Vehicle Camera Mount With Vertical Fan Cooling Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera arrangements for vehicles fail to efficiently cool heated air from camera units and other components while maintaining a compact, silent, and non-obstructive design that adapts to different windshield shapes and angles.
Innovation Solution
A camera arrangement with a fan unit and motor that includes a vertically oriented fan motor axle, a fan housing with heatsink fins for cooling, and a cover unit that surrounds the fan wheel, allowing for efficient air transport away from the windshield while being space-saving and adaptable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a fan unit is added to cool heated air from camera units, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fan unit is integrated into the carrier arrangement housing, merging the cooling function with the mounting structure. The fan wheel and motor are positioned within the existing carrier arrangement boundaries, combining multiple functions (mounting and cooling) into a single integrated unit, thereby improving cooling efficiency without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A fan wheel acts as an intermediary component to force air flow through the carrier arrangement. The fan wheel creates controlled air movement that passes over heated components, providing efficient cooling through mechanical air circulation rather than relying on passive convection or complex active cooling systems
2Temperature
If a fan unit is added to cool heated air from camera units, then cooling efficiency is improved, but noise level increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fan unit replicates natural air flow patterns through the carrier arrangement, creating controlled air circulation that mimics enhanced convection currents. This allows efficient cooling through a relatively quiet fan design rather than requiring high-speed turbines or complex cooling systems that would generate excessive noise
Solution Approach 2:
A simple, straightforward fan design is used rather than complex cooling systems. The fan unit employs basic motor and fan wheel components that are inexpensive and relatively quiet, accepting that the fan may need replacement over time in exchange for lower noise levels and simpler design
3Adaptability or versatility
If the camera arrangement is made compact to adapt to different windshields, then adaptability is improved, but cooling efficiency may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier arrangement is designed as a universal mounting solution that can be attached to various windshield shapes and angles while incorporating an integrated fan unit for cooling. The same compact structure serves both as a universal mount and as a housing for the cooling system, maintaining adaptability without sacrificing cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The fan unit is positioned within the compact carrier arrangement by utilizing three-dimensional space efficiently. The motor and fan wheel are arranged in a space-saving configuration that maintains adequate air flow paths while keeping the overall arrangement compact enough to adapt to different windshield geometries
4Volume of moving object
If the fan motor axle is vertically oriented, then space utilization is improved, but manufacturing complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fan motor axle is oriented vertically rather than horizontally, creating an asymmetric arrangement within the carrier arrangement housing. This vertical orientation optimizes space utilization by allowing the fan wheel to rotate in a horizontal plane, efficiently utilizing the available volume while the asymmetric design is accommodated through standard manufacturing techniques for motor mounting
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 provides improved cooling of hot air from camera units, ensures efficient air transport away from the windshield, and maintains a compact and non-obstructive design, suitable for various vehicle windshields.
Implementation Method 1
a fan unit with a fan wheel which is configured for forcing air heated by the camera arrangement into the interior of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a fan housing with heatsink fins for cooling
Data Source
AI summary
A camera arrangement (3) for mounting in a vehicle (1) and including a carrier arrangement (4) configured so as to be attached to the vehicle (1) in order to support a camera housing (6) which carries a camera unit (8). The camera arrangement (3) further including a fan unit (12) with a fan wheel (12a) which is configured for forcing air heated by the camera arrangement (3) into the interior of the vehicle (1), and a fan motor (12b) for operating the fan wheel (12a). Furthermore, the fan motor (12b) includes a fan motor axle (12c) which is connected to the fan wheel (12a) and which is configured with a generally vertical orientation when the camera arrangement (3) is mounted in the vehicle (1).