Various techniques are provided for prevent excessive accumulation of moisture onto a surface of an optical component of an imaging device. In one example, a method includes providing a bulk layer of an optical component of a thermal imaging system, wherein the bulk layer is configured to pass thermal radiation. The method further includes depositing a diamond like coating (DLC) to provide an external surface of the optical component, wherein the DLC exhibits a resistance to abrasion. The method further includes forming a plurality of nanostructures in the optical component, wherein the nanostructures exhibit a superhydrophobic property to prevent excessive moisture accumulation on the external surface of the optical component. Additional methods and systems are also provided.

A vehicle sensor assembly includes an optical sensor surface, at least two transducers arranged to input energy into the optical surface to produce an energy wave through the optical sensor surface and sense an attribute of an energy wave within the optical sensor surface. A controller arranged to drive the at least two transducers to input energy into the optical surface to produce an energy wave within the optical sensor surface to dislodge debris from the optical sensor surface.

A side mirror system for a vehicle is provided. The side mirror system includes a camera disposed outside a vehicle and capturing a peripheral area of the vehicle, an electronic side mirror including a mirror panel and a display panel, a moving device moving the electronic side mirror to an inside or an outside of the vehicle, and at least one control circuit electrically connected to the camera, the electronic side mirror, and the moving device, wherein the at least one control circuit controls the electronic side mirror such that the electronic side mirror outputs an image obtained by the camera through the display panel or the peripheral area of the vehicle is reflected by the mirror panel and controls the moving device such that the electronic side mirror moves from the outside of the vehicle to the inside of the vehicle, when a specified condition is satisfied.

An endoscope and lens cleaning device assembly includes a tubular body, a visualization device including a lens, and a lens cleaning device. The visualization device is supported on a distal portion of the tubular body. The lens cleaning device is supported on the distal portion of the tubular body and includes an iris mechanism having a plurality of vanes. The vanes are movable between a first position in which the vanes are positioned radially outwardly of the lens of the visualization device and a second position in which the vanes cover the lens of the visualization device. Each of the vanes has a cleaning surface that is positioned to contact the lens of the visualization device as the vanes move between the first and second positions to clean the lens of the visualization device.

A sensor lens assembly includes a cylindrical sensor body including a lower surface, a sensor lens surface, and a side surface extending between the lower surface and an outer edge of the sensor lens surface, a sensor enclosed within the cylindrical sensor body and adjacent to the sensor lens surface, and a nozzle configured to deliver a fluid near a center point of the sensor lens surface. The sensor lens surface is concave and rotates relative to the side surface of the cylindrical sensor body such that centrifugal force causes the fluid to form a film on the sensor lens surface that acts as a barrier, cushion, and particle collecting medium on the sensor lens surface.

The invention relates to a motor vehicle instrument cluster, comprising a digital display screen which is intended to be hidden from the vehicle passengers and capable of displaying a source image containing a multitude of indicator modules for the driver of the vehicle, and a panel (20) located below the digital display screen, at least the main central (20A) and upper (20B) portions of said panel being opaque and reflective, the panel (20) being inclined relative to the display screen so as to reflect the source image towards the driver so that the latter perceives, in his/her field of vision, a virtual image located in front of the panel (20), characterized in that the lateral (20C) and lower (20D) portions of the panel (20) are transparent.

The camera module has a lens assembly comprising a body and a heating element with an optically transparent coating applied to the body for heating it as electric current flows for removing water-based obstructions. The module includes a power supply for supplying electric current to the optically transparent coating through conductors, and a lens barrel (for receiving the body comprising a passageway for the conductors extending within the lens barrel towards the lens body. The method comprises applying to the lens body, high- and low-refractive index layers and an aluminium-doped zinc oxide layer.

A cleaning apparatus that cleans a detection surface of a detection element includes a first cleaning member, a second cleaning member, a driving device, to which the first cleaning member and the second cleaning member are attached, configured to drive the first and second cleaning members to approach and recede from the detection surface, and a control unit configured to control the first and second cleaning members and the driving device.

A method for controlling a sensor assembly cleaning apparatus includes receiving sensor data from various vehicle sensors, determining a level of obscurement of the transparent surface, and determining whether the level of obscurement exceeds a threshold level. If the transparent surface is obscured beyond the threshold level, a control signal may be sent to the apparatus to initiate the ejection of pressurized air onto the transparent surface. Optionally, the method may further evaluate other parameters such as the vehicle velocity in relation to a threshold vehicle velocity prior to sending the control signal to ensure that the cleaning operation using pressurized air would not be superfluous in light of the vehicle velocity. In addition, a method for selectively activating the sensor assembly cleaning apparatus includes determining an activation schedule for the apparatus based on an arrangement of transparent surfaces and controlling the apparatus to operate based on the activation schedule.

Disclosed herein are a display apparatus having an improved structure to satisfy flexibility and durability at the same time and a method of manufacturing the same. The display apparatus includes a display panel to display an image, and a window cover having a first portion disposed to be integrally bent with the display panel and positioned at an inside of a bending direction and a second portion positioned at an outside of the bending direction and having different stiffness from the first portion.