Camera module

Abstract

To provide a camera module capable of enhancing space efficiency and optimizing the assembly process.SOLUTION: A camera module comprises a first housing, a lens module arranged in the first housing, a second housing coupled to the first housing, a substrate arranged in an inner space of the first housing and the second housing, an image sensor arranged on the substrate, and an adhesive member arranged between the first housing and the second housing, where the second housing includes a stepped portion having the substrate arranged thereon, and a protrusion formed on an inner surface of the second housing to be in contact with a side surface of the substrate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This embodiment relates to a camera module. [Background technology]

[0002] The following description merely provides background information for the present embodiment and is not intended to describe the prior art.

[0003] In recent years, ultra-miniature camera modules have been developed and are widely used in small electronic products such as smartphones, notebooks, and game consoles.

[0004] As automobiles become more widely used by the general public, miniature cameras are increasingly being used in vehicles as well as in small electronic products, such as black box cameras for vehicle protection or to collect objective information on traffic accidents, rearview cameras that allow drivers to monitor blind spots at the rear of the vehicle through a screen to ensure safety when reversing, and perimeter detection cameras that can monitor the area around the vehicle.

[0005] The camera may include a lens, a lens holder that accommodates the lens, an image sensor that converts an image of a subject captured by the lens into an electrical signal, and a printed circuit board on which the image sensor is mounted. The housing that defines the exterior of the camera has a completely sealed structure to prevent contamination of internal components by foreign matter, including moisture. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] This embodiment provides a camera module that can improve space efficiency and optimize the assembly process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one embodiment, a camera module includes a first housing, a lens module disposed in the first housing, a second housing coupled to the first housing, a substrate disposed in an internal space between the first housing and the second housing, an image sensor disposed on the substrate, and an adhesive member disposed between the first housing and the second housing, and the second housing includes a stepped portion on which the substrate is disposed and a protrusion formed on an inner surface of the second housing and in contact with a side surface of the substrate.

[0008] The protrusion may include a plurality of protrusions.

[0009] Also, a space may be formed between the plurality of protrusions and the substrate, and the adhesive member may be disposed in the space.

[0010] The first housing may include a groove formed on a lower surface thereof, the groove facing the separation space.

[0011] The width of the bottom surface of the first housing may be greater than the width of the top surface of the second housing.

[0012] The protrusion may be disposed on the step.

[0013] The first housing may include a groove formed on a lower surface thereof, the groove facing the protrusion.

[0014] In addition, the lower surface of the first housing may include a first surface disposed on the outside of the groove and a second surface disposed on the inside, and the first surface and the second surface may be disposed on the same plane.

[0015] Furthermore, the adhesive member may be arranged between the first surface and the second surface of the first housing, the groove of the first housing, the upper surface of the second housing, the protrusion portion of the second housing, and the step portion of the second housing.

[0016] Also, the width of the first surface of the first housing may be greater than the width of the top surface of the second housing.

[0017] To achieve the above object, a camera module according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first housing, a lens module disposed in the first housing, a second housing coupled to the first housing, a substrate disposed in an internal space between the first housing and the second housing, an image sensor disposed on the substrate, and an adhesive member disposed between the first housing and the second housing, the adhesive member being disposed between an inner surface of the second housing and a side surface of the substrate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, a camera module can be provided that can improve space efficiency and optimize the assembly process. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a partial configuration of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view of a partial configuration of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view of a partial configuration of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a partial configuration of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9]1 is a perspective view of a partial configuration of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 1A to 1C are perspective views illustrating an assembly process of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] However, the technical concept of the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments and can be embodied in various different forms, and one or more of the components of the embodiments can be selectively combined or substituted within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0022] Furthermore, unless otherwise clearly defined and described, terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention shall be interpreted as meanings that are commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs, and terms commonly used together with predefined terms shall be interpreted in light of the contextual meaning of the relevant art.

[0023] Furthermore, the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are intended to explain the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0024] In this specification, the singular can include the plural unless otherwise specified in the context, and when it is stated as "A and (and) at least one (or more) of B and C," it can include one or more of any combination of A, B, and C that can be combined.

[0025] Furthermore, when describing components of the embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. are used only to distinguish the component from other components, and the terms do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of the components.

[0026] Furthermore, when a component is described as being 'coupled', 'coupled', or 'connected' to another component, this includes not only when the component is directly 'coupled', 'coupled', or 'connected' to the other component, but also when the component is 'coupled', 'coupled', or 'connected' via another component between the component and the other component.

[0027] Furthermore, when described as being formed or disposed "above" or "below" each component, "above" or "below" includes not only the case where two components are in direct contact with each other, but also the case where one or more additional components are formed or disposed between the two components. Furthermore, when described as "above" or "below," it can include not only the upper direction but also the lower direction based on one component.

[0028] The 'optical axis direction' used below is defined as the optical axis direction of a lens coupled to a lens driving device. Meanwhile, the 'optical axis direction' can correspond to the 'up and down direction', 'z optical axis direction', etc.

[0029] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] 1 and 2 are perspective views of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of a partial configuration of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a partial configuration of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a partial configuration of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a partial configuration of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an assembly process for a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] 1 to 11, a camera module 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first housing 100, a second housing 200, a lens module 300, a first elastic member 400, a substrate 500, an image sensor 510, a shield can 600, a cable 700, an adhesive member 800, and a second elastic member 900, but may be implemented without some of these components, and additional components are not excluded.

[0032] The camera module 10 may include a first housing 100. The first housing 100 may form the exterior of the camera module 10. The first housing 100 may be coupled to a second housing 200. The first housing 100 may be disposed on one side of the second housing 200. The first housing 100 may be formed in a hexahedron shape with an open bottom. The first housing 100 may be coupled to the second housing 200 by an adhesive member 800. A lens module 300 and a first elastic member 400 may be disposed in the first housing 100. The width of the bottom surfaces 110 and 130 of the first housing 200 may be greater than the width of the top surface of the second housing 200.

[0033] The first housing 200 may have a groove 120 formed therein. The groove 120 may be formed on the lower surfaces 110 and 130 of the first housing 200. The groove 120 may be formed to be recessed upward on the lower surfaces 110 and 130 of the first housing 200. The groove 120 may face a space formed between a protrusion 220 or a plurality of protrusions of the second housing 200 and a side surface of the substrate 500. The groove 120 may face the protrusion 220. An adhesive member 800 may be interposed in the groove 120.

[0034] The lower surfaces 110, 130 of the first housing 200 may include a first surface 110 disposed outside the groove 120 and a second surface 130 disposed inside the groove 120. The first surface 110 and the second surface 130 may be disposed on the same plane. An adhesive member 800 may be interposed between the first surface 110 and the second surface 130. The width of the first surface 110 may be greater than the width of the upper surface of the second housing 200.

[0035] The camera module 10 may include a second housing 200. The second housing 200 may form the exterior of the camera module 10. The second housing 200 may be coupled to the first housing 100. The second housing 200 may be disposed on the other side of the first housing 100. The second housing 200 may be formed in a hexahedron shape with an open top. The second housing 200 may be coupled to the first housing 100 by an adhesive member 800. The second housing 200 may include a substrate 500, an image sensor 510, a shield can 600, a cable 700, and a second elastic member 900.

[0036] The second housing 200 may include a stepped portion 210. The stepped portion 210 may be formed to be recessed downward from an upper surface of the second housing 200. The stepped portion 210 may be formed to be recessed outward from an inner surface of the second housing 200. The stepped portion 210 may face the lower surface of the first housing 100. A substrate 500 may be disposed on the stepped portion 210. In one embodiment of the present invention, the inner surface of the second housing 200 refers to the inner surface of the second housing 200 formed on an upper portion of the stepped portion 210, and does not refer to the inner surface of the second housing 200 formed below the stepped portion 210.

[0037] The second housing 200 may include a protrusion 220. The protrusion 220 may be formed on the stepped portion 210. Specifically, the protrusion 220 may be formed to protrude upward from the stepped portion 210. The protrusion 220 may be formed on an inner surface of the second housing 200. Specifically, the protrusion 220 may be formed to protrude inward from the inner surface of the second housing 200. The protrusion 220 may contact a side surface of the substrate 500. As a result, the protrusion 220 may guide the position of the substrate 500 placed on the stepped portion 210 of the second housing 200. Referring to FIG. 5 , the protrusion 220 may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the second housing 200. As a result, a space may be formed in which the substrate 500 can be seated on the stepped portion 210. Alternatively, the protrusion 220 may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the second housing 200. That is, an area exposed upward from the stepped portion 210 may be increased. This allows the area where the adhesive member 800 is interposed to be widened.

[0038] The protrusion portion 220 may include a plurality of protrusions. The plurality of protrusions may be spaced apart from one another. A space may be formed between the plurality of protrusions and the substrate 500. A space may be formed between the plurality of protrusions and a side surface of the substrate 500. An adhesive member 800 may be interposed in the space formed between the plurality of protrusions and a side surface of the substrate 500.

[0039] The second housing 200 may include a hole 230. The hole 230 may be formed in a lower plate of the second housing 200. The hole 230 may be penetrated by a cable 700. A second elastic member 700 may be disposed in a space between the hole 230 and the cable 700.

[0040] The camera module 10 may include a lens module 300. The lens module 300 may be disposed in the first housing 100. The lens module 300 may be disposed in the opening 140 of the first housing 100. The lens module 300 may be coupled to the first housing 100. The lens module 300 may be coupled to the first housing 100 by screws. A portion of the lens module 300 may be exposed from an upper side of the first housing 100. A first elastic member 400 may be disposed between the lens module 300 and the first housing 100. The lens module 300 may include at least one lens. The lens module 300 may face the image sensor 510.

[0041] The camera module 10 may include a first elastic member 400. The first elastic member 400 may be disposed between the lens module 300 and the first housing 100. The first elastic member 400 may be made of an elastic material. The first elastic member 400 may be formed in a circular band shape. The first elastic member 400 may be referred to as an O-ring. The first elastic member 400 may remove a separation space disposed between the lens module 300 and the first housing 100 to seal the interior of the camera module 10.

[0042] The camera module 10 may include a substrate 500. The substrate 500 may be disposed in an internal space between the first housing 100 and the second housing 200. The substrate 500 may be disposed in the second housing 200. The substrate 500 may be disposed in the stepped portion 210. The substrate 500 may be in contact with the protrusion 220. A side surface of the substrate 500 may be in contact with the protrusion 220. A space may be formed between the substrate 500 and the plurality of protrusions. An adhesive member 800 may be interposed in the space formed between the substrate 500 and the plurality of protrusions. The substrate 500 may be electrically connected to the image sensor 510. The substrate 500 may be electrically connected to the cable 700. A shield can 600 may be disposed on the substrate 500. The substrate 500 may include a plurality of substrates. The plurality of substrates may be spaced apart in the vertical direction. The shield can 600 may be disposed between the plurality of substrates.

[0043] The camera module 10 may include an image sensor 510. The image sensor 510 may be disposed on a substrate 500. The image sensor 510 may be disposed on an upper surface of the substrate 500. The substrate 500 may be electrically connected to the substrate 500. The image sensor 510 may face the lens module 300. The image sensor 500 may form an image through light passing through the lens module 300.

[0044] The camera module 10 may include a shield can 600. The shield can 600 may be disposed on the substrate 500. The shield can 600 may be disposed between multiple substrates. The shield can 600 may be made of metal. The shield can 600 may be used for conducting electricity or grounding the substrate 500.

[0045] The camera module 10 may include a cable 700. The cable 700 may be disposed in the second housing 200. The cable 700 may pass through a hole 230 in the second housing 200. The cable 700 may be coupled to the board 500. The cable 700 may be coupled to a lower surface of the board 500. The cable 700 may be electrically connected to the board 500. The cable 700 may supply external power to the board 500. A second elastic member 900 may be disposed between the cable 700 and the hole 230 in the second housing 200.

[0046] The camera module 10 may include an adhesive member 800. The adhesive member 800 may be interposed between the first housing 100 and the second housing 200. The adhesive member 800 may be disposed between the first surface 110, the second surface 130, and the groove 120 of the first housing 100, the upper surface of the second housing 200, the protrusion 220 of the second housing 200, and the stepped portion 210 of the second housing 200. The adhesive member 800 may be disposed in a space formed between the plurality of protrusions of the second housing 200 and a side surface of the substrate 500. Thus, the adhesive member 800 may fix the substrate 500 to the second housing 200.

[0047] The adhesive member 800 may include an adhesive such as epoxy. Referring to Fig. 11, the adhesive member 800 may be disposed between the first housing 100 and the second housing 200 and hardened after an alignment process of the optical axes of the lens module 300 and the image sensor 510. This reduces the number of product assembly processes.

[0048] The camera module 10 may include a second elastic member 900. The second elastic member 900 may be disposed between the cable 700 and the second housing 200. Specifically, the second elastic member 900 may be disposed between the cable 700 and the hole 230 of the second housing 200. The second elastic member 900 may be formed in a circular band shape. The second elastic member 900 may be referred to as a cable seal. The second elastic member 900 may remove a separation space formed between the second housing 200 and the cable 700 to seal the interior of the camera module 10.

[0049] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all respects and not limiting.

Claims

1. A first housing; a lens module disposed in the first housing; a second housing coupled to the first housing; a substrate disposed in an internal space between the first housing and the second housing; an image sensor disposed on the substrate; an adhesive member disposed between the first housing and the second housing; The second housing includes a stepped portion on which the substrate is disposed, and a protrusion formed on an inner surface of the second housing and in contact with a side surface of the substrate.

2. The camera module of claim 1 , wherein the protrusion portion includes a plurality of protrusions.

3. A separation space is formed between the plurality of protrusions and the substrate, The camera module of claim 2 , wherein the adhesive member is disposed in the separation space.

4. the first housing includes a groove formed in a lower surface thereof; The camera module according to claim 3 , wherein the groove faces the separation space.

5. The camera module according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is disposed on the step portion.

6. the first housing includes a groove formed in a lower surface thereof; The camera module according to claim 1 , wherein the groove faces the protrusion.

7. a lower surface of the first housing including a first surface disposed on an outer side of the groove and a second surface disposed on an inner side of the groove; The camera module according to claim 6 , wherein the first surface and the second surface are disposed on the same plane.

8. 8. The camera module according to claim 7, wherein the adhesive member is arranged between the first surface of the first housing, the second surface of the first housing, the groove of the first housing, the top surface of the second housing, the protrusion of the second housing, and the step portion of the second housing.

9. A first housing; a lens module disposed in the first housing; a second housing coupled to the first housing; a substrate disposed in an internal space between the first housing and the second housing; an image sensor disposed on the substrate; an adhesive member disposed between the first housing and the second housing; The adhesive member is disposed between an inner surface of the second housing and a side surface of the substrate.

Images