Imaging device and cooling method thereof

Abstract

To cool a heat generating unit disposed in each of a plurality of imaging units in an imaging device having the plurality of imaging units.SOLUTION: An imaging device according to the present disclosure includes a first imaging unit having a first heat generating portion that images a first direction, a second imaging unit having a second heat generating portion that images a second direction opposite to the first direction and that is arranged to face the first heat generating portion, a first heat dissipation portion provided corresponding to the first heat generating portion, a second heat dissipation portion provided corresponding to the second heat generating portion, a housing having a first surface on which the first imaging unit is arranged and a second surface on which the second imaging unit is arranged and that houses the first heat dissipation portion and the second heat dissipation portion, and an air intake port that opens in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first heat dissipation portion and the second heat dissipation portion are aligned on a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface of the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an imaging device and a cooling method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an in-vehicle device equipped with a heat exhaust device that exhausts heat from a housing in which a processing unit is sealed. This heat exhaust device has a first air intake port that takes in wind generated by the vehicle's movement into the housing, and a circulation path that circulates the wind flowing in from the first air intake port inside the housing. A heat-generating part of a processing unit that performs a predetermined process when powered on is arranged so as to be in contact with the outer wall surface of the circulation path. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 148884 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, in-vehicle imaging devices that have multiple cameras and can capture 360-degree images of the vehicle's surroundings have become increasingly popular. Each of the multiple cameras has a heat-generating component and is housed in a housing. This can lead to excessive temperatures inside the housing. In addition, such in-vehicle imaging devices are sometimes installed outside the vehicle body. In such cases, the in-vehicle imaging device is exposed to almost direct sunlight, creating a growing demand for temperature control of the in-vehicle imaging device.

[0005] The heat exhaust device described in Patent Document 1 cools the heat generating part of one processing unit, and does not take into consideration the case where multiple heat generating parts are included. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The imaging device of the present disclosure comprises: a first imaging unit having a first heat-generating portion that images a first direction; a second imaging unit having a second heat-generating portion that images a second direction opposite to the first direction and that is arranged to face the first heat-generating portion; a first heat-dissipating portion provided corresponding to the first heat-generating portion; a second heat-dissipating portion provided corresponding to the second heat-generating portion; a housing having a first surface on which the first imaging unit is arranged and a second surface on which the second imaging unit is arranged, and that houses the first heat-dissipating portion and the second heat-dissipating portion; and an air intake port that opens in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first heat-dissipating portion and the second heat-dissipating portion are aligned on a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface of the housing.

[0007] A cooling method for an imaging device according to the present disclosure includes arranging a first imaging unit having a first heat generating portion on a first surface of a housing, and arranging a second imaging unit having a second heat generating portion arranged to face the first heat generating portion on a second surface of the housing, and arranging the first imaging unit having a second heat generating portion arranged to face the first heat generating portion on a second surface of the housing, and storing the imaging unit within the housing so that a first heat dissipation portion corresponding to the first heat generating portion faces a second heat dissipation portion corresponding to the second heat generating portion, and taking in outside air from an air intake port that opens in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first heat dissipation portion and the second heat dissipation portion are aligned on a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface of the housing to cool the heat dissipation portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to cool heat generating parts arranged in each of a plurality of imaging parts. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which an imaging device according to the present disclosure is mounted on a vehicle. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a configuration of an imaging device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram of the imaging device of FIG. 2 as seen from above (z direction). [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a view of the top cover of FIG. 2 as seen from the bottom side. [Figure 5]5 is a diagram showing a state in which a first camera unit and a second camera unit are attached to the front opening and the rear opening of FIG. 4, respectively. FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the bottom surface of the top cover of FIG. 5 is closed by the base cover. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the base of FIG. 2. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the camera unit of FIG. 2. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the camera unit of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating how to attach a lens cover. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing another example of the camera unit 10. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and for clarity of explanation, duplicate explanations will be omitted as necessary.

[0011] An example of the configuration of the imaging device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which the imaging device 1 according to the present disclosure is mounted on a vehicle VH. In FIG. 1, the width direction of the vehicle VH is the x direction, the traveling direction of the vehicle VH is the y direction, and the height direction of the vehicle VH is the z direction. Note that the x, y, and z directions also indicate the same directions in FIGS. 2 to 7. The vehicle VH may be, for example, an emergency vehicle (such as a police vehicle, fire engine, or ambulance) equipped with red warning lights AL. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the warning lights AL are attached to the roof of the vehicle VH. Note that the warning lights AL may also be attached to a location other than the roof, such as the hood of the vehicle VH.

[0012] Also, as an example, the warning light AL is longitudinal in the vehicle width direction (x direction) of the vehicle VH. The center of the warning light AL in the longitudinal direction coincides with the center of the vehicle VH in the vehicle width direction. Note that the type of vehicle VH and the shape, color, etc. of the warning light AL are not limited to these. The vehicle VH does not necessarily have to have a warning light AL.

[0013] As an example, the imaging device 1 is mounted on top of a warning light AL. The imaging device 1 may be located at the longitudinal center of the warning light AL. The mounting position of the imaging device 1 is not limited to above the warning light AL, and it may be located away from the warning light AL. The imaging device 1 may be mounted directly on the roof of the vehicle VH. The imaging device 1 has a first camera unit 10F including a first imaging section and a second camera unit 10R including a second imaging section. The first camera unit 10F and the second camera unit 10R have the same configuration. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the first camera unit 10F and the second camera unit 10R, they will be referred to as "camera unit 10."

[0014] The first camera unit 10F captures images in the direction of travel (forward) of the vehicle VH. The second camera unit 10R captures images in the direction opposite to the direction of travel of the vehicle VH (rearward). For example, the imaging ranges of the first camera unit 10F and the second camera unit 10R are 188° horizontally and 102° vertically, respectively. The imaging ranges (angle of view) of the first camera unit 10F and the second camera unit 10R partially overlap. The first camera unit 10F and the second camera unit 10R can generate a panoramic image captured 360 degrees horizontally around a predetermined viewpoint position.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of an imaging device 1 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a view of the imaging device of FIG. 2 as seen from above (z direction). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the imaging device 1 includes a first camera unit 10F, a second camera unit 10R, and a housing 20. The housing 20 includes a base 21 and a top cover 22. The top cover 22 is a box body with an open bottom surface 23 facing the base 21. The top cover 22 is formed of, for example, a translucent resin. The top cover 22 may be transparent or colored. Here, the top cover 22 is colored red, similar to the warning light AL.

[0016] 2, top cover 22 has a mountain-like shape that is convex in the z direction when viewed from the y direction. First camera unit 10F is disposed on the front surface of top cover 22 (corresponding to the "first surface" in the claims), and second camera unit 10R is disposed on the rear surface (corresponding to the "second surface" in the claims).

[0017] 3, the top surface 24 of the top cover 22 has a rectangular shape with the elongated direction extending in the y direction when viewed from above. The top surface 24 of the top cover 22 is smaller than the bottom surface 23. A plurality of exhaust ports 25 are provided on the top surface 24. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the exhaust ports 25 have an oval shape extending in the y direction. Eight exhaust ports 25 are provided above the first camera unit 10F so as to be aligned in the x direction. Furthermore, eight exhaust ports 25 are provided above the second camera unit 10R so as to be aligned in the x direction.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a view of the top cover 22 of FIG. 2 as seen from the bottom side. A heat shield 30 is attached inside the top cover 22. The heat shield 30 is fixed to the top cover 22 with fixing members (not shown), such as screws. The heat shield 30 is made of a metal material with good thermal conductivity, such as stainless steel or aluminum. The heat shield 30 is arranged so as to cover at least the first camera unit 10F and the second camera unit 10R. As an example, the heat shield 30 can be provided so as to surround three surfaces: the top surface and two side surfaces connecting the front and rear surfaces of the top cover 22.

[0019] A plurality of exhaust openings 31 are provided in the heat shield 30 at a position facing the top surface 24 of the top cover 22. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the exhaust openings 31 have an oval shape extending in the y direction. The length of the exhaust openings 31 in the y direction is shorter than the length of the exhaust port 25 in the x direction. Ten exhaust openings 31 are provided above the first camera unit 10F. These ten exhaust openings 31 are arranged in two rows of five each in the y direction.

[0020] Additionally, ten exhaust openings 31 are provided above the second camera unit 10R. These ten exhaust openings 31 are arranged in two rows of five in each row in the y direction. Therefore, the exhaust ports 25 extending in the y direction and the exhaust openings 31 extending in the x direction are arranged so as to intersect. This makes it possible to prevent foreign matter such as leaves and dust from entering the interior of the housing 20 from above the top cover 22.

[0021] A front opening 32F for attaching the first camera unit 10F is provided on the front surface of the top cover 22. A rear opening 32R for attaching the second camera unit 10R is provided on the rear surface of the top cover 22. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the first camera unit 10F and the second camera unit 10R attached to the front opening 32F and rear opening 32R of FIG. 4, respectively. As shown in FIG. 5, the first camera unit 10F is attached so as to be able to capture images of the front side of the vehicle VH through the front opening 32F. The second camera unit 10R is attached so as to be able to capture images of the rear side of the vehicle VH through the rear opening 32R.

[0022] The first camera unit 10F and the second camera unit 10R can be fixed to at least one of the heat shield 30 and the top cover 22 by fixing members (not shown), such as screws or nylon clips. The exposed bottom surface 23 of the top cover 22 is closed by the base cover 40. Figure 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the bottom surface 23 of the top cover 22 in Figure 5 is closed by the base cover 40.

[0023] The base cover 40 is fixed to the top cover 22 from the exposed bottom side so as to contact the inner wall of the top cover 22. When viewed from below, the base cover 40 is a rectangular plate. Like the heat shield 30, the base cover 40 can be made of a metal material with good thermal conductivity, such as stainless steel or aluminum. The base cover 40 is provided with a fixing opening 41, a wiring opening 42, an air intake opening 43, and a connecting member 44. One fixing opening 41 is provided at each of the four corners of the base cover 40. The fixing opening 41 is a potbellied hole having a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion protruding inward from the large diameter portion.

[0024] After fitting a fixture 27 of the base 21, which will be described later, into the large diameter portion of the fixing opening 41, the entire top cover 22 including the base cover 40 is displaced so as to fit into the small diameter portion, thereby joining the base 21 and the top cover 22 to form the housing 20. The wiring opening 42 is formed in approximately the center of the base cover 40. The wiring opening 42 is a hole through which wiring for supplying power to the camera unit 10 housed in the top cover 22 passes.

[0025] The air intake openings 43 are holes that communicate with the air intake ports 26 of the base 21, which will be described later, and that take in outside air into the top cover 22. The air intake openings 43 are provided on each of the two long sides of the base cover 40, aligned in a row of six along the y direction. The six air intake openings 43 are provided between two fixing openings 41.

[0026] Two connecting members 44 protruding downward are provided on the rear short side of the base cover 40. Holes for passing screws are provided in the connecting members 44. With the top cover 22 fitted with the base cover 40 connected to the base 21, screws are threaded through the holes in the connecting members 44 and into the screw holes 29 of the base 21, thereby attaching the imaging device 1 to the vehicle VH.

[0027] The base 21 is disposed on the bottom side of the top cover 22. The base 21 is larger than the bottom surface 23. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the base 21 of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the base 21 is a plate-like member that is substantially rectangular when viewed from above. The front and rear surfaces of the base 21 have substantially the same trapezoidal shape. The two side surfaces of the base 21 also have substantially the same trapezoidal shape. The base 21 has an exhaust port 25, a fixing member 27, a groove 28, and a screw hole 29.

[0028] A fixing member (not shown) is provided on the bottom surface of the base 21. The base 21 is fixed onto the roof of the vehicle VH using the fixing member. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the base 21 is fixed onto a warning light AL. The fixing member may be, for example, double-sided tape. Note that the fixing member provided on the bottom surface of the base 21 is not particularly limited as long as it can fix the base 21 onto the vehicle VH. The above-mentioned fixing devices 27 are provided on each of the four corners of the top surface of the base 21. The fixing devices 27 may be, for example, screws attached to screw holes. With the base 21 fixed onto the roof of the vehicle VH, the top cover 22 is connected to the base 21 using the fixing device 27. The top cover 22 is attached to the vehicle VH in a detachable manner.

[0029] Air intake ports 26 are provided on two side surfaces of base 21. Air intake ports 26 are grooves that extend from the side surfaces to the top surface of base 21. In the example shown in FIG. 7, six air intake ports 26 are provided on each of the two side surfaces of base 21. By combining top cover 22, into which base cover 40 is fitted, onto base 21, each air intake port 26 communicates with air intake opening 43.

[0030] Outside air taken in through air intake port 26 flows into the inside of top cover 22 through air intake opening 43. The outside air taken into top cover 22 flows out to the outside through exhaust opening 31 of heat shield 30 and exhaust port 25 formed on top surface 24 of top cover 22. Air intake port 26 can also function as a drainage channel to drain water that has entered housing 20 through exhaust port 25.

[0031] Now, the camera unit 10 will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 10. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the camera unit 10. As shown in Figure 8, the camera unit 10 includes an imaging section 11, a camera base 12, a lens cover 13, a heat sink 14, a thermally conductive sheet 15, a heat sink packing 16, and a lens cover packing 17.

[0032] The imaging unit 11 is hermetically sealed between the camera base 12 and the lens cover 13. The imaging unit 11 includes an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor. The imaging unit 11 also includes a lens group (imaging optical system) including a zoom lens and a focus lens, an iris diaphragm, a mechanical shutter, and the like. Here, the lens group including multiple lenses is referred to as lens 11a. When photographing, the optical axis of lens 11a is directed toward the subject to be photographed.

[0033] The imaging unit 11 generates a captured image based on an image formed by the imaging optical system. The imaging unit 11 is provided with a substrate 18 on which circuits and the like that perform processing to generate the captured image are mounted. The substrate 18 is a heat-generating unit that generates heat when current is applied to perform processing to generate the captured image.

[0034] 8, the substrate 18 is disposed on the underside of the imaging unit 11. The heat sink 14 is provided below the substrate 18 via a thermally conductive sheet 15. The heat sink 14 includes a base 14a and a plurality of fins 14b extending upright from the base 14a.

[0035] 9 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the camera unit 10 of FIG. 8. FIG. 9 shows the components between the camera unit 10 and the camera base 12. A recess 12a is provided in the camera base 12. An insertion opening 12b is formed in the bottom surface 12c of the recess 12a. The heat sink 14 is arranged so that the fins 14b pass through the insertion opening 12b and protrude to the outside of the camera base 12. The peripheral edge of the base 14a of the heat sink 14 is located on the bottom surface 12c of the camera base 12 around the insertion opening 12b.

[0036] A groove 12d for arranging a heat sink packing 16 is formed around the insertion opening 12b on the bottom surface 12c of the camera base 12. The heat sink packing 16 is arranged between the bottom surface of the camera base 12 and the peripheral edge of the base portion 14a. Waterproofing can be ensured by fixing the heat sink 14 and the camera base 12 with screws (not shown) while compressing the heat sink packing 16.

[0037] A thermally conductive sheet 15 is disposed between the base 14a of the heat sink 14 and the underside of the imaging unit 11. That is, the heat sink 14 is thermally connected to the imaging unit 11 via the thermally conductive sheet 15. The thermally conductive sheet 15 is made of a synthetic resin with a thermal conductivity greater than that of air. For example, the thermally conductive sheet 15 may be a silicone-based resin, a non-silicone acrylic resin, a ceramic resin, or the like. Note that, instead of the thermally conductive sheet 15, another thermally conductive member such as a thermally conductive gel may be interposed between the imaging unit 11 and the heat sink 14. The thermally conductive sheet 15 or the thermally conductive gel may be referred to as a thermally conductive member. Alternatively, the imaging unit 11 and the heat sink 14 may be directly connected without an intervening member. Heat generated by the substrate 18 is transferred to the heat sink 14. The heat sink 14 is a heat dissipation unit provided to correspond to the substrate 18, which is a heat-generating unit.

[0038] 10 is a diagram showing how the lens cover 13 is attached after the heat sink packing 16, the heat sink 14, the thermally conductive sheet 15, and the imaging unit 11 are housed in the camera base 12. In FIG. 10, the lens 11a of the imaging unit 11 protrudes from the upper surface side of the camera base 12.

[0039] A groove 12e is provided on the top surface of the camera base 12 for arranging a lens cover gasket 17 so as to surround the periphery of the imaging unit 11. The lens cover gasket 17 is fitted into the groove 12e. The lens cover 13 is arranged to cover the imaging unit 11. The lens cover gasket 17 is arranged between the top surface of the camera base 12 and the peripheral edge of the lens cover 13. Waterproofing can be ensured by fixing the lens cover 13 and the camera base 12 with screws (not shown) while crushing the lens cover gasket 17. In this way, the imaging unit 11 is housed in the airtight space between the camera base 12 and the lens cover 13.

[0040] As described above with reference to Fig. 5, first camera unit 10F is attached with lens 11a facing forward, and second camera unit 10R is attached with lens 11a facing rearward. That is, first camera unit 10F and second camera unit 10R are arranged so that their heat-generating circuit boards 18 face each other. Although not visible in Fig. 5 because they are hidden by other components, the heat sink 14 of first camera unit 10F and the heat sink 14 of second camera unit 10R are housed in housing 20 so as to face each other.

[0041] As described above, the housing 20 is formed with an air intake 26. The air intake 26 is provided on a side surface of the housing 20. The air intake 26 opens in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the heat sink 14 (first heat dissipation portion) of the first camera unit 10F and the heat sink 14 (second heat dissipation portion) of the second camera unit 10R are aligned. In other words, the heat sinks 14 of the first camera unit 10F and the second camera unit 10R are aligned in the y direction, and the air intake 26 opens to extend in the x direction, which is perpendicular to the y direction.

[0042] Additionally, exhaust ports 25 are provided on the top surface 24 of the top cover 22 above the heat sink 14 of the first camera unit 10F and above the heat sink 14 of the second camera unit 10R. Outside air taken in through the intake port 26 flows into the inside of the top cover 22 through the intake opening 43 and comes into direct contact with the heat sink 14. Heat from the camera unit 10 is transferred to the heat sink 14, causing the temperature around the fins 14b to rise. This causes the hot air inside the top cover 22 to rise and be expelled from the exhaust port 25.

[0043] In this way, outside air is taken in through intake port 26, which is provided in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the two heat dissipation units are arranged to face each other. That is, intake port 26 can take air into housing 20 from a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of vehicle VH. The air taken into housing 20 is heated by the two heat dissipation units and released from exhaust port 25 provided above. This makes it possible to cool camera unit 10.

[0044] Furthermore, when installed on a warning light AL, the top cover 22 is made of a red transparent resin. In this case, when sunlight is irradiated onto the imaging device 1, the temperature inside the housing 20 rises, and there is a risk that the camera unit 10 may be heated to a temperature exceeding the operating temperature range. In the present disclosure, a heat-shielding member 30 is provided inside the top cover 22 so as to surround the camera unit 10. This makes it possible to suppress the temperature rise in the housing 20.

[0045] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the camera unit 10. For the sake of explanation, FIG. 11 shows a state in which the lens cover 13 is removed from the camera unit 10. As shown in FIG. 11, a desiccant 50 is disposed in the airtight space formed by the camera base 12 and the lens cover 13, which airtightly seals the camera unit 10. The desiccant 50 is disposed, for example, so as to surround the periphery of the lens 11a protruding from the camera base 12. For example, the desiccant 50 may be a flexible seal-type desiccant "Dry Keep TFREE-Z (product name)" manufactured by Sasaki Chemical Co., Ltd.

[0046] If the ambient temperature of the imaging device 1 drops suddenly, there is a risk that the inside of the lens cover 13 placed in front of the lens 11a of the imaging unit 11 will fog up with water vapor. By providing a desiccant 50 in the space that airtightly seals the camera unit 10, it is possible to prevent the inside of the lens cover 13 from fogging up even when the outside temperature drops.

[0047] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0048] Each drawing is merely an example for describing one or more embodiments. Each drawing may relate not only to one particular embodiment, but also to one or more other embodiments. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various features or steps described with reference to any one drawing can be combined with features or steps shown in one or more other drawings to create, for example, an embodiment not explicitly shown or described. Not all features or steps shown in any one drawing are necessary to describe an exemplary embodiment, and some features or steps may be omitted. The order of steps described in any drawing may be changed as appropriate.

[0049] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Appendix A1) a first imaging unit that captures an image in a first direction and has a first heat generating unit; a second imaging unit that captures an image in a second direction opposite to the first direction and has a second heat generating unit that is arranged to face the first heat generating unit; a first heat dissipation portion provided in correspondence with the first heat generation portion; a second heat dissipation portion provided corresponding to the second heat generation portion; a housing having a first surface on which the first imaging unit is disposed and a second surface on which the second imaging unit is disposed, the housing accommodating the first heat dissipation unit and the second heat dissipation unit; an air intake port that opens in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the first heat dissipation portion and the second heat dissipation portion are arranged, on a side surface that connects the first surface and the second surface of the housing; Equipped with Imaging device. (Appendix A2) The housing further includes an exhaust port provided on an upper surface thereof that connects the first surface and the second surface and covers the first heat dissipation portion and the second heat dissipation portion. 10. The imaging device according to claim 1. (Appendix A3) The exhaust port includes a first exhaust port provided on an upper portion of the first heat dissipation portion and a second exhaust port provided on an upper portion of the second heat dissipation portion. 10. The imaging device according to claim 9, wherein the imaging device is a (Appendix A4) the housing includes a box body with an open bottom and a base disposed on the bottom side, The base is provided with a drain groove that communicates with the intake port and drains water that has entered the housing from at least one of the first exhaust port and the second exhaust port. 1. An imaging device as described in Appendix A3. (Appendix A5) the first heat generating portion and the first heat dissipating portion, and the second heat generating portion and the second heat dissipating portion are connected via a thermally conductive member; The imaging device according to any one of appendices A1 to A4. (Appendix A6) a first cover and a second cover that hermetically seal the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit, respectively; desiccants disposed in the airtight spaces within the first cover and the second cover, respectively; Further provided with The imaging device according to any one of appendices A1 to A5. (Appendix A7) the first heat dissipation unit is a heat sink including a plate-shaped base and a plurality of fins protruding from one surface of the base, the other surface of the base is arranged to be thermally connected to the first heat generating portion, a base cover connected to the first cover to form the airtight space; The base cover is provided with insertion openings for inserting the plurality of fins, The plurality of fins are disposed outside the airtight space through the insertion opening. 1. An imaging device according to claim A6. (Appendix A8) a first packing disposed between the first cover and the base cover; a second packing disposed between the periphery of the insertion opening and the surface of the base on which the plurality of fins are provided, The airtight space is formed by the first cover, the first packing, the base cover, the second packing, and the base. 1. An imaging device according to claim 7. (Appendix A9) the imaging device is an in-vehicle imaging device mounted on a roof of a vehicle, a panoramic image captured by the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit in a 360-degree horizontal direction around a predetermined viewpoint position is generated; The imaging device according to any one of appendices A1 to A8. (Appendix A10) The first imaging unit captures an image of a front side of the vehicle, and the second imaging unit captures an image of a rear side of the vehicle, The air intake takes in air into the housing from a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the vehicle. 10. The imaging device according to claim 9. (Appendix A11) The housing is made of a red transparent material, a light-shielding member that is arranged in the housing so as to cover the first imaging unit, the second imaging unit, the first heat dissipation unit, and the second heat dissipation unit and that blocks light; The imaging device according to any one of appendices A1 to A11. (Appendix A12) an exhaust port provided on an upper surface of the housing that connects the first surface and the second surface and covers the first heat dissipation portion and the second heat dissipation portion, The light blocking member is provided so as to surround the side surfaces of the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit. The light blocking member has openings at positions corresponding to the intake port and the exhaust port. 10. The imaging device according to claim 11. (Appendix B1) a first imaging unit that captures an image in a first direction and has a first heat generating unit is disposed on a first surface of the housing; a second imaging unit that captures an image in a second direction opposite to the first direction and has a second heat generating unit that is arranged to face the first heat generating unit, is disposed on a second surface of the housing; a first heat dissipation section corresponding to the first heat generating section and a second heat dissipation section corresponding to the second heat generating section are housed in the housing so as to face each other; and cooling the heat dissipation unit by taking in outside air from an air intake port that opens in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the first heat dissipation unit and the second heat dissipation unit are aligned on a side surface that connects the first surface and the second surface of the housing. A method for cooling an imaging device.

[0050] Some or all of the elements (e.g., configurations and functions) described in Supplementary Notes A2 to A12 that are subordinate to Supplementary Note A1 (imaging device) may also be subordinate to Supplementary Note B1 (cooling method for imaging device) in the same subordinate relationship as Supplementary Notes A2 to A12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1. Imaging device 10F 1st Camera Unit 10R Second Camera Unit 10 Camera Unit 11 Imaging unit 12 Camera Base 12a Recess 12b insertion port 12c bottom 12d groove 13 Lens cover 14 Heat sink 14a base 14b Fin 15 Thermal Conduction Sheet 16 Heat sink packing 17 Lens cover gasket 18 PCB 20 Case 21 Foundation 22 Top cover 23 bottom 24 Top 25 exhaust port 26 Air intake 27 Fixtures 28 Groove 29 screw holes 40 Base cover 41 Fixing opening 42 Wiring opening 43 Intake opening 44 Connecting member 50 desiccants 30 Heat shielding material 31 Exhaust opening 32F front opening 32R rear opening VH vehicle AL warning light

Claims

1. a first imaging unit that captures an image in a first direction and has a first heat generating unit; a second imaging unit that captures an image in a second direction opposite to the first direction and has a second heat generating unit that is arranged to face the first heat generating unit; a first heat dissipation portion provided corresponding to the first heat generation portion; a second heat dissipation portion provided corresponding to the second heat generation portion; a housing having a first surface on which the first imaging unit is disposed and a second surface on which the second imaging unit is disposed, the housing accommodating the first heat dissipation unit and the second heat dissipation unit; an air intake port that opens in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the first heat dissipation portion and the second heat dissipation portion are arranged, on a side surface that connects the first surface and the second surface of the housing; Equipped with Imaging device.

2. an exhaust port provided on an upper surface of the housing that connects the first surface and the second surface and covers the first heat dissipation portion and the second heat dissipation portion; The imaging device according to claim 1 .

3. The exhaust port includes a first exhaust port provided on an upper portion of the first heat dissipation portion and a second exhaust port provided on an upper portion of the second heat dissipation portion. The imaging device according to claim 2 .

4. the housing includes a box body with an open bottom and a base disposed on the bottom side, the base is provided with a drain groove that communicates with the intake port and drains water that has entered the housing from at least one of the first exhaust port and the second exhaust port. The imaging device according to claim 3 .

5. the first heat generating portion and the first heat dissipating portion, and the second heat generating portion and the second heat dissipating portion are connected via a thermal conductive member; The imaging device according to claim 1 .

6. a first cover and a second cover that hermetically seal the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit, respectively; desiccants disposed in the airtight spaces within the first cover and the second cover, respectively; Further provided with The imaging device according to claim 1 .

7. the first heat dissipation portion is a heat sink including a plate-shaped base and a plurality of fins protruding from one surface of the base, the other surface of the base is arranged to be thermally connected to the first heat generating portion, a base cover connected to the first cover to form the airtight space; The base cover is provided with insertion openings for inserting the plurality of fins, The plurality of fins are disposed outside the airtight space through the insertion opening. The imaging device according to claim 6 .

8. a first packing disposed between the first cover and the base cover; a second packing disposed between the periphery of the insertion opening and the surface of the base on which the plurality of fins are provided, The airtight space is formed by the first cover, the first packing, the base cover, the second packing, and the base. The imaging device according to claim 7 .

9. the imaging device is an in-vehicle imaging device mounted on a roof of a vehicle, a panoramic image is generated by capturing an image of 360 degrees in the horizontal direction around a predetermined viewpoint position by the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit; The imaging device according to claim 1 .

10. The first imaging unit captures an image of a front area of ​​the vehicle, and the second imaging unit captures an image of a rear area of ​​the vehicle, The air intake takes in air into the housing from a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the vehicle. The imaging device according to claim 9 .

11. The housing is made of a red transparent material, a light-shielding member that is arranged in the housing so as to cover the first imaging unit, the second imaging unit, the first heat dissipation unit, and the second heat dissipation unit and that blocks light; The imaging device according to claim 1 .

12. an exhaust port provided on an upper surface of the housing that connects the first surface and the second surface and covers the first heat dissipation portion and the second heat dissipation portion, The light blocking member is provided so as to surround the side surfaces of the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit. The light blocking member has openings at positions corresponding to the intake port and the exhaust port. The imaging device according to claim 11.

13. a first imaging unit that captures an image in a first direction and has a first heat generating portion is disposed on a first surface of the housing; a second imaging unit that captures an image in a second direction opposite to the first direction and has a second heat generating unit that is arranged to face the first heat generating unit, is disposed on a second surface of the housing; a first heat dissipation section corresponding to the first heat generating section and a second heat dissipation section corresponding to the second heat generating section are housed in the housing so as to face each other; and cooling the first heat dissipation unit and the second heat dissipation unit by taking in outside air from an air intake port that opens in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the first heat dissipation unit and the second heat dissipation unit are aligned on a side surface that connects the first surface and the second surface of the housing. A method for cooling an imaging device.

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