Side Mirror Camera Lens Switching for Wider ADAS Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional surround-view systems in vehicles require multiple cameras to achieve a comprehensive field of view, leading to increased complexity, cost, and resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
A camera system with interchangeable optics, including a prism and fisheye lens, is mounted in a vehicle's exterior mirror, allowing for a single camera to provide multiple views by mechanically aligning with different optical elements, reducing the need for multiple cameras.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple cameras are used to achieve comprehensive field of view, then the field of view coverage is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single camera is designed to perform multiple functions by capturing different fields of view through a lens array with multiple optical elements. The camera can selectively align with different optical elements (e.g., wide-angle lens, telephoto lens) to achieve comprehensive coverage that traditionally required multiple cameras, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining full surveillance capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera or lens array is made movable to dynamically align with different optical elements based on operational requirements. This dynamic reconfiguration allows a single camera to adaptively capture multiple fields of view, replacing the need for multiple fixed cameras and reducing overall system complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple cameras are used to achieve comprehensive field of view, then the viewing capability is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is designed as a universal platform that can capture multiple fields of view by aligning with different optical elements in the lens array. This multi-functional design eliminates the need to deploy multiple separate cameras, directly reducing the quantity of camera units required while maintaining comprehensive surveillance coverage.
3Device complexity
If a single camera is used with interchangeable optics, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates dynamic alignment mechanisms that allow the single camera to selectively position itself in front of different optical elements in the lens array. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt between wide-angle and telephoto views on demand, maintaining versatility while simplifying the overall device architecture by using only one camera.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens array is segmented into multiple optical elements, each providing a specific field of view. The camera can selectively engage with different segments based on operational needs, allowing the system to maintain high adaptability while using a single camera unit, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and versatility.
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 system reduces complexity and cost by minimizing the number of cameras required, while enhancing viewing capabilities with a single camera, supporting advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) functions.
Implementation Method 1
The lens array includes a first optical element and a second optical element, each providing a different field-of-view
Data Source
AI summary
An exterior vehicle component includes an exterior mirror, a camera, and a lens array. The lens array includes a first optical element and a second optical element, each providing a different field-of-view. At least one of the camera or the lens array is movable relative to the other one of the camera and the lens array to align the camera with a corresponding one of the first optical element or the second optical element. One of the optical elements includes a fisheye lens, and the other one of the optical elements includes a prism.