CAMERA FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE, COMPRISING AN INTEGRALLY FORMED HOUSING TOP PART AND A LENS CARRIER, AS WELL AS MOTOR VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A CAMERA FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a camera (4) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising an external housing, which comprises a housing top part (15), in which a lens module of the camera (4) is capable of being received, wherein the lens module (25, 26) comprises a tubelike lens carrier (10), which is integrally formed with the housing top part (15). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle (1) 13 and a method for manufacturing a camera (4).

Claims

1. A camera for a motor vehicle, comprising: an external housing, which comprises a housing top part, in which a lens module of the camera is received, wherein the lens module comprises a tubelike lens carrier, which is configured to be integrally formed with the housing top part.

2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the integrally formed component comprising the tubelike lens carrier and the housing top part is configured as metal injection-moulded component.

3. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the lens module comprises a separate end ring.

4. The camera according to claim 3, wherein the end ring has an internal thread, which is configured for screwing together with an external thread on an external surface of the single-piece component comprising the lens carrier and the housing top part.

5. The camera according to claim 3, wherein the end ring is formed from aluminium.

6. The camera according to claim 3, wherein the end ring is integrally formed with the housing top part.

7. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the single-piece component comprises the housing top part and the lens carrier is made from aluminium.

8. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the lens carrier comprises a rear tube part with a first diameter, and axially adjoining a front tube part with a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter, and the fastening structure is formed on an external surface of the second tube part.

9. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the external housing comprises a housing bottom part separate from a housing top part, which is connected with the housing top part.

10. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the housing top part comprises a basic body and an adjoining tubelike attachment, and the lens carrier extends both in the basic body as well as in the tubelike attachment.

11. A motor vehicle with a camera according to claim 1.

12. A method for manufacturing a camera for a motor vehicle, comprising: configuring the camera with an external housing, which is manufactured to comprise a housing top part; and introducing a lens module of the camera into the housing top part, wherein the lens module comprises a tubelike lens carrier configured to be integrally formed with the housing top part.

Description

[0026] Embodiments of the invention are set out in more detail in the following by reference to the schematic drawings.

[0027] These show in:

[0028] FIG. 1 a schematic top view of an embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention with an embodiment of a camera according to the invention;

[0029] FIG. 2 an exploded view of a known camera;

[0030] FIG. 3 a sectional view of a partial area of an embodiment of a camera according to the invention, wherein the components of the partial area are shown in an exploded view;

[0031] FIG. 4 a sectional view of a further embodiment of a camera according to the invention, wherein the components are shown in an exploded view; and

[0032] FIG. 5 an exploded view of an embodiment of a camera according to the invention.

[0033] In the figures same elements or elements having the same functions are equipped with the same reference signs.

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention in a top view. The motor vehicle 1 in the present case is configured as passenger car. The motor vehicle 1 comprises a driver assistance system 2. The driver assistance system in turn comprises a control device 3, which can for instance be formed by an electronic control device of the motor vehicle 1. Moreover, the driver assistance system 2 comprises at least one camera 4. In the present embodiment the driver assistance system 2 comprises four cameras 4, which are arranged distributed on the motor vehicle 1. Presently, one of the cameras 4 is arranged in a rear portion 5, one of the cameras 4 is arranged in a front portion 7 of the motor vehicle 1, and the remaining two cameras 4 are arranged in a respective lateral portion 6, in particular in one portion of the side mirrors. The number and arrangement of the cameras 4 of the driver assistance system 2 in the present case is to be understood merely as example. Additionally or instead also at least one camera can be provided, which is configured and arranged for capturing an interior space or a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 1. The cameras are in particular built in to be mounted on an individual motor vehicle component. A motor vehicle component can for example be a bumper or external mirror or a lateral cladding. The motor vehicle component can for instance also be a ceiling liner or an interior lining or a cover of a steering wheel centre or an interior mirror. The motor vehicle components are to be understood merely as examples and also other motor vehicle components can be given. This merely expresses the fact that a motor vehicle component can be of the most varied design with regard to its positional arrangement and material configuration.

[0035] By the cameras 4 an environmental region 8 of the motor vehicle 1 can be captured. The four cameras 4 are preferably configured to be identical in construction design. In particular an image sequence or video data can be made available by the cameras 4, which describe the environmental region 8. These video data can be transmitted by the cameras 4 to the control device 3. By means of the control device 3 here a display device (not shown here) of the motor vehicle 1 can be controlled so that the video data of the cameras 4 can be shown to the driver. The driver assistance system 2 thus serves for supporting the driver of the motor vehicle 1 in driving the motor vehicle 1. The driver assistance system 2 can for instance be a so-called electronic rear mirror or a parking assistance system or any other system. It can also be configured in the interior space for capturing a person, in particular a driver of the vehicle.

[0036] In FIG. 2 in an exploded view a known camera 4 is shown. The camera 4 comprises a lens module 9. The lens module 9 comprises a lens carrier 10, which is configured to be tubelike and in the embodiment has a mushroom-type shape on the outside. For this purpose the lens carrier 10 viewed in the direction of a longitudinal axis A of the camera 4 comprises a rear first tube part 11 with a first diameter. Viewed in axial direction and thus in the direction of the longitudinal axis A adjoining towards the front the lens carrier 10 comprises a front second tube part 12, which has a larger diameter than the first tube part 11.

[0037] Moreover, the camera 4 comprises a housing top part 15. The housing top part 15 is integral part of the external housing of the camera 4 so that the housing top part 15 represents an external part of the camera 4. The housing top part 15 comprises a basic body 16, which comprises a cornered, in particular a square outer geometry. In particular also an inner geometry of this basic body 16 is of such cornered design. In axial direction the housing top part 15 also comprises a tubelike attachment 17, which is configured to be directly adjoining and integrally formed with the basic body 16. This tubelike attachment 17 is configured in the embodiment as ring and thus has a cornerless outer geometry and in particular also a cornerless inner geometry.

[0038] Moreover, for the further representation of additional components of the camera 4 additionally a first interconnect device 18 and a second interconnect device 19, which is separate therefrom, are shown, which in the presented embodiment in the mounted final state are arranged within the housing top part 15. On one of the interconnect devices, in particular the interconnect device 18, at least one imager 20 is arranged, on which light rays incident through the lens module 9 are focussed.

[0039] Moreover, the camera 4 comprises a housing bottom part 21, which is separate from the housing top part 15 and which in the embodiment is of a plate-type design and thus represents a rear end of the external housing.

[0040] Moreover, it is envisaged that in the shown embodiment moreover a plug housing 22 is provided, which in axial direction is arranged adjoining to the housing bottom part 21 and which is configured for receiving an electrical plug, which then is electrically connectable to the counter contacting in the camera 4.

[0041] The lens module 9 moreover comprises a separate end ring 23, which is integrally formed, in particular made of aluminium. It is provided with an internal thread 24, whereby it is capable of being screwed upon the external thread 14 on the external surface 13. The end ring 23 in particular holds an external lens element 25 (FIG. 3) of a lens arrangement 26 in position. In the lens carrier 10 at least one seal 27 is arranged. Moreover, it is also envisaged that a further seal 28 (FIG. 2) is arranged between the housing bottom part 21 and the plug housing 22. Thereby a passage 30 is sealed, through which a pinlike component 29, which is positioned on the interconnect device, in particular on the interconnect device 19, extends.

[0042] As to FIG. 3 in a sectional view an embodiment of a camera 4 according to the invention and in an exploded view the single-piece component comprising the lens carrier 10 and the housing top part 15, as well as the end ring 23, which is separate therefrom and exemplary lenses of the lens arrangement 26 as well as the lens 25 arranged most outwardly is shown. In FIG. 3 not all components of the camera 4 are shown.

[0043] In the lens carrier 10 in the embodiment several lenses are inserted and received therein as optically imaging elements. The lens carrier 10 and the housing top part 15 integrally formed with it are in particular formed from aluminium.

[0044] As can be seen, on the external surface 13 of the housing top part 15 and thus also on the single-piece component comprising the lens carrier 10 and the housing top part 15 a fastening structure 14 is configured, which in the embodiment is an external thread.

[0045] The lenses of the lens arrangement 26, as they are shown in FIG. 3 on the left side, can be inserted into the lens carrier 10 from behind. The external lens element 25 in this embodiment is inserted from the right and thus from the front. This front lens element 25 is axially held by the end ring 23.

[0046] It may also be envisaged that all lenses of the lens arrangement 26 and thus also the external lens element 25 can be inserted and mounted from behind and thus in FIG. 3 from the left into the lens carrier 10. For this purpose an additional positioning element can be envisaged, which is an element that forms the rear end, which is preferably screwed into the housing top part 15 from behind, or fixed at the rear end of the lens carrier 10. This embodiment is shown in FIG. 4 in a sectional view. The positioning element 31 is shown. Here, too, at least between several lens elements of the lens arrangement 26, as well as in FIG. 3, distance elements 32 are arranged.

[0047] In the embodiment in FIG. 4 the end ring 23 is integrally formed with the housing top part 15. It is radially protruding into a channel 33. In the channel 33 of the lens carrier 10 the lens arrangement 26 is arranged. The protruding into the channel 33 is such that the front lens element 25 cannot slip out axially towards the front from the channel 33. For this purpose the end ring 23 comprises a protrusion 34.

[0048] In FIG. 5 an exploded view of an embodiment of a camera 4 according to the invention is shown. This comprises the housing top part 15 with the integrated lens carrier 10. The lens elements of the lens arrangement 26 are arranged therein. An interconnect device 18, a seal 35, a housing bottom part 21, and screws for screwing the housing top part 15 together with the housing bottom part 21 are shown. The housing top part 15 and the housing bottom part 21 are configured as external housing.

[0049] The lens elements with the lens element 25 of the lens arrangement 26 are thus arranged without additional, separate carrier sleeve in the housing top part 15. These lens elements thus are directly inserted into the housing top part 15.