Wireless Thermal Camera Mounting Through Windshield

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Solution Overview

Problem

Thermal infrared cameras cannot be mounted internally behind windshields due to glass opacity, requiring external mounting which exposes the camera to the environment and complicates data transfer, making user-friendly self-installation challenging.

Innovation Solution

A fully or partially wireless ADAS system where an external component captures thermal images and wirelessly transmits them to an internal component through the windshield, with the internal component also wirelessly powering the external component, allowing for secure and reliable data transfer without physical cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If thermal infrared camera is mounted externally, then the camera can capture thermal images, but the camera is exposed to environmental elements and data transfer becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal image capture capabilityVSAvoidenvironmental exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a windshield-mounted camera housing as an intermediary structure that captures thermal images while being positioned to minimize environmental exposure. The housing includes a windshield aperture that allows thermal radiation passage while protecting the camera sensor, and integrates with the vehicle's existing windshield structure to provide a protected mounting location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If wired connection is used between camera and receiving unit, then data transfer is secure and quick, but installation becomes costly and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer securityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless communication system. The camera housing includes a wireless transceiver that communicates with the vehicle's receiving unit through the windshield glass, eliminating the need for physical cable installation while maintaining secure and reliable data transfer. This substitution simplifies installation to a non-invasive process that does not require cutting or routing cables through the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If wired connection is used between camera and receiving unit, then data transfer is secure and quick, but installation requires expert expertise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer speedVSAvoidself-installation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication system allows the camera housing to transmit data through the windshield glass without requiring any physical connection installation. The housing includes mounting features that attach to the vehicle's existing windshield structure, enabling a vehicle owner to install the system themselves by simply mounting the housing and connecting power, without needing expert knowledge of vehicle wiring or cable routing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If camera is mounted internally behind windshield, then camera is protected from elements, but glass opacity blocks thermal IR radiation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from elementsVSAvoidthermal image capture

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the windshield glass itself as an intermediary medium that allows thermal infrared radiation to pass through while providing protection. The camera housing is positioned with its aperture aligned to the windshield, creating a path for thermal radiation to reach the camera sensor through the glass, thus achieving both protection and thermal imaging capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a localized opening or aperture in the windshield mounting structure at the camera housing position, allowing thermal radiation to pass through to the camera sensor while the rest of the windshield continues to provide protection. This local modification enables thermal imaging without compromising the overall protective function of the windshield.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables user-friendly self-installation of thermal camera-based ADAS systems by overcoming environmental exposure and data transfer challenges, ensuring secure and reliable data transmission while maintaining system functionality and safety.

Implementation Method 1

wirelessly transmitting a plurality of data formed from the thermal images to an internal component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the internal component also wirelessly powering the external component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic energy transfer: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11420570B2Wireless camera mounting system

Publication Date: 2022.08.23 ADASKY LTD

AI summary

A camera mounting system and a method for processing images are disclosed. The system includes an external component configured to capture thermal images, and an internal component configured to receive the thermal images. The thermal images are wirelessly transmitted by the external component, the external component is coupled to the internal component via a glass, and the internal component is further configured to wirelessly power the external component.