Camera lens washing device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10422992-B2
Application number	US-201715428706-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 9, 2017
Priority date	Sep 16, 2016
Publication date	Sep 24, 2019
Grant date	Sep 24, 2019

Abstract

A compact camera lens washing device received in a shroud for mounting to a vehicle. The device includes a washer housing disposed in the shroud. The washer housing includes a ring portion and a fluid source attachment. The ring portion has a main opening that is generally aligned with a lens opening of the shroud for receiving the camera lens, an attachment side that is configured to mount the washer housing to the shroud, and a washing side that is configured to frame the camera lens. The washing side is in fluid communication with the fluid source attachment. Nozzles are disposed in a transition portion of the washer housing between the ring portion and the fluid source attachment of the washer housing. The nozzles are configured to discharge fluid from the washer side and radially inwardly towards the main opening that receives the camera lens.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A camera lens washing device, comprising:
a unitary one-piece washer housing including a ring portion and a fluid source attachment, said ring portion having,
a main opening for receiving a camera lens,
an attachment side configured for mounting said washer housing, and
a washing side configured to frame the camera lens, said washing side being in fluid communication with said fluid source attachment,
a plurality of nozzles being disposed in a transition portion of said washer housing between said ring portion and said fluid source attachment of said washer housing, said plurality of nozzles being configured to discharge fluid to said washer side radially inwardly towards said main opening for receiving the camera lens, and
a recessed area associated with the plurality of nozzles configured to facilitate fluid flow to said main opening.

2. A camera lens washing device according to claim 1 , wherein
said plurality of nozzles are located in said transition portion at a top of said ring portion.

3. A camera lens washing device according to claim 2 , wherein
a bottom of said ring portion is devoid of any nozzles.

4. A camera lens washing device according to claim 1 , wherein
said plurality of nozzles being defined by a plurality of tabs extending from said transition portion toward said main opening of said ring portion, thereby forming fluid path slots of said plurality of nozzles therebetween.

5. A camera lens washing device according to claim 1 , wherein
said attachment side of said ring portion includes at least one engagement member.

6. A camera lens washing device according to claim 5 , wherein
said at least one engagement member is a snap leg extending from said attachment side.

7. A camera lens washing device according to claim 1 , wherein
a sealing member is disposed an inner surface of said ring portion around said main opening.

8. A camera lens washing device according to claim 1 , wherein
said fluid source attachment extends from said transition portion in a direction away from said washing side of said ring portion and toward a facing direction of said attachment side of said ring portion, said fluid source attachment is adapted to receive fluid.

9. A camera lens washing device, comprising:
a shroud having a front face, a rear opening opposite said front face, and an inner receiving area therebetween, said front face having a lens opening for receiving a camera lens; and
a washer housing disposed in said receiving area of said shroud, said washer housing including a ring portion and a fluid source attachment, said ring portion having,
a main opening generally aligned with said lens opening of said shroud for receiving the camera lens,
an attachment side configured to mount said washer housing to said shroud, and
a washing side configured to frame the camera lens, said washing side being in fluid communication with said fluid source attachment, and
a plurality of nozzles being disposed in a transition portion of said washer housing between said ring portion and said fluid source attachment of said washer housing, said plurality of nozzles being configured to discharge fluid to said washer side and radially inwardly towards said main opening for receiving the camera lens,
wherein an inner surface of said lens opening of said shroud includes at least one engagement member that engages a corresponding engagement member of said attachment side of said ring portion of said washer housing.

10. A camera lens washing system according to claim 9 , wherein
said washer housing is a unitary one-piece housing.

11. A camera lens washing system according to claim 9 , wherein
said shroud includes sidewalls extending between said front face and said rear opening, and top and bottom walls extending between said sidewalls; and
said fluid source attachment of said washer housing extending through said rear opening only of said shroud such that no part of said fluid source attachment extends from or through any of said sidewalls or said top and bottom walls of said shroud.

12. A camera lens washing system according to claim 11 , wherein
said top wall of said shroud covers said fluid source attachment.

13. A camera lens washing system according to claim 9 , wherein
said lens opening of said shroud being sized to receive said ring portion of said washer housing such that said washing side of said ring portion is generally flush with said front face of said shroud.

14. A camera lens washing device according to claim 9 , wherein
each of said engagement members is one of a tongue and a snap leg configured to snap onto said tongue.

15. A camera lens washing device according to claim 9 , wherein
said lens opening includes an open extension adapted to receive said transition portion of said washer housing.

16. A camera lens washing device according to claim 9 , wherein
said plurality of nozzles are located in said transition portion at a top of said ring portion.

17. A camera lens washing device according to claim 16 , wherein
a bottom of said ring portion is devoid of any nozzles.

18. A camera lens washing device according to claim 9 , wherein
said plurality of nozzles being defined by a plurality of tabs extending from said transition portion toward said main opening of said ring portion, thereby forming fluid path slots of said plurality of nozzles therebetween.

19. A camera lens washing device according to claim 18 , wherein
said ring portion includes a recessed area adjacent said plurality of tabs to facilitate fluid flow to said main opening.

20. A camera lens washing device according to claim 9 , wherein
a sealing member is disposed an inner surface of said ring portion around said main opening.

21. A camera lens washing device, comprising:
a shroud having a front face, a rear opening opposite said front face, and an inner receiving area therebetween, said front face having a lens opening for receiving a camera lens; and
a washer housing disposed in said receiving area of said shroud, said washer housing including a ring portion and a fluid source attachment, said ring portion having,
a main opening generally aligned with said lens opening of said shroud for receiving the camera lens,
an attachment side configured to mount said washer housing to said shroud, and
a washing side configured to frame the camera lens, said washing side being in fluid communication with said fluid source attachment,
a plurality of nozzles being disposed in a transition portion of said washer housing between said ring portion and said fluid source attachment of said washer housing, said plurality of nozzles being configured to discharge fluid to said washer side and radially inwardly towards said main opening for receiving the camera lens, and said plurality of nozzles being defined by a plurality of tabs extending from said transition portion toward said main opening of said ring portion, thereby forming fluid path slots of said plurality of nozzles therebetween, and
a recessed area in said ring portion is adjacent said plurality of tabs to facilitate fluid flow to said main opening.

22. A camera lens washing device, comprising:
a unitary one-piece washer housing including a ring portion and a fluid source attachment, said ring portion having,
a main opening for receiving a camera lens,
an attachment side configured for mounting said washer housing, said attachment side including at least one engagement member, and

Assignees

• Methode Electronics Inc

Inventors

• Karasik Vladimir

Classifications

• G03B17/02

  Bodies · CPC title

• G03B17/56

  Accessories (carrying-cases A45C11/38) · CPC title

• G02B27/0006 Primary

  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 title