KR20070007301A - Device for producing a camera - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for producing a camera, particularly a vehicle camera. The device comprises a holding device and a calibrating field mounted on the holding device. The device permits the alignment of an image sensor of the camera and an optics unit of the camera with one another according to the image signals of the image sensor that the image sensor generates from the calibrating field. ® KIPO & WIPO 2007

Description

Camera manufacturing device {DEVICE FOR PRODUCING A CAMERA}

The present invention relates to a camera, in particular a vehicle camera manufacturing apparatus and a camera apparatus.

Cameras, in particular vehicle camera manufacturing apparatus, having the features of the independent claim 1 described herein have the advantage that inaccuracies according to the manufacturing technology of the camera components, such as image sensors, housings or optical units, are corrected by said manufacturing apparatus. This type of inaccuracy leads to inaccuracies in all mechanical components, offsets in the optical axis of the optical unit (objective), inclined screw cross sections, poor positioning accuracy of the image former (image sensor) relative to the printed circuit board, image sensor in the package Incorrect assembly of the chip and tolerance of the printed circuit board occurs. The advantage of the device according to the invention is that not only this inaccuracy is corrected, but also that high tolerances can be tolerated in the individual mechanical components and processing steps of the camera. This makes it possible to manufacture component parts at low cost. In addition, the device enables accurate orientation. This ensures that the camera has good tolerances when mounted in-vehicle and that the region of sharpness is guaranteed over the entire temperature range, for example, occurring in the vehicle. Therefore, the overall cost of manufacturing the camera is lowered. The tolerances of the camera parts should not be outside the calibration area of the device. The device has the advantage of minimizing manufacturing tolerances and shortening the overall tolerance chain. In addition, a holding device preferably configured to bend and not bend is used, so that high accuracy can be achieved because the mutual position of the component parts of the device is stably fixed for a long time by the holding device.

Particularly preferably, hexapods are used for the movement of the image sensor and / or optical unit, which allows for accurate movement in three directions of movement perpendicular to each other and in three directions of rotation perpendicular to each other. Done.

Also preferably, when the device secures the active surface of the image sensor, the calibration area and for example the camera on the inner side of the windshield inside the vehicle, the housing edge of the camera abuts on the windshield retainer (related elements Is oriented exactly. In the case of a windshield holding without tolerance, the camera's point of view is directed in the desired direction.

Also preferably, the optical unit is fixedly mounted to the holding device at the time of orientation and the image sensor of the camera moves for orientation, whereby the orientation of the optical unit relative to the calibration area is fixed and a device of particularly simple construction Is provided.

Preferably, the first calibration region comprises at least one deflection device, in particular at least one mirror, wherein the deflection device is adapted to photograph at least one portion of the at least one second calibration region for at least one portion of the image sensor. To ensure. This type of deflection glass located in the first calibration region reflects a relatively small second calibration region at five positions on the image sensor, for example. Without the glass, the second calibration area would have been very large and would have taken up more space. Therefore, the device of the present invention can be installed compact and space-saving. In addition, the mirror preferably changes the separation distance of about 10 to 15 m, preferably 11 m, to the calibration area of the camera required for orientation, to a horizontal arrangement that is simply installed within the manufacturing operation. The measurement of the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) by imaging of the second calibration region for the image sensor can be carried out in an advantageous manner, in particular at the corners or edges of the image sensor.

Particularly preferably, the device according to the invention comprises at least one imaging unit, which contributes to reducing the required space of the apparatus and can also be adapted simply by exchanging the imaging unit for different camera types. The photographing unit is arranged between the optical unit and the first calibration region.

Also preferably, the distance of the first correction region with respect to the imaging unit may be changed, which corresponds to the change of the objective lens distance. Thus, for example, the modulation transfer function (MTF) can be measured by the objective lens distance.

Preferably, the imaging unit and / or the first calibration area is mounted to the holding device such that the imaging unit and / or the first calibration area is insertable and detachable from the image capture area of the camera, such that the calibration area is captured in the image capture area of the camera. At least one calibration area mounted to the holding device is used for the manufacture of the camera, as it appears after the turning of the unit and / or the first calibration area.

Particularly preferred is also a camera device capable of manufacturing the device described below and / or obtainable by a method of manufacturing the camera device described below, wherein the image sensor and the optical unit have three-dimensional movement direction motion and / Or oriented with respect to each other by a three-dimensional rotational direction movement, which movement is made in accordance with an image signal of an image sensor of at least one calibration region. Such a camera device can be manufactured inexpensively and has high accuracy.

Further advantages are presented from the description of the embodiments described below with reference to the drawings and from the dependent claims of the claims.

Hereinafter, the present invention is described in more detail in the embodiment shown in the drawings.

1 is an overall view of a camera manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

2 is a partial view of a camera manufacturing apparatus.

3 is a plan view of a first calibration region according to the first embodiment.

4 is a side view of the first calibration region according to the first embodiment.

5 is an overall view of a camera manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

6 is an overall view of a camera manufacturing apparatus according to the third embodiment.

Hereinafter, a camera, in particular a vehicle camera manufacturing apparatus, is described. The apparatus includes a holding device and a calibration area mounted to the holding device, wherein the holding device orients the image sensor of the camera and the optical unit of the camera to each other according to the image signal of the image sensor generated by the image sensor by the calibration area. You can.

The described device is an adjustment device for orienting an image sensor (image former) or a general optical sensor with respect to the optical unit. The optical unit is preferably located in the camera housing. The optical unit is then fixedly connected with the device for adjustment. An image sensor comprising an image sensor chip is optimally oriented and fixed relative to the optical unit, wherein the aim of the orientation is that the optical axis of the optical unit is oriented vertically into the center of the photodiode region of the image sensor chip. The image sensor is active during the orientation process. The fixing and the connection are preferably made by mutual coupling. After insertion and curing of the interlocking material, the camera device can be manufactured and the housing shut off. Preferably the curing time of the mutual bonding material is used for further electrical and / or optical testing of the camera.

The device retains the characteristics of the image sensor and / or optical unit running in all three axes of the rectangular coordinate system. It can also be rotated around all three axes. Thus six degrees of freedom are formed for orientation.

In an embodiment a camera consisting of a housing and an image conversion element is manufactured. The housing of the camera is an aluminum die casting part and has sides that are located at and substantially on the base surface of the quadrangle, which sides form a wall inside the camera. In addition, the base surface of the housing includes a projection facing outwards, in which the optical unit of the camera is located. Inside the housing a box (storage tank) is located at each one of the four corners of the foundation surface. Within each box is located a column arranged substantially perpendicular to the base surface of the housing. Four columns are riveted bolts with undercuts. The undercut is present to secure the bolt to the side facing the housing. The image conversion element consists of a processed printed circuit board, a printed circuit board frame, an image sensor printed circuit board, a fixed element and an image sensor. The image sensor consists of an image sensor chip and a glass cover. Through the printed circuit board frame, the process printed circuit board and the image sensor printed circuit board are substantially connected in parallel with each other. An image sensor is mounted on the outward side of the image sensor printed circuit board so that the image sensor together with the optical unit forms an optical system. At each corner of the printed circuit board frame are four fixing elements with respect to the sides of the image sensor substantially perpendicular to the image sensor printed circuit board. The fastening element is formed by countersunk screws which likewise comprise an undercut by being screwed into the printed circuit board frame. The housing and the printed circuit board frame are each connected in such a way that one fixing element is locked into one box with a distance to the column present in the box from 0.5 mm to 3.5 mm, and the image sensor is oriented with respect to the optical unit. One box is filled with mutual bonding material. In an embodiment the ultraviolet linked interconnect material is injected into four boxes through a supply of the interconnect material in a fluid state. The crosslinking material is then cured by ultraviolet radiation (UV-irradiation) to effect the crosslinking action.

1 is an overall view of a camera manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment, which consists of a retaining device 1, a hexapod 2 and a first calibration region 5; The camera manufacturing apparatus includes a shape stability maintaining device 1 (rack), which is not bent and not bent, which is made of steel in the embodiment. The holding device 1 is located on a heavy base 9 with four rubber buffers 10. Vibration and shaking that are interfered by the base are prevented. The image sensor 3 is connected with the holding device through the hexapod 2. The hexapod 2 is a device in which the base plane is connected to the working plane at six movable bars that can be changed six longitudinally. The hexapod 2 can move the working surface in a three-dimensional moving direction and / or in a three-dimensional rotational direction with respect to the foundation surface. The light absorption area of the image sensor 3 faces downward. Under the image sensor 3, an optical unit assembled in the camera housing 4 is fixedly mounted to the holding device 1. The apparatus is configured such that the optical unit is directed downward so that the liquid interconnect material supplied through the supply portion 27 of the interconnect material does not flow from the storage tank located above. In addition, a first calibration region 5 is disposed below the optical unit at an opening angle 25 of the camera. In this embodiment the calibration region 5 is arranged at a height f of 8 mm so that the focal length of the camera becomes its height f value. The holding device 1 comprises a mechanical device, for example a mechanical device in the form of an angle at which the mounting area 5 can be mounted at another height corresponding to the focal length f = 3mm, f = 6mm or f = 12mm, A camera having a focal length f of this kind is manufactured. The calibration area 5 comprises a stamp 7 with an adapter and a plurality of mirrors 8. In order to perform focusing of the camera, a distance of about 11 m of the second calibration area 6 with respect to the camera is required. The mirrors 8 are thus mounted and oriented so that each mirror captures at least one portion of each of the second calibration regions 6 for at least one portion of the image sensor 3. The device also comprises a control device 29 connected with the image sensor 3 and the hexapod 2 via signal lines. The control device 29 receives the image signal of the image sensor 3, evaluates it, and adjusts the hexapod 2 so that a closed control circuit is formed.

FIG. 2 is a partial view of the camera manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment according to FIG. The image sensor 3 connected with the printed circuit board is connected with the tension gripper 11 of the hexapod 2 by the image sensor 3 receiving part 12, and the hexapod 2 is connected to the holding device 1. Is mounted. The camera housing 4 with the optical unit is connected with the tension gripper 14 by a camera housing receptacle 13, which is mounted to the holding device 1.

The tension grippers 11, 14 are standard receptacles that are firmly connected to the hexapod 2 or the retaining device 1. The tension gripper 11 is an electric tension gripper for gripping the module-adjusted image sensor receiver 12 for a printed circuit board. The tension gripper 14 is located on the retaining device 1 and receives a standardized camera housing receiver 13, which comprises a negative mold of the camera housing 4. The opening for the optical unit by the camera housing receiver 13 and the tension gripper 14 is configured such that the full opening angle of the camera can be utilized. In a preferred embodiment the mechanical tension clamp as tension grippers 11, 14 is in principle a vise used. Alternatively or additionally in a variant embodiment magnetic fixing by electromagnets is used.

According to the camera manufacturing method, the image sensor is inserted into the image sensor receiver of the image sensor in relation to the camera housing located in the camera housing receiver with the optical unit and then provided by the hexapod in the rough starting position. An image sensor present during operation and connected to the control device is provided in the receiving area where the sensor receives the image signal of the second calibration area, which image signal is used to adjust the orientation setting. Optically perceived images can be evaluated and a control algorithm or feedback is applied. The rough orientation of the starting position provides the center of the sensor area and the optical unit on the axis. The image sharpness is adjusted by approaching the optical unit by the measurement of the contrast in the first stage by the second calibration region, while in the second stage the image calibration is developed as a control point region by the adapter and stamp. Thereby the image sensor is oriented in the x- and y-directions and in relation to the reeling. Alternatively, the first and second steps are executed several times in sequence until the optimal orientation of the image sensor for the optical unit is reached. In the last step the image sensor is connected with the optical unit in the oriented position, which connection is made by mutual coupling in a preferred embodiment.

3 is a plan view of the calibration area 5 of the first embodiment consisting of a stamp 7 and an adapter 19 shown by way of example. The calibration region 5 is configured with any feature provided in the calibration region 5 with sufficient contrast to the characteristic region. The location in the system is known and can be detected by the image processing method via contrast determination. High contrast is achieved, for example, by black features on a white background or vice versa. The feature is circle and / or star and / or square. An advantage of the adapter 19 and the pass bore is that, on the one hand, an adapter 19 or a mirror whose location in the system is known can be used. This, on the one hand, enables the possibility of replacement of features and simple displacement of features. The adapter 19 is mounted on the surface of the calibration area 5 and the stamp 7. The base surface of the calibration region 5 is strut supported from the rear to ensure stability. In addition, the surface of the calibration region 5 is anodized with matt matte black to prevent obstructive reflections. The adapter 19 is matte white to prevent obstructive reflections.

4 is a side view of the first calibration region 5 according to FIG. 3 of the first embodiment. The calibration area 5 is provided with a regularly distributed pass bore 21, which is used to receive the stamp 7 and / or the adapter 19 and / or the mirror 20. The reception of the adapter 19 and the mirror 20 is indicated by arrows in FIG. The stamp consists of a stamp support 17 and a stamp surface 18. A pass bore is likewise provided on the stamp surface 18, which is used to receive the adapter 19 or the mirror 20. The mirror 20 includes a ball joint used to adjust the orientation of the mirror surface.

Fig. 5 is a view showing the camera manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment as a whole. The elements of the second embodiment are shown as in the corresponding elements of the first embodiment and are not described in further detail below. Only the modified part of the apparatus for the first embodiment is described. In the second embodiment the measuring step and the adjusting step are carried out without a second calibration region (contrast calibration region) spaced apart and further apart and without a deflection mirror for the first calibration region 5. For this purpose, the reduced corrective objective lens 22 is mounted at a position on the first corrected region 5, in which the mirror is assembled in the first embodiment, in the form of a pattern of sufficient contrast. Between the optical unit 4 of the camera and the first correction region 5, an intermediate lens having a displacement device 24 is positioned as the imaging unit 23, and the displacement device 24 is a photographing unit 23. It is configured to be pivotable from the image capture area, which is fixed by the opening angle 25 of the camera. The photographing unit 23 is centered in front of the camera to determine the height of the plane for sharpness. Alternatively the imaging unit 23 comprises a lens system. The imaging unit 23 is spaced apart from the camera's field of view for the purpose of the mobile and rotational orientation of the image sensor 3 by the first calibration region 5 and / or for the determination of the intrinsic parameters of the camera. Alternatively or additionally, in the variant of the second embodiment, the moving and rotational orientation of the image sensor 3 is made, so that in the intermediate connection of the imaging unit 23, in particular the orientation of the viewing angle of the camera and / or Or orientation of the image forming point and / or detection of the unique camera data.

Fig. 6 is a view showing the camera manufacturing apparatus according to the third embodiment as a whole. The elements of the third embodiment are shown as in the corresponding elements of the second embodiment and are not described in further detail below. Only the modified part of the apparatus for the second embodiment is described. In the third embodiment the first calibration region 5 is mounted on the displacement device 26, which on the one hand separates the separation distance to the imaging unit 23 of the first calibration region 5 from the optical axis of the camera. In a manner approaching the direction, and on the other hand, configured to pivot the imaging unit 23 out of the image capturing area, which is fixed by the opening angle 25 of the camera. The optical unit 4, the imaging unit 23, and the correction area 5 are disposed behind each other. In the holding device 1, a third calibration region 28 having a stamp 7 is arranged. By means of the apparatus according to the third embodiment, a modulation transfer function (MTF) or contrast process can be detected for at least one image point through at least a portion of the camera operating area and based on this data the hexapod 2 The setting of the orientation of the image sensor 3 relative to the optical unit 4 can be achieved via. Alternatively or additionally after turning of the first calibration region 5 a third calibration region formed through the stamp 7 and the adapter 19 as a pass point region, for example as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Detection of the unique parameter is carried out using (28).

Claims (12)

Cameras, especially vehicle camera manufacturing devices, One holding device and at least one calibration area mounted to the holding device, The holding device ensures to receive at least one image sensor of the camera and at least one optical unit of the camera, The apparatus is configured such that the apparatus is configured to orient the image sensor and the optical unit to each other according to the image signal of the image sensor by at least a first calibration region. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured such that the device orients the image sensor and the optical unit to each other in at least one direction of movement and / or at least one direction of rotation, the movement in the direction of movement and / or the direction of rotation being And at least by the first calibration region in accordance with the image signal of the image sensor. 3. A camera manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one hexapod that orients the image sensor and the optical unit to each other. 4. A camera manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device orients the camera's viewing direction and at least one related element of the camera housing to each other. The camera manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the optical unit is fixedly mounted to the holding device at the time of orientation setting. The method of claim 1, wherein the first calibration region, the optical unit and the image sensor are disposed substantially perpendicular to each other, preferably the optical unit is disposed on top of the first calibration region and / or the image. Camera manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that the sensor is disposed above the optical unit. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first calibration region comprises at least one deflection device, in particular at least one mirror, the deflection device having at least one device for at least one portion of the image sensor. 2 ensures imaging of at least a portion of the calibration region, preferably the second calibration region is arranged spaced apart from the holding device. 8. A camera manufacturing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one imaging unit, wherein the imaging unit is disposed between the optical unit and the first calibration region. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus is configured such that a distance of the first calibration region with respect to the photographing unit is changeable. 10. The device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the imaging unit and / or the first calibration area is mounted to the holding device such that the imaging unit and / or the first calibration area are insertable and detachable from the image capture area of the camera. Camera manufacturing device. The camera manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to connect the image sensor with the optical unit according to its orientation. A camera device comprising at least one image sensor and at least one optical unit, said camera device may be manufactured by the device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and / or a method of manufacturing a camera device. In which the image sensor and the optical unit are oriented relative to each other by three-dimensional movement direction movement and / or three-dimensional rotation direction movement, the movement being an image of the image sensor of at least one calibration region. Camera device made according to the signal.

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