Imaging Unit Bracket With Elastic Biasing For Thermal Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional in-vehicle camera attachment structures are prone to instability due to positional errors and thermal expansion differences between the bracket and the camera casing, leading to potential distortion and performance issues.
Innovation Solution
The imaging device features a bracket with multiple supported parts arranged at both ends and the center of the imaging unit, each with supported points and load points, allowing for stable support and reduced contact area between the bracket and the imaging unit, mitigating stress caused by thermal expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple pressed portions are spaced apart to support the imaging unit, then the support coverage is improved, but the stability deteriorates due to positional errors and thermal expansion differences
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple independent support portions (first support portion with first pressed portion, second support portion with second pressed portion, third support portion with third pressed portion) distributed at different locations on the imaging unit. Each support portion independently bears load, and the segmentation allows each portion to accommodate thermal expansion locally without transmitting stress to other portions, thereby maintaining overall stability while providing comprehensive support coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure employs elastic pressing portions that can dynamically adapt to thermal expansion and positional variations. The pressed portions are designed with elastic properties allowing them to compress and expand with temperature changes, maintaining stable contact force with the imaging unit casing throughout the operating temperature range, thus preventing distortion while accommodating dimensional changes.
2Manufacturing precision
If the bracket is rigidly fixed to the imaging unit, then the positional precision is improved, but the harmful thermal expansion stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment structure utilizes elastic deformation of the pressing portions to accommodate thermal expansion. By designing the pressing portions with appropriate elastic modulus and geometric parameters, the structure allows controlled deformation under thermal stress while maintaining precise positional relationship between the bracket and imaging unit during normal operation, thus achieving both precision and stress relief.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic pressing portions are pre-designed with sufficient compliance to cushion against thermal expansion stresses before they can cause harmful effects. The elastic elements are selected and dimensioned to provide adequate deflection capacity, absorbing thermal expansion energy through elastic deformation and preventing stress transmission to the imaging unit casing and sensitive components.
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 configuration ensures stable support of the imaging unit, reduces stress and distortion, and improves the camera's performance by minimizing adverse effects from thermal expansion and positional errors.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing part extends along the light axis direction of the imaging unit and has one end in the light axis direction as a fixed end and another end in the light axis direction as a free end
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides an imaging device wherein an imaging unit can be stably supported by a bracket and adverse effects on the imaging unit caused by differences in the amount of thermal expansion between the bracket and the imaging unit can be reduced. This imaging device 1 is provided with an imaging unit 10 attachable to the bracket. The imaging unit 10 is provided with a plurality of supported parts 15 to be supported by the bracket. The supported parts 15 are provided on both ends of the imaging unit 10 in the width direction DW crossing the light axis OA direction at one end of the imaging unit 10 in the light axis OA direction, and in the center part in the width direction DW at the other end of the imaging unit 10 in the light axis OA direction. The supported parts 15 have supported points 15a, which are supported by the bracket, and load points 15b, which receive the biasing force operating toward the supported points 15a from the bracket.