Dome Cover with Spherical and Aspherical Parts for Astigmatism Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dome camera configurations either require multiple molds for spherical dome covers, separate optical elements, or insufficiently correct astigmatism when the camera body tilts, leading to suboptimal image quality.
Innovation Solution
A dome cover with a spherical part and an aspherical part adjacent to each other, where the aspherical part is rotationally symmetrical around the center of the sphere, with a focal length ratio within specific conditional expressions to correct astigmatism and maintain image quality during camera tilt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a dome cover is formed using two or more spherical parts, then the image quality decrease is suppressed, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to requiring at least two molds and joining steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple spherical dome cover parts into a single integrated dome cover structure. The dome cover includes a first spherical part and a second spherical part that are formed as one piece, eliminating the need for separate molds and joining processes while maintaining the optical performance benefits of multiple spherical sections
Solution Approach 2:
The dome cover is divided into multiple spherical parts (first spherical part and second spherical part) with different curvature radii. Each spherical part has a specific curvature radius relationship (|R1-R2| < R1/2) that corrects astigmatism and maintains image quality, while the segmentation is integrated into a single manufacturable component
2Manufacturing precision
If separate optical elements are added to correct image quality, then the image quality decrease is suppressed, but the device complexity increases due to requiring additional components and driving mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the image quality correction function directly into the dome cover structure itself. The dome cover with its specific curvature radius relationship between spherical parts serves both as a protective cover and as an optical element that corrects astigmatism, eliminating the need for separate correction optical systems and their driving mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The dome cover performs multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the camera, provides a spherical viewing window, and corrects astigmatism through its specific geometric configuration. The curvature radius relationship (|R1-R2| < R1/2) enables the dome cover to function as both a structural component and an optical correction element
3Area of stationary object
If the camera body tilts on the extended shape side, then the coverage area increases, but astigmatism increases and image quality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different curvature radii to different parts of the dome cover. The first spherical part has curvature radius R1 and the second spherical part has curvature radius R2, with the relationship |R1-R2| < R1/2. This local variation in curvature quality corrects astigmatism that occurs during camera tilt while maintaining expanded coverage area
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 allows for a simple, single-component dome cover that effectively maintains image quality and light amount in the tilt region with a small number of components, correcting astigmatism and reducing image quality fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
The aspherical part has a shape symmetrical with respect to a rotation around a rotation axis including a center of a sphere of the spherical part. On a section including the rotation axis, a distance from the rotation axis to the aspherical part increases as a position of the aspherical part becomes more distant from the boundary
Data Source
AI summary
A dome cover for covering a camera, the dome cover includes a spherical part and an aspherical part. The spherical part and the aspherical part have a boundary, where the spherical part and the aspherical part are adjacent to each other, on each of a front surface and a back surface of the dome cover. The aspherical part has a shape symmetrical with respect to a rotation around a rotation axis including a center of a sphere of the spherical part. On a section including the rotation axis, a distance from the rotation axis to the aspherical part increases as a position of the aspherical part becomes more distant from the boundary, an angle formed between the rotation axis and a line segment connecting the center of the sphere and the boundary on the front surface is less than 90°. A predetermined condition is satisfied.