ToF and RGB Camera Layout for Heat Dissipation and Depth Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D cameras face issues with noise and distortion in depth information as distance increases, leading to decreased accuracy and correlation with color images, and there is a need for an efficient arrangement relationship between Time of Flight (ToF) sensors and RGB modules to improve performance.
Innovation Solution
The camera device positions the ToF camera and RGB camera modules vertically, with the ToF camera module above and RGB camera module below, and includes a heat dissipation system to efficiently transfer heat generated by the ToF camera to the outside, minimizing gaps and heat-related performance degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ToF camera module and RGB camera module are placed adjacent to each other, then the depth image correction can be achieved, but the heat generated from the ToF camera cannot be efficiently dissipated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal adjacent arrangement to a vertical stacked arrangement, where the ToF camera module and RGB camera module are positioned above and below each other along the vertical dimension. This dimensional change allows both modules to share the same horizontal space while enabling independent thermal management paths for each module.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the camera system into separate vertical segments with the ToF module in the upper portion and the RGB module in the lower portion, allowing each segment to have its own heat dissipation pathway. The housing is correspondingly segmented with separate heat dissipation structures for each module.
2Temperature
If the ToF camera module is positioned above the RGB camera module, then heat dissipation is improved, but the alignment and matching between the two cameras may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning where the optical centers of the ToF and RGB cameras are deliberately offset horizontally rather than being perfectly aligned vertically. The ToF camera is positioned with its optical center shifted relative to the RGB camera, which compensates for the vertical separation and maintains accurate depth-color correspondence.
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 configuration reduces occlusion and improves matching rates between the cameras, enhancing the accuracy and performance of the 3D vision camera by minimizing heat-related malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
a heat sink formed to extend in a first direction on an exterior thereof
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of heat sinks may be arranged spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction
Implementation Method 3
The ToF module measures the ToF of light irradiated to an object and then reflected from the object to a light receiver, thereby obtaining a depth image
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a camera device. The camera device includes a body forming an accommodation space, a printed circuit board (PCB) located in the accommodation space and having one surface on which an electronic component is mounted, a time of flight (ToF) camera module located on a side of one surface of the PCB, and a red, green, blue (RGB) camera module located on a side of the other surface of the PCB. A front surface of the ToF camera module and a front surface of the RGB camera module form a single plane.