Light Fixture Camera Positioning for Minimal Protective Window
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing camera systems installed in outdoor lighting fixtures require large protective windows to accommodate the rotational movement of the camera lens, leading to increased size and material usage, which is costly and less aesthetically pleasing.
Innovation Solution
A light fixture design that minimizes the size of the protective window by using a mechanical module to move the camera along a predefined trajectory in three-dimensional space, allowing all light rays to remain within a common area of the window, using mechanisms like four-bar linkage mechanisms actuated by motors, ensuring the camera's field of view is covered without shadowing by non-transparent edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the camera rotates about a pivot point within the housing to achieve wide field of view, then the camera can cover a larger angular area, but the aperture of the protective window must be enlarged to accommodate the rotational arc
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional rotational movement within the housing to three-dimensional translational movement along a predefined trajectory. The camera moves in 3D space between multiple positions, allowing the optical axis to sweep through a larger angular range while keeping the protective window aperture fixed and minimal.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of rotating the camera about a pivot point (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by translating the camera along a predefined trajectory. The mechanical module moves the camera body itself rather than rotating it in place, fundamentally changing the motion paradigm.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the protective window aperture is enlarged to accommodate camera rotation, then all rotational positions can be accommodated, but the material usage and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses three-dimensional translational movement to achieve the same field of view coverage that would otherwise require a large two-dimensional rotational aperture. This dimensional change allows minimal window material to be used while maintaining full angular coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the rotational function from the protective window aperture design. Instead of the window needing to accommodate rotation, the rotation capability is achieved through separate translational movement of the camera along a trajectory, allowing the window to remain small and material-efficient.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the protective window aperture is enlarged to accommodate camera rotation, then the full field of view can be covered, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses 3D translational movement to achieve wide angular coverage without requiring a large visible aperture. The camera moves through space rather than rotating in place, allowing the protective window to remain small and aesthetically pleasing while maintaining full field of view capability.
4Device complexity
If a simple rotational mechanism is used for camera alignment, then the mechanism is simple, but the bore sight axis swings through a long arc requiring larger aperture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional rotational alignment mechanism by using translational movement along a predefined trajectory. Instead of rotating the camera about a pivot point (which creates a long arc), the camera is moved directly to positioned along a 3D path, eliminating the arc swing issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces two-dimensional rotational alignment with three-dimensional translational alignment. The mechanical module moves the camera along a predefined trajectory in 3D space, allowing precise positioning without the arc swing problems of rotational mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The specification and drawings present a light fixture for an imaging camera, where a protective window size requirements for camera imaging in a wide field of view (WFOV) are minimized using directional imaging through the protective window. This can be accomplished by a camera position adjustment according to a predefined algorithm as described herein. This adjustment may be performed using a mechanical motor or manually (using corresponding screws, lever, etc.) to actuate a mechanical mechanism. For example, a four-bar linkage mechanism may be used, which may allow the camera to pivot about a virtual pivot point (or generally, a pivotal area) generated by the intersection of the camera lens bore sight axes (camera lens central axes), e.g., outside of a housing of the light fixture.