WO2021228615A1

WO2021228615A1 - Camera comprising specific radial projecting bars on a housing and a carrier, as well as method

Info

Publication number: WO2021228615A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/061651
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Hickey; David Currie; Neil Quinn; Sean Mcgreevy
Original assignee: Connaught Electronics Ltd.
Priority date: 2020-05-12
Filing date: 2021-05-04
Publication date: 2021-11-18
Also published as: DE102020112859A1

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a camera (4) for a motor vehicle (1), the camera comprising a housing (5') and a lens device (8), which is separate thereto and is arranged on the housing (5'), wherein the lens device (8) extends through a first opening (7) on a first end (6) of the housing (5') into the housing (5'), and comprising a carrier (12'), which is separate to the housing (5') and on which a circuit board (13) comprising an image sensor (14) is arranged, wherein the carrier (12') is attached on a second end (9) of the housing (5') by an adhesive joint (18'), wherein the housing (5) has a longitudinal axis (A) and on a second end (9) of the housing (5) at least one radial projecting bar (23, 26, 27) is configured, which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A), and on the carrier (12) a counter projecting bar (31, 32, 33) is configured, which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A), wherein the projecting bar (23, 26, 27) and the counter projecting bar (31, 32, 33) are arranged in circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis (A) in the same circumferential position and extend radially farther outward than the adhesive joint (18) formed between the carrier (12) and the second end (9) of the housing (5). One further aspect of the invention relates to a method for mounting a camera (4).

Description

Camera comprising specific radial projecting bars on a housing and a carrier, as well as method

One aspect of the invention relates to a camera for a motor vehicle. The camera comprises a housing. The camera comprises a lens device, which is separate to the housing and is arranged on the housing. The lens device extends through a first opening on a first end of the housing into the housing. The camera comprises a carrier, which is separate to the housing and on which a circuit board comprising an image sensor is arranged, wherein the carrier is attached on a second end of the housing by an adhesive joint. A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for mounting a camera.

Cameras for vehicles are known in various embodiments. Housings can be configured to be of single-piece or multiple-part design. Moreover, it is envisaged that on a circuit board an image sensor is arranged. Same is specifically aligned relative to the lens device during mounting of the camera. Thereby, the light incident upon the lens device from outside, is guided in a defined way onto the image sensor. Thereby, a focused image can be taken. For this reason it is particularly important to facilitate this positioning between the lens device and the image sensor. In the case of known embodiments in this connection a carrier, on which the circuit board comprising the image sensor is arranged, is aligned relative to the housing, in which the lens device is arranged. By an adhesive joint the carrier is held to the housing. Thereby also the position of the carrier relative to the lens device is fixed. In this connection also an axial distance to be adjusted between the lens device and the image sensor is of particular importance. In the case of common implementations the adhesive joint, however, is configured to be disadvantageous. This is because the adhesive of the adhesive joint leaks radially outward, when axially moving the carrier towards the housing. The adhesive forms a correspondingly projecting bulge on the outer side. Thereby the axial positioning between the carrier and the housing is only possible to be effected imprecisely anymore.

It is the objective of the present invention to provide a camera and a method, in which the axial positioning between the carrier of a camera and the housing of the camera is improved.

This objective is achieved by a camera and a method according to the independent claims. One aspect of the invention relates to a camera for a motor vehicle. The camera comprises a housing. Moreover, the camera comprises a lens device which is separate to the housing. The lens device is arranged on the housing. The housing has a first opening on a first end. Through this first opening the lens device in the assembled state extends at least partly into the housing. The camera moreover comprises a carrier that is separate to the housing. On this carrier a circuit board comprising an image sensor positioned thereon is arranged. Thus, the carrier carries this circuit board comprising the image sensor. The carrier is connected on a second end of the housing by an adhesive joint with the housing or attached thereto. The housing has a longitudinal axis. On the second end of the housing at least one radial projecting bar is configured. Same extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. On the carrier a counter projecting bar is configured, which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The projecting bar, on the one hand, and the counter projecting bar, on the other hand, are arranged in circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis in the same circumferential position. The projecting bar and the counter projecting bar extend radially further outward than the adhesive joint configured between the carrier and the second end of the housing. By such design it is achieved that the adhesive joint does not reach radially far enough outward to project radially beyond the projecting bar and the counter projecting bar. By this design the projecting bar and the counter projecting bar are radially projecting further outward than the adhesive joint. Thereby, it is facilitated that the axial positioning between the carrier and the housing can be adjusted in an improved way. Axial lengths of the carrier and the housing, in particular relative to each other, can thereby be adjusted in an improved and more accurate way. In particular the corresponding axial position of the carrier and the housing can be more easily monitored. This is achieved by observing the axial position of the projecting bar and the counter projecting bar. Precisely as a result of the fact that this projecting bar and the counter projecting bar are arranged in the same circumferential position, a corresponding axial position monitoring is facilitated in a particularly simple and precise way. By these radial bars it is prevented that in this position the adhesive joint leaks outward and widens upward and downward in the form of a bulge. A covering of the outer edges of the housing and the carrier by the adhesive joint is prevented by the suggested implementation of the camera. Thus, also the axial distance between the housing and the carrier can be very accurately monitored and adjusted. The adhesive joint therein is no longer in the way, in particular no longer spread in such a way that it covers edge sides of the housing and the carrier.

In one embodiment it is envisaged that by the projecting bar and the counter projecting bar according to the intended purpose a measuring device is configured. The measuring device is configured for indirect measuring of the axial thickness of the adhesive joint. Since the adhesive of the adhesive joint is configured directly on the second end of the housing, on the one hand, and directly on the carrier, on the other hand, by the axial distance between the projecting bar and the counter projecting bar also the thickness of the adhesive joint can be measured indirectly and very precisely at this point. This is a particularly advantageous implementation. This is because, as has already been mentioned initially, the axial position of these two components relative to each other is to be adjusted very precisely in order to be able to precisely adjust and maintain also the axial position between the image sensor and the lens device. By the projecting bar and the counter projecting bar not only a device for preventing leakage of the adhesive but also such precise measuring device is provided.

In particular the axial thickness of the adhesive in the region between a rear side of the rear end of the housing and a top side of the carrier can be determined, wherein the adhesive is arranged between these sides. The thickness of the adhesive thus can be determined at a radial position, at which both the top side and the rear side are present.

In one embodiment it is envisaged that the projecting bar and the counter projecting bar, viewed in axial direction and thus in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the housing, are arranged spaced apart from each other. This is the case both at the beginning of the mounting as well as in the manufactured state. By the axial inner width between the projecting bar and the counter projecting bar thus a particularly precise determination of this axial distance is facilitated. From this the thickness of the adhesive joint can be exactly derived.

Preferably, it is envisaged that on the second end of the housing a second opening of this housing is configured. This second opening is bounded by a circumferential bounding wall. The projecting bar is configured on an outer side of the bounding wall. It extends radially outward from this outer side. In particular the projecting bar and the bounding wall are configured as a single piece with each other. By this design a realization is facilitated that is simple in terms of specific manufacture and mounting technique. Moreover, position tolerances between the bounding wall and the projection bar are avoided.

Preferably the carrier is configured to be plate-like. It is in particular configured as flat disk. Thereby a very space-saving realization, in particular in axial direction, is facilitated. The counter projecting bar is arranged to project from a lateral edge of the carrier. Also thereby it is envisaged that in axial direction no undesired projection of the counter projecting bar is configured. In particular it is envisaged that the counter projecting bar in axial direction both upward as well as downward does not project beyond the carrier.

In an advantageous embodiment it is envisaged that the carrier has a recess. In the assembled final state in an advantageous embodiment the lens device extends through the tube-like housing and into the recess of the carrier.

Preferably, the counter projecting bar is configured as a single piece on an outer side of a bounding wall bounding the recess.

In one embodiment the projecting bar and the related counter projecting bar in radial direction and thus perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is extending further outward than the adhesive of the adhesive joint.

In one embodiment at least three projecting bars and at least three counter projecting bars are configured. The projecting bars and the counter projecting bars, viewed in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis, are each equidistant relative to each other so that three pairs of projecting bars and counter projecting bars are formed. Thereby axial distance determinations between the carrier and the housing are facilitated at various azimuthal positions. Thereby particularly precise adjustments of the axial distance between the carrier and the housing can be achieved.

One further aspect of the invention relates to a method for mounting a camera, in which the following steps are performed: providing a housing of the camera, wherein the housing has a first opening on a first end of the housing and on a second end of the housing at least one radial projecting bar is configured, which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; providing a carrier, which is separate to the housing and on which a circuit board comprising an image sensor is arranged, wherein on the carrier a counter projecting bar is configured, which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; applying adhesive between the second end of the housing and the carrier for generating an adhesive joint; aligning the carrier and the housing in such a way that the projecting bars in circumferential direction are arranged around the longitudinal axis in the same circumferential position, wherein the bars are aligned in such a way that they extend radially farther outward than the adhesive joint; determining the axial thickness of the adhesive joint by measuring the axial distance between the projecting bar and the counter projecting bar directly and by relating this axial distance to the thickness of the adhesive joint.

Preferably the distance is captured contactless by an optical measuring unit.

By the optical capturing in this regard also very precise distance determinations can be achieved. In particular thereby it can be measured at a bottom edge of the projecting bar and at a top edge of the counter projecting bar. The bottom edge and the top edge are facing each other. In particular these measuring points are defined on radially outer edge portions of the projecting bar and the counter projecting bar.

It may be envisaged that during the mounting, if there are several pairs of projecting bars and counter projecting bars, it is measured only at one pair. It may also be envisaged that at different points in time it is measured at least at two different pairs of a respective projecting bar and a counter projecting bar. It may also be envisaged that it is measured simultaneously at least at two different pairs of a respective projecting bar and a counter projecting bar.

When the best possible position between the image sensor and the lens device has been found an active hardening of the adhesive and therefore the adhesive joint is done. For instance a UV (ultraviolet) hardening is envisaged. In particular the axial distance determination is also envisaged in order to be able to quantify a shrinking of the adhesive. In particular in this connection a shrinking of the adhesive between the state prior to the hardening and after the hardening should be effected. The hardening in this connection, as already explained in the above, can be effected by ultraviolet radiation or by an oven. Equally, additionally or instead, an axial distance determination can be effected on the basis of the above-named concept prior to and after an environmental test. Here, too, a quantitative capturing of the change in dimension of the adhesive should be effected on different planes of the environmental test in order to be able to recognize the influences here. For instance as different environmental states here different temperature cycles and/or the humidity and/or vibrations and/or other mechanical influences, such as short term strong mechanical effects, can be assessed.

Further features of the invention are apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of figures and/or shown in the figures alone are usable not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, implementations are also to be considered as encompassed and disclosed by the invention, which are not explicitly shown in the figures and explained, but arise from and can be generated by the separated feature combinations from the explained implementations. Implementations and feature combinations are also to be considered as disclosed, which thus do not comprise all of the features of an originally formulated independent claim. Moreover, implementations and feature combinations are to be considered as disclosed, in particular by the implementations set out above, which extend beyond or deviate from the feature combinations set out in the back-references of the claims.

The invention now is explained in further detail by reference to preferred embodiments as well as by reference to the enclosed drawings.

These show in:

Fig. 1 a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention, which comprises a camera system comprising several cameras;

Fig. 2 a sectional view of an embodiment of a camera in the assembled final state;

Fig. 3 a perspective view of an embodiment of a housing of the camera;

Fig. 4 a perspective view of a carrier of the camera; Fig. 5 a representation of a partial view of the camera according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 6 an enlarged view of a partial portion of the view in Fig. 5 in the region of the projecting bar and a related counter projecting bar; and

Fig. 7 a representation of a partial view of a camera from the prior art.

In the figures identical and functionally identical elements are equipped with the same reference signs. Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention in a plan view. The motor vehicle 1 in the present case is configured as a passenger car. The motor vehicle 1 comprises a camera system 2. The camera system 2 in turn comprises a computing device 3, which may for instance be configured by an electronic control device of the motor vehicle 1. Moreover, the camera system 2 comprises at least one camera 4. In the present embodiment the camera system 2 comprises four cameras 4, which are arranged on the motor vehicle 1. In the present case one of the cameras 4 is arranged in a rear portion 1a, one of the cameras 4 is arranged in a front portion 1b of the motor vehicle 1 and the remaining two cameras 4 are arranged in a respective lateral portion 1c, in particular a region of the side mirror. The number and arrangement of the cameras 4 of the camera system 2 in the present case is to be understood merely in an exemplary way.

Additionally or instead, also at least one camera may be envisaged, which is configured and arranged for capturing an interior space or a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 1. The cameras 4 are in particular each installed in such a way that they are mounted on an individual motor vehicle component. A motor vehicle component may for instance be a bumper or outside mirror or a side trim panel. The motor vehicle component may for instance also be a roof ceiling or an interior lining or an interior mirror. The motor vehicle components are to be understood merely in an exemplary way and also other motor vehicle components may be given. It is thereby only expressed that a motor vehicle component with regard to positional arrangement and material design can be configured in multiple ways.

By the cameras 4 an environmental region 1d of the motor vehicle 1 can be captured. The four cameras 4 are configured to be preferably of the same design. In particular an image sequence or video data can be provided by the cameras 4, which describe the environmental region 1d. These video data can be transferred by the cameras 4 to the computing device 3. By the computing device 3 a display device (not shown here) of the motor vehicle 1 can be controlled in such a way that the video data of the cameras 4 can be displayed to the driver. The camera system 2 thus serves for supporting the driver of the motor vehicle 1 when driving a motor vehicle 1. The camera system 2 may for instance be a so-called electronic rear view mirror or a parking assistance system or any other system. It may also be configured in the interior for capturing a person, in particular a driver of a vehicle.

In Fig. 2 in a vertical sectional view an embodiment of a camera 4 is schematically shown. The camera 4 has a longitudinal axis A. The camera 4 comprises a housing 5. The housing 5, viewed along the longitudinal axis A, has a first end 6. On the first end 6 a first opening 7 is configured. Into this opening 7 extends a lens device 8 of the camera 4. The housing 5 is configured in the embodiment to be tube-like. In this connection in an advantageous implementation it has a second end 9, which is situated in axial direction opposite the first end 6. On this second end 9 a second opening 10 is configured. In the shown embodiment the lens device 8 extends in particular through the entire housing 5. The lens device 8 extends at the second opening 10 out of the housing 5. The lens device 8 is mechanically attached in the housing 5. In particular this is provided by a screw connection 11. In this connection an external screw thread engages an internal screw thread on an inner side of the housing 5.

The camera 4 moreover comprises a carrier 12. The carrier 12 is a component that is separate to the housing 5 and to the lens device 8. The carrier 12 is configured to be plate-like. It is in particular designed to be disk-like.

The carrier 12 is envisaged to carry a circuit board 13, which is separate thereto and on which an image sensor 14 is arranged. In the embodiment the circuit board 13 is directly attached to the carrier 12, in particular screwed thereto by at least one screw 15. The carrier 12 has a recess 16. Same is bounded by a circumferential bounding wall 17. Into this trough-like recess 16 extends the lens device 8. The carrier 12 is glued together with the housing 5 by an adhesive joint 18. In particular the mechanical connection between the carrier 12 and the housing 5 is only realized by this adhesive joint 18. Therein an adhesive 20 is introduced between the carrier 17 and the housing 5. The adhesive 20 contacts a top side 21 of the bounding wall 17 directly. Moreover, it directly contacts a rear side 22 of the rear end 9. The two sides 21 and 22 are facing each other. They are spaced apart from each other by the adhesive 20. In Fig. 3 in a perspective view the housing 5 is shown in an embodiment. As can be recognized, the housing 5 has a projecting bar 23. The projecting bar 23 is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. It is configured in particular on an outer side 24 of a bounding wall 25. It is in particular configured as a single piece with this bounding wall 25. The bounding wall 25 bounds the second opening 10. In particular the bounding wall 25 is configured to be tube-like. The rear side 22 in this regard is in particular an annular surface. As can be recognized, in the embodiment several separate projecting bars are configured. In addition to the projecting bar 23 here two further projecting bars 26 and 27 are configured. They are arranged in circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis A equidistant relative to each other. In axial direction a top side of a projecting bar 23, 26, 27 is flush with the rear side 22. The projecting bars 23, 26, and 27 project radially outward beyond the outer side 24. In Fig. 4 in a perspective view an embodiment of the carrier 12 is represented. As can be recognized moreover, in a bottom 28 of the recess 16 a clearance 29 is formed. Into this clearance 29 plunges the image sensor 14.

As can be recognized in Fig. 4, on an outer side 30 of the bounding wall 17 at least one counter projecting bar 31 is configured. It is outward projecting in radial direction relative to the outer side 30. The counter projecting bar 31 is formed as a single piece with the bounding wall 17. In the embodiment there are three separate counter projecting bars 31, 32, and 33 formed on this outer side 30. They are arranged equidistant relative to each other in circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis A.

In the assembled state a projecting bar 23, 26, and 27 each is arranged in an equal circumferential position as a related counter projecting bar 31, 32, and 33. Thus, in azimuthal direction around the longitudinal axis A respective pairs of a projecting bar are formed with a counter projecting bar.

In Fig. 1 in this connection the projecting bar 26 and the counter projecting bar 31 arranged in the same circumferential position are shown in an exemplary way.

As can be recognized in Fig. 5, in radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis A the adhesive 20 is not overlaying via the bar pair comprising the projecting bar 26 and the counter projecting bar 31. As can be recognized in Fig. 5, the adhesive 20, viewed in radial direction, is set back inward relative to the outer sides 26a and 31a of these two bars 26 and 31. In Fig. 6 an enlarged partial view I from Fig. 5 is shown. Here it can be recognized that an axial thickness d of the adhesive joint 18 is formed. This thickness d corresponds to a distance a between an outer bottom edge 26b of the projecting bar 26 and a radial outer top edge 31 b of the counter projecting bar 31. Since the adhesive 20 does not project radially outward beyond the outer sides 26a and 31b, these edges or rims 26b and 31b can invariably be precisely recognized and captured.

In this connection the axial position between the carrier 12 and the housing 5 can be precisely captured. In particular by this configuration it is facilitated that via this measured distance a always in this regard the corresponding and in particular same thickness d of the adhesive in the region between the top side 21 and the rear side 22 is precisely determined. Thereby information about the behavior of the adhesive 2 during the mounting process and the subsequent hardening and/or in the case of different environmental influences can be assessed. In particular in this connection also a shrinking of the adhesive 20 can be precisely analyzed.

When mounting the camera 4 in particular the following steps are performed: To start with, the housing 5 is provided. Moreover, the carrier 12 that is separate thereto is provided. In particular the circuit board 13 comprising the image sensor 14 is already mounted on the carrier 12. In an advantageous embodiment thus a pre-mounting module consisting of the carrier 12 and the circuit board 13 comprising the image sensor 14 is provided.

In a further step preferably the adhesive 20 is applied on the top side 21 and/or the rear side 22. The carrier 12 and the housing 5 are then brought together in axial direction. In this connection the adhesive joint 18 forms. In particular the alignment of the carrier 12 and the housing 5 is effected in such a way that at least a projecting bar 23, 26, 27 is arranged in the same circumferential position as a counter projecting bar 31, 32, 33. This aligning is also effected in such a way that this pair of the bars is aligned in such a way that the bars extend radially further outward than the adhesive 20 of the adhesive joint 18.

In a further step then a determining of the axial thickness d of the adhesive joint 18 is effected. This occurs to the effect that the axial distance a between the projecting bar 26 and the counter projecting bar 31 (in the shown embodiment) is measured directly and this axial distance a is related to the thickness d of the adhesive joint 18. In particular in this connection the axial distance a is measured between the edges 26b and 31b. These are arranged spaced apart from each other in axial direction. The measuring of the distance a is effected in particular by an optical measuring unit. It is effected without contacting the bars 26 and 31.

In Fig. 7 in a representation an implementation from the prior art is shown. Here a housing 5‘ and a carrier 12‘ can be recognized. Without the radial bars 26 and 31 it is here only possible that the adhesive 20 leaks radially outward during axial assembly of the components in such a way that a bulge 33 forms. Same forms in axial direction upward and downward so that the actual thickness d‘ can no longer be measured. Thereby the disadvantages already mentioned initially with regard to the precise analysis of the adhesive joint 18‘ and thus also the axial distance between the carrier 12‘ and the housing 5‘ are brought about. These very disadvantages can be avoided by the invention explained above.

Claims

1. Camera (4) for a motor vehicle (1), the camera comprising a housing (5‘) and a lens device (8), which is separate thereto and is arranged on the housing (5‘), wherein the lens device (8) extends through a first opening (7) on a first end (6) of the housing (5‘) into the housing (5‘), and comprising a carrier (12’), which is separate to the housing (5‘) and on which a circuit board (13) comprising an image sensor

(14) is arranged, wherein the carrier (12‘) is attached on a second end (9) of the housing (5‘) by an adhesive joint (18‘), characterized in that the housing (5) has a longitudinal axis (A) and on the second end (9) of the housing (5) at least one radial projecting bar (23, 26, 27) is configured, which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A), and on the carrier (12) a counter projecting bar (31, 32, 33) is configured, which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A), wherein the projecting bar (23, 26, 27) and the counter projecting bar (31, 32, 33) are arranged in circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis (A) in the same circumferential position and extend radially farther outward than the adhesive joint (18) formed between the carrier (12) and the second end (9) of the housing (5).

2. Camera (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that by the projecting bar (23, 26, 27) and the counter projecting bar (31, 32, 33) according to the intended purpose a measuring device (34) for indirect measuring of the axial thickness (d) of the adhesive joint (18) is configured. 3. Camera (4) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the projecting bar (23, 26, 27) and the counter projecting bar (31, 32, 33) are arranged spaced apart in axial direction. 4. Camera (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the second end (9) a second opening (10) of the housing (5) is configured, wherein this second opening (10) is bounded by a circumferential bounding wall (25), wherein the projecting bar (23, 26, 27) is configured on an outer side (24) of the bounding wall (25) and projects radially outward from the outer side (24).

5. Camera (4) according to claim 4, characterized in that the projecting bar (23, 26, 27) and the bounding wall (25) are formed as a single piece.

6. Camera (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier (12) is configured to be plate-like.

7. Camera (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the counter projecting bar (31, 32, 33) is arranged to project from a lateral edge of the carrier (12).

8. Camera (4) according to claim 7, characterized in that the counter projecting bar (31, 32, 33) is formed as a single piece on an outer side (30) of a bounding wall (17), which is configured as side wall and bounds a recess (16) of the carrier (12).

9. Camera (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier (12) has a recess (16), wherein the lens device (8) in the assembled state extends into the recess (16).

10. Camera (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the projecting bar (23, 26, 27) and the related counter projecting bar (31, 32, 33) in radial direction extend farther outward than the adhesive (20) of the adhesive joint (18). 11. Camera (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least three projecting bars (23, 26, 27) and at least three counter projecting bars (31, 32, 33) are configured, which are arranged equidistant relative to each other in circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis (A) so that three pairs of projecting bars (23, 26, 27) and counter projecting bars (31, 32, 33) are formed.

12. Method for mounting a camera (4), in which method the following steps are performed: providing a housing (5) of the camera (4), wherein the housing (5) has a first opening (7) on a first end (6) of the housing (5) and on a second end (9) of the housing (5) at least one radial projecting bar (23, 26, 27) is configured, which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) of the housing (5), providing a carrier (12), which is separate to the housing (5) and on which a circuit board (13) comprising an image sensor (14) is arranged, wherein on the carrier (12) a counter projecting bar (31, 32, 33) is configured, which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A), applying an adhesive (20) between the second end (9) of the housing (5) and the carrier (12) and generating an adhesive joint (18); aligning the carrier (12) and the housing (5) in such a way that the projecting bars (23, 26, 27) and the counter projecting bars (31, 32, 33) in circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis (A) are arranged in the same circumferential position, wherein the bars (23, 26, 27, 31, 32, 33) are aligned in such a way that they extend farther outward than the adhesive joint (18); determining the axial thickness (d) of the adhesive joint (18) by measuring the axial distance (a) between the projecting bar (23, 26, 27) and the counter projecting bar (31, 32, 33) directly and relating this axial distance (a) to the thickness (d) of the adhesive joint (18).

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the distance (a) is captured in contactless manner by an optical measuring unit.