller is configured and connected to receive an image signal from said image sensor and generate a displayed image signal in response thereto,wherein said camera module includes a distal transparent cover proximate said objective lens for receiving an image therethrough, and wherein said distal transparent cover is sealed to said camera module; and
wherein said laterally offset nozzle is configured and aimed to spray washing fluid onto said housing'"'"'s transparent cover portion and across said field of view.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An external lens washing system has an aiming fixture configured to support and constrain an external lens which is exposed to the elements and apt to become soiled with debris. A nozzle assembly is configured to be supported and aimed toward the external lens by the aiming fixture and has at least one laterally offset washing nozzle projecting from the aiming fixture to a spray washing fluid toward the external lens surface, spraying at a shallow, glancing spray aiming angle to impinge upon and wash the lens external surface. Optionally, an integrated image sensor and lens washing assembly is configured for use with a remote control method for cleaning an exterior objective lens surface and includes a sealed image sensor housing assembly including an integral, remotely controllable lens cleaning system with an optimized configuration for aiming one or more cleansing sprays from one or more laterally offset fluidic oscillators.
128 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An integrated automotive camera module and nozzle assembly, said camera module and nozzle assembly comprising:
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a substantially fluid impermeable camera module within a housing having an interior configured to enclose and aim an imaging sensor having an objective lens and a pixelated image sensor array, said housing being configured to support and aim the camera module; wherein said camera module comprises a self-contained and sealed module enclosing said image sensor array and associated image signal processing components, said camera module being substantially sealed to limit or substantially preclude water intrusion into said camera module, and wherein said camera module housing is configured to be positioned at the vehicle as a unit;
wherein said camera module also includes an electrical connector suitable for electrically conductive connection to a vehicle electrical connector when said camera module housing is positioned at the vehicle;wherein said camera module includes an objective lens and the camera module is supported within said housing with said image sensor having a field of view through said objective lens; wherein said electrical connector extends to be accessible at a proximal end for connecting to the vehicle electrical connector when said camera module is positioned at the vehicle; and
wherein said camera module is responsive to a vehicle controller operable to process video images captured by said imaging sensor;said housing further includes an integral nozzle assembly including a fluid inlet in fluid communication with a laterally offset washing nozzle configured and aimed to spray washing fluid toward said objective lens and across said image sensor'"'"'s field of view, spraying at a narrow, glancing aiming angle which is aimed at a selected angle that within the range bounded by 1° and
20°
in relation to the objective lens external surface; andwherein said housing'"'"'s laterally offset washing nozzle is configured to aim said laterally offset washing nozzle from a selected lateral offset distance from said objective lens external surface and wherein said selected lateral offset distance from said objective lens external surface is within the range bounded by 10 mm and 30 mm, wherein said vehicle controller is configured and connected to receive an image signal from said image sensor and generate a displayed image signal in response thereto, wherein said camera module includes a distal transparent cover proximate said objective lens for receiving an image therethrough, and wherein said distal transparent cover is sealed to said camera module; and wherein said laterally offset nozzle is configured and aimed to spray washing fluid onto said housing'"'"'s transparent cover portion and across said field of view. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification