Module device for a camers system, retaining spring device and corresponding camera system

• US 20150146094A1
• Filed: 01/23/2013
• Published: 05/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Seger, Ulrich, Bauer, Nikolai
• Granted Patent: US 9,756,229 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/374
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/00 Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/28 Locating light-sensitive material within camera
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/55 with provision for heating or cooling, e.g. in aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/002 Details of arrangement of components in or on camera body
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/57 Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices

Abstract

A module device for a camera system having a housing device, which is provided with an inner opening and configured to allow an adjustment of an installation position of the module device in a motor vehicle; it also includes a sensor holder device which has an upper region and a base region, is coupled to the housing device via at least one support element and configured to accommodate an image sensor; a lens apparatus which is coupled to the sensor holder device in the upper region via at least one connection element and configured to generate an optical image on the image sensor; and a retaining spring device which is coupled to the housing device and the base region of the sensor holder device and is configured to press the image sensor against the sensor holder device.

Claims

1-12. -12. (canceled)

13. A module device for a camera system, comprising:

a housing device having an inner opening to allow an adjustment of an installation position of the module device in a motor vehicle;

a sensor holder device, which has an upper region and a base region and is coupled to the housing device via at least one support element and to accommodate an image sensor;

a lens apparatus, which is coupled to the sensor holder device in the upper region via at least one connection element, and is set up to generate an optical image on the image sensor; and

a retaining spring device which is coupled to the base region of the sensor holder device and to press the image sensor with the heat-conducting intermediate layer against the sensor holder device by a spring force and to form a heat-conduction path across the heat-conducting intermediate layer in so doing.

14. The module device of claim 13, wherein the retaining spring device includes one of a flat spring, a leaf spring, a form spring, and a bent wire part.

15. The module device of claim 13, wherein the retaining spring device includes one of steel, spring steel, stainless steel, non-ferrous metal, a fiber composite material, and a fiber-glass reinforced plastic.

16. The module device of claim 13, wherein a three-point support is between the sensor holder device and the housing device with the aid of three support elements.

17. The module device of claim 13, wherein the image sensor includes light-sensitive electronic components and is developed as a CCD image sensor.

18. The module device of claim 13, wherein the at least one connection element of the sensor holder device provides an accurate opening.

19. The module device of claim 13, wherein the retaining spring device is provided to establish a heat-conducting path from the image sensor to the housing device.

20. The module device of claim 13, wherein the retaining spring device is a cooling element for the heat radiation of the waste heat of the heat-producing image sensor.

21. A camera system for a motor vehicle, comprising

a module device for a camera system, including:

a housing device having an inner opening to allow an adjustment of an installation position of the module device in a motor vehicle;

a sensor holder device, which has an upper region and a base region and is coupled to the housing device via at least one support element and to accommodate an image sensor;

a lens apparatus, which is coupled to the sensor holder device in the upper region via at least one connection element, and is set up to generate an optical image on the image sensor; and

a retaining spring device which is coupled to the base region of the sensor holder device and to press the image sensor with the heat-conducting intermediate layer against the sensor holder device by a spring force and to form a heat-conduction path across the heat-conducting intermediate layer in so doing;

a camera electronics system for signal conversion, the camera electronics system being integrated on a main board, coupled to the image sensor of the module device to convert signals received from the image sensor into image information; and

a camera housing to accommodate the module device and the main board and which includes an adjustment recess, to accommodate the retaining spring device and to fixate the module device within the camera housing.

22. The camera system of claim 21, further comprising:

a window mount, which is coupled to the camera housing to connect the camera system to the motor vehicle.

23. A retaining spring device, comprising:

a retaining spring arrangement which is couple-able to a base region of a sensor holder device to press an image sensor with a heat-conducting intermediate layer against a sensor holder device and to form a heat-conduction path across the heat-conducting intermediate layer in so doing.

24. The retaining spring device of claim 23, wherein the retaining spring device includes one of a flat spring, a leaf spring, a form spring, and a bent wire part.