Electronic apparatus, cooling apparatus, and cooling system

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By integrating a cooling system into the battery compartment of electronic devices, air circulation is managed within the device's existing structure, addressing the issue of size increase and foreign matter ingress, thus achieving efficient cooling without enlarging the device.

JP2025008179APending Publication Date: 2025-01-20CANON KK

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Patent Information

Application Number: JP2023110127
Authority / Receiving Office: JP · JP
Patent Type: Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date: 2023-07-04
Publication Date: 2025-01-20

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional cooling technologies for electronic devices, such as imaging devices, often require additional ducts for air circulation, leading to increased device size.

Method used

A cooling system is integrated into the battery compartment of an electronic device, utilizing a power supply section and forming a cooling flow path within the battery chamber to circulate air without the need for additional ducts, thereby maintaining device size and preventing external contaminants.

Benefits of technology

This approach effectively cools heat-generating components while minimizing device size and preventing ingress of foreign matter, ensuring efficient cooling without enlarging the device.

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Abstract

To provide a technique capable of cooling a heat generation component while suppressing a large size of a device in an electronic apparatus capable of mounting a cooling apparatus.SOLUTION: An imaging device 100 can mount a cooling apparatus 200. The cooling apparatus 200 includes: a power supply part 211 that supplies a power to the imaging device 100; an electric contact part 203 that is electrically connected to the imaging device 100; and an outer casing cover 215. In the outer casing cover 215, a suction port 217 and an exhaust port 218 are provided. The cooling apparatus 200 comprises a fun 212, and the fun 212 and the outer casing cover 215 can be detached to the power supply part 211. In a state where the cooling apparatus 200 is mounted to a battery chamber 309 provided in the imaging device 100, flow channels 313 and 314 coupling the suction port 217 and the exhaust port 218 are formed by the battery chamber 309 and the power supply part 211.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling technique for electronic devices having heat-generating components. [Background technology]

[0002] When an electronic device has electronic components inside it that generate heat, a cooling means is provided for the electronic components. For example, a cooling device connected to an imaging device cools the heat-generating components inside the imaging device. By attaching a cooling device to the imaging device, it is possible to suppress the temperature rise of electronic components and exterior members during shooting. This makes it possible to increase the number of shots taken and reduce discomfort felt by the user of the imaging device. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for cooling an imaging unit inside an imaging device using a cooling device equipped with a fan. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-71516 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, a duct needs to be provided inside the imaging device to blow air from the fan, which can lead to an increase in the size of the imaging device. An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for cooling heat-generating components in an electronic device to which a cooling device can be attached, while preventing the device from becoming larger. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention is an electronic device having a battery chamber, and is characterized in that, when a cooling device having a power supply unit that supplies power to the electronic device is attached to the battery chamber, a cooling flow path connecting an intake port and an exhaust port of the cooling device is formed in the battery chamber. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for cooling heat-generating components in an electronic device to which a cooling device can be attached, while preventing the device from becoming large. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an imaging device and a cooling device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a cooling system including an imaging device and a cooling device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the imaging device as viewed from the rear side with exterior members removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the imaging device as viewed from the bottom side. [Diagram 5] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a cooling device and an exploded perspective view showing the structure thereof; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing main parts of an imaging device and a cooling device. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration relating to connection of a heat conductive member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, as an example of a cooling system including an electronic device and a cooling device, a configuration in which a cooling device can be attached to an imaging device will be described. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to imaging devices, and can be applied to various electronic devices such as information processing devices having heat-generating components.

[0009] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the cooling device 200 is attached to the imaging device 100. Hereinafter, the subject side is defined as the front side of the imaging device 100, and the photographer side is defined as the rear side of the imaging device 100. FIG. 1(A) is a perspective view of the imaging device 100 as viewed from the front side, and FIG. 1(B) is a perspective view of the imaging device 100 as viewed from the rear side. The direction parallel to the optical axis direction of the imaging device 100 is defined as the Z axis direction, and the X axis and the Y axis are defined as two axes perpendicular to the Z axis. The X axis direction corresponds to the left-right direction, and the Y axis direction corresponds to the up-down direction (vertical direction). The subject side is defined as the +Z axis direction, and the photographer side is defined as the -Z axis direction. In addition, the upward direction is defined as the +Y axis direction, and the downward direction is defined as the -Y axis direction.

[0010] The imaging device 100 is a device main body that constitutes an imaging system. A user can take pictures with a lens device (not shown) attached to the imaging device 100. The cooling device 200 is an external accessory equipped with a cooling mechanism, and is capable of supplying power to the imaging device 100.

[0011] The imaging device 100 has a top cover 301, a front cover 302, and a rear cover 303 as exterior members, which cover a housing section. The grip section 304 is a portion where a photographer holds the imaging device 100 when photographing a subject. The imaging device 100 has a mount 105, to which a lens device (not shown) is attached.

[0012] The imaging device 100 has a plurality of operating members. A release button 305 and an electronic dial 306 are provided on the top cover 301. The release button 305 is used when the photographer issues an instruction to the imaging device 100 to start shooting. Pressing the release button 305 drives each unit in the imaging device 100 to start an imaging operation. The electronic dial 306 is an operating member that allows the photographer to set shooting settings for the imaging device 100. By operating the electronic dial 306, it is possible to set any shooting parameters, such as exposure settings.

[0013] A vent hole 307 for collecting sound is provided on the front side of the imaging device 100. A microphone (not shown) is housed inside the vent hole 307 and collects audio information.

[0014] The imaging device 100 has a liquid crystal display unit 315 and a viewfinder 316 on the rear side. The liquid crystal display unit 315 displays information on the shooting conditions at the time of shooting, the captured image, etc. The photographer can directly check the subject image by placing his / her eye on the viewfinder 316.

[0015] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cooling system including an image capturing device 100 and a cooling device 200. The image capturing device 100 and the cooling device 200 are electrically connected to each other via a connection terminal unit 103 included in the image capturing device 100 and a connection terminal unit 203 included in the cooling device 200.

[0016] The control board 104 of the imaging device 100 is a printed wiring board (PWB). Various electric circuits (detection circuits, control circuits, processing circuits, etc.) are mounted on the control board 104. A control unit 110 on the control board 104 controls the overall operation of the imaging device 100. For example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) included in the control unit 110 controls each functional block element of the imaging device 100 and performs calculations required for the control according to a computer program loaded from a memory.

[0017] The power supply unit 111 supplies power to each circuit unit in the imaging device 100. The imaging unit 112 includes an imaging element such as a CCD (charge-coupled device) image sensor or a CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) image sensor. An optical image of a subject captured by the imaging unit 112 is converted into an image signal. The image processing unit 113 processes the image signal from the imaging unit 112, converts it into image data, and outputs it to the control unit 110. The image processing unit 113 is a processing circuit unit implemented on the control board 104.

[0018] The shutter 114 is disposed on the front side (+Z-axis direction) of the imaging unit 112, and is a member that adjusts the exposure time of the imaging unit 112. The shutter control unit 115 controls the driving of the shutter 114 based on a control command signal from the control unit 110. The shutter control unit 115 is a control circuit unit mounted on the control board 104.

[0019] The operation member 116 and the operation detection unit 117 constitute an operation unit of the imaging device 100. When the operation member 116 is operated by a user, the operation detection unit 117 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 110. The control unit 110 executes processing according to the operation instruction, and sets or changes shooting conditions such as exposure and shutter speed.

[0020] In the imaging device 100 , image data acquired by the imaging section 112 and processed by the image processing section 113 is displayed as a captured image on the screen of the liquid crystal display section 315 under the control of the control section 110 .

[0021] The cooling device 200 has a connection terminal unit 203, a power supply unit 211, and a fan 212. The power supply unit 211 includes a battery, and supplies power to the imaging device 100 in a state in which the connection terminal unit 203 is connected to the connection terminal unit 103 of the imaging device 100. The power supply unit 211 also supplies driving power to the cooling fan 212.

[0022] Next, the internal structure of the imaging device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3(A) is a perspective view showing the imaging device 100 and the cooling device 200 from the rear side with the front cover 302 and rear cover 303 removed. The control board 104, main base 308, battery chamber 309, shield member 310, and heat conductive member 311 are shown. Fig. 3(B) is an exploded perspective view of the imaging device 100 of Fig. 3(A). The imaging board 106 on which the imaging unit 112 is mounted and the control board 104 are shown in a state separated in the Z-axis direction from the main base 308.

[0023] The main base 308 is a member that serves as the framework of the imaging device 100, and is made of a metal such as magnesium or a synthetic resin. The control board 104 is fixed to the main base 308 with a plurality of screws (not shown).

[0024] The battery chamber 309 is made of a metal such as magnesium or a synthetic resin. When the cooling device 200 is attached to the imaging device 100, the power supply unit 211 of the cooling device 200 is housed inside the battery chamber 309.

[0025] An imaging unit 112 is mounted on the imaging board 106. The imaging unit 112 has an imaging element that captures an image of a subject through a lens, and the imaging board 106 is fixed to the main base 308 with a plurality of screws (not shown) so that the imaging surface is parallel to the XY plane.

[0026] The shield member 310 is fixed to the control board 104. The shield member 310 is made of a metal material such as a steel plate, and has a function of suppressing electromagnetic noise generated from various electronic components during operation of the imaging device 100. In addition, heat from heat-generating components on the control board 104 housed inside the shield member 310 is transferred to the shield member 310.

[0027] One end of the thermally conductive member 311 is connected to the shield member 310, and the other end is connected to the battery chamber 309. The thermally conductive member 311 has a role of transferring heat generated by heat-generating components on the control board 104 from the shield member 310 to the battery chamber 309. The thermally conductive member 311 is composed of a heat pipe, a graphite sheet, or the like having high thermal conductivity.

[0028] Next, the structure of the battery chamber 309 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4(A) is an external perspective view of the imaging device 100 when viewed from below (-Y axis direction). Fig. 4(B) is a diagram showing a state in which the battery chamber 309 is exposed in the cross-sectional structure taken along line BB in Fig. 4(A).

[0029] In the battery chamber 309, flow paths 313 and 314 are formed by U-shaped curved grooves. As shown by arrows Qin and Qout, the flow paths 313 and 314 are spaces through which air drawn in from the outside of the imaging device 100 passes. Since the flow paths 313 and 314 are formed by grooves, a convex portion 312 is formed in the center. In a state in which the power supply unit 211 of the cooling device 200 is housed in the battery chamber 309, the flow path 313 communicates with the intake port of the cooling device 200, and the flow path 314 communicates with the exhaust port of the cooling device 200. FIG. 4B shows a schematic diagram of the state in which the drawn-in air (see arrow Qin) and the exhausted air (see arrow Qout) are separated. With this structure, it is possible to suppress the generation of unnecessary convection caused by the mixture of the drawn-in air and the exhausted air, and it is possible to efficiently ensure the flow rate required for cooling.

[0030] Next, the structure of cooling device 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5(A) is a perspective view showing the external appearance of cooling device 200. Fig. 5(B) is an exploded perspective view of cooling device 200. Cooling device 200 has a power supply unit 211, an elastic member 214, a fan 212, a fan fixing member 216, and an exterior cover 215. Fan 212, fan fixing member 216, and exterior cover 215 are detachable from power supply unit 211.

[0031] A power supply unit 211 equipped with a battery has a connection terminal unit 203 provided on its side. The connection terminal unit 203 is connected to a connection terminal unit 103 of the imaging device 100 when the power supply unit 211 is housed in a battery chamber 309 of the imaging device 100. In this state, the power supply unit 211 can supply power to the imaging device 100. The power supply unit 211 has a substantially triangular shape when viewed from the X-axis direction, and has a ridge line portion 213. The ridge line portion 213 is a portion that protrudes in the +Y-axis direction and extends along the X-axis direction.

[0032] The elastic member 214 is provided on the edge portion 213 of the power supply portion 211, and its function and effect will be described later. The elastic member 214 is made of a material such as urethane, and is used in a compressed state.

[0033] Fan fixing member 216 is made of synthetic resin or the like, and is attached to a side surface of power supply unit 211 in the X-axis direction. Fan 212 is attached to fan fixing member 216. A hollow air outlet 219 is formed in fan fixing member 216 at a position facing fan 212. Fan 212 draws in outside air and sends it to the upper region of power supply unit 211 (region in the +Y-axis direction).

[0034] The exterior cover 215 is an exterior member attached to the power supply unit 211 while covering the fan fixing member 216 and the fan 212. The exterior cover 215 is provided with an air intake 217 and an exhaust port 218. Outside air is taken in from the air intake 217 by driving the fan 212 arranged inside the air intake 217. The air passes through the flow paths 313 and 314 shown in FIG. 4B, and is then exhausted to the outside from the exhaust port 218. In the thickness direction (Z-axis direction) of the imaging device 100 to which the cooling device 200 is attached, the air intake 217 is provided on the photographer side (-Z-axis direction), and the exhaust port 218 is provided on the subject side (+Z-axis direction). The air exhausted from the exhaust port 218 is air (warm air) whose temperature has increased due to heat generation. By keeping the warm air away from the photographer, the discomfort felt by the photographer during shooting can be reduced or prevented.

[0035] Moreover, the intake port 217 and the exhaust port 218 are provided on the side of the exterior cover 215 opposite to the grip unit 304 of the imaging device 100 in the X-axis direction. On the other hand, the sound collection vent 307 (see FIG. 1(A)) is provided on the front surface (XY plane) of the top cover 301. This allows the intake port 217 and the exhaust port 218 to be located away from the vent 307. When the fan 212 is driven, noise caused by air passing through the intake port 217 and the exhaust port 218 and driving noise of the fan 212 are generated. There is a possibility that such noise may be inadvertently collected by a microphone through the vent 307. In this embodiment, by ensuring a sufficient distance between the intake port 217 and the exhaust port 218 and the vent 307, the influence of noise and driving noise on audio recording information can be suppressed.

[0036] The effect of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6(A) is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure taken along line AA in FIG. 1(A). FIG. 6(B) is an enlarged view of region C shown by a dotted line in FIG. 6(A). This shows a state in which the cooling device 200 is attached to the imaging device 100. In this state, the ridge portion 213 of the power supply unit 211 contacts the battery chamber 309 via the elastic member 214. The elastic member 214 provided on the upper portion of the power supply unit 211 of the cooling device 200 is fixed in a compressed state without any gap between it and the protruding portion 312 of the battery chamber 309. This allows the air flowing in through the intake port 217 (see arrow Qin in FIG. 4(B)) to be separated from the air flowing out toward the exhaust port 218 (see arrow Qout in FIG. 4(B)). This suppresses the generation of unnecessary convection in the flow paths 313 and 314 and efficiently ensures the flow rate required for cooling, thereby contributing to an improvement in the cooling effect.

[0037] The cooling effect of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7(A) is a diagram showing the connection relationship between the control board 104, shield member 310, battery chamber 309 of the imaging device 100, the heat conductive member 311, and the power supply unit 211 of the cooling device 200. Fig. 7(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in Fig. 7(A). The heat conductive member 311 connects the shield member 310 and the battery chamber 309. A part of the heat conductive member 311 is exposed in the battery chamber as an exposed portion 311a. The exposed portion 311a comes into direct contact with the air (see arrow Qin in Fig. 4(B)) from the intake port 217 passing through the flow path 313, and therefore contributes to improving the cooling effect.

[0038] In this embodiment, the heat conductive member 311 connects the member (shield member 310) that covers the heat generating component to the battery chamber 309, but the present invention is not limited to this. The same effect as above can be obtained in an embodiment in which the heat conductive member connects the heat generating component to the battery chamber.

[0039] According to this embodiment, in a structure in which a cooling device can be attached to an imaging device, a cooling system can be provided that allows cooling of heat-generating components inside the imaging device without increasing the size of the imaging device. In other words, since the battery chamber 309 and the power supply unit 211 form an air flow path, there is no need to provide a dedicated duct inside the imaging device 100. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the size of the imaging device 100 from increasing. Furthermore, since the imaging device 100 (device main body) does not have openings that serve as the inlet and outlet of the flow path, it is possible to prevent foreign matter (water droplets, dust, etc.) from entering from the external environment. By forming an air flow path between the battery chamber of the imaging device and the power supply unit of the cooling device, it is possible to achieve a performance that achieves both miniaturization of the imaging device and cooling of heat-generating components.

[0040] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0041] [Configuration 1] An electronic device having a battery compartment, When a cooling device having a power supply unit that supplies power to an electronic device is mounted in the battery chamber, a cooling flow path that connects an intake port and an exhaust port of the cooling device is formed in the battery chamber. 1. An electronic device comprising: [Configuration 2] The flow path is curved. 2. The electronic device according to configuration 1. [Configuration 3] a protrusion formed in the battery chamber, the flow path being divided into a first flow path and a second flow path by the protrusion; When the cooling device is attached to the battery chamber, the first flow path is connected to an intake port of the cooling device, and the second flow path is connected to an exhaust port of the cooling device. 3. The electronic device according to configuration 2. [Configuration 4] A cooling device that can be attached to the electronic device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, The power supply unit; a connection terminal portion electrically connected to the electronic device; and an exterior member having the intake port and the exhaust port. A cooling device characterized by: [Configuration 5] A fan is provided to blow air into the flow path, The fan and the exterior member are detachable from the power supply unit. 5. The cooling device according to claim 4, [Configuration 6] When the cooling device is attached to the battery chamber, the intake port is located on a first side in a thickness direction of the electronic device, and the exhaust port is located on a second side opposite to the first side in the thickness direction of the electronic device. 6. The cooling device according to claim 4 or 5. [Configuration 7] When the cooling device is attached to the battery chamber, the intake port and the exhaust port are provided in the same direction with respect to the electronic device. 6. The cooling device according to claim 4 or 5. [Configuration 8] The power supply unit has a ridge portion and an elastic member. When the cooling device is attached to the battery chamber, the ridge portion comes into contact with the battery chamber via the elastic member. 8. The cooling device according to any one of configurations 4 to 7. [Configuration 9] The power supply unit has a battery and supplies power via the connection terminal of the electronic device that is electrically connected to the connection terminal. 9. The cooling device according to any one of configurations 4 to 8. [Configuration 10] A cooling system including an electronic device having a battery compartment and a cooling device that can be attached to the battery compartment, The cooling device includes: a power supply unit for supplying power to the electronic device; a connection terminal portion electrically connected to the electronic device; an exterior member having an intake port and an exhaust port; When the cooling device is attached to the battery chamber, a cooling flow path is formed in the battery chamber connecting the intake port and the exhaust port. A cooling system comprising: [Configuration 11] The electronic device has a heat conductive member that connects a heat generating component or a member that covers the heat generating component to the battery chamber, and a part of the heat conductive member is exposed inside the battery chamber. 11. The cooling system of claim 10. [Configuration 12] The electronic device has a vent for collecting sound, the vent is provided on a first surface of the electronic device, When the cooling device is attached to the battery chamber, the intake or exhaust port of the cooling device is provided on a second surface different from the first surface with respect to the electronic device. 12. The cooling system of claim 10 or 11. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 100 Imaging device 200 Cooling device 211 Power supply section 309 Battery compartment

Claims

1. An electronic device having a battery compartment, When a cooling device having a power supply unit that supplies power to an electronic device is attached to the battery chamber, a cooling flow path that connects an intake port and an exhaust port of the cooling device is formed in the battery chamber.

1. An electronic device comprising:

2. The flow path is curved.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

3. a protrusion formed in the battery chamber, the flow path being divided into a first flow path and a second flow path by the protrusion; When the cooling device is attached to the battery chamber, the first flow path is connected to an intake port of the cooling device, and the second flow path is connected to an exhaust port of the cooling device.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2.

4. A cooling device that can be attached to the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The power supply unit; a connection terminal portion electrically connected to the electronic device; and an exterior member having the intake port and the exhaust port. A cooling device characterized by:

5. A fan is provided to blow air into the flow path, The fan and the exterior member are detachable from the power supply unit.