WO2024058510A1

WO2024058510A1 - Camera module, and vehicle comprising same

Info

Publication number: WO2024058510A1
Application number: PCT/KR2023/013565
Authority: WO
Inventors: 박성진; 석승원; 임준영
Original assignee: 엘지이노텍 주식회사
Priority date: 2022-09-14
Filing date: 2023-09-11
Publication date: 2024-03-21
Also published as: TW202428033A; KR20240037046A

Abstract

A camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a plurality of lenses aligned along an optical axis; a lens barrel in which the plurality of lenses are disposed; and a plurality of inner barrels disposed between the plurality of lenses and the lens barrel, wherein at least one of the plurality of inner barrels can maintain the interval between two adjacent lenses and the interval between the outer surfaces of the two adjacent lenses and the lens barrel.

Description

Camera module and vehicle equipped with it

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.

A camera module according to an embodiment of the invention may provide a camera module having an inner barrel on one side or the entire inner surface of the lens barrel. Embodiments of the invention may provide a camera module having a plurality of inner barrels around different lenses of the lens barrel. An embodiment of the invention may provide a camera module having a first inner barrel in contact with an outer surface of at least one lens of the lens barrel and a second inner barrel in contact with an outer surface of at least one lens. An embodiment of the invention may provide a camera module having a plurality of inner barrels each disposed between the outer side of at least one or two or more lenses and the lens barrel.

An embodiment of the invention may provide a camera module having a plurality of inner barrels overlapped in the optical axis direction inside a lens barrel, and each of the plurality of inner barrels extending to an outer surface of at least one lens. An embodiment of the invention may provide a camera module in which a plurality of inner barrels have a material different from that 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 plurality of lenses aligned along an optical axis; a lens barrel in which the plurality of lenses are disposed; and a plurality of inner barrels disposed between the plurality of lenses and the lens barrel, wherein at least one of the plurality of inner barrels is located on an outer circumference between two adjacent lenses and an area between the outer surfaces of the two adjacent lenses and the lens barrel. Arranged, at least one of the plurality of inner barrels may maintain a gap between two adjacent lenses and a gap between the outer surfaces of the two adjacent lenses and the lens barrel.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each of the plurality of inner barrels may maintain a gap between two adjacent lenses based on the outer surface of the lens barrel and a gap between the outer surfaces of the two adjacent lenses and the lens barrel.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the plurality of lenses include first to third lenses aligned along an optical axis from the object side to the sensor, and the plurality of inner barrels are formed around the outer surface of the first lens and the sensor side surface. a first inner barrel extending to the circumference and outer surface of the object-side surface of the second lens; And it may include a second inner barrel extending from the perimeter and outer surface of the sensor-side surface of the second lens to the perimeter of the outer surface and object-side surface of the third lens.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the plurality of lenses include n-th lenses from the fourth lens aligned with the optical axis on the sensor side of the third lens, where n is any one of 5, 6, and 7, and the plurality of lenses include The inner barrel may include a third inner barrel extending from the circumference of the outer surface and the sensor-side surface of the third lens to the circumference and outer surface of the object-side surface of the fifth lens. According to an embodiment of the invention, the third and fourth lenses are bonded bonded lenses, and the third inner barrel is between the third lens on the object side of the bonded lens and the fifth lens disposed on the sensor side than the bonded lens. It is disposed, and the outer surface of the fourth lens may face the inner surface of the third inner barrel.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the plurality of inner barrels include a fourth inner barrel extending from the circumference of the outer surface and the sensor-side surface of the fifth lens to the circumference and outer surface of the object-side surface of the sixth lens; And the plurality of inner barrels may include a fifth inner barrel extending from the circumference of the outer surface and the sensor-side surface of the sixth lens to the circumference and outer surface of the object-side surface of the seventh lens. According to an embodiment of the invention, the number of the plurality of inner barrels may be 50% or more of the number of the lenses. According to an embodiment of the invention, an image sensor disposed on a sensor side of the lens barrel; a cover glass disposed on the image sensor; and an optical filter disposed between the cover glass and the lens closest to the image sensor, and when the number of lenses is n (any of n=5, 6, or 7), the number of inner barrels is n- There may be 2 or less.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the last inner barrel of the plurality of inner barrels is disposed between the nth lens adjacent to the image sensor and the n-1 lens adjacent thereto, and is disposed on the outer surface of the nth lens and the n-1th lens. It may be extended. According to an embodiment of the invention, the plurality of inner barrels may have different heights.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the plurality of inner barrels have different heights, the plurality of inner barrels overlap in the vertical direction, the plurality of inner barrels are made of plastic, and at least one of the plurality of lenses is plastic. It can have materials. According to an embodiment of the invention, the plurality of inner barrels have different heights, the plurality of inner barrels overlap in a vertical direction, the lens barrel is made of a metal material, and the plurality of inner barrels are made of a plastic material, Among the plurality of lenses, at least two lenses adjacent to the image sensor may be made of plastic. According to an embodiment of the invention, the height of each of the plurality of inner barrels may be smaller than the maximum optical axis distance between two lenses adjacent to the outer surface of the lens barrel and may be greater than the minimum optical axis distance.

A vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of lenses aligned with an optical axis, a lens barrel having an opening penetrating in the direction of the optical axis, and a plurality of lenses disposed between each outer surface of the plurality of lenses and the inner surface of the lens barrel. A camera module including an inner barrel and an image sensor disposed on a sensor side of the last lens of the plurality of lenses, the camera module including the camera module disclosed above, the plurality of inner barrels and the plurality of lenses. At least two of the lenses are made of plastic, and the plurality of inner barrels may overlap in the vertical direction.

According to an embodiment of the invention, it is possible to provide a camera module that can maintain resolution according to temperature changes by stacking lenses in heterogeneous barrels. That is, a camera module with a heterogeneous barrel can minimize stress and decentering of a lens, such as a plastic lens, that expands due to temperature changes. According to an embodiment of the invention, by providing a plurality of inner barrels within the lens barrel, it is possible to provide a camera module that can maintain the resolution of the optical system and suppress deformation of the lenses due to temperature changes. 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 a side cross-sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the upper area of the lens barrel in the camera module of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the lower area of the lens barrel of FIG. 1.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of coupling a cover on a lens barrel according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is an example of a vehicle having a camera module according to an embodiment of the invention.

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.

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 lens radius, thickness/distance, TTL, etc. 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.

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 2 is a view showing the upper area of the lens barrel in the camera module of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a view explaining the lower area of the lens barrel of FIG. 1. , Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of coupling a cover on a lens barrel according to an embodiment of the invention.

The camera module 1000 according to an embodiment of the invention includes a lens unit 100 having a plurality of lenses, a lens barrel 400 in which a plurality of lenses are stacked, and a space between the lens barrel 400 and the plurality of lenses. It may include a plurality of inner barrels (210, 220, 230, 240, 250) arranged.

The lens barrel 400 may be penetrated from top to bottom. That is, the lens barrel 400 has a first opening 401 on the upper side and a second opening 403 on the lower side, and the first opening 401 and the second opening 403 may be connected to each other. The lens barrel 400 is an outer barrel, and the gap between the outer surface of the lenses and the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400 may be 2.5 mm or less, for example, in the range of 0.7 mm to 2.5 mm. If the distance between the outer surface of the lenses and the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400 is smaller than the above range, it is not easy to combine the lenses, and if it is larger than the above range, the size of the lens barrel increases or the lens is moved relative to the optical axis. It can be tilted. Here, the lens barrel 400 may be made of metal or non-metallic material, for example, aluminum or copper. Accordingly, when the lens barrel 400 is made of a metal material, heat generated from the

inner barrels

210, 220, 230, 240, and 250 and the flange portion of each lens can be dissipated, so that the optical characteristics according to temperature changes of the camera module exposed to the outside. Deterioration in reliability can be prevented.

The upper diameter of the inner opening of the lens barrel 400 may be larger than the lower diameter. Here, the upper diameter may be the maximum distance of the area corresponding to the outer surface of the flange portion 101A of the first lens 101. The lower diameter may be the maximum distance of the area corresponding to the outer surface of the flange portion 107A of the last lens 107. Lenses can be combined toward the sensor side through the object side due to the difference in the upper and lower diameters. In this case, the diameter of the first lens 101 may be larger than the diameter of the last seventh lens 107. The diameter of the two lenses is the maximum diameter between the outer surfaces of the

flange portions

101A and 107A of each

lens

101 and 107.

The lens barrel 400 may include a plurality of inner barrels 210-250 therein. The number of inner barrels 210-250 may be smaller than the number of lenses in the lens barrel 400, for example, in the range from n-1 to n-3, where n is the number of lenses and ranges from 4 to 9. Here, at least one of the upper part, central part, and lower part of the inner barrel 210-250 may be disposed on the outer surface of at least one lens. That is, at least one of the upper, central, and lower portions of the inner barrels 210-250 may be disposed between the outer surface of at least one lens and the lens barrel. Accordingly, the outer surfaces of the lens barrel 400 and the lenses may be spaced apart from each other.

The thermal expansion coefficient of the inner barrel (210-250) may be made of a material that is higher than that of the lens barrel 400. For example, the lens barrel 400 may be made of a metal, such as aluminum, and the inner barrels 210-250 may be made of a non-metal, such as resin or plastic. The lens barrel 400 may have a thermal expansion coefficient of less than 30, and the inner barrel may have a thermal expansion coefficient of 50 or more. The difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the inner barrel 210-250 and the lens barrel 400 may be 20 or more. The difference in thermal expansion coefficient of the inner barrel 210-250 from the plastic lens may be 3 or less, 2 or less, or the same.

When the lens barrel 400 is injection molded from a metal material, there is a problem in that dimension control is difficult and diameter deviation occurs depending on the inner area. In other words, the inner diameter dimension and decenter management between the inner diameters for aligning the lenses are inferior compared to injection molded products. Additionally, most vehicle lenses in the lens barrel are made of glass. In the case of glass material, dimensional deviations exist due to the processing of each individual product, and in addition, the outer diameter size and decenter management between the outer diameters for lens alignment may be lower than those of injection molded products, and the manufacturing cost of the lens is lower than that of injection molded products. becomes higher compared to The invention manufactures the inner barrel (210-250) with a mold injection product, so that the deviation between the inner and outer diameters can be minimized, and the tolerance of the glass lens or plastic lens can be reduced to minimize decenter and tilt according to the tolerance. In addition, the inner barrel can maintain resolution according to temperature changes. In other words, stress on the plastic lens can be suppressed and decentering can be minimized according to temperature changes. The inner barrel 210-250 may include a material or particle for blocking or absorbing light on its surface or inside. The inner barrels 210-250 may be made of a non-reflective material or a light-absorbing material, thereby blocking interference caused by light reflection.

At least one of the upper, inner, and lower portions of each of the inner barrels 210-250 may be in contact with the object-side surface and the sensor-side surface of the flange portion of at least one lens. The inner barrels 210-250 may be made of the same material or different materials. The inner barrels 210-250 may be made of plastic. Each of the inner barrels 210-250 has a hole penetrating therein, and at least one lens may be coupled to the top, inside, or bottom of the inner through hole. The distance between the inner surface and the outer surface of each of the inner barrels 210-250, that is, the thickness, may be smaller than the distance (ie, the thickness) between the inner surface 441 and the outer surface of the lens barrel 400. Here, the distance or thickness between the inner surface and the outer surface may be the gap between the inner surface and the outer surface having a vertical plane in a region corresponding to the outer surface of the lens.

The camera module 1000 may include a substrate 110 and an image sensor 112. The image sensor 112 may be disposed on the substrate 110 . The image sensor 112 may be disposed between the last lens of the lens unit 100 and the substrate 110.

The image sensor 112 may be mounted, seated, contacted, fixed, temporarily fixed, supported, or coupled to the surface of the substrate 110. According to another example, a groove or hole (not shown) capable of accommodating the image sensor 112 may be formed in the substrate 110. The embodiment is not limited to a specific form in which the image sensor 112 is disposed on the substrate 110. The substrate 110 may be a rigid PCB or FPCB. The image sensor 112 may be placed on the optical axis of the lens unit 100 or on an axis perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens unit 100. In this case, a reflective member such as a prism may be disposed between the lens unit 100 and the image sensor 112. 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 camera module 1000 may include a cover glass 114 and an optical filter 116 disposed between the last lens of the lens unit 100 and the image sensor 112. 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. 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 optical filter 116 is disposed in the second opening 403 of the lens barrel 400 to filter light of a specific wavelength traveling to the lower part of the lens barrel 400. 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 three or more lenses are stacked, or an optical system in which five or more lenses are stacked. The lens unit 100 may include 3 to 9 lenses. The lens unit 100 may include a plurality of solid lenses. 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 two or more sheets of glass. The ratio of the number of plastic lenses to the number of glass lenses may be 1:2 to 1:6. The number of lenses made of glass may be larger or smaller than the number of plastic lenses. Alternatively, the lenses of the lens unit 100 may be made of the same glass material or plastic material. The lenses in the lens unit 100 may include a spherical lens and an aspherical lens. Alternatively, the lenses within the lens unit 100 may include spherical lenses. Alternatively, the lenses within the lens unit 100 may include aspherical lenses. Here, the spherical lens is a lens in which the object-side surface and the sensor-side surface of the lens on the optical axis are spherical. The aspherical lens has an object-side surface and a sensor-side surface of the lens on the optical axis. The spherical lens may be made of glass. The aspherical lens may be made of plastic or glass mold.

In the lens unit 100 according to an embodiment of the invention, the number of lenses made of glass may be one 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). The coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CTE) of the plastic material is more than 5 times higher than that of the glass material, and the change value of the refractive index as a function of temperature may be more than 10 times higher for the plastic material than for the glass material. However, since plastic lenses are easier to manufacture and more convenient to design than glass lenses, the demand for their use is increasing. Additionally, the glass mold material can provide an aspherical surface, which can improve thin lens thickness and optical properties. 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.

The lens having the maximum effective diameter within the camera module 1000 may be any one of the first to

fourth lenses

101, 102, and 103 arranged from the object 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. Each of the lenses may include an effective area and an unactive area. The effective area is 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 structure accommodating the lens.

The lens barrel 400 penetrates from top to bottom, and a plurality of lenses are coupled therein. The plurality of lenses may be coupled through the first opening 401 of the lens barrel 400. The plurality of lenses may be sequentially stacked from the lens 107 closest to the sensor side to the lens 101 closest to the object side. As another example, the lenses may be coupled toward the object through the sensor side opening, or may be coupled 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 107. , n may be an integer of 5 or more, for example, any one of 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

The lens barrel 400 may be spaced apart from the outer surfaces of the lenses 101-107. The inner barrels 210-250 may extend between the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 440 and the outer surface of the lenses 101-107. Each of the inner barrels 210-250 can space the flange portions of two adjacent lenses, and can space the outer surfaces of the two lenses and the lens barrels at a predetermined distance. The number of inner barrels 210-250 may be smaller than the number of lenses, and may be n-2 or less, for example, n-1 or n-2. The number of inner barrels 210-250 may be 50% or more and less than 100% of the number of lenses. If two lenses bonded among the lenses are used as one bonded lens, the number of inner barrels may be n-1, and if there is no bonded lens, the number of inner barrels may be n-2. Here, n ranges from 4 to 9.

Each of the inner barrels 210-250 may maintain a gap between two adjacent lenses based on the outer surface of the lens barrel 400 and a gap between the outer surfaces of the two adjacent lenses and the inner surface of the lens barrel. Additionally, at least one of the inner barrels may be smaller than the optical axis distance of two adjacent lenses, that is, the optical axis distance from the center of the object-side surface of the object-side lens to the center of the sensor-side surface of the sensor-side lens. That is, the height of the inner barrel may be smaller than the maximum optical axis distance of the two lenses adjacent to the outer surface of the lens barrel. Additionally, the height of the inner barrel may be greater than the minimum optical axis distance of the two lenses adjacent to the outer surface of the lens barrel. As another example, when a bonded lens is provided, the height of the inner barrel may be smaller than the maximum optical axis distance from the center of the object-side surface of the bonded lens to the center of the lens sensor surface adjacent thereto. Accordingly, the height of the bonded lens may be smaller than the maximum optical axis distance of two or three lenses.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, an example of a structure in which seven lenses are sequentially stacked in the lens barrel 400 starting from the sensor side will be described. The lens unit 100 may have a plurality of lenses aligned along the optical axis from the object side toward the image sensor 112, for example, a first lens 101, a second lens 102, 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 lens unit 100 may include a bonded lens in which two adjacent lenses are bonded. The bonded lens may include bonded second and third lenses, bonded third and fourth lenses, or bonded fifth and sixth lenses. The bonded lenses have opposite refractive powers and can compensate for chromatic aberration. As another example, lenses spaced apart from each other may be arranged in the lens unit 100 without a bonded lens.

The first lens 101 may be made of glass or plastic. 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 101 is disposed closest to the object among the lenses, and may have, for example, an object-side first surface S1 that is concave from the optical axis and a sensor-side second surface S2 that is convex. Since the object-side first surface of the first lens 101 has a concave shape on the optical axis, problems of contact with external structures or damage from external impacts can be prevented. Additionally, the first lens 101 may be made of glass. The first lens 101 may be provided in an injection molded shape made of glass, and the first surface S1 on the object side and the second surface S2 on the sensor side may be aspherical. As another example, the first lens 101 may have a convex first surface (S1) and a concave second surface (S2) at the optical axis, and the first lens 101 may have a convex object-side surface. The amount of incident light can be increased through this. Alternatively, the first lens 101 may have a concave shape on both sides of the optical axis. 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. Since the first lens 101 is made of a mold material, adhesion to the cover 500 (FIG. 4) can be improved. As shown in FIG. 4, a cover 500 is 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 400. . The cover 500 may be made of the same metal material as the lens barrel 400, such as aluminum.

The camera module 1000 according to the embodiment may include an aperture. The aperture can control the amount of light incident on the optical system 1000. The aperture may be placed at a set position. For example, the aperture may be disposed around the perimeter between the first lens 101 and the second lens 102. Any one of the object-side

inner barrels

210, 220, and 230 may function as the aperture. Alternatively, a light-shielding material coated on the surface of any one of the object-side

inner barrels

210, 220, and 230 may function as an aperture. 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. The first inner barrel 210 is disposed around the circumference between the first lens 101 and the second lens 102, and the gap between the first and

second lenses

101 and 102, and the first and second lenses 101 and 102. ) and the lens barrel 400 can be maintained. The first inner barrel 210 may have a ring shape.

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. The second lens 102 may have both surfaces S3 and S4 convex at the optical axis. Alternatively, the second lens 102 may have a concave object-side third surface S3 and a convex sensor-side fourth surface S4 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 102 may be made of plastic or glass, for example, glass. The object-side surface and the sensor-side surface of the second lens 102 may be spherical.

The third lens 103 may have positive (+) or negative (-) refractive power at the optical axis (OA). The third lens 103 may include an object-side fifth surface S5 that is flat or concave on the optical axis and a concave sensor-side sixth surface S6. Alternatively, 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 convex on both sides. The third lens 103 may be made of plastic or glass, for example, glass. The object-side surface and the sensor-side surface of the third lens 103 may be spherical. The second inner barrel 220 is disposed on the periphery between the second lens 102 and the third lens 103, and the gap between the second and

third lenses

102 and 103, and the second and third lenses 102 and 103. ) and the lens barrel 400 can be maintained. The second inner barrel 220 may have a ring shape.

The fourth lens 104 may have positive (+) or negative (-) refractive power at the optical axis (OA). For example, the fourth lens 104 may have a convex object-side seventh surface and a convex sensor-side eighth surface S8 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 object-side surface and the sensor-side surface of the fourth lens 104 may be spherical. The third lens 103 and the fourth lens 104 may be bonded bonded lenses. The sensor-side sixth surface S6 of the third lens 103 and the object-side surface of the fourth lens 104 may be joined. The third and

fourth lenses

103 and 104 may have opposite refractive powers. The combined refractive power of the third and

fourth lenses

103 and 104 may have positive (+) or negative 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 diameter of the fourth lens 104 may be larger than the diameter of the third lens 103.

One of the first, second, and third lenses (101, 102, and 103) may have the largest diameter, and the diameter may gradually decrease from one of the first, second, and third lenses (101, 102, and 103) to the last lens. Accordingly, the gap between the outer surface of the second inner barrel 300 and the inner surface of the lens barrel 400 is increased from the area corresponding to the outer surface of the lens with the larger diameter among the second, third, fourth, and fifth lenses toward the sensor side. It can gradually grow.

The fifth lens 105 may have positive (+) or negative (-) refractive power at the optical axis (OA). The fifth lens 105 may include plastic or 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 object-side surface and the sensor-side surface of the fifth lens 105 may be spherical or aspherical. The third inner barrel 230 is disposed on the periphery between the third lens 103 and the fifth lens 105, and is located at a distance between the third and

fifth lenses

103 and 105 and the third to

fifth lenses

103, 104, and 105. ) and the lens barrel 400 can be maintained. The third inner barrel 230 may have a ring shape.

The sixth lens 106 may have positive (+) or negative (-) refractive power at the optical axis (OA). The sixth lens 106 may include plastic or glass. The sixth lens 106 may have a convex object-side surface and a concave sensor-side surface at the optical axis. The sixth lens 106 may have a meniscus shape convex toward the object. Alternatively, the sixth lens 106 may have a meniscus shape that is convex from the optical axis toward the sensor or a shape that is concave on both sides. The object-side surface and the sensor-side surface of the sixth lens 106 may be aspherical. The fourth inner barrel 240 is disposed on the periphery between the fifth lens 105 and the sixth lens 106, and the gap between the fifth and

sixth lenses

105 and 106, and the fifth and sixth lenses 105 and 106. ) and the lens barrel 400 can be maintained. The fourth inner barrel 240 may have a ring shape.

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 object-side surface and the sensor-side surface of the seventh lens 107 may be aspherical.

The seventh lens 107 may be a plastic lens closest to the image sensor 400. 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, being insensitive to assembly tolerances means that optical performance may not be significantly affected even if the assembly is assembled with a slight difference compared to the design. The fifth inner barrel 250 is disposed on the periphery between the sixth lens 106 and the seventh lens 107, and the gap between the sixth and

seventh lenses

106 and 107, and the sixth and seventh lenses 106 and 107. ) and the lens barrel 400 can be maintained. The fifth inner barrel 250 may have a ring shape.

The first inner barrel 210 may be disposed between the first flange portion 101A of the first lens 101 and the second flange portion 102A of the second lens 102. The upper protrusion 211 of the first inner barrel 210 extends to the center of the outer surface of the first flange portion 101A of the first lens 101, and the first flange portion 101A of the first lens 101 ) can be located lower than the top of the outer surface. The upper protrusion 211 of the first inner barrel 210 may be exposed on the first opening 401. The lower protrusion 212 of the first inner barrel 210 extends to the center of the outer surface of the second flange portion 102A of the second lens 102 and is located higher than the bottom of the outer surface of the second flange portion 102A. can do. The outer surfaces of the upper protrusion 211 and the lower protrusion 212 of the first inner barrel 210 may be spaced apart from the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400 at a minimum distance, and the minimum distance may be spaced apart from the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400. ,2 This is the gap that can flow when at least one of the

lenses

101 and 102 is expanded in the horizontal direction, and may be 0.1 mm or less, for example, in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm. When the lens barrel 400 is made of a metal material, the first inner barrel 210 is made of a plastic material, and at least one of the first and

second lenses

101 and 102 is made of glass, the minimum gap is the distance between the

lenses

101 and 102. When thermally expanded in the horizontal direction at a high temperature, that is, in the range of 85 degrees to 105 degrees, this may be the maximum gap that can be expanded. The horizontal direction may be perpendicular to the optical axis. This minimum gap has the effect of keeping the inner barrel and lens barrel apart so that they do not contact each other even if the plastic lens expands at high temperatures, or does not cause significant stress to the lens even if they do contact. Additionally, when the lens, inner barrel, etc. expand/contract at high/low temperatures, the shape of the inner barrel can be provided in a structure where the changing positions do not affect each other.

The inner protrusion P1 of the first inner barrel 210 may extend around the object-side surface of the second lens 102. The inner protrusion (P1) may function as an aperture. It may be the gap G3 between the outer surface of the first inner barrel 210 and the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400. When at least one of the first and

second lenses

101 and 102 is expanded in the horizontal direction by the first gap G3, the outer surface of the first inner barrel 210 flows outward and is restored when contracted. You can. The first gap G3 between the first inner barrel 210 and the lens barrel 400 may be greater than the minimum gap between the first inner barrel 210 and the lens barrel 400. The first gap G3 is greater than the gap at which at least one of the lower lenses can flow when expanded in the horizontal direction, and may be 0.5 mm or less, for example, in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. When the first inner barrel 210 is made of a plastic material and at least one of the fifth to

seventh lenses

105, 106, and 107 is made of a plastic material, the first gap G3 is the lower lens at a high temperature, that is, in the range of 85 degrees to 105 degrees. When thermally expanded in the horizontal direction, this may be the maximum gap that can be expanded. The first gap G1 may be 10% or more, for example, 10% to 50% of the thickness of the first inner barrel 210, that is, the distance between the inner and outer surfaces. If the first gap G3 is smaller than the above range, a problem may occur in which at least one of the lower lenses is tilted with respect to the optical axis due to temperature changes, and if it is larger than the above range, the support and fixing power of the lower lenses may be difficult. There is.

The height H11 of the first inner barrel 210 may be greater than the central thickness of the first lens 101, for example, the object of the second lens 102 is visible from the object side of the first lens 101. It can be larger than the optical axis distance to the side. The height H11 of the first inner barrel 210 may be smaller than the optical axis distance from the object-side surface of the first lens 101 to the sensor-side surface of the second lens 102. This first inner barrel 210 functions as a spacer to maintain the gap between the two

adjacent lenses

101 and 102, and also serves as a flow gap between the outer surfaces of the two

adjacent lenses

101 and 102 and the lens barrel 400. Can function as a barrel. Additionally, the first inner barrel 210 can transmit elastic repulsion force to enable restoration of the horizontal position according to expansion and contraction of two adjacent lenses.

The second inner barrel 220 may be disposed between the second flange portion 102A of the second lens 102 and the third flange portion 103A of the third lens 103. The upper protrusion 221 of the second inner barrel 220 extends to the center of the outer surface of the second flange portion 102A of the second lens 102, and the second flange portion 102A of the second lens 102 ) can be located lower than the top of the outer surface. The upper protrusion 221 of the second inner barrel 220 may face the lower protrusion 212 of the first inner barrel 210 in a vertical direction. Here, the upper protrusion 221 of the second inner barrel 220 and the lower protrusion 212 of the first inner barrel 210 facing the outer surface of the second lens 102 have a predetermined gap (G11). may be spaced apart, and the gap G11 is the minimum gap considering the vertical expansion of the inner barrels 210-250.

The lower protrusion 222 of the second inner barrel 220 extends to the center of the outer surface of the third flange portion 103A of the third lens 103 and is located higher than the bottom of the outer surface of the third flange portion 103A. can do. The outer surfaces of the upper protrusion 221 and the lower protrusion 222 of the second inner barrel 220 are spaced apart from the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400 by a first gap G3 by the outer protrusion 25. may be, and the protruding length of the outer protrusion 25 may be equal to or greater than the first gap G3 disclosed above. Accordingly, when the lens barrel 400 is made of a metal material, the second inner barrel 220 is made of a plastic material, and at least one of the second and

third lenses

102 and 103 is made of glass, the first gap G3 This may be a gap in which the

lenses

102 and 103 can flow when they expand at high temperatures or contract at low temperatures. The outer protrusion 25 may be spaced apart from the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400 at a minimum distance. The outer protrusion 25 may protrude from the outer surface corresponding to the area between the second and

third flange portions

102A and 103A, and may not collide with the expansion direction of each lens. The vertical thickness of the outer protrusion 25 may be smaller than the vertical thickness of the interior P2 of the second inner barrel 220. Accordingly, elasticity can be provided to the upper and lower protrusions 221 and 222 of the second inner barrel 220.

The height H12 of the second inner barrel 220 may be greater than the center distance between the second lens 102 and the third lens 103, for example, the second plan of the second lens 102 It may be larger than the gap between the branch portion 102A and the third flange portion 103A of the third lens 103. The height H12 of the second inner barrel 220 may be smaller than the optical axis distance from the object-side surface of the second lens 102 to the object-side surface of the third lens 103. This second inner barrel 220 functions as a spacer to maintain the gap between the two

adjacent lenses

102 and 103, and also serves as a spacer to maintain the flow gap between the outer surfaces of the two

adjacent lenses

102 and 103 and the lens barrel 400. Can function as a barrel. Additionally, the second inner barrel 220 can transmit elastic repulsion force to enable restoration of the horizontal position according to expansion and contraction of the two

adjacent lenses

102 and 103.

The third inner barrel 230 may be disposed between the third flange portion 103A of the third lens 103 and the fifth flange portion 105A of the fifth lens 105. The upper protrusion 231 of the third inner barrel 230 extends to the center of the outer surface of the third flange portion 103A of the third lens 103, and the third flange portion 103A of the third lens 103 ) may be located lower than the top of the outer surface. The upper protrusion 231 of the third inner barrel 230 may face the lower protrusion 222 of the second inner barrel 220 in a vertical direction. Here, the upper protrusion 231 of the third inner barrel 230 and the lower protrusion 222 of the second inner barrel 220, which face the outer surface of the third lens 103, have a predetermined gap (G12). The gap G12 is a gap formed by the minimum length at which the upper and lower protrusions 222 and 231 protrude to support the outer surface of the third lens 103.

The lower protrusion 232 of the third inner barrel 230 extends to the center of the outer surface of the fifth flange portion 105A of the fifth lens 105 and is located higher than the lower end of the outer surface of the fifth flange portion 105A. can do. The outer surfaces of the upper protrusion 231 and the lower protrusion 232 of the third inner barrel 230 are spaced apart from the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400 by a first gap G3 by the outer protrusion 26. may be, and the protruding length of the outer protrusion 26 may be greater than or equal to the first gap G3 disclosed above. Accordingly, when the lens barrel 400 is made of a metal material, the third inner barrel 230 is made of a plastic material, and at least one of the third and

fifth lenses

103 and 105 is made of glass or plastic, the third inner barrel 230 is made of a plastic material. This may be a gap in which the

lenses

103 and 105 can flow when they expand at high temperatures or contract at low temperatures. The outer protrusion 26 may be spaced apart from the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400 at a minimum distance. The outer protrusion 26 may protrude from the outer surface corresponding to the area between the third and

fifth flange portions

103A and 105A, and may not collide with the expansion direction of each lens. The vertical thickness of the outer protrusion 26 may be greater than the center spacing between the fifth and

sixth lenses

105 and 106, and may be smaller than the spacing G12 between the second and third

inner barrels

220 and 230. . Accordingly, the upper and

lower protrusions

231 and 232 of the third inner barrel 230 may provide elasticity based on the outer protrusion 26. The inner protrusion 233 of the third inner barrel 230 may extend to the outer circumference of the object-side surface of the fifth lens 105.

The height H13 of the third inner barrel 230 may be greater than the center distance between the third lens 103 and the fifth lens 105, for example, the object-side surface of the fourth lens 104. It may be greater than the optical axis distance from the center of to the center of the object side surface of the fifth lens 105. The height H13 of the third inner barrel 230 may be smaller than the optical axis distance from the object-side surface of the third lens 103 to the object-side surface of the fifth lens 105. This third inner barrel 230 functions as a spacer to maintain the gap between the two

adjacent lenses

103 and 105, and also serves as a spacer to maintain the flow gap between the outer surfaces of the two

adjacent lenses

103 and 105 and the lens barrel 400. Can function as a barrel. Additionally, the third inner barrel 230 can transmit elastic repulsion force to enable restoration of the horizontal position according to expansion and contraction of the two

adjacent lenses

103 and 105.

The fourth inner barrel 240 may be disposed between the fifth flange portion 105A of the fifth lens 105 and the sixth flange portion 106A of the sixth lens 106. The upper protrusion 241 of the fourth inner barrel 240 extends to the center of the outer surface of the fifth flange portion 105A of the fifth lens 105, and the fifth flange portion 105A of the fifth lens 105 ) can be located lower than the top of the outer surface. The upper protrusion 241 of the fourth inner barrel 240 may face the lower protrusion 232 of the third inner barrel 230 in a vertical direction. Here, the upper protrusion 241 of the fourth inner barrel 240 and the lower protrusion 232 of the third inner barrel 230, which face the outer surface of the fifth lens 105, have a predetermined gap (G13). may be spaced apart from each other, and the gap G13 is the minimum gap considering the vertical expansion of the inner barrel 210-250 and the plastic lenses.

The lower protrusion 242 of the fourth inner barrel 240 extends to the center of the outer surface of the sixth flange portion 106A of the sixth lens 106 and is located higher than the lower edge of the outer surface of the sixth flange portion 106A. can do. The outer surfaces of the upper protrusion 241 and the lower protrusion 242 of the fourth inner barrel 240 are spaced apart from the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400 by a first gap G3 by the outer protrusion 27. may be, and the protruding length of the outer protrusion 27 may be greater than or equal to the first gap G3 disclosed above. Accordingly, when the lens barrel 400 is made of a metal material, the fourth inner barrel 240 is made of a plastic material, and at least one of the fifth and

sixth lenses

105 and 106 is made of a plastic material, the first gap G3 This may be a gap in which the

lenses

105 and 106 can flow when they expand at high temperatures or contract at low temperatures. The outer protrusion 26 may be spaced apart from the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400 at a minimum distance. The outer protrusion 27 may protrude from the outer surface corresponding to the area between the fifth and

sixth flange portions

105A and 106A, and may not collide with the expansion direction of each lens. The vertical thickness of the outer protrusion 27 may be smaller than the vertical thickness of the interior P3 of the fourth inner barrel 240. Accordingly, the upper and

lower protrusions

241 and 242 of the fourth inner barrel 240 may provide elasticity at the top and bottom with respect to the outer protrusion 27.

The height H14 of the fourth inner barrel 240 may be greater than the center distance between the fifth lens 105 and the sixth lens 106, for example, the object-side surface of the fifth lens 105. It may be smaller than the optical axis distance from the center of to the center of the object side surface of the sixth lens 106. This fourth inner barrel 240 functions as a spacer to maintain the gap between the two

adjacent lenses

105 and 106, and also serves as a flow gap between the outer surfaces of the two

adjacent lenses

105 and 106 and the lens barrel 400. Can function as a barrel. Additionally, the fourth inner barrel 240 can transmit elastic repulsion force to enable restoration of the horizontal position according to expansion and contraction of the two

adjacent lenses

105 and 106.

The fifth inner barrel 250 may be disposed between the sixth flange portion 106A of the sixth lens 106 and the seventh flange portion 107A of the seventh lens 107. The upper protrusion 251 of the fifth inner barrel 250 extends to the center of the outer surface of the sixth flange portion 106A of the sixth lens 106, and the sixth flange portion 106A of the sixth lens 106 ) may be located lower than the top of the outer surface. The upper protrusion 251 of the fifth inner barrel 250 may face the lower protrusion 242 of the fourth inner barrel 240 in a vertical direction on the outer surface of the sixth lens 106. Here, the upper protrusion 251 of the fifth inner barrel 250 and the lower protrusion 242 of the fourth inner barrel 240 may be spaced apart by a predetermined gap G14, and the gap G14 is This is the minimum gap considering the vertical expansion of the inner barrel 210-250 and the plastic lenses.

The lower protrusion 252 of the fifth inner barrel 250 extends to the center of the outer surface of the seventh flange portion 107A of the seventh lens 107 and is located higher than the lower end of the outer surface of the seventh flange portion 107A. can do. The outer surfaces of the upper protrusion 251 and the lower protrusion 252 of the fifth inner barrel 250 are spaced apart from the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400 by a first gap G3 by the outer protrusion 28. may be, and the protruding length of the outer protrusion 28 may be greater than or equal to the first gap G3 disclosed above. Accordingly, when the lens barrel 400 is made of a metal material, the fifth inner barrel 250 is made of a plastic material, and at least one of the sixth and

seventh lenses

105 and 106 is made of a plastic material, the first gap G3 This may be a gap that allows the

lenses

106 and 107 to flow when they expand at high temperatures or contract at low temperatures.

The outer protrusion 28 may be spaced apart from the inner surface 441 of the lens barrel 400 at a minimum distance. The outer protrusion 28 may protrude from the outer surface corresponding to the area between the sixth and

seventh flange portions

106A and 107A, and may not collide with the expansion direction of each lens. The vertical thickness of the outer protrusion 28 may be smaller than the vertical thickness of the interior P4 of the fifth inner barrel 250. Accordingly, the upper and

lower protrusions

251 and 252 of the fifth inner barrel 250 may provide elasticity at the top and bottom with respect to the outer protrusion 28.

The height H15 of the fifth inner barrel 250 may be greater than the center distance between the sixth lens 106 and the seventh lens 107, and the object side surface of the sixth lens 106 It may be smaller than the optical axis distance from the center to the center of the object side surface of the seventh lens 107. This fifth inner barrel 250 functions as a spacer to maintain the gap between the two

adjacent lenses

106 and 107, and also serves as a spacer to maintain the flow gap between the outer surfaces of the two

adjacent lenses

106 and 107 and the lens barrel 400. Can function as a barrel. Additionally, the fifth inner barrel 250 can transmit elastic repulsion force to enable restoration of the horizontal position according to expansion and contraction of the two

adjacent lenses

106 and 107.

The effective diameters of the first, second, and

third lenses

101, 102, and 103 may be larger than the effective diameters of the sixth and

seventh lenses

106 and 107. The third gap between the outer surfaces of the fourth to fifth

inner barrels

240 and 250 and the lens barrel 400 is larger than the third gap between the outer surfaces of the first and second

inner barrels

210 and 220 and the lens barrel 400. You can. This third interval may be the same depending on the difference in effective diameters of the lenses or may become larger closer to the sensor.

At least one or all of the inner barrels 210-250 may be made of a different material from the lens barrel 400. The first to fifth inner barrels 210-250 may be made of the same plastic material. Alternatively, at least one of the inner barrels 210-250 may be made of a metal material, such as the lens barrel 400. For example, one of the second, third, and fourth inner barrels may be made of a metal material or a glass material. You can. This allows an inner barrel made of metal or glass to be placed outside the glass lens. Additionally, the material of the first to fifth inner barrels 210-250 may include a light-blocking or light-absorbing material or particle on the surface or inside to block light interference.

The inner barrels 210-250 are interlocked in the horizontal direction when at least one of the lenses 101-107 within the lens barrel 400 expands or contracts in the horizontal direction according to a temperature change, thereby responding to the temperature change. Deterioration in resolution can be prevented. It can also reduce stress on plastic lenses due to temperature changes and minimize decentering of the optical axis. Additionally, compared to a structure in which a glass lens is directly coupled to the lens barrel, the lens coupling tolerance can be reduced, thereby reducing decentering and tilt on the optical axis. Additionally, when a plastic lens is applied with an inner barrel made of plastic, it has the same coefficient of thermal expansion, which can reduce the impact on optical properties due to thermal expansion or contraction. Additionally, by placing the inner barrel between the lens barrel and the outer surface of the lenses, stress that occurs when the lens is in direct contact with the lens barrel can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 4, it may include a cover 500 coupled to the top of the lens barrel 400. The ring member 191 may be disposed around the periphery between the lens barrel 400 and the first lens. The ring member 191 may be made of an elastic material or a resin material such as silicone or epoxy. The upper inner side 4910 of the lens barrel 400 may have a concave groove or a concave curved shape for coupling the ring member 191. As another example, the ring member 191 may be coupled between the lens barrel 400 and the cover. The ring member 191 may perform a waterproof and dustproof function inside and/or outside the lens barrel 400.

Here, when explaining the order of combining each of the above components, the seventh lens 107, the fifth inner barrel 250, the sixth lens 106, the fourth inner barrel 240, and the fifth lens barrel 400 are included in the lens barrel 400. After sequentially stacking the lens 105 and the third inner barrel 230, a bonded lens having the third and

fourth lenses

103 and 104 can be combined on the third inner barrel 230. Here, the optical filter 116 may be coupled to the inner bottom of the lens barrel 400 before coupling the lens barrel 400, or may be coupled to the outer lower portion of the lens barrel 400. As another example, the seventh lens 107 to the third lens can be connected through the lower part of the lens barrel 400. Thereafter, when the third lens 103 is combined, the second inner barrel 220 is stacked, the second lens 102 is stacked on the inside of the second inner barrel 220, and the second lens ( The first inner barrel 210 can be stacked around the outer circumference of 102) and then the first lens 101 can be combined.

Figure 5 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. 5, 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.

Claims

a plurality of lenses aligned along an optical axis;

a lens barrel in which the plurality of lenses are disposed; and

It includes a plurality of inner barrels disposed between the plurality of lenses and the lens barrel,

At least one of the plurality of inner barrels is disposed on an outer circumference between two adjacent lenses and an area between the outer surfaces of the two adjacent lenses and the lens barrel,

A camera module in which at least one of the plurality of inner barrels maintains the gap between two adjacent lenses and the gap between the outer surfaces of the two adjacent lenses and the lens barrel.
According to paragraph 1,

A camera module in which each of the plurality of inner barrels maintains a gap between two adjacent lenses based on the outer surface of the lens barrel and a gap between the outer surfaces of the two adjacent lenses and the lens barrel.
According to claim 1,

The plurality of lenses include first to third lenses aligned along the optical axis from the object side to the sensor side,

The plurality of inner barrels include: a first inner barrel extending from a circumference of an outer surface and a sensor-side surface of the first lens to a circumference and an outer surface of the object-side surface of the second lens; and a second inner barrel extending from the perimeter and outer surface of the sensor-side surface of the second lens to the perimeter of the outer surface and object-side surface of the third lens.
According to paragraph 3,

The plurality of lenses include n-th lenses from the fourth lens aligned with the optical axis on the sensor side of the third lens, where n is any one of 5, 6, and 7,

The plurality of inner barrels include a third inner barrel extending from the perimeter of the outer surface and the sensor-side surface of the third lens to the circumference and outer surface of the object-side surface of the fifth lens.
According to clause 4,

The third and fourth lenses are bonded bonded lenses,

The third inner barrel is disposed between a third lens on the object side of the bonded lens and a fifth lens disposed on a sensor side rather than the bonded lens,

A camera module in which the outer surface of the fourth lens faces the inner surface of the third inner barrel.
According to clause 5,

The plurality of inner barrels include a fourth inner barrel extending from the circumference of the outer surface and the sensor-side surface of the fifth lens to the circumference and outer surface of the object-side surface of the sixth lens; and

The plurality of inner barrels include a fifth inner barrel extending from the circumference of the outer surface and the sensor-side surface of the sixth lens to the circumference and outer surface of the object-side surface of the seventh lens.
According to any one of claims 1 to 4,

The number of the plurality of inner barrels is 50% or more of the number of lenses,

Among the plurality of inner barrels, the inner barrel disposed outside the lens adjacent to the object side is a camera module that functions as an aperture.
According to any one of claims 1 to 4,

an image sensor disposed on the sensor side of the lens barrel;

a cover glass disposed on the image sensor;

An optical filter disposed between the cover glass and the lens closest to the image sensor,

When the number of lenses is n (any of n=5, 6, or 7), the number of inner barrels is n-2 or less.
According to any one of claims 1 to 4,

Among the plurality of inner barrels, the inner barrel closest to the image sensor is disposed between the nth lens adjacent to the image sensor and the n-1 lens adjacent thereto, and the camera extends to the outer surface of the nth lens and the n-1th lens. module.
According to any one of claims 1 to 5,

The plurality of inner barrels have different heights,

The plurality of inner barrels overlap in the vertical direction,

The plurality of inner barrels are made of plastic,

A camera module wherein at least one of the plurality of lenses is made of plastic.
According to any one of claims 1 to 5,

The plurality of inner barrels have different heights,

The plurality of inner barrels overlap in the vertical direction,

The lens barrel is made of metal,

The plurality of inner barrels are made of plastic,

A camera module in which at least two lenses adjacent to the image sensor among the plurality of lenses are made of plastic.
According to any one of claims 1 to 5,

The height of each of the plurality of inner barrels is smaller than the maximum optical axis distance between two lenses adjacent to the outer surface of the lens barrel,

A camera module wherein the height of each of the plurality of inner barrels is greater than the minimum optical axis distance between two lenses adjacent to the outer surface of the lens barrel.
A plurality of lenses aligned with an optical axis, a lens barrel having an opening penetrating in the direction of the optical axis, a plurality of inner barrels disposed between each outer surface of the plurality of lenses and an inner surface of the lens barrel, and the plurality of lenses. It includes a camera module including an image sensor disposed on the sensor side of the last lens,

The camera module includes a camera module according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

At least two lenses of the plurality of inner barrels and the plurality of lenses are made of plastic,

A vehicle in which the plurality of inner barrels overlap each other in a vertical direction.