Vehicular Camera Housing Layout for Reduced Windshield Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Front-facing vehicular camera systems often obstruct a driver's view and require more space than available on the windshield, limiting their effectiveness and usability.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular camera system design that includes a main circuit board with an opening to accommodate a flexible imager assembly, allowing for a reduced camera housing height and profile, which is achieved by tilting the imager circuit board and using a flexible connector to maintain electrical connections, thereby minimizing the system's footprint while maintaining functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a front-facing vehicular camera system is installed on the windshield, then image capture functionality is achieved, but the driver's field of view is obstructed and space within the vehicle is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the camera system from a traditional front windshield mounting to the rearview mirror assembly, utilizing the vertical and depth dimensions of the mirror structure. This dimensional relocation allows the camera to capture forward-facing images without occupying the driver's horizontal field of view, effectively resolving the contradiction between image capture capability and driver visibility.
2Reliability
If a front-facing vehicular camera system is installed on the windshield, then image capture functionality is achieved, but space within the vehicle is consumed beyond what can readily be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the camera system with the existing rearview mirror assembly, combining two functions (mirror and camera) into a single integrated unit. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate mounting space for the camera, as it utilizes the volume already allocated for the mirror, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving image capture and preserving vehicle interior space.
3Area of stationary object
If the camera housing height is reduced by 15% and breadth/length by 35% and 15%, then visual obstruction is minimized, but manufacturing complexity increases due to flexible imager assembly integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible imager assembly that can be tilted and positioned at various angles within the reduced camera housing. This flexibility allows the imager to maintain proper optical alignment despite the compact housing dimensions, resolving the contradiction between minimizing camera footprint and managing the complexity of integrating a flexible, multi-position imager assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular camera system includes a camera module having an imager assembly, a main circuit board and a camera housing. The imager assembly includes (i) an imager disposed on an imager circuit board and (ii) a lens holder having a lens assembly that includes a lens barrel accommodating a lens. The imager assembly includes a flexible ribbon cable that electrically connects to an electrical connector at a multilayered PCB of the main circuit board. The camera housing includes an upper cover and a lower cover and includes a forward portion and a rearward portion. The main circuit board is accommodated within the forward and rearward portions, and the imager is disposed at the rearward portion and is not disposed at the forward portion of the camera housing. The lens holder is attached at the upper cover of the camera housing.