Camera Module Radial Seal Design for Automotive Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera modules in the automobile sector face challenges with metal housings due to high material costs and wear, and plastic housings with radial seals require laborious assembly and are prone to leaks and damage from axial forces.
Innovation Solution
A camera module with a plastic housing and an elastically radially deformable compensating element that seals the camera module housing by reducing axial forces, allowing for a radially acting seal and minimizing clearance between the covering element and the peripheral wall, which can be fastened at two points instead of four, using a three-dimensional lip seal with a lower hardness than O-rings for improved flexibility and seal-tightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal housing is used for the camera module, then robustness and durability are improved, but material costs and tool wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic for the housing, achieving cost reduction while maintaining durability through proper plastic material selection and design. The compensating element material hardness is optimized to balance sealing performance and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining plastic housing material with a specifically formulated compensating element material, creating a hybrid solution that achieves both cost-effectiveness and sealing reliability without requiring full metal construction.
2Ease of manufacture
If a plastic housing with radial seal is used, then material costs are reduced, but assembly complexity and leakage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing function with the covering element by integrating the compensating element directly into the covering element structure, eliminating separate sealing components and simplifying assembly to just two fastening points.
Solution Approach 2:
The compensating element is designed to automatically adapt and seal clearances through its elastic radial deformability, requiring no manual adjustment or complex assembly procedures while maintaining leak-free performance.
3Reliability
If axial forces are applied for sealing, then seal-tightness is achieved, but component damage and leakage occur due to compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the sealing approach by using radial forces instead of axial forces. The compensating element deforms radially outward to seal against the housing wall, avoiding axial compression of internal components while achieving equivalent or superior seal-tightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The compensating element acts as an intermediary that transfers sealing forces radially from the covering element to the housing wall, mediating the sealing action without transmitting damaging axial compression forces to the image sensor or circuit board.
4Manufacturing precision
If the covering element is fastened at four points, then positioning precision is improved, but assembly time and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The compensating element provides self-aligning and self-centering functionality through its elastic radial deformability, allowing the covering element to be accurately positioned with just two fastening points without requiring the precision and time of four-point fastening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fastening parameter from four points to two points by compensating for positioning precision through the elastic deformation capability of the compensating element, which automatically adjusts to maintain proper alignment and sealing.
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 reduces labor costs, minimizes leaks, and ensures maximum seal-tightness with flexible deformation, extending the camera module's service life and reducing damage risks, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and heat conductivity.
Implementation Method 1
a compensating element (24), which is arranged between the peripheral wall (14) and the covering element (11); the compensating element being designed to seal the camera module housing and compensate for a clearance between the covering element and the peripheral wall
Implementation Method 2
the compensating element according to the invention allows the axial forces necessary for sealing the camera module to be reduced and adequate seal-tightness to be achieved by a radially acting seal
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a camera module, for use in the automobile sector, with a printed circuit board assembly, the printed circuit board assembly comprising at least one printed circuit board and an image sensor; an interface for data transmission, which makes contact with the printed circuit board; a camera module housing, which has a peripheral wall; an interface-side covering element; a compensating element, which is arranged between the peripheral wall and the covering element; the compensating element being designed to seal the camera module housing and compensate for a clearance between the covering element and the peripheral wall. The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle with a camera module according to the invention and also to a method for producing it.