KR20250133625A - Lens assembly and camera module including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

One embodiment of a lens assembly includes a barrel having at least one lens disposed in an internal space; a holder having an internal space and accommodating the barrel in the internal space; and a heater, a portion of which is disposed between the barrel and the holder and which receives power from an external power source to heat the lens, wherein the heater may include a temperature control unit.

Description

Lens assembly and camera module including the same

The embodiment relates to a lens assembly having a structure capable of preventing a heater from overheating and a camera module including the same.

The material described in this section merely provides background information for the embodiments and does not constitute prior art.

Camera modules can be used in a variety of applications. For example, they can be used in CCTV systems, vehicle black boxes, and rear-view cameras used for parking.

Camera modules used for purposes such as crime prevention and vehicle use may be used outdoors. Therefore, at least some of the camera module's components may be exposed to the outside. In particular, the lens and the lens assembly, which are components of the camera module, must be exposed to the outside to capture images, making them susceptible to environmental factors.

In particular, when the surrounding temperature drops below freezing point, frost may adhere to the exposed portion of the lens, and this frost may obstruct the entrance of light into the lens, making the camera module inoperable or blurring or distorting the captured image.

Therefore, to improve this, a heater may be provided in the lens assembly to prevent overheating. In this case, it is necessary to prevent the heater from overheating.

Accordingly, the embodiment relates to a lens assembly having a structure capable of preventing a heater from overheating and a camera module including the same.

The technical problems to be achieved by the embodiment are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the embodiment belongs from the description below.

One embodiment of a lens assembly includes a barrel having at least one lens disposed in an internal space; a holder having an internal space and accommodating the barrel in the internal space; and a heater, a portion of which is disposed between the barrel and the holder and which receives power from an external power source to heat the lens, wherein the heater may include a temperature control unit.

The above temperature control unit may be formed in a plate shape and surround the outer surface of the barrel.

The above temperature control unit may reduce heat generation from the heater when the barrel is heated by the heater to exceed a certain temperature.

The above temperature control unit may include a PTC thermistor (Positive Temperature Coefficient thermistor).

The heater may include a heating unit that supplies power to at least one lens to heat the lens; a terminal unit that is connected to the external power source and receives power from the external power source; a connecting unit that connects the heating unit and the terminal unit, and a portion of which is disposed between the barrel and the holder; an electrode formed on the terminal unit and the connecting unit; and the temperature control unit that is disposed on the connecting unit and connected to the electrode.

The heating unit may include a heating plate having a through hole formed therein and connected to the electrode, supplying power to the lens to heat the lens; and a coating layer connected to the heating plate, disposed on at least one surface of the lens, and heated by receiving power from the heating plate.

The above coating layer may be made of a transparent conductive material.

The above coating layer may be made of an indium-tin oxide material.

The above electrode may be provided with two conductors separated from the terminal portion and the connection portion, and the two conductors may be connected to the heating plate.

One embodiment of the lens assembly may further include an infrared filter positioned at the lower portion of the barrel so as to be opposite to the lens in the optical axis direction.

Another embodiment of a lens assembly may include a barrel having at least one lens aligned in the optical axis direction; a holder having an internal space and accommodating a portion of the barrel in the internal space; and a heater at least a portion of which is disposed between the barrel and the holder and which receives power from an external power source to heat the lens, wherein the heater may include a temperature control unit disposed between the at least one lens and the barrel.

The above temperature control unit may include a PTC thermistor and reduce heat generation of the heater when the lens or the heater is heated above a certain temperature.

The heater may include a heating unit that supplies power to at least one lens to heat the lens; a terminal unit that is connected to the external power source and receives power from the external power source; a connecting unit that connects the heating unit and the terminal unit, a portion of which is disposed between the barrel and the holder; an electrode formed at the terminal unit and the connecting unit; and the temperature control unit that extends from the heating unit.

The heating unit may include a heating plate having a through hole formed therein, the electrode connected thereto, and heated by receiving power; a coating layer connected to the heating plate, disposed on at least one surface of the lens, and heated by receiving power from the heating plate; and a temperature control unit connected to the heating plate and having a shape corresponding to the heating plate.

The temperature control unit may be arranged to face the heating plate in the optical axis direction, the coating layer may be arranged on the upper side of the heating plate, and the temperature control unit may be arranged on the lower side of the heating plate.

One embodiment of the camera module may include the lens assembly; and an image sensor positioned so as to be opposite to the lens assembly in the optical axis direction.

In an embodiment, the temperature control unit prevents overheating of the lens or the barrel, and thus the temperature control unit can prevent damage due to overheating.

In addition, the temperature control unit has a simple structure and can prevent performance degradation of the camera module due to overheating of the heater.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a lens assembly according to one embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a lens assembly according to one embodiment.
Figure 3 is a development diagram showing a heater and a temperature control unit according to one embodiment.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a heater and a temperature control unit according to one embodiment.
Fig. 5 is a bottom perspective view showing a heater and a temperature control unit according to one embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a heater and a temperature control unit mounted on a lens assembly according to one embodiment.
Fig. 7 is a development diagram showing a heater and a temperature control unit according to another embodiment.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a heater and a temperature control unit according to another embodiment.
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a lens assembly equipped with the heater and temperature control unit of Fig. 7.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The embodiments may be modified in various ways and take various forms. Specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. However, this is not intended to limit the embodiments to a specific disclosed form, but rather to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives within the spirit and technical scope of the embodiments.

While terms like "first" and "second" may be used to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one component from another. Furthermore, terms specifically defined in light of the configuration and operation of the embodiments are intended only to describe the embodiments and do not limit the scope of the embodiments.

In the description of the embodiments, when it is described that each element is formed "on or under", "on or under" includes both cases where two elements are directly in contact with each other or where one or more other elements are formed by being positioned indirectly between the two elements. In addition, when expressed as "on or under", it can include the meaning of not only the upward direction but also the downward direction based on one element.

Additionally, relational terms such as “upper/upper/above” and “lower/lower/below” used hereinafter may be used to distinguish one entity or element from another, without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a lens assembly according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a lens assembly according to one embodiment. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the lens assembly of the embodiment may include a barrel (100), a holder (200), a temperature control unit (300), and a heater (500).

The barrel (100) may be formed hollow, and at least one lens (10) aligned in the optical axis direction may be provided inside the barrel (100) or on the upper portion of the barrel (100). The lens (10) coupled to the barrel (100) may be configured as a single lens, or a plurality of lenses (10) may be configured to form an optical system. In FIG. 1, as an example, a structure in which a plurality of lenses (10) are aligned in the optical axis direction in the barrel (100) to form an optical system is illustrated.

The holder (200) can accommodate the barrel (100). To this end, an internal space is formed in the holder (200), and a portion of the barrel (100) can be accommodated in the internal space. At this time, the barrel (100) can be coupled to the holder (200) by screw coupling or adhesive coupling.

For example, in the case of screw connection, as shown in FIG. 2, male screw threads are formed on at least a portion of the outer surface of the barrel (100), and corresponding female screw threads are formed on the inner surface of the barrel (100) to screw-connect the barrel (100) and the holder (200) to each other.

Meanwhile, similar to the barrel (100), a hollow space can also be formed in the holder (200), and when the barrel (100) and the holder (200) are coupled to each other, the hollow space of the barrel (100) and the hollow space of the holder (200) are arranged to face each other in the optical axis direction, and light can pass through the barrel (100) in the optical axis direction through the lens (10) mounted across the hollow space of the barrel (100) and the hollow space of the holder (200).

In addition, the holder (200) may be in contact with the lens (10) placed on the upper portion of the barrel (100) and may also be in contact with the heating unit (510) described later. In addition, an O-ring may be placed between the holder (200) and the lens (10) placed on the upper portion of the barrel (100) to prevent external foreign substances from entering the inside of the holder (200).

The infrared filter (400) may be arranged, for example, at the lower portion of the barrel (100), so as to face the lens (10) in the optical axis direction, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In another embodiment, the infrared filter (400) may be mounted on a separate member independent of the barrel (100) and arranged so as to face the lens (10) in the optical axis direction. The infrared filter (400) may be provided as, for example, an infrared blocking filter or an infrared passing filter.

The heater (500) is partially positioned between the barrel (100) and the holder (200), and can heat the lens (10) by receiving power from an external power source. That is, the heater (500) can be used by receiving power, thereby heating the lens (10), particularly the externally exposed portion of the lens (10).

The lens (10) may be partially exposed to the outside and may be affected by the surrounding environment. In particular, when the surrounding temperature is below freezing point, frost may adhere to the externally exposed portion of the lens (10).

These properties may make the lens (10) opaque or significantly reduce its transparency, thereby preventing the light from entering the lens (10), thereby making the camera module inoperable or blurring or distorting the image being captured.

Accordingly, in order to prevent frost from attaching to the externally exposed portion of the lens (10) in the embodiment, the heater (500) is used to supply power to the lens (10), particularly to the externally exposed portion thereof, that is, the exposure lens (10-1) which is provided at the uppermost portion of the lenses (10) as seen in FIG. 2 and is partially exposed to the outside, so that the exposure lens (10-1) can be directly heated.

At this time, it is appropriate for the heater (500) to be designed to have a simple structure and a small space, and it is appropriate to select a heating method that corresponds to this. Accordingly, the heater (500) may use, for example, an electric resistance heating method.

Fig. 3 is a development diagram showing a heater (500) and a temperature control unit (300) according to one embodiment. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a heater (500) and a temperature control unit (300) according to one embodiment. Fig. 5 is a bottom perspective view showing a heater (500) and a temperature control unit (300) according to one embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the heater (500) may include a heating unit (510), a terminal unit (520), a connection unit (530), an electrode (540), and a temperature control unit (300).

The heating unit (510) may serve to supply power to at least one of the lenses (10). It may also serve to heat at least one of the lenses (10), and may include a hole (511), a heating plate (512), and a layout (513) formed on the lens (10).

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the heating unit (510) can heat the exposure lens (10-1) or supply power to the exposure lens (10-1) to heat (513) formed on the exposure lens (10-1) to prevent frost from attaching to the exposure lens (10-1).

The heating plate (512) is electrically connected to the electrode (540) and can be heated by receiving power through the electrode (540), or can heat the lens (10) by supplying power to the lens (10). At this time, the heating plate (512) can be provided to be heated by, for example, an electrical resistance heating method as described above.

The heating plate (512) is electrically connected to the electrode (540) and may also serve as a passage for transmitting the power supplied through the electrode to the coating layer (513). That is, the heating plate (512) itself does not function as a heater, but may also function as an electrode plate for applying current to heat the coating layer (513). In this case, the heating unit for heating the lens (10) may be the coating layer (513) coated on the exposure lens (10-1).

The aperture (511) can be formed in the heating plate (512), and when the heating unit (510) is mounted on the lens assembly, the aperture (511) can be arranged to face the exposure lens (10-1) in the optical axis direction.

In addition, when the heating unit (510) is mounted on the lens assembly, the heating plate (512) is positioned to be in contact with the exposure lens (10-1) so as to heat the exposure lens (10-1) by a heat conduction phenomenon.

Meanwhile, the heating unit (510) may include a coating layer (513) that can heat the exposure lens (10-1) together with the heating plate (512), and the coating layer (513) will be described in detail below.

The terminal portion (520) may be electrically connected to an external power source and may serve to receive power from the external power source. To receive power, an electrode (540), described below, may be formed on the terminal portion (520).

The connecting portion (530) may be partially positioned between the barrel (100) and the holder (200), and may serve to connect the heating portion (510) and the terminal portion (520). At this time, in order for the connecting portion (530) to electrically connect the heating plate (512) and the terminal portion (520), an electrode (540) may be formed on the connecting portion (530). Of course, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, the electrode (540) may also be formed on the terminal portion (520).

The electrode (540) is formed at the terminal portion (520) and the connection portion (530) and serves to electrically connect the external power source and the heating plate (512), and may include a conductor (541).

That is, the electrode (540) is provided with two conductors (541) separated from the terminal portion (520) and the connection portion (530), and the two conductors (541) can be electrically connected to the heating plate (512).

At this time, the two separated conductors (541) can be electrically connected to a pair of electrode terminals provided in an external power source at the terminal portion (520), and thus, the heating plate (512) can be heated by receiving power from the external power source.

Meanwhile, the heating plate (512) and the electrode (540) may be formed, for example, by printing on the heater (500). In addition, it is appropriate to form the portion of the heater (500) excluding the heating plate (512), the electrode (540), and the coating layer (513) with an electrically insulating material, so that, in particular, a pair of conductors (541) of the electrode (540) do not short each other.

FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a heater (500) and a temperature control unit (300) mounted on a lens assembly according to one embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the heating unit (510) may include a coating layer (513).

The coating layer (513) may be formed of a transparent material. In addition, the coating layer (513) is electrically connected to the heating plate (512), is disposed on at least one surface of the lens, and may be heated by receiving power from the heating plate (512). For example, the coating layer (513) may be heated by receiving power through an electrode (540) formed on the heating plate (512).

Referring to FIG. 2, the coating layer (513) may be formed by being disposed on the entire surface of the exposure lens (10-1) or on one of both sides of the exposure lens (10-1).

The coating layer (513) can serve to heat the exposure lens (10-1) like the heating plate (512). Therefore, the coating layer (513) can be provided to be heated by, for example, an electrical resistance heating method by receiving power.

For this purpose, the coating layer (513) may be formed of a conductive material. In addition, the coating layer (513) may be attached to the heating plate (512) using, for example, a conductive adhesive, and may be heated by supplying power through the heating plate (512).

In addition, since the coating layer (513) is disposed on the surface of the exposure lens (10-1), it is appropriate to form it from a transparent material so that light can pass through it. Accordingly, it is appropriate to form the coating layer (513) from a transparent conductive material.

The above coating layer (513) is preferably made of, for example, indium-tin oxide material. This is because the indium-tin oxide material is transparent and conductive.

The temperature control unit (300) may be formed in a plate shape and may be provided to surround the outer circumference of the barrel (100), as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 6. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the temperature control unit (300) may be placed in the connection unit (530) and connected to the electrode (540).

The above heater (500) may overheat due to malfunction, etc. Therefore, if overheating of the heater (500) is not prevented, the heater (500) may be damaged, and the entirety or part of the camera module including the heater (500) may be overheated due to overheating of the heater (500), which may result in deterioration in the performance of the camera module.

In order to prevent overheating of the heater (500), the temperature control unit (300) may serve to reduce heat generation of the heater (500) when the barrel (100) is heated by the heater (500) to exceed a certain temperature.

The temperature control unit (300) may include, for example, a PTC thermistor (Positive Temperature Coefficient thermistor). A PTC thermistor is an electrical resistor that has the characteristic of rapidly increasing its electrical resistance value when heated above a specific temperature.

A PTC thermistor can be formed of a semiconductor, for example, including barium titanate (BaTiO ₃ ). In addition, a PTC thermistor can be formed by forming a substrate coupled to a heater (500), and laminating a semiconductor made of barium titanate material on the substrate, as illustrated in FIG. 3 .

At this time, by mixing various substances into the material forming the PTC thermistor, the temperature at which the electrical resistance value rapidly increases can be appropriately set.

When power is supplied to the heater (500), the heating unit (510) is heated, and as the heating unit (510) is heated, the barrel (100) can be heated. When the barrel (100) is heated above a set temperature, the temperature control unit (300) surrounding the barrel (100) detects this and rapidly increases the electric resistance value to block the current flowing to the electrode (540) or significantly reduce the amount of current, thereby reducing the heat generation of the heater (500).

When the current flowing to the electrode (540) is cut off or the amount of current is significantly reduced, the temperature of the heating unit (510) decreases. Accordingly, the temperature of the barrel (100) also decreases, and when the temperature of the barrel (100) decreases below the set temperature, the temperature control unit (300) detects this and the electrical resistance value can decrease again.

Accordingly, when current is applied again to the electrode (540) or the amount of current increases, the heating unit (510) can heat the exposure lens (10-1) again.

In an embodiment, the temperature control unit (300) prevents overheating of the lens (10) or barrel (100), and thus the temperature control unit (300) can prevent damage due to overheating.

In addition, the temperature control unit (300) has a simple structure and can prevent performance degradation of the camera module due to overheating of the heater (500).

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the heater (500) may have at least a portion, i.e., a heating portion (510), a connection portion (530), and a temperature control portion (300), interposed between the barrel (100) and the holder (200), and a terminal portion (520) may be disposed on the lower surface of the barrel (100).

In order for the above heater (500) to be arranged in the above structure, the heater (500) illustrated in the development diagram in FIG. 3 needs to be processed into a three-dimensional shape as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Fig. 7 is a development diagram showing a heater (500) and a temperature control unit (300) according to another embodiment. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a heater (500) and a temperature control unit (300) according to another embodiment. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a lens assembly equipped with the heater (500) and the temperature control unit (300) of Fig. 7.

In the following, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the overlapping description of the overlapping parts in the above description will be omitted, and the structure of the temperature control unit (300) will be described.

In an embodiment, the temperature control unit (300) may be coupled to the heating unit (510) of the heater (500). For example, the temperature control unit (300) may be formed to extend from the heating unit (510). In addition, the temperature control unit (300) may be provided in a ring shape and may be provided to surround at least one lens (10).

As illustrated in Fig. 9, the temperature control unit (300) may be positioned between at least one lens (10) and the barrel (100). For example, the temperature control unit (300) may be positioned to surround the lower portion of the exposure lens (10-1) along the circumferential direction of the exposure lens (10-1).

At this time, the temperature control unit (300) may include a PTC thermistor, as described above. In addition, the temperature control unit (300) may serve to reduce heat generation of the heater (500) when the temperature of the lens (10) or the heater (500) exceeds a certain temperature.

For example, the temperature control unit (300) may be connected to the heating plate (512) as shown in FIG. 7 and may be provided in a shape corresponding to the heating plate (512).

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the temperature control unit (300) may be folded and placed to face the heating plate (512) in the optical axis direction, the coating layer (513) may be placed on the upper side of the heating plate (512), and the temperature control unit (300) may be placed on the lower side of the heating plate (512).

In another embodiment, the temperature control unit (300) may be folded in the opposite direction to that shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In this case, the coating layer (513) may be arranged in front of the temperature control unit (300), and the heating plate (512) may be arranged in the rear of the temperature control unit (300).

When power is supplied to the heater (500), the heating unit (510) is heated, and as the heating unit (510) is heated, the lens (10), for example, the exposure lens (10-1), may be heated. When the heating unit (510) or the exposure lens (10-1) is heated above a set temperature, the temperature control unit (300) detects this and causes the electric resistance value to rapidly increase, thereby blocking the current flowing to the electrode (540) or significantly reducing the amount of current.

When the current flowing to the electrode (540) is cut off or the amount of current is significantly reduced, the temperature of the heating unit (510) decreases. Accordingly, the temperature of the exposure lens (10-1) also decreases, and when the temperature of the heating unit (510) or the exposure lens (10-1) decreases below the set temperature, the temperature control unit (300) detects this and the electrical resistance value can decrease again.

Accordingly, when current is applied again to the electrode (540) or the amount of current increases, the heating unit (510) is heated, and accordingly, the heating unit (510) can heat the exposure lens (10-1) again.

One embodiment of the camera module may include the lens assembly and an image sensor (not shown). The image sensor may be positioned so as to face the lens assembly in the optical axis direction.

Accordingly, light passing through the lens assembly enters the image sensor, and an image of the subject can be formed on the image sensor.

As described above, only a few examples have been described in connection with the embodiments. However, various other implementations are possible. The technical details of the aforementioned embodiments, as long as they are not incompatible with each other, can be combined in various ways, resulting in new embodiments.

100: Barrel
200: Holder
300: Temperature control unit
400: Infrared filter
500: Heater
510: Heating unit
511: Public
512: Heating plate
513: Coating layer
520: Terminal section
530: Connector
540: Electrode
541: Doseon

Claims (1)

A barrel having at least one lens disposed within its interior space;
A holder in which an internal space is formed and the barrel is accommodated in the internal space; and
A heater that is placed between the barrel and the holder and receives power from an external power source to heat the lens.
Including,
The above heater,
A lens assembly including a temperature control unit.