# US 2021/0278570 A1 · Device for an image acquisition system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0278570 A1 - Document ID: US20210278570A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/812,587 - Filed: 2020-03-09 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2020-03-09 - Assignees: Motherson Innovations Company Limited - Applicants: Motherson Innovations Company Limited - Inventors: Philipp Hottmann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210278570A1 ## CPC - G02B 5/003: {Light absorbing elements} - G03B 11/045: {Lens hoods or shields} - B60R 11/04: Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle - 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)} - G03B 29/00: Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects (combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03) - H04N 23/52: Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements - H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof - B60R 2011/0066: {using screws, bolts, rivets or the like} - B60R 2011/0071: {using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like} - B60R 2011/0077: {using adhesive means, e.g. hook and loop fasteners} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract A device for use with a vehicle-mounted image acquisition unit includes a main body. The main body includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The main body further defines an interior cavity extending between the first end and the second end, and a plurality of apertures therethrough between the first end and the second end. The first end of the main body is configured to be disposed at or near the vehicle-mounted image acquisition unit. The vehicle-mounted image acquisition unit has a field of view extending through the interior cavity and through the second end to an outside environment surrounding a vehicle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for use with a vehicle-mounted image acquisition unit, the device comprising: a main body including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the main body further defines: an interior cavity extending between the first end and the second end; and a plurality of apertures therethrough between the first end and the second end; and wherein the first end of the main body is configured to be disposed at or near the vehicle-mounted image acquisition unit, the vehicle-mounted image acquisition unit having a field of view extending through the interior cavity and through the second end to an outside environment surrounding a vehicle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the main body is substantially cone-shaped such that the main body diverges from the first end toward the second end. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of apertures are arranged in a plurality of circumferential rows spaced apart from each other along a length of the main body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the main body further includes a plurality of stepped sections disposed adjacent to each other. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of stepped sections are defined on an inner surface of the main body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the main body further defines a longitudinal axis along its length, and wherein an aperture axis of each aperture is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the main body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one aperture from the plurality of apertures is cone-shaped along its length. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein each aperture has a circular cross-section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the main body is secured to the vehicle-mounted image acquisition unit by at least one of adhesive, fasteners and a ring mount. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, further comprising a flow unit configured to generate flow of a fluid within the interior cavity such that the fluid is discharged through the plurality of apertures. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a material including at least one of glass-filled nylon, nylon 66, polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polycarbonate- acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC-ABS). ### Claim 12 An image acquisition system for use with a vehicle, the image acquisition system comprising: an image acquisition unit mounted on the vehicle; and a device comprising a main body, the main body including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the main body further defines: an interior cavity extending between the first end and the second end; and a plurality of apertures therethrough between the first end and the second end; and wherein the first end of the main body is configured to be disposed at or near the image acquisition unit, the image acquisition unit having a field of view extending through the interior cavity and through the second end to an outside environment surrounding the vehicle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The image acquisition system according to claim 12, wherein the image acquisition unit comprises at least one of cameras, sensors, image sensors, optical sensors, laser sensors and scanners. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The image acquisition system according to claim 12, wherein the main body is substantially cone-shaped such that the main body diverges from the first end toward the second end. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The image acquisition system according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of apertures are arranged in a plurality of circumferential rows spaced apart from each other along a length of the main body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The image acquisition system according to claim 12, wherein the main body further includes a plurality of stepped sections disposed adjacent to each other. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The image acquisition system according to claim 12, wherein the main body further defines a longitudinal axis along its length, and wherein an aperture axis of each aperture is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the main body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The image acquisition system according to claim 12, wherein at least one aperture from the plurality of apertures is cone-shaped along its length. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The image acquisition system according to claim 12, wherein the first end of the main body is secured to the image acquisition unit by at least one of adhesive, fasteners and a ring mount. ### Claim 20 A device for use with a vehicle-mounted image acquisition unit, the device comprising: a main body including a first end, a second end opposite to the first end and a plurality of stepped sections disposed between the first end and the second end, wherein the main body further defines: an interior cavity extending between the first end and the second end; and a plurality of apertures therethrough between the first end and the second end; and wherein the first end of the main body is configured to be secured to the vehicle-mounted image acquisition unit, the vehicle-mounted image acquisition unit having a field of view extending through the interior cavity and through the second end to an outside environment surrounding a vehicle.