Monitoring Camera Compound Window for Ice and Impact Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Monitoring cameras in outdoor environments face obstructions due to weather conditions like snow and ice, and vandalism, which can lead to view obstruction and damage, requiring a solution that balances thermal conductivity and impact resistance for the camera window assembly.

Innovation Solution

A compound window assembly with a transparent plate having high thermal conductivity and a protective window, where the heating arrangement is positioned close to the transparent plate to efficiently transfer heat and a resilient profile acts as a buffer to absorb impacts, preventing damage to the transparent plate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single window is used for the camera housing, then the structure is simple, but it cannot simultaneously provide adequate impact resistance and thermal conductivity to prevent ice and dew buildup

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewindow structureVSAvoidview obstruction prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The window assembly is divided into two separate windows: a first window with high thermal conductivity material (for heat transfer to prevent ice/dew) and a second window with high impact resistance material (for protection). This segmentation allows each window to specialize in one function, resolving the contradiction between thermal conductivity and impact resistance that cannot be satisfied by a single window material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite construction by combining two different window materials with complementary properties - one optimized for thermal conductivity and the other for impact resistance. This composite approach creates a window assembly that achieves both thermal performance and mechanical strength, which neither single material could provide alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If a heating arrangement is placed directly on the protective window, then heating efficiency is reduced, but placing it close to the transparent plate improves heat transfer to the protective window

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidice and dew buildup

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The first window (transparent plate with high thermal conductivity) serves as an intermediary between the heating arrangement and the second window (protective window). The heating arrangement heats the first window, which then efficiently transfers heat to the second window through thermal conduction, preventing ice and dew buildup on the protective window while maintaining good thermal contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the transparent plate is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then it is vulnerable to breaking from impacts, but making it resilient allows impact absorption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidimpact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient profile is positioned between the first window (transparent plate) and the camera housing to provide beforehand cushioning. When impacts occur, the resilient profile compresses to absorb impact energy, preventing direct transmission of impact forces to the transparent plate and protecting it from breaking while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 clears ice and dew from the protective window while providing significant impact resistance, ensuring the camera's view remains unobstructed and the window assembly withstands violent impacts without breaking the transparent plate.

Implementation Method 1

the transparent plate has a greater heat conductivity than the protective window and is arranged in close proximity to the protective window, so that thermal energy transferred from the heating arrangement to the transparent plate may be efficiently transferred to the protective window

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a resilient profile acts as a buffer to absorb impacts, preventing damage to the transparent plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11178316B2Monitoring camera having a compound window

Publication Date: 2021.11.16 AXIS

AI summary

A monitoring camera having a compound window arranged in a frame of a camera housing, and a camera head arranged inside the housing, is disclosed. The compound window has an inner transparent plate, closest to the camera head, and an outer protective window, arranged in a plane parallel to the transparent plate, on an outside thereof, and the compound window further comprises a heating arrangement arranged and configured to supply thermal energy to peripheral areas of the transparent plate. The transparent plate has a greater heat conductivity than the protective window and is arranged in close proximity to the protective window, so thermal energy will be transferred from the heating arrangement to the transparent plate and then efficiently transferred to the protective window.