Camera Housing with Hygroscopic Intermediate Space for Dew Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Dew formation inside cameras, particularly in environments with varying humidity and temperature, leads to condensation on the housing surfaces, which can obstruct the camera's view and is not effectively addressed by existing solutions like double-walled windows or air blowing nozzles.
Innovation Solution
A camera design featuring a multi-walled casing with cavities that create an intermediate space for air to flow from the inner to the outer space, allowing controlled dew formation on the casing surfaces, thereby reducing dew formation on the inner housing surfaces by dehumidifying the air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a double-walled window structure with insulated space is provided, then dew formation on the housing surface is reduced, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hygroscopic material as an intermediary substance between the inner and outer walls of the housing. This material actively absorbs moisture from the air in the intermediate space, preventing dew formation on the housing surface without requiring a complex double-walled vacuum structure. The hygroscopic material serves as a mediator that manages humidity in the intermediate space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the humidity parameter in the intermediate space by introducing a hygroscopic material that dynamically adjusts the moisture content. This material absorbs excess humidity when conditions favor dew formation, thereby changing the humidity parameter to prevent condensation on the housing surface.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an air blowing nozzle powered by a fan is provided, then dew formation is addressed by air circulation, but the energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hygroscopic material that passively and automatically regulates humidity in the intermediate space without requiring external energy input. The material self-adjusts by absorbing moisture when dew formation conditions arise, eliminating the need for energy-consuming fans or air blowing nozzles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical air circulation system (fan and nozzle) with a chemical/passive moisture control mechanism using hygroscopic material. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical energy input while achieving the same goal of preventing dew formation.
3Ease of operation
If the housing is made with at least partly transparent material for imaging, then the camera can capture images through the housing, but dew formation on the housing surface obstructs the view
Solution Approach 1:
The hygroscopic material acts as an intermediary layer between the external environment and the transparent housing surface. It controls the humidity in the intermediate space, preventing moisture condensation on the housing surface that would obstruct the optical path while maintaining the transparency of the housing for imaging.
4Reliability
If the imaging device generates heat causing temperature difference between inside and outside, then imaging can function, but dew formation is promoted on the housing surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the humidity management function into a separate intermediate space filled with hygroscopic material. This separates the heat-generating imaging device from the dew formation problem on the housing surface, allowing the temperature difference necessary for imaging operation while preventing dew formation through moisture absorption in the intermediate space.
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 camera effectively manages dew formation by allowing controlled air flow through the intermediate space, reducing condensation on the inner housing surfaces and maintaining the camera's operational integrity, especially in temperature-differential environments.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one cavity is filled with a hygroscopic material. The hygroscopic material may be in the form of beads, granules, a gel, a foam or a paste.
Implementation Method 2
a controlled dew formation may be obtained on surfaces of the intermediate space as air flows from the inner space to the outer space via the intermediate space
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A camera comprising an at least partly transparent housing (2) and an imaging device (3) arranged inside the at least partly transparent housing (2), wherein the imaging device (3) is configured to capture images through the at least partly transparent housing (2). The camera further comprising a casing (4) at least partly enclosing the imaging device (3) and arranged between the housing (2) and the imaging device (3), the casing (4) defining at least one cavity (10) forming an intermediate space (11) being in fluid communication with an inner space (12) present between the casing (4) and the imaging device (3) and an outer space (13) present between the housing (2) and the casing (4). The invention also relates to a method for controlled dew formation inside the camera.