Camera Module Retainer Ring Elastic Snap-Fit Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging systems for motor vehicles face challenges in accurately attaching and orienting camera modules due to tolerances and improper mounting, leading to potential tilting and misalignment.
Innovation Solution
The camera module is equipped with a radially outward flange and elastically deformable protrusions and a retainer ring, allowing for a simplified two-step attachment process with evenly distributed clamping forces, utilizing centering surfaces for precise alignment and reducing load on the module and housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two pins are used to attach the camera module to the camera housing part, then the attachment is secured, but the assembly complexity increases and mounting precision decreases due to alignment requirements and tolerance accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment function is segmented into two independent components: the retainer ring with multiple attachment points and the corresponding features on the camera module. This segmentation allows each point to be attached independently without requiring precise alignment between multiple pins and bores, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple attachment functions are merged into a single retainer ring component that simultaneously provides multiple attachment points and centering features. This merging eliminates the need for separate alignment procedures for multiple pins, reducing assembly complexity while ensuring reliable attachment through distributed contact points.
2Stability of the object's composition
If two pins are used to fix the camera module orientation, then the roll angle is fixed, but manufacturing precision decreases due to tolerance accumulation and potential improper mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer ring incorporates localized centering surfaces at specific positions that provide precise geometric constraints for the camera module orientation. These centering surfaces create localized high-precision reference points that define the roll angle and prevent orientation deviations, while the distributed attachment points accommodate manufacturing tolerances in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering surfaces perform the preliminary action of establishing precise orientation and position of the camera module before the final attachment is secured. By pre-defining the correct orientation through geometric centering surfaces, the system ensures accurate alignment is achieved automatically during assembly, eliminating the need for precise pin-to-bore alignment and preventing orientation errors from tolerance accumulation.
3Reliability
If multiple assembly steps are required for camera module attachment, then secure fixation is achieved, but productivity decreases and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple attachment and centering functions are merged into a single retainer ring component that can be installed in one operation. This merging consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate steps (positioning, aligning, attaching multiple pins) into a single snap-in action, dramatically improving assembly efficiency while maintaining secure fixation through the distributed attachment points of the retainer ring.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer ring is designed with preliminary centering surfaces that automatically establish correct positioning and orientation during the single attachment step. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate positioning and alignment steps, allowing the camera module to be securely fixed in the correct orientation through a single snap-in operation, thereby maximizing productivity without compromising fixation security.
4Stability of the object's composition
If pins are inserted into bores for attachment, then the camera module position is fixed, but harmful factors increase due to concentrated attachment forces and potential tilting
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment force is segmented into multiple contact points provided by the retainer ring's distributed attachment features. Instead of concentrating forces at two pin locations, the retainer ring distributes the clamping forces across multiple points around the camera module periphery, reducing stress concentration and preventing tilting caused by uneven force distribution or improper pin insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer ring functions as a flexible elastic component that can deform during assembly and then springs back to provide uniform clamping pressure. This elastic flexibility allows the retainer ring to accommodate minor variations in camera module positioning while maintaining consistent attachment forces across all contact points, preventing the concentrated forces and potential tilting associated with rigid pin-and-bore connections.
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 facilitates a more accurate and stable attachment of the camera module with reduced risk of tilting, ensuring precise orientation and position relative to a predefined mounting position, while minimizing assembly complexity and load distribution.
Implementation Method 1
the protrusions and/or the retainer ring are elastically deformable, and the retainer ring is attached by pushing it over the protrusions under elastic deformation of the retainer ring and/or the protrusions to an attachment position
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system for a motor vehicle, including a camera housing part (10) and at least one camera module (1) mounted at an attachment wall (12) of the camera housing part (10). The camera module (1) has a radially outwardly directed flange (5) with several radially outwardly directed protrusions (4), and a closed retainer ring (8). The protrusions (4) and/or the retainer ring (8) are elastically deformable, and the retainer ring (8) is attached by pushing it over the protrusions (4) under elastic deformation of the retainer ring (8) and/or the protrusions (4) to an attachment position. The camera module (1) is attached at the attachment wall (12) by clamping the attachment wall (12) between the retainer ring (8) and the flange (5) of the camera module (1).