| CPC H04N 23/51 (2023.01) [B60R 11/04 (2013.01); B60S 1/56 (2013.01); G02B 27/0006 (2013.01); G03B 11/045 (2013.01); H04N 23/55 (2023.01); H04N 23/811 (2023.01); G03B 17/55 (2013.01)] | 12 Claims |
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6. A protected back-up camera for use on a vehicle, said camera comprising:
a lens configured to receive sunlight in order to capture moving images for transmission to an on-board monitor of the vehicle;
a circular track circumscribing the lens on which is disposed a curved shield, whereby the shield and the circular track are adapted to permit the shield to be selectively disposed above, below, and to the side of the lens to block a portion of the sunlight coming from a specific direction (without blocking the sunlight entirely) to reduce a glare on a surface of the lens, wherein a curvature of the shield substantially aligns with a curvature of the lens, and wherein the shield is configured to protect the lens from rain and accumulating snow without blocking a field of view of the lens;
a unitary eyelid-like disk-shaped cover configured to fully retract along a substantially linear path into the body of the vehicle to protect said lens from contact by elements wherein the edge of the unitary eyelid-like disk-shaped cover is shaped to nest against a non-articulating camera housing, wherein the unitary eyelid-like disk-shaped cover comprises a hood attached to an edge of the unitary eyelid-like disk-shaped cover, such that when the cover retracts the hood rotates into a position above the lens, and the hood is configured to provide a scooping action to brush accumulated debris or snow away from the lens as the cover is retracted; and
a cleaning system that comprises:
a water nozzle located below the lens to direct a short stream of water upwardly onto the surface of the lens to clean the lens; and
an air nozzle configured to direct a stream of air onto the surface of the lens after the water nozzle cleans the lens.
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