Vehicular Camera Housing Segmentation for Distortion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicular camera apparatuses face distortion issues due to strong force applied during fastening, causing the imaging unit's installation position to deviate from its designed position, affecting image capture accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular camera apparatus design featuring a separate second housing that supports the first housing, preventing distortion from being transmitted to the imaging unit, with a configuration that includes a circuit board as a buffer to absorb stress and maintain the imaging unit's position, and a heater to reduce fogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the housing is fastened to the vehicle with bolts, then the housing is securely attached to the vehicle, but the housing may be distorted causing the imaging unit position to deviate from the designed position
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a first housing (camera stay) that holds the imaging units and a second housing (attachment housing) that is fastened to the vehicle. This segmentation isolates the imaging units from the fastening forces, allowing strong attachment without compromising imaging unit position precision
Solution Approach 2:
The first housing acts as an intermediary between the second housing and the imaging units. It transmits the support function while protecting the imaging units from distortion, serving as a buffer that decouples the fastening forces from the sensitive imaging components
2Force
If strong force is applied to the secure member for fastening bolts, then the housing is securely attached to the vehicle, but the support portion of the housing becomes distorted causing imaging unit position deviation
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the housing into two distinct parts (first housing for imaging units, second housing for attachment), the patent allows strong fastening forces to be applied to the second housing without transmitting distortion to the first housing, thus maintaining both strong attachment and structural stability of the imaging portion
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment function is extracted from the imaging support function. The second housing with secure member handles the fastening operations, while the first housing exclusively supports the imaging units, preventing force transmission and maintaining structural integrity of the imaging portion
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 effectively minimizes distortion in the imaging unit's position, ensuring accurate image capture and reducing the risk of deviation, while also addressing fogging issues through the heater's heat generation.
Implementation Method 1
a heater to reduce fogging
Data Source
AI summary
In a vehicular camera apparatus, at least one imaging unit captures an image of a region located outside a vehicle, and a first housing configured to install the at least one imaging unit thereto. A housing assembly includes a second housing configured as a separate member from the first housing, and includes a vehicle attachment provided to the second housing and attached to a part of the vehicle. The housing assembly is configured to fixedly support the first housing between the part of the vehicle and the second housing while the vehicle attachment is attached to the part of the vehicle.