Vehicle Camera Bracket With Press-Contact Heater Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of vehicle imaging devices is complex due to the need for special electrical connections between the heater and terminal, which complicates the removal of moisture from the imaging section, potentially degrading image quality.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle imaging device design featuring a separate, electrically conductive terminal integrated with the bracket, which press-contacts a transparent heater film at the imaging section, eliminating the need for complex electrical connections and ensuring consistent contact to prevent moisture accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a separate terminal body is used that is electrically connected to the heater through assembly, then the assembly work is simplified and workability is improved, but the reliability of electrical connection may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal body is integrated with the bracket structure, merging two separate components into one unified structure. This integration ensures that the terminal is automatically positioned and electrically connected to the heater when the bracket is assembled, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining reliable electrical connection through the structural unity of the bracket-terminal combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket serves as an intermediary structure that simultaneously provides mechanical support and electrical connection functionality. By incorporating the terminal into the bracket, the bracket acts as a mediator that ensures proper positioning and electrical contact between the heater and power source during assembly, resolving the contradiction between assembly simplicity and connection reliability.
2Manufacturing precision
If the heater is positioned away from the imaging section, then the imaging quality is maintained, but the moisture removal effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent heater film is used instead of a bulky heater assembly. This thin film can be positioned close to the imaging section while remaining transparent to light, allowing effective moisture removal through heating without interfering with image capture. The flexibility of the thin film enables precise positioning to optimize both heating effectiveness and optical transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater is designed as a transparent film with specific optical and thermal parameters that allow it to function effectively at close proximity to the imaging section. By changing the physical parameters of the heater (making it transparent and flexible), the system achieves both effective moisture removal and minimal impact on imaging quality, resolving the spatial contradiction.
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
Simplifies the assembly process by eliminating the need for special electrical connections and ensures clear images by effectively removing moisture from the imaging section, maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a heater that, by being energized, generates heat and removes moisture that has adhered to the imaging section
Implementation Method 2
the heater is a film that is transparent, is electrically conductive, and is formed at a portion at an imaging side of the imaging section
Data Source
AI summary
In this vehicular imaging device, a positive electrode terminal for a heater and a negative electrode terminal for the heater, which are different from a heater film of a cover glass, are integrally formed with a bracket body of a bracket by insert molding. When the cover glass is disposed in the bracket body, a positive electrode side press-contact part of the positive electrode terminal for the heater and a negative electrode side press-contact part of the negative electrode terminal for the heater are brought into press contact with the heater film of the cover glass. Thus, the positive electrode terminal for the heater, the negative electrode terminal for the heater, and the heater film are electrically connected together.