KR20140023551A - Camera module - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a camera module comprises: a lens barrel; a lens assembly located in an internal of the lens barrel and having lenses: and a spacer located between the lenses and containing an inner diameter and an outer diameter, wherein the inner diameter comprises the least inner diameter and the greatest inner diameter, and the greatest inner diameter is more larger than any one of effective diameters of the lenses among the lenses. [Reference numerals] (AA) Object side; (BB) Upper side

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, a spacer is provided to space the gap between the lenses, the size of the inner diameter of the spacer is manufactured similar to the effective diameter of the neighboring lens. In this case, there is a problem in that a white band-like flare occurs in the image due to reflection of the spacer surface. That is, there is a problem that the performance of the image is degraded due to the flare phenomenon.

Embodiments provide a high performance camera module.

Camera module according to the embodiment comprises a lens barrel; A lens assembly disposed in the lens barrel and comprising lenses; And a spacer disposed between the lenses, the spacer having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, the inner diameter including the smallest minimum inner diameter and the largest maximum inner diameter, wherein the maximum inner diameter is greater than the effective diameter of any one of the lenses. Bigger

In the camera module according to the embodiment, a white band-like flare phenomenon may be prevented from occurring due to the reflection of the spacer surface. Therefore, the performance of the image can be improved.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing a camera module according to an embodiment.
2 is a cross-sectional view of the lens assembly.
3 is a perspective view of a spacer.
4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross section taken along line AA ′ of FIG. 3.
5 is a cross-sectional view of a lens assembly according to another exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a view showing a conventional flare phenomenon.
7 is a view illustrating a reduction in flare when applying a camera module according to an embodiment.

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 7. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a camera module according to an embodiment. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lens assembly. 3 is a perspective view of a spacer. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross section taken along line AA ′ of FIG. 3. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a lens assembly according to another exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a view showing a conventional flare phenomenon. 7 is a view illustrating a reduction in flare when applying a camera module according to an embodiment.

1 to 7, 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. And 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. The first lens 210, the second lens 220, and the third lens 230 may be sequentially disposed from an object side to an image side.

The object side surface R1 of the first lens 210 may be convex, and the image side surface R2 of the first lens 210 may be concave.

The object side surface R3 of the second lens 220 may be concave, and the image side surface R4 of the second lens 220 may be convex.

One or more aspherical inflection points may be formed on the object side surface R5 of the third lens 230. In addition, one or more aspherical inflection points may be formed on the image side surface R6 of the third lens 230.

A spacer 260 may be interposed between the lenses 210, 220, and 230. The spacer 260 may space the gap between the lenses 210, 220, and 230.

Specifically, the spacer 260 includes a shape having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The spacer 260 includes a plurality of inner diameters. That is, the spacer 260 may be provided with various inner diameters. In detail, the inner diameter of the spacer 260 may increase from the object side toward the upper side. In addition, the inner diameter of the spacer 260 may increase in steps from the object side toward the upper side. Thus, the inner surface of the spacer 260 forms a stepped portion.

The inner diameters of the spacer 260 include the smallest minimum inner diameter Dmin and the largest maximum inner diameter Dmax. The minimum inner diameter Dmin is an inner diameter closest to an object side surface of the spacer 260, and the maximum inner diameter Dmax is an inner diameter closest to an uppermost side surface of the spacer 260.

At this time, the maximum inner diameter (Dmax) is larger than the effective diameter of any one of the lens (210, 220, 230).

The spacer 260 may be interposed between the second lens 220 and the third lens 230. The maximum inner diameter Dmax of the spacer 260 is larger than the effective diameter DR5 of the object side surface R5 of the third lens 230 disposed above the spacer 260. . In addition, the minimum inner diameter Dmin of the spacer 260 may correspond to the effective diameter DR4 of the image side surface R4 of the second lens 220 disposed on the object side of the spacer 260. have. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the minimum inner diameter Dmin may be slightly different from the effective diameter DR4 of the image side surface R4 of the second lens 220.

Referring to FIG. 4, the inner surface of the spacer 260 includes a stepped portion having a step shape. The stepped portion includes a first surface 261 and a second surface 262 that is bent toward the outer diameter side of the spacer 260 at the end of the first surface 261. In this case, the length of the first surface 261 in one cross section of the spacer 260: the length of the second surface 262 may be 1: 1 to 1:10. Through this, the size of the maximum inner diameter (Dmax) can be increased.

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 two lenses or may include four or more lenses.

Referring to FIG. 5, the third lens 230 further includes a fourth lens 240 disposed on an image side of the third lens 230, and the spacer 260 includes the third lens 230 and the fourth lens 240. It can be placed in between. In this case, the maximum inner diameter Dmax of the spacer 260 is larger than the effective diameter DR7 of the object side surface R7 of the fourth lens 240.

Although the spacer 260 is illustrated as being interposed between the third lens 230 and the fourth lens 240, the embodiment is not limited thereto. Therefore, the spacer 260 may be interposed between the second lens 220 and the third lens 230. Even in this case, the maximum inner diameter Dmax of the spacer 260 is larger than the effective diameter of the object side of the lens adjacent to the spacer 260 on the image side.

In addition, the lens assembly 200 may further include a fifth lens to include five lenses, and the spacer 260 may be interposed between the second lens 220 and the third lens 230, It may be interposed between the third lens 230 and the fourth lens 240, or may be interposed between the fourth lens 240 and the fifth lens. For example, when the spacer 260 is disposed between the fourth lens 240 and the fifth lens, the maximum inner diameter Dmax of the spacer 260 is larger than the effective diameter of the object side surface of the fifth lens. Bigger

Referring to FIG. 6, in the conventional camera module, a bright band of white light flare occurs in the center of the image due to reflection of the surface of the spacer 260. That is, there is a problem that the performance of the image is degraded due to the flare phenomenon. However, referring to FIG. 7, in the camera module according to the present embodiment, such flare may be prevented and the performance of an image may be improved.

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.

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 (12)

Lens barrel;
A lens assembly disposed in the lens barrel and comprising lenses; And
A spacer disposed between the lenses, the spacer having an inner diameter and an outer diameter,
The inner diameter includes the smallest minimum inner diameter and the largest maximum inner diameter,
And the maximum inner diameter is greater than the effective diameter of any one of the lenses. The method of claim 1,
The lenses are arranged sequentially from the object side to the image side,
The inner diameter of the spacer is a camera module increases in the direction toward the upper side from the object side. The method of claim 1,
The lenses,
An object side lens disposed closer to the object side than the spacer; And
An image lens disposed on the image side than the spacer,
And the maximum inner diameter is larger than the effective diameter of the object side surface of the image side lens. The method of claim 3,
And the minimum inner diameter corresponds to the effective diameter of the image side surface of the object-side lens. The method of claim 1,
The inner side surface of the spacer includes a stepped portion,
The stepped portion includes a first surface and a second surface bent from the first surface to the outer diameter side,
In one section of the spacer
Length of the first surface: The length of the second surface is 1: 1 to 1: 10 camera module. The method of claim 1,
The lenses include a first lens, a second lens and a third lens disposed sequentially from the object side to the image side,
The spacer is disposed between the second lens and the third lens,
The maximum inner diameter of the spacer is greater than the effective diameter of the object-side surface of the third lens. The method according to claim 6,
The minimum inner diameter is the camera module corresponding to the effective diameter of the image side surface of the second lens. The method according to claim 6,
The lenses further include a fourth lens disposed on the image side than the third lens,
The spacer is disposed between the second lens and the third lens or between the third lens and the fourth lens. 9. The method of claim 8,
The spacer is disposed between the third lens and the fourth lens,
The maximum inner diameter of the spacer is larger than the effective diameter of the object side of the fourth lens. 9. The method of claim 8,
The lenses further include a fifth lens disposed on the image side than the fourth lens,
The spacer is disposed between any one of the second lens and the third lens, between the third lens and the fourth lens or between the fourth lens and the fifth lens. The method of claim 10,
The spacer is disposed between the fourth lens and the fifth lens,
The maximum inner diameter of the spacer is greater than the effective diameter of the object side surface of the fifth lens. Lens barrel;
A lens assembly disposed in the lens barrel and comprising lenses; And
A spacer disposed between the lenses, the spacer having an inner diameter and an outer diameter,
The inner side surface of the spacer includes a stepped portion,
The stepped portion includes a first surface and a second surface bent from the first surface to the outer diameter side,
In one section of the spacer
Length of the first surface: The length of the second surface is 1: 1 to 1: 10 camera module.

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