KR20160126539A - Stereo camera module - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment, a stereo camera module comprises: a plurality of lens barrels; a base on which the plurality of lens barrels are arranged to be separated from each other at a predetermined distance; filters arranged in lower portions of the lens barrels; image sensors arranged to face the filters on lower sides of the filters; and sensor holders having the image sensors mounted on upper surfaces thereof wherein the sensor holders are arranged on lower sides of the lens barrels. The lens barrels are integrated with the base.

Description

Stereo camera module

Embodiments relate to a stereo camera module capable of preventing or significantly reducing distance sensation.

The contents described in this section merely provide background information on the embodiment and do not constitute the prior art.

A stereo camera is a camera that mimics the characteristics of both sides of a human being. That is, the human eyes have left and right eyes separated from each other, and the eyes of the two eyes are different from each other, so that the two-dimensional images recognized by the eyes are different from each other.

Since human binocular vision recognizes different two-dimensional images, human beings can perceive the perspective of an object viewed by the naked eye, see the object in three dimensions, and have a sense of the distance of the object.

A stereo camera can also recognize the perspective of a subject by mimicking the actions of both sides of the human body, and calculate the distance to the subject relatively accurately.

Due to these advantages of the stereo camera, it is possible to perform functions such as sensing the distance of an object around the vehicle by being mounted on a smart car, an ADAS (Advanced Drive Assistance System) and an autonomous vehicle, have.

Stereo cameras detect distances due to the difference in the line of sight of both the left and right eyes. Therefore, when the eyes of both the left and right eyes depart from the original designed state, the distance to the subject may be detected incorrectly.

During the vehicle operation, the distance between the stereo camera and the camera may cause traffic accidents, which may cause human and material damage. Therefore, improvement is required so as to prevent or significantly reduce the sense of distance of the stereo camera.

Therefore, the embodiment relates to a stereo camera module capable of preventing or significantly reducing the distance sensation.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

One embodiment of a stereo camera module comprises: a plurality of lens barrels; A plurality of lens barrels spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance; A filter disposed below the lens barrel; An image sensor disposed below the filter so as to face the filter; And a sensor holder mounted on the upper surface of the lens barrel and having the image sensor mounted thereon, wherein the lens barrel and the base are integrally formed.

The lens barrel may be arranged so that at least one lens is disposed, and the filter is arranged to be opposed to the lens at a lower portion of the lens barrel.

One embodiment of the stereo camera module may be provided with a first protrusion protruding in the radial direction of the lens barrel at a lower portion of the lens barrel and having the filter fixed thereto.

The base may be provided with a second protrusion protruding downward at a portion where the lens barrel is disposed.

The sensor holder may be detachably coupled to the second projection by a coupling mechanism.

The sensor holder may be fixed to the second projection by an adhesive.

The sensor holder may be arranged to form an inclination on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the lens barrel.

And a spacer for adjusting the focal length of the image sensor may be disposed between the sensor holder and the second projection.

The spacer may be adhered and fixed to the second projecting lower surface and the upper surface of the sensor holder.

The spacer and the sensor holder may be detachably coupled to the second projection by a coupling mechanism.

Another embodiment of the stereo camera module includes a frame having a plurality of lens barrels and a base integrally formed with the plurality of lens barrels spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance; A filter disposed below the lens barrel; An image sensor disposed below the filter so as to face the filter; And a sensor holder mounted on the upper surface of the image sensor and disposed below the lens barrel.

Between the sensor holder and the frame, a spacer for adjusting the focal length of the image sensor may be disposed.

The sensor holder may be tilted on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the lens barrel.

In the embodiment, since the frame in which the lens barrel and the base are integrally formed is provided in the camera module, the stereoscopic recognition function, the distance calculation function, and the like of the stereo camera module deteriorate as compared with the case where the lens barrel and the base are separately manufactured and combined .

In the embodiment, the stereo camera module in which the lens barrel and the base are integrated can remarkably reduce the distance detection error of the object. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent or significantly reduce the distance detection error in the ADAS and the autonomous driving vehicle, thereby significantly reducing the human and material damage caused by the traffic accident.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a frame of a stereo camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a filter of a stereo camera module according to an embodiment is mounted.
3 is a cross-sectional view of a stereo camera module according to an embodiment.
4 is a cross-sectional view of a stereo camera module according to another embodiment.
5 is a view for explaining a method of assembling a stereo camera module according to another embodiment.
6 and 7 are views for explaining an assembly state of a stereo camera module according to another embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are to be considered in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not limited thereto. It is to be understood, however, that the embodiments are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but are to include all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the embodiments. The sizes and shapes of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience.

The terms "first "," second ", and the like can be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. In addition, terms specifically defined in consideration of the constitution and operation of the embodiment are only intended to illustrate the embodiments and do not limit the scope of the embodiments.

In the description of the embodiments, when it is described as being formed on the "upper" or "on or under" of each element, the upper or lower (on or under Quot; includes both that the two elements are in direct contact with each other or that one or more other elements are indirectly formed between the two elements. Also, when expressed as "on" or "on or under", it may include not only an upward direction but also a downward direction with respect to one element.

It is also to be understood that the terms "top / top / top" and "bottom / bottom / bottom", as used below, do not necessarily imply nor imply any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements, But may be used only to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element.

Further, in the drawings, an orthogonal coordinate system (x, y, z) can be used. In the drawing, the x axis and the y axis mean an axis perpendicular to the optical axis. For convenience, the optical axis direction (z axis direction) can be referred to as a first direction, the x axis direction as a second direction, and the y axis direction as a third direction.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a frame 10 of a stereo camera module according to an embodiment. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the filter 300 of the stereo camera module according to the embodiment is mounted.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stereo camera module is a camera module having two lens barrels 100 and two image sensors 400 mounted at positions opposite to each other, such as human eyes . Accordingly, the stereo camera module can stereoscopically recognize an object to be photographed like a human eye.

The stereo camera module can sense the distance of the object by the difference in the line of sight of the two lens barrels 100 facing the object. Specifically, the line of sight of the binocular of the two lens barrels 100, i.e., the stereo camera module, which are spaced apart from each other in the stereo camera module is changed, and therefore, the two- do.

 The stereo camera module can recognize the difference of the two-dimensional image and calculate the distance from the stereo camera module to the object. Such a stereo camera module can help the smart car to take various measures to prevent a traffic accident by calculating the distance from an object in front of the vehicle, that is, another vehicle, a pedestrian, etc., to the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the stereo camera module may include a frame 10, a lens barrel 100, a base 200 and a filter 300. The frame 10 may include a lens 110 and a filter 300 and may include a lens barrel 100 and a base 200.

The lens barrel 100 may be provided in a plurality of, for example, two, and the two lens barrels 100 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance from each other, May be provided.

At least one lens 110 may be disposed inside the lens barrel 100. That is, the lens 110 coupled to the lens barrel 100 may be composed of a single lens, or two or more lenses 110 may be configured to form an optical system.

The light incident through the lens 110 includes an image of an object taken by a stereo camera module and the light is transmitted to the image sensor 400 provided at a position opposite to the lens 110 and the lens barrel 100, As shown in FIG.

Although not shown, the lens 110 may be formed in a circular shape when viewed in the direction of the optical axis, that is, in the first direction, and the lens 110 may be formed on the inner side of the lens barrel 100, A circular hollow can be formed so that it can be easily mounted.

The first protrusion 120 protrudes in the radial direction of the lens barrel 100 below the lens barrel 100 and the filter 300 can be fixed.

Specifically, the first protrusion 120 may be formed at a lower portion of the lens barrel 100 so that the filter 300 may be disposed at a position spaced apart from the lens 110, The filter 300 may be fixed by bonding or the like.

Although the lower surface of the filter 300 is fixed to the upper surface of the first protrusion 120 in FIG. 2, the upper surface of the filter 300 may be fixed to the lower surface of the first protrusion 120 have.

The two lens barrels 100 may be spaced a certain distance from the base 200. The lens barrel 100 and the base 200 may be integrally formed and the frame 10 may be formed integrally with the lens barrel 100 and the base 200 by injection molding or the like .

For example, when the base 200 and the lens barrel 100 are not integrally formed, for example, the base 200 and the lens barrel 100 are independently manufactured, and are screwed, interfitted, The following problems may occur.

In the process of coupling the lens barrel 100 to the base 200, the two lens barrels 100 of the stereo camera module, that is, both left and right eyes deviate from the originally designed sight line direction, The stereoscopic recognition function, the distance calculation function, and the like may be degraded.

Particularly, when the lens barrel 100 is bonded to the base 200 in a bonding manner, there is a high possibility that the left and right eyes of the stereo camera module deviate from the originally designed visual direction or the like in the process of hardening the bonding.

Further, since the stereo camera module is mounted on the vehicle, it may be subjected to vibrations and shocks caused by the driving of the vehicle, and may be heated. As a result, the lens barrel 100 is detached from the originally designed base 200 coupling position, and as a result, the stereo recognition function, the distance calculation function, and the like of the stereo camera module may be degraded.

Therefore, in the embodiment, when the lens barrel 100 and the base 200 are separately manufactured and joined together because the frame 10 in which the lens barrel 100 and the base 200 are integrally formed is provided in the camera module The stereoscopic recognition function and the distance calculation function of the stereo camera module can be prevented from being deteriorated.

The second protrusion 210 may protrude downward at a portion where the lens barrel 100 is disposed. Specifically, the second protrusion 210 may be formed as a circular hollow cylinder in a first direction, and may be formed to surround the lens barrel 100 and the first protrusion 120.

The sensor holder 500 can be coupled to the second projection 210. At this time, the sensor holder 500 may be detachably coupled to the second protrusion 210 by a coupling mechanism 600, or may be fixed by an adhesive 700.

A spacer 800 for adjusting the focal length of the image sensor 400 may be disposed between the sensor holder 500 and the second protrusion 210. The coupling structure between the sensor holder 500 or the spacer 800 and the second projection 210 will be described later in detail with reference to the drawings.

The filter 300 may be disposed below the lens barrel 100 to face the lens 110. The filter 300 may block the light of a specific frequency band in the light passing through the lens barrel 100 and the lens 110 from entering the image sensor 400, which will be described later. At this time, it is preferable that the filter 300 is provided so as to be placed on the x-y plane perpendicular to the z axis which is the optical axis direction.

At this time, the filter 300 may be, for example, an infrared cut filter. The filter 300 may be disposed at a position opposite to and spaced from the lens 110, as shown in FIG. For this, as described above, the filter 300 may be fixed to the first protrusion 120 by bonding or the like.

3 is a cross-sectional view of a stereo camera module according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the stereo camera module of the embodiment may further include a sensor holder 500 and an image sensor 400.

The sensor holder 500 may be mounted on the upper surface of the image sensor 400 and disposed below the lens barrel 100. The sensor holder 500 may include various circuits, elements, and a control unit (not shown) for converting an image formed on the image sensor 400 into an electrical signal and transmitting the electrical signal to an external device.

Therefore, the sensor holder 500 may be formed of a circuit board on which the image sensor 400 is mounted, a circuit pattern is formed, and various devices are coupled.

3, the sensor holder 500 may be tilted on an xy plane so as to form an inclination on an xy plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the lens barrel 100 .

This is because the image sensor 400 mounted on the sensor holder 500 maintains the focal distance and the image forming area of the image sensor 400 with respect to the lens barrel 100, 10).

The image sensor 400 is a portion where the light passing through the filter 300 is incident and the image of the object, i.e., the object, included in the light is imaged. Also, the image sensor 400 may be disposed below the filter 300 so as to face the filter 300.

At this time, it may be appropriate that the image sensor 400 is provided to be placed on the x-y plane. In one embodiment, the image sensor may be mounted on the upper surface of the sensor holder 500.

3, the stereo camera module may be fixed to the lower portion of the second protrusion 210 of the base 200 by the adhesive 700 by means of an adhesive. At this time, an active align process is performed so that the sensor holder 500 is adhered to the second protrusion 210 while the focal distance of the image sensor 400, the area where the image is formed, .

The active alignment process is one of processes for assembling a stereo camera module, whereby the focal length of the image sensor 400 and the image forming area can be adjusted during the assembling process.

In the active alignment process, the sensor holder 500 is moved in the first direction, rotated around the z-axis, or tilted on the xy plane by using an automatic device, so that the focal distance of the image sensor 400, The position of the sensor holder 500 can be adjusted to have a designed value.

Next, when the sensor holder 500 is disposed at a position having the designed value, the sensor holder 500 can be fixed to the second protrusion 210 using the adhesive 700. 3, the position of the sensor holder 500 is adjusted so that the sensor holder 500 is fixed to the second protrusion 210 by the adhesive 700 in a tilted state on the xy plane .

3, the amount of the adhesive 700 to be applied to the second protrusion 210 and / or the sensor holder 500 may vary depending on the tilted state, position, etc. of the sensor holder 500, It can be different.

At this time, the adhesive 700 may include, for example, an epoxy, a thermosetting adhesive material, or an ultraviolet ray-curable adhesive material.

4 is a cross-sectional view of a stereo camera module according to another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the sensor holder 500 in the stereo camera module may be detachably coupled to the second protrusion 210 by the coupling mechanism 600.

At this time, the coupling mechanism 600 may be any one that can detachably connect the sensor holder 500 to the second projection 210, such as a bolt, a screw coupling mechanism 600, and a coupling pin.

The focal distance of the image sensor 400 mounted on the sensor holder 500 with respect to the lens barrel 100 can be adjusted by adjusting the vertical movement distance of the sensor holder 500 by adjusting the coupling mechanism 600 have.

In addition, since the sensor holder 500 is detachably coupled, the operation of the vehicle in which the stereo camera module is installed causes the stereo camera module to be subjected to vibrations, shocks, or the like to heat the image sensor 400 so that the focal distance of the image sensor 400 deviates from the designed value The focal distance of the image sensor 400 may be adjusted to the designed value by adjusting the coupling mechanism 600 again.

5 is a view for explaining a method of assembling a stereo camera module according to another embodiment. 6 and 7 are views for explaining an assembly state of a stereo camera module according to another embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the stereo camera module may include a spacer 800. The spacer 800 may be disposed between the sensor holder 500 and the second protrusion 210 to adjust the focal distance of the image sensor 400.

The spacer 800 allows the image sensor 400 to be positioned below the lens barrel 100 while maintaining the designed focal length. That is, the spacer 800 may adjust the vertical position of the image sensor 400.

At this time, the spacer 800 may be provided in various kinds of different heights in the vertical direction, that is, in the first direction, and the spacer 800 may be provided on the lower surface of the second protrusion 210 at a position where the image sensor 400 maintains the designed focal length. A spacer 800 having a height corresponding to the distance between the upper surface of the sensor holder 500 and the upper surface of the sensor holder 500 may be selected and disposed in the stereo camera module.

Since the image sensors 400 of the left and right sides of the stereo camera module shown in Figs. 6 and 7 may have different focal lengths from each other, a spacer 800 having a different height in the first direction may also be used in one stereo camera module have.

The focal length of the image sensor 400 may be adjusted by a passive align process. The passive alignment process is one of processes for assembling the stereo camera module, whereby the focal length of the image sensor 400 can be adjusted during the assembling process.

5, in the passive alignment process, for example, the jig 20 is used to move the sensor holder 500 in the first direction to adjust the focal distance of the image sensor 400 to the designed value have.

As described above, since the focal lengths of the image sensors 400 of the left and right sides of the stereo camera module may be different from each other, the positions of the sensor holders 500 in the first direction may be different from each other.

The spacer 800 is attached to the spaced space portion between the sensor holder 500 and the second protrusion 210 after the sensor holder 500 is aligned in the first direction in the passive alignment process, The holder 500, the spacer 800, and the second projection 210 can be coupled to each other.

At this time, a method of coupling the spacer 800 between the sensor holder 500 and the second protrusion 210 is as follows.

6, the spacer 800 is adhered and fixed to the lower surface of the second protrusion 210 and the upper surface of the sensor holder 500, as shown in FIG. The adhesive material used at this time may be the same as the adhesive 700 used in the active alignment process.

That is, when the spacer 800 is adhered to the second protrusion 210 and the sensor holder 500 in the passive alignment process, for example, an epoxy, a thermosetting adhesive material, an ultraviolet curable adhesive material, .

7, the spacer 800 and the sensor holder 500 are detachably coupled to the second protrusion 210 by the coupling mechanism 600. As shown in FIG.

In this case, when the focal length of the image sensor 400 deviates from the designed value due to vibrations, shocks, or the like due to the operation of the vehicle in which the stereo camera module is installed, the coupling mechanism 600 is adjusted again The focal distance of the image sensor 400 may be adjusted to the designed value.

The stereo camera module in which the lens barrel 100 and the base 200 are integrated in the embodiment can significantly reduce the distance detection error of the object. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent or significantly reduce the distance detection error in the ADAS and the autonomous driving vehicle, thereby significantly reducing the human and material damage caused by the traffic accident.

While only a few have been described above with respect to the embodiments, various other forms of implementation are possible. The technical contents of the embodiments described above may be combined in various forms other than mutually incompatible technologies, and may be implemented in a new embodiment through the same.

10: frame
20: Jig
100: lens barrel
110: lens
120: first protrusion
200: Base
210: second protrusion
300: filter
400: Image sensor
500: Sensor holder
600: coupling mechanism
700: Adhesive
800: Spacer

Claims (13)

A plurality of lens barrels;
A plurality of lens barrels spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance;
A filter disposed below the lens barrel;
An image sensor disposed below the filter so as to face the filter; And
And a sensor holder mounted on the upper surface of the image sensor and disposed below the lens barrel,
Wherein the lens barrel and the base are integrally formed. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the lens barrel is provided with at least one lens,
Wherein the filter is disposed to face the lens at a lower portion of the lens barrel. 3. The method of claim 2,
And a first protrusion protruding in a radial direction of the lens barrel at a lower portion of the lens barrel and having the filter fixed thereon. The method according to claim 1,
The base includes:
And a second protrusion protruding downward from a portion of the lens barrel where the lens barrel is disposed. 5. The method of claim 4,
The sensor holder includes:
And is detachably coupled to the second projection by a coupling mechanism. 5. The method of claim 4,
The sensor holder includes:
And is fixed to the second projection by an adhesive. The method according to claim 6,
The sensor holder includes:
And is arranged to form an inclination in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis direction of the lens barrel. 5. The method of claim 4,
And a spacer for adjusting a focal length of the image sensor is disposed between the sensor holder and the second projection. 9. The method of claim 8,
The spacer
The second projection bottom surface, and the sensor holder upper surface. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the spacer and the sensor holder are detachably coupled to the second projection by a coupling mechanism. A lens barrel comprising: a plurality of lens barrels; a frame having a plurality of lens barrels spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance;
A filter disposed below the lens barrel;
An image sensor disposed below the filter so as to face the filter; And
The image sensor is mounted on an upper surface of the lens barrel, and a sensor holder
And a stereo camera module. 12. The method of claim 11,
And a spacer for adjusting the focal distance of the image sensor is disposed between the sensor holder and the frame. 12. The method of claim 11,
The sensor holder includes:
And is tilted on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the lens barrel.

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