Camera module, method for manufacturing a camera module
By using a combination of a movable contact ring and a spacing retention device in the camera module, the problem of lens electrical contact is solved, achieving reliable connection and environmental adaptability in a limited space, and improving the installation reliability and lifespan of the camera module.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
- Filing Date
- 2021-07-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-02
AI Technical Summary
In existing camera modules, it is difficult to reliably connect the lens electrical contacts within a limited installation space, and the external contacts are easily affected by the environment. At the same time, the movement on five axes needs to be compensated when the lens is oriented, which leads to installation difficulties and reliability issues.
The system employs a movable contact ring with a contact spring and a spacer holding device. Through the combination of the lens bracket and the spacer holding device, electrical contact of the lens is achieved, and the movement of the lens is compensated during the orientation process. The movement of the contact ring is used to adapt to the position adjustment of the lens.
It achieves reliable electrical contact within a limited space, reduces installation force, improves the reliability and lifespan of the camera module, and avoids external contact being affected by the environment.
Smart Images
Figure CN116097163B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a camera module. This camera module is particularly suitable for use in the automotive field, for example, for environmental monitoring. Alternative application areas include mobile terminal devices from the consumer sector and / or professional or scientific applications.
[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a camera module. Background Technology
[0003] Such camera modules include a lens with an electrical interface and a device for electrically contacting the lens in the area of the electrical interface. Therefore, the lens can be supplied with electrical energy, for example, to operate a lens or lens heating device, by means of which fogging and / or icing of the lens, especially the front lens, should be prevented. Alternatively or supplementarily, the electrical energy can be used to operate an autofocus device, an active image stabilization device, a variable aperture device, or similar devices.
[0004] The known device used for electrical contact with camera lenses is the plug connector. Plug connectors establish a connection between the lens and the internal electronics of the camera module, or with an external power source. However, establishing a connection with internal electronics is difficult due to typically very limited installation space, making it unsuitable for mass production. Establishing a connection with an external power source requires installation space compatible with the camera module. Furthermore, external contact is exposed to environmental influences, such as humidity, which can negatively impact the reliability and / or lifespan of the camera module.
[0005] Another problem arises with electrical contact: during the assembly of a camera module, the lens must not only be electrically connected but also oriented relative to the image sensor of the camera module. This occurs, for example, through “active alignment,” in which the lens is oriented relative to the image sensor along five axes. After orientation, the lens position is secured by a hardened adhesive. Therefore, the lens’s electrical contact must be able to compensate for the lens’s movement along the five axes during orientation. Spring contacts, for example, make this possible. However, these spring contacts often result in unacceptable stress on the adhesive used for fixing, as the adhesive can only withstand small forces until fully hardened. Summary of the Invention
[0006] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide an electrical contact for the lens of a camera module that is subjected to the least possible force and is also capable of compensating for lens movement during "active alignment".
[0007] To address this task, a camera module and a method according to the invention are proposed. Advantageous configurations of the invention are given below.
[0008] The proposed camera module includes a lens with an electrical interface and a lens mount having a device for electrically contacting the lens in the electrical interface area. This device for electrical contact is also connected to the camera module's electronics, particularly a circuit board. According to the invention, the device for electrical contact includes two contact rings with contact springs, forming a first pole and a second pole, and electrically insulated by an intermediate spacer. Here, the two contact rings are movably supported by the lens mount and the spacer.
[0009] Although the lens's electrical contact is initiated by a contact spring in the proposed camera module, this contact is subjected to very little force. Because the contact spring is arranged on a movably supported contact ring, lens movement can be compensated for by the movement of the contact ring. Therefore, the spring force of the contact spring is preferably adjusted such that, during lens movement, the contact spring does not deform as much as possible, but rather causes only or primarily the contact ring to move.
[0010] Furthermore, the proposed device for electrical contact comprises contact rings having multiple contact springs distributed as evenly as possible on the inner circumference of each contact ring, preferably arranged relative to each other at the same angular spacing, so that the lens is not unilaterally loaded on its outer circumference, but uniformly loaded. This is possible because the contact ring contains one of the two poles of the electrical contact formed by its contact springs. Thus, the two poles of the electrical contact are arranged axially at a distance by a spacer, rather than angularly at each other as is common practice.
[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrical interface includes two contact tracks arranged on the outer periphery of the lens, the contact tracks being opposite to a contact ring at the annular gap between the lens and the lens holder. That is, each contact ring or each pole is equipped with one contact track. Here, the annular gap is bridged by a contact spring of the contact ring, such that the contact spring, under preload, rests against the contact track. This preload ensures contact between the contact spring and the contact track during lens orientation.
[0012] Furthermore, it is proposed that the contact ring is spring-supported on the lens holder in the axial direction by contact legs bent at an angle at their free ends. This spring-supported elasticity allows the contact ring to move in the axial direction (hereinafter referred to as the Z direction). Simultaneously, the spring-supported elasticity ensures that the contact ring is reliably held on the lens holder during movement. The contact legs are preferably arranged radially outside the contact ring and extend from each contact ring in the axial or Z direction. The angled ends of the contact legs preferably extend radially outward and engage the lens holder from the rear.
[0013] In an extended embodiment of the invention, a contact leg is proposed to contact printed conductors arranged on a lens mount. These printed conductors enable direct or indirect connections to the electronic components of the camera module, particularly to a circuit board. The contact between the contact leg and the printed conductors is preferably achieved through angled free ends, through which the contact leg is spring-loaded and elastically supported on the lens mount. That is, the supporting and contact areas coincide. This ensures that the contact leg maintains contact with the printed conductors independently of the movement of the two contact rings.
[0014] The printed leads are preferably arranged in a plane on the underside of the shoulder of the lens mount. This arrangement allows the angled free ends of the contact legs of the two contact rings to engage the lens mount from the rear, so that the contact rings are reliably held on the lens mount on one side, while on the other side they can continue to move relative to the lens mount and the spacer retainer. Therefore, the lens mount, contact rings, and spacer retainer can be pre-assembled and installed as pre-assembled components.
[0015] Furthermore, it is proposed that the printed conductors extend in an arc shape to maximize the surface area available for supporting and contacting the contact legs of the two contact rings. Preferably, the two arc-shaped printed conductors are positioned opposite each other at the opening of the lens holder for receiving the lens. Contact legs can be simultaneously guided onto the printed conductors through said opening. The arc-shaped course of the printed conductors extends within an angle range of less than 180°, ensuring that the printed conductors are electrically insulated from each other. This is because each printed conductor is equipped with a contact ring, i.e., one pole. However, in order to spring-load all the contact legs of the contact ring onto the lens holder in the axial direction, the arc-shaped course of the printed conductors can be interrupted in certain areas. This area can be used to support the contact legs of the contact ring that correspondingly forms the other pole. Thus, the contact legs of one contact ring can be arranged relative to each other at the same angular spacing on their respective contact rings, thereby optimizing their support.
[0016] Furthermore, it is proposed that the printed conductors are connected to the electronic devices of the camera module, particularly the circuit board, via contact elements preferably bent at an angle. Therefore, the axial distance between the printed conductors and the electronic devices, or the circuit board, can be bridged by means of the contact elements. In embodiments where the contact elements are bent at an angle, the radial distance can also be bridged simultaneously.
[0017] To address the aforementioned task, a method for manufacturing a camera module having a lens, a lens mount, and an image sensor is also proposed. In this method, the lens is inserted into the lens mount, electrically contacted, and oriented relative to the image sensor while maintaining electrical contact. According to the invention, the lens is electrically contacted by two movably supported and electrically insulated contact rings, such that movement of the contact rings compensates for movement of the lens when oriented relative to the image sensor.
[0018] The movable support of the two contact rings facilitates low-stress electrical contact of the lens and simultaneously compensates for lens movement during orientation. To enable lens orientation along five axes, the movable support is preferably configured such that each ring can move in all three spatial directions: x, y, and z.
[0019] For electrical contact, the lens may have an electrical interface on its outer periphery, which may consist of, for example, two surrounding contact rails, such that the contact springs of the two contact rings can rest against the contact rails.
[0020] Preferably, each contact ring with its associated contact spring is fitted with a contact track on the lens. This is because each contact ring with its associated contact spring forms one pole of electrical contact. This is possible because the two contact rings are electrically insulated by a spacer located in the middle. For this purpose, the spacer is made of an electrically insulating material, such as plastic. Preferably, a ring-shaped spacer is used.
[0021] Furthermore, preferably, the contact ring is movably supported by the lens bracket and the spacer element. That is, the contact ring is movable relative to the lens bracket and relative to the spacer retaining device. Therefore, the two contact rings can also move independently of each other.
[0022] Advantageously, the lens mount, contact ring, and spacer retaining device are pre-assembled and installed as pre-assembled components. The contact ring is held on the lens mount by contact legs that are angled at their free ends and spring-loaded against the lens mount in the axial or Z-direction. Thus, the contact ring is reliably held on one side while allowing continued movement in all three spatial directions (X, Y, and Z) on the other side. The spacer retaining device is held by the contact ring.
[0023] The proposed method is applicable to the manufacture of the camera module according to the present invention. Therefore, the connection between the contact ring and the electronic devices of the camera module, especially the circuit board, can be implemented similarly to the connection of the camera module described above. Attached Figure Description
[0024] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:
[0025] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the camera module according to the present invention.
[0026] Figure 2 : Figure 1 A magnified view of the local area.
[0027] Figure 3 : Figure 1A perspective view of the lens mount of the camera module from an oblique angle, the lens mount including devices for electrical contacts of the lens, and
[0028] Figure 4 : Figure 3 A stereoscopic view of the lens mount taken from a downward angle. Detailed Implementation
[0029] exist Figure 1 The camera module 1 shown according to the invention includes a lens 2, a lens mount 4, and an image sensor 22. During the manufacture of the camera module 1, and especially during assembly, the lens 2 must be electrically contacted and oriented relative to the image sensor 22. This requires electrical contact that allows or compensates for the lens movement needed for orientation in order to maintain electrical contact.
[0030] For this purpose, the camera module 1 shown has a lens bracket 4, which includes a device for electrically contacting the lens 2 in the area of the electrical interface 3. The electrical interface 3 is currently formed by two surrounding contact tracks 11, 12 arranged on the outer periphery of the lens 2 (see...). Figure 2 The device for contacting the electrical interface 3 formed on the lens 2 includes two contact rings 6 and 7, which are movably supported and have contact springs 8 and 9. These contact springs bridge the annular gap 13 between the lens holder 4 and the lens 2 and, when pre-tensioned, rest against contact tracks 11 and 12 of the lens 2. Each contact ring 6 and 7 forms one pole of the electrical contact, such that each contact ring 6 and 7 has its own contact track 11 and 12. Furthermore, the two contact rings 6 and 7 are electrically insulated by an annular spacer 10 located in the middle.
[0031] To connect contact rings 6 and 7 to the electronics of camera module 1 or to circuit board 5, contact rings 6 and 7 each have radially externally connected contact legs 14 and 15. Each contact ring 6 and 7 currently has three contact springs 8 and 9 arranged relative to each other at the same angular spacing, and three contact legs 14 and 15 arranged relative to each other at the same angular spacing, wherein the angular positions of the contact legs 14 and 15 of contact rings 6 and 7 are offset from the angular positions of their respective contact springs 8 and 9 by half an angular spacing (see [reference]). Figure 3 and 4 The same applies to the angular position of the contact leg 14 of the first contact ring 6 relative to the angular position of the contact leg 15 of the second contact ring 7.
[0032] Contact legs 14 and 15 are angled at their ends, such that they engage below the shoulder 19 of the lens holder 4. Therefore, the contact legs rest against the lower side 18 of the shoulder 19 (see...). Figure 2 and 4On the lower side 18, the shoulder 19 has arc-shaped extended printed conductors 16, 17, such that the two contact legs 14, 15 of a contact ring 6, 7 respectively contact a printed conductor 16, 17 (see...). Figure 4 To prevent the printed conductors 16 and 17 from contacting the contact legs 14 and 15 of the other pole, the arcuate shape of the printed conductors 16 and 17 is interrupted accordingly in the area of the contact legs 14 and 15. Because the printed conductors 16 and 17 also extend only within an angle range of less than 180°, they are also electrically insulated from each other by the lens bracket 4.
[0033] Two printed conductors 16 and 17 are connected to the circuit board 5 of the camera module 1 via contact elements 20 and 21. These contact elements are currently constructed in a flag-like shape and are exactly opposite each other on the lens bracket 4 (see [link]). Figure 4 ).
Claims
1. A camera module (1) comprising a lens (2) having an electrical interface (3) and a lens holder (4) having means for electrically contacting the lens (2) in a region of the electrical interface (3), wherein, The device for electrical contact is also connected to the electronic device of the camera module (1), characterized in that the device for electrical contact includes two contact rings (6, 7) with contact springs (8, 9), the contact rings forming a first pole and a second pole, and electrically insulated by a spacer (10) located in the middle, wherein the two contact rings (6, 7) are movably supported by the lens bracket (4) and the spacer (10), wherein the contact rings (6, 7) each have a plurality of radially externally connected contact legs (14, 15), and wherein the contact rings (6, 7) are spring-elastically supported on the lens bracket (4) in the axial direction by the contact legs (14, 15), the contact legs being bent at an angle at their free ends.
2. The camera module (1) according to claim 1, Its features are, The electrical interface (3) includes two contact rails (11, 12) arranged on the outer periphery of the lens (2). The contact rails are opposite to the contact rings (6, 7) at the annular gap (13) between the lens (2) and the lens bracket (4). The annular gap (13) is bridged by the contact springs (8, 9) of the contact rings (6, 7), such that the contact springs are in contact with the contact rails (11, 12) under preload.
3. The camera module (1) according to claim 1 or 2. Its features are, The contact legs (14, 15) contact the printed wires (16, 17) arranged on the lens bracket (4).
4. The camera module (1) according to claim 3. Its features are, The printed conductors (16, 17) are arranged in a plane and / or extend in an arc shape on the underside (18) of the shoulder (19) of the lens holder (4).
5. The camera module (1) according to claim 3, Its features are, The printed conductors (16, 17) are connected to the electronic devices of the camera module (1) via a contact element (20, 21).
6. The camera module (1) according to claim 1 or 5. Its features are, The electronic device is a circuit board (5).
7. The camera module (1) according to claim 5. Its features are, The contact elements (20, 21) are implemented at an angle.
8. A method for manufacturing a camera module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, having a lens (2), a lens holder (4), and an image sensor (22), wherein the lens (2) is inserted into the lens holder (4), the lens (2) is electrically contacted, and while maintaining electrical contact, the lens (2) is oriented relative to the image sensor (22). Its features are, The lens (2) is electrically contacted by contact springs (8, 9) of two movably supported and electrically insulated contact rings (6, 7), such that the movement of the lens (2) is compensated by the movement of the contact rings (6, 7) when oriented relative to the image sensor (22), wherein the contact rings (6, 7) each have a plurality of radially externally connected contact legs (14, 15), and wherein the contact rings (6, 7) are spring-elastically supported on the lens holder (4) in the axial direction by the contact legs (14, 15), the contact legs being bent at an angle at their free ends.
9. The method according to claim 8, Its features are, Each contact ring (6, 7) forms one pole of an electrical contact, and each contact ring (6, 7) has a contact spring (8, 9) belonging to that contact ring.
10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, Its features are, The contact rings (6, 7) are movably supported by the lens bracket (4) and the spacing retaining device (10).
11. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The lens bracket (4), the contact rings (6, 7) and the spacing retaining device (10) are pre-assembled and installed as pre-assembled components.