Cone-Textured Glare Shield for Low-Reflectance Camera Vision
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional glare shields in vehicles are ineffective in scattering light effectively, leading to significant glare and reflection into camera lenses, which degrades the performance of autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle systems, and their manufacturing processes are complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
A cone-shaped texture with micro-cones and a low-reflectivity coating, combined with a dynamic orientation system, enhances light diffusion and reduces glare by scattering light in multiple directions, while a sintered tool steel insert simplifies manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional flat or slightly contoured glare shields with coatings are used, then the manufacturing process is relatively simple, but the light scattering effectiveness is insufficient leading to significant glare and reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies cone-shaped microstructures (curved surfaces) on the glare shield surface instead of flat or slightly contoured surfaces. These cone-shaped formations with specific angles (30-60 degrees) effectively scatter incoming light in multiple directions, significantly reducing glare and reflection into the camera lens while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through molding processes.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If specialized paints and coatings are applied to reduce reflectivity, then the glare reduction performance improves, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light scattering function from complex multi-step coating processes and implements it through geometric cone-shaped microstructures that can be molded directly into the glare shield. This eliminates or simplifies the need for specialized paints and multiple coating applications, reducing manufacturing complexity while achieving effective glare reduction through the physical geometry of the cones.
3Productivity
If conventional glare shield designs are used, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the Total Hemispherical Reflectance (THR) values remain high and camera performance is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface geometry parameters by introducing cone-shaped microstructures with specific dimensional parameters (cone angle of 30-60 degrees, specific height and base diameter ratios). These parameter changes enable precise control over light scattering behavior, achieving low THR values that improve camera performance while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through molded production.
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 significantly reduces glare and enhances camera performance by minimizing Total Hemispherical Reflectance (THR), ensuring consistent camera vision under varying lighting conditions, and streamlines the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
These micro-cones scatter incoming light in multiple directions, reducing the likelihood of direct reflections into the camera lens
Implementation Method 2
the surface of the glare shield is further treated with a coating such as an ultra-black coating that has low reflectivity and high light absorption properties
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure pertains to a glare shield designed to enhance the performance of vehicle camera systems, particularly those used in autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles. The glare shield features a textured surface composed of an array of micro-cones, or cone-shaped formations, which serve to scatter incident light in various directions, thereby reducing glare and improving camera vision. The micro-cones are optimized in size, angle, and orientation to minimize Total Hemispherical Reflectance (THR) and reflection penalty, enhancing the camera's ability to accurately interpret visual data. Additionally, the glare shield may include an electromechanical system for dynamic orientation adjustment in response to the position of external light sources, such as the sun. The manufacturing process of the glare shield utilizes a sintered tool steel insert, facilitating venting during molding and ensuring the precision of the cone-shaped texture.