On-vehicle camera

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of vehicle-mounted camera, the cylinder cavity of outer mounting seat in cover shell includes the cavity section of large diameter and cavity section of small diameter by from outside to inside arrangement along its axial direction, the light ray incidence mirror surface of lens mounted on outer mounting seat is exposed at the outer cover surface of cover shell, lens barrel shell of lens rear part and cavity section of small diameter constitute threaded connection, annular elastic pad is sleeved in the cylinder body of lens barrel shell located in cavity section of small diameter, and elastic pad provides the pre-tightening force of driving lens barrel shell and cavity section of small diameter axial separation.The utility model is by setting elastic pad in cavity section of large diameter to make it to lens exert the pre-tightening force of driving lens barrel shell and cavity section of small diameter axial separation, further fix the position of lens, prevent lens from being affected by glue solidification, thread loosening and thermal expansion and contraction and occur deviation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of camera equipment technology, specifically to a vehicle-mounted camera. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicle cameras are typically installed in locations such as the front grille and trunk lid of a car, providing drivers with real-time images of the vehicle's surroundings and enhancing driving safety. The camera lens is usually threaded to the mounting bracket and secured with adhesive. When the adhesive hardens, or experiences thermal expansion and contraction, or if the camera is frequently shaken, the lens position can shift slightly due to changes in the adhesive volume, leading to inaccurate focusing and unclear images.

[0003] The patent disclosed in CN204203535U, entitled "A Connection Structure between a Lens and a Lens Mount," includes a lens mount 4, a lens 1 threaded onto the lens mount 4, a spring 2, and a retaining ring 3. This solution can prevent the lens 1 from becoming loose within the lens mount 4. However, the spring 2 in this solution is a wavy spring, and the two springs 2 and the retaining ring 3 occupy a significant amount of space within the lens mount 4. Furthermore, the mating relationship between the lens mount 4 and the spring 2 is not disclosed. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a vehicle-mounted camera with a compact structure that prevents lens misalignment.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows: a vehicle-mounted camera, wherein an outer mounting base and an inner mounting base are arranged sequentially from the outside to the inside inside the camera housing, and a cylindrical cavity for accommodating a lens is provided on the outer mounting base. The cylindrical cavity includes a large-diameter cavity section and a small-diameter cavity section arranged from the outside to the inside along its own axial direction. The light incident surface of the lens mounted on the outer mounting base is exposed at the outer surface of the housing. A lens ring is provided at the front of the lens and arranged on the outer periphery of the lens surface. The lens housing at the rear of the lens is threadedly connected to the small-diameter cavity section. An annular elastic pad is sleeved on the body of the lens housing located in the small-diameter cavity section. The elastic pad provides a pre-tightening force to drive the lens housing to axially separate from the small-diameter cavity section. The outer side of the elastic pad abuts against the bottom surface of the lens ring, and the inner side of the elastic pad abuts against the stepped surface between the large-diameter cavity section and the small-diameter cavity section.

[0006] This utility model mainly involves setting a large-diameter cavity section and a small-diameter cavity section inside the outer mounting base for mounting the lens. The small-diameter cavity section is threadedly connected to the lens barrel at the rear of the lens to fix the lens on the outer mounting base. An elastic pad is set in the large-diameter cavity section to apply a pre-tightening force to the lens, causing the lens barrel to separate axially from the small-diameter cavity section, thereby further fixing the position of the lens. This structure is an anti-loosening structure to prevent the lens barrel and the small-diameter cavity section from rotating circumferentially relative to each other, and to prevent the lens from shifting due to the curing of glue and thermal expansion and contraction. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is an isometric view of an in-vehicle camera.

[0008] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the vehicle-mounted camera after the cover has been removed;

[0009] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Cross-sectional view at point AA

[0010] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of the image;

[0011] Figure 5 This is a top view of the external mounting bracket;

[0012] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of an elastic pad. Detailed Implementation

[0013] See Figures 1-6 The vehicle-mounted camera shown has an outer mounting base 20 and an inner mounting base 40 arranged sequentially from the outside to the inside inside the camera housing 1. The outer mounting base 20 has a cylindrical cavity for accommodating the lens 10. The cylindrical cavity includes a large-diameter cavity section 21 and a small-diameter cavity section 22 arranged from the outside to the inside along its own axial direction. The light incident mirror 12 of the lens 10 mounted on the outer mounting base 20 is exposed at the outer surface of the housing 1. The front part of the lens 10 has a lens ring 13 arranged around the outer periphery of the mirror 12. The lens barrel 11 at the rear of the lens 10 is threadedly connected to the small-diameter cavity section 22. An annular elastic pad 30 is fitted on the barrel of the lens barrel 11 located in the small-diameter cavity section 22. The elastic pad 30 provides a pre-tightening force to drive the lens barrel 11 to axially separate from the small-diameter cavity section 22. The outer side of the elastic pad 30 abuts against the bottom surface of the lens ring 13, and the inner side of the elastic pad 30 abuts against the stepped surface between the large-diameter cavity section 21 and the small-diameter cavity section 22.

[0014] In the above scheme, the outer mounting base 20 and the inner mounting base 40 are fixed inside the housing 1 by screw connection or snap-fit. This embodiment adopts the snap-fit ​​method. The cylindrical cavity accommodating the lens 10 is located in the middle of the outer mounting base 20. A photoelectric sensor 50 is fixedly installed on the side of the outer mounting base 20 away from the lens 10, and the plate surface of the photoelectric sensor 50 faces the bottom surface of the cylindrical housing 11. After external light enters from the mirror surface 12, it shines on the photoelectric sensor 50 through the lens glass. The photoelectric sensor 50 generates a photoelectric signal, which is transmitted to the vehicle computer for image display through the connector cable. To facilitate the installation of the lens 10, the lens barrel 11 at the rear of the lens 10 is threadedly connected to the small-diameter cavity section 22 of the outer mounting base 20. An annular elastic pad 30 is fitted on the barrel of the lens barrel 11. The elastic force provided by the elastic pad 30 is a pre-tightening force that drives the lens barrel 11 and the small-diameter cavity section 22 to separate axially. This pre-tightening force can prevent the lens barrel 11 and the small-diameter cavity section 22 from rotating relative to each other in the circumference, prevent the threaded connection from loosening, and at the same time prevent the lens 10 from shifting due to the curing of glue and thermal expansion and contraction.

[0015] Regarding the specific structure of the elastic pad 30, as follows: Figure 6 As shown, the elastic pad 30 includes an annular sheet 33, on which a strip-shaped spring 31 is attached. One end of the spring 31 is connected to the annular sheet 33, and the other end extends freely away from the surface of the annular sheet 33. The projected outline of the spring 31 on the annular sheet 33 is located within the surface area of ​​the annular sheet 33. The annular sheet 33, made of metal, has a slotted hole 331 punched in it. The metal strip punched out from the slotted hole 331 forms the spring 31. One end of the spring 31 remains connected to the annular sheet 33, while the other end of the spring 31 and its long side are separated from the annular sheet 33.

[0016] In the above scheme, the inner side of the annular plate 33 is attached to the stepped surface between the large-diameter cavity section 21 and the small-diameter cavity section 22, and the free overhanging end of the spring plate 31 abuts against the bottom surface of the lens ring 13. The projection contour of the spring plate 31 on the annular plate 33 is within the surface area of ​​the annular plate 33, ensuring that the spring plate 31 is located within the large-diameter cavity section 21 and does not interfere with the cylindrical shell 11 and the wall surface of the large-diameter cavity section 21. To facilitate manufacturing and reduce costs, the spring plate 31 is directly formed by stamping from the annular plate 33. After the spring plate 31 is stamped out from the ring body of the annular plate 33, the punch left at the projection contour of the spring plate 31 on the annular plate 33 is the strip hole 331. The material of the elastic pad 30 is preferably spring steel, which has both high elastic limit, fatigue strength and good toughness.

[0017] To secure the elastic pad 30, the outer edge of the annular piece 33 has radial protrusions and recesses that fit into the protrusions and recesses on the cavity wall of the large-diameter cavity section 21, thus restricting circumferential rotational displacement. More specifically, the outer surface of the annular piece 33 extends towards the cavity wall of the large-diameter cavity section 21 with a pointed corner 32. The circumferential diameter formed by the apex of the pointed corner 32 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the stepped surface of the cavity. When the elastic pad 30 is installed inside the large-diameter cavity section 21, such that the inner surface of the annular piece 33 is in contact with the stepped surface at the bottom of the large-diameter cavity section 21, the pointed corner 32 abuts against the wall of the large-diameter cavity section 21 and undergoes elastic deformation, thus circumferentially limiting the annular piece 33 on the stepped surface. The pointed corner 32 can be directly formed during the stamping of the annular piece 33, making manufacturing convenient.

[0018] To facilitate the installation of the elastic pad 30, such as Figure 3 , 4 As shown, the cross-section of the large-diameter cavity section 21 is trapezoidal, with the upper base side adjacent to the mirror surface 12 being longer and the lower base side where the step surface is located being shorter. During the installation of the elastic pad 30, when the elastic pad 30 is located at the cylinder opening outside the large-diameter cavity section 21, the outer ring edge and the pointed corner 32 of the annular piece 33 are spaced apart from the wall surface of the large-diameter cavity section 21; when the inner side of the annular piece 33 is in contact with the step surface, the pointed corner 32 presses against the wall surface of the large-diameter cavity section 21.

[0019] To ensure that the preload provided by the elastic pad 30 is applied evenly to the lens 10, three springs 31 and three sharp corners 32 are arranged on the annular plate 33, and they are symmetrically distributed around the center of the annular plate 33.

[0020] Preferably, the inner mounting base 40 has a connector 41 on the side opposite to the lens 10. The connector 41 and the inner mounting base 40 are integrally injection molded, saving on wiring costs. The connection between the outer mounting base 20 and the inner mounting base 40 is made using laser welding technology, which meets its waterproof requirements and avoids problems that may occur with other connection methods, such as cracking of plastic parts due to screw fastening and air leakage of sealant.

Claims

1. A vehicle camera, characterized by: The camera housing (1) is provided with an outer mounting base (20) and an inner mounting base (40) from the outside to the inside. The outer mounting base (20) is provided with a cylindrical cavity for accommodating the lens (10). The cylindrical cavity includes a large-diameter cavity section (21) and a small-diameter cavity section (22) arranged from the outside to the inside along its own axial direction. The light incident mirror (12) of the lens (10) mounted on the outer mounting base (20) is exposed at the outer surface of the housing (1). The front part of the lens (10) is provided with a lens ring (13) arranged on the outer periphery of the mirror (12). The lens barrel (11) at the rear of the lens (10) is threadedly connected to the small-diameter cavity section (22). An annular elastic pad (30) is fitted on the barrel of the lens barrel (11) located in the small-diameter cavity section (22). The elastic pad (30) provides a pre-tightening force to drive the lens barrel (11) and the small-diameter cavity section (22) to separate axially. The outer side of the elastic pad (30) abuts against the bottom surface of the lens ring (13), and the inner side of the elastic pad (30) abuts against the stepped surface between the large-diameter cavity section (21) and the small-diameter cavity section (22). The elastic pad (30) includes an annular sheet (33), on which a sheet-like spring (31) is attached. One end of the spring (31) is attached to the annular sheet (33), and the other end extends freely away from the surface of the annular sheet (33). The projection outline of the spring (31) on the annular sheet (33) is within the surface area of ​​the annular sheet (33). The outer edge of the annular piece (33) has radial protrusions and concave parts that are inlaid with the protrusions and concave parts on the cavity wall of the large-diameter cavity section (21) to form a fit that restricts circumferential rotational displacement. The cross-section of the large-diameter cavity segment (21) is trapezoidal, with the upper base side adjacent to the mirror surface (12) being longer and the lower base side where the step surface is located being shorter; The stepped surface between the large-diameter cavity segment (21) and the small-diameter cavity segment (22) fits against the inner surface of the annular plate (33).

2. The vehicle camera of claim 1, wherein: A metal ring plate (33) has a strip hole (331) punched on it. A metal strip punched out from the strip hole (331) forms a spring plate (31). One end of the spring plate (31) is connected to the ring plate (33), while the other end of the spring plate (31) and its long side are separated from the ring plate (33).

3. The vehicle camera of claim 1, wherein: The outer surface of the annular plate (33) extends toward the cavity wall of the large-diameter cavity section (21) with a pointed corner (32), and the circumferential diameter formed by the apex of the pointed corner (32) is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical cavity step surface.

4. The vehicle camera of claim 3, wherein: The annular plate (33) has three springs (31) and three sharp corners (32), which are symmetrically distributed around the center of the annular plate (33).

5. The vehicle camera of claim 1, wherein: The inner mounting base (40) has a connector (41) on the side away from the lens (10), and the connector (41) and the inner mounting base (40) are integrally injection molded.

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