EP2005535A2 - Système de connexion électrique - Google Patents

Système de connexion électrique

Info

Publication number
EP2005535A2
EP2005535A2 EP07781444A EP07781444A EP2005535A2 EP 2005535 A2 EP2005535 A2 EP 2005535A2 EP 07781444 A EP07781444 A EP 07781444A EP 07781444 A EP07781444 A EP 07781444A EP 2005535 A2 EP2005535 A2 EP 2005535A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
electrical connector
electrical
camera
housing
contact
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP07781444A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Johan Teunissen
Konrad W. Brandt
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
3M Innovative Properties Co
Original Assignee
3M Innovative Properties Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 3M Innovative Properties Co filed Critical 3M Innovative Properties Co
Publication of EP2005535A2 publication Critical patent/EP2005535A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/639—Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
    • H01R13/6392—Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap for extension cord
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
    • H01R13/5219—Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2201/00—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications
    • H01R2201/26—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications for vehicles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to an electrical connector system. More particularly, the invention relates to an electrical connector system including an electrical cable, an electrical connector, and a camera which may be mounted at an exterior portion of a vehicle for providing an image of a scene exterior of the vehicle.
  • blind spots areas around the vehicle that are not in the normal direct field of view of the driver, typically referred to as "blind spots”. These areas include the region close to the front of the vehicle, typically obscured by the forward structure of the vehicle, the region along the passenger side of the vehicle, the region along the driver's side of the vehicle rearward of the driver, and the area or region immediately rearward of the vehicle that cannot be seen directly or indirectly through the rear view mirror system.
  • the camera or imaging sensor may capture an image of these "blind spots", and the image may be displayed to the driver of the vehicle to assist the drive in driving or maneuvering the vehicle.
  • cameras positioned on the exterior of a vehicle are subject to environmental effects, such as rain, snow, and road splash, and physical effects, such as road debris, dirt, dust, shock, and vibration, and may therefore need to be easily removed from the vehicle for servicing, repair, or replacement.
  • environmental effects such as rain, snow, and road splash
  • physical effects such as road debris, dirt, dust, shock, and vibration
  • an electrical connector is used to connect the camera to the electrical cable.
  • the invention described herein provides an electrical connector system including an electrical connector, one or more electrical cables, and a camera configured to receive the electrical connector.
  • the electrical connector includes a contact housing, a plurality of electrical contacts positioned in the contact housing, a connector housing, and a seal.
  • the one or more electrical cables include a plurality of conductive wires electrically connected to the plurality of electrical contacts.
  • the invention described herein provides an electrical connector including a contact housing, a plurality of electrical contacts positioned in the contact housing, a connector housing configured to engage with a camera, and a seal.
  • the invention described herein provides a camera including a camera housing and a printed circuit board having a plurality of contact pads.
  • the camera housing includes at least one opening for receiving a plurality of electrical contacts and a protrusion configured to receive an electrical connector.
  • the at least one opening for receiving a plurality of electrical contacts exposes the plurality of contact pads.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective illustration of an electrical connector system according to one embodiment of the invention, showing an electrical connector connecting a camera to an electrical cable.
  • Figure 2 is a perspective illustration of the camera illustrated in Figure 1, showing the back side of the camera.
  • Figure 3 is a perspective illustration of the electrical connector illustrated in Figure 1, showing the contact side of the connector.
  • Figure 4 is a perspective illustration of the electrical connector illustrated in Figure 1, showing the cable side of the connector.
  • Electrical connector system 100 comprises camera 102, electrical connector 104, and electrical cable 106.
  • Camera 102 has a camera housing 103 with a guiding wall 110 and an opening 112 configured to receive electrical connector 104.
  • Retainer clip 108 is attached to guiding wall 110 and configured to hold electrical connector 104 in place after insertion. The presence of retainer clip 108 assists in maintaining the connection between camera 102 and electrical connector 104 during shocks and vibrations commonly present during vehicle operation.
  • alternative means to hold electrical connector 104 in place can be used, such as latches, screws, or bayonet closings.
  • Opening 112 can be configured as shown in Figure 2, whereby the entire front face of electrical connector 104 fits into it. Alternatively, opening 112 can be configured as individual contact openings for each electrical contact 114, shown in Figure 3. This alternate embodiment may enable improved electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and/or reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI) of the electrical connector system.
  • EMC electromagnetic compatibility
  • EMI reduced electromagnetic interference
  • Figure 2 shows contact pads 116 configured to make electrical contact with electrical contacts 114, shown in Figure 3.
  • Contact pads 116 are positioned on the printed circuit board 118 of camera 102 and can be made from an electrically conductive material.
  • contact pads 116 can be made from a copper or a copper alloy and may be plated with gold, tin, silver, or palladium-nickel.
  • electrical connector 104 holds multiple electrical contacts 114.
  • Electrical contacts 114 are typically spring-loaded contacts protruding from the contact side of electrical connector 104 and configured to make direct electrical contact with contact pads 116 of printed circuit board 118 of camera 102. This direct contact eliminates the need for a mating contact and thereby simplifies and reduces the size of the interconnection. Spring-loaded contacts also help minimize the effects of shocks and vibrations common in vehicle connector applications on the electrical interconnection integrity.
  • Electrical contacts 114 can be arranged in a fine-pitch arrangement, e.g., less than 2.5mm, and positioned in contact housing 120. Electrical contacts 114 may include one or more retention features (not shown) to help retain electrical contacts 114 in contact housing 120.
  • electrical contacts 114 typically include solder cups to which the individual wires of electrical cable 106 can be soldered.
  • solder cups for wire connection in combination with the use of spring-loaded contacts assists in achieving the fine-pitch arrangement.
  • electrical connection of electrical contacts 114 to the individual wires of electrical cable 106 can be done in other ways commonly known in the art, such as with insulation displacement connection (IDC) slots or crimp sections.
  • IDC insulation displacement connection
  • other contact configurations can be used while maintaining a fine-pitch arrangement. The fine-pitch arrangement of electrical contacts 114 aids in keeping electrical connector system 100 small.
  • Contact housing 120 includes openings to receive electrical contacts 114 and a circumferential groove to receive a seal 124.
  • the main function of seal 124 is to create a watertight interconnection of electrical connector 104 and guiding wall 110 of camera housing 103.
  • the seal can be an o-ring or any other suitable seal. Placing the seal in a circumferential groove of contact housing 120 instead of at the front of electrical connector 104 reduces the force required to insert the electrical connector 104 into the guiding wall 110. In fact, the forces are only exerted between electrical connector 104 and guiding wall 110 where these are used to keep camera 102 watertight.
  • connector housing 122 is formed to enclose the exposed wires and interconnections and make them watertight. This can be accomplished by overmolding this area with a plastic material. Choosing a flexible plastic material enables connector housing 122 to also include cable strain relief 126 allowing cable 106 to flexibly exit electrical connector 104.
  • Electrical cable 106 can comprise one or more signal or ground wires, which can be connected to electrical contacts 114.
  • HF signals are commonly transmitted through a plurality of low voltage differential signal (LVDS) pairs.
  • LVDS low voltage differential signal
  • Positioning one or more electrical contacts 114 electrically connected to the ground wires in-between pairs of electrical contacts 114 electrically connected to the low voltage differential signal (LVDS) pairs improves electrical shielding of the HF signals.
  • This or a similar arrangement of signal and ground connections can reduce or eliminate the need for additional external shielding, which enables a watertight connection simply with seal 124.
  • electrical cable 106 can have a foil shielding and/or a drain wire connected to a single electrical contact 114 to transmit the ground or shield into camera 102.
  • the inside of the camera can be metallized. This will prevent the high frequency signals from leaving the camera and will prevent external signals from influencing the function of the camera.
  • at electrical connector 104 at least the inside of guiding wall 110 of camera housing 103 may be metallized, making the opening between guiding wall 110 and the cable shielding as small as possible.
  • Electrical cable 106 may comprise two or more separate cables, each including one or more individual wires. For example, in a configuration of two separate cables, one cable can transmit the high frequency data signals (e.g. signals containing camera image data), and the other cable can transmit the other data signals (e.g. signals containing camera control data), the power, and the ground for the camera.
  • an electrically non-conductive tape can protect each individual wire where it is connected to an electrical contact.
  • Electrically conductive tape can be applied onto the stripped back shielding of cable 106 and wrapped around electrical contacts 114 as far down as possible over the area of contact housing 120 later to be overmolded, making the opening between guiding wall 110 and the cable shielding as small as possible.
  • Cable 106 can be electrically connected to electrical connector 104 at one end and to a connector configured to be electrically connected to the vehicle's cable harness at the other end.
  • a grommet can be positioned onto cable 106 to enable a watertight seal of the passage from the inside to the outside of the vehicle.
  • the various components of the electrical connector system and elements thereof are formed of any suitable material.
  • the materials are selected depending upon the intended application and may include both polymers and metals.
  • the connector and camera housings are formed of polymeric materials by methods such as injection molding, extrusion, casting, machining, and the like, while the electrically conductive components are formed of metal by methods such as molding, casting, stamping, machining, and the like. Material selection will depend upon factors including, but not limited to, chemical exposure conditions, environmental exposure conditions including temperature and humidity conditions, flame-retardancy requirements, material strength, and rigidity, to name a few.

Landscapes

  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système de connexion électrique qui comprend une caméra, un câble électrique et un connecteur électrique reliant la caméra au câble électrique.
EP07781444A 2006-04-12 2007-04-05 Système de connexion électrique Withdrawn EP2005535A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US79126606P 2006-04-12 2006-04-12
PCT/US2007/066090 WO2007121113A2 (fr) 2006-04-12 2007-04-05 Système de connexion électrique

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2005535A2 true EP2005535A2 (fr) 2008-12-24

Family

ID=38610308

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07781444A Withdrawn EP2005535A2 (fr) 2006-04-12 2007-04-05 Système de connexion électrique

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2005535A2 (fr)
WO (1) WO2007121113A2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010091347A1 (fr) 2009-02-06 2010-08-12 Magna Electronics Inc. Améliorations apportées à une caméra pour véhicule

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0764159A (ja) * 1993-08-25 1995-03-10 Nikon Corp 防水カメラとスピードライトとを接続するコネクター
ATE298140T1 (de) * 2001-08-31 2005-07-15 Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh Koaxialverbinder zum verbinden von leiterplatten
US7021963B2 (en) * 2002-08-15 2006-04-04 3M Innovative Properties Company Electrical contact
JP2005310531A (ja) * 2004-04-21 2005-11-04 Auto Network Gijutsu Kenkyusho:Kk 電気機器
JP4601485B2 (ja) * 2004-05-07 2010-12-22 株式会社オートネットワーク技術研究所 電気機器

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2007121113A3 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2007121113A3 (fr) 2007-12-27
WO2007121113A2 (fr) 2007-10-25

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