Movable Heat Conductor for Camera Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera systems face challenges in managing the temperature of temperature-sensitive components like batteries and image sensors across extreme temperature environments, leading to reduced performance and operation time.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an image capture apparatus that includes a heat sensitive assembly, a heatsink, a heat generating component, and a heat conductor that can be moved between the heat sensitive assembly and the heatsink by an actuation mechanism, allowing for effective heat management across varying temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed heat management system is used, then the structure is simple, but the camera cannot adapt to both hot and cold environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to temperature environmentsVSAvoidheat management system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat management system uses a movable heat conductor that can be repositioned between different components (battery, image sensor, heatsink) based on environmental conditions. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same physical structure to adapt to both hot and cold environments without requiring multiple separate systems, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Temperature

If heat is directed to the heatsink in hot environments, then overheating is managed, but battery performance deteriorates in cold environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat management effectivenessVSAvoidbattery performance

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically redirects heat flow by moving the heat conductor to transfer heat from the battery to the image sensor or heatsink based on environmental conditions. In cold environments, heat is directed to the battery to improve its performance, while in hot environments, heat is directed to the heatsink to prevent overheating, thus maintaining both temperature management effectiveness and battery reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the thermal pathway parameter by repositioning the heat conductor between different components. This parameter change allows the heat management system to switch between different thermal management modes (heating the battery vs. cooling the heatsink) based on environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between temperature management and battery performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If current heat management systems are used, then overheating is controlled, but operation time is reduced in extreme temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverheating controlVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the thermal management parameter by repositioning the heat conductor to optimize heat distribution based on environmental conditions. This allows the camera to maintain optimal operating temperatures in extreme environments, thereby extending operation time while still controlling overheating through dynamic heat redirection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution extends the operation time of the camera system by efficiently managing heat across both cold and hot environments, ensuring optimal performance and battery life regardless of external temperature conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a heat conductor that extends from the heat generating component to the heat sensitive assembly or the heatsink, and the heat conductor moves heat from the heat generating component to the heat sensitive assembly or the heatsink

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The heat sensitive assembly and the heatsink may each include a thermal interface material where the heat conductor is contacts the heat sensitive assembly and the heatsink

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal interface material: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12316932B2Adjustable thermal solution

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 GOPRO INC

AI summary

An image capture apparatus includes a heat sensitive assembly configured to support a battery. The image capture apparatus includes a heatsink spaced a distance from the heat sensitive assembly and a heat generating component that is spaced a distance from the heat sensitive assembly and the heatsink. The image capture apparatus includes a heat conductor that extends from the heat generating component to the heat sensitive assembly or the heatsink, and the heat conductor moves heat from the heat generating component to the heat sensitive assembly or the heatsink. The image capture apparatus includes an actuation mechanism that moves the heat conductor between the heat sensitive assembly and the heatsink.