KR100815324B1 - Camera module focusing device and focusing method - Google Patents

Abstract

The camera module focusing apparatus of the present invention has a focusing unit 150 for adjusting the focus of the camera module 10 and a knob device 170 for firmly locking the outer circumferential surface of the lens holder of the camera module 10 and turning the lens holder. It includes. The focusing unit 150 has a backlight 151 which sends light to the camera module 10, and a glass chart 152 on which adjustment patterns 159 and 160 as a reference for focus adjustment of the camera module 10 are formed. 170 includes a rotating drum 172, a knob mounting plate 173 fixed to the rotating drum 172, and a knob 180 detachably mounted to the knob mounting plate 173.

Camera, Module, Focus, Focusing, Glass, Chart, Lighting, Backlight, Knob, Collimated Lens, Imaging Device, Lens Holder

Description

Camera Module Focusing Device and Focusing Method {FOCUSING APPARATUS AND FOCUSING METHOD FOR CAMERA MODULES}

1 is a schematic side view of a camera module focusing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the chart of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic detail view of a partial configuration of the knob device of FIG. 1; FIG.

4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a general camera module; And

5 is a schematic perspective view of a focusing apparatus of the prior art.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawing>

100: focusing device 110: fixed pillar

120: Shanghai East pillar 121: wheel

122: shelf 130: positioning device

131: left and right moving plate 132: arm rail portion

133: guide rail portion 134: height adjustment screw portion

150: focusing unit 151: backlight

152: chart 153: unit mounting apparatus

156: guide 170: knob

171 housing 172: rotating drum

173: knob mounting plate 174: lamp

180: knob 185: white light

190: Camera module mounting device 191: Fixed block

192: Pin Block Zig 193: Reference Pin

The present invention relates to a focusing apparatus, and more particularly, to a camera module focusing apparatus and a focusing method that can increase the reliability of the focus adjustment.

The camera module is configured as shown in FIG. 4, for example. The camera module of FIG. 4 is shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-357102, "Small Camera Module and Automatic Focus Adjusting Device," and the base 1 is mounted on the substrate 1 so as to cover the outer circumference thereof. (3) is arranged. In the upper part of the base 3, the base 3 is positioned so that the center axis of the cylinder part 3a may match the center of the light receiving part of the solid state image pickup device 2. The optical filter 4 is adhesively fixed to the base 3. On the outer periphery of the cylindrical part 3a of the base 3, the screw part 3b is formed coaxially with respect to the central axis. The lens 5 for forming an image on the solid state image pickup device 2 is incorporated into the rib 6b of the lens holder 6 and is held by the lens cap 7 and coaxially with respect to the optical axis of the lens 5. Formed. By screwing the screw portion 6a to the screw portion 3b, the optical axis of the lens 5 and the center of the light receiving portion of the solid state image pickup device 2 are positioned to coincide. Focus adjustment is performed while the lens holder 6 is screwed and moved, and the adhesive is fixed at an appropriate position.

A schematic configuration shown in this patent as an apparatus for adjusting the focus of the camera module is shown in FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, the focus adjusting apparatus includes a pedestal 41 for mounting the camera module 40 and highlighting an image, and the top of the focus adjusting device is horizontally maintained with the pedestal 41 by the support 42. There is a chart plate 43. The power transmission gear 44 is held at a predetermined position of the pedestal 41 and is connected to the motor portion 45. The control box 46 and the display 47 are arranged at an appropriate distance. The control box 46 manages and controls electrical operation and image data. The control box 46 is coupled to the pedestal 41, the support 42, the chart plate 43, and the motor unit 45 along the wiring 48. The display 47 is also coupled to the control box 46 by the wiring 49.

Press the connector 41a of the pedestal 41 and insert the terminal portion of the camera module 40, positioning and fixing the camera module 40 to the joint 41b of the pedestal 41, and The lens holder 40a and the gear car 44 are fitted. The image of the chart plate 43 is projected onto the display 47 in accordance with the operation of the control box 46. The control box 46 is also equipped with an automatic focus adjustment adjustment system, and the motor unit 45 is also automatically controlled to operate the gear car 44 so that an appropriate power and an appropriate operating range amount are transmitted to the lens holder 40a. Rotation of the lens holder 40a shifts the position of the lens and makes focus adjustment. The focus adjustment displays image data, which is a reference in advance, on the display 47, and determines whether or not the result is passed by comparing with the image data during focus adjustment, and then the operation of the gear car 44 is finished.

In the conventional focusing apparatus having the above-described configuration, since the rotation of the lens holder is made by the gear car, when the engagement with the gear car is uncertain, the focusing reliability may be deteriorated, and the lens holder may not be rotated finely. There was a fear that the focusing accuracy would be reduced.

In addition, since the chart plate was not transparent, the image of the chart board photographed by the camera module was difficult to have a high level of sharpness, and therefore, high precision focusing was difficult to expect.

In addition, since the means for reducing the distance between the camera module and the chart plate to be adjusted is not proposed, the actual distance must be applied, and thus the device was large.

In addition, since the image taken by the camera module and the reference image are displayed on the display and it must be read and determined to pass, the work takes a long time and the level of work depends on the skill of the operator. It was difficult.

The present invention was devised to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to rotate the lens holder precisely and reliably by rotating the knob tightly on the outer circumferential surface of the lens holder of the camera module, thereby improving the accuracy of focusing. It is to provide a focusing device that can increase the reliability.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a focusing apparatus capable of increasing the accuracy of focusing by increasing the sharpness of an image photographed by a camera module by using a glass chart made of a transparent material.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a focusing device capable of reducing the distance between the camera module and the chart to be adjusted by disposing a collimated lens between the chart and the camera module.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a focusing apparatus capable of achieving the same level of focusing regardless of the operator's skill by reducing the work time by displaying the result of the focusing operation using a lamp as an external display means.

Another object of the present invention to provide a focusing method for automatically adjusting the focus of the camera module using the above focusing device.

In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, the present invention includes a focusing unit for adjusting the focus of the camera module, and a knob device for firmly locking the outer peripheral surface of the lens holder of the camera module and turning the lens holder It provides a camera module focusing device.

The focusing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a chart of the transparent material is formed by the focusing unit is a light for sending light to the camera module, the adjustment pattern is a reference of the focus adjustment of the camera module.

Here, the illumination is characterized in that the backlight, the chart of the transparent material is characterized in that the glass chart, the adjustment pattern is a pattern necessary for adjusting the focus of the camera module and the defect of the horizontal line or vertical line of the image pickup device of the camera module It is characterized by consisting of patterns required to.

In addition, the focusing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the knob device includes a rotating drum, a knob mounting plate fixed to the rotating drum, and a knob detachably mounted to the knob mounting plate.

Here, the rotating drum is characterized in that the axis rotation is possible by obtaining a rotational force from the external drive device, the knob is characterized in that attached to the knob mounting plate using a magnetic. In addition, the knob mounting plate has a positioning protrusion for determining the mounting position of the knob, the knob has a positioning groove corresponding to the positioning protrusion, the knob is a plurality of knobs for firmly locking the outer peripheral surface of the lens holder It is characterized by having a locking projection. In addition, the knob mounting plate is installed on the rotating drum by a support shaft, it is characterized in that it is movable up and down along the support shaft.

In addition, the focusing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the focusing unit is automatically made in accordance with the camera module, such as moving in the vertical movement, horizontal movement, front and rear movement, shaft rotation, or inclination.

In addition, the focusing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that it further comprises a collimated lens for adjusting the focus installed to be located between the focusing unit and the camera module.

In addition, the focusing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that it further comprises a white light for further illuminating the camera module in order to increase the loading speed according to the number of pixels of the camera module.

In addition, the focusing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that it further comprises a camera module mounting apparatus for mounting the camera module.

Here, the camera module mounting apparatus is characterized in that it has a fixed block fixed to the base and a detachable mounted on the fixed block and has a pin block jig for fixing the camera module, the fixed block is a reference that is a reference when replacing the pin block jig It is characterized by having a pin.

The present invention also includes the steps of (A) selecting a pin block jig suitable for the camera module and installing it on the fixed block, (B) selecting a chart suitable for the camera module and mounting it on the focusing unit, and (C) the camera module. Selecting the correct knob to attach it to the knob device, (D) Knob to hold the outer peripheral surface of the lens holder of the camera module, (E) Focusing the camera module while turning the lens holder with the knob using the focusing unit It provides a camera module focusing method comprising the step of.

The focusing method of the present invention is characterized in that steps (A), (B), and (C) are manually performed, and steps (D) and (E) are automatically performed.

In addition, the focusing unit is characterized in that the movement of the shank, left and right, forward and backward, before and after the rotation, or inclined movement in accordance with the camera module.

Hereinafter, a camera module focusing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 1, the camera module focusing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment may include a fixed pillar 110, a shank shank 120, a positioning device 130, a focusing unit 150, and a knob device ( 170), the camera module mounting apparatus 190 is included.

The fixing pillar 110 is for supporting the other parts of the camera module mounting apparatus 190 as a whole, and has a base mounting portion 111 and a pillar mounting portion 112. The base mounting portion 111 is installed to be fixed to the base 101, and the shank copper pillar 120 is installed to the pillar mounting portion 112.

The shanghai copper pillar 120 is for supporting the other components except for the fixed pillar 110 and the camera module mounting apparatus 190 to be movable up and down, and has a rail unit 121 and a shelf unit 122. The rail unit 121 is installed on the upper portion of the shanghai copper pillar 120 to guide the left and right movement of the positioning device 130, the knob unit 170 is fixed to the shelf 122.

The positioning device 130 is used to determine the position of the focusing unit 150. The positioning device 130 includes a left and right moving plate 131, an arm rail portion 132, and a guide rail portion 133. The arm rail unit 132 is fixedly installed on the side of the left and right moving plate 131 and is installed to be movable to the water rail unit 121. The guide rail unit 133 guides the forward and backward movement of the focusing unit 150 and is installed on the lower surface of the left and right moving plate 131. Here, the guide rail 133 is axially coupled to the left and right moving plate 131 is rotatably installed about the axis. In addition, the height adjustment screw portion 134 for adjusting the height of the left and right moving plate 131 is installed above the left and right moving plate 131.

The focusing unit 150 has a backlight 151 which is a lighting means, a chart 152 which is a focusing comparison means, and a unit mounting apparatus 153 on which they are mounted. The unit mounting apparatus 153 separates the storage space 154 for accommodating the backlight 151 and the storage space 155 for accommodating the chart 152 up and down separately, and includes the backlight 151 and the chart. The 152 can be easily mounted or detached from the storage spaces 154 and 155. In addition, the unit mounting apparatus 153 is provided with a guide portion 156 on the upper surface. The guide portion 156 is installed to be movable on the guide rail portion 133 to help move the unit mounting apparatus 153 back and forth. Guide portion 156 is determined by the front and rear stop jaw (157, 158) installed on the front and rear of the guide rail portion 133 the range of forward and backward movement is determined.

The chart 152 is made of a transparent material such as glass to increase the illuminance of the light emitted from the backlight 151 and to sharpen the image of the chart 152 captured by the image pickup device of the camera module. The chart 152 is manufactured in a square shape in this embodiment to make it easy to manufacture, but may be manufactured in various forms according to design conditions such as round and oval. As shown in detail in FIG. 2, the chart 152 adjusts the defects of the horizontal and vertical lines of the adjustment patterns 159 necessary for adjusting the focus and the image pickup device (not shown) included in the camera module 10. The adjustment patterns 160 necessary for the display are displayed by printing or the like.

In addition, the chart 152 may be replaced with a new chart suitable according to the specifications of the camera module 10 to be focused and adjusted, and is installed to adjust the inclination angle at a predetermined angle.

The knob device 170 is for rotatably mounting the knob 180, and has a housing 171, a rotating drum 172, and a knob mounting plate 173. The housing 171 is fixedly installed on the lower surface of the shelf 122 of the Shanghai copper pillar 120, and a plurality of lamps 174 are installed at the front side so that an operator can easily check the focusing result. The plurality of lamps 174 consists of lamps of, for example, red, blue, yellow, etc., for example, a blue lamp if the focusing result is a pass, a red lamp if it fails, and an uncertain In this case, the yellow lamp may be designed to be turned on by a controller (not shown). The rotary drum 172 is fixed to the inner wall of the housing 171, the knob mounting plate 173 is fixed to the rotary drum 172 by a plurality of support shafts 175 and the rotary drum 172 and Will rotate together. The rotating drum 172 is coupled by a driving device 176 such as a motor installed on the outside of the housing 171 and a connecting means such as a belt 177 to obtain a rotational force from the driving device 176. The collimating lens 178 is installed in the housing 171 so as to be positioned between the shelf 122 and the rotating drum 172, and the collimating lens 178 forms a position where light from the backlight 151 is formed. May be adjusted to apply the distance between the camera module 10 and the chart 152 at a short distance rather than a real distance.

The knob mounting plate 173 is formed in a disk shape having a magnetic shape, and as shown in detail in FIG. 3, one knob mounting groove 173a is formed at the center thereof, and a plurality of supports are spaced at a predetermined distance from the periphery thereof. The shaft installation hole 173b is formed. In the center of the knob mounting groove 173a, an opening hole 173c is formed to allow light to pass therethrough, and a positioning protrusion 173d is formed around the opening hole 173c to determine the position of the knob 180. When the support shaft mounting hole 173b is formed to have an upper diameter smaller than the lower diameter so that no external force is applied, the knob mounting plate 173 is mounted to the extended end of the support shaft 175, but the external force is applied. For example, when the knob 180 descends to catch the lens holder (not shown) of the camera module 10 and collides with the lens holder, the knob mounting plate 173 may be bumped while slightly moving upward with respect to the support shaft 175. Eliminates the shock that occurs when the camera module 10 to prevent damage.

The knob 180 is installed to fit the knob mounting groove 173a and is manufactured of iron so as to be mounted without a separate mounting means by the magnetism of the knob mounting plate 173. An opening hole 181 is formed at the center of the knob 180 so that light can pass therethrough, and a positioning hole 182 is formed at which a positioning protrusion 173d is inserted. In addition, a plurality of locking protrusions 183 are formed at the lower end of the knob 180 to firmly lock the cylindrical lens holder (not shown) of the camera module along the edge.

In addition, the knob device 170 is provided with a white light (185) for illuminating the camera module 10 to improve the loading speed according to the number of pixels of the camera module (10). In other words, under the same illumination, the camera module 10 having a high pixel count tends to have a lower loading speed than the camera module 10 having a low pixel count. At this time, the white pixel 185 is used to increase the illuminance to increase the illumination. The loading speed of the module 10 can be sufficiently increased.

The camera module mounting apparatus 190 is for mounting the camera module 10 which is the focus adjustment target, and has a fixed block 191 and a pin block jig 192. The fixed block 191 is fixedly installed on the base 101 so as to be coaxial with the knob device 170, and a reference pin 193 on which the pin block jig 192 is mounted is installed. The pin block jig 192 may be detachably installed on the fixed block 191, and the pin block jig 192 suitable for the camera module 10 having various specifications may be replaced with the fixed block 191. In this case, the reference pin 193 installed on the fixed block 191 serves as an installation reference for every pin block jig 192.

Next, a process of focusing the camera module using the focusing apparatus having the above-described configuration will be described.

First, the operator manually selects the pin block jig 192 that meets the specifications of the camera module 10 to be adjusted and installs the fixed block 191.

Next, the operator manually selects a chart 152 suitable for the camera module 10 and mounts it to the unit mounting apparatus 153 of the focusing unit 150.

Next, the operator manually mounts the knob 180 corresponding to the lens holder of the camera module 10 to the knob mounting plate 173.

Thereafter, when the operator turns on and operates the focusing apparatus 100, the shank copper pillar 120 automatically descends until the knob 180 engages the lens holder of the camera module 10, and the knob 180 The engaging projection 183 installed in the tightly lock the outer peripheral surface of the lens holder.

In this state, the light emitted from the backlight 151 enters the camera module 10 through the chart 152 and the collimated lens 178, and is captured by an imaging device (not shown) built in the camera module 10. The focus is adjusted while comparing the image of the adjustment patterns 159 and 160 formed on the chart 152 with the reference image. In this case, the driving of the driving device 176 controlled by the controller (not shown) is controlled by comparing the photographed image with the reference image, and the knob 180 is rotated by the rotational force obtained from the driving device 176. It rotates with the drum 172. By rotating the knob 180, the lens holder of the camera module 10 is rotated up or down while adjusting the focus. Also, the result of which focus adjustment is to be performed is known by the lamp 174 provided outside the knob device 170.

Here, the focusing unit 150 composed of the backlight 151 and the chart 152 is moved from side to side, back and forth, or axially rotated, and a position error with the camera module 10 due to the replacement of the chart 152. Will be adjusted automatically. In some cases, the inclination adjustment of the chart 152 may also be performed. In addition, when the number of pixels of the camera module 10 increases, the white light 185 is automatically turned on to prevent the loading speed from dropping.

The focusing apparatus and focusing method of the present invention have been described above with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications, changes, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

According to the focusing device for the camera module of the present invention, since the chart is made of a transparent material, the camera module can secure a clear image of various adjustment patterns formed on the chart, thereby increasing the reliability of the focus adjustment operation.

In addition, since the collimated lens is installed between the chart and the camera module, the distance between the chart and the camera module can be made short.

In addition, since a plurality of locking projections are installed in the knob, and the locking projections securely lock the lens holder of the camera module, there is no error such as slipping or failing when the lens holder is rotated.

In addition, since the focusing operation result can be confirmed by a plurality of lamps installed in the knob device, the operator can easily know the operation result.

In addition, it is very easy to replace the knob for the camera module because the knob is detached to the knob mounting plate using magnetic.

In addition, since the pin block jig suitable for the camera module is guided by the reference pin and installed in the fixed block, the pin block jig corresponding to the specification of the camera module can be easily replaced.

In addition, when a chart suitable for the camera module is newly replaced, the focusing unit automatically adjusts the positional relationship with the camera module through left, right, front, or rotational movements.

In addition, since white light is additionally installed near the camera module, even if the camera module having a high pixel count becomes an adjustment target, the loading speed does not decrease.

In addition, since the knob mounting plate can be moved up and down with respect to the support shaft, the shock generated when the knob latches the camera module is eliminated, thereby preventing damage to the camera module.

Claims (20)

Focusing unit for adjusting the focus of the camera module; And And a knob device for firmly locking the outer circumferential surface of the lens holder of the camera module and turning the lens holder. The focusing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the focusing unit comprises a chart made of a transparent material having illumination for sending light to the camera module and adjustment patterns that are a reference for focusing the camera module. The focusing device of claim 2, wherein the illumination is a backlight. The focusing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the transparent material chart is a glass chart. The focusing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the adjustment patterns comprise patterns necessary for adjusting the focus of the camera module and patterns necessary for adjusting a defect in horizontal or vertical lines of the image pickup device of the camera module. . The focusing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the knob device comprises a rotating drum, a knob mounting plate fixed to the rotating drum, and a knob detachably mounted to the knob mounting plate. The focusing device of claim 6, wherein the rotating drum obtains rotational force from an external driving device to enable rotation of the rotating drum. The focusing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the knob is attached to the knob mounting plate using magnetism. The focusing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the knob mounting plate has a positioning protrusion for determining a mounting position of the knob, and the knob has a positioning groove corresponding to the positioning protrusion. The focusing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the knob has a plurality of locking protrusions for firmly locking the outer circumferential surface of the lens holder. The focusing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the knob mounting plate is installed on the rotating drum by a support shaft and is movable up and down along the support shaft. The focusing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the focusing unit is configured to automatically move in accordance with the camera module. The focusing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a collimated lens for adjusting a focus installed between the focusing unit and the camera module. The focusing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a white light for additionally illuminating the camera module to increase a loading speed according to the number of pixels of the camera module. The focusing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a camera module mounting apparatus for mounting the camera module. The focusing apparatus of claim 15, wherein the camera module mounting apparatus has a fixed block fixed to a base and a pin block jig detachably mounted to the fixed block and fixing the camera module. 17. The focusing apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fixed block has a reference pin which is a reference when the pin block jig is replaced. (A) selecting a pin block jig suitable for the camera module and installing the fixed block jig; (B) selecting a chart suitable for the camera module and mounting the chart to the focusing unit; (C) selecting a knob suitable for the camera module and mounting the knob to the knob device; (D) the knob holding the outer peripheral surface of the lens holder of the camera module; And (E) focusing the camera module by rotating the lens holder with the knob while comparing the image of the chart and the image of the chart photographed by the camera module. 19. The focusing method of claim 18, wherein steps (A), (B), and (C) are performed manually, and steps (D) and (E) are performed automatically. 19. The focusing method of claim 18, wherein the focusing unit is configured to automatically move up, down, left, and right, front and rear, axial rotation, or tilt movement in accordance with the camera module.

Images