Vehicle Image Detection Unit With Flexible Internal Contacting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image detection units for vehicles face challenges in minimizing dimensions and avoiding external forces during electrical connections, which can impact alignment accuracy and increase the size of the unit.

Innovation Solution

An image detection unit with an electrical connection between the objective and sensor carrier, utilizing a flexible contacting element such as a ribbon cable or coil spring that can be helically bent around the objective, allowing for compact design and stable routing, and optionally magnetically connected for simplified assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid electrical connection is used between the objective and sensor carrier, then the electrical connection is stable, but the image detection unit size increases and alignment accuracy deteriorates due to external forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidimage detection unit size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) as the electrical connection element between the objective and sensor carrier. The FPC can be bent and deformed to accommodate assembly tolerances and external forces without breaking, while maintaining electrical connectivity. This flexible film structure provides stable electrical connection without requiring a large rigid connector, thus resolving the contradiction between connection stability and compact size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a rigid electrical connection is used between the objective and sensor carrier, then the electrical connection is stable, but alignment accuracy deteriorates due to external forces applied to the connection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidalignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible printed circuit board absorbs external forces through its flexibility, preventing these forces from being transmitted to the objective-sensor carrier alignment interface. This isolation mechanism maintains alignment accuracy while the FPC itself provides stable electrical connection, resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If the contacting element is routed externally, then assembly is simpler, but the image detection unit dimensions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidimage detection unit size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible printed circuit board is routed through the interior space of the objective housing, nesting the electrical connection path within the existing structure. This internal routing eliminates the need for external cable management while maintaining assembly simplicity, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and compact dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Volume of moving object

If the electrical connection is integrated within the image detection unit, then the unit dimensions are minimized, but the installation space utilization becomes constrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage detection unit sizeVSAvoidinstallation space utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The thin and flexible nature of the FPC allows it to be routed through tight spaces and complex paths within the objective housing without requiring additional installation space. The flexible film can conform to available spaces, making the most efficient use of the constrained installation environment while maintaining compact overall dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution minimizes the size of the image detection unit, reduces the need for external forces during assembly, and enhances alignment accuracy, enabling efficient power supply to components like lens heaters while maintaining stability and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible contacting element for an electrical connection between the contact surface of the objective and the contact point of the sensor carrier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

The contacting element may further be formed as a coil spring or as a wave spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

optionally magnetically connected for simplified assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11805306B2Image detection unit for a vehicle and method for manufacturing an image detection unit

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH

AI summary

An image detection unit for a vehicle. The image detection unit includes an objective including an electrical contact surface, a sensor carrier including a detection sensor situated on the sensor carrier and an electrical contact point. The detection sensor and the contact point are situated at a surface of the sensor carrier that faces the objective. The image detection unit further includes a flexible contacting element for an electrical connection between the contact surface of the objective and the contact point of the sensor carrier.