Multi-lens mount for assisted-driving vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Assisted-driving vehicles face challenges in capturing sharp and clear images due to the limitations of fixed-focus lenses, which cannot adapt to changing object distances, and zoom lenses suffer from increased weight, cost, aberration, and distortion, while external contaminants further degrade image quality.
Innovation Solution
A lens mount apparatus with multiple lenses of different focal lengths concentrically arranged around a center, an actuator to switch lenses based on object distance, and a lens cleaner to maintain lens surface cleanliness, ensuring continuous high-quality image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a zoom lens unit is used to change focal length for tracking moving objects, then the ability to follow objects with focus is improved, but weight increases due to more lenses and additional light components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lens system into multiple independent fixed-focus lens units, each optimized for a specific focal length range. Instead of using a single complex zoom lens, the system segments the focusing function across multiple simpler lens units that can be selectively positioned, thereby reducing the weight of each individual lens while maintaining overall adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional lens system where multiple fixed-focus lens units serve different focal length requirements. By having several lens units that can be selectively activated based on object distance, the system achieves universal adaptability without requiring each lens to be a complex zoom lens, thus reducing individual lens weight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a zoom lens unit is used to capture images at different focal lengths, then image capture flexibility is improved, but cost increases due to more lenses and additional light components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image capture function into multiple fixed-focus lens units, each designed for a specific focal length. This segmentation allows each lens unit to be manufactured independently with simpler, more cost-effective designs compared to a single complex zoom lens, thereby reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining capture flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multiple inexpensive fixed-focus lens units that can be selectively used based on imaging requirements. Rather than investing in a single expensive zoom lens, the system uses multiple simpler, more affordable lens units that can be rapidly switched between, achieving cost-effectiveness through redundancy of simpler components.
3Measurement precision
If a zoom lens unit is used to achieve exact zooming ratios, then focal length precision is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to increased aberration and distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the focal length range into multiple discrete fixed-focus lens units, each optimized for a specific focal length with minimal aberration and distortion. By selecting the appropriate lens unit for each imaging scenario rather than relying on a zoom lens's variable focus, the system maintains high image quality and precise focal length control without the degradation caused by zooming mechanisms.
4Device complexity
If a single fixed-focus lens is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to track moving objects with focus is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic switching capability among multiple fixed-focus lens units based on object distance. While each individual lens unit remains simple and fixed-focus, the overall system becomes adaptive through the actuator mechanism that dynamically selects the appropriate lens unit, thereby achieving object tracking capability without significantly increasing the complexity of each lens component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an actuator as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the simple fixed-focus lens units and the imaging requirements for moving objects. This intermediary component enables the system to switch between different fixed-focus lenses based on object distance, providing adaptability for object tracking while keeping the lens units themselves simple and low-complexity.
5Productivity
If lenses are exposed to external environment during operation, then object detection capability is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to contamination from foreign materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a cleaning mechanism that periodically removes contaminants from the lens surfaces. By discarding the contamination through the cleaning apparatus (which uses airflow or mechanical contact to remove foreign materials), the system recovers the optical quality of the lenses, ensuring that image quality is maintained despite continuous exposure to the external environment during operation.
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 accurate focus adjustment without zooming, maintains image quality by switching lenses as objects approach, and cleans lenses to prevent contamination, ensuring reliable image recognition for assisted driving.
Implementation Method 1
a lens cleaner disposed concentric with the plurality of lenses with respect to the center, and configured to clean a surface of at least one of the plurality of lenses that is positioned at the lens cleaner
Data Source
AI summary
A lens mount apparatus mountable on a vehicle and a method for controlling a lens mount apparatus are described. The lens mount apparatus includes a plurality of lenses concentrically arranged around a center, and the plurality of lenses include a first lens having a first focal length and a second lens having a second focal length that is shorter than the first focal length. The method includes positioning one of the plurality of lenses, such that one of the lenses that has a focal length suitable for capturing an object is used for image capturing.