Housing part for a housing for a vehicle camera, an optical module for a vehicle camera, a vehicle camera, a vehicle equipped with at least one vehicle camera, and a method for manufacturing a vehicle camera

Abstract

A housing portion (18) for a housing (16) for a vehicle camera (14), an optical module for a vehicle camera, a vehicle camera, a vehicle having at least one vehicle camera, and a method for manufacturing a vehicle camera are described. The housing portion (18) has at least one connection portion (36) for mechanically connecting the housing portion (18) to at least one other portion (22) of the vehicle camera (14), and at least one protruding connecting element (38) having at least one end made of a cold-deformable material is disposed in the at least one connection portion (36). The at least one protruding connecting element (38) has at least one end made of a cold-deformable material.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing part for a housing for a vehicle camera, the housing part having at least one connection part for mechanically connecting the housing part to at least one other part of the vehicle camera, and at least one protruding protruding connection element, at least one end of which consists of a deformable material, is arranged in the at least one connection part.

[0002] The present invention further relates to an optical module for a vehicle camera having at least one optical module housing part, at least one lens, and at least one imager circuit board having at least one imager chip, wherein the at least one lens and the at least one imager circuit board are arranged in the at least one optical module housing part such that the at least one lens is aligned with the at least one imager chip, the at least one optical module housing part has at least one connecting part for mechanically connecting the at least one optical module housing part to at least one other part of the vehicle camera, and at least one protruding projection connecting element, at least one end of which is made of a deformable material, is arranged in the at least one connecting part.

[0003] The present invention further relates to a vehicle camera having a housing in which at least one lens is arranged and in which at least one imager chip is arranged, the at least one lens being aligned with the at least one imager chip, the housing having at least two housing parts mechanically connected to each other; each of the at least two housing portions has at least one connection portion mechanically connected to at least one corresponding connection portion of the other housing portion; the connecting portions are connected by at least one protruding connecting element, at least one end of which is made of a deformable material, and at least one receiving connecting element, through which the at least one protruding connecting element is inserted, is disposed on at least one of the connecting portions; At least one protruding connecting element has a deformed gripping portion at at least one end that is inserted into the at least one receiving connecting element and that engages with the at least one receiving connecting element behind the at least one connecting portion.

[0004] The invention further relates to a vehicle having at least one vehicle camera.

[0005] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a vehicle camera, in which at least two housing parts of the housing of the vehicle camera are mechanically connected to each other, one of the housing parts is placed with a connecting part in a corresponding connecting part of the other housing part, at least one protruding connecting element is inserted into at least one receiving connecting element of the at least one connecting part, and at least one free end of the protruding connecting element that is inserted into the receiving connecting element is deformed to form a gripping part that engages with the at least one receiving connecting element behind the at least one connecting part. [Background technology]

[0006] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0338071 discloses a camera for a driver assistance system or a vision or imaging system for a vehicle that captures image data showing an image of the vehicle's exterior. The camera includes a metal body, such as an extruded aluminum body, having a post formed as part of the body, and a method for assembling the camera. When a printed circuit board is attached to the housing, the post is inserted into a hole in the printed circuit board, and then the end of the post is flattened (e.g., by punching or vibration welding) to secure the printed circuit board to the post. Furthermore, a rear cover element may be disposed on the rear side of the housing to seal the housing. The rear cover element may include one or more posts formed as part of the cover element, which are inserted into holes in the connector structure to receive conductive terminals (electrically connected to circuits on the printed circuit board) for electrical connection to a vehicle wire harness when the connector structure is disposed on the rear cover element. The end of the post is then flattened to secure the connector structure to the post. The post may be flattened, for example, by punching or vibration welding after heating the post region to improve the malleability of the post. The post may also be flattened, for example, by hot forging after heating the post to improve the malleability of the post.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to construct a housing part, an optical module, a vehicle camera, a vehicle and a method of the type described in the introduction of this specification, which makes it possible to reduce the costs for manufacturing a vehicle camera, in particular the material costs and / or the mounting costs and / or the tooling costs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0338071 Summary of the Invention

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention in that the housing part comprises at least one protruding connecting element made of a cold-deformable material at least at one end.

[0010] According to the present invention, at least one protruding connection element is cold deformable. In this embodiment, the at least one protruding connection element can be deformed cold, i.e., without heating. This reduces the costs for manufacturing the connection. On the other hand, tooling costs can be reduced compared to hot forging or vibration welding known from the prior art. Deformation according to the present invention can be carried out simply by chiseling or pressing. Avoiding heating can further protect the components.

[0011] Advantageously, the at least one protruding connecting element may be entirely made of a cold-deformable material, in which case the at least one protruding connecting element may be manufactured less expensively.

[0012] Advantageously, the at least one protruding connecting element may consist of a metal alloy or the like. In this manner, a protruding connecting element may be produced which is on the one hand stable, but nevertheless cold deformable.

[0013] The housing portion is for housing a vehicle camera by which images of a monitored area in the vicinity of and / or within the vehicle's interior can be determined.

[0014] Advantageously, the vehicle camera may be an imaging camera, which may be used in a vehicle to monitor a surveillance area within and / or in the vicinity of the vehicle.

[0015] Advantageously, the vehicle camera can be a front camera, which can monitor the area in front of the vehicle in the direction of travel, or can be a rear view camera, a side camera, an interior camera or a multi-function vehicle camera.

[0016] Advantageously, the vehicle camera may be configured to be arranged on a window of the vehicle, in particular on the windshield, in which case the vehicle camera may be arranged to be protected within the vehicle, in which case the vehicle camera may be aimed towards the interior of the vehicle and / or the vicinity of the vehicle.

[0017] Advantageously, the vehicle camera may be employed in a motor vehicle. Advantageously, the vehicle camera may be employed in a land vehicle, in particular a car, a truck, a bus, a motorcycle, a construction or transport machine such as a crane, an excavator, an aircraft, in particular a drone, and / or a ship. The vehicle camera may also be used in vehicles that can operate autonomously or at least semi-autonomously.

[0018] The vehicle camera may advantageously be connected to or be part of at least one electronic control unit of the vehicle, in particular a driver assistance system, etc. In this manner, at least some of the vehicle's functions, in particular driving functions, may be operated autonomously or semi-autonomously, where information obtained by the vehicle camera may be transmitted to at least one control unit of the vehicle and employed to control the vehicle's functions.

[0019] The vehicle camera may capture stationary or moving objects, in particular vehicles, people, animals, plants, obstacles, road irregularities, in particular potholes or rocks, road boundaries, traffic signs, open spaces, in particular parking spaces, precipitation, etc., and / or gestures.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one protruding connection element may have a tubular, in particular cylindrical, shape and / or may be firmly connected to the at least one connection part, in particular integrally or as a multi-part component, etc. A cylindrical shape has the advantage that the protruding connection element can be more easily inserted through a corresponding receiving connection element on the other part of the vehicle camera and can be deformed accordingly behind the receiving connection element. The effect of the deformation is that the at least one protruding connection element cannot slip out of the receiving connection element.

[0021] Advantageously, the at least one protruding connection element can be firmly connected to the at least one connecting part. In this manner, the at least one protruding connection element can be securely fastened to the at least one connecting part so as not to be lost. Therefore, the installation can be simplified.

[0022] Advantageously, the at least one protruding connecting element may be integrally configured with the at least one connecting part, in which case the at least one protruding connecting element may be more easily manufactured together with the at least one connecting part.

[0023] Advantageously, the at least one connecting part can be manufactured as an extruded part with at least one protruding connecting element, in which case the at least one protruding connecting element can be manufactured as a cold-formable part integral with the at least one connecting part.

[0024] Advantageously, the at least one protruding connecting element may be configured as a pillar, a bolt, a rib, a web, etc. In this manner, the at least one protruding connecting element may be flexibly adapted to the available expansion space.

[0025] In a further advantageous embodiment, the housing part may be an optical module housing part, in particular an optical module housing part for an optical module for a vehicle camera, or the main housing part for the vehicle camera and / or at least one connection part may serve to mechanically connect the housing part to at least one other housing part of the vehicle camera.

[0026] Advantageously, the housing part according to the present invention can be an optical module housing part. In this embodiment, at least one protruding connection element can be arranged on the side of the optical module. Thus, the optical module can be pre-manufactured. The pre-manufactured optical module can be connected to at least one other part of the vehicle camera, in particular the main housing part of the vehicle camera. In this case, the at least one protruding connection element on the side of the optical module housing part can be inserted into a corresponding receiving connection element on the at least one other part, in particular the main housing part. An end of the receiving connection element can be cold-deformed behind the receiving connection element to form a gripping portion. The gripping portion can engage with a rear portion of the receiving connection element.

[0027] Alternatively or additionally, the housing part according to the invention may advantageously be a main housing part for a vehicle camera, so that at least one protruding connection element may be formed in the main housing part, in which case at least one corresponding receiving connection element may be arranged on the side of another part, in particular the optical module housing part.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one connection portion may advantageously serve to mechanically connect the housing part to at least one other housing part of the vehicle camera, in which manner the two housing parts of the vehicle camera can be easily fixed to each other by cold deformation of the corresponding protruding connection elements.

[0029] In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one connection part can be configured as a flange and / or can have at least one positioning element, in particular at least one positioning frame, in which case the at least one connection part of the housing part can be more easily connected to the at least one connection part of the other part.

[0030] Advantageously, the at least one connection portion can be configured as a flange, and the at least one protruding connection element can be arranged on the flange in a more flexible and easily accessible manner. The flange in the form of a plate-like structural element can be formed as an attachment to the base body of the at least one housing part.

[0031] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one connection part may advantageously have at least one positioning element, with the help of which the at least one connection part of the housing part and the at least one connection part of the other part, in particular the other housing part, can be more easily positioned relative to each other.

[0032] The counterpart of the at least one other part may be surrounded by the positioning frame, so that the counterpart of the at least one other part may be accurately positioned and held inside the positioning frame.

[0033] Advantageously, the positioning frame may have the same contour as the at least one part to be connected to the at least one connecting element, in particular a connecting portion, in particular a connecting flange, on the at least one part, in particular a housing part, in which manner the connecting flange may be positioned and held inside the positioning frame.

[0034] This object is further achieved by the invention in the case of an optical module in which at least one protruding connecting element consists at least at one end of a material that is cold deformable.

[0035] According to the present invention, the optical module has at least one connection portion having a protruding connection element whose end is cold-deformable. In this embodiment, the optical module can be fixed to the main housing portion of the vehicle camera by cold-deforming the end of the at least one protruding connection element to form a gripping portion. The gripping portion can advantageously engage behind a corresponding receiving connection element of the main housing portion. The end of the at least one protruding connection element that deforms to form the gripping portion prevents the at least one protruding connection element from slipping out of the receiving connection element. Thus, the optical module is fixed to the main housing portion by the cold-deformed end of the at least one protruding connection element.

[0036] Advantageously, the light module may have a housing part according to the invention as a light module housing part, in this manner the light module may be more easily connected to the corresponding main housing part of the vehicle camera.

[0037] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one optical module housing part may have at least one connection part with at least one protruding connection element on each side, and / or the at least one optical module housing part may have at least one connection part in the form of a flange, and / or the at least one imager circuit board may be arranged on a rear side of the at least one optical module housing part opposite the at least one lens.

[0038] Advantageously, the at least one optical module housing portion may have at least one connection portion on each of opposite sides, in which case the retention force may be applied more uniformly to the at least one optical module housing portion.

[0039] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one optical module housing part may advantageously have at least one connection part in the form of a flange, in which case better forces can be directed to the at least one protruding connection element and / or easier accessibility of the at least one protruding connection element can be achieved.

[0040] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one imager circuit board may be advantageously disposed on the rear side of the at least one optical module housing portion, opposite the at least one lens. In this manner, the at least one imager circuit board, together with the lens and the optical module housing portion, may be connected to further components of the vehicle camera, particularly the main housing portion. Thus, the optical module may be more easily pre-manufactured. The at least one lens may be aligned with the at least one imager circuit board, particularly the at least one imager chip, during pre-manufacturing.

[0041] The object is further achieved by the invention in the case of a vehicle camera in which at least one protruding connecting element has a cold-deformed gripping portion at at least one end.

[0042] According to the present invention, at least one gripping portion is cold-deformed. In this manner, the cost of manufacturing the vehicle camera can be reduced compared to deformation by applying heat. Simpler tools, particularly simple stamps, can be used for cold deformation. Conversely, hot deformation requires a tool for heating the component. Furthermore, cold deformation better protects the component because it does not require heating the component.

[0043] Advantageously, at least one of the housing parts of the vehicle camera can be a housing part according to the invention, in particular a light module housing part and / or a main housing part. In this manner, the costs for manufacturing the vehicle camera, in particular the material costs and the installation costs, can be reduced. Therefore, tooling costs can also be reduced.

[0044] Advantageously, the at least one protruding connecting element may be arranged on at least one of the connecting portions of one of the housing parts, in which case the at least one protruding connecting element may be securely held in the at least one connecting portion so as not to be lost.

[0045] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one protruding connection element may advantageously be configured as a separate component. At least two connecting portions to be connected to each other may each have a corresponding receiving connection element. The separate at least one protruding connection element may be inserted into both receiving connection elements. The at least one protruding connection element may each have cold-deformed gripping portions at both ends.

[0046] In an advantageous embodiment, the vehicle camera may have at least one optical module having at least one optical module housing portion, at least one lens, and at least one imager circuit board having at least one imager chip, and / or the vehicle camera may include at least one main housing portion having a lens insertion opening for at least one lens and / or at least one lens receiving socket of the optical module housing portion of the vehicle camera.

[0047] Advantageously, the vehicle may have at least one lens module. The optical module may be pre-manufactured. In this case, the at least one lens and the at least one imager chip may be aligned with each other. A pre-manufactured optical module may be more easily connected to further parts of the vehicle camera, in particular to the main housing part.

[0048] Advantageously, a vehicle camera may comprise at least one optical module according to the invention, in which case the vehicle camera may be manufactured at lower cost.

[0049] Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle camera may advantageously have at least one main housing part with at least one lens insertion opening through which at least one lens of the vehicle camera may be inserted.

[0050] Alternatively or additionally, the lens insertion opening may advantageously be configured to allow a lens receiving socket of the optical module housing part to be inserted therethrough, in which case the optical module housing part, in particular the optical module, may be arranged inside the main housing part, with the lens being inserted through the lens insertion opening.

[0051] In another advantageous embodiment, At least one protruding connection element may be arranged on a side of the connection portion of the main housing part of the housing facing away from the free end, and at least one corresponding receiving connection element may be arranged on the connection portion of the optical module housing part of the housing; and / or At least one protruding connection element may be arranged on a side of the housing facing away from the free end of the connection portion of the optical module housing part, and at least one corresponding receiving connection element may be arranged on the connection portion of the main housing part of the housing; and / or The at least one protruding connecting element may be a separate component, each end of which has a cold-deformed gripping portion.

[0052] Advantageously, the at least one protruding connection element can be fastened to a connection part of the main housing part, in which case the protruding connection element can be securely positioned on the main housing part so as not to be lost, and can be connected to the optical module housing part together with the main housing part.

[0053] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one protruding connection element may advantageously be arranged at the connection portion of the optical module housing part, in which case the at least one protruding connection element may be prefabricated with the optical module housing part and then connected to the main housing part.

[0054] Alternatively or additionally, at least one housing part may advantageously have both at least one protruding connecting element and at least one receiving connecting element, in which case the housing parts may be configured more flexibly with regard to their shape and accessibility.

[0055] Alternatively or additionally, at least one protruding connection element may advantageously be formed as a separate component. Therefore, the at least one protruding connection element may be flexibly connected to a corresponding connection portion. In particular, the connection portion of the main housing portion and the connection portion of the optical module housing portion may each have a receiving connection element. Therefore, the protruding connection element may be inserted into both receiving connection elements and then cold-deformed at the opposite ends. Thus, cold-deformed gripping portions are formed at both ends of the protruding connection element. The separate protruding connection element may be formed from a different material from the housing portion having the connection portion. Therefore, a material that is not cold-deformable itself may be used for the connection portion.

[0056] Furthermore, this object is achieved by the invention in the case of a vehicle that comprises at least one vehicle camera.

[0057] By means of the vehicle camera, at least one monitoring area in the vicinity of the vehicle and / or inside the vehicle can be monitored, in particular with respect to objects.

[0058] Advantageously, the vehicle may comprise at least one driver assistance system, which allows the vehicle to be operated autonomously or at least semi-autonomously.

[0059] Advantageously, the at least one vehicle camera may be functionally connected to at least one driver assistance system of the vehicle, such that information about at least one monitoring area that can be determined by the at least one vehicle camera may be transmitted to the at least one driver assistance system, such that the at least one driver assistance system may operate the vehicle autonomously or at least semi-autonomously, taking into account the information about the at least one monitoring area.

[0060] Furthermore, this object is achieved according to the invention in the case of a method in which at least one free end of at least one protruding connecting element is cold deformed to form a gripping portion.

[0061] According to the present invention, at least one free end of the protruding connecting element is cold-deformed to form a gripping portion after being inserted into at least one receiving connecting element. Cold deformation does not require heat. Therefore, the component is not subjected to stress due to heat. Furthermore, less tooling is required for cold deformation than for hot deformation.

[0062] Advantageously, the cold deformation can be carried out by means of a punch which is pressed against the free end of the at least one protruding connecting element. The punch can be simply manufactured and used.

[0063] Advantageously, at least one protruding connecting element fastened to one of the connecting parts can be inserted into at least one receiving connecting element of each of the other connecting parts. In this manner, at least one protruding connecting element can be securely positioned on one side of the corresponding connecting part so as not to be lost. The protruding connecting element can then be inserted into the corresponding receiving connecting element.

[0064] Alternatively or additionally, at least one protruding connection element may be advantageously inserted into each of the receiving connection elements of both connection portions. The end of the at least one protruding connection element may then be cold-deformed to form respective gripping portions on both sides. In this embodiment, separate protruding connection elements may be employed. Corresponding receiving connection elements may be provided on each of the two connection portions.

[0065] In one advantageous configuration of the method, an optical module housing portion may be employed as at least one of the at least two housing portions and connected to at least one lens and at least one imager circuit board to form an optical module, which may then be connected to a main housing portion that may be employed as the other of the at least two housing portions. In this manner, the optical module may be pre-fabricated with the optical module housing portion, the lens, and the imager circuit board. The pre-fabricated optical module may be connected to the main housing portion in a manner according to the invention.

[0066] Advantageously, the at least one imager circuit board may have at least one imager chip, which may convert light rays into electrical signals, which may be processed by an electronic evaluation device, and which may generate a two-dimensional image of the monitored area captured by the vehicle camera.

[0067] Advantageously, the at least one lens may be aligned with the at least one imager chip, in which case light rays captured by the at least one lens may be imaged onto the at least one imager chip.

[0068] Advantageously, the at least one lens may be aligned with the at least one imager chip before the lens module housing portion is connected to the main housing portion. In this manner, the lens module may be completely pre-fabricated, thus simplifying final installation of the vehicle camera.

[0069] In a further advantageous configuration of the method, the optical module may be disposed in the main housing portion with the lens facing forward from inside the main housing portion, such that at least the lens protrudes through the lens insertion opening in the main housing portion, in this manner allowing a majority of the optical module to be disposed compactly inside the main housing portion.

[0070] Advantageously, the at least one protruding connection element arranged inside the main housing part can be inserted into at least one corresponding receiving connection element on the side of the optical module housing part. In this embodiment, the at least one protruding connection element can be arranged inside the housing. In this embodiment, the at least one protruding connection element can be protected from the environment. Furthermore, the gripping part thus avoids protrusions on the outside of the housing of the vehicle camera.

[0071] Advantageously, the at least two housing parts can be positioned relative to one another by means of at least one positioning element, in particular a positioning frame, in this manner the components can be assembled more precisely and more easily.

[0072] Otherwise, the features and advantages indicated in connection with the housing part according to the invention, the optical module according to the invention, the vehicle camera according to the invention, the vehicle according to the invention and the method according to the invention, as well as their respective advantageous configurations, apply correspondingly to one another and vice versa. Of course, individual features and advantages can be combined with one another, in which case further advantageous effects may be obtained that exceed the sum of the individual effects.

[0073] Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in which exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail with reference to the drawings. Those skilled in the art will also be able to consider the disclosed features individually in combination with the drawings, the specification and the claims, and combine them to form further suitable combinations. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0074] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a vehicle having a driver assistance system and a vehicle camera. [Figure 2] 2 is an exploded view of the vehicle camera without the lower housing portion according to the first exemplary embodiment of the vehicle of FIG. 1; [Figure 3] 3 is a perspective view of the vehicle camera of FIG. 2 showing the open rear side without the lower housing portion. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle camera of FIG. 3 along section III, now with the housing lower portion. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the optical module of the vehicle camera of FIGS. 2 to 4. [Figure 6] 1. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a vehicle camera without a lower housing portion according to a second exemplary embodiment of the vehicle of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vehicle camera of FIG. 2, showing the front side. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an optical module of the vehicle camera of FIGS. 6 and 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle camera of FIG. 7 along section VIII. [Figure 10] 1. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a vehicle camera without a lower housing portion according to a third exemplary embodiment of the vehicle of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0075] In the drawings, the same parts are given the same reference numerals.

[0076] 1 is a front view of a vehicle 10 in the form of an automobile. The vehicle 10 is equipped with a driver assistance system 12 and a vehicle camera 14.

[0077] The vehicle camera 14 is operatively connected to the driver assistance system 12. Thus, information obtained by the vehicle camera 14 can be transmitted to the driver assistance system 12. The driver assistance system 12 allows the vehicle 10 to operate autonomously or semi-autonomously.

[0078] The vehicle camera 14 is configured, for example, as a front camera, such as a windshield camera. The vehicle camera 14 is located on the inside upper part of the windshield of the vehicle 10 and is directed toward a monitoring area ahead of the vehicle 10 in the direction of travel. The vehicle camera 14 may also be located elsewhere on the vehicle 10 and aligned in a different manner. Multiple vehicle cameras 14 may also be provided on or within the vehicle 10. The vehicle camera 14 may also be directed toward the interior of the vehicle 10.

[0079] The vehicle camera 14 is, for example, an imaging camera, and can capture images of the monitoring area with positional resolution.

[0080] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the vehicle camera 14 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the vehicle 10 of Figure 1, shown without the lower housing portion 20 shown in Figure 4. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the vehicle camera 14 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a cross-section of the vehicle camera 14 of Figure 3 along section III, now shown with the lower housing portion 20.

[0081] The vehicle camera 14 has a housing 16. The housing 16 includes a main housing portion 18, a lower housing portion 20, and an optical module housing portion 22.

[0082] The main housing portion 18 has a step 24 in which an optical module 26 is disposed.

[0083] The main housing portion 18 has a lower mounting opening on its underside that is closed when the vehicle camera 14 is finally mounted in the lower housing portion 20. A main printed circuit board (not shown for clarity) can be installed in the housing interior 28 of the housing 16 through the lower mounting opening.

[0084] A lens insertion opening 30 is provided in the front wall of the main housing portion 18 in front of the stepped portion 24. The lens insertion opening 30 is a circular hole.

[0085] A rear mounting opening 32 is formed on the rear side of the step 24. The rear mounting opening 32 faces the lens insertion opening 30. The optical module 26 can be mounted to the main housing portion 18 through the rear mounting opening 32. When the vehicle camera 14 is fully mounted, the rear mounting opening 32 is closed by the lower housing portion 20, as shown in FIG.

[0086] A module receiving space 34 is formed between the front side of the step portion 24 and the rear side of the housing lower portion 20. Most of the optical module 26 is disposed in the module receiving space 34.

[0087] Two main connection portions 36 are formed on the front wall of the step portion 24. The main connection portions 36 are arranged on both sides of the lens insertion opening 30. Each of the main connection portions 36 is a flat wall portion of the front wall.

[0088] A protruding connection element 38 is disposed on each main connection portion 36 so as to protrude from the corresponding main connection portion 36. As shown in Fig. 2, each of the protruding connection elements 38 has the shape of a cylindrical pillar before the vehicle camera 14 is assembled. The protruding connection element 38 extends inward toward the installation opening 32 of the corresponding main connection portion 36 facing the module receiving space 34. The imaginary axes 39 of the protruding connection elements 38 extend parallel to each other.

[0089] Furthermore, a positioning element in the form of a positioning frame 40 is arranged at each main connection portion 36. The positioning frame 40 is arranged on the inner side of each main connection portion 36, facing towards the module receiving space 34. The positioning frame 40 is configured as a web. The positioning frame 40 stands with a constant width and height from the main connection portion 36 in the direction of the installation opening 32. When viewed from the installation opening 32, each positioning frame 40 has a substantially Ω-shaped outline. Each positioning frame 40 extends around the protruding connection element 38 of the respective main connection portion 36.

[0090] The protruding connection element 38 and the positioning frame 40 are each integrally connected to the main connection portion 36. The protruding connection element 38 is made of a cold deformable material, for example a metal alloy.

[0091] The optical module 26 is shown in detail in Figure 5. The optical module 26 includes an optical module housing portion 22, a lens 42, and an imager circuit board 44.

[0092] The optical module housing portion 22 includes a module base body 46 , a lens receiving socket 48 , and two module connectors 50 .

[0093] The module base body 46 has a generally hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape and has an opening on the rear side. This opening is closed by the imager circuit board 44. The imager circuit board 44 is positioned by two positioning posts 52 and fixed to the module base body 46 by two screws 54.

[0094] The lens receiving socket 48 is disposed on the opposite side of the module base body 46 from the image pickup device circuit board 44. The lens receiving socket 48 is integrally connected to the module base body 46. The lens receiving socket 48 has a generally hollow cylindrical shape. The lens 42 is inserted into and fixed in the lens receiving socket 48. The lens receiving socket 48 is coaxial with a lens axis 56.

[0095] An imager chip (hidden in FIG. 4) is disposed on the imager circuit board 44. The imager chip is disposed on the side of the imager circuit board 44 facing the lens receiving socket 48 and the lens 42. The lens 42 is aligned with the imager chip. The imager chip can convert light rays into electrical signals.

[0096] The module connection portion 50 is formed as a flange in the form of a plate-like structural portion as an attachment to the module base body 46. The module connection portion 50 extends in a direction away from the module base body 46.

[0097] The module connection parts 50 are arranged on both sides of the module base main body 46. The module connection parts 50 are arranged on both sides of the lens axis 56 of the lens 42. The module connection parts 50 are formed integrally with the module base main body 46.

[0098] The front faces of the module base body 46 and the module connection part 50, which face towards the lens receiving socket 48, extend in the same plane. The front faces form a flat support surface for the main connection part 36 of the main housing part 18.

[0099] The thickness of the module connection portion 50 is less than the length of the protruding connection element 38 of the main housing portion 18 .

[0100] Each module connection portion 50 has a receiving connection element 58. The receiving connection element 48 is formed as a through hole in each module connection portion 50. The cross section of the receiving connection element 48 corresponds to the cross section of the protruding connection element 38. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the receiving connection elements 48 each have a circular cross section.

[0101] The imaginary axes 60 of the receiving connection elements 58 extend parallel to each other and parallel to the lens axis 56.

[0102] The contour of the front edge 62 of the optical module housing portion 22 facing the lens receiving socket 48 corresponds to the contour of the inside of the positioning frame 40 of the main housing portion 18. The position of the receiving connection element 58 relative to the front edge 62 corresponds to the position of the protruding connection element 38 of the main housing portion 18 relative to the positioning frame 40.

[0103] The spacing of the axes 60 of the receiving connecting elements 58 of the optical module housing portion 22 corresponds to the spacing of the axes 39 of the protruding connecting elements 38 of the main housing portion 18 .

[0104] The diameter of the receiving connection element 58 is the same. The outer diameter of the receiving connection element 38 is also the same before the optical module 26 is attached to the main housing portion 18. The diameter of the receiving connection element 58 is somewhat larger than the diameter of the protruding connection element 38 before the optical module 26 is attached to the main housing portion 18.

[0105] Both the receiving connecting element 58 and the protruding connecting element 38 and the positioning frame 40 are symmetrical with respect to an imaginary central plane having the lens axis 56 .

[0106] To manufacture the vehicle camera 14, the optical module 26 is prefabricated with the optical module housing portion 22, the imager circuit board 44, and the lens 42.

[0107] The prefabricated optical module 26, together with the lens 42, is placed forward into the module-receiving space 34 through the installation opening 32 in the step 24 of the main housing portion 18. In this case, the lens 42 and lens-receiving socket 48 are fed into the lens-through opening 30.

[0108] The optical module 26 is aligned so that the module connection portion 50 is positioned inside the positioning frame 40 of the main housing portion 18 and the protruding connection elements 38 of the main housing portion 18 are positioned within the respective receiving connection elements 58 of the optical module 26.

[0109] The optical module 26 is pushed into the module receiving space 34 until the module connection portion 50 abuts the main connection portion 36. In this position of the optical module 26, the ends of the protruding connection elements 38 protrude from the receiving connection element 58. The free ends of the protruding connection elements 38 are then cold-deformed to form the respective gripping portions 64. For this purpose, forging or the like may be used, for example. This mounting step is shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0110] Each of the gripping portions 64 is circumferentially continuous with respect to the axis 60 and has an edge that engages behind the respective receiving connection element 58. The outer diameter of the gripping portion 64 is greater than the inner diameter of the receiving connection element 58. In this embodiment, the protruding connection element 38 is retained within the respective receiving connection element 58.

[0111] The gripping portion 64 holds the optical module housing portion 22 , and therefore the entire optical module 26 , inside the shoulder 24 of the main housing portion 18 .

[0112] Before or after the optical module 26 is installed in the module-receiving space 34, a main circuit board is disposed in the housing interior 28. For clarity, the main circuit board is not shown. The imager circuit board 44 is connected to the main circuit by, for example, a flexible cable. For clarity, the flexible cable is also not shown.

[0113] Finally, the lower housing section 20 is fastened to the main housing section 18, thereby closing the installation opening 32 in the shoulder section 24 and the lower installation opening in the main housing section 18. The cold-deformed gripping section 64 is not visible from the outside and is protected from the environment within the module-receiving space 34.

[0114] 6 to 9 show a vehicle camera 14 according to a second exemplary embodiment. Elements similar to those of the first exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 2 to 5 are given the same reference numerals. The second exemplary embodiment differs from the first exemplary embodiment in that the protruding connection element 38 is arranged on the module connection portion 150 side of the optical module housing portion 122. Corresponding receiving connection elements 58 are arranged in the main connection portions 136 on the front wall of the step portion 24 of the main housing portion 118 on both sides of the lens insertion opening 30.

[0115] When the vehicle camera 14 is assembled, the gripping portions 64 are positioned correspondingly to the outside of the shoulders 24 of the main housing portion 118 on either side adjacent the lens-receiving socket 48 .

[0116] Figure 10 shows a vehicle camera 14 according to a third exemplary embodiment. Elements similar to those of the first exemplary embodiment of Figures 2 to 5 are given the same reference numerals. The third exemplary embodiment differs from the first exemplary embodiment in that the protruding connecting element 38 is formed as a separate component.

[0117] The protruding connecting element 38 has the shape of a cylindrical post before the vehicle camera 14 is assembled.

[0118] Corresponding receiving connection elements 58 in the form of through holes are disposed in both the module connection portion 250 of the optical module housing portion 222 and the main connection portion 236 of the main housing portion 218 .

[0119] The length of the protruding connection elements 38 is longer than the distance between the outside of the front wall of the step portion 24 and the rear side of the module connection portion 250 when the optical module 26 is inserted. Two ends of each protruding connection element 38 protrude from both the corresponding receiving connection element 58 of the main housing portion 218 and the corresponding receiving connection element 58 of the optical module housing portion 222.

[0120] During manufacture of the vehicle camera 14, the protruding connecting element 38 is cold deformed at its ends to form gripping portions 64 at its ends.

Claims

1. 1. A housing part (18; 122) for a housing (16) for a vehicle camera (14), the housing part (18; 122) having at least one connection part (36; 150) for mechanically connecting the housing part (18; 122) to at least one other part (22; 118) of the vehicle camera (14), wherein at least one protruding connecting element (38), at least one end of which is made of a deformable material, is arranged on the at least one connection part (36, 50), characterized in that the at least one protruding connecting element (38), at least one end of which is made of a cold-deformable material.

2. 2. A housing part according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one protruding connecting element (38) has a tubular, in particular cylindrical, shape and / or the at least one protruding connecting element (38) is connected to the at least one connecting part (36; 150) firmly, in particular integrally or as a multi-part component or the like.

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

4. 4. A housing part according to claim 1, wherein at least one connection portion (150) is configured as a flange and / or at least one connection portion (36) has at least one positioning element (40), in particular at least one positioning frame.

5. An optical module (26) for a vehicle camera (14) comprising at least one optical module housing portion (122), at least one lens (42), and at least one imager circuit board (44) having at least one imager chip, wherein the at least one lens (42) and the at least one imager circuit board (44) are disposed in the at least one optical module housing portion (22; 122) such that the at least one lens (42) is aligned with the at least one imager chip, and the at least one An optical module (26), wherein an optical module housing portion (122) has at least one connection portion (150) for mechanically connecting the at least one optical module housing portion (122) to at least one other portion of the vehicle camera (14), and at least one protruding protruding connection element (38), at least one end of which is made of a deformable material, is disposed on the at least one connection portion (150), characterized in that the at least one protruding protruding connection element (38), at least one end of which is made of a cold-deformable material.

6. 6. The optical module of claim 5, wherein the at least one optical module housing portion (122) has at least one connection portion (150) on each side thereof, the connection portion (150) having at least one protruding connection element (38), and / or the at least one optical module housing portion (122) has at least one connection portion (150) in the form of a flange, and / or the at least one imager circuit board (44) is arranged on a rear side of the at least one optical module housing portion (122) opposite the at least one lens (42).

7. A vehicle camera (14) having a housing (16) in which at least one lens (42) is disposed and in which at least one imager chip is disposed, the at least one lens (42) being aligned with the at least one imager chip, the housing (16) having at least two housing portions (18, 22; 118, 122; 218, 222) mechanically connected to each other; each of the at least two housing portions (18, 22; 118, 122; 218, 222) has at least one connection portion (36, 50; 136, 150; 236, 250) mechanically connected to at least one corresponding connection portion (36, 50; 136, 150; 236, 250) of the respective other housing portion (18, 22; 118, 122; 218, 222); the connecting portions (36, 50; 136, 150; 236, 250) are connected by at least one protruding connecting element (38) made of a deformable material at least one end of which is connected, and at least one receiving connecting element (58) through which the at least one protruding connecting element (38) is inserted is arranged on at least one of the connecting portions (50; 136; 236, 250); the at least one protruding connection element (38) has, at least on one end thereof that is inserted into the at least one receiving connection element (58), a deformed gripping portion (64) that engages with the at least one receiving connection element (58) behind the at least one connecting portion (50; 136; 236, 250); In the vehicle camera (14), The at least one protruding connecting element (38) has a cold-deformed gripping portion (64) at at least one end.

8. 8. The vehicle camera of claim 7, wherein the vehicle camera has at least one optical module having at least one optical module housing portion, at least one lens, and at least one imager circuit board having at least one imager chip; and / or the vehicle camera has at least one main housing portion having a lens insertion opening for at least one lens and / or at least one lens receiving socket of the optical module housing portion of the vehicle camera.

9. At least one protruding connection element (38) is arranged on a connection portion (36) of the main housing portion (18) of the housing (16) on a side facing away from the free end, and the at least one corresponding receiving connection element (58) is arranged on a connection portion (50) of the optical module housing portion (22) of the housing (16); and / or At least one protruding connection element (38) is arranged on a connection portion (150) of the optical module housing portion (122) of the housing (16) on a side facing away from the free end, and at least one corresponding receiving connection element (58) is arranged on a connection portion (136) of the main housing portion (118) of the housing (16); and / or At least one protruding connecting element (38) is a separate component, each end of which has a cold-deformed gripping portion (64); 9. A vehicle camera according to claim 7 or 8.

10. A vehicle (10) having at least one vehicle camera (14), characterized in that the vehicle has at least one vehicle camera (14) according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

11. A method for manufacturing a vehicle camera (14), comprising: at least two housing parts (18, 22; 118, 122; 218, 222) of a housing (16) of said vehicle camera (14) being mechanically connected to one another, one of said housing parts (18; 118; 218) being arranged with a connecting part (36; 136; 236) in a corresponding connecting part (50; 150; 250) of the other corresponding housing part (22; 122; 222), and at least one protruding connecting element (38) being arranged in at least one connecting part (50); 136; 236, 250) and at least one free end of a protruding connection element (38) that penetrates the receiving connection element (58) is deformed to form a gripping portion (64) that engages with the at least one receiving connection element (58) behind the at least one connecting portion (50; 136; 236, 250), characterized in that the at least one free end of the at least one protruding connection element (38) is cold deformed to form the gripping portion (64).

12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein an optical module housing portion (22; 122; 222) is employed as at least one of the at least two housing portions and is connected to at least one lens (42) and at least one imager circuit board (44) to form an optical module (26), and then the optical module (26) is connected to a main housing portion (18; 118; 218), which is employed as the other of the at least two housing portions.

13. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the optical module (26) is arranged in the main housing part (18; 118; 218) with the lens (42) facing forward from inside the main housing part (18; 118; 218) so that at least the lens (42) protrudes through the lens insertion portion (30) of the main housing part (18; 118; 218).

Images