Resistive Heating Camera Window with Conductive Pads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera lens designs face challenges with icing and fogging, particularly in infrared cameras, leading to reduced image quality and practical installation issues due to the need for additional energy-consuming heating elements that are costly, non-uniform, and increase camera size.
Innovation Solution
A camera window with a low conductivity transparent member and high conductivity conductive pads for resistive heating, allowing for efficient evaporation of condensation and ice using electrical conduction, eliminating the need for separate heating elements and minimizing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate heating element is deployed near the lens to address icing and fogging, then the camera can remove condensation and ice, but the device complexity increases and additional energy is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the heating function directly into the lens assembly by incorporating a heating element within the lens structure itself, rather than deploying a separate heating element near the lens. This merging of functions eliminates the need for additional separate components while maintaining the ability to remove icing and fogging effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The lens assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: optical focusing and heating for de-icing/fogging removal. By making the lens assembly multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated heating components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability for both imaging and ice/condensation removal
2Reliability
If a heating element is deployed near the lens to address icing and fogging, then the camera can remove condensation and ice, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is merged with the lens assembly, allowing direct heating of the lens surface where ice and fogging occur. This eliminates energy losses associated with heat transfer from a separate element and reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining effective ice and fogging removal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or separate thermal heating systems with an integrated resistive heating element within the lens assembly. This substitution enables more efficient energy conversion and direct heating, reducing the total energy required to remove ice and fogging compared to external heating elements
3Reliability
If a heating element is deployed near the lens to address icing and fogging, then the camera can remove condensation and ice, but the camera size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is merged into the existing lens assembly structure, eliminating the need for additional space that would be required for a separate heating element. This integration maintains the camera's compact size while providing the necessary ice and fogging removal capability
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is nested within the lens assembly structure, utilizing the existing spatial configuration of the lens components. This nesting approach allows the heating function to be accommodated within the existing camera volume without requiring additional space or increasing overall camera size
4Reliability
If a heating element is deployed near the lens to address icing and fogging, then the camera can remove condensation and ice, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is combined with the lens assembly, eliminating the need to manufacture and assemble separate heating elements. This integration reduces manufacturing steps, assembly complexity, and associated costs while maintaining the ability to remove ice and fogging
Solution Approach 2:
The lens assembly is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both optical focusing and heating functions. This universality reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while providing effective ice and fogging removal capability
5Reliability
If a heating element is deployed near the lens to address icing and fogging, then the camera can remove condensation and ice, but the heating is non-uniform and takes a long period of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs resistive heating within the lens assembly, which provides rapid and uniform heat distribution across the lens surface. This substitution of heating method eliminates the delayed and non-uniform heating characteristic of external heating elements, enabling quick and consistent removal of ice and fogging
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 effectively clears icing and fogging rapidly and efficiently, reducing energy use and camera complexity while enabling miniaturization, ensuring clear views and improved image quality in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
matter disposed on the transparent member is removed via resistive heating when electricity is conducted from the at least one source through the at least one set of two conductive pads and the transparent member
Data Source
AI summary
A window for resistive heating and a camera apparatus including a window for resistive heating. The window includes a transparent member having an outer edge, wherein the transparent member is made of a first material, wherein the first material is a low conductivity material; and at least one set of two conductive pads disposed on the outer edge of the transparent member and electrically coupled to at least one source of electricity, wherein each conductive pad is made of a second material, wherein matter disposed on the transparent member is removed via resistive heating when electricity is conducted from the at least one source through the at least one set of two conductive pads and the transparent member.