Annular Lens Heater for Automotive Camera De-icing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive camera modules mounted externally face challenges in maintaining image clarity due to frost and ice formation on the lens in cold and humid winter conditions, requiring efficient and energy-effective heating solutions that are also easy to integrate and manufacture without compromising optical performance.
Innovation Solution
An annular-shaped heating element is integrated directly onto the objective lens within the camera module's lens barrel, optimized for efficient heat transfer and protected from environmental factors, using resistive materials and controlled by a substrate with image sensor and control circuitry to maintain lens temperature without affecting optical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the heater is installed at the vicinity of the cover glass or around the housing, then the heating coverage is improved, but the heat transfer efficiency deteriorates and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is extracted from the housing/cover glass area and directly integrated onto the objective lens. This allows the heater to be positioned exactly where it is needed (on the lens surface) rather than at a distance, improving heat transfer efficiency while maintaining adequate heating coverage with reduced energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater is applied locally directly to the objective lens surface rather than being distributed around the housing. This localized heating approach concentrates thermal energy precisely where required, improving both heat transfer efficiency and energy utilization while preventing energy loss to surrounding structures.
2Area of stationary object
If the heater is installed at the vicinity of the cover glass or around the housing, then the heating coverage is improved, but the installation complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heater and objective lens are merged into a single integrated component. The heating element is applied directly to the lens surface, eliminating the need for separate housing-mounted heater assemblies and their associated mounting structures, thereby simplifying both manufacturing and installation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The objective lens serves dual functions: optical focusing and heat reception. By making the lens itself the heat-receiving surface, the design eliminates the need for separate heating components and mounting mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining heating coverage.
3Reliability
If a mechanical housing with cover glass is used to protect the camera unit, then the protection from environmental factors is improved, but the heat transfer path becomes longer and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is extracted from the protected internal environment and applied directly to the objective lens surface. This allows the heater to operate effectively despite the protective housing, by placing the heat source as close as possible to the target surface, thereby compensating for the insulating effect of the housing and cover glass.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively de-ices the lens with minimal power consumption and no permanent influence on the lens components, ensuring consistent image quality across extreme temperatures while simplifying the manufacturing and installation process.
Implementation Method 1
the heating element configured to produce heat when an electrical current is caused to flow through it
Data Source
AI summary
A lens assembly for a camera module is disclosed that includes a lens barrel having a base portion at a distal end, the base portion positioned at an object-side of the lens assembly; a plurality of optical elements disposed in a stacked arrangement within the lens barrel along an optical axis; an objective lens having a first surface facing the object-side of the lens assembly and a second surface opposing the first surface; a heating assembly having an annular-shaped heating element disposed on the second surface of the objective lens, the heating element configured to produce heat when an electrical current is caused to flow through it; and a lens cap attached in mating engagement to the base portion of the lens barrel securing the objective lens therebetween.