Infrared Camera Mount Inclination Vignetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infrared cameras positioned behind inclined walls with small, inclined portholes experience vignetting, leading to decreased image brightness at the edges due to the porthole's small lateral dimensions and increased distance from the camera, which worsens as the angle of inclination increases.
Innovation Solution
An infrared imaging device with an optical axis and a transparent element surrounded by a mount, where the transparent element and the wall are inclined, and an interface element is used to form an interface between the camera and the mount, with surfaces designed to reduce infrared radiation emission and provide a fluid-tight assembly, allowing precise positioning to minimize vignetting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the porthole is made with small lateral dimensions to minimize wall opening, then the wall structure is preserved, but vignetting increases causing decreased image brightness at edges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimensional parameter - the inclination angle of the porthole relative to the camera optical axis. By tilting the porthole at a specific angle, the effective aperture is optimized to reduce vignetting while maintaining a small physical opening in the wall, thus resolving the contradiction between minimal wall opening and adequate image brightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the porthole from perpendicular to inclined at a specific angle relative to the camera optical axis. This parameter change optimizes the light path through the porthole, reducing edge vignetting while keeping the porthole dimensions small, thereby maintaining both wall integrity and image quality.
2Ease of operation
If the distance between the porthole and the infrared camera is increased, then the camera can be positioned behind the wall, but vignetting worsens
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing the inclination angle as an additional degree of freedom, the patent enables the camera to be positioned behind the wall at an optimal distance while compensating for the increased vignetting through angular adjustment of the porthole, thus maintaining image brightness despite increased distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning where the porthole is inclined at a specific non-zero angle relative to the camera optical axis. This asymmetric configuration optimizes the light path geometry to reduce vignetting effects that would otherwise worsen with increased distance, enabling flexible camera placement behind the wall.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the porthole is inclined at a non-zero angle with respect to the vertical direction, then the camera can be positioned behind the inclined wall, but vignetting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the inclination angle as a controllable parameter to adapt the system to inclined walls. By optimizing this angular parameter, the system achieves adaptability to various wall inclinations while minimizing the detrimental vignetting effect, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the inclination angle parameter of the porthole to balance two requirements: adapting to the inclined wall geometry for versatile positioning and minimizing vignetting for adequate image brightness. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between adaptability and image quality.
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
The solution effectively reduces vignetting by accurately positioning the infrared camera relative to the inclined porthole, maintaining image quality and mechanical integrity while allowing for thermal insulation and stray light management.
Implementation Method 1
at least one inner surface of the interface element is shaped in such a way as to decrease the emission of infrared radiation by said interface element towards the camera
Implementation Method 2
an infrared camera having an optical axis and intended to detect an infrared radiation in a spectral range through an element transparent to said infrared radiation
Data Source
AI summary
The present description concerns an infrared imaging device (200) comprising an infrared camera (210) having an optical axis (A) and intended to detect an infrared radiation in a spectral range through an element (132) transparent to said infrared radiation, said transparent element being surrounded by a mount (134), the transparent element with the mount being adapted to being inserted in an opening of a wall (130), the transparent element and the wall being inclined by an angle of inclination (a) greater than 0° and smaller than 90° or smaller than 0° and greater than −90° with respect to the optical axis (A) of the infrared camera; the device further comprising:an interface element (230) adapted to forming an interface between the infrared camera (210) and the mount (134).