Vehicular Camera Heat Transfer Element for Sensor Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-resolution automotive cameras experience image quality degradation due to sensor noise at elevated temperatures, limiting their performance in ambient temperatures above 45°C and making it difficult to maintain sensor junction temperatures below 100°C, which affects machine vision capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an actively cooled image sensor using a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) with temperature sensors to control power and maintain optimal cooling, combined with a heat transfer element and thermal management system to efficiently dissipate heat, ensuring the camera operates effectively across a wide temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the camera operates in high ambient temperatures, then the camera can function in a wide temperature range, but image quality degrades due to sensor noise at elevated temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by actively controlling the temperature of the image sensor through a cooling system. Instead of allowing the sensor to operate at ambient temperature, the system dynamically adjusts and maintains the sensor at a lower, optimal temperature range, thereby resolving the contradiction between wide operational range and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cooling system as an intermediary between the image sensor and the high-temperature environment. This intermediary actively removes heat from the sensor, creating a thermal barrier that protects the sensor from ambient temperature effects, thus maintaining image quality while enabling operation in hot conditions.
2Device complexity
If passive cooling is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sensor junction temperature cannot be maintained below 100°C in high ambient temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by using the camera's own power consumption and integrated cooling system to actively manage its thermal state. The system monitors its own temperature and activates cooling when needed, making the temperature control self-regulating rather than relying on external passive cooling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces passive mechanical cooling structures with an active electronic cooling system that uses electrical power to drive thermoelectric coolers or compression-based cooling. This substitution enables precise temperature control that passive mechanics cannot achieve, maintaining sensor temperatures below 100°C even in high ambient conditions.
3Reliability
If active cooling is implemented, then image quality is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the cooling system to serve multiple functions: it cools the image sensor, manages overall camera thermal balance, and potentially cools other temperature-sensitive components. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive thermal management across the entire camera system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cooling system integration with the camera's existing structure and power management. The cooling components are combined with the housing, circuit board, and power supply system, creating an integrated thermal management solution rather than adding separate standalone cooling apparatus, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
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
The active cooling system significantly improves image quality by maintaining the image sensor at a desired temperature, enhancing machine vision capabilities and extending the camera's operational range in high-temperature environments.
Implementation Method 1
A thermoelectric device is disposed at the rear camera housing portion... The thermoelectric device is electrically powered to draw heat from the imager printed circuit board to the rear camera housing portion
Implementation Method 2
a heat transfer element is disposed between and in thermal conductive contact with the thermoelectric device and the imager printed circuit board
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular camera module includes a lens barrel having a plurality of optical elements accommodated therein, a front camera housing portion, and a rear camera housing portion mated with the front camera housing to form a housing that encases an imager printed circuit board and a processor printed circuit board. A heat transfer element is disposed between and in thermal conductive contact with the imager printed circuit board and a rear wall of the rear camera housing. The heat transfer element extends through an aperture of the processor printed circuit board. Circuitry of the camera module is electrically connected to electrical connecting elements that electrically connect to a wire harness of a vehicle when the camera module is disposed at the vehicle. Heat generated by operation of the vehicular camera module is drawn from the imager printed circuit board to the rear camera housing portion via the heat transfer element.