Camera module and apparatus for manufacturing camera module

Abstract

An apparatus for manufacturing a camera module, which includes a first body having an image sensor disposed therein, and a lens module coupled to the first body and having a barrel and a lens disposed in the barrel, comprises: a die on which the first body and the lens module are seated; and a welding head disposed outside the die and irradiating a laser, wherein a spot welding area by the laser irradiation is formed between the first body and the lens module, and the laser of the welding head is irradiated in a direction biased radially outward with respect to the center of the lens module.

Description

Camera modules and camera module manufacturing devices

[0001] The present embodiment relates to a camera module and a manufacturing device for 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 that 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] The housing and printed circuit board, as well as the housing and lens, are bonded together using adhesive. Automotive camera modules installed in vehicles are subject to impacts from various driving environmental factors, so sufficient bonding strength between multiple components is essential. In particular, if the adhesion between the multiple bodies forming the housing, or between the bodies and the lenses, is insufficient, the quality of the captured images can deteriorate due to variations in the distance between the lens and the image sensor.

[0007]

[0008] The present invention provides a camera module and a camera module manufacturing device capable of firmly combining a lens module and a body and improving production efficiency by reducing assembly man-hours and processes.

[0009]

[0010] A camera module manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment comprises a first body having an image sensor disposed inside, a lens module coupled to the first body and having a barrel and a lens disposed inside the barrel, the camera module manufacturing apparatus comprising: a die on which the first body and the lens module are mounted; and a welding head disposed outside the die and irradiating a laser, wherein a spot welding area is formed between the first body and the lens module by the laser irradiation, and the laser of the welding head is irradiated in a direction radially outward with respect to the center of the lens module.

[0011] The direction of laser irradiation to the above spot welding area can form a second angle (a) with an imaginary line (l1) connecting the center of the welding head and the lens.

[0012] The above second angle (a) may be 3 degrees or more and less than 7 degrees.

[0013] The shortest straight-line distance (L1) from the welding head to the outer surface of the lens module may be shorter than the shortest straight-line distance (L2) from the welding head to the spot welding area.

[0014] The above spot welding area may have an elliptical shape having a long axis in the circumferential direction of the lens barrel.

[0015] The above welding head is positioned above the spot welding area and can irradiate the laser at an angle toward the spot welding area.

[0016] Based on a virtual line (l2) that is perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the lens and forms the same plane as the spot welding area, the laser irradiated from the welding head can be irradiated in an inclined direction so that the distance in the optical axis direction from the virtual line becomes closer as it goes rearward.

[0017] The first angle (b) formed by the laser irradiated from the above welding head and the virtual line (l2) may be 10 degrees or more and less than 30 degrees.

[0018] Spot welding through the above welding head can be performed after optical axis alignment between the lens and the image sensor.

[0019] A camera module according to the present embodiment comprises: a first body including a barrel portion having a hole formed in an upper surface; a lens module coupled to the hole, including at least one lens, a barrel accommodating the lens, and a flange protruding from an outer surface of the barrel and disposed on the barrel portion; a second body coupled below the first body; and a welding portion disposed between the flange and the barrel portion, wherein a side surface of the flange is disposed inside a side surface of the barrel portion, and an outer surface of the welding portion connects the side surface of the flange and an upper surface of the barrel portion.

[0020]

[0021] In this embodiment, a spot welding area can be formed wide by adjusting the angle of the laser beam irradiated from the welding head, so there is an advantage in that sufficient bonding strength can be secured in the bonding area.

[0022] In addition, since spot welding through a welding head after aligning the optical axes of the lens module and the image sensor, processes such as curing of the adhesive are omitted, the process time can be significantly reduced, and there is an advantage in that the optical axis alignment between the lens and the image sensor can be prevented in advance.

[0023]

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a side view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a combined structure of a first body and a lens module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 6 is a plan view of a manufacturing device for a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a manufacturing device for a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are drawings for explaining the direction of laser irradiation to a welding area through a welding head according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 10 is a drawing of a spot welding area photographed when a laser is irradiated toward the center of the lens.

[0033] Fig. 11 is a drawing of a spot welding area according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034]

[0035] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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", "z-axis direction", etc.

[0044] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a side 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, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a coupling structure of a first body and a lens module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a camera module (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention may be a vehicle camera module. The camera module (10) may be coupled to a vehicle. The camera module (10) may be used in at least one of a front camera, a side camera, a rear camera, and a black box of the vehicle. The camera module (10) may be placed at the front of the vehicle. The camera module (10) may be placed at the rear of the vehicle. The camera module (10) may be coupled to the windshield of the vehicle. The camera module (10) may be coupled to the windshield of the front or rear of the vehicle. The camera module (10) may be placed on the side of the vehicle. The camera module (10) may photograph a subject and output the image as an image on a display (not shown).

[0047] The camera module (10) may include a first body (100). The first body (100) may be named any one of a front body, an upper housing, a first housing, and a front cover. The first body (100) may include a body portion (110). The first body (100) may include a barrel portion (130). The body portion (110) and the barrel portion (130) may be formed integrally.

[0048] The body part (110) may be formed of a metal material. The body part (110) may be placed on a second body (200) described later. The body part (110) may be coupled to the second body (200). The lower end of the body part (110) may be fixed to the second body (200). The body part (110) may be coupled to the second body (200) by welding. The body part (110) may be coupled to a substrate module (400) described later.

[0049] The body part (110) may be formed in a rectangular shape with an open bottom. At this time, the corners of the body part (110) may be formed to be rounded. The body part (110) may include a top plate (ㅡㄹ랑지) and a first side plate (112) extending downward from an edge of the top plate (114). The top plate (114) may be formed in a rectangular shape. The top plate (114) may extend outward from the lower outer surface of the barrel part (130). The first side plate (112) may extend downward from the outer edge of the top plate (114). The first side plate (112) may be provided in plurality. The first side plate (112) may include four side plates. The first side plate (112) may be formed in a square plate shape. The first side plate (112) may include a first-first side plate, a first-second side plate, a first-third side plate positioned opposite the first-first side plate, and a first-fourth side plate positioned opposite the first-second side plate. The first side plate (112) may include first-first to first-fourth corners positioned between the first-first to first-fourth side plates, respectively. Each of the first-first to first-fourth corners may include a round shape at least in part.

[0050] A space portion that is separated from other areas may be formed on the inside of the body portion (110). The space portion may have an open bottom and an upper portion that may be covered by the barrel portion (130) and the lower surface of the lens module (300).

[0051] The body (110) may include a first guide (170, see FIG. 3). The first guide (170) may have a shape that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the upper plate (114). The first guide (170) may be brought into contact with the upper surface of the substrate module (400). The lower surface of the first guide (170) may be brought into contact with the upper surface of the first substrate (410) within the substrate module (400), which will be described later. The joining area of ​​the substrate module (400) may be guided within the space within the camera module (10) through the first guide (170).

[0052] The first body (100) may include a barrel portion (130). The barrel portion (130) may be a lens barrel. The barrel portion (130) may be formed of a metal material. The barrel portion (130) may have a circular cross-sectional shape. The barrel portion (130) may be disposed on the body portion (110). The barrel portion (130) may extend upward from the upper surface of the body portion (110). The barrel portion (130) may be formed integrally with the body portion (110). Alternatively, the barrel portion (130) may be coupled to the body portion (110). In this case, the barrel portion (130) may be fixed to the body portion (110) by an adhesive. The barrel portion (130) may accommodate a lens module (300) therein. The center of the barrel portion (130) may include a hole (139) into which a lens module (300) is coupled. The lens module (300) may be placed in the hole (139) of the barrel portion (130). The inner peripheral surface of the hole of the barrel portion (130) may be formed in a shape and size corresponding to the outer peripheral shape of the lens module (300).

[0053] Since it protrudes upward from the upper surface of the body portion (110), the barrel portion (130) can be called a protrusion.

[0054] At least a portion of the outer surface of the first body (100) may be surface-treated. At least a portion of the outer surface of the first body (100) may be anodized. The outer surface of the first body (100) may include a first region, which is a region surface-treated through anodizing, and a second region, which is a region that is not surface-treated. The second region may be a region where the material of the first body (100) is exposed to the outside through the outer surface.

[0055] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, the barrel portion (130) may include a first region (136), which is a region whose outer surface is surface-treated through anodizing, and a second region (132), which is a region that is not surface-treated. The first region (136) may be positioned below the second region (132). The second region (132) may be coupled with a flange (320) of a lens module (300) to be described later. The outer surface of the first body (100) may be surface-treated through anodizing in all regions except for the outer surface of the second region (132) and the upper surface where the lens module (300) is coupled.

[0056] Based on the optical axis direction of the lens module (300), the length (H1) of the second region (132) may be 1 mm or more. Based on the optical axis direction of the lens module (300), the length (H1) of the second region (132) may be equal to or longer than the length (H2) of the first region (136).

[0057] Due to the surface treatment through anodizing, the outer surface of the first region (136) and the outer surface of the second region (132) may be arranged with a step between them. Based on the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, the outer surface of the first region (136) may have a shape that protrudes outward more than the outer surface of the second region (132). The cross-sectional area of ​​the first region (136) including the surface treatment area may be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second region (132). Based on the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, the length (L, see FIG. 5) between the outer surface of the first region (136) and the outer surface of the second region (132) may be 0.05 mm or more. In other words, the thickness of the surface treatment area formed on the outer surface of the first region (136) may be 0.05 mm or more.

[0058] The camera module (10) may include a second body (200). The second body (200) may be named any one of a rear body, a lower housing, a second housing, and a rear cover. The second body (200) may be formed in a rectangular shape with an open upper portion. The second body (200) may be formed of a metal material. The second body (200) may be placed below the first body (100). The second body (200) may be coupled to the first body (100). The second body (200) may form an internal space through coupling with the first body (100). The second body (200) may include a space portion with an open upper surface.

[0059] The second body (200) may include a lower plate (220). The lower plate (220) may face the upper plate (114) of the body portion (110) of the first body (100). The lower plate (220) may be spaced apart from the upper plate (114) of the body portion (110) of the first body (110) in the optical axis direction. The lower plate (220) may be parallel to the upper plate (114) of the body portion (110) of the first body (100). The lower plate (220) may be formed in a square shape. In this case, at least some corners of the lower plate (220) may include a round shape.

[0060] The second body (200) may include a second side plate (210). The second side plate (210) may extend from the lower plate (220). The second side plate (210) may extend upward from an outer edge of the lower plate (220). A shield member (not shown) may be disposed on the second side plate (210). The shield member may be in surface contact with an inner surface of the second side plate (210). The upper end of the second side plate (210) may be coupled to the first body (100). The upper surface of the second side plate (210) may be disposed to face the lower surface of the first side plate (112) in the optical axis direction. The upper surface of the second side plate (210) may be in contact with the lower surface of the first side plate (112). The first side plate (112) and the second side plate (210) can be joined to each other by at least one of welding, adhesive, and fusion methods. The outer surface of the second side plate (210) can be arranged on the same plane as the outer surface of the first side plate (112) of the first body (100).

[0061] The second body (200) may include a connector outlet (290). The connector outlet (290) may have a shape that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the lower plate (220). A connector (490), which will be described later, may be arranged inside the connector outlet (290). The connector outlet (290) may be formed of a metal material. The connector outlet (290) may have a hollow pipe shape inside.

[0062] A sealing member (480, see Fig. 3) is placed between the inner surface of the connector withdrawal portion (290) and the outer surface of the connector (490), thereby preventing external foreign substances from entering the space within the camera module (10).

[0063] The second body (200) may include a second guide (230, see FIG. 3). The second guide (230) may have a shape that protrudes inward from the inner surface of the second side plate (210). Due to the second guide (230), the space within the second body (200) may include a plurality of regions with different cross-sectional areas. For example, the cross-sectional area of ​​an upper region of the space within the second body (200) where the second guide (230) is not formed may be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​a lower region of the space within the second body (200) where the second guide (230) is formed. The upper surface of the second guide (230) may support the lower surface of the first substrate (410) of the substrate module (400) to be described later. The upper surface of the second guide (230) may be in contact with the lower surface of the first substrate (410).

[0064] As with the first body (100), at least a portion of the outer surface of the second body (200) may be surface-treated. At least a portion of the outer surface of the second body (200) may be anodized.

[0065] The camera module (10) may include a lens module (300). The lens module (300) may be coupled to the first body (100). The lens module (300) may be coupled to the hole (139) of the barrel portion (130). At least a portion of the lens module (300) may be disposed inside the barrel portion (130), and the remaining portion may be disposed to protrude upward from the first body (100).

[0066] The lens module (300) may include a barrel (310) and one or more lenses (350) accommodated within the barrel (310). The lenses (350) may be arranged to face an image sensor (412) within a substrate module (400) to be described later in the optical axis direction. The lenses (350) may be aligned with the image sensor (412) along the optical axis. A plurality of lenses (350) may be provided and arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the optical axis direction within the barrel (310). The outermost lens among the plurality of lenses (350) may be exposed upward of the camera module (10).

[0067] The barrel (310) may include a space with upper and lower surfaces open on the inside. The lens (350) may be placed in the space of the barrel (310). The barrel (310) may include a plurality of regions with different cross-sectional areas. For example, the region of the barrel (310) placed within the first body (100) may have a smaller cross-sectional area than the region of the barrel (310) protruding upward from the first body (100). The barrel (310) may have a circular cross-sectional shape.

[0068] The above barrel (310) may be made of metal.

[0069] The barrel (310) may include a flange (320). The flange (320) may be disposed on the outer surface of the barrel (310). The flange (320) may have a shape that protrudes outwardly from other areas of the outer surface of the barrel (310). The flange (320) may have a circular cross-sectional shape. When the lens module (300) is coupled to the first body (100), the flange (320) may be disposed on the barrel portion (130) of the first body (100). The lower surface of the flange (320) may be disposed to face the upper surface of the barrel portion (130) in the optical axis direction. The lower surface of the flange (320) and the upper surface of the barrel portion (130) may be spaced apart from each other at least partially in the optical axis direction. The outer surface of the flange (320) may be disposed to be stepped inwardly from the outer surface of the barrel portion (130). The outer surface of the barrel portion (130) may be arranged to protrude outward from the outer surface of the flange (320).

[0070] The camera module (10) may include a substrate module (400). The substrate module (400) may be placed in a space within the camera module (10). The substrate module (400) may be placed between the first body (100) and the second body (200).

[0071] The substrate module (400) may include a first substrate (410), a second substrate (420), a connection substrate (430), and a shield can (440).

[0072] The first substrate (410) may be a printed circuit board (PCB). An image sensor (412) may be arranged on the upper surface of the first substrate (410). The image sensor (412) may be arranged on the first substrate (410) to face the lens module (300) in the optical axis direction. The upper surface of the first substrate (410) may be supported by the lower surface of the first guide (170) of the first body (100), and the lower surface of the first substrate (410) may be supported by the upper surface of the second guide (230) of the second body (200). The cross-sectional area of ​​the first substrate (410) may be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second substrate (420).

[0073] The second substrate (420) may be a printed circuit board (PCB). The second substrate (420) may be positioned spaced apart from the first substrate (410) in the optical axis direction. The second substrate (420) may be positioned below the first substrate (410). A connector (490) may be coupled to the lower surface of the second substrate (420). The upper end of the connector (490) may be soldered to the lower surface of the second substrate (420).

[0074] The second substrate (420) may be electrically connected to the first substrate (410). The second substrate (420) and the first substrate (410) may be electrically connected via a connection substrate (430). The connection substrate (430) may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The connection substrate (430) may be connected at the upper and lower ends to the first substrate (410) and the second substrate (420), respectively, to electrically connect the first substrate (410) and the second substrate (420).

[0075] The shield can (440) is placed between the first substrate (410) and the second substrate (420), and can space the first substrate (410) and the second substrate (420) apart in the optical axis direction. The shield can (440) may be called a spacer. The shield can (440) may include a fence portion (not shown) placed between the first substrate (410) and the second substrate (420), and a coupling portion (not shown) extending from the fence portion and coupled to the second substrate (420). The coupling portion may include a hole. A protrusion for coupling with the hole may be arranged on a side surface of the second substrate (420).

[0076] Below, the combined structure of the first body (100) and the lens module (300) will be described.

[0077] The first body (100) and the lens module (300) can be joined together by welding. The first body (100) and the lens module (300) can be laser welded.

[0078] The camera module (10) may include a welding portion (500, see FIG. 5) for joining the first body (100) and the lens module (300). The welding portion (500) may be disposed on the lower surface of the flange (320), the side surface of the flange (320), and the upper surface of the barrel portion (130). A first region in which the welding portion (500) is disposed between the lower surface of the flange (320) and the upper surface of the barrel portion (130) may be disposed, and a second region, which is disposed on the inner side of the first region and is an region in which the lower surface of the flange (320) and the upper surface of the barrel portion (130) are spaced apart in the direction of the optical axis, may be disposed.

[0079] The lower surface of the flange (320) and the upper surface of the barrel portion (130) can be joined to each other by the weld portion (500). The outer surface of the weld portion (500) can protrude outwardly from the outer surface of the flange (320). The weld portion (500) can be arranged to overlap the end of the flange (320) in the optical axis direction. The weld portion (500) can be arranged on the upper surface of the barrel portion (130). The outer surfaces of the first region (136) and the second region (132) of the barrel portion (130) can protrude outwardly from the outer surface of the weld portion (500). The outer surface cross-sectional area of ​​the first region (136) can be larger than the outer surface cross-sectional area of ​​the weld portion (500).

[0080] In detail, the weld (500) may include an inner portion (504) disposed between the lower surface of the flange (320) and the upper surface of the barrel portion (130), and an outer portion (502) disposed on the outer side of the inner portion (504).

[0081] The outer portion (502) may not overlap with the flange (320) in the optical axis direction. The outer surface of the outer portion (502) may be an inclined surface or a curved surface to connect the side surface of the flange (320) and the upper surface of the barrel portion (130). When the outer portion (502) is an inclined surface, the width of the outer portion (502) may have a shape in which the width increases as it gets closer to the first body (100) based on the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0082] The length in the optical axis direction of the outer portion (502) may be the same as the length in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the outer portion (502). The length in the optical axis direction of the side surface of the flange (320) in contact with the outer portion (502) may be shorter than the length in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the upper surface of the barrel portion (130) in contact with the outer portion (502). The angle formed by the inclined surface of the outer portion (502) and the upper surface of the barrel portion (130) may be 45 degrees.

[0083] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the optical axis direction length (T2) of the outer portion (502) in contact with the side surface of the flange (320) may be 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm. The length (T1) in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the outer portion (502) in contact with the upper surface of the barrel portion (130) may be longer than the optical axis direction length (T2) of the outer portion (502) in contact with the side surface of the flange (320). The length (T1) in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the outer portion (502) in contact with the upper surface of the barrel portion (130) may be 0.6 mm to 0.8 mm. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that the lens module (300) can be more firmly joined to the first body (100) by the bead shape of the welding portion (500) connecting the side surface of the flange (320) through the outer portion (502) and the upper surface of the barrel portion (130).

[0084] Since the outer surface of the second region (132) of the barrel portion (130) is an area that has not been surface treated through anodizing, the welding process with the flange (320) can be performed more easily.

[0085] Likewise, the outer surface of the barrel (310) of the lens module (300) may also be surface-treated through anodizing, but the outer surface of the flange (320) welded to the barrel portion (130) may not be surface-treated for the efficiency of the welding process.

[0086] The inner portion (504) can be positioned between the lower surface of the flange (320) and the upper surface of the barrel portion (130). The lower surface of the flange (320) and the upper surface of the barrel portion (130) can be mutually coupled through the inner portion (504).

[0087] A gap (510) may be formed between the lower surface of the flange (320) and the lower surface of the barrel portion (130). The gap (510) may be a second region. The gap (510) may be a region that separates the lower surface of the flange (320) and the lower surface of the barrel portion (130) in the optical axis direction. The gap (510) may be referred to as an air gap. The gap (510) may be arranged on the inner side of the welded portion (500). The gap (510) may be arranged on the inner side of the inner portion (504). The length of the gap (510) may be greater than the length of the inner portion (504) based on the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. It is possible to minimize the heat generated during the formation of the weld (500) through the separation (510) from being transferred to the lens (350) in the lens module (300).

[0088] In order to ensure watertightness in the area between the first body (100) and the lens module (300) through the welded portion (500), the length of the separation portion (510) based on the optical axis direction may be 15% or less of the length of the barrel portion (130) (H1+H2, see FIG. 5).

[0089] According to the structure described above, since the first body and the lens module are joined by welding, a means such as an adhesive or a sealing member for joining is omitted, and thus the manufacturing cost can be lowered due to a reduction in the number of parts, and the assembly process can be simplified.

[0090] In addition, since the optical axis direction distance between the lens module and the substrate module can be precisely adjusted before welding between the first body and the lens module, there is an advantage in that the optimal resolution value can be secured within the camera module.

[0091] Hereinafter, a manufacturing device for a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0092] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a camera module manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a camera module manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 8 and 9 are drawings for explaining a laser irradiation direction to a welding area through a welding head according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a drawing of a spot welding area photographed when a laser is irradiated toward the center of a lens, and FIG. 11 is a drawing of a spot welding area photographed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 11, a camera module manufacturing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is for combining the first body (100) and the lens module (300) within the aforementioned camera module (10), and the camera module manufacturing device (20) can perform primary spot welding after aligning the optical axis direction of the lens (350) and the image sensor (412), and final main welding after image inspection after the spot welding. However, the position of the welding area within the aforementioned camera module (10) is exemplary, and the camera module manufacturing device can also be driven for combining the first body (100) and the second body (200), and in this case, it can be understood that the joint surface of the first body (100) and the second body (200) is also combined through welding.

[0094] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the camera module manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a gripper (630), a gripper driving unit (640), and a welding head (650). The camera module manufacturing apparatus may additionally include a die (not shown) on which the camera module (10) is mounted.

[0095] The die is a device on which a camera module (10) for welding is mounted, and can be moved in horizontal and vertical directions. Here, the vertical direction may be an up-down direction corresponding to the optical axis direction of the camera module (10). The horizontal direction is a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the camera module (10), and may also be referred to as a front-back direction or a left-right direction. The die can also rotate around the optical axis.

[0096] A mounting groove may be formed on the die to allow at least a portion of the camera module (10) to be coupled thereto. The mounting groove may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape so that the first body (100) and the second body (200) of the camera module (10) are coupled thereto. When the first body (100) and the second body (200) are coupled to the mounting groove, at least a portion of the first body (100) may be arranged to protrude upward from the die.

[0097] The gripper (630) may be positioned on the outside of the die (670). The gripper (630) may be coupled with the lens module (300). The gripper (630) may be coupled with the lens module (300) to move the lens module (300) in various directions with respect to the first body (100). Accordingly, the optical axes of the image sensor (412) in the first body (100) and the lens (350) in the lens module (300) may be aligned.

[0098] The gripper (630) includes a plurality of grip portions, and the plurality of grip portions can be arranged adjacently in a horizontal direction. The plurality of grip portions can be coupled to the lens module (300) as they move toward each other. The plurality of grip portions can be uncoupled from the lens module (300) as they move away from each other.

[0099] Each of the plurality of grip portions may include a first horizontal portion (632) that is connected to the gripper driving portion (650) at one end and arranged in a horizontal direction, a second horizontal portion (634) that is arranged on the lower side of the first horizontal portion (632) and has a grip groove formed on the side thereof, and a connecting portion (636) that connects the first horizontal portion (632) and the second horizontal portion (634). The connecting portion (636) may be arranged vertically with respect to the first horizontal portion (632) and the second horizontal portion (634). The first horizontal portion (632) and the second horizontal portion (634) may be arranged with a step in the vertical direction.

[0100] A grip groove may be formed on the side of the second horizontal portion (634). The grip groove (635) may be formed on each of the plurality of grip portions facing each other. The grip groove (635) may have a semicircular cross-sectional shape so as to surround a portion of the outer circumference of the barrel portion (310) of the lens module (300). Accordingly, when the plurality of grip portions are coupled, the grip groove formed in each of the plurality of grip portions may form a circular cross-sectional shape through coupling. In this case, it may also be understood that a grip hole for coupling the barrel portion (310) is formed in the center of the plurality of second horizontal portions (634). The cross-sectional shape of the grip hole may be formed to correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the barrel portion (310).

[0101] A heat dissipation fin (635) having a shape that protrudes outwardly from the other areas may be formed in an area of ​​the side surface of the second horizontal portion (634) other than the area where the grip groove (635) is formed. The heat dissipation fin (635) may have a rib shape that protrudes outwardly from the outer surface of the gripper (630) from the other areas. The heat dissipation fins (635) may be provided in plurality and arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the periphery of the second horizontal portion (634). The area between two adjacent heat dissipation fins (635) may have a groove shape. As the cross-sectional area of ​​the second horizontal portion (634) increases through the heat dissipation fins (635), heat generated during the welding process can be easily discharged to the outside, thereby improving heat dissipation efficiency.

[0102] The gripper driving unit (640) is connected to the first horizontal unit (632) and can move a plurality of grip parts toward or away from each other, or can move the plurality of grip parts in various directions such as up and down, left and right, and front and back. The optical axis between the lens module (300) and the image sensor (412) can be aligned by the movement of the gripper (630) through the gripper driving unit (640).

[0103] The welding head (650) may be positioned on the outside of the die on which the camera module (10) is mounted. The welding head (650) may form a weld (500) by irradiating a laser to a joining area within the camera module (10). Here, the term "laser" may include at least one of a laser beam, a heat source, and a light source provided for laser welding. The flange (320) of the lens module and the barrel portion (130) of the first body (100) may be joined by mutual welding by the laser irradiated from the welding head (650).

[0104] Spot welding of the joint area can be performed through the welding head (650). Spot welding can be performed between the flange (320) and the barrel portion (130) by a laser irradiated through the welding head (650). Here, the spot welding is performed before the main welding, and may be welding performed after the optical axis of the lens module (300) and the image sensor (412) are aligned through the gripper (630). Accordingly, after the spot welding, a spot welding area, which is a mutually welded area, and a spaced area, which is a mutually spaced area located outside the spot welding area, can be formed between the flange (320) and the barrel portion (130).

[0105] This welding is performed after spot welding, and may be a welding in which the entire area between the flange (320) and the barrel portion (130) is joined.

[0106] Camera modules according to conventional technology have problems in that the optical axis alignment may become misaligned during the curing process due to fixing the alignment state using an adhesive such as epoxy after the optical axis of the lens module and the image sensor are aligned, and the process time may increase.

[0107] According to this embodiment, since a process such as curing of an adhesive is omitted by spot welding through a welding head (650) after aligning the optical axes of the lens module (300) and the image sensor (412), the process time can be significantly reduced, and there is an advantage in that the optical axes between the lens (350) and the image sensor (412) can be prevented from being misaligned during the assembly process.

[0108] A plurality of welding heads (650) may be provided and spaced apart from each other to form equal intervals along the perimeter of the die. For example, three welding heads (650) may be provided and spaced apart from each other at an angle of 120 degrees. Accordingly, three spot welding areas may be formed between the flange (320) and the barrel portion (130) after spot welding.

[0109] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 9, the welding head (650) may be positioned above the joining area of ​​the lens module (300) and the first body (100). Accordingly, the laser irradiated from the welding head (650) may be irradiated in an inclined direction downward. Specifically, with respect to an imaginary line (l2) that is perpendicular to the optical axis direction and forms the same plane as the joining area of ​​the lens module (300) and the first body (100), the laser irradiated from the welding head (650) may be irradiated in an inclined direction so that the distance in the optical axis direction from the imaginary line (l2) becomes closer as it goes rearward. Accordingly, the first angle (b) formed by the laser irradiated from the welding head (650) and the imaginary line (l2) may be 10 degrees or more and 30 degrees or less. When the first angle (b) is 10 degrees or less, there is a concern that the laser may be irradiated toward the gap between the flange (320) and the barrel portion (130). In addition, if the first angle (b) exceeds 30 degrees, the irradiation area with respect to the outer surface of the barrel portion (130) or the flange (320) may not be sufficient. Therefore, the camera module manufacturing device according to the present embodiment has the advantage of being able to sufficiently form a welding area by spot welding between the flange (320) and the barrel portion (130) by the irradiation angle of the welding head (650) described above.

[0110] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8, the laser irradiated from the welding head (650) may be irradiated in a tangential direction of the lens module (300). The laser irradiated from the welding head (650) may be irradiated in a tangential direction of the barrel portion (130). The laser irradiated from the welding head (650) may be irradiated in a direction radially outward with respect to the center of the lens module (300). The laser irradiated from the welding head (650) may be irradiated in a direction radially outward with respect to the center of the lens (350).

[0111] In detail, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8, the laser irradiation direction toward the spot welding area (700) between the lens module (300) and the first body (100) can form a second angle (a) with an imaginary line (l1) connecting the centers of the welding head (650) and the lens (350). In this case, the second angle (a) may be 3 degrees or more and less than 7 degrees. Accordingly, the shortest straight-line distance (L1) from the welding head (650) to the outer surface of the lens module (300) can be formed to be shorter than the shortest straight-line distance (L2) from the welding head (650) to the spot welding area (700). Here, the shortest straight-line distance (L1) from the welding head (650) to the outer surface of the lens module (300) may be the distance from the welding head (650) to the area where the virtual line (l1) connecting the centers of the welding head (650) and the lens (350) overlaps with the outer surface of the lens module (300).

[0112] As shown in Fig. 10, when the welding head (650) is irradiated toward the center of the lens (350), the spot welding area between the flange (320) and the barrel portion (130) is formed to be close to a circle, so there is a problem that the gap in the optical axis direction between the flange (320) and the barrel portion (130) is relatively greatly increased, making it difficult to secure sufficient bonding strength.

[0113] However, according to the present embodiment, since the laser irradiated from the welding head (650) is irradiated toward the tangential direction of the lens module (300) and the barrel portion (130), as shown in FIG. 11, a spot welding area is formed close to an ellipse having a long axis in the circumferential direction of the lens module (300) and the barrel portion (130), so that the joining area between the flange (320) and the barrel portion (130) can be formed relatively wide.

[0114] The circumferential length of the spot welding area (700) may be 0.4 mm or more and 0.8 mm or less.

[0115] After spot welding through the welding head (650), the camera module manufacturing device performs an image inspection to determine whether the alignment between the lens (350) and the image sensor (412) is accurate. If it is determined that the alignment is accurate, a weld (500) can be implemented along the lower surface of the flange (320) and the upper surface of the barrel portion (130) through this welding. In this case, the area of ​​the weld (500) where the spot welding area (700) overlaps can have a shape that protrudes outward more than the other areas.

[0116] 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.

[0117] 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. A manufacturing device for a camera module including a first body having an image sensor disposed inside, a lens module having a barrel and a lens disposed inside the barrel and coupled to the first body, A die on which the first body and the lens module are mounted; and It is placed on the outside of the die and includes a welding head that irradiates a laser, A spot welding area is formed between the first body and the lens module by the laser irradiation, A camera module manufacturing device in which the laser of the welding head is irradiated in a direction radially outward with respect to the center of the lens module.

2. In paragraph 1, A camera module manufacturing device in which the laser irradiation direction toward the above spot welding area forms a second angle (a) with an imaginary line (l1) connecting the center of the welding head and the lens.

3. In paragraph 2, A manufacturing device for a camera module in which the second angle (a) is 3 degrees or more and less than 7 degrees.

4. In paragraph 1, A camera module manufacturing device in which the shortest straight-line distance (L1) from the welding head to the outer surface of the lens module is shorter than the shortest straight-line distance (L2) from the welding head to the spot welding area.

5. In paragraph 1, The above spot welding area is a camera module manufacturing device having an elliptical shape with a long axis in the circumferential direction of the lens barrel.

6. In paragraph 1, A camera module manufacturing device in which the above welding head is positioned above the spot welding area and irradiates a laser at an angle toward the spot welding area.

7. In paragraph 6, A camera module manufacturing device in which a laser beam irradiated from the welding head is irradiated in an inclined direction so that the distance in the optical axis direction from the virtual line becomes closer as it goes rearward, based on a virtual line (l2) that is perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the lens and forms the same plane as the spot welding area.

8. In paragraph 7, A camera module manufacturing device in which a first angle (b) formed by a laser irradiated from the above welding head and the virtual line (l2) is 10 degrees or more and less than 30 degrees.

9. In paragraph 1, A camera module manufacturing device in which spot welding through the above welding head is performed after optical axis alignment between the lens and the image sensor.

10. A first body including a barrel portion having a hole formed on the upper surface; A lens module coupled to the hole, comprising at least one lens, a barrel for accommodating the lens, and a flange protruding from the outer surface of the barrel and positioned on the barrel portion; A second body coupled below the first body; and Including a welded portion arranged between the flange and the barrel portion, The side of the above flange is positioned inside the side of the barrel portion, The outer surface of the above welding part is a camera module that connects the side surface of the flange and the upper surface of the barrel part.

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