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.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a system and method for minimizing contamination of a rear view camera lens of a vehicle. 
         [0002]    An increasing number of automobile manufacturers are including rear view cameras in vehicles. Such cameras are mounted at the rear of the vehicle, for example, on the trunk of a sedan. The camera lens is typically positioned at an angle to capture a view from the rear bumper to several feet behind the vehicle. Rear view cameras aid drivers in reversing in tight spaces and add an additional component of safety to everyday driving. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The lens of a rear view camera, by virtue of its rear-mounted position in a vehicle, has the potential to accumulate dirt and debris, reducing the clarity of the images provided and the effectiveness of the camera. 
         [0004]    In one embodiment of 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, the system 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 configured to direct a portion of the passing airstream over the lens surface. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment of an airflow device for minimizing the accumulation of debris on a lens surface of a rear view camera of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a trunk having a deck lid, the airflow device includes 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. The first opening is configured to receive a portion of a passing airstream effected by forward motion of the vehicle. The second opening is disposed adjacent to the lens surface and configured to direct the portion of the passing airstream across the lens surface. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment of a method of minimizing the accumulation of debris on a lens surface of a rear view camera of a vehicle, wherein the rear view camera is located at a rear portion of the vehicle, the method includes moving the vehicle in a forward direction to effect a stream of air with respect to the vehicle. The method further includes directing a portion of the stream of air over the lens surface. 
         [0007]    Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of a vehicle showing a system for cleaning the lens of a rear view camera integrated with the trunk of the vehicle. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1   b  is an enlarged partial perspective view of the system of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0010]      FIG. 1   c  is a cross section view taken along line  1   c - 1   c  of  FIG. 1   b.    
           [0011]      FIG. 2   a  is a perspective view of a vehicle showing a system for cleaning the lens of a rear view camera integrated with an emblem projecting from the trunk of the vehicle. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2   b  is an enlarged partial perspective view of the system of  FIG. 2   a.    
           [0013]      FIG. 2   c  is a cross section view taken along line  2   c - 2   c  of  FIG. 2   b.    
           [0014]      FIG. 2   d  is an enlarged partial front view of the system of  FIG. 2   a.    
           [0015]      FIG. 2   e  is a top view of the system of  FIG. 2   d.    
           [0016]      FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view of a vehicle showing a system for cleaning the lens of a rear view camera integrated with the trunk of the vehicle. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3   b  is an enlarged partial perspective view of the system of  FIG. 3   a.    
           [0018]      FIG. 3   c  is an enlarged partial top view of the system of  FIG. 3   a.    
           [0019]      FIG. 3   d  is a cross section view taken along line  3   d - 3   d  of  FIG. 3   c.    
           [0020]      FIG. 3   e  is an enlarged partial cross section view of the system shown in  FIG. 3   d.    
           [0021]      FIG. 3   f  is an enlarged partial cross section view of the system shown in  FIG. 3   d.    
           [0022]      FIG. 3   g  is a partial side view of the rear portion of a vehicle showing a system for cleaning the lens of a rear view camera. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. And as used herein and in the appended claims, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, and other directional terms are not intended to require any particular orientation, but are instead used for purposes of description only. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1   a  illustrates a conventional motor vehicle  100  having a vehicle body including a roof  104 , a rear windshield  108 , and a trunk  112 . A rear view camera  120  is mounted adjacent to the rear face  128  of the deck lid  132 . Specifically, referring to  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c , the camera  120  is integrated into the deck lid  132  such that a camera lens  124  with a lens surface  126  protrudes from an upper portion  136  of the rear license plate depression  140  formed in the rear face  128 . The lens  124  is positioned to capture images of the rear bumper  144  and the driving surface adjacent to the bumper  144  and rearward several feet, as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. As shown in  FIG. 1   c , a channel  150  formed in the rear face  128  includes a first end  154  with a first opening  160 . The first end  154  includes a first deflector  164  that extends from the rear face  128  and presents a deflector face  170  angled with respect to the rear face  128 . A second end  174  of the channel  150  is positioned at the upper portion  136  of the rear license plate depression  140 . The second end  174  includes a second opening  178  located adjacent to the camera lens surface  126 . The second opening  178  is generally smaller in cross sectional area than the first opening  160 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second end  174  includes a second deflector  182  that is angled coincident with the first deflector  164 . In some constructions, the first and second deflectors  164 ,  182  are removably attachable to the deck lid  132 . In yet other constructions, the second end  174  does not include a deflector. 
         [0025]    In operation, as the vehicle  100  moves forward, an airstream  190  is created that flows past the vehicle body. The airstream  190  flows over the rear windshield  108  and across the deck lid  132 . A portion of this airstream  190  flows downward across the rear face  128 . The first deflector  164  directs a fraction of the flowing air into the first opening  160  of the channel  150 . This air flows within the channel  150  to the second opening  178  where it is expelled. The expelled air, by virtue of the configuration of the channel  150  and the deflectors  164 ,  182 , is directed to the camera lens  124  and provides a component of velocity across the lens surface  126  that inhibits or minimizes the accumulation of debris, particulate matter, and/or moisture on the lens  124  and in addition removes debris and moisture that may have accumulated on the lens  124 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 2   a  illustrates a conventional motor vehicle  100  having a substantially similar roof  104 , a rear windshield  108 , and a trunk  112  as previously described for  FIG. 1   a . The vehicle  100  includes a rear-mounted projection, such as a manufacturer&#39;s emblem  200 , projecting from the rear face  128  of the deck lid  132  and which may identify, for example, the manufacturer of the vehicle. A rear view camera  120  is integrated into the deck lid  132  in cooperation with the emblem  200 . Referring to  FIGS. 2   b - 2   e , the camera lens  124  protrudes through a bottom portion  210  of the emblem  200  and is positioned as previously described to capture images of the rear bumper and the driving surface adjacent to the bumper and rearward. A channel  214  formed in the emblem  200  includes a first end  218  at a top portion  222 . A slot  226  at the first end  218  defines a first opening  230 . The channel  214  constricts or converges along its path and concludes at a second end  234  having a second opening  238  adjacent the camera lens  124 . In some embodiments, the channel  214  may be defined by a cavity machined, molded, or otherwise formed during emblem manufacturing. In other embodiments, the channel  214  may comprise a section of material distinct from the emblem components and may be made of, for example, plastic or metal. 
         [0027]    In operation, the airstream  190  created with forward motion of the vehicle flows over the rear windshield  108  and across the deck lid  132 . A portion of this airstream  190  flows downward across the rear face  128  of the deck lid  132  and toward the emblem  200 . A fraction of this air flows through the slot  226  and into the channel  214 . This flow is directed generally uniformly to the second opening  238  where it is expelled proximate to the camera lens  124 , providing a component of velocity across the lens surface  126  to inhibit or minimize the accumulation of debris and/or moisture on the lens  124 , as well as to clean the lens  124  of such matter, as previously described. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 3   a - 3   f , a motor vehicle  100  with a roof  104 , a rear windshield  108 , and a trunk  112  includes a rear view camera  120  integrated into the rear face  128  of the deck lid  132  at an upper portion  136  of the rear license plate depression  140 , as previously described for the embodiment of  FIG. 1   a . A channel  300 , in the form of a tube, includes an outlet end  310  adjacent the camera lens  124  and is configured such that an outlet channel opening  314  is facing substantially orthogonal to the camera lens surface  126 . In some constructions, the channel opening  314  includes a nozzle  316  (see  FIGS. 3   d  and  3   f ). The generally flexible channel, or tube  300 , spans the length of the deck lid  132  adjacent an underside of the deck lid  132 , from the outlet end  310  to an inlet end  318  proximate the vehicle opening  322  between the pivoting end of the deck lid  132  and the rear windshield  108  (see  FIG. 3   c ). As shown in  FIG. 3   c , the inlet end  318  can be configured with an inlet channel opening  330  having dimensions greater than that of the bulk tube  300 , i.e., with a cross sectional area greater than the cross sectional area of the tube  300 . The inlet channel opening  330  can also accommodate a screen  334  (see  FIG. 3   e ) to prevent the entrance of particles greater than a certain size. In some constructions, the opening  330  can additionally include a deflector projecting outward from the opening  330  to improve the diversion of air. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 3   g , an alternative embodiment includes an inlet channel opening  330  positioned at a bottom portion  194  of the vehicle  100 . In other constructions, the inlet channel opening  330  could be located, for example, in an already-defined vehicle feature, such as a rear gill vent. If visible, the opening  330  may be decorative in conformance with adjacent features of the vehicle  100 . In still other embodiments, the inlet channel opening  330  could be positioned within the front half of the vehicle  100 . The channel  300  accordingly extends from the inlet end  318  to the outlet end  310  through portions of the vehicle  100  in a manner readily known to those of skill in the art. 
         [0030]    In operation, a portion of the airstream  190  produced with forward movement of the vehicle  100  flows into the inlet channel opening  330 , which is generally facing the airstream  190 . A fraction of this airstream  190  consequently flows through the length of the tube  300  to the outlet end  310  and is discharged from the outlet channel opening  314  across the surface  126  of the camera lens  124  to clean, or prevent the accumulation of matter on, the lens surface  126  as previously described. A nozzle (e.g., nozzle  316 ), if affixed to the outlet end  310 , could enhance the uniform nature of the exiting airstream and improve the cleaning ability of the system. 
         [0031]    The embodiments utilizing the tube  300  operate passively, meaning that only airflow generated by the movement of the vehicle during normal operation is directed through the tube  300  to the lens  124 . No separate source or supply of air is required, keeping costs and the number of parts low. 
         [0032]    While the embodiments illustrated in the figures depict sedans, the invention applies equally to other types of vehicles, including pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, coupes, vans, minivans, and the like. The terms “trunk” and “deck lid” are generic and in some or all of the embodiments can apply also to tailgates, hatchbacks, rear doors, and the like. 
         [0033]    Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.