Resilient Retaining Element for Camera Circuit Board Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems for motor vehicles face challenges in achieving precise positional alignment of circuit boards during assembly, which can lead to unreliable fixation and increased complexity in manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
The camera system employs a retaining element with resilient flaps that engage with the circuit board, utilizing the housing's sidewalls to apply force and clamp the board in a defined axial position, eliminating the need for screws and reducing assembly complexity while providing effective electromagnetic shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional screw fixation is used to secure the circuit board, then reliable fixation is achieved, but device complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the screws from the fixation system, replacing them with a retaining element that integrates directly into the housing. The retaining element with resilient flaps provides fixation functionality without requiring separate fastening components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable fixation of the circuit board.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining element merges multiple functions into a single component: it provides mechanical retention, positions the circuit board precisely, and integrates with the housing structure. By combining the retention and positioning functions into one element rather than using separate screws and的定位 features, the patent reduces assembly complexity while ensuring reliable fixation.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple retaining flaps are used to secure the circuit board, then positioning precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element is segmented into multiple resilient flaps that can independently engage with different sides of the circuit board. Each flap provides localized retention and positioning, allowing precise positioning through distributed contact points rather than a single complex mechanism. The segmentation enables simple manufacturing of each flap while achieving high overall positioning precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining flaps are designed to be resilient rather than rigid, allowing them to flex and adapt to minor variations in circuit board dimensions. This dynamic characteristic enables the flaps to maintain precise positioning while accommodating manufacturing tolerances, reducing the need for extremely tight tolerances in the retaining element itself and simplifying its manufacturing.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the circuit board is rigidly fixed, then positional stability is improved, but assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient flaps provide a dynamic fixation mechanism that allows the circuit board to be easily inserted during assembly. The flaps can flex outward to accommodate the board and then return to their original position to provide stable retention. This dynamic behavior enables simple assembly without requiring forceful insertion or complex alignment procedures, while still achieving rigid positional stability once assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient flaps act as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs assembly tolerances and misalignments before final contact with the circuit board. This beforehand cushioning allows for easier assembly by compensating for minor positioning errors, while still providing stable fixation once the board is in place, eliminating the need for precision alignment tools or procedures.
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 simplifies the assembly process, enhances the camera's robustness, reduces material requirements, and ensures precise alignment of components, such as image sensors relative to the lens, while offering improved electromagnetic shielding and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The retaining element has a first retaining flap resilient in the direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the housing and a second retaining flap resilient in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a camera (2) for a motor vehicle (1), including a housing (8) and a circuit board (9) and a retaining element (12), by which the circuit board (9) is retained in the housing (8), wherein the retaining element (12) has a first retaining flap (16) resilient in the direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (15) of the housing (8) and a second retaining flap (17) resilient in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (15), which engage with opposing border sides (20, 21) of the first circuit board (9), wherein the first retaining flap (16) is pressed to a first border side (20) of the first circuit board (9) by an inner side (28) of a first sidewall (24) of the housing (8) in perpendicular direction to the longitudinal axis (15) in the assembled final state of the camera (2), and the second retaining flap (17) is pressed to a second border side (21) of the first circuit board (9) by an inner side (29) of a second sidewall (25) of the housing (8) in perpendicular direction to the longitudinal axis (15) in the assembled final state of the camera (2).