Joining and adjusting optical components using laser shrinking
Blind welding on the lens barrel of camera systems aligns optical elements with high precision and accuracy, simplifying the alignment process and enhancing image quality by allowing for adjustable alignment post-fastening, thus improving camera performance.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE102024200895
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing methods for aligning lens barrels in camera systems, such as those used in automotive cameras, are complex and require additional fastening materials, making the alignment process cumbersome and less accurate.
A method involving blind welding, preferably with a laser, is used to form welds on the circumference of the lens barrel to align optical elements within the barrel, allowing for precise optical alignment without additional fastening materials.
This method simplifies the alignment process, enhances accuracy, and improves image quality by allowing for adjustable alignment of optical elements post-fastening, facilitating economical and automated production.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Claims
[1] Method for optically aligning a lens barrel (10) of a camera (14), wherein optical elements (18) are arranged in the lens barrel (10), and the method comprises at least the step of forming at least one blind weld (26) on a circumference of the lens barrel (10), via which the optical elements (18) are optically aligned with one another and / or with an image sensor (22) of the camera (14). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that at least one optical element (18) is fixed in the lens barrel (10) via the blind weld (26). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the blind weld (26) is formed as a circumferential weld seam in order to reduce an axial length (Z) of the lens barrel (10) in this area. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat a plurality of blind welds (26) aligned in the axial direction of the lens barrel (10) and spaced from one another in the circumferential direction are formed on a circumference of the lens barrel (10) in order to reduce an axial length (Z) of the lens barrel (10) in this area. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the blind weld (26) is formed in a region of a circumference of the lens barrel (10) in order to change an angle (α) of at least one optical element (18) to the image sensor (22) and / or another optical element (18). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the blind weld (26) is formed by means of a laser. [7] Camera (14) comprising a lens barrel (10) aligned according to one of the preceding claims, wherein optical elements (18) are arranged in the lens barrel (10), and at least one blind weld (26) is provided on a circumference of the lens barrel (10). [8] Camera (14) according to claim 7, characterized by that the at least one blind weld (26) is arranged between two optical elements (18) of the lens barrel (10). [9] Camera (14) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by that an optical element (18) is fastened in the lens barrel (10) via the at least one blind weld (26). [10] Camera according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by that the blind weld (26) is a laser weld.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
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