Vehicular Camera Lens Heater Connectors for Clear Exterior Views
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle cameras face challenges with obscured views due to condensation, ice, mud, salt, or dust, which limit their ability to recognize objects, and existing lens heating solutions are expensive and difficult to implement effectively.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle vision system that incorporates a heating element disposed around the lens barrel of exterior cameras, connected via spring-loaded electrical connectors to avoid wire routing issues and maintain focus and alignment, allowing for efficient lens heating and de-icing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wire-based heating solutions are used, then lens heating function is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from the main camera body by integrating it into a separate lens barrel assembly. The heating element is disposed within the lens barrel rather than being hardwired into the camera body, allowing the heating function to be independently implemented and easily removed or replaced without affecting the main camera structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) to connect the heating element to the camera body. The FPC can be routed through the lens barrel in a flexible manner, avoiding the need for rigid wire routing and complex sealing arrangements. This flexible connection method significantly reduces assembly difficulty and device complexity.
2Reliability
If heating element is integrated inside camera, then lens heating is effective, but sealing and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the camera system into separate functional modules: the main camera body and the lens barrel assembly with integrated heating element. This segmentation allows each module to be manufactured and tested independently, then assembled together. The heating element is pre-integrated into the lens barrel, simplifying the overall assembly process and reducing sealing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens barrel assembly serves multiple functions: it houses the lens, contains the heating element for defogging/defrosting, and provides a flexible electrical connection via FPC. This multi-functional integration reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining heating effectiveness.
3Use of energy by moving object
If wires extend to heating element, then power supply is established, but focus and alignment are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible printed circuit board serves as both a electrical connection medium and a non-interfering structural element. The FPC is routed through the lens barrel in a manner that does not obstruct the optical path or interfere with lens focus and alignment. Its flexibility allows it to conform to the lens barrel geometry without applying stress to the lens mounting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent routes the electrical connection through the radial dimension of the lens barrel rather than through the optical axis dimension. The FPC connects the heating element to the camera body by extending radially outward from the lens barrel, keeping all electrical connections and wiring away from the critical optical path and focus adjustment mechanisms.
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 system effectively heats the lens to prevent condensation and ice formation, ensuring clear camera views while avoiding the complexities and costs associated with traditional wire-based heating solutions, thus enhancing object detection and driver assistance capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The heating element is disposed at or at least partially circumscribes the lens barrel and operates to heat the portion or portions of the lens assembly or lens barrel
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular camera includes a camera housing, a lens assembly having a lens, an imager printed circuit board (imager PCB), and a heating device. The imager PCB is disposed at the camera housing and the lens is aligned with an imager disposed at the imager PCB. The heating device is disposed at at least a portion of the lens assembly and includes an electrically connecting portion having electrical contacts at an end thereof, with the electrical contacts disposed at an inner surface of the camera housing. The heating device is electrically connected to circuitry of the vehicular camera via electrical connectors that electrically connect with the electrical contacts of the electrically connecting portion of the heating device at the camera housing as the vehicular camera is assembled.