Image Sensor Cooling Via Lens-Mount Air Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capturing apparatuses face challenges in effectively dissipating heat generated from semiconductor elements without increasing the size of the device, which can lead to failure and safety issues due to high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates an air circulation conduit between the lens mount and the image sensor, utilizing a metallic plate thermally connected to the image sensor, with intake and exhaust ports on non-tripod mount surfaces, and a housing design that includes an optical path opening, allowing for efficient heat dissipation without enlarging the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heat dissipation structure is added to the image capturing apparatus, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the optical axis direction (depth dimension) by positioning the air circulation conduit between the lens mount portion and image sensor along the optical path. This allows heat dissipation functionality to be integrated in the existing depth space without increasing the device's width or height dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The space between the lens mount portion and image sensor serves dual purposes: it maintains the optical path for image capturing while simultaneously housing the air circulation conduit for heat dissipation. This multi-functional use of space avoids additional volume increase.
2Temperature
If the air circulation conduit is provided between the lens mount portion and image sensor, then heat dissipation is improved, but the optical path may be obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The air circulation conduit is designed with multiple separate intake ports and exhaust ports positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows air flow paths to be distributed around the optical path rather than blocking it with a single large conduit, maintaining light transmission while enabling effective heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The air circulation conduit is positioned in the optical axis direction (depth) between the lens mount and image sensor, utilizing the existing space along the optical path rather than expanding the lateral dimensions. This positioning allows the conduit to coexist with the optical path without significant obstruction.
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 effectively releases heat from the image sensor while maintaining a compact size, preventing overheating and ensuring safety by utilizing the space typically reserved for mechanical shutters in still image capturing devices.
Implementation Method 1
a metallic plate formed on an imaging plane side relative to the housing... thermally connected to the image sensor
Implementation Method 2
an air circulation conduit formed of the housing and the metallic plate and including an intake and exhaust port... allows inflow of outside air
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an air circulation conduit that is not communicated with an inside of a housing and is provided between a lens mount portion and an image sensor in an optical axis direction, and a metallic plate located on a facing surface of the image sensor.