Vehicle imager assembly with localized window defogging

• US 9,395,538 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2014
• Issued: 07/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hui, Thomas, Low, Yew Kwang, Yeo, Kok Wee
• Primary Examiner(s): Shafer, Ricky D
• Application Number:
  US14/497,570
• Publication Number:
  US 20160091714A1
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 359/507, 359/512, 359/601, 348/148, 348/169
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/002 specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle, e.g. for viewing tyres, bumpers or the like integrated in the windows B60R1/001; combined with rear-view mirrors B60R1/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• 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 17/55 with provision for heating or cooling, e.g. in aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/52 Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements
• 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 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

An imager assembly adapted to capture an image proximate to a vehicle includes a camera and a heater element. The camera is configured to capture an image of a field-of-view about a vehicle through a window of the vehicle. The heater element is configured to direct heat toward a portion of the window that intersects the field-of-view for defogging the portion of the window. The heater element is located outside of the field-of-view.

Claims

1. An imager assembly adapted to capture an image proximate to a vehicle, said assembly comprising:

a camera configured to capture an image of a field-of-view about a vehicle through a window of the vehicle;

a heater element configured to direct heat toward a portion of the window that intersects the field-of-view for defogging the portion of the window, wherein the heater element is located entirely outside of the field-of-view, wherein the heater element is an inductive type heater element; and

a glare shield configured to reduce glare at the portion of the window that intersects the field-of-view, wherein the heater element is attached to the glare shield.

2. The assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the heater element includes an inductor coil configured to heat ferromagnetic material that is part of the glare shield.

3. The assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein the ferromagnetic material includes a plate attached to the glare shield.

4. The assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein the ferromagnetic material includes particles embedded in the glare shield.

5. The assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the assembly includes a fan configured to direct airflow onto the portion of the window that intersects the field-of-view.