Optical module comprising a camera and an opaque element for absorbing light

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical module (1) for a vehicle, comprising: - a camera (10) comprising a set of optical lenses (100); - a housing (11) configured to receive the camera (10); and - an outer lens (12) arranged facing the camera (10) and configured to hide the camera (10) from the outside of the vehicle; characterized in that the optical module (1) further comprises an opaque element (13) configured to absorb light (Lx) coming from the outside of the vehicle (2) so as to reduce the stray reflections of the light (Lx) on the set of optical lenses of the camera (10).

Description

[0001] This invention relates to an optical module for vehicles. The optical module is particularly, but not limited to, motor vehicles.

[0002] like Figure 1 As shown, examples known to those skilled in the art of the optical module 6 for a vehicle include:

[0003] - Includes a set of optical lenses 600 in the camera 60.

[0004] -A housing 61 configured to receive the camera 60

[0005] - An outer lens 62 is positioned facing the camera 60.

[0006] The outer lens 62 is opaque, which allows the camera 60 to be hidden from the outside of the vehicle. Therefore, an observer outside the vehicle cannot see the camera 60 when viewing the optical module 6. The camera 60 is used to monitor the vehicle's external environment. The camera generates images of the vehicle's external environment, which assist the driver, especially when the vehicle is parked. The vehicle displays the images from the camera 60 on its onboard screen.

[0007] One drawback of this prior art is that light Lx arriving from outside the vehicle, especially light from above, is reflected on the inner surface 620 of the outer lens 62 at the optical lens group 600, thus producing... Figure 1 The primary reflections r1 are shown. These primary reflections r1 are first-order reflections. These primary reflections r1 are then reflected on the inner surface 620 of the outer lens 62, thus producing secondary reflections r2, which return to the outer surface 62. Figure 1 The set of opaque lenses 600 is shown. These secondary reflections r2 are second-order reflections. These secondary reflections r2 produce parasitic diffusion of light Lx within the set of optical lenses 600, known as glare. The driver will see these secondary reflections r2 in the image generated by camera 60, which will cause visual annoyance to the driver viewing the image from camera 60 on the in-vehicle screen. This will make it difficult for them to park the vehicle.

[0008] In this context, the present invention aims to provide an optical module that allows for overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention proposes an optical module for a vehicle, the optical module comprising:

[0010] -A camera that includes a set of optical lenses.

[0011] -A housing configured to receive the camera.

[0012] - An external lens positioned facing the camera, the external lens being configured to conceal the camera from the outside of the vehicle, characterized in that the optical module further includes an opaque element configured to absorb light from the outside of the vehicle, thereby reducing parasitic reflections of the light on the set of optical lenses of the camera.

[0013] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the optical module may further include one or more of the following additional features, implemented individually or in any technically possible combination.

[0014] According to a non-limiting embodiment,

[0015] According to a non-limiting embodiment,

[0016] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the parasitic reflection originates from the reflection of light on the inner surface of the outer lens.

[0017] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the opaque element is the outer lens, which includes a first portion and a second portion and is opaque in a non-uniform manner.

[0018] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the first portion of the outer lens is less transparent than the second portion.

[0019] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the first portion is darker than the second portion.

[0020] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the thickness of the first portion is greater than that of the second portion.

[0021] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the first portion is made of a material that absorbs more light than the material of the second portion.

[0022] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the opacity of the first portion of the outer lens is between 30% and 50%.

[0023] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the transparency of the second portion of the outer lens is between 75% and 80%.

[0024] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the first portion of the outer lens is arranged at an angle greater than or equal to 11° relative to the optical axis of the camera.

[0025] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the first portion of the outer lens is arranged at an angle greater than or equal to 21° relative to the optical axis of the camera.

[0026] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the opaque element is positioned as an opaque cap protruding from the housing of the camera.

[0027] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the opaque element is an opaque cap positioned above the set of optical lenses of the camera.

[0028] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the housing includes a non-reflective inner surface.

[0029] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the light is natural light or light from a street lamp.

[0030] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the opacity of the first portion of the outer lens is between 30% and 50%, and the transparency of the second portion of the outer lens is between 75% and 80%.

[0031] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the first portion of the outer lens has an opacity of 50%, and the second portion of the outer lens has a transparency of 80%.

[0032] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the first portion of the outer lens is opaque in a variable manner.

[0033] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the thickness of the first portion of the outer lens is greater than 2 mm, and the thickness of the second portion is substantially equal to 2 mm.

[0034] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the first portion is arranged at an angle between 11° and 25° relative to the optical axis of the camera.

[0035] A better understanding of the invention and its various applications will be gained by reading the following description and studying the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] [ Figure 1 [Illustration] is a schematic diagram of an optical module for a vehicle according to the prior art, the optical module including a camera, a housing for the camera, and an outer lens.

[0037] [ Figure 2 [Illustration] is a schematic diagram of an optical module for a vehicle according to the present invention, the optical module including a camera, a housing for the camera, an outer lens, and opaque elements.

[0038] [ Figure 3 [This is a first alternative embodiment based on the first non-limiting embodiment.] Figure 2 A schematic side view of the optical module, according to this first non-limiting embodiment, wherein the outer lens and the opaque element are combined.

[0039] [ Figure 4 [This is a second alternative embodiment based on the first non-limiting embodiment.] Figure 2A schematic side view of the optical module, according to this first non-limiting embodiment, wherein the outer lens and the opaque element are combined.

[0040] [ Figure 5 [This is a third alternative embodiment based on the first non-limiting embodiment.] Figure 2 A schematic side view of the optical module, according to this first non-limiting embodiment, wherein the outer lens and the opaque element are combined.

[0041] [ Figure 6 [This is a first alternative embodiment based on the second non-limiting embodiment] Figure 2 A schematic side view of the optical module, in which, according to this second non-limiting embodiment, the outer lens and the opaque element are separate components.

[0042] [ Figure 7 This is a second alternative embodiment based on the second non-limiting embodiment. Figure 2 A schematic side view of the optical module, in which, according to this second non-limiting embodiment, the outer lens and the opaque element are separate components.

[0043] [ Figure 8 [This is based on a non-limiting embodiment] Figure 2 A schematic side view of an optical module, which is arranged at a certain distance from the street lamp;

[0044] Unless otherwise stated, elements that are identical in structure or function and appear in the various figures retain the same reference numerals.

[0045] Reference Figures 2 to 8 An optical module 1 for a vehicle 2 according to the present invention is described. In a non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle 2 is a motor vehicle. A motor vehicle is understood to mean any type of motorized vehicle. Throughout the remainder of the specification, this embodiment is used as a non-limiting example. Therefore, throughout the remainder of the specification, the vehicle 2 is also referred to as a motor vehicle 2.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, the optical module 1 for the motor vehicle 2 includes:

[0047] -Camera 10,

[0048] -Shell 11,

[0049] -External lens 12, and

[0050] -Opaque element 13.

[0051] Camera 10 includes a set of optical lenses 100. The set of optical lenses 100 includes one or more optical lenses. Camera 10 has a field of view (Fov). Camera 10 generates an image i1 of the external environment of the motor vehicle 2. In other words, the camera generates an image i1 related to a scene in the external environment. Therefore, camera 10 detects moving objects (such as other vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, etc.) or static objects (such as sidewalks, road markings, buildings, trees, etc.). In a non-limiting example, image i1 is displayed on the dashboard of motor vehicle 2 and allows the driver of motor vehicle 2 to perform operations for parking motor vehicle 2. In another non-limiting example, image i1 allows the driver to see vehicles that may come from the right and left at an intersection to determine whether they can safely cross the intersection. In yet another non-limiting example, image i1 is an image from a reversing camera. Therefore, these images allow pedestrians behind motor vehicle 2 to be seen, thus allowing the driver to perform reversing operations completely safely without hitting pedestrians. The camera 10 further includes an optical sensor 101 associated with the optical lens 100, the optical sensor 101 having an integration time t1. The integration time t1 is the opening time of a unit of the optical sensor 101.

[0052] In a non-limiting embodiment, camera 10 is an HDR or "high dynamic range" camera and has multiple integration times t1. An HDR camera allows for the reconstruction and thus generation of a single, noise-free final image using three images of a scene captured simultaneously, specifically through different integration times t1. This also improves the light contrast of the final image, resulting in more detail.

[0053] In one non-limiting embodiment, camera 10 is a wide-angle camera. In one non-limiting example, camera 10 has a total horizontal angle of 170° relative to the vehicle axis Ax. In a non-limiting embodiment, camera 10 is positioned at the front, rear, or side of the motor vehicle 2. In a non-limiting embodiment, camera 10 is positioned as follows:

[0054] -The marking on the front of motor vehicle 2, or

[0055] -In the headlights, or

[0056] - In the taillights, or

[0057] -On the rear bumper, or

[0058] - On the rearview mirror.

[0059] The housing 11 is configured to receive the camera 10. The housing is enclosed by an outer lens 12. In a non-limiting embodiment, the inner surface 11b of the housing 11 is black and non-reflective. To further reduce reflectivity, in another non-limiting embodiment, it is coated with a matte finish. This allows the camera 10 to be concealed from the outside of the vehicle 2. Therefore, an observer outside the vehicle 2 will not see the camera 10 if viewing the optical module 1.

[0060] An outer lens 12 (also referred to as a protective lens) is positioned facing the camera 10. This outer lens is configured to conceal the camera 10 from the outside of the vehicle 2. Therefore, the camera 10 is invisible to an observer viewing the optical module 1 from outside the vehicle 2. Consequently, the outer lens 12 is opaque. In a non-limiting embodiment, the outer lens 12 has an opacity substantially equal to 20% (in other words, a transparency substantially equal to 80%). The outer lens 12 has an inner surface 120 facing the camera 10 and an outer surface 121 facing the outside of the vehicle 2, opposite to the inner surface 120. In a non-limiting embodiment, the outer lens 12 encloses the housing 11.

[0061] The opaque element 13 is configured to absorb light Lx from outside the vehicle 2, thereby significantly reducing or even completely eliminating parasitic reflections of said light Lx on the optical lens group 100 of the camera 10 (in depicting the prior art). Figure 1 (marked as r2).

[0062] The light Lx from the outside is also referred to as external light Lx. This light Lx is natural light from the sun (also referred to as zenith light) or light from a street lamp. This light is light coming from above relative to the optical axis Aa of the camera 10. In a non-limiting embodiment, the optical axis Aa of the camera 10 corresponds to the optical center of the group of optical lenses 100.

[0063] As will be seen below, the opaque element 13 can be combined with or separate from the outer lens 12. Figure 2 In the diagram, the opaque element 13 is schematically shown as independent of the outer lens 12.

[0064] exist Figures 3 to 5 In the first non-limiting embodiment shown, the opaque element 13 is the outer lens 12. The opaque element 13 and the outer lens 12 are thus combined. The outer lens 12 consists of a first portion 12a (also referred to as the upper portion 12a) and a second portion 12b (also referred to as the lower portion 12b), and it is opaque in a non-uniform manner.

[0065] In a non-limiting embodiment, the first portion 12a and the second portion 12b are arranged such that they cover the field of view (Fov) of the camera 10.

[0066] The first part 12a is configured to directly receive light Lx, while the second part 12b is configured to directly receive a small portion of light Lx or not directly receive light Lx at all. Therefore, the upper part 12a is positioned above the lower part 12b along an axis Az perpendicular to the vehicle axis Ax. Note that light Lx can be reflected from the ground where the vehicle 2 is located, thus reaching the second part 12b specifically. Therefore, the second part 12b will receive light Lx, but primarily or even entirely indirectly through its reflection from the ground. Note that reflections from the ground produce almost no glare. Therefore, the sources of these reflections are streetlights and the sun. Another source could be other vehicles.

[0067] In a non-limiting embodiment, the upper portion 12a thus extends from the top 110 of the housing 11 to approximately the middle height of the camera 10, in other words, to approximately the optical axis Aa of the camera 10; while the lower portion 12b extends from the bottom 111 of the housing 11 to approximately the middle height of the camera 10, in other words, to approximately the optical axis Aa of the camera 10.

[0068] In a non-limiting embodiment, the upper portion 12a and the lower portion 12b are flat.

[0069] like Figure 8 As shown, in a non-limiting embodiment, camera 10 focuses up to a maximum observation distance D1 of 20 meters. In the worst-case scenario, camera 10 may be affected by... Figure 8 The streetlight 4 shown is subject to light glare at an angle β = Arctan(D2 / D1), where D2 = the size of the streetlight 4 minus the height h1 of the camera 10 relative to the ground 5. In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the camera 10 is positioned at a height h1 of 1 meter relative to the ground 5. This is the case for a camera 10 used for panoramic vision, referred to as a "panoramic camera". In one non-limiting embodiment, the streetlight 4 has a size D0 with a height between 5m and 9m. Therefore, β = Arctan(4 / 20) = 11°, where 4 = 5 meters minus 1 meter. Therefore, in one non-limiting embodiment, the first portion 12a is positioned at an angle β greater than or equal to 11° relative to the optical axis Aa of the camera 10. That is, the lower end of the first portion 12a stops above an angle β of 11°.

[0070] Note that the illuminance of street lamp 4 is approximately 500 lux, or 40,500 cd (candela) at a height of 5m. At an observation distance D1 of 20 meters, the illuminance will be approximately 100 lux, which is very low. On the other hand, at an observation distance D1 of 10 meters, the illuminance will be approximately 250 lux. The light Lx from this street lamp 4 will therefore cause a stronger glare effect at an observation distance D1 = 10m than at an observation distance D1 = 20m. Furthermore, in another non-limiting embodiment, the first portion 12a is arranged at an angle β greater than or equal to 21° relative to the optical axis Aa of camera 10.

[0071] In a non-limiting embodiment, the first portion 12a is arranged at an angle β between 11° and 25° relative to the optical axis Aa of the camera 10.

[0072] The first part 12a of the outer lens is less transparent than the second part 12b, and therefore absorbs more light Lx, while the second part 12b is more transparent, and therefore allows more light Lx, especially reflected light on the ground, as well as more direct light Lx (if it receives direct light), to enter.

[0073] In one non-limiting embodiment, the opacity of the first portion 12a is between 30% and 50% (in other words, the transparency is between 70% and 50%), while the transparency of the second portion 12b is between 75% and 80% (in other words, the opacity is between 20% and 25%). In a non-limiting alternative embodiment, the opacity of the first portion 12a is 50% (in other words, the transparency is 50%), while the transparency of the second portion is 80% (in other words, the opacity is 20%). This means that the first portion 12a blocks 50% of the light Lx, while the second portion 12b allows 80% of the light Lx reaching the optical module 10 to pass through.

[0074] In one non-limiting embodiment, the first portion 12a is variablely opaque. Therefore, in one non-limiting example, the opacity of the first portion 12a can gradually increase from bottom to top; in other words, it gradually increases from the end located near the optical axis Aa of the camera 10 to the end located near the top 110 of the housing 11. Similarly, in one non-limiting embodiment, the second portion 12b is variablely transparent. Therefore, in one non-limiting example, the transparency of the second portion 12b can gradually increase from top to bottom; in other words, it gradually increases from the end located near the optical axis Aa of the camera 10 to the end located near the bottom 111 of the housing 11.

[0075] The upper portion 12a absorbs light Lx, causing only a portion of the light to pass through the outer lens 12 at this level, and resulting in very little or no parasitic reflection on the inner surface 120 of the outer lens 12. These parasitic reflections disrupt the image i1 from the camera 10. Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the upper portion 12a absorbs most of the light Lx' and allows a small portion of Lx” to pass through. The upper portion 12a also significantly reduces or even eliminates other parasitic reflections, which are other secondary reflections on the optical lens group 100 and reflections of external light Lx inside the outer lens 12, in other words, reflections directly on the inner surface 120 of the outer lens, and return to the optical lens group 100.

[0076] The following describes three non-limiting alternative embodiments for making the first portion 12a of the outer lens 12 less transparent compared to the second portion 12b.

[0077] exist Figure 3 In the first non-limiting alternative embodiment shown, the first portion 12a is darker than the second portion 12b. This makes the first portion less opaque. Note that, in order to make the first portion 12a darker than the second portion 12b, in an industrial process, in one non-limiting embodiment, the upper portion 12a is darkened. Therefore, in one non-limiting example, the opacity of the upper portion 12a will be 30%, instead of 20%. In another non-limiting embodiment, the lower portion 12b is made clearer. Therefore, in one non-limiting example, the lower portion 12b will be 90% transparent, instead of the upper portion 12a being 70% transparent. To make the upper portion 12a darker, in one non-limiting example, a colored coating can be used. In another non-limiting example, a 2K or 3K multi-injection molding process can be used.

[0078] exist Figure 4 In the second non-limiting alternative embodiment shown, the thickness e1 of the first portion 12a is greater than the thickness e2 of the second portion 12b. Thickening the material of the first portion 12a makes it more opaque and therefore it absorbs more light Lx. In one non-limiting embodiment, the thickness e1 is greater than 2 mm. In one non-limiting embodiment, the thickness is equal to 3 mm to obtain 50% opacity. In one non-limiting embodiment, the thickness e2 is substantially equal to 2 mm.

[0079] Note that the material absorbs light according to the linear absorption coefficient α, such that P = P0 x exp(-αx e), where e is the thickness of the material, in this case e = e1, which is the thickness of the material in the first part 12a, P is the luminous power of light Lx, and P0 is the initial light power. Therefore, α = (4xπx k) / λ, where λ is the wavelength of light Lx, and k is the intrinsic extinction coefficient of the material in the first part 12a. k depends on the refractive index and dielectric constant of the material. Since the formula for k is known to those skilled in the art, k will not be described here.

[0080] exist Figure 5 In the third non-limiting alternative embodiment shown, the first portion 12a is made of a material m1 that absorbs more light Lx than the material m2 of the second portion 12b. In one non-limiting example, the lower portion 12b is made of PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) or PC (polycarbonate) material. In one non-limiting example, the upper portion 12a is made of PMMA or PC material with more colored pigments (shown as dots) inside, which will absorb light Lx and thus make the upper portion more opaque.

[0081] exist Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the second non-limiting embodiment shown, the opaque element 13 is independent of the outer lens 12 and is an opaque cap. Therefore, they are not combined. In this second non-limiting embodiment, in one non-limiting example, the outer lens 12 is 20% opaque and thus allows 80% of the light Lx from outside the vehicle 2 to enter. In one non-limiting embodiment, the opaque cap 13 is flat. The opaque cap 13 is arranged so as not to obstruct the field of view (Fov) of the camera 10.

[0082] exist Figure 6 In the first non-limiting alternative embodiment shown, the opaque cap 13 is positioned to protrude from the housing 11 of the camera 10. This opaque cap is parallel to the optical axis Aa of the camera 10 and extends from the top 110 of the housing 11. As can be seen, the opaque cap 13 absorbs light Lx. The opaque cap may absorb some or all of the light, depending on the opacity of the cap. In the non-limiting example shown, the opaque cap completely absorbs the light. In one non-limiting example, the opaque cap 13 is adhesively bonded to the housing 11.

[0083] exist Figure 7In the second non-limiting alternative embodiment shown, the opaque cap 13 is positioned above the set of optical lenses 100 of the camera 10. The opaque cap extends parallel to the optical axis Aa of the camera 10. As can be seen, the opaque cap 13 absorbs light Lx. The opaque cap absorbs light partially or completely, depending on the opacity of the cap. In the non-limiting example shown, the opaque cap absorbs light completely. In one non-limiting embodiment of this second non-limiting alternative embodiment, the opaque cap 13 is placed against the outer lens 12. In one non-limiting example, the opaque cap is adhesively bonded to the outer lens 12.

[0084] Note that in a camera without the opaque element 13, the darker the scene, the longer the integration time t1 must be for capturing and generating image i1 of that scene; conversely, the brighter the scene, the shorter the integration time t1 must be. Furthermore, without the opaque element 13, several integration times t1 are required to obtain a final image i1 with strong contrast between different regions of the image, in which details in all regions of the captured scene are clearly visible. For example, a shorter integration time t1 is needed to capture clouds in the sky that are brighter than the road (darker elements in the image become darker), while a longer integration time t1 is needed to capture bumps on the road that are darker than the sky (the sky is saturated and therefore becomes almost entirely white).

[0085] In image i1, the light intensity of the scene is greater towards the top (at sky level) than at the optical axis Aa of camera 10 or towards the ground. The opaque element 13 allows this difference in light intensity to be compensated for. The light intensity becomes more uniform across the entire image i1 generated by camera 10. The opaque element 13 also allows the top of image i1 to be darkened. Instead of using several integration times t1, a single integration time t1 is used, allowing details to be clearly seen in all areas of image i1, particularly at the top and bottom of the captured scene. Therefore, the contrast between individual elements in image i1 is reduced using the opaque element 13.

[0086] It should also be noted that in a camera without the opaque element 13, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the optical sensor 101 decreases by increasing the contrast in image i1. Specifically, without the opaque element 13, for a given integration time t1, the acquired image has more quantization error towards the extremes of light intensity. With the opaque element 13, the SNR increases due to the reduction of quantization noise at the extremes of light intensity. Therefore, conventional HDR does not require more than one image with different integration times t1.

[0087] Therefore, by utilizing the opaque element 13, the contrast of image i1 is reduced and the signal-to-noise ratio is increased, making it possible to see more details in image i1. Consequently, the driver observing image i1 from camera 10 will see the details more clearly, which will make operation easier, for example, when parking.

[0088] Of course, the description of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and fields described above. Therefore, in a non-limiting embodiment, the optical lens group 100 may be treated with an anti-reflective process. Therefore, in another non-limiting embodiment, the upper portion 12a may extend from the top 110 of the housing 11 to one-third of the height of the camera 10, rather than from the top of the housing 11 to approximately the middle height of the camera 10.

[0089] Therefore, the present invention described herein has the following particular advantages:

[0090] This allows for a significant reduction or even elimination of parasitic reflections on the optical lens group, namely parasitic reflections caused by light Lx; thus, it reduces or even eliminates glare, making it easier for the driver of vehicle 2 to view images from the camera.

[0091] -This allows the camera 10 to be hidden from observers viewing the optical module 1 from outside the vehicle 2.

[0092] This allows for a more uniform image and thus reduces contrast in image i1, resulting in better image rendering quality.

[0093] - This allows for an increase in the signal-to-noise ratio, especially in the darker areas that are typically positioned towards the bottom of the image i1.

Claims

1. An optical module (1) for a vehicle (2), the optical module (1) comprising: - A camera (10) including a set of optical lenses (100). - A housing (11) configured to receive the camera (10). - An outer lens (12) positioned facing the camera (10), the outer lens being configured to conceal the camera (10) from the outside of the vehicle (2), characterized in that the optical module (1) includes an opaque element (13) configured to absorb light (Lx) from the outside of the vehicle (2), thereby reducing parasitic reflections of the light (Lx) on the set of optical lenses of the camera (10); wherein the opaque element (13) is the outer lens (12), the outer lens (12) including a first portion (12a) and a second portion (12b) and being opaque in a non-uniform manner; wherein the first portion (12a) of the outer lens (12) is more opaque than the second portion (12b); wherein the first portion is an upper portion and the second portion is a lower portion, the upper portion being located above the lower portion.

2. The optical module (1) as described in claim 1, wherein, The parasitic reflection originates from the reflection of light (Lx) on the inner surface (120) of the outer lens (12).

3. The optical module (1) as described in claim 1, wherein, The first part (12a) is darker than the second part (12b).

4. The optical module (1) as described in claim 1, wherein, The thickness of the first part (12a) is greater than that of the second part (12b).

5. The optical module (1) as described in claim 4, wherein, The first part (12a) is made of a material (m1) that absorbs more light (Lx) than the material (m2) of the second part (12b).

6. The optical module (1) as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The opacity of the first portion (12a) of the outer lens (12) is between 30% and 50%.

7. The optical module (1) as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The transparency of the second portion (12b) of the outer lens (12) is between 75% and 80%.

8. The optical module (1) as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The first portion (12a) of the outer lens (12) is arranged at an angle (β) greater than or equal to 11° relative to the optical axis (Aa) of the camera (10).

9. The optical module (1) as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The first portion (12a) of the outer lens (12) is arranged at an angle (β) greater than or equal to 21° relative to the optical axis (Aa) of the camera (10).

10. The optical module (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The housing (11) includes a non-reflective inner surface (11b).

11. The optical module (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The light (Lx) is natural light or light from streetlights.

12. The optical module (1) as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The first part is configured to directly receive the light (Lx), and the second part is configured to directly receive a small portion of the light (Lx) or not directly receive the light (Lx).

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