Infrared Detector Housing With Conical Solar Panel Autonomy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infrared detectors face a challenge in achieving a compact size without compromising their autonomy, particularly when integrating photovoltaic cells for energy efficiency, as reducing the detector size reduces the available space for these cells.
Innovation Solution
The infrared detector design incorporates a housing with a truncated cone shape, featuring a planar face for sensors and a side face as an energy collector panel, optimizing light capture and energy production while maintaining autonomy by positioning the collector panel to maximize light incidence angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the detector size is reduced, then the device becomes more compact and discreet, but the area available for photovoltaic cells is reduced, impacting energy autonomy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional planar arrangement of photovoltaic cells on the detector housing to a three-dimensional configuration where the panel is positioned at an angle relative to the housing surface. This spatial reconfiguration allows the energy collector to occupy additional dimensional space, increasing its effective area without expanding the detector's footprint on the mounting surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a conical or spherical support structure to position the photovoltaic panel at an optimal angle relative to the housing. This curved geometric form enables the panel to be tilted away from the housing surface, maximizing light incidence while maintaining a compact detector profile. The conical support structure specifically allows the panel to extend outward at an angle that optimizes both area capture and spatial efficiency.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the area for photovoltaic cells is increased, then energy autonomy is improved, but the detector size increases, reducing compactness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension and angular space around the detector housing to accommodate additional photovoltaic area. By positioning the panel on a conical or spherical support structure at an angle, the design expands the energy collection area into the third dimension rather than simply enlarging the horizontal footprint, thus maintaining compactness while improving energy autonomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The conical or spherical support structure enables the photovoltaic panel to be positioned at an optimal tilt angle, maximizing light incidence efficiency. This curved geometric approach allows the panel to cover a larger effective area relative to the detector housing volume, achieving higher energy capture without proportionally increasing the detector's external dimensions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the photovoltaic panel is positioned to maximize light capture, then energy efficiency is improved, but the panel occupies more space, impacting detector compactness
Solution Approach 1:
The conical or spherical support structure positions the photovoltaic panel at an optimal angle relative to the housing, maximizing light incidence efficiency. This curved geometric configuration allows the panel to be tilted away from the housing surface, capturing light more effectively while maintaining a compact overall detector profile. The conical geometry specifically enables the panel to extend outward at an angle that optimizes both area capture and spatial efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent configures the photovoltaic panel in three-dimensional space rather than on a planar surface, using the conical or spherical support structure to create angular positioning. This dimensional transition allows the panel to occupy space more efficiently by utilizing vertical and radial dimensions, thereby maximizing light capture without proportionally increasing the detector's horizontal footprint or overall compactness.
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 design allows for a compact infrared detector with enhanced energy efficiency and autonomy, enabling effective operation without a battery, suitable for applications like IoT and smart buildings.
Implementation Method 1
the housing of the detector may be equipped with photovoltaic cells
Implementation Method 2
Infrared sensors, or infrared imagers, are known
Data Source
AI summary
The present description relates to an infrared detector (100) comprising:—a housing (110) having at least a first substantially planar face (110B);—at least one infrared sensor (102) mounted in or on the first face;—at least one energy collector in the form of a panel (120) having the shape of at least one side face of a truncated cone and masking all or part of at least one second face (110C) of the housing different from the first face.