Camera module

Abstract

The present invention relates to a camera module, comprising: a flexible connection structure located at the upper part of the camera module; a lens barrel module; the flexible connection structure and the lens barrel module form a cavity; when the lens barrel module moves, the flexible connection structure moves along with the lens barrel module to prevent foreign matter from the outside that affects the imaging performance of the module from entering the cavity, the foreign matter comprising: water, oil, and dust.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of camera modules, and in particular to a camera module. Background Art

[0002] At present, most mobile devices such as mobile phones and tablets are equipped with camera modules, which realize the conversion between optical signals and electrical signals, record and save image information, and thus realize the functions of taking pictures and videos. Traditional camera modules usually include a support frame, an image sensor chip, a lens barrel and a retractable lens module. When the lens module is retracted, due to the imbalance between the external air pressure and the internal air pressure of the camera module, the external air will pass through the gaps between the various components of the camera module to enter and exit the cavity formed by the lens barrel, the support frame and the image sensor chip, thereby causing dust particles in the external air to enter the internal cavity of the camera module and contaminate the image sensor chip, forming black masses and black spots in the camera imaging area, thereby affecting the imaging quality and camera module performance.

[0003] The common solution in the industry is to add dust-proof structures when designing camera module components, such as adding dust-proof grooves inside the camera motor, and ensuring the dust-proof level of the camera module production line environment and the mobile device assembly production line environment. The above dust-proof structure is complex and has poor dust-proof effect, which fails to solve the problem well. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a camera module to solve the technical problems in the prior art that the camera module has a complex dustproof structure and poor dustproof effect.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a camera module, comprising:

[0006] A soft connection structure located on the upper part of the camera module;

[0007] Tube module;

[0008] The flexible connection structure and the lens barrel module form a cavity;

[0009] When the lens barrel module moves, the flexible connection structure moves along with the lens barrel module to prevent foreign matter that may affect the imaging performance of the module from entering the cavity, wherein the foreign matter includes water, oil, and dust.

[0010] Optionally, the camera module includes: an upper fulcrum structure located at the upper part of the camera module, and the upper fulcrum structure positions the up and down movement of the lens barrel module to ensure the verticality of the lens optical axis and the chip photosensitive surface.

[0011] Optionally, the upper fulcrum structure is an upper shell, and the upper shell is arranged on the upper outer side of the lens barrel module.

[0012] Optionally, the camera module further includes: a lower fulcrum structure located at the lower part of the camera module, wherein the lower fulcrum structure positions the up and down movement of the lens barrel module to ensure the verticality of the lens optical axis and the photosensitive surface of the chip.

[0013] Optionally, the lower fulcrum structure is a guide column, and the guide column is adhered to the socket of the camera chip base without stress.

[0014] Optionally, a jig is provided, wherein the jig fixes the guide column and is inserted into the insertion hole in an integral and stress-free manner;

[0015] Adhesive curing is performed in the insertion hole to fix the guide column;

[0016] The jig is removed.

[0017] Optionally, the fixture is a magnetic structure, and the guide column is a metal structure; magnetic force is provided to fix the guide column.

[0018] Optionally, the flexible connection structure is located at an upper portion of the outer side of the shell.

[0019] Optionally, the soft connection structure is an airtight structure to prevent external air pollution.

[0020] Optionally, the soft connection structure is an elastic material structure, which can be deformed along with the movement of the lens barrel module, and the deformation applies an additional force on the lens barrel module that is less than 50% of the thrust that pushes the lens barrel module to move.

[0021] Optionally, the flexible connection structure forms an air bag, and the air bag is connected to the inner cavity of the lens barrel module;

[0022] When the lens barrel module is retracted, the gas in the inner cavity of the lens barrel module flows into the airbag of the flexible connection structure, thereby reducing the resistance caused by the pressure difference between the inner and outer air pressures when the lens barrel module moves;

[0023] When the lens barrel module is extended, the gas in the airbag of the flexible connection structure flows into the inner cavity of the lens barrel module, thereby reducing the resistance caused by the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the lens barrel module when the lens barrel module moves.

[0024] Optionally, a plurality of filter structures are provided on the surface of the flexible connection structure. When the lens barrel module moves, air enters the cavity through the filter structures, thereby reducing external air pollution.

[0025] Optionally, an opening structure is provided on the side wall of the shell, and the opening structure is provided with a filter membrane; when the lens barrel module moves, outside air enters the cavity along the opening structure, reducing the contamination of the module by foreign matter.

[0026] Optionally, when the air pressure inside the cavity of the lens barrel module is inconsistent with the air pressure outside the cavity of the lens barrel module, air enters and exits the cavity of the lens barrel module through the filter membrane to ensure the balance of air pressure inside and outside the cavity of the lens barrel module.

[0027] Compared with the prior art, the camera module of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0028] In the present invention, a flexible connection structure is arranged on the top of the camera module, and the flexible connection structure is located between the outer wall of the barrel module and the shell, and a cavity is formed inside. When the barrel module moves, the flexible connection structure moves along with the barrel module, preventing foreign matter such as water, oil, dust, etc. from entering the cavity that may affect the imaging performance of the module, thereby improving the imaging quality of the camera module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 A side view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a camera module in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of a guide column in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of a fixture in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a flexible connection structure when a lens barrel module is extended in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 6 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a flexible connection structure when the lens barrel module is retracted in one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Many specific details are set forth in the following description to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in many other ways than those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar generalizations without violating the connotation of the present invention, so the present invention is not limited to the specific implementation disclosed below.

[0036] Secondly, the present invention is described in detail using schematic diagrams. When describing the embodiments of the present invention in detail, for the convenience of explanation, the schematic diagrams are only examples and should not limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the waterproof and dustproof method of the camera module of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] refer to Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the camera module 1 provided by the present invention includes a base 10, a shell 20 and a lens barrel module 30. An image sensor chip is arranged in the cavity 11 of the base 10. The optical axis of the lens in the lens barrel module 30 is perpendicular to the photosensitive surface of the image sensor chip. Light enters the interior of the camera module 1 through the lens barrel module 30, and an image is formed through the image sensor chip. The image data of the image is output by the circuit board under the base. A flexible connection structure 40 is arranged on the upper part of the camera module 1. The flexible connection structure 40 is arranged on the upper part of the outer side of the shell 20. The flexible connection structure 40 and the lens barrel module 30 form a cavity. When the lens barrel module 30 performs telescopic movement, the flexible connection structure 40 moves with the lens barrel module 30, and can prevent foreign matter from the outside that affects the imaging performance of the module 1 from entering the cavity. The foreign matter includes: water, oil, dust, etc.

[0039] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the camera module 1 further includes a lower fulcrum structure located at the lower part of the camera module 1, and the lower fulcrum structure positions the up and down movement of the lens barrel module 30, avoids the lens barrel module from generating a rotational force during the movement of the lens barrel module, and ensures the verticality between the optical axis of the lens in the lens barrel module 30 and the photosensitive surface of the chip. In this embodiment, the lower fulcrum structure is a guide column 50, which is respectively arranged at the four vertex corners of the base 10, and the guide column 50 is adhered to the jack of the camera chip base 10 without stress.

[0040] Specifically, refer to Figure 4As shown, the step of fixing the guide post 50 includes: providing a jig 71, the jig 71 is a magnetic structure, setting the jig 71 on an electromagnet (not shown in the figure), the jig 71 can be magnetized and has a certain magnetism, the jig 71 has openings 72 at the four vertex corners, the size of the opening is the same as the size of the guide post 50, the guide post 50 is a cylinder, the opening 72 can be set to a circular hole or a semicircular hole structure, the diameter of the circular hole or the semicircular hole is the same as the diameter of the guide post 50, and the opening 72 is used to fix the guide post 50; the guide post 50 0 is a metal structure or metal alloy structure with magnetism. The electromagnet is energized and has magnetism, providing magnetic force to fix the guide post 50 in the opening 72, and the jig 71 and the guide post 50 are inserted into the socket of the base 10 without stress, so that the guide post 50 is inserted into the socket of the base; glue is applied on the other side of the socket of the base 10 (the side away from the guide post) and thermally cured, so that the guide post 50 is bonded and fixed in the socket; then, the electromagnet is powered off and demagnetized, and the jig 71 and the electromagnet are removed without stress. Of course, in other embodiments of the present invention, the jig 71 can also be set on a permanent magnet, and the permanent magnet provides magnetic force to fix the guide post. After the guide post is fixed to the base, the jig and the permanent magnet are removed.

[0041] refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in , the camera module 1 further includes an upper fulcrum structure located at the upper part of the camera module 1, and the upper fulcrum structure positions the up and down movement of the lens barrel module 30 to ensure the verticality between the optical axis of the lens in the lens barrel module 30 and the photosensitive surface of the chip. In this embodiment, the upper fulcrum structure is an upper shell 60, and the upper shell 60 is arranged on the upper outer side of the lens barrel module 30, and the flexible connection structure 40 is arranged between the lens barrel module 30 and the upper shell 60. The flexible connection structure 40 moves with the lens barrel module 30, and can prevent foreign matter such as water, oil, and dust from entering the cavity that affects the imaging performance of the module 1.

[0042] Continue to refer Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the flexible connection structure 40 forms an airbag 41, and the airbag 41 is connected to the inner cavity of the lens barrel module 30, so that when the lens barrel module 3 moves telescopically, air can flow between the airbag 41 and the inner cavity of the lens barrel module 30. Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, when the lens barrel module 30 is retracted, the inner cavity gas of the lens barrel module 30 flows into the air bag 41 of the flexible connection structure 40, reducing the resistance caused by the internal and external pressure difference when the lens barrel module 30 moves. Figure 2 and Figure 6As shown, when the lens barrel module 30 is extended, the gas in the airbag 41 of the flexible connection structure 40 flows into the inner cavity of the lens barrel module 30, reducing the resistance caused by the internal and external pressure difference when the lens barrel module 30 moves.

[0043] In this embodiment, the soft connection structure 40 is an elastic material structure and can be deformed along with the movement of the lens barrel module 30. The deformation applies an additional force to the lens barrel module 30 that is less than 50% of the thrust that pushes the lens barrel module 30 to move, thereby preventing the elastic force generated by the deformation of the soft connection structure 40 from affecting the telescopic and zooming movement of the lens barrel module 30.

[0044] In addition, continue to refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in the camera module of the present invention, the connection a1 between the upper shell 60 and the lens barrel module 30 is a sealed structure, and the connection a2 between the upper shell 60 and the flexible connection structure 40 is an open structure, so that external gas can also enter the interior of the camera module through a2, and another cavity is formed between the flexible connection structure 40 and the upper shell 60. In addition, at least 50% of the gas entering the camera module enters the other cavity formed by the outer surface of the flexible connection structure 40 and the upper shell 60 through the side a2 of the upper shell 60, which can maintain the pressure outside the flexible connection structure 40.

[0045] In the present invention, the flexible connection structure 40 is an airtight structure to prevent outside air from entering the interior of the camera module 1 and prevent air pollution. However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the flexible connection structure 40 can also be an airtight structure, and a plurality of filter structures (not shown in the figure) are arranged on the surface of the flexible connection structure 40. When the lens barrel module 30 moves, air enters the cavity through the filter structure, and the filter structure can filter foreign matter such as particles, dust, and oil in the air, thereby reducing the pollution of the camera module by outside air.

[0046] In addition, continue to refer to Figure 1 As shown in , an opening structure 80 is provided on the side wall of the housing 20, and a filter membrane is provided on the opening structure 80. When the lens barrel module 30 moves, the outside air enters the cavity along the opening structure 20, and the filter membrane can filter foreign matter such as particles, dust, and oil in the air, thereby reducing the pollution of the camera module by foreign matter. Furthermore, when the air pressure inside the cavity of the lens barrel module 30 is inconsistent with the air pressure outside the cavity of the lens barrel module 30, the air enters and exits the cavity of the lens barrel module 30 through the filter membrane, thereby ensuring the balance of the air pressure inside and outside the cavity of the lens barrel module 30.

[0047] To sum up, in the present invention, a soft connection structure is arranged on the top of the camera module, and the soft connection structure is located between the outer wall of the barrel module and the shell, and a cavity is formed inside. When the barrel module moves, the soft connection structure moves along with the barrel module to prevent foreign matter such as water, oil, dust, etc. from entering the cavity that may affect the imaging performance of the module, thereby improving the imaging quality of the camera module.

[0048] Although the present invention has been disclosed as above in the form of a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art may make possible changes and modifications to the technical solution of the present invention by using the methods and technical contents disclosed above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, any simple modifications, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A camera module, characterized in that: include: a first shell; A soft connection structure located on the upper part of the camera module; Tube module; The flexible connection structure and the lens barrel module form a cavity; The flexible connection structure is located at the upper part of the outer side of the first shell; The camera module further comprises: an upper fulcrum structure located at the upper part of the camera module, wherein the upper fulcrum structure positions the up and down movement of the lens barrel module to ensure the verticality of the lens optical axis and the photosensitive surface of the chip; The upper fulcrum structure is an upper shell, and the upper shell is arranged on the upper outer side of the lens barrel module; The connection between the upper shell and the lens barrel module is a sealed structure, and the connection between the upper shell and the flexible connection structure is an open structure, so that external air can also enter the interior of the camera module through the open structure; The flexible connection structure is arranged between the lens barrel module and the upper housing; When the lens barrel module moves, the flexible connection structure moves along with the lens barrel module to prevent foreign matter that may affect the imaging performance of the module from entering the cavity, wherein the foreign matter includes water, oil, and dust.

2. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The camera module also includes: a lower fulcrum structure located at the lower part of the camera module, and the lower fulcrum structure positions the up and down movement of the lens barrel module to ensure the verticality of the lens optical axis and the chip photosensitive surface.

3. The camera module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lower fulcrum structure is a guide column, and the guide column is adhered to the socket of the camera chip base without stress.

4. The camera module according to claim 3, characterized in that: Providing a jig, the jig fixes the guide column and is inserted into the insertion hole in an integral and stress-free manner; Adhesive curing is performed in the insertion hole to fix the guide column; The jig is removed.

5. The camera module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The fixture is a magnetic structure, and the guide column is a metal structure; magnetic force is provided to fix the guide column.

6. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The soft connection structure is an airtight structure to prevent external air pollution.

7. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The soft connection structure is made of elastic material and can be deformed along with the movement of the lens barrel module. The deformation applies an additional force to the lens barrel module that is less than 50% of the thrust that pushes the lens barrel module to move.

8. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible connection structure forms an air bag, and the air bag is communicated with the inner cavity of the lens barrel module; When the lens barrel module is retracted, the gas in the inner cavity of the lens barrel module flows into the airbag of the flexible connection structure, thereby reducing the resistance caused by the pressure difference between the inner and outer air pressures when the lens barrel module moves; When the lens barrel module is extended, the gas in the airbag of the flexible connection structure flows into the inner cavity of the lens barrel module, thereby reducing the resistance caused by the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the lens barrel module when the lens barrel module moves.

9. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of filter structures are arranged on the surface of the flexible connection structure. When the lens barrel module moves, air enters the cavity through the filter structures, thereby reducing external air pollution.

10. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that: An opening structure is arranged on the side wall of the first shell, and a filter membrane is arranged on the opening structure; when the lens barrel module moves, outside air enters the cavity along the opening structure, thereby reducing the pollution of the module by foreign matter.

11. The camera module according to claim 10, characterized in that: When the air pressure inside the cavity of the lens barrel module is inconsistent with the air pressure outside the cavity of the lens barrel module, air enters and exits the cavity of the lens barrel module through the filter membrane to ensure the balance of air pressure inside and outside the cavity of the lens barrel module.

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