IP Library Granted Patent US 12,403,845
Granted Patent B2
US 12,403,845 · App. 18/550,768 · Granted Sep 2, 2025

Light deflecting air vents for light trap

Inventors: Gustav Alm (Vårgårda, SE); Erik Rosenlund (Vårgårda, SE)
Assignee: QUALCOMM Auto Ltd.
B60R11/04
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,403,845
App. No.
18/550,768
Granted
Sep 2, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a camera device light-trap arrangement ( 2 ) that comprises a lens opening ( 3 ), adapted to receive a camera lens assembly ( 4 ), and a rim border ( 5 ) that is adapted to abut a vehicle windshield ( 21 ) and has a width (w) that extends between an outside edge ( 6 ) and an inside edge ( 7 ). The rim border ( 5 ) circumvents an area (A) inside the inside edge ( 7 ) and comprises a first plurality of channels ( 8, 8 ′) that fluidly connect the outside edge ( 6 ) and the inside edge ( 7 ) when the rim border ( 5 ) is mounted to abut a vehicle windshield ( 21 ). Each channel ( 8, 8 ′) comprises inner walls ( 13, 14, 15 ) and an open side ( 16 ) that is adapted to face a windshield ( 21 ). A second plurality of channels ( 8, 8 ′), comprised in the first plurality of channels, extend in at least two different extension directions (D 1 , D 2 ; D 1 , D 3 ) from the outside edge ( 6 ) to the inside edge ( 7 ).

Claims (24)

1. A light-trap arrangement that comprises:

a lens opening adapted to receive a camera lens assembly; and

a rim border that is adapted to abut a vehicle windshield and has a width that extends between an outside edge and an inside edge, wherein the rim border at least partially defines an area inside the inside edge and comprises a plurality of channels that fluidly connect the outside edge and the inside edge, wherein each channel of the first plurality of channels comprises inner walls, wherein a first channel of the plurality of channels forms a first shape extending in a first direction from the outside edge to the inside edge and a second channel of the plurality of channels forms a second shape extending in a second direction from the outside edge to the inside edge, wherein the first shape is different than the second shape, and wherein the first direction is different than the second direction.

2. The light-trap arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein at least one inner wall of the second channel extends in an arcuate manner.

3. The light-trap arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of channels are coated by a matte microstructure.

4. The light-trap arrangement according to claim 3 , wherein the matte microstructure is formed as a texture in an injection molding tool that is used for molding the light-trap arrangement, where the texture is formed by one or more of photo etching, electrical discharge machining, abrasive sand blasting, and lasering.

5. The light-trap arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein a light beam that enters the second channel via an outside opening at the outside edge is obscured from exiting the second channel via an inside opening at the inside edge, each opening being defined by the inner walls and the open side.

6. The light-trap arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the light-trap arrangement is comprised in a mounting bracket.

7. The light-trap arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the first channel has a rectangular cross-section, a triangular cross-section, or a cross-section that follows a wave-form pattern.

8. A camera device, adapted to be mounted in a vehicle, where the camera device comprises:

a camera housing;

a lens assembly; and

a light-trap arrangement that comprises a lens opening, adapted to receive the lens assembly, and a rim border that is adapted to abut a vehicle windshield and has a width that extends between an outside edge and an inside edge, wherein the rim border at least partially defines an area inside the inside edge and comprises a plurality of channels that fluidly connect the outside edge and the inside edge, wherein each channel of the first plurality of channels comprises inner walls, wherein a first channel of the plurality of channels forms a first shape extending in a first direction from the outside edge to the inside edge and a second channel of the plurality of channels forms a second shape extending in a second direction from the outside edge to the inside edge, wherein the first shape is different than the second shape, and wherein the first direction is different than the second direction.

9. The camera device according to claim 8 , wherein at least one inner wall of the second channel extends in an arcuate manner.

10. The camera device according to claim 8 , wherein the first plurality of channels are coated by a matte microstructure.

11. The camera device according to claim 10 , wherein the matte microstructure is formed as a texture in an injection molding tool that is used for molding the light-trap arrangement, where the texture is formed by one or more of photo etching, electrical discharge machining, abrasive sand blasting, and lasering.

12. The camera device according to claim 8 , wherein a light beam that enters the second channel via an outside opening at the outside edge is obscured from exiting the second channel via an inside opening at the inside edge, each opening being defined by the inner walls and the open side.

13. The camera device according to claim 8 , wherein the light-trap arrangement is comprised in a mounting bracket.

14. The camera device according to claim 8 , wherein the first channel has a rectangular cross-section, a triangular cross-section, or a cross-section that follows a wave-form pattern.

15. A vehicle comprising:

a windshield;

a camera housing;

a lens assembly; and

a light-trap arrangement that comprises a lens opening, adapted to receive the lens assembly, and a rim border that is adapted to abut the windshield and has a width that extends between an outside edge and an inside edge, wherein the rim border at least partially defines an area inside the inside edge and comprises a plurality of channels that fluidly connect the outside edge and the inside edge, wherein each channel of the first plurality of channels comprises inner walls, wherein a first channel of the plurality of channels forms a first shape extending in a first direction from the outside edge to the inside edge and a second channel of the plurality of channels forms a second shape extending in a second direction from the outside edge to the inside edge, wherein the first shape is different than the second shape, and wherein the first direction is different than the second direction.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 11, 2024
From: ARRIVER SOFTWARE AB
To: QUALCOMM AUTO LTD.
Reel/Frame 069171/0233 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 15, 2023
From: ALM, GUSTAV; ROSENLUND, ERIK
To: ARRIVER SOFTWARE AB
Reel/Frame 064918/0794 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 15, 2023
From: VEONEER SWEDEN AB
To: ARRIVER SOFTWARE AB
Reel/Frame 064919/0610 →