Camera Module Positioning Sleeve for Motor Vehicle Lens Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera modules for motor vehicles have a large gap between the camera mounting hole and the camera lens, which can lead to detachment under lateral forces, compromising camera functionality.

Innovation Solution

A camera module with a positioning sleeve that partially encases the camera lens, allowing for adjustable gap size to absorb forces and minimize contamination, produced via injection molding for adaptable geometry matching the vehicle component.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large gap is provided between the camera mounting hole and the camera lens, then the camera lens is protected from contact with the component on the motor vehicle, but the camera lens can detach from the circuit board under lateral or transverse forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera lens stabilityVSAvoidcamera lens protection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning sleeve acts as an intermediary element between the camera lens and the component on the motor vehicle. It provides mechanical support and positioning for the camera lens while absorbing lateral and transverse forces, preventing both detachment and direct contact damage. The positioning sleeve translates the large gap design into effective force absorption without compromising lens stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If a small gap is provided between the camera mounting hole and the camera lens, then the camera lens is securely positioned, but the camera lens is vulnerable to damage from lateral or transverse forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera lens positioning precisionVSAvoidcamera lens protection from forces
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning sleeve provides beforehand cushioning by being pre-configured with appropriate clearance and mechanical properties to absorb lateral and transverse forces before they can reach the camera lens. This cushioning effect protects the precisely positioned camera lens from damage while maintaining its secure positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the camera mount is produced using injection molding, then the shape can be easily adapted to the geometry of the component on the motor vehicle, but additional adaptation during production is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera mount geometry adaptationVSAvoidproduction adaptation requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The injection molding process performs preliminary action by pre-adapting the camera mount geometry to match the component on the motor vehicle during the molding process itself. Features such as the positioning sleeve geometry and mounting interfaces are built-in during production, eliminating the need for additional adaptation steps afterward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3365199B1Camera module
Publication Date: 2020.02.19 MAGNA MIRRORS HLDG
  • EP3365199B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3365199B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a camera module (1) comprising a camera housing and a camera having a camera lens and being arranged in the housing, in addition to a camera support, the camera support being designed to be fastened to the camera housing and to be fastened to a component on the motor vehicle side. The camera support (2) has a positioning sleeve and the camera lens is arranged at least partially in the positioning sleeve.