DE102014213283A1 - Camera system for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a camera system (2) for a vehicle, having an optic (4) oriented in a viewing direction (B) and comprising a surface (5) to be kept clean, characterized in that the optic (4) is arranged in a separate, annular socket (6) is held, which is designed to generate an air flow (12) which is formed in operation in front of the optical system (4) and oriented in the viewing direction (B).

Description

The invention relates to a camera system for a vehicle, with an optical system oriented in a viewing direction, which comprises a surface to be kept clean.

Such a camera system is for example from the DE 100 12 004 A1 known.

Camera systems for vehicles, such as passenger cars or trucks, are used inter alia for environment detection, that is, the detection of the environment of the vehicle. For example, the traffic situation in the environment of the vehicle is detected by means of such a camera system or the camera system serves as an exterior mirror replacement of the vehicle. Therefore, the camera system is often mounted on the outside of the vehicle or at least has an optic that is located in the outer area of the vehicle. As a result, the optics is exposed to environmental influences or the weather in particular and accordingly prone to contamination. However, any contamination of the optics usually has a negative effect on the operation of the camera system. For example, dirt or dust deposits on the optics lead to a deteriorated view and thus a limited functionality of the camera system. In particular, water deposits can lead to a distortion of the field of view and also cause dirt on the optics.

For keeping clean an optical element, in particular a cover for a camera is in the DE 100 12 004 A1 provided that the cover is subjected to an air flow such that upon movement of the cover relative to the environment no ambient atmosphere reaches the surface of the cover. To do this, a stream of air is directed from the side over the cover. In one embodiment, an annular sleeve is integrally formed on the cover and the air flow is injected laterally, so that forms a kind of air cushion before inside the sleeve. In a further development, at least one liquid spray nozzle is additionally provided for cleaning the surface of the cover.

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a compact camera system whose optics are kept as clean as possible.

The object is achieved by a camera system with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments, developments and variants are the subject of the dependent claims.

The camera system is designed for use on a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, and has optics oriented in a viewing direction, which comprises a surface to be kept clean. The optics is held in a separate, annular socket, which is designed to generate an air flow, which is formed in operation in front of the optics and oriented in the viewing direction.

An advantage achieved by the invention is, in particular, that the version of the optics simultaneously fulfills two functions, namely, on the one hand, the mounting of the optics and, on the other hand, the cleanness of the surface of the optics. The camera system is therefore particularly compact. The optics and the socket are also two separate parts and therefore advantageously each independently manufactured and shaped. As a result, the camera system has a high degree of design freedom and is nevertheless compact. A further advantage is in particular that the camera system dispenses with mechanical wipers. In addition, the advantageous embodiment of the version allows the clean holding of a virtually arbitrarily shaped, in particular strongly curved surface or a sensitive, for example, coated surface. In particular, it is possible to dispense with an additional, in particular separate cover or protective cover of the optics, whereby the camera system can be produced with reduced material expenditure.

The camera system comprises, in particular, a camera housing on which the mount and the optics held therein are mounted. The surface of the optics to be kept clean in this case points outward with respect to the camera housing and is thus exposed to environmental influences. Such environmental influences are, for example, air or rain, which flow counter to the surface when driving and possibly contain dust or dirt. The optics are in particular a lens, lens arrangement or a lens and the surface of the optics is in particular the surface of a lens. This means in particular that no further coverage of the optics is provided, but the optics or at least their surface is exposed directly to the environmental influences.

The optics is bordered in particular for alignment and support of the socket and held by this. In particular, the optics is also attached to the socket, for example, clamped, screwed or glued. The socket is annular and surrounds the optics in a circumferential direction, which is in particular perpendicular to the viewing direction. In other words, the optic is inserted into a particular circular opening of the annular socket. In addition, the optics in particular are substantially rotationally symmetrical with respect to a viewing axis which extends in the direction of view. The socket and the optics extend over at least one common section in the viewing direction.

The socket is designed to form an air flow and in particular comprises a device for forming the air flow. The air flow is formed in front of the optics in operation and directed substantially in the direction of view. In particular, the air flow is generated during operation by the socket and not achieved for example by deflecting wind, whereby it is advantageously possible to provide the air flow regardless of the speed of the vehicle. Preferably, the air flow and in particular its flow velocity in the viewing direction as a function of the speed of the vehicle is adjustable.

To generate the air flow at least one outlet opening is introduced into the socket. This is preferably used for the ejection of compressed air. By the use of compressed air, it is particularly possible to generate an air flow that is largely free of dirt or dust. The compressed air is exhausted at a predetermined pressure or at a predetermined Ausdüsgeschwindigkeit, the pressure or the Ausdüsgeschwindigkeit are suitably adjustable. This makes it possible to adjust the ejection of the compressed air environmental conditions and adjust, for example, depending on the speed of the vehicle. The introduction of the outlet opening in the socket also leads to a particularly compact design of the camera system.

In an expedient embodiment, a plurality of outlet openings are arranged annularly around the optics. In particular, the annular arrangement follows the annular course of the socket, the outlet openings are thus arranged along the circumferential direction. Preferably, the outlet openings are evenly distributed, that is, each have the same distance in the circumferential direction to each other or are arranged in each case the same radial distance with respect to the visual axis. As a result, a particularly suitable air flow can be generated. The outlet openings are shaped in particular circular or elliptical.

In an advantageous development, the at least one outlet opening is oriented in an outlet direction and the outlet direction encloses, with the viewing direction, a radial angle of at least 20 ° and at most 60 °. As a result, the air flow is designed in operation in a particularly suitable direction. In this case, radial angle is understood in particular to mean an angle which is enclosed by the outlet direction and a radius extending perpendicular to the outlet opening from the viewing axis. In particular, with a radial angle of 90 °, the outlet direction is equal to the viewing direction.

In a further advantageous development, the at least one outlet opening is set in the circumferential direction of the socket and the outlet direction encloses with the circumferential direction a circumferential angle of at least 20 ° and at most 60 °. As a result, the air flow is designed in operation in a particularly suitable direction. In particular, this makes it possible to achieve a particularly advantageous rotation or rotation of the air flow. By circumferential angle is meant in particular an angle which is enclosed by the outlet direction and the circumferential direction at the location of the outlet opening. In particular, at a circumferential angle of 0 °, the outlet direction is equal to the circumferential direction at the location of the outlet opening.

In an alternative, expedient embodiment, the outlet opening is formed annularly around the optics, whereby a particularly suitable for keeping the surface clean air flow can be achieved.

Preferably, the camera system has an annular channel with an axial feed. The annular channel serves, in particular, for supplying air or compressed air to the annularly arranged outlet openings or the annularly designed outlet opening. In particular, the supply of compressed air by means of the axial feed takes place in a particularly simple manner and the camera system is particularly compact. This is understood to mean axially in particular in the direction of view.

Preferably, the annular channel is introduced as an annular groove in the socket, whereby the socket is formed in a particularly simple manner for generating a suitable air flow. In addition, the corresponding camera system is particularly easy to manufacture. The annular groove extends in particular in the circumferential direction along the socket and is preferably designed to be continuous. Alternatively, however, it is possible to form the annular groove as a plurality of ring segments.

In a suitable embodiment, an air cushion is formed in front of the lens, as a result of which, in particular, wind currents flowing into the lens and dirt possibly contained therein can be deflected to the side and thus kept away from the lens efficiently.

In a further expedient embodiment, the socket has a swirl body, which is designed to produce a swirling air flow. As a result, keeping the surface clean is particularly effective. It is under swirling understood that the air flow is provided in addition to the flow in the direction of rotation or rotation. In a suitable embodiment, the swirl body rotates about an axis of rotation pointing in the direction of view, in particular around the viewing axis. As a result, the air flow, which generally flows in the viewing direction, is set in a suitable rotational movement.

In another suitable embodiment, the swirl body has a number of vanes for swirling the airflow. Preferably, the swirl body and the wings are made of the same material, that is, in particular made in one piece, whereby the swirl body and thus the camera system are particularly easy and inexpensive manufacturable. In an expedient development, the wings are attached internally to the swirl body. For this purpose, the swirler is in particular annular or hollow cylindrical, for example in the manner of a camera aperture and extends in the direction of the axis of rotation. The wings are then attached or formed on the inner wall of the ring or hollow cylinder and extend from there over a predetermined wing width in the radial direction, that is approximately in the direction of the visual axis. Furthermore, the wings extend along the inner wall in the axial direction. In a suitable embodiment, the wings follow a helical course around the viewing axis. The injected into the interior airflow is in particular thereby offset during operation in a rotational movement, to form a swirling air flow.

To drive the swirl body, the camera system has at least one actuator, for example a motor. By actively driving the swirl body in particular an improved twisting of the air flow can be achieved. In a suitable embodiment, a plurality of annularly arranged actuators drive the swirl body sequentially, for the twisting of the air flow. Arranged annularly is understood in particular to mean that the actuators are each arranged at the same radial distance from the viewing axis, similar to the above-described annular arrangement in the case of a plurality of outlet openings. By a sequential control or activation of the actuators, it is possible to achieve a periodic or peristaltic movement of the swirl body and in this way, in particular, a suitable twisting of the air flow. In particular, in a preferred embodiment, at least one actuator is designed as a piezoactuator. Preferably, several or all actuators are designed as piezo actuators, whereby a suitable twisting of the air flow can be achieved in a simple and compact manner.

The embodiment with the swirl body, as set forth in particular in claim 9 and the developments thereof in particular according to claims 10 to 15, can in principle without the special version, as indicated in the characterizing part of claim 1, realize, for example by an essay in front of the optics. The concept with the swirl body in particular according to claim 9 is considered to be inventive in its own right without the features of the characterizing part of claim 1. The submission of a divisional application remains reserved.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. Show:

1 a camera system with an optic and a socket,

2 the optics and the version according to 1 in a supervision,

3 the arrangement according to 2 in a sectional view,

4 a variant of the arrangement according to 2 .

5 a variant of the optics and the socket in a plan view,

6 the arrangement according to 5 in a sectional view,

7 another variant of the optics and the socket with a swirl body in a plan view, and

8th the arrangement according to 7 in a sectional view.

In 1 is schematically a camera system 2 for a vehicle shown in a side view. The camera system 2 includes an optic 4 , with a clean surface 5 , The optics 4 is in a version 6 held and aligned in a viewing direction B, to observe the environment lying in this direction. In the in 1 embodiment shown are the optics 4 and the version 6 also rotationally symmetrical with respect to a viewing axis B extending in the direction of view A. For taking pictures of the environment is in the camera system 2 and regarding the viewing direction B behind the optics 4 arranged a not shown here camera module.

2 shows an embodiment of the optics 4 and the version 6 in a plan view, that is opposite to the direction B on the optics 4 to. In 3 is the arrangement of 2 along in the 2 marked cutting plane shown. Clearly visible is the looking in the direction B optics 4 , which is designed here as a lens, and this enclosing version 6 , which are annular in the direction of rotation U to the optics 4 extends around.

In the version 6 is a number of outlet openings 8th introduced for ejecting compressed air. These are the outlet openings 8th here at the front into the socket 6 brought in. To each of the outlet openings 8th closes in a respective outlet direction AR extending outlet channel 10 at. In this case, the outlet direction AR runs obliquely with respect to the viewing axis B, that of the outlet channel 10 obliquely in the direction of the viewing axis B points. In this way, an air flow 12 passing through the outlet openings 8th is emitted in operation in an area 14 in front of the optics 4 brought, whereby in particular dust and dirt of the environment of the optics 4 be kept away. In this case, the outlet direction AR encloses a radial angle W1 with a radius R originating from the viewing axis B, which in 2 about 45 ° corresponds.

In 4 a variant is shown in which the outlet channels 10 are additionally employed in the circumferential direction U in a circumferential angle W2. The circumferential angle W2 is in particular that angle which is enclosed by the outlet direction AR and the circumferential direction U and is in 4 about 60 °. In this way, the air is not expelled to the visual axis B but to this past, whereby an advantageous twisting of the air flow 12 is achievable. In an expedient, not shown here development are in addition to the exhaust ducts 10 also the axial channels 16 accordingly hired and run in particular helically around the visual axis A.

To each of the outlet channels 10 closes an axial channel 16 on, each of a common annular channel 18 in the axial direction, that is to say in the direction B extends. The ring channel 18 is in turn via an axial feed 20 supplied with compressed air. In operation, then via the feeder 20 the compressed air in the annular channel 18 directed and from there into the respective axial and outlet channels 16 . 10 finally distributed through the outlet openings 8th withdraw.

In the embodiment shown here, it is additionally possible to supply a cleaning liquid instead of compressed air. The same duct system is used for compressed air as for cleaning fluid. To switch between compressed air operation and liquid operation here is a switchable valve 22 used. The compressed air is from a compressed air reservoir, not shown here, first by an air filter 24 and then over the valve 22 and a hydraulic pump 26 in the version 6 guided. The cleaning liquid is corresponding to a liquid reservoir 28 taken, which is for example a wiper water reservoir of the vehicle.

The 5 and 6 show a variant of the optics 4 and the version 6 in which the compressed air via a single, annular outlet opening 8th essentially in the radial direction on or in front of the optics 4 is burned out. The supply of compressed air is similar to in 2 shown via an axial feed 20 and a ring channel 18 , In a variant not shown here, the annular outlet opening 8th designed such that also in this case the outlet AR takes place obliquely with respect to the visual axis A. By increased construction, a larger air cushion is also formed in front of the lens, in particular in comparison to the in 3 shown arrangement. In particular, the wind and the dirt contained therein is additionally deflected in addition to the side and kept away from the lens in this way.

The 7 and 8th show another variant of the optics 4 and the version 6 , where the version 6 in addition a swirl body 30 has, which is formed in the embodiment shown here as a hollow cylinder. The swirl body 30 is by means of an actuator 32 driven. Here is the actuator 32 For example, a motor through which the swirl body 30 around a rotation axis, which in 7 corresponds to the visual axis A, is rotatable. On the inner wall 34 of the swirl body 30 is a number of wings 36 attached, by which in particular during rotation of the swirl body 30 a twisting of the air in the area 14 in front of the optics 4 he follows. The in the 7 and 8th shown wings 36 are employed in particular with respect to the circumferential direction U, similar to that in FIG 3 shown outlet directions AR and therefore run along the inner wall 34 aslant.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown here, the swirl body 30 rigid, so not rotatable and in this case especially with the version 6 made in one piece. In addition, then a compressed air injection, such as in the 1 and 2 shown present and the means of the outlet opening 8th or outlet openings 8th exhausted compressed air is in the range 14 in front of the optics 4 through the then particularly rigid wings 36 twisted, that is put into a rotary motion.

In another, not shown embodiment, the actuator 32 a Piezoaktuator that produces a stroke such that the swirl body 30 is slightly tilted against the visual axis A. Conveniently, then a plurality of piezo actuators are distributed annularly around the viewing axis A and around generate a periodic Verkipppung of the swirl body by a sequential control 30 , In this way, the air in the area in front of the optics 4 advantageously twisted.

In further, not shown variant, in particular a plurality of features of the various embodiments mentioned above are combined.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

 camera system

4

 optics

5

 surface

6

 version

8th

 outlet

10

 exhaust port

12

 airflow

14

 Area

16

 axial

18

 annular channel

20

 feed

22

 Valve

24

 air filter

26

 hydraulic pump

28

 liquid reservoir

30

 swirler

32

 actuator

34

 inner wall

36

 wing

A

 line of sight

AR

 Outlet

B

 line of sight

R

 radius

U

 circumferentially

W1

 radial angle

W2

 circumferential angle

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10012004 A1 [0002, 0004]

Claims (15)

Camera system ( 2 ) for a vehicle, with an oriented in a viewing direction (B) optics ( 4 ), which has a clean surface ( 5 ), characterized in that the optics ( 4 ) in a separate, annular version ( 6 ), which is used to generate an air flow ( 12 ) is formed, which in operation before the optics ( 4 ) is formed and oriented in the direction of view (B). Camera system ( 2 ) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that for generating the air flow ( 12 ) at least one outlet opening ( 8th ) into the version ( 6 ) is introduced for ejecting compressed air. Camera system ( 2 ) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a plurality of outlet openings ( 8th ) ring around the optic ( 4 ) are arranged around. Camera system ( 2 ) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one outlet opening ( 8th ) is oriented in an outlet direction (AR) and the outlet direction (AR) with the viewing direction (B) includes a radial angle (W1) of at least 20 ° and at most 60 °. Camera system according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the at least one outlet opening ( 8th ) in the circumferential direction (U) of the socket ( 6 ) and the outlet direction (AR) with the circumferential direction (U) includes a circumferential angle (W2) of at least 20 ° and at most 60 °. Camera system ( 2 ) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the outlet opening ( 8th ) ring around the optic ( 4 ) is formed around. Camera system ( 2 ) According to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that this (an annular channel 18 ) with an axial feed ( 20 ) having. Camera system ( 2 ) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the annular channel ( 18 ) as an annular groove in the socket ( 6 ) is introduced. Camera system ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the socket ( 6 ) a swirl body ( 30 ), which is for generating a swirling air flow ( 12 ) is trained. Camera system ( 2 ) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the swirl body ( 30 ) is rotated about an axis of rotation pointing in the viewing direction (B). Camera system ( 2 ) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the swirl body ( 30 ) a number of wings ( 36 ) to the air flow ( 12 ) with a twist. Camera system ( 2 ) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the wings ( 36 ) on the inside of the swirl body ( 30 ) are mounted. Camera system ( 2 ) according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that this at least one actuator ( 32 ) has to drive the swirl body ( 30 ). Camera system ( 2 ) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a plurality of annularly arranged actuators ( 32 ) for the twisting of the air flow ( 12 ) the swirl body ( 30 ) drive sequentially. Camera system ( 2 ) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that at least one actuator ( 32 ) is designed as a piezoelectric actuator.

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