Wiping device and method for wiping an optical element, and rear view device or driver assistance device for use in a vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018201230-A1
Application number	US-201815872686-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 16, 2018
Priority date	Jan 16, 2017
Publication date	Jul 19, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A wiping device for wiping an optical element clean of water or of particles includes a housing and a wiping element able to undergo a movement with respect to the housing, where the wiping device is configured to move in such a manner that such movement is caused by coupling a first unit in or on the wiping element with a second unit in the housing via a time-variable electromagnetic field. The wiping device may be used for wiping the surface of a lens or of a window, which lens or window is transmissive to visible light, ultraviolet radiation, and/or infrared radiation, and is preferably placed in front or as part of a camera. In addition, a rear view device or driver assistant device for use in or on a vehicle including such a wiping device, and a method for wiping an optical element are provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A wiping device for wiping an optical element which is transmissive to at least one of visible light, ultraviolet radiation and infrared radiation, and placed in front of or as part of a camera, the wiping device comprising:
a housing comprising a wall; a wiping element configured to move with respect to the housing; a first unit in or on the wiping element; and a second unit in the housing; and a travel groove formed in or by the wall of the housing, wherein the movement of the wiping element is caused by a coupling of the first unit with the second unit via a time-variable electromagnetic field, and at least a portion of the wiping element is fit into the travel groove of the housing for travelling therein.

2 . The wiping device of claim 1 , wherein the first unit is a rotor and the second unit is a stator of an electromotor.

3 . The wiping device of claims 1 , wherein the movement of the wiping device is a linear movement.

4 . The wiping device of claim 3 , further comprising two electric motors each having a rotor, the two rotors being arranged at an opposite side or opposite end of the wiping element.

5 . The wiping device of claim 1 , wherein
the housing is undercut to form at least a portion of the travel groove, and the portion of the wiping element is of such shape that it cannot exit the travel groove where the housing is undercut, and the housing has a T-shaped protrusion over which a C-shaped portion of the wiping element is slideably fit.

6 . A rear view device or a driver assistance device for use in or on a vehicle, comprising:
a wiping device according to claim 1 ; a camera housed and sealed in the housing of the wiping device behind a lens or a window, the lens or the window being transmissive to at least one of visible light, ultraviolet radiation, and infrared radiation, the surface of which is wipable by the wiping element of the wiping device; and at least one of a display device connected to the camera for displaying images taken with the camera and an evaluation device connected to the camera for evaluating data of the camera.

7 . A method for wiping an optical element, which is transmissive to at least one of visible light, ultraviolet radiation, and infrared radiation, the method comprising:
providing the wiping device of claim 1 ; moving the wiping element of the wiping device with respect to the housing of the wiping device by means of electromagnetic fields created by elements within the housing and taking effect, at least in part, outside of the housing.

Assignees

• Smr Patents Sarl

Inventors

• Schäfer Henrik

Classifications

• G02B27/0006

  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

• B60S1/3402

  with means for obtaining particular wiping patterns (by varying the effective length of the angularly oscillating arm B60S1/365) · 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

• B60S1/08

  electrically driven {(conjoint control of windscreen wiper motor and liquid supply of windscreen washer B60S1/482; conjoint control of windscreen wiper motor and means for cleaning parts o parts other than windscreens or front windows B60S1/56, B60S1/58, B60S1/606)} · CPC title

• H05K5/069

  Other details of the casing, e.g. wall structure, passage for a connector, a cable, a shaft · CPC title