KR20240044829A - Camera module and vehicle having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A camera module disclosed in an embodiment of the invention includes a lens barrel penetrating from top to bottom; a plurality of lenses aligned along an optical axis inside the lens barrel; a substrate disposed below the lens barrel; an image sensor disposed on the substrate; a base holder with the substrate coupled thereto; and a ring holder coupled to an outer side of the lens barrel and an upper portion of the base holder, wherein the ring holder is disposed between the base holder and an outer locking protrusion of the lens barrel, and the base holder is made of a first metal material. , the ring holder may be made of a second metal material different from the first metal.

Description

Camera module and vehicle equipped with the same {CAMERA MODULE AND VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME}

Embodiments of the invention relate to a camera module and a vehicle equipped with the same.

ADAS (Advanced Driving Assistance System) is an advanced driver assistance system to assist the driver in driving. It senses the situation ahead, judges the situation based on the sensed results, and controls the vehicle's behavior based on the situation judgment. It consists of For example, ADAS sensor devices detect vehicles in front and recognize lanes. Afterwards, when the target lane, target speed, and target ahead are determined, the vehicle's ESC (Electrical Stability Control), EMS (Engine Management System), and MDPS (Motor Driven Power Steering) are controlled. Typically, ADAS can be implemented as an automatic parking system, a low-speed city driving assistance system, and a blind spot warning system.

Sensor devices for sensing the situation ahead in ADAS include GPS sensors, laser scanners, front radar, and Lidar, but the most representative one is the front camera for filming the front of the vehicle.

Recently, research on detection systems that detect the surroundings of the vehicle for driver safety and convenience is accelerating. The vehicle detection system is used for a variety of purposes, such as detecting objects around the vehicle to prevent collisions with objects that the driver does not recognize, as well as performing automatic parking by detecting empty spaces. It is the most essential vehicle in automatic vehicle control. We are providing data. These detection systems typically use radar signals and cameras.

Vehicle camera modules are used in cars as built-in front and rear surveillance cameras and black boxes, and take photos or videos of subjects. Since vehicle camera modules are exposed to the outside, shooting quality may deteriorate due to moisture and temperature. In particular, camera modules have a problem in that their optical characteristics change depending on the surrounding temperature and the material of the lens.

An embodiment of the invention may provide a camera module having a ring holder capable of compensating according to the amount of change in the optical axis distance (BFL) between the image sensor and the last lens within the lens barrel.

An embodiment of the invention can provide a camera module that can respond to changes in the distance between the image sensor and the last lens by separating the ring holder disposed around the outer circumference of the lens barrel and the base holder at the bottom.

An embodiment of the invention can provide a camera module in which the holder supporting the outer and lower portions of the lens barrel is materially and physically separated into an outer portion and a bottom portion.

Embodiments of the invention may provide a camera module having at least one inner barrel and/or at least one plastic lens disposed on an inner portion of the lens barrel.

Embodiments of the invention may provide a mobile terminal such as a mobile terminal and a vehicle having a camera module.

A camera module according to an embodiment of the invention includes a lens barrel penetrating from top to bottom; a plurality of lenses aligned along an optical axis inside the lens barrel; a substrate disposed below the lens barrel; an image sensor disposed on the substrate; a base holder with the substrate coupled thereto; and a ring holder coupled to an outer side of the lens barrel and an upper portion of the base holder, wherein the ring holder is disposed between the base holder and an outer locking protrusion of the lens barrel, and the base holder is made of a first metal material. , the ring holder may be made of a second metal material different from the first metal.

According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one of the plurality of lenses is a plastic lens, and the at least one plastic lens may overlap the ring holder in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the plurality of lenses include lenses made of glass and lenses made of plastic that are smaller than the number of lenses made of glass, and a number of plastic lenses may be disposed inside the ring holder.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the base holder may be made of the same metal material as the lens barrel.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the ring holder may be made of stainless steel, and the base holder may be made of aluminum.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the upper part of the base holder and the lower part of the ring holder may be fastened to each other with threads.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the upper end of the ring holder may be adhered to the outer locking protrusion of the lens barrel with adhesive.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the upper surface of the ring holder may have a concave groove in which a portion of the adhesive is disposed.

A camera module according to an embodiment of the invention includes a lens barrel penetrating from top to bottom; a plurality of lenses aligned along an optical axis inside the lens barrel; a substrate disposed below the lens barrel; an image sensor disposed on the substrate; an inner barrel disposed between the lens barrel and a lens adjacent to the image sensor among the plurality of lenses; a base holder having a first through hole on the inside and the substrate being disposed below the first through hole; and a ring holder having a second through hole on the inside, a portion of the lens barrel being inserted into the second through hole, and coupled to an upper part of the base holder, wherein the ring holder is connected to the base holder and the lens barrel. It is disposed between the outer locking protrusions, the base holder may be made of a first metal material, and the ring holder may be made of a second metal material different from the first metal.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the lens disposed inside the inner barrel includes a plastic lens, and the inner barrel may be made of a plastic material.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the top of the inner barrel may be disposed lower than the top of the ring holder.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the ring holder is lower than that of the base holder, and the ring holder may have a shape that does not overlap the lens barrel in the vertical direction.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a first fastening part on the upper outer surface protruding from the base holder; And it may include a second fastening part disposed on a lower inner surface of the ring holder and fastened to the first fastening part.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the upper end of the ring holder may be disposed in a range of 40% to 60% of the total length of the lens barrel based on the lower end of the lens barrel.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the lower end of the ring holder may be disposed lower than the sensor side of the last lens closest to the image sensor disposed in the lens barrel.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a cover glass on the image sensor; and an optical filter disposed between the plurality of lenses and the cover glass.

A vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention may include the camera module disclosed above.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is an effect in that the design can be changed to respond to the ring holder according to the movement amount of the BFL of the optical system.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the amount of change in the BFL of the optical system can be compensated by using a ring holder to correspond to the amount of movement of the BFL of the optical system according to temperature changes. Therefore, the resolution of the camera module according to temperature changes can be maintained and the optical reliability of the camera module can be improved.

According to an embodiment of the invention, by further arranging an inner barrel within the lens barrel, stress and decentering of the plastic lens due to temperature changes can be minimized. In addition, by providing an inner barrel and heterogeneous lenses within the lens barrel, it is possible to maintain resolution due to temperature changes and suppress temperature deformation.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the optical reliability of a camera module can be improved and the reliability of a vehicle camera device having a camera module can be improved.

1 is an example of a side cross-sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 is a partial enlarged view of the camera module of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ring holder and base holder of the lens holder of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is an example of a vehicle having the camera module of Figure 1.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The technical idea of the present invention is not limited to some of the described embodiments, but can be implemented in various different forms, and one or more of the components between the embodiments can be selectively combined as long as it is within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. , can be used as a replacement. In addition, terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention, unless explicitly specifically defined and described, are generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It can be interpreted as meaning, and the meaning of commonly used terms, such as terms defined in a dictionary, can be interpreted by considering the contextual meaning of the related technology.

Additionally, the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are for describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular may also include the plural unless specifically stated in the phrase, and when described as "at least one (or more than one) of A and B and C", it is combined with A, B, and C. It can contain one or more of all possible combinations. Additionally, when describing the components of an embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the essence, order, or order of the component is not determined by the term. And, when a component is described as being 'connected', 'coupled' or 'connected' to another component, the component is not only directly connected, coupled or connected to the other component, but also is connected to the other component. It may also include cases where other components are 'connected', 'coupled', or 'connected' by another component between them. Additionally, when described as being formed or disposed "above" or "below" each component, "above" or "below" refers not only to cases where two components are in direct contact with each other, but also to one This also includes cases where another component described above is formed or placed between two components. In addition, when expressed as "top (above) or bottom (bottom)", it can include not only the upward direction but also the downward direction based on one component. Additionally, several embodiments described below can be combined with each other, unless specifically stated that they cannot be combined with each other. Additionally, unless specifically mentioned, parts omitted from the description of one of several embodiments may be applied to the description of other embodiments.

In the description of the invention, the first lens refers to the lens closest to the object side, and the last lens refers to the lens closest to the image side (or sensor surface). The last lens may include a lens adjacent to the image sensor. Unless otherwise specified in the description of the invention, the units for the effective diameter, effective radius, thickness, distance, TTL, etc. of the lens are all mm. In this specification, the shape of the lens is expressed based on the optical axis of the lens. For example, saying that the object side of the lens is convex or concave means that the object side of the lens is convex or concave around the optical axis, but does not mean that the area around the optical axis is convex or concave. Therefore, even if the object side of the lens is described as convex, the portion around the optical axis on the object side of the lens may be concave or the opposite shape. In this specification, it should be noted that the thickness and radius of curvature of the lens are measured based on the optical axis of the lens. In other words, having a convex lens surface means that the lens surface in the area corresponding to the optical axis has a convex shape, and saying that the lens surface is concave means that the lens surface in the area corresponding to the optical axis has a concave shape. can do. In addition, “object side surface” may refer to the surface of the lens facing the object side based on the optical axis, and “sensor side surface” may refer to the surface of the lens facing the sensor side based on the optical axis.

<Example>

Figure 1 is an example of a side cross-sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 is a partial enlarged view of the camera module of Figure 1, and Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ring holder and base holder of the lens holder of Figure 1. .

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a camera module 1000 according to an embodiment of the invention includes a lens unit 100 having a plurality of lenses, a lens barrel 300 having a through hole therein and a plurality of lenses stacked, It may include a ring holder 650 disposed around the outer periphery of the lens barrel 300 and a base holder 600 disposed at the bottom of the lens barrel 300 and the ring holder 650.

The camera module 1000 may include at least one inner barrel 400 disposed on an inner portion of the lens barrel 300, and at least one space maintaining member disposed on the outside between the plurality of lenses. there is. The inner barrel 400 may be penetrated from top to bottom. It may include a cover 500 coupled to the top of the lens barrel 300. The gap maintenance member can maintain the gap between two adjacent lenses and can function as a light shielding film, spacer, or spacing member.

The ring member 191 may be disposed around the periphery between the lens barrel 300 and the first lens. The ring member 191 may be made of an elastic material or a resin material such as silicone or epoxy. As another example, the ring member 191 may be coupled between the lens barrel 300 and the cover. The ring member 191 may perform a waterproof and dustproof function inside and/or outside the lens barrel 300. It may further include an additional ring member to seal between the cover 500 and the lens barrel 300.

The camera module 1000 may include a substrate 110 and an image sensor 112 disposed on the sensor side of the lens unit 100, that is, on the sensor side of the last lens. The camera module 1000 may include a cover glass 114 and an optical filter 116 between the last lens of the lens unit 100 and the image sensor 112.

The image sensor 112 may be disposed on the substrate 110 . The image sensor 112 may be mounted, seated, contacted, fixed, temporarily fixed, supported, or coupled to the substrate 110 on a plane intersecting the optical axis Z0. Alternatively, according to another embodiment, a groove or hole (not shown) capable of accommodating the image sensor 112 may be formed in the substrate 110, and in the embodiment, the image sensor 112 is mounted on the substrate 110. It is not limited to the specific form in which it is placed. The substrate 110 may be a rigid PCB or FPCB.

The image sensor 112 may perform a function of converting light passing through the lens unit 100 into image data. The image sensor 112 may be one of a Charge Coupled Device (CCD), Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS), CPD, or CID. When there are multiple image sensors 112, one may be a color (RGB) sensor and the other may be a black-and-white sensor.

The optical filter 116 may be disposed between the lens unit 100 and the image sensor 112. The optical filter 116 may filter light corresponding to a specific wavelength range for light passing through the lenses 101-107. The optical filter 116 may be an infrared (IR) blocking filter that blocks infrared rays or an ultraviolet (UV) blocking filter that blocks ultraviolet rays, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The optical filter 116 may be disposed on the image sensor 112.

The cover glass 114 is disposed between the optical filter 116 and the image sensor 112, protects the upper part of the image sensor 112, and prevents the reliability of the image sensor 112 from deteriorating.

The lens unit 100 may include an optical system in which five or more lenses are stacked, or it may include an optical system in which nine or fewer lenses are stacked. The lens unit 100 may include 6 to 8 solid lenses. All of the lenses of the lens unit 100 may be made of glass, or all of the lenses may be made of plastic. The lens unit 100 may include lenses made of different materials, for example, a plastic lens and a glass lens. For example, the lens unit 100 may include one or more plastic lenses and four or more glass lenses. The ratio of the number of lenses made of plastic to the number of lenses made of glass may be 1:2 to 2:5. As another example, the number of lenses made of glass may be greater than the number of plastic lenses.

In the lens unit 100 according to an embodiment of the invention, the number of lenses made of glass may be two or more more than the number of lenses made of plastic. Here, the lens unit 100 may be laminated with plastic lenses or/and glass lens(s). Here, the plastic material is higher than the coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CTE) of the glass material, for example, more than 5 times higher, and the change value of the refractive index as a function of temperature is higher for the plastic material than the glass material, for example, It can be more than 10 times higher. However, since plastic lenses are easier to manufacture and more convenient to design than glass lenses, the demand for their use is increasing.

The lens with the maximum effective diameter within the camera module 1000 may be a lens close to the object side or one of the lenses between two lenses on the object side and two lenses on the sensor side. Preferably, the lens having the maximum effective diameter may be made of glass. The effective diameter may be the diameter of the effective area where effective light enters each lens. The effective diameter is the average of the effective diameter of the object-side surface of each lens and the effective diameter of the sensor-side surface. Embodiments of the invention can reduce the weight of the camera module by mixing more plastic lenses into the camera module 1000, provide a cheaper manufacturing cost, and suppress deterioration of optical properties due to temperature changes. Various types of plastic lenses can replace glass lenses, and polishing and processing of lens surfaces such as aspherical surfaces or free-form surfaces can be easy.

Each of the lenses may include an effective area and an unactive area. The effective area may be an area through which light incident on each of the lenses passes. That is, the effective area may be defined as an effective area or effective diameter in which the incident light is refracted to realize optical characteristics. The non-effective area may be arranged around the effective area and may be defined as a flange portion. The non-effective area may be an area where effective light does not enter the plurality of lenses. That is, the non-effective area may be an area unrelated to the optical characteristics. Additionally, an end of the non-effective area may be an area fixed to a barrel accommodating the lens.

The lens barrel 300 is penetrated from top to bottom, and a plurality of lenses are coupled therein, and the plurality of lenses are coupled through an upper opening of the lens barrel 300 or an opening 501 of the cover 500. It can be. The plurality of lenses may be sequentially stacked from the last lens 107 closest to the sensor side to the lens 101 closest to the object side. As another example, the lenses may be combined from the sensor side to the object side, or may be combined in both directions.

The lens closest to the object side may be the first lens 101, and the sensor side lens closest to the optical filter 116 or the image sensor 112 may be the nth lens or the last lens may be the seventh lens 107. ), and n may be an integer of 5 or more, for example, any one of 6, 7, 8, and 9.

The lens unit 100 may have a plurality of lenses aligned along the optical axis (Lz) from the object side toward the image sensor 112, for example, a first lens 101, a second lens 102, and a third lens ( 103), the fourth lens 104, the fifth lens 105, the sixth lens 106, and the seventh lens 107 may be aligned. The second lens 102 may be disposed between the first lens 101 and the third lens 103. The fourth lens 104 is disposed between the third lens 103 and the fifth lens 105, and the sixth lens 106 is disposed between the fifth lens 105 and the seventh lens 107. ) can be placed between.

The camera module 1000 according to the embodiment may include an aperture 121. The aperture 121 can control the amount of light incident on the optical system 1000. The aperture 121 may be placed at a set position. For example, the aperture 121 may function as a first spacer that separates the first and second lenses 101 and 102 around the perimeter between the first lens 101 and the second lens 102. there is. As another example, the aperture 121 may be implemented with a light-blocking material coated on the surface of the first spacer. Alternatively, the perimeter of the sensor-side surface of the first lens 101 or the object-side surface of the second lens 102 may be coated with a light-blocking material to function as an aperture to adjust the amount of light, in this case. The first spacer may be provided separately.

The aperture 121 is disposed around the first and second lenses 101 and 102, may contact the inner surface of the lens barrel 300, and may be provided in a ring shape. The aperture 121 may be made of a metal or non-metal material, for example, aluminum or plastic.

For convenience of explanation, the invention will be explained using a 7-element lens, and the lenses 101-107 in the lens barrel 300 will be explained as an example in which the lenses 101-107 are combined from the sensor side toward the object side.

The first lens 101 may have positive (+) or negative (-) refractive power at the optical axis (OA). The first lens 101 may have negative (-) refractive power. The first lens is disposed closest to the object among the lenses and, for example, may have a convex object-side surface and a concave sensor-side surface at the optical axis. Since the object-side surface of the first lens has a convex shape at the optical axis, the problem of external foreign substances or dust accumulating can be suppressed. Additionally, the first lens may be formed of a holding material. The first lens may be provided in an injection molded shape made of glass, and the object-side surface and the sensor-side surface may be aspherical.

The first lens 101 made of glass can reduce changes in the center position and radius of curvature due to temperature changes depending on the surrounding environment, and protect the incident side surface of the optical system 1000. Additionally, the flange portion 101A of the first lens 101 may have a flat surface on the object side, and the flat surface can block foreign substances from entering from the outside. Additionally, since the first lens 101 is made of a mold material, adhesion to the cover 500 can be improved.

A cover 500 may be coupled to the upper circumference of the flange portion 101A of the first lens 101, and the cover 500 may be coupled to the upper circumference of the lens barrel 300.

The second lens 102 may have positive (+) or negative (-) refractive power at the optical axis (OA). The second lens 102 may have positive (+) refractive power. For example, the second lens may have a concave object-side surface and a convex sensor-side surface at the optical axis. Alternatively, the second lens 102 may have a meniscus shape that is convex toward the object or a shape that is concave on both sides. The second lens may be made of plastic or glass, for example, glass.

The third lens 103 may have positive (+) or negative (-) refractive power at the optical axis (OA). The third lens 103 may have positive (+) refractive power. The third lens 103 may have a convex object-side surface and a convex sensor-side surface at the optical axis. Alternatively, the third lens 103 may have a meniscus shape that is convex toward the sensor or a shape that is concave on both sides. The third lens 103 may be made of plastic or glass, for example, glass.

The fourth lens 104 may have positive (+) or negative (-) refractive power at the optical axis (OA). The fourth lens 104 may have positive (+) refractive power. The fourth lens 104 may have a convex object-side surface and a concave sensor-side surface at the optical axis. Alternatively, the fourth lens 104 may have a meniscus shape that is convex toward the sensor or a shape that is concave on both sides. The fourth lens 104 may be made of plastic or glass, for example, glass.

The fifth lens 105 may have positive (+) or negative (-) refractive power at the optical axis (OA). The fifth lens 105 may have negative refractive power. The fifth lens 105 may include plastic or glass. For example, the fifth lens 105 may be made of glass. For example, the fifth lens 105 may have a convex object-side surface and a concave sensor-side surface at the optical axis. Alternatively, the fifth lens 105 may have a meniscus shape that is convex toward the sensor or a shape that is concave on both sides.

The fourth lens 104 and the fifth lens 105 may be bonded. The sensor-side surface of the fourth lens 104 and the object-side surface of the fifth lens 105 may be joined. The fourth and fifth lenses 104 and 105 may have opposite refractive powers. The combined refractive power of the fourth and fifth lenses 104 and 105 may have positive (+) refractive power. The product of the refractive power of the object-side lens and the refractive power of the sensor-side lens of the bonded lens may be less than 0. The product of the focal length of the object-side lens and the focal length of the sensor-side lens of the bonded lens may be less than 0. Accordingly, the aberration characteristics of the optical system can be improved. If the refractive powers of the two lenses of a bonded lens are the same, there is a limit to improving aberrations.

The composite refractive power of the bonded lens may have positive refractive power, and the object-side third lens 103 and the sensor-side sixth lens 106 may have positive refractive power based on the bonded lens. Accordingly, the third lens 103, the bonded lens, and the sixth lens 106 can refract some of the incident light in the optical axis direction.

The diameter of the fifth lens 105 may be larger than the diameter of the fourth lens 104, the outer surface of the fourth lens 104 is spaced apart from the inner surface of the lens barrel 300, and the fifth lens 105 has a diameter larger than that of the fourth lens 104. The outer surface of the flange portion 105A of 105 may be in contact with the inner surface of the lens barrel 300.

The sixth lens 106 may have positive (+) or negative (-) refractive power at the optical axis (OA). The sixth lens 106 may have positive (+) refractive power. The sixth lens 106 may include plastic or glass. For example, the sixth lens 106 may be made of plastic. The sixth lens 106 may have a convex object-side surface and a convex sensor-side surface at the optical axis. As another example, the sixth lens 106 may have a meniscus shape that is convex toward the object, a meniscus shape that is convex toward the sensor, or a shape that is concave on both sides.

The seventh lens 107 may have positive (+) or negative (-) refractive power at the optical axis (OA). The seventh lens 107 may have negative refractive power. The seventh lens 107 may include plastic or glass. For example, the seventh lens 107 may be made of plastic. The seventh lens 107 may have a meniscus shape convex from the optical axis toward the object. Alternatively, the seventh lens 107 may have a meniscus shape that is convex from the optical axis OA toward the sensor, or may have a shape that is concave on both sides.

The seventh lens 107 may be a plastic lens closest to the image sensor 300. By arranging the plastic lens closest to the image sensor 112, optical performance can be improved by the lens surface having an aspherical surface, thereby improving aberration characteristics and controlling the effect on resolution. Additionally, by placing a plastic lens as the lens closest to the image sensor 112, it can be insensitive to assembly tolerances compared to a glass lens. In other words, it is insensitive to assembly tolerances, meaning that even if it is assembled with a slight difference from the design, it may not significantly affect optical performance.

Here, the lenses made of glass can be defined as the first lens group, and the lens(s) made of plastic can be defined as the second lens group. The optical axis distance of the first lens group is the optical axis distance from the object-side surface of the first lens 101 to the sensor-side surface of the fifth lens 105, and the optical axis distance of the second lens group is the optical axis distance of the sixth lens 106. It is the optical axis distance from the object side surface to the sensor side surface of the seventh lens 107.

The second spacer 122 is a member that maintains the gap between the flange portions 102A and 103A between the second and third lenses 102 and 103. The second spacer 122 may be made of a metal or non-metal material, for example, aluminum, copper, or plastic. The inner protrusion P11 of the second spacer 122 may be fitted with a step formed around the convex sensor side surface of the second lens 102.

The third spacer 123 may maintain the gap between the flange portions 103A and 105A of the third lens 103 and the fifth lens 105. The third spacer 123 may maintain the gap between the third lens 103 and the bonded lens. The third spacer 123 may be made of a metal or non-metal material, for example, aluminum, copper, or plastic. The third spacer 123 is disposed between the outer surface of the fourth lens 104 and the inner surface of the lens barrel 300, and its inner protrusion (P12) supports the outer circumference of the fourth lens 104. You can.

When the second and third spacers 122 and 123 are made of metal, heat transferred from the inner lenses may be conducted to the lens barrel 300. In other words, heat conducted through the flange portion of the glass lens can be dissipated. When the spacers (121, 122, 123) are made of metal, In, Ga, Zn, Sn, Al, Ca, Sr, Ba, W, U, Ni, Cu, Hg, Pb, Bi, Si, Ta, H, Fe, Co , Cr, Mn, Be, B, Mg, Nb, Mo, Cd, Sn, Zr, Sc, Ti, V, Eu, Gd, Er, Lu, Yb, Ru, Y and La. . The oxide film may be an oxidized material treated with black oxide or brown oxide using copper.

Here, the lens barrel 300 may be made of metal or non-metallic material, for example, aluminum or copper. Accordingly, when the lens barrel 300 is made of a metal material, heat generated from the spacers 121, 122, and 123 and the flange portion of each lens can be dissipated, thereby improving the optical characteristics according to temperature changes of the camera module exposed to the outside. Reliability degradation can be prevented.

The inner part of the lens barrel 300 may have an upper diameter (X1) larger than a lower diameter (X2). Here, the upper diameter (X1) may be the maximum distance of the area facing the outer surface of the flange portion 101A of the first lens 101. The lower diameter (X2) may be the maximum distance of the area facing the outer surface of the flange portion 107A of the last lens 107.

In an embodiment of the invention, the inner barrel 400 may be coupled to the lens barrel 300. Each of the lens barrel 300 and the inner barrel 400 may have at least one different lens inside. Here, the inside of the lens barrel 300 may be in contact with the outer surfaces of at least two or three lenses. The inside of the inner barrel 400 may be in contact with the outer surface of at least one or two lenses. The inner barrel 400 may be an inner barrel disposed on a portion of the inside of the lens barrel 300. For example, the inner barrel 400 may be placed on the sensor side rather than the object side in the inner area of the lens barrel 300. The inner barrel 400 may be disposed outside of at least one lens disposed closest to the sensor side among the inner areas of the lens barrel 300. The inner barrel 400 may be disposed on the lower engaging protrusion 505 of the lens barrel 300.

The inner barrel 400 is made of plastic and can expand and contract together with the inner lens according to temperature changes. The inner barrel 400 may be disposed between the lens barrel 300 and the outer surface of at least one lens. The inner barrel 400 may be disposed between the lens barrel 300 and at least the outer surface of the plastic lens. The inner barrel 400 may be disposed between the lens barrel 300 and the outer surface of at least one plastic lens and at least one glass lens.

The lens barrel 300 may be formed of a first material, and the inner barrel 400 may be formed of a second material. The first and second barrels 300 and 400 may be made of different materials. The first and second barrels 300 and 400 may have different thermal expansion coefficients.

The inner barrel 400 may be made of a material whose thermal expansion coefficient is higher than that of the lens barrel 300. For example, the lens barrel 300 may be made of a metal, such as aluminum, and the inner barrel 400 may be made of a non-metal, such as resin or plastic. The lens barrel 300 may have a thermal expansion coefficient of less than 30, and the inner barrel 400 may have a thermal expansion coefficient of 50 or more. The difference between the thermal expansion coefficients of the first and second barrels 300 and 400 may be 20 or more. The difference in thermal expansion coefficient of the inner barrel 400 and the plastic lens may be 3 or less, 2 or less, or the same.

The height of the inner barrel 400 may be less than 50% or less than 40% of the height of the lens barrel 300. The height of the inner barrel 400 is a vertical distance from the bottom to the top, and may be greater than the center thickness of the plastic lenses or the optical axis distance of the second lens group. The height of the inner barrel 400 may be greater than the sum of the center thickness of the plastic lenses and the center spacing of the plastic lenses. For example, the height of the inner barrel 400 may be greater than the central thickness of the 6th and 7th lenses 106 and 107, for example, the central thickness of the 6th and 7th lenses 106 and 107 and the 6th and 7th lenses 106 and 107. It can be greater than the sum of the center spacings between them. The height of the inner barrel 400 may be higher than the height of the top of the flange portion 106A of the sixth lens 106.

The height of the inner barrel 400 may be smaller than the optical axis distance of the first lens group and may be greater than the optical axis distance of the second lens group. The height of the inner barrel 400 may be smaller than the optical axis distance between the center of the object-side surface of the fifth lens 105 and the center of the sensor-side surface of the seventh lens 107. The height of the inner barrel 400 may be greater than the optical axis distance of the two lenses adjacent to the image sensor and smaller than the optical axis distance of the three lenses.

The height of the inner barrel 400 may be 5 mm or more, for example, in the range of 5 mm to 20 mm or 10 mm to 20 mm. If the height of the inner barrel 400 is outside the above range, the camera module may become larger or cover the outer surface of the glass lens, which may cause problems due to temperature changes, and if it is smaller than the above range, the plastic lens 106, 107 It may not be possible to cover all of them or it may be difficult to guide the lower circumference of the fifth lens 015 to align with the sixth lens 106. The height of the lens barrel 300 is the height from the bottom to the top of the lens barrel 300 in the optical axis direction.

The lenses in contact with the inner surface of the inner barrel 400 may be two, three, or four or more lenses. For example, the lenses in contact with the inner surface of the inner barrel 400 may be the fifth to seventh lenses 105, 106, and 107. The inner surface of the inner barrel 400 may extend from the outer surface of the flange portion 105A of the fifth lens 105 to the outer surface of the flange portion 107A of the seventh lens 107.

As another example, a plurality of inner barrels may be disposed between the outer surfaces of the lenses and the lens barrel 300. Each of the plurality of inner barrels is disposed between the two adjacent lenses and on the outer surface of the two adjacent lenses, so as to maintain a gap between the two adjacent lenses and separate them from the lens barrel.

The inner surface of the lens barrel 300 may be in contact with the outer surface of the glass lenses. The inner surface of the inner barrel 400 may be in contact with the outer surface of the plastic lenses. The inner surface 45 of the inner barrel 400 may be in contact with the outer surface of the flange portions 106A and 107A of the sixth and seventh lenses 106 and 107. The upper portion of the inner surface 45 of the inner barrel 400 may be in contact with the outer surface of the fifth lens 105.

The material of the inner barrel 400 and the sixth and seventh lenses 106 and 107 may be the same material, for example, plastic. Plastic materials may expand more than aluminum materials at high temperatures (i.e., 85 degrees or higher), and shrink less than aluminum materials at low temperatures (i.e., -40 degrees or less). Accordingly, when the 6th and 7th lenses (106, 107) expand or contract according to temperature changes, the inner barrel 400 expands or contracts to prevent the centers of the 6th and 7th lenses (106, 107) from being misaligned. I can give it. In other words, the inner barrel 400 can minimize stress and decentering due to temperature changes in the plastic lens(s). In addition, since the inner barrel 400 and the sixth and seventh lenses 106 and 107 have the same coefficient of thermal expansion, the stress generated when the plastic lens expands at high temperature can be minimized by the inner barrel 400 flowing together, It can minimize decentering with the glass lens that occurs when shrinking at low temperatures. This camera module 1000 can minimize changes in resolution due to temperature changes.

The lower end 405 of the inner barrel 400 extends to the sensor side of the flange portion 107A of the seventh lens 107, which is the last lens, and connects the flange portion 107A of the seventh lens 107 to the lens. It can be spaced apart from the catching protrusion 505 of the barrel 300. The inner surface of the inner barrel 400 facing the outer surface of the lenses may be provided in a shape where the upper width is wider than the lower width.

Additionally, the lower end 405 of the inner barrel 400 may be disposed between the optical filter 116 and the flange portion 107A of the seventh lens 107, which is the last lens. Accordingly, the optical filter 116 is seated on the lower stopping protrusion 505 of the lens barrel 300, can be attached with an adhesive, and can be prevented from being separated by the inner barrel 400.

Meanwhile, holders 600 and 650 may be coupled to the outer circumference of the lens barrel 300. The holders 600 and 650 support the lens barrel 300, and can set the optical axis distance (BFL) between the last lens in the lens barrel 300 and the image sensor 112. The holder may include a base holder 600 and a ring holder 650 coupled to an upper part of the base holder 600. That is, the holder is not disposed as a single body but as two separate holders 600 and 650. The base holder 600 and the ring holder 650 may be coupled to each other through a fastening portion 620.

The camera module 1000 installed in the vehicle experiences temperature changes ranging from low temperatures (e.g. -40 degrees) to high temperatures (e.g. 120 degrees Celsius), and as a result, the lenses and lens barrels within the camera module contract and expand. . In other words, the lenses have a greater amount of contraction and expansion than the lens barrel 300, which may affect optical properties. Additionally, plastic lenses may have greater shrinkage and expansion than glass lenses. Here, contraction and expansion according to temperature may occur not only in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis (ZO) but also in the direction of the optical axis.

When the holder is a single body, the resolution of the vehicle's camera module can vary depending on the temperature from low to high, and no actuator is used on the outside of the lens barrel or holder, so the resolution is high. There are limits to compensating for changes in In the case of having such a single-body holder, the optical axis distance (BFL) between the last lens and the image sensor is designed to match the fixed height (BFL) of the holder, so the fixed height or internal optical axis distance (BFL) of the holder may change. If this happens, it may cause the resolution to deteriorate.

In addition, when designing a lens, if you accurately know and design the amount of variation due to the temperature of the BFL and lens barrel, you can compensate for it yourself. However, the amount of movement of the BFL is different for each company and it is difficult to adjust the BFL when resolution changes occur. there is.

In addition, the amount of movement of the BFL of the optical system or lens due to temperature changes cannot be compensated for by the thermal expansion coefficient of the holder having a single body, so there is a problem that resolution degradation cannot be solved.

An embodiment of the invention divides the holder into a base holder 600 and a ring holder 650, and can respond to the amount of movement of the BFL of the optical system or lens unit due to temperature changes through the ring holder 650, thereby preventing a decrease in resolution. can do.

The base holder 600 has a first through hole 605 inside, and the lower part of the first through hole 605 may have a circular or polygonal shape, for example, a polygonal shape, and the upper part 612 has a circular shape. It can be. A substrate 110 is disposed in the lower part of the first through hole 605, and the substrate 110 may be fastened to the fastening groove 611 of the base holder 600 and the fastening member 181. The substrate 110 may have a circular or polygonal shape, and preferably may have a polygonal shape.

The image sensor 112 is disposed on the substrate 110, and the image sensor 112 may have a polygonal shape. A cover glass 114 may be attached to the image sensor 112 to protect the image sensor 112. The image sensor 112 and the cover glass 114 may face the optical filter 116 in the optical axis direction.

The optical axis distance (BFL) between the surface of the image sensor 112 and the last lens 107 may be the space where the cover glass 114 and the optical filter 116 are installed, and the distance of the last lens 107 may be the space where the cover glass 114 and the optical filter 116 are installed. It can be defined as the rear focal distance, which is the distance from the sensor side to the focal point, and can be an optical standard distance. This BFL may change in the direction of the optical axis based on the top surface of the substrate 110 or the surface of the image sensor 112 when the temperature changes from low to high temperature.

The upper portion 612 of the base holder 600 protrudes in the optical axis direction from the upper surface of the base holder 600 and may be provided with a first fastening portion 620A. The first fastening part 620A may be a thread formed on the outer surface of the upper part 612 of the base holder 600.

The ring holder 650 may be coupled to the upper part 612 of the base holder 600. The ring holder 650 may be provided with a second fastening portion 620B at the lower portion 652. The second fastening portion 620B may be a thread formed on the inner surface of the lower portion 652 of the ring holder 650. The ring holder 650 can be coupled to the base holder 600 by coupling the second coupling part 620B to the outside of the first coupling part 620A. As another example, a thread is formed on the inside of the first fastening part 620A, a thread is formed on the outside of the second fastening part 620B, and the second fastener is formed on the inside of the first fastening part 620A. The fastening portion 620B may be fastened.

The first and second fastening parts 620A and 620B are fastening parts 620 and are bonded using an adhesive to prevent screw loosening.

The ring holder 650 has a circular second through hole 625 inside, and the second through hole 625 may have an outer diameter larger than the lower outer diameter of the lens barrel 300. The lens barrel 300 may be inserted into the second through hole 625, that is, the lower portion of the lens barrel 300 may be inserted.

The upper surface of the ring holder 650 may face the outer locking protrusion 350 of the lens barrel 300. The ring holder 650 and the outer locking protrusion 350 may be spaced apart at a predetermined distance, and adhesive 355 may be applied. The adhesive 355 can bond the ring holder 650 and the locking protrusion 350. A concave groove 655 is disposed on the upper surface of the ring holder 650, and a portion of the adhesive 650 is applied to the groove 655 to create a gap between the ring holder 650 and the catching protrusion 350. It can strengthen adhesion.

Here, the height (B1) of the ring holder 650 is the distance in the optical axis direction between the upper and lower ends, and is greater than the distance in the optical axis direction (B2) between the lower end of the lens barrel 300 and the outer stopping protrusion 350. It can be less than or equal to.

The upper end of the ring holder 650 may be lower than the center of the object-side surface of the fourth lens 104 and higher than the center of the sensor-side surface. The top of the ring holder 650 may be located higher than the top of the inner barrel 400. The upper position of the ring holder 650 is a member for supporting the outside of the lens barrel 300, and is located at least 30% of the total length of the lens barrel 300 based on the bottom of the lens barrel, for example, 30%. It may be located in the range of 70% to 40% or 40% to 60%. Additionally, the upper end of the ring holder 650 may be located lower than the center of the object-side surface of the bonded lens and higher than the center of the sensor-side surface.

The distance B1 in the optical axis direction between the upper surface of the substrate 110 and the outer stopping protrusion 350 of the lens barrel 300 may be smaller than the sum of BFL and B3. The lower end of the ring holder 650 may be located lower than the center of the object-side surface of the last lens 107, for example, lower than the center of the sensor-side surface. This ring holder 650 may be arranged parallel to the outside of the lens barrel 300. Accordingly, the ring holder 650 can be arranged so as not to overlap the lens barrel 300 in the optical axis direction, so that thermal expansion in the vertical direction is easy and height adjustment in the vertical direction is possible.

The material of the base holder 600 may be a first metal material, for example, aluminum or copper. For example, the material of the base holder 600 and the lens barrel 300 may preferably include aluminum.

The material of the ring holder 650 may be a second metal material, and may be a second metal material different from the first metal material of the base holder 600. The thermal expansion coefficient of the ring holder 650 may be lower than that of the base holder 600. The material of the ring holder 650 may include stainless steel. The ring holder 650 within the camera module 1000 may be easily replaced.

Accordingly, in the camera module 1000, the ring holder 650 may be provided in a shape that can contract and expand in the vertical direction according to the amount of change in BFL. That is, the amount of change in BFL of the lens unit 1000 according to temperature change is the amount of movement of the BFL generated at a high temperature or the amount of movement of the BFL generated at a low temperature, and may be the same as the amount of thermal expansion of the ring holder 650. Accordingly, heat compensation can be adjusted with the ring holder 650 according to the BFL movement amount of the camera module 1000.

In addition, the amount of movement of the BFL according to temperature changes can be compensated for by using a ring holder 650 capable of vertical movement made of a different material from the base holder 600. Since the plastic lenses placed in the lens barrel 300 are disposed inside the ring holder 650, the amount of vertical expansion may be greater than that of the glass lenses. That is, at least one plastic lens may overlap the ring holder 650 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The amount of change in BFL caused by these plastic lenses can be compensated for by adjusting the height of the ring holder 650.

When optimizing the change in BFL according to temperature change from high to low temperature, the camera module 1000 combines the configurations of the bottom of the lens barrel 300, the base holder 600, and the ring holder 650 to determine the temperature. The amount of movement of the BFL can be compensated or adjusted according to the amount of change.

In the embodiment of the invention, the base holder 600 and the ring holder 650 are separated and then combined, so the design freedom of the ring holder 650, that is, the height of the ring holder 650 can be freely expanded or changed. It works. Accordingly, the degree of freedom in optical design can be increased, and even if the amount of change in BFL depending on temperature is large, it can be adjusted by the height of the ring holder 650. In addition, even if the lenses are made of different materials or shapes depending on the customer's needs, the height of the ring holder 650 can be adjusted according to the amount of movement of the BFL. Therefore, it is possible to provide a holder capable of responding to minute and accurate changes in BFL within the camera module. Additionally, it can be replaced with a ring holder of a different height.

Figure 4 is an example of a top view of a vehicle to which a camera module according to an embodiment of the invention is applied.

Referring to FIG. 4, the vehicle camera system according to an embodiment of the invention includes an image generator 11, a first information generator 12, a second information generator 21, 22, 23, 24, and a control unit ( 14) Includes.

The image generator 11 may include at least one camera module 20 disposed in the host vehicle, and may generate a front image of the host vehicle or an image inside the vehicle by photographing the front of the host vehicle and/or the driver. You can.

Additionally, the image generator 11 may use the camera module 20 to generate an image of not only the front of the host vehicle but also the surroundings of the host vehicle or the driver in one or more directions.

Here, the front image and peripheral image may be digital images and may include color images, black-and-white images, and infrared images. Additionally, the front image and surrounding image may include still images and moving images. The image generator 11 provides the driver image, front image, and surrounding image to the control unit 14. Next, the first information generator 12 may include at least one radar or/and a camera disposed in the host vehicle, and generates first detection information by detecting the front of the host vehicle. Specifically, the first information generator 12 is disposed in the host vehicle and generates first detection information by detecting the location and speed of vehicles located in front of the host vehicle and the presence and location of pedestrians.

The first detection information generated by the first information generator 12 can be used to control the distance between the own vehicle and the vehicle in front to be kept constant, and when the driver wants to change the driving lane of the own vehicle or reverse parking. The stability of vehicle operation can be improved in certain preset cases, such as when driving. The first information generation unit 12 provides first detection information to the control unit 14.

Subsequently, the second information generation units 21, 22, 23, and 24 generate the front image generated by the image generating unit 11 and the first detection information generated by the first information generating unit 12, Each side of is detected to generate second sensed information. Specifically, the second information generators 21, 22, 23, and 24 may include at least one radar or/and camera disposed on the host vehicle, and detect the positions and speeds of vehicles located on the sides of the host vehicle. Or you can shoot a video. Here, the second information generating units 21, 22, 23, and 24 may be disposed on both the front and rear sides of the host vehicle, respectively.

This vehicle camera system may be equipped with the following camera module, and provides or processes information acquired through the front, rear, each side, or corner area of the vehicle to the user to prevent autonomous driving or surrounding safety from vehicles and objects. can protect.

The optical system of the camera module according to an embodiment of the invention can be mounted in multiple numbers in a vehicle to improve safety regulations, strengthen autonomous driving functions, and increase convenience. Additionally, the optical system of the camera module is used in vehicles as a control component for lane keeping assistance systems (LKAS), lane departure warning systems (LDWS), and driver monitoring systems (DMS). These automotive camera modules can provide stable optical performance despite changes in ambient temperature and provide price-competitive modules to ensure the reliability of automotive components.

The features, structures, effects, etc. described in the embodiments above are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and are not necessarily limited to only one embodiment. Furthermore, the features, structures, effects, etc. illustrated in each embodiment can be combined or modified and implemented in other embodiments by a person with ordinary knowledge in the field to which the embodiments belong. Therefore, contents related to such combinations and modifications should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

In addition, although the above description has been made focusing on the examples, this is only an example and does not limit the present invention, and those skilled in the art will understand the above examples without departing from the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. You will be able to see that various modifications and applications are possible. For example, each component specifically shown in the examples can be modified and implemented. And these variations and differences in application should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

100: Lens part
101,102,103,104,105,106,107: Lens
101A, 102A, 103A, 105A, 106A, 107A: Flange part
121,122,123: Spacer
110: substrate
112: image sensor
114: cover glass
116: Optical filter
300: Lens barrel
400: Inner barrel
500: Cover
600: Base holder
650: Ring holder
1000: Camera module

Claims (17)

Lens barrel penetrating from top to bottom;
a plurality of lenses aligned along an optical axis inside the lens barrel;
a substrate disposed below the lens barrel;
an image sensor disposed on the substrate;
a base holder with the substrate coupled thereto; and
It includes a ring holder coupled to the outside of the lens barrel and the top of the base holder,
The ring holder is disposed between the base holder and an outer locking protrusion of the lens barrel,
The base holder is made of a first metal material,
The ring holder is a camera module made of a second metal material different from the first metal. According to claim 1,
At least one of the plurality of lenses is a plastic lens,
A camera module wherein the at least one plastic lens overlaps the ring holder in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. According to claim 1,
The plurality of lenses include a glass lens and a plastic lens smaller than the number of glass lenses,
A camera module in which a number of plastic lenses are disposed inside the ring holder. According to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The base holder is a camera module made of the same metal as the lens barrel. According to clause 4,
The ring holder is made of stainless steel,
The base holder is a camera module made of aluminum. According to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A camera module in which the upper part of the base holder and the lower part of the ring holder have threads and are fastened to each other. According to clause 6,
A camera module where the top of the ring holder is bonded to an outer locking protrusion of the lens barrel with adhesive. According to clause 7,
A camera module wherein the upper surface of the ring holder has a concave groove in which a portion of the adhesive is disposed. Lens barrel penetrating from top to bottom;
a plurality of lenses aligned along an optical axis inside the lens barrel;
a substrate disposed below the lens barrel;
an image sensor disposed on the substrate;
an inner barrel disposed between the lens barrel and a lens adjacent to the image sensor among the plurality of lenses;
a base holder having a first through hole on the inside and the substrate being disposed below the first through hole; and
It has a second through hole on the inside, a part of the lens barrel is inserted into the second through hole, and includes a ring holder coupled to the upper part of the base holder,
The ring holder is disposed between the base holder and an outer locking protrusion of the lens barrel,
The base holder is made of a first metal material,
The ring holder is a camera module made of a second metal material different from the first metal. According to clause 9,
The lens disposed inside the inner barrel includes a plastic lens,
The inner barrel is a camera module made of plastic. According to claim 10,
A camera module in which the top of the inner barrel is disposed lower than the top of the ring holder. According to claim 10,
The coefficient of thermal expansion of the ring holder is lower than that of the base holder,
The ring holder is a camera module in a shape that does not overlap the lens barrel in a vertical direction. According to claim 10,
a first fastening portion on an upper outer surface protruding from the base holder; and
A camera module including a second fastening part disposed on a lower inner surface of the ring holder and fastened to the first fastening part. The method of claim 1 or 10,
A camera module in which the top of the ring holder is disposed in a range of 40% to 60% of the total length of the lens barrel based on the bottom of the lens barrel. The method of claim 1 or 10,
A camera module wherein the lower end of the ring holder is disposed lower than the sensor side of the last lens closest to the image sensor disposed in the lens barrel. The method of claim 1 or 10,
a cover glass on the image sensor; and
A camera module including an optical filter disposed between the plurality of lenses and the cover glass. Comprising a camera module according to any one of claims 1 or 10,
A vehicle in which the lens barrel and the base holder are made of the same metal.

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