Camera module, mainboard and electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a camera module, a mainboard and electronic equipment. The camera module comprises a first connector used for being electrically connected with a connector of a mainboard of the electronic equipment; the circuit board is electrically connected with the first connector; and a first camera shooting unit and at least one second camera shooting unit, wherein the first camera shooting unit and the at least one second camera shooting unit are electrically connected with the circuit board. The camera module can reduce the occupied mainboard space of the electronic equipment.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] With the development of camera technology, current electronic devices generally have multiple camera modules of different types.

[0003] In conventional technology, a plurality of different types of camera modules are respectively arranged on a main board of an electronic device through respective board to board connectors (BTB).

[0004] However, the conventional method has the problem of occupying a large space on the mainboard of the electronic device. Summary of the invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a camera module, a main board and an electronic device, which can reduce the main board space of the electronic device occupied by the camera module.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a camera module, the camera module comprising:

[0007] A first connector, used to electrically connect to a connector of a mainboard of an electronic device;

[0008] a circuit board electrically connected to the first connector; and

[0009] A first camera unit and at least one second camera unit, wherein the first camera unit and at least one second camera unit are both electrically connected to the circuit board.

[0010] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a mainboard, which includes the camera module as described in the first aspect.

[0011] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device, comprising the camera module and the mainboard as described in the first aspect.

[0012] The above-mentioned camera module, main board and electronic device, the camera module includes a first connector, a circuit board, a first camera unit and at least one second camera unit, the first camera unit and the at least one second camera unit are electrically connected to the first connector through the circuit board, and the first connector is used to electrically connect to the connector of the electronic device main board, so that the electrical connection between the first camera unit, the at least one second camera unit and the connector of the electronic device main board can be achieved. Compared with the need to set multiple connectors on the electronic device main board in the traditional technology, the embodiment of the present application only needs to set one first connector to achieve the electrical connection between the camera unit and the electronic device main board. The number of connectors required to be set on the electronic device main board is relatively small, which can reduce the main board space occupied by the camera module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0014] Figure 1 A diagram of an application environment of a camera module in one embodiment;

[0015] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a camera module in one embodiment;

[0016] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a camera module in another embodiment;

[0017] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of a camera module in another embodiment;

[0018] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a camera module in another embodiment;

[0019] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of a camera module in another embodiment;

[0020] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a mainboard in one embodiment;

[0021] Figure 8 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic device in another embodiment;

[0022] Description of reference numerals:

[0023] 01: Camera module; 10: First connector;

[0024] 20: circuit board; 201: first circuit board;

[0025] 202: second circuit board; 2021: first sub-circuit board;

[0026] 2022: second sub-circuit board; 30: first camera unit;

[0027] 40: second camera unit; 50: second connector; 60: connecting circuit board. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0029] First of all, before specifically introducing the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the technical background or technical evolution context on which the embodiment of the present disclosure is based is introduced. Generally, in the field of camera technology, the current technical background is: when installing multiple different types of camera modules in an electronic device, multiple different types of camera modules are respectively set on the main board of the electronic device through their own board-to-board connectors to achieve the installation of multiple different types of camera modules. Based on this background, the applicant has found through long-term collection, demonstration and verification of experimental data that this design method occupies more space on the mainboard of the electronic device, greatly reducing the space utilization rate of the mainboard of the electronic device. Therefore, how to reduce the space occupied by the camera module installed on the mainboard of the electronic device has become a difficult problem that needs to be solved urgently. In addition, it should be noted that the applicant has put in a lot of creative work in determining the problems existing in the traditional technology and the technical solutions introduced in the following embodiments.

[0030] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicate positions or positional relationships based on the positions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "multiple" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0031] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be fixed connection, detachable connection, or integrated; it can be mechanical connection or electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances. In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the first feature "on" or "below" the second feature can be that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature "above", "above" and "above" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. The first feature "below", "below" and "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature. It should be noted that when an element is referred to as "fixed on" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there can be an element in the middle. When an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected to another element or there may be a central element at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be the only implementation method.

[0032] The camera module 01 provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to Figure 1In the application environment shown. Among them, the electronic device can be but not limited to various personal computers, laptops, smart phones, tablets, Internet of Things devices and portable wearable devices. The Internet of Things devices can be smart speakers, smart TVs, smart air conditioners, smart car devices, etc. Portable wearable devices can be smart watches, smart bracelets, head-mounted devices, etc.

[0033] In one embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, a camera module 01 is provided, which includes: a first connector 10, a circuit board 20, a first camera unit 30 and at least one second camera unit 40, wherein the first connector 10 is used to be electrically connected to the connector of the electronic device's mainboard, the circuit board 20 is electrically connected to the first connector 10, and the first camera unit 30 and at least one second camera unit 40 are both electrically connected to the circuit board 20.

[0034] Optionally, in this embodiment, the first connector 10 can be connected to the connector of the electronic device motherboard by snapping, or welding, etc., and this embodiment is not limited here. As an optional implementation, the first connector 10 in this embodiment can be a board-to-board connector. Further, the first connector 10 in this embodiment can be a male board-to-board connector. Correspondingly, the connector of the electronic device motherboard can be a female board-to-board connector, and the male board-to-board connector can be electrically connected to the female board-to-board connector on the motherboard. In addition, in this embodiment, the first connector 10 is also electrically connected to the circuit board 20 in the camera module 01. Optionally, the first connector 10 can be electrically connected to the circuit board 20 by welding, or the first connector 10 can be snapped with the circuit board 20. Optionally, the circuit board 20 in this embodiment can include any one or more of a printed circuit board and a flexible circuit board. For example, the circuit board 20 can be a printed circuit board, or the circuit board 20 can be a flexible circuit board, or the circuit board 20 can include a printed circuit board and a flexible circuit board.

[0035] First of all, it should be noted that the camera unit in this embodiment may include a lens, an image processor, etc. In addition, as an optional implementation, the camera unit in the embodiment of the present application may also include a connector, and the connection with other devices is realized through the connector in the camera unit. Optionally, the first camera unit 30 in this embodiment may be a main camera unit in an electronic device, and at least one second camera unit 40 may be a secondary camera unit in an electronic device, or any one of the at least one second camera unit 40 may be a main camera unit in an electronic device, and the other camera units in the at least one second camera unit 40 and the first camera unit 30 may be secondary cameras in an electronic device. Optionally, the shooting focal lengths of the first camera unit 30 and the at least one second camera unit 40 may be exactly the same, or the shooting focal lengths of the first camera unit 30 and the at least one second camera unit 40 may be completely different, or the shooting focal lengths of the first camera unit 30 and the at least one second camera unit 40 may be partially the same. Optionally, in the present embodiment, the first camera unit 30 and the at least one second camera unit 40 can be connected to the circuit board 20 by welding, or the first camera unit 30 and the second camera unit 40 can be connected to the circuit board 20 by snapping together through a connector. The present embodiment does not limit the connection method between the first camera unit 30 and the at least one second camera unit 40 and the circuit board 20.

[0036] The above-mentioned camera module includes a first connector, a circuit board, a first camera unit and at least one second camera unit. The first camera unit and the at least one second camera unit are electrically connected to the first connector through the circuit board. The first connector is used to electrically connect to the connector of the electronic device mainboard. In this way, the electrical connection between the first camera unit, the at least one second camera unit and the connector of the electronic device mainboard can be achieved. Compared with the need to set multiple connectors on the electronic device mainboard in the traditional technology, the embodiment of the present application only needs to set one first connector to achieve the electrical connection between the camera unit and the electronic device mainboard. The number of connectors required to be set on the electronic device mainboard is relatively small, which can reduce the mainboard space occupied by the camera module.

[0037] Based on the above embodiment, in one embodiment, the number of connection points provided on the first connector 10 is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of signals of the first camera unit 30 and the number of signals of all second camera units 40 .

[0038] It can be understood that in the camera module 01 provided in the embodiment of the present application, the first camera unit 30 and all the second camera units 40 are electrically connected to the connector of the mainboard of the electronic device through the circuit board 20 and the first connector 10, and the image signals captured by the first camera unit 30 and all the second camera units 40 need to be transmitted to the processor on the mainboard of the electronic device, and the image signals captured by the first camera unit 30 and all the second camera units 40 are processed by the processor on the mainboard. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the image signals captured by the first camera unit 30 and all the second camera units 40 can be sent to the processor on the mainboard of the electronic device. In this embodiment, as an optional implementation, the number of connection points set on the first connector 10 should be greater than or equal to the sum of the number of signals of the first camera unit 30 and the number of signals of all the second camera units 40.

[0039] In this embodiment, the number of connection points set on the first connector in the camera module 01 is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of signals of the first camera unit and the number of signals of all the second camera units. This ensures that the image signals captured by the first camera unit and the second camera unit can be transmitted to the processor on the motherboard of the electronic device through the circuit board and the first connector, ensuring that the image signals captured by the first camera unit and the second camera unit can be processed by the processor on the motherboard.

[0040] Based on the above embodiment, as an optional implementation, the second camera unit 40 can be electrically connected to the circuit board 20 through a connector. Figure 3 As shown, the camera module 01 further includes at least one second connector 50 ; wherein the second connector 50 is electrically connected to the second camera unit 40 in a one-to-one correspondence, and the second connector 50 is also electrically connected to the circuit board 20 .

[0041] Optionally, in this embodiment, the second connector 50 can be a board-to-board connector. Further, the second connector 50 can be a female board-to-board connector. Accordingly, a male board-to-board connector can be provided in each second camera unit 40, and each second camera unit 40 can be electrically connected to the corresponding board-to-board connector 50 through its own male board-to-board connector.

[0042] In this embodiment, as an optional implementation, the second connector 50 can be electrically connected to the circuit board 20 by welding, or the second connector 50 can be electrically connected to the circuit board 20 by snapping.

[0043] In this embodiment, the camera module also includes at least one second connector, at least one second connector is electrically connected to the second camera unit in a one-to-one correspondence, and at least one second connector is also electrically connected to the circuit board, so that the second camera unit can be electrically connected to the circuit board through the second connector. This can reduce the number of connectors set on the main board of the electronic device, so that the entire camera module only needs one first connector to realize the electrical connection between the camera unit and the main board of the electronic device, reducing the number of connectors that need to be set on the main board of the electronic device, thereby reducing the main board space occupied by the camera module.

[0044] In this embodiment, as an optional implementation, the circuit board 20 may be a printed circuit board, or the circuit board 20 may be a flexible circuit board. The following will describe in detail the configuration of these two different circuit boards.

[0045] In one embodiment, when the circuit board 20 is a printed circuit board, as an optional implementation, the circuit board 20 includes a first circuit board 201, the first circuit board 201 is configured as a printed circuit board, and the first connector 10 and at least one second connector 50 are respectively welded on both sides of the first circuit board 201; the first camera unit 30 is electrically connected to the first circuit board 201.

[0046] Among them, the printed circuit board is a circuit board made by electronic printing technology, and is a carrier for the electrical connection of electronic components. Optionally, in this embodiment, the first circuit board 201 included in the circuit board 20 is a printed circuit board, and the first connector 10 and the at least one second connector 50 are respectively welded on both sides of the first circuit board 201. It can be understood that in this embodiment, since the first connector 10 is used to electrically connect with the connector of the electronic device motherboard, the first connector 10 can be welded on one side of the first circuit board 201 close to the electronic device motherboard, and the at least one second connector 50 can be welded on the other side of the first circuit board 201.

[0047] Optionally, in this embodiment, the first camera unit 30 can be electrically connected to the first circuit board 201 by welding, or the first camera unit 30 can be electrically connected to the first circuit board 201 by pressing. This embodiment does not limit the connection method between the first camera unit and the first circuit board.

[0048] In this embodiment, the circuit board includes a first circuit board, and the first circuit board is configured as a printed circuit board, so that the first connector and the second connector can be respectively welded on the two sides of the first circuit board, thereby simplifying the connection method between the first connector and the second connector and the first circuit board. In addition, by electrically connecting the first camera unit to the first circuit board, the connection path between the first camera unit and the main board of the electronic device can be simplified, and the problem of the camera unit occupying the space of the main board of the electronic device can be reduced as much as possible.

[0049] On the basis of the above embodiment, when the circuit board is a printed circuit board, as an optional implementation manner, Figure 4 As shown, the camera module 01 further includes a connecting circuit board 60 , which is configured as a flexible circuit board; the connecting circuit board 60 is electrically connected to the printed circuit board and the first camera unit 30 , respectively.

[0050] Among them, the flexible circuit board is a highly reliable, flexible printed circuit board made of polyimide or polyester film as a substrate, and has the characteristics of light weight, thin thickness, and good bendability. Optionally, in this embodiment, the camera module 01 also includes a connecting circuit board 60, and the first camera unit 30 can be electrically connected to the printed circuit board through the connecting circuit board 60. Since the connecting circuit board 60 is a flexible circuit board, the flexible circuit board has good bendability. Therefore, when the first camera unit 30 and the printed circuit board are electrically connected through the connecting circuit board 60, the layout shape of the connecting circuit board 60 can be flexibly arranged according to the space of the electronic device motherboard, so that the layout shape of the connecting circuit board 60 can be more flexible and reasonable, thereby reducing the space of the electronic device motherboard occupied by the connecting circuit board 60, and then reducing the space of the electronic device motherboard occupied by the camera module 01.

[0051] Further, as an optional implementation, the connection method of the connection circuit board 60 and the printed circuit board is explained below. In this embodiment, please continue to refer to Figure 4 , the end of the connecting circuit board 60 close to the printed circuit board can be pressed into the printed circuit board, that is, during the production of the printed circuit board, the end of the connecting circuit board 60 close to the printed circuit board can be pressed into the printed circuit board by pressing. In this embodiment, as an optional implementation, please continue to refer to Figure 4 A connecting circuit board 60 may also be provided between each second camera unit 40 and the corresponding second connector, so that each second camera unit 40 may be connected to the second connector via the connecting circuit board 60 .

[0052] In this embodiment, the camera module also includes a connecting circuit board, and the connecting circuit board is configured as a flexible circuit board. Since the flexible circuit board has good bendability, when the first camera unit is connected to the printed circuit board through the connecting circuit board, the position of the connecting circuit board can be flexibly arranged according to the space of the electronic device motherboard, so that the layout position of the connecting circuit board is more flexible and reasonable, and the space of the electronic device motherboard occupied by the connecting circuit board is reduced as much as possible, thereby reducing the space of the electronic device motherboard occupied by the camera module.

[0053] In one embodiment, when the circuit board 20 is a flexible circuit board, Figure 5 As shown, as an optional embodiment, the above-mentioned circuit board 20 includes a second circuit board 202, and the second circuit board 202 is configured as a flexible circuit board; and the second circuit board 202 is electrically connected to the first connector 10, the first camera unit 30 and the second connector 50 respectively.

[0054] Optionally, in this embodiment, the second circuit board 202 is configured as a flexible circuit board. Since the flexible circuit board has good bending properties, in this embodiment, the layout shape of the second circuit board 202 in the camera module 01 can be determined according to the shape required by the layout of the electronic device motherboard. Figure 5 As shown, the second circuit board 202 is electrically connected to the first connector 10, the first camera unit 30 and the second connector 50 respectively. Optionally, in this embodiment, the first connector 10, the first camera unit 30 and the second connector 50 can be electrically connected to the second circuit board 202 by welding. Figure 5 The first connector 10 and the first camera unit 30 are located on opposite sides of the circuit board 20 along a first direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the circuit board 20, and the first connector 10 and the second camera unit 40 are located on the same side of the circuit board 20 along a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0055] In this embodiment, the circuit board includes a second circuit board, and the second circuit board is configured as a flexible circuit board. Since the flexible circuit board has good bendability, the layout shape of the second circuit board can be determined according to the shape required by the layout of the electronic device mainboard, so that the layout shape of the second circuit board is more flexible, and the second circuit board is electrically connected to the first connector, the first camera unit and the second connector respectively, which can reduce the number of connectors laid out on the electronic device mainboard, thereby greatly reducing the space of the electronic device mainboard occupied by the camera module 01.

[0056] Based on the above embodiment, as an optional implementation mode, Figure 6As shown, the above-mentioned second circuit board 202 includes a first sub-circuit board 2021 and a second sub-circuit board 2022; wherein, the first sub-circuit board 2021 and the second sub-circuit board 2022 are connected, the first connector 10 and the first camera unit 30 are electrically connected to the first sub-circuit board 2021 respectively, and the second connector 50 is electrically connected to the second sub-circuit board 2022.

[0057] Optionally, in this embodiment, if Figure 6 As shown, when the second circuit board 202 is configured as a flexible circuit board, the second circuit board 202 includes a first sub-circuit board 2021 and a second sub-circuit board 2022. Optionally, the first sub-circuit board 2021 and the second sub-circuit board 2022 can be connected by welding. Further, as an optional embodiment, the first connector 10 and the first camera unit 30 can be electrically connected to the first sub-circuit board 2021 respectively, and the second sub-circuit board 2022 is led out on the first sub-circuit board 2021, so that the at least one second connector 50 can be connected to the second sub-circuit board 2022, so that the second connector 50 connected to the at least one second camera unit 40 can be electrically connected to the second sub-circuit board 2022, reducing the number of connectors required to be set on the mainboard of the electronic device.

[0058] In this embodiment, the second circuit board includes a first sub-circuit board and a second sub-circuit board, the first sub-circuit board and the second sub-circuit board are connected, the first connector and the first camera unit are electrically connected to the first sub-circuit board respectively, and the second connector is electrically connected to the second sub-circuit board, so that only one first connector needs to be set to realize the electrical connection between the camera unit and the main board of the electronic device, which can reduce the number of connectors required to be set on the main board of the electronic device, thereby reducing the main board space occupied by the camera module.

[0059] In one embodiment, Figure 7 As shown, a main board is provided, which includes the camera module 01 described in the above embodiment.

[0060] The implementation principle and technical effects of the camera module in the mainboard provided in this embodiment can be found in the description of the above embodiments, and will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0061] In one embodiment, Figure 8 As shown, an electronic device is provided, which includes the camera module 01 and the main board described in the above embodiment, wherein the camera module 01 and the main board are electrically connected.

[0062] The implementation principle and technical effects of the camera module in the electronic device provided in this embodiment can be found in the description of the above embodiments, and this embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0063] The technical features of the above embodiments may be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above 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.

[0064] The above-described embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present application, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the present application. It should be pointed out that, for a person of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A camera module, characterized in that: The camera module comprises: A first connector, used to electrically connect to a connector of a mainboard of an electronic device; a circuit board electrically connected to the first connector; and A first camera unit and at least one second camera unit, wherein the first camera unit and at least one second camera unit are both electrically connected to the circuit board.

2. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of connection points set on the first connector is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of signals of the first camera unit and the number of signals of all the second camera units.

3. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The camera module 01 further includes at least one second connector; The second connector is electrically connected to the second camera unit in a one-to-one correspondence, and the second connector is also electrically connected to the circuit board.

4. The camera module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The circuit board includes a first circuit board, which is configured as a printed circuit board; the first connector and the second connector are respectively welded on two sides of the first circuit board; and the first camera unit is electrically connected to the first circuit board.

5. The camera module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The camera module 01 further includes a connecting circuit board, which is configured as a flexible circuit board; the connecting circuit board is electrically connected to the printed circuit board and the first camera unit respectively.

6. The camera module according to claim 5, characterized in that: One end of the connecting circuit board close to the printed circuit board is pressed into the printed circuit board.

7. The camera module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The circuit board includes a second circuit board, wherein the second circuit board is configured as a flexible circuit board; The second circuit board is electrically connected to the first connector, the first camera unit and the second connector respectively.

8. The camera module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second circuit board includes a first sub-circuit board and a second sub-circuit board; the first sub-circuit board is connected to the second sub-circuit board; the first connector and the first camera unit are electrically connected to the first sub-circuit board respectively, and the second connector is electrically connected to the second sub-circuit board.

9. The camera module according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first connector and the first camera unit are located on opposite sides of the circuit board along a first direction, and the first connector and the second camera unit are located on the same side of the circuit board along a second direction, and the first direction is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the circuit board.

10. A motherboard, characterized in that: The main board includes the camera module as described in any one of claims 1-9.

11. An electronic device, characterized in that: The electronic device comprises a camera module and a mainboard as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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