Vehicle Camera Arrangement with Field of View Modifying Lens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera arrangements for vehicles, particularly those using windshields with a flat orientation, face issues with image refraction and distortion, and require external mounting and cable routing, which are not optimal for non-vertically oriented transparent panes.
Innovation Solution
A camera arrangement with a field of view modifying device, such as a lens, positioned on or integral with the second surface of a transparent pane, allowing the camera to be mounted on the opposing surface, enabling angled optical axes and eliminating the need for external mounting and cable routing, while using wide field of view or fisheye lenses for panoramic views.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the camera is positioned outside the vehicle to capture images through the windshield, then the field of view can be captured, but external mounting and cable routing are required which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the camera housing with the vehicle's existing transparent structure (windshield or light cluster cover), eliminating the need for separate external mounting. The camera is integrated behind the transparent pane, using the vehicle's own structure as the mounting platform, thereby removing external mounting requirements and simplifying cable routing.
2Ease of operation
If a flat windshield is used for camera mounting, then the camera can be positioned, but refraction and image distortion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lens element with curved surfaces positioned between the camera and the flat transparent pane. This lens compensates for the refraction caused by the flat windshield by pre-correcting the light paths, thereby eliminating image distortion while maintaining the simplicity of using a flat mounting surface.
3Ease of manufacture
If the camera optical axis is perpendicular to the transparent pane, then mounting is simplified, but the field of view is limited for non-vertical panes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a lens as an intermediary optical element that decouples the camera mounting orientation from the desired field of view. The lens can be oriented at various angles relative to the transparent pane, allowing the camera to be mounted with a perpendicular optical axis for ease of manufacture while the lens redirects light to capture the required angled field of view.
4Area of stationary object
If wide field of view or fisheye lenses are used, then panoramic views are achieved, but image distortion increases requiring correction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates image processing means that detects and corrects distortions introduced by wide-angle or fisheye lenses. The system captures the panoramic view with the distorted lens imagery, then applies computational algorithms to rectify the distortion, delivering a corrected panoramic image that maintains both wide coverage and geometric accuracy.
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 solution allows for improved image capture with reduced distortion and wider fields of view, enabling panoramic views without external mounting or cable routing, enhancing vehicle safety and driver assistance systems.
Implementation Method 1
The field of view modifying device is a lens
Data Source
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AI summary
A camera arrangement (20; 40; 50; 60; 70) is provided that comprises a camera (25; 42; 52; 62; 74) positioned adjacent a first surface (26; 46; 54; 66; 75) of a transparent pane (23; 43; 53; 63; 73), and a field of view modifying device (21; 41; 51; 61; 71). The field of view modifying device (21; 41; 71) is positioned on a second surface (26; 45; 72) of the transparent pane (23; 43; 71) that opposes the first surface (26; 46; 75) or is integral (51; 61) with the transparent pane (53; 63).