Offset Optical Axis Camera for Commercial Vehicle Blind Spot Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial vehicle drivers face difficulties in maintaining adequate visibility of accident-prone areas due to large blind spots, even with conventional mirrors, and camera systems struggle to provide optimal reproduction quality of legally-prescribed fields of view with minimal distortion.
Innovation Solution
A viewing system for commercial vehicles utilizing a single image capture unit with an offset optical axis to capture both Class II and Class IV fields of view, ensuring low distortion in critical areas, and processing the images for real-time display on a reproducing unit within the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mirrors are used to provide legally-prescribed fields of view, then the driver can see required areas, but large blind spots remain and visibility of accident-prone areas is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mirror system with an optical camera-based imaging system. The camera unit captures images of the lateral areas around the vehicle, and these images are displayed on a screen in the driver's cab, eliminating the need for physical mirrors and providing more reliable visibility coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates visual copies of the lateral areas around the vehicle by capturing images with the camera unit and displaying them on a screen. This allows the driver to view areas that would otherwise be blind spots, effectively copying the visual information from difficult-to-observe areas into the driver's field of view.
2Device complexity
If a single image capture unit is used to capture both Class II and Class IV fields of view, then the system becomes simpler and more cost-effective, but image distortion increases in critical areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality requirements to different parts of the captured image. The evaluation unit assesses whether distortion in the Class II field of view (critical area) remains below a predetermined threshold, while allowing more flexibility in other areas. This localized quality control ensures critical areas maintain acceptable precision while enabling the use of a single, simpler camera unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the evaluation parameter from requiring zero distortion to accepting distortion below a predetermined threshold. This parameter relaxation allows a single image capture unit to serve multiple fields of view while maintaining adequate image quality for safety-critical areas through selective tolerance management.
3Area of stationary object
If the optical axis is offset to capture both Class II and Class IV fields of view, then visibility of lateral areas improves, but distortion increases in the captured images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent evaluates distortion locally in the Class II field of view portion of the captured image, requiring it to remain below a predetermined threshold. This localized quality control allows the optical axis to be offset for broader coverage while maintaining acceptable precision in the critical Class II area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent accepts partial distortion in non-critical areas of the image to achieve the benefit of offset optical axis positioning, which provides broader lateral coverage. The distortion is controlled to be acceptable in critical areas while allowing more flexibility in less critical regions, representing a partial compromise that achieves the overall goal of improved visibility.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple image capture units are used to capture different fields of view separately, then image quality and minimal distortion are maintained, but the system becomes more complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of multiple image capture units into a single camera unit. By positioning the optical axis at an angle to capture both Class II and Class IV fields of view simultaneously, the system reduces the number of cameras and data connections required while maintaining acceptable image quality through distortion evaluation and threshold management.
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
The system provides improved visibility of lateral areas with reduced distortion, allowing drivers to recognize obstacles timely and reducing the likelihood of accidents by offering a simplified and cost-effective solution with fewer data connections and higher image quality.
Implementation Method 1
an image capture unit (30) including a lens (34) having an optical axis (32) and a digital image sensing unit (36)
Data Source
AI summary
A viewing system for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, includes an image capture unit, a computing unit, and a reproducing unit. The image capture unit includes a lens, which has an optical axis, and a digital image sensing unit, and is configured to be attached to the vehicle such that a viewing area on the side of the vehicle is sensed with at least one part of a first legally-prescribed field of view and with at least one part of a second legally-prescribed field of view. The lens is disposed with respect to the digital image sensing unit such that the optical axis extends through the part of the first legally-prescribed field of view that is reproduced on the digital image sensing unit.