Camera for vehicular applications

• US 8,994,878 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2013
• Issued: 03/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Byrne, Steven V., Stickler, Ben, Rieden, Richard, Sesti, Matthew C., Brasier, Brian D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Berhan, Ahmed A
• Application Number:
  US13/936,708
• Publication Number:
  US 20140002659A1
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 348/148, 348/151, 348/373, 348/374, 348/376
• US Class Current: 348/373
• 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 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8006 for monitoring and displaying scenes of vehicle interior, e.g. for monitoring passengers or cargo
• 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 for a vehicle includes a front housing member, a lens member, an imaging element, a circuit board and a rear housing member. The front housing member has a front housing member interior surface that has a front housing member electrically-conductive coating of electrically conductive material thereon. The rear housing member has a rear housing member interior surface that has a rear housing member electrically-conductive coating of electrically conductive material thereon. The front and rear housing members are configured to join together such that the front and rear housing member electrically-conductive coatings are electrically engaged with each other. The circuit board has a ground connector that is electrically connected to at least one of the front housing member electrically-conductive coating and the rear housing member electrically-conductive coating. The ground connector may electrically connect to ground via a wire harness that extends from the rear housing member.

Claims

1. A camera for mounting on a vehicle, said camera comprising:

a front housing member, wherein the front housing member has a front housing member interior surface that has a front housing member electrically-conductive coating of electrically conductive material thereon;

a lens member mounted at the front housing member;

an imaging element that is positioned to receive images from the lens member;

a circuit board comprising circuitry for generating signals relating to images received by the imaging element;

a rear housing member, wherein the rear housing member has a rear housing member interior surface that has a rear housing member electrically-conductive coating of electrically conductive material thereon;

wherein the front housing member and the rear housing member are configured to join together such that the front housing member electrically-conductive coating and the rear housing member electrically-conductive coating are electrically engaged with each other;

wherein the circuit board comprises a ground connector;

wherein the ground connector is electrically connected to at least one of the front housing member electrically-conductive coating and the rear housing member electrically-conductive coating;

wherein said ground connector is electrically connectable to ground via a wire harness that extends from the rear housing member;

wherein one of the front housing member and the lens member includes a plurality of engagement ribs that engage the other of the front housing member and the lens member in an interference fit; and

wherein said plurality of engagement ribs are axially disposed and spaced circumferentially around said one of the front housing member and the lens member.

2. The camera of claim 1, wherein the circuit board is electrically connected to the front housing member electrically-conductive coating.

3. The camera of claim 1, wherein said front housing member comprises a lens member receiving portion.

4. The camera of claim 1, wherein the rear housing member comprises a cable receiving portion and wherein said cable receiving portion includes a connector receiving portion and a wire receiving portion, and wherein said connector receiving portion is configured to receive and retain a cable connector therein, and wherein said wire receiving portion is configured to receive and retain a cable portion therein.

5. The camera of claim 4, further comprising a tube that comprises an appropriate form for a given cable shape, wherein said tube is disposed around at least a portion of said cable receiving portion and said cable portion.

6. The camera of claim 5, wherein said tube is shrink-wrapped to substantially seal around said at least a portion of said cable receiving portion and said cable portion.

7. The camera of claim 4, wherein said connector receiving portion comprises a shaped receiving pocket configured to receive a respectively-shaped cable connector therein.

8. The camera of claim 4, wherein said connector receiving portion comprises a generally rectangular-shaped connector receiving portion for receiving and retaining a generally rectangular-shaped cable connector.

9. The camera of claim 4, wherein said cable receiving portion comprises a generally cylindrical-shaped cable receiving portion for receiving and retaining a generally cylindrical-shaped cable portion therein.

10. The camera of claim 4, wherein said cable receiving portion comprises a shaped receiving portion configured to receive a respectively-shaped cable therein.

11. The camera of claim 1, wherein said lens member comprises a lens assembly and wherein said lens assembly comprises at least one optical element.

12. The camera of claim 1, wherein said lens member is bonded to the front housing member via an adhesive.

13. The camera of claim 12, wherein said adhesive is cured using ultra-violet light.

14. The camera of claim 13, wherein said adhesive comprises an epoxy.

15. A camera for mounting on a vehicle, said camera comprising:

a front housing member, wherein the front housing member has a front housing member interior surface that has a front housing member electrically-conductive coating of electrically conductive material thereon;

a lens member mounted at the front housing member;

wherein said lens member comprises a lens assembly and wherein said lens assembly comprises at least one optical element;

wherein said lens member is bonded to the front housing member via an adhesive and wherein said adhesive is cured using ultra-violet light;

an imaging element that is positioned to receive images from the lens member;

a circuit board comprising circuitry for generating signals relating to images received by the imaging element;

a rear housing member, wherein the rear housing member has a rear housing member interior surface that has a rear housing member electrically-conductive coating of electrically conductive material thereon;

wherein the front housing member and the rear housing member are configured to join together such that the front housing member electrically-conductive coating and the rear housing member electrically-conductive coating are electrically engaged with each other;

wherein the circuit board comprises a ground connector;

wherein the ground connector is electrically connected to at least one of the front housing member electrically-conductive coating and the rear housing member electrically-conductive coating;

wherein one of the front housing member and the lens member includes a plurality of engagement ribs that engage the other of the front housing member and the lens member in an interference fit; and

wherein said plurality of engagement ribs are axially disposed and spaced circumferentially around said one of the front housing member and the lens member.

16. The camera of claim 15, wherein the ground connector is electrically connected to the front housing member electrically-conductive coating.

17. The camera of claim 15, wherein said ground connector is electrically connectable to ground via a wire harness that extends from the rear housing member.

18. A camera for mounting on a vehicle, said camera comprising:

a front housing member, wherein the front housing member has a front housing member interior surface that has a front housing member electrically-conductive coating of electrically conductive material thereon;

a lens member mounted at the front housing member;

wherein said lens member comprises a lens assembly and wherein said lens assembly comprises at least one optical element;

an imaging element that is positioned to receive images from the lens member;

a circuit board comprising circuitry for generating signals relating to images received by the imaging element;

a rear housing member, wherein the rear housing member has a rear housing member interior surface that has a rear housing member electrically-conductive coating of electrically conductive material thereon;

wherein the front housing member and the rear housing member are configured to join together such that the front housing member electrically-conductive coating and the rear housing member electrically-conductive coating are electrically engaged with each other;

wherein the circuit board comprises a ground connector;

wherein the ground connector is electrically connected to at least one of the front housing member electrically-conductive coating and the rear housing member electrically-conductive coating;

wherein one of the front housing member and the lens member includes a plurality of engagement ribs that engage the other of the front housing member and the lens member in an interference fit; and

wherein said plurality of engagement ribs are axially disposed and spaced circumferentially around said one of the front housing member and the lens member.

19. The camera of claim 18, wherein said lens member is bonded to the front housing member via an adhesive and wherein said adhesive is cured using ultra-violet light.

20. The camera of claim 19, wherein said ground connector is electrically connectable to ground via a wire harness that extends from the rear housing member.