Self-Cleaning Camera Module Fluid Delivery System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal imaging cameras in remote and grimy locations face maintenance and reliability issues due to contaminant buildup on lenses/windows, which affects performance and requires manual cleaning that can damage fragile materials.
Innovation Solution
A self-cleaning camera module with a housing and faceplate featuring ports and channels for directing cleaning fluids, including a fluid reservoir and control elements to manage the flow of gas-based and liquid-based cleaning solutions, ensuring the lens/window remains clear and protected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning procedures are performed on the lens/window, then the view can be restored, but the fragile and expensive materials may be scratched, cracked, or fractured
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system performs its own cleaning automatically through an integrated cleaning mechanism that delivers cleaning fluid to the lens/window, eliminating the need for manual cleaning operations that could damage the fragile optical components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning actions with an automated system that uses controlled fluid delivery and potentially electrostatic or chemical mechanisms to clean the lens/window without physical contact that could cause scratches or cracks
2Measurement precision
If the camera is positioned close to the subjects in high-traffic areas, then the view quality improves, but contaminant buildup on the lens/window increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning mechanism operates continuously or periodically to maintain the lens/window surface, ensuring that the camera can remain positioned close to subjects in high-traffic areas without suffering from progressive contaminant buildup that would degrade image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors and cleans its own optical components, allowing it to maintain optimal positioning for high-quality imaging while self-cleaning removes contaminants that would otherwise accumulate in the close-proximity, high-traffic environment
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cleaning solutions are applied to the lens/window, then contaminant buildup is removed, but the expensive and fragile materials are at risk of damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system uses carefully controlled parameters including the type of cleaning fluid, application rate, and delivery method to ensure effective contaminant removal while maintaining the chemical and physical integrity of the expensive optical materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controlled delivery system as an intermediary between the cleaning solution and the lens/window, allowing precise control over how the cleaning agent is applied to ensure effective cleaning without direct exposure to damaging conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A camera housing including a self-cleaning function is disclosed. More particularly, a self-cleaning camera module including a fluid based cleaning system is disclosed. A self-cleaning camera module including a fluid based cleaning system for providing accurate imaging in an uncontrolled environment is disclosed. A monitoring system including one or more self-cleaning camera modules is disclosed.