Integrated Lightbar Camera Shielding for Clear Emergency Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional placement of cameras above or on top of lightbars on emergency vehicles compromises aerodynamic and aesthetic properties, while also causing visual interference from flashing lights.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a camera within the lightbar using a cylindrical tube with opaque walls to shield the lens from ambient light and reflections, combined with an infrared light emitter and adjustable image filtering at 50 Hz and 60 Hz frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the camera is mounted above or on top of the lightbar, then the camera can be installed without interfering with the lightbar structure, but the aerodynamic properties of the vehicle are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is integrated within the lightbar structure itself, merging two separate components (camera and lightbar) into a single unified assembly. This eliminates the need for external mounting above the lightbar, thereby preserving aerodynamic properties while accommodating the camera installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera is nested inside the hollow space of the lightbar, with the camera housing positioned within the lightbar's internal cavity. This nesting arrangement allows the camera to be housed within the existing lightbar structure without adding external protrusions that would compromise aerodynamics.
2Ease of manufacture
If the camera is mounted above or on top of the lightbar, then the camera can be easily installed, but the visual sleekness of the vehicle is detracted
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is merged with the lightbar structure, creating a unified appearance where the camera housing becomes part of the lightbar's overall design. This integration eliminates the visual disruption of separate external mounting and maintains the vehicle's sleek aesthetic.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera housing is designed with specific local characteristics (transparent portion, opaque walls) that allow it to blend with the lightbar's overall aesthetic while maintaining its functional properties. The transparent portion matches the dome's appearance, making the camera integration visually seamless.
3Device complexity
If the camera is mounted within the lightbar without shielding, then the structure is simplified, but the flashing lights cause significant visual interference in the camera recording
Solution Approach 1:
The lightbar's hollow space is segmented into distinct zones: a camera housing portion and a light assembly portion. The opaque walls of the camera housing create a barrier that separates the camera from the flashing lights, preventing visual interference while maintaining the integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The opaque walls of the camera housing serve as an intermediary barrier between the flashing LED lights and the camera lens. This intermediate structure blocks the harmful light interference while allowing the camera to remain integrated within the lightbar, solving both the simplicity and image quality requirements.
4Device complexity
If the camera is mounted within the lightbar without shielding, then the installation is simpler, but the infrared light from the camera is interfered with by the dome
Solution Approach 1:
The camera housing is segmented with a transparent portion that is specifically designed to be transparent to infrared wavelengths. This segmentation allows infrared light to pass through while the opaque walls continue to block visible light from the flashing LEDs, solving both interference issues simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera housing has differentiated local properties: opaque walls for blocking visible light interference and a transparent portion for allowing infrared transmission. This local quality variation enables the housing to simultaneously protect against LED interference while permitting infrared emission for night vision functionality.
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
Improves image quality by reducing visual interference from flashing lights, enhances the aerodynamic and aesthetic appearance of emergency vehicles, and maintains functional capabilities of both the lightbar and camera.
Implementation Method 1
The tube running continuously from the camera lens to the inside surface of the dome prevents direct interference from light from the flashing LEDs from entering the camera directly, from IR light from the IR emitter from entering the camera directly, and from IR light from the IR emitters that reflects from the inside surface of the lightbar dome from entering the camera
Implementation Method 2
The camera also includes an infrared light (IR) emitter
Implementation Method 3
the camera has adjustable settings set to filter images captured by the camera at at least one frequency in the range of 50 Hz to 60 Hz
Data Source
AI summary
A lightbar for an emergency vehicle is provided. The lightbar includes lights and a camera within the same unit. An opaque and hollow cylindrical tube runs from the lens of the camera to an inside surface of the lightbar. The tube prevents IR light that reflects from the inside surface of the lightbar from entering the lens. The tube also prevents IR light and light from LED lights within the lightbar from entering the lens directly. Settings on the camera are set so that image capture is filtered at a frequency of 50 Hz and 60 Hz. By providing such a tube and by filtering out image capture at 50 Hz and 60 Hz, images captured by the camera are greatly improved in quality.