Camera module and vehicle including camera module

Abstract

An image pickup apparatus module disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention includes: a lens barrel penetrating from a top portion to a bottom portion thereof; the plurality of inner lens barrels are arranged at the inner circumference of the lens barrel; and a lens unit including a plurality of lenses respectively disposed inside the inner lens barrels, in which at least one of the plurality of inner lens barrels is disposed between two adjacent lenses and between outer surfaces of the two adjacent lenses and the lens barrel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a camera module and a vehicle having the camera module. Background Art

[0002] ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) is an advanced driver assistance system for assisting the driver in driving, and is composed of sensing the situation ahead, determining the situation based on the sensing result, and controlling the behavior of the vehicle based on the situation determination. For example, an ADAS sensor device detects the vehicle ahead and identifies the lane. Then, when the target lane or target speed and the target ahead are determined, the vehicle's ESC (Electronic Stability Control), EMS (Engine Management System), MDPS (Electric Power Steering), etc. are controlled. Typically, ADAS can be implemented as an automatic parking system, a low-speed city driving assistance system, a blind spot warning system, etc.

[0003] The sensor devices used to sense the situation ahead in ADAS include GPS sensors, laser scanners, front radars, and Lidar, but the most representative one is the front camera device used to shoot the front of the vehicle. Recently, research on detection systems for detecting the surrounding environment of the vehicle for the sake of driver safety and convenience is accelerating. The vehicle detection system is used for various purposes, such as detecting objects around the vehicle to prevent collisions with objects that the driver does not recognize, and performing automatic parking by detecting empty spaces, and providing the most basic data for automatic vehicle control. In such detection systems, methods using radar signals and methods using camera devices are generally used.

[0004] The vehicle camera module is built into the front and rear monitoring cameras and the black box in the car and is used to capture a subject in the form of a photo or video. Since the vehicle camera module is exposed to the outside, the shooting quality may be deteriorated due to humidity and temperature. In particular, the camera module has a problem that its optical characteristics change according to the ambient temperature and the material of the lens. Summary of the invention

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] A camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention may provide a camera module having an inner barrel on one side or the entire inner surface of a lens barrel. An embodiment of the present invention may provide a camera module having a plurality of inner barrels surrounding different lenses of a lens barrel. An embodiment of the present invention may provide a camera module having a first inner barrel in contact with the outer surface of at least one lens of a lens barrel and a second inner barrel in contact with the outer surface of at least one lens.

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a camera module having a plurality of inner barrels, each of which is disposed between an outer surface of at least one or two or more lenses and a lens barrel. Embodiments of the present invention may provide a camera module, wherein the plurality of inner barrels have a material different from that of the lens barrel. Embodiments of the present invention may provide a mobile terminal, such as a mobile terminal and a vehicle having a camera module.

[0008] Technical Solutions

[0009] A camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a lens barrel extending from an upper portion to a lower portion; a plurality of inner barrels arranged around an inner circumference of the lens barrel; and a lens portion having a plurality of lenses arranged inside the inner barrel, wherein at least one of the plurality of inner barrels is arranged between two adjacent lenses and can be arranged between outer surfaces of the two adjacent lenses and the lens barrel.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of inner lens barrels include a first inner lens barrel extending from an outer surface of a first lens closest to an object to an outer surface of a second lens located on a sensor side of the first lens, and a second lens barrel extending from an outer surface of a third lens located on a sensor side of the second lens to an outer surface of a last lens.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lower portion of the first inner barrel may include a first support spacer extending between the flange portion of the second lens and the flange portion of the third lens. The distance between the upper end of the outer side of the first inner barrel and the lens barrel may be narrower than the distance between the lens barrel and the outer surface of the first inner barrel outside the region between the first lens and the second lens.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an upper portion of the second inner barrel may extend outside the first support spacer. The second inner barrel may include a second support spacer extending below a flange portion of the last lens.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the outer surface of the second inner barrel and the inner surface of the lens barrel can be gradually widened from the outer surface of the third lens to the outer surface of the seventh lens. The inner diameter of the second inner barrel gradually narrows from the upper part toward the last lens, and the inner surface and outer surface of the second inner barrel can have a plurality of stepped structures.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of inner barrels may be made of a plastic material, and at least one of the plurality of lenses may be made of a plastic material. The lens barrel may be made of a metal material, the first inner barrel and the second inner barrel may be made of a plastic material, and at least two lenses disposed in the second inner barrel may be made of a plastic material.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of a first spacer separating two adjacent lenses in a first inner barrel and a second spacer separating two adjacent lenses in a second inner barrel may be included. According to an embodiment of the present invention, an image sensor is disposed on a sensor side of the lens barrel; a cover glass is disposed on the image sensor; and an optical filter is disposed between the cover glass and a lens closest to the image sensor.

[0016] A vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a camera module having a plurality of lenses, a plurality of inner barrels located outside the plurality of lenses, a lens barrel located outside the plurality of inner barrels, and an image sensor arranged on a sensor side of the lens barrel, wherein the plurality of inner barrels and at least two of the plurality of lenses are made of plastic, and the plurality of inner barrels can overlap in an optical axis direction.

[0017] Beneficial Effects

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a camera module can be provided, which can maintain resolution according to temperature changes by stacking lenses in a heterogeneous lens barrel. That is, the camera module with a heterogeneous lens barrel can minimize the stress and eccentricity of a lens (e.g., a plastic lens) that expands due to temperature changes. According to an embodiment of the present invention, by providing a plurality of inner lens barrels in a lens barrel, a camera module can be provided that can maintain the resolution of an optical system and suppress lens deformation caused by temperature changes. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the optical reliability of the camera module can be improved, and the reliability of a vehicle camera device having the camera module can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an upper area of ​​a lens barrel in a camera module.

[0021] Figure 3 It is a description of Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of coupling a first inner lens barrel and a second inner lens barrel of a camera device module.

[0022] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram of the lower area of ​​the camera device module.

[0023] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of coupling a cover to a lens barrel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6 is an example of a vehicle having a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The technical spirit of the present invention is not limited to some embodiments to be described, but can be implemented in various other forms, and within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention, one or more components can be selectively combined and replaced for use. In addition, unless explicitly defined and clearly described, the terms (including technical terms and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention can be interpreted according to the meanings that can be generally understood by ordinary technicians in the field to which the present invention belongs, and commonly used terms, such as terms defined in dictionaries, should be able to interpret their meanings based on the contextual meaning of the relevant technology.

[0026] The terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are used to illustrate the embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, unless otherwise specifically stated in a phrase, the singular form may also include the plural form, and in the case of stating A and (and) at least one (or one or more) of B, C, it may include one or more of all combinations that can be combined with A, B and C. When describing the components of the embodiments of the present invention, terms such as the first, second, A, B, (a) and (b) may be used. Such terms are only used to distinguish components from other components, and may not be determined by the terms of the properties, order or program of the corresponding constituent elements. And when describing a component "connected", "coupled" or "engaged" to another component, the description may include not only direct connection, coupling or engagement to another component, but also "connected", "coupled" or "engaged" between a component and another component. In addition, in the case of being described as being formed or arranged on "above (upper)" or "below (lower)" of each component, the description may include not only the situation where two components are in direct contact with each other, but also the situation where one or more other components are formed or arranged between the two components. In addition, when expressed as "above (up)" or "below (lower)", it may refer to the downward direction as well as the upward direction with respect to an element. In addition, several embodiments described below may be combined with each other unless it is specifically stated that they cannot be combined with each other. In addition, unless specifically mentioned, a portion omitted from the description of one of several embodiments may be applied to the description of other embodiments.

[0027] In the description of the present invention, the first lens refers to the lens closest to the object side, and the last lens refers to the lens closest to the image side (or sensor surface). The last lens may include a lens adjacent to the image sensor. Unless otherwise specified in the description of the present invention, the units of lens radius, thickness / distance, TTL, etc. are all mm. In this specification, the shape of the lens is represented based on the optical axis of the lens. For example, saying that the object side of the lens is convex or concave means that the object side of the lens is convex or concave around the optical axis, rather than that the area around the optical axis is convex or concave. Therefore, even if the object side of the lens is described as convex, the portion of the optical axis around the object side of the lens may be concave or the opposite shape. In this specification, it should be noted that the thickness and radius of curvature of the lens are measured based on the optical axis of the lens. In other words, a convex lens surface means that the lens surface of the area corresponding to the optical axis has a convex shape, and a concave lens surface means that the lens surface of the area corresponding to the optical axis has a concave shape. It can be done. In addition, the “object side surface” may refer to a surface of the lens facing the object side based on the optical axis, and the “sensor side surface” may refer to a surface of the lens facing the sensor side based on the optical axis.

[0028] Figure 1is a side cross-sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A view of the upper area of ​​the lens barrel in the camera module, Figure 3 It is a description of Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of coupling a first inner lens barrel and a second inner lens barrel of a camera device module, and Figure 4 It is shown Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram of the lower area of ​​the camera device module.

[0029] Reference Figures 1 to 4 , the camera module 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a lens portion 100 having a plurality of lenses, a lens barrel 400 in which a plurality of lenses are stacked, a plurality of inner barrels 200 and 300 disposed between the plurality of lenses, and spacers 121 and 123 disposed between flange portions of adjacent lenses. The lens barrel 400 may penetrate from the upper portion to the lower portion. That is, the lens barrel 400 may have a first opening portion 401 on the upper side and a second opening portion 403 on the lower side, and the first opening portion 401 and the second opening portion 403 may be connected to each other.

[0030] The lens barrel 400 is an outer barrel, and the distance between the outer surface of the lens and the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400 may be 2.5 mm or less, for example, in the range of 0.7 mm to 2.5 mm. When the distance between the outer surface of the lens and the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400 is less than the above range, it is not easy to combine the lenses, and when the distance is greater than the above range, the size of the lens barrel may increase or the lens may be tilted relative to the optical axis.

[0031] The camera module 1000 may include a substrate 110 and an image sensor 112. The image sensor 112 may be disposed on the substrate 110. The image sensor 112 may be disposed between the last lens of the lens portion 100 and the substrate 110. The image sensor 112 may be mounted, placed, contacted, fixed, temporarily fixed, supported, or coupled to the surface of the substrate 110. According to another example, a groove or hole (not shown) capable of accommodating the image sensor 112 may be formed in the substrate 110. The embodiment is not limited to a specific form in which the image sensor 112 is disposed on the substrate 110. The substrate 110 may be a rigid PCB or an FPCB. The image sensor 112 may be disposed on the optical axis of the lens portion 100 or on an axis perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens portion 100. In this case, a reflective member such as a prism may be disposed between the lens portion 100 and the image sensor 112. The image sensor 112 may perform a function of converting light passing through the lens portion 100 into image data. The image sensor 112 may be one of a charge coupled device (CCD), a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), a CPD, or a CID. When there are multiple image sensors 112, one may be a color (RGB) sensor and another may be a black and white sensor.

[0032] The camera module 1000 may include a cover glass 114 and a filter 116 disposed between the last lens of the lens portion 100 and the image sensor 112. The filter 116 may be disposed between the lens portion 100 and the image sensor 112. The filter 116 may filter light corresponding to a specific wavelength range for light passing through the lens. The filter 116 may be an infrared (IR) blocking filter that blocks infrared rays or an ultraviolet (UV) blocking filter that blocks ultraviolet rays, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The filter 116 may be disposed on the image sensor 112. The filter 116 is disposed in the second opening portion 403 of the lens barrel 400 to filter light of a specific wavelength that travels to the lower portion of the lens barrel 400. The cover glass 114 is disposed between the filter 116 and the image sensor 112, protects the upper portion of the image sensor 112, and prevents the reliability of the image sensor 112 from being degraded.

[0033] The lens section 100 may include an optical system in which three or more lenses are stacked, or an optical system in which five or more lenses are stacked. The lens section 100 may include three to nine lenses. The lens section 100 may include a plurality of solid lenses. The lens section 100 may include lenses made of different materials, such as plastic lenses and glass lenses. For example, the lens section 100 may include one or more plastic lenses and two or more glass sheets. The ratio of the number of plastic lenses to the number of glass lenses may be 1:2 to 1:6. The number of lenses made of glass may be greater than or less than the number of plastic lenses. Alternatively, the lenses of the lens section 100 may be made of the same glass material or plastic material. The lenses in the lens section 100 may include spherical lenses and aspherical lenses. Alternatively, the lenses within the lens section 100 may include spherical lenses. Alternatively, the lenses within the lens section 100 may include aspherical lenses. Here, the spherical lens is a lens whose object side surface and sensor side surface of the lens are spherical on the optical axis. An aspherical lens is a lens whose object side surface and sensor side surface on the optical axis are aspherical. A spherical lens can be made of glass. An aspherical lens can be made of plastic or glass mold.

[0034] In the lens portion 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the number of lenses made of glass may be one or more than the number of lenses made of plastic. Here, the lens portion 100 may be stacked with plastic lenses or / and glass lenses. The linear thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) of the plastic material is 5 times or more higher than the linear thermal expansion coefficient of the glass material, and the change value of the refractive index of the plastic material with temperature may be 10 times or more higher than the change value of the refractive index of the glass material with temperature. However, since plastic lenses are easier to manufacture and more convenient to design than glass lenses, the demand for their use is increasing. In addition, the glass mold material can provide an aspherical surface, which can improve the thickness of the thin lens and the optical properties. The embodiment of the present invention can reduce the weight of the camera module by further mixing the plastic lens into the camera module 1000, provide a cheaper manufacturing cost, and suppress the degradation of the optical properties caused by temperature changes. Various types of plastic lenses can replace glass lenses, and the polishing and processing of lens surfaces (such as aspherical surfaces or free-form surfaces) can be easy.

[0035] The lens with the largest effective diameter in the camera module 1000 may be any one of the first to fourth lenses 101, 102, and 103 arranged from the object side. Preferably, the lens with the largest effective diameter may be made of glass. The effective diameter may be the diameter of the effective light entering the effective area of ​​each lens. The effective diameter is the average value of the effective diameter of the object side surface of each lens and the effective diameter of the sensor side surface.

[0036] Each lens may include an effective area and an ineffective area. The effective area is the area through which light incident on each lens passes. That is, the effective area may be defined as an effective area or effective diameter in which the incident light is refracted to achieve optical characteristics. The ineffective area may be arranged around the effective area and may be defined as a flange portion. The ineffective area may be an area in which effective light does not enter the plurality of lenses. That is, the ineffective area may be an area that is not related to the optical characteristics. In addition, the end of the ineffective area may be an area fixed to a structure that accommodates the lens.

[0037] The lens barrel 400 runs through the upper part to the lower part, and a plurality of lenses are coupled therein. The plurality of lenses can be coupled through the first opening portion 401 of the lens barrel 400. The plurality of lenses can be stacked in sequence from the lens 107 closest to the sensor side to the lens 101 closest to the object side. As another example, the lens can be coupled toward the object side through the sensor side opening portion, or can be coupled in two directions. The lens closest to the object side can be the first lens 101, and the sensor side lens closest to the filter 116 or the image sensor 112 can be the nth lens or the last lens 107, and n can be an integer of 5 or more, such as any one of 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

[0038] Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of explanation, an example of a structure in which seven lenses are sequentially stacked in the lens barrel 400 starting from the sensor side will be described. The lens portion 100 may have a plurality of lenses aligned along the optical axis from the object side toward the image sensor 112, for example, the first lens 101, the second lens 102, the third lens 103, the fourth lens 104, the fifth lens 105, the sixth lens 106, and the seventh lens 107 may be aligned. The second lens 102 may be disposed between the first lens 101 and the third lens 103. The fourth lens 104 is disposed between the third lens 103 and the fifth lens 105, and the sixth lens 106 may be disposed between the fifth lens 105 and the seventh lens 107. The lens portion 100 may include a cemented lens that bonds two adjacent lenses. The cemented lens may include a bonded second lens and a third lens, a bonded third lens and a fourth lens, or a bonded fifth lens and a sixth lens. The cemented lens has opposite refractive powers and may compensate for chromatic aberration.

[0039] The first lens 101 may be made of glass or plastic. The first lens (101) may have a positive (+) refractive power or a negative (-) refractive power on the optical axis (OA). The first lens 101 may have a negative (-) refractive power. In the lens, the first lens 101 is arranged closest to the object, and may have, for example, a concave object-side first surface S1 and a convex sensor-side second surface S2 on the optical axis. Since the object-side first surface of the first lens 101 has a concave shape on the optical axis, problems of contact with an external structure or damage from an external impact can be prevented. In addition, the first lens 101 may be made of glass. The first lens 101 may be arranged in an injection-molded shape made of glass, and the first surface S1 on the object side and the second surface S2 on the sensor side may be aspherical. As another example, the first lens 101 may have a convex first surface S1 and a concave second surface S2 on the optical axis, and the first lens 101 may have a convex object-side surface. By doing so, the amount of incident light can be increased. Alternatively, the first lens 101 may have a concave shape on both sides of the optical axis.

[0040] The first lens 101 made of glass can reduce the change of the center position and the curvature radius due to the temperature change according to the surrounding environment, and protect the incident side surface of the optical system 1000. In addition, the flange portion 101A of the first lens 101 can have a flat surface on the object side, and the flat surface can block foreign matter from entering from the outside. Since the first lens 101 is made of a molded material, it is possible to improve the connection with the cover 500 (see Figure 5 ) adhesion. Figure 5 As shown, the cover 500 is coupled to the upper circumference of the flange portion 101A of the first lens 101 , and the cover 500 may be coupled to the upper circumference of the lens barrel 400 .

[0041] The camera module 1000 according to the embodiment may include an aperture stop. The aperture stop may control the amount of light incident on the optical system 1000. The aperture stop may be set at a set position. For example, the aperture stop may be a first spacer 121 arranged on the circumference between the first lens 101 and the second lens 102. Alternatively, a light blocking material coated on the surface of the first spacer 121 may be used as the aperture stop. Alternatively, the circumference of the sensor side surface of the first lens 101 or the object side surface of the second lens 102 may be coated with a light blocking material to serve as an aperture stop for adjusting the amount of light. The first spacer 121 is arranged on the circumference between the first lens 101 and the second lens 102, and the external distance between the first lens 101 and the second lens 102 may be maintained. The first spacer 121 may have an annular shape. The outer surface of the first spacer 121 may not contact the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400, or may be spaced apart. The first spacer 121 may be made of a metallic material or a non-metallic material, such as aluminum or plastic. The inner protrusion P11 of the first spacer 121 may extend around the object-side surface of the second lens 102. The inner protrusion P11 of the first spacer 121 may function as an aperture stop.

[0042] The second lens 102 may have a positive (+) refractive power or a negative (-) refractive power on the optical axis OA. The second lens 102 may have a positive (+) refractive power. The second lens 102 may have both convex surfaces S3 and S4 on the optical axis. Alternatively, the second lens 102 may have a concave object-side third surface S3 and a convex sensor-side fourth surface S4 on the optical axis. Alternatively, the second lens 102 may have a meniscus shape convex toward the object or a shape concave on both sides. The second lens 102 may be made of plastic or glass, for example, glass. The object-side surface and the sensor-side surface of the second lens 102 may be spherical.

[0043] The third lens 103 may have a positive (+) refractive power or a negative (-) refractive power on the optical axis OA. The third lens 103 may include an object-side fifth surface S5 that is flat or concave on the optical axis and a concave sensor-side sixth surface S6. Alternatively, the third lens 103 may have a convex object-side surface and a convex sensor-side surface on the optical axis. Alternatively, the third lens 103 may have a meniscus shape that is convex toward the sensor or a shape that is convex on both sides. The third lens 103 may be made of plastic or glass, for example, glass. The object-side surface and the sensor-side surface of the third lens 103 may be spherical.

[0044] The fourth lens 104 may have a positive (+) refractive power or a negative (-) refractive power on the optical axis OA. For example, the fourth lens 104 may have a convex object-side seventh surface and a convex sensor-side eighth surface S8 on the optical axis. Alternatively, the fourth lens 104 may have a meniscus shape convex toward the sensor or a shape concave on both sides. The fourth lens 104 may be made of plastic or glass, for example, glass. The object-side surface and the sensor-side surface of the fourth lens 104 may be spherical.

[0045] The third lens 103 and the fourth lens 104 may be a cemented lens bonded together. The sensor-side sixth surface S6 of the third lens 103 and the object-side surface of the fourth lens 104 may be bonded. The third lens 103 and the fourth lens 104 may have opposite refractive powers. The combined refractive power of the third lens 103 and the fourth lens 104 may have a positive (+) refractive power or a negative refractive power. The product of the refractive power of the object-side lens of the cemented lens and the refractive power of the sensor-side lens may be less than 0. The product of the focal length of the object-side lens of the cemented lens and the focal length of the sensor-side lens may be less than 0. Therefore, the aberration characteristics of the optical system may be improved. When the refractive powers of the two lenses of the cemented lens are the same, the improvement of the aberration is limited. As another example, the third lens 103 and the fourth lens 104 may not be bonded.

[0046] The diameter of the fourth lens 104 may be greater than the diameter of the third lens 103, and the protrusion P12 of the second spacer 123 may be disposed on the outer surface of the fourth lens 104. The second spacer 123 is disposed on the outer circumference between the flange portion 103A of the third lens 103 and the flange portion 105A of the fifth lens 105, and may maintain the distance between the third lens 103 and the fifth lens 105. The protrusion P12 of the second spacer 123 may be spaced apart from the outer surface of the third lens 103 or adhered to the outer surface of the third lens 103. The thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface of the protrusion P12 may be less than the distance T4 between the inner surface and the outer surface of the second spacer 123, i.e., the thickness. The second spacer 123 may be made of a metal material or a non-metal material, and may be, for example, aluminum, copper, or plastic.

[0047] The fifth lens 105 may have a positive (+) refractive power or a negative (-) refractive power on the optical axis (OA). The fifth lens 105 may include plastic or glass. For example, the fifth lens 105 may have a convex object side surface and a concave sensor side surface on the optical axis. Alternatively, the fifth lens 105 may have a meniscus shape convex toward the sensor or a shape concave on both sides. The object side surface and the sensor side surface of the fifth lens 105 may be spherical or aspherical. As another example, the fourth lens and the fifth lens may be bonded to each other in a lens barrel, the fourth lens and the fifth lens may have opposite refractive powers, and the two bonded lenses may be made of the same glass material.

[0048] The sixth lens 106 may have a positive (+) refractive power or a negative (-) refractive power on the optical axis OA. The sixth lens 106 may include plastic or glass. The sixth lens 106 may have a convex object side surface and a concave sensor side surface on the optical axis. The sixth lens 106 may have a meniscus shape convex toward the object. Alternatively, the sixth lens 106 may have a meniscus shape convex toward the sensor on the optical axis or a shape concave on both sides. The object side surface and the sensor side surface of the sixth lens 106 may be aspherical. As another example, the fifth lens and the sixth lens may be bonded to each other in a lens barrel, the product of the refractive powers of the fourth lens and the fifth lens may be less than 0, and the two bonded lenses may be made of the same glass material.

[0049] The seventh lens 107 may have a positive (+) refractive power or a negative (-) refractive power on the optical axis OA. The seventh lens 107 may have a negative (-) refractive power. The seventh lens 107 may include plastic or glass. For example, the seventh lens 107 may be made of plastic. The seventh lens 107 may have a meniscus shape convex toward the object on the optical axis. Alternatively, the seventh lens 107 may have a meniscus shape convex toward the sensor on the optical axis OA, or may have a shape concave on both sides. The object side surface and the sensor side surface of the seventh lens 107 may be aspherical.

[0050] The seventh lens 107 may be a plastic lens closest to the image sensor 400. By arranging the plastic lens closest to the image sensor 112, optical performance may be improved by a lens surface having an aspherical surface, thereby improving aberration characteristics and controlling the influence on resolution. In addition, by placing the plastic lens as the lens closest to the image sensor 112, the plastic lens may be insensitive to assembly tolerances compared to a glass lens. In other words, insensitivity to assembly tolerances means that even when the assembly is slightly different from the design, the optical performance may not be significantly affected.

[0051] When the first spacer 121 and the second spacer 123 are made of metal, the heat transferred from the lens can be conducted to the lens barrel 400 or the inner barrels 300 and 400. That is, when the first spacer 121 and the second spacer 123 are made of heat-dissipating materials, they can dissipate the heat conducted through the flange portions of the lenses made of glass. When the spacers 121 and 123 are made of metal, the spacers 121 and 123 may include at least one of In, Ga, Zn, Sn, Al, Ca, Sr, Ba, W, U, Ni, Cu, Hg, Pb, Bi, Si, Ta, H, Fe, Co, Cr, Mn, Be, B, Mg, Nb, Mo, Cd, Sn, Zr, Sc, Ti, V, Eu, Gd, Er, Lu, Yb, Ru, Y, and La. The oxide film may be an oxidized material obtained by treating black oxide or brown oxide with copper. Here, the lens barrel 400 may be made of a metal or non-metal material, such as aluminum or copper. Therefore, when the lens barrel 400 is made of a metal material, the heat generated from the spacers 121 and 123 and the flange portions of each lens can be dissipated, thereby improving the optical characteristics according to the temperature change of the imaging device module exposed to the outside. A reduction in reliability can be prevented.

[0052] The inner opening portion of the lens barrel 400 may have an upper diameter X1 that is larger than the lower diameter X2. Here, the upper diameter X1 may be the maximum distance of the region corresponding to the outer surface of the flange portion 101A of the first lens 101. The lower diameter X2 may be the maximum distance of the region corresponding to the outer surface of the flange portion 107A of the last lens 107. Since the diameters satisfy the condition: X2 < X1, the lenses can be coupled from the object side toward the sensor side. In this case, the diameter B1 of the first lens 101 may be larger than the diameter B2 of the last seventh lens 107. The diameters B1 and B2 are the maximum diameters between the outer surfaces of the flange portions 101A and 107A of each lens 101 and 107.

[0053] As Figure 1As shown, the lens barrel 400 may include a plurality of inner barrels 200 and 300 therein. The number of inner barrels may be less than the number of lenses in the lens barrel 400, for example, in the range of n-2 to n-5, where n is the number of lenses and in the range of 4 to 9. Here, at least one of the upper part, the central part, and the lower part of the inner barrel may be arranged on the outer surface of at least one lens. That is, at least one of the upper part, the central part, and the lower part of the inner barrel may be arranged between the outer surface of at least one lens and the lens barrel. Therefore, the outer surface of the lens barrel 400 and the lens may be spaced apart from each other. The inner barrels 200 and 300 may be made of such a material: the thermal expansion coefficient of the material is higher than the thermal expansion coefficient of the lens barrel 400. For example, the lens barrel 400 may be made of a metal such as aluminum, and the inner barrel may be made of a non-metal such as a resin or plastic. The lens barrel 400 may have a thermal expansion coefficient less than 30, and the inner barrel may have a thermal expansion coefficient of 50 or more. The difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the inner barrel and the lens barrel may be 20 or more. The difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the inner barrel and the plastic lens may be 3 or less, 2 or less, or the same.

[0054] When the lens barrel 400 is injection molded by a metal material, there are problems of difficulty in size control and diameter deviation due to the internal area. In other words, the inner diameter size for aligning the lens and the eccentricity management between the inner diameter are poor compared to injection molded products. In addition, most vehicle lenses in the lens barrel are made of glass. In the case of glass materials, there are size deviations due to the processing of each individual product, and in addition, the eccentricity management between the outer diameter size for lens alignment and the outer diameter may be more difficult than the eccentricity management between the inner diameter size for aligning the lens and the inner diameter of those injection molded products, and the manufacturing cost of the lens is higher than the manufacturing cost of the injection molded product. Since the present invention manufactures the inner barrel as a mold injection and arranges it in the lens barrel, the deviation between the inner diameter and the outer diameter between the lens and the lens barrel can be minimized, and the tolerance of the glass lens or the plastic lens can be reduced to minimize the eccentricity and tilt caused by the tolerance. In addition, the inner barrel can maintain resolution according to temperature changes. In other words, according to temperature changes, the stress on the plastic lens can be suppressed and the eccentricity can be minimized.

[0055] The inner barrel 200, 300 may include materials or particles for blocking or absorbing light on the surface or inside. The inner barrel 200 and 300 may be made of non-reflective material or light absorbing material, thereby blocking interference caused by light reflection. At least one of the upper part, inner part and lower part of the inner barrel 200 and 300 may contact the object side surface and sensor side surface of the flange part of at least one lens. The inner barrel 200 and 300 may be made of the same material or different materials. The inner barrel 200 and 300 may be made of plastic. Each of the inner barrel 200 and 300 has a through hole therein, and at least one lens may be coupled to the upper part, inner part and lower part of the inner through hole. The distance T1 (i.e., thickness) between the inner surface and the outer surface of each of the inner barrel 200 and 300 may be less than the distance (i.e., thickness) between the inner surface 441 and the outer surface of the lens barrel 400. Here, the distance or thickness between the inner surface and the outer surface may be a distance between the outer surface having a vertical plane in a region corresponding to the outer surface of the lens and the inner surface.

[0056] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the inner barrels 200 and 300 can be placed inside the outer barrel (that is, the lens barrel 400). The inner barrels 200 and 300 may include a first inner barrel 200 coupled to the inner upper portion of the lens barrel 400 and a second inner barrel 300 coupled to the inner lower portion. The first inner barrel 200 may be coupled to the upper periphery of the lens barrel 400. At least one lens may be disposed inside the first inner barrel 300, for example, a plurality of lenses 101 and 102 may be disposed inside the first inner barrel 300. The first inner barrel 300 may be disposed on the outer surfaces of the first lens 101 and the second lens 102. The first lens 101 and the second lens 102 or the inner lens of the first inner barrel 200 is defined as an upper lens.

[0057] The first inner barrel 300 may be disposed between the first lens 101, the second lens 102 and the lens barrel 400. The outer surface of the upper lens may be spaced apart from the outer surface of the lens barrel 400, for example, greater than the distance T1 between the inner surface and the outer surface of the first inner barrel 200, that is, greater than the thickness. That is, the distance between the outer surface of at least one of the first lens 101 and the second lens 102 and the barrel 400 may be in the range of 0.7 mm to 2 mm. The upper inner surface of the first inner barrel 200 faces the outer surface of the first flange portion 101A of the first lens 101, and the lower inner surface faces the outer surface of the second flange portion 102A of the second lens 102. The first lens 101 and the second lens 102 may be attached to the first inner barrel 200 with an adhesive. The first spacer 121 is located inside the first inner barrel 200 and may space the first lens 101 and the second lens 102 apart.

[0058] The thickness T1 of the first inner barrel 200 may be smaller than the thickness T2 of the first spacer 121. The thickness T2 of the first spacer 121 is a horizontal distance in a region between the first lens 101 and the second lens 102.

[0059] The upper portion of the first inner barrel 200 may extend to the outer surface of the first lens 101, and the lower portion may extend to the outer surface of the second lens 102. The first inner barrel 200 includes a first outer upper protrusion P21 protruding outward, and the first outer upper protrusion P21 may face the upper end portion of the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400. The upper end of the first inner barrel 200 is located at the center of the outer surface of the first flange portion 101A of the first lens 101, and may be located at a lower position than the upper end of the first flange portion 101A. The upper end of the first inner barrel 200 may be exposed on the first opening portion 401.

[0060] The first outer upper protrusion P21 may have a first minimum distance from the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400, and the first minimum distance may be a spacing that can flow when at least one of the first lens 101 and the second lens 102 expands in the horizontal direction, and may be 0.1 mm or less, for example, in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm. When the lens barrel 400 is made of metal, the first inner barrel 200 is made of plastic, and at least one of the first lens 101 and the second lens 102 is made of glass, the first minimum distance may be the maximum distance that can expand when the lenses 101 and 102 are thermally expanded in the horizontal direction at high temperatures (that is, in the range of 85 degrees to 105 degrees). The horizontal direction may be perpendicular to the optical axis. The first minimum distance has the effect of separating the inner barrel and the lens barrel, so that even if the plastic lens expands at high temperatures, the inner barrel and the lens barrel will not contact each other, or even if the inner barrel and the lens barrel do contact, no significant stress will be generated on the lens. In addition, when the lens, the inner barrel, etc. expand / contract at high / low temperature, the shape of the inner barrel can be set in a structure in which the changed positions do not affect each other.

[0061] like Figure 3As shown, the first inner barrel 200 and the lens barrel 400 may have a first distance G1. The first distance G1 is the distance between the outer surface of the first inner barrel 200 and the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400 at the central portion of the first inner barrel 200. The central portion of the first inner barrel 200 is an area corresponding to the distance between the first lens 101 and the second lens 102. The first distance G1 may be greater than the first minimum distance, and greater than the distance that the first lens and the second lens can flow when expanding in the horizontal direction, and may be 0.5 mm or less, for example, in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. When the first inner barrel 200 is made of plastic and the lenses 101 and 102 are made of glass, the first distance G1 may be the maximum distance that can be expanded when the lenses are thermally expanded in the horizontal direction at high temperatures (that is, in the range of 85 degrees to 105 degrees). The first distance G1 may be 10% or more of the thickness of the first inner barrel 200 (that is, the distance T1 between the inner surface and the outer surface), for example, 10% to 50%. When the first distance G1 is smaller than the above range, at least one of the first lens 101 and the second lens 102 may tilt relative to the optical axis due to temperature change, and when the first distance G1 is larger than the above range, there are difficulties in supporting and fixing the inner lens.

[0062] The first inner barrel 200 may include a first support spacer P22 located inside the lower portion. The first support spacer P22 is integrally formed from the lower portion of the first inner barrel 200 and may be disposed around an area P25 between the second lens 102 and the third lens 103. The first support spacer P22 may be disposed between the second flange portion 102A of the second lens 102 and the third flange portion 103A of the third lens 103 and may separate the second flange portion 102A and the third flange portion 103A from each other.

[0063] The first support spacer P22 may overlap with the first spacer 121 in the vertical direction or the optical axis direction. The inner diameter B3 of the first support spacer P22 may be smaller than the upper inner diameter of the first inner barrel 200, that is, the diameter B1 of the first lens 101. The first support spacer P22 may be used as a support portion at the lower portion of the first inner barrel 200. This is because the height H1 of the first inner barrel 200 is set to be higher than a predetermined level, so the support force in the vertical direction can be reduced, and the first support spacer P22 may be used as a bottom support portion.

[0064] The height H1 of the first inner barrel 200 may be greater than the center thickness of the first lens 101. The height H1 of the first inner barrel 200 may be greater than the sum of the center thicknesses of the first lens 101 and the second lens 102. The height H1 of the first inner barrel 200 may be greater than or equal to the optical axis distance LD12 from the center of the object-side surface S1 of the first lens 101 to the center of the sensor-side surface S4 of the second lens 102. The height H1 of the first inner barrel 200 may be less than the optical axis distance from the center of the object-side surface S1 of the first lens 101 to the center of the object-side surface S5 of the third lens 103.

[0065] When the height H1 of the first inner barrel 200 changes from the center of the object side surface S1 of the first lens 101 to the center of the object side or sensor side surface S6 of the third lens 103 , the size of the support portion may not expand, and thus the support strength in the vertical direction may be reduced.

[0066] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the second inner barrel 300 can be arranged on the outer surface of two or more lenses, for example, on the outer surface of two to six lenses. The second inner barrel 300 can extend between the outer surface of the third lens 103 to the seventh lens 105 and the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400. Hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, the inner lens of the third lens 103 to the seventh lens 107 or the second inner barrel 300 is defined as a lower lens. The second inner barrel 300 may have a through hole into which the lower lens is inserted. The upper part of the second inner barrel 300 may overlap with the upper part of the first inner barrel 200 in the vertical direction. The upper part of the second inner barrel 300 extends to the outer side of the first support spacer P22 of the first inner barrel 200, and may overlap with the first support spacer P22 in the horizontal direction.

[0067] The second inner barrel 300 is disposed on the outer surfaces of the lower lenses 103 to 107, and the outer surfaces of the lower lenses 103 to 107 may be spaced apart from the outer surface of the lens barrel 400, for example, a distance T3 or more between the inner surface and the outer surface of the second inner barrel 300, that is, a thickness of 100 or more. That is, the distance between the outer surface of at least one of the lower lenses and the lens barrel 400 may be in the range of 0.7 mm to 2 mm.

[0068] The inner surface of the second inner barrel 300 may face the outer surfaces of the flange portions 103A, 105A, 106A, and 107A of the third lens 103, the fifth lens 105, the sixth lens 106, and the seventh lens 107. The third lens 103, the fifth lens 105, the sixth lens 106, and the seventh lens 107 may be attached to the second inner barrel 300 with an adhesive. The second spacer 123 is located inside the second inner barrel 300, and the third lens 103 and the fifth lens 105 may be separated. The fourth lens 104 faces the inner surface of the second spacer 123, and the outer surface of the fourth lens 104 may be adhered to the second spacer 123 using an adhesive. The thickness T3 of the second inner barrel 300 may be less than the thickness T4 of the second spacer 123. The thickness T4 of the second spacer 123 is the horizontal distance in the region between the fourth lens 104 and the fifth lens 105.

[0069] The upper portion of the second inner barrel 300 may extend to the outer surface of the third lens 103, and the lower portion may extend to the outer surface of the seventh lens 107. The second inner barrel 300 includes a second outer upper protrusion P31 protruding outward from the upper portion, and the second outer upper protrusion P31 may face the central portion of the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400. The second outer upper protrusion P31 may have a second minimum distance from the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400, and the second minimum distance may be a distance that can flow when at least one of the lower lenses expands in the horizontal direction, and may be 0.1 mm or less, for example, in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm. When the lens barrel 400 is made of metal, the second inner barrel 300 is made of plastic, and at least one or all of the fifth lens 105, the sixth lens 106, and the seventh lens 107 are made of plastic, the second minimum distance may be a maximum distance that can expand when the lens is thermally expanded in the horizontal direction at high temperature (that is, in the range of 85 degrees to 105 degrees). Alternatively, at least one of the fifth to seventh lenses 105 , 106 , and 107 may be made of glass.

[0070] like Figure 3As shown, the second inner barrel 300 and the lens barrel 400 may have a second distance G2. The second distance G2 is the distance between the outer surface of the second inner barrel 300 and the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400 at the central portion of the second inner barrel 300. The central portion of the second inner barrel 300 is an area corresponding to the distance between the fifth lens 105 and the sixth lens 106. The second distance G2 may be greater than the second minimum distance, and greater than the distance that can flow when at least one of the lower lenses expands in the horizontal direction, and is 0.5 mm or less, for example, in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. When the second inner barrel 300 is made of plastic and at least one of the fifth to seventh lenses 105, 106 and 107 is made of plastic, the second distance G2 may be the maximum distance that the lower lens can expand when it is thermally expanded in the horizontal direction at high temperatures (i.e., in the range of 85 degrees to 105 degrees). The second distance G2 may be 10% or more, for example, 10% to 50%, of the thickness (that is, the distance T3 between the inner surface and the outer surface) of the second inner barrel 300. When the second distance G2 is less than the above range, a problem may occur in which at least one of the lower lenses tilts relative to the optical axis due to temperature changes, and when the second distance is greater than the above range, there are difficulties in supporting and fixing the lower lens.

[0071] The second inner barrel 300 may include a second support spacer P32 located at the lower inner side. The second support spacer P32 extends integrally from the lower portion of the second inner barrel 300 and may be disposed between the lower locking protrusion 405 of the lens barrel 400 and the final lens 107. The second support spacer P32 is disposed around the flange portion 107A of the final lens 107 and may separate the final lens 107 from the surface of the optical filter 116. The bottom protrusions 32A and 32B of the second support spacer P32 may be spaced apart from each other, the inner bottom protrusion 32A may support the upper circumference of the optical filter 116, and the outer bottom protrusion 32B may face the lower end of the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400. The bottom protrusions 32A and 32B of the second support spacer P32 are spaced apart on both sides, thereby providing a predetermined elastic repulsive force in the optical axis direction.

[0072] The second support spacer P32 may overlap with the second spacer 123 in the vertical direction or the optical axis direction. The inner diameter of the second support spacer P22 may be smaller than the width of the filter 116, and may be smaller than the upper inner diameter B4 of the second inner barrel 300. The second support spacer P32 may be used as a support portion at the lower portion of the second inner barrel 300. This is because the height H2 of the second inner barrel 300 is set higher, the vertical support force may be reduced, and the second support spacer P32 may be used as a bottom support portion. The height H2 of the second inner barrel 300 may be greater than the sum of the center thicknesses of the third lens 103 and the fourth lens 104. The height H2 of the second inner barrel 300 may be greater than the sum of the center thicknesses of the third lens 103 to the seventh lens 107. The height H2 of the second inner barrel 300 may be greater than the distance LD37 on the optical axis from the center of the object side surface S5 of the third lens 103 to the center of the sensor side surface S14 of the seventh lens 107. The height H2 of the second inner barrel 300 may be smaller than the distance on the optical axis from the center of the object-side surface S3 of the second lens 102 to the center of the sensor-side surface S14 of the seventh lens 107 .

[0073] When the height H2 of the second inner lens barrel 300 is greater than the optical axis distance from the center of the object side surface S3 of the second lens 102 to the center of the sensor side surface S14 of the seventh lens 107, the supporting strength in the vertical direction can be reduced so that at least one of the third lens 103, the fourth lens 104 and the fifth lens 105 can be tilted relative to the optical axis.

[0074] According to the difference in effective diameters of the third lens 103 to the seventh lens 107, the inner surface S21 of the second inner barrel 300 may have a stepped structure such that the diameter becomes narrower from the upper portion to the lower portion. In the stepped structure, the upper portion and the lower portion may be stepped based on the central portion of the outer surface of the third lens 103, the upper portion and the lower portion may be stepped based on the central portion of the outer surface of the fifth lens 105, the upper portion and the lower portion may be stepped based on the central portion of the outer surface of the sixth lens 106, and the upper portion and the lower portion may be stepped based on the outer center of the seventh lens 107. When the diameter of the third lens 103 is CA3, the diameter of the fifth lens 105 is CA5, the diameter of the sixth lens 106 is CA6, and the diameter of the seventh lens 107 is CA7, the following formula may be satisfied: CA3 <CA5<CA6<CA7。

[0075] One of the first lens 101, the second lens 102, and the third lens 103 may have a maximum diameter, and the diameter may gradually decrease from one of the first lens 101, the second lens 102, and the third lens 103 to the last lens. Therefore, the distance between the outer surface of the second inner barrel 300 and the inner surface of the lens barrel 400 may gradually increase toward the sensor side from an area corresponding to the outer surface of a lens with a larger diameter among the second lens, the third lens, the fourth lens, and the fifth lens. The outer surface S22 of the second inner barrel 300 may have a stepped structure following the stepped structure of the inner surface S21. The stepped structure of the outer surface S22 of the second inner barrel 300 may be arranged below the same horizontal line as the stepped structure of the inner surface S21.

[0076] Here, when explaining the order of combining the above components, the second inner barrel 300 may be coupled to the lens barrel 400, and then the seventh lens 107 may be stacked on the second inner barrel 300. The sixth lens 106 is stacked on the seventh lens 107, the fifth lens 105 is stacked on the sixth lens 106, and the second spacer 123 is stacked on the outer circumference of the fifth lens 105, and a cemented lens having the third lens 103 and the fourth lens 104 may be combined on the second spacer 124. Here, the filter 116 may be coupled to the inner bottom of the lens barrel 400 before coupling the lens barrel 400, or may be coupled to the outer lower portion of the lens barrel 400. As another example, a structure combining the third lens 103 to the seventh lens 107 and the second spacer 123 in the second inner barrel 300 may be coupled to the lens barrel 400. As another example, the seventh lens 107 may be located on the bottom of the lens barrel 400.

[0077] When the second inner barrel 300 and the third lens 103 are combined, the first inner barrel 200 is combined in the lens barrel 400, and then the second lens 102 is stacked on the third lens 103, the first spacer 121 may be coupled to the second lens 102, and the first lens 101 may be coupled to the first spacer 121. As another example, the first lens 101 and the second lens 102, the first spacer 121, and the first inner barrel 200 may be coupled outside, and then the coupling structure may be coupled inside the lens barrel 400.

[0078] When at least one of the lenses 101 to 107 in the lens barrel 400 expands or contracts in the horizontal direction according to temperature changes, the inner barrels 200 and 300 interlock in the horizontal direction, thereby preventing the resolution reduction caused by temperature changes. In addition, the stress generated on the plastic lens due to temperature changes can be reduced, and the eccentricity of the optical axis can be minimized. In addition, compared with the structure in which the glass lens is directly coupled to the barrel, the lens coupling tolerance can be reduced, thereby reducing the eccentricity and tilt on the optical axis. In addition, when the plastic lens is applied together with the inner barrel made of plastic, it has the same thermal expansion coefficient, which can reduce the impact on optical properties due to thermal expansion or contraction. In addition, by placing the inner barrel between the lens barrel and the outer surface of the lens, the stress that occurs when the lens is in direct contact with the lens barrel can be reduced.

[0079] like Figure 5 As shown, it can include a cover 500 coupled to the upper part of the lens barrel 400. Spacers 121 and 123 are distance maintaining members that can maintain the distance between two adjacent lenses, and can be used as a light blocking film or a spacer film. An annular member 191 can be arranged around the periphery between the lens barrel 400 and the first lens. The upper inner side 4910 of the lens barrel 400 can have a groove or a concave curved shape for coupling the annular member 191. The annular member 191 can be made of an elastic material or a resin material such as silicone or epoxy. As another example, the annular member 191 can be coupled between the lens barrel 400 and the cover. The annular member 191 can perform waterproof and dustproof functions inside and / or outside the lens barrel 400.

[0080] Figure 6 1 is an example of a top view of a vehicle to which the camera module according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0081] Reference Figure 6, the vehicle camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an image generating unit 11, a first information generating unit 12, second information generating units 21, 22, 23, 24 and a control unit 14. The image generating unit 11 may include at least one camera module 20 provided in the own vehicle, and may generate a front image or an in-vehicle image of the own vehicle by photographing the front of the own vehicle and / or the driver. In addition, the image generating unit 11 may generate an image of the driver or the surroundings of the own vehicle in one or more directions and in front of the own vehicle by using the camera module 20. Here, the front image and the surrounding image may be digital images, and may include color images, black and white images and infrared images. In addition, the front image and the surrounding image may include still images and moving images. The image generating unit 11 provides the driver image, the front image and the surrounding image to the control unit 14. Next, the first information generating unit 12 may include at least one radar and / or camera provided on the own vehicle, and generates the first detection information by detecting the front of the own vehicle. Specifically, the first information generating unit 12 is provided in the own vehicle, and generates the first sensing information by detecting the position and speed of a vehicle located in front of the own vehicle, the presence and position of a pedestrian, and the like.

[0082] By using the first detection information generated by the first information generating unit 12, control can be performed to maintain a constant distance between the own vehicle and the vehicle in front, and the stability of the vehicle operation can be improved in pre-set specific situations, such as when the driver wants to change the driving lane of the own vehicle or reverse parking. The first information generating unit 12 provides the first detection information to the control unit 14. The second information generating units 21, 22, 23, and 24 detect each side of the own vehicle and generate second sensing information based on the front image generated by the image generating unit 11 and the first sensing information generated by the first information generating unit 12. Specifically, the second information generating units 21, 22, 23, and 24 may include at least one radar and / or camera device arranged on the own vehicle, and detect the position and speed of the vehicle located on the side of the own vehicle, or may shoot a video. Here, the second information generating units 21, 22, 23, and 24 may be arranged on the front and rear sides of the own vehicle, respectively. Such a vehicle camera system may include the following camera modules, and may protect vehicles and objects from being affected by autonomous driving or surrounding safety by providing a user with information obtained through the front, rear, each side, or corner area of ​​the own vehicle or processing the same.

[0083] At least one information generating unit of such a vehicle camera system may include a camera module as described below, and may provide or process information obtained through the front, rear, each side or corner area of ​​the vehicle to the user to protect the vehicle and objects from the impact of autonomous driving or environmental safety. The optical system of the camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention may be installed in a vehicle for safety adjustment, enhancing autonomous driving functions and increasing convenience. In addition, the optical system of the camera module is part of the control for a lane keeping assist system (LKAS), a lane departure warning system (LDWS) and a driver monitoring system (DMS), and is applied to a vehicle. Such a vehicle camera module can achieve stable optical performance even when the ambient temperature changes, and provides a module with a competitive price, thereby ensuring the reliability of vehicle components.

[0084] The features, structures, effects, etc. described in the above embodiments are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to only one embodiment. In addition, the features, structures, effects, etc. shown in each embodiment can be combined or modified for other embodiments by a person skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong. Therefore, the content related to such combination and modification should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, although described above, this is only an example, and does not limit the present invention, and a person skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs will recognize that various modifications and applications not shown above can be performed without departing from the basic features of the present embodiment. For example, each component specifically shown in the present embodiment can be modified and implemented. In addition, the differences related to these modifications and applications should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A camera module, comprising: a lens barrel extending from the upper portion to the lower portion; A plurality of inner barrels, the plurality of inner barrels being arranged around the inner circumference of the lens barrel; as well as a lens portion having a plurality of lenses disposed inside the inner barrel, Wherein, at least one of the plurality of inner barrels is disposed between two adjacent lenses and between outer surfaces of the two adjacent lenses and the lens barrel.

2. The camera module according to claim 1, in, The plurality of inner lens barrels include a first inner lens barrel extending from an outer surface of a first lens closest to the object to an outer surface of a second lens located on a sensor side of the first lens, and A second lens barrel extends from an outer surface of the third lens on the sensor side of the second lens to an outer surface of the last lens.

3. The camera module according to claim 2, in, A lower portion of the first inner barrel includes a first support spacer extending between a flange portion of the second lens and a flange portion of the third lens.

4. The camera module according to claim 2, in, A distance between an upper end of an outer side of the first inner barrel and the lens barrel is narrower than a distance between the lens barrel and an outer surface of the first inner barrel outside a region disposed between the first lens and the second lens.

5. The camera module according to claim 3, in, An upper portion of the second inner barrel extends outside the first support spacer.

6. The camera module according to claim 2 or 3, in, The second inner barrel includes a second support spacer extending below a flange portion of the last lens.

7. The camera module according to claim 2 or 3, in, A distance between an outer surface of the second inner barrel and an inner surface of the lens barrel gradually widens from the outer surface of the third lens to an outer surface of the seventh lens.

8. The camera module according to claim 7, in, The inner diameter of the second inner lens barrel gradually narrows from the upper portion toward the last lens, Wherein, the inner surface and the outer surface of the second inner lens barrel have a plurality of step structures.

9. The camera module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in, At least one of the plurality of inner barrels is made of plastic, Wherein, at least one of the plurality of lenses is made of plastic.

10. The camera module according to any one of claims 2 to 4, in, The lens barrel is made of metal, Wherein, the first inner lens barrel and the second inner lens barrel are made of plastic. Wherein, at least two lenses arranged in the second inner lens barrel are made of plastic.

11. The camera module according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising: a first spacer, the first spacer separating two adjacent lenses in the first inner lens barrel; and a second spacer separating two adjacent lenses in the second inner lens barrel.

12. The camera module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: an image sensor disposed on a sensor side of the lens barrel; a cover glass disposed on the image sensor; as well as A filter is disposed between the cover glass and a lens closest to the image sensor.

13. A vehicle comprising: A camera module having a plurality of lenses, a plurality of inner barrels located outside the plurality of lenses, a lens barrel located outside the plurality of inner barrels, and an image sensor provided on a sensor side of the lens barrel, The camera module is a camera module according to any one of claims 1 to 3. wherein the plurality of inner lens barrels and at least two of the plurality of lenses are made of plastic, The plurality of inner lens barrels overlap each other in the optical axis direction.

Images