Infrared Light Emitting Units for License Plate Camera De-icing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Outdoor camera devices face challenges in capturing images due to ice, frost, and fog forming on the lens, which existing heating solutions fail to address effectively, leading to increased production costs and potential damage to device components.
Innovation Solution
A license plate capturing device equipped with infrared light emitting units that emit invisible light at a predetermined wavelength to de-ice, defrost, and defog the lens, operating in continuous and normal modes to effectively remove targets without generating excessive heat or requiring additional heating elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional heating elements are used to remove ice, frost or fog, then the de-icing function is improved, but the production cost increases and the device temperature rises causing damage to other components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical heating system with an optical system. Infrared light emitting units emit infrared light that is absorbed by ice, frost, or fog, converting light energy to thermal energy directly at the target location. This substitution eliminates the need for heating elements and avoids unwanted heating of other device components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces infrared light as an intermediary energy carrier between the light emitting units and the target (ice, frost, fog). The infrared light acts as a mediator that transfers energy selectively to the target without directly heating the device housing or other components, solving the problem of localized vs. distributed heating.
2Reliability
If additional heating elements are used to remove ice, frost or fog, then the de-icing function is improved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the light emitting units multi-functional by enabling them to perform both normal illumination for image capturing and de-icing/defogging functions. By controlling the driving circuit to operate in different modes (normal driving mode vs. continuous driving mode), the same hardware component serves multiple purposes, eliminating the need for separate heating elements and reducing production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the de-icing function with the existing light emitting units of the capturing device. Instead of adding separate heating elements, the invention combines the de-icing capability into the existing optical system, integrating multiple functions into a single component structure.
3Reliability
If heating elements block the lens, then the de-icing function is achieved, but the image capturing effect becomes unsatisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the functional roles: light emitting units are positioned around the lens rather than blocking it, with infrared light directed toward the lens surface for de-icing while the lens remains unobstructed for image capturing. This spatial segmentation allows both functions to coexist without interference.
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 allows for efficient removal of ice, frost, and fog without affecting other components, achieving optimal image capturing effects while reducing production costs and preventing component damage.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the infrared light emitting units transmits invisible light having a predetermined wavelength that has an absorption band of a target
Implementation Method 2
invisible light having a predetermined wavelength that has an absorption band of a target
Implementation Method 3
the driving circuit continuously provides a driving current to the infrared light emitting units for a continuous period of time
Data Source
AI summary
A license plate capturing device includes an image capturing unit, a plurality of infrared light emitting units, a driving circuit and a control circuit. The plurality of infrared light emitting units is located around the image capturing unit. Each of the infrared light emitting units emits invisible light having a predetermined wavelength that has an absorption band of a target. The driving circuit is coupled to the infrared light emitting units. The control circuit is coupled to the driving circuit and the image capturing unit, and controls the driving circuit to execute one of a normal driving mode and a continuous driving mode. In the continuous driving mode, the driving circuit continuously provides a driving current to the infrared light emitting units for a continuous period of time so as to remove a target covering the license plate capturing device.