Lens Protector Light Pipe for Machine Vision Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machine vision camera systems face challenges in protecting both the camera and lighting elements while maintaining effective illumination in harsh environments, as existing solutions struggle to provide reliable environmental protection and efficient lighting delivery.
Innovation Solution
The use of a light pipe that encircles the camera lens, mounts lighting elements behind the lens, and channels light through internal reflection to the object of interest, providing environmental protection and efficient illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If lighting elements are mounted in close proximity to the camera lens, then illumination effectiveness is improved, but environmental protection becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into separate functional zones: lighting elements are mounted in a first region (behind the lens), the light pipe occupies a second region, and the illuminated object is in a third region. This spatial segmentation allows close proximity illumination while maintaining environmental protection through the light pipe barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The light pipe acts as an intermediary component between the lighting elements and the object of interest. It receives light from LEDs mounted behind the lens and conducts it through internal reflection to illuminate the object, enabling close proximity illumination while the light pipe itself provides the environmental seal.
2Reliability
If a protective cover is placed over the camera lens, then environmental protection is improved, but light delivery to the object becomes obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The light pipe serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a protective cover enclosing the lighting elements, provides environmental sealing, and functions as a light conduction pathway. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the protective element itself the light delivery mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The light pipe is made transparent or translucent, allowing it to be visually imperceptible or appear as a clear protective barrier. This transparency property enables the cover to provide environmental protection without obstructing light delivery, as light passes through the material effectively.
3Reliability
If lighting elements are mounted behind the lens, then environmental sealing is improved, but light channeling becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The light pipe replaces complex mechanical light channeling structures with an optical solution based on internal reflection. Instead of using mirrors, lenses, or complex reflectors to guide light from behind the lens to the object, the transparent light pipe uses optical physics (internal reflection) to achieve the same result with simpler geometry.
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 solution effectively protects the camera and lighting elements from environmental hazards while delivering light in close proximity to the object, enhancing image quality and ensuring a weather-tight seal.
Implementation Method 1
the light brought in front of the camera using the internal reflection properties of the light pipe's clear plastic construction
Data Source
AI summary
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising covering a camera lens with a light pipe adapted to: substantially encircle at least a portion of a camera lens that is adapted to focus an image representing an object of photographic interest; extend from a proximal region of said light pipe located substantially adjacent a plurality of lighting elements and toward the object of photographic interest, the plurality of lighting elements located, relative to the object of photographic interest, substantially adjacent a base of the camera lens and substantially behind a face of the camera lens; and convey light from the plurality of lighting elements and toward the object of photographic interest.