# US 10,766,431 B2 · Imaging apparatus and vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,766,431 B2 - Document ID: US10766431B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/320,154 - Filed: 2015-06-24 - Published: 2017-05-11 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2014-06-26 - Assignees: KYOCERA Corporation - Applicants: KYOCERA Corporation - Inventors: Yasushi Koshiba; Hiroshi Okada; Makoto Suzuki - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10766431B2 ## CPC - B60R 11/04: Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle - B60K 35/22: Display screens - B60K 35/50: Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle (B60K35/231 takes precedence) - B60R 1/26: to the rear of the vehicle - G03B 17/02: Bodies - G03B 17/55: with provision for heating or cooling, e.g. in aircraft - H04N 7/183: {for receiving images from a single remote source} - H04N 23/00: Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof - H04N 23/51: Housings - H04N 23/52: Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements - H04N 23/54: Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils - H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof - H05K 7/20445: {the coupling element being an additional piece, e.g. thermal standoff} - B60K 2360/21: using cameras - B60R 2011/004: {outside the vehicle} - B60R 2300/202: displaying a blind spot scene on the vehicle part responsible for the blind spot - B60R 2300/301: combining image information with other obstacle sensor information, e.g. using RADAR/LIDAR/SONAR sensors for estimating risk of collision - B60R 2300/80: characterised by the intended use of the viewing arrangement - B60Y 2400/92: Driver displays - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ## Abstract Provided is an imaging apparatus (10) including an imaging optical system (20), an image sensor (31), one or more circuit boards including at least one of the image sensor and an electronic component mounted thereon, a housing (11) including an opening that exposes the imaging optical system to a subject and supporting the imaging optical system, the image sensor, and the one or more circuit boards, a signal terminals (41) that transmit an image signal of the subject image captured by the image sensor to an outside of the housing, and a heat transfer unit (44) having heat conductivity connected to the plurality of terminals, the heat transfer unit that transfers heat generated from at least one of the image sensor and the electronic component to the plurality of terminals. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging optical system; an image sensor; a plurality of circuit boards including a first circuit board the image sensor and a first electronic component are mounted thereon; a housing including an opening that exposes the imaging optical system to a subject, the housing that supports the imaging optical system, the image sensor, and the plurality of circuit boards; signal terminals that transmit an image signal of the subject image captured by the image sensor to an outside of the housing; a heat transfer unit located in an interior of the housing having insulating properties and directly connected to the signal terminals, the heat transfer unit that transfers heat generated from at least one of the image sensor and the first electronic component to the signal terminals, and a heat transfer member comprising a heat transfer plate, a first planar heat transfer sheet and a second planar heat transfer sheet, the first and second planar heat transfer sheets being disposed directly on opposite main surfaces of the heat transfer plate, wherein the heat transfer plate is in contact with the heat transfer unit, the first planar heat transfer sheet is in contact with the first electronic component, the second planar heat transfer sheet is in contact with a second electronic component included on a second circuit board other than the first circuit board including the first electronic component, and a surface where the second electronic component is mounted faces a surface where the first electronic component is mounted. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes an inner wall comprising a first heat transfer member integrally disposed therewith, the first heat transfer member for transferring the heat to the heat transfer unit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the heat transfer unit includes a sealing member having heat conductivity connected to a portion of the first heat transfer member exposed to an outside of the housing and also connected to the signal terminals, the sealing member that seals between the signal terminals and the housing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer unit includes an internal heat transfer member disposed inside the housing and connected to the signal terminals. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing forms a sealing structure. ### Claim 6 An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging optical system; an image sensor; a plurality of circuit boards including a first circuit board the image sensor and a first electronic component mounted thereon; and a housing including an opening that exposes the imaging optical system to a subject, the housing that supports the imaging optical system, the image sensor, and the plurality of circuit boards, wherein a first heat transfer member is integrally disposed with an inner wall of the housing, and comprises a portion being longitudinal in an optical axis direction of the imaging optical system, and a radial portion directly connected to the longitudinal portion that extends in direction radially inward when viewed in a cross section of the optical axis, such that the longitudinal portion extends in a direction away from the radial portion and towards the imaging optical system, and the imaging apparatus further comprises a second heat transfer member comprising a heat transfer plate, a first planar heat transfer sheet, and a second planar heat transfer sheet, the first and second planar heat transfer sheets being disposed directly on opposite main surfaces of the heat transfer plate, wherein the heat transfer plate is in contact with the first heat transfer member, the first planar heat transfer sheet is in contact with the first electronic component, the second planar heat transfer sheet is in contact with a second electronic component included in a second circuit board other than the first circuit board including the first electronic component, and a surface where the second electronic component is mounted faces a surface where the first electronic component is mounted. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, in the housing, the first heat transfer member and a resin member are integrally disposed together, and a thickness of the resin member in a portion having the first heat transfer member integrally disposed therewith is smaller than that in a portion where the first heat transfer member is not integrally formed therewith. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second heat transfer member transfers the heat generated from at least one of the image sensor and the first electronic component to the first heat transfer member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the housing forms a sealing structure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising signal terminals that transmit an image signal of the subject image captured by the image sensor to an outside of the housing; and a sealing member having heat conductivity and connected to a portion of the first heat transfer member exposed to the outside of the housing, the sealing member that seals between the signal terminals and the housing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an insertion member having heat conductivity, inserted from the outside of the housing, and connected to a portion of the first heat transfer member. ### Claim 12 A vehicle having an imaging apparatus mounted thereon, the imaging apparatus including an imaging optical system, an image sensor, a plurality of circuit boards including a first circuit board the image sensor and a first electronic component mounted thereon, and a housing including an opening that exposes the imaging optical system to a subject, the housing that supports the imaging optical system, the image sensor, and the plurality of circuit boards, wherein a first heat transfer member is integrally disposed with an inner wall of the housing, and comprises a portion being longitudinal in an optical axis direction of the imaging optical system, and a radial portion directly connected to the longitudinal portion that extends in direction radially inward when viewed in a cross section of the optical axis, such that the longitudinal portion extends in a direction away from the radial portion and towards the imaging optical system, and the imaging apparatus further comprises a second heat transfer member comprising a heat transfer plate, a first planar heat transfer sheet, and a second planar heat transfer sheet, the first and second planar heat transfer sheets being disposed directly on opposite main surfaces of the heat transfer plate, wherein the heat transfer plate is in contact with the first heat transfer member, the first planar heat transfer sheet is in contact with the first electronic component, the second planar heat transfer sheet is in contact with a second electronic component included in a second circuit board other than the first circuit board including the first electronic component, and a surface where the second electronic component is mounted faces a surface where the first electronic component is mounted. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit board, the first electronic component, the heat transfer member, the second electronic component, and the second circuit board, are arranged in this order on an interior of the housing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 6) The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first circuit board, the first electronic component, the second heat transfer member, the second electronic component, and the second circuit board, are arranged in this order on an interior of the housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the first circuit board, the first electronic component, the second heat transfer member, the second electronic component, and the second circuit board, are arranged in this order on an interior of the housing.