Vehicle Camera Housing Integrated Antenna Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems for motor vehicles face challenges in adapting to different vehicle types and manufacturers due to the need for various antenna shapes, leading to increased development and manufacturing costs, electromagnetic compatibility issues, and difficulties in testing and shielding the antenna.
Innovation Solution
A camera system with an antenna attached to the outer surface of the housing, allowing for easy adaptation and testing, and featuring a shielding element between the housing wall and circuit board to minimize electromagnetic interference, using standards like WiFi, Bluetooth Low Energy, or Zigbee for communication, and employing planar antennas for efficient data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different types of antennas are used for different motor vehicles, then the antenna can be adapted to specific vehicle requirements, but the development and manufacturing costs increase and electromagnetic compatibility problems arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the housing serve multiple functions: it acts as both the camera housing and the antenna support structure. The antenna is integrated into the housing itself, allowing the same housing design to be used across different vehicle types while maintaining antenna functionality. This eliminates the need for vehicle-specific antenna variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the housing and antenna into a single integrated structure. The antenna is formed as part of the housing or attached to its outer surface, combining two previously separate components (housing and antenna) into one unified element. This reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different types of antennas are used for different motor vehicles, then the antenna can be adapted to specific vehicle requirements, but the development and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed to serve as a universal platform that can accommodate the antenna for different vehicle types without requiring custom antenna designs. The same housing model can be produced for multiple vehicle applications, achieving economies of scale in manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining the housing and antenna into one integrated component, the patent eliminates the need to manufacture and assemble separate antenna parts for each vehicle type. This reduces manufacturing steps, assembly operations, and associated costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna is integrated into the camera, then the camera can be used in different vehicles, but the electromagnetic radiation affects internal components requiring shielding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the antenna function from the internal components and places it on the outer surface of the housing. This spatial separation removes the antenna's electromagnetic radiation source away from sensitive internal electronics, reducing the need for extensive shielding measures.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing wall acts as an intermediary barrier between the antenna and internal components. By positioning the antenna on the outer surface, the housing material itself serves as a natural shield, attenuating electromagnetic radiation before it reaches sensitive internal electronics.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna is integrated into the camera, then the camera can be used in different vehicles, but testing the antenna operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is extracted from the internal camera assembly and positioned on the outer surface of the housing. This external placement makes the antenna accessible for testing and measurement without requiring disassembly of the camera housing or specialized testing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing itself serves as the mounting structure for the antenna, eliminating the need for separate antenna housings or complex mounting mechanisms. This self-contained design simplifies both installation and testing procedures.
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 enables cost-effective production, improved electromagnetic compatibility, and efficient data communication while allowing for flexible antenna configuration and reduced interference, without requiring extensive reconfiguration of the camera or lens.
Implementation Method 1
The communication device has an antenna (9, 10) formed for emitting and/or receiving electromagnetic communication signals
Implementation Method 2
Thus, the interior of the camera can be shielded against the electromagnetic radiation of the antenna in particularly simple manner, if for example a corresponding shielding element is disposed between the housing wall and a circuit board
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a camera (1) for a motor vehicle, including a housing (2) for installation in and/or on the motor vehicle, including a lens (4) disposed on and/or in the housing (2), including a communication device for wireless communication with an external apparatus, wherein the communication device has an antenna (9, 10), which is formed for emitting and/or receiving electromagnetic communication signals, wherein the antenna (9, 10) is disposed on an surface (11) of the housing (2).