Image-Capture Apparatus Heat-Releasing Air Duct Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image-capture apparatuses face issues with heat radiation efficiency, leading to user discomfort due to heat transfer during use and potential dust ingress through ventilation holes, while also requiring larger sizes or reduced heat conduction measures.
Innovation Solution
An image-capture apparatus with a heat-releasing air duct on its outer surface that does not communicate with the inner casing, utilizing a duct forming part to direct heat away from the user's grip area and incorporating a partition to isolate heat-sensitive components, thereby improving heat radiation efficiency without increasing size or compromising durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If heat generating elements are isolated by providing a partition plate inside the outer casing and heat is conducted to the outer casing to be released outside, then heat radiation efficiency is improved, but the heat is transferred to the user's hand making the user uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The outer casing is segmented into a grip portion and a non-grip portion, with the heat-releasing air duct specifically formed on the non-grip portion. This segmentation allows heat to be released from a location that does not contact the user's hand, resolving the contradiction between effective heat radiation and user comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat-releasing function is extracted from the general outer casing surface and concentrated into a specific air duct structure on the non-grip portion. This extraction allows targeted heat release away from the user contact area while maintaining overall heat radiation efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If intake hole and exhaust hole are formed in the outer casing for cooling fan operation, then heat release is improved, but dust and the like enter the inside of the outer casing causing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The air duct is extracted as a separate structure from the outer casing openings. The air duct has its own independent openings that do not communicate with the inner casing, allowing heat release without creating direct pathways for dust ingress into the internal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The air duct acts as an intermediary structure between the heat generating elements and the external environment. It provides a dedicated heat release pathway that is isolated from the internal casing space, preventing direct contact between external dust and internal components while still enabling effective heat transfer.
3Loss of energy
If the outer casing is increased in size to improve heat radiation efficiency, then heat radiation efficiency is improved, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the overall casing size, the air duct is formed with specific local geometry on the non-grip portion. The duct's cross-sectional area and surface area are optimized locally to maximize heat radiation efficiency without affecting the overall compact dimensions of the apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The air duct utilizes the third dimension (depth/protrusion from casing surface) to increase heat radiation surface area. By forming the duct as a protruding structure on the outer surface, the heat radiation area is expanded without increasing the planar footprint or overall volume of the apparatus.
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 enhances heat radiation efficiency while maintaining a compact design, reducing thermal impact on user-handled areas and preventing dust ingress, thus improving usability and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
heat generated by the electronic components mounted on the circuit board is conducted to the duct forming part to be released outside of the outer casing from the heat-releasing air duct
Implementation Method 2
the heat generated by the electronic components, which will be heat generating elements, is released outside of the outer casing from the heat-releasing air duct
Data Source
AI summary
An image-capture apparatus includes: an outer casing inside of which predetermined sections are arranged; an imaging device arranged inside of the outer casing; and a circuit board arranged inside of the outer casing, on which electronic components are mounted, the electronic components being heat generating elements. A heat-releasing air duct is formed on an outer surface side of the outer casing, at least an opening of the duct being formed at one surface of the outer casing and not communicating with an inside of the outer casing. Part of the outer casing is provided as a duct forming part that forms the heat-releasing air duct. Heat generated by the electronic components mounted on the circuit board is conducted to the duct forming part to be released outside of the outer casing from the heat-releasing air duct.