VEHICLE CAMERA WITH TOLERANCE COMPENSATING CONNECTOR

• US 20170155809A1
• Filed: 01/26/2017
• Published: 06/01/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Sigle, Marc, Sauer, Stefan
• Granted Patent: US 10,630,872 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 in addition to a rear-view mirror system
• 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 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• 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 camera assembly for a vehicle vision system includes a housing having a lens module and a housing portion that includes a connector portion configured for connecting to a vehicle wiring. An imager circuit board includes an imager at a first side. The imager circuit board is disposed in the housing such that the imager is aligned with the lens of the lens module. A connector circuit board is disposed in the housing and spaced from the imager circuit board. Circuitry of the connector circuit board is electrically connected to circuitry of the imager circuit board via a plurality of spring-loaded connectors that electrically connect at the second side of the imager circuit board and at a first side of the connector circuit board. A connector structure of the connector portion is electrically connected to circuitry of the connector circuit board at the second side of the connector circuit board.

Claims

1. A camera assembly for a vehicle vision system, said camera assembly comprising:

a housing comprising a lens module and a housing portion;

wherein said lens module comprises a lens;

wherein said housing portion comprises a connector portion configured for connecting to a vehicle wiring when said camera assembly is installed at a vehicle;

an imager circuit board having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, said imager circuit board comprising an imager at said first side, wherein said imager circuit board is disposed in said housing such that said imager is aligned with said lens of said lens module;

a connector circuit board having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, wherein said connector circuit board is disposed in said housing and spaced from said imager circuit board;

wherein circuitry of said connector circuit board is electrically connected to circuitry of said imager circuit board via a plurality of spring-loaded connectors that electrically connect at said second side of said imager circuit board and at said first side of said connector circuit board;

a coaxial connector structure electrically connected to circuitry of said connector circuit board, wherein said coaxial connector structure electrically connects at said second side of said connector circuit board;

wherein said coaxial connector structure is partially disposed in said connector portion of said housing portion; and

wherein said coaxial connector structure comprises electrically conductive connector elements configured for connecting to electrically conductive connector elements of the vehicle wiring when said camera assembly is installed at the vehicle.

2. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein said spring-loaded connectors are biased toward an extended state.

3. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein said spring-loaded connectors comprise extendable and retractable pins.

4. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein said spring-loaded connectors comprise spring-loaded pins biased toward an extended state.

5. The camera assembly of claim 4, wherein said spring-loaded pins comprise unhitched pins.

6. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein said spring-loaded connectors comprise unhitched contact areas.

7. The camera assembly of claim 1, comprising a connector block disposed at said second side of said imager circuit board, wherein said spring-loaded connectors electrically connect at said connector block.

8. The camera assembly of claim 7, wherein said spring-loaded connectors protrude from said connector block and electrically connect at contact pads disposed at said first side of said connector circuit board.

9. The camera assembly of claim 1, comprising a sealing element at said connector portion of said housing portion, said sealing element sealing between said connector portion and said coaxial connector structure.

10. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein said imager circuit board is attached at said lens module.

11. The camera assembly of claim 10, wherein said connector circuit board and said coaxial connector structure are attached at said housing portion.

12. The camera assembly of claim 11, wherein said spring-loaded connectors electrically connect circuitry of said imager circuit board to circuitry of said connector circuit board when said housing portion is mated with said lens module.

13. A camera assembly for a vehicle vision system, said camera assembly comprising:

a housing comprising a lens module and a housing portion;

wherein said lens module comprises a lens;

wherein said housing portion comprises a connector portion configured for connecting to a vehicle wiring when said camera assembly is installed at a vehicle;

an imager circuit board having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, said imager circuit board comprising an imager at said first side, wherein said imager circuit board is disposed in said housing such that said imager is aligned with said lens of said lens module;

a connector circuit board having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, wherein said connector circuit board is disposed in said housing and spaced from said imager circuit board;

wherein circuitry of said connector circuit board is electrically connected to circuitry of said imager circuit board via a plurality of spring-loaded connectors that electrically connect at said second side of said imager circuit board and at said first side of said connector circuit board;

wherein said spring-loaded connectors comprise extendable and retractable pins that are biased toward an extended state and that are compressed toward a retracted state when electrically connecting at said second side of said imager circuit board and at said first side of said connector circuit board;

a connector structure electrically connected to circuitry of said connector circuit board, wherein said connector structure electrically connects at said second side of said connector circuit board;

wherein said connector structure is partially disposed in said connector portion of said housing portion; and

wherein said connector structure comprises electrically conductive connector elements configured for connecting to electrically conductive connector elements of the vehicle wiring when said camera assembly is installed at the vehicle.

14. The camera assembly of claim 13, comprising a sealing element at said connector portion of said housing portion, said sealing element sealing between said connector portion and said connector structure.

15. The camera assembly of claim 13, wherein said imager circuit board is attached at said lens module.

16. The camera assembly of claim 15, wherein said connector circuit board and said connector structure are attached at said housing portion.

17. The camera assembly of claim 16, wherein said spring-loaded connectors electrically connect circuitry of said imager circuit board to circuitry of said connector circuit board when said housing portion is mated with said lens module.

18. A camera assembly for a vehicle vision system, said camera assembly comprising:

a housing comprising a lens module and a housing portion;

wherein said lens module comprises a lens;

wherein said housing portion comprises a connector portion configured for connecting to a vehicle wiring when said camera assembly is installed at a vehicle;

an imager circuit board having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, said imager circuit board comprising an imager at said first side, wherein said imager circuit board is disposed in said housing such that said imager is aligned with said lens of said lens module;

a connector block disposed at said second side of said imager circuit board and in electrical connection with circuitry of said imager circuit board;

a plurality of spring-loaded connectors electrically connected at said connector block and protruding therefrom, wherein said spring-loaded connectors comprise spring-loaded pins biased toward an extended state;

a connector circuit board having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, wherein said connector circuit board is disposed in said housing and spaced from said imager circuit board;

wherein circuitry of said connector circuit board is electrically connected to circuitry of said imager circuit board via said plurality of spring-loaded connectors, and wherein said plurality of spring-loaded connectors electrically connect at contact pads disposed at said first side of said connector circuit board;

a connector structure electrically connected to circuitry of said connector circuit board, wherein said connector structure electrically connects at said second side of said connector circuit board;

wherein said connector structure is partially disposed in said connector portion of said housing portion; and

wherein said connector structure comprises electrically conductive connector elements configured for connecting to electrically conductive connector elements of the vehicle wiring when said camera assembly is installed at the vehicle.

19. The camera assembly of claim 18, comprising a sealing element at said connector portion of said housing portion, said sealing element sealing between said connector portion and said connector structure.

20. The camera assembly of claim 18, wherein said imager circuit board is attached at said lens module, and wherein said connector circuit board and said connector structure are attached at said housing portion, and wherein said spring-loaded connectors electrically connect at said contact pads when said housing portion is mated with said lens module.