Camera module

Abstract

Camera module which features: a lens tube with at least one lens; a front housing formed in a plate shape, wherein the lens tube is incorporated by extending through a central section of the front housing; a substrate that is installed in contact with a rear surface of the lens tube; and a rear housing that accommodates the substrate and is installed in contact with a rear surface of the front housing.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority over Korean patent application No. 10-2025-0085815, filed on June 27, 2025, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if it were entirely contained herein. Background Technical field

[0002] The revelation concerns a camera module. Discussion of related technology

[0003] A vehicle has at least one camera device, and higher-end models use a greater number of cameras. For example, a vehicle equipped with a parking assistance system will have an increased number of cameras to cover a larger area around the vehicle.

[0004] In response to the demand for higher pixel counts and resolution in the automotive camera market, image sensors are becoming increasingly larger, which in turn increases heat generation. To address this issue, manufacturers are increasingly using metal housings. Consequently, these housings are primarily manufactured using processes such as die casting, metal injection molding (MIM), or forging. However, these methods result in significantly higher manufacturing costs compared to turning or forging, and the process itself is quite complex due to the increased complexity of the component structure.

[0005] Furthermore, assembling components of a camera module may require a separate additional process depending on whether welding is possible, and configuring the components can also become complicated.

[0006] In particular, a connecting section for joining a substrate, an attachment section for forming an attachment surface on a rear housing, etc., in an existing front housing requires MCT 6-axis machining in a manufacturing process where the problem is that the unit price is about 2 to 4 times higher than with the existing turning operation. Summary

[0007] Embodiments of the disclosure can provide a camera module in which a front housing of the camera module is formed as a plate in a simple shape to which a press forming process is applied, which enables the use of turning operations with relatively low machining costs in the manufacture.

[0008] Embodiments of the disclosure can provide a camera module in which the directional dependence or alignment during assembly of the product can be easily ensured by corner machining of a front housing and off-center arrangement of a substrate connection section.

[0009] The technical purposes to be achieved by the disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned technical purposes, and other unmentioned technical purposes will be clearly evident to those skilled in the field of the disclosure from the following description.

[0010] Embodiments of the disclosure propose a camera module comprising: a lens tube with at least one lens; a front housing formed in a plate shape, wherein the lens tube is installed by extending through a central section of the front housing; a substrate installed in contact with a rear surface of the lens tube; and a rear housing that receives the substrate and is installed in contact with a rear surface of the front housing.

[0011] According to the embodiments of the disclosure, the camera module is provided which ensures the price competitiveness of a product and at the same time has a simplified machining process, since turning can be applied with the relatively low manufacturing costs.

[0012] Furthermore, according to the embodiments of the disclosure, the camera module is provided which easily ensures the directional dependency during product assembly via the corner machining of the front housing and the off-center arrangement of the substrate connection section.

[0013] The effects of the embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned here, and other, unmentioned effects will be clearly understandable to those skilled in the art from the following description. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a camera module according to one embodiment of the disclosure. Fig. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of each component of a camera module according to one embodiment of the disclosure. Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a front housing and a rear housing according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Fig. Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the disclosure. More detailed description

[0014] In the following description of examples or embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which show specific examples or embodiments that can be realized for illustrative purposes and in which the same reference numerals and symbols can be used to designate identical or similar components, even if they are shown in different accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the following description of examples or embodiments of the disclosure, more detailed descriptions of known functions and components included herein are omitted if it is determined that the description might make the subject matter rather unclear in some embodiments of the disclosure.The names of the respective elements used in the following explanations may only be chosen for the convenience of descriptive language and may therefore differ from those used in actual products. Terms used here, such as "contain," "have," "include," "form," "manufactured from," and "formed from," are generally intended to allow the addition of other components, unless the terms are used with the word "only." In usage herein, singular forms are intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0015] Terms such as "first," "second," "A," "B," "(A)," or "(B)" may be used here to describe elements of revelation. Each of these terms does not serve to define the nature, order, sequence, or number of elements, etc., but merely to distinguish the respective element from other elements.

[0016] The shapes, sizes, dimensions (e.g., length, width, height, thickness, radius, diameter, area, etc.), ratios, angles, number of elements, ratios, angles, numbers, and the like, shown in the drawings to describe various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, serve only as examples. Therefore, the disclosure is not limited to the representations in the drawings. Each realization described herein as an "example" is not necessarily to be understood as preferred or advantageous over other realizations.

[0017] The word "exemplary" is used to indicate that something serves as an example or illustration. Embodiments are exemplary embodiments. Aspects are exemplary aspects. Any realization described herein as an "example" is not necessarily "execution." "Forms," ​​"examples," "aspects," etc., should not be interpreted as being preferred or advantageous over other realizations. An embodiment, an example, an exemplary embodiment, an aspect, etc., may refer to one or more embodiments, one or more examples, one or more exemplary embodiments, one or more aspects, etc., unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the term "may" includes all meanings of the term "capable."

[0018] When it is mentioned that a first element is "connected or coupled," "contacted or overlapped," etc., with a second element, this should be interpreted to mean that the first element can not only be "directly connected or coupled" or "directly contacted or overlapped" with the second element, but that a third element can also be "inserted" between the first and second elements, or that the first and second elements can be "connected or coupled," "contacted or overlapped," etc., via a fourth element. In this context, the second element can be one of at least two or more elements that are "connected or coupled," "contacted or overlapped," etc., with each other.

[0019] When time-related terms such as "after", "subsequent", "next", "before", etc. are used to describe processes or operational sequences of elements or configurations or sequences or steps in operational, processing or manufacturing procedures, these terms may be used to describe non-sequential or non-subsequent sequences or processes unless the term "direct" or "immediately" is used together with them.

[0020] Terms such as "below," "under," "above," "above," etc., can be used here to describe a relationship between elements depicted in the drawings. It is understood that these terms are spatially relative and based on the orientation shown in the drawings.

[0021] When dimensions, relative sizes, etc., are mentioned, it should also be considered that numerical values ​​for elements or characteristics, or corresponding specifications (e.g., level, range, etc.), include a tolerance or error range that may be caused by various factors (e.g., process factors, internal or external influences, noise, etc.), even if no description is provided. Furthermore, the term "can" fully encompasses all meanings of the term "capable."

[0022] Features of different embodiments of the disclosure may be partially or completely coupled or combined and, as is well known to those skilled in the art, may interact and be technically controlled in various ways. Embodiments of the disclosure may be carried out independently or in mutual dependence.

[0023] The term "or" denotes an "inclusive or" and not an "exclusive or". That is, unless otherwise specified or clear from the context, the expression "x uses a or b" denotes any of the natural inclusive permutations. For example, "a or b" can mean "a", "b", or "a and b". For example, "a, b, or c" can mean "a", "b", "c", "a and b", "b and c", "a and c", or "a, b, and c".

[0024] The phrase "an element (e.g., layer, film, region, component, section, etc.) is provided for," "arranged," etc., within another element can be understood to mean that at least a section of the element is provided for or arranged within another element, or that the entire element is provided for or arranged within another element. The phrase "an element (e.g., layer, film, region, component, section, etc.) contacts," "overlaps," etc., another element can be understood to mean that at least one section of the element contacts, overlaps, etc., at least one section of another element, that the entire element contacts, overlaps, etc., at least one section of another element, or that at least one section of the element contacts, overlaps, etc., the entire other element.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meanings as they are commonly understood by a person skilled in the art in the exemplary embodiments. Furthermore, it is understood that terms as defined in common dictionaries should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with, for example, their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined herein. For example, the term "part" or "unit" may refer to a separate circuit or structure, an integrated circuit, a computing block of a circuit device, or any structure configured to perform a described function, which should be clear to a person skilled in the art.

[0026] The following section describes various embodiments in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and Fig. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of each component of a camera module according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0028] A camera module 10 comprises a lens tube 100, a front housing 200, a substrate 300, and a rear housing 400. The lens tube 100 can contain at least one lens. The lens tube 100 is installed by extending through the front housing 200. For this purpose, a section of the front housing 200, or the entire housing, can have a through-hole structure.

[0029] In response to increasing demand for cameras with higher pixel counts and higher resolutions in the camera module market, the image sensor integrated into the camera module inevitably becomes larger, thereby increasing the amount of heat generated by the image sensor. To counteract this problem, a metal material is generally used for the housing. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the front housing 200 is made of a metal material. To avoid an increase in manufacturing costs, it is preferred to form the front housing 200 in the form of a plate with a predetermined thickness using a press molding process or similar method. In particular, a through-hole in a central section of the front housing 200 can be defined in a shape corresponding to the shape of the lens tube 100.Thus, the front housing 200 can be manufactured by turning at relatively low production costs, and material costs can also be reduced.

[0030] The substrate 300 can be mounted in contact with a rear surface of the lens tube 100, and the image sensor can be arranged on a front surface of the substrate 300 facing the lens tube 100. The substrate 300 can be a printed circuit board (PCB), and the image sensor can be a charge-coupled device (CCD) or similar, although the disclosure is not necessarily limited to these. The image sensor is a very precise component, and its pixel pitch decreases to only a few micrometers with increasing resolution. Therefore, an image captured by the camera module can be distorted or degraded in quality due to a relatively large installation error that occurs during the mounting of components of the camera module, so careful installation is essential. In addition to the image sensor, the substrate 300 can also include other electronic components necessary for the operation of the camera module.

[0031] Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a front housing and a rear housing according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0032] The rear housing 400 has a defined cavity to accommodate a section of the lens tube 100 and the substrate 300. The rear housing 400 is in contact with a rear surface of the front housing 200 and is assembled to the front housing 200 by a process such as applying and curing an adhesive or welding. For ease of assembly, it is preferred that the front housing 200 and the rear housing 400 are configured such that the outer circumferential edges of their contacting surfaces correspond to each other. A front surface of the rear housing 400 can be open to accommodate the section of the lens tube 100 and the substrate 300, and at least one hole 410 can be defined in a rear surface of the rear housing 400.

[0033] The front housing 200 is formed in a plate shape with a predetermined thickness, and preferably one of its several corners is cut at an angle. This serves to give the front housing 200 directional stability during assembly of the components, and preferably the cutting is carried out using a "C-cut" machining process. However, the disclosure is not limited to this, and any shape that is clearly distinguishable from the other unmachined corners is possible. It is preferred that one of the several corners of the rear housing 400 is also cut at an angle, corresponding to the shape of the cut-off corner of the front housing 200. This allows the directional stability or alignment between the components to be easily determined during assembly. Furthermore, an external joint between the front housing 200 and the rear housing 400 can continue smoothly.

[0034] Fig. Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0035] A first seating section 110, which has a cylindrical shape with a hollow central section, is machined onto the rear surface of the lens tube 100, allowing the substrate 300 to be installed when a section of it is in contact with the first seating section 110. The hollow central section of the first seating section 110 can be defined as a recessed section 111, so that a central section of the rear surface of the lens tube 100 and the substrate 300 can have a preset distance from each other. Thus, a specific distance can be established between the image sensor arranged on the substrate 300 and the lens tube 100, and this distance can be adjusted to allow the lens to focus optimally.

[0036] Furthermore, a first connecting section 120 can be formed on an outer surface of the lens tube 100 on one side in front of the first seating section 110. One form of the first connecting section 120 preferably corresponds to a form of a second connecting section 210, which is formed on an inner surface of the front housing 200. The first connecting section 120 and the second connecting section 210 are in close contact with each other, so that the lens tube 100 and the front housing 200 can be joined together.

[0037] Furthermore, an adhesive can be applied to the first connecting section 120 and / or the second connecting section 210, and the first connecting section 120 and the second connecting section 210 can be joined together by curing the adhesive. This allows the lens tube 100 and the front housing 200 to be more firmly coupled. Preferably, the adhesive is a room-temperature curing adhesive that hardens when exposed to air at room temperature for a certain period of time, or a general-purpose adhesive, although its type is not limited to this. Alternatively, the first connecting section 120 and the second connecting section 210 can each be provided with screw threads of corresponding shapes, so that the first connecting section 120 and the second connecting section 210 can be screwed together.Additionally, the first connecting section 120 and the second connecting section 210 can each be provided with screw threads and also with adhesive, which further increases the fastening force between the two components. It is also possible to improve the fastening force between the lens tube 100 and the front housing 200 by means of an additional process, e.g., electric welding.

[0038] An outer circumferential surface of the first seating section 110, which is formed in the objective tube 100, and an inner circumferential surface of the rear housing 400 are in partial or complete close contact with each other, so that the objective tube 100 and the rear housing 400 can be joined together. In particular, a length C of an inner horizontal width and a length C of a vertical width in a cross-section of the rear housing 400 in contact with the objective tube 100 correspond to an outer diameter C of the seating section 110. Accordingly, the outer circumferential surface of the first seating section 110 and the inner surface of the rear housing 400 are in close contact with each other at four points, so that the objective tube 100 and the rear housing 400 can be joined closely together.The first seat section 110 can be designed in a parallelpiped shape with an outer surface having a horizontal width C and a vertical width C corresponding to the inner horizontal width C and vertical width C in the cross-section of the rear housing 400. Alternatively, to increase the fastening force, adhesive can be applied and cured between the outer circumferential surface of the first seat section 110 and the inner surface of the rear housing 400, or a process such as welding can be carried out.

[0039] A second seating section 130 with a groove shape can be defined in a front surface of the lens tube 100 that is in contact with the rear surface of the front housing 200. In particular, at least one step can be formed on the outer surface of the lens tube 100. If, in particular, the lens tube 100 has a structure in which circular lenses are stacked, the lens tube 100 can be formed in a cylindrical shape with at least one step. Furthermore, in the state in which the lens tube 100 is installed by extending through the front housing 200, it is preferred that a diameter of the lens tube 100 at a section that is positioned on the rear surface of the front housing 200 is larger than a diameter of the lens tube 100 at a section that is positioned on a front surface of the front housing 200, so that the lens tube 100 does not deviate from the front housing 200 in a forward direction.The at least one step can be generated on the objective tube 100 due to such a diameter difference, and at least one step section 101 can be formed due to the step on the objective tube 100.

[0040] Preferably, the second seating section 130 is defined by the groove shape in a stepped section 101, which is in contact with the rear surface of the front housing 200 below the at least one stepped section 101 of the lens tube 100. A first sealing element 500 for reinforcing a watertight seal between the lens tube 100 and the front housing 200 can be inserted in the second seating section 130. In particular, it is preferred that the first sealing element 500 is formed in a shape corresponding to a shape of the second seating section 130 and is in close contact with the rear surface of the front housing 200. Furthermore, it is preferred that the second seating section 130 extends inwards from the stepped section 101 along the outer circumferential surface of the lens tube 100, so that the first sealing element 500 can be stably inserted. Preferably, an O-ring made of silicone or similar material is used.to be used for the first sealing part 500, but the disclosure is not limited to this.

[0041] A second sealing element 600 can be inserted between the first seating section 110 and the substrate 300 to connect the two. The second sealing element 600 is preferably made of an adhesive epoxy-based material and can be firmly fixed between the first seating section 110 and the substrate 300 by curing or similar processes. A space created between the rear surface of the lens tube 100 and the substrate 300 can be completely sealed by the second sealing element 600, preventing moisture or foreign substances from entering the sealed space and thus maintaining the performance of the camera module 10.

[0042] The at least one hole 410 for receiving a connector 700, into which an external counterpart 20 is inserted, is defined through the rear surface of the rear housing 400. Here, the external counterpart 20 is a component for electrically connecting the substrate 300 to an external system, e.g., a vehicle. For example, a FAKRA connector, to which a global interface standard for a connector known as Automotive (FAKRA) is applied, can be attached to the substrate 300, thus enabling data networking between the camera module 10 and the external system.

[0043] A connecting section 310 can be configured to project from a rear surface of the substrate 300, allowing the counterpart 20 to be attached to or detached from it, or the connecting section 310 can be provided as a component separate from the substrate 300, such that one end of it can be attached to the rear surface of the substrate 300 and the other end of it can be attached to or detached from a front section of the counterpart 20. Furthermore, the connecting section 310 is preferably arranged on an off-center centerline BB' which is offset with respect to a longitudinal centerline AA' of the camera module 10 according to the disclosure.Since the connector 700 is indirectly connected to the connection section 310 via the counterpart 20, the hole defined in the rear surface of the rear housing 400, in which the connector 700 is received, is preferably also defined on the off-center center line BB', which is offset with respect to AA', and not on the longitudinal center line AA' of the camera module 10 or around the off-center center line BB'. Thus, the directional dependence or orientation of the rear housing 400 can be easily determined when the camera module 10 is assembled, which allows for rapid progress of the process and prevents misalignment between the components.

[0044] Furthermore, if a technique that facilitates the alignment between the front housing 200 and the rear housing 400 is used in the assembly process of the camera module 10, the connecting section 310 can be arranged so that it lies on the longitudinal center line AA' of the camera module 10 and not on the off-center center line BB', and accordingly, the hole defined in the rear surface of the rear housing 400 in which the connector 700 is housed can also be defined on the longitudinal center line AA' of the camera module 10 or around the center line AA'.

[0045] The embodiments of the disclosure described above are briefly explained below.

[0046] According to embodiments of the disclosure, a camera module is proposed comprising: a lens tube with at least one lens; a front housing formed in a plate shape, wherein the lens tube is installed by extending through a central section of the front housing; a substrate installed in contact with a rear surface of the lens tube; and a rear housing that receives the substrate and is installed in contact with a rear surface of the front housing.

[0047] Furthermore, a first seating section can be formed on the rear surface of the objective tube, wherein the substrate is installed in contact with the first seating section, and a recessed section, which has a predetermined distance from the substrate, can be defined in a central section of the first seating section.

[0048] Furthermore, a first connecting section can be formed in contact with an inner surface of the front housing on an outer surface of the lens tube, a second connecting section with a shape corresponding to a shape of the first connecting section can be formed on the inner surface of the front housing, and the first connecting section and the second connecting section can be in close contact with each other, so that the lens tube and the front housing can be joined together.

[0049] Furthermore, the connection between the first connecting section and the second connecting section can correspond to a connection achieved by the curing of an adhesive.

[0050] Furthermore, corresponding screw threads can be formed on the first connecting section and on the second connecting section, so that the first connecting section and the second connecting section can be screwed together.

[0051] Furthermore, a first seating section can be formed on the rear surface of the objective tube, with the substrate being installed in contact with the first seating section, and an outer circumferential surface of the first seating section and an inner surface of the rear housing can be partially or completely in close contact with each other, so that the objective tube and the rear housing can be joined together.

[0052] Furthermore, a groove-shaped second seating section can be defined in a front surface of the lens tube in contact with the rear surface of the front housing, and a first sealing part can be inserted in the second seating section.

[0053] Furthermore, a first seating section can be formed on the rear surface of the lens tube, with the substrate being installed in contact with the first seating section, and a second sealing part can be coupled between the first seating section and the substrate.

[0054] In addition, one of several corners of the front casing may be cut off at an angle.

[0055] Furthermore, a connection section that is attached to and electrically connected to an external counterpart can be located on a rear surface of the substrate, and the connection section can be off-center to a center line of the camera module.

[0056] The foregoing description is intended to enable a person skilled in the art to realize and utilize the technical concept of the disclosure and has been provided in connection with a specific application and its requirements. Various modifications, additions, and substitutions of the described embodiments are readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the fundamental concept and scope of protection of the disclosure. The foregoing description and the accompanying drawings merely illustrate one example of the technical concept of the disclosure. That is to say, the disclosed embodiments are intended to illustrate the scope of protection of the technical concept of the disclosure. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] KR 10-2025-0085815

[0001]

Claims

[1] Camera module which features: a lens tube with at least one lens; a front housing formed in a plate shape, wherein the lens tube is incorporated by extending through a central section of the front housing; a substrate that is installed in contact with a rear surface of the lens tube; and a rear housing that accommodates the substrate and is installed in contact with a rear surface of the front housing. [2] Camera module according to claim 1, wherein a first seating section is formed on the rear surface of the lens tube, wherein the substrate is installed in contact with the first seating section, wherein a recessed section having a predetermined distance from the substrate is defined in a central section of the first seating section. [3] Camera module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a first connecting section is formed in contact with an inner surface of the front housing on an outer surface of the lens tube, wherein a second connecting section with a shape corresponding to a shape of the first connecting section is formed on the inner surface of the front housing, wherein the first connecting section and the second connecting section are in close contact with each other, so that the lens tube and the front housing are joined together. [4] Camera module according to claim 3, wherein the connection between the first connection section and the second connection section corresponds to a connection by curing an adhesive. [5] Camera module according to claim 3 or 4, wherein corresponding screw threads are formed on the first connecting section and on the second connecting section, respectively, so that the first connecting section and the second connecting section are screwed together. [6] Camera module according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a first seating section is formed on the rear surface of the lens tube, wherein the substrate is installed in contact with the first seating section, wherein an outer circumferential surface of the first seating section and an inner surface of the rear housing are partially or completely in close contact with each other, so that the lens tube and the rear housing are joined together. [7] Camera module according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a groove-shaped second seating section is defined in a front surface of the lens tube in contact with the rear surface of the front housing, wherein a first sealing part is inserted in the second seating section. [8] Camera module according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a first seating section is formed on the rear surface of the lens tube, wherein the substrate is installed in contact with the first seating section, wherein a second sealing part is coupled between the first seating section and the substrate. [9] Camera module according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein one of several corners of the front housing is cut off at an angle. [10] Camera module according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a connection section which is attached to an external counterpart and electrically connected to the external counterpart is arranged on a rear surface of the substrate, where the connection section is located off-center to a center line of the camera module.

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