Camera Adapter Side-Contact Layout for Sensor Board Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing camera adapter systems face challenges in nondestructive mounting of sensitive camera sensors, require increased tolerances along the optical axis, minimize space usage, ensure high-bandwidth transmission, and maintain reliable electrical contact without visual inspection.
Innovation Solution
A camera adapter with a contact surface on its side wall extending in the direction of the optical axis, allowing edge contact perpendicular to the axis, using a waveguide for signal transmission, and incorporating a coplanar waveguide for efficient signal transfer, which reduces PCB space usage and minimizes forces on the sensor board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a connector is used to establish electrical connection between sensor and higher-level unit, then electrical connection is established, but insertion forces and tension forces damage the sensitive sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible circuit board as an intermediary element between the connector and the sensor. This flexible circuit board absorbs insertion forces and tension forces through its flexibility, preventing direct force transmission to the sensitive sensor chip. The flexible circuit board acts as a mediator that maintains electrical connection while protecting the sensor from mechanical damage.
2Ease of manufacture
If tolerances are increased perpendicular to optical axis to enable installation, then installation is enabled, but misalignment increases mating forces which increases errors in Z direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible circuit board that can dynamically adapt to misalignments through elastic deformation. When tolerances are increased perpendicular to the optical axis, the flexible circuit board bends to accommodate the offset, maintaining electrical connection without transmitting excessive forces to the sensor. This dynamic flexibility resolves the contradiction between installation ease and alignment precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a tolerance compensation socket is used to compensate for tolerances, then tolerance compensation is achieved, but the socket takes up a lot of space on the sensor board
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the bulky tolerance compensation socket with a flexible circuit board that achieves tolerance compensation through its inherent flexibility. The flexible circuit board can bend and deform to accommodate tolerances without requiring additional space on the sensor board. This thin-film approach provides adaptability while minimizing the area occupied on the sensor board.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the sensor board is held at its edge by fastening elements, then the sensor board is secured, but the surface curvature is maximized causing the sensor to detach
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible circuit board as a cushioning element between the fastening elements and the sensor chip. When the sensor board is held at its edge, the flexible circuit board absorbs the resulting surface curvature and prevents direct force transmission to the sensor chip. This beforehand cushioning protects the sensor from detachment while maintaining sensor board stability.
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
This solution enables nondestructive mounting with increased optical axis tolerances, reduces camera system size, ensures high-bandwidth signal transmission, and maintains reliable electrical contact, even without visual inspection, thereby enhancing the reliability and efficiency of camera adapter systems.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide (300) for transmitting signals from the sensor board (1100) to the connector (200)
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a coplanar waveguide for efficient signal transfer, which reduces PCB space usage
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The subject matter relates to a camera adapter (10) for connecting a camera (1000) having an optical axis (Z). The camera adapter (10) comprises an adapter cover (100) for connecting to a camera housing (1300) of the camera (1000), wherein the adapter cover (100) and the camera housing (1300) form a chamber (150) for a sensor board (1100) of the camera (1000). Furthermore, the camera adapter (10) comprises a connector (200) for connecting the camera adapter (10) to a control unit outside the chamber (150), a waveguide (300) for transmitting signals from the sensor board (1100) to the connector, the waveguide (300) being guided inside the chamber (150); and a contact surface (400) disposed on the waveguide (300), the contact surface (400) for contacting the waveguide (300) with the sensor board (1100) in the chamber (1100), wherein the waveguide (300) is arranged with the contact surface (400) on a side wall (120) of the camera adapter (10) extending in the direction of the optical axis (Z) in order to contact an edge (1102) of the sensor board (1100) in a contact direction (X) which is perpendicular to the optical axis (Z) of the camera (1000).