Method for producing a camera for a motor vehicle depending on an interface device, camera and motor vehicle

Abstract

Method for producing a camera (4) for a motor vehicle (1), in which an interface device (14) for connecting the camera (4) to a data bus of the motor vehicle (1) is selected from at least two different interface devices (14) and arranged on a printed circuit board (13), the printed circuit board (13) is arranged in an interior space (12) of a front housing (10), a rear housing (15) is produced and connected to the front housing (10), wherein the rear housing (15) has a through-opening (16) through which the interface device (14) is guided in some regions, characterized in that during the production of the rear housing (15), the through-opening (16) is formed as a function of the selected interface device (14), wherein an outer contour of the rear housing (15) is retained.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a camera for a motor vehicle, in which an interface device for connecting the camera to a data bus of the motor vehicle is selected from at least two different interface devices and arranged on a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board is arranged in an interior space of the front housing of the camera, a rear housing is produced and connected to the front housing, wherein the rear housing has a through-opening through which the interface device is guided in some areas. The invention also relates to a camera for a motor vehicle. Finally, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle having at least one such camera.

[0002] The focus is particularly on cameras for motor vehicles. Such cameras can, for example, be part of a driver assistance system of the motor vehicle, with which the surrounding area of ​​the motor vehicle can be recorded. In particular, it can be provided that several cameras are distributed throughout the motor vehicle. The surrounding area recorded by the cameras or the video data provided by the cameras can be presented to the driver of the motor vehicle, for example, on a corresponding display device. In this way, the driver can be supported when driving the motor vehicle.

[0003] The cameras comprise a housing arrangement that is usually made up of two parts, namely a front housing and a rear housing. The front housing can serve to hold the camera lens and can therefore also be referred to as a lens housing. At least one circuit board of the camera is arranged in the interior of the front housing. A plurality of electronic components are arranged on this circuit board. Furthermore, an interface device that can be connected to a data bus of the motor vehicle is arranged on this circuit board. The video data provided by the camera can be transmitted to the display device, for example, via the interface device. The housing device also comprises a rear housing that is connected to the front housing, for example by means of a screw connection or snap connection, see US 2013 / 0 142 504 A1.The rear housing can have a through-hole through which the interface device is passed. Cameras used in the automotive sector employ different interface devices. This results in increased manufacturing costs, particularly with regard to the rear housing.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution as to how a camera for a motor vehicle of the type mentioned at the outset can be manufactured more simply and cost-effectively.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method, a camera, and a motor vehicle having the features according to the respective independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims, the description, and the figures.

[0006] A method according to the invention is used to manufacture a camera for a motor vehicle. An interface device for connecting the camera to a data bus of the motor vehicle is selected from at least two different interface devices and arranged on a printed circuit board. Furthermore, the printed circuit board is arranged in an interior space of a front housing of the camera. Furthermore, a rear housing is manufactured and connected to the front housing, wherein the rear housing has a through-opening through which the interface device is guided in some areas. During manufacture of the rear housing, the through-opening is formed depending on the selected interface device, while an outer contour of the rear housing is retained.

[0007] In the present case, a camera for a motor vehicle is to be manufactured. Such a camera can, for example, be arranged on the outside of the motor vehicle. The camera can then be part of a driver assistance system of the motor vehicle, wherein the camera can capture an area surrounding the motor vehicle. The camera comprises a housing arrangement which includes the front housing and the rear housing. A circuit board on which an interface device is arranged is arranged in the interior of the front housing. The interface device can be designed as a plug or a socket and can be used to transmit the video data captured by the camera to the motor vehicle or a display device of the motor vehicle. The interface device can, for example, be designed as a surface-mountable component.During camera manufacturing, an interface device is selected from at least two different interface devices. Such an interface device can be, for example, a Rosenberger HSD high-speed data connection or a coaxial connector.

[0008] When manufacturing the rear housing, a standardized design is selected for the basic shape or outer contour of the rear housing. The through-hole through which the interface device is guided is formed in the rear housing depending on the selected interface device. In other words, the rear housings provided for the various interface devices that can be selected differ only in the dimensions and / or the position of the through-hole. This allows for a modular, interchangeable rear housing that is adapted to the selected interface device. This enables simple and cost-effective production of the camera.

[0009] Preferably, the rear housing is manufactured using a die-casting process, and a tool for the die-casting process is adapted depending on the selected interface device. The rear housing can be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, for example. In the die-casting process, a liquid melt of the material is pressed under high pressure into a tool or die-casting mold, where the melt then solidifies. The tool or die-casting mold can be adapted such that only a part of the tool associated with producing the through-opening is modified. This allows, for example, only a part of the tool to be adapted, thus saving manufacturing costs.

[0010] In particular, a tool insert is modified to adapt the tool. To manufacture the back housing, a standard tool can generally be used, which provides the outer contour or external shape of the back housing. An insert or slider can be inserted into this standard tool, which provides the shape for the through-hole. This can reduce the costs of providing the tools for manufacturing the different back housings.

[0011] In one embodiment, during the manufacture of the rear housing, the through-opening is formed depending on the dimensions of the selected interface device and / or the arrangement of the selected interface device on the circuit board. The different interface devices can differ in their external dimensions, for example, their outer diameters. Furthermore, the interface devices can differ in their position on the circuit board. During the manufacture of the rear housing, the through-opening is introduced to fit the selected interface device. Thus, the rear housing can be manufactured depending on the selected interface device.

[0012] In a further embodiment, a recess for a connector housing is formed during the manufacture of the rear housing. A connector housing can also be arranged around the interface device. This connector housing can be made of plastic, for example, and can serve to hold a connecting cable for a data bus of the motor vehicle. In particular, a recess is formed on a side of the rear housing facing away from the front housing. This recess can always be formed in the same way during the manufacture of the rear housing. This makes it possible to provide a standardized recess for a connector housing.

[0013] The focus is particularly on cameras for motor vehicles. Such cameras can, for example, be part of a driver assistance system of the motor vehicle, with which the surrounding area of ​​the motor vehicle can be recorded. In particular, it can be provided that several cameras are distributed throughout the motor vehicle. The surrounding area recorded by the cameras or the video data provided by the cameras can be presented to the driver of the motor vehicle, for example, on a corresponding display device. In this way, the driver can be supported when driving the motor vehicle.

[0014] In a further embodiment, at least one bore is formed during the manufacture of the rear housing, wherein a connecting element is guided through the bore when connecting the rear housing to the front housing. For example, a corresponding thread can be arranged in the front housing, which is aligned with the bore in the rear housing. Thus, a screw, for example, can be guided through the bore and inserted into the thread of the front housing as the connecting element. Here, too, it is particularly provided that the bore is designed identically for all rear housings, regardless of the selected connector type.

[0015] A camera according to the invention for a motor vehicle comprises an interface device for connecting the camera to a data bus of the motor vehicle, wherein the interface device is selected from at least two different interface devices. In addition, the camera comprises a printed circuit board on which the interface device is arranged. The camera further comprises a front housing, in the interior of which the printed circuit board is arranged. Furthermore, the camera comprises a rear housing which is connected to the front housing, wherein the rear housing has a through-opening through which the interface device is guided in some areas. In this case, the through-opening in the rear housing is designed depending on the selected interface device, wherein an outer contour of the rear housing is retained during production. The camera according to the invention can therefore be manufactured according to a method according to the invention.The camera may include a motor vehicle mounting device for mounting the camera to the motor vehicle.

[0016] A motor vehicle according to the invention comprises at least one camera according to the invention. It can also be provided that several cameras are arranged distributed around the motor vehicle. These cameras can, for example, be part of a driver assistance system of the motor vehicle. The at least one camera serves to provide video data that describes the surrounding area of ​​the motor vehicle. This video data can, for example, be shown on a display device of the motor vehicle. The at least one camera can therefore be used to assist the driver when reversing into or parking. If several cameras are arranged on the motor vehicle, they can be used to display the surrounding area of ​​the motor vehicle. The cameras can be part of a so-called electronic rearview mirror.

[0017] The preferred embodiments presented with reference to the method according to the invention and their advantages apply accordingly to the camera according to the invention and the motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0018] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respective combination specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments are to be regarded as encompassed and disclosed by the invention that are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, but which emerge and can be produced by separate combinations of features from the explained embodiments. Embodiments and combinations of features are also to be regarded as disclosed that therefore do not have all the features of an originally formulated independent claim.

[0019] The information “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “depth direction”, “width direction”, “height direction” etc. indicates the positions and orientations given when the camera is used and positioned as intended on the motor vehicle and when an observer is standing in front of the camera and looking in the direction of the camera.

[0020] The invention will now be explained in more detail using preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Showing: Fig. 1 A motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, which has a driver assistance system with four cameras; Fig. 2 A camera according to a first embodiment in an exploded view; Fig. 3 shows a camera according to a second embodiment in an exploded view; Fig. 4 the camera according to Fig. 2 in a perspective view; and Fig. 5 the camera according to Fig. 3 in a perspective view.

[0022] In the figures, identical and functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention in a plan view. In the present case, the motor vehicle 1 is designed as a passenger car. The motor vehicle 1 comprises a driver assistance system 2. The driver assistance system 2 in turn comprises a control device 3, which can be formed, for example, by an electronic control unit of the motor vehicle 1. In addition, the driver assistance system 2 comprises at least one camera 4. In the present exemplary embodiment, the driver assistance system 2 comprises four cameras 4, which are distributed across the motor vehicle 1. In the present case, one of the cameras 4 is arranged in a rear region 5 of the motor vehicle 1 and one of the cameras 4 is arranged in a front region 8 of the motor vehicle 1. The remaining cameras 4 are arranged in a respective side region 6, in particular in a region of the side mirrors.The number and arrangement of the cameras 4 of the driver assistance system 2 is to be understood here purely as an example.

[0024] The cameras 4 can capture an area 7 surrounding the motor vehicle 1. The four cameras 4 are preferably of identical construction. In particular, an image sequence or video data describing the area surrounding the motor vehicle 1 can be provided by the cameras 4. This video data can be transmitted from the cameras 4 to the control device 3. A display device 9 of the motor vehicle 1 can be controlled by the control device 3, so that the video data from the cameras 4 can be displayed to the driver. The driver assistance system 2 thus serves to support the driver of the motor vehicle 1 when driving the motor vehicle 1.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a camera 4 according to a first embodiment. The camera 4 comprises a front housing 10, which is made, for example, from aluminum or an aluminum alloy using a die-casting process. The front housing 10 serves to hold a lens 11 of the camera 4. Furthermore, a circuit board 13 is arranged in an interior space 12 of the front housing 10. A plurality of electronic components can be arranged on this circuit board 13. Furthermore, an interface device 14 is arranged on the circuit board 13, which can be connected to a vehicle data bus of the motor vehicle 1. In the present exemplary embodiment, the interface device 14 is designed as a so-called RosenbergerHSD interface.

[0026] In addition, the camera 4 comprises a rear housing 15 or a rear plate. The rear housing 15 is also made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy using a die-casting process. The rear housing 15 has a through-opening 16 through which the interface device 14 is guided. Furthermore, the camera 4 has a connector housing 17, which surrounds the interface device 14 when the camera 4 is mounted. Corresponding recesses 18 are provided on the rear housing 15, which can be inserted into corresponding elevations 19 of the connector housing 17. Furthermore, a sealing element 20 in the form of an O-ring is arranged between the connector housing 17 and the rear housing 15. The connector housing 17 comprises corresponding bores 21. The rear housing 15 also comprises bores 22.Corresponding fastening elements 23 in the form of screws can be passed through the holes 21 of the connector housing 17 and through the holes 22 of the rear housing 15 and screwed into the respective corresponding threads 24 of the front housing 10.

[0027] Fig. Figure 3 shows a camera 4 according to a further embodiment. The camera 4 differs from the camera 4 according to Fig. 2 by the interface device 14. In this case, this is designed as a coaxial connector. The interface devices 14 differ in their external dimensions and their arrangement on the circuit board 13. Furthermore, the cameras 4 differ according to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 in the design of the connector housing 17.

[0028] A standardized basic mold is now used to manufacture the rear housing 15. With this standardized basic mold, the outer contour is the same for all rear housings 15, regardless of the selected interface device 14. All rear housings 15 therefore fundamentally have the same shape. All rear housings 15 include the recesses 18 for the corresponding elevations 19 of the connector housing 17. Furthermore, the bores 22 are the same for all rear housings 15. The manufacturing process is only adapted with regard to the through-opening 16. The die-casting process can be modified accordingly for this purpose. In particular, an insert in the tool can be adapted for the selected interface device 14. This enables fast and cost-effective production of the rear housing 15.

[0029] Fig. 4 shows the camera 4 according to Fig. 2 in the assembled state in a perspective view. Furthermore, Fig. 5 the camera 4 according to Fig. 3 in the assembled state in a perspective view. Here, it can be seen that the connector housings 17 differ from one another. However, they have identically shaped elevations 19, which are inserted into the corresponding recesses 18 of the rear housing 15.

Claims

[1] Method for producing a camera (4) for a motor vehicle (1), in which an interface device (14) for connecting the camera (4) to a data bus of the motor vehicle (1) is selected from at least two different interface devices (14) and arranged on a printed circuit board (13), the printed circuit board (13) is arranged in an interior space (12) of a front housing (10), a rear housing (15) is produced and connected to the front housing (10), wherein the rear housing (15) has a through-opening (16) through which the interface device (14) is guided in some areas, characterized by that during the manufacture of the rear housing (15) the through opening (16) is formed depending on the selected interface device (14), wherein an outer contour of the rear housing (15) is maintained. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized bythat the rear housing (15) is manufactured by means of a die-casting process and a tool for the die-casting process is adapted depending on the selected interface device (14). [3] Method according to claim 2, characterized by that an insert part of the tool is changed to adapt the tool. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that during the manufacture of the rear housing (15) the through-opening (16) is formed depending on dimensions of the selected interface device (14) and / or an arrangement of the selected interface device (14) on the printed circuit board (13). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that during the manufacture of the rear housing (15) a recess (18) for a plug housing (17) is formed. [6] Method according to claim 5, characterized bythat the plug housing (17) is provided which has an elevation (19) corresponding to the recess (18). [7] Method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by that a sealing element (20) is arranged between the rear housing (15) and the plug housing (17). [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that during the manufacture of the rear housing (15) at least one bore (22) is formed, wherein during the connection of the rear housing (15) to the front housing (10) a connecting element (23) is guided through the bore (22). [9] Camera (4) for a motor vehicle (1), with an interface device (14) for connecting the camera (4) to a data bus of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the interface device (14) is selected from at least two different interface devices, with a printed circuit board (13) on which the interface device (14) is arranged, with a front housing (10), in the interior (12) of which the printed circuit board (13) is arranged and with a rear housing (15) which is connected to the front housing (10), wherein the rear housing (15) has a through-opening (16) through which the interface device (14) is guided in some areas, characterized byin that in the rear housing (15) the through opening (16) is formed depending on the selected interface device (14), wherein an outer contour of the rear housing (15) is retained during manufacture and corresponding recesses (18) are provided on the rear housing (15), which recesses can be introduced into corresponding elevations (19) of a plug housing (17). [10] Motor vehicle (1) with at least one camera (4) according to claim 9.

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