Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses an assembled camera module according to the preamble of claim <NUM>. <CIT> Al discloses another camera module which shall be capable of preventing adhesion of dust to an image pickup device in the camera module. <CIT> discloses a camera module with an imaging holder that holds an image pickup device and is fixed to a barrel with an adhesive. The disclosure described in this part merely provides background information related to embodiments, and does not constitute the related art.

Camera modules may be mounted in vehicles for various purposes. For example, a camera module, which is capable of securing the view behind a vehicle when parking the vehicle, may be mounted on the rear of the vehicle.

In addition, in recent years, a camera module may also be used in a vehicle black box, which is very useful in tracking details of an accident, the reason of an accident, and the like when a traffic accident occurs. In addition, there is the case where a camera module is used as a recognition device for clearly and easily grasping the situation in a blind spot, which is difficult to see with the naked eye by a vehicle driver or a passenger.

The manufacture of a so-called "smart car", i.e. a vehicle equipped with, for example, a collision warning system for detecting in advance the possibility of a collision ahead of or behind the vehicle while driving to prepare for the collision or a collision avoidance system for allowing a control device mounted in the vehicle to directly avoid a collision between vehicles that are driving, without intervention by a driver, has recently gradually increased, and the development of related technologies is increasing.

The use of a camera module, which serves to recognize the external situation of such a smart car, is increasing, and thus the production and technical development of vehicle camera modules are on the rise.

A camera module may be configured such that a lens and an image sensor are disposed at opposite positions in an optical-axis direction. When assembling the camera module, the lens and the image sensor are disposed so that the focal distance therebetween is within a design range.

However, the focal distance may deviate from the design range in the process of assembling the camera module, which is a problem that this needs to be solved.

In addition, some elements may be deformed or damaged in the process of assembling the camera module, which also needs to be solved.

Thus, embodiments relate to a camera module having a structure that is capable of preventing the focal distance between a lens and an image sensor from deviating from a design range in an assembly process or preventing some elements from being deformed or damaged, and that is also capable of allowing the lens and the image sensor to be aligned parallel to each other.

Technical objects to be achieved by embodiments are not limited to the technical objects as mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical objects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

According to one embodiment, a camera module includes a lens barrel having at least one lens, a holder coupled to the lens barrel, a printed circuit board coupled to a lower portion of the holder so as to face the lens, an adhesive element configured to couple the holder and the printed circuit board to each other, an opening configured to open a portion of a first space, which is defined via coupling of the printed circuit board and the holder, and a housing coupled to the holder, wherein the first space is separated from a second space, which is defined via coupling of the holder and the housing, and wherein the first space and the second space communicate with each other through the opening.

The printed circuit board may be coupled to an image sensor, and the image sensor may be disposed in the first space.

The adhesive element may have one side surface disposed so as to be exposed to the second space.

A coupling portion of the holder and the housing may be disposed closer to the lens than the adhesive element in a first direction.

The adhesive element may overlap the housing in a direction orthogonal to a first direction.

The opening may be provided as a first through-hole formed in one side of the adhesive element.

The opening may be provided as a second through-hole formed in the printed circuit board in a first direction.

The second through-hole may be formed inside a curved line, which is defined by the adhesive element.

The opening may be provided as a third through-hole formed in the lower portion of the holder so as to penetrate the holder in a lateral direction.

The opening may be closed after the holder and the printed circuit board are completely coupled to each other.

In the embodiment, the camera module may further include a packing member mounted in a coupling region of the lens barrel and the holder.

According to another embodiment, a camera module includes a lens barrel having at least one lens, a holder coupled to the lens barrel, a printed circuit board coupled to a lower portion of the holder so as to face the lens, a housing coupled to the holder and configured to accommodate the printed circuit board therein, an opening configured to open a portion of a first space, which is defined via coupling of the holder and the printed circuit board, and an adhesive element coupling to a lower surface of the holder and an upper surface of the printed circuit board so as to couple the holder and the printed circuit board to each other, wherein the opening is formed in at least one region of one side of the adhesive element, the printed circuit board, or the lower portion of the holder.

According to a further embodiment, a camera module includes a printed circuit board, an image sensor mounted on the printed circuit board, a holder disposed on the printed circuit board so as to accommodate the image sensor therein and having a first fastening portion and a second fastening portion, which are formed respectively on opposite side surfaces thereof and have a first fastening reference hole and a second fastening reference hole respectively, and a through-hole formed above the image sensor, and a lens barrel fastened to an upper region of the through-hole so as to face the image sensor, wherein the printed circuit board is tilted so that a horizontal plane, which passes through a center of the first fastening reference hole and a center of the second fastening reference hole is parallel to an upper surface of the image sensor, and wherein the horizontal plane, which passes through the center of the first fastening reference hole and the center of the second fastening reference hole, is parallel to an upper surface of a lens mounted in the lens barrel.

The lens barrel may include a protrusion configured to protrude from an outer circumferential surface thereof in a ring form so as to bond to an upper surface of the holder.

The camera module may further include a first adhesive member disposed between a lower end surface of the protrusion and the upper surface of the holder, which faces the protrusion.

The holder may have a lower surface, which faces the printed circuit board, and the camera module may further include a second adhesive member disposed between a bonding surface of the lower surface, which is adjacent to the through-hole, and the printed circuit board.

The camera module may further include a partition disposed between the bonding surface and the through-hole.

The partition may protrude from the lower surface of the holder toward the printed circuit board.

The partition may protrude from an upper surface of the printed circuit board toward the lower surface of the holder.

The bonding surface may have an inclined cross-sectional shape, and a height of a space between the bonding surface of an upper surface of the printed circuit board may increase with increasing distance from the through-hole.

In an embodiment, when air filling a first space expands while an adhesive element is heated for curing, by allowing some of the air to be discharged from the first space through an opening, it is possible to prevent a change in the focal distance of the camera module beyond a design range, damage to the adhesive element or a printed circuit board, and the like due to the expansion of the air.

Thus, in the embodiment, malfunction of the camera module may be prevented, as a result of preventing a change in the focal distance of the camera module beyond a design range, damage to the adhesive element or the printed circuit board, and the like.

In addition, as a lens and an image sensor are fastened so as to be parallel to each other, it is possible to acquire an accurate image, which is not distorted and is the same as an actual image, from each camera module without the influence of the position at which the camera module is mounted.

The embodiments may be modified in various ways and embodied in many alternate forms. Accordingly, while the embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail.

It will be understood that, although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used simply to discriminate any one element from other elements. In addition, the terms particularly defined in consideration of configurations and operations of the embodiments are intended to describe the embodiments, and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments.

In the description of the embodiments, when an element is referred to as being formed "on" or "under" another element, it can be directly "on" or "under" the other element or be indirectly formed with intervening elements therebetween. It will also be understood that "on" or "under" the element may be described relative to the drawings.

In addition, relative terms such as, for example, "first", "second", "on/upper/above" and "beneath/lower/below", used in the following description may be used to distinguish any one substance or element with another substance or element without requiring or containing any physical or logical relationship or sequence between these substances or elements.

In addition, the orthogonal coordinate system (x, y, z) may be used in the drawings. In the drawings, the x-axis and the y-axis indicate planes orthogonal to the optical axis, and for convenience, the optical axis direction (the z-axis) is referred to as a first direction, the x-axis is referred to as a second direction, and the y-axis is referred to as a third direction.

<FIG> is a side view illustrating a lens barrel <NUM> according to a first embodiment. <FIG> is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a holder <NUM> according to the first embodiment. <FIG> is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a camera module according to the first embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the camera module according to the first embodiment may include the lens barrel <NUM>, the holder <NUM>, a printed circuit board <NUM>, a housing <NUM>, an adhesive element <NUM>, an opening, and a packing member <NUM>.

The lens barrel <NUM> may be provided with at least one lens. The lens coupled to the lens barrel <NUM> may be configured as a sheet, or two or more lenses may configure an optical system.

The lens barrel <NUM> may include a first coupling portion <NUM>. When the first coupling portion <NUM> is coupled to a second coupling portion <NUM> formed on the holder <NUM>, the lens barrel <NUM> and the holder <NUM> may be coupled to each other.

Here, the coupling portions of the holder <NUM> and the housing <NUM>, i.e. the first coupling portion <NUM> and the second coupling portion <NUM> may be disposed closer to the lens than the adhesive element <NUM> in the first direction.

The first coupling portion <NUM> and the second coupling portion <NUM> may be coupled to each other in various ways. For example, the first coupling portion <NUM> and the second coupling portion <NUM> may be formed with screw threads, and when the first coupling portion <NUM> and the second coupling portion <NUM> are screwed to each other, the lens barrel <NUM> and the holder <NUM> may be coupled to each other.

However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and in another embodiment, an adhesive may be applied between the first coupling portion <NUM> and the second coupling portion <NUM> so that the first coupling portion <NUM> and the second coupling portion <NUM> may be adhered and thus coupled to each other.

The lens barrel <NUM> may be coupled to the holder <NUM>. As described above, the holder <NUM> and the lens barrel <NUM> may be coupled to each other when the first coupling portion <NUM> formed on the lens barrel <NUM> and the second coupling portion <NUM> formed on the holder <NUM> are coupled to each other by screwing, adhesive coupling, or the like.

The holder <NUM> may have a hollow region formed therein. The hollow region may have a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the lens barrel <NUM>. The holder <NUM> and the lens barrel <NUM> may be coupled to each other when a portion of the lens barrel <NUM> is inserted into the hollow region.

The holder <NUM> may be formed with a protrusion <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the protrusion <NUM> may protrude in the lateral direction from the wall surface of the holder <NUM>. When the holder <NUM> is coupled to the upper portion of the housing <NUM>, the holder <NUM> and the housing <NUM> may be coupled to each other.

The protrusion <NUM> and the upper portion of the housing <NUM> may be coupled to each other by, for example, coupling using a fastening element, or adhesive coupling. At this time, in order to prevent foreign substances from being introduced into the housing <NUM>, a sealing element, such as a packing, may be interposed between the protrusion <NUM> and the upper portion of the housing <NUM>.

The printed circuit board <NUM> may be coupled to the lower portion of the holder <NUM> so as to face the lens. The printed circuit board <NUM> may be provided with an image sensor <NUM>, which receives light introduced through lenses provided in the lens barrel <NUM> and forms an image of an object.

The image sensor <NUM> may be disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM> so as to face the lens in the optical axis direction, i.e. in the first direction. In addition, the image sensor <NUM> may be disposed in a first space S1.

Although not illustrated, a plurality of other printed circuit boards <NUM> may be provided such that the boards are electrically connected to one another, in addition to the board on which the image sensor <NUM> is mounted.

Meanwhile, referring to <FIG>, a second board <NUM> may be coupled to the printed circuit board <NUM>. The second board <NUM> may be formed of a flexible material. The second board <NUM> may electrically connect the printed circuit board <NUM> to an external device so as to enable the transmission/reception of electrical signals between the printed circuit board <NUM> and the external device.

In addition, in the case where a plurality of printed circuit boards <NUM> is provided, the second board <NUM> may serve to electrically interconnect the boards.

The packing member <NUM> may be mounted in the coupling region of the lens barrel <NUM> and the holder <NUM>. For example, the packing member <NUM> may be disposed in a part of the coupling region of the lens barrel <NUM> and the holder <NUM> excluding the first coupling portion <NUM> and the second coupling portion <NUM>.

The packing member <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, may be provided as an O-ring, which surrounds the lens barrel <NUM>. When the lens barrel <NUM> and the holder <NUM> are coupled to each other, the packing member <NUM> may serve to prevent foreign substances from being introduced into a gap formed between the packing member <NUM> and the lens barrel <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> may be coupled to the holder <NUM>, and may accommodate the printed circuit board <NUM> therein. As described above, when the upper portion of the housing <NUM> and the protrusion <NUM> of the holder <NUM> are coupled to each other, the housing <NUM> and the holder <NUM> may be coupled to each other.

When the housing <NUM> and the holder <NUM> are coupled to each other, a second space S2 in the housing <NUM> may be sealed in order to prevent the introduction of foreign substances from the outside.

The second space S2 may be separated from the first space S1 via the coupling of the holder <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. In addition, the second space S2 may be separated from the first space S1 by the printed circuit board <NUM>.

The adhesive element <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, may be coupled to the lower surface of the holder <NUM> and the upper surface of the printed circuit board <NUM>, thereby serving to couple the holder <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM> to each other. At this time, one side surface of the adhesive element <NUM> may be disposed so as to be exposed to the second space S2.

At this time, the adhesive element <NUM> may be disposed so as to overlap the housing <NUM> in the second direction and/or the third direction, which is orthogonal to the first direction. In addition, the adhesive element <NUM> may be formed on the lower surface of the holder <NUM> and the upper surface of the printed circuit board <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the adhesive element <NUM> may be formed in a curvilinear form along the edges of the lower surface of the holder <NUM> and the upper surface of the printed circuit board <NUM>. The adhesive element <NUM> may be formed by applying an adhesive to the lower surface of the holder <NUM> and/or the upper surface of the printed circuit board <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, since the entire printed circuit board <NUM> has a rectangular shape in the embodiment, the adhesive element <NUM> may be formed in a rectangular curvilinear form so as to correspond to the shape of the printed circuit board.

The process of coupling the printed circuit board <NUM> to the holder <NUM> via the adhesive element <NUM> may be performed as an active alignment process. In the embodiment, the active alignment process is a process of moving the printed circuit board <NUM> in the first direction so as to adjust the focal distance between the lens and the image sensor <NUM>, which are provided so as to face each other, or a process of tilting the printed circuit board <NUM> in the x-y plane, which is orthogonal to the first direction, so as to adjust the focal distance between the optical axis of the lens and the image sensor <NUM>.

In order to perform the active alignment process, the adhesive element <NUM> may be partially cured as appropriate while the active alignment process is performed, and may then be completely cured after the active alignment process is completed.

The adhesive used to form the adhesive element <NUM> may be, for example, a hybrid adhesive, which is cured in response to both ultraviolet light and heat.

While the active alignment process is performed, the adhesive element <NUM> may be partially cured by irradiating the adhesive element <NUM> with ultraviolet light in the state in which the focal distance between the lens and the image sensor <NUM> is adjusted.

After the active alignment process is completed, the adhesive element <NUM> may be completely cured by heating the adhesive element <NUM>. At this time, for example, the adhesive element <NUM> may be heated using an oven or the like.

When the lens barrel, the holder <NUM>, and the printed circuit board <NUM> are coupled to one another via the active alignment process, the first space S1 may be formed in the camera module so as to be sealed at the upper side thereof by the packing member <NUM> and be sealed at the lower side thereof by the adhesive element <NUM>.

When a coupled structure of the lens barrel, the holder <NUM>, and the printed circuit board <NUM> is heated in order to completely cure the adhesive element <NUM>, the air filling the first space S1 may expand due to heating.

Due to the expansion of the air filling the first space S1, the printed circuit board <NUM> may swell, be deformed, or be changed in position. In this case, due to the active alignment process, the focal distance between the lens and the image sensor <NUM>, which has been adjusted to fall within a design range, may deviate from the design range.

In addition, due to the expansion of the air filling the first space S1, the adhesive element <NUM> or the printed circuit board <NUM> may be damaged. A change in focal distance beyond the design range, damage to the adhesive element <NUM> or the printed circuit board <NUM>, or the like may cause malfunction of the camera module.

Therefore, in order to suppress the occurrence of malfunction of the camera module due to the expansion of the air filling the first space S1, the camera module in the embodiment may be formed with an opening, through which the air filling the first space S1 may be discharged from the first space S1.

That is, when the air filling the first space S1 expands while the adhesive element <NUM> is heated so as to be cured, some of the filled air is discharged from the first space S1 through the opening, which may prevent a change in the focal distance of the camera module beyond the design range, damage to the adhesive element <NUM> or the printed circuit board <NUM>, and the like, due to the expansion of the air.

Accordingly, the camera module in the embodiment may prevent a change in the focal distance of the camera module beyond the design range, damage to the adhesive element <NUM> or the printed circuit board <NUM>, and the like, thereby preventing the occurrence of malfunction.

The opening may serve to open a portion of the first space S1, which is formed by the coupling of the holder <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM>. At this time, the opening may be formed in at least one region of one side of the adhesive element <NUM>, the printed circuit board <NUM>, and the lower portion of the holder <NUM>. Hereinafter, respective embodiments of the opening will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a view for explaining an opening according to the first embodiment. <FIG> is a side cross-sectional view of <FIG>. In the embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the opening may include a first through-hole <NUM>, which is formed in one side of the adhesive element <NUM>.

Since the first through-hole <NUM> is formed in the adhesive element <NUM>, when the adhesive element <NUM> is heated for curing, the coupling of the housing <NUM> is performed after the coupling of the printed circuit board <NUM> is performed. Therefore, some of the air, which has filled the first space S1 and expanded due to heating, may be discharged outward through the first through-hole <NUM>.

That is, since the first through-hole <NUM> enables the first space S1 to communicate with the outside, when the air present in the first space S1 is heated, some of the air may move from the first space S1 to the outside.

With this structure, even while the adhesive element <NUM> is heated, deformation of the printed circuit board, a change in focal distance, or the like, which occurs due to the expansion of the air present in the first space S1, may be prevented.

The width D1 of the first through-hole <NUM> may range, for example, from <NUM> to <NUM>. However, the width may be greater or less than this range in consideration of the size of the entire camera module and the arrangement of the respective components.

Meanwhile, in the embodiment of <FIG>, one first through-hole <NUM> is formed in the edge region of the adhesive element <NUM>, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the first through-hole <NUM> may be formed in the corner region of the adhesive element <NUM>, and two or more first through-holes may be provided.

The cross section of the first through-hole <NUM> may have any of various shapes such as, a circular shape, an oval shape, a rectangular shape, or a polygonal shape.

<FIG> is a view for explaining an opening according to a second embodiment. In another embodiment of the opening, as illustrated in <FIG>, the printed circuit board <NUM> may be provided with a second through-hole <NUM>, which is formed in the first direction. For example, the second through-hole <NUM> may be provided as a via-hole in the printed circuit board <NUM>.

The second through-hole <NUM> may be formed in the printed circuit board <NUM>. Thus, when the adhesive element <NUM> is heated for curing, some of the air, which has filled the first space S1 and expanded due to heating, may be discharged outward through the second through-hole <NUM>.

That is, since the second through-hole <NUM> enables the first space S1 to communicate with the outside, when the air present in the first space S1 is heated, some of the air may move from the first space S1 to the outside.

With this structure, even while the adhesive element <NUM> is heated, deformation of the printed circuit board, a change in focal distance, and the like, which occur due to the expansion of the air present in the first space S1, may be prevented.

The second through-hole <NUM> may be formed inside the curved line defined by the adhesive element <NUM>. That is, referring to <FIG>, the second through-hole <NUM> may be formed between the image sensor <NUM> and the adhesive element <NUM>. With this structure, the adhesive element <NUM> may form the first space S1, and the second through-hole <NUM> may allow the first space S1 to communicate with the outside.

The width D2 of the second through-hole <NUM> may range, for example, from <NUM> to <NUM>, and more appropriately, may be about <NUM>. However, the width may be greater or less than this range in consideration of the size of the entire camera module and the arrangement of the respective components.

Meanwhile, in the embodiment of <FIG>, one second through-hole <NUM> is formed in the edge region of the adhesive element <NUM>, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the second through-hole <NUM> may be formed in an appropriate position between the image sensor <NUM> and the adhesive element <NUM>, and two or more second through-holes may be provided.

The cross section of the first through-hole <NUM> may have a circular shape in the embodiment of <FIG>, without the limitation thereto, and may have any of various shapes such as, an oval shape, a rectangular shape, or a polygonal shape.

<FIG> is a view for explaining an opening according to a third embodiment. In another embodiment of the opening, as illustrated in <FIG>, a third through-hole <NUM> may be formed in the lower portion of the holder <NUM> so as to penetrate the holder <NUM> in the lateral direction.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the third through-hole <NUM> may be formed in the lower portion of the holder <NUM>, i.e. below the protrusion <NUM> in the lateral direction of the holder <NUM>.

The third through-hole <NUM> may be formed in the holder <NUM> so as to penetrate the holder in the lateral direction. Thus, when the adhesive element <NUM> is heated for curing, some of the air, which has filled the first space S1 and expanded due to heating, may be discharged outward through the second through-hole <NUM>.

That is, since the third through-hole <NUM> enables the first space S1 to communicate with the outside, when the air present in the first space S1 is heated, some of the air may move from the first space S1 to the outside.

The width D3 of the third through-hole <NUM> may range, for example, from <NUM> to <NUM>. However, the width may be greater or less than this range in consideration of the size of the entire camera module and the arrangement of the respective components.

Meanwhile, in the embodiment of <FIG>, one third through-hole <NUM> is formed, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, two or more third through-hole <NUM> may be formed in the lower portion of the holder <NUM> so as to penetrate the holder in the lateral direction.

The cross section of the third through-hole <NUM> may have any of various shapes such as, a circular shape, an oval shape, a rectangular shape, or a polygonal shape.

Meanwhile, when the coupling of the printed circuit board <NUM> and the housing <NUM> is completed, the opening may allow the first space S1 to communicate with the second space S2, which is formed inside the housing <NUM>.

Due to the formation of the opening, malfunction of the camera module may occur when foreign substances of the outside are introduced into the first space S1 through the opening to thereby be adhered to elements, such as the image sensor <NUM>.

Therefore, when the opening is provided so as to enable the first space S1 and the second space S2 to communicate with each other and the holder <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are coupled to each other so as to seal the second space S2, the first space S1 and the second space S2 may communicate with each other, but the first space S1 and second space S2 may be collectively sealed.

With this structure, even though the opening is formed, it is possible to prevent foreign substances from being introduced from the outside into the first space S1, and thus to prevent malfunction of the camera module due to the introduction of foreign substances into the first space S1.

Meanwhile, in order to more reliably prevent foreign substances from being introduced into the first space S1 through the opening, the opening may be closed after the coupling of the holder <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM> is completed. The closing of the opening may be performed before the housing <NUM> is coupled to the holder <NUM>.

As described above, since the opening functions only in the process of coupling the holder <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM> to each other using the adhesive element <NUM> via the active alignment process, the opening is not necessary after the adhesive element <NUM> is heated to thereby be completely cured.

Therefore, after the coupling of the holder <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM> is completed, the opening may be closed in order to prevent foreign substances from being introduced from the outside into the first space S1 through the opening.

When the opening is closed, the opening may be closed using an adhesive. The adhesive may be, for example, a thermo-setting adhesive, an ultraviolet-curable adhesive, or the aforementioned hybrid adhesive.

<FIG> is a plan view illustrating a camera module according to the fourth embodiment, <FIG> is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating the camera module according to the fourth embodiment, <FIG> is a side view illustrating the camera module according to the fourth embodiment, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating the camera module according to the fourth embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the camera module <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes a printed circuit board <NUM>, an image sensor <NUM> mounted on the printed circuit board <NUM>, a holder <NUM>, which is disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM> so as to accommodate the image sensor <NUM> therein, and a lens barrel <NUM> fastened to the holder <NUM>.

In the fourth embodiment, the image sensor <NUM> may be mounted on the printed circuit board <NUM>.

Here, the image sensor <NUM> may generate an image signal by collecting light introduced thereinto, and may be provided as a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor or a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor.

In addition, the holder <NUM> may be disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM> so as to accommodate therein the image sensor <NUM>, which is mounted on the printed circuit board <NUM>.

In addition, the holder <NUM> may be provided with a first fastening portion <NUM> and a second fastening portion <NUM>, which are symmetrically formed on opposite side surfaces of the holder. The first fastening portion <NUM> and the second fastening portion <NUM> may be formed in a plate shape in the longitudinal direction of the holder. The first fastening portion <NUM> and the second fastening portion <NUM> may be respectively formed with a first fastening reference hole 1620a and a second fastening reference hole 1640a.

The first fastening portion <NUM> and the second fastening portion <NUM> may be fastened to a position at which the camera module may be mounted, so as to fix the camera module.

In addition, the holder <NUM> may have a through-hole <NUM> formed above the image sensor <NUM>.

In addition, the lens barrel <NUM> may be fastened to the upper region of the through-hole <NUM> formed in the holder <NUM>. The lens barrel <NUM> may be disposed so as to face the image sensor <NUM>, which is mounted on the printed circuit board <NUM>.

Here, the inner diameter of the through-hole <NUM> may correspond to the outer diameter of the lens barrel <NUM>. The lens barrel <NUM> may include a protrusion <NUM>, which protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel in a ring form so as to bond to the upper surface of the holder <NUM>.

In addition, the protrusion <NUM> may fix the lens barrel <NUM> at a predetermined height in the through-hole <NUM>, and a first adhesive member <NUM> may be disposed between the lower end surface of the protrusion <NUM> and the upper surface of the holder, which faces the protrusion <NUM>, so as to attach and fasten the holder <NUM> and the lens barrel <NUM> to each other.

Here, the first adhesive member may be formed of an ultraviolet-curable adhesive, which may be solidified within a short time via reaction of a light reaction initiator contained in a liquid-phase adhesive by irradiating the adhesive with ultraviolet light, without limitation thereto.

Meanwhile, at least one lens may be disposed in the inner space of the lens barrel <NUM>, and a plurality of lenses may be stacked at a predetermined interval in the inner space.

Conventionally, when a holder and a lens barrel are fastened to a printed circuit board on which an image sensor is mounted, the printed circuit board on which the holder and the image sensor are mounted is horizontally aligned, and thereafter the optical axis of a lens disposed in the lens barrel is aligned. As such, when the image sensor mounted on the printed circuit board is not horizontally aligned with respect to the printed circuit board, an accurate image may not be acquired.

In the fourth embodiment, the printed circuit board <NUM> may be tilted so that the horizontal plane, which passes through the center O of the first fastening reference hole and the center O' of the second fastening reference hole, is parallel to the upper surface of the image sensor <NUM>. Here, the positions of the holder and the image sensor may be respectively measured using, for example, a laser displacement sensor so that the printed circuit board and the holder are primarily aligned with each other via tilting of the printed circuit board.

Then, the holder and the printed circuit board, which have been primarily aligned with each other, may be attached and fixed to each other via a second adhesive member, which will be described later.

As described above, after the holder and the printed circuit board are aligned with each other so that the horizontal plane, which passes through the center O of the first fastening reference hole and the center O' of the second fastening reference hole, is parallel to the upper surface of the image sensor <NUM>, the optical axis of the lens disposed in the lens barrel may be aligned so that the horizontal plane, which passes through the center O of the first fastening reference hole and the center O' of the second fastening reference hole, is parallel to the upper surface of the lens mounted in the lens barrel.

Then, the lens barrel including the lens, the optical axis of which has been aligned, and the holder are attached and fixed to each other via the first adhesive member.

In this way, the printed circuit board may be tilted so that the horizontal plane, which passes through the center O of the first fastening reference hole and the center O' of the second fastening reference hole, the upper surface of the image sensor <NUM>, and the upper surface of the lens are parallel to one another and so that the image sensor <NUM> is parallel to the horizontal plane, which passes through the center O of the first fastening reference hole and the center O' of the second fastening reference hole, and in such a tilted state of the printed circuit board, the camera module may be mounted at a desired mounting position thereof.

Accordingly, an undistorted image, which is the same as an actual image, may be acquired without the influence of the angle at which the image sensor is mounted.

Meanwhile, the lower surface of the holder <NUM> may face the printed circuit board <NUM>, and a second adhesive member <NUM> may be disposed between the printed circuit board <NUM> and a bonding surface <NUM> of the lower surface, which is adjacent to the through-hole <NUM>.

Here, the second adhesive member may be formed of an ultraviolet-curable adhesive, which may be solidified within a short time via a reaction of a light reaction initiator contained in a liquid-phase adhesive by irradiating the adhesive with ultraviolet light, without limitation thereto.

<FIG> are views illustrating bonding surfaces of camera modules according to fifth to seventh embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, partitions 1700a and 1700b may be disposed between the bonding surface <NUM> and the through-hole <NUM>. The partitions 1700a and 1700b may prevent the second adhesive member <NUM>, which is disposed between the bonding surface <NUM> of the holder and the printed circuit board <NUM>, from spreading to the image sensor <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the partition 1700a may be disposed so as to protrude from the lower surface of the holder <NUM> toward the printed circuit board <NUM>, and may be formed in a ring shape so that the inner diameter thereof is equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the through-hole <NUM>. Here, when the inner diameter of the partition 1700a is much greater than the inner diameter of the through-hole <NUM>, the area over which the second adhesive member is disposed between the bonding surface <NUM> of the holder <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM> may be reduced, which may deteriorate adhesive force. Therefore, the partition may be disposed at a position at which deterioration in adhesive force may not occur.

In addition, the partition 1700a may be formed such that the side cross section of the partition 1700a has an oval shape to enable the tilting of the printed circuit board <NUM>, without limitation thereto.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the partition 1700b may be disposed so as to protrude from the upper surface of the printed circuit board <NUM> toward the lower surface of the holder. In the same manner as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4a, the partition 1700b may be formed in a ring shape such that the inner diameter thereof is equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the through-hole <NUM> in the holder.

In addition, the partition 1700a may be formed such that the side cross section of the partition 1700a has an oval shape to enable the tilting of the printed circuit board <NUM>, without the limitation thereto.

Meanwhile, the height of the partitions 1700a and 1700b may be changed depending on the amount of the second adhesive member <NUM>, which is disposed between the bonding surface <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM>. The height of the partitions 1700a and 1700b may range from <NUM> to <NUM>.

Here, when the height of the partitions 1700a and 1700b is below <NUM>, the second adhesive member <NUM>, which is disposed between the bonding surface <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM>, may be applied so as to be excessively thin, which may deteriorate adhesive force. When the height of the partitions is above <NUM>, the second adhesive member <NUM>, which is disposed between the bonding surface <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM>, may be applied so as to be excessively thick, which may cause the holder to be pushed from the printed circuit board, resulting in deterioration in fixing force.

In addition, the height of the partitions 1700a and 1700b may be changed depending on the amount of the second adhesive member, which depends on the area of the lower cross section of the holder <NUM> or the material of the second adhesive member.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the bonding surface <NUM> according to the seventh embodiment may have an inclined cross-sectional shape, and the height of the space between the bonding surface <NUM> and the upper surface of the printed circuit board <NUM> may increase with increasing distance from the through-hole <NUM>.

The second adhesive member <NUM> may be disposed in the space between the bonding surface <NUM> and the upper surface of the printed circuit board <NUM>. With a structure in which the height of the space between the bonding surface <NUM> and the upper surface of the printed circuit board <NUM> increases with increasing distance from the through-hole <NUM>, it is possible to prevent the second adhesive member from spreading to the image sensor.

In addition, with regard to the inclination angles θ1 and θ2 of the bonding surface, as the printed circuit board <NUM> tilts, the first inclination angle θ1 of the bonding surface and the second inclination angle θ2 of the bonding surface may be different from each other. Based on the inclination of the printed circuit board, the second inclination angle θ2 of the bonding surface may be increased in proportion to a reduction in the first inclination angle θ1 of the bonding surface, or the second inclination angle θ2 of the bonding surface may be reduced in proportion to an increase in the first inclination angle θ1 of the bonding surface.

In addition, the inclination angles θ1 and θ2 of the bonding surface may range from <NUM>° to <NUM>°. When the first inclination angle θ1 of the bonding surface or the second inclination angle θ2 of the bonding surface is below <NUM>°, the second adhesive member <NUM>, which is disposed between the bonding surface and the printed circuit board, may be reduced in thickness, which may deteriorate adhesive force. When the first inclination angle θ1 of the bonding surface or the second inclination angle θ2 of the bonding surface is above <NUM>°, an excessive amount of the second adhesive member <NUM> may be disposed on the edge portion of the lower surface of the holder <NUM>, which may deteriorate support force.

In addition, the bonding surface <NUM> may have roughness, which may increase the adhesive force of the bonding surface and the second adhesive member. In addition, although the magnitude of roughness may range from <NUM> to <NUM>, the magnitude of roughness may be changed depending on the area or material of the bonding surface of the holder <NUM>.

The embodiments described above may be combined with each other.

That is, the inclined bonding surface <NUM> may be provided and the partition 1700a may protrude from the lower surface of the holder <NUM> toward the printed circuit board <NUM>. Alternatively, the inclined bonding surface <NUM> may be provided and the partition 1700b may protrude from the upper surface of the printed circuit board <NUM> toward the lower surface of the holder <NUM>.

As described above, according to the embodiments, when the lens and the image sensor are fastened so as to be parallel to each other, it is possible to acquire an accurate image, which is not distorted and is the same as an actual image, from each camera module without the influence of the position at which the camera module is mounted.

Although several embodiments have been described above, various other embodiments may be implemented. The technical ideas of the embodiments described above may be combined with each other in various forms so long as they are compatible, and new embodiments may be realized therefrom.

Various embodiments have sufficiently been described in the best mode to implement the disclosure.

Claim 1:
An assembled camera module comprising:
a lens barrel (<NUM>) having at least one lens;
a holder (<NUM>) coupled to the lens barrel (<NUM>);
a board disposed at a lower portion of the holder (<NUM>) so as to face the lens;
an adhesive element (<NUM>) configured to couple the holder (<NUM>) and the board to each other;
an opening connected to a first space (S1) which is defined via coupling of the board and the holder (<NUM>); and
an image sensor (<NUM>) disposed on the board,
wherein the opening is provided as a via-hole (<NUM>) formed in the board through its upper side and its lower side, and
wherein the via-hole (<NUM>) is disposed between the image sensor (<NUM>) and the adhesive element (<NUM>),
characterized in that
a housing (<NUM>) is coupled to the holder (<NUM>) and accommodates the board, and
that the opening is a path through which an air in the first space (S1) is discharged, which communicates with a second space (S2) formed inside the housing (<NUM>).