Waterproof and fog-proof camera

Abstract

The utility model provides a waterproof fog camera, which comprises a shell, a lens piece, a heat conduction piece, a base, a main circuit board and a wire harness unit, a view finding hole is arranged on the base, the base is connected with the main circuit board, and the view finding hole corresponds to an image sensor on the main circuit board. One end of the heat conduction piece is provided with a heat conduction ring to be sleeved on the lens piece, the other end of the heat conduction piece is provided with a heat conduction head to be attached to a main chip on the back of the main circuit board, the lens piece is inserted into a view finding hole of the base, the wire harness unit is connected with the main circuit board, a first side of the shell is provided with a view finding window, and a second side of the shell is provided with a wire hole. The heat conduction piece, the base, the main circuit board, the lens piece and part of the wire harness unit are contained in an inner cavity of the shell, the lens piece abuts against the view finding window, and the wire harness unit extends outwards from the wire hole. Therefore, the miniaturization design of the camera is met, and the demisting function of the lens is realized under the condition that an electric heating device is not independently added.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to camera technology, in particular to a waterproof fog camera. Background Art

[0002] At present, with the rapid development of automotive electronics and security technologies, in-vehicle cameras have become an essential core sensing sensor for traffic safety. With the increasing penetration rate of functions such as four-way monitoring, 360-degree surround view, lane keeping assist (LKA), driver monitoring (DMS), and forward-looking perception (ADAS), the number of single-vehicle cameras has been increasing year by year, and the market scale has also become larger and larger.

[0003] According to industry statistics, the installation volume in the passenger vehicle market alone exceeded 70 million in 2023. Coupled with the modification of commercial vehicles and existing vehicles, this figure far exceeds 100 million. The extensive application of in-vehicle cameras not only improves the safety of driving and riding but also effectively enhances traffic fluency and safety. With the further advancement of product value, application scenarios, and working environments, the evolving in-vehicle cameras are also facing various challenges.

[0004] For example, in-vehicle cameras are generally installed outside the vehicle. When used in extreme weather conditions (such as rain in summer and frost and snow in winter), due to the temperature difference between the inner and outer sides of the lens glass, when a certain temperature difference is reached, the absolute moisture in the air on the inner side of the glass will condense into tiny water droplets when it meets the cold, thus causing the phenomenon of lens water fog, covering the lens and resulting in the abnormal operation of the camera.

[0005] However, existing solutions usually separately configure a heating device at the lens to remove fog from the lens by means of electric heating. However, such solutions not only increase the material cost but also are not conducive to the miniaturization design of in-vehicle cameras. Summary of the Utility Model

[0006] Therefore, the main purpose of the present utility model is to provide a waterproof fog camera to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0007] To achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present utility model, there is provided a waterproof fog camera, which includes: a housing, a lens unit, a heat conducting member, a base, a main circuit board, and a wiring harness unit. The base is provided with a viewfinder hole, and the base is connected to the main circuit board so that the viewfinder hole corresponds to the image sensor on the main circuit board. One end of the heat conducting member is provided with a heat conducting ring to sleeved on the lens unit, and the other end is provided with a heat conducting head to be attached to the main chip on the back of the main circuit board. The lens unit is inserted into the viewfinder hole of the base, the wiring harness unit is connected to the main circuit board, the first side of the housing is provided with a viewfinder window, and the second side is provided with a wire hole. The heat conducting member, the base, the main circuit board, the lens unit, and part of the wiring harness unit are received in the inner cavity of the housing, where the lens unit abuts against the viewfinder window, and the wiring harness unit extends out from the wire hole.

[0008] Preferably, the waterproof and fog-proof camera further includes: a thermal conductive silica gel sheet disposed between the heat conducting head of the heat conducting member and the main chip on the back of the main circuit board.

[0009] Preferably, the lens member is provided with a thread, and the viewing hole of the base is a threaded hole. The lens member is threadedly engaged with the viewing hole of the base to adjust the focal length with respect to the image sensor.

[0010] Preferably, the housing is further provided with a potting hole and an air vent for pouring a sealing glue to fill the inner cavity of the housing.

[0011] Preferably, the housing includes a front cover and a rear cover. At the joint of the front cover and the rear cover, a double-layer partition structure is adopted for connection. A top column is provided at the bottom inside the rear cover. When the front cover and the rear cover are joined, the top column abuts against the heat conducting head. A viewing platform extends from the outside of the front cover, and the viewing window is disposed at the end of the viewing platform.

[0012] Preferably, the housing and the heat conducting member are made of a metal material. The heat conducting head of the heat conducting member is in the inner cavity of the housing and is blocked between the main circuit board and the potting hole and the air vent to form a superimposed compensation structure that meets electromagnetic compatibility.

[0013] Preferably, a conduction ring is provided on the lens member, and the heat conducting ring of the heat conducting member is sleeved on the lens member and abuts against the conduction ring.

[0014] Through the waterproof and fog-proof camera provided by the present utility model, a heat conducting structure is ingeniously designed to direct the working heat of the devices on the main circuit board to the lens member, so that when the camera is working, the temperature of the lens member is always higher than the ambient temperature outside. Under extreme weather conditions such as heavy rainstorms, high humidity, cold, and alternating hot and cold, the effect of removing water mist can be achieved by heating with its own working heat. Thereby, the environmental adaptability and reliability of the camera are improved. This not only saves material costs, but also greatly reduces the volume of the camera because there is no need to install complex heating devices, which is beneficial to the miniaturization design of in-vehicle cameras. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The drawings forming a part of this application are used to provide a further understanding of the present utility model. The schematic embodiments of the present utility model and their descriptions are used to explain the present utility model and do not constitute an improper limitation to the present utility model. In the drawings:

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the waterproof and fog-proof camera of the present utility model;

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the waterproof and fog-proof camera of the present utility model;

[0018] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the rear cover structure of the waterproof and fog-proof camera of the present utility model;

[0019] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the front cover structure of the waterproof and fog-proof camera of the present utility model;

[0020] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the mating structure of the lens element, heat conducting element, base, main circuit board, and wire harness unit in the housing of the waterproof and fog-proof camera of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the structure of the housing of the waterproof and fog-proof camera of the present utility model in a perspective state;

[0022] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the half-sectional structure of the waterproof and fog-proof camera of the present utility model.

[0023] Description of the reference numerals

[0024] Housing 1, lens element 2, heat conducting element 3, base 4, main circuit board 5, wire harness unit 6, heat conducting silica gel sheet 7, viewfinder window 11, wire hole 12, potting hole 13, air outlet hole 14, front cover 15, rear cover 16, top post 17, viewfinder platform 18, conduction ring 21, heat conducting ring 31, heat conducting head 32, viewfinder hole 41. Detailed implementation manners

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present utility model clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present utility model. Apparently, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present utility model. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present utility model described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0026] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present utility model provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the present utility model to be protected, but merely represents the selected embodiments of the present utility model. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0027] It should be noted that: similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following accompanying drawings. Therefore, once an item is defined in one accompanying drawing, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent accompanying drawings.

[0028] In the description of the present utility model, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the product of the present utility model is usually placed during use. It is only for the convenience of describing the present utility model and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation to the present utility model. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are only used for distinguishing descriptions and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. The terms "comprising" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0029] In addition, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "hanging", etc. do not mean that the component is required to be absolutely horizontal or hanging, but can be slightly inclined. For example, "horizontal" only means that its direction is more horizontal relative to "vertical", and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly inclined.

[0030] In the description of the present utility model, it should also be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "set", "arranged", "installed", "connected", "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood according to specific circumstances and in combination with the prior art. In addition, without conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present utility model can be combined with each other. And one or more of the components in the drawings can be necessary or unnecessary, and the relative positional relationship between the above-mentioned components in the drawings can be adjusted according to actual needs.

[0031] In order to meet the miniaturization design of the camera and realize the function of defogging the lens without separately adding an electric heating device, as Figures 1 to 7 shown, the present utility model provides a waterproof and fog-proof camera, which includes: a housing 1, a lens unit 2, a heat-conducting member 3, a base 4, a main circuit board 5, and a wire harness unit 6.

[0032] Wherein as Figure 2As shown, a viewfinder hole 41 is provided on the base 4. The base 4 is connected to the main circuit board 5 such that the viewfinder hole 41 corresponds to the image sensor on the main circuit board 5. One end of the heat conducting member 3 is provided with a heat conducting ring 31 to be sleeved on the lens member 2, and the other end is provided with a heat conducting head 32 to be attached to the main chip on the back of the main circuit board 5, thereby guiding the heat generated when the main chip operates to the lens member 2 to increase the temperature of the lens member 2. The tail end of the lens member 2 is inserted into the viewfinder hole 41 of the base 4 to be positioned towards the image sensor on the main circuit board 5. The wire harness unit 6 is connected to the main circuit board 5. A viewfinder window 11 is provided on the first side of the housing 1, and a wire hole 12 is provided on the second side. The heat conducting member 3, the base 4, the main circuit board 5, the lens member 2, and a part of the wire harness unit 6 are received in the inner cavity of the housing 1. The lens member 2 abuts against the viewfinder window 11, and the wire harness unit 6 extends out from the wire hole 12, thereby using the heat of the devices on the main circuit board 5 to raise the temperature of the lens member 2 to form a compact structure solution with a waterproof fog function.

[0033] In addition, in order to further increase the heat conduction efficiency between the heat conducting member 3 and the main circuit board 5, in an alternative embodiment, the waterproof fog camera further includes: a heat conducting silicone sheet 7, which is disposed between the heat conducting head 32 of the heat conducting member 3 and the main chip on the back of the main circuit board 5. For example, the heat conducting silicone sheet 7 is pasted on the main chip of the main circuit board 5 to enhance the heat conduction efficiency between the heat conducting head 32 and the main chip.

[0034] Furthermore, in order to meet the requirements of various lens focal lengths, in an alternative embodiment, the lens member 2 is provided with a thread, and the viewfinder hole 41 of the base 4 is a threaded hole. The lens member 2 is threadedly engaged with the viewfinder hole 41 of the base 4 to adjust the focal length with the image sensor, thereby meeting the production needs of different product focal length specifications.

[0035] Furthermore, in order to overall improve the waterproof and dustproof effects, in an alternative example, the housing 1 is further provided with a potting hole 13 and an air outlet hole 14 for pouring a sealing glue to fill the inner cavity of the housing 1, thereby wrapping the internal devices to prevent external water vapor or dust from invading the interior, and at the same time, it can also play a certain heat preservation effect and impact resistance, thereby further protecting the safety of the internal devices.

[0036] Furthermore, in order to facilitate production and assembly and ensure the compact and reliable engagement between internal devices, in an alternative example, as Figures 3 to 7As shown in the figure, the housing 1 includes a front cover 15 and a rear cover 16. At the joint of the front cover 15 and the rear cover 16, a double-layer partition structure is adopted for connection, so as to prevent leakage during the injection of glue into the inner cavity and also prevent external water vapor or dust from invading from here. The glue injection hole 13 and the air outlet hole 14 can be arranged on the rear cover 16. At the bottom inside the rear cover 16, there is a top column 17. When the front cover 15 and the rear cover 16 are joined, the top column 17 abuts against the heat conduction head 32. The outer side of the front cover 15 extends with a viewfinder platform 18, and the viewfinder window 11 is arranged at the end of the viewfinder platform 18. Through this setting, the lens member 2 abuts against the viewfinder window 11, and the top column 17 abuts against the heat conduction head 32, so as to squeeze the "lens member 2, heat conduction member 3, base 4, main circuit board 5" to improve the bonding tightness of these components.

[0037] Further, in order to meet the requirements of electromagnetic compatibility, in an alternative embodiment, the housing 1 and the heat conduction member 3 are made of metal materials, such as copper, iron, steel, aluminum and their alloys, etc. The heat conduction head 32 of the heat conduction member 3 is in the inner cavity of the housing 1, blocking between the main circuit board 5 and the glue injection hole 13 and the air outlet hole 14, so as to realize the metal coverage of the shielding area and form a superimposed compensation structure that meets the electromagnetic compatibility.

[0038] Further, in order to enhance the heat conduction efficiency between the lens member 2 and the heat conduction member 3, a conduction ring 21 is provided on the lens member 2, and the heat conduction ring 31 of the heat conduction member 3 is sleeved on the lens member 2 and is in contact with the conduction ring 21, so as to increase the heat conduction contact area between each other and improve the heat conduction efficiency.

[0039] Through the structural design of the above example, when the camera works, the working power consumption heat energy of the main chip on the main circuit board 5 will be transferred to the lens member 2 side through the heat conduction silicone sheet 7 and the heat conduction member 3, so that the temperature of the lens member 2 is always higher than the ambient temperature outside. Thus, under extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain, high humidity, cold, and alternating hot and cold, the function of removing water mist is realized by heating with its own working heat energy, providing strong support for the camera to collect high-definition images and videos.

[0040] In summary, through the waterproof mist camera provided by the present utility model, a heat conduction structure is ingeniously designed to direct the working heat of the components on the main circuit board 5 to the lens member 2, so that when the camera works, the temperature of the lens member 2 is always higher than the ambient temperature outside. Under extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain, high humidity, cold, and alternating hot and cold, the effect of removing water mist can also be realized by heating with its own working heat. Thereby, the environmental adaptability and reliability of the camera are improved. This not only saves the material cost, but also greatly reduces the volume of the camera because there is no need to install complex heating devices, which is beneficial to the miniaturization design of in-vehicle cameras.

[0041] The preferred embodiments of the present utility model disclosed above are only used to help illustrate the present utility model. The preferred embodiments do not describe all the details in detail, nor do they limit the present utility model to the specific embodiments described. Obviously, according to the content of this specification, many modifications and changes can be made. This specification selects and specifically describes these embodiments in order to better explain the principle and practical application of the present utility model, so that those skilled in the relevant technical field can well understand and utilize the present utility model. The present utility model is only limited by the claims and their full scope and equivalents. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present utility model shall be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0042] In addition, any combination can be made among various different embodiments of the embodiments of the present utility model, as long as it does not violate the idea of the embodiments of the present utility model, and it should also be regarded as the content disclosed by the embodiments of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A fog-proof camera, characterized in that include: A shell, a lens component, a heat conducting component, a base, a main circuit board, and a wiring harness unit, wherein the base is provided with a viewing hole, the base is connected to the main circuit board so that its viewing hole corresponds to the image sensor on the main circuit board, one end of the heat conducting component is provided with a heat conducting ring to be sleeved on the lens component, and the other end is provided with a heat conducting head to be attached to the main chip on the back of the main circuit board, the lens component is plugged into the viewing hole of the base, the wiring harness unit is connected to the main circuit board, the first side of the shell is provided with a viewing window, and the second side is provided with a wire hole, the heat conducting component, the base, the main circuit board, the lens component and part of the wiring harness unit are stored in the inner cavity of the shell, wherein the lens component is against the viewing window, and the wiring harness unit extends from the wire hole.

2. The anti-fog camera according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: The heat-conducting silicone sheet is arranged between the heat-conducting head of the heat-conducting component and the main chip on the back of the main circuit board.

3. The anti-fog camera according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lens component is provided with threads, the viewfinder hole of the base is a threaded hole, and the lens component is threadedly connected with the viewfinder hole of the base to adjust the focal length with the image sensor.

4. The anti-fog camera according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shell is also provided with a glue injection hole and an air outlet hole for injecting sealant to fill the inner cavity of the shell.

5. The anti-fog camera according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shell comprises: a front cover and a rear cover, wherein the front cover and the rear cover are connected at a junction thereof by a double-layer partition structure, a top column is provided at the inner bottom of the rear cover, and when the front cover and the rear cover are joined, the top column abuts against the heat conducting head, a viewing platform is extended outwardly from the front cover, and the viewing window is provided at the end of the viewing platform.

6. The anti-fog camera according to claim 4, characterized in that: The shell and the heat-conducting member are made of metal materials. The heat-conducting head of the heat-conducting member is in the inner cavity of the shell, blocking the main circuit board and the glue injection hole and the air outlet hole to form a superimposed compensation structure that meets electromagnetic compatibility.

7. The anti-fog camera according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lens component is provided with a conduction ring, and the heat conduction ring of the heat conduction component is sleeved on the lens component and adheres to the conduction ring.

Images