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Digital Camera Patent Abstract
A digital camera module (100) includes a holder, an image sensor
chip package (30), a number of conductive elements (24) and a circuit
board (40). The holder defines a receiving portion. The holder is
mounted on the image sensor chip package. The image sensor chip
package has a number of outer pads. The outer pads are positioned
in the receiving portion of the holder. The conductive elements
are received in the receiving portion. One end of each of the conductive
elements is connected to the inner pads, the other end of each of
the conductive elements is connected to the circuit board.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
1. A digital camera module comprising: a holder defining a receiving
portion; an image sensor chip package, the holder mounted on the
image sensor chip package, the image sensor chip package comprising:
a carrier comprising a conductive means and a base, the conductive
means forming a plurality of outer pads outside the base and a plurality
of inner pads in the base, the outer pads positioned in the receiving
portion of the holder; an image sensor chip mounted on the base,
the image sensor chip having a photosensitive area and a plurality
of chip pads around the photosensitive area, a plurality of wires
each electronically connecting one of the chip pads of the image
sensor chip with a corresponding one of the inner pads of the conductive
means; a plurality of clips being received in the receiving portion,
one end of each of the clips connected to the outer pads; and a
circuit board, the circuit board being electrically connected to
the other end of each of the clips.
2. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
receiving portion defines two grooves, and two ends of the clips
are secured in the grooves.
3. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
clips are elastic, and are C-shaped.
4. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
circuit board is a flex printed circuit board.
5. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
holder includes a barrel and a seat, the barrel receives at least
one lens element, and the seat is fixed on the image sensor package.
6. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 5, wherein the
receiving portion defines two grooves, and the grooves are defined
in the seat.
7. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
seat includes a seat body and a flange, the grooves are defined
at one side of the flange, and one of grooves communicates with
one, end of the flange opposite to the seat body.
8. A digital camera module comprising: a holder defining a receiving
portion; an image sensor chip package, the holder mounted on the
image sensor chip package, the image sensor chip package having
a plurality of outer pads, the outer pads positioned in the receiving
portion of the holder; a plurality of conductive elements being
received in the receiving portion, one end of each of the conductive
elements connected to the inner pads; and a circuit board, the circuit
board being connected to another end of each of the conductive elements.
9. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
receiving portion defines two parallel spaced grooves, the conductive
elements are elastic clips, and the elastic clips are received in
the two grooves.
10. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
clips are C-shaped.
11. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
holder is a seat, the seat includes a seat body and a flange, the
seat is a hollow cylinder, at least one lens elements are positioned
in the seat body, and the flange is mounted on the image sensor
chip package.
12. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
receiving portion defines two grooves defined at the flange, the
flange includes a bottom portion, one of grooves communicates with
the bottom portion.
13. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
holder is a barrel, the barrel is a hollow cylinder, and at least
one lens element is positioned in the barrel.
14. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 13, further comprising
a seat, the seat including a seat body and a flange, the seat body
being connected to the barrel by thread, and the flange being mounted
on the image sensor chip package.
15. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
barrel includes a glass board, and the glass board is placed on
one end of the barrel.
16. A digital camera module comprising: a holder comprising a lens
allowing incoming light to be transmitted therethrough, and a plurality
of first conductive pieces positioned therein, each of the first
conductive pieces forming a first conductive portion and a second
conductive portion; a circuit board electrically connected with
the first conductive portions of the first conductive pieces, a
chip carrier attached to the holder, the chip carrier comprising
an insulative base with a plurality of second conductive pieces
positioned therein, each of the second conductive pieces having
an inner pad and an outer pad, the outer pad of each of the second
conductive pieces being electrically connected with the second portion
of a corresponding one of the first conductive pieces; an image
sensor chip positioned on the carrier so as to receive the light
transmitted through the lens and generate an image signal associated
with the light, the image sensor chip having a photosensitive area
and a plurality of chip pads arrayed around the photosensitive area,
the chip pads being each electrically connected to the inner pad
of a corresponding one of the second conductive pieces thus allowing
transmission of the associated image signal from the image sensor
chip to the circuit board.
17. The digital camera module of claim 16, wherein each of the
first conductive pieces is a single piece and embedded in the holder.
18. The digital camera module of claim 16, wherein the first portions
of the first conductive pieces are structured so as to resiliently
contact with the circuit board.
19. The digital camera module of claim 18, wherein the holder defines
a groove for receiving the first portions, and the first portions
resists the circuit board against the holder in the groove thereof.
Digital Camera Patent Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a digital camera
module, and more particularly, to a digital camera module mounted
in a portable electronic device, such as a mobile phone or a personal
digital assistant (PDA).
BACKGROUND
[0002] With the development of wireless communication technologies,
increasing numbers of mobile phones and PDAs now include digital
cameras as a special feature.
[0003] Generally, digital cameras modules are mounted in printed
circuit boards (PCBs) of portable electronic devices by surface
mounted technology (SMT) or heat pressing technology. However manufacturers
have discovered that this structure is complicated and not suited
for assembly.
[0004] A typical digital camera module 50 is illustrated in FIG.
2. The digital camera module 50 includes a seat 51, a barrel 52,
an image sensor package 60 and a flex printed circuit board (FPCB)
70. The barrel 52 is mounted in the seat 51. The seat 51 is fixed
on the image sensor package 60. The FPCB 70 is set in a connector
80 at one end thereof. The FPCB 70 has a flexible characteristic,
and may be rotated or twisted. The end of the FPCB 70 opposite to
the connector 80 is mounted on outside pad area 62 of the image
sensor package 60. The connector 80 is also connected to a corresponding
connector of portable electronic device. Accordingly, the connector
80 may transmit electronically signals from the image sensor package
60 to a portable electronic device (not shown). Owing to the flexible
characteristics of the FPCB 70, the digital camera module 50 can
be fitted around other devices in a portable electronic device thus
making more efficient use of space. However, after the digital camera
module is packaged, the image sensor package is fixedly connected
to the FPCB 70. If the image sensor package is rejected during quality-control,
then FPCB 70 will be wasted. Thus making this an overly expensive
process.
[0005] Therefore, a new digital camera module is desired in order
to overcome the above-described shortcomings.
SUMMARY
[0006] One embodiment of a digital camera module includes a holder,
an image sensor chip package, a plurality of conductive elements
and a circuit board. The holder defines a receiving portion. The
holder is mounted on the image sensor chip package. The image sensor
chip package has a plurality of outer pads. The outer pads are positioned
in the receiving portion of the holder. The conductive elements
are received in the receiving portion. One end of each of the conductive
elements is connected to the inner pads, the other end of each of
the conductive elements is connected to the circuit board.
[0007] Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent
from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Many aspects of the present digital camera module can be
better understood with reference to the following drawings. The
components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the
emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles
of the digital camera module. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference
numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of a digital
camera module according to a preferred embodiment; and
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a conventional digital camera
module.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] Referring to FIG. 1, a digital camera module 100 includes
a barrel 10, a seat 20, a plurality of elastic clips 24, an image
sensor chip package 30, and a circuit board 40 in accordance with
a preferred embodiment. The image sensor chip package 30 includes
a carrier 32, a chip 34, a number of bonding wires 36 and a cover
38.
[0012] The barrel 10 is substantially a hollow cylinder with two
open ends so that light can be transmitted therethrough. Several
lens elements 12 are secured in the barrel 10, and receive incoming
light that enters from the outside. The barrel 10 has an outer thread
102 defined in an outer periphery wall thereof. A glass board 14
is placed before the lens elements 12 and covers one end of the
barrel 10. As such, the glass board 14 protects the lens elements
12 from being scraped or otherwise abraded and keeps dust from entering
the system.
[0013] The seat 20 includes a seat body 202 and a flange 204 formed
together. The seat body 202 is a cylinder. A hole 2020 is defined
in the seat body 202 and the flange 204 in a central area. The flange
204 is formed at a bottom end of the seat body 202. The flange 204
is a long cube, and has a bottom portion 2040. The bottom portion
2040 defines a rectangular cavity 2042 in a middle thereof opposite
to the seat body 202. The rectangular cavity 2042 communicates with
the hole 2020 so that light can be transmitted therethrough. An
outer diameter of the seat body 202 is smaller than that of an edge
of the flange 204 so that a step is formed at a connection between
them. An inner periphery wall of the seat body 202 defines an inner
thread 203, for engaging with the outer thread 102 of the barrel
10. The flange 204 defines two parallel spaced grooves 22 at one
side thereof One of the grooves 22 adjacent to the bottom portion
2040 communicates with the bottom portion 2040.
[0014] The elastic clips 24 are substantially C-shaped. The elastic
clips 24 are arranged to be secured in the grooves 22. One of two
ends of the clips 24 and a middle portion are embedded in the flange
204, the other portions are contained in the grooves 24. The clips
24 may be formed in the seat 20 when molding.
[0015] The carrier 32 of the image sensor chip package 30 is positioned
under the seat 20 so as to carry the image sensor chip 34. The carrier
32 includes a plurality of conductive pieces 322 and a plastic base
324. The conductive pieces 322 and the plastic base 324 cooperatively
form the carrier 32 by insert-molding.
[0016] The plastic base 324 is a long cube, and defines a rectangular
receiving groove 3240. The base 324 has a top surface 3241. The
top surface 3241 is joined to the bottom portion 2040 of the flange
204. The conductive pieces 322 are made up of many metal plates.
The conductive pieces 322 are arranged so as to be spaced from each
other and partially enclosed in the base 324 by insert-molding.
One end of each of the conductive pieces 322 is exposed in the receiving
groove 3240, thus forming a plurality of inner pads 326. An opposite
end of each of the conductive pieces 322 is exposed from the top
surface 3241 of the base 324, thus forming a number of outer pads
328. The outer pads 328 are also positioned in the groove 22 adjacent
to the base 324. The inner pads 326 are connected to the image sensor
34. The outer pads 328 may be electronically connected to the elastic
clips 24.
[0017] The image sensor chip 34 is adhered to the bottom of the
receiving groove 3240 of the carrier. A top surface of the image
sensor chip 34 is arranged with a photosensitive area 344 and a
number of chip pads 342 arrayed around the photosensitive area 344.
[0018] The bonding wires 36 can be made of a conductive material
such as gold or aluminum alloy. One end of each wire 36 is connected/joined
to a respective chip pad 342 of the image sensor chip 34, and the
other end of the wire 36 is connected/joined to a respective inner
pad 326 so as to transmit electric signals out of the image sensor
chip package 30 to the outer pad 328.
[0019] The cover 38 is transparent and is laid over the image sensor
chip 34 which receives light transmitted through the cover 38. The
cover 38 is adhered on the base 324 by glue and therefore seals
the image sensor chip 34 in the cavity of the base 324.
[0020] The circuit board 40 is a flexible printed circuit board
(FPCB), which is arranged a plurality of wires. One end of the circuit
board 40 is set a connector 42, the other end of the circuit board
40 is set a plurality of conductive terminals (not labeled). The
wires are connected the conductive terminals to the connector 42.
The circuit board 40 may be inserted into the groove 22 far from
the top surface 3241 of the base 324 so as to cause each conductive
terminal to be electronically connected to a corresponding clip
24.
[0021] In making the camera module 100, firstly, the conductive
pieces 322 and the plastic base 324 are together formed by insert-molding,
thereby forming the carrier 32. Then, the image sensor chip 34 is
adhered in the carrier 32. After that, the bonding wires 36 are
connected to the chip pad 342 and the inner pads 326. The cover
38 is adhered on the base 324 by glue and therefore seals the image
sensor chip 34 in the cavity of the base 324. The clips 24 are together
formed with the seat 20 by insert-molding, with two parallel grooves
22. The clips 24 are arranged to secure in the grooves 22.
[0022] Several lens elements 12 are received in the barrel 10.
The outer thread 102 of the barrel 10 engages with the inner thread
201 of the seat 20, whereby the barrel 10 and the seat 20 are connected
with each other. The seat 20 is then mounted on the image sensor
chip package 30 by welding/glue, with the image sensor 34 aligning
with the lens elements 12. At the same time, the cover 38 is received
in the rectangular cavity 2042. The clips 24 are electronically
connected to the outer pads 328 of the carrier 32. Finally, the
circuit board 40 is inserted into the groove 24 far from the top
surface 3241 of the base 324. Accordingly, the circuit board 40
is electronically connected to the clips 24. Owing to the elastic
characteristic of the clips 24, the circuit board 40 is tightly
received in the groove 22, thereby avoiding the circuit board 40
become separated from the digital camera module. The assembly process
of the digital camera module is thus completed.
[0023] In an alternative embodiment, the arrangement of the conductive
pieces 322 can be changed so long as the conductive pieces 322 are
spaced from each other. The base 324 can be of another shape such
as cylinder-shaped, or column-shaped with a pentagonal or hexagonal
cross-section.
[0024] In the above embodiments, the clips may be replaced with
other structures such as metal conductive pieces. The barrel 10
and the seat 20 together may act as a holder to be mounted on the
image sensor package 30. Understandably, the seat 20 may be omitted.
The holder only has a barrel, and is directly mounted on the image
sensor package 30. Alternatively, the barrel 10 may be omitted,
the holder only has a seat. The lens elements are placed in the
seat 20, and the seat 20 is mounted on the image sensor package
30.
[0025] It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages
will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be
apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of
its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely
being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention.
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