Camera with 2-component element
Device for acquiring images inside a vehicle, comprising an illuminator to illuminate a field of view, an image sensor that is arranged to acquire images from the field of view, and an optical element having a light-transparent portion and a light-blocking portion, wherein the light-transparent portion is arranged so that light of the illuminator being emitted to the field of view passes through the light-transparent portion, and wherein the light-blocking portion is arranged to block light of the illuminator being emitted in a direction towards the image sensor.
1. A device for acquiring images inside a vehicle, said device comprising:
an illuminator configured to illuminate a field of view;
an image sensor configured to acquire images from the field of view; and
a cover between the illuminator and the field of view;
an optical element that abuts the cover on a side opposite the field of view, the optical element further comprising a light-transparent portion, a light-blocking portion, and a printed circuit board (PCB),
wherein the light-transparent portion is configured so that:
light of the illuminator emitted to the field of view passes through the light-transparent portion;
the light-transparent portion forms a cavity with an opening and defines a space that is partially occupied by a light source;
a side of the light-transparent portion partially forms the cavity and faces the light source to form a lens; and
the light-transparent portion comprises a silicon rubber and further forms a sealed surface that abuts the PCB to dampen vibrations of the PCB, and
wherein the light-blocking portion is configured to block the light of the illuminator emitted in a direction towards the image sensor.
2. The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the light-transparent portion forms at least one lens.
3. The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the illuminator is arranged to emit light at an infrared-range wavelength.
4. The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the illuminator comprises a laser or a light emitting diode.
5. The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the illuminator comprises a light source that is encapsulated by the light-transparent portion.
6. The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the light-blocking portion comprises an elastic material.
7. The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the light-transparent portion defines an inner space with an undercut.
8. The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein a surface of the light-transparent portion is at least partially coated with an anti-reflective coating or a reflective coating.
9. The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the light-transparent portion has a light-entering surface with diffusing properties, a light-exiting surface with diffusing properties.
10. The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the light-transparent portion comprises a material having light diffusing properties.
11. The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the illuminator comprises a reflector that is provided to deflect the light of a light source in the direction of the field of view, wherein the reflector abuts at least one of the light-transparent portion or the light-blocking portion.
12. The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the reflector and the light-blocking portion abut each other to form a sealing surface, wherein the sealing surface extends along a closed shape.
13. The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the reflector and the light-transparent portion abut each other to form a sealing surface, wherein the sealing surface extends along a closed shape.
14. The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the illuminator comprises a printed circuit board and the light-transparent portion and the printed circuit board abut each other to form a sealing surface, wherein the sealing surface extends along a closed shape.
15. The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the cover is impermeable to visible light, wherein the light-blocking portion and the cover abut each other to form a sealing surface.
16. The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the light-blocking portion forms at least one frame through which the light of the light source emits light to the field of view.
17. The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the light-blocking portion and the light-transparent portion form a connection zone along a closed shape.
18. The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the optical element comprises a single fabricated part comprising a thermoplastic material.
19. The device for acquiring images inside a vehicle according to claim 18 , wherein the single fabricated part extends from the illuminator towards the cover to prevent light leaks at the image sensor, the light leaks being caused by the illuminator.