Vehicle Bottom Imaging System with Switchable Mirrors for Height Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle bottom surface monitoring devices require numerous cameras, leading to high costs and image blurring due to varying vehicle ground heights, which complicates the optical processing and control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle bottom surface imaging system with a housing equipped with sequentially arranged reflecting members and imaging devices, allowing selective use based on vehicle ground height, reducing the number of imaging devices and enabling high-precision imaging without focusing during image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple cameras are arranged inside the groove portion to monitor the vehicle bottom surface, then the monitoring reliability is improved, but the system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The single imaging device is designed to perform multiple imaging functions by capturing images through different reflecting members (first and second reflecting members) positioned at various angles. This multi-functional design allows one camera to replace multiple cameras, reducing system cost while maintaining comprehensive bottom surface monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
Reflecting members (mirrors) are introduced as intermediary elements to redirect light paths from different regions of the vehicle bottom surface to a single imaging device. These intermediaries enable one camera to capture images that would otherwise require multiple cameras positioned at different locations
2Quantity of substance
If a single imaging device is used to reduce cost, then the system cost decreases, but image precision deteriorates due to out-of-focus state caused by varying vehicle ground heights
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different reflecting members based on the detected vehicle ground height. The switching mechanism adjusts the optical path in real-time to match the varying distance from the imaging device to the vehicle bottom surface, ensuring the image remains in focus regardless of vehicle type or ground height variations
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the optical configuration parameter (which reflecting member is active) based on the ground height parameter. By detecting the ground height and selecting the appropriate reflecting member with the corresponding focal distance, the system maintains optimal image precision across different vehicle configurations
3Adaptability or versatility
If wide-angle lens is used to accommodate varying ground heights, then the focusing problem is solved, but the control mechanism complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single complex wide-angle lens, the system segments the imaging function into multiple simpler optical paths, each handled by a dedicated reflecting member. Each reflecting member creates a simplified optical path optimized for a specific ground height range, avoiding the need for complex wide-angle optics while maintaining adaptability
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 system achieves high-precision imaging for vehicles with different ground heights while reducing costs by using fewer cameras and automating the imaging process based on acquired ground heights.
Implementation Method 1
The first reflecting member reflects the light incident from above the housing onto the first imaging device
Implementation Method 2
The second reflecting member reflects the light incident from above the housing onto the second imaging device
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle bottom surface imaging system is equipped with a housing above which a vehicle can pass, first and second reflecting mirrors provided inside the housing and sequentially arranged along a passing direction of the vehicle, and first and second cameras provided inside the housing and arranged apart from each other in a vehicle width direction. The first reflecting mirror reflects the light incident from above the housing onto the first camera. The second reflecting mirror reflects the light incident from above the housing onto the second camera. The first reflecting mirror is so provided as to be changed over between a service state where the light incident from above the housing is reflected onto the first camera and a folded state where the reflected light from the second reflecting mirror onto the second camera is not blocked.