Heating device, camera system, external rear view device, motor vehicles and heating device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11575809-B2
Application number	US-202117216059-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 29, 2021
Priority date	Mar 31, 2020
Publication date	Feb 7, 2023
Grant date	Feb 7, 2023

Abstract

A heating device for a lens barrel of an automotive camera assembly includes a heating element adapted to apply heat along the circumference of the lens barrel, and a tension socket and/or a tension ring adapted to press a ring-shaped part of the heating element against the lens barrel circumference. A camera system, an external rear view device, and a motor vehicle, each with at least one such heating device are also described.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A heating device for a lens barrel of an automotive camera assembly, comprising
a heating element adapted to apply heat along the circumference of the lens barrel, wherein the heating element is L-shaped in a side view, with a first leg being provided by a ring-shaped first part, and a second leg being provided by a second part, wherein the ring-shaped first part establishes an open cylinder, wherein a lens is arranged inside the open cylinder of the ring-shaped first part; and
a tension socket, which is adapted to press the ring-shaped first part of the heating element against the lens barrel circumference and comprises a recess through which a second part of the heating element can pass from the ring-shaped first part of the heating element to a connector.

2. The heating device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of:
a heat transfer ring comprising aluminum;
a heat transfer paste between the ring-shaped first part of the heating element and the lens barrel; or
a heat transfer paste between the first ring-shaped part of the heating element and the tension socket and/or a tension ring.

3. The heating device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
the recess is selectable from a plurality of recesses,
the second part is bar shaped, or
the connector is adapted to be connected to an electronic control unit.

4. The heating device of claim 1 , wherein
the socket comprises connecting means for attaching the socket to a camera housing via a push and/or snap connection, and
the connecting means at least one of:
comprising at least one opening adapted to receive at least one projection or rib of the housing, or
being adapted to interlock with the camera housing.

5. The heating device of claim 1 , wherein the socket comprises at least one of:
a rim embracing at least the first ring-shaped part and the lens barrel, or
an inner ring extending from the inner surface of the socket and/or a shoulder provided by a S shaped cross-section at the end of the socket facing away from the housing, to snap fit around at least the ring-shaped first part and the lens barrel, with the heat transfer ring, the heat transfer paste and/or a tension ring interposed between the first ring-shaped part and the lens barrel.

6. The heating device of claim 1 , wherein the socket at least one of:
comprises an elastomer material made of rubber and formed as a rubber cap,
has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the lens barrel carrying at least the ring-shaped first part of the heating element, or
covers the lens barrel in a form-fit manner with a given preload.

7. The heating device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a tension ring adapted to press a ring-shaped first part of the heating element against the lens barrel circumference, with the socket being mounted on the tension ring,
wherein preferably the tension ring is at least one of provided with a slit or made of metal.

8. The heating device of claim 7 , wherein the slit is provided between two end pieces having a complementary geometry and/or forming together a projection or rib, and the two end pieces of the tension ring engage a further recess of the socket.

9. The heating device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
the second part of the heating element is at least one of adapted for connection with a plug or the electronic control unit, via at least the connector and/or a cable, or
the heating element comprises a heating foil, at least in its first, ring-shaped first part.

10. The heating device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one temperature sensor connected to a controller and/or the electronic control unit via a cable and/or a plug for controlling the heating of the heating element.

11. The heating device of claim 10 , wherein the temperature sensor is arranged within the tension socket and/or a tension ring.

12. The heating device of claim 1 , wherein the level of power applied to the heating element and/or the time of applying power to the heating element and/or a heating curve is controlled by an electronic control unit depending on an ambient temperature and/or a temperature measured by the temperature sensor, the ambient temperature or the temperature measured by the temperature sensor provided to the heating device by a CAN bus system,
wherein, in case the temperature is below −5 degree Celsius, a higher power level is applied to the heating element in a first period of time, between 60 and 200 seconds, than in a second period of time, and
wherein, in case the temperature is equal to or above +3 degree Celsius, there is only one power level applied to the heating element.

13. A camera system for a motor vehicle comprising:
a heating device for a lens barrel of an automotive camera assembly, the heating device comprising:
a heating element adapted to apply heat along the circumference of the lens barrel, wherein the heating element is L-shaped in a side view, with a first leg being provided by a ring-shaped first part, and a second leg being provided by a second part, wherein the ring-shaped first part establishes an open cylinder, wherein a lens is arranged inside the open cylinder of the ring-shaped first part; and
a tension socket, which is adapted to press the ring-shaped first part of the heating element against the lens barrel circumference and comprises a recess through which a second part of the heating element can pass from the ring-shaped first part of the heating element to a connector.

14. An external rear view device comprising a camera system for a motor vehicle comprising:
a heating device for a lens barrel of an automotive camera assembly, the heating device comprising:
a heating element adapted to apply heat along the circumference of the lens barrel wherein the heating element is L-shaped in a side view, with a first leg being provided by a ring-shaped first part, and a second leg being provided by a second part, wherein the ring-shaped first part establishes an open cylinder, wherein a lens is arranged inside the open cylinder of the ring-shaped first part; and
a tension socket, which is adapted to press the ring-shaped first part of the heating element against the lens barrel circumference and comprises a recess through which a second part of the heating element can pass from the ring-shaped first part of the heating element to a connector,

wherein the heating element is adapted to be connected to the electronic control unit of the rear view device and/or the vehicle equipped with the rear view device via a bus system including a CAN bus system.

15. A motor vehicle, comprising at least one of:
a heating device for a lens barrel of an automotive camera assembly, the heating device comprising:
a heating element adapted to apply heat along the circumference of the lens barrel wherein the heating element is L-shaped in a side view, with a first leg being provided by a ring-shaped first part, and a second leg being provided by a second part, wherein the ring-shaped first part establishes an open cylinder, wherein a lens is arranged inside the open cylinder of the ring-shaped first part; and
a tension socket, which is adapted to press the ring-shaped first part of the heating element against the lens barrel circumference and comprises a recess through which a second part of the heating element can pass from the ring-shaped first part of the heating element to a connector,

a camera system comprising the heating device; or
an external rearview device comprising the camera system.

16. The motor vehicle according to claim 15 , wherein the heating eleme

Assignees

• Motherson Innovations Co Ltd

Inventors

• Hein Peter
• Karadag Gueney

Classifications

• H04N23/51

  Housings · CPC title

• H04N23/52 Primary

  Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements · CPC title

• G03B17/55

  with provision for heating or cooling, e.g. in aircraft · 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

• B60S1/02

  Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices {(wind deflectors specially adapted for preventing soiling of windows or windscreens B60J1/2002)} · CPC title