Camera Casing Sealing Structure That Preserves Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera assemblies with bulky gaskets for sealing against external surfaces cause field of view obstruction and material reaction issues due to temperature changes, leading to potential sealing failures and imaging distortions.
Innovation Solution
A casing design with a slidably arranged gasket holder and spring means, featuring an opaque funnel and an annular sealing member, ensures a compact and reliable sealing mechanism that maintains the camera's field of view and withstands environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bulky gasket is used for sealing the camera assembly against the external surface, then sealing reliability is improved, but the field of view of the camera is limited and the gasket is more susceptible to temperature-induced expansion and contraction
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket is divided into multiple segments or sections that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the gasket to conform to surface irregularities and maintain sealing pressure without requiring a bulky single-piece structure, thereby preserving the camera's field of view while ensuring reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to flex and adapt to temperature changes and surface variations. This dynamic design enables the gasket to maintain effective sealing contact across different environmental conditions without requiring excessive material that would obstruct the camera view.
2Reliability
If a bulky gasket is used for sealing, then sealing coverage is improved, but the gasket reacts more strongly to temperature changes causing increased pressure on the transparent surface or loss of contact
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket's physical parameters such as material composition, cross-sectional geometry, and hardness are optimized to reduce thermal expansion effects. By carefully selecting materials with low thermal expansion coefficients and designing the gasket profile to distribute thermal stresses, the gasket maintains stable sealing performance across a wide temperature range without exerting excessive pressure or losing contact.
Solution Approach 2:
A compliant intermediate layer or mounting structure is introduced between the gasket and the rigid camera housing. This intermediary element absorbs thermal expansion and contraction forces, allowing the gasket to maintain consistent sealing pressure on the transparent surface despite temperature fluctuations, thereby preventing both over-pressure and loss of contact.
3Reliability
If a bulky gasket is used for sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but more material is needed which increases the reaction to environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket utilizes a thin-walled flexible structure with optimized cross-sectional geometry that provides high sealing effectiveness with minimal material. The flexible thin-walled design allows the gasket to deform and conform to the sealing surface, creating an effective seal with significantly reduced material quantity compared to traditional bulky gasket designs.
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 provides a compact and effective sealing system that minimizes field of view obstruction and maintains sealing integrity, while accommodating manufacturing tolerances and environmental variations.
Implementation Method 1
the casing comprises spring means arranged between the camera housing and the gasket holder for exerting a compression force onto the gasket holder towards the outer end of the funnel
Implementation Method 2
the gasket holder comprises an annular sealing member surrounding the outer opening for sealingly contacting the transparent surface
Implementation Method 3
the gasket holder comprises an opaque funnel for defining a field of view for the camera
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a casing for a camera assembly, the casing configured for a sealed arrangement at a transparent surface. Further, the present disclosure relates to a camera assembly comprising said casing and a camera.