阅读说明：本技术 外部相机镜头清洗系统和清洗方法 (External camera lens cleaning system and cleaning method ) 是由 朴钟旼 孔珞敬 李骐泓 金承焕 张承赫 金龙焕 南真植 于 2018-11-29 设计创作，主要内容包括：本申请提供一种外部相机清洗系统和清洗方法。外部相机系统包括：固定到车辆的底座单元；与底座单元可旋转地耦接的壳体；以及成像装置,其包括相机模块并具有插入壳体以在壳体的纵向方向上运动的至少一个部分。洗刷器设置于壳体的内表面上以面向相机模块,洗涤流体喷嘴设置在洗刷器附近。控制器从相机模块接收视频,以基于车辆的行驶条件设置壳体的旋转角度,并调节成像装置的延伸。(The application provides an external camera cleaning system and a cleaning method. The external camera system includes: a base unit fixed to the vehicle; a housing rotatably coupled with the base unit; and an imaging device including a camera module and having at least one portion inserted into the housing to move in a longitudinal direction of the housing. A scrubber is disposed on an inner surface of the housing to face the camera module, and a washing fluid nozzle is disposed near the scrubber. The controller receives video from the camera module to set a rotation angle of the housing based on a driving condition of the vehicle, and adjusts extension of the imaging device.)

1. An external camera lens cleaning system comprising:

a base unit fixed to a vehicle;

a housing rotatably coupled to the base unit;

an imaging device including a camera module, wherein at least a portion of the imaging device is inserted into the housing to move in a longitudinal direction of the housing;

a scrubber provided in the housing to face the camera module;

a washing fluid nozzle disposed adjacent to the scrubber; and

a controller configured to receive video from the camera module, to set a rotation angle of the housing based on a driving condition of the vehicle, and to adjust extension of the imaging device,

wherein, when the housing is rotated by the controller, the imaging device is configured to horizontally move in synchronization with the housing in a longitudinal direction of the housing.

2. The external camera lens washing system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises:

a gear unit to rotate the housing; and

an actuator configured to operate the gear unit.

3. The external camera lens washing system of claim 2, wherein the imaging device comprises:

a rack unit coupled with the gear unit to move the image forming apparatus in a longitudinal direction when the housing rotates.

4. The external camera lens washing system of claim 1, further comprising:

a reflection unit disposed on a side surface of the housing on which the camera module is exposed.

5. The external camera lens washing system of claim 1, further comprising:

a housing cover disposed within the housing adjacent to the scrubber and the washing fluid nozzle,

wherein the housing cover is coupled on an inner surface of the housing.

6. The external camera lens washing system of claim 1, wherein the housing and the imaging device are coupled at least in part by a rail to slidingly move the imaging device along the rail in a longitudinal direction of the housing.

7. The external camera lens washing system of claim 1, wherein the housing and the imaging device are operated synchronously by an actuator.

8. The external camera lens washing system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to set the rotation angle of the housing based on a vehicle speed.

9. The external camera lens washing system of claim 1, further comprising:

a wash fluid tube fluidly connected with the wash fluid nozzle.

10. The external camera lens washing system of claim 9, wherein the base unit comprises:

a flow path hole through which the wash fluid pipe is connected with the vehicle.

11. The external camera lens washing system of claim 9, wherein the housing comprises:

a housing aperture disposed adjacent to the base unit to prevent the housing from interfering with the wash fluid tube when the housing is rotated.

12. An external camera lens cleaning method, comprising:

determining, by the controller, a contamination level of the camera module;

performing, by the controller, cleaning of the camera module when the degree of contamination of the camera module is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value; and is

The number of times the washing fluid is dispensed through the washing fluid nozzle and the number of times the image forming apparatus is inserted into the housing and then extended from the housing are adjusted by the controller based on a current driving state of the vehicle or a vehicle speed.

13. The external camera lens washing method of claim 12, further comprising:

determining, by the controller, a degree of contamination of the camera module by logically dividing a screen into a plurality of grids to calculate a number of grids perceived by the camera module.

14. The external camera lens washing method of claim 12, further comprising:

determining, by the controller, a number of times that wash fluid is dispensed through the wash fluid nozzle and a number of times that the imaging device is inserted into and then extended from the housing based on a vehicle speed.

15. The exterior camera lens washing method of claim 12, wherein the housing is configured to have a specific folding speed when the vehicle is traveling in an autonomous driving mode.

16. The external camera lens washing method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving, by the controller, precipitation from a rainfall sensor.

17. The external camera lens washing method of claim 16, further comprising:

setting, by the controller, at least two levels of folding speed of the housing based on the received precipitation amount.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an external camera (camera, camcorder) lens cleaning system and a cleaning method thereof, and more particularly, to an external camera lens cleaning system and a cleaning method thereof, in which the external camera system includes a camera inserted into a housing and cleaning of a camera lens is performed using a scrubber structure provided on an inner surface of the housing.

Background

Generally, a vehicle changes a driving lane using a rear view mirror and a side mirror provided at the front center of a vehicle cab. When the driver changes the lane of the vehicle while looking at the side mirror in the traveling direction, collision with the vehicle traveling in the blind spot or the preceding vehicle frequently occurs. In addition, when the vehicle is parked or stopped, the conventional side mirror is configured to be folded while protruding outward, and is damaged by physical impact against the side mirror.

Recently, a camera lens system (CMS) has been developed, which displays the external condition of a vehicle through an external camera lens on a screen. As described above, a vehicle including the CMS system photographs an external surroundings of the vehicle using an external camera protruding outward from the vehicle, and displays a video photographed by the external camera on a display provided inside the vehicle.

FIG. 1 illustrates a related art external camera system that rotates on and extends from an exterior surface of a vehicle. As shown, the system includes an exterior camera 20 disposed at one side of a door 11 of the vehicle, and the exterior camera includes a first lens 30 and a second lens 31 rotatable toward the inside of the door.

However, in the exterior camera configured to be inserted into and projected from the door, the projecting amount of the exterior camera is minimum, and it is more difficult to observe the side view and the rear view of the vehicle. In addition, when the external camera is installed to provide a specific protruding amount, even when the external camera is inserted into the housing, the protruding is still present, and it is more difficult to protect the external camera.

The above information disclosed in this section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the present disclosure and therefore it may contain information that does not constitute prior art that is known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an external camera system that protects an external camera and ensures a wide field of view to the side and rear thereof. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an exterior camera system that provides an exterior camera that can be rotated and extended in a longitudinal direction using one actuator. In addition, the present disclosure provides a scrubber configuration provided on an inner surface of a case facing a camera module, and provides an external camera lens cleaning system that can clean a lens of the camera module.

The object of the present disclosure is not limited to the above object, and other objects not mentioned can be understood by the following description, and can be more clearly understood by representative embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, the objects of the present disclosure can be achieved by the means exemplified in the claims and the combinations thereof.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, an external camera system may include: a base unit fixed to the vehicle; a housing rotatably coupled with the base unit; and an imaging device including a camera module and having at least one portion inserted into the housing to move in a longitudinal direction of the housing. The system may further comprise: a scrubber provided in the housing to face the camera module; a washing fluid nozzle disposed adjacent to the scrubber; and a controller configured to receive video from the camera module, to set a rotation angle of the housing based on a state of the vehicle, and to adjust an extension of the imaging device. In particular, when the housing is rotated by the controller, the image forming apparatus may be horizontally moved in synchronization with the housing in the longitudinal direction of the housing.

In addition, the housing may include a gear unit configured to rotate the housing, and an actuator configured to operate the gear unit. The image forming apparatus may include a rack unit interlocked with the gear unit and configured to move the image forming apparatus in a longitudinal direction thereof when the housing is rotated.

The external camera system may further include a reflection unit disposed on a side surface of the housing on which the camera module is exposed. The system may further comprise a housing cover disposed within the housing adjacent to the scrubber and washing fluid nozzle, and the housing cover may be coupled on an inner surface of the housing.

Also, each of the housing and the image forming device may include at least one end coupled to the rail to slidably move the image forming device along the rail in a longitudinal direction of the housing. The housing and the image forming apparatus may be operated in synchronization by an actuator. The controller may be configured to set a rotation angle of the housing based on a vehicle speed.

Additionally, the external camera system may further include a wash fluid tube fluidly connected with the wash fluid nozzle. A flow path aperture may be included to allow the wash fluid pipe to be connected to the vehicle. The housing may include a housing aperture disposed adjacent the base unit to prevent the housing from interfering with the wash fluid pipe as it rotates.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of cleaning an external camera lens may include: determining a contamination level of the camera module; performing cleaning of the camera module when the contamination degree of the camera module is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value; and adjusting the number of times the washing fluid is injected through the washing fluid nozzle and the number of times the image forming apparatus is inserted into and then ejected from the housing based on the current driving state of the vehicle or the vehicle speed.

In addition, the controller may be configured to determine the degree of contamination by logically dividing the screen into a plurality of grids to calculate the number of perceivable grids. The controller may be configured to determine the number of times the washing fluid is injected through the washing fluid nozzle and the number of times the imaging device is inserted into and then ejected from the housing based on the vehicle speed to perform washing of the camera module.

Also, the housing may have a particular folding speed when the vehicle is operating in the autonomous driving mode. The controller may be further configured to receive precipitation from the precipitation sensor. The controller may be configured to set a folding speed of at least two levels of the housing based on the received precipitation amount.

According to the above-described representative embodiments and the configurations, combinations, and use relationships to be described below, the present disclosure can obtain the following effects. The present disclosure may provide clearer side and back views. In addition, the external camera may be simultaneously rotated and extended in a longitudinal direction thereof, and may have an effect of protecting the external camera. The exterior camera lens washing system may set a rotation angle of the housing based on driving conditions, and may have an effect of improving fuel efficiency by minimizing aerodynamic drag caused by extension of the exterior camera. Other aspects and representative embodiments of the disclosure are discussed below.

Drawings

The above and other features of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to representative embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limiting of the disclosure, and wherein:

fig. 1 illustrates an exterior camera system protruding to the exterior of a vehicle in the related art;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an external camera lens cleaning system according to a representative embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an external camera lens washing system when a camera module is inserted into a housing according to one representative embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an external camera lens washing system when a camera module extends along a housing according to one representative embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a diagram configured to illustrate synchronized movement between a housing and an imaging device according to a representative embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 6A illustrates a state in which an external camera is inserted into a housing according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 6B is a diagram illustrating an external camera providing states of a side view and a rear view according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 6C is a diagram illustrating a state in which an external camera is fully extended according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a scrubber configuration disposed within a housing according to a representative embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional illustration of the engaged relationship of a housing and an imaging device according to a representative embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a scrubber and camera module according to a representative embodiment of the present disclosure; and is

Fig. 10 is a flowchart of a method of performing cleaning of an external camera lens according to one representative embodiment of the present disclosure.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a simplified representation of various features illustrative of the basic principles of the disclosure. The specific design features of the present disclosure, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes, as disclosed herein, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. In the drawings, reference numerals may refer to identical or equivalent parts of the disclosure in the several views of the drawings.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, representative embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The representative embodiments of the present disclosure may be modified in various forms, and the scope of the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the following representative embodiments. Representative examples are provided to more fully illustrate the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

It should be understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicular" or other similar terms as used herein include motor vehicles in general, such as passenger cars (including Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks), various commercial vehicles, watercraft (including various watercraft and watercraft), aircraft, and the like, and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, fuel vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuel from resources other than petroleum).

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

While representative embodiments are described as using multiple units to perform representative processes, it will be appreciated that these representative processes may also be performed by one or more modules. Additionally, it should be understood that the term controller/control unit refers to a hardware device that includes a memory and a processor. The memory is configured to store modules, and the processor is specifically configured to implement the modules to perform one or more processes described further below.

Unless specifically mentioned or otherwise apparent from the context, the term "about" as used herein is understood to be within the normal tolerance in the art, e.g., within 2 standard deviations of the mean. "about" may be understood as being within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05% or 0.01% of the value mentioned. All numerical values provided herein are modified by the term "about" unless otherwise apparent from the context. In addition, the terms ". part",.. unit ",.. module", etc. described in the specification may denote a unit for processing at least one function or operation, which may be implemented by hardware or software, or by a combination of hardware and software.

The present disclosure relates to a Camera Monitoring System (CMS) configured to capture side and rear videos of a vehicle and display a video of the interior of the vehicle using an external camera module 320, and provide a technology that can simultaneously perform rotation and extension of an external camera based on a driving condition of the vehicle, a vehicle speed, and the like.

Additionally, one representative embodiment of the present disclosure may include an imaging device 300 insertable into the housing 200 and providing an external camera lens 330 cleaning system configured to allow the lens 330 of the camera module 320 to abut (e.g., contact) the scrubber 240 disposed within the housing 200 to remove contaminants present on the camera lens 330.

Further, one representative embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a washing fluid nozzle 260 disposed adjacent to the scrubber 240; and a wash fluid pipe 270 configured to supply wash fluid from the vehicle interior to the wash fluid nozzle 260. The scrubber 240 may perform physical cleaning simultaneously with or sequentially with the spraying of the washing fluid based on the degree of contamination of the camera module 320.

Fig. 2 is an illustration of an external camera lens 330 cleaning system according to a representative embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the exterior camera of the present disclosure may be disposed on a fender (fender) or a door of a vehicle, and may be disposed at both side ends of the vehicle to be symmetrical. The external camera of the present disclosure may be configured or mounted in a corresponding position of a conventional side mirror. The external camera may include: the image forming apparatus includes a base unit 100 fixed to an outside of a vehicle, a housing 200 configured to be rotatable with respect to the base unit 100, and an image forming device 300 configured to be inserted into the housing 200 and horizontally moved along a longitudinal direction of the housing 200 based on a running condition.

The imaging device 300 may include the camera module 320 at one end, and the camera module 320 may not be exposed to the outside when the imaging device 300 is inserted into the housing 200 based on the driving condition of the vehicle and the vehicle speed. In addition, one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a reflection unit 220 to allow the camera module 320 to monitor (e.g., recognize) the side and rear of the vehicle without exposure, and the reflection unit 220 may be disposed on a side surface of the housing 200 on which the camera module 320 is exposed. When the housing 200 is rotated with respect to the base unit 100, the image forming apparatus 300 may be configured to move in a horizontal direction based on the rotation of the housing 200.

Also, when the housing 200 is rotated in a direction away from the vehicle, the image forming device 300 may be configured to move horizontally in the direction away from the housing 200, and when the housing 200 is rotated in a direction toward the vehicle, the image forming device 300 may be configured to move into the insertion housing 200. In addition, the housing 200 and the image forming apparatus 300 may be operated in synchronization by the driving force, and thus, the rotational movement of the housing 200 and the linear movement of the image forming apparatus 300 may be simultaneously performed by the actuator 500 coupled by a plurality of gears.

Further, a wash fluid pipe 270 connected to the wash fluid nozzle 260 may provide wash fluid from the vehicle interior to the wash fluid nozzle 260, and a flow path hole 110 may be provided on the base unit to allow the wash fluid pipe 270 to penetrate the base unit 100. The housing hole 280 may be received in the housing 200 while facing the base unit 100 to prevent the housing 200 from interfering with the washing fluid pipe 270 when the housing 200 rotates. Accordingly, the housing 200 may be configured to rotate without interfering with the passage of the wash fluid tube 270 through the flow path aperture 110 and the housing aperture 280.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating when the housing 200 is disposed closest to the vehicle according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the exterior camera of the present disclosure may allow the housing 200 to be folded to a position proximate to the vehicle, for example, when the vehicle is stopped. When the external camera is folded to a position closest to the vehicle, the imaging device 300 may be inserted into the housing 200 to cause the camera module 320 not to be exposed to the outside.

For example, the controller 400 of the vehicle may be configured to detect a stopped state of the vehicle and rotate the gear unit 210 of the housing 200, and the housing 200 may be brought into a folded state by the rotation of the gear unit 210. In addition, the rack unit 310 coupled (e.g., meshed; interlocked) with the gear unit 210 and fixed to the housing 200 may be configured to move in a direction of being inserted into the housing 200, and the image forming apparatus 300 moving with the rack unit 310 may include at least one portion inserted into the housing 200.

Fig. 4 illustrates a configuration of an exterior camera that rotates (e.g., extends) under vehicle driving conditions (including low speed driving, reverse driving, and autonomous driving) according to one representative embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the imaging device 300 may be configured to move horizontally in a direction away from the vehicle to expose the camera module 320 to the outside while the vehicle is traveling.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a driving force may be applied to cause the housing 200 to rotate while causing the image forming apparatus 300 to perform a horizontal movement by the actuator 500, and as shown in fig. 5, the image forming apparatus 300 may include a gear unit 210 configured to rotate the housing 200, and a rack unit 310 coupled to the gear unit 210 and moving the image forming apparatus 300. Accordingly, the gear unit 210 may be configured to perform a rotational motion when the actuator 500 operates, and the rack unit 310 coupled with the gear unit 210 may be configured to move in a horizontal direction thereof while performing a rotational motion of the housing 200 and a linear motion of the image forming apparatus 300.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the representative embodiment of the present disclosure may adjust the rotation angle of the exterior camera based on the driving condition of the vehicle, adjust the exposure of the camera module 320, and may clean the camera module 320 using the scrubber 240 and the washing fluid nozzle 260 disposed inside the housing 200 when contaminants exist in the camera module 320. In other words, when the imaging device 300 is inserted into the housing 200 and then extended from the housing 200, the scrubber 240 may face the camera module 320 on an inner surface of the housing 200, and the wash fluid nozzle 260 may be configured to dispense (e.g., spray) wash fluid toward the camera module 320 to remove contaminants from the camera module 320. For example, the controller 400 may be configured to remove contaminants of the camera module 320 using the scrubber 240 after the scrubbing fluid is dispensed through the scrubbing fluid nozzle 260.

Fig. 5 illustrates the coupling of the gear unit 210 of the housing 200 and the rack unit 310 of the image forming apparatus 300 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the representative embodiment may include a motor as the actuator 500, one end of the motor may be connected with the worm gear 510, and the worm gear 510 may be directly or indirectly coupled with the gear unit 210. Accordingly, when the motor rotates about the X axis, the worm gear 510 coupled with the gear unit 210 may rotate about the Y axis. In addition, the rack unit 310 gear-coupled with the gear unit 210 may move in a horizontal direction.

Accordingly, the housing 200 in which the gear unit 210 is fixedly disposed may be configured to rotate, and the image forming apparatus 300 may be configured to horizontally move in the longitudinal direction of the housing 200 to insert at least a portion of the image forming apparatus 300 into the housing 200.

Fig. 6A to 6C illustrate rotation states of an exterior camera based on an operating condition of a vehicle according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6A illustrates a state in which the exterior camera is folded due to, for example, a stopped state of the vehicle or an operator manipulation. As shown, the external camera may be rotated and disposed at a position closest to the vehicle body 10, and the imaging device 300 may be inserted into the housing 200 to a position where the camera module 320 is not exposed to the outside.

FIG. 6B illustrates the position of the exterior camera when the vehicle is operating under a particular condition (e.g., at or above a particular speed). As shown, the housing 200 may be configured to rotate at a set angle in a width direction of the vehicle at a certain speed or more of the vehicle, and the camera module 320 of the imaging device 300 may protrude to the outside of the housing 200 to be exposed to the outside. In one representative embodiment of the present disclosure, the camera module 320 may include a wide-angle camera, for example, may include a wide-angle camera having a field of view of about 180 ° or more.

As described above, fig. 6B illustrates the exterior camera provided in the vehicle operating at a specific speed or more, and in the exterior camera, the housing 200 may be provided at a maximum angle of about 160 ° or less with respect to the width direction of the vehicle body 10 to reduce aerodynamic drag.

In fig. 6C, the housing 200 may maintain the maximally opened state during reverse or low-speed operation of the vehicle, and one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may maintain a position parallel to the width direction of the vehicle by rotating about 180 ° (which is a maximum opening angle). In addition, referring to fig. 6B to 6C, the focal point of the camera module 320 may be set to different angles. However, the controller 400 may be configured to correct videos photographed by a wide-angle camera of 180 ° or more, and may be configured to display uniform side surface videos regardless of the rotation angle of the housing 200. For example, when the vehicle is traveling at a particular speed or greater, video captured using the camera module 320 may provide a narrower field of view than video captured during low speed operation (e.g., less than the particular speed) or reverse travel.

Fig. 7 illustrates the interior of a housing 200 in which a scrubber 240 and a washing fluid nozzle 260 are disposed according to one representative embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the scrubber 240 may be installed to face the camera module 320 within the housing 200, and the scrubber 240 may be disposed on the housing cover 230 to be selectively detachable from the housing 200. For example, the washing fluid nozzle 260 may be formed adjacent to the scrubber 240, and the scrubber 240 and the washing fluid nozzle 260 may be disposed on the housing cover 230.

The scrubber 240 may be disposed to face the lens 330 of the camera module 320, and the scrubber 240 may scrub the lens 330 of the camera module 320 when the imaging device 300 is inserted into or extended from the inner surface of the housing 200. For example, in one representative embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller 400 may be configured to logically divide the lens 330 into a plurality of grids to measure contamination of the lens 330, and to measure the amount of contamination in the divided grids to determine the degree of contamination of the camera module 320.

Accordingly, when the contamination level of the camera module 320 is equal to or greater than the reference value set in the controller 400, the scrubber 240 may perform the washing of the camera module 320, and the imaging device 300 may be inserted into the housing 200 and then extended from the housing 200, and thus, the scrubber 240 may wash the camera module 320 twice, for example, during the insertion and during the extension.

In addition, when the image forming device 300 is inserted into the housing 200 through the washing fluid nozzle 260, the washing fluid may be dispensed, and the image forming device 300 may be extended, so that the spraying and washing of the washing fluid are sequentially performed by the scrubber. For example, the controller 400 may be configured to measure a contamination level of the camera module 320 based on a condition that the camera module 320 is exposed to the outside, and operate the outside camera at a cleaning speed including at least three levels based on the measured contamination level. Also, the controller 400 may be configured to measure the amount of precipitation using the rainfall sensor 600 under a condition of driving in the rain, and when a predetermined amount of precipitation or more is measured, the controller 400 may be configured to execute at least one washing control logic.

As described above, in one representative embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller 400 may be configured to adjust the operation speed of the imaging apparatus 300 based on the amount of precipitation measured by the rainfall sensor 600. Accordingly, the external camera washing system may perform the washing control in consideration of at least one of or a combination of a vehicle speed, a driving environment of the vehicle, and a contamination level of the camera module 320.

Fig. 8 is a side sectional view illustrating a coupling between the housing 200 and the image forming apparatus 300 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The imaging device 300 coupled to the inside of the housing 200 is illustrated, and at least one end of each of the housing 200 and the imaging device 300 may be coupled with the rail 250. Fig. 8 illustrates the rail 250 disposed on one end of the imaging device 300, and the imaging device 300 may include one end having a "" shape (e.g., an L-shape rotated 90 ° clockwise) as the rail 250, and one end of the housing 200 constitutes a "" shape (e.g., an L-shape rotated 90 ° counterclockwise) to be coupled to the rail 250 having the "" shape.

When moving in the longitudinal direction of the housing 200, the housing 200 and the imaging device 300, which are thus coupled by the rail 250, slidably guide the imaging device 300. For example, the rail 250 may be disposed on a portion of the housing 200 in a longitudinal direction thereof, and when the image forming apparatus 300 is disposed in the maximally opened state, the coupling of the rail 250 between the housing 200 and the image forming apparatus 300 may be released to allow the image forming apparatus 300 to be detached from the housing 200.

Fig. 9 illustrates a coupling relationship for performing the washing of the camera module 320 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the scrubber 240 may be disposed on an inner surface of the housing 200 and may include a housing cover 230 configured to be attachable to and detachable from the housing 200. In one representative embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing cover 230 may be snap-fit to the housing 200. For example, in one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the scrubber 240 may be inserted into a groove portion provided on the housing cover 230 to be selectively replaceable.

In addition, the washing fluid nozzle 260 may be provided on the housing cap 230 to allow the scrubber 240 and the washing fluid nozzle 260 to be selectively replaced. The scrubber 240 may be fixed to a position facing the camera module 320, and when the imaging device 300 slides in the longitudinal direction of the housing 200, the scrubber 240 may contact the lens 330 of the camera module 320 to clean contaminants attached to the lens 330.

The controller 400 may be configured to determine a contamination level of the camera module 320, logically divide the lens 330 into a grid to measure the number of grids in which contamination is detected, and perform a washing operation using the scrubber 240 based on the measured number of grids. Further, the controller 400 may be configured to dispense wash fluid through the wash fluid nozzles 260 simultaneously or in advance, followed by physically removing contaminants on the camera module 320 through the scrubber 240.

In summary, when the camera module 300 is cleaned in a condition where the imaging device 300 is in an open state, cleaning may be first performed by the scrubber 240 while the imaging device 300 is moved to the inside of the housing 200, washing fluid may be dispensed through the washing fluid nozzle 260 while the imaging device 300 is inserted into the housing 200, and the lens of the camera module 320 may be physically cleaned by the scrubber 240 when the imaging device 300 is extended in a longitudinal direction.

One representative embodiment of the present disclosure may classify the degree of contamination into 8 levels based on the brightness measured in each grid and classify the measured degrees of contamination into three groups to perform the cleaning of the camera module 320. In addition, in another representative embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller 400 may be configured to adjust the washing speed based on the driving condition of the vehicle depending on the degree of pollution, and in yet another representative embodiment, the controller 400 may be coupled with the rainfall sensor 600 to adjust the washing speed based on the amount of precipitation. The controller 400 may be configured to perform the cleaning of the camera module 320 based on the above conditions, and adjust the speed and number of times the imaging device 300 is inserted into and extended from the housing 200.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for cleaning an external camera lens 330 according to one representative embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the drawing, when the ignition of the vehicle is started, the imaging device 300 may start to protrude to the outside of the housing 200 (S100), and the imaging device 300, which has started to move, may be configured to move while contacting the scrubber 240 inside the housing 200 (S200).

While the vehicle is running, the controller 400 may be configured to monitor a running condition of the vehicle, and in one representative embodiment of the present disclosure, may be configured to measure a precipitation condition (S300). When the amount of precipitation measured by the rainfall sensor 600 provided in the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the degree of contamination of the camera module 320 may be determined, and washing may be performed using the scrubber 240 based on the performed determination of the degree of contamination (S310, S320).

For example, one representative embodiment of the present disclosure may logically (e.g., virtually) divide the lens 330 of the camera module 320 into a grid format, and the controller 400 may be configured to determine a contamination level (e.g., brightness) of each divided grid to classify the contamination of the camera module 320 into eight levels to perform, for example, one cycle per second washing (rain 1 mode) in groups 4 to 6 corresponding to low contamination levels (S311).

In contrast, in the groups 1 to 3 corresponding to high contamination levels of the camera module 320, the washing of the lens 330 (rain 2 mode) of, for example, three cycles per second may be performed (S321). However, the number of cycles per second that a wash is performed depending on the degree of contamination may be determined and/or adjusted by operator input settings.

In response to detecting that the rainfall sensor 600 does not measure precipitation (S300), the controller 400 may be configured to logically divide the lens 330 of the camera module 320 into a grid format and determine a degree of contamination (e.g., brightness) of each divided grid to classify contamination of the camera module 320 into eight levels. The logic may end in the groups 7 to 8 corresponding to low contamination levels (S400), and when it is not in the groups 7 to 8 corresponding to low contamination levels, it may be judged whether the contamination levels are the groups 4 to 6 (S500).

When the degree of contamination is group 4 to 6, washing (S510) may be performed at high speed in the wipe 3 mode (S511) according to the vehicle speed. When the vehicle speed is a medium speed (S520), washing may be performed in the wipe 2 mode (S521), and when the vehicle speed is a low speed (S530), washing may be performed in the wipe 1 mode (S531). In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the wipe 1 mode may perform washing one cycle per second, the wipe 2 mode is two cycles per second, the wipe 3 mode is three cycles per second, and when the contamination level is the group 4 to 6, washing may be performed at different cycles based on the operating speed of the vehicle. For example, the high speed may be set equal to or greater than about 60KM/H, the medium speed is from about 30KM/H to less than about 60KM/H, and the low speed is less than about 30 KM/H.

When the degree of contamination is not 4 to 6 groups but 1 to 3 groups (S600), washing may be performed according to the wipe 1 mode to the wipe 3 mode in consideration of the vehicle speed (S511, S521, S531). However, the operating speed setting of the vehicle in the degree of pollution in the groups 1 to 3 (S600) may be set lower than the operating speed setting in the degree of pollution in the groups 4 to 6. For example, the high speed may be set equal to or greater than about 50KM/H, the medium speed will be from about 20KM/H to less than about 50KM/H, and the low speed will be less than about 20 KM/H.

As described above, one representative embodiment of the present disclosure may measure eight levels of contamination levels, set a horizontal (or linear) movement period of the image forming apparatus 300 according to the measured contamination levels, and set the number of cleaning periods in which the image forming apparatus 300 is inserted into the housing 200 and protrudes from the housing 200. In addition, in a corresponding mode, the wash fluid may be selectively dispensed to the camera module 320 through the wash fluid nozzle 260 during the washing process. Further, the controller 400 may be configured to determine whether the vehicle is autonomously driven, and set a special wash cycle during autonomous driving. In summary, the present disclosure provides a system for measuring the contamination level of the camera module 320 and adjusting the wash cycle based on vehicle speed, thereby enhancing the field of view by the external camera.

The above description illustrates the present disclosure. In addition, the foregoing description shows and describes representative embodiments of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure may be used in various other combinations, modifications, and environments. Accordingly, variations and modifications thereof may be made within the scope of the present disclosure as disclosed in the specification, the disclosed description and equivalents thereof, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. The above-described representative embodiments are intended to illustrate representative modes for achieving the technical spirit of the present disclosure, and various modifications may be made as required for a specific application or use of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the description is not intended to limit the disclosure to the representative embodiments disclosed herein. It is also intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative or additional embodiments.