Close-In Illumination Module With 170° Uniform Field Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging systems face challenges in providing uniform illumination over a wide field of view, especially in low-light conditions, which can affect the detection and classification of objects, particularly in scenarios like night environments or semi-autonomous vehicle applications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an optical system that includes a camera with modular illumination modules, each comprising a light-emitter device and a secondary optical element configured to provide a light emission pattern with an azimuthal angle extent of at least 170 degrees, ensuring 70% uniform illumination intensity across the field of view, and can be angled to reduce stray light and improve image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional imaging systems use standard illumination sources, then the system structure remains simple, but the illumination uniformity across wide field of view deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A secondary optical element is introduced as an intermediary between the light emitter and the scene to reshape the light emission pattern. This element redirects light rays to achieve uniform illumination across a wide field of view (at least 170 degrees azimuthal angle extent) without requiring complex multi-source illumination arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the emission parameters of the light source by using a secondary optical element to transform the light emission pattern. This allows a single light emitter to produce a controlled wide-angle uniform illumination pattern, achieving the effect of multiple sources with a single source.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the emission axis is aligned with the optical axis, then the system alignment is simple, but stray light increases and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The emission axis of the light emitter is intentionally misaligned (tilted) relative to the optical axis of the camera. This asymmetric arrangement, combined with the secondary optical element, redirects light away from the optical path that would cause stray light and lens flare, thereby improving image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary optical element acts as a mediator that compensates for the misalignment between the emission axis and optical axis. It reshapes the light pattern and redirects rays to illuminate the scene uniformly without creating stray light, maintaining system simplicity despite the tilted configuration.
3Illumination intensity
If standard light emission patterns are used, then the illumination module design is simple, but the ability to illuminate wide field of view uniformly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary optical element serves as a compact intermediary that transforms standard point-source light emission into a wide-angle uniform illumination pattern. This approach achieves 170+ degrees azimuthal coverage without requiring multiple light sources or complex illumination geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary optical element changes the spatial distribution parameters of the emitted light, transforming a narrow emission pattern into a wide uniform pattern. This parameter transformation enables single-source wide-area illumination with controlled uniformity.
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 enables effective detection and classification of objects in various lighting conditions by providing consistent and uniform illumination, enhancing image quality and reducing occlusions, thus improving the performance of imaging systems in vehicles and other applications.
Implementation Method 1
a secondary optical element optically coupled to the at least one light-emitter device. The secondary optical element is configured to provide a light emission pattern having an azimuthal angle extent of at least 170 degrees
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to optical systems, vehicles, and methods that are configured to illuminate and image a wide field of view of an environment. An example optical system includes a camera having an optical axis and an outer lens element disposed along the optical axis. The optical system also includes a plurality of illumination modules, each of which includes at least one light-emitter device configured to emit light along a respective emission axis and a secondary optical element optically coupled to the at least one light-emitter device. The secondary optical element is configured to provide a light emission pattern having an azimuthal angle extent of at least 170 degrees so as to illuminate a portion of an environment of the optical system.