Stereo Camera Module Asymmetry for Wide Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing imaging device design for wide-angle stereo vision faces challenges in achieving both a widened field of view and improved productivity due to the need for dedicated components and the risk of incorrect component attachment, leading to increased costs and decreased manufacturing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The imaging device employs a configuration where each camera module has its imaging element and lens unit arranged with the center separated from the optical axis by the same distance in the same direction, with one camera module inverted relative to the other around the optical axis, and opposite read directions for the imaging elements, allowing for commonality of components and synchronized image acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the center of each imaging element is offset in opposite directions along the interval direction to expand the stereo vision area, then the angle of view is widened, but dedicated components must be provided for each camera, increasing equipment cost and decreasing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by offsetting the imaging element center from the optical axis in the same direction for both left and right cameras, rather than using symmetric opposite offsets. This asymmetric configuration allows both cameras to share identical components while still achieving the required stereo vision area expansion through the baseline separation between the two camera modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing both camera modules to use the same imaging elements with identical optical configurations. The imaging element center is offset in the same direction for both cameras, making the components interchangeable and universal across both left and right camera modules, thereby reducing equipment cost and improving manufacturing productivity.
2Area of stationary object
If dedicated components are provided for each camera to achieve proper offset configuration, then the angle of view can be widened, but the cost of equipment and management for manufacturing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing both camera modules to use the same imaging elements with identical optical configurations. The imaging element center is offset in the same direction for both cameras, making the components interchangeable and universal across both left and right camera modules, thereby reducing equipment cost and improving manufacturing productivity.
3Area of stationary object
If imaging elements are arranged with centers offset in opposite directions, then the stereo vision area is expanded, but components may be erroneously attached to the wrong camera, decreasing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by offsetting the imaging element center from the optical axis in the same direction for both left and right cameras, rather than using symmetric opposite offsets. This asymmetric configuration allows both cameras to share identical components while still achieving the required stereo vision area expansion through the baseline separation between the two camera modules.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an imaging device capable of reliably achieving both widening an angle of view and an improvement in productivity. An imaging device 100 includes a pair of camera modules 2 each including an imaging element 4 and a lens unit 3, in which optical axes OA of the lens units 3 are arranged in parallel to each other. Each of the pair of camera modules 2 has a configuration in which the imaging element 4 and the lens unit 3 are relatively arranged such that a center C of the imaging element 4 is separated from the optical axis OA by the same distance in the same direction. With respect to the posture of one camera module 2, the other camera modules 2 is arranged in an inverted posture in which the other camera modules 2 has rotated around a rotation axis RA along the optical axis OA. To read directions Dh, Dv in which signals are read from the imaging element 4 and that have been set in advance in one camera module 2, read directions Dh, Dv, in which signals are read from the imaging element 4 of the other camera module 2, are set to be opposite.