Integrated automotive system, nozzle assembly and remote control method for cleaning an image sensors exterior or objective lens surface

• US 10,432,827 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2012
• Issued: 10/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABC Technologies Inc. (SAS Institute Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: dlhBOWLES, Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hartranft, Evan, Bower, Robert, Sridhara, Srinivasaiah, Romack, Alan, Berning, Keith, Hester, Russell, Koehler, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Kornakov, Mikhail
• Assistant Examiner(s): Parihar, Pradhuman
• Application Number:
  US14/004,269
• Publication Number:
  US 20140060582A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,759 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/06 in annular, tubular or hollow conical form
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/08 of pulsating nature, e.g. delivering liquid in successive separate quantities ; Fluidic oscillators
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/70 Arrangements for moving spray heads automatically to or from the working position
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/02 Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0848 Cleaning devices for cameras on vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/52 Arrangement of nozzles; Liquid spreading meansnozzles per se B05B
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/522 moving liquid spreading means, e.g. arranged in wiper arms
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/528 the spreading means being moved between a rest position and a working position B60S1/526 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/56 specially adapted for cleaning other parts or devices than front windows or windscreens rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior including cleaning devices B60R1/0602
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0006 with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/57 Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/811 by dust removal, e.g. from surfaces of the image sensor or processing of the image signal output by the electronic image sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

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.

Claims

1. An external lens washing system, comprising:

a substantially rigid aiming fixture having a distal side and a proximal side and being configured to support and constrain an external lens exposed toward said distal side;

said external lens having an external lens surface with a lens perimeter and a lens central axis projecting from said lens surface, wherein a lens field of view is defined as a distally projecting solid angle including said lens central axis and originating within said lens perimeter;

a first nozzle assembly configured to be supported and aimed toward said external lens by said aiming fixture;

said first nozzle assembly including a fluid inlet in fluid communication with a first laterally offset washing nozzle projecting from said aiming fixture'"'"'s distal side;

said first nozzle assembly being configured and aimed to spray washing fluid toward said external lens surface and across said field of view, spraying at a first selected spray aiming angle in relation to the lens external surface; and

said first spray aiming angle being within the range bounded by 1° and

20°

in relation to the lens external surface,

wherein said first nozzle assembly is aimed to spray along a first selected spray azimuth angle in relation to a fixed datum on said lens perimeter,

said external lens washing system further comprising a second nozzle assembly configured to be supported and aimed by said aiming fixture;

said second nozzle assembly including a fluid inlet in fluid communication with a second laterally offset washing nozzle projecting from said aiming fixture'"'"'s distal side;

said second nozzle assembly being configured and aimed to spray washing fluid toward said external lens surface and across said field of view, spraying at a second selected spray aiming angle in relation to the lens external surface;

said second spray aiming angle being within the range bounded by 1° and

20°

in relation to the lens external surface; and

said second nozzle assembly being configured and aimed to spray along a selected spray azimuth angle being radially spaced at a selected inter-spray angle from said first nozzle assembly'"'"'s spray azimuth angle.

2. The external lens washing system of claim 1, wherein said second nozzle assembly is defined within a second substantially fluid impermeable enclosed fluid path defining a second fluidic oscillator interaction chamber configured to operate on a selectively actuated flow of pressurized washing fluid flowing through said second oscillator'"'"'s chamber to generate a second exhaust flow of fluid droplets;

and

wherein said second nozzle assembly fluid inlet receives pressurized washer fluid and is in fluid communication with the second interaction chamber which passes the pressurized washer fluid distally to said second laterally offset outlet nozzle which is configured to exhaust said washer fluid from the second interaction chamber and generate a second oscillating spray of fluid droplets aimed toward said external lens surface and across said field of view.

3. The external lens washing system of claim 1, wherein said second nozzle assembly'"'"'s second fluidic oscillator is configured as a mushroom fluidic oscillator.

4. The external lens washing system of claim 1, wherein said second laterally offset washing nozzle is configured as a non-oscillating shear nozzle configured to generate a substantially flat fan spray having a second selected spray fan angle;

and wherein said second selected spray fan angle is a fan angle within the range bounded by 15° and

120°

.

5. The external lens washing system of claim 1, wherein said second laterally offset washing nozzle is configured as a non-oscillating bug-eye nozzle configured to generate at least one substantially solid fluid jet.

6. The external lens washing system of claim 1, wherein said second laterally offset washing nozzle is configured to aim said laterally offset washing nozzle from a second selected lateral offset distance from said objective lens'"'"' external surface;

and wherein said second selected lateral offset distance from said objective lenses external surface is within the range bounded by 15 mm and 30 mm.