Vehicle Camera Light-Trap Snap-Fit Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera devices for vehicle environment detection systems face challenges in efficient and versatile assembly, particularly in securely mounting a light-trap arrangement to a camera housing with a lens assembly, which affects the system's effectiveness and ease of service or part replacement.

Innovation Solution

The camera device incorporates a light-trap arrangement with resilient and fixed holding parts that snap into locking positions, ensuring secure front and rear locking mechanisms, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, and a method for mounting the light-trap arrangement to the camera housing, facilitating quick and reliable attachment to a vehicle-mounted bracket.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a light-trap arrangement is securely mounted to a camera housing using fixed adhesive bonding, then the light limitation function is reliable, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and part replacement is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight limitation functionVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The light-trap arrangement is divided into multiple segments with individual holding parts (front holding parts and rear holding parts) that can be independently engaged with corresponding housing holding parts. This segmentation allows for modular assembly where each segment can be attached separately, reducing overall assembly time while maintaining reliable light limitation through the combined effect of multiple engagement points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding parts incorporate resilient elements that provide dynamic engagement capability. The resilient nature of the holding parts allows for quick snap-in assembly without requiring time-consuming adhesive bonding, while still providing reliable and secure mounting when engaged. This dynamic characteristic enables rapid assembly and disassembly while maintaining functional reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a light-trap arrangement is securely mounted to a camera housing, then the light limitation function is reliable, but the process becomes complex and difficult to service

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight limitation functionVSAvoidpart replacement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the light-trap arrangement into segments with discrete holding parts, each segment can be independently removed and replaced. This segmentation simplifies service operations as technicians can replace individual segments rather than entire assemblies, making maintenance easier while the multiple engagement points ensure reliable light limitation when properly assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient holding parts enable easy engagement and disengagement through simple snap-in/snap-out actions. This dynamic characteristic makes part replacement straightforward for servicing, contrasting with fixed adhesive bonding which requires complex removal processes. The reliable light limitation function is maintained through the secure engagement of the resilient elements when properly assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If a light-trap arrangement uses resilient snap-in holding parts, then assembly is quick and easy, but the securing strength may be insufficient compared to fixed bonding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidsecuring strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple holding parts (both front holding parts and rear holding parts) are combined to work together in providing the securing function. While each individual resilient holding part provides quick snap-in assembly, the cumulative effect of multiple engaged holding parts achieves sufficient overall securing strength comparable to fixed bonding methods, resolving the contradiction between assembly speed and securing strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enables a versatile and effective assembly process that ensures secure light limitation for the camera lens assembly, allowing for easy service or part changes, while maintaining a secure and efficient mounting system.

Implementation Method 1

a first holding part is resilient and a second holding part is fixed. The first holding part is adapted to snap into a locking position in engagement with the second holding part.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3741624B1A vehicle camera device
Publication Date: 2022.11.02 VEONEER SWEDEN AB
  • EP3741624B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3741624B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3741624B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a camera device (1) that comprises a light-trap arrangement (2) and a camera housing (3) with a lens assembly (4). When mounted to the camera housing (3), the light-trap arrangement (2) is intended to limit light incoming toward the lens assembly (4), and the camera device (1) is intended to be mounted to a mounting bracket (5) positioned inside a vehicle (6). The camera housing (3) comprises at least one housing holding part (7A, 8A, 9A, 10A) and the light-trap arrangement comprises at least one corresponding light-trap holding part (7B, 8B, 9B, 10B). Corresponding holding parts (7A, 7B; 8A, 8B; 9A, 9B; 10A, 10B) are adapted to be brought into an engaging holding position when the light-trap arrangement (2) is attached to the camera housing (3).