Infrared Camera Housing Volume Reduction via External Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional infrared cameras are bulky and cumbersome due to their own power supply and processing capabilities, making them less suitable for flexible and mobile use.
Innovation Solution
The infrared camera design features a cable-connected interface to a computer for power supply and data transmission, allowing the camera to be reduced to just the measuring head and essential components, with the computer providing the control system and software, enabling one-handed operation and minimizing physical volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the infrared camera is designed with its own power supply and processing capabilities, then it can operate independently, but the housing volume and weight increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply unit from the camera housing and makes it an external component. The camera housing contains only the measuring head and essential functional elements, while the power supply is provided externally via a cable connected to a computer, thereby reducing the housing volume significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The computer serves multiple functions: it provides power supply through the cable connection, processes data, and performs analysis. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate power supply and processing units within the camera housing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the infrared camera is designed with its own power supply, then it can operate independently, but the camera becomes cumbersome and less suitable for mobile use
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply is extracted from the camera and made external, allowing the camera housing to be minimized to only essential components. This reduces the overall size and makes the camera much more suitable for mobile and flexible use while maintaining independent operation capability through the external power connection.
3Volume of moving object
If the housing is made small for mobile use, then mobility is improved, but the camera requires external power supply which needs to be carried separately
Solution Approach 1:
The computer is used as a universal device that provides both power supply and data processing functions. By connecting the camera to the computer via a cable, the camera benefits from the computer's power supply capability, eliminating the need for a separate battery pack and reducing the requirement to carry additional power supply components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the infrared camera includes its own processor and software, then it can process data independently, but the construction volume and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The processor and software are extracted from the camera and relocated to the computer. The camera housing contains only the measuring head and minimal functional elements, while the computer provides the necessary processing capabilities through its own processor and software, thereby significantly reducing the camera housing volume.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
An infrared camera with a measuring head (2) and a housing (1) that at least partially accommodates or encompasses the measuring head (2) is characterized by an interface assigned to the housing (1) for connection to a computer (6) by means of a cable, wherein the power supply to the measuring head (2) is provided by the computer (6) via the cable.