Camera Casing With Flexible Thermal Insulation for Cold Recording
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cameras experience decreased performance due to heat dissipation into cold external environments, affecting battery life and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A camera casing with a rigid or semi-rigid front face and a flexible covering, featuring thermal insulation properties, retains heat and insulates the camera from external cold temperatures, incorporating retaining members for securing the camera and additional accessories like heating elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the camera is exposed to cold external environment, then the camera can record external scenes, but heat dissipation decreases battery life and performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a casing as an intermediary structure between the camera and the cold external environment. The casing includes insulating layers (such as foam or thermal insulation material) that mediate heat transfer, reducing heat loss from the camera to the external cold environment while allowing the camera to continue recording external scenes through openings in the casing.
Solution Approach 2:
The casing is constructed using composite materials with different thermal properties. The structure includes outer and inner layers with insulating materials (such as foam core with fabric or rubber covering) that provide thermal insulation. This composite structure reduces heat dissipation while maintaining the camera's functionality in cold environments.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the camera is insulated from cold environment, then battery life improves, but the camera needs additional structural components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible shell structures and thin film materials for the casing construction. The casing includes flexible outer and inner layers (such as fabric, rubber, or thin plastic) that provide insulation without adding significant bulk or complexity. These flexible shells conform to the camera shape and provide adequate thermal protection while maintaining a simple, compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The casing is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: thermal insulation to extend battery life, mechanical protection for the camera, and structural support for mounting accessories. The same insulating structure that reduces heat loss also protects the camera from physical damage and provides attachment points for additional equipment, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If retaining members are added to secure the camera, then the camera is held firmly, but the flexible covering becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining members are segmented into separate, modular components that can be independently attached to the flexible covering. Rather than integrating retention features directly into the covering material, the patent uses separate straps, clips, or elastic bands that can be attached at specific locations, simplifying the overall design and allowing for easier manufacturing and adjustment.
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
Improves camera performance and battery life by reducing heat dissipation, allowing extended recording times in cold conditions, with up to 235% improvement in some tests.
Implementation Method 1
One or both of the front face and flexible covering are constructed from materials having improved thermal properties allowing for retaining heat, insulating the camera, or reducing heat transfer to or from the interior of the camera casing
Implementation Method 2
Cameras generate their own heat with high shutter speed and resolution settings. However, when exposed to external elements such as cold temperatures, wind or other weather forces, the heat is dissipated into the external environment
Data Source
AI summary
A camera casing having at least one front face. The at least one front face has a first opening, the front face being configured to securely fit with a camera, a flexible covering attached to a perimeter of the front face and the flexible covering having a service opening to provide access to an interior of the camera casing. A first retaining member may be incorporated into the flexible covering and configured to secure the camera to the front face; the front face is a rigid or a semi-rigid material; the front face has one or more 3D features to correspond to one or more features of the camera for positioning the camera within the camera casing; or combinations thereof.