Side Mirror Camera-Puddle Lamp Integration for Compact Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of multiple modules into a side mirror for vehicles, such as camera monitors and puddle lamps, faces challenges in minimizing occupied space while ensuring watertightness and reducing manufacturing costs, particularly in camera monitor systems where size reduction compromises the installation of necessary functions.
Innovation Solution
A camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus is designed, comprising a lens module, image sensor, and light source, where the image sensor is spaced apart from the lens module, and the light source is coplanar with the image sensor, allowing the apparatus to operate as both a camera and a puddle lamp by directing light through an optical unit, with a mirror module that switches between camera and puddle lamp modes to optimize space and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the size of the side mirror is reduced to improve aerodynamics and fuel economy, then wind noise and fuel consumption are reduced, but the internal space becomes insufficient for installing necessary function modules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the SVM camera module and puddle lamp into a single integrated module that shares common structures (housing, mounting interface). This merging reduces the total volume required in the side mirror while maintaining both functions, thereby improving aerodynamics without sacrificing module installation space
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated module serves multiple functions simultaneously - it acts as both a camera system for surround view monitoring and a puddle lamp for illumination. This multi-functionality allows the side mirror to accommodate fewer separate modules, reducing overall size and improving aerodynamic performance
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple modules are disposed in the side mirror to provide various functions, then functional versatility is improved, but the number of design considerations for watertightness increases and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The SVM camera module and puddle lamp are merged into a single integrated assembly with a common housing and mounting structure. This reduces the number of separate module installations and associated watertightness design considerations, while maintaining both camera and lamp functions
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated module provides multiple functions (camera imaging and lamp illumination) through a single unified design. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of modules required, thereby decreasing the complexity of ensuring watertightness across multiple module interfaces
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple modules are disposed in the side mirror to provide various functions, then functional versatility is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The SVM camera and puddle lamp are combined into a single integrated module with shared housing and mounting components. This merging reduces the total number of parts, simplifies assembly procedures, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining both camera and lamp functionalities
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
This integration minimizes occupied space, enhances watertightness, reduces manufacturing costs, and provides a compact camera monitor system by sharing components, thereby addressing the limitations of size reduction in existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
the optical unit is disposed in front of the light source so that light emitted from the light source is directed to a rear end of the lens module
Data Source
AI summary
A camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprising a lens module; an image sensor; a light source; and an optical unit, wherein the image sensor is spaced apart from a rear of the lens module so that the image sensor and the lens module are formed to operate as a camera, the light source is disposed to be coplanar with the image sensor and disposed at a peripheral portion of the image sensor, the optical unit is disposed in front of the light source so that light emitted from the light source is directed to a rear end of the lens module, and the camera-puddle lamp integrated apparatus is formed to operate as a puddle lamp by the light source and the optical unit.