Spherical Camera Dove Tail Locking and Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dome cameras face challenges in easily locking the optical module into place after rotation, which affects their field of view and requires complex mounting systems, and existing designs often struggle with efficient heat dissipation and infrared illumination distribution.
Innovation Solution
A dome camera design featuring a spherical housing with a dove tail mechanism for easy tilting and locking, an air-exposed heat sink for efficient heat dissipation, and an off-axis infrared emitter with a lenslet for directed infrared illumination, allowing for a compact and efficient optical module alignment and reduced heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the imaging unit is locked into place by a screw, then the optical module is securely fixed, but the locking process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into a loop component and a base component with separate functional zones. The loop can be independently tightened around the base, allowing the imaging unit to be secured without complex integrated mechanisms. This segmentation simplifies the overall locking system while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a traditional screw mechanism that requires threading and rotational tightening, the design inverts the approach by using a loop that tightens around the base. The tightening action is applied from the outside (loop around base) rather than from within (screw into base), simplifying the locking process and reducing mechanical complexity.
2Volume of moving object
If the spherical housing is made compact, then the camera form factor is reduced, but heat dissipation becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink extends in the radial dimension of the spherical housing, utilizing the spherical geometry to project heat-dissipating surfaces outward. This dimensional approach allows efficient heat dissipation without increasing the overall volume of the camera, as the heat sink integrates with the spherical form rather than adding external bulk.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical housing incorporates localized heat dissipation features at specific zones where heat generation occurs. Rather than uniformly increasing the housing size, the design applies heat sink structures with varying surface areas and geometries at specific locations, optimizing heat dissipation efficiency within the compact spherical form factor.
3Ease of manufacture
If the infrared emitter is positioned on-axis with the imaging unit, then the optical alignment is simplified, but the infrared illumination distribution becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared emitter is deliberately positioned off-axis relative to the imaging unit, creating an asymmetric configuration. This asymmetric placement allows the infrared illumination to cover areas that would be shadowed or poorly illuminated by an on-axis emitter, improving overall illumination efficiency while the lenslet compensates for the asymmetric light path.
Solution Approach 2:
A lenslet is introduced as an intermediary optical element between the off-axis infrared emitter and the target scene. The lenslet focuses and directs the infrared light, compensating for the off-axis positioning and ensuring efficient illumination distribution. This intermediary component enables the off-axis configuration to achieve both good illumination and manageable optical alignment.
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 enables easy and secure alignment of the optical module, effective heat management, and efficient infrared illumination, enhancing the camera's operational efficiency and aesthetics while maintaining a compact form factor.
Implementation Method 1
A spherical camera is provided including an imaging unit. A base of the camera includes a track. A spherical housing includes a first housing part for containing the imaging unit
Implementation Method 2
air-exposed heat sink for efficient heat dissipation
Implementation Method 3
air-exposed heat sink for efficient heat dissipation
Implementation Method 4
A second housing part includes a dove tail shaped to be slidably received within the track of the base
Implementation Method 5
a lenslet positionable in a sphere containing a camera is provided, including: a curved surface alignable with a surface of the sphere; an infrared (IR) illuminator
Implementation Method 6
an infrared (IR) illuminator, an inner surface to receive IR emissions from the IR emitter; wherein IR emissions from the IR illuminator are directable through the inner surface and the curved surface towards a field of view
Implementation Method 7
an opaque barrier separates the first portion of the spherical housing and the imaging unit from the second portion of the spherical housing and the IR emitter
Data Source
AI summary
A spherical camera is disclosed. The camera includes an imaging unit. A base of the camera includes a track. A spherical housing includes a first housing part for containing the imaging unit. A second housing part includes a dove tail shaped to be slidably received within the track of the base. A loop is positionable around a periphery surface of the base, the loop being tightenable from a first position wherein the spherical housing is tiltable along the track to a second position wherein the spherical housing is locked in position.