Camera Battery Heater Control for Cold-Weather Operation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries in image capture apparatuses often fail to provide sufficient power in cold climates, leading to operational failures in capturing and recording images or video due to low temperatures.
Innovation Solution
An attachable heater device is integrated with the image capture apparatus, featuring a heating element and a heat spreader thermally coupled to the battery, controlled by a controller that adjusts power levels based on temperature measurements to maintain the battery above its operational temperature, ensuring continuous functionality in cold environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heater device is added to maintain battery temperature, then the battery can operate in cold climates, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A heater device acts as an intermediary component between the power source and the image capture apparatus. The heater includes a heating element thermally coupled to the battery, which actively warms the battery in cold environments. This intermediary heating mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing the necessary thermal management to ensure battery reliability without requiring fundamental changes to the battery or camera design.
2Reliability
If the heater device operates continuously to maintain temperature, then the battery remains functional, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater device operates periodically rather than continuously. The controller monitors battery temperature and activates the heating element only when the temperature falls below the operational threshold. Once the battery reaches the desired temperature, the heater shuts off. This periodic operation ensures continuous battery functionality while minimizing energy consumption by heating only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature monitoring and feedback control. The controller receives temperature data from the battery and adjusts the heater operation accordingly. When the battery temperature is within the operational range, heating is disabled; when it drops below the threshold, heating is activated. This feedback mechanism optimizes energy usage by preventing both unnecessary heating and operational failures.
3Ease of operation
If the heater device is integrated with the image capture apparatus, then the heating control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater device is merged with the image capture apparatus as an integrated unit. The heater controller is coupled to both the heater device and the image capture apparatus, allowing centralized control from the camera's existing power and control systems. This integration improves ease of operation by unifying the heating control with the camera's operational controls, while the shared control architecture minimizes the increase in overall system complexity.
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
The solution effectively maintains the battery temperature within operational limits, enabling the image capture apparatus to function reliably in cold conditions, extending its usage time and preventing premature shutdowns.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element and a heat spreader thermally coupled to the battery
Implementation Method 2
a heating element and a heat spreader thermally coupled to the battery
Data Source
AI summary
Heating of an image capture apparatus battery to an operational temperature using an attached heater device is described. The image capture apparatus includes an image capture apparatus battery configured to functionally operate at a first operational temperature. The heater device includes a heater device battery configured to operate at a second operational temperature lower than the first operational temperature. A heater controller is implemented in one of the image capture apparatus or the heater device. The heater controller is configured to initiate a heating process based on a first defined event, set a current level of the heater device, maintain or adjust the current level of the heater device until a second defined event, and display an indication that the image capture apparatus can detect, capture, or record an image based on the image capture apparatus battery attaining the first operational temperature.