Patent Description:
Many vehicle environment detection systems comprise one or more sensors such as for example radar sensor, LIDAR sensors, ultrasonic sensors and digital camera devices. These are used for collecting data used for safety arrangements as well as for driver assistance systems. A camera device is adapted to collect images of the surroundings, and may be used to identify landmarks.

For a digital camera device, that can be in the form of, or comprised in, a vehicle imaging system, a camera module is mounted to a camera mounting bracket that in turn is mounted to a vehicle. The camera module comprises a housing, a lens assembly and a PCB to which an image sensor and associated components are mounted.

<CIT> discloses a vehicle camera mounting module and bracket corresponding to the preamble of claims <NUM> and <NUM>.

<CIT> discloses a further vehicle camera mounting bracket corresponding to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide means for a secure, efficient and reliable mounting of the camera module to the camera mounting bracket and thus to a vehicle.

Said object is achieved by means of a vehicle camera module
according to claim <NUM>. The camera module comprises a housing with a rear portion and a front portion that is adapted to face a vehicle windscreen, and a lens assembly that at least partly is accommodated in the housing. The lens assembly extends along a first extension and comprises a lens aperture that is closer to the front portion than to the rear portion. The housing comprises a first holding section and a second holding section which holding sections protrude away from the first extension. The housing further comprises at least one holding rail extending between the rear portion and the front portion.

This enables the housing to be attached to another item, such as a camera mounting bracket. By means of the holding sections and said at least one holding rail, a secure attachment is enabled, where the holding sections and said at least one holding rail can be integrated into the housing.

According to some aspects, the holding sections extend along a second extension that runs perpendicular to a vertical plane running along the first extension.

In this way, the holding sections are arranged along a line which will enable an uncomplicated mounting to another item, such as a camera mounting bracket.

According to some aspects, each holding section comprises a corresponding inner part and outer part. Each inner part is closer to the vertical plane than the corresponding outer part.

According to some aspects, each inner part has a largest cross-section area that falls below a largest cross-section area of the corresponding outer part in a corresponding plane perpendicular to the second extension.

This will provide a secure locking along the second extension when the vehicle camera module is mounted to another item. In particular, the outer parts will provide locking along the second extension.

According to some aspects, the housing further comprises at least one guiding rail that extends between the rear portion and the front portion. In this way, an increased stability is provided. Said object is also achieved by means of a vehicle camera mounting bracket according to claim <NUM>. The vehicle mounting bracket comprises a main plate with a longitudinal extension, a first main side that is adapted to be attached to a windscreen, and a second main side, opposite the first main side. The mounting bracket comprises a first holding arrangement and a second holding arrangement, the holding arrangements mainly extending parallel to the longitudinal extension and extending from the second main side. Each holding arrangement comprises a first hook-shaped receiving portion and a second hook-shaped receiving portion. The receiving portions are adapted to receive and releasably retain holding parts of a vehicle camera module.

This means that the first hook-shaped receiving portions can engage the holding parts according to the above.

According to the invention, the vehicle camera mounting bracket further comprises at least one resilient member that extends from the second main side.

According to some aspects, each holding arrangement comprises a corresponding guiding portion that is adapted to guide guiding rails of a vehicle camera module. This way, mounting of a vehicle camera module to the vehicle camera mounting bracket is simplified.

According to some aspects, each holding arrangement comprises a corresponding groove extending along its holding arrangement.

The grooves are adapted to guide guide protrusions of a vehicle camera module towards the corresponding second hook-shaped receiving portion.

According to some aspects, the second hook-shaped receiving portions are resilient. In this way, holding rails of a vehicle camera module can be engaged in a retaining manner.

This object is also achieved by means of vehicle camera arrangements comprising the vehicle camera module and the vehicle camera mounting bracket according to the above, and also methods, which all are associated with the above advantages.

<FIG> schematically shows a cut-open part of a vehicle <NUM>, where the vehicle <NUM> comprises a vehicle camera arrangement <NUM> attached to a vehicle windscreen <NUM>. The vehicle camera arrangement <NUM> is arranged for capturing images of the surroundings outside the vehicle <NUM> by means of a certain field of view <NUM>. The vehicle camera arrangement <NUM> can also, or alternatively, be arranged for capturing images of a driver <NUM>, where these images, which may include eye movements, for example can be used for detecting a degree of driver drowsiness.

As shown in <FIG>, the vehicle camera arrangement <NUM> comprises a vehicle camera module <NUM> and a vehicle camera mounting bracket <NUM>, and the present disclosure is directed to the vehicle camera arrangement <NUM> as well as to the vehicle camera module <NUM> and the vehicle camera mounting bracket <NUM> separately.

In the following, a first example the vehicle camera module <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>, and then a corresponding vehicle camera mounting bracket <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a schematic perspective front view of a vehicle camera module <NUM> according to a first example, <FIG> shows details of a holding section <NUM>, <FIG> shows a schematic top view of the vehicle camera module <NUM>, <FIG> shows a schematic front view of the vehicle camera module <NUM>, and <FIG> shows a schematic side view of the vehicle camera module <NUM>.

The vehicle camera module <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM> with a rear portion <NUM> and a front portion <NUM> that is adapted to face the vehicle windscreen <NUM>. The vehicle camera module <NUM> further comprises a lens assembly <NUM> that at least partly is accommodated in the housing <NUM>, and where the lens assembly <NUM> extends along a first extension L1 and comprises a lens aperture <NUM> that is closer to the front portion <NUM> than to the rear portion <NUM>.

According to some aspects, an image sensor <NUM> is accommodated in the housing <NUM>, where the image sensor <NUM> comprises an imaging surface <NUM> that is adapted to capture images that are transferred via the lens assembly <NUM>. According to some aspects, the first extension L1 runs perpendicular to the imaging surface <NUM>, where a front-rear direction runs along the first extension L1 from the image sensor <NUM> towards the lens assembly <NUM>.

According to the present disclosure, the housing <NUM> comprises a first holding section <NUM> and a second holding section <NUM> which holding sections <NUM>, <NUM> protrude away from the first extension L1, where the housing <NUM> further comprises at least one holding rail <NUM>, <NUM> extending between the rear portion <NUM> and the front portion <NUM>. According to some aspects, the holding rail <NUM>, <NUM> extend in the rear to front direction.

This enables the housing <NUM> to be attached to another item, such as a camera mounting bracket that will be described later. By means of the holding sections <NUM>, <NUM> and said at least one holding rail <NUM>, <NUM>, a secure attachment is enabled, where the holding sections <NUM>, <NUM> and said at least one holding rail <NUM>, <NUM> can be integrated into the housing <NUM>.

According to some aspects, the holding sections <NUM>, <NUM> extend along a second extension L2 that runs perpendicular to a vertical plane P running along the first extension L1, the second extension L2 running in a left-right direction. An up-down direction runs perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. These directions are indicated in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. The vertical plane P divides the lens assembly <NUM> into two parts that according to some aspects are symmetrical. In this way, the holding sections <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged along a line which will enable an uncomplicated mounting to another item, such as a camera mounting bracket.

According to some aspects, each holding section <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a corresponding inner part 110a, 111a and outer part 110b, 111b, where each inner part 110a, 111a is closer to the vertical plane P than the corresponding outer part 110b, 111b. According to some further aspects, as indicated in <FIG>, each inner part 110a, 111a has a largest cross-section area A1 that falls below a largest cross-section area A2 of the corresponding outer part 110b, 111b in a corresponding plane P1, P2 perpendicular to the second extension L2. It is to be noted that <FIG> shows the first holding section <NUM> as a separate part, it can of course be integrated with the housing as for example depicted in <FIG>.

The outer parts 110b, 111b, thus a having a larger dimension, will provide a secure locking along the second extension L2 when the vehicle camera module <NUM> is mounted to another item. In particular, the outer parts 110b, 111b provide locking along the second extension L2. The locking depends on how the bracket is designed.

According to some aspects, each holding rail <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a corresponding guide protrusion <NUM>, <NUM>. The intended function of the guide protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> will be discussed more later.

According to some aspects, the housing <NUM> further comprises at least one guiding rail <NUM>, <NUM> that extends between the rear portion <NUM> and the front portion <NUM>. In this way, an increased stability is provided.

The vehicle camera module <NUM> is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle camera mounting bracket <NUM> which now will be described more in detail. <FIG> shows a schematic perspective back view of a vehicle camera mounting bracket according to a first example, and <FIG> shows a schematic side view of the vehicle camera mounting bracket <NUM>.

The vehicle camera mounting bracket <NUM> comprises a main plate <NUM> with a longitudinal extension E, a first main side <NUM> that is adapted to be attached to a windscreen <NUM>, and a second main side <NUM>, opposite the first main side <NUM>. The mounting bracket <NUM> comprises a first holding arrangement <NUM> and a second holding arrangement <NUM>, the holding arrangements <NUM>, <NUM> mainly extending parallel to the longitudinal extension E and extending from the second main side <NUM>.

In accordance with the present disclosure, each holding arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a first hook-shaped receiving portion 206a, 207a and a second hook-shaped receiving portion 206b, 207b, where the receiving portions 206a, 207a; 206b, 207b are adapted to receive and releasably retain holding parts <NUM>, <NUM> and holding rails <NUM>, <NUM> of a vehicle camera module <NUM> according to the above.

This means that the first hook-shaped receiving portions 206a, 207a can engage the holding parts <NUM>, <NUM> according to the above. The first hook-shaped receiving portions 206a, 207a comprises a first outer hook-shaped receiving portion 206a and a second outer hook-shaped receiving portion 207a, the first outer hook-shaped receiving portion 206a being adapted to engage the first holding part <NUM>, and the second outer hook-shaped receiving portion 207a being adapted to engage the second holding part <NUM>. The second hook-shaped receiving portions 206b, 207b comprises a first inner hook-shaped receiving portion 206b and a second inner hook-shaped receiving portion 207b, the first inner hook-shaped receiving portion 206b being adapted to engage and guide a first holding rail <NUM> and the second inner hook-shaped receiving portion 207b being adapted to engage and guide a second holding rail <NUM>. According to some aspects, the second hook-shaped receiving portions 206b, 207b are resilient, such that the holding rails <NUM>, <NUM> can be engaged in a retaining manner.

In this context, an inner portion is adapted be closer to a windscreen <NUM> than an outer portion.

According to some aspects, the vehicle camera mounting bracket <NUM> further comprises at least one resilient member <NUM>, <NUM> that extends from the second main side <NUM>. Here, there is a first resilient member <NUM> and a second resilient member, where, during mounting of the vehicle camera module <NUM> to the vehicle camera mounting bracket <NUM>, a first inner part 110a of the first holding part <NUM> is adapted to press the first resilient member <NUM> towards the second main side <NUM>, and where a second inner part 111a of the second holding part <NUM> is adapted to press the second resilient member <NUM> towards the second main side <NUM>.

According to some aspects, the vehicle camera mounting bracket <NUM> further comprises one or more limiting ridges <NUM>, <NUM> that extend from the second main side <NUM> and are adapted to limit the extent to which the resilient members <NUM>, <NUM> can be pressed towards the second main side <NUM>. In this manner, the resilient members <NUM>, <NUM> are prevented from being deformed during mounting.

According to some aspects, each holding arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a corresponding guiding portion <NUM>, <NUM> that is adapted to guide guiding rails of a vehicle camera module. Here, there is a first guiding portion <NUM> and a second guiding portion <NUM>, where the first guiding portion <NUM> is adapted to engage and guide a first guiding rail <NUM>, and where the second guiding portion <NUM> is adapted to engage and guide a second guiding rail <NUM>. The guiding rails <NUM>, <NUM> are comprised in the housing <NUM> of the vehicle camera module <NUM> according to the above. This way, mounting of the vehicle camera module <NUM> to the vehicle camera mounting bracket <NUM> is simplified.

According to some aspects, each holding arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a corresponding groove <NUM>, <NUM> extending along its holding arrangement <NUM>, <NUM>, the grooves <NUM>, <NUM> being adapted to guide guide protrusions of a vehicle camera module towards the corresponding second hook-shaped receiving portion 206b, 207b. Here, the first holding arrangement <NUM> comprises a first groove <NUM> and the second holding arrangement <NUM> comprises a second groove <NUM>. The first groove <NUM> is adapted to engage and guide a first guide protrusion <NUM>, and the second groove <NUM> is adapted to engage and guide a second guide protrusion <NUM>. In this example, the grooves <NUM>, <NUM> have the same shape.

When the vehicle camera module <NUM> is mounted to the vehicle camera mounting bracket <NUM>, the vehicle camera arrangement <NUM> is formed as shown in <FIG> that shows a schematic perspective front view of a vehicle camera arrangement according to a first example, <FIG> that shows a schematic perspective back view of the vehicle camera arrangement, and <FIG> that shows a schematic side view of the vehicle camera arrangement.

The vehicle camera arrangement <NUM> comprises the vehicle camera module <NUM> according to the above and the vehicle camera mounting bracket <NUM> according to the above, where the first hook-shaped receiving portions 206a, 207a have received a corresponding holding section <NUM>, <NUM>, and where the second hook-shaped receiving portions 206b, 207b have received a corresponding holding rail <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to some aspects, said resilient member <NUM>, <NUM> presses against at least one holding section <NUM>, <NUM> such that the holding sections <NUM>, <NUM> are retained in the first hook-shaped receiving portions 206a, 207a. Here, the first resilient member <NUM> presses against the first inner part 110a of the first holding part <NUM>, and the second resilient member <NUM> presses against the second inner part 111a of the second holding part <NUM>. In this manner, the vehicle camera module <NUM> is securely retained in the vehicle camera mounting bracket <NUM>, and in particular the holding sections <NUM>, <NUM> are securely retained in the first hook-shaped receiving portions 206a, 207a.

According to some aspects, the second hook-shaped receiving portions 206b, 207b resiliently press against the holding rails <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a perspective front view of an alternative vehicle camera arrangement illustrates alternative grooves. There is an alternative camera mounting bracket 300a where a first groove 213a is flat and a second groove 214a is V-shaped, where the guide protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> have been received in a respective groove 213a, 214a.

<FIG> illustrate a second example of a vehicle camera arrangement, where <FIG> shows a schematic perspective front view of a vehicle camera module <NUM>' according to the second example, <FIG> shows a schematic perspective back view of a vehicle camera mounting bracket <NUM>' according to the second example, and <FIG> shows a schematic side view of a camera arrangement according to the second example.

According to some aspects, the inner parts 110a', 111a' are comprised in a common rod <NUM> that runs along the second extension L2. This provides increased stability.

According to some aspects, the housing <NUM>' further comprises a wedge-shaped guide portion <NUM> that has a dimension that increases from the front portion <NUM> to the rear portion <NUM>. This facilitates insertion in the bracket.

According to some aspects, the vehicle camera mounting bracket <NUM>' further comprises at least one wedge-shaped guide portion <NUM>, <NUM> that extends from the second main side <NUM>' and is adapted to guide the wedge-shaped guide portion <NUM> of the vehicle camera module <NUM>'. This means that insertion in the bracket is facilitated since the housing <NUM>' can be easily guided into the correct position when mounted to the camera mounting bracket <NUM>'.

The above parts can be used in combination with, or instead of, the guiding portions <NUM>, <NUM> and the guiding rails <NUM>, <NUM> described above.

According to some aspects, each corresponding grove <NUM> comprises a corresponding bulge <NUM> that is adapted to get in retaining contact with a corresponding holding rail of a vehicle camera module. This means that each bulge <NUM> will press against a corresponding holding rail <NUM>', <NUM>' of the camera module <NUM>'.

Here, the camera module <NUM>' is secured against the mounting bracket <NUM>' both in the up-down direction and in the left-right direction.

<FIG> shows a schematic perspective front view of a vehicle camera module housing part according to a third example. Here, according to some aspects, the holding sections <NUM>'', <NUM>" are constituted by a common rod <NUM> that runs along the second extension L2.

The mounting of the vehicle camera module <NUM> to the vehicle camera mounting bracket <NUM> will now be described with reference to <FIG> that shows a schematic side view of a vehicle camera arrangement at a first mounting step, <FIG> that shows a schematic side view of a vehicle camera arrangement at a second mounting step, and <FIG> that shows a flowchart for methods according to the present disclosure.

The present disclosure thus relates to a method for mounting a vehicle camera module <NUM> according to the above, to a vehicle camera mounting bracket according to the above. The method comprises moving S100 the holding sections <NUM>, <NUM> towards the first hook-shaped receiving portions 206a, 207a, moving S200 the holding rails <NUM>, <NUM> towards the second hook-shaped receiving portions 206b, 207b and pressing S300 the holding sections <NUM>, <NUM> against the resilient members <NUM>, <NUM> such that the resilient members <NUM>, <NUM> admit passage of the holding sections <NUM>, <NUM> as indicated in <FIG>. The method further comprises inserting S400 the holding sections <NUM>, <NUM> and holding rails <NUM>, <NUM> into the corresponding hook-shaped receiving portions 206a, 207a; 206b, 207b such that the resilient members <NUM>, <NUM> press against the holding sections <NUM>, <NUM> to be releasably retained in the first hook-shaped receiving portions 206a, 207a as indicated in <FIG>.

The present disclosure is not limited to the examples above, but may vary freely within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the vehicle camera arrangement <NUM> can further be equipped with a light trap <NUM> as shown in <FIG> that shows a schematic perspective front view of a vehicle camera module <NUM>' with a light trap <NUM> and <FIG> that shows a schematic perspective rear view of a vehicle camera module <NUM>' with a light trap <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A vehicle camera module (<NUM>) that comprises a housing (<NUM>) with a rear portion (<NUM>) and a front portion (<NUM>) that is adapted to face a vehicle windscreen, and a lens assembly (<NUM>) that at least partly is accommodated in the housing (<NUM>), and where the lens assembly (<NUM>) extends along a first extension (L1) and comprises a lens aperture (<NUM>) that is closer to the front portion (<NUM>) than to the rear portion (<NUM>), the housing (<NUM>) comprises a first holding section (<NUM>) and a second holding section (<NUM>) which holding sections (<NUM>, <NUM>) protrude away from the first extension (L1), characterized in that the housing (<NUM>) further comprises at least one holding rail (<NUM>, <NUM>) extending between the rear portion (<NUM>) and the front portion (<NUM>) and being adapted to be engaged by corresponding second hook-shaped receiving portions (206b, 207b) comprised in a vehicle camera mounting bracket (<NUM>) .