Surveillance camera and associated installation method

Abstract

The invention relates to a surveillance camera (10), comprising: an optical sensor (20); a light source (14); a first printed circuit board (22) and a second printed circuit board (24) attached to the optical sensor and the light source, respectively; a first electrical device (26) attached to the first printed circuit board (22) and connected to the optical sensor; a second electrical device (28) attached to the second printed circuit board (24) and connected to the light source; a housing (16) bonded to the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board; and an electrical connector (18). The first printed circuit board (22) is provided with a through cut-out (44); and the electrical connector (18) is arranged in the cutout (44) to be connected to the first electrical device (26) and the second electrical device (28) simultaneously.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a surveillance camera, which includes: an optical sensor; a light source; a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board respectively attached to the optical sensor and the light source; a first electrical device attached to the first printed circuit board and electrically connected to the optical sensor; a second electrical device attached to the second printed circuit board and electrically connected to the light source; a housing joined to the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board; and an electrical connector; the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board are arranged to be substantially parallel to each other and substantially opposite to each other; and are separated by a non-zero distance.

[0002] The present invention is particularly applicable to surveillance cameras for motor vehicles. Such cameras are described in document US9628680.

[0003] Such cameras are installed, for example, in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle to be incorporated into a system for monitoring the driver and / or occupants of the vehicle.

[0004] The layout of the various components of such cameras must take into account the limited available space. In addition, the operation of the optical sensor may be affected by the heat emitted by various camera components such as the light source.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved layout of a surveillance camera for a motor vehicle while maintaining good heat dissipation of the heat generated by the operation of the camera.

[0006] To this end, the present invention relates to a surveillance camera of the aforementioned type, wherein: the first printed circuit board has a through-cut; and the electrical connector is arranged in the cut to connect to the first electrical device and the second electrical device simultaneously.

[0007] According to other advantageous aspects of the present invention, the surveillance camera includes one or more of the following features considered individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0008] - The electrical connector includes a first connection element and a second connection element; the first connection element is connected to the first electrical device; and the second connection element is arranged in the through-cut and connected to the second electrical device;

[0009] - The through-cut has an opening profile at one edge of the first printed circuit board;

[0010] - The first printed circuit board includes two tabs arranged on either side of the through-cut, and at least one of the two tabs includes a heat dissipation coating;

[0011] - The housing includes an intermediate element arranged between the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board to maintain the non-zero distance between the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board;

[0012] - The housing further includes a first end element connected to the intermediate element, the first end element including a frame and a bottom, the frame including a notch for receiving an edge of the first printed circuit board, and the bottom including an opening disposed opposite a cutout of the first printed circuit board;

[0013] - The housing further includes a second end element, with the intermediate element disposed between the first end element and the second end element;

[0014] - The second end element includes a separator made of a material capable of blocking visible light and allowing infrared light to pass through, the separator facing the optical sensor and the light source.

[0015] The present invention also relates to a method for assembling a surveillance camera as described above, the method including the steps of: engaging the first printed circuit board with the first end element, with an edge of the first printed circuit board received in the notch of the first end element; then engaging the intermediate element with the first end element; then engaging the second printed circuit board with the intermediate element; then inserting a connector into the opening in the bottom of the first end element and simultaneously connecting a first connecting element and a second connecting element to a first electrical device and a second electrical device, respectively.

[0016] According to an advantageous aspect of the present invention, before the step of inserting the connector into the opening, the method further includes the step of assembling the second end element to the intermediate element.

[0017] The present invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with a surveillance camera as described above.

[0018] The present invention will become more apparent by reading the following description given only by way of non - limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a surveillance camera according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 Figure 2 is Figure 1 the exploded view of the surveillance camera shown, and

[0021] Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 3 and Figure 4 is Figure 1 and Figure 2 the detail views of the surveillance camera shown.

[0022] Figure 1 and Figure 2 show a surveillance camera 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.​​​​​​​

[0023] As Figure 1 shown, the camera 10 includes: an optical lens 12; a light source 14; a housing 16; and an electrical connector 18.

[0024] The optical lens 12 includes an optical sensor 20, as Figure 3 shown by the dashed line in. The term "optical sensor" refers to one or more optical sensors that generate electrical / electronic signals based on the light image captured by the optical lens 12.

[0025] Preferably, the light source 14 includes one or more light emitting diodes, and more preferably includes one or more infrared light emitting diodes (LEDs). In the illustrated embodiment, the light source 14 includes infrared LEDs.

[0026] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the camera 10 further includes: a first printed circuit board 22 and a second printed circuit board 24; and a first electrical device 26 and a second electrical device 28.

[0027] The first printed circuit board 22 and the second printed circuit board 24 are respectively attached to the optical sensor 20 and the light source 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the first printed circuit board 22 is attached to the optical lens 12. The first printed circuit board 22 and the second printed circuit board 24 will be described in more detail below.

[0028] The first electrical device 26 is attached to the first printed circuit board 22 and electrically connected to the optical sensor 20. The second electrical device 28 is attached to the second printed circuit board 24 and electrically connected to the light source 14. The first electrical device 26 and the second electrical device 28 will be described in more detail below.

[0029] The housing 16 engages with the first printed circuit board 22 and the second printed circuit board 24 such that the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board are arranged to be substantially parallel to each other and substantially face each other. "Substantially face each other" is intended to mean that at least a part of the projection of one of the printed circuit boards 22, 24 perpendicular to the circuit overlaps with the other of the printed circuit boards. This arrangement of the two printed circuit boards reduces the size of the housing 16, making the surveillance camera 10 more compact.

[0030] As Figure 3 shown, the printed circuit boards 22, 24 are separated by a non-zero distance 30. The distance 30 is selected to prevent the heat generated by the light source 14 from interfering with the operation of the optical sensor 20.

[0031] The housing 16 will be described in more detail below.

[0032] The first circuit board 22 will now be described. The first printed circuit board 22 includes a first substrate 32, and the first substrate includes a first face 34 and a second face 36 that are opposite to each other and substantially flat.

[0033] The optical lens 12 is attached to the first face 34 of the first substrate 32. In particular, the optical sensor 20 is attached to the first face 34 of the first substrate 32. The first electrical device 26 is attached to the second face 36 of the first substrate 32.

[0034] The first substrate 32 can have different geometries, such as circular, linear, etc. Preferably, the first substrate 32 is defined by substantially straight edges. In particular, the first substrate 32 has two longitudinal edges 38 that are opposite to each other and substantially parallel, as well as a first transverse edge 40 and a second transverse edge 41. The first transverse edge 40 and the second transverse edge 41 are substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal edges 38.

[0035] Preferably, the first substrate 32 further includes two opposite inclined edges 42, 43, and each inclined edge joins the end of one of the first transverse edge 40 and the second transverse edge 41 to one of the longitudinal edges 38.

[0036] The first substrate 32 has a through-cut 44 that connects the first face 34 and the second face 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the cut 44 is formed in the first transverse edge 40 and has a generally U-shaped profile 46 with an opening. The first electrical device 26 is attached near the profile 46 of the cut 44.

[0037] More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the first substrate 32 has two tabs 48, 50 on either side of the cut 44 that extend to the first transverse edge 40.

[0038] The first printed circuit board 22 further includes electronic components 52, 54 attached to the first face 34 and / or the second face 36 of the first substrate 32. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the first printed circuit board 22 includes a processor 52 that is attached to the first face 34 near the profile 46 of the cut 44.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the first printed circuit board 22 also has a heat dissipation coating 56 that partially covers the first face 34 and / or the second face 36 of the first substrate 32. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the heat dissipation coating 56 is disposed on at least one of the tabs 48, 50 of the first substrate 32. Preferably, the heat dissipation coating 56 is also disposed near the longitudinal edge 38 and the second transverse edge 41.

[0040] The second circuit board 24 will now be described. The second printed circuit board 24 includes a second substrate 60, which includes a first face 62 and a second face 64 that are opposite to each other and substantially flat.

[0041] The light source 14 is attached to the first face 62 of the second substrate 60. The second electrical device 28 is attached to the second face 64 of the second substrate 60.

[0042] The first face 34 of the first substrate 32 and the second face 64 of the second substrate 60 are arranged opposite to each other and define a non-zero distance 30 between the first printed circuit board 22 and the second printed circuit board 24.

[0043] As described below, the second electrical device 28 is arranged opposite to the cutout 44 in the first substrate 32.

[0044] The electrical connector 18 will now be described.

[0045] The electrical connector 18 is configured to be connected to the first electrical device 26 and the second electrical device 28 simultaneously. In particular, the electrical connector 18 is arranged in the cutout 44 of the first substrate to be connected to the first electrical device 26 and the second electrical device 28 simultaneously.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector 18 includes: a body 66; and a first connection element 68 and a second connection element 70. Preferably, the electrical connector 18 further includes at least a first cable 72 and second cables 73, 74.

[0047] The body 66 is made of an electrically insulating material such as plastic.

[0048] The body 66 extends between opposite first and second ends along a connection axis 76.

[0049] Each of the first connection element 68 and the second connection element 70 projects from the first end of the body 66 along the connection axis 76. The first connection element 68 and the second connection element 70 are spaced apart perpendicular to the connection axis 76.

[0050] The first connection element 68 and the first electrical device 26 can be engaged by translation along the connection axis 76 and perpendicular to the second face 36 of the first substrate 32. Similarly, the second connection element 70 and the second electrical device 28 can be engaged by translation along the connection axis 76 and perpendicular to the second face 64 of the second substrate 60.

[0051] Along the connection axis 76, the length of the second connecting element 70 is greater than the length of the first connecting element 68. The lengths of the connecting elements 68, 70 are configured according to the distance 30 between the first printed circuit board 22 and the second printed circuit board 24 to ensure simultaneous connection between the first connecting element 68 and the first electrical device 26 and between the second connecting element 70 and the second electrical device 28. Then, the second connecting element 70 is received in the cutout 44 of the first substrate 32, as Figure 3 shown.

[0052] The housing 16, which is not shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 will now be described.

[0053] In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 16 is composed of various assembled parts. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 16 includes: an intermediate member 80; and a first end element 82 and a second end element 84.

[0054] The intermediate element 80 is arranged between the first printed circuit board 22 and the second printed circuit board 24 to maintain a non-zero distance 30 between the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate element 80 particularly includes a plate 86, which is arranged substantially parallel to the first substrate 32 and the second substrate 60 and is located between the substrates. In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate element 80 further includes a first opening 88 configured to receive the optical lens 12 and a second opening 90 arranged opposite to the cutout 44 in the first substrate 32. The first opening 88 and the second opening 90 are arranged on either side of the plate 86.

[0056] The first end element 82 is connected to the intermediate element 80, and the first printed circuit board 22 is arranged between the intermediate element 80 and the first end element 82.

[0057] The first end element 82 includes a frame 92 and a bottom 94. The frame includes a notch 96, which is shaped to be complementary to the edges 38, 40, 41, 42, 43 of the first printed circuit board 22.

[0058] The bottom 94 of the first end element 82 includes a third opening 98 opposite to the cutout 44 of the first printed circuit board 22.

[0059] The second end element 84 is connected to the intermediate element 80, and the second printed circuit board 24 is arranged between the intermediate element 80 and the second end element 84.

[0060] The second end element 84 includes a separator 100 made of a material capable of blocking visible light and allowing infrared light to pass through. The separator 100 is positioned opposite the optical lens 12 and the light source 14.

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, the camera 10 further includes a light deflector 102 disposed around the light source 14 between the separator 100 and the second printed circuit board 24. Preferably, the light deflector 102 is attached to the second printed circuit board 24.

[0062] A method for installing the surveillance camera 10 will now be described.

[0063] The first printed circuit board 22 is joined to the first end element 82 of the housing 16. During this joining process, the edges 38, 40, 41, 42, 43 of the first printed circuit board 22 are received in the notches 96 of the first end element. In particular, the shape of the notches 96 that match the inclined edges 42, 43 enables the faces 34, 36 of the first substrate 32 to be correctly oriented relative to the first end element 82.

[0064] Next, the intermediate element 80 is joined to the first end element 82 and the first printed circuit board 22, and the optical lens 12 is assembled into the first opening 88 of the intermediate element 80.

[0065] Then, the second printed circuit board 24 is joined to the intermediate element 80, and the board 86 of the intermediate element is interposed between the first printed circuit board 22 and the second printed circuit board 24. The light source 14 carried by the second printed circuit board 24 is oriented away from the board 86.

[0066] The second end element 84 is then connected to the intermediate element 80 such that the separator 100 faces the optical lens 12 and the light source 14.

[0067] Then, the connector 18 is inserted into the third opening 98 in the bottom 94 of the first end element 82 by translating along the connection axis 76 and perpendicular to the first printed circuit board 22 and the second printed circuit board 24. This insertion allows the second connection element 70 to pass through the cutout 44 of the first printed circuit board 22 and the second opening 90 of the intermediate element 80. This results in the simultaneous connection of the first connection element 68 of the connector 18 and the second connection element 70 to the first electrical device 26 and the second electrical device 28, respectively.

[0068] The above-described surveillance camera 10 is thus obtained.

[0069] During the operation of the camera, the tabs 48, 50 of the first substrate 32, which are at least partially covered by the heat dissipation coating 56, dissipate the operating heat of the camera. In particular, the operating heat of the processor 52 located near the cutout 44 and the tabs 48, 50 is dissipated in this way.

Claims

1. A surveillance camera (10), comprising: Optical sensor (20); Light source (14); a first printed circuit board (22) and a second printed circuit board (24) attached to the optical sensor and the light source, respectively; a first electrical device (26) attached to the first printed circuit board (22) and electrically connected to the optical sensor (20); a second electrical device (28) attached to the second printed circuit board (24) and electrically connected to the light source (14); a housing (16) coupled to the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board; and an electrical connector (18); The first printed circuit board (22) and the second printed circuit board (24) are arranged substantially parallel to each other and substantially opposite to each other; and are separated by a non-zero distance (30); The monitoring camera is characterized in that: the first printed circuit board (22) has a through cutout (44); and the electrical connector (18) is arranged in the cutout (44) to simultaneously connect to the first electrical device (26) and the second electrical device (28).

2. The surveillance camera (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The electrical connector comprises a first connection element (68) and a second connection element (70); the first connection element (68) is connected to the first electrical device (26); and the second connection element (70) is arranged in the through cutout (44) and connected to the second electrical device (28).

3. The surveillance camera (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the through-cut (44) has an outline (46) which opens on one edge (40) of the first printed circuit board (22).

4. The surveillance camera (10) of claim 3, wherein the first printed circuit board (22) comprises two tabs (48, 50) arranged on either side of the through cutout (44), at least one of the two tabs comprising a heat dissipation coating (56).

5. The surveillance camera (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (16) comprises an intermediate element (80) arranged between the first printed circuit board (22) and the second printed circuit board (24) to maintain the non-zero distance (30) between the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board.

6. A surveillance camera according to claim 5 in combination with claim 3, wherein the housing further comprises a first end element (82) joined to the intermediate member (80), the first end element comprising a frame and a bottom, the frame comprising a recess (96) for receiving the edge (40) of the first printed circuit board (22), the bottom comprising an opening (98) arranged opposite to the cutout (44) of the first printed circuit board.

7. The surveillance camera according to claim 6, wherein the housing further comprises a second end element (84), the intermediate member (80) being arranged between the first end element (82) and the second end element.

8. The surveillance camera according to claim 7, wherein the second end element (84) includes a partition (100) made of a material capable of blocking visible light and allowing infrared light to pass, the partition facing the optical sensor (20) and the light source (14).

9. A method for installing a surveillance camera (10) according to one of claims 6 to 8, the method comprising the following steps: The first printed circuit board (22) is engaged with the first end element (82), and the edge (40) of the first printed circuit board is accommodated in the recess (96) of the first end element; then the intermediate element (80) is engaged with the first end element (82); then the second printed circuit board (24) is engaged with the intermediate element; then the connector (18) is inserted into the opening (98) in the bottom of the first end element, and the first connecting element (68) and the second connecting element (70) are connected to the first electrical device (26) and the second electrical device (28) respectively at the same time.

10. A mounting method according to claim 9 in combination with claim 7 or 8, the method further comprising the step of joining the second end element (84) to the intermediate element (80) before the step of inserting the connector (18) into the opening (98).

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