Imager module and method for manufacturing an imager module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9762783-B2
Application number	US-201314651442-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 23, 2013
Priority date	Dec 18, 2012
Publication date	Sep 12, 2017
Grant date	Sep 12, 2017

Abstract

An imager module for a camera system includes a sensor carrier, an image sensor accommodated on the sensor carrier, and an objective lens. An elastically deformable clamping device is tensioned between the objective lens and the sensor carrier. The clamping device is elastically deformable, in particular between regions of the outer surface of the objective lens and the supporting ribs of a receiving depression in a plane that extends essentially orthogonally to an axis of symmetry of the objective lens or an optical axis of the imager module.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An imager module for a camera system, the imager module comprising:
a sensor carrier including a supporting structure with supporting components;
an image sensor accommodated on the sensor carrier;
an objective lens having an insertion region with radial bulged portions; and
an elastically deformable clamping device tensioned between the objective lens and the sensor carrier, wherein the clamping device is a tension sleeve which is received by the supporting structure and is inwardly tensioned asymmetrically in the radial direction by the supporting components of the supporting structure of the sensor carrier, wherein the tension sleeve receives the insertion region of the objective lens and is radially outwardly tensioned by the radial bulged portions of the insertion region of the objective lens, and wherein the bulged portions are circumferentially offset from the supporting components.

2. The imager module of claim 1 , wherein the tension sleeve is elastically deformed by (a) regions of the outer surface of the objective lens and (b) the supporting structure, the supporting structure being in a plane that extends essentially orthogonally to at least one of an axis of symmetry of the objective lens and an optical axis of the imager module.

3. The imager module of claim 2 , wherein the supporting structure is part of or mounted on the sensor carrier, and wherein the supporting components are circumferentially spaced apart and rest against an outer surface of the clamping device, radially tensioning the clamping device.

4. The imager module of claim 3 , wherein the tension sleeve extends along an axis of symmetry of the objective lens, and wherein a cross section of the tension sleeve is closed and is elastically deformable in the radial direction orthogonally to the axis of symmetry of the objective lens.

5. The imager module of claim 3 , wherein a form of the tension sleeve is essentially cylindrical, and an outer radius of the tension sleeve when the tension sleeve is not being tensioned is greater than a distance of the supporting structure to the axis of symmetry of the objective lens.

6. The imager module of claim 1 , wherein the insertion region of the objective lens is noncircular and includes more than two radially outwardly projecting and circumferentially spaced apart bulged portions.

7. The imager module of claim 6 , wherein an inner radius of the tension sleeve, when not tensioned, is greater than a minimum radial extent and smaller than a maximum radial extent of the insertion region of the objective lens.

8. The imager module of claim 6 , wherein:
the tension sleeve is elastically deformed by(a) regions of the outer surface of the objective lens and (b) the supporting structure, wherein the supporting structure is in a plane that extends essentially orthogonally to at least one of an axis of symmetry of the objective lens and an optical axis of the imager module; and
the bulged portions are circumferentially offset from the supporting structure.

9. The imager module of claim 8 , wherein the bulged portions are centrally offset from the supporting structure.

10. The imager module of claim 8 , wherein the supporting structure includes three radially inwardly projecting supporting ribs, and the insertion region of the objective lens includes three bulged portions that are convexly outwardly directed in the radial direction, the bulged portions being arranged circumferentially between the support ribs.

11. The imager module of claim 10 , wherein the bulged portions are circumferentially offset from the supporting ribs by 60°.

12. The imager module of claim 1 , wherein the objective lens and the clamping device are joined by an adhesive agent that forms a seal.

13. The imager module of claim 12 , wherein the seal is an axial seal between the objective lens and the clamping device.

14. The imager module of claim 2 , wherein the clamping device and the supporting structure are joined by an adhesive agent that forms a seal.

15. The imager module of claim 14 , wherein the seal is a radial seal between the clamping device and the supporting structure.

16. The imager module of claim 1 , wherein an outer side of the objective lens is curved in an axial direction for tilting in the clamping device to correct a tilt of an image plane.

17. A camera module comprising:
a camera housing;
a circuit substrate; and
an imager module that includes:
a sensor carrier including a supporting structure with supporting components;
an image sensor accommodated on the sensor carrier;
an objective lens having an insertion region with radial bulged portions; and
an elastically deformable clamping device tensioned between the objective lens and the sensor carrier, wherein the clamping device is a tension sleeve which is received by the supporting structure and is inwardly tensioned asymmetrically in the radial direction by the supporting components of the supporting structure of the sensor carrier, wherein the tension sleeve receives the insertion region of the objective lens and is radially outwardly tensioned by the radial bulged portions of the insertion region of the objective lens, and wherein the bulged portions are circumferentially offset from the supporting components;

wherein the imager module and the circuit device are accommodated in the camera housing, and the image sensor is connected to the circuit substrate via circuit-board conductors formed on or in the sensor carrier.

18. The camera module of claim 17 , wherein the camera module is integrated into a vehicle.

19. A method for manufacturing an imager module, the method comprising:
elastically deforming a tension sleeve by applying an external force in a radial direction, thereby asymmetrically deforming the tension sleeve in the circumferential direction;
axially inserting an objective lens, by way of an insertion region of the objective lens, into the deformed tension sleeve in a direction along an axis of symmetry of the objective lens without the objective lens contacting the tension sleeve;
at least partially reducing the applied external force, causing the tension sleeve to be inwardly tensioned asymmetrically in the radial direction by supporting components of a supporting structure of a sensor carrier, and to be radially outwardly tensioned by radial bulged portions of the insertion region of the objective lens, wherein the bulged portions are circumferentially offset from the supporting components.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein:
the axial insertion of the insertion region of the objective lens into the deformed tensioned sleeve adjusts a position of the objective lens along the axis of symmetry, thereby focusing the imager module; and
the method further comprises analyzing image signals from an image sensor attached to the sensor carrier obtained in each of a plurality of longitudinal positions of the objective lens to determine whether the imager module is correctly focused, in response to which the external force is released.

21. The method of claim 19 , further comprising:
subsequent to the axial insertions, correcting an image plane by tilting the objective lens in the tension sleeve in at least one direction orthogonally to the axis of symmetry.

22. The method of claim 19 , further comprising:
subsequent to the axial insertion, introducing at least one adhesive agent between the objective lens and the tension sleeve and between the tension sleeve and the supporting

Assignees

• Bosch Gmbh Robert

Inventors

• Apel Uwe
• Bauer Nikolai

Classifications

• H04N23/54 Primary

  Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils · CPC title

• H04N23/57

  Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices · CPC title

• H04N23/55

  Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof · CPC title

• H04N23/50 Primary

  Constructional details · CPC title

• H04N23/51

  Housings · CPC title