Weather-Sealed Camera Enclosure With Hooded Window Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera enclosures compromise their water and weather resistance when accessed for maintenance or power supply, and lack features for long-term operation and remote monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A two-part enclosure formed of water and weather-resistant materials with a front housing featuring a window and hood for protection, and a rear housing with a weather-resistant electrical port and display, along with support brackets for stability and mounting options, allowing for secure, long-term camera operation and remote monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the enclosure is sealed to provide water and weather resistance, then protection from environmental conditions is improved, but access for maintenance and power supply becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is divided into a removable front housing and a fixed rear housing. The front housing can be separated from the rear housing to allow access to the camera for maintenance, power supply changes, and testing, while the rear housing maintains the sealed environment for water and weather resistance. This segmentation enables independent access without compromising the overall seal integrity.
2Reliability
If the enclosure is sealed to prevent water and debris entry, then protection is improved, but long-term operation with power supply becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The removable front housing allows the enclosure to remain sealed during operation while enabling periodic access for power supply changes and maintenance. This ensures long-term operation capability without compromising the protective seal.
Solution Approach 2:
A weather-resistant electrical port is provided in the rear housing that allows power and data transfer while maintaining the water and debris seal. This intermediary component enables continuous operation by providing a sealed interface for electrical connections.
3Illumination intensity
If the window is exposed to allow light passage, then camera operation is enabled, but rainwater and debris may obstruct the window
Solution Approach 1:
A hood is provided around the window that extends outward to intercept rainwater and debris before they can reach the window. This preliminary protective structure prevents obstructions while allowing light to pass through to the camera.
Solution Approach 2:
The hood uses the natural flow of rainwater to divert it away from the window, converting the harmful effect of rain into a beneficial diversion mechanism that protects the window from obstruction.
4Stability of the object's composition
If support brackets are used to secure the camera, then stability and alignment are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support brackets are integrated directly into the front and rear housings, merging the mounting function with the enclosure structure itself. This reduces the need for separate mounting components while providing stable camera support and proper lens alignment with the window.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a protective enclosure for a camera, formed of front and rear housings that are joined together by a weather resistant seal. An internal cavity is formed in which the camera may be located. The front housing includes a window that allows light to pass through, where the lens of the camera preferably is placed to line up with the window. A hood is provided around the window to provide shielding for the window and to divert rainwater away from the window. The housing includes support brackets for mounting the camera within the internal cavity. The front and rear housings are attached to each other by fasteners, with a weather resistant seal at the joining of the two parts. The rear part of the housing includes a weather resistant power port, through which power and/or data can be supplied to the camera.