Camera module

Abstract

A camera module includes: a lens holder including a side portion and a top portion having an opening; a lens module coupled to the lens holder; and a substrate coupled to the lens holder and having an image sensor disposed thereon, wherein the lens module has a first protrusion disposed below the top portion of the lens holder and includes a first connecting member for coupling the first protrusion to the top portion of the lens holder.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This embodiment relates to a camera module. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, an ultra-miniature camera module has been developed, which is widely used in small electronic products such as smartphones, laptops and game consoles.

[0003] With the increasing prevalence of motor vehicles, miniature cameras are not only widely used in small electronic products, but also in vehicles. Examples include black box cameras that provide objective data for vehicle protection or traffic accidents, rear monitoring cameras that allow drivers to monitor blind spots behind vehicles to ensure safety when reversing, and environmental monitoring cameras that can monitor the surrounding environment of vehicles.

[0004] A camera may include a lens, a lens holder that houses the lens, an image sensor that converts the image of the object collected through the lens into an electrical signal, and a printed circuit board on which the image sensor is mounted. The housing that forms the exterior of the camera has a structure in which the entire area is sealed to prevent the internal components from being contaminated by foreign objects, including moisture.

[0005] Mechanisms such as housings or lens holders can expand at high temperatures and contract at low temperatures in response to temperature changes. This deformation of the mechanism presents a problem of altering the distance between the image sensor and the lens. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical topics

[0007] The purpose of this embodiment is to provide a camera module that can minimize the change in distance between the image sensor and the lens due to temperature variations by improving the structure.

[0008] Technical solution

[0009] The camera module according to this embodiment includes: a lens holder including a side portion and a top portion having an opening; a lens module coupled to the lens holder; and a substrate coupled to the lens holder, on which an image sensor is disposed, wherein the lens module includes a first protrusion disposed below the top portion of the lens holder and includes a first connecting member for coupling the first protrusion to the top portion of the lens holder.

[0010] The first connecting component may include epoxy resin.

[0011] The material of the lens holder can include plastic.

[0012] It may include a rear body disposed on the rear surface of the lens holder.

[0013] The isolation section can be disposed between the lens holder and the rear body, and the second connecting member can be disposed in the isolation section.

[0014] The second connecting component may include epoxy resin.

[0015] The lower end of the lens module can be positioned at a point lower than the second connecting member in the optical axis direction.

[0016] The coefficient of thermal expansion of the first connecting component can be greater than that of the second connecting component.

[0017] The coefficient of thermal expansion of the first connecting member can be 2 to 6 times that of the coefficient of thermal expansion of the second connecting member.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the camera module includes: a lens module including a lens; a lens holder coupled to the lens module; a substrate coupled to the lens holder and having an image sensor disposed thereon; a first connecting member for connecting the lens module and the lens holder; and a second connecting member for connecting the substrate and the lens holder, wherein the coefficient of thermal expansion of the first connecting member is greater than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the second connecting member.

[0019] Beneficial effects

[0020] According to the present invention, since the housing deformation caused by temperature changes is compensated by the connecting member, it is advantageous to keep the distance between the image sensor and the lens module constant, and accordingly, to stabilize the resolution of the camera module. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a camera module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a plan view showing the side surface of a camera module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 It is shown from another angle Figure 3 An exploded stereoscopic view of the camera module.

[0025] Figure 5 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken from the A-A' line.

[0026] Figure 6It is a graph comparing the change in distance between the image sensor and the lens at each temperature of a camera module according to the first embodiment of the present invention and a camera module according to the prior art.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of a camera module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of a camera module according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] However, the technical concept of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but can be implemented in various forms, and one or more constituent elements can be selectively combined or substituted among the embodiments within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0031] Furthermore, unless explicitly defined and described, the terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention may be interpreted in a meaning that is generally understood by those skilled in the art, and common terms such as those defined in dictionaries may be interpreted in light of the meaning in the context of the relevant art.

[0032] Furthermore, the terminology used in this specification is for describing embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention.

[0033] In this specification, unless otherwise specified in the phrase, the singular form may include the plural form, and when described as “at least one (or more) of A, B and C”, it may include one or more of all combinations that can be combined with A, B, and C.

[0034] Furthermore, when describing components of embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are intended only to distinguish components from other components, and they do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of the components.

[0035] Moreover, when a component is described as being “connected,” “linked,” or “interconnected” with another component, the component is not only directly connected, linked, or interconnected with the other component, but may also include cases where it is “connected,” “linked,” or “interconnected” by another component between other components.

[0036] Furthermore, when described as being formed or arranged "above" or "below" each component, "above" or "below" means that it includes not only the case where two components are in direct contact, but also the case where one or more other components are formed or arranged between the two components. Additionally, when expressed as "above" or "below," it can include not only the meaning of an upward direction based on a component, but also the meaning of a downward direction based on that component.

[0037] The term "optical axis direction" used below is defined as the optical axis direction of the lens. However, "optical axis direction" can also correspond to "vertical direction," "z-axis direction," etc.

[0038] The camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention may be a vehicle camera module, but is not limited thereto.

[0039] The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a camera module according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a plan view showing the side surface of a camera module according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 It is shown from another angle Figure 3 Exploded stereoscopic view of the camera module; Figure 5 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken from the A-A' line; Figure 6 It is a graph comparing the change in distance between the image sensor and the lens at each temperature of a camera module according to the first embodiment of the present invention and a camera module according to the prior art.

[0041] Reference Figures 1 to 6 According to an embodiment of the present invention, the camera module 100 may include: a housing 110; a lens module 190; a printed circuit board 180; and a connecting member 170, but may also be implemented to exclude some of these configurations, and other additional configurations are not excluded.

[0042] Camera module 100 may include housing 110. Housing 110 may form the exterior of camera module 100. The upper and lower surfaces of housing 110 may be open. The material of housing 110 may include plastic or resin. Lens module 190 may be disposed inside housing 110.

[0043] The housing 110 may include a front body 130 and a rear body 120. The front body 130 may be disposed on the front surface of the rear body 120. The rear body 120 may be disposed on the rear surface of the front body 130. The front body 130 and the rear body 120 may be formed as a single body, but are not limited thereto.

[0044] The front body 130 may have a circular cross-section, and an opening 112 for the lens 190 to pass through may be formed on its upper surface. The front body 130 may include a side portion 131 forming a side surface; and a top portion 132 that curves inward from the top of the side portion 131 to form an upper surface. The front body 130 may also be referred to as a lens holder because it houses the lens 190. At least a portion of the lens 190 may be disposed within a space inside the front body 130. The top portion 132 may cover a portion of the space inside the housing 110.

[0045] Meanwhile, the top 132 can be referred to as the curved portion because it curves inward from the upper end of the side 131.

[0046] The rear body 120 can be disposed on the rear surface of the front body 130. A space 126 communicating with the interior space of the front body 130 can be formed inside the rear body 120. This space 126 can be separated from other areas by a second protrusion 125.

[0047] The rear body 120 may include a second protrusion 125. The second protrusion 125 may be formed to project downward from the lower surface of the rear body 120. The cross-sectional shape of the second protrusion 125 may be annular. The lower end of the second protrusion 125 may project downward further than other areas of the lower surface of the rear body 120. The lower surface of the second protrusion 125 may be configured to face the upper surface of the printed circuit board 180. The lower surface of the second protrusion 125 may contact the upper surface of the printed circuit board 180. A separate sealing member (not shown) is provided on the outer surface of the second protrusion 125 and may prevent foreign objects from entering the space 126.

[0048] The protruding direction of the second protrusion 125 can correspond to the optical axis direction of the camera module 100.

[0049] The lower end of the second protrusion 125 can be connected to the upper surface of the printed circuit board 180 via the third connecting member 125a. The distance between the lens 190 and the image sensor 182 can be adjusted via the third connecting member 125a. The third connecting member 125a may include epoxy resin or an O-ring. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the third connecting member 125a may be less than that of the first connecting member 170 (described later).

[0050] A connecting portion may be provided on the lower surface of the rear body 120. The connecting portion may be provided at each corner region of the lower surface of the rear body 120. A second protrusion 125 may be provided inside the connecting portion. A separate sealing member may be located between the connecting portion and the second protrusion 125. The connecting portion is used for connection with other housings, and threaded holes for threaded connections may be formed on the lower surface. Another housing may be connected to the connecting portion by screws.

[0051] The cross-sectional area of ​​the rear body 120 may be larger than that of the front body 130. The camera module 100 may include a printed circuit board 180. The printed circuit board 180 is formed in a plate shape and may be coupled to the housing 110, i.e., coupled to the lower surface of the rear body 120. The upper surface of the printed circuit board 180 may contact the lower surface of the second protrusion 125. At least one electronic component for driving the camera module 100 may be disposed on the printed circuit board 180. For example, an image sensor 182 may be disposed on the upper surface of the printed circuit board 180. The image sensor 182 may be positioned facing the lens module 190 in the optical axis direction. The image sensor 182 may be disposed inside the space 126.

[0052] Camera module 100 may include lens module 190. Lens module 190 may be disposed inside housing 110. Lens module 190 may include at least one lens. Lens module 190 includes multiple lenses, and the multiple lenses may be arranged along an optical axis. The outermost lens is configured to protrude upward from housing 110 and may be exposed upward from housing 110.

[0053] In detail, the lens module 190 may include: a first region 192 protruding upward from the housing 110; a second region 195 disposed within the space inside the housing 110; and a third region 193 disposed between the first region 192 and the second region 195 and within the opening 112. The cross-sectional shape of the third region 190 may correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the opening 112. The cross-sectional area of ​​the third region 190 may correspond to or be smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the opening 112. The cross-sectional area of ​​the third region 193 may be smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​either the first region 192 or the second region 195. Therefore, in the lens module 190, the first region 192 may be disposed outside the housing 110, and the second region 195 may be disposed within the space inside the housing 110. The lens module 190 may be configured to face the image sensor 182 in the optical axis direction.

[0054] Lens module 190 may include a first protrusion 194. The first protrusion 194 may protrude outward from a side surface of lens module 190. The cross-section of the first protrusion 194 may be annular. The outwardly extending end of the first protrusion 194 may be positioned further outward than the side surface of lens module 190. The first protrusion 194 may be located in the lower portion of a third region 193. The first protrusion 194 may be located within a space inside housing 110. The first protrusion 194 may be located in the lower portion of top 132. The upper surface of the first protrusion 194 may be positioned facing the lower surface of top 132. The upper surface of the first protrusion 194 may overlap with the lower surface of top 132 in the vertical direction.

[0055] The protruding direction of the first protrusion 194 can be perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera module 100.

[0056] The camera module 100 may include a connecting member 170. This connecting member 170 may be referred to as the first connecting member 170. The connecting member 170 may be disposed within a space inside the housing 110. The connecting member 170 may be disposed between the lens module 190 and the housing 110. The connecting member 170 may be disposed between the lower surface of the top 132 and the upper surface of the first protrusion 194. The connecting member 170 may have an annular cross-section.

[0057] The connecting member 170 can be referred to as an adhesive member because it attaches the lens module 190 and the housing 110 to each other. The connecting member 170 can also be referred to as a sealing member because it seals the space between the lens module 190 and the housing 110. The material of the connecting member 170 can include at least one of epoxy resin, rubber, and plastic. For example, the connecting member 170 can be epoxy resin applied between the upper surface of the first protrusion 194 and the lower surface of the top 132. The connecting member 170 not only prevents external foreign objects from entering the housing 110, but also minimizes the change in distance between the image sensor 182 and the lens module 190 due to temperature variations in the camera module 100. Specifically, at high temperatures, the housing 110 may expand due to the material properties of the housing 110. Accordingly, based on... Figure 5 The housing 110 can extend in the vertical direction, and the distance between the image sensor 182 and the lens module 190 in the optical axis direction may increase. However, according to this embodiment, the connecting member 170 will also expand due to high temperature, so the distance between the lens module 190 and the image sensor 182 can be reduced by the expansion of the housing 110.

[0058] Similarly, at low temperatures, the shell 110 may shrink. Based on this, Figure 5The housing 110 can be shortened in the vertical direction, and the distance between the image sensor 182 and the lens module 190 may decrease in the optical axis direction. At this time, the connecting member 170 shrinks due to the low temperature, so the shortened distance between the lens module 190 and the image sensor 182 can be expanded by shrinking the housing 110.

[0059] In summary, the distance between the image sensor 182 and the lens module 190 can remain constant because the change in the distance between the lens module 190 and the image sensor 182 due to the deformation of the connecting member 170 in the opposite direction is as much as the change in the distance between the lens module 190 and the image sensor 182 due to the deformation of the housing 110 according to temperature changes.

[0060] Considering the coefficient of thermal expansion of the housing 110, the material of the connecting member 170 can be selected to compensate for the temperature-induced deformation of the housing 110.

[0061] The coefficient of thermal expansion of the first connecting member 170 can be greater than that of the third connecting member 125a. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the first connecting member 170 can be 2 to 6 times that of the third connecting member 125a. In an environment where the camera module 10 is located, with a temperature range of -40 degrees to 105 degrees Celsius, the ratio of the coefficients of thermal expansion of the first connecting member 170 and the third connecting member 125a can be limited. By measuring the coefficients of thermal expansion using a thermomechanical analysis (TMA) device and using the ratio of the coefficients of thermal expansion of the first connecting member 170 and the third connecting member 125a, the distance variation between the lens module 190 and the image sensor 182 of the camera module 10 can be minimized under different environmental conditions. In summary, when the first connecting member 170 expands, it can control the distance between the lens module 190 and the image sensor 182, and when the first connecting member 170 contracts thermally, it can control the lens module 190 to approach the image sensor 182.

[0062] Furthermore, regarding the optical axis direction of the camera module 10, the thickness of the first connecting member 170 can be greater than the thickness of the third connecting member 125a. For example, the thickness of the first connecting member 170 can be 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, and the thickness of the third connecting member 125a can be 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm. According to the above structure, since the relatively thicker first connecting member 170 deforms less than the third connecting member 125a, the distance between the image sensor 182 and the lens module 190 can remain constant.

[0063] refer to Figure 6In the case of the camera module according to this embodiment, as shown in the graph (1), when compared with the graph (2) of the camera module according to the prior art, it can be confirmed that the distance between the image sensor and the lens module can be uniformly maintained throughout the region by temperature.

[0064] According to the structure described above, its advantage is that, since the deformation of the housing caused by temperature changes is compensated by the connecting member, the distance change between the image sensor 182 and the lens module 190 caused by temperature changes can be minimized, and therefore, the resolution of the camera module can be stabilized.

[0065] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of a camera module according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of a camera module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] In this embodiment, the other parts are the same as in the first embodiment, but there are differences in the structure of the housing and the addition of the second connecting member. Therefore, only the characteristic parts of this embodiment will be described below, and the description of the first embodiment will be used for the rest.

[0067] refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 According to a second embodiment of the present invention, the camera module 200 may include: a housing; a lens module 190; a printed circuit board 180; a connecting member 170; and a second connecting member 250.

[0068] The housing according to this embodiment can be formed by connecting the lens holder 230 and the rear body 220. The lens holder 230 can replace the front body 130 of the camera module 100 according to the first embodiment. The rear body 220 can replace the rear body 120 of the camera module 100 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the lens holder 230 may include an upper surface portion 232 and a side surface portion 231, and the rear body 220 may include a structure associated with the second protrusion 125 and the connecting portion inside the rear body 120 according to the first embodiment.

[0069] However, in this embodiment, the lens holder 230 and the rear body 220 can be spaced apart from each other. Therefore, the isolation portion 229 can be formed on the side surface of the housing. The isolation portion 229 can be configured to penetrate the inner surface from the outer surface of the housing. The lower end of the lens holder 230 and the upper end of the rear body 220 can be spaced apart from each other by the isolation portion 229. The isolation portion 229 can be disposed in the boundary region between the lens holder 230 and the rear body 220. The isolation portion 229 can have a hole shape, penetrating the inner surface from the outer surface of the housing that forms the shape of the camera module 10.

[0070] The second connecting member 250 may be disposed in the isolation portion 229. The second connecting member 250 is formed in annular shape and can be accommodated inside the isolation portion 229. In some cases, the outer surface of the second connecting member 250 may protrude more outward than the side surface of the lens holder 230. Furthermore, the inner surface of the second connecting member 250 may protrude more inward than the inner surface of the space inside the lens holder 230.

[0071] The material of the second connecting member 250 may include at least one of epoxy resin, rubber, and plastic. For example, the second connecting member 250 may be epoxy resin applied between the lens holder 230 and the rear body 220.

[0072] The lower end of the lens module 190 can be configured to be lower than the second connecting member 250 in the optical axis direction.

[0073] Meanwhile, the connecting member 170 of the first embodiment described above can be referred to as the first connecting member 170 in this embodiment.

[0074] The second connecting member 250 not only connects the lens holder 230 and the rear body 220 to each other, but also minimizes the distance change between the image sensor 182 and the lens module 190 caused by temperature changes in the camera module 200.

[0075] Specifically, at high temperatures, the lens holder 230 and the second connecting member 250 may expand due to the material properties of these components. Accordingly, based on... Figure 8 The lens holder 230 and the second connecting member 250 are elongated in the vertical (optical axis) direction, and the distance between the image sensor 182 and the lens module 190 in the optical axis direction may be extended. However, according to this embodiment, the first connecting member 170 also expands due to high temperature. Therefore, the distance between the lens module 190 and the image sensor 182 can be reduced by the expansion of the lens module 230 and the second connecting member 250.

[0076] Similarly, at low temperatures, the lens holder 230 and the second connecting member 250 may shrink. Accordingly, based on Figure 8 The lens holder 230 and the second connecting member 250 shorten in the vertical (optical axis) direction, and the distance between the image sensor 182 and the lens module 190 on the optical axis may also shorten. At this time, the first connecting member 170 shrinks due to the low temperature, so the already shortened distance between the lens module 190 and the image sensor 182 can be increased due to the shrinkage of the lens holder 230.

[0077] On the other hand, since the second connecting member 250 expands and contracts according to temperature changes in the same direction as the expansion and contraction of the lens holder 230, by forming the thermal expansion coefficient of the first connecting member 170 to be greater than the thermal expansion coefficient of the second connecting member 250, the distance change value between the lens module 190 and the image sensor 182 caused by the first connecting member 170 can be adjusted to adapt to the distance change value between the lens module 190 and the image sensor 182 caused by the lens holder 230 and the second connecting member 250.

[0078] In this case, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the first connecting member 170 can be 2 to 6 times that of the second connecting member 250. In an environment where the camera module 10 is located, with a temperature range of -40°C to 105°C, the ratio of the coefficients of thermal expansion of the first connecting member 170 and the second connecting member 250 can be defined. By measuring the coefficients of thermal expansion using a thermomechanical analysis (TMA) device and using the ratio of the coefficients of thermal expansion of the first connecting member 170 and the second connecting member 250, the distance between the lens module 190 and the image sensor 182 of the camera module 10 can be kept constant under different environmental conditions.

[0079] Furthermore, regarding the optical axis direction of the camera module 10, the thickness of the first connecting member 170 can be greater than the thickness of the second connecting member 250. For example, the thickness of the first connecting member 170 can be 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, and the thickness of the second connecting member 250 can be 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm. According to the above structure, since the relatively thicker first connecting member 170 deforms less than the second connecting member 250, the distance between the image sensor 182 and the lens module 190 can remain constant.

[0080] Although embodiments of the invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the invention can be practiced in other specific forms without altering its technical concept or essential characteristics. Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodiments are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A camera module, comprising: A lens holder, including a side portion and a top portion with an opening; The lens module is connected to the lens holder; and A substrate is attached to the lens holder, and an image sensor is mounted on the substrate. The lens module includes a first protrusion, which is disposed below the upper part of the lens holder. The camera module further includes a first connecting member that connects the first protrusion and the upper part of the lens holder. This includes a rear body disposed on the rear surface of the lens holder. The isolation section is disposed between the lens holder and the rear body. The second connecting member is disposed in the isolation section, and The coefficient of thermal expansion of the first connecting member is greater than that of the second connecting member.

2. The camera module according to claim 1, in, The first connecting component comprises epoxy resin.

3. The camera module according to claim 1, in, The lens holder is made of plastic.

4. The camera module according to claim 1, in, The second connecting component comprises epoxy resin.

5. The camera module according to claim 1, in, The lower end of the lens module is positioned lower than the second connecting member in the optical axis direction.

6. The camera module according to claim 1, in, The coefficient of thermal expansion of the first connecting member is 2 to 6 times that of the coefficient of thermal expansion of the second connecting member.

7. A camera module, comprising: Lens module, including lenses; A lens retainer is connected to the lens module; A substrate is connected to the lens holder and an image sensor is disposed on the substrate; A first connecting member is used to connect the lens module and the lens holder; and The second connecting member is used to connect the substrate and the lens holder. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the first connecting member is greater than that of the second connecting member.

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