Development of Action Camera Accessory With Integrated ND Filter and Water Repellant ...

188 Pages·2017·17.66 MB·English

Development of Action Camera Accessory
With Integrated ND Filter and Water
Repellant Functionality
TONY LARSSON
Master of Science Thesis
Stockholm, Sweden 2017
MMK 2017: 95 IDE 285

Development of Action Camera Accessory
With Integrated ND Filter and Water
Repellant Functionality
Tony Larsson
Master of Science Thesis: MMK 2017: 95 IDE 285
KTH Industrial Engineering and Management
Machine Design
SE-100 44 STOCKHOLM

Examensarbete MMK 2017: 95 IDE 285

Utveckling av actionkamera accessoar med
integrerat ND filter och vattenavstötande
egenskaper

Tony Larsson

Godkänt Examinator Handledare
Claes Tisell Jens Hemphälä
Uppdragsgivare Kontaktperson
Top Notch Design AB Mikael Ericsson
Sammanfattning
Actionkameror är ett nyligen etablerat under-segment av videokameror som fokuserar på
filmning i krävande miljöer. Typiska användningsområden inkluderar filmning av diverse sport
evenemang, samt drönar-filmning. Två vanliga orsaker till låg bildkvalité i dessa typer av
kameror är starkt solljus samt vattendroppar som fastnar framför linsen. Detta arbete undersöker
vare sig det går att designa ett actionkamera tillbehör som löser dessa problem. Teknologi för att
kontrollera ljusinsläpp var given vid projektets start, medan tillvägagångssättet för dess
integration var öppen. För den vattenavvisande funktionaliteten krävdes dock undersökning av
relevant tidigare forskning, samt utvärdering av dess applicerbarhet i nuvarande arbete.
Undersökning visade på Electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) som den mest lovande tekniken
för att ta bort vatten droppar. EWOD var utvärderat genom sammanställning av relevanta
tidigare forskningsarbeten, samt skapande av en test enhet. Testet kunde slutligen inte återskapa
EWOD fenomenet, med stor sannolikhet på grund av för låg noggrannhet i använda
tillverkningsmetoder. Trots detta var de lovande egenskaper som tidigare forskning indikerade,
tillräckligt för att välja att implementera tekniken i den slutliga designen. Parametrar som kräver
optimering för lyckad integrering i portabel konsumentelektronik har understrukits, och
rekommendationer till framtida forskning givits. Den slutliga designen presenterad i detta arbete
visar på att det är möjligt att skapa ett skapa ett tillbehör som löser de angivna problemen med en
design som är attraktiv för relevanta kundsegment.

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Master of Science Thesis MMK 2017: 95 IDE 285

Development of Action Camera Accessory With
Integrated ND Filter and Water Repellant
Functionality

Tony Larsson

Approved Examiner Supervisor
Claes Tisell Jens Hemphälä
Commissioner Contact person
Top Notch Design AB Mikael Ericsson
Abstract
Action cameras is a recently emerged sub-segment of cameras that focuses on videography in
demanding environments. Typical use cases include various types of sport and drone footage.
Two factors that frequently affect the image quality of these cameras negatively are excessively
strong sunlight, and water droplets beading in front of the lens. In this work the question of
whether or not it is possible to design an accessory that solves these problems is investigated.
The technology for mitigating excessive light was provided at the outset of the project, leaving
the question of integration open. The water repellant functionality on the other hand required
investigation of relevant theory, as well as evaluation of applicability in the context of current
work. Electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) was determined to be the most promising approach
for removing droplets. EWOD was investigated by looking at relevant research, as well as
creating a test sample. The sample proved to be inadequate for testing the phenomena,
presumably because of lack in manufacturing precision due to resource constraints. Despite this,
the promising results shown in previous research were deemed sufficient for choosing the
technology for integration into the final product design. Parameters that need optimization for
successful integration of EWOD in portable consumer electronics have been highlighted, and
recommendations for future research given. The accessory presented in this work shows that it is
indeed possible to create a device that solves the stated problem, while at the same time
appealing to relevant customer segments.
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FOREWORD

I would like to thank Mikael Ericsson at Top Notch Design for allowing me to work with this
incredibly exciting project, and for all of the design guidance provided throughout the project.

I also want to thank Jonas Eriksson for the advice and feedback provided on the technical parts
of the project. It has been a pleasure discussing the project, as well as other miscellaneous
technical novelties.

Finally I would like to thank the Royal Institute of Technology and my supervisor Jens
Hemphälä for the prompt guidance and resources provided.

Tony Larsson
Stockholm, May and 2017

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