Antenna assemblies having sealed cameras

An antenna assembly includes a radome, a camera, and a plug assembly. The radome defines an opening. The camera is positionable at least partially within the opening. The camera and the radome define a passage when the camera is positioned at least partially within the opening of the radome. The plug assembly is positionable at least partially within the passage. The plug assembly includes a plug having one or more first coupling structures and a seal having one or more second coupling structures. At least one of the first coupling structures and at least one of the second coupling structures are mateable to detachably couple the seal to the plug to substantially prevent contaminants from passing into the radome via the opening of the radome. Other antenna assemblies, plug assemblies, and methods relating to assembling antenna assemblies and/or plug assemblies are also disclosed.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to antenna assemblies having sealed cameras.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles may include an antenna assembly including a radome and one or more antennas housed within the radome. Sometimes, the antenna assembly may also include a camera housed within the radome. Other times, the antenna assembly and the camera may be separated from each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A plug assembly for use in an antenna assembly according to one example embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated inFIG. 1, and indicated generally by reference number100. As shown inFIGS. 1-6, the plug assembly100includes a plug102having one or more coupling structures104and a seal106having one or more coupling structures108. At least one coupling structure104of the plug102and at least one coupling structure108of the seal106are mateable to detachably couple the seal106to the plug102.

For example, and as further explained below, the antenna assembly may include a radome defining an opening, a camera positioned at least partially within the opening of the radome, and the plug assembly100positioned in a passage defined by the camera and the radome to substantially prevent contaminants from passing into the radome via the opening of the radome. As such, contaminants such as debris (e.g., dirt, dust, etc.), moisture, etc. that may otherwise enter the antenna assembly through the radome's opening may be restricted from entering the antenna assembly, and damaging components housed in the antenna assembly, as further explained below.

In the particular embodiment ofFIGS. 1-6, the coupling structure(s)104of the plug102include three protrusions (hereinafter the protrusions104), and the coupling structure(s)108of the seal106include three openings (hereinafter the openings108) defined by the seal106for receiving the three protrusions104. In other embodiments, the plug102may include more or less protrusions104, and/or the seal106may include more or less openings108. For example, the plug102may include two protrusions and the seal106may include three openings. Additionally, the plug102may include one or more openings and/or another suitable structure for mating with the seal's coupling structure(s), and the seal106may include one or more protrusions, and/or another suitable structure for mating with the plug's coupling structure(s).

The protrusions104ofFIGS. 1-3each include an arm122and a flange124(e.g., a catch, a clip, a latch, etc.). For example, each arm122includes an end adjacent a base110of the plug102and an opposing distal end. Each flange124may be positioned adjacent the distal end of its corresponding arm122. Additionally, each of the flanges124may have the same size and/or shape. For example, and as shown inFIGS. 1-3, each flange124may include a surface extending substantially perpendicular to the arm122, and a sloped surface extending from the perpendicular surface. In other embodiments, one or more of the protrusions104may not include a flange, may include another suitable structure instead of the flange124, flanges of different sizes and/or shapes, etc.

Additionally, and as further explained below, the protrusions104may be resilient for assisting in coupling the plug assembly100to an antenna assembly. For example, a user such as an individual, machine, etc. can manipulate (e.g., bend, flex, deform, etc.) the protrusions104to couple the plug assembly100to a radome. After which, the protrusions104can return to their non-manipulated state (e.g., a steady state, original state, etc.). If it is desired to remove the plug assembly100, the user can again manipulate the protrusions104to decouple the plug assembly100from the radome. This allows the plug assembly100to snap or latch into and/or out of place when coupled to the radome.

As shown inFIGS. 1-3, the plug102is substantially ring-shaped. For example, the base110includes an inner perimeter116defining an opening118(e.g., a circular opening, etc.), and an outer perimeter120. When installed in an antenna assembly, the camera may be positioned adjacent to the inner perimeter116, and sometimes forced against an area of the plug102between the inner perimeter116and the outer perimeter120, thereby allowing the camera's lens to have a viewing window through the opening118. In such examples, the ring-shaped plug102may be considered a bezel or the like. In other embodiments, the plug102may form another suitable shape if desired to accommodate, for example, a camera of an antenna assembly, another seal, etc.

Additionally, the protrusions104may extend from the base110of the plug102. For example, and as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the base110may include a platform112and a ridge114extending from the platform112. As shown, the protrusions104extend from the ridge114of the base110, and adjacent to the inner perimeter116. In other embodiments, the base110may not include the ridge114and/or the platform112, or may include another suitable structure instead of the ridge114and/or the platform112. Additionally, in some examples the protrusions104may extend directly from the platform112of the base110.

In the particular embodiment ofFIGS. 1-6, each of the plug's protrusions104and each of the seal's openings108are substantially aligned with each other when the plug102and the seal106are coupled together. For example, the three protrusions104ofFIGS. 1-3may be equally spaced about the plug102, and the three openings108ofFIGS. 1 and 4-6may be equally spaced about the seal106. In other embodiments, the protrusions104and the openings108may be substantially aligned even though the protrusions104may not be equally spaced apart from each other and even though the openings108may not be equally spaced apart from each other.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 4-6, the seal106may include a base126and a ridge128extending from the base126. For example, the ridge128may include two sides130,132extending substantially parallel with each other, and a top134(e.g., a crest, etc.) extending between the parallel sides130,132. As shown, the parallel sides130,132and the top134define a passageway146for receiving the plug's ridge114. In some embodiments, the openings108of the seal106may be defined by the ridge128(e.g., the top134) of the seal106. In other embodiments, the seal's openings108may be positioned in another suitable portion of the seal106(e.g., the base126) if desired.

Additionally, the base126and the ridge128of the seal106may have substantially the same size, shape, etc. as the base110and the ridge114of the plug102, respectively. For example, the seal106may include an inner perimeter136defining an opening138(e.g., a circular opening, etc.), and an outer perimeter140. The size, shape, etc. of the seal's inner perimeter136, opening138, and outer perimeter140may be substantially the same as the plug's inner perimeter116, opening118, and outer perimeter120, respectively. Likewise, the ridge's sides130,132and top134of the seal106may correspond to the ridge's outer surfaces and top surface of the plug102. This may allow the seal's passageway146to receive the plug's ridge114when the plug102and the seal106are coupled together.

In the specific example ofFIGS. 1 and 4-6, the seal106extends completely around the plug102to substantially prevent or inhibit contaminants from passing into a radome. This may provide a friction fit or interference fit between the seal106and the plug102, a casing of the camera, etc. In other embodiments, the seal106may be segmented if, for example, the plug102provides a sufficient seal with the camera to prevent or inhibit contaminants from entering the antenna assembly.

Further, and as shown in the particular embodiment ofFIGS. 1 and 4-6, the seal106includes outwardly protruding portions or protrusions (e.g., bumps, etc.) extending outwardly from sides of the seal106. For example, the seal106includes a protrusion142extending about the inner perimeter136(and into the opening138), and another protrusion144extending adjacent the outer perimeter140. The protrusions142,144may be made out of a flexible material, such as silicone, etc. As further explained below, the protrusions142,144may be compressed to help seal an antenna assembly, hold a camera in place, etc. when the plug assembly100is installed in the antenna assembly.

The protrusions142,144may extend completely around the seal106. For example, and as shown inFIGS. 1 and 4-6, the protrusion142extends completely around the seal's inner perimeter136, and the protrusion144extends completely around an area adjacent to the seal's outer perimeter140. In other embodiments, one or both protrusions142,144may not extend completely around the seal106. For example, the protrusion142and/or the protrusion144may be segmented around the seal106if desired.

FIGS. 7-10illustrate a plug702and a seal706that are substantially similar to the plug102and the seal106ofFIGS. 1-6. For example, the plug702and the seal706ofFIGS. 7-10may be detachably coupled together to form a plug assembly. Additionally, the plug702includes the base110and the ridge114ofFIGS. 1-3, and five protrusions704. Likewise, the seal706includes the base126and the ridge128ofFIGS. 1 and 4-6, and five openings708for receiving the protrusions704. The protrusions704may be substantially similar to the protrusions104ofFIGS. 1-3. The openings708may be substantially similar to the openings108ofFIGS. 1 and 4-6. For example, and as shown inFIG. 8, the protrusions704each include the arm122and the flange124as explained above with reference toFIGS. 1-3.

As shown inFIGS. 7-10, the protrusions704and the openings708have different sizes. For example, the protrusion704ahas a width that is different than the width of the other four protrusions704. Specifically, and as shown inFIG. 7, the distance between opposing edges (e.g., the width) of the protrusion704ais larger than the distance between opposing edges of the other four protrusions704. Similar to the protrusion704a, the opening708ahas a width that is different than the width of the other four openings708. In particular, the distance between opposing sides (e.g., the width) of the opening708ais larger than the distance between opposing sides of the other four openings708. Additionally, the width of the other four openings708may be substantially equal, and the width of the other four protrusions704may be substantially equal.

In the particular embodiment ofFIGS. 7-10, the width of the opening708acorresponds to and aligns with the width of the protrusion704a, and the widths of the other four openings708correspond to and align with the width of the other four protrusions704. As such, the five protrusions704may substantially align with the five openings708in one configuration when the plug702and the seal706are coupled together. This may allow a user to quickly align and couple the plug702and the seal706together, prevent a user from coupling the plug702and the seal706incorrectly, etc.

As explained above, any one of the plug assemblies (e.g., the plug assembly100, the plug assembly including the plug702and the seal706, etc.) may be employed in an antenna assembly. For example,FIG. 11illustrates an antenna assembly1100including a portion of a radome1102defining an opening1106extending between the radome's interior surface and exterior surface, a camera1104positionable at least partially within the radome's opening1106, and the plug assembly100ofFIG. 1. The plug assembly100is positioned in a passage defined by an exterior surface of the camera1104and an interior surface of the radome1102

As shown inFIG. 11, the plug assembly100may be coupled to the radome1102. In such examples, the plug assembly100may be detachably coupled to the radome1102via one or more components of the plug assembly100and/or the radome1102. For example, the protrusions104of the plug102may be resilient to allow the protrusions104to bend, flex, or deform inwardly when inserted into the passage between the camera1104and the radome1102. At some point, the flanges124may spring outwardly (and into openings of the radome1102) and rest against a ledge (e.g., a corresponding flange, etc.) or the like of the radome1102. In particular, the substantially perpendicular surface of the flanges124may rest against and a surface of the radome's ledge. The resiliency of the flanges124allows the flanges124to maintain their position relative to the radome's ledge. This may be referred to as a snap fit engagement. To detach the plug assembly100from the radome1102, a user forces the protrusions104inward and pulls the plug102out of the passage between the camera1104and the radome1102. In other embodiments, the plug assembly100may be permanently attached to the radome1102.

Additionally, the protrusions142,144of the seal106may be used to help seal the antenna assembly1100, hold the camera1104in place, etc. For example, and as shown inFIG. 11, the protrusion142is positioned between the plug102and the camera1104and the protrusion144is positioned between the plug102and the radome1102. When the flanges124are resting against the radome's ledge (as explained above), the protrusions142,144compress to create contact points on the camera1104and the radome1102to help seal the antenna assembly1100, hold the camera1104in place, etc.

In some embodiments, the camera1104may be substantially flush with the radome1102. For example, and as shown inFIG. 11, the camera1104may be positioned in the radome1102to ensure the camera's lens is substantially flush with the exterior surface of the radome1102. This may allow the camera1104to capture a desirable viewing area without substantial obstructions from the radome1102. In such examples, the radome1102may provide at least some protection for the camera1104(e.g., the lens of the camera, etc.) from debris, etc. Alternatively, the camera1104may be inset into the radome1102to provide additional protection for the camera1104. This, however, may decrease the viewing area captured by the camera1104. In other example embodiments, the camera1104may extend at least partially beyond the exterior surface of the radome1102. In such examples, the viewing area captured by the camera1104may be increased.

FIG. 12illustrates another example antenna assembly1200including a camera1206, a plug assembly1208, and a radome1202for housing one or more antennas1204. The radome1202defines an opening extending between its interior surface and exterior surface. As shown, the camera1206is positionable at least partially within the radome's opening. The plug assembly1208is positioned in a passage defined by the camera1206and the radome1202(as explained above). The plug assembly1208may be formed of any suitable plug and seal (including one of the plugs and/or seals disclosed herein).

In some example embodiments, a portion of the camera1206may be positioned in the radome's opening without making contact with the radome1202. In such examples, the passage between the camera1206and the radome1202may extend substantially about the camera1206. In particular, the passage may extend substantially about a lens, a perimeter, etc. of the camera1206. In such examples, the plug assembly1208positioned in the passage may extend completely around the perimeter, the lens, etc. of the camera1206(and between the camera1206and the radome1202).

Alternatively, a portion of the camera1206may be in contact with the radome1202adjacent the radome's opening. If so, the plug assembly1208may extend around portions of the perimeter of the camera1206not in contact with the radome1202to substantially prevent or inhibit contaminants from entering the antenna assembly1200via the passage. For example, the passage may extend about half way around the camera1206, about a quarter of the way around the camera1206, etc.

The antenna assemblies disclosed herein may include one or more optional features, components, functions, etc. For example, and with reference toFIG. 12, the antenna assembly1200may include a chassis1210for supporting the radome1202and/or one or more components of the antenna assembly1200. For example, the components (e.g., printed circuit boards, antenna(s) such as the antennas1204, etc.) and the radome1202may be coupled (e.g., attached, etc.) to one or more of the chassis' surfaces. The chassis1210may be coupled to a vehicle's roof and/or another suitable structure.

In some embodiments, any one of the cameras disclosed herein may be part of a camera assembly including the camera and one or more circuit boards for supporting the camera and/or attaching the camera to the radome. The circuit boards may be any suitable circuit board including, for example, rigid circuit boards, flexible circuit boards, etc. For example, and as shown inFIG. 12, the camera1206is coupled to a rigid printed circuit board (PCB)1212. The rigid PCB1212may be coupled to other circuit boards, the radome1202, etc. via a flexible circuit board. This configuration may allow for greater flexibility when installing the camera assembly. For example, the camera assembly may be attached to different components of its antenna assembly. The flexible circuit board may allow for a greater tolerance in the camera assembly when the camera assembly is installed.

The PCB1212(and/or other circuit boards of the camera assembly) may include components, traces, etc. These components may, for example, assist in capturing images, processing data, transferring data, etc. For example, the components may include a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor for converting light (received through the camera's lens) into electrons to produce one or more images, one or more control circuits (e.g., image processor(s)) for processing data into appropriate still images, a video, etc., a power supply for providing power to the camera1206and the control circuits, etc.

The CMOS sensor and/or the camera1206may be controlled by one or more signals provided by the control circuits. In such examples, the PCB1212may include corresponding control interfaces for receiving and/or transmitting signals between the CMOS sensor and the control circuits. Additionally, data can be transmitted between the control circuits and the CMOS sensor via one or more signals. For example, the PCB1212may include corresponding camera interfaces for receiving and/or transmitting signals between the CMOS sensor and the control circuits. The control circuits can then process data received from the CMOS sensor into appropriate still images, a video, etc.

If desired, the control circuits can provide data via one or more signals to other component(s) external the antenna assembly to display the still images, the video, etc. These signals can be provided over various different interfaces including, for example, parallel interfaces, analog interfaces, digital interfaces (e.g., HDMI, etc.). For example, if the antenna assembly1200is employed in a vehicle, the control circuits may provide one or more signals to a rearview mirror in the vehicle, a dash display, an aftermarket display, etc. so that the images, the video, etc. can be displayed. In other embodiments, the control circuits can provide one or more signals to a system vehicle controller.

Additionally, it may be desirable to confine some or substantially all metal components on and/or in the PCB1212within a particular area. This may reduce interference (e.g., electromagnetic interference (EMI), etc.) between the metal components and antennas housed in a particular antenna assembly. In some embodiments, these metal components and/or the entire camera assembly may be housed in an enclosure.

The antenna assemblies disclosed herein may be employed in various different applications including, for example, vehicles. In such examples, the antenna assemblies may be coupled to a vehicle. Specifically, any one of the antenna assemblies may be coupled to a roof of a vehicle near a rear portion of the roof such that the camera installed in the antenna assembly captures a view behind the vehicle. This rear view of the vehicle may be displayed on the rearview mirror and/or another suitable vehicle display as explained above. For example,FIG. 13illustrates one example of a vehicle1300including the antenna assembly1200ofFIG. 12having its camera capturing a view behind the vehicle1300. This configuration can provide more visibility, a larger field of view, etc. for the operator of the vehicle than a conventional rearview mirror, and therefore can replace the rearview mirror if desired.

The antenna assemblies disclosed herein may be assembled in any suitable manner. For example, an antenna assembly may be assembled by mating at least one of the coupling structure(s) (e.g., protrusion(s), opening(s), etc.) of the plug with at least one of the coupling structure(s) (e.g., protrusion(s), opening(s), etc.) of the seal to detachably couple the seal to the plug, and attaching the coupled plug and seal to a radome of the antenna assembly such that the coupled plug and seal are at least partially within an opening of the radome and at least partially surrounding a camera of the antenna assembly to substantially prevent contaminants from passing into the radome via the opening of the radome.

Additionally, the antenna assembly may be assembled by employing other optional steps. For example, the antenna assembly may be assembled by attaching the radome to a chassis of the antenna assembly such that the camera extends at least partially in the opening of the radome, snap fitting resilient coupling structure(s) to the radome (as explained herein), attaching the coupled plug and seal to the radome such that the plug is substantially flush with an exterior surface of the radome, detachably coupling the plug and seal to the radome, etc.

In some embodiments, it may be preferable to complete the steps in a particular order. For example, the radome may be attached (e.g., coupled, etc.) to the chassis, and then the coupled plug and seal may be attached to the radome.

The plugs and the seals disclosed herein may be any suitable size and/or geometric shape. For example, the plugs and/or the seals may be substantially circular or ring-shaped (as explained above), rectangular, triangular, etc. depending on the size and shape of the radome's opening, the camera, etc. In some examples, any one of the seals may have a particular outer perimeter shape to correspond to a particular plug and a particular inner perimeter shape (e.g., different than the outer perimeter shape) to correspond to a housing of the camera. Also, in some circumstances it may be preferable to mass produce the plugs and the radomes with a consistent size and/or shape for part interchangeability.

Additionally, the plugs and/or the seals may be formed of any suitable material. For example, the plugs may be made of the same or a different material than its corresponding radome. Preferably, the plugs are made from a plastic material. The seals may be formed of a flexible material to allow the seals to conform, compress, etc. to surfaces of adjacent components such as plugs, radomes, camera, etc. This may allow the seals to function as gaskets. Further, the conformability of the seals may allow the seals to absorb a tolerance of the cameras, radomes, plugs, etc. when the camera is positioned in the radome's opening. Preferably, the seals are made from a rubber (e.g., resilient) material.

The plugs and/or the seals may be formed by any other suitable process. For example, the plugs and/or the seals may be formed by injection molding (e.g., overmolding, etc.). In such examples, a plug may be formed separately from its corresponding radome, a seal may be molded separately from its corresponding plug, etc. In other embodiments, the injection molded plug may be formed on the radome by overmolding the plug onto the radome, the injection molded seal may be molded directly on the plug by overmolding, etc. Additionally, the protrusions, base, etc. of a particular plug and/or the base, ridge, etc. of a particular seal may have a monolithic construction. Alternatively, the components of the plug and/or the seal may be separately formed and then coupled together.

The cameras disclosed herein may be any suitable camera having a lens and a housing for storing the lens and/or other components of the camera. For example, the lens may be any suitable dimension and/or include various features. For example, the lens may have a diameter of about 12 mm or less, and a depth of about 15 mm or less. Additionally, the lens may have a field of view of about 180 degrees (horizontally) and about 60 degrees (vertically) depending on the position of the lens compared to the radome. Likewise, the housing may have any suitable dimension. For example, the housing may have a length and a width of about 25 mm or less, and a depth of about 8 mm or less.

The radomes disclosed herein may have any suitable size. In some examples, the radomes may be sized to house one or more antennas including, for example, cellular antennas, GPS antennas, Wi-Fi antennas, radio antennas (e.g., AM, FM, satellite antennas, etc.), etc. Additionally, the radomes may include, for example, a shark fin shape (as shown inFIGS. 12 and 13) and/or another suitable shape.

By employing one or more of the features disclosed herein, the antenna assemblies may have improved sealing capabilities and performance between a camera (e.g., a camera sensor, etc.) and a radome, an optimized camera location, an optimized tolerance, etc. compared to conventional radomes. By way of example, exemplary embodiments may be configured such that the seal (e.g., seal106(FIGS. 4-6), seal706(FIGS. 9 and 10), etc.) is compressed between the bezel (e.g., plug102(FIGS. 1-3), plug702(FIGS. 7 and 8), etc.) and radome (e.g. radome1102(FIG. 11), radome1202(FIG. 12), etc.) longitudinally along the camera's (e.g., camera1106(FIG. 11), camera1206(FIG. 12), etc.) axis and between the bezel and camera radially.

Additionally, the antenna assemblies can be provided, assembled, manufactured, etc. with a simplified process which in turn reduces costs. For example, the camera of the antenna assemblies can be installed in a relatively straight line with respect to the plug and/or the seal (if employed) to simplify the assembly or manufacturing process, reduce unnecessary wear on components (e.g., the camera, the plug, the seal, etc.), etc. compared to conventional antenna assemblies.

The term “about” when applied to values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters. For example, the terms “generally”, “about”, and “substantially” may be used herein to mean within manufacturing tolerances.