Protection cap for protecting camera module

A protection cap for protecting a camera module slides over a lens barrel receiving at least one lens. The protection cap is made of elastic material and is hollow. The protection cap includes an enclosed end and an open end. The lens barrel is passed through the open end and the open end sleeves over the camera module. The enclosed end protects the camera module against damage and contamination.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to protective covers, and particularly, to a protection cap for protecting a camera module.

2. Description of Related Art

Many electronic devices are equipped with a camera module. A protective film is applied to a camera module before the camera module is assembled to the electronic device, to protect the camera module from contamination or scratches. After assembling, the protective film is removed to allow the camera module to be used. However, the removal of the protective film may leave traces of adhesive on the camera module, which may prejudice the performance of the camera module.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a protection cap for protecting a camera module, which can overcome the limitations described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2show a protection cap100for protecting a camera module200in accordance with a first embodiment.

Also referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, the camera module200includes a printed circuit board (PCB)10, a ceramic substrate20, an image sensor30, a lens holder41, a lens barrel42, and at least one lens50.

The PCB10is a flexible PCB. The ceramic substrate20includes an upper surface201and a lower surface202opposite to the upper surface201. The ceramic substrate20defines a receiving recess203on the lower surface202and a light passing hole204through the upper surface201and the lower surface202. The light passing hole204is in communication with the receiving recess203. The lower surface202is attached to the PCB10such that the ceramic substrate20is mounted on the PCB10.

The image sensor30is received in the receiving recess203and faces the light passing hole204. The image sensor30is electrically connected to the printed circuit board through conductive leads (not shown) buried in the ceramic substrate20. In the embodiment, the image sensor30can be a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor (CMOS) sensor or a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor.

The lens holder41includes a substantially square seat411and a substantially cylindrical engaging portion412. The seat411is hollow and includes a connection surface4111. The engaging portion412is hollow and perpendicularly extends from the connection surface4111. The engaging portion412is coaxial with the seat411and is in communication with the seat411. The connection surface4111surrounds the engaging portion412. An end surface of the seat411facing away from the engaging portion412is attached (adhesively or otherwise) to the upper surface201of the ceramic substrate20. The ceramic substrate20is positioned between the lens holder41and the printed circuit board10, the end surface of the seat411facing away from the engaging portion412is enclosed by the ceramic substrate20and the printed circuit board10.

The lens barrel42is a hollow cylinder. An outer diameter of one end of the lens barrel42corresponds to an inner diameter of the engaging portion412such that the lens barrel42is partially received in the engaging portion412. In alternative embodiments, the engaging portion412includes inner screw threads (not shown), and the lens barrel42includes outer screw threads (not shown). The engaging portion412and the lens barrel42are then screwed together. The at least one lens50is received in the lens barrel42. The lens barrel42includes a number of arced ribs421extending from and around an outer surface of the lens barrel42. The arced ribs421are uniformly distributed and face away from the engaging portion412. A distance from the outermost surface of each arced rib421to a center axis of the lens barrel42is less than a half of an outer diameter of the engaging portion412.

The protection cap100is made of elastic material, with an enclosed end110and an open end120. In the embodiment, the protection cap100is made of rubber. The protection cap100is hollow and includes a cylindrical receiving portion11and a square receiving portion12. The cylinder receiving portion11extends from a square receiving portion12. An inner diameter of the cylindrical receiving portion11is slightly greater than the outer diameters of the lens barrel42and the engaging portion412. The cylindrical receiving portion11is used to receive the lens barrel42and the engaging portion412. A shape of the square receiving portion12substantially corresponds to the shape of the seat411. The square receiving portion12is used to compactly envelop the seat411.

The enclosed end110is one end of the cylindrical receiving portion11furthest from the square receiving portion12and the open end120is one end of the square receiving portion12furthest from the cylindrical receiving portion11, the enclosed end110and the open end120being the two opposite ends of the protection cap100.

In use, the lens barrel42and the engaging portion412are passed through the open end120and received in the cylindrical receiving portion11. The square receiving portion12receives and sleeves over the seat411. Thereby the protection cap100is engaged with the camera module200. The enclosed end110of the protection cap100encloses the lens barrel42to protect the at least one lens50from damage and contamination.

In alternative embodiments, the receiving portion11can also be square in section.

In alternative embodiments, the ceramic substrate20is omitted. The seat411is directly adhered to the printed circuit board10.

FIG. 5shows a protection cap300for protecting the camera module200in accordance with a second embodiment. The protection cap300is made of elastic material such as rubber. The protection cap300is substantially a hollow cylinder and an inner diameter of the protection cap300is slightly less than the outer diameter of the engaging portion412. The protection cap300includes an enclosed end310and an open end320. In use, the lens barrel42and the engaging portion412are passed through the open end320. The open end320compactly sleeves over the engaging portion412. Thereby the protection cap300is engaged with the camera module200. The enclosed end310of the protection cap300encloses the lens barrel42for protection.

FIG. 6shows a protection cap500for protecting the camera module200in accordance with a third embodiment. The protection cap500is made of elastic material such as rubber. The protection cap500is substantially a hollow cylinder and an inner diameter of the protection cap500is slightly less than the outer diameter of the lens barrel42. The protection cap500includes an enclosed end510and an open end520. In use, the lens barrel42is passed through the open end520. The open end520sleeves over the outer surfaces of the arced ribs421of the lens barrel42. Thereby the protection cap500is engaged with the camera module200. This protection cap500also protects the lens barrel42by virtue of the enclosed end510.

In alternative embodiments, the lens barrel42does not include the arced ribs421such that the size of the protection cap500is reduced.