Darkening device for an adas-camera, control unit for an adas-camera-system, adas-camera-system and vehicle containing an adas-camera-system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020039328-A1
Application number	US-201916528409-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 31, 2019
Priority date	Aug 6, 2018
Publication date	Feb 6, 2020
Grant date	—

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a dimming element for an ADAS camera comprising a layer that can be placed on a surface of a window that comprises liquid crystal cells that can be actuated individually and absorb light when electricity is applied, in order to dim an image section of the ADAS camera depending on the position of the sun detected by the ADAS camera. A delay layer, located between the layer and the ADAS camera may provide polarized light to the ADAS camera independently of an alignment of the liquid crystal cells in relation to the ADAS camera. The disclosure also relates to a control device for an ADAS camera system, and ADAS camera system, and a vehicle comprising an ADAS camera system.

First claim

1 . A dimming element for an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) camera, wherein a surface area of the dimming element is a same size as a field of vision of the ADAS camera on an inner surface of at least one of a windshield or rear window of a vehicle, the dimming element comprising:
a layer configured to be placed on the inner surface, the layer comprising liquid crystal cells, wherein the liquid crystal cells can be actuated individually, and absorb light when electricity is applied, and configured to dim an image section of the ADAS camera, depending on a position of the sun as detected by the ADAS camera; and a delay layer, located between the layer and the ADAS camera, configured to provide light to the ADAS camera independently of an orientation of the liquid crystal cells in relation to the ADAS camera.

2 . The dimming element according to claim 1 , wherein the delay layer is located on a side of the layer facing away from the inner surface.

3 . The dimming element according to claim 1 , wherein the delay layer is a λ/4 delay layer.

4 . The dimming element according to claim 1 , wherein the dimming element is placed on the inner surface such that the dimming element is functionally connected to a defroster.

5 . The dimming element according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid crystals of the liquid crystal cells comprise an organic compound.

6 . An advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) camera system comprising:
an ADAS camera; and a dimming element, comprising:
a layer comprising liquid crystal cells, the liquid crystal cells configured to be actuated individually, to absorb light when electricity is applied, and to dim an image section of the ADAS camera;
a delay layer located between the layer and the ADAS camera, the delay layer configured to provide light to the ADAS camera independently of an orientation of the liquid crystal cells in relation to the ADAS camera;
a first interface for obtaining a position of the sun on an image sensor of the ADAS camera; a computing unit configured to determine which liquid crystal cells of the dimming element to dim by applying electricity to the liquid crystal cells at the position of the sun on the image sensor, depending on the position of the sun on the image sensor and depending on extrinsic and intrinsic parameters of the ADAS camera; and a second interface for applying electricity to the liquid crystal cells determined by the computing unit.

7 . The ADAS camera system according to claim 6 , further comprising:
wherein the first control device is configured to actuate a first portion of the liquid crystal cells, and the second control device is configured to actuate a second portion of the liquid crystal cells, independently of the first control device.

8 . The ADAS camera system according to claim 7 , wherein the dimming element is located on the ADAS camera.

9 . A vehicle comprising the ADAS camera system according to claim 7 , wherein
the ADAS camera is located on a rear view mirror of the vehicle, the dimming element is located on an inner surface of a windshield of the vehicle in a field of vision of the ADAS camera, and the first and second control devices are integrated in at least one of the ADAS camera or the dimming element.

10 . The dimming element according to claim 1 , wherein the dimming element comprises a heating element for heating the liquid crystals.

Assignees

• ZF Friedrichshfen AG
• Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen

Inventors

• Rakoczi Viktor

Classifications

• B60J3/04

  adjustable in transparency · CPC title

• G02F1/133528 Primary

  Polarisers · CPC title

• B60R1/001

  integrated in the windows, e.g. Fresnel lenses · CPC title

• B60R11/04 Primary

  Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle · CPC title

• B60J3/007 Primary

  Sunglare reduction by coatings, interposed foils in laminar windows, or permanent screens (layered glass products B32B17/00; process of coating windows C03C17/00) · CPC title