In-Vehicle Camera Thermal Management via Heat Sink and Airflow

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional in-vehicle cameras fail to operate effectively at high temperatures, such as 85° C, due to inadequate heat management, which is a challenge for capturing full HD images both inside and outside vehicles.

Innovation Solution

The in-vehicle camera design includes a front and rear imaging portion housed in a casing with a heat sink for heat dissipation, an intake, and an outlet to facilitate airflow cooling, allowing the camera to be fixed between the windshield and rearview mirror, enhancing cooling efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the in-vehicle camera is installed adjacent to the windshield to capture front and interior views, then the imaging coverage is improved, but the camera is exposed to high temperatures and direct sunlight causing overheating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging coverageVSAvoidcamera operating temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The camera housing is divided into multiple sections: a heat-blocking material section that blocks direct sunlight and heat from the windshield, and a heat sink section that actively dissipates heat generated by imaging components. This segmentation allows different parts of the housing to perform specialized thermal management functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A heat-blocking material is introduced as an intermediary between the windshield and the camera imaging portions. This material blocks harmful heat and direct sunlight from reaching the camera, while allowing the camera to maintain its optimal imaging position and coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the imaging components are positioned to achieve full HD quality capture, then the image quality is improved, but the heat generation from imaging components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heat-blocking material converts harmful heat and direct sunlight into a beneficial barrier, protecting the imaging components. Simultaneously, the heat sink captures and dissipates the heat generated by high-definition imaging, transforming the harmful byproduct of high-quality imaging into manageable thermal energy that is actively removed from the system.

Inventive Principle:

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

3Reliability

If the camera housing is designed to block heat and sunlight, then the temperature resistance is improved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature resistanceVSAvoidhousing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat-blocking material and heat sink are merged into a single integrated housing structure. The heat-blocking material forms the outer shell that blocks sunlight and heat, while the heat sink is integrated within this structure to dissipate internal heat. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining effective thermal management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This configuration enables the in-vehicle camera to operate properly at high temperatures, ensuring full HD image capture while being securely attached and adaptable to various vehicle types and reducing the risk of theft.

Implementation Method 1

a heat sink located between the front imaging portion and the rear imaging portion in the casing to radiate heat inside the casing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

an intake located adjacent to the fixing portion at the first end of the heat sink to be open toward the heat sink; and an outlet located adjacent to the fixing portion at the second end of the heat sink to be open toward the heat sink while facing the intake

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10097740B2In-vehicle camera

Publication Date: 2018.10.09 JVC KENWOOD CORP

AI summary

A front imaging portion captures the front side of a vehicle. A rear imaging portion captures the interior or the rear side of the vehicle. A casing houses the front imaging portion and the rear imaging portion. A heat sink is located between the front imaging portion and the rear imaging portion in the casing to radiate heat inside the casing. A fixing portion is located on the outer surface of the casing and between a first end and a second end of the heat sink and separated from the heat sink to fix the casing to the vehicle. An intake is located adjacent to the fixing portion at the first end to be open toward the heat sink. An outlet is located adjacent to the fixing portion at the second end to be open toward the heat sink while facing the intake with the fixing portion interposed therebetween.