A camera

Abstract

The present invention relates to a camera, comprising a lens (1), a base (2) mounted on the lens (1), and an imaging component (3) located at the lower side of the lens (1) and connected to the base (2), wherein the base (2) drives the imaging component (3) to move along the optical axis as the temperature changes. When the temperature of the working environment of the camera of the present invention changes, the base can drive the imaging component 3 to move along the optical axis as the temperature changes, thereby compensating for the temperature drift problem of the lens caused by the temperature change, thereby ensuring that the camera of the present invention has good imaging performance in both high and low temperature environments.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a camera. Background Art

[0002] With the development of photoelectric imaging sensors and image processing system platforms, the market has higher and higher requirements for camera resolution, especially in the consumer field, including vehicle-mounted cameras and security cameras. Low-pixel cameras can no longer meet the needs and are gradually being eliminated. With the continuous upgrading of the pixels of photoelectric imaging sensors, the resolution of cameras is required to be higher and higher, but the resolution margin of lenses relative to photoelectric sensors is getting smaller and smaller. For example, in the automotive field, cameras must be able to have normal resolution in high and low temperature environments (generally low temperature of -40℃, high temperature of 85℃, or even 105℃). In high and low temperature environments, due to the temperature drift of the lens, the lens will be out of focus, resulting in blurred images.

[0003] On the other hand, with the development trend of camera miniaturization, the heat accumulation inside the camera will make the internal temperature higher, making the lens temperature drift problem more serious. Therefore, how to solve the temperature drift problem of the camera, especially how to solve the temperature drift problem of the lens while miniaturizing the camera, has become one of the important research directions in the industry. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a camera with temperature drift compensation capability.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides a camera, comprising a lens and a base mounted on the lens, and an imaging component located at the lower side of the lens and connected to the base, wherein the base drives the imaging component to move along the optical axis as the temperature changes.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, the base drives the imaging assembly to move in a direction away from the lens when the temperature rises.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the base drives the imaging assembly to move toward the direction close to the lens when the temperature drops.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the movement amount of the imaging assembly is equal to the product of the height of the imaging assembly, the expansion coefficient of the base and the temperature change difference.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, the lens is fixedly connected to the base, and the height of the imaging assembly is the vertical height of the imaging assembly from the position where the lens and the base are fixed.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, the lens is connected to the base by snapping, bonding or threading.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, the lens is fixedly connected to the base from bottom to top along the vertical direction.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, the lens is provided with a first annular bearing flange and a second annular bearing flange, and the base is provided with a first bearing surface and a second bearing surface respectively matching with the first annular bearing flange and the second annular bearing flange.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, the imaging assembly includes a circuit board fixedly connected to the base and a photoelectric imaging sensor supported on the circuit board.

[0014] According to one solution of the present invention, when the ambient temperature rises, the base will drive the imaging component (photoelectric imaging sensor) to move away from the lens, and when the ambient temperature drops, the base will drive the imaging component to move closer to the lens. This can solve the problem of lens temperature drift caused by temperature changes, and the base drives the movement of the imaging component to form temperature drift compensation, thereby ensuring that the imaging quality of the camera remains good in high and low temperature environments, avoiding the impact of temperature changes on imaging.

[0015] According to one solution of the present invention, the lens is assembled with the base from the bottom of the base in an inverted manner. In this way, the opening diameter of the upper end of the base can be controlled, so that the opening diameter is greatly reduced compared to the lens being fixedly connected from the top of the base in a normal manner, which is conducive to the miniaturization of the camera and also conducive to the coaxiality and parallelism of the lens 1 and the base.

[0016] According to one solution of the present invention, a first annular bearing flange and a second annular bearing flange are provided on the lens. In the present embodiment, the first annular bearing flange and the second annular bearing flange are arranged in the vertical direction. A first bearing surface and a second bearing surface are provided on the base, respectively. When the lens and the base are fixedly connected, the first bearing surface cooperates with the first annular bearing flange, and the second bearing surface cooperates with the second annular bearing flange. In this way, the coaxiality and parallelism of the lens and the base when they are connected can be effectively improved, and the poor imaging quality of the camera due to assembly errors can be avoided.

[0017] According to one solution of the present invention, the movement amount of the photoelectric imaging sensor is equal to the product of the height of the photoelectric imaging sensor, the expansion coefficient of the base, and the difference in temperature change. In other words, when the ambient temperature changes, the final movement amount of the photoelectric imaging sensor can be controlled by controlling the expansion coefficient of the base and the height of the photoelectric imaging sensor, thereby achieving temperature drift compensation of the camera and ensuring the imaging quality of the camera. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the structure of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing an assembly of a lens and a base according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 Schematically indicated by Figure 2 A structural diagram of a camera assembled in the manner shown;

[0021] Figure 4 A diagram schematically showing temperature drift compensation of a camera according to the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 A height diagram schematically illustrating an imaging assembly of the present invention.

[0023] The meanings of the symbols in the accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0024] 1. Lens. 2. Base. 3. Imaging assembly. 11. First annular supporting flange. 12. Second annular supporting flange. 21. First supporting surface. 22. Second supporting surface. 31. Circuit board. 32. Photoelectric imaging sensor. h. Height of imaging assembly. L. Movement amount of imaging assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments are briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention, and for ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0026] When describing the embodiments of the present invention, the orientation or positional relationship expressed by the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside" and "outside" are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the relevant drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, the above terms should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0027] The present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. The embodiments cannot be described one by one here, but the embodiments of the present invention are not therefore limited to the following embodiments.

[0028] like Figure 1As shown, the camera of the present invention comprises a lens 1, a base 2 and an imaging component 3. The base 2 of the present invention is mounted on the lens 1 and fixedly connected to the lens 1, and the imaging component 3 is located at the lower side of the lens 1 and fixedly connected to the base 2. In the present invention, the base 2 can drive the imaging component 3 to move along the optical axis direction as the ambient temperature changes.

[0029] Specifically, in this embodiment, the imaging component 3 includes a circuit board 31 and a photoelectric imaging sensor 32 supported on the circuit board 31. The circuit board 31 is located at the lower side of the base 2 and is fixedly connected to the base 2, for example, by bonding. The photoelectric imaging sensor 32 is located directly below the lens 1 and on the imaging optical axis. In the present invention, the base 2 is a thermosensitive material, and the base 2 will expand and contract accordingly with the change of temperature. Specifically, when the ambient temperature rises, the base 2 will drive the imaging component 3 (photoelectric imaging sensor 32) to move in a direction away from the lens 1, and when the ambient temperature drops, the base 2 will drive the imaging component 3 to move in a direction close to the lens 1. In this way, the problem of temperature drift of the lens 1 caused by temperature changes can be solved, and the base 2 drives the movement of the imaging component 3 to form temperature drift compensation, thereby ensuring that the imaging quality of the camera is still good in high and low temperature environments, and avoiding the influence of temperature changes on imaging.

[0030] Combination Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the camera of the present invention adopts an inverted assembly method, that is, when the lens 1 is fixedly connected to the base 2, the lens 1 is connected to the base 2 from the bottom to the top from the bottom of the base 2. In this embodiment, the lens 1 and the base 2 are connected by threads. Of course, according to the concept of the present invention, the lens 1 and the base 2 can also be fixedly connected by bonding, clamping, etc., as long as the structural strength is met. After the lens 1 and the base 2 are fixedly connected, the imaging component 3 is fixedly connected to the base 2.

[0031] The camera of the present invention adopts an inverted mounting method to assemble the lens 1 with the base 2 from the bottom of the base 2. In this way, the opening diameter of the upper end of the base 2 can be controlled, so that the opening diameter is greatly reduced compared with the case where the lens 1 is fixedly connected from the top of the base 2 in a normal mounting manner, which is conducive to the miniaturization of the camera and also facilitates the coaxiality and parallelism of the lens 1 and the base.

[0032] In the present invention, the lens 1 is provided with a first annular bearing flange 11 and a second annular bearing flange 12. In this embodiment, the first annular bearing flange 11 and the second annular bearing flange 12 are arranged in the vertical direction. The base 2 is provided with a first bearing surface 21 and a second bearing surface 22. When the lens 1 and the base 2 are fixedly connected, the first bearing surface 21 cooperates with the first annular bearing flange 11, and the second bearing surface 22 cooperates with the second annular bearing flange 12.

[0033] In the present invention, the first bearing surface 21 and the second bearing surface 22 can be formed on the base 2 by one-time processing, and the first bearing surface 21 and the second bearing surface 22 are both annular surfaces. The first annular bearing flange 11 and the second annular bearing flange 12 on the lens 1 can also be formed by one-time processing. In this embodiment, the first annular bearing flange 11 and the second annular bearing flange 12 are both set in the form of cylindrical bosses, respectively matching with the first bearing surface 21 and the second bearing surface 22. In this way, the coaxiality and parallelism of the lens 1 and the base 2 when they are matched and connected can be effectively improved, and the poor imaging quality of the camera caused by assembly errors can be avoided.

[0034] Of course, according to the concept of the present invention, the matching shapes of the first bearing surface 21 and the first annular bearing flange 11, the second bearing surface 22 and the second annular bearing flange 12 are not limited, and can also be set to other forms such as cones.

[0035] Combination Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the movement amount L of the photoelectric imaging sensor 32 driven by the base 2 of the present invention is related to the height h of the photoelectric imaging sensor 32, the expansion coefficient of the base 2, and the difference in temperature change. Specifically, the movement amount L of the photoelectric imaging sensor 32 is equal to the product of the height h of the photoelectric imaging sensor 32, the expansion coefficient of the base 2, and the difference in temperature change. In other words, when the ambient temperature changes, the final movement amount of the photoelectric imaging sensor 32 can be controlled by controlling the expansion coefficient of the base 2 and the height of the photoelectric imaging sensor 32, thereby realizing the temperature drift compensation of the camera and ensuring the imaging quality of the camera.

[0036] The expansion coefficient of the base 2 is related to the material of the base 2, and a suitable material can be selected to control the expansion coefficient of the base 2. The height of the photoelectric imaging sensor 32 is the vertical distance between the photoelectric imaging sensor 32 and the fixed connection between the lens 1 and the base 2. For example, in this embodiment, the lens 1 and the base 2 are connected by threads, and the height h of the photoelectric imaging sensor 32 is the vertical distance between the photoelectric imaging sensor 32 and the threaded connection. It should be understood that the lens 1 and the base 2 are connected by threads, and the threads have a certain length. At this time, the fixed connection between the lens 1 and the base 2 is selected as the midpoint of the threads.

[0037] The camera of the present invention can set a suitable height h of the photoelectric imaging sensor 32 according to the actual working environment, and select a suitable material for the base 2 to control its expansion coefficient, so that when the ambient temperature changes, the photoelectric imaging sensor 32 can be quantitatively displaced, so that the temperature drift of the lens 1 caused by the temperature change can be compensated to ensure the imaging quality.

[0038] The following is an example of a forward-looking ADAS lens for a vehicle. A general forward-looking ADAS lens for a vehicle is a lens with a metal lens barrel and a full glass lens, and the overall length of the lens is 25mm. When the working environment temperature of the lens changes between 25°C and 85°C, the focus deviation of the lens is 20μm. According to the concept of the present invention, a suitable base can be selected to solve the above-mentioned temperature drift problem. In this embodiment, the material of the base is selected from metal aluminum material, and its thermal expansion coefficient is 23.7ppm / °C. At this time, the height h of the photoelectric imaging sensor that should be set has a relationship with the above parameters: h*23.7ppm / °C*(85°C-25°C)=20μm. Then h=14.06mm. That is, the above parameters can be installed in this embodiment to assemble the camera of the present invention, which can well solve the focus deviation problem caused by temperature changes of the lens and realize temperature drift compensation.

[0039] The above is only one solution of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A camera, comprising a lens (1), a base (2) mounted on the lens (1), and an imaging assembly (3) located below the lens (1) and connected to the base (2), characterized in that: The base (2) drives the imaging component (3) to move along the optical axis as the temperature changes; The lens (1) is fixedly connected to the base (2); The imaging assembly (3) comprises a circuit board (31) fixedly connected to the base (2) and a photoelectric imaging sensor (32) supported on the circuit board (31); the movement amount of the photoelectric imaging sensor (32) is equal to the product of the height of the photoelectric imaging sensor (32), the expansion coefficient of the base (2) and the difference in temperature change, wherein the height of the photoelectric imaging sensor (32) is the vertical distance between the photoelectric imaging sensor (32) and the fixed connection point between the lens (1) and the base (2); The amount of movement of the photoelectric imaging sensor (32) is equal to the amount of focus deviation of the lens (1).

2. The camera according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the temperature of the base (2) rises, the imaging component (3) is driven to move in a direction away from the lens (1).

3. The camera according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the temperature of the base (2) decreases, the imaging component (3) is driven to move in a direction close to the lens (1).

4. The camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The lens (1) is connected to the base (2) by snapping, bonding or threading.

5. The camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The lens (1) is fixedly connected to the base (2) from bottom to top along the vertical direction.

6. The camera according to claim 5, characterized in that: The lens (1) is provided with a first annular supporting flange (11) and a second annular supporting flange (12), and the base (2) is provided with a first supporting surface (21) and a second supporting surface (22) respectively matching with the first annular supporting flange (11) and the second annular supporting flange (12).

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