Imaging device protector and cleaner

Abstract

An imaging device enclosure for a vehicle including a housing having an image device aperture. A motor is disposed in the housing and is operably connected with a mobile wedge. The mobile wedge is operable between an extended position and a retracted position. An imaging device is slidably connected with the mobile wedge and is movable between the retracted position corresponding to the extended position of the mobile wedge and the extended position corresponding to the retracted position. A flexible boot is disposed over the image device aperture. The flexible boot defines a flexible opening. The imaging device protrudes through the flexible opening when the imaging device is in the extended position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An imaging device assembly for a vehicle comprising:
 a housing;   an imaging device disposed in the housing and operable between a stowed position and a deployed position;   a cam operably coupled to the imaging device; and   a motor disposed in the housing and connected with the cam, wherein activation of the motor rotates the cam to a first position corresponding with the stowed position of the imaging device, and wherein subsequent activation of the motor rotates the cam to a second position corresponding with the deployed position of the imaging device.   
     
     
         2 . The imaging device assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is generally cylindrically shaped and wherein the housing is disposed inside a cylindrical shutter tube. 
     
     
         3 . The imaging device assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the cam simultaneously rotates the cylindrical shutter tube and the moves the imaging device between the stowed position and the deployed position. 
     
     
         4 . The imaging device assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the imaging device moves linearly between the stowed position and the deployed position. 
     
     
         5 . The imaging device assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the cylindrical shutter tube defines a shutter aperture and the housing defines a lens opening, and wherein the shutter aperture and the lens opening are aligned when the imaging device is in the deployed position and are misaligned when the imaging device is in the stowed position. 
     
     
         6 . An imaging device assembly for a vehicle comprising:
 a housing including an upper portion and a lower portion;   an imaging device disposed in the lower portion of the housing and rotatable between a stowed position and a deployed position;   a cam operably coupled to the imaging device; and   a motor disposed in the upper portion of the housing and connected with the cam, wherein activation of the motor rotates the cam to a first position corresponding with the stowed position of the imaging device, and wherein subsequent activation of the motor rotates the cam to a second position corresponding with the deployed position of the imaging device.   
     
     
         7 . The imaging device assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 an intermediate wall disposed between the upper portion of the housing and the lower portion of the housing.   
     
     
         8 . The imaging device assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the cam is disposed outside the upper portion of the housing and is in abutting contact with the intermediate wall disposed between the upper portion of the housing and the lower portion of the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The imaging device assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the imaging device pivots about a rear portion of the intermediate wall when moving between the stowed position and the deployed position. 
     
     
         10 . The imaging device assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the imaging device is spring-biased to the stowed position. 
     
     
         11 . The imaging device assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the lower portion of the housing generally defines a trapdoor operable between a closed position corresponding to the stowed position of the imaging device and an open position corresponding to the deployed position of the imaging device. 
     
     
         12 . The imaging device assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the cam includes a substantially cylindrical construction. 
     
     
         13 . The imaging device assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 an imaging device plate disposed on a rear portion of the imaging device, the imaging device plate including a cam engagement surface that is in abutting contact with the cam.   
     
     
         14 . An imaging device assembly for a vehicle comprising:
 a housing including an upper portion and a lower portion;   an imaging device disposed at least partially in the lower portion of the housing and operable between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the imaging device is spring-biased to the stowed position;   a cam disposed in the upper portion of the housing and in abutting contact with a cam engagement surface of the imaging device; and   a motor disposed in the upper portion of the housing and including a drive shaft connected with the cam, wherein activation of the motor rotates the cam to a first position corresponding with the stowed position of the imaging device, and wherein subsequent activation of the motor rotates the cam to a second position corresponding with the deployed position of the imaging device.   
     
     
         15 . The imaging device of  claim 14 , wherein the cam includes a substantially cylindrical construction. 
     
     
         16 . The imaging device of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 an imaging device plate disposed on a rear portion of the imaging device, the imaging device plate including a cam engagement surface that is in abutting contact with the cam.   
     
     
         17 . The imaging device of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 rotation pins disposed on the imaging device plate, wherein the imaging device rotates about the rotation pins between the stowed position and the deployed position.   
     
     
         18 . The imaging device of  claim 14 , wherein the imaging device is also partially disposed in the upper portion of the housing. 
     
     
         19 . The imaging device of  claim 14 , wherein the imaging device pivots about a rear portion of the housing when moving between the stowed position and the deployed position. 
     
     
         20 . The imaging device of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 first and second limit switches that prevent over rotation of the cam.