Flexible Light Blocking Element for Vehicle Camera

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging systems for motor vehicles face challenges in pre-mounting a light blocking element that is large enough to cover the camera lens diameter while maintaining a low stacking height for efficient transportation and assembly, as conventional rigid elements can be damaged during stacking and fail to accommodate varying lens sizes effectively.

Innovation Solution

A light blocking element with elastically deformable side wall sections and a trapezoidal bottom section, made from materials like thermoplastic elastomer or silicone rubber, which can compress to fit within the stacking height limit during transport and expand to cover the lens when assembled, ensuring effective light blocking and secure attachment to the windshield or camera housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid light blocking element is used to cover the camera lens, then the lens is effectively sealed from light, but the element cannot be compressed to fit within stacking height limits during transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight blocking effectivenessVSAvoidstacking height

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The light blocking element transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure that can change its height. The element is compressed to a first height for stacking during transport and expands to a second, greater height when installed to cover the camera lens, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining light blocking effectiveness and reducing stacking height.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical state of the light blocking element is changed from rigid to flexible, enabling it to be compressed and expanded. This parameter change in material properties allows the element to adapt its height dimension - compressed to fit stacking limits during transport and expanded to effectively seal around the lens during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the light blocking element is made large enough to cover the camera lens diameter, then light blocking is effective, but the stacking height exceeds transport limits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight blocking effectivenessVSAvoidstacking height

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The light blocking element transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure that can change its height. The element is compressed to a first height for stacking during transport and expands to a second, greater height when installed to cover the camera lens, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining light blocking effectiveness and reducing stacking height.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If a rigid light blocking element is pre-mounted to the windshield, then the imaging system can be assembled early, but the element may be damaged during stacking and transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepre-mounting capabilityVSAvoiddamage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The physical state of the light blocking element is changed from rigid to flexible, enabling it to be compressed and expanded. This parameter change in material properties allows the element to adapt its height dimension - compressed to fit stacking limits during transport and expanded to effectively seal around the lens during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible nature of the light blocking element provides inherent cushioning and damage protection during stacking and transport. Unlike rigid elements that can crack or break under compression, the flexible element can withstand the mechanical stresses of stacking without damage, ensuring reliability during the pre-mounting and transport phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 light blocking element that is both large enough for the camera lens and compact enough for transportation, preventing light leakage and ensuring precise alignment, while being durable and easy to handle, thus improving the pre-mounting process and reducing the risk of damage during assembly.

Implementation Method 1

The wall sections may be elastically deformable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The wall sections may be elastically deformable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic recovery: Elastic Recovery

Data Source

PatentUS11420569B2Flexible light blocking element

Publication Date: 2022.08.23 MAGNA ELECTRONICS SWEDEN AB

AI summary

A light blocking element (5) for an imaging system (1) for a motor vehicle including a bottom section (6), a left wall section and a right wall section (8), the wall sections (8) extending from an opening (12) for reception of a camera lens (4) between the wall sections (8), the wall sections (8) being attached to the bottom section (6) at a first end (9), the wall sections' second end (13) being adapted to be attached to a motor vehicle windshield (2). The wall sections (8) being elastically deformable.