All-Weather Camera Front Face for IR Illumination and Shading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems face challenges in maintaining optimal temperature for image sensors, managing exposure to rain and direct sunlight, achieving wide positional freedom, and ensuring security against theft, while also providing efficient heat dissipation and effective illumination management.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of compact all-weather camera assemblies with active heating and passive cooling mechanisms, integrated microphones and speakers, toroidal lenses for IR illuminators, a concave front face for water resistance and shading, and a light ring for visual feedback, along with a mount that encloses wires and offers rotational freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If active heating components are added to maintain image sensor temperature, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating component is integrated into the housing structure itself, merging the thermal control function with the structural component. The housing serves dual purposes: mechanical protection and active heating of the image sensor, eliminating the need for separate heating elements and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: structural support, environmental sealing, and active temperature control through integrated heating elements. This multi-functionality reduces the total component count and simplifies the overall device architecture while maintaining precise temperature control.
2Temperature
If passive cooling components are added to dissipate heat, then heat dissipation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling components are integrated into the housing structure, combining thermal management with mechanical support functions. The housing includes both heating and cooling elements that work together to maintain optimal temperature ranges without requiring separate dedicated thermal control modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing acts as an intermediary thermal management system, using integrated cooling elements to dissipate heat from the image sensor and processing components. The housing structure mediates between heat-generating components and the external environment, providing passive cooling through thermally conductive materials and designed heat dissipation pathways.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a concave front face is added for water resistance and shading, then environmental protection is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The front face is designed with a concave curved geometry that provides both functional benefits (water runoff, sunlight shading) and manufacturing advantages. The curved surface naturally directs water away from the lens and sensor areas, while the shading effect reduces direct sunlight exposure. This geometric solution achieves environmental protection through form rather than requiring additional protective components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a ball assembly hinge cradle is added for rotational freedom, then positional flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system uses a ball assembly within a hinge cradle that enables dynamic adjustment of the camera assembly to multiple orientations. The spherical joint allows rotation and positioning in various directions, providing adaptability for different mounting locations and angles while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting mechanism is divided into separate functional components: the ball assembly for rotational movement and the hinge cradle for orientation control. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while achieving complex positional flexibility through coordinated operation of discrete elements.
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
These camera assemblies maintain image sensor temperatures within optimal ranges, withstand various environmental conditions, offer flexible mounting options, enhance security through visual feedback, and ensure efficient heat dissipation and illumination management.
Implementation Method 1
a first friction surface and a second friction surface are provided in the hinge assembly. The first friction surface is positioned and configured to abut against a first portion of the ball assembly. The second friction surface is positioned and configured to abut against a second portion of the ball assembly
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A camera assembly comprises a housing having a front face and a body that has a front opening and is physically connected to the front face at the front opening. The body has a central axis extending from a center of the front opening to a center of a rear portion of the body, the front opening being perpendicular to the central axis. The front face includes an inner section located at a center of the front face and an outer section comprising a concave shape and located proximate to a periphery, and a bounding component separating the inner section from the outer section, and configured to inhibit transmission of light from the outer section to the inner section, wherein the inner section is transparent to infrared, IR, and visible light, and at least a portion of the outer section is transparent to IR light and opaque to visible light, and the housing. The front face enclose an ambient light sensor positioned behind the outer section and configured to detect ambient light corresponding to a scene; an image sensor connected behind the inner section of the front face and arranged along the central axis of the housing; and one or more infrared, IR, illuminators located behind the front face and at a distance from the central axis of the housing to selectively project IR light outside of the camera assembly via the front face.