Vehicle Rearview Camera with Reflective Element for Magnification
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera monitoring systems struggle to replicate the magnification and field of view provided by traditional exterior rearview mirrors, as the short focal length of camera lenses results in varying magnification that does not match the constant magnification of mirror systems, making it impractical to replace mirrors with cameras for automotive rearview applications.
Innovation Solution
A camera system is integrated with a reflective element, where the camera's field of view encompasses the reflective surface, allowing the camera to focus on images reflected by the mirror, thereby adjusting magnification based on the distance from the reflective element, and optionally using curved or flat reflective surfaces to achieve the desired field of view, which can be adjusted for various viewing directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a camera is used to replace traditional exterior rearview mirrors, then the system can provide electronic imaging capability, but the short focal length of camera lenses results in varying magnification that does not match the constant magnification of mirror systems
Solution Approach 1:
A reflective element is introduced as an intermediary component between the camera and the scene being observed. This reflective element enables the camera to capture reflected images, allowing the system to achieve magnification characteristics similar to traditional mirrors while maintaining electronic imaging capabilities. The reflective element acts as a mediator that transforms the optical path to achieve the desired magnification properties.
2Area of stationary object
If the camera is positioned at a distance from the reflective element to capture the full field of view, then the field of view is adequate, but the system size increases and aerodynamic efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective element employs a curved surface geometry to achieve a wide field of view while maintaining a compact form factor. The curvature of the reflective surface enables it to capture and redirect light from a broader angular range, allowing the camera to obtain an extensive field of view without requiring a large distance between the camera and the reflective element, thus keeping the system compact.
3Volume of moving object
If the camera is positioned close to the reflective element, then the system size is reduced and aerodynamic efficiency is improved, but the field of view is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The curved reflective surface is specifically designed to expand the field of view for a given camera-to-reflective-element distance. The curvature allows the reflective element to capture light rays from a wider angular range and redirect them to the camera, enabling a compact system configuration while maintaining an adequate field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes adjustable parameters including the curvature radius of the reflective element and the position of the camera to optimize the field of view. By adjusting these parameters, the system can achieve the desired field of view while maintaining a compact size, allowing for flexibility in design and application-specific optimization.
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 configuration allows for a compact, aerodynamically efficient rearview system with adjustable viewing angles, providing a wide-angle field of view and reduced size, while maintaining the necessary magnification and visibility for the driver, and can be used for both exterior and interior mirror applications.
Implementation Method 1
a camera at a side of the vehicle, with the camera having a field of view that encompasses a mirror reflective element, which reflects a rearward field of view towards the camera
Data Source
AI summary
A rearview vision system for a vehicle includes a camera module disposed at a side portion of the vehicle. The camera module includes a casing, a reflective element disposed in the casing, and a camera disposed in the casing and having a field of view that encompasses at least a portion of the reflective element. The camera module is disposed at the side portion of the vehicle so that images of the exterior scene occurring to the side and rear of the vehicle are reflected off of the reflective element and image data representative of the reflected images is captured by the camera. A display device displays images derived from the captured image data representative of the reflected images so as to provide a sideward and rearward field of view to the driver when the driver is viewing the display device.