Sloped Housing and Optical Member for Over-180° Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices have a limited angle of view of 180° due to the use of a flat light shield, and devices with multiple light sources often emit illumination light imprecisely, limiting their ability to capture images in dark environments with a wide angle of view.
Innovation Solution
The imaging device incorporates an optical member that directs subject light from a predetermined angle of view, includes illuminators with light sources emitting illumination light, and a housing with a sloped outer plate and bottom surface to accommodate the imaging element, allowing an angle of view exceeding 180° and precise illumination in low-light conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a flat light shield is used in the imaging device, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the angle of view is limited to a maximum of 180°
Solution Approach 1:
The light shield is designed with a curved surface instead of a flat plate. The curved surface has a specific shape that allows light to be reflected and directed to the imaging element from angles exceeding 180°, thereby expanding the angle of view while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard curving processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional flat light shield to a three-dimensional curved light shield. This dimensional change enables the light shield to interact with light from multiple angular directions simultaneously, achieving an expanded angle of view beyond the limitations of a flat surface.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are used to illuminate dark environments, then illumination coverage is improved, but the precision of illumination is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Each light source is equipped with an individual lens that focuses and directs illumination light in a specific direction. This local optimization ensures that each light source provides precise illumination in its designated area, while the collective arrangement of multiple light sources achieves comprehensive coverage without sacrificing precision.
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 device can capture images with an angle of view greater than 180° while minimizing vignetting and interference, enabling high-quality imaging in both bright and dark environments.
Implementation Method 1
an optical member that directs, to the imaging element, the subject light from an imaging range
Implementation Method 2
at least one illuminator including a light source that emits illumination light toward the imaging range
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device includes an imaging element that receives subject light, a lens that directs, to the imaging element, the subject light from an imaging range having a predetermined angle of view in at least a first direction, an illuminator including a light source that emits illumination light toward the imaging range and a cover covering the light source, and a housing including a top plate on a plane intersecting with an optical axis of the lens and a bottom surface facing the top plate. The housing accommodates the imaging element and the illuminator. The predetermined angle of view includes a direction from the lens toward the bottom surface in an area of the predetermined angle of view in at least one direction with respect to the optical axis of the lens. The top plate includes a slope with an inclination corresponding to the predetermined angle of view. The cover in the illuminator is parallel to the slope.