Optical module

Abstract

An optical module comprises a carrier structure, a transmission lens assembly, an objective lens assembly, a substrate, an optical transmitter and an optical sensor, the optical transmitter and the optical sensor are arranged on the substrate, the carrier structure accommodates the transmission lens assembly and the objective lens assembly, and the carrier structure is connected to the substrate. The transmission lens assembly and the objective lens assembly are arranged above the optical emitter and the optical sensor respectively, the substrate is provided with a first stray light blocking structure so as to block stray light emitted by the optical emitter and facing a first photosensitive area of the optical sensor, and the carrier structure is provided with a light path adjusting structure so as to adjust the light path. Part of light beams emitted by the optical emitter are deflected and refracted to the second photosensitive area of the optical sensor through the optical path adjusting structure. According to the optical module, the first stray light blocking structure is arranged in the substrate, so that compared with the prior art, the size of the optical module can be effectively reduced, the cost is saved, and the measurement accuracy of the optical module can be stably and reliably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of structural design technology of optical modules, and in particular to an optical module. Background Technology

[0002] Some types of optical sensing systems include an optical transmitter that emits a beam of optical radiation toward a target, and an optical receiver that collects and senses the optical radiation reflected from the target. For example, in some depth sensing systems, the transmitter emits a radiation pulse toward the target, and the optical receiver senses the time of flight (TOF) of the pulse, thus measuring the distance to the target. For many sensing applications, including TOF-based depth sensing, the transmitter and receiver are typically packaged together on the same substrate in a compact package.

[0003] Time-of-flight (TOF) based depth sensing devices almost inevitably experience stray reflections, which are reflected from optical surfaces within the device or otherwise scattered back to the receiver. Generally, such stray reflections are considered noise, and device designers make every effort to eliminate them. On the other hand, some stray reflections are intentionally used to calibrate TOF measurements.

[0004] Chinese patent CN 112526479 A discloses an optical module with a stray light baffle, including a substrate and an optical emitter. The optical emitter is mounted on the substrate and includes an optical emitting electrode and a transmission lens assembly. The optical emitting electrode is configured to emit an optical radiation beam, and the transmission lens assembly is configured to guide the beam toward a target along a transmission axis. An optical receiver is mounted on the substrate together with the optical emitter and includes an optical sensor and an objective lens assembly. The objective lens assembly is configured to focus the optical radiation reflected from the target onto the optical sensor along a receiving axis. The optical baffle is asymmetrically arranged relative to the transmission axis and has an asymmetrical shape. The asymmetrical shape is configured to preferentially block stray light emitted from the optical emitter toward the receiving axis. In this patent, the optical module with a stray light baffle is mainly located on the lens barrel, resulting in a complex lens barrel structure, a large assembly space requirement, and a correspondingly larger housing size, thus increasing cost. Furthermore, it is not conducive to targeted blocking of stray light emitted from the optical emitter in multiple areas. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides an optical module that, by setting a first stray light blocking structure in the substrate, does not increase the structural complexity of the lens barrel itself in the lens assembly or increase the space occupied after the lens barrel is assembled, thereby effectively reducing the size of the optical module, saving costs, and can reliably improve the measurement accuracy of the optical module.

[0006] An optical module includes a carrier structure, a transmission lens assembly, an objective lens assembly, a substrate, an optical transmitter, and an optical sensor. The optical transmitter and the optical sensor are respectively disposed on the substrate. The carrier structure houses the transmission lens assembly and the objective lens assembly and is connected to the substrate such that the transmission lens assembly and the objective lens assembly are respectively disposed above the optical transmitter and the optical sensor. The substrate has a first stray light blocking structure close to the optical transmitter to block stray light emitted from the optical transmitter toward a first photosensitive area of ​​the optical sensor. The carrier structure has an optical path adjustment structure located above a second photosensitive area of ​​the optical sensor so that a portion of the light beam emitted by the optical transmitter is deflected and refracted through the optical path adjustment structure toward the second photosensitive area of ​​the optical sensor.

[0007] In one embodiment, the first stray light blocking structure includes a mounting groove disposed on a substrate, an optical emitter disposed on the inner bottom surface of the mounting groove, and the inner side surface of the mounting groove blocks stray light emitted from the optical emitter toward the first photosensitive area of ​​the optical sensor.

[0008] In one embodiment, the mounting groove extends through the substrate, and a mounting plate is placed inside the mounting groove. The mounting plate is flush with the bottom of the substrate, and the optical emitter is attached to the mounting plate.

[0009] In one embodiment, a plate-shaped reinforcement is attached to the bottom of the substrate.

[0010] In one embodiment, the optical path adjustment structure is a refractive prism, which is fixedly connected to the inner bottom surface of the carrier structure.

[0011] In one embodiment, a second stray light blocking structure is provided on the inner bottom surface of the carrier structure. The second stray light blocking structure corresponds to the position between the first photosensitive area and the second photosensitive area, so that the first photosensitive area and the second photosensitive area are separated and do not communicate with each other.

[0012] In one embodiment, the second stray light blocking structure is a baffle, and a buffer is provided between the bottom surface of the second stray light blocking structure and the optical sensor to reduce the stress on the optical sensor.

[0013] In one embodiment, the second stray light blocking structure has extensions at both ends that extend to the opposite inner sides of the carrier structure body, and the height of the extensions is higher than that of the second stray light blocking structure. The extensions are used to block stray light emitted from the optical emitter toward the first photosensitive area.

[0014] In one embodiment, the carrier structure is provided with a mounting hole for mounting an objective lens assembly, and the side of the extension near the first photosensitive area is provided with a blocking part parallel to the inner side of the carrier structure. The height of the blocking part is the same as the height of the extension. The blocking part is located between the mounting hole and the inner side of the carrier structure to block the light source energy of the optical emitter from being transmitted to the electronic device on the substrate to generate diffuse reflection to the first photosensitive area.

[0015] In one embodiment, the second stray light blocking structure is provided with a vertical detour structure near the second photosensitive area.

[0016] The optical module provided by this utility model has a first stray light blocking structure disposed on the substrate and a second stray light blocking structure disposed on the carrier structure. This does not increase the structural complexity of the lens barrel itself in the lens assembly or the space occupied after the lens barrel is assembled, thereby effectively reducing the size of the carrier structure and saving costs. The optical sensor end adopts a regional approach to enhance the intensity of the light source. The first photosensitive area is the light source of the optical receiver end, and the second photosensitive area is the light source of the optical transmitter. A portion of the light source emitted from the internal structure of the transmitter end is received by the second photosensitive area. Even in dark environments, the light source of the optical sensor is not affected. Furthermore, by reasonably setting the first stray light blocking structure and the second stray light blocking structure on the substrate and the carrier structure respectively, stray light emitted by the optical transmitter can be blocked in a targeted manner in different regions. This improves the stability of the optical module when it works under different temperature and lighting conditions, providing a stable light source and enhancing the accuracy of measurements. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this utility model and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 The schematic diagram illustrates the split structure of the optical module of this utility model embodiment.

[0019] Figure 2 The diagram schematically shows the first cross-sectional structure of the optical module and the light source transmission path of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 The diagram schematically shows the second cross-sectional structure of the optical module and the light source transmission path of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 The schematic diagram shows the top cross-sectional structure of the optical module of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 The schematic diagram shows a first side cross-sectional view of the optical module of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 6 The schematic diagram shows the second side cross-sectional structure of the optical module of this embodiment.

[0024] Figure 7 The diagram schematically shows the rear view structure of the substrate in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The specific embodiments of this utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, and not all of them. Based on the description of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0026] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set up," "equipped with," "located in," "installed," and "connected," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms according to the specific circumstances.

[0027] The terms “upper,” “inner surface,” “inner side,” “outer bottom,” “side,” “bottom,” etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship that the product is usually placed in during use. They are only for the convenience of description and simplification, and do not 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 utility model.

[0028] The terms “include,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, which includes not only the elements listed but also other elements not expressly listed.

[0029] The terms “first”, “second”, etc., are used merely to distinguish elements with similar properties, not to indicate or imply relative importance or a specific order.

[0030] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, the optical module of this embodiment includes a carrier structure 11, a transmission lens assembly 12, an objective lens assembly 13, a substrate 14, an optical emitter 15, and an optical sensor 16. The optical emitter 15 and the optical sensor 16 are respectively disposed on the substrate 14. The carrier structure 11 accommodates the transmission lens assembly 12 and the objective lens assembly 13, and the carrier structure 11 is connected to the substrate 14, such that the transmission lens assembly 12 and the objective lens assembly 13 are respectively disposed above the optical emitter 15 and the optical sensor 16. The substrate 14 is provided with a first stray light blocking structure 141, which is close to the optical emitter 15 to block stray light emitted from the optical emitter 15 toward the first photosensitive area 161 of the optical sensor 16. The carrier structure 11 is provided with a light path adjustment structure 17, which is located above the second photosensitive area 162 of the optical sensor 16, so that part of the light beam emitted by the optical emitter 15 is deflected and refracted by the light path adjustment structure 17 toward the second photosensitive area 162 of the optical sensor 16.

[0031] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the carrier structure 11 of the optical module can prevent external light sources from entering the optical module. The first stray light blocking structure 141 is disposed on the substrate 14, which does not increase the structural complexity of the lens barrel itself in the lens assembly 12 or increase the space occupied after the lens barrel is assembled, thereby effectively reducing the size of the carrier structure 11. The carrier structure 11 is made by injection molding, which effectively reduces the input of materials, processes and labor, thereby saving costs to a great extent. The intensity of the light source is enhanced by using a segmented approach at the optical sensor 16 end. The first photosensitive area 161 is the light source at the optical receiver end, and the second photosensitive area 162 is the optical sensor. The light source of the transmitter 15, through a portion of the light source emitted from the internal structure at the emitting end, is received by the second photosensitive area 162. Even in a darker environment, the light source of the optical sensor 16 is not affected. Furthermore, by reasonably setting the first stray light blocking structure 141 on the substrate 14, the stray light radiation emitted by the optical transmitter 15 to the first photosensitive area 161 and the second photosensitive area 162 can be specifically controlled and blocked. This increases the reception of light energy from the light source of the optical transmitter 15 to the second photosensitive area 162, and improves the stability of the optical module when it operates under different temperature and lighting conditions, ensuring a stable light source and enhancing the accuracy of the measurement.

[0032] like Figures 2 to 4 and Figure 6As shown, specifically in this embodiment, the first stray light blocking structure 141 includes a mounting groove 1411 disposed on the substrate 14. The optical emitter 15 is disposed on the inner bottom surface of the mounting groove 1411, and the inner side surface of the mounting groove 1411 blocks stray light emitted from the optical emitter 15 toward the first photosensitive area 161 of the optical sensor 16. Specifically, in this embodiment, the mounting groove 1411 penetrates the substrate 14, and a mounting plate 1412 is disposed within the mounting groove 1411. The mounting plate 1412 is a ceramic substrate and is flush with the bottom of the substrate 14. The optical emitter 15 is attached to the mounting plate 1412. Specifically, a through hole is drilled in the middle region of the substrate 14, i.e., a through hole of any shape is attached to the back of the ceramic substrate to form the mounting groove 1411. The laser device, i.e., the optical sensor 16, is attached to the ceramic substrate in a recessed manner. Therefore, the light source of the optical emitter 15 to the first photosensitive area 161 can be reduced around the substrate 14. Therefore, the first stray light blocking structure 141 described above has a simple and compact structure, occupies little space, has a good stray light blocking effect, and can greatly reduce costs. Figure 7 As shown, specifically in this embodiment, a plate-shaped reinforcing member 18 is attached to the bottom of the substrate 14. The plate-shaped reinforcing member 18 is a steel plate structure. By adding plate-shaped reinforcing members 18 such as steel plates, the structural strength of the substrate 14 can be greatly improved, ensuring the stability and reliability of the entire optical module.

[0033] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, specifically in this embodiment, the optical path adjustment structure 17 is a refractive prism, which is fixedly connected to the inner bottom surface of the carrier structure 11. This allows part of the light beam emitted by the optical emitter 15 to be deflected and accurately and reliably directed toward the second sensory region 162.

[0034] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, specifically, in this embodiment, a second stray light blocking structure 111 is provided on the inner bottom surface of the carrier structure 11. The second optical stray light blocking structure 111 corresponds to the position between the first photosensitive area 161 and the second photosensitive area 162, so that the first photosensitive area 161 and the second photosensitive area 162 are separated and do not communicate with each other. Figure 3 As shown, specifically in this embodiment, the second stray light blocking structure 111 is a blocking plate, and a buffer 19 is provided between the bottom surface of the second stray light blocking structure 111 and the optical sensor 16 to reduce the stress on the optical sensor 16. The buffer 19 is preferably a silicone pad. Figure 5 As shown, specifically in this embodiment, the second stray light blocking structure 111 is provided with a vertical detour structure 115 near the second photosensitive area 162, which can more comprehensively improve the stray light blocking effect.

[0035] like Figure 5 As shown, specifically in this embodiment, the second stray light blocking structure 111 has extensions 112 at both ends that extend to opposite inner sides of the carrier structure body 11. The height of the extensions 112 is higher than that of the second stray light blocking structure 111. The extensions 112 are used to block stray light emitted from the optical emitter 15 toward the first photosensitive area 161. Specifically, the second stray light blocking structure 111 separates and blocks the first photosensitive area 161 and the second photosensitive area 162 on the chip of the optical sensor 16, dividing the first photosensitive area 161 and the second photosensitive area 162 into independent spaces and effectively controlling the energy of the light source. The extensions 112 can block the emitted and scattered light generated by the optical emitter 15 from interfering with the first photosensitive area 161 of the optical sensor 16.

[0036] like Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, specifically in this embodiment, the carrier structure 11 is provided with a mounting hole 113 for mounting the objective lens assembly 13, and the extension 112 is provided with a blocking portion 114 parallel to the inner side 110 of the carrier structure 11 on the side near the first photosensitive area 161. The height of the blocking portion 114 is the same as the height of the extension 112. The blocking portion 114 is located between the mounting hole 113 and the inner side of the carrier structure 11 to block the light source energy of the optical emitter 15 from being transmitted to the electronic device 142 on the substrate 14 to generate diffuse reflection to the first photosensitive area 161.

[0037] like Figure 5 As shown, specifically in this embodiment, a reinforcing portion 116 is provided on the inner side of the carrier structure 11. The reinforcing portion 116 is a reinforcing rib structure with uniform thickness. A rounded corner structure 1160 is provided at the connection between the reinforcing rib structure and the carrier structure 11 to avoid interference between the carrier structure 11 and electronic devices 142 on the substrate 14 during the fixed assembly process. Specifically, by adding a reinforcing rib structure around the inside of the carrier structure 11, the overall strength of the carrier structure can be greatly increased, making it less prone to deformation, thereby improving the measurement accuracy of the optical module.

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, specifically in this embodiment, the carrier structure body 11 is provided with a breathable structure 20 connecting the inside and outside of the carrier structure body 111. The breathable structure 20 is a vent, and its position is set to avoid the areas blocked by the first stray light blocking structure 141 and the second stray light blocking structure 111. Specifically, by providing the breathable structure 20, it is beneficial for the optical module to dissipate heat and cool down during operation through the breathable structure 20 on the carrier structure 11, thereby improving the reliability of the optical module.

[0039] As can be seen from the above embodiments, the optical module involved in this utility model, by setting a first optical blocking structure in the substrate, does not increase the structural complexity of the lens barrel itself in the lens assembly or increase the space occupied after the lens barrel is assembled, thereby effectively reducing the size of the optical module, saving costs, and can reliably improve the measurement accuracy of the optical module.

[0040] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An optical module comprising a carrier structure, a transmission lens assembly, an objective lens assembly, a substrate, an optical transmitter, and an optical sensor, wherein the optical transmitter and the optical sensor are respectively disposed on the substrate, the transmission lens assembly and the objective lens assembly are mounted on the carrier structure, and the carrier structure is connected to the substrate such that the transmission lens assembly and the objective lens assembly are respectively disposed above the optical transmitter and the optical sensor, characterized in that, The substrate is provided with a first stray light blocking structure, which is close to the optical emitter to block stray light emitted from the optical emitter toward the first photosensitive area of ​​the optical sensor. The carrier structure is provided with an optical path adjustment structure, which is located above the second photosensitive area of ​​the optical sensor, so that part of the light beam emitted by the optical transmitter is deflected and refracted by the optical path adjustment structure toward the second photosensitive area of ​​the optical sensor.

2. The optical module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first stray light blocking structure includes a mounting groove disposed on the substrate, the optical emitter being disposed on the inner bottom surface of the mounting groove, and the inner side surface of the mounting groove blocking stray light emitted from the optical emitter toward the first photosensitive area of ​​the optical sensor.

3. The optical module as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The mounting groove extends through the substrate, and a mounting plate is located within the mounting groove. The mounting plate is flush with the bottom of the substrate, and the optical emitter is attached to the mounting plate.

4. The optical module as described in claim 3, characterized in that, A plate-shaped reinforcing member is attached to the bottom of the substrate.

5. The optical module as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The optical path adjustment structure is a refractive prism, which is fixedly connected to the inner bottom surface of the carrier structure.

6. The optical module as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The inner bottom surface of the carrier structure is provided with a second stray light blocking structure, which corresponds to the position between the first photosensitive area and the second photosensitive area, so that the first photosensitive area and the second photosensitive area are separated and do not communicate with each other.

7. The optical module as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The second stray light blocking structure is a blocking plate, and a buffer is provided between the bottom surface of the second stray light blocking structure and the optical sensor to reduce the stress on the optical sensor.

8. The optical module as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The second stray light blocking structure has extensions at both ends that extend to the opposite inner sides of the carrier structure body. The height of the extensions is higher than that of the second stray light blocking structure. The extensions are used to block stray light emitted from the optical emitter toward the first photosensitive area.

9. The optical module as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The carrier structure is provided with mounting holes for mounting the objective lens assembly; the extension is provided with a blocking part parallel to the inner side of the carrier structure on the side near the first photosensitive area, and the height of the blocking part is the same as the height of the extension. The blocking portion is located between the mounting hole and the inner side of the carrier structure to block the light source energy of the optical emitter from being transmitted to the electronic device on the substrate, thereby causing diffuse reflection to the first photosensitive area.

10. The optical module as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The second stray light blocking structure has a vertical detour structure near the second photosensitive area.

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