Patent Description:
The security camera may, in some instances, include a thermal-control system fabricated using a stamped sheet metal structure that can dissipate heat from the SoC IC device during a low thermal-loading condition, such as when the security camera is operating in an event-based recording (EBR) mode that is triggered by a motion detected through the PIR sensor IC device. In such instances, the SoC IC device may dissipate heat at a rate of up to <NUM> Watts (W) for several seconds. In such an instance, the thermal-control system may be capable of dissipating the heat from the low thermal-loading condition to maintain a single prescribed temperature threshold across the multiple IC devices, effectively treating the security camera as a single thermal zone.

However, under a high thermal-loading condition, such as when the security camera is operating in a continuous video recording (CVR) mode, the SoC IC device may dissipate heat at a rate of up to <NUM> W continually. Additionally, if the security camera is exposed to solar radiation, the high thermal-loading condition on the security camera may increase even further (e.g., increase further beyond <NUM> W). In such an instance, the thermal-control system may be inadequate to maintain the single prescribed temperature threshold across the multiple IC devices. The inability of the thermal-control system to dissipate heat from the security camera may result in (i) damage to one or more IC devices of the security camera and/or (ii) a housing of the security camera exceeding a prescribed ergonomic touch-temperature threshold. <CIT> describes a video camera assembly that includes: a housing; an image sensor encased in the housing and configured to capture activity of a smart home environment; one or more circuit boards encased in the housing, the one or more circuit boards including at least one processor mounted thereon; and a heating component coupled to the image sensor, the heating component configured to continuously maintain the image sensor at a temperature above a threshold temperature while the image sensor is capturing the activity of the smart home environment. <CIT> relates to a security camera. The camera comprises a shell with a mounting cavity defined therein, a lens, a bracket, a mainboard, a heat dissipation piece, a heat conduction piece, and a power supply board are arranged in the mounting cavity.

The invention is set forth in the independent claim on a security camera. Specific embodiments are presented in the dependent claims. This document describes a thermal-control system that is integrated into the security camera. The thermal-control system includes a combination of heatsinks and thermal interface materials (TIMs) with high thermal conductivities. The thermal-control system may transfer and spread energy from a high thermal-loading condition effectuated upon the security camera to concurrently maintain temperatures of multiple thermal zones on or within the security camera at or below prescribed temperature thresholds.

The thermal-control system includes a first thermal-control subsystem that is configured to transfer a first quantity of heat to a housing. The first thermal-control subsystem includes a first TIM that is located between an SoC IC device and a first heat sink, where the SoC IC device is mounted to a first surface of a first printed circuit board (PCB). The first thermal-control subsystem also includes a second TIM that is located between a memory IC device, such as a double-data rate (DDR) memory IC device, and the first heat sink. The memory IC device, like the SoC IC device, is mounted to the first surface of the PCB. The first thermal-control subsystem also includes a third TIM that is located between a second surface of the first PCB and a second heat sink, where the second surface of the first PCB is opposite the first surface of the first PCB.

The thermal-control system of the security camera, as described, also includes a second thermal-control subsystem that is configured to transfer a second quantity of heat to the housing. The second thermal-control subsystem includes a fourth TIM that is located between a second surface of a second PCB and a heat spreader. The second surface of the second PCB is opposite a first surface of the second PCB to which a passive infrared sensor IC device and an image sensor IC device are mounted.

In some other aspects, the thermal-control system is configured to concurrently maintain (i) a first temperature of a first thermal zone that includes the SoC IC device at or below a first prescribed temperature threshold, (ii) a second temperature of a second thermal zone that includes the memory IC device at or below a second prescribed temperature threshold, and (iii) a third temperature of a third thermal zone that includes the battery at or below a third prescribed temperature threshold.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. This summary is provided to introduce subject matter that is further described in the Detailed Description. Accordingly, a reader should not consider the summary to describe essential features nor threshold the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The details of one or more aspects of a thermal-control system for a security camera are described below. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances in the description and the figures indicate similar mechanisms:.

This document describes a thermal-control system that is integrated into a security camera. The thermal-control system includes a combination of heatsinks and thermal interface materials (TIMs) with high thermal conductivities. The thermal-control system may transfer and spread energy from a high thermal-loading condition effectuated upon the security camera to concurrently maintain temperatures of multiple thermal zones on or within the security camera at or below prescribed temperature thresholds.

While features and concepts of the described thermal-control system can be implemented in any number of different environments and devices, aspects are described in the context of the descriptions and examples below.

Heat transfer, in general, is energy that is in transit due to a temperature difference. If one or more temperature differences exist across components of a system, such as the security camera, heat (e.g., energy in Joules) will transfer from higher temperature zones to lower temperature zones to minimize the temperature differences. There are several mechanisms for heat transfer across the components of a system to minimize temperature differences, including convection, radiation, and conduction.

Convection, or heat transfer from a surface due to movement of molecules within fluids such as gases and liquids, can be quantified by equation (<NUM>) below: <MAT>.

For equation (<NUM>), qconv represents a rate of heat transfer from a surface through convection (e.g., in Joules per second or Watts (W)), h represents a convection heat transfer coefficient (e.g., in W per meter squared (W/m<NUM>)), Ts represents a temperature of a surface (e.g., in Kelvin (K) or degrees Celsius (°C)), and T∞ represents a temperature of a fluid (e.g., in K or °C) to which the surface is exposed. The term A represents the area of a surface (e.g., in m<NUM>).

Radiation, or heat transfer from a surface through electromagnetic radiation, can be quantified by equation (<NUM>) below: <MAT>.

For equation (<NUM>), qrad represents a rate of heat transfer through radiation (e.g., in W), ε represents emissivity (dimensionless), σ represents the Stefen-Boltzmann constant (e.g., σ = <NUM> × <NUM>-<NUM> W/(m<NUM>·K<NUM>)), Ts represents a temperature of a surface (e.g., in K or °C), and Tsurr represents a temperature of surroundings of the surface (e.g., in K or °C). The term A represents an area of the surface (e.g., in m<NUM>).

Conduction, or heat transfer through a solid body through atomic and molecular activity, can be quantified by equation (<NUM>) below: <MAT>.

For equation (<NUM>), qcond represents a rate of heat transfer in a solid material through conduction (e.g., in W), k represents a thermal conductivity of the solid material (e.g., in W/(m·K)), and dT/dx represents a temperature gradient through the solid material (e.g., in K/m or °C/m). The term A represents a cross-sectional area of the solid material (e.g., in m<NUM>).

For a security camera, heat transfer between components may occur using one or more of the heat transfer mechanisms described above. In general, and in accordance with equations (<NUM>) and (<NUM>), heat transfer can be varied by increasing or decreasing surface areas for convection and/or radiation within the security camera (e.g., increasing or decreasing surface areas of heat sinks and/or heat spreading mechanisms).

Furthermore, and in accordance with equation (<NUM>), heat transfer can be varied by choosing one or more TIMs having specific thermal conductivities. Through careful design of heat sinks and the use of TIMs having the specific thermal conductivities, a thermal-control system of the security camera can concurrently maintain temperatures of different thermal zones at or below different prescribed temperature thresholds during a high thermal-loading condition.

<FIG> illustrates an example operating environment <NUM> in which a thermal-control system for a security camera can be implemented. In the operating environment <NUM>, a solar source (e.g., the sun) is radiating a solar heat load <NUM> (e.g., qs) onto at least one exterior surface of the security camera <NUM>. Also, in the operating environment <NUM>, at least one electronic device (e.g., at least one IC device) is generating an internal heat load <NUM> (e.g., qi) within the security camera <NUM>. The operating environment <NUM> may include a <NUM> W/m<NUM> solar heat load <NUM> and a <NUM> W internal heat load <NUM>.

As will be described in greater detail in figures below, the security camera <NUM> includes a thermal-control system <NUM>. The thermal-control system <NUM> includes at least two thermal-control subsystems. For instance, the thermal-control system <NUM> includes a main PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM> having heat transfer mechanisms that contribute to transferring heat from a main PCB populated with an SoC IC device and one or more memory IC devices to a housing of the security camera <NUM>. The thermal-control system <NUM> also includes a sensor PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM> having other heat transfer mechanisms that contribute to transferring heat from a sensor PCB populated with a PIR sensor IC device and an image sensor IC device to the housing of the security camera.

The thermal-control system <NUM> may effectuate transfer of heat (e.g., the solar heat load <NUM> plus the internal heat load <NUM> as realized by the security camera <NUM>) for heat dissipation <NUM> (e.g., qd) to the operating environment <NUM>. In some instances, the thermal-control system may also concurrently maintain temperatures of multiple thermal zones within the security camera <NUM> at or below multiple, different prescribed temperature thresholds.

<FIG> illustrates a magnified, exploded view <NUM> of an assembly including the main PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM> of <FIG>. As illustrated, the assembly includes a main PCB <NUM> that is populated with an SoC IC device <NUM> and one or more memory IC device(s) <NUM>, such as one or more DDR memory IC devices.

The SoC IC device <NUM> and the one or more memory IC device(s) <NUM> are mounted to a first surface <NUM> of the main PCB <NUM>. The SoC IC device <NUM> and the one or more memory IC device(s) <NUM> may be mounted to the first surface <NUM> of the main PCB <NUM> using surface mount (SMT) techniques that include soldering leads of the respective devices to electrical interconnect pads on the main PCB <NUM> and/or underfilling. The main PCB <NUM>, in some instances, may be a multi-layer PCB that includes multiple layers of electrical traces separated by multiple, corresponding layers of one or more dielectric materials.

<FIG> also illustrates details of the main PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM>. The main PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM> includes a first TIM <NUM> (e.g., an SoC IC device topside TIM), second TIM(s) <NUM> (e.g., memory IC device topside TIM(s)), and a first heat sink <NUM> (e.g., a front heat sink). The first TIM <NUM> and the second TIM(s) <NUM> is located between, and serve as a thermal conduction path between, the first heat sink <NUM> and respective surfaces (e.g., respective topside surfaces) of the SoC IC device <NUM> and the memory IC device(s) <NUM>.

The first heat sink <NUM> may be die-cast and include, for example, an aluminum material such as AL1100. Furthermore, the first heat sink <NUM> may be positioned such that a perimeter surface <NUM> (e.g., an exterior surface) of the first heat sink <NUM> is in direct physical and thermal contact with a housing (e.g., an interior surface of a housing component of the security camera <NUM> of <FIG>). The first heat sink <NUM> may also include one or more flange(s) <NUM> configured for multiple uses. For instance, the one or more flange(s) <NUM> may act as alignment guides to insert and assemble the first heat sink <NUM> into a housing of a security camera. By aligning the surfaces (e.g., the perimeter surface <NUM> to an interior surface of the housing), the one or more flange(s) <NUM> may improve heat transfer (e.g., thermal conduction) between the first heat sink <NUM> and the housing. Furthermore, the one or more flange(s) <NUM> may provide additional surface area to conduct additional heat to the housing.

Although the first heat sink <NUM> is illustrated as generally cylindrical in shape (e.g., having a generally round or oval cross-section), other shapes are possible. For instance, if a housing of a security camera including the first heat sink were of a cuboid shape, the first heat sink <NUM> could have a square or rectangular cross-section.

A third TIM <NUM> (e.g., an SoC IC device backside TIM), as illustrated in <FIG>, is located between a second surface <NUM> of the main PCB <NUM> and a second heat sink <NUM> (e.g., a rear heat sink) having a generally concave shape. The third TIM <NUM> serves as a thermal conduction path between the second surface <NUM> of the main PCB <NUM> and the second heat sink <NUM>.

The main PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM> may include different combinations of materials. For example, the first TIM <NUM> and the second TIM(s) <NUM> may be made up of a gel material with a high thermal conductivity (measured in W/(m·K)) and include a silicone-rubber material injected with nanoparticles such as aluminum, beryllium-nitride, and so on. As another example, the third TIM <NUM> may include a thermal pad material. Examples of the thermal pad material include a preformed solid material that is silicone-based or paraffin wax-based.

In some instances, the second heat sink <NUM> may be a stamped heat sink formed using an aluminum-alloy material, such as AL1100. The second heat sink <NUM> may include one or more flange(s) <NUM> and/or bends that form a cavity or recessed area within the second heat sink <NUM> to receive and support the main PCB <NUM> (e.g., an outline or shape of the main PCB <NUM>). When assembled, the one or more flange(s) <NUM> may include a lip or a rib along an outer rim, which may enable the second heat sink <NUM> to be secured to (e.g., clip to) the first heat sink <NUM>, thereby forming a cavity to house the main PCB <NUM>. Furthermore, and in some instances, the one or more flange(s) <NUM> may contribute to improvements in performance of the main PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM> by aligning surfaces for heat transfer (e.g., thermal conduction) between the second heat sink <NUM> and a housing (e.g., an interior surface of a housing component of the security camera <NUM> of <FIG>). Furthermore, the one or more flange(s) <NUM> may provide additional surface area to conduct additional heat to the housing.

In general, the main PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM>, as detailed in <FIG>, includes TIMs (e.g., the first TIM <NUM>, the second TIM(s) <NUM>, and the third TIM <NUM>) having high thermal conductivity (e.g., thermal gels and/or thermal pads) to transfer heat generated by the SoC IC device <NUM> and/or the memory IC device(s) <NUM>. The main PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM> transfers the heat using two different paths that include heat sinks with high thermal conductive properties (e.g., a first path that includes the first heat sink <NUM> and a second path that includes the second heat sink <NUM>). The main PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM>, in general, may contribute to maintaining multiple thermal zones of a security camera at or below respective, prescribed temperature thresholds.

<FIG> illustrates example details <NUM> of heat flow distribution through the first heat sink <NUM> of <FIG>.

As illustrated, the first heat sink <NUM> may have a generally cylindrical shape. An area of the perimeter surface <NUM> of the first heat sink <NUM> may be sized for a specific heat transfer performance. As an example, the area of the perimeter surface <NUM> may be sized to transfer a first portion <NUM> of heat through a front region <NUM> of the first heat sink <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> through the perimeter surface <NUM>. In such an instance, the first portion <NUM> may be transferred using a convection and/or radiation heat transfer mechanism, while the second portion <NUM> may be transferred using a conduction heat transfer mechanism.

As an example, heat transfer may include the first portion <NUM> being <NUM>% of a heat load and the second portion <NUM> being <NUM>% of the heat load. The surface area of the perimeter surface <NUM> may be sized to maintain a temperature of a thermal zone within a prescribed temperature threshold while a combined heat load (e.g., the solar heat load <NUM> and the internal heat load <NUM> of <FIG>) is exuded upon a security camera that includes the first heat sink <NUM>.

Note that for different instances, distribution (e.g., portions of heat) and direction of heat flow through the first heat sink <NUM> may vary. Such different instances may include, for example, different magnitudes of heat loads (e.g., different magnitudes of the solar heat load <NUM> and the internal heat load <NUM>) as well as different ambient conditions surrounding a home-security camera including the first heat sink <NUM>.

In some instances, different sizes (e.g., respective surface areas) of the one more flange(s) <NUM> may alter or change respective magnitudes of the first portion <NUM> of the heat and the second portion <NUM> of the heat. Furthermore, respective locations of the one or more flange(s) <NUM> may impact respective magnitudes of the first portion <NUM> of the heat and the second portion <NUM> of the heat. The one or more flange(s) <NUM> may transfer heat using thermal conduction, thermal convection, and/or thermal radiation heat transfer mechanisms.

<FIG> illustrates a magnified, exploded view <NUM> of an assembly including the sensor PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM> of <FIG>. As illustrated, the assembly includes a sensor PCB <NUM> that is populated with an image sensor IC device <NUM> and a PIR sensor IC device <NUM>.

The image sensor IC device <NUM> and the PIR sensor IC device <NUM> are mounted to a first surface <NUM> of the sensor PCB <NUM>. The image sensor IC device <NUM> and the PIR sensor IC device <NUM> may be mounted to the first surface <NUM> of the sensor PCB <NUM> using SMT techniques that include soldering leads of the respective devices to electrical interconnect pads on the sensor PCB <NUM> and underfilling.

The sensor PCB <NUM>, in some instances, may be a multi-layer PCB that includes multiple layers of electrical traces separated by multiple, corresponding layers of one or more dielectric materials. The sensor PCB <NUM> may be further enhanced with separate, respective ground planes for the image sensor IC device <NUM> and the PIR sensor IC device <NUM>.

The respective ground planes may be thermally separated by a slot <NUM> in the sensor PCB <NUM> that reduces heat transfer between the image sensor IC device <NUM> and the PIR sensor IC device <NUM>. In some instances, the slot <NUM> may have a length that is an order of magnitude greater than a width of the slot (e.g., the length of the slot <NUM> may be <NUM> × the width of the slot <NUM>) so that thermal separation (e.g., thermal resistance) is increased. Furthermore, the respective ground planes of the image sensor IC device <NUM> and the PIR sensor IC device <NUM> may be formed from a material that has a high thermal conductivity (e.g., a copper material).

<FIG> also illustrates a fourth TIM <NUM>. The fourth TIM <NUM> is located between a second surface <NUM> of the sensor PCB <NUM> (e.g., the second surface <NUM> that is opposite from the first surface <NUM> of the sensor PCB <NUM>) and serve as a thermal conduction path between the second surface <NUM> of the sensor PCB <NUM> and a heat spreader <NUM>.

The heat spreader <NUM> may be stamped and fit within a generally rectangular outline. The heat spreader <NUM> may include for example, an aluminum material such as AL1100. The heat spreader <NUM> may include one or more flanges and/or bends <NUM> that form a cavity or a recessed area within the heat spreader <NUM> to receive and support the sensor PCB <NUM> (e.g., an outline or shape of the sensor PCB <NUM>). In some instances, the one or more flange(s) and/or bend(s) <NUM> may align the sensor PCB <NUM> to the heat spreader <NUM> to improve thermal contact between features of the sensor PCB <NUM> and the heat spreader <NUM>, thereby improving heat transfer (e.g., thermal conduction) between the sensor PCB <NUM> and the heat spreader <NUM>. Furthermore, the one or more flange(s) and/or bend(s) <NUM> may improve thermal performance of the sensor PCB by providing additional surface area for conduction and/or convection of heat from the heat spreader <NUM>.

In some instances, other features of a security camera may indirectly impact the sensor PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM>. For instance, a security camera may include an infrared light emitting diode (IRLED) board <NUM> and a cover <NUM> that impact heat flowing through the security camera. The cover <NUM> may include notches and/or other features to which flanges of the heat spreader <NUM> may connect (e.g., clip).

<FIG> illustrates example details <NUM> of multiple thermal zones controlled by the thermal-control system <NUM>, including thermal zones controlled by the main PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM> combined with the sensor PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM>.

The multiple thermal zones include a first thermal zone <NUM> having the SoC IC device <NUM>. The SoC IC device <NUM> may execute machine-learning algorithms and process images while the security camera is in a CVR mode to generate a portion of an internal heat load.

The first thermal zone <NUM> may have a first prescribed temperature threshold corresponding to an allowable junction temperature of a diode within the SoC IC device <NUM> under the high thermal-loading condition (e.g., when both the solar heat load <NUM> and the internal heat load <NUM> are exuding heat upon a security camera such as the security camera <NUM> of <FIG>).

As an example, the first prescribed temperature threshold may be approximately <NUM> degrees Celsius (°C). In such an instance, the thermal-control system <NUM> may transfer and spread heat to maintain the first thermal zone <NUM> at or below the first prescribed temperature threshold (e.g., the junction temperature of a diode within the SoC IC device <NUM> may be maintained at or below <NUM> under the high thermal-loading condition).

The multiple thermal zones may also include a second thermal zone <NUM> that includes the one or more memory IC device(s) <NUM>. Like the SoC IC device <NUM>, the one or more memory IC device(s) <NUM> may be mounted to (and share) the first surface <NUM> of the main PCB <NUM>.

The second thermal zone <NUM> may have a second prescribed temperature threshold corresponding to an allowable junction temperature of the memory IC device(s) <NUM>. As an example, the second prescribed temperature threshold may be approximately <NUM>. In such an instance, the thermal-control system <NUM> may concurrently transfer and spread heat to maintain the second thermal zone <NUM> at or below the second prescribed temperature threshold (e.g., the allowable junction temperature of the memory IC device(s) <NUM> may be maintained at or below <NUM> under the high thermal-loading condition).

A third thermal zone <NUM> that includes a battery <NUM> may also be part of the multiple thermal zones. The battery <NUM> may power the security camera <NUM> in the event another power source to the security camera <NUM> is interrupted.

The third thermal zone <NUM> may have a third prescribed temperature threshold corresponding to an allowable temperature of the battery <NUM>. As an example, the third prescribed temperature threshold may be approximately <NUM>. In such an instance, the thermal-control system <NUM> may concurrently transfer and spread heat to maintain the third thermal zone <NUM> at or below the third prescribed temperature threshold (e.g., the allowable temperature of the battery <NUM> may be maintained at or below <NUM> under the high thermal-loading condition).

The multiple thermal zones may also include a fourth thermal zone <NUM> that includes the image sensor IC device <NUM> (not visible in <FIG>). The image sensor IC device <NUM> may be mounted to the first surface <NUM> of the sensor PCB <NUM> (not visible in <FIG>).

The fourth thermal zone <NUM> may have a fourth prescribed temperature threshold corresponding to an allowable junction temperature of a diode within the image sensor IC device <NUM>. As an example, the fourth prescribed temperature threshold may be approximately <NUM>. In such an instance, the thermal-control system <NUM> may concurrently transfer and spread heat to maintain the fourth thermal zone <NUM> at or below the fourth prescribed temperature threshold (e.g., the junction temperature of the diode within the image sensor IC device <NUM> may be maintained at or below <NUM> under the high thermal-loading condition).

A fifth thermal zone <NUM> that includes the PIR sensor IC device <NUM> may be included in the multiple thermal zones. The PIR sensor IC device <NUM> may detect motion near a security camera and, like the image sensor IC device <NUM>, be mounted to the first surface <NUM> of the sensor PCB <NUM>.

The fifth thermal zone <NUM> may have a fifth prescribed temperature threshold corresponding to an allowable junction temperature of a diode within the PIR sensor IC device <NUM> (not visible in <FIG>). As an example, the fifth prescribed temperature threshold may be approximately <NUM>. In such an instance, the thermal-control system <NUM> may concurrently transfer and spread heat to maintain the fifth thermal zone <NUM> at or below the fifth prescribed temperature threshold (e.g., the junction temperature of a diode within the PIR sensor IC device <NUM> may be maintained at or below <NUM> under the high thermal-loading condition).

The multiple thermal zones also include a sixth thermal zone <NUM> that includes a housing component <NUM>. The housing component <NUM> may house devices and subassemblies of a security camera (e.g., the security camera <NUM> of <FIG>). The sixth thermal zone <NUM> may have a sixth prescribed temperature threshold corresponding to an allowable ergonomic touch temperature of the housing component <NUM>. As an example, the sixth prescribed temperature threshold may be approximately <NUM>. In such an instance, the thermal-control system <NUM> may concurrently transfer and spread heat to maintain the sixth thermal zone <NUM> at or below the sixth prescribed temperature threshold (e.g., the allowable ergonomic touch temperature of the housing component <NUM> may be maintained at or below <NUM> under the high thermal-loading condition).

The thermal-control system <NUM> may concurrently transfer and spread the heat (e.g., solar heat load <NUM>, internal heat load <NUM> of <FIG>) throughout a security camera (e.g., the security camera <NUM> of <FIG>) using heat transfer modes that include conduction, convection, and/or radiation. The heat may subsequently be dissipated through exterior surfaces of the security camera (e.g., exterior surfaces of the housing component <NUM>) to concurrently maintain temperatures of the six thermal zones (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) at or below respective prescribed temperature thresholds.

The thermal-control system <NUM> includes the main PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM> having heat transfer mechanisms that contribute to transferring heat away from the SoC IC device <NUM>. The main PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM> includes the first TIM <NUM> (e.g., the SoC IC device topside TIM), the one or more second TIM(s) <NUM> (e.g., the memory IC device topside TIM(s)), and the first heat sink <NUM> (e.g., the front heat sink). The first heat sink <NUM> is located between the battery <NUM> and the main PCB <NUM>. The first TIM <NUM> is located between, and serve as a thermal conduction path between, the SoC IC device <NUM> and the first heat sink <NUM>. The second TIM(s) <NUM> is located between, and serve as a thermal conduction path between, the first heat sink <NUM> and the memory IC device(s) <NUM>.

The main PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM> also includes the third TIM <NUM> (e.g., the SoC IC device backside TIM) and the second heat sink <NUM> (e.g., a rear heat sink). The third TIM <NUM> is located between the second surface <NUM> of the main PCB <NUM> and the second heat sink <NUM>. In some instances, the third TIM <NUM> may have a footprint that mirrors and approximates an outline of the SoC IC device <NUM>.

The thermal-control system <NUM> includes the sensor PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM> having heat transfer mechanisms that contribute to transferring heat away from the image sensor IC device <NUM> and/or the PIR sensor IC device <NUM>. The sensor PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM> includes the heat spreader <NUM> and the fourth TIM <NUM> of <FIG> (not visible in <FIG>). The fourth TIM <NUM> is located between the second surface <NUM> of the sensor PCB <NUM> and the heat spreader <NUM> and serve as a thermal conduction path between the second surface <NUM> of the sensor PCB <NUM> and the heat spreader <NUM>.

The sensor PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM> may include different combinations of materials. For example, the fourth TIM <NUM> may be made up of a gel material with a high thermal conductivity and include a silicone-rubber material injected with nanoparticles made of aluminum, beryllium-nitride, and so on.

The thermal-control system <NUM>, including the main PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM> and the sensor PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM>, is a passive thermal-control system. As implemented, the thermal-control system <NUM> does not require or use active or powered fans or pumps to concurrently maintain temperatures of the six thermal zones (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) at or below prescribed temperature thresholds.

In general, the main PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM> transfers a first quantity of heat to the housing component <NUM>, and the sensor PCB thermal-control subsystem <NUM> transfers a second quantity of heat to the housing component <NUM>. Respective quantities of heat (e.g., the first quantity of heat and the second quantity of heat) may vary based on changing thermal loads and/or ambient conditions.

In certain instances, the first heat sink <NUM> may include a cavity that supports or houses a battery <NUM>. In such an instance, the thermal-control system <NUM> may include a thermal foam material <NUM> having a low thermal conductivity to inhibit or prevent heat (e.g., heat from the SoC IC device <NUM>) from transferring through the first heat sink <NUM> to the battery <NUM>. Preventing heat transfer to the battery <NUM> may, in some instances, prevent the battery <NUM> from swelling and damaging the first heat sink <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A security camera (<NUM>) comprising a housing (<NUM>), a battery (<NUM>) and a thermal-control system (<NUM>) integrated into the security camera (<NUM>), the thermal-control system (<NUM>) comprising:
a first thermal-control subsystem (<NUM>), the first thermal-control subsystem (<NUM>) configured to transfer a first quantity of heat to the housing (<NUM>), the first thermal-control subsystem (<NUM>) including:
a first thermal interface material (<NUM>), the first thermal interface material (<NUM>) located between a system-on-chip integrated circuit device (<NUM>) of the security camera (<NUM>) and a first heat sink (<NUM>) of the thermal-control system (<NUM>), the system-on-chip integrated circuit device (<NUM>) mounted to a first surface (<NUM>) of a first printed circuit board (<NUM>) of the security camera (<NUM>);
a second thermal interface material (<NUM>), the second thermal interface material (<NUM>) located between a memory integrated circuit device (<NUM>) and the first heat sink (<NUM>), the memory integrated circuit device (<NUM>) mounted to the first surface (<NUM>) of the first printed circuit board (<NUM>); and
a third thermal interface material (<NUM>), the third thermal interface material (<NUM>) located between a second surface (<NUM>) of the first printed circuit board (<NUM>) and a second heat sink (<NUM>) of the thermal-control system (<NUM>), the second surface (<NUM>) of the first printed circuit board (<NUM>) opposite the first surface (<NUM>) of the first printed circuit board (<NUM>); and
a second thermal-control subsystem (<NUM>), the second thermal-control subsystem (<NUM>) configured to transfer a second quantity of heat to the housing (<NUM>), the second thermal-control subsystem (<NUM>) including:
a fourth thermal interface material (<NUM>), the fourth thermal interface material (<NUM>) located between a second surface (<NUM>) of a second printed circuit board (<NUM>) of the security camera (<NUM>) and a heat spreader (<NUM>) of the security camera (<NUM>), the second surface (<NUM>) of the second printed circuit board (<NUM>) opposite a first surface (<NUM>) of the second printed circuit board (<NUM>) to which a passive infrared sensor integrated circuit device (<NUM>) of the security camera (<NUM>) and an image sensor integrated circuit device (<NUM>) of the security camera (<NUM>) are mounted, wherein the first heat sink (<NUM>) is located between the battery (<NUM>) and the first printed circuit board (<NUM>).