JP2024013668A - Heat sink, sensor system, moving object - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To reduce the energy consumed by heat generating means. A heat radiator 20 includes a heat transfer means 25 connected to a heat source, a heat radiator 21 connected to the heat transfer means 25, and a heat generator 30 disposed in the heat radiator 21. [Selection diagram] Figure 5

Description

The present disclosure relates to a heat radiator, a sensor system having a heat radiator, and a moving object having a heat radiator or a sensor system.

Heat generating means having conductors are widely used. The heat generating means is used, for example, by being attached to a window glass of a moving body such as a vehicle. The heat generating means is used as a defrost device called a defroster. As described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the heating means generates heat by energizing the conductor. An example in which a heat generating means is used in a window glass of a moving body will be explained. By generating heat, the heat generating means of the moving body can defogger window glass, melt snow and ice, and/or cause water droplets to evaporate. As a result, it is possible to secure the visibility of the occupants in the moving body and the detection area of sensors such as photographing devices.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-173402 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-72674

In recent years, moving objects are sometimes equipped with a large number of sensors depending on the purpose. A heat generating means used as a defroster is provided corresponding to each sensor. The moving body is provided with a large number of heat generating means. A large amount of energy is required to generate heat from a large number of heating means. The present disclosure aims to reduce the energy consumed by the heating means.

One embodiment and modification of the present disclosure relate to the following [1] to [7].
[1]
a heat transfer means connected to a heat source;
a heat radiating section connected to the heat transfer means;
A heat radiator comprising: a heat generating means disposed in the heat radiator.
[2]
The heat radiator according to [1], wherein at least a part of the heat transfer means and at least a part of the heat generating means are integrated.
[3]
The heat generating means includes a pair of bus bars and a conductor disposed between the pair of bus bars,
The heat radiator according to [1] or [2], wherein the heat transfer means is connected to the bus bar.
[4]
A heat sink according to any one of [1] to [3],
A sensor system, comprising: a sensor disposed facing the heat radiation section.
[5]
The sensor system according to [4], wherein the sensor is disposed facing a region of the heat radiating section where the heat generating means is not disposed.
[6]
The sensor system according to [4] or [5], wherein the heat source is a heat exhaust part of the sensor.
[7]
A mobile body comprising the heat radiator according to any one of [1] to [3] or the sensor system according to any one of [4] to [6].

According to the present disclosure, the energy consumed by the heat generating means can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining one embodiment, and is a perspective view schematically showing a moving body provided with a heat radiator. In particular, FIG. 1 schematically shows, as an example of a moving object, an automobile including a transparent member, a portion of which is configured as a heat sink. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the transparent member of FIG. 1 from the normal direction of the plate surface. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a sensor system including a sensor and a heat sink. FIG. 4 is an example of a cross-sectional view of the heat sink taken along line IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the heat sink. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a modified example of the heat sink.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The scale, aspect ratio, etc. in the drawings attached to this specification are changed and exaggerated from those of the actual drawings for ease of illustration and understanding.

The term "sheet surface" refers to a surface that coincides with the planar direction of the target sheet-like member when the target sheet-like member is viewed as a whole and in perspective. The same applies when "sheet" is replaced with "board" or "film".

As used herein, terms such as "parallel," "perpendicular," "identical," and values of lengths and angles that specify shapes and geometrical conditions and their degrees do not have strict meanings. It shall be interpreted without limitation to include the extent to which similar functions can be expected.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an automobile equipped with a heat sink. As shown in FIG. 1, an automobile 1 as an example of a moving object has transparent members 5 such as a front window, a rear window, and a side window. The transparent member 5 may include an opaque portion like a colored layer 6 described later. In FIG. 1, a part of the transparent member 5 is configured as a heat radiating section 21 of the heat radiating body 20, which will be described later. The transparent member 5 is fixed to the body of the automobile 1 or the like with an adhesive. The automobile 1 has a power source 7 such as a battery.

The transparent member 5 preferably has a high visible light transmittance so as not to obstruct the view of the occupant or the sensor 11. The visible light transmittance of the transparent member 5 is preferably 90% or more. Visible light transmittance is the transmittance at each wavelength when measured using a spectrophotometer (“UV-3100PC” manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation, JIS K 0115 compliant product) within the measurement wavelength range of 380 nm to 780 nm. is specified as the average value of It is preferable that the transparent member 5 has a thickness of 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less. The transparent member 5 having such a thickness has excellent strength and optical properties. The material of the transparent member 5 may be, for example, soda lime glass.

The transparent member 5 has a colored layer 6. The colored layer 6 is provided to protect the adhesive for fixing the transparent member 5 to the body of the automobile 1 from ultraviolet rays and the like. Since such an adhesive is provided on the peripheral edge of the transparent member 5, the colored layer 6 is provided along the peripheral edge of the transparent member 5. The colored layer 6 is also provided for purposes such as sun shielding and suppressing disturbance light from the sensor. The colored layer 6 has a lower visible light transmittance than the transparent member 5. The colored layer 6 is formed by, for example, a dot pattern. The visible light transmittance of the colored layer 6 can be changed depending on the purpose by adjusting the density of the dots. The colored layer 6 can impart a design to the transparent member 5. The colored layer 6 may have a uniform monochromatic color as a whole, but the visible light transmittance may increase toward the center of the transparent member 5 in order to provide a design. Although such a colored layer 6 is preferably black, it may be of another color. The material of the colored layer 6 may be, for example, black ceramic.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the transparent member 5 viewed from the normal direction of its plate surface. The transparent member 5 has a plate shape that is approximately rectangular in plan view. Planar view refers to observation from the normal direction of the sheet surface of the member. As shown in FIG. 2, the colored layer 6 is provided with an opening 6a in a portion of the peripheral edge of the transparent member 5. As shown in FIG. The colored layer 6 is not provided in the opening 6a. A colored layer 6 is provided so as to at least partially surround the opening 6a. The opening 6a may be a cutout in the colored layer 6. In other words, the opening 6a is a portion where the colored layer 6 is not formed. The opening 6a may be a hole or a notch provided in the colored layer 6, or may be formed by filling the hole with transparent resin, for example. The shape of the opening 6a may be, for example, trapezoidal, rectangular, circular, or the like. The size of the opening 6a may be, for example, 10 cm ² or more and 200 cm ² or less.

The automobile 1 has a sensor system 10. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the sensor system 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor system 10 includes a sensor 11 and a heat sink 20. The sensor 11 is disposed facing a heat radiating section 21 that is included in the heat radiating body 20 and is a part of the transparent member 5 . Sensor 11 is placed inside automobile 1 . The sensor 11 detects information external to the vehicle 1 via the heat radiation section 21 . The sensor 11 is, for example, a photographing device, and photographs the outside of the automobile 1 via the heat radiating section 21 . The sensor 11 may be a millimeter wave radar, LiDAR, or the like. More specifically, the sensor 11 is arranged to face the opening 6a provided in the colored layer 6. The sensor 11 can detect information external to the automobile 1 through the opening 6a. Detection by the sensor 11 is less likely to be inhibited by the colored layer 6. The viewing range in which the sensor 11 can detect may be any part where the colored layer 6 is not formed, and may be, for example, the outside of the colored layer 6 in the transparent member 5. Information outside the vehicle 1 detected by the sensor 11, such as captured moving images and captured images, is used, for example, to assist in driving the vehicle 1 or to automatically drive the vehicle 1.

The sensor 11 has a heat exhaust section 17. The heat exhaust section 17 discharges heat generated by the operation of the sensor 11 to the outside of the sensor 11 .

The heat sink 20 radiates heat to the outside. As shown in FIG. 3, the heat radiator 20 includes a heat radiator 21, a heat transfer means 25, and a heat generating means 30. The heat radiating section 21 is a part of the transparent member 5 and is a part that radiates heat. The heat radiation section 21 is connected to a heat transfer means 25. The heat transfer means 25 are connected to a heat source from which heat is to be emitted. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the heat source is the heat exhaust section 17 of the sensor 11. The heat source is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3, and may be a heat exhaust section such as the power source 7 or a motor that drives a moving object. The heat radiator 20 has a plurality of heat transfer means 25, and each heat transfer means 25 may be connected to different heat sources. The heat generating means 30 is arranged in the heat radiation section 21.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the transparent member 5 and the heat sink 20 taken along the line IV-IV shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the heat generating means 30 includes a base material 31, a bonding layer 33, and a conductor 40. The heat generating means 30 further includes a pair of bus bars 35. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the colored layer 6 and the heat generating means 30 are provided on the same side with respect to the transparent member 5. Not limited to the illustrated example, the colored layer 6 and the heat generating means 30 may be provided on the opposite side to the transparent member 5. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transparent member 5 is curved. On the other hand, in other figures, the transparent member 5 and the heat generating means 30 are illustrated in a flat plate shape for ease of understanding.

A power source 7 such as a battery applies voltage to the conductor 40 via wiring 8 and the like. By applying a voltage to the conductor 40, the conductor 40 generates heat. Heat generated in the conductor 40 is transmitted to the heat radiation section 21. In the heat dissipation section 21, it is possible to remove fog caused by dew condensation on the transparent member 5 and to melt snow and ice. As a result, good visibility for the occupants and the sensor 11 within the moving object is ensured. Although not shown, a switch is usually inserted in the middle of the wiring. The switch is connected in series to the wiring. By closing the switch, a voltage is applied to the conductor 40. Due to the presence of the switch, voltage can be applied to the conductor 40 only when necessary, and the heating means 30 can be made to generate heat only when necessary.

Each component of the heat sink 20 will be explained below.

The heat dissipation section 21 is a part of the heat dissipation body 20 that emits heat. In the heat radiating section 21, the heat from the heat source transmitted by the heat transfer means 25 and the heat of the heat generating means 30 are radiated. The heat dissipation part 21 is a part that can radiate heat even when there is no need to radiate heat. The heat dissipation section 21 is a portion of the transparent member 5 where the opening 6a is provided and a portion near the opening 6a.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an example of the heat sink 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the heat radiation section 21 includes an area A1 where the heat generating means 30 is arranged and an area A2 where the heat generating means 30 is not arranged. The non-placement area A2 is surrounded by the placement area A1. The non-arrangement area A2 overlaps with the opening 6a. The arrangement area A1 may overlap the colored layer 6. The arrangement area A1 is directly heated by the heating means 30. The non-placement area A2 generates heat by heat conduction from the placement area A1. The sensor 11 is disposed facing the heat radiating section 21, and is preferably disposed facing the non-disposition area A2.

The heat transfer means 25 transfers heat from the heat source to the heat radiation section 21. The heat transfer means 25 has high thermal conductivity. The heat transfer means 25 is connected to the heat source and the heat radiation section 21 . The heat transfer means 25 is not arranged in an area facing the sensor 11 so as not to interfere with the detection by the sensor 11. The heat transfer means 25 is arranged, for example, in the arrangement area A1 of the heat generating means 30. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the heat transfer means 25 is connected to one bus bar 35 of the heat generating means 30. The heat transferred from the heat source by the heat transfer means 25 is transferred from the bus bar 35 to the conductor 40. The heat transmitted to the bus bar 35 and the conductor 40 is radiated by the heat radiating section 21. In this case, it is preferable that the bus bar 35 and the conductor 40 have high thermal conductivity. The heat transfer means 25 may be, for example, a member made of a thermally conductive material such as graphene, a heat pipe, or a vapor chamber.

The heat generating means 30 generates heat. Various methods can be used to generate heat. In this embodiment, as described above, the heat generating means 30 includes the base material 31, the bonding layer 33, the pair of bus bars 35, and the conductor 40. The conductor 40 is arranged between the pair of bus bars 35. The heat generating means 30 generates heat by applying voltage to the conductor 40 via the pair of bus bars 35.

The base material 31 supports a pair of bus bars 35 and a conductor 40 . The base material 31 is an electrically insulating film that transmits light in the visible light wavelength range of 380 nm to 780 nm. The material of the base material 31 may be any material as long as it transmits visible light and can appropriately support the conductor 40 and the like. The material of the base material 31 may be, for example, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, cyclic polyolefin, or the like. The thickness of the base material 31 is preferably, for example, 50 μm or more and 500 μm or less.

"Transparent" means that it is possible to see through the member from one side to the other, for example, a visible light transmittance of 30% or more, preferably 70% or more. It means something.

The bonding layer 33 bonds the heat generating means 30 to the heat radiating section 21 . The bonding layer 33 is made of various adhesive or adhesive materials. The bonding layer 33 preferably has high visible light transmittance. The material of the bonding layer 33 may be, for example, polyvinyl butyral. The thickness of the bonding layer 33 is preferably, for example, 0.15 mm or more and 1 mm or less.

The pair of bus bars 35 are arranged apart from each other. The bus bar 35 is connected to the wiring 8 and the conductor 40. The pair of bus bars 35 has a lower resistance than the conductor 40. The pair of bus bars 35 generate less heat than the conductor 40. The pair of bus bars 35 has a thicker line width than the conductor 40 in order to lower the resistance. It is preferable that the pair of bus bars 35 be placed at a position overlapping the colored layer 6 so as to be difficult to observe. Since the bus bar 35 is difficult to be observed, the design of the heat generating means 30 can be improved.

The conductor 40 generates heat when a voltage is applied thereto. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the conductor 40 is composed of a plurality of conductors arranged at intervals and extending linearly. The conductor 40 may be a mesh conductor. The conductor 40 causes the transparent member 5 to generate heat within the visual field of the sensor 11 .

Bus bar 35 and conductor 40 may be formed using an opaque metal material. The material of the bus bar 35 and the conductor 40 is, for example, a metal such as gold, silver, copper, platinum, aluminum, chromium, molybdenum, nickel, titanium, palladium, indium, or tungsten, or one or more of these metals. It may be an alloy consisting of. It is preferable that the bus bar 35 and the conductor 40 are made of the same material.

As shown in FIG. 4, the conductor 40 may include a conductive layer 47, a first dark layer 48, and a second dark layer 49. The first dark layer 48 covers the surface of the conductive layer 47 that faces the base material 31 . The second dark layer 49 covers the surface of the conductive layer 47 opposite to the side facing the base material 31 and both side surfaces. Preferably, the conductor 40 includes at least a first dark layer 48 . The conductive layer 47 made of a metal material with excellent conductivity exhibits relatively high reflectance. When light is reflected by the conductive layer 47 forming the conductor 40, the reflected light may be observed and may obstruct the visibility of the occupant or the sensor. If the conductive layer 47 is observed from the outside, the design of the transparent member 5 may deteriorate. The first dark layer 48 and the second dark layer 49 have lower visible light reflectance than the conductive layer 47. The first dark layer 48 and the second dark layer 49 are, for example, dark layers such as black. The first dark layer 48 and the second dark layer 49 make it difficult to observe the conductive layer 47, ensuring good visibility for the occupant and the sensor 11. It is possible to suppress deterioration in the design of the transparent member 5 when viewed from the outside.

The first dark layer 48 and the second dark layer 49 may also be formed on the conductive layer of the bus bar 35.

As shown in FIG. 4, the base material 31 is in contact with the bonding layer 33 in a portion not covered by the conductor 40. The conductor 40 is embedded within the bonding layer 33.

The heat sink 20 is not limited to the illustrated example, and may include other functional layers expected to exhibit specific functions. One functional layer may perform two or more functions. The base material 31, bonding layer 33, etc. of the heat generating means 30 of the heat sink 20 may be provided with some function. The functions imparted to the heat sink 20 may be, for example, an antireflection function, a hard coat function with scratch resistance, an infrared shielding function, an infrared reflection function, an ultraviolet shielding function, an ultraviolet reflection function, an antifouling function, etc. good.

The function of the heat sink 20 will be explained.

For example, when no voltage is applied to the conductor 40, such as when a switch provided in the middle of the wiring is open, the heat generating means 30 does not generate heat. The heat radiator 20 radiates heat from the heat source transferred by the heat transfer means 25 from the heat radiator 21 . Particularly when the heat source is located inside the moving body, the heat from the heat source is efficiently released to the outside.

For example, when a voltage is applied to the conductor 40, such as when a switch provided in the middle of the wiring is closed, the heat generating means 30 generates heat. The heat radiator 20 radiates heat from the heat source transferred by the heat transfer means 25 and heat generated by the heat generating means 30 from the heat radiator 21 . By discharging the heat from the heat source and the heat generated by the heat generating means 30, the heat radiating section 21 can efficiently generate heat.

For example, a moving body is provided with sensors such as a millimeter wave radar, LiDAR, and an imaging device. If snow, water droplets, etc. adhere to a window glass or the like facing the sensor, detection by the sensor may be hindered. It is required to generate heat in the portion facing each sensor. A lot of energy is required to generate heat from a large number of heat generating means. The more energy you use to generate heat, the less energy you can use for other purposes. Particularly in the case of a moving object powered by electricity, such as an electric vehicle, if a large amount of energy is used to generate heat, the distance traveled by the moving object becomes shorter.

For example, a moving object has a heat source such as a sensor, a power source, a motor, etc. that should emit heat. There is a need to efficiently release heat from a heat source to the outside.

In this embodiment, the heat radiator 20 includes a heat transfer means 25 connected to a heat source, a heat radiator 21 connected to the heat transfer means 25, and a heat generator 30 disposed in the heat radiator 21. There is. By moving the heat from the heat source to the heat radiating section 21 by the heat transfer means 25, the heat from the heat source can be efficiently radiated to the outside. The heat radiation section 21 can be caused to generate heat by the heat generating means 30 when necessary. At this time, in the heat radiation section 21, not only the heat from the heat generating means 30 but also the heat from the heat source transmitted by the heat transfer means 25 is released. Energy consumed by the heat generating means 30 in order to generate heat necessary for removing fog or melting snow or ice in the heat dissipating section 21 by transferring heat from the heat source to the heat dissipating section 21 by the heat transfer means 25. can be reduced.

The heat transfer means 25 is connected to a bus bar 35. The heat transferred by the heat transfer means 25 is transmitted to the bus bar 35 and the conductor 40 connected to the bus bar 35 and is released. Heat can be efficiently radiated particularly from the portions of the heat radiating section 21 where heat should be generated, such as those generated by the heat generating means 30.

The sensor 11 is arranged facing the area A2 of the heat radiation section 21 where the heat generating means 30 is not arranged. Since the heat generating means 30 is not disposed in the portion facing the sensor 11, the sensor 11 can detect external information via the transparent member 5 provided with the heat radiator 20 without being obstructed by the heat generating means 30.

The heat source is the heat exhaust section 17 of the sensor 11. The sensor 11 faces the heat radiation part 21 and is arranged near the heat radiation part 21. The heat exhaust section 17 is close to the heat radiation section 21. It is easy to transfer heat from the heat exhaust section 17 to the heat radiating section 21 by the heat transfer means 25. The heat of the heat exhaust section 17 can be efficiently radiated in the heat radiating section 21.

The heat radiator 20 of this embodiment includes a heat transfer means 25 connected to a heat source, a heat radiator 21 connected to the heat transfer means 25, and a heat generator 30 disposed in the heat radiator 21. In the heat radiating section 21, not only the heat from the heat generating means 30 but also the heat from the heat source transmitted by the heat transfer means 25 is radiated. By moving the heat from the heat source to the heat radiating section 21 by the heat transfer means 25, the energy consumed by the heat generating means 30 to generate the necessary heat in the heat radiating section 21 can be reduced.

Various changes can be made to this embodiment.

For example, when the heat transfer means 25 is connected to the bus bar 35 and the heat source connected to the heat transfer means 25 is the power supply 7, the heat transfer means 25 may also serve as the wiring 8. In other words, the heat transfer means 25 may be the same member as the wiring 8. Such heat transfer means 25 has high electrical conductivity.

In the embodiment described above, the surface of the heat radiation section 21 is a flat surface. The surface of the heat dissipating section 21 may have an uneven shape in order to efficiently dissipate heat.

In the embodiment described above, the non-arrangement area A2 of the heat generating means 30 overlaps with the opening 6a, and the sensor 11 is arranged facing the non-arrangement area A2. The arrangement area A1 of the heat generating means 30 may overlap with the opening 6a, and the sensor 11 may be arranged facing the arrangement area A1. In this case, the conductor 40 of the heat generating means 30 is made sufficiently invisible. For example, the conductor 40 is formed of a thin conductive wire with a line width of 10 μm or less. Alternatively, the conductor 40 is formed of a transparent conductor such as ITO.

In the embodiment described above, the heat transfer means 25 and the heat generation means 30 are separate bodies. More specifically, the heat transfer means 25 is connected to the bus bar 35 of the heat generating means 30, but is separate from the bus bar 35. As shown in FIG. 6, at least a portion of the heat transfer means 25 and at least a portion of the heat generating means 30 may be integrated. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the heat transfer means 25 and the bus bar 35 are integrated. In such a heat radiator 20, heat transfer between the heat transfer means 25 and the heat radiator 21, more specifically between the heat transfer means 25 and the heat generating means 30 disposed in the heat radiator 21, is reduced. Loss can be reduced. Heat from the heat source can be efficiently transferred to the heat radiation section 21.

In the embodiment described above, an example was shown in which the transparent member 5 and the heat generating means 30 are formed in a curved shape, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and the transparent member 5 and the heat generating means 30 may be formed in a flat plate shape. Good too.

The heat sink 20 may be used for the rear window of the automobile 1, etc. Furthermore, it may be used in transparent parts of windows or doors of moving objects other than automobiles, such as railway vehicles, aircraft, ships, and spacecraft.

The heat radiator 20 can be used not only for moving objects but also for places that partition indoors and outdoors, such as buildings, stores, transparent parts of windows or doors of houses, windows or doors of buildings, refrigerators, display boxes, cupboards, etc. It can also be used for transparent parts of windows or doors of storage equipment.

1 Automobile 5 Transparent member 6 Colored layer 6a Opening 7 Power source 10 Sensor system 11 Sensor 17 Heat exhaust section 20 Heat sink 21 Heat sink 25 Heat transfer means 30 Heat generating means 31 Base material 33 Bonding layer 35 Bus bar 40 Conductor

Claims (7)

a heat transfer means connected to a heat source;
a heat radiating section connected to the heat transfer means;
A heat radiator comprising: a heat generating means disposed in the heat radiator. The heat sink according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the heat transfer means and at least a portion of the heat generation means are integrated. The heat generating means includes a pair of bus bars and a conductor disposed between the pair of bus bars,
The heat sink according to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer means is connected to the bus bar. The heat sink according to claim 1;
A sensor system, comprising: a sensor disposed facing the heat radiation section. The sensor system according to claim 4, wherein the sensor is arranged facing an area of the heat radiation section where the heat generating means is not arranged. The sensor system according to claim 4, wherein the heat source is a heat exhaust section of the sensor. A moving body comprising the heat radiator according to claim 1 or the sensor system according to claim 4.