Automotive camera with improved housing alignment

Abstract

To improve the alignment of housing parts of an automotive camera with respect to each other.SOLUTION: An automotive camera 2 comprises: a first housing part 5; a lens unit 4 connected to the first housing part at a lens opening 10 of the first housing part; and a second housing part 8 connected to the first housing part at a flange 6 of the first housing part. The flange surrounds the lens opening to form a step structure 9 comprising four side faces 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, which are oriented away from the lens opening. The second housing part 8 is in contact with the first side face 11a of the four side faces, and is in contact with the second side face 11b of the four side faces, which is perpendicular to the first side face.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automotive camera comprising a first housing part, a lens unit connected to the first housing part at a lens opening of the first housing part, a second housing part connected to the first housing part in such a manner that an interior of the housing is formed, and a circuit board disposed inside the housing. In the automotive camera, the second housing part is connected to the first housing part at a flange of the first housing part. The flange surrounds the lens opening in such a manner that a stepped structure surrounding the lens opening is formed on an outer contour of the first housing part. The stepped structure comprises four side surfaces oriented away from the lens opening. The present invention further relates to an automobile and a method for manufacturing an automotive camera.

Background Art

[0002] A camera designed to be disposed in an automobile may be referred to as an automotive camera. Automotive cameras that image the external environment of an automobile are used for various driver assistance functions and other functions for partial or full autonomous driving of an automobile. However, automotive cameras may also be employed to capture the interior of a vehicle and may be disposed accordingly. Thus, automotive cameras may be exposed to large temperature fluctuations and / or other environmental conditions. Further, automotive cameras are also exposed to mechanical stress caused by vibrations during vehicle travel. Therefore, automotive cameras for automobiles must be designed to operate as desired under the above conditions and achieve a sufficiently good image quality. And the images may be provided to a driver assistance system or other electronic vehicle guidance systems. These systems may use the images as an input for driver assistance or at least partially for automatically guiding the vehicle.

[0003] The alignment of the first and second housing sections of the aforementioned automotive camera will be important for a highly reproducible and robust connection process for connecting the first and second housing sections to each other. [Overview of the project]

[0004] The objective of this invention is to improve the alignment between the housing parts of an automotive camera.

[0005] This objective is achieved by the subject matter of each independent claim. Further embodiments and preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0006] The present invention is based on the idea of ​​designing the first and second housing sections such that lateral contact occurs between the inner surface of the second housing section and the two vertical sides of the stepped structure surrounding the lens opening of the first housing section. In this way, tolerances on the remaining two sides of the stepped structure are still acceptable, while precise alignment of the two housing sections is achieved during manufacturing or when connecting the housing sections to each other.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, an automotive camera is provided. The automotive camera comprises a first housing portion and a lens unit connected to the first housing portion at the lens aperture of the first housing portion. The automotive camera also comprises a second housing portion connected to the first housing portion in a manner that an interior housing is formed. The automotive camera comprises a circuit board having, for example, an imaging chip, and the circuit board is disposed inside the housing. The second housing portion is connected to the first housing portion at the flange of the first housing portion, and the flange surrounds the lens aperture in a manner that a stepped structure surrounding the lens aperture is formed on the outer contour of the first housing portion. The stepped structure has four sides oriented away from the lens aperture, that is, facing outward. The second housing portion contacts the first side of the four sides. The second housing portion also contacts the second side of the four sides. In particular, the inner surface of the second housing portion facing the assembly space contacts the first and second sides. Here, the first side is perpendicular to the second side.

[0008] The interior of the housing can be understood as a housing formed by the combination of a first housing section and a second housing section. The first and second housing sections may form, for example, the housing body of an automotive camera. The first housing section may also be referred to as the front housing body or lens holder body. The lens unit may comprise a lens housing and one or more lenses within the lens housing. To fasten the lens unit to the first housing section, the lens housing is connected to the first housing section, for example, by screw connections, for example, by using the male threads of the lens housing and the female threads of the first housing section, or vice versa. The second housing section may also be referred to as the rear housing body.

[0009] A lens unit, i.e., one or more lenses, has an optical axis. The optical axis is, in particular, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lens aperture. As a result, the flange surface can be perpendicular to the optical axis, and the four sides are parallel to the optical axis, as well as to the inner surfaces of the second housing portion that contact the first and second sides.

[0010] Specifically, the flanges extend radially with respect to the optical axis or the longitudinal axis of the lens aperture. Hereinafter, radial and axial directions refer to the optical axis or the longitudinal axis of the lens aperture, respectively, unless otherwise specified.

[0011] In other words, since the flange extends perpendicular to the optical axis, the flange surface of the flange facing the second housing is also perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0012] The basic shape of a stepped structure is, in particular, a rectangle or a square. In other words, the first and second sides are adjacent sides and are perpendicular to each other. Similarly, the third and fourth sides of the four sides are two further adjacent sides and are perpendicular to each other. Here, the third side may be parallel to the first side, for example, and the fourth side may be parallel to the second side.

[0013] It should be noted that the sides do not necessarily have to be perfectly flat. Specifically, they may or may not have one or more protrusions, ribs, etc. In this example, the protrusions or ribs may, for example, contact the second housing portion and be considered as part of each side.

[0014] The stepped structure may be formed, for example, by a flange surface and four sides perpendicular to the flange surface, or may consist of these.

[0015] The first housing portion and the second housing portion can be connected to each other, for example, by welding, for example, by laser welding, particularly at the flange or flange surface.

[0016] Specifically, the surface of the second housing portion perpendicular to the inner surface of the second housing portion, and facing the first housing portion, can contact the flange surface and can be laser-welded to the flange surface.

[0017] Since the first and second sides contact the second housing and are perpendicular to each other, a unique alignment of the first and second housings relative to each other in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis can be achieved during the assembly of the automotive camera. Specifically, the flange surfaces can be brought into contact with the second and first housings before connecting the first and second housings. The first and second housings can then be shifted relative to each other in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis until contact between the first and second sides and the second housing is established. Subsequently, the first and second housings can be connected to each other, for example, by laser welding.

[0018] In this way, uncertainty in the relative positioning of the housing sections in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis can be minimized. This provides the advantage that the outer surface of the camera body formed by the first and second housing sections can be manufactured without steps or protrusions in the connection area due to incorrect alignment. In particular, by achieving repeatability with little to no offset between the housing sections in this way, the quality of laser welding or other connection processes can be improved. As a result, the results of the connection process become more repeatable and reliable.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the automotive camera, a gap exists between the second housing portion, specifically the inner surface of the second housing portion, and the third of the four sides. A further gap exists between the second housing portion, specifically the inner surface of the second housing portion, and the fourth of the four sides, where the fourth side is perpendicular to the third side.

[0020] The gap may also be referred to as the lateral distance or the space between the parts. In particular, the presence of the gap allows for a certain tolerance to be obtained when manufacturing the first and second housing parts before they are connected to each other as described above. In other words, since there is no space between the first side surface and the second housing part, and there is no space between the second housing part and the second side surface, the tolerance in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis can be absorbed by the gap between the second housing part and the third side surface, and the gap between the second housing part and the fourth side surface, respectively.

[0021] According to some embodiments, the first wall thickness of the first housing portion between the first side surface and the lens opening is greater than the third wall thickness of the first housing portion between the third side surface and the lens opening.

[0022] The first wall thickness corresponds to the distance between the inside of the lens aperture and the contact area between the first side and the second housing. The same applies to the third wall thickness. Therefore, the third wall thickness is given by the distance between the inside of the lens aperture and the gap.

[0023] In other words, the distance between the optical axis and the contact area between the first side surface and the second housing is greater than the distance between the optical axis and the gap on the third side surface.

[0024] The same also applies to other aspects in a similar manner. In particular, the first wall thickness may be greater than the fourth wall thickness of the first housing portion between the fourth side surface and the lens opening, and / or the second wall thickness of the first housing portion between the second side surface and the lens opening may be greater than the third wall thickness, and / or the second wall thickness may be greater than the fourth wall thickness.

[0025] The difference between each wall thickness may be, for example, less than 1 millimeter, may be, for example, less than 0.5 millimeter, and may be, for example, less than 0.2 millimeter.

[0026] In other words, when viewed from a direction parallel to the optical axis, the stepped structure surrounding the lens opening is not exactly coaxially aligned with the lens opening. In this way, the first side surface and the second side surface contact the second housing portion, and it can be achieved that the gaps and further gaps are realized as described above, while at the same time, the outer dimensions of the housing body after connecting the first housing portion and the second housing portion can still be symmetrical.

[0027] According to some embodiments, the first side surface has a flat surface, and / or the second side surface has a flat surface. Also, the third side surface and / or the fourth side surface may, for example, each have a flat surface.

[0028] In particular, the flat surface can be understood as having no ribs or protrusions in the radial direction, or grooves in the radial direction, on each side surface.

[0029] As a result, the contact area between the second housing portion and the first side surface, as well as the contact area between the second housing portion and the second side surface, can be very large. Furthermore, in this way, the undercut in the stepped structure can be avoided, so that the first housing portion can be manufactured very simply, for example, by an extrusion process or an injection molding process. Therefore, machining steps such as milling can be avoided.

[0030] <照 According to an alternative embodiment, the step structure comprises a first convex feature on the first side surface, and the second housing part contacts the first side surface and the first convex feature. Alternatively or additionally, the step structure comprises a second convex feature on the second side surface, and the second housing part contacts the second side surface and the second convex feature.

[0031] In other words, the second housing part contacts the first convex feature and / or the second convex feature.

[0032] The convex feature can also be referred to as, for example, a rib. And the convex feature does not necessarily need to extend along the entire side surface.

[0033] The convex feature has the advantage that it can facilitate handling during assembly because it can be easily visually recognized by manufacturing staff.

[0034] According to some embodiments, the first housing part and the second housing part are connected to each other by laser welding, particularly in the contact area between the flange or the contact surface of the second housing part corresponding to the flange surface.

[0035] As a result, the automotive camera has a welding seam that circumferentially surrounds the optical axis and the lens aperture at the position where the second housing part is connected to the first housing part.

[0036] According to some embodiments, the first housing part is made of metal, and the second housing part is made of metal or additional metal.

[0037] The metal and / or additional metal can be, for example, aluminum, magnesium, steel, or other metal alloys.

[0038] In other embodiments, the first housing part comprises a first metal part with the flange, and the second housing part comprises a second metal part connected to the flange.

[0039] The metal parts and further metal parts may include, or be derived from, aluminum, magnesium, steel, or other metal alloys, for example.

[0040] A further aspect of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an automotive camera, and more particularly, an automotive camera according to the present invention.

[0041] According to some embodiments of the present method, a first housing portion having a lens opening for mounting the lens unit of the automotive camera and a second housing portion are connected to each other at the flange of the first housing portion in a manner that the interior of the housing is formed. The flange surrounds the lens opening in a manner that a stepped structure surrounding the lens opening is formed on the outer contour of the first housing portion, and the stepped structure has four sides oriented away from the lens opening. According to the present method, before connecting the second housing portion to the first housing portion, the second housing portion is brought into contact with the first side of the four sides, and the second housing portion is brought into contact with the second side of the four sides, where the second side is perpendicular to the first side.

[0042] The inside of the housing is formed in particular to accommodate the circuit board of the automotive camera inside the housing. In some embodiments of this method, the circuit board is located inside the housing.

[0043] In other words, immediately after bringing the second housing portion, specifically the inner surface of the second housing portion, into contact with the first and second sides, the first housing portion is connected to the second housing portion, for example, by laser welding.

[0044] According to some embodiments of this method, the first housing portion and the second housing portion are moved relative to the first and second sides, specifically in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens unit, with respect to the first and second sides, for the purpose of bringing the second housing portion into contact with the first and second sides.

[0045] The lens unit may be fastened to the first housing portion at the lens opening, for example by a screw connection, before or after connecting the first housing portion to the second housing portion.

[0046] In some embodiments, the first and second housing portions are positioned relative to each other, with the fourth side perpendicular to the third side, such that a gap exists between the second housing portion and the third side of the four sides, and a further gap exists between the second housing portion and the fourth side of the four sides.

[0047] In particular, as described above, when the second housing portion is brought into contact with the first and second sides, the gap and any further gaps are maintained. This can occur automatically, especially at the moment the second housing portion comes into contact with the first and second sides.

[0048] According to some embodiments, the first housing portion and the second housing portion are connected to each other by laser welding.

[0049] In particular, the weld contour is provided by the contact area between the first housing portion and the second housing portion. The laser welding process may be initiated, for example, at a position where the first or second side surface is in contact with the second housing portion. The laser for laser welding may then be guided along the weld contour until it reaches the starting point again. The laser may then be further guided in such a manner that a weld overlap area is formed in which the corresponding material portions of the first housing portion and the second housing portion are welded twice.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the weld overlap region is present throughout the area where the first or second side surface is in contact with the second housing portion.

[0051] In particular, in embodiments in which contact between each side and the second housing is established by corresponding protrusions or ribs on each side, the laser welding overlap region is present throughout the region defined by the corresponding protrusion structure.

[0052] As a result, the weld overlap region is located in an area with a large wall thickness. This is beneficial for the welding process and the stability of the housing body.

[0053] In particular, in some embodiments, the first wall thickness of the first housing portion between the first side surface and the lens opening is greater than the third wall thickness of the first housing portion between the side surface and the lens opening, the laser welding is performed along the contour of the flange, and the first wall thickness is present in the welding overlap region.

[0054] In particular, the thickness of the first wall is greater than the thicknesses of the third and fourth walls.

[0055] Alternatively, the second wall thickness of the first housing portion between the second side surface and the lens opening is greater than the third and / or fourth wall thickness, and the laser welding is performed along the contour of the flange in an embodiment where the second wall thickness is located in the welding overlap region.

[0056] According to some embodiments, the first housing portion is manufactured by an extrusion process or by a molding process, such as an injection molding process.

[0057] In this embodiment, the first and second side surfaces are manufactured as flat surfaces without any protruding structures. Therefore, post-machining processing steps such as milling can be avoided.

[0058] Further embodiments of the method for manufacturing an automotive camera according to the present invention can be directly derived from the various embodiments of the automotive camera according to the present invention, and vice versa. In particular, individual features and / or descriptions relating to the various embodiments of the automotive camera according to the present invention can be similarly applied to each embodiment of the method according to the present invention, and vice versa.

[0059] A further aspect of the present invention provides an automobile equipped with an automobile camera or a camera system according to the present invention.

[0060] Further features of the present invention are evident from the claims, drawings, and description of the drawings. The features and combinations of features described herein, as well as the features and combinations of features described in the description of the drawings, and / or the features shown in the drawings, may be included in the present invention not only in the individual combinations described, but also in other combinations. In particular, embodiments and combinations of features that do not have all of the features of the initially formulated claims are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, embodiments and combinations of features that exceed or deviate from the combinations of features described in the claims are also included in the present invention.

[0061] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific exemplary embodiments and their respective schematic drawings. In the drawings, identical or functionally identical elements may be indicated by the same reference numerals. Descriptions of identical or functionally identical elements are not necessarily repeated for different drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0062] [Figure 1] Figure 1 schematically shows an automobile having an exemplary embodiment of the automotive camera according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 schematically shows exploded side view and exploded perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of the automotive camera according to the present invention. [Figure 3]Figure 3 schematically shows a perspective view of the first housing portion of a further exemplary embodiment of an automotive camera according to the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 schematically shows a top view of the first housing section of Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 schematically shows the top view of the first housing section of the automotive camera in Figure 3, and the corresponding cutout diagram of the second housing section. [Figure 6] Figure 6 schematically shows a perspective view of the first housing portion of a further exemplary embodiment of an automotive camera according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0063] Figure 1 shows a top view of an automobile 1 equipped with at least one automobile camera 2, for example, a front camera, a side camera, and / or a rear camera, which are implemented according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Here, the automobile 1 is formed as a passenger car. The automobile 1 may include, for example, a control unit 3 that controls the automobile camera 2 and / or receives camera images from the automobile camera 2.

[0064] In the illustrated example, the automobile 1 is equipped with four automotive cameras 2 distributed around the automobile 1. One of the automotive cameras 2 is positioned in the rear area, one of the automotive cameras 2 is positioned in the front area of ​​the automobile 1, and the remaining two automotive cameras 2 are each positioned in the lateral area, specifically near the side mirrors. However, the number and arrangement of the automotive cameras 2 may differ in other examples. Alternatively or additionally, one or more automotive cameras according to the present invention may be arranged to capture the interior space or passenger compartment of the automobile 1.

[0065] The automotive camera 2 is installed in particular on each individual automotive part. The automotive part may be, for example, a bumper, or an exterior mirror, or a side trim. The automotive part may also be a headliner, or an interior rim, or a steering wheel center cover, or an interior mirror. The automotive parts described above should be considered only as non-limiting examples.

[0066] In one embodiment, the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1 may be captured by the vehicle camera 2. Specifically, the vehicle camera 2 may provide an image sequence or video data representing the surrounding environment. The video data may be transmitted from the camera 2 to the control unit 3. The control unit 3 may control the vehicle's display device (not shown) so that the video data from the camera 2 can be displayed to the user of the vehicle 1. Thus, the electronic vehicle guidance system may operate as a driver assistance system to assist the driver of the vehicle 1 during its operation. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit 3 may process the video data and generate at least one control signal for each of the one or more actuators (not shown) of the vehicle 1. The actuators may automatically or partially automatically control the vehicle 1 based on the control signals.

[0067] Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view (left) and a corresponding exploded side view (right) of an exemplary embodiment of the automotive camera 2 according to the present invention. The automotive camera 2 may be used in an automobile 1 or, for example, in the corresponding electronic vehicle guidance system described in Figure 1.

[0068] The automotive camera 2 comprises a housing that includes a first housing section, specifically a lens holder body 5, and a second housing section, specifically a rear housing body 8. The rear housing body 8 is connected to the lens holder body 5 in such a manner that an assembly space or the interior of the housing is formed within the area surrounded by the combination of the rear housing body 8 and the lens holder body 5.

[0069] The automotive camera 2 further comprises a lens unit 4 having a lens housing. The lens unit 4 is mounted on a lens holder body 5 on the opposite side of the rear housing body 8 and assembly space. In particular, the lens housing may have male threads, and the lens holder body 5 may have female threads. The lens holder body 5 may be fastened to the lens housing by female threads. In an alternative embodiment, the lens holder body 5 may have female threads, and the lens housing may have female threads that connect to the male threads of the lens holder body 5.

[0070] For example, the lens housing may be a hollow shaft having, for example, a substantially cylindrical internal shape, comprising one or more optical lenses of the lens unit 4 and an automotive camera 2, respectively. The optical axis of the lens is, in particular, parallel to or identical to the longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft. Thus, the longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft can be considered as the longitudinal axis of the lens unit 4 and the longitudinal direction of the camera 2, respectively. Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, it will be referred to as the longitudinal axis. For example, a male screw may be located on the outer surface of the hollow shaft.

[0071] The lens holder body 5 may include a lens aperture 10 formed by a through-hole. The lens aperture 10 is aligned with the hollow axis of the lens housing, allowing light entering the automotive camera 2 through the lens and lens housing via the hollow axis and through-hole to enter the assembly space. The circuit board 7 of the automotive camera 2 may be located within the assembly space. The circuit board 7 has an imaging chip (not shown) for the automotive camera 2 and is aligned with the hollow shaft, through-hole, and optical axis and longitudinal axis, respectively. Therefore, light entering the automotive camera 2 and entering the assembly space through the hollow shaft and through-hole may strike the active optical surface of the imaging chip. The imaging chip generates imaging signals that can be transmitted to the control unit 3 via an aperture in the rear housing body 8 and a corresponding cable connection (not shown) or wireless connection. Alternatively, the circuit board 7 may include pre-processing circuits such as a digital signal processor, DSP, microcontroller, graphics processing unit, GPU, etc., to pre-process the imaging signals and provide the pre-processed imaging signals to the control unit. Next, the control unit 3 can generate video data according to the imaging signal or the pre-processed imaging signal, respectively.

[0072] According to the present invention, the rear housing body 8 is connected to the lens holder body 5 at the flange 6 of the lens holder body 5. The flange 6 surrounds the lens opening 10 in an embodiment in which a stepped structure 9, specifically a right-angled stepped structure 9, is formed on the outer contour of the lens holder body 5. Specifically, the stepped structure 9 is formed by combining a flange surface of the flange 6 that is perpendicular to the optical axis and faces the rear housing body 8, and four side surfaces 11a, 11b, 12a, and 12b that are oriented away from the lens opening 10, parallel to the optical axis, and therefore perpendicular to the flange surface.

[0073] When the automotive camera 2 is assembled, the rear housing body 8, specifically the inner surface of the rear housing body 8, is in contact with the first side surface 11a of the four sides 11a, 11b, 12a, and 12b, and with the second side surface 11b, which is perpendicular to the first side surface 11a of the four sides 11a, 11b, 12a, and 12b. In particular, the rear housing body 8 is not in contact with the remaining two sides 12a and 12b. In other words, there are gaps 14a, 14b or spaces between them, as shown, for example in Figure 5, between the rear housing body 8 and the sides 12a and 12b.

[0074] Figure 3 schematically shows a perspective view of the lens holder body 5 of a further exemplary embodiment of the automotive camera 2. Here, the stepped structure 9 comprises a first convex feature 13a on the first side surface 11a and a second convex feature 13b on the second side surface 11b. A corresponding top view is shown in Figure 4. The convex features 13a and 13b can be considered as ribs extending toward the inner surface of the rear housing body 8. In particular, the rear housing body 8 is in contact with the first convex feature 13a and the second convex feature 13b, as can be seen from the further top view 5. In contrast, gaps 14a and 14b exist between the rear housing body 8 and the third side surface 11a, and between the rear housing body 8 and the fourth side surface 11b.

[0075] In an alternative embodiment schematically shown in Figure 6 in a perspective view of the lens holder body 5 of a further exemplary embodiment of the automotive camera 2, the stepped structure 9 does not have convex features 13a, 13b, but the first side surface 11a and the second side surface 11b each have flat surfaces. Nevertheless, the wall thickness D between the lens opening 10 and the first side surface 11a, and between the lens opening 10 and the second side surface 11b, are greater than the wall thickness between the lens opening 10 and the third side surface 12a, and between the lens opening 10 and the fourth side surface 12b, respectively. In other words, the width of the flange 6 is smaller on the first side surface 11a and the second side surface 11b compared to the thickness of the flange 6 on the third side surface 12a and the fourth side surface 12b. Therefore, in these embodiments as well, the rear housing body 8 is in contact with the first side surface 11a and the second side surface 11b, while gaps 14a and 14b exist between the third side surface 12a and the rear housing body 8, and between the fourth side surface 12b and the rear housing body 8, respectively.

[0076] During manufacturing, a gripper may be used to press the rear housing body 8 to contact the convex features 13a, 13b of the lens holder body 5 in embodiments such as those shown in Figures 3-5, or to contact the positioning sides 11a, 11b in embodiments such as that shown in Figure 6. This helps to position the rear housing body 8 relative to the lens holder body 5. The sides 11a, 11b, or the convex features 13a, 13b, if present, may also be used as laser welding overlap areas. Laser welding overlap areas can be understood as areas where a laser welds over already welded portions. These are typically vulnerable areas in the process, and it may be beneficial to have locally increased wall thickness to prevent material ejection.

[0077] The fit between the outer surface of the rear housing body and the outer surface of the lens holder body can be an important factor with respect to laser welding. According to the present invention, the rear housing and the lens holder body can be positioned more precisely. This reduces variations in fit. The corresponding features can also be utilized, for example, in the laser welding process.

Claims

1. A car camera (2) comprising a first housing part (5), a lens unit (4) connected to said first housing part (5) at a lens opening (10) of said first housing part (5), a second housing part (8) connected to said first housing part (5) in such a way that a housing interior is formed, and a circuit board (7) arranged inside said housing, the second housing part (8) is connected to the first housing part (5) at a flange (6) of the first housing part (5), the flange (6) surrounding the lens opening (10) in such a way that a stepped structure (9) surrounding the lens opening (10) is formed on the outer contour of the first housing part (5), the stepped structure (9) having four side surfaces (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b) oriented away from the lens opening (10); In a car camera (2), the second housing part (8) is in contact with a first side surface (11a) of the four side surfaces (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b), and the second housing part (8) is in contact with a second side surface (11b) of the four side surfaces (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b) that is perpendicular to the first side surface (11a); - the step structure (9) comprises a first convex feature (13a) on the first side surface (11a), and the second housing part (8) contacts the first side surface (11a) at the first convex feature (13a), and / or - the step structure (9) comprises a second convex feature (13b) on the second side surface (11b), and the second housing part (8) contacts the second side surface (11b) at the second convex feature (13b); A camera for a car (2).

2. a gap (14a) exists between the second housing part (8) and a third side surface (12a) of the four side surfaces (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b), and a further gap (14b) exists between the second housing part (8) and a fourth side surface (12b) of the four side surfaces (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b) that is perpendicular to the third side surface (12a); 2. A camera (2) for a motor vehicle according to claim 1.

3. a first wall thickness (D) of the first housing part (5) between the first side surface (11a) and the lens opening (10) is greater than a third wall thickness (d) of the first housing part (5) between the third side surface (12a) and the lens opening (10); and / or - said first wall thickness (D) is greater than the fourth wall thickness (d) of said first housing part (5) between said fourth side surface (12b) and said lens opening (10); and / or the second wall thickness (D) of the first housing part (5) between the second side surface (11a) and the lens opening (10) is greater than the third wall thickness (d), and / or - said second wall thickness (D) is greater than said fourth wall thickness (d); 3. A camera (2) for a motor vehicle according to claim 2.

4. The first side (11a) has a flat surface, and / or the second side (11b) has a flat surface.

2. A camera (2) for a motor vehicle according to claim 1.

5. The first housing part (5) and the second housing part (8) are connected to each other by laser welding.

2. A camera (2) for a motor vehicle according to claim 1.

6. - the first housing part (5) and the second housing part (8) are each made of metal, or - said first housing part (5) comprises a first metal part comprising said flange (6) and said second housing part (8) comprises a second metal part connected to said flange (6); 2. A camera (2) for a motor vehicle according to claim 1.

7. A motor vehicle (1) equipped with a motor vehicle camera (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A method for manufacturing a car camera (2), comprising the steps of: a first housing part (5) with a lens opening (10) for mounting a lens unit (4) of the car camera and a second housing part (8) are connected to each other at a flange (6) of the first housing part (5) in such a way that a housing interior is formed; - the flange (6) surrounds the lens opening (10) in such a way that a step structure (9) surrounding the lens opening (10) is formed on the outer contour of the first housing part (5), the step structure (9) having four side surfaces (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b) oriented away from the lens opening (10); In the method, - before connecting the second housing part (8) to the first housing part (5), the second housing part (8) is brought into contact with a first side surface (11a) of the four side surfaces (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b) and the second housing part (8) is brought into contact with a second side surface (11b) of the four side surfaces (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b) that is perpendicular to the first side surface (11a); A method characterized by:

9. moving the first housing part (5) and the second housing part (8) relative to each other in a plane perpendicular to the first side surface (11a) and the second side surface (11b) so that the second housing part (8) contacts the first side surface (11a) and the second side surface (11b); The method of claim 8.

10. the first housing part (5) and the second housing part (8) are arranged relative to each other in such a manner that a gap (14a) exists between the second housing part (8) and a third side (12a) of the four side surfaces (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b), and a further gap (14b) exists between the second housing part (8) and a fourth side (12b) of the four side surfaces (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b) that is perpendicular to the third side surface (12a); 9. The method of claim 8.

11. The first housing part (5) and the second housing part (8) are connected to each other by laser welding.

9. The method of claim 8.

12. a first wall thickness of the first housing part (5) between the first side surface (11 a) and the lens opening (10) is greater than a third wall thickness of the first housing part (5) between the third side surface (12 a) and the lens opening (10); - the laser welding is performed along the contour of the flange (6) and the first wall thickness is present in the weld overlap area; 12. The method of claim 11 .

13. the first housing part is made by an extrusion process or by a molding process; 13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12.

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