U.S. patent application number 15/649012 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-17 for spherical rotary cleaning device for camera or sensor.
The applicant listed for this patent is GM Global Technology Operations LLC. Invention is credited to Fred W. Huntzicker, Brandon K. MATESIC.
Application Number | 20190016310 15/649012 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64745217 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-17 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190016310 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MATESIC; Brandon K. ; et
al. |
January 17, 2019 |
Spherical Rotary Cleaning Device For Camera Or Sensor
Abstract
A self-cleaning camera device includes: a housing that includes
a reservoir configured to hold a fluid within the housing; a
frusto-spherical member that is transparent, that is located within
the housing; an electric motor configured to rotate the
frusto-spherical member in a predetermined direction about an axis;
a support member that (i) extends through a second opening of the
frusto-spherical member and into the inner cavity of the
frusto-spherical member and (ii) does not rotate with the
frusto-spherical member; a camera that is located on the support
member within an inner cavity of the frusto-spherical member and
that includes a lens that one of: (i) faces a first opening in the
housing; (ii) extends into the first opening in the housing; and
(ii) extends outwardly past the first opening in the housing; and a
wiping member is configured to wipe the fluid from the exterior
surface of the frusto-spherical member.
Inventors: |
MATESIC; Brandon K.; (Swartz
Creek, MI) ; Huntzicker; Fred W.; (Ann Arbor,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GM Global Technology Operations LLC |
Detroit |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
64745217 |
Appl. No.: |
15/649012 |
Filed: |
July 13, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 1/00 20130101; B60R
2011/004 20130101; B60S 1/56 20130101; G03B 17/02 20130101; B60R
11/04 20130101; B60S 1/0411 20130101; B60R 2011/0094 20130101; G03B
17/08 20130101; B60S 1/52 20130101; G02B 27/0006 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60S 1/56 20060101
B60S001/56; B60S 1/04 20060101 B60S001/04; B60S 1/52 20060101
B60S001/52; B60R 1/00 20060101 B60R001/00; G02B 27/00 20060101
G02B027/00; G03B 17/02 20060101 G03B017/02 |
Claims
1. A self-cleaning camera device for a vehicle, the self-cleaning
camera device comprising: a housing that has a first opening and
that includes a reservoir configured to hold a fluid within the
housing; a frusto-spherical member that is transparent, that is
located within the housing, that includes an inner cavity defined
by an inner surface, and that includes an exterior surface; an
electric motor configured to rotate the frusto-spherical member in
a predetermined direction about an axis, wherein the axis is
perpendicular to a second opening in the frusto-spherical member; a
cupping member that is fixed to the frusto-spherical member and
that includes a first shaft that is coupled to a second shaft of
the electric motor; a support member that (i) extends through the
second opening of the frusto-spherical member and into the inner
cavity of the frusto-spherical member and (ii) does not rotate with
the frusto-spherical member; a camera that is located on the
support member within the inner cavity of the frusto-spherical
member and that includes a lens that one of: (i) faces the first
opening in the housing; (ii) extends into the first opening in the
housing; and (ii) extends outwardly past the first opening in the
housing; and a wiping member that directly contacts the exterior
surface of the frusto-spherical member and that is configured to
wipe the fluid from a portion of the exterior surface of the
frusto-spherical member before the portion of the exterior surface
of the frusto-spherical member is rotated in front of the lens of
the camera.
2. The self-cleaning camera device of claim 1 further comprising a
nozzle configured to spray the fluid onto a second portion of the
frusto-spherical member before the second portion of the
frusto-spherical member rotates to the wiping member.
3. The self-cleaning camera device of claim 2 wherein the nozzle is
configured to spray the fluid onto the second portion of the
frusto-spherical member outside of a field of view (FOV) of the
camera.
4. A system comprising: the self-cleaning camera device of claim 2;
and an electric pump configured to draw the fluid from the
reservoir in the housing and pumps the fluid to the nozzle.
5. The system of claim 4 further comprising a filter, wherein the
electric pump is configured to draw the fluid from the reservoir in
the housing through the filter.
6. The self-cleaning camera device of claim 1 wherein a second
portion of the exterior surface of the frusto-spherical member
contacts the fluid within the reservoir before the second portion
of the frusto-spherical member rotates to the wiping member.
7. A system comprising: the self-cleaning camera device of claim 6;
and an electric pump configured to pump the fluid from a second
reservoir into the reservoir of the housing.
8. (canceled)
9. The self-cleaning camera device of claim 1 wherein the support
member supports the first shaft of the cupping member.
10. The self-cleaning camera device of claim 1 further comprising a
second cupping member that is fixed to the frusto-spherical
member.
11. The self-cleaning camera device of claim 10 wherein: the second
cupping member includes a flange that extends outwardly away from
the frusto-spherical member; and the housing includes a support
member that supports the flange of the second cupping member.
12. The self-cleaning camera device of claim 1 wherein: the support
member includes a portion that extends away from the axis and
toward the first opening in the housing; and wherein the camera is
located on the portion of the support member that extends away from
the axis and toward the first opening in the housing.
13. The self-cleaning camera device of claim 1 wherein the wiping
member includes a convex surface that contacts the exterior surface
of the frusto-spherical member.
14. The self-cleaning camera device of claim 1 wherein a first
plane of the first opening of the housing is perpendicular to a
second plane of the second opening of the frusto-spherical
member.
15. The self-cleaning camera device of claim 1 wherein the housing
includes a sealing member around the first opening in the
housing.
16. The self-cleaning camera device of claim 15 wherein the sealing
member directly contacts at least a portion of the frusto-spherical
member.
17. The self-cleaning camera device of claim 15 wherein the sealing
member does not contact any portion of the frusto-spherical
member.
18. The self-cleaning camera device of claim 1 wherein the fluid is
washer fluid.
19. A vehicle comprising: the self-cleaning camera device of claim
1, wherein the camera is arranged to capture images of behind the
vehicle; and a control module configured to begin applying power to
the electric motor when a transmission of the vehicle is in
reverse.
20. A vehicle comprising: the self-cleaning camera device of claim
1, wherein the camera is arranged to capture images outside of the
vehicle; and a control module configured to begin applying power to
the electric motor when an enabling condition is satisfied.
Description
INTRODUCTION
[0001] The information provided in this section is for the purpose
of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the
presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this
section, as well as aspects of the description that may not
otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither
expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present
disclosure.
[0002] The present disclosure relates to cameras of vehicles and
more particularly to self-cleaning cameras and sensors of
vehicles.
[0003] Vehicles include one or more torque producing devices, such
as an internal combustion engine and/or an electric motor. A
passenger of a vehicle rides within a passenger cabin (or passenger
compartment) of the vehicle.
[0004] An infotainment system of a vehicle provides various
features, such as navigation, mapping, radio, calling, messaging,
mobile device connection, and other features. Infotainment systems
of vehicles can be referred to as in-vehicle infotainment (IVI)
systems and in-vehicle entertainment (IVE) systems. An infotainment
system includes a display that displays various infotainment
related information. Some infotainment systems include touchscreen
displays that also receive user input via user touching.
[0005] An infotainment system may display video generated based on
input from one or more sensors and/or cameras under some
circumstances. For example, an infotainment system may display
video from a camera capturing a field of view behind the vehicle
when the vehicle is in reverse.
SUMMARY
[0006] In a feature, a self-cleaning camera device for a vehicle is
described. The self-cleaning camera device includes: a housing that
has a first opening and that includes a reservoir configured to
hold a fluid within the housing; a frusto-spherical member that is
transparent, that is located within the housing, that includes an
inner cavity defined by an inner surface, and that includes an
exterior surface; an electric motor configured to rotate the
frusto-spherical member in a predetermined direction about an axis,
where the axis is perpendicular to a second opening in the
frusto-spherical member; a support member that (i) extends through
the second opening of the frusto-spherical member and into the
inner cavity of the frusto-spherical member and (ii) does not
rotate with the frusto-spherical member; a camera that is located
on the support member within the inner cavity of the
frusto-spherical member and that includes a lens that one of: (i)
faces the first opening in the housing; (ii) extends into the first
opening in the housing; and (ii) extends outwardly past the first
opening in the housing; and a wiping member that directly contacts
the exterior surface of the frusto-spherical member and that is
configured to wipe the fluid from a portion of the exterior surface
of the frusto-spherical member before the portion of the exterior
surface of the frusto-spherical member is rotated in front of the
lens of the camera.
[0007] In further features, a nozzle sprays the fluid onto a second
portion of the frusto-spherical member before the second portion of
the frusto-spherical member rotates to the wiping member.
[0008] In further features, the nozzle sprays the fluid onto the
second portion of the frusto-spherical member outside of a field of
view (FOV) of the camera.
[0009] In further features, an electric pump draws the fluid from
the reservoir in the housing and pumps the fluid to the nozzle.
[0010] In further features, the electric pump draws the fluid from
the reservoir in the housing through a filter.
[0011] In further features, a second portion of the exterior
surface of the frusto-spherical member contacts the fluid within
the reservoir before the second portion of the frusto-spherical
member rotates to the wiping member.
[0012] In further features, an electric pump that pumps the fluid
from a second reservoir into the reservoir of the housing.
[0013] In further features, a cupping member is fixed to the
frusto-spherical member and includes a first shaft that is coupled
to a second shaft of the electric motor.
[0014] In further features, the housing includes a support member
that supports the first shaft of the cupping member.
[0015] In further features, a second cupping member is fixed to the
frusto-spherical member.
[0016] In further features: the second cupping member includes a
flange that extends outwardly away from the frusto-spherical
member; and the housing includes a support member that supports the
flange of the second cupping member.
[0017] In further features: the support member includes a portion
that extends away from the axis and toward the first opening in the
housing; and the camera is located on the portion of the support
member that extends away from the axis and toward the first opening
in the housing.
[0018] In further features, the wiping member includes a convex
surface that contacts the exterior surface of the frusto-spherical
member.
[0019] In further features, a first plane of the first opening of
the housing is perpendicular to a second plane of the second
opening of the frusto-spherical member.
[0020] In further features, the housing includes a sealing member
around the first opening in the housing.
[0021] In further features, the sealing member directly contacts at
least a portion of the frusto-spherical member.
[0022] In further features, the sealing member does not contact any
portion of the frusto-spherical member.
[0023] In further features, the fluid is washer fluid.
[0024] In further features, the camera is arranged to capture
images of behind the vehicle, and a control module is configured to
begin applying power to the motor when a transmission of the
vehicle is in reverse.
[0025] In further features, the camera is arranged to capture
images outside of the vehicle, and a control module is configured
to begin applying power to the motor when an enabling condition is
satisfied.
[0026] Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure
will become apparent from the detailed description, the claims and
the drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are
intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to
limit the scope of the disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The present disclosure will become more fully understood
from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0028] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an example vehicle
system;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an example vehicle
including examples of external sensor and camera modules;
[0030] FIGS. 3 and 4 are functional block diagrams of example
self-cleaning camera systems;
[0031] FIGS. 5 and 6 are functional block diagrams including an
example cross-sectional side views of self-cleaning camera
devices;
[0032] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an example implementation of a
self-cleaning camera device;
[0033] FIG. 8 is a partial section view of an example
implementation of a self-cleaning camera device;
[0034] FIG. 9 is a partial section view of an example
implementation of a self-cleaning camera device; and
[0035] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an example implementation
of a self-cleaning camera device.
[0036] In the drawings, reference numbers may be reused to identify
similar and/or identical elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] A vehicle may include one or more camera and/or sensor
modules that generate signals based on objects around the vehicle.
For example, the vehicle may include a forward facing camera module
that captures images in front of the vehicle, a rear facing camera
module that captures images behind the vehicle, and/or one or more
other cameras. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle may
include one or more sensor modules (e.g., radar, LIDAR, sonar,
etc.) that generate signals based on objects located in front of,
behind, beside, over, or under the vehicle.
[0038] Coverings of such camera modules and sensor modules may be
exposed to the environment. Debris and other objects may contact
(and stick to) the coverings. Objects on the covering of a camera
or sensor module may obstruct the view of the camera or sensor
module.
[0039] According to the present disclosure, a camera or sensor
module is implemented within a spherical member. A motor rotates
the spherical member, and the spherical member does not obstruct
the view of the camera or sensor. For example, the spherical member
may be transparent such that the spherical member does not obstruct
the view of a camera module within the spherical member.
[0040] Washer fluid is supplied on an exterior surface of the
spherical member while the spherical member rotates. For example,
washer fluid may be applied to the exterior surface of the
spherical member by an nozzle or via a portion of the spherical
member sitting in a bath of washer fluid. The washer fluid is
applied on a portion of the spherical member that is outside of the
field of view of the camera or sensor module, such as behind or
below the camera or sensor module.
[0041] Washer fluid loosens any objects that may be present on the
spherical member. After washer fluid is applied, a wiping member
wipes the washer fluid (and objects) off of the exterior surface of
the spherical member. The wiped portion of the exterior surface of
the spherical member then rotates back in front of the camera or
sensor module. As a result, cleaned portions of the spherical
member are rotated into the field of view of the camera or sensor
module.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 1, a functional block diagram of an
example vehicle system is presented. While a vehicle system for a
hybrid vehicle is shown and will be described, the present
disclosure is also applicable to non-hybrid vehicles, electric
vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and other types
of vehicles. Also, while the example of a vehicle is provided, the
present application is also applicable to non-vehicle
implementations.
[0043] An engine 102 combusts an air/fuel mixture to generate drive
torque. An engine control module (ECM) 106 controls the engine 102
based on one or more driver inputs. For example, the ECM 106 may
control actuation of engine actuators, such as a throttle valve,
one or more spark plugs, one or more fuel injectors, valve
actuators, camshaft phasers, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)
valve, one or more boost devices, and other suitable engine
actuators.
[0044] The engine 102 may output torque to a transmission 110. A
transmission control module (TCM) 114 controls operation of the
transmission 110. For example, the TCM 114 may control gear
selection within the transmission 110 and one or more torque
transfer devices (e.g., a torque converter, one or more clutches,
etc.).
[0045] The vehicle system may include one or more electric motors
that are connected to a drivetrain of the vehicle. For example, an
electric motor 118 may be implemented within the transmission 110
as shown in the example of FIG. 1. An electric motor can act as
either a generator or as a motor at a given time. When acting as a
generator, an electric motor converts mechanical energy into
electrical energy. The electrical energy can be, for example, used
to charge a battery 126 via a power control device (PCD) 130. When
acting as a motor, an electric motor generates torque that may be
used, for example, to supplement or replace torque output by the
engine 102. While the example of one electric motor is provided,
the vehicle may include zero or more than one electric motor.
[0046] A power inverter control module (PIM) 134 may control the
electric motor 118 and the PCD 130. The PCD 130 applies (e.g.,
direct current) power from the battery 126 to the (e.g.,
alternating current) electric motor 118 based on signals from the
PIM 134, and the PCD 130 provides power output by the electric
motor 118, for example, to the battery 126. The PIM 134 may be
referred to as a power inverter module (PIM) in various
implementations.
[0047] A steering control module 140 controls steering/turning of
wheels of the vehicle, for example, based on driver turning of a
steering wheel within the vehicle and/or steering commands from one
or more vehicle control modules. A steering wheel angle sensor
(SWA) monitors rotational position of the steering wheel and
generates a SWA 142 based on the position of the steering wheel. As
an example, the steering control module 140 may control vehicle
steering via an EPS motor 144 based on the SWA 142. However, the
vehicle may include another type of steering system.
[0048] An electronic brake control module (EBCM) 150 may
selectively control brakes 154 of the vehicle. A body control
module (BCM) 156 may control various devices and operations of the
vehicle. Modules of the vehicle may share parameters via a network
162, such as a controller area network (CAN). The CAN may also be
referred to as a car area network. For example, the network 162 may
include one or more data buses. Various parameters may be made
available by a given control module to other control modules via
the network 162.
[0049] The driver inputs may include, for example, an accelerator
pedal position (APP) 166 measured by an APP sensor, which may be
provided to the ECM 106. A brake pedal position (BPP) 170 may be
measured by a BPP sensor and provided to the EBCM 150. A range
selection 174 may be provided to the TCM 114 by a transmission
range selector, such as a park, reverse, neutral, drive range
selector. An ignition signal 178 may be provided to the BCM 156.
For example, the ignition signal 178 may be received via an
ignition key, button, or switch. At a given time, the ignition
signal 178 may be one of off, accessory, run, or crank. The BCM 156
may start the engine 102 when the ignition signal 178 transitions
from off to crank. The ECM 106 may shut down the engine 102 when
the ignition signal 178 transitions from run to off or
accessory.
[0050] The vehicle system also includes an infotainment module 182.
The infotainment module 182 controls what is displayed on a display
184. The display 184 may be a touchscreen display in various
implementations and transmit signals indicative of user input to
the display 184 to the infotainment module 182. The Infotainment
module 182 may additionally or alternatively receive signals
indicative of user input from one or more other user input devices
185, such as one or more switches, buttons, knobs, etc.
[0051] The infotainment module 182 may also generate output via one
or more other devices. For example, the infotainment module 182 may
output sound via one or more speakers 190 of the vehicle. The
vehicle may include one or more additional control modules that are
not shown, such as a chassis control module, a battery pack control
module, etc. The vehicle may omit one or more of the control
modules shown and discussed.
[0052] The infotainment module 182 may also receive input from one
or more external sensors and camera modules, generally illustrated
in FIG. 1 by 194. For example, the infotainment module 182 may
display video, images, and/or alerts on the display 184 based on
input from the external sensors and camera modules 194. Examples of
the external sensors and camera modules 194 are discussed below in
FIG. 2.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 2, a functional block diagram of a
vehicle including examples of external sensor and camera modules is
presented. While the example of a car is shown, the present
disclosure is also applicable to trucks, utility vehicles, vans,
station wagons, and other types of vehicles.
[0054] The external sensor and camera modules 194 include one or
more camera modules positioned to capture images and video outside
of (external to) the vehicle and/or one or more sensor modules
generating signals based on objects outside of (external to) the
vehicle. For example, a forward facing camera module 204 captures
images and video of images within a predetermined field of view
(FOV) in front of the vehicle. A front camera module 208 may also
capture images and video within a predetermined FOV in front of the
vehicle. The front camera module 208 may capture images and video
within a predetermined distance of the front of the vehicle and may
be located at the front of the vehicle (e.g., in a front fascia,
grille, or bumper). The forward facing camera module 204 may be
located more rearward than the front camera module 208, such as
with a rear view mirror mounted on a windshield 210 of the
vehicle.
[0055] A rear camera module 212 captures images and video within a
predetermined FOV behind the vehicle. The rear camera module 212
may capture images and video within a predetermined distance behind
vehicle and may be located at the rear of the vehicle, such as near
a rear license plate. A right camera module 216 captures images and
video within a predetermined FOV to the right of the vehicle. The
right camera module 216 may capture images and video within a
predetermined distance to the right of the vehicle and may be
located, for example, under the right side rear view mirror. In
various implementations, the right side rear view mirror may be
omitted, and the right camera module 216 may be located near where
the right side rear view mirror would normally be located.
[0056] A left camera module 220 captures images and video within a
predetermined FOV to the left of the vehicle. The left camera
module 220 may capture images and video within a predetermined
distance to the left of the vehicle and may be located, for
example, under the left side rear view mirror. In various
implementations, the left side rear view mirror may be omitted, and
the left camera module 220 may be located near where the left side
rear view mirror would normally be located.
[0057] The external sensors and camera modules 194 additionally or
alternatively include one or more other sensors, such as radar
sensor modules, sonar sensor modules, light imaging distance and
ranging (LIDAR) sensor modules, etc. For example, the vehicle may
include one or more forward facing radar sensor modules, such as
forward facing sensor modules 226 and 230. The vehicle may include
one or more side blind zone radar sensor modules, such as right
blind zone radar sensor module 234 and left blind zone radar sensor
module 238. While examples and locations of camera modules and
sensor modules is provided, the vehicle may include a greater or
fewer number of camera modules and/or sensor modules and/or one or
more different types of camera modules and/or sensor modules
[0058] Radar sensor modules transmit radar signals within a
predetermined FOV and identify objects within the predetermined FOV
based on signals reflected back by objects within the predetermined
FOV. For example, the right blind zone radar sensor module 234
transmits radar signals within a predetermined right blind zone
FOV. The right blind zone radar sensor module 234 identifies
objects within the predetermined right blind zone FOV based on
signals reflected back by objects within the predetermined right
blind zone FOV. Similarly, the left blind zone radar sensor module
238 transmits radar signals within a predetermined left blind zone
FOV. The left blind zone radar sensor module 238 identifies objects
within the predetermined left blind zone FOV based on signals
reflected back by objects within the predetermined left blind zone
FOV.
[0059] According to the present disclosure, one or more sensor
modules and/or camera modules (e.g., the rear camera module 212) is
self-cleaning. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an example
self-cleaning camera system.
[0060] Referring now to FIG. 3, a first pump 304 draws washer fluid
from a washer fluid reservoir 308 and pumps the washer fluid to a
camera reservoir 312 within a housing 314 of the rear camera module
212. The first pump 304 is an electrical pump that operates using
power, for example, from a battery. While the example of the rear
camera module 212 will be discussed, the following is equally
applicable to other camera modules and sensor modules of the
vehicle. The first pump 304 may also pump washer fluid from the
washer fluid reservoir 308 to one or more washer fluid nozzles,
such as one or more washer fluid nozzles that spray washer fluid
onto a front windshield of the vehicle and/or one or more washer
fluid nozzles that spray washer fluid onto a rear windshield of the
vehicle.
[0061] A second pump 316 draws washer fluid from the camera
reservoir 312 and pumps the washer fluid to a cleaning nozzle 320
of the rear camera module 212. The second pump 316 is an electrical
pump that operates using power, for example, from a battery. The
cleaning nozzle 320 sprays washer fluid onto a portion of an
exterior surface of a rotating spherical member 324 of the rear
camera module 212 as an electric motor 328 rotates the rotating
spherical member 324. The electric motor 328 operates using power,
for example, from the battery. In various implementations, the
second pump 316 may draw washer fluid from the camera reservoir 312
through a filter 332. The filter 332 may include openings that each
have a predetermined length and a predetermined width. The filter
332 may therefore filter objects that are greater than the
predetermined length and/or the predetermined width from the washer
fluid. The filter 332, however, may be omitted in various
implementations.
[0062] A camera 336 is implemented within (i.e., inside of) the
rotating spherical member 324. The camera 336 remains oriented in a
fixed direction and does not rotate with the rotating spherical
member 324. The camera 336 has a predetermined FOV and captures
images outside of the vehicle. In the example of the rear camera
module 212, as discussed above, the camera 336 captures images of
behind the vehicle. The portion of the rotating spherical member
324 where the cleaning nozzle 320 sprays washer fluid is located
outside of the predetermined FOV of the camera 336.
[0063] The rotating spherical member 324 is transparent and may be
made of, for example, transparent plastic or glass. The rotating
spherical member 324 may be frusto-spherical, as discussed further
below. The spherical shape of the rotating spherical member 324
limits light refraction angle and limits distortion of the images
captured by the camera 336.
[0064] The exterior surface of the rotating spherical member 324 is
exposed to environment such that debris and other objects may
contact the exterior surface of the rotating spherical member 324.
Objects on the exterior surface of the rotating spherical member
324 may obstruct the view of the camera 336. Washer fluid on the
exterior surface of the rotating spherical member 324 may loosen
objects present on the exterior surface of the rotating spherical
member 324 for removal.
[0065] A wiping member 340 is held (e.g., by the housing 314) in
direct contact with the rotating spherical member 324. The wiping
member 340 is located between the location where washer fluid is
sprayed (or contacts) the exterior surface of the rotating
spherical member 324 and a boundary of the predetermined FOV of the
camera 336 in the direction of rotation of the rotating spherical
member 324. The wiping member 340 wipes washer fluid (and objects)
on the exterior surface of the rotating spherical member 324,
thereby cleaning the exterior surface of the rotating spherical
member 324. Cleaned portions of the rotating spherical member 324
then rotate back into the predetermined FOV of the camera 336.
Washer fluid (and objects) wiped from the exterior surface of the
rotating spherical member 324 may return (e.g., fall) to the camera
reservoir 312.
[0066] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an example
self-cleaning camera system. Referring now to FIG. 4, in various
implementations, the second pump 316, the filter 332, and the
cleaning nozzle 320 may be omitted. In this example, a portion
(e.g., a bottom portion) of the rotating spherical member 324 may
sit within washer fluid within the camera reservoir 312.
[0067] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a control module 350 may
control operation (on or off, speed, etc.) of the first pump 304,
the second pump 316, and the electric motor 328. For example, the
control module 350 may maintain the electric motor 328 (and the
second pump 316) on continuously while the engine 102 is on.
Alternatively, the control module 350 may turn the electric motor
328 (and the second pump 316) on when one or more enabling
conditions are satisfied and turn the motor (and the second pump
316) off when one or more of the enabling conditions are not
satisfied. For example, in the example of the rear camera module
212, the control module 350 may turn the electric motor 328 (and
the second pump 316) on when the transmission 110 is in reverse and
turn the electric motor 328 (and the second pump 316) off when the
transmission 110 is not in reverse. As another example, the control
module 350 may turn the electric motor 328 (and the second pump
316) in response to a determination that an image captured by the
camera 336 is obstructed by one or more objects on the exterior
surface of the rotating spherical member 324. As another example,
the control module 350 may turn the electric motor 328 (and the
second pump 316) for a predetermined period each time a
predetermined period has passed.
[0068] The control module 350 may operate the electric motor 328 at
a fixed predetermined speed. The control module 350 may also
operate the second pump 316 at a fixed predetermined speed. In
various implementations, the control module 350 may selectively
vary the speed of the electric motor 328 and/or the second pump 316
based on one or more operating conditions. For example, the control
module 350 may increase the speed of the electric motor 328 and/or
the second pump 316 as a vehicle speed increases. The control
module 350 may decrease the speed of the electric motor 328 and/or
the second pump 316 as the vehicle speed decreases. The control
module 350 may, however, limit the speed of the electric motor 328
and/or the speed of the second pump 316 to predetermined minimum
speeds and predetermined maximum speeds.
[0069] The control module 350 may turn the first pump 304 on when
one or more enabling conditions are satisfied and turn the first
pump 304 off when one or more of the enabling conditions are not
satisfied. For example, a washer fluid level sensor may measure a
level of washer fluid within the camera reservoir 312, and the
control module 350 may turn the first pump 304 on when the level of
washer fluid within the camera reservoir 312 is less than a
predetermined level. The control module 350 may turn the first pump
304 off when the level of washer fluid in the camera reservoir 312
is greater than the predetermined level. As another example, the
control module 350 may turn the first pump 304 on for a
predetermined period each time the vehicle is turned on, such as
each time the ignition signal 178 transitions from off to accessory
or crank.
[0070] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram including an example
cross-sectional (right) side view of a self-cleaning camera device
of the example self-cleaning camera system of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a
functional block diagram including an example cross-sectional
(right) side view of a self-cleaning camera device of the example
self-cleaning camera system of FIG. 4.
[0071] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the direction of rotation of
the rotating spherical member 324 is illustrated by arrow 404. The
rotating spherical member 324 includes an inner surface that
defines an inner cavity of the rotating spherical member 324. The
camera 336 is maintained in a fixed position within the inner
cavity of the rotating spherical member 324 via a support member
408. An example of washer fluid in the camera reservoir 312 is
illustrated by 410. As shown, the camera reservoir 312 may be
formed in a bottom of the housing 314.
[0072] The second pump 316 may receive washer fluid from (i) the
camera reservoir 312 via a first washer fluid path 412 and (ii)
from the washer fluid reservoir 308 via a second washer fluid path
416. In various implementations, the second pump 316 may receive
washer fluid via the second washer fluid path 416 directly from the
washer fluid reservoir 308 or the pump 304 may pump washer fluid to
the second pump 316 via the second washer fluid path 416.
[0073] A portion of the rotating spherical member 324 may extend
through an opening in the housing 314. A portion of the camera 336,
such as a lens 426 of the camera 336 and/or one or more light
receiving portions of the camera, extends outwardly past the
opening in the housing 314, extends into the opening in the housing
314, or faces the opening in the housing 314. An example FOV of the
camera 336 is illustrated by dashed lines 418. For example only,
the FOV of the camera 336 may be approximately 170 degrees
vertically and horizontally. The FOV of the camera 336, however,
may be greater or lesser vertically and/or horizontally.
[0074] Objects may contact the portion of the rotating spherical
member 324 as illustrated by 419. The housing 314 may include a
sealing member located around a peripheral edge of the opening. The
sealing member may include a lower portion 420 on a lower portion
of the peripheral edge of the opening and an upper portion 422 on
an upper portion of the peripheral edge of the opening. For example
only, the sealing member may be made of, for example, rubber or
another suitable material. While the existence of a gap 424 between
the sealing member and the rotating spherical member 324 is
illustrated, the gap 424 may be omitted, and the rotating spherical
member 324 may contact the sealing member. As the rotating
spherical member 324 rotates, the lower portion 420 of the sealing
member may remove one or more objects from the rotating spherical
member 324, as indicated by arrow 428.
[0075] After passing the lower portion 420 of the sealing member,
washer fluid contacts the exterior surface of the rotating
spherical member 324 outside of the FOV of the camera 336. For
example, in the example of FIG. 5, the cleaning nozzle 320 sprays
washer fluid onto a rear portion of the rotating spherical member
324, the washer fluid being illustrated by 432. The cleaning nozzle
320 may spray the washer fluid in a fan horizontally, for example,
to reach further toward or to edges of the rotating spherical
member 324. In the example of FIG. 6, a bottom portion of the
rotating spherical member 324 sits within the washer fluid 410
within the camera reservoir 312. Washer fluid and objects washed
from the rotating spherical member 324 falls via gravity, as
indicated by arrows 436, into the camera reservoir 312.
[0076] The wiping member 340 directly contacts the exterior surface
of the rotating spherical member 324. After washer fluid is on the
exterior surface of the rotating spherical member 324, the wiping
member 340 wipes washer fluid and/or objects away from the exterior
surface of the rotating spherical member 324, as indicated by arrow
440. In various implementations, the wiping member 340 may be made
of a rubber, such as the same material as a windshield wiper of the
front and/or rear windshield.
[0077] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an example implementation of a
self-cleaning camera device. FIG. 8 is a partial section view of an
example implementation of a self-cleaning camera device from above
and beside the self-cleaning camera device. FIG. 9 is a partial
section view of an example implementation of a self-cleaning camera
device from in front of the self-cleaning camera device. FIG. 10 is
a perspective view of an example implementation of a self-cleaning
camera device from in front and beside the self-cleaning camera
device.
[0078] Referring to FIGS. 7-10, the housing 314 may include an
upper housing member 504 and a lower housing member 508. The upper
housing member 504 and the lower housing member 508 are fixed
together, such as via screws 512. The upper and lower housing
members 504 and 508 may alternatively be fixed together in another
manner, such as via bolts or an adhesive. The wiping member 340 may
be fixed or formed within the upper housing member 504. The wiping
member 340 may be arc (convex) shaped, for example, to better
directly contact a larger portion of the rotating spherical member
324.
[0079] Before the upper and lower housing members 504 and 508 are
fixed together, a motor and camera assembly 516 is assembled and is
disposed within the lower housing member 508. Alternatively, the
housing 314 may be a single piece, and the motor and camera
assembly 516 may be inserted into the housing 314 through an
opening in the housing 314.
[0080] The motor and camera assembly 516 includes the electric
motor 328 and the camera 336. As an example, the motor and camera
assembly 516 may also include a bearing 520, first and second
cupping members 524 and 528, and the support member 408. The camera
336 is fixed within an opening 532 in the support member 408. The
first cupping member 524 may include a hollow driveshaft 536 that
is coupled to a driveshaft 540 of the electric motor 328. Rotation
of the driveshaft 540 of the electric motor 328 drives rotation of
the first cupping member 524. The bearing 520 encircles the hollow
driveshaft 536 of the first cupping member 524, allows the first
cupping member 524 to rotate, and sits within a bearing housing 544
the housing 314. The hollow driveshaft 536 may be supported by a
support member 546 of the lower housing member 508.
[0081] The first cupping member 524 is fixed to the rotating
spherical member 324 such that the rotating spherical member 324
rotates with the first cupping member 524. For example, the first
cupping member 524 may include a plurality of holes 548, and
adhesive may be applied at the holes 548 to fix the rotating
spherical member 524 to the first cupping member 524. However, the
first cupping member 524 may be fixed to the rotating spherical
member 524 in another manner.
[0082] The second cupping member 528 is also fixed to the rotating
spherical member 324 such that the second cupping member 528
rotates with the rotating spherical member 324. For example, the
second cupping member 528 may include a plurality of holes 552, and
an adhesive may be applied at the holes 552 to fix the rotating
spherical member 524 to the second cupping member 528. However, the
second cupping member 528 may be fixed to the rotating spherical
member 524 in another manner.
[0083] The second cupping member 528 includes a flange 556. The
flange 526 may be supported by a support member 560 of the lower
housing member 508.
[0084] As shown in FIG. 7, the rotating spherical member 324 may be
frusto-spherical. Frusto-spherical may refer to a solid having the
shape of a frustum of a sphere. In other words, frusto-spherical
may mean a sphere having one or two portions that have been cut off
by one or two planes, respectively. The remaining portion of the
sphere has a convex surface.
[0085] The rotating spherical member 324 may be frusto-spherical,
for example, for insertion of the motor and camera assembly 516
into the rotating spherical member 324. The support member 408 may
include an extension member 564 that connects with (e.g., extends
into) and is supported by a receiving member 568 of the first
cupping member 524. The support member 408 is fixed to the housing
314, such as via one or more screws 572, and does not rotate with
the rotating spherical member 324. The support member 408 supports
the camera 336 at a fixed position within the rotating spherical
member 324 while the rotating spherical member 324 rotates about
axis 576.
[0086] The axis 576 is perpendicular to opening 578 in the rotating
spherical member 324. A plane of the opening 578 of the rotating
spherical member 324 is also perpendicular to a plane of the
opening 580 in the housing 314. The motor and camera assembly 516
may be inserted through the opening 578.
[0087] The support member 408 may extend, at the location of the
camera 336, toward the opening 580 in the housing 314 and away from
the axis 576. The extension of the support member 408 toward the
opening 580 may position the camera 336 more toward the rotating
spherical member 324, for example, to maximize a possible FOV of
the camera 336 and not obstruct the FOV of the camera 336, to
minimize light refraction angle, and/or to minimize image
distortion of the camera 336.
[0088] Washer fluid flows from the camera reservoir 312 to the
filter 332 via a first hose 584. Washer fluid flows from the filter
332 to the second pump 316 via a second hose 588. Washer fluid
flows from the second pump 316 to the cleaning nozzle 320 via a
third hose 592.
[0089] The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature
and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application,
or uses. The broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented
in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes
particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be
so limited since other modifications will become apparent upon a
study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims.
It should be understood that one or more steps within a method may
be executed in different order (or concurrently) without altering
the principles of the present disclosure. Further, although each of
the embodiments is described above as having certain features, any
one or more of those features described with respect to any
embodiment of the disclosure can be implemented in and/or combined
with features of any of the other embodiments, even if that
combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the
described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and permutations
of one or more embodiments with one another remain within the scope
of this disclosure.
[0090] Spatial and functional relationships between elements (for
example, between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers,
etc.) are described using various terms, including "connected,"
"engaged," "coupled," "adjacent," "next to," "on top of," "above,"
"below," and "disposed." Unless explicitly described as being
"direct," when a relationship between first and second elements is
described in the above disclosure, that relationship can be a
direct relationship where no other intervening elements are present
between the first and second elements, but can also be an indirect
relationship where one or more intervening elements are present
(either spatially or functionally) between the first and second
elements. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C
should be construed to mean a logical (A OR B OR C), using a
non-exclusive logical OR, and should not be construed to mean "at
least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C."
[0091] In the figures, the direction of an arrow, as indicated by
the arrowhead, generally demonstrates the flow of information (such
as data or instructions) that is of interest to the illustration.
For example, when element A and element B exchange a variety of
information but information transmitted from element A to element B
is relevant to the illustration, the arrow may point from element A
to element B. This unidirectional arrow does not imply that no
other information is transmitted from element B to element A.
Further, for information sent from element A to element B, element
B may send requests for, or receipt acknowledgements of, the
information to element A.
[0092] In this application, including the definitions below, the
term "module" or the term "controller" may be replaced with the
term "circuit." The term "module" may refer to, be part of, or
include: an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC); a
digital, analog, or mixed analog/digital discrete circuit; a
digital, analog, or mixed analog/digital integrated circuit; a
combinational logic circuit; a field programmable gate array
(FPGA); a processor circuit (shared, dedicated, or group) that
executes code; a memory circuit (shared, dedicated, or group) that
stores code executed by the processor circuit; other suitable
hardware components that provide the described functionality; or a
combination of some or all of the above, such as in a
system-on-chip.
[0093] The module may include one or more interface circuits. In
some examples, the interface circuits may include wired or wireless
interfaces that are connected to a local area network (LAN), the
Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or combinations thereof. The
functionality of any given module of the present disclosure may be
distributed among multiple modules that are connected via interface
circuits. For example, multiple modules may allow load balancing.
In a further example, a server (also known as remote, or cloud)
module may accomplish some functionality on behalf of a client
module.
[0094] The term code, as used above, may include software,
firmware, and/or microcode, and may refer to programs, routines,
functions, classes, data structures, and/or objects. The term
shared processor circuit encompasses a single processor circuit
that executes some or all code from multiple modules. The term
group processor circuit encompasses a processor circuit that, in
combination with additional processor circuits, executes some or
all code from one or more modules. References to multiple processor
circuits encompass multiple processor circuits on discrete dies,
multiple processor circuits on a single die, multiple cores of a
single processor circuit, multiple threads of a single processor
circuit, or a combination of the above. The term shared memory
circuit encompasses a single memory circuit that stores some or all
code from multiple modules. The term group memory circuit
encompasses a memory circuit that, in combination with additional
memories, stores some or all code from one or more modules.
[0095] The term memory circuit is a subset of the term
computer-readable medium. The term computer-readable medium, as
used herein, does not encompass transitory electrical or
electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium (such as on a
carrier wave); the term computer-readable medium may therefore be
considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of a
non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium are nonvolatile
memory circuits (such as a flash memory circuit, an erasable
programmable read-only memory circuit, or a mask read-only memory
circuit), volatile memory circuits (such as a static random access
memory circuit or a dynamic random access memory circuit), magnetic
storage media (such as an analog or digital magnetic tape or a hard
disk drive), and optical storage media (such as a CD, a DVD, or a
Blu-ray Disc).
[0096] The apparatuses and methods described in this application
may be partially or fully implemented by a special purpose computer
created by configuring a general purpose computer to execute one or
more particular functions embodied in computer programs. The
functional blocks, flowchart components, and other elements
described above serve as software specifications, which can be
translated into the computer programs by the routine work of a
skilled technician or programmer.
[0097] The computer programs include processor-executable
instructions that are stored on at least one non-transitory,
tangible computer-readable medium. The computer programs may also
include or rely on stored data. The computer programs may encompass
a basic input/output system (BIOS) that interacts with hardware of
the special purpose computer, device drivers that interact with
particular devices of the special purpose computer, one or more
operating systems, user applications, background services,
background applications, etc.
[0098] The computer programs may include: (i) descriptive text to
be parsed, such as HTML (hypertext markup language), XML
(extensible markup language), or JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)
(ii) assembly code, (iii) object code generated from source code by
a compiler, (iv) source code for execution by an interpreter,)
source code for compilation and execution by a just-in-time
compiler, etc. As examples only, source code may be written using
syntax from languages including C, C++, C#, Objective-C, Swift,
Haskell, Go, SQL, R, Lisp, Java.RTM., Fortran, Perl, Pascal, Curl,
OCaml, Javascript.RTM., HTML5 (Hypertext Markup Language 5th
revision), Ada, ASP (Active Server Pages), PHP (PHP: Hypertext
Preprocessor), Scala, Eiffel, Smalltalk, Erlang, Ruby, Flash.RTM.,
Visual Basic.RTM., Lua, MATLAB, SIMULINK, and Python.RTM..
[0099] None of the elements recited in the claims are intended to
be a means-plus-function element within the meaning of 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 112(f) unless an element is expressly recited using the
phrase "means for," or in the case of a method claim using the
phrases "operation for" or "step for."
* * * * *