Vehicle Controller Thermal Management via Process Stopping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The temperature increase of the image sensor due to heat from a controller portion in a common casing affects the performance of the sensor, leading to potential power supply disruptions, as existing solutions do not adequately address heat management and continuous power supply issues.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle controller with a temperature detector that stops specific processes executed by the controller portion when the temperature exceeds a threshold, reducing heat and maintaining the image sensor's performance by continuing the electric power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If electric power supply to the image sensor is continued, then the image sensor can capture images continuously, but the temperature of the image sensor increases due to heat from the controller portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat source (controller portion) from the thermal environment of the image sensor by providing thermal insulation between them. This allows the image sensor to operate continuously without temperature increase from the controller, resolving the contradiction between continuous operation and temperature control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thermal insulation material as an intermediary between the controller portion and the image sensor. This intermediary blocks heat transfer from the controller to the image sensor, enabling continuous power supply while maintaining acceptable image sensor temperature
2Reliability
If the temperature of the image sensor exceeds a threshold, then thermal noise affects image quality, but stopping power supply reduces continuous operation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the thermal interference from the controller portion that causes image sensor temperature to exceed thresholds. By extracting this heat source through insulation, the image sensor maintains acceptable temperature and image quality for extended periods without needing to stop operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies thermal insulation in advance before the image sensor temperature would exceed the threshold. This preliminary thermal management prevents temperature-related image quality degradation before it occurs, allowing continuous operation
3Temperature
If processes executed by the controller portion are stopped to reduce heat, then temperature control is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat generation problem by providing thermal insulation between the controller portion and the image sensor. This allows the controller to continue executing all processes at full capacity while the image sensor maintains acceptable temperature, resolving the contradiction between heat reduction and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the thermal management function from the operational function by introducing insulation material that specifically addresses heat transfer without affecting the controller's processing capabilities. This segmentation allows both temperature control and full productivity to be maintained
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 allows for prolonged maintenance of the image sensor's performance by reducing heat and preventing power supply disruptions, ensuring the image sensor's operation is maintained effectively over time.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature detector portion detecting a temperature of the inside of the casing or a temperature of the image sensor
Implementation Method 2
This reduces the heat from the controller portion, which causes the temperature of the casing and the temperature of the image sensor to lower
Data Source
AI summary
When a temperature T detected by a thermistor built inside a camera unit exceeds a preset temperature T1, at least a process, among processes executed by a CPU built inside the camera unit, that relates only to LKA or AHB (such as a white line recognizing process) is stopped. Then, the amount of heat generated by the CPU decreases, whereby the temperature inside the housing also decreases. In this way, even when the PCS control is continuously performed by continuing electric power supply to an imaging element in the camera unit, performance of the imaging element can be maintained in some cases, thus allowing the electric power supply to the imaging element to continue in a satisfactory manner for a long period.