Articulated Vehicle Camera Lens Support for Collision Avoidance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Rearview cameras in vehicles often create blind spots and are at risk of collision due to their protrusion, especially in large vehicles navigating tight spaces, as existing solutions like manual or power-actuated mirror assemblies are insufficient for large vehicles and tight environments.

Innovation Solution

An image sensor device with a lens support articulated on a pedestal, allowing it to fold into a rest position when parked and automatically adjust between a driving position, intermediate position, and rest position based on vehicle commands or door actions, ensuring visibility and safety by being at least partly visible to the driver while avoiding collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the image sensor device protrudes out of the vehicle frame to provide visual information to the driver, then the driver can monitor the environment and avoid dead angles, but the risk of collision between the optical device and obstacles increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver's ability to monitor environmentVSAvoidrisk of collision with obstacles

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lens support is made movable between a protruding driving position (visible to driver) and a retracted position (less exposed to collision risk). The actuator system dynamically adjusts the position based on vehicle state, transforming a static vulnerable structure into a dynamic adaptive one that balances visibility and collision avoidance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically moves the lens support to a retracted position before door opening operations or when obstacles are detected, preventing collision before it occurs. This preliminary protective action eliminates the need for driver awareness of the protruding device in certain conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the optical device is placed at strategic positions like upper part of cab to avoid dead angles, then the driver's view is improved, but the device becomes invisible from the driver's seat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of driver's viewVSAvoiddriver's awareness of optical device position

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The lens support transitions between a retracted position (when driver needs awareness) and a protruding driving position (when optimal viewing is needed). This dynamic positioning allows the system to achieve strategic placement for view quality while maintaining driver awareness through visibility in the driving position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If manual or power-actuated mirror assemblies are used to allow retraction, then collision risk is reduced, but the solution is insufficient for large vehicles and tight environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision riskVSAvoidsuitability for large vehicles and tight environments

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The image sensor device serves multiple functions: it acts as a rearview camera for monitoring, a collision avoidance sensor for detecting obstacles, and a door operation sensor for coordinating with door movements. This multi-functionality makes the system universally applicable to various vehicle sizes and operating environments, unlike traditional mirror assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses obstacle detection feedback from the image sensor to automatically control the lens support position. When obstacles are detected in the path of door movement, the system receives feedback and automatically retracts the lens support, creating a closed-loop safety system adapted for large vehicles in tight environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If the lens support remains in driving position during door opening, then the driver maintains visibility, but the lens support may collide with the door

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver's continuous visibilityVSAvoidcollision with door during opening

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects door opening commands in advance and automatically moves the lens support to a retracted position before the door begins to move. This preliminary protective action prevents collision while allowing the driver to maintain visibility through other means during the door operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by retracting the lens support in anticipation of door movement, creating a safety margin that prevents the harmful collision effect before it can occur. This proactive approach prioritizes device protection while maintaining operational continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP3442829B1Camera used as a vehicle size reference and vehicle equipped with the same

Publication Date: 2021.03.03 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

Figure 1~2b
Figure 3~5

AI summary

The present invention is directed to an active optical device for a vehicle, which is also used as a visual reference for the driver, to manage the external dimensions of the vehicle. Such an active optical device can take several positions, such as a driving position, in which it is visible from the driver, and folded positions.