VEHICLE VISION SYSTEM CAMERA WITH ENHANCED WATER REMOVAL

摘要

A vision system of a vehicle includes a camera configured to be disposed at a vehicle so as to have a field of view exterior of the vehicle. The camera includes an imager and a lens. The imager includes a pixelated imaging array having a plurality of photosensing elements. With the camera disposed at the vehicle, the lens has an outer surface that is exposed to an environment exterior of the vehicle, and the outer surface of the lens includes a central portion and a lower portion, with the lower portion below the central portion when the camera is disposed at the vehicle. A water removal element is disposed at the lower portion of the lens. The water removal element is configured to cause a water droplet that collects at the lower portion of the outer surface of the lens to drain from the outer surface of the lens.

主权项

1. A vision system of a vehicle, said vision system comprising:
a camera configured to be disposed at a vehicle so as to have a field of view exterior of the vehicle; wherein said camera comprises an imager and a lens; wherein said imager comprises a pixelated imaging array having a plurality of photosensing elements; wherein, with said camera disposed at the vehicle, said lens has an outer surface that is exposed to an environment exterior of the vehicle; wherein said outer surface of said lens comprises a central portion and a lower portion, and wherein said lower portion is below said central portion when said camera is disposed at the vehicle; a water removal element disposed at said lower portion of said outer surface of said lens; and wherein, with said camera disposed at the vehicle, said water removal element disposed at said lower portion of said outer surface of said lens is configured to cause a water droplet that collects at said lower portion of said outer surface of said lens to drain from said outer surface of said lens.