CAMERA MODULE AND IMAGE SENSOR MODULE

A camera module includes a lens barrel; a housing accommodating the lens barrel; an image sensor, disposed below the lens barrel in an optical axis direction, mounted on a main substrate; an optical filter disposed between the image sensor and the lens barrel; and a sub-housing, disposed between the lens barrel and the main substrate, comprising a mounting region on which the optical filter is mounted, and a rim region disposed around the mounting region. The mounting region includes a seating portion on which at least a part of a lower surface of the optical filter is seated, an intermediate portion extending outward and above from the seating portion and lower than an upper surface of the optical filter, and a protruding portion disposed on an outer side of at least a part of the intermediate portion and protruding upward.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0046028 filed on Apr. 7, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The following description relates to a camera module and an image sensor module.

2. Description of the Background

Optical filters included in camera modules are assembled in various ways. The optical filter may be attached to a drive device or a sub-housing. In some instances, the optical filter may be assembled to a lowermost end of a lens. Optical filters may be assembled into camera modules through sub-housings, which may be advantageous in terms of unit prices or management.

The method of attaching the optical filter to the sub-housing has a problem in which flares are caused by light entering through a lateral surface of the optical filter.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect, a camera module includes a lens barrel; a housing accommodating the lens barrel; an image sensor, disposed below the lens barrel in an optical axis direction, mounted on a main substrate; an optical filter disposed between the image sensor and the lens barrel; and a sub-housing, disposed between the lens barrel and the main substrate, comprising a mounting region on which the optical filter is mounted, and a rim region disposed around the mounting region. The mounting region includes a seating portion on which at least a part of a lower surface of the optical filter is seated, an intermediate portion extending outward and above from the seating portion and lower than an upper surface of the optical filter, and a protruding portion disposed on an outer side of at least a part of the intermediate portion and protruding upward.

In the optical axis direction, the protruding portion may be disposed closer to the lens barrel than the rim region is to the lens barrel.

In the optical axis direction, the protruding portion may be disposed closer to the lens barrel than the intermediate portion is to the lens barrel.

The intermediate portion disposed within the protruding portion may have an arc shape.

The seating portion may have a quadrangular shape. The protruding portion may include a pair of protruding portions disposed outside a pair of facing edges of the seating portion, respectively.

The seating portion may have a pair of long side surfaces and a pair of short side surfaces, and the protruding portions may be disposed on outside edges of the pair of long side surfaces.

A maximum height of the protruding portion may be larger than a height of a rim portion disposed outside edges of the pair of short side surfaces of the seating portion.

The intermediate portion may be disposed outside an edge of each of four sides of the seating portion, and the intermediate portion may have a tapered profile.

The seating portion may have a pair of long side surfaces and a pair of short side surfaces. A lowermost portion profile of the intermediate portion disposed outside edges of the long side surfaces may increase toward the short side surfaces.

The intermediate portion disposed within the protruding portion may have an arc shape.

The rim portion may include a convex portion having an arc shape protruding outward from edges of the long side surfaces.

The protruding portion may have an arc shape.

The protruding portion may overlap the lens barrel in the optical axis direction.

The intermediate portion having the arc shape may have an extension portion protruding outward from the arc shape.

The intermediate portion may include a stepped portion, and the stepped portion may have a portion protruding outward.

In another general aspect, an image sensor module include a main substrate; an image sensor disposed on the main substrate; an optical filter disposed on the image sensor; and a sub-housing, disposed on the main substrate, comprising a mounting region on which the optical filter is mounted, and a rim region disposed around the mounting region. The mounting region includes a seating portion on which at least a part of a lower surface of the optical filter is seated, an intermediate portion extending outward from the seating portion and being higher than the seating portion and lower than the optical filter, and a protruding portion disposed outside at least a part of the intermediate portion and being convex outward in a plan view.

The protruding portion may protrude further than the rim region in a direction opposite to the main substrate.

The protruding portion may protrude further than the intermediate portion in a direction opposite to the main substrate.

The intermediate portion disposed inside the protruding portion may have an arc shape.

The seating portion may have a quadrangular shape, and the protruding portion may include a pair of protruding portions disposed outside a pair of facing edges of the seating portion, respectively.

Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwise described, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. The drawings may not be to scale, and the relative size, proportions, and depiction of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, while examples of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is noted that examples are not limited to the same.

In addition, throughout the specification, the word “in a plan view” means when an object is viewed from above, and the word “in a cross-sectional view” means when a cross section made by vertically cutting an object is viewed from a lateral side.

Hereinafter, various embodiments and modified examples will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. A height described below means a distance defined in an optical axis direction from a reference point, and the height needs to be understood as being different from a thickness. A description of the height may mean a relative position based on an optical axis direction (a z-axis direction in the drawings). That is, the description “A is higher than B’ needs to be understood as meaning that A is positioned to be closer to a light incidence direction than B to the light incidence direction.

FIG.1is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of a camera module according to an embodiment, andFIG.2is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating the camera module illustrated inFIG.1.

With reference toFIGS.1to2, a camera module1000, according to one embodiment, may include a lens barrel100, a lens driving part200, a housing300, a cover400, a sub-housing500, and a substrate part600.

The lens barrel100may have a hollow cylindrical shape to accommodate a plurality of lenses used to capture an image of a subject. The plurality of lenses may be aligned in an optical axis direction (z-axis direction) and mounted in the lens barrel100. The plurality of lenses may be disposed in a state in which a desired number of lenses is determined in accordance with the design of the lens barrel100. The respective lenses may have the same or different optical characteristics, such as refractive indexes.

The lens driving part200may provide the driving power desired to operate the lens barrel100. The lens driving part200may include an autofocus (AF) driving part configured to adjust a focal point, and an optical image stabilizer (OIS) driving part configured to correct hand-shaking or swaying.

For example, the lens driving part200may adjust the focal point by moving the lens barrel100in the optical axis direction (z-axis direction) by using the AF driving part. The lens driving device200may correct swaying at the time of capturing an image by moving the lens barrel100in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction (z-axis direction) by using the OIS driving part.

The housing300may accommodate the lens barrel100and the lens driving part200in an internal space thereof. The housing300may have a polyhedral shape with an approximately quadrangular cross-section and a predetermined height. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the housing300may have a box-shaped opening on the upper and lower sides.

The cover400may be coupled to the housing300so as to surround an outer surface of the housing300. The cover400may protect internal configuration components in the camera module1000. In addition, the cover400may serve to block electromagnetic waves. For example, the cover400may block electromagnetic waves so that the electromagnetic waves generated in the camera module1000do not affect the other electronic components in an electronic device.

An image sensor module may include an image sensor700, a main substrate610on which the image sensor700is mounted, an optical filter750positioned above the image sensor700, and the sub-housing500on which the optical filter750is mounted.

The substrate part600may transmit electrical signals generated from the image sensor700to devices such as a camera phone. The substrate part600may include the main substrate610, a connection substrate630, and a connector650.

The main substrate610may be electrically connected to the lens driving part200. The main substrate610may be a printed circuit board (PCB) or a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The connector650may be electrically connected to the main substrate610. The connector650may include a port651that may be electrically connected to an external device. The connection substrate630may electrically connect the main substrate610and the connector650. The connection substrate630may include an FPCB.

The image sensor700may be mounted on the main substrate610. The image sensor700may be electrically connected to the main substrate610. The image sensor700may be positioned below the lens barrel100in the optical axis direction Z. The image sensor700may be positioned in the sub-housing500.

The optical filter750may be positioned between the lens barrel100and the image sensor700. The optical filter750may prevent light beams with a particular frequency band among the light beams passing through the lens from entering the image sensor700. The optical filter750may include an infrared filter. The optical filter750may be disposed to be parallel to a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction). The optical filter750may be mounted in the sub-housing500.

An image may be formed on the image sensor700as the light passes through the lens and the filter part750enters the image sensor700. The image sensor700may convert light emitted to an effective image region into an electrical signal. For example, the image sensor700may be, but not limited to, any one of a charge-coupled device (CCD), a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS), a CPD, and a CID.

Hereinafter, according to the present embodiment, the sub-housing500of the camera module1000will be more specifically described with reference toFIGS.1,2, and3.

FIG.3is a perspective view illustrating a sub-housing of the camera module illustrated inFIG.2,FIG.4is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ inFIG.3, andFIG.5is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V′ inFIG.3.

The sub-housing500may be positioned between the lens barrel100and the main substrate610. An opening portion OP may be positioned in a central portion of the sub-housing500. The image sensor700may overlap the opening portion OP in the sub-housing500in the optical axis direction. The opening portion OP of the sub-housing500may have a quadrangular planar shape.

The sub-housing500may include a mounting region510, where the optical filter750is mounted, and a rim region530positioned around the mounting region510.

The mounting region510may include a seating portion511on which the optical filter750is seated, an intermediate portion513extending outward from the seating portion511, and a protruding portion515positioned on an outer side of the intermediate portion513.

The optical filter750may be seated on the seating portion511. The seating portion511may be formed around the opening portion OP. For example, the opening portion OP may have a quadrangular shape. The seating portion511may have a quadrangular frame shape formed around the opening portion OP.

The optical filter750may be positioned on the seating portion511, such that at least a part of a lower surface of the optical filter750may be seated on the seating portion511. For example, the optical filter750may have a quadrangular shape, and the edges of the lower surface of the optical filter750may be seated on the seating portion511with the quadrangular frame shape.

The intermediate portion513may extend outward from the seating portion511. For example, the intermediate portion513may extend from all sides of the seating portion511with a quadrangular frame shape. That is, at least one intermediate portion513may be positioned outside each of the four sides of the seating portion511.

The intermediate portion513may extend outward from a part of the seating portion511. For example, the seating portion511may extend from a middle portion of each of the sides of the seating portion511with a quadrangular frame shape.

With reference toFIGS.4and5, the intermediate portion513c(513) may be higher in height than the seating portion511. In addition, the intermediate portion513may be lower in height than the optical filter750seated on the seating portion511. In this case, the height may be determined based on an upper or upper side surface. For example, the intermediate portion513may have a height smaller than the height of the upper surface of the optical filter750seated on the seating portion511.

With reference toFIG.3, the intermediate portion513may have a quadrangular shape. The intermediate portion513may have a tapered structure that becomes higher outward.

With reference toFIGS.3and4, the protruding portion515may be positioned outside the intermediate portion513. The protruding portion515may have a shape convex outward in a plan view. The protruding portion515may have a higher height than the intermediate portion513. The protruding portion515may protrude upward, i.e., in a light incidence direction. That is, the protruding portion515may be positioned to be closer to the lens barrel100in the optical axis direction Z than the intermediate portion513to the lens barrel100. In addition, the protruding portion515may be higher in height than the rim region530. That is, the protruding portion515may be positioned to be closer to the lens barrel100in the optical axis direction (z-axis direction) than the rim region530to the lens barrel100.

With reference toFIGS.3to5, the protruding portions515may be formed only on the outer sides of some of the intermediate portions513. For example, among the four intermediate portions513, respectively extending from the four sides of the seating portion511, having a quadrangular frame shape, the protruding portions515may be positioned outside edges of a pair of sides facing each other, and the protruding portions515may not be formed outside edges of the other pair of sides facing each other. That is, the protruding portions515may be formed on the outer sides of the pair of intermediate portions513aand513cfacing each other, and the protruding portions515may not be formed on the outer sides of the other pair of intermediate portions513band513dfacing each other.

The protruding portion515may have an arc shape. The protruding portion515, having an arc shape, may overlap the lens barrel100in the optical axis direction. Because the protruding portion515overlaps the lens barrel100as described above, it is possible to improve the reliability of the portion of the lens barrel100.

For example, the seating portion511may have a quadrangular frame shape with a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides. The protruding portions515may be formed on the outer sides of the intermediate portions513aand513cpositioned outside the long sides, and the protruding portions515may not be formed on the outer sides of the intermediate portions513band513dpositioned outside the short sides. A maximum height of the protruding portion515may be larger than a height of a rim portion530positioned outside the edge of the short side.

The rim portion530may be positioned around the mounting region510and define an external periphery of the sub-housing500. The rim portion530may be formed to be flat. The rim portion530may be higher in height than the seating portion511and lower in height than the protruding portion515.

The rim portion530may include a convex portion531protruding outward. The convex portion531may protrude in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The convex portion531may be positioned only on the part of the rim portion530. For example, the convex portion531may be formed outside the edges of the pair of sides facing each other among the four sides of the seating portion511, which has a quadrangular frame shape. In this case, if the seating portion511has a quadrangular frame shape having a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides, the convex portion531may be positioned outside the edges of the long sides. The convex portion531may have an arc shape.

Hereinafter, sub-housings of camera modules according to other embodiments will be described with reference toFIGS.6to11.

FIG.6is a perspective view illustrating a sub-housing of a camera module according to another embodiment,FIG.7is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII′ inFIG.6, andFIG.8is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII′ inFIG.6. The sub-housing of the camera module according to the present embodiment is similar to that according to the embodiment described with reference toFIGS.1to5. A specific description of the identical constituent elements will be omitted.

With reference toFIG.6, in the sub-housing500of the camera module, according to the present embodiment, intermediate portions521aand521c, which are positioned inside the protruding portions515, may each have an arc shape. The seating portion511may have a quadrangular frame shape, and the protruding portions515may be positioned outside the pair of facing edges of the seating portion511. In addition, if the seating portion511has long and short sides, the protruding portion515may be positioned outside the edge of the long side.

Intermediate portions521band521d, which have the outer sides on which the protruding portions515are not positioned, may each have a quadrangular shape.FIG.6illustrates that the intermediate portions521band521d, which have the outer sides on which the protruding portions515are not positioned, each have a trapezoidal shape. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

With reference toFIGS.7and8, the intermediate portions521band521c(521) may be formed to be flat without being tapered.

FIG.9is a perspective view illustrating a sub-housing of a camera module according to still another embodiment. The sub-housing of the camera module according to the present embodiment is similar to that according to the embodiment described with reference toFIGS.1to8. A specific description of the identical constituent elements will be omitted.

With reference toFIG.9, in the sub-housing500of the camera module according to the present embodiment, intermediate portions523aand523c, which are positioned inside the protruding portions515, may each have an arc shape and have a tapered structure that becomes higher outward. The seating portion511may have a quadrangular frame shape having four sides, and the protruding portions515may be positioned outside the pair of facing edges of the seating portion511. In addition, in case that the seating portion511has the long side and the short side, the protruding portion515may be positioned outside the edge of the long side.

The intermediate portion523aand523c, which are positioned inside the protruding portions515, may each have a structure in which a level of a lowermost portion, among the portions having the tapered structures, increases toward the side on which the protruding portion515is not formed. In addition, if the seating portion511has the long side and the short side, the intermediate portions523aand523cmay each have a structure in which a level of a lowermost portion, among the portions having the tapered structures, increases toward the short side direction.

Intermediate portions523band523d, which have the outer sides on which the protruding portions515are not positioned, may each have a quadrangular shape and have a tapered structure that becomes higher outward.

FIG.10is a perspective view illustrating a sub-housing of a camera module according to yet another embodiment. The sub-housing of the camera module according to the present embodiment is similar to that according to the embodiment described with reference toFIGS.1to9. A specific description of the identical constituent elements will be omitted.

With reference toFIG.10, in the sub-housing500of the camera module, according to the present embodiment, intermediate portions525aand525c, which are positioned inside the protruding portions515, may each have an arc shape and have extension portions525a1and525a2protruding outward from the arc shape. The arc shape may protrude toward the protruding portion515. Therefore, the protruding portion515may have a partially recessed portion. The seating portion511may have a quadrangular frame shape having four sides, and the protruding portions515may be positioned outside the pair of facing edges of the seating portion511. In addition, in case that the seating portion511has the long side and the short side, the protruding portion515may be positioned outside the edge of the long side.

Intermediate portions525band525d, which have the outer sides on which the protruding portions515are not positioned, may each have a quadrangular shape.FIG.10illustrates that the intermediate portions525band525d, which have the outer sides on which the protruding portions515are not positioned, each have a trapezoidal shape. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

FIG.11is a perspective view illustrating a sub-housing of a camera module according to still yet another embodiment. The sub-housing of the camera module according to the present embodiment is similar to that according to the embodiment described with reference toFIGS.1to10. A specific description of the identical constituent elements will be omitted.

With reference toFIG.11, in the sub-housing500of the camera module, according to the present embodiment, intermediate portions527aand527c, positioned inside the protruding portions515, may each have an arc shape with a tapered structure that becomes higher outward. The intermediate portions527aand527cpositioned inside the protruding portions515may have stepped portions527a1and527c1provided on the middle portions thereof. The stepped portions527a1and527c1may further protrude outward than the arc shape. Therefore, the protruding portion515may have a partially recessed portion. The seating portion511may have a quadrangular frame shape having four sides, and the protruding portions515may be positioned outside the pair of facing edges of the seating portion511. In addition, if the seating portion511has long and short sides, the protruding portion515may be positioned outside the edge of the long side.

Intermediate portions525band525d, which have the outer sides on which the protruding portions515are not positioned, may each have a quadrangular shape.FIG.11illustrates that the intermediate portions525band525d, which have the outer sides on which the protruding portions515are not positioned, each have a trapezoidal shape. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Intermediate portions527band527d, which have the outer sides on which the protruding portions515are not positioned, may each have a tapered structure that becomes higher outward.

Meanwhile, the image sensor module, according to another aspect, may include the image sensor700, the main substrate610on which the image sensor700is mounted, the optical filter750positioned above the image sensor700, and the sub-housing500in which the optical filter750is mounted.

The image sensor700may be mounted on the main substrate610. The image sensor700may be electrically connected to the main substrate610.

The main substrate610may be a PCB or an FPCB. The main substrate610may be electrically connected to the connector650and connected to an external device. The main substrate610may be connected to the connector650through the connection substrate630.

The optical filter750may prevent light beams with a particular frequency band among the light beams passing through the lens from entering the image sensor700. The optical filter750may include an infrared filter.

The sub-housing500may be positioned on the main substrate610and include the mounting region510, in which the optical filter750is mounted, and the rim region530positioned around the mounting region510.

The mounting region510may include the seating portion511on which at least a part of the lower surface of the optical filter750is seated, the intermediate portion513extending outward from the seating portion511and being higher in height than the seating portion511and lower in height than the optical filter750, and the protruding portion515positioned on the outer side of at least a part of the intermediate portion513and being convex outward in a plan view.

The protruding portion515may protrude further than the rim region530in the direction opposite the main substrate610. In addition, the protruding portion515may further protrude than the intermediate portion513in the direction opposite to the main substrate610. The intermediate portion513positioned inside the protruding portion515may have an arc shape.

The opening portion OP may be positioned in the central portion of the sub-housing500and overlap the image sensor700in the optical axis direction. The seating portion511may have a quadrangular frame shape formed around the opening portion OP. The protruding portions515may be positioned outside the pair of facing edges of the seating portion511having a quadrangular frame shape.

FIG.12is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which flare is caused by a sub-housing500according to a comparative example.

With reference toFIG.12, when incident light is reflected by an edge of the mounting region510of the sub-housing500in which the optical filter750is mounted, the reflected light is reflected again by a lower surface of the lens, which causes flare.

With reference toFIGS.7and8, the sub-housing500of the camera module and the image sensor module, according to the present disclosure, adopts the stepped design, such that the edge of the mounting region510in which the optical filter750is mounted is lower in height than the optical filter750, which may prevent the light from reaching the edge of the sub-housing500, thereby preventing flare from occurring through the above-mentioned route.

According to the camera module and the image sensor module according to the embodiment, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of flare by applying the stepped design to the sub-housing and preventing light from reaching the edge of the sub-housing.

The present disclosure has been made in an effort to provide a camera module and an image sensor module, which are capable of preventing the occurrence of flare by applying a stepped design to a sub-housing and preventing light from reaching an edge of the sub-housing.