Camera Module

Abstract

A camera module according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first barrel configured to accommodate a first lens group; and a second barrel configured to accommodate a second lens group and accommodated inside the first barrel. In a camera module according to one embodiment, a first inner surface of the first barrel and a second outer surface of the second barrel may be formed to contact at a first connection point and a second connection point.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a camera module configured to minimize the degradation of optical performance caused by high temperatures. Background Technology

[0002] A camera module includes one or more lenses. Typically, the lenses of a camera module are made of glass. Small camera modules are mounted on portable electronic devices or vehicle bumpers. Since these camera modules require miniaturization and lightweight design, they incorporate plastic lenses. However, plastic lenses are susceptible to deformation or breakage due to high temperatures. For example, plastic lenses can expand at high temperatures, altering their pre-set alignment positions and degrading the optical performance of the camera module. In another example, plastic lenses may accumulate thermal stress while failing to expand inside a metal barrel, eventually breaking and causing the camera module to completely lose its functionality. The problem to be solved

[0003] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and provides a camera module configured to mitigate the degradation of optical performance of the camera module caused by high temperatures. means of solving the problem

[0004] A camera module according to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above objective may include: a first barrel configured to accommodate a first lens group; and a second barrel configured to accommodate a second lens group and accommodated inside the first barrel. In a camera module according to one embodiment, a first inner surface of the first barrel and a second outer surface of the second barrel may be formed to contact at a first connection point and a second connection point. Effects of the invention

[0005] The present invention can minimize changes in the performance of a camera module due to temperature changes. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0006] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a camera module according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figures 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views of the camera module shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the camera module shown in Figure 1. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a camera module according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figures 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views of the camera module shown in Figure 5. Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the camera module shown in Figure 5. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0007] In the following description of the present invention, the terms referring to the components of the present invention are named considering the functions of each component, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the technical components of the present invention.

[0008] Furthermore, throughout the specification, the statement that one component is 'connected' to another component means that it includes not only cases where these components are 'directly connected,' but also cases where they are 'indirectly connected' with another component in between. Also, the statement that a component 'includes' means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components.

[0010] A camera module according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of barrels. For example, a camera module according to the present embodiment may include a first barrel and a second barrel. A camera module according to one embodiment may include a plurality of lens groups. For example, a camera module according to the present embodiment may include a first lens group accommodated in a first barrel and a second lens group accommodated in a second barrel. The first barrel and the second barrel may be combined in a specific form. For example, the first barrel may be configured to accommodate the second barrel internally. For another example, the first barrel and the second barrel may be configured to make line contact at a plurality of points. As a specific example, the first barrel and the second barrel may be formed to make contact at a first connection point and a second connection point, respectively.

[0012] A camera module according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of barrels. For example, a camera module according to the present embodiment may include a first barrel and a second barrel. A camera module according to one embodiment may include a plurality of lens groups. For example, a camera module according to the present embodiment may include a first lens group accommodated in a first barrel and a second lens group accommodated in a second barrel. The first barrel and the second barrel may be combined in a specific form. For example, the first barrel may be configured to accommodate the second barrel internally. The first barrel or the second barrel may include one or more protrusions. For example, the first barrel may include a protrusion extending from the inner surface of the first barrel to the outer surface of the second barrel. For another example, the second barrel may include a protrusion extending from the outer surface of the second barrel to the inner surface of the first barrel.

[0014] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached illustrative drawings. First, a camera module according to one embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0015] The camera module (10) according to the present embodiment may include a first barrel (100), a second barrel (200), a first lens group (LG1), and a second lens group (LG2). However, the configuration of the camera module (10) is not limited to the aforementioned components. As an example, the camera module (10) may further include a cover member (700) and a sealing member (810, 820). As another example, the camera module (10) may further include a protective glass, a spacing member, and an image sensor.

[0016] The first barrel (100) may be configured to accommodate other components of the camera module (10). For example, the first barrel (100) may be configured to accommodate the second barrel (200). As a specific example, the first barrel (100) may be configured to accommodate the entire portion of the second barrel (200) from one end to the other.

[0017] The first barrel (100) may be configured to accommodate one or more lenses. For example, the first barrel (100) may accommodate a first lens group (LG1) inside. The first barrel (100) may be configured to facilitate the installation and mounting of a camera module (10). For example, the first barrel (100) may include a flange (130) configured to facilitate coupling with the exterior material of a vehicle, the case of an electronic device, etc. The flange (130) may be formed on the first outer surface (120) of the first barrel (100).

[0018] The second barrel (200) may be configured to be coupled with the first barrel (100). For example, the second barrel (200) may be coupled with the first barrel (100) in a manner that is received inside the first barrel (100). The second barrel (200) may be configured to receive one or more lenses. For example, a second lens group (LG2) may be received on the second inner surface (210) of the second barrel (200). The second barrel (200) may be made of a different material than the first barrel (100) or configured to have a different coefficient of linear expansion than the first barrel (100). For example, the first barrel (100) may be made of a metal material and the second barrel (200) may be made of a plastic material.

[0019] The first lens group (LG1) may include one or more lenses. For example, the first lens group (LG1) may include a first lens (L1) and a second lens (L2). One or more of the first lens (L1) and the second lens (L2) may have refractive power. For example, the first lens (L1) may have negative refractive power, and the second lens (L2) may have positive refractive power. However, the refractive power of the first lens (L1) and the second lens (L2) is not limited to the form described above. For example, the first lens (L1) may be configured to have generally no refractive power. As a specific example, the first lens (L1) may have both an object side and an image side that are flat. The first lens (L1) and the second lens (L2) may be made of a material that is resistant to external impact and heat. For example, the first lens (L1) and the second lens (L2) may be made of glass material.

[0020] The second lens group (LG2) may include one or more lenses. For example, the second lens group (LG2) may include a third lens (L3), a fourth lens (L4), a fifth lens (L5), a sixth lens (L6), a seventh lens (L7), and an eighth lens (L8). However, the configuration of the second lens group (LG2) is not limited to the lenses described above. For example, the second lens group (LG2) may be composed of five or fewer lenses or seven or more lenses. The second lens group (LG2) may include different types of lenses. For example, the second lens group (LG2) may include one or more glass lenses (L3, L8) and one or more plastic lenses (L4, L5, L6, L7).

[0021] The first barrel (100) and the second barrel (200) may be configured to come into contact at multiple points. For example, the first barrel (100) and the second barrel (200) may be configured to come into contact or join at a first connection point (310) and a second connection point (320).

[0022] The first connection point (310) may be configured to allow line contact or point contact between the first barrel (100) and the second barrel (200). For example, as shown in FIG. 2, at the first connection point (310), the first inner surface (110) of the first barrel (100) may have a polygonal cross-sectional shape, and the second outer surface (220) of the second barrel (200) may have a circular cross-sectional shape inscribed within the first inner surface (110). As another example, as shown in FIG. 3, at the first connection point (310), the first inner surface (110) of the first barrel (100) may have a circular cross-sectional shape, and the second outer surface (220) of the second barrel (200) may have a polygonal cross-sectional shape inscribed within the first inner surface (110).

[0023] The first connection point (310) may be formed at a specific point. For example, the first connection point (310) may be formed at a point adjacent to the glass lens (L3) of the second lens group (LG2). For another example, the first connection point (310) may be formed at the point closest to the glass lens (L3) among the lenses of the second lens group (LG2).

[0024] The first connection point (310) can form a specific relationship with the nearest glass lens (L3) as illustrated in FIG. 4. For example, the length (t1) of the first connection point (310) in the optical axis direction may be equal to or smaller than the rib thickness (t2) of the adjacent glass lens (L3).

[0025] The second connection point (320) can be configured to enable a rigid connection between the first barrel (100) and the second barrel (200). For example, the second connection point (320) can be formed by screw fastening between the first barrel (100) and the second barrel (200). The second connection point (320) can be formed at a specific point. For example, the second connection point (320) can be formed at a point adjacent to the glass lens (L8) of the second lens group (LG2).

[0026] A buffer space (400) may be formed between the first connection point (310) and the second connection point (320) such that the inner surface (110) of the first array (100) and the outer surface (220) of the second barrel (200) do not come into contact. The buffer space (400) may be formed at a specific point. For example, the buffer space (400) may be formed between the first barrel (100) and the second barrel (200) in a portion adjacent to the plastic lenses (L4, L5, L6, L7) of the second lens group (LG2). The buffer space (400) may have a predetermined size. For example, the distance (d) from the inner surface (110) of the first array (100) to the outer surface (220) of the second barrel (200) at the point where the buffer space (400) is formed can be determined by considering the thermal expansion strain rate and thermal expansion strain amount of the plastic lenses (L4, L5, L6, L7).

[0027] The camera module (10) configured as described above can maintain constant optical performance even at high temperatures because the first barrel (100) containing a plurality of glass lenses and the second barrel (200) containing a plurality of plastic lenses are made of different materials. In addition, the camera module (10) according to the present embodiment can effectively reduce or absorb expansion deformation and expansion stress of the plastic lenses (L4, L5, L6, L7) because a buffer space (400) is formed between the first connection point (310) and the second connection point (320).

[0029] Next, a camera module according to another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

[0030] The camera module (12) according to the present embodiment may include a first barrel (100), a second barrel (200), a first lens group (LG1), and a second lens group (LG2). However, the configuration of the camera module (12) is not limited to the aforementioned components. As an example, the camera module (12) may further include a cover member (700) and a sealing member (810, 820). As another example, the camera module (12) may further include a protective glass, a spacing member, and an image sensor.

[0031] The first barrel (100) may be configured to accommodate other components of the camera module (12). For example, the first barrel (100) may be configured to accommodate the second barrel (200). As a specific example, the first barrel (100) may be configured to accommodate the entire portion of the second barrel (200) from one end to the other.

[0032] The first barrel (100) may be configured to accommodate one or more lenses. For example, the first barrel (100) may accommodate a first lens group (LG1) inside. The first barrel (100) may be configured to facilitate the installation and mounting of a camera module (12). For example, the first barrel (100) may include a flange (130) configured to facilitate coupling with the exterior material of a vehicle, the case of an electronic device, etc. The flange (130) may be formed on the first outer surface (120) of the first barrel (100).

[0033] The second barrel (200) may be configured to be coupled with the first barrel (100). For example, the second barrel (200) may be coupled with the first barrel (100) in a manner that is received inside the first barrel (100). The second barrel (200) may be configured to receive one or more lenses. For example, a second lens group (LG2) may be received on the second inner surface (210) of the second barrel (200). The second barrel (200) may be made of a different material than the first barrel (100) or configured to have a different coefficient of linear expansion than the first barrel (100). For example, the first barrel (100) may be made of a metal material and the second barrel (200) may be made of a plastic material.

[0034] The first lens group (LG1) may include one or more lenses. For example, the first lens group (LG1) may include a first lens (L1) and a second lens (L2). One or more of the first lens (L1) and the second lens (L2) may have refractive power. For example, the first lens (L1) may have negative refractive power, and the second lens (L2) may have positive refractive power. However, the refractive power of the first lens (L1) and the second lens (L2) is not limited to the form described above. For example, the first lens (L1) may be configured to have generally no refractive power. As a specific example, the first lens (L1) may have both an object side and an image side that are flat. The first lens (L1) and the second lens (L2) may be made of a material that is resistant to external impact and heat. For example, the first lens (L1) and the second lens (L2) may be made of glass material.

[0035] The second lens group (LG2) may include one or more lenses. For example, the second lens group (LG2) may include a third lens (L3), a fourth lens (L4), a fifth lens (L5), a sixth lens (L6), a seventh lens (L7), and an eighth lens (L8). However, the configuration of the second lens group (LG2) is not limited to the lenses described above. For example, the second lens group (LG2) may be composed of five or fewer lenses or seven or more lenses. The second lens group (LG2) may include different types of lenses. For example, the second lens group (LG2) may include one or more glass lenses (L3, L8) and one or more plastic lenses (L4, L5, L6, L7).

[0036] The first barrel (100) and the second barrel (200) may be configured to be in contact at multiple points. For example, one or more first protrusions (510) and second protrusions (520) may be formed on the first barrel (100) or the second barrel (200). As a specific example, a first protrusion (510) extending from the first inner surface (110) to the outer surface (220) of the second barrel (200) may be formed on the first barrel (100). As another specific example, a first protrusion (510) extending from the second outer surface (220) to the first inner surface (110) of the first barrel (100) may be formed on the second barrel (200). The first protrusion (510) and the second protrusion (520) may be formed at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the second barrel (200).

[0037] The first protrusion (510) may be configured to make partial contact between the first barrel (100) and the second barrel (200). For example, the first protrusion (510) may be formed at a predetermined interval along the first inner surface (110) of the first barrel (100) or the second outer surface (220) of the second barrel (200), as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. For reference, FIGS. 6 and 7 show that four and twelve first protrusions (510) are formed around the optical axis (C) of the second barrel (200), respectively, but the number of first protrusions (510) is not limited to four or twelve. For example, three or fewer first protrusions (510) may be formed on the second outer surface (220) of the second barrel (200). As another example, at least 5 and no more than 11 first protrusions (510) may be formed on the second outer surface (220), and it may also be possible to form 13 or more first protrusions (510).

[0038] The first protrusion (510) may be formed at a specific point. For example, the first protrusion (510) may be formed at a point adjacent to the glass lens (L3) of the second lens group (LG2). For another example, the first protrusion (510) may be formed at the point closest to the glass lens (L3) among the lenses of the second lens group (LG2). The first protrusion (510) may form a specific relationship with the glass lens (L3) that is positioned closest to it, as shown in FIG. 8. For example, the length (t1) of the first protrusion (510) in the direction of the optical axis may be equal to or smaller than the rib thickness (t2) of the adjacent glass lens (L3).

[0039] The second protrusion (520) can be configured to enable a rigid connection between the first barrel (100) and the second barrel (200). For example, the second protrusion (520) can be formed by screw fastening between the first barrel (100) and the second barrel (200). The second protrusion (520) can be formed at a specific point. For example, the second protrusion (520) can be formed at a point adjacent to the glass lens (L8) of the second lens group (LG2).

[0040] A buffer space (400) may be formed between the first protrusion (510) and the second protrusion (520) such that the inner surface (110) of the first array (100) and the outer surface (220) of the second barrel (200) do not come into contact. The buffer space (400) may be formed at a specific point. For example, the buffer space (400) may be formed between the first barrel (100) and the second barrel (200) in a portion adjacent to the plastic lenses (L4, L5, L6, L7) of the second lens group (LG2). The buffer space (400) may have a predetermined size. For example, the distance (d) from the inner surface (110) of the first array (100) to the outer surface (220) of the second barrel (200) at the point where the buffer space (400) is formed can be determined by considering the thermal expansion strain rate and thermal expansion strain amount of the plastic lenses (L4, L5, L6, L7).

[0041] The camera module (12) configured as described above can maintain constant optical performance even at high temperatures because the first barrel (100) containing a plurality of glass lenses and the second barrel (200) containing a plurality of plastic lenses are made of different materials. In addition, the camera module (12) according to the present embodiment can effectively reduce or absorb expansion deformation and expansion stress of the plastic lenses (L4, L5, L6, L7) because a buffer space (400) is formed between the first protrusion (510) and the second protrusion (520).

[0043] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art may make various modifications without departing from the gist of the technical concept of the present invention as described in the following claims. For example, various features described in the aforementioned embodiments may be applied in combination with other embodiments unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Claims

Claim 1 A camera module comprising: a first barrel configured to accommodate a first lens group; and a second barrel configured to accommodate a second lens group and accommodated inside the first barrel; wherein the first inner surface of the first barrel and the second outer surface of the second barrel are formed to contact at a first connection point and a second connection point. Claim 2 A camera module according to claim 1, wherein the first barrel and the second barrel are made of materials having different coefficients of linear expansion. Claim 3 In claim 1, the second lens group comprises a camera module including a glass lens and a plastic lens. Claim 4 In claim 1, the second lens group comprises one or more glass lenses, and the glass lenses are a camera module positioned closest to the first connection point or the second connection point. Claim 5 A camera module according to claim 1, wherein at the first connection point, the first inner surface has a polygonal cross-sectional shape and the second outer surface has a circular cross-sectional shape. Claim 6 A camera module according to claim 1, wherein at the first connection point, the first inner surface has a circular cross-sectional shape and the second outer surface has a polygonal cross-sectional shape. Claim 7 A camera module according to claim 1, wherein a buffer space is formed between the first connection point and the second connection point such that the first inner surface and the second outer surface do not come into contact. Claim 8 In claim 1, the second connection point is a camera module formed by screw fastening of the first barrel and the second barrel. Claim 9 A camera module comprising: a first barrel configured to accommodate a first lens group; a second barrel configured to accommodate a second lens group and accommodated inside the first barrel; and a projection extending from the outer surface of the second barrel to the inner surface of the first barrel. Claim 10 In claim 9, the above-mentioned protrusions are formed at intervals around the optical axis of the second barrel, forming a camera module. Claim 11 In claim 9, the above-mentioned protrusions are formed at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the second barrel, forming a camera module. Claim 12 In claim 9, a camera module in which the optical axis length of the projection is equal to or greater than the rib thickness of the proximity lens positioned closest to the projection in the second lens group. Claim 13 In claim 9, the second lens group comprises one or more glass lenses, and the glass lens is a camera module positioned closest to the projection. Claim 14 A camera module according to claim 9, wherein a buffer space capable of accommodating the expansion deformation of the second lens group is formed between the first barrel and the second barrel. Claim 15 In claim 14, the second lens group comprises a plastic lens, and the plastic lens is a camera module positioned adjacent to the buffer space.

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