Optical Sensor Housing with Asymmetric Field-of-View Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to create a housing for optical devices that is compact while accommodating a transmission unit for electromagnetic waves, such as those used in LiDAR or RADAR, which requires a field of view that enlarges in one direction.

Innovation Solution

The housing design includes a transmission unit with a first side and a second side, where the width on the second side is narrower than on the first side, and the second side is closer to the predetermined position, allowing the housing to be smaller without compromising functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the housing is made small to meet space requirements, then the housing size is reduced, but the transmission unit may not be able to effectively transmit electromagnetic waves across the entire field of view

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing sizeVSAvoidelectromagnetic wave transmission effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission unit is designed with asymmetric width characteristics where the width at the second side (closer to the predetermined position) is narrower than the width at the first side (farther from the predetermined position). This asymmetric geometry allows the transmission unit to effectively cover the expanding field of view while maintaining a compact overall housing size, resolving the contradiction between small housing volume and effective electromagnetic wave transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Volume of moving object

If the transmission unit width is reduced to make the housing smaller, then the housing volume is decreased, but noise and foreign matter ingress may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing volumeVSAvoidnoise and foreign matter ingress
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetric width design of the transmission unit creates a tapered structure that is narrower at the second side and wider at the first side. This geometry provides a gradual transition that effectively blocks noise and foreign matter from entering the housing while maintaining compact dimensions, thereby reducing harmful factors without significantly increasing housing volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission unit exhibits local quality variations in its width across different positions. The narrower section at the second side minimizes opening area for noise and foreign matter ingress, while the wider section at the first side maintains sufficient electromagnetic wave transmission capability, locally optimizing both protection and functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design enables a smaller housing size while maintaining effective transmission and reducing noise and foreign matter ingress, thus optimizing space utilization and performance.

Implementation Method 1

a housing which includes a transmission unit crossing the field of view and accommodates the optical device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave transmission:

Data Source

PatentEP4050368B1Sensor device and housing
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 PIONEER IP
  • EP4050368B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4050368B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4050368B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An optical device (100) has a field of view (F) which enlarges as advancing toward one direction from a predetermined position. A housing (200) includes a transmission unit (210). The transmission unit (210) crosses the field of view (F). The housing (200) accommodates the optical device (100). The transmission unit (210) includes a first side (212) and a second side (214). The second side (214) is located on an opposite side to the first side (212). A width of the transmission unit (210) on a side with the second side (214) is narrower than a width of the transmission unit (210) on a side with the first side (212). The second side (214) of the transmission unit (210) is located closer to the predetermined position in the one direction than the first side (212) of the transmission unit (210) .