Imaging lens and camera module

Abstract

To provide an imaging lens and a camera module in which a polymer lens is easily reused.SOLUTION: The imaging lens includes: a polymer lens; a lens for forming an image together with the polymer lens; a holder having a hole formed to allow insertion and removal of the polymer lens; and a presser for pressing the polymer lens with elastic force and fixing the polymer lens in the hole.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an imaging lens and a camera module. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a camera module. In this camera module, a lens and a guide holder disposed in a lens unit are integrally formed. An electronic circuit pattern is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the guide holder. An actuator is mounted on the upper surface of the guide holder. The terminal portion of the actuator is conductively connected to the electronic circuit pattern via conductive epoxy or the like. The variable lens of the actuator is composed of a piezoelectric polymer lens (see

[0035] ,

[0055] ,

[0056] ,

[0057] ,

[0075] ,

[0077] and [Figure 6]). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0029120 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the camera module disclosed in Patent Document 1, if the lens unit is found to be defective after assembly, it is difficult to reuse the expensive piezoelectric polymer lens.

[0005] In view of this problem, an aspect of the present disclosure has been made. An object of an aspect of the present disclosure is to provide, for example, an imaging lens and a camera module that allow easy reuse of a polymer lens. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The imaging lens of the first aspect of the present disclosure comprises a polymer lens, a lens that forms an image together with the polymer lens, a holder having a hole into which the polymer lens can be inserted and removed, and a press that holds the polymer lens with elastic force to fix the polymer lens in the hole.

[0007] A camera module according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes the imaging lens according to the first aspect of the present disclosure and an imaging element that captures the image. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a camera module according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a camera module according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a camera module according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view schematically illustrating a polymer lens, a holder, and a presser provided in the camera module of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 2 is an enlarged top view schematically illustrating a polymer lens, a holder, and a presser provided in the camera module of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cross section of the polymer lens, holder, and presser provided in the camera module of the first embodiment, taken along the cutting line AA in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a polymer lens, a holder, and a presser provided in a camera module according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a top view schematically illustrating a polymer lens, a holder, and a presser provided in the camera module of the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cross section of a polymer lens, a holder, and a presser provided in a camera module of a second embodiment, taken along a cutting line BB illustrated in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a top view schematically illustrating a polymer lens, a holder, and a presser provided in the camera module of the third embodiment. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cross section of a polymer lens, a holder, and a presser provided in a camera module of a third embodiment, taken along a cutting line CC illustrated in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a bottom view schematically illustrating a polymer lens provided in the camera module of the third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a top view schematically illustrating a holder and a presser provided in the camera module of the third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a camera module according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a top view schematically illustrating a polymer lens, a holder, and a presser provided in a camera module according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0010] 1. First embodiment 1.1 Camera module Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a camera module according to a first embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the camera module according to the first embodiment.

[0011] The camera module 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 focuses incident light to form an image, captures the formed image, and outputs an image signal corresponding to the captured image.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the camera module 1 includes an imaging lens 11 and an imaging element 12.

[0013] The imaging lens 11 collects incident light and forms an image.

[0014] The image sensor 12 captures the formed image and outputs an image signal corresponding to the captured image.

[0015] 1.2 Imaging lens As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the imaging lens 11 includes lenses 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26, an infrared cut filter 27, a top cover 28, a holder 29, and a barrel 30.

[0016] The lenses 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26, the infrared cut filter 27, and the image sensor 12 are arranged along the optical axis of the imaging lens 11, and are arranged in the order listed from the object side to the image side.

[0017] The lenses 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 transmit incident light and focus the incident light on the imaging element 12. As a result, the lenses 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 form an image on the imaging element 12. The imaging lens 11 may include lenses other than the lenses 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26.

[0018] The infrared cut filter 27 is disposed between the lens 26 and the imaging element 12. The infrared cut filter 27 transmits light that has passed through the lenses 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26. The infrared cut filter 27 cuts out infrared rays from the light that is transmitted through it.

[0019] The top cover 28 is placed on the holder 29. The top cover 28 covers the holder 29. The top cover 28 houses the lens 21.

[0020] The holder 29 is disposed on the barrel 30. The holder 29 holds the lens 22. The holder 29 has a plate-like shape. A hole 29a is formed in the holder 29. The hole 29a accommodates the lens 22.

[0021] The barrel 30 holds the lenses 23, 24, 25, and 26 and the infrared cut filter 27. The barrel 30 has a cylindrical shape. Therefore, a hole 30a is formed in the barrel 30. The hole 30a accommodates the lenses 23, 24, 25, and 26 and the infrared cut filter 27.

[0022] The lens 22 is a polymer lens with an adjustable focal length. The polymer lens 22 has a shape corresponding to an input signal and a focal length corresponding to the input signal. As a result, by adjusting the signal input to the polymer lens 22, the polymer lens 22 can be deformed, and the focal length of the polymer lens 22 can be adjusted. As a result, by adjusting the signal input to the polymer lens 22, the focal position of the imaging lens 11 can be adjusted.

[0023] The lenses 21, 23, 24, 25 and 26 are plastic lenses with fixed focal lengths, but the lenses 21, 23, 24, 25 and 26 may also be glass lenses.

[0024] 1.3 Socket Structure The yield of imaging lenses including multiple lenses is low. Whether an imaging lens incorporating a polymer lens is a good product or a defective product can only be determined after the imaging lens is assembled. Therefore, if the polymer lens cannot be easily removed from the imaging lens after assembly, the polymer lens incorporated in the imaging lens determined to be defective cannot be reused. As a result, the expensive polymer lens must be discarded. This increases the cost of imaging lenses.

[0025] In view of this problem, the imaging lens 11 employs a socket structure that allows the polymer lens 22 to be easily removed from the holder 29. The socket structure will be described below.

[0026] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view that schematically illustrates the camera module of the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a top view that schematically illustrates the polymer lens, holder, and presser provided in the camera module of the first embodiment. Fig. 5 is an enlarged top view that schematically illustrates the polymer lens, holder, and presser provided in the camera module of the first embodiment. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view that schematically illustrates the cross section of the polymer lens, holder, and presser provided in the camera module of the first embodiment, taken along the cutting line AA in Fig. 4.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the imaging lens 11 includes the above-mentioned polymer lens 22 and holder 29, and also includes pressers 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, and .

[0028] The polymer lens 22 has a rectangular planar shape when viewed in a planar view from the optical axis direction. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the polymer lens 22 has surfaces 22c and 22d and side surfaces 22p, 22q, 22r, and 22s. The hole 29a of the holder 29 has a rectangular planar shape when viewed in a planar view from the optical axis direction. Therefore, the holder 29 has surfaces 29c and 29d, an inner bottom surface 29n facing the hole 29a, and inner side surfaces 29p, 29q, 29r, and 29s. The hole 29a has a planar shape slightly larger than the planar shape of the polymer lens 22 and a thickness slightly larger than the thickness of the polymer lens 22. This allows the polymer lens 22 to be inserted into and removed from the hole 29a. The hole 29a accommodates the polymer lens 22. When the hole 29a accommodates the polymer lens 22, the surface 22d and the side surfaces 22p, 22q, 22r, and 22s of the polymer lens 22 face the inner bottom surface 29n and the inner surfaces 29p, 29q, 29r, and 29s of the holder 29, respectively. The surface 22d contacts the inner bottom surface 29n. A gap 51p is formed between the side surface 22p and the inner surface 29p. A gap 51q is formed between the side surface 22q and the inner surface 29q. A gap 51r is formed between the side surface 22r and the inner surface 29r. A gap 51s is formed between the side surface 22s and the inner surface 29s of the holder 29. This allows the polymer lens 22 to deform inside the hole 29a. When the polymer lens 22 deforms, the areas near the centers of the sides of the rectangular planar shape deform significantly, while the areas near the vertices of the rectangular planar shape do not deform significantly. The polymer lens 22 may have a planar shape other than a rectangular shape, and the hole 29a may have a planar shape other than a rectangular shape.

[0029] Presses 41 and 42 are disposed in the gap 51p and abut against the side surface 22p of the polymer lens 22 and the inner surface 29p of the holder 29. Presses 43 and 44 are disposed in the gap 51q and abut against the side surface 22q of the polymer lens 22 and the inner surface 29q of the holder 29. Presses 45 and 46 are disposed in the gap 51r and abut against the side surface 22r of the polymer lens 22 and the inner surface 29r of the holder 29. Presses 47 and 48 are disposed in the gap 51s and abut against the side surface 22s of the polymer lens 22 and the inner surface 29s of the holder 29. As a result, presses 41 and 42 are compressed in a direction perpendicular to the side surface 22p and the inner surface 29p. Presses 43 and 44 are compressed in a direction perpendicular to the side surface 22q and the inner surface 29q. Presses 45 and 46 are compressed in a direction perpendicular to the side surface 22r and the inner surface 29r. The pressers 47 and 48 are compressed in a direction perpendicular to the side surface 22s and the inner surface 29s. When compressed, each presser 40 included in the pressers 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, and 48 rebounds and generates an elastic force. As a result, the pressers 41 and 42 press the holder 29 with an elastic force in a direction Dp perpendicular to the side surface 22p and the inner surface 29p. The pressers 43 and 44 press the holder 29 with an elastic force in a direction Dq perpendicular to the side surface 22q and the inner surface 29q. The pressers 45 and 46 press the holder 29 with an elastic force in a direction Dr perpendicular to the side surface 22r and the inner surface 29r. The pressers 47 and 48 press the holder 29 with an elastic force in a direction Ds perpendicular to the side surface 22s and the inner surface 29s of the holder 29. As a result, the pressers 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, and 48 fix the polymer lens 22 in the hole 29a of the holder 29. This makes it easier to remove the polymer lens 22 from the hole 29a than when the polymer lens 22 is fixed in the hole 29a by a cured resin or the like, and makes it easier to reuse the polymer lens 22.

[0030] The polymer lens 22 has a rectangular planar shape when viewed from the optical axis direction. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the polymer lens 22 has corners 61, 62, 63, and 64 that are located along the vertices of the rectangular planar shape. Even when the polymer lens 22 deforms, the corners 61, 62, 63, and 64 do not deform significantly. The retainers 41 and 45 abut against the corner 61 and elastically press it down. The retainers 42 and 47 abut against the corner 62 and elastically press it down. The retainers 43 and 46 abut against the corner 63 and elastically press it down. The retainers 44 and 48 abut against the corner 64 and elastically press it down. This prevents the retainers 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, and 48 from hindering the deformation of the polymer lens 22. A corner along a vertex is an area whose distance from the vertex is equal to or less than 1 / 4 of the length of the side that intersects with the vertex.

[0031] The directions Dp, Dq, Dr, and Ds are perpendicular to the depth direction of the hole 29a of the holder 29. As a result, the directions Dp, Dq, Dr, and Ds are perpendicular to the direction in which the polymer lens 22 moves when the polymer lens 22 is removed from the hole 29a. This makes it possible to prevent the removal of the polymer lens 22 from the hole 29a from being hindered by elastic force.

[0032] Each presser 40 is a curved plate. Therefore, each presser 40 has a convexly curved surface 40a. The surfaces 40a of presser 41 and 42 abut against the side surface 22p of the polymer lens 22. The surfaces 40a of presser 43 and 44 abut against the side surface 22q of the polymer lens 22. The surfaces 40a of presser 45 and 46 abut against the side surface 22r of the polymer lens 22. The surfaces 40a of presser 47 and 48 abut against the side surface 22s of the polymer lens 22. Each presser 40 has an abutment portion 71. The abutment portions 71 of presser 41 and 42 abut against the inner surface 29p of the holder 29. The abutment portions 71 of presser 43 and 44 abut against the inner surface 29q of the holder 29. The abutment portions 71 of presser 45 and 46 abut against the inner surface 29r of the holder 29. The contact portions 71 of the pressers 47 and 48 come into contact with the inner surface 29 s of the holder 29 .

[0033] Each presser foot 40 has a cylindrical shape with a slit formed therein. Grooves 81 and 82 are formed in the inner surface 29p of the holder 29. Grooves 83 and 84 are formed in the inner surface 29q of the holder 29. Grooves 85 and 86 are formed in the inner surface 29r of the holder 29. Grooves 87 and 88 are formed in the inner surface 29s of the holder 29. Each of the grooves 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, and 88 has a semi-cylindrical shape. Portions of the presser feet 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, and 48 are disposed within the grooves 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, and 88, respectively. The cylindrical axes of the pressers 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, and 48 coincide with the cylindrical axes of the grooves 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, and 88. The cylindrical axes and the cylindrical axes are parallel to the depth direction of the hole 29a of the holder 29.

[0034] 1.4 Electrical Connection to Polymer Lenses 3 to 6, the holder 29 has first electrodes 91 and 92 on a surface 29c of the holder 29. The polymer lens 22 has second electrodes 101 and 102 on a surface 22c of the polymer lens 22. The surfaces 29c and 22c face in the same direction.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the imaging lens 11 includes wires 111 and 112 .

[0036] One end of the wire 111 is connected to the first electrode 91. The other end of the wire 111 is connected to the second electrode 101. One end of the wire 112 is connected to the first electrode 92. The other end of the wire 112 is connected to the second electrode 102. The wires 111 and 112 are made of conductors. As a result, the second electrodes 101 and 102 are electrically connected to the first electrodes 91 and 92 via the wires 111 and 112, respectively. As a result, a signal is transmitted from the holder 29 to the polymer lens 22. The polymer lens 22 has a focal length that corresponds to the transmitted signal.

[0037] 1.5 Reusing polymer lenses If the imaging lens 11 is determined to be defective after assembly, the wires 111 and 112 are cut, and the polymer lens 22 is removed from the hole 29a of the holder 29. The removed polymer lens 22 is reused for assembling another imaging lens 11. This eliminates the need to discard the polymer lens 22 when the imaging lens 11 is determined to be defective, and allows the polymer lens 22 to be reused. This allows the cost of the imaging lens 11 to be reduced.

[0038] 2. Second embodiment The following describes the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment. For points that are not described, the second embodiment also employs the same configuration as that employed in the first embodiment.

[0039] Fig. 7 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a polymer lens, a holder, and a presser provided in a camera module of the second embodiment. Fig. 8 is a top view schematically illustrating a polymer lens, a holder, and a presser provided in a camera module of the second embodiment. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cross section of the polymer lens, a holder, and a presser provided in a camera module of the second embodiment, taken along the cutting line BB in Fig. 8.

[0040] In the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 , the surface 29c of the holder 29 has an outer edge surface 29x that is located on the outer edge of the hole 29a of the holder 29. Furthermore, the abutment portion 71 of each presser foot 40 has a first abutment point 121 and a second abutment point 122. The first abutment points 121 of the presser feet 41 and 42 abut against the inner surface 29p of the holder 29. The first abutment points 121 of the presser feet 43 and 44 abut against the inner surface 29q of the holder 29. The first abutment points 121 of the presser feet 45 and 46 abut against the inner surface 29r of the holder 29. The first abutment points 121 of the presser feet 47 and 48 abut against the inner surface 29s of the holder 29. The second abutment points 122 abut against the outer edge surface 29x. The portion of each presser 40 that contacts the holder 29 faces in a direction that is inclined from a direction perpendicular to the depth direction of the hole 29a toward the inner bottom surface 29n of the holder 29. As a result, the directions Dp, Dq, Dr, and Ds are inclined from a direction perpendicular to the depth direction of the hole 29a of the holder 29 toward the inner bottom surface 29n of the holder 29. This makes it possible to prevent the polymer lens 22 from jumping out of the hole 29a.

[0041] 3 Third embodiment The following describes the differences between the third embodiment and the second embodiment. For points that are not described, the third embodiment also employs the same configuration as that employed in the second embodiment.

[0042] Fig. 10 is a top view schematically illustrating a polymer lens, a holder, and a presser foot provided in a camera module of the third embodiment. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cross section of the polymer lens, a holder, and a presser foot provided in a camera module of the third embodiment, taken along the cutting line CC depicted in Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a bottom view schematically illustrating a polymer lens provided in a camera module of the third embodiment. Fig. 13 is a top view schematically illustrating a holder and a presser foot provided in a camera module of the third embodiment.

[0043] In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11 , the surface 22d of the polymer lens 22 is the surface facing the inner bottom surface 29n of the holder 29. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13 , the holder 29 has first electrodes 91 and 92 on the inner bottom surface 29n. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , the polymer lens 22 has second electrodes 101 and 102 on the surface 22d. The second electrodes 101 and 102 contact the first electrodes 91 and 92, respectively. As a result, the second electrodes 101 and 102 are directly electrically connected to the first electrodes 91 and 92, respectively. This allows a signal to be transmitted from the holder 29 to the polymer lens 22. The polymer lens 22 has a focal length corresponding to the transmitted signal. This eliminates the need to cut wires when the polymer lens 22 is removed from the hole 29a of the holder 29.

[0044] 4 Fourth embodiment The following describes the differences between the fourth embodiment and the first embodiment. For points that are not described, the fourth embodiment also employs the same configuration as that employed in the first embodiment.

[0045] FIG. 14 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a camera module according to the fourth embodiment.

[0046] 14 , the imaging lens 1 of the fourth embodiment includes a holder 131 that is an integrated member of the holder 29 and the barrel 30, instead of the holder 29 and the barrel 30 that are included in the camera module 1 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the holder 131 holds the lenses 23, 24, and 25 in addition to the polymer lens 22.

[0047] 5 Fifth embodiment The following describes the differences between the fifth embodiment and the first embodiment. For points that are not described, the fifth embodiment also employs the same configuration as that employed in the first embodiment.

[0048] FIG. 15 is a top view schematically illustrating a polymer lens, a holder, and a presser provided in the camera module of the fifth embodiment.

[0049] In the fifth embodiment, as shown in Fig. 15, the presser foot 45 is made of a conductor and is in contact with the first electrode 91 and the second electrode 101. The presser foot 46 is made of a conductor and is in contact with the first electrode 92 and the second electrode 102. As a result, the second electrode 101 and the second electrode 102 are electrically connected to the first electrode 91 and the first electrode 92 via the presser foot 45 and 46, respectively. As a result, a signal is transmitted from the holder 29 to the polymer lens 22. The polymer lens 22 has a focal length that corresponds to the transmitted signal.

[0050] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be replaced with a configuration that is substantially the same as the configuration shown in the above-described embodiments, a configuration that has the same effect, or a configuration that can achieve the same purpose. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1 camera module, 11 imaging lens, 12 imaging element, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 lens, 22c, 22d surface, 22p, 22q, 22r, 22s side, 27 infrared cut filter, 28 top cover, 29 holder, 29a hole, 29c, 29d surface, 29n inner bottom surface, 29p, 29q, 29r, 29s inner surface, 29x outer edge surface, 30 barrel, 30a hole, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 retainer, 40a surface, 51p, 51q, 51r, 51s gap, 61, 62, 63, 64 corner portion, 71 abutment portion, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88 Groove, 91, 92 first electrode, 101 second electrode, 102 second electrode, 111, 112 wire, 121 first contact point, 122 second contact point, 131 holder, Dp, Dq, Dr, Ds directions.

Claims

1. A polymer lens, a lens that forms an image together with the polymer lens; a holder having a hole into which the polymer lens can be inserted and removed; a presser that holds the polymer lens with an elastic force to fix the polymer lens in the hole; An imaging lens comprising:

2. the polymer lens has a rectangular planar shape, the polymer lens has corner portions along vertices of the rectangular planar shape, The presser presses the corner portion with the elastic force. The imaging lens according to claim 1 .

3. The presser presses the polymer lens with the elastic force in a direction perpendicular to the depth direction of the hole. The imaging lens according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the holder has an inner bottom surface facing the hole; The presser presses the polymer lens with the elastic force in a direction inclined toward the inner bottom surface from a direction perpendicular to the depth direction of the hole. The imaging lens according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the holder has an inner bottom surface facing the hole, and a first electrode is provided on the inner bottom surface; The polymer lens has an opposing surface facing the inner bottom surface, and is provided with a second electrode on the opposing surface in contact with the first electrode. The imaging lens according to claim 1 or 2.

6. the holder includes a first electrode; the polymer lens comprises a second electrode; The presser is in contact with the first electrode and the second electrode and is made of a conductor. The imaging lens according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The holder holds the lens. The imaging lens according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The presser is a curved plate, The curved plate has a convexly curved surface that abuts against the polymer lens, and includes an abutment portion that abuts against the holder. The imaging lens according to claim 1 or 2.

9. the holder has an inner surface facing the hole; The abutting portion abuts against the inner surface. The imaging lens according to claim 8 .

10. the holder has an inner surface facing the hole and an outer peripheral surface at the outer edge of the hole; The contact portion has a first contact point that contacts the inner surface and a second contact point that contacts the outer edge surface. The imaging lens according to claim 8 .

11. The imaging lens according to claim 1 or 2; an imaging element for capturing the image; A camera module comprising:

Images