Camera module and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a camera module and a vehicle, the camera module comprises a first optical element and a plurality of second optical elements, the 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 second optical element comprises a second lens and a second sensor; each second optical element comprises a second lens and a second sensor, the second sensor is arranged adjacent to the image side of the second lens so as to acquire an optical signal of the second lens, and the plurality of second optical elements are arranged around the circumferential direction of the first lens so as to acquire the optical signal of the second lens. And included angles are formed between the optical axes of the plurality of second lenses and the optical axis of the first lens. The camera module provided by the invention is compact in structure and does not influence the coverage range of a field angle.

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 prevalence of assisted driving and autonomous driving, automotive cameras, as one of the most important sensors for realizing intelligent driving functions, have seen significant development in recent years. Simultaneously, as the complexity of camera functions continues to increase, the requirements for camera installation accuracy and field of view coverage are also rising, leading to the emergence of forward-looking multi-view cameras. While multi-view cameras can guarantee a wide field of view coverage, they tend to be larger, occupying more space in the vehicle body and resulting in less than ideal integration. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to at least partially solve one of the technical problems in the related art.

[0004] Therefore, embodiments of the present invention propose a camera module with a compact structure that does not affect the coverage of the field of view.

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention also proposes a vehicle.

[0006] The camera module of an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first optical element, the first optical element 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; a plurality of second optical elements, each of the second optical elements including a second lens and a second sensor, the second sensor being arranged adjacent to the image side of the second lens to collect the light signal of the second lens, the plurality of second optical elements being arranged circumferentially around the first lens, and the optical axes of the plurality of second lenses being provided with an angle with the optical axis of the first lens.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the camera module can acquire light signals from a first lens via a first sensor and light signals from a second lens via a second sensor. Since multiple second optical elements are arranged circumferentially around the first lens, the arrangement of the first and second lenses can be more compact. Because the optical axes of the multiple second lenses are all at angles to the optical axis of the first lens, 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.

[0008] In some embodiments, there are two second optical elements, and the optical axes of the two second lenses are located in the same plane as the optical axis of the first lens.

[0009] In some embodiments, a plurality of second optical elements are arranged at equal intervals around the circumference of the first lens, and the angles formed by the optical axes of the plurality of second lenses and the optical axis of the first lens are all equal.

[0010] In some embodiments, the plurality of second optical elements further includes a reflector arranged adjacent to the second lens and the second sensor, the reflector being used to guide the light beam from the second lens to the second sensor.

[0011] In some embodiments, each of the second optical elements includes a mirror, and a plurality of mirrors are arranged axially spaced around the first lens, with each mirror corresponding to one of the plurality of second lenses.

[0012] In some embodiments, the reflector is at least one of a prism and a plane mirror.

[0013] In some embodiments, the camera module further includes a power board that is electrically connected to the first sensor and the second sensor.

[0014] In some embodiments, the power board is located on the side of the first sensor opposite to the first lens.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first optical element includes a first circuit board, the first sensor is disposed on the first circuit board, the second optical element includes a second circuit board, the second sensor is disposed on the second circuit board, both the first circuit board and the second circuit board are connected to the power board, and both the first circuit board and the second circuit board are disposed on the side of the power board adjacent to the first lens.

[0016] A vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the camera module described in any one of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle can acquire light signals from a first lens via a first sensor and light signals from a second lens via a second sensor. Since multiple second optical elements are arranged circumferentially around the first lens, the arrangement of the first and second lenses can be more compact. Because the optical axes of the multiple second lenses are all at angles to the optical axis of the first lens, the camera module can be guaranteed to have a large field of view coverage. Therefore, the camera module of the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention has a compact structure and does not affect the field of view coverage. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a camera module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure label:

[0021] 1. First optical element; 11. First lens; 12. First sensor; 13. First circuit board;

[0022] 2. Second optical element; 21. Second lens; 22. Second sensor; 23. Second circuit board; 24. Reflector;

[0023] 3. Power supply board;

[0024] 4. Shell;

[0025] 5. Connectors. Detailed Implementation

[0026] 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.

[0027] The following is a reference appendix. Figure 1 and Figure 2 A camera module and a vehicle according to embodiments of the present invention are described.

[0028] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first optical element 1 and a plurality of second optical elements 2. The 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. Each second optical element 2 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. The plurality of second optical elements 2 are arranged circumferentially around the first lens 11, and the optical axes of the plurality of second lenses 21 are all provided with an angle between them and the optical axis of the first lens 11.

[0029] 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 second optical elements 2 are arranged circumferentially around the first lens 11, the arrangement of the first lens 11 and the second lens 21 can be more compact. Because the optical axes of the multiple second lenses 21 are all provided with an angle to the optical axis of the first lens 11, 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.

[0030] It should be noted that both the first sensor 12 and the second sensor 22 are image sensors, which are used to collect the light signals formed by the lens. The image side of the first lens 11 (second lens 21) is the side of the first lens 11 (second lens 21) adjacent to the image sensor, and the object side of the first lens 11 (second lens 21) is the side of the first lens 11 (second lens 21) adjacent to the object being photographed.

[0031] Optionally, 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 first lens 11 + two second lenses 21) are located in the same plane, which allows the camera module to have a wider field of view in the left and right directions.

[0032] 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.

[0033] In one example, multiple second optical elements 2 are arranged at equal intervals around the first lens 11 circumferentially, and the angles formed by the optical axes of the multiple second lenses 21 and the optical axis of the first lens 11 are all equal. It is understood that the number of second lenses 21 can be more than two; for example, the number of second lenses 21 can be three, four, or five. The fact that the angles formed by the optical axes of the multiple second lenses 21 and the optical axis of the first lens 11 are all equal increases the field of view of the camera module along the up, down, left, and right directions.

[0034] In some embodiments, the plurality of second optical elements 2 further include a reflector 24, which is arranged adjacent to the second lens 21 and the second sensor 22. The reflector 24 is used to guide the light beam from the second lens 21 to the second sensor 22. It is understood that the plurality of second lenses 21 may share a single reflector 24. For example, a reflector 24 may have multiple reflective surfaces, each corresponding one-to-one with a different second lens 21. Alternatively, a reflector 24 may have only one reflective surface, which simultaneously corresponds to multiple second lenses 21. It should be noted that the reflective surface may be a prism or a plane mirror.

[0035] This reduces the number of reflectors 24 required, improving assembly efficiency. Furthermore, since the light beam from the second lens 21 can be transmitted to the second sensor 22 via the reflector 24, glare during lens imaging is reduced.

[0036] In other examples, each second optical element 2 includes a reflector 24, and multiple reflectors 24 are arranged axially spaced around the first lens 11, with each reflector 24 corresponding to a different second lens 21. Because the multiple reflectors 24 correspond one-to-one with the multiple second lenses 21, it is convenient to adjust the mounting position of the corresponding reflector 24, and the space occupied by the reflectors 24 within the camera module can be reduced. Specifically, there are two second lenses 21, and also two reflectors 24, with each of the two reflectors 24 corresponding to one of the two second lenses 21.

[0037] For example, the reflector 24 is at least one of a prism and a plane mirror. This application does not specifically limit the specific type of the reflector 24.

[0038] In some embodiments, the camera module further includes a power board 3, which is electrically connected to the first sensor 12 and the second sensor 22. For example, the first sensor 12 and the second sensor 22 can be connected to the power board 3 via an FPC flexible flat cable. Since the first sensor 12 and the second sensor 22 can share a single power board 3, the space occupied by the circuit board and the power board 3 within the camera module is reduced, making the structure of the camera module more compact.

[0039] It is understood that the camera module also includes a housing 4. The first optical element 1, the second optical element 2, and the power board 3 are integrated into one housing 4. There is only one power board 3. When there are three or more circuit boards, multiple circuit boards can share a single power crystal oscillator and other related chips. In other words, compared to multiple independently arranged lenses, the camera module of this embodiment can share both a housing 4 and a power board 3.

[0040] Optionally, in the thickness direction of the first sensor 12, the power board 3 is disposed on the side of the first sensor 12 away from the first lens 11, thereby reducing the width dimension of the camera module in the left-right direction, and thus reducing the opening area on the vehicle body.

[0041] Specifically, the first optical element 1 includes a first circuit board 13, and a first sensor 12 is disposed on the first circuit board 13. The second optical element 2 includes a second circuit board 23, and a second sensor 22 is disposed on the second circuit board 23. Both the first circuit board 13 and the second circuit board 23 are connected to the power board 3. In the thickness direction of the power board 3, both the first circuit board 13 and the second circuit board 23 are disposed on the side of the power board 3 adjacent to the first lens 11. It can be understood that the circuit boards (first circuit board 13 and second circuit board 23) 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 boards and the power board 3 flat (the circuit boards and the power board 3 are located on the same horizontal plane), this application can reduce the space occupied by the circuit boards and the power board 3.

[0042] Optionally, the camera module also includes a connector 5, which is electrically connected to the power board 3 and is used to connect external power and control lines.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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: A first optical element (1) includes a first lens (11) and a first sensor (12), the first sensor (12) being arranged adjacent to the image side of the first lens (11) to collect the light signal of the first lens (11); Multiple second optical elements (2), each of the second optical elements (2) 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), the multiple second optical elements (2) are arranged around the first lens (11) in a circumferential manner, and the optical axis of the multiple second lenses (21) is provided with an angle between it and the optical axis of the first lens (11).

2. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, 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).

3. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple second optical elements (2) are arranged at equal intervals around the first lens (11) in the circumference, and the optical axes of the multiple second lenses (21) form equal angles with the optical axis of the first lens (11).

4. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of second optical elements (2) further include a reflector (24) arranged adjacent to the second lens (21) and the second sensor (22), the reflector (24) being used to guide the light beam of the second lens (21) to the second sensor (22).

5. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the second optical elements (2) includes a mirror (24), and a plurality of mirrors (24) are arranged axially spaced around the first lens (11), with each of the plurality of mirrors (24) corresponding to a plurality of second lenses (21).

6. The camera module according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The reflector (24) 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 also includes a power board (3), which is electrically connected to the first sensor (12) and the second sensor (22).

8. The camera module according to claim 7, characterized in that, The power board (3) is located on the side of the first sensor (12) away from the first lens (11).

9. The camera module according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first optical element (1) includes a first circuit board (13), and the first sensor (12) is disposed on the first circuit board (13). The second optical element (2) includes a second circuit board (23), and the second sensor (22) is disposed on the second circuit board (23). The first circuit board (13) and the second circuit board (23) are both connected to the power board (3). The first circuit board (13) and the second circuit board (23) are both disposed on the side of the power board (3) adjacent to the first lens (11).

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

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