Lens module and camera module including the same

Abstract

The present application relates to a lens module, comprising: a lens barrel, comprising a first lens and a second lens arranged along an optical axis; and a spacer, arranged between the first lens and the second lens along the optical axis, and defining a hole corresponding to the optical axis and an opening opened in a direction intersecting the optical axis. The present application also relates to a camera module including the lens module.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0148261 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on November 9, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] The following description relates to a lens module and a camera module including the lens module. Background Art

[0004] Camera modules are standardly installed in mobile electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptop computers, and the like.

[0005] A general camera module may be manufactured to include a plurality of lenses, a lens barrel accommodating the plurality of lenses therein, an image sensor converting optical signals passing through the plurality of lenses into electrical signals, a circuit board on which the image sensor is mounted, and a housing fixing the lens barrel to the circuit board.

[0006] By fitting the lens into a lens barrel or bonding the lens to the lens barrel, a plurality of lenses may be aligned with each other along an optical axis. A spacer may be interposed between each of the plurality of lenses aligned with each other along the optical axis in the lens barrel. The spacer may adjust the spacing distance between the plurality of lenses, or may block unnecessary light incident on an image sensor to prevent flare from occurring.

[0007] The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with respect to the present disclosure. Summary of the invention

[0008] The purpose of providing this summary is to introduce a selection of inventive concepts in a concise form, and these inventive concepts will be further described in the following detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or essential features of the subject matter claimed, nor is it intended to help determine the scope of the subject matter claimed.

[0009] Provided is a lens module including a spacer capable of facilitating miniaturization or thinning of the lens module and a camera module.

[0010] In one general aspect, a lens module includes a lens barrel including a first lens and a second lens arranged along an optical axis, and a spacer disposed between the first lens and the second lens along the optical axis and defining a hole corresponding to the optical axis and an opening opened in a direction intersecting the optical axis.

[0011] The opening may be open in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0012] The spacer may include a sidewall defining the aperture, and the opening may be disposed in the sidewall.

[0013] The area of ​​the opening may be in the range of 10% to 80% of the area of ​​the side wall.

[0014] The side wall may include a first side wall and a second side wall opposite to the first side wall, and the opening may be provided in a portion of the first side wall and a portion of the second side wall.

[0015] The spacer may be in contact with the first lens, and may include an upper surface having a closed curve extending along an edge of the first lens.

[0016] The spacer may be in contact with the second lens, and may include a lower surface having a closed curve extending along an edge of the second lens.

[0017] A surface of the spacer facing the first lens may include a pair of straight portions opposite to each other and a pair of curved portions opposite to each other, and the straight portions and the curved portions may be alternately connected to each other.

[0018] A surface of the spacer facing the second lens may include a pair of straight portions opposite to each other and a pair of curved portions opposite to each other, and the straight portions and the curved portions may be alternately connected to each other.

[0019] The lens barrel may include a step portion between the first lens and the second lens, and the opening may be provided in a portion of the spacer corresponding to the step portion.

[0020] The thickness of the lens barrel in the first direction may vary based on the step portion, and the opening may open in the first direction.

[0021] In another general aspect, a camera module includes a lens barrel, a first lens and a second lens arranged in the lens barrel along an optical axis, and a spacer disposed between the first lens and the second lens in the lens barrel. A portion of the lens barrel is exposed to an inner space of the spacer through an opening disposed in the spacer.

[0022] The camera module may include a reflective member configured to reflect light incident in a first direction to a direction of an optical axis.

[0023] Other features and aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lens module according to an example.

[0025] Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line II'.

[0026] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a spacer according to an example.

[0027] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line II-II'.

[0028] Figure 5 It shows that when Figure 3 Figure 2 shows a diagram of the spacer when viewed in direction "B".

[0029] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a camera module according to an example.

[0030] Throughout the drawings and detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. For purposes of clarity, illustration, and convenience, the drawings may not be drawn to scale, and the relative sizes, proportions, and depictions of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following specific embodiments are provided to help the reader obtain a comprehensive understanding of the methods, devices and / or systems described in this application. However, various changes, modifications and equivalents of the methods, devices and / or systems described in this application will be apparent after understanding the present disclosure. For example, the order of operations described in this application is merely an example, and except for operations that must occur in a specific order, it is not limited to the order set forth in this application, but can be changed, which will be apparent after understanding the present disclosure. In addition, for greater clarity and brevity, the description of features known in the art may be omitted.

[0032] The features described in this application may be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the examples described in this application. More specifically, the examples described in this application are provided merely to illustrate some of the many possible ways of implementing the methods, devices and / or systems described in this application that will be apparent after understanding the present disclosure. Hereinafter, although embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be noted that the examples are not limited to the described embodiments.

[0033] Throughout the specification, when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is described as being "on," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, the element may be directly "on," "connected to," or "coupled to" the other element, or there may be one or more other elements between the element and the other element. Conversely, when an element is described as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element, there are no other elements between the element and the other element. As used in this application, a "portion" of an element may include the entire element or less than the entire element.

[0034] As used in this application, the term "and / or" includes any one of the associated listed items and any combination of any two or more items; similarly, "at least one" includes any one of the associated listed items and any combination of any two or more items.

[0035] Although the terms "first", "second" and "third" may be used in this application to describe various members, components, regions, layers or parts, these members, components, regions, layers or parts are not limited by these terms. More specifically, these terms are only used to distinguish one member, component, region, layer or part from another member, component, region, layer or part. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the examples described in this application, the first member, first component, first region, first layer or first part mentioned in these examples may also be referred to as the second member, second component, second region, second layer or second part.

[0036] Spatially relative terms such as "above", "higher", "below", "lower", etc. may be used in this application for descriptive convenience to describe the relationship of one element relative to another element as shown in the accompanying drawings. In addition to covering the orientations depicted in the accompanying drawings, these spatially relative terms are intended to also cover different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the accompanying drawings is flipped, an element described as being "above" or "higher" relative to another element will be "below" or "lower" relative to the other element. Therefore, depending on the spatial orientation of the device, the term "above" covers both orientations of "above" and "below". The device may also be oriented in other ways (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative terms used in this application should be interpreted accordingly.

[0037] The terms used in this application are only used to describe various examples and are not used to limit the present disclosure. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the articles "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include plural forms as well. The words "include", "comprise" and "have" indicate the presence of the features, numbers, operations, components, elements and / or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, operations, components, elements and / or combinations thereof.

[0038] Variations in the shapes shown in the drawings may occur due to manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. Therefore, the examples described in the present application are not limited to the specific shapes shown in the drawings, but include variations in shapes that occur during manufacturing.

[0039] Features of the examples described in this application may be combined in various ways that will be apparent after understanding the present disclosure. In addition, although the examples described in this application have various configurations, other configurations that will be apparent after understanding the present disclosure are also possible.

[0040] It should be noted that in this application, the use of the word “may” with respect to an example, for example, regarding what an example may include or implement, means that there is at least one example in which such feature is included or implemented, and all examples are not limited thereto.

[0041] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lens module 1000 according to an example. Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line II'. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a spacer 300 according to an example. Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line II-II'. Figure 5 It shows that when Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a diagram of the spacer 300 when viewed in direction “B”.

[0042] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the lens module 1000 may include a lens barrel 100 and a lens 200 accommodated in the lens barrel 100. The lens 200 may be arranged on an optical axis O. In the example shown, four lenses 200 may be accommodated in the lens barrel 100, but this is merely an example. In other examples, the lens module 1000 may include various numbers of lenses 200.

[0043] In an example, the lens module 1000 may include a spacer 300 between the lenses 200. For example, the spacer 300 may be disposed between the first lens L1 and the second lens L2. The spacer 300 may be used to maintain a gap between the lenses 200. For example, the spacer 300 may at least partially contact the lenses 200 disposed on both sides of the spacer 300, and the gap between the lenses 200 disposed on both sides of the spacer 300 may be maintained by the length of the spacer 300.

[0044] Reference Figure 3 In an example, the spacer 300 may include a path for light passing between the lenses 200 on both sides of the spacer 300. For example, the spacer 300 may have a hole 311 along the optical axis O. Light passing through the first lens L1 may reach the second lens L2 after passing through the hole 311 of the spacer 300. When the light travels from the first lens L1 to the second lens L2, the hole 311 may be provided to significantly reduce interference between the light and the spacer 300.

[0045] In an example, the spacer 300 may have an opening 312 that opens in a direction intersecting the optical axis O. Figure 4 , the angle “θ” formed in the direction “A” in which the opening 312 is exposed may be greater than 0 degrees to less than 180 degrees. For example, the opening 312 may be opened in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis O.

[0046] In an example, the side surface of the spacer 300 may be provided with an opening 312 . In an example, the spacer 300 may have a side wall 320 extending in a direction parallel to the optical axis O, and a portion of the side wall 320 is penetrated to define the opening 312 .

[0047] Reference Figure 2 In an example, a portion of the lens barrel 100 may be exposed to the opening 312 of the spacer 300. Therefore, the portion of the lens barrel 100 may be exposed to the inner space of the spacer 300 (eg, a space corresponding to the hole 311).

[0048] In an example, the spacer 300 may have a side surface (or side wall) extending in the optical axis direction. When the spacer 300 is assembled in the lens barrel 100, the side surface of the spacer 300 may face the inner peripheral surface 110 of the lens barrel 100. Since the side surface of the spacer 300 is provided with an opening 312, a portion of the inner peripheral surface 110 of the lens barrel 100 may be exposed to the internal space of the spacer 300. For example, when viewed from the optical axis, a portion of the inner peripheral surface 110 of the lens barrel 100 may be shown.

[0049] In an example, when the spacer 300 is disposed between the first lens L1 and the second lens L2, the spacer 300 may be surrounded by a portion of the inner circumferential surface 110 of the lens barrel 100 surrounding the space between the first lens L1 and the second lens L2. In addition, the portion of the inner circumferential surface 110 may be exposed to the inside of the spacer 300 through the opening 312.

[0050] In an example, the opening 312 may be provided on each of two side surfaces opposite to each other. In an example, the spacer 300 may have a first side wall 321 and a second side wall 322 opposite to each other. Each of the first side wall 321 and the second side wall 322 may define the opening 312. The spacer 300 includes a third side wall 323 and a fourth side wall 324 connecting the first side wall 321 to the second side wall 322.

[0051] In an example, the area of ​​the opening 312 may occupy 10% or more of the surface on which the opening 312 exists. In an example, the upper limit of the area of ​​the opening 312 may be 7 mm 2 The lower limit of the area of ​​the opening 312 may be 1 mm 2 When the area is greater than the upper limit, the spacer 300 may be structurally unstable.

[0052] Reference Figure 5 In an example, a ratio of a value obtained by multiplying the smaller width W2 of the opening 312 by the height H2 to a value obtained by multiplying the overall width W1 of the spacer 300 by the overall height H1 may be in a range of 0.1 to 0.8.

[0053] In the example shown, the opening 312 may have a trapezoidal shape, but this is merely an example. In other examples, the opening 312 may have various shapes. For example, the opening 312 may have a circular shape or a polygonal shape.

[0054] In the example shown, the openings 312 may be symmetrically disposed on the first sidewall 321 and the second sidewall 322 opposite to each other, but this is merely an example. In other examples, the openings 312 disposed on the first sidewall 321 and the second sidewall 322 opposite to each other may have different shapes.

[0055] In an example, an upper surface 330 and a lower surface 340 of the spacer 300 may at least partially contact the first lens L1 and the second lens L2, respectively. In an example, an upper surface 330 and a lower surface 340 of the spacer 300 may define an upper opening and a lower opening of the hole 311, respectively.

[0056] In an example, the spacer 300 may have a shape corresponding to a lens (e.g., the first lens L1 or the second lens L2) disposed on one side of the spacer 300. For example, the upper surface 330 and the lower surface 340 of the spacer 300 may have a shape of a circle (or ring) extending along the edge of the lens in contact with the upper surface 330 and the lower surface 340. When the lens disposed on one side of the spacer 300 includes a D-shaped cut portion, the spacer 300 may also have a shape corresponding to the D-shaped cut portion of the lens.

[0057] In an example, the upper surface 330 and / or the lower surface 340 of the spacer 300 may have a closed curved shape. In an example, an opening surrounded by the upper surface 330 and / or the lower surface 340 may be distinguished from the opening 312 .

[0058] Reference Figure 3 , the upper surface 330 of the spacer 300 may include a first straight portion 331 and a second straight portion 332 and a first curved portion 333 and a second curved portion 334. The first straight portion 331 and the second straight portion 332 may be opposite to each other with the optical axis O interposed therebetween. The first curved portion 333 and the second curved portion 334 may be opposite to each other with the optical axis O interposed therebetween. Both ends of the first straight portion 331 may be connected to the first curved portion 333 and the second curved portion 334, respectively. Both ends of the second straight portion 332 may be connected to the first curved portion 333 and the second curved portion 334, respectively.

[0059] Reference Figure 3 , the lower surface 340 of the spacer 300 may include a third straight portion 341 and a fourth straight portion 342 and a third curved portion 343 and a fourth curved portion 344. The third straight portion 341 and the fourth straight portion 342 may be opposite to each other with the optical axis O interposed therebetween. The third curved portion 343 and the fourth curved portion 344 may be opposite to each other with the optical axis O interposed therebetween. Both ends of the third straight portion 341 may be connected to the third curved portion 343 and the fourth curved portion 344, respectively. Both ends of the fourth straight portion 342 may be connected to the third curved portion 343 and the fourth curved portion 344, respectively.

[0060] In another example, a portion of the third straight portion 341 and the fourth straight portion 342 of the spacer 300 may be omitted. In this case, the opening 312 may be opened in the positive Y direction.

[0061] In an example, the straight portion and the curved portion may be alternately connected to form a closed curve. The first straight portion 331, the second straight portion 332, the first curved portion 333, and the second curved portion 334 constituting the upper surface 330 may define a single closed curve. The third straight portion 341, the fourth straight portion 342, the third curved portion 343, and the fourth curved portion 344 constituting the lower surface 340 may define a single closed curve.

[0062] Back to Figure 2 In an example, the lens module 1000 may have a step portion S in the direction of the optical axis O. In an example, the lens barrel 100 may have different thicknesses based on the step portion S. For example, based on the step portion S, one side of the lens barrel 100 may have a first thickness d1 in the Z-axis direction, and the other side of the lens barrel 100 may have a second thickness d2 in the Z-axis direction.

[0063] In an example, the spacer 300 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the step portion S. For example, the position of the step portion S in the direction of the optical axis O may exist between the upper surface 330 and the lower surface 340 of the spacer 300 .

[0064] In an example, the spacer 300 may have a shape corresponding to the step portion S of the lens barrel 100. In an example, the opening 312 of the spacer 300 may be provided in a portion corresponding to the step portion S. In an example, when the lens barrel 100 has a thickness varying in a first direction based on the step portion S, the opening 312 may open in the first direction. Figure 2 , the thickness of the lens barrel 100 in the Z-axis direction may vary based on the step portion S, and the opening 312 of the spacer 300 is open in the Z-axis direction.

[0065] Since the spacer 300 includes the opening 312, the lens barrel 100 may have a step portion S in a portion corresponding to the spacer 300. Since the lens barrel 100 has the step portion S, the thickness of the camera module 2000 may be reduced.

[0066] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a camera module 2000 according to an example.

[0067] Reference Figure 6 In an example, the camera module 2000 may include a lens module 2200 (eg, Figures 1 to 5 The camera module 2000 includes a lens module 1000 and an image sensor 2300, which collects light passing through the lens module 2200. In an example, the camera module 2000 may further include a reflective member 2100. The reflective member 2100 may convert light incident in one direction toward the lens module 2200. The total track length (TTL) may be increased to improve high zoom magnification. As the length between the frontmost lens on the object side and the image sensor 2300 increases, the thickness of the camera module 2000 increases. In a mobile device such as a smart phone that should have a smaller thickness, a camera module 2000 having a larger thickness may damage the appearance of the mobile device.

[0068] In an example, the reflective member 2100 may convert light L incident in the Z-axis direction toward the lens module 2200. The light reflected from the reflective member 2100 may have a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the optical axis of the lens module 2200.

[0069] In an example, since the reflective member 2100 converts light once, it may be advantageous to reduce the thickness of the camera module while providing a high zoom magnification. For example, when light incident on the rear surface of the mobile device is converted by about 90 degrees by the reflective member 2100, the mobile device can be kept with a small thickness.

[0070] In an example, the thickness of the lens module 2200 in the Z-axis direction may be smaller on the image side than on the object side. The lens module 2200 may have different thicknesses based on the step portion S, and Figures 1 to 5 The spacer 300 described in the above may be provided in a portion corresponding to the step portion S.

[0071] In an example, when light incident on the reflective member 2100 is guided in a first direction (e.g., a direction parallel to the Z axis), the thickness of the lens barrel 100 in the first direction may vary based on the step portion S. In addition, the opening 312 of the spacer 300 may open in a direction parallel to or substantially parallel to the first direction.

[0072] As described above, a lens module or a camera module employing the spacer according to various examples may have a small size.

[0073] Although specific examples have been shown and described above, it will be apparent after gaining an understanding of the present disclosure that various changes in form and detail may be made to these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples described in this application should be understood only in a descriptive sense, and not for limiting purposes. The description of the features or aspects in each example should be understood to be applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. If the described techniques are performed in a different order, and / or if the components in the described systems, architectures, devices, or circuits are combined in different ways and / or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents, appropriate results can still be achieved. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited by specific embodiments, but by the claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents should be understood to be included in the present disclosure.

Claims

1. Lens module, including: A lens barrel including a first lens and a second lens arranged along an optical axis; as well as a spacer disposed between the first lens and the second lens along the optical axis and defining a hole corresponding to the optical axis and an opening opened in a direction intersecting the optical axis, wherein the aperture is configured to reduce interference between the light and the spacer when the light travels from the first lens to the second lens, Wherein, when viewed in a direction intersecting the optical axis, the opening is surrounded by a closed curve.

2. The lens module according to claim 1, wherein: The opening opens in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

3. The lens module according to claim 1, wherein: The spacer includes a sidewall defining the aperture, and the opening is disposed in the sidewall.

4. The lens module according to claim 3, wherein: The area of ​​the opening is in the range of 10% to 80% of the area of ​​the side wall.

5. The lens module according to claim 3, wherein: The side wall includes a first side wall and a second side wall opposite to the first side wall, and The opening is provided in a portion of the first side wall and a portion of the second side wall.

6. The lens module according to claim 1, wherein: The spacer includes an upper surface in contact with the first lens, and the upper surface has a closed curve extending along an edge of the first lens.

7. The lens module according to claim 1, wherein: The spacer includes a lower surface in contact with the second lens, and the lower surface has a closed curve extending along an edge of the second lens.

8. The lens module according to claim 1, wherein: A surface of the spacer facing the first lens includes a pair of straight portions facing each other and a pair of curved portions facing each other, and the straight portions and the curved portions are alternately connected to each other.

9. The lens module according to claim 1, wherein: A surface of the spacer facing the second lens includes a pair of straight portions facing each other and a pair of curved portions facing each other, and the straight portions and the curved portions are alternately connected to each other.

10. The lens module according to claim 1, wherein: The lens barrel includes a step portion between the first lens and the second lens, and The opening is provided in a portion of the spacer corresponding to the step portion.

11. The lens module according to claim 10, wherein: The thickness of the lens barrel in a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis varies based on the step portion, and The opening is open in the first direction.

12. Camera module, including: Lens barrel; A first lens and a second lens arranged in the lens barrel along an optical axis; and a spacer disposed between the first lens and the second lens in the lens barrel and defining a hole corresponding to the optical axis; wherein the aperture is configured to reduce interference between the light and the spacer when the light travels from the first lens to the second lens, wherein a portion of the lens barrel is exposed to the inner space of the spacer through an opening provided in the spacer, and Wherein, when viewed in a direction intersecting the optical axis, the opening is surrounded by a closed curve.

13. The camera module according to claim 12, wherein: The spacer includes a side wall extending in a direction parallel to the optical axis, and the opening is provided in the side wall.

14. The camera module according to claim 12, wherein: The lens barrel includes a step portion between the first lens and the second lens, and The opening is provided in a portion of the spacer corresponding to the step portion.

15. The camera module according to claim 14, wherein: The thickness of the lens barrel in a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis varies based on the step portion, and The opening is open in the first direction.

16. The camera module according to claim 15, further comprising: The reflecting member is configured to reflect light incident in the first direction in a direction of the optical axis.

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