Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a heating module according to the preamble of claim <NUM>. <CIT> discloses a camera module comprising a lens barrel, wherein a first heater is electrically connected to a printed circuit board and configured to heat the lens. <CIT> discloses a camera module, comprising a lens and a heater disposed on a surface of the lens. A switch electrode selectively comes into contact with the heater, wherein a current is supplied to the heater through the switch electrode when the switch electrode and the heater are in contact with each other.

In recent years, micro-camera modules have been developed, and micro-camera modules are widely used in small electronic products such as smart phones, notebook computers, and game consoles.

As automobiles become more popular among public, micro-cameras are widely used not only in small electronic products but also in vehicles. For example, a black box camera for the protection of a vehicle or objective data of a traffic accident, a rear surveillance camera that enables the driver to monitor the blind spot at the rear of the vehicle through the screen to ensure safety when the vehicle is reversing, a surrounding detection camera that can monitor the surroundings of the vehicle, and the like are provided.

The camera may include a lens, a lens barrel accommodating the lens, an image sensor for converting an image of a subject collected in the lens into an electrical signal, and a printed circuit board on which the image sensor is mounted. The housing constituting the outer shape of the camera has a structure in which the entire region is sealed in order to prevent contamination of internal parts from foreign substances including moisture.

Due to the characteristics of a vehicle that is disposed outdoors, the temperature inside and outside the vehicle forms a variety of distributions depending on the time. For example, in summer, the indoor temperature may be higher than the outdoor temperature, and in winter, the temperature may drop to below zero. Accordingly, condensation including frost may occur in the components including the lens and glass of the camera according to an abrupt temperature change. For this reason, satisfactory image recordings may not be obtained, or may cause a product failure.

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a heating device and a camera module capable of preventing condensation including frost from occurring on a lens.

An object of the present invention is to provide a humidity control unit of a camera device and a camera device capable of preventing condensation including frost from occurring on a lens.

In addition, the inner side portion is bent and extended from a middle region of one end of the second region, and the outer side portion may be bent and extended from an outer side region of the one end of the second region.

In addition, the inner side portion and the outer side portion may be spaced apart from each other.

In addition, the inner side portion and the outer side portion may include a curved region.

In addition, the heating member may be formed in a ring shape.

In addition, the heating member may comprise a heating wrap including a heating sheet and a heating wire disposed on the heating sheet.

In addition, the heating material may include a first heating material disposed on an upper surface of the body of the heating member and a second heating material disposed on a lower surface of the body of the heating member.

In addition, the inner side portion is disposed on an upper surface of the heating member, and the outer side portion may be disposed on a lower surface of the heating member.

A camera module according to an aspect of the present invention is as defined in claim <NUM>.

In addition, the heating material includes: a first heating material disposed on an upper surface of the body of the heating member; and a second heating material disposed on a lower surface of the body of the heating member, wherein the first region of the connection terminal may include: a first connection portion connected to the first heating material; and a second connection portion connected to the second heating material.

In addition, the first lens may be a lens disposed at an outermost region, and the first region of the connection terminal and the heating material may be connected to a lower surface of the first lens.

In addition, it may include a retainer disposed on the lens barrel to fix the first lens.

In addition, the substrate may include a control unit and a resistor disposed between the connection terminal and the control unit.

In addition, the resistor includes a first resistor and a second resistor, the first resistor is electrically connected to the first connection portion of the connection terminal, and the second resistor can be electrically connected to the second connection portion of the connection terminal.

Through the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a heating device and a camera module capable of preventing condensation including frost from occurring on the lens.

However, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited to some embodiments to be described, but may be implemented in various forms, and within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, one or more of the constituent elements may be selectively combined or substituted between embodiments.

In addition, the terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention, unless explicitly defined and described, can be interpreted as a meaning that can be generally understood by a person skilled in the art, and commonly used terms such as terms defined in the dictionary may be interpreted in consideration of the meaning of the context of the related technology.

In addition, terms used in the present specification are for describing embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

In the present specification, the singular form may include the plural form unless specifically stated in the phrase, and when described as "at least one (or more than one) of A and B and C", it may include one or more of all combinations that can be combined with A, B, and C
In addition, in describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are merely intended to distinguish the components from other components, and the terms do not limit the nature, order or sequence of the components.

And, when a component is described as being 'connected', 'coupled' or 'interconnected' to another component, the component is not only directly connected, coupled or interconnected to the other component, but may also include cases of being 'connected', 'coupled', or 'interconnected' due that another component between that other components.

In addition, when described as being formed or arranged in "on (above)" or "below (under)" of each component, "on (above)" or "below (under)" means that it includes not only the case where the two components are directly in contact with, but also the case where one or more other components are formed or arranged between the two components. In addition, when expressed as "on (above)" or "below (under)", the meaning of not only an upward direction but also a downward direction based on one component may be included.

An 'optical axis direction' used below is defined as an optical axis direction of a lens coupled to the lens driving device. Meanwhile, the 'optical axis direction' may correspond to an 'up-down direction', a 'z-axis direction', and the like.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the camera module according to theembodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the camera module according to the embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a perspective view of the connection terminal of the camera module according to the embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a perspective view of a heating member of the camera module according to the embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a perspective view of a connection terminal and a heating member of the camera module according to the embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a partial cross-sectional view of the camera module according to the embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> and <FIG> is a schematic circuit diagram of the camera module according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the camera module <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention includes: a housing <NUM>, a lens barrel <NUM>; a lens module <NUM>; a connection terminal <NUM>; a substrate <NUM>; and a connector <NUM>; the heating member <NUM>; and a retainer <NUM>.

In addition, the camera module <NUM> according the embodiment of the present invention includes a heating device. The heating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes: a substrate <NUM>; a connection terminal <NUM>; and a heating member <NUM>, but additional configurations are not excluded.

The camera module <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> forms the outer appearance of the camera module <NUM>. In the housing <NUM>, a lens barrel <NUM>, a lens module <NUM>, a connection terminal <NUM>, a substrate <NUM>, a connector <NUM>, a heating member <NUM>, and a retainer <NUM> are disposed. The housing <NUM> may include an upper housing and a lower housing.

The camera module <NUM> includes a lens barrel <NUM>. The lens barrel <NUM> is disposed in the housing <NUM>. The lens barrel <NUM> is disposed inside the housing <NUM>. The lens barrel <NUM> is coupled to the housing <NUM>. The lens barrel <NUM>is coupled to the front of the housing <NUM>. The lens module <NUM> is disposed in the lens barrel <NUM>. The lens barrel <NUM> accommodates at least a portion of the lens module <NUM>. The lens barrel <NUM> includes an opening in which the lens module <NUM> is disposed. The first lens <NUM> of the lens module <NUM>, that is, the outermost lens, may be exposed to the upper portion of the lens barrel <NUM>. The central position of the lens barrel <NUM> may correspond to the central position of the lens module <NUM>. At least a portion of the lens barrel <NUM> may be overlapped with the connection terminal <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. At least a portion of the connection terminal <NUM> may be disposed in a space between the lens barrel <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. A retainer <NUM> may be coupled to the lens barrel <NUM>. A retainer <NUM> may be coupled to the front of the lens barrel <NUM>. The lens barrel <NUM> may be made of a non-metal material such as a synthetic resin material by using a plastic injection or die-casting casting method, but is not limited thereto, and the material of the lens barrel <NUM> may be variously changed.

The camera module <NUM> may include a lens module <NUM>. The lens module <NUM> is accommodated in the lens barrel <NUM>. The lens module <NUM> is disposed in the opening of the lens barrel <NUM>. The lens module <NUM> may penetrate through the opening of the lens barrel <NUM>. The lens module <NUM> may be screw-coupled to an inner circumferential surface of the lens barrel <NUM>. On an outer circumferential surface of the lens module <NUM>, a screw thread corresponding screw thread formed on the inner circumferential surface of the lens barrel <NUM> may be formed. The lens module <NUM> may include a first lens <NUM> that is an outermost lens and at least one lens disposed under the first lens <NUM>. The first lens <NUM> of the lens module <NUM> may be exposed above the lens barrel <NUM>. At least a portion of the first lens <NUM> of the lens module <NUM> may be disposed above the lens barrel <NUM>. At least one lens of the lens module <NUM> may be disposed below the first lens <NUM>. Each lens of the lens module <NUM> may be made of a synthetic resin material, a glass material, or a quartz material, but is not limited thereto and may be made of various materials.

The camera module <NUM> may include a connection terminal <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> is electrically connected to the substrate <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> is electrically connected to the heating member <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may electrically connect the heating member <NUM> and the substrate <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> is electrically connected to the connector <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may electrically connect the heating member <NUM> and the connector <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may supply current from the substrate <NUM> to the heating member <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may include a first region <NUM> disposed adjacent to the first lens <NUM>, a third region <NUM> disposed adjacent to the substrate <NUM>, and a second region <NUM> connecting the first region <NUM> and the third region <NUM>.

The connection terminal <NUM> may include a first region <NUM>. The first region <NUM> is disposed on an upper portion of the second region <NUM> and the third region <NUM>. The first region <NUM> is disposed between the lens barrel <NUM> and the lens module <NUM>. The first region <NUM> is disposed in the lens barrel <NUM>. The first region <NUM> is disposed in the lens module <NUM>. The first region <NUM> is disposed between the first lens <NUM> and at least one lens of the lens module <NUM>. The first region <NUM> is disposed between the first lens <NUM> and the lens barrel <NUM>. The first region <NUM> may include an inner side portion <NUM> and an outer side portion <NUM>. The first region <NUM> is coupled to the heating member <NUM>. The first region <NUM> is coupled to the heating member <NUM> through contact means <NUM> and <NUM>. The first region <NUM> is electrically connected to the heating member <NUM>.

The inner side portion <NUM> is formed to be extended from one end <NUM> of the second region <NUM>. The inner side portion <NUM> is formed to be extended from the central region of the one end <NUM> of the second region <NUM>. The inner side portion <NUM> is bent and extended from the central region of the one end <NUM> of the second region <NUM>. The inner side portion <NUM> may include a curved region. The inner side portion <NUM> may be formed of a curved region. The inner side portion <NUM> may be formed in a ring shape. The inner side portion <NUM> may be formed in a half-ring shape. The inner side portion <NUM> may be formed in a horseshoe shape. The inner side portion <NUM> may be spaced apart from the outer side portion <NUM>. The inner side portion <NUM> is disposed at a higher position than the outer side portion <NUM>. The inner side portion <NUM> is disposed on an upper surface of the heating member <NUM>. A lower surface of the inner side portion <NUM> is coupled to an upper surface of the heating member <NUM>. The lower surface of the inner side portion <NUM> is electrically connected to an upper surface of the heating member <NUM>. A lower surface of the inner side portion <NUM> may be ACF bonded to an upper surface of the heating member <NUM>. A lower surface of the inner side portion <NUM> is combined with a first heating material of the heating member <NUM>. A lower surface of the inner side portion <NUM> is electrically connected to a first heating material of the heating member <NUM>. A lower surface of the inner side portion <NUM> may be ACF-bonded with a first heating material of the heating member <NUM>. The inner side portion <NUM> is a first connection portion connected to a first heating material. An upper surface of the inner side portion <NUM> is coupled to a lower surface of the first lens <NUM>. At least a portion of an upper surface of the inner side portion <NUM> is coupled to at least a portion of a lower surface of the first lens <NUM>.

The outer side portion <NUM> is formed to be extended from one end <NUM> of the second region <NUM>. The outer side portion <NUM> is formed to be extended from the outer side region of the one end <NUM> of the second region <NUM>. The outer side portion <NUM> is bent and extended from the outer side region of the one end <NUM> of the second region <NUM>. The outer side portion <NUM> may include a curved region. The outer side portion <NUM> may be formed of a curved region. The outer side portion <NUM> may be formed in a ring shape. The outer side portion <NUM> may be formed in a half-ring shape. The outer side portion <NUM> may be formed in a horseshoe shape. The outer side portion <NUM> may be spaced apart from the inner side portion <NUM>. The outer side portion <NUM> is disposed at a lower position than the inner side portion <NUM>. The outer side portion <NUM> is disposed on a lower surface of the heating member <NUM>. An upper surface of the outer side portion <NUM> is coupled to a lower surface of the heating member <NUM>. The upper surface of the outer side portion <NUM> is electrically connected to a lower surface of the heating member <NUM>. The upper surface of the outer side portion <NUM> may be ACF-bonded to a lower surface of the heating member <NUM>. The upper surface of the outer side portion <NUM> is combined with a second heating material of the heating member <NUM>. The upper surface of the outer side portion <NUM> is electrically connected to a second heating material of the heating member <NUM>. An upper surface of the outer side portion <NUM> may be ACF-bonded with a second heating material of the heating member <NUM>. The outer side portion <NUM> may be a second connection portion connected to the second heating material. The lower surface of the outer side portion <NUM> may be seated on an inner side surface of the lens barrel <NUM>. A lower surface of the outer side portion <NUM> may be seated on an upper portion of the at least one lens.

Although it is exemplary described that the height at which the inner side portion <NUM> is located is higher than the height at which the outer side portion <NUM> is located, but is not limited thereto, and the height at which the outer side portion <NUM> is located may be higher than the height at which the inner side portion <NUM> is located.

The connection terminal <NUM> may include a second region <NUM>. The second region <NUM> may connect the first region <NUM> and the third region <NUM>. The second region <NUM> may be bent at least once. The second region <NUM> may penetrate through at least one region of the housing <NUM>, the lens barrel <NUM>, and the retainer <NUM>. Specifically, the second region <NUM> passes through the space between the retainer <NUM> and the lens module <NUM>, passes through the space between the lens barrel <NUM> and the lens module <NUM>, and may pass through the space between the housing <NUM> and the lens modules <NUM>. The second region <NUM> may include: one end <NUM> connected to the first region <NUM>; a first curved region <NUM> being extended downward from one end <NUM>; a second curved region <NUM> being extended downward from the first curved region <NUM>; a third curved region <NUM> being extended downward from the second curved region <NUM>; a fourth curved region <NUM> being extended downward from the third curved region <NUM>; and other end <NUM> connecting the fourth curved region <NUM> and the third region <NUM>. At this time, the widths of the first to fourth curved regions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be the same. The first to fourth curved regions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may have different lengths. The first to fourth curved regions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may have different curvatures. The second region <NUM> may be formed in an 'S' shape as a whole.

The connection terminal <NUM> may include a third region <NUM>. The third region <NUM> is formed to be extended from the second region <NUM>. The third region <NUM> may be bent from the other end <NUM> of the second region <NUM>. The third region <NUM> is connected to the substrate <NUM>. The third region <NUM> is connected to the connector <NUM>. The third region <NUM> is electrically connected to the substrate <NUM>. The third region <NUM> is electrically connected to the substrate <NUM> through the connector <NUM>. The third region <NUM> may have a flat plate shape. The third region <NUM> may be formed to be extended in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

The camera module <NUM> includes a substrate <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> is disposed in the housing <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> may include a printed circuit board (PCB) or a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The substrate <NUM> is coupled to the connection terminal <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> is electrically connected to the connection terminal <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> is electrically connected to the third region <NUM> of the connection terminal <NUM>.

The substrate <NUM> may include a plurality of substrates <NUM> and <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> may include a first substrate <NUM> on which the image sensor <NUM> is disposed, and a second substrate <NUM> disposed below the first substrate <NUM> and electrically connected to the first substrate. In this case, the first and second substrates <NUM> and <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other in the optical axis direction (vertical direction), and may be disposed in parallel to improve space efficiency. A connector <NUM> may be disposed between the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, in the embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of substrates is described as an example of four, but the number of the plurality of substrates is not limited thereto and may be variously changed.

The substrate <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention may be replaced with a printed circuit board or a circuit board. An image sensor <NUM> may be mounted on the substrate <NUM>. In this case, the image sensor <NUM> may be electrically connected to the substrate <NUM>. For example, the image sensor <NUM> may be coupled to the substrate <NUM> by a surface mounting technology (SMT). As another example, the image sensor <NUM> may be coupled to the substrate <NUM> by flip chip technology.

The substrate <NUM> may include a control unit and resistors R<NUM> and R<NUM> disposed between the connection terminal <NUM> and the control unit (MCU). The resistors R<NUM> and R<NUM> may include a first resistor R<NUM> and a second resistor R<NUM>. The first resistor R<NUM> may be electrically connected to the first connection portion <NUM> of the connection terminal <NUM>. The second resistor R<NUM> may be electrically connected to the second connection portion <NUM> of the connection terminal <NUM>. In here, the first resistor R<NUM> is a first heating material, and the second resistor R<NUM> may be a second heating material, but is not limited thereto, and the first resistor R<NUM> is an upper surface of the heating member <NUM>, and the second resistor R<NUM> may refer to a lower surface of the heating member <NUM>. In the embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is described as an example of an MCU, but the present invention is not limited thereto and the configuration of the control unit may be variously changed.

In addition, sensing resistors Rsense1 and Rsense2 disposed between the connection terminal <NUM> and the control unit, and ground resistors R<NUM> and R<NUM> disposed between the connection terminal <NUM> and the ground RND or between the control unit MCU and the ground RND may be included. At this time, the sensing resistors Rsense1 and Rsense2 may include: a first sensing resistor Rsense1 disposed between the first resistor R<NUM> and the control unit MCU; and a second sensing resistor Rsense2 disposed between the second resistor R<NUM> and the control unit MCU. The ground resistors R<NUM> and R<NUM> may include: a first ground resistor R<NUM> disposed between the first resistor R<NUM> and the ground RND; and a second ground resistor R<NUM> disposed between the second resistor R<NUM> and the ground RND.

The first connection portion <NUM> may include a first electrode portion having a first voltage Vin1 and a second electrode portion having a second voltage VR01 having a voltage lower than the first voltage Vin1. The first resistor R<NUM> may be electrically connected to the second electrode portion of the first connection portion <NUM>.

The second connection portion <NUM> may include: a third electrode portion having a third voltage Vin2 and a fourth electrode portion having a fourth voltage VR02 lower than the third voltage Vin2. The second resistor R<NUM> may be electrically connected to the fourth electrode portion of the second connection portion <NUM>.

At this time, the voltage applied to the first resistor R<NUM> may satisfy Equation <NUM>, and the voltage applied to the second resistor R<NUM> may satisfy Equation <NUM>. <MAT> <MAT>.

The first resistor R<NUM> and the second resistor R<NUM> may be changed due to environmental factors such as temperature change, and the first sensing resistor Rsense2 disposed between the first resistor R<NUM> and the control unit MCU and a second sensing resistor Rsense2 disposed between the second resistor R<NUM> and the control unit MCU may compensate for this.

The first voltage Vin1 and the second voltage VR01 may satisfy Equation <NUM>, and the third voltage Vin2 and the fourth voltage VR02 may satisfy Equation <NUM>. <MAT> <MAT>.

Specifically, the change value of the first resistor R<NUM> can be known by sensing the first sensing resistor Rsense1 and the second voltage VR01, and the change value of the second resistor R<NUM> can be known by sensing the second sensing resistor Rsense2 and the fourth voltage VR02.

If the first resistor R<NUM> decreases than the initial value, the control unit MCU decreases the value of the second voltage VR01 through the first PWM control PWM1, and if the first resistor R<NUM> increases than the initial value, the control unit MCU increases the value of the second voltage VR01 through the first PWM control PWM1 to supply constant power, thereby maintaining a constant heating temperature of the heating member <NUM>.

In addition, if the second resistor R<NUM> decreases than the initial value, the control unit MCU decreases the value of the fourth voltage VR02 through the second PWM control PWM2, and if the second resistor R<NUM> increases than the initial value, the control unit MCU increases the value of the fourth voltage VR02 through the second PWM control PWM2 so that constant power is supplied, thereby maintaining a constant heating temperature of the heating member <NUM>.

To this end, the camera module <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention may include: a first sensor sensing a first sensing resistor Rsense1 and a second voltage VR01; and a second sensor for sensing a second sensing resistor Rsense2 and a fourth voltage VR02.

The camera module <NUM> may include a connector <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be disposed on the substrate <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be electrically connected to the substrate <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be disposed between the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be coupled to the connection terminal <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be electrically connected to the connection terminal <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be electrically connected to the third region <NUM> of the connection terminal <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may electrically connect the substrate <NUM> and the connection terminal <NUM>.

The camera module <NUM> includes a heating member <NUM>. The heating member <NUM> may be disposed in the lens module <NUM>. The heating member <NUM> may be disposed between the lens barrel <NUM> and the lens module <NUM>. The heating member <NUM> may be disposed between the first lens <NUM> and at least one lens of the lens module <NUM>. The heating member <NUM> may be disposed below the first lens <NUM>. The heating member <NUM> may be disposed in an area adjacent to a lower surface of the first lens <NUM>. The heating member <NUM> may be coupled to the connection terminal <NUM>. The heating member <NUM> may be coupled to the first region <NUM> of the connection terminal <NUM>. The heating member <NUM> may be disposed between the inner side portion <NUM> and the outer side portion <NUM> of the first region <NUM> of the connection terminal <NUM>. The heating member <NUM> may be coupled to the connection terminal <NUM> through an adhesive means <NUM> such as an adhesive. The heating member <NUM> is coupled to a partial region <NUM> of the first region <NUM> through a first adhesive means <NUM> such as an adhesive, and may be coupled to a partial region <NUM> of the first region <NUM> through a second adhesive means <NUM>. The heating member <NUM> may be a heating wrap including a heating sheet and a heating wire disposed on the heating sheet. In this case, the heating wire may include a plurality of heating wires.

The heating member <NUM> may be electrically connected to the substrate <NUM> through the connection terminal <NUM>. The heating member <NUM> may to generate heat by receiving current from the substrate <NUM>. At this time, the heating member <NUM> may be bonded to the connection terminal <NUM> using anisotropic conductive film (ACF) which is an electrically conductive film. The heating member <NUM> may be a transparent heating film coated with indium thin oxide (ITO) having conductivity capable of generating heat by its own resistance component. The heating member <NUM> may be formed by, for example, a coating process or a deposition process of an indium tin oxide material. However, this is an example, and the material of the heating member <NUM> is not limited thereto and may be variously changed as long as it is a material that can be heated by supplying current.

The heating member <NUM> may be disposed in the connection terminal <NUM>. The heating member <NUM> may be disposed between the inner side portion <NUM> and the outer side portion <NUM> of the connection terminal <NUM>. The heating member <NUM> may include a body and a heating material disposed on the body. The heating material may include a first heating material disposed on an upper surface of the body and a second heating material disposed on a lower surface of the body. The body may be disposed between the inner side portion <NUM> and the outer side portion <NUM> of the connection terminal <NUM>. The first heating material may be disposed on a lower surface of the inner side portion <NUM>. The upper surface of the first heating material may be electrically coupled to a lower surface of the inner side portion <NUM>. The upper surface of the first heating material may be ACF-bonded to a lower surface of the inner side portion <NUM> through a first contact means <NUM>. The second heating material may be disposed on an upper surface of the outer side portion <NUM>. A lower surface of the second heating material may be electrically coupled to an upper surface of the outer side portion <NUM>. The lower surface of the second heating material may be ACF-bonded to an upper surface of the outer side portion <NUM> through the second contact means <NUM>.

The camera module <NUM> may include a retainer <NUM>. The retainer <NUM> may be disposed on an upper portion or in front of the housing <NUM>. The retainer <NUM> may be coupled to the lens barrel <NUM>. The retainer <NUM> may be disposed outer side of the lens barrel <NUM>. The retainer <NUM> may be disposed above the first lens <NUM> of the lens module <NUM> to fix the lens module <NUM> and the lens barrel <NUM> to the housing <NUM>. The retainer <NUM> may be coupled to the lens barrel <NUM> and fix the lens module <NUM> accommodated in the lens barrel <NUM>. At this time, the end of the retainer <NUM> is formed in the shape of a letter '¬' to press and fix the lens module <NUM> accommodated in the lens barrel <NUM> downward, and can be coupled with the lens barrel <NUM> using an adhesive member such as epoxy. That is, the retainer <NUM> may be disposed on the lens barrel <NUM> to fix the first lens <NUM> which is the outermost lens. An O-ring <NUM> for removing a space formed between the retainer <NUM> and the lens module <NUM> may be disposed between the retainer <NUM> and the lens module <NUM>. An O-ring <NUM> for removing a space formed between the retainer <NUM> and the first lens <NUM> may be disposed between the retainer <NUM> and the first lens <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a connection terminal and a heating member of a camera module which is not part of the present invention. <FIG> is a partial cross-sectional view of the camera module according to <FIG>. <FIG> and <FIG> are schematic circuit diagrams of a camera module according to <FIG>.

<FIG>, the camera module <NUM> comprises: a housing <NUM>; a lens barrel <NUM>; a lens module <NUM>; a connection terminal <NUM>; a substrate <NUM>; a connector <NUM>; a heating member <NUM>; and a retainer <NUM>, but may be implemented excluding some of these configurations, and does not exclude other additional configurations.

In addition, the camera module <NUM> includes a heating device. A heating device includes a substrate <NUM>, a connection terminal <NUM>, and a heating member <NUM>, but does not exclude other additional configurations.

The first region <NUM> of the camera module <NUM>is not divided into an outer side portion and an inner side portion and therefore not part of the present invention. That is, the first region <NUM> may has the same shape as the outer side portion <NUM> or the outer side portion <NUM> of the first region <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The first region <NUM> may be disposed on a lower surface of the first lens <NUM> which is the outermost lens, and the first region <NUM> may be coupled to an upper surface of the heating member <NUM>. At this time, the lower surface of the first region <NUM> may be electrically connected to an upper surface of the heating member <NUM> through the contact means <NUM>, for an example, may be ACF-bonded.

In this case, the circuit configuration of the camera module <NUM> can satisfy Equations <NUM> and <NUM> of the circuit configuration of the camera module <NUM>.

That is, the first resistor R<NUM> may be changed due to environmental factors such as temperature change, and this can be compensated through the first sensing resistor Rsense2 disposed between the first resistor R<NUM> and the control unit MCU.

In addition, if the first resistor R<NUM> decreases than the initial value, the control unit MCU decreases the value of the second voltage VR01 through the first PWM control PWM1, and if the first resistor R<NUM> increases than the initial value, the control unit MCU increases the value of the second voltage VR01 through the first PWM control PWM1 so that constant power is supplied, thereby maintaining a constant heating temperature of the heating member <NUM>.

In another embodiment of the first embodiment of the present invention, although it is described, as an example, that the first region <NUM> is disposed on a lower surface of the first lens <NUM> which is the outermost lens, and the first region <NUM> is coupled to an upper surface of the heating member <NUM>, unlike this, the heating member <NUM> is disposed on a lower surface of the first lens <NUM> which is the outermost lens, and the first region <NUM> may be coupled to a lower surface of the heating member <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a camera device which is not part of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the camera device which is not part of the present invention. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the camera device according to <FIG>. <FIG> is a partial cross-sectional view of the camera device according to <FIG>. <FIG> are perspective views of a partial configuration of the camera device according to <FIG>. <FIG> is a block diagram of the camera device according to <FIG>. <FIG> is a flowchart of a humidity control method for the camera device according to <FIG>, which is not part of the invention. <FIG> is a graph for explaining the operation of the camera device according to <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the camera device <NUM> comprises: a lens module <NUM>; a housing <NUM>; a substrate <NUM>; an image sensor <NUM>; a heater <NUM>; a connection terminal <NUM>; a desiccant <NUM>; a control unit <NUM>; and a sensor unit <NUM>, but may be implemented excluding some of these configurations, and does not exclude additional configurations other than this.

In addition, referring to <FIG>, the humidity controller of the camera device <NUM> includes: a heater <NUM>; a connection terminal <NUM>; and a desiccant <NUM>, however, it may be implemented excluding some of these configurations, and does not exclude additional configurations other than this.

The camera device <NUM> may include a lens module <NUM>. The lens module <NUM> may be disposed in the housing <NUM>. At least a portion of the lens module <NUM> may be accommodated in the housing <NUM>. At least a portion of the lens module <NUM> may penetrate through an opening of the housing <NUM> and may be disposed in front or above the housing <NUM>. The lens module <NUM> may be screw-coupled to the inner circumferential surface of the housing <NUM>. The lens module <NUM> may have a screw thread formed on the outer circumferential surface corresponding to the screw thread formed on the inner circumferential surface of the housing <NUM>. The lens module <NUM> may include at least one lens. Each lens of the lens module <NUM> may be made of a synthetic resin material, a glass material, or a quartz material, but is not limited thereto and may be made of various materials.

The camera device <NUM> may include a housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may form the outer appearance of the camera device <NUM>. A lens module <NUM>, a substrate <NUM>, a heater <NUM>, a connection terminal <NUM>, and a desiccant <NUM> may be disposed in the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may include an upper housing and a lower housing. The housing <NUM> is described with a hexahedral shape as an example, but is not limited thereto.

The camera device <NUM> may include a substrate <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> may be disposed in the housing <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> may be disposed inside the housing <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> may be disposed below the lens module <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> may include a printed circuit board (PCB) or a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The substrate <NUM> may be coupled to the connection terminal <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> may be electrically connected to the connection terminal <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> may be electrically connected to the third region <NUM> of the connection terminal <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> may be electrically connected to the connection terminal <NUM> through a connection member <NUM>. An image sensor <NUM> may be mounted on the substrate <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> may be electrically connected to the image sensor <NUM>.

The substrate <NUM> may include a plurality of substrates <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> may comprise: a first substrate <NUM> on which the image sensor <NUM> is disposed; a second substrate <NUM> disposed below the first substrate <NUM> and electrically connected to the first substrate <NUM>; a third substrate <NUM> disposed below the second substrate <NUM> and electrically connected to the second substrate <NUM>; and a fourth substrate <NUM> disposed below the third substrate <NUM> and electrically connected to the third substrate <NUM>. At this time, the first to fourth substrates <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other in the optical axis direction (vertical direction), respectively, and may be disposed in parallel to improve space efficiency. A connection member <NUM> may be disposed between the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM>. The plurality of substrates <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is described by taking four substrates as an example, but is not limited thereto, and the number of the plurality of substrates <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be changed variously.

The camera device <NUM> may include an image sensor <NUM>. The image sensor <NUM> may be disposed in the housing <NUM>. The image sensor <NUM> may be disposed inside the housing <NUM>. The image sensor <NUM> may be disposed on the substrate <NUM>. The image sensor <NUM> may be electrically connected to the substrate <NUM>. The image sensor <NUM> may be disposed on a front surface or an upper surface of the first substrate <NUM>. The image sensor <NUM> may be disposed in the opening <NUM> of the heater <NUM> and/or the opening of the desiccant <NUM>. The image sensor <NUM> may be mounted on one surface of the first substrate <NUM>. The image sensor <NUM> may be electrically connected to the first substrate <NUM>. For example, the image sensor <NUM> may be coupled to the substrate <NUM> by a surface mounting technology (SMT). As another example, the image sensor <NUM> may be coupled to the substrate <NUM> by a flip chip technology. An optical axis of the image sensor <NUM> may be aligned with an optical axis of the lens module <NUM>.

The camera device <NUM> includes a heating element <NUM>. The heating element <NUM> includes a connection terminal <NUM> and a heater <NUM>. At least a portion of the heating element <NUM> may be formed of a flexible printed circuit board or a flexible board. The heating element <NUM> may radiate heat by receiving a current from the substrate <NUM>. The heating element <NUM> may be a transparent heating film coated with indium thin oxide (ITO) having conductivity capable of generating heat by its own resistance component. The heating element <NUM> may be formed by, for example, a coating process or a deposition process of an indium tin oxide material. However, this is an example, and the material of the heating element <NUM> is not limited thereto, and may be variously changed as long as it is a material that can be heated by supplying current.

The camera device <NUM> may include a connection terminal <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may be coupled to the substrate <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may be electrically connected to the substrate <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may be coupled to the second substrate <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may be electrically connected to the second substrate <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may be coupled to the connection member <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may be electrically connected to the substrate <NUM> through the connection member <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may be connected to a power source disposed on the substrate <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may be coupled to the heater <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may be formed of a flexible printed circuit board or a flexible board. The connection terminal <NUM> may be formed in the shape of a letter '⊏' as a whole.

The connection terminal <NUM> may comprise: a first region <NUM> coupled to the heater <NUM>; a third region <NUM> coupled to the substrate <NUM>; and a second region <NUM> connecting the first region <NUM> and the third region <NUM>. One side of the first region <NUM> may be connected to the heater <NUM>; at least a portion of the first region <NUM> may be bent downward; and the other side of the first region <NUM> may be connected to the second region <NUM>. The first region <NUM> may be extended in a horizontal direction as a whole. One side of the second region <NUM> may be connected to the first region <NUM>, and the other side may be connected to the third region <NUM>. At least a portion of the second region <NUM> may be bent. The second region <NUM> may be extended in an overall vertical direction. One side of the third region <NUM> is connected to the second region <NUM>, and the other side may be coupled to the substrate <NUM>. The other side of the third region <NUM> may be directly coupled to the second substrate <NUM>, and may be electrically connected to the first substrate <NUM> and/or the second substrate <NUM> through a connection member <NUM>.

The camera device <NUM> may include a heater <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be connected to the connection terminal <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be electrically connected to the connection terminal <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be connected to the first region <NUM> of the connection terminal <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be electrically connected to the first region <NUM> of the connection terminal <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may have a closed-loop shape. The heater <NUM> may be disposed on the substrate <NUM>. A heater <NUM> may be disposed on the first substrate <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be disposed on a front surface or on an upper surface of the first substrate <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be adhered on a front surface or on an upper surface of the first substrate <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be disposed in an area adjacent to the image sensor <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be disposed in an area surrounding the image sensor <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may include an opening <NUM>. An image sensor <NUM> may be disposed in the opening <NUM> of the heater <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be formed in the shape of a letter '<IMG>'. Unlike this, the shape of the heater <NUM> may be formed in a donut or triangular band shape corresponding to the shape of the image sensor <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may include a heating wire having a closed loop shape. Through this, when current is supplied to the heater <NUM>, more heat can be emitted than the connection terminal <NUM>. That is, when current is supplied through the connection terminal <NUM>, the heater <NUM> may generate heat to remove moisture from the desiccant <NUM>.

The camera device <NUM> may include a desiccant <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may be disposed on the heater <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may be disposed on one surface of the heater <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may be adhered to one surface of the heater <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may be adhered to a front surface or on an upper surface of the heater <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may be adhered to one surface of the heater <NUM> through an adhesive or the like. The desiccant <NUM> may be adhered through an adhesive film attached to one surface of the desiccant <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may be disposed in an area adjacent to the image sensor <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may be disposed in an area surrounding the image sensor <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the heater <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may include an opening. An image sensor <NUM> may be disposed in the opening of the desiccant <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may be formed in the shape of a letter '<IMG>'. The desiccant <NUM> may have a closed-loop shape. The desiccant <NUM> may include silica gel. The desiccant <NUM> is preferably formed to have a width of <NUM>, a length of <NUM>, and a thickness of <NUM>. In this case, interference with other components in the camera device <NUM> may be prevented. In addition, since the contact area with the heater <NUM> is important, the desiccant <NUM> may be disposed on both sides of the heater <NUM>.

The desiccant <NUM> may absorb moisture generated in the housing <NUM>. Specifically, the desiccant <NUM> may absorb moisture when the internal temperature of the housing <NUM> is less than or equal to the first reference value. At this time, the first reference value means a value predetermined by a designer. For example, the first reference value may be room temperature or a value between <NUM> and <NUM>. Unlike this, the desiccant <NUM> may absorb moisture when the internal humidity of the housing <NUM> is equal to or greater than the third reference value.

In <FIG>, the heater <NUM> and the desiccant <NUM> have been described as having a '<IMG>' shape as an example, but the heater <NUM> and the desiccant <NUM> may have a rectangular, circular, or triangular shape. In this case, the heater <NUM> and the desiccant <NUM> may be disposed on an inner side surface of the substrate <NUM> or the housing <NUM>.

In addition, in <FIG>, the heater <NUM> and the desiccant <NUM> have been described as being disposed in the region surrounding the image sensor <NUM> as an example, but is not limited thereto, and the heater <NUM> and the desiccant <NUM> may be disposed in a region surrounding the lens module <NUM>.

The camera device <NUM> may include a sensor unit <NUM>. The sensor unit <NUM> may be disposed in the housing <NUM>. The sensor unit <NUM> may be disposed inside the housing <NUM>. The sensor unit <NUM> may be disposed on the substrate <NUM>. The sensor unit <NUM> may be electrically connected to the substrate <NUM>. The sensor unit <NUM> may measure temperature and/or humidity inside the housing <NUM>. The sensor unit <NUM> may be electrically connected to the control unit <NUM>. Temperature and/or humidity information measured by the sensor unit <NUM> may be transmitted to the control unit <NUM>. The sensor unit <NUM> may include a sensor that measures temperature and/or humidity. Unlike this, the sensor unit <NUM> may include a first sensor for measuring temperature and a second sensor for measuring humidity.

The camera device <NUM> may include a control unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> may be disposed on the substrate <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> may be electrically connected to the sensor unit <NUM> and the heating unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> may control the heating unit <NUM> based on the temperature and/or humidity information inside the housing <NUM> measured by the sensor unit <NUM>. Here, the heating unit <NUM> may mean the heating element <NUM>. The heating unit <NUM> may include a connection terminal <NUM> and a heater <NUM>. Unlike this, the heating unit <NUM> may mean only the heater <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> may control ON/OFF of the heater <NUM>. Specifically, the control unit <NUM> may operate the heater <NUM> when the internal temperature of the housing <NUM> is equal to or greater than a second reference value. In this case, the second reference value means a value predetermined by the designer. For example, the second reference value may be a value between <NUM> and <NUM>. Unlike this, the control unit <NUM> may operate the heater <NUM> when the internal humidity of the housing <NUM> is less than or equal to a fourth reference value. The control unit <NUM> operates the heater <NUM> at <NUM> degrees within about <NUM> to <NUM> minutes to remove moisture from the desiccant <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a method of adjusting the humidity controller of the camera device <NUM> of <FIG> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

In step S101 for sensing temperature and/or humidity, the sensor unit <NUM> senses the temperature and/or humidity inside the housing, and transmits this information to the control unit <NUM>.

In step S102 for confirming whether the condensing condition is satisfied, if the condensing condition is met, the control unit <NUM> proceeds step S103 for generating the heating signal, and if not corresponding to the condensing condition, step S101 for sensing temperature and/or humidity shall be proceeded again.

Here, whether the condensing condition corresponds to the temperature and humidity values measured by the sensor unit <NUM> may be determined according to an area in which the temperature and humidity graph of <FIG> is located as a reference. In this case, the horizontal axis means temperature and the vertical axis means humidity.

In step S103 for generating the heating signal, the control unit <NUM> transmits the heating signal to the heating element <NUM> to heat the heating element <NUM>. In this case, the heating element <NUM> may mean a heater <NUM> excluding the connection terminal <NUM>.

In step S104 for confirming the improvement, it is measured through the sensor unit <NUM> whether the temperature and humidity environment inside the housing <NUM> is improved. When improved, the control unit <NUM> generates an end signal, and when not improved, the control unit <NUM> continuously generates a heating signal.

In step S105 for generating an end signal, when the temperature and humidity environment inside the housing <NUM> measured by the sensor unit <NUM> is improved, the control unit <NUM> ends the generation of the heating signal.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent condensation including frost from occurring on the lens of the lens module <NUM> through the camera device <NUM> according to <FIG>, and to properly maintain the humidity inside the housing <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of another camera device. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the camera device according to <FIG>. <FIG> is a partial cross-sectional view of the camera device according to <FIG>. <FIG> is a perspective view of a partial configuration of the camera device according to <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the other camera device <NUM> includes: a lens module <NUM>; a housing <NUM>; a substrate <NUM>; an image sensor <NUM>; a connector <NUM>; a heater <NUM>; a connection terminal <NUM>; a desiccant <NUM>; a control unit <NUM>; and a sensor unit <NUM>, but it may be implemented excluding some of these configurations, and does not exclude additional configurations.

In addition, referring to <FIG>, the humidity controller of the camera device <NUM> according to <FIG> includes: a heater <NUM>; a connection terminal <NUM>; and a desiccant <NUM>, but it may be implemented excluding some of these configurations, and does not exclude additional configurations.

It can be understood that the configuration of the camera device <NUM> according to <FIG>, which is not described below, is the same as that of the camera device <NUM> according to <FIG> within the same drawings.

The camera device <NUM> may include a connector <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be disposed in the housing <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be coupled to the substrate <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may penetrate through the housing <NUM> and be coupled to the substrate <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be electrically connected to the substrate <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may supply external power into the camera device <NUM>. A cross-section of the connector <NUM> may be formed in a circular shape. Unlike this, the cross-section of the connector <NUM> may be variously changed to an elliptical or rectangular shape and the like. The camera device <NUM> according to <FIG> also includes a connector <NUM>. An O-ring <NUM> may be disposed in the space between the connector <NUM> and the housing <NUM> to seal the space between the connector <NUM> and the housing <NUM>.

The camera device <NUM> may include a heating element <NUM>. The heating element <NUM> may include a connection terminal <NUM> and a heater <NUM>. At least a portion of the heating element <NUM> may be formed of a flexible printed circuit board or a flexible board. The heating element <NUM> may radiate heat by receiving a current from the substrate <NUM>. The heating element <NUM> may be a transparent heating film coated with indium thin oxide (ITO) having conductivity capable of generating heat by its own resistance component. The heating element <NUM> may be formed by, for example, a coating process or a deposition process of an indium tin oxide material. However, this is an example, and the material of the heating element <NUM> is not limited thereto and may be variously changed as long as it is a material that can be heated by supplying current.

The camera device <NUM> may include a connection terminal <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may be coupled to the substrate <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may be electrically connected to the substrate <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may be coupled to the second substrate <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may be electrically connected to the second substrate <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may be coupled to the connection member <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may be electrically connected to the substrate <NUM> through the connection member <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may be connected to a power supply disposed on the substrate <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may be coupled to the heater <NUM>. The connection terminal <NUM> may be formed of a flexible printed circuit board or a flexible board. The connection terminal <NUM> may be formed in the shape of a letter '⊏' as a whole.

The connection terminal <NUM> may include: a first region <NUM> disposed adjacent to the connector <NUM> and coupled to the heater <NUM>; a fourth region <NUM> coupled to the substrate <NUM>; a second and a third regions <NUM> and <NUM> connecting the first region <NUM> and the fourth region <NUM>. One side of the first region <NUM> may be connected to the heater <NUM>, and the other side of the first region <NUM> may be connected to the second region <NUM>. At least a portion of the first region <NUM> may be bent. The first region <NUM> may be extended vertically in a horizontal direction. One side of the second region <NUM> may be connected to the first region <NUM>, and the other side of the second region <NUM> may be connected to the third region <NUM>. The second region <NUM> may be extended in a vertical direction as a whole. One side of the third region <NUM> may be connected to the second region <NUM>, and the other side of the third region <NUM> may be connected to the fourth region <NUM>. At least a portion of the third region <NUM> may be bent. The third region <NUM> may be extended in a horizontal direction as a whole. One side of the fourth region <NUM> may be connected to the third region <NUM>. The fourth region <NUM> may be coupled to the substrate <NUM>. Specifically, the fourth region <NUM> may be directly coupled to the second substrate <NUM>, or may be electrically connected to the substrate <NUM> and/or the second substrate <NUM> through the connection member <NUM>.

The camera device <NUM> may include a heater <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be connected to the connection terminal <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be electrically connected to the connection terminal <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be connected to the first region <NUM> of the connection terminal <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be electrically connected to the first region <NUM> of the connection terminal <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may have a closed-loop shape. The heater <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to the inner side surface of the housing <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to a lower surface of the inner side surface of the housing <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be disposed in an area adjacent to the connector <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may include an opening <NUM>. At least a portion of the connector <NUM> may be disposed in the opening <NUM> of the heater <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be disposed in a region surrounding the connector <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be formed in an 'O' shape or a donut shape. Unlike this, the shape of the heater <NUM> may be formed in a rectangular or triangular band shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the connector <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may include a heating wire having a closed loop shape. Through this, when current is supplied to the heater <NUM>, it is possible to emit more heat than the connection terminal <NUM>. That is, when current is supplied through the connection terminal <NUM>, the heater <NUM> may generate heat to remove moisture from the desiccant <NUM>.

The camera device <NUM> may include a desiccant <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may be disposed on the heater <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may be disposed on one surface of the heater <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may be adhered to one surface of the heater <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may be adhered to an upper surface of the heater <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may be adhered to an upper surface of the heater <NUM> through an adhesive or the like. The desiccant <NUM> may be disposed in an area adjacent to the connector <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may be disposed around the connector <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may be disposed in an area surrounding the connector <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to an inner side surface of the housing <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to a lower surface of an inner side surface of the housing <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may include an opening. At least a portion of the connector <NUM> may be disposed in the opening of the desiccant <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may be formed in the same shape as the heater <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may be formed in an 'O' shape or a donut shape. Unlike this, the shape of the desiccant <NUM> may be formed in a rectangular or triangular band shape to correspond to the shape of the heater <NUM>. The desiccant <NUM> may include silica gel. The desiccant <NUM> is preferably formed to have a width of <NUM>, a length of <NUM>, and a thickness of <NUM>. In this case, interference with other components in the camera device <NUM> may be prevented. In addition, since the contact area with the heater <NUM> is important, the desiccant <NUM> may be disposed on both sides of the heater <NUM>. In this case, the heat insulator <NUM> may be disposed between the desiccant <NUM> disposed on a lower surface of the heater <NUM> and an inner side surface of the housing <NUM> or may be excluded from the configuration.

The desiccant <NUM> may absorb moisture generated inside the housing <NUM>. Specifically, the desiccant <NUM> may absorb moisture when the internal temperature of the housing <NUM> is equal to or less than the first reference value. In this case, the first reference value means a value predetermined by a designer. Unlike this, the desiccant <NUM> may absorb moisture when the internal humidity of the housing <NUM> is equal to or greater than the third reference value.

In <FIG>, the heater <NUM> and the desiccant <NUM> have been described as having an 'O' shape as an example, but the heater <NUM> and the desiccant <NUM> may have a rectangular, circular, or triangular shape. In this case, the heater <NUM> and the desiccant <NUM> may be disposed on an inner side surface of the substrate <NUM> or the housing <NUM>.

The camera device <NUM> may include a heat insulating material <NUM>. The heat insulating material <NUM> may be disposed on the other surface of the heater <NUM>. The heat insulating material <NUM> may be adhered to the other surface of the heater <NUM> through an adhesive <NUM>. The heat insulating material <NUM> may be disposed between the heater <NUM> and the inner side surface of the housing <NUM>. Through this, when the housing <NUM> is formed of an aluminum material, heat generated from the heater <NUM> may be prevented from being lost through the housing <NUM>. That is, the efficiency of transferring heat generated from the heater <NUM> to the desiccant <NUM> may be improved. The shape of the heat insulating material <NUM> may be formed to correspond to the shape of the heater <NUM>.

The camera device <NUM> according to <FIG> can achieve the same operational effects as the camera device <NUM> according to <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A heating device comprising:
a substrate (<NUM>);
a connection terminal (<NUM>) electrically connected to the substrate (<NUM>); and
a heating member (<NUM>) electrically connected to the connection terminal (<NUM>),
wherein the connection terminal (<NUM>) comprises:
a first region (<NUM>) comprising an inner side portion (<NUM>) and an outer side portion (<NUM>);
a third region (<NUM>) electrically connected to the substrate (<NUM>); and
a second region (<NUM>) disposed between the first region (<NUM>) and the third region (<NUM>), and
wherein the heating member (<NUM>) is disposed between the inner side portion (<NUM>) and the outer side portion (<NUM>) of the connection terminal (<NUM>) characterized in that
a height at which the inner side portion (<NUM>) is positioned and a height at which the outer side portion (<NUM>) is positioned in the optical axis direction are different from each other.