Night-Viewing Device Dual Light Source Zoom Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing night-viewing devices face challenges with excessive darkness at large image capturing angles and insufficient observation distance at small angles due to fixed light output angles in zoomable modules, leading to increased device volume and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A night-viewing device with two image capturing modules and two light source illumination modules of different focal lengths and light output angles, where a control module selects the appropriate light source illumination module based on the focal range to ensure adequate light coverage, preventing darkness and minimizing device volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single light source illumination module with fixed light output angle is used, then the device structure is simple, but it causes excessive darkness around the image capturing angle when the image capturing angle is greater than the light output angle, or insufficient energy concentration when the light output angle is designed to be the maximum angle for small-angle long-distance observations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single light source illumination module into multiple light source illumination modules, each with different light output angles. This segmentation allows each module to handle specific angular ranges, ensuring adequate light coverage across all image capturing angles while maintaining energy concentration for long-distance observations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching between different light source illumination modules based on the current image capturing angle. The control module dynamically selects which module to activate, ensuring the light output angle always matches the required coverage for the current observation scenario.
2Productivity
If a zoomable light source illumination module with transmission mechanism is used to improve luminous efficiency, then the zoom efficiency is improved, but the volume of the entire night-viewing device becomes relatively large and the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the zoom function across multiple fixed light source illumination modules with different light output angles, eliminating the need for a mechanical transmission mechanism in each module. This approach achieves zoom capability through module switching rather than mechanical adjustment, reducing device volume and manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical transmission mechanism with an electronic control system that switches between different light source illumination modules. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical components, reducing device volume and manufacturing cost while maintaining zoom functionality through digital control.
3Volume of moving object
If a single convex lens with infrared LED is used to achieve zoom function, then the device volume is reduced, but the zoom efficiency achieved is usually unsatisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple light source illumination modules with different light output angles instead of relying on a single convex lens for zoom. This segmentation provides superior zoom efficiency by offering discrete angular options that cover different observation scenarios, while keeping the device volume compact through integrated module design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of light output angle by switching between different light source illumination modules, achieving zoom functionality through parameter variation rather than mechanical lens adjustment. This approach maintains compact device volume while providing effective zoom capability across multiple angular ranges.
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 solution achieves continuous zoom functionality while preventing excessive darkness and insufficient lighting, effectively miniaturizing the device structure and maintaining efficient light distribution across varying observation angles.
Implementation Method 1
The first light source illumination module and the second light source illumination module are composed of an infrared light-emitting diode packaged in a condenser lens
Implementation Method 2
The first light source illumination module and the second light source illumination module are composed of an infrared light-emitting diode packaged in a condenser lens
Data Source
AI summary
A night-viewing device for use in an environment lacking light source, comprising a first image capturing module, a second image capturing module, a first light source illumination module and a second light source illumination module. The focal ranges of both image capturing modules are different. Meanwhile, the light output angles of both light source illumination modules are also different. When one of the image capturing modules is activated, a control module may select, in accordance with the change of the focal range of both image capturing modules, one of the light source illumination modules whose light output angle is greater than the focal range to drive it in operation such that the generated infrared light may cover the current focal range. In this way, when in observation at a large angle, it can effectively prevent the problem of the excessive darkness around the image capturing angle. Meanwhile, when in observation at a small angle, it can also avoid the insufficient energy concentration and the insufficient illumination distance due to the too large focusing angle of the light source.