US 11,838,610 B2
Camera system
Werner Lang, Ergersheim (DE); and Stefan Centmayer, Ergersheim (DE)
Assigned to MEKRA LANG GMBH & CO. KG, Ergersheim (DE)
Filed by MEKRA Lang GmbH & Co. KG, Ergersheim (DE)
Filed on Sep. 20, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/479,725.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2020 124 959.4 (DE), filed on Sep. 24, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0094831 A1, Mar. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. H04N 23/52 (2023.01); B60R 1/12 (2006.01); B60R 11/04 (2006.01); H04N 23/51 (2023.01); B60R 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC H04N 23/52 (2023.01) [B60R 1/12 (2013.01); B60R 11/04 (2013.01); H04N 23/51 (2023.01); B60R 2001/1253 (2013.01); B60R 2011/004 (2013.01); B60R 2300/8046 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A camera system for a vehicle (F), comprising:
a camera for capturing a vehicle environment, wherein the camera has
an optical element, which has a light incidence portion (EB), and
a retainer, which supports the optical element, and
a protection element, which is positioned separately to the optical element and the retainer at least on the light incidence portion (EB) of the optical element, has a sight opening, which exposes a use portion (NB) of the light incidence portion (EB), and has a defined coding for attachment at the correct position relative to the optical element,
wherein at least one gap extends between the optical element and the protection element for capturing a water drop (T), which is located on the use portion (NB),
wherein a water drainage opening is provided distally from the sight opening; and
wherein the gap is formed by an inner notch having a longitudinal extension provided in at least one surface of the protection element, and said at least one surface faces the light incidence portion (EB) of the optical element.