A camera assembly device

Abstract

This application relates to the field of camera manufacturing technology and discloses a camera assembly device. The camera assembly device includes a positioning tray and a transfer device. The positioning tray includes a tray body and a positioning component. The tray body is provided with multiple receiving slots, each with an opening in a second direction. The multiple receiving slots are respectively used to receive multiple lens groups of a camera. The positioning component is used to adjust the optical axes of the multiple lens groups to be coaxial. The transfer device includes a base and multiple adsorption structures. The multiple adsorption structures are movable or locked relative to the base along the second direction. The transfer device is used to adsorb the multiple lens groups contained in the multiple receiving slots through the multiple adsorption structures and transfer the multiple lens groups to the multiple lens group mounting positions of the camera. This camera assembly device can assemble multiple lens groups in one go, thus not only simplifying the camera assembly process but also improving its assembly accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of camera manufacturing technology, and in particular to a camera assembly device. Background Technology

[0002] Cameras are used in electronic devices such as terminals and tablets to enable these devices to capture images or videos. Camera design plays a crucial role in enhancing the competitiveness of electronic devices; generally, the higher the performance requirements of a camera, the more lenses it will contain.

[0003] In related technologies, when assembling a camera consisting of multiple lens groups, the lens groups are assembled in stages into their corresponding mounting positions. After each lens group is assembled into its position, it is aligned and fixed by the assembly equipment before proceeding to the next lens group, until all lens groups are assembled. However, this assembly method affects assembly efficiency and accumulates multiple assembly tolerances during the process. As a result, the coaxiality of the multiple lens groups is difficult to guarantee, which may ultimately cause the sharpest point in the captured image to deviate from the center of the image, affecting the camera's image quality. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a camera assembly device to simplify the camera assembly process and improve the camera assembly accuracy.

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a camera assembly device, which includes a positioning tray and a transfer device. The positioning tray includes a tray body and a positioning component. The tray body has multiple receiving slots arranged along a first direction, and the receiving slots may have openings in a second direction. The multiple receiving slots are respectively used to receive multiple lens groups of the camera, and the spacing between the multiple receiving slots is the same as the spacing between the mounting positions of the multiple lens groups of the camera. The positioning component is used to adjust the optical axes of the multiple lens groups to be coaxial. The transfer device includes a base and multiple adsorption structures. The multiple adsorption structures can move or lock relative to the base along the second direction. The transfer device is used to adsorb the multiple lens groups housed in the receiving slots through the multiple adsorption structures and transfer the multiple lens groups to the mounting positions of the multiple lens groups of the camera.

[0006] When assembling a camera using camera assembly equipment, multiple lens groups can be pre-positioned in a positioning tray. As the transfer device places the multiple lens groups into their mounting positions, they remain coaxial. Therefore, the camera assembly equipment provided in this application can assemble multiple lens groups in one go. Compared to the sequential assembly of multiple lens groups in related technologies, this not only simplifies the camera assembly process but also reduces the assembly tolerances of multiple lens groups to a single step, effectively improving the camera's assembly accuracy and thus contributing to high-quality imaging.

[0007] In some embodiments, the base may include a mounting surface having a plurality of first threaded holes, each containing a first threaded rod threadedly connected to a first threaded rod. Each first threaded rod includes a first end exposed on the mounting surface, and a plurality of adsorption structures may be respectively fixed to the first ends of the first threaded rods. The threaded connection between the first threaded rods and the first threaded holes facilitates adjustment of the movement of the adsorption structure relative to the base in the second direction and enables reliable locking of the adsorption structure.

[0008] In some embodiments, the base may further include an operating surface that is positioned opposite to the mounting surface. Multiple threaded holes may penetrate the operating surface, and the second end of the first threaded rod is exposed on the operating surface. This allows the position of the adsorption structure to be adjusted by turning the second end of the first threaded rod from one side of the operating surface, thereby improving the ease of adjustment.

[0009] In some implementations, the adsorption structure can be made of a rigid material to reduce the risk of deformation of the adsorption structure during the adsorption of mirror groups, so that multiple mirror groups can maintain a coaxial relative position after being adsorbed to the transfer device.

[0010] In some implementations, the adsorption structure is a vacuum suction cup. The transfer device may include a vacuum generator connected to each adsorption structure via pipelines to control the gas pressure within each adsorption structure, enabling the adsorption structure to adsorb or release the mirror array.

[0011] In some embodiments, the tray body includes a first surface, and a plurality of receiving slots are respectively disposed on the first surface. Multiple adsorption structures can adsorb the side surface of the mirror group facing away from the bottom of the receiving slot, thereby facilitating the removal of the adsorption structures through the opening of the receiving slot.

[0012] In some implementations, the bottom of the receiving groove is provided with a fine-tuning structure. The fine-tuning structure allows the surface in contact with the mirror group to move or lock relative to the bottom of the groove in a second direction, thereby driving the mirror group to move or lock, adjusting the optical axis position of the mirror group, and enabling the optical axes of multiple mirror groups to be coaxial.

[0013] In some embodiments, the tray body includes a second surface disposed opposite to the first surface along a second direction. The second surface has a plurality of second threaded holes, each communicating with a plurality of receiving grooves. The positioning assembly includes a second threaded rod threaded into each of the second threaded holes, with a first end of the second threaded rod facing the receiving groove and a second end of the second threaded rod used to push a group of mirrors within the receiving groove to move along the second direction. This allows adjustment of the optical axis of the mirror group in the second direction, enabling the optical axes of the multiple mirror groups to be coaxial.

[0014] In some implementations, the positioning assembly further includes sliders corresponding one-to-one with a plurality of second threaded rods. The sliders are disposed at the first end of the second threaded rods and slide along a second direction on the tray body. The north-facing surface of the sliders on the second threaded rods is used to contact the mirror group, thus allowing the second threaded rods to push the mirror group. Using sliders improves the stress stability of the mirror group and reduces the risk of deflection during movement.

[0015] In some embodiments, the tray body may be provided with multiple sliding grooves extending along the second direction, with each groove corresponding to a different second threaded rod. One end of the groove communicates with a corresponding second threaded hole, and the other end communicates with a corresponding receiving groove. The slider is slidably disposed within the groove to restrict its movement trajectory, thereby enabling the slider to reliably push the mirror group along the second direction.

[0016] In some embodiments, the receiving groove includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall disposed opposite to each other along a first direction. The first sidewall is used to limit the light-incident surface of the mirror group, and the clearance tolerance between the first sidewall and the light-incident surface of the mirror group is less than or equal to 10 μm. The second sidewall is used to limit the light-exit surface of the mirror group, and the clearance tolerance between the second sidewall and the light-exit surface of the mirror group is less than or equal to 10 μm. This design allows for relatively smooth insertion and removal of the mirror group while preventing excessive deflection or tilting of the mirror group relative to the first or second sidewall, ensuring that the optical axis of the mirror group is parallel to the first direction.

[0017] In some embodiments, the tray body includes a third surface and a fourth surface disposed opposite to each other along a third direction, the third surface and the fourth surface being respectively connected to the first surface, and the plurality of receiving slots respectively penetrating the third surface and the fourth surface. The positioning component may further include multiple sets of limiting structures corresponding one-to-one with the plurality of receiving slots, each set of limiting structures including a first limiting block and a second limiting block, the first limiting block being fixed to the third surface, the second limiting block being fixed to the fourth surface, and the first limiting block and the second limiting block being used to limit the lens group to both sides along the third direction, thereby fixing the lens group in the third direction.

[0018] In some embodiments, the first limiting block includes a first limiting wall at least partially opposite the receiving groove, the first limiting wall being used to limit a first side of the lens group protruding from the first surface, and the clearance tolerance between the first limiting wall and the first side of the lens group is less than or equal to 10 μm. Similarly, the second limiting block includes a second limiting wall at least partially opposite the receiving groove; the second limiting wall being used to limit a second side of the lens group protruding from the second surface, and the clearance tolerance between the second limiting wall and the second side of the lens group is less than or equal to 10 μm. The first and second limiting walls can prevent excessive displacement of the lens group in a third direction, ensuring the alignment of multiple lens groups in a third direction.

[0019] In some embodiments, the transfer device may further include multiple distance sensors, each disposed around a plurality of adsorption structures, with the sensing ends of the distance sensors facing the adsorption surface of the adsorption structure. The distance sensors can be used to detect the distance between the adsorption surface of the adsorption structure and the corresponding mirror group. The transfer device can then activate the adsorption function of the adsorption structure when it comes into contact with the mirror group, causing the adsorption structure to adsorb and fix the mirror group onto the adsorption structure. This design reliably reduces the risk of the adsorption structure lifting the mirror group before contacting it, thereby reducing the impact of the adsorption structure on the pre-positioning effect of the mirror group. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a camera;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a camera;

[0022] Figure 3 A planar sectional view of a camera assembly device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 4 A side view of the positioning tray provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a structural flowchart of the camera assembly method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 6 A process flow diagram of the camera assembly method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0027] 1000 - Camera; 1100 - Housing; 1110 - Bottom wall; 1200 - Optical lens; 1200a - Light-inlet side; 1200b - Light-out side; 1210 - Lens group;

[0028] 1211-Lens tube; 1211-Inlet light side surface; 1211b-Outlet light side surface; 1211c-First side surface; 1211d-Second side surface;

[0029] 1211e - First cut surface; 1211f - Second cut surface; 1212 - Lens; 1220 / 1220a / 1220b / 1220c - Carrier; 1300 - Photosensitive chip;

[0030] 1400 - Circuit board; 2000 - Camera assembly equipment; 100 - Positioning tray; 110 - Tray body; 110a - First surface; 110b - Second surface;

[0031] 110c - Third surface; 110d - Fourth surface; 111 - Receiving groove; 111a - Groove bottom; 111b - First sidewall; 111c - Second sidewall;

[0032] 11101 - Opening; 112 - Second threaded hole; 123 - Second threaded rod; 123a - First end of the second threaded rod;

[0033] 123b - Second end of the second threaded rod; 124 - Slider; 120 - Positioning assembly; 121 - First limiting block; 12101 - First connecting wall;

[0034] 12102 - First limiting wall; 122 - Second limiting block; 12201 - Second connecting wall; 12202 - Second limiting wall; 200 - Transfer device;

[0035] 210 - Base; 210a - Mounting surface; 211 - First threaded hole; 220 - Adsorption structure; 220a - Adsorption surface; 230 - First threaded rod;

[0036] 230a - First end of the first threaded rod; 230b - Second end of the first threaded rod; 240 - Drive mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The same reference numerals in the figures denote the same or similar structures, and therefore repeated descriptions of them will be omitted. The terms expressing position and direction described in the embodiments of this application are illustrative based on the accompanying drawings, but changes can be made as needed, and all such changes are included within the scope of protection of this application. The accompanying drawings of the embodiments of this application are only for illustrating relative positional relationships and do not represent actual scale.

[0038] It should be noted that specific details are set forth in the following description to facilitate understanding of this application. However, the embodiments of this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar extensions without departing from the spirit of the embodiments of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0039] Cameras can be used in electronic devices to enable them to capture images or videos. These electronic devices can be mobile phones, tablet personal computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), personal computers, laptops, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, augmented reality (AR) glasses, AR headsets, virtual reality (VR) glasses or VR headsets, or other devices with photo and video recording capabilities; this application does not limit the scope of the application.

[0040] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a camera 1000. (Reference) Figure 1 As shown in this embodiment, the camera 1000 includes a housing 1100 and an optical lens 1200, a photosensitive chip 1300, and a circuit board 1400 disposed within the housing 1100. The optical lens 1200 is used to image a subject. The optical lens 1200 includes a light-incoming side 1200a and a light-outgoing side 1200b. Here, the light-incoming side 1200a is the side of the optical lens 1200 closer to the subject, and the light-outgoing side 1200b is the side of the optical lens 1200 farther from the subject. The photosensitive chip 1300 is disposed on the light-outgoing side 1200b of the optical lens 1200, and the circuit board 1400 is supported on the side of the photosensitive chip 1300 facing away from the optical lens 1200. The photosensitive chip 1300 can capture the light emitted from the light-emitting side 1200b of the optical lens 1200, convert the light into an electrical signal, and transmit it to the processor of the electronic device through the circuit board 1300. The processor then processes the signal to generate an image.

[0041] As the core component for the imaging function of the camera 1000, the design of the optical lens 1200 plays a crucial role in the image quality of the camera 1000. The camera's focal length, depth of field, target area, resolution, and other performance parameters are all determined by the optical lens 1200. The optical lens 1200 can have one or more lens groups 1210. When there are multiple lens groups 1210, they are arranged sequentially within the housing 1100, and their optical axes are coaxial. The optical axis direction of each lens group 1210 is the same as the optical axis direction of the optical lens 1200. The lens group 1210 includes a lens barrel 1211 and lenses 1212 disposed within the lens barrel 1211. The number of lenses 1212 in the lens group 1210 can also be one or more. When there are multiple lenses 1212, they can be spaced apart along the optical axis direction of the lens group 1210 within the lens barrel 1211. By rationally designing the number of lens groups 1210 in the optical lens 1200, the number of lenses 1212 within the lens group 1210, and the optical parameters of the lenses 1212, the optical lens 1200 can achieve shooting characteristics such as standard, wide-angle, telephoto, and macro. For example, for an optical lens 1200 capable of telephoto shooting, the optical lens 1200 typically includes multiple lens groups 1210. Figure 1 The optical lens shown is a telephoto optical lens 1200 comprising three lens groups 1210.

[0042] It should be noted that the coaxiality defined in this application embodiment is not limited to the complete overlap of the optical axes of multiple lens groups 1210. Factors such as assembly tolerances and design tolerances are allowed, resulting in a non-absolute coaxial relationship. For example, in this embodiment, a coaxiality of less than 3 μm can be understood as a coaxial relationship within the assembly error range.

[0043] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a camera. (Reference) Figure 2 As shown, the camera housing includes multiple carriers 1220, which are arranged sequentially along the optical axis of the optical lens 1200. Multiple lens groups 1210 of the optical lens 1200 can be respectively mounted on each carrier 1220. The structure of the carrier 1220 can be designed based on the structure of the lens barrel 1211 of the lens group 1210 to improve the installation stability of each lens group 1210 within the housing 1100.

[0044] For example, in one implementation, the cross-sectional shape of the lens barrel 1211 can be approximately oblong. The lens barrel 1211 includes a light-incident side surface 1211a and a light-exit side surface 1211b arranged opposite to each other along the optical axis of the lens group 1210, and the outer contours of the light-incident side surface 1211a and the light-exit side surface 1211b are oblong. The lens barrel 1211 also includes a first side surface 1211c, a second side surface 1211d, a first cross-section 1211e, and a second cross-section 1211f. The first side surface 1211c and the second side surface 1211d are arc-shaped surfaces. The first side surface 1211c and the second side surface 1211d are located on both sides of the width direction of the lens barrel 1211, and the first cross-section 1211e and the second cross-section 1211f are located on both sides of the height direction of the lens barrel 1211.

[0045] The carrier 1220 is fixed to the bottom wall 1110 of the housing 1100, and the lens group 1210 can be mounted on the carrier 1220 from the side of the carrier 1220 facing away from the bottom wall 1110 of the housing 1100. The first side 1211c and the second side 1211d of the lens barrel 1211 are fixedly connected to the carrier 1220, respectively. The first cross-section 1211e of the lens barrel 1211 is set close to the bottom wall 1110 of the housing 1100, and the second cross-section 1211f of the lens barrel 1211 is set away from the bottom wall 1110 of the housing 1100.

[0046] Of course, the shape of the lens barrel 1211 is not limited to the above form. In some other implementations, the cross-sectional shape of the lens barrel 1211 can also be circular, rectangular, etc., which will not be elaborated here.

[0047] In some embodiments, the optical lens 1200 may further include a motor that can drive one or more carriers 1220 to move or rotate, thereby causing the corresponding lens group 1210 to move synchronously, enabling the optical lens 1200 to achieve automatic focusing (AF) and / or optical image stabilization (OIS) functions. For example, in Figure 2 In the example shown, carrier 1220a is a fixed carrier fixed to housing 1100, while carriers 1220b and 1220c are movable carriers that can move or rotate relative to housing 1100. The motor includes a first drive assembly and a second drive assembly. The first drive assembly drives carrier 1220b to move, thereby driving the mirror group 1210 supported on carrier 1220b to move. The second drive assembly drives carrier 1220c to move, thereby driving the mirror group 1210 supported on carrier 1220c to move.

[0048] In related technologies, for an optical lens 1200 comprising multiple lens groups 1210, during its assembly process, the multiple lens groups 1210 are assembled onto their corresponding carriers 1220 in stages. After each lens group 1210 is assembled onto the carrier 1220, it is aligned and fixed by the assembly equipment, and then the assembly of the next lens group 1210 is performed until all lens groups 1210 are assembled. In other words, the assembly of an optical lens 1200 with multiple lens groups 1210 involves the assembly of the lens groups 1210 multiple times. This affects assembly efficiency, and because there are certain assembly tolerances in each assembly, this assembly method accumulates multiple assembly tolerances. Therefore, it is difficult to guarantee the coaxiality of the multiple lens groups 1210, which may ultimately cause the sharpest position in the image captured by the camera 1000 to deviate from the center of the image, affecting the image quality of the camera 1000.

[0049] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a camera assembly device that can assemble multiple lens groups of an optical lens in one go. Therefore, it not only simplifies the camera assembly process but also reduces assembly tolerances, improves assembly accuracy, and enables the camera to achieve high-quality imaging. The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0050] Figure 3 A planar sectional view of a camera assembly device 2000 provided for an embodiment of this application. (Reference) Figure 3 As shown in this embodiment, the camera assembly equipment 2000 includes a positioning tray 100 and a transfer device 200. The positioning tray 100 is used for pre-assembling and positioning multiple lens groups 1210, and the transfer device 200 is used to transfer the multiple lens groups 1210 from the positioning tray 100 to multiple lens group mounting positions of the camera. The lens group mounting positions of the camera can be... Figure 2 The carrier 1220 in the application can be any other form of carrier structure, and this application does not limit this.

[0051] The positioning tray 100 includes a tray body 110 and a positioning component 120. The tray body 110 is provided with multiple receiving slots 111, which are arranged sequentially along a first direction x. Each receiving slot 111 corresponds to a multiple lens mounting position, and the spacing between the receiving slots 111 is the same as the spacing between the lens mounting positions of the camera. The same spacing means that the center distance between two adjacent receiving slots 111 is equal to the center distance between two corresponding adjacent lens mounting positions. Each receiving slot 111 has an opening 11101 in a second direction y. The multiple receiving slots 111 are used to accommodate multiple lens groups 1210 of the camera. The multiple lens groups 1210 are arranged on the tray body 110 along the first direction x, and the optical axis direction of each lens group 1210 is in the same direction as the first direction x. Since the arrangement intervals of the multiple receiving slots 111 are the same as the arrangement intervals of the multiple mirror group mounting positions, the relative positional relationship of the multiple mirror groups 1210 in the optical axis direction is determined on the tray body 110. The positioning component 120 is used to adjust the optical axes of the multiple mirror groups 1210 in the multiple receiving slots 111 to be coaxial. Combined with the limitation of the relative positional relationship of each mirror group 1210 in the optical axis direction by the tray body 110, the pre-assembly positioning of the multiple mirror groups on the positioning tray 100 can be realized.

[0052] The transfer device 200 includes a base 210 and multiple adsorption structures 220. The multiple adsorption structures 220 are movable relative to the base 210 along a second direction y or locked relative to the base. Each adsorption structure 220 includes an adsorption surface 220a, which allows it to adsorb mirror groups 1210 through the opening 11101 of the receiving groove 111. Since the multiple adsorption structures 220 are movable relative to the base 210 along the second direction y, the transfer device 200 can adjust the position of the corresponding adsorption structure 220 according to the position of each mirror group 1210 in the positioning tray 100, so that the adsorption surface 220a of the adsorption structure 220 can contact the pre-positioned mirror group 1210, and lock the position of the adsorption structure 220 after the adsorption surface 220a of the adsorption structure 220 contacts the mirror group 1210. The adsorption structure 220 is used to activate the adsorption function when the adsorption surface 220a is in contact with the mirror group 1210, so as to reduce the risk that the adsorption structure 220 will change the position of the mirror group 1210 due to the adsorption action. In this way, multiple adsorption structures 220 can adsorb multiple mirror groups 1210 without changing the relative positions of multiple mirror groups 1210.

[0053] It should be noted that the second direction y of the adsorption structure 220 defined in this embodiment is determined based on the working state of the transfer device 200 in contact with the mirror group 1210. The direction of the transfer device 200 in the non-working state is not limited by this.

[0054] When assembling a camera using the camera assembly equipment 2000, each lens group 1210 is first placed in its respective receiving slot 111 of the tray body 110, and the optical axes of the multiple lens groups 1210 are adjusted to be coaxial using the positioning component 120. With the optical axes of the multiple lens groups 1210 coaxial, the transfer device 200 uses multiple adsorption structures 220 to adsorb the multiple lens groups 1210 and transfer them to the multiple lens group mounting positions of the camera. Since the multiple lens groups 1210 have already been pre-positioned in the positioning tray 100, they can continue to maintain a coaxial state when the transfer device 200 places them into the multiple lens group mounting positions. As can be seen, the camera assembly equipment 2000 provided in this embodiment can assemble multiple lens groups 1210 in one go. Compared with the method of assembling multiple lens groups 1210 sequentially in related technologies, this embodiment can not only simplify the camera assembly process, but also reduce the assembly tolerance of multiple lens groups 1210 to one, thereby effectively improving the assembly accuracy of the camera and helping the camera to achieve high-quality imaging effect.

[0055] It has been verified that by assembling a camera using the camera assembly equipment provided in the embodiments of this application, the axial shift tolerance of the camera's optical axis can be reduced to within ±20um, and the axial tilt tolerance of the optical axis can be reduced to within ±0.15°.

[0056] In some embodiments, the transfer device 200 may include multiple distance sensors, which are respectively disposed around the periphery of multiple adsorption structures 220, with the sensing end of the distance sensor facing the adsorption surface 220a of the adsorption structure 220. The distance sensors can be used to detect the distance between the adsorption surface 220a of the adsorption structure 220 and the corresponding mirror group 1210. When the distance sensor detects that the adsorption surface 220a of the adsorption structure 220 is in contact with the mirror group 1210, the transfer device 200 controls the adsorption structure 220 to activate the adsorption function, so that the adsorption structure 220 adsorbs and fixes the mirror group 1210 on its adsorption surface 220a. This design can reliably reduce the risk that the adsorption structure 220 will pick up the mirror group 1210 before its adsorption surface 220a contacts the mirror group 1210, thereby avoiding the adsorption structure 220 from affecting the pre-positioning effect of the positioning tray 100 on the mirror group 1210.

[0057] Continue to refer to Figure 3In this embodiment, the base 210 includes a mounting surface 210a, which has a plurality of first threaded holes 211 arranged sequentially. Each first threaded hole 211 can be threadedly connected to a first threaded rod 230. The first threaded rod 230 includes a first end 230a, which is exposed on the mounting surface 210a of the base 210. A plurality of adsorption structures 220 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of first threaded rods 230. Each adsorption structure 220 is fixed to the first end 230a of the corresponding first threaded rod 230, and the adsorption surface 220a of the adsorption structure 220 faces away from the first threaded rod 230. By utilizing the threaded connection between the first threaded rod 230 and the first threaded hole 211, it is convenient to adjust the movement of the adsorption structure 220 relative to the base along the second direction y, and the adsorption structure 220 can be reliably locked.

[0058] The base 210 includes an operating surface 210b opposite to the mounting surface 210a, and multiple threaded holes can penetrate the operating surface 210b. The first threaded rod 230 includes a second end 230b, which can be exposed on the operating surface 210b of the base 210. This allows the position of the adsorption structure 220 to be adjusted by turning the second end 230b of the first threaded rod 230 on one side of the operating surface 210b, thereby improving the ease of operation during the adjustment process. For example, the second end 230b of the first threaded rod 230 can protrude from the operating surface 210b of the base 210 to further improve operational convenience.

[0059] In a specific implementation, the first threaded rod 230 can be manually adjusted by an operator, or it can be driven by a power device such as a motor; this application does not impose any restrictions on this. For example, when using a motor drive, the transfer device 200 can obtain the distance between the adsorption surface 220a of the adsorption structure 220 and the mirror group 1210 through a distance sensor, and control the motor to drive the first threaded rod 230 to rotate. This causes the adsorption structure 220 to move towards the mirror group 1210 until the adsorption surface 220a of the adsorption structure 220 contacts the mirror group 1210.

[0060] In some embodiments, the transfer device 200 further includes a drive mechanism 240 connected to the base 210 to drive the base 210 to move, thereby causing the base 210 to move the various adsorption structures 220. In one implementation, the drive mechanism may be connected to the operating surface 210b of the base 210.

[0061] In addition, the transfer device 200 may also include a vision sensor, which can detect the relative positional relationship between the lens group 1210 adsorbed on the adsorption structure 220 and the lens group mounting position. This allows the transfer device 200 to control the drive structure to drive the base 210 to move when each lens group 1210 is aligned with its corresponding lens group mounting position. The base 210 then drives the adsorption structure 220 to place the lens group 1210 in the lens group mounting position. In this way, multiple lens groups 1210 can be placed in their respective lens group mounting positions while maintaining their relative positional relationship, thereby helping to further improve the assembly accuracy of the camera.

[0062] Multiple adsorption structures 220 place multiple lens groups 1210 in their respective lens group mounting positions. While maintaining adsorption, each lens group 1210 is fixedly connected to its corresponding lens group mounting position by applying adhesive. After the adhesive cures, each adsorption structure 220 releases its adsorption on the lens group 1210. This utilizes the adsorption effect of the adsorption structures 220 on the lens group 1210 to reduce the risk of the lens group 1210 moving during the fixing process, thereby enabling multiple lens groups 1210 to be assembled and fixed in the camera while maintaining coaxiality.

[0063] In this embodiment, the specific form of the adsorption structure 220 is not limited. For example, in one implementation, the adsorption structure 220 can be a vacuum suction cup. In this case, the transfer device 200 may also include a vacuum generator, which is connected to each adsorption structure 220 via a pipeline to control the gas pressure state within each adsorption structure 220, thereby enabling the adsorption structure 220 to adsorb or release the mirror group 1210. Exemplarily, the vacuum generator may be disposed within the base 210.

[0064] In addition, the adsorption structure 220 can be made of a rigid material to reduce the risk of deformation of the adsorption structure 220 during the adsorption of the mirror group 1210. In this way, the transfer device 200 will not change the position of each mirror group 1210 during the transfer process, so that the multiple mirror groups 1210 can maintain a coaxial relative positional relationship.

[0065] Figure 4 This is a side view of the positioning tray 100 provided in an embodiment of this application. See also... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in the embodiment of this application, the tray body 110 can be approximately a hexahedral structure. The tray body 110 includes a first surface 110a, a second surface 110b, a third surface 110c, and a fourth surface 110d. The first surface 110a and the second surface 110b are disposed opposite to each other along a second direction y, and the third surface 110c and the fourth surface 110d are disposed opposite to each other along a third direction z. Exemplarily, the second direction y, the third direction z, and the first direction x are all perpendicular to each other.

[0066] In a specific implementation, multiple receiving slots 111 can be respectively disposed on the first surface 110a, and the multiple receiving slots 111 respectively penetrate the third surface 110c and the fourth surface 110d. The receiving slot 111 includes a slot bottom 111a and a first sidewall 111b and a second sidewall 111c, which are disposed opposite to each other along the first direction x. The slot bottom 111a of the receiving slot 111 is used to support the mirror group 1210, and the shape of the slot bottom 111a can be designed according to the shape of the side surface of the mirror group 1210 facing the slot bottom 111a; the first sidewall 111b is used to limit the light-incoming side surface of the mirror group 1210, and the second sidewall 111c can be used to limit the light-outcoming side surface of the mirror group 1210, thereby fixing the mirror group 1210 in the receiving slot 111 and making the optical axis of the mirror group 1210 parallel to the first direction x.

[0067] by Figure 2 Taking the oblong mirror group 1210 shown as an example, when the mirror group 1210 is placed in the receiving groove 111, the light-incoming surface 1211a of the mirror group 1210 faces the first sidewall 111b, the light-exiting surface 1211b of the mirror group 1210 faces the second sidewall 111c, the first side surface 1211c of the mirror group 1210 is exposed to the third surface 110c of the tray body 110, the second side surface 1211d of the mirror group 1210 is exposed to the fourth surface 110d of the tray body 110, the first cross-section 1211e of the mirror group 1210 is in contact with the bottom 111a of the receiving groove 111, and the second cross-section 1211f of the mirror group 1210 is exposed to the first surface 110a of the tray body 110. It is easy to understand that for this type of mirror group 1210, the bottom 111a of the receiving groove 111 can be designed as a planar structure, and the bottom 111a of the receiving groove 111 is perpendicular to the first side wall 111b and the second side wall 111c.

[0068] When transferring the lens group 1210 using the transfer device 200, the transfer device 200 can be positioned on the side of the first surface 110a of the tray body 110, so that the adsorption structure 220 adsorbs the side surface of the lens group 1210 facing away from the bottom 111a of the receiving groove 111, that is, adsorbs the second cut surface 1211f of the lens group 1210. When placing the lens group 1210 in the lens group mounting position (carrier 1220), the adsorption structure 220 places the lens group 1210 into the carrier 1220 from the side of the carrier 1220 facing away from the bottom wall 1110 of the housing 1100, so that the first cut surface 1211e of the lens group 1210 is set close to the bottom wall 1110 of the housing 1100, and the second cut surface 1211f of the lens group 1210 is set away from the bottom wall 1110 of the housing 1100.

[0069] In some embodiments, the depth of the receiving groove 111 may be less than the height of the mirror group 1210 it contains, so that the second sectional surface of the mirror group 1210 can protrude from the first surface 110a, thereby facilitating the adsorption structure 220 to adsorb the mirror group 1210.

[0070] In some embodiments, the width of the receiving groove 111 (i.e., the distance between the first sidewall 111b and the second sidewall 111c) can be slightly larger than the thickness of the corresponding mirror group 1210 to reduce the risk of jamming when placing or removing the mirror group 1210 from the receiving groove 111. In a specific implementation, the clearance tolerance between the first sidewall 111b and the light-inlet surface of the mirror group 1210 is less than or equal to 10 μm, and the clearance tolerance between the second sidewall 111c and the light-outlet surface of the mirror group 1210 is less than or equal to 10 μm. This allows the mirror group 1210 to be placed or removed relatively smoothly, and also avoids excessive deflection or tilting of the mirror group 1210 relative to the first sidewall 111b or the second sidewall 111c, so that the optical axis of the mirror group 1210 can be parallel to the first direction x.

[0071] refer to Figure 4 In this embodiment, the positioning component 120 may include multiple sets of limiting structures, each set corresponding to a plurality of receiving slots 111. Each set of limiting structures includes a first limiting block 121 and a second limiting block 122. The first limiting block 121 is fixed to the third surface 110c of the tray body 110, and the second limiting block 122 is fixed to the fourth surface 110d of the tray body 110. The first limiting block 121 and the second limiting block 122 may be positioned on both sides of the mirror group 1210 along the third direction z, thereby fixing the mirror group 1210 in the third direction z.

[0072] In one implementation, the first limiting block 121 includes a first connecting wall 12101 and a first limiting wall 12102. One end of the first connecting wall 12101 is connected to the third surface 110c, and the other end of the first connecting wall 12101 is connected to the first limiting wall 12102. The first limiting wall 12102 is parallel to the third surface 110c and is opposite to at least a portion of the receiving groove 111. Similarly, the second limiting block 122 includes a second connecting wall 12201 and a second limiting wall 12202. One end of the second connecting wall 12201 is parallel to the fourth surface 110d, and the other end of the second connecting wall 12201 is connected to the second limiting wall 12202. The second limiting wall 12202 is parallel to the fourth surface 110d and is opposite to at least a portion of the receiving groove 111.

[0073] When the mirror assembly 1210 is placed in the receiving groove 111, the first limiting wall 12102 is used to limit the first side 1211c of the mirror assembly 1210 protruding from the third surface 110c, and the second limiting wall 12202 is used to limit the second side 1211d of the mirror assembly 1210 protruding from the fourth surface 110d. For example, when the mirror assembly 1210 adopts... Figure 2 In the oblong structure shown, the first limiting wall 12102 and the first side surface 1211c of the mirror group 1210, and the second limiting wall 12202 and the second side surface 1211d of the mirror group 1210 are in point contact.

[0074] By rationally designing the positions of the first limiting wall 12102 and the second limiting wall 12202 of each group of limiting structures, multiple mirror groups 1210 can be aligned in the third direction z. In other words, the projections of the optical axes of multiple mirror groups 1210 in the second direction y can be collinear, thus providing a reliable guarantee for the coaxiality of multiple mirror groups 1210 in three-dimensional space.

[0075] In some embodiments, the distance between the first limiting wall 12102 and the second limiting wall 12202 can be greater than the width of the corresponding mirror group 1210, so as to reduce the risk of jamming when placing the mirror group 1210 into or removing it from the receiving groove 111. In a specific implementation, the clearance tolerance between the first limiting wall 12102 and the first surface 110a of the mirror group 1210 is less than or equal to 10 μm, and the clearance tolerance between the second limiting wall 12202 and the second surface 110b of the mirror group 1210 is less than or equal to 10 μm, so as to avoid excessive offset of the mirror group 1210 in the third direction and ensure the alignment of multiple mirror groups 1210 in the third direction z.

[0076] Continue to refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 In this embodiment, the second surface 110b of the tray body 110 is provided with a plurality of second threaded holes 112, which are arranged sequentially along the first direction x, and are respectively connected to a plurality of receiving grooves 111. The positioning component 120 includes a second threaded rod 123 threadedly connected to the second threaded hole 112. The second threaded rod 123 includes a first end 123a, which faces the receiving groove 111. By turning the second threaded rod 123, the first end 123a can push the mirror group 1210 in the receiving groove 111 to move along the second direction y, so that the optical axis of the mirror group 1210 can also move in the second direction y.

[0077] Since the heights of the various mirror groups 1210 may differ, after placing each mirror group 1210 into the receiving groove 111, the receiving groove 111 and multiple sets of limiting structures can achieve a certain degree of alignment among the multiple mirror groups 1210. However, this does not guarantee that the optical axes of the multiple mirror groups 1210 will be coaxial. For example, when the heights of the multiple mirror groups 1210 are different, their optical axes will also be at different heights. Through the positioning component 120, each second threaded rod 123 can adjust the position of the optical axis of the corresponding mirror group 1210, thereby adjusting the optical axes of the multiple mirror groups 1210 to the same height, thus achieving coaxiality. For example, during the adjustment process, a reference axis can be preset, and then the optical axes of the corresponding mirror groups 1210 can be adjusted sequentially to be coaxial with the reference axis using each second threaded rod 123.

[0078] In one implementation, the second threaded rod 123 includes a second end 123b, which can protrude from the second surface 110b of the tray body 110. This allows the position of the mirror group 1210 to be adjusted by turning the second end 123b of the second threaded rod 123 on the second surface 110b, thereby improving the ease of operation of the adjustment process.

[0079] Similar to the first threaded rod, the second threaded rod 123 can be manually turned and adjusted by the operator, or it can be driven by a power device such as a motor. The specifics will not be elaborated here.

[0080] In some embodiments, the positioning component 120 further includes a plurality of sliders 124, each corresponding to a plurality of second threaded rods 123. A slider 124 is fixedly connected to the first end 123a of the corresponding second threaded rod 123. The slider 124 is slidably disposed on the tray body 110 along the second direction y. At least a portion of the slider 124 is disposed within the receiving groove 111, and the surface of the slider 124 facing away from the second threaded rod 123 can contact the mirror group 1210. Therefore, the second threaded rod 123 can push the mirror group 1210 through the slider 124. In a specific implementation, the cross-sectional area of ​​the slider 124 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second threaded rod 123, which can improve the stress stability of the mirror group 1210 and reduce the risk of deflection during movement. In one implementation, the surface of the slider 124 facing away from the second threaded rod 123 can be formed as the bottom 111a of the receiving groove 111.

[0081] Additionally, the tray body 110 may be provided with multiple sliding grooves extending along the second direction y, with each groove corresponding to a different second threaded rod 123. One end of each groove communicates with a corresponding second threaded hole 112, and the other end communicates with a corresponding receiving groove 111. The slider 124 is slidably disposed within the groove, thereby restricting the movement trajectory of the slider 124 and enabling the slider 124 to reliably push the mirror group 1210 along the second direction y.

[0082] In other embodiments of this application, the bottom 111a of the receiving groove 111 may be provided with a fine-tuning structure, which can contact the mirror group 1210 disposed within the receiving groove 111. The surface of the fine-tuning structure in contact with the mirror group 1210 can move or lock relative to the bottom 111a along the second direction y, thereby enabling the mirror group 1210 within the receiving groove 111 to also move or lock in the second direction y. In this way, the position of the optical axis of the mirror group 1210 can be adjusted by the fine-tuning structure, so that the optical axes of multiple mirror groups 1210 can be coaxial. Exemplarily, the fine-tuning structure can be driven by pneumatic pressure, hydraulic pressure, or electro-deformation to achieve its movement or locking.

[0083] refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in the embodiments of this application, a camera assembly method is also provided. Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the assembly method. Figure 6 This is a process flow diagram of the assembly method, which includes:

[0084] Step S101: Place multiple mirror groups 1210 in multiple receiving slots of positioning tray 100, and adjust the optical axes of multiple mirror groups 1210 to be coaxial through the positioning components of positioning tray 100.

[0085] Step S102: Adjust the position of the adsorption surface of the adsorption structure 220 so that the adsorption surface of each adsorption structure 220 is in contact with the corresponding mirror group 1210.

[0086] Step S103: Activate the adsorption function of the adsorption structure 220 to adsorb and fix the mirror group 1210 onto the transfer device 200.

[0087] Step S104: The transfer device 200 transfers the multiple lens groups 1210 to the multiple lens group mounting positions (carrier 1220) of the camera.

[0088] The camera assembly method provided in this application embodiment involves multiple lens groups 1210 being pre-positioned in the positioning tray 100 and then transferred to the camera lens group mounting position in one go by the transfer device 200. Compared with the sequential assembly of multiple lens groups 1210 in related technologies, this embodiment can not only simplify the camera assembly process, but also reduce the assembly tolerance of multiple lens groups 1210 to one, thereby effectively improving the assembly accuracy of the camera and helping the camera achieve high-quality imaging effects.

[0089] In some embodiments, after transferring the plurality of lens groups 1210 to the plurality of lens group mounting positions of the camera, the assembly method may further include:

[0090] While the adsorption structure 210 continues to adhere to the lens group 1210, adhesive is applied to fix each lens group 1210 to its corresponding mounting position. Then, the adsorption structure is controlled to release its adsorption on the lens group 1210. By utilizing the adsorption effect of the adsorption structure 210 on the lens group 1210, the risk of movement of the lens group 1210 during the fixing process can be reduced, thereby enabling multiple lens groups 1210 to be assembled and fixed in the camera while maintaining coaxiality.

[0091] The above are merely specific embodiments of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A camera assembly device, characterized in that, Includes a positioning tray and a transfer device, wherein: The positioning tray includes a tray body and a positioning component. The tray body is provided with a plurality of receiving slots arranged along a first direction. The receiving slots have openings in a second direction. The plurality of receiving slots are respectively used to accommodate a plurality of lens groups of the camera. The arrangement interval of the plurality of receiving slots is the same as the arrangement interval of the mounting positions of the plurality of lens groups of the camera. The positioning component is used to adjust the optical axes of the plurality of lens groups to be coaxial. The transfer device includes a base and multiple adsorption structures. The multiple adsorption structures are movable or locked relative to the base along a second direction. The transfer device is used to adsorb multiple lens groups housed in multiple receiving slots through the multiple adsorption structures and transfer the multiple lens groups to the multiple lens group mounting positions of the camera.

2. The camera assembly equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The base includes a mounting surface, which is provided with a plurality of first threaded holes. A first threaded rod is threadedly connected to each of the plurality of first threaded holes. The first threaded rod includes a first end exposed on the mounting surface. The plurality of adsorption structures are respectively fixed to the first ends of the plurality of first threaded rods.

3. The camera assembly equipment as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The base includes an operating surface, which is disposed opposite to the mounting surface; The plurality of first threaded holes respectively penetrate the operating surface, and the second end of the first threaded rod is exposed on the operating surface.

4. The camera assembly equipment as described in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The adsorption structure is made of a rigid material.

5. The camera assembly equipment as described in any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The tray body includes a first surface, and the plurality of receiving slots are respectively disposed on the first surface; The adsorption structure is used to adsorb the side surface of the mirror group facing away from the bottom of the receiving groove.

6. The camera assembly equipment as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The bottom of the receiving groove is provided with a fine-tuning structure, which allows the surface in contact with the mirror group to move or lock relative to the bottom of the groove along the second direction.

7. The camera assembly equipment as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The tray body includes a second surface, which is disposed opposite to the first surface along the second direction. The second surface is provided with a plurality of second threaded holes, which are respectively connected to the plurality of receiving grooves. The positioning component includes a second threaded rod threadedly connected to the second threaded hole, with the first end of the second threaded rod facing the receiving groove. The first end of the second threaded rod is used to push the mirror group in the receiving groove to move along the second direction.

8. The camera assembly equipment as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The positioning component also includes sliders that correspond one-to-one with the plurality of second threaded rods. The sliders are disposed at the first end of the second threaded rods and are slidably disposed on the tray body along the second direction. The side surface of the slider facing away from the second threaded rods is used to contact the mirror group.

9. The camera assembly equipment as described in any one of claims 5-8, characterized in that, The receiving groove includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall disposed opposite to each other along the first direction; The first sidewall is used to limit the light-incident surface of the mirror group, and the gap tolerance between the first sidewall and the light-incident surface of the mirror group is less than or equal to 10 μm; the second sidewall is used to limit the light-exit surface of the mirror group, and the gap tolerance between the second sidewall and the light-exit surface of the mirror group is less than or equal to 10 μm.

10. The camera assembly equipment as described in any one of claims 5-9, characterized in that, The tray body includes a third surface and a fourth surface disposed opposite to each other along a third direction, the third surface and the fourth surface are respectively connected to the first surface, and the plurality of receiving slots respectively penetrate the third surface and the fourth surface; The positioning component includes multiple sets of limiting structures corresponding one-to-one with the plurality of receiving slots. Each set of limiting structures includes a first limiting block and a second limiting block. The first limiting block is fixed to the third surface, and the second limiting block is fixed to the fourth surface. The first limiting block and the second limiting block are used to limit the mirror group to both sides along the third direction.

11. The camera assembly equipment as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The first limiting block includes a first limiting wall that is at least partially opposite to the receiving groove, and the second limiting block includes a second limiting wall that is at least partially opposite to the receiving groove; The first limiting wall is used to limit the first side of the mirror group protruding from the first surface, and the gap tolerance between the first limiting wall and the first side of the mirror group is less than or equal to 10 μm; the second limiting wall is used to limit the second side of the mirror group protruding from the second surface, and the gap tolerance between the second limiting wall and the second side of the mirror group is less than or equal to 10 μm.

12. The camera assembly equipment as described in any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that, The transfer device further includes multiple distance sensors, which are respectively disposed on the periphery of the multiple adsorption structures, and the sensing end of the distance sensor is disposed facing the adsorption surface of the adsorption structure. The distance sensor is used to detect the distance between the adsorption surface of the adsorption structure and the corresponding mirror group. The transfer device is used to activate the adsorption function of the adsorption structure when the adsorption structure comes into contact with the mirror group.

Images