Conductive Screw Mounts PCB to Vehicle Camera Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle vision systems face challenges in simplifying the mounting and electrical connection of camera PCBs to camera housings, which complicates production and tolerance studies.
Innovation Solution
A screw is used to mount the PCB to the camera housing, also serving as a linking component between the PCB and the electrical connector, simplifying the connection and reducing production steps by ensuring consistent positioning and signal path integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate mounting and electrical connection components are used for PCB to camera housing, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but device complexity and production steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mounting function and electrical connection function into a single integrated screw component. The screw simultaneously mechanically secures the PCB to the camera housing and provides the electrical signal path through its conductive body, eliminating the need for separate mounting hardware and electrical connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The screw serves multiple functions: it acts as a mechanical fastener for mounting the PCB, provides an electrical signal path between the PCB and camera housing, and simplifies the overall connection structure. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed in the assembly.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for mounting and electrical connection, then functional requirements are met, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the mounting and electrical connection functions into a single screw, the patent reduces the number of interfaces and alignment requirements. The screw's single-point attachment simplifies tolerance studies compared to multiple separate components that would require coordinated positioning.
3Reliability
If traditional separate mounting and connection methods are used, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but production time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated screw allows for simplified assembly operations where mounting and electrical connection are achieved in a single step, reducing production time and complexity compared to separate operations for mechanical mounting and electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the electrical connection function from separate connectors and integrates it into the mounting screw itself, eliminating the need for additional connection steps and reducing overall assembly complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A vision system for a vehicle includes a camera configured to be disposed at a vehicle so as to have a field of view exterior of the vehicle. The camera includes a printed circuit board, a lens and a camera housing, with the printed circuit board disposed in the camera housing. The printed circuit board is attached at the housing via an electrically conductive fastener that passes through an aperture through the printed circuit board and that engages a connector portion of the housing. A head of the fastener electrically engages circuitry at the printed circuit board and an end of the fastener electrically conductively connects to an electrically conductive pin at the connector portion of the housing. The connector portion of the camera housing is configured to electrically connect to a connector of a vehicle wiring harness when the camera is disposed at the vehicle.