Camera Cover Coating Diagnosis Using Reflection Intensity Ratios
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices struggle to detect the deterioration of hydrophilic coating layers on camera covers, which leads to a decrease in imaging accuracy without effective diagnostic methods.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic device and method that utilizes internal and external reflection intensities of diagnostic beams to determine the degradation state of a light-transmitting coating layer by comparing the relative intensity ratio between internal and external reflections, using a processor to generate diagnostic data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a light-transmitting coating layer is disposed on the outer surface of the light-transmitting panel, then imaging accuracy is improved, but the coating layer deteriorates over time leading to decreased imaging accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic device performs preliminary detection of coating layer deterioration by measuring reflection intensity ratios before significant imaging degradation occurs. This allows for early intervention and maintenance scheduling, preventing the coating layer from reaching a state where imaging accuracy is severely compromised.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring the reflection intensity ratio between inner and outer surfaces of the light-transmitting panel. When the ratio deviates from predetermined thresholds indicating deterioration, the system can trigger alerts or maintenance protocols, creating a closed-loop system for coating layer health management.
2Reliability
If diagnostic methods are added to detect coating deterioration, then reliability of diagnostics is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device's existing imaging element is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both normal imaging operations and diagnostic measurements of the light-transmitting panel. By utilizing the same sensor for dual purposes, the system avoids adding dedicated diagnostic hardware, thereby maintaining reliability while minimizing increased complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The diagnostic system is designed to be self-contained within the existing imaging device architecture. The imaging element itself serves the diagnostic function by detecting reflection intensities, and the processor utilizes existing computational resources to analyze the data, allowing the system to diagnose its own coating layer condition without external diagnostic equipment.
3Measurement precision
If internal reflection intensity measurements are used for diagnosis, then measurement precision is improved, but fluctuations in internal reflection intensity reduce reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the ratio of outer surface reflection intensity to inner surface reflection intensity as an intermediary metric. This ratio serves as a normalized measure that cancels out common-mode fluctuations affecting both measurements, such as variations in light source intensity or environmental conditions, thereby providing a reliable indicator of coating layer deterioration despite individual measurement variations.
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
Accurately diagnoses the decrease in imaging accuracy due to coating deterioration by offsetting fluctuations in internal reflection intensity, enhancing the reliability of imaging device diagnostics.
Implementation Method 1
The internal reflection beam is a reflection of a diagnostic beam, which is emitted from a fixed point in the internal space, reflected on an inner surface of the light-transmitting panel that faces the internal space. The external reflection beam is a reflection of the diagnostic beam reflected on an outer surface of the light-transmitting panel that faces the external space.
Data Source
AI summary
A diagnostic data generating method includes obtaining an internal reflection intensity by receiving an internal reflection beam, which is reflected on an inner surface of a light-transmitting panel, with an imaging element at an internal reflection receiving position, obtaining an external reflection intensity by receiving an external reflection beam, which is reflected on an outer surface of the light-transmitting panel, with the imaging element at an external reflection receiving position, and generating the diagnostic data indicating a degradation state of the outer surface on which a light-transmitting coating layer is disposed, which is determined based on a relative intensity ratio between the internal reflection intensity and the external reflection intensity.