# US 11,897,398 B2 · Vehicular camera with thermally conductive material disposed between and contacting stacked PCBS > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,897,398 B2 - Document ID: US11897398B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/181,599 - Filed: 2023-03-10 - Published: 2023-07-06 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2018-07-06 - Assignees: Magna Electronics Inc. - Applicants: Magna Electronics Inc. - Inventors: Matthew C. Sesti; Robert A. Devota - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11897398B2 ## CPC - B60R 11/04: Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle - B60R 1/02: Rear-view mirror arrangements (periscope arrangements B60R1/10) - H04N 23/50: Constructional details - H04N 23/51: Housings - H04N 23/54: Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils - H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof - H04N 23/57: Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices - B60R 2300/10: characterised by the type of camera system used - B60R 2300/50: characterised by the display information being shared, e.g. external display, data transfer to other traffic participants or centralised traffic controller - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract A vehicular camera includes a lens holder, a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board. The first and second printed circuit boards are stacked and overlap one another. Circuitry disposed at the first printed circuit board is electrically connected with circuitry disposed at the second printed circuit board via board-to-board electrical connection. The circuitry disposed at the first printed circuit board includes an imaging sensor at a first side of the first printed circuit board. Thermally conductive material is disposed between the second printed circuit board and a second side of the first printed circuit board. The thermally conductive material is in thermally-conductive contact with the first and second printed circuit boards. The vehicular camera includes a rear housing, which includes an electrical connector portion. The electrical connector portion of the rear housing may include an electrical plug connector. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicular camera, the vehicular camera comprising: a lens holder comprising a lens; wherein the lens comprises a plurality of lens optics; a plurality of printed circuit boards; the plurality of printed circuit board comprising at least a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board; wherein the first printed circuit board comprises a first side and a second side opposite the first side that is separated from the first side by a thickness dimension of the first printed circuit board; wherein the second printed circuit board comprises a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side that is separated from the third side by a thickness dimension of the second printed circuit board; wherein the first and second printed circuit boards are stacked and overlap one another; wherein circuitry disposed at the first printed circuit board is electrically connected with circuitry disposed at the second printed circuit board via board-to-board electrical connection; wherein the circuitry disposed at the first printed circuit board comprises an imaging sensor, and wherein the imaging sensor is disposed at the first side of the first printed circuit board; wherein the imaging sensor is operable to capture image data; wherein the first side of the first printed circuit board faces the lens; wherein the lens is optically aligned with the imaging sensor; wherein thermally conductive material is disposed between the second side of the first printed circuit board and the third side of the second printed circuit board, and wherein the thermally conductive material is in thermally-conductive contact with the second side of the first printed circuit board and is in thermally-conductive contact with the third side of the second printed circuit board; a rear housing, the rear housing comprising an electrical connector portion; and wherein the electrical connector portion of the rear housing comprises an electrical plug connector. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein the vehicular camera comprises an image processor operable to process image data captured by the imaging sensor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The vehicular camera of claim 2, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at a vehicle, the vehicular camera is disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle and views at least rearward of the vehicle, and wherein, responsive at least in part to processing by the image processor of image data captured by the imaging sensor, an object present rearward of the vehicle is detected. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The vehicular camera of claim 3, wherein, responsive at least in part to processing by the image processor of image data captured by the imaging sensor, an alert is generated to enhance awareness by a driver of the vehicle of the detected object during a driving maneuver of the vehicle. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The vehicular camera of claim 4, wherein the detected object comprises a pedestrian. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The vehicular camera of claim 5, wherein the driving maneuver of the vehicle comprises a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle comprises a display device that displays images representative of image data captured by the imaging sensor during the reversing maneuver of the vehicle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The vehicular camera of claim 6, wherein the alert generated comprises an overlay that overlays the displayed images to enhance the driver's awareness of the detected pedestrian. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The vehicular camera of claim 3, wherein the vehicular camera disposed at the rear portion of the vehicle is part of a multi-camera surround view system of the vehicle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The vehicular camera of claim 2, wherein the circuitry disposed at the second printed circuit board comprises the image processor operable to process image data captured by the imaging sensor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The vehicular camera of claim 9, wherein the image processor comprises an image processing chip. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein the first side of the first printed circuit board is adhesively bonded to the lens holder via cured adhesive. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The vehicular camera of claim 11, wherein the cured adhesive comprises a cured UV-curable adhesive. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The vehicular camera of claim 11, wherein the cured adhesive maintains optical alignment of the lens with the imaging sensor for use of the vehicular camera in a vehicle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein the first side of the first printed circuit board is adhesively bonded to the lens holder via a plurality of individual dots of cured adhesive, and wherein the individual dots of the plurality of individual dots of cured adhesive are spaced apart one from the other. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The vehicular camera of claim 14, wherein the individual dots of the plurality of individual dots of cured adhesive comprise a cured UV-curable adhesive. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The vehicular camera of claim 15, wherein the individual dots of the plurality of individual dots of cured adhesive maintain optical alignment of the lens and the imaging sensor for use of the vehicular camera in a vehicle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The vehicular camera of claim 14, wherein the plurality of individual dots of cured adhesive comprises four individual dots of cured adhesive. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The vehicular camera of claim 17, wherein the four individual dots of cured adhesive are arranged in a square. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The vehicular camera of claim 18, wherein the four individual dots of cured adhesive that are arranged in the square each comprise a cured UV-curable adhesive. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The vehicular camera of claim 19, wherein the cured adhesive of each of the four individual dots of cured adhesive that are arranged in the square is initially curable in an initial curing process that comprises exposure to UV light, and wherein the initially-cured adhesive is further curable to a further cured strength in a secondary curing process after the lens is optically aligned with the imaging sensor. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The vehicular camera of claim 17, wherein optical alignment of the lens with the imaging sensor is, at least in part, maintained via the four individual dots of cured adhesive. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein optical alignment of the lens with the imaging sensor is, at least in part, maintained via cured adhesive. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The vehicular camera of claim 22, wherein the cured adhesive comprises a cured UV-curable adhesive. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The vehicular camera of claim 23, wherein the cured adhesive is initially curable in an initial curing process that comprises exposure to UV light, and wherein the initially-cured adhesive is further curable to a further cured strength in a secondary curing process after the lens is optically aligned with the imaging sensor. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The vehicular camera of claim 24, wherein, after the initial curing process, the vehicular camera is moved to the secondary curing process, and wherein, when further cured via the secondary curing process, the cured adhesive maintains optical alignment of the lens with the imaging sensor for use of the vehicular camera in a vehicle. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) The vehicular camera of claim 22, wherein the cured adhesive maintains optical alignment of the lens with the imaging sensor for use of the vehicular camera in a vehicle. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) The vehicular camera of claim 22, wherein a lens barrel accommodates the plurality of lens optics of the lens. ### Claim 28 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein the board-to-board electrical connection electrically connecting circuitry disposed at the first printed circuit board with circuitry disposed at the second printed circuit board comprises a flexible ribbon cable. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The vehicular camera of claim 28, wherein the flexible ribbon cable is incorporated into the first and second printed circuit boards. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The vehicular camera of claim 28, wherein optical alignment of the lens with the imaging sensor is, at least in part, maintained via cured adhesive. ### Claim 31 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein an electrical socket connector is disposed at the fourth side of the second printed circuit board, and wherein the electrical socket connector disposed at the fourth side of the second printed circuit board electrically connects with the electrical plug connector of the electrical connector portion of the rear housing as the rear housing is being joined with the lens holder during assembly of the vehicular camera. ### Claim 32 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein the board-to-board electrical connection electrically connecting circuitry disposed at the first printed circuit board with circuitry disposed at the second printed circuit board comprises a multi-pin connection. ### Claim 33 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive material allows for movement between the first and second printed circuit boards. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The vehicular camera of claim 33, wherein the thermally conductive material allows for movement between the first and second printed circuit boards as the rear housing is being joined with the lens holder during assembly of the vehicular camera. ### Claim 35 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive material is at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) compliant, (ii) pliable, (iii) conformable, (iv) malleable and (v) compressible. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The vehicular camera of claim 35, wherein the first printed circuit board is adhesively bonded to the lens holder. ### Claim 37 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises a thermally conductive pad. ### Claim 38 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises a thermally conductive gel. ### Claim 39 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises a compressible thermally conductive material. ### Claim 40 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises an elastomeric thermally conductive material. ### Claim 41 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at a vehicle, the vehicular camera is part of a multi-camera surround view system of the vehicle. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The vehicular camera of claim 41, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises an elastomeric thermally conductive material. ### Claim 43 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein the electrical plug connector of the electrical connector portion of the rear housing comprises a multi-pin electrical connector. ### Claim 44 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein the lens is optically aligned with the imaging sensor after the first and second printed circuit boards are electrically interconnected via the board-to-board electrical connection that connects circuitry disposed at the first printed circuit board is electrically connected with circuitry disposed at the second printed circuit board. ### Claim 45 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at a vehicle, the electrical connector portion of the rear housing electrically connects to a wire harness of the vehicle. ### Claim 46 (depends on 45) The vehicular camera of claim 45, wherein the electrical plug connector of the electrical connector portion of the rear housing comprises a coaxial connector. ### Claim 47 (depends on 45) The vehicular camera of claim 45, wherein the electrical plug connector of the electrical connector portion of the rear housing comprises a multi-pin connector. ### Claim 48 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at a vehicle, image data captured by the imaging sensor is communicated via a data communication link to an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) The vehicular camera of claim 48, wherein the electronic control unit (ECU) comprises an image processor for processing image data captured by the imaging sensor. ### Claim 50 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at a vehicle, the vehicular camera is disposed at an in-cabin side of a windshield of the vehicle and views at least forward of the vehicle through the windshield of the vehicle. ### Claim 51 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at a vehicle, the vehicular camera is disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle and views at least rearward of the vehicle. ### Claim 52 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at a vehicle, the vehicular camera views exterior of the vehicle. ### Claim 53 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at a vehicle, the vehicular camera views at least forward of the vehicle. ### Claim 54 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at a vehicle, the vehicular camera views at least sideward of the vehicle. ### Claim 55 (depends on 1) The vehicular camera of claim 1, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at a vehicle, the vehicular camera is operable to capture image data, and wherein image data captured by the imaging sensor is provided to an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle. ### Claim 56 (depends on 55) The vehicular camera of claim 55, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at a vehicle, the vehicular camera is part of a multi-camera surround view system of the vehicle. ### Claim 57 (depends on 55) The vehicular camera of claim 55, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at a vehicle, image data captured by the imaging sensor is provided to the electronic control unit (ECU) via a data transfer link. ### Claim 58 A vehicular camera, the vehicular camera comprising: a lens holder comprising a lens; wherein the lens comprises a plurality of lens optics; a plurality of printed circuit boards; the plurality of printed circuit board comprising at least a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board; wherein the first printed circuit board comprises a first side and a second side opposite the first side that is separated from the first side by a thickness dimension of the first printed circuit board; wherein the second printed circuit board comprises a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side that is separated from the third side by a thickness dimension of the second printed circuit board; wherein the first and second printed circuit boards are stacked and overlap one another; wherein circuitry disposed at the first printed circuit board is electrically connected with circuitry disposed at the second printed circuit board via board-to-board electrical connection; wherein the circuitry disposed at the first printed circuit board comprises an imaging sensor, and wherein the imaging sensor is disposed at the first side of the first printed circuit board; wherein the imaging sensor is operable to capture image data; wherein the first side of the first printed circuit board faces the lens; wherein the lens is optically aligned with the imaging sensor; wherein thermally conductive material is disposed between the second side of the first printed circuit board and the third side of the second printed circuit board, and wherein the thermally conductive material is in thermally-conductive contact with the second side of the first printed circuit board and is in thermally-conductive contact with the third side of the second printed circuit board; wherein an electrical socket connector is disposed at the fourth side of the second printed circuit board; a rear housing, the rear housing comprising an electrical connector portion; wherein the electrical connector portion of the rear housing comprises an electrical plug connector; wherein the electrical plug connector of the electrical connector portion of the rear housing comprises a multi-pin connector; wherein the electrical socket connector that is disposed at the fourth side of the second printed circuit board comprises a multi-socket connector; wherein the electrical socket connector disposed at the fourth side of the second printed circuit board electrically connects with the electrical plug connector of the electrical connector portion of the rear housing; and wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at a vehicle, the electrical connector portion of the rear housing electrically connects to a wire harness of the vehicle. ### Claim 59 (depends on 58) The vehicular camera of claim 58, wherein the thermally conductive material is at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) compliant, (ii) pliable, (iii) conformable, (iv) malleable and (v) compressible. ### Claim 60 (depends on 58) The vehicular camera of claim 58, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises a thermally conductive pad. ### Claim 61 (depends on 58) The vehicular camera of claim 58, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises a thermally conductive gel. ### Claim 62 (depends on 58) The vehicular camera of claim 58, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises a compressible thermally conductive material. ### Claim 63 (depends on 58) The vehicular camera of claim 58, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises an elastomeric thermally conductive material. ### Claim 64 (depends on 58) The vehicular camera of claim 58, wherein the thermally conductive material allows for movement between the first and second printed circuit boards. ### Claim 65 (depends on 64) The vehicular camera of claim 64, wherein the thermally conductive material allows for movement between the first and second printed circuit boards as the rear housing is being joined with the lens holder during assembly of the vehicular camera. ### Claim 66 (depends on 58) The vehicular camera of claim 58, wherein the first side of the first printed circuit board is adhesively bonded to the lens holder via cured adhesive. ### Claim 67 (depends on 66) The vehicular camera of claim 66, wherein the cured adhesive comprises a cured UV-curable adhesive. ### Claim 68 (depends on 67) The vehicular camera of claim 67, wherein the cured adhesive maintains optical alignment of the lens with the imaging sensor for use of the vehicular camera in the vehicle. ### Claim 69 (depends on 58) The vehicular camera of claim 58, wherein the first side of the first printed circuit board is adhesively bonded to the lens holder via a plurality of individual dots of cured adhesive, and wherein the individual dots of the plurality of individual dots of cured adhesive are spaced apart one from the other. ### Claim 70 (depends on 69) The vehicular camera of claim 69, wherein the individual dots of the plurality of individual dots of cured adhesive comprise a cured UV-curable adhesive. ### Claim 71 (depends on 70) The vehicular camera of claim 70, wherein the individual dots of the plurality of individual dots of cured adhesive maintain optical alignment of the lens and the imaging sensor for use of the vehicular camera in the vehicle. ### Claim 72 (depends on 69) The vehicular camera of claim 69, wherein the plurality of individual dots of cured adhesive comprises four individual dots of cured adhesive. ### Claim 73 (depends on 72) The vehicular camera of claim 72, wherein the four individual dots of cured adhesive are arranged in a square. ### Claim 74 (depends on 73) The vehicular camera of claim 73, wherein the four individual dots of cured adhesive that are arranged in the square each comprise a cured UV-curable adhesive. ### Claim 75 (depends on 74) The vehicular camera of claim 74, wherein the cured adhesive of each of the four individual dots of cured adhesive that are arranged in the square is initially curable in an initial curing process that comprises exposure to UV light, and wherein the initially-cured adhesive is further curable to a further cured strength in a secondary curing process after the lens is optically aligned with the imaging sensor. ### Claim 76 (depends on 72) The vehicular camera of claim 72, wherein optical alignment of the lens with the imaging sensor is, at least in part, maintained via the four individual dots of cured adhesive. ### Claim 77 (depends on 58) The vehicular camera of claim 58, wherein optical alignment of the lens with the imaging sensor is, at least in part, maintained via cured adhesive. ### Claim 78 (depends on 77) The vehicular camera of claim 77, wherein the cured adhesive comprises a cured UV-curable adhesive. ### Claim 79 (depends on 77) The vehicular camera of claim 77, wherein the cured adhesive maintains optical alignment of the lens with the imaging sensor for use of the vehicular camera in the vehicle. ### Claim 80 (depends on 79) The vehicular camera of claim 79, wherein the cured adhesive comprises a cured UV-curable adhesive, and wherein the cured adhesive is initially curable in an initial curing process that comprises exposure to UV light, and wherein the initially-cured adhesive is further curable to a further cured strength in a secondary curing process after the lens is optically aligned with the imaging sensor. ### Claim 81 (depends on 79) The vehicular camera of claim 79, wherein a lens barrel accommodates the plurality of lens optics of the lens. ### Claim 82 (depends on 77) The vehicular camera of claim 77, wherein the electrical socket connector disposed at the fourth side of the second printed circuit board electrically connects with the electrical plug connector of the electrical connector portion of the rear housing as the rear housing is being joined with the lens holder during assembly of the vehicular camera. ### Claim 83 (depends on 58) The vehicular camera of claim 58, wherein the thermally conductive material allows for movement between the first and second printed circuit boards, and wherein the movement allowed by the thermally conductive material facilitates alignment of the electrical socket connector disposed at the fourth side of the second printed circuit board with the electrical plug connector of the electrical connector portion of the rear housing as the rear housing is being joined with the lens holder during assembly of the vehicular camera. ### Claim 84 (depends on 58) The vehicular camera of claim 58, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at the vehicle, the vehicular camera is part of a multi-camera surround view system of the vehicle. ### Claim 85 (depends on 84) The vehicular camera of claim 84, wherein the vehicular camera is operable to capture image data, and wherein image data captured by the imaging sensor is provided to an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle. ### Claim 86 (depends on 58) The vehicular camera of claim 58, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at the vehicle, the vehicular camera is disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle and views at least rearward of the vehicle. ### Claim 87 (depends on 58) The vehicular camera of claim 58, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at the vehicle, the vehicular camera views exterior of the vehicle. ### Claim 88 (depends on 58) The vehicular camera of claim 58, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at the vehicle, the vehicular camera views at least forward of the vehicle. ### Claim 89 (depends on 58) The vehicular camera of claim 58, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at the vehicle, the vehicular camera views at least sideward of the vehicle. ### Claim 90 (depends on 58) The vehicular camera of claim 58, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at the vehicle, image data captured by the imaging sensor is provided to an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle via a data transfer link. ### Claim 91 (depends on 58) The vehicular camera of claim 58, wherein the vehicular camera is part of a multi-camera surround view system of the vehicle. ### Claim 92 (depends on 91) The vehicular camera of claim 91, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at the vehicle, the vehicular camera is disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle and views at least rearward of the vehicle. ### Claim 93 (depends on 92) The vehicular camera of claim 92, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at the vehicle, the vehicular camera is operable to capture image data, and wherein image data captured by the imaging sensor is provided to an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle. ### Claim 94 (depends on 93) The vehicular camera of claim 93, wherein image data captured by the imaging sensor is provided to the electronic control unit (ECU) via a data transfer link. ### Claim 95 (depends on 91) The vehicular camera of claim 91, wherein, responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the imaging sensor, a pedestrian present rearward of the vehicle is detected. ### Claim 96 (depends on 95) The vehicular camera of claim 95, wherein, responsive at least in part to processing by the image processor of image data captured by the imaging sensor, an alert is generated to enhance awareness by a driver of the vehicle of the detected pedestrian during a driving maneuver of the vehicle. ### Claim 97 (depends on 96) The vehicular camera of claim 96, wherein the vehicular camera is disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle and views at least rearward of the vehicle, and wherein the driving maneuver of the vehicle comprises a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle comprises a display device that displays images representative of image data captured by the imaging sensor during the reversing maneuver of the vehicle. ### Claim 98 (depends on 97) The vehicular camera of claim 97, wherein the alert generated comprises an overlay that overlays the displayed images to enhance the driver's awareness of the detected pedestrian. ### Claim 99 (depends on 97) The vehicular camera of claim 97, wherein the vehicular camera disposed at the rear portion of the vehicle is part of a multi-camera surround view system of the vehicle. ### Claim 100 (depends on 95) The vehicular camera of claim 95, wherein the circuitry disposed at the second printed circuit board comprises the image processor operable to process image data captured by the imaging sensor. ### Claim 101 (depends on 100) The vehicular camera of claim 100, wherein the image processor comprises an image processing chip. ### Claim 102 (depends on 95) The vehicular camera of claim 95, wherein the board-to-board electrical connection electrically connecting circuitry disposed at the first printed circuit board with circuitry disposed at the second printed circuit board comprises a flexible ribbon cable. ### Claim 103 (depends on 102) The vehicular camera of claim 102, wherein the flexible ribbon cable is incorporated into the first and second printed circuit boards. ### Claim 104 (depends on 91) The vehicular camera of claim 91, wherein the thermally conductive material is at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) compliant, (ii) pliable, (iii) conformable, (iv) malleable and (v) compressible. ### Claim 105 (depends on 104) The vehicular camera of claim 104, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at the vehicle, the vehicular camera is part of a multi-camera surround view system of the vehicle, and wherein the vehicular camera is operable to capture image data, and wherein image data captured by the imaging sensor is provided to an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle. ### Claim 106 (depends on 104) The vehicular camera of claim 104, wherein optical alignment of the lens with the imaging sensor is, at least in part, maintained via cured adhesive. ### Claim 107 (depends on 106) The vehicular camera of claim 106, wherein the cured adhesive comprises a cured UV-curable adhesive. ### Claim 108 (depends on 107) The vehicular camera of claim 107, wherein the cured adhesive maintains optical alignment of the lens with the imaging sensor for use of the vehicular camera in the vehicle. ### Claim 109 (depends on 106) The vehicular camera of claim 106, wherein the thermally conductive material allows for movement between the first and second printed circuit boards, and wherein the movement allowed by the thermally conductive material facilitates alignment of the electrical socket connector disposed at the fourth side of the second printed circuit board with the electrical plug connector of the electrical connector portion of the rear housing. ### Claim 110 A vehicular camera, the vehicular camera comprising: a lens holder comprising a lens; wherein the lens comprises a plurality of lens optics; a plurality of printed circuit boards; the plurality of printed circuit board comprising at least a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board; wherein the first printed circuit board comprises a first side and a second side opposite the first side that is separated from the first side by a thickness dimension of the first printed circuit board; wherein the second printed circuit board comprises a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side that is separated from the third side by a thickness dimension of the second printed circuit board; wherein the first and second printed circuit boards are stacked and overlap one another; wherein circuitry disposed at the first printed circuit board is electrically connected with circuitry disposed at the second printed circuit board via board-to-board electrical connection; wherein the board-to-board electrical connection electrically connecting circuitry disposed at the first printed circuit board with circuitry disposed at the second printed circuit board comprises a flexible ribbon cable; wherein the circuitry disposed at the first printed circuit board comprises an imaging sensor, and wherein the imaging sensor is disposed at the first side of the first printed circuit board; wherein the imaging sensor is operable to capture image data; wherein the first side of the first printed circuit board faces the lens; wherein the lens is optically aligned with the imaging sensor; wherein thermally conductive material is disposed between the second side of the first printed circuit board and the third side of the second printed circuit board, and wherein the thermally conductive material is in thermally-conductive contact with the second side of the first printed circuit board and is in thermally-conductive contact with the third side of the second printed circuit board; a rear housing, the rear housing comprising an electrical connector portion; wherein the electrical connector portion of the rear housing comprises an electrical plug connector; wherein the electrical plug connector of the electrical connector portion of the rear housing comprises a multi-pin connector; and wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at a vehicle, the vehicular camera is disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle and views at least rearward of the vehicle. ### Claim 111 (depends on 110) The vehicular camera of claim 110, wherein a lens barrel accommodates the plurality of lens optics of the lens. ### Claim 112 (depends on 110) The vehicular camera of claim 110, wherein the thermally conductive material allows for movement between the first and second printed circuit boards. ### Claim 113 (depends on 112) The vehicular camera of claim 112, wherein the thermally conductive material allows for movement between the first and second printed circuit boards as the rear housing is being joined with the lens holder during assembly of the vehicular camera. ### Claim 114 (depends on 112) The vehicular camera of claim 112, wherein an electrical socket connector is disposed at the fourth side of the second printed circuit board, and wherein the movement allowed by the thermally conductive material facilitates alignment of the electrical socket connector disposed at the fourth side of the second printed circuit board with the electrical plug connector of the electrical connector portion of the rear housing as the rear housing is being joined with the lens holder during assembly of the vehicular camera. ### Claim 115 (depends on 110) The vehicular camera of claim 110, wherein the thermally conductive material is at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) compliant, (ii) pliable, (iii) conformable, (iv) malleable and (v) compressible. ### Claim 116 (depends on 110) The vehicular camera of claim 110, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises a thermally conductive pad. ### Claim 117 (depends on 110) The vehicular camera of claim 110, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises a thermally conductive gel. ### Claim 118 (depends on 110) The vehicular camera of claim 110, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises a compressible thermally conductive material. ### Claim 119 (depends on 110) The vehicular camera of claim 110, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises an elastomeric thermally conductive material. ### Claim 120 (depends on 110) The vehicular camera of claim 110, wherein the first side of the first printed circuit board is adhesively bonded to the lens holder via cured adhesive. ### Claim 121 (depends on 120) The vehicular camera of claim 120, wherein the cured adhesive comprises a cured UV-curable adhesive. ### Claim 122 (depends on 120) The vehicular camera of claim 120, wherein the cured adhesive maintains optical alignment of the lens with the imaging sensor for use of the vehicular camera in the vehicle. ### Claim 123 (depends on 110) The vehicular camera of claim 110, wherein the first side of the first printed circuit board is adhesively bonded to the lens holder via a plurality of individual dots of cured adhesive, and wherein the individual dots of the plurality of individual dots of cured adhesive are spaced apart one from the other. ### Claim 124 (depends on 123) The vehicular camera of claim 123, wherein the individual dots of the plurality of individual dots of cured adhesive comprise a cured UV-curable adhesive. ### Claim 125 (depends on 124) The vehicular camera of claim 124, wherein the individual dots of the plurality of individual dots of cured adhesive maintain optical alignment of the lens and the imaging sensor for use of the vehicular camera in the vehicle. ### Claim 126 (depends on 123) The vehicular camera of claim 123, wherein the plurality of individual dots of cured adhesive comprises four individual dots of cured adhesive. ### Claim 127 (depends on 126) The vehicular camera of claim 126, wherein the four individual dots of cured adhesive are arranged in a square, and wherein the four individual dots of cured adhesive that are arranged in the square each comprise a cured UV-curable adhesive. ### Claim 128 (depends on 127) The vehicular camera of claim 127, wherein the cured adhesive of each of the four individual dots of cured adhesive that are arranged in the square is initially curable in an initial curing process that comprises exposure to UV light, and wherein the initially-cured adhesive is further curable to a further cured strength in a secondary curing process after the lens is optically aligned with the imaging sensor. ### Claim 129 (depends on 126) The vehicular camera of claim 126, wherein optical alignment of the lens with the imaging sensor is, at least in part, maintained via the four individual dots of cured adhesive. ### Claim 130 (depends on 110) The vehicular camera of claim 110, wherein optical alignment of the lens with the imaging sensor is, at least in part, maintained via cured adhesive. ### Claim 131 (depends on 130) The vehicular camera of claim 130, wherein the cured adhesive comprises a cured UV-curable adhesive. ### Claim 132 (depends on 131) The vehicular camera of claim 131, wherein the cured adhesive maintains optical alignment of the lens with the imaging sensor for use of the vehicular camera in the vehicle. ### Claim 133 (depends on 130) The vehicular camera of claim 130, wherein the cured adhesive is initially curable in an initial curing process that comprises exposure to UV light, and wherein the initially-cured adhesive is further curable to a further cured strength in a secondary curing process after the lens is optically aligned with the imaging sensor. ### Claim 134 (depends on 130) The vehicular camera of claim 130, wherein the flexible ribbon cable is incorporated into the first and second printed circuit boards. ### Claim 135 (depends on 130) The vehicular camera of claim 130, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at the vehicle, the vehicular camera is part of a multi-camera surround view system of the vehicle. ### Claim 136 (depends on 135) The vehicular camera of claim 135, wherein the vehicular camera is operable to capture image data, and wherein image data captured by the imaging sensor is provided to an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle. ### Claim 137 (depends on 136) The vehicular camera of claim 136, wherein image data captured by the imaging sensor is provided to the electronic control unit (ECU) via a data transfer link. ### Claim 138 (depends on 130) The vehicular camera of claim 130, wherein, with the vehicular camera disposed at the rear portion of the vehicle and responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the imaging sensor, a pedestrian present rearward of the vehicle is detected. ### Claim 139 (depends on 138) The vehicular camera of claim 138, wherein, responsive at least in part to processing by the image processor of image data captured by the imaging sensor, an alert is generated to enhance awareness by a driver of the vehicle of the detected pedestrian during a driving maneuver of the vehicle. ### Claim 140 (depends on 139) The vehicular camera of claim 139, wherein the driving maneuver of the vehicle comprises a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle comprises a display device that displays images representative of image data captured by the imaging sensor during the reversing maneuver of the vehicle. ### Claim 141 (depends on 140) The vehicular camera of claim 140, wherein the alert generated comprises an overlay that overlays the displayed images to enhance the driver's awareness of the detected pedestrian. ### Claim 142 (depends on 141) The vehicular camera of claim 141, wherein the vehicular camera disposed at the rear portion of the vehicle is part of a multi-camera surround view system of the vehicle. ### Claim 143 (depends on 142) The vehicular camera of claim 142, wherein the circuitry disposed at the second printed circuit board comprises the image processor operable to process image data captured by the imaging sensor. ### Claim 144 (depends on 143) The vehicular camera of claim 143, wherein the image processor comprises an image processing chip. ### Claim 145 (depends on 130) The vehicular camera of claim 130, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at the vehicle, the electrical connector portion of the rear housing electrically connects to a wire harness of the vehicle. ### Claim 146 (depends on 130) The vehicular camera of claim 130, wherein an electrical socket connector is disposed at the fourth side of the second printed circuit board, and wherein the electrical socket connector disposed at the fourth side of the second printed circuit board electrically connects with the electrical plug connector of the electrical connector portion of the rear housing as the rear housing is being joined with the lens holder during assembly of the vehicular camera. ### Claim 147 (depends on 130) The vehicular camera of claim 130, wherein the thermally conductive material allows for movement between the first and second printed circuit boards as the rear housing is being joined with the lens holder during assembly of the vehicular camera. ### Claim 148 A vehicular camera, the vehicular camera comprising: a lens holder comprising a lens; wherein the lens comprises a plurality of lens optics; a plurality of printed circuit boards; the plurality of printed circuit board comprising at least a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board; wherein the first printed circuit board comprises a first side and a second side opposite the first side that is separated from the first side by a thickness dimension of the first printed circuit board; wherein the second printed circuit board comprises a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side that is separated from the third side by a thickness dimension of the second printed circuit board; wherein the first and second printed circuit boards are stacked and overlap one another; wherein circuitry disposed at the first printed circuit board is electrically connected with circuitry disposed at the second printed circuit board via board-to-board electrical connection; wherein the board-to-board electrical connection electrically connecting circuitry disposed at the first printed circuit board with circuitry disposed at the second printed circuit board comprises a flexible ribbon cable; wherein the circuitry disposed at the first printed circuit board comprises an imaging sensor, and wherein the imaging sensor is disposed at the first side of the first printed circuit board; wherein the imaging sensor is operable to capture image data; wherein the first side of the first printed circuit board faces the lens; wherein the lens is optically aligned with the imaging sensor; wherein the first side of the first printed circuit board is adhesively bonded to the lens holder via cured adhesive; wherein thermally conductive material is disposed between the second side of the first printed circuit board and the third side of the second printed circuit board, and wherein the thermally conductive material is in thermally-conductive contact with the second side of the first printed circuit board and is in thermally-conductive contact with the third side of the second printed circuit board; a rear housing, the rear housing comprising an electrical connector portion; wherein the electrical connector portion of the rear housing comprises a multi-pin connector; an image processor operable to process image data captured by the imaging sensor; wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at a vehicle, the vehicular camera is disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle and views at least rearward of the vehicle; and wherein, responsive at least in part to processing by the image processor of image data captured by the imaging sensor, a pedestrian present rearward of the vehicle is detected. ### Claim 149 (depends on 148) The vehicular camera of claim 148, wherein the first side of the first printed circuit board is adhesively bonded to the lens holder via a plurality of individual dots of cured adhesive, and wherein the individual dots of the plurality of individual dots of cured adhesive are spaced apart one from the other. ### Claim 150 (depends on 149) The vehicular camera of claim 149, wherein the individual dots of the plurality of individual dots of cured adhesive comprise a cured UV-curable adhesive. ### Claim 151 (depends on 150) The vehicular camera of claim 150, wherein the individual dots of the plurality of individual dots of cured adhesive maintain optical alignment of the lens and the imaging sensor for use of the vehicular camera in the vehicle. ### Claim 152 (depends on 149) The vehicular camera of claim 149, wherein the plurality of individual dots of cured adhesive comprises four individual dots of cured adhesive. ### Claim 153 (depends on 152) The vehicular camera of claim 152, wherein the four individual dots of cured adhesive are arranged in a square. ### Claim 154 (depends on 153) The vehicular camera of claim 153, wherein the four individual dots of cured adhesive that are arranged in the square each comprise a cured UV-curable adhesive. ### Claim 155 (depends on 154) The vehicular camera of claim 154, wherein the cured adhesive of each of the four individual dots of cured adhesive that are arranged in the square is initially curable in an initial curing process that comprises exposure to UV light, and wherein the initially-cured adhesive is further curable to a further cured strength in a secondary curing process after the lens is optically aligned with the imaging sensor. ### Claim 156 (depends on 152) The vehicular camera of claim 152, wherein optical alignment of the lens with the imaging sensor is, at least in part, maintained via the four individual dots of cured adhesive. ### Claim 157 (depends on 149) The vehicular camera of claim 149, wherein, responsive at least in part to processing by the image processor of image data captured by the imaging sensor, an alert is generated to enhance awareness by a driver of the vehicle of the detected pedestrian during a driving maneuver of the vehicle. ### Claim 158 (depends on 157) The vehicular camera of claim 157, wherein the driving maneuver of the vehicle comprises a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle comprises a display device that displays images representative of image data captured by the imaging sensor during the reversing maneuver of the vehicle. ### Claim 159 (depends on 158) The vehicular camera of claim 158, wherein the alert generated comprises an overlay that overlays the displayed images to enhance the driver's awareness of the detected pedestrian. ### Claim 160 (depends on 159) The vehicular camera of claim 159, wherein the vehicular camera disposed at the rear portion of the vehicle is part of a multi-camera surround view system of the vehicle. ### Claim 161 (depends on 149) The vehicular camera of claim 149, wherein the flexible ribbon cable is incorporated into the first and second printed circuit boards. ### Claim 162 (depends on 161) The vehicular camera of claim 161, wherein the vehicular camera is part of a multi-camera surround view system of the vehicle. ### Claim 163 (depends on 162) The vehicular camera of claim 162, wherein image data captured by the imaging sensor is provided to an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle via a data transfer link. ### Claim 164 (depends on 162) The vehicular camera of claim 162, wherein the thermally conductive material is at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) compliant, (ii) pliable, (iii) conformable, (iv) malleable and (v) compressible. ### Claim 165 (depends on 162) The vehicular camera of claim 162, wherein optical alignment of the lens with the imaging sensor is, at least in part, maintained via the individual dots of the plurality of individual dots of cured adhesive bonding the first side of the first printed circuit board to the lens holder. ### Claim 166 (depends on 148) The vehicular camera of claim 148, wherein, responsive at least in part to processing by the image processor of image data captured by the imaging sensor, an alert is generated to enhance awareness by a driver of the vehicle of the detected pedestrian during a reversing maneuver of the vehicle. ### Claim 167 (depends on 166) The vehicular camera of claim 166, wherein the vehicle comprises a display device that displays images representative of image data captured by the imaging sensor during the reversing maneuver of the vehicle. ### Claim 168 (depends on 167) The vehicular camera of claim 167, wherein the alert generated comprises an overlay that overlays the displayed images to enhance the driver's awareness of the detected pedestrian. ### Claim 169 (depends on 168) The vehicular camera of claim 168, wherein the vehicular camera is part of a multi-camera surround view system of the vehicle. ### Claim 170 (depends on 169) The vehicular camera of claim 169, wherein image data captured by the imaging sensor is provided to an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle via a data transfer link. ### Claim 171 (depends on 148) The vehicular camera of claim 148, wherein the flexible ribbon cable is incorporated into the first and second printed circuit boards. ### Claim 172 (depends on 171) The vehicular camera of claim 171, wherein the thermally conductive material is at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) compliant, (ii) pliable, (iii) conformable, (iv) malleable and (v) compressible. ### Claim 173 (depends on 171) The vehicular camera of claim 171, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises a thermally conductive pad. ### Claim 174 (depends on 171) The vehicular camera of claim 171, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises a thermally conductive gel. ### Claim 175 (depends on 171) The vehicular camera of claim 171, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises a compressible thermally conductive material. ### Claim 176 (depends on 171) The vehicular camera of claim 171, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises an elastomeric thermally conductive material. ### Claim 177 (depends on 171) The vehicular camera of claim 171, wherein optical alignment of the lens with the imaging sensor is, at least in part, maintained via cured adhesive. ### Claim 178 (depends on 171) The vehicular camera of claim 171, wherein optical alignment of the lens with the imaging sensor is, at least in part, maintained via four individual dots of cured adhesive, and wherein the individual dots of cured adhesive are spaced apart one from the other. ### Claim 179 (depends on 171) The vehicular camera of claim 171, wherein a multi-socket connector is disposed at the fourth side of the second printed circuit board, and wherein the multi-socket connector electrically connects with the multi-pin connector of the electrical connector portion of the rear housing. ### Claim 180 (depends on 171) The vehicular camera of claim 171, wherein the thermally conductive material allows for movement between the first and second printed circuit boards. ### Claim 181 (depends on 180) The vehicular camera of claim 180, wherein the thermally conductive material allows for movement between the first and second printed circuit boards as the rear housing is being joined with the lens holder during assembly of the vehicular camera. ### Claim 182 (depends on 148) The vehicular camera of claim 148, wherein, with the vehicular camera mounted at the vehicle, image data captured by the imaging sensor is communicated via a data communication link to an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle, and wherein the electronic control unit (ECU) comprises an image processor for processing image data captured by the imaging sensor.