Vehicle camera with magnification adapter, vehicle device and procedure

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle camera (4) with an outer housing (9) in which optical and electronic components of the vehicle camera (4) are accommodated, wherein the vehicle camera (4) has a magnification adapter (15) which is separate from the outer housing (9) and which is detachably arranged on the outer housing (9), wherein the magnification adapter (15) is designed for defined magnification of the outer housing (9) when the vehicle camera (4) is mounted in a mounting slot (29) of a vehicle module (26).

Description

[0001] One aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle camera. The vehicle camera has an outer housing. Optical components and electronic components of the vehicle camera are arranged in this outer housing. Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle device. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a method for assembling a vehicle device.

[0002] Vehicle cameras are known in a wide variety of designs. They are typically installed on a vehicle component or module. For example, a mount for a vehicle camera is known from US 2019 / 0168686 A1. This cap-like mount has mounting wings that protrude laterally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle camera. These have holes through which screws can be passed. For this purpose, the mount can be screwed directly onto the vehicle component. The vehicle camera itself is simply inserted into a recess in the vehicle component.

[0003] Vehicle cameras are already very compact in design, allowing for space-saving installation. Since vehicle devices also typically require a compact design and compact arrangement of components, and cameras are also designed for installation in various vehicle components, these requirements must be taken into account.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle camera, a vehicle device and a method in which or with which a space-saving and variable installation of the vehicle camera is possible.

[0005] This object is achieved by a vehicle camera, a vehicle device and a method according to the independent claims.

[0006] One aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle camera. The vehicle camera has an outer housing. Optical components and electronic components of the vehicle camera are preferably accommodated in the outer housing. In addition, the vehicle camera has a magnification adapter. This is a separate component from the outer housing. The magnification adapter is detachably arranged on the outer housing. This means in particular that a mechanically reversibly detachable connection is formed between the magnification adapter and the outer housing. The connection can therefore be separated and re-established several times without destruction. The magnification adapter is intended for the defined and discrete magnification of the outer housing when the vehicle camera is mounted in a mounting slot of a vehicle module. Such a concept makes it possible for the vehicle camera to be installed compactly and space-savingly in a vehicle module.However, it is particularly advantageous that this vehicle camera can be installed in at least several different vehicle modules, each with a different mounting slot. In particular, the magnification adapter allows for a high degree of variability regarding the installation location of the vehicle camera. Despite different variants of a mounting slot, the vehicle camera can still be securely positioned in a mounting slot. In particular, the magnification adapter also enables precise installation of the vehicle camera in a designated mounting slot of a vehicle module. If a different mounting slot of a different vehicle module is provided, which is in particular smaller, the vehicle camera can be securely installed in it without the magnification adapter.This means that a vehicle camera with one and the same outer housing and thus with an identical basic structure can be used in order to be able to arrange it in a secure position in a vehicle module, depending on the mounting slot, by adding the magnification adapter.

[0007] In particular, it is provided that the detachable connection between the magnification adapter and the outer housing is such that these two components are arranged in a fixed position relative to one another, even when the outer housing with the magnification adapter has not yet been installed in a mounting shaft. This means that through this at least one mechanically detachable connection, the outer housing and the magnification adapter can be connected to one another in such a way that, viewed individually, they remain fixed in position relative to one another even when rotated, turned upside down, or moved in various spatial directions. This means that such a mechanically detachable connection is not one in which these two components only rest loosely against one another.

[0008] In one embodiment, this mechanical connection is designed without an additional connecting element. In such an embodiment, the magnification adapter and the outer housing can, for example, be snapped together.

[0009] In one embodiment, it is advantageous that the magnification adapter is directly attached to the outer housing with at least one additional connecting element. For example, the magnification adapter can be directly screwed to the outer housing. In this case, this connecting element is a screw. This direct connection between the magnification adapter and the outer housing also makes it possible to form an intermediate assembly module from the outer housing and the magnification adapter, which can then be installed in this manufactured intermediate state in further assembly steps. Since the magnification adapter and the outer housing are thus already fixed to one another before further assembly, in particular on the vehicle module, positional tolerances between the magnification adapter and the outer housing can be avoided. This also enables simple and faster assembly of these two components in the assembly shaft.

[0010] In one embodiment, the outer housing has a front housing part, viewed in the detection direction of the vehicle camera, and a separate rear housing part that adjoins it to the rear. In this context, the detection direction is also parallel or coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle camera. Such a multi-part outer housing also enables simple assembly of optical and electronic components, thus also enabling easy access to the interior of the outer housing. In one embodiment, the magnification adapter is screwed directly to the rear housing part. In particular, the dimensions of the rear housing part, in particular its side walls and rear wall, are larger than the front housing part. This also enables mechanically stable and secure attachment and positioning of the magnification adapter to the outer housing, in particular to the rear housing part.Furthermore, this solution avoids overloading the front housing section with additional components, such as screws. This is because a lens module of the vehicle camera is preferably arranged on the front housing section, which extends through an opening in the front housing section, in particular a front wall of the front housing section, into the interior of the outer housing in some areas and is arranged outside of it in some areas. The above-mentioned solution, in which the magnification adapter is directly attached, in particular screwed, to the rear housing section, does not compromise the space required for the lens module and its assembly.

[0011] In one exemplary embodiment, when viewing the vehicle camera in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the vehicle camera, at least one screw connection, in particular all screw connections designed to attach the magnification adapter to the outer housing, are arranged entirely within the surface area of ​​the outer housing in the projection plane. In particular, in this projection plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, two screw connections are arranged entirely within the surface area of ​​a rear side of the rear housing part. This is another very advantageous exemplary embodiment, as it enables a particularly space-saving magnification adapter that can be installed directly on the outer housing thanks to a very intelligent fastening solution.Since the space required for the outer housing is predetermined by the basic design of the vehicle camera, this projection view utilizes the existing space in the outer housing to provide mounting points for the magnification adapter. Therefore, this module, including the magnification adapter and the outer housing, is particularly compact, especially when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle camera. This also allows for a particularly advantageous space-saving way of screwing the magnification adapter directly onto the outer housing.

[0012] In one embodiment, the magnification adapter has at least one recess on its rear side, which faces away from the detection front side of the outer housing, into which a screw for screwing the magnification adapter to the outer housing is countersunk, in particular completely countersunk. This also achieves a very compact design in the axial direction. In particular, such separate connecting elements do not increase the size of this module. Furthermore, such an arrangement also protects the screws. These screws then do not protrude beyond the edge of the recess to the rear in the axial direction.

[0013] In one embodiment, the magnification adapter has a shape or outer contour that corresponds to that of the outer housing. As a result, the shape or outer contour or outer geometry of the outer housing is maintained by the attached magnification adapter. Thus, at least in some areas, the shape of the outer housing is essentially expanded by the magnification adapter. In particular, this applies to the geometry of the rear part of the outer housing. In particular, this means that in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle camera, the contour of the outer housing is adopted by the magnification adapter, so that the contour of the magnification adapter is also identical or substantially identical to this contour of the outer housing.However, the larger magnification adapter ensures that this existing contour of the outer casing is reproduced and thus retained with the magnification adapter, but only in an enlarged manner.

[0014] In one embodiment, the magnification adapter has at least one opening on its rear side, which faces away from the detection front of the outer housing. A connection socket of an electrical connector of the vehicle camera extends through this opening. This also makes it possible to support the compact design and avoid having to change the basic structure of the vehicle camera. An existing electrical connector can thus be retained both in terms of location and geometry and is not affected by the magnification adapter.

[0015] In one exemplary embodiment, the outer housing has a front housing part, viewed in the detection direction of the vehicle camera, and a separate rear housing part that adjoins it to the rear. In the assembled state, the magnification adapter is arranged so as to overlap the outer housing, in particular the rear housing part, viewed in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the vehicle camera. Here, too, the longitudinal axis is oriented parallel or coaxially to this detection direction of the vehicle camera. In one exemplary embodiment, the magnification adapter is arranged on the outside only so as to overlap the rear housing part, in particular by at least 50%, in particular by at least 70% of the axial length of the rear housing part. This means that in one exemplary embodiment, there is no axial overlap between the magnification adapter and the front housing part. This also does not affect the installation options and the equipment of the rear housing part.On the other hand, this arrangement and size of the magnification adapter provides a sufficient and advantageous coupling option with elements of the mounting shaft of the vehicle module in order to achieve a rotational security around the longitudinal axis of the vehicle camera in the mounting shaft and / or to prevent the vehicle camera from tilting relative to the longitudinal axis in the mounting shaft.

[0016] In one exemplary embodiment, the magnification adapter has a plurality of positioning and / or anti-rotation elements oriented axially in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle camera. In particular, there are at least two of these positioning and / or anti-rotation elements. In particular, there can also be more than two. In particular, there are more than four. The positioning and / or anti-rotation elements are, in particular, positioning and / or anti-rotation webs. These positioning and / or anti-rotation elements are designed, without additional fixing elements, to interact with positioning elements of the mounting shaft of the vehicle module for positioning and / or anti-rotation securing the vehicle camera in the mounting shaft.It is therefore particularly advantageous for the interface between the vehicle camera and the mounting shaft to be designed in such a way that the vehicle camera can be secured against rotation and / or tilt in the mounting shaft without the need for any separate additional fixing elements. This exemplary embodiment therefore particularly advantageously allows the vehicle camera, together with the outer housing and the magnification adapter arranged thereon, to be inserted into the mounting shaft, and in the final position, this security against rotation and / or tilt is then automatically provided by the spatial arrangement between the positioning and / or anti-twist elements of the vehicle camera and the positioning element of the mounting shaft. This also results in a space-saving concept that nevertheless enables quick installation.

[0017] Thus, it can be provided that, when the vehicle camera is mounted in the mounting shaft, a positioning and / or anti-rotation element of the magnification adapter is arranged directly adjacent to, or at least partially directly adjacent to, a positioning element of the mounting shaft. In particular, these components are arranged consecutively in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle camera in the radial direction to this longitudinal axis. In particular, in this context, positioning elements of the mounting shaft are arranged further away from the longitudinal axis than positioning and / or anti-rotation elements of the vehicle camera.

[0018] In one embodiment, the positioning and / or anti-rotation elements are arranged and designed to protrude laterally in a raised manner perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0019] In one embodiment, the vehicle camera is a front camera. This means that, when installed in a vehicle, it is designed to detect the surrounding area located in front of the vehicle in the forward direction of travel. For this purpose, the front camera can be arranged, for example, in the interior of the vehicle and, with its detection direction and detection range, can capture the surrounding area, for example, through a windshield of the vehicle.

[0020] In one embodiment, the magnification adapter has a counter-snap element, in particular an integrated one. This is intended to create a snap connection between this counter-snap element and a snap element of the mounting shaft when the vehicle camera with the magnification adapter is installed in the mounting shaft. In particular, the at least one snap element is integrated and thus formed integrally with the mounting shaft. This advantageously also supports the axial positioning of the vehicle camera with the magnification adapter in the mounting shaft.

[0021] In one embodiment, the magnification adapter has at least one integrated screw boss, in particular a plurality of integrated screw bosses. These are intended for screwing the magnification adapter to a housing part of the vehicle module. This allows for further, particularly axial, positioning of the vehicle camera with the magnification adapter in the mounting slot.

[0022] A further aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle device with a vehicle module having a mounting shaft. The vehicle device further comprises a vehicle camera configured according to the above-mentioned aspect or the advantageous exemplary embodiment thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the vehicle camera is arranged in the mounting shaft with the outer housing and the magnification adapter surrounding the outer housing. It is thus arranged in the mounting shaft with the magnification adapter in a manner that prevents rotation and / or tilting.

[0023] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for assembling a vehicle device, in particular according to the above-mentioned aspect, preferably comprising the following steps: - Providing a vehicle camera with an external housing; - Mounting a separate magnification adapter of the vehicle camera to the outer housing; - Insert the pre-assembled vehicle camera into a mounting slot of the vehicle module.

[0024] Using such a method, the installation of a vehicle camera in a mounting shaft is achieved quickly yet accurately. In this exemplary embodiment, it is possible for the magnification adapter to be installed on the outer housing before attachment in the mounting shaft, in particular by screwing and / or snapping it thereto. This creates an intermediate mounting module, which is then subsequently installed as a whole in the mounting shaft. It is possible for this anti-twist and anti-tilt security about a longitudinal axis in the mounting shaft to be achieved by axially overlapping the positioning and / or anti-rotation elements of the magnification adapter and the positioning elements of the mounting shaft. Separate additional fixing elements to achieve this functionality of the vehicle camera in the mounting shaft are then no longer required.It is also possible for this vehicle camera, in its final mounted position, to also form an axial position lock in the mounting slot with the magnification adapter located on the outer housing. This is preferably achieved by snapping a counter-snap element of the magnification adapter to a snap element of the mounting slot. In addition to this, or instead of this, the magnification adapter can also be screwed to a housing part of the vehicle module.

[0025] A further aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle having a vehicle device according to the above-mentioned aspect or an advantageous embodiment thereof.

[0026] In particular, in one embodiment, the vehicle camera arranged in the mounting shaft is attached to the vehicle module with at least one mechanical connection. In particular, a snap connection is created, with which a snap element on a wall of the mounting shaft is automatically snapped to a counter-snap element of the magnification adapter. Additionally or instead of this, at least one screw connection can be created, with which the magnification adapter is screwed to a housing part of the vehicle module.

[0027] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings.

[0028] Showing: Fig. 1 a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention with an embodiment of a camera according to the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective view of subcomponents of an outer housing of an embodiment of a vehicle camera according to the invention and an embodiment of a magnification adapter of the embodiment of the vehicle camera according to the invention; Fig. 3 a perspective view of an embodiment of a vehicle device according to the invention with an embodiment of a vehicle camera which is not yet installed in a mounting slot of a vehicle module of the vehicle device; Fig. 4 a perspective view of an embodiment of the vehicle module according to Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 a sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a vehicle camera, showing the installed state of the vehicle camera in the mounting slot of the vehicle module according to Fig. 3 is shown.

[0029] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0030] In Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a motor vehicle 1 of the present invention in one exemplary embodiment. The motor vehicle 1 is embodied here as a passenger car. The motor vehicle 1 has an electronic vehicle guidance system or a driver assistance system 2. The driver assistance system 2, in turn, has a control unit 3, which can be formed, for example, by an electronic control unit of the motor vehicle 1. In addition, the driver assistance system 2 has at least one vehicle camera 4. In the present exemplary embodiment, the driver assistance system 2 has four vehicle cameras 4, which are arranged distributed across the motor vehicle 1.In the present case, one of the vehicle cameras 4 is arranged in a rear area 5, one of the vehicle cameras 4 is arranged in a front area 7 of the motor vehicle 1, and the remaining two vehicle cameras 4 are arranged in a respective side area 6, in particular in an area of ​​the side mirrors. The number and arrangement of the vehicle cameras 4 of the driver assistance system 2 is to be understood purely as an example.

[0031] In addition to or instead of this, at least one camera can be provided which is designed and arranged to capture an interior or a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 1. The cameras are in particular each installed such that they are mounted on an individual motor vehicle component. A motor vehicle component can be, for example, a bumper or exterior mirror or a side panel. The motor vehicle component can also be, for example, a roof liner or interior paneling or a steering wheel center cover or an interior mirror. The motor vehicle components are to be understood merely as examples, and other motor vehicle components can also be present. This merely expresses that a motor vehicle component can be designed in a wide variety of ways with regard to positional arrangement and material design.

[0032] In one exemplary embodiment, the vehicle cameras 4 can be used to capture an area 8 surrounding the motor vehicle 1. The four vehicle 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 vehicle cameras 4. This video data can be transmitted from the vehicle cameras 4 to the control unit 3. A display device (not shown here) of the motor vehicle 1 can be controlled by the control unit 3, so that the video data from the vehicle 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. The driver assistance system 2 can, for example, be a so-called electronic rearview mirror or a parking assistance system or another system.It can also be designed to detect a person, especially a driver, in the interior of the vehicle.

[0033] Particularly advantageous is the vehicle camera 4 designed as a front camera. This is also shown as an example in Fig. 1. It is then preferably arranged behind a windshield of the motor vehicle 1 and detects forward through the windshield.

[0034] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective exploded view of subcomponents of the vehicle camera 4. The vehicle camera 4 has an outer housing 9. In the exemplary embodiment, the outer housing is formed in several parts. It has a rear housing part 10 and a separate front housing part 11 ( Fig. 3). This is to be understood along a longitudinal axis A of the vehicle camera 4. The longitudinal axis A is also parallel or coaxial to a detection direction of the vehicle camera 4. Optical components and electronic components of the vehicle camera 4 are arranged inside this outer housing 9. Thus, the vehicle camera 4 also has, in particular, a lens module 12 ( Fig. 3). This extends through an opening on a front wall of the front part 11 of the housing into the interior of the outer housing 9 and is, as is also shown in Fig. 3, is arranged partially outside this outer housing 9. The detection direction and the detection range of the vehicle camera 4 are also determined by this lens module 12, with the detection range being oriented on the side facing away from the rear part 10 of the housing.

[0035] In Fig. 2 also shows that the outer housing 9, particularly on a rear side 13 of the rear housing part 10, has an electrical connector 14. This connector can be coupled to a mating electrical connector. This allows the vehicle camera 4 to be supplied with power and / or information and / or data to be transmitted to the vehicle camera 4 or from the vehicle camera 4, for example, to a control unit.

[0036] The vehicle camera 4 further includes a magnification adapter 15. This magnification adapter 15 is a separate component of the vehicle camera 4 from the outer housing 9. It is, in particular, formed in one piece. In particular, the magnification adapter 15 can be made of plastic. It can, for example, be an injection-molded component.

[0037] The magnification adapter 15 is designed for the defined magnification of the outer housing 9. In particular, this is provided to enable the vehicle camera 4 with a fixed outer housing 9 to be installed in different mounting slots of vehicle modules. In particular, this should enable one and the same outer housing 9 of a vehicle camera 4 to be installed in mounting slots of different sizes, and in all embodiments of the mounting slot, a rotation-proof and tilt-proof arrangement in the mounting slot should then be achieved. It is provided that the magnification adapter 15 is directly attached to the outer housing 9, in particular the housing rear part 10, by at least one mechanically detachable connection. Such a mechanically detachable connection is not just a simple loose fit.Such a mechanically detachable connection is intended such that, when the magnification adapter 15 is fastened to the outer housing 9, this intermediate module can be rotated in all spatial directions without these components falling apart. In one exemplary embodiment, such a mechanically detachable connection can, for example, have a snap connection. It is preferred that such a detachable mechanical connection has at least one screw connection. In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made for the housing rear part 10 to have an integrated screw dome 16. Integrated in this context also means that this screw dome 16 is manufactured in one piece with the housing rear part 10. In particular, a . Fig. 2, an additional screw dome is provided, which is concealed by the electrical connector 14. This additional screw dome is also integrally formed on the rear side 13.

[0038] In addition, the magnification adapter 15 has screw holes 17 and 18. Screws 19 and 20 can be passed through these screw holes 17 and 18 and then screwed to the aforementioned screw bosses 16. This allows the magnification adapter 15 to be screwed directly to the outer housing 9, in particular here to the rear housing part 10. As can be seen, the screw bosses 16, when viewed from a projection in the direction of the longitudinal axis A, are within a surface area delimited by the rear side 13. Thus, the screw connections for screwing the magnification adapter 15 to the outer housing 9 lie in a projection plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A, within, in particular completely within, the surface area of ​​the rear side 13.

[0039] As can be seen, the magnification adapter 15 has a recess 21 on a rear side facing away from the housing front part 11. The screw holes 17 and 18 are countersunk in this recess 21. This means that they do not protrude rearward in the axial direction and thus in the direction of the longitudinal axis A. In particular, this recess 21 is delimited in the axial direction by a limiting edge 22. In particular, it is provided that in the final assembled state of the magnification adapter 15 on the outer housing 9, separate connecting elements, such as the screws 19 and 20 in this example, do not protrude rearward in the axial direction from the recess 21. This means that here the screws 19 and 20, when screwed in, do not protrude rearward or, in this case, upward beyond the axial extent of the edge 22. The screws 19 and 20 are therefore completely countersunk in the recess 21.

[0040] As can also be seen, this depression 21 is a detection direction 23 ( Fig. 3) facing away from the vehicle camera 4. The detection direction 23 is oriented forward from the lens module 12 and thus away from the rear part 10 of the housing.

[0041] In one embodiment, it is provided that the magnification adapter 15 itself has integrated screw domes, here two integrated screw domes 24 and 25. In particular, these screw domes 24 and 25 are also formed in the recess 21. These screw domes 24 and 25 are intended for screwing in additional screws. As a result, the vehicle camera 4, in particular with the magnification adapter 15, can be mounted directly on a housing component (not shown) of a vehicle module 26 of a vehicle device 27 ( Fig. 3). Such a vehicle component can be, for example, a cover of the vehicle module 26. This can, for example, be used to attach a base body 28 ( Fig. 3) of the vehicle module 26. In one embodiment, these screw connections, with which the magnification adapter 15 is screwed directly to the vehicle component, also ensure axial position securing of the vehicle camera 4 in a mounting shaft 29 ( Fig. 3) of the vehicle module 26.

[0042] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the magnification adapter 15 has the outer contour or shape that the outer housing 9, in particular the housing rear part 10, also has. As a result, the shape of the outer housing 9 is maintained by the attached magnification adapter 15 and is virtually magnified by the magnification adapter 15. In particular, the magnification adapter 15 has at least one opening 31 on its rear side 30, which faces away from the detection front side 23. A connection base 32 of the electrical plug 14 of the vehicle camera 4 extends through this opening 31.

[0043] As can also be seen, the magnification adapter 15 also has integrated positioning and / or anti-rotation elements. These are pin-like or web-like and extend from a base body 32 in the axial direction forwards or downwards. In particular, positioning and / or anti-rotation elements 33, 34, 35, 36, 27, 38a, 38b ( Fig. 5) trained.

[0044] In Fig. Figure 3 shows the assembled state of the vehicle camera 4. This assembly state is achieved before the vehicle camera 4 is installed in the mounting slot 29 of the vehicle module 26. It can be seen in the exemplary embodiment that the magnification adapter 15, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle camera 4, overlaps the outer housing 9 in the assembled state.

[0045] In particular, however, only an axial overlap with the rear housing part or the housing rear part 10 is provided. In particular, a corresponding overlap is provided here for at least 70% of the length of the housing rear part 10.

[0046] During assembly, the magnification adapter 15 is preferably first mounted, in particular screwed, to the outer housing 9. If this intermediate assembly module is produced, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the vehicle camera 4 designed in this way can then be installed in the mounting shaft 29. For this purpose, the vehicle camera 4 designed in this way is lowered axially into the mounting shaft 29 according to an arrow P.

[0047] In Fig. In this context, Figure 4 shows the vehicle module 26 with the mounting shaft 29. In particular, this base body 28 has a hole 38 through which the lens module 12 extends when installed. The otherwise pot-shaped mounting shaft 29 has positioning elements 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47 integrated on its inner sides 39. These are inwardly projecting elements that are axial webs. The positioning and anti-rotation elements 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38a, and 38b correspond to these positioning elements 40 to 47.

[0048] Starting from the intermediate assembly state in Fig. 3, the vehicle camera 4 is then lowered into the mounting shaft 29 until the final position is reached. Fig. 5 shows a sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. The section line VV is in Fig. 3. The arrangement of the positioning elements 40 to 47 relative to the positioning and anti-rotation elements 33 to 38b is shown. These elements, which are located directly adjacent to one another and / or at least partially adjacent to one another, enable the vehicle camera 4, in particular the outer housing 9, to be positioned in the mounting shaft 29 in a manner that is secure against rotation and tilt. This means that rotation about the longitudinal axis A and tilting relative to the longitudinal axis A are prevented.

[0049] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the vehicle camera 4 can be provided with a counter-snap element 49 ( Fig. 3) with a snap element 48 ( Fig.3) snap together. The snap element 48 can be integrated into a wall of the mounting shaft 29. The counter-snap element can be integrated into the base body of the magnification adapter 15. It can be formed, for example, by the edge 22. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2019 / 0168686 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Vehicle camera (4) with an outer housing (9) in which optical and electronic components of the vehicle camera (4) are accommodated, characterized by in that the vehicle camera (4) has a magnification adapter (15) which is separate from the outer housing (9) and which is detachably arranged on the outer housing (9), wherein the magnification adapter (15) is designed for the defined magnification of the outer housing (9) when the vehicle camera (4) is mounted in a mounting shaft (29) in a vehicle module (26). [2] Vehicle camera (4) according to claim 1, characterized by that the magnification adapter (15) is directly screwed and / or snapped onto the outer housing (9). [3] Vehicle camera (4) according to claim 2, characterized by that the outer housing (9) has a housing front part (11) and a separate housing rear part (10) adjoining it to the rear, wherein the magnification adapter (15) is directly attached to the housing rear part (10). [4] Vehicle camera (4) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that when the vehicle camera (4) is viewed by projection in the direction of a longitudinal axis (A) of the vehicle camera (4), at least one screw connection, in particular all screw connections, which are designed to fasten the magnification adapter (15) to the outer housing (9), are arranged in the projection plane completely in the surface area of ​​the outer housing (9), in particular a rear side (13) of the rear part of the housing (10). [5] Vehicle camera (4) according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 4, characterized by that the magnification adapter (15) has at least one recess (21) on its rear side (13), which is remote from a detection front side (23) of the outer housing (9), in which a screw (19, 20) for screwing the magnification adapter (15) to the outer housing (9) is countersunk, in particular completely countersunk. [6] Vehicle camera (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the magnification adapter (15), in particular in its outer contour in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) of the vehicle camera (4), has the shape of the outer housing (9), in particular a housing rear part (10), so that the shape of the outer housing (9) is maintained in an enlarged manner by the attached magnification adapter (15). [7] Vehicle camera (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the magnification adapter (15) has at least one opening (31) on its rear side (30), which is remote from a detection front side (23) of the outer housing (9), through which a connection base (32) of an electrical plug (14) of the vehicle camera (4) extends. [8] Vehicle camera (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the outer housing (9) has a housing front part (11) and a housing rear part (10) separate from it and adjoining it to the rear, wherein the magnification adapter (15) in the mounted state is arranged overlapping with the outer housing (9), in particular the housing rear part (10), viewed in the direction of a longitudinal axis (A) of the vehicle camera (4). [9] Vehicle camera (4) according to claim 8, characterized by that the magnification adapter (15) is arranged on the outside only overlapping with the housing rear part (10), in particular at least 50%, in particular at least 70% of the axial length of the housing rear part (10). [10] Vehicle camera (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the magnification adapter (15) has a plurality of, in particular more than two, in particular more than four, axially oriented positioning and / or anti-rotation elements (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38a, 38b) viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A) of the vehicle camera (4), in particular positioning and / or anti-rotation webs, which are designed, without an additional fixing element, to interact with positioning elements (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47) of the mounting shaft (29) of the vehicle module (26) for positioning and / or anti-rotation of the vehicle camera (4) in the mounting shaft (29). [11] Vehicle camera (4) according to claim 10, characterized by that the positioning and / or anti-rotation elements (33 to 38b) project laterally in raised manner perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A). [12] Vehicle camera (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the vehicle camera (4) is a front camera. [13] Vehicle device (27) with a vehicle module (26) which has a mounting shaft (29) for a vehicle camera (4), and with a vehicle camera (4) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 11, wherein the vehicle camera (4) is arranged with the outer housing (9) and the magnification adapter (15) surrounding the outer housing (9) in the mounting shaft (29) and is arranged therein with the magnification adapter (29) in a rotationally secure and / or tilt-proof manner. [14] A method for assembling a vehicle device (27) according to claim 13, comprising the following steps: - Providing a vehicle camera (4) with an outer housing (9); - Mounting a separate magnification adapter (15) of the vehicle camera (4) on the outer housing (9); - Inserting the pre-assembled vehicle camera (4) into a mounting slot (29) of the vehicle module (26) [15] Method according to claim 14, wherein the vehicle camera (4) arranged in the mounting shaft (29) is fastened to the vehicle module (26) with at least one mechanical connection, in particular a snap connection (48, 49) with which a snap element (48) on a wall of the mounting shaft (29) is snapped to a counter-snap element (49) of the magnification adapter (15) and / or a screw connection (24, 25) with which the magnification adapter (15) is screwed to a housing part of the vehicle module (26).

Images