Variable Darkening Element for Glare Control in Vehicle Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image acquisition devices in driver assistance systems face challenges in processing data due to ambient light influences like direct sunlight or low beams, leading to insufficient image quality and unreliable processing.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a variable darkening element, such as smart glass or electrochromic glass, that adjusts translucency based on light parameters to control the amount of light reaching the image acquisition sensor, preventing glare and ensuring high-quality image data across various lighting conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed translucency element is used, then the device structure is simple, but the image quality deteriorates under ambient light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a variable darkening element with adjustable translucency that can dynamically adapt to different ambient light conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain high image quality by preventing glare from direct sunlight or low beams, while the element can be integrated into the existing device structure without requiring complete redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The darkening element's translucency parameter is made variable to resolve the contradiction. By changing the translucency parameter in response to ambient light conditions, the system achieves reliable image quality across different lighting scenarios without requiring multiple fixed elements or complex mechanical structures.
2Reliability
If no darkening element is used, then the device structure is simple, but glare from ambient light causes insufficient image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of ambient light into a controllable parameter. By using a variable darkening element, the system can selectively block harmful glare from direct sunlight or low beams while allowing useful ambient light to pass through, thus transforming the harmful factor into a manageable condition that improves image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The darkening element acts as an intermediary between the ambient light and the image acquisition sensor. It mediates the interaction by selectively attenuating harmful light components (direct sunlight, low beams) while allowing beneficial light to reach the sensor, thereby protecting the imaging system from glare-induced degradation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a variable darkening element is used, then image quality is maintained under various lighting conditions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The variable darkening element is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a protective element against glare and a quality enhancement element for image acquisition. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to various lighting conditions (direct sunlight, low beams, twilight, night light) without requiring separate specialized components for each scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The darkening element can be controlled to adjust its translucency automatically in response to ambient light conditions, reducing the need for complex manual control systems. The element essentially serves itself by detecting and responding to light conditions, thereby maintaining adaptability while minimizing the complexity of external control mechanisms.
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 solution effectively prevents glare-induced data processing issues, allowing for reliable image acquisition and processing even in bright or low-light conditions, ensuring accurate recognition of contours and elements, and maintaining high-quality image data.
Implementation Method 1
The darkening element may include smart glass, electrochromic glass
Implementation Method 2
thermochromic glass
Implementation Method 3
liquid crystal glass
Implementation Method 4
at least one sensor element for sensing at least one light parameter of light impinging on the image acquisition device, in particular the light entry element, the image acquisition sensor and/or the darkening element
Data Source
AI summary
An image acquisition device for a driver assistance system of a vehicle includes at least one light entry element and at least one image acquisition sensor. Image information in the form of light rays from the light entry element impinge on the image acquisition sensor along a ray path. The image acquisition device includes at least one darkening element having a variable translucency in at least a first frequency range.