Vehicle-mounted waterproof camera structure

Abstract

The utility model discloses a waterproof camera structure on vehicle relates to vehicle camera technical field, including vehicle camera main part, lower casing and upper casing, be equipped with sealing washer between lower casing and upper casing, and the fixed through locking assembly between lower casing and upper casing, and locking assembly includes outer thread, and outer thread sets up in the one end of lower casing close to upper casing, and the one end of upper casing close to lower casing is equipped with the internal thread of cooperation with the top rod, and the limit rod is equipped between sealing washer and outer thread, and the outside wall of limit rod is equipped with the elastic ratchet disc, and the one end of upper casing close to lower casing is seted up and is provided with the ratchet slot of elastic ratchet disc's jointing. The utility model discloses through the connection of outer thread and internal thread in locking assembly, has realized the assembly of lower casing and upper casing, and under the meshing of elastic ratchet disc and ratchet slot, has guaranteed that vehicle camera main part will not be loose under the vibration environment of vehicle, has maintained the stability of sealed pressure.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] As the automotive industry evolves towards greater intelligence and connectivity, in-vehicle cameras have become an indispensable core sensor in modern automobiles. They are widely used in functions such as reversing cameras, 360° surround view systems, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and dashcams, providing drivers with perimeter visual information and laying a crucial perception foundation for achieving autonomous driving. These cameras typically need to be mounted on the exterior of the vehicle, such as the front and rear bumpers, or below the side mirrors, to obtain the best field of view. Due to their exposed installation locations, vehicle-mounted cameras must possess excellent sealing and waterproofing performance to withstand harsh conditions such as rain, mud, and high-pressure car washes. Currently, the industry's common waterproof structures mainly rely on two technical approaches: one is "static sealing," which involves placing an O-ring between the camera lens and the housing, relying on the clamping force of the housing structure to achieve a seal; the other is "colloidal sealing," which directly uses adhesives such as epoxy resin or silicone to fill the assembly gap between the lens and the housing, forming a sealing layer after curing. These two technologies form the basis of existing waterproof vehicle-mounted cameras.

[0003] The applicant has identified significant limitations in existing automotive waterproof cameras. For static O-ring seals, the sealing pressure is fixed after assembly. However, under long-term temperature variations and mechanical vibrations, the rubber material is prone to aging and loosening, leading to a decrease in sealing contact pressure and ultimately leakage. For gel seals, process consistency is difficult to control, resulting in risks of uneven curing, air bubbles, or cracking. Furthermore, once failed, repair is extremely difficult, as disassembly is often impossible. A deeper problem is that existing structures passively respond to environmental challenges and cannot effectively compensate for connection loosening caused by continuous vibrations during vehicle operation, or the "breathing effect" inside the housing due to diurnal temperature variations. These dynamic factors significantly accelerate the failure of the sealing system. Therefore, we propose an automotive waterproof camera structure. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a waterproof vehicle camera structure that can solve the problem of easy sealing failure of vehicle cameras during use, as mentioned in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a vehicle-mounted waterproof camera structure, comprising a vehicle-mounted camera body, a lower housing, and an upper housing. A sealing ring is provided between the lower housing and the upper housing. The lower housing and the upper housing are fixed together by a locking assembly. The locking assembly includes an external thread, which is located at one end of the lower housing near the upper housing. An internal thread that mates with a push rod is provided at one end of the upper housing near the lower housing. A limiting rod is provided between the sealing ring and the external thread. An elastic ratchet is fitted on the outer wall of the limiting rod. A ratchet groove for the elastic ratchet to engage is provided at one end of the upper housing near the lower housing.

[0006] By adopting the above technical solution, the stability of the vehicle-mounted camera body during use can be guaranteed.

[0007] Preferably, the top of the upper housing is provided with an optical lens, and the upper housing and the optical lens are integrally formed.

[0008] By adopting the above technical solutions, the effectiveness of the vehicle-mounted camera body during use can be improved.

[0009] Preferably, the vehicle-mounted camera body has a camera module inside, and an unlocking component is installed between the lower housing and the upper housing for unlocking the elastic ratchet disc and ratchet groove.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solutions, it is possible to monitor the external environment.

[0011] Preferably, the unlocking assembly includes a push rod, the interior of the upper housing has a recessed groove for the push rod to slide, a return spring is elastically connected between the push rod and the recessed groove, the end of the upper housing has an unlocking groove for the elastic ratchet to move upward and unlock, the bottom of the elastic ratchet is fixed with an unlocking rod, and the outer side wall of the lower housing has an operating port for releasing the engagement state of the elastic ratchet and the ratchet groove.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, it is possible to easily disassemble and maintain the main body of the vehicle-mounted camera.

[0013] Preferably, there are four limiting rods and four top rods, which are equidistant from each other.

[0014] By adopting the above technical solution, the stability of the elastic ratchet disc during use can be improved.

[0015] Preferably, the upper housing has a vent hole, and a one-way vent valve that allows gas to be discharged from the inside to the outside is installed in the vent hole. The vent valve is an ePTFE membrane valve.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, it is possible to prevent the intake of external humid air.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: Firstly, by setting up a lower housing, an upper housing, and a locking assembly, the lower housing and the upper housing are assembled through the connection of the external and internal threads in the locking assembly. Under the meshing of the elastic ratchet disc and the ratchet groove, it is ensured that the main body of the vehicle camera will not loosen under vehicle vibration environment, thus maintaining the stability of the sealing pressure.

[0018] Secondly, by incorporating an elastic ratchet disc, a ratchet groove, and an unlocking assembly, the stability of the elastic ratchet disc engaging with the ratchet groove is ensured by the push rod in the unlocking assembly abutting against the elastic ratchet disc under the action of the return spring. Furthermore, the engagement between the unlocking rod and the unlocking groove is achieved by releasing the elastic ratchet disc from the ratchet groove, effectively improving the practicality of the device during use. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the vehicle-mounted camera body of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the upper shell structure of this utility model; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the locking assembly structure of this utility model; Figure 5 This utility model Figure 3 Enlarged structural diagram at point A in the middle; Figure 6 For practical purposes Figure 4 Enlarged structural diagram at point B.

[0020] In the diagram: 1. Vehicle camera body; 101. Lower housing; 102. Upper housing; 1021. Optical lens; 103. Sealing ring; 104. Camera module; 2. Locking assembly; 201. External thread; 202. Internal thread; 203. Limiting rod; 204. Elastic ratchet; 2041. Racket groove; 3. Unlocking assembly; 301. Top rod; 3011. Hidden groove; 302. Return spring; 303. Unlocking groove; 304. Unlocking rod; 3041. Operating port; 4. Vent hole. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To facilitate understanding of this utility model, a more comprehensive description of the utility model will be given below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show several embodiments of the utility model. However, the utility model can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure of the utility model will be more thorough and complete.

[0022] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "page", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

[0023] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0024] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," and "equipped with" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0025] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-6 The present invention will be described in further detail below.

[0026] Please see Figures 1-5The diagram illustrates a vehicle-mounted waterproof camera structure, including a main camera body 1, a lower housing 101, and an upper housing 102. The lower housing 101 and upper housing 102 are made of ABS engineering plastic. An optical lens 1021 is located on the top of the upper housing 102. The upper housing 102 and the optical lens 1021 are integrally molded. A sealing ring 103 is provided between the lower housing 101 and the upper housing 102. The sealing ring 103 is made of fluororubber FKM, with a temperature resistance range of -40°C to 200°C and a compression set of ≤15%. To cope with vehicle vibration and temperature changes (@150°C×24h), the vehicle-mounted camera body 1 houses a camera module 104. The lower housing 101 and the upper housing 102 are fixed together by a locking assembly 2. The locking assembly 2 includes an external thread 201, which is located at the end of the lower housing 101 near the upper housing 102. The upper housing 102 near the lower housing 101 has an internal thread 202 that mates with the push rod 301. The external thread 201 and the internal thread 202 are metric fine-pitch threads, specifically "M30×1.5", with a major diameter of 30mm and a pitch of 1.5mm, to balance the locking force and sealing pressure. A limiting rod 203 is provided between the sealing ring 103 and the external thread 201. The limiting rod 203 is fixedly connected to the lower housing 101. An elastic ratchet 204 is sleeved on the outer wall of the limiting rod 203. The elastic ratchet 204 is made of polyamide PA66 material with an elastic modulus ≥2.5. GPa, Shore hardness of 80-85 Shore D to ensure fatigue resistance. The upper housing 102 has a ratchet groove 2041 for the elastic ratchet disc 204 to engage with the lower housing 101. The inclination angle of the ratchet groove 2041 is 10°-15° to optimize the one-way locking effect. An unlocking component 3 is installed between the lower housing 101 and the upper housing 102 to unlock the elastic ratchet disc 204 and the ratchet groove 2041. The upper housing 102 has a vent hole 4. A one-way vent valve that only allows gas to be discharged from the inside to the outside is installed in the vent hole 4. The vent valve is an ePTFE membrane valve. The membrane valve is embedded in the vent hole by a hot pressing process. The edge sealing width is ≥1mm to prevent it from falling off. It allows the air inside the vehicle camera body 1 to be discharged when it is heated and expanded, but prevents the intake of external humid air. When assembling the vehicle-mounted camera body 1, the camera module 104 is first installed inside the lower housing 101. Then, the elastic ratchet 204 and the sealing ring 103 are sequentially fitted onto the end of the lower housing 101. Subsequently, the upper housing 102 is connected to the lower housing 101. Through the internal thread 202 at the end of the upper housing 102 and the connection of the lower housing 101, the lower housing 101 and the upper housing 102 gradually approach each other. After the elastic ratchet 204 engages with the ratchet groove 2041, as the upper housing 102 continues to rotate, the elastic ratchet 204 continuously emits a clicking sound until the lower housing 101 and the upper housing 102... Once the connection is complete, the sealing ring 103 ensures the sealing of the connection between the lower housing 101 and the upper housing 102. During daily use, when the air inside the vehicle camera body 1 expands due to heat, the air is discharged through the vent hole 4 and its internal vent valve, preventing external humid air from entering the interior of the vehicle camera body 1. Then, through the connection of the external thread 201 and the internal thread 202 in the locking assembly 2, the assembly of the lower housing 101 and the upper housing 102 is realized. Under the engagement of the elastic ratchet 204 and the ratchet groove 2041, it is ensured that the vehicle camera body 1 will not loosen under vehicle vibration environment, maintaining the stability of the sealing pressure.

[0027] Please see Figures 1-6 The unlocking component 3 shown in the figure includes a push rod 301 with a T-shaped cross-section. One end of the push rod 301 is pre-fabricated inside the upper housing 102. Four limiting rods 203 and four push rods 301 are provided, equidistantly distributed at 45-degree angles. A recessed groove 3011 for sliding the push rod 301 is provided inside the upper housing 102. A return spring 302 elastically connects the push rod 301 and the recessed groove 3011. The lower housing 101 and the upper housing... In the 102 installation state, the end of the push rod 301 abuts against the outer surface of the elastic ratchet 204 to ensure the engagement state of the elastic ratchet 204 and the ratchet groove 2041. The end of the upper housing 102 is provided with an unlocking groove 303 for the elastic ratchet 204 to move upward and unlock. The bottom of the elastic ratchet 204 is fixed with an unlocking rod 304. The outer side wall of the lower housing 101 is provided with an operation port 3041 for releasing the engagement state of the elastic ratchet 204 and the ratchet groove 2041. When the vehicle-mounted camera body 1 needs to be disassembled for maintenance, the unlocking rod 304 is pushed upward from the operating port 3041. The upward movement of the unlocking rod 304 drives the elastic ratchet 204 to move axially to the unlocking groove 303 and pushes the push rod 301 to retract into the dark groove 3011, causing the return spring 302 to be compressed until the elastic ratchet 204 and the ratchet groove 2041 disengage. Then, the upper housing 102 can be rotated to complete the disassembly of the vehicle-mounted camera body 1. Furthermore, the push rod 301 in the unlocking assembly 3 abuts against the elastic ratchet 204 under the action of the return spring 302, ensuring the stability of the elastic ratchet 204 and the ratchet groove 2041 when engaged. Through the cooperation of the unlocking rod 304 and the unlocking groove 303, the engagement state of the elastic ratchet 204 and the ratchet groove 2041 is released, effectively improving the practicality of the device during use.

[0028] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0029] Furthermore, the structures not described in this utility model do not involve the design points and improvement directions of this utility model and all adopt existing technology. The above content falls within the scope of the inventor's technical knowledge. Since the technical content in this field is vast and complex, the above content of this application does not necessarily constitute prior art.

[0030] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted waterproof camera structure, characterized in that: The system includes a vehicle-mounted camera body (1), a lower housing (101), and an upper housing (102). A sealing ring (103) is provided between the lower housing (101) and the upper housing (102). The lower housing (101) and the upper housing (102) are fixed together by a locking assembly (2). The locking assembly (2) includes an external thread (201). The external thread (201) is located at one end of the lower housing (101) near the upper housing (102). The upper housing (102) is provided at one end near the lower housing (101) with an internal thread (202) that mates with a push rod (301). A limiting rod (203) is provided between the sealing ring (103) and the external thread (201). An elastic ratchet (204) is sleeved on the outer side of the limiting rod (203). A ratchet groove (2041) for the elastic ratchet (204) to engage is provided at one end of the upper housing (102) near the lower housing (101).

2. The vehicle-mounted waterproof camera structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the upper housing (102) is provided with an optical lens (1021), and the upper housing (102) and the optical lens (1021) are integrally formed.

3. The vehicle-mounted waterproof camera structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vehicle-mounted camera body (1) has a camera module (104) inside. An unlocking component (3) is installed between the lower housing (101) and the upper housing (102) for unlocking the elastic ratchet disc (204) and the ratchet groove (2041).

4. The vehicle-mounted waterproof camera structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The unlocking assembly (3) includes a push rod (301). The interior of the upper housing (102) is provided with a recessed groove (3011) for the push rod (301) to slide. A return spring (302) is elastically connected between the push rod (301) and the recessed groove (3011). The end of the upper housing (102) is provided with an unlocking groove (303) for the elastic ratchet disc (204) to move upward and unlock. An unlocking rod (304) is fixed at the bottom of the elastic ratchet disc (204). An operating port (3041) is provided on the outer side wall of the lower housing (101) for releasing the engagement state between the elastic ratchet disc (204) and the ratchet groove (2041).

5. The vehicle-mounted waterproof camera structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: There are four limiting rods (203) and four top rods (301), and the limiting rods (203) and the top rods (301) are distributed at 45-degree intervals.

6. The vehicle-mounted waterproof camera structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper housing (102) has a vent hole (4), and a one-way vent valve that allows gas to be discharged from the inside to the outside is installed in the vent hole (4). The vent valve is an ePTFE membrane valve.

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