Camera Housing Assembly Venting Element Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera housing assemblies for motor vehicles are vulnerable to environmental influences such as temperature variations and humidity, leading to pressure imbalances and damage to electronic components, with venting elements often being exposed and susceptible to damage from external factors.

Innovation Solution

A housing assembly design where the venting element is positioned between the camera housing and the connector housing, with the connector housing covering the venting element to protect it from direct environmental exposure, while maintaining its functionality in preventing humidity and dirt entry, and utilizing a self-adhesive, breathable membrane venting element for effective pressure equalization and moisture management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the venting element is integrated in the camera housing and exposed to ambient conditions, then pressure equalization and humidity avoidance are achieved, but the venting element is susceptible to damage from water and environmental factors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventing element functionalityVSAvoidwater impact and environmental damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connector housing serves as an intermediary protective structure that covers the venting element, shielding it from direct water impact and environmental damage while still allowing the venting element to perform its pressure equalization and humidity avoidance functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The venting element is nested within the connector housing structure, positioned between the camera housing and the connector housing, so that the connector housing provides protective coverage over the venting element without preventing its operational functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the connector housing covers the backside of the camera housing, then the venting element is protected from environmental influences, but the venting element may be obscured or difficult to access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from environmental influencesVSAvoidventing element accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connector housing acts as a protective intermediary that can be removed or opened to provide access to the venting element when needed, while maintaining protection during normal operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing assembly is segmented into removable components (camera housing, connector housing, venting element), allowing the connector housing to be detached for venting element maintenance or replacement while providing protection during assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the venting element is completely covered by the connector housing, then protection from water and dirt is improved, but pressure equalization functionality may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater and dirt protectionVSAvoidpressure equalization functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connector housing provides localized protection over the venting element without completely sealing it, allowing pressure equalization to occur through the venting element while protecting it from direct water impact and dirt contamination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The connector housing serves as a protective mediator that filters environmental factors before they reach the venting element, allowing beneficial pressure equalization while blocking harmful water and dirt particles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 provides reliable protection for electronic components by preventing humidity and dirt from entering the camera housing, while ensuring the venting element remains functional and protected from environmental influences, thus reducing repair costs and enhancing the robustness of the camera system against weather and temperature variations.

Implementation Method 1

a venting element for avoiding humidity in the camera housing... the venting element is disposed between the backside of the camera housing and the connector housing such that the venting element completely covers the first vent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a self-adhesive, breathable membrane venting element for effective pressure equalization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3198338B1Housing assembly for a camera, camera, driver assistance system as well as motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.10.10 CONNAUGHT ELECTRONICS
  • EP3198338B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3198338B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3198338B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a housing assembly (2) for a camera (1) of a motor vehicle including a camera housing (3) for disposing the camera (1), including a connector housing (4) for protecting an electrical connecting element (10) of the motor vehicle and/or of the camera (1), wherein the camera housing (3) is connected to the connector housing (4) such that the connector housing (4) covers a backside (7) of the camera housing (3) at least in certain areas, and including a venting element (11) for avoiding humidity in the camera housing (3) and/or the connector housing (4), wherein the camera housing (3) has a first vent (12) in the backside (7) and the venting element (11) is disposed between the backside (7) of the camera housing (3) and the connector housing (4) such that the venting element (11) completely covers the first vent (12).