Camera Module Terminal Connector Design for Reliable Substrate Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Camera modules used in autonomous driving and transportation systems face issues with unreliable electrical connections between substrates due to flexible substrates that can deform or damage, leading to poor connection reliability and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A camera module design featuring a terminal connector with a connecting member and a support member that maintains a preset distance between substrates, using a connecting member with a deformable portion to ensure stable electrical contact and eliminate the need for flexible printed circuit boards, thereby improving connection reliability and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If flexible substrates are used to connect substrates vertically, then installation area is reduced, but connection reliability deteriorates due to folding or damage of the flexible substrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the flexible substrate from the connection structure, replacing it with a rigid terminal connector that directly connects substrates without requiring deformation space, thereby resolving the reliability issue while maintaining compact installation area
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal connector is segmented into a support member and connection terminals, where the support member maintains substrate spacing and the connection terminals establish electrical contact, providing a structured alternative to flexible substrates that improves connection reliability
2Device complexity
If flexible substrates are used to connect substrates, then vertical arrangement is enabled, but manufacturing cost increases due to space requirements for deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible substrate is extracted and replaced with a terminal connector that does not require deformation space, eliminating the need for additional space in the vertical arrangement and reducing manufacturing costs associated with flexible substrate handling and assembly
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using flexible substrates to accommodate deformation space, the invention inverts the approach by using a rigid terminal connector that maintains fixed spacing, thereby eliminating the need for deformation space and reducing manufacturing complexity
3Reliability
If substrates are spaced apart using terminal connector, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal connector merges the functions of maintaining substrate spacing and establishing electrical connection into a single integrated component, avoiding the need for separate spacing mechanisms and connection elements, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal connector serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains the preset distance between substrates, provides electrical connection terminals, and ensures stable contact through its rigid structure, reducing the need for additional components and simplifying the overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A camera module includes: a first substrate on which an image sensor configured to convert an optical signal incident through a lens module into an electrical signal is disposed and a first connection terminal is disposed; a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate and including a second connection terminal formed in a position facing the first connection terminal; and a terminal connector electrically connecting the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal to each other and configured to maintain a preset distance between the first substrate and the second substrate. In the camera module, the terminal connector includes: a connecting member including a first connection portion, a second connection portion, and a deformable portion; and a support member configured to maintain the preset distance between the first substrate and the second substrate.