Automatic Camera Lens Cleaning System

• US 20150277111A1
• Filed: 12/16/2014
• Published: 10/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rebecca Bell, Richard Bell
• Original Assignee: Rebecca Bell, Richard Bell
• Inventors: Bell, Richard, Bell, Rebecca
• Granted Patent: US 9,217,864 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/54 using gas, e.g. hot air
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/548 according to vehicle movement characteristics, e.g. speed, or climatic conditions, e.g. wind
• 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 17/12 with means for supporting objectives, supplementary lenses, filters, masks, or turrets

Abstract

Disclosed is an automatic camera lens cleaning system. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a blower assembly having a housing with a camera secured thereto. The camera lens of the camera is encircled in an annular member having a plurality of apertures thereon, wherein the apertures are in air communication the interior volume of the housing and a tube connected thereto. The tube is in air communication with an air compressor pump, which is driven by engine or an electronic solenoid and actuated by a central processing unit (CPU) or the like. The air compressor pump can force air through the apertures so as to clean the camera lens. The CPU is adapted to actuate the air compressor pump when the vehicle transmission is set in reverse, when there is debris on the camera lens, and/or when the camera is initiated through a user interface.

Claims

1. ) An automatic camera lens cleaning system, comprising:

a blower assembly having a housing that is adapted to hold a camera lens on an exterior thereof;

an annular member disposed around said camera lens;

a plurality of apertures disposed along a perimeter of said annular member;

said plurality of apertures in air communication with an interior volume of said housing;

said interior volume of said housing in air communication with an elongated tube that is connected to an air compressor pump that is operable via a central processing unit;

said air compressor pump adapted to force air through said tube such that said air exits through said plurality of apertures of said annular member.

2. ) The automatic camera lens cleaning system of claim 1, wherein said air compressor pump is driven by an engine of a vehicle.

3. ) The automatic camera lens cleaning system of claim 1, wherein said air compressor pump is driven by an electronic solenoid.

4. ) The automatic camera lens cleaning system of claim 1, wherein said central processing unit is adapted to operate said air compressor pump when a reverse gear is engaged.

5. ) The automatic camera lens cleaning system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor that is in electrical communication with said central processing unit;

wherein said central processing unit operates said air compressor pump when said sensor detects debris on a camera lens.

6. ) The automatic camera lens cleaning system of claim 1, wherein said air compressor pump can be controlled via a user interface that is electrical communication with said central processing unit.

7. ) The automatic camera lens cleaning system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of apertures is angled towards said camera lens.

8. ) The automatic camera lens cleaning system of claim 1, wherein said central processing unit operates said air compressor pump when said camera is initiated.

9. ) The automatic camera lens cleaning system of claim 1, wherein said central process unit comprises a logic;

said logic comprising the steps of;

detecting whether a vehicle is placed in reverse;

detecting whether debris is present on said camera lens;

detecting whether said camera is initiated;

actuating said air compressor pump if said vehicle is placed in reverse, if debris is present on said camera lens, or if said camera is initiated.