On-Vehicle Camera Lens Glass Material Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
On-vehicle camera lenses face challenges with durability due to exposure to harsh environments, including acid rain, chemicals, ultraviolet radiation, and mechanical stress, which affect their optical performance and longevity.
Innovation Solution
Development of an on-vehicle camera lens glass material with enhanced acid resistance, scratch resistance, and ultraviolet resistance, characterized by specific chemical compositions and treatments such as high SiO2 and ZrO2 content, transparent crystallized glass, and the application of photocatalytic and hard coat films, ensuring chemical durability and optical homogeneity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plastic material or low refractive glass material is used for the imaging lens, then manufacturing cost and weight are reduced, but optical performance and durability in harsh environments deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite lens structures combining plastic lenses and glass lenses with different refractive indices. Specifically, it uses a first lens group with positive refractive power made of plastic material and a second lens group with negative refractive power made of glass material, creating a composite optical system that balances manufacturing cost with optical performance and environmental durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes glass materials with different refractive indices (high refractive index glass with nd≥1.70 and low refractive index glass with 1.50≤nd<1.70) to optimize the optical system. By carefully selecting and combining materials with specific refractive index parameters, the patent achieves superior optical performance while maintaining cost-effectiveness through partial plastic lens usage.
2Reliability
If high refractive optical glass is used to improve optical performance, then imaging quality is enhanced, but resistance to scratching and chemical durability worsen due to low hardness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite lens system where plastic lenses (with sufficient hardness) are combined with glass lenses. The plastic lenses serve as protective outer elements that resist scratching, while the glass lenses provide high optical performance. This composite structure allows the use of high refractive index glass internally without exposing its soft surface to environmental damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different parts of the lens system based on their functional requirements. Plastic material with high hardness is used for the first lens (object-side) that requires scratch resistance, while glass material with high refractive index is used for the second lens where optical performance is prioritized and protected from direct exposure.
3Ease of manufacture
If plastic material is used for the imaging lens, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but ultraviolet resistance and durability under sunlight exposure deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines plastic and glass materials in a multi-lens configuration where glass lenses with superior UV resistance are positioned to protect the optical system from ultraviolet radiation. The glass materials (both high and low refractive index) inherently provide better UV resistance compared to plastic, creating a protective barrier while maintaining cost-effectiveness through partial plastic usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The glass lenses act as intermediary protective elements between the plastic lenses and the harmful ultraviolet environment. The glass material serves as a mediator that filters and protects against UV radiation while allowing visible light to pass through, thereby protecting the plastic components from UV degradation without requiring the entire lens system to be made of UV-resistant glass.
4Reliability
If a protective member is installed at the front of the imaging lens to prevent environmental damage, then chemical durability is improved, but imaging view angle is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the lens elements themselves multi-functional by using plastic and glass materials that simultaneously provide optical functionality and environmental protection. The plastic lenses provide both imaging function and scratch resistance, while glass lenses provide both optical performance and UV/chemical resistance, eliminating the need for separate protective members that would restrict the view angle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the protective function with the optical imaging function by integrating protective plastic and glass lens elements directly into the imaging lens assembly. Rather than adding a separate protective cover, the protective materials are combined with the optical elements themselves, allowing the lens to maintain wide viewing angles while providing inherent protection against environmental factors.
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 proposed glass material provides improved chemical durability, scratch resistance, and ultraviolet resistance, enabling the production of on-vehicle camera lenses that maintain optical performance and longevity even in severe environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the application of photocatalytic and hard coat films
Implementation Method 2
the application of photocatalytic and hard coat films, ensuring chemical durability and optical homogeneity
Implementation Method 3
characterized by specific chemical compositions and treatments such as high SiO2 and ZrO2 content, transparent crystallized glass
Implementation Method 4
ensuring chemical durability and optical homogeneity
Data Source
AI summary
An on-vehicle camera lens glass material satisfies at least one of conditions in which a measurement result in water resistance based on a powder method prescribed by Japanese Optical Glass Industrial Standard is 1st Class, a measurement result in Knoop hardness based on a measurement method prescribed by Japanese Optical Glass Industrial Standard is 6th Class or higher, a measurement result in solarization based on a measurement method prescribed by Japanese Optical Glass Industrial Standard is 2% or less, and a measurement result in average linear expansion coefficient based on a measurement method prescribed by Japanese Optical Glass Industrial Standard is 100×10−7° C.−1 or less.