Rear case for on-vehicle camera, and case for on-vehicle camera
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023117313
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-30
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-07-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing in-vehicle camera cases with connector modules face issues of deformation and damage due to heat, particularly in components made of resin and rubber, leading to defective products.
The rear case for in-vehicle cameras is designed with a configuration that allows for fixed connection of the connector module using boss members and tightening, avoiding heat-induced deformation by using a method that does not involve welding, and includes features like flange receivers and side bosses to maintain structural strength.
This design reduces the frequency of defective products during manufacturing while maintaining the structural integrity of the in-vehicle camera case, ensuring effective electrical connection and waterproofing.
Smart Images

Figure 2025014612000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a rear case for an in-vehicle camera equipped with a connector module and the like, and a case for an in-vehicle camera. [Background technology]
[0002] Many vehicle-mounted camera cases are constructed by joining a front case on the front side and a rear case on the rear side, and house the vehicle-mounted camera while electrically connecting an external connector and a vehicle-mounted camera board via a connector module or the like provided in the vehicle-mounted camera case. In such vehicle-mounted camera cases provided with a connector module, a structure for fixedly connecting the vehicle-mounted camera case and the connector module is known.
[0003] Specifically, as an example of such a structure, there is known an electronic device module that includes a metal case (case for an in-vehicle camera) in which at least one boss is formed, an electronic device unit housed inside the case, a connector terminal for connecting an external device that is electrically connected to the electronic device unit and for connecting to an external device, and a metal ground shell (connector module) that is arranged to surround the connector terminal for connecting an external device, has a surface covered with a metal coating layer, and has at least one boss insertion portion formed therein that corresponds to the at least one boss of the case (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0004] In the electronic device module disclosed in Patent Document 1, the head of the boss exposed from the surface of the ground shell is heated and melted, for example by irradiating it with laser light, and welded to the coating layer located around the boss insertion portion, thereby fixedly connecting the case (case for an in-vehicle camera) and the ground shell (connector module). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6039514 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0006] However, the ground shell (connector module) is generally not made of only metal materials, but is surrounded by components made of resin or the like that are vulnerable to heat. In fact, in the example of Patent Document 1, the inner housing 20 provided around the ground shell 18 is made of resin, and the waterproof member 29 is made of rubber. In such a configuration, there is a risk that heat-sensitive components such as the ground shell 18 and the inner housing 20 may be deformed and damaged when the boss of the case is welded to the coating layer of the ground shell. As a result, defective products are produced at a certain frequency.
[0007] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide a case for an in-vehicle camera or a rear case for an in-vehicle camera that can reduce the frequency of defective products during manufacturing while maintaining the structural strength of the case for an in-vehicle camera or the rear case for an in-vehicle camera. [Means for solving the problem]
[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the rear case for an automotive camera of the present invention comprises a box-shaped rear case main body which is joined to a front case so as to face the front case, thereby forming a space for accommodating an automotive camera, and which has an insertion hole formed therein and is open on one side, a connector module which is inserted into the insertion hole and engages with the rear case main body, at least a portion of which is made of resin and protrudes to the outside of the rear case main body, and a housing which engages with the connector module and accommodates the connector module, wherein the rear case main body has a rear case top surface which faces the front case, a plurality of rear case side surfaces which are arranged vertically along the outer periphery of the rear case top surface, a boss member which protrudes vertically from the rear case top surface toward the inner surface of the rear case main body and is provided on the inner surface of the rear case top surface which engages with the connector module, and a crimping receiving portion which is provided on the outer surface of the rear case main body of the rear case top surface at a position opposite to the boss member, and the boss member is configured to be crimped while engaged with the connector module.
[0009] With this configuration, when the connector module is fixed to the rear case for vehicle-mounted cameras according to the present invention, the connector module is fixed to the rear case body not by a method that generates heat, such as welding, but by crimping the boss member that protrudes vertically toward the inner surface of the upper surface of the rear case body in a state where it is engaged with the connector module. Since the fixed connection by crimping does not generate heat, even if a part of the connector module is made of resin, the resin part will not be deformed or damaged by heat. Therefore, the frequency of defective products during the manufacturing of the rear case for vehicle-mounted cameras can be reduced.
[0010] In addition, while the crimping method applies pressure to the top surface of the rear case where the boss member is provided, the rear case for the vehicle-mounted camera according to the present invention is provided with a crimp receiving portion on the outer surface of the rear case main body on the top surface of the rear case at a position facing the boss member, so that the rear case can receive the pressure applied to the top surface of the rear case during crimping. Therefore, even when the connector module is fixedly connected to the rear case main body by crimping, the structural strength of the rear case for the vehicle-mounted camera can be maintained.
[0011] In the rear case for an in-vehicle camera having the above-mentioned configuration, the connector module may be configured to have a shell which is made of metal and is a conductor having a cylindrical portion, a terminal which is arranged inside the shell along a central axis and is capable of conducting electricity from one end side to the other end side, and an insulating insulator which is interposed between the shell and the terminal and holds the terminal.
[0012] With this configuration, the rear case for an in-vehicle camera according to the present invention has a terminal that is conductive from one end side to the other end side, so that the in-vehicle camera can be effectively electrically connected to the outside.
[0013] In the rear case for an in-vehicle camera having the above-described configuration, the shell may further have a flat flange portion having a plurality of engagement holes formed therein and engaging with the rear case main body and the housing, respectively, and when the flange portion engages with the boss member of the rear case main body, the boss member may be configured to pass through the plurality of engagement holes.
[0014] With this configuration, the rear case for an in-vehicle camera according to the present invention has a shell having a flat flange portion in which a plurality of engagement holes are formed, so that the shell can be easily engaged with the rear case body and the housing.
[0015] In the rear case for an in-vehicle camera having the above-described configuration, the shell may have an enlarged shell flange and a waterproof shell O-ring that is fitted between the shell flange and the inner surface of the housing.
[0016] With this configuration, the rear case for the vehicle-mounted camera of the present invention has a waterproof O-ring fitted between the shell flange and the inner surface of the housing, thereby preventing water from flowing into the rear case for the vehicle-mounted camera through the shell.
[0017] In the rear case for an in-vehicle camera having the above-described configuration, the rear case main body may be configured so as to have a flange receiving surface as a recess for receiving the flange portion on the inner surface of the upper surface of the rear case, and the boss member is provided on the flange receiving surface.
[0018] With this configuration, the vehicle-mounted camera rear case according to the present invention has a flange receiving surface as a recess on the inner surface of the upper surface of the rear case as a recess for receiving the flange portion, and a boss member on the flange receiving surface, so that the dimension in the height direction, which is the direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the rear case, inside the rear case body can be reduced. Therefore, even if the vehicle-mounted camera to be accommodated in the vehicle-mounted camera case is large, the vehicle-mounted camera can be accommodated in the vehicle-mounted camera case.
[0019] In the vehicle-mounted camera rear case having the above-mentioned configuration, the insertion hole may be circular and formed in the center of the top surface of the rear case.
[0020] With this configuration, the rear case for an in-vehicle camera of the present invention has an insertion hole formed in the center of the top surface of the rear case, which is ideal when it is desired to position the camera board inside the case for an in-vehicle camera connected to the connector module in a position opposite the center of the top surface of the rear case.
[0021] In the rear case for an in-vehicle camera having the above-mentioned configuration, the four sides forming the outer periphery of the top surface of the rear case may be respectively a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, the first side and the third side are opposed to each other, and the second side and the fourth side are opposed to each other, and the position of the insertion hole may be shifted from the center of the top surface of the rear case so that L1 and L3 are different values when the closest distance between the outer edge of the insertion hole and the first side is L1, the closest distance between the outer edge of the insertion hole and the second side is L2, the closest distance between the outer edge of the insertion hole and the third side is L3, and the closest distance between the outer edge of the insertion hole and the fourth side is L4.
[0022] With this configuration, the rear case for an in-vehicle camera of the present invention has the insertion hole formed at a position shifted from the center of the top surface of the rear case to the first side or the third side, which is suitable when it is desired to position the camera board in the case for an in-vehicle camera connected to the connector module at a position opposite to the position shifted from the center of the top surface of the rear case to the first side or the third side.
[0023] In the vehicle-mounted camera rear case having the above-mentioned configuration, the position of the insertion hole may be shifted from the center of the upper surface of the rear case so that L2 and L4 have different values.
[0024] With this configuration, the rear case for an in-vehicle camera of the present invention further has an insertion hole formed at a position shifted from the center of the top surface of the rear case to the second side or the fourth side, which is suitable when it is desired to position the camera board in the case for an in-vehicle camera connected to the connector module at a position opposite to the position shifted from the center of the top surface of the rear case to the second side or the fourth side, i.e., at a corner of the top surface of the rear case.
[0025] In the rear case for an in-vehicle camera having the above-described configuration, at least one of the boss members on the shorter side of L1 or L3 may be a side boss provided on the upper surface of the inner rear case, and the side boss may be configured to be crimped with the flange portion engaged with the flange receiving surface.
[0026] If the insertion hole is shifted from the center of the top surface of the rear case, it may not be possible to secure space to form a boss on the rear case and provide a structure for inserting the boss into the engagement hole of the flange portion. If the flange portion cannot be fixed by the boss, the shell cannot be sufficiently fixed to the rear case. However, with the above-mentioned configuration, even if the space for forming the boss member on the inner top surface of the rear case is small, the flange portion of the shell can be sufficiently fixed to the rear case by providing a side boss.
[0027] In the vehicle-mounted camera rear case having the above-described configuration, the side boss may be formed by extending from a side surface of the rear case.
[0028] The side boss is used to fix the flange of the shell to the rear case after being crimped. As described above, by configuring the side boss to extend from both the top surface of the inner rear case and the side surface of the rear case, the flange of the shell can be fixed to the rear case more firmly than when the side boss extends only from the top surface of the inner rear case. This is because, when the shell receives a load in a direction perpendicular to the top surface of the inner rear case, the load received by the side boss can be received not only at the connection portion with the top surface of the inner rear case but also at the connection portion with the side surface of the rear case, i.e., the direction in which the load is received can be dispersed.
[0029] In the rear case for an in-vehicle camera having the above-described configuration, at least one of the boss members may be a side boss provided at a corner of the upper surface of the inner rear case, and the side boss may be configured to be crimped with the flange portion engaged with the flange receiving surface.
[0030] The appropriate position for providing the side boss varies depending on the size and shape of the flange. Providing a side boss at a corner of the top surface of the inner rear case and crimping it as in the above configuration is particularly suitable when the outer edge of the flange is located near one of the corners of the top surface of the inner rear case.
[0031] In the rear case for an in-vehicle camera having the above-described configuration, the side boss may be provided on the flange receiving surface, the flange portion may have a notch portion, and the side boss may be engaged with the notch portion and tightened.
[0032] As in the above-described configuration, by providing the notch in the flange, the flange can be disposed on a concave flange receiving surface, and the dimension in the height direction, which is the direction perpendicular to the top surface of the rear case, can be reduced.
[0033] In the rear case for an in-vehicle camera having the above-described configuration, the boss member on the short side of L1 or L3 and the short side of L2 or L4 may be a side boss provided on the upper surface of the inner rear case.
[0034] On the short side of L1 or L3 and the short side of L2 or L4, there may be little space on the top surface of the inner rear case to provide a boss member. However, with the above-mentioned configuration, even if the space on the top surface of the inner rear case to form a boss member is small, the flange portion of the shell can be sufficiently fixed to the rear case by providing a side boss.
[0035] The above-described rear case for a vehicle-mounted camera may be joined to a front case to form a case for a vehicle-mounted camera having a space for accommodating the vehicle-mounted camera.
[0036] With this configuration, when the connector module is fixed to the rear case body of the vehicle-mounted camera case according to the present invention, the connector module is fixedly connected to the rear case body by crimping the boss member protruding from the upper surface of the rear case body in a state where the boss member is engaged with the connector module, rather than by a method that generates heat, such as welding. Since the fixed connection by crimping does not generate heat, even if a part of the connector module is made of resin, the resin part will not be deformed or damaged by heat. Therefore, the frequency of defective products during the manufacturing of the vehicle-mounted camera case can be reduced.
[0037] In addition, while the crimping method applies pressure to the top surface of the rear case where the boss member is provided, the in-vehicle camera case according to the present invention is provided with a crimp receiving portion on the top surface of the rear case at a position opposite the boss member, so that the case can receive the pressure applied to the top surface of the rear case during crimping. Therefore, even when the connector module is fixedly connected to the rear case body by crimping, the structural strength of the in-vehicle camera case can be maintained. Effect of the Invention
[0038] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a case for an in-vehicle camera or a rear case for an in-vehicle camera that can reduce the frequency of defective products during manufacturing while maintaining the structural strength of the case for an in-vehicle camera or the rear case for an in-vehicle camera. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0039] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle-mounted camera case according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2A and 2B are diagrams showing a rear case according to a first embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 2A is a perspective view seen from above, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view seen from below. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a rear case according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the rear case according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of the rear case according to the first embodiment of the present invention taken along line AA and line BB in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are diagrams showing a rear case main body according to a first embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 6A is a perspective view seen from above, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view seen from below. [Figure 7] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating positions of insertion holes in the rear case body according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]8A and 8B are diagrams showing a shell according to a first embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 8A is a perspective view seen from above, and FIG. 8B is a perspective view seen from below. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are diagrams showing a housing according to a first embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 9A is a perspective view seen from above, and FIG. 9B is a perspective view seen from below. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a rear case according to a second embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 10A is a perspective view seen from above, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view seen from below. [Figure 11] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing a rear case main body according to a second embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 11A is a perspective view seen from above, and FIG. 11B is a perspective view seen from below. [Figure 12] 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the positions of insertion holes in a rear case body according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a shell according to a second embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 13A is a perspective view seen from above, and FIG. 13B is a perspective view seen from below. [Figure 14] 14A and 14B are diagrams showing a rear case according to a third embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 14A is a perspective view seen from above, and FIG. 14B is a perspective view seen from below. [Figure 15] 15A and 15B are diagrams showing a rear case main body according to a third embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 15A is a perspective view seen from above, and FIG. 15B is a perspective view seen from below. [Figure 16] 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the positions of insertion holes in a rear case body according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 17] 17A and 17B are diagrams showing a shell according to a third embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 17A is a perspective view seen from above, and FIG. 17B is a perspective view seen from below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0040] Hereinafter, a vehicle-mounted camera case 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. First, the configuration of the vehicle-mounted camera case 1 will be described.
[0041] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle-mounted camera case 1 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 1, the X direction is called the horizontal direction, the Y direction is called the depth direction, and the Z direction is called the height direction, and the same is true for Fig. 2 and subsequent Figs. The positive direction of the Z direction is sometimes called the upper side or connector side, and the negative direction is sometimes called the lower side or front case side.
[0042] (Dash camera case) The vehicle-mounted camera case 1 includes a rear case 3 and a front case 2. The vehicle-mounted camera case 1 is configured by joining the rear case 3 and the front case 2 so that they face each other, forming a space for accommodating the vehicle-mounted camera 4 described below. The rear case 3 and the front case 2 are joined by, for example, an adhesive, but may also be joined by other mechanical methods or methods such as welding. The vehicle-mounted camera case 1 constitutes the vehicle-mounted camera case according to the present invention. The front case 2 constitutes the front case according to the present invention. The rear case 3 constitutes the vehicle-mounted camera rear case according to the present invention.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle-mounted camera case 1 is connected to an external connector 6 having a cable 7 and a rear case 3, so that it is possible to electrically connect a vehicle-mounted camera board 5 described later and the external connector 6 via a connector module 40 described later.
[0044] An in-vehicle camera 4 is installed in the internal storage space of the in-vehicle camera case 1. The in-vehicle camera 4 captures an image of the outside of the in-vehicle camera case 1 through a lens hole 2a of the front case 2. The in-vehicle camera 4 has a board 5 for the in-vehicle camera.
[0045] The vehicle-mounted camera board 5 is, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB), which constitutes the vehicle-mounted camera 4 and has an imaging element such as a CCD or CMOS (not shown) mounted thereon. The vehicle-mounted camera board 5 has a board connector 5a. The vehicle-mounted camera board 5 is electrically connected to the external connector 6 by the board connector 5a coming into contact with a connector module 40 (described later) and the connector module 40 coming into contact with the external connector 6.
[0046] (Rear case) Fig. 2 shows the entire rear case 3, with Fig. 2(a) being a perspective view seen from above and Fig. 2(b) being a perspective view seen from below. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the rear case 3. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the rear case 3. Fig. 5(a) is a cross-sectional view of the rear case 3 taken along line AA in Fig. 4, and Fig. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view of the rear case 3 taken along line BB.
[0047] The rear case 3 includes a rear case main body 10, a connector module 40, and a housing 30. As shown in Figs. 2(a) and (b), a cylindrical housing 30 protrudes from the upper surface of the rear case main body 10 and houses the connector module 40. Also, as shown in Figs. 5(a) and (b), the connector module 40 engages with the rear case main body 10 and the housing 30, respectively. The rear case 3 is connected to an external connector 6 and a board 5 for an in-vehicle camera, enabling electrical connection between the two.
[0048] (Rear case body) Fig. 6 shows the rear case main body 10, Fig. 6(a) is a perspective view seen from above, and Fig. 6(b) is a perspective view seen from below. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the positions of the insertion holes of the rear case main body 10.
[0049] The rear case body 10 is joined to the front case 2 so as to face each other to form a space for accommodating the vehicle-mounted camera 4, and is a box-shaped case having an insertion hole 22 and an open side. The rear case body 10 is made of aluminum, for example, but may be made of other metals such as copper. The box-shaped rear case body 10 is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped that is open in the negative Z direction, i.e., downward in the figure.
[0050] (Top of rear case, side of rear case) 6(a) and (b), the rear case main body 10 is composed of an upper rear case top surface 11 and four rear case side surfaces 12, 13, 14, and 15. The rear case top surface 11 constitutes the rear case top surface according to the present invention. The rear case side surfaces 12, 13, 14, and 15 constitute the rear case side surfaces according to the present invention.
[0051] The surface facing rear case top surface 11 is open. The upper surface of rear case top surface 11 is outer rear case top surface 11a, and the lower surface is inner rear case top surface 11b. The inner inner rear case top surface 11b of rear case top surface 11 faces front case 2 in the Z direction.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 6(b), the inner rear case top surface 11b is provided with a flange receiving surface 11b1 and side bosses 18, 19, 20, and 21. The flange receiving surface 11b1 is provided as a recess on the inner rear case top surface 11b of the rear case top surface 11 to receive a flange portion 51 described later. The flange receiving surface 11b1 is provided with an insertion hole 22 and with flange receiving surface bosses 16 and 17 that engage with a connector module 40 described later. The inner rear case top surface 11b in this embodiment is a concept that includes the flange receiving surface 11b1. Therefore, for example, the flange receiving surface 11b1 also means the inner rear case top surface 11b at the same time.
[0053] (Boss component) 6(b), the flange receiving surface bosses 16, 17 are boss members that protrude vertically from the rear case top surface 11 toward the inner surface of the rear case main body 10 and are provided on the inner-side rear case top surface 11b, which is the surface on the inner side of the rear case top surface 11 that engages with the connector module 40. The flange receiving surface bosses 16, 17 constitute boss members according to the present invention.
[0054] The flange receiving surface bosses 16, 17 are crimped while engaged with the connector module 40, thereby reliably and fixedly connecting the connector module 40 to the rear case main body 10. The crimping is performed, for example, by pressing the flange receiving surface bosses 16, 17 in an upward direction, i.e., in the positive Z direction, with a crimping tool or the like while engaged with the connector module 40.
[0055] Figure 6(b) shows the state of the flange receiving surface bosses 16, 17 before they are crimped, while the state of the flange receiving surface bosses 16, 17 after they are crimped is as shown in Figures 2(b) and 5(b), and the tops of the flange receiving surface bosses 16, 17 have expanded in diameter due to being crimped.
[0056] In this embodiment, two flange receiving surface bosses, 16 and 17, are provided as flange receiving surface bosses, but the number of flange receiving surface bosses is not limited to this, and the location of their placement may be changed depending on the shape of the flange portion 51, etc.
[0057] The side bosses 18, 19 are provided on the inner rear case top surface 11b on the side closer to the rear case side surface 14. That is, the side bosses 18, 19 are provided on the inner rear case top surface 11b along the rear case side surface 14, which is the side surface corresponding to the shorter side of L1 or L3 described later. The side bosses 18, 19 are formed extending from the rear case side surface 14. The side bosses 18, 19 are boss members for crimping a flange portion 51 described later in a state of being engaged with the flange receiving surface 11b1 in order to engage the rear case main body 10 with the connector module 40. The side bosses 18, 19 constitute boss members according to the present invention.
[0058] Figure 6(b) shows the state of the side bosses 18, 19 before they are crimped, while the state after the side bosses 18, 19 are crimped is as shown in Figures 2(b) and 5(b), whereby deformed portions 18a, 19a are formed by deforming portions of the side bosses 18, 19 due to crimping.
[0059] The side bosses 20 are provided on the inner rear case top surface 11b on the side closer to the rear case side surface 13. The side bosses 20 are formed extending from the rear case side surface 13. The side bosses 20 are boss members for crimping a flange portion 51 (described later) in a state of being engaged with the flange receiving surface 11b1 in order to engage the rear case main body 10 with the connector module 40. The side bosses 20 constitute the boss member according to the present invention.
[0060] Figure 6(b) shows the state of the side boss 20 before it is crimped, while the state after the side boss 20 is crimped is as shown in Figures 2(b) and 5(b), where a deformed portion 20a is formed by deforming a portion of the side boss 20 due to crimping.
[0061] The side bosses 21 are provided on the inner rear case top surface 11b on the side closer to the rear case side surface 15. The side bosses 21 are formed extending from the rear case side surface 15. The side bosses 21 are boss members for crimping a flange portion 51 (described later) in a state of being engaged with the flange receiving surface 11b1 in order to engage the rear case main body 10 with the connector module 40. The side bosses 21 constitute the boss member according to the present invention.
[0062] Figure 6(b) shows the state of the side boss 21 before it is tightened, while the state after the side boss 21 is tightened is as shown in Figures 2(b) and 5(b), where a deformed portion 21a is formed by deforming a portion of the side boss 21 due to tightening.
[0063] As described above, by configuring the side bosses 18, 19, 20, 21 to extend from both the inner rear case top surface 11b and the rear case side surfaces 13, 14, 15, the flange portion 51 of the shell 50 can be fixed to the rear case more firmly than if they extended only from the inner rear case top surface 11b. This is because, when the shell 50 receives a load in a direction perpendicular to the inner rear case top surface 11b, the load received by the side bosses 18, 19, 20, 21 can be received not only at the connection portion with the inner rear case top surface 11b but also at the connection portion with the rear case side surfaces 13, 14, 15, i.e., the direction in which the load is received can be dispersed.
[0064] In this embodiment, four side bosses, 18, 19, 20, and 21, are provided, but the number of side bosses is not limited to this, and the locations of the side bosses may also be changed as appropriate.
[0065] The four side surfaces of the rear case 3, that is, rear case side surfaces 12, 13, 14, and 15, are provided downward along the outer periphery of the rear case top surface 11, that is, vertically in the negative Z direction.
[0066] As shown in Fig. 6(a), a crimping receiving surface 11a1 is provided around the insertion hole 22 on the outer rear case top surface 11a. As shown in Fig. 5(b), the crimping receiving surface 11a1 is provided on a surface facing the flange receiving surface bosses 16, 17 of the outer rear case top surface 11a, which is the surface of the rear case main body 10 on the outer side of the rear case top surface 11.
[0067] (Crimping receiving part) Generally, fastening by crimping applies pressure to boss members and the like, which may place a strength load on the case. However, the rear case 3 according to this embodiment is provided with a crimp receiving surface 11a1 at a position facing the flange receiving surface bosses 16, 17 and the side bosses 18, 19, 20, 21, which are the boss members, on the outer rear case upper surface 11a, which is the outer surface of the rear case main body 10 of the rear case upper surface 11, so that the rear case 3 can receive the pressure applied to the rear case upper surface 11 during crimping. Therefore, the structural strength of the rear case 3 can be maintained even when the connector module 40 is fixedly connected to the rear case main body 10 by crimping. The crimp receiving surface 11a1 constitutes a crimp receiving portion according to the present invention.
[0068] 7, the insertion hole 22 is formed at a position shifted in the negative y direction from the center of the rear case top surface 11. The degree of shift of the insertion hole 22 from the center of the rear case top surface 11 will be described below.
[0069] 7 shows the inner rear case top surface 11b when the rear case top surface 11 is viewed from below, i.e., from the negative direction of the Z direction. The side of the inner rear case top surface 11b corresponding to the rear case side surface 12 is side portion 12a, the side corresponding to the rear case side surface 13 is side portion 13a, the side corresponding to the rear case side surface 14 is side portion 14a, and the side corresponding to the rear case side surface 15 is side portion 15a. In this case, the sides 12a, 13a, 14a, and 15a are four sides forming the outer periphery of the inner rear case top surface 11b, and the side portion 12a and the side portion 14a face each other. The side portion 13a and the side portion 15a face each other.
[0070] The closest distance between the outer edge of the insertion hole 22 and the side portion 12a is L1, the closest distance between the outer edge of the insertion hole 22 and the side portion 13a is L2, the closest distance between the outer edge of the insertion hole 22 and the side portion 13a is L3, and the closest distance between the outer edge of the insertion hole 22 and the side portion 14a is L3, and the closest distance between the outer edge of the insertion hole 22 and the side portion 13a is L4. In this embodiment, the position of the insertion hole 22 is shifted from the center of the inner rear case top surface 11b so that L1>L3 and L1 and L3 are different values.
[0071] In this manner, by forming the insertion hole 22 at a position shifted from the center of the inner rear case top surface 11b to side portion 12a or side portion 14a, it is possible to accommodate cases where the position of the vehicle camera board 5 in the vehicle camera case 1 connected to the connector module 40 is positioned at a position opposite to a position shifted from the center of the inner rear case top surface 11b to side portion 12a or side portion 14a.
[0072] (connector module) The connector module 40 is at least partially made of resin, electrically connects the external connector 6 and the board 5 for the vehicle-mounted camera, is inserted through the insertion hole 22, engages with the rear case body 10 and a housing 30 described later, and protrudes outside the rear case body 10 to engage with the external connector 6. The resin members are specifically the housing 30, an insulator 70, a shell O-ring 85, and an insulator O-ring 86 described later. The connector module 40 is fixedly connected to the rear case body 10 by engaging the flange receiving surface bosses 16 and 17 with the flange receiving surface bosses 16 and 17 being crimped. The connector module 40 has a shell 50, a terminal 60, and an insulator 70. The connector module 40 constitutes a connector module according to the present invention.
[0073] (shell) Fig. 8 shows shell 50 according to this embodiment, Fig. 8(a) is a perspective view seen from above, and Fig. 8(b) is a perspective view seen from below. Shell 50 is made of metal such as zinc die-casting, and is a conductor having a cylindrical portion. Shell 50 has flange portion 51, upper shell 52, lower shell 54, shell flange 55, and shell O-ring 85. Shell 50 constitutes a shell according to the present invention.
[0074] The flange portion 51 is a flat plate-shaped member having a central through hole 56A, housing boss holes 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d, and rear case boss holes 57a and 57b formed therein as a plurality of engagement holes, and engages with the rear case main body 10 and the housing 30, respectively. When the flange portion 51 engages with the flange receiving surface bosses 16 and 17 of the rear case main body 10, the flange receiving surface bosses 16 and 17 penetrate the rear case boss holes 57a and 57b. The central through hole 56A is provided so that a terminal 60 described later in the shell 50 penetrates through the central through hole 56A, contacts the vehicle-mounted camera board 5, and is electrically conductive. In this embodiment, four housing boss holes and two rear case boss holes are formed, but the number of boss holes is not limited to this, and the arrangement of the boss holes may be different from that of the example of FIG. 8.
[0075] The cylindrical portion of the shell 50 is composed of an upper shell 52, a lower shell 54, and a shell flange 55, which are arranged from the top along the Z direction. The cylindrical portion of the shell 50 accommodates and fixes an insulator 70, which will be described later, inside. The upper shell 52 is located at the topmost position of the cylindrical portion of the shell 50. The upper shell 52, together with the housing 30, is mated with the external connector 6.
[0076] 5(a), the upper shell 52 houses an insulator 70 therein. The lower shell 54 houses the insulator 70 therein. The lower shell 54 is a cylindrical portion of the shell 50 that is connected to the lower side of the upper shell 52, and is configured to have a larger diameter than the upper shell 52.
[0077] The shell flange 55 is a portion that is continuous with the lower shell 54 below and with the flange portion 51 above. The shell flange 55 has an outer diameter that is larger than that of the lower shell 54. As shown in FIG. 5(a), the shell flange 55 is configured so that a waterproof shell O-ring 85 can be fitted between the shell flange 55 and the inner surface of the housing 30 described below. The shell O-ring 85 is made of a resin such as ethylene propylene rubber. By providing the shell O-ring 85, it is possible to prevent water from flowing into the rear case for the vehicle-mounted camera from the external connector side.
[0078] (Terminal) The terminal 60 shown in Fig. 3 is disposed along the central axis inside the shell 50 and is conductive from one end side to the other end side, i.e., one end side, which is the positive side in the Z direction, contacts the external connector 6, and the other end side, which is the negative side in the Z direction, contacts and conducts with the board connector 5a of the board 5 for the vehicle-mounted camera. The terminal 60 is made of, for example, a copper alloy, but may be made of other metals. The terminal 60 constitutes a terminal according to the present invention. The terminal 60 is held by an insulator 70 described later, for example, by engaging an engaging portion (not shown).
[0079] (Insulator) 3 is an insulating member interposed between the shell 50 and the terminal 60 to hold the terminal 60. The insulator 70 is made up of a body portion 71 and an O-ring groove portion 72. The insulator 70 is made up of a resin such as polyamide. The insulator 70 constitutes an insulator according to the present invention.
[0080] A terminal through hole 73 is formed in the center of the insulator 70, penetrating along the Z direction. The terminal 60 extends inside the terminal through hole 73. The terminal through hole 73 is composed of an upper through hole 73a with a larger diameter and a lower through hole 73b with a smaller diameter. The through hole 73a can be fitted with the external connector 6. The through hole 73b has approximately the same outer diameter as the terminal 60, and functions as a hole for holding the terminal 60. The insulator 70 holds the terminal 60, for example, by engaging an engagement portion (not shown). The insulator 70 is fixed to the outer shell 50, so that its positional relationship with other components of the connector module 40 is fixed.
[0081] The body portion 71 is a cylindrical member that constitutes the insulator 70. The terminals 60 extend in the vertical direction (Z direction) in the internal space of the body portion 71. The body portion 71 is disposed in the accommodating space of the housing 30, which will be described later, and is mated with the external connector 6.
[0082] The O-ring groove 72 is a groove-shaped portion provided near the center of the body 71 in the height direction, and has an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the body 71. The O-ring groove 72 is a groove for inserting an insulator O-ring 86.
[0083] The insulator O-ring 86 is made of, for example, a resin such as ethylene propylene rubber. By providing the insulator O-ring 86, it is possible to prevent water from flowing into the rear case for the car-mounted camera from the external connector side.
[0084] (housing) Fig. 9 shows a housing 30 according to this embodiment, Fig. 9(a) being a perspective view seen from above, and Fig. 9(b) being a perspective view seen from below. The housing 30 engages with the connector module 40, houses the connector module 40, and is mated with the external connector 6. The housing 30 has a cylindrical portion 31, a locking portion 32, a housing flange 33, and flange bosses 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d. The housing 30 is made of a resin such as polyamide. The housing 30 constitutes a housing according to the present invention.
[0085] The cylindrical portion 31 accommodates the connector module 40 in the internal accommodation space, and engages with the external connector 6. A locking portion 32 is provided to protrude from the side surface of the cylindrical portion 31. The locking portion 32 engages with an engaging portion of the external connector 6 (not shown), thereby fixing the positional relationship between the housing 30 and the external connector 6.
[0086] The housing flange 33 is a disk-shaped member continuing below the cylindrical portion 31, and has an outer diameter larger than that of the cylindrical portion 31. The housing flange 33 is fitted into the insertion hole 22 of the rear case 3. An adhesive 87 is inserted into a gap between the housing flange 33 and the rear case 3 that is created when the housing flange 33 is fitted into the insertion hole 22. In this embodiment, an elastic adhesive that hardens with moisture is used as the adhesive 87, but other types of adhesives may also be used. By using the adhesive 87, the positional relationship between the housing 30 and the rear case 3 can be fixed.
[0087] Flange bosses 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d are provided on the lower surface of the housing flange 33. In this embodiment, four flange bosses are provided, but the number of flange bosses is not necessarily limited to four, and may be different. The flange boss 34a is crimped in the positive direction of the Z direction when engaged with the housing boss hole 56a of the shell 50. Similarly, the flange boss 34b is crimped in the positive direction of the Z direction when engaged with the housing boss hole 56b of the shell 50, the flange boss 34c is crimped in the positive direction of the Z direction when engaged with the housing boss hole 56c of the shell 50, and the flange boss 34d is crimped in the positive direction of the Z direction when engaged with the housing boss hole 56d of the shell 50. By crimping the flange bosses 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d in this way, the housing 30 is fixed to the shell 50 as shown in Figures 2(b) and 5(a).
[0088] (Production method) The manufacturing procedure of the rear case 3 will be described with reference to FIG. (1) The terminal 60 is inserted into the inside of the insulator 70 and is held by the insulator 70. (2) Next, the insulator O-ring 86 is inserted into the O-ring groove 72 of the insulator 70. (3) Next, the insulator 70 is inserted into the central through-hole 56A of the shell 50 from below, and the insulator 70 is fixed in place. (4) Next, the shell O-ring 85 is attached to the shell 50, and the connector module 40 is completed. (5) Next, the connector module 40 is inserted from below into the insertion hole 22 of the rear case body 10 and fixed by crimping. (6) Next, the housing 30 is engaged with the connector module 40 from above and fixed by crimping. (7) Finally, adhesive 87 is applied between the housing 30 and the rear case body 10 to fix them in place.
[0089] As described above, in the vehicle-mounted camera case 1 according to this embodiment, the rear case 3 is joined to the front case 2 to form a space for accommodating the vehicle-mounted camera 4.
[0090] The rear case 3 according to the present embodiment is joined to the front case 2 so as to face each other to form a space for accommodating the vehicle-mounted camera 4, and includes a box-shaped rear case main body 10 having an insertion hole 22 formed therein and one open side, a connector module 40 which electrically connects the external connector 6 and the vehicle-mounted camera board 5, is inserted into the insertion hole 22 and engages with the rear case main body 10, protrudes outside the rear case main body 10 and engages with the external connector 6, and at least a portion of which is made of resin, and a housing 30 which engages with the connector module 40, accommodates the connector module 40, and engages with the external connector 6. The rear case main body 10 is provided on the rear case upper surface facing the front case 2. 11, a plurality of rear case side surfaces 12, 13, 14, 15 arranged vertically along the outer periphery of the rear case top surface 11, flange receiving surface bosses 16, 17 provided on inner case top surface 11b on the inner side of the rear case top surface 11 which protrude vertically from the rear case top surface 11 toward the inner side of the rear case main body 10 and engage with the connector module 40, and a crimping receiving surface 11a1 provided on outer case top surface 11a on the outer side of the rear case main body 10 of the rear case top surface 11 at a position opposite the flange receiving surface bosses 16, 17 and the side surface bosses 18, 19, 20, 21, and the flange receiving surface bosses 16, 17 are crimped while engaged with the connector module 40.
[0091] The connector module 40 also has a shell 50 which is made of metal and is a conductor having a cylindrical portion, a terminal 60 which is arranged inside the shell 50 along the central axis and which contacts the external connector 6 at one end and contacts the board connector 5a of the vehicle-mounted camera board 5 at the other end, thereby providing electrical conductivity, and an insulating insulator 70 which is interposed between the shell 50 and the terminal 60 and holds the terminal 60.
[0092] In addition, the shell 50 further has boss holes 57a, 57b for the rear case and boss holes 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d for the housing, and has a flat flange portion 51 that engages with the rear case main body 10 and the housing 30, respectively, and when the flange portion 51 engages with the flange receiving surface bosses 16, 17 of the rear case main body 10, the flange receiving surface bosses 16, 17 pass through the boss holes 57a, 57b for the rear case.
[0093] Furthermore, the shell 50 has an expanded shell flange 55 and a waterproof shell O-ring 85 that is fitted between the shell flange 55 and the inner surface of the housing 30 .
[0094] Further, the rear case body 10 has a flange receiving surface 11b1 as a recess for receiving the flange portion 51 on the inner side of the rear case top surface 11, on the inner rear case top surface 11b, and flange receiving surface bosses 16, 17 are provided on the flange receiving surface 11b1.
[0095] In addition, the four sides forming the outer periphery of rear case top surface 11 are side portion 12a, side portion 13a, side portion 14a, and side portion 15a, respectively, side portion 12a and side portion 14a are opposed to each other, and side portion 13a and side portion 15a are opposed to each other, and when the closest distance between the outer edge of insertion hole 22 and side portion 12a is L1, the closest distance between side portion 13a is L2, the closest distance between side portion 14a is L3, and the closest distance between side portion 15a is L4, L1>L3, and the position of insertion hole 22 is shifted from the center of rear case top surface 11 so that L1 and L3 are different values.
[0096] In addition, the boss member on the rear case side surface 14 corresponding to the shorter side of L1 or L3 is a side boss 18, 19 provided on the inner rear case top surface 11b, and the side bosses 18, 19 are configured to be tightened with the flange portion 51 engaged with the flange receiving surface 11b1.
[0097] Further, side bosses 18 and 19 extend from rear case side surface 14, side boss 20 extends from rear case side surface 13, and side boss 21 extends from rear case side surface 15.
[0098] With this configuration, when the vehicle-mounted camera case 1 according to this embodiment is fixedly connected to the rear case main body 10, the connector module 40 is not fixedly connected by a method that generates heat, such as welding, but by crimping the flange receiving surface bosses 16, 17 that protrude vertically toward the inner surface on the rear case top surface 11 of the rear case main body 10 in a state where they are engaged with the connector module 40. Since the fixed connection by crimping does not generate heat, even if a part of the connector module 40 is made of resin, the resin part will not be deformed or damaged by heat. Therefore, the frequency of defective products during the manufacturing of the rear case 3 can be reduced.
[0099] Furthermore, the crimping method applies pressure to rear case top surface 11 on which flange receiving surface bosses 16, 17 are provided, but the rear case 3 can receive the pressure applied to rear case top surface 11 during crimping by providing crimping receiving surface 11a1 on outer rear case top surface 11a on the outer side of rear case main body 10 of rear case top surface 11 at a position facing flange receiving surface bosses 16, 17 and side bosses 18, 19, 20, 21. Therefore, the structural strength of the rear case 3 can be maintained even when connector module 40 is fixedly connected to rear case main body 10 by crimping.
[0100] In addition, in the rear case 3 of this embodiment, the terminal 60 held by the insulator 70 inside the shell 50 contacts the external connector 6 at one end and contacts the vehicle-mounted camera board 5 at the other end, thereby effectively electrically connecting the external connector 6 and the vehicle-mounted camera board 5.
[0101] In addition, in the rear case 3 of this embodiment, the shell 50 has a flat flange portion 51 in which boss holes 57a, 57b for the rear case and boss holes 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d for the housing are formed, so that the connector module 40 can be easily engaged with the rear case main body 10 and the housing 30.
[0102] In addition, the rear case 3 of this embodiment has a waterproof shell O-ring 85 fitted between the shell flange 55 and the inner surface of the housing 30, thereby preventing water from flowing into the rear case 3 from the external connector 6 side via the shell 50.
[0103] Furthermore, the rear case 3 according to this embodiment has a flange receiving surface 11b1 as a recess that receives the flange portion 51 on the inner rear case upper surface 11b on the inner side of the rear case upper surface 11, and flange receiving surface bosses 16, 17 are provided on the flange receiving surface 11b1, so that the dimension in the height direction, which is the direction perpendicular to the rear case upper surface 11 inside the rear case main body 10, can be reduced. Therefore, even if the size of the vehicle-mounted camera 4 to be accommodated in the vehicle-mounted camera case 1 is large, the vehicle-mounted camera 4 can be accommodated in the vehicle-mounted camera case 1.
[0104] In addition, the rear case 3 in this embodiment has the insertion hole formed at a position shifted from the center of the rear case top surface 11 to side portion 12a or side portion 14a, which is preferable when it is desired to position the camera board 5 in the vehicle-mounted camera case 1 connected to the connector module 40 at a position opposite to the position shifted from the center of the rear case top surface 11 to side portion 12a or side portion 14a.
[0105] Furthermore, in the rear case 3 of this embodiment, even if there is little space to form a boss member on the inner rear case top surface 11b, by providing side bosses 18, 19, the flange portion 51 of the shell 50 can be sufficiently fixed to the rear case 3.
[0106] Furthermore, in the rear case 3 of this embodiment, the side bosses 18, 19, 20, 21 are configured to extend from both the inner rear case top surface 11b and the rear case side surfaces 13, 14, 15, so that the flange portion 51 of the shell 50 can be more firmly fixed to the rear case 3 than if they extended only from the inner rear case top surface 11b.
[0107] (Second embodiment) In this embodiment, insertion hole 122 of rear case 103 is formed in the center of rear case top surface 111, and the shape of flange portion 151 of shell 150 is changed, but other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. In rear case 103 according to the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 9, and only the differences will be described in detail.
[0108] The arrangement of the insertion holes in the rear case 103 needs to be determined according to the arrangement of the vehicle-mounted camera 4 and the vehicle-mounted camera board 5 in the vehicle-mounted camera case 1. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the vehicle-mounted camera 4 and the vehicle-mounted camera board 5 are arranged at positions facing the center of the upper surface 111 of the rear case.
[0109] (Rear case) FIG. 10 shows a rear case according to this embodiment, where FIG. 10(a) is a perspective view seen from above, and FIG. 10(b) is a perspective view seen from below. FIG. 11 shows a rear case main body according to this embodiment, where FIG. 11(a) is a perspective view seen from above, and FIG. 11(b) is a perspective view seen from below. As shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), the outer rear case top surface 111a of the rear case 103 has an insertion hole 122 in a position different from that of the first embodiment. The insertion hole 122 is circular and formed in the center of the rear case top surface 111. Accordingly, the housing 30 is also disposed in the center of the rear case top surface 111.
[0110] (Top of rear case) A flange receiving surface 111b1 is provided on the inner rear case top surface 111b. The flange receiving surface 111b1 is a circular recess that matches the shape of a flange portion 151, which will be described later. Note that the inner rear case top surface 111b in this embodiment is a concept that also includes the flange receiving surface 111b1. Therefore, for example, the flange receiving surface 111b1 also means the inner rear case top surface 111b.
[0111] 12 shows the inner rear case top surface 111b when the rear case top surface 111 is viewed from below, i.e., from the negative direction in the Z direction. In this embodiment, the insertion hole 22 is located at the center of the inner rear case top surface 111b, so that the relationships L1=L3 and L2=L4 are satisfied. However, the insertion hole 22 may be located slightly off center of the inner rear case top surface 111b within the following range. 0.5 <L1 / L3<2、0.5<L2 / L4<2 Unlike the first embodiment, no side bosses are provided on the inner rear case top surface 111b near the side of the rear case. This is because, by forming the insertion hole 122 in the center of the rear case top surface 111, the flange receiving surface 111b1 can be made sufficiently wide around the center of the inner rear case top surface 111b, and four flange receiving surface bosses 116, 117, 118, and 119 described later can be provided on the flange receiving surface 111b1 to engage the rear case main body 110 and the shell 150 with sufficient strength.
[0112] (Crimping receiving part) The crimp receiving surface 111a1 is provided at a position facing the flange receiving surface bosses 116, 117, 118, and 119 around the insertion hole 122 on the outer rear case top surface 111a.
[0113] (Boss component) The flange receiving surface bosses 116, 117, 118, and 119 are boss members that protrude vertically from the rear case top surface 111 toward the inner surface of the rear case main body 110 and are provided on the inner rear case top surface 111b, which is the surface on the inner side of the rear case top surface 111 that engages with the connector module 40. The flange receiving surface bosses 116, 117, 118, and 119 are provided at equal intervals around the insertion hole 122.
[0114] In the first embodiment, only two flange receiving surface bosses were provided, but in this embodiment, four flange receiving surface bosses are provided because flange receiving surface 111b1 can be made sufficiently wide around the center of inner rear case top surface 111b. This allows rear case main body 110 and shell 150 to be engaged with sufficient strength even without providing side bosses as in the first embodiment.
[0115] (shell) FIG. 13 shows a shell according to this embodiment, in which FIG. 13(a) is a perspective view seen from above, and FIG. 13(b) is a perspective view seen from below. A flange portion 151 in a shell 150 is a disk-shaped member in which housing boss holes 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d and rear case boss holes 157a, 157b, 157c, 157d are formed as a plurality of engagement holes, and which engage with the rear case main body 110 and the housing 30, respectively. In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, four rear case boss holes are formed. The rear case boss holes 157a, 157b, 157c, 157d are engaged with the flange receiving surface bosses 116, 117, 118, 119, respectively, and each flange receiving surface boss is crimped.
[0116] As described above, in rear case 103 according to this embodiment, insertion hole 122 is circular and is formed in the center of upper surface 111 of the rear case.
[0117] With this configuration, the rear case 103 of this embodiment has the insertion hole 122 formed in the center of the rear case top surface 111, which is suitable when the camera board 5 in the vehicle-mounted camera case 1 connected to the connector module 40 is positioned opposite the center of the rear case top surface 111.
[0118] (Third embodiment) In this embodiment, insertion hole 222 of rear case 203 is formed at a position close to a corner of rear case top surface 211, and the shape of flange portion 251 of shell 250 is changed, but other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. In rear case 203 according to the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 9, and only the differences will be described in detail.
[0119] The arrangement of the insertion holes in the rear case 203 needs to be determined according to the arrangement of the vehicle-mounted camera 4 and the vehicle-mounted camera board 5 in the vehicle-mounted camera case 1. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the vehicle-mounted camera 4 and the vehicle-mounted camera board 5 are arranged at positions facing positions close to the corners of the upper surface 211 of the rear case.
[0120] (Rear case) FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a rear case according to this embodiment, where FIG. 14(a) is a perspective view seen from above, and FIG. 14(b) is a perspective view seen from below. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a rear case main body according to this embodiment, where FIG. 15(a) is a perspective view seen from above, and FIG. 15(b) is a perspective view seen from below. As shown in FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b), the outer rear case upper surface 211a of the rear case 203 has a different position of the insertion hole 222 from that of the first embodiment. The insertion hole 222 is circular and formed at a position close to a corner of the rear case upper surface 211. Accordingly, the housing 30 is also disposed at a position close to a corner of the rear case upper surface 211.
[0121] (Top of rear case) The inner rear case top surface 211b is provided with a flange receiving surface 211b1. The flange receiving surface 211b1 is a recessed portion having a shape similar to a sector obtained by cutting out a part of a circle to match the shape of the flange portion 251 described later. Note that the inner rear case top surface 211b in this embodiment is a concept that includes the flange receiving surface 211b1. Therefore, for example, the flange receiving surface 211b1 also means the inner rear case top surface 211b.
[0122] 16 shows the inner rear case top surface 211b when the rear case top surface 211 is viewed from below, i.e., from the negative direction in the Z direction. In this embodiment, the position of the insertion hole 222 is near a corner of the rear case top surface 211 and is shifted from the center of the rear case top surface 211 so that L1 and L3 are different values and L2 and L4 are different values. More specifically, L3 <L1、かつ、L2<L4である。
[0123] Unlike the first embodiment, only one side boss 230 is provided near a corner of the rear case side on the inner rear case top surface 211b. This is because, by forming the insertion hole 222 at the corner of the rear case top surface 211, although three flange receiving surface bosses 216, 217, and 218 described later are provided on the flange receiving surface 211b1, it is not possible to provide the flange receiving surface boss at a position close to the corner due to the space on the flange receiving surface 211b1, so by arranging the side boss 230, sufficient strength is provided for the engagement between the rear case main body 210 and the shell 250, especially at the corner.
[0124] (Crimping receiving part) The crimp receiving surface 211a1 is provided around the insertion hole 222 on the outer rear case upper surface 211a at a position facing the flange receiving surface bosses 116, 117, 118, and 119. The crimp receiving surface 211a1 is provided at a location having a predetermined thickness around the insertion hole 222 as shown in Figures 14(a) and 15(a). By providing the crimp receiving surface 211a1 with a predetermined thickness in this manner, it is possible to receive the pressure applied to the rear case upper surface during crimping, thereby maintaining the structural strength of the rear case for an in-vehicle camera stronger.
[0125] (Boss component) The flange receiving surface bosses 216, 217, and 218 are boss members that protrude vertically from the rear case top surface 211 toward the inner surface of the rear case main body 210 and are provided on the inner side rear case top surface 211b, which is the surface on the inner side of the rear case top surface 211 that engages with the connector module 40. The flange receiving surface bosses 216, 217, and 218 are provided around the insertion hole 222 on the side away from the corner.
[0126] In the first embodiment, only two flange receiving surface bosses were provided, but in this embodiment, the flange receiving surface 211b1 could be made sufficiently wide on the side closer to the corner of the inner rear case top surface 211b, so three flange receiving surface bosses are provided.
[0127] The side boss 230 is a corner formed by the rear case side 13 and the rear case side 14 on the inner rear case top surface 211b, and one side boss is provided on the flange receiving surface 211b1. That is, the side boss 230 is provided at a corner on the flange receiving surface 211b1 along the rear case side 13, 14, which are sides corresponding to the L3 side, which is the shorter side of L1 or L3, and the L2 side, which is the shorter side of L2 or L4. Although the number of side bosses is smaller than that of the first embodiment, since the present embodiment provides more flange receiving surface bosses than the first embodiment, the rear case main body 210 and the shell 250 can be engaged with sufficient strength even without providing four side bosses as in the first embodiment. FIG. 15 shows the state before the side boss 230 is crimped, but the state after the side boss 230 is crimped is as shown in FIG. 14, and a deformed portion 230a is formed by deforming a part of the side boss 230 by crimping.
[0128] (shell) FIG. 17 shows a shell according to this embodiment, in which FIG. 17(a) is a perspective view seen from above, and FIG. 17(b) is a perspective view seen from below. A flange portion 251 in a shell 250 is a member having a shape close to a sector with a part of a circle cut out, in which a plurality of engagement holes, including boss holes 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d for housing, boss holes 257a, 257b, 257c for rear case, and a notch portion 258, are formed and engage with the rear case main body 210 and the housing 30, respectively. In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, three boss holes for the rear case are formed. The boss holes 257a, 257b, 257c for rear case are engaged with the flange receiving surface bosses 216, 217, 218, respectively, the notch portion 258 is engaged with the side boss 230, and each of the flange receiving surface bosses and the side bosses is crimped.
[0129] As described above, in the rear case 203 of this embodiment, the position of the insertion hole 222 is shifted from the center of the rear case top surface 211 to a position closer to a corner so that L1 and L3 have different values and furthermore, L2 and L4 have different values.
[0130] At least one of the boss members is a side boss 230 provided at a corner of the inner rear case top surface 11b, and the side boss 230 is configured to be crimped with the flange portion 251 engaged with the flange receiving surface 211b1.
[0131] Further, the side boss 230 is provided on the flange receiving surface 211b1, the flange portion 251 is provided with a notch portion 258, and the side boss 230 is engaged with the notch portion 258 and crimped.
[0132] Moreover, the boss member on the short side of L1 or L3 and on the short side of L2 or L4 is a side boss 230 provided on the inner rear case top surface 211b.
[0133] With this configuration, the rear case 203 of this embodiment has the insertion hole 222 formed at a position shifted from the center of the rear case top surface 211 to side portion 12a or side portion 14a, and also shifted to side portion 13a or side portion 15a, so this is suitable when it is desired to position the position of the vehicle-mounted camera board 5 in the vehicle-mounted camera case 1 connected to the connector module 40 at a position opposite to the position shifted from the center of the rear case top surface 211 to side portion 12a or side portion 14a, and also shifted to side portion 13a or side portion 15a, i.e., at a position close to the corner of the rear case top surface 211.
[0134] Furthermore, providing side bosses 230 at the corners of inner rear case top surface 211b and crimping them is particularly suitable when the outer edge of flange portion 251 is located near one of the corners of inner rear case top surface 211b1.
[0135] Furthermore, by providing the cutout portion 258 in the flange portion 251, the flange portion 251 can be disposed on the concave flange receiving surface 211b1, and the dimension in the height direction perpendicular to the rear case top surface 211 can be reduced.
[0136] Furthermore, even if the space for forming a boss member on inner rear case top surface 211b is small, by providing side boss 230, flange portion 251 of shell 250 can be sufficiently fixed to rear case 203.
[0137] As described above, the rear case for a vehicle-mounted camera and the case for a vehicle-mounted camera of the present invention have the effect of reducing the frequency of defective products during manufacturing while maintaining structural strength, and are useful for rear cases for vehicle-mounted cameras and cases for vehicle-mounted cameras in general. [Explanation of symbols]
[0138] 1. Case for dash camera 2 Front case 3, 103, 203 Rear case (rear case for in-vehicle camera) 4. Car Camera 5. Circuit board for vehicle-mounted cameras 6 External Connectors 7 Cable 10, 110, 210 Rear case body 11, 111, 211 Rear case top 11a, 111a, 211a Outer rear case top surface 11a1, 111a1, 211a1 Crimping receiving surface (crimping receiving portion) 11b, 111b, 211b Inner surface of rear case 11b1, 111b1, 211b1 Flange receiving surface 12, 13, 14, 15 Rear case side 12a, 13a, 14a, 15a Side portions (first side portion, second side portion, third side portion, fourth side portion) 16, 17 Flange receiving surface boss (boss component) 116, 117, 118, 119 Flange receiving surface boss (boss member) 216, 217, 218 Flange receiving surface boss (boss member) 18, 19, 20, 21, 230 Side boss (boss part) 22, 122, 222 Insertion hole 30 Housing 31 Cylindrical part 32 Rock Club 33 Housing flange 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d flange boss 40 Connector Module 50, 150, 250 shells 51, 151, 251 Flange part 52 Upper shell 54 Lower Shell 55 Shell flange 56A center through hole 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d Boss holes for housing 57a, 57b Boss holes for rear case (engagement holes) 157a, 157b, 157c, 157d Boss holes for rear case (engagement holes) 257a, 257b, 257c Boss holes for rear case (engagement holes) Terminal 60 70 Insulator 71 Torso 72 O-ring groove 73 Terminal through hole 85 Shell O-ring 86 Insulator O-ring 87 Adhesive 258 Notch
Claims
1. A box-shaped rear case body having an opening on one side and an insertion hole formed therein by joining the front case to the front case so as to face each other to form a space for accommodating an in-vehicle camera; a connector module that is inserted into the insertion hole and engages with the rear case body, and at least a portion of the connector module that protrudes to the outside of the rear case body is made of resin; a housing adapted to engage with and house the connector module; The rear case main body has a rear case upper surface facing the front case, a plurality of rear case side surfaces provided vertically along an outer periphery of the rear case top surface; a boss member provided on a surface of the rear case main body on the inner side of the rear case upper surface, the boss member protruding vertically from the rear case upper surface toward an inner side of the rear case main body and engaging with the connector module; a crimp receiving portion provided on an outer surface of the rear case main body at a position facing the boss member, The boss member is crimped in a state where it is engaged with the connector module.
2. The connector module includes: A shell that is a conductor made of metal and has a cylindrical portion; a terminal disposed inside the shell along a central axis and capable of conducting electricity from one end side to the other end side; 2. The rear case for an in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, further comprising an insulating insulator interposed between the shell and the terminal and holding the terminal.
3. the shell further includes a flat flange portion having a plurality of engagement holes formed therein and adapted to engage with the rear case body and the housing, 3. The rear case for an in-vehicle camera according to claim 2, wherein when the flange portion is engaged with the boss member of the rear case body, the boss member passes through the plurality of engagement holes.
4. 3. The rear case for an in-vehicle camera according to claim 2, wherein the shell has an enlarged shell flange and a waterproof shell O-ring fitted between the shell flange and the inner surface of the housing.
5. The rear case for an in-vehicle camera as described in claim 3, characterized in that the rear case main body has a flange receiving surface as a recess that receives the flange portion on the inner surface of the upper surface of the rear case, and the boss member is provided on the flange receiving surface.
6. 2. The rear case for an in-vehicle camera according to claim 1, wherein the insertion hole is circular and is formed in the center of the upper surface of the rear case.
7. four sides forming an outer periphery of the upper surface of the rear case are respectively designated as a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side; the first side portion and the third side portion face each other, and the second side portion and the fourth side portion face each other, When the closest distance between the outer edge of the insertion hole and the first side portion is L1, the closest distance between the outer edge of the insertion hole and the second side portion is L2, the closest distance between the outer edge of the insertion hole and the third side portion is L3, and the closest distance between the outer edge of the insertion hole and the fourth side portion is L4, 6. The rear case for an in-vehicle camera according to claim 5, wherein a position of the insertion hole is shifted from a center of the upper surface of the rear case so that the L1 and the L3 have different values.
8. 8. The rear case for an in-vehicle camera according to claim 7, wherein the position of the insertion hole is shifted from the center of the upper surface of the rear case so that the L2 and the L4 have different values.
9. At least one of the boss members on the shorter side of the L1 or the L3 is a side boss provided on the upper surface of the inner rear case, 8. The rear case for an in-vehicle camera according to claim 7, wherein the side boss is crimped with the flange portion engaged with the flange receiving surface.
10. The rear case for an in-vehicle camera according to claim 9 , wherein the side boss is formed by extending from a side surface of the rear case.
11. At least one of the boss members is a side boss provided at a corner of an upper surface of the inner rear case, 6. The rear case for an in-vehicle camera according to claim 5, wherein the side boss is crimped with the flange portion engaged with the flange receiving surface.
12. The side boss is provided on the flange receiving surface, The flange portion includes a notch portion, 12. The rear case for an in-vehicle camera according to claim 11, wherein the side boss is engaged with the notch and is crimped.
13. 9. The rear case for an in-vehicle camera according to claim 8, wherein the boss member on the short side of L1 or L3 and the short side of L2 or L4 is a side boss provided on an upper surface of the inner rear case.
14. 13. A vehicle-mounted camera case, comprising: the vehicle-mounted camera rear case according to claim 1 joined to a front case to form a space for accommodating the vehicle-mounted camera.
Citation Information
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