Vehicular Camera Module Light Shield for Windshield Stray Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle imaging systems face challenges in effectively reducing stray light, such as glare and scattered light from within the vehicle cabin, which can distort images captured by forward-facing cameras, particularly due to varying windshield angles and geometries.
Innovation Solution
A stray light shield is integrated into the camera module or as a separate component that includes a light baffling structure with angled baffles to limit extraneous light, adapting the camera module for specific vehicle windshield applications by using a customizable light shield that can be molded to fit different windshield angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a standard camera module is used without customization, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but imaging quality deteriorates due to stray light from varying windshield angles
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is divided into modular components: a standard camera module and a separate customizable light shield. The light shield is segmented into baffles with specific angles that can be adjusted independently to match different windshield geometries, allowing the camera module itself to remain standardized while achieving application-specific optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The light shield introduces local quality variations through angled baffles positioned at specific locations around the lens. Each baffle angle is optimized for particular windshield rake angles, creating localized light blocking structures that address stray light problems specific to different vehicle configurations without requiring complete camera module redesign.
2Manufacturing precision
If a customizable light shield is added to adapt to different windshield angles, then imaging quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light shielding function is extracted from the camera module itself and placed into a separate, attachable light shield component. This allows the camera module to remain simple and standardized, while the complexity of customization is isolated to the external light shield that can be added or removed as needed based on specific vehicle applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The light shield is designed with adjustable or interchangeable baffles that can be dynamically configured to match different windshield angles. This dynamic adaptability allows a single base component to serve multiple applications, reducing the need for entirely different camera modules for each vehicle type.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If light baffling structures are added to reduce extraneous light, then stray light reduction is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light shield with its baffle structures serves multiple functions: it blocks stray light from various directions, adapts to different windshield angles, and can be used with standardized camera modules across multiple vehicle applications. This multi-functionality justifies the added manufacturing cost by eliminating the need for multiple specialized camera modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The light shield is designed as a relatively simple, inexpensive accessory compared to the camera module itself. If optimization for a particular application is no longer needed, the light shield can be removed or replaced without affecting the core camera module, allowing for flexible, cost-effective adaptation to different applications.
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 imaging quality by reducing stray light, ensuring clear and accurate image capture for vehicle cameras, allowing a standard camera module to be adapted for various vehicles with different windshield configurations at a lower cost and increased flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
The light shield comprises a base portion and opposite sidewalls that taper towards the lens and that extend generally upwards from the base portion to form a wedge-shaped recess or pocket between the in-cabin surface of the windshield and the base portion, so as to block light emanating from inside vehicle from being received by the imager
Implementation Method 2
A stray light shield is integrated into the camera module or as a separate component that includes a light baffling structure with angled baffles to limit extraneous light
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular camera module includes a lens barrel having a first passageway accommodating a plurality of optical elements. A camera housing is formed by joining an upper cover with a lower cover. The upper cover of the camera housing includes a lens barrel receiving structure having a second passageway. The lens barrel is partially disposed in the second passageway of the lens barrel receiving structure. An annular face of an annular flange of the lens barrel is juxtaposed with an annular face of the lens barrel receiving structure. An adhesive contacts and bonds the annular faces. An imager is housed by the camera housing with its photosensor array aligned with the second passageway of the lens barrel receiving structure. The camera housing includes structure that cooperates with corresponding structure of a mounting bracket to detachably mount the vehicular camera module at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle.