A camera module

Abstract

The application discloses a camera module, comprising: a lens, the lens comprising a lens barrel and a lens group arranged in the lens barrel, the lens group comprising a first lens closest to an object side, the lens barrel comprising a compression ring located at the object side, the compression ring defining a light passing hole, and a middle part of the first lens protruding from the light passing hole; a cleaning device arranged in the lens barrel and located between the first lens and the compression ring, the cleaning device having at least one nozzle facing the first lens, and the cleaning device further comprising an external pipeline, one end of the external pipeline being in communication with the nozzle and the other end extending out of the lens barrel. The application aims to provide a camera module capable of maintaining high imaging quality in a harsh environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of camera module cleaning technology, specifically to a camera module. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous improvement of automotive intelligence and automation, future vehicles will be equipped with more imaging systems for autonomous driving, environmental perception, and intelligent interaction. These imaging systems are typically installed on the exterior of the vehicle to obtain more comprehensive environmental information. However, because these imaging systems are exposed to the external environment, they are susceptible to corrosion from pollutants such as ice, snow, dust, and rain, which affects image quality and consequently impacts the vehicle's perception capabilities and safety performance. Therefore, the cleaning and maintenance technology of imaging lenses has become an important issue in current vehicle research and development.

[0003] Currently, existing technologies commonly use coatings, wipers, or external nozzles to clean imaging lenses. However, existing camera module cleaning technologies have the following drawbacks: Passive anti-fouling technologies (such as hydrophobic coatings) can reduce the adhesion of contaminants to some extent, but their effectiveness in removing sticky contaminants (such as bird droppings and insect carcasses) is limited, and their durability is poor, making it difficult to maintain a clean effect for a long time; fluid cleaning systems can achieve effective cleaning in certain scenarios, but they usually require auxiliary equipment such as external nozzles or wipers, occupying a large space, and are prone to clogging by impurities, affecting their performance; ultrasonic cleaning technology, while showing good cleaning effects in certain specific fields, may cause image jitter due to its high-frequency vibration, affecting the stability of the cleaning process.

[0004] Existing camera module cleaning technologies have certain limitations when dealing with different types of pollutants and complex scenarios. Utility Model Content

[0005] One objective of this application is to provide a camera module that can maintain high image quality in harsh environments such as rain, snow, or dust.

[0006] Another objective of this application is to ensure the cleanliness of the camera module lens while reducing the energy consumption of the camera module cleaning device.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted in this application is: a camera module, comprising: The lens includes a lens barrel and a lens assembly disposed within the lens barrel, the lens assembly including a first lens closest to the object side, the lens barrel including a retaining ring located on the object side, the retaining ring defining a light-transmitting hole, and the middle portion of the first lens protruding from the light-transmitting hole; A cleaning device is disposed inside the lens barrel and located between the first lens and the pressure ring. The cleaning device has at least one nozzle facing the first lens. The cleaning device also includes an external conduit, one end of which is connected to the nozzle and the other end of which extends outside the lens barrel.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment, the cleaning device includes a plurality of nozzles, each of which is arranged circumferentially between the pressure ring and the first lens.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment, the cleaning device includes an annular pipe disposed between the pressure ring and the first lens, each of the nozzles communicating with the annular pipe, and the annular pipe also communicating with the external pipe.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, 2 to 24 nozzles are provided on the annular pipe, with each nozzle being equally spaced.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment, the diameter of each nozzle is 0.1~0.5mm.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment, the fluid ejection direction of the nozzle is toward the object side, and the angle α between the nozzle and the tangential plane or the normal direction of the local surface of the first lens at the injection point is 5° to 90°.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment, the cleaning device further includes a solenoid valve, a first fluid input pipe, and a second fluid input pipe. The two input ends of the solenoid valve are respectively connected to the first fluid input pipe and the second fluid input pipe, and the output end of the solenoid valve is connected to the external pipe. The solenoid valve is adapted to connect the first fluid input pipe to the external pipe, or connect the second fluid input pipe to the external pipe, or simultaneously close the connection between the external pipe and the two input pipes.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment, the lens barrel further includes a barrel body, the pressure ring is detachably connected to the barrel body, the first lens is pressed between the pressure ring and the barrel body, and a sealing element is provided between the first lens and the barrel body.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment, the top surface of the cylinder is provided with a groove, and the two sides of the groove are the outer wall and the inner wall of the cylinder, respectively. The height of the outer wall is greater than the height of the inner wall. Therefore, the side of the first lens protrudes outward to form an annular retaining ring. The retaining ring of the first lens is located above the outer wall. The side wall of the first lens is in contact with the outer wall and is limited by the outer wall. The bottom surface of the first lens is opposite to the groove and is in contact with the top surface of the inner wall.

[0016] As a preferred embodiment, an outlet is formed between the pressure ring and the cylinder, and one end of the external pipe extends from the outlet.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this application are as follows: (1) The cleaning device of the camera module of this application is integrated inside the lens barrel, which does not require additional external space to install the cleaning components, thereby saving the overall size and installation space of the device.

[0018] (2) The cleaning device of the camera module of this application is located inside the pressure ring and can be protected by the external structure, reducing the risk of cleaning device failure due to external impact or damage.

[0019] (3) The cleaning device of the camera module of this application is close to the first lens, which can clean the lens more directly, ensure the lens is thoroughly cleaned, improve cleaning efficiency and effect, and reduce the use of cleaning agent. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of a camera module in one embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a camera module in one embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a top view of a camera module in one embodiment of this application.

[0023] Figure 4 For this application Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the cross-section of section AA.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of a cleaning device in one embodiment of this application.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the combination of the pressure ring and the cleaning device of the camera module in one embodiment of this application.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a plan view of the nozzle assembly of the camera module cleaning device in one embodiment of this application.

[0027] Figure 8 For this application Figure 4 A partially enlarged schematic diagram of section AA in the middle.

[0028] Figure 9 For another application Figure 3 A partially enlarged schematic diagram of section AA in the middle.

[0029] Figure 10 For another application Figure 3A magnified schematic diagram of the included angle α in the middle AA section.

[0030] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a camera module cleaning device in one embodiment of this application.

[0031] In the diagram: 1. Lens; 11. Lens barrel; 111. Pressure ring; 1111. Extension; 1112. Pressing part; 1113. Connecting part; 112. Barrel body; 1121. Outer wall; 1122. Inner wall; 1123. Groove; 12. Lens group; 121. First lens; 1211. Side wall; 1212. Bottom surface; 1213. Retaining ring; 13. Sealing element; 2. Cleaning device; 20. Nozzle assembly; 21. Nozzle; 22. External pipe; 221. First section of pipe; 222. Second section of pipe; 23. Solenoid valve; 231. Input end; 232. Output end; 24. First fluid input pipe; 25. Second fluid input pipe; 26. Annular pipe; 3. Normal line. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The present application will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments. It should be noted that, without conflict, the various embodiments or technical features described below can be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments.

[0033] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "center", "lateral", "longitudinal", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., which indicate the orientation and positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are 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, and should not be construed as limiting the specific protection scope of this application.

[0034] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0035] The terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, in the specification and claims of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such process, method, product, or device.

[0036] like Figures 1-6 As shown, this application provides a camera module, including: a lens 1, the lens 1 including a lens barrel 11 and a lens group 12 disposed within the lens barrel 11, the lens group 12 including a first lens 121 closest to the object side, the lens barrel 11 including a retaining ring 111 located on the object side, the retaining ring 111 defining a light-transmitting hole, the center of the first lens 121 protruding from the light-transmitting hole, thereby the retaining ring 111 can both protect the first lens 121 from external physical damage and not block the light-transmitting area of ​​the first lens 121, ensuring that light can pass through the first lens 121 without obstruction. Here, the object side refers to the side where the object being photographed is located before the light enters the optical system.

[0037] Furthermore, the camera module also includes a cleaning device 2, which is disposed within the lens barrel 11 and located between the first lens 121 and the pressure ring 111. The cleaning device 2 has at least one nozzle 21 facing the first lens 121, and the nozzle 21 is adapted to spray cleaning agent onto the first lens 121 to remove dirt from the first lens 121. The cleaning device 2 also includes an external conduit 22, one end of which is connected to the nozzle 21, and the other end extends outside the lens barrel 11. It should be understood that the external conduit 22 serves as a connection channel between the nozzle 21 and an external cleaning agent supply system, ensuring that the cleaning agent can smoothly reach the nozzle 21 for cleaning the first lens 121.

[0038] Furthermore, the cleaning device 2 includes multiple nozzles 21, each nozzle 21 being circumferentially spaced between the pressure ring 111 and the first lens 121. This allows the cleaning agent to be sprayed onto the first lens 121 in a 360° circumferential manner, effectively removing contaminants and improving the high imaging quality of the camera module. By fully utilizing the extra space between the pressure ring 111 and the first lens 121, there is no need to additionally lengthen the lens barrel 11 or enlarge the outer diameter for each nozzle 21, thus maintaining the original TTL (Total Length) and FOV (Field of View) of the camera module. In addition, since the pressure ring 111 itself acts as a seal when pressing against the first lens 121, placing the cleaning device 2 between the pressure ring 111 and the first lens 121 prevents external moisture or dust from entering the cavity of the lens barrel 11, and also prevents the cleaning agent sprayed from the nozzles 21 on the cleaning device 2 from entering the cavity of the lens barrel 11.

[0039] Furthermore, the cleaning device 2 includes an annular pipe 26, which is located between the pressure ring 111 and the first lens 121. Each nozzle 21 is disposed on and connected to the annular pipe 26, which is also connected to an external pipe 22. Thus, after the cleaning agent is input into the annular pipe 26 from the external pipe 22, it can be simultaneously and evenly dispersed to each nozzle 21, improving cleaning uniformity. It is worth mentioning that, due to the certain wall thickness of the annular pipe 26, the fluid flows bidirectionally within the annular pipe 26, and the pressure waves cancel each other out as they propagate circumferentially, forming standing wave suppression. This reduces the impact force on the annular pipe 26, thereby increasing the service life of the cleaning device 2.

[0040] Furthermore, 2 to 24 nozzles 21 are installed on the annular pipe 26, with each nozzle 21 evenly spaced. It should be understood that the evenly spaced nozzles 21 ensure that the cleaning agent is sprayed evenly onto the first lens 121, avoiding cleaning dead zones. In addition, the evenly spaced nozzles 21 can be adjusted and replaced according to actual needs, providing high flexibility. If a nozzle 21 is damaged, it can be replaced individually without affecting the normal operation of the entire cleaning device 2. The spacing and number of nozzles 21 in this application can be adjusted according to actual needs to adapt to different application scenarios.

[0041] Furthermore, the nozzle 21 has a diameter of 0.1~0.5mm. A smaller nozzle diameter allows the cleaning agent to be atomized into finer particles. These finer particles can more evenly cover the surface to be cleaned, increasing the contact area between the cleaning agent and the stains, thereby improving the cleaning efficiency of the cleaning device 2. In addition, under certain pressure, the smaller diameter nozzle 21 sprays cleaning agent at a faster flow rate and with stronger impact, which helps to remove stubborn stains and more effectively removes some difficult-to-clean dirt from the surface of the lens 1.

[0042] Furthermore, such as Figure 10As shown, the fluid ejection direction of nozzle 21 is towards the object side, and the angle α between the nozzle 21 and the tangential plane or the normal 3 direction of the local surface of the first lens 121 at the injection point is 5° to 90°. Specifically, the angle α between the fluid ejection direction of nozzle 21 and the tangential plane or the normal 3 direction of the local surface of the first lens 121 at the injection point can be set according to the shape of the first lens 121, so as to adjust the optimal setting angle of nozzle 21 for the first lens 121 configured for different camera modules, thereby achieving the best cleaning effect. Preferably, the fluid ejection direction of the nozzle 21 is towards the object side, and the angle α between it and the tangential plane or the normal 3 direction of the local surface of the first lens 121 at the injection point is 30°~45°. At this angle, the tangential component (cleaning force) and normal component (impact force) of the fluid of the nozzle 21 are optimally balanced, so that the dirt removal efficiency on the first lens 121 is maximized. Specifically, the tangential component is mainly used to remove particles attached to the surface of the first lens 121, such as mud, pollen, etc.; the normal component is mainly used to wash away liquid stains, such as oil film, rainwater, etc.

[0043] In some embodiments, the first lens 121 is a convex mirror, a concave mirror, or an irregular curved surface. For irregular curved surfaces, the angle α between the fluid ejection direction of the nozzle 21 and the tangent plane or the normal 3 direction of the local surface of the first lens 121 at the injection point can be appropriately adjusted. For example, when the first lens 121 is a convex mirror, the angle α can be adjusted to 45°; when the first lens 121 is a concave mirror, the angle α can be adjusted to 30°. It should be understood that the larger the angle α, the smaller the possibility of splashing when the fluid is ejected from the nozzle 21. The angle α between the fluid ejection direction of the nozzle 21 and the tangent plane or the normal 3 direction of the local surface of the first lens 121 at the injection point can be adjusted according to actual needs to adapt to different application scenarios.

[0044] In some embodiments, the nozzles 21 are distributed at equal angular intervals of 10° to 180° according to the curvature of the surface of the first lens 121, so as to ensure that the distribution of the nozzles 21 matches the curvature of the surface of the first lens 121, thereby achieving precise spraying of cleaning agent. Regardless of how the curvature of the lens changes, the nozzles 21 can evenly cover the entire surface, including the edges and corners, reducing stain residue and improving cleaning quality.

[0045] Furthermore, the cleaning device 2 of this application also includes a solenoid valve 23, a first fluid input pipe 24, and a second fluid input pipe 25. The two input ends 231 of the solenoid valve 23 are respectively connected to the first fluid input pipe 24 and the second fluid input pipe 25, and the output end 232 of the solenoid valve 23 is connected to an external pipe 22. The solenoid valve 23 is adapted to connect the first fluid input pipe 24 to the external pipe 22, or connect the second fluid input pipe 25 to the external pipe 22, or simultaneously close the connection between the external pipe 22 and the two input pipes. Specifically, the cleaning agent can be delivered to the external pipe 22 and the nozzle 21 through the first fluid input pipe 24 and the second fluid input pipe 25, and then sprayed onto the surface of the first lens 121 through the nozzle 21 to achieve a highly efficient cleaning effect. It is worth mentioning that the cleaning agent input into the first fluid input pipe 24 and the second fluid input pipe 25 can be a pure liquid cleaning agent, such as deionized water, ethanol, special cleaning solution, etc., or a gaseous cleaning agent, such as nitrogen, CO2, or air.

[0046] Furthermore, the lens barrel 11 also includes a barrel body 112, with a pressure ring 111 detachably connected to the barrel body 112. The first lens 121 is pressed between the pressure ring 111 and the barrel body 112, and a sealing element 13 is provided between the first lens 121 and the barrel body 112. Specifically, as shown... Figure 8 As shown, a groove 1123 is provided on the top surface of the cylinder 112. The outer wall 1121 and inner wall 1122 of the cylinder 112 are located on both sides of the groove 1123. The height of the outer wall 1121 is greater than the height of the inner wall 1122. Therefore, the side wall 1211 of the first lens 121 protrudes outward to form an annular retaining ring 1213. The retaining ring 1213 of the first lens 121 is located above the outer wall 1121 and is tightly fitted with the pressure ring 111, forming the first barrier to prevent the cleaning agent from entering the inner cavity of the cylinder 112. Further... The sidewall 1211 of the first lens 121 is attached to the outer wall 1121 and is limited by the outer wall 1121, forming a second barrier to prevent the cleaning agent from entering the inner cavity of the cylinder 112; furthermore, the bottom surface 1212 of the first lens 121 is opposite to the groove 1123 and the bottom surface 1212 is attached to the top surface of the inner wall 1122, and the sealing member 13 is disposed in the groove 1123 and is tightly attached to the bottom surface 1212 of the first lens 121, forming a third barrier to prevent the cleaning agent from entering the inner cavity of the cylinder 112.

[0047] It should be understood that the groove 1123 is suitable for placing the seal 13. The seal 13 is pressed between the first lens 121 and the cylinder 112 to form a barrier to prevent external pollutants or cleaning agents from entering the inner cavity of the cylinder 112. At the same time, the seal 13 is located in the groove 1123 on the top surface of the cylinder 112 and will not occupy the internal space of the camera module.

[0048] Furthermore, such as Figure 2As shown, an outlet is formed between the pressure ring 111 and the cylinder 112. One end of the external pipe 22 extends from the outlet and connects to an external solenoid valve 23 (not shown in the figure). The solenoid valve 23 controls the opening and closing states of the first fluid input pipe 24 and the second fluid input pipe 25 to deliver the cleaning agent to the external pipe 22, and then through the external pipe 22 to the annular pipe 26 and each nozzle 21. It should be understood that when the solenoid valve 23 is damaged or there is a problem with the external system, this method of extending one end of the external pipe 22 from the outlet and then connecting it to the solenoid valve 23 facilitates the subsequent maintenance and replacement of the solenoid valve 23 or the external system.

[0049] Furthermore, such as Figure 9 As shown, the pressure ring 111 includes an extension 1111, a clamping part 1112, and a connecting part 1113. The annular pipe 26 and a portion of the surface of the first lens 121 are disposed below the extension 1111, providing physical protection for the annular pipe 26 and the first lens 121. The annular pipe 26 is close to the lower part of the extension 1111 and is fixedly connected to the inner side of the clamping part 1112 to maintain the stability of the annular pipe 26 during cleaning and to reduce the internal space occupied by the annular pipe 26.

[0050] Furthermore, the pressing part 1112 rests against the retaining ring 1213 of the first lens 121, so that the pressing ring 111 can press the first lens 121 against the cylinder 112 below which supports the first lens 121 by using the retaining ring 1213, thereby improving the stability of the first lens 121 in the camera module and preventing the first lens 121 from shaking during the cleaning process.

[0051] Furthermore, the connecting portion 1113 extends vertically downward and is tightly connected to the side of the retaining ring 1213 of the first lens 121 and the outer side of the cylinder 112 to prevent external contaminants from entering the cylinder 112. Additionally, as... Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, since an external pipe 22 needs to be connected to the outside of the annular pipe 26, the connecting part 1113 located on the side of the external pipe 22 needs to be indirectly and tightly connected to the side of the retaining ring 1213 of the first lens 121 and the outer side of the barrel 112 through the external pipe 22. Specifically, the external pipe 22 includes a first section pipe 221 and a second section pipe 222. The first section pipe 221 is disposed between the connecting part 1113 and the retaining ring 1213 and the barrel 112 of the first lens 121, and the second section pipe 222 is disposed below the connecting part 1113. It should be understood that embedding the first section pipe 221 in the pressure ring 111 can avoid the external pipe 22 from additionally lengthening the outer diameter of the lens barrel 11.

[0052] Furthermore, a certain gap is left between the retaining ring 1213 of the first lens 121 and the outer wall 1121 of the cylinder 112, thereby reducing the thermal stress generated by the first lens 121 due to the high temperature of the cylinder 112, and at the same time playing a role in isolating minor vibrations, reducing the transmission of high-frequency jitter to the first lens 121, and improving imaging stability.

[0053] It is worth mentioning that, such as Figure 4 As shown, the solenoid valve 23 controls the movement of the valve core by energizing and de-energizing the solenoid coil, which can realize the connection and disconnection between the first fluid input pipe 24 and the second fluid input pipe 25 and the external pipe 22, so that the cleaning device 2 has four working states. Specifically, working state 1: the solenoid coil is de-energized, the valve core is in the closed position, and the connection between the first fluid input pipe 24 and the second fluid input pipe 25 and the external pipe 22 is closed; working state 2: the solenoid coil is energized, the valve core moves to a specific position, connecting the first fluid input pipe 24 and the external pipe 22, while disconnecting the second fluid input pipe 25 from the external pipe 22; working state 3: the solenoid coil is energized, the valve core moves to another specific position, disconnecting the first fluid input pipe 24 from the external pipe 22, while connecting the second fluid input pipe 25 to the external pipe 22; working state 4: the solenoid coil is energized, the valve core moves to a third specific position, and connects the first fluid input pipe 24 and the second fluid input pipe 25 to the external pipe 22. Controlled by an electromagnetic coil, different operating states can be quickly switched according to different cleaning needs, enabling the individual or mixed spraying of various cleaning agents. This allows the cleaning device 2 to adapt to various complex cleaning tasks, improving cleaning efficiency and effectiveness. Furthermore, the electromagnetic coil of the solenoid valve 23 is made of high-quality materials, ensuring a long service life and further enhancing the reliability and stability of the cleaning device 2.

[0054] In some embodiments, the first fluid input pipe 24 is used to input liquid cleaning agent, and the second fluid input pipe 25 is used to input gaseous cleaning agent, so that the cleaning agent reaching the external pipe 22 is mixed and transformed into a gas-liquid mixed cleaning agent. Since the high-speed gas can atomize the liquid into micron-sized droplets, it has high kinetic energy and uniform coverage, and can quickly peel off and roll away particles and oil films. A single spray can achieve the effect of multiple processes of traditional "liquid washing + wiping". Therefore, it can achieve efficient, non-contact and residue-free online cleaning of the lens of the camera module under the premise of saving more liquid, saving more time and being gentler, effectively improving the imaging quality of the camera module.

[0055] In some embodiments, each nozzle 21 can be divided into multiple nozzle groups 20, which are not interconnected. The cleaning device 2 includes multiple external pipes 22 and multiple solenoid valves 23. Each nozzle 21 in each nozzle group 20 is connected to an external pipe 22. The external pipe 22 corresponding to each nozzle group 20 is controlled by a solenoid valve 23 to determine whether it is connected to the first fluid input pipe 24 and the second fluid input pipe 25. It should be understood that since each nozzle group 20 has an individual solenoid valve 23 for controlling the input of external cleaning agent, when a pollutant is detected to be partially obscured on the first lens 121, only the nozzle group 20 closest to the pollutant is used to clean the locally contaminated area of ​​the first lens 121. This can be achieved by controlling the solenoid valve 23 corresponding to that nozzle group 20, thereby accurately removing pollutants while reducing energy consumption.

[0056] In some embodiments, such as Figure 7 As shown, 12 nozzles 21 are provided on the annular pipe 26. Every 3 nozzles 21 form a nozzle group 20. Each nozzle group 20 is externally connected to an external pipe 22 and a solenoid valve 23 (not shown in the figure). Each nozzle group 20 is not connected to each other, so that different nozzle groups 20 can be controlled individually to perform local cleaning on the first lens 121.

[0057] In some embodiments, the external pipe 22, the annular pipe 26, and the pressure ring 111 are made of materials such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy, and plastic, and this application does not specifically limit the materials used. Preferably, the external pipe 22 and the annular pipe 26 are made of metal to resist frequent impacts from cleaning agents and improve the service life of the cleaning device 2.

[0058] In some embodiments, the external pipe 22, the annular pipe 26 and the pressure ring 111 are integrally injection molded or separately laser welded together; this application does not specifically limit this.

[0059] In some embodiments, such as Figure 6 As shown, the annular pipe 26 is laser-welded into the pressure ring 111. The first section 221 of the external pipe 22 is laser-welded into the pressure ring 111. The second section 222, which is bent and connected to the first section 221, extends outward from the bottom of the pressure ring 111 and connects to the solenoid valve 23 (not shown in the figure). Thus, the main body of the cleaning device 2 is mainly located inside the pressure ring 111, which not only avoids blocking the main light of the lens 1, but also reduces the space occupied by the cleaning device 2 in the camera module.

[0060] Furthermore, such as Figure 11 As shown, this application also provides a method for cleaning a camera module, including: S10, The image sensor of the camera module continuously acquires at least 3 frames of image data; S20. Determine the contamination status of the first lens 121 of the camera module based on the image data. When it is determined that the first lens 121 is completely blocked, liquid cleaning agent is supplied to the first fluid input pipe 24 and gas is supplied to the second fluid input pipe 25. The liquid cleaning agent and gas are controlled by the solenoid valve 23 to enter the external pipe 22 at the maximum flow rate and are sprayed onto the first lens 121 through the nozzle 21. When it is determined that the first lens 121 is partially blocked, liquid cleaning agent is supplied to the first fluid input pipe 24 and gas is supplied to the second fluid input pipe 25. The liquid cleaning agent and gas are controlled by the solenoid valve 23 to enter the external pipe 22 at an intermediate flow rate less than the maximum flow rate and sprayed onto the first lens 121 through the nozzle 21. When the first lens 121 is determined to be semi-transparent, gas is supplied to the second fluid input pipe 25. The solenoid valve 23 controls the gas to only enter the external pipe 22 and spray it onto the first lens 121 through the nozzle 21.

[0061] Further, in step S20: if the image obtained in step S10 satisfies for 3 consecutive frames that: overall brightness < threshold, contrast < threshold, texture entropy / number of edges < threshold, it is determined to be a complete occlusion; If the image obtained in step S10 satisfies the following conditions for 3 consecutive frames: local brightness difference > threshold, local contrast < threshold, and local edge / texture decrease, it is determined to be a local occlusion. If the image obtained in step S10 satisfies the following conditions for three consecutive frames: spatial frequency response change > threshold and the edges are blurred, it is determined to be a semi-transparent occlusion.

[0062] In some embodiments, the threshold for determining complete occlusion is: brightness value < 30, edge pixel count < 5% of total pixels.

[0063] Furthermore, in step S20, the method for determining partial occlusion is as follows: In the real-time image of the camera module, the image is logically divided into N×M small squares, each small square corresponding to a pollutant identification micro-area, and the nozzle 21 corresponds to the pollutant identification micro-area it can cover. When pollutants appear, for pollutants of different sizes and in different small squares, the size of the flow rate of the solenoid valve 23 can be controlled to control the size of the water flow or gas sprayed from the nozzle 21 to clean the dirt in the pollutant identification micro-area.

[0064] In some embodiments, the method for determining partial occlusion is as follows: by dividing the image into 8×8 (64 grids) or 4×4 (16 grids) small squares, the real-time image of the camera module can be logically divided into small squares of 8×8 (64 grids) or 4×4 (16 grids). Each small square corresponds to a "contaminant identification micro-area". Different nozzles 21 correspond to the "contaminant identification micro-areas" they can cover. When contaminants appear in the "contaminant identification micro-area", the flow rate of the solenoid valve 23 can be controlled to control the water / gas flow rate of the nozzle 21 for different sizes and different small squares. This effectively cleans the dirt in the local area while controlling the consumption of cleaning agent and avoiding waste of cleaning resources.

[0065] In some embodiments, the jetting parameters of nozzle 21 are preferably 0.1~1 MPa compressed air, and a pulse mode is adopted. The pressure range of 0.1~1 MPa allows for effective cleaning at an appropriate pressure, thereby avoiding damage to the first lens 121 from the impact force of the gaseous cleaning agent. Furthermore, the pulse mode refers to nozzle 21 jetting compressed air in a pulsed manner, i.e., alternating between jetting and stopping. Compared with continuous jetting, the pulse mode allows for rapid switching between jetting and stopping states, improving cleaning efficiency, especially in situations requiring rapid cleaning.

[0066] In some embodiments, the camera module of this application can be applied to a vehicle. Specifically, the first fluid input pipe 24 is connected to the windshield washer fluid line, the second fluid input pipe 25 is connected to the vehicle air pump system, and the solenoid valve 23 is connected to the vehicle electronic control unit (ECU). The control signal of the solenoid valve 23 receives instructions from the autonomous driving domain controller via the CAN (Controller Area Network) bus. By connecting the solenoid valve 23 to the vehicle ECU and receiving instructions from the autonomous driving domain controller via the CAN bus, a high degree of integration of the cleaning system is achieved, enabling the cleaning system to work collaboratively with other vehicle systems (such as the autonomous driving system, windshield wiper system, etc.) and improving the overall level of automation.

[0067] Compared to traditional solutions that require additional nozzle installation, increasing space requirements by at least 15mm, the nozzle 21 of this application is integrated between the pressure ring 111 and the first lens 121, allowing for zero-space addition. Secondly, traditional solutions have a single-point cleaning coverage rate of less than 60%, meaning cleaning may not be thorough enough, while this invention achieves 360° full coverage, ensuring thorough cleaning through a multi-nozzle design. Regarding response speed, traditional camera modules rely on mechanical wiper action, with a response time exceeding 500ms, which is relatively slow. The cleaning device 2 of this application uses a solenoid valve 23, with a response time of less than 100ms, enabling faster response to cleaning needs. Finally, in terms of reliability in rainy weather, traditional solutions may affect camera module performance due to water spray exacerbating water stains, while the cleaning device 2 of this application can independently use a pure air mode for rain and fog prevention, effectively preventing water stains and maintaining good working performance in rainy weather. In summary, the camera module of this application demonstrates significant advantages in space utilization, cleaning efficiency, response speed, and reliability in rainy weather.

[0068] The basic principles, main features, and advantages of this application have been described above. Those skilled in the art should understand that this application is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely the principles of this application. Various changes and modifications can be made to this application without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claims. The scope of protection claimed by this application is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A camera module, characterized in that, include: The lens includes a lens barrel and a lens assembly disposed within the lens barrel, the lens assembly including a first lens closest to the object side, the lens barrel including a retaining ring located on the object side, the retaining ring defining a light-transmitting hole, and the middle portion of the first lens protruding from the light-transmitting hole; A cleaning device is disposed inside the lens barrel and located between the first lens and the pressure ring. The cleaning device has at least one nozzle facing the first lens. The cleaning device also includes an external conduit, one end of which is connected to the nozzle and the other end of which extends outside the lens barrel.

2. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cleaning device includes a plurality of nozzles, each of which is arranged circumferentially between the pressure ring and the first lens.

3. The camera module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cleaning device includes an annular pipe disposed between the pressure ring and the first lens, each of the nozzles is connected to the annular pipe, and the annular pipe is also connected to the external pipe.

4. The camera module according to claim 3, characterized in that, The annular pipe is provided with 2 to 24 nozzles, and the nozzles are arranged at equal intervals.

5. The camera module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The diameter of each nozzle is 0.1~0.5mm.

6. The camera module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fluid ejection direction of the nozzle is towards the object side, and the angle α between the nozzle and the tangent plane or the normal direction of the local surface of the first lens at the injection point is 5°~90°.

7. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cleaning device further includes a solenoid valve, a first fluid input pipe, and a second fluid input pipe. The two input ends of the solenoid valve are respectively connected to the first fluid input pipe and the second fluid input pipe, and the output end of the solenoid valve is connected to the external pipe. The solenoid valve is adapted to connect the first fluid input pipe to the external pipe, or connect the second fluid input pipe to the external pipe, or simultaneously close the connection between the external pipe and the two input pipes.

8. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lens barrel also includes a barrel body, the pressure ring is detachably connected to the barrel body, the first lens is pressed between the pressure ring and the barrel body, and a sealing element is provided between the first lens and the barrel body.

9. The camera module according to claim 8, characterized in that, The top surface of the cylinder is provided with a groove, and the two sides of the groove are the outer wall and the inner wall of the cylinder, respectively. The height of the outer wall is greater than the height of the inner wall. Therefore, the side of the first lens protrudes outward to form an annular retaining ring. The retaining ring of the first lens is located above the outer wall. The side wall of the first lens is in contact with the outer wall and is limited by the outer wall. The bottom surface of the first lens is opposite to the groove and is in contact with the top surface of the inner wall.

10. The camera module according to claim 8, characterized in that, An outlet is formed between the pressure ring and the cylinder, and one end of the external pipe extends out from the outlet.

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