Camera Optical Testing Housing for Temperature-Controlled MTF Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Challenges exist in testing camera optical characteristics, particularly modulation transfer function (MTF), due to extreme temperature and humidity environments, and the use of environmental test chambers with transparent windows causing optical aberrations.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a housing with a first and second segment forming a chamber, featuring orifices for gas flow and an aperture for a camera view, allowing for temperature-controlled MTF measurements across the camera's field of view by rotating the camera and target position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If transparent windows are used in environmental test chambers to allow optical access, then the chamber can be used for optical testing, but optical aberrations are introduced that affect measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the transparent window from the environmental test chamber design. Instead of using a window that causes optical aberrations, the chamber is designed with direct optical access through the chamber wall, eliminating the intermediate optical element that degrades image quality while maintaining the ability to perform optical testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a specialized optical port or aperture in the chamber wall that serves as an intermediary structure. This port is specifically designed to maintain optical quality while providing environmental isolation, acting as a mediator between the controlled environment and the optical testing path without introducing aberrations.
2Reliability
If environmental test chambers are designed to accommodate cameras at focal distances, then temperature and humidity testing can be performed, but the chamber size may be insufficient to position test targets at required distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested configuration where the environmental test chamber is integrated within or alongside the existing optical testing infrastructure. The chamber is positioned to utilize the space already available in the optical train, allowing test targets to be placed at required distances outside the chamber while the camera remains inside the environmental control zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent reconfigures the spatial arrangement by extending the optical path in a different dimension. Instead of requiring additional linear space within the chamber, the design uses the chamber's position within the larger optical system to achieve required focal distances, effectively using the third dimension (depth of the optical train) to resolve the space constraint.
3Measurement precision
If test instrumentation is used to determine optical characteristics, then optical properties can be measured, but the instrumentation is damaged by extreme temperature and humidity environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the testing system into two separate segments: the environmental test chamber that withstands extreme conditions and houses the camera, and the optical testing instrumentation that remains in a controlled environment. This segmentation allows each component to operate in its optimal environment while still enabling integrated testing through the chamber's optical access.
Solution Approach 2:
The chamber serves as an intermediary that isolates the delicate optical instrumentation from extreme environmental conditions while maintaining optical communication. The optical path through the chamber allows measurements to be taken without exposing the sensitive instrumentation to damaging temperature and humidity extremes.
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
Enables efficient and accurate MTF measurements across the entire field of view while maintaining the camera at a desired temperature, overcoming environmental limitations and optical aberrations.
Implementation Method 1
The first orifice is configured to direct a flow of a gas out of the chamber. The second orifice is configured to direct the flow of the gas into the chamber.
Implementation Method 2
The aperture is configured to receive a lens barrel of the camera, thereby enabling a determination of an optical characteristic of the camera
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 2D~3
AI summary
The techniques of this disclosure relate to determining an optical characteristic of a camera. The device includes a housing that receives a test fixture retaining a camera. The housing includes a first segment and a second segment creating a chamber surrounding the camera. The first segment is attached to the test fixture and defines a first orifice located in a side of the first segment. The first orifice directs a flow of a gas out of the chamber. The second segment defines a second orifice located in a first side of the second segment to direct the flow of the gas into the chamber. An aperture is located in a second side of the second segment and positioned opposite the test fixture to define a field of view that includes a camera target. The aperture receives a lens barrel of the camera and enables the determination of the optical characteristic.