Imaging Connector Substrate Assembly With Sealed Housing Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging apparatuses face challenges in achieving both ease of assembly and effective sealing performance, which are crucial for maintaining the integrity and functionality of the device.

Innovation Solution

The proposed imaging apparatus incorporates a housing with a sheet-metal member that provides structural support and sealing, allowing for easy assembly and connection of components while maintaining a sealed environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sealing structure is implemented to prevent foreign matter entry, then sealing performance is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector substrate is nested within the housing, allowing the connector to be inserted through the housing's opening while the connector substrate remains supported inside. This nested configuration enables the sealing structure to enclose both the housing and connector substrate together, achieving effective sealing without requiring separate complex sealing assemblies for each component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, creates the sealed environment, and guides the connector insertion. The opening in the housing serves dual purposes as both an access point for connector insertion and as part of the sealed enclosure when closed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized sealing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If the connector substrate is connected externally to the housing, then ease of assembly is improved, but sealing performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidsealing performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connector substrate is pre-positioned and supported inside the housing before the final sealing is completed. The support structure within the housing holds the connector substrate in place, allowing external connector insertion to occur while the sealing structure is already in position. This preliminary positioning ensures that the sealing structure can effectively seal around the connector without requiring complex post-assembly sealing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If the connector substrate is fixed rigidly in the housing, then structural stability is improved, but ease of assembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure for the connector substrate is designed to provide stable support while allowing for assembly movements. The housing's internal structure supports the connector substrate in a manner that maintains positional stability during operation but permits easier insertion and connection during assembly. This dynamic design allows the system to transition between assembly mode and operational stability mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4037302B1Imaging device and moving body
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP4037302B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4037302B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4037302B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An imaging apparatus includes an imaging substrate, a connector substrate, and a housing. The imaging substrate is provided with an imaging device that produces image data. The connector substrate is movably connected to the imaging substrate. The connector substrate includes a terminal configured to be connectable in a first direction to an external connector to which the image data is output. The imaging substrate and the connector substrate are accommodated in the housing. The housing includes a restricting section that restricts a position of the connector substrate in the first direction. The connector substrate is configured to be movable within a predetermined range in a direction intersecting the first direction.