Actuator Control via External Thermal Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inaccurate actuator control in camera systems due to heat generated during autofocus processes, which can be costly and increase the form factor when temperature sensors are implemented within the actuator.
Innovation Solution
A temperature sensor is implemented in an actuator controller outside the actuator, connected through heat conductive materials to measure and compensate for temperature changes, reducing costs and form factor by transferring heat without the need for additional signal transmission media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are implemented within the actuator to measure and compensate for heat, then actuator control accuracy is improved, but cost and form factor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extracted from the actuator and placed in the actuator controller instead. The actuator controller measures temperature using its existing sensor and subtracts the measured actuator temperature from sensor readings to compensate for heat effects, achieving accurate control without adding components to the actuator itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator controller serves as an intermediary that processes temperature information and compensates for heat effects. By using the controller's computational capabilities and existing temperature sensor, the system achieves temperature compensation without directly integrating sensors into the actuator, thus reducing complexity while maintaining precision.
2Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are implemented within the actuator to measure and compensate for heat, then actuator control accuracy is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensing function is extracted from the actuator and relocated to the actuator controller. This eliminates the need to manufacture actuators with integrated temperature sensors, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the ability to compensate for heat effects through software-based temperature compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator controller is designed to perform multiple functions including temperature measurement and compensation. By utilizing the controller's existing temperature sensor and computational resources for actuator temperature compensation, the system avoids additional costs while achieving improved control accuracy through multi-functional use of the controller.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Compensates for inaccuracies in actuator control caused by heat, reducing the actuator's cost and form factor while maintaining accurate autofocus performance.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor is implemented in an actuator controller outside of the actuator, and the temperature sensor is connected to the actuator through heat conductive materials
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments provide controlling an actuator such that inaccurate actuator control caused by the heat created when the actuator moves can be compensated. In some embodiments, a temperature sensor is implemented in an actuator controller outside of the actuator, and the temperature sensor is connected to the actuator through heat conductive materials. In these embodiments, the cost and the form factor of the aforementioned actuator is reduced compared to implementation of temperature sensors within the actuator.