Camera for motor vehicle and method for constructing camera

Abstract

The invention relates to a camera for a motor vehicle, comprising a lens (101) having a lens housing (102) and at least one optical lens (103); a circuit board (104) having an image sensor (105) arranged on the circuit board (104), the image sensor (105) facing the lens (101) and being optically oriented relative thereto; and a carrier element (109) fixed on the circuit board (104). In this case, the carrier element (109) is fastened to the circuit board (104) on the side of the circuit board (104) carrying the image sensor (105); wherein the carrier element (109) has at least three elastic webs (112) directed in the axial direction towards the lens (101); wherein the lens housing (102) has a spherical contour, and the elastic web (112) is configured to abut against the spherical contour (114, 601); the elastic webs (112) are each fixed to a spherical contour (114, 601) of the lens housing (102) by means of a laser welding connection (402).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a camera for a motor vehicle and a method for constructing a camera. Background Art

[0002] When assembling a known camera, it is usually carried out as follows: First, the image sensor is fixed on the circuit board and the lens holder is bonded to the circuit board. Subsequently, the lens is usually positioned and fixed on the lens holder. Here, the lens is actively oriented relative to the image sensor and permanently fixed at the focusing position by an adhesive connection.

[0003] DE 10 2022 211 411 discloses an alternative without an adhesive connection. A camera for a motor vehicle is disclosed herein, including a lens having at least one optical lens; a camera housing, wherein the lens is fixed to the camera housing; a circuit board having an image sensor disposed thereon, wherein the image sensor faces the lens and is optically oriented relative to the lens. Here, the camera further includes a carrier element that is fixed to the circuit board on the side of the circuit board facing away from the image sensor by means of at least one soldering connection, and wherein the carrier element is configured such that a gap is formed between the camera housing and the carrier element; and at least one cross-gap element that is fixed by means of a laser welding connection at a contact point with the carrier element and a contact point with the camera housing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide another alternative without an adhesive connection for a camera.

[0005] The present invention starts from a camera for a motor vehicle, which includes a lens having a lens housing and at least one optical lens; a circuit board having an image sensor disposed thereon, wherein the image sensor faces the lens and is optically oriented relative to the lens; and a carrier element fixed to the circuit board.

[0006] According to the present invention, the carrier element is fixed to the circuit board on the side of the circuit board that bears the image sensor. Here, the carrier element has at least three elastic tabs pointing axially towards the lens. The lens housing also has a spherical contour, and the elastic tabs are configured to abut against the spherical contour. Here, the elastic tabs are respectively fixed to the spherical contour of the lens housing by means of laser welding connections.

[0007] The carrier element is in particular configured as a stamped and bent part. The elastic tabs can be configured such that they partially abut against the spherical contour of the lens housing. The elastic tabs of the carrier element are in particular configured such that their ends pointing towards the lens abut against the spherical contour of the lens housing. Each of at least three elastic tabs in particular abuts against the spherical contour of the lens housing at the contact location. In other words, each of at least three contact locations respectively forms a laser welding connection.

[0008] The spherical contour of the lens housing can be understood as a circular or spherical contour.

[0009] The lens housing can have different shapes. Thus, the lens housing can be configured circularly, for example. Thus, the lens housing can be configured angularly, for example.

[0010] The circuit board is in particular configured for receiving an image sensor. The circuit board can receive other components, such as the plug of the camera and other electronic components. The camera described here can in particular also have an electrical plug which is configured for electrical connection to the circuit board.

[0011] Orienting the image sensor relative to the lens in particular means that the image sensor is placed during the method for constructing the camera such that the image projected onto the image sensor through the lens has the best possible quality.

[0012] When constructing the camera, the carrier element can be moved on the circuit board along a first axis (image vertical line, X-axis) and along a second axis (image horizontal line, Y-axis). This can be performed, for example, in the step of optically orienting the image sensor relative to the lens. After the optical orientation, the carrier element can be fixed to the circuit board, for example. When constructing the camera, the lens housing can also be moved along a third axis (focus, Z-axis) and along a first rotation axis (rotation of the image sensor about the image vertical line, X_rot) and a second rotation axis (rotation of the image sensor about the image horizontal line, Y_rot), with the elastic tabs of the carrier element abutting against the spherical contour of the lens housing. In such an orientation, the elastic tabs can exert a force on the lens housing and thus ensure contact with the contour of the lens housing.

[0013] The advantages of the present invention are that the elastic tabs of the carrier element allow for a simple orientation of the image sensor relative to the lens when constructing a camera. Thus, the elastic tabs enable contact between the carrier element and the lens housing. Due to the elasticity of the elastic tabs, the lens housing and thus the lens can be simply and precisely oriented relative to the image sensor during assembly. The elastic tabs allow for compensation of tolerances. The laser welding connection also enables good and durable fixation. Adhesive connections in the camera can be avoided. Adhesive connections have the disadvantage of adverse behaviors such as expansion due to temperature fluctuations, expansion due to moisture, and / or aging of their properties over time. By avoiding such adhesive connections in the camera mentioned here, it is possible to keep the optical orientation of the image sensor relative to the lens constant. Thus, for example, changes in the distance between the image sensor and the lens and the accompanying defocus can be avoided, even in the case of temperature fluctuations, moisture, or over time. The connection between the elastic tabs and the lens housing is constructed very firmly.

[0014] In a favorable configuration, it is provided that the carrier element is constructed in one piece or in multiple pieces. The one-piece carrier element can be simply and precisely oriented on the circuit board here. The multi-piece carrier element offers the advantage that more free surfaces are provided on the circuit board for other components.

[0015] In another favorable configuration, it is provided that the lens housing has a radially outwardly projecting flange and has a spherical profile at the end of the flange. Here, the elastic tabs are constructed to extend axially from the flat plate of the carrier element fixed to the circuit board towards the flange. In particular, the flat plate of the carrier element has a notch in which the image sensor is arranged. The flat plate of the carrier element can be constructed in a quadrilateral or polygonal shape, especially with rounded corners. This is especially the case if the camera housing and / or the circuit board are also constructed in a quadrilateral or polygonal shape. If the flat plate is constructed, for example, in a quadrilateral shape, the carrier element especially has four elastic tabs. If the circuit board is constructed, for example, in a quadrilateral shape and the carrier element is constructed in multiple pieces, then, for example, a part of the carrier element can be arranged at each of the four corners of the circuit board. In this example, each part of the carrier element has at least one elastic tab pointing axially towards the lens. Alternatively, the flat plate can also be constructed in a circular shape. This is especially the case if the camera housing is also constructed in a circular shape. In this case, the elastic tabs can be arranged distributed around the carrier element.

[0016] The advantage of this configuration is that the lens can be oriented very simply in all spatial directions. The tabs fixed to the spherical contour by laser welding connections can be solidified and no longer spring back. Thereby, in particular, no orientation in the X and Y directions is required when constructing the corresponding camera. Thus, in particular, in the case of a camera housing constructed in a quadrilateral or polygonal manner, the manufacturing process can be configured at lower cost. In particular, the multi-piece construction of the carrier element in combination with a lens housing having radially outwardly projecting flanges allows for a lower-cost process.

[0017] In another advantageous configuration, it is provided that the lens housing has a spherical contour at the end facing the image sensor. And wherein the carrier element has a flat plate fixed to the circuit board, and wherein the elastic tabs and the plate are interconnected by an L-shaped section. Here, the flat plate of the carrier element in particular has a notch, and the image sensor is arranged in the notch.

[0018] The flat plate of the carrier element can be constructed in a quadrilateral or polygonal manner, in particular with rounded corners. This is especially the case if the camera housing and / or the circuit board are also constructed in a quadrilateral or polygonal manner. If the flat plate is constructed in a quadrilateral manner, for example, the carrier element in particular has four elastic tabs. Alternatively, the flat plate can also be constructed circularly. This is especially the case if the camera housing is also constructed circularly. In this case, the elastic tabs can be arranged distributed around the carrier element. Alternatively, the flat plate of the carrier element can be constructed in a quadrilateral or polygonal manner, wherein the L-shaped section forms a circular notch, and the elastic tabs are arranged distributed at the notch.

[0019] The advantage of this configuration is that the lens housing can here in particular be configured as a rotationally symmetric component (such as a rotating part). This is especially the case if the lens housing and in particular the camera housing are also constructed circularly. Such a lens housing can be provided at low cost. In the method for manufacturing a camera, the lens housing can be self-aligning and span tolerances when orienting relative to the carrier element.

[0020] In another advantageous configuration, it is provided that the carrier element is fixed to the circuit board by material locking or form locking. A material-locking connection can be, for example, a soldering connection. A material-locking connection can be, for example, a laser welding connection. The advantage of this configuration is that a simple, low-cost and firm connection can be formed between the circuit board and the carrier element.

[0021] In another advantageous configuration, the circuit board has at least one through-hole. Here, the carrier element has at least one rivet by means of which the carrier element is fixed to the circuit board. Alternatively, the carrier element has at least one flanging (Ausstülpung) extending into at least one through-hole, and this flanging is fixed in a material-locking manner to a fixing plate arranged on the side of the circuit board opposite the image sensor. Alternatively, a press-in sleeve is inserted into the through-hole, and the carrier element is fixed to the press-in sleeve in a material-locking manner.

[0022] The advantage of this configuration is that adhesive bonding can be avoided here.

[0023] In another advantageous configuration, the camera further has a rear housing and a front housing. In other words, the camera has a housing including a rear housing and a front housing. Here, the rear housing and the front housing are interconnected in particular in a material-locking or form-locking manner. The front housing in particular receives the lens of the camera. The lens can be configured to be fixed to the front housing. The lens and the front housing can be fixed to each other by, for example, fusion welding or soldering. The rear housing in particular receives the circuit board and the carrier element.

[0024] The rear housing can also be understood as a housing cover. Alternatively, the camera has a separate housing cover which is connected to the rear housing on the side of the rear housing facing away from the lens.

[0025] The advantage of this configuration is that the housing protects the camera against the intrusion of media from the camera's surroundings.

[0026] In another advantageous configuration, the front housing and the lens housing are integrally formed. In this case, at least one lens of the lens is arranged in the area provided therefor on the front housing. Thus, the construction of the camera is simplified. Fixing the front housing separately to the lens housing is eliminated.

[0027] The invention also starts from a method for constructing a camera, the method including the following steps: providing a circuit board on which an image sensor is arranged; arranging a carrier element on the circuit board on the side carrying the image sensor, wherein the carrier element has at least three elastic tabs which are oriented away from the image sensor in the arrangement; providing a lens having a lens housing and at least one optical lens, the lens housing having a spherical contour; introducing the lens into the carrier element such that the elastic tabs abut against the spherical contour; optically orienting the image sensor relative to the lens; fixing the carrier element to the circuit board; and fixing the elastic tabs to the spherical contour of the lens housing by laser welding connection respectively.

[0028] When optically orienting the image sensor relative to the lens, the carrier element can be moved on the circuit board along a first axis (image vertical line, X-axis) and along a second axis (image horizontal line, Y-axis). After the optical orientation, the carrier element can then be fixed to the circuit board, for example. When optically orienting the image sensor relative to the lens, the lens housing can also be moved along a third axis (focus, Z-axis), along a first rotation axis (the image sensor rotates about the image vertical line, X_rot), and a second rotation axis (the image sensor rotates about the image horizontal line, Y_rot), and the elastic tabs of the carrier element abut against the spherical contour of the lens housing. Here, the elastic tabs can exert a force on the lens housing and thus ensure contact with the contour of the lens housing.

[0029] It is understood that the above features and the features to be described below can be used not only in the respectively given combinations, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or functionally identical elements. The drawings show:

[0031] Figure 1 : A cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a camera;

[0032] Figure 2 : An embodiment of the carrier element positioned on the circuit board;

[0033] Figure 3 : A top view of a first embodiment of a camera;

[0034] Figure 4 : A first embodiment of the carrier element optically oriented and fixed to the circuit board and the lens housing;

[0035] Figure 5 : A three-dimensional view of a first embodiment of a camera;

[0036] Figure 6 : A cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a camera;

[0037] Figure 7 : A second embodiment of the carrier element positioned on the circuit board;

[0038] Figure 8 : A second embodiment of the carrier element optically oriented and fixed to the circuit board and the lens housing;

[0039] Figure 9 : A three-dimensional view of a second embodiment of a camera;

[0040] Figure 10: Embodiment in which a multi-piece carrier element is positioned on a circuit board;

[0041] Figure 11 : Three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a camera having a multi-piece carrier element;

[0042] Figure 12 : Example of the possibility of fixing a carrier element on a circuit board;

[0043] Figure 13 : Another embodiment of a camera having a one-piece front housing and lens housing. Detailed Description

[0044] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view showing a first example of the camera 100 is presented. The camera 100 includes a lens 101 having a lens housing 102 and an optical lens 103. The optical lens 103 can be a single optical lens here or can also include a plurality of optical lenses. The optical lens 103 can be, for example, a lens stack. The camera 100 further includes a circuit board 104 on which an image sensor 105 is arranged. The image sensor 105 faces the lens 101 and is optically oriented with respect to the lens. In addition, the camera 100 includes a carrier element 109 fixed to the circuit board 104. Here, the carrier element is fixed to the circuit board 104 on the side of the circuit board 104 that bears the image sensor 105. The carrier element 109 has at least three elastic tabs 112 pointing in the axial direction towards the lens 101. Only two elastic tabs 112 are seen in the cross-sectional view of the camera 100 in Figure 1 . The lens housing 102 has a spherical contour 114, and the elastic tabs 112 are configured to abut against the spherical contour. The elastic tabs 112 are respectively fixed to the spherical contour 114 of the lens housing 102 by laser welding.

[0045] In Figure 1 the shown embodiment, the lens housing 102 is configured such that it has a radially outwardly protruding flange 113. The lens housing 102 has a spherical contour 114 at the end of the flange 113. The elastic tabs 112 of the carrier element 109 are configured to extend in the axial direction from the flat plate 111 of the carrier element 109 fixed to the circuit board 104 towards the flange 113.

[0046] Furthermore, it can be seen that the circuit board 104 has a through-hole 115. A press-in sleeve 110 is inserted into the through-hole 115. The carrier element 109 is fixed to the press-in sleeve 110 in a material-locking manner. Thereby, the carrier element 109 is fixed to the circuit board 104. In other words, the carrier element 109 is fixed to the circuit board 104 by a material-locking connection.

[0047] In addition, in Figure 1As can be seen, the embodiment of the camera 100 also includes a housing. The housing is constructed in two parts and has a front housing 106 and a rear housing 107. The rear housing 107 and the front housing 106 can be connected to each other in a material-locking or form-locking manner. The rear housing 107 further includes a through-hole through which the plug 108 projects. The plug 108 is arranged on the circuit board 104 and is configured for electrical contact with the circuit board 104.

[0048] Figure 2 An embodiment is shown in which the carrier element 109 is positioned on the circuit board 104. In particular Figure 1 the carrier element 109 and the circuit board 104 of the embodiment of the camera 100. The circuit board 104 has a quadrilateral bottom surface with rounded corners. In this embodiment, the carrier element 109 is constructed in one piece. The flat plate 111 of the carrier element 109 is also constructed as a quadrilateral with rounded corners. The flat plate 111 has a notch 201 here. The notch 201 allows the image sensor 105 to be arranged in the middle of the circuit board 104. The carrier element 109 has four elastic tabs 112-1 to 112-4 here.

[0049] Figure 3 Shown Figure 1 is a top view of the first embodiment of the camera 100, in which the front housing is not shown. This corresponds to the view of the circuit board 104 and the carrier element 109 in Figure 2 , only now the lens housing 102 and the optical lens 103 can also be seen. It can be seen that the elastic tabs 112-1 to 112-4 enable contact between the carrier element 109 and the lens housing 102.

[0050] Figure 4 Shows a first embodiment in which the carrier element 109 is optically oriented and fixed on the circuit board 104 and the lens housing 102, as a step of a method for constructing the camera 100, as already described in the previous figures.

[0051] The optical orientation of the image sensor 105 relative to the lens 101 is here a step of a method for constructing the camera 100. The method further has the following steps: providing a circuit board 104 on which the image sensor 105 is arranged; arranging the carrier element 109 on the circuit board 104 on the side carrying the image sensor 105, wherein the carrier element 109 has at least three elastic tabs 112 that are oriented away from the image sensor 105 in the arrangement; providing a lens 101 having a lens housing 102 and at least one optical lens 103, wherein the lens housing 102 has a spherical contour 114; and introducing the lens 101 into the carrier element 109 such that the elastic tabs 112 abut against the spherical contour 114.

[0052] In the stages of the method shown here, the positioning parts of the camera can initially move relative to each other. Thus, the carrier element 109 can move along the X-axis and along the Y-axis on the circuit board 104. This is indicated by the respective double arrows. In addition, the lens 101 and the lens housing 102 (the resilient tabs 112 of the carrier element 109 bear against the spherical contour 114 of the lens housing) can move along the Z-axis, along the rotational axis X_rot, and along the rotational axis Y_rot. This is again indicated by the respective double arrows. Here, the resilient tabs 112 can exert a force on the lens housing 102 and thus ensure contact with the contour 114.

[0053] After the optical alignment step, the carrier element 109 is fixed to the circuit board 104. For this purpose, the press-fit sleeves 110 are each inserted into the through-holes of the circuit board 104, and the carrier element 109 and the press-fit sleeves 110 are connected to each other at the contact sites by a laser welding connection 401. In addition, the resilient tabs 112 of the carrier element 109 are fixed to the spherical contour 114 of the lens housing 102 by a laser welding connection 402, respectively.

[0054] Figure 5 A three-dimensional view of the first embodiment of the camera 100 is shown again, without the housing here, constructed as shown in Figure 4 It can be seen here that the circuit board 104 has three through-holes, into which the press-fit sleeves 110-1 to 110-3 are each inserted and the carrier element 109 is fixed to the press-fit sleeves.

[0055] Figure 6 A sectional view of the second embodiment of the camera 600 is shown. Here, the camera 600 is similar to the camera 100 of the first embodiment, and thus the differences from the camera 100 will be mainly discussed below. The lens housing 102 of the camera 600 does not have a flange. Instead, the lens housing 102 has a spherical contour 601 at the end facing the image sensor 105. The carrier element 109 has a flat plate 111 fixed to the circuit board 104, and the resilient tabs 112 of the carrier element 109 and the plate 111 are connected to each other by an L-shaped section 602.

[0056] In Figure 7The positioning of the carrier element 109 of the camera 600 on the circuit board 104 is shown again. Here is a top view of the camera 600 without the housings 106, 107. The flat plate 111 of the carrier element 109 again has a notch 201, in which the image sensor 105 is arranged. The flat plate 111 is configured as an irregular hexagon here. The L-shaped section forms a circular notch, where three elastic tabs 112-1 to 112-3 are distributedly arranged at this notch. The carrier element 109 shown here is configured in one piece. Alternatively, the carrier element can also be configured in multiple pieces.

[0057] Figure 8 A second embodiment showing the carrier element 109 optically oriented and fixed on the circuit board 104 and the lens housing 102, as a step of a method for constructing the camera 600, as in Figure 6 and Figure 7 as already described. Similar to the method in Figure 4 , the optical orientation of the image sensor 105 relative to the lens 101 here is also a step of the method for constructing the camera 600. In the example shown, the method has the same preliminary steps as those already described in Figure 4 . In the stage of the method shown in Figure 8 , some components of the camera can still move relative to each other first. Therefore, the carrier element 109 can move on the circuit board 104 along the X-axis and along the Y-axis. This is indicated by the corresponding double arrows. In addition, the lens 101 and the lens housing 102 (the elastic tabs 112 of the carrier element 109 abut against the spherical contour 601 of the lens housing) can move along the Z-axis, along the rotation axis X_rot and along the rotation axis Y_rot. This is also indicated by the corresponding double arrows. Here, the elastic tabs 112 can exert a force on the lens housing 102 and thus ensure contact with the contour 601.

[0058] After the step of optical orientation, the carrier element 109 is fixed on the circuit board 104. For this purpose, the press-fit sleeves 110 are respectively introduced into the through-holes of the circuit board 104, and the carrier element 109 and the press-fit sleeves 110 are connected to each other by a laser welding connection 401 at the contact parts. In addition, the elastic tabs 112 of the carrier element 109 are respectively fixed on the spherical contour 601 of the lens housing 102 by a laser welding connection 402.

[0059] Figure 9 A three-dimensional view of the camera 600 is shown again, without the housing here, configured as shown in Figure 8 . Here, it can be clearly seen that the circuit board 104 has three through-holes, the press-fit sleeves 110-1 to 110-3 are respectively introduced into these through-holes, and the carrier element 109 is fixed on the press-fit sleeves.

[0060] Figure 10 Shows an example of the positioning of the multi-piece carrier element 109 on the circuit board 104. In this example, the circuit board 104 is configured as a quadrilateral with rounded corners. The carrier element 109 is constructed from four individual parts. These individual parts are arranged on each of the four corners of the circuit board 104. Each of the four parts here respectively has a flat plate 111-1 to 111-4. In addition, each of the four parts respectively has two elastic tabs in the axial direction, and the elastic tabs point to the lens in the constructed camera. These are elastic tabs 112-1-A and 112-1-B for the first part, elastic tabs 112-2-A and 112-2-B for the second part, elastic tabs 112-3-A and 112-3-B for the third part, and elastic tabs 112-4-A and 112-4-B for the fourth part.

[0061] Figure 11 Shows Figure 10 a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a camera 1100 having a multi-piece carrier element as already described in. In this example, the lens housing 102 again has a radially outwardly projecting flange 113. The lens housing 102 has a spherical contour 114 at the end of the flange 113. The elastic tabs 112 are constructed such that they extend in the axial direction from the flat plates fixed to the circuit board 104 of the respective parts of the carrier element 109 towards the flange 113. Not shown here, the camera 1100 can also have a housing, in particular a rear housing and a front housing.

[0062] Figure 12 Shows examples of the possibilities for fixing the carrier element 109 on the circuit board 104.

[0063] In example a), the flat plate 111 of the carrier element 109 is fixed to the circuit board 104 in a material-locking manner by means of a soldering connection 1201. In some cases, the movability of the carrier element 109 relative to the circuit board 104 along the X-axis and along the Y-axis is cancelled here during the optical orientation step.

[0064] In example b), the circuit board 104 has a through-hole 115. The carrier element 109 has a rivet 1202, by means of which the carrier element is fixed to the circuit board 104. In some cases, the movability of the carrier element 109 relative to the circuit board 104 along the X-axis and along the Y-axis is also cancelled here during the optical orientation step.

[0065] In example c), the circuit board 104 also has a through-hole 115. The carrier element 109 has a flanging portion 1203 that extends into the through-hole 115. The flanging portion 1203 is fixed in a material-locking manner to a fixing plate 1205 arranged on the opposite side of the circuit board. In the constructed camera, this opposite side is the side opposite to the image sensor. The fixing on the fixing plate 1205 can be realized, for example, by means of a laser welding connection 1204.

[0066] In example d), the circuit board 104 also has a through-hole 115. A press-in sleeve 110 is inserted into the through-hole 115, and the carrier element 109 or the flat plate 111 of the carrier element 109 is fixed to the press-in sleeve in a material-locking manner. The fixing can be realized, for example, by means of a laser welding connection 401.

[0067] Figure 13 Another embodiment of the camera 1300 is shown, which has a one-piece front housing and lens housing. Regarding the fixing of the carrier element 109 and the carrier element 109 on the lens housing 102, the camera 1300 corresponds to Figure 6 the camera 600. Here, the lens housing 102 also has a spherical contour 601 at the end facing the image sensor 105. The carrier element 109 has a flat plate 111 fixed to the circuit board 104, and the elastic tabs 112 and the plate 111 are connected to each other by means of an L-shaped section 602.

[0068] Different from the camera 600, in the camera 1300, the lens housing 102 is also the front housing of the camera. In other words, the front housing and the lens housing are constructed in one piece. The lens housing 102 has a radially outwardly extending flange 1301 in this case. In this case, the flange 1301 does not have a spherical contour 601. Instead, the rear housing 107 of the camera 1300 is arranged at the end of the flange 1301. The flange 1301 and the rear housing 107 can be connected to each other in a material-locking or form-locking manner.

Claims

1. A camera (100, 600, 1100, 1300) for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a lens (101) comprising a lens housing (102) and at least one optical lens (103); - a circuit board (104) having an image sensor (105) arranged on the circuit board (104), wherein the image sensor (105) faces the lens (101) and is optically oriented relative to the lens; and - a carrier element (109) fixed to the circuit board (104); It is characterized in that - the carrier element (109) is fixed to the circuit board (104) on the side of the circuit board (104) that carries the image sensor (105); - wherein the carrier element (109) has at least three elastic strips (112) pointing toward the lens (101) in the axial direction; - wherein the lens housing (102) has a spherical contour (114, 601), and the elastic web (112) is configured to abut against the spherical contour; and - wherein the elastic webs (112) are each fixed to the spherical contour (114, 601) of the lens housing (102) by means of a laser welding connection (402).

2. The camera (100, 600, 1100, 1300) according to claim 1, wherein: The carrier element (109) is designed in one piece or in multiple pieces.

3. The camera (100, 1100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The lens housing (102) has a flange (113) extending radially outward and has a spherical contour (114) at the end of the flange (113); and wherein the elastic web (112) is constructed to extend in an axial direction toward the flange (113) from a flat plate (111) of the carrier element (109) fixed to the circuit board (104).

4. The camera (600, 1300) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The lens housing (102) has a spherical contour (601) at the end facing the image sensor (105); wherein the carrier element (109) has a flat plate (111) fixed to the circuit board (104); and wherein the elastic web (112) and the plate (111) are connected to each other by means of an L-shaped section (602).

5. The camera (100, 600, 1100, 1300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The carrier element (109) is fixed to the printed circuit board (104) in a material-locking or form-locking manner.

6. The camera (100, 600, 1300) according to claim 5, wherein: The circuit board (104) has at least one through-hole (115); and wherein the carrier element (109) has at least one rivet (1202), by means of which the carrier element is fixed to the circuit board (104); or The carrier element (109) has at least one flange portion (1203) extending into the at least one through-portion (115), and the flange portion is fixed to a fixing plate (1205) arranged on a side of the circuit board (104) opposite to the image sensor (105) by material locking, or, In this case, a press-in sleeve (110) is introduced into the aperture (115), to which the carrier element (109) is fixed in a materially bonded manner.

7. The camera (100, 600, 1300) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a rear housing (107) and a front housing (106).

8. The camera (1300) according to claim 7, wherein: The front housing (106) and the lens housing (102) are constructed in one piece.

9. A method for constructing a camera (100, 600, 1100, 1300), comprising the following steps: - providing a circuit board (104) having an image sensor (105) arranged thereon; - arranging a carrier element (109) on the circuit board (104) on a side carrying the image sensor (105), wherein the carrier element (109) has at least three elastic webs (112) which are oriented in an arrangement pointing away from the image sensor (105); - providing a lens (101) having a lens housing (102) and at least one optical lens (103), wherein the lens housing (102) has a spherical profile (114, 601); - introducing the lens (101) into the carrier element (109) so that the elastic web (112) abuts against the spherical contour (114, 601); - optically orienting the image sensor (105) relative to the lens (101); - fixing the carrier element (109) on the circuit board (104); and The elastic webs (112) are each fixed to the spherical contour (114, 601) of the lens housing (102) by means of a laser welding connection (402).

Images