Vehicle Camera PCB Coaxial Connector Alignment Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle vision systems face challenges in accurately aligning and connecting coaxial connectors to camera circuitry, leading to potential misalignment and image quality issues due to mechanical misalignments and assembly forces during the mounting process.
Innovation Solution
A precise alignment and connection method for coaxial connectors on a single printed circuit board (PCB) of the camera, utilizing a reference coordinate system and SMD solder paste to ensure proper orientation and attachment, avoiding mechanical forces that could disrupt the alignment during the assembly of the camera's imager and lens system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional mechanical mounting methods are used to attach coaxial connectors to camera circuitry, then assembly speed is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates due to mechanical misalignments and assembly forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical mounting methods with a soldering-based attachment process. The coaxial connector is soldered directly to the circuit board at precisely controlled locations, eliminating mechanical mounting forces that cause misalignment. This substitution of mechanical attachment with thermal/joining processes resolves the contradiction by maintaining high alignment precision while achieving reliable connector attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a reference coordinate system on the circuit board before connector attachment. Alignment marks and coordinate references are pre-defined on the circuit board design, allowing the coaxial connector to be positioned with high precision relative to the lens optical axis before the actual soldering process. This preliminary establishment of reference frames enables precise alignment to be maintained throughout the assembly process.
2Device complexity
If coaxial connectors are attached during camera assembly, then device integration is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to potential misalignment disrupting optical alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reference coordinate system as an intermediary framework between the coaxial connector positioning and the optical system. This reference system acts as a mediator that translates connector positions into precisely aligned positions relative to the lens optical axis. By using this intermediary coordinate framework, the connector can be integrated into the camera assembly without disrupting the optical alignment, as all positioning is referenced to this intermediate coordinate system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a reference coordinate system that is copied or replicated across the circuit board and connector design. The same coordinate reference framework is used in both the circuit board layout and the connector positioning, ensuring that when the connector is attached to the circuit board, it automatically aligns with the optical axis. This copying of the reference framework ensures consistent alignment throughout the assembly process.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assembling a camera suitable for use for a vision system of a vehicle includes providing a circuit board having first and second sides separated by a thickness dimension of the circuit board. An imager is disposed at the first side of the circuit board and solder pads are disposed at the second side of the circuit board. The solder pads are in electrical connection with circuitry of the circuit board. A coaxial connector is aligned at the solder pads at the second side of the circuit board. The coaxial connector is soldered at the second side of the circuit board via melting the solder paste at the solder pads.