Close-In Illumination Module for Wide-Angle Uniform Vehicle Imaging
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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 affects the ability to detect and classify objects accurately, particularly in scenarios like night environments or semi-autonomous vehicle applications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an optical system comprising a camera and illumination modules with light-emitter devices and secondary optical elements that 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 modular attachment structures allowing interchangeable positioning of these modules to optimize illumination patterns.
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:
The patent introduces a secondary optical element as an intermediary component between the light emitter and the scene. This secondary optical element (such as a lens or reflector) modifies the light emission pattern to achieve wide-angle uniform illumination without requiring complex multi-element illumination arrays, thus resolving the contradiction between illumination quality and structural simplicity.
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. By adjusting the azimuthal angle extent to at least 170 degrees and controlling the tilt angle, the system achieves uniform illumination across wide field of view while maintaining a relatively simple single-element illumination module structure.
2Area of stationary object
If the field of view is expanded to capture wider scenes, then the coverage area increases, but the illumination uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves both wide field of view coverage and uniform illumination by changing the emission pattern parameters. The secondary optical element is designed to provide a light emission pattern with azimuthal angle extent of at least 170 degrees, and the tilt angle is optimized to ensure uniform illumination intensity (at least 70% uniform) across the entire wide field of view, simultaneously satisfying both requirements.
3Volume of moving object
If light-emitter devices are positioned closer to the camera for compact design, then the device size reduces, but stray light interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary optical element acts as an intermediary that manages light paths between the compactly positioned light emitter and the camera. By carefully designing the emission pattern through this secondary element, the system directs light away from the camera sensor while still illuminating the scene, thus reducing stray light interference despite the compact proximity of components.
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 configuration enhances the ability to detect and classify objects across a wide field of view with uniform illumination, reducing stray light and improving image quality, even in low-light conditions, and allows for adaptive illumination based on vehicle speed and temperature.
Implementation Method 1
Each illumination module 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
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.