Vehicle Optical Sensor Thermal Mode Switching for Overheat Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Cameras in vehicles often overheat due to direct sunlight, leading to technical failures and potential damage from excessive temperatures.

Innovation Solution

Optical sensor devices in vehicles adjust their operating mode based on thermal data to manage temperature by terminating processes, reducing frame rate, or modifying functionality when temperatures exceed a threshold, using configuration documents and vehicle management systems for remote control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If cameras are attached to vehicle dashboard or windshield for unobstructed view, then road and driver visibility is improved, but camera temperature increases leading to technical failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroad and driver visibilityVSAvoidcamera temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The camera system dynamically adjusts its operating mode based on detected temperature levels. When temperature exceeds a threshold, the system transitions from a first operating mode (full functionality, higher frame rates) to a second operating mode (reduced functionality, lower frame rates), and can revert back when temperature decreases, thereby adapting to thermal conditions while maintaining operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (frame rate, processing intensity, activation states) in response to temperature changes. Configuration documents define threshold temperatures and corresponding parameter adjustments, allowing the camera to modify its operational characteristics to balance visibility requirements with thermal management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If camera operates at full functionality to maintain road and driver monitoring, then monitoring quality is improved, but temperature increases causing technical failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring qualityVSAvoidcamera temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The camera system dynamically adjusts its operating mode based on detected temperature levels. When temperature exceeds a threshold, the system transitions from a first operating mode (full functionality, higher frame rates) to a second operating mode (reduced functionality, lower frame rates), and can revert back when temperature decreases, thereby adapting to thermal conditions while maintaining operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by reducing camera functionality only when necessary (when temperature exceeds threshold). The camera can operate at reduced frame rates or with selective processing activated, providing sufficient monitoring quality under normal conditions while preventing overheating, and restoring full functionality when thermal conditions permit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Temperature

If camera reduces frame rate to lower temperature, then temperature control is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera temperatureVSAvoidframe rate

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic monitoring of temperature and adjusts frame rate accordingly. The camera operates at reduced frame rates during high-temperature periods and returns to normal frame rates when temperature decreases, creating a periodic pattern of operation that balances thermal management with productivity requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The camera system dynamically adjusts its operating mode based on detected temperature levels. When temperature exceeds a threshold, the system transitions from a first operating mode (full functionality, higher frame rates) to a second operating mode (reduced functionality, lower frame rates), and can revert back when temperature decreases, thereby adapting to thermal conditions while maintaining operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12556813B1Configuration of optical sensor devices in vehicles based on thermal data

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 SAMSARA INC

AI summary

Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media for configuration of optical sensor devices in vehicles based on thermal data. To manage the temperature of an optical sensor device, temperature data describing the current temperature of the optical sensor is used to determine whether the current temperature meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature. If the current temperature meets or exceeds the threshold temperature, the optical sensor device may be configured into a modified operating mode to reduce the current temperature of the optical sensor device. For example, the operating mode of the optical sensor device may be modified to terminate one or more processes, reduce a frame rate at which image/video data is captured, and the like.