Vehicle Camera Optics Using Glass-Plastic Lenses for Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle camera modules face issues with optical performance degradation due to temperature changes, particularly when exposed to varying ambient conditions, affecting lens deformation and resolving power.
Innovation Solution
An optical system for vehicles comprising a combination of glass and plastic lenses with specific refractive powers and surface configurations, including a mixed use of aspheric and spherical surfaces, to stabilize performance across temperature variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a lens made of plastic is used, then the weight is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but optical performance deteriorates due to temperature changes and lens deformation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining glass and plastic lenses in a multi-lens optical system. Specifically, it uses at least one glass lens and at least one plastic lens together, where the glass lens provides thermal stability and the plastic lens reduces weight and cost. This composite approach allows the system to achieve both weight reduction and optical performance stability under temperature variations.
2Reliability
If a lens made of glass is used, then optical performance and thermal stability are improved, but weight increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different materials to different lens positions based on their specific functional requirements. Glass lenses are strategically placed where thermal stability is most critical, while plastic lenses are used in positions where weight reduction is prioritized. This localized material selection optimizes the overall system performance while balancing weight and cost constraints.
3Ease of manufacture
If all lenses are made of the same material, then manufacturing is simplified, but optical performance deteriorates under temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials with at least one glass lens and at least one plastic lens to achieve temperature resistance. The different thermal expansion coefficients and refractive index stabilities of glass and plastic materials work complementarily to maintain optical performance across temperature variations, while the multi-lens design allows each material to be used where it provides the most benefit.
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 suppresses lens deformation and maintains stable optical performance across temperature changes, enhancing reliability and reducing weight while managing increased material costs.
Implementation Method 1
The first lens includes an object-side first surface and an image-side second surface, the second lens includes an object-side third surface and an image-side fourth surface, the third lens includes an object-side fifth surface and an image-side sixth surface
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system for a vehicle disclosed in an embodiment of the invention includes first to fourth lenses sequentially stacked along an optical axis in an image direction from an object side, and an aperture stop is disposed on an outer circumference between the second lens and the third lens, first lens includes an object-side first surface and an image-side second surface, the second lens includes an object-side third surface and an image-side fourth surface, and the third lens includes an object-side fifth surface and an image-side sixth surface, the third lens disposed on the image side with respect to the aperture stop have a convex object-side fifth surface and a convex image-side sixth surface on the optical axis, the first surface of the first lens on the optical axis is convex toward the object side, the third lens has a positive refractive power, and one of the first to fourth lenses is made of glass, and at least one other is made of plastic.