In-vehicle equipment, electronic equipment, and mounting components, etc.

Abstract

We provide thermal management technology that enhances heat dissipation. [Solution] The drive recorder 10, which is one of the in-vehicle devices, is attached to the windshield 2 using double-sided tape 19 via a flat bracket 17 attached to the first case 14 side of the main case 13. The bracket is made of a heat-conductive resin, and the double-sided tape is made of heat-conductive double-sided tape. As a result, the heat generated from the heat of the power circuit etc. inside the main case is transferred from the bracket to the windshield via the double-sided tape and can be dissipated to the outside of the vehicle from the windshield. For example, even if the drive recorder is operating in an environment where the interior temperature of the vehicle is high while parked, heat can be dissipated.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to, for example, in-vehicle devices, electronic devices, mounting members, and the like. [[Background Art]]

[0002] For example, in the abstract section of Patent Document 1, regarding a vehicle-mounted camera with heat countermeasures, it is described that "a heat sink for dissipating heat inside the housing is disposed within the housing. The vehicle-mounted camera is provided on the outer surface of the housing with respect to the vehicle, and is fixed by a mounting portion disposed between one end and the other end of the heat sink. An air inlet is provided on one end side of the heat sink, and an air outlet is provided on the other end side so as to face the air inlet across the mounting portion." [[Prior Art Documents]] [[Patent Documents]]

[0003] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-60073 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] The temperature inside a vehicle parked under scorching sun or the like may reach an extremely high temperature exceeding 80°C, for example. The space inside the vehicle can also be in such a high-temperature environment. Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted camera disclosed in Patent Document 1, the heat inside the housing may not be sufficiently discharged to the outside. For this reason, there is a need for a heat countermeasure technology that enhances the heat dissipation effect.

[0005] The problems described above are presented as independent issues, and the present invention is not necessarily required to solve all of them. The purpose of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the applicant intends to obtain rights through divisional applications, amendments, etc., for configurations that aim to achieve the effects derived from the components disclosed in this specification and the drawings. For example, problems that can be described as "can be done" in this specification are disclosed here if they are reinterpreted as "the problem is...". The problems are presented as independent issues, and the applicant intends to obtain rights through divisional applications, amendments, etc., for configurations that solve these problems individually. Even if a problem is implicitly understood from the description in the specification, the applicant intends to include a part of the configuration described in this specification in the claims through amendment or a divisional application. Problems that combine these independent problems are also disclosed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) An in-vehicle device is provided comprising a case for housing a heat source and a mounting part for attaching the case to a predetermined location on a vehicle, wherein the mounting part has a heat transfer path for transferring heat from the heat source to the predetermined location. In this way, the heat generated from the heat source inside the case is transferred to the mounting location on the vehicle via the heat transfer path of the mounting part, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect of the in-vehicle device. Furthermore, the mounting part necessary for attaching the case can also function as a heat dissipation member that promotes the dissipation of heat from the in-vehicle device to the outside.

[0007] (2) The mounting part is provided with a fixing member that has thermal conductivity and fixes the mounting part to the predetermined location, and the mounting part is preferably formed using a thermal conductive material. In this way, the heat generated from the heat source inside the case is transferred to the mounting location via the heat transfer path between the mounting part and the fixing member that fixes the mounting part to the mounting location, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect of the in-vehicle equipment. In addition, the mounting part and fixing member necessary for mounting the case can also function as heat dissipation members that promote the dissipation of heat from the in-vehicle equipment to the outside.

[0008] (3) The heat conductive material may be a heat conductive resin. In this way, a mounting part that also functions as a heat dissipation member can be constructed using a heat conductive resin that is lightweight and relatively easy to shape into the desired form.

[0009] (4) It is preferable that at least a part of the surface of the mounting portion has irregularities. This increases the surface area of ​​the mounting portion, which can be expected to further promote heat dissipation from the mounting portion.

[0010] (5) In the heat transfer path, it is preferable that the thermal conductivity of the fixing member is higher than that of the mounting portion. In this way, the heat transferred to the mounting portion is more easily transferred to the fixing member, and thus it can be expected that the effect of further promoting heat dissipation to the mounting part of the vehicle can be expected.

[0011] (6) The mounting portion is preferably positioned along the surface of the case. In this way, the distance between the heat source and the mounting portion that constitutes the heat transfer path is relatively close, so it can be expected that the effect of further promoting heat dissipation to the mounting area of ​​the vehicle can be expected.

[0012] (7) The fixing member may be a double-sided tape without a cushioning material. In this case, since a double-sided tape without a cushioning material is used, there is no need for heat insulation due to the cushioning material, and the double-sided tape used for adhesion can be made thinner.

[0013] (8) The thermal conductivity of the heat transfer path should be lower than the thermal conductivity of the predetermined part. This is expected to further promote heat dissipation from the mounting part to the mounting part of the vehicle.

[0014] (9) The designated part may be the glass of the vehicle. In this way, heat from the heat source can be dissipated to the outside of the vehicle using the glass that the vehicle normally has. Examples of vehicle glass include the windshield, rear window, glass roof, and other glass that faces the outside of the vehicle.

[0015] (10) It is preferable that the thermal conductivity of the mounting portion and the fixing member in the heat transfer path be higher than the thermal conductivity of the case. In this way, the heat generated from the heat source inside the case is prevented from being stored in the case, and thus heat dissipation to the mounting portion of the vehicle can be further promoted.

[0016] (11) It is preferable that at least a part of the case is made of a thermally conductive resin. In this case, although a resin material may be used as the material of the case, by selecting a thermally conductive resin for this resin material, the heat generated from the heat source is transferred to the part made of the thermally conductive resin, thereby further promoting the heat dissipation effect. It is preferable that the thermally conductive resin part of the case and the mounting part are in contact or in close proximity.

[0017] (12) The heat transfer path passes through a first part of the case on the side of the predetermined part, and the thermal conductivity of the first part is preferably higher than that of a second part of the case that is different from the first part. In this way, when heat generated from the heat source is transferred to the case, it is easier to transfer it to the mounting part of the vehicle more efficiently, and thus heat dissipation to the mounting part can be further promoted.

[0018] (13) The thermal conductivity of the mounting portion in the heat transfer path should be 1.0 W / m / K or higher. This results in a higher thermal conductivity than that of conventional mounting portions of in-vehicle equipment, and is expected to further promote heat dissipation to the mounting portion of the vehicle.

[0019] (14) The mounting portion may be integrally formed with the case. In this case, the distance between the heat source and the mounting member having a heat conduction path is relatively close, which is expected to further promote heat dissipation from the mounting member to the vehicle mounting area.

[0020] (15) The case comprises an antenna housed within it, wherein at least a third portion of the case, which is the path for electromagnetic waves transmitted or received by the antenna, is made of a material that transmits electromagnetic waves, and a fourth portion, different from the third portion, is made of a thermally conductive material. In this way, even if at least a part of the case is made of a thermally conductive material, the transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves by the antenna can be prevented from being hindered.

[0021] (16) It is preferable to provide a heat pipe that constitutes part of the heat transfer path. In this case, heat from the heat source is transferred via the heat pipe, which is expected to further promote heat dissipation to the mounting area of ​​the vehicle.

[0022] (17) The mounting portion may include a stay formed using a heat-conducting material and including a bendable plate-shaped portion, and a fixing member which has heat conductivity and fixes the plate-shaped portion to the predetermined portion. In this case, the heat conductivity of the stay is expected to further promote heat dissipation to the mounting portion of the vehicle, and when removing the mounting portion after it has been installed, it can be easily removed by gradually bending the plate-shaped portion from the end.

[0023] (18) The plate-shaped portion has a first plate-shaped portion and a second plate-shaped portion, and the stay has the first plate-shaped portion and the second plate-shaped portion around the portion to which the case is connected, and it is preferable that the first plate-shaped portion and the second plate-shaped portion are bendable independently. In this way, it is possible to easily remove the plate-shaped member from whichever plate-shaped member is to be removed.

[0024] (19) It is preferable that the imaging device has at least one of an imaging element as the heat source and a circuit that processes signals from the imaging element. With this configuration, heat from the imaging element or the circuit that processes signals from the imaging element, which is one of the main heat sources in an imaging device mounted on a vehicle such as a drive recorder, can be dissipated to the attachment site to the vehicle. Therefore, occurrence of operational malfunctions accompanying temperature rise of the imaging device can be suppressed.

[0025] (20) The present invention may comprise: a case that houses an imaging element and a circuit that processes signals from the imaging element; and an attachment portion that attaches the case to a predetermined site having higher thermal conductivity than the case, wherein the attachment portion preferably has a heat transfer path that transfers heat from the imaging element or the circuit to the predetermined site. With this configuration, it is possible to provide an electronic device in which the attachment portion functions as an attachment portion for an in-vehicle device, and can transfer heat from the in-vehicle device to the attachment site of the vehicle to improve the heat dissipation effect of the in-vehicle device.

[0026] (21) The present invention may be an attachment member for attaching a case of an in-vehicle device that houses a heat source to a predetermined site of a vehicle, wherein the attachment member preferably has a heat transfer path that transfers heat from the heat source to the predetermined site. With this configuration, it is possible to provide an attachment member that functions as an attachment portion for an in-vehicle device, and can transfer heat from the in-vehicle device to the attachment site of the vehicle to improve the heat dissipation effect of the in-vehicle device.

[0027] (22) The present invention may be an attachment member for attaching a case of an electronic device that houses an imaging element and a circuit that processes signals from the imaging element to a predetermined site having higher thermal conductivity than the case, wherein the attachment member preferably has a heat transfer path that transfers heat from the imaging element or the circuit to the predetermined site. With this configuration, it is possible to provide an attachment member that functions as an attachment portion for an in-vehicle device, and can transfer heat from the in-vehicle device to the attachment site of the vehicle to improve the heat dissipation effect of the in-vehicle device.

[0028] The inventions described in (1) to (22) above can be combined in any way. For example, one may combine all or part of the configuration of the invention shown in (1) with at least part of the configuration of at least one of the inventions from (2) onward. In particular, it is preferable to combine the invention shown in (1) with at least part of the configuration of at least one of the inventions from (2) onward. The applicant intends to obtain patent rights, design rights, etc., for those including these configurations through amendment, divisional application, change application to design registration application, etc. [Effects of the Invention]

[0029] The present invention provides a thermal management technology that enhances heat dissipation. Furthermore, it may achieve at least one of the following effects: Heat generated from a heat source inside the case can be transferred to the mounting area on the vehicle via the mounting part, thereby promoting heat dissipation. For example, if the mounting area is the glass of the vehicle, heat can be transferred to the glass and then dissipated to the outside of the vehicle. For example, even if the temperature inside the vehicle is very high compared to the ambient temperature, the ambient temperature is usually lower than the temperature inside the vehicle, so heat can be efficiently dissipated to the outside, which is advantageous. In particular, some vehicle windows have a large surface area in contact with the outside of the vehicle, and in such cases, a higher heat dissipation effect can be expected.

[0030] The effects of the present invention are not limited thereto, and the effects produced by the components of the structure disclosed in this specification and drawings are also disclosed. The present invention intends to obtain rights to the components that produce such effects through divisional applications, amendments, etc. For example, the phrases "can do..." in this specification are descriptions that clearly indicate the effects produced, and there are components that produce effects even without such descriptions. Furthermore, there are effects that can be grasped by the component even without such descriptions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0031] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a drive recorder, which is an example of an in-vehicle device according to the present invention. [Figure 2]This is a diagram illustrating the process of installing the dashcam on the windshield. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the internal configuration of the dashcam. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the mounting position of the dashcam. [Figure 5] This figure shows another embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows another embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows another embodiment. [Figure 8] This diagram shows the measured temperatures of the heat source and the glass when the heat source is attached to the glass. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. These drawings are used to illustrate the technical features that the present invention may adopt. The configuration and shape of the described apparatus are merely illustrative examples, and the present invention is not to be construed as being limited thereto. Various changes, modifications, and improvements can be made based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0033] [How the idea came about] For example, in the case of a dashcam, which is a type of in-vehicle device, the amount of heat generated during operation tends to increase as functionality increases. One of its functions, for example, is to operate in an environment where no people are present, such as parking surveillance. For example, the temperature inside a parked car in the scorching summer sun can reach extremely high temperatures, such as over 80 degrees Celsius. If a dashcam generates heat while performing parking surveillance in such a high-temperature environment, it may not be able to dissipate heat efficiently or may not be able to lower the temperature below the interior temperature. If heat dissipation is not performed properly in this way, it may malfunction or stop working due to rising temperatures, and the dashcam may not be able to function correctly. The following embodiment describes an in-vehicle device equipped with a configuration related to thermal countermeasures that differs from conventional designs. The following describes thermal countermeasures for in-vehicle devices, but there is room to apply thermal countermeasures technologies for electronic devices other than in-vehicle devices based on similar principles.

[0034] [Basic configuration of one embodiment of in-vehicle equipment] Figures 1 to 4 show an external view of one embodiment of a drive recorder 10, which is an example of an in-vehicle device. The drive recorder 10 is a recording device that has the function of taking pictures and the function of recording the captured images. The drive recorder 10 in this embodiment has the function of taking pictures in all directions, 360 degrees in the horizontal plane and 360 degrees in the vertical plane, and recording the captured 360-degree spherical image. The drive recorder 10 comprises a main unit 11 that performs various processing and a camera unit 12 that is positioned below the main unit 11 when installed in a vehicle.

[0035] The main body 11 has a flat rectangular main body case 13, and various circuit boards and devices are mounted inside the main body case 13. The main body case 13 is constructed by connecting a first case 14 and a second case 15. The first case 14 and the second case 15 are box-shaped with their opposing surfaces open, and are connected by a connecting means with their front ends touching. The connecting means may consist, for example, of a projection provided on one of the first case 14 and the second case 15 and a recess provided on the other that is linked to the projection, with the projection and recess being fitted together.

[0036] The first case 14 has a shallow bottom, and the periphery of the opening surface is roughly rectangular with rounded corners, and the depth is almost uniform throughout. When the drive recorder 10 is installed in the vehicle, this first case 14 is located on the front side of the vehicle and faces the windshield 2. Therefore, the surface of the first case 14 opposite to the opening surface becomes the front surface 13a of the main case 13. A joint rail 16 is provided on this front surface 13a. Two joint rails 16 are provided vertically along the longitudinal direction of the first case 14 at a predetermined interval. A bracket 17 is detachably attached between these two joint rails 16. The bracket 17 is connected to the main case 13 (first case 14 in this embodiment) and is a mounting part to which the windshield 2 is attached. The mounting member 1 of this embodiment is composed of the bracket 17 and double-sided tape 19. The mounting member 1 attaches the main case 13 to the windshield 2. The double-sided tape 19 is a fixing member that secures the bracket 17 to the windshield 2. The double-sided tape 19 is a fixing member that secures the main body case 13 to the windshield 2 by adhesive, with one side attached to the bracket 17 and the other side attached to the windshield 2.

[0037] The second case 15 is a deeper box shape than the first case 14, and the periphery of the opening surface is roughly rectangular with rounded corners, similar to the first case 14. When the drive recorder 10 is installed in the vehicle, the second case 15 is located on the rear side of the vehicle and faces inward. Therefore, the surface of the second case 15 opposite the opening surface becomes the rear surface 13b of the main case 13. The rear surface 13b has a flat surface 13b' adjacent to one of the pair of long sides of the rectangle, which is a plane parallel to the front surface 13a of the main case 13, and an inclined surface 13b'' adjacent to the other of the pair of long sides. The inclined surface 13b'' is formed so that it gradually approaches the opening surface of the second case 15 as it moves from the middle of the short side toward the outer long side. Therefore, the depth of the second case 15 is uniform in the first region including the flat surface 13b', and in the second region including the inclined surface 13b'', it is formed to gradually become shallower towards the longer side. By including the inclined surface 13b'', the external shape of the main case 13 is like a rectangular parallelepiped with one of its longer sides chamfered. The one longer side that is chamfered is the rear upper side when the drive recorder 10 is installed in the vehicle. When the first case 14 and the second case 15 are connected, the front surface 13a on the first case 14 side and the flat surface 13b' on the second case 15 side are parallel.

[0038] The bracket 17 has a flat plate 17a, and grooves 17b are formed along the longitudinal direction on a pair of sides of its long edge. These grooves 17b are configured to correspond with the joint rail 16. The user attaches or detaches the bracket 17 to the main body case 13 by aligning the grooves 17b with the joint rail 16 and sliding the bracket 17 and the main body case 13 relative to each other (see Figure 2, etc.).

[0039] When the bracket 17 is attached to the main body case 13, the plate 17a has a projection 17c on the surface facing the main body case 13 (see Figures 2(a) and 2(b), etc.). This projection 17c fits into a hole 14b provided in the leaf spring portion 14a of the first case 14 when the bracket 17 is attached between the joint rails 16, preventing it from coming loose. Double-sided tape 19 is attached to the surface of the bracket 17 opposite to the surface facing the main body case 13. When installing the drive recorder 10 in a vehicle, the bracket 17 is removed from the main body case 13, and the removed bracket 17 is attached and fixed to the windshield 2 of the car via the double-sided tape 19 (see Figure 2(b), etc.). At this time, the bracket 17 is positioned horizontally, with the pair of long sides being horizontal. In this state, the drive recorder 10 is mounted and fixed to the vehicle by attaching the main unit case 13 to the bracket 17 which is attached to the windshield 2 (see Figure 2(c), etc.). In this mounted state, the front surface 13a and the flat surface 13b' of the main unit case 13 are positioned parallel to the mounting surface of the windshield 2, the long side of the main unit case 13 is located in a horizontal plane, and the short side of the main unit case 13 is located in a vertical plane. Therefore, the main unit case 13 is fixed in a horizontally elongated state attached to the windshield 2, and the camera unit 12 is positioned suspended from the bottom side of the main unit case 13.

[0040] Various processing circuits and power supply circuits are mounted inside the main case 13. As shown in Figure 3, these processing circuits and power supply circuits are mounted on, for example, a main circuit board 40 and a sub-circuit board 41. The main circuit board 40 and the sub-circuit board 41 are mechanically integrated by connecting the connectors 42 attached to each board, and the signal lines and power lines formed on each circuit board are connected. The main circuit board 40 and the sub-circuit board 41 are connected in a parallel, stacked state and mounted inside the main case 13 in this state. In this mounted state, the main circuit board 40 is located on the second case 15 side, and the sub-circuit board 41 is located inside the first case 14. The sub-circuit board 41 has a GPS antenna section 43 and a battery 44 on the side of the sub-circuit board 41 that is not facing the main circuit board 40. The GPS antenna section 43 is an example of an antenna that receives electromagnetic waves. The memory card slot 22 is mounted on the side of the sub-circuit board 41 that is facing the main circuit board 40. The main circuit board 40 mounts a microcomputer with a CPU and memory that controls various functions, as well as a CMOS sensor, the aforementioned DC jack 24, and a speaker 29. Although not shown in the diagram, an acceleration sensor is also built into the main case 13. The CPU uses memory (e.g., RAM) as work memory to perform various calculations. The CPU processes signals from the CMOS sensor, for example, to generate video data representing the captured image. CMOS is an example of an image sensor. Instead of CMOS, other image sensors such as CCDs may be used. The CPU is an example of a circuit that processes signals from an image sensor exemplified by CMOS.

[0041] The camera unit 12 comprises a housing 25, a first camera 26 and a second camera 27 mounted inside the housing 25, and a switch unit 28. The housing 25 has an overall spherical shape and is constructed by connecting a hemispherical first camera case 30 and a second camera case 31 that are divided into two parts and joined together. The first camera case 30 and the second camera case 31 are fixed together in the same way as the fixing of the first case 14 and the second case 15 described above, by using a fitting mechanism between a projection provided on one side, for example, the first camera case 30, and a recess provided on the other side, for example, the second camera case 31. The first camera 26 and the second camera 27 are positioned back to back and fixed and connected so that they each shoot in opposite directions to form a camera unit, which is mounted inside the housing 25.

[0042] When using the drive recorder 10, as described above, it is attached and fixed to the windshield 2, and the housing 25, and thus the camera unit 12, is rotated back and forth to the desired position, and the nuts are tightened to fix the orientation of the camera unit 12. The desired position is such that the first camera 26 faces forward and the second camera 27 faces backward, and the optical axis L of the lens parts of these cameras is parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle. In this position, as shown in Figure 4(a), the joint surface M of the first camera case 30 and the second camera case 31 is located in a vertical plane and in a plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0043] [Heat dissipation function] In this embodiment, the drive recorder 10, an in-vehicle device that is adhesively fixed to the glass of a vehicle, such as the windshield 2, has a function to dissipate heat from the glass surface where it is mounted. The main body case 13 contains heat sources that generate heat when operating, such as a power supply circuit, a microcomputer having a CPU and memory, and an image sensor exemplified by a CMOS.

[0044] For example, in an environment where the vehicle engine is ON and a user is inside the vehicle, the air conditioner is running even in direct sunlight, so the temperature inside the vehicle is kept at the air conditioner's set temperature, and the heat generated from the heat source of the drive recorder 10 is efficiently dissipated to the outside of the main case 13, suppressing an excessive temperature rise of the heat source. On the other hand, for example, if the drive recorder 10 has a parking surveillance function, the drive recorder 10 may operate even when parked. In this case, for example, the air conditioner is turned off when parked, and in direct sunlight during the summer, for example, the temperature inside the vehicle may exceed 80 degrees Celsius. In such an environment, the heat from the heat source of the drive recorder 10 cannot be efficiently dissipated.

[0045] *Double-sided tape 19 In this embodiment, the heat generated from the heat source is transferred to the windshield 2 and dissipated to the outside of the vehicle, so that even in a high-temperature environment inside the vehicle, excessive temperature rise of the heat source can be suppressed, and the drive recorder 10 can continue to operate even when parked, for example.

[0046] As a function for dissipating heat from the glass surface, a thermally conductive double-sided tape 19 that directly contacts the windshield 2 was used. Thermally conductive double-sided tape is an example of a fixing member that has thermal conductivity. Thermally conductive double-sided tape is a double-sided tape made of a material with higher thermal conductivity than general double-sided tape. For example, this thermally conductive double-sided tape may be made by applying a thermally conductive adhesive such as acrylic to both sides of a film substrate. The thermal conductivity should be, for example, around 0.7 to 1.5 W / m / K, but an even higher thermal conductivity may be used.

[0047] The double-sided tape 19 should preferably have a thermal conductivity lower than that of the windshield 2. Doing so is expected to further promote heat dissipation from the vehicle to the windshield 2 by the mounting member 1.

[0048] Furthermore, while some conventional double-sided tapes have adhesive layers on both sides of a cushioning material, such as a rubber cushioning material, this embodiment does not use such a cushioning material. Instead, as described above, a thermally conductive adhesive such as an acrylic-based adhesive is applied to both sides of the film substrate. If a cushioning material is interposed, it may hinder heat conduction. In contrast, since the double-sided tape 19 does not have a cushioning material, there is no need for heat insulation due to the cushioning material, and the fixing member used for adhesion can be made thinner.

[0049] *Bracket 17 The bracket 17, which serves as the mounting part for attaching the main body case 13, is formed using a thermally conductive resin. By selecting a thermally conductive resin as the material, a bracket 17 that also functions as a heat dissipation member can be constructed using a thermally conductive resin that is lightweight and relatively easy to shape into the desired form. It is particularly desirable that the bracket 17 be formed using a high thermal conductivity resin. High thermal conductivity resins include, for example, high thermal conductivity polycarbonate (thermal conductivity 8.3 W / m / K), resins with added thermally conductive fillers such as ceramic fillers (thermal conductivity 1.0 W / m / K or higher), and it is preferable to use, for example, high thermal conductivity polybutylene terephthalate. Alternatively, the high thermal conductivity resin may be a resin such as polycarbonate or nylon mixed with thermally conductive fillers such as inorganic particles. Not limited to thermally conductive resins, other materials with high thermal conductivity such as metals and semiconductors may be used as the thermal conductor forming the bracket 17. For the thermal conductor, it is preferable to use a metal with good thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or copper, or a resin with high thermal conductivity, such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) resin. As an example, the thermal conductor may be an epoxy resin mixed with alumina filler and CTBN (Carboxy-Terminated Butadiene-Nitrile).

[0050] Conventional resins used in brackets and other components of this type of product are, for example, glass-filled PC+GF30wt% material, and the thermal conductivity of this type of resin is 0.3 W / m / K. In contrast, the thermal conductivity of the high thermal conductivity resin of this embodiment is significantly higher than that of conventional products, and a higher heat dissipation effect can be expected. As a result, the heat generated from the heat source inside the main case 13 is transferred via the bracket 17 to the double-sided tape 19 and then to the windshield 2, where it is dissipated.

[0051] It is desirable that the thermal conductivity of the double-sided tape 19 is higher than that of the bracket 17. In this embodiment, it is preferable that the thermal conductivity of the material of the double-sided tape 19 be higher than that of the high thermal conductivity resin. In this case, the heat transferred to the bracket 17 is more easily transferred to the double-sided tape 19, so it is expected that the effect of further promoting heat dissipation to the windshield 2 can be expected. As a result, the heat generated from the heat source of the main body case 13 is more easily transferred from the bracket 17 side to the double-sided tape 19.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bracket 17 has a flat, plate-like plate 17a, and the surface of the plate 17a facing the main body case 13 is in contact with or close to the main body case 13. In this way, when the bracket 17 is positioned along the surface of the main body case 13, the distance between the heat source and the bracket 17 is relatively short, so the heat generated inside the main body case 13 is easily transferred to the plate 17a, i.e., the bracket 17, and it can be expected that this will further promote the dissipation of heat from the mounting member 1 to the windshield 2.

[0053] *Main unit case 13 The main body case 13 is formed using a predetermined resin material, for example, ABS resin. In this case, it is desirable that the thermal conductivity of the bracket 17 and double-sided tape 19 in the heat transfer path is higher than the thermal conductivity of the main body case 13. This prevents heat generated from the heat source inside the main body case 13 from being stored in the main body case 13, thereby further promoting heat dissipation from the mounting member 1 to the windshield 2.

[0054] Furthermore, it is preferable that at least a portion of the main case 13 be made of a highly thermally conductive resin or other thermally conductive resin. In this case, although a resin material may be used as the case material, by selecting a thermally conductive resin for this resin material, the heat generated from the heat source housed in the main case 13 is transferred to the part formed by this thermally conductive resin, thereby further promoting the heat dissipation effect. In this case, it is preferable that the thermal conductivity of the bracket 17 be higher than the thermal conductivity of the thermally conductive resin that makes up the main case 13.

[0055] As described above, the main case 13 is divided into two parts: a first case 14 located on the windshield 2 side when installed in the vehicle (corresponding to the first part of the main case 13 on the windshield 2 side) and a second case 15 located on the rear side of the vehicle, on the interior side (corresponding to the second part of the main case 13 that is different from the first part). Therefore, it is preferable that the thermal conductivity of the first case 14 be higher than that of the second case 15. For example, the first case 14 may be made of a highly thermally conductive resin, and the second case 15 may be made of a resin that does not have normal thermal conductivity. Heat transfer passes through the first case 14, bracket 17 and double-sided tape 19 to the windshield 2. In this way, when heat generated from the heat source is transferred to the main case 13, it is easier to transfer it to the windshield 2 side more efficiently, thus further promoting heat dissipation from the mounting member 1 to the windshield 2. Furthermore, because the second case 15 has a lower thermal conductivity than the first case 14, the temperature rise of the second case 15 due to heat generated from the heat source can be relatively suppressed compared to the first case 14.

[0056] In particular, heat from the image sensor or the circuit that processes signals from the image sensor, which is one of the main heat sources in the drive recorder 10, can be dissipated to the windshield 2, which is the mounting site of the mounting member 1. Therefore, the occurrence of operational malfunctions due to overheating of the drive recorder 10 can be suppressed.

[0057] In the embodiment described above, the GPS antenna section 43 is positioned near the center in the longitudinal direction of the sub-circuit board 41, facing the bracket 17. For example, if the thermal conductive resin used for the bracket 17 is made of a material that does not easily transmit GPS signals, it is preferable to position the GPS antenna section 43 in a location that does not face the bracket 17. Also, if the first case 14 is made of thermal conductive resin, it is preferable that the part facing the receiving area of ​​the GPS antenna section 43 be made of a resin that transmits GPS signals, and the other parts be made of thermal conductive resin. In this way, by making at least the part of the main case 13 that is the path for the electromagnetic waves (i.e., GPS signals) received by the GPS antenna section 43 (corresponding to the third part) out of a material that transmits electromagnetic waves, it is possible to avoid interfering with the reception of electromagnetic waves by the GPS antenna section 43.

[0058] When the drive recorder 10 performs wireless communication using LTE or other communication methods, the antenna in the main body case 13 that transmits or receives electromagnetic waves should also be formed of a radio wave-transmitting material in the part that serves as the path for the electromagnetic waves transmitted and received by this antenna (corresponding to the third part). This prevents interference with the transmission or reception of signals related to wireless communication. When the drive recorder 10 has an antenna, regardless of its use, it is preferable that the part that serves as the path for the transmitted or received electromagnetic waves be formed of a radio wave-transmitting material.

[0059] With the bracket 17 attached to the first case 14, it is preferable to provide an opening in part or all of the area of ​​the first case 14 facing the bracket 17. In this way, the internal space of the main case 13 is in direct contact with the bracket 17, so the heat generated from the heat source is directly transferred to the bracket 17, allowing for efficient heat dissipation. Furthermore, in the operating state, the opening is covered by the bracket 17, so the interior is prevented from being exposed.

[0060] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the heat generated from the heat source is transmitted to the main body case 13 by the air inside the main body case 13, and then to the bracket 17 via the main body case 13. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, various heat conductive members may be interposed between the heat source and the main body case 13 so as to be in contact with each of them. In this case, the main body case 13 to which the heat conductive member is connected is preferably the side closer to the bracket 17, for example, the first case 14.

[0061] Furthermore, it is preferable to configure the heat conductive member using, for example, a heat pipe, and to place one end in direct contact with or close to the bracket 17. In this way, the heat generated from the heat source can be transferred to the bracket 17 more efficiently. The heat pipe may, for example, extend from the main circuit board 40, which is the heat source (microcomputer or image sensor), towards the bracket 17. In this way, the degree of freedom in selecting the location where the heat source housed in the main case 13 should be placed to dissipate heat to the windshield 2 is increased, and consequently, the design freedom of the drive recorder 10 is improved.

[0062] (Modified mounting section and bracket) In the embodiment described above, a bracket 17 that can be attached to and detached from the main body case 13 is provided, and the main body case 13 is adhesively fixed to the windshield 2 via the bracket 17. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the main body case 13 can be directly attached to the windshield 2 by attaching thermally conductive double-sided tape 19 to the surface of the main body case 13 and then attaching the adhesive surface on the opposite side of the thermally conductive double-sided tape 19 to the windshield 2. In this way, heat can be dissipated more efficiently towards the windshield 2. In this case, the main body case 13 constitutes the mounting part, and the mounting part is integrated with the main body case 13. In this way, the distance between the heat source and the mounting part having a heat conduction path is relatively short, so it is expected that the effect of further promoting heat dissipation to the mounting part of the vehicle can be expected.

[0063] Furthermore, as described above, in the case where the mounting part is provided as a separate component from the main body case 13, for example, as shown in Figure 5 (bracket 17') or Figure 6 (bracket 17''), the adhesive surface 17d to the windshield 2 to which the double-sided tape 19 is attached may be separated from the main body case 13, and a support part for suspension support may be provided. In this case, the entire structure may be integrally formed from resin as shown in Figure 5, or it may be composed of multiple components as shown in Figure 6. In either case, for example, each component may be made of a thermally conductive resin.

[0064] However, if the bracket 17 is made in a flat plate shape and is positioned along the surface of the main body case 13, as in this embodiment, it is preferable because the heat inside the main body case 13 is efficiently transferred to the double-sided tape 19 and then to the windshield 2 via the bracket 17.

[0065] In the embodiments and modifications described above, the mounting portion is constructed using a heat-conductive resin to form the brackets 17, 17', 17''. However, as an example of a heat-conductive material, a stay made of metal may be used. The shape of the stay may be, for example, as shown in Figure 7, such that the stay 50 has a first wing-shaped portion 52 and a second wing-shaped portion 53 on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 51. The base portion 51 has a flat plate-shaped base portion 51a and side portions 51b connected to both the left and right sides of the base portion 51a. The first wing-shaped portion 52 and the second wing-shaped portion 53 are connected to the tips of this pair of side portions 51b, respectively.

[0066] By appropriately bending the boundary line between the first wing-shaped portion 52 and the side portion 51b, the boundary line between the second wing-shaped portion 53 and the side portion 51b, and the boundary line between the base portion 51a and the side portion 51b, the side portion 51b is raised and the base portion 51a is positioned in front of the first wing-shaped portion 52 and the second wing-shaped portion 53.

[0067] The first wing-shaped portion 52 and the second wing-shaped portion 53 are each provided with notches 52a and 53a in the center of the side opposite to the side that connects to the side portion 51b, thereby forming two plate-like portions 54 (corresponding to the first and second plate-like portions). Double-sided tape 19 is attached to one side of these plate-like portions 54, that is, the side opposite to the raised base portion 51a, and the plate-like portion is adhered and fixed to a predetermined position on the windshield 2 via the double-sided tape 19. Furthermore, the base portion 51a is provided with a notched groove 51a' extending from the midpoint of one side that is not in contact with the side portion 51b toward the center. Thermally conductive double-sided tape is used for the double-sided tape 19.

[0068] On the other hand, the drive recorder 60 has a camera 62 and a connecting part 63 to the stay 50 on one side of the main body case 61 on which the heat source and other equipment are mounted. The connecting part 63 may be configured to be inserted into a notched groove 51a' provided in the base 51a and connected, for example.

[0069] When attaching the drive recorder 60 with the above configuration to a vehicle using the stay 50, for example, first, double-sided tape 19 is attached to the plate-shaped part 54 and then attached to a predetermined position on the windshield 2. At this time, the side of the base part 51a with the notched groove 51a' is positioned upwards when attached. Then, the drive recorder 60 is attached to the attached stay 50. In other words, this is done by inserting the connecting part 63 of the main body case 61 from the upper opening of the notched groove 51a'.

[0070] The stay 50 is preferably made of a metal plate with good thermal conductivity, such as stainless steel, and can be formed by bending a single metal plate as appropriate. Since the plate-shaped portion 54 is made of a metal plate, it can be bent, and when attaching the stay 50 to the windshield 2, it can be deformed to conform to the shape of the glass surface and neatly bonded and fixed. Furthermore, by adjusting, for example, the bending angle of the boundary portion of the side portion 51b, the camera 62 can be directed forward even on a curved windshield 2.

[0071] Since the stay 50 has relatively high thermal conductivity, the heat generated from the heat source inside the main case 61 is transferred from the stay 50 to the windshield 2 via the double-sided tape 19 and dissipated. To enhance this heat dissipation effect, it is preferable to make part or all of the main case 61 out of a heat-conductive resin or the like.

[0072] Furthermore, the plate-shaped portion 54 is separated by a first wing-shaped portion 52 and a second wing-shaped portion 53, and further divided into two by notches 52a and 53a, resulting in a layout where four are arranged around the base portion 51a. Each plate-shaped portion 54 can be bent independently. Therefore, for example, if you want to remove the stay 50 after it has been glued to the windshield 2 as described above, you can peel off each plate-shaped portion 54 little by little from the edge while bending them as needed, and remove it without damaging the windshield.

[0073] In the drive recorders of the embodiments described above, the vehicle mounting location was the windshield 2, but it may also be the rear window, glass roof, or other glass facing the outside of the vehicle. In this case, heat from the heat source can be dissipated to the outside of the vehicle using the glass that the vehicle normally has. Furthermore, these glasses are always in large contact with the outside air, have less thermal resistance than air, and are less likely to get hot even in direct sunlight because they transmit light. In addition, when the drive recorder 10 is in use, the fact that the drive recorder 10 is always in contact with the glass is also a reason why it is desirable to dissipate heat to the mounting location.

[0074] Figure 8 shows the measured temperatures of the heat source and the glass when the heat source is attached to the glass. Figure 8 shows the temperature distribution when the glass is viewed from the side opposite to where the heat source is located. The left side of the figure shows the temperature distribution when the heat source is in contact with the glass, and the right side shows the temperature distribution when the heat source is not in contact with the glass and is separated from it, as a comparative example. In Figure 8, the lighter the area of ​​the heat source, the lower the temperature, and the darker the area, the higher the temperature (excluding the black area in the background). From Figure 8, it can be confirmed that when the heat source is in contact with the glass, the temperature of the heat source decreases due to heat being radiated from the heat source to the glass.

[0075] If the heat dissipation effect to the mounting area can be expected as described above, the relationship between the thermal conductivity values ​​and the thermal conductivity of each part does not necessarily have to be as described above. For example, if the relationship of thermal conductivity is such that mounting area (e.g., windshield 2) > fixing member (e.g., double-sided tape 19), it is thought that an effect of promoting heat dissipation can be expected. Also, if the relationship is such that mounting area (e.g., windshield 2) > fixing member (e.g., double-sided tape 19) > mounting part (e.g., bracket 17, 17′, 17″ or stay 50) > drive recorder case (e.g., main body case 13 (e.g., first case 14) or 61), it is thought that an effect of promoting heat dissipation can be expected. Furthermore, even if the entirety of each component does not have such a relationship of thermal conductivity, if a heat transfer path that satisfies this relationship is formed, an effect of promoting heat dissipation can be expected.

[0076] The dashcam can be mounted on a location other than the glass. The mounting location should be such that heat generated from the heat source can be transferred to the mounting location and dissipated outside the vehicle.

[0077] While an example of application to a dashcam as an in-vehicle device has been described, it is preferable to apply it to in-vehicle devices that operate while parked, such as parking surveillance systems, but it may also be applied to in-vehicle devices that generate heat while driving. Furthermore, it may also be applied to electronic devices of in-vehicle equipment, such as a camera used as an example of a surveillance camera. Even if the camera is installed on a windowpane of a building or other facility using a mounting member and films the outdoors through that windowpane, a high heat dissipation effect can be expected due to the same mechanism described above.

[0078] The fixing member used to secure the mounting portion of an in-vehicle device to the mounting location is not limited to double-sided tape; it may also be an adhesive sheet or other fixing member. Thus, the fixing member is not limited to adhesive; it may be used to secure the mounting portion to the mounting location by adhesive or mechanical means. However, if the fixing member is a relatively thin material such as a sheet or plate like double-sided tape, the distance between the mounting portion and the mounting location will be reduced, which can be expected to improve heat dissipation.

[0079] Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations explicitly described in the specification, but also includes combinations of various aspects of the present invention disclosed herein. While the configurations for which patent protection is sought are specified in the appended claims, we intend to include configurations disclosed herein that are not currently specified in the claims in the future.

[0080] The present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the embodiments above. The components of each embodiment and modification described above can be arbitrarily selected and combined. Furthermore, any component of each embodiment and modification can be arbitrarily combined with any component described in the means for solving the invention, or any component that embodies any component described in the means for solving the invention. The present application intends to obtain rights to these as well through amendments or divisional applications. Even if there is a description such as "in the case of..." or "when...", it is not meant to be a configuration that is limited to that case or time. Configurations that do not fall under these cases or times are also disclosed, and the present application intends to obtain rights to them. Also, even if there is a sequence of descriptions, it is not limited to that order. Configurations with some parts deleted or the order rearranged are also disclosed, and the present application intends to obtain rights to them.

[0081] Furthermore, by converting to a design registration application, we intend to acquire rights to the overall design or a partial design. The drawing depicts the entire device with solid lines, but it is a drawing that includes not only the overall design but also partial designs claimed for parts of the device. For example, it is a drawing that includes not only a partial design for a part of the device's components, but also a partial design for a part of the device regardless of its components. A part of the device may be a component of the device, or a part of a component. We intend to acquire rights not only to the overall design, but also to a partial design where any part of the solid lines in the drawing is represented by dashed lines. In addition, all modules, components, and parts inside the device's casing that are shown in the drawing are independently tradable, and similarly, we intend to acquire rights to them by converting to a design registration application. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0082] 2: Windshield 10: Dashcam 13: Main unit case 14: First Case 15: Second Case 17: Bracket 17′: Bracket 17″ : Bracket 19: Double-sided tape 50: Stay 54: Plate-like portion 60: Dashcam 61: Main unit case

Claims

1. It is a dashcam, The main case for mounting the heat source and other equipment, A camera is provided on one side of the main body case, A bracket for attaching the main body case to the vehicle, Equipped with, The aforementioned stay has a shape that includes a first wing-shaped portion and a second wing-shaped portion on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the base portion. The base portion has a flat base and side portions connected to both the left and right sides of the base. The first wing-shaped part and the second wing-shaped part are connected to the tips of the pair of side parts, The base portion is provided with a notched groove extending from the midpoint of one side that is not in contact with the side portion toward the center, The main body case is provided with a connection portion to the stay, The connecting portion is configured to be inserted into the notched groove provided in the base portion and connected. A dashcam characterized by the following features.

2. By folding the boundary line between the first wing-shaped portion and the side portion, the boundary line between the second wing-shaped portion and the side portion, and the boundary line between the base portion and the side portion, the side portion is raised and the base portion is positioned in front of the first wing-shaped portion and the second wing-shaped portion. The dashcam according to feature 1.

3. The first and second wing-shaped portions each have a notch in the center of the side opposite to the side that connects to the side portion, thereby forming two plate-like portions. A drive recorder according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Double-sided tape is attached to one side of the plate-like portion, and the portion is then fixed to the predetermined position on the windshield via the double-sided tape. The dashcam according to feature 3.

5. One side of the plate-like portion is the side opposite to the raised base. The dashcam according to feature 4.

6. The stay is attached to the windshield at a predetermined position such that the side of the base with the notched groove is facing upwards, and the drive recorder is mounted on the attached stay. The dashcam according to feature 4 or 5.

7. The drive recorder is attached to the bracket by inserting the connecting portion of the main body case from the upper opening of the aforementioned cut groove. The dashcam according to feature 6.

8. The aforementioned stay is made of a metal plate material with good thermal conductivity. A drive recorder according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The aforementioned stay is formed by bending a single sheet of metal. A drive recorder according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The aforementioned plate-like portion is made of a metal plate and is therefore bendable. A drive recorder according to any one of claims 3 to 9.

11. Each of the aforementioned plate-like portions is independently bendable. A drive recorder according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized by the above.

12. The stay transfers heat generated from the heat source inside the main case to the windshield via the double-sided tape. A drive recorder according to any one of claims 4 to 11, characterized by the following:

13. The main body case is made of a thermally conductive resin in part or all of it. A drive recorder according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by the above.

14. A mounting member for attaching a drive recorder, which comprises a main body case for mounting a heat source and other equipment, and a camera provided on one side of the main body case, to a vehicle, The aforementioned mounting member has a stay, The aforementioned stay has a shape that includes a first wing-shaped portion and a second wing-shaped portion on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the base portion. The base portion has a flat base and side portions connected to both the left and right sides of the base. The first wing-shaped part and the second wing-shaped part are connected to the tips of the pair of side parts, The base portion is provided with a notched groove extending from the midpoint of one side that is not in contact with the side portion toward the center, The aforementioned groove is for inserting and connecting the connecting portion of the main body case to the stay. A mounting member characterized by the following features.

15. The first wing-shaped portion and the second wing-shaped portion each have a notch in the center of the side opposite to the side that connects to the side portion, thereby forming two plate-like portions. Double-sided tape is attached to one side of the plate-like portion, and the portion is then fixed to the predetermined position on the windshield via the double-sided tape. The mounting member according to feature 14.

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