Ultra-Wide-Angle Lens Design for Autonomous Vehicle Cameras
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicle camera lenses require ultra-wide-angle, high-resolution imaging capabilities that can adapt to varying light conditions and accurately capture monochromatic signals like traffic lights and highway signs, while minimizing dead angles and optical aberrations.
Innovation Solution
The ultra-wide-angle lens design consists of multiple refractive power groups, including a first group for light collection and distortion correction, a second group for light convergence, a third group to eliminate chromatic aberration, and a fourth group to control the exit angle and reduce aberrations, using lenses with specific focal lengths and refractive indices to achieve wide field angles and thermal stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a conventional lens design is used, then the structure is simple, but the field angle is limited and cannot achieve ultra-wide-angle (>200°) imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The lens system is divided into four distinct lens groups with different refractive power configurations (--++, ---+, --++-+, or ---+-++). Each group serves specific optical functions: the first group for light collection and distortion correction, the second for light convergence, the third for chromatic aberration elimination, and the fourth for aberration reduction and chief ray angle control. This segmentation enables ultra-wide-angle imaging while maintaining manageable structural complexity through functional specialization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a compact nested arrangement where multiple lens elements are closely integrated within a confined optical path. The four lens groups are positioned sequentially with minimal spacing, creating a dense optical configuration that achieves >200° field angle without proportionally increasing overall system size, effectively nesting multiple optical functions within a compact form factor.
2Illumination intensity
If the aperture is increased to improve light-passing ability, then light transmission improves, but optical aberrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different lens groups are assigned specific local quality characteristics: the first group uses negative refractive power for distortion correction at the periphery, the second group uses positive refractive power for central light convergence, the third group combines positive and negative elements for chromatic aberration control, and the fourth group optimizes exit pupil characteristics. This local quality differentiation allows large aperture operation while controlling aberrations in different field regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens system employs composite optical design combining multiple lens materials with different refractive indices and dispersion properties across the four lens groups. This composite approach enables the system to maintain high light transmission through large aperture while using material properties to counterbalance and reduce optical aberrations that would otherwise increase with aperture size.
3Area of moving object
If the lens design is optimized for wide field angle, then the field of view expands, but distortion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first lens group is specifically designed with negative refractive power configuration to address distortion correction in the ultra-wide-angle field. By segmenting the distortion correction function into a dedicated first group, the system can maintain expanded field of view while the negative power elements counteract the inherent distortion that would otherwise increase with wider angles.
4Reliability
If multiple lens groups are added to reduce aberration, then imaging quality improves, but the number of elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements four lens groups with specific refractive power configurations, providing slightly more optical elements than the absolute minimum needed for ultra-wide-angle imaging. This partial excess action ensures adequate aberration correction margins while maintaining a relatively compact structure. The fourth group, in particular, provides additional control over chief ray angles and residual aberrations, ensuring high imaging quality without excessive complexity.
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 design achieves a wide field of view (>200°), reduces optical aberrations, and maintains high resolution across different wavelengths and temperatures, ensuring reliable imaging of monochromatic signals and thermal stability.
Implementation Method 1
a first group with a negative refractive power... The first group includes at least one negative refractive power lens
Implementation Method 2
a second group with a positive refractive power... the second group sequentially includes a negative refractive power lens and a positive refractive power lens
Implementation Method 3
a third group with a positive refractive power or a negative refractive power... The third group includes a positive refractive power lens and a negative refractive power lens, the positive refractive power lens of the third group and the negative refractive power lens of the third group are bonded together to form an integrated body
Implementation Method 4
a fourth group with a positive refractive power and filter... The fourth group includes at least one positive refractive power lens
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides an ultra-wide-angle lens. From an object side to an imaging surface, the ultra-wide-angle lens sequentially includes a first group with a negative refractive power, a second group with a positive refractive power, a stop, a third group with a positive refractive power or negative refractive power, a fourth group with a positive refractive power and filter. The first group includes at least one negative refractive power lens, the second group sequentially includes a negative refractive power lens and a positive refractive power lens. The third group includes a positive refractive power lens and a negative refractive power lens, the positive refractive power lens of the third group and the negative refractive power lens of the third group being bonded together to form an integrated body. The fourth group includes at least one positive refractive power lens.