Abstract: An optical system to facilitate vehicle operation, a cleaning system to clean an optical element of the optical system and a hollow, protective plastic enclosure for use therein are provided. The cleaning system includes a flexible house having first and second ends, a nozzle fluidly coupled to the hose at the first end of the hose and a hollow protective plastic enclosure having a passageway extending through the enclosure and housing a portion of the hose within the passageway. The enclosure is configured to receive a camera assembly within an interior of the enclosure. The nozzle is configured and positioned at the first end of the hose to direct the flow of a cleaning fluid therethrough to an exterior surface of a transparent optical element to clean the exterior surface to allow the camera assembly to have an unobstructed view of an environment outside the vehicle.

Abstract: An optical system to facilitate vehicle operation, a cleaning system to clean an optical element of the optical system and a hollow, protective plastic enclosure for use therein are provided. The cleaning system includes a flexible house having first and second ends, a nozzle fluidly coupled to the hose at the first end of the hose and a hollow protective plastic enclosure having a passageway extending through the enclosure and housing a portion of the hose within the passageway. The enclosure is configured to receive a camera assembly within an interior of the enclosure. The nozzle is configured and positioned at the first end of the hose to direct the flow of a cleaning fluid therethrough to an exterior surface of a transparent optical element to clean the exterior surface to allow the camera assembly to have an unobstructed view of an environment outside the vehicle.