TOF module, vehicle-mounted device and automobile

Abstract

The application provides a TOF module, a vehicle-mounted device and a vehicle. The TOF module comprises a cover, a transmitting module and a receiving module. The cover comprises a shielding structure. The transmitting module is arranged in the cover and is used for transmitting light to an identified object. A distance is kept between the transmitting module and the shielding structure, and the shielding structure is used for shielding part of the light emitted by the transmitting module. The receiving module is arranged in the cover and is used for receiving the light reflected by the identified object. The light originally irradiated on the structure in the vehicle close to the transmitting module of the TOF module is shielded by the shielding structure of the cover and cannot be reflected to the receiving module at a close distance. The stray light and crosstalk caused by the close-range reflection are avoided, so that the light information received by the TOF module can correctly reflect the condition of the driver in the vehicle, and the monitoring precision is high.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of vehicle-mounted camera technology, and more particularly to a TOF module, vehicle-mounted equipment, and automobile. Background Technology

[0002] With the widespread adoption of new energy vehicles and smart cockpits, driver monitoring systems (in-vehicle DMS modules) will inevitably become a regulatory requirement. DMS modules can accurately detect driver fatigue based on facial recognition, posture recognition, gesture recognition, and fatigue monitoring. Currently, most large DMS modules on the market use two-dimensional infrared cameras (2D IR cameras), but anti-counterfeiting and security are difficult to guarantee, making it hard to ensure the safety of vehicle owners' assets. 3D TOF (Time-of-Flight) modules, due to their higher depth accuracy, can be used for anti-counterfeiting and payment. Compared to 2D DMS, they offer higher security and are the preferred choice for DMS modules in mid-to-high-end vehicles in the future, inevitably becoming a future development trend. The working principle of a 3D TOF module is based on a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) as the transmitter and an infrared camera as the receiver. The laser emitted by the transmitter can be reflected by the object being illuminated, and the reflected laser can be received by the receiver to achieve distance detection of the object. However, for TOF modules inside vehicles, when the laser hits a structural component inside the vehicle that is close to the transmitter of the TOF module, there will be stray light and crosstalk problems caused by the structural component reflecting the light back to the receiver at close range. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a TOF module, an in-vehicle device, and a car to solve the problem of stray light and crosstalk caused by laser light reflected from structural components close to the TOF module's transmitting module inside the vehicle being received by the receiving end.

[0004] The first aspect of this application provides a TOF module, which includes a housing, a transmitting module, and a receiving module. The housing includes a blocking structure. The transmitting module is disposed inside the housing and is used to emit light to the object being identified. A gap is maintained between the transmitting module and the blocking structure, and the blocking structure is used to block part of the light emitted by the transmitting module. The receiving module is disposed inside the housing and is used to receive the light reflected by the object being identified.

[0005] The shielding structure of the housing blocks light from the vehicle interior structure that would otherwise illuminate the TOF module's transmitting module, preventing it from reflecting back to the receiving module at close range. This avoids stray light and crosstalk issues caused by close-range reflection, ensuring that the light information received by the TOF module accurately reflects the driver's condition inside the vehicle, resulting in high monitoring accuracy. A gap is maintained between the shielding structure and the transmitting module, positioning the shielding structure further away from the transmitting module. Compared to changing the window size, this application's shielding structure offers greater adjustment flexibility when blocking the same area of ​​light, facilitating dimensional design. Furthermore, slight changes in the shielding structure's size have minimal impact on the field of view, thus enabling precise control of the field of view accuracy. This ensures that the TOF module maintains complete driver condition recognition while partially blocking emitted light.

[0006] In one possible design, the enclosure includes a transparent cover plate, with a shielding structure disposed on the transparent cover plate.

[0007] The transparent cover allows light to pass through, enabling the transmitting and receiving modules to emit and receive light separately within the enclosed space inside the housing. It also prevents foreign objects from entering the housing, avoiding the risk of contamination of the transmitting and receiving modules and improving the reliability of the TOF module. A shielding structure can be installed on the transparent cover to block light that would otherwise illuminate the vehicle's interior structures close to the TOF module's transmitting module, preventing stray light and crosstalk issues caused by close-range reflections and improving the monitoring accuracy of the TOF module.

[0008] In one possible design, the shielding structure is located inside the transparent cover.

[0009] The shielding structure located on the inside of the transparent cover reduces the risk of the shielding structure being worn by external foreign objects, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the light blocking range of the shielding structure and ensuring the monitoring reliability of the TOF module.

[0010] In one possible design, the material of the shielding structure is an matte material. Matte materials have the property of absorbing light, which can prevent light from penetrating and thus serve to shield the light.

[0011] In one possible design, the matting material is one or more of adhesives, intermetallic compounds, inks, and paints.

[0012] In one possible design, the shielding structure is one or more of the following: a non-transparent screen-printed film layer, a coating layer, a composite material layer, and an adhesive tape.

[0013] When the shielding structure is a screen-printed film layer, opaque ink can be printed on the transparent cover using screen printing technology. Alternatively, the shielding structure can be a non-opaque paint film sprayed onto the transparent cover, or a non-opaque film layer can be plated onto the transparent cover using electroplating. A portion of the transparent cover can be made of a non-opaque composite material, or a non-opaque adhesive material such as black tape can be pasted onto the transparent cover. Alternatively, a transparent cover and a colored shielding structure can be made using plastic, adhesive, and two-color injection molding processes to block or reduce light intensity. Alternatively, an intermetallic compound can be used to create the shielding structure. In short, as long as the shielding structure has properties such as light-absorbing, low reflectivity, or high absorptivity, it can avoid stray light and crosstalk problems caused by close-range reflection, thereby improving the monitoring accuracy of the TOF module. In the above embodiments, the transparent cover is a glass cover, which has high manufacturability and high light transmittance.

[0014] In one possible design, the transparent cover is a glass cover. Glass covers are highly manufacturable and have high light transmittance.

[0015] In one possible design, the shielding structure is located within the housing.

[0016] The shielding structure installed on the housing can block light that would otherwise shine on the vehicle interior structure close to the TOF module's transmitting module, avoiding stray light and crosstalk problems caused by close-range reflections and improving the monitoring accuracy of the TOF module. The shielding structure can be a structural component connected to the housing or a part of the housing structure; it may or may not contact the transparent cover.

[0017] In one possible design, the shielding structure is integrally molded with the shell, reducing unnecessary connecting structures and improving manufacturability.

[0018] In one possible design, the shielding structure includes at least two shielding parts that are spliced ​​together in a direction C extending from the center a of the transmission module, and the materials of the at least two shielding parts are different.

[0019] The shielding structure of the cover includes at least two shielding parts. By changing the number of shielding parts, the range of light blocking can be changed, so that when the TOF module is installed in different positions inside the vehicle, it can avoid stray light and crosstalk problems caused by close-range reflection, thereby improving the monitoring accuracy and versatility of the TOF module.

[0020] In one possible design, the transmitting module includes a transmitter, and the distance d between the transmitter and the shielding structure is 2mm to 60mm.

[0021] When the distance d between the transmitter and the shielding structure is less than 2mm, the transmitter and shielding structure are too close. Changes in the length of the shielding structure result in a significant change in the range of light emitted by the transmitter, leading to low adjustment precision. When the distance d between the transmitter and the shielding structure is greater than 60mm, the overall size of the TOF module becomes too large, reducing the user's driving experience in situations with limited in-vehicle space. Therefore, a distance d between the transmitter and the shielding structure of 2mm to 60mm is optimal.

[0022] In one possible design, the shape of the shielding structure can be square, rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, circular, elliptical, or irregular. Depending on the actual needs of the TOF module being installed in different locations inside the vehicle, the design aims to minimize stray light and crosstalk issues caused by close-range reflections, thereby improving the monitoring accuracy of the TOF module.

[0023] A second aspect of this application provides an in-vehicle device that includes the TOF module described above, and has the aforementioned effects.

[0024] A third aspect of this application provides an automobile, including the vehicle-mounted device described above. The vehicle-mounted device is disposed on the frame of the automobile or an accessory of the automobile. The frame of the automobile or the accessory of the automobile is provided with a light-shielding structure for blocking part of the light emitted by the transmitting module in the TOF module, thus having the effect described above.

[0025] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and do not limit this application. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This application provides a schematic diagram of a TOF module in one usage environment;

[0027] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the TOF module from a first-person perspective.

[0028] Figure 3 for Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the TOF module in the B direction;

[0029] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the TOF module in the A direction;

[0030] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the TOF module in the second view.

[0031] Figure 6 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the TOF module, in which the shielding structure is set on the transparent cover plate;

[0032] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the combination of the central shielding structure and the transparent cover.

[0033] Figure label:

[0034] 1-Casing;

[0035] 11-Shielding structure;

[0036] 12- Transparent cover;

[0037] 13-Shell;

[0038] 14 - First opening;

[0039] 15 - Second opening;

[0040] 2- Transmission module;

[0041] 21-Transmitter;

[0042] 22-Homogeneous filter;

[0043] 23-Metal cap;

[0044] 3-Receiver module;

[0045] 4-Light-shielding structure;

[0046] 5. Interior structure;

[0047] Center a;

[0048] Extension direction C.

[0049] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0050] To better understand the technical solutions of this application, the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of this application and are not intended to limit this application.

[0051] In the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance; unless otherwise specified or explained, the term "multiple" refers to two or more; the terms "connected," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connected" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, an integral connection, or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0052] This application provides a TOF module, an in-vehicle device, and a vehicle, which can be used in the field of in-vehicle camera technology. Please refer to... Figures 1-2 As shown, the automobile of this application (not shown) includes an in-vehicle device, which includes a TOF module. The TOF module is disposed on the frame of the automobile or an accessory of the automobile. The frame of the automobile or the accessory of the automobile is provided with a light-shielding structure 4, which is used to block part of the light emitted by the emitting module 2 in the TOF module.

[0053] In this embodiment, the light-shielding structure 4 can be a structure found on the car frame or in car accessories. The light-shielding structure 4 can block part of the laser light emitted by the emitting module 2 in the TOF module (e.g., Figure 1 (As shown by the dashed arrow in the middle) This is to prevent the laser emitted by the transmitting module 2 from illuminating the parts of the car that are close to the transmitting module 2, thereby avoiding stray light and crosstalk problems caused by the laser reflected by the receiving module 3 from the parts of the car that are close to the transmitting module 2.

[0054] Specifically, please refer to Figure 1 As shown, without the light-shielding structure 4, the laser emitted by the transmitting module 2 of the TOF module can illuminate the vehicle interior structure 5, which is relatively close to the transmitting module 2. The laser reflected from the vehicle interior structure 5 is then received by the receiving module 3, leading to stray light and crosstalk problems. In this application, by providing the light-shielding structure 4, when the light originally illuminating the vehicle interior structure 5, which is relatively close to the transmitting module 2, is blocked by the light-shielding structure 4, the laser emitted by the transmitting module 2 will not illuminate the vehicle interior structure 5. This avoids the stray light and crosstalk problems caused by the laser reflected from the vehicle interior structure 5 being received by the receiving module 3. As a result, the light information received by the receiving module 3 of the TOF module can accurately reflect the driver's condition inside the vehicle, resulting in higher monitoring accuracy.

[0055] Among them, the in-vehicle structure 5 that is close to the TOF module transmitter 2 can be the vehicle's A-pillar, steering wheel, or dashboard, etc.

[0056] Please refer to Figures 1-3As shown, the TOF module of this application includes a housing 1, a transmitting module 2, and a receiving module 3. The housing 1 includes a blocking structure 11. The transmitting module 2 is disposed inside the housing 1 and is used to emit light to the object being identified. A gap is maintained between the transmitting module 2 and the blocking structure 11, and the blocking structure 11 is used to block part of the light emitted by the transmitting module 2. The receiving module 3 is disposed inside the housing 1 and is used to receive the light reflected by the object being identified.

[0057] In this embodiment, the shielding structure 11 of the cover 1 blocks the light that was originally shining on the vehicle interior structure 5 which is close to the TOF module transmitting module 2, so that it will not be reflected to the receiving module 3 at close range. This avoids stray light and crosstalk problems caused by close-range reflection, so that the light information received by the TOF module can accurately reflect the driver's condition inside the vehicle and the monitoring accuracy is high.

[0058] Regarding the design of the occlusion structure 11, an easy approach to consider is to design it within the TOF module itself, such as changing the size of the TOF module window to limit the field of view. However, since the window is close to the transmitter, a slight change in the window size can lead to a large change in the field of view. This approach makes it difficult to control both the change in window size and the accuracy of the field of view, resulting in a loss of the illumination range of the object to be identified while achieving light occlusion.

[0059] In this embodiment, a gap is maintained between the blocking structure 11 and the transmitting module 2, so that the blocking structure 11 is located away from the transmitting module 2. Compared with the above-mentioned method of changing the window size, when it is necessary to block the light in the same area, the blocking structure 11 in this embodiment has a larger adjustment space, which facilitates the size design of the blocking structure 11. Moreover, a slight change in the size of the blocking structure 11 has little impact on the field of view, thereby facilitating the control of the accuracy of the field of view and ensuring that the TOF module can ensure the integrity of the driver's condition recognition while blocking part of the emitted light.

[0060] Please refer to Figure 3 As shown, without the shielding structure 11, the laser irradiation angle is Δ, and with the shielding structure 11, the laser irradiation angle is γ, where γ is less than Δ.

[0061] Additionally, please refer to Figures 2-5 As shown, the housing 1 includes a first opening 14 and a second opening 15. The first opening 14 allows light emitted by the transmitting module 2 to pass through, and the second opening 15 allows light received by the receiving module 3 to pass through. Depending on the installation location of the TOF module in different vehicle interiors, the shielding structure 11 can block any part of the first opening 14.

[0062] Of course, the TOF module of this application can also be applied to other scenarios that require recognition of facial information and user status, such as rail transit, processing workshops, special operation equipment operation rooms, elderly care or simulation game equipment and other places.

[0063] In one specific embodiment, please refer to Figures 6-7 As shown, the cover 1 includes a transparent cover plate 12, and a shielding structure 11 is disposed on the transparent cover plate 12.

[0064] In this embodiment, the transparent cover 12 allows light to pass through, enabling the transmitting module 2 and the receiving module 3 to emit and receive light respectively within the enclosed space inside the housing 1. This also prevents foreign objects from entering the housing 1, avoiding the risk of contamination to the transmitting module 2 and the receiving module 3, and improving the reliability of the TOF module. The shielding structure 11 can be mounted on the transparent cover 12 to block light that would otherwise illuminate the vehicle interior structure 5, which is close to the TOF module's transmitting module 2, thus avoiding stray light and crosstalk problems caused by close-range reflection and improving the monitoring accuracy of the TOF module.

[0065] Specifically, please refer to Figure 6 As shown, the shielding structure 11 is disposed on the inner side of the transparent cover plate 12, which reduces the risk of the shielding structure 11 being worn by external foreign objects, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the light blocking range of the shielding structure 11 and ensuring the monitoring reliability of the TOF module.

[0066] The material of the shielding structure 11 can be a matte material. Matte materials have light-absorbing properties, preventing light penetration and thus providing a light-shielding effect. Specifically, the matte material can be one or more of the following: adhesive, intermetallic compound, ink, and paint.

[0067] More specifically, please refer to Figure 7 As shown, the shielding structure 11 can be one or more of the following: a non-transparent screen printing film layer, a coating layer, a composite material layer, or an adhesive tape. The shielding structure 11 is simple.

[0068] When the shielding structure 11 is a screen-printed film layer, that is, an opaque ink is printed on the transparent cover plate 12 using a screen-printing process. Alternatively, the shielding structure 11 can be a non-opaque paint film sprayed on the transparent cover plate 12, or a non-opaque film layer is plated on the transparent cover plate 12 using an electroplating process. Or, a part of the transparent cover plate 12 can be made of a non-opaque composite material. Alternatively, a non-opaque adhesive material such as black tape can be pasted onto the transparent cover plate 12. Alternatively, the transparent cover plate 12 and the colored shielding structure 11 can be made using plastic, dispensing, and two-color injection molding processes to block light or reduce light intensity. Alternatively, the shielding structure 11 can be made using intermetallic compounds. In short, as long as the shielding structure 11 has an ablation property, a low reflectivity property, or a high absorptivity property, it can avoid stray light and crosstalk problems caused by close-range reflection and improve the monitoring accuracy of the TOF module.

[0069] In the above embodiments, the transparent cover 12 is a glass cover, which has high manufacturability and high light transmittance.

[0070] In another embodiment, please refer to Figures 2-5 As shown, the housing 1 includes a housing 13, and the shielding structure 11 can also be disposed on the housing 13. This can also block the light originally illuminating the vehicle interior structure 5, which is close to the TOF module's transmitting module 2, thus avoiding stray light and crosstalk problems caused by close-range reflection and improving the monitoring accuracy of the TOF module. The shielding structure 11 can be a structural component connected to the housing 13, or it can be part of the housing 13. The shielding structure 11 may or may not contact the transparent cover plate 12.

[0071] Depending on the light-shielding requirements when the TOF module is installed in different positions inside the vehicle, the shielding structure 11 can be set on the inner wall, outer wall, or other positions of the housing 13.

[0072] Specifically, please refer to Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the shielding structure 11 and the housing 13 are integrally formed, reducing unnecessary connecting structures and improving manufacturability. The shielding structure 11 and the housing 13 can be made of metal or plastic.

[0073] In the above embodiments, please refer to Figure 3 As shown, the shielding structure 11 includes at least two shielding parts. In the direction C extending from the shielding structure 11 toward the center a of the transmitting module 2, the at least two shielding parts are spliced ​​together, and the materials of the at least two shielding parts are different.

[0074] In this embodiment, the shielding structure 11 of the cover 1 includes at least two shielding parts. By changing the number of shielding parts, the range of light blocking can be changed so that when the TOF module is installed in different positions inside the vehicle, stray light and crosstalk problems caused by close-range reflection can be avoided, thereby improving the monitoring accuracy and versatility of the TOF module.

[0075] The shielding structure 11 can be a combination of the shielding structure 11 provided on the transparent cover plate 12 and the shielding structure 11 provided on the housing 13 in the above embodiments, or it can be a combination of screen printing ink, plating, composite material layer and tape provided on the transparent cover plate 12.

[0076] Furthermore, along the extending direction C, the length of the shielding structure 11 can be 7.8mm to 9.0mm. Within this length range, the aspect ratio of the light emitted by the transmitting module 2 is close to 16:9, minimizing stray light and crosstalk problems while still being able to identify the complete driver status. Preferably, the length of the shielding structure 11 is 8.1mm.

[0077] Of course, depending on the light-shielding requirements when the TOF module is installed in different positions inside the vehicle, the shielding structure 11 can also be set at the intersection of the first opening 14 and the center a of the transmitting module 2 in the plane where the first opening 14 is located. The shielding structure 11 extends to either side of the center a to meet the requirements of different shielding positions and ranges. Alternatively, the shielding structure 11 can also be set at the position between the edge of the first opening 14 and the center a of the transmitting module 2 in the plane where the first opening 14 is located.

[0078] In the above embodiments, please refer to Figure 3 As shown, the transmitting module 2 includes a transmitter 21. The distance d between the transmitter 21 and the shielding structure 11 is 2mm to 60mm, and the distance d can be specifically 2mm, 5mm, 10mm, 20mm, 30mm, 40mm, 50mm, or 60mm.

[0079] like Figure 3 As shown, when the distance d between the transmitter 21 and the shielding structure 11 is less than 2mm, the transmitter 21 and the shielding structure 11 are too close. When the length of the shielding structure 11 changes, the range of light emitted by the transmitter 21 is significantly affected, resulting in low adjustment precision. When the distance d between the transmitter 21 and the shielding structure 11 is greater than 60mm, the overall size of the TOF module becomes too large, reducing the user's driving experience under limited in-vehicle space. Therefore, the optimal distance d between the transmitter 21 and the shielding structure 11 is 2mm to 60mm.

[0080] The transmitting module 2 also includes a light homogenizer 22, which is used to make the light intensity of all light rays become uniform after passing through the light homogenizer 22, and the metal cover 23 is used to fix the light homogenizer 22.

[0081] In the above embodiments, the shape of the shielding structure 11 can be square, rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, circular, elliptical or irregular. Depending on the actual needs of the TOF module being installed in different positions inside the vehicle, it can avoid stray light and crosstalk problems caused by close-range reflection as much as possible, thereby improving the monitoring accuracy of the TOF module.

[0082] Please refer to Figure 2 As shown, the shielding structure 11 of this application is square.

[0083] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A TOF module, characterized in that, include: A housing, the housing including a shielding structure; A transmitting module, disposed within the housing, is used to emit light toward the object to be identified. A gap is maintained between the transmitting module and the blocking structure, and the blocking structure is used to block part of the light emitted by the transmitting module. A receiving module, disposed inside the housing, is used to receive light reflected by the object being identified; The shielding structure includes at least two shielding parts. In the direction C extending from the center a of the transmitting module, the at least two shielding parts are spliced ​​together, and the materials of the at least two shielding parts are different.

2. The TOF module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cover includes a transparent cover plate, and the shielding structure is disposed on the transparent cover plate.

3. The TOF module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The shielding structure is located on the inside of the transparent cover.

4. The TOF module according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The material of the shielding structure is a matte material.

5. The TOF module according to claim 4, characterized in that, The matting material is one or more of the following: adhesive, intermetallic compound, ink, and paint.

6. The TOF module according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The shielding structure is one or more of the following: a non-transparent screen-printed film layer, a coating layer, a composite material layer, and an adhesive tape.

7. The TOF module according to any one of claims 2-3, characterized in that, The transparent cover is a glass cover.

8. The TOF module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cover includes a housing, and the shielding structure is disposed on the housing.

9. The TOF module according to claim 8, characterized in that, The shielding structure is integrally formed with the shell.

10. The TOF module according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The transmitting module includes a transmitter, and the distance d between the transmitter and the shielding structure is 2mm to 60mm.

11. The TOF module according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The shape of the shielding structure can be square, rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, circular, elliptical, or irregular.

12. A vehicle-mounted device, characterized in that, Includes the TOF module as described in any one of claims 1-11.

13. A car, characterized in that, The device includes the vehicle-mounted device as described in claim 12, wherein the vehicle-mounted device is disposed on the frame of the vehicle or an accessory of the vehicle, and the frame of the vehicle or the accessory of the vehicle is provided with a light-shielding structure for blocking part of the light emitted by the transmitting module in the TOF module.

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