Camera assembly with shielded imager circuit

• US 10,250,784 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2017
• Issued: 04/02/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Minikey, Jr., Danny L., Hendricks, Michael G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hannett, James M
• Application Number:
  US15/458,478
• Publication Number:
  US 20170272624A1
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/003 Alignment of optical elements G02B7/001, G02B7/002 take precedence; for mirrors G02B7/1822
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/02 for lenses supports for magnifying lenses G02B25/002
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/52 Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0218 by printed shielding conductors, ground planes or power plane H05K1/0236 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/148 Arrangements of two or more hingeably connected rigid printed circuit boards, i.e. connected by flexible means
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/0715 provided by an outer layer of PCB
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10121 Optical component, e.g. opto-electronic component

Abstract

An imager assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly comprises an optic lens comprising a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal axis extending there between. An imager circuit is in conductive connection with an imager connector. The imager connector is configured to communicatively connect the imager circuit to the vehicle. A lens holder of a conductive material forms a shielded cavity configured to receive the proximal end portion of the optic lens and the imager circuit. The lens holder is configured to align the imager with the longitudinal axis of the optic lens.

Claims

1. An imager assembly for a vehicle comprising:

an optic lens comprising a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal axis extending there-between;

an imager circuit comprising at least one circuit comprising an imager; and

a lens holder formed of a conductive material, wherein the lens holder forms;

a shielded cavity, wherein the shielded cavity is configured to receive the imager circuit; and

a mounting surface configured to receive a mating surface of the imager circuit, wherein the mounting surface is configured to align the longitudinal axis of the optic lens with the imager, and wherein the lens holder is configured to shield the imager circuit electromagnetic interference and prevent emissions from radiating out of the imager circuit from the lens holder; and

a housing configured to receive the lens holder, wherein a portion of the lens is positioned between the lens holder and the housing.

2. The imager assembly according to claim 1, wherein the imager circuit is configured to connect to the mounting surface via at least one fastener.

3. The imager assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one circuit comprises a first circuit and a second circuit arranged in a stacked configuration in the shielded cavity.

4. The imager assembly according to claim 3, wherein the first circuit comprises the imager and the second circuit comprises a control circuit in communication with the imager.

5. The imager assembly according to claim 4, wherein the control circuit is in communication with a conductive connector configured to transmit communications to the imager from the vehicle.

6. The imager assembly according to claim 5, further comprising a rear shield configured to connect to an opening formed by the shielded cavity of the lens holder.

7. The imager assembly according to claim 6, wherein the rear shield forms a first aperture configured to receive the conductive connector.

8. The imager assembly according to claim 7, further comprising a housing configured to receive the lens holder.

9. The imager assembly according to claim 8, wherein the housing comprises a front portion forming a housing cavity having an interior profile shape complementary to an exterior profile of the lens holder.

10. The imager assembly according to claim 9, further comprising a lid configured to enclose an assembly opening of the housing cavity, wherein the lid is configured to form a sealed enclosure with the front portion.

11. The imager assembly according to claim 10, wherein the lid forms a second aperture configured to form an interior passage with the first aperture and wherein the conductive connector passes through the interior passage.

19. The imager assembly according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the lens comprises a profile shape configured to engage an opening formed through the housing.

20. The imager assembly according to claim 19, wherein an interior surface of the opening sealably engages the profile shape of the lens.

12. An imager assembly for a vehicle comprising:

an optic lens comprising a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal axis extending there-between;

an imager circuit in conductive connection with an imager connector, wherein the imager connector is configured to communicatively connect the imager circuit to the vehicle;

a lens holder of a conductive material forming a shielded cavity, wherein the shielded cavity is configured to receive the proximal end portion of the optic lens and the imager circuit, wherein the lens holder is configured to align the imager with the longitudinal axis of the optic lens; and

a housing comprising an opening configured to receive a distal end portion of the optic lens, wherein the distal end portion protrudes from the lens holder into the opening of the housing.

13. The imager assembly according to claim 12, wherein the imager circuit comprises a plurality of printed circuit boards (PCBs) arranged in the shielded cavity in a stacked configuration.

14. The imager assembly according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of PCBs comprise a first PCB comprising an imager and a second PCB comprising a control circuit.

15. The imager assembly according to claim 14, wherein the stacked configuration comprises the PCBs stacked parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the optic lens.

16. An imager assembly for a vehicle comprising:

an optic lens comprising a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion;

an imager circuit comprising at least one circuit comprising an imager;

a lens holder formed of a conductive material forming a shielded cavity, wherein the shielded cavity is configured to receive the imager circuit and the lens holder is configured to align the longitudinal axis of the optic lens with the imager;

a housing configured to receive the lens holder, wherein the housing comprises a front portion forming a housing cavity having an interior profile shape complementary to an exterior profile of the lens holder, wherein at least a portion of the optic lens is disposed between the lens holder and the housing; and

a lid configured to enclose an assembly opening of the housing cavity, wherein the lid is configured to form a sealed enclosure with the front portion.

17. The imager assembly according to claim 16, wherein a distal end portion of the lens holder forms a cylindrical profile shape comprising an annular ring configured to receive a seal, and wherein the housing forms a cylindrical aperture, the distal end portion of the optic lens protruding there-through.

18. The imager assembly according to claim 17, wherein the seal is configured to engage the optic lens and an interior surface of the cylindrical aperture in an assembled configuration.