DE112015007301B3 - Camera system for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a camera system (2) for a vehicle, with an optics (4) oriented in a viewing direction (B) and comprising a surface (5) to be kept clean, the optics (4) being in a separate, ring-shaped mount ( 6) is held, which is designed to generate an air flow (12) which is formed in front of the optics (4) during operation and is oriented in the viewing direction (B), the socket (6) having a swirl body (30) which is used for Generation of a swirling air flow (12) is formed, wherein the swirl body (30) rotates about a viewing direction (B) pointing axis of rotation.

Description

The invention relates to a camera system for a vehicle, with an optics oriented in a viewing direction, which includes a surface that is to be kept clean.

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

Camera systems for vehicles, for example passenger cars or trucks, are used, among other things, for detecting the surroundings, that is, detecting the surroundings of the vehicle. For example, the traffic situation in the area surrounding the vehicle is recorded by means of such a camera system, or the camera system serves as a replacement for the exterior mirror of the vehicle. The camera system is therefore often mounted on the outside of the vehicle or at least has an optical system that is located on the outside of the vehicle. As a result, the optics are particularly exposed to environmental influences or the weather and are accordingly susceptible 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 impaired visibility and thus to a limited functionality of the camera system. In particular, water deposits can also lead to a distortion of the field of vision and also cause dirt residues on the optics.

To keep an optical element clean, in particular a cover for a camera, is in the DE 100 12 004 A1 provided that the cover is acted upon by an air flow in such a way that when the cover moves relative to the environment, no ambient atmosphere reaches the surface of the cover. For this purpose, an air flow is directed from the side over the cover. In one embodiment variant, an annular sleeve is formed on the cover and the air flow is blown in from the side, so that a kind of air cushion is formed inside the sleeve. In a development, at least one liquid spray nozzle is additionally provided for cleaning the surface of the cover.

DE 102 25151 A1 discloses a device for avoiding deposits of particles and/or substances on a sensor surface of an optical device. A means assigned to the optical device, which does not restrict the sensor surface and is designed as a supply channel or discharge channel, is provided, with a predeterminable area of the sensor surface being protected by a gaseous medium that can be supplied and/or discharged in a direction-giving manner .

U.S. 2007/0206942 A1 describes a device for keeping a field of view of an image recording device free. For this purpose, the device comprises a housing enclosing the image recording device, with a lens of the image recording device being inserted into an opening of a first pane and recording images through an opening in a further, axially spaced-apart second pane. A stream of gas is guided through holes in the first pane, which flows out through the opening in the second pane and thereby protects this opening from unwanted deposits.

Out of JP S56-168619 A there is known an apparatus for removing fogging of an optical lens. A stream of dry air is fed to the optical lens from its outer circumference, which stream flows towards the center of the lens and then away from the lens.

DE 10 2006 005 911 A1 describes a device for monitoring objects, in particular for monitoring industrial environments, with a surveillance camera which is arranged with its lens in a rotationally symmetrical protective housing which rotates about an axis of rotation. It is provided that the protective housing is mounted at one end on a rigid hollow shaft and at its coaxially opposite other end has a co-rotating blower pipe or merges into this. The protective housing including the blowpipe can be pressurized with compressed air to avoid contamination of the monitoring device.

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

The object is achieved according to the invention by a camera system having the features of claim 1. Advantageous refinements, developments and variants are the subject matter 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 include a surface that is to be kept clean. In this case, the optics are held in a separate, ring-shaped mount, which is designed to generate an air flow that is formed in front of the optics during operation and is oriented in the viewing direction.

An advantage achieved with the invention consists in particular in the fact that the mount of the optics fulfills two functions at the same time, namely holding the optics in place on the one hand and keeping the surface of the optics clean on the other. The camera system is therefore particularly compact. The optics and the mount are also two separate parts and can therefore advantageously each be manufactured and designed independently. As a result, the camera system has a high degree of design freedom and is still compact. Another particular advantage is that the camera system does not have mechanical wipers. In addition, the advantageous design of the socket allows a surface of almost any shape, in particular a strongly curved surface or a sensitive, for example coated surface, to be kept clean. In particular, it is possible to dispense with an additional, in particular separate, cover or protective cover for the optics, as a result of which the camera system can be produced with reduced material expenditure.

In particular, the camera system includes a camera housing to which the mount and the optics held therein are attached. The surface of the optics, which must be kept clean, faces outwards with respect to the camera housing and is therefore exposed to environmental influences. Such environmental influences are, for example, air or rain, which flows against the surface when driving and possibly contains dust or dirt. The optics are in particular a lens, lens arrangement or an objective and the surface of the optics is in particular the surface of a lens. This means in particular that no further covering of the optics is provided, but the optics or at least its surface is directly exposed to the environmental influences.

In particular, the optics are framed by the mount for alignment and mounting and are held by the latter. In particular, the optics are also attached to the mount, for example clamped, screwed or glued. The mount is ring-shaped and runs around the optics in a circumferential direction that is, in particular, perpendicular to the viewing direction. In other words: the optics are inserted into an opening, in particular a circular one, of the ring-shaped mount. In addition, the optics in particular are essentially rotationally symmetrical with respect to a viewing axis that extends in the viewing direction. The mount and the optics extend over at least a common section in the viewing direction.

The socket is designed to form an air flow and for this purpose in particular comprises a device for forming the air flow. During operation, the air flow is formed in front of the optics and is essentially directed in the viewing direction. In particular, the air flow is generated by the mount during operation and not achieved, for example, by deflecting the airstream, which advantageously makes it possible to provide the air flow independently of the speed of the vehicle. The air flow and in particular its flow rate in the viewing direction can preferably be adjusted as a function of the speed of the vehicle.

At least one outlet opening is introduced into the socket to generate the air flow. This preferably serves to eject compressed air. The use of compressed air makes it possible in particular to generate an air flow that is largely free of dirt or dust. The compressed air is ejected at a predetermined pressure or at a predetermined ejection speed, with the pressure or the ejection speed being expediently adjustable. This makes it possible to adapt the jetting of the compressed air to the environmental conditions and, for example, to set it as a function of the speed of the vehicle. The introduction of the outlet opening into the mount also leads to a particularly compact configuration of the camera system.

In an expedient embodiment, a plurality of outlet openings are arranged in a ring around the optics. In particular, the ring-shaped arrangement follows the ring-shaped course of the socket, the outlet openings are accordingly arranged along the circumferential direction. The outlet openings are preferably distributed evenly, that is to say they are at the same distance from one another in the circumferential direction or are each arranged at the same radial distance with respect to the viewing axis. As a result, a particularly suitable air flow can be generated. The outlet openings are in particular circular or elliptical in shape.

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

In a further advantageous development, the at least one outlet opening is positioned in the circumferential direction of the mount and the outlet direction is one with the circumferential direction Circumferential angle of at least 20° and at most 60°. As a result, the air flow is formed in a particularly suitable direction during operation. In particular, this makes it possible to achieve a particularly advantageous rotation or twisting of the air flow. Circumferential angle is understood to mean in particular an angle that is enclosed by the outlet direction and the circumferential direction at the location of the outlet opening. In particular, with a circumferential angle of 0°, the outlet direction is the same as the circumferential direction at the location of the outlet opening.

In an alternative, expedient embodiment, the outlet opening is designed in the form of a ring around the optics, as a result of which an air flow that is particularly suitable for keeping the surface clean can be achieved.

The camera system preferably has an annular channel with an axial feed. The ring channel serves in particular to supply air or compressed air to the outlet openings arranged in a ring shape or to the outlet opening designed in a ring shape. In particular, compressed air is supplied in a particularly simple manner by means of the axial feed, and the camera system is particularly compact. Here, axial is understood in particular in the viewing direction.

The annular channel is preferably introduced into the mount as an annular groove, as a result of which the mount is designed 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 ring groove as a plurality of ring segments.

In a suitable configuration, an air cushion is formed in front of the lens, as a result of which, in particular, the headwind flowing towards the lens and any dirt that may be contained therein can be deflected to the side and thus efficiently kept away from the lens.

According to the invention, the mount has a swirl body which is designed to generate a swirling air flow. This makes keeping the surface clean particularly effective. In this context, swirling is understood to mean that the air flow is provided with a rotational or rotary movement in addition to the flow in the viewing direction. Furthermore, the swirl body rotates about an axis of rotation pointing in the viewing direction, in particular about the viewing axis. As a result, the air flow, which generally flows in the viewing direction, is set into a suitable rotational movement.

In a further suitable embodiment, the swirl body has a number of vanes in order to provide the air flow with a swirl. The swirl body and the vanes are preferably made of the same material, that is to say in particular made in one piece, as a result of which the swirl body and thus also the camera system can be manufactured in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner. In an expedient development, the vanes are attached to the inside of the swirl body. For this purpose, the swirl body is in particular ring-shaped or hollow-cylindrical, for example in the manner of a camera diaphragm, and extends in the direction of the axis of rotation. The wings are then attached to 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, ie approximately in the direction of the viewing axis. Furthermore, the vanes extend along the inner wall in the axial direction. In a suitable embodiment, the wings follow a helical course around the viewing axis. The air flow injected into the interior is set in motion in particular during operation in order 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 actuators arranged in a ring shape sequentially drive the swirl body to swirl the air flow. Arranged in the form of a ring is understood in particular to mean that the actuators are each arranged at the same radial distance from the viewing axis, similar to the ring-shaped arrangement described above in the case of a plurality of outlet openings. By sequentially controlling or activating the actuators, it is possible to achieve a periodic or peristaltic movement of the swirler and in this way, in particular, also a suitable swirling of the air flow. In particular, in a preferred embodiment, at least one actuator is designed as a piezo actuator. A plurality or all of the actuators are preferably designed as piezo actuators, as a result of which a suitable twisting of the air flow can be achieved in a simple and compact manner.

The embodiment variant with the swirler and the further developments of this, in particular according to claims 1 and 9 to 13, can in principle also be realized without the special version as specified in claim 1, for example by means of an attachment in front of the optics.

• 1 ein Kamerasystem mit einer Optik und einer Fassung,
• 2 die Optik und die Fassung gemäß 1 in einer Aufsicht,
• 3 die Anordnung gemäß 2 in einer Schnittansicht,
• 4 eine Variante der Anordnung gemäß 2,
• 5 eine Variante der Optik und der Fassung in einer Aufsicht,
• 6 die Anordnung gemäß 5 in einer Schnittansicht,
• 7 eine weitere Variante der Optik und der Fassung mit einem Drallkörper in einer Aufsicht, und
• 8 die Anordnung gemäß 7 in einer Schnittansicht.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. Show in it:

• 1 a camera system with a lens and a frame,
• 2 the optics and the frame accordingly 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 frame in a top view,
• 6 the arrangement according to 5 in a sectional view,
• 7 another variant of the optics and the frame with a swirl body in a top view, and
• 8th the arrangement according to 7 in a sectional view.

In 1 a camera system 2 for a vehicle not according to the invention is shown schematically in a side view. The camera system 2 includes an optics 4 with a surface 5 that is to be kept clean. The optics 4 are held in a mount 6 and aligned in a viewing direction B for observing the surroundings lying in this direction. in the in 1 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the optics 4 and the mount 6 are also rotationally symmetrical with respect to a viewing axis A extending in the viewing direction B. A camera module (not shown here) is arranged in the camera system 2 and with respect to the viewing direction B behind the optics 4 to record images of the surroundings.

2 shows a non-inventive exemplary embodiment of the optics 4 and the mount 6 in a top view, that is against the viewing direction B towards the optics 4. In 3 is the arrangement of the 2 along the in the 2 marked cutting plane shown. Clearly recognizable is the optics 4 pointing in the viewing direction B, which is designed here as a lens, and the mount 6 enclosing it, which extends annularly in the circumferential direction U around the optics 4 .

A number of outlet openings 8 for jetting out compressed air are introduced into the mount 6 . Here, the outlet openings 8 are introduced into the socket 6 on the front side. Each of the outlet openings 8 is followed by an outlet channel 10 running in a respective outlet direction AR. The outlet direction AR runs obliquely with respect to the line of sight B in such a way that the outlet channel 10 points obliquely in the direction of the line of sight B. In this way, an air stream 12 that is discharged through the outlet openings 8 during operation is brought into a region 14 in front of the optics 4, as a result of which dust and dirt in the environment in particular are kept away from the optics 4. The outlet direction AR encloses a radial angle W1 with a radius R starting from the viewing axis B, which in 2 corresponds to about 45°.

In 4 a variant not according to the invention is shown, in which the outlet channels 10 are additionally employed in the circumferential direction U at a circumferential angle W2. The circumferential angle W2 is in particular the angle that is enclosed by the outlet direction AR and the circumferential direction U and is in 4 about 60 degrees. In this way, the air is not jetted towards the viewing axis B, but rather past it, as a result of which an advantageous twisting of the air flow 12 can be achieved. In an expedient development not shown here, in addition to the outlet channels 10, the axial channels 16 are also adjusted accordingly and run, in particular, in a helical manner around the viewing axis A.

Each of the outlet channels 10 is followed by an axial channel 16 which extends from a common ring channel 18 in the axial direction, that is to say in the viewing direction B. The ring channel 18 can in turn be supplied with compressed air via an axial feed 20 . During operation, the compressed air is then fed into the ring channel 18 via the feed 20 and distributed from there into the respective axial and outlet channels 16 , 10 in order to finally exit through the outlet openings 8 .

In the exemplary embodiment shown here, it is also possible to supply a cleaning liquid instead of compressed air. The same channel system is used for compressed air as for cleaning liquid. A switchable valve 22 is used here to switch between compressed air operation and liquid operation. The compressed air is fed from a compressed air reservoir, not shown here, first through an air filter 24 and then via the valve 22 and a hydraulic pump 26 into the socket 6 . The cleaning liquid is taken from a liquid reservoir 28, which is, for example, a wiper water reservoir of the vehicle.

The 5 and 6 show a non-inventive variant of the optics 4 and the mount 6, in which the compressed air is jetted out via a single, ring-shaped outlet opening 8 essentially in the radial direction on or in front of the optics 4. Compressed air is supplied in a similar way as in 2 shown via an axial feed 20 and an annular channel 18. In a variant not shown here, the annular outlet opening 8 is designed in such a way that the outlet direction AR also occurs obliquely with respect to the viewing axis A. Due to the increased structure, a larger air cushion is also formed in front of the lens, especially compared to the in 3 arrangement shown. In particular, this means that the wind and the dirt it contains is additionally deflected to the side and in this way kept away from the lens.

The 7 and 8th show a further variant of the optics 4 and the mount 6 according to the invention, the mount 6 additionally having a swirl body 30 which is designed as a hollow cylinder in the exemplary embodiment shown here. The swirler 30 is driven by an actuator 32 . The actuator 32 is, for example, a motor, by which the swirl body 30 rotates about an axis of rotation, which is 7 corresponds to the viewing axis A, is rotatable. A number of vanes 36 are attached to the inner wall 34 of the swirl body 30 , by means of which the air in the area 14 in front of the optics 4 is swirled, in particular when the swirl body 30 rotates. The in the 7 and 8th Wings 36 shown are in particular set with respect to the circumferential direction U, similar to that in 3 shown outlet directions AR and therefore run along the inner wall 34 obliquely.

In an alternative embodiment that is not according to the invention and is not shown here, the twist body 30 is rigid, ie not rotatable, and in this case, in particular, is also manufactured in one piece with the mount 6 . In addition, then a compressed air injection, such as in the 1 and 2 shown, and the compressed air jetted out by means of the outlet opening 8 or outlet openings 8 is twisted in the area 14 in front of the optics 4 by the vanes 36 , which are then particularly rigid, that is to say set in a rotational movement.

In a further embodiment not shown here, the actuator 32 is a piezoelectric actuator, which generates a lift in such a way that the swirl body 30 is slightly tilted against the viewing axis A. A plurality of piezo actuators are then expediently distributed in a ring around the viewing axis A and generate a periodic tilting of the swirl body 30 through sequential activation. In this way, the air in the area in front of the optics 4 is advantageously swirled.

In further variants not shown here, in particular several features of the various above-mentioned embodiments are combined with one another.

reference list

2

camera system

4

optics

5

surface

6

version

8th

exhaust port

10

exhaust port

12

airflow

14

Area

16

axial channel

18

ring canal

20

feeding

22

Valve

24

air filter

26

hydraulic pump

28

fluid reservoir

30

swirler

32

actuator

34

inner wall

36

wing

A

line of sight

AR

outlet direction

B

line of sight

R

radius

u

circumferential direction

w1

radial angle

W2

circumferential angle

Claims (13)

Camera system (2) for a vehicle, with optics (4) oriented in a viewing direction (B) and comprising a surface (5) to be kept clean, the optics (4) being held in a separate, ring-shaped mount (6). , which is designed to generate an air flow (12), which is designed in front of the optics (4) during operation and is oriented in the viewing direction (B), the mount (6) having a swirl body (30) which is used to generate the air flow ( 12) is designed as a swirling air flow (12), the swirler (30) rotating about an axis of rotation pointing in the viewing direction (B). Camera system (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that to generate the air flow (12) at least one off outlet opening (8) is introduced into the socket (6) for jetting out compressed air. Camera system (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a plurality of outlet openings (8) are arranged in a ring around the optics (4). Camera system (2) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one outlet opening (8) is oriented in an outlet direction (AR) and the outlet direction (AR) has a radial angle (W1) of at least 20 ° and at most 60°. Camera system according to one of the claims 2 until 4 , characterized in that the at least one outlet opening (8) is set in the circumferential direction (U) of the mount (6) and the outlet direction (AR) of the outlet opening (8) forms a circumferential angle (W2) of at least 20° with the circumferential direction (U). and includes at most 60°. Camera system (2) according to one of claims 2 until 4 , characterized in that the outlet opening (8) is formed annularly around the optics (4). Camera system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has an annular channel (18) with an axial feed (20). Camera system (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the annular channel (18) is introduced into the mount (6) as an annular groove. Camera system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the swirl body (30) has a number of vanes (36) in order to provide the air flow (12) with a swirl. Camera system (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the vanes (36) are attached to the inside of the swirl body (30). Camera system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has at least one actuator (32) for driving the swirl body (30). Camera system (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a plurality of annularly arranged actuators (32) drive the swirl body (30) sequentially for swirling the air flow (12). Camera system (2) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that at least one actuator (32) is designed as a piezo actuator.

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