Integrated camera mounting and image window cleaning device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9910272-B2
Application number	US-201414300423-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 10, 2014
Priority date	Jun 10, 2014
Publication date	Mar 6, 2018
Grant date	Mar 6, 2018

Abstract

An integrated camera mounting and image window cleaning device includes a mounting bracket, a housing and a seal provided between the housing and the mounting bracket. A delivery channel extends around the outer periphery of the image window of the camera allowing the delivery of cleaning fluid which flows across the entire image window for cleaning.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. An integrated combined camera mounting and image window cleaning device for cleaning an image window of a camera, comprising:
a mounting bracket;
a housing having a window opening;
a seal provided between said housing and said mounting bracket, wherein said seal is a rubber grommet having an image window opening;
a delivery channel formed in the seal and extending around an outer periphery of the image window opening of the seal and around an outer periphery of the image window of said camera and through which cleaning fluid flows to wash said image window; and
a passageway formed on a rear face of the housing, wherein the passageway is in fluid communication with the delivery channel for delivering cleaning fluid to the delivery channel.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein said mounting bracket and said housing also include window openings.

3. The device of claim 2 , further including a nipple on said mounting bracket.

4. The device of claim 3 , further including a cleaning fluid pump and a hose connected between said pump and said nipple, cleaning fluid being delivered by said pump through said hose and said nipple to said passageway and then to said delivery channel.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein said grommet includes a lateral extension extending over and closing an open side of said passageway.

6. The device of claim 5 , wherein said lateral extension includes an opening through which cleaning fluid is delivered from said nipple on said mounting bracket to said passageway on said housing.

7. The device of claim 1 , further including fasteners for engaging said mounting bracket and said housing and holding said device together.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein said delivery channel is arcuate and extends through an arc of at least 90 degrees.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein said delivery channel is arcuate and extends through an arc of at least 180 degrees.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein said delivery channel is arcuate and extends through an arc of 360 degrees around said window.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Witte Martin

Classifications

• B60R2011/004

  outside the vehicle · CPC title

• G01N21/15

  Preventing contamination of the components of the optical system or obstruction of the light path · CPC title

• B60S1/52

  Arrangement of nozzles; {Liquid spreading means}(nozzles per se B05B) · CPC title

• B60S1/66

  for cleaning vehicle exterior · CPC title

• H04N1/00909

  Cleaning arrangements or preventing or counter-acting contamination from dust or the like (cleaning in general, prevention of fouling in general B08B) · CPC title