Camera Chamber Venting Control for Lens Antifogging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices face issues with camera lens fogging due to condensation in varying temperature and humidity scenarios, particularly in low temperature and high humidity environments, which existing solutions like complete enclosure face design challenges and are not effective.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with an accommodating chamber containing a camera module, equipped with a light-permeable piece and a controllable opening/closing mechanism at the chamber's opening, controlled by humidity and temperature sensors to manage airflow and humidity levels, preventing condensation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a completely enclosed space is used to prevent fogging, then the antifogging effect is improved, but the design difficulty increases and complete sealing is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantifogging effectVSAvoiddesign difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a waterproof film with micropores to create a flexible sealing solution. This thin film structure can conform to complex geometries and connection interfaces, achieving effective sealing without the rigidity and manufacturing complexity of traditional enclosed structures. The microporous film allows vapor transmission while blocking liquid water, providing antifogging functionality through selective permeability rather than complete enclosure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a waterproof film containing micropores that allow water vapor to pass through while blocking liquid water. This porous material enables the chamber to maintain pressure equilibrium and prevent fogging simultaneously, avoiding the need for complex active control systems or complete sealing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Reliability

If the chamber is completely sealed to prevent moisture entry, then the antifogging effect is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantifogging effectVSAvoidsealing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The waterproof film with micropores provides a flexible sealing solution that can accommodate manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations. The film's flexibility allows it to conform to slight irregularities in mating surfaces, achieving effective sealing without requiring ultra-precise manufacturing. The microporous structure maintains its vapor-blocking function even with minor positioning variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If an opening is provided to discharge moist airflow, then the antifogging effect is improved, but water vapor may enter the chamber

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantifogging effectVSAvoidwater vapor entry
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The waterproof microporous film serves as a selective barrier that allows water vapor to pass through in controlled amounts while blocking liquid water entry. The micropores are sized to permit vapor diffusion but prevent capillary action of liquid water, enabling the chamber to discharge internal moisture while resisting external vapor intrusion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different properties to different parts of the chamber boundary. The waterproof microporous film provides selective permeability at the chamber walls, while the opening/closing mechanism provides controlled access at the opening. This local differentiation allows vapor discharge when needed while maintaining barrier protection elsewhere.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If the opening/closing piece is added to control airflow, then the antifogging effect is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantifogging effectVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The opening/closing piece is integrated with the waterproof microporous film, combining the sealing function with the vapor control function in a single component. This integration avoids adding separate complex mechanisms while achieving both opening/closing capability and vapor barrier protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Effectively maintains a dry environment within the chamber by managing airflow and humidity, reducing condensation on the camera lens, while minimizing design changes to the device.

Implementation Method 1

the opening/closing piece is configured to close the first opening to seal the accommodating chamber at the first position and to open the first opening to discharge moist airflow at the second position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHumidity differential-driven airflow: Convection

Implementation Method 2

one side, opposite to a photosensitive component of the camera module, of the accommodating chamber is provided with a light-permeable piece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP4296773B1Electronic device and control method therefor
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4296773B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4296773B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4296773B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The disclosure relates to an electronic device and a control method therefor. The electronic device includes: an accommodating chamber (1) configured to accommodate a camera module (1), one side, opposite to a photosensitive component of the camera module (100), of the accommodating chamber (1) is provided with a light-permeable piece (200), the accommodating chamber (1) is provided with a first opening (12) communicating an internal with an external of the accommodating chamber (1), the first opening (12) is provided with an opening/closing piece (4), and the opening/closing piece (4) has a first position and a second position. the opening/closing piece (4) is configured to close the first opening to seal the accommodating chamber (1) at the first position and to open the first opening (12) to discharge moist airflow at the second position.