The present invention relates to a camera for a motor vehicle including a housing, including at least one circuit board disposed in the housing, and including a connecting device for connecting the camera to the motor vehicle, wherein the connecting device has a video terminal device, via which image data can be transmitted to the motor vehicle, a bus terminal device, which can be connected to a data bus of the motor vehicle, and/or a supply terminal device, via which the camera can be supplied with electrical energy from the motor vehicle. In addition, the invention relates to a motor vehicle with such a camera.

Presently, the interest is in particular directed to cameras for motor vehicles. Such cameras are known from the prior art and for example serve for capturing an

environmental region of the motor vehicle. Therein, multiple cameras can also be disposed on a motor vehicle. Such a camera can also be formed as a so-called reversing camera, by means of which the driver can be assisted in parking the motor vehicle.

The camera includes a housing, in which a lens of the camera can be disposed at least in certain areas. Moreover, the camera includes at least one circuit board disposed in the housing. For example, an image sensor can be disposed on the circuit board, by which image data of the environmental region of the motor vehicle can be provided. Further, the camera includes a connecting device, by means of which the camera can be connected to the motor vehicle. The connecting device in turn includes a video terminal device, via which the camera can be connected to the motor vehicle, in particular to a screen of the motor vehicle, via a corresponding data line. Thus, the image data or video data captured by the camera can for example be directly transmitted to the screen and there be presented to a vehicle occupant. Further, the connecting device includes a bus terminal device, via which the camera can be connected to a vehicle data bus. Finally, the connecting device includes a supply terminal device, via which the camera can be supplied with electrical energy from the motor vehicle. The camera can for example be electrically connected to an on-board network of the motor vehicle via the supply terminal device.

It is the object of the present invention to demonstrate a solution, how a camera for a motor vehicle of the initially mentioned kind can be more reliably operated. According to the invention, this object is solved by a camera as well as by a motor vehicle having the features according to the respective independent claims. Advantageous implementations of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims, of the description and of the figures.

A camera according to the invention for a motor vehicle includes a housing. Further, the camera includes at least one circuit board disposed in the housing. Finally, the camera includes at least one connecting device for connecting the camera to the motor vehicle. Therein, the connecting device has a video terminal device, via which image data can be transmitted to the motor vehicle. Further, the connecting device includes a bus terminal device, which can be connected to a data bus of the motor vehicle. Finally, the connecting device includes a supply terminal device, via which the camera can be supplied with electrical energy from the motor vehicle. Therein, the connecting device is formed as a surface-mounted device and electrically connected to the at least one circuit board.

The camera can be disposed on a motor vehicle. Thus, the environmental region of the motor vehicle can for example be captured by the camera. The camera has a housing, which may consist of multiple housing parts. A circuit board is disposed within the housing, on which for example an image sensor is disposed. Further, a connecting device is disposed on the circuit board, which is formed as a surface-mounted device (SMD). The connecting device can be disposed on the circuit board by means of a surface-mounting technology (SMT). The connecting device preferably includes three components. A component of the connecting device can be the video terminal device, by means of which image data or video data can be provided and transmitted to a screen of the motor vehicle via a corresponding data line. A further component of the connecting device can be a bus terminal device, via which the camera can be connected to a data bus, for example the CAN bus, of the motor vehicle. Thus, control signals can be transmitted from the motor vehicle to the camera via a corresponding data line. Further, the connecting device can have a supply terminal device as a further component, via which the camera can be supplied with electrical energy from the motor vehicle. For example, the camera can be connected to an on-board network of the motor vehicle by means of the supply terminal device. For example, an electrical supply voltage for the camera can be applied to the supply terminal device. Preferably, the connecting device includes both the video terminal device, the bus terminal device and the supply terminal device.

The present invention is based on the realization that sufficient electromagnetic shielding in connecting the video terminal device to a corresponding data cable is not provided in connecting devices according to the prior art. The data cable can for example be a so- called Fakra data cable. Here, the video terminal device cannot be directly connected to the circuit board. A gap can be formed between the video terminal device and the circuit board, which is not electrically shielded. Thus, electromagnetic interference signals generated within the camera can for example be transferred to the video terminal device or the associated data line. Presently, the connecting device is formed as a surface- mountable component and immediately disposed on the circuit board. Thereby, electromagnetic interference signals can be prevented from being transferred to the connecting device or the terminal devices. Thus, the electromagnetic compatibility can be ensured.

Preferably, the connecting device has at least one coaxial connector with an outer conductor and at least one inner conductor. Such a coaxial connector can for example be formed as a Fakra connector. The at least one coaxial connector can be connected to usually used data lines or coaxial lines. In particular, already existing data lines disposed on the motor vehicle can be used and connected to the connecting device for transmitting electrical energy or for data transmission. By the connecting device, which in particular includes the coaxial connector, it becomes possible to directly connect data lines to the camera. In the same manner, the data connection can be separated from the camera directly on the camera.

In an embodiment, the outer conductor of the at least one coaxial connector is electrically connected to a ground terminal of the at least one circuit board. The connecting device can include at least one coaxial connector having an outer conductor. One or more inner conductors can be disposed within the outer conductor. If the outer conductor is connected to a ground terminal of the camera or of the at least one circuit board, electromagnetic interference signals can be prevented from being transferred to the inner conductor. In this manner, reliable operation of the camera can be allowed.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the outer conductor of the at least one coaxial connector is electrically connected to the housing part of the housing, wherein the housing part is formed of an electrically conductive material. The housing of the camera can have multiple housing parts. For example, the housing can have a front housing part, in which the lens of the camera is disposed at least in certain areas. Further, the housing can have a further housing part, which is connected to the front housing part. The front and the rear housing part can be formed of an electrically conductive material, in particular aluminum. Preferably, the outer conductor of the at least one coaxial connector is electrically connected to the rear housing part. Thus, a reliable shielding with respect to

electromagnetic interference signals can be guaranteed. Thus, the electromagnetic compatibility can be ensured in the operation of the camera.

In a further embodiment, the connecting device includes a first coaxial connector having the video terminal element, and a second coaxial connector having the bus terminal element and the supply terminal element. Thus, the connecting device includes two coaxial connectors directly disposed on the circuit board. They can for example be contacted with a dual connecting line, in particular a so-called dual Fakra data line. In that the video terminal device is associated with a separate coaxial connector, it can be prevented from being affected by electromagnetic interferences. Further, commercial connecting lines can be connected to the connecting device.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the first coaxial connector has an inner conductor and the second coaxial connector has four inner conductors. The first coaxial connector includes the video terminal device. The second coaxial connector includes both the bus terminal device and the supply terminal device. Therein, two of the four inner conductors can be associated with the bus terminal device. These two inner conductors can for example be connected to the terminals of the vehicle data bus. Furthermore, two of the four inner conductors can be associated with the supply terminal device. They can for example be connected to the two terminals of an on-board network of the motor vehicle.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the housing has an interface device for retaining a connecting line. The interface device can for example be disposed in a recess of the rear housing part of the housing. A corresponding connecting line can be disposed on the interface device, by means of which the camera can be connected to the motor vehicle for data transmission and/or for energy supply. Thus, the camera can be connected to the motor vehicle in simple manner.

Preferably, the interface device has at least one opening, via which the connecting device can be contacted with the connecting line. In particular, the interface device has two openings, wherein one of the coaxial connectors of the connecting device can be contacted via each of the openings. A corresponding plug or a socket of the connecting line can be disposed on the interface device. Preferably, the interface device is at least partially formed of a plastic. In particular, the interface device is completely formed of a plastic. Thus, electrical insulation can be provided for the connecting device.

A motor vehicle according to the invention includes at least one camera according to the invention. Therein, the at least one camera is connected to the motor vehicle for data transmission and/or for energy supply by the connecting line. The motor vehicle is in particular formed as a passenger car.

The preferred embodiments presented with respect to the camera according to the invention and the advantage thereof correspondingly apply to the motor vehicle according to the invention.

Further features of the invention are apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of figures and/or shown in the figures alone are usable not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, implementations are also to be considered as encompassed and disclosed by the invention, which are not explicitly shown in the figures and explained, but arise from and can be generated by separated feature combinations from the explained implementations. Implementations and feature combinations are also to be considered as disclosed, which thus do not have all of the features of an originally formulated independent claim.

Now, the invention is explained in more detail based on preferred embodiments as well as with reference to the attached drawings.

There show:

Fig. 1 in schematic plan view a motor vehicle with a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 the camera in a perspective view, wherein the camera is illustrated without a rear housing part; Hg 3 the camera in a perspective view;

Hg 4 a sectioned view of the camera in a perspective view;

Hg 5 the camera in a plan view;

Hg 6 the camera according to Fig. 4 with a terminal element of a connecting line;

and

Fig 7 the camera together with the connecting line.

In the figures, identical and functionally identically elements are provided with the same reference characters.

Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention in a plan view. The motor vehicle 1 is presently formed as a passenger car. Presently, the motor vehicle 1 has a camera 3, which is in particular formed as a reversing camera. The camera 3 can be a component of a driver assistance system of the motor vehicle 1 , by means of which the driver can be assisted in driving the motor vehicle 1 . For example, an environmental region 2 behind the motor vehicle 1 can be captured by the camera 3 and presented on a screen of the motor vehicle 1 .

The arrangement of the camera 3 on the motor vehicle 1 is arbitrary, however preferably such that the environmental region 2 of the motor vehicle 1 can be captured by the camera 3. It can also be provided that an interior of the motor vehicle 1 can be captured by the camera 3. The motor vehicle 1 can also include multiple such cameras 3. The camera 3 can be a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) camera, a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) camera or any image capturing device.

Fig. 2 shows the camera 3 in a perspective view. The camera 3 has a housing 4, wherein only the front housing part 5 of the housing 4 is presently illustrated. A lens 6 of the camera 3 is disposed in the front housing part 5 at least in certain areas. Further, the camera 3 includes a circuit board 7 disposed within the housing 4. Here, non-illustrated active and passive components can be disposed on the circuit board 7. Further, the camera 3 includes a connecting device 8. Via the connecting device 8, the camera 3 can be connected to the motor vehicle 1 by a corresponding connecting line 9 for data transmission or for supply with electrical energy - as explained in more detail below. Presently, the connecting device 8 has a first coaxial connector 10 and a second coaxial connector 1 1 . The first coaxial connector 10 has an outer conductor 12 and an inner conductor 13 (not recognizable in Fig. 2). The second coaxial connector 1 1 has an outer conductor 12 and four inner conductors 13.

The connecting device 8 is formed as a surface-mounted device. The connecting device 8 is electrically connected to the circuit board 7. The connecting device 8 is disposed on a surface of the circuit board 7. Therein, in particular, the outer conductors 12 are electrically connected to a ground terminal of the circuit board 7 and of the camera 3, respectively. Thus, shielding of the inner conductors 13 can be ensured. Further, the connecting device 8 includes a shielding device 14 for shielding the coaxial connectors 10, 1 1 from electromagnetic interferences.

Fig. 3 shows the camera 3 in a perspective view. Herein, the camera 3 is shown with the housing 4 closed. In Fig. 3, in addition, the rear housing part 15 as well as an interface device 16 is shown. The front housing part 5 and the rear housing part 15 are

manufactured of an electrically conductive material, in particular aluminum. Thus, electromagnetic interferences for example generated in the interior of the camera 3 can be shielded. The interface device 16 is formed of an electrically insulating material, in particular of a plastic. The front housing part 5, the rear housing part 15 and the interface device 16 together constitute the housing 4 of the camera 3.

The front housing part 5, the rear housing part 15 and the interface device 16 are connected to each other by corresponding screws 17. The interface device 16 includes corresponding hollow-cylindrical elements each forming an opening 18. The first coaxial connector 10 and the second coaxial connector 1 1 can be contacted from the outside via the openings 18. The interface device 16 further serves for retaining the connecting line 9 or a terminal element 22 of the connecting line 9.

Fig. 4 shows the camera 3 according to Fig. 3 in a sectioned view. Here, the arrangement of the first coaxial connector 10 and the second coaxial connector 1 1 in the respective openings 18 of the interface 16 is recognizable. Furthermore, it can be recognized there that the inner conductor 13 of the first coaxial connector 10 is directly electrically connected to the circuit board 7. In addition, the inner conductor 13 is protected from electromagnetic radiation by the outer conductor 12.

Fig. 5 shows the camera 3 in a plan view. Here, it is recognizable that the first coaxial connector 10 has an inner conductor 12. The first coaxial connector 1 1 includes a video terminal device 19 or is formed as a video terminal device 19. Via the video terminal device 19, image data or video data for example provided by an image sensor of the camera 3 can be transmitted to the motor vehicle 1 via the connecting line 9.

The second coaxial connector 1 1 includes an outer conductor 12 and four inner conductors 13. Therein, according to the present embodiment, two of the four inner conductors are associated with a bus terminal device 20 or formed as a bus terminal device 20. Via the bus terminal device 20, the camera 3 can be connected to a data bus of the motor vehicle 1 , in particular the CAN bus, via the connecting line 9. Furthermore, two of the inner conductors 13 of the second coaxial connector 1 1 are associated with a supply terminal device 21 or formed as a supply terminal device 21 . Via the supply terminal device 21 , the camera 3 can be connected to the motor vehicle 1 for electrical energy supply. For example, by means of the connecting line 9, an electrical connection to an on-board network of the motor vehicle 1 can be provided.

Fig. 6 shows the camera according to Fig. 3 and a terminal device 22 of the connecting line 9. The terminal device 22 of the connecting line 9 has a corresponding recess 23, which can be connected to a locking element 24 of the interface device 16 in locking manner. The terminal device 22 can for example be formed as a dual Fakra terminal.

Fig. 7 shows the camera 3 together with the connecting line 9. The connecting line 9 has a data line 25, by which the image data can be transmitted from the video terminal device 19 to a screen of the motor vehicle 1 . On the side of the data line 25 opposing the terminal device 22, a corresponding Fakra connector 26 is disposed. In addition, the connecting line 9 includes a data line 27, via which the bus terminal device 20 can be connected to the data bus of the motor vehicle 1 . In addition, the connecting line 9 has supply lines 28, via which the supply terminal device 21 can be electrically connected to the on-board network of the motor vehicle 1 . On the side of the data line 27 and the supply lines 28, respectively, opposing the socket 22, a connector 29 is disposed, which is for example formed as an MQS connector.