Vehicle Camera Housing Duct Cooling for Compact Thermal Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Compact vehicle cameras face challenges in thermal management due to compact design, leading to undesired thermal influences and position changes between the lens module and image sensor, which affect image capturing and operational reliability under varying environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

A camera design incorporating a heat dissipating device with a duct for conveying a liquid or gaseous heat absorption medium around the outer housing, allowing for extensive and quick heat dissipation without restricting the interior space, and utilizing existing vehicle components for medium dispensing, ensuring efficient heat transfer and maintenance accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the camera is designed to be compact to minimize package space, then the camera can be mounted in confined spatial conditions, but thermal management becomes difficult and components overheat

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera package volumeVSAvoidcomponent temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The heat dissipating device is segmented into multiple cooling elements with cooling fins distributed across different surfaces of the camera housing. This segmentation allows heat to be dissipated from multiple locations simultaneously, improving thermal management in the compact camera design without increasing overall volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from internal heat dissipation methods to external heat dissipation by adding three-dimensional cooling fins to the housing surfaces. This dimensional extension increases the heat dissipation surface area without significantly increasing the camera's internal volume, allowing effective thermal management in a compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Temperature

If heat dissipation components are added to the camera, then thermal management improves, but the camera complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidcamera structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling elements with cooling fins are integrated directly into the camera housing structure, merging the heat dissipation function with the structural housing. This integration eliminates the need for separate heat sinks or cooling assemblies, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective thermal management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, protects internal components, and acts as a heat dissipation structure through the integrated cooling elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated cooling components, thereby simplifying the overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Area of stationary object

If cooling elements with cooling fins are mounted on the housing, then heat dissipation surface area increases, but the housing design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation surface areaVSAvoidhousing design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling fins are strategically positioned on specific external surfaces of the housing where heat dissipation is most needed, rather than uniformly covering the entire housing. This localized approach increases effective heat dissipation area while minimizing the impact on overall housing design complexity and maintaining a clean aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 manages heat dissipation in compact camera designs, preventing overheating and maintaining operational reliability by ensuring continuous heat absorption and transfer, while maintaining the camera's compactness and utilizing existing vehicle systems for medium supply.

Implementation Method 1

a heat dissipating device for dissipating heat from the camera

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

heat transfer to the duct and by the heat absorption medium conveyed therein is achieved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

conveying a liquid or gaseous heat absorption medium... heat absorption by the duct and by the heat absorption medium conveyed therein is achieved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3821591B1Camera for a motor vehicle with a specific heat dissipating device
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 CONNAUGHT ELECTRONICS
  • EP3821591B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3821591B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3821591B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a camera (4) for a motor vehicle (1), with an outer housing (9) and with a heat dissipating device (18) for dissipating heat from the camera (4), wherein the heat dissipating device (18) comprises a duct (19) for conveying a liquid or gaseous heat absorption medium, wherein the duct (19) is arranged at the outer housing (9). The invention also relates to a device (32) and a motor vehicle (1).