Vehicular Camera Module Light Shielding for Stray Light Glare
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle imaging systems face challenges in effectively reducing stray light and glare from within the vehicle cabin, which can distort images captured by forward-facing cameras, especially when mounted on windshields with varying angles, leading to compromised image quality and driver assistance systems' accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A stray light shield with a tapered or wedge-shaped pocket is integrated into the camera module or attached as a separate component, featuring a light baffling system with vertically oriented baffle elements that limit extraneous light from entering the camera, ensuring that only light from external objects of interest is imaged, while reducing internal reflections and glare.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a standard camera module is used for forward-facing imaging, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to stray light and glare from the vehicle cabin
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is divided into separate functional components: a standard camera module and a distinct light shield assembly. The light shield includes multiple baffle elements that are spaced apart to create light-trapping regions, segmenting the light path to prevent stray light from reaching the sensor while maintaining a simple manufacturing process for each component
Solution Approach 2:
A light shield assembly acts as an intermediary component between the windshield and the camera module. This mediator blocks stray light and glare from the vehicle cabin before they can reach the camera sensor, improving image quality without requiring modification to the standard camera module itself
2Manufacturing precision
If light baffling elements are added to block stray light, then image quality is improved, but the device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light shield uses multiple discrete baffle elements spaced apart from each other, creating segmented light-trapping regions. This segmentation allows light to be blocked through multiple small barriers rather than one large complex structure, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle elements are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration with spacing between them, creating light-trapping regions in the space between elements. This spatial arrangement in another dimension allows effective stray light blocking without requiring the baffles to be densely packed, reducing device complexity
3Ease of operation
If the camera module is mounted directly to the windshield, then ease of operation is improved, but stray light from within the cabin enters the camera, worsening image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The light shield serves as an intermediary component that can be attached to the windshield along with the camera module. This mediator blocks stray light from the cabin interior before it reaches the camera, allowing the camera to be mounted directly to the windshield for ease of operation while maintaining image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The light shield with its segmented baffle elements creates multiple light-trapping regions between the windshield and camera module. This segmentation effectively blocks stray light paths while maintaining a compact design that allows direct mounting to the windshield
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 enhances image quality by minimizing the impact of stray light and glare, providing clearer images for driver assistance systems and improving the overall performance of vehicle vision systems across various windshield angles.
Implementation Method 1
The light shield may include a light baffling or light trapping structure or configuration or system that limits or reduces extraneous light that passes through a window or windshield of the equipped vehicle
Implementation Method 2
The stray light shield preferably provides a tapered or wedge-shaped pocket or recess that is disposed in front of the lens/image sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular camera module includes a main circuit board electrically connected with an imager circuit board having an imager disposed thereat. The vehicular camera module includes a housing having an upper cover and a lower cover that are joined together. Electronic circuitry disposed at a main printed circuit board of the main circuit board includes an image processor. The electronic circuitry disposed at the main printed circuit board of the main circuit board includes an electrical connector configured for electrical connection to a connector of a vehicular wire harness. With the imager operated to capture image data, captured image data is provided via a flexible ribbon cable to the electronic circuitry disposed at the main printed circuit board of the main circuit board. The imager is disposed within a rear portion of the housing and is not accommodated within a front portion of the housing.