Shutter Control Device Thermal Management via Periodic Drive Intervals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shutter control systems in imaging devices face challenges in effectively suppressing temperature increases in mechanical shutter drive units, particularly due to limitations in temperature sensing and control, leading to potential overheating and reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
A shutter control device that sets a drive interval for the mechanical shutter based on the characteristics of the drive device and an allowable upper limit temperature, using a processor to control the shutter drive intervals by adjusting the timing of shutter operations, thereby maintaining the temperature within a safe range without the need for precise temperature sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous shooting is performed with frequent shutter operations, then productivity is improved, but temperature of the drive device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by controlling the shutter drive device to operate at specific intervals rather than continuously. The control device calculates a drive interval based on temperature characteristics and allows the shutter to operate only when the elapsed time since the last operation exceeds this interval, thereby preventing continuous operation and temperature accumulation while maintaining shooting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating the drive interval based on temperature characteristics before actual shooting occurs. The control device determines the appropriate time interval in advance considering the temperature rise characteristics of the drive device, and uses this pre-determined interval to control subsequent shutter operations, preventing temperature increase before it occurs.
2Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are installed to monitor drive device temperature, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by using the drive device's own operational characteristics and elapsed time information to determine temperature status and control operation. Instead of requiring external temperature sensors to measure and report temperature, the control device autonomously calculates the drive interval based on pre-stored temperature characteristics and uses elapsed time since last operation to determine whether the shutter can be driven, making the system self-regulating without additional sensing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical temperature sensing system with a computational control system. Instead of using temperature sensors to physically detect and report temperature conditions, the control device uses mathematical calculations based on elapsed time and stored temperature characteristics to determine operational safety, substituting physical measurement with computational assessment.
3Temperature
If shutter drive interval is extended to prevent overheating, then temperature control is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the drive interval adjustable rather than fixed. The control device can modify the drive interval based on actual operating conditions, temperature characteristics, and elapsed time, allowing the system to optimize between temperature control and productivity dynamically. This enables the shutter operation frequency to be adapted to different shooting scenarios while maintaining safe temperature levels.
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
This approach effectively manages the temperature of the shutter drive device, preventing overheating and enhancing its durability, while also reducing the size and cost of the imaging apparatus by eliminating the requirement for temperature sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a processor that sets, as a first time, a value determined based on characteristics of the drive device and an allowable upper limit temperature of the drive device among drive intervals of the mechanical shutter in a case where the mechanical shutter is continuously driven with the drive device
Data Source
AI summary
A shutter control device that controls a drive device for a mechanical shutter included in an imaging apparatus, includes: a processor configured to control a drive interval of the mechanical shutter in a case where the mechanical shutter is continuously driven by the drive device, and the processor is configured to: set, as a first time, a drive interval of the mechanical shutter at which a temperature of the drive device is made to be saturable at a saturation temperature lower than an allowable upper limit temperature in a case where the mechanical shutter is continuously driven by the drive device; and control a drive interval of the mechanical shutter based on a comparison between an elapsed time from a reference timing and a number of times of the mechanical shutter being driven during the elapsed time, the elapsed time being calculated by a unit of the first time.