Camera module

Abstract

A camera module includes a housing having an internal space, a fixed lens module disposed in the internal space and including one or more lenses disposed in an optical axis direction, and at least three ball members disposed between the fixed lens module and the housing, wherein the fixed lens module is supported by the at least three ball members and fixed to the housing.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0050936, filed on April 30, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and No. 10-2019-0092229, filed on July 30, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to a camera module. Background Art

[0004] In addition to smartphones, camera modules have also been commonly installed in portable electronic devices such as tablet personal computers (PCs) and laptops, and an auto focus (AF) function, an optical image stabilization (OIS) function, and a zoom function have been added to camera modules for portable electronic devices.

[0005] However, in order to implement such functions, the structure of the camera module has become complicated and the size of the camera module has increased, resulting in an increase in the size of a portable electronic device in which the camera module is mounted.

[0006] Furthermore, when directly moving the lens or image sensor used for optical image stabilization, the weight of both the lens or image sensor itself and the weight of other components to which it is attached must be considered. This increases the driving force and, consequently, the power consumption.

[0007] In addition, in order to realize the AF function and the zoom function, it is necessary to provide a certain amount of space in the optical axis direction so that the lens can move in the optical axis direction. However, since the camera module is thin, it may be difficult to realize such a configuration. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This Summary is provided to briefly introduce a selection of inventive concepts that will be further described in the Detailed Description below. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0009] In a general aspect, a camera module includes: a housing; a plurality of movable lens modules disposed in an internal space of the housing and configured to be movable in an optical axis direction, each of the plurality of movable lens modules including at least one lens; and a stopper configured to prevent contact between at least two of the plurality of movable lens modules, wherein the stopper includes: a frame mounted on the housing; an extension portion extending from the frame into the internal space of the housing to face a side of one of the plurality of movable lens modules in the optical axis direction; and a buffer member disposed on the extension portion to face a side of the one movable lens module in the optical axis direction.

[0010] One of the multiple movable lens modules may be a first movable lens module, another movable lens module among the multiple movable lens modules may be a second movable lens module arranged adjacent to the first movable lens module in the optical axis direction, the second movable lens module may include a space portion formed by removing a portion of the second movable lens module facing the first movable lens module in the optical axis direction, and an extension portion and a buffer member that may extend into the space portion of the second movable lens module to face one side of the first movable lens module in the optical axis direction.

[0011] The stopper may also include: a first stopper configured to limit the movement of the first movable lens module in the direction of the optical axis; and a second stopper configured to limit the movement of the second movable lens module in the direction of the optical axis, wherein the frame, the extension part and the buffer member may be the first frame, the first extension part and the first buffer member respectively, and the first stopper may include the first frame, the first extension part and the first buffer member.

[0012] The second stopper may include: a second frame mounted on the housing; a second extending portion extending from the second frame into the internal space of the housing to face one side of the second movable lens module in the optical axis direction; and a second buffer member provided on the second extending portion to face one side of the second movable lens module in the optical axis direction, and the first frame of the first stopper and the second frame of the second stopper may be integrally connected to each other.

[0013] The first stopper may also be configured to limit movement of the first movable lens module in one direction along the optical axis, and the second stopper may also be configured to limit movement of the second movable lens module in another direction opposite to the one direction along the optical axis.

[0014] The case may include an insertion groove formed in an upper surface of a side wall of the case, and the first frame may be inserted into the insertion groove.

[0015] The case may include an insertion groove formed in an inner surface of a side wall of the case, and the extension portion may be inserted into the insertion groove.

[0016] The stopper may further include a sidewall mounting portion extending from the frame along an outer surface of the sidewall of the housing.

[0017] The case may include an insertion groove formed in an outer surface of the side wall of the case, and the side wall mounting portion may be inserted into the insertion groove.

[0018] The camera module may further include a fixed lens module disposed at a fixed position in the inner space of the housing, the fixed lens module including at least one lens.

[0019] The camera module may further include three ball bearings disposed between the bottom surface of the housing and the lower surface of the fixed lens module.

[0020] The fixed lens module may be attached to the housing by an adhesive.

[0021] The lower surface of the fixed lens module or the bottom surface of the housing may include three guide grooves, the three ball bearings are partially inserted into the three guide grooves respectively, and the position of the fixed lens module in the optical axis direction, the position of the fixed lens module in a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and the position of the fixed lens module in a second direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction and the first direction can be determined by the three guide grooves.

[0022] The three guide grooves may include: a first guide groove having a shape of a triangular pyramid with its corners truncated, or a shape of a triangular pyramid with its corners truncated and its top end truncated to form a flat bottom surface; a second guide groove extending in the optical axis direction and having a V shape, or a V shape with its top end truncated to form a flat bottom surface; and a third guide groove extending in the optical axis direction and having vertical sides and a flat bottom surface.

[0023] The first guide groove may contact a first ball bearing among the three ball bearings at three points, the second guide groove may contact a second ball bearing among the three ball bearings at two points, and the third guide groove may contact a third ball bearing among the three ball bearings at one point.

[0024] The three guide grooves may include: a first guide groove, extending in the optical axis direction and having a V shape, or a V shape whose top end is cut off to form a flat bottom surface, the first guide groove also having a side wall extending in the first direction, the side wall having a protrusion extending in the second direction; a second guide groove, extending in the optical axis direction and having a V shape, or a V shape whose top end is cut off to form a flat bottom surface; and a third guide groove, extending in the optical axis direction and having vertical side portions and a flat bottom surface.

[0025] The first guide groove may contact a first ball bearing among the three ball bearings at four points, the second guide groove may contact a second ball bearing among the three ball bearings at two points, and the third guide groove may contact a third ball bearing among the three ball bearings at one point.

[0026] In another general aspect, a camera module includes: a housing; a fixed lens module disposed at a fixed position in an internal space of the housing; and three ball bearings disposed between a lower surface of the fixed lens module and a bottom surface of the housing, wherein the lower surface of the fixed lens module or the bottom surface of the housing includes three guide grooves, the three ball bearings are partially inserted into the three guide grooves, respectively, and the position of the fixed lens module in the optical axis direction, the position of the fixed lens module in a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and the position of the fixed lens module in a second direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction and the first direction are determined by the three guide grooves.

[0027] The camera module may further include: a plurality of movable lens modules disposed in the inner space of the housing and configured to be movable in the optical axis direction, each of the plurality of movable lens modules including at least one lens.

[0028] The multiple movable lens modules may include a first movable lens module and a second movable lens module, the housing may include a first guide groove and a second guide groove, both of which are formed in the bottom surface of the housing and extend in the optical axis direction, and the camera module may also include: three first ball supports, which support the lower surface of the first movable lens module and include a first ball support arranged in the first guide groove and two first ball supports arranged in the second guide groove; and three second ball supports, which support the lower surface of the second movable lens module and include two second ball supports arranged in the first guide groove and one second ball support arranged in the second guide groove.

[0029] The multiple movable lens modules may include a first movable lens module and a second movable lens module, the housing may include a first guide groove, a second guide groove, a third guide groove and a fourth guide groove, the first guide groove, the second guide groove, the third guide groove and the fourth guide groove are all formed in the bottom surface of the housing, extend in the optical axis direction and are arranged sequentially in the first direction, and the camera module may also include: three first ball supports, supporting the lower surface of the first movable lens module and including a first ball support arranged in the second guide groove and two first ball supports arranged in the fourth guide groove; and three second ball supports, supporting the lower surface of the second movable lens module and including two second ball supports arranged in the first guide groove and one second ball support arranged in the third guide groove.

[0030] In another general aspect, a camera module includes: a housing; a first movable lens module disposed in an internal space of the housing and configured to be movable in an optical axis direction, the first movable lens module including at least one lens; a second movable lens module disposed in the internal space of the housing adjacent to the first movable lens module in the optical axis direction and configured to be movable in the optical axis direction, the second movable lens module including at least one lens; and a stopper mounted on an upper surface of the housing and extending into the internal space of the housing to prevent the first movable lens module and the second movable lens module from contacting each other when the first movable lens module and the second movable lens module move in the optical axis direction.

[0031] The stopper may include: a frame mounted on the upper surface of the housing; a first extension portion extending from the frame into the internal space of the housing to face the surface of the first movable lens module; a first buffer member provided on the first extension portion to face the surface of the first movable lens module and contact the surface of the first movable lens module when the first movable lens module moves in one direction in the optical axis direction; a second extension portion extending from the frame into the internal space of the housing to face the surface of the second movable lens module; and a second buffer member provided on the second extension portion to face the surface of the second movable lens module and contact the surface of the second movable lens module when the second movable lens module moves in another direction opposite to the one direction in the optical axis direction.

[0032] The stopper may include: a first frame mounted on the upper surface of the housing; a first extension portion extending from the first frame into the internal space of the housing to face the surface of the first movable lens module; a first buffer member provided on the first extension portion to face the surface of the first movable lens module and contact the surface of the first movable lens module when the first movable lens module moves in one direction in the optical axis direction; a second frame mounted on the upper surface of the housing; a second extension portion extending from the second frame into the internal space of the housing to face the surface of the second movable lens module; and a second buffer member provided on the second extension portion to face the surface of the second movable lens module and contact the surface of the second movable lens module when the second movable lens module moves in another direction opposite to the one direction in the optical axis direction.

[0033] The camera module may further include: a fixed lens module, which is arranged at a fixed position in the internal space of the housing adjacent to the second movable lens module in the optical axis direction, so that the second movable lens module is arranged between the first movable lens module and the fixed lens module, the fixed lens module including at least one lens, wherein the lower surface of the fixed lens module may include three grooves, and the bottom surface of the housing may include three grooves opposite to the three grooves in the lower surface of the fixed lens module. The camera module may further include three ball bearings, which are partially inserted into the three grooves in the lower surface of the fixed lens module and the three grooves in the bottom surface of the housing to support the fixed lens module in the housing, the groove into which the first of the three ball bearings is partially inserted may have a shape configured to constrain the fixed lens module in the optical axis direction, a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and a second direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction and the first direction, the groove into which the second of the three ball bearings is partially inserted may have a shape configured to constrain the fixed lens module in the first and second directions, and the groove into which the third of the three ball bearings is partially inserted may have a shape configured to constrain the fixed lens module in the second direction.

[0034] In another general aspect, a camera module includes: a housing; and a fixed lens module disposed at a fixed position in an internal space of the housing, the fixed lens module including at least one lens, wherein a lower surface of the fixed lens module includes three grooves, and a bottom surface of the housing includes three grooves opposite to the three grooves in the lower surface of the fixed lens module, the camera module also includes three ball bearings, the three ball bearings being partially inserted into the three grooves in the lower surface of the fixed lens module and the three grooves in the bottom surface of the housing to support the fixed lens module in the housing, the groove into which a first of the three ball bearings is partially inserted having a shape configured to constrain the fixed lens module in an optical axis direction, a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and a second direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction and the first direction, the groove into which a second of the three ball bearings is partially inserted having a shape configured to constrain the fixed lens module in the first and second directions, and the groove into which a third of the three ball bearings is partially inserted having a shape configured to constrain the fixed lens module in the second direction.

[0035] The three grooves in the lower surface of the fixed lens module and the three grooves in the bottom surface of the housing may each include: a first guide groove having a shape of a triangular pyramid with its corners truncated, or a shape of a triangular pyramid with its corners truncated and its top end truncated to form a flat bottom surface; a second guide groove extending in the optical axis direction and having a V shape, or a V shape with its top end truncated to form a flat bottom surface; and a third guide groove extending in the optical axis direction and having vertical sides and a flat bottom surface.

[0036] The three grooves in the lower surface of the fixed lens module and the three grooves in the bottom surface of the housing may each include: a first guide groove extending in the optical axis direction and having a V shape, or a V shape whose top end is cut off to form a flat bottom surface, the first guide groove also having a side wall extending in the first direction, the side wall having a protrusion extending in the second direction; a second guide groove extending in the optical axis direction and having a V shape, or a V shape whose top end is cut off to form a flat bottom surface; and a third guide groove extending in the optical axis direction and having vertical side portions and a flat bottom surface.

[0037] The camera module may also include: a first movable lens module, which is arranged in the internal space of the shell and configured to be movable in the optical axis direction, the first movable lens module including at least one lens; a second movable lens module, which is arranged in the internal space of the shell between the first movable lens module and the fixed lens module in the optical axis direction and configured to be movable in the optical axis direction, the second movable lens module including at least one lens; and a stopper, which is mounted on the upper surface of the shell and extends into the internal space of the shell to prevent the first movable lens module and the second movable lens module from contacting each other when the first movable lens module and the second movable lens module move in the optical axis direction.

[0038] Other features and aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of a portable electronic device.

[0040] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an example of a camera module.

[0041] Figure 3A and Figure 3B It is along Figure 2 Cross-sectional views of an example of a camera module taken along line IIIA-IIIA' and line IIIB-IIIB'.

[0042] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of an example of a camera module.

[0043] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an example of a housing of a camera module.

[0044] Figure 6A is a perspective view of an example of a reflective module and a lens module coupled to a housing of a camera module.

[0045] Figure 6B is a perspective view of another example of a reflective module and a lens module coupled to a housing of a camera module.

[0046] Figure 7 is a perspective view of an example of a board coupled to a housing of a camera module, the board having a drive coil and a sensor mounted thereon.

[0047] Figure 8A is an exploded perspective view of an example of a rotating plate and a rotating bracket of a camera module.

[0048] Figure 8B FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of another example of a rotating plate and a rotating bracket of a camera module.

[0049] Figure 9A is an exploded perspective view of an example of a housing, a rotating plate, and a rotating bracket of a camera module.

[0050] Figure 9B is an exploded perspective view of another example of a housing, a rotating plate, and a rotating bracket of a camera module.

[0051] Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of an example of a housing, a reflection module, and three lens barrels of a camera module.

[0052] Figure 11A is a perspective view of an example of a buffer of a rotating bracket of a camera module and a stopper of a zoom lens.

[0053] Figure 11B is a perspective view of another example of a stopper of a zoom lens of a camera module.

[0054] Figure 12A yes Figure 11A Exploded perspective view of the camera module's rotating bracket's buffer and zoom lens's stopper.

[0055] Figure 12B yes Figure 11B An exploded perspective view of the stopper of the zoom lens of the camera module.

[0056] Figure 13A is a perspective view of another example of a housing of a camera module including separate guide grooves for first and second lens barrels of a zoom lens of the camera module.

[0057] Figure 13B Is installed in Figure 13A A bottom plan view of the first lens barrel and the second lens barrel of the zoom lens in separate guide grooves of the camera module housing.

[0058] Figure 14 It is along Figure 2 2 is a cross-sectional view of another example of a camera module taken along line XIV-XIV′ in FIG. 4 , in which the third lens barrel of the zoom lens is fixed at a predetermined position.

[0059] Figure 15 and Figure 16 is an exploded perspective view of an example of a housing of a camera module and a third lens barrel of a zoom lens, wherein the third lens barrel is accurately fixed at a predetermined position.

[0060] Figure 17 is a view showing an example of a positional relationship between a magnet provided on a first lens barrel or a second lens barrel of a zoom lens of a camera module and four hall sensors of a position sensor opposing the magnet.

[0061] Figure 18 It is aimed at Figure 17 Graph showing an example of the output signals of the four Hall sensors relative to the position of the magnet in the optical axis direction, shown in FIG.

[0062] Figure 19 is a view showing another example of a positional relationship between a magnet provided on a first lens barrel or a second lens barrel of a zoom lens of a camera module and four hall sensors of a position sensor opposing the magnet.

[0063] Figure 20 It is aimed at Figure 19 Graph showing an example of the output signals of the four Hall sensors relative to the position of the magnet in the optical axis direction, shown in FIG.

[0064] Figure 21 is a perspective view of an example of a main board on which coils and components are mounted.

[0065] Figure 22 is a perspective view of another example of a portable electronic device.

[0066] 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

[0067] 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, after understanding the disclosure of this application, various changes, modifications and equivalences of the methods, devices and / or systems described in this application will be apparent. 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 make obvious changes after understanding the disclosure of this application. In addition, for greater clarity and brevity, the description of features well known in the art may be omitted.

[0068] The features described in this application can be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the examples described in this application. Rather, 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, which will become apparent after understanding the disclosure of this application.

[0069] Throughout the specification, when an element such as a layer, a region, or a 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 one or more other elements may be present 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, no other elements may be present between the element and the other element.

[0070] 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.

[0071] Although terms such as "first," "second," and "third" may be used in this application to describe various members, components, regions, layers, or portions, these members, components, regions, layers, or portions are not limited by these terms. Rather, these terms are used only to distinguish one member, component, region, layer, or portion from another member, component, region, layer, or portion. Thus, without departing from the teachings of the examples described in this application, the first member, first component, first region, first layer, or first portion mentioned in these examples may also be referred to as the second member, second component, second region, second layer, or second portion.

[0072] Spatially relative terms such as "above," "upper," "below," and "lower" 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 cover different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the drawings is turned over, an element described as being "above" or "above" relative to another element will be "below" or "lower" relative to the other element. Thus, depending on the spatial orientation of the device, the term "above" covers both the 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.

[0073] The terms used in this application are only used to describe various examples and are not intended 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 "comprise", "include" 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.

[0074] The features of the examples described in this application can be combined in various ways that will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of this application. In addition, although the examples described in this application have multiple configurations, other configurations that will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of this application are also feasible.

[0075] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of a portable electronic device.

[0076] refer to Figure 1 , the portable electronic device 1 may be a portable electronic device 1 in which the camera module 1000 is installed, such as a mobile communication terminal, a smart phone, or a tablet personal computer (PC).

[0077] The portable electronic device 1 may be provided with a camera module 1000 to capture an image of a subject.

[0078] In this example, the camera module 1000 may include multiple lenses, and the optical axis (Z axis) of the lens may be oriented in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the portable electronic device 1 (Y axis direction, or the direction from the front surface of the portable electronic device 1 to its rear surface, or the direction from the rear surface of the portable electronic device 1 to its front surface).

[0079] In this example, the optical axes (Z-axis) of the plurality of lenses provided in the camera module 1000 may be oriented in the width direction (Z-axis direction) or the length direction (X-axis direction) of the portable electronic device 1 .

[0080] Therefore, even when the camera module 1000 has an AF function, a zoom function, and an OIS function, the thickness of the portable electronic device 1 may not increase. Therefore, the portable electronic device 1 can be made thinner.

[0081] The camera module 1000 may have an AF function, a zoom function, and an OIS function.

[0082] The camera module 1000 having the AF function, the zoom function, and the OIS function requires various components compared to a conventional camera module, resulting in an increase in the size of the camera module 1000 .

[0083] The increased size of the camera module 1000 may make it difficult to miniaturize the portable electronic device 1 in which the camera module 1000 is mounted.

[0084] For example, the number of stacked lenses in a camera module can be increased to achieve a zoom function. When multiple lenses are stacked in the thickness direction of the portable electronic device 1, the thickness of the portable electronic device 1 may increase according to the number of stacked lenses. Therefore, without increasing the thickness of the portable electronic device 1, it may not be possible to provide a sufficient number of stacked lenses, thereby degrading the zoom function.

[0085] Furthermore, to implement the AF, zoom, and OIS functions, an actuator moves the multiple lens groups in the optical axis direction or a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. If the optical axis (Z-axis) of the lens groups is oriented in the thickness direction of the portable electronic device 1, the actuator for moving the lens groups should also be installed in the thickness direction. Consequently, the thickness of the portable electronic device 1 may increase.

[0086] If the optical axes (Z axes) of the multiple lenses are oriented perpendicular to the thickness direction of the portable electronic device 1, the portable electronic device 1 can be made thinner even when the camera module 1000 having AF function, zoom function and OIS function is installed in the portable electronic device 1.

[0087] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an example of a camera module, Figure 3A and Figure 3B It is along Figure 2 Cross-sectional views of an example of a camera module taken along line IIIA-IIIA' and line IIIB-IIIB', and Figure 4 An exploded perspective view of an example of a camera module

[0088] refer to Figures 2 to 4 , the camera module 1000 may include a reflection module 1100 , a lens module 1200 , and an image sensor module 1300 provided in a housing 1010 .

[0089] The reflective module 1100 may be configured to change the propagation direction of light. For example, the propagation direction of light incident through the opening portion 1031 of the cover 1030 covering the upper portion of the camera module 1000 may be changed by the reflective module 1100 to a direction toward the lens module 1200. To this end, the reflective module 1100 may include a reflective member 1110 configured to reflect light.

[0090] For example, the path of light incident in the thickness direction (Y-axis direction) of the camera module 1000 may be changed by the reflective module 1100 so that the propagation direction of the incident light may be approximately the same as the optical axis direction (Z-axis).

[0091] The lens module 1200 may include a plurality of lenses, through which the light having a propagation direction changed by the reflection module 1100 passes. The lens module 1200 may include at least three lens barrels 1210, 1220, and 1230. In this application, the three lens barrels 1210, 1220, and 1230 are sometimes referred to as the first lens barrel 1210, the second lens barrel 1220, and the third lens barrel 1230. According to the movement of the at least three lens barrels 1210, 1220, and 1230 in the optical axis (Z-axis) direction, the AF function and the zoom function can be realized. In addition, in this example, any one of the at least three lens barrels 1210, 1220, and 1230 (for example, lens barrel 1230) can be fixed so that it cannot move in the optical axis direction. The AF function and the zoom function can be realized by the fixed lens barrel 1230 and the remaining two lens barrels 1210 and 1220.

[0092] Image sensor module 1300 may include an image sensor 1310 for converting light that has passed through a plurality of lenses into an electrical signal and a printed circuit board 1320. Image sensor 1310 may be mounted on printed circuit board 1320. Furthermore, image sensor module 1300 may include an optical filter 1340 for filtering light that has passed through lens module 1200. Optical filter 1340 may be an infrared cutoff filter.

[0093] In the internal space of the housing 1010 , the reflection module 1100 may be disposed in front of the lens module 1200 , and the image sensor module 1300 may be disposed behind the lens module 1200 .

[0094] refer to Figures 2 to 21 , the camera module 1000 may include a reflection module 1100 , a lens module 1200 , and an image sensor module 1300 , and the reflection module 1100 , the lens module 1200 , and the image sensor module 1300 may be disposed in a housing 1010 .

[0095] The reflection module 1100, the lens module 1200, and the image sensor module 1300 may be sequentially arranged from the front end of the housing 1010 toward the rear end of the housing 1010. The housing 1010 may have a sufficiently large internal space so that the reflection module 1100, the lens module 1200, and the image sensor module 1300 may all be arranged in the internal space of the housing 1010. The printed circuit board 1320 included in the image sensor module 1300 may be attached to the outside of the housing 1010.

[0096] For example, as shown in the accompanying drawings, the housing 1010 may be a single housing, so that the reflection module 1100 and the lens module 1200 may be disposed in an internal space of the housing 1010. However, the configuration of the housing 1010 is not limited thereto. For example, separate housings in which the reflection module 1100 and the lens module 1200 are respectively disposed may be connected to each other.

[0097] The housing 1010 may be covered by the cover 1030 so that the inner space of the housing 1010 is not exposed.

[0098] The cover 1030 may include an opening portion 1031 so that light is incident through the opening portion 1031, and a propagation direction of the light incident through the opening portion 1031 may be changed by the reflection module 1100 so that the light is incident on the lens module 1200. The cover 1030 may be a single cover covering the entire housing 1010, or may be divided into separate covers that respectively cover the reflection module 1100 and the lens module 1200.

[0099] The reflection module 1100 may include a reflection member 1110 that reflects light. In addition, light incident on the lens module 1200 may pass through a plurality of lens groups (at least three lens barrels 1210, 1220, and 1230) and then may be converted into an electrical signal by the image sensor 1310 and stored in a memory (not shown).

[0100] The housing 1010 may include a reflection module 1100 and a lens module 1200 disposed in the interior space of the housing 1010. The reflection module 1100 may be disposed at the front end of the interior space of the housing 1010, and the lens module 1200 may be disposed at the rear end of the interior space of the housing 1010. In addition, the spaces of the lens barrels 1210, 1220, and 1230 in which the lens modules 1200 may be disposed may be separated from each other by protruding walls 1009. The protruding walls 1009 may protrude from both side walls of the housing 1010 into the interior space of the housing 1010.

[0101] The reflection module 1100 disposed at the front end of the interior space of the housing 1010 may include a rotating bracket 1120, which is tightly attached to and supported on the inner surface of the front wall of the housing 1010 by the attraction between a pull yoke 1153 disposed on the inner surface of the front wall of the housing 1010 and a pull magnet 1151 disposed on the rotating bracket 1120. Alternatively, although not shown in the drawings, the pull magnet may be disposed on the inner surface of the front wall of the housing 1010, and the pull yoke may be disposed on the rotating bracket 1120. Hereinafter, the structure shown in the drawings will be described for ease of explanation.

[0102] The first ball bearing 1131 , the rotating plate 1130 , and the second ball bearing 1133 may be disposed between the inner surface of the front wall of the housing 1010 and the rotating bracket 1120 .

[0103] As will be described in detail below, the first ball bearing 1131 and the second ball bearing 1133 may be partially inserted into the guide grooves 1021, 1132, 1121, and 1134. A small space may be required between the rotating bracket 1120 and the third lens barrel 1230 so that the rotating bracket 1120 and the rotating plate 1130 can be disposed in the interior space of the housing 1010. When the rotating bracket 1120 is mounted on the housing 1010, the rotating bracket 1120 may be tightly adhered to the inner surface of the front wall of the housing 1010 by the attraction between the pull yoke 1153 and the pull magnet 1151, thereby maintaining a small space between the rotating bracket 1120 and the third lens barrel 1230.

[0104] In this example, the buffer 1050 may be installed on the upper portion of the housing 1010 to support the rotating bracket 1120. Alternatively, without the buffer 1050, the attractive force between the pulling magnet 1151 and the pulling yoke 1153 may support the rotating bracket 1120.

[0105] The buffer 1050 may include a frame 1051 mounted on the upper surfaces of the side walls and the upper surface of the front wall of the housing 1010; a locking portion 1055 extending downwardly from the front end of the frame 1051 perpendicularly to the optical axis; an extension portion 1052 extending downwardly from the rear end of the frame 1051 perpendicularly to the optical axis; and a buffer member 1053 disposed on the extension portion 1052 and protruding toward and away from the rotating bracket 1120 in the optical axis direction. The buffer member 1053 may be inserted into a through hole formed in the extension portion 1052. The buffer member 1053 may be made of any elastic material, such as polyurethane, silicone, epoxy, or a polymer material.

[0106] The locking portion 1055 may be clipped onto the front wall of the housing 1010 to lock the buffer 1050 to the housing 1010. The housing 1010 may be provided with an insertion groove 1019 into which the frame 1051, the extension portion 1052, and the locking portion 1055 are inserted. The insertion groove 1019 may include: a first insertion groove 1019a extending in the optical axis direction along the inner edge of the upper surface of the side wall of the housing 1010 and formed in the inner portion of the upper surface of the side wall of the housing 1010 and in the upper surface of the front wall of the housing 1010; a second insertion groove 1019b extending downwardly from the rear end of the first insertion groove 1019a perpendicularly to the optical axis direction and formed in the inner surface of the side wall of the housing 1010; and a third insertion groove 1019c extending downwardly from the front end of the first insertion groove 1019a perpendicularly to the optical axis direction and formed in the outer surface of the front wall of the housing 1010.

[0107] The frame 1051 can be inserted into the first insertion groove 1019a, the locking portion 1055 provided at one end of the frame 1051 can be inserted into the third insertion groove 1019c along the outside of the housing 1010, and the extension portion 1052 provided at the other end of the frame 1051 can be inserted into the second insertion groove 1019b, and the frame 1051 can be firmly fixed so that the frame 1051 cannot move in the optical axis direction. In addition, an adhesive can be applied between the frame 1051 and the housing 1010 to combine the frame 1051 and the housing 1010 with each other.

[0108] The buffer member 1053 may be inserted into a through hole formed in the extension portion 1052. Alternatively, the buffer member 1053 may be attached to both sides of the extension portion 1052 by an adhesive. The buffer member 1053 may protrude from both sides of the extension portion 1052 in the optical axis direction. The buffer member 1053 may serve as a buffer for absorbing the impact of the rotating bracket 1120 or a stopper for limiting the moving distance of the rotating bracket 1120, and the third lens barrel 1230 may be fixed ( Figure 6B In this case, the third lens barrel 1230 may serve to support one side of the buffer member 1053 in the optical axis direction.

[0109] When the reflection module 1100 is not driven, the buffer 1050 can serve as a bracket supporting the rotating bracket 1120, and when the reflection module 1100 is driven, the buffer 1050 can serve as a buffer or stopper to control the movement of the rotating bracket 1120. A space can be provided between the buffer 1050 and the rotating bracket 1120 to allow the rotating bracket 1120 to rotate smoothly. Optionally, even when the buffer 1050 is in contact with the rotating bracket 1120, the buffer member 1053 can be made of an elastic material to allow the rotating bracket 1120 to move smoothly while being supported by the buffer 1050.

[0110] The housing 1010 may include a first driving portion 1140 and a second driving portion 1240 configured to respectively drive the reflection module 1100 and the lens module 1200. The first driving portion 1140 may include a plurality of coils 1141b, 1143b, and 1145b for driving the reflection module 1100, and the second driving portion 1240 may include a plurality of coils 1241b, 1243b, and 1245b for driving the lens module 1200, wherein the lens module 1200 may include a first lens barrel 1210, a second lens barrel 1220, and a third lens barrel 1230.

[0111] In addition, since multiple coils 1141b, 1143b, 1145b, 1241b, 1243b and 1245b can be set in the shell 1010 in a state where they are mounted on the main board 1070, the shell 1010 may be provided with multiple through holes 1010a, 1010b, 1010c, 1010d, 1010e, 1010f and 1010g, so that the multiple coils 1141b, 1143b, 1145b, 1241b, 1243b and 1245b can be exposed to the internal space of the shell 1010.

[0112] As shown in the accompanying drawings, the main board 1070 on which the coils 1141b, 1143b, 1145b, 1241b, 1243b, and 1245b may be mounted can be provided as a single board. In this case, a single terminal portion can be provided, making it easy to connect the main board 1070 to an external power supply and an external signal line. However, the main board 1070 is not limited to this configuration and can also be provided as multiple boards by separating the board on which the coils 1141b, 1143b, and 1145b for driving the reflection module 1100 are mounted and the board on which the coils 1241b, 1243b, and 1245b for driving the lens module 1200 are mounted.

[0113] The reflective module 1100 can change the path of light incident through the opening portion 1031. When capturing a still image or a moving image, the still image may be blurred or the moving image may be jittery due to hand shaking or other movements of the user. In this case, the reflective module 1100 can stabilize the user's hand shaking or other movements by moving the rotating bracket 1120 on which the reflective member 1110 is mounted. For example, when shaking occurs when capturing a still image or a moving image due to hand shaking or other movements of the user, the rotating bracket 1120 can move relative to the shaking to compensate for the shaking.

[0114] Since the rotating bracket 1120 does not include a lens or a coil, the OIS function can be implemented by the movement of the rotating bracket 1120 having a relatively low weight, and thus power consumption for the OIS function can be significantly reduced.

[0115] For example, for OIS function implementation, the propagation direction of light can be changed by moving the rotating bracket 1120 on which the reflective member 1110 is provided without moving the lens barrel 1210, 1220 and 1230 of the multiple lenses including the lens module 1200 or the image sensor 1310, so that light on which OIS is performed can be incident to the lens module 1200.

[0116] The reflection module 1100 may include a rotating bracket 1120 supported by the housing 1010 via a rotating plate 1130 , a reflecting member 1110 mounted on the rotating bracket 1120 , and a first driving portion 1140 for moving the rotating bracket 1120 .

[0117] The reflective member 1110 can change the propagation direction of light. For example, the reflective member 1110 can be a mirror or a prism that reflects light. For ease of explanation, the reflective member 1110 has been shown as a prism in the drawings.

[0118] The reflective member 1110 may be fixed to the rotating bracket 1120. The rotating bracket 1120 has a mounting surface 1122 on which the reflective member 1110 is mounted.

[0119] The mounting surface 1122 of the rotating bracket 1120 may be an inclined surface so that the path of light is changed by the reflective member 1110 mounted on the mounting surface 1122. The mounting surface 1122 may be a surface inclined by 30° to 60° relative to the optical axis (Z axis) of the plurality of lenses. The inclined surface of the rotating bracket 1120 may be directed toward the opening portion 1031 of the cover 1030, on which the light is incident.

[0120] The rotating bracket 1120 on which the reflective member 1110 is mounted may be installed to be movable within the interior space of the housing 1010. For example, the rotating bracket 1120 may be installed in the housing 1010 to be rotatable about a first axis (X axis) and a second axis (Y axis). The first axis (X axis) and the second axis (Y axis) may be axes perpendicular to the optical axis (Z axis) and may be perpendicular to each other.

[0121] The rotating bracket 1120 can be supported in the housing 1010 by a first ball bearing 1131 aligned along a first axis (X-axis) and a second ball bearing 1133 aligned along a second axis (Y-axis), allowing the rotating bracket 1120 to smoothly rotate about the first axis (X-axis) and the second axis (Y-axis). As shown in the figure, for example, two first ball bearings 1131 are aligned along the first axis (X-axis), and two second ball bearings 1133 are aligned along the second axis (Y-axis). As described below, the rotating bracket 1120 can be rotated about the first axis (X-axis) and the second axis (Y-axis) by the first driving portion 1140.

[0122] In addition, the first ball support 1131 and the second ball support 1133 can be respectively arranged on the front surface and the rear surface of the rotating plate 1130. Alternatively, the first ball support 1131 and the second ball support 1133 can be respectively arranged on the rear surface and the front surface of the rotating plate 1130. That is, the first ball support 1131 can be aligned along the second axis (Y axis), and the second ball support 1133 can be aligned along the first axis (X axis). However, for ease of explanation, the structure shown in the drawings will be described below. The rotating plate 1130 can be arranged between the rotating bracket 1120 and the inner surface of the front wall of the housing 1010.

[0123] The rotating bracket 1120 can be supported in the shell 1010 via a first ball support 1131 set between the shell 1010 and the rotating plate 1130 and a second ball support 1133 set between the rotating plate 1130 and the rotating bracket 1120 through the attraction between a pulling magnet 1151 or a pulling yoke set on the rotating bracket 1120 and a pulling yoke 1153 or a pulling magnet set on the shell 1010.

[0124] The guide grooves 1132 and 1134 may be provided on the front and rear surfaces of the rotating plate 1130 so that the first ball support 1131 and the second ball support 1133 can be inserted into the guide grooves 1132 and 1134. The guide grooves 1132 and 1134 may include a first guide groove 1132 into which the first ball support 1131 is partially inserted and a second guide groove 1134 into which the second ball support 1133 is partially inserted.

[0125] The housing 1010 may be provided with a third guide groove 1021 into which the first ball bearing 1131 is partially inserted, and the rotating bracket 1120 may be provided with a fourth guide groove 1121 into which the second ball bearing 1133 is partially inserted.

[0126] The first guide groove 1132, the second guide groove 1134, the third guide groove 1021 and the fourth guide groove 1121 described above may have a hemispherical or polygonal (polygonal or polyconical) groove shape so that the first ball support 1131 and the second ball support 1133 can be easily rotated.

[0127] The first ball support 1131 and the second ball support 1133 may function as supports while rolling or sliding in the first guide groove 1132 , the second guide groove 1134 , the third guide groove 1021 , and the fourth guide groove 1121 .

[0128] Alternatively, as Figure 8B and Figure 9B As shown in the figure, the first guide groove 1132 and the second guide groove 1134 can be omitted from the front surface and the rear surface of the rotating plate 1130, respectively, and the first ball support 1131a and the second ball support 1133a, each having a hemispherical shape, can be fixed to the front surface and the rear surface of the rotating plate 1130, respectively.

[0129] However, the first ball support 1131a and the second ball support 1133a are not limited to Figure 8B and Figure 9B , but may have a structure in which the first ball bearing 1131a and the second ball bearing 1133a may be fixed to at least one of the housing 1010, the rotating plate 1130, and the rotating bracket 1120. For example, the first ball bearing 1131a may be fixed to the housing 1010 or to the front surface of the rotating plate 1130, and the second ball bearing 1133a may be fixed to the rear surface of the rotating plate 1130 or to the rotating bracket 1120. In this case, the guide groove may be provided only on the member facing the member to which the first ball bearing 1131a or the second ball bearing 1133a is fixed, and the first ball bearing 1131a or the second ball bearing 1133a may function as a friction bearing by sliding instead of rotating.

[0130] Furthermore, the first ball bearing 1131a and the second ball bearing 1133a may be manufactured separately and then attached to any one of the housing 1010, the rotating plate 1130, and the rotating bracket 1120. Alternatively, the first ball bearing 1131a and the second ball bearing 1133a may be integrally provided with the housing 1010, the rotating plate 1130, or the rotating bracket 1120 when the housing 1010, the rotating plate 1130, or the rotating bracket 1120 is manufactured.

[0131] The first driving portion 1140 generates a driving force capable of rotating the rotating bracket 1120 around a first axis (X axis) and a second axis (Y axis).

[0132] As an example, the first driving part 1140 may include a plurality of magnets 1141 a , 1143 a , and 1145 a , and a plurality of coils 1141 b , 1143 b , and 1145 b arranged to face the plurality of magnets 1141 a , 1143 a , and 1145 a , respectively.

[0133] When power is applied to the multiple coils 1141b, 1143b and 1145b, the rotating bracket 1120 on which the magnets 1141a, 1143a and 1145a may be installed can rotate around the first axis (X axis) and the second axis (Y axis) through electromagnetic interaction between the multiple magnets 1141a, 1143a and 1145a and the multiple coils 1141b, 1143b and 1145b.

[0134] A plurality of magnets 1141a, 1143a, and 1145a may be installed on the rotating bracket 1120. As an example, the magnet 1141a may be installed on a lower surface of the rotating bracket 1120, and the magnets 1143a and 1145a may be installed on side surfaces of the rotating bracket 1120.

[0135] The plurality of coils 1141b, 1143b, and 1145b may be mounted on the housing 1010. As an example, the plurality of coils 1141b, 1143b, and 1145b may be mounted on the housing 1010 through the main board 1070. That is, the plurality of coils 1141b, 1143b, and 1145b may be mounted on the main board 1070, and the main board 1070 may be mounted on the housing 1010.

[0136] In the drawings, an example is shown in which the main board 1070 is a single board so that the coil for the reflection module 1100 and the coil for the lens module 1200 can both be mounted on the main board 1070. However, the main board 1070 may be provided as at least two separate boards, and the coil for the reflection module 1100 and the coil for the lens module 1200 may be mounted on the two separate boards, respectively.

[0137] When rotating the rotating support 1120 , a closed-loop control method may be used that involves sensing the position of the rotating support 1120 and providing feedback.

[0138] Therefore, position sensors 1141c and 1143c may be provided for closed-loop control. Position sensors 1141c and 1143c may be Hall sensors.

[0139] The position sensors 1141 c and 1143 c may be provided inside or outside the coils 1141 b and 1143 b , respectively, and may be mounted on the main board 1070 on which the coils 1141 b and 1143 b are mounted.

[0140] The main board 1070 may be provided with a gyro sensor (not shown) that senses jitters such as hand jitters or other movements of the user, and may be provided with a driver integrated circuit (IC) (not shown) that provides driving signals to the plurality of coils 1141b, 1143b, and 1145b.

[0141] When the rotating bracket 1120 rotates about the first axis (X axis), the rotating plate 1130 may rotate about the first ball bearing 1131 aligned along the first axis (X axis), which causes the rotating bracket 1120 to also rotate. In this case, the rotating bracket 1120 may not move relative to the rotating plate 1130.

[0142] In addition, when the rotating bracket 1120 rotates around the second axis (Y axis), the rotating bracket 1120 rotates around the second ball bearing 1133 aligned along the second axis (Y axis). In this case, the rotating plate 1130 may not rotate, and the rotating bracket 1120 may therefore rotate relative to the rotating plate 1130.

[0143] For example, when the rotating bracket 1120 rotates about the first axis (X axis), the first ball bearing 1131 can operate, and when the rotating bracket 1120 rotates about the second axis (Y axis), the second ball bearing 1133 can operate. This is because, as shown in the drawings, when the rotating bracket 1120 rotates about the first axis (X axis), the second ball bearing 1133 aligned along the second axis (Y axis) and inserted into the guide groove 1134 cannot move, and when the rotating bracket 1120 rotates about the second axis (Y axis), the first ball bearing 1131 aligned along the first axis (X axis) and inserted into the guide groove 1132 cannot move.

[0144] Light reflected by the reflection module 1100 is incident on the lens module 1200. Therefore, optical axes of the stacked lenses provided in the lens module 1200 may be aligned in a Z-axis direction, which is a direction in which reflected light is emitted from the reflection module 1100.

[0145] refer to Figure 6A , the two lens barrels 1210 and 1220 at the rear of the lens module 1200 may be responsible for the zoom function, and the lens barrel 1230 at the front of the lens module 1200 may be responsible for the AF function. In addition, the three lens barrels 1210, 1220, and 1230 may perform the zoom function and the AF function in various combinations.

[0146] Alternatively, for example, refer to Figure 6B, the rear two lens barrels 1210 and 1220 perform the zoom function and the AF function individually or jointly (for example, wherein the two lens barrels 1210 and 1220 are combined to perform the zoom function, and the rear lens barrel 1210 can also be responsible for the AF function), and the front lens barrel 1230 can remain fixed to the housing 1010. In addition, although not shown in the drawings, any one of the three lens barrels 1210, 1220 and 1230 can remain fixed to the housing 1010, while the remaining two lens barrels can be responsible for the zoom function and the AF function individually or jointly. In this case, the lens barrel fixed to the housing 1010 (for example, lens barrel 1230) does not need a ball bearing or other bearing member provided between the fixed lens barrel and the housing 1010.

[0147] In addition, the housing 1010 may be configured such that a space in which one front lens barrel 1230 and two rear lens barrels 1210 and 1220 are separated by the protruding wall 1009 is provided, but is not limited to this configuration. The three lens barrels 1210, 1220, and 1230 may be provided in the same space or in separate spaces.

[0148] The stacked lenses provided in the lens module 1200 may be respectively divided into at least three lens barrels 1210, 1220, and 1230. Even when the stacked lenses are separated and provided in the at least three lens barrels 1210, 1220, and 1230, the optical axes of the stacked lenses may be aligned in the Z-axis direction, which is a direction in which light can be emitted from the reflection module 1100.

[0149] The lens module 1200 may include a second driving part 1240 to implement an AF function and a zoom function.

[0150] The lens module 1200 may include at least three lens barrels arranged in the internal space of the housing 1010, namely, a first lens barrel 1210, a second lens barrel 1220 and a third lens barrel 1230, and may include a second driving part 1240 that enables the three lens barrels 1210, 1220 and 1230 to move relative to the housing 1010 in the optical axis (Z-axis) direction.

[0151] For the AF function and the zoom function, the first lens barrel 1210 , the second lens barrel 1220 , and the third lens barrel 1230 may be configured to move substantially in the optical axis (Z-axis) direction.

[0152] In this regard, the second driving portion 1240 generates a driving force to move the first lens barrel 1210, the second lens barrel 1220, and the third lens barrel 1230 in the optical axis (Z-axis) direction. For example, the second driving portion 1240 can realize an AF function and a zoom function by moving the first lens barrel 1210, the second lens barrel 1220, and the third lens barrel 1230 individually in the optical axis (Z-axis) direction.

[0153] The first lens barrel 1210, the second lens barrel 1220, and the third lens barrel 1230 may be configured to be supported on the bottom surface of the housing 1010. For example, the first lens barrel 1210, the second lens barrel 1220, and the third lens barrel 1230 may be each supported on the bottom surface of the housing 1010 by a ball bearing. Hereinafter, an example will be described in which the first lens barrel 1210, the second lens barrel 1220, and the third lens barrel 1230 may be each supported on the bottom surface of the housing 1010 by a ball bearing.

[0154] As an example, the second driving part 1240 may include a plurality of magnets 1241 a , 1243 a , and 1245 a and a plurality of coils 1241 b , 1243 b , and 1245 b disposed to face the magnets 1241 a , 1243 a , and 1245 a , respectively.

[0155] When power is applied to the coils 1241b, 1243b and 1245b, the first lens barrel 1210, the second lens barrel 1220 and the third lens barrel 1230, on which magnets 1241a, 1243a and 1245a may be mounted respectively, can move in the optical axis (Z-axis) direction through electromagnetic interaction between the magnets 1241a, 1243a and 1245a and the coils 1241b, 1243b and 1245b.

[0156] A plurality of magnets 1241a, 1243a, and 1245a may be mounted on the first lens barrel 1210, the second lens barrel 1220, and the third lens barrel 1230, respectively. As an example, the first magnet 1241a may be mounted on a side surface of the first lens barrel 1210, the second magnet 1243a may be mounted on a side surface of the second lens barrel 1220, and the third magnet 1245a may be mounted on a side surface of the third lens barrel 1230.

[0157] A plurality of coils 1241b, 1243b, and 1245b may be mounted on the sidewalls of the housing 1010 to face the plurality of magnets 1241a, 1243a, and 1245a, respectively. The plurality of magnets 1241a, 1243a, and 1245a may be disposed on both side surfaces of the first lens barrel 1210, the second lens barrel 1220, and the third lens barrel 1230, and the plurality of coils 1241b, 1243b, and 1245b may be disposed on both sidewalls of the housing 1010 to face each other.

[0158] As an example, the main board 1070 may be mounted on the housing 1010 while having the plurality of coils 1241 b , 1243 b , and 1245 b mounted thereon.

[0159] When moving the first lens barrel 1210, the second lens barrel 1220, and the third lens barrel 1230, a closed-loop control method involving sensing the positions of the first lens barrel 1210, the second lens barrel 1220, and the third lens barrel 1230 and providing feedback can be used. Therefore, position sensors 1241c, 1243c, and 1245c can be provided for closed-loop control. The position sensors 1241c, 1243c, and 1245c can be Hall sensors.

[0160] The position sensors 1241 c , 1243 c , and 1245 c may be provided inside or outside the coils 1241 b , 1243 b , and 1245 b , respectively, and may be mounted on the main board 1070 , on which each of the coils 1241 b , 1243 b , and 1245 b may be mounted.

[0161] In the accompanying drawings, the first lens barrel 1210 and the second lens barrel 1220 can each be driven by a coil and a magnet. In this case, the coil and the magnet can be set on only one side of each of the first lens barrel 1210 and the second lens barrel 1220. The coil and the magnet can have a slightly increased size to enhance the driving force. In this case, a plurality of position sensors 1241c and 1243c can be set for accurate position sensing. In the accompanying drawings, four position sensors 1241c and 1243c can be set inside each of the coils 1241b and 1243b that drive the first lens barrel 1210 and the second lens barrel 1220. This is because the first lens barrel 1210 and the second lens barrel 1220 can move a considerable distance in the optical axis (Z axis) direction to achieve the zoom function, so a sufficient number of Hall sensors should be provided to sense the correct position.

[0162] The first lens barrel 1210 may be provided in the housing 1010 to be movable in an optical axis (Z-axis) direction.

[0163] A plurality of third ball bearings 1215 may be disposed between the first lens barrel 1210 and the bottom surface of the housing 1010 , and the first lens barrel 1210 may be movable relative to the housing 1010 on the third ball bearings 1215 .

[0164] The plurality of third ball bearings 1215 serve as bearings that guide movement of the first lens barrel 1210 in implementing the AF function and the zoom function.

[0165] When a driving force is generated to move the first lens barrel 1210 in the optical axis (Z axis) direction, the plurality of third ball bearings 1215 may be configured to roll or slide in the optical axis (Z axis) direction. Thus, the plurality of third ball bearings 1215 guide the movement of the first lens barrel 1210 in the optical axis (Z axis) direction.

[0166] A plurality of guide grooves 1214 and 1013 may be formed in the lower surface of the first lens barrel 1210 and the bottom surface of the housing 1010, respectively, the third ball support 1215 may be accommodated in the plurality of guide grooves 1214 and 1013, and the guide groove 1013 may be elongated in the optical axis (Z-axis) direction.

[0167] A plurality of third ball bearings 1215 may be received in the guide grooves 1214 and 1013 and may be inserted between the first lens barrel 1210 and the housing 1010 .

[0168] The guide groove 1214 may be elongated in the optical axis (Z-axis) direction. In addition, the cross-sections of the guide grooves 1214 and 1013 may have any of various shapes, such as a circular arc shape or a polygonal shape.

[0169] The first lens barrel 1210 can be pressed against the bottom surface of the housing 1010 so that the plurality of third ball bearings 1215 can remain in contact with the first lens barrel 1210 and the housing 1010. To this end, a pull yoke 1016 can be mounted on the bottom surface of the housing 1010 to face a pull magnet 1216 mounted on the lower surface of the first lens barrel 1210. The pull yoke 1016 can be made of a magnetic material. Alternatively, the pull magnet can be mounted on the bottom surface of the housing 1010, and the pull yoke can be mounted on the lower surface of the first lens barrel 1210.

[0170] The coil 1241b that drives the first lens barrel 1210 may be disposed on one side surface of the housing 1010. In this case, electromagnetic force acts on one side surface of the first lens barrel 1210, and thus the pull magnet 1216 and the pull yoke 1016 can be biased from the center of the housing 1010 toward one side surface of the housing 1010, thereby facilitating driving of the first lens barrel 1210. The first lens barrel 1210 may be provided with an extension portion 1219 that extends in the optical axis direction to oppose the side surface of the second lens barrel 1220, thereby increasing the size of the magnet 1241a to enhance the driving force. Furthermore, in order to increase the size of the magnet 1243a to enhance the driving force, the second lens barrel 1220 may be provided with an extension portion 1229 that extends in the optical axis direction to oppose the side surface of the first lens barrel 1210.

[0171] The coil 1243b that drives the second lens barrel 1220 may be disposed on the other side surface of the housing 1010. The other side surface of the housing 1010 may be the opposite side surface of the housing 1010 relative to the one side surface of the housing 1010 on which the coil 1241b is disposed. In this case, electromagnetic force acts on the other side surface of the second lens barrel 1220, and the pull magnet 1226 mounted on the lower surface of the second lens barrel 1220 and the pull yoke 1017 mounted on the bottom surface of the housing 1010 may be biased from the center of the housing 1010 toward the other side surface of the housing 1010 to facilitate driving of the second lens barrel 1220.

[0172] Furthermore, the coil 1245b that drives the third lens barrel 1230 may be provided on either one or both side surfaces of the housing 1010. When the coil 1245b is provided on only one side surface of the housing 1010, similarly to the first and second lens barrels 1210 and 1220, the pull magnet 1236 mounted on the lower surface of the third lens barrel 1230 and the pull yoke 1018 mounted on the bottom surface of the housing 1010 may be offset from the center of the housing 1010 toward one side surface of the housing 1010 to facilitate driving of the third lens barrel 1230. However, this only applies to the case where the coils 1241b, 1243b, and 1245b that drive the lens barrels 1210, 1220, and 1230 may be provided on only one of the one side surface of the housing 1010 and the other side surface of the housing 1010. When the coils 1241b, 1243b and 1245b are arranged on the two side surfaces of the shell 1010, the pulling magnets 1216, 1226 and 1236 can be roughly installed in the center of the lower surface of the lens barrels 1210, 1220 and 1230, and the pulling yokes 1016, 1017 and 1018 can be roughly installed in the center of the bottom surface of the shell 1010.

[0173] The second lens barrel 1220 may be provided in the housing 1010 so as to be movable in the optical axis (Z axis) direction. As an example, the second lens barrel 1220 may be provided in front of the first lens barrel 1210 and continuously with the first lens barrel 1210 in the optical axis direction.

[0174] A plurality of fourth ball bearings 1225 may be disposed between the second lens barrel 1220 and the bottom surface of the housing 1010 , and the second lens barrel 1220 may be movable relative to the housing 1010 on the fourth ball bearings 1225 .

[0175] The plurality of fourth ball bearings 1225 serve as bearings for guiding the movement of the second lens barrel 1220 in implementing the AF function and the zoom function.

[0176] When a driving force is generated to move the second lens barrel 1220 in the optical axis (Z axis) direction, the plurality of fourth ball bearings 1225 may be configured to roll or slide in the optical axis direction (Z axis direction). Thus, the plurality of fourth ball bearings 1225 guide the movement of the second lens barrel 1220 in the optical axis (Z axis) direction.

[0177] A plurality of guide grooves 1224 and 1014 may be formed in the lower surface of the second lens barrel 1220 and the bottom surface of the housing 1010, respectively, the fourth ball support 1225 may be accommodated in the plurality of guide grooves 1224 and 1014, and the guide groove 1014 may be elongated in the optical axis (Z axis) direction.

[0178] The plurality of fourth ball bearings 1225 may be received in the guide grooves 1224 and 1014 and may be inserted between the second lens barrel 1220 and the housing 1010 .

[0179] Each of the plurality of guide grooves 1014 may be elongated in the optical axis (Z-axis) direction. In addition, the cross-section of the guide grooves 1224 and 1014 may have any of various shapes, such as an arc shape or a polygonal shape.

[0180] The second lens barrel 1220 may be pressed toward the bottom surface of the housing 1010 so that the fourth ball bearing 1225 may remain in contact with the second lens barrel 1220 and the housing 1010 .

[0181] To this end, a pull yoke 1017 may be mounted on the bottom surface of the housing 1010 so as to face the pull magnet 1226 mounted on the lower surface of the second lens barrel 1220. The pull yoke 1017 may be made of a magnetic material. Alternatively, the pull magnet may be mounted on the bottom surface of the housing 1010, and the pull yoke may be mounted on the lower surface of the second lens barrel 1220.

[0182] The third lens barrel 1230 may be provided in the housing 1010 so as to be movable in the optical axis (Z axis) direction. As an example, the third lens barrel 1230 may be provided in front of the second lens barrel 1220 and continuously with the second lens barrel 1220 in the optical axis direction.

[0183] A plurality of fifth ball bearings 1235 may be disposed between the third lens barrel 1230 and the bottom surface of the housing 1010 , and the third lens barrel 1230 may be movable relative to the housing 1010 on the fifth ball bearings 1235 .

[0184] The plurality of fifth ball bearings 1235 serve as bearings for guiding movement of the third lens barrel 1230 in implementing the AF function and the zoom function.

[0185] When a driving force is generated to move the third lens barrel 1230 in the optical axis (Z axis) direction, the plurality of fifth ball bearings 1235 may be configured to roll or slide in the optical axis direction (Z axis direction). Thus, the plurality of fifth ball bearings 1235 guide the movement of the third lens barrel 1230 in the optical axis (Z axis) direction.

[0186] A plurality of guide grooves 1234 and 1015 may be formed in the lower surface of the third lens barrel 1230 and the bottom surface of the housing 1010, respectively, the fifth ball support 1235 may be accommodated in the plurality of guide grooves 1234 and 1015, and the guide groove 1015 may be elongated in the optical axis (Z axis) direction.

[0187] A plurality of fifth ball bearings 1235 may be received in the guide grooves 1234 and 1015 and may be inserted between the third lens barrel 1230 and the housing 1010 .

[0188] Each of the plurality of guide grooves 1015 may be elongated in the optical axis (Z-axis) direction. In addition, the cross-sections of the guide grooves 1234 and 1015 may have various shapes, such as an arc shape or a polygonal shape.

[0189] The third lens barrel 1230 may be pressed toward the bottom surface of the housing 1010 so that the fifth ball bearing 1235 may remain in contact with the third lens barrel 1230 and the housing 1010 .

[0190] To this end, a pull yoke 1018 may be mounted on the bottom surface of the housing 1010 so as to face the pull magnet 1236 mounted on the lower surface of the third lens barrel 1230. The pull yoke 1018 may be made of a magnetic material. Alternatively, the pull magnet may be mounted on the bottom surface of the housing 1010, and the pull yoke may be mounted on the lower surface of the third lens barrel 1230.

[0191] The guide grooves 1013, 1014, and 1015 provided in the housing 1010 to guide the movement of the third ball bearing 1215, the fourth ball bearing 1225, and the fifth ball bearing 1235 may each have an elongated groove shape extending in the optical axis direction, or at least two of the guide grooves 1013, 1014, and 1015 may be connected to each other to form a single guide groove. In the case of a single guide groove in which at least two of the guide grooves 1013, 1014, and 1015 are connected to each other, at least two of the first lens barrel 1210, the second lens barrel 1220, and the third lens barrel 1230 can be easily aligned with each other in the optical axis direction.

[0192] The accompanying drawings illustrate an example in which the guide grooves 1013 and 1014 provided to form the movement paths of the first lens barrel 1210 and the second lens barrel 1220 are connected to each other to form a single guide groove, and the guide groove 1015 provided to form the movement path of the third lens barrel 1230 is provided separately. Alternatively, all the guide grooves 1013, 1014, and 1015 may be connected to each other to form a single groove.

[0193] In addition, at least some of the guide grooves 1214, 1224, and 1234 of the first lens barrel 1210, the second lens barrel 1220, and the third lens barrel 1230 may protrude from the lower surfaces of the first lens barrel 1210, the second lens barrel 1220, and the third lens barrel 1230 toward the bottom surface of the housing 1010 on both sides of the optical axis to form anti-separation protrusions 1213, 1223, and 1233 to prevent separation of the ball bearings 1215, 1225, and 1235. The anti-separation protrusions 1213, 1223, and 1233 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the guide grooves 1013, 1014, and 1015 formed in the bottom surface of the housing 1010. The anti-separation protrusions 1213, 1223 and 1233 have a sufficiently large height so that the anti-separation protrusions 1213, 1223 and 1233 protrude into the guide grooves 1013, 1014 and 1015; but have a sufficiently small height so that when the first lens barrel 1210, the second lens barrel 1220 and the third lens barrel 1230 move in the optical axis direction, the anti-separation protrusions 1213, 1223 and 1233 do not contact the bottom surfaces of the guide grooves 1013, 1014 and 1015.

[0194] However, the anti-separation protrusions 1213 , 1223 , and 1233 are not limited to being provided on the lower surfaces of the first to third lens barrels 1210 , 1220 , and 1230 , but may be provided on the bottom surface of the housing 1010 based on the same principle.

[0195] In addition, reference Figure 13AIn another example, the housing 1010 may include separate guide grooves 1013a, 1013b, 1014a, and 1014b for guiding the movement of the first lens barrel 1210 and the second lens barrel 1220 in the optical axis direction. For example, the housing 1010 may include a total of four separate first guide grooves 1013a and 1013b and second guide grooves 1014a and 1014b, and the first lens barrel 1210 may be supported by a third ball bearing 1215 inserted into the first guide grooves 1013a and 1013b, and the second lens barrel 1220 may be supported by a fourth ball bearing 1225 inserted into the second guide grooves 1014a and 1014b.

[0196] In this case, since the first lens barrel 1210 and the second lens barrel 1220 are staggered relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, the extending portions 1219 and 1229 of the first lens barrel 1210 and the second lens barrel 1220 can move a greater distance in the optical axis direction without being interfered with by the first lens barrel 1210 and the second lens barrel 1220. Therefore, the zoom performance can also be improved.

[0197] In this example, the first lens barrel 1210, the second lens barrel 1220, and the third lens barrel 1230 may be sequentially arranged in the optical axis direction, and the first lens barrel 1210 and the second lens barrel 1220 may be provided with magnets 1241a and 1243a on the sides of the first lens barrel 1210 and the second lens barrel 1220 that face the coils 1241b and 1243b mounted on the housing 1010, respectively. In addition, the third lens barrel 1230 may be provided with a magnet 1245a on the side of the third lens barrel 1230 that faces the coil 1245b mounted on the housing 1010. The magnets 1241a, 1243a and 1245a provided on the first lens barrel 1210, the second lens barrel 1220 and the third lens barrel 1230 may be alternately arranged in a zigzag manner on one side of the first lens barrel 1210, the second lens barrel 1220 and the third lens barrel 1230 and on the other side of the first lens barrel 1210, the second lens barrel 1220 and the third lens barrel 1230 to minimize mutual electromagnetic effects.

[0198] Since the first lens barrel 1210 and the second lens barrel 1220 in this example move in the optical axis direction to perform the zoom function and the AF function in one space separated by the protruding wall 1009, the first lens barrel 1210 and the second lens barrel 1220 may contact each other. In this case, it is impossible to accurately control the positions of the first lens barrel 1210 and the second lens barrel 1220 in the optical axis direction.

[0199] Therefore, in this example, a stopper 1060 may be provided to limit the movement of the first lens barrel 1210 and the second lens barrel 1220. The stopper 1060 may include a first stopper 1061 and a second stopper 1062, the first stopper 1061 limiting the moving distance of the first lens barrel 1210 and the second stopper 1062 limiting the moving distance of the second lens barrel 1220. The first stopper 1061 and the second stopper 1062 may be provided separately (see FIG. Figure 11B and Figure 12B ), or can be interconnected (see Figure 11A and Figure 12A ).

[0200] The stopper 1060 may include a first stopper 1061 and a second stopper 1062. In addition, a first frame 1061a and a second frame 1062a to be described below may be integrally connected (see FIG. Figure 11A and Figure 12A ), or can be set separately (see Figure 11B and Figure 12B ).

[0201] First, refer to Figure 11A and Figure 12A A case is described in which the first frame 1061 a and the second frame 1062 a are integrally connected to each other.

[0202] When the first frame 1061a and the second frame 1062a are integrally connected to each other, the first frame 1061a and the second frame 1062a may include a third buffer member 1061d and a fourth buffer member 1062d facing the first lens barrel 1210 and the second lens barrel 1220 to absorb the impact of the first lens barrel 1210 and the second lens barrel 1220 moving upward.

[0203] The first stopper 1061 may include a first frame 1061 a , a first extending portion 1061 b extending downwardly from a front end of the first frame 1061 a perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and a first buffer member 1061 c disposed on the first extending portion 1061 b .

[0204] The first buffer member 1061c may be inserted into a through-hole formed in the first extension portion 1061b to protrude from both sides of the first extension portion 1061b in the optical axis direction, or may be attached to both sides of the first extension portion 1061b by an adhesive.

[0205] In addition, the first frame 1061a may be installed on the upper surface of the left side wall of the housing 1010 and the upper surface of the rear wall of the housing 1010 to cover the portion of the first lens barrel 1210 provided with the extension portion 1219. The first extension portion 1061b and the first buffer member 1061c may be inserted between the front side of the first lens barrel 1210 and the rear surface of the left protruding wall 1009.

[0206] The housing 1010 may be provided with an insertion groove 1011, into which the first frame 1061a and the first extension portion 1061b are inserted. The insertion groove 1011 may include a first insertion groove 1011a extending along an inner edge of an upper surface of a left side wall of the housing 1010 in an optical axis direction and formed in an inner portion of the upper surface of the left side wall of the housing 1010 and an inner portion of an upper surface of a rear wall of the housing 1010, and a second insertion groove 1011b extending downwardly from a front end of the first insertion groove 1011a perpendicularly to the optical axis direction and formed in the inner surface of the left side wall of the housing 1010.

[0207] The first frame 1061a may be inserted into the first insertion groove 1011a, and the first extension portion 1061b may be inserted into the second insertion groove 1011b. The first frame 1061a may also be attached to the housing 1010 by an adhesive.

[0208] In order to provide a space for accommodating the first extending portion 1061 b and the first buffer member 1061 c , a second space portion 1221 may be provided in an upper portion of the second lens barrel 1220 .

[0209] Therefore, the first lens barrel 1210 can be controlled to move only between the inner surface of the rear wall of the housing 1010 and the rear surface of the first buffer member 1061 c provided behind the rear surface of the left protruding wall 1009 .

[0210] The second stopper 1062 may include a second frame 1062a, a second extending portion 1062b extending downwardly from a rear end of the second frame 1062a perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and a second buffer member 1062c disposed on the second extending portion 1062b.

[0211] The second buffer member 1062c may be inserted into a through-hole formed in the second extending portion 1062b to protrude from both sides of the second extending portion 1062b in the optical axis direction, or may be attached to both sides of the second extending portion 1062b by an adhesive.

[0212] In addition, the second frame 1062a can be installed on the upper surface of the right side wall of the housing 1010 and the upper surface of the right protruding wall 1009 to cover the portion of the second lens barrel 1220 provided with the extension portion 1229. The second extension portion 1062b and the second buffer member 1062c can be inserted between the rear side of the second lens barrel 1220 and the inner surface of the rear wall of the housing 1010.

[0213] The housing 1010 may be provided with an insertion groove 1012, into which the second frame 1062a and the second extension portion 1062b are inserted. The insertion groove 1012 may include a first insertion groove 1012a and a second insertion groove 1012b, the first insertion groove 1012a extending along the inner edge of the upper surface of the right side wall of the housing 1010 in the optical axis direction and formed in the inner center of the upper surface of the right side wall of the housing 1010 and the upper surface of the right protruding wall 1009, and the second insertion groove 1012b extending downwardly from the rear end of the first insertion groove 1012a perpendicularly to the optical axis direction and formed in the inner surface of the right side wall of the housing 1010.

[0214] The second frame 1062a may be inserted into the first insertion groove 1012a, and the second extension portion 1062b may be inserted into the second insertion groove 1012b. The second frame 1062a may also be attached to the housing 1010 by an adhesive.

[0215] In order to provide a space for accommodating the second extending portion 1062 b and the second buffer member 1062 c , a first space portion 1211 may be provided in an upper portion of the first lens barrel 1210 .

[0216] Therefore, the second lens barrel 1220 can be controlled to move only between the rear surface of the right protruding wall 1009 and the front surface of the second buffer member 1062 c provided in front of the inner surface of the rear wall of the housing 1010 .

[0217] Next, we will refer to Figure 11B and Figure 12B A case is described in which the first frame 1061 a and the second frame 1062 a are provided separately from each other.

[0218] When the first frame 1061a and the second frame 1062a are separately provided, the first stopper 1061 may include the first frame 1061a, a first extension portion 1061b extending downwardly perpendicularly to the optical axis from the rear end of the first frame 1061a, and a first buffer member 1061c provided on the first extension portion 1061b. Furthermore, the first stopper 1061 may include a first sidewall mounting portion 1061e extending downwardly perpendicularly to the optical axis from the left side of the first frame 1061a, and a first protruding wall mounting portion 1061f extending downwardly perpendicularly to the optical axis from the front end of the first frame 1061a.

[0219] The first buffer member 1061c may be inserted into a through-hole formed in the first extension portion 1061b to protrude from both sides of the first extension portion 1061b in the optical axis direction, or may be attached to both sides of the first extension portion 1061b by an adhesive.

[0220] In addition, as will be described below, the first frame 1061a may be mounted on the upper surface of the left side wall of the housing 1010 and the upper surface of the left protruding wall 1009 to cover the portion of the second lens barrel 1220 provided with the second space portion 1221. The first extending portion 1061b and the first buffer member 1061c may be inserted between the front side of the first lens barrel 1210 and the rear surface of the left protruding wall 1009. The first side wall mounting portion 1061e extending from the left side of the first frame 1061a may be clamped to the left side wall of the housing 1010, and the first protruding wall mounting portion 1061f extending from the front end of the first frame 1061a may be clamped to the protruding wall 1009 to improve the coupling force between the first stopper 1061 and the housing 1010.

[0221] The housing 1010 may be provided with an insertion groove 1011 into which the first frame 1061a, the first sidewall mounting portion 1061e, and the first protruding wall mounting portion 1061f are inserted. The insertion groove 1011 may include: a first insertion groove 1011a extending along the inner edge of the upper surface of the left side wall of the housing 1010 in the optical axis direction and formed in the inner portion of the upper surface of the left side wall of the housing 1010; a second insertion groove 1011b extending downwardly from the left side of the first insertion groove 1011a perpendicularly to the optical axis direction and formed in the outer surface of the left side wall of the housing 1010; and a third insertion groove 1011c extending downwardly perpendicularly to the optical axis direction and formed in a portion of the front surface of the left protruding wall 1009 adjacent to the inner surface of the left side wall of the housing 1010.

[0222] The first frame 1061a can be inserted into the first insertion groove 1011a, the first side wall mounting portion 1061e can be inserted into the second insertion groove 1011b, and the first protruding wall mounting portion 1061f can be inserted into the third insertion groove 1011c. The first frame 1061a, the first side wall mounting portion 1061e, and the first protruding wall mounting portion 1061f can be attached to the housing 1010 by an adhesive.

[0223] In order to provide a space for accommodating the first extending portion 1061 b and the first buffer member 1061 c , a second space portion 1221 may be provided in an upper portion of the second lens barrel 1220 .

[0224] Therefore, the first lens barrel 1210 can be controlled to move only between the inner surface of the rear wall of the housing 1010 and the rear surface of the first buffer member 1061 c provided behind the rear surface of the left protruding wall 1009 .

[0225] The second stopper 1062 may include a second frame 1062a, a second extension portion 1062b extending downwardly from a front end of the second frame 1062a perpendicular to the optical axis, and a second buffer member 1062c disposed on the second extension portion 1062b. Furthermore, the second stopper 1062 may include a second sidewall mounting portion 1062e extending downwardly from a right side of the second frame 1062a perpendicular to the optical axis, and a second rear wall mounting portion 1062f extending downwardly from a rear end of the second frame 1062a perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0226] The second buffer member 1062c may be inserted into a through-hole formed in the second extending portion 1062b to protrude from both sides of the second extending portion 1062b in the optical axis direction, or may be attached to both sides of the second extending portion 1062b by an adhesive.

[0227] In addition, as will be described below, the second frame 1062a may be mounted on the upper surface of the right side wall of the housing 1010 and the upper surface of the rear wall of the housing 1010 to cover the portion of the first lens barrel 1210 where the first space portion 1211 is provided. The second extending portion 1062b and the second buffer member 1062c may be inserted between the rear side of the second lens barrel 1220 and the inner surface of the rear wall of the housing 1010. The second side wall mounting portion 1062e extending from the right side of the second frame 1062a may be clamped to the right side wall of the housing 1010, and the second rear wall mounting portion 1062f extending from the rear end of the second frame 1062a may be clamped to the rear wall of the housing 1010 to improve the coupling force between the second stopper 1062 and the housing 1010.

[0228] The housing 1010 may be provided with an insertion groove 1012 into which the second frame 1062a, the second side wall mounting portion 1062e, and the second rear wall mounting portion 1062f are inserted. The insertion groove 1012 may include: a first insertion groove 1012a extending along an inner edge of an upper surface of a right side wall of the housing 1010 in the optical axis direction and formed in an inner portion of the upper surface of the right side wall of the housing 1010; a second insertion groove 1012b extending downwardly from a right side of the first insertion groove 1011a perpendicularly to the optical axis direction and formed in an outer surface of the right side wall of the housing 1010; and a third insertion groove 1012c extending downwardly perpendicularly to the optical axis direction and formed in an outer surface of the rear wall of the housing 1010.

[0229] The second frame 1062a can be inserted into the first insertion groove 1012a, the second side wall mounting portion 1062e can be inserted into the second insertion groove 1012b, and the second rear wall mounting portion 1062f can be inserted into the third insertion groove 1012c. The second frame 1062a, the second side wall mounting portion 1062e, and the second rear wall mounting portion 1062f can be attached to the housing 1010 by an adhesive.

[0230] In order to provide a space for accommodating the second extending portion 1062 b and the second buffer member 1062 c , a first space portion 1211 may be provided in an upper portion of the first lens barrel 1210 .

[0231] Therefore, the second lens barrel 1220 can be controlled to move only between the rear surface of the right protruding wall 1009 and the front surface of the second buffer member 1062 c provided in front of the inner surface of the rear wall of the housing 1010 .

[0232] refer to Figure 14 , an example of a structure for fixing a position at which the third lens barrel 1230 of the zoom lens is disposed in the housing 1010 will be described.

[0233] In this example, the housing 1010 of the camera module 1000 may be provided with a buffer 1050 for supporting the rotating bracket 1120, and a buffer member 1053 may be provided on the extension portion 1052 to protrude toward and away from the rotating bracket 1120 in the optical axis direction. A protruding wall 1009 may be provided that protrudes into the interior space of the housing 1010 and partitions the interior space of the housing 1010 into a space in which the first lens barrel 1210 and the second lens barrel 1220 are provided, and a space in which the third lens barrel 1230 is provided.

[0234] The third lens barrel 1230 can be disposed in the housing 1010 such that the front surface of the protruding wall 1009 serves as an assembly reference surface, and the front side of the third lens barrel 1230 is supported by the buffer member 1053. Since the buffer member 1053 is made of an elastic material, the third lens barrel 1230 can be disposed between the buffer member 1053 and the protruding wall 1009 by slightly compressing the buffer member 1053. Alternatively, the third lens barrel 1230 can be first disposed in the housing 1010, and then the buffer member 1053 of the buffer 1050 can be inserted to press the third lens barrel 1230 against the protruding wall 1009. In addition, an adhesive can be injected between the third lens barrel 1230 and the sidewalls of the housing 1010 and / or the bottom surface of the housing 1010 to bond the third lens barrel 1230 and the housing 1010 to each other.

[0235] refer to Figure 15 and Figure 16 , an example of a structure in which the third lens barrel 1230 of the zoom lens is accurately fixed at a predetermined position will be described.

[0236] In these examples, since the third lens barrel 1230 is fixed to the housing 1010, in principle, a support member required to enable the third lens barrel 1230 to move in the optical axis direction may not be required. These examples disclose a structure in which a ball member is used to accurately position the third lens barrel 1230 at a predetermined position in the housing 1010. After the third lens barrel 1230 is set in the housing 1010, an adhesive can be injected between the third lens barrel 1230 and the side wall of the housing 1010 and / or the bottom surface of the housing 1010 to bond the third lens barrel 1230 and the housing 1010 to each other.

[0237] First, refer to Figure 15 , the third lens barrel 1230 can be mounted by providing three ball members 1235 between the lower surface of the third lens barrel 1230 and the bottom surface of the housing 1010. Three pairs of guide grooves 1234 and 1015 can be provided in the portions of the lower surface of the third lens barrel 1230 and the bottom surface of the housing 1010 that face each other, respectively, and the three ball members 1235 are partially inserted into the three pairs of guide grooves 1234 and 1015, respectively, wherein a pair of guide grooves 1234 and 1015 is provided for each ball member 1235. However, this is merely an example, and four or more ball members 1235 and four or more pairs of guide grooves 1234 and 1015 may be provided.

[0238] Each of the guide grooves 1234 and 1015 of the first pair of the three pairs of guide grooves 1234 and 1015 has a Figure 15The first shape shown in the enlarged view ① in FIG. Each of the guide grooves 1234 and 1015 in the second pair of the three pairs of guide grooves 1234 and 1015 has a Figure 15 The second shape shown in the enlarged view ② in FIG. Each of the guide grooves 1234 and 1015 in the third pair of guide grooves 1234 and 1015 has a Figure 15 The third shape is shown in the enlarged view ③ in FIG. The second shape is different from the first shape, and the third shape is different from the first shape and the second shape.

[0239] Figure 15 The guide groove 1234 or 1015 in the enlarged view ① in the figure has a triangular pyramid shape with its corners truncated, or a triangular pyramid shape with its corners truncated and its top truncated to form a flat bottom surface, which allows the corresponding ball member 1235 to only contact with the ball. Figure 15 The three surfaces marked with dots of the guide groove 1234 or 1015 in the enlarged view ① are in contact and constrain the third lens barrel 1230 in the optical axis (Z-axis) direction, the X-axis direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction and the X-axis direction.

[0240] Figure 15 The guide groove 1234 or 1015 in the enlarged view ② in the optical axis direction extends and has a V shape, or a V shape whose top end is cut off to form a flat bottom surface, which allows the corresponding ball member 1235 to only Figure 15 The two surfaces marked with dots of the guide groove 1234 or 1015 in the enlarged view ② in FIG. 2 are in contact and constrain the third lens barrel 1230 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

[0241] Figure 15 The guide groove 1234 or 1015 in the enlarged view ③ in the optical axis direction extends and has a vertical side and a flat bottom surface, which allows the corresponding ball member 1235 to only Figure 15 The guide groove 1234 or one of the surfaces marked with dots in the enlarged view ③ in FIG. 3 contacts and constrains the third lens barrel 1230 in the Y-axis direction.

[0242] Since the third lens barrel 1230 is composed of Figure 15The guide grooves 1234 and 1015 of the shapes shown in the enlarged figures ①, ② and ③ are constrained in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction and the optical axis (Z-axis) direction, so the third lens barrel 1230 can be accurately positioned in the housing 1010 simply by inserting the ball member 1235 into the guide groove 1015 in the bottom surface of the housing 1010, and then placing the third lens barrel 1230 into the housing 1010 so that the guide groove 1234 in the lower surface of the third lens barrel 1230 is assembled on the ball member 1235 in the guide groove 1015.

[0243] Alternatively, refer to Figure 16 The third lens barrel 1230 can be mounted by providing three ball members 1235 between the lower surface of the third lens barrel 1230 and the bottom surface of the housing 1010. Three pairs of guide grooves 1234 and 1015 can be provided in the portions of the lower surface of the third lens barrel 1230 and the bottom surface of the housing 1010 that face each other, respectively, and the three ball members 1235 are partially inserted into the three pairs of guide grooves 1234 and 1015, respectively, wherein one pair of guide grooves 1234 and 1015 is provided for each ball member 1235. However, this is merely an example, and four or more ball members 1235 and four or more pairs of guide grooves 1234 and 1015 may be provided.

[0244] The first guide groove of the first pair of guide grooves 1234 and 1015 of the three pairs of guide grooves 1234 and 1015 has a Figure 16 The first shape shown in the enlarged view ① in FIG, wherein the side wall has a protrusion. The first pair of guide grooves 1234 and 1015 of the three pairs of guide grooves 1234 and 1015 have the same shape as the second pair of guide grooves 1234 and 1015. Figure 16 The modified first shape is similar to the first shape shown in the enlarged view ① in FIG. 1, except that the side wall has a recessed portion to accommodate the protrusion of the side wall of the first guide groove. Each of the guide grooves 1234 and 1015 in the second pair of the three pairs of guide grooves 1234 and 1015 has a Figure 16 The second shape shown in the enlarged view ② in FIG. Each of the guide grooves 1234 and 1015 in the third pair of guide grooves 1234 and 1015 has a Figure 16 The second shape is different from the first shape and the modified first shape, and the third shape is different from the first shape, the modified first shape and the second shape.

[0245] Figure 16The guide groove in the enlarged view ① is the first guide groove of the guide grooves 1234 and 1015 of the first pair of guide grooves of the three pairs of guide grooves 1234 and 1015, and extends in the optical axis (Z axis) direction and has a V shape, or its top end is cut off to form a V shape with a flat bottom surface, and also has a side wall extending in the X axis direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and the side wall has a protrusion extending in the Y axis direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction and the X axis direction, which allows the corresponding ball member 1235 to only be aligned with the guide groove 1234 and the first pair of guide grooves 1015. Figure 16 The four surfaces marked with dots of the first guide groove in the enlarged view ① in FIG. 1 are in contact and constrain the third lens barrel 1230 in the optical axis direction, the X-axis direction, and the Y-axis direction.

[0246] The second guide grooves of the first pair of guide grooves 1234 and 1015 have the same Figure 16 The shapes of the first pair of guide grooves 1234 and 1015 are similar to those of the first pair of guide grooves 1234 and 1015, except that the side wall of the second guide groove has a shape that accommodates Figure 16 The recessed portion of the protruding portion of the side wall of the first guide groove shown in the enlarged view ① allows the corresponding ball member 1235 to only Figure 16 The two surfaces marked with dots of the V of the second guide groove in the enlarged view ① are in contact. However, despite this, the third lens barrel 1230 is constrained by the first guide groove as described above in the optical axis direction, the X axis direction, and the Y axis direction.

[0247] Figure 16 The guide groove 1234 or 1015 in the enlarged view ② in the optical axis direction extends and has a V shape or a V shape with its top end cut off to form a flat bottom surface, which allows the corresponding ball member 1235 to only Figure 16 The two surfaces marked with dots of the guide groove 1234 or 1015 in the enlarged view ② in FIG. 2 are in contact and constrain the third lens barrel 1230 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

[0248] Figure 16 The guide groove 1234 or 1015 in the enlarged view ③ in the optical axis direction extends and has a vertical side and a flat bottom surface, which allows the corresponding ball member 1235 to only Figure 16 The guide groove 1234 or one of the surfaces marked with dots in the enlarged view ③ in FIG. 3 contacts and constrains the third lens barrel 1230 in the Y-axis direction.

[0249] Since the third lens barrel 1230 is constrained in the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction and optical axis (Z-axis) direction by the guide grooves 1234 and 1015 having the shapes shown in the enlarged figures ①, ② and ③ and the modified shapes similar to the shape shown in the enlarged figure ① discussed above, the third lens barrel 1230 can be accurately positioned in the housing 1010 simply by inserting the ball member 1235 into the guide groove 1015 in the bottom surface of the housing 1010, and then placing the third lens barrel 1230 into the housing 1010 so that the guide groove 1234 in the lower surface of the third lens barrel 1230 is assembled on the ball member 1235 in the guide groove 1015.

[0250] Figure 17 is a view showing an example of a positional relationship between a magnet provided on a first lens barrel or a second lens barrel of a zoom lens of a camera module and four Hall sensors of a position sensor opposing the magnet, and Figure 18 It is aimed at Figure 17 Graph showing an example of the output signals of the four Hall sensors relative to the position of the magnet in the optical axis direction, shown in FIG.

[0251] refer to Figure 17 , the first lens barrel 1210 or the second lens barrel 1220 can move a considerable distance in the optical axis direction to perform a zoom function or an AF function, and the position of the first lens barrel 1210 or the second lens barrel 1220 in the optical axis direction needs to be sensed as accurately as possible by the position sensor 1241c or 1243c.

[0252] Therefore, in this example, the position sensor 1241c or 1243c includes four Hall sensors Hall1 to Hall4 arranged to face the magnet 1241a or 1243a of the first lens barrel 1210 or the second lens barrel 1220. In this example, the magnet 1241a or 1243a can be magnetized to move in the optical axis direction, in the moving direction of the first lens barrel 1210 or the second lens barrel 1220 (by Figure 17A two-pole magnet having an N pole and an S pole (or alternatively, an S pole and a N pole) is formed on the coil 1241b or 1243b (indicated by the arrow in the figure), and the magnet 1241a or 1243a can be arranged opposite the coil 1241b or 1243b. When the magnet 1241a or 1243a is centered relative to the coil 1241b or 1243b, two of the Hall sensors, Hall1 and Hall2, are opposite the N pole (or alternatively, the S pole) of the magnet 1241a or 1243a, and the remaining two Hall sensors, Hall3 and Hall4, are opposite the S pole (or alternatively, the N pole) of the magnet 1241a or 1243a. The four Hall sensors Hall1 to Hall4 can be arranged side by side inside the coil 1241b or 1243b in the direction of movement of the magnet 1241a or 1243a. Specifically, the four Hall sensors Hall 1 to Hall 4 may be spaced the same distance apart from one another, and the four Hall sensors Hall 1 to Hall 4 may be symmetrically disposed about a neutral region (indicated by a white band between the N pole and the S pole) of the magnet 1241 a or 1243 a .

[0253] refer to Figure 18 When the magnet 1241a or 1243a moves in the + or - direction in the optical axis direction, the output signals of the four Hall sensors Hall1 to Hall4 change in different ways relative to the position of the magnet 1241a or 1243a in the optical axis direction, but the Hall signal calculated according to the equation Hall signal = Hall1 + Hall2 + Hall3 + Hall4 changes roughly linearly with respect to the position of the magnet 1241a or 1243a in the optical axis direction.

[0254] When the magnet 1241a or 1243a moves a relatively long distance in the optical axis direction, it may be difficult to accurately sense the position of the magnet 1241a or 1243a in the optical axis direction using only one or two Hall sensors. Figure 17 The four Hall sensors Hall1 to Hall4 shown in Figure 18 As shown in , accurate position sensing can be performed even when the magnet 1241a or 1243a moves a relatively long distance.

[0255] Figure 19 is a view of another example of the positional relationship between a magnet provided on the first lens barrel or the second lens barrel of the zoom lens of the camera module and four Hall sensors of the position sensor opposing the magnet, and Figure 20 It is aimed at Figure 19 Graph showing an example of the output signals of the four Hall sensors relative to the position of the magnet in the optical axis direction, shown in FIG.

[0256] refer to Figure 19, the first lens barrel 1210 or the second lens barrel 1220 can move a considerable distance in the optical axis direction to perform a zoom function or an AF function, and the position of the first lens barrel 1210 or the second lens barrel 1220 in the optical axis direction needs to be sensed as accurately as possible by the position sensor 1241c or 1243c.

[0257] Therefore, in this example, the position sensor 1241c or 1243c includes four Hall sensors Hall1 to Hall4 arranged to face the magnet 1241a or 1243a of the first lens barrel 1210 or the second lens barrel 1220. In this example, the magnet 1241a or 1243a may be magnetized to form a three-pole magnet having an N pole, an S pole, and an N pole (or alternatively, an S pole, an N pole, and an S pole) in the optical axis direction and in the moving direction of the first lens barrel 1210 or the second lens barrel 1220, and the magnet 1241a or 1243a may be arranged to oppose the coil 1241b or 1243b arranged as a set of two coils. When magnet 1241a or 1243a is centered relative to coil 1241b or 1243b, the two coils of coil 1241b or 1243b are respectively centered relative to the two N poles on opposite sides of the S pole (or alternatively relative to the two S poles on opposite sides of the N pole).

[0258] When magnet 1241a or 1243a is centered relative to coil 1241b or 1243b, two of the Hall sensors, Hall 1 and Hall 2, face the north pole (or alternatively, the south pole) on the left side of magnet 1241a or 1243a, such that the left edge of Hall sensor Hall 1 is aligned with the left edge of the north pole (or alternatively, the south pole), and the right edge of Hall sensor Hall 2 is aligned with the right edge of the north pole (or alternatively, the south pole). The remaining two Hall sensors, Hall 3 and Hall 4, face the north pole (or alternatively, the south pole) on the right side of magnet 1241a or 1243a, such that the left edge of Hall sensor Hall 3 is aligned with the left edge of the north pole (or alternatively, the south pole), and the right edge of Hall sensor Hall 4 is aligned with the right edge of the north pole (or alternatively, the south pole).

[0259] refer to Figure 20 When the magnet 1241a or 1243a moves in the + or - direction in the optical axis direction, the output signals of the four Hall sensors change in different ways relative to the position of the magnet 1241a or 1243a in the optical axis direction, but the Hall signal calculated according to the equation Hall signal = (Hall1+Hall2)-(Hall3+Hall4) changes roughly linearly relative to the position of the magnet 1241a or 1243a in the optical axis direction.

[0260] When the magnet 1241a or 1243a moves a relatively long distance in the optical axis direction, it may be difficult to accurately sense the position of the magnet 1241a or 1243a in the optical axis direction using only one or two Hall sensors. Figure 19 The four Hall sensors Hall1 to Hall4 shown in Figure 20 As shown in , accurate position sensing can be performed even when the magnet 1241a or 1243a moves a relatively long distance.

[0261] Figure 21 is a perspective view of an example of a main board on which coils and components are mounted.

[0262] refer to Figure 21 The coils 1141b, 1143b, and 1145b and the position sensors 1141c and 1143c of the first driving portion 1140 for driving the reflection module 1100, and the coils 1241b, 1243b, and 1245b and the position sensors 1241c, 1243c, and 1245c of the second driving portion 1240 for driving the lens module 1200 may be mounted on the inner surface of the main board 1070. In addition, components 1178 such as passive and active elements and a gyro sensor 1079 may be mounted on the outer surface of the main board 1070. Therefore, the main board 1070 may be a double-sided main board.

[0263] Specifically, the main board 1070 may include a first side plate 1071 and a second side plate 1072 disposed substantially parallel to each other, and a bottom plate 1073 connecting the first side plate 1071 and the second side plate 1072. A single terminal portion 1074 for connecting the camera module to an external power source and an external signal line may be connected to any one of the first and second side plates 1071, 1072, and the bottom plate 1073.

[0264] The coil 1143 b and the position sensor 1143 c of the first driving part 1140 for driving the reflection module 1100 and the coils 1241 b and 1245 b and the position sensors 1241 c and 1245 c of the second driving part 1240 for driving the lens module 1200 may be mounted on the first side plate 1071 .

[0265] The coil 1145 b of the first driving part 1140 for driving the reflection module 1100 and the coil 1243 b and the position sensor 1243 c of the second driving part 1240 for driving the lens module 1200 may be mounted on the second side plate 1072 .

[0266] The coil 1141 b and the position sensor 1141 c of the first driving part 1140 for driving the reflection module 1100 may be mounted on the bottom plate 1073 .

[0267] Although the first side plate 1071 is shown in the drawings as having components 1178 (such as passive components and active components) and a gyro sensor 1079 mounted thereon, the components 1178 and the gyro sensor 1079 may be mounted on the second side plate 1072, or may be appropriately divided and mounted on the first side plate 1071 and the second side plate 1072.

[0268] In addition, you can Figure 21 The coils 1141b, 1143b, 1145b, 1241b, 1243b and 1245b and the position sensors 1141c, 1143c, 1241c, 1243c and 1245c shown in the figure installed on the first side plate 1071, the second side plate 1072 and the bottom plate 1073 can be divided differently and installed on the first side plate 1071, the second side plate 1072 and the bottom plate 1073 according to the design of the camera module.

[0269] Figure 22 is a perspective view of another example of a portable electronic device.

[0270] refer to Figure 22 , the portable electronic device 2 may be a portable electronic device in which a plurality of camera modules 500 and 1000 are mounted, such as a mobile communication terminal, a smart phone, or a tablet PC.

[0271] A plurality of camera modules 500 and 1000 may be installed in the portable electronic device 2 .

[0272] At least one of the plurality of camera modules 500 and 1000 may be a reference Figures 2 to 21 A camera module 1000 is described.

[0273] For example, in a case where the portable electronic device 2 includes two camera modules 500 and 1000 , at least one of the two camera modules 500 and 1000 may be the camera module 1000 .

[0274] The above-described examples enable a camera module and a portable electronic device including the camera module to have a simple structure, reduced size, and reduced power consumption while implementing an AF function, a zoom function, and an OIS function.

[0275] In addition, the above-described example enables easy alignment of the plurality of lens barrels of the lens module in the optical axis direction.

[0276] Additionally, the above examples include stoppers and buffers to prevent the lens barrel and the reflection module of the zoom lens from being displaced from optimal positions.

[0277] In addition, the above-described example enables the performance of the zoom lens to be maximized by accurately measuring the position of the lens barrel of the zoom lens in the optical axis direction using a position sensor including a plurality of Hall sensors.

[0278] Although the present disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of the present application 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 are to be understood in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The description of features or aspects in each example should be considered to be applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. Appropriate results can still be achieved 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. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the 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. A camera module, comprising: a housing having an interior space; a plurality of movable lens modules, each of which is configured to be movable in an optical axis direction and includes at least one lens; a fixed lens module, disposed in the internal space and comprising one or more lenses disposed along the optical axis; and At least three ball members are provided between the fixed lens module and the housing, At least one of the housing and the fixed lens module includes a plurality of guide grooves for accommodating the at least three ball members, and the fixed lens module is supported by the at least three ball members and fixedly positioned in the housing.

2. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the at least three ball members forms a different number of contact points with the plurality of guide grooves.

3. The camera module according to claim 1 , wherein the at least three ball members include a first ball member, a second ball member, and a third ball member, in, At least one of the housing and the fixed lens module comprises: a first guide groove in contact with the first ball member on at least three surfaces; a second guide groove in contact with the second ball member on both surfaces; and The third guide groove contacts the third ball member on one surface.

4. The camera module according to claim 3, wherein: The first guide groove has a triangular pyramid shape with truncated corners. wherein the second guide groove extends in the optical axis direction and has a V shape, or a V shape whose tip is cut off to form a flat bottom surface; and The third guide groove extends in the optical axis direction and has a flat bottom surface.

5. The camera module of claim 3, further comprising: a first magnetic material, disposed on the fixed lens module; and The second magnetic material faces the first magnetic material and is disposed in the shell.

6. The camera module according to claim 5, wherein: The first magnetic material is located inside a triangle having the first guide groove, the second guide groove, and the third guide groove as vertices.

7. The camera module according to claim 5, wherein: The first magnetic material is a pulling magnet and the second magnetic material is a pulling yoke.

8. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of movable lens modules and the fixed lens module are arranged along the optical axis direction.

9. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of movable lens modules include a first movable lens module and a second movable lens module, At least three first ball bearings are disposed between the first movable lens module and the housing, and at least three second ball bearings are disposed between the second movable lens module and the housing.

10. The camera module according to claim 9, wherein: At least two of the first ball bearings are aligned in the optical axis direction and accommodated in the fourth guide groove of the housing, and at least two of the second ball bearings are aligned in the optical axis direction and accommodated in the fifth guide groove of the housing.

11. The camera module according to claim 9, wherein: The first ball bearing and the second ball bearing are received in different guide grooves of the housing.

12. The camera module of claim 1 , further comprising a reflection module, the reflection module comprising a reflection member configured to change a path of incident light. in, The incident light emitted from the reflection module is incident on the fixed lens module.

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