# US 2017/0257535 A1 · Roof mounted imager module > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0257535 A1 - Document ID: US20170257535A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/449,005 - Filed: 2017-03-03 - Published: 2017-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-04 - Assignees: Gentex Corporation - Applicants: Gentex Corporation - Inventors: Danny L. Minikey, JR.; Michael G. Hendricks - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170257535A1 ## CPC - H04N 23/54: Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils - B60R 11/04: Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle - G03B 17/08: Waterproof bodies or housings - H04N 23/51: Housings - H04N 23/57: Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices - B60R 2011/004: {outside the vehicle} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract A roof mounted module for a vehicle includes a base plate configured to be operably coupled with a vehicle roof. An outer housing operably coupled with the base plate. An inner housing proximate the outer housing, including an imager sealing portion defining a sealing plane. The inner housing defines an inner cavity. An imager module is disposed in the cavity and is in communication with a viewing aperture defined through the outer housing. An imager mounting feature is disposed between the imager module and the inner housing. The imager mounting feature applies a force acting in a direction normal to the sealing plane. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A roof mounted module for a vehicle comprising: a base plate configured to be operably coupled with a vehicle roof; an outer housing operably coupled with the base plate; an inner housing proximate the outer housing and including an imager sealing portion defining a sealing plane, the inner housing defining an inner cavity; an imager module disposed in the cavity and in communication with a viewing aperture defined through the outer housing; and an imager mounting feature disposed between the imager module and the inner housing, the imager mounting feature applying a force acting in a direction normal to the sealing plane. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The roof mounted module of claim 1, wherein the inner housing includes an interior wall that separates the inner cavity into a forward electronics compartment and a rearward imager module compartment. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The roof mounted module of claim 1, wherein the viewing aperture defines a viewing window that extends through a rear wall of the imager module. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The roof mounted module of claim 3, further comprising: a clear polymeric cover lens extending over the viewing window and generally flush with the rear wall of the imager module. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The roof mounted module of claim 1, wherein the imager module is operably coupled to a lateral circuit board adjacent the base plate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The roof mounted module of claim 1, wherein a space is defined between the inner housing and the outer housing proximate the viewing aperture, wherein the imager mounting feature extends into the space. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The roof mounted module of claim 1, further comprising: a viewing aperture defined in the base plate, wherein a data connection between the vehicle and the imager module extends through the viewing aperture. ### Claim 8 A roof mounted module for a vehicle comprising: a base plate including an imager sealing portion; an outer housing operably coupled with the base plate; an inner housing proximate the outer housing and including an imager sealing portion defining a sealing plane, the inner housing including an interior wall that defines a forward electronics compartment and a rearward imager module compartment; an imager module disposed in a cavity and in communication with a viewing aperture defined through the outer housing; and an imager mounting feature disposed between the imager module and the inner housing, the imager mounting feature applying a force parallel to the sealing plane. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The roof mounted module of claim 8, wherein the viewing aperture defines a viewing window that extends through a rear wall of the imager module. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The roof mounted module of claim 8, further comprising: a clear polymeric cover lens extending over a viewing window and generally flush with a rear wall of the imager module. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The roof mounted module of claim 8, wherein the imager module is operably coupled to a lateral circuit board adjacent the base plate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The roof mounted module of claim 8, wherein a space is defined between the inner housing and the outer housing proximate the viewing aperture, wherein the imager mounting feature extends into the space. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The roof mounted module of claim 8, further comprising: a viewing aperture defined in the base plate, wherein a data connection between the vehicle and the imager module extends through the viewing aperture. ### Claim 14 A roof mounted module for a vehicle comprising: a base plate configured to be operably coupled with a vehicle roof; a housing assembly operably coupled with the base plate, and including an imager sealing portion defining a sealing plane; an imager module disposed in the housing assembly and in communication with a viewing aperture defined through the housing assembly; and an imager mounting feature disposed between the imager module and the housing assembly, the imager mounting feature applying a force acting in a direction normal to the sealing plane. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The roof mounted module of claim 14, wherein the housing assembly includes an interior wall that defines a forward electronics compartment and a rearward imager module compartment. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The roof mounted module of claim 14, wherein the viewing aperture defines a viewing window that extends through a rear wall of the imager module. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The roof mounted module of claim 16, further comprising: a clear polymeric cover lens extending over the viewing window and generally flush with the rear wall of the imager module. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The roof mounted module of claim 14, wherein the imager module is operably coupled to a lateral circuit board adjacent the base plate. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The roof mounted module of claim 16, wherein the viewing window is disposed on a rear wall of the imager module. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The roof mounted module of claim 14, further comprising: a viewing aperture defined in the base plate, wherein a data connection between the vehicle and the imager module extends through the viewing aperture.