KR102458335B1 - Cover unit and camera module including same - Google Patents

Abstract

The cover unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in the camera module, the cover member; a piezoelectric element attached to the cover member and configured to vibrate the cover member; a support member configured to surround the cover member and spaced apart from the outer portion of the cover member at a predetermined interval; and an elastic member provided in the spaced gap between the cover member and the support member.

Description

COVER UNIT AND CAMERA MODULE INCLUDING SAME

The present invention relates to a camera module. Further, the present invention relates to a cover unit installed in a camera module.

In general, a camera module used to monitor an external state of a vehicle is mounted on a vehicle body. Such a camera module is used to detect whether there are objects such as other vehicles, pedestrians, buildings, and other obstacles in front or behind the vehicle.

The camera module includes a housing having an opening and accommodating a lens and an optical element, and a cover member installed in the opening of the housing.

Since the camera module is installed outside the vehicle body, foreign substances such as rainwater or dust may be attached to the cover member. Since these foreign substances impede the progress of light incident on the lens and the optical element through the cover member, there is a problem in that the imaging performance of the camera module is deteriorated due to the foreign substances.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cover member capable of effectively removing foreign substances attached to the cover member by vibrating the cover member, and a camera module including the same.

A cover unit according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object is installed in the camera module, the cover member; a piezoelectric element attached to the cover member and configured to vibrate the cover member; a support member configured to surround the cover member and spaced apart from the outer portion of the cover member at a predetermined interval; and an elastic member provided in the spaced gap between the cover member and the support member.

The cover member may vibrate in a waveform including one or more peaks and one or more valleys according to a voltage frequency applied to the piezoelectric element.

The cover unit according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a power connection line for connecting the piezoelectric element to the power source, and the power connection line is formed in a coil shape to provide an elastic force to the cover member.

A cover unit according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode interposed between the cover member and the piezoelectric element; And it may further include a power connection line for connecting the electrode to the power source.

The elastic member may convexly protrude toward the outside of the cover unit.

In addition, the camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object may include the above-described cover unit.

According to the camera module according to the embodiment of the present invention, a piezoelectric element is attached to the cover member, and the piezoelectric element repeatedly expands and contracts by a voltage applied to the piezoelectric element. Then, the cover member vibrates due to repeated expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric element. Accordingly, foreign substances such as water droplets adhering to the cover member and obstructing the path of light incident on the optical element can be effectively removed from the cover member by vibration of the cover member.

In particular, according to the camera module according to the embodiment of the present invention, the cover member and the support member constituting the cover unit are not directly connected to each other, but are connected through the elastic member. Therefore, the cover member can vibrate smoothly without being affected by the support member. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the magnitude (amplitude) of the vibration of the cover member. Accordingly, the effect of removing foreign substances from the cover member can be further improved.

1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a front view schematically showing a cover unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a front view schematically showing another example of the cover unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3 or FIG. 4 .
6 is a view schematically illustrating a mode in which the cover member of the cover unit vibrates according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
7 and 8 are cross-sectional views schematically illustrating a cover unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cover unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cover unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a cover unit and a camera module including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 and 2 , the camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 10 , a lens unit 20 , a support block 30 , a circuit board 40 , and a shield can 50 . , including a cover unit 60 .

For example, the camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention may be mounted on a vehicle body. For example, the camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention may be mounted on the front, rear and/or side of the vehicle body.

The housing 10 includes a first housing member 11 and a second housing member 12 . The first housing member 11 and the second housing member 12 are coupled to each other to form an exterior of the camera module. An opening is formed in the first housing member 11 .

The lens unit 20 is exposed to the outside through the opening of the housing 10 .

The support block 30 is accommodated in the housing 10 . The support block 30 is configured to support the lens unit 20 and the circuit board 40 .

The circuit board 40 includes an optical element 41 such as an image sensor or a CCD element.

The shield can 50 is configured to protect the circuit board 40 .

The cover unit 60 is mounted on the housing 10 to close the opening of the housing 10 . The cover unit 60 is installed on a path of light incident to the optical element of the circuit board 40 through the opening of the housing 10 and the lens unit 20 .

The cover unit 60 serves to protect various components accommodated in the housing 10 from the external environment. The cover unit 60 prevents foreign substances such as moisture and dust from entering the inside of the housing 10 .

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the camera module described above. The cover unit 60 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be manufactured separately from the components constituting the camera module. The cover unit 60 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be mounted on various types of camera modules in addition to the camera module having the above-described configuration.

The cover unit 60 and the camera module may be coupled to each other by various coupling means such as adhesives, bolting, and riveting.

Hereinafter, the cover unit 60 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 .

1 to 6 , the cover unit 60 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a casing 61 , a support member 62 , a cover member 63 , an elastic member 64 , It may include a sealing member 65 , a piezoelectric element 66 , and a power connection line 67 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , the cover unit 60 may have a rectangular shape as a whole. As another example, as shown in FIG. 4 , the cover unit 60 may have an overall circular shape. The present invention is not limited to the shape of the cover unit 60 , and the cover unit 60 may have various shapes, such as a triangular shape or a polygonal shape. For example, the shape of the cover unit 60 may be determined according to the coupling portion of the camera module to which the cover unit 60 is to be coupled.

The casing 61 includes a first casing member 611 and a second casing member 612 . The first casing member 611 and the second casing member 612 may be coupled to each other by various coupling means such as adhesive, bolting, or riveting.

As shown in FIG. 5 , a through hole 613 through which light passes is formed in the first casing member 611 . The passage hole 613 serves as a passage through which light incident on the optical element 41 passes.

The second casing member 612 is configured to support the support member 62 . For example, the first casing member 611 and the second casing member 612 are coupled to each other with the support member 62 interposed between the first casing member 611 and the second casing member 612. Accordingly, the support member 62 may be fixed to the inside of the casing 61 .

Meanwhile, a sealing member 65 may be provided between the first casing member 611 and the second casing member 612 . For example, the sealing member 65 may be disposed along an outer edge of the support member 62 .

The first casing member 611 and the second casing member 612 are interposed between the first casing member 611 and the second casing member 612 with the support member 62 and the sealing member 65 interposed therebetween. By being coupled, the support member 62 may be more firmly fixed to the inside of the casing 61 . As such, the sealing member 65 serves to more firmly fix the supporting member 62 .

In addition, when the cover member 63 vibrates according to the contraction and expansion of the piezoelectric element 66 , the sealing member 65 prevents the vibration of the cover member 63 from being transmitted to the entire part of the casing 61 . also plays a role Accordingly, the sealing member 65 serves to prevent the vibration of the cover member 63 from being transmitted to the camera module.

Further, the sealing member 65 is closely interposed between the first casing member 611 and the second casing member 612 . Accordingly, the sealing member 65 also serves to prevent foreign substances from being introduced into the casing 61 . Accordingly, the sealing member 65 serves to prevent foreign substances from being introduced into the camera module.

The support member 62 may be formed of a material such as metal, glass, or synthetic resin. The support member 62 may be formed of a material having greater rigidity than the cover member 63 .

A through hole 621 is formed in the center of the support member 62 . As an example, as shown in FIG. 3 , the through hole 621 may have a rectangular shape. As another example, as shown in FIG. 4 , the through hole 621 may have a circular shape. A cover member 63 is disposed inside the through hole 621 .

The cover member 63 serves to protect various components accommodated in the camera module from the external environment. The cover member 63 prevents foreign substances such as moisture and dust from being introduced into the camera module.

The cover member 63 has a predetermined thickness and elasticity so that it can vibrate smoothly by the contraction and expansion of the piezoelectric element 66 . The cover member 63 may be formed in a flat plate shape.

The cover member 63 may be made of synthetic resin, glass, or the like. The cover member 63 may be formed entirely of a light-transmitting material. As another example, the cover member 63 may be formed of a light-transmitting material so that at least a portion coaxially disposed with the through hole 613 may transmit light.

For example, the cover member 63 may serve as an optical filter that transmits only light of a specific wavelength band having predetermined characteristics.

The cover member 63 vibrates due to the contraction and expansion of the piezoelectric element 66 . Accordingly, foreign substances adhering to the cover member 63 may be removed by vibration of the cover member 63 .

The cover member 63 is disposed inside the through hole 621 of the support member 62 . The cover member 63 is spaced apart from the inner surface of the through hole 621 of the support member 62 at a predetermined interval. That is, the support member 62 is configured to surround the cover member 63 , and is disposed to be spaced apart from the outer portion of the cover member 63 at a preset interval. Accordingly, the support member 62 and the cover member 63 are not directly connected to each other.

The elastic member 64 is provided in the spaced gap between the support member 62 and the cover member 63 . The elastic member 64 serves to connect the support member 62 and the cover member 63 . The support member 62 and the cover member 63 may be coupled to each other by the elastic member 64 .

For example, the elastic member 64 may be interposed between the support member 62 and the cover member 63 by thermoforming the elastic material. For example, the process of positioning the cover member 63 inside the through hole 621 of the support member 62, the process of disposing an elastic material between the support member 62 and the cover member 63, the elastic material Through the process of applying heat to penetrate the elastic material into the gap between the support member 62 and the cover member 63 and the process of curing the elastic material, the elastic material between the support member 62 and the cover member 63 is A member 64 may be interposed.

In this way, since the elastic member 64 can be interposed between the support member 62 and the cover member 63 by thermoforming the elastic material, the support member 62, the cover member 63 and the elastic member ( 64) may be integrally and rigidly coupled together.

As such, the support member 62 and the cover member 63 are not directly connected to each other, but are connected through the elastic member 64 . Accordingly, the cover member 63 can vibrate smoothly without being affected by the support member 62 . Accordingly, the magnitude (amplitude) of the vibration of the cover member 63 can be increased. Accordingly, the effect of removing foreign substances from the cover member 63 can be further improved.

In addition, the elastic member 64 serves to prevent the vibration of the cover member 63 from being transmitted to the support member 62 . Accordingly, the elastic member 64 also serves to prevent the vibration of the cover member 63 from being transmitted to the entire portion of the casing 61 . Accordingly, the elastic member 64 serves to prevent the vibration of the cover member 63 from being transmitted to the camera module.

In addition, the elastic member 64 also serves to prevent foreign substances from being introduced into the casing 61 . Accordingly, the elastic member 64 serves to prevent foreign substances from being introduced into the camera module.

The elastic member 64 has a convex shape to the outside of the cover unit 60 . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent foreign substances from being caught in the elastic member 64 .

The piezoelectric element 66 may be attached to the inner surface of the cover member 63 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention may be applied to a configuration in which the piezoelectric element 66 is attached to the outer surface of the cover member 63 .

The piezoelectric element 66 may be formed in a substantially flat ring shape. However, the present invention is not limited to the ring-shaped piezoelectric element 66 . If the piezoelectric element 66 can provide vibration to the cover member 63, the shape of the piezoelectric element 66, the number of the piezoelectric elements 66, the installation form of the one or more piezoelectric elements 66, the one or more piezoelectric elements The arrangement pattern of (66) may be variously changed.

The piezoelectric element 66 may be made of piezoelectric ceramics having a property of converting electrical energy into mechanical energy. The piezoelectric element 66 has a characteristic of contracting and expanding according to a change in polarity (+ pole and - pole) of a voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 66 . Accordingly, when a voltage is applied from the outside, the piezoelectric element 66 is deformed while expanding or contracting according to the polarity of the applied voltage, and when the polarity of the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 66 is changed, the piezoelectric element 66 . The direction in which it is deformed changes.

The present invention utilizes the characteristics of the piezoelectric element 66 as described above. That is, when a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 66 , the cover member 63 is displaced and vibrates due to the contraction and expansion of the piezoelectric element 66 according to a change in the polarity of the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 66 . Due to the vibration of the cover member 63 , foreign substances adhering to the surface of the cover member 63 may be separated from the cover member 63 and removed. The operation of removing foreign substances from the cover member 63 by vibrating the cover member 63 may be performed at a predetermined time period. Accordingly, foreign substances that are attached to the cover member 63 and obstruct the path of light incident to the optical element 41 can be automatically or periodically removed, thereby improving the performance of the camera module.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6 , the cover member 63 may vibrate in a waveform having one peak (convex portion) and one valley (concave portion) due to the contraction and expansion of the piezoelectric element 66 . can Further, by changing the size and period of the contraction and expansion of the piezoelectric element 66 , the cover member 63 can vibrate in a waveform having a plurality of peaks (convex portions) and a plurality of valleys (concave portions). That is, the cover member 63 may vibrate in the form of a sine wave having a plurality of phases due to a change in the magnitude of the voltage and the frequency of the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 66 . Accordingly, the effect of removing foreign substances from the cover member 63 can be improved.

A pattern in which the cover member 63 vibrates according to the characteristics of the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 66 (the magnitude of the voltage, the frequency of the voltage, the period of change of the polarity of the voltage, and/or the time during which the voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element) This can change. Accordingly, the cover member 63 can vibrate in an optimal pattern, and thus the effect of removing foreign substances from the cover member 63 can be further improved.

Meanwhile, the power connection line 67 serves to connect the piezoelectric element 66 to the power source. The power connection line 67 may be configured in the form of a coil having a predetermined rigidity. The power connection line 67 may be interposed between the cover member 63 and the first casing member 611 . A first end of the power connection line 67 is connected to the piezoelectric element 66 . In addition, the second end of the power connection line 67 may be fixed to the first casing member 611 .

The power connection line 67 having a coil shape may provide an elastic force to the cover member 63 . The elastic force of the power connection line 67 may be applied to the cover member 63 in a direction in which the cover member 63 vibrates. Accordingly, the amplitude of the cover member 63 may be increased by the elastic force of the power connection line 67 . Accordingly, the effect of removing foreign substances from the cover member 63 can be further improved.

In addition, the rigidity of the power connection line can be secured by the power connection line 67 having a coil shape, and accordingly, the cover member 63 can be effectively supported by the casing 61 through the power connection line 67 .

According to the camera module according to the embodiment of the present invention, the piezoelectric element 66 is attached to the cover member 63, and the piezoelectric element 66 repeatedly expands and contracts by the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 66. . Then, the cover member 63 vibrates due to the repeated expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric element 66 . Accordingly, foreign substances such as water droplets that are attached to the cover member 63 and obstruct the path of light incident on the optical element 41 can be effectively removed from the cover member 63 by the vibration of the cover member 63 .

Hereinafter, the cover unit 60 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 . The same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those described in the above-described first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

7, the cover member 63 of the cover unit 60 according to the second embodiment of the present invention convexly protrudes toward the outside. As another example, the cover member 63 of the cover unit 60 according to the second embodiment of the present invention may have a concave shape from the outside.

As such, the shape of the cover member 63 may be determined according to the type of camera module to which the cover unit 60 is to be coupled.

Hereinafter, a cover unit 60 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 9 . The same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those described in the above-described first and second embodiments, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

According to the cover unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the elastic member 64 is manufactured as a separate member. The elastic member 64 may be attached to the support member 62 and the cover member 63 by an adhesive (silicone) 68 .

By heating and curing the adhesive 68 in a state where the adhesive 68 is interposed between the support member 62 and the elastic member 64 , the elastic member 64 is firmly attached to the support member 62 . can

In addition, by heating and curing the adhesive 68 in a state where the adhesive 68 is interposed between the cover member 63 and the elastic member 64 , the elastic member 64 is firmly attached to the cover member 63 . can be attached.

The elastic member 64 convexly protrudes to the outside of the cover unit 60 . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent foreign substances from being caught in the elastic member 64 .

Hereinafter, a cover unit 60 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10 . The same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those described in the above-described first to third embodiments, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

According to the cover unit 60 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the electrode 69 is interposed between the cover member 63 and the piezoelectric element 66 . The electrode 69 is connected to a power source through a power supply connection line 67 .

The electrode 69 may be composed of a separate electrode member or may be formed by plating a metal on the inner surface of the cover member 63 .

When a voltage is applied to the electrode 69 through the power connection line 67 to drive the piezoelectric element 66 , heat may be generated in the electrode 69 while the electrode 69 acts as a resistance. The heat generated in the electrode 69 is transferred to the cover member 63 . Accordingly, moisture (water droplets) adhering to the cover member 63 may be evaporated and removed.

Meanwhile, since the coil-shaped power connection line 67 is connected to the cover member 63 through the electrode 69 , the elastic force of the power connection line 67 can be more effectively applied to the cover member 63 . Accordingly, the effect of increasing the amplitude of the cover member 63 by using the elastic force applied by the power connection line 67 may be further improved.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described by way of example, the scope of the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and may be appropriately modified within the scope described in the claims.

10: housing
20: lens unit
40: circuit board
60: cover unit
61: casing
62: support member
63: cover member
64: elastic member
65: sealing member
66: piezoelectric element
67: power connection line

Claims (7)

In the cover unit installed in the camera module,
a casing including a first casing member having a passage hole through which light passes, and a second casing member coupled to the first casing member;
a support member supported by the second casing member and having a through hole in the center;
a cover member disposed inside the through hole and spaced apart from the inner surface of the through hole;
a piezoelectric element attached to the cover member and configured to vibrate the cover member;
an elastic member provided in the gap between the support member and the cover member to connect the support member and the cover member; and
Interposed between the cover member and the first casing member, a first end is connected to the piezoelectric element and a second end is connected to the first casing member to apply a voltage to the piezoelectric element, and a coil shape having rigidity A cover unit comprising a power connection line configured to provide an elastic force to the cover member. The method according to claim 1,
The cover unit, characterized in that the cover member vibrates in a waveform including one or more peaks and one or more valleys according to a voltage frequency applied to the piezoelectric element. delete The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising an electrode interposed between the cover member and the piezoelectric element,
The power connection line is a cover unit, characterized in that for connecting the electrode to the power source. The method according to claim 1,
The elastic member is a cover unit, characterized in that convexly protruding toward the outside of the cover unit. In the cover unit installed in the camera module,
a casing including a first casing member having a passage hole through which light passes, and a second casing member coupled to the first casing member;
a support member supported by the second casing member and having a through hole in the center;
a cover member disposed inside the through hole and spaced apart from the inner surface of the through hole;
a piezoelectric element attached to the cover member and configured to vibrate the cover member; and
and an elastic member provided in the separation gap between the support member and the cover member to connect the support member and the cover member,
that the support member is fixed to the inside of the casing by coupling the first casing member and the second casing member to each other with the support member interposed between the first casing member and the second casing member Features a cover unit. A camera module comprising the cover unit according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 4 to 6 .

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