Vehicle Camera Module Vertical Lens Stacking Compact Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Camera modules installed on vehicle windshields face challenges in achieving high image position accuracy in the lateral direction while avoiding blind spots and object loss, particularly when using multiple lens units with overlapping angles of view and depths of field, which can lead to decreased pixel resolution and increased size due to the need for hoods, affecting productivity and field of view.
Innovation Solution
A camera module configuration with multiple lens units having shifted optical axes and different angles of view, including wide, narrow, and telescopic units, where the angles of view overlap vertically, and a hood design that guides optical images and restricts excess light, ensuring high image position accuracy and compact size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple lens units with overlapping angles of view are used to improve image position accuracy and eliminate blind spots, then the field of view coverage is improved, but the device size increases due to the need for hoods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges multiple lens units in a vertical stacking configuration rather than horizontal placement. The first lens unit images the upper half of the external environment while the second lens unit images the lower half, with their angles of view overlapping in the vertical dimension. This vertical arrangement reduces the lateral space required, allowing the module to be more compact while maintaining comprehensive field of view coverage and eliminating blind spots.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the imaging field into multiple segments by using separate lens units for different vertical regions. The first lens unit is dedicated to imaging the upper half of the external environment, while the second lens unit handles the lower half. This segmentation allows each lens unit to be optimized for its specific region, improving image position accuracy within each segment while the overall system maintains compact dimensions through vertical integration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If lens units with different angles of view are used to cover various distances, then the field of view range is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a shared hood structure that serves multiple functions: it protects both the first and second lens units, guides optical images for both lens units, and restricts excess light for the entire system. This universal hood design simplifies manufacturing by using a single integrated component rather than separate housings for each lens unit, while still accommodating the different angle of view requirements of each lens.
3Manufacturing precision
If hoods are added to guide optical images and restrict excess light, then image quality is improved, but the productivity decreases due to increased assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the hood as a single unified structure that simultaneously performs multiple functions: protecting the lens units, guiding optical images from both lens units, and restricting excess light. By merging these functions into one component rather than using separate elements for each function, the assembly process is simplified, improving productivity while maintaining the image quality benefits of proper optical guidance and light restriction.
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
Enhances image position accuracy in the lateral direction, reduces the risk of object loss in overlapping regions, and maintains a compact module size, improving productivity and field of view without interfering with the vehicle occupant's field of view.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens unit (30w) with a first angle of view (θw)... a second lens unit (30n) with a second angle of view (θn)... an optical image of an external environment (5) individually enters within the angles of view (θw, θn)
Implementation Method 2
to restrict incidence of light on the lens units from an outside of the imaging target range
Data Source
AI summary
A camera module, which is mounted on an inside of a front windshield of a vehicle and configured to image an external environment of the vehicle, includes multiple lens units on which an optical image of the external environment is incident, individually, and an imaging system to generate an outside image of the external environment by imaging through each of the lens units, individually.