Camera Module

Abstract

The camera module includes: a magnet arranged on a lens module; a supporting member arranged in a ball guide formed between the lens module and a housing accommodating the lens module; a coil arranged in the housing to face the magnet; and a yoke member arranged on the housing to interact with the magnet to generate a biasing magnetic force.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0037786 filed on April 1, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0166810 filed on December 13, 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 following description relates to a camera module configured to minimize a tilt phenomenon occurring during movement of a lens barrel in an optical axis direction. Background Art

[0004] The camera module can adjust the focal length. For example, the lens barrel can be moved along the optical axis direction by an actuator, so that the camera module can adjust the focal length. The movement of the lens barrel is usually guided by a support. More specifically, a plurality of ball supports are provided between the housing of the camera module and the lens barrel, so that the lens barrel can move smoothly. However, since this structure may cause the contact between the ball supports and the lens barrel to be partially separated due to manufacturing tolerances, the lens barrel may deviate to one side during the movement. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of providing this summary is to introduce a selection of inventive concepts in a concise form, and these inventive concepts will be further described in the following detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or essential features of the subject matter claimed, nor is it intended to help determine the scope of the subject matter claimed.

[0006] The camera module is configured to move the lens barrel along the optical axis direction.

[0007] In a general aspect, a camera module includes: a magnet disposed on a lens module; a support member disposed in a ball guide formed between the lens module and a housing accommodating the lens module; a coil disposed in the housing to face the magnet; and a yoke member disposed on the housing and configured to interact with the magnet to generate a biasing magnetic force.

[0008] The yoke member may be asymmetric with respect to an optical axis of the lens module.

[0009] The yoke member may include a protrusion protruding toward the magnet.

[0010] The protrusion may be disposed inside a winding of the coil.

[0011] The protrusion may be disposed outside a winding of the coil.

[0012] The yoke member may have a first surface area in a first region disposed on a first side of an optical axis of the lens module, and have a second surface area different from the first surface area in a second region disposed on a second side of the optical axis opposite to the first side.

[0013] The yoke member may have a first mass in a first region disposed on a first side of an optical axis of the lens module, and have a second mass different from the first mass in a second region disposed on a second side of the optical axis opposite to the first side.

[0014] The supporting member may include a plurality of supporting members disposed along an optical axis direction of the lens module.

[0015] The support member may include a first support of a first size and a second support of a second size, the second size being greater than the first size.

[0016] The first support may be disposed between a first one of the second supports and a second one of the second supports along the optical axis direction.

[0017] The first supports may include a first group of first supports disposed on a first side of the yoke member and a second group of first supports disposed on a second side of the yoke member opposite to the first side, the number of the first group of first supports being different from the number of the second group of first supports.

[0018] The second supports may include a first group of second supports disposed on a first side of the yoke member and a second group of second supports disposed on a second side of the yoke member opposite to the first side, the number of the first group of second supports being the same as the number of the second group of second supports.

[0019] In another general aspect, a camera module includes: a lens module configured to move along an optical axis direction by rolling friction; a magnet and a coil configured to provide a driving force required to move the lens module along the optical axis direction; a yoke member configured to face the magnet; and a protrusion disposed on the yoke member and disposed closer to the magnet than the yoke member.

[0020] The protrusion may be biased toward one side of the yoke member.

[0021] The protrusion may include a plurality of protrusions arranged along the optical axis direction with gaps therebetween.

[0022] In another general aspect, a camera module includes: a housing including a yoke and a coil disposed on the yoke; and a lens module including a magnet disposed to face the coil and configured to interact with the coil to move the lens module within the housing along an optical axis direction of the lens module.

[0023] The yoke is asymmetric relative to the optical axis in at least one of: surface area, mass, and shape of a surface on which the coil is disposed.

[0024] The yoke may include a protrusion protruding from the surface where the coil is disposed toward the magnet, and the protrusion may be offset with respect to the optical axis.

[0025] The protrusion may be disposed between a portion of the coil and the optical axis.

[0026] The protrusion may be disposed farther from the optical axis than the coil, and may extend in a direction parallel to the optical axis.

[0027] A length of the protrusion along a direction parallel to the optical axis may be less than or equal to an extending length of the coil along the optical axis direction.

[0028] The lens barrel can stably move along the optical axis direction, thereby alleviating the quality degradation of the camera module caused by the tilt phenomenon of the lens barrel.

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

[0030] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to an example.

[0031] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An assembled perspective view of the camera module is shown.

[0032] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the camera module taken along line II.

[0033] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the camera module taken along line II-II.

[0034] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The structural diagram of the yoke component is shown.

[0035] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a yoke member according to an example.

[0036] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a yoke member according to an example.

[0037] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a yoke member according to an example.

[0038] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a yoke member according to an example.

[0039] Fig.10 is a perspective view of a yoke member according to an example.

[0040] Fig.11 is a perspective view of a yoke member according to an example.

[0041] Fig.12 is a schematic diagram showing the attractive force relationship between the magnet and the yoke member.

[0042] Fig.13 is a schematic diagram showing the contact relationship between the lens barrel and the supporting member.

[0043] Fig.14 is an assembled perspective view of a camera module according to an example.

[0044] Fig.15 It is along Fig.14 A cross-sectional view of the camera module taken along line III-III.

[0045] Fig.16 It is along Fig.15 A cross-sectional view of the camera module taken along line IV-IV.

[0046] Fig.17 is a schematic diagram showing the contact relationship between the lens barrel and the supporting member.

[0047] 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

[0048] The following specific embodiments are provided to help the reader obtain a comprehensive understanding of the methods, devices and / or systems described in this application. However, various changes, modifications and equivalents of the methods, devices and / or systems described in this application will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The order of operations described in this application is merely an example, and except for operations that must occur in a specific order, it is not limited to the order set forth in this application, but can be changed, which will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. In addition, for greater clarity and brevity, the description of functions and configurations that are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art may be omitted.

[0049] The features described in this application may be implemented in different forms and should not be understood as being limited to the examples described in this application. Rather, the examples described in this application are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and the scope of this disclosure will be fully conveyed to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0050] It should be noted that in this application, the use of the term "may" with respect to examples or embodiments, for example, regarding what an example or embodiment may include or implement, means that there is at least one example or embodiment that includes or implements such features, but not all examples and embodiments are limited to this.

[0051] 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, there may be no other elements between the element and the other element.

[0052] 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.

[0053] Although the terms "first", "second" and "third" may be used in this application to describe various components, parts, regions, layers or parts, these components, parts, regions, layers or parts are not limited by these terms. More specifically, these terms are only used to distinguish one component, part, region, layer or part from another component, part, region, layer or part. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the examples described in this application, the first component, first component, first region, first layer or first part mentioned in these examples may also be referred to as the second component, second component, second region, second layer or second part.

[0054] Spatially relative terms such as "above", "higher", "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 also cover different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the accompanying drawings is flipped, an element described as being "above" or "higher" relative to another element will be "below" or "lower" relative to the other element. Therefore, depending on the spatial orientation of the device, the term "above" covers both orientations of "above" and "below". The device may also be oriented in other ways (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative terms used in this application should be interpreted accordingly.

[0055] The terms used in this application are only used to describe various examples and are not used to limit the present disclosure. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the articles "a", "an" and "the" are intended to also include plural forms. The words "include", "comprise" and "have" indicate the presence of the features, numbers, operations, components, elements and / or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, operations, components, elements and / or combinations thereof.

[0056] Variations in the shapes shown in the drawings may occur due to manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. Therefore, the examples described in the present application are not limited to the specific shapes shown in the drawings, but include variations in shapes that occur during manufacturing.

[0057] 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 possible.

[0058] Will refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 A camera module according to an example is described.

[0059] The camera module 100 may include a housing 110 and a lens module 120. However, the configuration of the camera module 100 is not limited to the housing 110 and the lens module 120. For example, the camera module 100 may further include a shielding cover 194 covering a main portion of the housing 110. The camera module 100 may include a driving assembly. For example, the camera module 100 may include a drive assembly for moving the camera along the optical axis direction ( Figure 2The driving assembly of the lens module 120 may be configured to drive the lens module 120 in a direction (Z direction in the optical axis) or in a direction intersecting the optical axis direction. The driving assembly may include a first driving assembly and a second driving assembly. The first driving assembly may be configured to perform a focus adjustment function, and the second driving assembly may be configured to perform an optical image stabilization function. Each driving assembly may include a magnet and a coil.

[0060] The housing 110 may be configured to accommodate the lens module 120. For example, the space for accommodating the lens module 120 may be elongated in the housing 110 along the optical axis direction. A drive assembly may be disposed in the housing 110. For example, coils 150, 152, and 154 (first coil 150 and second coil 152 and 154, respectively) for the drive assembly may be disposed on three side surfaces of the housing 110. The coils 150, 152, and 154 may be in the form of an ellipse and extend lengthwise in a direction intersecting the optical axis. In addition, a flexible circuit board 158 may be disposed on the housing 110. For example, as Figure 1 As shown, the flexible circuit board 158 may be disposed around three side surfaces of the housing 110. The flexible circuit board 158 may be electrically connected to the coils 150, 152, and 154. The coil 150 and the yoke member 160 may be disposed on the flexible circuit board 158. For example, the coil 150 may be disposed on the front surface of the flexible circuit board 158, and the yoke member 160 may be disposed on the rear surface of the flexible circuit board 158.

[0061] The coils 150, 152, and 154 may be disposed on respective surfaces of the flexible circuit board 158 to be electrically connected to the flexible circuit board 158. The housing 110 may accommodate an image sensor (not shown). For example, a board on which the image sensor is mounted may be disposed at the bottom of the housing 110.

[0062] The housing 110 and the lens module 120 may have a space formed to set a plurality of rolling members (e.g., supporting members). For example, a ball guide 112 extending in the optical axis direction may be formed on a surface of the housing 110 and the lens module 120 facing each other. The ball guide 112 is formed so that the lens module 120 can move in the optical axis direction. For example, the ball guide 112 may be elongated in the optical axis direction. The supporting member 170 may be disposed in the ball guide 112 disposed between the housing 110 and the lens module 120.

[0063] The lens module 120 may include one or more lenses. The lens module 120 may be configured to perform a focus adjustment function. For example, the lens module 120 may be freely movable in the housing 110 along the optical axis direction through a supporting member. The lens module 120 may be configured to perform an optical image stabilization function. For example, some components of the lens module 120 may be movable in the housing 110 or on another component of the lens module 120 along a direction intersecting the optical axis through a supporting member.

[0064] The lens module 120 may include a plurality of components. For example, the lens module 120 may include a first frame 122 , a second frame 124 , and a third frame 126 .

[0065] The first frame 122 may be configured to be accommodated in the housing 110. The first frame 122 may be movable in the housing 110 along the optical axis direction. A first guide groove 1222 accommodating a plurality of first rolling members 182 may be formed in the first frame 122. The first guide groove 1222 may be elongated along a first direction intersecting the optical axis. A portion of the first drive assembly may be disposed in the first frame 122. For example, the first magnet 140 may be disposed on a first side surface of the first frame 122. The first magnet 140 may be positioned to face the first coil 150 and the yoke member 160 disposed in the housing 110.

[0066] The second frame 124 may be configured to be accommodated in the first frame 122. The second frame 124 may be configured to be movable in a first direction intersecting the optical axis. For example, the second frame 124 may be movable in a first direction intersecting the optical axis along the first guide groove 1222. The first rolling member 182 disposed in the first guide groove 1222 may enable the second frame 124 to move smoothly. A space for disposing the second rolling member 184 may be formed in the second frame 124. For example, a plurality of second guide grooves 1242 may be formed in the second frame 124. The second guide groove 1242 may be formed in a direction different from the first guide groove 1222. For example, the second guide groove 1242 may be elongated in a second direction intersecting the optical axis.

[0067] The third frame 126 may be configured to be accommodated in the second frame 124. The third frame 126 may be configured to be movable in a direction intersecting the optical axis. For example, the third frame 126 may be movable in a second direction intersecting the optical axis along the second guide groove 1242. The second rolling member 184 disposed in the second guide groove 1242 may enable the third frame 126 to move smoothly. Some components of the second drive assembly may be disposed in the third frame 126. For example, the second magnets 142 and 144 may be disposed on both side surfaces of the third frame 126, respectively. The second magnets 142 and 144 may be disposed to face the second coils 152 and 154 disposed in the housing 110, respectively, through the open space of the first frame 122. The second magnets 142 and 144 may be disposed not to overlap with the first magnet 140. More specifically, the first magnet 140 and the second magnets 142 and 144 may be disposed to face different side surfaces of the housing 110. The third frame 126 may be coupled to the lens barrel 128, which is a part of the lens module 120. For example, the cylindrical lens barrel 128 may be securely mounted in the vertical open space of the third frame 126. The lens barrel 128 may be configured to refract light reflected from the object to the image sensor. To this end, the lens barrel 128 may include one or more lenses.

[0068] The camera module 100 may include a component for moving the lens module 120 in the optical axis direction. For example, the camera module 100 may include a first driving assembly (including a first magnet 140, a first coil 150, and a yoke member 160) for moving the lens module 120 in the optical axis direction. The first driving assembly may move the lens module 120 toward an object or toward an image sensor through the first magnet 140 and the first coil 150. The camera module 100 may adjust the focus by moving the lens module 120 in the optical axis direction.

[0069] The camera module 100 may further include a component for moving the lens module 120 in a direction intersecting the optical axis. For example, the camera module 100 may include a second drive assembly (including second magnets 142 and 144 and second coils 152 and 154) for moving a portion of the lens module 120 in a direction intersecting the optical axis. The second drive assembly may move a portion of the lens module 120 in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the optical axis. For example, the second magnets 142 and 144 and the second coils 152 and 154 may move the second frame 124 and the third frame 126 in a first direction intersecting the optical axis, or move the third frame 126 in a second direction intersecting the optical axis. The camera module 100 may perform an optical image stabilization function by moving the frame (including the first frame 122, the second frame 124, and the third frame 126) in a first direction intersecting the optical axis and a second direction intersecting the optical axis. The frame support member 192 may be disposed between the third frame 126 and the shield cover 194.

[0070] Will refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 Describes the internal configuration of the camera module.

[0071] As described above, the camera module 100 may include a first driving assembly for moving the lens module 120 in the optical axis direction. For example, the camera module 100 may include a first magnet 140, a first coil 150, and a yoke member 160 as a form of a driving assembly. The first magnet 140 may be provided on the lens module 120, and the first coil 150 and the yoke member 160 may be provided on the housing 110. The first magnet 140 and the first coil 150 may be provided to face each other. Therefore, the lens module 120 may be moved in the optical axis direction by the magnetic force generated between the first magnet 140 and the first coil 150.

[0072] The camera module 100 may include a friction reduction component (or a rolling contact component) for smoothly moving the lens module 120 in the optical axis direction. For example, the camera module 100 may include a plurality of support members 170 .

[0073] The support member 170 may be disposed in the ball guide 112 disposed between the housing 110 and the lens module 120. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the support members 170 may be arranged continuously in the optical axis direction. The support members 170 may have different sizes. For example, the support member 170 may include first support members 172 and 173 of a first size and second support members 171 and 174 of a second size, the second size being larger than the first size.

[0074] The first supports 172 and 173 may be disposed between the second supports 171 and 174. In other words, the first supports 172 and 173 may be disposed between the second supports 171 and 174. The support member 170 configured as described above may minimize contact friction with the lens module 120 while smoothly guiding the lens module 120 to move in the optical axis direction.

[0075] The following will refer to Figure 5 A yoke member of a camera module according to an example is described in detail.

[0076] The yoke member 160 may be configured to reduce abnormal noise (tilt phenomenon) that occurs when the lens module 120 moves in the optical axis direction. For example, the yoke member 160 may be configured to generate a magnetic force that is biased toward the first magnet 140 of the lens module 120 so that the lens module 120 can move stably. As a form, the yoke member 160 may include a protrusion 162 that protrudes toward the first magnet 140 of the lens module 120. The protrusion 162 may be formed closer to the first magnet 140 than the main body of the yoke member 160. The protrusion 162 may be formed in a space surrounded by the coil 150, such as Figure 5 However, the position where the protrusion 162 is formed is not limited to Figure 5 The structure shown.

[0077] The protrusion 162 may be formed to be biased to one side from the winding center CP (through the optical axis direction CC) of the coil 150 along the long axis direction (X-axis direction) of the coil 150. The spacing distance G between the protrusion 162 and the winding center CP may be determined by the protrusion size of the protrusion 162, the magnetic force of the first magnet 140, etc. For example, when the protrusion size is small or the magnetic force of the first magnet 140 is weak, the spacing distance may be increased. On the other hand, when the protrusion size is large or the magnetic force of the first magnet 140 is strong, the spacing distance may be reduced.

[0078] The protrusion 162 may be formed integrally with the yoke member 160. For example, the protrusion 162 may be a portion formed by bending or pressing a portion of the yoke member 160. As another example, the protrusion 162 may be formed by a yoke member of a different size added to the yoke member 160. As another example, the protrusion 162 may be formed on the yoke member 160 by surface mounting technology (SMT).

[0079] The yoke member 160 formed as described above may form a magnetic attraction force with a biased size relative to the first magnet 140. That is, compared with the right area of ​​the yoke member 160 not including the protrusion, the left area of ​​the yoke member 160 (refer to Figure 4 ) and the first magnet 140 can form a stronger magnetic attraction. Therefore, the lens module 120 can move in a state where the lens module 120 is closely attached to the support member 170 on one side by the bias magnetic force between the first magnet 140 and the yoke member 160.

[0080] The magnitude of the magnetic attraction force formed between the protrusion 162 and the first magnet 140 may be determined so that an abnormal sound caused by a tolerance between the lens module 120 and the support member 170 or a tolerance between the lens module 120 and the housing 110 may be offset. For example, when the tolerance between the lens module 120 and the support member 170 or between the lens module 120 and the housing 110 is large, the size of the protrusion 162 may be increased, or the first magnet 140 having a strong magnetic force may be used to generate a large magnetic attraction force between the protrusion 162 and the first magnet 140. On the other hand, when the tolerance between the lens module 120 and the support member 170 or between the lens module 120 and the housing 110 is small, the size of the protrusion 162 may be reduced, or the first magnet 140 having a weak magnetic force may be used to generate a small magnetic attraction force between the protrusion 162 and the first magnet 140.

[0081] Other examples of yoke components will be referred to below. Figures 6 to 11 Give a description.

[0082] First, refer to Figure 6 Another example of the yoke member is described.

[0083] Figure 6 The yoke member 160 of the embodiment is different from the above-mentioned examples in the form of the protrusion 164. For example, the protrusion 164 can be formed by attaching to the yoke member 160 through a subsequent process. The protrusion 164 can be coupled to the yoke member 160 by adhesive or other methods. The protrusion 164 can be in the form of a material substantially the same as or similar to the yoke member 160.

[0084] Another example of a yoke member will be referred to Figure 7 Give a description.

[0085] Figure 7 The yoke member 160 of the embodiment is different from the above-mentioned example in that the protrusion 164 is located outside the coil 150. That is, the protrusion 164 can be arranged outside the coil 150 to completely deviate from the winding center CP of the coil 150. The protrusion 164 can be configured to apply a biased magnetic force along the optical axis direction of the lens module 120. To this end, the protrusion 164 can be elongated in the optical axis direction CC.

[0086] Since the yoke member 160 configured as described above has the protrusion 164 which is long in the optical axis direction (in the length L1), a biased magnetic force can be generated between the first magnet 140 and the yoke member 160 even if the first magnet 140 moves in the optical axis direction together with the lens module 120.

[0087] Next, we will refer to Figure 8 Another example of the yoke member is described.

[0088] Figure 8The yoke member 160 is different from the above-mentioned examples in terms of the arrangement position and number of the protrusions 166. The protrusions 166 may be disposed outside the coil 150 to deviate from the winding center CP of the coil 150 and be completely offset to the left. In addition, the plurality of protrusions 166 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined gap G1 in the optical axis direction CC.

[0089] The length L2 from the upper end of the uppermost protrusion 166 to the lower end of the lowermost protrusion 166 may be equal to or less than the extension length h of the coil 150 in the optical axis direction. In addition, the gap G1 between adjacent protrusions 166 may not be greater than the length of the protrusion 166 in the short axis direction of the protrusion 166.

[0090] Since the yoke member 160 configured as described above has the plurality of protrusions 166 spaced apart from each other by the gap G1 in the optical axis direction, a biased magnetic force may be generated between the first magnet 140 and the yoke member 160 even if the position of the lens module 120 changes.

[0091] Next, we will refer to Fig. 9 Another example of the yoke member is described.

[0092] Fig. 9 The yoke member 160 is different from the above-mentioned examples in the arrangement of the protrusions 164. Fig. 9 In the embodiment, the protrusions 164 may be formed in an inner space surrounded by the coil 150 and outside the coil 150 , respectively.

[0093] Since the yoke member 160 configured as described above has the plurality of protrusions 164 densely arranged on one side of the winding center CP of the coil 150 , the magnitude of the biased magnetic force generated between the first magnet 140 and the yoke member 160 may be increased.

[0094] Next, we will refer to Fig.10 Another example of the yoke member is described.

[0095] Fig.10 The yoke member 160 of the embodiment is different from the above-mentioned embodiment in the overall shape of the yoke member 160. For example, the yoke member 160 may have a left side area and a right side area that are asymmetric with respect to the optical axis CC, such as Fig.10 That is, the area A1 of the right side portion 160a of the yoke member 160 may be smaller than the area A2 of the left side portion 160b of the yoke member 160. Therefore, the left side portion 160b of the yoke member 160 may have a stronger attraction to the first magnet 140 than the right side portion 160a of the yoke member 160.

[0096] Since the yoke member 160 configured as described above does not have a separate component formed on or connected to a surface of the yoke member 160 , a process of manufacturing the camera module 100 may be simplified.

[0097] Next, we will refer to Fig.11 Another example of the yoke member is described.

[0098] Fig.11 The yoke member 160 of the embodiment is different from the above-mentioned embodiment in the overall shape of the yoke member 160. The yoke member 160 may have a left-right asymmetric shape relative to the optical axis CC, such as Fig.11 For example, the yoke member 160 may have left and right masses different from each other relative to the winding center CP of the coil 150, as shown in FIG. Fig.11 shown.

[0099] The mass of the right side portion 160a of the yoke member 160 may be smaller than the mass of the left side portion 160b of the yoke member 160. To this end, the first thickness t1 of the right side portion 160a of the yoke member 160 may be smaller than the second thickness t2 of the left side portion 160b of the yoke member 160. The portion having the second thickness t2 may have a predetermined length L3. For example, the portion having the second thickness t2 may generally extend to the winding center CP of the coil 150.

[0100] Since the mass of the left portion 160 b of the yoke member 160 configured as described above is greater than the mass of the right portion 160 a , the attraction generated between the left portion 160 b and the first magnet 140 may be greater than the attraction generated between the right portion 160 a and the first magnet 140 .

[0101] Next, we will refer to Fig.12 and Fig.13 Characteristics of a lens module driving a camera module according to various examples are described.

[0102] As described above, the camera module 100 can move the lens module 120 in the optical axis direction. For example, the lens module 120 can move upward or downward in the optical axis direction through the interaction between the first magnet 140 and the coil 150. The lens module 120 can move smoothly through rolling friction with the support member 170. For example, the lens module 120 can move while being in point contact or line contact with the support member 170.

[0103] The camera module 100 can minimize the abnormal sound (or tilt phenomenon) that occurs when the lens module 120 moves. In the camera module 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment, a biased attractive force can be generated between the first magnet 140 of the lens module 120 and the yoke member 160. For example, the lens module 120 can move in the optical axis direction in a state where the lens module 120 is close to the right side portion or the left side portion of the yoke member 160.

[0104] In the camera module 100 , the lens module 120 may be moved in a state where the lens module 120 is close to the left side portion of the yoke member 160 by an attractive force generated between the protrusion 162 and the first magnet 140 .

[0105] The lens module 120 may selectively contact the support members 170a and 170b by the biased attraction of the first magnet 140 and the yoke member 160. For example, the lens module 120 may always contact the support members 171b, 172b, 173b, and 174b disposed on the left side of the lens module 120, but may also selectively contact the support members 171a, 172a, 173a, and 174a disposed on the right side of the lens module 120.

[0106] The contact structure between the lens module 120 and the supporting members 170a and 170b as described above can significantly reduce abnormal noise (tilting phenomenon) occurring when the lens module 120 moves because the lens module 120 is supported by the plurality of supporting members 171b, 172b, 173b and 174b.

[0107] Next, we will refer to Figures 14 to 17 A camera module according to another example is described. Hereinafter, descriptions of components having the same reference numerals as those of the above-described example will be omitted.

[0108] The camera module 102 may include a housing 110 and a lens module 120. As in the above-described camera module 100, the lens module 120 may include a first frame, a second frame, a third frame, and a lens barrel 128.

[0109] The lens module 120 may be configured to move in the optical axis direction (Z direction). The support member 170 may be provided between the housing 110 and the lens module 120 to smoothly move the lens module 120 in the optical axis direction. The support member 170 may be provided between the groove (guide portion 112) of the housing 110 and the groove of the lens module 120.

[0110] The camera module 102 may include a first magnet 140 and a first coil 150 to move the lens module 120 in the optical axis direction. The first magnet 140 may be disposed on the lens module 120, and the coil 150 may be disposed on the housing 110. The camera module 102 may include a flexible circuit board 158 for supplying current to the coil 150. The flexible circuit board 158 may be disposed on one surface of the housing 110. A yoke member 160 capable of generating a predetermined magnitude of magnetic force with the first magnet 140 may be disposed on the flexible circuit board 158.

[0111] The camera module 102 may include a component for generating a bias magnetic force between the first magnet 140 of the lens module 120 and the yoke member 160. For example, Fig.16 As shown, the camera module 102 may include a protrusion 162 formed on the yoke member 160. The protrusion 162 may be disposed outside the coil 150 to easily form a biased magnetic force with the first magnet 140.

[0112] The camera module 102 may include a support member 170 to move the lens module 120 in an offset manner along the optical axis direction. The support member 170 may include first support members 172a, 172b, and 173b of a first size and second support members 171a, 174a, 171b, and 174b of a second size. The support member 170 may be asymmetrically arranged on the left and right sides relative to the first magnet 140 and the first coil 150. For example, three support members 171a, 172a, and 174a may be arranged on the right side of the first magnet 140, and four support members 171b, 172b, 173b, and 174b may be arranged on the left side of the first magnet 140. More specifically, the first supports 172a, 172b, and 173b may be provided in different numbers on the left and right sides of the first magnet 140 and the first coil 150, but the second supports 171a, 174a, 171b, and 174b may be provided in equal numbers on the left and right sides of the first magnet 140 and the first coil 150. As another example, the two second supports 171a and 174a on the right side of the first magnet 140 may be arranged to have a gap therebetween that is smaller than the height of the first magnet 140 or the coil 150, and the two second supports 171b and 174b on the left side of the first magnet 140 may be arranged to have a gap therebetween that is substantially equal to the height of the first magnet 140 or the coil 150.

[0113] The supporting member 170 configured as described above can support the lens module 120 to move smoothly in the optical axis direction according to the biased magnetic force. Fig.17More specifically, the support members 171a, 172a, and 174a disposed on the right side of the first magnet 140 may be configured to minimize the rolling contact portion with the lens module 120, and the support members 171b, 172b, 173b, and 174b disposed on the left side of the first magnet 140 may be configured to maximize the rolling contact portion with the lens module 120, thereby alleviating abnormal noise (tilt phenomenon) caused by the movement of the lens module 120 along the optical axis direction.

[0114] Although the present disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art 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 limiting purposes. The description of the features or aspects in each example should be considered to be applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. If the described techniques are performed in a different order, and / or if the components in the described systems, architectures, devices, or circuits are replaced or supplemented in different ways and / or by other components or their equivalents, appropriate results can still be achieved. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited by specific embodiments, but by the claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents should be understood to be included in the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A camera module, comprising: A lens module in the housing; A magnet disposed on the lens module; a coil disposed on the housing and configured to face the magnet; and a first yoke member disposed on an inner side of the coil, The first yoke member is spaced apart from a center of the coil toward one side of the coil.

2. The camera module according to claim 1, in, The magnet extends in a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the lens module The first yoke member is spaced apart from a center of the coil toward the first direction.

3. The camera module according to claim 1, A second yoke member is also included, and the second yoke member is disposed on the housing and configured to face the magnet.

4. The camera module according to claim 1, Also included is a supporting member disposed between the housing and the lens module.

5. The camera module according to claim 4, in, The supporting member includes a first supporting member and a second supporting member spaced apart toward a first direction perpendicular to an optical axis direction of the lens module.

6. The camera module according to claim 5, in, The first supporting member and the second supporting member are respectively disposed along a direction parallel to an optical axis of the lens module.

7. The camera module according to claim 5, in, The first support member and the second support member each include: at least one first support member having a first size; and A plurality of second supports having a second dimension greater than the first dimension.

8. The camera module according to claim 7, in, The first support is disposed between the plurality of second supports.

9. The camera module according to claim 8, in, The number of the first supports provided in the first support member is different from the number of the first supports provided in the second support member.

10. The camera module according to claim 8, in, The number of the second supports provided in the first support member is the same as the number of the second supports provided in the second support member.

11. The camera module according to claim 7, in, The plurality of second supporting members are disposed at the outermost sides in the optical axis direction of the lens module.

12. The camera module according to claim 11, in, A distance at which the plurality of second supports are arranged in the first support member in the optical axis direction is different from a distance at which the plurality of second supports are arranged in the second support member in the optical axis direction.

13. The camera module according to claim 1, Also includes a circuit board disposed on the housing, in, At least a portion of the first yoke member is disposed on the circuit board.

14. The camera module according to claim 13, in, The portion of the circuit board includes a first surface facing the magnet, At least a portion of the first yoke member protrudes from the first surface toward the magnet.

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