Abstract: An image sensor assembly is disclosed herein that can include a flexible substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface. The flexible substrate includes a body portion, an outer portion, and an elongated portion that extends from the body portion. The image sensor assembly also includes at least one rigid layer disposed over at least one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the body portion of the flexible substrate. The image sensor assembly also includes a rigid metallic structure disposed on the bottom surface of the body portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a lens comprising a central portion that comprises a first polymer; wherein the central portion is operative to transmit electromagnetic radiation through it; and a peripheral portion that comprises a second polymer; where the peripheral portion accommodates a dimensional change in the central portion by absorbing energy and being transformed from a lower energy state to a higher energy state. Disclosed herein too is a method of manufacturing a lens comprising injecting into a mold a molten polymer to produce the lens; where the lens comprises a central portion; and a peripheral portion; where the peripheral portion accommodates a dimensional change in the central portion by absorbing energy and being transformed from a lower energy state to a higher energy state.

Abstract: An image sensor system can include a housing assembly that defines a lens receiving aperture, the lens receiving aperture having an inner diameter. The image sensor system includes a lens assembly that includes a lens housing portion and a fastener configured to be received by the lens housing portion to secure the lens housing portion to the housing assembly. The inner diameter is sized such that the lens receiving aperture mates with the lens housing portion.

Abstract: An electronic control unit is disclosed which comprises an outer housing, a printed circuit board, at least one electrical component connected to the printed circuit board, a heat spreader layer disposed between the electrical component and the outer housing and including at least a portion in contact with the outer housing, and a thermal interface material disposed between the heat spreader layer and the outer housing.

Abstract: A tamper disablement system is disclosed. The tamper disablement system can include a conductive layer having a first terminal and a second terminal. The tamper disablement system can also include an enclosure contact in electrical connection with the first terminal and the second terminal to form a closed-loop circuit and a controller. The controller is configured transmit an electrical signal via the conductive layer and detect the electrical signal within the closed-loop circuit, wherein the controller is configured to transmit a terminate signal when the controller detects a change in electrical properties of the electrical signal.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a vehicle sensor, comprising a housing and a mounting bracket. The housing has a vehicle sensor mounted therein and the housing has at least one mounting element. The mounting bracket includes at least one locking arm that includes a slot for receiving the at least one mounting element. The slot includes a V-shaped notch therein to retain the at least one mounting element within the slot.

Abstract: An image sensor system can include a housing assembly that defines a lens receiving aperture, the lens receiving aperture having an inner diameter. The image sensor system includes a lens assembly that includes a lens housing portion and a fastener configured to be received by the lens housing portion to secure the lens housing portion to the housing assembly. The inner diameter is sized such that the lens receiving aperture mates with the lens housing portion.

Abstract: An image sensor assembly can include a lens assembly that includes a lens housing and a lens barrel disposed around the lens housing. The image sensor assembly can also include a socket. The socket can include a socket body having a plurality of socket fingers that allow the socket body to transition between a deflected state and a non-deflected state.

Abstract: An image sensor assembly is disclosed herein that can include a flexible substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface. The flexible substrate includes a body portion, an outer portion, and an elongated portion that extends from the body portion. The image sensor assembly also includes at least one rigid layer disposed over at least one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the body portion of the flexible substrate. The image sensor assembly also includes a rigid metallic structure disposed on the bottom surface of the body portion.

Abstract: An optical system includes a substrate. An image sensor is on the substrate. The image sensor has an image plane. A lens barrel defines a mechanical axis that intersects the image sensor and image plane. The lens barrel has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). A lens mount is integrally formed with the lens barrel. The lens mount is connected to the substrate. The lens mount has a second CTE. At least one lens element is in the lens barrel on the mechanical axis and defines an optical axis. A last powered optical surface of the at least one lens element is spaced along the optical axis from the image plane by a back focal length. At least one of the first and second CTEs limiting a change in the back focal length as a result of a change in temperature of the optical system.

Abstract: A lens assembly includes a lens, a lens barrel, and a heater element. The lens has an inner surface and an outer surface. The lens barrel supports the lens and defines an optical axis, the lens arranged along the optical axis such that the inner surface of the lens is within the lens barrel and the outer surface of the lens is outside the lens barrel. The heater element is in intimate mechanical communication with the inner surface of the lens and has a heater element electrical lead extending radially therefrom to provide power to the heater element. Lens heating methods are also described.

Abstract: A driver assist system for a vehicle includes a housing and a lens having an axial end extending into the housing. A first printed circuit board (PCB) is connected to the housing. The first PCB has a rigid portion and a flexible portion. The rigid portion and the flexible portion extend along a common axis. An image sensor is mounted on the rigid portion of the PCB adjacent the axial end of the lens.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a lens comprising a central portion that comprises a first polymer; and a peripheral portion that comprises a second polymer; where the peripheral portion surrounds the central portion; and where the peripheral portion has a skeletal density that is greater than its bulk density. Disclosed herein too is a method of manufacturing a lens comprising injecting into a mold a molten polymer to produce the lens; where the lens comprises a central portion; and a peripheral portion; where the peripheral portion surrounds the central portion; and where the peripheral portion has a skeletal density that is greater than its bulk density.

Abstract: A lens assembly includes a lens having an inner surface and an outer surface. A lens barrel supports the lens and has outer and inner lens barrel ends separated by a longitudinal axis. The lens is arranged along the longitudinal axis to span the outer lens barrel end such that the inner surface of the lens is within the lens barrel and the outer surface of the lens is outside the lens barrel. A heater element is located within the lens barrel. The heater element has a heater element electrical lead extending radially and longitudinally therefrom to provide power to the heater element. A carrier ring extends circumferentially around at least a portion of an outside lens barrel surface adjacent the inner lens barrel end. The carrier ring includes at least one lead station radially aligned with the heater element electrical lead.

Abstract: An optical system includes a substrate. An image sensor is on the substrate. The image sensor has an image plane. A lens barrel defines a mechanical axis that intersects the image sensor and image plane. The lens barrel has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). A lens mount is integrally formed with the lens barrel. The lens mount is connected to the substrate. The lens mount has a second CTE. At least one lens element is in the lens barrel on the mechanical axis and defines an optical axis. A last powered optical surface of the at least one lens element is spaced along the optical axis from the image plane by a back focal length. At least one of the first and second CTEs limiting a change in the back focal length as a result of a change in temperature of the optical system.

Abstract: A lens assembly includes a lens having an inner surface and an outer surface. A lens barrel supports the lens and has outer and inner lens barrel ends separated by a longitudinal axis. The lens is arranged along the longitudinal axis to span the outer lens barrel end such that the inner surface of the lens is within the lens barrel and the outer surface of the lens is outside the lens barrel. A heater element is located within the lens barrel. The heater element has a heater element electrical lead extending radially and longitudinally therefrom to provide power to the heater element. A carrier ring extends circumferentially around at least a portion of an outside lens barrel surface adjacent the inner lens barrel end. The carrier ring includes at least one lead station radially aligned with the heater element electrical lead.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a printed circuit board having at least one edge and a strain relief including a plurality of overlapping, spaced-apart slots that cooperate with the at least one edge to define a resilient tab for redistributing strain induced in the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a lens comprising a central portion that comprises a first polymer; and a peripheral portion that comprises a second polymer; where the peripheral portion surrounds the central portion; and where the peripheral portion has a skeletal density that is greater than its bulk density. Disclosed herein too is a method of manufacturing a lens comprising injecting into a mold a molten polymer to produce the lens; where the lens comprises a central portion; and a peripheral portion; where the peripheral portion surrounds the central portion; and where the peripheral portion has a skeletal density that is greater than its bulk density.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a lens comprising a central portion that comprises a first polymer; wherein the central portion is operative to transmit electromagnetic radiation through it; and a peripheral portion that comprises a second polymer; where the peripheral portion accommodates a dimensional change in the central portion by absorbing energy and being transformed from a lower energy state to a higher energy state. Disclosed herein too is a method of manufacturing a lens comprising injecting into a mold a molten polymer to produce the lens; where the lens comprises a central portion; and a peripheral portion; where the peripheral portion accommodates a dimensional change in the central portion by absorbing energy and being transformed from a lower energy state to a higher energy state.

Abstract: A driver assist system for a vehicle. The driver assist system includes a bracket having a mounting face. The mounting face is adapted to be attached to a part of the vehicle. The bracket includes a first locating member extending from the mounting face. A module is received in the bracket to secure the module to the part of the vehicle. The module has a camera lens extending from a first face and a first module locating member extending from the first face. One of the first bracket locating member and the first module locating member is linearly received within one other of the first bracket locating member and the first module locating member when the module is received in the bracket to maintain an orientation of the module relative to the bracket.