Temperature control system and camera device using same

Abstract

The temperature control system comprises a first heater, a second heater, a first temperature control module, a second temperature control module and a processing module. The first temperature control module is electrically connected with the first heater. The second temperature control module is electrically connected with the second heater. The processing module is electrically connected with the first temperature control module and the second temperature control module. Therefore, the temperature control system can automatically judge the temperature and correspondingly adjust the temperature, and the temperature control system does not need to be manually adjusted.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a temperature control system and a camera device using the same, and more particularly to a temperature control system with heating function and a camera device using the same. BACKGROUND

[0002] When the outdoor temperature decreases to a dew point temperature, the window sheet of a device will fog up, which affects the function of the device. Especially, the device located outdoors is more likely to cause the window sheet to fog up under extreme weather. Therefore, how to improve the fogging problem of the window sheet of the device is one of the goals of the technical field. SUMMARY

[0003] Therefore, the present application proposes a temperature control system and a camera device using the same, which can improve the above-mentioned prior art problems.

[0004] An embodiment of the present application proposes a temperature control system. The temperature control system includes a first heater, a second heater, a first temperature control module, a second temperature control module, and a processing module. The first temperature control module is electrically connected to the first heater. The second temperature control module is electrically connected to the second heater. The processing module is electrically connected to the first temperature control module and the second temperature control module. In this way, the temperature control system can automatically determine the temperature and adjust the temperature accordingly, without manually adjusting the temperature control system.

[0005] An embodiment of the present application proposes a camera device. The camera device includes a temperature control system and a window sheet. The temperature control system includes a first heater, a second heater, a first temperature control module, a second temperature control module, and a processing module. The first temperature control module is electrically connected to the first heater. The second temperature control module is electrically connected to the second heater. The processing module is electrically connected to the first temperature control module and the second temperature control module. The window sheet is connected to the second heater. In this way, the camera device can automatically determine the temperature and adjust the temperature accordingly, without manually adjusting the camera device.

[0006] In order to have a better understanding of the above and other aspects of the present application, the following embodiments are described in detail below, together with the accompanying drawings: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 A functional block diagram of a temperature control system according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0008] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a temperature control system according to another embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0009] Figure 3A A schematic diagram of a temperature control system according to another embodiment of the present application is shown. Figure 1

[0010] Figure 3B A schematic diagram of a temperature control system according to another embodiment of the present application is shown.​Figure 1 FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the temperature control system of FIG. 1 in a second mode.

[0011] Figure 3C depicted Figure 1 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the temperature control system of FIG. 1 in a third mode.

[0012] Figure 3D depicted Figure 1 FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the temperature control system of FIG. 1 in a fourth mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Referring to Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a temperature control system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The temperature control system 100 can be applied to a device having a window or a light-transmitting shield, or an apparatus susceptible to fogging, including but not limited to a mirror, a view window, a camera lens module, and a windshield of a vehicle. The following description is provided with the temperature control system 100 applied to a window of a camera lens module, but is not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the temperature control system 100 includes a first heater 110, a second heater 120, a first temperature control module 130, a second temperature control module 140, a processing module 150, and a temperature measurement circuit 155. The first temperature control module 130 is electrically connected to the first heater 110. The second temperature control module 140 is electrically connected to the second heater 120. The processing module 150 is electrically connected to the first temperature control module 130 and the second temperature control module 140. In an embodiment, the first temperature control module 130, the second temperature control module 140, and the processing module 150 can automatically control at least one of the first heater 110 and the second heater 120 to operate according to different situations. Figure 1 Table 1 is a table showing the first heater 110, the second heater 120, and the processing module 150 being set to be turned on, turned off, or intermittently turned on according to different modes, so as to control the power usage efficiency and achieve the purpose of energy saving.

[0015] Table 1

[0016]

[0017] Mode one Mode two Mode three Mode four First heater 110 On Off Off Off Second heater 120 On On Intermittently on Off Processing module 150 Off On On On

[0018] ​In Mode 1, both the first heater 110 and the second heater 120 are on, and the processing module 150 is off; in Mode 2, the first heater 110 is off, and the processing module 150 and the second heater 120 are on; in Mode 3, the first heater 110 is off, the second heater 120 is on intermittently, and the processing module 150 is on; and in Mode 4, both the first heater 110 and the second heater 120 are off, and the processing module 150 is on. By using these four modes, at least one of the first heater 110, the second heater 120, and the processing module 150 can be turned off, thus saving overall operating power consumption.

[0019] In one embodiment, mode one can be a scenario where "the sensed temperature is lower than the first default temperature value Tem1", mode two can be a scenario where "the sensed temperature is between the first default temperature value Tem1 and the second default temperature value Tem2", mode three can be a scenario where "the sensed temperature is between the second default temperature value Tem2 and the third default temperature value Tem3", and mode four can be a scenario where "the sensed temperature is higher than the third default temperature value Tem3", wherein the first default temperature value Tem1 is less than the second default temperature value Tem2 (Tem1 < Tem2), and the second default temperature Tem2 is less than the third default temperature value Tem3 (Tem2 < Tem3).

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating a temperature control system 100 of another embodiment of the present invention is provided on a camera device 10.

[0021] like Figure 2As shown, the camera device 10 includes a temperature control system 100, a bottom shell 11, an upper shell 12, a circuit board 13, a viewing window 14, a support frame 15, and a lens module 16. The temperature measurement circuit 155 of the temperature control system 100 can be located on the bottom shell 11. In one specific embodiment, the temperature sensing circuit 155 can contact the bottom shell 11 and can sense the temperature closest to the external environment; the support frame 15 and the lens module 16 can be respectively disposed on the bottom shell 11; the circuit board 13 can be disposed inside the support frame 15; the viewing window 14 can be disposed between the upper shell 12 and the bottom shell 11, and the lens module 16 can capture external images through the viewing window 14; the processing module 150 can be disposed on the circuit board 13, and the first heater 110 can be directly or indirectly connected to the processing module 150, wherein the first heater 110 can be disposed on the processing module 150, or the first heater 110 and the processing module 150 can be connected by an adhesive layer or glue; the viewing window 14 is connected to the second heater 120, including but not limited to the second heater 120 being disposed on the viewing window 14, or the second heater 120 being directly or indirectly connected to the viewing window 14, so as to reduce the thermal resistance between the second heater 120 and the viewing window 14; the first temperature control module 130 can be disposed on the circuit board 13. In one specific embodiment, the first temperature control module 130 and the processing module 150 may be respectively disposed on opposite sides of the circuit board 13; the second temperature control module 140 may be disposed on the support frame 15.

[0022] Also refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The first default temperature value Tem1 can be the temperature at which the viewing window 14 of the camera device 10 freezes, the second default temperature value Tem2 can be the temperature at which the viewing window of the camera device fogs up, and the third default temperature value Tem3 can be the temperature at which the viewing window of the camera device does not or is not prone to fogging. For example, the first default temperature value Tem1 can be any temperature between -25 degrees Celsius and -15 degrees Celsius, the second default temperature value Tem2 can be any temperature between 5 degrees Celsius and 15 degrees Celsius, and the third default temperature value Tem3 can be any temperature between 35 degrees Celsius and 45 degrees Celsius, but this is not intended to limit the present invention.

[0023] In one embodiment, the first power consumption of the first heater 110 is x watts, the second power consumption of the second heater 120 is y watts, the third power consumption of the processing module 150 is z watts, and the maximum allowable power consumption of the power supply (not shown) is K watts. The aforementioned x, y, and K are, for example, real numbers greater than 0. In any mode of the present invention, the first heater 110, the second heater 120, and the processing module 150 are not simultaneously turned on. Therefore, the total power consumption of the first heater 110, the second heater 120, and the processing module 150 may not be greater than the maximum allowable power consumption, that is, in Mode 1, x + y < K; in Mode 2, y + z < K; in Mode 3, y + z < K or z < K; and in Mode 4, z < K. Specifically, the first power consumption may be approximately 2.5 watts, the second power consumption may be approximately 2 watts, the third power consumption may be approximately 5.5 watts, and the aforementioned maximum allowable power consumption may be 8 watts, but this is not intended to limit the present invention.

[0024] In one embodiment, to enable the processing module 150 to reach the operating temperature faster, the processing module 150 can be heated by the first heater 110, and the second heater 120 can heat the window of the lens module. Among them, the first heater 110 and the second heater 120 can be flexible printed circuit boards (Flexible Printed Circuit), and the processing module 150 can be an application-specific integrated circuit (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC).

[0025] The first temperature control module 130 can sense the first sensed temperature, and the second temperature control module 140 can sense the second sensed temperature. After the temperature control system 100 is started, when the first sensed temperature is lower than the first default temperature value Tem1, Mode 1 is executed, and the first temperature control module 130 can turn on the first heater 110 to heat the processing module 150. When the second sensed temperature is lower than the first default temperature value Tem1, the second temperature control module 140 controls the second heater 120 to turn on.

[0026] When the temperature of the processing module 150 is equal to or greater than the first default temperature value Tem1, Mode 2 is executed. Thereafter, the processing module 150 starts to work, and it can obtain the signal of the temperature measurement circuit 155 and calculate the third sensed temperature based on it. In Modes 2 to 4, the processing module 150 controls the first heater 110 and / or the second heater 120 according to the third sensed temperature. Since the processing module 150 has started to work, the processing module 150 can turn off the first heater 110. In Mode 2, the second heater 120 still continues to heat the window.

[0027] When the third sensed temperature is substantially equal to or reaches the second default temperature value Tem2, Mode 3 is executed. Since the temperature has risen to a certain level at this time, the processing module 150 can intermittently heat the window with the second heater 120.

[0028] In mode four, when the third sensed temperature is substantially equal to or higher than the third default temperature value Tem3, mode four is executed, and there is no need to heat the window. Therefore, the processing module 150 can turn off the second heater 120.

[0029] Please refer to Figures 3A-3D , Figure 3A Draw Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the camera device 10 in mode one. Figure 3B Draw Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the camera device 10 in mode two. Figure 3C Draw Figure 1 The diagram shows the camera device 10 in mode three. Figure 3D Draw Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the camera device 10 in mode three.

[0030] like Figure 3A As shown, the first temperature control module 130 includes a first temperature control circuit 131 and a first switch 132, with the first switch 132 electrically connected to the first temperature control circuit 131 and the first heater 110. The second temperature control module 140 includes a second temperature control circuit 141 and a second switch 142, with the second switch 142 electrically connected to the second temperature control circuit 141 and the second heater 120. The processing module 150 includes at least a third temperature control circuit 151, a third switch 152, and a fourth switch 153. The third switch 152 is electrically connected to the first temperature control module 130 and the third temperature control circuit 151. The fourth switch 153 is electrically connected to the second temperature control module 140 and the third temperature control circuit 151. The temperature sensing circuit 155 is electrically connected to the third temperature control circuit 151. In one specific embodiment, the temperature sensing circuit 155 may include a thermistor, and the third temperature control circuit 151 can detect the voltage value of the thermistor and obtain a third sensed temperature based on the voltage value.

[0031] In one embodiment, at least two of the first switch 132, the second switch 142, the third switch 152, and the fourth switch 153 may employ the same electronic circuit, module, or electronic component. At least one of the first switch 132, the second switch 142, the third switch 152, and the fourth switch 153 is an N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor. In a specific embodiment, the first switch 132, the second switch 142, the third switch 152, and the fourth switch 153 are all N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors; furthermore, the first temperature control circuit 131 and the second temperature control circuit 141 may each include a thermostat integrated circuit, but this invention is not limited thereto.

[0032] like Figure 3AAs shown, in Mode 1, the first temperature control circuit 131 sends a first control signal C1 to the gate of the first switch 132. The first control signal C1 drives the first switch 132 to conduct, thereby turning on the first heater 110. Specifically, the first control signal C1 can be a high-potential signal and a constant voltage signal, keeping the first heater 110 on. The second temperature control circuit 141 sends a second control signal C2 to the gate of the second switch 142. The second control signal C2 drives the second switch 142 to conduct, thereby turning on the second heater 120. Specifically, the second control signal C2 can be a high-potential signal and a constant voltage signal, keeping the second heater 120 on. In Mode 1, the third temperature control circuit 151 is off and has not yet started working, and the first temperature control circuit 131 and the second temperature control circuit 141 drive the first heater 110 and the second heater 120 respectively.

[0033] like Figure 3B As shown, in mode two, the third temperature control circuit 151 is activated and begins operation. The third temperature control circuit 151 can send a third control signal C3, which drives the third switch 152 to conduct and electrically connect to the ground potential G. The ground potential G can then cause the first switch 132 to turn off, thereby shutting down the first heater 110 and stopping heating. The third control signal C3 can be a high-potential signal. In mode two, the third temperature control circuit 151 does not send a signal to the fourth switch 153; therefore, the second temperature control circuit 141 continues to control the second heater 120 to remain on.

[0034] like Figure 3C As shown, in Mode 3, the third temperature control circuit 151 can send a fourth control signal C4 to the fourth switch 153. The fourth control signal C4 can drive the second heater 120 to turn on intermittently, meaning that the fourth control signal C4 can drive the second heater 120 to repeatedly turn on and off at a fixed frequency. For example, the fourth control signal C4 is a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal, and the third temperature control circuit 151 may include a PWM circuit. Specifically, the fourth control signal C4 may include multiple periods T, each period T including a high-potential interval T1 and a low-potential interval T2. The high-potential interval T1 can drive the fourth switch 153 to turn on, thereby turning off the second switch 142 and turning off the second heater 120; the low-potential interval T2 can turn off the second switch 142, thereby driving the second switch 142 to turn on and turning on the second heater 120. During the high-potential interval T1 of period T, the second heater 120 is turned off, which can stop the consumption of electrical energy, thereby saving energy.

[0035] In Mode 3, the duration of the high-potential interval T1 and the duration of the low-potential interval T2 of the period T of the fourth control signal C4 can vary depending on the different third sensing temperatures. The following is an explanation of dividing the second default temperature value Tem2 and the third default temperature value Tem3 of Mode 3 into three temperature levels. That is, the second default temperature value Tem2 and the third default temperature value Tem3 can also include a fourth default temperature value Tem4 and a fifth default temperature value Tem5. The third temperature control circuit 151 issues the corresponding fourth control signal C4 according to the level of the third sensing temperature, where the fourth default temperature value Tem4 is less than the fifth default temperature value Tem5 (Tem4 < Tem5).

[0036] When the third sensed temperature is between the second default temperature value Tem2 (e.g., including the endpoint value) and the fourth default temperature value Tem4 (e.g., not including the endpoint value), the duration of the high-potential interval T1 can be shorter than the duration of the low-potential interval T2. For example, if the second default temperature value Tem2 is 10 degrees Celsius and the fourth default temperature value Tem4 is 20 degrees Celsius, the duration of the high-potential interval T1 can be set to 2 seconds, while the duration of the low-potential interval T2 can be set to 5 seconds.

[0037] When the third sensed temperature is between the fourth default temperature value Tem4 (e.g., including the endpoint value) and the fifth default temperature value Tem5 (e.g., not including the endpoint value), the duration of the high-potential interval T1 can be substantially equal to the duration of the low-potential interval T2. For example, if the fourth default temperature value Tem4 is 20 degrees Celsius and the fifth default temperature value Tem5 is 30 degrees Celsius, the duration of the high-potential interval T1 can be set to 5 seconds, and the duration of the low-potential interval T2 can also be set to 5 seconds.

[0038] When the third sensing temperature is between the fifth default temperature Tem5 (e.g., including the endpoint value) and the third default temperature Tem3 (e.g., not including the endpoint value), the duration of the high-potential interval T1 can be greater than the duration of the low-potential interval T2. For example, if the fifth default temperature Tem5 is 30 degrees Celsius and the third default temperature Tem3 is 40 degrees Celsius, the duration of the high-potential interval T1 can be set to 8 seconds, while the duration of the low-potential interval T2 can be set to 2 seconds, but this invention is not limited thereto.

[0039] like Figure 3D As shown, in mode four, the third temperature control circuit 151 can send a fifth control signal C5. The fifth control signal C5 can drive the fourth switch 153 to turn on and electrically connect to the ground potential G. The ground potential G can turn off the second switch 142, thereby turning off the second heater 120 to save energy. The fifth control signal C5 can be a high potential signal.

[0040] In summary, the temperature control system 100 includes multiple heaters, multiple temperature control modules, and a processing module, wherein the heaters can be controlled separately by the temperature control modules. In one embodiment, the heaters can be controlled by either the temperature control module or the processing module based on different sensed temperatures. In another embodiment, the processing module can control the heaters to turn on intermittently based on the sensed temperature to achieve energy-saving effects. In other embodiments, the heaters and the processing module are not turned on simultaneously, thus achieving energy-saving effects.

[0041] Of course, there may be other embodiments of this utility model. Without departing from the spirit and essence of this utility model, those skilled in the art can make various corresponding changes and modifications based on this utility model, but these corresponding changes and modifications should all fall within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A temperature control system, characterized in that, include: First heater; A second heater; A first temperature control module is electrically connected to the first heater; A second temperature control module, electrically connected to the second heater; and A processing module is electrically connected to the first temperature control module and the second temperature control module.

2. The temperature control system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first temperature control module includes a first temperature control circuit and a first switch, wherein the first switch is electrically connected to the first temperature control circuit and the first heater.

3. The temperature control system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first temperature control module includes a second temperature control circuit and a second switch, the second switch being electrically connected to the second temperature control circuit and the second heater.

4. The temperature control system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The processing module includes a third temperature control circuit, a third switch and a fourth switch. The third switch is electrically connected to the first temperature control module and the third temperature control circuit, and the fourth switch is electrically connected to the second temperature control module and the third temperature control circuit.

5. The temperature control system as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The third temperature control circuit includes a pulse width modulation circuit.

6. The temperature control system as described in claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a temperature sensing circuit that is electrically connected to the third temperature control circuit.

7. The temperature control system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The temperature measurement circuit includes a thermistor.

8. The temperature control system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first heater is directly or indirectly connected to the processing module.

9. The temperature control system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The temperature control system meets at least one of the following conditions: The first temperature control module includes a first temperature control circuit and a first switch. The first switch is electrically connected to the first temperature control circuit and the first heater. The first switch is an N-type metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor. The first temperature control module includes a second temperature control circuit and a second switch. The second switch is electrically connected to the second temperature control circuit and the second heater. The second switch is an N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor. The processing module includes a third temperature control circuit, a third switch and a fourth switch. The third switch is electrically connected to the first temperature control module and the third temperature control circuit, and the fourth switch is electrically connected to the second temperature control module and the third temperature control circuit. The third switch and / or the fourth switch are N-type metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors.

10. A camera device, characterized in that, include: The temperature control system as described in any one of claims 1 to 9; as well as A viewing window is connected to the second heater.

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