Rear View Camera Assembly With Direct Connector Housing Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems for road vehicles face design rigidity and high manufacturing costs due to the need for precise alignment of image sensors and lenses, which requires intermediate components for connector alignment, increasing complexity and assembly time.
Innovation Solution
A camera design with a housing featuring an aperture that allows the connector to protrude and couple with a connector housing after image sensor and lens alignment, eliminating the need for intermediate components, thereby simplifying the assembly process and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If intermediate components are provided within the housing to compensate for connector position alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes intermediate alignment components from the housing structure. Instead of providing intermediate components within the housing to compensate for connector position, the design allows the connector to protrude directly through the housing wall to engage with the connector housing, eliminating the need for intermediate alignment elements and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is segmented to include a specific aperture or opening that accommodates the protruding connector. This segmentation allows the connector to extend through the housing wall at a predetermined location, enabling direct engagement with the connector housing without requiring the entire housing structure to provide alignment compensation.
2Manufacturing precision
If intermediate components are provided for connector alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing intermediate alignment components from the design, the assembly process is simplified. The connector can be directly positioned and engaged through the housing aperture without requiring additional intermediate components to be installed, adjusted, and secured, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining alignment precision through the simplified direct-engagement geometry.
3Manufacturing precision
If fragile intermediate components are included in the housing, then alignment precision is improved, but transportation cost and handling complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates fragile intermediate components from the housing structure. The connector protrudes directly through the housing wall to engage with the connector housing, creating a robust design with fewer parts that require careful handling. This reduction in component count decreases transportation costs and simplifies logistics while maintaining alignment precision through the direct engagement geometry.
4Ease of manufacture
If the housing design includes aperture for connector protrusion, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but connector protection is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented with a precisely positioned aperture that accommodates the protruding connector. This segmentation allows the connector to extend through the housing wall at a controlled location where it can engage with the connector housing while still being partially protected by the housing structure. The aperture can be positioned and sized to minimize environmental exposure while maintaining manufacturing simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
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 approach reduces manufacturing costs, assembly time, and transportation costs by minimizing the number of parts and eliminating the need for fragile intermediate components, while ensuring a secure and stable connection through form-fitting and material connections like laser welding.
Implementation Method 1
material connections like laser welding
Data Source
AI summary
The subject matter described herein includes a camera, in particular for a rear view device, for use with road vehicles. The camera includes a housing having an aperture. The camera further includes a circuit board configured to be coupled to the housing. The camera further includes a connector configured to be contacted to the circuit board. The camera further includes a connector housing configured to be coupled to the housing. The connector is configured to protrude through the aperture and be coupled to the connector housing. The subject matter described herein also includes a method of assembling a camera.