Vehicle Vision Camera with Adjustable Imager Focus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle vision systems lack an efficient mechanism for adjusting camera focus to capture clear images of objects at varying distances, which can lead to poor image quality and reduced driver assistance in maneuvering the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle vision system that utilizes one or more CMOS cameras with an adjustable imager positioned relative to the lens, allowing for non-contact adjustments in focus and focal length via a control signal, enabling active focus adjustment in multiple degrees of freedom to capture images effectively both near and far field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the camera uses a fixed focus lens, then the device complexity is reduced, but the image quality deteriorates when capturing objects at varying distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamically adjustable focus system where the imager can be repositioned relative to the lens along the optical axis in response to control signals. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the camera to maintain high image quality for objects at varying distances, transforming a static fixed-focus system into an adaptive one that resolves the contradiction between image quality and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the focal parameter by adjusting the physical position of the imager relative to the lens through controlled movement along the optical axis. This parameter change enables the camera to optimize focus for different object distances, thereby maintaining high manufacturing precision (image quality) without requiring multiple fixed-focus lenses or complex optical systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the camera has adjustable focus capability, then the adaptability to capture images at varying distances is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic repositioning of the imager along the optical axis to achieve focus adjustment. This dynamic mechanism allows the camera to adapt to different shooting scenarios (near and far field objects) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, thus improving adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable focus mechanism serves multiple functions: it enables the single camera to capture clear images of both near and far objects, replaces the need for multiple fixed-focus cameras, and provides versatile imaging capability across different distances. This multi-functionality approach enhances adaptability while avoiding the complexity of having separate optical systems for different focal ranges.
3Ease of operation
If the imager is repositioned relative to the lens, then the focus adjustment capability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual or mechanical focus adjustment mechanisms with an electronically controlled system that repositions the imager along the optical axis. This substitution simplifies the user operation (improving ease of operation) while the modular design of the repositioning mechanism helps control manufacturing complexity by using standardized components and control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A camera for a vision system of a vehicle includes a housing, an imager and a lens assembly. The imager is disposed in the housing and includes a pixelated imaging array having a plurality of photosensing elements. The imager captures image data. The lens assembly is disposed at the housing. The imager is disposed at an adjustment device in the housing. The adjustment device is operable, responsive to a control signal, to adjust a position of the imager relative to the housing and the lens assembly.