PCB Image Sensor Flexure Mount for Temperature Drift Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital cameras suffer from significant image drift due to temperature changes, which can inaccurately indicate the position and configuration of objects in captured images, particularly in applications requiring high fidelity such as medical scans and satellite photos.
Innovation Solution
A suspension system for the image sensor using flexures that allows the PCB plate to frictionlessly and resiliently move relative to the base plate, coupled with a temperature sensor and polynomial compensation model to correct for temperature drift in image data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the image sensor is rigidly mounted to the camera body, then the structural stability is improved, but temperature drift causes image position and configuration to shift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a rigid, fixed mounting system to a dynamic suspension system using flexures. The flexure-based suspension allows the image sensor to move relative to the camera body in response to thermal expansion and contraction, enabling the system to adapt to temperature changes while maintaining measurement precision through predictable, repeatable movement patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing physical parameters (position and configuration) of the image sensor to change in response to temperature variations. The flexure suspension system enables controlled parameter changes that compensate for thermal drift, and the polynomial compensation model further adjusts image data parameters based on temperature sensor readings to maintain accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the image sensor is allowed to move freely to compensate for thermal expansion, then temperature drift compensation is improved, but mechanical stability and positioning precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexures as intermediary elements between the image sensor and the camera body. These flexures serve as mediators that enable controlled movement to compensate for thermal effects while maintaining mechanical stability. The flexures provide a controlled compliance mechanism that allows necessary displacement without compromising overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent directly addresses thermal expansion by designing the suspension system to accommodate and measure thermal-induced movements. The polynomial compensation model uses temperature sensor data to calculate and compensate for position shifts caused by thermal expansion, transforming the harmful thermal effect into a measurable and correctable parameter.
3Ease of manufacture
If a rigid mounting system is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the ability to compensate for temperature effects is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the mounting system into separate functional components: the flexure-based suspension mechanism that handles mechanical compliance, the temperature sensor that monitors thermal conditions, and the polynomial compensation model that processes and corrects image data. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to achieve temperature compensation.
4Measurement precision
If flexure-based suspension is implemented, then temperature drift compensation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the mounting system to automatically compensate for temperature drift without external intervention. The flexure suspension naturally responds to thermal expansion and contraction through its compliant design, while the integrated temperature sensor and polynomial compensation model automatically calculate and apply corrections to image data, making the system self-regulating.
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 system enables predictable and repeatable compensation for temperature-induced image drift, ensuring accurate representation of object positions and configurations in captured images.
Implementation Method 1
The flexures of the exemplary mounting arrangements enable the electronic image sensor on the PCB plate and a base plate to which the PCB plate is releasably connected, to frictionlessly and resiliently move relative to one another in a manner responsive to thermal expansion and contraction
Implementation Method 2
The exemplary circuitry is in operative connection with a temperature sensor that is operative to sense the temperature adjacent to the PCB plate
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary arrangements relate to a digital camera (10). The camera includes a PCB plate (12) including electronic image sensor (24). The PCB plate is mounted to a base plate (16) through flexures (38, 54) that are operative to cause the PCB plate to be suspended and disposed away from the base plate except at PCB mount portions (32), and the electronic image sensor on the PCB plate and the base plate, to be frictionlessly resiliently repeatedly relatively movable responsive to thermal expansion and contraction. Exemplary arrangements enable the circuitry of the digital camera to compensate for temperature drift of image data.