Driver Assist Camera Thermal Management via Windshield Conduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
DAS cameras and associated electronic components generate substantial heat, which needs to be dissipated to avoid thermal damage, while maintaining a compact size to minimize interference with the windshield view.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a housing for the DAS camera with a thermally conductive bracket attached to the vehicle windshield, utilizing a thermally conductive body with higher conductivity than the bracket to transfer heat from the camera to the windshield for dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If DAS camera and electronic components are mounted adjacent to the windshield to ensure desired field of view, then the field of view is improved, but heat generation increases requiring dissipation to avoid thermal damage
Solution Approach 1:
A thermally conductive body is introduced as an intermediary between the DAS camera housing and the windshield. This body has higher thermal conductivity than the bracket material, serving as a heat transfer mediator that conducts heat from the camera to the windshield for dissipation, thereby resolving the thermal damage risk while maintaining the camera's proximity to the windshield for optimal field of view.
2Volume of moving object
If DAS camera and mounting system are made as small as possible, then interference with sight lines is reduced, but heat dissipation capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is merged with the windshield structure itself. The bracket attaches the camera housing to the windshield, and the thermally conductive body utilizes the windshield's large surface area as a heat sink. This merging allows the compact mounting system to leverage the windshield's extensive surface area for effective heat dissipation, overcoming the heat dissipation limitation of small components.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from two-dimensional heat dissipation (from the small camera surface) to three-dimensional heat dissipation by utilizing the windshield's large surface area. The thermally conductive body conducts heat from the compact camera housing to the windshield, which then dissipates heat across its extensive surface, effectively adding a dimensional advantage to the heat dissipation capability.
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
Effectively moderates the temperature environment of the DAS camera by utilizing the windshield's larger surface area for heat dissipation, preventing thermal damage while maintaining a compact and unobstructed field of view.
Implementation Method 1
The body when the bracket is attached to the window of the vehicle contacts the window so as to transfer heat between the window and the housing, thereby modifying the temperature of the environment of the driver assist camera
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for moderating the environment of a driver assist camera comprises (a) a housing in which the driver assist camera is mountable and (b) a bracket configured and dimensioned to receive and retain the housing. The bracket when installed in a vehicle is attached to a window of the vehicle. A thermally conductive body is movably mounted on the bracket. The housing when being received in the bracket contacts and moves the thermally conductive body relative to the bracket so as to press the thermally conductive body against the window and permit heat from the housing to be conducted to the windshield, thereby moderating the environment of the driver assist camera when mounted in the housing.