Industrial Image Sensor Dew Condensation Prevention via Housing Heat Conduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial image sensors face challenges in preventing dew condensation on cover members due to physical restrictions from light shielding members, which hinder the implementation of conventional heat conduction-based dew prevention structures.
Innovation Solution
The image sensor housing is designed with a metal case member that acts as a heat transfer structure, allowing heat to be transferred from inside the housing to the cover member while avoiding interference with the light shielding member, using either direct contact or a high thermal conductivity heat conduction member, and incorporating modular components for easy assembly and replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a wall member is provided to partition the lens space and illumination space, then light shielding is improved, but heat transfer to the cover member is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed as a heat conduction member that acts as an intermediary to transfer heat from the illumination part to the cover member. This mediator structure allows heat transfer without requiring direct contact between the heating component and the cover member, thus avoiding interference with the light shielding wall member.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat transfer path is routed through the housing structure in a different spatial dimension than the light shielding wall member. By utilizing the housing as a thermal conduction path, heat can reach the cover member without needing to pass through the wall member that blocks light.
2Reliability
If the entire sensor is covered with an airtight housing for dustproof and waterproof protection, then sealing is improved, but moisture accumulation inside leads to dew condensation
Solution Approach 1:
The heat generated by the illumination part, which is normally a waste product, is converted into a useful function by utilizing it to prevent dew condensation on the cover member. This transforms the harmful effect of moisture accumulation into a beneficial heating function.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination part serves dual functions: providing illumination for the sensor and generating heat to prevent dew condensation on the cover member. The system uses its own operational byproduct (heat) to protect itself from environmental harm.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a processing-integrated-type image sensor is used to integrate camera and image processing device, then functionality is improved, but internal temperature rises due to processor heat
Solution Approach 1:
The heat generated by the processor in the integrated system is utilized to prevent dew condensation on the cover member. This converts the harmful thermal byproduct of integration into a beneficial function for moisture prevention.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a heat conduction member is used to connect heating component and cover member, then dew condensation prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, acts as a heat conduction member for dew prevention, and maintains the airtight seal. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate heat conduction components.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed as a multi-functional component that performs sealing, structural support, and heat conduction. This universal design reduces the total number of parts while achieving dew condensation prevention.
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
This solution effectively suppresses dew condensation on the cover member, maintaining dustproof and waterproof properties while minimizing the number of parts and ensuring efficient heat transfer to prevent fogging.
Implementation Method 1
the housing has a heat transfer structure for transferring heat generated inside the housing to the cover member
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An image sensor (1) includes an illumination part (10) for illuminating a subject, a lens part (11) for forming an optical image of the subject, an imaging part (12) for generating an image based on the optical image, and a housing (14) for accommodating the illumination part, the lens part, and the imaging part, a light-transmissive cover member (15) covering a front side of the lens part and the illumination part is attached to the housing and a wall member (16) partitioning a space where the lens part is arranged and a space where the illumination part is arranged is provided inside the housing, and the housing has a heat transfer structure for transferring heat generated inside the housing to the cover member.The heat transfer structure is for suppressing occurrence of dew condensation on the cover member of the image sensor for industrial use.