A housing docking structure and an in-vehicle camera

Abstract

This invention provides a housing docking structure and an automotive camera, relating to the field of sealing technology. It includes an upper cover, a lower cover, and a sealing ring. The upper and lower covers dock to form an inner cavity for housing a circuit board. A first notch with an opening facing the inner cavity is provided on the end face of the docking end of the upper cover. The sealing ring is partially located within the first notch, so that when the upper and lower covers dock and press against the sealing ring, the sealing ring abuts against the circuit board. Increasing the thickness of the ribs on the mold improves yield and not only effectively reduces the manufacturing process difficulty, but also utilizes the first notch and the circuit board structure within the inner cavity to provide inward and outward limiting functions for the sealing ring. This achieves the goal of reducing the process difficulty of setting a positioning part on the housing while ensuring the stability of the sealing ring, effectively improving manufacturing yield and cost, and avoiding the impact of increasing the thickness of the upper and lower covers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of sealing technology, and more specifically, to a housing docking structure and an in-vehicle camera. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid advancement of automotive intelligence, the requirements for hardware to achieve intelligence are becoming increasingly higher, reflected in space utilization and aesthetics. There is a growing demand for miniaturization of hardware installed in vehicles, especially for in-vehicle cameras. The available installation space in existing vehicles is limited, and within this limited space, the hardware layout requires a sufficiently large circuit board area, while the surrounding space is also limited.

[0003] Currently, sealing is usually achieved by adding a sealing ring at the joint of the upper and lower shells with millimeter-thin walls. However, in order to ensure the stability of the sealing ring during the joint, it is usually necessary to increase the thickness of the upper and lower shells, thereby increasing the area of ​​the joint. This results in the upper and lower shells occupying too much space, making it difficult to achieve effective space utilization. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a shell docking structure and a vehicle-mounted camera that can ensure the stability of the sealing ring without increasing the thickness of the upper and lower shells.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solutions adopted in the embodiments of the present invention are as follows:

[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, a housing docking structure is provided, comprising: an upper cover, a lower cover, and a sealing ring; the upper cover and the lower cover are docked to form an inner cavity for accommodating a circuit board, and a first notch with an opening facing the inner cavity is provided on the end face of the docking end of the upper cover, and the sealing ring is partially located in the first notch so that when the upper cover and the lower cover are docked and pressed against the sealing ring, the sealing ring abuts against the circuit board.

[0007] Optionally, the first notch includes interconnected sidewalls and a bottom wall, with the sidewalls and bottom wall set at right angles.

[0008] Optionally, the upper cover includes a plurality of first notches, which are spaced apart along the end face.

[0009] Optionally, the first notch is arranged in a ring shape with the ends connected along the end face.

[0010] Optionally, the thickness of the sealing ring can be matched with the thickness of the circuit board.

[0011] Optionally, the thickness of the upper cover is 1mm to 5mm, and the thickness of the lower cover is 1mm to 5mm.

[0012] Optionally, the upper cover is connected to the lower cover via a locking mechanism.

[0013] Optionally, a second notch with an opening facing the inner cavity is provided on the end face of the mating end of the lower cover, and the sealing ring is located in the second notch.

[0014] Optionally, a third notch with an opening opposite to the inner cavity is provided on the end face of the mating end of the lower cover, and the sealing ring is located in the third notch.

[0015] In another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle-mounted camera is provided, including an image acquisition unit, a circuit board, and a housing docking structure of any of the above. The image acquisition unit is electrically connected to the circuit board, and the image acquisition unit and the circuit board are located in the inner cavity of the housing docking structure. The position of the circuit board corresponds to the position of the sealing ring of the housing docking structure.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention include:

[0017] This invention provides a shell mating structure, including: an upper cover, a lower cover, and a sealing ring; the upper cover and the lower cover are mated to form an inner cavity for accommodating a circuit board. A first notch with an opening facing the inner cavity is formed on the end face of the mating end of the upper cover. The sealing ring is partially located within the first notch, so that when the upper cover and the lower cover are mated and pressed against the sealing ring, the sealing ring abuts against the circuit board. This design can increase the thickness of the ribs on the mold, improving yield. It not only effectively reduces the manufacturing process difficulty but also utilizes the first notch and the circuit board structure within the inner cavity to provide inward and outward limiting functions for the sealing ring. This achieves the goal of reducing the process difficulty of setting a positioning part on the shell while ensuring the stability of the sealing ring, effectively improving manufacturing yield and cost, and avoiding the negative impact of increasing the thickness of the upper and lower covers.

[0018] This invention provides a vehicle-mounted camera that applies the aforementioned housing docking structure to the camera. This structure encapsulates the internal circuit board and image acquisition unit, effectively improving the camera's lifespan and anti-interference capabilities. Simultaneously, the housing docking structure increases the thickness of the ribs on the mold, improving yield and reducing manufacturing complexity. Furthermore, the first notch and the circuit board structure within the cavity provide inward and outward-inward positioning of the sealing ring, ensuring its stability while reducing the complexity of setting the positioning part on the housing. This significantly improves manufacturing yield and cost, avoiding the negative impacts of increasing the thickness of the upper and lower covers. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an existing shell docking structure;

[0021] Figure 2 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of a shell docking structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a second schematic diagram of a shell docking structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a partial schematic diagram of a shell docking structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is the third schematic diagram of a shell docking structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 The fourth schematic diagram of a shell docking structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Icons: 100-Upper cover; 110-Inner cavity; 120-First notch; 121-Bottom wall; 122-Side wall; 130-End face of the mating end of the upper cover; 200-Lower cover; 210-Second notch; 220-Third notch; 300-Sealing ring; 400-Circuit board. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0028] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. It should be noted that, without conflict, the various features in the embodiments of the invention can be combined with each other, and the combined embodiments are still within the protection scope of the invention.

[0029] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0030] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product is in use. They are only used for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0031] In the description of this invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0032] The available installation space inside a vehicle is limited. Within this limited space, the hardware layout requires a sufficiently large circuit board area, while the surrounding space is also limited. Current methods typically include two approaches. One is to increase the thickness of the cover at the joint between the upper and lower housings or covers, thereby increasing the contact surface. Corresponding grooves are then created on the contact surface to position the sealing ring and prevent it from shifting. However, this method increases the cover thickness, encroaching on installation space and making it difficult to install the upper and lower housings within the limited space. The other approach is... Figure 1 As shown, a groove is directly made on the contact surface at the mating point of the lower cover 02, and a sealing ring 03 is set between the upper cover 01 and the lower cover 02. However, due to the limited installation space, the thickness of the upper cover 01 and the lower cover 02 is often in the millimeter range, and the size of the groove will be even smaller. It is difficult to form the groove on the upper cover 01. Especially for die castings, the mold for the groove part needs to make fine ribs, which increases the difficulty of mold opening and the fine ribs are prone to chipping, making it impossible to form the groove and affecting the mold life. Therefore, it is difficult to meet the high yield requirements of production and processing by directly making the groove on the contact surface.

[0033] Based on this, this application provides a housing docking structure, including: an upper cover 100, a lower cover 200, and a sealing ring 300; the upper cover 100 and the lower cover 200 dock to form an inner cavity 110 for accommodating a circuit board 400; a first notch 120 with an opening facing the inner cavity 110 is provided on the end face 130 of the docking end of the upper cover; the sealing ring 300 is partially located in the first notch 120, so that when the upper cover 100 and the lower cover 200 dock and press against the sealing ring 300, the sealing ring 300 abuts against the circuit board 400.

[0034] For example, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the outer shell mating structure includes a sealing ring 300, an upper cover 100, and a lower cover 200. To facilitate sealing at the mating position between the upper cover 100 and the lower cover 200, the sealing ring 300 is located between the upper cover 100 and the lower cover 200. After mating, the upper cover 100 and the lower cover 200 can form a cylindrical structure. Inside the cylindrical structure, a hollow inner cavity 110 is correspondingly enclosed. Components related to the camera that need to be sealed, such as the circuit board 400, can be placed in this inner cavity 110.

[0035] A first notch 120 is formed on the end face 130 of the mating end of the upper cover 100, meaning that the notch has an opening on the end face. Simultaneously, another opening of the first notch 120 faces the inner cavity 110, meaning that the inner wall of the upper cover 100 also has an opening that is completely connected to the inner cavity 110. This forms an L-shaped groove at the mating end of the upper cover 100 that communicates with the inner cavity 110. The final structure of the first notch 120 can be a U-shaped groove with one sidewall 122 removed. The shape of the sealing ring 300 can be matched to the shapes of the mating ends of the upper cover 100 and the lower cover 200. The purpose is to tightly fill the mating area after the upper cover 100 and the lower cover 200 are mated to achieve a seal. For example... Figure 2 and Figure 3The sealing ring 300 may include two parts (a sealing part and a limiting part). It should be noted that the limiting part can also have a sealing function. The sealing part is located between the end face 130 of the mating end of the upper cover and the mating end of the lower cover 200, while the limiting part is located within the first notch 120 formed at the mating end of the upper cover 100. The two parts are connected to each other. Thus, when the upper cover 100 and the lower cover 200 are mated, the limiting part can be limited by the first notch 120, which in turn limits the sealing part, thereby positioning the sealing ring 300 and preventing it from shifting away from the inner cavity 110. Simultaneously, the circuit board 400 disposed in the inner cavity 110 can be positioned precisely at the location of the sealing ring 300 or the mating point. The circuit board 400 can be matched with the shape of the transverse surface of the inner cavity 110. Thus, during the mating and pressing process of the upper cover 100 and the lower cover 200, the sealing ring 300 located between the two will be gradually squeezed. This not only allows the deformable sealing ring 300 to completely and tightly fill the gap between the upper cover 100 and the lower cover 200, but also allows the deformed sealing ring 300 to abut against the circuit board 400 in the inner cavity 110. In this way, the sealing ring 300 can be limited in the direction close to the inner cavity 110, preventing it from shifting towards the inner cavity 110.

[0036] Therefore, by creating a first notch 120 communicating with the inner cavity 110 only at the mating end of the upper cover 100, the thickness of the ribs on the mold can be increased, improving the yield. This not only effectively reduces the manufacturing process difficulty but also allows the first notch 120 and the circuit board 400 structure in the inner cavity 110 to provide inward and outward limiting functions for the sealing ring 300. This achieves the goal of reducing the process difficulty of setting the positioning part on the outer shell while ensuring the stability of the sealing ring 300, effectively improving the manufacturing yield and cost, and avoiding the impact caused by increasing the thickness of the upper cover 100 and the lower cover 200. It should be understood that in this application, the terms "upper" and "lower" in "upper cover 100" and "lower cover 200" are only for the purpose of distinguishing the two and thus better and more clearly describing the technical solution of this application. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0037] Optionally, the first notch 120 includes a side wall 122 and a bottom wall 121 that are connected to each other, with the side wall 122 and the bottom wall 121 arranged at a right angle or an acute angle.

[0038] For example, such as Figure 3 As shown, the first notch 120 is formed by a bottom wall 121 and a side wall 122, wherein the side wall 122 can limit the limiting portion of the sealing ring 300 accommodated within the notch, as in one embodiment, such as Figure 4As shown, the angle α between the side wall 122 and the bottom wall 121 can be a right angle. Correspondingly, the limiting part and the sealing part of the sealing ring 300 can also be matched to form a similar structure. When the angle α between the side wall 122 and the bottom wall 121 is a right angle, the manufacturing difficulty can be further reduced.

[0039] The outer shell can be a cylinder, a square tube, etc., and the sealing ring 300 can be made of various materials such as rubber and silicone. In order to achieve a seal, the inner diameter of the sealing ring 300 should match the inner diameter of the outer shell, so as to effectively achieve a seal at the joint when positioned.

[0040] Optionally, the upper cover 100 includes a plurality of first notches 120, which are spaced apart along the end face.

[0041] For example, in one embodiment: the first notch 120 may be provided only once on the end face 130 of the mating end of the upper cover, and correspondingly, only one limiting part is provided on the sealing part, and the limiting part is located within the first notch 120. In another embodiment: the first notch 120 may be provided twice on the end face 130 of the mating end of the upper cover, and correspondingly, two limiting parts are provided on the sealing part, and the two limiting parts correspond one-to-one with the two first notches 120, such that the limiting parts are located within the first notches 120, and the two first notches 120 may be provided in an alternating manner. In yet another embodiment: the first notch 120 may be provided three times on the end face 130 of the mating end of the upper cover, and correspondingly, three limiting parts are provided on the sealing part, and the three limiting parts correspond one-to-one with the three first notches 120, such that the limiting parts are located within the first notches 120, and the three first notches 120 may be provided in an alternating manner. Furthermore, when setting the first gap 120 at intervals, a uniform distribution method can be used for reasonable setting, so that a relatively balanced limit can be formed at each position. When there are four, five, six, or more first gaps 120, the setting method described above can be used, and will not be repeated here.

[0042] Optionally, the first notch 120 is arranged in a ring shape with the ends connected along the end face.

[0043] For example, when the first notch 120 is a single notch, its ends can be connected along the end face 130 of the mating end of the upper cover, that is, a stepped hole structure is formed inside the upper cover 100. This stepped hole structure is formed by the annular notch and the inner cavity 110 located inside the upper cover 100. In this way, the die-casting mold can be further simplified, thereby improving the yield of the finished product.

[0044] Optionally, to better limit the sealing ring 300 in the direction near the inner cavity 110, the thickness of the sealing ring 300 and the thickness of the circuit board 400 can be matched. For example, in one embodiment: Figure 2 As shown, the thickness of the sealing ring 300 is equal to the thickness of the circuit board 400; in another embodiment, the thickness of the sealing ring 300 is less than the thickness of the circuit board 400; in yet another embodiment, the thickness of the sealing ring 300 is greater than the thickness of the circuit board 400, but the difference is within a reasonable range, for example, less than 1 mm. Therefore, the thickness of the circuit board 400 can provide good lateral support for the sealing ring 300, reducing the possibility of the sealing ring 300 deviating.

[0045] Optionally, the thickness of the upper cover 100 is 1mm to 5mm, and the thickness of the lower cover 200 is 1mm to 5mm. Further, the thickness of the upper cover 100 is 1.6mm to 2.5mm, and the thickness of the lower cover 200 is 1.6mm to 2.5mm. Still further, the thickness of the upper cover 100 is 1.8mm, and the thickness of the lower cover 200 is 1.8mm.

[0046] Optionally, to improve the stability of the connection between the upper cover 100 and the lower cover 200, the upper cover 100 can be connected to the lower cover 200 by means of locking components, such as bolts or screws, which pass through the inner cavity 110 of the upper cover 100 and the lower cover 200 to facilitate the docking of the upper cover 100 and the lower cover 200, thereby providing good protection for the internal components.

[0047] Optional, such as Figure 5 As shown, a second notch 210 with an opening facing the inner cavity 110 can also be provided on the end face of the mating end of the lower cover 200. This can further improve the limiting ability of the sealing ring 300, thereby further reducing the possibility of the sealing ring 300 deviating during the mating process of the upper cover 100 and the lower cover 200. The sealing ring 300 is partially located in the second notch 210, that is, the limiting part of the sealing ring 300 is located in the second notch 210. It should be understood that the limiting part can be a shape structure that matches the first notch 120 and the second notch 210 respectively in embodiments that simultaneously include the first notch 120 and the second notch 210, thereby realizing the corresponding limiting and sealing function.

[0048] Optional, such as Figure 6As shown, a third notch 220 with an opening away from the inner cavity 110 can also be provided on the end face of the mating end of the lower cover 200. That is, the third notch 220 is not connected to the inner cavity 110, but is connected to the outer space. In this case, during the mating process of the upper cover 100 and the lower cover 200, the limiting part located at the first notch 120 can limit the sealing ring 300 away from the inner cavity 110, and the limiting part located at the third notch 220 can limit the sealing ring 300 closer to the inner cavity 110. In this way, the limiting ability of the sealing ring 300 can be further improved, thereby further reducing the possibility of the sealing ring 300 deviating during the mating process of the upper cover 100 and the lower cover 200. The sealing ring 300 is located in the third notch 220, that is, the limiting part of the sealing ring 300 is located in the third notch 220. It should be understood that the limiting part may have a shape structure that matches the first notch 120 and the third notch 220 respectively in an embodiment that includes both the first notch 120 and the third notch 220, thereby realizing the corresponding limiting sealing function.

[0049] In another aspect of this invention, a vehicle-mounted camera is provided, including an image acquisition unit, a circuit board 400, and a housing docking structure as described above. The image acquisition unit is electrically connected to the circuit board 400, and can acquire images of the external environment, such as taking videos or photos. The circuit board 400 can electrically connect the image acquisition unit to external control devices or storage devices to realize data exchange and command control functions. The image acquisition unit and the circuit board 400 are located in the inner cavity 110 of the housing docking structure, and the position of the circuit board 400 corresponds to the position of the sealing ring 300 of the housing docking structure.

[0050] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the aforementioned housing docking structure is applied to an automotive camera. This structure encapsulates the internal circuit board 400 and image acquisition unit (not shown), effectively improving the camera's lifespan and anti-interference capabilities. Simultaneously, the housing docking structure increases the thickness of the ribs on the mold, improving yield. This not only effectively reduces manufacturing complexity but also allows the first notch 120 and the circuit board 400 structure in the inner cavity 110 to provide inward and outward-inward positioning for the sealing ring 300. This achieves stability of the sealing ring 300 while reducing the difficulty of setting the positioning part on the housing, effectively improving manufacturing yield and cost, and avoiding the negative impact of increasing the thickness of the upper cover 100 and lower cover 200.

[0051] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A shell docking structure, characterized in that, include: The system comprises an upper cover, a lower cover, and a sealing ring. The upper cover and the lower cover are joined to form an inner cavity for housing a circuit board. A first notch with an opening facing the inner cavity is provided on the end face of the joining end of the upper cover. The sealing ring includes a sealing part and a limiting part connected to each other. The sealing part is located between the end faces of the joining ends of the upper cover and the lower cover. The limiting part is located within the first notch. When the upper cover and the lower cover are joined and pressed against the sealing ring, the sealing ring abuts against the circuit board. The circuit board is located at the first notch. The first notch includes a side wall and a bottom wall connected to each other. The side wall is adjacent to the end face of the joining end of the upper cover and limits the limiting part. The thickness of the sealing ring matches the thickness of the circuit board.

2. The shell docking structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The sidewall and the bottom wall are set at right angles.

3. The shell docking structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The upper cover includes a plurality of the first notches, which are spaced apart along the end face.

4. The shell docking structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first notch is arranged in a ring shape with the ends connected along the end face.

5. The shell docking structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the upper cover is 1mm to 5mm, and the thickness of the lower cover is 1mm to 5mm.

6. The shell docking structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The upper cover is connected to the lower cover by a locking device.

7. The shell docking structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, A second notch with an opening facing the inner cavity is provided on the end face of the mating end of the lower cover, and the sealing ring is partially located in the second notch.

8. The shell docking structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, A third notch is provided on the end face of the mating end of the lower cover, with an opening facing away from the inner cavity, and the sealing ring is located in the third notch.

9. A vehicle-mounted camera, characterized in that, The device includes an image acquisition unit, a circuit board, and a housing docking structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 8. The image acquisition unit is electrically connected to the circuit board, and the image acquisition unit and the circuit board are located in the inner cavity of the housing docking structure. The position of the circuit board corresponds to the position of the sealing ring of the housing docking structure.

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