KR20140023550A - Camera module - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a camera module. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the camera module includes a lens barrel; a lens assembly arranged in the lens barrel and including lenses. The lenses include a first lens, a second lens, and a third lens. The first lens is inserted into the second lens. The second lens is inserted into the third lens.

Description

Camera module {CAMERA 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.

On the other hand, in order to realize the performance of the camera module, the alignment of the optical axis (center of the lens) must be precise. However, when assembling a large number of lens groups, it is very difficult to align the center of the lens between the lenses, the de-center (de-center) generation performance is degraded. In other words, when the lens group is inserted into the barrel, the lens group is assembled in accordance with the size of the outer diameter of each lens. It is more frequent to decenter as the number of lenses in a camera module requiring a high pixel increases. In particular, recently, in the case of a camera module for a mobile or a tablet PC, since the decenter area is very small micrometer level, the technique of aligning the lenses is very precise and difficult.

Embodiments provide a high performance camera module.

Camera module according to the embodiment comprises a lens barrel; And a lens assembly disposed in the lens barrel and including lenses, wherein outer diameters of the lenses are different from each other.

In the camera module according to the present embodiment, since the shapes of the lenses are molded into blocks, the assembly tolerance can be minimized by accurately supporting the height difference between the lenses. In addition, mobility between lenses may be minimized to prevent decenter generation. That is, by fitting the lenses, it is possible to minimize the de-center that can occur in the assembly process by catching the shake. In addition, the flatness due to the imbalance of the spacer between the lenses can be adjusted. Therefore, it is possible to secure a camera module with improved performance.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing a camera module according to an embodiment.
2 is a perspective view of a lens assembly.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of FIG. 1.

In the description of the embodiments, it is to be understood that each layer (film), area, pattern or structure may be referred to as being "on" or "under / under" Quot; includes all that is formed directly or through another layer. The criteria for top / bottom or bottom / bottom of each layer are described with reference to the drawings.

The thickness or the size of each layer (film), region, pattern or structure in the drawings may be modified for clarity and convenience of explanation, and thus does not entirely reflect the actual size.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, a camera module according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a camera module according to an embodiment. 2 is a perspective view of a lens assembly. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of FIG. 1.

1 to 3, the camera module according to the embodiment includes a lens barrel 100, a lens assembly 200, a housing 400, an infrared cut filter unit 500, a sensor unit 600, and a circuit board ( 700).

The lens barrel 100 receives the lens assembly 200.

The lens barrel 100 includes a receiving groove 110 for accommodating the lens assembly 200. The receiving groove 110 may have a shape corresponding to the lens assembly 200. The receiving groove 110 may have a circular shape when viewed from the bottom side. In more detail, the receiving groove 110 may have a circular shape when viewed from the bottom side. That is, the outer periphery of the receiving groove 110 may have a circular shape. Unlike this, the outer periphery of the receiving groove 110 may have a square shape.

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

The lens barrel 100 is connected to the housing 400.

In addition, the lens barrel 100 includes a light receiving groove opened upward (object side). 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 110. The lens assembly 200 is inserted into the receiving groove 110. The lens assembly 200 has a first outer shape. In more detail, the lens assembly 200 may have a circular outer shape. In more detail, the lens assembly 200 may have a circular shape when viewed from the top side. Alternatively, the lens assembly 200 may have a rectangular shape when viewed from the top side.

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

In detail, the third lens 230, the second lens 220, and the first lens 210 may be sequentially assembled. That is, the third lens 230, the second lens 220, and the first lens 210 may be stacked step by step.

The third lens 230, the second lens 220, and the first lens 210 may have different outer diameters. The outer diameter of the third lens 230, the second lens 220, and the first lens 210 may be decreased in order.

At least one of the first lens 210, the second lens 220, and the third lens 230 includes inserting portions 10 and 20. The insertion parts 10 and 20 may accommodate at least one of the first lens 210, the second lens 220, and the third lens 230.

In detail, the second lens 220 may include a first inserting portion 10. The first inserting portion 10 is recessed inwardly of the second lens 220. That is, the first insertion part 10 may have a recessed shape for accommodating the first lens 210.

The first insertion unit 10 may accommodate the first lens 210 disposed on the second lens 220. Therefore, the inner surface 11 of the first inserting portion 10 corresponds to the outer surface 211 of the first lens 210. That is, the inner surface of the first insertion portion 10 and the outer surface 211 of the first lens 210 are disposed on the same plane.

Meanwhile, the first lens 210 may further include a first protrusion 212 to be inserted into the first inserting portion 10. The first protrusion 212 is integrally formed with the first lens 210. Therefore, the inner surface 11 of the first insertion portion 10 corresponds to the outer surface 211 of the first protrusion 212. That is, the inner surface 11 of the first insertion portion 10 and the outer surface 211 of the first protrusion 212 are disposed on the same plane.

Meanwhile, a first spacer 261 may be interposed in the first inserting portion 10. The distance between the first lens 210 and the second lens 220 may be spaced apart from each other through the first spacer 261.

The third lens 230 may include a second inserting portion 20. The second inserting portion 20 is recessed to the inside of the third lens 230. That is, the second inserting portion 20 may have a recessed shape for accommodating the first lens 210.

The second inserting portion 20 may accommodate the second lens 220 disposed on the third lens 230. Therefore, the inner surface 21 of the second inserting portion 20 corresponds to the outer surface 221 of the second lens 220. That is, the inner surface 21 of the second inserting portion 20 and the outer surface 221 of the second lens 220 are disposed on the same plane.

The second lens 220 may further include a second protrusion 222 to be inserted into the second inserting portion 20. The second protrusion 222 is integrally formed with the second lens 220. Therefore, the inner surface 21 of the second insertion portion 20 corresponds to the outer surface 221 of the second protrusion 222. That is, the inner surface 21 of the second insertion portion 20 and the outer surface 221 of the second protrusion 222 are disposed on the same plane.

Meanwhile, a second spacer 262 may be interposed in the second inserting portion 20. The distance between the second lens 220 and the third lens 230 may be spaced apart from each other through the second spacer 262.

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

The housing 400 accommodates the lens barrel 100, the sensor unit 600, and the infrared cut filter unit 500. The housing 400 is connected through the lens barrel 100 and the elastic member 300.

The housing 400 may be formed of plastic or metal. The housing 400 may have a rectangular cylindrical shape.

In addition, although not shown in the drawings, the cover unit may further include a cover covering the lens barrel 100. The cover part may include an opening area for partially exposing the lenses 210, 220, and 230.

The housing 400 is fixed to the circuit board 700. The housing 400 may be fastened to the circuit board 700.

The infrared cut filter 500 is disposed in the housing 400. The infrared cut filter 500 may be fixed to the circuit board 700 or fixed to 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 700 connected to the image sensor. The sensor unit 600 converts an incident image into an electrical signal.

The sensor unit 600 is fixed to the circuit board 700. The sensor unit 600 may be mounted on the circuit board 700. The sensor unit 600 is electrically connected to the circuit board 700.

The circuit board 700 covers the bottom of the housing 400. The circuit board 700 is coupled to the housing 400. The circuit board 700 may be a printed circuit board 700. The circuit board 700 may be electrically connected to the sensor unit 600. The circuit board 700 may apply a signal for driving the sensor unit 600. In addition, the circuit board 700 may receive a signal from the sensor unit 600.

The sensor unit 600 is mounted on the circuit board 700. In more detail, the sensor unit 600 may be fixed to the circuit board 700. That is, the sensor unit 600 may be fixed to the housing 400 through the circuit board 700.

In the camera module according to the present embodiment, since the shapes of the lenses are molded into blocks, the assembly tolerance can be minimized by accurately supporting the height difference between the lenses. In addition, mobility between lenses may be minimized to prevent decenter generation. That is, by fitting the lenses, it is possible to minimize the de-center that can occur in the assembly process by catching the shake. In addition, the flatness due to the imbalance of the spacer between the lenses can be adjusted. Therefore, it is possible to secure a camera module with improved performance.

The features, structures, effects and the like described in the foregoing embodiments are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and are not necessarily limited to one embodiment. Further, the features, structures, effects, and the like illustrated in the embodiments may be combined or modified in 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 clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It can be seen that various modifications and applications are possible. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiments may be modified and implemented. It is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof.

Claims (15)

Lens barrel; And
A lens assembly disposed within the lens barrel, the lens assembly including lenses;
The camera module is provided with a different outer diameter of the lens. The method of claim 1,
The lenses include a first lens, a second lens and a third lens,
The first lens is inserted into the second lens, and the second lens is inserted into the third lens. 3. The method of claim 2,
The second lens comprises a first inserting portion into which the first lens is inserted. The method of claim 3,
And the first insertion part is recessed inward of the second lens. The method of claim 3,
The inner side surface of the first insertion unit corresponds to the outer side surface of the first lens. The method of claim 3,
An inner side surface of the first inserting portion and an outer side surface of the first lens are disposed on the same plane. The method of claim 3,
The first lens comprises a first protrusion that is inserted into the first inserting portion. The method of claim 3,
And a first spacer disposed in the first insertion part to space a gap between the first lens and the second lens. The method of claim 3,
The third lens comprises a second inserting portion into which the second lens is inserted. 10. The method of claim 9,
And the second inserting portion is recessed inwardly of the third lens. 10. The method of claim 9,
The inner side surface of the second insertion portion corresponds to the outer side surface of the second lens. 10. The method of claim 9,
An inner surface of the second insertion portion and an outer surface of the second lens are disposed on the same plane. 10. The method of claim 9,
The second lens includes a second protrusion that is inserted into the second inserting portion. 10. The method of claim 9,
And a second spacer disposed in the second inserting portion to space an interval between the second lens and the third lens. 3. The method of claim 2,
And an outer diameter of the first lens, an outer diameter of the second lens, and an outer diameter of the third lens.

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