# US 12,001,124 B2 · Image pickup apparatus

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- Number: US 12,001,124 B2
- Document ID: US12001124B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/898,596
- Filed: 2022-08-30
- Published: 2023-03-09
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2021-09-06
- Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Akira Tagaya
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12001124B2

## CPC

- G03B 17/02: Bodies
- H04N 23/51: Housings
- G03B 17/55: with provision for heating or cooling, e.g. in aircraft
- G03B 17/56: Accessories (carrying-cases A45C11/38)
- H04N 23/52: Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements
- G03B 2217/002: Details of arrangement of components in or on camera body
- H04N 23/555: {for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes}
- 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

## Abstract

An image pickup apparatus includes a window portion, an image pickup unit configured to photoelectrically convert an optical image obtained via the window portion, a heating unit, and a movable portion configured to move the heating unit to a first position and a second position. At the first position, the heating unit does not contact the window portion. At the second position, the heating unit contacts the window portion.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An image pickup apparatus comprising:
a window portion;
an image pickup unit configured to photoelectrically convert an optical image obtained via the window portion;
a heating unit; and
a movable portion configured to move the heating unit to a first position and a second position,
wherein at the first position, the heating unit does not contact the window portion, and
wherein at the second position, the heating unit contacts the window portion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movable portion moves the heating unit to the first position in a case where temperature is a first temperature, and
wherein the movable portion moves the heating unit to the second position in a case where the temperature is a second temperature higher than the first temperature.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a housing;
a first holding unit configured to hold the heating unit; and
a second holding unit held by the housing and configured to movably hold the first holding unit,
wherein the movable portion is disposed between the first holding unit and the second holding unit, and
wherein the heating unit is movable to the first position and the second position by moving the first holding unit by the movable portion.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The image pickup apparatus according to claim 3, wherein at the first position, a space is formed between the heating unit and the window portion, and
wherein at the second position, the heating unit is pressed against the window portion by the movable portion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The image pickup apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first holding unit and the second holding unit are open in an imaging range of the image pickup unit.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The image pickup apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first holding unit includes an edge portion covering an edge of the heating unit, and
wherein the edge portion is lower than the heating unit in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the window portion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The image pickup apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the moving portion is deformable according to temperature, and
wherein in a case where the temperature of the heating unit rises, the movable portion moves the first holding unit so that the first holding unit approaches the window portion.

### Claim 8 (depends on 3)

The image pickup apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first holding unit includes a first guide portion,
wherein the second holding unit includes a second guide portion engaged with the first guide portion, and
wherein the first holding unit is movable in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the window portion relative to the second holding unit.

### Claim 9 (depends on 3)

The image pickup apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a pressing unit disposed between the first holding unit and the housing.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The image pickup apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a pressing force of the pressing unit is weaker than that of the movable portion.

### Claim 11 (depends on 3)

The image pickup apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the window portion is fixed to the housing so as to close an opening of the housing.