Camera system and vehicle

• US 9,409,529 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2014
• Issued: 08/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Dziurda, Robert A., Ruschman, Joel P., Meinert, Frank W., Chung, Caroline
• Primary Examiner(s): HSU, AMY R
• Application Number:
  US14/506,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20160096486A1
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/26 Ventilating openings in vehicle exterior; Ducts for conveying ventilating air
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/60 characterised by monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior scenes from a transformed perspective
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/54 using gas, e.g. hot air
• 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: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A camera system for a vehicle includes a body defining a cavity therein, and a camera including a lens. The camera is disposed in a deployed position such that the lens protrudes from the cavity. The camera system includes a debris region covering the lens and a duct disposed within the cavity. The duct defines a channel therein and has a first end spaced apart from the camera and a second end spaced apart from the first end. The duct is configured for directing an airstream through the channel from the first end to the debris region. A vehicle including the camera system is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A camera system for a vehicle, the camera system comprising:

a body defining a cavity therein;

wherein the body is a decklid having;

a first edge;

a second edge spaced apart from the first edge;

a proximal edge abutting the first edge and the second edge;

a distal edge spaced apart from the proximal edge and abutting the first edge and the second edge; and

a surface extending between the first edge, the second edge, the proximal edge, and the distal edge and defining a void therethrough;

a camera including a lens, wherein the camera is disposed in a deployed position such that the lens protrudes from the cavity;

a debris region covering the lens;

a duct disposed within the cavity, defining a channel therein, and having a first end spaced apart from the camera and a second end spaced apart from the first end, wherein the duct is configured for directing an airstream through the channel from the first end to the debris region; and

an aggregator component connected to the first end and configured for collecting the airstream;

wherein the duct extends through the void and protrudes from the surface and the aggregator component is disposed at the proximal edge.

2. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the second end is disposed in fluid communication with the debris region such that the second end ejects the airstream into the debris region.

3. The camera system of claim 1, further including an air mover attached to the first end and configured for pushing the airstream through the channel.

4. The camera system of claim 3, wherein the air mover is selectively transitionable to an electrically powered state in which the air mover pushes the airstream from the first end to the debris region.

5. The camera system of claim 3, wherein the air mover is attached to the surface and disposed between the first edge, the second edge, the proximal edge, and the distal edge.

6. A camera system for a vehicle, the camera system comprising:

a body defining a cavity therein;

a camera including a lens, wherein the camera is disposed in a deployed position such that the lens protrudes from the cavity;

a debris region covering the lens; and

a duct disposed within the cavity and defining a plurality of channels therein arranged in a circular array about the debris region, wherein the duct has a first end spaced apart from the camera and a second end spaced apart from the first end, and is configured for directing an airstream through the plurality of channels from the first end to the debris region.

7. The camera system of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of channels is spaced apart from one another at the second end.

8. The camera system of claim 7, wherein the duct includes a membrane configured for alternately translating towards and away from the second end to thereby alternately push and pull the airstream towards and away from the debris region.

9. A vehicle comprising:

a frame;

an airstream flowable around the frame;

a camera system including;

a body attached to the frame and defining a cavity therein;

a camera including a lens, wherein the camera is disposed in a deployed position such that the lens protrudes from the cavity;

a debris region covering the lens; and

a duct disposed within the cavity, defining a plurality of channels therein each spaced apart from one another and arranged in a circular array about the debris region;

wherein the duct has a first end spaced apart from the camera and a second end spaced apart from the first end, and is configured for directing the airstream through the channel from the first end to the debris region; and

a contaminant current disposed in fluid communication with the airstream.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, further including a shield formed by the airstream at the debris region and configured for displacing the contaminant current.

11. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the second end is disposed in fluid communication with the debris region such that the second end ejects the airstream into the debris region.

12. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the body is a decklid having:

a first edge;

a second edge spaced apart from the first edge; and

a surface extending between the first edge and the second edge and defining a void therethrough; and

further wherein the duct extends from the first edge through the void and protrudes from the surface.

13. The vehicle of claim 9, further including an air mover attached to the first end and configured for pushing the airstream through the channel.

14. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the duct includes a membrane configured for alternately translating towards and away from the second end to thereby alternately push and pull the airstream towards and away from the debris region.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, further including a piezoelectric actuator attached to the duct and configured for vibrating the membrane.