Camera module

Abstract

The 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 the 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 the inner surface of the second housing and in contact with a side surface of the substrate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This embodiment relates to a camera module.

Background Art

[0002] The content described below only provides background information for this embodiment and does not describe the prior art.

[0003] In recent years, ultra-small 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 popular among the public, ultra-small cameras are also widely used not only in small electronic products but also 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 the blind spot at the rear of the vehicle via 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.

[0005] A camera can be provided with a lens, a lens holder that houses the lens, an image sensor that converts the 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 forms the outer shape of the camera has 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

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

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] As an example, the 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 the internal spaces of 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 second housing includes a stepped portion on which the substrate is disposed, and protrusions formed on the inner surface of the second housing and contacting the side surface of the substrate.

[0008] Also, the protrusions may include a plurality of protrusions.

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

[0010] Also, the first housing includes a groove formed on the lower surface, and the groove may face the separation space.

[0011] Also, the width of the lower surface of the first housing may be larger than the width of the upper surface of the second housing.

[0012] Also, the protrusions may be disposed on the stepped portion.

[0013] Also, the first housing includes a groove formed on the lower surface, and the groove may face the protrusions.

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

[0015] Also, the adhesive member may be disposed 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 protrusions of the second housing, and the stepped portion of the second housing.

[0016] Further, the width of the first surface of the first housing may be larger than the width of the upper surface of the second housing.

[0017] A camera module according to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object 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 of 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 adhesive member is disposed between an inner surface of the second housing and a side surface of the substrate.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a camera module that can improve space efficiency and optimize the assembly process.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0021] However, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited to the partial embodiments described, and can be embodied in various different forms. As long as it is within the technical idea scope of the present invention, one or more of the constituent elements can be selectively combined or replaced between embodiments and used.

[0022] Also, the terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention, unless specifically defined and described otherwise, are construed to have a meaning generally understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. Terms commonly used together with pre-defined terms can be interpreted in consideration of their meaning in the context of the related art.

[0023] Also, the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are for the purpose of explaining the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0024] In this specification, the singular form can include the plural form unless otherwise specifically stated in the text. When described as "at least one (or one or more) of A and (or) B, C", it can include one or more of any combinations that can be combined with A, B, and C.

[0025] In addition, when describing the components of the embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. can be used. Such terms are only for distinguishing the components from other components, and are not limited by the essence, order, or sequence of the corresponding components by such terms.

[0026] In addition, when a certain component is described as being "connected", "coupled", or "connected" to another component, that component can include not only the case where it is directly "connected", "coupled", or "connected" to that other component, but also the case where it is "connected", "coupled", or "connected" by yet another component between that component and that other component.

[0027] Also, when described as being formed or arranged "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 arranged between the two components. Further, when expressed as "above" or "below", it can include the meaning not only in the upward direction but also in the downward direction with respect to one component.

[0028] The "optical axis direction" used hereinafter is defined as the optical axis direction of the lens coupled to the lens driving device. On the other hand, the "optical axis direction" can correspond to the "vertical direction", the "z optical axis direction", etc.

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

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

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 11, a camera module 10 according to an 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. However, it may be implemented excluding some of these configurations, and additional configurations are not excluded either.

[0032] The camera module 10 may include a first housing 100. The first housing 100 may form the appearance of the camera module 10. The first housing 100 may be coupled to the 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. The lens module 300 and the first elastic member 400 may be disposed in the first housing 100. The widths of the lower surfaces 110 and 130 of the first housing 200 may be formed larger than the width of the upper surface of the second housing 200.

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

[0034] The lower surfaces 110, 130 of the first housing 200 can 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 can be disposed on the same plane. An adhesive member 800 can be interposed between the first surface 110 and the second surface 130. The width of the first surface 110 can be larger than the width of the upper surface of the second housing 200.

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

[0036] The second housing 200 can include a stepped portion 210. The stepped portion 210 can be formed to be recessed downward on the upper surface of the second housing 200. The stepped portion 210 can be formed to be recessed outward on the inner surface of the second housing 200. The stepped portion 210 can face the lower surface of the first housing 100. The substrate 500 can be disposed on the stepped portion 210. In one embodiment of the present invention, the inner surface of the second housing 200 means the inner surface of the second housing 200 formed at the upper part of the stepped portion 210, and does not mean the inner surface of the second housing 200 formed at the lower part of the stepped portion 210.

[0037] The second housing 200 can include a protrusion 220. The protrusion 220 can be formed on the stepped portion 210. Specifically, the protrusion 220 can be formed to protrude upward on the stepped portion 210. The protrusion 220 can be formed on the inner surface of the second housing 200. Specifically, the protrusion 220 can be formed to protrude inward on the inner surface of the second housing 200. The protrusion 220 can contact the side surface of the substrate 500. Thereby, the protrusion 220 can guide the position of the substrate 500 disposed on the stepped portion 210 of the second housing 200. Referring to FIG. 5, the protrusion 220 can be spaced apart from the inner surface of the second housing. Thereby, a space can be formed in which the substrate 500 can be seated on the stepped portion 210. Different from this, the protrusion 220 can be spaced apart from the inner surface of the second housing 200. That is, the area where the stepped portion 210 is exposed at the upper part can be increased. Thereby, the area where the adhesive member 800 is interposed can be widened.

[0038] The protrusion 220 can include a plurality of protrusions. The plurality of protrusions can be spaced apart from each other. A separation space can be formed between the plurality of protrusions and the substrate 500. A separation space can be formed between the plurality of protrusions and the side surface of the substrate 500. The adhesive member 800 can be interposed in the separation space formed between the plurality of protrusions and the side surface of the substrate 500.

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

[0040] The camera module 10 can include a lens module 300. The lens module 300 can be disposed in the first housing 100. The lens module 300 can be disposed in the opening 140 of the first housing 100. The lens module 300 can be coupled to the first housing 100. The lens module 300 can be screwed to the first housing 100. A part of the lens module 300 can be exposed above the first housing 100. A first elastic member 400 can be disposed between the lens module 300 and the first housing 100. The lens module 300 can include at least one lens. The lens module 300 can face the image sensor 510.

[0041] The camera module 10 can include a first elastic member 400. The first elastic member 400 can be disposed between the lens module 300 and the first housing 100. The first elastic member 400 can be formed of an elastic material. The first elastic member 400 can be formed in a circular band shape. The first elastic member 400 can be called an O-ring. The first elastic member 400 can remove the gap space disposed between the lens module 300 and the first housing 100 to seal the inside of the camera module 10.

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

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

[0044] The camera module 10 can include a shield can 600. The shield can 600 can be disposed on the substrate 500. The shield can 600 can be disposed between the plurality of substrates. The shield can 600 can be formed of metal. The shield can 600 can be used for energization or grounding of the substrate 500.

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

[0046] The camera module 10 can include an adhesive member 800. The adhesive member 800 can be interposed between the first housing 100 and the second housing 200. The adhesive member 800 can be disposed between the first surface 110, the second surface 130, 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 step 210 of the second housing 200. The adhesive member 800 can be disposed in a clearance space formed between a plurality of protrusions of the second housing 200 and the side surface of the substrate 500. Thereby, the adhesive member 800 can fix the substrate 500 to the second housing 200.

[0047] The adhesive member 800 can include an adhesive such as epoxy. Referring to FIG. 11, the adhesive member 800 can be disposed between the first housing 100 and the second housing 200 and can be cured after the optical axis alignment process of the lens module 300 and the image sensor 510. Thereby, the product assembly process can be reduced.

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

[0049] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains should be able to understand that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing its technical idea or essential features. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive.

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 the internal spaces of 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, wherein the second housing includes a stepped portion on which the substrate is disposed and protrusions formed on an inner surface of the second housing and contacting a side surface of the substrate, the camera module.

2. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein the protrusions include a plurality of protrusions.

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

4. The first housing includes a groove formed on a lower surface, and the groove faces the separation space, the camera module according to claim 3.

5. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein the protrusions are disposed on the stepped portion.

6. The first housing includes a groove formed on a lower surface, and the groove faces the protrusions, the camera module according to claim 1.

7. The lower surface of the first housing includes a first surface disposed outside the groove and a second surface disposed inside, and the first surface and the second surface are disposed on the same plane, the camera module according to claim 6.

8. The adhesive member is disposed between the first surface and the second surface of the first housing, the groove of the first housing, an upper surface of the second housing, the protrusions of the second housing, and the stepped portion of the second housing, the camera module according to claim 7.

9. A first housing, a lens module disposed in the first housing, a second housing coupled to the first housing, a substrate disposed in the internal spaces of 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, wherein the adhesive member is disposed between an inner surface of the second housing and a side surface of the substrate, the camera module.

Images