Enhanced camera module mount

• US 9,726,962 B1
• Filed: 04/29/2016
• Issued: 08/08/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Nalla, Ravi, Markovsky, Igor, Nikkhoo, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Blackman, Rochelle-Ann J
• Application Number:
  US15/143,362
• Time in Patent Office: 466 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories

Abstract

The techniques disclosed herein provide an enhanced mount for a camera module. The mount comprises at least a first side and a second side. The sides are formed to enable contact with at least a portion of the camera module. The sides are configured with openings to enable a fastening material, such as an adhesive, to secure the camera module to the mount. Openings within the mount enable the use of a fastening material to secure the camera module to at least one surface of the mount while allowing the camera module and at least one surface to maintain the mechanical contact. In some configurations, one or more openings are formed such that a contraction of the fastening material pulls the camera module toward at least one surface of the mount.

Claims

1. A mount for a camera module, comprising:

a first side comprising a first opening coupling a first inner surface of the first side and a first outer surface of the first side, wherein the first inner surface is configured to receive a first portion of the camera module to enable contact between the first portion of the camera module and the first inner surface, and wherein the first opening is configured to receive a fastening material from the first outer surface;

a second side comprising a second opening coupling a second inner surface of the second side and a second outer surface of the second side, wherein the second inner surface is configured to receive a second portion of the camera module to enable contact between the second portion of the camera and the second inner surface, and wherein the second opening is configured to receive the fastening material from the second outer surface; and

a third side positioned that is substantially parallel to the first side, wherein the third side is positioned at a distance from the first side to provide a tolerance gap between a surface of the third side and at least a portion of the camera module, wherein the tolerance gap is greater than a thermal expansion distance of the camera module.

2. The mount of claim 1, wherein the first opening comprises a first diameter positioned at the first inner surface and a second diameter at a position between the first inner surface and the first outer surface, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter.

3. The mount of claim 2, wherein the first opening transitions from the first inner surface to the first outer surface in a tapered configuration.

4. The mount of claim 2, wherein the first opening transitions from the first inner surface to the first outer surface in a stepped configuration.

5. The mount of claim 1, wherein the second opening comprises a first diameter at the second inner surface and a second diameter at a position between the second inner surface and the second outer surface, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter.

6. The mount of claim 5, wherein the second opening transitions from the second inner surface to the second outer surface in a tapered configuration.

7. The mount of claim 5, wherein the second opening transitions from the second inner surface to the second outer surface in a stepped configuration.

8. The mount of claim 1, wherein the fastening material fastens the first portion of the camera module to the first inner surface, wherein the fastening material fastens the second portion of the camera module to the second inner surface, and wherein the fastening material comprises at least of an epoxy, an acrylate, a cyanoacrylate, a phenol-formaldehyde, a polyvinyl chloride, a silicone, or a urethane.

9. The mount of claim 1, wherein the mount comprises a top portion that is positioned to provide a tolerance gap between the top portion and at least a portion of the camera module.

10. The mount of claim 1, wherein the fastening material fastens the first portion of the camera module to the first inner surface, and wherein the first opening is configured such that a contraction of the fastening material pulls the first portion of the camera module toward the first inner surface.

11. The mount of claim 1, wherein the fastening material fastens the second portion of the camera module to the second inner surface, wherein the second opening is configured such that a contraction of the fastening material pulls the second portion of the camera module toward the second inner surface.

12. A method for fastening a camera module to a mount, the method comprising:

providing a mount comprising at least one side having an opening coupling a first surface of the at least one side and a second surface of the at least one side, wherein the first surface is configured to receive a portion of the camera module enabling the portion of the camera module to be in contact with the first surface, and wherein the opening is configured to receive a fastening material from the second surface, wherein the opening has a first diameter at the first surface, and a second diameter at a position between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the mount comprises a side positioned substantially parallel to the at least one side, wherein the side is positioned at a distance from the at least one side to provide a tolerance gap between a surface of the side and at least another portion of the camera module, wherein the tolerance gap is greater than a thermal expansion distance of the camera module;

positioning the camera module such that the portion of the camera module is in contact with the first surface; and

applying the fastening material to the opening, wherein the application of the fastening material causes the fastening material to fasten the portion of the camera module to at least a portion of the opening.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the fastening material is applied to the camera module and the portion of the opening through the opening at the second surface.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the fastening material comprises at least of an epoxy, an acrylate, a cyanoacrylate, a phenol-formaldehyde, a polyvinyl chloride, a silicone, or a urethane.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises curing the fastening material causing the fastenings material to contract and pull the portion of the camera module toward at least the portion of the opening.

16. A mount, comprising at least one side having an opening coupling a first surface of the at least one side and a second surface of the at least one side, wherein the first surface is configured to receive a portion of the camera module to enable contact between the portion of the camera module and the first surface, and wherein the opening is configured to receive a fastening material from the second surface, wherein the opening has a first diameter at the first surface and a second diameter at a position between the first surface and the second surface, and wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter, wherein the mount comprises a side positioned substantially parallel to the at least one side, wherein the side is positioned at a distance from the at least one side to provide a tolerance gap between a surface of the side and at least another portion of the camera module, wherein the tolerance gap is greater than a thermal expansion distance of the camera module.

17. The mount of claim 16, wherein the fastening material fastens the portion of the camera module to the first inner surface, and wherein the first opening is configured such that a contraction of the fastening material pulls the first portion of the camera module toward the first inner surface.

18. The mount of claim 16, wherein the fastening material fastens the portion of the camera module to the first inner surface, wherein the fastening material comprises at least of an epoxy, an acrylate, a cyanoacrylate, a phenol-formaldehyde, a polyvinyl chloride, a silicone, or a urethane.