Lens assembly, camera module and electronic device

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of camera lenses, and provides a lens assembly, a camera module and electronic equipment, the lens assembly is used for the camera module, the camera module comprises a lens and an infrared lamp, the lens assembly comprises an infrared lens, the infrared lens comprises a light-transmitting part made of a light-transmitting material and a light-blocking part made of a light-blocking material; the infrared lens is provided with an incident hole for light to enter the lens; the light-blocking part is arranged outside the incident hole and is used for blocking the light from the infrared lamp from being reflected by the infrared lens and then entering the imaging area of the lens. The light-blocking part made of the light-blocking material is arranged at the incident hole, the light-blocking part is used for blocking the stray infrared light emitted by the infrared lamp and then reflected or totally reflected inside the infrared lens and then entering the imaging area of the lens, so that the stray infrared light is prevented from entering the imaging area of the lens, the generation of defects such as light spots and light fog in the picture is effectively inhibited, and the imaging effect and the imaging quality of the camera are ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of camera technology, and in particular relates to a lens assembly, camera module and electronic device. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of security monitoring, smart homes, and other fields, cameras with night vision capabilities are becoming increasingly widely used. To achieve night vision, cameras are typically equipped with infrared lights and infrared lenses that allow infrared light to pass through. In pursuit of aesthetic appeal and differentiation, a design where the lens surface is lower than the infrared lens surface is often adopted (i.e., recessed mounting or inward-facing lens design).

[0003] However, when the infrared light is turned on, some of the infrared light will undergo total internal reflection inside the infrared lens, and will eventually enter the lens surface from the oblique edge near the lens, forming light spots, light fog or bright rings in the image, which seriously affects the camera's imaging effect. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides a lens assembly, a camera module, and an electronic device to solve the problem of poor imaging quality in existing infrared cameras.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a lens assembly for a camera module, the camera module including a lens and an infrared lamp, the lens assembly including: An infrared lens, comprising a light-transmitting portion made of a light-transmitting material and a light-shielding portion made of an opaque material; the infrared lens is provided with an entrance aperture for allowing light to enter the lens; the light-shielding portion is disposed outside the entrance aperture for blocking light from the infrared lamp from being reflected by the infrared lens and entering the imaging area of ​​the lens.

[0006] In some embodiments of this application, the infrared lens is an integral structure formed by two-color injection molding of the light-transmitting part and the light-shielding part.

[0007] In some embodiments of this application, the infrared lens includes a main light-transmitting area in the middle and an annular inclined surface surrounding the main light-transmitting area, the entrance aperture penetrates the main light-transmitting area, and the light-shielding part covers at least part or all of the annular inclined surface.

[0008] In some embodiments of this application, the light-shielding part is an annular structure, and the outline of the light-shielding part matches the outline of the annular inclined surface.

[0009] In some embodiments of this application, the light-shielding portion includes an annular flange protruding toward the lens direction, and the annular flange is disposed around the entrance aperture; And / or, the orthogonal projection of the light-shielding part onto a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the infrared lens forms an annular light-shielding area surrounding the entrance aperture.

[0010] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a camera module, the camera module comprising: case; The lens and infrared lamp are mounted on the housing; As described in the above embodiments, the lens assembly is mounted on the housing and is located on the light-incident side of the lens.

[0011] In some embodiments of this application, the camera module further includes a shielding cover located between the infrared lens and the lens, and the shielding cover at least partially blocks the area between the lens and the infrared lamp.

[0012] In some embodiments of this application, the infrared lens is provided with a plurality of spaced buckles along the circumferential direction, the housing is provided with a slot, the slot and the buckle are provided in a one-to-one correspondence, and when the lens assembly is installed on the housing, the buckle and the slot are engaged and connected.

[0013] In some embodiments of this application, the camera module further includes light-blocking foam, which is clamped and fixed between the lens and the lens assembly to prevent the light emitted by the infrared lamp from entering the light-incident surface of the lens after being reflected by the infrared lens.

[0014] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide an electronic device, which includes a camera module as described in the above embodiments.

[0015] The lens assembly provided in this application embodiment is used in a camera module. The camera module includes a lens and an infrared lamp. The lens assembly includes an infrared lens, which includes a light-transmitting part made of a light-transmitting material and a light-shielding part made of an opaque material. The infrared lens is provided with an entrance aperture for allowing light to enter the lens. The light-shielding part is disposed outside the entrance aperture to block light from the infrared lamp from entering the imaging area of ​​the lens after being reflected by the infrared lens. By providing a light-shielding part made of opaque material at the entrance aperture, this light-shielding part blocks stray infrared light emitted by the infrared lamp and reflected or totally reflected inside the infrared lens before entering the imaging area of ​​the lens, thereby effectively suppressing the generation of defects such as light spots and light haze in the image and ensuring the imaging effect and image quality of the camera.

[0016] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0017] 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 only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] To gain a more complete understanding of this application and its beneficial effects, the following description will be provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals denote the same parts.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the lens assembly provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the camera module provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the camera module provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the camera module provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0023] Figure label: 100. Infrared lens; 110. Light-transmitting part; 120. Light-shielding part; 130. Entrance port; 131. Annular bevel; 140. Buckle; 200. Lens; 300. Infrared lights; 400. Housing; 410. Card slot; 500. Shielding cover. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate this application, but should not be used to limit the scope of this application.

[0025] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of 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 the embodiments of this application. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0026] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "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. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0027] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0028] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiments 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. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0029] With the development of security monitoring, smart homes, and other fields, cameras with night vision capabilities are becoming increasingly widely used. To achieve night vision, cameras are typically equipped with infrared lights and infrared lenses that allow infrared light to pass through. In pursuit of aesthetic appeal and differentiation, a design where the lens surface is lower than the infrared lens surface is often adopted (i.e., recessed mounting or inward-facing lens design).

[0030] However, when the infrared light is turned on, some of the infrared light will undergo total internal reflection inside the infrared lens, and will eventually enter the lens surface from the oblique edge near the lens, forming light spots, light fog or bright rings in the image, which seriously affects the camera's imaging effect.

[0031] This application provides a lens assembly, a camera module, and an electronic device, which can be applied to electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, computers, and monitoring equipment to solve the problem of poor imaging quality in existing infrared cameras. The following will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Figures 1-4 Please provide an explanation.

[0032] The lens assembly provided in the embodiments of this application is referenced. Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the lens assembly is used in a camera module, which includes a lens 200 and an infrared lamp 300. The lens assembly includes an infrared lens 100, which includes a light-transmitting part 110 made of a light-transmitting material and a light-shielding part 120 made of an opaque material. The infrared lens 100 is provided with an entrance aperture 130 for allowing light to enter the lens 200. The light-shielding part 120 is disposed outside the entrance aperture 130 to block light from the infrared lamp 300 from being reflected by the infrared lens 100 and entering the imaging area of ​​the lens 200.

[0033] Specifically, the light-transmitting portion 110 can be made of a high-transmittance material, such as optical-grade polycarbonate (PC) or glass. This material has high transmittance for visible light and infrared light used for night vision illumination. The light-transmitting portion 110 constitutes the main optical area of ​​the infrared lens 100. At its center, the infrared lens 100 has an entrance aperture 130. This entrance aperture 130 is aligned with the optical axis of the lens 200 of the camera module, and its function is to form an unobstructed channel for effective light from the object being photographed to enter the lens 200 and ultimately form an image on the image sensor.

[0034] The light-shielding portion 120 is made of an opaque or highly absorbent material, such as a dark-colored plastic formed by incorporating black masterbatch or other light absorbers into a PC substrate. The light-shielding portion 120 is disposed around the outer side of the entrance aperture 130 and seamlessly integrated with the light-transmitting portion 110. The light-shielding portion 120 forms a ring-shaped light-shielding structure in three-dimensional space, its position precisely covering the area around the front end of the lens 200, particularly those sloped surfaces or edges that are prone to receiving stray light in conventional designs.

[0035] By providing a light-shielding part 120 around the entrance aperture 130 of the infrared lens 100, the propagation path of stray infrared light is blocked, reducing the possibility of infrared light entering the imaging area of ​​the lens 200, thus ensuring the effectiveness and imaging quality of the lens 200.

[0036] To address the light leakage issue, some solutions involve printing ink at the angled edge where light leaks from the infrared lens 100, thus blocking the light's propagation path at that point. However, this method is relatively more complex and its defect rate is difficult to control due to variations in printing quality.

[0037] In this embodiment, the infrared lens 100 is an integral structure formed by two-color injection molding of the light-transmitting part 110 and the light-shielding part 120.

[0038] The molecular-level bonding interface formed by two-color injection molding is completely airtight and lighttight. There are no gaps, uneven adhesive layers, or assembly tolerance issues between the light-transmitting part 110 and the light-shielding part 120, ensuring the effective blocking of stray light by the light-shielding part 120. Furthermore, compared to bonding or mechanical assembly, this integrated structure eliminates edge light leakage caused by defects at the bonding surface. Even under harsh environments such as high and low temperature cycling and vibration, the light-shielding effect remains stable. It also greatly simplifies the production and assembly processes, ensures better dimensional accuracy and assembly consistency, and reduces production costs.

[0039] In one alternative implementation, refer to Figure 1 As shown, the infrared lens 100 includes a main light-transmitting area in the middle and an annular inclined surface 131 surrounding the main light-transmitting area. The entrance aperture 130 penetrates the main light-transmitting area, and the light-shielding part 120 covers at least part or all of the annular inclined surface 131.

[0040] In this embodiment, an entrance aperture 130 is provided in the main light-transmitting area of ​​the optical lens. The entrance aperture 130 penetrates the main light-transmitting area, providing an unobstructed optical window for the lens 200. The area around the entrance aperture 130 is a beveled structure, which improves the aesthetics and sense of layering of the overall appearance of the camera module and also protects the lens 200.

[0041] The light-shielding part 120 can cover only the key area on the annular slope 131 that is closest to the lens 200 and the infrared lamp 300 and is most prone to stray light incident; or it can form a complete annular light-shielding band that completely wraps the entire annular slope 131, providing maximum blocking. The specific setting can be made according to actual needs.

[0042] In one alternative implementation, refer to Figure 1 As shown, the light-shielding part 120 has an annular structure, and the outline of the light-shielding part 120 matches the outline of the annular inclined surface 131.

[0043] In this embodiment, the light-shielding part 120 is designed as a ring structure, that is, the light-shielding part 120 surrounds the entrance aperture 130 in three-dimensional space, forming a continuous, uninterrupted closed light-shielding band. The contour of the ring-shaped light-shielding part 120 (including the shape and size of its top, bottom and side surfaces) matches the contour of the annular inclined surface 131 of the infrared lens 100, achieving full coverage of stray light reflecting surface without dead angles, and minimizing the possibility of stray infrared light entering the imaging area of ​​the lens 200.

[0044] In an optional embodiment, the light-shielding part 120 includes an annular flange (not shown) protruding toward the lens 200. The annular flange is disposed around the entrance aperture 130, forming a light-shielding structure extending from the plane of the infrared lens 100 toward the lens 200. This not only blocks reflected light from inside the infrared lens 100, but also acts like a light-shielding shield to block stray light from the side, which is not in the imaging direction, from directly entering the lens 200. This greatly enhances the thoroughness of light shielding and further ensures the imaging quality.

[0045] In an optional embodiment, the orthographic projection of the light-shielding part 120 onto a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the infrared lens 100 forms an annular light-shielding area surrounding the entrance aperture 130, ensuring that stray infrared light from all directions can be effectively blocked, thus ensuring the imaging effect.

[0046] The lens assembly provided in this application embodiment is used in a camera module. The camera module includes a lens 200 and an infrared lamp 300. The lens assembly includes an infrared lens 100. The infrared lens 100 includes a light-transmitting part 110 made of a light-transmitting material and a light-shielding part 120 made of an opaque material. The infrared lens 100 is provided with an entrance aperture 130 for allowing light to enter the lens 200. The light-shielding part 120 is disposed outside the entrance aperture 130 for blocking light from the infrared lamp 300 from being reflected by the infrared lens 100 and entering the imaging area of ​​the lens 200. By providing a light-shielding part 120 made of opaque material at the entrance aperture 130, the light-shielding part 120 is used to block stray infrared light emitted by the infrared lamp 300 and reflected or totally reflected inside the infrared lens 100 before hitting the lens 200, thereby preventing it from entering the imaging area of ​​the lens 200, effectively suppressing the generation of defects such as light spots and light fog in the image, and ensuring the imaging effect and imaging quality of the camera.

[0047] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a camera module, with reference to... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the camera module includes a housing 400, a lens 200, and an infrared lamp 300, which are mounted on the housing 400; as in the above embodiment, the lens assembly is mounted on the housing 400 and is located on the light-incident side of the lens 200.

[0048] In this embodiment, the housing 400 serves as the supporting frame and protective shell for the entire camera module, providing a stable mounting position, electromagnetic shielding, and waterproof and dustproof protection for the internal precision optical and electronic components. The lens 200 and infrared lamp 300 are precisely mounted in predetermined positions inside the housing 400, for example, the lens 200 and infrared lamp 300 are arranged side by side.

[0049] It is understood that if the lens assembly has the beneficial effects of the above embodiments, then the camera module will have the corresponding beneficial effects of the above embodiments. The specific implementation method can be referred to the above embodiments, and this embodiment will not elaborate on it.

[0050] In one optional implementation, combined with Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the camera module also includes a shielding cover 500, which is located between the infrared lens 100 and the lens 200, and the shielding cover 500 at least partially blocks the area between the lens 200 and the infrared lamp 300.

[0051] In this embodiment, the shielding cover 500 is movably disposed inside the camera module, and its movement path is located between the infrared lens 100 and the lens 200. In the default state (such as when the device is powered off or unauthorized), the shielding cover 500 is in the closed position; upon receiving a legitimate command, it can be moved to the open position by mechanical or electromechanical means (such as electromagnet or micro motor drive), thereby exposing the lens 200.

[0052] The shielding cover 500 can be made of a light-blocking, robust material, and its size and shape are designed to completely physically block the light inlet of the lens 200. This constitutes its core privacy protection function: when the shielding cover 500 is closed, any attempt to illegally access the camera will not be able to obtain any image information because the light is physically blocked, achieving hardware-level privacy security.

[0053] Furthermore, the shielding cover 500 can also block the light from the infrared lamp 300 to a certain extent, reducing the possibility of the light from the infrared lamp 300 entering the imaging area of ​​the lens 200, thus further ensuring the imaging effect and imaging quality of the lens 200.

[0054] In one optional implementation, combined with Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the infrared lens 100 is provided with a plurality of spaced buckles 140 along the circumference, and the housing 400 is provided with a slot 410. The slot 410 and the buckle 140 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence. When the lens assembly is installed on the housing 400, the buckle 140 and the slot 410 are engaged and connected.

[0055] In this embodiment, multiple spaced-apart latches 140 are integrally formed on the outer circumferential direction of the infrared lens 100, i.e., the edge of its circular or rectangular outline. These latches 140 can be cantilever structures with a certain degree of elasticity, formed simultaneously with the infrared lens 100 itself through injection molding. Each latch 140 includes a guide bevel and a barb for locking. On the housing 400, multiple slots 410 are provided corresponding to the mounting opening of the infrared lens 100. The number, position, and spacing of the slots 410 correspond one-to-one with the latches 140 on the infrared lens 100.

[0056] When installing the lens assembly, the operator aligns the infrared lens 100 with the mounting opening of the housing 400. By applying an axial pressing force, the guide ramps of the various clips 140 on the infrared lens 100 contact the edge of the slot 410 of the housing 400 and are forced to elastically deform inward to form a snap-fit ​​connection with the slot 410. This greatly improves assembly efficiency, reduces manufacturing costs, and ensures the reliability and precise positioning of the connection.

[0057] In an optional embodiment, the camera module further includes a light-shielding foam (not shown in the figure), which is clamped and fixed between the lens 200 and the lens assembly to prevent light emitted by the infrared lamp 300 from entering the light-incident surface of the lens 200 after being reflected by the infrared lens 100.

[0058] In this embodiment, the light-shielding foam can be arranged in a ring shape and surround the outside of the entrance hole 130. The light-shielding foam forms a relatively sealed space in the lens 200 and the infrared lens 100 bracket, blocking the light from the infrared lamp 300, effectively preventing the light from the infrared lamp 300 from directly entering the lens 200 and affecting the imaging effect of the lens 200.

[0059] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide an electronic device, which includes a camera module as described in the above embodiments.

[0060] In this embodiment, the electronic device may include, but is not limited to, home smart cameras, outdoor gimbals, dashcams, in-vehicle monitoring systems, drones, mobile phones, tablets, computers, and other devices. This embodiment does not impose specific limitations on these devices.

[0061] It is understood that if the camera module has the beneficial effects of the above embodiments, then the electronic device will have the beneficial effects of the above embodiments accordingly. The specific implementation method can be referred to the above embodiments, and this embodiment will not be repeated.

[0062] In the description of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features.

[0063] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate this application and are not intended to limit this application. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that various combinations, modifications, or equivalent substitutions of the technical solutions of this application do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of this application and should all be covered within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A lens assembly, characterized in that, For use in a camera module, the camera module including a lens and an infrared lamp, the lens assembly including: An infrared lens, comprising a light-transmitting portion made of a light-transmitting material and a light-shielding portion made of an opaque material; the infrared lens is provided with an entrance aperture for allowing light to enter the lens; the light-shielding portion is disposed outside the entrance aperture for blocking light from the infrared lamp from being reflected by the infrared lens and entering the imaging area of ​​the lens.

2. The lens assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The infrared lens is an integral structure formed by two-color injection molding of the light-transmitting part and the light-shielding part.

3. The lens assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The infrared lens includes a main light-transmitting area in the center and an annular inclined surface surrounding the main light-transmitting area. The entrance aperture penetrates the main light-transmitting area, and the light-shielding part covers at least part or all of the annular inclined surface.

4. The lens assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The light-shielding part has a ring-shaped structure, and the outline of the light-shielding part matches the outline of the ring-shaped inclined surface.

5. The lens assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light-shielding part includes an annular flange that protrudes toward the lens and is disposed around the entrance aperture; And / or, the orthogonal projection of the light-shielding part onto a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the infrared lens forms an annular light-shielding area surrounding the entrance aperture.

6. A camera module, characterized in that, The camera module includes: case; The lens and infrared lamp are mounted on the housing; The lens assembly as described in any one of claims 1-5, wherein the lens assembly is mounted on the housing and the lens assembly is located on the light-incident side of the lens.

7. The camera module according to claim 6, characterized in that, The camera module also includes a shielding cover located between the infrared lens and the lens, and the shielding cover at least partially covers the area between the lens and the infrared lamp.

8. The camera module according to claim 6, characterized in that, The infrared lens has multiple spaced buckles along its circumference, and the housing has slots that correspond one-to-one with the buckles. When the lens assembly is installed in the housing, the buckles engage with the slots.

9. The camera module according to claim 6, characterized in that, The camera module also includes light-blocking foam, which is clamped and fixed between the lens and the lens assembly to prevent the light emitted by the infrared lamp from entering the light-incident surface of the lens after being reflected by the infrared lens.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that, The electronic device includes a camera module as described in any one of claims 6-9.

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