Stereo Camera Housing With Recessed Attachment Protrusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

The attachment of stereo camera devices to windshields is restricted by the need to fit within the wiper's wiping area and driver visibility regulations, limiting the degree of freedom in layout.

Innovation Solution

A stereo camera device design featuring a pair of imaging units, a control circuit board, and a housing with an attachment protrusion and recess portion allows for closer attachment to the windshield, reducing the imaging area and improving layout flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the stereo camera device is attached to the windshield using conventional methods (brackets, screws), then the device can be securely fixed, but the imaging area on the windshield becomes large, limiting the degree of freedom of layout

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedegree of freedom of layoutVSAvoidimaging area on windshield
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a recess portion at the center of the front end of the housing that accommodates the attachment protrusion, effectively moving the attachment interface from the external environment into the internal space of the housing. This dimensional transition allows the imaging units to be positioned closer to the windshield, reducing the imaging area on the windshield while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment protrusion is nested within the recess portion of the housing, creating a compact integrated structure. This nesting allows the attachment mechanism to be contained within the housing volume rather than extending outward, enabling the imaging units to approach the windshield more closely and reducing the required imaging area on the windshield surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Area of stationary object

If the imaging units are positioned closer to the windshield, then the imaging area on the windshield is reduced, but the structural complexity of the housing increases due to the recess portion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging area on windshieldVSAvoidhousing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The recess portion is integrated into the housing structure as a unified component rather than an add-on element. The attachment protrusion and recess portion form a complementary pair that is built into the housing design, merging the attachment function with the housing structure itself. This integration adds minimal complexity while achieving the goal of reducing the imaging area on the windshield.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3816576B1Stereo camera device
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 ASTEMO LTD
  • EP3816576B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3816576B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3816576B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A stereo camera device is provided which can improve layout flexibility during mounting on a front windshield. This stereo camera device 10 is provided with: a left imaging unit 11L and a right imaging unit 11R which image in front of the front windshield 2 through the front windshield 2; a control circuit substrate 20 which is electrically connected to the left imaging unit 11L and the right imaging unit 11R; and a case 30 which houses the left imaging unit 11L, the right imaging unit 11R and the control circuit substrate 20, and which can be attached to the front windshield 2 through an attachment protrusion 34 which is provided in the center on the front edge of said case. A recess 33 that houses the attachment protrusion 34 is provided in the center on the front edge of the case 30.