Underwater Camera Light Shielding Pool Reflections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current portable underwater camera devices require manual operation and have poor image quality due to pool light interference, and permanent installations are costly and complex to set up.
Innovation Solution
An underwater light and camera system with a pool light lens featuring a clear portion and anti-reflective shield, integrated into an existing pool niche, which minimizes light interference and eliminates the need for additional construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If pool lights are installed to illuminate the pool, then the pool is well-lit, but light reflects into the camera lens causing poor image quality
Solution Approach 1:
A black annular shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the pool light lens and camera lens. This shield blocks the direct path of light reflections from the pool light lens to the camera lens, eliminating the harmful reflection interference while preserving the illumination function. The shield acts as a mediator that separates the lighting function from the imaging function.
Solution Approach 2:
The pool light lens is divided into two functional zones: a clear central portion that allows light transmission for illumination, and a black annular shield portion that blocks reflections. This segmentation allows different parts of the same component to serve different functions - one part for lighting, another part for preventing reflection interference.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a permanent underwater camera device is installed for continuous recording, then continuous footage is achieved, but additional construction including niche creation, conduits and wiring is required making installation expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The camera housing is merged with the pool light fixture housing, creating a single integrated unit. The camera is positioned within the existing pool light niche, sharing the same mounting structure and electrical conduit. This merging eliminates the need for separate installation of camera housing, niche creation, and additional wiring, significantly reducing installation complexity while maintaining continuous recording capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing pool light niche and electrical infrastructure are made multi-functional by installing both the pool light and camera within the same housing and conduit system. The single niche serves dual purposes: providing structural mounting for both devices and routing electrical power to both the light source and camera, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated separate installation infrastructure.
3Volume of moving object
If the camera lens is positioned close to the pool light lens for compact design, then device compactness is improved, but light interference from the pool light directly reaches the camera lens
Solution Approach 1:
The black annular shield is positioned locally between the pool light lens and camera lens, creating a localized light-blocking zone. This local intervention selectively blocks direct light paths from the pool light lens to the camera lens while leaving other areas open for the camera to capture the pool view. The shield's specific location and shape are optimized to address the interference problem without compromising the compact integrated 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
Enables continuous, high-quality underwater video and photo capture without the need for manual operation or extensive installation, reducing costs and improving image clarity by integrating the camera and light system within an existing pool setup.
Implementation Method 1
an anti-reflective shield surrounding the clear portion of the pool light lens, wherein the anti-reflective shield is darkened to prevent light from the light source and a portion of the pool light lens disposed outside the anti-reflective shield to directly reach the camera lens
Data Source
AI summary
An underwater light and camera system having a video camera with a camera lens, a pool light with a light source and a pool light lens, and an anti-reflective shield surrounding a clear portion of the pool light lens. The pool light lens has the clear portion and a plurality of ribs disposed on an outer surface of the pool light lens, other than on the clear portion of the pool light lens. The anti-reflective shield is darkened to prevent light from the light source and light reflecting off a portion of the pool light lens disposed outside the anti-reflective shield to directly reach the camera lens.