Imager module for a vehicle camera and method for the manufacture thereof

An imager module for a vehicle camera, the imager module comprising:

• a lens holder;
• a lens accommodated in the lens holder;
• a flexible conductor device having leads;
• and
• an image sensor contacted by the leads of the flexible conductor device and having a front side that includes a sensitive surface, wherein:
• the image sensor is contacted by the leads in a flip-chip technique via stud bumps provided at the front side of the image sensor,
• the lens holder has a plastic body that includes a tubular region for accommodating the lens and a fastening region having a bottom side,
• the flexible conductor device is integrally attached to the bottom side of the fastening region, and
• a non-conductive adhesive region is formed between the front side of the image sensor and the flexible conductor device.

A method for manufacturing an imager module for a vehicle camera, comprising:

• producing a flexible conductor device having a plastic matrix and metallic leads;
• forming a plastic body of a lens holder using an injection molding process, the plastic body having a tubular region and a fastening region having a bottom side;
• one of welding and laminating the flexible conductor device to the bottom side of the fastening region;
• mounting and contacting an image sensor using a flip-chip technology via stud bumps on a bottom side of the flexible conductor device while thereby contacting the metallic leads of the flexible conductor device and introducing a non-conductive adhesive between the bottom side of the flexible conductor device and the image sensor;
• curing the non-conductive adhesive, with shrinkage taking place and a tensile stress being produced between the bottom side of the flexible conductor device and the image sensor;
• and
• inserting a lens into the tubular region of the lens holder.