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: 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: 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.

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: 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.

Abstract: A camera system for a vehicle includes a first lens connected to the vehicle. The first lens has a first field of view in which images are captured extending in front of the vehicle. A second lens is connected to the vehicle and has a second field of view in which images are captured different from the first field of view. The second field of view extends in front of the vehicle. A sensor is provided for measuring vehicle pitch. A controller is connected to the sensor and relies only on the first lens to capture images when the vehicle pitch is below a predetermined threshold. The controller relies only the second lens to capture images when the vehicle pitch is above the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus for moderating the environment of a driver assist camera comprises (a) a housing in which the driver assist camera is mountable and (b) a bracket configured and dimensioned to receive and retain the housing. The bracket when installed in a vehicle is attached to a window of the vehicle. A thermally conductive body is movably mounted on the bracket. The housing when being received in the bracket contacts and moves the thermally conductive body relative to the bracket so as to press the thermally conductive body against the window and permit heat from the housing to be conducted to the window, thereby moderating the environment of the driver assist camera when mounted in the housing.

Abstract: A camera system for a vehicle includes a first lens connected to the vehicle. The first lens has a first field of view in which images are captured extending in front of the vehicle. A second lens is connected to the vehicle and has a second field of view in which images are captured different from the first field of view. The second field of view extends in front of the vehicle. A sensor is provided for measuring vehicle pitch. A controller is connected to the sensor and relies only on the first lens to capture images when the vehicle pitch is below a predetermined threshold. The controller relies only the second lens to capture images when the vehicle pitch is above the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus for moderating the environment of a driver assist camera comprises (a) a housing in which the driver assist camera is mountable and (b) a bracket configured and dimensioned to receive and retain the housing. The bracket when installed in a vehicle is attached to a window of the vehicle. A thermally conductive body is movably mounted on the bracket. The housing when being received in the bracket contacts and moves the thermally conductive body relative to the bracket so as to press the thermally conductive body against the window and permit heat from the housing to be conducted to the window, thereby moderating the environment of the driver assist camera when mounted in the housing.

Abstract: A clamp (10) comprises a plastic molded threaded screw portion (12) and a molded U-shaped plastic clamp portion (26). The U-shaped plastic clamp portion (26) has two legs (28, 30) projecting from a base (32). One of the two legs (28) has molded plastic threads (29) which engage plastic threads (15) of the plastic threaded screw portion (12). The plastic molded screw portion (12) has a swivel portion (20) which swivels relative to the plastic molded screw portion. A method of making an injection molded plastic clamp (10) comprises molding a first plastic clamp portion (12) in a mold, molding a second U-shaped plastic clamp portion (26) to the first clamp portion in a mold containing the first clamp portion to form an assembled injection molded plastic clamp.

Abstract: A sensor module includes a housing. A heat source is located within the housing of the sensor module and a plurality of temperature sensors are mounted in housing of said sensor module. At least one temperature sensors is located adjacent to the heat source and at least one other temperature sensor is spaced from the heat source. A humidity sensor is located within the housing of the sensor module. A controller is connected to the plurality of temperature sensors and to the humidity sensor for determining at least one of relative humidity and temperature at the windscreen using a regression analysis and for providing a control signal indicative thereof.