VEHICLE VISION SYSTEM WITH FASTENERLESS LENS ATTACHMENT
First Claim
1. A vehicle vision system comprising:
- a camera module comprising an image sensor array, a circuit element, a lens holder and a lens, wherein said camera module is configured to mount at a receiving structure at an interior surface of a vehicle windshield of a vehicle equipped with said vehicle vision system;
wherein, with said camera module mounted at the receiving structure at the interior surface of the vehicle windshield, said image sensor array views forward of the equipped vehicle and through the vehicle windshield;
wherein said circuit element has a first surface and a second surface opposite said first surface;
wherein said image sensor array is established at said first surface of said circuit element;
wherein said lens holder comprises a lens holding portion and an attaching portion;
wherein said lens holding portion of said lens holder accommodates said lens;
wherein said attaching portion of said lens holder comprises a mating surface that faces away from said lens holding portion of said lens holder, and wherein said mating surface is configured to mate with said first surface of said circuit element when said attaching portion is attached at said circuit element;
wherein said attaching portion comprises a plurality of pins extending longitudinally from said mating surface of said attaching portion;
wherein individual pins of said plurality of pins are configured to be received through respective apertures of said circuit element;
wherein, with said mating surface of said attaching portion of said lens holder mated with said first surface of said circuit element, said pins are received at least partially through said apertures; and
wherein, with said pins received at least partially through said apertures of said circuit element, said pins are soldered at said circuit element so as to fixedly attach said lens holder at said circuit element.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle vision system includes a camera module including an image sensor array, a lens holder and a lens. The camera module is configured to mount at a receiving structure at an interior surface of a vehicle windshield of a vehicle. When the camera module is mounted at the receiving structure of the interior surface of the vehicle windshield, the image sensor array views forward of the vehicle and through the vehicle windshield. The image sensor array is established at a circuit element. The lens holder includes a lens holding portion and an attaching portion, with the lens holding portion accommodating the lens and the attaching portion configured to attach at the circuit element. The attaching portion of the lens holder includes a plurality of pins configured to be received at least partially through apertures of the circuit element so as to be soldered at the circuit element.
53 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vehicle vision system comprising:
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a camera module comprising an image sensor array, a circuit element, a lens holder and a lens, wherein said camera module is configured to mount at a receiving structure at an interior surface of a vehicle windshield of a vehicle equipped with said vehicle vision system; wherein, with said camera module mounted at the receiving structure at the interior surface of the vehicle windshield, said image sensor array views forward of the equipped vehicle and through the vehicle windshield; wherein said circuit element has a first surface and a second surface opposite said first surface; wherein said image sensor array is established at said first surface of said circuit element; wherein said lens holder comprises a lens holding portion and an attaching portion; wherein said lens holding portion of said lens holder accommodates said lens; wherein said attaching portion of said lens holder comprises a mating surface that faces away from said lens holding portion of said lens holder, and wherein said mating surface is configured to mate with said first surface of said circuit element when said attaching portion is attached at said circuit element; wherein said attaching portion comprises a plurality of pins extending longitudinally from said mating surface of said attaching portion; wherein individual pins of said plurality of pins are configured to be received through respective apertures of said circuit element; wherein, with said mating surface of said attaching portion of said lens holder mated with said first surface of said circuit element, said pins are received at least partially through said apertures; and wherein, with said pins received at least partially through said apertures of said circuit element, said pins are soldered at said circuit element so as to fixedly attach said lens holder at said circuit element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A vehicle vision system comprising:
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a camera module comprising an image sensor array, a circuit element, a lens holder and a lens, wherein said camera module is configured to mount at a receiving structure at an interior surface of a vehicle windshield of a vehicle equipped with said vehicle vision system; wherein, with said camera module mounted at the receiving structure at the interior surface of the vehicle windshield, said image sensor array views forward of the equipped vehicle and through the vehicle windshield; wherein said circuit element has a first surface and a second surface opposite said first surface; wherein said image sensor array is established at said first surface of said circuit element; wherein said lens holder comprises a lens holding portion and an attaching portion; wherein said lens holding portion of said lens holder accommodates said lens; wherein at least one attachment element is attached at said circuit element and is configured for attaching said circuit element at a housing of said camera module; wherein said at least one attachment element comprises a plurality of pins extending therefrom; wherein individual pins of said plurality of pins are configured to be received at least partially through respective apertures of said circuit element; wherein, with said at least one attachment element in engagement with said circuit element, said pins are at least partially received through said apertures; and wherein, with said pins at least partially received through said circuit element, said pins are soldered at said circuit element so as to fixedly attach said at least one attachment element at said circuit element. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A vehicle vision system comprising:
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a camera module comprising an image sensor array, a circuit element, a lens holder and a lens, wherein said camera module is configured to mount at a receiving structure at an interior surface of a vehicle windshield of a vehicle equipped with said vehicle vision system; wherein, with said camera module mounted at the receiving structure at the interior surface of the vehicle windshield, said image sensor array views forward of the equipped vehicle and through the vehicle windshield; wherein said circuit element has a first surface and a second surface opposite said first surface; wherein said image sensor array is established at said first surface of said circuit element; wherein said circuit element comprises a printed circuit board with circuitry soldered thereat and wherein said circuitry is soldered at said first and second sides of said circuit element; wherein said lens holder comprises a plastic molded element having a lens holding portion and an attaching portion; wherein said lens holding portion of said lens holder comprises a generally cylindrical portion that accommodates said lens; wherein said attaching portion of said lens holder comprises a mating surface that faces away from said lens holding portion of said lens holder, and wherein said mating surface is configured to mate with said first surface of said circuit element when said attaching portion is attached at said circuit element; wherein said attaching portion comprises a plurality of pins extending longitudinally from said mating surface of said attaching portion; wherein individual pins of said plurality of pins are configured to be received through respective apertures of said circuit element; wherein, with said mating surface of said attaching portion of said lens holder mated with said first surface of said circuit element, said pins are received at least partially through said apertures; wherein, with said pins received at least partially through said apertures of said circuit element, said pins are soldered at said circuit element so as to fixedly attach said lens holder at said circuit element; wherein, with said attaching portion attached at said circuit element, said image sensor array at said first surface of said circuit element is generally encased by said attaching portion and is generally optically aligned with said lens; and wherein the solder that affixes said pins at said circuit element is applied and cured via a common process that applies and cures solder of said circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification