Adhesive Ring Mounting for Vehicular Camera Lens Barrel

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automotive cameras face challenges in achieving precise optical path stability, image alignment, and cleanliness due to limitations in lens-to-sensor positioning, thermal expansion, and contamination issues, which affect their ability to provide high-resolution image data for vehicle safety and automation systems.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle vision system with a unibody lens barrel adhesively bonded to the imager PCB using an adhesive ring, which encloses the optical path to prevent contaminants and allows for precise alignment and adjustment in six axes, ensuring optical path stability and cleanliness while reducing costs by eliminating the need for sealing gaskets and screws.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional lens mounting methods (screws, sealing gaskets) are used, then mechanical strength and sealing are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (mounting, sealing, alignment) into a single adhesive ring component that bonds the lens barrel to the imager PCB. This eliminates the need for separate screws and sealing gaskets, reducing device complexity while maintaining mechanical strength and sealing effectiveness through the adhesive bond.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical fastening system (screws, clips) and separate sealing system (gaskets) with a chemical bonding system (adhesive ring). This substitution reduces the number of mechanical parts and assembly steps while providing both structural support and sealing functionality through the adhesive material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Strength

If traditional lens mounting methods (screws, sealing gaskets) are used, then mechanical strength and sealing are improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (mounting, sealing, alignment) into a single adhesive ring component that bonds the lens barrel to the imager PCB. This eliminates the need for separate screws and sealing gaskets, reducing device complexity while maintaining mechanical strength and sealing effectiveness through the adhesive bond.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical fastening system (screws, clips) and separate sealing system (gaskets) with a chemical bonding system (adhesive ring). This substitution reduces the number of mechanical parts and assembly steps while providing both structural support and sealing functionality through the adhesive material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If lens-to-sensor positioning is not precisely controlled, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but optical path stability and image alignment deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing complexityVSAvoidoptical path stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive ring serves as an intermediary element between the lens barrel and imager PCB that provides precise positioning and alignment. It acts as a mediator that maintains the required optical path stability and image alignment while simplifying the manufacturing process, as the adhesive ring can be designed with built-in alignment features or applied in a controlled manner to ensure precise lens-to-sensor positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides improved optical path stability and cleanliness, enabling high-resolution image data capture with precise alignment, meeting the demands of vehicle safety and automation systems while being cost-competitive by minimizing component usage and ensuring the optical path remains free from debris.

Implementation Method 1

The lens barrel (accommodating a lens or lens assembly therein) is directly attached, such as via an adhesive ring, at the imager PCB

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS20240364987A1Vehicular camera with lens barrel attached to imager circuit board

Publication Date: 2024.10.31 MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A vehicular camera includes an imager printed circuit board (PCB) having an imager disposed at a first side of the imager PCB. A metal lens barrel accommodates a lens having a plurality of lens optics disposed within the metal lens barrel between an inner end and an outer end. The inner end of the metal lens barrel is adhesively bonded to the first side of the imager PCB via an adhesive ring. The adhesive ring is disposed between the inner end of the metal lens barrel and the first side of the imager PCB and circumscribes the imager at the first side of the imager PCB to enclose a region between the imager PCB and the lens, whereby the imager is disposed within the enclosed region between the imager PCB and the lens accommodated by the metal lens barrel.