Depth camera assembly and electronic equipment

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of camera shooting, and provides a depth camera assembly and electronic equipment, the depth camera assembly comprises a shell, a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit which are arranged in the shell, and an optical cover plate installed at the end part of the shell, and light emitted by the light emitting unit is emitted through the optical cover plate. Light received by the light receiving unit enters through the optical cover plate, the optical cover plate is provided with a light isolation area, and the light isolation area is configured to prevent light emitted by the light emitting unit from entering the light receiving unit through a light path in the optical cover plate. According to the depth camera assembly, the integrity of the lens assembly can be kept on the premise that the optimal distance measurement performance is achieved, and the optimal ID effect and performance of the lens assembly are achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of camera technology, and in particular to a depth camera assembly and electronic equipment. Background Art

[0002] In order to achieve distance detection and 3D space modeling, more and more TOF devices or structured light devices are now used in electronic products such as MR, robots, sweepers, and mobile phones (the lenses of the above two types of devices are usually black semi-transparent structures). As the requirements of product usage scenarios increase, the requirements for the optical FOV of such devices are also increasing. Taking TOF devices as an example, Figure 1 As shown in , in order to ensure that the image within the receiving FOV space has sufficient brightness, the projection angle b of the projector is usually larger than the receiving FOV (angle a) of the receiving unit. However, as the projection angle increases, the energy of the lateral total reflection and scattering of light in the optical cover increases, resulting in the light not being reflected by the target object but directly passing through the optical cover into the receiving unit ( Figure 1 The middle arrow is the crosstalk path). At this time, part of the receiving unit's field of view will be affected by the crosstalk energy, which affects the energy reflected by the target object, resulting in distance measurement distortion.

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, existing techniques employ two separate optical covers, one mounted on the projector and the other on the receiver. A partition structure is placed between the two optical covers to block the cross-light path, thereby preventing distance measurement distortion caused by cross-light. However, this approach presents the following issues: 1. Due to the presence of two optical covers and the partition structure between them, tolerances and other factors can create assembly gaps after assembly, compromising integrity. 2. Because the optical cover and the partition structure are separate components, their texture consistency is poor, impacting the overall appearance of the assembly. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a depth camera assembly and electronic equipment, which maintain the integrity of the lens assembly while achieving optimal ranging performance, thereby achieving the best ID effect and performance of the lens assembly.

[0005] The present application provides a depth camera assembly, comprising a housing, a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit arranged in the housing, and an optical cover plate installed at the end of the housing, wherein the light emitted by the light emitting unit is emitted through the optical cover plate, and the light received by the light receiving unit enters through the optical cover plate, and the optical cover plate is provided with a light isolation area, and the light isolation area is configured to block the light emitted by the light emitting unit from entering the light receiving unit through the optical path inside the optical cover plate.

[0006] Optionally, the optical cover is made of glass, and the light-isolating area is formed by blackening the crystal surface inside the glass.

[0007] Optionally, the light-isolating area is formed by UV exposure and burning process.

[0008] Optionally, the light-isolating area is formed by injection molding of black plastic, and other areas of the optical cover except the light-isolating area are formed by injection molding of transparent plastic.

[0009] Optionally, both sides of the optical cover plate are coated with an AR antireflection film.

[0010] Optionally, an IR infrared filter film is coated on a side of the optical cover plate close to the light emitting unit, and the IR infrared filter film is located between the optical cover plate and the AR antireflection film close to the light emitting unit.

[0011] Optionally, the projection angle of the light emitting unit is greater than the receiving FOV of the light receiving unit.

[0012] Optionally, the projection angle of the light emitting unit is 4°-5° larger than the receiving FOV of the light receiving unit.

[0013] Optionally, the width of the light-isolating area is greater than or equal to 0.4 mm.

[0014] The technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0015] This application utilizes an optical cover plate to provide a light-isolating zone. When light emitted by the light-emitting unit passes through the optical cover plate, the light's lateral total reflection and scattering within the optical cover plate are blocked by the light-isolating zone. This prevents the light from entering the light-receiving unit through the optical path within the optical cover plate, thus preventing distance measurement distortion caused by crosstalk. While avoiding distance measurement distortion, the optical cover plate of this application utilizes a monolithic structure to accommodate both the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit, resulting in greater consistency and integrity across the entire assembly, improved ID performance, and reduced costs.

[0016] The present application also provides an electronic device, including the above-mentioned depth camera assembly, which can effectively ensure that distance measurement will not be distorted and has lower cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present application.

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, for ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0019] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the TOF device described in the prior art of the embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of the depth camera assembly described in an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of the optical cover plate according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 4 A process flow chart of a technical solution for forming an optical cover plate according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a process flow chart of another technical solution for forming an optical cover plate according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0024] Among them, 1. Shell; 2. Light emitting unit; 3. Light receiving unit; 4. Optical cover; 41. Light isolation area; 42. AR anti-reflection film; 43. IR infrared filter film; 5. In-machine light isolation parts; 6. Circuit board. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In order to more clearly understand the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of the present application, the scheme of the present application will be further described below. It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present application and the features therein can be combined with each other.

[0026] In the following description, many specific details are set forth to facilitate a full understanding of the present application, but the present application can also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein; it is obvious that the embodiments in the specification are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments.

[0027] The existing technology uses two separate optical covers, one mounted on the projector and the other on the receiver. A partition structure is placed between the two optical covers to block the light path and prevent distance measurement distortion caused by light crosstalk. However, this approach has the following problems: 1. The two optical covers, with the partition structure between them, can cause assembly gaps due to tolerances and other factors after assembly, affecting the integrity of the assembly. 2. Because the optical cover and the partition structure are separate components, their texture consistency is poor, affecting the appearance of the entire assembly.

[0028] In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a depth camera component. Figure 2 As shown, the depth camera assembly includes a housing 1, a light emitting unit 2, a light receiving unit 3, and an optical cover plate 4. Both the light emitting unit 2 and the light receiving unit 3 are disposed within the housing 1. The light emitting unit 2 can emit light toward the detected object, and the light receiving unit 3 can receive light. The optical cover plate 4 is mounted on one end of the housing 1 and may be a black, semi-transparent structure. Light emitted by the light emitting unit 2 is emitted through the optical cover plate 4, passing through the optical cover plate 4 before being received by the light receiving unit 3.

[0029] In the embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 3 The optical cover plate 4 is provided with a light-isolating region 41, which divides the optical cover plate 4 into two sections, corresponding to the light-emitting unit 2 and the light-receiving unit 3, respectively. The projection of the light-isolating region 41 on the end surface of the optical cover plate 4 is located between the projections of the light-emitting unit 2 and the light-receiving unit 3 on the end surface of the optical cover plate 4. In other words, from a spatial perspective, the light-emitting unit 2 and the light-receiving unit 3 are located on either side of the light-isolating region 41. By providing the light-isolating region 41, when light emitted by the light-emitting unit 2 is emitted through the optical cover plate 4, the light is blocked by the light-isolating region 41 due to lateral total reflection and scattering within the optical cover plate 4. This prevents the light from entering the light-receiving unit 3 through the optical path within the optical cover plate 4, thus preventing distance measurement distortion caused by crosstalk. In other words, the light-isolating region 41 effectively blocks the crosstalk path. Preferably, the width of the light-isolating region 41 is greater than or equal to 0.4 mm to effectively block crosstalk.

[0030] It should be noted that the optical cover plate 4 of the embodiment of the present application is a monolithic structure, that is, the optical cover plate 4 corresponds to both the light emitting unit 2 and the light receiving unit 3. Compared with the technical solution of providing two optical cover plates and a blocking structure in the prior art, the monolithic optical cover plate 4 of the embodiment of the present application can effectively avoid the assembly gaps existing in the split structure, making the consistency and integrity of the entire assembly better, and achieving the best ID effect and performance of the lens assembly. For example, the optical cover plate 4 is fixed to the end of the housing 1 by adhesive.

[0031] In the embodiment of the present application, both sides of the optical cover plate 4 are coated with an AR anti-reflection film 42 . The AR anti-reflection film 42 can provide a higher light transmittance, thereby maximally restoring the display effect.

[0032] An IR filter 43 is also coated on one side of the optical cover plate 4. Specifically, this IR filter 43 is positioned on the side of the optical cover plate 4 near the light emitting unit 2, between the anti-reflection coating 42 near the light emitting unit 2 and the optical cover plate 4. This IR filter 43 filters visible light noise while allowing infrared light to pass through. Optionally, the IR filter 43 has a passband of 750 nm to 900 nm.

[0033] As an optional technical solution, the optical cover plate 4 of this embodiment is made of glass, and the light-isolating area 41 is formed by blackening the crystal surface inside the glass. Figure 4 In step a shown, when making the optical cover plate 4, a glass blank is first made. A nucleating agent and a photosensitizer are added to the glass raw material. The nucleating agent can improve the crystallization efficiency and make the glass crystal size and morphology more uniform. Preferably, the nucleating agent is a metal oxide nucleating agent. The crystal morphology formed by the nucleating agent is uniform, making the subsequently formed light-shielding area 41 more uniform and improving the light-blocking effect. The photosensitizer is used to blacken the crystal surface inside the glass under UV exposure (i.e., ultraviolet exposure) and burning to form the above-mentioned light-shielding area 41.

[0034] After obtaining the glass blank, refer to Figure 4 In step b, the glass blank is first exposed with a mask, that is, the area that does not need to be blackened is covered, and then the glass blank is UV exposed (i.e., ultraviolet exposure) and burned. At this time, a large number of black crystal nuclei will be precipitated from the glass under the action of exposure and burning.

[0035] Afterwards Figure 4 As shown in step c, after the glass blank is subjected to UV exposure (i.e., ultraviolet exposure) and burning, the glass blank is subjected to tempering heat treatment to allow the microcrystals inside the glass to grow and crystallize, and form a uniform blackened area, which is the light-isolating area 41 described in the embodiment of the present application.

[0036] Afterwards Figure 4 As shown in step d (a cross-sectional view of the optical cover plate 4), the optical cover plate 4 is plated with an IR filter film 43 and an AR antireflection film 42, and the optical cover plate 4 under the technical solution of the present application is formed.

[0037] It should be noted that, by providing the AR antireflection film 42 , the present technical solution can prevent the entire optical cover plate 4 from showing the light-isolating area 41 in appearance, and the appearance color of the entire optical cover plate 4 appears as a whole, with no difference in texture.

[0038] The light-isolating area 41 formed in the above manner has a controllable range, and can be adapted to lens assemblies of different models and sizes.

[0039] In addition, through the above-mentioned glass blackening principle, the need for silk screen printing on the bottom of the optical cover plate 4 after coating in the prior art can be eliminated, and the silk screen effect in the prior art can be achieved by only partially blackening a large area.

[0040] In another optional technical solution of the present application, the optical cover plate 4 is made of plastic material, and the optical cover plate 4 is formed by a two-color injection molding process to form the above-mentioned light isolation area 41. For example, first, as Figure 5 As shown in step a, the light isolation area 41 is first formed by one-time injection molding, that is, the light isolation area 41 of the required size is formed by injection molding black plastic.

[0041] Then, if Figure 5 As shown in step b, secondary injection molding is performed on the basis of the light-isolating area 41. At this time, the non-light-isolating area 41 (ie, other areas except the light-isolating area 41) of the optical cover plate 4 is formed by injection molding of transparent plastic.

[0042] Afterwards Figure 5 As shown in step c (a cross-sectional view of the optical cover plate 4), the formed optical cover plate 4 is plated with an IR infrared filter film 43 and an AR antireflection film 42, and the optical cover plate 4 in the present technical solution is formed.

[0043] It should be noted that, by providing the AR antireflection film 42 , the present technical solution can prevent the entire optical cover plate 4 from showing the light-isolating area 41 in appearance, and the appearance color of the entire optical cover plate 4 appears as a whole, with no difference in texture.

[0044] In addition, the above-mentioned two-color injection molding process can also eliminate the need for silk-screen printing on the bottom of the optical cover plate 4 after coating in the prior art. The silk-screen effect in the prior art can be achieved by simply increasing the injection molding black plastic area.

[0045] In the embodiment of the present application, the projection angle α of the light emitting unit 2 is greater than the receiving FOV ( Figure 2 The angle β in the image is set to have sufficient brightness within the receiving FOV. Preferably, the projection angle of the light emitting unit 2 is 4°-5° larger than the receiving FOV of the light receiving unit 3.

[0046] In this embodiment of the present application, the depth camera assembly further includes an internal light barrier 5 located within the housing 1. This internal light barrier 5 is circumferentially disposed outside the light emitting unit 2 and is capable of blocking the light emitted by the light emitting unit 2 within the housing 1 to prevent it from affecting the measurement performance of the assembly. Optionally, the internal light barrier 5 is made of soft rubber or foam, which has an excellent light-blocking effect.

[0047] Please refer to Figure 1A circuit board 6 is also provided in the housing 1. The circuit board 6 can be a PCB board or an FPC board (flexible printed circuit board). The circuit board 6 is electrically connected to the above-mentioned light emitting unit 2 and the light receiving unit 3 to realize control of the two.

[0048] It should be noted that the depth camera assembly of the embodiment of the present application can be a TOF device. In this case, the light emitting unit 2 emits light to the object to be detected, and the light is reflected back to the light receiving unit 3. The distance detection is calculated by obtaining the time phase difference from emission to reception. At the same time, the depth camera assembly can also be a structured light device. In this case, the light emitting unit 2 emits IR infrared light that is invisible to the naked eye to the surface of the object to be detected, and then the light receiving unit 3 captures the structured light image of the object to be detected. The data is then sent to the circuit board 6, and the position and depth information are calculated by the triangulation principle.

[0049] An embodiment of the present application also provides an electronic device, including the above-mentioned depth camera assembly, which can maintain the integration of the cover assembly and consistent texture, while ensuring that the projection angle of the light emitting unit is as large as possible to achieve optimal ranging performance, thereby achieving the best ID effect and performance of the depth camera assembly and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0050] The above-mentioned electronic devices can be MR, robots, sweepers, mobile phones and other electronic devices.

[0051] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article, or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or device. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or device comprising the element.

[0052] The foregoing description is intended only to provide specific embodiments of the present application, which will enable those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but is intended to be construed in the broadest manner consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A depth camera assembly, characterized in that: The invention comprises a housing (1), a light emitting unit (2) and a light receiving unit (3) arranged in the housing (1), and an optical cover plate (4) installed at the end of the housing (1), wherein light emitted by the light emitting unit (2) is emitted through the optical cover plate (4), and light received by the light receiving unit (3) enters through the optical cover plate (4), and the optical cover plate (4) is provided with a light isolation area (41), and the light isolation area (41) is configured to block the light emitted by the light emitting unit (2) from entering the light receiving unit (3) through the optical path inside the optical cover plate (4).

2. The depth camera assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The optical cover plate (4) is made of glass, and the light-isolating area (41) is formed by blackening the crystal surface inside the glass.

3. The depth camera assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The light isolation area (41) is formed by UV exposure and burning process.

4. The depth camera assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The light-isolating area (41) is formed by injection molding of black plastic, and other areas of the optical cover plate (4) except the light-isolating area (41) are formed by injection molding of transparent plastic.

5. The depth camera assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: Both sides of the optical cover plate (4) are plated with AR antireflection films (42).

6. The depth camera assembly according to claim 5, wherein: An IR infrared filter film (43) is plated on a side of the optical cover plate (4) close to the light emitting unit (2), and the IR infrared filter film is located between the optical cover plate (4) and the AR antireflection film (42) close to the light emitting unit (2).

7. The depth camera assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: The projection angle of the light emitting unit (2) is greater than the receiving FOV of the light receiving unit (3).

8. The depth camera assembly according to claim 7, wherein: The projection angle of the light emitting unit (2) is 4°-5° larger than the receiving FOV of the light receiving unit (3).

9. The depth camera assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: The width of the light-isolating area (41) is greater than or equal to 0.4 mm.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that: The invention comprises the depth camera assembly described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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