Shutterless Far-Infrared Camera Assembly for Vehicles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal infrared cameras for automotive safety and autonomous driving systems require shutters to correct fixed pattern noises, which lead to blackouts, wear out over time, and increase size and weight, posing risks and interference issues.
Innovation Solution
A shutterless far-infrared camera assembly with an infrared-transparent protective window integrated into vehicle components like headlight assemblies, allowing the camera to capture images without shutters, and using resistive heating for de-icing and defogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a shutter is used to correct fixed pattern noises in an IR camera, then image quality and accuracy are improved, but the camera experiences blackouts, wear out over time, and increased size and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the shutter component from the IR camera system entirely. By extracting this problematic mechanical element, the system eliminates blackouts, wear, and reliability issues while maintaining image quality through alternative fixed-pattern noise correction methods implemented in the image processing pipeline.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical shutter system with a software-based or electronic solution for correcting fixed pattern noises. This substitution eliminates moving parts and mechanical wear while achieving the same noise correction function through digital image processing techniques.
2Measurement precision
If a shutter is used in an IR camera, then fixed pattern noises are corrected, but the camera size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter mechanism is completely removed from the camera assembly. This extraction eliminates the weight contribution of the shutter, its motor, and associated mechanical components, while image accuracy is maintained through alternative noise correction approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical shutter system is replaced with a lightweight electronic or software-based solution. This substitution dramatically reduces the weight of the camera system while achieving the same fixed-pattern noise correction function through digital processing rather than mechanical means.
3Measurement precision
If a shutter is used in an IR camera, then thermal imaging is performed, but the camera requires maintenance and has limited lifespan due to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the shutter component from the thermal imaging system. By removing this wear-prone mechanical element, the camera achieves extended operational life and reduced maintenance requirements while maintaining thermal image quality through alternative fixed-pattern noise correction methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical shutter is replaced with a solid-state or software-based solution that has no moving parts. This substitution eliminates wear and tear, thereby extending the camera's operational lifespan and reducing maintenance needs while preserving thermal imaging quality.
4Volume of moving object
If the camera size is reduced for optimal placement, then interference with driver's field of view is minimized, but the camera may require shutters which add to size and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter mechanism is removed from the compact camera design. This extraction simplifies the overall device structure, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for optimal placement that minimizes interference with the driver's field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical shutter system is replaced with a simplified electronic or software-based solution. This substitution reduces device complexity and eliminates moving parts, enabling a more compact camera design that can be optimally placed without interfering with the driver's view.
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
Enables continuous, reliable thermal imaging with reduced size and weight, minimizing interference and extending camera lifespan by eliminating shutter-related issues and allowing for convenient cleaning of obstructions.
Implementation Method 1
a protective window disposed on at least a portion of the front surface of the vehicle component, where the protective window is positioned to be aligned with a lens of the FIR camera, so as to allow the shutterless FIR camera to capture images therethrough
Implementation Method 2
using resistive heating for de-icing and defogging
Data Source
AI summary
An infrared camera assembly for a vehicle. The assembly includes: a vehicle component having a front surface; a shutterless far-infrared (FIR) camera mounted within the vehicle component, wherein the shutterless FIR camera is utilized to output at least one thermal video stream processed by the autonomous vehicle system; and a protective window disposed on at least a portion of the front surface of the vehicle component, where the protective window is positioned to be aligned with a lens of the FIR camera, so as to allow the shutterless FIR camera to capture images therethrough.