Vehicular Camera Module Wireless Communication and Grounding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicular cameras are bulky and expensive due to their connector design and extensive wiring, which affects their size, component count, and overall cost without ensuring performance.
Innovation Solution
A camera assembly with a reduced pin count connector and wireless communication using an RFID chip for programming and identification, reducing the need for physical communication pins and simplifying the camera's interface to three or four wires, along with a novel grounding method for video shields that lowers impedance and maintains signal quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a 6-pin connector with extensive wiring is used, then the camera can provide comprehensive electrical connections, but the camera size increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication function from the physical connector by implementing wireless communication capability. The camera module includes a wireless communication interface that enables data transmission without requiring dedicated communication pins in the connector, thereby reducing connector complexity and camera size while maintaining adaptability for various vehicle applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the video signal lines multi-functional by using them for both video transmission and communication purposes. The same physical connectors carry both camera output signals and communication protocols, eliminating the need for separate communication pins and reducing overall connector pin count while maintaining comprehensive electrical connection capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If a 6-pin connector with extensive wiring is used, then the camera can provide comprehensive electrical connections, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication function from the physical connector infrastructure, eliminating the need for additional communication pins and associated wiring. This reduction in component count directly lowers manufacturing costs while wireless communication technology has become cost-competitive with wired solutions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality in the connector design where the same pins serve dual purposes: video signal transmission and communication protocols. This consolidation reduces the total number of pins required from 6 to 3 or 4, simplifying manufacturing and reducing material costs while maintaining comprehensive electrical connection capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If communication pins are added to the connector, then the camera can be programmed and identified wirelessly, but the connector complexity and wiring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/wired communication system with a wireless communication system. Instead of adding physical communication pins to the connector, the camera module incorporates a wireless communication interface that transmits data through electromagnetic waves, thereby maintaining programming and identification capabilities without increasing connector complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality where the existing video signal lines carry both camera output signals and communication protocols simultaneously. This allows the camera to be programmed and identified without adding dedicated communication pins, as the same physical infrastructure serves multiple functions, reducing overall device complexity
4Reliability
If traditional video shield grounding is used, then the camera can provide video output, but electromagnetic compatibility is poor and signal quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional grounding approach by grounding the video shield at both ends rather than leaving it ungrounded or grounded at only one end. This reversed approach creates a low-impedance path for electromagnetic interference to ground, significantly improving electromagnetic compatibility and signal quality while maintaining video output capability
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 results in a smaller, less expensive camera system with improved electromagnetic compatibility and reduced wiring complexity, maintaining image quality while enabling easier tracking and programming of camera modules.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless communication device or receiver or transceiver, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip or device or the like, that is operable to wirelessly communicate with a remote device
Data Source
AI summary
A camera module configured to be mounted at a vehicle includes a housing, a lens, an imager, circuitry and an electrical connector. A wireless communication device is operable to wirelessly communicate with a remote device. The wireless communication device is operable to wirelessly communicate an OEM part number associated with the camera module and at least one of (i) a build date of the camera module and (ii) a serial number of the camera module. Circuitry of the camera module is programmable via wireless communication received from the remote device. The camera module may be wirelessly tracked at least one of (i) during shipping of the camera module to a vehicle assembly plant, (ii) while the camera module is at a vehicle assembly plant and (iii) while the camera module is mounted at a vehicle.