Vehicle-mounted lens

Abstract

The invention discloses a vehicle-mounted lens, and relates to the technical field of vehicle-mounted cameras, the vehicle-mounted lens comprises a lens barrel, a lens assembly, a transparent lens, a lock pressing cover, an FPC and a circuit board, the lens barrel is provided with a hollow cavity; the lens assembly is mounted in the hollow cavity; the transparent lens is mounted at the front end of the lens cone; the locking and pressing cover covers the transparent lens and is fixedly connected to the front end of the lens barrel, and the locking and pressing cover is provided with a light transmitting opening right opposite to the lens assembly; the FPC comprises an annular strip part and a straight strip part, a heating piece is arranged on the annular strip part, and the annular strip part is attached to the inner side face of the transparent lens; the circuit board is connected with the straight bar part. The technical scheme provided by the invention is used for solving the problem of icing of the vehicle-mounted lens.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle camera technology, and in particular to a vehicle lens. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of automotive intelligence and autonomous driving technologies, automotive lenses (also known as automotive cameras, automotive optical lenses, etc.) are core perception components of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving systems. Their operational stability and environmental adaptability directly affect driving safety and user experience. Automotive lenses need to maintain clear imaging under various complex climatic conditions, and icing in low-temperature environments has become a key bottleneck restricting their performance.

[0003] In existing technologies, the structural design of automotive lenses is mostly centered on optical imaging functions, lacking targeted de-icing solutions. When the ambient temperature is below 0°C, the lens surface is prone to condensation and ice formation. Even when the lens is in operation, de-icing methods relying on natural heating or airflow are extremely inefficient and time-consuming. This problem leads to blurred lens images and reduced perception accuracy, affecting not only the normal use of navigation and surround view functions, but also potentially causing safety hazards in emergency driving scenarios due to obstructed vision, severely reducing the user's driving experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to propose a vehicle-mounted lens that aims to solve the problem of icing in vehicle-mounted lenses.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a vehicle-mounted lens, comprising: The microscope tube has a hollow cavity; The lens assembly is installed inside the hollow cavity; A transparent lens is mounted at the front end of the lens barrel; A locking cap is placed over the transparent lens and fixedly connected to the front end of the lens barrel. The locking cap has a light-transmitting opening that faces the lens assembly. FPC includes a ring section and a straight section. A heating element is placed on the ring section, and the ring section is attached to the inner side of the transparent lens. The circuit board is connected to the straight section.

[0006] In one embodiment, the transparent lens is positioned directly opposite the light-transmitting opening on the inner side of the bottom wall of the locking cover.

[0007] In one embodiment, the outer surface of the transparent lens is recessed inward to form an outer concave surface, and the inner surface of the transparent lens is recessed outward to form an inner concave surface.

[0008] In one embodiment, the diameter of the light-transmitting opening decreases from the outside to the inside; and / or, the edge of the concave surface is provided corresponding to the edge of the light-transmitting opening.

[0009] In one embodiment, an NTC thermistor is also attached to the ring section.

[0010] In one embodiment, the vehicle-mounted lens further includes a support member disposed between the lens barrel and the ring section for supporting the ring section.

[0011] In one embodiment, a protruding ring protrudes outward from the periphery of the front end of the lens barrel, and a groove is formed on the inner side of the protruding ring to accommodate the support and the transparent lens.

[0012] In one embodiment, the vehicle-mounted lens further includes a sealing ring, and the transparent lens has an annular groove for placing the sealing ring, the sealing ring being used to seal the gap between the protruding ring and the transparent lens.

[0013] In one embodiment, the protruding ring includes a bottom ring portion and a top ring portion connected together, the thickness of the bottom ring portion being greater than the thickness of the top ring portion; the bottom wall and the side wall of the locking cover have a thickened wall at the junction, and the top ring portion is inserted between the thickened wall and the transparent lens.

[0014] In one embodiment, the lens barrel also has a connecting channel through which the straight section passes.

[0015] The technical solution of the present invention uses an FPC and integrates a heating element on the ring section of the FPC to heat the transparent lens, thereby solving the problem of icing in automotive lenses. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is an exploded structural diagram of an embodiment of the vehicle-mounted lens provided by the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of an embodiment of the vehicle-mounted lens provided by the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the transparent glass and FPC of the vehicle-mounted lens provided by the present invention. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the FPC for the vehicle-mounted lens provided by the present invention.

[0018] Explanation of icon numbers: 10. Lens barrel; 11. Hollow cavity; 12. Protruding ring; 121. Bottom ring; 122. Top ring; 13. Groove; 14. Connecting channel; 15. Positioning protrusion; 20. Lens assembly; 30. Clear lens; 31. Outer concave surface; 32. Inner concave surface; 33. Ring groove; 40. Locking cap; 41. Light transmission port; 42. Thickened wall; 50. FPC; 51. Ring strip; 511. Heating element; 512. NTC thermistor; 52. Straight strip; 60. Circuit board; 70. Bottom cover; 80. Support; 90. Sealing ring.

[0019] The realization of the objective, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0022] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this invention involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or" or "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0023] This invention proposes a vehicle-mounted lens.

[0024] Please see Figures 1 to 4In one embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle-mounted lens includes a lens barrel 10, a lens assembly 20, a transparent lens 30, a locking cap 40, a bottom cap 70, a circuit board 60, and an FPC 50. The lens barrel 10 has a hollow cavity 11, and the lens assembly 20 is installed inside the hollow cavity 11. The transparent lens 30 is installed at the front end of the lens barrel 10, and the locking cap 40 covers the transparent lens 30 and is fixedly connected to the front end of the lens barrel 10. The locking cap 40 has a light-transmitting opening 41 facing the lens assembly 20. The bottom cap 70 is connected to the rear end of the lens barrel 10, and the circuit board 60 is installed inside the bottom cap 70. The FPC 50 includes a straight section 52 of an integrally formed ring section 51, a heating element 511 is placed on the ring section 51, the ring section 51 is attached to the inner side of the transparent lens 30, and the straight section 52 is connected to the circuit board 60.

[0025] Specifically, in this embodiment, the vehicle-mounted lens uses the lens barrel 10 as the core support carrier. The lens barrel 10 has a hollow cavity 11 inside, and the rear end is connected to the bottom cover 70 to form a closed space. The lens assembly 20 is assembled in the hollow cavity 11, the transparent lens 30 is fixed to the front end of the lens barrel 10, and the locking cover 40 covers the transparent lens 30 and is fixed to the front end of the lens barrel 10. The light-transmitting opening 41 of the cover is directly opposite to the lens assembly 20 to ensure unobstructed optical path. The circuit board 60 is installed in the bottom cover 70 to provide power and control support for the functional components. The FPC 50 adopts a one-piece molding design, including a ring section 51 and a straight section 52. The ring section 51 has a built-in heating element 511 (such as a copper heating wire), and the straight section 52 is the power and signal transmission link. The ring section 51 is attached to the inner side of the transparent lens 30, and the straight section 52 is electrically connected to the circuit board 60 in the bottom cover 70. The lens barrel 10 serves as the core assembly reference, with the hollow cavity 11 positioning the lens assembly 20 and supporting the transparent lens 30 at its front end. The locking cap 40 is fixed to the lens barrel 10 via threads or other means, axially pressing the transparent lens 30. The bottom cap 70 is fixed to the rear end of the lens barrel 10, sealing the internal space to protect the circuit board 60. The annular section 51 of the FPC 50 fits against the inner side of the transparent lens 30, while the straight section 52 extends from the front end of the lens barrel 10 to the rear end into the bottom cap 70. It connects to the circuit board 60 via welding, connectors, or other means, forming a complete power supply circuit from the circuit board 60 to the straight section 52, the annular section 51, and the heating element 511, enabling power supply and control signal transmission for the heating element 511. The fitting design of the annular section 51 with the transparent lens 30 ensures that the heat generated by the heating element 511 is directly conducted to the lens. The light-transmitting opening 41 of the locking cap 40 faces the lens assembly 20, not obstructing the optical imaging path, thus achieving synergistic compatibility between heating and optical functions. The heating element 511 built into the ring section 51 of the FPC50 is directly attached to the inner side of the transparent lens 30. After being powered on, the heat can be quickly conducted to the lens, realizing the rapid melting of ice and the rapid evaporation of water vapor in low-temperature environments. This solves the problems of low natural de-icing efficiency and blurry imaging of traditional automotive lenses, ensuring that the lens maintains clear imaging under complex climatic conditions and improving driving safety.

[0026] The core of the integrated design of FPC50 (Flexible Printed Circuit Board) lies in the seamless integration of the heating element and the FPC50 substrate through an etching process, rather than a separate structure using external bonding or separate wiring soldering of the heating element. The FPC50 substrate uses a flexible insulating material (such as polyimide film) as its base, and its surface is covered with a metal conductive layer (commonly copper foil). The heating element is formed directly on this metal layer through a precision etching process: first, photoresist is coated on the surface of the metal layer and exposed and developed according to the preset path of the heating element; then, the excess metal parts not protected by the photoresist are removed by chemical etching, leaving a metal conductive line on the FPC50 substrate that is completely consistent with the design path. This line is the integrated heating element. At the same time, the ring section 51 and the straight section 52 of the FPC50 are integrally formed on the same substrate, and the connecting lines (used to conduct current to the heating element) are also formed synchronously with the heating element through the same etching process, so that the heating element, connecting lines and the FPC50 substrate form an inseparable whole, without the need for additional assembly or fixing of the heating components. In some embodiments, the heating element is made of copper, and the heating element and the connecting lines are on the same copper foil layer, which is simultaneously etched in one process to make the copper heating element, the FPC50 substrate, and the current connecting lines form an inseparable whole.

[0027] Furthermore, the transparent lens 30 is positioned directly opposite the light-transmitting opening 41 on the inner side of the bottom wall of the locking cover 40.

[0028] Specifically, in this embodiment, the core light-transmitting area of ​​the transparent lens 30 and the light-transmitting port 41 of the locking cover 40 is completely located inside the bottom wall of the locking cover 40 (i.e., the side of the locking cover 40 facing the inside of the lens), and the transparent lens 30 as a whole does not exceed the edge range of the light-transmitting port 41 and does not extend outward from the light-transmitting port 41; the bottom wall of the locking cover 40 is a ring-shaped bearing structure, and the inner end face is fully attached to the outer side of the transparent lens 30. The light-transmitting port 41 penetrates the bottom wall and is coaxially aligned with the core light-transmitting area of ​​the transparent lens 30, forming a closed and non-exposed optical channel. The transparent lens 30 is completely concealed within the bottom wall of the locking cover 40, not protruding from the light-transmitting opening 41. This avoids the risk of scratches and damage caused by exposed lenses, and the locking cover 40 also reduces the direct adhesion of external dust, moisture, and oil to the lens surface, lowering cleaning and maintenance costs. Simultaneously, the light-transmitting opening 41 is precisely aligned with the core area of ​​the lens, without any structural obstruction, ensuring unobstructed light transmission and guaranteeing the clarity and stability of the lens image. Furthermore, the transparent lens 30 is completely concealed within the bottom wall of the locking cover 40 and fits tightly against it, forming a relatively enclosed "lens-locking cover 40" inner space. The heating element 511 of the FPC 50's ring section 51 is directly attached to the inner surface of the transparent lens 30, allowing the generated heat to be concentrated on the lens body. The bottom wall of the locking cover 40 reduces heat loss to the external environment, enabling the lens temperature to quickly rise to the fogging evaporation threshold (typically 5-10℃), preventing wasted heat and delayed defogging. The hot air in the enclosed space does not easily convect with the cold air outside, which further improves the thermal stability of the lens surface and accelerates the rapid evaporation of fog (formed by the condensation of water vapor in the air under low temperature conditions) adhering to the inner side of the lens. Compared with the exposed lens design, the defogging response time can be shortened, avoiding fog from obscuring the image for a long time.

[0029] Furthermore, the outer surface of the transparent lens 30 is recessed inward to form an outer concave surface 31, and the inner surface of the transparent lens 30 is recessed outward to form an inner concave surface 32.

[0030] Specifically, in this embodiment, the central part of the transparent lens 30 adopts a double-concave structure design. The central position of the outer side is concave inward to form an outer concave surface 31, and the central position of the inner side is concave outward to form an inner concave surface 32. The two concave surfaces are coaxially arranged, and their radii of curvature and concavity depth are matched according to optical imaging requirements, constituting the core light-transmitting area of ​​the lens. The ring part 51 of the FPC 50 is attached to the non-concave area of ​​the transparent lens 30, and the outer dimensions of the ring part 51 are larger than the size of the light-transmitting opening 41 on the locking cover 40. After assembly, the ring part 51 of the FPC 50 is completely clamped between the inner side of the bottom wall of the locking cover 40 and the non-concave area of ​​the transparent lens 30, achieving a hidden layout. It does not enter the core light-transmitting area of ​​the central double concave surface, nor is it exposed in the light-transmitting opening 41, completely avoiding the core light-transmitting channel of the central double concave surface, and will not cause any obstruction or interference to the refraction and transmission of light. The non-concave area of ​​the transparent lens 30 is flat and without curvature, achieving a surface-to-surface contact with the ring strip 51. This significantly reduces the heat conduction gap, allowing the heat generated by the heating element 511 to be quickly and evenly conducted along the body of the transparent lens 30 to the central double-concave area, preventing localized heat concentration or excessively rapid heat dissipation. Simultaneously, edge heating allows the overall lens temperature to rise synchronously, causing fog or ice to gradually dissipate from the edge to the center, resulting in more thorough defogging / de-icing without damaging the lens coating due to localized high temperatures. Verification has shown that the defogging effect is optimal when the outer surface of the transparent lens 30 is an externally concave surface 31. The table below shows a comparative experiment on the defogging time of three different structures of the transparent lens 30.

[0031]

[0032] Furthermore, the diameter of the light-transmitting opening 41 decreases from the outside to the inside; and / or, the edge of the concave surface 31 is set to correspond to the edge of the light-transmitting opening 41.

[0033] Specifically, in this embodiment, the diameter of the light-transmitting opening 41 decreases in a stepped or gradually decreasing manner from the outside to the inside, forming a conical channel that is wider at the outside and narrower at the inside. This structure smoothly transitions with the contour of the inner side of the bottom wall of the locking cover 40, without sharp edges or step differences. The edge of the outer concave surface 31 in the middle of the transparent lens 30 corresponds to the inner edge of the light-transmitting opening 41, and the two are coaxially arranged and matched in size. The conical structure of the light-transmitting opening 41, which is wider at the outside and narrower at the inside, is adapted to the optical design of the double concave surface in the middle of the transparent lens 30. Its inner edge corresponds precisely to the edge of the outer concave surface 31, ensuring that after light enters from the light-transmitting opening 41, it can shine directly to the core light-transmitting area of ​​the double concave surface without obstruction, forming a smooth optical transmission path. At the same time, the inclined inner wall of the conical structure can reduce light reflection loss and avoid stray light interfering with imaging. The tapered structure of the light-transmitting aperture 41, which is wider on the outside and narrower on the inside, can expand the light-entry range and increase the amount of light transmitted through the lens. At the same time, it reduces the reflection and scattering of light on the inner wall of the channel, reducing the interference of stray light on the imaging. The edge of the outer concave surface 31 is precisely aligned with the inner edge of the light-transmitting aperture 41, ensuring that the light shines directly into the core area of ​​the double concave surface. This fully utilizes the optical correction effect of the double concave surface, effectively reducing imaging distortion, improving image clarity and contrast, and meeting the high-precision visual perception requirements of the automotive ADAS system.

[0034] Furthermore, the vehicle-mounted lens also includes a support member 80, which is disposed between the lens barrel 10 and the ring strip portion 51 to support the ring strip portion 51. The support member 80 is made of foam.

[0035] Specifically, in this embodiment, the support member 80 is made of foam and has a ring structure. Its inner diameter, outer diameter, and thickness are adapted to the assembly space at the front end of the lens barrel 10 and the size of the ring section 51 of the FPC 50, providing good elasticity and cushioning performance. The lens barrel 10 provides a fixed mounting base for the foam support member 80. The foam is tightly embedded between the lens barrel 10 and the ring section 51 of the FPC 50 through its own elastic deformation, applying uniform radial and axial support force to the ring section 51 and preventing the ring section 51 from collapsing or shifting due to its own flexibility or vehicle vibration. The outer side of the ring section 51 of the FPC 50 is attached to the non-concave area of ​​the edge of the transparent lens 30, and the inner side is supported by the foam support member 80, forming a two-way fixed structure of inner support and outer attachment. The foam support component 80 provides uniform ring support, effectively solving the problem of insufficient support in the ring section 51 of FPC50 due to its flexible material. This prevents the ring section 51 from shifting, wrinkling, or separating from the transparent lens 30 under vehicle vibration and bumpy conditions, ensuring the contact stability between the heating component 511 and the lens, and guaranteeing the continuous and reliable operation of the heating function.

[0036] Furthermore, a protruding ring 12 protrudes outward from the periphery of the front end of the lens barrel 10, and a groove 13 is formed on the inner side of the protruding ring 12 to accommodate the support member 80 and the transparent lens 30. The vehicle-mounted lens also includes a sealing ring 90, and the transparent lens 30 has an annular groove 33 for placing the sealing ring 90. The sealing ring 90 is used to seal the gap between the protruding ring 12 and the transparent lens 30.

[0037] Specifically, in this embodiment, a ring-shaped protrusion 12 is integrally formed by the outward protrusion of the front end periphery of the lens barrel 10. The inner sidewall of the protrusion 12 and the front end face of the lens barrel 10 together form a groove 13 for assembling the support member 80. The vehicle-mounted lens is equipped with an annular sealing ring 90. A ring groove 33 is provided on the inner side of the transparent lens 30 corresponding to the position of the protrusion 12. The size of the ring groove 33 is adapted to the sealing ring 90 and is used to position and accommodate the sealing ring 90. After assembly, the sealing ring 90 is embedded in the ring groove 33 of the transparent lens 30 and is tightly clamped between the transparent lens 30 and the protrusion 12 of the lens barrel 10, forming a sealing fit structure of transparent lens 30 (ring groove 33) - sealing ring 90 - protrusion 12. At the same time, it forms a cooperative protection system with the front locking cap 40, the support member 80 and the assembly structure of the transparent lens 30. The sealing ring 90 is precisely positioned via the annular groove 33, forming a tight seal with the protruding ring 12 and the transparent lens 30. This effectively prevents external moisture, dust, high-pressure water flow, and other impurities from entering the lens. Combined with the previously assembled sealing structure, this further enhances the lens's waterproof and dustproof capabilities, providing crucial protection for achieving the IP6K9K high protection rating. It also prevents precision components such as the internal heating wire, NTC thermistor 512, and PCB board from failing due to moisture or contamination. The protruding ring 12 not only provides an installation reference for the support 80, but its cooperation with the annular groove 33 of the transparent lens 30 and the sealing ring 90 also provides dual radial and axial positioning for the transparent lens 30, preventing the lens from shifting or shaking in a vehicle-mounted vibration environment. At the same time, the elastic support of the sealing ring 90 compensates for assembly gaps, making the components fit more tightly, reducing the impact of vibration, and improving the overall assembly stability of the lens structure.

[0038] Furthermore, the protruding ring 12 includes a bottom ring portion 121 and a top ring portion 122 connected to each other, the thickness of the bottom ring portion 121 being greater than the thickness of the top ring portion 122; the locking cover 40 has a thickened wall 42 at the junction of the bottom wall and the side wall, and the top ring portion 122 is inserted between the thickened wall 42 and the transparent lens 30.

[0039] Specifically, in this embodiment, the protruding ring 12 at the front end of the lens barrel 10 includes an integrally formed bottom ring portion 121 and a top ring portion 122, wherein the thickness of the bottom ring portion 121 is greater than that of the top ring portion 122, forming a stepped annular structure with a thick bottom and a thin top; a thickened wall 42 is provided at the junction of the bottom wall and the side wall of the locking cover 40, and the thickened wall 42 forms an annular groove that fits the top ring portion 122. During assembly, the top ring portion 122 of the protruding ring 12 is precisely inserted between the thickened wall 42 of the locking cover 40 and the transparent lens 30, while the bottom ring portion 121 forms a supporting step with the front end face of the lens barrel 10, forming an axial limit with the support member 80 and the inner structure of the transparent lens 30; at the same time, the thickened wall 42 fits tightly with the outer edge of the transparent lens 30 through the top ring portion 122, and cooperates with the sealing ring 90 in the annular groove portion 33 of the transparent lens 30 to form a multi-layer cooperative assembly structure. The stepped structure of the protruding ring 12, with its thick bottom and thin top, provides a stable axial support surface for the support member 80 and the sealing ring 90. The top ring 122, through precise insertion with the thickened wall 42 of the locking cover 40, achieves radial positioning of the transparent lens 30, preventing the lens from shifting or shaking in the vehicle vibration environment. The thickened wall 42 enhances the structural strength of the locking cover 40, and its insertion with the top ring 122 forms a double limit, allowing the components to fit more tightly, effectively resisting the impact load during driving, and improving the vibration resistance and stability of the overall lens structure. The top ring 122 is inserted between the thickened wall 42 and the clear lens 30, forming an axially sealed overlapping structure. Combined with the sealing ring 90 on the inner side of the clear lens 30, this creates a dual sealing system of outer insertion seal and inner sealing ring 90 seal, significantly improving the lens's waterproof and dustproof capabilities, further solidifying its IP6K9K high protection rating, effectively preventing high-pressure water flow, dust, and other impurities from entering the interior, and protecting precision components such as the heating wire and NTC thermistor 512 from damage. The bottom ring 121 is thicker, which can distribute the assembly pressure between the support 80 and the sealing ring 90, avoiding localized stress concentration that could lead to component deformation. The top ring 122 is thinner, providing more flexible adjustment space for its insertion with the thickened wall 42. Combined with the elastic buffer of the sealing ring 90, it can effectively absorb stress caused by vibration and temperature changes, reducing stress damage to the edge of the clear lens 30, preventing lens cracks or decreased optical accuracy, while also protecting the connection structure between the locking cap 40 and the lens barrel 10, extending its service life.

[0040] Furthermore, a portion of the transparent lens 30 extends out of the groove 13.

[0041] Specifically, the transparent lens 30 adopts a partially exposed assembly design. Its main structure is fitted into the groove 13 inside the protruding ring 12 of the lens barrel 10, forming a tightly fitting inner assembly structure with the support 80, the ring strip 51, and the sealing ring 90. At the same time, the edge area of ​​the transparent lens 30 extends outward beyond the groove 13, and the size of the protruding part precisely matches the assembly space of the thickened wall 42 and the top ring 122 of the locking cover 40, forming an outer limiting fit with the thickened wall 42 of the locking cover 40. After assembly, the main body of the transparent lens 30 is fixed in the groove 13, forming a cooperative positioning system with the protruding ring 12 (bottom ring 121 and top ring 122) of the lens barrel 10, the thickened wall 42 of the locking cover 40, and the sealing ring 90: the inner side achieves sealing and support through the groove 13 with the support 80 and the sealing ring 90, and the outer side achieves limiting and fixing through the protruding part with the locking cover 40 and the top ring 122, forming a complete mechanical assembly closed loop.

[0042] Furthermore, the bottom wall of the groove 13 has a positioning protrusion 15, and the support member 80 is located outside the positioning protrusion 15.

[0043] Specifically, in this embodiment, the bottom wall of the front groove 13 of the lens barrel 10 is integrally formed with an annular positioning protrusion 15, the outer diameter of which is adapted to the inner diameter of the support member 80; the support member 80 has an annular structure and is tightly fitted outside the positioning protrusion 15, forming a nested assembly structure. After assembly, the upper end face of the support member 80 fits against the ring strip 51 of the FPC 50, and the lower end face forms a supporting contact with the bottom wall of the groove 13. At the same time, the positioning protrusion 15 forms a radial limit on the support member 80 from the inside. This structure forms a cooperative assembly relationship with the protruding ring 12, the transparent lens 30, the locking cap 40 and other components of the lens barrel 10: the positioning protrusion 15 provides a precise installation reference for the support member 80, and the support member 80 forms an elastic support layer between the bottom wall of the groove 13 and the support member 80, which cooperates with the support member 80 to support the ring strip 51.

[0044] Furthermore, the lens barrel 10 is integrally injection molded. The lens barrel 10 also has a connecting channel 14 through which the straight section 52 passes.

[0045] Specifically, in this embodiment, the lens barrel 10 is manufactured using an integral injection molding process. The protruding ring 12 at the front end of the lens barrel 10, the overall barrel body, and the connection structure between the rear end and the bottom cover 70 are all manufactured by one injection molding process, without additional processing nodes such as splicing or welding, forming a complete and unified integrated support carrier. The lens barrel 10 has a connecting channel 14 along the axial direction for the straight section 52 of the FPC 50 to pass through. The connecting channel 14 is a strip-shaped channel that penetrates the wall of the lens barrel 10. One end of the connecting channel 14 is connected to the groove 13 at the front end of the lens barrel 10, and the other end extends to the docking area between the rear end of the lens barrel 10 and the bottom cover 70, forming a dedicated wiring path for the straight section 52.

[0046] The one-piece injection molding avoids the gaps and stress concentration problems caused by splicing multiple parts. The overall rigidity of the lens barrel 10 is stronger, which can better resist complex working conditions such as vehicle vibration and temperature cycling. It effectively prevents the displacement of the front-end assembly parts and the deviation of the optical path caused by the deformation of the lens barrel 10. The connecting channel 14 is seamlessly integrated with the lens barrel 10, which further enhances the integrity of the barrel wall structure and avoids structural weaknesses caused by later processing. The connecting channel 14 provides a closed and smooth wiring path for the straight section 52, avoiding friction and collision between the straight section 52 and the sharp structure or moving parts inside the lens barrel 10, and preventing surface wiring wear and short circuits. At the same time, the radial limiting effect of the channel can effectively resist vehicle vibration, prevent the straight section 52 from shifting, bending or loosening, and ensure the stability of electrical transmission.

[0047] Furthermore, the heating element 511 is a heating wire with a serrated structure.

[0048] Specifically, in this embodiment, the heating wire adopts a sawtooth structure design. This structure is realized based on the integrated etching process of FPC50. A continuous bending sawtooth shape is formed on the ring section 51 of FPC50 through precision etching. The tooth pitch, tooth height and bending angle of the sawtooth are preset according to the heating requirements of the transparent lens 30. The sawtooth heating wire is integrally formed with FPC50 substrate and connection line without additional splicing nodes. The heating wire is connected to the PCB board through the straight section 52 of FPC50. The sawtooth structure completely covers the key heating area on the inner side of the transparent lens 30 and fits tightly with the inner side of the lens.

[0049] The serrated structure significantly increases the effective conductive length of the heating wire per unit area. Under the same current input, compared to a straight heating wire, it has a higher heating power density and generates heat faster, further shortening the defrosting and anti-fogging response time. Simultaneously, the continuously bent serrated shape ensures the heating wire is evenly distributed on the inner surface of the transparent lens 30, allowing heat to be conducted synchronously from multiple tooth ends, avoiding localized heating blind spots, ensuring uniform temperature across the lens, and preventing damage to the lens coating due to localized overheating or incomplete defrosting due to uneven heating. The serrated heating wire is integrally etched, eliminating stress concentration at the bends, making it suitable for the complex operating conditions of automotive environments such as vibration and temperature cycling, and less prone to breakage or detachment. Furthermore, the continuous conductive path of the copper serrated heating wire ensures stable current transmission, avoiding excessive localized resistance caused by improper circuit layout, and extending the service life of the heating function.

[0050] Furthermore, an NTC thermistor 512 is also attached to the FPC50, and the NTC thermistor 512 is located in the ring section 51.

[0051] Specifically, in this embodiment, the NTC thermistor 512 is attached to the ring section 51 of the FPC 50, forming a functionally integrated structure with the serrated copper heating wire, the FPC 50 substrate, and the connecting lines. The NTC thermistor 512 is fixed to the key temperature measuring area of ​​the ring section 51 by soldering, and its pins are connected to the connecting lines on the FPC 50, thereby forming a signal transmission loop with the PCB board inside the bottom cover 70 through the straight section 52 of the FPC 50. The resistor is arranged adjacent to the serrated heating wire and does not block the optical light transmission path. At the same time, it is attached to the inner side of the transparent lens 30 along with the ring section 51, and can directly sense the real-time temperature changes of the lens and the heating area.

[0052] The NTC 512 thermistor features a negative temperature coefficient, enabling it to detect the temperature of the transparent lens 30 and the heating area in real time and feed the signal back to the PCB board. When the temperature reaches the threshold required for de-icing / anti-fogging (e.g., 5-10℃), the PCB board can automatically cut off or reduce the power supply to the heating wire to prevent localized overheating from damaging the lens coating and affecting optical performance. When the temperature is below the set threshold, it can quickly start heating to ensure timely removal of ice or moisture, completely solving the heating runaway problem caused by traditional non-temperature-sensing structures. The NTC 512 thermistor is positioned close to the heating wire and transparent lens 30, with zero temperature detection delay, quickly capturing lens temperature changes and feeding them back to the control system, allowing the heating wire to accurately match the ambient temperature requirements. During low-temperature icing, it rapidly heats up to melt the ice at maximum power, and promptly reduces power to maintain warmth when the temperature approaches the target, avoiding energy waste and further shortening the overall response time for de-icing and anti-fogging. Dynamic adjustment of heating power is achieved through real-time temperature feedback, eliminating the need to maintain high-power heating for extended periods. This significantly reduces energy consumption while ensuring de-icing / anti-fogging effects, meeting the low-power requirements of automotive equipment and avoiding excessive use of vehicle power resources. The NTC thermistor 512 is integrated into the ring section 51 of the FPC50, forming a unified structure with the heating wire and the FPC50 substrate. This ensures convenient and secure installation, adapting to the complex operating conditions of automotive environments such as vibration and temperature cycling, and minimizing the risk of detachment or poor contact. Simultaneously, precise temperature control prevents accelerated aging of the heating wire due to prolonged high-temperature operation, extending the lifespan of the heating components and the entire lens.

[0053] Furthermore, double-sided adhesive is provided between the transparent lens 30 and the ring strip 51.

[0054] Specifically, in this embodiment, a high-temperature adaptable double-sided adhesive is provided between the transparent lens 30 and the ring section 51 of the FPC 50. The double-sided adhesive has a ring structure, which precisely matches the outer dimensions of the ring section 51 and avoids the optically transparent area of ​​the transparent lens 30 and the installation position of the NTC thermistor 512. One side of the double-sided adhesive is tightly attached to the surface of the ring section 51, and the other side is firmly bonded to the inner side of the transparent lens 30. The adhesive action enables the ring section 51 and the transparent lens 30 to be detachably fixed. At the same time, with the mechanical support and positioning of the support member 80, a tight fit structure of "transparent lens 30 - double-sided adhesive - ring section 51 - support member 80" is formed to ensure that the ring section 51 and the transparent lens 30 have no gap contact. The double-sided adhesive is made of a high-temperature thermally conductive material, which tightly fills the tiny gap between the transparent lens 30 and the ring strip 51, avoiding heat loss caused by air insulation. This allows the heat generated by the heating wire to be quickly and directly conducted to the transparent lens 30 through the double-sided adhesive. Compared to bonding methods without double-sided adhesive, the heat conduction path is shorter and more efficient, further reducing the time for ice melting and water evaporation, ensuring the lens quickly regains clear imaging. The double-sided adhesive also has a certain degree of elasticity and cushioning, absorbing the vibration and impact forces in the vehicle environment, reducing hard friction between the ring strip 51 and the transparent lens 30, preventing scratches or cracks on the transparent lens 30 due to vibration. It also protects the connection points of the heating wire and the NTC thermistor 512, reducing the risk of circuit breakage due to vibration and extending the lifespan of the lens's core components.

[0055] In some embodiments, the end of the straight section 52 has gold fingers, and the circuit board 60 has slots for inserting the gold fingers. The gold fingers and the slots are connected by a plug-in contact, and the metal pins of the gold fingers are tightly fitted with the elastic contacts in the slots to form a low-resistance conductive circuit. This circuit can supply operating current to the heating element 511 of the ring section 51 of the FPC 50, and can also realize the real-time transmission of the temperature signal of the NTC thermistor 512 to the circuit board 60, ensuring precise control of the heating function.

[0056] The above are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings under the technical concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted camera, characterized by comprising: The vehicle-mounted lens comprises: a lens barrel having a hollow cavity; a lens assembly installed in the hollow cavity; a transparent lens installed at the front end of the lens barrel; a lock cover cap covering the transparent lens and fixedly connected to the front end of the lens barrel, the lock cover cap having a light transmission opening opposite to the lens assembly; an FPC comprising a ring section and a straight section, the ring section having a heating element embedded therein, the ring section being attached to the inner side of the transparent lens; a circuit board connected to the straight section.

2. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 1, wherein The position of the transparent lens opposite to the light transmission opening is located at the inner side of the bottom wall of the lock cover cap.

3. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 2, wherein The outer side of the transparent lens is inwardly recessed to form an outer concave surface, and the inner side of the transparent lens is outwardly recessed to form an inner concave surface.

4. The vehicle-mounted camera according to claim 3, wherein The diameter of the light transmission opening decreases from the outside to the inside; and / or, the edge of the outer concave surface corresponds to the edge of the light transmission opening.

5. The vehicle-mounted camera lens of claim 1, wherein, An NTC thermistor is also attached to the ring section.

6. The vehicle-mounted camera of claim 1, wherein: The vehicle-mounted lens further comprises a support member arranged between the lens barrel and the ring section for supporting the ring section.

7. The vehicle-mounted camera of claim 6, wherein the lens is mounted on the vehicle in a position that is substantially parallel to the ground. The periphery of the front end of the lens barrel is outwardly protruded by a protruding ring, and the inner side of the protruding ring forms a groove for accommodating the support member and the transparent lens.

8. The vehicle-mounted camera of claim 7, wherein the lens is mounted on the vehicle in a position that is substantially parallel to the ground. The vehicle-mounted lens further comprises a sealing ring, the transparent lens having a ring groove for placing the sealing ring, and the sealing ring being used for sealing the gap between the protruding ring and the transparent lens.

9. The vehicle-mounted camera of claim 8, wherein the lens is mounted on the vehicle in a position that is substantially parallel to the ground. The protruding ring comprises a bottom ring section and a top ring section connected to each other, the thickness of the bottom ring section being greater than that of the top ring section; the bottom wall of the lock cover cap has a thickened wall at the joint of the bottom wall and the side wall, and the top ring section is inserted between the thickened wall and the transparent lens.

10. The vehicle-mounted lens of claim 1, wherein, The lens barrel further has a communication channel for the straight section to pass through.

Images