Repellent Optical Element With Fine Holes for Shielding Object Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing installation-type cameras face challenges in removing adhering shielding objects due to high costs associated with cleaning solutions and mechanisms, making it difficult to maintain image quality without user intervention.
Innovation Solution
An optical element formed with a repellent material and fine holes arranged to have different ray diffusion characteristics, combined with an imaging device that processes images to identify and categorize shielding objects, allowing for targeted removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cleaning solution injection mechanism is used to remove shielding objects, then the shielding objects can be removed, but the cost and device complexity increase enormously
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element surface is designed with repellent material and fine holes that actively prevent shielding objects from adhering in the first place. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external cleaning mechanisms, as the surface automatically resists contamination rather than requiring active removal systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The repellent material and fine hole structure are applied in advance to the optical element surface before any shielding objects can adhere. This preliminary protective action prevents the problem from occurring, rather than requiring corrective action after adhesion happens.
2Ease of operation
If a cleaning solution injection mechanism is used to remove shielding objects, then the shielding objects can be removed, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element surface is designed with repellent material and fine holes that actively prevent shielding objects from adhering in the first place. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external cleaning mechanisms, as the surface automatically resists contamination rather than requiring active removal systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The repellent material and fine hole structure are applied in advance to the optical element surface before any shielding objects can adhere. This preliminary protective action prevents the problem from occurring, rather than requiring corrective action after adhesion happens.
3Ease of operation
If a cleaning solution injection mechanism is used to remove shielding objects, then the shielding objects can be removed, but labor cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element surface is designed with repellent material and fine holes that actively prevent shielding objects from adhering in the first place. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external cleaning mechanisms, as the surface automatically resists contamination rather than requiring active removal systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The repellent material and fine hole structure are applied in advance to the optical element surface before any shielding objects can adhere. This preliminary protective action prevents the problem from occurring, rather than requiring corrective action after adhesion happens.
4Ease of manufacture
If shielding objects are left on the lens, then cost is reduced, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element surface is designed with repellent material and fine holes that actively prevent shielding objects from adhering in the first place. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external cleaning mechanisms, as the surface automatically resists contamination rather than requiring active removal systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The repellent material and fine hole structure are applied in advance to the optical element surface before any shielding objects can adhere. This preliminary protective action prevents the problem from occurring, rather than requiring corrective action after adhesion happens.
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
Reduces the cost and complexity of removing shielding objects by preventing adhesion and providing timely user intervention based on object categorization, thereby maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
formed of a repellent material for a sessile organism
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of fine holes are arranged so as to have different ray diffusion characteristics depending on a position on a cross section of an optical path
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present technology relates to an optical element and an imaging device that can reduce cost required to remove shielding objects adhering to an aperture surface. An optical element is an optical element that is disposed on an optical path from a subject to an imaging element, and is formed of a repellent material for a sessile organism, and is configured such that a plurality of fine holes are disposed so as to have different beam diffusion characteristics depending on a position on a cross section of an optical path. The present technology is applicable to, for example, installation-type imaging devices to be installed in vehicles, drones, electric poles, ships, or the like, image processing devices that perform image processing of converting a captured image captured by the imaging device into a restored image that is an image of a subject, and optical elements that are provided to installation-type imaging devices of imaging systems including display devices.