Vehicle camera cleaning system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10035498-B2
Application number	US-201514692796-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 22, 2015
Priority date	Apr 22, 2015
Publication date	Jul 31, 2018
Grant date	Jul 31, 2018

Abstract

A vehicle camera cleaning system includes an air source and a computer processing unit configured to communicate with the air source. The air source is configured to apply an air flow to a lens of a camera. The camera includes a successive and repeated operational mode and non-operational mode. The computer processing unit includes a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions to cause the computer processing unit to transmit a signal to the air source to actuate the air flow based on the camera being in the non-operational mode.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle camera cleaning system comprising:
an air source for flowing air to a lens of a camera, the camera actuated according to periodic cycles, each defined by an operational mode followed by a non-operational mode, having a predefined duration defining a blink rate; and
a controller programmed to transmit a signal to the air source to actuate the air source in response to the camera being in the non-operational mode and the blink rate.

2. The vehicle camera cleaning system of claim 1 , wherein the air source is configured with an air compressor coupled to a valve so that the signal controls the valve to actuate the air source.

3. The vehicle camera cleaning system of claim 2 , wherein the air compressor provides heated air based on a temperature sensor value falling below a predefined threshold.

4. The vehicle camera cleaning system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further programmed to detect if debris is identified at the lens; and transmit the signal to the air source to actuate the air source for a predefined amount of time exceeding the non-operational mode.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Richardson Andrew
• Mcbride James Robert
• Pandey Gaurav
• Elwart Shane

Classifications

• B60S1/56 Primary

  specially adapted for cleaning other parts or devices than front windows or windscreens {(rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior including cleaning devices B60R1/0602)} · CPC title

• B60S1/60

  for signalling devices, e.g. reflectors · CPC title

• B60S1/66

  for cleaning vehicle exterior · CPC title

• B08B3/02

  Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays · CPC title

• B60R1/00

  Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles · CPC title