Motor Vehicle Camera Objective Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor vehicle camera systems face challenges with temperature-sensitive plastic lenses that alter optical characteristics, especially in extreme temperatures, making it difficult to maintain imaging quality across the required automotive temperature range of -40°C to 95°C.
Innovation Solution
A camera arrangement with a temperature measurement device and a temperature adjustment device that thermally couples with the objective to adjust its temperature, reducing the effective temperature range and maintaining optical specifications, using a heating or cooling device to regulate the temperature within a predetermined range of 50°C to 85°C, thereby minimizing optical characteristic changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plastic lenses are used in camera objectives, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but optical characteristics become temperature-sensitive and imaging quality deteriorates in extreme temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by actively controlling the temperature of the plastic lens to maintain its optical characteristics. A temperature sensor detects the lens temperature, and a control unit adjusts heating or cooling to keep the lens within an optimal temperature range, thereby stabilizing refractive index and other optical parameters despite external temperature variations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temperature control mechanisms (heating elements and cooling elements) as intermediaries between the plastic lens and the external environment. These intermediaries actively regulate the lens temperature, preventing direct thermal influence from extreme ambient conditions on the optical characteristics
2Adaptability or versatility
If the camera operates across the full automotive temperature range of -40°C to 95°C, then environmental adaptability is improved, but optical characteristic changes increase and imaging quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic temperature control where the lens temperature is actively adjusted based on real-time sensing. The system transitions from static operation across a wide temperature range to dynamic regulation that maintains the lens within a narrow optimal temperature window, adapting to environmental conditions while preserving optical precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by preemptively controlling the lens temperature before extreme temperatures affect imaging quality. The temperature control system activates in advance to prevent optical characteristic degradation, rather than attempting to correct it after damage occurs
3Reliability
If temperature control is implemented to maintain optical quality, then imaging reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by integrating temperature control functionality into the existing camera module. The heating and cooling elements, along with the temperature sensor and control unit, are incorporated as part of the camera system's standard architecture, allowing the same system to serve both imaging and thermal management functions without requiring entirely separate subsystems
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
This solution allows for reliable operation of camera systems with plastic lenses across extreme temperatures, maintaining optical quality and reducing the need for more expensive glass lenses, while also enabling the use of non-linear objectives with improved aperture angles and longer ranges.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature measurement device, configured to measure the temperature of the objective and/or of the environment of the objective
Implementation Method 2
A temperature adjustment device is thermally coupled to the at least one objective and configured to adjust the temperature of the objective
Implementation Method 3
using a heating or cooling device to regulate the temperature within a predetermined range of 50°C to 85°C
Implementation Method 4
using a heating or cooling device to regulate the temperature within a predetermined range of 50°C to 85°C
Data Source
AI summary
A camera arrangement for or in a motor vehicle includes at least one objective with each objective including at least one lens. A temperature measurement device is configured to measure the temperature of the objective and/or of the environment of the objective. A temperature adjustment device is thermally coupled to the at least one objective and configured to adjust the temperature of the objective as a function of the measured temperature.