Camera module and automobile

Abstract

The utility model discloses a camera module and car, camera module includes: camera lens, flexible flexible flat cable includes: fixed part, including along its thickness direction opposite first connecting surface and second connecting surface, and first connecting surface is connected with camera lens, flexible movable part includes the fixed end and electric connection end in the length direction of flexible movable part, and the fixed end is connected with the top of fixed part, and the electric connection end is used for extending to the bottom of fixed part, to be connected with the connector on the mainboard of electronic control unit electrically, rigid support piece is connected with the second connecting surface of fixed part to support the fixed part of flexible flexible flat cable, the utility model discloses the connector of flexible flexible flat cable connection electronic control unit, and it can absorb and assemble the tolerance of connector, reduces the tolerance absorption requirement to connector, and the cost of connector has been reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of vehicle cameras, and in particular to a camera module and a car. Background Technology

[0002] The camera module is a key component for vehicles to acquire external visual information, capturing images of the road environment, traffic signs, pedestrians, and obstacles. The vehicle's electronic control unit (ECU) is the core computing module responsible for regulating various vehicle functions, processing various data and issuing control commands. The camera module and the ECU are electrically connected. The raw image data captured by the camera module needs to be transmitted to the ECU for analysis and processing, while the control signals from the ECU also need to be fed back to the camera module to adjust its operating status.

[0003] In existing camera modules, the lens is connected to the connector on the motherboard of the electronic control unit via a rigid substrate. In this connection method between the camera module and the electronic control unit, because the rigid substrate adopts a rigid fixed design with no floating amount, there is no buffer or adjustment space between it and the connector on the motherboard of the electronic control unit. Precise alignment is required for insertion, which results in high tolerance requirements for the connector on the motherboard of the electronic control unit, and consequently, high cost of the connector on the motherboard. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problem that the electrical connection between the camera module and the electronic control unit (ECU) via a rigid substrate places high tolerance requirements on the connectors on the ECU's motherboard, leading to higher connector costs. This invention provides a camera module and an automobile that uses a flexible flat cable to connect the ECU to the connector. This flexible cable can absorb assembly tolerances with the connector, reducing the tolerance requirements and thus lowering the connector cost.

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this utility model discloses a camera module, comprising: a lens; a flexible flat cable, comprising: a fixed portion, including a first connecting surface and a second connecting surface disposed opposite to each other along its thickness direction, the first connecting surface being connected to the lens; a flexible movable portion, including a fixed end and an electrical connecting end located along the length direction of the flexible movable portion, the fixed end being connected to the top of the fixed portion, and the electrical connecting end being extended toward the bottom of the fixed portion for electrical connection with a connector on the motherboard of an electronic control unit; and a rigid support member connected to the second connecting surface of the fixed portion to support the fixed portion of the flexible flat cable.

[0006] Using the above technical solution, the camera module uses a flexible flat cable to electrically connect to the electronic control unit, while a rigid support component supports the fixed part of the flexible flat cable. This prevents the fixed part of the flexible flat cable from excessively sagging or deforming due to its own weight or external forces during installation or use, which could affect its connection with the lens and ensure the overall structural stability of the camera module. Furthermore, the floating design of the flexible movable part of the flat cable allows it to bend and extend freely, absorbing assembly tolerances with the connector and reducing the tolerance requirements for the connector. Common, low-cost FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) connectors can be selected, further reducing connector costs.

[0007] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the flexible movable portion of the flexible flat cable bends downward from above the camera module. Compared to the flexible movable portion extending directly from the lower end of the fixed portion and connecting with the connector, the flexible movable portion in this embodiment is significantly longer, which means that its bendable free segment is extended and has a larger floating amount, which can significantly reduce the tolerance absorption requirements of the connector.

[0008] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the lens is bonded to the first connecting surface of the fixed part.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, the lens is bonded to the first connecting surface of the fixed part, thereby achieving a reliable connection between the lens and the fixed part of the flexible flat cable.

[0010] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the material of the flexible movable part includes polyimide or polyester.

[0011] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the second connecting surface of the fixed part is attached to and bonded to the rigid support member.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, the fixed part of the flexible flat cable is supported by a rigid support component, so that the fixed part is kept flat and avoids excessive sagging or deformation due to its own weight or external force during installation or use, which would affect its connection with the lens.

[0013] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the surface area of ​​the rigid support member facing the fixed part is less than or equal to the area of ​​the second connecting surface of the fixed part.

[0014] By adopting the above technical solution, the surface area of ​​the rigid support member facing the fixed part is less than or equal to the area of ​​the second connecting surface of the fixed part. This achieves the supporting function of the rigid support member on the fixed part while avoiding the rigid support member being too large, occupying too much installation space, or being inconvenient to install.

[0015] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the length of the flexible movable part of the flexible flat cable is 40mm to 50mm.

[0016] Using the above technical solution, the length of the flexible movable part is 40mm to 50mm. This ensures that the flexible movable part has sufficient floating range while avoiding it being too long, which would affect installation or occupy too much installation space.

[0017] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the flexible flat cable further includes an extension portion, which is located between and connected to the fixed portion and the flexible movable portion; the upper end of the rigid support member is provided with a flexible buffer portion, which connects the rigid support member and the extension portion.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, the flexible buffer part forms a barrier between the upper end of the rigid support and the extension part, preventing the flexible movable part of the flexible flat cable from extending downward and causing the extension part to bend relative to the rigid support, thereby causing friction between the extension part and the upper end of the rigid support and resulting in damage to the flexible flat cable.

[0019] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the flexible flat cable is in the form of a sheet.

[0020] This utility model also discloses a car based on the above-mentioned camera module, including: an electronic control unit including a motherboard with a connector on the motherboard; and the above-mentioned camera module, wherein the motherboard is located at the bottom of the camera module, and the electrical connection end of the flexible movable part extends to the bottom of the camera module for electrical connection with the connector.

[0021] According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the connector is an FPC connector.

[0022] Using the above technical solution, the FPC connector has low cost, that is, it realizes the electrical connection between the camera module and the electronic control unit at low cost. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 A perspective view of a camera module according to one embodiment is shown;

[0024] Figure 2 An exploded view of a camera module according to one embodiment is shown;

[0025] Figure 3 A three-dimensional diagram illustrating the connection between the camera module and the motherboard in an embodiment of this utility model. Figure 1 ;

[0026] Figure 4A three-dimensional diagram illustrating the connection between the camera module and the motherboard in an embodiment of this utility model. Figure 2 ;

[0027] Figure 5 A three-dimensional view of the camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 The flexible moving part is in a bent state;

[0028] Figure 6 An exploded view of the camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0029] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0030] Figure 8 A perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the flexible movable part is in a vertical state. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this utility model from the content disclosed in this specification. Although the description of this utility model will be presented in conjunction with preferred embodiments, this does not mean that the features of this utility model are limited to this embodiment. On the contrary, the purpose of describing the utility model in conjunction with the embodiments is to cover other options or modifications that may be derived based on the claims of this utility model. To provide a deep understanding of this utility model, many specific details will be included in the following description. This utility model may also be implemented without using these details. Furthermore, to avoid confusion or obscuring the focus of this utility model, some specific details will be omitted in the description. It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this utility model can be combined with each other.

[0032] It should be noted that in this specification, similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0033] In the description of this embodiment, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "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 utility model product is usually placed in during use. They are only for the convenience of describing the utility model 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 the utility model.

[0034] The terms “first”, “second”, etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0035] In the description of this embodiment, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set up," "connected," and "linked" 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; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this embodiment based on the specific circumstances.

[0036] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the embodiments of this utility model will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] refer to Figure 1 and 2 ,in, Figure 1 A perspective view of a camera module 10 in one embodiment is shown. Figure 2 An exploded view of camera module 10 is shown. (As shown) Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the camera module 10 includes a lens 11, a housing 12, and a rigid substrate 13. Wherein, as... Figure 2 As shown, lens 11 is bonded to housing 12 with adhesive 14, and housing 12 is bonded to rigid substrate 13 with adhesive 15. Rigid substrate 13 is used for connection to connectors on the main board of the electronic control unit. It is understood that... Figure 2 The adhesives 14 and 15 shown are structures formed after the liquid adhesive has cured.

[0038] The connection method between this type of camera module 10 and electronic control unit is such that, due to the rigid fixed design of the hard substrate 13 with no floating amount, there is no buffer or adjustment space between it and the connector on the motherboard of the electronic control unit. Precise alignment is required for insertion, which results in high tolerance requirements for the connector on the motherboard of the electronic control unit, and consequently, higher cost of the connector on the motherboard.

[0039] Based on this, refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4This application provides an embodiment of an automobile, which includes an electronic control unit 100 and a camera module 200. The electronic control unit 100 includes a motherboard 101 located below the camera module 200, and a connector 102 is provided on the motherboard 101. The camera module 200 is electrically connected to the connector 102 using a flexible flat cable 400. The flexible flat cable 400, while possessing good electrical performance, can be freely bent and folded, thereby absorbing assembly tolerances with the connector 102 and reducing the tolerance absorption requirements of the connector 102. The connector 102 can be a common, low-cost FPC connector (Flexible Printed Circuit Connector), further reducing the cost of the connector 102.

[0040] Specifically, refer to Figures 5 to 7 The camera module 200 includes a lens 300, a flexible flat cable 400, and a rigid support 500. The flexible flat cable 400 includes a fixed portion 410 and a flexible movable portion 420. The fixed portion 410 is located between the lens 300 and the rigid support 500; the fixed portion 410 includes a first connecting surface 411 and a second connecting surface 412 disposed opposite to each other in its thickness direction Z. In other words, the first connecting surface 411 and the second connecting surface 412 are two surfaces of the fixed portion 410 along its thickness direction Z.

[0041] The first connecting surface 411 is bonded to the lens 300 with adhesive. For example, the lens 300 includes an annular connecting end 301, which is attached to the first connecting surface 411 of the fixed portion 410 of the flexible flat cable 400 and bonded with adhesive, thereby forming a layer on the first connecting surface 411 after the adhesive cures. Figure 6 The annular groove 413 shown is in which the annular connecting end 301 of the lens 300 is fixed.

[0042] It is understandable that the surface area of ​​the first connecting surface 411 is larger than the outer diameter of the annular connecting end 301, thereby facilitating the connection between the lens 300 and the fixed part 410.

[0043] The second connecting surface 412 of the fixing portion 410 of the flexible flat cable 400 is bonded to the rigid support member 500 with adhesive. Specifically, as shown... Figure 6 As shown, the rigid support member 500 is sheet-shaped and is attached to the second connecting surface 412 by adhesive. The rigid support member 500 supports the fixed portion 410 of the flexible flat cable 400, thus maintaining the fixed portion 410. Figure 6 The flat position shown prevents it from sagging or deforming excessively due to its own weight or external forces during installation or use, which could affect its connection with the lens 300.

[0044] In this embodiment, the rigid support member 500 is a steel sheet, whose high rigidity and deformation resistance provide stable mechanical support for the fixed portion 410 of the flexible flat cable 400. However, those skilled in the art will understand that in other embodiments, sheet-like rigid support members 500 of other materials can also be selected to provide support for the fixed portion 410 of the flexible flat cable 400, such as rigid plastic sheets.

[0045] like Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the surface area of ​​the rigid support 500 facing the fixing portion 410 is the same as the area of ​​the second connecting surface 412 of the fixing portion 410, thereby ensuring that the rigid support 500 and the fixing portion 410 of the flexible flat cable 400 are completely fitted together, thus guaranteeing the support effect. However, those skilled in the art will understand that in other embodiments, the surface area of ​​the rigid support 500 facing the fixing portion 410 may be smaller than the area of ​​the second connecting surface 412 of the fixing portion 410. Within the limits of the installation space, the surface area of ​​the rigid support 500 facing the fixing portion 410 may also be larger than the area of ​​the second connecting surface 412 of the fixing portion 410.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rigid support member 500 is a one-piece structure. However, those skilled in the art will understand that in other embodiments, multiple rigid support members 500 with a surface area smaller than that of the second connecting surface 412 may be provided at intervals on the second connecting surface 412 of the fixed portion 410, so that the multiple rigid support members 500 together support the fixed portion 410 of the flexible flat cable 400.

[0047] refer to Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 Along the length direction X of the flexible flat cable 400, the flexible movable portion 420 includes a fixed end 421 and an electrical connection end 422. The fixed end 421 is connected to the top of the fixed portion 410; the electrical connection end 422 extends toward the bottom of the fixed portion 410 to electrically connect with a connector 102 on the motherboard 101 located below the camera module 200. Exemplarily, the electrical connection end 422 and the connector 102 are plugged into each other.

[0048] That is, the flexible movable portion 420 of the flexible flat cable 400 can be bent 180° relative to the fixed portion 410. The length of the flexible movable portion 420 of the flexible flat cable 400 is greater than the length of its fixed portion 410, so that it can be connected to the connector 102 of the motherboard 101 of the electronic control unit 100 located below the camera module 200.

[0049] In other words, the flexible flat cable 400 connects to the lens 300 via its fixed portion 410 and is supported by a rigid support member 500, while its flexible movable portion 420 can be freely bent and extended. The mainboard 101 of the electronic control unit 100 is located below the camera module 200, and the flexible movable portion 420 of the flexible flat cable 400 extends from above to below the camera module 200 to connect with the connector 102 located below the camera module 200.

[0050] For example, the flexible movable part 420 may be made of polyimide or polyester.

[0051] Using the above technical solution, the camera module 200 of this application uses a flexible flat cable 400 to electrically connect to the electronic control unit 100, and simultaneously uses a rigid support 500 to support the fixed part 410 of the flexible flat cable 400, thereby preventing the fixed part 410 of the flexible flat cable 400 from excessively sagging or deforming due to its own weight or external force during installation or use, affecting its connection with the lens 300, and ensuring the stability of the overall structure of the camera module 200. At the same time, through the floating design of the flexible movable part 420 of the flexible flat cable 400, it can be bent and extended freely, which can absorb the assembly tolerance with the connector 102, reduce the tolerance absorption requirements of the connector 102, and the connector 102 can be selected as a common low-cost FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) connector, thereby also reducing the cost of the connector 102.

[0052] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the flexible movable portion 420 of the flexible flat cable 400 bends downward from above the camera module 200. Compared with the flexible movable portion 420 extending directly from the lower end of the fixed portion 410 to connect with the connector 102, the flexible movable portion 420 in this embodiment is obviously longer. This means that its bendable free section is extended, and it has a larger floating amount, which can significantly reduce the tolerance absorption requirements of the connector 102.

[0053] refer to Figure 6 and Figure 8 In this embodiment, an image sensor 414 and other electronic components 415 are also provided on the first connecting surface 411 of the fixed portion 410 of the flexible flat cable 400. The image sensor 414 and electronic components 415 provide high-quality input signals to the electronic control unit 100.

[0054] For example, such as Figure 8 As shown, the length H of the flexible movable part 420 of the flexible flat cable 400 is 40mm to 50mm. Specifically, it can be 40mm, 42mm, 45mm, 47mm, 50mm, etc.

[0055] In this embodiment, the flexible flat cable 400 is an integrated structure, which is sheet-like.

[0056] Furthermore, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, an extension portion 430 is provided between the fixed portion 410 and the flexible movable portion 420 of the flexible flat cable 400. The extension portion 430 extends out to form a rigid support member 500, but is not directly connected to the rigid support member 500. The extension portion 430 is connected to the fixed end 421 of the flexible movable portion 420. A flexible buffer portion 501 is provided at the upper end of the rigid support member 500, connecting the rigid support member 500 and the extension portion 430. Exemplarily, the flexible buffer portion 501 is formed by adhesive curing, forming a barrier between the upper end of the rigid support member 500 and the extension portion 430, preventing the flexible movable portion 420 of the flexible flat cable 400 from extending downward and causing the extension portion 430 to bend relative to the rigid support member 500, thereby preventing friction between the extension portion 430 and the rigid support member 500 and damage to the flexible flat cable 400.

[0057] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the above description is a further detailed explanation of the present invention in conjunction with specific embodiments, and should not be construed as limiting the specific implementation of the present invention to these descriptions. Those skilled in the art can make various changes in form and detail, including some simple deductions or substitutions, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A camera module, characterized in that, include: Lens; Flexible flat cables include: The fixed part includes a first connecting surface and a second connecting surface disposed opposite to each other along its thickness direction, the first connecting surface being connected to the lens; The flexible movable part includes a fixed end and an electrical connection end located along the length of the flexible movable part. The fixed end is connected to the top of the fixed part, and the electrical connection end is used to extend toward the bottom of the fixed part for electrical connection with a connector on the main board of the electronic control unit. A rigid support member is connected to the second connecting surface of the fixed portion to support the fixed portion of the flexible flat cable.

2. The camera module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The lens is bonded to the first connecting surface of the fixed part.

3. The camera module as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The flexible movable part is made of polyimide or polyester.

4. The camera module as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The second connecting surface of the fixed part is attached to and bonded to the rigid support.

5. The camera module as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The surface area of ​​the rigid support member facing the fixed part is less than or equal to the area of ​​the second connecting surface of the fixed part.

6. The camera module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The length of the flexible movable part of the flexible flat cable is 40mm to 50mm.

7. The camera module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible flat cable also includes an extension portion, which is located between and connected to the fixed portion and the flexible movable portion; the upper end of the rigid support member is provided with a flexible buffer portion, which connects the rigid support member and the extension portion.

8. The camera module as described in claim 1 or 7, characterized in that, The flexible flat cable is sheet-shaped.

9. A car, characterized in that, include: An electronic control unit, including a motherboard, wherein a connector is provided on the motherboard; as well as According to any one of claims 1 to 8, the main board is located at the bottom of the camera module, and the electrical connection end of the flexible movable part extends to the bottom of the camera module to be electrically connected to the connector.

10. The automobile as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The connector is an FPC connector.

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