360 Camera Cooling via Chassis Convection Ducts

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Solution Overview

Problem

360 degree camera devices face overheating issues due to internal temperature management challenges, leading to shutdowns or malfunctions, especially when continuously used in various light conditions.

Innovation Solution

A heat management system utilizing a chassis with air ducts and a housing design that creates a convection effect by drawing cool air through the bottom end and expelling hot air through the top end, combined with radiation and conduction to maintain optimal internal operating temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the camera uses multiple lenses and continuous operation, then the field of view coverage is improved, but the internal temperature increases causing overheating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield of view coverageVSAvoidinternal temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into multiple sections with dedicated air intake openings at the bottom and air exhaust openings at the top. The chassis is segmented to include air ducts that channel airflow specifically to heat-generating components, separating the cooling path from other device functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful heat generated by continuous camera operation into a beneficial driving force for convection cooling. Hot air rising from the components naturally creates upward airflow that draws cool air in through the bottom openings, transforming waste heat into the motive force for the cooling system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Productivity

If the camera operates continuously for 24/7 usage, then the productivity is improved, but the heat accumulation increases leading to shutdowns or malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoiddevice stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is designed to operate continuously alongside the camera functions. Air intake openings, air exhaust openings, and air ducts maintain constant airflow throughout operation, ensuring uninterrupted heat removal during 24/7 usage without requiring periodic shutdowns for cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

Air acts as an intermediary medium between the heat-generating components and the external environment. The chassis air ducts serve as intermediate channels that direct this cooling medium precisely where needed, facilitating continuous heat transfer without direct thermal contact between components and housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the camera housing is sealed to protect components, then the protection is improved, but the heat dissipation is reduced causing overheating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidinternal temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The housing structure implements different properties in different locations: sealed enclosures in areas requiring component protection and dedicated openings (air intake at bottom, air exhaust at top) in areas requiring thermal management. This localized differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of protection and heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The air ducts are nested within the chassis structure, which itself is nested within the housing. This nested arrangement allows the cooling airflow path to be integrated within the protective housing structure, maintaining component protection while enabling effective heat dissipation through the nested duct system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively prevents overheating, allowing the camera to continuously operate 24/7 by maintaining a constant optimal internal temperature, ensuring reliable performance in diverse lighting conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the chassis absorbs the heat and creates a convention effect which draws cool air through the second opening at the bottom end of the outer shell, the drawing of cool air creates airflow through the bottom end of the outer shell, and causes hot air to exit through the first opening at the top end of the outer shell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the chassis conducts heat away from said components of said device allowing said device to maintain a constant optimal internal operating temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

said chassis of said device uses radiation to dissipate heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS11397374B2Cooling system for a 360 degree camera

Publication Date: 2022.07.26 ONUCHIN IVAN

AI summary

A 360 degree camera device that has a housing and cooling mechanism which manages heat created by the devices components and allows the device to continuously run for at least 24 hours.