Movable Lens Guard Film for Debris-Resistant Sensor Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensor systems used in agriculture and other operations face challenges due to environmental elements such as debris and moisture, which can degrade the sensors and obstruct the field of view of the lenses, making it difficult to maintain a clear and accurate image capture.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system with a lens guard that includes a film positioned adjacent to the lens, a roller to move the film laterally with respect to the sensor, and a cleaning tool to clean the surfaces of the film, ensuring that the field of view remains unobstructed and the sensors are protected from environmental elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor is exposed to environmental elements for image capture, then the field of view is maintained, but the sensor becomes vulnerable to debris and moisture degradation
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible film is positioned between the lens and environment to protect the sensor from debris and moisture while allowing optical transmission. The film can be moved laterally to bring clean portions into the field of view when contamination occurs, resolving the contradiction between maintaining exposure and preventing degradation.
2Reliability
If a protective covering is added to protect the sensor, then protection from environmental elements is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective film is divided into multiple segments or zones, allowing different portions to be independently positioned. This segmentation enables the system to protect the sensor while maintaining simplicity, as only film repositioning is needed rather than complex mechanical protective structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective film is made dynamically repositionable through lateral movement, transforming from a static protective barrier into an adaptable system. This dynamic capability allows the same simple structure to provide continuous protection while maintaining optical access when needed.
3Measurement precision
If the film is moved laterally to clean the surface, then the field of view clarity is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system cleans itself by laterally moving the film to bring uncontaminated portions into the field of view, eliminating the need for external cleaning mechanisms. This self-service approach maintains image clarity without requiring high-precision external intervention systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Contaminated portions of the film are effectively discarded from the field of view through lateral movement, while clean portions are recovered and positioned in the field of view. This approach maintains precision requirements by simply repositioning rather than precisely cleaning or replacing the entire film.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
A lens guard of a sensor system that includes a film, a cleaning tool, and a roller. A sensor is configured to capture images within a field of view of a lens of the sensor through the film. The cleaning tool is configured to clean one or more surfaces of the film. Additionally, the roller is configured to move the film with respect to the lens and to guide the film to clean the one or more surfaces of the film with the cleaning tool.