Sliding Image Sensor Unit for Compact Outdoor Camera Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Outdoor cameras face challenges in cooling, bulkiness, and complexity when designed to accommodate different lenses and protection classifications, often requiring bulky housings and complex cooling systems.
Innovation Solution
A camera design featuring a sliding image sensor unit relative to the housing, connected via a flexible cable to a fixed electronics unit with a processor, allowing adjustable lens placement and efficient heat dissipation without the need for complex cooling systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the camera is positioned close to the window to minimize reflections, then optical performance is improved, but protection against mechanical impacts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is divided into separate functional modules: a fixed housing containing the processor and electronics unit, and a movable image sensor unit that can be positioned independently. This segmentation allows the housing to maintain protection classification while the sensor unit can be optimally positioned for optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The image sensor unit is made dynamically movable along the optical axis relative to the housing through a sliding mechanism. This dynamic positioning capability allows the sensor to be adjusted to different distances from the window, optimizing both optical performance and protection requirements.
2Reliability
If the outdoor housing is designed to protect against vandalism with minimum distance between window and lens, then protection classification is improved, but housing bulkiness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the housing structure from the image sensor unit, allowing the housing to be compact while the sensor unit extends outward on a sliding mechanism. This segmentation enables the housing to meet protection requirements without excessive bulk.
Solution Approach 2:
The image sensor unit is positioned along the optical axis dimension, extending from the housing front face. This dimensional arrangement allows the housing to maintain compact dimensions while the sensor unit provides the necessary extension for lens positioning.
3Reliability
If a sealed chamber is provided for the camera to protect against dust and rain, then environmental protection is improved, but cooling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor unit is extracted from a fully sealed internal chamber and positioned in a movable carriage that slides along the optical axis. This extraction allows the sensor unit to have direct thermal access to the environment for passive cooling while the main housing remains sealed for environmental protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable carriage acts as an intermediary between the sealed housing and the external environment. It provides a guided, protected path for the sensor unit to move in and out while maintaining the seal of the main housing and enabling thermal exchange with the environment.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the camera housing accommodates different lenses with adjustable positions, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable carriage and sliding mechanism provide universal support for different lens assemblies and image sensor units. The same mechanical structure accommodates various lens types and configurations without requiring complex individual adjustment mechanisms for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic sliding mechanism allows the image sensor unit to be positioned at different distances from the window to accommodate different lens focal lengths and optical requirements. This single dynamic adjustment provides versatility for multiple lens configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a camera, comprising a housing, an electronics unit comprising a processor, and an image sensor unit comprising an image sensor and a lens support, the electronics unit being fixed inside the housing, the image sensor unit being slidable inside the housing, the housing being provided with a window through which a scene is viewable for the image sensor, the image sensor unit being slidable relative to the housing so as to allow adjustment of a distance between the image sensor and the window along an adjustment direction, wherein the electronics unit and the image sensor unit are connected to each other via a flexible cable for transmittal of digital image sensor output from the image sensor to the processor in the electronics unit.