Camera Module Holder for Thermal Expansion Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive camera modules experience performance deterioration due to external environmental factors, such as temperature changes, leading to image degradation, especially with the increasing demand for miniaturization and diverse applications in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A camera module design that includes a lens barrel, a holder with a low coefficient of thermal expansion, and an adhesive application line with a circular shape to couple the sensor substrate, minimizing distortion and performance degradation by adding a holder between the lens barrel and the housing, and using materials like plastic or aluminum alloy for the holder to manage thermal expansion differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heater or heat-retaining structure is added to prevent image deterioration in low temperatures, then image quality is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a holder as an intermediary component between the lens barrel and sensor substrate. This holder is specifically designed with thermal insulation properties and a heat-retaining structure that passively maintains optimal temperature for the image sensor without requiring active heating elements, thus improving reliability while avoiding increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of temperature changes into a beneficial passive thermal insulation system. By designing the holder with specific thermal properties and geometry, it naturally retains heat and protects the sensor from temperature fluctuations without requiring additional energy-consuming heating components
2Volume of moving object
If the camera module is miniaturized to meet automotive requirements, then productivity and space utilization are improved, but the module becomes more sensitive to external environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the sensor substrate is mounted on the holder, which is in turn coupled to the lens barrel, all contained within a housing. This nested arrangement maximizes space utilization and miniaturization while the inner holder provides thermal protection to the sensitive sensor
Solution Approach 2:
The holder serves as a protective intermediary between the miniaturized sensor and external environmental factors. It provides thermal insulation and mechanical support, allowing the camera module to be compact while remaining resistant to temperature changes and other environmental influences
3Adaptability or versatility
If different materials with different CTE are used for lens barrel and housing, then adaptability to thermal expansion is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to mismatched expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal expansion parameter by introducing a holder made of a material with specific CTE properties that differ from both the lens barrel and housing. This intermediate material absorbs and compensates for differential thermal expansion, maintaining alignment precision across temperature variations
Solution Approach 2:
The holder acts as a mediator between components with different CTE values. It absorbs dimensional changes due to thermal expansion through its own elastic deformation, preventing stress concentration and maintaining precise alignment of optical components despite material mismatches
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 effectively reduces camera module performance degradation due to environmental changes without altering its appearance and simplifies assembly, ensuring consistent image quality across varying temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor substrate may be coupled to the holder by bonding with an adhesive material
Implementation Method 2
The holder may be formed of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is less than a CTE of the lens barrel or a CTE of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A camera module is provided. The camera module includes a lens barrel including a plurality of lenses provided therein in an optical axis direction, a holder coupled to the lens barrel, a sensor substrate fixed to the holder, and including an image sensor, a housing to which the holder is coupled, and a main substrate provided in the housing.