Lens Heating Wire Layout for Fast Defrost Camera Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera modules face issues with inefficient heat generation due to thickly coated conductive materials, leading to image distortion and difficulty in electrically connecting electrodes, especially under cold climate conditions where frost or moisture forms on the lens.
Innovation Solution
A camera module design that includes a heating layer on the lens surface and a heating wire with a patterned conductive material, electrically connected to a PCB through a conductive part, allowing for efficient current supply and rapid heating without thickly coating the lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the conductive material is thickly coated on the lens surface to increase heat generation effect, then the heating efficiency is improved, but the photographed image becomes distorted
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive material is segmented into a grid pattern rather than being uniformly coated. This divides the continuous conductive layer into discrete conductive regions, allowing heat generation while maintaining optical clarity in the non-conductive areas between grid elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens surface is given non-uniform properties: certain regions have conductive material for heating, while other regions remain transparent for optimal light transmission. The grid pattern creates local zones of different functionality across the lens surface.
2Power
If the resistance of the conductive material is increased to enhance heat generation under the same voltage/current, then the heating efficiency is improved, but the coated thickness must be increased which causes image distortion
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the conductive material into a grid pattern, the effective resistance is increased without increasing thickness. The grid structure creates longer current paths and reduces the cross-sectional area for current flow, thereby increasing resistance and heat generation while keeping the coating thin.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistance parameter is changed by altering the geometric configuration (grid pattern) rather than by changing the material thickness. This allows resistance optimization for heat generation while maintaining thin coating for image quality.
3Reliability
If a separate power supply is equipped with the camera module to enable heating function, then the ability to remove frost or moisture is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PCB serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, electrical connections, and houses the power supply circuitry needed for heating. By integrating these functions into existing components rather than adding separate dedicated components, the overall complexity is minimized.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply, control circuitry, and structural elements are merged into the PCB and lens assembly. The conductive material on the lens itself serves as both the heating element and the functional layer, eliminating the need for separate heating components.
4Power
If the camera module is designed to supply current to the conductive material for heating, then the heating efficiency is improved, but it becomes difficult to apply electrodes to the conductive material due to structural limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection structure is merged with the mechanical lens assembly. The PCB provides both structural support and electrical connectivity, with conductive traces that directly connect to the conductive material on the lens, eliminating the need for separate electrode application steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCB and lens mounting structure serve dual purposes: mechanically holding the lens in place and electrically connecting to the conductive heating material. This multi-functionality simplifies manufacturing by combining structural and electrical assembly steps.
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 design enables stable connection of the heating layer to the PCB, reduces heating time, increases heating efficiency, and prevents image distortion by optimizing resistance, thus maintaining camera functionality in cold climates.
Implementation Method 1
a heating layer positioned on the lens so as to generate heat when power is supplied thereto
Implementation Method 2
a heating wire, which is positioned on the surface of the lens or of the heating layer, which generates heat when a current is supplied thereto from an external power supply
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a camera module, and the present invention may comprise: a lens; a heating layer positioned on the lens so as to generate heat when power is supplied thereto; and a heating wire, which is positioned on the surface of the lens or of the heating layer, which generates heat when a current is supplied thereto from an external power supply, and which is electrically connected to the heating layer. The present invention comprises a heating wire, besides the heating layer that comprises a conductive material, and thus can reduce the time taken to supply a heating body with a current, and the reduced heating time accordingly enables rapid heating.