Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B7/00—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements
  • G02B7/02—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for lenses
  • G02B7/022—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for lenses lens and mount having complementary engagement means, e.g. screw/thread
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
  • G02B27/0006—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00 with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B7/00—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements
  • G02B7/02—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for lenses
  • G02B7/025—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for lenses using glue
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B7/00—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements
  • G02B7/02—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for lenses
  • G02B7/026—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for lenses using retaining rings or springs
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B7/00—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements
  • G02B7/02—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for lenses
  • G02B7/028—Mountings, adjusting means, or light-tight connections, for optical elements for lenses with means for compensating for changes in temperature or for controlling the temperature; thermal stabilisation
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
  • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
  • G03B17/00—Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor
  • G03B17/55—Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor with provision for heating or cooling, e.g. in aircraft
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
  • H04N23/50—Constructional details
  • H04N23/52—Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
  • H04N23/50—Constructional details
  • H04N23/55—Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a camera module for a motor vehicle comprising a lens, an objective barrel over which the lens is held and a heating element which rests against the lens and over which the lens can be heated.
• the invention also relates to a camera arrangement which comprises such a camera module.
• Camera systems are used in many areas. For example, such camera systems are used in motor vehicles as an optical camera system for capturing information.
• the camera systems record the vehicle's surroundings, for example, and provide information for other vehicle systems.
• the camera lens In order to capture information about the vehicle's surroundings, the camera lens must be exposed to environmental influences. This means that the lens can also get wet in wet weather. In winter it is also possible that the lens has a layer of ice due to the low temperatures. If the lens is wet or has a layer of ice, an image sensor can receive no or only poor signals. In order to remove the moisture or the layer of ice from the lens, a lens heater is often provided with which the lens can be heated. This allows the moisture on the lens to evaporate and remove the layer of ice. The image sensor can thus receive evaluable signals even in such weather. State of the art
• WO 2019/095488 A1 discloses a camera module with a heating function.
• the camera module includes a lens barrel, a first lens at a front end of the lens barrel, and a heating means that can heat the first lens.
• the exposed first lens can be heated so that the camera module remains ready for use in cold, damp and other weather conditions.
• a sealing arrangement for the static sealing of an optical component that is at risk of icing is known.
• the sealing arrangement itself is used as a heat source in order to heat the optical component, such as a lens, that is prone to icing.
• the object on which the invention is based is to specify a camera module which is distinguished by better image quality under the conditions of use of the camera module.
• Claim 10 specifies a camera arrangement with a camera module according to the invention.
• the invention includes the technical teaching that the objective barrel is formed from a metal material and an insulation means is arranged between the heating element and the objective barrel, by means of which the heating element is insulated from the objective barrel.
• the objective barrel made of metal has the advantage that it can be manufactured more precisely than an injection-molded material. As a result, the manufacturing tolerances of such a lens barrel can be reduced. At a subsequent alignment of the lens with respect to the image sensor, a better image can thus be achieved. This also simplifies production and the camera module can thus be produced more economically.
• the thermal expansions are lower in the case of a metal material, so that the calibrated distance between the lens and the image sensor remains essentially the same over the operating temperature range. This also enables better image quality to be achieved in the long term.
• the camera module also has a heating element so that a good image can be generated even in different weather conditions.
• the heating element can be electrically as well as thermally insulated from the objective barrel made of metal by the insulation means.
• the insulating means also has a sealing effect, so that an interior is protected against water or salt, whereby the image quality is also maintained over the service life.
• the insulation means is formed by the lens, which has an area which is arranged between the objective barrel and the heating element.
• the lens is accordingly arranged between the objective barrel and the heating element. The lens is thus heated up first.
• the lens has the electrical and thermal insulation effect. This has the advantage that no additional material has to be provided for insulation.
• the insulating means has a film, an adhesive, an adhesive tape or a lacquer and is arranged between the objective barrel and the heating element. These funds can be applied easily and precisely. This allows the areas you want to be isolated.
• the isolation means can be applied to the heating element itself as well as to corresponding areas on the objective barrel or both.
• the objective barrel is preferably formed from an aluminum material. Aluminum material has the advantage that it is light compared to other metals and still has sufficient strength. As a result, the weight of the camera module can be kept low despite the use of a metal material.
• the insulation means has an anodized layer which is formed on the objective barrel at least in the area between the objective barrel and the heating element.
• an anodizing layer can be applied to the aluminum using an anodizing process.
• This anodized layer is electrically non-conductive, so that the heating element is electrically isolated from the lens barrel.
• Anodizing also has the advantage that no further components are required to produce electrical insulation, so that the number of components required can be reduced.
• the insulation means advantageously has an injection-molded part which is injection-molded onto the heating element.
• the injection molded part has the advantage that it can easily be designed in any shape.
• plastics are cheap and can be processed economically.
• a plastic material is also light in weight, so that the overall weight of such a camera module is not significantly increased.
• plastics there is also a large selection, so that a plastic can be selected which has good insulation properties.
• the molded-on insulating means has at least one sealing lip with which an interior of the lens barrel is sealed off from an outside of the camera module.
• the sealing lip is preferably designed as a bead.
• the at least one sealing lip is preferably arranged radially and / or axially on the heating element.
• the radial direction and the axial direction are related to an optical axis of the camera module.
• the sealing lip which is aligned in the radial direction, protects an interior from the ingress of moisture, dirt or salt.
• the sealing lip aligned in the axial direction has the advantage that the sealing lip can be pressed together during the axial assembly of the lens. This creates assembly leeway so that manufacturing tolerances can be better compensated and the sharpness of the camera module can be adjusted more easily.
• Such a sealing lip which also protects against moisture and dirt, can improve the image quality of the camera module.
• the heating element which comprises a conductive plastic
• the insulation means are designed as a two-component injection-molded component. Accordingly, both the heating element and the insulating means are formed from a plastic material which are formed together in a two-component injection molding process. In the two-component injection molding process, a first component is first formed which comprises a first material. The second component is then formed with a second material.
• Both components can thus be produced together in one injection molding process.
• the heating element and the insulating means can be designed in a simple and economical manner.
• the injection molding process improves the connection between the heating element and the insulation.
• FIG. 1 sectional view of a camera module according to a first embodiment
• FIG. 2a view of a heating element with an insulating means
• FIG. 2b shows a view of a heating element with a further exemplary embodiment of the insulating means
• FIG. 3 sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a lens with a heating element.
• FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a camera module according to a first exemplary embodiment.
• the camera module comprises a lens 14, which is exposed to external environmental influences of the camera module.
• the lens 14 is held in a lens barrel 18.
• the objective barrel 18 is formed from an aluminum material in this exemplary embodiment.
• a union nut 22 is arranged on the edge, which rests against the lens 14.
• the union nut 22 is connected to a radial area of the objective barrel 18 via a thread (not shown).
• the objective barrel 18 forms a radial expansion in the fastening area of the lens 14, so that a shoulder 26 is formed.
• a heating element 30 is arranged between the shoulder 26 and the lens 14.
• the heating element 30 is embodied in the shape of a ring.
• the lens 14 is heated via the heating element 30, which is in direct contact with the lens 14, so that moisture or ice on the lens 14 can be removed.
• the heating element 30 is formed from a conductive plastic.
• an insulation means 34 is arranged between the objective barrel 18 and the heating element 30.
• the insulating means 34 is designed as a film.
• an O-ring 38 is arranged, via which an interior space 42 in addition to the insulating means 34 against external influences, such as for example water, salt, etc. is sealed.
• the O-ring 38 is arranged between the lens 14 and the objective barrel 18.
• FIG. 2a shows a view of a heating element 30 with an insulating means 34.
• This insulating means 34 differs from the insulating means 34 shown in FIG. 1 in that the insulating means 34 is formed from a plastic material which is molded onto the heating element 30.
• the heating element 30 and the insulating means 34 are designed as two component injection molded parts.
• the insulating means 34 has a radially acting sealing lip 46 above the heating element 30. In an installed state, the sealing lip 46 is arranged between the objective barrel 18 and the lens 14. As a result, the sealing lip 46 takes on the same function as the O-ring 38 shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, such an O-ring 38 can be omitted.
• FIG. 2b shows a view of a heating element 30 with a further exemplary embodiment of the insulating means 34.
• This insulation means 34 differs from the insulation means 34 shown in FIG. 2a in that an axially acting sealing lip 46 is arranged below the heating element 30.
• This sealing lip 46 rests against the objective barrel 18 in the axial direction.
• this sealing lip 46 can compensate for an axial assembly tolerance due to the compressibility.
• FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a lens 14 with a heating element 30.
• This exemplary embodiment differs from the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that the heating element 30 does not lie directly on the objective barrel 18.
• the lens 14 is formed from an outer lens 14a and an inner lens 14b, which lie against one another on a flat side. Outer lens 14a and inner lens 14b together form a recess 50 in which heating element 30 is received.
• the heating element 30 therefore does not have to be in contact with the objective barrel 18.
• the insulating means 34 is accordingly formed by the lens 14. No further insulation means 34 is therefore necessary.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Multimedia (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Lens Barrels (AREA)
• Transforming Light Signals Into Electric Signals (AREA)
• Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)
• Studio Devices (AREA)

Priority Applications (2)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=73698822

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (2)

Citations (6)

• 2020
  • 2020-01-22 DE DE102020200695.4A patent/DE102020200695A1/de active Pending
  • 2020-12-02 CN CN202080094210.5A patent/CN115004078A/zh active Pending
  • 2020-12-02 KR KR1020227028346A patent/KR20220126769A/ko active Search and Examination
  • 2020-12-02 WO PCT/EP2020/084208 patent/WO2021148179A1/de active Application Filing

Patent Citations (6)

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