Imaging device protector and cleaner

• US 10,266,126 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2017
• Issued: 04/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Suman, Danny L., Koops, Luke W., Tonar, William L., Minikey, Jr., Danny L., Green, Kristopher R., Pawlowski, Timothy L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reisner, Noam
• Application Number:
  US15/818,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20180072240A1
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 11/043 Protective lens closures or lens caps built into cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/00 Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor lens hoods or caps G03B11/04
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings

Abstract

An imaging device enclosure for a vehicle including a housing having an image device aperture. A motor is disposed in the housing and is operably connected with a mobile wedge. The mobile wedge is operable between an extended position and a retracted position. An imaging device is slidably connected with the mobile wedge and is movable between the retracted position corresponding to the extended position of the mobile wedge and the extended position corresponding to the retracted position. A flexible boot is disposed over the image device aperture. The flexible boot defines a flexible opening. The imaging device protrudes through the flexible opening when the imaging device is in the extended position.

Claims

1. An imaging device enclosure comprising:

a housing disposed on an external panel of a vehicle, the housing having a bulbous projection;

an imaging device at least partially disposed in the bulbous projection;

a shutter disposed over the bulbous projection and operable between an obstructing position and an unobstructing position, wherein the shutter remains substantially exposed in both the obstructing position and unobstructing position;

a lens disposed in the bulbous projection, wherein a gasket complements the shape of the lens and seals against the lens when the shutter is in the obstructing position; and

a motor disposed in the housing and operably connected with the shutter, wherein actuation of the motor moves the shutter from the obstructing position to the unobstructing position.

2. The imaging device enclosure of claim 1, further comprising:

a gear assembly that connects the motor with the shutter.

3. The imaging device enclosure of claim 1, wherein the bulbous projection is substantially hemispherically-shaped.

4. The imaging device enclosure of claim 1, wherein the shutter is substantially arcuately-shaped.

5. The imaging device enclosure of claim 1, wherein the motor is secured between a side wall of the housing and a motor mount plate.

6. The imaging device enclosure of claim 1, wherein the shutter includes a contact surface that sweeps across the imaging device when moving from the obstructing position to the unobstructing position.

7. The imaging device enclosure of claim 1, wherein the shutter includes a fluid port adapted to discharge fluid onto the imaging device.

8. The imaging device enclosure of claim 1, further comprising:

pivot pins extending on opposing sides of the bulbous projection, wherein the pivot pins rotate the shutter between the obstructing and unobstructing positions.

9. The imaging device enclosure of claim 1, further comprising:

intermediary rotary gears disposed between a translation gear attached to a drive shaft of the motor; and

shutter gears coupled to the shutter, wherein the shutter gears rotate the shutter between the obstructing and unobstructing positions.

10. An imaging device enclosure comprising:

a housing disposed on an external panel of a vehicle;

an imaging device at least partially disposed in the housing;

a shutter disposed on the housing and moveable between an obstructing position and an unobstructing position, wherein the imaging device includes a lens, and wherein the shutter remains substantially exposed in both the obstructing position and unobstructing position, and further wherein a gasket complements the shape of the lens and seals against the lens when the shutter is in the obstructing position; and

a motor disposed in the housing and operably connected with the shutter, wherein actuation of the motor moves the shutter from the obstructing position to the unobstructing position.

11. The imaging device enclosure of claim 10, further comprising:

a gear assembly that connects the motor with the shutter.

12. The imaging device enclosure of claim 10, wherein the shutter is substantially arcuately-shaped.

13. The imaging device enclosure of claim 10, wherein the motor is secured between a side wall of the housing and a motor mount plate.

14. The imaging device enclosure of claim 10, wherein the shutter includes a contact surface that sweeps across the imaging device when moving from the obstructing position to the unobstructing position.

15. The imaging device enclosure of claim 10, wherein the shutter includes a fluid port adapted to discharge fluid onto the imaging device.

16. The imaging device enclosure of claim 10, further comprising:

intermediary rotary gears disposed between a translation gear attached to a drive shaft of the motor; and

shutter gears coupled to the shutter, wherein the shutter gears rotate the shutter between the obstructing and unobstructing positions.