Motor Vehicle Camera Housing with Controlled Carrier Clamping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for attaching electronics carriers in camera modules for motor vehicles face challenges such as complex assembly processes, potential damage from overpressure, and misalignment due to manufacturing tolerances, which are not adequately addressed by current solutions like screwing or using clamps.

Innovation Solution

A housing assembly design where the first and second housing parts are attached using attaching members that include a deforming region with protruding portions and/or weakening lines, allowing controlled deformation of the second housing part to securely clamp the electronics carrier without screws, ensuring alignment and reducing assembly complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If screws are used to attach the electronics carrier to the housing assembly, then the electronics carrier can be securely fixed, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fixation of electronics carrierVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the screws from the attachment system entirely. The electronics carrier is fixed to the housing assembly through direct contact between the housing parts and the carrier surfaces, eliminating the need for separate fastening elements and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining secure fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the housing assembly structure with the attachment function. The housing parts themselves are designed to contact and secure the electronics carrier through their geometric configuration, merging the structural support and fixation functions into a single integrated system without requiring separate fasteners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If over pressure is applied on the electronics carrier to prevent movement, then the electronics carrier remains securely positioned, but the electronics carrier may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stability of electronics carrierVSAvoiddamage to electronics carrier
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies pressure locally at specific contact surfaces between the housing parts and the electronics carrier, rather than distributing overpressure across the entire carrier. The contact is concentrated at defined interface areas, providing secure positioning without damaging the carrier components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The housing assembly is designed with pre-configured contact surfaces and geometric features that naturally limit the pressure applied to the electronics carrier. The structure inherently prevents overpressure before it can occur, through the design of the contact interfaces and the relative positioning of components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If tightening torque is reduced to prevent damage to the electronics carrier, then the carrier is protected from damage, but the electronics carrier becomes loose and alignment is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage prevention of electronics carrierVSAvoidalignment between camera lens assembly and image sensor
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the screw-based mechanical fastening system with a direct contact interface system. The housing parts contact the electronics carrier through designed interface surfaces, eliminating the need for torque-controlled screw tightening while maintaining both secure fixation and precise alignment through geometric constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Manufacturing precision

If clamps are used to pre-press the housing parts, then deformation during tightening is reduced, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol of housing part deformationVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing parts are pre-designed with built-in deformation compensation features and optimized geometric configurations that account for tightening forces. The structure inherently resists unwanted deformation through its design, eliminating the need for separate pre-pressing clamps or preliminary alignment steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 design ensures reliable attachment and alignment of electronics components, prevents damage, simplifies assembly, and improves heat dissipation and electromagnetic compatibility while reducing costs and assembly time.

Implementation Method 1

A deforming region with at least one protruding portion and/or at least one weakening line is formed in the interface of the second housing part arranged to contact the first housing part, allowing controlled deformation of the second housing part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

A deforming region with at least one protruding portion and/or at least one weakening line is formed in the interface of the second housing part arranged to contact the first housing part, allowing controlled deformation of the second housing part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP4064678B1Electronic device for motor vehicles
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 FICOSA ADAS S L U
  • EP4064678B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4064678B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4064678B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The electronic device (100) comprises first and second housing parts (10, 20), at least one attaching member (70) for attaching the first and second housing parts (10, 20) together, and an electronics carrier (30). An interface (I1; I2) is defined in the second housing part (20) including a deforming region (P; W) that cooperates with at least one of the first housing part (10), the second housing part (20), and the attaching member (70) such that at least one portion of one or more of them is deformed as the first and second housing parts (10, 20) are attached together by the attaching member (70) allowing the electronics carrier (30) to be properly clamped in between.