TOF Module

Abstract

The present invention provides a TOF module, including a laser, a chip, a first lens group, a first prism and a second prism, wherein the first prism is arranged on the optical path of the laser and the first lens group, the chip faces the second prism, the first prism is used to divide the light emitted by the laser received into a first part and a second part, the first part of the light is reflected by the first prism and faces the first lens group, the second part of the light is refracted by the first prism and emitted through the second prism, and the first prism is also used to divide the light received from the first lens group into a third part and a fourth part, the third part of the light is reflected by the first prism and emitted to the laser, and the fourth part of the light is refracted by the first prism and emitted to the chip. In the TOF module of the present invention, the transmitting end and the receiving end of the TOF module can be integrated into a group of channels through the arrangement of optical elements, the exposed area of ​​the module lens is small, and the structure is compact; and a light absorbing component is provided to improve the heat dissipation performance of the module.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] TOF (Time of Flight) technology continuously sends light pulses to the target, which are reflected after encountering the target object. The sensor then receives the light returned from the object and calculates the time difference or phase difference between the emission and transmission of the light to calculate the distance of the photographed object to generate depth information. It is further combined with traditional contact shooting to present the three-dimensional outline of the object in the form of images with different colors representing different distances.

[0003] Please refer to Figure 1 The TOF module usually includes two parts, a TOF transmitting unit 91 and a camera unit 93, and both the TOF transmitting unit 91 and the camera unit 93 are arranged on a plastic support seat and connected to a common circuit board. The light emitted by the TOF transmitting unit 91 is received by the camera unit 93 after being reflected by an object. However, the transmitting port and the receiving port are divided into two independent parts, so that the exposed part of the module lens is inevitably larger. Moreover, in order to match the field of view of the transmitting unit and the receiving unit, the two need to be arranged close to each other, so that the internal layout of the module is relatively cramped and the heat dissipation is also poor.

[0004] The preceding description is intended to provide general background information and does not necessarily constitute prior art. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a TOF module with a compact structure.

[0006] The present invention provides a TOF module, including a laser, a chip, a first lens group, a first prism and a second prism. The first prism is arranged on the optical path of the laser and the first lens group, and is used to receive the light emitted by the laser and the light incident from the first lens group. The chip faces the second prism. The first prism is used to divide the received light emitted by the laser into a first part and a second part. The first part of the light is reflected by the first prism and directed toward the first lens group, and the second part of the light is refracted by the first prism and emitted through the second prism. The first prism is also used to divide the received light incident from the first lens group into a third part and a fourth part. The third part of the light is reflected and emitted by the first prism, and the fourth part of the light is refracted by the first prism and emitted toward the chip through the second prism.

[0007] In one embodiment, the TOF module further includes a light absorbing component, the light absorbing component includes a light absorbing material, and the light absorbing material is disposed on one side of the second prism for receiving the second portion of light.

[0008] In one embodiment, the light absorbing component further includes a heat sink, and the heat sink and the light absorbing material are disposed adjacent to each other.

[0009] In one embodiment, the TOF module further includes a second reflector, which is disposed on an optical path between the light absorbing component and the second prism, and is used for reflecting the second portion of light emitted from the second prism to the light absorbing component.

[0010] In one embodiment, the cross-sections of the first prism and the second prism are substantially triangular, the side surfaces of the first prism include a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface, the side surfaces of the second prism include a fourth surface, a fifth surface, and a sixth surface, and the first prism and the second prism are arranged back to back so that the first surface and the fourth surface face each other, the second surface faces the side where the laser is provided, the third surface faces the side where the first lens group is provided, and the sixth surface faces the side where the chip is provided.

[0011] In one embodiment, the TOF module further includes a beam splitter film, which is disposed between the first surface and the fourth surface and is respectively bonded to the first surface and the fourth surface.

[0012] In one embodiment, the TOF module further includes a first reflector, which is disposed on an optical path between the first prism and the laser, and is used to reflect the light emitted by the laser to the second surface of the first prism.

[0013] In one embodiment, the TOF module further includes a second lens group, and the second lens group is disposed between the chip and the second prism.

[0014] In one embodiment, the TOF module also includes a shell, a first cavity is provided in the shell, the first prism and the second prism are both provided in the first cavity, a first hole facing the outside of the shell is opened on the side wall of the first cavity, and the first lens group is exposed from the first hole; a second cavity and a accommodating cavity are also provided in the shell, the second cavity and the accommodating cavity are respectively located on both sides of the first cavity, the laser is provided in the second cavity, the light absorbing material is provided in the accommodating cavity, and a second hole connected to the second cavity and a third hole connected to the accommodating cavity are also opened on the side wall of the first cavity.

[0015] In one embodiment, the shell includes a front end plate, a side plate and a rear end plate opposite to the front end plate, the first lens group is installed on the front end plate, the side plate is arranged between the front end plate and the rear end plate for connecting the front end plate and the rear end plate, and the light absorbing component is arranged on the rear end plate; the TOF module also includes a circuit board, the circuit board is arranged relative to the front end plate of the shell, the circuit board is connected to the side plate and the circuit board and the front end plate are respectively located on both sides of the side plate, the circuit board is connected to the rear end plate and are both located on the same side of the side plate, and the laser and the chip are both arranged on the circuit board; the front end plate, the side plate and the circuit board together enclose the first cavity and the second cavity, and the front end plate, the side plate and the rear end plate together enclose the accommodating cavity.

[0016] In the TOF module provided by the present invention, the transmitting end and the receiving end of the TOF module can be integrated into a group of channels through the arrangement of optical elements, so that the exposed area of ​​the module lens is smaller and the structure is compact; furthermore, a light absorbing component is provided in the module to absorb part of the light emitted by the laser, thereby reducing the heat generated by excess light in the TOF module and improving the heat dissipation performance of the module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a TOF module.

[0018] Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a TOF module of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The specific implementation of the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0020] Please refer to Figure 2A TOF (Time of Flight) module provided in one embodiment of the present invention includes a laser 11, a chip 13, a first lens group 15, a first prism 17, and a second prism 19. The first prism 17 is arranged on the optical path between the laser 11 and the first lens group 15, and is used to receive the light emitted by the laser 11 and the light incident from the first lens group 15. The chip 13 faces the second prism 19. The first prism 17 is used to divide the light emitted by the laser 11 received into a first part and a second part. The first part of the light is reflected by the first prism 17 and directed toward the first lens group 15, and the second part of the light is refracted by the first prism 17 and emitted through the second prism 19. The first prism 17 is also used to divide the light received from the first lens group 15 into a third part and a fourth part. The third part of the light is reflected by the first prism 17 and emitted, and the fourth part of the light is refracted by the first prism 17 and emitted through the second prism 19 toward the chip 13.

[0021] In the TOF module of this embodiment, the transmitting end and the receiving end of the TOF module can be integrated into a set of channels through the arrangement of optical elements, the exposed area of ​​the module lens is small, and the structure is compact.

[0022] In this embodiment, the cross-sections of the first prism 17 and the second prism 19 are substantially triangular, the side surfaces of the first prism 17 include a first surface 172, a second surface 173 and a third surface 174, the side surfaces of the second prism 19 include a fourth surface 192, a fifth surface 193 and a sixth surface 194, and the first prism 17 and the second prism 19 are arranged back to back so that the first surface 172 and the fourth surface 192 are arranged facing each other, the second surface 173 faces the side where the laser 11 is provided, the third surface 174 faces the side where the first lens group 15 is provided, and the sixth surface 194 faces the side where the chip 13 is provided.

[0023] Specifically, the second surface 173 is perpendicular to the third surface 174, and the fifth surface 193 is perpendicular to the sixth surface 194. More specifically, the cross-sections of the first prism 17 and the second prism 19 are both isosceles right triangles.

[0024] In this embodiment, the TOF module also includes a dichroic film 21 arranged between the first prism 17 and the second prism 19. The dichroic film 21 is arranged between the first surface 172 and the fourth surface 192, and is respectively bonded to the first surface 172 and the fourth surface 192. When the first prism 17 and the second prism 19 are assembled, they can be glued with glue for better fixation. By providing the dichroic film 21, the problem of stray light caused by bubble impurities after the first prism and the second prism are glued and cured can be solved. Specifically, the dichroic film 21 can be a depolarized broadband dichroic film, which only passes wavelengths in a specific area at a certain angle. The dichroic film 21 can be plated on the first surface 172 of the first prism 17 or the fourth surface 192 of the second prism 19, or the dichroic film can be plated on the first surface 172 of the first prism 17 and the fourth surface 192 of the second prism 19 at the same time. In this embodiment, the TOF module further includes a first reflector 23, which is disposed on the optical path between the first prism 17 and the laser 11, and is used to reflect the light emitted by the laser 11 to the second surface 173 of the first prism 17. Specifically, in this embodiment, the angles of the first reflector 23 relative to the laser 11 and the second surface 173 are both 45°. By providing the first reflector 23, the arrangement of the components in the TOF module can be facilitated, so that the laser 11 does not need to face the first prism 17, and the propagation path of the light can be changed by adjusting the angle of the first reflector 23, and the setting position of the laser 11 can also be adjusted. In addition, the first reflector 23 can also reflect the main light emitted by the laser 11 to the first prism 17, reduce the stray light entering the first prism 17, and improve the imaging effect of the TOF module.

[0025] In this embodiment, the TOF module also includes a light absorbing component 25, and the light absorbing component 25 includes a light absorbing material 252. The light absorbing material 252 is arranged on one side of the second prism 19 for receiving the second part of the light. Specifically, the light absorbing material can be a black coating coated on the rear end plate. By setting the light absorbing component 25, a part of the light emitted by the laser 11 can be absorbed, so that the excess light can be prevented from generating heat in the TOF module, affecting the service life of the TOF module, and also preventing stray light from affecting the imaging effect of the TOF module. Specifically, the light absorbing component 25 also includes a heat sink 254, and the heat sink 254 and the light absorbing material 252 are arranged adjacent to each other. The setting of the heat sink 254 can further improve the heat dissipation performance of the TOF module. Specifically, the heat sink 254 can be a heat sink fin.

[0026] Specifically, the front-to-back directions of the first prism 17 and the second prism 19 are the first lens group 15 and the chip 13, respectively, and the top-to-bottom directions of the first prism 17 and the second prism 19 are the light absorbing component 25 and the laser 11, respectively. That is to say, the first lens group 15, the chip 13, the light absorbing component 25 and the laser 11 are respectively located in four different directions of the first prism 17 and the second prism 19, so that the components of the TOF module can be arranged reasonably, avoiding the problem of all components being crowded in the same position.

[0027] In this embodiment, the TOF module further includes a second reflector 27, which is disposed on the optical path between the light absorbing component 25 and the fifth surface 193 of the second prism 19, and the second reflector 27 is used to reflect the second portion of light emitted from the fifth surface 193 to the light absorbing component 25. Specifically in this embodiment, the angles of the second reflector 27 relative to the light absorbing component 25 and the fifth surface 193 are both 45°. By providing the second reflector 27, the arrangement of the light absorbing component 25 can be facilitated, so that the light absorbing component 25 does not need to face the second prism 19, and the path of the light can be adjusted by adjusting the angle of the second reflector 27, and the setting position of the light absorbing component 25 can also be adjusted, without limiting the position of the light absorbing component 25.

[0028] In this embodiment, the TOF module further includes a second lens group 29, which is disposed between the chip 13 and the second prism 19, and is used to converge the light emitted from the sixth surface 194 of the second prism 19 and form an image on the chip 13. Specifically, the first prism 17, the second prism 19, the second lens group 29, and the chip 13 are sequentially disposed on the optical axis of the first lens group 15.

[0029] In this embodiment, the TOF module further includes a filter 30, which is disposed on the optical path of the first lens group 15. Specifically, the filter 30 is disposed on a side of the first lens group 15 away from the first prism 17. By providing the filter 30, a portion of stray light reflected from the object can be filtered.

[0030] In this embodiment, the TOF module further includes a housing 31, a first cavity 312 is provided in the housing 31, and the chip 13, the first prism 17, the second prism 19, the beam splitter film 21 and the second lens group 29 are all provided in the first cavity 312. A first hole 314 facing the outside of the housing 31 is opened on the side wall of the first cavity 312, and the first lens group 15 is exposed from the first hole 314 to guide the light out of the housing 31 and project it toward the object, and guide the light reflected from the object back into the housing 31 to form an image on the chip 13.

[0031] Specifically, the housing 31 is further provided with a second cavity 316 and a receiving cavity 318, and the second cavity 316 and the receiving cavity 318 are respectively located on both sides of the first cavity 312. The laser 11 and the first reflector 23 are arranged in the second cavity 316, the light absorbing material 252 and the second reflector 29 are arranged in the receiving cavity 318, and the side wall of the first cavity 312 is further provided with a second hole 320 communicating with the second cavity 316 and a third hole 322 communicating with the receiving cavity 318. The first reflector 23 and the second surface 173 face the second hole 320 respectively, and the second reflector 27 and the fifth surface 193 face the third hole 322 respectively.

[0032] In this embodiment, the housing 31 includes a front end plate 324, and the first lens group 15 is mounted on the front end plate 324. Specifically, the housing 31 also includes a side plate 326 and a rear end plate 328 arranged opposite to the front end plate, the side plate 326 is arranged between the front end plate 324 and the rear end plate 328, and its two ends are respectively connected to the front end plate 324 and the rear end plate 328, and the accommodating cavity light absorbing component 25 is arranged on the rear end plate 328. Specifically, the light absorbing material 252 and the heat sink 254 of the light absorbing component 25 are respectively arranged on the inner side and the outer side of the rear end plate 328, and the heat sink 254 is located on the outer side of the rear end plate 328 for better heat dissipation.

[0033] In this embodiment, the TOF module further includes a circuit board 33, which is arranged relative to the front end plate 324 of the housing 31, the circuit board 33 is connected to the side plate 326, and the circuit board and the front end plate 324 are respectively located on both sides of the side plate 326, the circuit board 33 is connected to the rear end plate 328 and both are located on the same side of the side plate 326, and the laser 11 and the chip 13 are both arranged on the circuit board 33. The front end plate 324, the side plate 326 and the circuit board 33 together enclose the first cavity 312 and the second cavity 316, and the front end plate 324, the side plate 326 and the rear end plate 328 together enclose the accommodating cavity 318.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first cavity 312, the second cavity 316, and the accommodating cavity 318 are separated by setting a side panel 326, and only the second light-transmitting hole 320 and the third hole 322 are opened on the side panel 326. The setting of the side panel can form a physical isolation for the cavities on both sides, avoid the reflection of stray light, and improve the imaging effect of the TOF module.

[0035] The TOF module in this embodiment can be applied to electronic equipment or vehicle-mounted equipment, but is not limited thereto.

[0036] In the accompanying drawings, the sizes and relative sizes of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity. It should be understood that when an element, such as a layer, region, or substrate, is referred to as being "formed on," "disposed on," or "located on" another element, the element may be disposed directly on the other element, or there may be intervening elements. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "formed directly on" or "disposed directly on" another element, there are no intervening elements.

[0037] In this document, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0038] In this document, the directions or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "vertical", and "horizontal" are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the clarity of expressing the technical solutions and the convenience of description, and therefore should not be understood as limitations of the present invention.

[0039] In this document, the ordinal adjectives “first”, “second”, etc. used to describe elements are only used to distinguish elements with similar attributes, and do not mean that the elements described in this way must follow a given order, or time, space, level or other limitations.

[0040] As used herein, unless otherwise specified, “plurality” or “several” means two or more.

[0041] The technical features of the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0042] In this document, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion of elements other than those listed and may also include additional elements not expressly listed.

[0043] The above is only a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, which should be included in the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A TOF module, characterized in that: The invention comprises a laser (11), a chip (13), a first lens group (15), a first prism (17) and a second prism (19); the first prism (17) is arranged on an optical path between the laser (11) and the first lens group (15) and is used to receive light emitted by the laser (11) and light incident from the first lens group (15); the chip (13) faces the second prism (19); the first prism (17) is used to divide the received light emitted by the laser (11) into a first part and a second part; Part of the light is reflected by the first prism (17) and directed toward the first lens group (15); the second part of the light is refracted by the first prism (17) and emitted through the second prism (19); the first prism (17) is also used to divide the light received from the first lens group (15) into a third part and a fourth part; the third part of the light is reflected by the first prism (17) and emitted; the fourth part of the light is refracted by the first prism (17) and emitted through the second prism (19) toward the chip (13); the first prism (17) The cross-sections of the first prism (17) and the second prism (19) are substantially triangular, the side surfaces of the first prism (17) include a first surface (172), a second surface (173) and a third surface (174), the side surfaces of the second prism (19) include a fourth surface (192), a fifth surface (193) and a sixth surface (194), the first prism (17) and the second prism (19) are arranged back to back, so that the first surface (172) and the fourth surface (192) face each other, and the second surface (173) faces the area where the laser (11) is arranged. On one side, the third surface (174) faces a side on which the first lens group (15) is provided, and the sixth surface (194) faces a side on which the chip (13) is provided. The TOF module further comprises a light absorbing component (25), the light absorbing component (25) comprising a light absorbing material (252), the light absorbing material (252) being provided on one side of the second prism (19) and being used to receive the second portion of light. The light absorbing component (25) further comprises a heat sink (254), the heat sink (254) and the light absorbing material (252) being provided adjacent to each other.

2. The TOF module according to claim 1, wherein: The TOF module further comprises a second reflector (27), the second reflector (27) being arranged on the optical path between the light absorbing component (25) and the second prism (19), the second reflector (27) being used to reflect the second portion of light emitted from the second prism (19) to the light absorbing component (25).

3. The TOF module according to claim 1, wherein: The TOF module further comprises a beam splitter film (21), wherein the beam splitter film (21) is arranged between the first surface (172) and the fourth surface (192), and is respectively bonded to the first surface (172) and the fourth surface (192).

4. The TOF module according to claim 1, wherein: The TOF module further comprises a first reflector (23), the first reflector (23) being arranged on the optical path between the first prism (17) and the laser (11), the first reflector (23) being used to reflect light emitted by the laser (11) to the second surface (173) of the first prism (17).

5. The TOF module according to claim 1, wherein: The TOF module also includes a second lens group (29), wherein the second lens group (29) is arranged between the chip (13) and the second prism (19).

6. The TOF module according to claim 1, wherein: The TOF module further comprises a housing (31), wherein a first cavity (312) is provided in the housing (31), wherein the first prism (17) and the second prism (19) are both provided in the first cavity (312), wherein a first hole (314) facing the outside of the housing (31) is provided on a side wall of the first cavity (312), and wherein the first lens group (15) is exposed from the first hole (314); and wherein the housing (31) further comprises a second cavity (316) and a cavity (317). The first cavity (312) is provided with a second hole (320) in communication with the second cavity (316) and a third hole (322) in communication with the accommodating cavity (318).

7. The TOF module according to claim 6, wherein: The housing (31) comprises a front end plate (324), a side plate (326), and a rear end plate (328) opposite to the front end plate (324); the first lens group (15) is mounted on the front end plate (324); the side plate (326) is arranged between the front end plate (324) and the rear end plate (328) for connecting the front end plate (324) and the rear end plate (328); the light absorbing component (25) in the accommodating cavity is arranged on the rear end plate (328); the TOF module also comprises a circuit board (33); the circuit board (33) is arranged opposite to the front end plate (324) of the housing (31); the circuit board (33) and the rear end plate (328) are arranged on the housing (31); The side panels (326) are connected, and the circuit board (33) and the front end panel (324) are respectively located on both sides of the side panel (326); the circuit board (33) and the rear end panel (328) are connected and are both located on the same side of the side panel (326); the laser (11) and the chip (13) are both arranged on the circuit board (33); the front end panel (324), the side panel (326) and the circuit board (33) together enclose the first cavity (312) and the second cavity (316); the front end panel (324), the side panel (326) and the rear end panel (328) together enclose the accommodating cavity (318).

Images