Spheroidal Cover Geometry for Stereo Imaging Stray Light Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging apparatuses suffer from stray light reflections caused by the cover, which degrade the accuracy of image recognition and distance measurement.
Innovation Solution
The imaging apparatus employs a light transmissive cover with a spheroidal shape that reflects light beams from one imaging unit's vicinity to the other's vicinity, minimizing stray light interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cylindrical cover is used to accommodate imaging units, then the imaging units are protected and supported, but reflected light from the cover enters the imaging units as stray light, deteriorating image recognition accuracy and distance measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a spheroidal shape to the cover instead of a cylindrical shape. The spheroidal surface is designed with specific curvature radii (first curvature radius R1 and second curvature radius R2) to control light reflection. This curvature design ensures that reflected light from the cover surface does not enter the imaging units, thereby eliminating stray light interference while maintaining protection and support functions of the cover.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a polarizing filter is added to prevent reflections, then reflection from windshield is reduced, but the device complexity increases and requires separate preparation and mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the reflection prevention function directly into the cover structure itself. The spheroidal cover design simultaneously serves multiple functions: protecting the imaging units, supporting them in proper alignment, and preventing reflections through its geometric shape. This eliminates the need for separate polarizing filters and their complex mounting procedures.
3Measurement precision
If the cover shape is modified to suppress reflected light, then stray light influence is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity of the cover increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a spheroidal shape with defined curvature radii (R1 and R2) that can be manufactured using standard molding techniques. The first curvature radius R1 and second curvature radius R2 are carefully selected to achieve the light reflection suppression effect while remaining compatible with conventional manufacturing processes for transparent covers.
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
This configuration effectively suppresses stray light reflections, enhancing the accuracy of image recognition and distance measurement by reducing unwanted light interference.
Implementation Method 1
the cover has a cover portion having a shape that reflects a light beam from a region near the first viewpoint toward a region near the second viewpoint
Data Source
AI summary
To suppress an influence of reflected light from a cover in an imaging apparatus. An imaging apparatus 1 includes: a first imaging unit 101 having a first viewpoint P1 and a second imaging unit 102 having a second viewpoint P2 as imaging units 100; and a light transmissive cover 2 arranged in a region intersecting at least a part of a first field of view V1 of the first imaging unit 101 and a second field of view V2 of the second imaging unit 102 in such a way as to accommodate the imaging units 100. The cover 2 has a portion having a spheroidal shape as a cover portion having a shape that reflects a light beam from a region near the first viewpoint P1 toward a region near the second viewpoint P2.