Camera Housing Self-Cleaning Viewport via Gas Jet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Visual monitoring systems in industrial environments face challenges due to ambient conditions such as high temperatures, caustic atmospheres, condensing liquids, and mechanical contaminants, which lead to equipment malfunction and obstruction of camera views.
Innovation Solution
A housing with a high-velocity air jet exiting from a pressurized housing maintains an unobstructed view port for visual monitoring equipment, using a pinhole or larger aperture to accelerate gas and prevent debris accumulation, while ensuring the interior remains sealed and clean.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealed enclosure with covered view port is used to protect camera equipment from harsh industrial environments, then equipment protection is improved, but view port obstruction by contaminants occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful contaminants (debris, condensation, paper fibers) are extracted from the view port area by the gas flow, which carries them away from the camera lens and prevents accumulation that would obstruct the view
Solution Approach 2:
A gas flow system is introduced into the sealed enclosure to create a protective atmosphere and actively clear the view port. The gas flow dynamically removes contaminants without compromising the sealed protection of the enclosure
2Object-affected harmful factors
If recessed view ports and sheet of air systems are used to prevent debris blocking, then view port clarity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas flow system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it cools the camera equipment, prevents condensation, clears debris from the view port, and maintains the sealed environment, replacing the need for multiple separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the necessary pressurized gas supply (already required for environmental control) to also perform the view port cleaning function, making the gas flow system serve itself and multiple other purposes without requiring dedicated cleaning mechanisms
3Object-affected harmful factors
If continuous air streams are directed across the camera lens to prevent contamination, then view port clarity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressurized gas flow simultaneously cools the camera equipment (removing heat) and clears the view port (removing contaminants), achieving two objectives with one energy input rather than separate cooling and cleaning systems
Solution Approach 2:
The gas flow system uses its own kinetic energy and pressure to perform both cooling and cleaning functions without requiring additional energy inputs for separate mechanisms, making the system energy-efficient through self-service operation
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 prevents contamination and maintains a clear view for cameras in harsh industrial environments, ensuring reliable image acquisition by using a high-velocity air jet to keep the view port clear and cool the equipment.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one outlet constricting the flow of gas resulting in acceleration of the gas through the outlet to form an exit jet that maintains the outlet unobstructed
Implementation Method 2
The pressurized gas serves the dual function of cooling the visual monitoring equipment and creating a cleaning jet
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for maintaining an unobstructed view for visual monitoring equipment comprises a housing to isolate the visual monitoring equipment from an external environment. An inlet to the housing is connectable to a source of gas under pressure for cooling and cleaning purposes. At least one outlet to the housing defines a view port to allow the visual monitoring equipment to acquire images external to the housing and to allow gas to exit the housing. The outlet constricts the flow of gas leaving the housing resulting in acceleration of the gas through the outlet to form an exit jet that maintains the outlet unobstructed by debris. The housing is simple in construction with few moving parts resulting in reliable and efficient operation.