Vehicle State Detection Device Using Laser Diffusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional state detection devices in vehicles face challenges with brightness variations between day and night, leading to increased power consumption and size issues when using LEDs, and the use of laser illumination requires careful safety considerations due to high light intensity and inefficient area illumination.

Innovation Solution

A state detection device incorporating a camera, a laser module, and an optical member such as a diffusion plate or diffraction grating to spread laser light uniformly over a predetermined area, reducing light intensity and ensuring safety while maintaining strong illumination for imaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If LED illumination is used to capture images in varying brightness conditions, then image capture capability is improved, but power consumption and device size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination brightnessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces LED illumination with laser illumination. Lasers provide high-intensity light with much lower power consumption compared to LEDs. The laser beam is focused onto a specific area (driver's face) to provide sufficient illumination for image capture without the need for high-power consumption LEDs, thereby resolving the contradiction between illumination intensity and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Illumination intensity

If LED illumination is used to ensure adequate lighting, then image capture quality is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination brightnessVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes LED illumination systems with laser illumination systems. Lasers are compact light sources that can be integrated into small form factors while providing sufficient illumination intensity. This replacement reduces the overall device size while maintaining the capability to capture images under varying brightness conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Use of energy by moving object

If laser light is used for illumination, then power consumption is reduced, but light intensity becomes too high causing safety concerns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidlight intensity safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by focusing the laser beam onto a specific local area (the driver's face) rather than illuminating a wide area uniformly. This concentration of light energy on a small target area provides sufficient illumination for image capture while limiting the total light exposure to safe levels. The optical member controls the beam to achieve appropriate light distribution only where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Use of energy by moving object

If laser light is used for illumination, then power consumption is reduced, but illumination area coverage becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidillumination area

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of the laser beam by using an optical member to control beam spreading and light distribution. The optical member adjusts the beam divergence and intensity distribution to illuminate a sufficient area (driver's face and surrounding region) while maintaining low power consumption. This allows the system to expand the effective illumination area without increasing power consumption or compromising safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution allows for efficient and safe illumination of the driver's area with reduced power consumption and heat generation, preventing adverse effects on the human body and improving image capture quality by controlling light distribution and intensity.

Implementation Method 1

an optical member configured to emit the light of the laser with spreading to a predetermined irradiation area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

A state detection device incorporating a camera, a laser module, and an optical member such as a diffusion plate or diffraction grating to spread laser light uniformly over a predetermined area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 3

an optical member such as a diffusion plate or diffraction grating to spread laser light uniformly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentUS11561408B2State detection device

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A state detection device includes a camera configured to capture an image of an imaging area where a driver is present, a laser configured to emit light toward the imaging area, and an optical member configured to emit the light of the laser with spreading to a predetermined irradiation area.