Multi-Lens Imaging Device for Thermal Defocusing Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Imaging devices in vehicles and surveillance cameras face significant defocusing issues due to extreme temperature fluctuations, leading to reduced image sharpness and mechanical failures, with existing solutions limiting lens material options and reliability over long periods.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with multiple lens units having different focus temperatures, an image processing unit to calculate sharpness, and a control unit to select the optimal imaging unit for capturing images, allowing for high-quality image acquisition across a wide temperature range without mechanical focus adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single lens is used to cover a wide temperature range, then the device structure is simple, but the image sharpness deteriorates due to large defocusing caused by temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device divides the single lens system into multiple lens units, each optimized for specific temperature ranges. Each lens unit has different optical characteristics to compensate for thermal defocusing at different temperatures, thereby maintaining image sharpness across the wide temperature range while keeping the overall structure manageable through modular segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device dynamically switches between different lens units based on the detected temperature conditions. The control unit adjusts which lens unit is active according to the environmental temperature, ensuring that the optical system adapts to thermal changes and maintains focus accuracy without mechanical moving parts within each lens unit.
2Manufacturing precision
If mechanical focus adjustment is used to correct defocusing, then image sharpness can be maintained, but the grease hardens at low temperature and flows out at high temperature causing mechanical failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical focus adjustment mechanism with an optical solution using multiple lens units with different thermal expansion characteristics. Instead of mechanically moving lens elements to adjust focus, the system optically compensates for thermal defocusing by selecting the appropriate lens unit based on temperature, thereby eliminating grease, gears, and cam mechanisms that fail in extreme temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device changes the optical parameters (focal length, optical power) by switching between different lens units rather than mechanically adjusting a single lens. Each lens unit is designed with specific optical parameters that compensate for defocusing at particular temperature ranges, allowing the system to adapt to temperature changes through parameter selection rather than mechanical movement.
3Manufacturing precision
If the power of the lens is adjusted to suppress defocusing, then image sharpness is maintained, but the design flexibility is reduced and high-performance lens for wide wavelength range is difficult to obtain
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of designing a single lens with compromised performance, the patent segments the optical system into multiple specialized lens units. Each lens unit can be optimized for specific performance requirements (different wavelength ranges, different focal lengths, different aberration corrections), providing design flexibility while maintaining image sharpness across temperature ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple lens units collectively provide universal coverage for different temperature ranges and wavelength regions. Each lens unit serves a specific function optimized for certain conditions, and together they create a multi-functional optical system that can handle various imaging requirements across extreme temperatures and wavelength ranges, enhancing overall design versatility.
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
Stably acquires high-quality images in a wide temperature range over a long period, enhancing reliability and reducing mechanical failures, while maintaining flexibility in design and wavelength range coverage.
Implementation Method 1
the amount of defocusing of the lens caused by a change in temperature is very large
Implementation Method 2
the sharpness of the image is significantly reduced
Data Source
AI summary
The imaging device includes: an imaging section that includes a plurality of lens units having optical axes aligned in the same direction and one or more imaging elements, the lens units and the imaging elements being combined to form imaging units, the imaging units having different focus temperatures; an image processing unit that calculates a sharpness of an image acquired by each imaging unit; a selection unit that selects an imaging unit which acquires a use image on the basis of the sharpness; and a control unit that controls the imaging section, the image processing unit, and the selection unit.