Imaging Apparatus Seal Member Blocks Dust Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
The adhesion of foreign matter such as dust to the light receiving surface of an image sensor in imaging apparatuses that cool using outside air can deteriorate image quality, as existing technologies do not effectively prevent dust from reaching the sensor.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus design that includes a seal member to block the flow of outside air from the duct towards the image sensor, using a heat transfer member and a fan to cool the sensor while preventing dust from adhering to the light receiving surface, with a seal member made of an elastic material to seal the gap between the heat sink and the duct.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If outside air is used to cool the image sensor, then the cooling effect is improved, but foreign matter such as dust may adhere to the light receiving surface
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into separate pathways: one for air intake to the heat sink, and another for light transmission to the image sensor. The light receiving surface is isolated from the cooling air flow path, allowing cooling without direct exposure to dust-laden air.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat sink acts as an intermediary component that receives outside air for cooling, while the light receiving surface remains protected. The cooling air flows over the heat sink fins rather than directly over the image sensor, preventing dust adhesion while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a seal member is added to block outside air flow, then dust prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible seal member made of elastic material is used to block the gap between the heat sink and the light receiving surface. This simple flexible sealing approach effectively prevents dust-laden air from reaching the image sensor without requiring complex sealing mechanisms or additional structural components.
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
Prevents foreign matter like dust from reaching the image sensor, thereby maintaining image quality by effectively blocking the flow of outside air through the use of a seal member in the imaging apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a heat transfer member configured to support the image sensor and to absorb heat of the image sensor
Implementation Method 2
a main frame including a duct in which outside air flows
Implementation Method 3
a fan arranged in the duct
Implementation Method 4
a seal member configured to block a flow of outside air from inside the duct toward the image sensor through the through hole
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus includes: a lens attachment portion to which a lens is attached; an image sensor on which light transmitted through a lens attached to the lens attachment portion is incident; a heat transfer members configured to support the image sensor and to absorb heat of the image sensor; a main frame including a duct in which outside air flows and provided with a through hole through which a part of the heat transfer member passes; a fan arranged in the duct; a front frames configured to support the lens attachment portion and the heat transfer members and to be attached to the main frame; and a seal member configured to block a flow of outside air from inside the duct toward the image sensor through the through hole.