IP Camera Lens Dew Prevention via Heat-Conducting Element

Solution Overview

Problem

IP cameras with closed housings experience dew condensation on the lens due to uneven internal temperatures and increased humidity, which can affect image quality, especially when the seal is not proper and environmental moisture enters, causing rapid humidity increase.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a heat-conducting element with high thermal conductivity (>5 W/mK) that surrounds the front portion of the lens assembly to transfer waste heat from internal heat-generating elements to the ambient air, preventing or removing dew without the need for desiccants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a desiccant packet is arranged in the interior of the closed housing to avoid dew condensation, then dew condensation is prevented under normal sealed conditions, but when the seal is broken or not proper, environmental moisture enters and the internal temperature rise forces water vapor out of the desiccant packet, causing rapid humidity increase and dew condensation on the lens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedew prevention capabilityVSAvoidsealing requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful waste heat generated by internal components into a beneficial heating source for the lens assembly. The heat-conducting element transfers this waste heat to the front portion of the lens assembly, raising its temperature above the dew point and preventing dew condensation. This approach transforms a normally unwanted thermal byproduct into the primary mechanism for dew prevention, eliminating the need for strict sealing requirements and desiccant packets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own internal heat-generating components to provide the heating function needed for dew prevention. Instead of requiring external heating elements or strict environmental control, the IP camera utilizes its operational heat output, which is naturally produced during normal operation, to maintain the lens assembly temperature above the dew point. This self-service approach simplifies the overall system design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the housing is sealed to prevent moisture entry, then dew condensation is avoided, but the sealing requirement increases manufacturing complexity and cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedew prevention capabilityVSAvoidsealing requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful waste heat generated by internal components into a beneficial heating source for the lens assembly. The heat-conducting element transfers this waste heat to the front portion of the lens assembly, raising its temperature above the dew point and preventing dew condensation. This approach transforms a normally unwanted thermal byproduct into the primary mechanism for dew prevention, eliminating the need for strict sealing requirements and desiccant packets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own internal heat-generating components to provide the heating function needed for dew prevention. Instead of requiring external heating elements or strict environmental control, the IP camera utilizes its operational heat output, which is naturally produced during normal operation, to maintain the lens assembly temperature above the dew point. This self-service approach simplifies the overall system design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If additional heating elements are added to prevent dew condensation, then dew prevention is achieved, but the cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedew prevention capabilityVSAvoidcomponent quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat-conducting element serves multiple functions: it acts as a thermal pathway to transfer heat from internal components to the lens assembly, serves as a structural support component, and functions as a dew prevention mechanism. By integrating these functions into a single component, the patent eliminates the need for separate heating elements while achieving effective dew prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own internal heat-generating components to provide the heating function needed for dew prevention. Instead of requiring external heating elements or strict environmental control, the IP camera utilizes its operational heat output, which is naturally produced during normal operation, to maintain the lens assembly temperature above the dew point. This self-service approach simplifies the overall system design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If additional heating elements are added to prevent dew condensation, then dew prevention is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedew prevention capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heat-conducting element serves multiple functions: it acts as a thermal pathway to transfer heat from internal components to the lens assembly, serves as a structural support component, and functions as a dew prevention mechanism. By integrating these functions into a single component, the patent eliminates the need for separate heating elements while achieving effective dew prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own internal heat-generating components to provide the heating function needed for dew prevention. Instead of requiring external heating elements or strict environmental control, the IP camera utilizes its operational heat output, which is naturally produced during normal operation, to maintain the lens assembly temperature above the dew point. This self-service approach simplifies the overall system design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Effectively prevents dew condensation on the lens by raising the surrounding temperature near the front portion, reducing the need for desiccants and ensuring image quality without strict sealing requirements or additional heating elements, thus lowering costs and improving operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The heat-conducting element is configured to transfer the waste heat generated by the internal heat-generating element to the surroundings of the front portion of the lens assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10795241B2IP camera with heat-conducting element for preventing dew condensation

Publication Date: 2020.10.06 SERCOMM CORP

AI summary

An IP Camera includes a heat-generating element, a lens holder, a lens assembly and a heat-conducting element. The lens assembly includes a lens, a front portion and a rear portion opposite to the front portion. The front portion surrounds the lens. The lens assembly is disposed on the lens holder with the rear portion. The heat-conducting element has a thermal conductivity greater than 5 W/mK. The heat-conducting element is in contact with the heat-generating element, and a portion of the heat-conducting element surrounds the front portion.