Camera Module With Integrated Lens Heating and Vibration Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Camera modules mounted on vehicles are susceptible to frost and moisture accumulation on the forwardmost lens, which can impair imaging quality and optical performance.
Innovation Solution
A camera module with a heater and dirt remover integrated on the forwardmost lens or protective glass panel to heat and remove moisture and particles using electrical or mechanical vibrations, combined with a hydrophobic coating and refractive index correction to maintain optical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the camera module is mounted on a vehicle exposed to outside air, then it can provide traffic information and security monitoring, but frost and rainwater easily form on the forwardmost lens surface
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is activated before imaging to preheat the forwardmost lens surface, preventing frost and rainwater from forming on the lens before they can accumulate and impair imaging quality
Solution Approach 2:
The heater changes the temperature parameter of the forwardmost lens surface, maintaining it above the dew point to prevent condensation and frost formation in cold environmental conditions
2Reliability
If separate heater and dirt remover components are used, then they can effectively remove moisture and particles, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater and dirt remover are merged into a single integrated component formed as one electrode pattern layer on the forwardmost lens, combining moisture heating and particle removal functions in a single structure
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated electrode pattern layer performs multiple functions: heating to remove moisture, generating electrical vibrations to remove particles, and can be configured in different regions (edge for heating, paraxial for particle removal) to serve both purposes
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 solution effectively maintains clear imaging by preventing frost and moisture buildup, ensuring accurate object imaging by keeping the lens surface clean and minimizing optical deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
a heater formed on the forwardmost lens, and configured to heat the forwardmost lens based on a first driving signal
Implementation Method 2
a dirt remover formed on the forwardmost lens, and configured to generate at least one of electrical vibrations, mechanical vibrations, and a voltage difference to remove particles attached to a surface of the forwardmost lens
Implementation Method 3
a dirt remover formed on the forwardmost lens, and configured to generate at least one of electrical vibrations, mechanical vibrations, and a voltage difference to remove particles attached to a surface of the forwardmost lens
Implementation Method 4
a hydrophobic coating layer formed on a surface of the forwardmost lens
Data Source
AI summary
A camera module, may include: a lens module including a forwardmost lens disposed closest to an object: a housing configured to accommodate the lens module; a heater formed on the forwardmost lens, and configured to heat the forwardmost lens by a first driving signal; and a dirt remover formed on the forwardmost lens, and configured to generate electrical vibrations or mechanical vibrations or a voltage difference to remove dirt attached to a surface of the forwardmost lens by a second driving signal.