Device for cleaning an optical lens of a parking assistance camera

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9783167-B2
Application number	US-201615216986-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 22, 2016
Priority date	Jan 24, 2014
Publication date	Oct 10, 2017
Grant date	Oct 10, 2017

Abstract

A device for cleaning an optical lens of a parking assistance camera includes at least one inner annular body and at least one outer annular body. The at least one outer annular body is configured such that the fluid chamber is closed with respect to surroundings of the device when the at least one outer annular body is in the resting position. The at least one outer annular body is configured such that the fluid chamber is open with respect to the surroundings of the device such that when said at least one outer annular body is in the cleaning position, a fluid introduced into the fluid chamber exits the fluid chamber in the direction of the optical lens. The at least one fluid supply element opening into the fluid chamber is disposed on the at least one inner annular body.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device for cleaning an optical lens of a parking assistance camera disposed on a vehicle, comprising:
at least one inner annular body, which is disposable on the optical lens so as to be immovable and at least partially surround the optical lens radially on an outside and on which an annular receptacle is formed, the annular receptacle being open toward a space of the optical lens; and
at least one outer annular body, which is disposed coaxially to the at least one inner annular body and at least partially within the annular receptacle, wherein
the at least one outer annular body is disposed so as to be axially movable relative to the at least one inner annular body between an extended cleaning position and a retracted resting position,
the at least one outer annular body is acted upon by a restoring force in the direction of the resting position thereof,
at least one fluid chamber is disposed between the at least one inner annular body and the at least one outer annular body,
the at least one outer annular body is configured such that the fluid chamber is closed with respect to surroundings of the device when the at least one outer annular body is in the resting position,
the at least one outer annular body is configured such that the fluid chamber is open with respect to the surroundings of the device such that when said at least one outer annular body is in the cleaning position, a fluid introduced into the fluid chamber exits the fluid chamber in the direction of the optical lens, and
at least one fluid supply element opening into the fluid chamber is disposed on the at least one inner annular body.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one outer annular body has a U-shaped cross-section and comprises two legs and a web connecting the two legs to each other, a radially inner leg being shorter than a radially outer leg.

3. The device according to claim 2 , further comprising: at least one nozzle, which is connectable in a fluid-conducting manner to the fluid supply element, or a further fluid supply element, and which is configured to direct a fluid introduced into the at least one nozzle at the optical lens when the at least one outer annular body is in the cleaning position thereof, the at least one nozzle being disposed on the web and/or on the radially inner leg.

4. A parking assistance system for a vehicle, comprising:
a parking assistance camera, which includes at least one optical lens and is disposed on the vehicle;
a device for cleaning the at least one optical lens, the device comprising:
at least one inner annular body, which is disposable on the at least one optical lens so as to be immovable and at least partially surround the at least one optical lens radially on an outside and on which an annular receptacle is disposed, which is open toward a space of the at least one optical lens; and
at least one outer annular body, which is disposed coaxially to the at least one inner annular body and at least partially within the annular receptacle, wherein
the at least one outer annular body is disposed so as to be axially movable relative to the at least one inner annular body between an extended cleaning position and a retracted resting position,
the at least one outer annular body is acted upon by a restoring force in the direction of the resting position thereof,
at least one fluid chamber is disposed between the at least one inner annular body and the at least one outer annular body,
the at least one outer annular body is configured such that the fluid chamber is closed with respect to surroundings of the device when the at least one outer annular body is in the resting position,
the at least one outer annular body is configured such that the fluid chamber is open with respect to the surroundings of the device such that when said at least one outer annular body is in the cleaning position, a fluid introduced into the fluid chamber exits the fluid chamber in the direction of the at least one optical lens, and
at least one fluid supply element opening into the fluid chamber is disposed on the at least one inner annular body.

5. The parking assistance system according to claim 4 , further comprising:
at least one pressure-generating device that generates a pressurized fluid, the pressure-generating device being connected in a fluid-conducting manner to the fluid supply element disposed on the at least one inner annular body.

6. The parking assistance system according to claim 5 , further comprising:
at least one fluid reservoir for a gaseous or liquid fluid, the at least one fluid reservoir being connected in a fluid-conducting manner to the at least one pressure-generating device.

7. The parking assistance system according to claim 5 , wherein
the at least one pressure-generating device is configured to first generate a pressurized liquid fluid, and thereafter generate a pressurized gaseous fluid.

8. The parking assistance system according to claim 6 , wherein
the at least one pressure-generating device is configured to first generate a pressurized liquid fluid, and thereafter generate a pressurized gaseous fluid.

9. The parking assistance system according to claim 5 , further comprising:
a further pressure-generating device that generates a pressurized fluid, the further pressure-generating device being connected in a fluid-conducting manner to a nozzle disposed on the at least one outer annular body, wherein
the nozzle is configured to direct fluid introduced into the nozzle at the optical lens when the at least one outer annular body is in the cleaning position.

Assignees

• Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag

Inventors

• Niemczyk Thomas

Classifications

• B60S1/48

  Liquid supply therefor · 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

  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

• B60R11/04

  Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle · CPC title

• B60S1/54

  using gas, e.g. hot air · CPC title