Remote-Controlled Camera Stand for Flexible Vehicle Thermal Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal imaging cameras used for monitoring wild animals from vehicles face challenges due to non-transmissive car windows and the cost and inflexibility of integrated fastening apparatus, limiting their use as both vehicle-mounted and handheld devices.
Innovation Solution
A stand with a detachable fastening unit, rotary and pivot drives, and a power source, connected to an open-loop/closed-loop control unit and remote control, allows for flexible and cost-effective use of thermal imaging cameras on various vehicle surfaces, enabling comfortable monitoring of large areas without the need for additional costly equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an integrated fastening apparatus is built into the thermal imaging camera, then the camera can be securely mounted to the vehicle exterior, but the camera becomes inflexible for other uses and the weight increases when used as a hand-held device
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening apparatus is separated from the thermal imaging camera into an independent stand unit. The camera can be detached and used independently, while the stand remains mounted to the vehicle. This segmentation allows the camera to serve multiple purposes (hand-held use, vehicle mounting via stand) without being constrained by an integrated fastening system.
Solution Approach 2:
The stand is designed with a universal mounting interface that can accommodate different thermal imaging cameras. The detachable coupling unit allows the same stand to be used with various camera models, while the camera itself can be used both mounted on the stand or held manually, providing multi-functional versatility.
2Reliability
If an integrated fastening apparatus is built into the thermal imaging camera, then the camera can be mounted to the vehicle exterior, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the fastening function into an independent stand, the thermal imaging camera manufacturer does not need to integrate expensive mounting mechanisms into each camera. The stand can be produced as a separate, cost-effective component, reducing the overall manufacturing cost while maintaining secure mounting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stand acts as an intermediary between the vehicle and the thermal imaging camera. Instead of building mounting capabilities directly into the camera, the stand serves as a mediating platform that provides secure attachment to the vehicle exterior, thereby eliminating the need for expensive integrated fastening systems in the camera itself.
3Reliability
If the thermal imaging camera is used from a moving vehicle through an open window, then infrared radiation can be detected, but the monitoring becomes uncomfortable especially in cold weather
Solution Approach 1:
The stand is pre-mounted to the vehicle exterior in a location that provides optimal detection capability while keeping the user inside the warm vehicle. The coupling unit is designed to securely hold the camera in the desired position before the user needs to observe, allowing the user to remain comfortably inside the vehicle during cold weather monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The stand mounted on the vehicle exterior serves as an intermediary that positions the thermal imaging camera in an optimal detection location while isolating the user from the cold external environment. The user can operate the camera remotely from inside the warm vehicle, maintaining both detection reliability and user comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
A stand for an image recording device including a fastening unit for detachably fastening the stand to a surface, a rotary plate which is rotatable about a rotation axis with respect to the fastening unit, a rotary drive for rotating the rotary plate about the rotation axis, a base which is fastened to the rotary plate so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis, a pivot drive for pivoting the base, a coupling unit which is fastened to the base for detachably fastening the image recording device, a power source which is connected to the rotary drive and to the pivot drive, an open-loop/closed-loop control unit which is connected in a signal-transmitting manner to the rotary drive and to the pivot drive for actuating the drives with open-loop and/or closed-loop control, a remote control means which is connected in a signal-transmitting manner to the open-loop/closed-loop control unit.