Camera device

Abstract

A camera device having two or more cameras capable of reducing noise is provided. The camera device includes a first camera having a first housing formed of a conductor and electrically connected to an electrical ground, a second camera having a second housing formed of a conductor and electrically connected to the electrical ground, and a connecting portion formed of an insulator that structurally connects the first housing and the second housing and electrically insulates the first housing and the second housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a camera device having two or more cameras. Background Technology

[0002] The number of vehicles using driver assistance systems based on video images captured by the camera device is increasing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The camera device is electrically connected to a separately installed control device, etc. Since an electrical ground is provided in the control device, the camera device is electrically connected to the electrical ground. As a result, the camera device can reduce noise or excessive current through the electrical ground. In order to protect the substrate disposed inside the camera device from electrical interference such as noise, the frame of the camera device is preferably formed of a conductor such as a metal material.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-131809 Summary of the Invention

[0004] In recent years, camera devices using two or more cameras, such as wide-angle or telephoto cameras, have been mounted on vehicles. When two or more cameras are mounted in a frame formed by conductors to form a camera device, a loop circuit is formed by the two electrical grounds connected to the two cameras and the frame. This loop circuit may generate noise, similar to the phenomenon seen with loop antennas.

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a camera device having two or more cameras capable of reducing noise.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a camera device comprising: a first camera having a first frame formed of a conductor and electrically connected to an electrical ground; a second camera having a second frame formed of a conductor and electrically connected to the electrical ground; and a connecting portion formed of an insulator that structurally connects the first frame and the second frame and electrically insulates the first frame and the second frame.

[0007] Invention Effects

[0008] According to the present invention, the noise of a camera device having two or more cameras can be reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a diagram that schematically illustrates the structure of the camera device involved in the embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view that roughly represents the structure of the camera unit.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the phenomena produced in the camera device involved in the comparative example.

[0012] Figure 4It is a diagram illustrating the effect of the camera device. Detailed Implementation

[0013] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the camera device 1 includes a camera unit 2 for capturing a defined range and a control device 40 for controlling the camera unit 2. The camera unit 2 includes a first camera 10 for capturing a first defined range and a second camera 20 for capturing a second defined range. The first and second defined ranges may be the same or different. The first camera 10 is, for example, a wide-angle camera. The second camera 20 is, for example, a telephoto camera. The first camera 10 can be a telephoto camera, and the second camera 20 can be a wide-angle camera. The control device 40 is electrically connected to an electrical ground 48, which serves as a potential reference. The electrical ground 48 is electrically connected, for example, to the metal body of a vehicle. The electrical ground 48 is formed by a wire. The electrical ground 48 is an electrical path for leaking overcurrent voltage, noise, static electricity, etc., generated in the control device 40 to the vehicle body.

[0014] The control device 40 includes a first control unit 41 that performs control or image processing of the first camera 10. The first control unit 41 is electrically connected to the first camera 10 in a communicative manner. The first control unit 41 is, for example, composed of a hardware processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) and a storage unit. The storage unit is composed of a non-transitory storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD). The first control unit 41 may be built into the first camera 10. The first control unit 41 is electrically connected to an electrical ground 48. With the above structure, the first camera 10 is electrically connected to the electrical ground 48 via the first control unit 41.

[0015] The control device 40 includes a second control unit 42 for controlling or processing images of the second camera 20. The second control unit 42 is electrically connected to the second camera 20 in a communicative manner. The second control unit 42 is, for example, composed of at least one hardware processor such as a CPU and a storage unit. The storage unit is composed of a non-transitory storage medium such as a hard disk drive or a solid-state drive. The second control unit 42 may be built into the second camera 20. The second control unit 42 is electrically connected to an electrical ground 48. Through this structure, the second camera 20 is electrically connected to the electrical ground 48 via the second control unit 42.

[0016] The first camera 10 includes a first substrate 11 for image processing. The first substrate 11 has camera elements such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) and is configured to convert the image received via the first lens 12 into an image based on electrical signals and output it. The first substrate 11 is electrically connected to a first cable 13. The first substrate 11 outputs the image to the control device 40 via the first cable 13. The first substrate 11 outputs image data, for example, according to a transmission method such as Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS). The first cable 13 is electrically connected to a first control unit 41. The first cable 13 is, for example, an LVDS cable.

[0017] The first camera 10 includes a first frame 14 covering a first substrate 11. The first frame 14 is formed of a conductor such as a conductive metal. The first frame 14 is cast, for example, using die casting of aluminum. The first frame 14 is hollow. The first frame 14 supports the first substrate 11 within its internal space. The first frame 14 reduces electromagnetic noise generated in the first substrate 11.

[0018] The second camera 20 includes a second substrate 21 for image processing. The second substrate 21 has camera elements such as a CCD and is configured to convert the image received via the second lens 22 into an image based on electrical signals and output it. The second substrate 21 is electrically connected to a second cable 23. The second substrate 21 outputs the image to the control device 40 via the second cable 23. The second substrate 21 outputs image data, for example, according to a transmission method such as LVDS. The second cable 23 is electrically connected to a second control unit 42. The second cable 23 is, for example, an LVDS cable.

[0019] The second camera 20 includes a second frame 24 covering the second substrate 21. The second frame 24 is formed of a conductor such as a conductive metal. The second frame 24 is cast, for example, using die casting of aluminum. The second frame 24 is hollow. The second frame 24 supports the second substrate 21 within its internal space. The second frame 24 reduces electromagnetic noise generated in the second substrate 21.

[0020] A connecting portion 30 is provided between the first frame 14 and the second frame 24 to structurally connect the first frame 14 and the second frame 24. The connecting portion 30 is formed of an insulator, such as resin. The connecting portion 30 electrically insulates the first frame 14 and the second frame 24. The connecting portion 30 is configured to connect the first frame 14 and the second frame 24 in a predetermined positional relationship. By connecting the first frame 14 and the second frame 24 through the connecting portion 30, the camera unit 2 is treated as a device with an integrated structure.

[0021] The connecting portion 30 includes a first connecting portion 31, which is formed by inserting a thermoplastic material such as resin into the side of the first frame 14. The first connecting portion 31 can be embedded into the side of the first frame 14. The first connecting portion 31 can be adhered to the side of the first frame 14. The first connecting portion 31 can be fixed to the side of the first frame 14 by an adhesive component such as double-sided tape. As long as the first connecting portion 31 is electrically insulated from the first frame 14, it can be fixed by any fixing method.

[0022] The connecting portion 30 includes a second connecting portion 32, which is formed by inserting a thermoplastic material such as resin into the side 24 of the second frame. The second connecting portion 32 can be embedded into the side of the second frame 24. The second connecting portion 32 can be adhered to the side of the second frame 24. The second connecting portion 32 can be fixed to the side of the second frame 24 by an adhesive component such as double-sided tape. As long as the second connecting portion 32 is electrically insulated from the second frame 24, it can be fixed by any fixing method.

[0023] The first connecting part 31 and the second connecting part 32 are connected to each other in a predetermined positional relationship. The first connecting part 31 is provided on the first surface 15 of the first frame 14 facing the second frame 24. The second connecting part 32 is provided on the second surface 25 of the second frame 24 facing the first frame 14. The first connecting part 31 and the second connecting part 32 are fixed, for example, by fitting together.

[0024] The first connecting part 31 and the second connecting part 32 can be fixed by adhesive. The first connecting part 31 and the second connecting part 32 can be fixed by adhesive components such as double-sided tape. The first connecting part 31 and the second connecting part 32 can be fixed by any fixing method as long as they are fixed to each other in a predetermined positional relationship.

[0025] The first connecting portion 31, for example, has a first fitting portion 31A facing the second connecting portion. The second connecting portion 32, for example, has a second fitting portion 32A facing the first connecting portion 31. The first fitting portion 31A and the second fitting portion 32A are formed in a manner that they fit together and are fixed in a predetermined positional relationship. The first fitting portion 31A and the second fitting portion 32A can be formed into any shape as long as they are fixed together.

[0026] exist Figure 3The structure of the camera device 100 involved in the comparative example is shown. In the description of the camera device 100, the same names and symbols are used for structures identical to those in camera device 1, and repeated descriptions are omitted appropriately. In the imaging unit 2A of the camera device 100, compared with the imaging unit 2 of the camera device 1, it is configured such that the first frame 14 of the first camera 10 is electrically connected to the second frame 24 of the second camera 20 without using the connecting part 30. According to the imaging unit 2A with this structure, a loop circuit is formed between the imaging unit 2A, the first cable 13, the second cable 23, and the control device 40, thus producing the same phenomenon as a loop antenna or loop circuit, which may generate noise not only in the camera device 100 but also in other electronic devices.

[0027] like Figure 4 As shown, according to the camera device 1, in the imaging unit 2, the first frame 14 of the first camera 10 and the second frame 24 of the second camera 20 are connected by a connecting part 30 formed of an insulator. Therefore, the first frame 14 and the second frame 24 are electrically insulated, suppressing the generation of phenomena similar to those of a loop antenna, and reducing the noise of the camera device 1. According to the camera device 1, the first camera 10 and the second camera 20 are connected by the connecting part 30, so the imaging unit 2 can be treated as a single unit, improving operability during handling or installation.

[0028] According to the camera device 1, the first fitting portion 31A is inserted and molded into the first frame 14 by resin insertion, and the second fitting portion 32A is inserted and molded into the second frame 24 by resin insertion. Therefore, compared with the method of fixing the first frame 14 and the second frame 24 using connecting parts such as brackets, the amount of resin material used can be reduced. According to the camera device 1, the first fitting portion 31A is inserted and molded into the first frame 14 by resin insertion, and the second fitting portion 32A is inserted and molded into the second frame 24 by resin insertion. Therefore, the number of holes formed in the first frame 14 and the second frame 24 can be limited to a minimum.

[0029] Symbol Explanation

[0030] 1-Camera device, 2-Image capture unit, 2A-Image capture unit, 10-First camera, 11-First substrate, 12-First lens, 13-First cable, 14-First frame, 15-First surface, 20-Second camera, 21-Second substrate, 22-Second lens, 23-Second cable, 24-Second frame, 25-Second surface, 30-Connecting part, 31-First connecting part, 31A-First fitting part, 32-Second connecting part, 32A-Second fitting part, 40-Control device, 41-First control unit, 42-Second control unit, 48-Electrical ground.

Claims

1. A camera device, characterized in that, have: The first camera has a first frame formed of a conductor and is electrically connected to ground; A second camera, comprising a second frame formed of a conductor and electrically connected to the electrical ground; and The connecting part, which is formed of an insulator, structurally connects the first frame and the second frame, and electrically insulates the first frame and the second frame.

2. The camera device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting part connects the first frame and the second frame in a predetermined positional relationship.

3. The camera device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting part includes: The first connecting part is inserted and formed on the side of the first frame; and The second connecting part is inserted and formed on the side of the second frame. The first connecting part and the second connecting part are connected to each other in a predetermined positional relationship.

4. The camera device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first connecting part is disposed on the first surface of the first frame facing the second frame. The second connecting part is disposed on the second side of the second frame facing the first frame.

5. The camera device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first connecting portion includes a first fitting portion facing the second connecting portion. The second connecting portion has a second fitting portion facing the first connecting portion. The first fitting part and the second fitting part are formed in a manner in which they fit into each other in a predetermined positional relationship.

Images