DE102019131392A1 - Inboard camera for use in a vehicle and manufacturing process therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

The internally aligned camera device includes a lens mount assembly, a first circuit board, a second circuit board, and a housing back. The first circuit board includes an image sensor. The image sensor is optically aligned with the lens mount assembly and the first circuit board is attached to the lens mount assembly by a first fastener. The second circuit board is electrically coupled to the first circuit board using a tolerance compensating connector. The rear housing assembly is attached to the second circuit board by a second fastener with the lens mount assembly centrally aligned with the rear housing assembly and with the lens mount assembly attached to the rear housing assembly using a third fastener.

Description

area

The present disclosure relates to an internally oriented camera and a manufacturing method of the internally oriented camera, in particular for applications in the automotive industry.

State of the art

The current generation of cameras in the automotive industry uses an optical alignment process for the lens because the image sensor is fixed to the camera body together with the circuit board on which the image sensor is mounted. This externalizes the optical tolerances of the lens and the mechanical tolerances of the housing and circuit board assemblies as the lens mechanism of the camera must be moved to align the image sensor with the lens. Such a scenario is disclosed in Chinese Patent Publication No. CN207150702U disclosed. The greater positional tolerances of the lens in relation to the camera housing increase the complexity of the bracket that holds the camera. This can also require a large gap between the camera lens and a surface of the vehicle, which in turn has negative effects on product design and NVH (Noise Vibration and Harshness) for the manufacturer of the camera or the original equipment manufacturer.

Laser welding is also used to attach and seal the lens mount to the rear of the camera body. Furthermore, the deviation in the overlap of these components has an effect on the quality of the weld seam between the rear part of the housing and the lens holder (as in 1 shown, the housing back and the lens mount do not overlap and thereby cause an unreliable connection), as for example in US Pat. U.S. 9,565,342 disclosed.

Laser welding cannot be done if there is an overhang of the rear part of the housing (as in 2 shown) is present and there is a greater risk that this will occur with a camera that has multiple circuit boards as the tolerances of the individual circuit boards add up.

Thus, there is an unresolved and unmet need for an inboard camera that overcomes the foregoing problems in the prior art.

short version

The present invention relates to an inboard camera. More particularly, the present invention relates to an inboard camera using a tolerance compensating connector and a method of making that inboard camera as set out in the appended claims.

In one embodiment, the invention provides an internally aligned camera device that includes a lens mount assembly, a first circuit board, a second circuit board, and a housing back. The first circuit board includes an image sensor. The image sensor is optically aligned with the lens mount assembly and the first circuit board is attached to the lens mount assembly by a first fastener. The second circuit board is electrically coupled to the first circuit board using a tolerance compensating connector. The housing back assembly is attached to the second circuit board by a second fastener, with the lens mount assembly being centered with the housing back assembly, and with the lens mount assembly and housing back assembly being attached using a third fastener.

The tolerance compensating connector includes a plug attached to the second printed circuit board and a socket attached to the first printed circuit board, the socket being configured to mate with the plug within a predetermined alignment tolerance.

In one embodiment, the socket comprises a metal jacket, the metal jacket being attached to the first circuit board using a fourth fastener. In one embodiment, the fourth fastening means comprises laser soldering.

In one embodiment, the first securing includes laser soldering the first circuit board to one or more nubs of the lens mount assembly.

In one embodiment, the second fastening comprises fastening rivets.

In one embodiment, the third securing includes laser welding.

In one embodiment, the housing back assembly includes a machined cavity to house the second circuit board.

In one embodiment, the predetermined tolerance is less than about 0.4 millimeters.

• optisches Ausrichten eines Bildsensors, der auf eine erste Leiterplatte montiert ist, mit einer Objektivhalterungsbaugruppe, wobei die erste Leiterplatte eine Buchse aufweist und die Buchse eine Metallummantelung aufweist;
• Befestigen der ersten Leiterplatte an der Objektivhalterungsbaugruppe unter Verwenden eines ersten Befestigungsmittels, um die erste Leiterplatte bezogen auf die Objektivhalterungsbaugruppe in Position zu halten, nach dem Schritt der optischen Ausrichtung des Bildsensors mit der Objektivhalterungsbaugruppe;
• Befestigen einer zweiten Leiterplatte an einer Gehäuserückteilbaugruppe unter Verwenden eines zweiten Befestigungsmittels, wobei die zweite Leiterplatte einen Stecker umfasst; und
• Montieren der Objektivhalterungsbaugruppe und der Gehäuserückteilbaugruppe unter Verwenden eines dritten Befestigungsmittels, wobei während des Montierens die Buchse mit dem Stecker innerhalb einer vorbestimmten Ausrichttoleranz zusammengesteckt wird und wobei die Objektivhalterungsbaugruppe mittig mit der Gehäuserückteilbaugruppe ausgerichtet wird.

In another embodiment, a method of making an inboard camera is provided and comprises the following steps:

• optically aligning an image sensor mounted on a first circuit board with a lens mount assembly, the first circuit board having a socket and the socket having a metal shell;
• After the step of optically aligning the image sensor with the lens mount assembly, securing the first circuit board to the lens mount assembly using a first fastener to hold the first circuit board in position with respect to the lens mount assembly;
• Attaching a second printed circuit board to a case back assembly using a second fastener, the second printed circuit board including a connector; and
• Assembling the lens holder assembly and the housing back part assembly using a third fastening means, wherein during mounting the socket is mated with the plug within a predetermined alignment tolerance and wherein the lens holder assembly is centrally aligned with the housing back part assembly.

In one embodiment, the additional step of securing the metal shell to the first circuit board by a fourth securing means is provided to hold the socket in place after the lens mount assembly and the case back assembly are assembled.

In one embodiment, the first fastening means comprises laser soldering the first circuit board to one or more knobs of the lens mount assembly.

In one embodiment, the second fastening means comprises fastening rivets.

In one embodiment, the third fastening means comprises laser welding.

In one embodiment, the fourth fastener comprises laser soldering at least a portion of the metal jacket to the first circuit board.

In one embodiment, the mating of the plug and the socket electrically couples the first circuit board with the second circuit board.

Figure list

• 1 beispielhaft eine Schnittansicht eines Kameramoduls wie aus dem Stand der Technik bekannt darstellt;
• 2 beispielhaft eine andere Schnittansicht eines Kameramoduls wie aus dem Stand der Technik bekannt darstellt;
• 3 beispielhaft eine Schnittansicht einer ersten Leiterplatte, die an einer Objektivhalterungsbaugruppe der innenliegend ausgerichteten Kamera gemäß einigen Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Erfindung montiert ist, darstellt;
• 4 beispielhaft eine perspektivische Ansicht der ersten Leiterplatte, die an der Objektivhalterungsbaugruppe der innenliegend ausgerichteten Kamera gemäß einigen Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Erfindung montiert ist, darstellt;
• 5 beispielhaft eine Draufsicht einer Gehäuserückteilbaugruppe der innenliegend ausgerichteten Kamera gemäß einigen Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Erfindung darstellt;
• 6 beispielhaft eine vergrößerte Ansicht einer zweiten Leiterplatte und einer Gehäuserückteilbaugruppe der innenliegend ausgerichteten Kamera gemäß einigen Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Erfindung darstellt;
• 7 beispielhaft eine Draufsicht der zweiten Leiterplatte, die innerhalb der Gehäuserückteilbaugruppe der innenliegend ausgerichteten Kamera gemäß einigen Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Erfindung montiert ist, darstellt;
• 8 beispielhaft eine Schnittansicht vor der Montage der Objektivhalterungsbaugruppe, welche die erste PCB (printed circuit board - Leiterplatte) aufweist, und der Gehäuserückteilbaugruppe, welche die zweite PCB aufweist, der innenliegend ausgerichteten Kamera gemäß einigen Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Erfindung darstellt;
• 9 beispielhaft eine Schnittansicht einer vollständig montierten innenliegend ausgerichteten Kamera gemäß einigen Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Erfindung darstellt; und
• 10 beispielhaft eine Schnittansicht des toleranzausgleichenden Verbinders (entlang der gestrichelten Linie, wie in 9 gezeigt), während die innenliegend ausgerichtete Kamera vollständig montiert ist, gemäß einigen Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Erfindung darstellt.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of one of its embodiments, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• 1 shows by way of example a sectional view of a camera module as known from the prior art;
• 2 shows by way of example another sectional view of a camera module as known from the prior art;
• 3rd exemplifies a cross-sectional view of a first circuit board mounted to a lens mount assembly of the inboard camera in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;
• 4th exemplifies a perspective view of the first circuit board mounted to the lens mount assembly of the inboard camera in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;
• 5 Illustrated, by way of example, is a top plan view of a back housing assembly of the inboard camera in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;
• 6th exemplarily illustrates an enlarged view of a second circuit board and housing back assembly of the inboard camera in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;
• 7th exemplarily illustrates a top plan view of the second circuit board mounted within the back housing assembly of the inboard camera in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;
• 8th exemplarily illustrates a sectional view prior to assembly of the lens mount assembly including the first printed circuit board (PCB) and the case back assembly including the second PCB of the inboard camera according to some embodiments of the present invention;
• 9 exemplifies a cross-sectional view of a fully assembled inboard camera in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; and
• 10 an example of a sectional view of the tolerance-compensating connector (along the dashed line as in 9 while the inboard camera is fully assembled, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed description of the drawings

The present invention relates to an inboard camera. More particularly, the present invention relates to an inboard camera using a tolerance compensating connector and a method of making the inboard camera.

The method of making the inboard camera includes the following steps. 3rd FIG. 10 exemplifies a cross-sectional view of a first circuit board mounted to a lens mount assembly of the inboard camera in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 4th FIG. 10 exemplifies a perspective view of the first circuit board mounted to the lens mount assembly of the inboard camera in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

The first printed circuit board (PCB) 306 who have favourited an image sensor 309 is optically with the lens mount assembly 307 aligned. The first PCB 306 includes a socket 302 who have favourited a metal cladding 304 has, and a socket housing 303 . The socket 302 takes a facility 301 to power the image sensor 309 and associated components in the first PCB 306 to align the image sensor with the lens mount assembly 307 to enable. A gripping device is used to position the first PCB 306 used so the image sensor 309 on the image plane of the lens elements 308 the lens mount assembly 307 is aligned. After the first PCB 306 is aligned, becomes the first PCB 306 on one or more knobs 305 the lens mount assembly 307 soldered to the first PCB using laser soldering 306 hold in the aligned position.

In other words, after the step of optically aligning the image sensor 309 with the lens mount assembly 307 becomes the first PCB 306 on the lens mount assembly 307 attached to the first PCB using a first fastener 306 relative to the lens mount assembly 307 hold in position. With the laser as the first fastener, the first PCB 306 on the knobs 305 the lens mount assembly 307 soldered. The alignment means that operate the gripping device can be used to control the movement of the X-axis, the Y-axis and the Z-axis of the first PCB 306 Restrict in such a way that no damage to the socket 302 , the metal cladding 304 and the socket housing 303 caused. It will be understood that after the optical alignment is complete and the first PCB 306 is fixed in place, the tolerance-compensating connector 901 is also fixed in place. This way it becomes the first PCB 306 positioned relative to the lens and the connector 901 relative to the camera body.

After that, the metal cladding 304 on the first PCB 306 attached to the socket by a fourth fastener 302 after attaching the lens mount assembly 307 and the case back assembly 501 hold in position. In other words, the metal casing 304 is attached to the first PCB 306 fastened by laser soldering (fourth fastening means), ie at least part of the metal jacket 304 on the first PCB 306 to the socket 302 after mating with the plug 602 to prevent it from moving during assembly. 9A shows an exemplary sectional view (along the dashed line, as in FIG 9 shown) of the tolerance-compensating connector 901 represent the one with the socket 302 plugged together connector 602 while the inboard camera is fully assembled in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

After that, a second circuit board is made 603 on a case back assembly 501 attached using a second fastener. 5 FIG. 12 exemplifies a top view of a housing back assembly 501 of the inboard camera according to some embodiments of the present invention. 6th FIG. 11 exemplifies an enlarged view of the second PCB 603 and a case back assembly 501 the inboard camera according to some embodiments of the present invention; and 7th shows an exemplary plan view of the second PCB 603 those in the case back assembly 501 mounted on the inboard camera in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In particular, the second is PCB 603 aligned to be in a machined cavity or recess of the case back assembly 501 to be added, and the second PCB 603 is made using fastening rivets 601 held in this position as a second fastening means. Furthermore, as in 6th and 7th shown comprises the second PCB 603 a plug 602 that is designed to be removed from the socket 302 to be included.

After that, the lens mount assembly 307 attached to the first PCB 306 attached, and the case back assembly 501 attached to the second PCB 603 is appropriate assembled. 8th FIG. 12 exemplifies a sectional view of the lens mount assembly 307 which is the first PCB 306 and the case back assembly 501 which is the second PCB 603 represents the inboard camera according to some embodiments of the present invention prior to assembly; and 9 FIG. 11 exemplifies a cross-sectional view of a fully assembled inboard camera in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

During assembly, the socket 302 with the plug 602 plugged together within a predetermined alignment tolerance. For an average person skilled in the art, it is understood that at this stage of assembly the socket 302 based on the connector 602 can be moved to the socket 302 on the plug 602 align so that the socket 302 the plug 602 records. That's why the socket 302 with the plug 602 mated together when the orientation of the connector 602 within the tolerance range (range of motion) of the socket 302 lies. The plugging together of the connector also couples 602 and the socket 302 the first PCB 306 electrically to the second printed circuit board 603 .

Furthermore, the lens mount assembly 307 during assembly on the case back assembly 501 using a third fastener attached to the lens mount assembly 307 with the case back assembly 501 is centered using alignment means. In a preferred embodiment, at least some of the edges / surfaces come from the lens mount assembly 307 with the case back assembly 501 in contact as a result of centering the lens mount assembly 307 and the case back assembly 501 . After that, the faces / edges of the lens mount assembly 307 and the case back assembly 501 laser welded (third fastener). 9 FIG. 11 exemplifies a cross-sectional view of a fully assembled inboard camera in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

9 FIG. 11 exemplifies a sectional view of a fully assembled inboard camera device in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; and 10 shows an exemplary sectional view (along the dashed line, as in FIG 9 shown) of the tolerance-compensating connector 901 represent the one with the socket 302 plugged together connector 602 while the inboard camera is fully assembled in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

The internally aligned camera device includes a lens mount assembly 307 , a first printed circuit board (PCB) 306, a second printed circuit board (PCB) 603 and a case back assembly 501 . The first PCB 306 includes an image sensor 309 . The image sensor 309 is optically with the lens mount assembly 307 aligned and the first PCB 306 is attached to the lens mount assembly by a first fastener 307 appropriate. In one embodiment, the first fastener comprises laser soldering the first PCB 306 on one or more knobs 305 the lens mount assembly 307 .

The second PCB 603 is electrical with the first PCB 306 using a tolerance compensating connector 901 coupled. The tolerance-compensating connector 901 includes a plug 602 attached to the second PCB 603 attached, and a socket 302 attached to the first PCB 306 attached, with the socket 302 is designed to work with the connector 602 to be mated together within a predetermined alignment tolerance. In one embodiment, the predetermined tolerance is less than about 0.4 millimeters.

The case back assembly 501 is on the second PCB 603 attached by a second fastener, the lens mount assembly 307 centered with the rear housing assembly 501 and wherein the lens mount assembly is attached to the case back assembly using a third fastener. In one embodiment, the second fastening means comprises fastening rivets. In one embodiment, the third fastening means comprises laser welding. In one embodiment, the housing includes back subassembly 501 a machined cavity to the second PCB 603 to accommodate.

In one embodiment, the socket comprises 302 a metal sheath 304 , the metal cladding 304 on the first PCB 306 is attached using a fourth fastener. In one embodiment, the fourth fastening means comprises laser soldering.

9 also provides the alignment tolerance 902 between the first PCB 306 and the second PCB 603 when the internally aligned camera device is fully assembled. In one embodiment, the maximum alignment tolerance is about 0.4 millimeters.

In the description, the terms “comprise, encompassed, encompassed and comprising” or any variant thereof as well as the terms “include, includes, included and comprising” or any variant thereof are regarded as absolutely interchangeable and they are to be given the widest possible interpretation, and vice versa.

It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the foregoing invention provides a reliable and economical solution to the problems identified in the prior art.

The invention is not restricted to the embodiments described above, but can vary both in construction and in details.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• CN 207150702 U [0002]
• US 9565342 [0003]

Claims (16)

An inboard camera device for use in a vehicle, the device comprising: a lens mount assembly (307); a first circuit board (306) including an image sensor (309), the image sensor (309) being optically aligned with the lens mount assembly (307), the first circuit board (306) being attached to the lens mount assembly (307) by a first attachment means ; characterized in that: a second circuit board (603) is electrically coupled to the first circuit board (306) using a tolerance compensating connector (901); a case back assembly (501) is attached to the second circuit board (603) by a second fastener; and wherein the lens mount assembly (307) is centrally aligned with the housing back assembly (501) and wherein the lens mount assembly (307) and housing back assembly (501) are attached using a third fastener. Device according to Claim 1 wherein the tolerance compensating connector (901) comprises: a plug (602) attached to the second circuit board (603); a socket (302) attached to the first circuit board (306), the socket (302) being adapted to mate with the plug (602) within a predetermined alignment tolerance. Device according to the Claims 1 or 2 wherein the socket (302) comprises a metal jacket (304) and wherein the metal jacket (304) is attached to the first circuit board (306) using a fourth fastener. Device according to Claim 3 wherein the fourth fastening means comprises laser soldering. Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th wherein the first attachment means comprises laser soldering the first circuit board (306) onto one or more nubs (305) of the lens mount assembly (307). Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 wherein the second fastening means comprises fastening rivets (601). Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 6th wherein the third fastening means comprises laser welding. Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 7th wherein the housing back assembly (501) includes a machined cavity for housing the second circuit board (603). Device according to one of the Claims 2 to 8th wherein the predetermined tolerance comprises less than about 0.4 millimeters. A method of manufacturing an inboard camera device for use in a vehicle comprising: optically aligning an image sensor (309) mounted on a first circuit board (306) with a lens mount assembly (307) characterized by securing the first circuit board (306) ) on the lens mount assembly (307) using a first fastener to hold the first circuit board (306) in position after optically aligning the image sensor (309) with the lens mount assembly (307); Securing a second printed circuit board (603) to a back shell assembly (501) using a second fastener; and assembling the lens mount assembly (307) and the housing back assembly (501) using a third fastening means, wherein during assembly the first circuit board (306) and the second circuit board (603) are plugged together using a tolerance compensating connector within a predetermined alignment tolerance, and wherein the The lens mount assembly (307) is centered with the housing back assembly (501). Procedure according to Claim 10 comprising the step of securing a metal shell (304) to the first circuit board (306) by a fourth fastener to hold a socket (302) in place after the lens mount assembly and the housing back assembly (307) are assembled. Procedure according to Claim 10 or 11 wherein the first attachment means comprises laser soldering the first circuit board (306) to one or more nubs (305) of the lens mount assembly (307). Procedure according to Claim 10 , 11 or 12th wherein the second fastening means comprises fastening rivets (601). Method according to one of the Claims 10 to 13th wherein the third fastening means comprises laser welding. Method according to one of the Claims 11 to 14th , the fourth fastener being laser soldering from at least a portion of the metal jacket (304) to the first circuit board (306). Method according to one of the Claims 10 to 15th wherein mating comprises mating a plug (602) and a socket (302) to electrically couple the first circuit board (306) to the second circuit board (603).

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