Monitoring Camera Thermal Management Using Phase Changing Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling systems for cameras, especially in warm environments, fail to maintain optimal operating temperatures, leading to degraded image quality and potential damage from excessive heat.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of Phase Changing Material (PCM) with a phase changing temperature range of 20-80 degrees Celsius, thermally coupled to the image sensor and electronics, to act as a temperature buffer and increase thermal inertia, along with temperature sensors and regulators to manage heat and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If mechanical fans are used to direct airflow across the heat sink for increased cooling effect, then heat dissipation is improved, but the system becomes more complex and less reliable in high-temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the active cooling mechanism (mechanical fans) and replaces it with a passive phase-changing heat storage insert. The PCM is moulded directly into the housing and thermally connected to the image sensor, eliminating the need for complex mechanical cooling systems while maintaining effective heat management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal management approach from active airflow-based cooling to passive phase-change-based cooling. By utilizing the phase transition temperature range of the PCM (20-80 degrees Celsius), the system dynamically adjusts its thermal properties without requiring external control mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If passive heat sinks are used without active cooling, then the system is simpler and more reliable, but heat dissipation becomes insufficient in warm environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of the PCM to enhance heat dissipation. The PCM absorbs heat during phase change (solid to liquid) when the image sensor generates excessive heat, and releases heat when the temperature drops, providing dynamic thermal management without complex mechanisms. The phase changing temperature is specifically selected to be in the range of 20-80 degrees Celsius to match operating conditions.
3Temperature
If the phase changing temperature of PCM is set low to protect image sensor, then image quality is maintained, but the PCM cannot cycle through phases efficiently in warm climates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the phase changing temperature parameter of the PCM to be in the range of 20-80 degrees Celsius, with a preferred range of 40-50 degrees Celsius. This parameter selection balances the need to protect the image sensor from excessive heat while ensuring the PCM can still cycle through phases efficiently even in warm environmental conditions.
4Stability of the object's composition
If PCM volume is increased to improve thermal inertia, then temperature stability is improved, but the housing volume requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the PCM storage function with the housing structure itself. The PCM is moulded into the housing, integrating the thermal management function into the existing structural component rather than adding a separate volume. This eliminates the need for additional housing volume while maintaining effective thermal inertia.
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 PCM effectively maintains camera components within a stable temperature range, enhancing image quality and reducing the risk of damage by absorbing and releasing heat, thereby improving operational reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a volume of Phase Changing Material, PCM, having the characteristic of not begin phase changing until its temperature rises above a predetermined phase changing temperature
Implementation Method 2
the PCM may be able to cycle through the phases of the PCM efficiently and thereby may the thermic inertia of the system be increased
Implementation Method 3
the volume of PCM is thermally coupled to the image sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a monitoring camera (10). The monitoring camera (10) includes a camera lens (16), an image sensor (12), and a housing (20) enclosing the image sensor. The housing (20) further encloses a volume of Phase Changing Material (40), PCM, having the characteristic of not begin phase changing until its temperature rises above a predetermined phase changing temperature (Tp), wherein the phase changing temperature (Tp) is in the range of 20-80 degrees Celsius.