Camera module

Abstract

The camera module includes a lens holder; a front housing coupled to the lens holder; a rear housing coupled to the front housing; a substrate disposed within the rear housing; and a coupling portion disposed between the front housing and the rear housing, wherein the front housing includes a first body and a first extension projecting from the first body toward the rear housing, and the rear housing includes a second body and a second extension projecting from the second body toward the front housing, and the first region of the coupling portion is disposed between the first body and the second extension, and the first body and the second extension are disposed spaced apart from each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This embodiment relates to a camera module.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, ultra-small camera modules have been developed and are widely used in small electronic products such as smartphones, notebooks, and game machines.

[0003] With the popularization of automobiles, ultra-small cameras are not only used in small electronic products but also widely used in vehicles. For example, a black box camera for vehicle protection or objective materials for traffic accidents, a rear monitoring camera that enables a driver to monitor a blind spot area at the rear of the vehicle through a screen to ensure safety when the vehicle is reversing, a peripheral sensing camera that can monitor the periphery of the vehicle, etc. are provided.

[0004] A camera can include a lens, a lens holder that houses the lens, an image sensor that converts an image of a subject collected by the lens into an electrical signal, and a printed circuit board on which the image sensor is mounted. The housing that constitutes the outer shape of the camera is configured with a structure in which the entire area is sealed in order to prevent internal components from being contaminated by foreign substances containing moisture.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of this embodiment is to provide a camera module that can easily perform the coupling between a plurality of housings and prevent heat from being transferred to the space inside the housing during the assembly process.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The camera module according to this embodiment includes a lens holder; a front housing coupled to the lens holder; a rear housing coupled to the front housing; a substrate disposed within the rear housing; and a coupling portion disposed between the front housing and the rear housing, wherein the front housing includes a first body and a first extension protruding from the first body toward the rear housing, and the rear housing includes a second body and a second extension protruding from the second body toward the front housing, and the first region of the coupling portion is disposed between the first body and the second extension, and the first body and the second extension are disposed spaced apart from each other.

[0007] The connecting portion may be connected to the first region and may include a second region that covers one region of the first body and the second body.

[0008] With respect to the optical axis direction, the length of the second region can be greater than the length of the first region.

[0009] With respect to a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the length of the first region can be 0.3 to 0.5 times the length of the second extension.

[0010] The thickness of the first region can be 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm.

[0011] The outer surface of the first extension and the inner surface of the second extension can be arranged to be spaced apart from each other.

[0012] The side surface of the substrate and the inner surface of the second extension can be arranged at a distance from each other.

[0013] The rear housing can be formed by a forging process.

[0014] An air gap can be formed inside by the first body, the second body, the first extension, the substrate, the second extension, and the connecting part.

[0015] The air gap may include a first air gap formed between the lower surface of the first body and the second extension, a second air gap formed between the outer surface of the first extension and the inner surface of the second extension, and a third air gap formed between the side surface of the substrate and the inner surface of the second extension. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] In this embodiment, the front housing and rear housing are joined by welding, eliminating the need for screws for fastening between the front and rear housings and sealing members for waterproofing. This reduces the manufacturing cost and simplifies the process by eliminating the screw joining step.

[0017] Furthermore, the air gap has the advantage of preventing heat generated during the joining process between the front and rear housings from being transferred to the circuit board. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged view of A in Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0020] However, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited to some of the described embodiments, and can be implemented in various different forms. As long as it is within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, one or more of the components among the embodiments can be selectively combined or replaced and used.

[0021] In addition, the terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention should be interpreted in the meaning generally understood by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, unless they are clearly and specifically defined and described. For commonly used terms such as those defined in a dictionary, the meaning should be interpreted considering the meaning in the context described in the present invention.

[0022] Also, the terms used in this embodiment are for the purpose of explaining the embodiment and do not limit the present invention.

[0023] In this specification, the singular form can also include the plural form unless specifically stated otherwise in the text. When described as "at least one (or one or more) of A, B, and C", it can include one or more of all combinations that can be combined with A, B, and C.

[0024] In addition, when explaining the components of this embodiment, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. can be used. Such terms are for distinguishing the component from other components and are not limited by the essence, order, or sequence of the corresponding component by such terms.

[0025] Also, when a component is described as "connected", "coupled", or "joined" to another component, that component can include not only the case where it is directly "connected", "coupled", or "joined" to the other component, but also the case where it is "connected", "coupled", or "joined" by another component between that component and the other component.

[0026] Furthermore, when described as being formed or positioned "above" or "below" each component, "above" or "below" includes not only cases where two components are in direct contact with each other, but also cases where one or more other components are formed or positioned between the two components. Also, when expressed as "above" or "below," it can include not only an upward direction but also a downward direction relative to one component.

[0027] In the following, "optical axis direction" is defined as the optical axis direction of the lens. On the other hand, "optical axis direction" can correspond to "vertical direction," "x-axis direction," etc.

[0028] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0029] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Referring to Figure 5, a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a body 2, doors 3, glass 4, headlights 5, taillights 6, and a camera module 10.

[0031] The body 2 can be an exterior component of the vehicle 1. The body 2 can have various forms, such as a frame type or a monocoque type. One or more doors 3 can be attached to the sides of the body 2. Glass 4 can be attached to the front and rear of the upper part of the body 2 (the part where the filler is formed) and to the doors 3. The headlamp 5 can be mounted on the front of the lower part of the body 2. The taillamp 6 can be mounted on the rear of the lower part of the body 2.

[0032] A camera module 10 can be installed on the side of the body 2 or on one or more of the doors 3 located towards the front. The camera module 10 can be installed in front of the glass 4 connected to the door 3. In other words, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the side mirror can be replaced with the camera module 10.

[0033] The camera module 10 can capture images of the rear on both sides of the vehicle. The images captured by the camera module 10 can be electrically connected to a display unit (not shown) via an electronic control unit (ECU) or the like. Therefore, the images captured by the camera module 10 can be controlled by the electronic control unit (ECU) and played back on the display unit.

[0034] An interior space for the driver can be formed inside the body 2. A display unit can be installed inside the body 2. The display unit can output video captured by the camera module 10. The display unit can be installed on the dashboard (not shown) inside the body 2.

[0035] The aforementioned installation configuration of the camera module 10 within the vehicle 1 is illustrative, and the camera module 10 can be used in one or more of the vehicle 1's front camera, side camera, rear camera, and black box.

[0036] The camera module according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0037] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4 is an enlarged view of A in Figure 3.

[0038] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the camera module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a front housing 100, a rear housing 200, a lens holder 300, a substrate 400, and a coupling portion 500.

[0039] The front housing 100 can form the outer shape of the camera module 10 by being coupled with the rear housing 200. The front housing 100 may be named the first body. With respect to the direction of incident light, the front housing 100 can be positioned in front of the rear housing 200. The front housing 100 may include a first main body 110.

[0040] The first body 110 may include an upper plate 112 that forms the upper surface of the front housing 100, and a first side plate 114 that extends downward from the end of the upper plate 112 and forms the side surface of the front housing 100. The first body 110 may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape. An internal space may be formed within the first body 110, which is separated from other areas by the lower surface of the upper plate 112 and the inner surface of the first side plate 114.

[0041] A barrel portion 140 can be formed on the first body 110, protruding upward from other areas, and to which the lens holder 300 is coupled. The barrel portion 140 may have a circular cross-section. A hollow 142 can be formed inside the barrel portion 140 so as to which at least a part of the lens holder 300 is coupled. The hollow 142 can communicate with the internal space of the first body 110.

[0042] A first extension portion 130 can be formed on the lower surface of the first main body 110, having a shape that protrudes downward from other areas. The first extension portion 130 can protrude from the first side plate 114 of the first main body 110 toward the rear housing 200. The lower surface of the first extension portion 130 can contact the upper surface of the substrate 400. The lower surface of the first extension portion 130 can be positioned below the lower surface of the first side plate 114.

[0043] The front housing 100 can be made of a metal material. For example, the material of the front housing 100 can be aluminum. The front housing 100 can be formed by a forging process.

[0044] The rear housing 200 can form the outer shape of the camera module 10 by being coupled with the front housing 100. The rear housing 200 may be named the second body. With respect to the direction of incident light, the rear housing 200 can be positioned behind the front housing 100. The rear housing 200 may include a second main body 210.

[0045] The second body 210 may include a lower plate 212 that forms the lower surface of the rear housing 200, and a second side plate 214 that extends upward from the end of the lower plate 212 and forms the side surface of the rear housing 200. The second body 210 may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the first body 110. Within the second body 210, a space 202 may be formed, which is separated from other areas by the upper surface of the lower plate 212 and the inner surface of the second side plate 214. When the front housing 100 and the rear housing 200 are joined, the outer surfaces of the first side plate 114 and the second side plate 214 may be arranged to form the same plane.

[0046] A connector lead-out portion 250 can be positioned at the lower part of the second main body 210, having a shape that protrudes downward from other areas. Inside the connector lead-out portion 250, a space can be formed to which a connector 490, described later, can be connected. An external terminal can be connected to the connector lead-out portion 250, and by connecting the external terminal to the connector 490, power can be supplied to the camera module 10, and electrical signals related to driving can be transmitted and received.

[0047] A second extension portion 230 (see Figure 4) can be formed on the upper surface of the second body 210, having a shape that protrudes upward from other areas. The second extension portion 230 can protrude on the second body 210 in a direction toward the front housing 100. The second extension portion 230 can have a shape that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the second side plate 214. The second extension portion 230 can be positioned such that its upper surface faces the lower surface of the first body 110 in the direction of the optical axis. The upper surface of the second extension portion 230 can be separated from the lower surface of the first body 110 by a predetermined distance in the direction of the optical axis. The second extension portion 230 can be positioned outside the first extension portion 130. The outer surface of the first extension portion 130 and the inner surface of the second extension portion 230 can be separated from each other in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The side surface of the substrate 400 and the inner surface of the second extension portion 230 can also be positioned so as to be separated from each other in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0048] The optical axis length (H) from the upper surface of the substrate 400 to the upper surface of the second extension 230 can be 20% or more of the thickness of the substrate 400. For example, the optical axis length (H) from the upper surface of the substrate 400 to the upper surface of the second extension 230 can be 0.2 mm or more.

[0049] The rear housing 200 can be made of a metal material. For example, the material of the rear housing 200 can be aluminum. The rear housing 200 can be formed by a forging process.

[0050] The lens holder 300 can be coupled to the front housing 100. The lens holder 300 can be arranged such that at least a portion is coupled to the barrel portion 140 of the front housing 100, and the other portion protrudes above the barrel portion 140. The lens holder 300 may include a barrel and one or more lenses 310 housed within the barrel. The lenses 310 can be positioned to face the image sensor 410 of the substrate 400 in the optical axis direction. The lenses 310 can be optically aligned with the image sensor 410. Multiple lenses 310 can be provided and arranged along the optical axis.

[0051] A flange 330 can be formed on the outer surface of the lens holder 300, having a shape that protrudes outward from other areas. The area where the flange 330 is formed can have a larger cross-sectional area than other areas. When the lens holder 300 and the front housing 100 are connected, the flange 330 can be positioned on the barrel portion 140. A sealing member (not shown) can be placed between the flange 330 and the barrel portion 140 to prevent foreign matter from flowing into the space inside the camera module 10.

[0052] The substrate 400 can be placed in the space 202 within the rear housing 200. The substrate 400 can be a printed circuit board (PCB). The substrate 400 can be formed into a plate shape having a predetermined thickness with respect to the optical axis direction (X).

[0053] One or more electronic components for driving the camera module 10 can be arranged on the surface of the substrate 400. For example, an image sensor 410 can be arranged on the upper surface of the substrate 400, and the image sensor 410 can be positioned facing the lens 310 in the optical axis direction. A connector 490 can be mounted on the lower surface of the substrate 400 and can be electrically connected to external terminals through the connector 490.

[0054] The following describes the coupling structure between the front housing 100 and the rear housing 200.

[0055] In this embodiment, the camera module 10 can be joined by welding the front housing 100 and the rear housing 200. For example, the front housing 100 and the rear housing 200 can be joined by laser welding. The front housing 100 and the rear housing 200 can be joined together by welding the lower surface of the front housing 100 and the upper surface of the rear housing 200, which are arranged to face each other in the direction of the optical axis. This has the advantage of reducing the manufacturing cost because parts such as screws for fastening the front housing 100 and the rear housing 200, and sealing members for waterproofing, can be omitted.

[0056] More specifically, as shown in Figure 4, a joint 500 can be positioned between the front housing 100 and the rear housing 200. The joint 500 can be a region formed by welding between the front housing 100 and the rear housing 200. The joint 500 can be positioned between the first body 110 and the second body 210.

[0057] The connecting portion 500 may include a first region 510 disposed between the first main body 110 and the second extension 230, and a second region 520 connected to the first region 510 and covering one region of the first main body 110 and the second main body 210. The first region 510 may be arranged to overlap the first main body 110 and the second extension 230 in the optical axis direction. Between the lower surface of the first main body 110 and the upper surface of the second extension 230, a region in which the first region 510 is disposed and a region in which the first region 510 is not disposed can be formed. In this case, the lower surface of the first main body 110 and the upper surface of the second extension 230 can be separated from each other in the optical axis direction from the region in which the first region 510 is not disposed.

[0058] The second region 520 is positioned outside the first region 510 and can be positioned to cover the outer surfaces of the first body 110 and the second body 210. However, this is illustrative, and the second region 520 can also be positioned to cover only one of the outer surfaces of the first body 110 and the second body 210. With respect to a first direction (X) which is the optical axis direction, the length of the second region 520 can be formed to be longer than the length of the first region 510. With respect to a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the optical axis direction, the length of the first region 510 can be formed to be longer than the length of the second region 520. The thickness (t) of the first region 510, defined in the direction of the optical axis direction, can be 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm.

[0059] The length (L2) of the first region 510 in the second direction (Y) can be 0.3 or more and 0.5 or less of the length (L1) of the second extension 230 in the second direction.

[0060] On the other hand, the heat generated during the welding process between the front housing 100 and the rear housing 200 may be transferred to the internal space, in which case damage to the substrate 400 may occur.

[0061] To prevent this, the camera module 10 may have an air gap 600 that separates the side surface of the substrate 400 from the bonding area. In detail, the air gap 600 may include a first air gap 610 formed between the lower surface of the first body 110 and the upper surface of the second extension 230, a second air gap 620 formed between the outer surface of the first extension 130 and the inner surface of the second extension 230, and a third air gap 630 located below the second air gap 620 and formed between the side surface of the substrate 400 and the inner surface of the second extension 230. The first to third air gaps 610, 620, and 630 can communicate with each other. The first air gap 610 may be a region that separates the lower surface of the first body 110 and the upper surface of the second extension 230 in the optical axis direction. The second air gap 620 can be a region that separates the outer surface of the first extension 130 and the inner surface of the second extension 230 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. For example, the length of the second air gap 620 can be 0.05 mm to 0.25 mm with respect to the direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The third air gap 630 can be a region that separates the side surface of the substrate 400 and the inner surface of the second extension 230 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The length of the third air gap 630 can be formed to be longer than the length of the second air gap 620 with respect to the direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The length of the third air gap 630 can be 0.5 mm with respect to the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0062] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4, a chamfered surface 132 is formed on the lower outer end of the first extension 130, which is the connecting region between the second air gap 620 and the third air gap 630, and the length in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis can increase from the second air gap 620 to the third air gap 630.

[0063] The aforementioned structure has the advantage of preventing heat generated during the joining process between the front housing and the rear housing from being transferred to the substrate 400 through the air gap 600.

[0064] The fact that all components constituting the embodiments of the present invention have been described as being combined or operating in combination does not necessarily mean that the present invention is limited to such embodiments. That is, within the scope of the object of the present invention, all components can also be selectively combined into one or more configurations and operate in combination. Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, terms such as "contains," "constitutes," or "have" above should be interpreted as meaning that the component may be inherent, not as excluding other components, but as potentially including other components. All terms, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, unless otherwise defined. Commonly used terms, such as those defined in dictionaries, should be interpreted as corresponding to their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and not as ideal or overly formal unless explicitly defined in the present invention.

[0065] The above description is merely illustrative of the technical concept of the present invention, and any person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes only and not to limit the technical concept of the present invention, and these embodiments do not limit the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. Lens holder; Front housing that connects to the aforementioned lens holder; A rear housing that connects to the aforementioned front housing; A substrate disposed within the rear housing; and Includes a coupling portion disposed between the front housing and the rear housing, The front housing includes a first body and a first extension that protrudes from the first body toward the rear housing. The rear housing includes a second body and a second extension that protrudes from the second body toward the front housing. The first region of the connecting portion is located between the first main body and the second extension portion. A camera module comprising the first main body and the second extension, arranged at a distance from each other.

2. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is connected to the first region and includes a second region that covers one region of the first body and the second body.

3. The camera module according to claim 2, wherein the length of the second region is greater than the length of the first region with respect to the optical axis direction.

4. The camera module according to claim 2, wherein the length of the first region is 0.3 to 0.5 times the length of the second extension, with respect to a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

5. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the first region is 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm.

6. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the first extension and the inner surface of the second extension are arranged to be spaced apart from each other.

7. The camera module according to claim 6, wherein the side surface of the substrate and the inner surface of the second extension are arranged to be spaced apart from each other.

8. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein the rear housing is formed by a forging process.

9. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein an air gap is formed inside by the first body, the second body, the first extension, the substrate, the second extension, and the connecting portion.

10. The aforementioned air gap is, The camera module according to claim 9, comprising a first air gap formed between the lower surface of the first main body and the second extension, a second air gap formed between the outer surface of the first extension and the inner surface of the second extension, and a third air gap formed between the side surface of the substrate and the inner surface of the second extension.

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