Vehicle Camera Module Lens Heater Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current camera modules lack effective temperature control systems to prevent frost formation on lenses, leading to degraded camera performance and increased size due to separate heater integration, with no efficient mechanism to prevent overheating or maintain mechanical stability.
Innovation Solution
A camera module with a heater embedded within the lens, utilizing a switch electrode with different thermal expansion coefficients to control heat transfer efficiency and prevent overheating, allowing for temperature regulation without altering the lens assembly size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a heater is separately coupled to the camera module, then the camera can remove frost on the lens, but the camera module size increases and mechanical stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is integrated within the lens assembly structure, merging the heating function with the existing lens housing. This eliminates the need for separate heater components and reduces overall camera module size while maintaining frost removal capability on the lens surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater is nested inside the lens assembly, with the heating element positioned within the lens housing structure. This nested configuration allows the heater to be contained within the existing form factor, preventing size increase while providing effective heat transfer to the lens for frost removal.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a heater is separately coupled to the camera module, then the camera can remove frost on the lens, but mechanical stability of the heater decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is merged with the lens assembly structure, where the lens housing serves as both the optical element holder and the heater mounting structure. This integration provides rigid mechanical support and stable positioning, eliminating the mechanical instability associated with separately coupled heaters.
3Volume of stationary object
If a heater is integrated into the lens assembly, then the camera module size is maintained, but temperature control becomes difficult leading to overheating
Solution Approach 1:
A temperature sensor is integrated into the lens assembly to detect the actual temperature of the lens or heater. This temperature information is fed back to the control unit, which adjusts the heater power accordingly to maintain the lens temperature within a safe operating range, preventing overheating while maintaining effective frost removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically changes the heating parameters (power level, duty cycle) based on temperature feedback and environmental conditions. By adjusting these parameters in real-time, the system maintains effective frost removal while preventing excessive temperature rise that could damage the camera components.
4Ease of manufacture
If a simple heater structure is used, then manufacturing is easier, but heat transfer efficiency to the lens decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater structure is designed with localized heating zones that directly contact or are positioned adjacent to specific areas of the lens. This local quality approach ensures that heat is applied precisely where needed on the lens surface, maximizing heat transfer efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple overall heater structure that is easy to manufacture.
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
Enhances frost removal efficiency, maintains mechanical stability, and prevents camera performance degradation by embedding the heater within the lens and using a switch spacer for temperature control, enabling efficient heat transfer and stable heater operation.
Implementation Method 1
a heater disposed on a surface of the lens
Implementation Method 2
a switch electrode which selectively comes into contact with the heater, wherein a current is supplied to the heater through the switch electrode when the switch electrode and the heater are in contact with each other
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present invention relates to a camera module comprising: a lens a heater disposed on a surface of the lens; and a switch electrode which selectively comes into contact with the heater, wherein a current is supplied to the heater through the switch electrode when the switch electrode and the heater are in contact with each other, the current supply to the heater is cut off when the switch electrode and the heater are spaced apart from each other, and the switch electrode is spaced apart from the heater when the lens reaches a predetermined temperature or higher.