Multi-Lens Camera Optics for Temperature-Stable ADAS Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems in camera modules for ADAS face challenges in maintaining consistent optical characteristics across varying temperature ranges, particularly in harsh environments such as high and low temperatures, leading to aberration and performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
An optical system comprising multiple lenses aligned along an optical axis with specific refractive powers, center thicknesses, and aspherical surfaces, along with a cemented lens design and aperture stop, to compensate for temperature-induced changes in focal length and maintain optical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple lenses are used to achieve high-definition and high-resolution imaging, then optical performance is improved, but the system becomes more sensitive to temperature changes and environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully selecting and adjusting the refractive indices, Abbe numbers, and focal lengths of individual lenses in the multi-element optical system. By optimizing these parameters across different temperature conditions, the system maintains stable optical characteristics from -20°C to 85°C despite using multiple lenses that would otherwise be sensitive to thermal changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining lenses made of different glass types with varying thermal expansion coefficients and refractive index temperature dependencies. This composite approach allows the optical system to compensate for temperature-induced changes, as different materials respond differently to thermal stress, thereby maintaining overall optical stability in harsh environments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the camera is placed outside or inside the vehicle to detect surroundings, then ADAS functionality is achieved, but the camera is exposed to harsh environments such as high temperature, low temperature, moisture, or high humidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of temperature changes into a beneficial compensation mechanism. By designing the optical system with lenses having different thermal characteristics, the temperature-induced focal length changes in one lens are compensated by opposite changes in other lenses, transforming the harmful thermal exposure into a self-correcting system that maintains optical performance across extreme temperature ranges.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional optical systems are used, then basic imaging is achieved, but optical characteristics and aberration characteristics cannot be uniformly derived in harsh environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the optical system into multiple independent lens elements, each with specifically designed optical properties. This segmentation allows individual lenses to be optimized for different functions and thermal responses, enabling the overall system to maintain uniform optical characteristics across varying temperatures where a single conventional lens would fail.
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 system maintains improved MTF and aberration control characteristics across a wide temperature range (-20°C to 105°C), ensuring consistent optical performance and minimizing changes in optical characteristics, thus enhancing reliability in ADAS applications.
Implementation Method 1
first to seventh lenses aligned along an optical axis from an object side toward a sensor side, wherein a refractive power of the first lens is negative, a composite refractive power of the second to seventh lenses is positive, a refractive power of the seventh lens is negative
Data Source
AI summary
The optical system disclosed in the embodiment of the invention includes first to seventh lenses aligned along an optical axis from an object side toward a sensor side, wherein a refractive power of the first lens is negative, a composite refractive power of the second to seventh lenses is positive, a refractive power of the seventh lens is negative, the first lens is a spherical lens having a maximum center thickness, the center thickness of the first lens may be greater than an optical axis distance from a center of an object-side surface of the fifth lens to a center of a sensor-side surface of the sixth lens.