Preventing Condensation in Dashboard Camera Lenses

An automotive camera with an integrated induction heater to defrost the lens in cold weather conditions. The camera lens holder has an induction coil etched into its inner surface. When activated, the coil generates heat to defrost the lens. The integrated coil allows compact, scalable and efficient defrosting compared to external heating systems. The camera can be mass produced as a fully integrated unit.

Lenses of vehicle cameras can freeze or fog up in cold and wet conditions, impairing visibility and safety. A heating device for automotive camera lenses that can melt ice and prevent fogging. The heating device has a ring-shaped heating element that wraps around the camera lens barrel. It is held in place by a tension socket. The device can apply targeted heat directly to the lens barrel to warm the lens surface and prevent ice and fogging. The heating power is controlled based on temperature and recent usage to avoid overheating.

A vehicle camera system that prevents lens obstructions like dirt, water, and ice from impairing camera visibility by heating the lens. It detects obstructions and increases heating only for moisture/condensation, to prevent fogging. Heating is deactivated for non-moisture obstructions. This prevents overuse and saves energy. The system also has a washer to clean the lens.

Camera system for vehicles that protects the camera lens from water drops that impair visibility by using a protective element around the lens with a specific opening geometry. The protective element leaves the camera lens exposed through a small opening that captures the necessary view. The remaining lens area is covered to prevent water drops from obstructing the view while reducing overall water exposure.

Rapidly heating the lens barrel of vehicle cameras to defrost/defog the lens and prevent condensation. The heating device uses an inductive coil that circumscribes the lens barrel to induce eddy currents in the lens components when powered. This rapidly heats the lens without requiring wires into the camera. The inductive heating coil may selectively target portions of the lens barrel while avoiding non-conductive parts. The coil generates a magnetic field that encompass the lens barrel to heat the lens optics.

Vehicle camera that effectively prevents moisture ingress. A camera module is housed inside a vehicle body and sealed with a grommet and cover that obstruct moisture entry. The grommet contacts the camera module and housing preventing moisture penetration. Adhesion protrusions on the grommet contact the module and housing to seal gaps. The cover has a hydraulic protrusion that transmits pressure to the grommet when submerged, further sealing.

Vehicle camera that actively prevents lens dew condensation by utilizing heat generated by the image processing circuitry. The camera has a heat dissipation structure with a surface facing the lens. This allows the lens to be heated by the circuitry heat, preventing dew formation.

Vehicle-mounted optical system that detects and removes condensation on cameras mounted inside a vehicle. The system uses image analysis to detect condensation on the inside of the vehicle's glass. When condensation is detected, a condensation removal device is activated to clear the glass. This ensures reliable operation of the vehicle's cameras for applications like autonomous driving by preventing fogging or condensation from obstructing the camera's view.

Vehicle camera with lens defogging system to prevent fogging and improve visibility. The camera has a heating element around the lens that contacts the inner surface of the outermost lens element. This heats the lens to prevent condensation and fogging in cold or humid conditions. The camera captures exterior images for vehicle vision systems, and the heating element prevents fogging that could reduce visibility.

An optical detection system for vehicles that reduces the impact of dirt, rain, and frost on camera optics. The system uses a protective housing with a grating positioned in front of the camera lens and an airflow generator that directs air onto the grating. This prevents dirt, rain, and frost from directly contacting the camera lens and obstructing the view. The grating allows airflow to pass through while blocking larger particles.

Camera design to prevent fogging or moisture inside the housing, particularly for exterior vehicle cameras. The camera housing has channels that allow air to flow between the camera components. Metal strips or wires are placed in the channels to conduct heat and prevent condensation. Heat sinks are also used near the image sensor. This allows air convection inside the camera to prevent fogging, even when the camera is mounted at an angle.

Stereo camera for vehicle safety and defrosting the windshield. The stereo camera includes a first and second lens, a light shield in front of each lens, and fans on the sides of each lens. This allows the camera to act as a defroster by blowing warm air onto the windshield.