Stereo Camera Substrate Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stereo camera systems face challenges in maintaining precise relative positions of imagers due to thermal expansion, vibration, and shock, leading to degraded performance, especially in moving platforms, and require frequent recalibration.
Innovation Solution
The system employs semiconductor imagers mounted on a common circuit board with a stiffening material and a rail system that accommodates thermal expansion, ensuring the imagers are maintained at predefined locations, using a multilayered printed circuit board with a high stiffness and thermal stability, and a rail system for secure mounting without distorting the substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If individual camera systems are mounted onto a common support using typical mounting techniques, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and stability of relative positions deteriorate due to thermal expansion, vibration, and shock
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mounting structure and the camera systems into a single integrated unit. The camera systems are mounted directly onto the circuit board substrate, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures. This integration ensures that the relative positions of camera systems are maintained with high precision while reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board substrate serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the camera systems, maintains their relative positions with high precision, and facilitates electrical connections. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for separate mounting structures while ensuring manufacturing precision.
2Ease of manufacture
If individual camera systems are mounted onto a common support, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to frequent recalibration needs caused by thermal expansion, vibration, and shock
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mounting function with the circuit board substrate itself, which is already an essential component of the system. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting structures that would require frequent recalibration, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board substrate performs the mounting function while maintaining its primary electrical functions. This multi-functionality ensures that the camera systems remain stably positioned without requiring frequent recalibration, thus improving reliability while keeping the manufacturing process simple.
3Manufacturing precision
If a stiffening material is added to the circuit board substrate, then the manufacturing precision of relative positions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining the circuit board substrate with a stiffening material. This composite structure provides the necessary rigidity to maintain precise relative positions of camera systems while minimizing the increase in device complexity, as the stiffening material is integrated into the existing substrate design.
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 maintains the relative positions of imagers effectively, reducing recalibration needs and enhancing the stability and accuracy of stereo ranging, even in harsh environments, while being cost-effective and suitable for portable devices.
Implementation Method 1
maintaining the relative positions of the imagers with respect to each other and with respect to predefined locations on the common substrate, despite thermal expansion, vibration, and shock
Data Source
AI summary
A stereo camera system useful in, for example, range finding applications. The system is designed for simple manufacture and long term stability. It includes a thermally stable substrate onto which are mounted multiple imagers. The relative positions of the imagers and corresponding optical elements are maintained in precise alignment.