Camera module and portable electronic device

Abstract

A camera module and a portable electronic device are disclosed. The camera module includes a housing and a reflection module that changes the direction of light incident on the housing. The reflection module includes a first reflection member having a reflection surface, a holder fixedly coupled to the first reflection member, a first magnetic member mounted on the holder, and a second magnetic member mounted in the housing facing the first reflection member and spaced apart from the first magnetic member.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2020 - 0115690, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on September 9, 2020, and Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2021 - 0019391, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on February 10, 2021. The entire disclosures of the above - mentioned Korean patent applications are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Technical field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a camera module, and more particularly, to a structure capable of switching the path of light collected by a camera at least once. Background art

[0004] Camera modules provided in mobile devices have been manufactured to have a performance level comparable to that of conventional cameras. In particular, as the frequency of taking images using mobile devices increases, the demand for camera modules capable of providing a high zoom ratio also increases.

[0005] To increase the zoom ratio, it is necessary to increase the distance that light incident on the camera moves to the image sensor, that is, the total track length (TTL). And to achieve a relatively long total track length, the length of the camera may be increased. Therefore, recent camera modules have a relatively long total track length achieved by switching light from the rear of the mobile device by about 90 degrees using a reflector such as a prism. However, even in such a camera module including a reflector, to further increase the zoom ratio, the TTL of the camera is further increased, thereby increasing the length of the camera module.

[0006] The above information is presented only as background information to aid in understanding the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above is applicable as prior art with respect to the present disclosure. Summary of the invention

[0007] This summary is provided to introduce some concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to help determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0008] In one general aspect, a camera module includes a housing, and a reflection module that changes the direction of light incident on the housing, wherein the reflection module includes a first reflection member having a reflection surface, a holder fixedly coupled to the first reflection member, a first magnetic member mounted on the holder, and a second magnetic member mounted in the housing facing the first reflection member and spaced apart from the first magnetic member.

[0009] The first reflecting member can be pulled toward the support wall by the magnetic attraction force between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member, and the first reflecting member can be supported in the contact portion between the first reflecting member and the support wall.

[0010] The first reflecting member and the support wall can face each other in a first direction, the first reflecting member can be pulled toward the support wall in the first direction by the magnetic attraction force between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member, and the holding member can be configured such that when the first reflecting member is disposed on the support wall, there is a gap between the support wall and the holding member.

[0011] The camera module may further include a lens module including a lens system disposed on the optical axis, wherein the support wall can extend from the bottom surface of the housing to a height corresponding to the first reflecting member, and the support wall can be arranged such that when the first reflecting member is disposed on the support wall, the direction in which the reflecting surface faces has an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the lens module.

[0012] The contact portion may include contact points or contact surfaces located on both sides of the region where the magnetic attraction force acts.

[0013] The support wall may include a receiving recess for receiving a portion of the holding member, and the first magnetic member may be mounted in the portion received in the receiving recess.

[0014] The portion of the holding member may include a coupling portion protruding in the first direction, the receiving recess may be recessed in the first direction to receive the coupling portion, and the first magnetic member may be mounted in the portion of the coupling portion of the holding member facing the first direction.

[0015] The receiving recess may extend in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and the coupling portion may be configured to be assembled into the receiving recess in the second direction.

[0016] The receiving recess may include a restricting portion extending in a third direction substantially perpendicular to the second direction, the coupling portion may include a stopping portion overlapping the restricting portion in the first direction, and in a state where the coupling portion is received in the receiving recess, the movement of the coupling portion in the first direction may be restricted by the interference between the stopping portion and the restricting portion.

[0017] The holding member may include an opening exposing a portion of the surface of the first reflecting member toward the support wall, and the portion of the surface of the first reflecting member exposed through the opening may be in contact with the support wall.

[0018] The housing may include a protrusion protruding from its bottom surface toward the surface of the reflection module, and the reflection module may be partially supported by a contact portion in contact with the end of the protrusion.

[0019] The protrusion can contact a holding member received in a receiving recess of the support wall to support the reflection module.

[0020] The camera module can further include an adhesive member that fills at least a part of the gap between the first reflection member and the support wall.

[0021] The camera module can further include a lens module and a second reflection member that reflects light incident from the outside toward the lens module, and the lens module includes a lens system arranged along an optical axis.

[0022] The second reflection member can be configured to change light incident in a first direction into light in a second direction, and the first reflection member can be configured to change light incident in the second direction into light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

[0023] A portable electronic device can include the camera module and an image sensor, and the image sensor can include a light collection surface facing the first reflection member to generate a digital signal corresponding to the light reflected from the first reflection member.

[0024] In another general aspect, a camera module includes: a housing; a lens module received in the housing; a reflection member configured to change a direction of light incident on a front surface of the reflection member into a first direction intersecting an optical axis of the lens module and provided as a flat plate; and a support wall provided as a part of the housing and providing a surface on which the reflection member is disposed, wherein the reflection member is pulled toward the support wall by magnetic force, and wherein a part of a rear surface of the reflection member is in direct contact with the support wall.

[0025] In another general aspect, a camera module includes: a housing having a support wall; a reflection member disposed in a holding member and in direct contact with the support wall; a first magnetic member disposed in the support wall; a second magnetic member disposed in the holding member and spaced apart from the first magnetic member, wherein the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member pull the holding member toward the support wall by magnetic force; and an adhesive member disposed in a gap between the reflection member and the support wall to fix the reflection member to the support wall.

[0026] The reflection member can include a reflection surface, and the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member can pull the holding member toward the support wall by magnetic force in a normal direction of the reflection surface.

[0027] The housing can include a protrusion protruding from a bottom surface of the housing toward the reflection member disposed in the holding member, and a bottom surface of the reflection member disposed in the holding member can be supported by the protrusion.

[0028] The retaining member may have a reverse-tapering protrusion, and the support wall may have a reverse-tapering receiving recess to receive the protrusion.

[0029] Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable electronic device according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0031] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portable electronic device according to a second exemplary embodiment.

[0032] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portable electronic device according to a third exemplary embodiment.

[0033] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0034] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an internal structure of a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0035] Figure 6 is a plan view of an internal structure of a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0036] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0037] Figure 8 illustrates a method of coupling a reflection module to a support wall in an exemplary embodiment.

[0038] Figure 9 is an exploded view illustrating a method of coupling a reflection module to a support wall according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0039] Figure 10 illustrates a method of supporting a reflection module by a support wall in an exemplary embodiment.

[0040] Figure 11 illustrates a method of receiving a reflection module in a support wall according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0041] Figure 12 illustrates a structure of a lower portion supporting a reflection module in an exemplary embodiment.

[0042] Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, like reference numerals refer to like elements. The drawings may not be to scale, and relative dimensions, ratios, and depictions of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in fully understanding the methods, apparatuses, and / or systems described herein. However, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and / or systems described herein will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The order of operations described herein is merely an example, and except for operations that must occur in a certain order, the order of operations is not limited to those described herein and can be changed, which will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and structures may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0044] The features described herein can be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples described herein. Instead, the examples described herein are only used to illustrate some of the many possible ways of implementing the methods, apparatuses, and / or systems described herein that will be apparent after understanding the present disclosure.

[0045] In this document, it should be noted that the use of the term "can" with respect to an embodiment or example, such as what an embodiment or example can include or implement, means that there is at least one embodiment or example that includes or implements such a feature, and not all embodiments and examples are limited thereto.

[0046] Throughout the specification, when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is described as being "on another element", "connected to", or "coupled to" another element, it can be directly "on another element", "connected to", or "coupled to" another element, or there can be one or more other elements therebetween. Conversely, when an element is described as being "directly on another element", "directly connected to", or "directly coupled to" another element, there cannot be other elements therebetween.

[0047] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any one and any combination of any two or more of the associated listed items.

[0048] Although terms such as "first", "second", and "third" may be used herein to describe various components, parts, regions, layers, or sections, these components, parts, regions, layers, or sections are not limited by these terms. Instead, these terms are only used to distinguish one component, part, region, layer, or section from another. Thus, the first component, part, region, layer, or section mentioned in the embodiments described herein can also be referred to as the second component, part, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the embodiments.

[0049] Spatial relative terms, such as "above", "upper", "below", and "lower", may be used in this document to facilitate the description of the relationship between one element shown in the figures and another element. Such spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation shown in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is flipped, an element described as "above" or "upper" relative to another element will be "below" or "lower" relative to another element. Thus, depending on the spatial orientation of the device, the term "above" encompasses both the above and below orientations. The device may also be oriented in other ways (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative terms used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0050] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing various examples only and are not intended to limit the disclosure. The articles "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprising", "including", and "having" specify the presence of the stated features, numbers, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0051] Due to manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances, the shapes shown in the figures may vary. Accordingly, the examples described herein are not limited to the specific shapes shown in the figures, but include shape variations that occur during manufacturing.

[0052] The features of the examples described herein may be combined in various ways, which will be apparent after obtaining an understanding of the disclosure. In addition, although the examples described herein have various configurations, other configurations are possible after obtaining an understanding of the disclosure.

[0053] An exemplary embodiment provides a camera module having a high zoom ratio while minimizing an increase in its length. One aspect of the present disclosure is to achieve a long total optical path length without unduly increasing the length of the camera module.

[0054] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a camera module includes a folding module, a lens module, a reflection module, and an image sensor module disposed in a housing. Light incident on the folding module through a part of the housing may be reflected to the lens module, and the light passing through the lens module may be reflected to the image sensor by a mirror lens. Since the optical path is changed at least twice by the folding module and the reflection module, a relatively long total optical path length can be achieved in a camera module having a limited size.

[0055] Figure 1 、 2 2 and 3 are perspective views of a portable electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0056] Reference Figure 1 Figure 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the portable electronic device 1 may be a portable electronic device equipped with a camera module 1000, such as a mobile communication terminal, a smart phone, a tablet PC, etc.

[0057] As Figure 1 Figure 1 shown, the portable electronic device 1 is equipped with a camera module 1000 for imaging an object.

[0058] In this exemplary embodiment, the camera module 1000 may include a plurality of lenses, and the optical axes (Z-axis) of these lenses may be set in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction (Y-axis direction, the direction from the front surface to the back surface of the portable electronic device or the opposite direction) of the portable electronic device 1.

[0059] As an example, the optical axis (Z-axis) of the lens provided in the camera module 1000 may be formed in the width direction or the length direction (Z-axis direction or X-axis direction) of the portable electronic device 1.

[0060] Therefore, even if the camera module 1000 has functions such as autofocus (AF), zoom magnification adjustment, and optical image stabilization (OIS), the thickness of the portable electronic device 1 will not increase. Therefore, the portable electronic device 1 can be made compact.

[0061] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the camera module 1000 may include at least one of the AF, zoom magnification adjustment, and OIS functions.

[0062] The camera module 1000 having functions such as an AF function, a zoom magnification adjustment function, and an OIS function needs to include various components. Therefore, compared with a general camera module, the size of this camera module may increase.

[0063] The increase in the size of the camera module 1000 may prevent the miniaturization of the portable electronic device 1 in which the camera module 1000 is installed.

[0064] For example, in the case where the camera module includes an increased number of stacked lenses for a zoom function and the plurality of stacked lenses are formed in the thickness direction of the portable electronic device, the thickness of the portable electronic device will increase according to the number of stacked lenses. Therefore, without increasing the thickness of the portable electronic device, it may not be possible to ensure a sufficient number of stacked lenses, which will reduce the zoom performance.

[0065] In addition, in order to implement the AF and OIS functions, an actuator for moving the lens system in the direction of the optical axis or in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis needs to be installed. Moreover, in the case where the optical axis of the lens system is formed in the thickness direction of the portable electronic device, the actuator for moving the lens system also has to be installed in the thickness direction of the portable electronic device. As a result, the thickness of the portable electronic device is increased.

[0066] However, since the camera module 1000 according to the exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure is arranged such that the optical axes (Z axes) of the plurality of lenses are perpendicular to the thickness direction of the portable electronic device 1, even if the camera module 1000 including the autofocus function, the zoom magnification adjustment function, and the OIS function is installed therein, the portable electronic device 1 can be made compact.

[0067] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, two or more camera modules can be installed in the portable electronic device 2 or 3 to image an object. For example, the portable electronic device may further include a second camera module 500 and Figure 1 the first camera module 1000 described in

[0068] Figure 2 and Figure 3 The electronic devices 2 and 3 both include two camera modules, and Figure 2 shows a case where the first camera module 1000 and the second camera module 500 are arranged in sequence in the width direction (the direction of the relatively shorter side) of the portable electronic device 2, and Figure 3 shows a case where the first camera module 1000 and the second camera module 500 are arranged in sequence in the length direction (the direction of the relatively longer side) of the portable electronic device 3.

[0069] In the case of using two camera modules, the entrances for light to enter on the two camera modules can be arranged as close to each other as possible.

[0070] The first camera module 1000 and the second camera module 500 can be configured to have different viewing angles. The first camera module 1000 can be configured to have a relatively narrow viewing angle (e.g., a telephoto camera), and the second camera module 500 can be configured to have a relatively wide viewing angle (e.g., a wide-angle camera). Here, the first camera module 1000 may correspond to the camera module described below with reference to Figures 4 to 12 description.

[0071] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the camera module in the exemplary embodiment. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the internal structure of the camera module according to the exemplary embodiment. Figure 6It is a plan view of the internal structure of a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0072] Referring to Figures 4 to 6 , in an exemplary embodiment, the camera module includes a folding module 1100, a lens module 1200, and an image sensor module 1300 disposed in a housing (or frame).

[0073] The folding module 1100 is configured to change the propagation direction of light. For example, the traveling direction of light incident through the opening 1031 of the cover 1030 covering the upper part of the camera module 1000 (referring to Figure 4 ) can be changed by the folding module 1100 to be directed toward the lens module 1200 (or the image sensor 1310 disposed in the image sensor module 1300). To this end, the folding module 1100 may include a second reflecting member 1110 that reflects light.

[0074] The path of light incident through the opening 1031 is changed by the folding module 1100 to be directed toward the lens module 1200. For example, the path of light incident in the thickness direction (Y-axis direction) of the camera module 1000 can be changed by the folding module 1100 to be substantially parallel to the optical axis (Z-axis) direction.

[0075] In an exemplary embodiment, the lens module 1200 may include a plurality of lenses. The light reflected from the folding module 1100 can be refracted when passing through the plurality of lenses. Referring to Figure 6 , in an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of lenses disposed in the lens module 1200 may be aligned along the optical axis 1201.

[0076] In an exemplary embodiment, the lens module 1200 may include a lens barrel 1210 and a lens holder 1220 that houses the lens barrel 1210, and the lens barrel 1210 includes a plurality of lenses. In an exemplary embodiment, the lens barrel 1210 and the lens holder 1220 may be integrally formed, or in another exemplary embodiment, they may be formed as separate components and then joined to each other.

[0077] In an exemplary embodiment, the camera module 1000 may include a first reflecting member 1410 that reflects the light passing through the lens module 1200 toward the image sensor 1310.

[0078] In an exemplary embodiment, any member capable of reflecting light may be used as the first reflecting member 1410. For example, a mirror, a prism, a beam splitter, etc. may be used as the first reflecting member 1410.

[0079] In an exemplary embodiment, the first reflection member 1410 may be supported by a support wall 1020 disposed in the housing 1010. For example, a part of the first reflection member 1410 may be placed on the surface of the support wall 1020. In an exemplary embodiment, the support wall 1020 supporting the first reflection member 1410 may be configured such that when the first reflection member 1410 is assembled in the housing 1010 (or the support wall 1020), the first reflection member 1410 reflects the light passing through the lens module 1200.

[0080] In an exemplary embodiment, the support wall 1020 may be provided as a part of the housing 1010. For example, the support wall 1020 may extend from the bottom surface 1011 of the housing 1010 (see Figure 7 ) to a height corresponding to the first reflection member 1410. In an exemplary embodiment, the support wall 1020 may be configured such that when the first reflection member 1410 is placed on the support wall 1020, the direction in which the reflection surface faces is at a 45-degree angle with respect to the optical axis 1201 of the lens module 1200. For example, the support wall 1020 includes a placement surface 1021a facing the direction intersecting the optical axis 1201 at a 45-degree angle, and the first reflection member 1410 having a flat plate shape may be placed on the placement surface 1021a. In this case, the light passing through the lens module 1200 may be incident on the reflection surface 1411 of the first reflection member 1410 at a 45-degree angle, and the traveling direction of the light may be bent at a 90-degree angle or an angle close to 90 degrees.

[0081] Referring to Figure 7 and Figure 8 , for example, when viewed from the Y-axis direction, the support wall 1020 may include a placement surface 1021a forming a 45-degree angle with respect to the X-axis and the Z-axis (or the optical axis). In an exemplary embodiment, when the first reflection member 1410 in the form of a flat plate is placed on the placement surface 1021a, the reflection surface 1411 of the first reflection member 1410 is also parallel to the Y-axis like the placement surface 1021a and may have a 45-degree angle with respect to both the X-axis and the Z-axis.

[0082] In an exemplary embodiment, the image sensor module 1300 includes an image sensor 1310 and a substrate 1320 on which the image sensor 1310 is mounted. The image sensor 1310 may be arranged such that the light collection surface of the image sensor faces the first reflection member 1410, and may generate a digital signal corresponding to the light reflected from the first reflection member 1410.

[0083] In an exemplary embodiment, the image sensor module 1300 may include a filter that filters the light incident from the lens module 1200. The filter may include an infrared cut-off filter.

[0084] In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 1010 may include a through portion 1013 that opens toward the image sensor 1310 on a side surface of the housing 1010, so that the housing 1010 does not interfere with the light reflected from the reflection module 1400 during the process of reaching the image sensor 1310.

[0085] In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 1010 may have an internal space configured to accommodate the folding module 1100, the lens module 1200, and the image sensor module 1300. In an exemplary embodiment, a part of the image sensor module 1300 may be disposed outside the housing. For example, the substrate 1320 of the image sensor module 1300 may be attached to the outside of the housing 1010. Electronic components (e.g., coils or position sensors) mounted on the substrate 1320 may interact with the folding module 1100 or the lens module 1200 disposed in the internal space of the housing 1010 through the through portion provided in the housing 1010.

[0086] In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 1010 may be integrally provided to accommodate the folding module 1100, the lens module 1200, and the image sensor module 1300 entirely in the internal space. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and in another exemplary embodiment, the housing 1010 may have a structure in which housings configured to accommodate some of the folding module 1100, the lens module 1200, and the image sensor module 1300 are interconnected.

[0087] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the image sensor module 1300 is disposed in the housing 1010, but in another exemplary embodiment, a separate housing configured to accommodate the image sensor module 1300 may be connected to the housing 1010 that accommodates the folding module 1100 and the lens module 1200.

[0088] In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 1010 is covered by a cover 1030 such that the internal space is not visible. The cover 1030 has an opening 1031 through which light enters, and the traveling direction of the light incident through the opening 1031 is changed by the folding module 1100 to enter the lens module 1200. The cover 1030 may be integrally provided to cover the entire housing 1010, or may be divided into separate members that respectively cover the folding module 1100 and the lens module 1200.

[0089] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, light incident on the folding module 1100 through a part of the housing 1010 is reflected to the lens module 1200, and the light passing through the lens module 1200 can be reflected by the first reflecting member 1410 to the image sensor 1310. For a high zoom ratio, a long total trajectory length must be ensured. In this case, in a camera module equipped only with the folding module 1100, the distance between the folding module 1100 and the image sensor 1310 increases, and thus, such a camera module is not suitable for use in a mobile device with insufficient internal space.

[0090] In a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical path can be changed at least twice by the folding module 1100 and the reflection module 1400. Referring to Figure 6 , the path of the light passing through the lens module 1200 can be changed by approximately 90 degrees by the reflection module 1400 before entering the image sensor module 1300.

[0091] Referring to Figure 5 , the light L incident on the folding module 1100 in the Y-axis direction can be changed to the Z-axis direction by the second reflecting member 1110, and after passing through the lens module 1200, the light L can be changed to the X-axis direction by the first reflecting member 1410. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a camera module 1000 with a relatively long total trajectory length can be provided without excessively increasing the length of the camera module 1000 in the Z-axis direction.

[0092] Meanwhile, the reflection module 1400 described in the present disclosure can be used as a structure for reflecting light in various devices, and its application is not limited to the type of camera module 1000 shown. For example, the light entering the electronic device through a part of the surface of the electronic device can reach the image sensor after being reflected at least once, and in this case, the reflection module 1400 of the present disclosure can be provided as a structure for reflecting light in the electronic device.

[0093] Meanwhile, in the shown exemplary embodiment, the direction in which the light passing through the reflection module 1400 is bent is the +X direction, but the exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and in another exemplary embodiment, the light can be bent by the reflection module 1400 in various directions. For example, the bending direction of the light passing through the reflection module 1400 can be the -X direction, and in this case, the image sensor module 1300 can be disposed in the -X direction of the reflection module 1400.

[0094] In an exemplary embodiment, the camera module 1000 may include a stepped portion S having a reduced thickness in the middle part. As the thickness of the camera module 1000 increases, a part of the rear surface of the portable electronic device where the camera module 1000 is located may protrude relative to other parts. For the appearance or usability of the electronic device, the rear surface is preferably flat. However, in a case where a protruding portion is inevitably provided on the rear surface due to the camera module 1000, it may be advantageous to minimize the area of the protruding portion to improve usability or appearance. In the exemplary embodiment, since the camera module 1000 has a stepped portion, the thickness of a part of the camera module 1000 is reduced, thereby improving the appearance and usability of the portable electronic device.

[0095] Referring Figure 4 , in an exemplary embodiment, based on a boundary substantially parallel to the X-axis, one side of the camera module 1000 may have a height different from that of the other side. In the exemplary embodiment, the camera module 1000 may include a stepped portion S in a direction parallel to the optical axis 1201 (the Z-axis direction in the figure). The stepped portion S may be generally located in the middle of the camera module 1000. For example, the stepped portion S may be provided at a point from 1 / 3 to 2 / 3 of the length of the camera module 1000 in the direction of the optical axis 1201.

[0096] To implement the stepped portion S, the housing 1010, the cover 1030, and the lens module 1200 (the lens holder 1220 and / or the lens barrel 1210) may all be provided with steps. In the exemplary embodiment, the cover 1030 may have a first step S1 corresponding to the stepped portion S.

[0097] In the exemplary embodiment, the stepped portion S may be provided to overlap with the position where the lens module 1200 is provided. For example, in a plan view of the camera module 1000, the stepped portion S may be located in the area occupied by the lens module 1200.

[0098] Referring Figure 5 , in the exemplary embodiment, the lens module 1200 may include a second step S2 corresponding to the stepped portion S. When the lens module 1200 includes the lens holder 1220 provided separately from the lens barrel 1210, the lens holder 1220 may include a second step S2 corresponding to the stepped portion S. For example, the upper surface 1221 of the lens holder 1220 may be divided into a first surface 1221a and a second surface 1221b having a height lower than that of the first surface 1221a based on the second step S2.

[0099] In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 1010 may include a third step S3 corresponding to the step portion S. For example, the sidewall constituting the housing 1010 may have a different height on one side of the third step S3 than on the other side of the third step S3.

[0100] In an exemplary embodiment, the lens barrel 1210 may also include a step corresponding to the step portion S. For example, the upper surface 1211 of the lens barrel 1210 may include portions 1211a, 1211b, and 1211c having different heights, and a fourth step S4 may be formed therebetween. In addition, at least some of the lenses inserted into the lens barrel 1210 may be D-shaped cut lenses, that is, lenses having a shape obtained by cutting off an edge from a circle.

[0101] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 8 Illustrates a method of coupling a reflection module to a support wall in an exemplary embodiment. Figure 8 is along Figure 5 sectional view taken along line A-A'. Figure 9 is an exploded view showing a method of coupling a reflection module to a support wall according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 10 Illustrates a method of supporting a reflection module by a support wall in an exemplary embodiment. Figure 10 is along Figure 6 sectional view taken along line B-B'.

[0102] Referring to Figures 7 to 10 , in an exemplary embodiment, the reflection module 1400 may include a first reflection member 1410 and a holder 1420 coupled to the first reflection member 1410.

[0103] In an exemplary embodiment, the first reflection member 1410 may be arranged such that the direction in which the reflection surface 1411 faces (i.e., the direction of the normal 1401 of the reflection surface 1411) is inclined with respect to the optical axis 1201. In an exemplary embodiment, the light passing through the lens module 1200 may be incident on the reflection surface 1411 of the first reflection member 1410 at a non-zero incident angle (the angle between the normal 1401 of the reflection surface 1411 and the incident light).

[0104] In an exemplary embodiment, the image sensor module may be disposed at a position where the light reflected by the first reflection member 1410 arrives. In an exemplary embodiment, the image sensor 1310 may be arranged such that the light-collecting surface 1311 (hereinafter referred to as the "sensor surface 1311") "sees" the light passing through the lens module 1200 via the first reflection member 1410.

[0105] In an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings of the present disclosure, the reflection module 1400 is configured to bend the light passing through the lens module 1200 toward the image sensor 1310, but the exemplary embodiments in the present disclosure are not limited thereto. That is, the reflection module 1400 described in the present disclosure can be provided in various types of camera modules, can be used as an element for changing the direction of light, and its position is not limited to the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings of the present disclosure. For example, the reflection module 1400 can be disposed in a direction toward the object side of the lens module 1200.

[0106] In an exemplary embodiment, the first reflection member 1410 can be disposed in the housing 1010 such that the normal line 1401 of the reflection surface 1411 forms an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis 1201 of the lens module 1200. Here, the light passing through the lens module 1200 can be reflected by the first reflection member 1410, and the traveling direction can be changed by approximately 90 degrees.

[0107] In an exemplary embodiment, the image sensor 1310 can be disposed such that the sensor surface 1311 faces a direction perpendicular to or substantially perpendicular to the optical axis 1201. In an exemplary embodiment, the surface perpendicular to the optical axis 1201, the reflection surface 1411 of the first reflection member 1410, and the sensor surface 1311 can all be parallel to the Y axis.

[0108] In an exemplary embodiment, the holder 1420 can include a base 1421 to which the first reflection member 1410 is attached ( Figure 11 ). In an exemplary embodiment, the first reflection member 1410 can be disposed on the surface of the base 1421. In an exemplary embodiment, the base 1421 can include a placement surface 1421a facing the front of the base 1421, and the rear surface 1412 of the first reflection member 1410 can be attached to the placement surface 1421a.

[0109] In the present disclosure, the front of the first reflection member 1410 or the front of the base 1421 is defined as the direction in which the reflection surface 1411 faces, and the rear of the first reflection member 1410 or the rear of the base 1421 can be defined as the direction in which the rear surface 1412 of the first reflection member 1410 faces.

[0110] In an exemplary embodiment, the base 1421 can include a through portion 1423. When the first reflection member 1410 is attached to the placement surface 1421a of the base 1421, the rear surface 1412 of the first reflection member 1410 can be partially exposed through the through portion 1423. In an exemplary embodiment, the rear surface 1412 partially exposed to the rear of the base 1421 through the through portion 1423 can contact a part of the support wall 1020.

[0111] In an exemplary embodiment, the holder 1420 may further include a coupling portion 1422 configured to mount the reflection module 1400 on the support wall 1020. In an exemplary embodiment, the base 1421 and the coupling portion 1422 may be integrally formed. In another exemplary embodiment, the base 1421 and the coupling portion 1422 may be formed as separate components and then coupled to each other.

[0112] In an exemplary embodiment, the reflection module 1400 may be disposed on the support wall 1020. In an exemplary embodiment, the support wall 1020 may be integrally formed with the housing 1010 or may be formed as a component separate from the housing 1010 and then connected to the housing 1010.

[0113] In an exemplary embodiment, the reflection module 1400 may be attached to the support wall 1020 by magnetic force. In an exemplary embodiment, the reflection module 1400 and the support wall 1020 may include magnetic members 1430 facing each other. The magnetic member may include a magnet or a magnetic yoke. The first reflection member 1410 may be pulled toward the support wall 1020 by the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic member 1431 and the second magnetic member 1432.

[0114] In an exemplary embodiment, the first magnetic member 1431 may be disposed in the coupling portion 1422 of the holder 1420, and the second magnetic member 1432 facing the first magnetic member 1431 may be disposed in the support wall 1020.

[0115] In an exemplary embodiment, the first magnetic member 1431 may be a magnet and the second magnetic member 1432 may be a magnetic yoke. In another exemplary embodiment, the first magnetic member 1431 may be a magnetic yoke while the second magnetic member 1432 may be a magnet. In another exemplary embodiment, both the first magnetic member 1431 and the second magnetic member 1432 may be magnets.

[0116] In an exemplary embodiment, the holder 1420 may include a recess 1425 for receiving the first magnetic member 1431. In an exemplary embodiment, the second magnetic member 1432 may be provided in a state of being embedded in the housing 1010. A part of the second magnetic member 1432 may be exposed outside the housing 1010 to face the first magnetic member 1431.

[0117] In an exemplary embodiment, the camera module 100 may include a reinforcing plate to supplement the rigidity of the housing 1010. The reinforcing plate may be partially embedded in the housing 1010, and a part of the reinforcing plate may be provided as the second magnetic member 1432.

[0118] In an exemplary embodiment, the second magnetic member 1432 may be formed separately from or integrally with the housing 1010. For example, when the second magnetic member 1432 is integrally formed, the yoke and the housing 1010 may be manufactured integrally by a double injection method.

[0119] In an exemplary embodiment, the first magnetic member 1431 and the second magnetic member 1432 face each other with a gap therebetween. For example, an air gap may exist between the first magnetic member 1431 and the second magnetic member 1432. The first magnetic member 1431 and the second magnetic member 1432 provide only a magnetic attraction force between the reflection module 1400 and the support wall 1020 without directly contacting each other. The air gap 1452 may exist between the first magnetic member 1431 and the second magnetic member 1432.

[0120] In an exemplary embodiment, when the reflection module 1400 is connected to the support wall 1020, the first reflection member 1410 may be directly supported by the support wall 1020. The housing 1010 may directly support the first reflection member 1410 without a separate component between the first reflection member 1410 and the housing 1010 (or the support wall 1020). In an exemplary embodiment, a support point (or a support surface) for supporting the reflection module 1400 in a direction perpendicular to the reflection surface 1411 may be formed between the rear surface 1412 of the first reflection member 1410 and the support wall 1020.

[0121] In an exemplary embodiment, the first reflection member 1410 may be provided in a flat plate shape. The direction of light incident on the reflection surface 1411 of the first reflection member 1410 is changed to a first direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) intersecting the optical axis 1201 of the lens module 1200. The rear surface 1412 of the first reflection member 1410 may be parallel to the reflection surface 1411, and a part 1412a of the rear surface 1412 of the first reflection member 1410 may directly contact the support wall 1020. For example, there is no other component between the rear surface 1412 of the first reflection member 1410 and the placement surface 1021a of the support wall 1020.

[0122] In an exemplary embodiment, the first reflection member 1410 contacts the support wall 1020, and a contact portion is formed between the first reflection member 1410 and the support wall 1020. The contact portion may include a contact point and / or a contact surface. For example, referring to Figure 9 , when a part 1412a of the rear surface 1412 of the first reflection member 1410 contacts the placement surface 1021a of the support wall 1020, a contact portion may be formed between the first reflection member 1410 and the support wall 1020.

[0123] In an exemplary embodiment, the contact portion may include contact points and / or contact surfaces located on both sides of the region where the magnetic attraction acts. For example, the contact portion may be formed on the left and right sides of the first magnetic member 1431 or the second magnetic member 1432. Referring to Figure 9 , the contact portion may be provided on the rear surface 1412 of the first reflection member 1410 in the form of two parallel strips located on both sides of the first magnetic member 1431.

[0124] Due to the presence of the magnetic members 1431 and 1432, the first reflection member 1410 is pulled in the direction toward the support wall 1020, and the first reflection member 1410 is supported by the contact portion. For example, when the magnetic attraction pulls the first reflection member 1410 in a first direction, the support wall 1020 provides a reaction force from the contact portion to the first reflection member 1410 in a direction opposite to the first direction.

[0125] In an exemplary embodiment, the support wall 1020 may be configured not to directly support the holder 1420 that houses the first reflection member 1410. That is, when the reflection module 1400 is pulled toward the support wall 1020 by magnetic attraction, the reaction force applied by the support wall 1020 to the reflection module 1400 may act only through the first reflection member 1410. In an exemplary embodiment, the holder 1420 may be configured such that when the first reflection member 1410 is placed on the support wall 1020, there is an air gap between the support wall 1020 and the holder 1420. For example, there may be an air gap between the base 1421 and the placement surface 1021a. In addition, an air gap 1452 may exist between the coupling portion 1422 of the holder 1420 and the bottom surface 1023 of the receiving recess 1022.

[0126] The first reflection member 1410 must be installed in the housing 1010 at an exact angle relative to the lens module 1200. This is because if the angle of the first reflection member 1410 deviates from the designed angle, the light passing through the lens module cannot reach the image sensor 1310 properly, which may cause deterioration of the image quality. However, due to the manufacturing tolerances of each of the reflection module 1400 and the housing 1010 and the assembly tolerance between them, it is difficult to install the first reflection member 1410 at an exact angle relative to the lens module 1200 or the image sensor 1310 in the housing 1010.

[0127] Therefore, in the present exemplary embodiment, in order to minimize the assembly tolerance with other components during the process of installing the first reflection member 1410 into the housing 1010, the first reflection member 1410 may be directly supported by the housing 1010 (or the support wall 1020).

[0128] In an exemplary embodiment, since the first reflecting member 1410 is directly supported on the housing 1010, the assembly quality of the first reflecting member 1410 relative to the housing 1010 can be improved. Since the first reflecting member 1410 has a relatively high flatness and a part of the first reflecting member 1410 is attached to the placement surface 1021a, the first reflecting member 1410 can be easily assembled onto the housing 1010 such that the reflecting surface 1411 has a specified angle relative to the optical axis 1201.

[0129] In an exemplary embodiment, at least a part of the rear surface 1412 of the first reflecting member 1410 that is exposed to the rear of the base 1421 through the through portion 1423 of the base 1421 may contact the placement surface 1021a of the support wall 1020.

[0130] In an exemplary embodiment, the support wall 1020 may include a wall surface 1021 facing the reflection module 1400. The placement surface 1021a may be a part of the wall surface 1021. Since the placement surface 1021a, which is a part of the wall surface 1021, directly contacts the rear surface 1412 of the first reflecting member 1410, the first reflecting member 1410 can be supported. In the present disclosure, the direct contact between the rear surface 1412 of the first reflecting member 1410 and the placement surface 1021a of the support wall 1020 means that there are no other components between the rear surface 1412 of the first reflecting member 1410 and the placement surface 1021a of the support wall 1020.

[0131] In an exemplary embodiment, a portion 1021b of the wall surface 1021 other than the placement surface 1021a may be lower than the placement surface 1021a and thus may not contact the rear surface 1412 of the first reflecting member 1410. An air gap 1451 may exist between the portion 1021b of the wall surface 1021 other than the placement surface 1021a and the rear surface 1412 of the first reflecting member 1410. In an exemplary embodiment, since a part of the wall surface 1021 (e.g., the placement surface 1021a) rather than the entire wall surface 1021 supports the first reflecting member 1410, the portion where assembly tolerances may occur between the first reflecting member 1410 and the support wall 1020 can be minimized. That is, by minimizing the area where the first reflecting member 1410 contacts the support wall 1020, the portion where assembly tolerances may occur therebetween can be minimized.

[0132] In an exemplary embodiment, the support wall 1020 may include two or more separate placement surfaces 1021a. For example, the support wall 1020 may have placement surfaces 1021a on both sides of the receiving recess 1022. In an exemplary embodiment, the placement surface 1021a may have a predetermined width and may extend in the height direction (Y-axis direction) of the first reflection member 1410.

[0133] In an exemplary embodiment, the placement surface 1021a may face the upper frame 1421U or the lower frame 1421L of the base 1421, but the placement surface 1021a may only contact the rear surface 1412 of the first reflection member 1410 and may not contact the base 1421. In an exemplary embodiment, the rear surface 1412 of the first reflection member 1410 may be farther from the rear part of the base 1421 than the upper frame 1421U or the lower frame 1421L of the base 1421. Therefore, even if the placement surface 1021a contacts the rear surface 1412 of the first reflection member 1410, there may be a corresponding air gap between the placement surface 1021a and the upper frame 1421U and the lower frame 1421L of the base 1421.

[0134] In an exemplary embodiment, the reflection module 1400 may be attached to the support wall 1020 by the magnetic attraction force between the magnetic members 1430 respectively provided in the support wall 1020 and the reflection module 1400. As described above, the magnetic members 1430 only provide a magnetic attraction force between the reflection module 1400 and the support wall 1020 without contacting each other. Therefore, when the magnetic attraction force between the magnetic members 1430 pulls the reflection module 1400 towards the support wall 1020, the placement surface 1021a of the support wall 1020 may contact the rear surface 1412 of the first reflection member 1410, thereby supporting the reflection module 1400.

[0135] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the shape of the placement surface 1021a is merely an example. In other exemplary embodiments, the placement surface 1021a may have various shapes. For example, the placement surface 1021a may have a width smaller than the illustrated placement surface 1021a.

[0136] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the placement surface 1021a portion and other portions of the support wall 1020 (e.g., the portion 1021b of the wall surface 1021) may be formed of a single material. In another exemplary embodiment, the placement surface 1021a portion may be formed of a material different from other portions. For example, the support wall 1020 may include a metal portion formed by a dual injection method, and a part of the metal portion may form the placement surface 1021a.

[0137] In the exemplary embodiment shown in the present disclosure, the first reflecting member 1410 is in direct surface contact with the housing 1010. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the surface contact between the first reflecting member 1410 and the housing 1010. In another exemplary embodiment, the first reflecting member 1410 may be in point contact with the housing 1010. For example, the support wall 1020 may include protrusions protruding from the wall surface 1021 toward the rear surface 1412 of the first reflecting member 1410, and the protrusions may contact the rear surface 1412 of the first reflecting member 1410. When the support wall 1020 includes three protrusions, the first reflecting member 1410 may be supported by the protrusions at three points.

[0138] In another exemplary embodiment, the first reflecting member 1410 may be in surface contact and point contact with the housing 1010. For example, one side of the first reflecting member 1410 may be in surface contact with the mounting surface 1021a of the support wall 1020, while the other side thereof may be in point contact with the protrusion of the support wall 1020.

[0139] In the exemplary embodiment, the support wall 1020 may include an inclined surface 1026 (or chamfered surface) between the upper surface 1025 and the wall surface 1021.

[0140] In the exemplary embodiment, the camera module 100 may further include an adhesive member that fills at least a part of the gap between the support wall 1020 and the reflection module 1400. In the exemplary embodiment, when the reflection module 1400 is attached to the support wall 1020, an adhesive member may be provided between the support wall 1020 and the reflection module 1400. The adhesive member may fix and connect the reflection module 1400 to the support wall 1020. Here, no adhesive member is provided between the rear surface 1412 of the first reflecting member 1410 and the mounting surface 1021a. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, referring to Figure 5 and Figure 10 , the adhesive member may be applied to the space 1440 between the support wall 1020 and the reflection module 1400. In the exemplary embodiment, the adhesive member may be applied to the space 1440 between the inclined surface 1026 of the support wall 1020 and the first reflecting member 1410 or the holder 1420.

[0141] Figure 11 A method of accommodating the reflection module in the support wall in the exemplary embodiment is shown. Figure 12 A structure for supporting the lower portion of the reflection module 1400 in the exemplary embodiment is shown. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the Figure 6 line C-C'

[0142] Referring to Figure 11, in an exemplary embodiment, the retaining member 1420 may be connected to the housing 1010 through the coupling portion 1422.

[0143] In an exemplary embodiment, the coupling portion 1422 may protrude more rearward than the rear surface 1412 of the first reflecting member 1410. The support wall 1020 may include a receiving recess 1022, and the receiving recess 1022 may receive at least a portion of the coupling portion 1422. For example, the coupling portion 1422 may protrude in a first direction with respect to the rear surface 1412 of the first reflecting member 1410, and the receiving recess 1022 may be recessed in the first direction to receive the coupling portion 1422. Here, the protruding direction of the coupling portion 1422 or the recessed direction of the receiving recess 1022 may be the same as or substantially the same as the direction of the magnetic attraction force between the first magnetic member 1431 and the second magnetic member 1432.

[0144] Referring to Figure 12 , in an exemplary embodiment, the first magnetic member 1431 may be mounted on the coupling portion 1422, and the second magnetic member 1432 may be located on the surface facing the coupling portion 1422. For example, the second magnetic member 1432 may be exposed to the bottom surface 1023 that partially defines the receiving recess 1022 and is arranged to face the first magnetic member 1431.

[0145] In an exemplary embodiment, the receiving recess 1022 and the coupling portion 1422 may be configured such that when the coupling portion 1422 is received in the receiving recess 1022, separation of the coupling portion 1422 from the receiving recess 1022 is prevented.

[0146] In an exemplary embodiment, the receiving recess 1022 may extend upward from the bottom surface 1011, and the coupling portion 1422 may be configured to be assembled into the receiving recess 1022 along the length direction of the receiving recess 1022. The reflection module 1400 may be configured such that when assembled into the receiving recess 1022 through the coupling portion 1422, it will not be released from the receiving recess 1022 in the first direction 1433 where at least the support wall 1020 and the first reflecting member 1410 face each other. Referring to Figure 9 and Figure 11 , for example, the receiving recess 1022 may include a restricting portion 1024c extending in a direction perpendicular to the length direction (Z-axis direction) of the receiving recess 1022, and the coupling portion 1422 may include a stopping portion 1422c configured to overlap the restricting portion 1024c in the first direction 1433. In a state where the coupling portion 1422 is received in the receiving recess 1022, the movement of the coupling portion 1422 in the first direction 1433 is restricted due to the interference between the stopping portion 1422c and the restricting portion 1024c.

[0147] The receiving recess 1022 may be defined by a bottom surface 1023 recessed from the wall surface 1021 and side walls 1024 connecting the bottom surface 1023 and the wall surface 1021.

[0148] In an exemplary embodiment, the distance between the side walls 1024 may decrease in a direction toward the wall surface 1021. For example, a portion of the side walls 1024 adjacent to the wall surface 1021 (or upper side walls 1024a) may extend further toward the opposite side walls 1024 than a portion of the side walls 1024 adjacent to the bottom surface 1023 (or lower side walls 1024b). Accordingly, the distance between the upper side walls 1024a may be less than the distance between the lower side walls 1024b.

[0149] For another example, the upper side walls 1024a of the receiving recess 1022 may include inclined surfaces, and the width of the receiving recess 1022 may narrow toward the wall surface 1021 through the inclined surfaces.

[0150] In an exemplary embodiment, the coupling portion 1422 may include extension portions 1422a extending rearward from an upper frame 1421U and a lower frame 1421L of the base 1421, respectively, and a bridging portion 1422b connecting the extension portions 1422a.

[0151] In an exemplary embodiment, when the bridging portion 1422b of the coupling portion 1422 is assembled into the receiving recess 1022, a portion of the upper side walls 1024a of the receiving recess 1022 may be located in a space 1453 between the bridging portion 1422b and the rear surface 1412 of the first reflecting member 1410. In an exemplary embodiment, the width W1 of the bridging portion 1422b is greater than the distance W2 between the upper side walls 1024a, and thus, separation of the coupling portion 1422 from the receiving recess 1022 can be prevented.

[0152] In an exemplary embodiment, the bridging portion 1422b may have a shape corresponding to the receiving recess 1022. For example, the receiving recess 1022 may have a width decreasing in a direction toward the wall surface 1021, and the bridging portion 1422b may have a width increasing in a direction away from the base 1421. For example, the bridging portion 1422b may include inclined surfaces corresponding to the inclined surfaces of the upper side walls 1024a.

[0153] Referring to Figure 12 , in an exemplary embodiment, the holder 1420 may be supported at a single point on the bottom surface 1011 of the housing 1010. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower surface 1424 of the reflecting module 1400 may be in point contact with the housing 1010 or in contact with a surface of a narrow area in the housing 1010 at a single point.

[0154] In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom surface 1011 of the housing 1010 may include a single protrusion 1012 extending toward the reflection module 1400. In an exemplary embodiment, the end of the protrusion 1012 may contact the lower surface 1424 of the holder 1420. The protrusion 1012 may provide a supporting force to the holder 1420 in the Y-axis direction. In an exemplary embodiment, an air gap 1454 may exist between a part of the lower surface 1424 of the reflection module 1400 (except the part in contact with the protrusion 1012) and the bottom surface 1011 of the housing 1010.

[0155] The lower surface 1424 of the reflection module 1400 and the bottom surface 1011 of the housing 1010 are difficult to be machined to have perfect surfaces. Thus, when the reflection module 1400 is placed on the bottom surface 1011 of the housing 1010, the first reflection member 1410 may be inclined in an unexpected direction due to tolerances. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the reflection module 1400 may be supported by the protrusion 1012 at a single point, and thus, the inclination of the first reflection member 1410 caused by tolerances can be prevented.

[0156] Meanwhile, in an exemplary embodiment, since the lower surface 1424 of the reflection module 1400 is supported by the protrusion 1012 at a single point, the reflection module 1400 may rotate around the protrusion 1012 during the assembly process (of course, since the first reflection member 1410 is supported by the support wall 1020, even if the reflection module 1400 rotates around the protrusion 1012, the angle between the reflection surface 1411 and the optical axis 1201 can be maintained).

[0157] To solve this problem, in an exemplary embodiment, the height h1 of the protrusion 1012 may be determined such that when the reflection module 1400 is properly connected to the housing 1010, the upper surface 1425 of the reflection module 1400 is substantially parallel to the upper surface 1025 of the support wall 1020.

[0158] In an exemplary embodiment, when the reflection module 1400 is properly connected to the housing 1010, the upper surface 1425 of the reflection module 1400 may be disposed in a substantially same plane as the upper surface 1025 of the support wall 1020. For example, when the reflection module 1400 is supported by the protrusion 1012 and the support wall 1020, the distance h2 between the upper surface 1425 of the reflection module 1400 and the bottom surface 1011 of the housing 1010 may be approximately equal to the distance h3 between the upper surface 1025 of the support wall 1020 and the bottom surface 1011 of the housing 1010.

[0159] When the upper surface 1425 of the reflection module 1400 and the upper surface 1025 of the support wall 1020 are disposed in substantially the same plane, during the assembly process, the plane 4a in the tool 4 can press the support wall 1020 and the reflection module 1400 together. When the tool 4 contacts the upper surface 1025 of the support wall 1020, the reflection module 1400 can be positioned such that the upper surface 1425 is substantially parallel to the plane 4a of the tool 4. Thus, the upper surface 1425 of the reflection module 1400 is positioned to substantially match the upper surface 1025 of the support wall 1020, and the reflection module 1400 can be attached to the support wall 1020 in an accurate posture.

[0160] In an exemplary embodiment, after adjusting the posture of the reflection module 1400 by the tool 4, an adhesive member for fixing and connecting the reflection module 1400 to the support wall 1020 can be applied. The adhesive member can be disposed in at least a part of the air gaps (such as the air gaps 1451 and 1452 in Figure 8 ), the space 1440 in Figure 10 , the air gaps 1453 and Figure 11 and the air gap 1454 in Figure 12 .

[0161] According to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure, the camera can have a relatively long total track length, and such a camera can provide a high zoom ratio.

[0162] Although specific exemplary embodiments have been shown and described above, it will be apparent after understanding the present disclosure that various changes in form and detail can be made in these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples described herein are considered to be merely descriptive and not for the purpose of limitation. The description of the features or aspects in each embodiment is considered applicable to similar features or aspects in other embodiments. Suitable results can also be obtained if the described techniques are performed in a different order, and / or if the components in the described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner, and / or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not defined by the specific embodiments, but by the claims and their equivalents, and all changes within the scope of the claims and their equivalents will be construed as being included in the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A camera module, comprising: a housing; a folding module configured to change a direction of light incident on the housing; and a reflection module, the reflection module being received in the housing and configured to change a direction of the light that has been changed by the folding module, wherein the reflection module includes: a first reflection member having a reflection surface; a holder fixedly coupled to the first reflection member; a first magnetic member mounted on the holder; and a second magnetic member mounted in the housing, facing the first reflection member and spaced apart from the first magnetic member.

2. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein the first reflection member is pulled toward a support wall by a magnetic attraction force between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member, and the first reflection member is supported at a contact portion between the first reflection member and the support wall.

3. The camera module according to claim 2, wherein the first reflection member and the support wall face each other in a first direction, the first reflection member is pulled toward the support wall in the first direction by a magnetic attraction force between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member, and the holder is configured such that: when the first reflection member is disposed on the support wall, there is a gap between the support wall and the holder.

4. The camera module according to claim 2, further comprising: a lens module including a lens system disposed on an optical axis, wherein the support wall extends from a bottom surface of the housing to a height corresponding to the first reflection member, and wherein the support wall is arranged such that: when the first reflection member is disposed on the support wall, a direction in which the reflection surface faces has an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the lens module.

5. The camera module according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion includes contact points or contact surfaces located on both sides of a region where the magnetic attraction force acts.

6. The camera module according to claim 2, wherein the support wall includes a receiving recess for receiving a portion of the holder, and the first magnetic member is mounted in the portion received in the receiving recess.

7. The camera module according to claim 6, wherein the portion of the holder includes a coupling portion protruding in a first direction, the receiving recess is recessed in the first direction to receive the coupling portion, the first magnetic member is mounted in a portion of the coupling portion of the holder facing the first direction.

8. The camera module according to claim 7, wherein the receiving recess extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the coupling portion is configured to be assembled into the receiving recess in the second direction.

9. The camera module according to claim 8, wherein the receiving recess includes a restricting portion extending in a third direction perpendicular to the second direction, the coupling portion includes a stopping portion overlapping the restricting portion in the first direction, and In a state where the coupling part is received in the receiving recess, movement of the coupling part in the first direction is restricted by interference between the stopper part and the restricting part.

10. The camera module according to claim 2, wherein, the holding member includes an opening exposing a partial surface of the first reflecting member toward the support wall, and the partial surface of the first reflecting member exposed through the opening is in contact with the support wall.

11. The camera module according to claim 2, wherein, the housing includes a protrusion protruding from its bottom surface toward the surface of the reflection module, and the reflection module is partially supported by a contact portion in contact with an end of the protrusion.

12. The camera module according to claim 11, wherein, the protrusion is in contact with the holding member received in the receiving recess of the support wall to support the reflection module.

13. The camera module according to claim 2, further comprising: an adhesive member filling at least a part of a gap between the first reflecting member and the support wall.

14. The camera module according to claim 1, further comprising: a lens module including a lens system arranged along an optical axis; and a second reflecting member mounted on the folding module and reflecting light incident from the outside toward the lens module.

15. The camera module according to claim 14, wherein, the second reflecting member is configured to change light incident in a first direction into light in a second direction, and the first reflecting member is configured to change light incident in the second direction into light in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

16. A portable electronic device, comprising: the camera module according to claim 1; and an image sensor, wherein the image sensor includes a light collection surface facing the first reflecting member to generate a digital signal corresponding to light reflected from the first reflecting member.

17. A camera module, comprising: a housing; a lens module received in the housing; a folding module configured to guide light incident on the housing toward the lens module; a reflecting member received in the housing and configured to change a direction of light that has passed through the lens module and is incident on a front surface of the reflecting member into a first direction intersecting an optical axis of the lens module, and provided as a flat plate; and a support wall provided as a part of the housing and providing a surface on which the reflecting member is disposed, wherein the reflecting member is pulled toward the support wall by magnetic force, and wherein a part of a rear surface of the reflecting member is in direct contact with the support wall.

18. A camera module, comprising: a housing including a support wall; a folding module configured to change a direction of light incident on the housing; a reflecting member disposed in a holding member and in direct contact with the support wall, the reflecting member being configured to change a direction of light that has been changed by the folding module; a first magnetic member disposed in the support wall; A second magnetic member is disposed in the holding member and spaced apart from the first magnetic member, wherein the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member pull the holding member toward the support wall by magnetic force; and An adhesive member is disposed in a gap between the reflecting member and the support wall to fix the reflecting member to the support wall.

19. The camera module according to claim 18, wherein the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member pull the holding member toward the support wall by magnetic force in a normal direction of the reflecting surface.

20. The camera module according to claim 18, wherein the housing includes a protrusion protruding from a bottom surface of the housing toward the reflecting member disposed in the holding member, and a bottom surface of the reflecting member disposed in the holding member is supported by the protrusion.

21. The camera module according to claim 18, wherein the holding member includes a reversely tapered protrusion, and the support wall includes a reversely tapered receiving recess to receive the protrusion.

Images