Vehicular Camera Module Thermal Alignment Integration

The patent merges the lens barrel and camera housing into a single integrated structure, eliminating the interface between separate components. This integration ensures that the lens and imager maintain precise relative positioning under thermal changes and vibrations, as there are no separate mounting interfaces that could shift or misalign. The unified structure provides inherent mechanical stability while preserving assembly flexibility through the integrated design.

The patent implements preliminary alignment and bonding of optical elements to the lens barrel during the manufacturing process. The optical elements are precisely positioned and permanently bonded to the lens barrel before final assembly, ensuring that their relative positions are fixed and cannot shift under mechanical shocks or vibrations. This preliminary action eliminates the need for loose mounting while maintaining assembly ease through the integrated design.

The patent employs a symmetric mounting structure with mounting features positioned equidistantly from the optical axis. This symmetric arrangement ensures uniform heat distribution around the lens and imager, preventing thermal gradients that could cause differential expansion and misalignment. The symmetric design also provides balanced mechanical support, enhancing alignment stability under vibrations and shocks while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the regular pattern of mounting features.