JP2007274230A - Camera module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera module capable of reducing a manufacturing cost wherein it is not required to execute optical axis alignment in X and Y axes directions and focus adjustment in a Z axis direction through two steps. <P>SOLUTION: A projection 31 and a recessed part 42 in pairs are formed at a coupled part between a holder 3 being a first support member and a base 4 being a second support member, the projection 31 is movable in the recessed part 42 in three axial directions; X, Y, and Z axis directions to apply the optical axis alignment and the focus adjustment of lenses 22, 23 with respect to an imaging element 6, and the recessed part 42 is characterized in that the recessed part 42 acts like a liquid pool for pooling an adhesive resin to be coupled with the projection 31, the projection 31 is moved in the recessed part 42 for applying the optical axis alignment and the focus adjustment of the lenses 22, 23 with respect to the imaging element 6 in the three axial directions; the X, Y, and Z axis directions, and the adhesive resin in the recessed part 42 couples the projection 31 and the recessed part 42. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera module, and more particularly to a relatively small camera module mounted on an electronic device such as a mobile phone.

  In a relatively small camera module mounted on an electronic device such as a mobile phone, a CMOS sensor or a CCD sensor is used as an image sensor. 4 to 6 show such a conventional camera module 100. FIG. The camera module 100 includes a lens barrel unit 120, a holder 130 that supports the lens barrel unit 120, a base 140 that is bonded to the bottom surface of the holder 130, a substrate 150 that is provided below the base 140, and a substrate 150. The image pickup device 160 is mounted on the upper part.

  The lens barrel unit 120 includes lenses 122 and 123 constituting an optical system of the camera module, a cylindrical barrel 121 in which the lenses 122 and 123 are housed, and the lenses 122 and 123 from the bottom surface side of the barrel 121. It is comprised from the ring-shaped lens stopper member 124 for supporting inside. A screw thread 125 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the barrel 121.

  The holder 130 is a cylindrical member, and a thread 131 is formed on the inner peripheral surface. The screw thread 131 is screwed with the screw thread 125 of the barrel 121 to support the lens barrel unit 120 inside the holder 130. The holder 130 has a flat bottom surface 132.

  The base 140 is a frame-like member and includes an IR cut filter 141 inside. The base 140 has a flat upper surface 142.

  In the manufacturing process of the camera module 100, it is necessary to adjust the optical axes and focus of the lenses 122 and 123 with respect to the image sensor 160. This adjustment is performed in the three-axis directions of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis shown in FIG. The optical axis adjustment in the X-axis and Y-axis directions is performed by shifting the holder 130 in the horizontal direction with respect to the base 140. That is, the optical axis is adjusted while sliding the bottom surface 132 of the holder 130 on the top surface 142 of the base 140, and the bottom surface 132 and the top surface 142 are bonded to each other at an appropriate position. The focus adjustment in the Z-axis direction is performed by rotating the lens barrel unit 120 with respect to the holder 130. That is, when the lens barrel unit 120 is rotated, the focal point in the Z-axis direction can be adjusted by the screw thread 125 and the screw thread 131, and the lens barrel unit 120 and the holder 130 are bonded at an appropriate position.

  In the camera module 100, the optical axis adjustment in the X-axis and Y-axis directions and the focus adjustment in the Z-axis direction must be performed by two independent processes. For this reason, it is difficult to shorten the work time required for the optical axis adjustment and the focus adjustment, and there is a problem that the manufacturing cost of the camera module 100 is increased.

  Further, in order to use for focus adjustment in the Z-axis direction, it is necessary to form a thread 125 and a thread 131 on the barrel 121 and the holder 130 of the camera module 100, respectively. For this reason, the mold structure for molding the barrel 121 and the holder 130 becomes complicated, and there is a problem that the manufacturing cost increases. In addition, when the overall size of the camera module 100 is reduced, there may be a problem in molding accuracy using a mold.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and there is no need to perform optical axis adjustment in the X-axis and Y-axis directions and focus adjustment in the Z-axis direction by two steps, respectively, and a camera capable of reducing manufacturing costs. The purpose is to provide modules.

  The camera module according to the present invention includes a lens constituting an optical system of the camera module, a first support member that supports the lens, a second support member that is coupled to the first support member, and the second support member. A camera module having a substrate fixed to the substrate and an image pickup device mounted on the substrate, wherein a coupling portion between the first support member and the second support member has a pair of convex portions and concave portions. The convex portion is formed so as to be movable in the concave portion in the three axis directions of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis in order to perform the optical axis adjustment and the focus adjustment of the lens with respect to the imaging device. The concave portion is a liquid storage tank for storing an adhesive resin for coupling with the convex portion, and the optical axis adjustment of the lens with respect to the image pickup device in the three axis directions of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis. And focus adjustment Wherein the convex portion is moved in the recess, characterized by coupling the the said projecting portion by an adhesive resin recess in said recess.

  In the camera module according to the present invention, it is preferable that the first support member includes a barrel for housing the lens and a holder for supporting the barrel, and the second support member is a base.

  Furthermore, in the camera module according to the present invention, the convex portion is a ring-shaped protrusion that goes around the surface located on the coupling side of the holder or the base, and the concave portion is a surface located on the coupling side of the base or the holder. It is preferable that it is a cyclic | annular recessed part which makes a round.

  Furthermore, in the camera module according to the present invention, it is preferable that the first support member is a barrel for housing the lens, and the second support member is a base.

  Furthermore, in the camera module according to the present invention, the convex portion is a ring-shaped protrusion that goes around the surface located on the coupling side of the barrel or the base, and the concave portion is a surface located on the coupling side of the base or the barrel. It is preferable that it is a cyclic | annular recessed part which makes a round.

  Furthermore, a camera module according to the present invention includes a lens constituting an optical system of the camera module, a support member that supports the lens, a substrate coupled to the support member, and an image sensor mounted on the substrate. In the camera module, a pair of convex portions and concave portions are formed at a coupling portion between the support member and the substrate, and the convex portions perform optical axis adjustment and focus adjustment of the lens with respect to the imaging element. In order to perform this, it is movable in the concave portion in the three axis directions of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis, and the concave portion is a liquid storage tank for storing an adhesive resin for coupling with the convex portion. The convex portion is moved in the concave portion in order to perform optical axis adjustment and focus adjustment of the lens with respect to the image sensor in the three-axis directions of the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis, and the adhesion in the concave portion Tree Characterized by coupling the concave and the convex portion by.

  Furthermore, in the camera module according to the present invention, the substrate is preferably a ceramic substrate.

  In the camera module according to the first aspect of the present invention, a pair of convex portions and concave portions are formed at a joint portion between the first support member and the second support member, and the convex portions are light of the lens with respect to the image sensor. In order to perform the axis adjustment and the focus adjustment, it can be moved in the recesses in the three axis directions of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis, and the recesses store a liquid for storing an adhesive resin for coupling with the projections. It is a tank. For this reason, the optical axis adjustment in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction and the focus adjustment in the Z-axis direction can be performed in one step, and the convex portion and the concave portion can be coupled by the adhesive resin. Therefore, the working time can be reduced to less than half compared with the conventional process in which the optical axis adjustment is performed to perform the bonding operation and the adhesive is cured, and then the focus adjustment is further performed to perform the bonding operation. In the conventional camera module, the lens barrel unit is moved in the Z-axis direction with respect to the holder. However, since such an operation is not required, it is not necessary to form a screw thread on each of the barrel and the holder. Therefore, the mold structure for molding these members can be greatly simplified, and the manufacturing cost of the camera module can be reduced.

  In the camera module according to the second aspect of the present invention, the first support member includes a barrel and a holder, and the second support member serves as a base. By configuring the first support member from separate members of the barrel and the holder, the camera module according to the present invention can be manufactured while maintaining the conventional manufacturing process.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera module according to the present invention, wherein the convex portion is a ring-shaped protrusion that goes around the bottom surface located on the coupling side of the holder, and the concave portion is an annular shape that goes around the upper surface located on the coupling side of the base 4. It is a groove. By forming the concave portion into an annular groove, the adhesive resin can be stored in the entire concave portion only by dropping the adhesive resin at one location of the concave portion. Moreover, by making the convex part a ring-shaped protrusion, the holder and the base can be coupled without a gap. It is also possible to form a concave portion on the holder side and a convex portion on the base side. In this case, the holder and base are joined by placing the holder below the base.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera module having a first support member and a barrel and a second support member as a base. In the camera module according to the present invention, since it is not necessary to configure the barrel and the holder as separate members, the first support member can be a barrel. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the camera module can be reduced.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the camera module according to the present invention, when the first support member is a barrel and the second support member is a base, a convex portion that is a ring-shaped protrusion is formed on the barrel and is an annular groove. A recess can be formed in the base. Therefore, the barrel and the base can be joined without a gap. Further, in the case where the coupling operation is performed with the barrel disposed below the base, it is possible to form a concave portion on the barrel side and a convex portion on the base side.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera module having a pair of convex portions and concave portions formed at a joint portion between the support member and the substrate. This support member is a member formed by integrally molding a barrel, a holder, and a base in a conventional camera module. Therefore, the number of parts can be greatly reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the camera module can be greatly reduced. The board includes a general electronic board on which a large number of electronic parts other than the camera module are mounted in addition to the board as a part constituting only the camera module. In addition to the image sensor, many other electronic components that do not constitute a camera module are mounted on the electronic substrate. The camera module is generally attached to the electronic board via the camera module connector mounted on the electronic board. However, when the concave part is formed on the electronic board, such a camera module connector is not required and manufactured. Cost can be reduced. Further, since the camera module connector becomes unnecessary, there is also an advantage that when the camera module is attached to the electronic board, the protruding height of the camera module from the surface of the electronic board can be reduced.

  In the camera module according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the substrate is a ceramic substrate. Since the ceramic substrate is excellent in molding of the shape of the convex portion and the concave portion, the production of the substrate having the convex portion and the concave portion can be facilitated.

  Hereinafter, a camera module 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 which are attached drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the camera module 1 of the present embodiment. The camera module 1 includes lenses 22 and 23 that constitute an optical system of the camera module 1, a barrel 21 that supports the lenses 22 and 23, and a first support member that includes a holder 3 that supports the barrel 21. And a base 4 that is a second support member coupled to the first support member, a substrate 5 that is fixed to the base 4 that is a second support member, and an imaging element 6 mounted on the substrate 5. A pair of convex portions 31 and concave portions 42 are formed at the joint portion between the holder 3 of the first support member and the base 4 as the second support member. The convex portions 31 are formed of lenses 22 and 23 for the image sensor 6. In order to perform the optical axis adjustment and the focus adjustment, the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis can be moved in the concave portion 42, and the concave portion 42 is used for coupling with the convex portion 31. A liquid storage tank for storing adhesive resin. The convex portion 31 is formed in the concave portion 42 in order to adjust the optical axis and focus of the lenses 22 and 23 with respect to the imaging device 6 in the three axial directions of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis. The projection 31 and the recess 42 are combined with each other by an adhesive resin in the recess 42.

  A barrel 21 of the lens barrel unit indicated by reference numeral 2 in FIG. 1 is an injection-molded cylindrical member made of synthetic resin, and a lens hole 21a is formed at the upper center thereof.

  The lenses 22 and 23 accommodated in the barrel 21 are lenses constituting an optical system of the camera module, and are arranged in close contact with a peripheral wall surface in the cylindrical inner space of the barrel 21. These lenses 22 and 23 are supported in the barrel 21 by a lens stopper member 24. In the present embodiment, the lens group has a two-lens configuration, but a lens group having another configuration can be accommodated.

  The holder 3 is a cylindrical member that supports the barrel 21 of the lens barrel unit 2, and the outer peripheral surface of the barrel 21 and the outer peripheral surface of the holder 3 are bonded together.

  The bottom surface of the holder 3 is formed with a convex portion 31 that is a ring-shaped protrusion that goes around the bottom surface (see FIG. 3). The convex portion 31 is accommodated in a concave portion 42 of the base 4 described later, has a height dimension substantially the same as the depth dimension of the concave portion 42, and has a width dimension narrower than the width dimension of the concave section 42.

  The base 4 is a quadrangular frame-like member, and an IR cut filter 41 is supported at the center thereof.

  A recess 42, which is an annular groove that goes around the upper surface, is formed on the upper surface of the base 4 (see FIG. 2). The concave portion 42 serves as a liquid storage tank that stores the convex portion 31 and stores adhesive resin for coupling the convex portion 31 and the concave portion 42.

  An upper surface 51 of the substrate 5 is bonded to the bottom surface 43 of the base 4, and the imaging device 6 that is a CMOS sensor is mounted on the upper surface of the substrate 5.

Hereinafter, the function and effect of this embodiment will be described.
First, the joining operation of the holder 3 and the base 4 will be described. In this joining operation, the holder 3 is arranged so as to be positioned above the base 4. First, the adhesive resin is dropped into the recess 42 using a syringe, and the adhesive resin is stored in the recess 42. Next, the holder 3 and the base 4 bonded to the lens barrel unit 2 are combined so that the convex portion 31 is accommodated in the concave portion 42. Next, the optical axis adjustment of the imaging element lenses 22 and 23 with respect to the imaging element 6 is performed using an optical measuring instrument. This optical axis adjustment is performed by moving the holder 3 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions shown in FIG. 1, and when it can be confirmed that the holder 3 has moved to the appropriate position of the optical axis, the holder 3 is moved to that position. Hold. Since the width dimension of the convex portion 31 is narrower than the width dimension of the concave portion 42, the holder 3 can move in the concave portion 42 within the range of the difference in the width dimension between the convex portion 31 and the concave portion 42.

  Next, focus adjustment is performed by moving the holder 3 in the Z-axis direction shown in FIG. 1 while maintaining the appropriate position of the optical axis in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The movement of the holder 3 in the Z-axis direction is such that the height dimension of the convex portion 31 is substantially the same as the depth dimension of the concave portion 42, so that the range of the height dimension of the convex portion 31, that is, the convex portion 31 completely extends from the concave portion 42. It is possible as long as it does not leave. When it can be confirmed that the holder 3 has moved to an appropriate position of the focal point, the holder 3 is held at that position.

  Finally, the convex portion 31 and the concave portion 42 that are held in a state where they are not in close contact with the concave portion 42 are coupled by curing the adhesive resin, and the holding of the holder 3 is released after the adhesive resin is cured.

  In the camera module 1 of the present embodiment, a pair of convex portions 31 and a concave portion 42 are formed at the coupling portion between the holder 3 of the first support member and the base 4 as the second support member. In order to perform the optical axis adjustment and the focus adjustment of the lenses 22 and 23 with respect to the image pickup device 6, it is movable in the concave portion 42 in the three axis directions of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis. This is a liquid storage tank for storing an adhesive resin for coupling with the portion 31. For this reason, the optical axis adjustment in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction and the focus adjustment in the Z-axis direction can be performed in one step, and the convex portion 31 and the concave portion 42 can be coupled by the adhesive resin. Therefore, the working time can be reduced to less than half compared with the conventional process in which the optical axis adjustment is performed to perform the bonding operation and the adhesive is cured, and then the focus adjustment is further performed to perform the bonding operation. Moreover, since the camera module 1 of this embodiment does not need to move the lens barrel unit 2 in the Z-axis direction with respect to the holder 3, it is not necessary to form a screw thread on each of the barrel 21 and the holder 3. Therefore, the mold structure for molding these members can be greatly simplified, and the manufacturing cost of the camera module can be reduced.

  In the camera module 1 of the present embodiment, the first support member includes the barrel 21 and the holder 3, and the second support member serves as the base 4. By configuring the first support member from a separate member of the barrel 21 and the holder 3, the camera module 1 can be manufactured while maintaining the conventional manufacturing process.

  Furthermore, the camera module 1 of the present embodiment is a ring-shaped protrusion in which the convex portion 31 makes a round around the bottom surface located on the coupling side of the holder 3, and the concave portion 42 has an annular shape that makes a round around the top surface located on the coupling side of the base 4. It has become a groove. By forming the concave portion 42 as an annular groove, the adhesive resin can be stored in the entire concave portion 42 by simply dropping the adhesive resin on one portion of the concave portion 42. Moreover, by making the convex part 31 into a ring-shaped protrusion, the holder 3 and the base 4 can be coupled without a gap. Contrary to the present embodiment, it is possible to form a concave portion on the holder side and form a convex portion on the base side. In this case, the holder and base are joined together by placing the holder below the base.

  The camera module according to the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the camera module 1 of the above embodiment. According to another embodiment of the present invention, since it is not necessary to move the lens barrel unit in the Z-axis direction with respect to the holder, the barrel 21 and the holder 3 configured as separate members in the above embodiment are integrated. It becomes possible to mold. In this case, since the holder is not necessary, the first support member is a barrel and the second support member is a base.

  Thus, when the first support member is a barrel and the second support member is a base, a convex portion that is a ring-shaped protrusion can be formed on the barrel, and a concave portion that is an annular groove can be formed on the base. The barrel and the base can be connected without a gap. Further, in the case where the coupling operation is performed with the barrel disposed below the base, it is possible to form a concave portion on the barrel side and a convex portion on the base side.

  As still another embodiment of the camera module according to the present invention, a support member in which the barrel 21, the holder 3, and the base 4 of the above embodiment are integrally molded can be used. A pair of convex portions and concave portions are provided at a joint portion between the support member and the substrate 5, and the convex portions and the concave portions are coupled. The convex portion is formed in a portion corresponding to the bottom surface 43 of the base 4 of the above embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the concave portion is formed on the upper surface 51 of the substrate 5. As the substrate 5 for forming such a recess, a ceramic substrate excellent in shape molding is optimal. It is also possible to form a concave portion on the bottom surface 43 side and form a convex portion on the top surface 51 side. In this case, the joining operation of the support member and the substrate is performed by arranging the support member below the substrate.

  Further, the substrate includes a general type electronic substrate on which a large number of electronic components other than the camera module are mounted, in addition to a substrate of a type like the substrate 5 as a component constituting only the camera module 1. In addition to the image sensor, many other electronic components that do not constitute a camera module are mounted on the electronic substrate. Conventionally, the camera module 1 described in the above embodiment has been attached to the electronic board via a camera module connector attached to the electronic board. Such a camera module connector becomes unnecessary. Further, since the camera module connector becomes unnecessary, there is also an advantage that when the camera module is attached to the electronic board, the protruding height of the camera module from the surface of the electronic board can be reduced.

It is a section perspective view of camera module 1 of an embodiment concerning the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the state which isolate | separated the holder 3 and the base 4 of the camera module 1 shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the convex part 31 formed in the bottom face of the holder 3 of the camera module 1 shown in FIG. It is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a conventional camera module. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the state which isolate | separated the holder 130 and the base 140 of the conventional camera module 100 shown in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the conventional camera module 100 shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,100 Camera module 2 Lens barrel unit 21, 121 Barrel 21a Lens hole 22, 122 Lens 23, 123 Lens 24, 124 Lens stopper member 3, 130 Holder 31 Convex part 4, 140 Base 41, 141 IR cut filter 42 Concave part 43 Bottom surface 5, 150 Substrate 51 Upper surface 6, 160 Image sensor 125, 131 Screw thread 132 Bottom surface 142 Upper surface

Claims (7)

A lens constituting an optical system of the camera module, a first support member for supporting the lens, a second support member coupled to the first support member, and a substrate fixed to the second support member; A camera module having an image sensor mounted on the substrate,
A pair of convex portions and concave portions are formed in the coupling portion between the first supporting member and the second supporting member,
The convex portion is movable in the concave portion in the three-axis directions of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis in order to perform the optical axis adjustment and the focus adjustment of the lens with respect to the imaging element.
The concave portion is a liquid storage tank for storing an adhesive resin for coupling with the convex portion,
In order to perform optical axis adjustment and focus adjustment of the lens with respect to the imaging device in the three axis directions of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis, the convex portion is moved in the concave portion, and the adhesive resin in the concave portion The camera module is characterized in that the convex portion and the concave portion are coupled together.   The camera module according to claim 1, wherein the first support member includes a barrel that accommodates the lens and a holder that supports the barrel, and the second support member is a base.   The convex part is a ring-shaped protrusion that goes around the surface located on the coupling side of the holder or the base, and the concave part is an annular concave part that goes around the surface located on the coupling side of the base or the holder. The camera module according to claim 2.   The camera module according to claim 1, wherein the first support member is a barrel that accommodates the lens, and the second support member is a base.   The convex part is a ring-shaped protrusion that goes around the surface located on the coupling side of the barrel or the base, and the concave part is an annular concave part that goes around the surface located on the coupling side of the base or the barrel. The camera module according to claim 4. A camera module having a lens constituting an optical system of a camera module, a support member for supporting the lens, a substrate coupled to the support member, and an image sensor mounted on the substrate,
A pair of convex portions and concave portions are formed in the joint portion between the support member and the substrate,
The convex portion is movable in the concave portion in the three-axis directions of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis in order to perform the optical axis adjustment and the focus adjustment of the lens with respect to the imaging element.
The concave portion is a liquid storage tank for storing an adhesive resin for coupling with the convex portion,
In order to perform optical axis adjustment and focus adjustment of the lens with respect to the imaging device in the three axis directions of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis, the convex portion is moved in the concave portion, and the adhesive resin in the concave portion The camera module is characterized in that the convex portion and the concave portion are coupled together. The camera module according to claim 6, wherein the substrate is a ceramic substrate.

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