Lens Temperature Compensation for Accurate Vehicle Distance Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image pickup apparatuses in vehicles face challenges in maintaining accurate focal position due to temperature changes, especially in harsh environments, leading to unreliable distance measurement data.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus that includes a processor and memory to acquire temperature information along the optical axis of the lens unit, generating distance measurement data by correcting for temperature-induced focal shifts using multiple temperature sensors and heat-conductive members to dissipate heat effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a correction lens is physically moved by a driving unit such as a motor to adjust the focal position, then the focal position can be corrected to acquire highly accurate distance measurement data, but the structure becomes complex and reliability decreases in harsh environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical driving unit (motor) that physically moves the correction lens with a temperature control system. By controlling the temperature of the correction lens using heating or cooling mechanisms, the focal position is adjusted without mechanical movement, thereby eliminating the complexity and reliability issues associated with motors in harsh environments while maintaining accurate distance measurement capability
2Measurement precision
If a correction lens is physically moved by a driving unit such as a motor to adjust the focal position, then the focal position can be corrected, but the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the mechanical driving unit (motor) and associated mechanical structures by substituting them with a temperature control system. The correction lens's focal position is adjusted through thermal control rather than physical movement, significantly simplifying the device structure while maintaining the ability to correct focal position for accurate distance measurement
3Temperature
If temperature changes occur in the lens unit, then the focal position shifts, but distance measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where temperature sensors continuously monitor the temperature of the lens unit, and this temperature information is fed back to the control apparatus. The control apparatus calculates the focal position shift based on the detected temperature and adjusts the correction lens position accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that maintains distance measurement accuracy despite temperature variations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter (temperature) of the correction lens to adjust its focal position. By controlling the temperature of the correction lens through heating or cooling mechanisms, the refractive index and focal length of the lens are modified, enabling focal position correction without mechanical movement and maintaining distance measurement accuracy under varying temperature conditions
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
Enables highly accurate distance measurement data acquisition by compensating for focal position changes caused by temperature variations, ensuring reliable operation in demanding conditions.
Implementation Method 1
acquire information regarding a temperature along an optical axis direction of the lens unit
Implementation Method 2
heat-conductive members to dissipate heat effectively
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus controls an image pickup apparatus including an image pickup unit configured to capture image data and a lens unit having a plurality of lenses. The control apparatus includes a processor and a memory storing a program that causes the processor to execute a plurality of tasks. The plurality of tasks includes an acquiring task configured to acquire information regarding a temperature along an optical axis direction of the lens unit and a generating task configured to generate distance measurement data from the image data according to the information regarding the temperature.