Spherical Camera Cover Sealing Against Dirt and Water Ingress
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging apparatuses, such as surveillance cameras, face issues with foreign matter entering the clearance between the cover member and exterior member, leading to unhygienic conditions and difficulty in cleaning due to the need to remove and reassemble components frequently.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus with a cover member and exterior member configuration that includes a ring-shaped dirt prevention portion sandwiched between the spherical portion and the exterior member, elastically compressed to prevent foreign matter entry, and a water stop portion to enhance cleanability without increasing parts count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a packing is interposed between the cover member and exterior member to prevent water entry, then water resistance is improved, but foreign matter enters the clearance between the spherical portion and exterior member
Solution Approach 1:
The packing is divided into two distinct functional portions: a water stop portion that prevents water entry between the cover member and exterior member, and a dirt prevention portion that prevents foreign matter from entering the clearance between the spherical portion and exterior member. This segmentation allows each portion to specialize in preventing specific harmful factors without interfering with the other function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the packing are positioned at different locations to address different problems: the water stop portion is positioned at the interface between the cover member and exterior member where water penetration is most likely, while the dirt prevention portion is positioned at the clearance between the spherical portion and exterior member where foreign matter accumulation occurs. Each location receives the appropriate protective quality.
2Ease of operation
If the cover member and exterior member are removed for cleaning foreign matter, then cleanability is improved, but device complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dirt prevention portion of the packing proactively prevents foreign matter from entering the clearance in the first place, eliminating the need for frequent cleaning operations. The system serves itself by preventing contamination rather than requiring user intervention for removal and cleaning, thereby maintaining ease of operation while avoiding increased device complexity.
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 effectively prevents foreign matter and water entry, improving cleanability and maintaining a sanitary appearance while reducing the effort and time required for cleaning, without increasing the number of components.
Implementation Method 1
the packing includes a ring-shaped dirt prevention portion sandwiched between the outer surface of the spherical portion and the inner circumferential surface of the exterior member and elastically compressed
Data Source
AI summary
The imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to image a subject, a cover member including a spherical portion that is light transmissive, the spherical portion covering the imaging unit, an exterior member to which the cover member is fixed on an inner surface side and in which an opening through which the spherical portion protrudes toward an outer surface side is formed, and a packing interposed between the cover member and the exterior member, wherein the exterior member includes a ring-shaped inner circumferential surface forming the opening, the inner circumferential surface being at a predetermined interval from an outer surface of the spherical portion, and the packing includes a ring-shaped dirt prevention portion sandwiched between the outer surface of the spherical portion and the inner circumferential surface of the exterior member and elastically compressed.