Camera module

Abstract

This camera module comprises: a lens holder; a front housing coupled to the lens holder; a rear housing coupled to the front housing; a substrate disposed in the rear housing; and a coupling part disposed between the front housing and the rear housing, wherein: the front housing comprises a first body and a first extension portion protruding from the first body toward the rear housing; the rear housing comprises a second body and a second extension portion protruding from the second body toward the front housing; a first region of the coupling part is disposed between the first body and the second extension portion; and the first body and the second extension portion are arranged to be spaced apart from each other.

Description

camera module

[0001] This embodiment relates to a camera module.

[0002]

[0003] Recently, ultra-small camera modules have been developed and are widely used in small electronic products such as smartphones, laptops, and game consoles.

[0004] As automobiles become more widespread, miniature cameras are increasingly being used not only in small electronic devices but also in vehicles. Examples include black box cameras for vehicle protection or to collect objective data on traffic accidents, rearview cameras that allow drivers to monitor blind spots at the rear of the vehicle, ensuring safety when backing up, and perimeter cameras that monitor the vehicle's surroundings.

[0005] A camera may be equipped with 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, which forms the exterior of the camera, is configured with a sealed structure throughout to prevent internal components from being contaminated by foreign substances containing moisture.

[0006]

[0007] The present embodiment provides a camera module that can be easily joined between multiple housings and prevent heat from being transferred to the space within the housing during the assembly process.

[0008]

[0009] A camera module according to the present embodiment comprises: a lens holder; a front housing coupled with the lens holder; a rear housing coupled with 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 comprises a first body and a first extension portion protruding from the first body toward the rear housing, and the rear housing comprises a second body and a second extension portion protruding from the second body toward the front housing, wherein a first region of the coupling portion is disposed between the first body and the second extension portion, and the first body and the second extension portion are disposed to be spaced apart from each other.

[0010] The above-mentioned connecting portion may include a second region connected to the first region and covering one region of the first body and the second body.

[0011] Based on the optical axis direction, the length of the second region may be greater than the length of the first region.

[0012] Based on the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the length of the first region may be 0.3 to 0.5 of the length of the second extension portion.

[0013] The thickness of the first region may be 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm.

[0014] The outer surface of the first extension portion and the inner surface of the second extension portion may be spaced apart from each other.

[0015] The side surface of the above substrate and the inner surface of the second extension portion can be arranged spaced apart from each other.

[0016] The above rear housing can be formed by a forging method.

[0017] An air gap can be formed inside the first body, the second body, the first extension, the substrate, the second extension, and the joining portion.

[0018] 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.

[0019]

[0020] In this embodiment, the front housing and the rear housing are joined by welding, and thus parts such as screws for fastening between the front housing and the rear housing or sealing members for waterproofing are omitted, which has the advantage of reducing the manufacturing cost and simplifying the process by eliminating the screw joining process.

[0021] Additionally, there is an advantage in that heat generated during the bonding process of the front housing and the rear housing through the air gap can be prevented from being transferred to the substrate.

[0022]

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of A in Figure 3.

[0027] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028]

[0029] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0030] However, the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited to some of the embodiments described, but can be implemented in various different forms, and within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, one or more of the components between the embodiments can be selectively combined or substituted for use.

[0031] In addition, terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention may be interpreted as having a meaning that can be generally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, unless explicitly and specifically defined and described, and terms that are commonly used, such as terms defined in a dictionary, may be interpreted in consideration of the contextual meaning of the relevant technology.

[0032] Additionally, the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are intended to describe the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0033] In this specification, the singular may also include the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase, and when it is described as “A and / or at least one (or more) of B, C”, it may include one or more of all combinations that can be combined with A, B, C.

[0034] Additionally, in describing components of embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only intended to distinguish the components from other components, and are not intended to limit the nature, order, or sequence of the components.

[0035] And, when a component is described as being 'connected', 'coupled', or 'connected' to another component, it may include not only cases where the component is 'connected', 'coupled', or 'connected' directly to the other component, but also cases where the component is 'connected', 'coupled', or 'connected' by another component between the component and the other component.

[0036] Additionally, when described as being formed or arranged "above" or "below" each component, "above" or "below" includes not only cases where the two components are in direct contact with each other, but also cases where one or more other components are formed or arranged between the two components. Furthermore, when expressed as "above" or "below," the meaning may include not only the upward direction but also the downward direction based on one component.

[0037] The term 'optical axis direction' used below is defined as the optical axis direction of the lens. Meanwhile, 'optical axis direction' may correspond to 'up-down direction', 'x-axis direction', etc.

[0038] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0039] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 5, a vehicle (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a body (2), a door (3), glass (4), a headlamp (5), a taillamp (6), and a camera module (10).

[0041] The above body (2) may be an exterior member of the vehicle (1). The body (2) may have various forms, such as a frame type and a monocoque type. One or more doors (3) may be coupled to a side of the body (2). In addition, the glass (4) may be coupled to the front and rear (where the pillar is formed) of the upper portion of the body (2) and the door (3). The headlamp (5) may be mounted on the front of the lower portion of the body (2). The taillamp (6) may be mounted on the rear of the lower portion of the body (2).

[0042] A camera module (10) may be installed on the side of the body (2) or on a door positioned at the front of one or more of the doors (3). The camera module (10) may be installed in front of the glass (4) coupled to the door (3). That is, in the vehicle (1) of the present embodiment, the side mirror may be replaced with the camera module (10).

[0043] The camera module (10) can capture images of both rear sides of the vehicle. 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. Accordingly, images captured by the camera module (10) can be controlled by the electronic control unit (ECU) and played back on the display unit.

[0044] 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 an image captured by the camera module (10). The display unit can be installed on a dashboard (not shown) inside the body (2).

[0045] The installation form of the camera module (10) in the vehicle (1) described above is exemplary, and the camera module (10) can be used in any one or more of the front camera, side camera, rear camera, and black box of the vehicle (1).

[0046] Below, a camera module according to the present embodiment is described with reference to the drawings.

[0047] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of A of FIG. 3.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a 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).

[0049] The front housing (100) can form the outer shape of the camera module (10) by combining with the rear housing (200). The front housing (100) can be referred to as a first body. Based on the direction of incidence of light, the front housing (100) can be placed in front of the rear housing (200). The front housing (100) can include a first body (110).

[0050] The first body (110) may include an upper plate (112) forming the upper surface of the front housing (100), and a first side plate (114) extending downward from an edge of the upper plate (112) to form a 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) that is partitioned from other regions by the lower surface of the upper plate (112) and the inner surface of the first side plate (114).

[0051] A barrel portion (140) may be formed on the first body (110) so as to protrude upward from other regions and to which the lens holder (300) is coupled on the inside. The barrel portion (140) may have a circular cross-section. A hollow portion (142) may be formed on the inside of the barrel portion (140) so that at least a portion of the lens holder (300) is coupled. The hollow portion (142) may be communicated with the internal space of the first body (110).

[0052] A first extension portion (130) having a shape that protrudes downwards more than other areas may be formed on the lower surface of the first body (110). The first extension portion (130) may protrude from the first side plate (114) of the first body (110) in a direction toward the rear housing (200). The lower surface of the first extension portion (130) may be in contact with the upper surface of the substrate (400). The lower surface of the first extension portion (130) may be positioned lower than the lower surface of the first side plate (114).

[0053] The front housing (100) may be formed of a metal material. For example, the material of the front housing (100) may be aluminum. The front housing (100) may be formed by a forging method.

[0054] The rear housing (200) may form the outer shape of the camera module (10) by combining with the front housing (100). The rear housing (200) may be referred to as a second body. Based on the direction of incidence of light, the rear housing (200) may be positioned at the rear of the front housing (100). The rear housing (200) may include a second body (210).

[0055] The second body (210) may include a lower plate (212) forming the lower surface of the rear housing (200), and a second side plate (214) extending upward from an edge of the lower plate (212) to form a 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). A space (202) may be formed within the second body (210) and is partitioned from another area 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 coupled, the outer surface of the first side plate (114) and the outer surface of the second side plate (214) may be arranged to form the same plane.

[0056] A connector lead-out portion (250) having a shape that protrudes downwards more than other areas may be arranged at the lower portion of the second body (210). A space may be formed on the inside of the connector lead-out portion (250) to allow a connector (490) to be coupled thereto, which will be described later. An external terminal may be coupled to the connector lead-out portion (250), and thus, by coupling the external terminal and the connector (490), power may be supplied to the camera module (10), or an electrical signal related to driving may be transmitted and received.

[0057] A second extension portion (230, see FIG. 4) having a shape that protrudes upwards compared to other regions may be formed on the upper surface of the second body (210). The second extension portion (230) may protrude from the second body (210) in a direction toward the front housing (100). The second extension portion (230) may have a shape that protrudes upwards from the upper surface of the second side plate (214). The second extension portion (230) may be arranged such that its upper surface faces the lower surface of the first body (110) in the optical axis direction. The upper surface of the second extension portion (230) may be spaced apart from the lower surface of the first body (110) by a predetermined distance in the optical axis direction. The second extension portion (230) may be arranged on the outer side of the first extension portion (130). The outer surface of the first extension portion (130) and the inner surface of the second extension portion (230) may be spaced apart 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) may also be spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0058] The optical axis direction length (H) from the upper surface of the substrate (400) to the upper surface of the second extension portion (230) may be 20% or more of the thickness of the substrate (400). For example, the optical axis direction length (H) from the upper surface of the substrate (400) to the upper surface of the second extension portion (230) may be 0.2 mm or more.

[0059] The rear housing (200) may be formed of a metal material. For example, the material of the rear housing (200) may be aluminum. The rear housing (200) may be formed by a forging method.

[0060] The lens holder (300) may be coupled to the front housing (100). At least a portion of the lens holder (300) may be coupled to the barrel portion (140) of the front housing (100), and the other portion may be arranged to protrude upward from the barrel portion (140). The lens holder (300) may include a barrel and one or more lenses (310) accommodated within the barrel. The lenses (310) may be arranged to face the image sensor (410) of the substrate (400) in the optical axis direction. The lenses (310) may be aligned with the image sensor (410) along the optical axis. The lenses (310) may be provided in plurality and arranged along the optical axis direction.

[0061] A flange (330) having a shape that protrudes outward more than other areas may be formed on the outer surface of the lens holder (300). The area where the flange (330) is formed may have a larger cross-sectional area than other areas. When the lens holder (300) and the front housing (100) are coupled, the flange (330) may be placed on the barrel portion (140). A sealing member (not shown) may be placed between the flange (330) and the barrel portion (140) to prevent external foreign substances from entering the space within the camera module (10).

[0062] The above substrate (400) may be placed in a space (202) within the rear housing (200). The substrate (400) may be a printed circuit board (PCB). The substrate (400) may be formed in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness based on the optical axis direction (X).

[0063] One or more electronic components for driving the camera module (10) may be arranged on the surface of the substrate (400). For example, an image sensor (410) may be arranged on the upper surface of the substrate (400), and the image sensor (410) may be arranged to face the lens (310) in the optical axis direction. A connector (490) may be mounted on the lower surface of the substrate (400), and may be electrically connected to an external terminal through the connector (490).

[0064] Below, the coupling structure between the front housing (100) and the rear housing (200) will be described.

[0065] In the camera module (10) according to the present embodiment, the front housing (100) and the rear housing (200) can be joined by welding. For example, the front housing (100) and the rear housing (200) can be joined by a laser welding method. The front housing (100) and the rear housing (200) can be joined to each other by welding between 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 optical axis direction. Accordingly, since parts such as screws for fastening between the front housing (100) and the rear housing (200) or sealing members for waterproofing are omitted, there is an advantage in that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0066] In detail, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a joint (500) may be arranged between the front housing (100) and the rear housing (200). The joint (500) may be an area formed by welding between the front housing (100) and the rear housing (200). The joint (500) may be arranged between the first body (110) and the second body (210).

[0067] The above-described coupling portion (500) may include a first region (510) disposed between the first body (110) and the second extension (230), and a second region (520) connected to the first region (510) and covering a region of the first body (110) and the second body (210). The first region (510) may be disposed to overlap the first body (110) and the second extension (230) in the optical axis direction. An region where the first region (510) is disposed and an region where the first region (510) is not disposed may be formed between the lower surface of the first body (110) and the upper surface of the second extension (230). In this case, the lower surface of the first body (110) and the upper surface of the second extension (230) may be spaced apart from each other in the optical axis direction in an area where the first area (510) is not arranged.

[0068] The second region (520) is arranged on the outside of the first region (510) and may be arranged to cover the outer surface of the first body (110) and the outer surface of the second body (210). However, this is exemplary, and the second region (520) may be arranged to cover only one of the outer surface of the first body (110) and the outer surface of the second body (210). With respect to the first direction (X) which is the optical axis direction, the length of the second region (520) may be formed to be longer than the length of the first region (510). With respect to the second direction (Y) which is perpendicular to the optical axis direction, the length of the first region (510) may be formed to be longer than the length of the second region (520). The thickness (t) of the first region (510) defined in the optical axis direction may be 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm.

[0069] The second direction (Y) length (L2) of the first region (510) may be 0.3 or more and 0.5 or less of the second direction length (L1) of the second extension (230).

[0070] Meanwhile, heat generated during the welding process between the front housing (100) and the rear housing (200) may be transferred to the internal space, and in this case, damage may occur to the substrate (400).

[0071] To prevent this, the camera module (10) may be formed with an air gap (600) that separates the side surface of the substrate (400) and 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) disposed 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, 630) may be interconnected. 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) may 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 direction. For example, the length of the second air gap (620) may be 0.05 mm to 0.25 mm based on the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. The third air gap (630) may 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 direction. The length of the third air gap (630) may be formed to be longer than the length of the second air gap (620) based on the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. The length of the third air gap (630) may be 0.5 mm based on the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0072] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a chamfered surface (132) is formed at the lower end of the outer surface of the first extension portion (130), which is the connection area between the second air gap (620) and the third air gap (630), so that the length in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis can increase from the second air gap (620) to the third air gap (630).

[0073] There is an advantage in that the heat generated during the bonding process of the front housing and the rear housing through the air gap (600) according to the structure described above can be prevented from being transferred to the substrate (400).

[0074] Although all components constituting the embodiments of the present invention have been described above as being combined or operating in combination, the present invention is not necessarily limited to these embodiments. That is, within the scope of the purpose of the present invention, all components may be selectively combined and operated one or more times. In addition, terms such as "include," "comprise," or "have" described above, unless specifically stated to the contrary, mean that the corresponding component may be inherent, and therefore should be interpreted as including other components rather than excluding 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 terms defined in a dictionary, should be interpreted as being consistent with the contextual meaning of the related technology, and shall not be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal sense, unless explicitly defined in the present invention.

[0075] The above description is merely an illustrative description of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations may be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to illustrate rather than limit the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within a scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. Lens holder; A front housing coupled with the lens holder; A rear housing coupled with the front housing; a substrate disposed within the rear housing; and including a coupling portion disposed between the front housing and the rear housing, The front housing includes a first body and a first extension protruding from the first body toward the rear housing, The rear housing includes a second body and a second extension protruding from the second body toward the front housing, The first region of the above-mentioned joint is disposed between the first body and the second extension portion, A camera module in which the first body and the second extension are spaced apart from each other.

2. In paragraph 1, A camera module comprising a second region connected to the first region and covering one region of the first body and the second body.

3. In paragraph 2, A camera module in which the length of the second region is greater than the length of the first region, based on the optical axis direction.

4. In paragraph 2, A camera module in which the length of the first region is 0.3 to 0.5 of the length of the second extension portion, based on the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

5. In paragraph 1, A camera module having a thickness of the first region of 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm 6. In paragraph 1, A camera module in which the outer surface of the first extension portion and the inner surface of the second extension portion are spaced apart from each other.

7. In paragraph 6, A camera module in which the side surface of the above substrate and the inner surface of the second extension are spaced apart from each other.

8. In paragraph 1, The above rear housing is a camera module formed by a forging method.

9. In paragraph 1, A camera module in which an air gap is formed inside by the first body, the second body, the first extension, the substrate, the second extension, and the joining portion.

10. In paragraph 9, The above air gap is, A camera module comprising 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.

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