Design considerations for "lifetime enhancement of long range continuous IR zoom lens"

Abstract

Present scenario is highly competitive and meeting customer requirements in all aspects is becoming quite challenging since the product needs to withstand harsh environmental conditions, long life and low maintenance cost, etc. Hence the design of such systems is challenging since these requirements are opposing with each other and will contradict in costing aspect. Being a key assembly, “Long range IR zoom lens” plays vital role in overall life of Thermal Imager. This is because, in traditional design approach, zoom lens is having number of Optics that required to be traversed along the Central Axis for required optical performances. These Lenses are bonded to Mechanical Mounts (with adhesive) which are guided in Main Housing. The desired air spaces between the Lenses get maintained by the rotation of Mechanical Cam Barrel. The scope of this paper is to present the design enhancement of mechanical interfaces that will be going to contribute overall lifetime enhancement of IR Continuous Zoom Lens Module and also emphasizes the comparison between traditional and enhanced design approaches that are being calculated through Analytical and through Mechanical Structural Analysis (a tool that uses Finite Element Methodologies for the calculation of Mechanical changes between the interfacing Components). This paper will be having a detailed comparison between traditional and enhanced design approaches and thereby conclusion will be drawn that the enhanced design approach is highly recommended over the other.