Self-cleaning lens shield
US6607606B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 19, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 23, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B27/0006
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention is a method and apparatus for shielding the lens and the field of view of an optical device, such as a camera or an image projector, from obstruction by unwanted contaminants such as dust, dirt, rain, and the like. The invention employs a transparent shield positioned to protect the lens from such contaminants. A wiper is positioned to be in contact with the shield but the wiper is also positioned to not obstruct the field of view. A rotation mechanism is used to cause rotation of the shield. Contaminants that may be deposited upon the shield may be wiped from the shield by the wiper yet the wiper does not obstruct the field of view. Rotation of the shield allows a portion of the shield that is obstructed by a contaminant to be rotated away from the field of view. Rotation of the shield allows a portion of the shield that has been wiped to be rotated into the field of view.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.