Camera module

Abstract

The application relates to a camera module, characterized in that the camera module comprises a lens barrel module, an upper support structure located at the upper part of the camera module, and a lower support structure located at the lower part of the camera module; the upper support structure and the lower support structure position the up-and-down movement of the lens barrel module and ensure the perpendicularity of the lens optical axis and the chip photosensitive surface.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a camera module. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the rapid development of the smart phone industry, people's requirements for the imaging effect of the phone camera are also gradually increasing. Compared with traditional camera systems, cell phone camera modules (CCM) are widely used in various new generation portable camera devices due to their small size, low power consumption, low cost, and high image quality.

[0003] At present, the structure of the CCM includes a lens barrel module, a voice coil motor (VCM), an infrared cut-off filter, a sensor, a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) or a printed circuit board (PCB), and a connector connected to the main board of the phone. Among them, the VCM is used to realize the auto-focusing function of the lens unit, and the VCM is usually composed of a magnetic component, a coil, a spring piece and a carrier. During the operation of the VCM, the coil is first energized, and a magnetic field is generated after the coil is energized. The magnetic field generated in the coil acts on the magnetic component, and under the action of electromagnetic force, the coil moves, thereby driving the lens barrel module connected with the VCM to move, adjusting the image distance and object distance, and presenting a clear image. SUMMARY

[0004] The purpose of the present application is to improve the force between the coil and the magnetic component in the structure of the voice coil motor, improve the auto-focusing performance of the camera module, ensure the perpendicularity of the lens optical axis and the chip photosensitive surface, and improve the imaging quality.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a camera module, which comprises: a lens barrel module, an upper support structure located at the upper part of the camera module, and a lower support structure located at the lower part of the camera module.

[0006] The upper and lower support structures position the up and down movement of the lens barrel module, and ensure the perpendicularity of the lens optical axis and the chip photosensitive surface.

[0007] Preferably, the upper support structure is the inner surface of the upper part of the camera module shell, which supports the upper outer side of the lens barrel module during the up and down movement of the lens barrel module.

[0008] Preferably, the upper support structure is an elastic structure assembled on the upper half of the camera module shell, which supports the upper outer side of the lens barrel module during the up and down movement of the lens barrel module.

[0009] Preferably, the module further includes: a rigid inner flange structure of the module shell that bends from bottom to top, the rigid inner flange structure forming a magnetic circuit with the magnetic component.

[0010] Preferably, the lower support structure is an elastic clamping structure.

[0011] Preferably, the lower support elastic clamping structure is composed of one or more elastic sheets with horizontal bottoms and bent from the inside upwards; the elastic clamping structure clamps the lower outer side of the lens module to maintain the stability of the lens module.

[0012] Preferably, the lower support elastic clamping structure is an elastic sheet assembled on the outside of the lens barrel module; the elastic sheet presses against the inner side of the rigid inner flange or the inner side of the outer shell structure to maintain the stability of the lens barrel module.

[0013] Preferably, the lower support elastic clamping structure is assembled between the rigid inner flange structure of the module housing and the lens barrel module; the rigid inner flange structure of the module housing can be used to maintain the position of the elastic clamping structure.

[0014] Preferably, the elastic clamping structure has a pre-deformation of 10 micrometers or more. The pre-deformation provides a radial clamping force to clamp the lens barrel module, and the clamping force between the elastic clamping structure and the lens barrel module provides an axial frictional force for the lens barrel module to stabilize the axial position of the lens barrel module.

[0015] Preferably, the lens barrel module and the elastic clamping structure are a combination;

[0016] There is a gap of less than 100 micrometers between the assembly and the rigid inner flange structure of the module shell; the radial displacement of the assembly on the rigid inner flange structure of the module shell cannot exceed the gap, thereby ensuring that the radial deviation of the lens module is within the gap.

[0017] Preferably, during module assembly, the bottom of the elastic clamping structure is fixed to the bottom of the outer shell, and the assembly accuracy of the upper part of the elastic clamping structure and the upper part of the inner flange structure of the outer shell radial dimension is calibrated by using a plug gauge.

[0018] Preferably, the lower support structure is a spring-loaded structure located at the bottom of the lens barrel module.

[0019] Preferably, the lower support structure is a conductive spring structure consisting of two or more pieces disposed at the bottom of the lens barrel module, wherein the two or more conductive spring pieces serve to connect the coil to the external circuit.

[0020] Preferably, the spring sheet of the lower support structure is a flat spring sheet, and the width of the spring sheet is more than twice the thickness.

[0021] Preferably, the lower support structure is a spring sheet structure disposed at the bottom of the lens barrel module and an elastic clamping structure located on the outside of the lens barrel module.

[0022] Preferably, a locking structure is provided for the lens barrel module; this can lock the position of the lens barrel module when the camera module is not working, preventing the lens barrel module from sliding out under external force.

[0023] Preferably, the locking structure is a temperature-controlled locking structure. When no current heating is used, the locking structure locks the lens barrel module in its current position at room temperature. When the current heating reaches a certain temperature, the locking structure releases the lens barrel module, allowing the lens barrel module to move.

[0024] Preferably, the temperature-controlled latch structure consists of a bimetallic strip and a driving circuit.

[0025] Preferably, the temperature-controlled latch structure is composed of a shape memory alloy and a drive circuit.

[0026] Preferably, the locking structure is an electromagnetically controlled mechanical locking structure.

[0027] Preferably, the locking structure is a temperature-variable adhesive locking structure; when the temperature is low, the adhesive of the adhesive locking structure has a high viscosity, adhering to the lens barrel module and locking the lens barrel module in the current position; when the temperature is high, the adhesive of the adhesive locking structure has a low viscosity, the adhesive locking structure releases the lens barrel module, and the lens barrel module moves.

[0028] The camera module of this invention has an upper support structure located at the top of the camera module and a lower support structure located at the bottom of the camera module. The upper and lower support structures position the vertical movement of the lens barrel module, ensuring the perpendicularity of the lens optical axis and the chip photosensitive surface. Furthermore, the inner side of the module's outer shell has an inwardly bent flange structure, which forms a magnetic circuit with a magnetic component. This magnetic circuit tightly surrounds the coil, enhancing the electromagnetic force between the coil and the magnetic component, improving the autofocus function of the voice coil motor structure, and improving image quality. The inwardly bent flange structure surrounding the coil reduces magnetic resistance and prevents the coil from falling off. Additionally, an elastic clamping structure is provided to clamp the lower outer side of the lens barrel module to maintain its stability. Furthermore, a locking structure for the lens barrel module is provided; this locks the position of the lens barrel module when the camera module is not in operation, preventing it from sliding out under external force. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2This is a top view schematic diagram of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 This is a top view schematic diagram of a camera module according to another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a full understanding of the invention. However, the invention can be practiced in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar extensions without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0033] Secondly, the present invention is described in detail using schematic diagrams. When describing the embodiments of the present invention in detail, the schematic diagrams are merely examples for ease of explanation and should not limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the voice coil motor structure of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] refer to Figure 1 The camera module of the present invention includes a housing 10, a magnetic component 20, and a lens barrel module 50 disposed in the housing 10; the housing structure 10 includes an upper housing structure 200 and a lower housing structure 400; the camera module also includes an upper support structure located at the upper part of the camera module and a lower support structure located at the lower part of the camera module; the upper support structure and the lower support structure position the up and down movement of the lens barrel module to ensure the perpendicularity of the lens optical axis and the chip photosensitive surface.

[0036] In one embodiment, the upper support structure 110 is the upper inner surface of the camera module housing. The upper inner surface of the housing supports the upper outer side of the lens barrel module when the lens barrel module moves up and down. In this case, the upper support structure is a rigid structure.

[0037] In one embodiment, the upper support structure 110 is an elastic structure assembled on the upper half of the camera module housing, which supports the upper outer side of the lens barrel module when the lens barrel module moves up and down.

[0038] The inner side of the outer shell 10 has an inner flange structure 11 that bends from bottom to top. The coil 30 and the magnetic component 20 are disposed in the inner flange structure 11. The inner flange structure 11 and the magnetic component 20 form a magnetic circuit, as shown by the dotted line in the figure.

[0039] During the extension and retraction of the camera module, the coil 30 is energized, and an electromagnetic force is generated between the coil 30 and the magnetic component 20. The coil 30 drives the lens barrel module 50 to move, adjusting the image distance and object distance to present a clear image.

[0040] Because the magnetic circuit tightly surrounds the coil 30, it enhances the electromagnetic force between the coil 30 and the magnetic component 20, thereby improving the autofocus function of the voice coil motor structure and improving imaging performance. In addition, the inner flange structure 11 surrounds the coil 30, which can reduce magnetic resistance and prevent the coil 30 from falling off.

[0041] Preferably, the inner flange structure 11 is a rigid structure, which can be used to stabilize the lens barrel module 50 and prevent the lens barrel module 50 from tilting.

[0042] Please continue to refer to this. Figure 1 In one embodiment, the lower support structure is an elastic clamping structure 40; the lower support elastic clamping structure is composed of one or more elastic sheets with horizontal bottoms and bent upwards from the inside; the inner side 41 of the elastic clamping structure clamps the lower outer side 51 of the lens barrel module to maintain the stability of the lens barrel module.

[0043] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, in the camera module of the present invention, the lower support elastic clamping structure 40 is assembled between the rigid inner flange structure 11 of the module housing and the lens barrel module 50; the rigid inner flange structure 11 of the module housing can be used to maintain the position of the elastic clamping structure; the elastic clamping structure 40 clamps the lens barrel module 50 to maintain the position of the lens barrel module 50. The elastic clamping structure 40 and the clamping lens barrel module 50 can be in point contact, line contact, or surface contact.

[0044] Specifically, the elastic clamping structure 40 has a pre-deformation of 10 micrometers or more, which provides a radial clamping force to clamp the lens barrel module 50. The clamping force between the elastic clamping structure 40 and the lens barrel module 50 provides an axial frictional force to stabilize the axial position of the lens barrel module 50.

[0045] In one embodiment, the lens barrel module and the elastic clamping structure are an assembly; the assembly and the rigid inner flange structure of the module housing have a gap D of less than 100 micrometers; the radial displacement of the assembly on the rigid inner flange structure of the module housing cannot exceed the gap, thereby ensuring that the radial deviation of the lens barrel module is within the gap.

[0046] During module assembly, the bottom of the elastic clamping structure is fixed to the bottom of the outer shell, and the assembly accuracy of the upper part of the elastic clamping structure and the upper part of the inner flange structure of the outer shell is calibrated using a plug gauge.

[0047] Please continue to refer to this. Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 Two different spatial structures are designed for the elastic clamping structure.

[0048] In another embodiment, the lower support elastic clamping structure is an elastic sheet (not shown) assembled on the outside of the lens barrel module; the elastic sheet presses against the inside of the rigid inner flange or the inside of the outer shell structure to maintain the stability of the lens barrel module.

[0049] In another embodiment, the lower support structure is a spring sheet structure 500 disposed at the bottom of the lens barrel module. The lower support structure consists of two or more conductive spring sheet structures disposed at the bottom of the lens barrel module. The two or more conductive spring sheet structures serve to connect the coil to the external circuit.

[0050] In one embodiment, the spring sheet of the lower support structure is a flat spring sheet, and the width of the spring sheet is more than twice the thickness.

[0051] In a further embodiment, the spring sheet structure 500 at the bottom of the lens barrel module and the elastic clamping structure 40 located on the outside of the lens barrel module together serve as the lower support structure.

[0052] Refer again Figure 1 The camera module is equipped with locking structures 41 and 51 for the lens barrel module; when the camera module is not working, the position of the lens barrel module can be locked to prevent the lens barrel module from sliding out under the action of external force.

[0053] In one embodiment, the locking structure is a temperature-controlled locking structure. When no current heating is used, at room temperature, the locking structure locks the lens barrel module in its current position. When the current heats the lens barrel module to a certain temperature, the locking structure releases the lens barrel module, allowing the lens barrel module to move. The temperature-controlled locking structure consists of a bimetallic strip and a driving circuit, or the temperature-controlled locking structure consists of a shape memory alloy and a driving circuit.

[0054] In another embodiment, the locking structure is an electromagnetically controlled mechanical locking structure.

[0055] In another embodiment, the locking structure is a temperature-variable adhesive locking structure; when the temperature is low, the adhesive of the adhesive locking structure has a high viscosity, adhering to the lens barrel module and locking the lens barrel module in the current position; when the temperature is high, the adhesive of the adhesive locking structure has a low viscosity, the adhesive locking structure releases the lens barrel module, and the lens barrel module moves.

[0056] In summary, the camera module of the present invention has an upper support structure located at the top of the camera module and a lower support structure located at the bottom of the camera module. The upper and lower support structures position the vertical movement of the lens barrel module, ensuring the perpendicularity of the lens optical axis and the chip photosensitive surface. In addition, the inner side of the module's outer shell has an inwardly bent flange structure that forms a magnetic circuit with the magnetic component. This magnetic circuit tightly surrounds the coil, enhancing the electromagnetic force between the coil and the magnetic component, improving the autofocus function of the voice coil motor structure, and improving image quality. The inwardly bent flange structure surrounding the coil reduces magnetic resistance and prevents the coil from falling off. Furthermore, an elastic clamping structure is provided to clamp the lower outer side of the lens barrel module to maintain its stability. In addition, a locking structure for the lens barrel module is provided; this can lock the position of the lens barrel module when the camera module is not in operation, preventing the lens barrel module from sliding out under external force.

[0057] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make possible changes and modifications to the technical solutions of the present invention by utilizing the methods and techniques disclosed above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solutions of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Claims

1. A camera module, characterized in that, The camera module includes: a lens barrel module, an upper support structure located at the top of the camera module, and a lower support structure located at the bottom of the camera module; The upper and lower support structures position the lens barrel module for vertical movement, ensuring the perpendicularity of the lens optical axis and the chip photosensitive surface. The lower support structure is an elastic clamping structure with a pre-deformation of 10 micrometers or more. The pre-deformation provides radial clamping force to hold the lens barrel module, and the clamping force between the elastic clamping structure and the lens barrel module provides axial friction force to stabilize the axial position of the lens barrel module. The module further includes: a rigid inner flange structure that bends upwards from the bottom of the module shell, in which a coil and a magnetic component are disposed; the rigid inner flange structure and the magnetic component form a magnetic circuit; the lens barrel module and the elastic clamping structure are an assembly; there is a gap of less than 100 micrometers between the assembly and the rigid inner flange structure of the module shell; the radial displacement of the assembly within the rigid inner flange structure of the module shell cannot exceed the gap, thereby ensuring that the radial deviation of the lens barrel module is within the gap.

2. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper support structure is the upper inner surface of the camera module housing. The upper inner surface of the housing supports the upper outer side of the lens barrel module when the lens barrel module moves up and down.

3. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper support structure is an elastic structure assembled on the upper half of the camera module housing. The elastic structure supports the upper outer side of the lens barrel module when the lens barrel module moves up and down.

4. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower support elastic clamping structure is composed of one or more elastic sheets with horizontal bottoms and bent from the inside upwards; the elastic clamping structure clamps the lower outer side of the lens barrel module to maintain the stability of the lens barrel module.

5. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower support elastic clamping structure is an elastic sheet assembled on the outside of the lens barrel module; the elastic sheet presses against the inside of the rigid inner flange or the inside of the outer shell structure to maintain the stability of the lens barrel module.

6. The camera module according to claim 4, characterized in that, The lower support elastic clamping structure is assembled between the rigid inner flange structure of the module shell and the lens barrel module; the rigid inner flange structure of the module shell can be used to maintain the position of the elastic clamping structure.

7. The camera module according to claim 6, characterized in that, During module assembly, the bottom of the elastic clamping structure is fixed to the bottom of the outer shell, and the assembly accuracy of the upper part of the elastic clamping structure and the upper part of the inner flange structure of the outer shell is calibrated using a plug gauge.

8. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower support structure is a spring-loaded structure located at the bottom of the lens barrel module.

9. The camera module according to claim 8, characterized in that, The lower support structure consists of two or more conductive spring pieces located at the bottom of the lens barrel module. These conductive spring pieces serve to connect the coil to the external circuit.

10. The camera module according to claim 8, characterized in that, The spring sheet of the lower support structure is a flat spring sheet, and the width of the spring sheet is more than twice the thickness.

11. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower support structure consists of a spring sheet structure located at the bottom of the lens barrel module and an elastic clamping structure located on the outside of the lens barrel module.

12. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, It is equipped with a locking structure for the lens barrel module; when the camera module is not working, the position of the lens barrel module can be locked to prevent the lens barrel module from sliding out under the action of external force.

13. The camera module according to claim 12, characterized in that, The locking structure is a temperature-controlled locking structure. When no current heating is used, the locking structure locks the lens barrel module in its current position at room temperature. When the current heating reaches a certain temperature, the locking structure releases the lens barrel module, allowing the lens barrel module to move.

14. The camera module according to claim 13, characterized in that, The temperature-controlled latch structure consists of a bimetallic strip and a driving circuit.

15. The camera module according to claim 13, characterized in that, The temperature-controlled latch structure consists of a shape memory alloy and a drive circuit.

16. The camera module according to claim 13, characterized in that, The locking structure is an electromagnetically controlled mechanical locking structure.

17. The camera module according to claim 13, characterized in that, The locking structure is a temperature-variable adhesive locking structure; when the temperature is low, the adhesive of the adhesive locking structure has a high viscosity, which adheres to the lens barrel module and locks the lens barrel module in the current position; when the temperature is high, the adhesive of the adhesive locking structure has a low viscosity, the adhesive locking structure releases the lens barrel module, and the lens barrel module moves.

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