Camera Module Adhesive Alignment and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicular cameras face performance degradation due to external environmental factors like moisture and foreign objects, and existing assembly methods, such as screw connections, can lead to increased processing time and optical axis misalignment, hindering image quality improvement.
Innovation Solution
A camera module design using an adhesive member curable by heat or UV to align and fix the lens holder and PCB, combined with a sealing member like O-rings and integrated molding to prevent moisture and foreign object penetration, and a conductive unit for secure electrical connection without soldering, allowing for accurate optical axis alignment and miniaturization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screw connection is used to assemble lens module with PCB, then mechanical strength is improved, but processing time increases and optical axis alignment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical screw connection system with a chemical bonding system using adhesive members. The adhesive member is applied between the lens holder and PCB, eliminating the need for screws and screwing operations. This substitution reduces processing time by removing the mechanical fastening steps while maintaining adequate mechanical strength through the cured adhesive bond.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive member serves as an intermediary substance between the lens holder and PCB. It provides both mechanical bonding strength and allows for optical axis alignment adjustments during the assembly process. The adhesive acts as a mediating element that enables precise positioning before final curing, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining mechanical strength.
2Strength
If screw connection is used to assemble lens module with PCB, then mechanical strength is improved, but optical axis alignment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive member allows for preliminary positioning and alignment of the lens holder with the PCB before final bonding. The uncured adhesive provides a flexible medium that enables precise optical axis alignment adjustments. Once alignment is achieved, the adhesive is cured to lock the position, ensuring both mechanical strength and manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the changing properties of the adhesive member during curing. Initially, the adhesive is in a soft, adjustable state that allows for precise optical axis alignment. After curing, it transforms into a rigid bond that provides mechanical strength. This parameter change from soft to rigid state enables both alignment precision and structural strength.
3Ease of manufacture
If gaps exist between coupled parts, then assembly ease is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to moisture and foreign object penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member acts as an intermediary element between the coupled parts (lens holder and base). It fills and seals the gaps that naturally exist between mating surfaces, preventing moisture and foreign objects from penetrating into the camera module. The sealing member maintains assembly ease by being a simple gasket-like component that accommodates manufacturing tolerances while providing reliable environmental protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member is implemented as a flexible gasket or O-ring that can deform to fill gaps between coupled parts. This flexible thin film structure accommodates assembly variations and maintains sealing effectiveness without requiring precision machining. The flexible nature allows easy installation while providing reliable protection against moisture and foreign object penetration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances environmental reliability, durability, and stability by minimizing optical axis alignment deviations and ensuring waterproofing, damp-proofing, and anticorrosive functions, improving image quality and assembly efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive member which is curable by heat or UV and aligns the optical axis between the holder member and the image sensor to fix the holder member and the PCB
Implementation Method 2
an adhesive member which is curable by heat or UV and aligns the optical axis between the holder member and the image sensor to fix the holder member and the PCB
Implementation Method 3
a sealing member which is an O-ring and prevents penetration of moisture or foreign objects
Data Source
AI summary
A camera module includes a lens holder, a base coupled to the lens holder and integrally formed with a cable by being molded with the cable, and a sealing member positioned at a coupled surface between the lens holder and the base. The lens holder includes a lens barrel including a first concave unit formed at a front surface with a hollow hole part to accommodate a first O-ring, and a second concave unit formed at a periphery to accommodate a second O-ring. A lens unit includes a front lens arranged at a front surface of a lens barrel and includes at least one lens arranged at the hollow hole part of the lens barrel, and a retainer including a recess groove configured to accommodate a third O-ring configured to fix the front lens by being formed at a periphery to be coupled at an inner surface to the periphery of the lens barrel.