Light-Conducting Motor Vehicle Camera Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor vehicle cameras often experience insufficient illumination of their surroundings, particularly in the rear area, which can hinder effective image capture and driver assistance systems.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle camera housing that is partially light-conducting, with strategically positioned lamps to direct light into the camera environment, enhancing illumination and serving a dual function as both a camera mount and light source, optimized for compact spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a reversing light is installed to illuminate the rear area, then the illumination of the camera environment is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the housing structure with light-conducting functionality by integrating optical waveguides directly into the housing walls. This merging of structural and optical functions eliminates the need for separate illumination devices, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective illumination of the camera environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the camera, acts as a protective enclosure, and functions as a light guide through integrated waveguides. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the system.
2Illumination intensity
If additional illumination devices are added to improve camera environment lighting, then the illumination quality is improved, but the compactness of the device is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is merged with light-conducting waveguides, eliminating the need for separate illumination devices. This integration achieves effective illumination while maintaining a compact device volume, as the housing itself serves dual purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical waveguides are nested within the housing structure, with light guides embedded in the housing walls. This nesting approach allows the illumination system to be contained within the existing housing volume without requiring additional external space.
3Illumination intensity
If the housing is made fully light-conducting to improve illumination, then the illumination of the camera environment is significantly improved, but the camera protection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Only specific regions of the housing that require illumination functionality are made light-conducting using waveguides, while other regions maintain their protective properties. This localized approach allows the housing to provide both illumination and protection where needed, without compromising camera safety.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical waveguides act as intermediary structures that channel light along the housing walls without requiring the entire housing to be transparent or light-conducting. This allows selective illumination of specific areas while maintaining protective opacity in other regions.
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
Significantly improves the illumination of the camera's environment, particularly in the near field, ensuring better image quality and detection, even in cramped spaces, while maintaining camera protection and flexibility through pivotable covers and axes.
Implementation Method 1
the housing (20) is at least partially light-conducting and at least one lamp (3) is arranged in such a way that light can be coupled into the light-conducting part and out in the direction of the partial area of the camera environment to be illuminated
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle camera (1) which is held at least partly in a housing (20) that is installed on or in a motor vehicle (K). At least one lighting means (3) is provided for illuminating (L) at least one sub-region (E) of the camera surroundings. According to the invention, the housing (20) is at least partly (22) designed in a light-guiding manner, and at least one lighting means (3) is positioned such that light (L) can be coupled (220) into the light-guiding part (22) and can be coupled (221) out in the direction of the sub-region (E) of the camera surroundings to be illuminated. In this manner, at least the sub-region (E) of the camera surroundings can be better illuminated, and at the same time a very compact solution is provided.