Camera device for monitoring a driver of a vehicle with LED mounted direct to a plug element of

Abstract

The invention relates to a camera device (10) for monitoring a driver of a vehicle, comprising an image capture device (12) having a lens element (14) which provides a field of view (16) for an image sensor (18) of the image capture device (12). The image capturing device (12) is mounted to the circuit board (20). The light source unit (22) is configured to illuminate an object to be captured by the image sensor (18). The distances (24, 28) of the top side (26) of the lens element (14) and the top side (30) of the light source unit (22) from the circuit board (20) are substantially equal. The light source unit (22) is electrically connected to a base plug (38) of the connector device (36). The base plug (38) is mounted to the circuit board (20). The light source unit (22) is mounted directly to another plug element (40) of the connector device (36), which is electrically connected to the base plug (38).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a camera arrangement for monitoring a driver of a vehicle. The camera arrangement comprises an image capture device having at least one lens element for providing a field of view for an image sensor of the image capture device. The image capture device is mounted to a circuit board of the camera arrangement. The camera arrangement comprises a light source unit configured to illuminate an object to be captured by the image sensor. A top side of the at least one lens element and a top side of the light source unit are at substantially equal distances from the circuit board. The light source unit is electrically connected to a base plug of a connector device of the camera arrangement. The base plug is mounted to the circuit board. Background Art

[0002] In a driver monitoring system comprising such a camera arrangement or camera set, it is a challenge to find a suitable position for the light source unit relative to the at least one lens element. This is due to the fact that the image capture device comprising the at least one lens element usually has a greater height than the light source unit. If the light source unit is arranged on the same circuit board as the image capture device and in close proximity to the image capture device, the illumination field of the light source unit may be partially obscured by the image capture device, in particular by the at least one lens element of the image capture device.

[0003] Therefore, it is beneficial if the light source unit and the at least one lens element are arranged at substantially equal heights above the circuit board. However, current approaches to this challenge are unsatisfactory as they are relatively costly and inefficient for the overall package.

[0004] For example, document CN 213693912 U describes a camera with a housing, wherein a main circuit board and an auxiliary circuit board are fixedly arranged at openings on opposite sides of the housing. An infrared light source is arranged on the top side of the auxiliary circuit board, and a female connector of a plug-in assembly is arranged on the bottom side of the auxiliary circuit board opposite to the top side. A male connector of the plug-in assembly is arranged on the main circuit board. The auxiliary circuit board is electrically connected to the main circuit board by connecting the female connector to the male connector.

[0005] The use of such plug-in assemblies or board-to-board connectors is laborious in terms of the assembly process. This is particularly due to the fact that during the connection of the female connector to the male connector, the male connector is hidden by the auxiliary circuit board. Therefore, a blind assembly must be carried out. In addition, the auxiliary circuit board requires additional installation space. This is also disadvantageous.

[0006] Other camera arrangements are described in documents US 7679673 B2 and US 2021 / 195076 A1, respectively, in which the top side of the light source unit and the top side of the image capture device are arranged at a substantially equal distance from the circuit board. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a camera device of the type mentioned at the outset which allows particularly simple assembly.

[0008] This object is achieved by a camera device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous configurations of expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and in the following description.

[0009] A camera device for monitoring a vehicle driver according to the present invention comprises an image capture device having at least one lens element which provides a field of view for an image sensor of the image capture device. The image capture device is mounted to a circuit board of the camera device. A light source unit of the camera device is configured to illuminate an object to be captured by the image sensor. Here, the top side of the at least one lens element and the top side of the light source unit are substantially equidistant from the circuit board. The light source unit is electrically connected to a base plug of a connector device of the camera device, wherein the base plug is mounted to the circuit board. The light source unit is directly mounted to another plug element of the connector device, wherein the other plug element is electrically connected to the base plug.

[0010] The camera device allows for particularly simple assembly. This is in particular due to the fact that the light source unit directly contacts the further plug element on which the light source unit is mounted. Therefore, no further components, such as additional circuit boards or the like, are arranged between the light source unit and the further plug element. Therefore, no installation space needs to be reserved for such further components.

[0011] Furthermore, such further components do not obstruct the view of an assembly robot or person etc. when connecting the further plug element to the base plug. Thus, blind assembly is avoided during the assembly process of connecting the further plug element to the base plug. This is advantageous.

[0012] Furthermore, advantageously, the number of components to be assembled is reduced compared to a camera device having two circuit boards and having a board-to-board connector electrically coupling the two circuit boards to each other. The reduced number of components helps to simplify assembly. Furthermore, reducing the number of components to be assembled also reduces the cost of providing the camera device.

[0013] And since the top side of the at least one lens element and the top side of the light source unit are each at essentially the same distance from the circuit board, the lens element and the light source unit can be arranged very close to each other without the illumination field of the light source unit being obstructed by the at least one lens element. Due to this advantageous geometric arrangement between the field of view on the one hand and the illumination field on the other hand, a particularly small packaging of the camera device can be achieved.

[0014] In particular, if the distance between the top side of the at least one lens element and the circuit board and the distance between the top side of the light source unit and the circuit board differ from each other by no more than 25%, preferably no more than 20%, and in particular no more than 10%, the two distances should be considered to be basically equal.

[0015] Preferably, during assembly of the camera device, in a first step, the light source unit is directly mounted or coupled to the further plug element, and in a second step, the plug element carrying the light source unit is electrically connected to the base plug. This simplifies the assembly process.

[0016] Preferably, when the further plug element is connected to the base plug, the extension of the light source unit in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction is less than or equal to the extension of the further plug element in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction. In other words, the light source unit preferably does not extend beyond the periphery of the further plug element. This is particularly advantageous for mounting processes, in which the further plug element with the light source unit on top is manipulated and accordingly moved in the mounting direction. This is in particular due to the fact that the light source unit mounted on top of the further plug element does not block the view towards the base plug.

[0017] Preferably, the camera device comprises a housing having a first opening for the at least one lens element and a second opening for the light source unit. Here, the light source unit is located in the second opening. On the one hand, this facilitates the mounting of the further plug element equipped with the light source unit, which contacts the top side of the further plug element.

[0018] On the other hand, it can thus be achieved that both the top side of the at least one lens element and the top side of the light source unit are substantially flush with the wall of the housing having the first opening and the second opening. This is particularly useful for arranging the at least one lens element and the light source unit in the respective openings in a well-protected manner.

[0019] Preferably, the base plug has a socket element, into which the projection of the further plug element is inserted. In this case, the socket element has a cross groove arrangement with a plurality of support elements delimiting a plurality of recesses. The projection has a cross head arrangement with a plurality of wall elements engaging in the recesses between the support elements. Preferably, the cross head arrangement also comprises a plurality of external grooves, into which the support elements are inserted. Inserting the cross head arrangement of the projection into the cross groove arrangement of the socket element provides particularly good guidance for the electrical and mechanical connection of the further plug element to the base plug. In addition, movements of the further plug element relative to the base plug, which could be caused by vibrations occurring during use of the camera device for monitoring the driver of a vehicle, can be avoided to a particularly large extent.

[0020] Furthermore, inserting the wall element into the recess formed between adjacent support elements, preferably inserting the support elements into the outer grooves of the crosshead device, allows a particularly tight engagement of the further plug element with the base plug. Furthermore, it can be easily achieved that the outer circumference of the further plug element substantially corresponds to the outer circumference of the base plug. This is beneficial for the installation space required by the connector device comprising the base plug and the further plug element.

[0021] In particular, if the further plug element has a relatively large height, the support element of the cross slot arrangement and the corresponding outer recess of the cross head arrangement help to ensure a very secure fixing of the further plug element to the base plug. This is particularly effective if the length of the support element is several times the thickness of the circuit board.

[0022] In particular, the cross groove arrangement can include four support elements, each of which is arranged in a respective corner or corner region of the base plug. Correspondingly, the cross head arrangement of the projection can include four outer grooves arranged in four corners or corner regions of the projection. Thus, four wall elements are respectively arranged between two support elements. This configuration enables simple production of the connector device and a very reliable and space-saving mechanical connection of the further plug element to the base plug. In addition, the provision of four support elements at the respective corners of the base plug enables a high stability and robustness of the base plug to be increased.

[0023] Preferably, the cross groove arrangement comprises a center pin which is inserted into a center recess provided in the body of the further plug element. Such engagement of the center pin in the center recess helps to achieve a very secure connection of the further plug element to the base plug.

[0024] Preferably, at least one of the center pin and the support element comprises an electrical connector which is electrically connected to the contact piece of the other plug element. By such an arrangement of the electrical connector, an electrical connection between the other plug element and the base plug can be easily established.

[0025] The center pin may comprise an electrical connector of a first polarity, wherein at least one of the support elements may comprise an electrical connector of a second polarity. By providing such an arrangement of electrical connectors, an electrical connection of the further plug element with the base plug may be achieved in a very simple and fail-safe or reliable manner, wherein the correct polarity of the contact strips is ensured.

[0026] In particular, it can be achieved that the further plug element and thus the light source unit are connected to the base plug with the correct polarity, regardless of the orientation of the cross slot arrangement relative to the cross head arrangement.

[0027] In particular, each of the support elements may comprise an electrical connector of the same polarity, wherein the center pin may comprise an electrical connector of the other polarity. This makes the electrical connection of the further plug element to the base plug very simple.

[0028] In a variant of the connector device, the further plug element may have a cross slot arrangement and the base plug may have a corresponding cross head arrangement. However, arranging the support element as a component of the base plug gives this part of the connector device a particularly high stability and can well fix the base plug to the circuit board.

[0029] Preferably, the light source has a substrate, wherein the electrical contact elements of the light source unit are arranged at the narrow sides of the substrate. Here, the electrical contact elements of the light source unit are electrically connected to the contact strips of the further plug element. Since the electrical contact elements of the light source unit are arranged at the narrow sides of the substrate, in particular at the opposite narrow sides of the substrate, these electrical contact elements are easily accessible when electrically connecting the light source unit to the further plug element.

[0030] Furthermore, a person and / or an assembly robot etc. who performs the installation of the light source unit on top of the other plug element can easily verify whether the electrical contact elements arranged at the narrow side of the substrate are in good electrical contact with the corresponding contact pieces of the other plug element. This is also beneficial for achieving a good electrical connection between the light source unit and the other plug element.

[0031] The electrical contact element of the light source unit can be inserted into the groove provided in the other plug element. This makes the connection of the electrical contact element to the contact piece of the other plug element very simple and reliable.

[0032] Alternatively or in addition, the bottom side of the substrate can be fixed to the top side of the further plug element by means of an adhesive. This enables good fixing and simple assembly of the light source unit with the further plug element. Furthermore, any movement of the light source unit relative to the further plug element can be easily avoided.

[0033] This is particularly advantageous since, during use of the camera arrangement for monitoring a vehicle driver, the connector device and thus the plug element may be exposed to vibrations.

[0034] In particular, if the electrical contact elements are configured as contact blades which are inserted into slots provided in the further plug element, it is advantageous to fix the bottom side of the substrate to the top side of the further plug element by means of an adhesive. This is because in this arrangement the contact elements do not need to provide any fixing of the light source unit to the further plug element, but only need to establish electrical contact with the contact blades of the further plug element.

[0035] Preferably, the adhesive is stable at a temperature up to about 120° C. to 130° C., in particular about 125° C. This is because a temperature in this range may be reached when the light source unit is in operation.

[0036] Alternatively or in addition, the body of the further plug element may have at least one latching element with a locking lug engaging behind the top side of the base plate. This arrangement allows a very simple fixing of the light source unit to the further plug element by snapping the light source unit to the further plug element. Furthermore, during assembly, a tactile and / or audible feedback is generated when the locking lug snaps into place behind the top side of the base plate. This helps to ensure a simple assembly.

[0037] In particular, the body of the further plug element can have two latching elements, wherein each latching element has a latching lug engaging behind the top side of the base plate. This enables a particularly good and simple fixation of the light source unit to the further plug element.

[0038] Alternatively or in addition, at least one of the contact pieces of the further plug element may protrude beyond the upper side of the body of the further plug element. This helps to visually verify during assembly whether a good electrical connection is established between the electrical contact element of the light source unit and the contact piece of the further plug element.

[0039] Alternatively or in addition, at least one of the contact strips of the further plug element can have a snap-in element that engages behind the top side of the base plate. In this arrangement, the contact strip not only serves to establish an electrical contact between the further plug element and the light source unit, but also ensures a mechanical fixation of the light source unit to the further plug element. This is advantageous.

[0040] Since the contact pieces of the further plug element can in particular be made of metal, the contact pieces are relatively strong. It is therefore advantageous if these strong contact pieces are simultaneously used for mechanically fixing the light source unit to the further plug element.

[0041] Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the electrical contact elements of the light source unit can be electrically connected to a corresponding one of the contact pieces of the further plug element by a portion of the soldering material. Soldering the electrical contact element to the corresponding contact piece enables a particularly secure and reliable fixation of the light source unit to the further plug element.

[0042] Furthermore, very good electrical and thermal contact between the light source unit and the further plug element can be achieved by soldering. Furthermore, soldering the light source unit to the further plug element can easily eliminate any movement of the light source unit relative to the further plug element, even if the camera device is exposed to vibrations, which are common when the camera device is used in a vehicle.

[0043] Preferably, the body of the base plug is mounted to the circuit board by electrically connecting at least one electrical connector of the base plug to corresponding contacts of the circuit board. Here, the body of the base plug is supported by the at least one electrical connector. In this arrangement, the at least one electrical connector not only establishes an electrical connection between the base plug and the contacts on the circuit board. Moreover, a good fixation of the base plug to the circuit board can be achieved by the at least one electrical connector. This is particularly effective if the at least one electrical connector is connected to the corresponding contacts of the circuit board by soldering.

[0044] Preferably, the at least one lens element and the light source unit are arranged behind a protective cover element of the camera device. Here, the protective cover element is translucent for the light that can be emitted by the light source unit. The protective cover element effectively prevents dust or dirt from damaging the at least one lens element and the light source unit. This is advantageous.

[0045] The light source unit can be a light emitting diode (LED) or a light emitting diode element, wherein the light emitting diode element or LED element is configured to emit infrared light. By irradiating the driver with infrared light, a very concealed monitoring of the vehicle driver can be achieved when the camera device is working.

[0046] The features and feature combinations mentioned in the above description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and / or shown individually in the figures, can be used not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, embodiments that are not explicitly shown and explained in the drawings but are produced or generated by separate feature combinations of the explained embodiments should also be considered to be included in the present invention and disclosed. Embodiments and feature combinations that do not contain all the features of the original independent claims should also be considered to be disclosed. In addition, embodiments and feature combinations should be considered to be disclosed, in particular embodiments and feature combinations disclosed by the above-mentioned embodiments, even if they exceed the feature combinations described in the claims or deviate from them. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Other features of the invention can be gathered from the claims, the drawings and the description of the drawings. In the drawings:

[0048] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a camera arrangement comprising an image capture device and a light source unit arranged adjacent to the image capture device, wherein the light source unit is electrically connected to a circuit board by means of a connector device comprising a base plug mounted to the circuit board and a further plug element electrically connected to the base plug;

[0049] Figure 2is a perspective view of the connector device, wherein the light source unit is mounted directly to the top side of the other plug element;

[0050] Figure 3 showing a step in the assembly process of the camera device, wherein the further plug element is coupled to the base plug;

[0051] Figure 4 is an exploded view of a connector device and a light source unit according to a first variant, wherein the electrical contact element of the light source unit is inserted into a slot provided in the further plug element;

[0052] Figure 5 is an exploded view of a connector device and a light source unit according to another variant, wherein the light source unit is mechanically fixed to the body of the further plug element by a latching element made in one piece with the body;

[0053] Figure 6 is an exploded view of another variant of the connector device and the light source unit, wherein the light source unit is held by snap-fit ​​elements provided by the electrical contact strips of the further plug element; and

[0054] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the coupling of the light source unit to the further plug element, wherein the electrical connection between the electrical contact element of the light source unit and the contact piece of the further plug element is established by soldering.

[0055] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of components of a camera arrangement 10 is shown, which camera arrangement 10 may be configured, in particular, to monitor a vehicle driver. The camera arrangement 10 comprises an image capture device 12. The image capture device 12 comprises at least one lens element 14 providing a field of view 16 for an image sensor 18 of the image capture device 12. The image capture device 12 is mounted to a circuit board 20 of the camera arrangement 10.

[0057] Arranged adjacent to the image capture device 12 is a light source unit which may in particular be configured as a light emitting diode element or LED element 22. The LED element 22 may in particular be configured to emit infrared light for illuminating the vehicle driver to be monitored by means of the camera arrangement 10 with the image capture device 12.

[0058] from Figure 1It can be seen that a distance 24 between a top side 26 of the lens element 14 and the circuit board 20 is substantially equal to a distance 28 between a top side 30 of the LED element 22 and the circuit board 20. In other words, the top side 26 of the lens element 14 and the top side 30 of the LED element 22 are respectively arranged at substantially the same height above the circuit board 20. This is beneficial because the lens element 14 does not obstruct the illumination field 32 of the LED element 22.

[0059] The at least one lens element 14 may in particular comprise a plurality of individual lenses. Figure 1 In the schematic diagram of , for simplicity, only one lens element 14 is shown. If the image capture device 12 comprises a plurality of lenses, the top side of the uppermost or outermost lens of such a lens arrangement is considered to be the top side 26 of the at least one lens element 14.

[0060] Typically, the at least one lens element 14 or such a lens arrangement is much taller than the LED element 22. Therefore, if the LED element 22 is mounted directly to the circuit board 20 in close proximity to the image capture device 12, this will result in the illumination field 32 of the LED element 22 being obstructed. Figure 1 As shown, the LED element 22 is therefore elevated relative to the upper surface 34 of the circuit board 20 by means of the connector device 36 .

[0061] By providing the connector device 36 , it is achieved that the distance 28 from the top side 30 of the LED element 22 and the distance 24 from the top side 26 of the lens element 14 to the upper surface 34 of the circuit board 20 are substantially equal.

[0062] The connector device 36 comprises a base plug 38 mounted to the circuit board 20, in particular mounted according to surface mounting technology. Therefore, the base plug 38 can also be referred to as an example of a surface mounted device (SMD). The connector device 36 also comprises the further plug element 40, which is mechanically coupled to the base plug 38 and is also electrically connected to the base plug 38. By means of the further plug element 40, the LED element 22 is electrically connected to the base plug 38 and thus also to the circuit board 20.

[0063] By arranging the LED element 22 so that the top side 30 of the LED element 22 and the top side 26 of the lens element 14 are at substantially the same distance 24, 28 from the circuit board 20, the LED element 22 can be arranged very close to the image capture device 12, wherein the field of view 16 and the illumination field 32 preferably originate from substantially equal heights above the circuit board 20.

[0064] Figure 2A connector device 36 is shown which comprises an LED element 22 mounted directly to the further plug element 40. In particular, the underside of the light source unit configured as LED element 22 may be in contact with a top side 42 of a body 44 of the further plug element 40. The body 44 may in particular be made of plastic.

[0065] according to Figure 2 The LED element 22 preferably includes a substrate 46, which may be, for example, Figure 2 The base plate 46 has a plurality of narrow sides 48, and for the sake of simplicity, only some of the narrow sides 48 are provided with reference numerals in the figure.

[0066] from Figure 2 Especially combined with Figure 7 It can be further seen that the electrical contact elements 50, 52 of the LED element 22 are arranged at the narrow side 48 of the substrate 46. In particular, the first electrical contact element 50 having a first polarity can be arranged on the first narrow side 48 of the substrate 46, and the second electrical contact element 52 having another polarity (see Figure 7 ) can be arranged on opposite narrow sides 48 of the substrate 46.

[0067] from Figure 2 It can also be seen that, for example, when the further plug element 40 is connected to the base plug 38 (see Figure 3 ), the extension of the LED element 22 in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction 54 is smaller than the extension of the other plug element 40 in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction 54. Figure 3 Indicated by a pair of arrows.

[0068] In other words, the LED element 22 preferably does not extend beyond the periphery of the further plug element 40 perpendicular to the mounting direction 54. This simplifies the assembly of the further plug element 40 with the LED element 22 on top when the further plug element 40 is mechanically and electrically connected to the base plug 38.

[0069] from Figure 1 It can be seen that the camera device 10 preferably comprises a housing having a first opening 58 for the lens element 14 and a second opening 60 for the LED element 22. Here, the LED element 22 is located in the second opening 60. Thus, when the further plug element 40 is connected to the base plug 38 by inserting the further plug element 40 through the second opening 60, the base plug 38 can be clearly seen through the second opening 60.

[0070] The mechanical connection of the further plug element 40 to the base plug 38 mounted to the circuit board 20 and electrically connected to the circuit board 20 can be specifically referred to Figure 3 Provide explanation.

[0071] Thus, the base plug 38 has a socket element 62 into which the projection 64 of the further plug element 40 is inserted. The socket element 62 has a cross groove arrangement 66 with a plurality of struts or strut elements 68 defining a plurality of recesses 70. Figure 3 In the exemplary variation shown, there are four support elements 68 and therefore four recesses 70 defined by a corresponding pair of support elements 68. For simplicity, Figure 3 In the drawings, only one of the recesses 70 is provided with a reference numeral.

[0072] The projection 64 has a crosshead device 72 with a plurality of wall elements 74. Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, only two of the four wall elements 74 are visible and only these wall elements 74 are provided with reference numerals. When the projection 64 is inserted into the socket element 62 , the wall element 74 is arranged in a corresponding one of the recesses 70 of the cross groove arrangement 66 .

[0073] In addition, the crosshead device 72 preferably has a plurality of external grooves 76 arranged in four corner areas of the crosshead device 72. When the protrusion 64 is inserted into the socket element 62, the support element 68 is inserted into a corresponding one of the external grooves 76. This arrangement or engagement of the support element 68 in the corresponding external groove 76 can be Figure 2 Clearly seen in.

[0074] according to Figure 3 The cross groove device 72 preferably includes a center pin 78, which is inserted into the center recess (in Figure 3 In the embodiment (not visible in the drawing), the central recess is arranged in the body 44 of the further plug element 40.

[0075] from Figure 3 Especially combined with Figure 2 It can be further seen that the center pin 78 preferably includes a first electrical connector 80 having a first polarity. In addition, the support member 68 preferably includes a second electrical connector 82 having a second polarity.

[0076] exist Figure 3 It can be seen in FIG. 1 that a portion of one of these second electrical connectors 82 is arranged on the inward side of one of the support elements 68. The other portion of the electrical connectors 80, 82 is configured as a support section for the base plug 38, by means of which the base plug 38 can be fixed and electrically connected to the circuit board 20 (see FIG. Figure 1 ).

[0077] The electrical connectors 80, 82 are electrically connected to the first contact piece 84 and the second contact piece 86 of the other plug element 40, respectively. These contact pieces 84, 86 can be arranged in the body 44 of the other plug element 40, so that Figure 3 However, in Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The contact strips 84, 86 are shown schematically and exemplarily in FIG. By establishing electrical contact between the contact strips 84, 86 and the respective electrical connectors 80, 82, the further plug element 40 is electrically connected to the base plug 38.

[0078] according to Figure 4 , the electrical contact elements 50, 52 arranged on the narrow side 48 of the base plate 46 can be configured as contact blades, which are inserted into grooves 88 provided in the further plug element 40, the grooves 88 being provided in particular in the body 44 of the further plug element 40. Through these grooves 88, access to the contact blades 84, 86 of the further plug element 40 is possible. The electrical contact elements 50, 52 of the LED element 22 can be electrically contacted with the corresponding contact blades 84, 86 of the further plug element 40 by establishing a press-fit connection. For this purpose, the contact blades 84, 86 can have a portion configured as a spring element, which is slightly deformed when the blade-shaped electrical contact elements 50, 52 are inserted into the grooves 88.

[0079] from Figure 4 As can be further seen in FIG. 1 , the bottom side of the substrate 46 can be fixed to the top side 42 of the body 44 by means of an adhesive 90, which is Figure 4 Thus, the LED element 22 or LED unit can be fixed to the further plug element 40 by means of an adhesive 90 or glue and by establishing a press-fit connection between the electrical contact elements 50, 52 and the contact strips 84, 86. By providing the adhesive 90, additional fixing is ensured and a movement of the LED element 22 relative to the further plug element 40, for example due to vibrations, can be avoided.

[0080] exist Figure 5 In the variant shown, the LED element 22 is fixed to the further plug element 40 by means of a pair of latching elements 92. The latching elements 92 can in particular be made of plastic and made in one piece with the body 44 of the further plug element 40.

[0081] The latching elements 92 each have a latching lug 94 or a latching nose which engages behind the top side 96 of the base plate 46 when the LED element 22 is snapped onto the further plug element 40. When the latching lug 94 or the latching nose of the latching element 92 engages behind the top side 96 of the base plate 46, the electrical contact elements 50, 52 are automatically electrically connected to the corresponding contact strips 84, 86 of the further plug element 40. This mounting step of snapping the LED element 22 onto the further plug element 40 advantageously provides tactile and audible feedback, for example, to the person performing the assembly.

[0082] exist Figure 6 In the variant shown, the contact strips 84, 86 protrude beyond the upper side of the body 44 of the further plug element 40. The contact strips 84, 86 each have a snap-in element 98. When the LED element 22 is mounted to the further plug element 40, these snap-in elements 98 engage behind the top side 96 of the substrate 46. In this case, the components establishing the electrical contact between the LED element 22 and the further plug element 40, namely the contact strips 84, 86, simultaneously provide a mechanical fixation of the LED element 22 to the further plug element 40 and an electrical connection of the LED element 22 to the further plug element 40.

[0083] Likewise, snapping the LED element 22 into the further plug element 40 provides tactile and audible feedback, for example to a person performing this assembly step. Figure 6 In the variant shown, it is not necessary to provide Figure 5 However, it is also possible to provide a locking element 92. Figure 5 The locking element 92 and Figure 6 The snap element 98 is shown.

[0084] In a similar manner, refer to Figure 4 Explanation of the fixation can also be compared with reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is combined with the fixed type of explanation. Figure 7 The variants shown by way of example in are also valid. In the cross-sectional view of a portion of the further plug element 40 and the LED element 22, the electrical contact elements 50, 52 are electrically connected to the contact pieces 84, 86 via respective portions 100 of the soldering material. This provides a very secure fixation of the LED element 22 to the further plug element 40. In addition, good thermal and electrical contact between the electrical contact elements 50, 52 and the respective contact pieces 84, 86 is established.

[0085] In a similar manner, the electrical connectors 80, 82 (see, for example, Figure 2 ) can be electrically connected to the circuit board 20 by soldering (see Figure 1) of the corresponding contact 102, for the sake of simplicity, Figure 1 Only one corresponding contact 102 is provided with a reference numeral.

[0086] from Figure 1 and Figure 2 It can be seen that the base plug 38 can be supported by electrical connector elements or electrical connectors 80, 82, which can be mounted to the circuit board 20, in particular by soldering. Soldering makes the fixing of the base plug 38 to the circuit board 20 very firm. Figure 2 and Figure 3 ,exist Figure 1 In the view of FIG. 1 , the base of each of the support elements 68 can be mechanically connected to the circuit board 20 by means of a corresponding electrical connector 82, and the center pin 78 can be mechanically connected to the circuit board 20 by means of the electrical connector 80. This makes the fixation of the base plug 38 to the circuit board 20 very firm.

[0087] Turn again Figure 1 , the camera device 10 preferably comprises a protective cover element 104, wherein the lens element 14 and the LED element 22 are arranged behind the protective cover element 104 relative to the surroundings 106 of the camera device 10. The protective cover element 104 is translucent for the light emitted by the LED element 22. Furthermore, the protective cover element 104 prevents dust and / or dirt etc. from the surroundings 106 of the camera device 10 to reach the components of the camera device 10 arranged below the cover element 104.

Claims

1. A camera arrangement (10) for monitoring a vehicle driver, the camera arrangement having an image capture device (12) comprising at least one lens element (14), the lens element (14) providing a field of view (16) for an image sensor (18) of the image capture device (12), wherein: The image capture device (12) is mounted to a circuit board (20) of the camera arrangement (10); and the camera arrangement has a light source unit (22) configured to illuminate an object to be captured by the image sensor (18), wherein a top side (26) of the at least one lens element (14) and a top side (30) of the light source unit (22) are located at substantially equal distances (24, 28) from the circuit board (20), wherein the light source unit (22) is electrically connected to a base plug (38) of a connector device (36) of the camera arrangement (10), wherein the base plug (38) is mounted to the circuit board (20), Features The light source unit (22) is directly mounted to a further plug element (40) of the connector device (36), wherein the further plug element (40) is electrically connected to the base plug (38).

2. The camera device (10) according to claim 1, Features When the further plug element (40) is connected to the base plug (38), the extension of the light source unit (22) in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction (54) is less than or equal to the extension of the further plug element (40) in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction (54).

3. The camera device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, Features The camera device (10) comprises a housing (56) having a first opening (58) for the at least one lens element (14) and a second opening (60) for the light source unit (22), wherein the light source unit (22) is located in the second opening (60).

4. The camera device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, Features The base plug (38) has a socket element (62), into which the projection (64) of the further plug element (40) is inserted, wherein the socket element (62) has a cross groove device (66), the cross groove device has a plurality of support elements (68) defining a plurality of recesses (70), and wherein the projection (64) has a cross head device (72), the cross head device (72) has a plurality of wall elements (74) engaged in the recesses (70) between the support elements (68), the cross head device (72) also comprising a plurality of external grooves (76), into which the support elements (68) are inserted.

5. The camera device (10) according to claim 4, Features The cross groove device (62) includes a center pin (78) which is inserted into a center recess provided in the body (44) of the other plug element (40), wherein at least one of the center pin (78) and the support element (68) includes an electrical connector (80, 82) which is electrically connected to a contact piece (84, 86) of the other plug element (40).

6. The camera device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, Features The light source unit (22) has a substrate (46), wherein electrical contact elements (50, 52) of the light source unit (22) are arranged at a narrow side (48) of the substrate (46), and wherein the electrical contact elements (50, 52) of the light source unit (22) are electrically connected to contact strips (84, 86) of the further plug element (40).

7. The camera device (10) according to claim 6, Features The electrical contact elements (50, 52) of the light source unit (22) are inserted into grooves (88) provided in the further plug element (40), and / or the bottom side of the substrate (46) is fixed to the top side (42) of the further plug element (40) by means of an adhesive (90).

8. The camera device (10) according to claim 6 or 7, Features The body (44) of the further plug element (40) has at least one latching element (92) having a latching lug (94) that engages behind a top side (96) of the base plate (46).

9. The camera device (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, Features At least one of the contact pieces (84, 86) of the further plug element (40) protrudes beyond the upper side of the body (44) of the further plug element (40), and / or at least one of the contact pieces (84, 86) of the further plug element (40) has a snap-in element (98) that engages behind the top side (96) of the base plate (46).

10. The camera device (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, Features At least one of the electrical contact elements (50, 52) of the light source unit (22) is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the contact pieces (84, 86) of the other plug element (40) through a portion (100) of solder material.

11. The camera device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, Features The body of the base plug (38) is mounted on the circuit board (20) by electrically connecting at least one electrical connector (80, 82) of the base plug (38) to corresponding contacts (102) of the circuit board (20), the electrical connection being in particular soldering, wherein the body of the base plug (38) is supported by the at least one electrical connector (80, 82).

12. The camera device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, Features The at least one lens element (14) and the light source unit (22) are arranged behind a protective cover element (104) of the camera device (10), wherein the protective cover element (104) is translucent to light that can be emitted by the light source unit (22), and the light source unit (22) is particularly configured as a light-emitting diode element that emits infrared light.

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