Hyper-Hemispherical Optical Module for Vertical Aiming and Rain Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical imaging modules with hyper-hemispherical fields face challenges in achieving vertical aiming, compatibility with outdoor use in bad weather, and large-aperture systems, while maintaining optical quality and compact architecture.

Innovation Solution

An optical imaging module with a single-pupil head component featuring a refractive entrance surface and concave exit face, combined with an aberrations corrector and focusing objective, allowing for focal length variation in the field and improved radial resolution, and compatibility with multi-spectral use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a conventional fish-eye lens with horizontal tangent planes is used to achieve hyper-hemispherical field, then the field of view is obtained, but compatibility with outdoor use in rain is poor due to water drops disturbing the image

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehyper-hemispherical field of viewVSAvoidoutdoor compatibility in rain

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional fish-eye configuration by tilting the head component so that the entrance surface has a vertical orientation rather than horizontal tangent planes. This inversion of the orientation allows rain drops to run off the surface without disturbing the image, while still maintaining the hyper-hemispherical field of view through the optical design of the lens system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If a convex dome with mirror is used for outdoor use, then protection from bad weather is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and fragile

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from bad weatherVSAvoidsystem bulkiness and fragility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the protective function and the optical function into a single integrated head component. The tilted head component with hyper-hemispherical lens directly provides both the weather protection needed for outdoor use and the optical imaging function, eliminating the need for separate protective domes and mirror assemblies, thereby reducing bulkiness and fragility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the entrance surface is tilted vertically for outdoor use, then compatibility with rain is improved, but achieving vertical aiming toward the zenith becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverain compatibilityVSAvoidvertical aiming capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the orientation parameter of the head component to a tilted position, which simultaneously achieves two objectives: the vertical orientation of the entrance surface improves rain compatibility by allowing water runoff, while the specific tilt angle and optical design maintain the capability for vertical aiming toward the zenith through the optical path geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If a single-pupil head component with tilted entrance surface is used, then outdoor compatibility is improved, but optical quality and distortion control become more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutdoor compatibilityVSAvoidoptical quality and distortion control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a hyper-hemispherical lens design with specific curvature characteristics that compensate for the tilted entrance surface orientation. The curved optical surfaces are designed to control distortion and maintain optical quality despite the non-conventional tilted positioning, allowing the system to achieve both outdoor compatibility and high optical performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 enables a hyper-hemispherical field with vertical aiming, improved outdoor use in rain, robustness, and high optical quality, while maintaining compactness and multi-spectral compatibility, with controlled distortion and varying radial resolution.

Implementation Method 1

a single-pupil head component with hyper-hemispherical entrance field with refractive entrance surface and concave exit face

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

reflective peripheral zone referred to as primary mirror

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11221468B2Optical imaging module having a hyper-hemispherical field and controlled distortion and compatible with an outside environment

Publication Date: 2022.01.11 THALES SA

AI summary

An imaging module includes a single-pupil head component with hyper-hemispherical entrance field with refractive entrance surface, concave exit face, a refractive central zone and reflective peripheral zone. The imaging module also includes a secondary mirror, an aberrations corrector having an aspherical lens, a focusing objective, and an aperture diaphragm between the aberrations corrector and the objective. The head component is quasi-afocal in the vicinity of the field of 90° angular radius, its entrance surface has a ½ vertex angle of smaller than 30°, the secondary mirror is aspherical with variable local focal length with a maximum local power for a zone used by a field of 90° angular radius and minimum smaller by at least a factor of 2 for a zone used by a field of angular radius smaller than 20°.