JP7005686B2 - Camera module shape and camera module bonding method - Google Patents

Description

The present application relates to a camera module shape and a camera module bonding method.

The vehicle is equipped with a vehicle-mounted camera recognition device for recognizing and displaying an object. This device is equipped with a camera module.
This camera module is composed of a lens barrel equipped with an image pickup lens, which is an optical component, and a lens holder, which is a housing provided with an electronic circuit such as an image sensor. After adjusting the optical axis of the image pickup lens and the image sensor, the lens barrel is fixed to the lens holder using an adhesive.

Adhesives such as "thermosetting type", "UV (ultraviolet) curing type", and "heat + UV curing type" are generally used to fix the lens barrel and the lens holder. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).
It has also been proposed to provide a fitting portion between the lens barrel and the lens holder in order to fix the image pickup lens in the desired position with high positional accuracy. However, in this method, the lens barrel flange has a special shape, which increases the cost. Become. (See Patent Document 2)

WO2019 / 093113 (Pages 4-9, Fig. 1) Japanese Patent No. 6056860 (pages 6-9, Fig. 2)

In the manufacture of a camera module using an adhesive, an adhesive is applied to a lens holder and a lens barrel is placed on the adhesive. The position and distance between the lens holder and the lens barrel are finely adjusted to adjust the optical axis, and after the optical axis is adjusted, the adhesive is cured to bond the lens holder and the lens barrel.
In the process of adjusting this optical axis, the lens holder and lens barrel are moved, so uneven pressure is applied to the adhesive between these parts, and the adhesive is pushed out from the coating part, causing variations in the coating thickness. Therefore, there is a problem that the variation in the thickness of the adhesive becomes a factor in the variation in the adhesive strength.

The present application discloses a technique for solving the above-mentioned problems, and provides a camera module shape and a camera module bonding method capable of suppressing variation in adhesive strength in adhesion between a lens barrel and a lens holder. With the goal.

The camera module shape disclosed in the present application includes a lens barrel having a flange portion, an image pickup lens and an optical axis adjusted image pickup element, and a lens holder having an electronic circuit for processing an image, as well as having an image pickup lens. The lens holder has a circular recess, and the flange of the lens barrel inside and outside the recess is separately bonded by two types of adhesives with different curing speeds, and the one with the slower curing speed is inside the recess. The adhesive of the above, the one with the faster curing speed outside is used .

According to the shape of the camera module disclosed in the present application, it is possible to suppress the variation in the adhesive strength while ensuring the adhesive strength in the adhesion between the lens barrel and the lens holder.
In addition, it is possible to adopt a flexible shape / method in response to restrictions on the method of adhering the shape of the product.

It is an exploded perspective view which shows the camera module by Embodiment 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows a part of the lens holder of the camera module according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows a part of the lens holder of the camera module by Embodiment 2. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows a part of the lens holder of the camera module by Embodiment 3. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows a part of the lens holder of the camera module by Embodiment 4. FIG.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a camera module according to the first embodiment.
In FIG. 1, the camera module adheres and fixes the lens barrel 1 and the lens holder 3, which will be described later, after adjusting the optical axis.
The lens barrel 1 has an image pickup lens which is an optical component. The lens holder 3 is a housing having an image sensor (image sensor) and an electronic circuit for processing an image. The lens barrel 1 is fixed to the lens holder 3 by using an adhesive after adjusting the optical axes of the image pickup lens and the image sensor.
The lens holder 3 has a cylindrical recess 2 (recess) that can accommodate the flange portion of the lens barrel 1. An adhesive is applied to the recess 2 of the lens holder 3 to apply an adhesive to the lens barrel. 1 and the lens holder 3 are fixed.
The diameter of the recessed portion 2 of the lens holder 3 is slightly larger than the diameter of the flange portion 6a of the lens barrel 1, which will be described later, due to the clearance for adjusting the optical axis.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the lens holder of the camera module according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled camera module shown in FIG. 1 in a plane passing through the center of the lens.
In FIG. 2, reference numerals 1 to 3 are the same as those in FIG. The adhesive 4 and the quick-curing adhesive 5 adhere the lens barrel 1 and the lens holder 3. The flange portion 6a is a flange portion of the lens barrel 1. The adhesive 4 is a main agent that fixes the optical axis of the lens barrel 1 and the lens holder 3, and uses a moisture-curing type, a solution-drying type, a curing agent-mixed type, or the like that gradually increases the adhesive strength with the passage of time.
The quick-curing adhesive 5 is a UV-curing adhesive that is used to temporarily hold the state immediately after adjusting the optical axis of the lens and is mainly cured by UV irradiation.

Next, the operation will be described.
The flange portion 6a of the lens barrel 1 fits on the adhesive 4 applied along the shape of the recess 2 of the lens holder 3, and the optical axis of the lens barrel 1 is installed inside the lens holder 3. Match with the image sensor.
The adhesive 4 used here is the main agent for fixing the optical axis of the lens barrel 1 and the lens holder 3, but since UV irradiation light does not reach the lower surface of the flange portion 6a structurally, it is a UV curable type. The use of adhesives is difficult. For this reason, a thermosetting type that borrows the power of the external environment, a moisture curing type, a solution drying type, a curing agent mixed type, and the like that gradually increase the adhesive strength with the passage of time are used.
On the other hand, since it is necessary to temporarily hold the state immediately after adjusting the optical axis of the lens, the quick-curing adhesive 5 is used.

In the procedure for adjusting the optical axis between the lens barrel 1 and the lens holder 3, the adhesive 4 on the boundary surface of the recessed portion 2 is a lens mirror in order to improve the adhesive strength of the adhesive boundary surface and the compatibility of the adhesive. The cylinder 1 applies a slight pressure in the direction with respect to the adhesive surface to crush the adhesive 4, and then moves to the desired focal length in the vertical upward direction of the lens.
Generally, in this series of work steps, pressure is applied to the adhesive 4 from the upper portion via the flange portion 6a, so that the excess portion of the adhesive 4 slightly protrudes from the outer peripheral portion of the flange portion 6a. It becomes a shape.
Since the lens barrel 1 is moved upward from this state, a "coarse" portion of the adhesive required for adhesion is easily generated, air voids and the like are likely to occur, and the adhesive strength becomes uneven.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, the lens holder 3 is provided with the recessed portion 2 so that the flange portion 6a of the lens barrel 1 can be accommodated therein, so that the flange portion 6a of the adhesive 4 can be adjusted when adjusting the optical axis of the lens. The amount of protrusion due to pressurization is suppressed from spreading by the side surface of the recessed portion 2, so that the variation in adhesive quality is suppressed.

According to the first embodiment, the outflow of the adhesive is suppressed and the stable thickness of the adhesive is maintained.
Therefore, it is possible to suppress variations in the strength of the adhesive that joins the lens holder 3 and the lens barrel 1.
Further, since the lens barrel 1 is fitted in the recessed portion 2 of the lens holder 3, the lens barrel 1 and the image sensor of the lens holder 3 are adhered to each other at a closer position than before.
As a result, the distance between the lens barrel joint and the image sensor becomes smaller, which has the effect of making it less susceptible to temperature changes.
Furthermore, even when two different types of adhesives are applied, the coating process and the application position can be separated, so that it is possible to avoid curing inhibition due to mixing of the two types of adhesives.

Embodiment 2.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the lens holder of the camera module according to the second embodiment.
In FIG. 3, reference numerals 1 to 5 and 6a are the same as those in FIG. In FIG. 3, the structure is such that the groove 7 is provided in the recessed portion 2 of FIG. The groove 7 is for temporarily storing the excess amount of the adhesive 4 when adjusting the optical axis of the lens.

For example, when the lens barrel 1 is assembled to the lens holder 3, pressure is applied to the adhesive 4 from above via the flange portion 6a, so that the excess of the adhesive 4 is the flange of the lens barrel 1. It slightly protrudes from the outer peripheral portion of the portion 6a. After that, the lens barrel 1 is moved slightly upward.
At that time, the excess adhesive 4 that had temporarily retracted into the groove 7 could enter the gap between the lens barrel 1 and the lens holder 3 that had been lifted due to the surface tension and viscosity of the adhesive 4. Try.
The amount of the adhesive 4 required for the gap between the lens holder 3 and the lens holder 3 varies depending on the amount of movement of the lens barrel 1, but if the amount of movement is large, the groove 7 is provided so that the adhesive 4 protrudes. Since a large amount of surplus can be secured, air voids are less likely to occur.
Therefore, it is possible to obtain more stable adhesion than that of the structure shown in FIG.

In the case of the adhesive structure as shown in FIG. 3, since the adhesive 4 is moved between the lens barrel 1 and the lens holder 3 which are difficult to access from the outside, a photocuring-promoting adhesive such as UV cannot be used and thermosetting is performed. Adhesives using the process are optimal.
Therefore, the quick-curing adhesive 5 is used for temporary fixing until the shape can be stably maintained in the thermosetting adhesive step.

According to the second embodiment, by providing the groove 7 in the recessed portion 2, the lens barrel 1 and the lens holder 3 can be more stably bonded to each other.

Embodiment 3.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the lens holder of the camera module according to the third embodiment.
In FIG. 4, reference numerals 1 to 3 are the same as those in FIG. In FIG. 4, the shape of the flange portion 6b is shortened in the diameter direction so as to be extended in the optical axis direction of the lens. In this case, the adhesive surface is the side surface of the flange portion 6b of the lens barrel 1 in the circumferential direction. The UV irradiation light 8 is irradiated from the direction of the optical axis of the lens. The UV curable adhesive 9 is an adhesive that is cured by UV irradiation.

In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the shape of the flange portion 6b of the lens barrel 1 is shortened in the diameter direction and extended in the lens optical axis direction. With the shape of the flange portion 6b, the diameter of the recessed portion 2 of the lens holder 3 can also be reduced, so that the maximum circumferential diameter of the lens barrel 1 can be made smaller than that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. can.
However, in order to secure the adhesive strength between the lens barrel 1 and the lens holder 3, the shape of the flange portion 6b is such that the flange portion 6b is elongated in the vertical direction from that shown in FIG.

The UV curable adhesive 9 that fixes the lens barrel 1 and the lens holder 3 is adhered based on the vertical surface of the flange portion 6b.
As a result, the diameter of the flange portion 6b can be reduced, so that the area required for adhesion including the flange when viewed from the front of the lens can be reduced, the outer shape of the product can be reduced, and the flexibility of the design can be enhanced. be able to.

In the structure of FIG. 4, since the side surface of the flange portion 6b in the circumferential direction is mainly an adhesive surface to the lens holder 3, the optical axis of the lens barrel 1 is the same as the optical axis adjustment work described in the second embodiment. Even if it is operated in the vertical direction at the time of adjustment, it is only necessary to move it in the sliding direction with respect to the lens holder 3 facing the flange portion 6b.
For this reason, air voids are less likely to be generated, and stable adhesion is possible.

When a UV curable type adhesive is used for fixing the flange portion 6b of the lens barrel 1, the UV irradiation light 8 is irradiated from the front of the lens barrel 1. Since this is from a direction that is not easily restricted by the product housing, it is possible to provide an environment in which assembly work is easy.

According to the third embodiment, by making the adhesive surface a side surface in the circumferential direction of the lens barrel, the adhesive area is increased and the adhesive strength is improved.
In addition, air voids are less likely to be generated, and stable adhesion is possible.

Embodiment 4.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the lens holder of the camera module according to the fourth embodiment.
In FIG. 5, reference numerals 1 to 3, 8 and 9 are the same as those in FIG. In FIG. 5, the flange portion 6c of the lens barrel 1 has an intermediate shape between the flange portion 6a of FIG. 2 and the flange portion 6b of FIG. 3, and the adhesive surface is oblique with respect to the optical axis of the lens barrel 1. It has become. The portion of the recessed portion 2 facing the flange portion 6c is also formed diagonally.

The fourth embodiment is characterized by the shape of the flange portion 6c.
In the flange portion 6a of the lens barrel 1 of FIG. 2, since there is no path for light to enter from the outside with respect to the surface of the recessed portion 2 of the lens holder 3, the adhesive that can be used for fixing this boundary surface is UV. Curing type cannot be used. For the adhesive 4 having a curing process other than UV curing, for example, a thermosetting type or the like needs to be used, and it is necessary to use the immediate curing type adhesive 5 as the adhesive for temporary curing.

Further, in the structure in which the vertical surface of the flange portion 6b of the lens barrel 1 of FIG. 4 is used as the adhesive surface, the circumferential diameter of the flange portion 6b becomes smaller, so that the occupied area from the front view of the lens becomes smaller. In order to maintain the adhesive strength to some extent, it was necessary to deepen the recessed portion 2 of the lens holder 3.
Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, by tilting the flange portion 6c of the lens barrel 1, it is possible to take advantage of the above-mentioned advantages of FIGS. 2 and 4. ..

That is, in FIG. 5, since the flange portion 6c of the lens barrel 1 has an oblique shape with respect to the optical axis of the lens barrel 1, the adhesive area can be increased, and the UV curable adhesive 9 is used. It is also possible to secure the optical path of.

According to the fourth embodiment, the adhesive area can be increased by tilting the flange portion 6c of the lens barrel 1 and the recessed portion 2 of the lens holder 3, and the optical path when the UV curable adhesive 9 is used. Can also be secured.
As a result, the UV irradiation efficiency can be improved by giving a degree of freedom to the installation angle of the UV irradiator for curing the adhesive.
In addition, it becomes possible to relax the installation restrictions of the UV irradiator.

The present disclosure describes various exemplary embodiments and examples, although the various features, embodiments, and functions described in one or more embodiments are those of a particular embodiment. It is not limited to application, but can be applied to embodiments alone or in various combinations.
Therefore, innumerable variations not illustrated are envisioned within the scope of the techniques disclosed herein. For example, it is assumed that at least one component is modified, added or omitted, and further, at least one component is extracted and combined with the components of other embodiments.

1 lens barrel, 2 recesses, 3 lens holders, 4 adhesives,
5 Quick-curing adhesive, 6a, 6b, 6c flange, 7 grooves, 8 UV irradiation light,
9 UV curable adhesive

Claims (4)

A lens barrel that has an imaging lens and has a flange formed on it.
It is provided with the above-mentioned image pickup lens, an image pickup element whose optical axis is adjusted, and a lens holder having an electronic circuit for processing an image.
The lens holder has a circular recess, and the flange portion of the lens barrel is separately bonded inside and outside the recess by two kinds of adhesives having different curing speeds , and the curing speed is inside the recess. The shape of the camera module is characterized by the fact that the slower adhesive and the faster curing adhesive are used outside . The camera module shape according to claim 1, wherein a groove for accumulating the adhesive having a slower curing speed is formed in the concave portion of the lens holder. A lens barrel that has an imaging lens and has a flange formed on it.
It is provided with the above-mentioned image pickup lens, an image pickup element whose optical axis is adjusted, and a lens holder having an electronic circuit for processing an image.
The lens holder has a circular concave portion, and the concave portion and the flange portion of the lens barrel are bonded with a UV curable adhesive, and the concave portion is adhered to the lens holder.
A camera module shape characterized in that the surfaces of the flange portion of the lens barrel and the concave portion of the lens holder bonded to each other are formed diagonally with respect to the optical axis so that UV irradiation is performed diagonally. .. After adjusting the optical axis of the flange portion formed in the lens barrel having the image pickup lens and the circular recess formed in the lens holder having the image pickup lens and the image pickup element whose optical axis is adjusted, the recessed portion Two types of adhesives with different curing speeds are cured and fixed separately inside and outside the lens, and the adhesive with the slower curing speed is used inside the recess and the adhesive with the faster curing speed is used outside. A camera module bonding method characterized by.

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