# US 12,120,410 B2 · Method for manufacturing a camera module, camera module > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,120,410 B2 - Document ID: US12120410B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/642,506 - Filed: 2020-10-12 - Published: 2022-10-27 - Granted: 2024-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2019-10-23 - Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH - Applicants: Robert Bosch GmbH - Inventors: Nikolai Bauer; Andreas Moehrle; Moritz Winkler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12120410B2 ## CPC - H04N 23/54: Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils - G02B 7/003: {Alignment of optical elements (G02B7/001, G02B7/002 take precedence; for mirrors G02B7/1822)} - G02B 7/02: for lenses {(supports for magnifying lenses G02B25/002)} - G03B 17/12: with means for supporting objectives, supplementary lenses, filters, masks, or turrets - G03B 43/00: Testing correct operation of photographic apparatus or parts thereof - H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof - H04N 23/57: Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G03B: APPARATUS 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 (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract A method for manufacturing a camera module. An objective is aligned in relation to an image sensor and is subsequently fixated in terms of position by connecting to a support receiving the image sensor or to a housing surrounding the image sensor. The objective is connected to the support or to the housing via at least two cylindrical pins, the cylindrical pins being in each case placed laterally against the objective and being welded on the one hand to the objective, and on the other hand to the support or the housing. A camera module is also described. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for manufacturing a camera module, the method comprising: aligning an objective in relation to an image sensor; and fixing, after the aligning, the objective in terms of position by connecting the objective to a support receiving the image sensor or to a housing surrounding the image sensor; wherein the objective is connected indirectly to the support or to the housing via at least two cylindrical pins, each of the cylindrical pins being placed laterally against the objective and being welded to the objective and to the support or the housing, wherein an axial gap is formed between a circumferential flange of the objective and the housing, so that the objective does not directly contact the housing to provide degrees of freedom enabling a multi-axis alignment of the objective in relation to the image sensor, wherein the housing includes a projection, which is a support, having a flat contact surface, wherein the fixing is effected indirectly via the cylindrical pins that bridge the axial gap, each of the pins directly contacting a flat contact surface of the circumferential flange of the objective and the flat contact surface of the projection, the flat contact surface of the circumferential flange of the objective being perpendicular to the flat contact surface of the projection, wherein when weld seams are placed, the cylindrical pins are pressed in a direction of the flat contact surfaces with the aid of a holding force applied from the outside, and wherein a direction of the force approximately corresponds to an angle bisector of the angle enclosed by the flat contact surfaces. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the cylindrical pins are respectively placed longitudinally on the flat contact surface of the support of the housing and are welded at least in a punctiform manner in an area of a linear contact area to the support or to the housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the cylindrical pins are placed in each case on the flat contact surface of the circumferential flange of the objective and welded to the objective at least a punctiform manner in an area of a linear contact area. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the flat contact surface of the objective is a flattened portion on a side of the outer circumference. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the cylindrical pins are pressed in a direction of the flat contact surface of the objective and the flat contact surface of the support of the housing during welding in each case with the aid of a holding force applied from outside. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein a sealing element is arranged between the objective and the support or between the objective and the housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the sealing element is a sealing ring. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the objective is not moved from a focal position because the holding force is applied on both of the cylindrical pins. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the cylindrical pins are fixed so as to maintain the axial gap. ### Claim 10 A camera module, comprising: an objective; and an image sensor arranged on a support and surrounded by a housing; wherein the objective is connected indirectly, to the support or to the housing, via at least two cylindrical pins, each of the cylindrical pins being welded to the objective and to the support or to the housing, wherein an axial gap is formed between a circumferential flange of the objective and the housing, so that the objective does not directly contact the housing, so as to provide degrees of freedom enabling a multi-axis alignment of the objective in relation to the image sensor, wherein the housing includes a projection, which is a support, having a flat contact surface, wherein the fixing is effected indirectly via the cylindrical pins that bridge the axial gap, each of the pins directly contacting a flat contact surface of the circumferential flange of the objective and the flat contact surface of the projection, the flat contact surface of the circumferential flange of the objective being perpendicular to the flat contact surface of the projection, wherein when weld seams are placed, the cylindrical pins are pressed in a direction of the flat contact surfaces with the aid of a holding force applied from the outside, and wherein a direction of the force approximately corresponds to an angle bisector of the angle enclosed by the flat contact surfaces. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The camera module as recited in claim 10, wherein each of the cylindrical pins in rests on the flat contact surface of the support or of the housing and are welded to the support or to the housing at least in a punctiform manner in an area of a linear contact area. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The camera module as recited in claim 10, wherein each of the cylindrical pins rest in each case on the flat contact surface of the objective and welded to the objective at least in a punctiform manner in an area of a linear contact area. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The camera module as recited in claim 12, wherein the flat contact surface of the circumferential flange of the objective is a flattened portion on a side of an outer circumference of the objective. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The camera module as recited in claim 10, wherein a sealing element is arranged between the objective and the support, or between the objective and the housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The camera module as recited in claim 14, wherein the sealing element is a sealing ring. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The camera module as recited in claim 10, wherein the camera module is made by performing the following: aligning the objective in relation to the image sensor; and fixing, after the aligning, the objective in terms of position by connecting the objective to the support receiving the image sensor or to the housing surrounding the image sensor; wherein the objective is connected indirectly to the support or to the housing via the at least two cylindrical pins, each of the cylindrical pins being placed laterally against the objective and being welded to the objective and to the support or the housing.