Imaging apparatus

Abstract

To improve heat dissipation.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus 10 includes an imaging optical system, an imaging element, a circuit board 17, a housing 12, and a fan 13. The imaging element is located on an optical axis of the imaging optical system. The circuit board 17 processes an image signal output from the imaging element. The housing 12 has at least a first surface s1 and a second surface s2. The first surface s1 is a surface on the first direction side. The first direction is parallel to an optical axis of the imaging optical system and faces an object side. The second surface s2 is a surface on a second direction side that is a direction perpendicular to the first direction and facing the vertically upward side. The housing 12 surrounds the circuit board 17. The housing 12 holds the circuit board 17 in a heat transferable manner. The fan 13 blows air to at least a part of the first surface s1 and at least a part of the second surface s2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to grasp the surrounding scenery, imaging devices are increasingly being installed in moving objects such as vehicles. Such imaging devices require heat dissipation. Therefore, it has been proposed to use a ventilation fan to exchange air inside the imaging device (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-046051 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As the characteristics of the imaging device such as resolution improve, the amount of heat generated by the imaging device increases, and therefore there is a demand for improving heat dissipation.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to improve heat dissipation in an imaging device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An imaging device according to a first aspect comprises: an imaging optical system; an imaging element located on the optical axis of the imaging optical system; a circuit board that processes an image signal output by the imaging device; a housing that has at least a first surface on a first direction side that is parallel to an optical axis of the imaging optical system and faces an object side, and a second surface on a second direction side that is perpendicular to the first direction and faces vertically upward, and that surrounds the circuit board and holds it in a heat-transferable manner; a fan that blows air onto at least a portion of the first surface and at least a portion of the second surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the heat dissipation performance of the imaging device is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an appearance of an imaging device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an imaging unit in FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the imaging device of FIG. 1 taken in the vicinity of the fan along a plane perpendicular to a third direction. [Figure 4] 2 is a bottom view of the imaging device of FIG. 1 as seen from the opposite direction to the second direction. [Figure 5] 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the imaging device of FIG. 1 is mounted on a moving body. [Figure 6] 1. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the imaging device of the modified example of FIG. 1 is mounted on a moving body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0010] 1, an imaging device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one imaging unit 11, a housing 12, and a fan 13. The imaging device 10 may further include a fan cover 14. The imaging device 10 may be a stereo camera having two imaging units 11.

[0011] The imaging device 10 may be designed to be mounted on a mobile object. Mobile objects in the present disclosure may include, for example, not only vehicles but also aircraft. Furthermore, vehicles may include, for example, automobiles, industrial vehicles, railroad vehicles, residential vehicles, and fixed-wing aircraft traveling on runways. Automobiles may include, for example, passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and trolleybuses. Industrial vehicles may include, for example, agricultural and construction industrial vehicles. Industrial vehicles may include, for example, forklifts and golf carts. Agricultural industrial vehicles may include, for example, tractors, cultivators, transplanters, binders, combines, and lawnmowers. Construction industrial vehicles may include, for example, bulldozers, scrapers, excavators, crane trucks, dump trucks, and road rollers. Vehicles may include manually propelled vehicles. Vehicle classifications are not limited to the above examples. For example, automobiles may include industrial vehicles that can travel on roads. The same vehicle may be included in multiple classifications. Aircraft may include, for example, fixed-wing aircraft and rotary-wing aircraft.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging unit 11 may include an imaging optical system 15, an imaging element 16, and a circuit board 17.

[0013] The imaging optical system 15 may include at least one optical element such as a lens. The imaging optical system 15 may form an optical image of an object. The imaging optical system 15 has an optical axis ox. A direction parallel to the optical axis ox and directed toward the object is defined as a first direction in this specification.

[0014] The imaging element 16 may be located on the optical axis ox of the imaging optical system 15. The imaging element 16 may be located at an imaging position of an optical image of an object that is a predetermined distance away from the imaging optical system 15. The imaging element 16 captures the subject image formed by the imaging optical system 15, and outputs an image signal corresponding to the subject image. The imaging element 16 is, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor.

[0015] The circuit board 17 processes the image signal output by the imaging element 16. For example, electronic components 18 may be mounted on the circuit board 17. The electronic components 18 are components for driving the imaging element 16, processing the image signal, etc.

[0016] In a configuration in which the imaging device 10 has a plurality of imaging units 11, such as a stereo camera, the circuit board 17 may be shared by the plurality of imaging units 11. For example, the imaging device 10 may have a circuit board 17 extending from the position of any imaging unit 11 to the position of another imaging unit 11.

[0017] 3, housing 12 surrounds circuit board 17. Housing 12 may surround the entire surface of circuit board 17. Housing 12 may house circuit board 17. Housing 12 may be formed by covering the opening of a box-shaped member 19 with one open side with a cover member 20. Housing 12 may be made of a material with high thermal conductivity, such as a metal such as aluminum.

[0018] Housing 12 holds circuit board 17 in a manner that allows heat transfer. Holding in a manner that allows heat transfer includes holding circuit board 17 while housing 12 is in direct or indirect contact with circuit board 17. Holding in a manner that allows heat transfer may also include holding circuit board 17 in close proximity to circuit board 17 while being spaced apart.

[0019] The case 12 being in indirect contact with the circuit board 17 means, for example, a configuration in which the circuit board 17 and the case 12 are held with a heat dissipation member 21 interposed between them. The case 12 being in indirect contact with the circuit board 17 means, for example, a configuration in which the circuit board 17 and the case 12 are held with an electronic component 18 and a heat dissipation member 21 interposed between them. The heat dissipation member 21 is, for example, a silicone resin that is highly variable and thermally conductive.

[0020] Housing 12 may be capable of transferring heat from circuit board 17 in multiple directions. For example, housing 12 may sandwich circuit board 17 via heat dissipation member 21 from the second direction and the direction opposite to the second direction. In this configuration, housing 12 is capable of transferring heat from circuit board 17 via heat dissipation member 21 from the second direction and the direction opposite to the second direction.

[0021] The housing 12 has at least a first surface s1 and a second surface s2.

[0022] The first surface s1 is a surface on the first direction side of the housing 12. The surface on the first direction side may refer to a surface located on the first direction side from the center of the housing 12 and facing the first direction. The surface facing the first direction may include not only a surface whose normal is parallel to the first direction, but also a surface whose normal is at an angle within an angle range of, for example, ±45 degrees with respect to the first direction. A surface sandwiched between the surfaces on the first direction side as defined above may be included in the first surface s1 even if it is outside the range of surfaces facing the first direction.

[0023] The second surface s2 is the surface on the second direction side of the housing 12. The second direction is a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second direction is also a direction in which the imaging device is designed to be mounted so that the second direction faces vertically upward in a moving body placed on a horizontal surface. In other words, the second direction is a direction facing vertically upward. The surface on the second direction side may mean a surface facing the second direction, similar to the surface on the first direction side. The vertically upward side may mean that the vertical component obtained by decomposing the second direction is positive vertically upward.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , the housing 12 may further have a third surface s3, a fourth surface s4, a fifth surface s5, and a sixth surface. The third surface s3 is the surface of the housing 12 facing the opposite side of the second direction. The surface facing the opposite side of the second direction may refer to a surface facing the opposite side of the second direction, similar to the surface facing the first direction. The fourth surface s4 is the surface of the housing 12 facing the opposite side of the first direction. The surface facing the opposite side of the first direction may refer to a surface facing the opposite side of the first direction, similar to the surface facing the first direction. The fifth surface s5 is the surface of the housing 12 facing the third direction. The third direction is a direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction. The surface facing the third direction may refer to a surface facing the opposite side of the third direction, similar to the surface facing the first direction. The sixth surface is a surface on the opposite side of the third direction in the housing 12. The surface on the opposite side of the third direction may refer to a surface facing in the opposite direction to the third direction, similar to the surface on the first direction side.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4 , the housing 12 may have, on the third surface s3, a plurality of first fins 22 with their longitudinal direction aligned in the first direction. The first fins 22 may extend within a range of ±60° from the first direction. The first fins 22 may be provided at a position in the third direction within the area occupied by the fan 13 in the third direction. The housing 12 may have, on the third surface s3, a plurality of second fins 23 with their longitudinal direction aligned in the third direction. The second fins 23 may be located outside the area where the first fins 22 are formed.

[0026] The housing 12 may also have a plurality of fins on the first surface s1 and the second surface s2. For example, the housing 12 may have fins extending in a first direction and fins extending in a third direction on the first surface s1 and the second surface s2, similar to the third surface s3.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the fan 13 has a blowing surface vs. In a configuration in which the fan 13 has a blowing sleeve 24, the blowing surface vs is an imaginary surface defined by an inner circumferential circle perpendicular to the axial direction at the blowing port of the sleeve 24. In a configuration in which the fan 13 is formed by a rotor without having a sleeve 24, the blowing surface vs is an arbitrary surface that is the path described by the rotor in a rotating state as viewed from the axial direction. The fan 13 may further have an intake surface is.

[0028] The fan 13 is positioned such that its air-blowing surface vs faces at least a portion of the first surface s1 and at least a portion of the second surface s2. The fan 13 blows air to the first surface s1 and the second surface s2. Specifically, the fan 13 is positioned so as to be inclined in both the first direction and the second direction near the boundary between the first surface s1 and the second surface s2.

[0029] The fan cover 14 may guide the component of the air blown from the fan 13 that diffuses toward the outside vs. the air blowing surface as viewed from the air blowing axis to the second surface s2. In a configuration in which the fan 13 has a sleeve 24, the air blowing axis is the central axis of the air blowing port of the sleeve 24. In a configuration in which the fan 13 is formed by a rotor without having a sleeve 24, the air blowing axis is the rotation axis. The fan cover 14 may include, for example, a second surface cover 25 and a side cover 26.

[0030] The second surface cover 25 may be a plate member arranged so that the distance between the second surface s2 in the second direction becomes narrower in the direction opposite to the first direction. More specifically, the second surface cover 25 is a plate member extending from a holding plate 27 that holds the fan 13 and is perpendicular to the airflow axis toward the end of the second surface s2 on the side opposite to the first direction.

[0031] The side covers 26 may be located at both ends of the holding plate 27 and the second surface cover 25 in the third direction. The side covers 26 may be planar plate-like materials that are perpendicular to the third direction at these positions. Alternatively, the side covers 26 may be planar plate-like materials that are inclined at an angle of 90° to 170° between the holding plate 27 and the side covers 26 at both ends of the holding plate 27 in the third direction. The side covers 26 have a substantially triangular shape, and may be connected to the sides of the holding plate 27 and the second surface cover 25 in the third direction on the second direction side of the second surface s2.

[0032] The imaging device 10 may be attached to a mobile body having a windshield. As shown in FIG. 5 , the imaging device 10 may be attached to the mobile body so that the intake surface is faces the windshield 28. More specifically, a gap may be provided between the intake surface is and the windshield 28. The imaging device 10 may have a fixture that attaches the imaging device 10 to the mobile body so that the intake surface is faces the windshield 28. When attached to the mobile body, the imaging device 10 may be covered by a cover material 29 on the side opposite to the second direction and the side opposite to the first direction.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 6 , the imaging device 10 may have a guide plate 30 in a configuration in which the imaging device 10 is attached to a movable body without being covered by a cover material 29. The guide plate 30 may guide the air blown from the fan 13 toward the third surface s3. Specifically, the guide plate 30 may have a first portion 31 and a second portion 32. The first portion 31 and the second portion 32 may be plate members parallel to the third direction. The first portion 31 may extend from an end of the holding plate 27 on the first direction side toward the opposite sides of the first direction and the second direction. The first portion 31 may terminate beyond the third surface s3 in the direction opposite the second direction. The second portion 32 may extend from an end of the first portion 31 on the opposite side of the second direction toward the opposite side of the first direction.

[0034] The imaging device 10 of this embodiment, configured as described above, includes an imaging optical system 15, an imaging element 16 positioned on the optical axis ox of the imaging optical system 15, a circuit board 17 that processes image signals output by the imaging element 16, a housing 12 that surrounds the circuit board 17 and supports it in a heat-transferable manner, and a fan 13 positioned such that its air-blowing surface vs faces at least a portion of the first surface s1 and at least a portion of the second surface s2 and blows air to the first surface s1 and the second surface s2. With this configuration, the imaging device 10 can dissipate heat from the housing 12, to which heat generated by the circuit board 17 is transferred, in multiple directions. Therefore, the imaging device 10 can dissipate heat from the circuit board 17 in multiple directions, thereby improving heat dissipation compared to a configuration in which air is blown toward a single surface.

[0035] Moreover, the imaging device 10 of this embodiment further includes a fan cover 14 that guides, to the second surface s2, components of the air blown from the fan 13 that diffuse outside the air blowing surface vs as seen from the air blowing axis of the fan 13. With this configuration, the imaging device 10 can reduce components of the air blown from the fan 13 that do not contribute to heat dissipation from the housing 12. Therefore, the imaging device 10 further improves heat dissipation.

[0036] Furthermore, in the imaging device 10 of this embodiment, the housing 12 has a plurality of fins, the longitudinal direction of which is the first direction, on the third surface s3 opposite the second direction. As described above, when the imaging device 10 is a moving object, the side opposite the second direction is generally covered by a cover material 29. By applying such a general configuration or adding a guide plate 30, the imaging device 10 having the above configuration can cause the air blown from the fan 13 that reaches the third surface s3 to travel along the third surface s3 in the direction opposite to the first direction. Therefore, the imaging device 10 improves heat dissipation on the third surface s3 of the housing 12, thereby further improving heat dissipation overall.

[0037] Furthermore, the imaging device 10 of this embodiment is attached to a mobile object having a windshield 28 so that the air intake surface is faces the windshield 28. With this configuration, the imaging device 10 can take in air that is blown out from a defroster or the like in the mobile object and flows along the windshield 28 from the air intake surface is into the fan 13. Therefore, the imaging device 10 can use air sent from a position distant from the imaging device 10, improving the cooling effect of the housing.

[0038] In one embodiment, (1) an imaging device includes: an imaging optical system; an imaging element located on the optical axis of the imaging optical system; a circuit board that processes an image signal output by the imaging device; a housing that has at least a first surface on a first direction side that is parallel to an optical axis of the imaging optical system and faces an object side, and a second surface on a second direction side that is perpendicular to the first direction and faces vertically upward, and that surrounds the circuit board and holds it in a heat-transferable manner; a fan that blows air onto at least a portion of the first surface and at least a portion of the second surface.

[0039] (2) The imaging device of (1) above is The air conditioner further includes a fan cover that guides a component of the air blown from the fan that diffuses outside the air blowing surface as seen from the air blowing axis of the fan to the second surface.

[0040] (3) In the imaging device of (2) above, The housing has a third surface on the opposite side to the second direction, and has a plurality of fins with a longitudinal direction in the first direction.

[0041] (4) Any of the imaging devices described in (1) to (3) above, The fan is attached to a mobile object having a windshield so that the intake surface of the fan faces the windshield.

[0042] The drawings illustrating the embodiments of the present disclosure are schematic, and the dimensional ratios and the like in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to the actual ones.

[0043] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art could make various modifications or alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications or alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components can be combined or divided into one.

[0044] Each feature described in this disclosure, unless expressly stated otherwise, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each disclosed feature is only one example of a generic series of identical or equivalent features.

[0045] Furthermore, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to any of the specific configurations of the above-described embodiments, but can extend to any and all novel features or combinations thereof described in this disclosure.

[0046] In this disclosure, descriptions such as "first" and "second" are identifiers for distinguishing the configuration. In this disclosure, the configurations distinguished by descriptions such as "first" and "second" can have their numbers interchanged. For example, the first surface can have its identifiers "first" and "second" interchanged with the second surface. The identifiers are interchanged simultaneously. The configurations remain distinguished even after the identifiers are interchanged. The identifiers may be deleted. A configuration from which the identifiers have been deleted is distinguished by a symbol. The identifiers "first" and "second" in this disclosure should not be used solely to interpret the order of the configurations or to justify the existence of an identifier with a smaller number. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10. Imaging device 11 Imaging unit 12. Case 13 Fan 14 Fan cover 15 Imaging optical system 16 image sensor 17 Circuit Board 18 Electronic Components 19 Box-shaped member 20 Cover member 21 Heat dissipation material 22 First Fin 23 Second Fin 24 sleeve 25 Second cover 26 Side cover 27 Holding plate 28 Windshield 29 Cover material 30 Guide plate 31 First Part 32 Second Part is intake surface ox optical axis s1, s2, s3, s4, s5 1st surface, 2nd surface, 3rd surface, 4th surface, 5th surface vs ventilation surface vx blower shaft

Claims

1. an imaging optical system; an imaging element located on the optical axis of the imaging optical system; a circuit board that processes an image signal output by the imaging device; a housing that has at least a first surface in a first direction that is parallel to an optical axis of the imaging optical system and faces an object side, and a second surface in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and faces vertically upward, and that surrounds the circuit board and holds it in a heat-transferable manner; a fan that blows air onto at least a portion of the first surface and at least a portion of the second surface. Imaging device.

2. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, a fan cover that guides a component of the air blown from the fan that diffuses to the outside of the air blowing surface of the fan as seen from the air blowing axis of the fan to the second surface. Imaging device.

3. 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, The housing has a plurality of fins on a third surface on the side opposite to the second direction, the fins having a longitudinal direction in the first direction. Imaging device.

4. 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, The fan is attached to a mobile object having a windshield so that the intake surface of the fan faces the windshield. Imaging device.

Images