In-Vehicle Camera Conductive Silicone Electrical Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional in-vehicle camera devices face challenges in miniaturization and complex assembly due to the need for accommodation space for wire harnesses and FFC/FPC, which also affect the reliability of electrical connections.
Innovation Solution
The use of a conductive silicone member with a silicone body and embedded conductive portions, where substrate terminals and harness terminals apply a predetermined contact load to ensure proper electrical connection, homogenizing deformation to maintain reliable connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wire harness, FFC, or FPC are used to connect I/O terminals with connector terminals, then electrical connection is achieved, but device size increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the wire harness, FFC, or FPC from the camera casing by implementing a direct mounting structure where the circuit substrate is fixed to the casing with I/O terminals exposed on the outer surface, allowing direct connection to connector terminals without intermediate flexible cables or wire harnesses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the circuit substrate mounting structure with the camera casing structure, integrating the I/O terminal connection function directly into the casing design, thereby eliminating the need for separate wire harnesses or flexible cables
2Reliability
If wire harness, FFC, or FPC are used to connect I/O terminals with connector terminals, then electrical connection is achieved, but assembly operation becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex assembly steps involving wire harness routing, FFC/FPC connection, and terminal alignment by adopting a direct mounting structure where circuit substrates are fixed to the casing with exposed I/O terminals that directly connect to connector terminals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary positioning structures on the camera casing that pre-align the I/O terminals with the connector terminals, eliminating the need for complex alignment operations during assembly and simplifying the connection process
3Reliability
If I/O terminals are connected to connector terminals through wire harness, FFC, or FPC, then electrical connection is established, but miniaturization of the device is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the wire harness, FFC, or FPC from the system by implementing a direct mounting structure where the circuit substrate is fixed to the camera casing with I/O terminals exposed on the outer surface, enabling direct connection to connector terminals without intermediate flexible cables
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions the I/O terminals from an internal connection arrangement to an external exposure on the camera casing outer surface, changing the spatial dimension of the connection interface and eliminating the need for lengthy intermediate cables
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 enhances the reliability of electrical connections by ensuring appropriate contact load and simplifying the assembly process, allowing for miniaturization of the camera device.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive silicone member (60) including a silicone body (61) made from insulating silicone material and a conductive portion (62) which is embedded in the silicone body (61)
Data Source
AI summary
An in-vehicle camera device includes: a conductive silicone member including a silicone body made from insulating silicone material and a conductive portion which is embedded in the silicone body so as to expose both ends of the conductive portion to opposing surfaces of the silicone body; a circuit substrate having an image pickup device and a substrate terminal which is arranged so as to make contact with the end of the conductive portion on one surface of the silicone body; a terminal holder having a contact face configured to make contact with the other surface of the silicone body; and harness terminals held by the terminal holder. Each harness terminal includes a front end retained on the contact face of the terminal holder. The front end of each harness terminal is positioned in a same plane with the contact face of the terminal holder.