Camera module and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a camera module and a vehicle, the camera module comprises a plurality of first optical elements and a power panel, each first optical element comprises a first lens and a first sensor, the first sensor is arranged adjacent to the image side of the first lens so as to collect an optical signal of the first lens, and the first lens is arranged adjacent to the image side of the first lens; an included angle A is formed between the optical axes of the at least two first lenses, and one power panel is electrically connected with the at least two first sensors. The camera module is compact in structure and small in size, and the coverage range of the field angle is not affected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle technology, and more specifically, to a camera module and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of the automotive industry and the increasing popularity of assisted driving and autonomous driving, vehicle cameras, as one of the most important sensors for realizing intelligent driving functions, have seen significant development in recent years. At the same time, as the complexity of camera functions continues to increase, the requirements for camera installation accuracy and field of view coverage are also becoming more stringent, leading to the emergence of forward-looking multi-view cameras.

[0003] In related technologies, multi-view cameras include multiple lenses and module brackets. Multiple lenses are independently mounted on the module brackets. Although the multi-view camera with the above structure can ensure the coverage of the lens's field of view, it will result in a large size of the multi-view camera, occupying a large space in the vehicle body, and thus the integration effect is not good. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to at least partially solve one of the technical problems in the related art.

[0005] Therefore, embodiments of the present invention propose a camera module with a compact structure, small size, and without affecting the coverage of the field of view.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention also proposes a vehicle.

[0007] The camera module of an embodiment of the present invention includes: a plurality of first optical elements, each of the first optical elements including a first lens and a first sensor, the first sensor being arranged adjacent to the image side of the first lens to collect the light signal of the first lens, and an included angle A being provided between the optical axes of at least two of the first lenses; and a power board, the power board being electrically connected to at least two of the first sensors.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the camera module with the two first lenses having an included angle A between their axes increases the field of view of the two first lenses compared to a scheme where the optical axes of the two first lenses are parallel. Furthermore, since the two first sensors share a single power board, the space occupied by the optical components and the power board within the camera module is reduced, resulting in a more compact structure. Therefore, the camera module of the embodiment of the present invention has a compact structure, small size, and does not affect the coverage range of the field of view.

[0009] In some embodiments, each of the first optical elements includes a first circuit board, and a plurality of the first sensors are mounted one-to-one on a plurality of the first circuit boards, wherein the first circuit boards are disposed between the first lens and the power board.

[0010] In some embodiments, there are two first optical elements, the angle between the optical axes of the two first lenses is A, the angle between the two first circuit boards is C, and the angle C is equal to the angle A.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first optical element further includes a reflector arranged opposite to the image side of the first lens and the first sensor, wherein the light signal from the first lens is transmitted to the first sensor through the reflector.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first optical element further includes a first reflector and a second reflector, the first reflector and the second reflector being symmetrical about a first surface, at least two of the first optical elements being symmetrical about the first surface, and the light signal of one first lens being transmitted to one first sensor through the first reflector, and the light signal of another first lens being transmitted to another first sensor through the second reflector.

[0013] In some embodiments, the reflector is at least one of a prism and a plane mirror.

[0014] In some embodiments, the camera module further includes a second optical element, the second optical element including a second lens and a second sensor, the second sensor being arranged adjacent to the image side of the second lens to collect light signals from the second lens, and a plurality of the first optical elements being arranged circumferentially around the second lens.

[0015] In some embodiments, the optical axes of at least two of the first lenses and the optical axis of one of the second lenses are located in the same plane.

[0016] In some embodiments, a plurality of the first lenses are arranged at equal intervals around the second lens in the circumferential direction, and the angles formed by the optical axes of the plurality of the first lenses and the optical axis of the second lens are all equal.

[0017] A vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the camera module of the present invention. For example, the camera module is disposed on the B-pillar or fender of the vehicle.

[0018] In another embodiment of the vehicle according to the present invention, since the axes of the two first lenses have an included angle A, the field of view of the two first lenses can be increased compared to a scheme where the optical axes of the two first lenses are parallel. Furthermore, since the two first sensors share a single power board, the space occupied by the optical elements and the power board within the camera module can be reduced, making the camera module structure more compact. Therefore, the camera module structure of the vehicle according to the embodiments of the present invention is compact, small in size, and does not affect the coverage range of the field of view. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a camera module (with two lenses) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a camera module (with two lenses) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a camera module (with two lenses) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a camera module (with two lenses) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a camera module (with three lenses) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a camera module (with three lenses) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure label:

[0026] 1. First optical element; 11. First lens; 12. First sensor; 13. First circuit board; 14. Reflector; 141. First reflector; 142. Second reflector;

[0027] 2. Second optical element; 21. Second lens; 22. Second sensor; 23. Second circuit board;

[0028] 3. Power supply board;

[0029] 4. Shell;

[0030] 5. Connectors. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0032] The following is a reference appendix. Figures 1 to 6 A camera module and a vehicle according to embodiments of the present invention are described.

[0033] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, the camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a plurality of first optical elements 1 and a power board 3. Each first optical element 1 includes a first lens 11 and a first sensor 12. The first sensor 12 is arranged adjacent to the image side of the first lens 11 to collect the light signal of the first lens 11. An included angle A is provided between the optical axes of at least two first lenses 11. A power board 3 is electrically connected to at least two first sensors 12.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the camera module has an included angle A between the axes of the two first lenses 11, which increases the field of view of the two first lenses 11 compared to a scheme where the optical axes of the two first lenses 11 are parallel. Furthermore, since the two first sensors 12 share a single power board 3, the space occupied by the optical components and the power board 3 within the camera module can be reduced, making the camera module structure more compact. Therefore, the camera module of the embodiment of the present invention has a compact structure, small size, and does not affect the coverage range of the field of view.

[0035] It should be noted that the distance between the object sides of the two first lenses 11 is greater than the distance between the image sides of the two first lenses 11. The first sensor 12 is an image sensor, the image side of the first lens 11 is the side of the first lens 11 adjacent to the image sensor, and the object side of the first lens 11 is the side of the first lens 11 adjacent to the object being photographed.

[0036] Optionally, each first optical element 1 includes a first circuit board 13, and multiple first sensors 12 are mounted one-to-one on multiple first circuit boards 13. The first circuit boards 13 are located between the first lens 11 and the power board 3. Figure 1 As shown, in the thickness direction of the power board 3, the first circuit board 13 is disposed on the side of the power board 3 adjacent to the first lens 11. It can be understood that the first circuit board 13 and the power board 3 are arranged along the thickness direction of the power board 3. Therefore, compared with the solution of laying the circuit board and the power board 3 flat (the circuit board and the power board 3 are located on the same horizontal plane), this application can reduce the space occupied by the first circuit board 13 and the power board 3 in the left and right directions of the camera module.

[0037] For example, the power board 3 and the first circuit board 13 can be connected by an FPC flexible flat cable.

[0038] It is understood that the camera module also includes a housing 4, with the first optical element 1 and power board 3 integrated within the housing 4. When there is only one power board 3, or two circuit boards, the two circuit boards can share a single power crystal oscillator and related chips. In other words, compared to two independently arranged lenses, the camera module of this embodiment can share both a housing 4 and a power board 3.

[0039] Optionally, there are two first optical elements 1. The angle between the optical axes of the two first lenses 11 is A, and the angle between the two first circuit boards 13 is C, where angle C equals angle A. It can be understood that the optical axis of one first lens 11 is orthogonal to the plane containing one first circuit board 13, and the optical axis of the other second lens 21 is orthogonal to the plane containing the other first circuit board 13, so that the angle between the two first circuit boards 13 is equal to the angle between the two first lenses 11, thereby improving the imaging effect of the first lens 11.

[0040] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the first optical element 1 also includes a reflector 14, which is arranged opposite to the image side of the first lens 11 and the first sensor 12. The light signal from the first lens 11 is transmitted to the first sensor 12 through the reflector 14. It is understood that multiple first lenses 11 can share a single reflector 14, thereby reducing the required number of reflectors 14 and improving assembly efficiency. Furthermore, since the light beam from the first lens 11 can be transmitted to the first sensor 12 through the reflector 14, the problem of glare during lens imaging can be reduced.

[0041] In other examples, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first optical element 1 also includes multiple reflectors 14, each corresponding to a multiple first lens 11. Because the multiple reflectors 14 correspond one-to-one with the multiple first lenses 11, it is convenient to adjust the installation position of the corresponding reflector 14, and the space occupied by the reflector 14 within the camera module can be reduced. Specifically, the first optical element 1 also includes a first reflector 141 and a second reflector 142, which are symmetrical about a first plane. At least two first optical elements 1 are symmetrical about the first plane. The light signal from one first lens 11 is transmitted to one first sensor 12 through the first reflector 141, and the light signal from another first lens 11 is transmitted to another first sensor 12 through the second reflector 142.

[0042] This application, by setting a first reflecting mirror 141 and a second reflecting mirror 142, can reduce the problem of glare during lens imaging and improve the imaging effect. For example... Figure 4 As shown, both the first reflecting mirror 141 and the second reflecting mirror 142 are plane mirrors, and the two plane mirrors are arranged symmetrically about the first plane. Figure 3 As shown, both the first reflecting mirror 141 and the second reflecting mirror 142 are prisms, and the two prisms are arranged symmetrically about the first surface.

[0043] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the camera module also includes a second optical element 2, which includes a second lens 21 and a second sensor 22. The second sensor 22 is arranged adjacent to the image side of the second lens 21 to collect the light signal of the second lens 21. A plurality of first optical elements 1 are arranged around the second lens 21 in a circumferential manner.

[0044] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the camera module can acquire the light signal of the first lens 11 through the first sensor 12 and the light signal of the second lens 21 through the second sensor 22. Since multiple first optical elements 1 are arranged circumferentially around the second lens 21, the arrangement of the first lens 11 and the second lens 21 can be more compact. Because there is an angle between the optical axis of each of the multiple first lenses 11 and the optical axis of the second lens 21, the camera module can be guaranteed to have a large field of view coverage. Therefore, the camera module of the embodiment of the present invention has a compact structure and does not affect the field of view coverage.

[0045] Specifically, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the second optical element 2 also includes a second circuit board 23, and the second sensor 22 is disposed on the second circuit board 23. The second circuit board 23 is connected to the power board 3, so that a power board 3 can be shared, thereby reducing the space occupied by the optical element and the power board 3 in the camera module and making the structure of the camera module more compact.

[0046] Optionally, the optical axes of at least two first lenses 11 and one second lens 21 are located in the same plane. For example, there are two second optical elements 2, and the optical axes of the two second lenses 21 are located in the same plane as the optical axis of the first lens 11. It can be understood that the axes of the three lenses (one second lens 21 + two first lenses 11) are located in the same plane, which allows the camera module to have a wider field of view in the left-right direction.

[0047] In other examples, the axes of the three lenses may not be in the same plane. The arrangement of the lenses in this application can be designed according to the required field of view, and this application does not limit this.

[0048] In one example, multiple first optical elements 1 are arranged at equal intervals around the second lens 21 in the circumferential direction, and the angles formed by the optical axes of the multiple first lenses 11 and the optical axis of the second lens 21 are all equal. It is understood that the number of first lenses 11 can be two or more; for example, the number of first lenses 11 can be three, four, or five. The fact that the angles formed by the optical axes of the multiple first lenses 11 and the optical axis of the second lens 21 are all equal increases the field of view of the camera module in the up, down, left, and right directions.

[0049] A vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the camera module of the present invention. For example, the camera module is disposed on the B-pillar or fender of the vehicle.

[0050] The technical advantages of the vehicle in the embodiments of the present invention are the same as those of the camera module in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here. Furthermore, since the camera module of the present invention has a large field of view, it is unnecessary to arrange multiple points on the vehicle body, resulting in a more user-friendly vehicle design.

[0051] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0052] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0053] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0054] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0055] In this invention, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example, which is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0056] Although the above embodiments have been shown and described, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Any changes, modifications, substitutions and variations made to the above embodiments by those skilled in the art are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A camera module, characterized in that, include: Multiple first optical elements (1), each first optical element (1) includes a first lens (11) and a first sensor (12), the first sensor (12) is arranged adjacent to the image side of the first lens (11) to collect the light signal of the first lens (11), and an included angle A is provided between the optical axes of at least two first lenses (11); A power board (3) is electrically connected to at least two of the first sensors (12).

2. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the first optical elements (1) includes a first circuit board (13), and a plurality of the first sensors (12) are mounted one-to-one on the plurality of the first circuit boards (13), with the first circuit boards (13) located between the first lens (11) and the power board (3).

3. The camera module according to claim 2, characterized in that, There are two first optical elements (1), the included angle between the optical axes of the two first lenses (11) is A, the included angle between the two first circuit boards (13) is C, and the included angle C is equal to the included angle A.

4. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first optical element (1) further includes a reflector (14), which is arranged opposite to the image side of the first lens (11) and the first sensor (12). The light signal of the first lens (11) is transmitted to the first sensor (12) through the reflector (14).

5. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first optical element (1) further includes a first reflector (141) and a second reflector (142), the first reflector (141) and the second reflector (142) being symmetrical about a first plane, at least two of the first optical elements (1) being symmetrical about the first plane, the light signal of one of the first lenses (11) being transmitted to one of the first sensors (12) through the first reflector (141), and the light signal of another first lens (11) being transmitted to another first sensor (12) through the second reflector (142).

6. The camera module according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The reflector (14) is at least one of a prism and a plane mirror.

7. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The camera module further includes a second optical element (2), which includes a second lens (21) and a second sensor (22). The second sensor (22) is arranged adjacent to the image side of the second lens (21) to collect the light signal of the second lens (21). A plurality of first optical elements (1) are arranged around the second lens (21) circumferentially.

8. The camera module according to claim 7, characterized in that, The optical axes of at least two of the first lenses (11) and the optical axis of one of the second lenses (21) are located in the same plane.

9. The camera module according to claim 7, characterized in that, Multiple first lenses (11) are arranged at equal intervals around the second lens (21) in the circumference, and the angles formed by the optical axes of the multiple first lenses (11) and the optical axis of the second lens (21) are all equal.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the camera module according to any one of claims 1-9.

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