Patent Description:
For example, Patent Document <NUM> describes a technology for reducing or preventing the occurrence of a ghost in a camera module.

Examples of imaging devices are known from <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>.

The camera module described in Patent Document <NUM> includes a supporting component that supports an infra red cut-off filter (IRCF), and the supporting component has an opening disposed for the purpose of passing light from a lens so that the light passing through the opening is incident on an imaging element.

In the camera module, a distance needs to be secured between the supporting component and the lens to prevent the supporting component and the lens from interfering with each other. Therefore, it has been difficult to shorten the distance between the lens and the imaging element, and thus a lens having a longer back focus (BF) has been needed. Furthermore, it has been difficult to reduce the height of the camera module.

The present technology has been made in view of such circumstances, and is intended to enable the camera module to have a lower height.

According to embodiments, the above objects are achieved by the claimed matter according to the independent claims.

A camera module according to the present technology includes a supporting component that includes an opening through which light from a lens collecting the light passes, the supporting component supporting an optical component between the lens and an imaging element that performs photoelectric conversion of the light, the optical component being placed so as to cover the opening and being supported on a side of the supporting component closer to the imaging element, in which the camera module is configured such that: a sloped portion inclined in a thickness direction of the supporting component is disposed around the opening; the supporting component is placed such that a slope of the sloped portion and the lens face each other; and a portion of the lens is placed closer to a first face of the supporting component beyond a second face of the supporting component, the portion facing the supporting component, the optical component being placed on the first face, and the second face being opposite to the first face.

In the camera module according to the present technology, the supporting component includes an opening through which light from a lens collecting the light passes, the supporting component supporting an optical component between the lens and an imaging element that performs photoelectric conversion of the light, the optical component being placed so as to cover the opening and being supported on a side of the supporting component closer to the imaging element. Around the opening, there is disposed a sloped portion inclined in the thickness direction of the supporting component, and the supporting component is placed such that the slope of the sloped portion and the lens face each other. A portion of the lens is placed closer to a first face of the supporting component beyond a second face of the supporting component, the portion facing the supporting component, the optical component being placed on the first face, and the second face being opposite to the first face.

According to the present technology, the height of a camera module can be reduced.

Note that the effects described above are not restrictive, and any of effects described in the present disclosure may be included.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example configuration of a prior art camera module.

A camera module <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes a lens unit <NUM> and an imaging unit <NUM>.

The lens unit <NUM> includes a lens <NUM>, a lens barrel (barrel) <NUM>, a lens holder <NUM>, a coil <NUM>, a spring <NUM>, an actuator unit <NUM>, and a magnet <NUM>. The imaging unit <NUM> includes a substrate <NUM>, a supporting component <NUM>, an IRCF <NUM>, an imaging element <NUM>, and a mounted component <NUM>.

In the lens unit <NUM>, the lens <NUM> is built inside the lens barrel <NUM>, and the lens barrel <NUM> is held by the lens holder <NUM>. The lens holder <NUM> is supported in the actuator unit <NUM> by the spring <NUM> so as to be able to move in the actuator unit <NUM> in the vertical direction in the figure. In the lens unit <NUM>, the focus is adjusted by vertical movement of the lens holder <NUM>. All the cross-sectional views of the camera module herein represent the state where the lens <NUM> is at "micromechanical end", which means the lens <NUM> is at a lowest position (closer to the imaging element).

A coil <NUM> is disposed on a side face of the lens holder <NUM>. A magnet <NUM> is disposed on the actuator unit <NUM> in a place facing the coil <NUM>. When a current flows through the coil <NUM>, the lens holder <NUM> on which the coil <NUM> is disposed is moved in the vertical direction by a magnetic field generated by the magnet <NUM>, that is, the lens <NUM> moves along the optical axis, to adjust the focus.

The lens unit <NUM> (the actuator unit <NUM> of the lens unit <NUM>) is bonded to the supporting component <NUM> with an adhesive <NUM> with the optical axis of the lens <NUM> aligned with the center of effective pixels <NUM> of the imaging element <NUM> directly above the imaging element <NUM> disposed on the substrate <NUM>.

The supporting component <NUM> has an opening <NUM> through which light from the lens <NUM> is to pass, the opening <NUM> being disposed directly above the imaging element <NUM> (above the effective pixels <NUM> of the imaging element <NUM>). Around the opening <NUM>, there is disposed a sloped portion <NUM> inclined in the thickness direction of the supporting component <NUM>, and the supporting component <NUM> is placed such that the slope of the sloped portion <NUM> and the imaging element <NUM> face each other.

The supporting component <NUM> is formed to have a height that enables the IRCF <NUM> to be fixed at an appropriate height from the imaging element <NUM>, and the supporting component <NUM> is bonded to the substrate <NUM> with an adhesive <NUM>.

Here, a portion of the opening <NUM> of the supporting component <NUM>, the portion facing the imaging element <NUM>, is referred to as a lower opening 33D, while a portion of the opening <NUM> of the supporting component <NUM>, the portion facing the lens <NUM>, is referred to as an upper opening 33U.

The IRCF <NUM> is bonded to the lower face of the supporting component <NUM> (the face facing the imaging element <NUM>) with an adhesive or the like so as to cover the opening <NUM> of the supporting component <NUM>.

The imaging element <NUM> is disposed on the substrate <NUM> and electrically connected to the substrate <NUM> by a gold wire (wire) <NUM>.

The mounted component <NUM> is, for example, a capacitor, a resistor, an electronic component such as an integrated circuit (IC), or the like, and placed at a predetermined position on the substrate <NUM> to be electrically connected.

In the camera module <NUM> configured as above, the lens <NUM> collects light, and the light passes through the opening <NUM> and illuminates the imaging element <NUM> via the IRCF <NUM>. On the imaging element <NUM>, the light illuminating the imaging element <NUM> undergoes photoelectric conversion in the effective pixels <NUM>, whereby an image is taken.

In the camera module <NUM>, the slope of the sloped portion <NUM> is disposed so as to face the imaging element <NUM>. In addition, in the camera module <NUM>, the lens <NUM> is placed such that the bottom (lowermost) portion (the portion facing the supporting component <NUM>) of the lens <NUM> is at the same height as, or slightly higher than, the upper opening 33U, in order that the tip (of the slope) of the sloped portion <NUM> does not interfere with the lens <NUM>.

In the camera module <NUM>, the lens <NUM> needs to be placed so as not to interfere with the tip of the sloped portion <NUM>, which is disposed such that the slope faces the imaging element <NUM>. Thus, it is difficult to bring down the lens <NUM> to a position lower than the upper opening 33U. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the height of the camera module <NUM>.

Furthermore, in the camera module <NUM>, the opening <NUM> needs to be formed such that the upper opening 33U has at least a certain size, in order to prevent the tip of the sloped portion <NUM> from interfering with (the bottom of) the lens <NUM>. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the size of the opening <NUM> disposed in the supporting component <NUM>.

As a result, the camera module <NUM> is highly prone to ghosts and flares (gold wire ghosts and flares) caused by the light coming from the lens <NUM>, passing through the opening <NUM>, incident on a region other than the effective pixels <NUM> of the imaging element <NUM>, for example, incident on the gold wire <NUM>, and reflected from the gold wire <NUM>.

Moreover, in the camera module <NUM>, since the sloped portion <NUM> is disposed such that the slope faces the imaging element <NUM>, the lower opening 33D of the opening <NUM> is inevitably larger than the upper opening 33U in size. Accordingly, the IRCF <NUM> disposed on the underside of the supporting component <NUM> so as to cover the opening <NUM> needs to be large enough, and the camera module <NUM> becomes more costly as the IRCF <NUM> is larger in size.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example configuration of a camera module to which the present technology is applied according to a first embodiment not part of the claimed invention.

Here, the lens <NUM>, the lens barrel <NUM>, the lens holder <NUM>, the coil <NUM>, the spring <NUM>, the actuator unit <NUM>, and the magnet <NUM> in the lens unit <NUM> correspond to the lens <NUM>, the lens barrel <NUM>, the lens holder <NUM>, the coil <NUM>, the spring <NUM>, the actuator unit <NUM>, and the magnet <NUM> in the lens unit <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, respectively.

Furthermore, the substrate <NUM>, the supporting component <NUM>, the IRCF <NUM>, the imaging element <NUM>, and the mounted component <NUM> in the imaging unit <NUM> correspond to the substrate <NUM>, the supporting component <NUM>, the IRCF <NUM>, the imaging element <NUM>, and the mounted component <NUM> in the imaging unit <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, respectively.

Note that the supporting component <NUM> has an opening <NUM> through which light from the lens <NUM> is to pass, the opening <NUM> being disposed directly above the imaging element <NUM> (above the effective pixels <NUM> of the imaging element <NUM>). Around the opening <NUM>, there is disposed a sloped portion <NUM> inclined in the thickness direction of the supporting component <NUM>, and the supporting component <NUM> is placed such that the slope of the sloped portion <NUM> and the lens <NUM> face each other. Therefore, the supporting component <NUM> is significantly different from the supporting component <NUM>, which is disposed such that the slope of the sloped portion <NUM> faces the imaging element <NUM>, in that the supporting component <NUM> is disposed such that the slope of the sloped portion <NUM> faces the lens <NUM>.

The supporting component <NUM> is formed to have a height enabling the IRCF <NUM> to be fixed at an appropriate height from the imaging element <NUM>, and the supporting component <NUM> is bonded to the substrate <NUM> with an adhesive <NUM>.

In the camera module <NUM> in <FIG>, the tip of the sloped portion <NUM> is located on the upper face (the face facing the lens <NUM>) of the supporting component <NUM>, whereas in the camera module <NUM>, the tip of the sloped portion <NUM> is located on the lower face (a first face) of the supporting component <NUM>. That is, in the camera module <NUM>, the tip of the sloped portion <NUM> is located lower than the tip of the sloped portion <NUM> in the camera module <NUM>. Therefore, in the camera module <NUM>, the lens <NUM> can be placed lower than the lens <NUM> in the camera module <NUM>.

Here, a portion of the opening <NUM> of the supporting component <NUM>, the portion facing the imaging element <NUM>, is referred to as a lower opening 133D, while a portion of the opening <NUM> of the supporting component <NUM>, the portion facing the lens <NUM>, is referred to as an upper opening 133U.

In the camera module <NUM>, the sloped portion <NUM> is formed such that the slope faces the lens <NUM>. Therefore, the lens <NUM> can be placed lower than the lens <NUM> as long as the upper opening 133U is made larger than the upper opening 33U, even if the opening <NUM> is formed to be smaller than the opening <NUM> by making the upper opening 133U smaller than the lower opening 33D and making the lower opening 133D smaller than the upper opening 33U. That is, in the camera module <NUM>, the bottom of the lens <NUM> (the portion facing the supporting component <NUM>) can be placed closer to the lower face of the supporting component <NUM> beyond the upper face (a second face) opposite to the lower face of the supporting component <NUM>. In <FIG>, the lens <NUM> is placed such that the bottom of the lens <NUM> is located between the upper opening 133U (the second face) and the lower opening 133D (the first face).

Note that, in a case where the camera module <NUM> in <FIG> has a function of cutting infrared rays separately from the IRCF <NUM>, the camera module <NUM> can employ, for example, a transparent and plate-like optical component such as a transparent cover film or a transparent cover glass instead of the IRCF <NUM>, and the optical component can be supported by the supporting component <NUM>.

Furthermore, the focus can be adjusted by vertical movement of the lens holder <NUM> in <FIG>, but the lens holder <NUM> may be fixed to the imaging unit <NUM> so as not to move in the vertical direction. In this case, the camera module <NUM> can be configured without providing the spring <NUM>, the actuator unit <NUM>, and the magnet <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view illustrating an example configuration of the imaging unit <NUM> in <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the opening <NUM> being substantially rectangular is formed in the center of the supporting component <NUM> being substantially rectangular as viewed from above. Around the opening <NUM>, the sloped portion <NUM> inclined in the thickness direction of the supporting component <NUM> is disposed. The slope of the sloped portion <NUM> is formed on the upper face (the face facing the lens <NUM>) of the supporting component <NUM>. The IRCF <NUM> is disposed on the supporting component <NUM> by being bonded to the lower face (the face facing the imaging element <NUM>) of the supporting component <NUM> so as to cover (fill) the opening <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view for comparing the camera module <NUM> with the camera module <NUM>.

In the camera module <NUM>, the tip of the sloped portion <NUM> is present lower (closer to the imaging element <NUM>) than the tip of the sloped portion <NUM> in the camera module <NUM>. Therefore, for example, when the lens <NUM> of the camera module <NUM> is at the same position as the lens <NUM> of the camera module <NUM>, the distance between the tip of the sloped portion <NUM> and the lens <NUM> is longer than the distance between the tip of the sloped portion <NUM> and the lens <NUM>. Therefore, the tip of the sloped portion <NUM> and the lens <NUM> in the camera module <NUM> are less likely to interfere with each other than in the camera module <NUM>.

Furthermore, in the camera module <NUM>, since the slope of the sloped portion <NUM> is formed on the upper face (the face facing the lens <NUM>) of the supporting component <NUM>, the size of the upper opening 133U of the opening <NUM> is inevitably larger than the size A2 of the lower opening 133D.

Supposing that the size A1 of the upper opening 33U in the camera module <NUM> is same to the size of the upper opening 133U in the camera module <NUM>, the size A2 of the lower opening 133D in the camera module <NUM> is smaller than the size A1 of the upper opening 33U in the camera module <NUM> because the size A2 of the lower opening 133D is smaller than the size of the upper opening 133U. Therefore, the opening <NUM> in the camera module <NUM> can be made smaller in size than the opening <NUM> in the camera module <NUM>.

Furthermore, the IRCF <NUM> and the IRCF <NUM> are disposed on the underside of the supporting component <NUM> and the supporting component <NUM> so as to cover the opening <NUM> and the opening <NUM>, respectively. Therefore, the IRCF <NUM> needs to have a size B1 larger than the lower opening 33D in the camera module <NUM>, whereas the IRCF <NUM> needs to have a size B2 larger than the size A2 of the lower opening 133D in the camera module <NUM>.

In the camera module <NUM>, since the slope of the sloped portion <NUM> is formed on the lower face (the face facing the imaging element <NUM>) of the supporting component <NUM>, the size of the lower opening 33D of the opening <NUM> is inevitably larger than the size A1 of the upper opening 33U.

Supposing that the size A2 of the lower opening 133D is same to the size A1 of the upper opening 33U, the size of the lower opening 33D is larger than the size A2 of the lower opening 133D in the camera module <NUM> because the size of the lower opening 33D is larger than the size A1 of the upper opening 33U. That is, the size A2 of the lower opening 133D is smaller than the size of the lower opening 33D. Therefore, the size B2 of the IRCF <NUM> disposed so as to cover the lower opening 133D can be made smaller than the size B1 of the IRCF <NUM> disposed so as to cover the lower opening 33D.

Furthermore, supposing that the lens <NUM> is disposed in the camera module <NUM> at the same position (height) as the lens <NUM>, the tip of the sloped portion <NUM> and the lens <NUM> are less likely to interfere with each other than in the camera module <NUM>, and therefore, the lens <NUM> can be placed at a position lower than the lens <NUM> to be closer to the imaging element <NUM>. In this case, the height C2 of the lens unit <NUM> in the camera module <NUM> can be made less than the height C1 of the lens unit <NUM> in the camera module <NUM>, and resultingly, the overall height (total height) of the lens unit <NUM> can be made smaller, and thus the height of the camera module <NUM> can be reduced.

Here, in the lens unit <NUM>, in a case where the lower portion of the lens <NUM>, that is, the portion facing the supporting component <NUM> in the lens <NUM>, protrudes from the bottom of the lens barrel <NUM>, the height of the camera module <NUM> can be reduced more effectively.

An overall configuration of the camera module <NUM> has been described above. The following describes in detail a configuration of the sloped portion <NUM> of the supporting component <NUM> in the camera module <NUM>.

The sloped portion <NUM> can be formed to have a reflection control structure in which reflection of light coming from the lens <NUM> is restricted.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a first example configuration of the sloped portion <NUM>.

In <FIG>, (the slope of) the sloped portion <NUM> in the camera module <NUM> is formed to have a stair-shaped structure as the reflection control structure.

Since the sloped portion <NUM> is formed into a stair shape as above, the light coming from the lens <NUM> is incident on the sloped portion <NUM> at a greater incident angle than in the sloped portion <NUM> having a continuous (smooth) slope, and thus the light coming from the lens <NUM> and incident on the sloped portion <NUM> is more likely to be reflected toward the outside of the lens <NUM>. Therefore, the light reflected from the sloped portion <NUM> can be inhibited from returning (or being reflected toward) the lens <NUM>. As a result, ghosts and flares caused by the light reflected from the sloped portion <NUM> can be reduced.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view for explaining the slope of the first example configuration of the sloped portion <NUM>.

The sloped portion <NUM> can be configured such that an inclination angle of the sloped portion <NUM> with respect to the optical axis of the lens <NUM> is greater than an angle of light (an incident angle of light) coming from the lens <NUM> and incident on the tip of the sloped portion <NUM> with respect to the optical axis of the lens <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the incident angle of the light coming from the lens <NUM> and incident on the tip of the sloped portion <NUM> is <NUM> degrees, whereas the angle of inclination (hereinafter also referred to as an inclination angle) of the sloped portion <NUM> with respect to the optical axis of the lens <NUM> is <NUM> degrees, which is greater than <NUM> degrees.

As described above, in a case where the inclination angle of the sloped portion <NUM> formed into a stair shape is larger than the incident angle of the light coming from the lens <NUM> and incident on the tip of the sloped portion <NUM>, the riser (upright wall) portion (vertical portion) of the stair of the sloped portion <NUM> is lower. Therefore, the light reflected from the tread portion (horizontal portion) of the stair of the sloped portion <NUM> can be inhibited from being further reflected from the riser portion of the stair. As a result, the occurrence of ghosts and flares caused by secondary reflected light can be suppressed, the secondary reflected light being generated when the light coming from the lens <NUM> and incident on the sloped portion <NUM> is reflected from the riser portion of the stair.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a second example configuration of the sloped portion <NUM> not part of the claimed invention.

In <FIG>, the sloped portion <NUM> of the camera module <NUM> has, as a reflection control structure, a structure in which an antireflection film that prevents reflection of light is formed on the slope of the sloped portion <NUM>.

The antireflection film can be formed by, for example, applying an antireflection agent or sticking an antireflection sheet to the slope, or the like.

In a case where an antireflection film is formed on the sloped portion <NUM> as above, the light coming from the lens <NUM> and incident on the sloped portion <NUM> can be prevented from being reflected. Therefore, ghosts and flares caused by the light reflected from the sloped portion <NUM> can be reduced.

Note that the sloped portion <NUM> in <FIG> is continuously inclined, but the sloped portion <NUM> may be formed into a stair shape as illustrated in <FIG> and an antireflection film can be formed on the stair-shaped sloped portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view for explaining an example of a relationship between the slope of the sloped portion <NUM> and the lens <NUM>.

The slope of the sloped portion <NUM> can be formed into, in a cross-sectional view, a linear shape that is substantially parallel to a tangent line to the face of a lower portion of the lens <NUM> (a portion facing the supporting component <NUM>).

In a case where the slope of the sloped portion <NUM> is formed into a shape substantially parallel to a tangent line to the face of a lower portion of the lens <NUM> as above, the lens <NUM> can be placed further lower (closer to the imaging element <NUM>). Accordingly, the overall height of the lens unit <NUM> can be further reduced, and resultingly, the height of the camera module <NUM> can be further reduced.

Note that the sloped portion <NUM> in <FIG> is formed into a stair shape, but the sloped portion <NUM> may be formed, for example, to have a continuous slope as illustrated in <FIG>. which is not part of the claimed invention.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view for explaining another example of the relationship between the slope of the sloped portion <NUM> and the lens <NUM>.

The slope of the sloped portion <NUM> can be formed into, in a cross-sectional view, a curved shape (a non-linear shape) that is substantially parallel to the face of a lower portion of the lens <NUM> (a portion facing the supporting component <NUM>).

In a case where the slope of the sloped portion <NUM> is formed into a shape substantially parallel to the face of a lower portion of the lens <NUM> as above, the lens <NUM> can be placed further lower. Accordingly, the overall height of the lens unit <NUM> can be further reduced, and resultingly, the height of the camera module <NUM> can be further reduced.

Note that the sloped portion <NUM> in <FIG> is formed into a stair shape, but the sloped portion <NUM> may be formed, for example, to have a continuous slope as illustrated in <FIG> which is not part of the claimed invention.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view for explaining an example of the relationship between the slope of the sloped portion <NUM> and the lens <NUM> in a case which is not part of the claimed invention where the sloped portion <NUM> is continuously inclined.

The sloped portion <NUM> in <FIG> is formed to be continuously inclined, and the slope of the sloped portion <NUM> is formed into, in a cross-sectional view, a curved shape substantially parallel to the face of a lower portion of the lens <NUM> (a portion facing the supporting component <NUM>). Furthermore, in <FIG>, an antireflection film is formed on the sloped portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a third example configuration of the sloped portion <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the sloped portion <NUM> is formed into a stair shape as in <FIG>.

Furthermore, in <FIG>, a resin reservoir <NUM>, which is a groove recessed from the tip of the sloped portion <NUM>, is disposed in the sloped portion <NUM> on the lower face of the supporting component <NUM>.

The IRCF <NUM> is bonded to the lower face of the supporting component <NUM> across a predetermined adhesion width W. Examples of an adhesive that can be employed for bonding the IRCF <NUM> include a resin such as an ultra violet (UV) adhesive.

In a case where the resin reservoir <NUM> is disposed in the sloped portion <NUM> as above, when the IRCF <NUM> is bonded to the lower face of the supporting component <NUM> with an UV adhesive, the UV adhesive on the IRCF <NUM> flowing toward the resin reservoir <NUM> can be held in the resin reservoir <NUM>. Therefore, the UV adhesive can be prevented from flowing out of the tip of the sloped portion <NUM> of the supporting component <NUM>.

As a result, it is made possible to suppress reflection of the light coming from the lens <NUM> and reflected from the UV adhesive, if any, that flows out of the tip of the sloped portion <NUM> of the supporting component <NUM>, and to reduce ghosts and flares caused by the light reflected from the UV adhesive.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fourth example configuration which is not part of the claimed invention of the sloped portion <NUM>.

Note that the portions in the figure corresponding to the portions in <FIG> are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions of these portions are omitted below as appropriate.

The sloped portion <NUM> in <FIG> is configured in a similar manner to the sloped portion in <FIG> showing that the slope is formed into a stair shape, except that the sloped portion <NUM> is continuously inclined and an antireflection film is formed thereon.

Therefore, as in <FIG>, ghosts and flares caused by reflection of light from the UV adhesive can be reduced in <FIG>.

As an adhesive for bonding the IRCF <NUM> to the supporting component <NUM>, a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin can be employed as well as a UV adhesive. As a thermoplastic resin or thermosetting resin serving as an adhesive, a black thermoplastic resin or thermosetting resin can be employed.

In a case where a black thermoplastic resin or thermosetting resin is employed as an adhesive for bonding the IRCF <NUM> to the supporting component <NUM>, the resin reservoir <NUM> disposed at the tip of the sloped portion <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> may not necessarily be provided because the light from the lens <NUM> is prevented from being reflected from the thermoplastic resin or thermosetting resin that flows out of the adhesion between the supporting component <NUM> and the IRCF <NUM>.

That is, in a case where a black thermoplastic resin or thermosetting resin is employed as an adhesive for bonding the IRCF <NUM> to the supporting component <NUM>, the sloped portion <NUM> can be configured without providing the resin reservoir <NUM>.

Each of <FIG> and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of adhesion between the supporting component <NUM> and the IRCF <NUM> in a case where a black thermoplastic resin or thermosetting resin is employed as an adhesive.

In a case where a black thermoplastic resin or thermosetting resin is employed as the adhesive, the supporting component <NUM> can be configured without disposing the resin reservoir <NUM> at the tip of the sloped portion <NUM>, and the supporting component <NUM> can be bonded to the IRCF <NUM>.

Note that the sloped portion <NUM> is formed into a stair shape in <FIG>, and, in <FIG>, which is not part of the claimed invention, the sloped portion <NUM> is formed to have a continuous slope and an antireflection film is formed on the slope.

In a case where the IRCF <NUM> is bonded to the lower face of the supporting component <NUM> with a black thermoplastic resin or thermosetting resin, even if the black thermoplastic resin or thermosetting resin flows out of the tip of the sloped portion <NUM> of the supporting component <NUM>, the light coming from the lens <NUM> and incident on the flowing out black thermoplastic resin or thermosetting resin can be prevented from being reflected. Therefore, ghosts and flares caused by the light coming from the lens <NUM> and reflected from the flowing out black thermoplastic resin or thermosetting resin can be reduced without disposing the resin reservoir <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Furthermore, as compared with the case where the resin reservoir <NUM> is disposed, a greater adhesion width W for the IRCF <NUM> can be secured without disposing the resin reservoir <NUM>. Therefore, in a case where the resin reservoir <NUM> is not disposed, the size of the IRCF <NUM> can be made smaller if the adhesion width W same to the adhesion width applicable to the case where the resin reservoir <NUM> is disposed is secured.

Note that the resin reservoir <NUM> can be disposed even when a black thermoplastic resin or thermosetting resin is employed as the adhesive.

As described above, in a case where the lens <NUM> in the camera module <NUM> is placed at the same position (height) as the lens <NUM> in the camera module <NUM> while the supporting component <NUM> is placed such that the slope of the sloped portion <NUM> faces the lens <NUM>, the tip of the sloped portion <NUM> is present lower (closer to the imaging element <NUM>) than the tip of the sloped portion <NUM> in the camera module <NUM>. Therefore, the distance between the tip of the sloped portion <NUM> and the bottom portion of the lens <NUM> is longer, and resultingly, the tip of the sloped portion <NUM> is less likely to interfere with the bottom portion of the lens <NUM>. Therefore, as compared with the camera module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM> imposes less strict physical restriction on the position where the lens <NUM> is placed.

As a result, the lens <NUM> can be placed on the lower side (closer to the imaging element <NUM>) in the camera module <NUM> to make the distance between the lens <NUM> and the imaging element <NUM> shorter. Therefore, a lens having a shorter BF can be employed as the lens <NUM>. Furthermore, the flexibility in designing the lens <NUM> can be improved, and a lens having better characteristics (performance) can be designed and employed as the lens <NUM>.

Moreover, the overall height of the lens <NUM> and the height of camera module <NUM> can be reduced.

Note that the reduction in height of the camera module <NUM> can be replaced with additional flexibility in designing the lens to improve the performance of the lens <NUM>.

Furthermore, the size of the opening <NUM> in the camera module <NUM> can be reduced. In other words, it is possible to make the size of the lower opening 133D in the camera module <NUM> smaller than the size of the lower opening 33D in the camera module <NUM>. Therefore, the size of the IRCF <NUM> disposed to cover the opening <NUM> (the lower opening 133D of the opening <NUM>) can be made smaller than the size of the IRCF <NUM> disposed to cover the opening <NUM> (the lower opening 33D of the opening <NUM>). As a result, the cost of the IRCF <NUM> can be reduced.

Furthermore, since the size of the opening <NUM> in the camera module <NUM> can be reduced, the light coming from the lens <NUM> and passing through the opening <NUM> can be inhibited from entering the outside of the effective pixels <NUM> of the imaging element <NUM>, such as the gold wire <NUM> or an electrode pad (not illustrated). As a result, it is made possible to reduce stray light coming from the lens <NUM> and reflected from the outside of the effective pixels <NUM> of the imaging element <NUM>, and thus ghosts and flares caused by such stray light can be reduced.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example configuration of a camera module to which the present technology is applied according to a second embodiment not part of the claimed invention.

The camera module <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes the lens unit <NUM> and an imaging unit <NUM>.

Therefore, the camera module <NUM> is in common with the camera module <NUM> in <FIG> in that the lens unit <NUM> is included.

However, the camera module <NUM> is different from the camera module <NUM> in that an imaging unit <NUM> is disposed in place of the imaging unit <NUM>.

The imaging unit <NUM> includes the substrate <NUM>, the supporting component <NUM>, the IRCF <NUM>, the mounted component <NUM>, and an imaging element <NUM>.

Therefore, the imaging unit <NUM> is in common with the imaging unit <NUM> in <FIG> in that the imaging unit <NUM> includes the substrate <NUM>, the supporting component <NUM>, the IRCF <NUM>, and the mounted component <NUM>.

However, the imaging unit <NUM> is different from the imaging unit <NUM> in that the imaging element <NUM> is disposed in place of the imaging element <NUM>.

The imaging element <NUM> is a semiconductor device called a wafer level chip size package (WLCSP). On its light-receiving face (the upper side) to receive light, a protective glass <NUM> is disposed.

On the imaging element <NUM> being a WLCSP, a solder ball <NUM> serving as an electrical contact with the outside is disposed. The imaging element <NUM> is mounted on the substrate <NUM> by flip chip bonding, and is electrically connected to the substrate <NUM> via the solder ball <NUM>.

In the camera module <NUM>, ghosts or flares may be caused by the light passing through the opening <NUM> and reflected from a side face of the protective glass <NUM> disposed on the upper side of the imaging element <NUM>, which is a WLCSP. However, since the size of the opening <NUM> in the camera module <NUM> can be reduced, it is possible to inhibit the light from being reflected from a side face of the protective glass <NUM>; that is, it is possible to inhibit the light from being incident on a side face of the protective glass <NUM>, and thus ghosts and flares caused by reflection of light from a side face of the protective glass <NUM> can be reduced.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example configuration of a camera module to which the present technology is applied according to a third embodiment not part of the claimed invention.

However, the camera module <NUM> is different from the camera module <NUM> in that the imaging unit <NUM> is disposed in place of the imaging unit <NUM>.

The imaging unit <NUM> includes the substrate <NUM>, the supporting component <NUM>, the IRCF <NUM>, the mounted component <NUM>, the imaging element <NUM>, and a wafer level lens (WLL) <NUM>.

Therefore, the imaging unit <NUM> is in common with the imaging unit <NUM> in <FIG> in that the imaging unit <NUM> includes the substrate <NUM>, the supporting component <NUM>, the IRCF <NUM>, the mounted component <NUM>, and the imaging element <NUM>.

However, the imaging unit <NUM> is different from the imaging unit <NUM>, which does not include the WLL <NUM>, in that the WLL <NUM> is additionally disposed in the imaging unit <NUM>.

The WLL <NUM> is disposed on top of the imaging element <NUM> (on top of the protective glass <NUM> disposed on the upper side the imaging element <NUM>).

A WLCSP provided with a WLL is called a wafer level lens chip size package (WLLCSP). Therefore, the imaging element <NUM> provided with the WLL <NUM> constitutes a WLLCSP.

In the camera module <NUM>, ghosts or flares may be caused by the light passing through the opening <NUM> and reflected from a side face of the protective glass <NUM> included in the WLLCSP or from a side face of the WLL <NUM>. However, since the size of the opening <NUM> in the camera module <NUM> can be reduced, it is possible to inhibit the light from being reflected from a side face of the protective glass <NUM> or a side face of the WLL <NUM>; that is, it is possible to inhibit the light from being incident on a side face of the protective glass <NUM> or of the WLL <NUM>, and thus ghosts and flares caused by reflection of light from a side face of the protective glass <NUM> or a side face of the WLL <NUM> can be reduced.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating example usage of the camera modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> to which the present technology is applied.

For example, the camera module <NUM> can be used for various electronic devices that sense light such as visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet light, and X-rays, as described below. The same applies to the camera module <NUM> in <FIG> and the camera module <NUM> in <FIG>.

Embodiments of the present technology are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the gist of the present technology.

Claim 1:
A camera module (<NUM>) comprising:
a supporting component (<NUM>) that includes an opening (<NUM>) through which light from a lens (<NUM>) collecting the light passes, the supporting component (<NUM>) supporting an optical component between the lens (<NUM>) and an imaging element (<NUM>, <NUM>) that performs photoelectric conversion of the light, the optical component being placed so as to cover the opening (<NUM>) and being supported on a side of the supporting component (<NUM>) closer to the imaging element (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein
the camera module (<NUM>) is configured such that:
a sloped portion (<NUM>) inclined in a thickness direction of the supporting component (<NUM>) is disposed around the opening (<NUM>);
the supporting component (<NUM>) is placed such that a slope of the sloped portion (<NUM>) and the lens (<NUM>) face each other; and
a portion of the lens (<NUM>) is placed closer to a first face (133D) of the supporting component (<NUM>) beyond a second face (133U) of the supporting component (<NUM>), the portion facing the supporting component (<NUM>),
the optical component (<NUM>) being placed on the first face (133D), and the second face (133U) being opposite to the first face (133D), and characterized in that
the sloped portion (<NUM>) includes a stair shape as a reflection control structure in which reflection of the light coming from the lens (<NUM>) is controlled, wherein
an inclination angle of the sloped portion (<NUM>) with respect to an optical axis of the lens (<NUM>) is greater than an angle of the light with respect to the optical axis, the light coming from the lens (<NUM>) and being incident on a tip of the sloped portion (<NUM>).