ADAS front-view camera structure integrated with a rain sensor

Abstract

The utility model provides an ADAS forward looking camera structure of integrated rainfall sensor, including camera housing and camera module, install rainfall sensor and main control board on camera housing, and camera module and rainfall sensor all are with main control board electric connection, rainfall sensor is located one side of camera module, and rainfall sensor and camera module partially overlap in the width direction of camera housing, the utility model makes rainfall sensor and camera module share camera housing and main control board, not only can reduce cost, but also can combine the original rainfall sensor and ADAS forward looking camera's step independent installation as " integral's one time installation", improves installation efficiency, and the design scheme that rainfall sensor and camera module partially overlap in the width direction of camera housing can realize the compact arrangement of rainfall sensor and camera module on the basis of not increasing the overall width of camera housing, reduces the occupation to front windshield mounting space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of automotive electronic component integration technology, specifically relating to an ADAS forward-looking camera structure with integrated rain sensor. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous improvement of automotive intelligence, intelligent driving assistance systems have become standard equipment in modern cars. Among them, the ADAS forward-facing camera, installed near the rearview mirror inside the windshield, is an important component of intelligent driving assistance cameras. It is used to capture real-time visual information ahead of the vehicle and performs functions such as traffic sign and obstacle recognition.

[0003] Meanwhile, to enhance driving safety, modern cars are generally equipped with automatic wiper systems. These systems rely on rain sensors installed inside the windshield to determine the presence and intensity of rain and snow, and automatically control the start, stop, and speed of the wipers.

[0004] However, currently, the ADAS forward-view camera and rain sensor are two independent components, supplied by different manufacturers. This independent design means that two separate housings and processing chips are required, which inevitably increases costs. In addition, this independent design means that OEMs need to install the ADAS forward-view camera and rain sensor separately on the inside of the windshield, which not only takes up more space on the windshield and affects the driver's visibility, but also increases installation time. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an ADAS forward-looking camera structure that integrates a rain sensor, which allows the rain sensor and the camera module to share the camera housing and main control chip, which not only reduces the space occupied on the windshield but also reduces costs; at the same time, it combines the original separate installation of the rain sensor and the ADAS forward-looking camera into a "one-time installation", effectively improving installation efficiency.

[0006] To achieve the above and other related objectives, this utility model provides an ADAS forward-looking camera structure integrating a rain sensor, including a camera housing and a camera module. A rain sensor and a main control board are mounted on the camera housing, and both the camera module and the rain sensor are electrically connected to the main control board. The rain sensor is located on one side of the camera module, and the rain sensor and the camera module partially overlap in the width direction of the camera housing. This utility model integrates the rain sensor into the ADAS forward-looking camera, allowing the rain sensor and the camera module to share the camera housing and main control board. This not only reduces costs but also combines the original separate installation of the rain sensor and the ADAS forward-looking camera into a "one-time installation," improving installation efficiency. Furthermore, the design scheme of partial overlap between the rain sensor and the camera module in the width direction of the camera housing allows for a compact arrangement of the rain sensor and the camera module without increasing the width of the camera housing, thereby effectively reducing the space occupied on the windshield.

[0007] Preferably, the camera housing includes a detachably connected shell and a top cover; the rain sensor and the main control board are both mounted on the shell, and the rain sensor is electrically connected to the main control board via a flexible wire assembly or a flexible flat cable; the flexible wire assembly / flexible flat cable provides sufficient freedom, has a high tolerance for assembly errors of the main control board and the rain sensor, and effectively reduces assembly difficulty.

[0008] Preferably, the rain sensor includes a light emitting element and an adapter plate with a light receiving element. The light emitting element is electrically connected to the adapter plate, and the light emitting element is configured to emit light toward the windshield, and the light receiving element is configured to receive light reflected from the windshield. In this way, the number of raindrops can be detected based on the amount of reduction in the light received by the light receiving element.

[0009] Preferably, the housing is provided with an optical pad for close contact with the windshield; the optical pad is configured to eliminate the air gap between the rain sensor and the windshield to reduce light loss caused by interface reflection.

[0010] Preferably, the optical pad is made of silicone or polyurethane to provide cushioning.

[0011] Preferably, the light emitting element is an LED or an infrared light-emitting diode.

[0012] Preferably, the light receiving element is a photodiode.

[0013] As described above, the ADAS forward-looking camera structure with an integrated rain sensor provided by this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0014] The ADAS forward-looking camera structure with integrated rain sensor adopted in this utility model allows the rain sensor and camera module to share the camera housing and main control board. This not only reduces costs but also combines the original separate installation of the rain sensor and ADAS forward-looking camera into a "one-time installation", improving installation efficiency. In addition, the design scheme in which the rain sensor and camera module partially overlap in the width direction of the camera housing can achieve a compact arrangement of the rain sensor and camera module without increasing the width of the camera housing, thereby effectively reducing the space occupied on the windshield. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a partial exploded view of the ADAS forward-looking camera structure integrating a rain sensor in this application.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a bottom view of the ADAS forward-looking camera structure integrating a rain sensor in this application.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the main control board and the rain sensor.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional exploded view of the ADAS forward-looking camera structure integrating a rain sensor as described in this application.

[0019] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0020] Camera housing 100, housing 110, main control board mounting slot 111, rain sensor mounting slot 112, interface clearance slot 113, top cover 120, snap-fit ​​post 130, positioning post 140, camera module 200, rain sensor 300, light-emitting component 310, adapter board 320, optical pad 330, main control board 400, wire harness interface 410, flexible flat cable 500, first connector 610, second connector 620. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this utility model from the content disclosed in this specification.

[0022] Please see Figures 1 to 4It should be understood that the structures, proportions, sizes, etc., illustrated in the accompanying drawings are merely for illustrative purposes to aid those skilled in the art and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention. Therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in proportions, or adjustments to size, without affecting the effectiveness and purpose of this invention, should still fall within the scope of the disclosed technical content. Furthermore, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "middle," and "one" used in this specification are merely for clarity and not intended to limit the scope of this invention. Changes or adjustments to their relative relationships, without substantially altering the technical content, should also be considered within the scope of this invention.

[0023] The ADAS forward-looking camera structure with integrated rain sensor provided in this embodiment of the utility model is as follows: Figures 1 to 4 As shown, it includes a camera housing 100, a camera module 200, a rain sensor 300, and a main control board 400. The main control board 400 is provided with a wiring harness interface 410 for interfacing with external devices. The camera module 200 and the rain sensor 300 are both mounted on the camera housing 100, and both the camera module 200 and the rain sensor 300 are electrically connected to the main control board 400.

[0024] In this way, the camera module 200 and the rain sensor 300 can share the main control board 400 and the camera housing 100, thereby reducing costs. In addition, since the camera module 200 and the rain sensor 300 are both integrated on the camera housing 100, it is convenient to optimize the original separate installation of the rain sensor and the ADAS forward-looking camera into a "one-time installation", which effectively improves installation efficiency.

[0025] It should be noted that the camera housing 100 adopts the existing mounting housing of ADAS forward-looking cameras. For ease of description, the length direction of the camera housing 100 is defined as the left-right direction, the width direction is defined as the front-back direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the left-right and width directions is defined as the up-down direction. Based on this, in Figure 2 In the diagram, the top and bottom sides of the paper represent the front and back directions, the left and right sides represent the left and right directions, and the inside and outside sides represent the top and bottom directions.

[0026] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the camera housing 100 used in this application includes a housing 110 and a top cover 120 that are detachably connected by bolts or other means. The housing 110 is used to install the camera module 200, the rain sensor 300, and the main control board 400. The front sides of the housing 110 are formed with locking posts 130 that engage with the slots (not shown) on the windshield bracket. The left and right ends of the rear area of ​​the housing 110 are respectively provided with positioning posts 140 that engage with the claws (not shown) on the windshield bracket. When it is necessary to install the ADAS forward-looking camera structure with integrated rain sensor on the windshield bracket, simply insert the locking posts 130 of the camera housing 100 into the corresponding slots on the windshield bracket in the front-back direction; then, snap the positioning posts 140 into the corresponding claws on the windshield bracket to complete the installation of the ADAS forward-looking camera structure with integrated rain sensor.

[0027] Since the slots and claws on the windshield bracket are existing technologies, they will not be described in detail here. For details, please refer to the camera mounting structure in patent 2017210454866.

[0028] It should be noted that the mounting position of the camera module 200 on the camera housing 100 remains unchanged, still located in the middle of the camera housing 100, and is tilted relative to the camera housing 100.

[0029] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 As shown, the rain sensor 300 is located on the left or right side of the camera module 200, and the rain sensor 300 and the camera module 200 partially overlap in the width direction of the camera housing 100, so as to achieve a compact arrangement of the rain sensor 300 and the camera module 200 without increasing the width of the camera housing, thereby effectively reducing the space occupied by the windshield installation.

[0030] At this time, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the top of the housing 110 is provided with a main control board mounting slot 111, a rain sensor mounting slot 112, and an interface clearance slot 113; the rain sensor 300 is detachably mounted in the rain sensor mounting slot 112 by means of bolts or the like, and the main control board 400 is detachably mounted in the main control board mounting slot 111 by means of bolts or the like; at this time, the wiring harness interface 410 on the main control board 400 is located in the interface clearance slot 113 for electrical connection with external devices such as the vehicle ECU.

[0031] Since both the main control board 400 and the rain sensor 300 have installation errors during installation, in order to avoid the main control board 400 and the rain sensor 300 being rigidly connected and affecting the installation, the rain sensor 300 needs to be electrically connected to the main control board 400 through a flexible connector. This utilizes the bendable characteristics of the flexible connector to compensate for the positional deviation of the rain sensor 300 and the main control board 400 during installation, achieving efficient fault-tolerant installation and thus reducing the difficulty of installation.

[0032] It should be noted that the flexible connector is a bendable wire assembly or a flexible flat cable 500, and is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, for example... Figure 3 As shown, the flexible connector is a flat cable 500, and both ends of the flat cable 500 are provided with a first connector 610; the rain sensor 300 and the main control board 400 are both provided with a second connector 620; by connecting the first connectors 610 at both ends of the flat cable 500 to the second connectors 620 on the rain sensor 300 and the main control board 400 respectively, the electrical connection between the rain sensor 300 and the main control board 400 can be realized.

[0033] In this application, the rain sensor 300 is an optical sensor, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the rain sensor 300 includes a light-emitting element 310 and an adapter board 320 with a light-receiving element. The light-emitting element 310 is mounted on the adapter board 320 using surface mount technology (SMT), and the second connector 620 of the rain sensor 300 is disposed on the adapter board 320 to transmit the sensing signal of the light-receiving element to the main control board 400 via the adapter board 320. The light-emitting element 310 includes, but is not limited to, light sources such as LEDs or infrared LEDs, as long as they can emit light at a specific angle to the windshield. The light-receiving element includes, but is not limited to, photosensitive elements such as photodiodes or phototransistors, as long as they can receive and sense the intensity of light reflected by the windshield.

[0034] In an optional embodiment, the adapter board 320 is equipped with an ambient light detection element such as a photodiode or a photoelectric sensor to measure the light intensity of the external environment; in this case, the rain sensor 300 equipped with the ambient light detection element is a rain light sensor.

[0035] It should be noted that only a portion of the signal transmission circuitry is configured on the adapter board 320, while the signal processing circuitry of the rain sensor 300 (including rain-related signal processing circuitry and ambient light-related signal processing circuitry) and the control circuitry of the camera module 200 are integrated on the main control board 400. In this way, the planar dimensions of the adapter board 320 can be reduced, avoiding the problem that the installation size of the rain sensor 300 is too large, which would increase the size of the camera housing 100.

[0036] Since the signal processing circuits related to rain, ambient light, and camera module 200 are all existing technologies, they will not be described in detail here. For the signal processing circuits related to the rain sensor, please refer to patent CN2013202865435. For the control circuits of camera module 200, please refer to the processing circuits of existing ADAS forward-looking cameras.

[0037] In a further embodiment, such as Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the housing 110 is provided with an optical pad 330 for close contact with the windshield glass; the optical pad 330 is configured to eliminate the air gap between the rain sensor 300 and the windshield glass to establish a stable optical channel, thereby avoiding light reflection loss caused by air gap.

[0038] Understandably, the optical pad 330 is made of elastic materials such as high-transmittance silicone, polyurethane, or acrylic, which not only ensures tight optical contact but also protects the rain sensor 300 during vehicle operation, thus extending the lifespan of the rain sensor 300.

[0039] In summary, this utility model integrates a rain sensor and an ADAS forward-looking camera, allowing the rain sensor 300 and the camera module 200 to share the camera housing 100 and the main control board 400, thereby reducing costs. Furthermore, the integrated structure of this application combines the original separate installation of the rain sensor and the ADAS forward-looking camera into a single, integrated installation, effectively improving installation efficiency. The design scheme where the rain sensor 300 and the camera module 200 partially overlap in the width direction of the camera housing 100 allows for a compact arrangement of the rain sensor 300 and the camera module 200 without increasing the width of the camera housing 100, thus effectively reducing the space occupied on the windshield.

[0040] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Any person skilled in the art can modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of this utility model. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed in this utility model should still be covered by the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. An ADAS forward-looking camera structure integrating a rain sensor, comprising a camera housing (100) and a camera module (200); characterized in that, A rain sensor (300) and a main control board (400) are installed on the camera housing (100), and both the camera module (200) and the rain sensor (300) are electrically connected to the main control board (400); the rain sensor (300) is located on one side of the camera module (200), and the rain sensor (300) and the camera module (200) partially overlap in the width direction of the camera housing (100).

2. The ADAS forward-looking camera structure with integrated rain sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The camera housing (100) includes a detachably connected housing (110) and a top cover (120); the rain sensor (300) and the main control board (400) are both mounted on the housing (110), and the rain sensor (300) is electrically connected to the main control board (400) via a bendable wire assembly or a flexible flat cable (500).

3. The ADAS forward-looking camera structure with integrated rain sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rain sensor (300) includes a light emitting element (310) and an adapter plate (320) having a light receiving element. The light emitting element (310) is electrically connected to the adapter plate (320), and the light emitting element (310) is configured to emit light toward the windshield, and the light receiving element is configured to receive light reflected from the windshield.

4. The ADAS forward-looking camera structure with integrated rain sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that, The housing (110) is provided with an optical pad (330) for close contact with the windshield; the optical pad (330) is configured to eliminate the air gap between the rain sensor (300) and the windshield.

5. The ADAS forward-looking camera structure with integrated rain sensor according to claim 4, characterized in that, The optical pad (330) is made of silicone or polyurethane.

6. The ADAS forward-looking camera structure with integrated rain sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that, The light emitting element (310) is an LED or an infrared light-emitting diode.

7. The ADAS forward-looking camera structure with integrated rain sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that, The light receiving element is a photodiode.

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