Camera module

Abstract

A camera module comprises a shell, a first circuit board and a lens. The shell comprises a first shell, the first shell comprises a body part and a first protruding part which are integrally formed, the first protruding part is arranged on the inner side of the body part, the outer side of the body part is an installation surface used for being installed on an object, and the inner side is opposite to the outer side. The first circuit board is arranged on the first protruding part, a photosensitive element is arranged on the first surface of the first circuit board, a first included angle is formed between the first circuit board and the installation surface, and the first included angle is larger than 0 degree and smaller than 90 degrees. The lens is arranged on the first surface of the first circuit board and corresponds to the photosensitive element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a camera module, and in particular to a camera module comprising a housing. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the demand for camera modules has been increasing. For example, in the automotive market, camera modules are also needed to record images inside or outside the vehicle. When the camera module is installed inside the vehicle, there is often a problem of insufficient space. Therefore, there is still an urgent need to develop a camera module that takes up less space. Summary of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to a camera module. Since a first circuit board of the camera module has a first angle with a mounting surface, a lens arranged on the first circuit board can adjust the optical axis of the lens in the lens to a suitable position through the first angle.

[0004] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a camera module is provided. The camera module includes a housing, a first circuit board and a lens. The housing includes a first housing, wherein the first housing includes an integrally formed main body and a first protrusion, the first protrusion is arranged on the inner side of the main body, and the outer side of the main body is a mounting surface for mounting on an object, the inner side is relative to the outer side. The first circuit board is arranged on the first protrusion, and a photosensitive element is arranged on the first surface of the first circuit board, wherein a first angle is formed between the first circuit board and the mounting surface, and the first angle is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees. The lens is arranged on the first surface of the first circuit board and corresponds to the photosensitive element.

[0005] In order to better understand the above and other aspects of the present invention, embodiments are given below and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1A FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0007] Figure 1B A three-dimensional diagram of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0008] Figure 1C A top view of a camera module after the second housing is opened is shown according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 1D A three-dimensional view of a camera module with a second housing opened is shown according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 1E A side view of a camera module with a second housing opened is shown according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 Shows a side view of the camera module according to another embodiment of the present invention after the second housing is opened.

[0012] Figure 3 Shows a perspective view of the camera module according to still another embodiment of the present invention after the second housing is opened. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0013] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below and illustrated with reference to the drawings. In addition to these detailed descriptions, the present invention can be widely implemented in other embodiments. Any easy substitution, modification, or equivalent change of any of the described embodiments is included within the scope of the present invention and is subject to the claims of the present invention. In the description of the specification, many specific details and implementation examples are provided to enable the reader to have a more complete understanding of the present invention; however, these specific details and implementation examples should not be regarded as limitations of the present invention. In addition, well-known steps or elements are not described in detail to avoid unnecessary limitations to the present invention.

[0014] Figure 1A Shows an exploded view of the camera module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1B Shows a perspective view of the camera module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1C Shows a top view of the camera module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention after the second housing 160 is opened. Figure 1D Shows a perspective view of the camera module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention after the second housing 160 is opened. Figure 1E Shows a side view of the camera module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention after the second housing 160 is opened.

[0015] Please refer to Figure 1A , the camera module 10 includes a housing 100, a first circuit board 120, a lens 126, a second circuit board 130, and a light-emitting element 132. The housing 100 includes a first housing 110 and a second housing 160. The second housing 160 is assembled with the first housing 110, for example, by snap-fitting and fixing to each other or by screwing.

[0016] Please also refer to Figures 1A to 1E , the first housing 110 includes an integrally formed body portion 112, a first protrusion 1161, a second protrusion 1162, an edge portion 114, and an extension portion 118. That is, the entire first housing 110 has an integrally formed structure. As Figure 1A , 1CAs shown in FIGS. 1E, the first protrusion 1161 is disposed on the inner side 112A of the main body portion 112, and the outer side 112B of the main body portion 112 is an installation surface 112s for installation to an object (such as any object inside an automobile, such as an air vent, an instrument panel, an in-vehicle rearview mirror, etc.). The inner side 112A is opposite to the outer side 112B. The second protrusion 1162 is disposed on the inner side 112A of the main body portion 112. The second protrusion 1162 is, for example, around the first protrusion 1161, so that the light-emitting element 132 can achieve a supplementary lighting effect without blocking the position where the adhesive layer 124 (detailed later) is illuminated and the field of view of the lens 126. The edge portion 114 is disposed around the main body portion 112, for example, directly connected to the main body portion 112. The first protrusion 1161, the second protrusion 1162, and the edge portion 114 protrude, for example, toward the inner side 112A, such that the distance between the top of the first protrusion 1161 and the installation surface 112s, the distance between the top of the second protrusion 1162 and the installation surface 112s, and the distance between the top of the edge portion 114 and the installation surface 112s are all greater than 0. The first protrusion 1161 has a first inclined surface 1161a at the top, and the second protrusion 1162 has a second inclined surface 1162a at the top. The first inclined surface 1161a and the second inclined surface 1162a are not parallel to the installation surface 112s, and the first inclined surface 1161a and the second inclined surface 1162a can be, respectively, non-planar (i.e., having a concavo-convex profile) surfaces. The extension portion 118 is, for example, connected to the edge portion 114. The extension portion 118 can have a plurality of holes, so that a fixing element SC (such as a screw) can pass through the holes to mount the camera module 10 to an object.

[0017] As Figure 1A , 1CAs shown in Figure 1E, the first circuit board 120 is disposed on the first protrusion 1161, for example, it is mounted on the first inclined surface 1161a of the first protrusion 1161 (for example, it is fixed by screws), so the first surface 120a of the first circuit board 120 is not parallel to the mounting surface 112s. There is a first angle α between the first circuit board 120 and the mounting surface 112s, and the first angle α is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees. In other words, the first circuit board 120 can be configured on the first inclined surface 1161a of the first protrusion 1161 to form the first angle α. In one embodiment, the first inclined surface 1161a includes a boss, and the first circuit board 120 can be attached to the boss. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the first circuit board 120 can directly contact the first inclined surface 1161a (for example, the boss of the first inclined surface 1161a), but the present invention is not limited thereto. A photosensitive element 122 is disposed on the first surface 120a of the first circuit board 120. The lens 126 may be disposed on the first surface 120a of the first circuit board 120 and corresponds to the photosensitive element 122. The lens 126 is, for example, disposed on the photosensitive element 122 so that the optical axis of the lens in the lens 126 can be aligned with the center position of the photosensitive element 122. An adhesive layer 124 is provided between the lens 126 and the first circuit board 120, and the lens 126 is fixed to the first surface 120a of the first circuit board 120 through the adhesive layer 124. In one embodiment, the adhesive layer 124 includes a light-curing adhesive, and for example, the adhesive layer 124 needs to be irradiated with ultraviolet light through a lighting step to cure the adhesive layer 124. Therefore, the structure around the adhesive layer 124 must be as unshielded as possible to complete the lighting step. The lens 126 and the light-emitting element 132 may be interchangeably disposed, that is, the lens 126 is disposed on the first protrusion 1161, and the light-emitting element is disposed on the second protrusion 1162.

[0018] For example, see Figure 1E , the height H1 of the top of the first protrusion 1161 in the first direction D1 and the height H2 of the top of the second protrusion 1162 in the first direction D1 are both greater than the height H3 of the top of the edge portion 114 in the first direction D1, wherein the first direction D1 is parallel to the normal direction of the mounting surface 112s. Furthermore, the height H3 of the top of the edge portion 114 in the first direction D1 is less than the minimum height H4 of the adhesive layer 124 in the first direction D1. Through the height design of the first protrusion 1161, the second protrusion 1162, the edge portion 114 and the adhesive layer 124, the adhesive layer 124 is less likely to be shielded by other structures (such as the edge portion 114), so that the curing of the adhesive layer 124 by light will not be affected, and the lens 126 can be ensured to be firmly bonded to the first circuit board 120.

[0019] like Figure 1A , 1CAs shown in FIGS. 1D and 1E, the second circuit board 130 is disposed on the second protrusion 1162, for example, mounted on the second inclined surface 1162a of the second protrusion 1162 (e.g., fixed by screws). Therefore, the second surface 130a of the second circuit board 130 is not parallel to the mounting surface 112s. There is a second included angle β between the second circuit board 130 and the mounting surface 112s, and the second included angle β is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees. In other words, the second circuit board 130 can be arranged on the second inclined surface 1162a of the second protrusion 1162 to form the second included angle β. And, the light-emitting element 132 is disposed on the second surface 130a of the second circuit board 130. In Figure 1A , 1C ~1E, the number of the light-emitting elements 132 is two. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of the light-emitting elements 132 can be one or more than two. The light-emitting element 132 is, for example, a light-emitting diode or other suitable light-emitting element. The light-emitting element 132 can be used to supplement light within the field of view of the lens 126, so that the lens 126 has excellent shooting effects. In this embodiment, the first included angle α is equal to the second angle β, that is, the first circuit board 120 is parallel to the second circuit board 130, so that the light-emitting element 132 can achieve the best light supplement effect.

[0020] In addition, compared with the comparative example in which both the first circuit board and the second circuit board are parallel to the mounting surface, since the first included angle α between the first circuit board 120 of the camera module 10 and the mounting surface 112s and the second included angle β between the second circuit board 130 and the mounting surface 112s are both greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, the first circuit board 120 and the second circuit board 130 can save more space due to the inclined arrangement, which is beneficial to the miniaturization design of the camera module 10. Preferably, the angular ranges of the first included angle α and the second included angle β are between greater than 0 degrees and less than 60 degrees (i.e., 0° < α < 60°, 0° < β < 60°), or between greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 60 degrees (i.e., 0° < α ≤ 60°, 0° < β ≤ 60°), so as to prevent the first protrusion 1161 from blocking the field of view (FOV) of the camera module 10.

[0021] In some camera module comparative examples, first, a calibration device is used to adjust the position of the optical axis of the lens element relative to the photosensitive element on the circuit board. After the position between the lens element and the photosensitive element is adjusted by vertical offset, the two are fixed as a single component (for example, the lens including the lens element and the circuit board on which the photosensitive element is mounted are fixed as a single component). After that, the supplementary light element and the control main board are integrally assembled into a complete camera module. However, due to the limitation of the viewing angle or field of view (FOV) of the lens element, in order to meet the design limitations of different vehicle body environmental spaces, additional external components need to be added to achieve the requirement of changing the optical axis (such as deflection) of the lens element. In the embodiment of the camera module 10, the first housing 110 is integrally formed so that there is a first included angle α between the first circuit board 120 carrying the lens 126 and the mounting surface 112s. The first included angle α has been considered in the requirements of the viewing angle (FOV) of the lens 126. Therefore, the requirement of changing the optical axis (such as deflection) of the lens element (not shown) in the lens 126 when the camera module 10 is mounted on an object (such as a vehicle body) can be achieved through the design of the inherent first included angle α in the camera module 10, without the need to additionally provide external components to change the optical axis. Therefore, compared with the comparative example of additionally adding external components to adjust the optical axis angle, the camera module 10 can have a smaller volume, meeting the requirement of miniaturization, such as the requirement of minimizing the assembly space inside the vehicle body. Moreover, the camera module 10 does not require the user to manually adjust the angle through external components on the vehicle body, so the user can enjoy a more convenient usage experience. In addition, the adjustment of the optical axis position between the lens element and the photosensitive element of the camera module 10 can be calibrated simultaneously after being assembled onto the housing 100 (such as the first housing 110), reducing the accumulation of component tolerances and improving the accuracy of the finished product of the camera module 10.

[0022] Please refer to Figure 1A 、 1C and FIG. 1D, the camera module 10 further includes a third circuit board 140, a first transmission member 152, and a second transmission member 154. The third circuit board 140, the first transmission member 152, and the second transmission member 154 are all disposed on the inner side 112A of the body portion 112. The first transmission member 152 is electrically connected to the first circuit board 120 and the third circuit board 140. The second transmission member 154 is electrically connected to the second circuit board 130 and the third circuit board 140. In the present embodiment, the first transmission member 152 and the second transmission member 154 are respectively flexible circuit boards, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The third circuit board 140 is, for example, a main circuit board for controlling the first circuit board 120 and the second circuit board 130. In the present embodiment, the connector 142 is electrically connected to the third circuit board 140 and the main console (not shown) on the vehicle body, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the third circuit board 140 and the main console (not shown) on the vehicle body may be electrically connected to each other using a wire (not shown), rather than being electrically connected to each other through the connector 142.

[0023] Please refer to Figure 1A and 1B , the housing 100 further includes a second housing 160. The second housing 160 is paired with the first housing 110, and the second housing 160 has openings 162 and 164 which respectively correspond to the lens 126 and the light-emitting element 132. For example, the openings 162 and 164 respectively expose the lens 126 and the light-emitting element 132. Moreover, the camera module 10 further includes filter plates CF1 and CF2 which respectively cover the openings 162 and 164, that is, the filter plates CF1 and CF2 can respectively overlap the lens 126 and the light-emitting element 132 in the first direction D1. The filter plates CF1 and CF2 are, for example, infrared light filter plates and can be used to filter light from outside the camera module 10, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the second housing 160 has a single opening and a single filter plate corresponding to the lens 126 and the light-emitting element 132, that is, this single opening exposes the lens 126 and the light-emitting element 132, and this single filter plate covers this single opening, such that this single filter plate can overlap the lens 126 and the light-emitting element 132 in the first direction D1.

[0024] In this embodiment, the third circuit board 140 of the camera module 10, and the first protrusion 1161 and the second protrusion 1162 for carrying the first circuit board 120 and the second circuit board 130 are disposed on the same surface of the first housing 110, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the first housing 110' may include a side surface 110S and a lower surface 110L which are connected to each other. The included angle between the side surface 110S and the lower surface 110L is, for example, 90 degrees. The third circuit board 140 is, for example, disposed on the side surface 110S of the first housing 110', as Figure 2 shown, the first protrusion 1161 and the second protrusion 1162 for carrying the first circuit board 120 and the second circuit board 130 are, for example, disposed on the inner side 112A of the first housing 110'.

[0025] In this embodiment, the first protrusion 1161 and the second protrusion 1162 are disposed on the first housing 110 along the second direction D2 (i.e., the first protrusion 1161 and the second protrusion 1162 are sequentially arranged in the second direction D2). The first protrusion 1161 overlaps the third circuit board 140 in the third direction D3. The second direction D2 and the third direction D3 are, for example, parallel to the mounting surface 112s. The first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 are perpendicular to each other. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The position design of structures such as the first protrusion 1161, the second protrusion 1162, and the third circuit board 140 can be adjusted according to requirements. For example, the first protrusion 1161 and the second protrusion 1162 can be arranged in parallel along the third direction D3, or the first protrusion 1161 and the second protrusion 1162 can be integrated into a single inclined protrusion 1163, as Figure 3 shown. The lens 126 and the light-emitting element 132 can be disposed on the same protrusion 1163 and arranged on the same circuit board 150; or they can be respectively disposed on two protrusions and arranged on two circuit boards (not shown). The above arrangements can avoid the possibility that the field of view (FOV) of the lens 126 is blocked by the protrusion.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a camera module 10 is provided. The camera module 10 includes an integrally formed first housing 110. The first circuit board 120 is disposed on the first protrusion 1161 in the first housing 110. The lens 126 is disposed on the first circuit board 120. Therefore, the optical axis change angle of the lens that meets the visual angle requirements of the user can be directly obtained through the first included angle α formed by the first circuit board 120 on the first protrusion 1161. Therefore, compared with a comparative example in which additional external components are added to adjust the optical axis angle, the camera module 10 can have a smaller volume and meet the requirements of miniaturization. Furthermore, the camera module 10 does not require the user to manually adjust the angle through external components on the vehicle body. Therefore, the user can enjoy a more convenient use experience. Also, the adjustment of the optical axis position between the lens 126 and the photosensitive element 122 in the camera module 10 can be corrected simultaneously after being assembled to the housing 100, which can reduce the accumulation of component tolerances and improve the accuracy of the finished product of the camera module 10. In addition, compared with a comparative example in which the first housing is assembled from multiple components, since the first housing 110 of the present invention is an integrally formed structure, the time consumed for assembly can be saved, and the tolerance generated during assembly can also be reduced.

[0027] In summary, although the present invention has been disclosed above with embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A camera module, characterized in that, The camera module includes: a housing, which includes a first housing. The first housing includes an integrally formed body portion and a first protrusion. The first protrusion is disposed on the inner side of the body portion, and the outer side of the body portion is an installation surface for mounting to an object. The inner side is relative to the outer side; a first circuit board disposed on the first protrusion, and a photosensitive element is disposed on the first surface of the first circuit board. There is a first included angle between the first circuit board and the installation surface, and the first included angle is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees; and a lens disposed on the first surface of the first circuit board and corresponding to the photosensitive element.

2. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein The first housing further includes a second protrusion. The second protrusion is disposed on the inner side of the body portion and is an integrally formed structure with the body portion. And the camera module further includes: a second circuit board disposed on the second protrusion. There is a second included angle between the second circuit board and the installation surface, and the second included angle is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees; and a light-emitting element disposed on the second circuit board.

3. The camera module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first included angle is equal to the second angle.

4. The camera module according to claim 2, wherein The first housing further includes an edge portion disposed around the body portion, and the distance between the top of the edge portion and the installation surface is greater than 0.

5. The camera module according to claim 4, wherein Wherein the height of the top of the first protrusion in the first direction and the height of the top of the second protrusion in the first direction are both greater than the height of the top of the edge portion in the first direction, and the first direction is parallel to the normal direction of the installation surface.

6. The camera module according to claim 4, wherein, The edge portion and the body portion are an integrally formed structure.

7. The camera module according to claim 2, wherein The first circuit board is disposed on the first inclined surface of the first protrusion to form the first included angle; the second circuit board is disposed on the second inclined surface of the second protrusion to form the second included angle.

8. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein There is an adhesive layer between the lens and the first circuit board, and the lens is fixed to the first surface of the first circuit board through the adhesive layer.

9. The camera module according to claim 8, wherein, The adhesive layer includes a light-curing adhesive.

10. The camera module according to claim 8, wherein The first housing further includes an edge portion disposed around the body portion, wherein the height of the top of the edge portion in the first direction is less than the minimum height of the adhesive layer in the first direction, and the first direction is parallel to the normal direction of the installation surface.

11. The camera module according to claim 2, wherein The camera module further includes: a third circuit board disposed on the inner side of the body portion; a first transmission member electrically connected between the first circuit board and the third circuit board; and a second transmission member electrically connected between the second circuit board and the third circuit board.

12. The camera module according to claim 11, wherein Both the first transmission member and the second transmission member are flexible circuit boards.

13. The camera module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The housing further includes a second housing. The second housing is assembled with the first housing, and the second housing has an opening corresponding to the lens.

14. The camera module according to claim 13, wherein The camera module further includes a filter covering the opening.

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