Imaging Device Elastic Member and Plate for Dust Shielding and Thermal Dissipation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging apparatuses face challenges in effectively shielding against dust and light while also efficiently dissipating heat, as they often compromise on either dust-proofing or thermal management.

Innovation Solution

The proposed imaging apparatus incorporates an imaging optical system, a holding member, an imaging device, an elastic member, and a plate-like member, where the elastic member surrounds the light-receiving region with a ring-shaped contact and the plate-like member overlaps the elastic member, enhancing dust shielding and thermal dissipation by promoting heat diffusion through higher thermal conductivity materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a dust-proofing and light-shielding member is used to shield the imaging device, then dust and light entry is prevented, but heat dissipation is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust and light entry preventionVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding structure is divided into multiple segments: a dust-proofing and light-shielding member for dust and light protection, and a separate heat dissipation member with higher thermal conductivity for thermal management. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding member serves as an intermediary structure that integrates both the dust-proofing/light-shielding function and the heat dissipation function. It holds the imaging optical system while providing a thermal conduction path from the imaging device to the heat dissipation member, mediating between the shielding requirements and thermal management needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the elastic member is positioned to surround the light-receiving region, then precise positioning and protection are achieved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracy of elastic memberVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides precise positioning of the imaging device, surrounds and protects the light-receiving region, and maintains contact for thermal conduction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall structural complexity while achieving precise positioning.

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

3Temperature

If the plate-like member overlaps the elastic member, then thermal dissipation is enhanced, but the device dimensions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal dissipation efficiencyVSAvoiddevice area
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The plate-like member is positioned in a different spatial dimension (overlapping in the optical axial direction) rather than extending the device footprint in the lateral direction. This dimensional arrangement enhances thermal dissipation through increased contact area with the elastic member and imaging device while minimizing the increase in overall device area.

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

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 prevents dust and light entry while improving thermal dissipation, ensuring the imaging device operates efficiently by using materials with higher thermal conductivity and providing electrostatic shielding.

Implementation Method 1

The plate-like member includes a portion in contact with the holding member and a portion in contact with the elastic member... promoting heat diffusion through higher thermal conductivity materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

an imaging optical system including at least one optical member... an imaging device that includes a light-receiving region and is located in an image-forming plane of the imaging optical system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical focusing: Focusing

Data Source

PatentEP4037301B1Imaging device and mobile body
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP4037301B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4037301B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4037301B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An imaging apparatus includes an imaging optical system. The imaging apparatus includes a holding member that holds the imaging optical system. The imaging apparatus includes an imaging device including a light-receiving region and located in an image-forming plane of the imaging optical system. The imaging apparatus includes an elastic member that is located close to the imaging device toward the imaging optical system and surrounds the light-receiving region without overlapping the light-receiving region when viewed in an optical axial direction of the imaging optical system. The elastic member is in contact with the imaging device such that the area of contact between the elastic member and the imaging device is ring-shaped. The imaging apparatus includes a plate-like member that is located farther from an optical axis of the imaging optical system than an inside perimeter of the elastic member and overlaps at least part of the elastic member when viewed in the optical axial direction of the imaging optical system. The plate-like member includes a portion in contact with the holding member and a portion in contact with the elastic member.