[go: up one dir, main page]
More Web Proxy on the site http://driver.im/

WO2023110064A1 - Optical sensor module - Google Patents

Optical sensor module Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2023110064A1
WO2023110064A1 PCT/EP2021/085745 EP2021085745W WO2023110064A1 WO 2023110064 A1 WO2023110064 A1 WO 2023110064A1 EP 2021085745 W EP2021085745 W EP 2021085745W WO 2023110064 A1 WO2023110064 A1 WO 2023110064A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pcb
heater element
optical sensor
sensor module
heater
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2021/085745
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Adrian Ioan BOGDAN
Alina STETCU
Felix Attila Farkas
Vlad Aronet
Original Assignee
Continental Autonomous Mobility Germany GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Continental Autonomous Mobility Germany GmbH filed Critical Continental Autonomous Mobility Germany GmbH
Publication of WO2023110064A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023110064A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G03PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03BAPPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B17/00Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor
    • G03B17/55Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor with provision for heating or cooling, e.g. in aircraft
    • GPHYSICS
    • G03PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03BAPPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B30/00Camera modules comprising integrated lens units and imaging units, specially adapted for being embedded in other devices, e.g. mobile phones or vehicles
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/50Constructional details
    • H04N23/52Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/57Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices

Definitions

  • the invention relates to optical sensor module, in particular a camera, comprising a heater element.
  • heating elements can be used e.g. to defrost or defog a camera lens.
  • the heating element is arranged in the housing and is kept in place by crash rib features. Also, the mounting of the heater in the housing requires an additional step/station in the production line. Additionally, heater clips are needed to connect the heater with the PCB.
  • an optical sensor module comprising a lens assembly, a PCB comprising an imager, a housing, and a heater element.
  • the heater element is a PTC heating element arranged above the PCB and around at least a lower part of the lens assembly.
  • the optical sensor module is preferably a camera, in particular a mono camera or surroundview camera.
  • the PTC element means it has a positive thermal coefficient of resistance. The use of such a PTC element is advantageous since it has reduced power consumption.
  • a PTC heater is self-regulating and therefore no over-temperature protection is necessary. It also provides a wide temperature range and is available for all common voltages (12, 24, 42, 120, 230 and 500V).
  • PTC elements are easy to implement from a components point of view.
  • the heater element is used to defrost or defog the lens.
  • the heater element is fixed to the PCB. This is advantageous since with the fixation directly on the PCB the heater element can be assembled with other parts on the PCB. Additionally, the fixation of the heater element directly to the PCB is more robust than the fixation with crash ribs on the housing.
  • the heater element is fixed as a surface mounted device SMD, fixed by means of press fit, or fixed with through hole technique to the PCB.
  • a surface mounted device is in particular advantageous since it is directly soldered to the PCB.
  • the PTC heater element is a ceramic element.
  • a ceramic element is advantageous since it is cheaper than previously used heater solutions. Additionally, the ceramic material has a better efficiency due to the fact that the material is heated uniformly.
  • Fig. 1 a - c each show a schematic view of a heater element according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 2 shows a section view of an optical sensor module according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGS 1 a, 1 b and 1 c each show a schematic view of a heater element according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the heater element 2 is hereby fixed to a PCB 3.
  • an imager 4 is also located.
  • the heater element 2 is fixed as a surface mounted device SMD.
  • the heater element 2 is fixed with connecting points 2a (or “legs” of the heating element) to the PCB 3.
  • These connecting points 2a are soldered directly to the PCB 3.
  • the PCB 3 also has holes 3a which can be used to fix the PCB 3 to a housing or a respective element of the optical sensor module 1 .
  • the heater element 2 has a circular shape and can therefore be better arranged around the lens assembly 5, in particular the lens barrel, which also has generally a circular shape. This is advantageous since the heater element is used for defrosting or defog purposes and the closer the heater element is to the lens assembly the better the lens can be defrosted/defogged due to less heat loss.
  • FIG. 2 shows a section view of an optical sensor module according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the optical sensor module 1 comprises a lens assembly 5, a heater element 2 with connecting points 2a, a PCB 3, an imager 4 mounted on the PCB 3 and a housing 6 which covers the imager 4, the heater element 2, the PCB 3 and at least a part of the lens assembly 5.
  • the heater element
  • the heater element 2 is in this particular case fixed as a surface mounted device SMD to the PCB 3 and has connecting points/legs 2a soldered to the PCB 3, as already depicted in figures 1 a and 1 b.
  • the heater element 2 is located above the PCB 3 and the imager 4 and is arranged around at least a lower part of the lens assembly 5.
  • the lens assembly 5 contains at least one lens or more than one lens and an aperture. Further, the lens barrel of the lens assembly 5 is coated with a non-conductive material. Therefore, if the ceramic material would touch the lens barrel there would not be an issue.
  • the lens assembly 5 is connected to the housing 6.
  • the PCB 3 is also attached to the housing 6.
  • the heater element 3 is only rigidly fixed to the PCB

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Photometry And Measurement Of Optical Pulse Characteristics (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical sensor module (1) comprising a lens assembly (5), a PCB (3) comprising an imager (4), a housing (6), and a heater element (2), wherein the heater element (2) is a PTC heater element arranged above the PCB (3) and around at least a lower part (5a) of the lens assembly (5).

Description

Optical sensor module
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to optical sensor module, in particular a camera, comprising a heater element.
BACKROUND OF THE INVENTION
From the state of the art there are already cameras known which comprise a heating element. Those heating elements can be used e.g. to defrost or defog a camera lens. The heating element is arranged in the housing and is kept in place by crash rib features. Also, the mounting of the heater in the housing requires an additional step/station in the production line. Additionally, heater clips are needed to connect the heater with the PCB.
One drawback of the current setup is that the power efficiency of the heater is currently low. Another issue is that the heater in the current design is held in place by crash rib features. Because the camera housing is made of aluminum and the heater is realized from plastic material, in time due to aging, vibrations and thermal shocks, the press fit between the two components can get loose. If the heater will get loose, the contact between the heater and PCB can be interrupted, leading to a malfunction for the defrost/defog system and potential PCB damage due to vibrations and scratches, that can lead also to cleanliness impurities on the imager.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical sensor module with a heater element which provides a robust fixation of the heater element over lifetime, has a low power consumption, and has low production costs.
This object is advantageously solved by features of independent claim 1. Further embodiments are described in the dependent claims. According to the invention an optical sensor module is provided comprising a lens assembly, a PCB comprising an imager, a housing, and a heater element. Further, the heater element is a PTC heating element arranged above the PCB and around at least a lower part of the lens assembly.
The optical sensor module is preferably a camera, in particular a mono camera or surroundview camera. The PTC element means it has a positive thermal coefficient of resistance. The use of such a PTC element is advantageous since it has reduced power consumption. A PTC heater is self-regulating and therefore no over-temperature protection is necessary. It also provides a wide temperature range and is available for all common voltages (12, 24, 42, 120, 230 and 500V).
Additionally, PTC elements are easy to implement from a components point of view. The heater element is used to defrost or defog the lens.
In a preferred embodiment the heater element is fixed to the PCB. This is advantageous since with the fixation directly on the PCB the heater element can be assembled with other parts on the PCB. Additionally, the fixation of the heater element directly to the PCB is more robust than the fixation with crash ribs on the housing.
In a further preferred embodiment, the heater element is fixed as a surface mounted device SMD, fixed by means of press fit, or fixed with through hole technique to the PCB. A surface mounted device is in particular advantageous since it is directly soldered to the PCB. With all these fixation methods a robust and low-cost fixation on the PCB can be achieved, since no other processes are needed to fix the heater and therefore no additional equipment and production time is needed. The heater is in this case assembled during the SMD process of the PCB.
In a further embodiment the PTC heater element is a ceramic element. A ceramic element is advantageous since it is cheaper than previously used heater solutions. Additionally, the ceramic material has a better efficiency due to the fact that the material is heated uniformly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments depicted in the drawings as appended.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other embodiments of the present invention and many of the intended advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts.
Fig. 1 a - c each show a schematic view of a heater element according to an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 shows a section view of an optical sensor module according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figures 1 a, 1 b and 1 c each show a schematic view of a heater element according to an embodiment of the invention. The heater element 2 is hereby fixed to a PCB 3. On the PCB 3 an imager 4 is also located. In these figures the heater element 2 is fixed as a surface mounted device SMD. As it can be seen in figure 1 a and especially in figure 1 b the heater element 2 is fixed with connecting points 2a (or “legs” of the heating element) to the PCB 3. These connecting points 2a are soldered directly to the PCB 3. As can be seen in figures 1 a and 1 c the PCB 3 also has holes 3a which can be used to fix the PCB 3 to a housing or a respective element of the optical sensor module 1 . The heater element 2 has a circular shape and can therefore be better arranged around the lens assembly 5, in particular the lens barrel, which also has generally a circular shape. This is advantageous since the heater element is used for defrosting or defog purposes and the closer the heater element is to the lens assembly the better the lens can be defrosted/defogged due to less heat loss.
Figure 2 shows a section view of an optical sensor module according to an embodiment of the invention. The optical sensor module 1 comprises a lens assembly 5, a heater element 2 with connecting points 2a, a PCB 3, an imager 4 mounted on the PCB 3 and a housing 6 which covers the imager 4, the heater element 2, the PCB 3 and at least a part of the lens assembly 5. The heater element
2 is in this particular case fixed as a surface mounted device SMD to the PCB 3 and has connecting points/legs 2a soldered to the PCB 3, as already depicted in figures 1 a and 1 b. As can be seen the heater element 2 is located above the PCB 3 and the imager 4 and is arranged around at least a lower part of the lens assembly 5. The lens assembly 5 contains at least one lens or more than one lens and an aperture. Further, the lens barrel of the lens assembly 5 is coated with a non-conductive material. Therefore, if the ceramic material would touch the lens barrel there would not be an issue. The lens assembly 5 is connected to the housing 6. The PCB 3 is also attached to the housing 6. The heater element 3 is only rigidly fixed to the PCB
3 and not connected to the lens assembly 5 or the housing 6.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
1 optical sensor module
2 heater element 2a connecting points/legs
3 PCB (printed circuit board)
3a holes
4 imager
5 lens assembly 5a lower part of the lens assembly
6 housing

Claims

6
Claims Optical sensor module (1 ) comprising a lens assembly (5), a PCB (3) comprising an imager (4), a housing (6), and a heater element (2), characterized in that the heater element (2) is a PTC heater element arranged above the PCB (3) and around at least a lower part (5a) of the lens assembly (5). Optical sensor module (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that, the heater element (2) is fixed to the PCB (3). Optical sensor module (1 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the heater element (2) is fixed as a surface mounted device SMD, fixed by means of press fit, or fixed with through hole technique to the PCB (3). Optical sensor module (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the PTC heater (2) element is a ceramic element.
PCT/EP2021/085745 2021-12-13 2021-12-14 Optical sensor module WO2023110064A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21465572.2 2021-12-13
EP21465572 2021-12-13

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2023110064A1 true WO2023110064A1 (en) 2023-06-22

Family

ID=79230745

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2021/085745 WO2023110064A1 (en) 2021-12-13 2021-12-14 Optical sensor module

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2023110064A1 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111698396A (en) * 2019-03-13 2020-09-22 深圳市航盛电子股份有限公司 Defrosting and demisting camera and automobile
US20200314311A1 (en) * 2019-03-28 2020-10-01 Magna Electronics Inc. Vehicular camera with lens defogging feature
US20200379206A1 (en) * 2019-05-28 2020-12-03 Aptiv Technologies Limited Optical device with heating element
US20210329148A1 (en) * 2018-12-28 2021-10-21 FLIR Commercial System, Inc. Integrated camera with embedded heater systems and methods

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20210329148A1 (en) * 2018-12-28 2021-10-21 FLIR Commercial System, Inc. Integrated camera with embedded heater systems and methods
CN111698396A (en) * 2019-03-13 2020-09-22 深圳市航盛电子股份有限公司 Defrosting and demisting camera and automobile
US20200314311A1 (en) * 2019-03-28 2020-10-01 Magna Electronics Inc. Vehicular camera with lens defogging feature
US20200379206A1 (en) * 2019-05-28 2020-12-03 Aptiv Technologies Limited Optical device with heating element

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP7312164B2 (en) Lens unit and camera module
CN109752902B (en) Camera module with heating element
CN111983766A (en) Optical lens and imaging module
KR102524129B1 (en) Heating device for camera module and camera module having the same
CN110133946B (en) Camera module
CN109991797B (en) Heating device and camera applying same
JP2015113118A (en) Camera with heater element
US11892702B2 (en) Optical device with heating element
CN111679536A (en) Lens and manufacturing method thereof
WO2023110064A1 (en) Optical sensor module
KR102344461B1 (en) Camera module
CN114189617A (en) Automatic antifogging lens device, camera module and electronic device
US12092527B2 (en) Temperature sensor device for a windshield of a vehicle
KR20240041376A (en) Heating the lens module of an automotive camera
CN214474368U (en) Lens cone, imaging assembly and camera module
KR20220079818A (en) Low heat resistance sensor
US20220094826A1 (en) Camera module for a motor vehicle, and method for manufacturing a camera module
CN218243679U (en) Camera assembly
CN220105496U (en) Vehicle-mounted camera
CN118169947A (en) Camera system and method of manufacturing the same
KR101599218B1 (en) Heat Rod Assembly of Heater for vehicle
JP2023059852A (en) Camera module and assembling method thereof
CN117652147A (en) Camera module
JP5343397B2 (en) Current fuse part of high-frequency heating device
JPH0521135A (en) Ceramic heater

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 21839866

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE