Electronic Camera Iris Using Electrochromic Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera irises with mechanical components are prone to breakage, wear over time, and are bulky, limiting their form factor and functionality.
Innovation Solution
An electronically controlled camera iris comprising a transparent conductor layer, a resistance layer, and a diaphragm layer that adjusts aperture size using input voltages, allowing for electronically controlled light regulation through a Bragg grating or Electrochromic layer, enabling thin and durable light control within the camera lens assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical components are used in the iris diaphragm, then the aperture size can be adjusted, but the components are susceptible to breakage and wear over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical iris diaphragm system with an electronic system using electrochromic layers. Instead of physical blades that move mechanically, the invention uses multiple electrochromic layers that change their light transmission properties electronically when voltage is applied. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and breakage while maintaining aperture control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter from mechanical position to electrical voltage. By applying different voltages to the electrochromic layers, the aperture size is controlled through changes in the layers' optical properties rather than physical movement. This parameter change enables durable electronic control without mechanical degradation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical components are used in the iris diaphragm, then the aperture can be regulated, but the form factor is limited due to bulkiness
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical iris assembly with its bulky moving parts is replaced by a thin electronic system comprising multiple electrochromic layers deposited on substrates. This substitution dramatically reduces the volume required for the iris assembly while enabling the same aperture regulation function through electronic control of light transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thin electrochromic films deposited on flexible or rigid substrates to create a compact iris assembly. These thin-film structures replace the thick mechanical components, enabling the iris to be integrated into cameras with constrained form factors while maintaining full aperture control capability.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If mechanical components are used in the iris diaphragm, then the aperture size can be changed, but the components wear over time decreasing camera lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical adjustment system with an electronic control system using electrochromic layers. The aperture size is changed by applying voltages that alter the optical properties of the electrochromic materials, eliminating mechanical contact and wear. This substitution significantly extends camera lifetime by removing the wear mechanism entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrochromic layers inherently resist wear by changing their optical state through electrical fields rather than mechanical movement. The system serves itself by using electrical energy to control aperture size without requiring mechanical parts that degrade, thereby self-preservation against wear and extending operational life.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronically controlled camera iris device. The camera iris device may include a transparent conductor layer supplying an input voltage controlling the diameter of the aperture, a transparent resistance layer providing different voltages in different regions varying based on the distance from a center point, and a diaphragm layer that can be independently controlled in different regions to block or transmit light incident on the diaphragm layer when corresponding control voltages are applied on the diaphragm layer. The camera iris device can be configured to have a desired diameter by controlling a first region of the diaphragm layer to transmit the light and a second region of the diaphragm layer outside of the first region to block the light. The diaphragm layer may include a Bragg grating layer or an Electrochromic layer.