Lens Module Air Passages for Condensation-Resistant Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat transfer and condensation issues in lenses due to temperature differentials between the outer and inner surfaces, leading to reduced light transmission and resolution in high humidity environments.
Innovation Solution
A lens design with protrusions on the flange portion forming passages that allow air circulation, satisfying conditional expressions for optimal air circulation and connecting inner and outer spaces, and a lens module with spacing members and passages for air exchange between lenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the lens has a thick center or edge portion to enable light convergence or divergence, then the refractive power is improved, but heat transfer between the first side surface and second side surface becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lens edge is segmented into multiple protrusions that are spaced apart from each other, creating multiple air circulation passages instead of a single continuous edge structure. This segmentation allows air to flow through multiple paths, enhancing heat dissipation while maintaining the necessary lens thickness for refractive power.
Solution Approach 2:
Air is introduced as an intermediary medium between the lens surfaces to facilitate heat transfer. The protrusions create passages that allow air to circulate between the first side surface and second side surface, acting as a thermal mediator that carries heat away from the lens without requiring direct thermal contact between lens surfaces.
2Reliability
If the edge of the lens is sealed to prevent unnecessary light from passing therethrough, then light transmission quality is improved, but thermal convection between the first side surface and second side surface cannot occur easily
Solution Approach 1:
The lens structure has different local qualities: the protrusions are sealed to prevent light leakage in those specific regions, while the spaces between the protrusions remain open to allow air circulation for thermal convection. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying sealing only where light blocking is needed, while maintaining openness where heat dissipation is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous sealed edge is segmented into discrete protrusions with gaps between them. This segmentation allows the structure to simultaneously provide light blocking (through the protrusion material) and thermal convection (through the gaps), resolving the contradiction between optical sealing and thermal management.
3Power
If the lens has a thick structure to enable light convergence or divergence, then the refractive power is improved, but condensation is more likely to occur on one surface due to temperature differential
Solution Approach 1:
The thick lens structure that causes temperature differentials and potential condensation is paired with protrusions that create air circulation passages. The air flow converts the harmful temperature differential into a beneficial cooling effect, preventing condensation by continuously replacing warm, humid air with cooler air, thus turning the potential harm into a protective mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Air circulation is introduced as a pneumatic mechanism to manage thermal conditions. The protrusions create passages that allow air to flow through the lens structure, using pneumatic convection to equalize temperatures and prevent condensation, thereby protecting the thick lens structure from harmful moisture accumulation.
4Temperature
If protrusions are disposed on the flange portion to form air circulation passages, then heat dissipation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions serve multiple functions simultaneously: they block light from passing through the lens edge, provide structural support for the lens, and create air circulation passages for heat dissipation. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by combining several functions into a single structural feature rather than requiring separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-blocking function and heat dissipation function are merged into a single protrusion structure. Instead of having separate sealed edges for light blocking and separate cooling channels for heat dissipation, the protrusions combine both functions, simplifying the overall device design while achieving both objectives.
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
Enhances light transmission and maintains resolution by reducing condensation and temperature fluctuations in high humidity conditions.
Implementation Method 1
protrusions disposed on the flange portion at a first interval (G) in a circumferential direction and configured to form a passage connecting an object-side space and/or an image-side space of the lens unit and an outer space of the flange portion
Implementation Method 2
The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the disclosure.
Implementation Method 3
Lenses are configured to converge incident light on a specific area or diverge the light to a wide area. A lens may have a predetermined thickness which enables the convergence or divergence of light.
Data Source
AI summary
A lens module is provided. The lens module includes a first lens, a second lens, and a third lens sequentially disposed from an object side to an imaging side, a first spacing member disposed between the first lens and the second lens and having a first passage extending in a direction that intersects an optical axis, a second spacing member disposed between the second lens and the third lens and having a second passage extending in a direction that intersects the optical axis, and a lens barrel configured to accommodate the first lens, the second lens, the third lens, the first spacing member and the second spacing member, and configured to have a first connection passage disposed on an inner side surface and connected to the first passage and the second passage.