JP2010078772A - Camera module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera module that can easily increase productivity without impairing waterproof functions. <P>SOLUTION: The camera module A includes: a lens unit 5 holding lenses 51B, 51D, 52 for image formation for an image sensor 3; an outer case 1 surrounding the lens unit 5 while closely contacting the upper part of the lens unit 5 to be caught thereby; and a bottom lid 2 which is fixed by fastening a screw in a state of closely contacting the lower end of the outer case 1 while pressing a substrate 4 against the lens unit 5. Peripheral parts 53b, 11, 12, 23 having a side wall shape facing one another in the sectional view are formed on the upper part of the lens unit 5 and the part corresponding to the outer case 1 closely contacting the upper part, and on the lower end of the outer case 1 and the part corresponding to the bottom lid 2 closely contacting the lower end. Annular elastic bodies 6, 7 are placed between the peripheral parts 53b, 12 and the peripheral parts 11, 23. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera module used for, for example, an outdoor security camera or an in-vehicle camera.

  In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for small and excellent waterproof camera modules used outdoors. Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional camera module. As shown in FIG. 7, this type of camera module includes a substrate 400 on which an image sensor 300 is mounted, a lens unit 500, an exterior case 100, and a bottom lid 200. The lens unit 500 holds the imaging lenses 501 to 503 for the image sensor 300 and is integrated with the substrate 400 so as to cover the image sensor 300. The outer case 100 surrounds the lens unit 500 while being caught in close contact with the upper portion of the lens unit 500. The bottom lid 200 is fastened and fixed via a screw (not shown) in contact with the back surface of the substrate 400 and in close contact with the lower end portion of the exterior case 100.

  In such a conventional camera module, in order to provide a waterproof function, an annular elastic ring is provided at a close portion between the upper portion of the lens unit 500 and the outer case 100 and a close portion between the lower end portion of the outer case 100 and the bottom cover 200. 600 and 700 are sandwiched. These elastic rings 600 and 700 compress and deform in the screw fastening direction (vertical direction in the figure), thereby sealing the intimate portions of the components such as the lens unit 500, the outer case 100, and the bottom cover 200.

  However, in the above-described conventional camera module, if there are significant dimensional errors in the three parts including the lens unit 500, the outer case 100, and the bottom cover 200, the outer case 100 and the outer case 100 come into contact with the substrate 400, for example. There may be a gap between the bottom lid 200 and the elastic rings 600 and 700 may not be sufficiently compressed and deformed in the vertical direction. In such a case, moisture enters from the intimate part, and the waterproof function is impaired.

  On the other hand, in order to reduce the dimensional error of the three parts as much as possible, it is only necessary to improve the dimensional accuracy at the time of manufacturing. In such a case, however, it is disadvantageous in terms of manufacturing cost and yield, leading to a decrease in productivity. There were difficulties.

JP 2006-327512 A

  The present invention has been conceived under the circumstances described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a camera module that can easily improve productivity without impairing the waterproof function.

  A camera module provided by the first aspect of the present invention includes a substrate on which an image sensor is mounted, and a lens that is integrated with the substrate so as to cover the image sensor and holds an imaging lens for the image sensor. Fastening the screws in close contact with the lower end of the outer case while holding the unit against the lens unit, and the outer case surrounding the lens unit while being hooked in close contact with the upper part of the lens unit A bottom lid fixed by the camera module, the upper part of the lens unit and a corresponding part of the outer case in close contact with the lens unit, or the lower end of the outer case and the bottom cover in close contact with the lower part. The corresponding portions are formed with side wall-shaped peripheral edges that face each other in the lateral direction. Between, is characterized in that the annular elastic body is sandwiched.

  As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, both the upper part of the lens unit and the corresponding part of the outer case in close contact with the lens unit, and the lower part of the outer case and the corresponding part of the bottom cover in close contact with the upper part, The peripheral edge portions in the shape of side walls in cross section facing each other are formed, and an annular elastic body is sandwiched between the peripheral edge portions and the peripheral edge portions in the corresponding portions.

  A camera module provided by the second aspect of the present invention includes a substrate on which an image sensor is mounted, and a lens that is integrated with the substrate so as to cover the image sensor and holds an imaging lens for the image sensor. Fastening the screws in close contact with the lower end of the exterior case while holding the unit against the lens unit, the exterior case surrounding the lens unit while being caught in close contact with the unit and the upper part of the lens unit A bottom lid fixed by the camera module, wherein a lower end portion of the exterior case and a corresponding portion of the bottom lid that is in close contact with the peripheral edge in a cross-sectional view sloped toward each other toward the inside A portion is formed, and an annular elastic body is sandwiched between the peripheral edge and the peripheral edge. That.

  As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a peripheral portion having a side wall in cross-sectional view facing each other is formed on the upper portion of the lens unit and a corresponding portion of the outer case that is in close contact with the lens unit. An annular elastic body is also sandwiched between the peripheral edge portion and the peripheral edge portion.

  As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the peripheral edge portions facing each other in the lateral direction is formed with a flange portion protruding in a hook shape in the lateral direction.

  As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an elastic sheet is sandwiched between the bottom lid and the substrate.

  According to such a configuration, there may be some dimensional error in the three parts including the lens unit, the exterior case, and the bottom cover. Due to such a dimensional error, for example, an annular elastic body sandwiched between a peripheral portion and a peripheral portion of a side wall in a sectional view or a slope in a sectional view even if there is a slight gap in the close part between the outer case and the bottom cover Is compressed and deformed in a direction perpendicular or oblique to the fastening direction of the screw. Therefore, according to the camera module of the present invention, the close contact portion is surely sealed by the annular elastic body, so that the productivity can be easily increased without impairing the waterproof function.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  1 and 2 show an embodiment of a camera module according to the present invention. The camera module A of this embodiment includes an outer case 1, a bottom cover 2, a substrate 4 on which an image sensor 3 is mounted, a lens unit 5, an O-ring 6 and a square ring 7 as an annular elastic body, an elastic sheet 8, and a screw 9. It is comprised.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the outer case 1 surrounds the lens unit 5 while being caught in close contact with the upper part of the lens unit 5. An opening 10A for exposing a part of the lens unit 5 is provided in the upper part of the outer case 1, and a screw hole 10B for fastening a screw 9 is provided in the lower end corner (see FIG. 1). Is provided. A peripheral edge portion 11 having a side wall shape in a sectional view is formed on the inner side of the upper portion of the outer case 1 which is a close portion X with the lens unit 5. The peripheral edge portion 11 is in close contact with the upper portion of the lens unit 5 in a state where the O-ring 6 is pressed inward in the lateral direction. A peripheral edge portion 12 having a side wall shape in a sectional view is also formed at the lower end portion of the exterior case 1 which is a close contact portion Y with the bottom lid 2. The peripheral edge portion 12 is in close contact with the upper end portion of the bottom lid 2 in a state where the square ring 7 is pressed outward in the lateral direction.

  The bottom lid 2 is fixed by fastening a screw 9 to the lower end portion of the outer case 1. Inside the bottom cover 2, ribs 20 are provided that abut against the back surface of the substrate 4 via the elastic sheet 8. A cable 90 connected to the substrate 4 is pulled out to the outside of the bottom cover 2. A hole 21 is provided, and a screw hole 22 (see FIG. 1) for fastening the screw 9 is formed therethrough. The cable drawing hole 21 is sealed with a resin (not shown) after the cable 90 is drawn, for example. A peripheral edge portion 23 having a side wall shape in a sectional view is formed at the upper end portion of the bottom lid 2 that becomes the close contact portion Y with the exterior case 1. The peripheral edge 23 is sandwiched between the rectangular ring 7 in a posture facing the peripheral edge 12 of the outer case 1 in the lateral direction, and the lower end of the outer case 1 is pressed against the inner side in the lateral direction. Close to the department.

  The image sensor 3 includes an image sensor such as a CCD or a CMOS, and outputs a pixel signal corresponding to the intensity of light received at each pixel.

  The substrate 4 is integrated with the lens unit 5 by taking a posture in which the main surface on which the image sensor 3 is mounted is directed toward the inside of the lens unit 5 and is joined to the lower end of the lens unit 5. A connector 40 for connecting the cable 90 is provided on the back surface of the substrate 4.

  The lens unit 5 holds various optical components including a lens. The lens unit 5 includes a lens holder 50, a lens assembly 51, an outer lens 52, and a lens pressing member 53.

  The substrate 4 on which the image sensor 3 is mounted is bonded to the lower end portion of the lens holder 50. A thread 50a for adjusting the focus while screwing the lens assembly 51 is formed on the inner peripheral portion of the lens holder 50 having a cylindrical shape.

  The lens assembly 51 includes an intermediate lens 51B, an aperture stop 51C, an inner lens 51D, a spacer 51E, and an optical filter 51F in the lens barrel 51A. A thread 51a for screwing into the lens holder 50 is formed on the outer periphery of the lens barrel 51A.

  The outer lens 52 is fixed by the lens pressing member 53 in a state of being disposed above the intermediate lens 51B. A waterproof rubber ring 54 is sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface of the outer lens 52 and the inner peripheral surface of the lens pressing member 53.

  The lens pressing member 53 is for integrating the lens assembly 51 and the outer lens 52. A thread 53 a is formed on the inner peripheral portion of the lens pressing member 53 to be fixed to the lens assembly 51 while being screwed. On the upper part of the lens pressing member 53 that becomes the close contact portion X with the exterior case 1, a peripheral portion 53b having a side wall shape in cross section is formed. The peripheral portion 53b is sandwiched between the O-ring 6 in a posture facing the peripheral portion 11 of the outer case 1 in a lateral direction, and the upper portion of the outer case 1 is pressed against the outer side in the lateral direction. Close inside.

  The lens unit 5 is integrated with the substrate 4 as follows. First, a lower part in which the substrate 4 is bonded to the lens holder 50 is prepared, while an upper part in which the outer lens 52 and the lens pressing member 53 are assembled to the lens assembly 51 is prepared. Next, the lens barrel 51 </ b> A is screwed into the inner peripheral portion of the lens holder 50 in order to integrate the upper part and the lower part. At this time, the relative position of the lens barrel 51 </ b> A and the lens pressing member 53 with respect to the substrate 4 is determined by adjusting the focus. That is, the vertical dimension from the upper part of the lens pressing member 53 caught on the exterior case 1 to the substrate 4 is slightly different for each camera module due to manufacturing variations.

  The O-ring 6 is sandwiched between the close portions X between the outer case 1 and the lens unit 5. Specifically, the O-ring 6 is sandwiched between the peripheral edge portion 11 on the upper inner side of the outer case 1 and the peripheral edge portion 53b on the upper portion of the lens unit 5, and is in the side direction while being in close contact with the peripheral edge portions 11 and 53b. To be compressed and deformed.

  The square ring 7 is sandwiched between the intimate portions Y between the outer case 1 and the bottom lid 2. Specifically, the square ring 7 is sandwiched between the peripheral edge 12 at the lower end of the outer case 1 and the peripheral edge 23 at the upper end of the bottom lid 2, and in the side direction while being in close contact with the peripheral edges 12, 23. To be compressed and deformed.

  The elastic sheet 8 cushions the contact state between the rib 20 of the bottom cover 2 and the back surface of the substrate 4.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the screw 9 passes through the screw hole 22 of the bottom cover 2 and is tightened into the screw hole 10 </ b> B of the outer case 1.

  Next, the operation of the camera module A will be described.

  When assembling the camera module A, first, the lens unit 5 integrated with the substrate 4 and adjusted in focus is housed in the outer case 1. At this time, the upper part of the lens unit 5 is hooked inside the upper part of the outer case 1, and the O-ring 6 is fitted between the peripheral edge 11 of the outer case 1 and the peripheral edge 53 b of the lens unit 5. .

  Next, the bottom lid 2 is assembled to the exterior case 1 while the rib 20 of the bottom lid 2 is abutted against the back surface of the substrate 4 via the elastic sheet 8. At this time, the lower end portion of the outer case 1 and the upper end portion of the bottom cover 2 are brought into contact with each other, and the rectangular ring 7 is fitted between the peripheral portion 12 of the outer case 1 and the peripheral portion 23 of the bottom cover 2. deep.

  Next, the outer case 1 is fixed to the bottom lid 2 via the screws 9. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper inner side of the outer case 1 and the upper part of the lens unit 5 are hooked, and the rib 20 of the bottom cover 2 hits the back surface of the substrate 4 through the elastic sheet 8. In such a state, for example, when the vertical dimension from the upper part of the lens unit 5 to the substrate 4 is slightly longer than the standard length due to lens adjustment, the screw 9 is tightened at the intimate portion Y between the outer case 1 and the bottom cover 2. A gap is generated in the direction (vertical direction). In such a close portion Y, since the square ring 7 is sandwiched between the peripheral portions 12 and 22, no gap is generated in the lateral direction.

  Similarly, even if the vertical dimension from the upper part of the lens unit 5 to the substrate 4 is slightly shorter than the standard length and a gap is generated in the tightening direction of the screw 9 at the close portion X between the outer case 1 and the lens unit 5, There is no gap in the lateral direction due to the O-ring 6 sandwiched between the peripheral edge portions 11 and 53b in the close contact portion X.

  Therefore, according to the camera module A of the present embodiment, a certain degree of dimensional error can be allowed for the three parts including the outer case 1, the bottom cover 2, and the lens unit 5, and further, the lens unit 5 can be adjusted by focusing. The vertical dimension from the top to the substrate 4 may be slightly deviated from the standard dimension. Even if a gap occurs in the intimate part X between the outer case 1 and the lens unit 5 or in the intimate part Y between the outer case 1 and the bottom cover 2 due to these dimensional errors and dimensional deviations, the O-ring 6 and the square ring 7 side each other. There is no gap in the direction. Thereby, the close portions X and Y can be reliably sealed, and the productivity of the camera module A can be easily increased without impairing the waterproof function.

  3 to 6 show another embodiment of the camera module according to the present invention. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the component which is the same as that of the embodiment mentioned above, or similar, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the camera module B shown in FIG. 3, the outer lens 52 is directly integrated with the lens assembly 51. That is, a screw thread 52a is formed on the inner peripheral portion of the outer lens 52 while being screwed into the lens assembly 51, and on the outer portion of the outer lens 52 that is in close contact with the exterior case 1, A peripheral edge portion 52b having a side wall shape in cross section is formed. The peripheral portion 52b is sandwiched between the O-ring 6 in a posture facing the peripheral portion 11 of the outer case 1 in the lateral direction, and the upper portion of the outer case 1 is pressed against the outer side in the lateral direction. Close inside. According to such a configuration, the lens pressing member and the rubber ring are not necessary, so that the number of parts of the lens unit 5 can be reduced.

  In the lens unit 5 shown in FIG. 4, the outer lens 52 also functions as a lens barrel. Inside the outer lens 52, an intermediate lens 51B, an aperture stop 51C having an H-shaped cross section, an inner lens 51D, an elastic spacer 51E, an optical filter 51F, and a lower spacer 51G are incorporated. . The spacer 51G is fixed to the lower inner side of the outer lens 52 by an adhesive or press-fitting. A screw thread 52 c for screwing into the lens holder 50 is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the outer lens 52. According to such a configuration, not only the lens pressing member and the rubber ring but also the lens barrel is unnecessary, so that the number of parts of the lens unit 5 can be further reduced.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A, contrary to the above-described embodiment, the lower end portion of the outer case 1 is in close contact with the upper end portion of the bottom lid 2 in a state where the square ring 7 is pressed inward in the lateral direction. A peripheral edge 12 is formed. On the other hand, a peripheral edge portion 23 is formed at the upper end portion of the bottom lid 2 so as to be in close contact with the lower end portion of the outer case 1 in a state where the square ring 7 is pressed outward in the lateral direction. Even in such a configuration, the close contact portion Y can be reliably sealed, and a waterproof function can be achieved. In the form shown in FIG. 5B, a flange 12 a is formed at the tip of the peripheral edge 12 in the outer case 1. The flange portion 12a protrudes in a hook shape in the lateral direction, and prevents the square ring 7 from shifting. In such a configuration, even when the rectangular ring 7 is brought into close contact with the peripheral edge 12 of the outer case 1 in advance before the bottom cover 2 is assembled to the outer case 1, the angular ring 7 is not displaced or dropped. 12a can prevent this. In addition, you may make it form the said collar part in the front-end | tip of the peripheral part of a bottom cover.

  In the camera module C shown in FIG. 6, peripheral edge portions 12 and 23 having a slope shape in cross section are formed at the lower end portion of the outer case 1 and the upper end portion of the bottom lid 2 that are in close contact with each other. These peripheral edge parts 12 and 23 are exhibiting the slope shape which mutually approaches as it goes inside. A square ring 7 is sandwiched between the peripheral edges 12 and 23. The square ring 7 is brought into close contact with the inclined peripheral portions 12 and 23 without a gap by the action of contracting to the inside thereof. According to such a configuration, even if there is a gap between the lower end portion of the outer case 1 and the upper end portion of the bottom lid 2, no gap is generated between the peripheral edge portions 12 and 23 and the square ring 7. The close contact portion Y can be reliably sealed, and a waterproof function can be achieved. Note that the outer case and the bottom cover may have a cylindrical shape, and an O-ring may be sandwiched between the peripheral portions.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The specific configuration of each part of the camera module according to the present invention can be modified in various ways.

  For example, the lens unit or the substrate may have an electromagnetic shielding function.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the camera module concerning this invention. It is sectional drawing of the camera module shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows other embodiment of the camera module concerning this invention. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows other embodiment of the camera module concerning this invention. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows other embodiment of the camera module concerning this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows other embodiment of the camera module concerning this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the conventional camera module.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outer case 11, 12 Peripheral part 12a collar part 2 Bottom cover 23 Perimeter part of bottom cover 3 Image sensor 4 Substrate 5 Lens unit 51B Intermediate lens 51D Inner lens 52 Outer lens 52b, 53b Peripheral part of lens unit 6 O Ring 7 Square ring 8 Elastic sheet 9 Screw A to C Camera module X Close part of exterior case and lens unit Y Close part of exterior case and bottom cover

Claims (6)

A substrate mounted with an image sensor;
A lens unit that is integrated with the substrate so as to cover the image sensor and holds an imaging lens for the image sensor;
An outer case surrounding the lens unit while being caught in close contact with the upper part of the lens unit;
A bottom lid fixed by fastening screws in a state of being in close contact with the lower end of the outer case while pressing the substrate toward the lens unit;
A camera module comprising:
The upper part of the lens unit and the corresponding part of the outer case that is in close contact with the upper part of the lens unit, or the lower part of the outer case and the corresponding part of the bottom cover that is in close contact with the peripheral part of the side wall in sectional view facing each other A camera module characterized in that an annular elastic body is sandwiched between the peripheral edge and the peripheral edge.   Both the upper portion of the lens unit and the corresponding portion of the exterior case that is in close contact therewith, and the lower end portion of the exterior case and the corresponding portion of the bottom cover that is in close contact with each other, The camera module according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral portion is formed, and an annular elastic body is sandwiched between the peripheral portion and the peripheral portion in these corresponding portions. A substrate mounted with an image sensor;
A lens unit that is integrated with the substrate so as to cover the image sensor and holds an imaging lens for the image sensor;
An outer case surrounding the lens unit while being caught in close contact with the upper part of the lens unit;
A bottom lid fixed by fastening screws in a state of being in close contact with the lower end of the outer case while pressing the substrate toward the lens unit;
A camera module comprising:
In the lower end portion of the outer case and the corresponding portion of the bottom lid that is in close contact therewith, a peripheral portion having a slope shape in section view that approaches each other as it goes inward is formed, and between these peripheral portions and the peripheral portion Is a camera module characterized in that an annular elastic body is sandwiched.   The upper part of the lens unit and the corresponding part of the exterior case that is in close contact therewith are formed with side-wall-shaped peripheral edges facing each other in the lateral direction. The camera module according to claim 3, wherein an elastic body is sandwiched.   5. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the peripheral edge portions facing each other in a lateral direction is formed with a flange portion protruding in a hook shape in the lateral direction.   The camera module according to claim 1, wherein an elastic sheet is sandwiched between the bottom lid and the substrate.

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