A-Pillar Camera Layout for Clear Front Imaging and Narrow Pillars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing front cameras in vehicles face issues with image quality due to windshield distortions and obstructions, and integrating them into the A-pillar compromises pillar stability and increases blind spots.
Innovation Solution
A camera is mounted partially or fully inside the A-pillar, oriented to minimize its space occupancy parallel to the line of sight, allowing for a narrow and stable pillar design while avoiding windshield-related image quality issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the camera is mounted in the A-pillar, then the image quality is improved by avoiding windshield distortions, but the pillar stability is reduced due to removing girder structure
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is nested within the A-pillar structure, with only the lens protruding outward. This allows the camera to be integrated into the pillar without requiring removal of girder structure, as the camera housing is contained within the existing pillar cross-section.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera is oriented with its optical axis extending laterally from the A-pillar rather than parallel to the pillar's longitudinal axis. This dimensional reorientation allows the camera to capture forward-facing images while minimizing the space required within the pillar's cross-section, preserving girder structure integrity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the A-pillar is made wider for camera mounting, then the camera integration is facilitated, but the blind spot area is enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is nested within the existing A-pillar cross-section, utilizing the available internal space without requiring pillar widening. The camera housing is contained within the pillar, and only the lens protrudes outward, maintaining the original external pillar dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera is oriented laterally with its optical axis perpendicular to the pillar's longitudinal direction. This allows the camera to be mounted within the existing pillar width while still achieving the desired field of view, eliminating the need to widen the pillar.
3Length of stationary object
If the camera space in the A-pillar is reduced, then the pillar remains narrow and stable, but the camera mounting becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is oriented with its optical axis extending laterally from the A-pillar rather than along the pillar's length. This reorientation allows the camera to achieve its required field of view while minimizing the space required within the pillar's cross-section, facilitating mounting in narrow pillars.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera is nested within the A-pillar structure with only the lens protruding outward. This configuration maximizes the use of available internal space and minimizes the impact on external pillar dimensions, simplifying integration into narrow pillars.
Data Source
AI summary
Camera (3, 103, 203) for a vehicle (1), which camera is designed: to be mounted at least partially inside an A-pillar (7, 107, 207) of the vehicle (1), to record image data for an area in front of the vehicle (1), and to be arranged in the A-pillar (7, 107, 207) in such a way that a space (24, 124, 224) taken up by the camera (3, 103, 203) inside the A-pillar (7, 107, 207) has a smaller maximum dimension (A1, A3, A5) parallel to a line of sight (14, 114, 228) of the camera (3, 103, 203) than its maximum dimension (A2, A4, A6) parallel to a longitudinal direction (L) of the A-pillar (7, 107, 207).