Enhanced camera module mount

The techniques disclosed herein provide an enhanced mount for a camera module. The mount comprises at least a first side and a second side. The sides are formed to enable contact with at least a portion of the camera module. The sides are configured with openings to enable a fastening material, such as an adhesive, to secure the camera module to the mount. Openings within the mount enable the use of a fastening material to secure the camera module to at least one surface of the mount while allowing the camera module and at least one surface to maintain the mechanical contact. In some configurations, one or more openings are formed such that a contraction of the fastening material pulls the camera module toward at least one surface of the mount.

BACKGROUND

With the continuous advancement of optical and computer technologies, electronic products such as imaging camera modules are in widespread use. Today, many different types of portable devices include an imaging camera module, which is also referred to herein as a camera module. The stability of the camera module within a device can be a key component to obtaining accurate, high quality image data. To improve the stability of a camera module within a device, some current designs utilize adhesives.

Although adhesives can be used to hold a camera module in place, there are a number of drawbacks with some current designs. In one example, some designs position an adhesive between a camera module and a mount. Thus, some designs create a situation where a camera module is substantially or fully supported by an adhesive, and a camera module can “float” within the adhesive. In such designs, an adhesive can displace the camera module during thermal cycling, an unintended result that can impact the quality of an image captured by the camera module, including but not limited to changes in the location of the field of view.

SUMMARY

The techniques disclosed herein provide an enhanced camera module mount. In some configurations, the mount comprises one or more sides configured to maintain contact with at least a portion of the camera module, before, during, and after the application of a fastening material, such as an adhesive. The sides comprise one or more openings to enable the application of the fastening material to secure the camera module to the mount. The openings within the mount enable the use of a fastening material to secure the camera module to at least one surface of the mount while allowing the camera module and at least one surface to maintain the physical contact. In some configurations, one or more openings are formed such that a contraction of the fastening material pulls the camera module toward at least one surface of the mount.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a mount100and several cross-sections of various sides110of the mount100. The mount100comprises at least a first side101A and a second side101B. As shown by the dashed line between the mount100and the camera module150, the camera module150can be moved in a position to make contact with a first inner surface110A of the first side101A and a second inner surface110B the second side101B. The first inner surface110A of the first side101A is configured to receive a first portion of the camera module150such that the first portion of the camera module150is in contact with the first inner surface110A. The second inner surface110B of the second side101B is configured to receive a second portion of the camera module150such that the second portion of the camera module150is in contact with the second inner surface110B.

In this illustrative example, to enable a suitable level of physical contact between the mount100and the camera module150, the first inner surface110A, the first portion of the camera module150, the second inner surface110B, and the second portion of the camera module150can be in coordinated shapes. In this example, they are all flat surfaces. In this example, the camera module150forms a square around its parameter. To accommodate the right angle between the two portions of the camera module150in contact with the mount100, the first inner surface110A is perpendicular to the second inner surface110B.

Although this example includes flat surfaces, it can be appreciated that the mount100and the camera module150can be in any suitable shape for creating a mechanical connection, e.g., contact, between the surfaces110of the mount100and portions of the camera module150. In addition, the angle between the first inner surface110A and the second inner surface110B can be at any angle to accommodate the shape of a camera module150.

As described herein, the openings120within the mount100enable the use of a fastening material to secure the camera module150to at least one surface110of the mount100while allowing the camera module150and at least one surface110of the mount100to maintain contact with one another.

In this illustrative example, the first side101A comprises a first opening120A coupling a first inner surface110A of the first side101A and the first outer surface112A of the first side101A. The second side101B comprises a second opening120B coupling the second inner surface110B of the second side101B and a second outer surface112B of the second side101B. Although the example shown herein include openings120forming a circular shape, other shapes can be used. For example, the first opening120A and the second opening120B can form a square, rectangle, oval, a non-uniform shape, etc.

FIG. 1also includes a number of cross-sections illustrating aspects of the openings120of the first side101A and the second side101B. Specifically, the cross-section in the upper-left corner ofFIG. 1illustrates an example configuration of the first opening120A. As shown, the first opening has a first diameter (D1) at the first inner surface and a second diameter (D2) at a position between the first inner surface110A and the first outer surface112A. In this example, the first diameter (D1) is greater than the second diameter (D2). As shown, to achieve the transition from the first diameter (D1) to the second diameter (D2), the first opening120A is in a tapered configuration.

The cross-section in the lower-left corner ofFIG. 1illustrates another example configuration of the first opening120A. This configuration also includes a first diameter (D1) at the first inner surface and a second diameter (D2) at a position between the first inner surface110A and the first outer surface112A. In this example, the first diameter (D1) is greater than the second diameter (D2). As shown, to achieve the transition from the first diameter (D1) to the second diameter (D2), the first opening120A is in a stepped configuration. Although only one step is shown, configurations can include multiple steps.

The cross-section in the upper-right corner ofFIG. 1illustrates an example configuration of the second opening120B. In this example, the second opening120B has a first diameter (D1) at the first inner surface and a second diameter (D2) at a position between the second inner surface110B and the second outer surface112B. In this example, the first diameter (D1) is greater than the second diameter (D2). In this example, the second opening120B is in a tapered configuration.

The cross-section in the lower-right corner ofFIG. 1illustrates another example configuration of the second opening120B. In this example, the second opening120B has a first diameter (D1) at the first inner surface and a second diameter (D2) at a position between the second inner surface110B and the second outer surface112B. In this example, the first diameter (D1) is greater than the second diameter (D2). In this example, the second opening120B is in a stepped configuration.

Although these examples refer to a diameter to indicate the size of an opening at a particular position, in configurations where the openings120are in other shapes, references to a diameter of an opening can also mean a distance (D1or D2) from one side of an opening to another side of the opening. In addition to being at a position between an inner surface110and an outer surface112, the second diameter (D2) can also be positioned at an outer surface112of a side110.

As will be described in more detail below, the openings120are configured to receive a fastening material. The openings120are configured to enable the fastening material to secure the camera module150the mount100while at least a portion of the camera module150is in physical contact with at least one surface of the mount100. In some configurations, the openings are configured such that a contraction of a fastening material positioned within an opening120causes the fastening material to pull a portion of the camera module150toward at least one surface of the mount100. In addition, in some configurations, the openings120are configured to allow a device to apply the fastening material to an opening120from the first outer surfaces112. Although this illustrative example includes one opening per side, it can be appreciated that each side can include any suitable number of openings. Additionally, suitably designed jigs can be used to hold the camera module150in place during curing to ensure contact to at least one surface of the mount100.

FIG. 2illustrates another example of a mount100′ configured according to the techniques disclosed herein. In this example, the mount100′ comprises a first side101A and a second side101B. The first side101A, the second side101B, and the openings120are configured in accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, the mount100′ also comprises a third side101C and a fourth side101D. In some configurations, the third side101C is parallel to the first side101A and the fourth side101D is parallel to the second side101B.

FIG. 3AandFIG. 3Billustrate other aspects of the mount100′ shown inFIG. 2. As shown, when the camera module150is positioned to make contact with the first inner surface110A and the second inner surface110B, the third side101C is positioned at a distance from the first side101A to provide a tolerance gap301A between the third side101C and at least a portion of the camera module150. The fourth side101D is positioned at a distance from the second side101B to provide a tolerance gap301B between the fourth side101D and at least another portion of the camera module150. The tolerance gaps301can be any suitable distance. In some configurations, a tolerance gap301is greater than a horizontal thermal expansion distance of the camera module150.

FIG. 4illustrates another example of a mount100″ configured according to the techniques disclosed herein. In this example, in addition to comprising four sides101A-101D, which are configured in a manner described herein, the mount100″ comprises a top portion401. The top portion401can be formed at the top edge of at least one side, and the top portion401can form a plane that is perpendicular at least one side.

FIG. 5illustrates other aspects of the mount100″ shown inFIG. 4. In some configurations, the mount100″ is configured such that, when the camera module150is positioned to make contact with the first inner surface110A and the second inner surface110B, the top portion401is positioned to provide a tolerance gap501between camera module150and the top portion401. The tolerance gaps501can be any suitable distance. In some configurations, a tolerance gap501is greater than a vertical thermal expansion distance of the camera module150. As also shown, one or more sides of the mount100″ can be positioned to form a tolerance gap301between the side of the camera module150and a side of the mount100″.

Referring now toFIG. 6andFIG. 7, aspects of a process for securing a camera module150to a mount100′ are shown and described below. A shown inFIG. 6, the camera module150is positioned to make contact with a first inner surface110A of the first side101A and a second inner surface110B the second side101B. The first inner surface110A of the first side101A is configured to receive a first portion of the camera module150such that the first portion of the camera module150is in contact with the first inner surface110A. The second inner surface110B of the second side101B is configured to receive a second portion of the camera module150such that the second portion of the camera module150is in contact with the second inner surface110B.

As shown, the mount100′ is configured such that the third side101C and the fourth side101D respectively form a first tolerance gap301A and a second tolerance gap301B. In addition, the mount100′ is configured with a first opening120A and a second opening120B configured to enable the application of a fastening material to the camera module150and the mount100′.

FIG. 7illustrates a stage of the process after the fastening material801has been applied to the openings120. In general, the fastening material801can be applied through each opening120to make contact with the camera module150and the mount100′. The fastening material801can be any suitable material that fastens the camera module150to the mount100′. In addition, in configurations where a fastening material801is configured to contract as it cures, the fastening material801can create a force to pull the camera module150toward each surface110.

The fastening material801can include any suitable material for fastening a camera module150to components of any mount disclosed herein. For example, the fastening material801can comprise any suitable adhesive, such as an epoxy. Examples of other fastening materials can include, but are not limited to, acrylates, cyanoacrylates, phenol-formaldehyde, polyvinyl chlorides, silicones, and urethanes. These examples are provided for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting, as it can be appreciated that any suitable material, including a mechanical device, can be used to fasten a camera module150to components of a mount100.

The configurations disclosed herein can include a mount having openings in one side.FIG. 8Aillustrates one example of a mount100′″ having an opening120on the first side101A of the mount100″. In such a configuration, the camera module150can be held against the first surface110A of the first side101A while the fastening material801is applied to the opening120. Similar to other examples disclosed herein, the fastening material801is applied such that the fastening material801makes contact with the opening120and at least a portion of the camera module150.

The configurations disclosed herein can include a mount having openings with one or more bleeder openings.FIG. 8BandFIG. 8Cillustrate examples of two sides101of a mount100having bleeder openings851. As shown, the bleeder openings851can be sized and configured to allow air to escape while a fastening material801is applied to the opening120. This example is provided for illustrative purposes and is not to be construed as limiting. It can be appreciated that the bleeder openings851can be in any suitable positions within the opening120. Configurations disclosed herein can include any suitable number of bleeder openings851.

As described above, configurations disclosed herein include openings120that are configured to enable a fastening material to pull a portion of a camera module150toward at least one surface of a mount100. In some configurations, a sufficient preload is created by a fastening material801when it cures within an opening. For illustrative purposes, a fastening material801can have a first state, an uncured state, and a second state, a cured state. The fastening material801can also have a curing contraction coefficient, which can be measured by percentage of volume or by a distance. The curing contraction coefficient can also be referred to herein as a curing expansion coefficient. For instance, an adhesive can have a linear shrink of 5% during a curing process. In addition, while in the cured state, the fastening material can have a Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE), also referred to herein as a thermal expansion coefficient.

Referring toFIG. 8D, additional aspects of the mechanics between the mount100, the fastening material801, and the camera module150are shown and described below. In general, the amount of force pulling the camera module150toward the mount100can depend on a number of factors. For instance, the force can depend on the volume of an opening120, a depth (D3) of the opening, a CTE of a fastening material801, a CTE of the mount100, a CTE of the camera module150, and/or a curing contraction coefficient of the fastening material. For illustrative purposes, the depth (D3) can measure from the datum surface to the top surface of the mount100. In one illustrative example, consider a configuration including a mount100made of aluminum, having a CTE of 20 ppm/C, and a fastening material having a CTE of 80 ppm/C. In this example, the fastening material801has a linear shrink of 5% during a curing process. Also, in this example, the depth of the (D3) of the opening is 0.5 mm.

In some configurations, when the camera module150is in operation, the temperature rises thus causing the mount100and the fastening material801to grow in size. In the current example, as shown inFIG. 8D, the aluminum mount will expand up by 20 ppm/C, and the adhesive will expand up by 80 ppm/C. At these expanded levels, the top surfaces of the fastening material801and the mount100will have a delta motion of 60 ppm/C. Thus, during a 10 degree heating process, the top surface of the fastening material801relative to the top surface of the mount100will move by 600 ppm. With a fastening material801having a linear shrink of 5%, the shrink during the curing process is 25 micrometers. With the parameters of such an example, when the fastening material801is in sufficient contact with the camera module150and the mount100and the fastening material801is in a cured state, even with a variation in the temperature, the fastening material801pulls the camera module150toward at least one mount100surface. This examples provided for illustrative purposes and is not to be construed as limiting.

Referring now toFIG. 9, aspects of an example process900for fastening a mount100to a camera module150are shown and described below. The process900starts at stage901where a mount100comprising at least one inner surface110having an opening120is provided. Any configuration of a mount100described herein can be provided, including a mount100having at least two sides, a mount100′ having four sides, a mount100″ having four sides and a top portion, or a mount100′″ having opening(s) in one side.

Next, at stage903, the camera module150is positioned such that at least one portion of the camera module150is adjacent, e.g., making physical contact, with at least one inner surface110of the mount100. In some configurations, when the mount100include at least two sides, the camera module150is positioned such that a first portion of the camera module150is in contact with the first inner surface110A and a second portion of the camera module is in contact with the second inner surface110B.

Next, at stage905, the fastening material801is applied to the mount100and the camera module150. In some configurations, the camera module150is held in position while the fastening material801is applied to the camera module150and the mount100through each opening120. In configurations where bleeder openings851are utilized, stage905can involve a process where the fastening material801is applied to the opening120until a predetermined amount of the fastening material801exits the bleeder openings851. Having a suitable amount of fastening material801exit the bleeder openings851helps ensure that the openings120are properly filled.

Next, at stage907, the fastening material801is cured. In some configurations, a fastening material801can be self-curing, requiring a predetermined amount of time for this stage. In other applications, heat and/or light can be applied to the fastening material801. Given the techniques disclosed herein, during the curing process, the fastening material801can contract to create a force pulling the camera module150toward the inner surface(s)110of the mount100.

Based on the foregoing, it should be appreciated that concepts and technologies have been disclosed herein that provide an enhanced lens assembly. Although the subject matter presented herein has been described in language specific to some structural features, methodological and transformative acts, and specific machinery, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described herein. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.