Stereo Camera Co-Fastening Mechanism for Thermal Warpage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing stereo camera device design faces issues with warpage and distortion of the housing due to thermal changes, leading to errors in optical axis alignment and increased size and complexity due to separate fixing mechanisms between the substrate, cover, and housing.
Innovation Solution
A stereo camera device design where the substrate and cover are co-fastened to the housing using a combination of rigid and elastic fixing members, with the substrate and cover sharing common fixing points to absorb thermal expansion differences, reducing the size and number of components and assembly steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the cover is rigidly fixed to the housing at multiple fixing points, then the covering is securely attached, but the housing deforms due to warpage and distortion of the cover during thermal changes
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing mechanism is segmented into two types: rigid fixing portions (first fixing portions) that secure the cover at specific locations, and floating fixing portions (second fixing portions) that allow thermal expansion and contraction. This segmentation prevents uniform rigid fixing from causing housing deformation while maintaining secure attachment where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different fixing characteristics are applied to different locations on the cover. The first fixing portions use rigid fixing members for secure attachment, while the second fixing portions use floating fixing members that accommodate thermal changes. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between secure fixing and preventing deformation.
2Reliability
If separate fixing mechanisms are used between the substrate-housing and cover-housing, then each component is securely fixed, but the housing size and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing mechanisms for the substrate and cover are merged into a unified system. Both the substrate fixing portions and cover fixing portions use the same floating fixing member structure, allowing thermal expansion and contraction to be accommodated simultaneously. This merging reduces the number of different component types and simplifies the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating fixing members serve multiple functions: they fix the substrate to the housing, fix the cover to the housing, and accommodate thermal expansion for both components. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated fixing mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If the cover and substrate are fixed separately to the housing, then each component is securely attached, but the housing size increases due to larger fixing areas
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing points are segmented into specific discrete locations rather than distributed across large areas. The first and second fixing portions are positioned at specific locations on the cover, minimizing the total fixing area while maintaining secure attachment through strategic placement of floating and rigid fixing members.
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 design effectively prevents housing deformation caused by thermal changes, maintains optical axis accuracy, and reduces the size and complexity of the device by using elastic bodies to absorb expansion differences between the substrate and housing.
Implementation Method 1
a second fixing portion that co-fastens the substrate and the cover to the housing by a second fixing member with an elastic body interposed between the cover and the second fixing member
Implementation Method 2
a difference in the amount of contraction or expansion during temperature application due to a difference in linear expansion coefficient between the substrate and the housing is canceled by the floating support means
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a stereo camera device with which it is possible to prevent the deformation of a housing caused by a warp or strain imposed on a cover and a difference in the rate of increase of the temperature of the housing and the cover, as well as to reduce the size of the housing and to cut down component counts and assembly man-hours. In the present invention, fixing of a substrate and a housing together and fixing of a cover and the housing together are performed in common, and the substrate and the cover are fixed to the housing at the same (common) fixing point, whereby a warp or strain imposed on the cover and a difference in the rate of increase of the temperature of the housing and the cover are absorbed by an elastic body that is used for floating/fixing and is provided for the purpose of cancelling a difference in the amount of contraction and expansion caused by a difference in the coefficient of linear expansion of the substrate and the housing.