Progressive Lens for Vehicle Camera Focus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle systems using cameras with fixed focal lengths struggle with focusing objects at mid-range and far-range distances, leading to reduced performance and increased complexity, energy consumption, cost, and failure rates when using multi-camera solutions with different focal lengths.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control device equipped with a single camera and a progressive lens that provides focused images across a progressive focus area, including near, mid, and far-focus zones, allowing for unified image processing and reduced system complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single camera with fixed focal length is used, then the system complexity is reduced, but the image focus quality deteriorates for objects at mid-range and far-range distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a lens assembly that can dynamically change its focal length based on the distance to the target object. The lens transitions from a fixed focal length state to a variable focal length state, allowing the same lens to focus on objects at different distances (near, mid-range, and far-range) by adjusting its optical power in response to distance changes.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple cameras with different focal lengths are used, then the image focus quality is improved across different ranges, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing a single lens assembly that performs multiple functions - it can focus on near, mid-range, and far-range objects by varying its focal length. This multi-functional lens replaces what would traditionally require three separate specialized lenses, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining comprehensive focus capability across all distance ranges.
3Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are used to cover different ranges, then the detection precision is improved, but the system size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the merging principle by combining the functionality of multiple separate camera systems into a single integrated lens assembly. Instead of having three separate cameras for near, mid-range, and far-range detection, the invention merges these functions into one lens that can dynamically adjust its focal length to serve all three purposes, thereby reducing system size, weight, and cost while maintaining detection precision across all ranges.
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 progressive lens system enhances image focus across a wide range, improving detection accuracy and response time while reducing system size, cost, and failure rates by consolidating image processing and eliminating the need for multiple cameras.
Implementation Method 1
a progressive lens coupled to the camera so as to focus the captured image over a progressive focus area
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control device has a control unit configured to adapt a plurality of vehicle systems in response to captured images of an environment external to the vehicle, a camera configured to capture images of the environment and communicate the captured images to the control unit, and a progressive lens coupled to the camera so as to focus the captured image over a continuous focus area.