Camera module for vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016200264-A1
Application number	US-201615076918-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 22, 2016
Priority date	Nov 14, 2002
Publication date	Jul 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A camera module suitable for use for a vision system of a vehicle includes a camera housing portion having a generally cylindrical portion extending outwardly from a base portion. An imaging sensor is disposed at the base portion and a lens system is received at the cylindrical portion of the camera housing portion. The camera housing portion and a connector portion are configured to join together to encase the imaging sensor and circuitry. The connector portion may include a multi-pin connector extending in a direction away from the camera housing portion when the camera housing portion and the connector portion are joined together. The multi-pin connector may include a plurality of terminals, each of which has a first end having a pin configured to electrically connect with a connector of a vehicle and an opposing second end configured for electrical connection with the circuitry.

First claim

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1 . A camera module suitable for use for a vision system of a vehicle, said camera module comprising:
a camera housing portion; said camera housing portion comprising a generally cylindrical portion extending outwardly from a base portion; an imaging sensor disposed at said base portion; a lens system received at said cylindrical portion of said camera housing portion; a first circuit board including circuitry associated with said imaging sensor; a connector portion; wherein said camera housing portion and said connector portion are configured to join together to encase said imaging sensor and said circuitry; wherein, when joined together, said camera housing portion and said connector portion substantially prevent intrusion of water; said connector portion comprising a multi-pin connector extending in a direction away from said camera housing portion when said camera housing portion and said connector portion are joined together; said multi-pin connector comprising a plurality of terminals each of which comprises (i) a first end comprising a pin extending outwardly from said connector portion and configured to electrically connect with a connector of a vehicle equipped with said camera module and (ii) an opposing second end configured for electrical connection with said circuitry; and wherein said camera module is configured for mounting at a portion of the equipped vehicle.

2 . The camera module of claim 1 , wherein the dynamic range of said imaging sensor follows, at least in part, a linear response curve.

3 . The camera module of claim 2 , wherein the dynamic range of said imaging sensor follows, at least in part, a non-linear response curve.

4 . The camera module of claim 3 , wherein the dynamic range of said imaging sensor follows, at least in part, a linear response curve up to 62 dB.

5 . The camera module of claim 4 , wherein the dynamic range of said imaging sensor follows, at least in part, a non-linear response curve above 62 dB.

6 . The camera module of claim 5 , wherein said imaging sensor comprises a CMOS imaging sensor having a dynamic range of greater than 100 dB.

7 . The camera module of claim 1 , wherein image data captured by said imaging sensor is processed by an image processor and responsive at least in part to processing by said image processor of image data captured by said imaging sensor, an object in the field of view of said imaging sensor is detected.

8 . The camera module of claim 7 , wherein, responsive at least in part to processing by said image processor of image data captured by said imaging sensor, distance to the object detected is determined.

9 . The camera module of claim 7 , wherein said camera module comprises shielding to reduce electronic noise.

10 . The camera module of claim 1 , wherein said imaging sensor is disposed at a second circuit board that is in board-to-board electrical connection with said first circuit board.

11 . The camera module of claim 10 , wherein said board-to-board electrical connection comprises a multi-wire ribbon connection.

12 . The camera module of claim 10 , wherein said camera module is configured for mounting at a rear portion of the equipped vehicle, and wherein, when said camera module is mounted at the rear portion of the equipped vehicle, said imaging sensor is associated with a backup assist system of the equipped vehicle.

13 . The camera module of claim 1 , wherein said camera module comprises a semi-permeable ventilation portion which is at least partially permeable to water vapor.

14 . The camera module of claim 13 , wherein said semi-permeable ventilation portion comprises a material that is at least partially permeable to water vapor.

15 . The camera module of claim 1 , wherein said circuitry at said first circuit board comprises a plurality of pin-receiving sockets, and wherein the opposing second end of each of said plurality of terminals comprises a pin extending inwardly from said connector portion and configured to plug-connect with a respective one of said plurality of pin-receiving sockets at said first circuit board.

16 . The camera module of claim 1 , wherein said base portion has a generally square shape.

17 . The camera module of claim 1 , wherein said camera housing portion comprises a mating portion around said base portion that mates with and secures to a corresponding portion of said connector portion when said camera housing portion and said base portion are joined together.

18 . The camera module of claim 17 , wherein said camera housing portion and said base portion are joined together by at least one of (i) welding and (ii) an adhesive.

19 . The camera module of claim 1 , wherein said camera module, when mounted at a portion of the equipped vehicle, is positioned in a movable housing that is movable relative to an exterior portion of the equipped vehicle to move said imaging sensor between a stored position generally within the portion of the equipped vehicle and an operational position where said imaging sensor is positioned to have a field of view exteriorly of the equipped vehicle.

20 . The camera module of claim 19 , wherein said movable housing comprises a transparent panel, said transparent panel generally in the field of view of said imaging sensor and wherein said movable housing comprises a panel cleaning device positionable at the exterior portion of the equipped vehicle and configured to engage an exterior surface of said transparent panel to clean said transparent panel as said housing moves said imaging sensor between said stored position and said operational position.

21 . The camera module system of claim 1 , wherein said camera module comprises an infrared filter that is movable out of the line of sight of said imaging sensor when ambient lighting conditions are low at the equipped vehicle.

22 . A camera module suitable for use for a vision system of a vehicle, said camera module comprising:
a camera housing portion; said camera housing portion comprising a generally cylindrical portion extending outwardly from a base portion; an imaging sensor disposed at said base portion; a lens system received at said cylindrical portion of said camera housing portion; a first circuit board including circuitry associated with said imaging sensor; wherein said imaging sensor is disposed at a second circuit board that is in board-to-board electrical connection with said first circuit board; a connector portion; wherein said camera housing portion and said connector portion are configured to join together to encase said imaging sensor and said circuitry; wherein, when joined together, said camera housing portion and said connector portion substantially prevent intrusion of water; wherein said camera module comprises a semi-permeable ventilation portion which is at least partially permeable to water vapor and wherein said semi-permeable ventilation portion comprises a material that is at least partially permeable to water vapor; and wherein said camera module is configured for mounting at a portion of a vehicle equipped with said camera module.

23 . The camera module of claim 22 , wherein said connector portion comprising a multi-pin connector extending in a direction away from said camera housing portion when said camera housing portion and said connector portion are joined together.

Assignees

• Magna Electronics Inc

Inventors

• Bingle Robert L
• Camilleri Joseph
• Whitehead Peter J
• Schofield Kenneth

Classifications

• H04N23/57

  Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices · CPC title

• H04N23/52

  Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements · CPC title

• H04N23/51

  Housings · CPC title

• H04N25/76

  Addressed sensors, e.g. MOS or CMOS sensors · CPC title

• H04N23/55

  Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof · CPC title