Vehicular Camera Module Lens Mounting and Sealed Cable Exit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rearview cameras for vehicles face challenges such as vulnerability of lens members to movement under high temperatures and inadequate cable exit strategies that are not space-efficient, hermetically sealed, or effective in providing cable strain relief.
Innovation Solution
The camera design incorporates a housing made of two members with conductive coatings that mate using an interference fit for electrical connection and grounding, and a lens mounting system that secures the lens member using a threaded engagement and interference fit to maintain focus at high temperatures. Additionally, the camera module features a sealed cable exit strategy with a wire harness that extends through the housing, providing substantial cable strain relief and withstanding automotive environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If epoxy is used to mount the lens member to the front housing member, then the lens member can be secured in position, but the lens member becomes vulnerable to movement out of focus under high temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding system (epoxy adhesive) with a mechanical interference fit system. The lens member includes an interference fit feature that mechanically engages with the front housing member, providing temperature-resistant positioning without relying on adhesive bonds that soften at high temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mounting mechanism from a temperature-sensitive adhesive bond to a temperature-insensitive mechanical interference fit. The interference fit geometry maintains its mechanical properties across temperature variations, ensuring stable lens positioning in high-temperature automotive environments.
2Ease of operation
If traditional cable exit strategies are used, then the cable can exit the housing, but the solution is not space-efficient, hermetically sealed, or effective in providing cable strain relief
Solution Approach 1:
The cable gland structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides hermetic sealing, cable strain relief, and space-efficient cable routing. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate sealing elements and strain relief features, reducing overall device complexity while improving performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cable sealing feature and cable strain relief feature into a single integrated cable gland structure. This combination eliminates gaps and complex assemblies, providing both hermetic sealing and mechanical strain relief in one compact component.
3Reliability
If pins or terminals are introduced into the sealed plastic interface, then electrical connection can be established, but cost, complexity and quality risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical connection function from the sealed housing interface by providing access openings that allow wire harnesses to connect to circuit boards without penetrating or compromising the hermetic seal. This eliminates the need for pins or terminals in the sealed interface, reducing manufacturing complexity and quality risks.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular camera module includes a front housing member, an imaging array sensor, a lens, a rear housing member, and a circuit board. The rear housing member is mated with the front housing member to form a camera housing. With the circuit board accommodated within the camera housing formed by the mated front and rear housing members, the imaging sensor is closer to a first side of the circuit board than to a second side of the circuit board. The rear housing member includes an electrical plug connector having a plurality of individual electrically-conductive pins that are configured to plug into respective individual pin-receiving sockets of an electrical socket connector disposed at the second side of the circuit board. Individual electrically-conductive pins of the plurality of individual electrically-conductive pins plug into and make electrical-conductive contact with corresponding individual pin-receiving sockets of the plurality of individual pin-receiving sockets.