Patent Description:
With the gradual improvement of biometric technology, such as face recognition technology, it is being widely used in various mobile terminals (mobile phones, tablet computers) to realize the development of various applications based on biometrics, such as password unlocking, quick payment, etc. In the face recognition technology, a depth information camera module based on Time of Flight (TOF), namely, a TOF camera module, is one of the more popular products.

The TOF camera module refers to that a sensor is used to emit modulated light, and after it is reflected by an object, the sensor calculates a time difference or phase difference between the emitted light and the light reflected from the object to obtain depth information about the object. The existing TOF camera module generally includes a projection module, a receiving module and a circuit board, wherein the projection module and the receiving module are separately directly mounted and electrically connected to the circuit board.

Since the current demand for electronic devices, such as smart phones, tablet computers, etc., is the development trend of thinness and full screen, and the design of camera modules also tends to be miniaturized. The TOF camera module in the prior art also has at least one of the following defects: first, the projection light signal projected by the projection module of the TOF camera module has a poor waveform. The main reason that affects the waveform of the projection light signal projected by the projection module is the wiring distance between the driver chip and the projection unit of the projection module. If the wiring distance between the driver chip and the projection unit is longer, the driver chip controls the pulse wave projected by the projection unit to be shaped like a mountain peak.

Due to the large size of the driver chip itself, the driver chip of the TOF camera module in the prior art is disposed on the receiving module or stacked below the projection module, so as to reduce the dimensions of the TOF camera module in the X and Y directions (length and width). However, the wiring distance between the driver chip and the projection unit of the existing TOF camera module is relatively long, resulting in poor waveform of the projection light signal. Secondly, when the electronic device is assembled, the TOF camera module is usually stacked above the circuit board of the electronic device in a manner of welding / soldering, and since the driver chip is usually stacked on the back of the projection module, the thickness of the TOF camera module in the prior art cannot be further reduced, which is disadvantageous to the lightening and thinning of electronic devices. On the other hand, the heat dissipation performance of the TOF camera module in the prior art is poor, and the high temperature of the projection module of the TOF camera module will affect the optical power of the projection unit, or affect the service life of the TOF camera module.

The transmitting end and the receiving end of the TOF camera module in the prior art are assembled into one body and then assembled to the mainboard of the electronic device, wherein the transmitting end of the TOF camera module cannot be used independently to emit a light signal of a specific waveform. This is because the transmitting end of the TOF camera module in the prior art is controlled by the receiving end, and the light signal of the preset waveform is emitted, that is, the driver chip that controls the transmitting end is packaged in the receiving end. The transmitting end of the TOF camera module in the prior art is not a module that can exist and work independently, that is, the transmitting end in the prior art needs to work under the control of the receiving end. Therefore, the transmitting end of the TOF camera module in the prior art cannot exist independently. <CIT> refers to a TOF camera module and a manufacturing method thereof, a TOF depth image imaging method and electronic equipment. <CIT> refers to a laser projection module, control method thereof, image obtaining device and electronic device. <CIT> refers to a terminal device. <CIT> refers to a TOF camera module and an electronic product. <CIT> refers to a flight time module and electronic device. <CIT> refers to a vcsel array for a depth camera.

The present disclosure provides a projection module according to claim <NUM>, a TOF camera module according to claim <NUM>, and an electronic device according to claim <NUM>. Some features of optional or preferred embodiments are recited in the dependent claims.

One of the main advantages of the present invention is to provide a TOF camera module and a projection module thereof, and an electronic device, wherein by reducing a wiring distance between a driver chip and a projection unit of a projection module of the TOF camera module, the parasitic inductance of the projection module is reduced, the pulse waveform quality of the light signal projected by the projection unit is improved, and the signal-to-noise ratio is improved.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a transmitting end module with complete functions. The transmitting end module comprises a driver IC packaged inside. The bottom of the transmitting end module has solder joints, and can be directly conducted and connected to the terminal mainboard through the bottom solder joints, that is, the transmitting end module can work independently of the receiving end module.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a TOF camera module and a projection module thereof, and an electronic device, wherein a driver chip and projection unit of the projection module are attached to the same side of a circuit board of the projection module, which is advantageous to shorten the wiring distance between the driver chip and the projection unit.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a TOF camera module and a projection module thereof, and an electronic device, wherein the circuit board of the projection module is a ceramic substrate, which is advantageous to improve the heat dissipation of the projection module.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a TOF camera module and a projection module thereof, and an electronic device, wherein a support of the projection module is a heat dissipation support, so as to improve the heat dissipation of the projection module through the support.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a TOF camera module and a projection module thereof, and an electronic device, wherein the support of the projection module is integrally molded on the circuit board, and the driver chip and some other electronic elements are wrapped by the support, so as to reduce the X and Y (length and width) dimensions of the projection module.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a TOF camera module and a projection module thereof, and an electronic device, wherein the support of the projection module is integrally molded on the circuit board, which is advantageous to improve the reliability and overall strength of the projection module.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a TOF camera module and a projection module thereof, and an electronic device, wherein the support of the projection module is integrally molded on the circuit board, thereby reducing the manufacturing process of the projection module, and improving the production efficiency.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a TOF camera module and a projection module thereof, and an electronic device, wherein the support of the projection module is integrally molded on the circuit board, and the driver chip is wrapped by the support, so that the support protects the driver chip.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a TOF camera module and a projection module thereof, and an electronic device, wherein the support of the projection module is integrally molded on the circuit board and the driver chip is wrapped by the support, and wherein the support conducts the heat generated by the driver chip to improve the heat dissipation performance of the projection module.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a TOF camera module and a projection module thereof, and an electronic device, wherein the projection module and the receiving module of the TOF camera module can be independently disposed on the mainboard of the electronic device, and the TOF camera module can be assembled based on the design requirements of the electronic device, which is advantageous to improve the use performance of the TOF camera module.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a TOF camera module and a projection module thereof, and an electronic device, wherein the driver chip of the projection module and the projection unit are disposed on the same side, to reduce the overall thickness of the projection module, which is advantageous to the lightening and thinning of the electronic device.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a TOF camera module and a projection module thereof, and an electronic device, wherein the mainboard of the electronic device is provided with a mounting groove (hole or half hole) corresponding to the TOF camera module, and the receiving module of the TOF camera module is correspondingly embedded in the mounting groove (hole or half hole) of the mainboard, which is advantageous to reduce the overall thickness of the electronic device. Other advantages and features of the present invention will be fully embodied from the following detailed description and can be realized through the combinations of means and apparatuses particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a projection module according to claim <NUM> of the present invention capable of achieving the foregoing and other objectives and advantages comprises:.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the transmitting circuit board has an upper end surface and a lower end surface, wherein the driver chip is attached to the upper end surface of the transmitting circuit board in a manner adjacent to the projection unit.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the projection module further comprises a connection layer, and the support is connected to the upper end surface of the transmitting circuit board by means of the connection layer.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the connection layer is selected from a connection layer group consisting of an adhesive layer or a solder layer.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support contacts the driver chip in a thermally conductive manner, and heat generated by the driver chip is conducted by means of the support.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support is integrally formed on the upper end surface of the transmitting circuit board through a molding process.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the driver chip is covered by the support, and heat generated by the driver chip is conducted by means of the support.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the transmitting circuit board comprises:.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the projection module further comprises a flexible board and a connector, wherein the lower solder joints of the transmitting circuit board are conductively connected to the flexible board, and the flexible board is conductively connected to the connector through the flexible board.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the projection module further comprises a flexible board, and wherein one end of the flexible board is conductively connected to the transmitting circuit board.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support comprises a support body and is further provided with a mounting groove and at least one air escape groove, wherein the mounting groove is formed at an upper end of the support body, the optical element is disposed in the mounting groove, the air escape groove communicates the accommodating space with an external environment, and air pressure is balanced between the accommodating space and the external environment by means of the air escape groove.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support comprises a support body and is further provided with at least one glue painting area, and between the glue painting area and the optical element, a cured glue layer is formed by curing glue, and an air escape gap is formed at an interval, wherein the air escape gap communicates the accommodating space with an external environment, and air pressure is balanced between the accommodating space and the external environment by means of the air escape gap.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the projection module further comprises at least one electrical element, wherein the electrical element is conductively connected to the transmitting circuit board.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electrical element comprises a photodiode for monitoring light changes in the projection module, and the photodiode is conductively connected to the driver chip, for the driver chip to control a working state of the projection unit based on detection information of the photodiode.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electrical element comprises a negative temperature coefficient device for monitoring a temperature of the projection unit, and the negative temperature coefficient device is conductively connected to the driver chip through the transmitting circuit board.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the transmitting circuit substrate of the transmitting circuit board is selected from a ceramic substrate and a PCB board.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention further provides a TOF camera module, comprising:.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the projection module and the receiving module are disposed independently of each other.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the TOF camera module comprises a lens assembly, a photosensitive element, and at least one receiving circuit board, wherein the photosensitive element is attached to the receiving circuit board, and the lens assembly is disposed above the receiving circuit board based on a photosensitive path of the photosensitive element.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the receiving circuit board comprises a circuit board receiving end and a circuit board transmitting end integrally extending from the circuit board receiving end, wherein the projection module is disposed above the circuit board transmitting end of the receiving circuit board, and the transmitting circuit board of the projection module is conductively connected to the receiving circuit board.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the TOF camera module further comprises at least one flexible board, wherein the flexible board conductively connects the transmitting circuit board of the projection module to the circuit board transmitting end of the receiving circuit board.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the TOF camera module further comprises at least one base support, wherein the base support is stacked on the circuit board transmitting end of the receiving circuit board, the projection module is supported above the base support, and a height of the projection module is raised by means of the base support.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the TOF camera module further comprises at least one electronic element unit, and the electronic element unit is disposed at the circuit board transmitting end, wherein the base support is integrally molded on the circuit board transmitting end, and the electronic element unit is wrapped by means of the base support.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the TOF camera module further comprises at least one electronic element unit, the electronic element unit is disposed at the circuit board transmitting end, and the base support comprises a base support body and is further provided with at least one accommodating groove, wherein the accommodating groove is formed at a lower end of the base support body, the base support body is attached above the circuit board transmitting end, and the electronic element unit is wrapped by means of the base support.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the TOF camera module further comprises at least one base support, wherein the base support is conductively disposed on the circuit board transmitting end of the receiving circuit board, the projection module is stacked above the base support, and a height of the projection module is raised by means of the base support.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the base support comprises a base support body and at least one support conduction circuit disposed on the base support body, wherein the support conduction circuit electrically connects the transmitting circuit board of the projection module to the circuit board receiving end.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the transmitting circuit board of the projection module is integrally molded on the circuit board receiving end of the receiving circuit board, and a height of the projection module is raised by means of the base support.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the base support is selected from a group consisting of a ceramic support formed by sintering ceramics and a molded support composed of a molded base integrally formed by molding.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the TOF camera module further comprises at least one fixing frame, wherein the receiving module is disposed on the fixing frame in a manner that the optical axis can be adjusted, and the receiving module is fixed by means of the fixing frame.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fixing frame comprises a receiving end fix holder and a transmitting end fix holder, wherein the receiving module is disposed on the receiving end fix holder, the projection module is disposed on the transmitting end fix holder, and a distance between the projection module and the receiving module is maintained by means of the fixing frame.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention further provides an electronic device, comprising:.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lower solder joints of the projection module conductively connect the transmitting circuit substrate to the electronic device mainboard, and fix the projection module to the electronic device mainboard.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device mainboard comprises a mainboard body, and a pad area and a receiving end mounting groove disposed on the mainboard body, wherein the projection module is disposed on the pad area of the electronic device mainboard, the receiving module is disposed in the receiving end mounting groove, and the projection module and the receiving module are separately conductively connected to the mainboard body.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the receiving module is depressed and mounted to the receiving end mounting groove from one surface of the mainboard body.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device mainboard comprises a mainboard body, and a pad area and a receiving end mounting hole disposed on the mainboard body, wherein the projection module is attached and disposed to the pad area of the electronic device mainboard, the receiving module is disposed in the receiving end mounting hole, and the projection module and the receiving module are separately conductively connected to the mainboard body.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device mainboard comprises a mainboard body, and a pad area and a receiving end mounting area disposed on the mainboard body, wherein the projection module of the TOF camera module is attached to the pad area, the receiving module is attached to the receiving end mounting area, and the receiving module is conductively connected to the mainboard body.

Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will be fully embodied through the understanding of the following description and the drawings.

These and other objectives, features and advantages of the present invention are fully embodied by the following detailed description, drawings and claims.

The following description is presented to disclose the present invention to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present invention. In the following description the examples indicated as "preferred embodiments" relating to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> are not according to the claimed invention, these may include some but not all features as defined in the claims and are present for illustration purposes to explain the invention. The claimed invention may be depicted in the embodiments below relating to <FIG> and <FIG>.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that in the disclosure of the present invention, the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "longitudinal", "transverse", "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, which is merely for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the mentioned apparatus or element must have a particular orientation and be constructed and operated in the particular orientation. Therefore, the above terms cannot be construed as limiting the present invention.

It may be understood that the term "a" or "an" should be understood to mean "at least one" or "one or more", that is, in one embodiment, the number of an element may be one, and in other embodiments, the number of the element may be multiple. The term "a" or "an" cannot be understood as a limitation on the number.

Referring to <FIG> among the drawings of the present invention, an electronic device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the following description. The electronic device includes an electronic device host <NUM>, an electronic device mainboard <NUM>, and at least one TOF camera module <NUM>, wherein the TOF camera module <NUM> is disposed on the electronic device host <NUM>, the TOF camera module <NUM> is conductively connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM>, and the TOF camera module <NUM> is supported by the electronic device mainboard <NUM> of the electronic device to perform photographing operations. It can be understood that, the electronic device host <NUM> of the electronic device may also be equipped with other types of camera modules, such as a wide-angle camera module, a telephoto camera module, etc. As an example, the electronic device may be but not limited to, a smartphone, a tablet computer, or other types of apparatuses with a photographing function.

As shown in <FIG>, the TOF camera module <NUM> of the electronic device includes a projection module <NUM> and a receiving module <NUM>, wherein the receiving module emits light based on a control signal of the electronic device host <NUM>, and wherein when the light emitted by the projection module <NUM> illuminates an object, the reflected light of the light is reflected by the object to the receiving module <NUM>. Depth information about the illuminated object is obtained based on difference information such as time difference or phase difference between the light emitted by the projection module <NUM> and the reflected light received by the receiving module <NUM>.

The projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> are electrically connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM> of the electronic device, wherein the electronic device host <NUM> controls a working state of the TOF camera module <NUM> through the electronic device mainboard <NUM>. It is worth mentioning that, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> can be independently mounted to the electronic device mainboard <NUM>, that is, the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> can each be separately assembled to the electronic device mainboard <NUM>, and the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> are each conductively connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM>. It can be understood that the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> are mounted independently of each other. Therefore, the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> can be mounted based on the design requirements of the electronic device. That is to say, the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> are separately assembled independently based on assembly requirements and design requirements, that is, the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> are assembled on the electronic device mainboard <NUM> to form the TOF camera module <NUM>, which improves the applicability of the TOF camera module <NUM>.

In detail, the receiving module <NUM> includes a lens assembly <NUM>, a photosensitive element <NUM>, and at least one receiving circuit board <NUM>, wherein the lens assembly <NUM> is disposed above the photosensitive element <NUM>, and the photosensitive element <NUM> is provided with a photosensitive path by means of the lens assembly <NUM>, so as to project external light to the photosensitive element <NUM> through the photosensitive path. The photosensitive element <NUM> converts a light signal of the external light into an electrical signal corresponding to the light signal, i.e., photoelectric conversion. The photosensitive element <NUM> is disposed on a surface of the receiving circuit board <NUM>, and the photosensitive element <NUM> is conductively connected to the receiving circuit board <NUM>, and by means of the receiving circuit board <NUM>, the work of the photosensitive element <NUM> is supported, and a photoelectric signal of the photosensitive element <NUM> is received.

The lens assembly <NUM> includes at least one optical lens <NUM>, a lens holder <NUM>, a base <NUM> and at least one filter element <NUM> disposed on the base <NUM>, wherein the optical lens <NUM> is supported by the lens holder <NUM> above the base <NUM> based on the photosensitive path of the receiving module <NUM>. The light is transmitted to the filter element <NUM> through the optical lens <NUM>, so that the filter element <NUM> filters the light, to filter out stray light that affects imaging. It can be understood by those skilled in the art that, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the receiving module <NUM> may further include other elements, such as a support for supporting and fixing the lens assembly, or an electronic component for sustaining the work of the receiving module <NUM> or the like.

As shown in <FIG>, the receiving module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> further includes a receiving end connector <NUM>, wherein one end of the receiving end connector <NUM> is electrically connected to the receiving circuit board <NUM> of the receiving module <NUM>, and by means of the receiving end connector <NUM>, the receiving circuit board <NUM> of the receiving module <NUM> is conductively connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM>.

The projection module <NUM> includes a support <NUM>, a transmitting circuit board <NUM>, at least one optical element <NUM>, at least one projection unit <NUM>, and at least one driver chip <NUM>, wherein the projection unit <NUM> and the driver chip <NUM> are disposed at the same side of the transmitting circuit board <NUM>. The support <NUM> is disposed on the transmitting circuit board <NUM>, wherein the optical element <NUM> is attached above the support <NUM> and is located in a projection path of the projection module <NUM>, and by means of the optical element <NUM>, the light signal projected by the projection unit <NUM> is diffracted (or expanded, shaped, etc.). The support <NUM>, the transmitting circuit board <NUM> and the optical element <NUM> of the projection module <NUM> are sealed to form an accommodating space <NUM>, wherein the projection unit <NUM> and the driver chip <NUM> are built in the closed space <NUM>.

The projection unit <NUM> and the driver chip <NUM> are conductively electrically connected to the transmitting circuit board <NUM>, wherein the driver chip <NUM> controls the projection unit <NUM> to project a light signal. Specifically, the projection unit <NUM> is controlled by the driver chip <NUM> through the transmitting circuit board <NUM>, to control the pulse waveform of the projected light signal. Preferably, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the driver chip <NUM> is disposed adjacent to the projection unit <NUM>, so that the driver chip <NUM> can control the projection unit <NUM> to project a light signal with a desired waveform.

It is worth mentioning that the projection unit <NUM> and the driver chip <NUM> are attached to the same side of the transmitting circuit board <NUM>, and the driver chip <NUM> is disposed adjacent to the projection unit <NUM>, so that the wiring distance between the driver chip <NUM> and the projection unit <NUM> is shortened, the parasitic inductance of the projection unit <NUM> is reduced, and the waveform quality of the light signal projected by the projection unit <NUM> is improved, to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the projection module <NUM>. Preferably, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, a distance between the driver chip <NUM> and the projection unit <NUM> is less than or equal to <NUM>.

The transmitting circuit board <NUM> of the projection module <NUM> has an upper end surface (front or upper surface) <NUM> and a lower end surface (back or lower surface) <NUM>, wherein the projection unit <NUM> and the driver chip <NUM> are attached to the upper end surface <NUM> of the transmitting circuit board <NUM>, and the projection unit <NUM> are electrically connected by the driver chip <NUM> to the transmitting circuit board <NUM> from the upper end surface <NUM>. The support <NUM> is disposed on the upper end surface <NUM> of the transmitting circuit board <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the support <NUM> is attached to the upper end surface <NUM> of the transmitting circuit board <NUM>, and the support <NUM> supports the optical element <NUM> on the projection path of the projection module <NUM>. The support <NUM> is attached to the upper end surface <NUM> of the transmitting circuit board <NUM> in an adhesive manner. Correspondingly, the projection module <NUM> further includes a connection layer <NUM>, wherein the connection layer <NUM> is disposed on the upper end surface <NUM> of the transmitting circuit board <NUM>, and the support <NUM> is attached to the top of the upper end surface <NUM> at the connection layer <NUM> in a bonding manner. Preferably, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connection layer <NUM> may be but not limited to, a thermally conductive adhesive layer or a soldering layer, that is, it is an adhesive with high heat dissipation, so as to improve the heat dissipation performance of the projection module <NUM>. Preferably, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connection layer <NUM> may be but not limited to, an adhesive layer, a soldering layer, and other materials having a connection and installation function.

It is worth mentioning that the support <NUM> can be manufactured by a process such as injection molding or sintering, that is, the support <NUM> can be integrally formed by a process such as injection molding or sintering. Preferably, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support <NUM> is a ceramic-sintered ceramic support apparatus. More preferably, the support is made of aluminum nitride ceramic (ALN) material. Since the thermal conductivity of the aluminum nitride ceramic material is better than that of other ceramic materials, and its coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is smaller, thus it has good heat dissipation, which is advantageous to the work reliability of the TOF module.

The support <NUM> of the projection module <NUM> includes a support body <NUM> and further has a bearing surface <NUM> and a mounting groove <NUM> formed above the bearing surface <NUM>, wherein the optical element <NUM> is attached to the bearing surface <NUM> of the support <NUM>, and the optical element <NUM> is supported in the mounting groove <NUM> by means of the support body <NUM>. Preferably, the optical element <NUM> is attached to the mounting groove <NUM> on the upper end of the support <NUM> in an adhesive manner, that is, the optical element <NUM> is bonded above the bearing surface <NUM> of the support <NUM>.

The projection module <NUM> further includes a plurality of electronic elements <NUM>, wherein the plurality of electronic elements <NUM> are conductively electrically connected to the transmitting circuit board <NUM>, at least one of the electronic elements <NUM> are conductively connected to the projection unit <NUM> of the projection module <NUM> through the transmitting circuit board <NUM>, and at least one of the electronic elements <NUM> are conductively connected to the driver chip <NUM> through the transmitting circuit board <NUM>. The electronic elements <NUM> are used to support the projection unit <NUM> and/or the driver chip <NUM> of the projection module <NUM> to work. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electronic elements <NUM> are conductively disposed on the upper end surface <NUM> of the transmitting circuit board <NUM>, and the electronic elements <NUM> are built in the closed space <NUM>.

The electronic elements <NUM> may be passive electronic means such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors, and the electronic elements <NUM> may also be other types of electronic means that work in cooperation with the driver chip <NUM>. The electronic elements <NUM> can reduce the parasitic inductance between the driver chip <NUM> and the projection unit <NUM>, so as to ensure that the waveform of the light signal emitted by the projection module <NUM> is close to an ideal square wave. It can be understood that, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electronic elements <NUM> may also be mounted in other positions of the TOF camera module <NUM>, such as the receiving circuit board <NUM> of the receiving module <NUM>; or the electronic elements <NUM> are mounted on the electronic device mainboard <NUM> of the electronic device, so as to further reduce the overall structure of the TOF camera module <NUM>, which is advantageous to reduce the overall volume of the electronic device. That is to say, although the electronic elements <NUM> can be configured to improve the pulse waveform of the light signal projected by the projection unit <NUM>, it is not necessary to dispose the electronic elements <NUM> on the transmitting circuit board <NUM>. Based on the design requirements of the TOF camera module <NUM> or the overall design requirements of the electronic device, the electronic elements <NUM> are mounted on the receiving circuit board <NUM> of the receiving module <NUM>, wherein the electronic elements <NUM> support the work of the projection unit <NUM> and/or the driver chip <NUM> through the conduction between the receiving circuit board <NUM> and the transmitting circuit board <NUM>; or the electronic elements <NUM> are mounted on the electronic device mainboard <NUM>, and wherein the electronic element <NUM> supports the work of the projection unit <NUM> and/or the driver chip <NUM> through the electronic device mainboard <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> are conductively connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM> through respective connectors. The TOF camera module <NUM> further includes at least one fixing frame <NUM>, wherein the receiving module <NUM> is adjustably disposed on the fixing frame <NUM>, and the receiving module <NUM> is fixed to the electronic device mainboard <NUM> by means of the fixing frame <NUM>. After the receiving module <NUM> is conductively disposed on the electronic device mainboard <NUM>, the position of the receiving module <NUM> on the fixing frame <NUM> is adjusted so that a receiving end optical axis of the receiving module <NUM> and a transmitting end optical axis of the projection module <NUM> are adapted to each other, and thus the TOF camera module <NUM> has good photographing performance.

Optionally, in other embodiments of the present invention, the projection module <NUM> and/or the receiving module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> may also be conductively connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM> in other conduction manners such as welding / soldering, and the projection module <NUM> and/or the receiving module <NUM> are connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM> in the welding / soldering manner. It can be understood that, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conduction and connection manner of the TOF camera module <NUM> is merely used here as an example, rather than a limitation.

It is worth mentioning that in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fixing frame <NUM> can be used to adjustably fix and support the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM>, or the fixing frame <NUM> is used to adjustably fix and support the receiving module <NUM>, wherein the receiving module <NUM> is directly or indirectly fixed to the electronic device mainboard <NUM>, and the receiving end optical axis of the receiving module <NUM> is adjusted so that the receiving end optical axis is adapted to the transmitting end optical axis.

Preferably, the fixing frame <NUM> includes a receiving end fix holder <NUM> and a transmitting end fix holder <NUM>, wherein the receiving module <NUM> is adjustably disposed on the receiving end fix holder <NUM>, and the projection module <NUM> is disposed on the transmitting end fix holder <NUM>. The receiving end fix holder <NUM> includes a receiving end fix holder body <NUM> and a receiving end adjusting groove <NUM>, wherein the receiving module <NUM> is held in the receiving end adjusting groove <NUM> by the receiving end fix holder body <NUM>. It can be understood that, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the receiving module <NUM> is disposed in the receiving end adjusting groove <NUM> of the receiving end fix holder <NUM> in a manner that an optical axis is adjustable. The position of the receiving module <NUM> in the receiving end adjusting groove <NUM> is adjusted, to adjust the receiving end optical axis of the receiving module <NUM>, so that the optical axis direction of the receiving module <NUM> is adapted to the projection module <NUM>.

The projection module <NUM> is disposed on the transmitting end fix holder <NUM>, and the position of the projection module <NUM> is raised by means of the transmitting end fix holder <NUM>. It is worth mentioning that the overall height of the projection module <NUM> is lower than the height of the receiving module <NUM>, and the overall height of the projection module <NUM> is raised by the transmitting end fix holder <NUM> of the fixing frame <NUM>, so that the height of the upper end surface of the projection module <NUM> is adapted to the height of the upper end surface of the receiving module <NUM>.

It can be understood by those skilled in the art that the projection module <NUM> may also be adjusted to be disposed on the transmitting end fix holder <NUM>, so as to adjust the position of the projection module <NUM> in the fixing frame <NUM> in a manner of adjusting the transmitting end optical axis of the projection module <NUM>, so that the optical axis of the projection module <NUM> and the optical axis of the receiving module <NUM> are adapted to each other. As shown in <FIG>,the projection unit <NUM> is attached to the upper end surface <NUM> of the transmitting circuit board <NUM>, wherein one electrode (negative electrode) of the projection unit <NUM> is disposed on the upper end surface <NUM>, and the other electrode (positive electrode) of the projection unit <NUM> is welded to the transmitting circuit board <NUM> through a lead wire, and is electrically connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM> through the circuit board <NUM>, for the electronic device mainboard <NUM> to support the work of the projection unit <NUM> through the transmitting circuit board <NUM>. In addition, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the driver chip <NUM> and the electronic elements <NUM> are disposed on the upper end surface <NUM> of the transmitting circuit board <NUM> in a welding / soldering manner, and by means of the transmitting circuit board <NUM>, the conduction between the driver chip <NUM> and the electronic device mainboard <NUM> is realized, and the conduction between the electronic elements <NUM> and the electronic device mainboard <NUM> is realized.

As shown in <FIG>, the projection unit <NUM> is disposed adjacent to the driver chip <NUM>, or the driver chip <NUM> is attached to the transmitting circuit board <NUM> in a manner adjacent to the projection unit <NUM>. The lead wire connected to the projection unit <NUM> is disposed on a side of the projection unit <NUM> in such a manner that it faces away from the driver chip <NUM>, or the lead wire for being connected to the projection unit <NUM> is disposed at an end of the projection unit <NUM> facing away from the driver chip <NUM>. In short, in order to arrange the projection unit <NUM> and the driver chip <NUM> closer, the lead wire connected to the projection unit <NUM> is disposed on the side away from the driver chip <NUM>, so that the projection unit <NUM> and the driver chip <NUM> are as close as possible. It can be understood that, the closer the relative position of the projection unit <NUM> and the driver chip <NUM> is, the closer the waveform of the light signal, which the driver chip <NUM> controls the projection unit <NUM> to reflect, is to an ideal waveform, such as a projecting square wave.

Optionally, the lead wire connected to the projection unit <NUM> is disposed at a side being not adjacent to the driver chip <NUM>. For example, the lead wire connected to the projection unit <NUM> is disposed to the same side of the driver chip <NUM> and the projection unit <NUM>. It can be understood that the lead wire connected to the projection unit <NUM> is disposed away from the driver chip <NUM>, which can reduce the heat generated when the driver chip <NUM> works and conducted to the lead wire.

Correspondingly, the projection module <NUM> is conductively disposed on the electronic device mainboard <NUM> (or the circuit board of the electronic device), wherein in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transmitting circuit board <NUM> of the projection module <NUM> is conducted to the electronic device mainboard <NUM> in a welding / soldering manner. Correspondingly, the transmitting circuit board <NUM> of the projection module <NUM> further includes a transmitting circuit substrate <NUM>, a plurality of (two or more) upper solder joints <NUM>, at least one lower solder joint <NUM> and a plurality of conduction circuits <NUM>, wherein the upper solder joints <NUM> are disposed on the upper end surface <NUM> of the transmitting circuit substrate <NUM>, and the lower solder joint <NUM> is disposed on the lower end surface <NUM> of the transmitting circuit substrate <NUM>. The upper solder joints <NUM> solder the projection unit <NUM>, the driver chip <NUM> and the electronic elements <NUM> of the projection module <NUM> to the upper end surface <NUM> of the transmitting circuit board <NUM>.

Each of the upper solder joints <NUM> and the lower solder joints <NUM> is electrically connected to the conduction circuit <NUM>, so as to realize the conductive connection between the driver chip <NUM> and the transmitting unit <NUM> of the projection module <NUM> through the conduction circuit <NUM>. Specifically, one end of at least one conduction circuit <NUM> of the transmitting circuit board <NUM> is connected to an upper solder joint <NUM>, wherein the upper solder joint <NUM> is electrically connected to the driver chip <NUM>, and the other end of the conduction circuit <NUM> is electrically connected another upper solder joint <NUM> of the upper end surface <NUM>, wherein this another upper solder joint <NUM> is electrically connected to one electrode of the projection unit <NUM>. It can be understood that the driver chip <NUM> is disposed adjacent to the projection unit <NUM>, which can effectively reduce the wiring distance between the driver chip <NUM> and the projection unit <NUM>, and is advantageous to improve the waveform of the light which the driver chip <NUM> controls the projection unit <NUM> to emit.

The driver chip <NUM> of the projection module <NUM> drives (controls) the projection unit <NUM> to work through the conduction circuit <NUM> of the transmitting circuit board <NUM>. One end of at least one conduction circuit <NUM> of the transmitting circuit board <NUM> is connected to at least one solder joint <NUM>, wherein the upper solder joint <NUM> is electrically connected to the driver chip <NUM>, and wherein the other end of the conduction circuit <NUM> is electrically connected to a lower solder joint <NUM> to achieve the internal and external conduction of the circuit board <NUM>. One end of at least one conduction circuit <NUM> is electrically connected to an upper solder joint <NUM>, wherein the upper solder joint <NUM> is connected to the electronic element <NUM>, and the other end of the conduction circuit <NUM> is electrically connected to a lower solder joint <NUM>, so as to achieve the internal and external conduction of the circuit board <NUM>.

Preferably, the transmitting circuit board <NUM> has a ceramic substrate, wherein the driver chip <NUM>, the projection unit <NUM> and the electronic elements <NUM> disposed on the transmitting circuit board <NUM> conduct the generated heat to the transmitting circuit board <NUM> in a heat conduction manner, thereby dissipating heat through the transmitting circuit board <NUM>. It can be understood that, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the material of the transmitting circuit board <NUM> is merely used here as an example, rather than a limitation.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the projection module <NUM> is electrically connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM> through the lower solder joint <NUM> of the transmitting circuit board <NUM>, so as to achieve the conductive connection between the projection module <NUM> and the electronic device mainboard <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show another optional embodiment of a projection module <NUM> of the above TOF camera module <NUM> of the present invention, wherein the projection module <NUM> includes a support 11A, a transmitting circuit board <NUM>, at least one optical element <NUM>, at least one projection unit <NUM>, at least one driver chip <NUM>, and at least one electronic element <NUM>, and wherein the projection unit <NUM> and the driver chip <NUM> are disposed on the same side of the transmitting circuit board <NUM>. It is worth mentioning that, it is different from the above preferred embodiment in the support 11A, wherein the support 11A is disposed on the transmitting circuit board <NUM> by integrally molding. The support 11A is integrally formed above the transmitting circuit board <NUM> through a molding process, and the driver chip <NUM> of the projection module <NUM> is covered by the support 11A.

Preferably, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support 11A is a one-piece molded support, that is, the support 11A is integrally formed on the upper end surface <NUM> of the transmitting circuit board <NUM> through a molding process. The driver chip <NUM> is wrapped by the support 11A on the transmitting circuit board <NUM>, or the driver chip <NUM> is covered with the support 11A and the transmitting circuit board <NUM>. It can be understood that the support 11A covers (encloses) the driver chip <NUM> through a molding or sintering process, which can effectively reduce the X and Y (length and width) dimensions of the projection module <NUM>, and is advantageous to reduce the overall volume of the TOF camera module <NUM>. It can be understood that the driver chip <NUM> is covered (wrapped) by the support 11A, wherein the support 11A can protect the driver chip <NUM>.

It can be understood that after the driver chip <NUM> is soldered to the upper surface of the transmitting circuit board <NUM>, the support 11A covers (encloses) the driver chip <NUM> through a molding process, and the driver chip <NUM> is further fixed by means of the support 11A, improving the strength (reliability) of the projection module <NUM>. The driver chip <NUM> is covered by the support 11A, wherein the thermal energy generated by the driver chip <NUM> during work can be conducted to the support 11A in a heat conduction manner, so as to dissipate the heat from the support 11A. Thus, the heat generated by the projection module <NUM> is prevented from accumulating in the closed space <NUM>, which affects the accuracy and detection distance of the light signal projected by the projection unit <NUM>, or affects the service life of the TOF camera module <NUM>. In short, the support 11A is integrally formed on the transmitting circuit board <NUM> through a molding process, and the support 11A conducts the heat generated by the driver chip <NUM> in a heat transfer manner, thereby improving the heat dissipation performance of the projection module <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the support 11A is further provided with at least one air escape groove 114A, wherein the air escape groove 114A communicates the accommodating space <NUM> with an external environment. After the optical element <NUM> is attached to the mounting groove 113A of the support 11A in an adhesive manner, the projection module <NUM> is baked or exposed to make the glue (colloid) between the optical element <NUM> and the support 11A cured. When the optical element <NUM> is attached to the support 11A, the air escape groove 114A guides the air flow in the accommodating space <NUM> to prevent the gas in the accommodating space <NUM> from expanding and causing the optical element <NUM> to fail to be attached to the support 11A. Preferably, the air escape groove 114A is formed on an upper end part of the support body 111A of the support 11A, wherein the air escape groove <NUM> communicates with the mounting groove 113A of the support 11A. Therefore, when the optical element <NUM> is mounted in the mounting groove 113A, the accommodating space <NUM> is communicated with the external environment by means of the air escape groove 114A, so that the air escape groove 114A guides the air in the accommodating space <NUM> outward to prevent the air pressure in the accommodating space <NUM> from being too large. It can be understood that, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the location and manner in which the escaped gas groove 114A is formed are merely used as an example, rather than a limitation. More preferably, after the glue for bonding the optical element <NUM> is cured, the air escape groove <NUM> of the support 11A is selectively blocked to seal the accommodating space <NUM>.

<FIG> or <FIG> show another two optional embodiments of a projection module <NUM> of the above TOF camera module <NUM> of the present invention, wherein the projection module <NUM> includes a support 11B, a transmitting circuit board <NUM>, at least one optical element <NUM>, at least one projection unit <NUM>, at least one driver chip <NUM>, and at least one electronic element <NUM>, and wherein the projection unit <NUM> and the driver chip <NUM> are disposed on the same side of the transmitting circuit board <NUM>. It is worth mentioning that, it is different from the above preferred embodiment in the support 11B, wherein the support 11B is disposed on the transmitting circuit board <NUM> in an adhesive manner. It is worth mentioning that the support 11B can be manufactured by a process such as injection molding or sintering, that is, the support 11B can be integrally formed by a process such as injection molding or sintering. Preferably, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support 11B is a ceramic-sintered ceramic support.

The support 11B of the projection module <NUM> includes a support body 111B and further has a bearing surface 112B and a mounting groove 113B formed above the bearing surface 112B, wherein the optical element <NUM> is attached to the bearing surface 112B of the support 11B, and the optical element <NUM> is supported in the mounting groove 113B by means of the support body 111B. It is different from the above first preferred embodiment in that the support 11B covers the upper surface of the driver chip <NUM>, wherein the driver chip <NUM> is covered by the support 11B in a heat conduction manner, and conducts the heat generated by the driver chip <NUM> by means of the support 11B. In other words, the support 11B is covered above the driver chip <NUM>, and the driver chip <NUM> is further fixed on the transmitting circuit board <NUM> by the support 11B to protect the driver chip <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the support 11B is further provided with an accommodating cavity 110B, wherein the accommodating cavity 110B is formed below the support main body 111B of the support 11B, and the driver chip <NUM> is covered by the support body 111B on the accommodating cavity 110B. The heat generated by the driver chip <NUM> is conducted outward by the support body 111B of the support 11B, wherein the upper surface of the driver chip <NUM> is completely or partially covered by the support body 111B of the support 11B, and the support body 111B contacts the driver chip <NUM> in a heat conduction manner for the support body 111B to dissipate heat.

As shown in <FIG>,the support 11B is further provided with at least one heat conduction surface 115B, wherein the heat conduction surface 115B is formed above the accommodating cavity 110B, and when the support 11B is mounted on the transmitting circuit board <NUM>, the heat conduction surface 115B of the support 11B conducts the heat generated by the driver chip <NUM> during work outward through the support body 111B of the support 11B in a direct thermal contact manner or an indirect heat conduction manner, so as to avoid heat accumulation in the accommodating space <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the upper end of the support 11B extends inward, wherein the upper end of the support 11B is covered above the driver chip <NUM>, wherein the optical element <NUM> is supported by the support 11B above the projection unit <NUM>. That is, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper end of the support 11B extends inward to reduce the size of the optical element <NUM>. <FIG> shows another optional embodiment of a projection module <NUM> of the above TOF camera module <NUM> of the present invention. The projection module <NUM> includes a support <NUM>, a transmitting circuit board <NUM>', at least one optical element <NUM>, at least one projection unit <NUM>, at least one driver chip <NUM>, and at least one electronic element <NUM>, wherein the projection unit <NUM> and the driver chip <NUM> are disposed on the same side of the transmitting circuit board <NUM>. It is different from the above first preferred embodiment in the transmitting circuit board <NUM>' of the projection module <NUM> of the TOF camera module, wherein the transmitting circuit board <NUM>' can be formed by using a molding process or integrated ceramic sintering, and the projection unit <NUM> of the projection module <NUM> is conductively connected to the driver chip <NUM> by means of the circuit board <NUM>'. The transmitting circuit board <NUM>' of the projection module <NUM> is also conductively connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM>. The support <NUM>, the projection unit <NUM> and the driver chip <NUM> of the projection module <NUM> are disposed above the transmitting circuit board <NUM>', and the overall height of the support <NUM>, the projection unit <NUM> and the driver chip <NUM> is raised by means of the circuit board <NUM>'. Therefore, based on the design requirements of the TOF camera module <NUM>, the thickness of the transmitting circuit board <NUM>' can be designed, so that the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> are adapted to each other in height.

Preferably, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transmitting circuit board <NUM>' is an integrated ceramic circuit board formed by ceramic sintering, wherein the ceramic circuit board has good thermal conductivity, which is advantageous to improve the heat dissipation of projection module <NUM>. It can be understood that, the material of the transmitting circuit board <NUM>' is merely used here as an example, rather than a limitation. Therefore, the transmitting circuit board <NUM>' may also be implemented as other types of circuit board types, such as a one-piece molded circuit board.

It is worth mentioning that, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> are independently mounted structures, wherein the transmitting circuit board <NUM>' of the projection module <NUM> can be integrally molded on the electronic device mainboard <NUM>. It can be understood by those skilled in the art that, the transmitting circuit board <NUM>' of the projection module <NUM> may also be integrally molded on the receiving module <NUM>; or the transmitting circuit board <NUM>' may also be integrally molded on other electrical connection apparatuses, such as a flexible board. Then, the projection module <NUM> is electrically connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM> by the flexible board.

Specifically, the transmitting circuit board <NUM>' includes a transmitting circuit substrate <NUM>', and a plurality of upper solder joints <NUM>', a plurality of lower solder joints <NUM>' and at least one conduction circuit <NUM> disposed on the transmitting circuit substrate <NUM>', wherein the upper solder joints <NUM>' are disposed on the upper end of the transmitting circuit substrate <NUM>', at least one of the upper solder joints <NUM>' is used to be conductively connected to the projection unit <NUM> of the projection module <NUM>, at least one of the upper solder joints <NUM>' is used to be conductively connected to the driver chip <NUM> of the projection module <NUM>, and at least one of the upper soldered joints <NUM>' is used to be conductively connected to the electronic elements <NUM> of the projection module <NUM>. It is the same as the above first preferred embodiment that, the upper solder joints <NUM>' are electrically connected to the lower solder joints <NUM>' through the conduction circuit <NUM>', and the upper solder joint <NUM>' corresponding to the driver chip <NUM> is electrically connected to the upper solder joint <NUM>' for conducting the projection unit <NUM> through the conduction circuit <NUM>', so that the projection unit <NUM> is conductively connected to the driver chip <NUM>.

In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conduction circuit <NUM>', the upper solder joints <NUM>' and the lower solder joints <NUM>' are integrally disposed on the transmitting circuit substrate <NUM>', or when the conduction circuit <NUM>', the upper solder joints <NUM>' and the lower solder joints <NUM>' are preset, the transmitting circuit substrate <NUM>' is integrally formed in a manner of sintering or molding. The upper solder joints <NUM>' are embedded in the upper end surface of the transmitting circuit substrate <NUM>', and the lower solder joints <NUM>' are embedded in the lower end surface of the transmitting circuit substrate <NUM>', wherein the conduction circuit <NUM>' is built (wrapped) in the transmitting circuit substrate <NUM>'. In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transmitting circuit substrate <NUM>' of the transmitting circuit board <NUM>' is preset with the conduction circuit <NUM>', the upper solder joints <NUM>' and the lower solder joints <NUM>' before the sintering or molding process, so as to ensure that the projection unit <NUM>, the driver chip <NUM> and the electronic elements <NUM> electrically connected to the upper solder joints <NUM>' can be conducted.

As shown in <FIG>, the electronic elements <NUM> may further include an active electronic component, wherein the electronic elements <NUM> are electrically connected to the transmitting circuit board <NUM> of the projection module <NUM>, and the driver chip <NUM> of the projection module <NUM> is controlled or supported by means of the electronic elements <NUM> to work. The electronic element <NUM> further includes at least one photodiode (PD) <NUM>, wherein the photodiode <NUM> is disposed on the transmitting circuit board <NUM>, wherein the photodiode <NUM> is conductively connected to the drive chip <NUM>. The photodiode <NUM> is an eye-safe and skin-safe monitoring device, wherein the photodiode <NUM> monitors the light changes in the projection module <NUM>, and converts the received light into a corresponding current signal and then transmits it to the driver chip <NUM>, for the driver chip <NUM> to control the working power of the projection unit <NUM> based on the monitored light changes. It can be understood that once the projection is abnormal, the photodiode <NUM> sends a control signal to the driver chip <NUM>, for the driver chip <NUM> to stop the projection work of the projection unit <NUM>, so as to protect the work of the TOF camera module <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the photodiode <NUM> is attached to the upper end surface <NUM> of the transmitting circuit board <NUM>, wherein one electrode (negative electrode) of the photodiode <NUM> is disposed on the upper end surface <NUM>, and the other electrode (positive electrode) of the photodiode <NUM> is welded to the transmitting circuit board <NUM> through a lead wire, and is electrically connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM> through the circuit board <NUM>, for the electronic device mainboard <NUM> to support the work of the photodiode <NUM> through the transmitting circuit board <NUM>. The photodiode <NUM> is disposed adjacent to the projection unit <NUM>, or the projection unit <NUM> is attached to the transmitting circuit board <NUM> in a manner adjacent to the photodiode <NUM>. The lead wire connected to the photodiode <NUM> is disposed on a side of the photodiode <NUM> in such a manner that it faces away from the projection unit <NUM>, or the lead wire for being connected to the photodiode <NUM> is disposed at an end of the photodiode <NUM> facing away from the projection unit <NUM>. In short, in order to arrange the photodiode <NUM> and the projection unit <NUM> closer, the lead wire connected to the a photodiode <NUM> is disposed on the side away from the projection unit <NUM>, so that the photodiode <NUM> and the projection unit <NUM> are as close as possible.

As shown in <FIG>, the lead wire connected to the photodiode <NUM> is disposed at a side being not adjacent to the projection unit <NUM>. For example, the lead wire connected to the photodiode <NUM> is disposed to the same side of the projection unit <NUM> and the photodiode <NUM>. It can be understood that the lead wire connected to the photodiode <NUM> is disposed away from the projection unit <NUM>, which can reduce the heat generated when the projection unit <NUM> works and conducted to the lead wire.

As shown in <FIG>, the electronic element <NUM> further includes a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) device <NUM>, wherein the negative temperature coefficient device <NUM> is conductively disposed on the transmitting circuit board <NUM>. The negative temperature coefficient device <NUM> is used to monitor the real-time temperature of the projection unit <NUM> and transmit data to the driver chip <NUM> in real time, for the driver chip <NUM> to control the working power of the projection unit <NUM> based on the negative temperature coefficient device <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> of the drawings of the present invention, the optical element <NUM> is attached to the support <NUM> in an adhesive manner, wherein the projection module <NUM> is provided with an air escape structure, wherein the air escape structure communicates the accommodating space <NUM> with an external environment, so that the gas in the accommodating space <NUM> is guided by the air escape structure to the external environment during the drying process of the glue, so as to balance the accommodating space <NUM> and the external air pressure. It can be understood that during the drying process of the glue, the air pressure in the accommodating space <NUM> increases with an air expansion, which may easily cause the optical element <NUM> attached to the upper end of the support <NUM> to fall off. The air escape structure of the projection module <NUM> can balance the air pressure between the accommodating space <NUM> and the outside, so as to prevent the optical element <NUM> from falling off during the baking process of the projection module <NUM>.

In detail, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support <NUM> is further provided with at least one glue painting area <NUM>, wherein the glue is applied on the glue painting area <NUM> of the support <NUM>. Preferably, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the glue painting area <NUM> is disposed on the bearing surface <NUM> of the support <NUM>, that is, glue is applied on the bearing surface <NUM> of the support <NUM>. The optical element <NUM> is disposed in the mounting groove <NUM> of the support <NUM>, wherein the glue between the glue painting area <NUM> and the optical element <NUM> is cured to form at least one cured glue layer <NUM>. The optical element <NUM> is fixed on the bearing surface <NUM> of the support <NUM> by means of the cured glue layer <NUM>. It is worth mentioning that the bonding range and the thickness of the cured glue layer <NUM> are determined by the amount of glue applied to the glue painting area <NUM> and the range of applying the glue. The cured glue layer <NUM> after being cured and fixed blocks the gap between the support <NUM> and the optical element <NUM>. In other words, the cured glue layer <NUM> formed after the glue is cured has a certain thickness, wherein the cured glue layer <NUM> isolates the accommodating space <NUM> from the external environment.

Correspondingly, an air escape gap <NUM> is formed between the uncoated glue painting area <NUM> and the optical element <NUM>, wherein after the glue is cured, the air escape gap <NUM> is formed in the same layer of the cured glue layer <NUM>. The air escape gap <NUM> communicates the accommodating space <NUM> with the external environment. When the glue applied to the glue painting area <NUM> is dried and cured, the air escape gap <NUM> guides the gas in the accommodating space <NUM> to move, so as to keep the pressure balance between the accommodating space <NUM> and the external environment.

<FIG> show several different ways of painting glue in the glue painting area <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, three sides of the glue painting area <NUM> are applied with glue, wherein the cured glue layer <NUM> produced by curing the glue is formed on the three sides of the glue painting area <NUM>. In other words, glue is applied to three sides of the glue painting area <NUM>, wherein the air escape gap <NUM> is formed above the glue painting area <NUM> for glue application.

As shown in <FIG>, glue is applied on the glue painting area <NUM>, wherein at least one break is provided during the glue applying process, and the air escape gap <NUM> is formed at the break position after the glue is cured and fixed. Preferably, during the process of painting the glue, the position where the glue painting starts and the position where the glue painting ends are not connected, so as to form a glue painting break; or the glue painting break is formed by interrupting the glue application during the glue painting process.

In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the break position can be set at a corner of the glue painting, the position where the glue painting starts is on one side of the corner, and the position where the glue painting ends is on the other side of the corner, so that the line goes through one less corner when being painted. It should be noted that the speed of painting glue in a corner is to be reduced, and it is advantageous to improve the production efficiency with less corners (or arcs) and more straight lines.

<FIG> of the drawings shows the pulse waveform of the detection light signal emitted by the projection unit <NUM> controlled by the driver chip <NUM> of the projection module <NUM> of the present invention. Preferably, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the driver chip <NUM> controls the projection unit <NUM> to emit the light signal in the form of a square wave. It is worth mentioning that, the shorter the wiring distance between the driver chip <NUM> of the projection module <NUM> and the projection unit <NUM> is, the closer the pulse waveform of the light signal projected by the projection unit <NUM> is to a square wave.

Preferably, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the projection unit <NUM> may be a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL).

<FIG> of the drawings of the present invention show several other optional embodiments of the projection module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM>, wherein the projection module <NUM> is conductively disposed on the electronic device mainboard <NUM> in a manner of using a flexible board for conduction, that is, the projection module <NUM> is connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM> in a manner of disposing the flexible board.

<FIG> and <FIG> show two optional embodiments of the projection module <NUM> of the above TOF camera module <NUM>, wherein the projection module <NUM> includes a support <NUM>, a transmitting circuit board 12C, at least one optical element <NUM>, at least one projection unit <NUM>, at least one driver chip <NUM>, and at least one electronic element <NUM>, and wherein the projection unit <NUM> and the driver chip <NUM> are disposed on the same side of the transmitting circuit board 12C. It is different from the above-mentioned preferred embodiment in that the transmitting circuit board 12C is conductively connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM> in a manner of a flexible board connection. In detail, the projection module <NUM> further includes at least one flexible board 103C and a connector 102C, wherein one end of the flexible board 103C is electrically connected to the transmitting circuit board 12C, and wherein the other end of the flexible board 103C is conductively connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM> through the connector 102C.

It can be understood that, in this optional embodiment of the present invention, there is no need to set solder joints below the transmitting circuit board 12C of the projection module <NUM>, and the transmitting circuit board 12C is conductively connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM> through the flexible board 103C.

It can be understood by those skilled in the art that the flexible board 103C is a flexible circuit board, which can be bent so as to conductively connect the projection module <NUM> to the electronic device mainboard <NUM>. The transmitting circuit board 12C conductively connects the transmitting circuit board 12C to the electronic device mainboard <NUM> through the flexible board 103C.

In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support <NUM> is disposed on the upper surface of the transmitting circuit board 12C in a bonding manner. The support <NUM> can be manufactured by a process such as injection molding or sintering, that is, the support <NUM> can be integrally formed by a process such as injection molding or sintering. Preferably, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support <NUM> is a ceramic-sintered ceramic support apparatus. As shown in <FIG>, the connector 102C is conductively disposed above one end of the flexible board 103C. As shown in <FIG>, the connector 102C is conductively disposed below one end of the flexible board 103C.

<FIG> and <FIG> show two optional embodiments of a projection module <NUM> of the above TOF camera module <NUM> of the present invention, wherein the projection module <NUM> includes a support <NUM>, a transmitting circuit board 12C, at least one optical element <NUM>, at least one projection unit <NUM>, at least one driver chip <NUM>, and at least one electronic element <NUM>, and wherein the projection unit <NUM> and the driver chip <NUM> are disposed on the same side of the transmitting circuit board 12C. It is different from the optional implementation of the above preferred embodiment in that the support <NUM> of the projection module <NUM> is a molded support, wherein the support <NUM> is integrally formed on the upper surface of the transmitting circuit substrate 12C by a molding process.

<FIG> illustrate another two optional embodiments of the projection module <NUM> of the above TOF camera module <NUM>, wherein the projection module <NUM> includes a support <NUM>, a transmitting circuit board <NUM>, at least one optical element <NUM>, at least one projection unit <NUM>, at least one driver chip <NUM>, and at least one electronic element <NUM>, and wherein the projection unit <NUM> and the driver chip <NUM> are disposed on the same side of the transmitting circuit board <NUM>. It is different from the above preferred embodiment in the manner in which the transmitting circuit board <NUM> of the projection module <NUM> is conductively connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM>. In detail, the projection module <NUM> further includes a flexible board 103C and a connector 102C, wherein the flexible board 103C is a flexible circuit board. One end of the flexible board 103C is attached below the transmitting circuit board <NUM>, wherein the transmitting circuit board <NUM> is conductively connected to the flexible board 103C in a welding / soldering manner, and the transmitting circuit board <NUM> is electrically connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM> by means of the flexible board 103C. The other end of the flexible board 103C is electrically connected to the connector 102C, wherein the connector 102C is conductively connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM>, and the flexible board 103C is conductively connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM> by means of the connector 102C.

It is worth mentioning that, in this optional embodiment of the present invention, the structure and function of the transmitting circuit board <NUM> are the same as those in the above first preferred embodiment. The lower solder joints <NUM> of the transmitting circuit board <NUM> are electrically connected to one end of the flexible board 103C, and the transmitting circuit board <NUM> is electrically connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM> by means of the flexible board 103C. In short, the transmitting circuit board <NUM> is conductively attached to the flexible board 103C, and the transmitting circuit board <NUM> is electrically connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM> through the flexible board 103C.

It is worth mentioning that in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support <NUM> may be manufactured by a process such as injection molding or sintering, that is, the support <NUM> may be integrally formed by a process such as injection molding or sintering. The support <NUM> is disposed above the transmitting circuit board <NUM> in a bonding or integral molding manner.

Referring to <FIG> of the drawings of the present invention, another preferred embodiment of a TOF camera module 300D of the electronic device according to the above preferred embodiment example of the present invention is illustrated in the following description. The TOF camera module 300D is assembled into an integrated camera module, wherein the TOF camera module 300D includes a projection module 10D and a receiving module 20D, wherein the projection module 10D is disposed adjacent to the receiving module 20D, the projection module 10D is conductively connected to the receiving module 20D, and the projection module 10D is controlled by means of the receiving module 20D to work. The projection module 10D is conductively disposed on the receiving module 20D, wherein the receiving module 20D is conductively connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM>, that is, the electronic device mainboard <NUM> supports the work of the projection module 10D through the receiving module 20D.

It can be understood that, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the TOF camera module 300D may further include a lens holder, which is used to fix the projection module 10D and the receiving module 20D and maintain the relative position of the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module 20D to be fixed.

In detail, the receiving module 20D includes a lens assembly 21D, a photosensitive element <NUM>, and at least one receiving circuit board 23D, wherein the lens assembly 21D is disposed above the photosensitive element 22D, and the photosensitive element 22D is provided with a photosensitive path by means of the lens assembly 21D, so as to project external light to the photosensitive element <NUM> through the photosensitive path. It is different from the above first preferred embodiment in that the receiving circuit board 23D includes a circuit board receiving end 231D and a circuit board transmitting end 232D integrally extending from the circuit board receiving end 231D, wherein the photosensitive element 22D is attached to the circuit board receiving end 231D of the receiving circuit board 23D. The projection module 10D is conductively disposed on the circuit board transmitting end 232D of the receiving circuit board 23D, and by means of the receiving circuit board 23D, the projection module 10D is supported and the distance between the projection module 10D and the receiving modules 20D is positioned.

It can be understood that, the projection module 10D and the receiving module 20D of the TOF camera module 300D are assembled into an integrated structure, wherein when the TOF camera module 300D is mounted on the electronic device mainboard <NUM>, the projection module 10D and the receiving module 20D are integrally mounted on the electronic device mainboard <NUM>. It can be understood that the dimension of the projection module 10D in the height direction is smaller than the height dimension of the receiving module 20D, wherein the projection module 10D is stacked on the circuit board transmitting end 232D of the receiving module 20D, thereby the upper end position of the projection module 10D is raised so that the overall height of the projection module 10D and the receiving module 20D of the TOF camera module <NUM> are close to each other. Preferably, the tops of the projection module 10D and the receiving module 20D are at the same level of height, which is advantageous to improve the photographing quality of the TOF camera module 300D.

It is different from the above first preferred embodiment in that the projection module 10D includes a support 11D, a transmitting circuit board 12D, at least one optical element 13D, at least one projection unit 14D, at least one driver chip <NUM>, and at least one electronic element 17D, wherein the projection unit 14D and the driver chip 15D are disposed on the same side of the transmitting circuit board 12D. The support 11D is disposed on the transmitting circuit board 12D, wherein the optical element 13D is attached above the support 11D and is located in a projection path of the projection module 10D, and by means of the optical element 13D, the light signal projected by the projection unit 14D is diffracted (or expanded, shaped, etc.). The support 11D, the transmitting circuit board 12D and the optical element 13D of the projection module 10D are sealed to form an accommodating space 101D, wherein the projection unit 14D and the driver chip 15D are built in the closed space 101D.

As shown in <FIG>, the receiving module 20D of the TOF camera module 300D further includes a receiving end connector 24D, wherein one end of the receiving end connector 24D is electrically connected to the receiving circuit board 23D of the receiving module 20D, and by means of the receiving end connector 24D, the receiving circuit board 23D of the receiving module 20D is conductively connected to the electronic device mainboard <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the projection module 10D is conductively connected to the receiving circuit board 23D of the receiving module 20D in a flexible board connection manner. The TOF camera module 300D further includes a flexible board 103D, wherein the flexible board 103D conductively connects the transmitting circuit board 12D of the projection module 10D to the receiving circuit board 23D of the receiving module 20D. It can be understood that the flexible board 103D is a flexible circuit board, wherein the flexible board 103D can be turned over so as to electrically connect the transmitting circuit board 12D stacked above the receiving module 20D to the circuit board transmitting end 232D of the receiving circuit board 23D.

The TOF camera module 300D further includes a base support 30D, wherein the base support 30D is disposed on the circuit board transmitting end 232D of the receiving circuit board 23D, and by means of the base support 30D, the height of the projection module 10D is raised so that the height of the projection module 10D is similar to or parallel to the height of the receiving module 20D. Correspondingly, the base support 30D is padded below the transmitting circuit board 12D of the projection module 10D, and the projection module 10D is supported by means of the base support 30D. The transmitting circuit board 12D of the projection module 10D is attached to the upper surface of the base support 30D, and the projection module 10D is fixedly stacked by the base support 30D on the circuit board transmitting end 232D of the receiving circuit board 23D.

In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base support 30D is integrally formed on the circuit board transmitting end 232D of the receiving circuit board 23D by a molding process or a sintering process. Preferably, the base support 30D is implemented as a molded base, wherein the base support 30D is disposed below the transmitting circuit board 12D in a heat conduction manner, and the heat generated by the radiating circuit board 12D is conducted by means of the base support 30D.

The TOF camera module 300D further includes at least one electronic element unit 40D, wherein the electronic element unit 40D is disposed on the receiving circuit board 23D, which is used to support the work of the projection module 10D or the receiving module 20D of the TOF camera module 300D. Preferably, the electronic element unit 40D is conductively disposed on the circuit board transmitting end 232D of the receiving circuit board 23D. The electronic element unit 40D is covered by the base support 30D, and the electronic element unit 40D is protected by means of the base support 30D.

The TOF camera module 300D further includes at least one shielding cover 50D, wherein the shielding cover 50D is disposed on the projection module 10D, and by means of the shielding cover 50D, a radio frequency signal generated by the projection module 10D is shielded, thereby preventing the radio frequency signal generated by the projection module 10D from affecting the terminal device.

Preferably, the shielding cover 50D is a metal cover, wherein the shielding cover 50D encloses the projection module 10D outside. It is worth mentioning that when the support 11D of the projection module 10D is made of a material without shielding function such as plastic or ceramic, the shielding cover 50D shields the radio frequency generated by the projection unit 14D from affecting other electronic components.

It is worth mentioning that, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electronic element unit 40D includes but is not limited to capacitors, resistors, inductors, etc. The electronic element unit 40D can reduce the parasitic inductance between the driver chip and the projection module, so as to ensure the waveform integrity of the light signal emitted by the projection module. It can be understood that, although the electronic element unit 40D can improve the pulse waveform of the light signal projected by the projection unit 14D, the electronic element unit 40D can be attached to the electronic device mainboard <NUM> of the electronic device, the receiving circuit board 23D of the receiving module 20D or/and the transmitting circuit board 12D of the projection module 10D according to design requirements. Therefore, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the installation position of the electronic element unit 40D is merely used here as an example, rather than a limitation.

<FIG> shows another optional implementation of the TOF camera module 300D of the electronic device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is different from the above optional preferred embodiment in that a base support 30E of the TOF camera module 300D is disposed on the projection module 10D and the receiving circuit boards 23D of the receiving module 20D in a bonding manner, to raise the height of the projection module 10D, so that the projection module 10D and the receiving module 20D have similar heights.

In this optional embodiment of the present invention, the base support 30E is integrally formed by a molding process or a sintering process, wherein the base support 30E includes a base support body 31E, and is further provided with a support upper end surface 32E and a support lower end surface 33E, and wherein the support lower end surface 33E is attached to the upper surface of the receiving circuit board 23D. The transmitting circuit board 12D of the projection module 10D is disposed on the support upper end surface 32E of the base support 30E, and by means of the base support body 31E, the height position of the projection module 10D is supported and raised. Preferably, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base support 30E is a one-piece ceramic support. The transmitting circuit board 12D of the projection module 10D is attached to the base support 30E in a heat conduction manner, wherein the transmitting circuit board 12D conducts the heat generated by the work of the projection module 10D to the base support 30E, for the base support 30E to dissipate heat.

The base support 30E is further provided with an accommodating groove 34E, wherein the accommodating groove 34E is formed at the lower end of the base support body 31E, wherein the electronic element unit 40D is shielded by the base support body 31E of the base support 30E on the accommodating groove 34E. When the base support 30E is attached to the receiving circuit board 23D of the receiving module 20D, the circuit board transmitting end 232D of the receiving circuit board 23D and the base support 30E seal the accommodating groove 34E of the base support 30E, wherein the electronic element unit 40D is sealed in the accommodating groove 34E.

<FIG> shows another optional implementation of the TOF camera module 300D of the electronic device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is different from the above preferred embodiment in that the projection module 10D is conductively connected to the receiving module 20D in a solder joint connection manner.

The TOF camera module 300D further includes a base support 30F, wherein the base support 30F is disposed on the circuit board transmitting end 232D of the receiving circuit board 23D, and by means of the base support 30F, the height of the projection module 10D is raised so that the height of the projection module 10D is similar to or parallel to the height of the receiving module 20D. Correspondingly, the base support 30F is padded below the transmitting circuit board 12D of the projection module 10D, and the projection module 10D is supported by means of the base support 30F. The transmitting circuit board 12D of the projection module 10D is attached to the upper surface of the base support 30F, and the projection module 10D is fixedly stacked by the base support 30F on the circuit board transmitting end 232D of the receiving circuit board 23D. The base support 30F conductively connects the transmitting circuit board 12D of the projection module 10D to the receiving circuit board 23D of the receiving module 20D.

Correspondingly, the base support 30F includes a base support body 31F, and at least one support conduction circuit 35F disposed on the base support body 31F. The support conduction circuit 35F is built into the base support body 31F, wherein one end (upper end) of the support conduction circuit 35F is electrically connected to the transmitting circuit board 12D of the projection module 10D, and the other end (lower end) of the support conduction circuit 35F is electrically connected to the receiving circuit board 23D of the receiving module 20D. In short, the base support 30F conductively connects the transmitting circuit board 12D to the circuit board transmitting end 232D of the receiving circuit board 23D. Preferably, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transmitting circuit board 12D of the projection module 10D is a solder joint conductive connection structure, that is, the lower end of the transmitting circuit board 12D of the projection module 10D is conductively connected to the support conduction circuit 35F of the base support 30F through solder joints.

In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base support 30D is integrally formed on the circuit board transmitting end 232D of the receiving circuit board 23D by a molding process or a sintering process. Preferably, the base support 30D is implemented as a ceramic base. The transmitting circuit board 12D of the projection module 10D is attached to the base support 30F in a head conduction manner, wherein the transmitting circuit board 12D conducts the heat generated by the work of the projection module 10D to the base support 30F, for the base support 30F to dissipate heat.

<FIG> shows another optional implementation of the TOF camera module 300D of the electronic device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is different from the above preferred embodiment in that a transmitting circuit board <NUM> of the projection module 10D of the TOF camera module is integrally molded on the transmitting circuit board 23D of the receiving module 20D. The transmitting circuit board <NUM> is conductively disposed on the receiving circuit board 23D, and the overall height of the projection unit 14D, the driver chip 15D and the support 11D of the projection module 10D is raised by means of the transmitting circuit board <NUM>.

Preferably, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transmitting circuit board <NUM> is an integrated ceramic circuit board formed by ceramic sintering, wherein the ceramic circuit board has good thermal conductivity, which is advantageous to improve the heat dissipation of projection module <NUM>. It can be understood that, the material of the transmitting circuit board <NUM> is merely used here as an example, rather than a limitation. Therefore, the transmitting circuit board <NUM> may also be implemented as other types of circuit board types, such as a one-piece molded circuit board.

In detail, the transmitting circuit board <NUM> includes a transmitting circuit substrate <NUM>, and a plurality of upper solder joints <NUM>, a plurality of lower solder joints <NUM> and at least one conduction circuit <NUM> disposed on the transmitting circuit substrate <NUM>, wherein the upper solder joints <NUM> are disposed on the upper end of the transmitting circuit substrate <NUM>, at least one of the upper solder joints <NUM> is used to be conductively connected to the projection unit 14D of the projection module 10D, at least one of the upper solder joints <NUM> is used to be conductively connected to the driver chip 15D of the projection module 10D, and at least one of the upper soldered joints <NUM> is used to be conductively connected to the electronic elements 17D of the projection module 10D. It is the same as the above first preferred embodiment that, the upper solder joints <NUM> are electrically connected to the lower solder joints <NUM> through the conduction circuit <NUM>, and the upper solder joint <NUM> corresponding to the driver chip 15D is electrically connected to the at least one upper solder joints <NUM> through the at least one conduction circuit <NUM>, wherein the upper solder joint <NUM> is electrically connected to one electrode of the projection unit 14D, so that the projection unit 14D is conductively connected to the driver chip 15D. Preferably, the conduction circuit connecting the driver chip 15D and the projection unit 14D is arranged on the upper surface layer of the transmitting circuit substrate <NUM>.

In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conduction circuit <NUM>, the upper solder joints <NUM> and the lower solder joints <NUM> are integrally disposed on the transmitting circuit substrate <NUM>, or when the conduction circuit <NUM>, the upper solder joints <NUM> and the lower solder joints <NUM> are preset, the transmitting circuit substrate <NUM> is integrally formed in a manner of sintering or molding. The upper solder joints <NUM> are embedded in the upper end surface of the transmitting circuit substrate <NUM>, and the lower solder joints <NUM> are embedded in the lower end surface of the transmitting circuit substrate <NUM>, wherein the conduction circuit <NUM> is built (wrapped) in the transmitting circuit substrate <NUM>. In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transmitting circuit substrate <NUM> of the transmitting circuit board <NUM> is preset with the conduction circuit <NUM>, the upper solder joints <NUM> and the lower solder joints <NUM> before the sintering or molding process, so as to ensure that the projection unit 14D, the driver chip 15D and the electronic elements 17D electrically connected to the upper solder joints <NUM> can be conducted.

It is worth mentioning that the transmitting circuit board <NUM> of the projection module 10D of this preferred embodiment of the present invention is integrally molded on the receiving circuit board 23D, wherein the lower solder joints <NUM> are disposed to be electrically connected to the receiving circuit board 23D. It can be easily conceivable for those skilled in the art that the projection module 10D may also be conductively disposed on the receiving circuit board 23D of the receiving module 20D in other manners, such as a flexible board connection manner. As an example, the transmitting circuit board <NUM> of the projection module 10D is integrally molded on a flexible board, and by means of the flexible board, the projection module 10D is conductively connected to the receiving circuit board 23D of the receiving module 20D. It can be understood that, in this optional embodiment of the present invention, the projection module 10D may also be conductively attached to the receiving circuit board 23D of the receiving module 20D in a bonding manner. For example, the molded projection module 10D is attached to the receiving circuit board 23D of the receiving module 20D through conductive silver glue.

Referring to <FIG> of the drawings of the present invention, the TOF camera module <NUM> of the electronic device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention is mounted to an optional implementation of the electronic device motherboard <NUM>. In this optional implementation, the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> are independently mounted to the electronic device mainboard <NUM>. It can be understood by those skilled in the art that the electronic device mainboard <NUM> of the electronic device may be but not limited to a circuit board, wherein the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> are independently conductively disposed on the electronic device mainboard <NUM>. It is worth mentioning that the TOF camera module <NUM> can be disposed on the front or back surface of the electronic device mainboard <NUM>. In other words, when the TOF camera module <NUM> is disposed on the front surface of the electronic device mainboard <NUM>, the TOF camera module is implemented as a front camera apparatus of the electronic device; and when the TOF camera module <NUM> is disposed on the back surface of the electronic device mainboard <NUM>, the TOF camera module is implemented as a rear camera apparatus of the electronic device. It can be understood that, the position of the TOF camera module is merely used here as an example, rather than a limitation.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the electronic device mainboard <NUM> includes a mainboard body <NUM>, and a pad area <NUM> and a receiving end mounting groove <NUM> disposed on the mainboard body <NUM>, wherein the pad area <NUM> is formed on a front or back surface of the mainboard body <NUM>, and the receiving end mounting groove <NUM> is formed on one end of the mainboard body <NUM>, such as the top end of the mainboard body <NUM>. The projection module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> is conductively disposed in the pad area <NUM>, wherein the transmitting circuit board <NUM> of the projection module <NUM> can be electrically connected to the mainboard body <NUM> of the electronic device mainboard <NUM> in a solder joint or flexible pad connection manner. Preferably, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transmitting circuit board <NUM> of the projection module <NUM> is disposed on the pad area <NUM> in such a manner that the solder joints are conductive.

The fixing frame <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> is fixed on the mainboard body <NUM> of the electronic device mainboard <NUM>, and the receiving module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> is fixed and supported by means of the fixing frame <NUM>. When the projection module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> is fixedly mounted on the mainboard body <NUM>, the receiving module <NUM> can be adjusted based on the fixing frame <NUM>, so that the projection optical axis of the projection module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> is adapted to the receiving optical axis of the receiving module <NUM>. In short, after the TOF camera module <NUM> is fixed on the electronic device mainboard <NUM>, the position of the receiving module <NUM> in the fixing frame <NUM> can be adjusted, to adjust the receiving module <NUM> to adapt to the projection module <NUM>.

The receiving module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> is embedded in the receiving end mounting groove <NUM>, wherein the receiving module <NUM> is conductively connected to the mainboard body <NUM>. It can be understood that the receiving module <NUM> is depressed and mounted to the receiving end mounting groove <NUM> based on a surface (front or back surface) of the mainboard body <NUM> of the electronic device mainboard <NUM>, to reduce the height difference between the upper end surface of the receiving module <NUM> and the upper end of the projection module <NUM>. It can be understood that, the receiving module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> is mounted to the receiving end mounting groove <NUM>, which is advantageous to reduce the overall thickness of the electronic device, and is advantageous to the lightening and thinning of the electronic device.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the electronic device mainboard <NUM> may further include a fixing mechanism for fixing the receiving module <NUM>. When the receiving module <NUM> is mounted to the receiving end mounting groove <NUM> of the electronic device mainboard <NUM>, the fixing mechanism fixes the receiving module <NUM> to the mainboard body <NUM> of the electronic device mainboard <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show two different installation manners of the TOF camera module <NUM>, that is, the pad area <NUM> of the electronic device mainboard <NUM> may be disposed at a side (lower, right or left side) of the receiving end mounting groove <NUM>. Therefore, when the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> are each independently mounted on the electronic device mainboard <NUM>, the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> may have various arrangments.

Referring to <FIG> of the drawings of the present invention, the TOF camera module <NUM> of the electronic device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention is mounted to an optional implementation of the electronic device motherboard <NUM>. In this optional implementation, the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> are independently mounted to the electronic device mainboard <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the electronic device mainboard <NUM> includes a mainboard body <NUM>, and a pad area <NUM> and a receiving end mounting hole <NUM>' disposed on the mainboard body <NUM>, wherein the pad area <NUM> is formed on the front or back surface of the mainboard body <NUM>, and the receiving end mounting hole <NUM>' is formed on one end of the mainboard body <NUM>, such as the top end of the mainboard body <NUM>. The projection module <NUM> of the TOF camera module is conductively disposed in the pad area <NUM>, wherein the transmitting circuit board <NUM> of the projection module <NUM> can be electrically connected to the mainboard body <NUM> of the electronic device mainboard <NUM> in a solder joint or flexible pad connection manner.

As shown in <FIG>, it is different from the above preferred embodiment in that, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the receiving end mounting hole <NUM>' is a through hole or a semi-permeable hole formed in the mainboard body <NUM>. The receiving module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> is embedded in the receiving end mounting hole <NUM>', wherein the receiving module <NUM> is conductively connected to the mainboard body <NUM>. It can be understood that the receiving module <NUM> is depressed and mounted to the receiving end mounting hole <NUM>' based on a surface (front or back surface) of the mainboard body <NUM> of the electronic device mainboard <NUM>, so as to reduce the height difference between the upper end surface of the receiving module <NUM> and the upper end of the projection module <NUM>.

It is worth mentioning that, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the projection module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> can raise the position of the projection module <NUM> through a support with a communication / connection circuit, so that the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> are similar in height. In other words, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the projection module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> is electrically connected to the mainboard main body <NUM> from the pad area <NUM> of the electronic device mainboard <NUM> in a raised manner.

Referring to <FIG> of the drawings of the present invention, the TOF camera module <NUM> of the electronic device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention is mounted to another optional implementation of the electronic device motherboard <NUM>. It is different from the above preferred embodiment in that, in this optional implementation, the TOF camera module <NUM> assembled into one body is mounted on the electronic device mainboard <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the electronic device mainboard <NUM> includes a mainboard body <NUM>, and a pad area <NUM> and a receiving end mounting area <NUM>" disposed on the mainboard body <NUM>, wherein the pad area <NUM> is formed on the front or back surface of the mainboard body <NUM>, and the receiving end mounting area <NUM>" is formed on one end of the mainboard body <NUM>, such as the top end of the mainboard body <NUM>. The projection module <NUM> of the TOF camera module is conductively disposed in the pad area <NUM>, wherein the transmitting circuit board <NUM> of the projection module <NUM> can be electrically connected to the mainboard body <NUM> of the electronic device mainboard <NUM> in a solder joint or flexible pad connection manner.

Preferably, the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> are attached to the mainboard body <NUM> of the electronic device mainboard <NUM>, wherein the pad area <NUM> and the receiving end mounting area <NUM>" are mounting areas formed on a surface of the mainboard body <NUM>. It can be understood that, in other embodiments of the present invention, the pad area <NUM> and the receiving end mounting area <NUM>" are holes, grooves, half holes, etc. formed in the mainboard body <NUM>. That is to say, the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> can be depressed and mounted to the pad area <NUM> and the receiving end mounting area <NUM>" from one surface (front or back surface) of the mainboard body <NUM> of the electronic device mainboard <NUM>, so as to reduce the overall thickness of the electronic device. It can be understood that the electronic device mainboard <NUM> may also include a fixed mounting mechanism for fixedly mounting the TOF camera module <NUM>, and by means of the fixed mounting mechanism, the TOF camera module <NUM> is fixedly mounted to the electronic device mainboard <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, it is different from the above preferred embodiment in that the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> of the TOF camera module <NUM> are separately disposed on the fixing frame <NUM>, and the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> are fixed to the electronic device motherboard <NUM> by means of the fixing frame <NUM>. In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the receiving module <NUM> is adjustably disposed on the receiving end fix holder <NUM> of the fixing frame <NUM>, and the transmitting end fix holder <NUM> of the fixing frame <NUM> is used to raise the height position of the projection module <NUM>.

It is worth mentioning that the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> are separately fixed to the fixing frame <NUM>, and the projection module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM> are fixed and supported by means of the fixing frame <NUM>. In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the projection module <NUM> is supported by the transmitting end fix holder <NUM> of the fixing frame <NUM> to be raised, wherein the bottom of the projection module <NUM> is raised by the transmitting end fix holder <NUM>, so that the upper plane of the projection module <NUM> is flush with or substantially parallel to the receiving module <NUM>. It can be understood that, the projection module <NUM> is raised by the fixing frame <NUM>, and an avoidance space is formed below the projection module <NUM>, wherein the avoidance space can be used to mount or accommodate other electronic elements, wherein the electronic elements may be electronic components sustaining the TOF camera module <NUM>, or may be implemented as other electronic components of the electronic device. In short, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the projection module <NUM> is mounted above the electronic device mainboard <NUM> in such a manner that it is raised by the fixing frame <NUM>, and thus the projection module <NUM> is raised up, while an avoidance space for mounting other electronic elements is formed between the electronic device mainboard <NUM> and it, forming a space overlap, which is advantageous to improve the space utilization rate.

It can be understood that the fixing frame <NUM> raises the projection module <NUM> so that the projection module <NUM> is stacked above the electronic device mainboard <NUM> to improve the space utilization rate.

Claim 1:
A projection module, comprising:
a transmitting circuit board (<NUM>);
a support (<NUM>), wherein the support (<NUM>) is disposed on the transmitting circuit board (<NUM>);
an optical element (<NUM>), wherein the optical element (<NUM>) is attached to the support (<NUM>), and an accommodating space (<NUM>) is formed above the transmitting circuit board (<NUM>) by means of the optical element (<NUM>) and the support (<NUM>);
at least one projection unit (<NUM>), wherein the projection unit (<NUM>) is disposed in the accommodating space (<NUM>), and the projection unit (<NUM>) is conductively attached to the transmitting circuit board (<NUM>); and
at least one driver chip (<NUM>), wherein the driver chip (<NUM>) is packaged into the accommodating space (<NUM>), the driver chip (<NUM>) is conductively connected to the transmitting circuit board (<NUM>), the driver chip (<NUM>) is on the same side as the projection unit (<NUM>), and the driving chip sends a light control signal to the projection unit (<NUM>) based on the transmitting circuit board (<NUM>);
characterized in that the support (<NUM>) has an accommodating cavity (110B) that is formed between an upper end surface (<NUM>) of the transmitting circuit board (<NUM>) and an upper end of the support (<NUM>) which extends inwards in the accommodating space (<NUM>), the driver chip (<NUM>) is disposed in the accommodating cavity (110B), and the support (<NUM>) covers an upper surface of the driver chip (<NUM>) in a thermal contact manner, wherein the support (<NUM>) is selected from a group consisting of a ceramic sintered support and a molded support.