Camera assembly and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model discloses a camera assembly and a vehicle, and the camera assembly comprises a housing which is provided with an installation cavity; the lens is mounted on the shell; the heating assembly comprises a heating piece, the heating piece is attached to the inner side wall of the mounting cavity, and the heating piece and the lens are arranged at an interval, so that heat generated by the heating piece is conducted to the lens through the shell; and the circuit board is arranged in the mounting cavity, is electrically connected with the heating element and provides electric energy for the heating element. According to the camera assembly, the lens is indirectly heated through heat on the shell, and the functions of demisting, defrosting, deicing and the like are achieved; the lens does not need to be modified, and the cost can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of vehicle technology, and in particular to a camera assembly and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Existing camera components heat the lens by supplying power to the heating film, which increases the temperature of the lens, thereby achieving functions such as defogger, defrost, and de-icer. However, the heating film is located on the lens, and the drive line for supplying power to the heating film needs to be led out to the circuit board, making it difficult to achieve automatic focusing of the lens. At the same time, the lens with a heating film has a complex structure and has multiple assembly parts, which can easily cause the lens to slowly lose focus during use. Utility Model Content

[0003] The present application provides a camera assembly and a vehicle to solve the technical problem that the existing camera assembly has a heating film on the lens, which makes it difficult to achieve automatic focusing and gradually loses focus during use.

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application proposes a camera assembly, which includes: a shell body, which is formed with an installation cavity; a lens, which is installed on the shell body; a heating assembly, which includes a heating element, which is attached to the inner wall of the installation cavity and is spaced apart from the lens so that the heat generated by the heating element can be conducted to the lens through the shell body; a circuit board, which is arranged in the installation cavity, is electrically connected to the heating element, and provides electrical energy to the heating element.

[0005] One end of the shell is provided with a mounting portion, the mounting portion is provided with a mounting groove, the mounting groove is communicated with the mounting cavity, the lens is at least partially installed in the mounting groove, and the heating element is located at the periphery of the mounting portion.

[0006] The camera assembly further includes a heat-conducting member, which is disposed between the inner wall of the installation cavity and the heating element and is used to conduct the heat generated by the heating element to the inner wall.

[0007] The heating assembly further comprises a mounting plate which is detachably connected to the inner wall of the mounting cavity, and the heating element is arranged on a side of the mounting plate which is away from the inner wall.

[0008] The mounting plate includes at least one of an aluminum plate, a copper plate, an alloy plate, and a ceramic plate.

[0009] The heating assembly further comprises a heat-conducting insulating member, which is arranged between the mounting plate and the heating element.

[0010] The heating element and the circuit board are electrically connected via conductive springs or cables.

[0011] Wherein, the heating component comprises an aluminum-based printed circuit board.

[0012] The shell includes a first shell and a second shell, the first shell and the second shell are surrounded to form an installation cavity, and the heat generating element is attached to the inner wall of the first shell; and / or the circuit board can be removed from at least one of the first shell, the second shell and the lens.

[0013] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application proposes a vehicle, comprising: a vehicle body; and the camera assembly mentioned above, wherein the camera assembly is arranged on the vehicle body.

[0014] The beneficial effects of the present application are as follows: Different from the prior art, the present application provides a camera assembly. The camera assembly includes a housing, a lens, a heating assembly and a circuit board. The housing is formed with a mounting cavity. The lens is mounted on the housing. The heating assembly includes a heating element. The heating element is attached to the inner wall of the mounting cavity and is spaced apart from the lens so that the heat generated by the heating element is conducted to the lens through the housing. The circuit board is disposed in the mounting cavity, electrically connected to the heating element, and provides electrical energy to the heating element.

[0015] Through the cooperation of the above-mentioned shell, lens, heating component and circuit board, the heat generated by the heating element is transferred to the inner wall of the installation cavity, and then transferred to the lens from the inner wall of the installation cavity, so that the temperature of the lens is increased, thereby realizing functions such as defogger, defrost and deicing. The lens is indirectly heated by the heat on the shell, and there is no need to modify the lens, nor does it affect the existing focusing automation process. The lens heating function is realized without changing the conventional lens, which can reduce costs. In addition, the heating component is directly arranged in the installation cavity, and the heating function is realized in the installation cavity, without changing the installation cavity structure in the conventional camera assembly, reducing the complexity of the structure in the shell and improving reliability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments are briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work, among which:

[0017] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of a camera assembly of the present application;

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of AA is shown;

[0019] Figure 3 It is a second cross-sectional schematic diagram of an implementation of the camera assembly of the present application.

[0020] Figure numbers: 10, camera assembly; 11, shell; 111, first shell; 112, second shell; 113, mounting cavity; 114, mounting portion; 1141, mounting groove; 12, lens; 13, heating assembly; 131, heating element; 132, mounting plate; 133, thermally conductive insulating element; 14, circuit board; 15, thermally conductive element; 16, connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0022] Reference to "embodiments" herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of the phrase in various locations in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It is explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0023] The camera assembly and the vehicle provided by the utility model are described in detail below in conjunction with the embodiments.

[0024] See also Figure 1 , Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 , Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of a camera assembly of the present application; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of AA is shown; Figure 3 It is a second cross-sectional schematic diagram of an implementation of a camera assembly of the present application. The present application provides a camera assembly 10. The camera assembly 10 includes a housing 11, a lens 12, a heating assembly 13 and a circuit board 14. The housing 11 is formed with a mounting cavity 113. The mounting cavity 113 provides a mounting position and space for the lens 12, the heating assembly 13 and the circuit board 14. The lens 12 is mounted on the housing 11. That is, the lens 12 is connected to one end of the housing 11. The heating assembly 13 includes a heating element 131. The heating element 131 can generate heat after being energized. The heating element 131 is attached to the inner wall of the mounting cavity 113. At the same time, the heating element 131 is spaced apart from the lens 12 so that the heat generated by the heating element 131 is conducted to the lens 12 through the housing 11. The circuit board 14 is arranged in the mounting cavity 113. The circuit board 14 is electrically connected to the heating element 131, and the circuit board 14 provides electrical energy for the heating element 131.

[0025] Through the cooperation of the above-mentioned shell 11, lens 12, heating component 13 and circuit board 14, the heat generated by the heating element 131 is conducted to the inner wall of the installation cavity 113, and then conducted to the lens 12 from the inner wall of the installation cavity 113, so that the temperature of the lens 12 is increased, thereby realizing the functions of defogger, defrost and deicing. By indirectly heating the lens 12 through the heat on the shell 11, there is no need to modify the lens 12, and it does not affect the existing automatic focusing process. The heating function of the lens 12 is realized without changing the conventional lens 12, which can reduce costs. In addition, the heating component 13 is directly arranged in the installation cavity 113, and the heating function is realized in the installation cavity 113, without changing the structure of the installation cavity 113 in the conventional camera assembly 10, reducing the complexity of the structure in the shell 11 and improving reliability.

[0026] In some embodiments, a mounting portion 114 is provided at one end of the shell 11. The mounting portion 114 is provided with a mounting groove 1141. The mounting groove 1141 is communicated with the mounting cavity 113. The mounting groove 1141 provides a mounting position for the lens 12. The lens 12 is at least partially mounted in the mounting groove 1141. Among them, the heating element 131 is located at the periphery of the mounting portion 114. That is, the heat generated by the heating element 131 is well conducted to the inner side wall of the mounting cavity 113 and the mounting portion 114 of the shell 11, and then the heat is conducted to the lens 12 through the inner side wall and the mounting portion 114. Through the mounting portion 114 and its mounting groove 1141, not only is it convenient to install the lens 12, but also the installation area of ​​the heating element 131 is increased, the thermal conductivity is improved, and then the defogger, defrost and deicing performance are improved.

[0027] Because the lens 12 is cylindrical, the mounting portion 114 and the mounting groove 1141 are also cylindrical, and the heating element 131 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the mounting portion 114, which increases the installation area of ​​the heating element 131, thereby further improving the defogger, defrost and deicing functions. The above-mentioned lens 12 can be fixed to one end of the shell 11. For example, the lens 12 is bonded to one end of the shell 11 by a fixing glue (not shown in the figure). The fixing glue can be glue. Alternatively, the above-mentioned lens 12 can be detachable from one end of the shell 11. For example, the lens 12 is threadedly rotatably connected to one end of the shell 11. Among them, the lens 12 is a conventional technology of those skilled in the art, and its specific structure is not limited here.

[0028] In some embodiments, the camera assembly 10 further includes a heat conductor 15. The heat conductor 15 is disposed between the inner wall of the mounting cavity 113 and the heating element 131, and is used to conduct the heat generated by the heating element 131 to the inner wall. The heat conductor 15 can not only fill the gap between the inner wall and the heating element 131, but also play a heat conducting role, and can conduct the heat generated by the heating element 131 to the inner wall well, thereby improving the thermal conductivity of the camera assembly 10, and further improving the defogger, defrost and deicing performance of the lens 12. Among them, the heat conductor 15 can be a thermally conductive gel, a thermally conductive silicone, etc., which is not limited here.

[0029] In some embodiments, the heating component 13 also includes a mounting plate 132. The mounting plate 132 is detachably connected to the inner wall of the mounting cavity 113. The heating element 131 is arranged on the side of the mounting plate 132 facing away from the inner wall. The mounting plate 132 provides a mounting position for the heating element 131; at the same time, the mounting plate 132 can mount the heating element 131 on the inner wall of the mounting cavity 113, thereby improving the convenience of installation and disassembly of the heating component 13. The above-mentioned mounting plate 132 can be installed to the inner wall of the mounting cavity 113 by means of snap-on, plug-in or bolts. Compared with the existing heating film, which requires adhesive pasting or structural parts pressing, the mounting plate 132 in this embodiment can be installed to the inner wall of the mounting cavity 113 by bolts, which is simple to install and convenient and reliable.

[0030] In some embodiments, the mounting plate 132 includes at least one of an aluminum plate, a copper plate, an alloy plate, and a ceramic plate. The mounting plate 132 includes one, two, three, or four of the aluminum plate, copper plate, alloy plate, and ceramic plate. For example, the mounting plate 132 includes an aluminum plate. Alternatively, the mounting plate 132 includes an alloy plate. Alternatively, the mounting plate 132 includes an aluminum plate and a copper plate. Alternatively, the mounting plate 132 includes an aluminum plate, a copper plate, and a ceramic plate. The mounting plate 132 can be selected according to actual needs. The above-mentioned mounting plate 132 not only plays the role of installing the heating element 131, but also plays a role in heat conduction, thereby improving the thermal conductivity of the heating component 13. In other embodiments, the mounting plate 132 can also be composed of other materials, as long as it can play the role of installation and thermal conductivity, which is not limited here.

[0031] Please continue reading Figures 1 to 3 In some embodiments, the heating assembly 13 further includes a heat-conducting insulating member 133. The heat-conducting insulating member 133 is disposed between the mounting plate 132 and the heating element 131. The heat-conducting insulating member 133 can play a heat-conducting role, so that the heat generated by the heating element 131 is transferred to the mounting plate 132 through the heat-conducting insulating member 133. At the same time, the heat-conducting insulating member 133 can play an insulating role, so that the mounting plate 132 and the heating element 131 are in an insulated state, reducing the risk of electric shock of the camera assembly 10 and improving the safety performance of the camera assembly 10.

[0032] In some embodiments, the heating element 131 and the circuit board 14 are electrically connected via a conductive spring (not shown in the figure) or a cable (not shown in the figure). That is, the circuit board 14 is electrically connected to the heating element 131 via the conductive spring or cable to provide working power for the heating element 131. The conductive spring may be a metal spring.

[0033] In some embodiments, the heating assembly 13 includes an aluminum-based printed circuit board (not shown in the figure). The aluminum-based printed circuit board is a conventional technology in the art, and its specific structure is not limited. The heating assembly 13 is implemented by using an aluminum-based printed circuit board. Compared with existing conventional heating wires, heating films, etc., the installation and disassembly of the aluminum-based printed circuit board in this embodiment is simpler, more reliable, and easy to obtain and low in cost.

[0034] Specifically, the aluminum-based printed circuit board includes a copper plate (not shown in the figure), a heat-conducting insulating member 133, and an aluminum plate (not shown in the figure). The copper plate generates heat when it is energized and transfers the heat to the aluminum plate through the heat-conducting insulating member 133, and then the aluminum plate is in contact with the inner wall of the housing 11, thereby heating the housing 11.

[0035] Please continue reading Figures 1 to 3 In some embodiments, the housing 11 includes a first housing 111 and a second housing 112. The first housing 111 and the second housing 112 are arranged to form the above-mentioned installation cavity 113. The first housing 111 and the second housing 112 are detachably connected, and at the same time, the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 are sealed and the installation cavity 113 is in a sealed state, so that the heat generated by the heating element 131 is concentrated in the installation cavity 113 as much as possible to reduce heat loss.

[0036] Specifically, the heating element 131 is arranged in the installation cavity 113, and the heating element 131 is attached to the inner wall of the first shell 111. The above-mentioned heat-conducting member 15 is arranged between the inner wall of the first shell 111 and the heating element 131. The mounting portion 114 is arranged in the first shell 111. Among them, the mounting portion 114 at least partially extends into the installation cavity 113. The heating element 131 is attached to the inner wall and is arranged around the mounting portion 114. In addition, the lens 12 is bonded to the first shell 111 by fixing glue or the like. Alternatively, the lens 12 is fixed to the first shell 111 by threaded rotation.

[0037] In some embodiments, the circuit board 14 can be detached from at least one of the first housing 111, the second housing 112, and the lens 12. For example, the circuit board 14 can be detached from the first housing 111. Alternatively, the circuit board 14 can be detached from the second housing 112. Alternatively, the circuit board 14 can be detached from the lens 12. Alternatively, the circuit board 14 can be detached from both the first housing 111 and the lens 12. The location of the circuit board 14 can be determined according to actual needs and is not limited here. The circuit board 14 can be a PCB (Printed Circuit Board).

[0038] In some embodiments, the material of the first shell 111 and the material of the second shell 112 may be the same. Alternatively, the material of the first shell 111 and the material of the second shell 112 are different. Among them, the material of the first shell 111 may be made of aluminum material or copper material. The first shell 111 made of the above-mentioned aluminum material or copper material has good thermal conductivity, and can better conduct heat to the lens 12, thereby improving the defog, defrost and deicing performance of the lens 12. Of course, in other embodiments, the first shell 111 can also be made of other materials, which is not limited here.

[0039] In some embodiments, the camera assembly 10 includes a connector 16. The connector 16 is detachably connected to the second housing 112 and connected to the circuit board 14. The camera assembly 10 can be used for power supply and communication with the outside world through the connector 16. Specifically, the connector 16 passes through the second housing 112 and is connected to an external power source.

[0040] In some embodiments, the camera assembly 10 includes a controller (not shown in the figure) and a sensor (not shown in the figure). The sensor can be an image recognizer or a temperature sensor, which is used to detect ice, frost, or fog on the surface of the lens 12 in the lens 12, or to detect the presence or absence of condensation conditions of ice, frost, or fog. When the conditions meet the preset critical standards, the sensor feeds back the monitoring signal to the controller. The controller starts the heating component 13, and the heating component 13 works to indirectly transfer heat to the lens 12 until the conditions detected by the sensor are lower than the critical standard, and then the heating component 13 stops heating.

[0041] Compared with the prior art, the camera assembly of the present application includes a housing, a lens, a heating assembly and a circuit board. The housing is formed with a mounting cavity. The lens is mounted on the housing. The heating assembly includes a heating element. The heating element is attached to the inner side wall of the mounting cavity and is spaced apart from the lens so that the heat generated by the heating element is conducted to the lens through the housing. The circuit board is arranged in the mounting cavity, electrically connected to the heating element, and provides electrical energy for the heating element. Through the cooperation of the housing, the lens, the heating assembly and the circuit board, the heat generated by the heating element is conducted to the inner side wall of the mounting cavity, and is conducted from the inner side wall of the mounting cavity to the lens, so that the temperature of the lens is increased, thereby realizing functions such as defogger, defrost and deicing. The lens is indirectly heated by the heat on the housing, without the need to modify the lens, and does not affect the existing focusing automation process. The lens heating function is realized without changing the conventional lens, which can reduce costs. In addition, the heating assembly is directly arranged in the mounting cavity, and the heating function is realized in the mounting cavity, without changing the mounting cavity structure in the conventional camera assembly, reducing the complexity of the structure in the housing, and improving reliability.

[0042] Please continue reading Figures 1 to 3 , the present application provides a vehicle (not shown in the figure). The vehicle includes a vehicle body (not shown in the figure) and a camera assembly 10. The camera assembly 10 is arranged on the vehicle body. By using the above-mentioned camera assembly 10, the vehicle realizes the functions of defogger, defrost and deicing of the camera assembly 10. The lens 12 is indirectly heated by the heat at one end of the shell 11, and there is no need to modify the lens 12, nor does it affect the existing focusing automation process. The heating function of the lens 12 is realized without changing the conventional lens 12, which can reduce costs. It should be noted that the camera assembly 10 in this embodiment is the camera assembly 10 described in the above-mentioned embodiment, which will not be repeated here. The above-mentioned camera assembly 10 can be applied to the reversing image, surround view, assisted driving, electronic rearview mirror, etc. of the vehicle body, so that the camera assembly 10 has stronger environmental adaptability.

[0043] The terms "first", "second", "third" in this application are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined as "first", "second", "third" can expressly or implicitly include at least one of these features. In the embodiments of the present application, all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back ...) are only used to explain the relative positional relationship, motion conditions, etc. between the components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication also changes accordingly. In addition, the terms "include" and "have" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. The process, method, system, product or equipment such as including a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally also includes steps or units that are not listed, or optionally also includes other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products or equipment.

[0044] The above description is only an embodiment of the present application and does not limit the patent scope of the present application. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation made using the contents of the present application specification and drawings, or directly or indirectly applied in other related technical fields, are also included in the patent protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A camera assembly, It is characterized in that include: A housing is formed with a mounting cavity; A lens is mounted on the housing; A heating assembly, comprising a heating element, wherein the heating element is attached to the inner wall of the mounting cavity and is spaced apart from the lens so that the heat generated by the heating element is conducted to the lens through the housing; The circuit board is arranged in the installation cavity, is electrically connected to the heating element, and provides electrical energy to the heating element.

2. The camera assembly according to claim 1, It is characterized in that A mounting portion is provided at one end of the shell, and a mounting groove is provided on the mounting portion. The mounting groove is communicated with the mounting cavity, the lens is at least partially mounted in the mounting groove, and the heating element is located at the periphery of the mounting portion.

3. The camera assembly according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The camera assembly further comprises a heat conducting member, which is arranged between the inner side wall of the installation cavity and the heating member and is used for conducting the heat generated by the heating member to the inner side wall.

4. The camera assembly according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The heating assembly also includes a mounting plate, which is detachably connected to the inner wall of the mounting cavity, and the heating element is arranged on a side of the mounting plate away from the inner wall.

5. The camera assembly according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The mounting plate includes at least one of an aluminum plate, a copper plate, an alloy plate, and a ceramic plate.

6. The camera assembly according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The heating assembly further comprises a heat-conducting insulating member, wherein the heat-conducting insulating member is arranged between the mounting plate and the heating element.

7. The camera assembly according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The heating element and the circuit board are electrically connected via a conductive spring or a cable.

8. The camera assembly according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The heating assembly includes an aluminum-based printed circuit board.

9. The camera assembly according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The housing comprises a first housing and a second housing, the first housing and the second housing are arranged to form the installation cavity, and the heating element is attached to the inner wall of the first housing; And / or, the circuit board is detachable from at least one of the first shell, the second shell, and the lens.

10. A vehicle, It is characterized in that include: Vehicle body; The camera assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the camera assembly is arranged on the vehicle body.

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