Camera Lens Heater with Insulation and Transparent Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems with heating units for lens defrosting in extreme conditions face inefficiencies in heating the front lens, leading to high power consumption and adverse effects on optical light transmission due to conductive layers.
Innovation Solution
A camera system with a lens heater featuring a transparent conductive coating on the inner surface of the front lens, an annular heat insulating device between the lens barrel and heater, and a resistive pattern coating to enhance heating efficiency while maintaining optical transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heating unit is provided to heat the lens unit, then the lens can be defrosted in extreme conditions, but the power consumption increases and heat dissipation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is segmented into two parts: a heating unit for generating heat and a heat insulating layer for directing heat. This segmentation allows the heating unit to be positioned away from the lens surface while the insulating layer ensures heat is concentrated on the lens, reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
A heat insulating layer acts as an intermediary between the heating unit and the lens barrel. This layer reflects and directs heat toward the lens while insulating the lens barrel, preventing heat loss and reducing the power needed for effective defrosting.
2Temperature
If a conductive layer is provided on the lens surface for heating, then the lens can be heated, but the optical light transmission through the lens deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent conductive coating is used as an intermediary layer on the lens surface. This coating allows optical light transmission while providing the necessary conductive properties for efficient heating, thus resolving the contradiction between heating efficiency and optical transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical and electrical parameters of the lens surface are changed by applying a transparent conductive coating. This coating modifies the surface properties to simultaneously achieve good optical transmission and effective heating without using opaque conductive materials.
3Temperature
If a heating unit is provided without proper heat insulation, then the lens can be heated, but heat is dissipated inefficiently leading to high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
A heat insulating layer is introduced as an intermediary between the heating unit and the lens barrel. This layer reflects heat back toward the lens and prevents heat dissipation into the lens barrel, significantly reducing energy loss and improving heating effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat that would otherwise be wasted and dissipated into the lens barrel is converted into a beneficial resource by using a reflective heat insulating layer. This layer redirects the heat back toward the lens, turning potential energy loss into effective heating power.
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 provides efficient heating of the front lens with reduced power consumption and improved optical transmission by using a transparent conductive coating and annular heat insulating device, allowing for effective defrosting in extreme conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent conductive coating provided on at least a portion of the inner surface of the front lens
Implementation Method 2
an annular heat insulating device arranged between the lens barrel and the lens heater
Data Source
AI summary
A camera system (100) comprising: an image capturing device (1) further comprising: a lens unit (3), wherein the lens unit (3) comprised a lens barrel (30), a front lens (4) comprising an inner surface (4a) facing the lens barrel (30); a heater device (500), further comprising a lens heater (510) for heating the front lens (4); wherein an annular heat insulating device (6) is arranged between the lens barrel (30) and the lens heater (510).