SYSTEM AND METHOD TO MINIMIZE CONTAMINATION OF A REAR VIEW CAMERA LENS

• US 20130094086A1
• Filed: 10/13/2011
• Published: 04/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Bochenek, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 9,126,546 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/509
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/54 using gas, e.g. hot air
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/007 Rear spoilers B62D35/001 takes precedence
• 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: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/82 Elements for improving aerodynamics

Abstract

A system for minimizing the accumulation of debris on a lens of a rear view camera of a vehicle, wherein the lens has a lens surface, includes a formed channel having a first end and a second end. The first end is in fluid communication with an external airstream effected by movement of the vehicle. The second end is disposed adjacent to the lens and is configured to direct a portion of the passing airstream over the lens surface.

Claims

1. A system for minimizing the accumulation of debris on a lens of a rear view camera of a vehicle, the lens having a lens surface, the system comprising a formed channel having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is in fluid communication with an external airstream effected by movement of the vehicle, and wherein the second end is disposed adjacent to the lens and configured to direct a portion of the passing airstream over the lens surface.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the formed channel converges between the first end and the second end.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second end further includes a nozzle.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a front half and a rear half, and wherein the first end is located within the rear half of the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the formed channel comprises a flexible tube.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first end includes a screen.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the first end includes a deflector for directing the portion of the passing airstream into the tube.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the vehicle includes a trunk having a deck lid, and wherein a portion of the tube spans the deck lid.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a rear-mounted projection for partially containing the rear view camera, and wherein the first end includes a slot in the rear-mounted projection.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the rear-mounted projection is a vehicle manufacturer emblem.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a trunk having a deck lid, and wherein the first end is positioned on the deck lid.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first end includes a deflector for directing the portion of the airstream into the formed channel.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the second end includes a deflector for directing the portion of the airstream over the lens.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the deflector is removably couplable to the first end.

15. An airflow device for minimizing the accumulation of debris on a lens surface of a rear view camera of a vehicle, the vehicle including a trunk having a deck lid, the airflow device comprising:

a channel extending between a first opening located within a rear half of the vehicle and a second opening positioned at a rear face of the deck lid, wherein the first opening is configured to receive a portion of a passing airstream effected by forward motion of the vehicle, and wherein the second opening is disposed adjacent to the lens surface and configured to direct the portion of the passing airstream across the lens surface.

16. The airflow device of claim 15, wherein the channel comprises a flexible tube.

17. The airflow device of claim 15, wherein the channel is integrally formed into the deck lid.

18. The airflow device of claim 17, further including an edge portion adjacent the first opening, the edge portion presenting a face angled with respect to the passing airstream.

19. The airflow device of claim 15 wherein the airflow device is formed as part of a vehicle manufacturer emblem.

20. A method of minimizing the accumulation of debris on a lens surface of a rear view camera of a vehicle, the rear view camera located at a rear portion of the vehicle, the method comprising:

moving the vehicle in a forward direction to effect a stream of air with respect to the vehicle; and

directing a portion of the stream of air over the lens surface.