WO2021147097A1

WO2021147097A1 - Camera module

Info

Publication number: WO2021147097A1
Application number: PCT/CN2020/074020
Authority: WO
Inventors: 闵丙日
Original assignee: 杭州芯格微电子有限公司
Priority date: 2020-01-23
Filing date: 2020-01-23
Publication date: 2021-07-29

Abstract

Disclosed is a camera module (100), comprising n lens plates (210-250) which are vertically stacked; a lens barrel (200) accommodating the n lens plates (210-250); an actuator (300) for moving the lens barrel (200) vertically; and a high-pixel image sensor (10) located at a lower portion of the lens barrel (200) and generating m images from the incident light from m optical paths corresponding to the n lens plates (210-250). One lens plate (210-250) of the n lens plates (210-250) comprises: a multi-lens surface, wherein m unit lens surfaces (210a) are separated to form the multi-lens surface; and light blocking layers (210b) formed between the m unit lens surfaces (210a) in the multi-lens surface.

Description

Camera module

Technical field

The present invention relates to a camera module.

Background technique

The camera module includes an optical system that collects light through an image sensor. The camera module is mainly used to implement camera functions on mobile electronic devices such as smart phones. In recent years, image sensors with pixels exceeding several million pixels and reaching ten million pixels or more have been commonly used. If the number of pixels increases, the area of the pixel area will also increase. Therefore, in order to condense light to a wider pixel area, the optical system also needs to be larger. However, for mobile electronic devices, the size of the camera module implemented by the high-pixel image sensor will impose a greater burden on product design.

On the other hand, the structure for generating an image with depth information uses two or more camera modules. With the competition for high-resolution image sensors, mobile electronic devices equipped with multiple camera modules are also commonly used. As with camera modules implemented by high-pixel image sensors, in order to arrange multiple camera modules in a confined space, many items need to be considered when designing a product.

Summary of the invention

Provided is a camera module that uses a single camera module to generate an image with depth information.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a camera module that generates an image with depth information. The camera module may include: n lens plates stacked vertically; a lens barrel for accommodating the n lens plates; an actuator to move the lens barrel vertically; and a high pixel The image sensor is located at the lower part of the lens barrel, and generates m images by using incident light of m light paths corresponding to the n lens plates. Wherein, one lens plate of the n lens plates may include: a multi-lens surface, m unit lens surfaces are separated to form the multi-lens surface; and a light blocking layer is formed in the m multi-lens surface Between the lens surfaces.

As an embodiment, the projection of the lens surface on a predetermined plane is a quadrilateral, and the predetermined plane is a plane parallel to the length direction of the lens barrel.

As an embodiment, the camera module may further include a coupling protrusion on the outer peripheral area of the lower surface of the lens plate.

As an embodiment, the camera module may further include a coupling groove formed on the outer peripheral area of the upper surface of the lens plate and accommodating the coupling protrusion.

As an embodiment, the front surface of the n lens plates may further include a multi-lens surface formed by separating the m lens surfaces.

As an embodiment, the high-pixel image sensor may include one pixel area, and the pixel area is divided into m non-overlapping divided pixel areas that are respectively reached by light passing through the m light paths.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a camera module that generates an image with depth information. The camera module may include: m optical systems composed of a plurality of unit lenses stacked vertically; a lens barrel for accommodating the m optical systems; an actuator to move the lens barrel vertically; and a high The pixel image sensor is located at the lower part of the lens barrel, and generates m images using incident light of m light paths corresponding to m optical systems.

As an embodiment, the lens barrel may further include a lens plate, the lens plate is arranged at the lower part of the m optical systems, and is formed by partitioning m unit lens surfaces corresponding to the m optical systems The multi-lens surface.

According to the camera module of the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to generate an image with depth information while minimizing an increase in size. Therefore, when applied to mobile electronic devices, it can provide greater flexibility for product design.

Description of the drawings

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. For ease of understanding, in all the drawings, the same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. The structure shown in the drawings is only an embodiment schematically shown for explaining the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. In particular, in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention, some constituent elements are shown somewhat exaggerated in the drawings. Since the drawings are for understanding the means of the invention, it should be understood that the width, thickness, etc. of the constituent elements shown in the drawings may vary in actual implementation.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for schematically explaining the principle of generating m images by a single high-pixel image sensor.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an embodiment of a camera module realized by the principle illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of the lens plate shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing another embodiment of a camera module realized by the principle illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing still another embodiment of a camera module realized by the principle illustrated in FIG. 1.

Detailed ways

The present invention can incorporate various modifications and can have various embodiments. Specific embodiments are shown in the drawings and described in detail. It should be understood that this does not limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the concept and technical scope of the present invention. In particular, the functions, features, and embodiments described below with reference to the drawings can be implemented alone or in combination with another embodiment. Therefore, it should be noted that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the manner shown in the drawings.

On the other hand, with regard to the terms used in this specification, expressions such as "substantially", "almost", "about", etc. are expressions that take into consideration allowable margins or possible errors in actual implementation. For example, "substantially 90 degrees" should be interpreted as including angles that can obtain the same effects as those at 90 degrees. For another example, "almost none" should be interpreted as including to the extent that even if there is a little, it can be ignored.

On the other hand, unless specifically mentioned, “side” or “horizontal” is used to indicate the left-right direction in the drawings, and “vertical” is used to indicate the up-down direction in the drawings. In addition, unless specifically defined, the angle, incident angle, etc. are based on a virtual straight line perpendicular to the horizontal plane shown in the drawing.

The high-pixel image sensor 10 includes a single pixel region 11 with a large area. A peripheral circuit may be arranged around or below the single pixel area 11, and the peripheral circuit controls the single pixel area 11 and processes the signal generated in the single pixel area 11 to output an image. A single pixel area 11 may be divided into m divided

pixel areas

11a, 11b, 11c, 11d. The m divided

pixel regions

11 a, 11 b, 11 c, and 11 d are non-overlapping pixel regions to which light passing through m light paths formed on the upper portion of the high-pixel image sensor 10 respectively reach.

The m light paths are paths through which light reflected by the same subject passes. Since m light paths are formed separated from each other, a time difference occurs between m images generated by m divided

pixel regions

11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d. The four

images

12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d shown in FIG. 1 are generated by photographing the same subject. As a representative method for generating depth information of an image, TOF (Time of Flight) is used to directly measure the distance to the subject to generate depth information. Such a known method requires additional structures such as a light source for irradiating near-infrared rays and a near-infrared sensor for detecting them. In contrast to this, the high-pixel image sensor 10 can generate m images with light reflected by the same subject through m divided light paths. The m images with a time difference proportional to the separation distance between the light paths can be applied to a known algorithm that compares a plurality of images to generate depth information. The depth information calculated by the depth information algorithm can be used to measure the distance to the subject, or can be used to generate a stereo image.

Hereinafter, a structure that enables a single high-pixel image sensor to generate multiple images by forming multiple light paths in a limited space will be described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an embodiment of a camera module realized by the principle illustrated in FIG. 1. (a) of FIG. 2 shows the camera module when viewed from above, and (b) of FIG. The section along the I-I' line.

The camera module 100 includes a high-pixel image sensor 10, a lens barrel 200, n lens plates 210 to 250, an actuator 300 and a cover 400. The high-pixel image sensor 10 has a single pixel area, and is arranged inside the cover 400 in a manner of being located at the lower portion of the lens barrel 200. On the upper part of the high-resolution image sensor 10, a protective glass 10a that prevents foreign matter from entering from the outside may be disposed. The protective glass 10a can block light having a wavelength longer than that of visible light, for example, light belonging to the infrared wavelength range. On the other hand, an infrared blocking substance may be laminated on the surface of the high-resolution image sensor 10.

The lens barrel 200 accommodates n lens plates 210 to 250. An actuator 300 is arranged outside the lens barrel 200. The actuator 300 moves the lens barrel 200 vertically. The lens barrel 200 and the actuator 300 are structures for realizing a focusing function in the camera module 100.

The vertically stacked n lens plates 210 to 250 are optical systems that form m light paths. The upper surface, lower surface, or upper and lower surfaces of the n lens plates 210 to 250 are multi-lens surfaces. In the multi-lens surface, m unit lens surfaces 210a are arranged to be separated from each other on the same plane. The unit lens surface 210a may be a concave or convex curved surface. In each of the multi-lens surfaces of the n lens plates 210 to 250 stacked vertically, the unit lens surfaces are arranged coaxially. That is, the unit lens surface of the multi-lens surface of the lens plate 220 is arranged below the unit lens surface of the multi-lens surface of the lens plate 210, and the two unit lens surfaces are located on the same axis. On the other hand, the light blocking layer 210b may be formed in the area between the m unit lens surfaces 210a so that the light reaching the area between the m unit lens surfaces 210a does not proceed to the lower part.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of the lens plate shown in FIG. 2. The lens plate 210 arranged at the uppermost part of the n lens plates 210 to 250 is shown as a representative example, if necessary Note that the remaining lens plates 220 to 250 not shown in the figure can refer to the lens plate 210. Fig. 3(a) shows a cross section of the lens plate 210, Fig. 3(b) shows a circular lens plate when viewed from above, and Fig. 3(c) shows a quadrangular lens plate when viewed from above, That is, the projection of the lens surface on a predetermined plane is a quadrilateral, and the predetermined plane is a plane parallel to the length direction of the lens barrel.

The upper surface of the lens plate 210 is a multi-lens surface formed as m unit lens surfaces 210a in order to form m (where m=4) light paths. The unit lens surfaces 210a are separated from each other and arranged on the same plane. The divided unit lens surface 210a divides the light path into m pieces. In each of the lens plates 210 to 250, in order to divide the unit pixel area into m divided pixel areas, the separation distance between the unit lens surfaces may be set to be different. Here, in each of the lens plates 210 to 250, the spacing distance between the unit lens surfaces needs to be set so that the unit lens surfaces are located on m coaxial lines.

A light blocking layer 210b is formed in a region where the unit lens surface 210a is not formed. The lens plate 210 is formed of an optically transparent material, and the optical elements of the unit lens surface 210a, such as the focal point, the radius of curvature, and the refractive index, are determined in order to direct light toward the divided pixel regions. When light is incident on a region other than the unit lens surface 210a, the quality of the image generated by the high-pixel image sensor 10 may be degraded. Therefore, light incident on a region other than the unit lens surface 210a can be blocked by the light blocking layer 210b.

The outer peripheral area 210 c of the lens plate 210 is in contact with the lens barrel 200. A fixing element, such as a groove, for determining the position of each lens plate 210 to 250 is formed on the inner side wall of the lens barrel 200. Each of the n lens plates 210 to 250 may have a structure in which the lens barrel 200 is supported by a lens plate located at a lower portion. The lower surface 210d of the outer peripheral area of the lens plate 210 may be formed with a coupling protrusion that separates the lens plate 210 from the lens plate 220 located at the lower portion thereof by a predetermined distance. A coupling groove accommodating the coupling protrusion may be formed on the upper surface of the outer peripheral area of the lens plate 220.

When viewed from above, the unit lens surface may have a circular unit lens surface 210a or a quadrangular unit lens surface 210a'. Similarly, when viewed from above, the lens plate 210 may be circular or quadrangular. The shape and arrangement position of the lens barrel 200 and the actuator 300 can be changed according to the shape of the lens plate 210.

Fig. 4 is a diagram schematically showing another embodiment of a camera module realized by the principle explained in Fig. 1, Fig. 4(a) shows the camera module when viewed from above, and Fig. 4(b) shows Section along the line II-II'.

The camera module 101 includes a high-pixel image sensor 10, a lens barrel 201, m optical systems, an actuator 301, and a cover 401. The high-pixel image sensor 10 has a single pixel area, and is arranged inside the cover 401 so as to be located at the lower part of the lens barrel 201. A protective glass 10a that prevents foreign matter from entering from the outside may be disposed on the upper portion of the high-pixel image sensor 10. The protective glass 10a can block light having a wavelength longer than that of visible light, for example, light belonging to the infrared wavelength range. On the other hand, an infrared blocking substance may be laminated on the surface of the high-resolution image sensor 10.

The lens barrel 201 accommodates m optical systems. For this reason, m accommodating spaces for accommodating m optical systems are formed inside the lens barrel 201. An optical system composed of n unit lenses is accommodated in each accommodating space. An actuator 301 is arranged outside the lens barrel 201. The actuator 301 moves the lens barrel 201 vertically.

The vertically stacked n unit lenses 211 to 251 are optical systems that form an optical path distinguished from other optical paths. The upper surface, lower surface, or upper and lower surfaces of the n unit lenses 211 to 251 may be concave or convex curved surfaces. Each optical system may be configured such that the unit lenses are located on the same plane with each other. For example, all the first unit lenses 211 of the first to fourth optical systems are arranged on the first plane, and the second to fifth unit lenses 221 to 251 can also be arranged on the second to fifth planes, respectively. With such a configuration, the multi-lens surface explained in FIG. 2 can be realized. The unit lenses 211 to 251 are arranged coaxially.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing still another embodiment of a camera module realized by the principle illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 5(a) shows the camera module when viewed from above, and FIG. 5(b) shows Section along the line III-III'.

The camera module 102 includes a high-pixel image sensor 10, a lens barrel 202, m optical systems, a lens plate 252 having a multi-lens surface, an actuator 302, and a cover 402 are formed. The high-pixel image sensor 10 has a single pixel area, and is arranged inside the cover 402 so as to be located at the lower part of the lens barrel 202. A protective glass 10a that prevents foreign matter from entering from the outside may be disposed on the upper portion of the high-pixel image sensor 10. The protective glass 10a can block light having a wavelength longer than that of visible light, for example, light belonging to the infrared wavelength range. On the other hand, an infrared blocking substance may be laminated on the surface of the high-resolution image sensor 10.

The lens barrel 202 accommodates m optical systems and one lens plate 252. To this end, m first accommodating spaces for accommodating m optical systems and second accommodating spaces for accommodating the lens plate 252 are formed inside the lens barrel 202. The second accommodating space is located at the lower part of the lens barrel 202, and m first accommodating spaces are formed to extend from the second accommodating space to the upper surface of the lens barrel 202 in the vertical direction. An optical system composed of n unit lenses is accommodated in each first accommodation space. An actuator 302 is arranged outside the lens barrel 202. The actuator 302 moves the lens barrel 202 vertically.

The vertically stacked n unit lenses 212 to 242 and the lens plate 252 form an optical system that forms a light path distinguished from other light paths. The upper surface, lower surface, or upper and lower surfaces of the n unit lenses 212 to 242 may be concave or convex curved surfaces. Similarly, the upper surface, lower surface, or upper and lower surfaces of the lens plate 252 are multi-lens surfaces. The unit lens surface can be a concave or convex curved surface. The m unit lens surfaces may be configured to be located on the coaxial axis of each optical system. Each optical system may be configured such that the unit lenses are located on the same plane with each other. For example, all the first unit lenses 212 of the first to fourth optical systems are arranged on the first plane, and the second to fourth unit lenses 222 to 242 may be arranged on the second to fourth planes, respectively. With such a configuration, the multi-lens surface explained in FIG. 2 can be realized. The unit lenses 212 to 242 and the unit lens surface on the lens plate 252 are arranged coaxially.

The above description of the present invention is exemplary. For those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs, those skilled in the art can understand that it can be easily transformed into other specific embodiments without changing the technical concept or essential features of the present invention. Way. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are all exemplary and not intended to be limiting. In particular, the features of the present invention described with reference to the drawings are not limited to the structures shown in the specific drawings, and can be implemented alone or in combination with other features.

The scope of the present invention is presented by the appended claims rather than the above description. It should be understood that all changes or modifications can be derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts All are included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

A camera module, including:

N vertically stacked lens plates;

A lens barrel for accommodating the n lens plates;

An actuator to move the lens barrel vertically; and

A high-pixel image sensor is located at the lower part of the lens barrel, and generates m images by using incident light from m light paths corresponding to the n lens plates,

One of the n lens plates includes:

A multi-lens surface, m unit lens surfaces are partitioned to form the multi-lens surface; and

The light blocking layer is formed between the m unit lens surfaces in the multi-lens surface.
The camera module according to claim 1, wherein:

The projection of the lens surface on a predetermined plane is a quadrilateral, and the predetermined plane is a plane parallel to the length direction of the lens barrel.
The camera module according to claim 1, wherein:

The camera module further includes a coupling protrusion in an outer peripheral area of the lower surface of the lens plate.
The camera module according to claim 3, wherein:

The camera module further includes a coupling groove formed in an outer peripheral area of the upper surface of the lens plate and accommodating the coupling protrusion.
The camera module according to claim 1, wherein:

The n lens plates include an upper surface of a lens plate formed by partitioning m unit lens surfaces.
The camera module according to claim 1, wherein:

The high-pixel image sensor includes a pixel area,

The pixel area is divided into m divided pixel areas, and the m divided pixel areas are non-overlapping areas that light passing through the m light paths reach.
A camera module, including:

m optical systems, composed of multiple unit lenses stacked vertically;

A lens barrel for accommodating m optical systems;

An actuator to move the lens barrel vertically; and

A high-pixel image sensor is located at the lower part of the lens barrel, and generates m images by using incident light from m light paths corresponding to m optical systems.
The camera module according to claim 7, wherein:

The lens barrel further includes a lens plate,

The lens plate is disposed under the m optical systems, and has a multi-lens surface formed by partitioning m unit lens surfaces corresponding to the m optical systems.