Abstract: A process for providing a vehicular camera includes providing a front camera housing portion and a rear camera housing portion. The front camera housing portion accommodates a lens, an imager and a circuit board, with the circuit board having at least one front housing electrical connector. The rear camera housing portion includes at least one rear housing electrical connector. The front and rear camera housing portion are positioned so that the front housing electrical connector aligns with the rear housing electrical connector. The front and rear camera housing portions are joined together to define a camera housing interior. When the front and rear camera housing portions are joined together, the front housing electrical connector mechanically and electrically connects within the camera interior with the rear housing electrical connector.

Abstract: A camera for a vehicular vision system includes a front housing portion, a circuit board and a rear housing portion. The front housing portion includes a lens and the rear housing portion includes a coaxial connecting element for electrically connecting to a vehicle cable. The coaxial connecting element includes a first coaxial cable connector at a first end of the coaxial connecting element that extends outward from the outer side of the rear housing portion and a second coaxial cable connector at a second end of the coaxial connecting element that extends inward from the inner side of the rear housing portion. The circuit board has a third coaxial cable connector established thereat. As the rear housing portion is mated with the front housing portion, the second coaxial cable connector engages the third coaxial cable connector to electrically connect the coaxial connecting element with circuitry at the circuit board.

Abstract: A camera module for a vision system for a vehicle includes a housing, a lens holder and a rear cover. The housing houses a printed circuit board having an imager disposed thereat. The lens holder is attached at a front portion of the housing so that a lens assembly is optically aligned with the imager. The rear cover attaches at an opening at a rear portion of the housing and includes a connecting element for electrically connecting to circuitry at the printed circuit board when the rear cover is attached at the opening at the rear portion of the housing. An outer portion of the connecting element is disposed in a connector portion of the rear cover so as to be electrically connectable to electrically conductive elements of a vehicle connector when the camera module is disposed at the vehicle and the vehicle connector is connected to the connector portion.

Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a camera having an exterior field of view at least rearward of the vehicle and operable to capture image data. A trailer is attached to the vehicle and image data captured by the camera includes image data captured when the vehicle is maneuvered with the trailer at an angle relative to the vehicle. The vehicular control system determines a path of the trailer responsive at least to a steering angle of the vehicle. The vehicular control system detects an object present exterior of the vehicle during maneuvering of the vehicle and the trailer and based at least in part on image processing of captured image data. The vehicular control system plans a driving path for the vehicle that avoids the detected object so that the vehicle and the trailer do not run over or contact the detected object.

Abstract: A method for providing backup assistance includes providing a rear backup camera and a processor at a vehicle, and storing a plurality of sets of overlays in memory, with each set of the stored plurality of sets of overlays associated with a respective vehicle wheelbase configuration. A wheelbase configuration input is provided that is representative of the vehicle wheelbase configuration of the vehicle. Responsive at least in part to the input, a particular set of overlays from the stored sets of overlays is selected, with the selected set including a plurality of individual predicted vehicle trajectory overlays that correspond to respective steering angle ranges for the vehicle wheelbase configuration of the vehicle. Responsive at least in part to a steering angle of the vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, an individual predicted vehicle trajectory overlay is selected for displaying for viewing by the vehicle driver.

Abstract: A process for providing a vehicular camera includes providing a front housing member and a rear housing member. The front housing member includes a lens member, an imaging element and a circuit board mounted thereat, with the circuit board having at least first and second front housing electrical connectors. The rear housing member includes at least first and second rear housing electrical connectors. The front and rear housing members are positioned so that the first front housing electrical connector aligns with the first rear housing electrical connector and the second front housing electrical connector aligns with the second rear housing electrical connector. The front and rear housing members are joined together to define a camera interior. When the front and rear housing members are joined together, the front housing electrical connectors mechanically contact and electrically connect within the camera interior with the rear housing electrical connectors.

Abstract: A method of assembling a vehicular camera includes providing a printed circuit board and dispensing an adhesive in an uncured state at the printed circuit board. A front camera housing is mated with the circuit board, and the lens optics are aligned with respect to the imaging array at the circuit board by utilizing a multi-axis positioning device operable to translate the circuit board or lens assembly relative to the other along one or more orthogonal translational axes and manipulate the circuit board or lens assembly relative to the other about one or more orthogonal rotational axes. After aligning the lens optics with respect to the imaging array, the adhesive is cured to a first cure level and the joined lens assembly and the front camera housing are moved to a further curing station, where the adhesive is further cured to a second cure level.

Abstract: A camera for a vision system of a vehicle includes a front housing portion, a circuit board and a rear housing portion. The front housing portion includes a lens and the rear housing portion includes first and second connectors for electrically connecting to a vehicle wire harness when the camera is disposed at a vehicle. The circuit board includes circuitry established thereat, with the circuitry being associated with an imager of the camera. The first connector includes a multi-pin connector portion having at least one terminal for electrically connecting to at least one first circuit element at the circuit board. The second connector includes a coaxial cable connector portion that receives a connecting end of a coaxial cable for electrical connection to at least one second circuit element at the circuit board. The first and second connectors are at least in part molded at the rear housing portion.

Abstract: A method for providing backup assistance includes providing a rear backup camera and a processor at a vehicle, and storing a plurality of sets of overlays in memory, with each set of the stored plurality of sets of overlays associated with a respective vehicle wheelbase configuration. A wheelbase configuration input is provided that is representative of the vehicle wheelbase configuration of the vehicle. Responsive at least in part to the input, a particular set of overlays from the stored sets of overlays is selected, with the selected set including a plurality of individual predicted vehicle trajectory overlays that correspond to respective steering angle ranges for the vehicle wheelbase configuration of the vehicle. Responsive at least in part to a steering angle of the vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, an individual predicted vehicle trajectory overlay is selected for displaying for viewing by the vehicle driver.

Abstract: A method of assembling a vehicular camera includes providing front and rear housing members, a lens assembly and a circuit board. An imager is disposed on a first side of the circuit board and a connector is disposed on a second side of the circuit board. A conduit includes a plurality of electrically conductive elements terminating at (i) a first connecting end configured to electrically connect to the circuit board connector disposed on the second side of the circuit board and (ii) a second connecting end configured to electrically connect to a wire harness of a vehicle equipped with the vehicular camera and the vehicular vision system. The conduit is secured relative to the rear housing member to provide at least 110 N of strain relief in any axis with respect to the conduit. The front housing member and the rear housing member are attached.

Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a camera having an exterior field of view at least rearward of the vehicle and operable to capture image data. A trailer is attached to the vehicle and image data captured by the camera includes image data captured when the vehicle is maneuvered with the trailer at an angle relative to the vehicle. The vehicular control system determines a trailer angle of the trailer and is operable to determine a path of the trailer responsive at least to a steering angle of the vehicle and the determined trailer angle of the trailer. The vehicular control system determines an object present exterior of the vehicle and the vehicular control system distinguishes a drivable surface from a prohibited space, and the vehicular control system plans a driving path for the vehicle that neither impacts the object nor violates the prohibited space.

Abstract: A camera assembly for a vision system for a vehicle includes a camera module configured to be disposed at an exterior portion of the vehicle so as to have a field of view exterior of the vehicle. The camera module includes a housing and a lens barrel supporting a lens. A heating device is configured to attach at an exterior of the lens barrel. The heating device includes a heating element that at least partially circumscribes the lens barrel when the heating device is attached at the lens barrel. The heating device includes an electrical lead configured to electrically connect to an electrical connector of the vehicle when the camera module is disposed at the exterior portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicular camera includes a housing, a lens, an image sensor positioned for receiving images from the lens, a processor, and a memory. The memory contains a plurality of overlays. The processor is programmed to (a) receive first input data from a vehicle in which the camera is to be mounted, wherein the first input data correspond to the configuration of the vehicle, and (b) select a particular overlay to display based at least in part on the input received.

Abstract: A method of assembling a vehicular camera includes providing a front camera housing and a lens assembly and dispensing an adhesive bead in an uncured state at at least one of (i) an attaching portion of the lens assembly and (ii) the front camera housing. The attaching portion and the front housing member are mated together with the adhesive bead therebetween. With the attaching portion and front housing member mated together, lens optics of the lens assembly are aligned with respect to an imaging array of the front camera housing. After such alignment, the adhesive bead is cured to a first cure level via ultraviolet light exposure to join the lens assembly and the front housing member. The lens assembly and front camera housing so joined are moved to a further curing station, where the adhesive bead is further cured to a second cure level.

Abstract: A vehicular camera assembly for a vehicle vision system includes front and rear housing members, a lens assembly and a circuit board. An imaging element is disposed on a first side of the circuit board and a plurality of electrical connectors is disposed on a second side of the circuit board. The front housing member includes a lens assembly receiving portion and a circuit board attachment portion. With the circuit board attached at the front housing member and with the lens assembly received at the lens assembly receiving portion, the lens assembly and the imaging element are distanced from one another, and images are focused on the imaging element by the lens assembly. The front housing member and the rear housing member are configured to be attached together. With the front and rear housing members attached together, outer walls of the front and rear housing members enclose the circuit board.

Abstract: A method of assembling a camera for mounting at a vehicle for a vehicle vision system includes providing front and rear housings and providing a set of first electrical connectors at a circuit board of the front housing and providing a set of second electrical connectors at the rear housing. One of the first and second electrical connectors includes male connectors and the other of the first and second electrical connectors includes female connectors. The rear housing is mated with the front housing to encase an imaging element and the circuit board. When mating the rear housing with the front housing, the male connectors are inserted into respective female connectors to electrically conductively connect the first and second electrical connectors. When inserting the male connectors into the respective female connectors, the female connectors flex to accommodate misalignment of the male and female connectors.

Abstract: A camera assembly for a vehicular vision system includes a housing that accommodates a lens and a circuit board. An imager is disposed at the circuit board and optically aligned with the lens, and circuitry is disposed at the circuit board and electrically connected with the imager. The housing includes a rear housing portion that has an aperture therethrough, with the aperture aligned with an electrical connecting element of the circuit board. A bracket includes a mounting portion configured to attach at the vehicle and at the rear housing portion. With an electrical connector electrically connected to the electrical connecting element of the circuit board, the bracket is attached at the rea housing portion, and a structural element of the electrical connector is clamped between the bracket and the rear housing portion to maintain electrical connection of the electrical connector with the electrical connecting element of the circuit board.

Abstract: A method of assembling a camera suitable for vehicular use includes providing a lens accommodated in a lens barrel, a lens holder, and a printed circuit board with an imager disposed thereat. An adhesive is dispensed to establish a layer of uncured adhesive (i) between the lens barrel and lens holder or (ii) between the printed circuit board and the lens holder. With the lens in focus with the imager and optically center-aligned therewith, the adhesive is initially cured to an initially-cured state in an initial radiation curing process that includes exposure to UV light for a first period of time. The initially-cured adhesive is further cured to a further-cured state in a secondary curing process. The further-cured state is achieved within a second period of time that is longer than the first period of time.

Abstract: An imaging system for a vehicle includes a rear backup camera and a video display screen for displaying video images derived from image data captured by the rear backup camera. The imaging system generates a backup overlay and an alignment overlay that are electronically superimposed on the displayed video images to assist a driver of the vehicle when executing a backup maneuver. The backup overlay includes a pair of side overlays superimposed on the displayed video images and the alignment overlay is superimposed on the displayed video images between the side overlays. The video display screen displays the video images and the backup overlay is generated responsive to the vehicle being shifted into reverse gear. The alignment overlay is generated responsive to a user input.

Abstract: A method for assisting a driver of a vehicle towing a trailer includes providing a plurality of cameras and processing image data captured by the cameras while the vehicle is towing the trailer. Responsive to processing of captured image data, images are generated for display at a video display screen to provide a top view of the vehicle towing the trailer to the driver to assist maneuvering the vehicle towing the trailer. A dynamic vehicle and trailer icon is generated and displayed at the video display screen along with display of the top view of the vehicle towing the trailer. The dynamic vehicle and trailer icon comprises a top view representation of the vehicle and the trailer with at least one projected path for the vehicle towing the trailer so the driver can readily determine where the trailer will travel when the driver turns a steering wheel of the vehicle.