JP2010078978A - Camera module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera module easily enhancing productivity without deteriorating the waterproofing function. <P>SOLUTION: The camera module A includes: a substrate 4 on which an image sensor 3 is mounted; a lens holder 5 holding imaging lenses 52, 54 and 56 for the image sensor 3, and having a flange 53a formed on the upper outer periphery thereof and a screw thread 51a formed on the lower outer periphery thereof; and a holder case 7 that is directly screw-fastened with the lens holder 5 through the screw thread 51a while the substrate 4 is stored therein, and also, that has an upper end portion in tight contact with the flange 53a through an annular elastic body 6 disposed between the flange 53a and the upper end portion. <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. 10, this type of camera module includes a substrate 400 on which an image sensor 300 is mounted, a lens holder 500, an exterior case 100, and a bottom lid 200. The lens holder 500 holds lenses 501 to 503 for image formation for the image sensor 300 with a lens barrel 510, a lens pressing member 511, and a skirt member 512. Such a lens holder 500 is integrated with the substrate 400 so as to cover the image sensor 300. The outer case 100 surrounds the lens holder 500 while being caught in close contact with the upper portion of the lens holder 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 holder 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 holder 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 holder 500, the exterior case 100, and the bottom cover 200, for example, the relationship between the bottom case 200 and the exterior case 100 is brought into contact with the substrate 400. 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.

  Further, in the configuration including the outer case 100 and the bottom lid 200, not only the waterproof function is not enhanced due to the dimensional error, but also the number of parts constituting the entire module tends to be relatively large, thereby reducing cost and improving productivity. There was a difficulty that it was difficult to realize.

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 present invention includes a substrate on which an image sensor is mounted, a lens holder that holds an imaging lens for the image sensor, a flange on the upper outer periphery and a thread on the lower outer periphery, A holder case that is directly screwed to the lens holder via the screw thread in a state in which the substrate is accommodated, and has an upper end portion that is in close contact with the flange via an annular elastic body. It is characterized by having.

  As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a flange portion of the lens holder and an upper end portion of the holder case that is in close contact with the flange are formed with side wall-like peripheral portions facing each other in the lateral direction. The annular elastic body is sandwiched between the peripheral portion and the peripheral portion.

  As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flange of the lens holder and the upper end portion of the holder case that is in close contact with the flange are formed with peripheral edge portions that are sloped in cross section as they approach each other. The annular elastic body is sandwiched between the peripheral edge and the peripheral edge.

  As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, another annular elastic body is in close contact with the outside of the annular elastic body.

  As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the holder case is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape.

  According to such a configuration, parts such as a lens holder and a holder case may have a certain dimensional error. Due to such a dimensional error, for example, even if there is a slight gap between the flange of the lens holder and the upper end of the holder case, the annular elastic body is in close contact with the compressed state so as to close the gap. Therefore, according to the camera module of the present invention, the holder case itself functions as a waterproof case, and the gap that leads to the inside is reliably sealed by the annular elastic body. Thereby, productivity can be easily raised by reducing a number of parts, without impairing a 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 according to this embodiment includes a substrate 4 on which the image sensor 3 is mounted, a lens holder 5, an O-ring 6 as an annular elastic body, and a holder case 7.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image sensor 3 is mounted on the substrate 4. 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 by each pixel.

  The substrate 4 has a posture in which the image sensor 3 faces the lens holder 5 and is accommodated in the holder case 7. A connector 40 for connecting the cable 8 is provided on the back surface of the substrate 4.

  The lens holder 5 holds various optical components including a lens. The lens holder 5 includes a lens barrel 51, an outer lens 52, a lens pressing member 53, an intermediate lens 54, an aperture stop 55, an inner lens 56, a spacer 57, and an optical filter 58.

  The lens barrel 51 has a cylindrical shape that forms the lower part of the lens holder 5. A screw thread 51 a for screwing the holder case 7 is formed on the outer peripheral side surface of the lens barrel 51.

  The outer lens 52 is disposed in the upper opening of the lens barrel 51 so as to cover the intermediate lens 54 and is fixed by a lens pressing member 53. A waterproof rubber ring 59 is sandwiched between the outer lens 52, the lens pressing member 53 and the lens barrel 51.

  The lens pressing member 53 is an upper part of the lens holder 5. A flange 53 a that is in close contact with the upper end of the holder case 7 is formed on the outer periphery of the lens pressing member 53. A thread 53 b that meshes with a thread 51 a of the lens barrel 51 is formed on a part of the inner peripheral side surface of the lens pressing member 53. Thereby, the lens pressing member 53 is fixed in a state where it is screwed into the upper portion of the lens barrel 51. In the lower part of the flange 53a, a peripheral portion 53c having a side wall shape in cross section is formed as a close contact portion with the holder case 7. The peripheral portion 53 c is in close contact with the upper end portion of the holder case 7 via the O-ring 6.

  The intermediate lens 54, the aperture stop 55, the inner lens 56, the spacer 57, and the optical filter 58 are fixed inside the lens barrel 51.

  The O-ring 6 is sandwiched between the peripheral portion 53 c of the lens holder 5 and the peripheral portion 73 of the holder case 7. The O-ring 6 is compressed and deformed in the lateral direction while being in close contact with the peripheral edge portions 53c and 73.

  The holder case 7 is a case having a bottomed cylindrical shape, and is directly screwed to the lens holder 5 while the substrate 4 is accommodated. A screw thread 70 is formed on the inner peripheral side surface of the holder case 7 to engage with the screw thread 51a of the lens barrel 51. A rib 71 for bonding and fixing the substrate 4 is provided inside the holder case 7. Yes. A hole 72 for pulling out the cable 8 connected to the substrate 4 to the outside is provided in an appropriate portion of the outer periphery of the holder case 7. For example, the hole 72 is sealed with resin after the cable 8 is pulled out (not shown). At the upper end of the holder case 7 that is in close contact with the lens holder 5, a peripheral edge 73 having a side wall shape in cross section is formed. The peripheral portion 73 sandwiches the O-ring 6 between the peripheral portion 53c and the peripheral portion 53c formed in the lower portion of the flange 53a of the lens holder 5, and presses the O-ring 6 inward in the lateral direction. In close contact with the flange 53a.

  The lens holder 5 and the holder case 7 are integrated as follows. First, the substrate 4 is fixed inside the holder case 7. Next, the holder case 7 is screwed into the lens barrel 51 of the lens holder 5. At this time, the relative position of the lens holder 5 with respect to the image sensor 3 on the substrate 4 is determined by adjusting the focus. That is, the screwing amount of the holder case 7 is slightly different for each camera module due to manufacturing variations. As a result, a relatively small gap or a large gap may occur between the upper end of the holder case 7 and the flange 53a of the lens holder 5. On the other hand, the gap between the peripheral portion 53c of the lens holder 5 and the peripheral portion 73 of the holder case 7 is always smaller than the diameter of the O-ring 6 in the natural state without being affected by manufacturing variations due to focus adjustment. Yes. Since such an O-ring 6 is in close contact with the peripheral portions 53c and 73 while being compressed and deformed in the lateral direction, there is no gap that leads to the inside of the holder case 7.

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

  When the camera module A is assembled, first, the substrate 4 is fixed in the holder case 7 and the lens holder 5 is prepared. In the lens holder 5, a lens barrel 51, an outer lens 52, a lens pressing member 53, an intermediate lens 54, an aperture stop 55, an inner lens 56, a spacer 57, and an optical filter 58 are already integrated.

  Next, focus adjustment is performed while screwing the lens barrel 51 of the lens holder 5 to the holder case 7. At this time, the O-ring 6 is fitted into a portion sandwiched between the peripheral portions 53 c and 73 between the flange 53 a of the lens holder 5 and the upper end portion of the holder case 7. The distance between the flange 53a and the upper end of the holder case 7 may be slightly larger than a standard distance, for example, due to focus adjustment. In such a case, a gap is generated in the screwing direction (vertical direction) between the flange 53a and the upper end portion of the holder case 7, but between the peripheral portion 53c of the lens holder 5 and the peripheral portion 73 of the holder case 7. Since the O-ring 6 is sandwiched, there is no gap in the lateral direction. Thereby, the assembly of the camera module A is completed simply by screwing the lens holder 5 directly to the holder case 7.

  Therefore, according to the camera module A of the present embodiment, a certain degree of dimensional error can be allowed for components such as the lens holder 5 and the holder case 7, and a gap is generated in the upper part and the lower part of the O-ring 6 by the focus adjustment. May be. This is because the peripheral portion 53c of the lens holder 5 and the peripheral portion 73 of the holder case 7 are in close contact with each other in the lateral direction of the O-ring 6 so that no gap is generated. As a result, the holder case 7 itself functions as a waterproof case, and a gap that leads to the inside is securely sealed by the O-ring 6. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced and productivity can be reduced without impairing the waterproof function. Can be easily increased.

  3 to 9 show other embodiments 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 FIGS. 3 and 4, peripheral portions 53 c and 73 having slopes in cross section are formed at the lower portion of the flange 53 a and the upper end portion of the holder case 7 in the lens holder 5. The peripheral portions 53c and 73 have a slope shape that approaches each other toward the inside. The O-ring 6 is sandwiched between the peripheral portions 53c and 73. The operation of sandwiching the O-ring 6 is preferably performed after the lens holder 5 is screwed to the holder case 7 as shown in the order of steps in FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B). Even if the clearance between the upper end of the holder case 7 and the flange 53a is large as shown in the X circle of FIG. 3, or the clearance is small as shown in the Y circle of the same figure, the O-ring 6 By the action of contracting inside itself, it is brought into close contact with the inclined peripheral portions 53c and 73 without a gap. According to such a configuration, the O-ring 6 can perform a waterproof function, and the O-ring 6 can be easily sandwiched.

  In the camera module C shown in FIG. 5, an irregular elastic ring 6 ′ that matches the cross-sectional shape of the peripheral portions 53 c and 73 is used. According to such a configuration using the elastic ring 6 ′, since the elastic ring 6 ′ is more closely attached to the peripheral portions 53 c and 73, the waterproof function can be further enhanced.

  In the camera module D shown in FIG. 6, after the O-ring 6 is sandwiched between the peripheral portions 53c and 73, an elastic ring 6 ″ having a concave cross section is further fitted on the outside thereof. For example, the O-ring 6 is brought into close contact with the peripheral portions 53c and 73, and the elastic ring 6 ″ is brought into close contact with the upper end of the holder case 7 from the flange 53a, so that the waterproof function can be further enhanced.

  In the camera module E shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the holder case 7 can be divided into a case upper portion 7A and a case bottom portion 7B. The case upper portion 7A has a cylindrical portion to be screwed to the lens holder 5, while the case bottom portion 7B has an angular shape as a whole. The case upper portion 7A and the case bottom portion 7B are integrated with each other through a screw 9 with a prevention square ring 7C interposed therebetween. According to such a configuration, the generally rectangular substrate 4 can be accommodated inside the holder case 7 and can be made easier than a case where the substrate is processed into a circle.

  9A to 9D, the structure for sealing the hole 72 of the holder case 7 is different from that according to the above-described embodiment. That is, in FIG. 9A, a concave groove 72a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the hole 72, and a bulging portion 8a having a part of the covering portion of the cable 8 is fitted into the concave groove 72a. Yes. In FIG. 9B, a concave groove 8 b is provided in a part of the covering portion of the cable 8, and an elastic ring 80 is fitted between the concave groove 8 b and the concave groove 72 a of the hole 72. In FIG. 9 (C), a protruding portion 72b protruding outward is provided in the hole 72, the cable 8 is passed through the hole 72, the protruding portion 72b is covered with an elastic tube 81, and the protruding portion 72b is further connected via a fastener 82. The elastic tube 81 is fixed to. In FIG. 9D, the elastic tube 81 is fitted to the outer portion 72b in a state where the outer end 72c of the cable 8 is abutted against the outer portion 72b of the hole 72, and the joint portion of the outer portion 72b and the elastic tube 81 is The joining portion between the elastic tube 81 and the covering portion tip 8c is bonded with, for example, a thermosetting adhesive. According to such a configuration, the structure for sealing the hole 72 can be a reliable waterproof structure.

  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, as a modification of the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the internal and external positional relationship between the peripheral edge of the lens holder and the peripheral edge of the holder case may be reversed. The lens unit and 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 explanatory drawing for demonstrating the assembly order of the camera module shown in FIG. 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. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the camera module shown in FIG. 7. 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

3 Image sensor 4 Substrate 5 Lens holder 51a Thread 52 Outer lens 53a Flange 53c Peripheral portion 54 Intermediate lens 56 Inner lens 56
6 O-ring (annular elastic body)
6 ', 6 "elastic ring (annular elastic body)
7 Holder Case 73 Peripheral A to E Camera Module

Claims (5)

A substrate mounted with an image sensor;
A lens holder for holding an imaging lens for the image sensor, having a flange on the upper outer periphery and a thread on the lower outer periphery;
A holder case having an upper end portion that is screwed directly to the lens holder via the screw thread in a state in which the substrate is accommodated, and is brought into close contact with the flange via an annular elastic body,
A camera module comprising:   A flange part of the lens holder and an upper end part of the holder case that is in close contact with the flange part are formed with side wall-like peripheral parts facing each other in the lateral direction, and between the peripheral part and the peripheral part, The camera module according to claim 1, wherein an annular elastic body is sandwiched.   The flange of the lens holder and the upper end of the holder case that is in close contact with it are formed with peripheral edges that are sloped in cross-section and approach each other as they go inward. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein the annular elastic body is sandwiched.   The camera module according to claim 3, wherein another annular elastic body is in close contact with the outside of the annular elastic body.   The camera module according to claim 1, wherein the holder case is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape.

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