Control camera and associated mounting method

Abstract

Control camera and associated mounting method The present invention relates to a control camera (10), comprising: an optical sensor (20); a light source (14); a first (22) and a second (24) printed circuit, fixed respectively to the optical sensor and to the light source; a first electrical device (26), fixed on the first printed circuit (22) and connected to the optical sensor; a second electrical device (28), fixed on the second printed circuit (24) and connected to the light source; a casing (16) assembled to the first and second printed circuits; and an electrical connector (18). The first printed circuit (22) has a through-cut (44); and the electrical connector (18) is arranged in said cut (44) so ​​as to be simultaneously connected to the first (26) and to the second (28) electrical devices. Figure for abstract: Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Control camera and associated mounting method

[0001] The present invention relates to a control camera, of the type comprising: an optical sensor; a light source; a first and a second printed circuit, fixed respectively to the optical sensor and to the light source; a first electrical device, fixed on the first printed circuit and electrically connected to the optical sensor; a second electrical device, fixed on the second printed circuit and electrically connected to the light source; an enclosure assembled to the first and second printed circuits; and an electrical connector; the first and second printed circuits being arranged substantially parallel to each other and substantially opposite each other; and being separated by a non-zero distance.

[0002] The invention applies particularly to control cameras for motor vehicles. Such a camera is described in document US9628680.

[0003] Such cameras are for example fixed in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, to be incorporated into a system for monitoring the driver and / or the occupant(s) of said vehicle.

[0004] The arrangement of the various components of such a camera must take into account a limited available space. Furthermore, operation of the optical sensor can be disturbed by the heat emitted by the various components of the camera, such as the light source.

[0005] The present invention aims to propose an improvement in the arrangement of control cameras for motor vehicles while maintaining good thermal dissipation of the heat generated by the operation of the camera.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a control camera of the aforementioned type, in which: the first printed circuit comprises a through cutout; and the electrical connector is arranged in said cutout so as to be connected simultaneously to the first and second electrical devices.

[0007] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the control camera comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0008] - the electrical connector comprises a first and a second element of connection; the first connection element is connected to the first electrical device; and the second connection element is disposed in the through-cut and connected to the second electrical device;

[0009] - the through cut has an open contour on an edge of the first circuit printed;

[0010] - the first printed circuit comprises two legs arranged on either side of the through cutout, at least one of said two legs comprising a heat sink coating;

[0011] - the envelope comprises an intermediate element arranged between the first and second printed circuits, so as to maintain the non-zero distance between said first and second printed circuits;

[0012] - the envelope further comprises a first end element assembled to the intermediate element, said first end element comprising a frame and a bottom, the frame comprising a footprint receiving the edge of the first printed circuit, the bottom comprising an opening arranged opposite the cutout of said first printed circuit;

[0013] - the envelope further comprises a second end element, the inter element median being disposed between the first and second end members;

[0014] - the second end element comprises a partition formed from a material suitable to block visible light and allow infrared light to pass through, said partition being arranged opposite the optical sensor and the light source.

[0015] The invention further relates to a method for mounting a control camera as described above, comprising the following steps: assembling the first printed circuit with the first end element, the edge of said first printed circuit being received in the imprint of said first end element; then assembling the intermediate element with the first end element; then assembling the second printed circuit with the intermediate element; then introducing the connector into the opening in the bottom of the first end element and simultaneously connecting the first and second connection elements, respectively with the first and second electrical devices.

[0016] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the method further comprises a step of assembling the second end element to the intermediate element, prior to the step of introducing the connector into the opening.

[0017] The invention further relates to a vehicle equipped with a control camera as described above.

[0018] The invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0019] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a control camera according to a mode of carrying out the invention;

[0020] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is an exploded view of the control camera of [Fig.l]; and

[0021] [Fig.3] [Fig.4] Figures 3 and 4 are detailed views of the control camera of the Figures 1 and 2.

[0022] Figures 1 and 2 represent a control camera 10 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0023] As seen in [Fig.l], the camera 10 comprises: an optical lens 12; a light source 14; an envelope 16; and an electrical connector 18.

[0024] The optical lens 12 comprises an optical sensor 20, shown in dotted lines in [Fig. 3]. By “optical sensor” is meant one or more optical sensors which make it possible to produce electrical / electronic signals as a function of the light images captured by the optical lens 12.

[0025] Preferably, the light source 14 comprises one or more light diodes, more preferably one or more infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In the embodiment shown, the light source 14 comprises an infrared LED.

[0026] As seen in Figures 2 and 3, the camera 10 further comprises: a first 22 and a second 24 printed circuits; and a first 26 and a second 28 electrical devices.

[0027] The first 22 and second 24 printed circuits are attached to the optical sensor 20 and the light source 14 respectively. In the embodiment shown, the first printed circuit 22 is attached to the optical lens 12. The first 22 and second 24 printed circuits will be described in more detail below.

[0028] The first electrical device 26 is fixed on the first printed circuit 22 and electrically connected to the optical sensor 20. The second electrical device 28 is fixed on the second printed circuit 24 and electrically connected to the light source 14. The first 26 and second 28 electrical devices will be described in more detail below.

[0029] The casing 16 is assembled to the first 22 and second 24 printed circuits, such that said first and second printed circuits are arranged substantially parallel to each other and substantially opposite each other. By "substantially opposite each other", it is meant that a projection of one of the printed circuits 22, 24, perpendicular to said circuit, at least partially covers the other of said printed circuits. This arrangement of the two printed circuits makes it possible to reduce the size of the casing 16 and thus to make the control camera 10 more compact.

[0030] The printed circuits 22, 24 are separated by a non-zero distance 30, visible in [Fig. 3]. The distance 30 is notably chosen to prevent the heat generated by the light source 14 from disturbing the operation of the optical sensor 20.

[0031] The envelope 16 will be described in more detail below.

[0032] The first printed circuit 22 will now be described. The first printed circuit 22 comprises a first substrate 32, said first substrate comprising a first 34 and a second 36 opposite and substantially planar faces.

[0033] The optical lens 12 is fixed on the first face 34 of the first substrate 32. In particular, the optical sensor 20 is fixed on the first face 34 of the first substrate 32. The first electrical device 26 is fixed on the second face 36 of the first substrate 32.

[0034] The first substrate 32 may have different geometric shapes, for example, circular, rectilinear, etc. Preferably, the first substrate 32 is delimited by substantially rectilinear edges. In particular, the first substrate 32 comprises two longitudinal edges 38, opposite and substantially parallel to each other, and a first 40 and a second 41 transverse edges. The first 40 and second 41 transverse edges are substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal edges 38.

[0035] Preferably, the first substrate 32 further comprises two opposite oblique edges 42, 43, each oblique edge joining the end of one of the first 40 and second 41 transverse edges with one of the longitudinal edges 38.

[0036] The first substrate 32 comprises a through cutout 44, which connects the first 34 and second 36 faces. In the embodiment shown, the cutout 44 is formed in the first transverse edge 40 and has an open contour 46, substantially U-shaped. The first electrical device 26 is fixed close to said contour 46 of the cutout 44.

[0037] More precisely, in the embodiment shown, the first substrate 32 comprises two tabs 48, 50 extending to the first transverse edge 40, on either side of the cutout 44.

[0038] The first printed circuit 22 further comprises electronic components 52, 54 fixed on the first 34 and / or on the second 36 face of the first substrate 32. In particular, in the embodiment shown, the first printed circuit 22 comprises a processor 52, fixed on the first face 34, close to the contour 46 of the cutout 44.

[0039] In the embodiment shown, the first printed circuit 22 further comprises a heat-dissipating coating 56, partially covering the first 34 and / or the second 36 face of the first substrate 32. In particular, in the embodiment shown, the heat-dissipating coating 56 is arranged on at least one of the legs 48, 50 of the first substrate 32. Preferably, the heat-dissipating coating 56 is also arranged near the longitudinal edges 38 and the second transverse edge 4L.

[0040] The second printed circuit 24 will now be described. The second printed circuit 24 comprises a second substrate 60, said second substrate comprising a first 62 and a second 64 opposite and substantially planar faces.

[0041] The light source 14 is fixed on the first face 62 of the second substrate 60. The second electrical device 28 is fixed on the second face 64 of the second substrate 60.

[0042] The first face 34 of the first substrate 32 and the second face 64 of the second substrate 60 are arranged opposite each other and define the non-zero distance 30 between the first 22 and second 24 printed circuits.

[0043] As will be detailed below, the second electrical device 28 is arranged opposite the cutout 44 of the first substrate 32.

[0044] The electrical connector 18 will now be described.

[0045] The electrical connector 18 is configured to be connected simultaneously to the first 26 and second 28 electrical devices. In particular, the electrical connector 18 is arranged in the cutout 44 of the first substrate, so as to be simultaneously connected to the first 26 and second 28 electrical devices.

[0046] In the embodiment shown, the electrical connector 18 comprises: a body 66; and a first 68 and a second 70 connection element. Preferably, the electrical connector 18 further comprises at least a first 72 and a second 73, 74 electrical cable.

[0047] The body 66 is formed from an electrically insulating material such as one or more plastic materials.

[0048] The body 66 extends along a connection axis 76, between a first and a second opposite end.

[0049] Each of the first 68 and second 70 connection elements forms a projection along the connection axis 76 relative to the first end of the body 66. The first 68 and second 70 connection elements are spaced apart from each other perpendicular to the connection axis 76.

[0050] The first connection element 68 and the first electrical device 26 are capable of being assembled by translation along the connection axis 76 and perpendicular to the second face 36 of the first substrate 32. Similarly, the second connection element 70 and the second electrical device 28 are capable of being assembled by translation along the connection axis 76 and perpendicular to the second face 64 of the second substrate 60.

[0051] Along the connection axis 76, a length of the second connection element 70 is greater than a length of the first connection element 68. Said lengths of the connection elements 68, 70 are configured as a function of the distance 30 between the first 22 and second 24 printed circuits, so as to ensure a simultaneous connection between the first connection element 68 and the first electrical device 26, and between the second connection element 70 and the second electrical device 28. The second connection element 70 is then received in the cutout 44 of the first substrate 32, as seen in [Fig.3].

[0052] The envelope 16, not shown in Figures 3 and 4, will now be described.

[0053] In the embodiment shown, the envelope 16 is formed from different assembled elements. In particular, in the embodiment shown, the envelope 16 comprises: an intermediate element 80; and a first 82 and a second 84 end element.

[0054] The intermediate element 80 is arranged between the first 22 and second 24 printed circuits, so as to maintain the distance 30 non-zero between said first and second printed circuits.

[0055] In the embodiment shown, the intermediate element 80 notably comprises a plate 86 arranged substantially parallel to the first 32 and second 60 substrates, between said substrates. In the embodiment shown, the intermediate element 80 further comprises a first opening 88, configured to accommodate the optical lens 12, and a second opening 90 arranged opposite the cutout 44 of the first substrate 32. The first 88 and second 90 openings are arranged on either side of the plate 86.

[0056] The first end element 82 is assembled to the intermediate element 80, the first printed circuit 22 being arranged between said intermediate element 80 and said first end element 82.

[0057] The first end element 82 comprises a frame 92 and a bottom 94. The frame comprises an imprint 96 of a shape complementary to the edges 38, 40, 41, 42, 43 of the first printed circuit 22.

[0058] The bottom 94 of the first end element 82 comprises a third opening 98 arranged opposite the cutout 44 of the first printed circuit 22.

[0059] The second end element 84 is assembled to the intermediate element 80, the second printed circuit 24 being disposed between said intermediate element 80 and said second end element 84.

[0060] The second end element 84 comprises a partition 100 formed of a material capable of blocking visible light and allowing infrared light to pass through. Said partition 100 is arranged opposite the optical lens 12 and the light source 14.

[0061] In the embodiment shown, the camera 10 further comprises a light deflector 102, arranged around the light source 14, between the partition 100 and the second printed circuit 24. Preferably, the light deflector 102 is fixed to the second printed circuit 24.

[0062] A method of mounting the control camera 10 will now be described.

[0063] The first printed circuit 22 is assembled to the first end element 82 of the envelope 16. During this assembly, the edges 38, 40, 41, 42, 43 of the first circuit printed 22 are received in the imprint 96 of the first end element. In particular, the shape of the imprint 96, matching the oblique edges 42, 43, makes it possible to correctly orient the faces 34, 36 of the first substrate 32 relative to the first end element 82.

[0064] Next, the intermediate element 80 is assembled to the first end element 82 and to the first printed circuit 22, the optical lens 12 being inserted into the first opening 88 of said intermediate element 80.

[0065] The second printed circuit 24 is then assembled to the intermediate element 80, the plate 86 of said intermediate element being interposed between the first 22 and second 24 printed circuits. The light source 14, carried by the second printed circuit 24, is oriented opposite said plate 86.

[0066] The second end element 84 is then assembled to the intermediate element 80, so that the partition 100 is located opposite the optical lens 12 and the light source 14.

[0067] The connector 18 is then introduced into the third opening 98 of the bottom 94 of the first end element 82, by translation along the connection axis 76 and perpendicular to the first 22 and second 24 printed circuits. Said introduction allows the second connection element 70 to pass through the cutout 44 of the first printed circuit 22 and the second opening 90 of the intermediate element 80. This results in the simultaneous connection of the first 68 and second 70 connection elements of the connector 18, respectively with the first 26 and second 28 electrical devices.

[0068] The control camera 10, described above, is thus obtained.

[0069] During operation of said camera, the legs 48, 50 of the first substrate 32, at least partially covered with heat sink coating 56, make it possible to dissipate the operating heat of said camera. In particular, the operating heat of the processor 52, arranged close to the cutout 44 and the legs 48, 50, is thus dissipated.

Claims

Claims

1. A control camera (10), comprising: an optical sensor (20); a light source (14); a first (22) and a second (24) printed circuit, fixed respectively to the optical sensor and to the light source; a first electrical device (26), fixed on the first printed circuit (22) and electrically connected to the optical sensor (20); a second electrical device (28), fixed on the second printed circuit (24) and electrically connected to the light source (14); an envelope (16) assembled to the first and second printed circuits; and an electrical connector (18); the first (22) and second (24) printed circuits being arranged substantially parallel to each other and substantially opposite each other; and being separated by a non-zero distance (30); the control camera being characterized in that: the first printed circuit (22) comprises a through-cutout (44);and the electrical connector (18) is disposed in said cutout (44) so as to be simultaneously connected to the first (26) and the second (28) electrical devices.;

2. The monitoring camera (10) of claim 1, wherein: the electrical connector comprises first (68) and second (70) connection elements; the first connection element (68) is connected to the first electrical device (26); and the second connection element (70) is disposed in the through-cutout (44) and connected to the second electrical device (28).

3. Control camera (10) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the through cutout (44) has an open contour (46) on an edge (40) of the first printed circuit (22).

4. Control camera (10) according to claim 3, in which the first printed circuit (22) comprises two legs (48, 50) arranged on either side of the through cutout (44), at least one of said two legs comprising a heat-dissipating coating (56).

5. Control camera (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the casing (16) comprises an intermediate element (80) arranged between the first (22) and second (24) printed circuits, so as to maintain the distance (30) non-zero between said first and second printed circuits.

6. A monitoring camera according to claim 5 taken in combination with claim 3, wherein the envelope further comprises a first end element (82) assembled to the intermediate element (80), said first end element comprising a frame and a bottom, the frame comprising an imprint (96) receiving the edge (40) of the first printed circuit (22), the bottom comprising an opening (98) arranged opposite the cutout (44) of said first printed circuit.

7. A monitoring camera according to claim 6, wherein the housing further comprises a second end member (84), the intermediate member (80) being disposed between the first (82) and second end members.

8. A control camera according to claim 7, wherein the second end element (84) comprises a partition (100) formed of a material capable of blocking visible light and allowing infrared light to pass through, said partition being arranged opposite the optical sensor (20) and the light source (14).

9. Method for mounting a control camera (10) according to one of claims 6 to 8 taken in combination with claim 2, the method comprising the following steps: assembling the first printed circuit (22) with the first end element (82), the edge (40) of said first printed circuit being received in the imprint (96) of said first end element; then assembling the intermediate element (80) with the first end element (82); then assembling the second printed circuit (24) with the intermediate element; then introducing the connector (18) into the opening (98) in the bottom of the first end element and simultaneously connecting the first (68) and second (70) connection elements, respectively with the first (26) and second (28) electrical devices.

10. A mounting method according to claim 9 taken in combination with claim 7 or 8, the method further comprising a step of assembling the second end element (84) to the intermediate element (80), prior to the step of introducing the connector (18) into the opening (98).

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