Patent ID: 6757109
Filing Date: 2004-06-29
Classification: B60R,G02B

Abstract:
An optical system for use with an imaging system of a vehicle, said optical system comprising:a plurality of optical elements, said plurality of optical elements comprising less than five optical elements, at least one of said plurality of optical elements comprising a plastic material, said at least one of said plurality of optical elements having an outer surface positioned toward an exterior of the vehicle and exposed outside of the vehicle when said optical system is positioned at the vehicle, said outer surface having at least one of (a) a protective coating to protect said outer surface from deterioration or damage due to exposure outside of the vehicle, (b) a conductive coating adapted for heating to defog or defrost said outer surface, (c) a wire mesh coating adapted for heating to defog or defrost said outer surface, and (d) an anti-wetting coating to provide at least one of a hydrophobic property and a hydrophilic property to said outer surface, said optical system providing a field of view of at least approximately 100 degrees to an imaging plane; and a sensor positioned at said imaging plane, said plurality of optical elements providing a field of view to said sensor, said sensor being operable to generate an output indicative of an image of the field of view, said sensor comprising a component of a vehicular vision system for providing scenic information of an area exteriorly of the vehicle to an occupant of the vehicle, wherein said plurality of optical elements comprises an outer optical element, an inner optical element and first and second intermediate optical elements positioned between said outer and inner optical elements, said inner optical elements being at an end of said optical system toward said imaging plane, wherein said inner optical element comprises an outer positively curved surface and an inner negatively curved surface.