Housing part for the housing of a vehicle camera, optical module for a vehicle camera, vehicle camera, vehicle comprising at least one vehicle camera, and method for producing a vehicle camera

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing part (18) for the housing (16) of a vehicle camera (14), to an optical module for a vehicle camera, to a vehicle camera, to a vehicle comprising at least one vehicle camera, and to a method for producing a vehicle camera. The housing part (18) has at least one connecting section (36) for mechanically connecting the housing part (18) to at least one other part (22) of the vehicle camera (14), wherein at least one protruding connecting element (38) which is made of a deformable material at least at one end is arranged on the at least one connecting section (36). At least one end of the at least one protruding connecting element (38) is made of a material which can be cold formed.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Housing part for a housing for a vehicle camera, optical module for a vehicle camera, vehicle camera, vehicle with at least one vehicle camera and method for producing a vehicle camera

[0003] Technical area

[0004] The invention relates to a housing part for a housing for a vehicle camera, which has at least one connecting section for mechanically connecting the housing part to at least one other part of the vehicle camera, wherein at least one projecting projection connecting element is arranged on the at least one connecting section, which is made of a formable material at least at one end.

[0005] The invention further relates to an optics module for a vehicle camera, which has at least one optics module housing part, at least one lens and at least one imager board with at least one imager chip, wherein the at least one lens and the at least one imager board are arranged on the at least one optics module housing part such that the at least one lens is aligned with the at least one imager chip, wherein the at least one optics module housing part has at least one connecting section for mechanically connecting the at least one optics module housing part to at least one other part of the vehicle camera, wherein at least one projecting projection connecting element is arranged on the at least one connecting section, which is made of a formable material at least at one end.

[0006] Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle camera with a housing on which at least one lens is arranged and in which at least one imager chip is arranged, wherein the at least one lens is aligned with the at least one imager chip, and the housing has at least two housing parts that are mechanically connected to one another, wherein the at least two housing parts each have at least one connecting section, which is each mechanically connected to at least one corresponding connecting section of the respective other housing part, wherein the connecting sections are connected by means of at least one projection connecting element, which is made of formable material at least at one end, and at least one receiving connecting element is arranged on at least one of the connecting sections, through which the at least one projection connecting element passes,wherein the at least one projection connecting element has, at at least one end, which leads through the at least one receiving connecting element, a deformed gripping portion which engages behind the at least one connecting portion with the at least one receiving connecting element.

[0007] Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle with at least one vehicle camera.

[0008] The invention also relates to a method for producing a vehicle camera, in which at least two housing parts of a housing of the vehicle camera are mechanically connected to one another, wherein one of the housing parts is arranged with a connecting section on a corresponding connecting section of the corresponding other housing part, wherein at least one projection connecting element is pushed through at least one receiving connecting element of at least one of the connecting sections and at least one free end of the projection connecting element, which leads through a receiving connecting element, is formed into a gripping section which engages behind the at least one connecting section with the at least one receiving connecting element.

[0009] State of the art

[0010] US 2018 / 0338071 A1 discloses a camera for a driver assistance system or a vision system or an image capture system for a vehicle, which captures image data representative of images outside the vehicle. The camera comprises a metallic body, for example, an extruded aluminum body, with pins formed as part of the body, and a method for assembling the camera. The pins are inserted through holes in the circuit board when the circuit board is inserted into the housing, and the ends of the pins are then flattened (e.g., by punching or vibration welding or similar) to attach the circuit board to the pins. Furthermore, a rear cover element may be arranged on the rear side of the housing to seal the housing.The rear cover member may include one or more pins formed as part of the cover member, and the pins are inserted through holes in a connector structure when the connector structure is arranged on the rear cover member to receive electrically conductive terminals (which are electrically connected to circuits on the printed circuit board) for electrical connection to a wiring harness of the vehicle. The ends of the pins are then flattened to attach the connector structure to the pins. The flattening of the pins can be done by stamping or vibration welding, e.g., after heating the pin area to improve the formability of the pins. The flattening of the pins can be done by hot stamping, e.g., after heating the pin to improve the formability of the pins.

[0011] The object of the invention is to design a housing part, an optical module, a vehicle camera, a vehicle and a method of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the effort required to realize the vehicle camera, in particular the material effort and / or the assembly effort and / or the tool effort, can be reduced.

[0012] Disclosure of the invention

[0013] The object is achieved according to the invention in the housing part in that the at least one projecting projection connecting element is made of a cold-formable material at least at one end.

[0014] According to the invention, the at least one projection connecting element is cold-formable. In this way, the at least one projection connecting element can be cold-formed, i.e., without heating. This reduces the effort required to produce the connection. Firstly, the tooling required can be reduced compared to the hot stamping or vibration welding methods known from the prior art. The forming according to the invention can be achieved solely by mortising or pressing. Furthermore, by eliminating heating, the components can be protected.

[0015] Advantageously, the at least one projection connecting element can be made entirely of a cold-formable material. This allows the at least one projection connecting element to be manufactured with less effort.

[0016] Advantageously, the at least one projecting connecting element can be made of a metal alloy or the like. In this way, a connecting element that is both stable and cold-formable can be realized.

[0017] The housing part is designed for a vehicle camera housing. A vehicle camera can capture images of a surveillance area in the surrounding area and / or inside the vehicle.

[0018] Advantageously, the vehicle camera can be an imaging camera. Such vehicle cameras can be used in vehicles to monitor surveillance areas within and / or in the vehicle's surroundings.

[0019] Advantageously, the vehicle camera can be a front camera. A front camera can monitor the area in front of a vehicle in the direction of travel. The vehicle camera can also be a rear camera, a side camera, an interior camera, or a multifunctional vehicle camera.

[0020] Advantageously, the vehicle camera can be designed for installation on a window, in particular a windshield, of a vehicle. In this way, the vehicle camera can be installed in a protected manner inside the vehicle. The vehicle camera can be directed into the interior and / or the surroundings of the vehicle.

[0021] The vehicle camera can advantageously be used in motor vehicles. The vehicle camera can advantageously be used in land vehicles, in particular passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, construction or transport machinery such as cranes, excavators, or the like, aircraft, in particular drones, and / or watercraft. The vehicle camera can also be used in vehicles that can be operated autonomously or at least semi-autonomously.

[0022] The vehicle camera can advantageously be connected to or be part of at least one electronic control device of a vehicle, in particular a driver assistance system or the like. In this way, at least some of the vehicle's functions, in particular driving functions, can be operated autonomously or semi-autonomously. Information obtained with the vehicle camera can be transmitted to the at least one control device of the vehicle and used to control vehicle functions.

[0023] The vehicle camera can detect stationary or moving objects, in particular vehicles, persons, animals, plants, obstacles, road surface irregularities, in particular potholes or stones, road markings, traffic signs, open spaces, in particular parking spaces, precipitation or the like, and / or gestures.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one projection connecting element can have a cylindrical, in particular circular-cylindrical, shape and / or the at least one projection connecting element can be firmly connected, in particular in one piece or as a multi-component component or the like, to the at least one connecting section. A cylindrical shape has the advantage that the projection connecting element can be more easily inserted through a corresponding receiving connecting element on the side of the other part of the vehicle camera and can be correspondingly deformed behind it. This deformation ensures that the at least one projection connecting element cannot slip out of the receiving connecting element.

[0025] Advantageously, the at least one projection connecting element can be firmly connected to the at least one connecting section. In this way, the at least one projection connecting element can be securely fastened to the at least one connecting section. This simplifies assembly.

[0026] Advantageously, the at least one projection connecting element can be configured as a single piece with the at least one connecting section. In this way, the at least one projection connecting element can be more easily implemented together with the at least one connecting section.

[0027] Advantageously, the at least one connecting section with the at least one projection connecting element can be realized as an extruded part. In this way, the at least one projection connecting element can be realized as a cold-formable part in one piece with the at least one connecting section.

[0028] Advantageously, the at least one projection-connecting element can be configured as a pin, bolt, rib, web, or the like. In this way, the at least one projection-connecting element can be flexibly adapted to the available abdominal space.

[0029] In a further advantageous embodiment, the housing part can be an optical module housing part, in particular an optical module housing part for an optical module for a vehicle camera, or a main housing part for a vehicle camera and / or the at least one connecting section can serve for the mechanical connection of the housing part to at least one other housing part of the vehicle camera.

[0030] Advantageously, a housing part according to the invention can be an optics module housing part. In this way, the at least one projection connecting element can be arranged on the side of the optics module. The optics module can thus be prefabricated. The prefabricated optics module can be connected to the at least one other part of the vehicle camera, in particular to a main housing part of the vehicle camera. In this case, the at least one projection connecting element on the side of the optics module housing part can be inserted through a corresponding receiving connecting element on the side of the at least one other part, in particular the main housing part. The end of the receiving connecting element can be cold-formed behind the receiving connecting element into a gripping section. The gripping section can engage behind the receiving connecting element.

[0031] Alternatively or additionally, a housing part according to the invention can advantageously be a main housing part for a vehicle camera. The at least one projection connecting element can thus be implemented on the main housing part. In this case, the corresponding at least one receiving connecting element can be arranged on the side of the other part, in particular an optics module housing part. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one connecting section can advantageously serve to mechanically connect the housing part to at least one other housing part of the vehicle camera. In this way, two housing parts of the vehicle camera can be fixed to one another simply by cold forming the corresponding projection connecting elements.

[0032] In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one connecting section can be designed as a flange and / or at least one connecting section can have at least one positioning element, in particular at least one positioning frame. In this way, the at least one connecting section of the housing part and the at least one connecting section of the other part can be connected to each other more easily.

[0033] Advantageously, at least one connecting section can be designed as a flange. The at least one projection connecting element can be arranged on a flange in a more flexible and easily accessible manner. A flange can be realized as a plate-shaped component as an attachment to a base body of the at least one housing part.

[0034] Alternatively or additionally, at least one connecting section can advantageously have at least one positioning element. With the aid of at least one positioning element, the at least one connecting section of the housing part and the at least one connecting section of the other part, in particular the other housing part, can be positioned more easily relative to one another.

[0035] A positioning frame can encompass a corresponding portion of the at least one other part. Thus, the corresponding portion of the at least one other part can be precisely positioned and held within the positioning frame.

[0036] Advantageously, a positioning frame on at least one connecting element can have the same profile as a connecting section, in particular a connecting flange, on at least one part to be connected, in particular a housing part. In this way, the connecting flange can be positioned and held within the positioning frame.

[0037] Furthermore, the object is achieved according to the invention in an optical module in that the at least one projecting projection connecting element is made of a cold-formable material at least at one end.

[0038] According to the invention, the optics module has at least one connecting section with a protruding connecting element, the end of which is cold-formable. In this way, the optics module can be fixed to a main housing part of the vehicle camera by cold-forming the end of the at least one protruding connecting element, thus forming a gripping section. The gripping section can advantageously engage behind a corresponding receiving connecting element of the main housing part. The end of the at least one protruding connecting element, formed into a gripping section, prevents the at least one protruding connecting element from slipping out of the receiving connecting element. The optics module is thus fixed to the main housing part by the cold-formed end of the at least one protruding connecting element.

[0039] Advantageously, the optics module can comprise a housing part according to the invention as the optics module housing part. This allows the optics module to be more easily connected to the corresponding main housing part of the vehicle camera.

[0040] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one optical module housing part can each have at least one connecting section with at least one projection connecting element on opposite sides and / or the at least one optical module housing part can have at least one connecting section in the form of a flange and / or at least one imager board can be arranged on a rear side of the at least one optical module housing part opposite at least one lens.

[0041] Advantageously, the at least one optical module housing part can each have at least one connecting section on opposite sides. In this way, holding forces can be applied more evenly to the at least one optical module housing part. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one optical module housing part can advantageously have at least one connecting section in the form of a flange. In this way, a better force application into the at least one projection connecting element and / or easier accessibility of the at least one projection connecting element can be achieved.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, at least one imager board can advantageously be arranged on a rear side of the at least one optical module housing part, opposite at least one lens. In this way, the at least one imager board, together with the lens and the optical module housing part, can be connected to other components of the vehicle camera, in particular a main housing part. The optical module can thus be prefabricated more easily. The at least one lens can be aligned with the at least one imager board, in particular the at least one imager chip, during prefabrication.

[0043] Furthermore, the object is achieved according to the invention in the vehicle camera in that the at least one projection connecting element has a cold-formed gripping section at at least one end.

[0044] According to the invention, the at least one gripping section is cold-formed. This allows for a reduction in the manufacturing effort required for the vehicle camera compared to forming by heat input. With cold forming, simpler tools, in particular simple punches, can be used. Whereas with hot forming, tools for heating the components are required. Furthermore, cold forming is gentler on the components, as they do not require heating.

[0045] Advantageously, at least one of the housing parts of the vehicle camera can be a housing part according to the invention, in particular an optics module housing part and / or a main housing part. In this way, the effort required to implement the vehicle camera, in particular the material expenditure and the assembly expenditure, can be reduced. Furthermore, the tool expenditure can also be reduced. Advantageously, at least one projecting projection connecting element can be arranged on at least one of the connecting sections of one of the housing parts. In this way, the at least one projection connecting element can be held captively on the at least one connecting section.

[0046] Alternatively or additionally, at least one projection connecting element can advantageously be designed as a separate component. The at least two interconnected connecting sections can each have a corresponding receiving connecting element. The separate at least one projection connecting element can pass through both receiving connecting elements. The at least one projection connecting element can have a cold-formed gripping section at each end.

[0047] In an advantageous embodiment, the vehicle camera can have at least one optical module, which has at least one optical module housing part, at least one lens and at least one imager board with at least one imager chip, and / or the vehicle camera can comprise at least one main housing part, which has a lens through-opening for at least one lens and / or at least one lens receiving socket of an optical module housing part of the vehicle camera.

[0048] Advantageously, the vehicle camera can have at least one lens module. An optical module can be prefabricated. The at least one lens and the at least one imager chip can be aligned relative to one another. The prefabricated optical module can be more easily connected to other parts of the vehicle camera, in particular the main housing part.

[0049] Advantageously, the vehicle camera can comprise at least one optical module according to the invention. This allows the vehicle camera to be implemented with less effort.

[0050] Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle camera can advantageously have at least one main housing part with at least one lens through-opening. At least one lens of the vehicle camera can be passed through the lens through-opening.

[0051] Alternatively or additionally, the lens through-opening can advantageously be designed such that a lens receiving socket of the optics module housing part can also be passed through. In this way, the optics module housing part, in particular the optics module, can be arranged on an inner side of the main housing part, with the lens leading outward through the lens through-opening.

[0052] In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one projection connecting element with a side facing away from the free end can be arranged on a connecting section of a main housing part of the housing and the at least one corresponding receiving connecting element can be arranged on a connecting section of an optical module housing part of the housing and / or at least one projection connecting element with a side facing away from the free end can be arranged on a connecting section of an optical module housing part of the housing and at least one corresponding receiving connecting element can be arranged on a connecting section of a main housing part of the housing and / or at least one projection connecting element can be a separate component which has a cold-formed gripping section at each end.

[0053] Advantageously, at least one projection connecting element can be attached to a connecting portion of a main housing part. In this way, the projection connecting element is arranged captively on the main housing part and can be connected together with the optical module housing part.

[0054] Alternatively or additionally, at least one projection connecting element can advantageously be arranged on a connecting section of an optical module housing part. In this way, the at least one projection connecting element can be prefabricated together with the optical module housing part and subsequently connected to the main housing part. Alternatively or additionally, at least one housing part can advantageously have both at least one projection connecting element and at least one receiving connecting element. In this way, the housing parts can be designed more flexibly with regard to their shape and accessibility.

[0055] Alternatively or additionally, at least one projection connecting element can advantageously be implemented as a separate component. The at least one projection connecting element can thus be flexibly connected to the corresponding connecting sections. In particular, the connecting section of the main housing part and the connecting section of the optical module housing part can each have a receiving connecting element. The projection connecting element can thus be inserted through both receiving connecting elements and then cold-formed at opposite ends. This creates a cold-formed gripping section at each of the opposite ends of the projection connecting element. A separate projection connecting element can be made of a different material than the housing parts with the connecting sections.This means that materials that cannot be cold-formed can be used for the connecting sections.

[0056] Furthermore, the object is achieved according to the invention in the vehicle in that the vehicle has at least one vehicle camera according to the invention.

[0057] With a vehicle camera, at least one surveillance area in the surroundings of the vehicle and / or in the interior of the vehicle can be monitored, in particular for objects.

[0058] Advantageously, the vehicle can have at least one driver assistance system. With the driver assistance system, the vehicle can be operated autonomously or at least partially autonomously.

[0059] Advantageously, at least one vehicle camera can be functionally connected to at least one driver assistance system of the vehicle. In this way, information about the at least one monitoring area, which can be determined with the at least one vehicle camera, can be transmitted to the at least one driver assistance system. With the at least one driver assistance system, the vehicle can be operated autonomously or at least partially autonomously, taking into account the information about the at least one monitoring area.

[0060] Furthermore, the object is achieved in the method according to the invention in that the at least one free end of the at least one projection connecting element is cold formed into a gripping section.

[0061] According to the invention, the at least one free end of the projection connecting element is cold-formed into a gripping section after being inserted through the at least one receiving connecting element. Cold forming requires no heat exposure. Thus, the components are not subjected to heat stress. Furthermore, the amount of tools required for cold forming is lower than for hot forming.

[0062] Advantageously, the cold forming can be carried out using a press die, which is pressed onto the free end of the at least one projection connecting element. A press die can be easily implemented and used.

[0063] Advantageously, at least one projecting connecting element, which is attached to one of the connecting sections, can be inserted through at least one receiving connecting element of the other connecting section. In this way, the at least one projecting connecting element can be arranged captively on one side of the corresponding connecting section. The projecting connecting element can then be inserted through the corresponding receiving connecting element.

[0064] Alternatively or additionally, at least one projection connecting element can advantageously be inserted through respective receiving connecting elements in both of the connecting sections. Subsequently, the ends of the at least one projection connecting element can be cold-formed on both sides to form a respective gripping section. In this way, separate projection connecting elements can be used. A corresponding receiving connecting element can be provided in each of the two connecting sections.

[0065] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, an optics module housing part can be used as at least one of the at least two housing parts and connected to at least one lens and at least one imager board to form an optics module. The optics module can then be connected to a main housing part, which can be used as the other of the at least two housing parts. In this way, an optics module can be prefabricated with the optics module housing part, the lens, and the imager board. The prefabricated optics module can be connected to the main housing part in the manner according to the invention.

[0066] Advantageously, the at least one imager board can comprise at least one imager chip. An imager chip can convert light beams into electrical signals. The electrical signals can be processed by an electronic evaluation device. Thus, an imager chip can generate a two-dimensional image of a surveillance area captured by the vehicle camera.

[0067] Advantageously, the at least one lens can be aligned with the at least one imager chip. In this way, light rays captured by the at least one lens can be imaged onto the at least one imager chip.

[0068] Advantageously, the at least one lens can be aligned with the at least one imager chip before the lens module housing part is connected to the main housing part. In this way, the lens module can be completely prefabricated. The final assembly of the vehicle camera can thus be simplified.

[0069] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, the optics module can be arranged, with the lens at the front, on the main housing part from an inner side of the main housing part such that at least the lens protrudes through a lens through-opening of the main housing part. In this way, a large part of the optics module can be arranged within the main housing part in a space-saving manner. Advantageously, at least one projection connecting element, which is arranged on the inner side of the main housing part, can be inserted through at least one corresponding receiving connecting element on the side of the optics module housing part. In this way, the at least one projection connecting element can be arranged inside the housing. In this way, the at least one projection connecting element can be protected from the environment. Furthermore, protrusions caused by gripping portions protruding from the outside of the vehicle camera housing are avoided.

[0070] Advantageously, the at least two housing parts can be positioned relative to one another using at least one positioning element, in particular a positioning frame. This allows the components to be assembled more precisely and easily.

[0071] Furthermore, the features and advantages presented in connection with the housing part according to the invention, the optical module according to the invention, the vehicle camera according to the invention, the vehicle according to the invention, and the method according to the invention, and their respective advantageous embodiments, apply to one another accordingly and vice versa. The individual features and advantages can, of course, be combined with one another, whereby further advantageous effects can arise that go beyond the sum of the individual effects.

[0072] Short description of the drawings

[0073] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. Those skilled in the art will expediently consider the features disclosed in the drawings, the description, and the claims in combination individually and combine them to form useful further combinations. The figures show schematically:

[0074] Figure 1 shows a front view of a vehicle with a driver assistance system and a vehicle camera; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a vehicle camera without a housing base according to a first embodiment of the vehicle from Figure 1;

[0075] Figure 3 is an isometric view of the vehicle camera from Figure 2 with a view of the open rear side without the lower housing part;

[0076] Figure 4 shows a section of the vehicle camera from Figure 3 along the section plane III there, here with the lower part of the housing;

[0077] Figure 5 is an isometric view of an optical module of the vehicle camera from Figures 2 to 4;

[0078] Figure 6 is an exploded view of a vehicle camera without a lower housing part according to a second embodiment for the vehicle from Figure 1;

[0079] Figure 7 is an isometric view of the vehicle camera from Figure 2, looking towards the front;

[0080] Figure 8 is an isometric view of an optical module of the vehicle camera from Figures 6 and 7;

[0081] Figure 9 shows a section of the vehicle camera from Figure 7 along the section plane VIII there;

[0082] Figure 10 is an exploded view of a vehicle camera without a lower housing part according to a third embodiment for the vehicle from Figure 1.

[0083] In the figures, identical components are provided with identical reference symbols.

[0084] Embodiment(s) of the invention

[0085] Figure 1 shows a front view of a vehicle 10 in the form of a passenger car. The vehicle 10 includes a driver assistance system 12 and a vehicle camera 14.

[0086] The vehicle camera 14 is functionally connected to the driver assistance system 12. Information obtained with the vehicle camera 14 can thus be transmitted to the driver assistance system 12. With the driver assistance system 12, the vehicle 10 can be operated autonomously or semi-autonomously. The vehicle camera 14 is designed, for example, as a front camera, for example as a windshield camera. The vehicle camera 14 is located at the top on the inside of the windshield of the vehicle 10 and is directed into a surveillance area, in front of the vehicle 10 in the direction of travel. The vehicle camera 14 can also be arranged at a different location on the vehicle 10 or with a different orientation. Multiple vehicle cameras 14 can also be provided on or in the vehicle 10. A vehicle camera 14 can also be directed into an interior of the vehicle 10.

[0087] The vehicle camera 14 is, for example, an imaging camera. The vehicle camera 14 can capture the surveillance area with spatial resolution.

[0088] Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the vehicle camera 14 according to a first exemplary embodiment for the vehicle 10 from Figure 1, without a lower housing part 20 shown in Figure 4. Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the vehicle camera 14 from Figure 2. Figure 4 shows a section of the vehicle camera 14 from Figure 3 along the section plane III there—here with the lower housing part 20.

[0089] The vehicle camera 14 has a housing 16. The housing 16 has a main housing part 18, the housing base part 20, and an optics module housing part 22.

[0090] The main housing part 18 has a stepped section 24. An optical module 26 is arranged in the stepped section 24.

[0091] On the underside, the main housing part 18 has a lower installation opening, which is closed by the housing bottom part 20 when the vehicle camera 14 is fully assembled. A main circuit board (not shown in the figures for the sake of clarity) can be installed through the lower installation opening into a housing interior 28 of the housing 16.

[0092] A lens aperture 30 is provided in a front wall at the front of the stepped portion 24 of the main body 18. The lens aperture 30 is a round hole.

[0093] The rear side of the stepped section 24 has a rear installation opening 32. The rear installation opening 32 is opposite the lens feedthrough opening 30. The optics module 26 can be inserted into the main housing part 18 through the rear installation opening 32. When the vehicle camera 14 is fully assembled, the rear installation opening 32 is closed by the housing base 20, as shown in Figure 4.

[0094] A module receiving space 34 is formed between the front of the stepped section 24 and the rear of the housing base 20. The largest part of the optical module 26 is arranged in the module receiving space 34.

[0095] Two main connecting sections 36 are realized in the front wall of the stepped section 24. The main connecting sections 36 are located on opposite sides of the lens passage opening 30. The main connecting sections 36 are each flat wall sections of the front wall.

[0096] On each of the main connecting sections 36, a projection connecting element 38 is arranged, projecting from the corresponding main connecting section 36. Before assembly of the vehicle camera 14, as shown in Figure 2, the projection connecting elements 38 each have the shape of a circular cylindrical pin. The projection connecting elements 38 extend on the inner side of the corresponding main connecting section 36 facing the module receiving space 34 in the direction of the installation opening 32. Imaginary axes 39 of the projection connecting elements 38 run parallel to one another.

[0097] Furthermore, a positioning element in the form of a positioning frame 40 is arranged in each of the main connecting sections 36. The positioning frames 40 are located on the inner side of the respective main connecting sections 36 facing the module receiving space 34. The positioning frames 40 are each designed as a web. The positioning frames 40 rise from the main connecting section 36 with a constant width and the same height in the direction of the installation opening 32. The positioning frames 40 each have an approximately O-shaped profile, viewed from the installation opening 32. The positioning frames 40 each encircle the projection connecting element 38 of the respective main connecting section 36.

[0098] The projection connecting elements 38 and the positioning frames 40 are each integrally connected to the main connecting sections 36. The projection connecting elements 38 are made of cold-formable material, for example, a metal alloy.

[0099] The optics module 26 is shown in detail in Figure 5. The optics module 26 includes the optics module housing part 22, a lens 42, and an imager board 44.

[0100] The optical module housing part 22 comprises a module base body 46, a lens receiving socket 48 and two module connecting sections 50.

[0101] The module base body 46 is approximately shaped like a hollow cuboid, with an opening on its rear side. The opening is closed by the imager board 44. The imager board 44 is positioned by two positioning pins 52 and secured to the module base body 46 by two screws 54.

[0102] The lens mounting socket 48 is located on the side of the module base body 46 opposite the imager board 44. The lens mounting socket 48 is integrally connected to the module base body 46. The lens mounting socket 48 has the approximate shape of a hollow circular cylinder. The lens 42 is inserted into the lens mounting socket 48 and fixed thereto. The lens mounting socket 48 is coaxial with a lens axis 56.

[0103] An imager chip, hidden in Figure 4, is arranged on the imager board 44. The imager chip is located on the side of the imager board 44 facing the lens receiving socket 48 and the lens 42. The lens 42 is aligned with the imager chip. The imager chip can convert light rays into electrical signals.

[0104] The module connecting sections 50 are each implemented as flanges in the form of plate-shaped components as projections on the module base body 46. The module connecting sections 50 each extend away from the module base body 46. The module connecting sections 50 are arranged on opposite sides of the module base body 46. The module connecting sections 50 are located on opposite sides with respect to a lens axis 56 of the lens 42. The module connecting sections 50 are each implemented as a single piece with the module base body 46.

[0105] The front surfaces of the module base body 46 and the module connecting sections 50 facing the lens receiving socket 48 extend in a common plane. The front surfaces form a flat contact surface for the main connecting sections 36 of the main housing part 18.

[0106] The thicknesses of the module connecting sections 50 are smaller than the lengths of the projection connecting elements 38 of the main housing part 18.

[0107] Each module connecting section 50 has a receiving connecting element 58. The receiving connecting elements 48 are implemented as through holes in the respective module connecting section 50. The cross section of the receiving connecting elements 48 corresponds to the cross section of the projection connecting elements 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving connecting elements 48 each have a round cross section.

[0108] Imaginary axes 60 of the receiving connecting elements 58 extend parallel to each other. Furthermore, the axes 60 extend parallel to the lens axis 56.

[0109] A profile of a front edge 62 of the optics module housing part 22 on the side facing the lens receiving socket 48 corresponds to the profile of the inside of the positioning frames 40 of the main housing part 18. The positions of the receiving connecting elements 58 relative to the front edge 62 correspond to the positions of the projection connecting elements 38 of the main housing part 18 relative to the positioning frames 40.

[0110] A distance between the axes 60 of the receiving connecting elements 58 of the optical module housing part 22 corresponds to a distance between the axes 39 of the projection connecting elements 38 of the main housing part 18.

[0111] The diameter of the receiving connecting elements 58 is identical. The outer diameter of the receiving connecting elements 38 is also identical before the optical module 26 is mounted on the main housing part 18. The diameter of the receiving connecting elements 58 is slightly larger than the diameter of the projection connecting elements 38 before the optical module 26 is mounted on the main housing part 18.

[0112] Both the receiving connecting elements 58 and the projection connecting elements 38 and the positioning frames 40 are symmetrical with respect to an imaginary center plane with the lens axis 56.

[0113] To manufacture the vehicle camera 14, the optics module 26 is prefabricated with the optics module housing part 22, the imager board 44 and the lens 42.

[0114] The prefabricated optical module 26 is inserted, with the lens 42 leading, through the installation opening 32 of the stepped section 24 of the main housing part 18 into the module receiving space 34. The lens 42 and the lens receiving socket 48 are inserted into the lens feedthrough 30.

[0115] The optical module 26 is aligned such that the module connecting sections 50 are arranged within the positioning frames 40 of the main housing part 18 and the projection connecting elements 38 of the main housing part 18 are arranged in the respective receiving connecting elements 58 of the optical module 26.

[0116] The optics module 26 is pushed into the module receiving space 34 until the module connecting sections 50 rest against the respective main connecting sections 36. In this position of the optics module 26, the ends of the projection connecting elements 38 protrude from the receiving connecting elements 58. The free ends of the projection connecting elements 38 are then cold-formed into a respective gripping section 64; for this purpose, a stamp or the like can be used, for example. This assembly phase is shown in Figures 3 and 4. The gripping sections 64 each have an edge that is circumferentially continuous with respect to the axis 60 and engages behind the respective receiving connecting element 58. The outer diameter of the gripping sections 64 is larger than the inner diameter of the receiving connecting elements 58. In this way, the projection connecting elements 38 are retained in the respective receiving connecting elements 58.

[0117] The gripping sections 64 hold the optical module housing part 22 and thus the entire optical module 26 on the inside of the stepped section 24 of the main housing part 18.

[0118] Before or after the optical module 26 is installed in the module receiving space 34, the main board is arranged in the housing interior 28. The main board is not shown in the figures for the sake of clarity. The imager board 44 is connected to the main board, for example, with a flexible cable. The flexible cable is also not shown for the sake of clarity.

[0119] Finally, the lower housing part 20 is attached to the main housing part 18. This closes the installation opening 32 in the stepped section 24 and the lower installation opening of the main housing part 18. The cold-formed gripping sections 64 are located in the module receiving space 34, invisible from the outside and protected from the environment.

[0120] Figures 6 to 9 show a vehicle camera 14 according to a second embodiment. Those elements that are similar to those of the first embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 5 are provided with the same reference numerals. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the projection connecting elements 38 are arranged on the side of module connecting sections 150 of an optics module housing part 122. The corresponding receiving connecting elements 58 are located in main connecting sections 136 in the front wall of the stepped section 24 of the main housing part 118 on opposite sides of the lens through-opening 30. In the assembled vehicle camera 14, the gripping sections 64 are correspondingly located on the outside of the stepped section 24 of the main housing part 118 on opposite sides next to the lens receiving socket 48.

[0121] Figure 10 shows a vehicle camera 14 according to a third exemplary embodiment. Those elements similar to those of the first exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 5 are provided with the same reference numerals. The third exemplary embodiment differs from the first exemplary embodiment in that the projection connecting elements 38 are implemented as separate components.

[0122] Before assembly of the vehicle camera 14, the projection connecting elements 38 each have the shape of a circular cylindrical pin.

[0123] Both in module connecting sections 250 of an optical module housing part 222, as well as in main connecting sections 236 of a main housing part 218, corresponding receiving connecting elements 58 in the form of through holes are arranged.

[0124] The lengths of the projection connecting elements 38 are greater than the distances between the outer side of the front wall of the stepped section 24 and the rear side of the module connecting sections 250 when the optical module 26 is inserted. The two ends of the respective projection connecting elements 38 protrude from both the corresponding receiving connecting elements 58 of the main housing part 218 and the corresponding receiving connecting elements 58 of the optical module housing part 222.

[0125] During the manufacture of the vehicle camera 14, the projection connecting elements 38 are cold formed at both ends so that a gripping section 64 is formed at each end.

Claims

Claims 1. Housing part (18; 122) for a housing (16) for a vehicle camera (14), which has at least one connecting section (36; 150) for mechanically connecting the housing part (18; 122) to at least one other part (22; 118) of the vehicle camera (14), wherein at least one projecting projection connecting element (38) is arranged on the at least one connecting section (36, 50), which is made of a formable material at least at one end, characterized in that the at least one projecting projection connecting element (38) is made of a cold-formable material at least at one end.

2. Housing part according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one projection connecting element (38) has a cylindrical, in particular circular-cylindrical, shape and / or the at least one projection connecting element (38) is firmly connected, in particular in one piece or as a multi-component component or the like, to the at least one connecting section (36; 150).

3. Housing part according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing part is an optics module housing part (122), in particular an optics module housing part (122) for an optics module (26) for a vehicle camera (14), or a main housing part (18) for a vehicle camera (14) and / or the at least one connecting section (36; 150) serves for the mechanical connection of the housing part (18; 122) to at least one other housing part (22; 118) of the vehicle camera (14).

4. Housing part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one connecting section (150) is designed as a flange and / or at least one connecting section (36) has at least one positioning element (40), in particular at least one positioning frame.

5. An optical module (26) for a vehicle camera (14), which comprises at least one optical module housing part (122), at least one lens (42) and at least one imager board (44) with at least one imager chip, wherein the at least one lens (42) and the at least one imager board (44) are arranged on the at least one optical module housing part (22; 122) such that the at least one lens (42) is aligned with the at least one imager chip, wherein the at least one optical module housing part (122) has at least one connecting section (150) for mechanically connecting the at least one optical module housing part (122) to at least one other part of the vehicle camera (14), wherein at least one projecting projection connecting element (38) is arranged on the at least one connecting section (150), which is made of a formable material at least at one end, characterized in that the at least one projecting projection connecting element (38) is made of a cold-formable material at least at one end.

6. Optics module according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one optics module housing part (122) has at least one connecting section (150) with at least one projection connecting element (38) on opposite sides and / or the at least one optics module housing part (122) has at least one connecting section (150) in the form of a flange and / or at least one imager board (44) is arranged on a rear side of the at least one optics module housing part (122) opposite at least one lens (42).

7. A vehicle camera (14) comprising a housing (16) on which at least one lens (42) is arranged and in which at least one imager chip is arranged, wherein the at least one lens (42) is aligned with the at least one imager chip, and the housing (16) comprises at least two housing parts (18, 22; 118, 122; 218, 222) which are mechanically connected to one another, wherein the at least two housing parts (18, 22; 118, 122; 218, 222) each comprise at least one connecting section (36, 50; 136, 150; 236, 250), each of which is connected to at least one corresponding connecting section (36, 50; 136, 150; 236, 250) of the respective other housing part (18, 22; 118, 122; 218, 222) are mechanically connected, wherein the connecting sections (36, 50; 136, 150; 236, 250) are connected by means of at least one projection connecting element (38) which is made of formable material at least at one end, and at least one of the connecting sections (50; 136;236, 250) at least one receiving connecting element (58) is arranged, through which the at least one projection connecting element (38); wherein the at least one projection connecting element (38) has a formed gripping section (64) on at least one end which leads through the at least one receiving connecting element (58), which grips behind the at least one connecting section (50; 136; 236, 250) with the at least one receiving connecting element (58), characterized in that the at least one projecting projection connecting element (38) has a cold-formed gripping section (64) on at least one end.

8. Vehicle camera according to claim 7, characterized in that the vehicle camera (14) has at least one optics module (26) which has at least one optics module housing part (22; 122; 222), at least one lens (42) and at least one imager board (44) with at least one imager chip, and / or the vehicle camera (14) comprises at least one main housing part (18; 118; 218) which has a lens through-opening (30) for at least one lens (42) and / or at least one lens receiving socket (48) of an optics module housing part (22; 122; 222) of the vehicle camera (14).

9. Vehicle camera according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that at least one projection connecting element (38) with a side facing away from the free end is arranged on a connecting section (36) of a main housing part (18) of the housing (16) and the at least one corresponding receiving connecting element (58) is arranged on a connecting section (50) of an optics module housing part (22) of the housing (16) and / or at least one projection connecting element (38) with a side facing away from the free end is arranged on a connecting section (150) of an optics module housing part (122) of the housing (16) and at least one corresponding receiving connecting element (58) is arranged on a connecting section (136) of a main housing part (118) of the housing (16) and / or at least one projection connecting element (38) is a separate component which has a cold-formed gripping section (64) on each of its two ends. has. zi 10. Vehicle (10) with at least one vehicle camera (14), characterized in that the vehicle (10) has at least one vehicle camera (14) according to one of claims 7 to 10.

11. A method for producing a vehicle camera (14), in which at least two housing parts (18, 22; 118, 122; 218, 222) of a housing (16) of the vehicle camera (14) are mechanically connected to one another, wherein one of the housing parts (18; 118; 218) is arranged with a connecting section (36; 136; 236) on a corresponding connecting section (50; 150; 250) of the corresponding other housing part (22; 122; 222), wherein at least one projection connecting element (38) is inserted through at least one receiving connecting element (58) of at least one of the connecting sections (50; 136; 236, 250) and at least one free end of the projection connecting element (38), which leads through a receiving connecting element (58), to a gripping section (64) which has at least one connecting section (50; 136;236, 250) engages behind the at least one receiving connecting element (58), characterized in that the at least one free end of the at least one projection connecting element (38) is cold formed into a gripping section (64); 12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that an optics module housing part (22; 122; 222) is used as at least one of the at least two housing parts and is connected to at least one lens (42) and at least one imager board (44) to form an optics module (26), then the optics module (26) is connected to a main housing part (18; 118; 218) which is used as the other of the at least two housing parts.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the optics module (26) with the lens (42) in front is arranged on the main housing part (18; 118; 218) from an inner side of the main housing part (18; 118; 218) in such a way that at least the lens (42) protrudes through a lens through-opening (30) of the main housing part (18; 118; 218).

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