Positive pressure protection system and method suitable for camera module

Abstract

The invention provides a positive pressure protection system and method suitable for a camera module, and aims to solve the problem that external liquid invades due to the fact that the overall airtightness of the module is weakened due to the fact that a movable cleaning structure is installed in a penetrating mode. By actively constructing and maintaining the positive pressure environment in the protection area of the camera module, the safety of the environment in the camera module in the function operation process is guaranteed, the sealing performance attenuation of a penetratively mounted movable structure can be effectively dealt with, and leakage and short circuit damage caused by the movement of the related movable structure are avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of security camera modules, and in particular to a positive pressure protection system and method suitable for camera modules. Background Art

[0002] When used outdoors, security cameras are subject to interference from natural environmental factors such as rain. There are currently innovative cameras, such as the integrated camera module self-cleaning system disclosed in Application No. 2025102358777, or the integrated module self-cleaning system disclosed in Application No. 2025103007532, which have a movable structure on the lens to ensure the cleanliness of the outer surface of the first lens of the camera; this movable structure has strong functionality, but it also destroys the overall sealing of the camera module, causing external moisture and liquid to penetrate into the module through the sealing gap during movement (such as Figure 1 The structure shown in the figure) causes short circuit damage to the module. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present application aims to provide a positive pressure protection system and method suitable for a camera module, so as to overcome the problem that the overall air tightness of the module is weakened due to the penetrating installation of a movable cleaning structure, which in turn leads to the intrusion of external liquid. The present application actively constructs and maintains a positive pressure environment within the protection area of the camera module to ensure the safety of the internal environment of the camera module during the operation of the cleaning lens function, avoid the intrusion of external liquid, ensure the electrical function safety of the camera module, and avoid leakage when the relevant movable structure moves, causing short-circuit damage.

[0004] To achieve the purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions: A positive pressure protection system for a camera module, wherein the camera module is provided with a cleaning assembly capable of cleaning the outer surface of a first lens thereof, and the system comprises a module main control module and a positive pressure drive module provided in the camera module; The module main control module is used to send a preparation instruction to the positive pressure drive module before the cleaning action; The positive pressure drive module executes the action preparation instruction to build and maintain a positive pressure environment in the camera module; While maintaining a positive pressure environment in the camera module, the cleaning component cleans the outer surface of the first lens.

[0005] Furthermore, the positive pressure driving module includes: An air guide module, which connects the inside of the camera module with the outside world; A state switching valve module, which is provided on the gas guide module and is used to switch the gas guide module on or off; The micro fan module is used to create positive pressure in the camera module when the state switching valve module is connected to the air guide module, so that the air pressure in the gap between the cleaning component and the camera module is also maintained at a relatively stable positive pressure.

[0006] Furthermore, the module control module is provided with: A timer unit, used to monitor the operating time of the positive pressure driving module to build a positive pressure environment and maintain the positive pressure environment; A register unit is used to trigger an alarm and set an alarm flag when the running time monitored by the timer unit exceeds a preset time.

[0007] Furthermore, the positive pressure drive module is provided with: Air pressure monitoring unit, which is used to sample the air pressure data inside the camera module in real time; The air pressure determination unit is used to determine whether the air pressure sampled by the air pressure monitoring unit has reached the set initial value for building a positive pressure environment. If so, the construction of the positive pressure environment is completed. The air pressure determination unit is also used to determine whether the air pressure sampled by the air pressure monitoring unit is stable within the preset limit for maintaining the positive pressure environment. If so, the positive pressure environment is maintained.

[0008] Furthermore, the module main control module is also used to send a power-off command to the positive pressure drive module after the cleaning action is completed. After the positive pressure drive module executes the power-off command, it releases the positive pressure environment state in the camera module and restores the relative sealing inside the camera module.

[0009] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application further provides a positive pressure protection method applicable to a camera module, wherein the camera module is provided with a cleaning component capable of cleaning the outer surface of the first lens thereof, and the method comprises the following steps: Before cleaning, create and maintain a positive pressure environment inside the camera module; While maintaining a positive pressure environment in the camera module, the outer surface of the first lens is cleaned.

[0010] Furthermore, executing the positive pressure building procedure includes: Connect the inside of the camera module with the outside world; Wind pressure is created inside the camera module to maintain the air pressure in the gap between the cleaning component and the camera module at a relatively stable positive pressure.

[0011] Furthermore, the method further comprises the following steps: Monitor the duration of establishing and maintaining a positive pressure environment; When the monitored running time exceeds the preset time, an alarm is triggered and an alarm flag is set.

[0012] Furthermore, the method further comprises the following steps: Real-time sampling of air pressure data inside the camera module; Determine whether the sampled air pressure reaches the set initial value for building a positive pressure environment. If so, the positive pressure environment is built. Determine whether the sampled air pressure is stable within the preset limit for maintaining a positive pressure environment. If stable, maintain the positive pressure environment.

[0013] Furthermore, the method further comprises the following steps: After the cleaning operation is completed, the positive pressure environment state in the camera module is released and the relative sealing inside the camera module is restored.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: The present application provides a positive pressure protection system and method suitable for a camera module, which is used to overcome the problem of the overall air tightness of the module being weakened due to the penetrating installation of a movable cleaning structure, thereby leading to the intrusion of external liquid. The present application adopts the following technical solution: before the camera module is cleaned, a positive pressure environment is actively constructed and maintained within the protection area of the camera module to ensure the safety of the environment inside the camera module during functional operation, and can effectively deal with the attenuation of the sealing of the penetrating installation movable structure, avoiding leakage when the relevant movable structure is in motion, causing short-circuit damage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for describing the embodiments.

[0016] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the existing lens when it moves; Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the working principle of an embodiment of the present application; Figure 3 This is a principle block diagram of an embodiment of the present application; Figure 4 This is a workflow diagram of an embodiment of the present application; Figure 5 is a workflow diagram of the positive pressure construction procedure in the embodiment of the present application; Figure 6 is a workflow diagram of the positive pressure maintenance procedure in an embodiment of the present application; Figure 7 This is a workflow diagram of the emergency shutdown procedure in an embodiment of the present application; Figure 8 This is a workflow diagram of the power-off procedure in the embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] like Figure 1-8As shown, the present application provides a positive pressure protection system suitable for a camera module, which includes the following modules: a multifunctional lens group, a closed protective shell, a camera module main module and a positive pressure drive module. The camera module is provided with a functional actuating component that can clean and actuate the outer surface of its first lens. The positive pressure drive module is provided with an air guide module, a micro fan module and a state switching valve module. Each functional module is mounted on a circuit board and is composed of chips and electronic components; the circuit board carrying each functional module is installed in a closed protective shell; the multifunctional lens group and the closed protective shell are connected to form a safe cavity protected by the system; the air guide module and the closed protective shell are provided with ventilation holes to introduce dry air; the micro fan module and the state switching valve module are connected to the air guide module, and the fan module extracts gas and introduces it into the safe cavity through the air guide module.

[0018] like Figure 1 The existing camera module structure shown in the figure has a movable structure on the lens to ensure the cleanliness of the outer surface of the first lens of the camera. When the lens moves, the sealing effect is weakened, and liquid invades from the gap, causing a short circuit. The present application is used to overcome the problem of weakening the overall airtightness of the module due to the penetrating installation of the movable cleaning structure, which in turn leads to the intrusion of external liquids. Figure 2 As shown, the present application actively constructs and maintains a positive pressure environment in the protection area of the camera module. When the lens moves, positive pressure is formed inside the vacuum, and the air circulates in one direction from the inside to the outside. It is difficult for liquid to penetrate through the gaps, thereby ensuring the safety of the environment inside the camera module during the operation of the lens cleaning function, avoiding the intrusion of external liquids, ensuring the electrical function safety of the camera module, and avoiding leakage when the related movable structures move, which may cause short-circuit damage.

[0019] In order to solve the above problems, a control scheme of the positive pressure protection system is designed. The principle is: ①When the multifunctional lens group needs to start moving, the main module of the camera module executes the main control program and starts the positive pressure protection system; ②The main control program sets a timer to control the cumulative running time; ③ The main control program sets a register as an alarm flag. When the alarm is triggered, the register is set to 1, otherwise it is set to 0; ④When the main program ends, recycle the timer and update the alarm flag.

[0020] Specifically, the camera module main module executes the main control program including: ①Start a main control program timer according to the setting to monitor the program running time; ②Then the main control program sends a pre-action instruction to the positive pressure drive module, waiting for the positive pressure drive module to reply with a positive pressure construction completion instruction; if the instruction is received, it indicates that the positive pressure construction is completed and proceeds to the next step; ③Then the main control program sends a function enable command to the positive pressure drive module, waiting for the positive pressure drive module to reply with a positive pressure maintenance program startup completion command; if the command is received, it indicates that the positive pressure maintenance program startup is complete and proceeds to the next step; ④Then the main control program starts the multifunctional lens group, causing the lens group to start moving and waits for the positive pressure drive module to reply with a positive pressure maintenance completion instruction; if the instruction is received, it indicates that the positive pressure maintenance is completed and proceeds to the next step; ⑤Then the main control program follows the settings, waiting for the action to be completed and the relative seal to be restored; ⑥Then the main control program sends a power-off command to the positive pressure drive module, waiting for the positive pressure drive module to reply with a power-off program completion command; receipt of the command indicates that the positive pressure module is powered off and the main control program ends.

[0021] The positive pressure protection principle of the camera module of the present application is that when the air pressure in the safety gap maintains a relatively stable positive pressure slightly greater than the external atmosphere, the gas in the module continuously fills the gaps with poor sealing effect and overflows unidirectionally from the inside to the outside, thereby preventing the infiltration of external liquids. When the camera module main module executes the main control program, if the instruction is not received normally, the judgment logic is triggered: ① If the command is not received, the execution timeout is determined. If the timeout is exceeded, the main alarm is triggered and the alarm flag is set; ② If the command is not received and has not timed out, the alarm judgment is executed. If there is no alarm mark, the command is resent and a reply command is waited for; ③ If there is a warning sign, the main alarm is triggered and the warning sign is updated.

[0022] Specifically, the positive pressure driving module of the camera module executes the positive pressure building program including: ① Receive the action preparation instruction from the main control and start the positive pressure building program; ②Then start a positive pressure operation timer according to the setting to monitor the program running time; ③ Then, a driving signal is output to open the inner air intake valve and the outer air intake valve located in the state switching valve module, connecting to the external environment, the air guide module and the micro fan module; ④Then a drive signal is output to turn on the micro fan located in the micro fan module, and the fan is powered on and starts working; ⑤Then a timeout determination is performed. If a timeout occurs, a failure alarm is triggered and an alarm flag is set. If there is no timeout, the next step is executed. ⑥Then activate the barometer to read the real-time internal air pressure; ⑦ Then, the air pressure is judged. The real-time data of the internal air pressure is sampled to determine the air pressure fluctuation signal envelope and whether it exceeds the set initial value. If it does not reach the set value, the process returns to step ⑤ to continue the judgment. If it reaches the set value, the process proceeds to the next step. ⑧Then reply to the main control positive pressure construction completion instruction, indicating that the program execution is completed and the positive pressure construction program ends; The positive pressure construction principle of the camera module of this application is: using the fan of the micro fan module to create wind pressure, forming a weak air pressure difference relative to the outside atmosphere; as the fan power increases, the air pressed in by the fan and the air leaked from the module form a dynamic balance, so that the air pressure in the safety gap maintains a relatively stable positive pressure slightly greater than the outside atmosphere.

[0023] Specifically, the positive pressure driving module of the camera module executes the positive pressure maintenance program including: ① Receive the action preparation instruction from the main control and start the positive pressure building program; ②Then start a positive pressure operation timer according to the setting to monitor the program running time; ③ Then, a driving signal is output to open the inner air intake valve and the outer air intake valve located in the state switching valve module, connecting to the external environment, the air guide module and the micro fan module; ④Then a drive signal is output to turn on the micro fan located in the micro fan module, and the fan is powered on and starts working; ⑤Then a timeout determination is performed. If a timeout occurs, a failure alarm is triggered and an alarm flag is set. If there is no timeout, the next step is executed. ⑥Then activate the barometer to read the real-time internal air pressure; ⑦ Then, the air pressure is judged. The real-time data of the internal air pressure is sampled to determine the air pressure fluctuation signal envelope and whether it exceeds the set initial value. If it does not reach the set value, the process returns to step ⑤ to continue the judgment. If it reaches the set value, the process proceeds to the next step. ⑧Then reply to the main control positive pressure construction completion instruction, indicating that the program execution is completed and the positive pressure construction program ends; The positive pressure maintenance principle of the camera module of the present application is: using the fan of the micro fan module to create wind pressure, forming a weak air pressure difference relative to the outside atmosphere; when the movable mechanism of the penetrating installation moves, it will mechanically squeeze the sealing material, resulting in a change in the sealing effect, causing a change in the amount of air leakage in the sealing area; by adjusting the fan power, the air pressed in by the fan and the changed total air leakage volume will re-form a dynamic balance, so that the air pressure in the safety gap maintains a relatively stable positive pressure slightly greater than the outside atmosphere.

[0024] The camera module positive pressure drive module executes the emergency shutdown procedure including: ① When the alarm flag is set to 1 or the alarm is triggered, the shutdown program is started and a notice of the shutdown program start is blindly sent to the main control; ②Then, a drive signal is blindly sent to close the external air inlet valve located in the state switching valve module, isolating the external environment; at the same time, the drive power supply of the micro fan module is blindly sent to instruct the fan to power off; ③ Then, a drive signal is blindly sent to close the inner air intake valve located in the state switching valve module; ④Then activate the barometer to read the real-time internal air pressure; ⑤Then the barometer reading status is determined. If the value is updated abnormally, the system is determined to be faulty, and a notice of shutdown program failure is sent blindly to the main control. The control command of valve closing / fan power off is sent again blindly. The existing failure alarm mark is updated and the shutdown program is terminated. If the value is updated normally, the next step is continued. ⑥ Then, the air pressure is judged. The real-time data of the internal air pressure is sampled to determine the envelope of the air pressure fluctuation signal and whether it exceeds the set initial value. If it does not reach the set initial value, it is judged that the system has failed. A notice of failure of the shutdown program is sent to the main control blindly, and the control command of valve closing / fan power off is sent again blindly. The existing failure alarm mark is updated and the shutdown program is ended. If the value is updated normally, the next step is executed. ⑦Then re-establish communication with the main control, reply to the main control shutdown program completion instruction, and reset the alarm flag to 0, and the emergency shutdown program ends.

[0025] The shutdown principle of the camera module of this application is to minimize the expansion of system-wide losses and system control failure caused by local electrical failures by blindly sending commands and degrading operating logic.

[0026] The camera module positive pressure drive module performs the power-off procedure including: ① Receive the power-off command from the master control and start the power-off procedure; ②Then start a power-off timer as set to monitor the program running time; ③Then reply to the main control power-off program start instruction; ④Then output the driving signal to close the external air inlet valve located in the state switching valve module, and at the same time instruct the driving power supply of the micro fan module to power off the fan; ⑤Then output a driving signal to close the inner air intake valve located in the state switching valve module; ⑥Then activate the barometer to read the real-time internal air pressure; ⑦Then a timeout determination is performed. If a timeout occurs, a power-off timeout alarm is triggered and an alarm flag is set. If there is no timeout, the next step is executed. ⑧Then, the air pressure is judged. The real-time data of the internal air pressure is sampled to determine the envelope of the air pressure fluctuation signal and whether it exceeds the set initial value. If it does not reach the set initial value, the positive pressure drive module is re-instructed to start the fan again. After a delay, the system returns to ③ and re-executes the power-off procedure until the timeout or the reading is normal. If the value is updated normally, the system proceeds to the next step. ⑨Then reply to the main control power-off completion instruction, indicating that the program execution is completed and the power-off procedure is ended.

[0027] The power-off principle of the camera module of this application is: utilizing the running inertia of the motor after power-off to form a local low-pressure area in the micro-blower module and the air guide module, thereby enhancing the closing effect of the external air intake valve.

[0028] In each control program of the camera module, the function of the timer is to control the running time of the program; by degrading the operating logic, the program that does not run as expected will be promptly imported into the emergency shutdown program, minimizing the expansion of the entire system loss and system control failure caused by local electrical failure.

[0029] The camera module's alarm flag is a register located in the main module SoC. It is defined and initialized at the beginning of the program. Periodic checks and procedural checks are set during operation to indicate functional errors in each module and to promptly introduce emergency shutdown procedures to minimize the expansion of system-wide losses and system control failures caused by local electrical faults.

[0030] Since the multifunctional lens group of the camera module is installed with a penetrating functional actuator for cleaning the outer surface of its first lens, due to the characteristics of the sealing material, a constantly changing gap will be generated during actuation due to the mismatch between mechanical extrusion and rebound recovery, resulting in fluctuations in the sealing performance; thereby increasing the risk of external liquid infiltration. In an embodiment, this structure is an existing conventional structure, consisting of a first lens, a movable cleaning functional actuator, an elastic sealing ring, a pressure cover, a lens barrel and other lens components. It has good airtightness under static working conditions. For its specific structure, reference can be made to an integrated camera module self-cleaning system disclosed in application number 2025102358777, or an integrated module self-cleaning system disclosed in application number 2025103007532. When the first lens performs a functional actuation, the elastic sealing ring is limited in rebound, resulting in a gap between the first lens and the pressure cover, causing the sealing performance to degrade.

[0031] Specifically, the camera module's enclosed protective housing is a fully sealed housing. In an embodiment, it is composed of a metal rear shell and a metal front shell, which are pressed together with sealing strips and riveted closed by screw locking or laser welding, and have good airtightness under static conditions.

[0032] The camera module is equipped with a micro fan that can provide a certain wind pressure. When the fan is powered on for a period of time, a dynamic balance will be formed, maintaining the internal pressure at a relatively constant, slightly higher than the external environment.

[0033] The present application provides a positive pressure protection system and method suitable for a camera module, which is used to overcome the problem of weakening the overall air tightness of the module due to the penetrating installation of a movable cleaning structure, thereby leading to external liquid intrusion. The present application adopts the following technical solution: before the camera module is cleaned, a positive pressure environment is actively constructed and maintained within the protection area of the camera module to ensure the safety of the environment inside the camera module during functional operation, and can effectively deal with the attenuation of the sealing of the penetrating installation movable structure, avoiding leakage when the relevant movable structure is in motion, causing short-circuit damage.

[0034] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A positive pressure protection system for a camera module, wherein the camera module is provided with a cleaning component capable of cleaning the outer surface of the first lens thereof, characterized in that ,The system includes a module main control module and a positive pressure drive module arranged in the camera module; The module main control module is used to send a preparation instruction to the positive pressure drive module before the cleaning action; The positive pressure drive module executes the action preparation instruction to build and maintain a positive pressure environment in the camera module; While maintaining a positive pressure environment in the camera module, the cleaning component cleans the outer surface of the first lens.

2. The positive pressure protection system for a camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positive pressure drive module includes: An air guide module, which connects the inside of the camera module with the outside world; A state switching valve module, which is provided on the gas guide module and is used to switch the gas guide module on or off; The micro fan module is used to create positive pressure in the camera module when the state switching valve module is connected to the air guide module, so that the air pressure in the gap between the cleaning component and the camera module is also maintained at a relatively stable positive pressure.

3. The positive pressure protection system for a camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The module control module is equipped with: A timer unit, used to monitor the operating time of the positive pressure driving module to build a positive pressure environment and maintain the positive pressure environment; A register unit is used to trigger an alarm and set an alarm flag when the running time monitored by the timer unit exceeds a preset time.

4. The positive pressure protection system for a camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positive pressure drive module is equipped with: Air pressure monitoring unit, which is used to sample the air pressure data inside the camera module in real time; The air pressure determination unit is used to determine whether the air pressure sampled by the air pressure monitoring unit has reached the set initial value for building a positive pressure environment. If so, the construction of the positive pressure environment is completed. The air pressure determination unit is also used to determine whether the air pressure sampled by the air pressure monitoring unit is stable within the preset limit for maintaining the positive pressure environment. If so, the positive pressure environment is maintained.

5. The positive pressure protection system for a camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The module main control module is also used to send a power-off command to the positive pressure drive module after the cleaning action is completed. After the positive pressure drive module executes the power-off command, it releases the positive pressure environment state inside the camera module and restores the relative sealing inside the camera module.

6. A positive pressure protection method for a camera module, wherein the camera module is provided with a cleaning component capable of cleaning the outer surface of the first lens thereof, characterized in that ,The method comprises the following steps: Before cleaning, create and maintain a positive pressure environment inside the camera module; While maintaining a positive pressure environment in the camera module, the outer surface of the first lens is cleaned.

7. The positive pressure protection method for a camera module according to claim 6, characterized in that: The procedure for performing a positive pressure build-up includes: Connect the inside of the camera module with the outside world; Wind pressure is created inside the camera module to maintain the air pressure in the gap between the cleaning component and the camera module at a relatively stable positive pressure.

8. The positive pressure protection method for a camera module according to claim 6, characterized in that: The following steps are also included: Monitor the duration of establishing and maintaining a positive pressure environment; When the monitored running time exceeds the preset time, an alarm is triggered and an alarm flag is set.

9. The positive pressure protection method for a camera module according to claim 6, characterized in that: The following steps are also included: Real-time sampling of air pressure data inside the camera module; Determine whether the sampled air pressure reaches the set initial value for building a positive pressure environment. If so, the positive pressure environment is built. Determine whether the sampled air pressure is stable within the preset limit for maintaining a positive pressure environment. If stable, maintain the positive pressure environment.

10. The positive pressure protection method for a camera module according to claim 6, characterized in that: The following steps are also included: After the cleaning operation is completed, the positive pressure environment state in the camera module is released and the relative sealing inside the camera module is restored.

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