Support assembly and camera module
By designing a bracket assembly with a nested groove structure, the problem of damping oil overflowing in the camera module was solved, the movement stability and smoothness of the ball bearing assembly were improved, and the working quality of the camera module was enhanced.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- KUNSHAN Q TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-14
AI Technical Summary
Damping oil in the ball bearing assembly of the camera module is prone to overflow, contaminating the module components and affecting movement stability and smoothness.
Design a support assembly including a first support and a second support, which are movably connected. Ball bearings are rolled within nested grooves of the first and second supports, with the opening of the second groove facing the bottom of the first groove, forming a nested structure to constrain the overflow of damping oil.
It reduces the difficulty of damping oil overflow, improves the movement stability and smoothness of the ball bearing assembly, and enhances the working quality of the camera module.
Smart Images
Figure CN224124189U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application belongs to the field of camera module technology, and in particular relates to a bracket assembly and a camera module. Background Technology
[0002] In the camera module, to achieve focusing and optical image stabilization, the lens and / or image sensor are designed to be relatively movable relative to the module support. For this purpose, a movable support is provided within the module support to fix the lens and / or image sensor. A drive mechanism is connected between the movable support and the module support to achieve focusing and optical image stabilization. Furthermore, to improve the quality of focusing and image stabilization, a ball bearing assembly is rolled between the movable support and the module support to maintain the distance between the lens and / or image sensor and the module support, thereby ensuring the stability and accuracy of the lens and / or image sensor's movement trajectory.
[0003] The ball bearing assembly is rolled within a limiting groove on the module bracket and / or movable bracket, and the limiting groove is filled with damping oil with a certain viscosity to improve the smoothness and stability of the ball bearing movement. However, during the camera module assembly process, some assembled module components need to be washed with water. The damping oil is easily dispersed by the washing medium and overflows from the limiting groove, contaminating the module components and deteriorating the movement stability and smoothness of the ball bearing assembly. Summary of the Invention
[0004] This application provides a bracket assembly and a camera module, aiming to at least partially solve the technical problem of easy leakage of damping oil in the ball bearing assembly of the camera module. Therefore,
[0005] One aspect of this application provides a bracket assembly applied to a camera module; the bracket assembly includes:
[0006] The first bracket has a first groove.
[0007] The second bracket is movably connected to the first bracket. The second bracket is provided with a second groove, and the groove of the second groove is embedded in the first groove. The opening of the second groove faces the bottom of the first groove.
[0008] The first ball is rolled within the cavity formed by the second groove and the first groove.
[0009] In some embodiments, the first bracket is provided with a first boss, and the first groove is formed on the side of the first boss near the second groove.
[0010] In some embodiments, the second bracket is provided with a second protrusion, the second groove is formed on the side of the second protrusion near the first bracket, and the second protrusion is embedded in the first groove.
[0011] In some embodiments, the cavities of the first groove and the second groove are circular.
[0012] In some embodiments, the support assembly further includes a third support, which is movably connected to the second support. The second support has a third groove and the third support has a fourth groove. The third groove and the fourth groove are disposed opposite to each other, and second balls are rolled in the third groove and the fourth groove.
[0013] In some embodiments, the groove of the fourth groove is movably embedded in the third groove, and the opening of the fourth groove faces the bottom of the third groove.
[0014] In some embodiments, the second bracket is provided with a third protrusion, and the third groove is formed on the side of the third protrusion near the fourth groove.
[0015] In some embodiments, the third bracket is provided with a fourth protrusion, and the fourth groove is formed on the side of the fourth protrusion near the second bracket, and the fourth protrusion is embedded in the third groove.
[0016] In some embodiments, the first bracket and the second bracket move relative to each other along a first direction, and the third bracket and the second bracket move relative to each other along a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal.
[0017] In another aspect of this application, a camera module is provided, including an image sensing chip, a lens, and the aforementioned bracket assembly;
[0018] The image sensor chip is mounted on the first bracket, and the lens is mounted on the third bracket. The light-emitting side of the lens is matched and opposite to the image sensor chip, and the light emitted from the lens is projected onto the image sensor chip.
[0019] The embodiments of this application have at least the following beneficial effects:
[0020] The bracket assembly and camera module provided in this application embodiment include a first bracket, a second bracket, and a first ball bearing. The first bracket is movably connected to the second bracket, and the first ball bearing rolls against the first and second brackets. The first and second brackets are respectively provided with a first groove and a second groove. The groove of the second groove is embedded in the first groove, and the opening of the second groove faces the first groove. The first ball bearing rolls in the second groove and the first groove, thereby forming a nested groove structure. The cavity of the second groove is located in the first groove, so that the second groove is completely covered by the first groove. The bottom and sidewalls of the second groove constrain and block the damping oil, reducing the difficulty of it overflowing into the first groove, thereby solving to some extent the technical problem of damping oil easily overflowing from the ball bearing assembly of the camera module. Attached Figure Description
[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the support assembly in an embodiment of this application is shown;
[0023] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 Another angle view of the support assembly;
[0024] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the assembly status of the bracket components;
[0025] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the support assembly in the middle;
[0026] Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 A magnified view of a portion of the support assembly;
[0027] Figure 6 It shows Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the protrusion snap-fit principle of the bracket assembly in the middle;
[0028] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing the positional fit of a support assembly in an embodiment of this application is shown.
[0029] Figure label:
[0030] 1-First support, 11-First groove, 111-Groove bottom, 112-Side wall, 12-First boss
[0031] 2-Second bracket, 21-Second groove, 211-Groove opening, 21a-Groove cavity, 22-Second boss;
[0032] 3-First ball;
[0033] 4-Third support. Detailed Implementation
[0034] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0035] Furthermore, reference numerals and / or reference letters may be repeated in different examples in this application. Such repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or settings discussed. In addition, this application provides examples of various specific processes and materials, but those skilled in the art will recognize the application of other processes and / or the use of other materials.
[0036] This application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:
[0037] Some camera modules are equipped with optical image stabilization (OIS) and focusing mechanisms to move the lens and / or image sensor chip to achieve focusing or OIS. Typically, a camera module includes a base support and one or more moving supports. The lens and image sensor chip are each mounted on a corresponding moving support. A drive mechanism moves the corresponding moving support relative to the base support in a set direction to achieve focusing and image stabilization. To ensure movement accuracy and reliability, limit grooves are formed on the moving supports, and ball bearing components and damping oil are installed within them to maintain the distance between the moving support and the module's base support, thereby reducing interference and ensuring movement accuracy. However, during the module assembly and cleaning process, the damping oil can easily overflow from the limit grooves, degrading the lubrication effect, contaminating surrounding components, and affecting the working quality of the camera module.
[0038] Therefore, this application provides a bracket assembly and a camera module, which aims to solve the technical problem of easy overflow of damping oil in the limiting groove of the ball bearing in the camera module to a certain extent.
[0039] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5The camera module is equipped with a support assembly for supporting the lens and / or image sensor chip, and serving as a mounting base for other functional components. The support assembly should have at least two relatively movable parts to facilitate the movement of the image sensor chip and lens, thereby enabling focusing and image stabilization functions for the moving lens and / or image sensor chip.
[0040] Specifically, the support assembly may include a first support 1, a second support 2, and a first ball bearing 3; the first support 1 and the second support 2 are movably connected and can move relative to each other; and the first support 1 and the second support 2 roll and clamp the first ball bearing 3, thereby maintaining the stability of the relative distance and posture of the first support 1 and the second support 2 when the first support 1 and the second support 2 move.
[0041] Generally, there can be multiple first ball bearings 3, thereby forming multiple stable rolling support points to maintain the relative stability of the posture of the first bracket 1 and the second bracket 2.
[0042] Considering that the first ball 3 is easy to roll, in order to maintain the stability of the rolling position of the first ball 3, a first groove 11 can be opened on the first bracket 1 and a second groove 21 can be opened on the second bracket 2. The first ball 3 can be rolled in the first groove 11 and the second groove 21 respectively, thereby limiting the movement range of the first ball 3.
[0043] Generally, in order to improve the smoothness of the movement of the first ball 3, damping oil can be filled into the first groove 11 and / or the second groove 21. The viscosity and lubricity of the damping oil can be used to improve both the limiting and lubricating performance of the first ball 3.
[0044] In this design, to confine the damping oil, the groove of the second groove 21 is embedded within the first groove 11, with the opening 211 of the second groove 21 facing the bottom 111 of the first groove 11. That is, the second groove 21 covers the first groove 11, such that the bottom 111 of the first groove 11 blocks one side of the opening 211 of the second groove 21, thus forming a generally closed cavity 21a based on the second groove 21. The first ball bearing 3 is located within the cavity 21a, rollingly supported between the first support 1 and the second support 2. The damping oil is also correspondingly filled within the cavity 21a. This design, through the bottom 111 and sidewall 112 of the first groove 11, prevents the damping oil from overflowing from the second groove 21, reducing the risk of damping oil overflow and contamination of surrounding components.
[0045] The bracket assembly and camera module provided in this application embodiment include a first bracket 1, a second bracket 2, and a first ball bearing 3. The first bracket 1 is movably connected to the second bracket 2, and the first ball bearing 3 rolls against the first bracket 1 and the second bracket 2. The first bracket 1 and the second bracket 2 are respectively provided with a first groove 11 and a second groove 21. The groove of the second groove 21 is embedded in the first groove 11, and the opening of the second groove 21 faces the first groove 11. The first ball bearing 3 rolls within the second groove 21 and the first groove 11, thereby forming a nested groove structure. The cavity of the second groove 21 is located within the first groove 11, so that the second groove 21 is completely covered by the first groove 11. The bottom and sidewalls of the second groove 21 constrain and block the damping oil, reducing the difficulty of it overflowing from the first groove 11, thereby solving to some extent the technical problem of damping oil easily overflowing from the ball bearing assembly of the camera module.
[0046] In some embodiments, the groove of the second groove 21 should protrude from one side surface or part of the surface of the second bracket 2, leaving clearance space for the groove of the second groove 21 to be embedded in the first groove 11. That is, among the surfaces of the second bracket 2, the surface closer to the first groove 11 is the surface where the second groove 21 is located, and the groove of the second groove 21 protrudes from this surface.
[0047] Generally, structural design can be carried out on a local surface of the second bracket 2 to create a height difference between the groove of the second groove 21 and the surrounding surface, thereby forming a clearance space around the groove of the second groove 21. For example, the local surface of the second bracket 2 can be set to protrude from the surrounding surface, and the second groove 21 can be formed on this protruding local surface.
[0048] Alternatively, an annular groove can be formed around the groove of the second groove 21, thereby setting the groove of the second groove 21 as a partially protruding structure, so that the cavity of the annular groove forms a clearance space, allowing the groove of the second groove 21 to be embedded in the first groove 11.
[0049] See Figure 6 In some embodiments, a second protrusion 22 may be provided on the second bracket 2, and the second groove 21 may be formed on the side of the second protrusion 22 near the first bracket 1, so that at least a part of the main body of the second protrusion 22 constitutes the groove of the second groove 21 and is embedded in the first groove 11.
[0050] In some embodiments, the groove of the first groove 11 may be configured to protrude from the surface of the first bracket 1 near the second groove 21, and the groove of the second groove 21 may be embedded in the first groove 11 with a certain space to avoid mutual interference between components.
[0051] In some embodiments, a first boss 12 may be provided on the first bracket 1, and the first groove 11 may be formed on the side of the first boss 12 near the second bracket 2, so that at least a part of the main body of the first boss 12 constitutes the groove of the first groove 11, correspondingly accommodating the second groove 21.
[0052] In some embodiments, the fitting methods of the first groove 11 and the second groove 21 can be interchanged according to the structural layout requirements of the movable bracket, so that the groove of the first groove 11 can be embedded in the second groove 21.
[0053] Correspondingly, a first boss 12 and a second boss 22 may also be provided on the first bracket 1 and / or the second bracket 2, respectively.
[0054] In some embodiments, considering that the first ball bearing 3 is used to roll and support the first bracket 1 and the second bracket 2, the diameter of the first ball bearing 3 should be greater than the depth of the second groove 21 to avoid the groove opening of the second groove 21 directly abutting the bottom of the second groove 21.
[0055] Generally, the diameter of the first ball 3 is slightly larger than the depth of the second groove 21, so that the gap S between the groove opening 211 of the second groove 21 and the groove bottom 111 of the first groove 11 is relatively small, which increases the difficulty of damping oil overflow to a certain extent.
[0056] In some embodiments, the cavities of the first groove 11 and the second groove 21 can be configured as circular, thereby reducing the risk of interference between the fitted first groove 11 and the second groove 21 to a certain extent by avoiding structures such as sharp corners.
[0057] Accordingly, the grooves of the first groove 11 and the second groove 21 can be cylindrical, that is, the first boss 12 and the second boss 22 can be cylindrical, thereby reducing the risk of interference between the fitted first groove 11 and the second groove 21.
[0058] In some embodiments, the number of sets of fitting groove structures formed by the first groove 11 and the second groove 21 can be set to multiple sets, such as two sets, three sets, or four sets. Thus, the first support 1 and the second support 2 have multiple rolling support structures, thereby stably maintaining the posture stability of the relative movement of the first support 1 and the second support 2.
[0059] See Figure 7In some embodiments, considering the need for optical image stabilization, the first bracket 1 and the second bracket 2 can be moved relative to each other, so one of the first bracket 1 and the second bracket 2 can be used as a carrier for a lens or an image sensor chip.
[0060] Meanwhile, in order to achieve focusing operation at the same time, the bracket assembly may also include a third bracket 4, and the third bracket 4 is movably connected to the second bracket 2. The second bracket 2 can serve as the basic frame of the module, and the third bracket 4 can serve as the carrier of the lens, thereby allowing the lens to be moved to achieve optical image stabilization or focusing operation.
[0061] Correspondingly, the second bracket 2 is provided with a third groove, and the third bracket 4 is provided with a fourth groove 41. The third groove and the fourth groove 41 are arranged opposite to each other, and second balls roll and abut against each other in the third groove and the fourth groove 41, thereby maintaining the stability of the relative movement of the third bracket 4 and the second bracket 2.
[0062] In some embodiments, the third groove and the fourth groove 41 may also adopt the form of the first groove 11 and the second groove 21, that is, the groove of the fourth groove 41 is embedded in the third groove, and the groove opening of the fourth groove 41 faces the bottom of the third groove, so as to form a closed cavity based on the fourth groove 41 to accommodate the second ball, and fill it with damping oil.
[0063] In some embodiments, in order to reduce the risk of interference, a third protrusion (not shown) may also be provided on the second bracket 2. The third groove may be formed on the third protrusion and located on the side of the third protrusion near the third bracket 4.
[0064] In some embodiments, in order to reduce the risk of interference, the third bracket 4 is provided with a fourth protrusion (not shown), the fourth groove 41 is formed on the side of the fourth protrusion near the second bracket 2, and the fourth protrusion is embedded in the third groove.
[0065] In some embodiments, in order to balance image stabilization and focusing functions, the relative movement direction of the first support 1 and the second support 2 can be set as the first direction X, and the relative movement direction of the third support 4 and the second support 2 can be set as the second direction Z, wherein the first direction X and the second direction Z are orthogonal.
[0066] Accordingly, the image sensor chip and the lens are respectively mounted on the second bracket 2 and the third bracket 4, so that the moving directions of the image sensor chip and the lens are orthogonal.
[0067] In some embodiments, a camera module based on the above-described bracket assembly is also provided. The camera module further includes an image sensor chip and a lens. The image sensor chip is disposed on the second bracket, and the lens is disposed on the third bracket. The light-emitting side of the lens is matched and opposite to the image sensor chip, and the light emitted from the lens is projected onto the image sensor chip.
[0068] The second bracket 2 can be set as the base bracket of the module. The first bracket 1 and the third bracket 4 move relative to the second bracket 2 in two orthogonal directions, thereby realizing image stabilization movement and focus movement.
[0069] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.
[0070] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", and "counterclockwise" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, 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 application.
[0071] It should be noted that all directional indications in the embodiments of this application are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.
[0072] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "fixed" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can mean a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.
[0073] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" in this application is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0074] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification.
[0075] Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but only if they are based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed in this application.
[0076] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this application, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A bracket assembly applied to a camera module; characterized in that, The support assembly includes: The first bracket has a first groove. The second bracket is movably connected to the first bracket. The second bracket is provided with a second groove, and the groove of the second groove is embedded in the first groove. The opening of the second groove faces the bottom of the first groove. The first ball is rolled within the cavity formed by the second groove and the first groove.
2. The support assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The first bracket is provided with a first boss, and the first groove is formed on the side of the first boss near the second groove.
3. The support assembly as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The second bracket is provided with a second protrusion, and the second groove is formed on the side of the second protrusion near the first bracket, and the second protrusion is embedded in the first groove.
4. The support assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The cavities of the first groove and the second groove are circular.
5. The support assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The bracket assembly further includes a third bracket, which is movably connected to the second bracket. The second bracket has a third groove, and the third bracket has a fourth groove. The third groove and the fourth groove are opposite to each other, and second balls are rolled in the third groove and the fourth groove.
6. The support assembly as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that, The fourth groove is movably embedded in the third groove, and the opening of the fourth groove faces the bottom of the third groove.
7. The support assembly as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that, The second bracket is provided with a third protrusion, and the third groove is formed on the side of the third protrusion near the fourth groove.
8. The support assembly as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, The third bracket is provided with a fourth protrusion, and the fourth groove is formed on the side of the fourth protrusion near the second bracket, and the fourth protrusion is embedded in the third groove.
9. The support assembly as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that, The first support and the second support move relative to each other along a first direction, and the third support and the second support move relative to each other along a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal.
10. A camera module, characterized in that, Includes an image sensing chip, a lens, and a support assembly as described in any one of claims 5 to 9; The image sensor chip is mounted on the first bracket, and the lens is mounted on the third bracket. The light-emitting side of the lens is matched and opposite to the image sensor chip, and the light emitted from the lens is projected onto the image sensor chip.