KR101231433B1 - Carmera module - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A camera module is provided to remove the tolerance inside a receiving groove by using an elastic member and to fix a lens assembly not to be moved inside the receiving unit. CONSTITUTION: A camera module comprises a lens barrel(100), a lens assembly, an elastic member(700), a housing unit(400), and a sensor unit(600). A receiving unit is formed in the lens barrel. The lens assembly is arranged inside the receiving groove and includes a plurality of lens units. The elastic member is arranged inside the receiving unit and is in contact with the lens assembly. The fixing member fixes the lens assembly and the elastic member to the lens barrel. The housing unit is joined to the lens barrel. The sensor unit is arranged inside the housing unit.

Description

Camera Module {CARMERA MODULE}

Embodiments relate to a camera module.

Currently, camera modules are installed in the production of automobiles and endoscopes, including mobile communication terminals, IT devices such as PDAs and MP3 players. At the same time, miniaturization and thinning are being progressed according to the mounting target, and various additional functions such as auto focusing (AF) and optical zoom (OPTICAL ZOOM) are being implemented at low cost.

In addition, the current camera module is equipped with an image sensor module manufactured in a wire bonding method (COB; Chip Of Board), flip chip method (COF; Chip Of Flexible) and chip scale package (CSP) It is mainly manufactured in the form of being connected to the main board through electrical connection means such as a printed circuit board (PCB) or a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

In recent years, however, a camera module has been demanded from a user that can be directly mounted on a main board as in a general passive device, thereby simplifying a manufacturing process and reducing manufacturing cost.

In such a camera module, an image sensor such as a CCD or a CMOS is mainly manufactured in a state of being attached to a substrate by a wire bonding or flip chip method. The data is stored on the image, and the stored data is converted into an electrical signal and displayed as an image on a display medium such as an LCD or a PC monitor in the device.

The conventional camera module includes a housing in which an image sensor for converting an image signal input through a lens into an electrical signal is supported on the bottom, a lens group for collecting an image signal of a subject in the image sensor, and the lens group stacked therein. It is constructed by the sequential joining of the barrels.

At this time, the lower part of the housing is electrically coupled to the mounting substrate (FPCB) attached to the capacitor and the chip component of the resistor for the electrical component for driving the image sensor consisting of CCD or CMOS.

In the conventional camera module configured as described above, an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) is inserted between the substrate and the image sensor in a state in which a plurality of circuit components are mounted on the mounting substrate (FPCB), and energized by applying heat and pressure. Adhesively fix and attach the IR filter to the opposite side.

In addition, in the state where the barrel and the housing in which the plurality of lens groups are built are temporarily coupled by screwing, the previously assembled mounting substrate is adhesively fixed to the bottom of the housing by a separate adhesive agent.

On the other hand, after the adhesive fixing of the housing to which the mounting substrate and the barrel to which the image sensor is attached is fixed, the focus adjustment is performed by setting a subject (resolution chart) at a predetermined distance in front of the barrel. As the vertical feed amount by the rotation of the barrel screwed to the housing is adjusted, the focus is adjusted between the lens group and the image sensor.

Embodiments can be easily manufactured, and to provide a camera module for capturing an image of improved quality.

The camera module according to the embodiment includes a lens barrel in which a receiving groove is formed; A lens assembly disposed in the receiving groove and including a plurality of lens parts; An elastic member disposed in the receiving groove and in contact with the lens assembly; A fixing member for fixing the lens assembly and the elastic member to the lens barrel; A housing coupled with the lens barrel; And a sensor unit disposed in the housing.

The camera module according to the embodiment arranges the elastic member in the receiving groove. Accordingly, the tolerance in the receiving groove can be eliminated by the elastic member. That is, by the elasticity of the elastic member, the lens assembly can apply pressure to the lens assembly in the receiving groove. Accordingly, even if a tolerance occurs between the lens assembly and the lens barrel, the tolerance may be eliminated by the elasticity of the elastic member.

In particular, the elastic member may fix the lens assembly so as not to shake in the receiving groove. Accordingly, the camera module according to the embodiment may prevent shaking of the lens assembly and capture an image of improved quality.

In particular, the elastic member may be fixed to the lens barrel simply by the fixing member. Accordingly, the camera module according to the embodiment can be easily manufactured by a simple assembly process.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing a camera module according to an embodiment.
2 is a perspective view illustrating a lower portion of the lens barrel.
3 is a perspective view illustrating a lens assembly coupled to a lens barrel.
4 is a cross-sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment.
5 and 6 are cross-sectional views illustrating a process of manufacturing a lens assembly.

In the description of the embodiments, each lens, unit, part, hole, protrusion, groove or layer, etc., is placed on or under the "on" of each lens, unit, part, hole, protrusion, groove, or layer, etc. And " under " include both " directly " or " indirectly " through other components. . In addition, the upper or lower reference of each component is described with reference to the drawings. The size of each component in the drawings may be exaggerated for the sake of explanation and does not mean the size actually applied.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing a camera module according to an embodiment. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a lower portion of the lens barrel. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a lens assembly coupled to a lens barrel. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views illustrating a process of manufacturing a lens assembly.

1 to 6, the camera module according to the embodiment includes a lens barrel 100, a lens assembly 200, an elastic member 700, a fixing member 300, a housing 400, and an infrared cut filter unit ( 500 and the sensor unit 600.

The lens barrel 100 receives the lens assembly 200. The lens barrel 100 includes a receiving groove 120 for accommodating the lens assembly 200. The receiving groove 120 may have a shape corresponding to the lens assembly 200. The receiving groove 120 may have a polygonal shape when viewed from the bottom side. In more detail, the receiving groove 120 may have a square shape when viewed from the bottom side. That is, the outer periphery of the receiving groove 120 may have a square shape. In more detail, the receiving groove 120 may have a rectangular shape when viewed from the bottom side. In more detail, the receiving groove 120 when viewed from the bottom side may have a square shape.

The lens barrel 100 may have a cylindrical shape. That is, the outside of the lens barrel 100 may have a circular shape.

The lens barrel 100 may be combined with the housing 400. In more detail, the lens barrel 100 may be screwed with the housing 400. Male threads 110 may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel 100. The male screw portion 110 of the lens barrel 100 may be screwed with the female screw portion 410 of the housing 400. The gap between the lens assembly 200 and the sensor unit 600 may be adjusted by the male screw unit 110 and the female screw unit 410. That is, as the lens barrel 100 rotates, the distance between the lens assembly 200 and the sensor unit 600 may be adjusted. Accordingly, the position of the sensor unit 600 may be adjusted such that the sensor unit 600 is disposed at the focal length of the lens assembly 200. That is, by combining the lens barrel 100 and the housing 400, the focus of the lens assembly 200 and the sensor unit 600 may be adjusted.

In addition, the lens barrel 100 includes a light receiving groove opened upwards. The light incident groove exposes the lens assembly 200. An image is incident on the lens assembly 200 through the light incident groove.

The lens assembly 200 is disposed in the lens barrel 100. In more detail, the lens assembly 200 is disposed in the receiving groove 120. The lens assembly 200 is inserted into the receiving groove 120. The lens assembly 200 has a polygonal outer shape. In more detail, the lens assembly 200 may have a polygonal shape when viewed from the top side. In more detail, the lens assembly 200 may have a rectangular shape when viewed from the top side. In more detail, the lens assembly 200 may have a square shape when viewed from the top side.

The lens assembly 200 includes a plurality of lens units. For example, the lens assembly 200 may include a first lens unit 210, a second lens unit 220, and a third lens unit 230. The third lens unit 230, the second lens unit 220, and the first lens unit 210 are sequentially stacked.

The first lens unit 210 includes a first lens 211 and a first support 212. The first lens 211 includes a curved surface. The first support part 212 extends laterally from the first lens 211. The first lens 211 and the first support part 212 may be integrally formed. Guide grooves may be formed in the first support part 212 to fix the second lens part 220 to a desired position.

The second lens unit 220 is disposed below the first lens unit 210. The second lens unit 220 includes a second lens 221 and a second support 222. The second lens 221 includes a curved surface. The second support part 222 extends laterally from the second lens 221. The second lens 221 and the second support part 222 may be integrally formed. Guide grooves may be formed in the second support part 222 to fix the third lens part 230 to a desired position. In addition, a guide protrusion for fixing to the first lens unit 210 may be formed on an upper surface of the second support unit 222.

The third lens unit 230 is disposed below the second lens unit 220. The third lens unit 230 includes a third lens 231 and a third support part 232. The third lens 231 includes a curved surface. The third support part 232 extends laterally from the third lens 231. The third lens 231 and the third support part 232 may be integrally formed. A guide protrusion for fixing to the second lens unit 220 may be formed on an upper surface of the third support part 232.

In the above, the lens assembly 200 has been described as including three lens units, but is not limited thereto. That is, the lens assembly 200 may include one or two lens units or may include four or more lens units.

The lens assembly 200 may be formed by the following process.

Referring to FIG. 5, a plurality of lens array substrates 213, 223, and 233 are stacked in this order. The lens array substrates 213, 223, and 233 include a plurality of lenses. For example, the third lens array substrate 233, the second lens array substrate 223, and the first lens array substrate 213 are sequentially stacked.

Referring to FIG. 6, the first lens array substrate 213, the second lens array substrate 223, and the third lens array substrate 233 are cut while being stacked. Accordingly, the plurality of lens assemblies 200 may be formed at the same time. In addition, the lens assemblies 200 may have a rectangular shape when viewed from the top side.

That is, since the lens assembly 200 is formed by the lamination and cutting process, the lens assembly 200 may inevitably have a polygonal outer shape.

The elastic member 700 is disposed in the lens barrel 100. In more detail, the elastic member 700 is disposed in the receiving groove.

In more detail, the elastic member 700 is disposed below the lens assembly 200. The elastic member 700 is interposed between the lens assembly 200 and the fixing member 300. The elastic member 700 may contact the lower surface of the lens assembly 200. That is, the elastic member 700 may be in direct or indirect contact with the third lens unit 230. In addition, the elastic member 700 may be in direct or indirect contact with the fixing member 300.

Alternatively, the elastic member 700 may be disposed on the lens assembly 200. The elastic member 700 may be interposed between the lens barrel 100 and the lens assembly 200.

The elastic member 700 has elasticity. For example, the modulus of the elastic member 700 may be about 0.3Mpa to about 20Mpa. In more detail, the modulus of the elastic member 700 may be about 0.7Mpa to about 20Mpa. Examples of the material used as the elastic member 700 may be a resin such as polyurethane, rubber-based resin or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).

The elastic member 700 has a plate shape. The elastic member 700 may have the same outer shape as the outer shape of the receiving groove 120. That is, the elastic member 700 may have the same outer shape as the lens assembly 200.

Therefore, the elastic member 700 may have a polygonal plate, more specifically, a rectangular planar shape. In more detail, the elastic member 700 may have a rectangular shape, in more detail, a square shape when viewed from the bottom side.

The elastic member 700 may have a thickness of about 50 μm to about 200 μm. In more detail, the elastic member 700 may have a thickness of about 130 μm to about 150 μm.

The elastic member 700 applies pressure to the lens assembly 200 by the fixing member 300 and its own elasticity. That is, the elastic member 700 may fix the lens assembly 200 to the lens barrel 100 by elasticity.

By the elasticity of the elastic member 700, the tolerance between the lens assembly 200 and the lens barrel 100 can be removed. That is, due to an error in the manufacturing process, a gap between the lens assembly 200 and the lens barrel 100 may be generated, and the gap is removed by the elastic member 700.

Therefore, the lens assembly 200 may be effectively fixed to the lens barrel 100 by the elastic member 700.

The elastic member 700 may include a through groove 710. The through groove 710 is a groove penetrating the elastic member 700. Alternatively, the elastic member 700 may be transparent as a whole.

The fixing member 300 fixes the lens assembly 200 to the lens barrel 100. The fixing member 300 may be fastened to the lens barrel 100 and the lens assembly 200. In more detail, the fixing member 300 may cover the receiving groove 120 and may be fastened to an outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel 100. The fixing member 300 may be fastened to an inner side surface of the receiving groove 120.

The fixing member 300 includes a bottom support 320, an outer circumferential support 340, and a fastening protrusion 330.

The bottom support part 320 supports the lower surface of the lens barrel 100 and the elastic member 700. The bottom support part 320 may directly contact the bottom surface of the elastic member 700 and the lens barrel 100. The bottom support part 320 may directly apply pressure to the elastic member 700. The bottom support part 320 includes a transmission part through which light is transmitted.

The outer circumferential surface support part 340 extends from the bottom support part 320. The outer circumferential surface support part 340 is disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel 100. The outer circumferential surface support part 340 extends upward along the outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel 100. The outer circumferential surface support part 340 surrounds the outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel 100.

The fastening protrusion 330 is disposed on an inner surface of the outer circumferential surface support 340. The fastening protrusion 330 is fastened to the lens barrel 100. The fastening protrusion 330 is inserted into a fastening groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel 100.

Alternatively, a fastening groove may be formed in the outer circumferential surface support part 340, and a fastening protrusion may be formed in the outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel 100. Accordingly, the fixing member 300 and the lens barrel 100 may be fastened.

The housing 400 accommodates the sensor unit 600 and the infrared cut filter unit 500. The housing 400 is coupled to the lens barrel 100. In more detail, the housing 400 is screwed with the lens barrel 100. As described above, the female screw portion 410 of the housing 400 is lens-coupled with the male screw portion 110 of the lens barrel 100.

The housing 400 may be formed of plastic. The housing 400 may have a circular cylindrical shape. In addition, the housing 400 includes an accommodating groove 420 for accommodating the infrared cut filter unit 500 and an accommodating groove 430 for accommodating the sensor unit 600.

The infrared cut filter 500 is disposed in the housing 400. The infrared cut filter 500 filters the incident infrared light. The infrared cut filter 500 may block excessive long wavelengths of light flowing into the sensor 600.

The infrared cut filter 500 may be formed by alternately depositing titanium oxide and silicon oxide on the optical glass. In order to block infrared rays, the thickness of the titanium oxide and the silicon oxide may be appropriately adjusted.

The sensor unit 600 is accommodated in the housing 400. The sensor unit 600 includes a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor. In addition, the sensor unit 600 further includes a circuit board connected to the image sensor. The sensor unit 600 converts an incident image into an electrical signal.

As described above, the camera module according to the embodiment inserts the lens assembly 200 into the receiving groove 120, using the fixing member 300, the lens assembly 200 to the lens barrel ( 100).

In particular, the lens assembly 200 may have a polygonal shape, more specifically, a square shape, and the receiving groove 120 may also have a square shape.

Accordingly, the camera module according to the embodiment may be coupled to the lens assembly 200 of the polygonal shape to the lens barrel 100 of the cylindrical structure by using the fixing member 300 in a simple structure. That is, the camera module according to the embodiment may have a small size.

Therefore, the lens assembly 200 may be easily coupled to the lens barrel 100 by fastening the fixing member 300.

In addition, the camera module according to the embodiment arranges the elastic member 700 in the receiving groove 120. Accordingly, the tolerance in the receiving groove 120 can be removed by the elastic member 700. That is, by the elasticity of the elastic member 700, the lens assembly 200 may apply pressure to the lens assembly 200 in the receiving groove 120. Accordingly, even if a tolerance occurs between the lens assembly 200 and the lens barrel 100, the tolerance may be removed by the elasticity of the elastic member 700.

In particular, the elastic member 700 may fix the lens assembly 200 so as not to shake in the receiving groove. Accordingly, the camera module according to the embodiment may prevent shaking of the lens assembly 200 and capture an image of improved quality.

The elastic member 700 may be fixed to the lens barrel 100 simply by the fixing member 300. Accordingly, the camera module according to the embodiment can be easily manufactured by a simple assembly process.

In addition, a plurality of rectangular lens assemblies 200 may be manufactured in a substrate form, cut, and easily manufactured in large quantities. Therefore, the camera module according to the embodiment can be easily manufactured.

In addition, the features, structures, effects and the like described in the embodiments are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to only one embodiment. Furthermore, the features, structures, effects, and the like illustrated in each embodiment may be combined or modified with respect to other embodiments by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to these combinations and modifications.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, It will be understood that various modifications and applications are possible. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiments can be modified and implemented. It is to be understood that all changes and modifications that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims (9)

A lens barrel in which a receiving groove is formed;
A lens assembly disposed in the receiving groove and including a plurality of lens parts;
An elastic member disposed in the receiving groove and in contact with the lens assembly;
A fixing member for fixing the lens assembly and the elastic member to the lens barrel;
A housing coupled with the lens barrel; And
Camera module comprising a sensor unit disposed in the housing. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the elastic member is interposed between the lens assembly and the fixing member. The camera module of claim 2, wherein the fixing member comprises a fastening groove or a fastening protrusion fastened to the lens barrel. The camera module of claim 3, wherein the fixing member is fastened in the receiving groove. The method of claim 1, wherein the lens portion has a rectangular outline,
The receiving groove is a camera module having a rectangular shape. The method of claim 1, wherein the lens unit
lens; And
A camera module integrally formed with the lens and extending from the lens and having a polygonal outline. The camera module of claim 6, wherein the elastic member includes a through groove corresponding to the lens. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the modulus of the elastic member is 0.7 MPa to 20 MPa. The camera module of claim 8, wherein the elastic member has a thickness of 50 μm to 200 μm.

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