Ultrasonic lens cleaning conveyor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016170203-A1
Application number	US-201414568746-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 12, 2014
Priority date	Dec 12, 2014
Publication date	Jun 16, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A number of variations may include a product that may include a camera that may include a lens wherein the lens is exposed to the atmosphere and a lens cover disposed over the lens and a transducer in communication with the lens cover.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A product comprising:
a camera comprising a lens wherein the lens is exposed to the atmosphere; a lens cover disposed over the lens; and a transducer in communication with the lens cover.

2 . A product as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a means for applying fluid to the lens cover to dissolve contaminants on the lens cover.

3 . A product as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the lens cover comprises a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first side opposite a second side, and a third side and a fourth side.

4 . A product as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the transducer is constructed and arranged to apply energy to the first side of the lens cover at a frequency such that the lens cover vibrates.

5 . A product as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the transducer is constructed and arranged to vary the frequency of the energy such that the energy band traverses the lens cover from the first side to the second side such that dissolved contaminants are removed from the lens cover.

6 . A product as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a transducer extending from the first or second side of the lens cover.

7 . A product as set forth in claim 6 , further comprising a mass extending from the lens cover.

8 . A method comprising:
providing a camera comprising a lens wherein the lens is exposed to the atmosphere and a lens cover disposed over the lens comprising a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first side opposite a second side, and a third and a fourth side; applying an energy band via a transducer to the first side of the lens cover at a frequency such that the lens cover vibrates; and varying the frequency of the energy band such that the energy band traverses the lens cover from the first side to the second side such that contaminants are removed from the lens cover.

9 . A method as set forth in claim 8 , further comprising a transducer extending from the first or second side of the lens cover.

10 . A method as set forth in claim 8 , further comprising a mass extending from the lens cover.

11 . A method as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the camera further comprises a means for applying fluid to the lens cover to dissolve contaminants on the lens cover.

12 . The method as set forth in claim 11 further comprising wetting the first surface of the lens cover with a fluid via the means for applying fluid to the lens cover to dissolve contaminants on the first surface prior to applying an energy band via a transducer to the first side of the lens cover at a frequency such that the lens cover vibrates.

13 . A method comprising:
providing a vehicle comprising a camera comprising a lens wherein the lens is exposed to the atmosphere and a lens cover disposed over the lens comprising a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first side opposite a second side, and a third side and a fourth and a means for applying fluid to the lens cover to dissolve contaminants on the lens cover; wetting the first surface of the lens cover with a fluid to dissolve contaminants on the first surface; applying an energy band via a transducer to the first side of the lens cover at a frequency such that the lens cover vibrates; and varying the frequency of the energy band such that the energy band traverses the lens cover from the first side to the second side such that contaminants are removed from the lens cover.

14 . A method comprising
providing a vehicle comprising a camera comprising a lens wherein the lens is exposed to the atmosphere and a lens cover disposed over the lens comprising a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first side, a second side, and a means for applying fluid to the lens cover to dissolve contaminants on the lens cover; wetting the first surface of the lens cover with a fluid to dissolve contaminants on the first surface; and applying energy via at least two transducers to the first side and the second side of the lens cover at a frequency such that the lens cover vibrates to remove dissolved contaminants from the first surface.

15 . A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the lens cover is generally curved in shape.

16 . A method as set forth in claim 14 further comprising:
varying the frequency of the energy band such that contaminants are removed from the lens cover.

17 . A method as set forth in claim 14 further comprising:
applying energy via the at least two transducers out of phase from one another such that contaminants are removed from the lens cover.

18 . A product comprising:
a camera comprising a lens wherein the lens is exposed to the atmosphere; a lens cover disposed over the lens comprising a first side and a second side; a first transducer and a second transducer disposed on the first and second side respectively; and a first mass and a second mass disposed on the first and second side respectively.

19 . A product as set forth in claim 17 wherein the lens cover is generally curved in shape.

20 . A product as set forth in claim 17 further comprising:
a means for applying fluid to the lens cover to dissolve contaminants on the lens cover and wherein the first and second transducers are constructed and arranged to apply an energy band such that the energy band traverses the lens cover from the first side to the second side such that dissolved contaminants are removed from the lens cover and wherein the first and second masses are constructed and arranged to allow generation and propagation of mechanical waves within the lens cover.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Inc

Inventors

• Weigert Norman J
• Gammage Justin J
• Alexander Paul W
• Smith Anthony L
• Muhammad Hanif

Classifications

• B08B7/028 Primary

  Using ultrasounds · CPC title

• 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

• 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

• B08B3/04

  Cleaning involving contact with liquid · CPC title