This application relates to the field of semiconductor technologies, and more specifically, to a camera assembly, an assembly method, and a terminal.
As the design of current mobile phones tends to be miniaturized and ultra-thin, the camera module, as an important module component of the mobile phone, also faces the challenges of miniaturization and ultra-thinness. In particular, the current high screen-to-body ratio and the full screen design have increased the need for a reduction in the outer dimensions of the camera module.
An architecture of a conventional camera module includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a soldering process, a gold wire bonding process, and the like. Conventional PCBs are bulky, and the size of the PCB will directly affect the size of the camera module.
Therefore, how to reduce the height of the camera module becomes a problem that needs to be urgently resolved.
This application provides a camera assembly, an assembly method, and a terminal, so as to implement an electrical connection between electronic components through metal wiring at a redistribution layer (RDL). Because the RDL is thinner than the PCB board in a conventional camera module, the electrical connection between electronic components is implemented by replacing the PCB with the RDL, so that the overall height of the camera module can be reduced.
According to a first aspect, a method for assembling a camera assembly is provided, including the following steps:
plastic-packaging a surface mount electronic component and an image sensor to form a target plastic-packaged module, where the target plastic-packaged module includes an active surface, and a solder end of the surface mount electronic component and the solder end of the image sensor are exposed on the active surface;
preparing a redistribution layer (RDL), and drilling the RDL to form a through-hole, where the through-hole is opposite to a photosensitive area of the image sensor, the RDL includes a dielectric layer and metal wiring disposed at the dielectric layer, and the metal wiring is at least partially exposed on a first surface of the RDL; and connecting the metal wiring exposed on the first surface of the RDL to a solder end on the active surface of the target plastic-packaged module.
In this embodiment of this application, the electrical connection between the electronic components can be implemented through the metal wiring at the RDL. Because the RDL is thinner than the PCB board in a conventional camera module, when the electrical connection between the electronic components is implemented by replacing the PCB with the RDL, the overall height of the camera module can be reduced.
With reference to the first aspect, in any possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes: fixing an infrared filter to a second surface of the RDL. The second surface of the RDL faces away from the first surface of the RDL. The infrared filter is opposite the through-hole, and light passing through the infrared filter is incident on the image sensor through the through-hole.
In this embodiment of this application, the infrared filter can be fixed to the second surface of the RDL, so that the overall height of the camera module can be reduced.
With reference to the first aspect, in any possible implementation of the first aspect, the infrared filter is fixed in the through-hole.
In this embodiment of this application, the infrared filter can be fixed in the through-hole at the RDL, so that the impact of the infrared filter on the height of the camera module can be further reduced, and the overall height of the camera module can be reduced.
With reference to the first aspect, in any possible implementation of the second aspect, a motor is fixed to the second surface of the RDL.
With reference to the first aspect, in any possible implementation of the first aspect, further including: fixing a holder to the second surface of the RDL. The holder is configured to support the infrared filter. The infrared filter is opposite the through-hole, and light passing through the infrared filter is incident on the image sensor through the through-hole.
In this embodiment of this application, the infrared filter can be fixed to the second surface of the RDL using the holder, so that the infrared filter can be closer to the lens, and the infrared light can be better blocked from entering the image sensor.
With reference to the first aspect, in any possible implementation of the second aspect, a motor is fixed to the holder, and the motor and the RDL are respectively located on both sides of the holder.
With reference to the first aspect, in any possible implementation of the first aspect, the surface mount electronic component and the image sensor are placed on a tray fixture. The surface mount electronic component and the image sensor are wrapped by a plastic packaging material.
In this embodiment of this application, the surface mount electronic component and the image sensor in the target plastic-packaged module can be positioned using the plastic packaging material, so that the electrical connection between the electronic components can be better implemented.
Optionally, the plastic packaging material is an epoxy resin material.
According to a second aspect, a camera assembly is provided, including a target plastic-packaged module and an RDL. The connection relationships between the foregoing modules are described in detail below.
A surface mount electronic component and an image sensor are plastic-packaged on the target plastic-packaged module. The target plastic-packaged module includes an active surface, and a solder end of the surface mount electronic component and the solder end of the image sensor are exposed on the active surface.
The RDL is provided with a through-hole. The through-hole is opposite a photosensitive area of the image sensor. The RDL includes a dielectric layer and metal wiring disposed at the dielectric layer. The metal wiring is at least partially exposed on a first surface of the RDL.
The metal wiring exposed on the first surface of the RDL is connected to a solder end on the active surface of the target plastic-packaged module.
In this embodiment of this application, the electrical connection between the electronic components can be implemented through the metal wiring at the RDL. Because the RDL is thinner than the PCB board in a conventional camera module, when the electrical connection between the electronic components is implemented by replacing the PCB with the RDL, the overall height of the camera module can be reduced.
With reference to the second aspect, in any possible implementation of the second aspect, the camera assembly further includes an infrared filter, where the infrared filter is fixed to a second surface of the RDL. The second surface of the RDL faces away from the first surface of the RDL. The infrared filter is opposite the through-hole, and light passing through the infrared filter is incident on the image sensor through the through-hole.
In this embodiment of this application, the infrared filter can be fixed to the second surface of the RDL, so that the overall height of the camera module can be reduced.
With reference to the second aspect, in any possible implementation of the second aspect, the camera assembly further includes an infrared filter, where the infrared filter is fixed in the through-hole.
In this embodiment of this application, the infrared filter can be fixed in the through-hole at the RDL, so that the impact of the infrared filter on the height of the camera module can be further reduced, and the overall height of the camera module can be reduced.
With reference to the second aspect, in any possible implementation of the second aspect, the camera assembly further includes a motor, where the motor is fixed to the second surface of the RDL.
With reference to the second aspect, in any possible implementation of the second aspect, the camera assembly further includes a holder and an infrared filter. The holder is configured to support the infrared filter. The holder is fixed to the second surface of the RDL. The infrared filter is opposite the through-hole, and light passing through the infrared filter is incident on the image sensor through the through-hole.
In this embodiment of this application, the infrared filter can be fixed to the second surface of the RDL using the holder, so that the infrared filter can be closer to the lens, and the infrared light can be better blocked from entering the image sensor.
With reference to the second aspect, in any possible implementation of the second aspect, the camera assembly further includes a motor, where the motor is fixed to the holder, and the motor and the RDL are respectively located on both sides of the holder.
With reference to the second aspect, in any possible implementation of the second aspect, the target plastic-packaged module further includes a plastic packaging material. The plastic packaging material surrounds a surface mount electronic component in the target plastic-packaged module and an image sensor.
In this embodiment of this application, the surface mount electronic component and the image sensor in the target plastic-packaged module can be positioned using the plastic packaging material, so that the electrical connection between the electronic components can be better implemented.
Optionally, the plastic packaging material is an epoxy resin material.
According to a third aspect, a terminal is provided, including a camera assembly according to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect and a processor configured to control the camera assembly.
The following describes technical solutions of this application with reference to accompanying drawings.
It should be understood that the type of a terminal device mentioned in the embodiments of this application is not specifically limited, and the terminal device may include, but is not limited to, a mobile station (MS), a mobile telephone, user equipment (UE), a handset, portable equipment, a cellular telephone, a cordless telephone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) telephone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a radio frequency identification (RFID) terminal device for logistics, a handheld device having a wireless communication function, a computing device, another device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, or a terminal device in an Internet of Things (IoT) or an Internet of vehicles (IoV).
By way of example but not limitation, in an embodiment of this application, the terminal device may alternatively be a wearable device. A wearable device may also be referred to as a wearable smart device, and is a general term for daily wearable devices that are smartly designed and developed by using wearable technologies, such as glasses, gloves, watches, apparels, and shoes. A wearable device is a portable device that can be worn directly on the body or integrated into the clothing or accessories of a user. The wearable device is not merely a hardware device, it can implement a powerful function based on software support, and data interaction, and cloud interaction. Generalized wearable smart devices include large-sized smart devices that can implement some functions without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses, and also include smart devices that focus on a particular application function and need to work with another device such as a smartphone, smart bands, and smart jewelry that are used for sign monitoring.
An embodiment of this application provides a camera assembly, so as to implement electrical connection between electronic components through metal wiring at a redistribution layer (RDL). Because the RDL is thinner than the PCB board in a conventional camera module, the electrical connection between the electronic components is implemented by replacing the PCB with the RDL, so that the overall height of the camera module can be reduced.
A method for assembling a camera assembly according to an embodiment of this application is described in detail below with reference to
Step 110: Plastic-package a surface mount electronic component and an image sensor to form a target plastic-packaged module.
The surface mount electronic component is not specifically limited in this embodiment of this application. Optionally, by way of example, the surface mount electronic component may be a surface mount device (SMD). For example, the SMD may be a surface mount resistive component, a surface mount capacitive device, a small-outline transistor (SOT), a small outline integrated circuit (SOIC) component, or an array chip (for example, a ball grid array (BGA) component, or a micro lead frame (MLF) component).
The surface mount device SMD may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following models: 0201, 0402, 0603, 0805, 1206, 1210, or 2010. The SOT transistor may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following models: SOT23, SOT143, or SOT89. The SOIC component may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following models: SOIC08, SOIC14, SOIC16, SOIC18, SOIC20, SOIC24, SOIC28, or SOIC32. The BGA component may be a plastic ball grid array (PBGA) component, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) component, or a ceramic plastic ball grid array (CBGA) component.
In this embodiment of this application, a plastic packaging process may be performed to position the surface mount electronic component and the image sensor.
Specifically, the molten epoxy resin can be injected into a mold using a high temperature injection molding technology, to wrap various components (for example, the image sensor and at least one surface mount electronic component) in the mold, so that a plastic-packaged module is formed and each component in the mold is positioned. A solder end of the surface mount electronic component and the solder end of the image sensor in the plastic-packaged module are exposed on the active surface of the plastic-packaged module. A specific implementation of forming the target plastic-packaged module will be described below with reference to
Step 120: Prepare an RDL.
In this embodiment of this application, the RDL may be prepared on a target plastic-packaged module formed through plastic-packaging in step 110. The RDL may include a dielectric layer and a plurality of metal wirings disposed at the dielectric layer, and at least a part of each metal wiring is disposed on a first surface of the dielectric layer or a second surface opposite the first surface. It should be understood that, for each metal wiring, the remaining part is located at the dielectric layer, except for the part that is located on the first surface or the second surface of the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer (which may also be referred to as a substrate) may be used to maintain insulation between portions of each metal wiring located at the dielectric layer and other electronic components located outside the dielectric layer. It should also be noted that the plurality of metal wirings include two or more metal wirings. It should be noted that the first surface of the dielectric layer is opposite the active surface of the target plastic-packaged module, or the first surface of the dielectric layer faces the active surface of the target plastic-packaged module. Accordingly, the second surface of the dielectric layer faces away from the first surface of the dielectric layer.
In this embodiment of this application, the metal wiring exposed on the first surface of the dielectric layer is connected to the solder ends that are of at least one surface mount electronic component and the image sensor and that are exposed on the active surface of the plastic-packaged module.
It should be noted that the first surface of the dielectric layer is also the first surface of the RDL, and the second surface of the dielectric layer is also the second surface of the RDL. That is, being exposed on the first surface of the dielectric layer can be understood as being exposed on the first surface of the RDL, and being exposed on the second surface of the dielectric layer can be understood as being exposed on the second surface of the RDL. For brevity, descriptions of the same or similar cases will be omitted below.
The RDL in this embodiment of this application is provided with a through-hole. The through-hole is opposite a photosensitive area of the image sensor in the plastic-packaged module, so that the photosensitive area of the image sensor is exposed, and a light signal can be transmitted to the photosensitive area of the image sensor through the through-hole on the RDL.
It should be understood that a specific implementation of preparing the RDL will be described below with reference to
An embodiment of this application provides a camera assembly, so as to implement electrical connection between electronic components through metal wiring at an RDL. Because the RDL is thinner than the PCB board in a conventional camera module, the electrical connection between the electronic components is implemented by replacing the PCB with the RDL, so that the overall height of the camera module can be reduced.
Optionally, in some embodiments, the camera module may further include an infrared filter. An infrared filter can also be understood as an optical structure with infrared light filtering. The infrared filter can block the passage of filtered visible light while allowing the passage of infrared light, so that the infrared light can be separated in a light environment in which visible light and infrared light are mixed.
The position of the infrared filter is not specifically limited in this embodiment of this application. By way of example, the infrared filter may be fixed to the second surface of the RDL. In addition, the infrared filter is opposite the through-hole at the RDL, and the infrared filter and the image sensor in plastic-packaged module are respectively located on both sides of the RDL. As another example, the infrared filter may also be embedded in the through-hole at the RDL. As another example, the camera module may also include a holder, where the holder may be configured to support the infrared filter. The holder is fixed to the second surface of the RDL, and the infrared filter is opposite the through-hole at the RDL. The camera assemblies with the foregoing connection relationships will be described in detail below with reference to
Specific implementations of forming a target plastic-packaged module through an injection molding process in this embodiment of this application are described in more detail below with reference to
This embodiment of this application does not specifically limit the type of the image sensor 220. For example, a charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor may be used, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor may be used, or a photoelectric image sensor may be used.
The tray fixture 210 may be a load-bearing fixture that covers the adhesive material (for example, glue) on one side. The SMD device 230 and the image sensor 220 may be attached to the tray fixture 210 (by using glue) based on the design. After the SMD device 230 and the image sensor 220 are attached to the tray fixture 210, the SMD device 230 and the image sensor 220 may be plastic-packaged through a plastic packaging process.
The plastic packaging technology can be injecting molten epoxy into the surroundings of the SMD device 230 and the image sensor 220 using a high temperature injection molding technology, so as to wrap the SMD device 230 and the image sensor 220. Then the plastic-packaged module may be removed from the tray fixture 210.
Specifically, in the foregoing plastic packaging procedure, the plastic packaging time may be 20 to 40 seconds, the curing time may be 2 to 3 minutes, and the curing temperature may be 180° C.
For the plastic package body removed from the tray fixture 210, reference may be made to
It should be understood that the target plastic-packaged module 300 may correspond to the plastic-packaged module described in
Referring to
It should be noted that the side of the SMD device 230 and the side of the image sensor 220 that are in contact with the tray fixture 210 are not plastic-packaged because of the protection of the tray fixture 210. Therefore, the soldering pads of the SMD device 230 and the image sensor 220 may be exposed on the surface of the active surface of the target plastic-packaged module 300. The soldering pads that are of the SMD device 230 and the image sensor 220 and that are exposed on the surface of the active surface of the target plastic-packaged module 300 may be connected to metal wiring in the prepared RDL, so as to implement electrical connection between the SMD device 230 and the image sensor 220. A description will be provided below with reference to
The dielectric layer 420 is located on the active surface of the target plastic-packaged module 300, or the dielectric layer 420 is located on the active surface side of the target plastic-packaged module 300. A metal wiring 430 is provided at the dielectric layer 420. An exposed part of the metal wiring 430 on the first surface of the dielectric layer 420 may be interconnected with the soldering pads that are of the SMD device 230 and the image sensor 220 and that are exposed on the active surface of the target plastic-packaged module 300, so as to implement electrical connection between the SMD device 230 and the image sensor 220.
It should be noted that the exposed part of the metal wiring 430 on the first surface of the dielectric layer 420 may be understood as that the metal wiring 430 is partially exposed on the first surface of the dielectric layer 420. In addition, the exposed part of the dielectric layer 420 on the first surface of the dielectric layer 420 may be connected to the soldering pads that are of the SMD device 230 and the image sensor 220 and that are exposed on the surface of the active surface of the target plastic-packaged module 300, so as to implement electrical connection between electronic components (for example, the image sensor 220 and the plurality of SMD devices 230 in
The RDL 410 is provided with a through-hole 440. The through-hole 440 is opposite the photosensitive area of the image sensor 220, so that the photosensitive area of the image sensor 220 is exposed, and a light signal can be incident on the photosensitive area of the image sensor 220 through the through-hole 440 at the RDL 410.
In this embodiment of this application, the metal wiring 430 may be a metal material, for example, copper or aluminum. The dielectric layer 420 may be an insulating material, for example, polyimide (PI), solder resist film (SRF), or benzocyclobutene (BCB).
In this embodiment of this application, the thickness of each dielectric layer 420 may be designed to be 20 um; the line width of the metal wiring 430 may be designed to be 5 um; and the spacing between the at least one metal wiring 430 may be designed to be 5 um.
The RDL 410 may be prepared through processes such as sputtering deposition to a surface, anti-corrosion coating, exposure molding with a line lithography system, development, and electrochemical deposition for implementing a copper line layer.
Optionally, in some embodiments, the camera module may further include an infrared filter and a motor. The infrared filter may be fixed to the second surface of the RDL. In addition, the infrared filter is opposite the through-hole at the RDL, and the infrared filter and the image sensor in plastic-packaged module are respectively located on both sides of the RDL. The motor may be fixed to the second surface of the RDL.
A possible camera assembly in an embodiment of this application is described in more detail below with reference to
The type of the motor 520 is not specifically limited in this embodiment of this application. The motor 520 may be, for example, a voice coil motor (VCM) or an optical zoom motor.
Referring to
Specifically, the infrared filter 510 may be fixed to the second surface of the RDL 410. Further, the motor 520 may be fixed to the second surface of the RDL 410. Still further, the lens 530 may be fixed to the side of the infrared filter 510 facing away from the RDL 410 by the motor 520, so that light passing through the infrared filter 510 is incident on the photosensitive area of the image sensor 220 through the through-hole 440, and the assembly of the camera assembly 500 is completed.
It should be understood that this embodiment of this application does not limit the specific implementation of the fixing. By way of example, the fixing may be implemented using an adhesive material, and the adhesive material may be, for example, glue.
In this embodiment of this application, the infrared filter can be fixed to the second surface of the RDL, so that the overall height of the camera module can be reduced.
Optionally, in some embodiments, the camera module further includes an infrared filter and a motor. The infrared filter is fixed in the through-hole. It should be understood that the infrared filter 510 in the camera assembly 500 shown in
Optionally, the outer side wall of the infrared filter 510 is in contact with the inner side wall of the through-hole 440.
Optionally, the infrared filter 510 is specifically clamped in the through-hole 440, so that the infrared filter 510 is fixed in the through-hole 440.
It should be understood that the clamping of the infrared filter 510 in the through-hole 440 means that the outer side wall of the infrared filter 510 and the inner side wall of the through-hole 440 are pressed against each other, so that the frictional force between them can carry the infrared filter 510, thereby fixing the infrared filter 510 in the through-hole 440.
A possible camera assembly in an embodiment of this application is described in more detail below with reference to
Referring to
Specifically, the infrared filter 510 may be fixed in the through-hole 440 at the RDL 410. Further, the motor 520 may be fixed to the second surface of the RDL 410. Still further, the lens 530 is fixed to the side of the infrared filter 510 facing away from the image sensor 220 by the motor 520, so that light passing through the infrared filter 510 is incident on the photosensitive area of the image sensor 220, and the assembly of the camera assembly 600 is completed.
It should be understood that this embodiment of this application does not limit the specific implementation of the fixing. By way of example, the fixing may be implemented using an adhesive material, and the adhesive material may be, for example, glue.
In this embodiment of this application, the infrared filter can be embedded (or clamped) in the through-hole at the RDL, thereby reducing the height of the camera module in the infrared filter.
Optionally, in some embodiments, the camera assembly further includes a holder, an infrared filter, and a motor. The holder may be configured to support the infrared filter 510 in the camera assembly 500 shown in
A possible camera assembly in an embodiment of this application is described in more detail below with reference to
Referring to
Specifically, the holder 710 may be fixed to the second surface of the RDL 410. Further, the infrared filter 510 may be fixed to the holder 710. Still further, the motor 520 may be fixed to the holder 710, and the motor 520 and the RDL 410 are respectively located on both sides of the holder 710. Still further, the lens 530 may be fixed to the side of the infrared filter 510 facing away from the RDL 410 by the motor 520, so that light passing through the infrared filter 510 is incident on the photosensitive area of the image sensor 220 through the through-hole 440, and the assembly of the camera assembly 700 is completed.
It should be understood that this embodiment of this application does not limit the specific implementation of the fixing. By way of example, the fixing may be implemented using an adhesive material, and the adhesive material may be, for example, glue.
In this embodiment of this application, the infrared filter can be fixed to the second surface of the RDL using the holder, so that the infrared filter can be closer to the lens, and the infrared light can be better blocked from entering the image sensor.
It should be understood that, the term “and/or” in the embodiments of this application describes only an association relationship for describing associated objects and represents that three relationships may exist. For example, A and/or B may represent the following cases: Only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists. In addition, the character “I” in this specification generally indicates an “or” relationship between the associated objects.
The foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementations of this application, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of this application. Any variation or replacement readily figured out by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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201811155503.0 | Sep 2018 | CN | national |
This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2019/090232, filed on Jun. 6, 2019, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201811155503.0, filed on Sep. 30, 2018. The disclosures of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/CN2019/090232 | Jun 2019 | US |
Child | 16952984 | US |