Method for manufacturing a camera module

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for joining a camera module (10), the camera module comprising: a base plate (38) on which an image sensor (50) is arranged; and a lens holder (18) in which a lens (26) of the camera module (10) is received, wherein the base plate (38) is placed on the lens holder (18) and at least one spring element (14) is applied and positioned laterally in at least two connecting areas (42) opposite to an optical axis (62) of the camera module (10), by means of which the base plate (38) and the lens holder (18) are pressed against each other in a planar manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a camera module and a method for producing such a camera module. Background Art

[0002] On camera modules, the interface between the printed circuit board of the image sensor and the lens holder / housing is usually connected to one another by gluing, screwing or wedging. For this purpose, methods such as welding or soldering are occasionally used to produce a material-locking connection.

[0003] Document EP 2054270 B1 discloses a camera system for an environment sensing system of a vehicle. The camera system comprises an optical device and an optical device carrier for orienting the optical device. In addition, a circuit board with an image sensor is described, wherein a spring device can be provided, by which the circuit board is loaded against the optical device carrier. Summary of the invention

[0004] Starting from the above-mentioned prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide a space-optimized connection between a circuit board and a lens holder / housing with good heat conduction and retention properties. This object is achieved by the content of claim 1. Preferred embodiments can be found in the dependent claims.

[0005] The present invention provides a method for joining a camera module, wherein the camera module includes a substrate on which an image sensor is arranged; and a lens holder in which a lens of the camera module is received, wherein the substrate is placed on the lens holder, and at least one spring element is applied and positioned laterally on at least two connecting areas opposite to the optical axis of the camera module, respectively, by which the substrate and the lens holder are pressed against each other in a planar manner.

[0006] A spring element is understood here to be an element by means of which the base plate and the lens holder can be pressed against each other by means of a spring force. In order to achieve a sufficient connection of the base plate to the lens holder, at least two spring elements are used here, which are arranged in two opposite connection areas. A connection area is understood here to be an area in which the base plate and the lens holder are in contact with each other and in which the spring elements exert a pressing force on the base plate and the lens holder. For positioning, positioning pins are preferably provided, by means of which the base plate and the lens holder can be oriented relative to each other.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the positioning pin extends through the base plate so that the positioning pin engages in a corresponding opening of the spring element. The spring element is thereby fixed relative to the positioning pin. The opening in the spring element can be configured as an elongated hole. In another advantageous embodiment, a corresponding pin can be additionally arranged on the side of the lens holder opposite to the positioning pin, with which the spring element engages.

[0008] Such a connection between base plate and lens holder can be produced more quickly and more economically than, for example, welding. In addition, no additional screw-in depth has to be provided for the required thread length, as in the case of a screw connection. As a result, such a camera module can be made smaller, thus saving installation space. This is advantageous in particular due to the cramped installation conditions of such camera modules.

[0009] Compared to an adhesive connection, no adhesive layer is required between the substrate and the lens holder. Such an adhesive layer reduces the heat conduction between the substrate and the lens holder. In contrast, according to the invention, the substrate and the lens holder lie directly against each other in a planar manner, which significantly improves the heat conduction. By connecting the substrate to the lens holder by means of spring elements, a space-optimized camera module is thus formed, which has a high durability and good heat conduction.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a seal is arranged between the base plate and the lens holder before the spring element is applied in the connection region. Such a seal can better protect the interior of the camera module from external influences. The seal is advantageously arranged in a groove of the base plate or the lens holder.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the spring element is applied in such a way that the force introduction point of the spring element is on the seal. The force introduction point is a special position in the connection area, at which the force of the spring element acts directly on the base plate or the lens holder. By arranging the seal accordingly, the spring force also acts directly on the seal, thereby improving the sealing effect of the seal.

[0012] Alternatively, the spring element is applied in such a way that the force introduction point of the spring element is between the seal and the optical axis of the camera module. The compression-resistant force of the seal and the spring force are thus spaced apart from one another and act in opposite directions on the substrate from two different sides. Overall, this results in a bending moment, which occurs in a convex curvature of the substrate. This curvature has the advantage that it serves to compensate for any curvature of the substrate caused by temperature and humidity influences. This also allows linear expansions of other components, such as, for example, the lens or the lens holder, to be compensated.

[0013] In another advantageous alternative, the spring element is applied in such a way that the seal is located between the force introduction point of the spring element and the optical axis of the camera module. Such an arrangement accordingly leads to a concave curvature of the base plate. This also makes it possible to compensate for bending and expansion.

[0014] In another advantageous embodiment, a recess is formed on the base plate and / or the lens holder before the spring element is applied in the connection region, by means of which the spring element is fixed in the connection region. The recess is preferably delimited to the outer edge of the camera module, so that an unintentional loosening of the spring element is avoided. In this way, a secure connection between the base plate and the lens holder can be permanently ensured.

[0015] In addition, the present invention provides a camera module, which is manufactured according to the method according to the invention. The camera module comprises a substrate on which an image sensor is arranged, and a lens holder in which a lens of the camera module is received, wherein the substrate and the lens holder are connected to each other via at least two spring elements, which are arranged on opposite sides relative to the optical axis of the camera module in the respective connection region. Such a camera module has the above-mentioned advantages.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, the spring element is designed as a C-shaped profile. The C-shaped profile of the spring element has an open side, through which the spring element can be applied to the camera module from the outside for fastening. This ensures a simple assembly of the spring element.

[0017] According to another advantageous embodiment, the spring element has an introduction region on the open side of the contour which is widened towards the edge of the spring element. An extended introduction region is understood here to be a region which tapers geometrically from the connection region of the camera module relative to the introduction direction of the spring element to the section in which the spring force is applied to the connection region. The application of the spring element to the connection region is particularly simplified by the extended introduction region.

[0018] Advantageously, the spring element is made of a metal material or a plastic. Metallic materials can be produced particularly economically and can exert large spring forces through them. Preferably, sheet metal is used as the metal material, so that material costs can also be reduced. In contrast, plastic is lighter than metal materials and is generally more advantageous. Accordingly, a lighter spring element can be formed.

[0019] In addition, the present invention also provides a camera assembly, which includes such a camera module. The above advantages are achieved by using such a camera assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. The drawings show:

[0021] Figure 1 A first embodiment of a camera module before applying the spring element;

[0022] Figure 2 After applying the spring element Figure 1 Embodiments of

[0023] Figure 3 a second embodiment of a camera module; and

[0024] Figure 4 Third and fourth embodiments of camera modules. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] exist Figure 1 In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the spring element 14 is applied (see, for example, Figure 2 ) The first embodiment of the camera module 10 is shown in FIG. The camera module 10 comprises a lens holder 18, wherein a lens 26 with a lens 30 is received in a section 22. The lens 26 is fastened to the lens holder 18 by means of an adhesive 34, which is applied between the lens holder 18 and the lens 26.

[0026] The camera module 10 additionally comprises a base plate 38, which bears flat against the lens holder 18 in a connection region 42. The base plate 38 can be positioned relative to the lens holder 18 by means of positioning pins 43 of the lens holder 18, which engage in corresponding recesses 44 of the base plate 38. In this exemplary embodiment, the lens holder 18 has a recess 45 on the outside in the connection region 42, which is delimited on both sides in this exemplary embodiment.

[0027] In order to protect the interior of the camera module 10 from external influences, a seal 46 is arranged between the lens holder 18 and the substrate 38, which seal in this exemplary embodiment directly adjoins the connection region 42. An image sensor 50 is arranged on the substrate 38 and is connected to the substrate 38 via an adhesive layer 54. The image sensor 50 is arranged aligned with the lens 26.

[0028] Figure 2 The following diagram shows the effect of the spring element 14 on the Figure 1 . The base plate 38 and the lens holder 18 are pressed against each other by the spring element 14. When applying a C-shaped spring element 14, the spring element is placed on the edge side on two sides opposite to the optical axis 62 of the lens 26. For easier application of the spring element 14, the spring element in this embodiment has an introduction area 70 on the open side of the C-shaped contour, which expands toward the spring element edge 66. After application, as in Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 4 , the spring element 14 is fixed by means of the recess 45 , so that the spring element 14 is prevented from slipping out.

[0029] In an embodiment not shown, the positioning pin 43 can be extended so that it extends into the opening of the spring element 14, so that the spring element 14 is fixed. Also, another pin can be arranged on the side of the lens holder 18 opposite to the positioning pin 43, which also engages in the corresponding opening of the spring element 14.

[0030] exist Figure 3 A second embodiment of the camera module 10 is shown in FIG. Figure 2 The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 differs in that the spring element 14 does not have an introduction region 70. In addition, the seal 46 is arranged directly in the region of a force introduction point 74 of the spring element 14 in the connection region 42. The spring force F is thus directed directly to the seal 46, thereby improving the sealing effect of the seal 46.

[0031] Figure 4 A third and a fourth exemplary embodiment of a camera module 10 are shown. The third exemplary embodiment is shown on the left side of the camera module 10, while the right side of the camera module 10 forms the fourth exemplary embodiment. On the left side, the force introduction point 74 of the spring element 14 is compared to Figure 3 The force introduction point 74 is not arranged directly on the seal 46 , but rather between the optical axis 62 and the seal 46 . The force introduction point 74 is therefore at a distance S from the seal 46 .

[0032] In this exemplary embodiment, the seal 46 can be designed in such a way that it protrudes beyond the lens holder 18 in the contact region with the base plate 38 even after the application of the spring force F. By means of the arrangement of the spring element 14 as shown in the left part of the camera module 10, the base plate 38 is bent by the spring force F about the rotation point D formed by the seal 46 in the direction of the lens 26. Accordingly, a convex curvature of the base plate 38 is produced. The resulting curvature, the base plate 38 and the force introduction point 74 as well as the corresponding view of the rotation point D are shown below the camera module 10 in the illustration. By means of such a curvature, a curvature of the base plate 38 caused by temperature or humidity can be compensated, for example.

[0033] In the right part of the camera module 10, the spring element 14 is arranged such that the seal 46 is arranged between the force introduction point 74 and the optical axis 62. Accordingly, the base plate 38 is bent away from the lens 26, as shown in the figure, so that a concave curvature of the base plate 38 is produced. In this way, the curvature of the base plate 38 can also be compensated.

Claims

1. A method for joining a camera module (10), the camera module comprising: a substrate (38) on which the image sensor (50) is arranged; as well as a lens holder (18) in which a lens (26) of the camera module (10) is received, The base plate (38) is placed on the lens holder (18) and at least one spring element (14) is applied and positioned laterally in at least two connecting regions (42) that are opposite to each other with respect to an optical axis (62) of the camera module (10), by means of which the base plate (38) and the lens holder (18) are pressed against each other in a planar manner. The invention is characterized in that the spring element (14) is designed as a C-shaped contour and is mounted on the edge side on the lens holder (18) and the base plate (38).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Before the spring element (14) is applied to the connection region (42), a seal (46) is arranged between the base plate (38) and the lens holder (18).

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The spring element (14) is mounted in such a way that a force introduction point (74) of the spring element (14) is located on the seal (46).

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The spring element (14) is mounted in such a way that a force introduction point (74) of the spring element (14) is located between the seal (46) and the optical axis (62) of the camera module (10).

5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The spring element (14) is applied in such a way that the seal (46) is located between a force introduction point (74) of the spring element (14) and an optical axis (62) of the camera module (10).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that Before the spring element (14) is applied in the connecting region (42), a recess (45) is formed on the base plate (38) and / or the lens holder (18), by which recess the spring element (14) is fixed in the connecting region (42).

7. A camera module (10) manufactured according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising: a substrate (38) on which the image sensor (50) is arranged; as well as a lens holder (18) in which a lens (26) of the camera module (10) is received, The base plate (38) and the lens holder (18) are connected to each other via at least two spring elements (14), which are arranged in respective connecting regions (42) on opposite sides with respect to an optical axis (62) of the camera module (10).

8. The camera module (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that The spring element (14) has, on the open side of the contour, an introduction region (70) which widens toward a spring element edge (66).

9. The camera module (10) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The spring element (14) is made of metal material or plastic.

10. A camera assembly comprising a camera module (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

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