A camera module and an electronic device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a camera module and an electronic device, wherein the camera module comprises: a camera part and a light emitting part, wherein the camera part comprises a circuit substrate, a photosensitive element and a lens, and the light emitting part comprises a light emitting element and a light guide structure; wherein the light emitting element is fixed to the outer surface of the camera part, and the light emitted by the light emitting element is guided by the light guide structure and emitted from the camera module in the direction facing the front of the lens. The module and device provided in the present application are used to solve the technical problem in the prior art that functional requirements such as breathing lights and screen-to-body ratio requirements cannot be taken into account at the same time. The technical effect of taking into account both functional requirements and screen-to-body ratio requirements is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of electronic technology, and in particular to a camera module and electronic equipment. Background Art

[0002] As competition in the smartphone market intensifies, manufacturers have higher and higher design requirements for mobile phone products in order to meet the growing needs of users. One of the important design requirements is full screen.

[0003] In order to follow the development trend of full-screen phones, it is necessary to reduce the number of transparent holes on the front of the phone. The current solution is to remove the front breathing light and other designs to ensure the overall screen-to-body ratio. However, this solution comes at the expense of functionality. Although it improves the screen-to-body ratio, it affects the user experience.

[0004] It can be seen that there are currently technical problems that functional requirements such as breathing lights and screen-to-body ratio requirements cannot be taken into account at the same time.

[0005] Application Content

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present application is proposed to provide a camera module and electronic device that overcome the above problems or at least partially solve the above problems.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a camera module, comprising:

[0008] An imaging unit and a light emitting unit, wherein the imaging unit includes a circuit substrate, a photosensitive element and a lens, and the light emitting unit includes a light emitting element and a light guiding structure;

[0009] The light emitting element is fixed to the outer surface of the camera part, and the light emitted by the light emitting element is guided by the light guide structure and emitted out of the camera module from the direction facing the front of the lens.

[0010] Optionally, the light emitting surface of the light emitting element faces the light guiding structure; the light emitting element is fixed on the circuit substrate, or the light emitting element is fixed to an edge area of ​​the front side of the lens.

[0011] Optionally, the light-guiding structure is fixed to an inner wall of an electronic device on which the camera module is installed, and the light-guiding structure comprises: a reflective structure and a light-guiding portion, and when the camera module is installed on the electronic device, a light-transmitting area of ​​the light-guiding portion faces a front center area of ​​the lens; wherein, when the camera module is installed on the electronic device, a light-emitting surface of the light-emitting element faces the reflective structure, and the reflective structure reflects the light emitted by the light-emitting element into the light-guiding portion, and the light is emitted from the light-transmitting area of ​​the light-guiding portion after being reflected inside the light-guiding portion.

[0012] Optionally, the light guide structure is fixed to the outer surface of the imaging unit. The light guide structure includes a light incident portion and a light guide portion. The light incident portion covers the light-emitting element, and the light guide portion at least partially covers the lens. The light-transmitting area of the light guide portion faces the front center area of the lens. Among them, the light emitted by the light-emitting element enters the light guide portion from the light incident portion and is emitted from the light-transmitting area of the light guide portion after being reflected inside the light guide portion.

[0013] Optionally, the light-emitting element is fixed on the circuit board; the light guide structure is a light guide cover, the light incident portion is the end face of the light guide cover, and the light guide portion is the part except the end face; the light guide cover is fixed on the circuit board or the lens; both the photosensitive element and the lens are built in the space surrounded by the light guide cover and the circuit board. Among them, the light emitted by the light-emitting element enters the light guide cover through the end face of the light guide cover and is emitted from the light-transmitting area of the light guide cover after being reflected inside the light guide cover.

[0014] Optionally, the light-emitting element is fixed in the edge area on the front of the lens; the light guide structure is fixed on the lens, and the light guide structure is a light guide plate or a light guide cover.

[0015] Optionally, light-blocking layers are coated on the edge areas of the inner and outer surfaces of the light guide portion. Among them, the light emitted by the light-emitting element enters the light guide portion from the light incident portion and is emitted from the light-transmitting area of the light guide portion after being reflected by the light-blocking layer.

[0016] Optionally, the light-emitting element is fixed on the outer surface of the lens or the outer surface of the bracket of the imaging module. The imaging module further includes a three-dimensional circuit prepared by a laser direct structuring technology on the outer surface of the lens or the outer surface of the bracket. The three-dimensional circuit connects the light-emitting element and the circuit board to realize the electrical signal connection between the light-emitting element and the circuit board; or a flexible board located on the outer surface of the lens or the outer surface of the bracket, and the flexible board connects the light-emitting element and the circuit board to realize the electrical signal connection between the light-emitting element and the circuit board.

[0017] Optionally, when the photosensitive element is in a photosensitive state, the light-emitting element is in a non-light-emitting state; when the light-emitting element is in a light-emitting state, the photosensitive element is in a non-photosensitive state. The imaging unit further includes a filter, and the filter is located between the photosensitive element and the lens.

[0018] In a second aspect, the present application further provides an electronic device, and the electronic device includes the imaging module according to any one of the first aspect.

[0019] The technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present invention has at least the following technical effects or advantages:

[0020] The camera module and the electronic device provided in the embodiments of the present application fix a light-emitting element on the outer surface of the imaging part of the camera module, and set a light guide structure to guide the light to emit. Without increasing the size of the module, the functions of imaging and light emission can be realized simultaneously. Moreover, since the light does not need to pass through the lens of the imaging part and is directly guided by the light guide structure to emit from the direction facing the front of the lens, the weakening of the light by the lens can be avoided. On the basis of ensuring that the sensing element is directly opposite to the center of the lens to obtain high-quality imaging quality, the light emission amount of the light-emitting element is taken into account.

[0021] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to be able to understand the technical means of the present invention more clearly, it can be implemented according to the content of the description. And in order to make the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and understandable, the following specific embodiments of the present invention are specifically given. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] By reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, various other advantages and benefits will become clear to those of ordinary skill in the art. The drawings are only for the purpose of showing the preferred embodiments and are not considered to be a limitation of the present invention. Moreover, throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to represent the same components. In the drawings:

[0023] Figure 1 is the structure of the camera module in the embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 ;

[0024] Figure 2 is the structure of the camera module in the embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 ;

[0025] Figure 3 is the structure of the camera module in the embodiment of the present invention Figure 3 ;

[0026] Figure 4 is the structure of the camera module in the embodiment of the present invention Figure 4 ;

[0027] Figure 5 is the structure of the camera module in the embodiment of the present invention Figure 5 ;

[0028] Figure 6 is the schematic structural diagram of the electronic device in the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application. Apparently, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0030] Embodiment 1

[0031] In this embodiment, an imaging module is provided. As Figures 1-5 shown, it includes:

[0032] An imaging unit and a light-emitting unit. Among them, the imaging unit includes a circuit board 1, a photosensitive element 2, and a lens 4, and the light-emitting unit includes a light-emitting element 5 and a light guide structure 6;

[0033] Among them, the light-emitting element 5 is fixed on the outer surface of the imaging unit. The light emitted by the light-emitting element 5 is guided by the light guide structure and emitted outside the imaging module from the direction facing the front of the lens 4, so as to be able to basically coincide with the optical path for the photosensitive element 2 of the imaging module to obtain light. After the imaging module is installed in an electronic device, the light-emitting element 5 and the photosensitive element 2 can emit and obtain light through the same transparent hole. And there is no need to make structural modifications to the imaging unit, and only the light-emitting unit needs to be processed on the outer surface of the imaging unit, and the processing technology is more simplified.

[0034] It should be noted that this imaging module can be installed in electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablet computers, detectors, or smart watches. The fixing methods between the components of this imaging module can be bonding, clamping, or screw fixing, etc. Among them, the photosensitive element 2 can be a photosensitive chip, and the light-emitting element 5 can be a light-emitting element such as an LED or a photoelectric coupler, which are not limited herein and will not be listed one by one.

[0035] Next, the components of the imaging module provided in this embodiment and their connection methods will be introduced in detail respectively:

[0036] First, the imaging unit will be introduced.

[0037] The imaging unit in the imaging module provided in this embodiment includes a circuit board 1, a photosensitive element 2, and a lens 4. It may also include a filter 3, and the filter 3 can be located between the photosensitive element 2 and the lens 4.

[0038] The photosensitive element 2 is fixed on the circuit substrate 1. Specifically, it can be fixed by gluing or by a snap structure. The photosensitive element 2 is electrically connected to the circuit substrate 1 so that the electronic device equipped with this camera module can control the function of the photosensitive element 2 to be turned on, adjusted, and turned off through the circuit substrate 1. The specific electrical connection method can be bonding connection such as gold wire 11.

[0039] As Figures 1-3 shown, this camera module may further include a bracket 7. The bracket 7 is fixed on the circuit substrate 1. Specifically, it can be fixed by gluing or by a snap structure. The filter 3 and the lens 4 are fixed on the bracket 7 to achieve relative fixation on one side of the circuit substrate 1. Specifically, the filter 3 is attached or snapped onto the bracket 7, facing the front of the photosensitive element 2 and spaced a certain distance from the photosensitive element 2. The lens 4 is fixed outside the filter 3 and spaced a certain distance from the filter 3. To ensure the imaging effect, the center lines of the photosensitive element 2, the filter 3, and the lens 4 can be set to coincide.

[0040] Preferably, the lens 4 and the bracket 7 can be fixed by threads so that the lens 4 can be rotated and adjusted to the optimal height, and then the lens 4 is fixed on the top of the bracket 7 with glue.

[0041] Of course, in the specific implementation process, it can also Figure 4 shown, the bracket 7 is omitted to reduce the assembly steps. A support structure 41 is designed at the edge of the lens 4. The lens 4 is directly attached or snapped onto the circuit substrate 1 through the support structure 41. The filter 3 is fixed on the support structure 41 of the lens 4 and spaced a certain distance from the central main body area of the lens 4.

[0042] Next, the light-emitting part is introduced.

[0043] The light-emitting part in the camera module provided in this embodiment includes a light-emitting element 5 and a light guide structure 6. The light-emitting surface of the light-emitting element 5 faces the light guide structure 6 so that light can enter the light guide structure 6 for light guiding, so that the emitted light coincides with the path of the light received by the imaging part. In this way, when the camera module is installed on the electronic device, the light-emitting element 5 and the photosensitive element 2 can share the transparent hole.

[0044] It should be noted that the light-emitting element 5 provided in this embodiment can be fixed on the circuit substrate 1, for example, in the edge area, or the light-emitting element 5 can also be fixed in the edge area on the front of the lens 4. This front is the surface of the lens 4 facing the transparent hole of the electronic device on which it is installed, that is, the light-receiving surface. The light guide structure 6 of this embodiment can be fixed on the outer surface of the imaging part and integrated with the imaging part, or can be fixed on the inner wall of the electronic device equipped with the camera module and set in a complete set corresponding to the installation position of the imaging part. The following will be described separately.

[0045] The first type is that the light guiding structure 6 is fixed to the inner wall of the electronic device where the camera module is installed.

[0046] As Figure 1 shown, the light guiding structure includes a reflection structure 61 and a light guiding part 62. When the camera module is installed in the electronic device, the light transmitting area of the light guiding part 62 faces the front center area of the lens 4. Specifically, it can be a structure such as a light guide plate or a light guide cover, and can be fixed to the inside or inner wall of the electronic device by fitting or clamping. When the electronic device includes a screen 101, the light guiding part 62 is located below the screen 101, and a protective layer 102 (such as a glass layer) can also be provided on the outer surface of the screen 101. The reflection structure 61 is fixed at a position corresponding to the light guiding part 62 and can be a prism or a metal sheet, etc. The light emitting surface of the light emitting element 5 faces the reflection structure 61, and the setting position and angle of the reflection structure 61 need to satisfy that the light emitted by the light emitting element 5 can be reflected into the side of the light guiding part 62. The reflection structure 61 reflects the light emitted by the light emitting element 5 into the light guiding part 62, and after being reflected inside the light guiding part 62, it is emitted from the light transmitting area of the light guiding part 62.

[0047] The light emitting element 5 can be fixed on the circuit board 1, outside the area where the lens 4 or the bracket 7 is assembled. The light emitting element 5 is electrically connected to the circuit board 1. Specifically, it can be achieved by fitting with a conductive material or by bonding, and there is no limitation here.

[0048] Light blocking layers 64 (the thick line areas in the figure) are coated on the edge areas of the upper and lower surfaces of the light guiding part 62. The central light transmitting area of the light guiding part and the side or end face areas for receiving light are not coated with the light blocking layer 64 and are in a light transmitting state to avoid stray light interference when the photosensitive element 2 forms an image. The light blocking layer 64 can be a black ink layer or a metal layer, etc. The light transmitting area without the light blocking layer in the center of the light guiding part 62 can be determined according to the size of the photosensitive area of the photosensitive element 2. The light emitted by the light emitting element 5 enters from the side 621 of the light guiding part 62, and after being reflected by the light blocking layer 64 inside the light guiding part 62, it is emitted from the light transmitting area without the light blocking layer in the center of the light guiding part 62.

[0049] For example, as Figure 1 shown, the light guiding part 62 is a light guide plate, and the reflection structure 61 is arranged in the area opposite to the side of the light guide plate and above the light emitting element 5. When the light emitting element 5 emits light, the light is emitted to the reflecting surface of the reflection structure 61 as shown by the arrow in the figure, and then reflected to the side of the light guide plate and enters the light guide plate. After being reflected inside the light guide plate, it is emitted from the light transmitting area without the light blocking layer in the center of the light guide plate, realizing functions such as a breathing light and a reminder light that need to emit light.

[0050] Of course, when the light emitting element 5 is fixed on the lens or the bracket, the light guiding structure 6 can also be as Figure 1It is fixed inside the electronic device installed with the camera module. It only needs to ensure the position matching of the light-emitting element 5, the reflection structure 61 and the light guide part 62. It can be seen that the setting method using the reflection structure has less limitation on the installation positions of the light-emitting element 5 and the light guide part 62, and is applicable to a wider range of device environments.

[0051] Second, the light guide structure 6 is fixed on the outer surface of the camera part.

[0052] As Figures 2-5 shown, the light guide structure 6 can be fixed on the circuit board 1, or can be fixed on the lens 4 or the bracket 7. The light guide structure 6 includes: a light incident part 63 and a light guide part 62. The light incident part 63 covers the light-emitting element 5 so that the light emitted by the light-emitting element 5 can enter the light guide structure 6 from the light incident part 63. The light guide part 62 at least partially covers the lens 4, and its central light-transmitting area is fixed facing the front center area of the lens 4, so as to provide a light guiding function and also play a protective role for the lens 4. The light emitted by the light-emitting element 5 enters the light guide part 62 from the light incident part 63, and after being reflected inside the light guide part 62, it is emitted from the central light-transmitting area of the light guide part 62.

[0053] Similarly, it can be set that light-blocking layers 64 (thick-line areas in the figure) are coated on the edge areas of the inner and outer surfaces of the light guide part 62, and the central light-transmitting area of the light guide part 62 and the light incident part 63 are not coated with the light-blocking layer 64 and are in a light-transmitting state to avoid stray light interference when the photosensitive element 2 forms an image. The light-blocking layer 64 can be a black ink layer or a metal layer, etc. The light-transmitting area without the light-blocking layer in the center of the light guide part 62 can be determined according to the photosensitive area size of the photosensitive element 3. The light emitted by the light-emitting element 5 enters from the light incident part 63, and after being reflected by the light-blocking layer 64 inside the light guide part 62, it is emitted from the light-transmitting area without the light-blocking layer in the center of the light guide part 62.

[0054] For example, as Figures 2-3 shown, the light-emitting element 5 is fixed on the edge area of the circuit board 1 and realizes an electrical signal connection with the circuit board 1. Specifically, it can be realized by bonding with a conductive material or by bonding, which is not limited here. The light guide structure 6 is a light guide cover, its light incident part 63 is the end face of the light guide cover or the area covering the light-emitting element 5 on the end face of the light guide cover, and its light guide part 62 is the part except the light incident part 63. The central light-transmitting area of the light guide cover faces the front of the lens 4 and is fixed on the circuit board 1. Specifically, it can be fixed by bonding or clamping. The photosensitive element 2, the filter 3 and the lens 4 are all built in the space surrounded by the light guide cover and the circuit board 1. The light guide cover not only provides a light guiding function, but also plays a role in protecting the camera part and preventing water vapor and dust.

[0055] In the specific implementation process, it can be as Figure 2As shown, a groove is formed on the online roadbed board 1, the light-emitting element 5 is placed inside the groove, the end face of the light guide cover is attached to the online roadbed board 1, and the end face covers the groove. The light emitted by the light-emitting element 5 enters the light guide cover from the end face covering the groove. It can also be as Figure 3 shown that a groove is formed on the end face of the light guide cover, the light-emitting element 5 is fixed on the online roadbed board 1, the end face of the light guide cover is attached to the online roadbed board 1, and the groove covers the light-emitting element 5. The light emitted by the light-emitting element 5 enters the light guide cover from around the groove. When the light-emitting element 5 emits light, as shown by the arrows in the figure, the emitted light enters the light guide cover from the light-incident part 63, is reflected by the light-blocking layer 64 inside the light guide cover, and then exits from the light-transmitting area without the light-blocking layer at the center of the light guide cover, realizing functions such as breathing lights and indicator lights that require light emission.

[0056] For another example, as Figures 4-5 shown, the light-emitting element 5 is fixed in the edge area of the front surface of the lens 4, and specific fixing methods such as adhesion or snap fit can be adopted. The light guide structure 6 is adhered, snap-fitted or fixed to the lens 4 by a threaded structure, and its light-transmitting area faces the front surface of the lens 4. The light guide structure 6 can specifically be a light guide cover or a light guide plate, etc. Its light-incident part 63 is the area where the light guide structure 6 covers the light-emitting element 5, and its light guide part 62 is the part other than the light-incident part 63. The light guide structure 6 not only provides a light guiding function but also plays a role in protecting the lens 4 of the imaging unit and preventing water vapor and dust.

[0057] When the light-emitting element 5 is fixed on the surface of the lens 4 or the bracket 7, since the light-emitting element 5 is not directly in contact with the circuit board 1, to achieve an electrical signal connection. It can be as Figure 4 shown that a three-dimensional circuit 401 (LDS circuit) prepared by using the laser direct structuring technology is provided on the surface of the lens 4 and / or the bracket 7. The light-emitting element 5 is attached to the three-dimensional circuit 401 by a conductive material to achieve an electrical signal connection, or the light-emitting element 5 is bonded to the three-dimensional circuit to achieve an electrical signal connection. The three-dimensional circuit 401 is connected to the circuit board 1 by a conductive material (such as solder) or by a bonding connection to achieve an electrical signal connection between the light-emitting element 5 and the circuit board 1.

[0058] It can also be as Figure 5As shown, a flexible board 501 is provided on the surface of the lens 4 and / or the bracket 7. The light-emitting element 5 is bonded to the flexible board 501 using a conductive material to realize electrical signal connection, or the light-emitting element 5 is bonded to the flexible board 501 to realize electrical signal connection. The flexible board 501 is connected to the circuit substrate 1 using a conductive material (such as solder) or bonded to realize electrical signal connection between the light-emitting element 5 and the circuit substrate 1. The flexible board 501 and the circuit substrate 1 can also be set as an integrated design, and the side flexible board 501 is bent and bonded along the edge of the bracket 7 and / or the lens to extend to the position of the light-emitting element 5. It is also possible to set both sides of the circuit substrate 1 to be flexible boards, one side is bent and connected to the light-emitting element 5, and the other side is connected to the electronic device on which the module is installed.

[0059] By fixing the light emitting element 5 on the front edge of the lens 4, the distance of the light emitted from the light emitting element 5 to the outside of the camera module can be reduced, and the amount of light emitted can be increased. The size of the light guide structure 6 can also be reduced, reducing the weight and overall size of the module.

[0060] Of course, in the specific implementation process, the light emitted by the light-emitting element 5 is exported through the light-guiding structure 6, and the implementation method of making the exported light path coincide with the path of the light received by the camera part is not limited to the above two methods. An enclosed light-blocking plate can also be set to guide the light. This is not limited here and will not be listed one by one.

[0061] In the specific implementation process, in order to avoid the light emitting element 5 affecting the shooting function when emitting light, it can be set that when the photosensitive element 2 is in the photosensitive state, the light emitting element 5 is in a non-light state; when the light emitting element 5 is in the light state, the photosensitive element 2 is in a non-light sensitive state. The specific state switching control can be implemented by the mainboard or controller of the electronic device connected to the circuit substrate 1.

[0062] Based on the same application concept, the embodiment of the present application also provides an electronic device including the camera module of embodiment one, see embodiment two for details.

[0063] Embodiment 2

[0064] like Figure 6 As shown, this embodiment provides an electronic device, including the camera module 601 described in the first embodiment.

[0065] In the specific implementation process, the electronic device can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a detector or a smart watch, etc., which is not limited here and will not be listed one by one.

[0066] In the specific implementation process, the electronic device may include a screen 101, and the camera module 601 is located below the screen 101. A protective layer 102 (for example, a glass layer) may also be provided on the outer surface of the screen 101. The light-emitting element 5 in the electronic device can be a light source for realizing the breathing light function. By using the built-in camera module 601 having both the light-emitting element 5 and the photosensitive element 2 provided in Embodiment 1, the breathing light function or other light-emitting functions of the electronic device can share the same transparent hole 602 with the camera function, that is, the display surface of the electronic device only needs to be provided with a transparent hole 602 to have both the light collection hole of the camera function and the light emission hole function of the light-emitting function such as the breathing light. It can be seen that the present application can better take into account the functional requirements of the breathing light and the screen-to-body ratio requirements, and can effectively ensure the screen-to-body ratio without sacrificing the functional requirements of the user and without requiring an additional increase in the size of the camera module.

[0067] Since the electronic device described in the second embodiment of the present application is any device including the camera module described in the first embodiment of the present application, based on the camera module described in the first embodiment of the present application, the person skilled in the art can understand the specific structure and deformation of the device, so it is not repeated here. Any device including the camera module described in the first embodiment of the present application belongs to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0068] The technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present invention has at least the following technical effects or advantages:

[0069] The camera module and electronic device provided in the embodiment of the present application have a light-emitting element fixed on the outer surface of the camera part of the camera module, and a light-guiding structure is provided to guide the light emission, so that the camera and light-emitting functions can be realized simultaneously without increasing the size of the module. In addition, because the light does not need to pass through the lens of the camera part, it is directly guided by the light-guiding structure to be emitted from the direction facing the front of the lens, which can avoid the lens from weakening the light. On the basis of ensuring that the sensor element is facing the center of the lens to obtain high-quality imaging quality, the light emission of the light-emitting element is taken into account.

[0070] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that although some embodiments herein include certain features included in other embodiments but not other features, the combination of features from different embodiments is meant to be within the scope of the present invention and to form different embodiments.

[0071] It should be noted that the above embodiments are illustrative of the present invention rather than restrictive thereof, and those skilled in the art can design alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps not listed in a claim. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The present invention can be implemented by means of hardware comprising several different elements and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In a unit claim listing several means, several of these means can be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The use of the words first, second, and third, etc. does not denote any order. These words can be interpreted as names.

[0072] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, further changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art once they learn the basic inventive concept. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be construed to cover the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the present invention.

[0073] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the present invention. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the embodiments of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalent technologies, the present invention is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. An imaging module, characterized in that, Comprising: An imaging unit and a light-emitting unit, wherein the imaging unit includes a circuit board, a photosensitive element, and a lens, and the light-emitting unit includes a light-emitting element and a light guide structure; Wherein, the light-emitting element is fixed on the outer surface of the imaging unit, and the light emitted by the light-emitting element is guided by the light guide structure and emitted outside the imaging module from the direction facing the front of the lens; The light-emitting surface of the light-emitting element faces the light guide structure; the light-emitting element is fixed on the circuit board, or the light-emitting element is fixed on the edge area of the front of the lens; The light guide structure is fixed on the inner wall of the electronic device equipped with the imaging module, and the light guide structure includes: A reflection structure and a light guide part. When the imaging module is installed in the electronic device, the light-transmitting area of the light guide part faces the central area of the front of the lens; Wherein, when the imaging module is installed in the electronic device, the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting element faces the reflection structure, and the reflection structure reflects the light emitted by the light-emitting element into the light guide part, and after being reflected inside the light guide part, it is emitted from the light-transmitting area of the light guide part.

2. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light guide structure is fixed on the outer surface of the imaging unit, and the light guide structure includes: A light-incident part and a light guide part. The light-incident part covers the light-emitting element, the light guide part at least partially covers the lens, and the light-transmitting area of the light guide part faces the central area of the front of the lens; Wherein, the light emitted by the light-emitting element enters the light guide part from the light-incident part, and after being reflected inside the light guide part, it is emitted from the light-transmitting area of the light guide part.

3. The camera module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The light-emitting element is fixed on the circuit board; the light guide structure is a light guide cover, the light-incident part is the end face of the light guide cover, and the light guide part is the part other than the end face; the light guide cover is fixed on the circuit board or the lens; both the photosensitive element and the lens are placed inside the space surrounded by the light guide cover and the circuit board; Wherein, the light emitted by the light-emitting element enters the light guide cover through the end face of the light guide cover, and after being reflected inside the light guide cover, it is emitted from the light-transmitting area of the light guide cover.

4. The camera module according to claim 2, wherein, The light-emitting element is fixed on the edge area of the front of the lens; the light guide structure is fixed on the lens, and the light guide structure is a light guide plate or a light guide cover.

5. The camera module according to claim 2, wherein Light-blocking layers are coated on the edge areas of the inner and outer surfaces of the light guide part. Wherein, the light emitted by the light-emitting element enters the light guide part from the light-incident part, and after being reflected by the light-blocking layer, it is emitted from the light-transmitting area of the light guide part.

6. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light-emitting element is fixed on the outer surface of the lens or the outer surface of the bracket of the imaging module, and the imaging module further includes: A three-dimensional circuit prepared by laser direct structuring technology located on the outer surface of the lens or the outer surface of the bracket, and the three-dimensional circuit connects the light-emitting element and the circuit board to realize the electrical signal connection between the light-emitting element and the circuit board; Or, a flexible board located on the outer surface of the lens or the outer surface of the bracket, and the flexible board connects the light-emitting element and the circuit board to realize the electrical signal connection between the light-emitting element and the circuit board.

7. The imaging module according to claim 1, wherein: When the photosensitive element is in a photosensitive state, the light-emitting element is in a non-light-emitting state; When the light-emitting element is in a light-emitting state, the photosensitive element is in a non-photosensitive state; The imaging unit further includes a filter, and the filter is located between the photosensitive element and the lens.

8. An electronic device, characterized in that, An imaging module including any one of the imaging modules according to claims 1-4 or claims 6-7.

Images