# US 11,440,509 B2 · Method for removing deposits on a lens of a camera of a motor vehicle considering a temperature of the lens, cleaning device, camera assembly as well as motor vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,440,509 B2 - Document ID: US11440509B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/315,415 - Filed: 2017-07-03 - Published: 2019-10-03 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-04 - Assignees: Connaught Electronics Ltd. - Applicants: Connaught Electronics Ltd. - Inventors: Brian Michael Thomas Deegan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11440509B2 ## CPC - B60S 1/56: specially adapted for cleaning other parts or devices than front windows or windscreens {(rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior including cleaning devices B60R1/0602)} - G02B 27/0006: {with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation (G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B)} - B60R 11/04: Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle - B60R 2011/004: {outside the vehicle} - B60S 1/52: Arrangement of nozzles; {Liquid spreading means}(nozzles per se B05B) - B60S: SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract The invention relates to a method for removing deposits on a lens (11) of a camera (9) of a motor vehicle (1), in which a contaminant present on the lens (11) is removed as the deposit, wherein a cleaning liquid (13) is applied to the lens by means of a washing device (12) for removing the contaminant, wherein a temperature of the lens (11) is determined and the application of the cleaning liquid (13) to the lens (11) is performed depending on the determined temperature. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for removing deposits on a lens of a camera of a motor vehicle, comprising: removing a contaminant present on the lens as the deposit; applying a cleaning liquid to the lens by a washing device for removing the contaminant; determining a temperature of the lens and the cleaning liquid; wherein the application of the cleaning liquid to the lens is performed depending on the determined temperature of the lens; and wherein the application of the cleaning liquid to the lens is additionally performed depending on the temperature of the cleaning liquid. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning liquid is applied to the lens when the temperature of the lens falls below a predetermined threshold value. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein for determining the temperature of the lens, a temperature of the lens, a temperature of the camera or a temperature in an environment of the motor vehicle are measured. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein ice or liquid drops present on the lens are removed as the deposit, wherein the lens is warmed by means of a heating device for removing the ice or the liquid drops. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method according to claim 4, wherein an operating state of a heating device is determined and the application of the cleaning liquid to the lens is additionally performed depending on the determined operating state of the heating device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the cleaning liquid is applied to the lens when it is recognized as the operating state that the heating device is deactivated or was activated for a predetermined turn-on time, which is less than a predetermined limit value. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the application of the cleaning liquid to the lens remains undone when the heating device is recognized to be in an overheating state. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the application of the cleaning liquid to the lens remains undone when the temperature of the cleaning liquid falls below a predetermined first temperature limit value and the temperature of the lens exceeds a predetermined second temperature limit value. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein a deposit present on the lens is recognized by means of a contaminant recognition device and the application of the cleaning liquid is additionally performed depending on the recognized contaminant. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A cleaning device for a camera of a motor vehicle, which is adapted to perform a method according to claim 1. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A camera assembly comprising: a cleaning device according to claim 10; and a camera. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A motor vehicle comprising at least one camera assembly according to claim 11.