Optical detection unit having a flexible circuit board and an electrical plug in a specific arrangement in a housing, and method

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to an optical detection unit (1) comprising a housing (2) having an accommodating space (5) in which at least one optical module (7) is located, wherein the housing (2) has a first housing part (3) and a second housing part (4) that is separate from the first part, and the first housing part (3) has at least one window (11) through which light rays enter into the housing (2) and through which light rays exit from the optical module (7) to the exterior; and also comprising a heating system (12) with which the window (11) can be heated. A flexible circuit board (16) is located on the first housing part (3) and fastened to the first housing part (3) by means of holding pins (28, 29, 30, 31), said flexible circuit board (16) being electrically connected to an electrical plug (18) which is located on the first housing part (3).

Description

[0001] Optical detection unit with specific arrangement of a flexible printed circuit board and an electrical connector in a housing, and method

[0002] One aspect of the invention relates to an optical detection unit with a housing. A receiving chamber is formed within this housing, in which at least one optical module of the optical detection unit is arranged. The housing comprises a first housing part and a separate second housing part. The first housing part has at least one window through which light rays enter the housing and through which light rays from the optical module exit. Furthermore, the optical detection unit includes a heating element with which the window can be heated.

[0003] Optical detection units, such as a LiDAR sensor or a laser scanner, typically comprise optical modules consisting of a transmitter (in particular a laser module), a rotating mirror, and a receiver module. To transmit the light beams from such a LiDAR sensor and receive reflected light beams from the surrounding environment, a corresponding window is provided. This window is transparent to light with a wavelength such as that emitted by the laser or laser module of the optical detection unit. To ensure reliable operation of the optical detection unit under a wide range of environmental conditions, the window is heated. This allows the reliable passage of the aforementioned beams.

[0004] Due to its structural design and the arrangement of its components, a housing is typically constructed from several housing parts that are then assembled. Since both housing parts contain components that interact functionally, an electrical connection and thus corresponding internal communication within the optical detection unit are also necessary.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an optical detection unit which, in a housing constructed of multiple parts in which components of the optical detection unit are arranged that interact with one another, improves this interaction and the relative positions of the components. This object is achieved by an optical detection unit which has the features of claim 1.

[0006] One aspect of the invention relates to an optical detection unit with a housing. The optical detection unit can also be referred to as a laser-based detection unit. It is particularly sensitive in the infrared range. A receiving chamber is formed within this housing, in which at least one optical module of the optical detection unit is arranged. The housing is an outer housing. The housing comprises a first housing part and a separate second housing part. The first housing part has at least one window through which light rays enter the housing and through which light rays from the optical module exit. Furthermore, the optical detection unit includes a heating element with which the window can be heated.

[0007] It is specifically provided that a flexible printed circuit board is arranged on the first housing part. This board is attached to the first housing part by at least one retaining pin, in particular mechanically, or in particular only mechanically. The flexible printed circuit board is electrically connected to an electrical connector arranged on the first housing part.

[0008] This type of optical detection unit allows for a modular design with respect to the housing and the components located within it. The flexible circuit board enables a particularly space-saving design while still allowing communication between components within the housing. This is further facilitated by the electrical connector located on the first housing part, which is connected to the flexible circuit board. The mounting system for the flexible circuit board, featuring at least one retaining pin, ensures secure positioning while also allowing for easy assembly. Furthermore, the circuit board can be reversibly attached to these retaining pins.

[0009] In one embodiment, an electrical mating connector is arranged in the second housing part. When the optical detection unit is assembled, this connector is coupled to the connector located on the first housing part, thus forming an electrical connection device. This creates a unique electrical interface between the two housing parts, each equipped with specific components. This also enables the exchange of various signals between the housing parts and their components. The reversibly coupled electrical connections—the plug and the mating connector—allow for the corresponding process to be carried out reversibly, even when the housing parts are separated or joined.

[0010] In one embodiment, the plug and mating plug are designed with a defined clearance fit, so that the coupled state exhibits play in at least one spatial direction. This is a particularly advantageous embodiment because it allows for the compensation of various tolerances that occur during the manufacturing of the housing parts and / or other components precisely at this electrical interface of the connector. This makes it particularly advantageous to implement a simple, and so-called "blind," assembly concept. When the housing parts are assembled with the components already installed within them, this electrical interface can be automatically created, and the plug and mating plug can be automatically coupled without jamming or spreading.By avoiding a press fit or backlash-free coupling between the plug and mating connector in at least one spatial direction, a particularly advantageous compensation of various tolerances can be achieved at this electrical interface. This is a highly beneficial concept which, in addition to the advantages of these configurations already mentioned above, makes this electrical interface between the plug and mating connector even more efficient.

[0011] In one embodiment, the clearance in the fit or mechanical coupling is defined in all three spatial directions. This further enhances the aforementioned advantages. In the insertion direction, where the plug and mating plug are joined and thus overlapped, a corresponding clearance fit is defined, allowing tolerances to be compensated for in this spatial direction while still maintaining the electrical connection for reliable signal transmission at the connector interface. In an advantageous embodiment, a clearance fit is also provided in the two remaining spatial directions perpendicular to this insertion direction.Even when the plug and the mating plug are arranged in the coupled final state, the mechanically sufficient coupling state and thus the seating of these two components relative to each other are achieved even with a clearance fit in three spatial directions, and signal transmission is also unrestricted.

[0012] The clearance fit refers specifically to the mechanical coupling of the plug with its mating connector. This particularly concerns the fit between the plug housing and the mating connector housing. Specifically, the electrical contacts of the plug and the corresponding electrical contacts of the mating connector are in direct contact with the mating connector in all positions of the plug coupled by the clearance fit, ensuring that the electrical connection is always maintained. Therefore, the dimensions and / or geometries of the electrical contacts and / or their potentially at least partially elastic sections are designed such that they are in direct contact with the mating connector when the plug is coupled, regardless of the spatial direction in which the clearance fit between the plug, particularly its housing, and the mating connector, particularly its housing, is formed.

[0013] In one embodiment, the play in at least one spatial direction is a maximum of 1.00 mm. In particular, a maximum of + / - 0.50 mm. The play is greater than 0.00 mm. Therefore, in this spatial direction, a play-free fit of the coupling between the plug and the mating plug is not achieved.

[0014] In one embodiment, at least one mechanical retaining pin has a recess into which the flexible printed circuit board (PCB) projects. This recess is preferably designed as an undercut in the retaining pin. The corresponding engagement of the PCB in this recess thus provides particularly advantageous retention of the PCB in at least one spatial direction. This also allows for a space-saving design at this local point, and the PCB does not need to be undesirably deformed. Such a recess secures the PCB at least in a direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the retaining pin, and especially in at least one spatial direction oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the retaining pin.

[0015] In one embodiment, the indentation may have a clear width measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the retaining pin, which is between 0.20 mm and 1.20 mm, and in particular between 0.90 mm and 1.10 mm. In this respect, it is therefore possible to create a indentation that also allows a certain degree of play in the mounting of the printed circuit board within the indentation in this specific spatial direction.

[0016] It is advantageous if the printed circuit board has a thickness between 0.10 mm and 0.30 mm, particularly between 0.10 mm and 0.20 mm. By dimensioning the recess as described above in an advantageous embodiment, the printed circuit board can be easily inserted into the recess during assembly. The corresponding clearance in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the retaining pin also allows for a certain amount of play, which, however, is so small that the printed circuit board is still held very securely in the first housing part.

[0017] The flexible printed circuit board preferably has a central strip. The electrical conductors are routed within this strip. At local points, the flexible printed circuit board has laterally projecting extensions. These can be ear-like. In particular, these extensions are designed to be coupled to the retaining pins. Preferably, a hole is formed in one of the extensions through which the retaining pin extends. Preferably, an extension, viewed in a horizontal connection direction between two opposing retaining pins, enters a recess. In particular, it can abut a vertical boundary wall of the recess with a boundary edge of the hole. This can be the case, in particular, with paired, opposing retaining pins. This allows the flexible printed circuit board to be held very precisely in position and yet reversibly detachable from the retaining pins, in particular mechanically.

[0018] In one embodiment, the retaining pin is formed integrally with the first housing part. This permanently eliminates positional tolerances between the retaining pin and the first housing part. Furthermore, such an integrated solution reduces the number of components and avoids the assembly effort required for a separate retaining pin. Particularly when the first housing part is injection-molded, such an integrated design of the retaining pin, especially with the aforementioned advantageous indentation, can be produced with high precision and accuracy.

[0019] The retaining pins can also be integrated into a separate insert that can be inserted into and secured within the housing part. In one embodiment, the flexible circuit board has a first section or a first sub-section that terminates at the circuit board and is held by the retaining pin on the inside of a roof wall of the first housing part.

[0020] In one embodiment, the flexible circuit board has a second section (or a second segment) that connects to the first section and is attached to an inner side wall of the first housing part. This allows for a specific mounting path for the entire flexible circuit board on different inner sides of the walls of the first housing part. This enables a very space-saving yet short path from the connector to the heater.

[0021] In one embodiment, the second section is attached to the aforementioned inner surface by at least one adhesive element. Such an adhesive bond is advantageous at this specific location where the second section is to be attached. It is very low-profile, allowing other components to be arranged locally at this point within the first housing part. This results in a particularly efficient use of the installation space in the first housing part. The adhesive element can, for example, be a liquid adhesive that cures. However, it is also possible for the adhesive element to be, for example, a double-sided adhesive tape or another type of adhesive pad.

[0022] In one embodiment, guide pins are formed on one housing part and guide receptacles on the other housing part, forming a guide device. The guide pins engage in the guide receptacles to guide the assembly of the housing parts. This supports the aforementioned assembly concept. In particular, it also advantageously supports the blind assembly mentioned above. Specifically, the guide pins engage in the guide receptacles during the assembly process before the connector is coupled to the mating connector, so that the guide concept is already in effect when the connector and mating connector are still separated. This also enables a proactive guide concept that brings the housing parts into a specific position relative to each other and guides them during further assembly, particularly linearly, thus also advantageously supporting the blind coupling of the connector to the mating connector.This also achieves a pre-centering or alignment, in order to then specifically couple the plug with the mating plug.

[0023] In one embodiment, screw elements are formed on one housing part and screw element receptacles are formed on another housing part, so that the housing parts are screwed together by screwing the screw elements into the screw element receptacles. Thus, in the assembled final state, these screw connections achieve a particularly secure and mechanically stable fastening between the housing parts.

[0024] In one embodiment, the longitudinal axes of the guide pins and the longitudinal axes of the corresponding screw elements are not parallel. This allows for consideration of different aspects during assembly and in the assembled final state. The guide pins and their individual orientations of longitudinal axes enable a linear alignment of the housing parts, making this assembly process particularly easy. This also facilitates the simple linear coupling between the plug and mating plug, even automatically and blindly. Furthermore, the advantageous orientation of the screw connections, which is itself beneficial due to their different orientation relative to the guide pins, is not affected.This makes access to these specifically oriented screws easier, thus improving the screwing process and making assembly easier.

[0025] In one embodiment, the optical detection unit is a LIDAR sensor. In particular, the optical detection unit is designed such that at least one housing part is made of injection molding, especially of die-cast aluminum.

[0026] The optical detection unit comprises, in particular, a laser module and a receiver module. The laser module emits electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range between 800 nm and 1600 nm, specifically 850 nm, 905 nm, or 1550 nm.

[0027] The optical detection unit can also be referred to as an optical vehicle detection unit. It is designed for installation on a vehicle, such as a passenger car. In particular, it is designed to detect the vehicle's surroundings and thus also to detect objects in the vehicle's vicinity.

[0028] Another independent aspect of the invention relates to an optical detection unit with a housing. A receiving chamber is formed within this housing, in which at least one optical module of the optical detection unit is arranged. The housing is an outer housing. The housing comprises a first housing part and a separate second housing part. The first housing part has at least one window through which light rays enter the housing and through which light rays from the optical module exit. Furthermore, the optical detection unit has a heater with which the window can be heated. An electrical connector is arranged in the first housing part. Additionally, a mating electrical connector is arranged in the second housing part, which is connected to the electrical connector with defined play, particularly in at least one spatial direction.

[0029] Advantageous embodiments of the first independent aspect are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the further independent aspect.

[0030] Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle with at least one optical detection unit according to the aspect mentioned above or an advantageous embodiment thereof. In particular, the optical detection unit can be arranged in a front area of ​​the vehicle and, in particular, detect at least the area in front of the vehicle.

[0031] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. These show:

[0032] Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of an optical detection unit according to the invention;

[0033] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a first housing part of a housing of the optical detection unit according to Fig. 1, with components arranged therein;

[0034] Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the view in Fig. 2 in top view; Fig. 4 is a further enlarged perspective view of a portion of Fig. 2 and in Fig. 3;

[0035] Fig. 5 is a perspective sectional view of the view in Fig. 4; and

[0036] Fig. 6 shows a perspective sectional view of the optical detection unit according to

[0037] Fig. 1.

[0038] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are given the same reference symbols.

[0039] Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of an optical detection unit 1. The optical detection unit 1 is, in this case, an optical vehicle detection unit. Specifically, it is a LiDAR sensor. The optical detection unit 1 has a housing 2, which can also be referred to as an outer housing. The housing 2 comprises a first housing part 3 and a separate second housing part 4. The housing parts 3 and 4 can be made of injection-molded material, for example, aluminum. When the housing 3 is closed, with the housing parts 3 and 4 abutting each other, a receiving space 5 or 6 is formed. At least one optical unit or optical module 7 is arranged in this receiving space 5 or 6. An optical module 7 can, for example, be a laser module 8 or a receiver module 9. The optical detection unit 1 also has a mirror 10, which is designed as a rotating mirror 10.The optical modules 7, namely the laser module 8 and the receiver module 9, work together with the mirror 10 so that light rays can be emitted and received.

[0040] The first housing part 3 has a window 11 through which the light rays are intended to enter the housing 2 and through which light rays from an optical module 7, here the laser module 8, exit to the outside.

[0041] Furthermore, the optical detection unit 1 has a heater 12 by means of which the window 1 1 can be heated. In particular, it is heated by this heater 12.

[0042] Fig. 2 shows the first housing part 3 in perspective, looking at the interior of the wedge-shaped first housing part 3. This first housing part 3 has a roof wall 13 with an inner surface 13a. Furthermore, the first housing part 3 has side walls 14 and 15. These each have an inner surface, although in Fig. 2 only an inner surface 14a of the side wall 14 is visible.

[0043] Furthermore, the optical detection unit 1 has a flexible circuit board 16. This is arranged in the housing part 3. The flexible circuit board 16 has a first section 17a. This extends away from an electrical connector 18, which is arranged in the first housing part 3, or is electrically coupled to this connector 18, here via a further circuit board 19, which is a rigid circuit board. The electrical connector 18 is arranged on the rigid circuit board 19, in particular, its position is fixed to it.

[0044] As can be seen, this rigid circuit board 19 is mounted here, in particular on sockets 20, 21 and especially on two further sockets 23 and 24, and is screwed to them. The flexible circuit board 16 with the first section 17a ends here at the side wall 14. There, the first section 16 transitions into a second section 17b of the flexible circuit board 16. This second section 17b is attached to the inner side 14a. It then ends at the heater 12.

[0045] As can be seen in Fig. 2, the second section 17b of the flexible circuit board 16 is attached to the inside 14a with an adhesive part, here several adhesive pads 25, 26 and 27.

[0046] As can also be seen in Fig. 2, the flexible printed circuit board 16, here the first section 17a, is attached to the inner surface 13a by means of several retaining pins 28, 29, 30 and 31. In particular, this is a non-destructively releasable mechanical connection. Specifically, the flexible printed circuit board 16, especially the first section 17, is snapped onto the retaining pins 28 to 31. Both the number and the position of the retaining pins 28 to 31 are merely examples.

[0047] For the sake of clarity, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, a further flexible circuit board 32 is formed on the left side of Fig. 2, which also leads to the heater 12. The design of the further flexible circuit board 32 is, in one embodiment, analogous to that of the circuit board 16. This applies to the shape, the position, and also the mounting. Fig. 3 shows an enlarged detail of a top view of a partial area in Fig.

[0048] 2 shown. Screws 22, with which the rigid circuit board 19 is screwed on, are shown in Fig.

[0049] 3 can also be recognized.

[0050] To fasten the flexible printed circuit board 16, in particular the first section 17a, to the retaining pins 28 to 31, the retaining pins 28 to 31 have indentations in an advantageous embodiment. In this regard, Fig. 4 shows such an indentation 33 at the retaining pin 30. This is essentially an undercut. As can be seen, the flexible printed circuit board 16 engages in this indentation 33 in a horizontal direction and thus in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the retaining pin 30. In this embodiment, the printed circuit board 16 has ear-like lateral extensions 34. In particular, these are formed here in the same axial position along the length of the flexible printed circuit board 16 and are therefore also opposite each other. Thus, the fastening position of the printed circuit board 16 on the retaining pins 28 to 31 is offset outwards in the lateral direction relative to a central strip 35 of the flexible printed circuit board 16.This ensures that the electrical conductors of this flexible circuit board 16, which extend in this central strip 35, are neither positionally nor functionally impaired.

[0051] As can be seen, the circuit board 16 has openings 36, here through holes, through which the retaining pins 28 to 31 extend. In this embodiment, these openings 36 are through holes that are completely enclosed on their circumference. The flexible circuit board 16 is held in place, at least in the plane in which it extends and thus essentially fixed in two spatial directions, by these retaining pins 28 to 31. This is achieved in particular by the fact that an outer edge section 37, which borders the opening 36 and is located in the width direction (here the connection direction between the retaining pins 28 and 30), rests directly against a vertical wall 38 of the recess 33. A corresponding position of the flexible circuit board 16 is provided on the opposite side of the retaining pin 28.This effectively secures the printed circuit board 16 in position via paired, opposing retaining pins 28 to 31. In particular, the flexible printed circuit board 16 snaps into these recesses 33 with these ear-like extensions 34.

[0052] In particular, a particularly advantageous positive-locking positioning process between the flexible circuit board 16 and especially the retaining pins 28 to 31 is enabled here. As can already be seen in Fig. 4, in the exemplary embodiment, the flexible circuit board 16 is arranged with some play in the recesses 33 when viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis A. In particular, the clear width W (Fig. 5) of the recess 33 in this axial direction is between 0.20 mm and 1.20 mm.

[0053] In this regard, Fig. 5 shows a perspective sectional view along section line IV-IV in Fig. 4, with the view in Fig. 4 being inverted so that the view shown in Fig. 5 is given. It is also possible that the flexible printed circuit board 16, with opposing paired retaining pins 28 and 30, rests directly against only one vertical boundary wall or vertical wall 38 of a recess 33, and is positioned with some play in this horizontal plane relative to the opposite vertical wall of the recess 33. This allows the flexible printed circuit board 16 to be moved slightly in this direction, which extends as the connecting line between the two paired retaining pins 28 and 30, relative to the retaining pins 28 and 30.

[0054] In particular, in one embodiment, the thickness d of the flexible printed circuit board 16 can be between 0.10 mm and 0.20 mm. The flexible printed circuit board 16 can be an FPC or an FFC.

[0055] It is particularly advantageous if the electrical plug 18 and a mating electrical plug 39 (Fig. 1) form an electrical connector or a plug-in connection device. The mating electrical plug 39 is arranged in the second housing part 4. In particular, it is fixedly mounted on a circuit board, here a rigid circuit board 40.

[0056] In particular, the plug 18 and the mating plug 39 are designed with a defined clearance fit, such that the coupled state of the plug 18 and the mating plug 39 has clearance in at least one spatial direction, in particular in at least two spatial directions, and in particular in all three spatial directions. In particular, the clearance in the three spatial directions is defined. In particular, the clearance in at least one spatial direction is dimensioned at a maximum of 1.00 mm, and in particular at a maximum of ±0.50 mm.

[0057] Fig. 6 shows the perspective sectional view of the components, as also shown in Fig.

[0058] Figure 1 shows the optical detection unit 1. Figure 6, like Figure 1, also shows that the optical detection unit 1 has a guide system by which the housing parts 3 and 4 are guided, particularly during assembly. In this embodiment, the second housing part 4 has several guide pins, for example, guide pins 41, 42, 43, and 44. Again, both the number and position are merely examples. Here, the guide pins 41 to 44 are oriented vertically upwards. They are designed to engage in guide receptacles 45 (Figure 2) and 46. Alternatively, the guide pins 42 and 44 may be omitted, and only the guide pins 41 and 43 may be present. This is the case when the first housing part 3 has a configuration as shown in Figure 2.

[0059] Furthermore, the optical detection unit 1 also features a screw system by means of which the two housing parts 3 and 4 can be screwed together in their final position. For this purpose, several screw elements 47 (Fig. 1), 48, 49, and 50 are provided in the second housing part 4. These are designed for screwing into screw element receptacles 51 (Fig. 2), 52, 53, and 54. The screw element receptacles 53 can have corresponding threads.

[0060] As can be seen, the longitudinal axes of the guide pins 41 and 43 are not parallel to the longitudinal axes of the screw elements 47 to 50.

[0061] During assembly, starting from the exemplary position shown in Fig. 6, the housing parts 3 and 4 are brought into contact. This is done preferably by a linear movement. During this process, the guide pins 41 and 43 then engage in the guide receptacles 51 and 52. At this point, the mating connectors 39 are not yet in contact. As the housing parts 3 and 4 continue to approach each other, this movement is guided, in particular linearly, and a blind coupling and thus automatic connection of the connector 18 with the mating connector 39 in the correct position is thereby achieved.

[0062] In particular, the preferably play-in coupling between the plug 18 and the mating plug 39, which is defined with a desired play, thus enables simple assembly in this respect and yet a secure coupled state between the plug 18 and the mating plug 39, even if manufacturing and dimensional tolerances of the other components of the optical detection unit 1 are present.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Optical detection unit (1) with a housing (2) in which a receiving chamber (5) is formed in which at least one optical module (7) is arranged, wherein the housing (2) has a first housing part (3) and a separate second housing part (4), and the first housing part (3) has at least one window (11) through which light rays enter the housing (2) and through which light rays from the optical module (7) exit to the outside, and with a heater (12) with which the window (11) can be heated, characterized in that a flexible circuit board (16) is arranged on the first housing part (3), which is attached to the first housing part (3) by means of retaining pins (28, 29, 30, 31), wherein the flexible circuit board (16) is electrically connected to an electrical connector (18) which is arranged on the first housing part (3).

2. Optical detection unit (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that an electrical mating connector (39) is arranged in the second housing part (4) which is coupled to the connector (18).

3. Optical detection unit (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the plug (18) and the mating plug (39) are designed with a defined play fit, such that the coupled state has play in at least one spatial direction.

4. Optical detection unit (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the game is defined in all three spatial directions.

5. Optical detection unit (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the play in one spatial direction is a maximum of 1.00 mm, in particular a maximum of + / - 0.50 mm.

6. Optical detection unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one retaining pin (28 to 31) has a recess (33) into which the flexible circuit board (16) projects.

7. Optical detection unit (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the indentation (33) has a clear width (W) measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A) of the retaining pin (28 to 31) which is between 0.20 mm and 1.20 mm, in particular between 0.90 mm and 1.10 mm.

8. Optical detection unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining pins (28 to 31) are formed integrally with the first housing part (3) or are formed integrally with an insert that can be inserted into the first housing part (3).

9. Optical detection unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible circuit board (16) has a first section (17a) which terminates at the connector (18) or a rigid circuit board (19) on which the connector (18) is arranged and which is held on an inner side (13a) of a roof wall (13) of the first housing part (3) by the retaining pins (28 to 31).

10. Optical detection unit (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the flexible circuit board (16) has a second section (17b) which connects to the first section (17a) and which is attached to an inner side (14a) of a side wall (14) of the first housing part (3).

11. Optical detection unit (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the second section (17b) is attached to the inside (14a) by at least one adhesive part (25, 26, 27).

12. Optical detection unit (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that guide pins (41 , 43) are formed on one housing part (3, 4) and guide receptacles (45, 46) are formed on the other housing part (3, 4), into which the guide pins (41 , 43) engage to guide the joining of the housing parts (3, 4) at least during assembly.

13. Optical detection unit (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that screw elements (47, 48, 49, 50) are formed on one housing part (3, 4) and screw element receptacles (51 , 52, 53, 54) are formed on the other housing part (3, 4), so that by screwing the screw elements (47 to 50) into the screw element receptacles (51 to 54) the housing parts (3, 4) are screwed together in the final position.

14. Optical detection unit (1 ) according to claims 12 and 13, characterized in that the longitudinal axes of the guide pins (41 , 43) and the longitudinal axes of the screw elements (47 to 50) are not parallel.

15. Optical detection unit (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical detection unit (1 ) is a LIDAR sensor and / or at least one housing part (3, 4) is made of die-cast aluminum.

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