Vehicle Camera Thermal Control for Continuous Driver Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles equipped with cameras for monitoring surroundings face overheating issues due to exposure to sunlight and heat generated by the image processor, leading to temporary shutdown of driver assistance functions, which can result in safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A camera device with a control unit that alters the program sequence based on temperature to reduce power consumption and heat generation, allowing driver assistance functions to continue even when the computer unit is at high temperatures, by slowing down the program sequence or deactivating non-safety critical functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the video processor is shut down to prevent overheating, then the temperature of the computer unit is reduced, but the driver assistance functions become temporarily unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the program sequence executable or non-executable based on real-time temperature conditions. The control unit dynamically adjusts the system state by altering the program sequence's executability according to temperature thresholds, allowing the system to transition between operational and protective states without complete shutdown
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of program sequence executability based on temperature parameters. When temperature exceeds thresholds, the control unit alters the program sequence to be non-executable or modifies execution parameters, thereby reducing power consumption and heat generation while maintaining system availability through alternative means
2Reliability
If the program sequence is executed continuously to maintain driver assistance functions, then the availability of driver assistance functions is improved, but the computer unit temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the computer unit temperature and using this information to control the executability of the program sequence. The control unit receives temperature data and adjusts the program sequence execution accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents overheating while maintaining function availability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts program sequence executability based on real-time temperature feedback, transitioning between executable and non-executable states to balance function availability with thermal management requirements
3Temperature
If the program sequence is altered to reduce power consumption, then the computer unit temperature is reduced, but the functionality of driver assistance functions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively altering the program sequence executability rather than completely shutting down the system. The control unit can partially restrict program execution based on temperature levels, maintaining essential functions while reducing overall power consumption and heat generation
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a camera device (3) for a motor vehicle (1), having: a camera (4) for recording an image, a computing unit (8) for executing a program sequence (12) for providing at least part of a driver assistance function (13, 14, 15) depending on the recorded image, a provisioning unit (11) for providing a temperature of the computing unit (8), and a control unit (10), which is configured to modify the program sequence (12) depending on the provided temperature, the computing unit (8) being configured to execute the modified program sequence (12′).