KR20230068642A - Camera module - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a camera module in which a lens housing can be stably and firmly fixed to a holder and in which various mechanical shape changes to the lens housing fixing part are possible. According to the present invention, the camera module includes: a lens housing (10); a housing holder (20); and a light curing adhesive (50).

Description

Camera module {CAMERA MODULE}

The present invention relates to a camera module, and more particularly, to an improved camera module that allows a lens housing to be stably and firmly fixed to a holder, while allowing various mechanical shapes to be changed for a lens housing fixing part. .

Recently, camera modules are being further miniaturized due to various technological developments, and subminiature camera modules are applied to mechanical products as well as many electrical and electronic products such as automobiles and mobile devices such as smartphones and portable game consoles.

The camera module includes an image sensor and a lens that collects light reflected from a subject and irradiates it to the image sensor.

A lens is embedded in a lens housing, and the lens housing is adhesively fixed to a housing holder positioned above an image sensor using an adhesive (eg, epoxy adhesive).

At this time, the focal distance between the image sensor and the lens is already determined, and this focal distance must be kept constant so that the image quality obtained by the operation of the camera module is not adversely affected. In the case of an adhesive, when the lens housing is adhesively fixed to the housing holder, the mounting position or mounting height of the lens housing changes during curing, and the focal length with the image sensor changes due to the change in mounting position or mounting height. Occurs.

In order to solve the above problems, recently, a UV adhesive is applied that rapidly cures and adheres by UV irradiation, an example of which is shown in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the adhesive fixation of the lens housing and the housing holder through the conventional UV adhesive inserts one end of the lens housing 1 into the housing holder 2, and the flange formed on the outer diameter of the other end and the housing holder (2) UV adhesive 5 is applied (injected) into the space between the upper rims, and UV is irradiated in a horizontal direction to achieve curing adhesion.

However, in the prior art as described above, when the lens housing 1 is adhesively fixed to the housing holder 2, the flange of the lens housing 1 and the housing holder 2 are used to minimize external exposure of the UV adhesive 5. Since it is applied between the upper edges of the UV adhesive 5, there is a problem in that the area and direction that can be irradiated with UV are limited in the horizontal direction.

In addition, since the flange of the lens housing 1 is required as a structure for minimizing external exposure of the UV adhesive 5 as described above, the mechanical shape of the adhesive portion of the housing holder 2 including the lens housing 1 (Design) There is a problem with limited changes.

In addition, as shown enlarged in FIG. 1, the UV adhesive 5 flows outward between the lens housing 1 and the housing holder 2, thereby impairing the appearance.

In addition, since the area to which the UV adhesive 5 is coated and bonded is limited, the adhesive strength is low, and the image located on the substrate 4 during movement between processes in a state where the UV adhesive 5 located in the inward direction is not properly cured. There is a problem that the focusing change with the sensor 3 occurs, and there is a problem that the adhesive structure is easily broken by an external impact during actual use.

Republic of Korea Patent Registration No. 10-0771364 (Public date: October 30, 2007, title of invention: camera module)

An object of the present invention is to provide a camera module capable of stably and firmly fixing a lens housing to a housing holder.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a camera module capable of improving the quality of acquired images.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a camera module that can change various mechanical shapes of externally exposed portions of a lens housing and a housing holder and has a clean and beautiful appearance.

The present invention for solving the above problems is a lens housing 10 in which at least one lens is accommodated; A housing in which the lens housing 10 is inserted and accommodated, a groove structure 21 is formed on an inner surface facing the lens housing 10, and at least a portion where the groove structure 21 is formed has light transmission. holder 20; A light-curing adhesive 50 provided in the groove structure 21 and cured by transmitted light to couple and fix the lens housing 10 and the housing holder 20; It is characterized in that it includes.

The present invention includes a substrate 30 coupled to the other side of the housing holder 20 into which the lens housing 10 is inserted; an image sensor 40 positioned on a surface of the substrate 30 in a direction corresponding to the lens; It is characterized in that it further comprises.

The material of the housing holder of the present invention is characterized in that the PBT-PET material.

The groove structure of the present invention is characterized in that it is provided in an annular shape along the inner surface of the housing holder.

The groove structure of the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of individual grooves provided at intervals on the inner surface of the housing holder.

The groove structure of the present invention is characterized in that a protruding jaw is formed at the lower end opposite to the lens housing.

The protruding jaw of the present invention is characterized in that it protrudes inward from the surface of the housing holder.

The groove structure of the present invention is characterized in that unevenness is formed on the surface forming the groove to provide roughness.

It is characterized in that the light that triggers the curing of the present invention is U.V light (ultraviolet light).

The U.V light of the present invention is characterized in that it has a wavelength range of 300 nm to 400 nm.

The light transmittance of the present invention is characterized in that 60 to 70%.

Curing of the light-curing adhesive of the present invention is characterized in that it is primarily cured by U.V light in a wavelength range of 300 nm to 400 nm, and secondary cured in an environment of 100 ° C to 300 ° C.

The present invention is characterized in that the lower end is fitted and fixed to the lower inner surface of the groove structure, and the upper end is further provided with an elastic structure curved and protruding in a direction corresponding to the lens housing.

First, according to the present invention, adhesive fixation is performed through a light-curing adhesive in a wide width inside the housing holder in which the lens housing is inserted, and complete curing of the light-transmitting adhesive is performed using light transmission, so that the lens housing is formed as a housing. The effect of improving stability and fixing force to be stably and firmly fixed to the holder is obtained.

In addition, the present invention, as described above, induces complete curing of the light-transmitting adhesive using light transmission, so that the lens housing is stably and firmly fixed to the housing holder and moved to the next fixing so that post-processing is performed, The horizontality of the housing is maintained stably so that the focal length and optical axis of the lens housing remain unchanged from the initial state, thereby preventing the change of the focal length or optical axis from deteriorating the quality of images obtained from the camera module. The quality improvement effect of the acquired image is obtained.

In addition, the present invention, as described above, by allowing the lens housing and the housing holder to be coupled and fixed inside, so that various mechanical shapes can be changed for the front end of the housing holder into which the lens housing is inserted, and the appearance is clean and beautiful. Exterior design diversification and appearance improvement effect are obtained.

In addition, in the present invention, the elastic structure 60 fundamentally blocks the light-curing adhesive 50 injected and filled into the groove structure 50 from flowing to the inner surface of the housing holder 20 and flowing out. Through this, the On the other hand to maintain the correct capacity of the light-curing adhesive 50, to prevent the decrease in adhesive strength due to spillage, as well as to obtain the effect of preventing the light-curing adhesive 50 from flowing and contaminating the surroundings.

In addition, in the present invention, the elastic structure 60 adheres to and wraps around the lower end of the lens housing 10 in the process of inserting the lens housing 10 with respect to the inner surface of the housing holder 20, so that the lens housing The light-curing adhesive 50 accommodated in the groove structure 21 of the housing holder 20 on the surface of (10) is buried or pushed to obtain an effect of preventing downward flow.

1 is a configuration diagram briefly showing the configuration of a conventional camera module.
Figure 2 is a configuration diagram briefly showing the configuration of the present invention.
Figure 3 a), b), c) is a partial cross-sectional view showing examples of various forms of the groove structure of the present invention.
Figure 4 a), b), c) is a cross-sectional view showing the step of curing adhesive fixation after assembly of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the construction of a further alternative embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 a), b) is a cross-sectional view showing a curing adhesive fixing step after assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the same or similar elements are given the same reference numerals regardless of reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. In addition, in describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiment disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first and second, may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. These terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In this application, each step described can be performed regardless of the listed order, except for the case where it must be performed in the listed order due to a special causal relationship.

In this application, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to designate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but one or more other features It should be understood that the presence or addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof is not precluded.

Hereinafter, a camera module according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Basically, the present invention, as shown in the accompanying drawings Figure 2, the lens housing 10 in which at least one lens is accommodated; A housing in which the lens housing 10 is inserted and accommodated, a groove structure 21 is formed on an inner surface facing the lens housing 10, and at least a portion where the groove structure 21 is formed has light transmission. holder 20; A light-curing adhesive 50 provided in the groove structure 21 and cured by transmitted light to couple and fix the lens housing 10 and the housing holder 20; It may contain.

The present invention includes a substrate 30 coupled to the other side of the housing holder 20 into which the lens housing 10 is inserted; an image sensor 40 positioned on a surface of the substrate 30 in a direction corresponding to the lens; It is preferable to further include, and the housing holder 20 to which the lens housing 10 is insert-coupled is combined with the substrate 30 on which the image sensor 40 is mounted and modularized.

For reference, the substrate 30 is a circuit board such as a printed circuit board (PCB), on which various electric and electronic devices necessary for the operation of the camera module and a driving chip such as a processor may be mounted. , signal lines and pads for transmitting and receiving signals and data may be printed.

In addition, the image sensor 40 is mounted on the board 30 or mounted on the housing holder 20, and converts light incident through the lens in a state facing the lens housing 10 into a corresponding electrical signal and outputs it. It may be a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor.

The image sensor 40 may include an image sensor that converts light into electrical signals and at least one filter for passing or blocking light of a desired wavelength range.

Among the present invention as described above, the lens housing 10 may be a cylindrical body having an empty space therein.

The lens housing 10 may be made of only the cylindrical body itself, but a flange may be integrally provided on the outside of one end portion, or may be assembled as a separate product.

The lens housing 10 as described above may be made of a metal material or a non-metal material, and when made of a non-metal material, the surface is coated with the non-metal material to prevent diffuse reflection of light.

As mentioned above, the lens housing 10 has at least one lens mounted therein so that light reflected from an external subject by the lens is condensed and introduced toward the image sensor 40 .

On the other hand, in the present invention, the housing holder 20 may be a penetrating body that allows the lens housing 10 to be stably fixed in an inserted state except for the front end portion, and in the present invention, a cylindrical body is proposed as an exemplary embodiment. . Of course, this is considering that the lens housing 10 is generally made of a cylindrical shape, and when the lens housing 10 is made of a polygon, the inner surface of the housing holder 20 is the same shape as the lens housing 10. It can be done.

At this time, the material of the housing holder 20 may be a PBT-PET material.

In the above, the groove structure 21 may be provided in a frame shape along the inner surface of the housing holder 20 .

At this time, the groove structure 21 may be a plurality of individual grooves provided at intervals on the inner surface of the housing holder 20 .

The groove structure 21 as described above serves as a space for maintaining a state in which the light-curing adhesive 50 is injected and filled.

In addition, the groove structure 21 may have a protruding jaw 22 formed at a lower end opposite to the lens housing 10, as shown in a) of FIG. 3 in the accompanying drawings.

As described above, when the protruding jaw 22 is formed at the lower end of the groove structure 21 facing the lens housing 10, the filled gel-type light-curing adhesive 50 is applied to the inner surface of the housing holder 20. can minimize spillage.

At this time, the protruding jaw 22 may also protrude further toward the lens housing 10 than the inner surface of the holder 20, as shown in b) of FIG. 3 in the attached drawing of the housing.

As described above, when the protruding jaw 22 protrudes more toward the lens housing 10 than the inner surface of the holder 20, the filled gel-type light-curing adhesive 50 is applied to the inside of the housing holder 20. It can be further prevented from dripping down the surface.

As shown in FIG. 3(c) of the accompanying drawings, the groove structure 21 may be formed with irregularities 23 providing roughness on the surface forming the groove. At this time, the light-curing adhesive 50 It is also preferable that irregularities are formed on the surface of the lens housing 10 to be bonded.

As described above, when the concavo-convex 23 is formed in the groove structure 21 or the concavo-convex in the lens housing 10 is formed, the cured light-curing adhesive 50 and the adhesive force (including non-slip) increase, thereby increasing the fixing force and the fixing holding force. .

On the other hand, the light that triggers the curing of the light-curing adhesive 50 of the present invention may be U.V light (ultraviolet light), and the U.V light may be in a wavelength range of 300 nm to 400 nm, and the curing time, that is, The wavelength exposure time may be 0.5 to 3 sec.

In the above, when the wavelength band is less than 300 nm and the wavelength exposure time is less than 0.5 sec, the curing of the light-curing adhesive 50 is incomplete, resulting in a decrease in adhesive strength, and the wavelength band is 400 nm or more and the wavelength exposure time is less than 3 sec , there is a problem that the curing degree of the light-curing adhesive 50 is easily damaged by external impact.

To explain the curing adhesion to the light-curing adhesive 50 as described above, when the light-curing adhesive 50, which is an ultraviolet light reaction initiator, is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, radicals are released, and the radicals cause chain bonds with the monomers of the curing liquid. As a result, hardening takes place.

For reference, the curing process is a step in which most of the surface properties of the adhesive are first released. All of the UV spectrum acts on this layer, but the most important are two wavelengths. The degree of surface hardening is affected by a short wavelength of about 300 to 330 nm, and thickness hardening occurs by a wavelength of 365 nm.

The bonding process to the adherend is influenced by the wetting properties of the adhesive, wetting agents such as silane, surface layer penetration, keyway function, and polymorphism. Sufficient curing does not occur at the adhesive interface, so that sufficient adhesive force cannot be exhibited.

Returning to the text again, the light transmittance of the housing holder 20 for U.V light may be 60 to 70%.

In the above, when the light transmittance is less than 60%, the ultraviolet rays cannot penetrate the housing holder 20, making it difficult for the curing to proceed completely, and when the light transmittance is greater than 70%, the surrounding ultraviolet rays easily penetrate in the form of noise and continue to damage the curing adhesive portion There is a problem with doing it.

At this time, the curing of the light-curing adhesive of the present invention is preferably primarily cured by U.V light in a wavelength range of 300 nm to 400 nm, and secondary cured in an environment of 100 ° C to 300 ° C.

Next, to describe the assembly and curing bonding process of the present invention as shown in FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings.

First, as shown in a) of FIG. 4, the lens housing 10 is partially inserted into the housing holder 20 installed on the substrate 30 on which the image sensor 40 is mounted. At this time, the The groove structure 21 of the housing holder 20 is filled with light-curing adhesive 50 in a pre-process.

Then, as shown in b) of FIG. 4, the lens housing 10 is positioned in the correct position, and as shown in c) of FIG. 4, the light-curing adhesive ( 50) is irradiated with ultraviolet rays in the direction in which hardened adhesion is achieved.

At this time, the ultraviolet rays are irradiated with a U.V lamp in a horizontal direction with respect to the strong curing adhesive 50, irradiated in an upward 45 degree angle direction, or irradiated in combination in these directions so that curing is achieved.

As described above, after curing by light irradiation is performed, the lens housing 10 for the housing holder 20 is fully formed by moving to the next process and performing thermal curing in an environment of 100° C. to 300° C. Allow curing adhesion to occur.

And, as another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in the accompanying drawings FIG. 5, the lower end is bonded or fitted to the lower inner surface of the groove structure 21, and the upper end is curved and protruded in the direction corresponding to the lens housing 10. The elastic structure 60 may be further provided.

The elastic structure 60 is preferably a tubular body having the same shape as the outer surface of the lens housing 10 and the inner surface of the housing holder 20 .

In the present invention, the elastic structure 60 is injected into the groove structure 50, and the light-curing adhesive 50 (adhesive having fluidity in gel form) flows to the inner surface of the housing holder 20 and flows out. Through this, it is possible to maintain the correct capacity of the light-curing adhesive 50, while preventing deterioration in adhesive strength due to leakage, as well as preventing the light-curing adhesive 50 from flowing and contaminating the surroundings. .

As shown in a) of FIG. 6 of the accompanying drawings, in another embodiment of the present invention, in the process of inserting the lens housing 10 into the inner surface of the housing holder 20, the lower end of the lens housing 10 Since it is wrapped in close contact, the light-curing adhesive 50 accommodated in the groove structure 21 of the housing holder 20 is buried or pushed on the surface of the lens housing 10 to prevent it from flowing downward. As shown in b) of 6, the light-curing adhesive 50 moves downward until it reaches an appropriate position and maintains adhesion to the surface of the lens housing 10 even after the insert is completed. to prevent flow.

The technical features disclosed in each embodiment of the present invention are not limited to the corresponding embodiment, and unless incompatible with each other, the technical features disclosed in each embodiment may be merged and applied to other embodiments.

Therefore, in each embodiment, each technical feature is mainly described, but each technical feature may be merged and applied to each other unless incompatible with each other.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and accompanying drawings, and various modifications and variations will be possible from the viewpoint of those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be defined by not only the claims of this specification but also those equivalent to these claims.

10: lens housing 20: housing holder
21: groove structure 22: protruding jaw
23: unevenness 30: substrate
40: image sensor 50: light curing adhesive
60: elastic structure

Claims (12)

A lens housing 10 in which at least one lens is accommodated;
A housing in which the lens housing 10 is inserted and accommodated, a groove structure 21 is formed on an inner surface facing the lens housing 10, and at least a portion where the groove structure 21 is formed has light transmission. holder 20;
A light-curing adhesive 50 provided on the groove structure 21 and cured by transmitted light to couple and fix the lens housing 10 and the housing holder 20;
A camera module comprising a. According to claim 1,
a substrate 30 coupled to the other side of the housing holder 20 into which the lens housing 10 is inserted;
an image sensor 40 positioned on a surface of the substrate 30 in a direction corresponding to the lens;
A camera module further comprising a. According to claim 1,
The material of the housing holder is a camera module made of PBT-PET. According to claim 1,
The groove structure is a camera module provided in an annular shape along the inner surface of the housing holder. According to claim 1,
The groove structure is a camera module that is a plurality of individual grooves provided at intervals on the inner surface of the housing holder. According to claim 1,
The groove structure is a camera module in which a protruding jaw is formed at a lower end opposite to the lens housing. According to claim 6,
The protruding jaw is a camera module provided to protrude inward from the surface of the housing holder. According to claim 1,
The groove structure is a camera module having irregularities for providing roughness to a surface forming the groove. According to claim 1,
A camera module in which the light that triggers curing is UV light (ultraviolet light). According to claim 1,
The light transmittance of the housing holder is 60 to 70% camera module. According to claim 1,
Curing of the light-curing adhesive is primarily cured by UV light in a wavelength range of 300 nm to 400 nm, and the camera module is cured secondary in an environment of 100 ° C to 300 ° C. According to claim 1,
The lower end portion is fitted and fixed to the lower inner surface of the groove structure, and the upper end portion is a camera module further provided with an elastic structure protruding curvedly in a direction corresponding to the lens housing.

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