Rotating Protective Lens for ADAS Camera Dirt and Defect Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical sensors in driver-assistance systems are prone to degradation due to dirt and damage, affecting image quality and operability, especially when exposed externally.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable transparent optical element is mounted upstream of the sensor, driven by a motor to rotate at high speed, with a processing unit detecting and removing defects via image processing synchronized with the rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the camera is arranged on the exterior of the motor vehicle, then the viewing angle is improved, but the camera is exposed to dirt and damage which degrades image quality
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent protective optical element (lens) is introduced as an intermediary between the camera and the external environment. This mediator allows light to pass through while protecting the camera from dirt, water, and physical damage, resolving the contradiction between exterior placement benefits and vulnerability to harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective optical element is made rotatable about its optical axis, transforming it from a static to a dynamic component. This rotation enables centrifugal cleaning to remove dirt accumulation, while the continuous motion prevents static defects from permanently degrading image quality, maintaining both protection and optical performance.
2Reliability
If a protective lens is arranged in front of the camera, then protection from external attack is improved, but the lens remains subject to soiling and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The protective lens is made rotatable about its optical axis, transforming it from a static to a dynamic component. This rotation enables centrifugal cleaning to remove dirt accumulation, while the continuous motion prevents static defects from permanently degrading image quality, maintaining both protection and optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective optical element performs periodic rotation to enable centrifugal cleaning. This periodic motion allows the lens to be cleaned of dirt and debris at regular intervals, preventing long-term soiling accumulation while maintaining protective function throughout the rotation cycle.
3Ease of operation
If the protective lens is made rotatable for centrifugal cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but defects on the lens create moving artifacts in images
Solution Approach 1:
The protective optical element is made rotatable about its optical axis, transforming it from a static to a dynamic component. This rotation enables centrifugal cleaning to remove dirt accumulation, while the continuous motion prevents static defects from permanently degrading image quality, maintaining both protection and optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation of the protective optical element converts the harmful effect of defects (which would be stationary and permanent) into a beneficial effect. By rotating the lens, defects become moving artifacts that can be removed through image processing techniques, transforming a permanent degradation into a temporary, correctable issue.
4Reliability
If the optical sensor is protected from external exposure, then reliability is improved, but viewing angle and obstacle detection capability are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent protective optical element (lens) is introduced as an intermediary between the camera and the external environment. This mediator allows light to pass through while protecting the camera from dirt, water, and physical damage, resolving the contradiction between exterior placement benefits and vulnerability to harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective optical element is made rotatable about its optical axis, transforming it from a static to a dynamic component. This rotation enables centrifugal cleaning to remove dirt accumulation, while the continuous motion prevents static defects from permanently degrading image quality, maintaining both protection and optical performance.
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
Maintains sensor operability and image quality by effectively removing dirt and defects through centrifugal cleaning and image processing, ensuring continuous system functionality.
Implementation Method 1
specifically, the motor is configured to make the optical element continuously rotate in front of the optical sensor when the latter is in operation, at a speed of rotation such that any dirt is ejected from the optical element via a centrifugal effect
Data Source
AI summary
A driving assistance system including at least one optical sensor and at least one associated protection device with an optical element that is transparent and mounted so as to be able to rotate. The protection device includes at least one acquisition element for acquiring at least one item of information representative of at least one angular position of the optical element on capture of an image. The system further includes a processing unit configured to detect the presence of at least one defect in the optical element, to receive the item of information representative of the angular position of the optical element, to determine at least one angular position of the defect in the optical element based thereon, and to use image processing to remove the defect in the captured image, taking into account the determined angular position of the defect in the optical element.