Thermal Infrared Camera Replaceable Filter Without Recalibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous vehicle thermal imaging systems face challenges in maintaining image quality due to environmental damage, requiring frequent recalibration and replacement, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a replaceable filter in the thermal imaging system that can be easily replaced without recalibrating the camera, using materials like single-crystalline germanium with diamond particle coatings to protect against environmental damage and maintain image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the thermal imaging camera is protected from environmental damage, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional protective components
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function is segmented into a separate replaceable filter component that can be independently maintained. The filter is detached from the camera body, allowing it to be replaced without affecting the camera's calibration or other components. This segmentation isolates the protective function from the main imaging system, reducing the complexity impact on the overall system while improving reliability through dedicated protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The replaceable filter acts as an intermediary component between the thermal imaging camera and the environmental factors. It serves as a sacrificial element that absorbs environmental damage (dust, moisture, scratches) before these factors can reach and damage the sensitive camera sensors. This intermediary protects the main system while being easily replaceable, thus improving reliability without permanently increasing system complexity.
2Ease of repair
If the filter is made replaceable, then the ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional mounting components
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is extracted as a separate, removable component from the thermal imaging camera assembly. It is mounted in a dedicated filter fixture that allows for easy installation and removal without requiring disassembly of the camera body or recalibration. This extraction enables independent replacement of the filter, significantly improving ease of repair while keeping the mounting structure simple and modular.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter fixture is designed with localized mounting features (threaded barrel mount or clip mount) that provide secure attachment only where needed. The mounting structure is simplified to focus solely on holding the filter in the correct position without adding unnecessary complexity to the overall camera assembly. This localized approach enables easy filter replacement while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the filter protects against environmental damage, then the manufacturing precision is maintained, but the loss of time increases due to filter replacement operations
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is designed to be replaced preventively before environmental damage accumulates to a level that affects image quality. The replaceable filter acts as a preliminary protective barrier that can be swapped out routinely, preventing the need for more time-consuming camera recalibration or repair operations. This preliminary protection maintains manufacturing precision while minimizing overall maintenance time.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is designed as a consumable, short-living component that is replaced rather than repaired. This disposable approach ensures that the protective function is always fresh and effective, maintaining image quality precision. Although replacement is required, it is a quick operation compared to recalibrating the entire camera system, thus reducing the net loss of time while preserving manufacturing precision.
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 allows for efficient and cost-effective maintenance of thermal imaging systems by replacing filters independently, reducing the need for recalibration and protecting sensitive components from environmental factors.
Implementation Method 1
The replaceable filter can be configured to allow a substantial percentage of light having wavelengths in the thermal infrared wavelength range, e.g., 7 to 14 microns, to pass through while substantially filtering wavelengths outside the thermal infrared wavelength range, e.g., 7 to 14 microns
Implementation Method 2
The replaceable filter can include a single-crystalline germanium material, and can be coated on a surface with diamond particles
Implementation Method 3
a thermal imaging camera, a replaceable filter, and a filter fixture configured to affix the replaceable filter to the thermal imaging camera and aligned with an optical axis of the thermal imaging camera
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, for an autonomous vehicle navigation maintenance system. In one aspect, an autonomous vehicle monitoring system includes a mounting surface located on an autonomous vehicle, and a thermal imaging system affixed to the mounting surface, the thermal imaging system including a thermal imaging camera, a replaceable filter, and a filter fixture configured to affix the replaceable filter to the thermal imaging camera and aligned with an optical axis of the thermal imaging camera, and where maintenance of the replaceable filter does not include re-calibrating the thermal imaging camera.