Asymmetrical Vehicle Windshield Camera Lens Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera modules with wide angle lenses for vehicle external environment imaging face challenges in maintaining compact size while ensuring image recognition, thermal radiation, and electromagnetic compatibility, as they tend to increase in size due to the need for larger lenses and enhanced image processing, leading to interference with the vehicle occupant's field of view and increased heat and noise generation.
Innovation Solution
The camera module design incorporates a wide angle lens with an asymmetrical optical surface where the upper side has a larger optical surface than the lower side, allowing for enhanced image recognition above the vehicle while maintaining a compact size, and includes a hood with a base wall and side wall portions to restrict excess light incidence, along with a circuit unit using flexible boards and thermal radiation-enhancing materials to manage heat and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a wide angle lens with larger optical surface is used to enhance image recognition above the vehicle, then the imaging capability is improved, but the camera module size increases leading to interference with occupant's view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the wide angle lens with an asymmetrical optical surface where the upper side has a larger optical surface than the lower side. This allows the lens to capture a wider field of view above the vehicle for enhanced image recognition while maintaining a compact overall module size that does not interfere with the occupant's view.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the lens have different optical surface sizes. The upper side of the lens has a larger optical surface optimized for capturing images above the vehicle, while the lower side has a smaller optical surface, creating a localized optimization that improves imaging capability where needed without increasing overall module size.
2Measurement precision
If enhanced image processing is implemented to improve image recognition, then the imaging performance is improved, but heat and noise generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies intermediary by introducing a hood structure as a mediator between the lens and the external environment. The hood restricts excess light incidence on the lens, improving image quality by reducing unwanted light interference without requiring complex image processing, thereby avoiding the heat and noise generation associated with enhanced digital image processing.
3Measurement precision
If a hood is added to restrict excess light incidence, then the image quality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the hood structure with the camera module housing. The hood is formed as an integral part of the module structure, combining the light restriction function with the protective housing, thereby improving image quality without significantly increasing device complexity or requiring separate components.
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
This configuration enables effective image recognition of the external environment above the vehicle while keeping the camera module compact, reducing interference with the occupant's view and improving thermal radiation and electromagnetic compatibility by managing heat and noise effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a wide angle lens with an asymmetrical optical surface where the upper side has a larger optical surface than the lower side, allowing for enhanced image recognition above the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a hood with a base wall and side wall portions to restrict excess light incidence
Implementation Method 3
a circuit unit using flexible boards and thermal radiation-enhancing materials to manage heat and noise
Data Source
AI summary
A camera module, which is mounted on an inside of a front windshield of a vehicle and to image an external environment of the vehicle, includes a lens unit and an imager to image the external environment by forming an optical image, which is from the external environment through the lens unit.