Offset Focus Ring for Compact Infrared Camera Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional thermal imaging cameras with manual focus rings are bulky, leading to increased weight and difficulty in use, and suffer from parallax errors due to the concentric infrared imaging axis and limited space for additional components.
Innovation Solution
A thermal imaging camera design featuring an offset focus ring that rotates to adjust the infrared lens assembly, allowing for closer placement of visible light and laser components, reducing parallax errors and enabling a more compact, ergonomic design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a large diameter concentric focus ring is used to allow ease of focus and visibility, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The focus ring is positioned offset from the infrared optical axis rather than concentric with it. This asymmetric arrangement allows the focus ring to be located closer to the edge of the camera housing, providing adequate visibility and gripping surface area for ease of operation without requiring a large diameter that would increase overall camera size and weight.
2Ease of operation
If a large diameter concentric focus ring is used to allow ease of focus, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The focus ring is positioned offset from the infrared optical axis rather than concentric with it. This asymmetric arrangement allows the focus ring to be located closer to the edge of the camera housing, providing adequate visibility and gripping surface area for ease of operation without requiring a large diameter that would increase overall camera size.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing the diameter of the focus ring in the radial dimension, the offset arrangement utilizes the lateral dimension by positioning the focus ring closer to the camera edge, effectively distributing components across different spatial dimensions to maintain compact overall size.
3Device complexity
If the infrared imaging axis is concentric with the focus ring, then the focus adjustment is simplified, but the parallax error increases due to limited room for additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The focus ring is positioned offset from the infrared optical axis, creating an asymmetric layout that provides sufficient lateral space to position visible light cameras, laser pointers, and other components closer to the infrared imaging axis. This reduces the baseline distance between different optical axes, thereby minimizing parallax errors and improving image alignment precision.
4Volume of stationary object
If additional components are positioned a considerable distance from the infrared imaging axis, then space constraints are relieved, but the parallax error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The offset focus ring arrangement creates asymmetric space distribution that allows additional components to be positioned closer to the infrared imaging axis without interfering with the focus ring's operation. This reduced distance between optical axes minimizes parallax errors while still providing adequate space for multiple components.
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 camera achieves improved image alignment and reduced parallax errors, resulting in a more compact, user-friendly, and efficient thermal imaging solution with enhanced image quality.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared lens assembly comprising at least one lens defining an optical axis. The infrared lens assembly can be configured to focus infrared radiation onto the infrared sensor
Implementation Method 2
The infrared lens assembly may be threadably engaged with the sensor can. Because of the threaded engagement, rotating the focus ring relative to the sensor can can cause the infrared lens assembly to similarly rotate within the sensor can and translate relative thereto
Implementation Method 3
a spring or other element can apply pressure between the infrared lens assembly and the sensor can to rigidly hold the infrared lens assembly steady relative to the sensor can
Data Source
AI summary
Infrared cameras can include an infrared sensor and an infrared lens assembly defining an optical axis. A camera can include an inner gear engaging the infrared lens assembly and a focus ring that engages the inner gear. The inner gear can engage the focus ring and the infrared lens assembly such that rotation of the focus ring about its central axis can cause the rotation of the infrared lens assembly about its optical axis, which may be offset from the central axis of the focus ring. The camera can include a sensor can threadably engaging the infrared lens assembly and fixed relative to the infrared sensor such that rotation of the infrared lens assembly causes the infrared lens assembly to move relative to the infrared sensor. The sensor can can support other components such as a visible light lens assembly or a laser within a perimeter of the focus ring.