Camera actuator and camera device including the same

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a camera actuator, which includes: a mover, which includes an optical component for changing the path of incident light; a driving unit, which is used to move the mover in a first direction or a second direction perpendicular to the direction of an optical axis; an output unit, which is used to output a control signal for moving the mover; a first position sensor, which is used to sense position information of the mover in a second direction; an image sensor, which is used to receive light that has passed through the optical component to generate image information; and a calculation unit, which is used to calculate a rotation correction amount of the image information with reference to the optical axis direction of the image information by utilizing the position information of the mover in the second direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a camera actuator and a camera device including the camera actuator. Background Art

[0002] A camera is a device for taking photos or videos of a subject and is mounted on a portable device, a drone, a vehicle, etc. The camera device may have an image stabilization (IS) function for correcting or preventing image shaking caused by user movement to improve image quality, an autofocus function for aligning the focus of a lens by automatically adjusting the distance between an image sensor and the lens, and a zoom function for capturing a distant subject by increasing or decreasing the magnification of the distant subject with a zoom lens.

[0003] Meanwhile, as pixels with higher resolutions increase the resolution of the image sensor, the pixel size decreases. Furthermore, as pixels become smaller, the amount of light received in the same timeframe decreases. Therefore, as cameras with higher-resolution pixels decrease in shutter speed in dark environments, image shakiness caused by hand shake may become more severe. As a representative image stabilization (IS) technology, there is optical image stabilizer (OIS) technology that corrects for motion by changing the light path.

[0004] Conventional OIS technology can detect camera motion using a gyro sensor or the like, and based on the detected motion, can tilt or move the lens, or can tilt or move the camera module including the lens and image sensor. In order to tilt or move the camera module including the lens and image sensor used for OIS, it is necessary to additionally ensure space around the lens or camera module for tilting or moving.

[0005] Meanwhile, the actuator for OIS may be arranged around the lens. In this case, the actuator for OIS may include an actuator responsible for tilting two axes perpendicular to the Z-axis direction, namely the X-axis and the Y-axis, which is the optical axis direction.

[0006] However, due to the demand for ultra-thin and ultra-compact camera devices, there are significant space limitations for arranging the actuator used for OIS, and it can be difficult to ensure sufficient space to tilt or move the camera module itself, which includes the lens, or the camera module including the lens and image sensor, to implement OIS. In addition, when the camera has higher resolution pixels, it is preferred that the size of the lens be increased to increase the amount of light received. However, due to the space occupied by the actuator used for OIS, there may be limitations on increasing the lens size.

[0007] In addition, when a zoom function, an AF function, and an OIS function are all included in a camera device, there is also a problem in that an OIS magnet and an AF or zoom magnet are disposed close to each other to cause magnetic field interference.

[0008] In addition, there is a problem such as noise generated by a position sensor including a Hall sensor for detecting a position or the like. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Technical issues

[0010] The present invention is directed to providing a camera actuator for correcting image information using position information of a mover.

[0011] In addition, embodiments may provide a camera actuator for providing more accurate noise reduction by adjusting a change in a correction amount of position information according to a change in a focal length of a lens.

[0012] In addition, as an embodiment, a camera actuator that can be applied to an ultra-thin, ultra-small, and high-resolution pixel camera can be provided.

[0013] The purpose of the embodiment is not limited thereto and will also include purposes or effects that can be identified from the configuration or embodiment.

[0014] Technical Solutions

[0015] A camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a mover including an optical component for changing a path of incident light; a driving unit for moving the mover in a first direction or a second direction perpendicular to a direction of an optical axis; an output unit for outputting a control signal for moving the mover; a first position sensor for detecting position information of the mover in a second direction; an image sensor for receiving light passing through the optical component to generate image information; and a calculation unit for calculating a rotation correction amount of the image information based on the optical axis direction of the image information using the position information of the mover in the second direction.

[0016] Incident light may be incident from the mover along a first direction and output along an optical axis direction.

[0017] The optical member may be provided to have an inclined direction that is not perpendicular to the first direction and the optical axis direction.

[0018] The optical member may be provided to be inclined with respect to a plane formed by the second direction and any one of the first direction and the optical axis direction.

[0019] The optical member may be perpendicular to a plane formed by the first direction and the optical axis direction.

[0020] The camera actuator may further include at least one lens for moving in the optical axis direction, and the calculation unit may adjust the change in the rotation correction amount of the position information according to the change in the focal length of the at least one lens.

[0021] The change in the rotation correction amount may increase when the focal length of at least one lens increases, and decrease when the focal length of at least one lens decreases.

[0022] The camera actuator may further include a second position sensor for detecting position information of the mover in the first direction.

[0023] The calculation unit may not reflect the position information to the rotation correction amount of the mover in the first direction.

[0024] A camera actuator according to an embodiment includes: a mover including an optical component for changing a path of incident light; a driving unit for moving the mover in a first direction or a second direction perpendicular to a direction of an optical axis; an output unit for outputting a control signal for moving the mover; a second position sensor for detecting position information of the mover in a second direction; an image sensor for receiving light passing through the optical component to generate image information; and a calculation unit for calculating a rotation correction amount of the image sensor around the direction of the optical axis using the position information of the mover in the second direction.

[0025] Effects of the Invention

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a camera actuator for correcting image information using position information of a mover can be implemented.

[0027] In addition, embodiments may implement a camera actuator for providing more accurate noise reduction by adjusting a change in a correction amount of position information according to a change in a focal length of a lens.

[0028] A camera actuator that is applicable to ultra-thin, ultra-small, and high-resolution cameras can be provided. In particular, an actuator for OIS can be efficiently provided without increasing the overall size of the camera device.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, tilting in the X-axis direction and tilting in the Y-axis direction do not cause magnetic fields to interfere with each other, a stable structure for performing tilting in the X-axis direction and tilting in the Y-axis direction can be implemented, and because magnetic field interference with the AF or zoom actuator does not occur, a precise OIS function can be implemented.

[0030] According to the embodiments of the present invention, a sufficient amount of light can be ensured by eliminating the size limitation of the lens and OIS can be implemented with low energy loss.

[0031] Various beneficial advantages and effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned contents and will be more easily understood in the course of describing specific embodiments of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment;

[0033] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment;

[0034] Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of line AA' in FIG.

[0035] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a first camera actuator according to an embodiment;

[0036] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a first camera actuator according to an embodiment with a shield case and a base plate removed therefrom;

[0037] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the line BB' in FIG.

[0038] Figure 7 It is along Figure 5 The cross-sectional view of C-C' in FIG;

[0039] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a second camera actuator according to an embodiment;

[0040] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of a second camera actuator according to an embodiment;

[0041] Figure 10 It is along Figure 8 The cross-sectional view of D-D' in FIG;

[0042] Figure 11 It is along Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of line EE' in FIG.

[0043] Figure 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camera module according to an embodiment;

[0044] Figure 13 is a block diagram of a control unit according to an embodiment;

[0045] Figure 14 is a perspective view of a mover in a first camera actuator according to an embodiment;

[0046] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of a first camera actuator according to an embodiment;

[0047] Figure 16 is a view showing image information according to movement of a mover in a second direction in a first camera actuator according to an embodiment;

[0048] Figure 17 It is used for Figure 16 A view that describes the image information in the image;

[0049] Figure 18 is a view showing image information according to movement of a mover in a first direction in a first camera actuator according to an embodiment;

[0050] Figure 19 It is used for Figure 18 A view that describes the image information in the image;

[0051] Figure 20 and Figure 21 is a diagram for describing an operation of a control unit of a camera module according to an embodiment to adjust a rotation correction amount according to second position information;

[0052] Figure 22 is a diagram for describing driving of a control unit according to another embodiment;

[0053] Figure 23 is a flow chart of a method for driving a control unit according to an embodiment;

[0054] Figure 24 is a perspective view of a mobile terminal to which the camera module according to the embodiment is applied; and

[0055] Figure 25 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle to which a camera module according to an embodiment is applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The present invention is susceptible to various changes and embodiments, and therefore specific embodiments are illustrated and described in the drawings.

[0057] However, it should be understood that the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments, and the present invention should be construed to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0058] Terms including ordinal numbers such as second or first may be used to describe various components, but these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another. For example, a second component may be referred to as a first component, and similarly, a first component may be referred to as a second component without departing from the scope of the present invention. The term "and / or" includes a combination of a plurality of the related listed terms or any one of the plurality of the related listed terms.

[0059] When a component is described as being “connected” or “coupled” to another component, it can be understood that the component is directly connected or coupled to the other component, but other components may exist between the component and the other component. On the other hand, when a component is described as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another component, it should be understood that no other components exist between the component and the other component.

[0060] The terms used in this application are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, singular expressions include plural expressions. In this application, it should be understood that terms such as "including" or "having" are intended to specify that the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in this specification are present, but do not exclude the possibility of the prior existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0061] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. For example, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be understood to have meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0062] Hereinafter, various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or corresponding components are given the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions of the same or corresponding components will be omitted.

[0063] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment, and Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 Cross-sectional view along line AA'.

[0064] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2The camera module 1000 according to the embodiment may include a cover member CV, a first camera actuator 1100, a second camera actuator 1200, and a circuit board 1300. Here, the first camera actuator 1100 may be used interchangeably with the first actuator, and the second actuator 1200 may be used interchangeably with the second actuator.

[0065] The cover CV may cover the first camera actuator 1100 and the second camera actuator 1200. A coupling force between the first camera actuator 1100 and the second camera actuator 1200 may be increased by the cover CV.

[0066] In addition, the cover CV may be made of a material that blocks electromagnetic waves. Therefore, the first camera actuator 1100 and the second camera actuator 1200 in the cover CV may be easily protected.

[0067] In addition, the first camera actuator 1100 may be an optical image stabilizer (OIS) actuator.

[0068] The first camera actuator 1100 may include a lens. For example, the first camera actuator 1100 may include a fixed focal length lens provided on a predetermined lens barrel (not shown). The fixed focal length lens may be referred to as a "single focal length lens" or a "single lens."

[0069] The first camera actuator 1100 can change the optical path. In this embodiment, the first camera actuator 1100 can change the optical path that vertically passes through an optical member (e.g., a mirror or prism) in the first camera actuator 1100. With this configuration, even when the thickness of the mobile terminal is reduced, a lens configuration larger than the thickness of the mobile terminal can be provided in the mobile terminal by changing the optical path, making it possible to perform magnification, auto focus (AF), and OIS functions.

[0070] The second camera actuator 1200 may be provided at a rear end portion of the first camera actuator 1100. The second camera actuator 1200 may be coupled to the first camera actuator 1100. In addition, the mutual coupling may be performed through various methods.

[0071] In addition, the second camera actuator 1200 may be a zoom actuator or an AF actuator. For example, the second camera actuator 1200 may support one or more lenses and may perform an AF function or a zoom function by moving the lens according to a predetermined control signal of the control unit.

[0072] The circuit board 1300 may be provided at a rear end portion of the second camera actuator 1200. The circuit board 1300 may be electrically connected to the second camera actuator 1200 and the first camera actuator 1100. In addition, a plurality of circuit boards 1300 may be provided.

[0073] The camera module according to the embodiment may be formed of a single module or a plurality of camera modules. For example, the plurality of camera modules may include a first camera module and a second camera module.

[0074] In addition, the first camera module may include a single actuator or a plurality of actuators. For example, the first camera module may include a first camera actuator 1100 and a second camera actuator 1200.

[0075] In addition, the second camera module may be provided in a predetermined housing (not shown) and include an actuator (not shown) that can drive the lens unit. The actuator may be a voice coil motor, a microactuator, a silicon actuator, etc. and may be applied in various ways such as an electrostatic method, a thermal method, a bimorph method, and an electrostatic force method, but is not limited thereto. In addition, in this specification, a camera actuator may be referred to as an actuator, etc. In addition, a camera module including multiple camera modules may be installed in various electronic devices, such as mobile terminals.

[0076] Reference Figure 3 , a camera module according to an embodiment may include a first camera actuator 1100 for performing an OIS function and a second camera actuator 1200 for performing a zoom function and an AF function.

[0077] Light can be incident on the camera module through the opening area positioned on the upper surface of the first camera actuator 1100. In other words, light can be incident on the first camera actuator 1100 along the X-axis direction, and the light path can be changed along the vertical direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction) by the optical member. In addition, the light can pass through the second camera actuator 1200 and can be incident on the image sensor IS positioned at one end of the second camera actuator 1200 (PATH). Therefore, the optical axis direction can be the Z-axis direction, which is the incident direction of the light on the image sensor. For example, the optical axis can be the central axis of the incident light or can correspond to the Z-axis direction in the drawings hereinafter, which is the movement direction of the light after being reflected by the optical member.

[0078] In addition, in this specification, the bottom surface refers to a side in the first direction. In addition, the first direction is the X-axis direction in the drawings and can be used interchangeably with the second axis direction, etc. The second direction is the Y-axis direction in the drawings and can be used interchangeably with the first axis direction. The second direction is a direction perpendicular to the first direction. In addition, the third direction is the Z-axis direction in the drawings and can be used interchangeably with the third axis direction. This direction is perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction. Here, the third direction (Z-axis direction) corresponds to the optical axis direction, and the first direction (X-axis direction) and the second direction (Y-axis direction) are directions perpendicular to the optical axis and can be tilted by the first camera actuator. A detailed description of this will be given below.

[0079] In addition, in the following description of the first camera actuator 1100 and the second camera actuator 1200 , the optical axis direction is the third direction (Z-axis direction) and the following description will be made based on this.

[0080] Furthermore, with this configuration, the camera module according to embodiments can reduce spatial constraints on the first and second camera actuators by changing the optical path. In other words, the camera module according to embodiments can extend the optical path while minimizing the thickness of the camera module in response to the change in the optical path. Furthermore, it should be understood that the second camera actuator can provide a wide range of magnifications by controlling the focus of the extended optical path, for example.

[0081] In addition, the camera module according to the embodiment can implement OIS by controlling the light path passing through the first camera actuator, thereby minimizing the occurrence of decentering or tilting phenomena and exerting the best optical characteristics.

[0082] In addition, the second camera actuator 1200 may include an optical system and a lens driving unit. For example, at least one of a first lens assembly, a second lens assembly, a third lens assembly, and a guide pin may be provided in the second camera actuator 1200.

[0083] In addition, the second camera actuator 1200 may include a coil and a magnet and may perform a high-magnification zoom function.

[0084] For example, the first and second lens assemblies can be movable lenses that move through the coils, magnets, and guide pins, and the third lens can be a fixed lens, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the third lens assembly can function as a focuser, through which light forms an image at a specific location, and the first lens assembly can function as a converter, re-imaging the image formed by the third lens assembly, acting as a focuser, at another location. Furthermore, because the distance to the object or image distance varies significantly, the first lens assembly can be in a state where the magnification varies significantly, and the first lens assembly, acting as a converter, can play a significant role in varying the focal length or magnification of the optical system. Furthermore, the image point formed by the first lens assembly, acting as a converter, can vary slightly depending on the location. Therefore, the second lens assembly can perform a positional compensation function for the image formed by the converter. For example, the second lens assembly can utilize the image point formed by the first lens assembly, acting as a converter, to perform a compensator function, accurately forming an image at the actual location of the image sensor. For example, the first and second lens assemblies can be driven by electromagnetic force due to the interaction between the coil and the magnet. The above description can be applied to the lens assembly to be described below.

[0085] At the same time, when an OIS actuator and an AF actuator or a zoom actuator are provided according to an embodiment of the present invention, magnetic field interference with the AF magnet or the zoom magnet can be prevented when the OIS is driven. Since the first drive magnet of the first camera actuator 1100 is provided separately from the second camera actuator 1200, magnetic field interference between the first camera actuator 1100 and the second camera actuator 1200 can be prevented. In this specification, OIS may be used interchangeably with terms such as hand shake correction, optical image stabilizer, optical image correction, shake correction, etc.

[0086] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a second camera actuator according to an embodiment.

[0087] Reference Figure 4 , the first camera actuator 1100 according to the embodiment includes a first shield case (not shown), a first housing 1120 , a mover 1130 , a rotating unit 1140 , and a first driving unit 1150 .

[0088] The mover 1130 may include a holder 1131 and an optical member 1132 seated on the holder 1131. The mover 1130 can change the path of incident light. In addition, the rotating unit 1140 includes a rotating plate 1141, a first magnetic substance 1142 having a coupling force with the rotating plate 1141, and a second magnetic substance 1143 positioned in the rotating plate 1141. In addition, the first driving unit 1150 includes a driving magnet 1151, a driving coil 1152, a Hall sensor unit 1153, and a first plate unit 1154.

[0089] A first shield case (not shown) may be positioned on the outermost side of the first camera actuator 1100 and positioned to surround a rotating unit 1140 and a first driving unit 1150 to be described below.

[0090] The first shielding case (not shown) may block or reduce electromagnetic waves generated from the outside, thereby reducing the occurrence of malfunction of the rotating unit 1140 or the first driving unit 1150.

[0091] The first housing 1120 may be positioned inside a first shield case (not shown). In addition, the first housing 1120 may be positioned inside a first board unit 1154 to be described below. The first housing 1120 may be fastened by being inserted or fitted into the first shield case (not shown).

[0092] The first housing 1120 may be formed of a plurality of housing side portions, and may include a first housing side portion 1121 , a second housing side portion 1122 , a third housing side portion 1123 , and a fourth housing side portion 1124 .

[0093] The first case side portion 1121 and the second case side portion 1122 may be disposed to face each other. In addition, the third case side portion 1123 and the fourth case side portion 1124 may be disposed between the first case side portion 1121 and the second case side portion 1122.

[0094] The third case side portion 1123 may be in contact with the first case side portion 1121, the second case side portion 1122, and the fourth case side portion 1124. In addition, the third case side portion 1123 may include a bottom surface as a lower portion of the first case 1120.

[0095] In addition, the first housing side portion 1121 may include a first housing hole 1121 a , in which a first coil 1152 a to be described below may be positioned.

[0096] In addition, the second housing side portion 1122 may include a second housing hole 1122a. In addition, a second coil 1152b to be described below may be positioned in the second housing hole 1122a.

[0097] The first coil 1152a and the second coil 1152b may be coupled to the first board unit 1154. In this embodiment, the first coil 1152a and the second coil 1152b may be electrically connected to the first board unit 1154 so that current can flow. The current is a component of the electromagnetic force that allows the second camera actuator to tilt relative to the X-axis.

[0098] Additionally, the third housing side portion 1123 may include a third housing hole 1123a. A third coil 1152c, described below, may be positioned within this third housing hole 1123a. The third coil 1152c may be coupled to the first plate unit 1154. Furthermore, the third coil 1152c may be electrically connected to the first plate unit 1154 to allow current to flow. This current is a component of the electromagnetic force that allows the second camera actuator to tilt relative to the Y-axis.

[0099] The fourth housing side portion 1124 may include a first housing groove 1124a. A first magnetic substance 1142 to be described below may be provided in an area facing the first housing groove 1124a. Therefore, the first housing 1120 may be coupled to the rotating plate 1141 by magnetic force or the like.

[0100] In addition, the first case groove 1124a according to the embodiment may be positioned on the inner surface or the outer surface of the fourth case side portion 1124. Therefore, the first magnetic substance 1142 may be provided at a position corresponding to the first case groove 1124a.

[0101] In addition, the first housing 1120 may include a receiving unit 1125 formed by the first to fourth housing side portions 1121 to 1224. The mover 1130 may be positioned in the receiving unit 1125.

[0102] The mover 1130 includes a holder 1131 and an optical member 1132 seated in the holder 1131 .

[0103] The holder 1131 may be seated in the accommodation unit 1125 of the first housing 1120. The holder 1131 may include outer surfaces of first to fourth prisms corresponding to the first, second, third, and fourth housing side portions 1121, 1122, 1123, and 1124, respectively.

[0104] A seating groove in which the second magnetic substance 1143 may be seated may be provided on an outer surface of the fourth prism facing the fourth housing side portion 1124 .

[0105] The optical member 1132 can be seated on the holder 1131. To this end, the holder 1131 can have a seating surface, and the seating surface can be formed by a receiving groove. The optical member 1132 may include a reflection unit provided in the optical member 1132. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the optical member 1132 can reflect light reflected from the outside (e.g., an object) into the camera module. In other words, the optical member 1132 can reduce the spatial constraints on the first camera actuator and the second camera actuator by changing the path of the reflected light. Therefore, it should be understood that the camera module can also provide a high range of magnification by extending the light path while minimizing the thickness of the camera module. For example, the optical member 1132 may include a prism, a mirror, etc.

[0106] The rotating unit 1140 includes a rotating plate 1141 , a first magnetic substance 1142 having a coupling force with the rotating plate 1141 , and a second magnetic substance 1143 positioned in the rotating plate 1141 .

[0107] The rotating plate 1141 may be coupled to the above-described mover 1130 and the first housing 1120. The rotating plate 1141 may include an additional magnetic substance (not shown) positioned therein.

[0108] In addition, the rotating plate 1141 may be provided adjacent to the optical axis. Therefore, the actuator according to the embodiment may easily change the optical path according to the first axis tilt and the second axis tilt to be described below.

[0109] The rotating plate 1141 may include a first protrusion independently provided along a first direction (X-axis direction) and a second protrusion independently provided along a second direction (Y-axis direction). In addition, the first protrusion and the second protrusion may protrude in opposite directions. A detailed description of this will be given below.

[0110] In addition, the first magnetic substance 1142 may include a plurality of yokes, and the plurality of yokes may be positioned to face each other relative to the rotating plate 1141. In this embodiment, the first magnetic substance 1142 may be formed by a plurality of yokes facing each other. In addition, the rotating plate 1141 may be positioned between the plurality of yokes.

[0111] The first magnetic substance 1142 can be positioned in the first housing 1120 as described above. Additionally, as described above, the first magnetic substance 1142 can be seated on the inner or outer surface of the fourth housing side portion 1124. For example, the first magnetic substance 1142 can be seated in a groove formed in the fourth housing side portion 1124. Alternatively, the first magnetic substance 1142 can be seated in the first housing groove 1124a.

[0112] In addition, the second magnetic material 1143 can be positioned on the outer surface of the mover 1130, in particular the retainer 1131. With this configuration, the rotating plate 1141 can be easily coupled to the first housing 1120 and the mover 1130 by the coupling force caused by the internal magnetic force between the second magnetic material 1143 and the first magnetic material 1142. In the present invention, the positions of the first magnetic material 1142 and the second magnetic material 1143 can be moved relative to each other. For example, an attractive force or a repulsive force can act between the first magnetic material 1142 and the second magnetic material 1143. As for the attractive force, the attractive force between the first magnetic material 1142 and the second magnetic material 1143 can press the rotating plate 1141 between the retainer and the housing. Therefore, in addition to the X / Y tilt by the first drive unit 1150, the posture or position of the rotating plate 1141 can be maintained.

[0113] The first driving unit 1150 includes a driving magnet 1151 , a driving coil 1152 , a hall sensor unit 1153 , and a first board unit 1154 .

[0114] The driving magnet 1151 may include a plurality of magnets. In this embodiment, the driving magnet 1151 may include a first magnet 1151a, a second magnet 1151b, and a third magnet 1151c.

[0115] Each of the first magnet 1151a, the second magnet 1151b, and the third magnet 1151c can be positioned on the outer surface of the holder 1131. In addition, the first magnet 1151a and the second magnet 1151b can be positioned to face each other. In addition, the third magnet 1151c can be positioned on the bottom surface of the outer surface of the holder 1131. A detailed description of this will be given below.

[0116] The driving coil 1152 may include a plurality of coils. In this embodiment, the driving coil 1152 may include a first coil 1152a, a second coil 1152b, and a third coil 1152c.

[0117] The first coil 1152a may be positioned to face the first magnet 1151a. Therefore, the first coil 1152a may be positioned in the first housing hole 1121a of the first housing side portion 1121 as described above.

[0118] In addition, the second coil 1152b can be positioned to face the second magnet 1151b. Therefore, the second coil 1152b can be positioned in the second housing hole 1122a of the second housing side portion 1122 as described above.

[0119] The first coil 1152a can be positioned facing the second coil 1152b. In other words, the first coil 1152a can be positioned symmetrically with the second coil 1152b along the first direction (X-axis direction). This can also be applied to the first magnet 1151a and the second magnet 1151b in the same way. In other words, the first magnet 1151a and the second magnet 1151b can be positioned symmetrically with respect to the first direction (X-axis direction). In addition, the first coil 1152a, the second coil 1152b, the first magnet 1151a and the second magnet 1151b can be arranged to at least partially overlap each other in the second direction (Y-axis direction). With this configuration, the X-axis tilt can be accurately performed by the electromagnetic force between the first coil 1152a and the first magnet 1151a and the electromagnetic force between the second coil 1152b and the second magnet 1151b without tilting to one side.

[0120] The third coil 1152c can be positioned to face the third magnet 1151c. Therefore, the third coil 1152c can be positioned in the third housing hole 1123a of the third housing side portion 1123 as described above. The third coil 1152c can generate an electromagnetic force with the third magnet 1151c to cause the mover 1130 and the rotating unit 1140 to tilt relative to the Y-axis of the first housing 1120.

[0121] Here, the X-axis tilt refers to tilting relative to the X-axis, and the Y-axis tilt refers to tilting relative to the Y-axis.

[0122] The Hall sensor unit 1153 may include a plurality of Hall sensors. The Hall sensor corresponds to and is used interchangeably with the "position sensor" described below. Furthermore, the term "Hall sensor" may be used in various ways, such as a position detection sensor, a position detection unit, and a position sensing unit. In this embodiment, the Hall sensor unit 1153 may include a first Hall sensor 1153a, a second Hall sensor 1153b, and a third Hall sensor 1153c.

[0123] The first Hall sensor 1153a can be positioned inside the first coil 1152a. In addition, the second Hall sensor 1153b can be arranged symmetrically with the first Hall sensor 1153a along the first direction (X-axis direction) and the third direction (Z-axis direction). In addition, the second Hall sensor 1153b can be positioned inside the second coil 1152b.

[0124] First Hall sensor 1153a can detect changes in magnetic flux within first coil 1152a. Furthermore, second Hall sensor 1153b can detect changes in magnetic flux within second coil 1152b. Thus, position sensing can be performed between first magnet 1151a and first Hall sensor 1153a, and between second magnet 1151b and second Hall sensor 1153b. Thus, the second camera actuator according to embodiments can control X-axis tilt.

[0125] In addition, a third Hall sensor 1153c may be positioned within the third coil 1152c. The third Hall sensor 1153c may detect changes in magnetic flux within the third coil 1152c. Thus, position sensing between the third magnet 1151c and the third Hall sensor 1153c may be performed. Thus, the second camera actuator according to an embodiment may control Y-axis tilt.

[0126] The first board unit 1154 may be positioned below the first driving unit 1150. The first board unit 1154 may be electrically connected to the driving coil 1152 and the Hall sensor unit 1153. For example, the first board unit 1154 may be coupled to the driving coil 1152 and the Hall sensor unit 1153 by surface mount technology (SMT). However, the present invention is not limited to this method.

[0127] The first plate unit 1154 can be positioned between the first shield cover (not shown) and the first housing 1120 and can be coupled to the shield cover 1101 and the first housing 1120. This coupling method can be performed in various ways as described above. In addition, the drive coil 1152 and the Hall sensor unit 1153 can be positioned on the outer surface of the first housing 1120 by coupling.

[0128] The first board unit 1154 may include a circuit board having a wiring pattern that can be electrically connected, such as a rigid printed circuit board (rigid PCB), a flexible PCB, and a rigid-flexible PCB. However, the present invention is not limited to this type.

[0129] A detailed description between the hall sensor unit 1153 and the first board unit 1154 to be described will be described below.

[0130] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a first camera actuator according to an embodiment from which a shield case and a substrate are removed, Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of line BB' in FIG. 1 , and Figure 7 It is along Figure 5 Cross-sectional view of C-C'.

[0131] Reference Figures 5 to 7 , the first coil 1152a can be positioned on the first housing side portion 1121.

[0132] In addition, the first coil 1152a and the first magnet 1151a may be positioned to face each other. The first magnet 1151a may at least partially overlap with the first coil 1152a in the second direction (Y-axis direction).

[0133] In addition, the first magnet 1151a can be positioned on the second side portion 1122 of the second coil 1152b. Therefore, the second coil 1152b and the second magnet 1151b can be positioned to face each other. The second magnet 1151b can at least partially overlap with the second coil 1152b in the second direction (Y-axis direction).

[0134] In addition, the first coil 1152a and the second coil 1152b can overlap in the second direction (Y-axis direction), and the first magnet 1151a and the second magnet 1151b can overlap in the second direction (Y-axis direction). With this configuration, the electromagnetic force applied to the outer surfaces of the holders (the outer surfaces of the first holder and the outer surfaces of the second holder) can be positioned parallel to the second direction (Y-axis direction), and thus, X-axis tilt can be performed accurately and precisely.

[0135] In addition, a first accommodating groove (not shown) can be positioned in the outer surface of the fourth retainer. In addition, the first protrusions PR1a and PR1b can be disposed in the first accommodating groove. Therefore, when performing X-axis tilting, the first protrusions PR1a and PR1b can serve as a reference axis (or rotation axis) for tilting. Therefore, the rotating plate 1141 and the mover 1130 can move laterally.

[0136] The second protrusion PR2 can be seated in the groove of the inner surface of the fourth housing side portion 1124 as described above. In addition, when performing Y-axis tilt, the rotating plate and the mover can rotate using the second protrusion PR2 as a reference axis for Y-axis tilt.

[0137] According to embodiments, OIS can be performed using the first and second protrusions. Furthermore, as a modified example, the first and second protrusions can be provided on opposite surfaces relative to the base. In other words, the first protrusion can be provided on either the first or second surface of the base. Furthermore, the second protrusion can be provided on the other of the first and second surfaces of the base.

[0138] Reference Figure 6 , Y-axis tilt can be performed. In other words, OIS can be achieved by rotation in the first direction (X-axis direction).

[0139] In this embodiment, the third magnet 1151 c disposed under the holder 1131 may form an electromagnetic force together with the third coil 1152 c to tilt or rotate the mover 1130 in the first direction (X-axis direction).

[0140] Specifically, the rotating plate 1141 may be coupled to the first housing 1120 and the mover 1130 via the first magnetic substance 1142 in the first housing 1120 and the second magnetic substance 1143 in the mover 1130. Furthermore, the first protrusions PR1 may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction (X-axis direction) and supported by the first housing 1120.

[0141] In addition, the rotating plate 1141 can rotate or tilt using the second protrusion PR2 protruding toward the mover 1130 and serving as a reference axis (or rotation axis). In other words, the rotating plate 1141 can perform Y-axis tilt using the second protrusion PR2 serving as a reference axis.

[0142] For example, OIS can be achieved when the mover 1130 is rotated along the X-axis direction by a first angle θ1 (X1->X1b or X1a) by the first electromagnetic forces F1A and F1B between the third magnet 1151c disposed in the third seating groove and the third coil 1152c disposed on the side portion of the third substrate. The first angle θ1 can be within the range of ±1° to ±3°. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0143] Reference Figure 7 , X-axis tilt can be performed. In other words, OIS can be achieved by rotation in the second direction (Y-axis direction).

[0144] OIS may be implemented when the mover 130 is tilted or rotated in the Y-axis direction (or the X-axis direction).

[0145] In this embodiment, the first magnet 1151a and the second magnet 1151b provided in the holder 1131 form electromagnetic forces with the first coil 1152a and the second coil 1152b respectively to rotate or tilt the rotating plate 1141 and the mover 1130 in the second direction (Y-axis direction).

[0146] The rotating plate 1141 may rotate or tilt in the second direction (X-axis tilt) using the first protrusion PR1 serving as a reference axis (or rotation axis).

[0147] For example, OIS can be achieved when the mover 1130 is rotated along the Y-axis direction by a second angle θ2 (Y1->Y1b or Y1a) by the second electromagnetic forces F2A and F2B between the first and second magnets 1151a and 1151b disposed in the first seating groove and the first and second coils 1152a and 1152b disposed on the side portions of the first and second plates. The first angle θ2 may be in the range of ±1° to ±3°. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0148] As described above, the first actuator according to the embodiment can control the rotating plate 1141 and the mover 1130 to rotate in a first direction (X-axis direction) or a second direction (Y-axis direction) through the electromagnetic force between the drive magnet in the holder and the drive coil provided in the housing, thereby minimizing the occurrence of eccentricity or tilt when implementing OIS and providing the best optical characteristics. In addition, as described above, "Y-axis tilt" corresponds to rotation or tilt in the first direction (X-axis direction), and "X-axis tilt" corresponds to rotation or tilt in the second direction (Y-axis direction).

[0149] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a second camera actuator according to an embodiment, Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of a second camera actuator according to an embodiment, Figure 10 It is along Figure 8 The cross-sectional view of D-D' in FIG, and Figure 11 It is along Figure 8 Cross-sectional view along line EE'.

[0150] Reference Figures 8 to 11 The second camera actuator 1200 according to an embodiment may include a lens unit 1220, a second housing 1230, a second driving unit 1250, a base unit (not shown), and a second plate unit 1270. Furthermore, the second camera actuator 1200 may further include a second shielding case (not shown), an elastic unit (not shown), and a coupling member (not shown). Furthermore, the second camera actuator 1200 according to an embodiment may further include an image sensor IS.

[0151] A second shield cover (not shown) can be positioned in an area (e.g., the outermost portion) of the second camera actuator 1200 and positioned to surround components to be described below (the lens unit 1220, the second housing 1230, the elastic unit (not shown), the second driving unit 1250, the base unit (not shown), the second board unit 1270, and the image sensor IS).

[0152] The second shield case (not shown) may block or reduce electromagnetic waves generated from the outside, thereby reducing the occurrence of malfunction of the second driving unit 1250.

[0153] The lens unit 1220 may be positioned in a second shield case (not shown). The lens unit 1220 may be moved along a third direction (Z-axis direction). Thus, the AF function described above may be performed.

[0154] Specifically, the lens unit 1220 may include a lens assembly 1221 and a bobbin 1222 .

[0155] The lens assembly 1221 may include at least one lens. In addition, a plurality of lens assemblies 1221 may be provided, but hereinafter, one lens assembly will be described as a reference.

[0156] The lens assembly 1221 may be coupled to the bobbin 1222 and may be moved in a third direction (Z-axis direction) by electromagnetic force generated from the fourth magnet 1252 a and the second magnet 1151 b coupled to the bobbin 1222 .

[0157] The bobbin 1222 may include an open area surrounding the lens assembly 1221. Furthermore, the bobbin 1222 may be coupled to the lens assembly 1221 by various methods. Furthermore, the bobbin 1222 may include grooves in its side surfaces and may be coupled to the fourth magnet 1252a and the second magnet 1151b through these grooves. A coupling member or the like may be applied to the grooves.

[0158] In addition, the coil frame 1222 may have an elastic unit (not shown) coupled to the lower end and rear end of the coil frame 1222. Therefore, the coil frame 1222 is supported by the elastic unit (not shown) to move along the third direction (Z-axis direction). In other words, the coil frame 1222 can remain in the third direction (Z-axis direction) while the position of the coil frame 1222 is maintained. The elastic unit (not shown) may be formed by a leaf spring.

[0159] The second housing 1230 may be disposed between the lens unit 1220 and a second shield cover (not shown). In addition, the second housing 1230 may be disposed to surround the lens unit 1220.

[0160] Holes may be formed in the side portions of the second housing 1230. The fourth coil 1251a and the fifth coil 1251b may be disposed in these holes. These holes may be positioned to correspond to the grooves of the bobbin 1222 described above.

[0161] The fourth magnet 1252a may be positioned to face the fourth coil 1251a. In addition, the second magnet 1151b may be positioned to face the fifth coil 1251b.

[0162] The elastic unit (not shown) may include a first elastic member (not shown) and a second elastic member (not shown). The first elastic member (not shown) may be coupled to the upper surface of the coil frame 1222. The second elastic member (not shown) may be coupled to the lower surface of the coil frame 1222. In addition, the first elastic member (not shown) and the second elastic member (not shown) may be formed by a leaf spring as described above. In addition, the first elastic member (not shown) and the second elastic member (not shown) may provide elasticity relative to the movement of the coil frame 1222.

[0163] The second driving unit 1250 may provide driving forces F3 and F4 for moving the lens unit 1220 in the third direction (Z-axis direction). The second driving unit 1250 may include a driving coil 1251 and a driving magnet 1252.

[0164] The lens unit 1220 can be moved along the third direction (Z-axis direction) by the electromagnetic force formed between the driving coil 1251 and the driving magnet 1252. In this case, the lens unit 1220 can be formed of a plurality of lens components and can be moved independently or dependently along the third direction (Z-axis direction) by the second driving unit 1250.

[0165] The driving coil 1251 may include a fourth coil 1251a and a fifth coil 1251b. The fourth coil 1251a and the fifth coil 1251b may be disposed in a hole formed in a side portion of the second housing 1230. In addition, the fourth coil 1251a and the fifth coil 1251b may be electrically connected to the second board unit 1270. Therefore, the fourth coil 1251a and the fifth coil 1251b may receive current, etc., passing through the second board unit 1270.

[0166] The driving magnet 1252 may include a fourth magnet 1252a and a fifth magnet 1252b. The fourth magnet 1252a and the fifth magnet 1252b may be disposed in the grooves of the bobbin 1222 described above and may be positioned to correspond to the fourth coil 1251a and the fifth coil 1251b.

[0167] A base unit (not shown) may be positioned between the lens unit 1220 and the image sensor IS. Components such as filters may be secured to the base unit (not shown). Furthermore, the base unit (not shown) may be disposed so as to surround the image sensor IS. This configuration protects the image sensor IS from foreign matter, thereby improving the reliability of the image sensor.

[0168] In addition, the second camera actuator may be a zoom actuator or an AF actuator. For example, the second camera actuator may support one or more lenses and perform an AF function or a zoom function by moving the lens according to a predetermined control signal of the control unit.

[0169] Additionally, the second camera actuator may be a fixed zoom or a continuous zoom. For example, the second camera actuator may provide movement of the lens assembly 1221.

[0170] Additionally, the second camera actuator may be formed from multiple lens assemblies. For example, the second camera actuator may include at least one of a first lens assembly (not shown), a second lens assembly (not shown), a third lens assembly (not shown), and a guide pin (not shown). The above description can also be applied to this second camera actuator. Thus, the second camera actuator can perform a high-power zoom function via a drive unit. For example, the first lens assembly (not shown) and the second lens assembly (not shown) may be movable lenses that are moved by the drive unit and the guide pin (not shown), and the third lens assembly (not shown) may be a fixed lens, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the third lens assembly (not shown) may function as a focuser, through which light forms an image at a specific location, and the first lens assembly (not shown) may function as a converter, which re-images the image formed by the third lens assembly (not shown), which acts as a focuser, at another location. Furthermore, because the distance to the subject or the image distance varies significantly, the first lens assembly can be in a state where the magnification varies significantly. As a converter, the first lens assembly can play an important role in varying the focal length or magnification of the optical system. At the same time, the imaging point of the image formed by the first lens assembly (not shown) acting as a converter may slightly vary depending on the position. Therefore, the second lens assembly (not shown) can perform a position compensation function for the image formed by the converter. For example, the second lens assembly (not shown) can use the imaging point of the image formed by the first lens assembly acting as a converter to perform the function of a compensator for accurately forming an image at the actual position of the image sensor.

[0171] The image sensor IS can be positioned inside or outside the second camera actuator. In this embodiment, as shown, the image sensor IS can be positioned inside the second camera actuator. The image sensor IS can receive light and convert the received light into an electrical signal. Furthermore, the image sensor IS can include a plurality of pixels in an array. Furthermore, the image sensor IS can be positioned on the optical axis.

[0172] Figure 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camera module according to an embodiment, and Figure 13is a block diagram of a control unit according to an embodiment.

[0173] Reference Figure 12 The camera module may include an image sensor 110 , an image signal processing unit 120 , a display unit 130 , a first driving unit 140 , a second driving unit 150 , a first position sensor unit 160 , a second position sensor unit 170 , a storage unit 180 , and a control unit 190 .

[0174] As described above, the image sensor 110 processes the optical image of the object formed by the lens. To this end, the image sensor 110 may pre-process the image obtained by the lens. In addition, the image sensor 110 may convert the pre-processed image into electronic data and output the converted image.

[0175] Image processor 110 corresponds to image sensor IS. Image sensor 110 has a form in which multiple photodetectors are combined as each pixel, and can convert image information of a subject into electronic data and output the converted image information. In this specification, image information may be a concept including electronic data or signals received by multiple photodetectors as each pixel.

[0176] In this embodiment, the image sensor 110 accumulates the amount of input light and outputs an image captured by the lens based on the accumulated light amount according to a vertical synchronization signal. At this time, the image sensor 110 captures the image and converts the light reflected from the object into an electrical signal. A color filter is also required to obtain a color image using the image sensor 110, and a color filter array (CFA) filter can be used, for example. The CFA filter allows only light representing one color per pixel to pass through, and has a regularly arranged structure and can have one of various shapes depending on the arrangement.

[0177] The image signal processing unit 120 processes the image output by the image sensor 110 in units of frames. In this case, the image signal processing unit 120 may also be referred to as an image signal processor (ISP).

[0178] In this case, the image signal processing unit 120 may include a lens shading compensation unit (not shown). The lens shading compensation unit is a block for compensating for a lens shading phenomenon in which the amount of light at the center and edge regions of an image appears different, and receives a lens shading setting value from the control unit 190 to be described below to compensate for the color at the center and edge regions of the image.

[0179] In addition, the lens shading compensation unit can receive shading variables with different settings according to the lighting type, and also process the lens shading of the image according to the received variables. Therefore, the lens shading compensation unit can perform lens shading processing by applying the shading degree in different ways according to the lighting type. At the same time, the lens shading compensation unit can receive shading variables with different settings according to the automatic exposure weight applied to a specific area of ​​the image to prevent saturation from occurring in the image, and also process the lens shading of the image according to the received variables. More specifically, when the automatic exposure weight is applied to the central area of ​​the image signal, the lens shading compensation unit compensates for the brightness changes that occur in the edge area of ​​the image signal. In other words, when the image signal is saturated by lighting, the intensity of light decreases from the center to the outside in a concentric circular shape, so that the lens shading compensation unit compensates for the brightness compared to the center by amplifying the edge signal of the image signal.

[0180] At the same time, the image signal processing unit 120 may measure the clarity of the image obtained by the image sensor 110. In other words, the image signal processing unit 120 may measure the clarity of the image to check the focus accuracy of the image obtained by the image sensor 110. The clarity may be measured for each image obtained according to the position of the focus lens.

[0181] The display unit 130 can display the captured image and display a setting screen required for taking a photo or a screen for selecting a user operation under the control of the control unit 190 to be described below. In addition, the display unit 130 can also be positioned on the mobile terminal outside the camera module.

[0182] The first driving unit 140 may correspond to the first driving unit 1150 (see Figure 4 ). In other words, the first drive unit 140 can perform electromagnetic interaction between the first to third coils and the first to third magnets in response to a control signal received from the control unit 190. In addition, OIS can be performed through this interaction. In other words, the first drive unit 140 can move the mover in a first direction (X-axis direction) or a second direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the optical axis direction (third direction or Z-axis direction).

[0183] The second driving unit 150 may correspond to the second driving unit 1250 (see Figure 8 ). In other words, the second drive unit 150 can perform electromagnetic interaction between the fourth to fifth coils and the fourth to fifth magnets in response to a control signal received from the control unit 190. In addition, zooming or AF can be performed through this interaction. In other words, the second drive unit 150 can move the lens unit along the third direction (Z-axis direction). For example, the second drive unit 150 can move the focus lens along the optical axis direction.

[0184] The first position sensor unit 160 includes the plurality of Hall sensors of the first camera actuator described above, and thus detects the position of the mover or optical member. In other words, the first position sensor unit 160 can detect the position of the first drive unit provided on the mover. This is to control the position of the mover or optical member (e.g., a prism or mirror). In addition, the first position sensor unit 160 provides position data for moving the mover or optical member.

[0185] The second position sensor unit 170 includes a plurality of Hall sensors of the second camera actuator described above, and thus provides a plurality of position sensors for the lens unit 1220 (see FIG. Figure 9 ) position. In other words, the second position sensor unit 170 can detect the position of the second driving unit adjacent to the lens unit 1220. This is to control the position of the lens unit. In addition, the second position sensor unit 170 provides position data for moving the lens unit.

[0186] The storage unit 180 stores data required for operating the camera module. In this embodiment, information regarding the zoom position and the focus position corresponding to each distance from the subject may be stored in the storage unit 180. In other words, the focus position may be the position of the focus lens used to accurately focus on the subject. Furthermore, the focus position may vary depending on the zoom position of the zoom lens and the distance from the subject. Therefore, the storage unit 180 stores the zoom position based on the distance and data regarding the focus position corresponding to the zoom position.

[0187] In addition, the storage unit 180 may store the tilt of the camera module or information about a driving signal (eg, current) applied to a coil corresponding to the motion information to compensate for the tilt from the motion information.

[0188] The control unit 190 controls the overall operation of the camera module. Specifically, the control unit 190 can control the first position sensor unit 160 and the second position sensor 170 to provide an OIS function, an AF function, and a magnification adjustment function.

[0189] In other words, the control unit 190 can receive the position information of the mover or optical member through the first position sensor unit 160 and use this position information to readjust the tilt of the mover. Preferably, the control unit 190 can use the current position information of the mover or optical member through the first position sensor unit 160 to move the mover or optical member to a target position. In addition, when the current position information of the mover or optical member is detected by the first position sensor unit 160, the control unit 190 can supply a control signal to the first drive unit 140 that is used to move the mover or optical member to a target position relative to the current position of the mover or optical member.

[0190] In addition, the control unit 190 may readjust the position information of the lens unit by receiving the position information of the lens unit through the second position sensor unit 170. The control unit 190 may use the current position information of the lens unit through the second position sensor unit 170 to move the lens unit to a target position.

[0191] In addition, when the current position of the lens unit is detected by the second position sensor unit 170 , the control unit 190 may supply a control signal for moving the lens unit to a target position relative to the current position of the lens unit to the second driving unit 150 .

[0192] In other words, in the present invention, each of the first position sensor unit 160 and the second position sensor unit 170 can include multiple position sensors (corresponding to the "Hall sensors" described above). In addition, the multiple position sensors perform detection operations at each installation position. In other words, the multiple position sensors can detect the position of the mover, the position of the lens unit, and the like. At the same time, in the present invention, the position of the mover or optical member and the position of the lens unit can each be detected using a difference signal between the detection signals obtained by the multiple position sensors.

[0193] In addition, as described in the first camera actuator, the first position sensor unit 160 may include a first position sensor for detecting position information of the mover in a first direction (X-axis direction) and a second position sensor for detecting position information of the mover in a second direction (Y-axis direction). The first position sensor may correspond to the first and second Hall sensors described above, and the second position sensor may correspond to the third Hall sensor.

[0194] The control unit may calculate the rotation correction amount of the image information with respect to the optical axis direction (third direction or Z-axis direction) using the position information of the mover in the first direction (X-axis direction).

[0195] Reference Figure 13 , the control unit 190 may include a receiving unit 191 , an output unit 192 and a calculating unit 193 .

[0196] First, the receiving unit 191 can receive a control signal from the outside, for example, from an application processor (AP) of a mobile terminal for OIS, AF, or zoom. For example, the mobile terminal can receive motion information from a gyro sensor and provide a control signal for moving a mover in a first direction or a second direction to a camera actuator to perform OIS using the motion information.

[0197] The receiving unit 191 may receive position information of the mover (used interchangeably with the “first position information”) and position information of the lens unit (used interchangeably with the “second position information”) from the first position sensor unit 160 and the second position sensor unit 170 .

[0198] The receiving unit 191 can receive first position information from the first position sensor unit 160, which includes position information of the mover from the first position sensor in the first direction (X-axis direction) and position information of the mover from the second position sensor in the second direction (Y-axis direction).

[0199] In addition, the receiving unit 190 may receive second position information including position information of the lens unit in the third direction (Z-axis direction) from the second position sensor unit 170 .

[0200] The output unit 192 can output a drive signal for driving the first drive unit 140 and the second drive unit 150 in response to the control signal. In this embodiment, the drive signal can include information regarding the magnitude or direction of the current supplied to the first to third coils of the first drive unit 140. Furthermore, the drive signal can include information regarding the magnitude or direction of the current supplied to the fourth to fifth coils of the second drive unit 150. In other words, the direction or amount of movement of the mover and the lens unit can be determined by the drive signal.

[0201] The calculation unit 193 may calculate a rotation correction amount about a third direction or an optical axis direction with respect to the image information using the first position information and the second position information received from the receiving unit 191. A detailed description of this will be given below.

[0202] In this embodiment, the control unit 190 may receive each of the first position information and the second position information detected by the plurality of position sensors and detect the position of the mover, the optical member, or the second lens assembly.

[0203] Figure 14is a perspective view of a mover in a first camera actuator according to an embodiment, Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of a first camera actuator according to an embodiment, Figure 16 is a view showing image information according to the movement of the mover in the second direction in the first camera actuator according to the embodiment, and Figure 17 It is used for Figure 16 A view that describes the image information in .

[0204] Reference Figure 14 and Figure 15 The mover 1130 in the first camera actuator according to an embodiment may include an optical member 1132 for changing the light path and a holder 1131 for holding the optical member 1132 as described above. In this case, light can be incident from the mover in a first direction (X-axis direction) and reflected from the optical member 1132 to be output in a third direction (Z-axis direction), that is, in the direction of the optical axis.

[0205] In this embodiment, the optical member 1132 may have an inclination relative to the optical axis direction (the Z-axis direction or the third direction) and a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. In this embodiment, the optical member 1132 may be positioned to have an inclination relative to the first direction (the X-axis direction). Alternatively, the optical member 1132 may be positioned to have an inclination relative to the optical axis direction, i.e., the third direction (the Z-axis direction).

[0206] Alternatively, in another embodiment, the optical member 1132 may be positioned to have an inclination relative to the second direction (Y-axis direction) and the optical axis direction. This will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0207] In this embodiment, the optical member 1132 can be tilted relative to a plane formed by either the optical axis direction or the first direction (X-axis direction) and the second direction (Y-axis direction). For example, the optical member 1132 can be tilted relative to a plane formed by planes XY and YZ.

[0208] In addition, the optical member 1132 may be perpendicular to a plane formed by the first direction (X-axis direction) and the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction). For example, the optical member 1132 may be perpendicular to the plane XZ.

[0209] In addition, in another embodiment, the optical element 1132 can be tilted relative to a plane formed along any one of the following: the incident direction of light incident to the optical element and the optical axis direction, the incident direction (e.g., the first direction), and another direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction (e.g., the second direction (Y-axis direction)).

[0210] Reference Figure 16 and Figure 17 According to an embodiment, the optical member can be rotated about a first direction (X-axis direction) (or tilted in the X-axis direction) by a control unit. Alternatively, the optical member can be moved along a second direction (Y-axis direction) (or tilted in the X-axis direction) by a control unit.

[0211] At the same time, when the optical member moves in the second direction (Y-axis direction), the image information (or image) generated from the image sensor can move in the second direction (Y-axis direction) in response to the movement of the optical member in the second direction (Y-axis direction).

[0212] In this embodiment, when the optical member moves in the second direction (Y-axis direction) (b, Y+ motion), the image can move in the direction opposite to the second direction in response to the movement of the optical member (b, Y motion 1). In addition, when the optical member moves in the direction opposite to the second direction (Y-axis direction) (c, Y- motion), the image can move in the second direction in response to the movement of the optical member (c, Y motion 2).

[0213] In this embodiment, the image sensor will be described based on the first to third directions described in the structure of the camera actuator described above. Therefore, in the X-axis camera actuator and the Y-axis camera actuator for imaging, the X-axis and the Y-axis may correspond to the first direction (X-axis direction) and the second direction (Y-axis direction), respectively, and the Z-axis may correspond to the direction opposite to the third direction (Z-axis direction).

[0214] Alternatively, when the optical member moves in the second direction according to the function of the optical member, the structure of the lens, etc., the image may also move in the same direction as the moving direction of the optical member.

[0215] However, the moving direction of the image may also be changed (moved in the second direction or moved in the direction opposite to the second direction) according to the direction in which the optical member is tilted relative to the first direction.

[0216] Additionally, when the optical member moves in the second direction (Y-axis direction), image information (or image) generated from the image sensor can rotate about a third direction (Z-axis direction) in response to the movement of the optical member in the second direction (Y-axis direction).

[0217] In this embodiment, when the optical member moves in the second direction (Y-axis direction), the image can move in the second direction (C) in response to the movement of the optical member. In addition, when the optical member moves in a direction opposite to the second direction (Y-axis direction), the image can move in a direction opposite to the second direction in response to the movement of the optical member.

[0218] In other words, when the optical member moves in the second direction (Y-axis direction) or in a direction opposite to the second direction (Y-axis direction), the image or image information can be rotated (b and c) around the third direction (Z-axis direction) at predetermined angles θa and θb. In this embodiment, when the optical member moves in the second direction (Y-axis direction), the control unit can calculate the rotation correction amount for the image to rotate counterclockwise (negative (-) rotation relative to the Z-axis). In addition, when the optical member moves in a direction opposite to the second direction, the control unit can calculate the rotation correction amount for the image to rotate clockwise (positive (+) rotation relative to the Z-axis). In other words, the control unit can calculate the rotation correction amount with different directions relative to the Z-axis direction based on the position information of the optical member (regardless of whether the optical member moves in the second direction or in a direction opposite to the second direction).

[0219] In this embodiment, when the mover detects movement in the second direction (Y-axis direction) based on the first position information, the control unit can calculate a rotation correction amount to compensate for the image rotation by predetermined angles θa and θb about the third direction (Z-axis direction). The rotation correction amount can be a value corresponding to the predetermined angles θa and θb. The rotation correction amount can be transmitted to the image processing unit or an external mobile device. Therefore, hand shake correction and hand shake correction errors can be minimized.

[0220] Figure 18 is a view showing image information according to movement of a mover in a first direction in a first camera actuator according to an embodiment; Figure 19 It is used for Figure 18 A view that describes the image information in .

[0221] Reference Figure 18 and Figure 19 The optical member according to the embodiment can be rotated about the second direction (Y-axis direction) (tilted in the Y-axis direction) by the control unit. Alternatively, the optical member can be moved along the first direction (X-axis direction) (tilted in the Y-axis direction) by the control unit.

[0222] Meanwhile, when the optical member moves in the first direction (X-axis direction), image information (or image) generated from the image sensor may move in the first direction (X-axis direction) in response to the movement of the optical member in the first direction (X-axis direction).

[0223] In this embodiment, when the optical member moves in a first direction (X-axis direction) (e, X+Motion), the image can move in a second direction opposite to the movement of the optical member (e, XMotion1). Furthermore, when the optical member moves in a direction opposite to the first direction (X-axis direction) (f, X-Motion), the image can move in a second direction (f, XMotion2) in response to the movement of the optical member.

[0224] Additionally, when the optical member moves in the first direction (X-axis direction), image information (or image) generated from the image sensor does not rotate about the third direction in response to the movement of the optical member in the first direction (X-axis direction).

[0225] In other words, the control unit does not reflect the position information of the mover in the first direction (X-axis direction) to the rotation correction amount even when receiving the position information of the mover in the first direction (X-axis direction) from the second position sensor.

[0226] More specifically, referring to the image information, when the optical member moves in the first direction (X-axis direction), the image may not rotate about the third direction (Z-axis direction).

[0227] Therefore, the control unit determines that the image is not rotated about the third direction (Z-axis direction) even when it is detected from the first position information that the mover has moved in the first direction (X-axis direction). Therefore, the control unit can calculate the rotation correction amount without applying the motion information in the first direction (X-axis direction) to the rotation correction amount.

[0228] In this embodiment, the control unit can calculate the rotation correction amount based solely on the position information of the mover in the second direction (Y-axis direction). The rotation correction amount calculated based on the position information of the mover in the second direction (Y-axis direction) can be transmitted to the image processing unit or an external mobile device. Therefore, hand shake correction and hand shake correction errors can be minimized.

[0229] Figure 20 and Figure 21 is a view for describing an operation of the control unit of the camera module according to the embodiment to adjust the rotation correction amount according to the second position information.

[0230] First, as described above, the second camera actuator may include a lens unit configured to move in the optical axis direction and including at least one lens.

[0231] Therefore, the calculation unit according to the embodiment may adjust the change in the rotation correction amount with respect to the position information of the mover according to the change in the focal length of the lens unit or at least one lens.

[0232] Reference Figure 20 and Figure 21 , Figure 20 and Figure 21 The wide-angle state and the telephoto state according to the movement of the lens unit of the second camera actuator are shown. Figure 20 is the wide-angle state, and Figure 21 This is the telephoto state, and the description will be based on this.

[0233] The focal length L formed by the lens units 1100 and 1200 and the image sensor IS in the wide-angle state may be greater than the focal length L' formed by the lens units 1100 and 1200 and the image sensor IS in the telephoto state. Here, the lens units 1100 and 1200 are lens units of a second camera actuator or a single camera module, which will be described as a single configuration because hand shake occurs and correction for hand shake also occurs at the same time.

[0234] In addition, the angle of view θ formed by the lens units 1100 and 1200 and the image sensor IS in the wide-angle state may be smaller than the angle of view θ′ formed by the lens units 1100 and 1200 and the image sensor IS in the telephoto state.

[0235] In addition, when the lens units 1100 and 1200 shake due to hand shaking of the user in the wide angle state, the image formed on the image sensor IS has a first shaking region SR1 with respect to the overall size or area of ​​the image sensor IS.

[0236] When the lens units 1100 and 1200 shake due to hand shaking of the user in the telephoto state, the image formed on the image sensor IS has a second shaking region SR2 with respect to the overall size or area of ​​the image sensor IS.

[0237] When the user's hand shake is the same (for example, when the user's hand shakes at a predetermined shaking angle), the first shaking area SR1 may be smaller than the second shaking area SR2. In other words, when the viewing angle decreases, the shaking area caused by hand shake may increase.

[0238] Therefore, the control unit according to the embodiment can increase the change in the rotation correction amount when the focal length of at least one lens increases. In addition, the control unit according to the embodiment can decrease the change in the rotation correction amount when the focal length of at least one lens decreases.

[0239] In other words, the control unit can adjust the increase or decrease of the rotation correction amount in response to the increase or decrease of the focal length. Therefore, as described above, when the focal length increases, the angle of view can be reduced and the shaking area caused by hand shaking can be increased.

[0240] Therefore, as described above, even when the amount of rotation of the image about the third direction (Z-axis direction) increases according to the movement of the mover in the second direction (Y-axis direction) and the shaking area further increases, the control unit can accurately perform the correction of the shaking. Therefore, the camera actuator according to the embodiment can correct hand shaking more accurately.

[0241] Conversely, when the focal length increases, the viewing angle can be increased and the shaking area caused by hand shaking can be reduced. Therefore, as described above, since the amount of rotation of the image about the third direction (Z-axis direction) can also be reduced according to the movement of the mover in the second direction (Y-axis direction) and the shaking area is further reduced, the control unit can accurately perform shake correction in response to the change in the shaking area. Therefore, according to the embodiment, the camera module can provide accurate images.

[0242] Figure 22 is a diagram for describing driving of a control unit according to another embodiment.

[0243] Reference Figure 22 , a camera module according to another embodiment may include an image sensor, an image signal processing unit, a display unit, a first driving unit, a second driving unit, a first position sensor unit, a second position sensor unit, a storage unit, and a control unit.

[0244] In addition, the above contents can be applied to the image sensor, image signal processing unit, display unit, first driving unit, second driving unit, first position sensor unit, second position sensor unit, storage unit and control unit in the same manner except for the following description.

[0245] In another embodiment, the control unit may receive each of the first position information and the second position information detected by the plurality of position sensors so that the position of the mover, the optical member, or the second lens assembly is detected based on the first position information and the second position information.

[0246] In addition, the control unit may calculate the rotation correction amount of the image information around the optical axis direction (third direction or Z-axis direction) using the position information of the mover in the first direction (X-axis direction).

[0247] Furthermore, the control unit can use the first and second positional information to calculate a rotation correction amount for the image sensor about a third direction or the optical axis relative to the image information. In other words, the control unit can calculate a rotation correction amount RT for rotating the image sensor itself about the Z-axis direction or the optical axis OX direction.

[0248] Therefore, in another embodiment, the image sensor may be rotated in a third direction (Z-axis direction), and a third driving unit (not shown) for rotation may be positioned in a region adjacent to the image sensor.

[0249] Figure 23 is a flowchart of a method of driving a control unit according to an embodiment.

[0250] Reference Figure 23 According to an embodiment, a method of driving a control unit may include detecting motion with the help of a gyro sensor (S310), outputting a control signal for tilting a mover (S320), performing position detection on the mover (S330), calculating a rotation correction amount (S340), and rotating an image sensor or performing image processing (S350).

[0251] The gyro sensor can detect the movement (tilt, etc.) of the camera module (S310). The control unit can receive the tilt information of the camera module from the gyro sensor. This operation can be performed when the gyro sensor is positioned in the camera module, but this operation can be omitted when the gyro sensor is positioned outside the camera module.

[0252] In addition, the control unit can output a control signal for tilting the mover (S320). As described above, the control unit can move the mover in the first direction or the second direction in response to the motion information of the camera module. In other words, the OIS function can be performed.

[0253] In addition, the control unit may detect the position of the mover (S330). The control unit may detect the position of the mover and the lens unit relative to the first position sensor unit and the second position sensor unit. In this embodiment, the control unit may detect the movement of the mover in the first direction or the second direction through the first position sensor unit and the second position sensor unit.

[0254] In addition, the control unit may calculate the rotation correction amount using the position information of the mover in the second direction (S340).The above-described contents may be applied to the description of the above-described contents in the same manner.

[0255] In addition, the control unit may rotate the image sensor or perform image processing ( S350 ).

[0256] In this embodiment, the control unit can rotate the image generated by the image sensor about the optical axis using the calculated rotation correction amount. This allows for compensation for rotation errors in the third direction (Z-axis) caused by the mover moving in the second direction (Y-axis). Consequently, the OIS function can be implemented more accurately.

[0257] Figure 24 is a perspective view of a mobile terminal to which a camera module according to an embodiment is applied.

[0258] Reference Figure 24 , the mobile terminal 1500 in this embodiment may include a camera module 1000 , a flash module 1530 , and an AF device 1510 provided on a rear surface of the mobile terminal 1500 .

[0259] The camera module 1000 may include an image capturing function and an AF function. For example, the camera module 1000 may include an AF function using an image.

[0260] The camera module 1000 processes image frames of still images or moving images obtained through an image sensor in a capture mode or a video call mode.

[0261] The processed image frames may be displayed on a predetermined display unit or stored in a memory.A camera (not shown) may also be provided on the front surface of the body of the mobile terminal.

[0262] For example, the camera module 1000 may include a first camera module 1000 and a second camera module 1000 , and OIS and AF or zoom functions may be implemented together through the first camera module 1000 .

[0263] The flash module 1530 may include a light emitting device for emitting light therein. The flash module 1530 may be operated by a camera operation of the mobile terminal or a user's control operation.

[0264] The AF device 1510 may include one of the packages of a surface light emitting laser device as a light emitting unit.

[0265] The AF device 1510 may include an AF function using laser. The AF device 1510 may be mainly used in a case where the AF function using the image of the camera module 1000 deteriorates, for example, in an environment where a subject approaches 10 m or less or in a dark environment.

[0266] The AF device 1510 may include a light emitting unit having a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) semiconductor device and a light receiving unit for converting light energy into electric energy, such as a photodiode.

[0267] Figure 25 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle to which a camera module according to an embodiment is applied.

[0268] For example, Figure 25 is an external view of a vehicle including a vehicle driver assistance device to which the camera module 1000 according to an embodiment is applied.

[0269] Reference Figure 25 The vehicle 700 in the embodiment may include wheels 13FL and 13FR that rotate by a power source and a predetermined sensor. The sensor may be a camera sensor 2000, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0270] The camera sensor 2000 may be the camera sensor used in the camera module 1000 according to the embodiment. The vehicle 700 in this embodiment can obtain image information using the camera sensor 2000 for capturing images in front of or around the vehicle, and can use the image information to determine if a lane line is not recognized and generate a virtual lane line when the lane line is not recognized.

[0271] For example, the camera sensor 2000 may acquire a front image by capturing a view in front of the vehicle 700 , and the processor (not shown) may acquire image information by analyzing an object included in the front image.

[0272] For example, when objects such as a center line, a curb, or a roadside tree corresponding to a lane line, a neighboring vehicle, a driving obstacle, and an indirect road sign are captured in an image captured by the camera sensor 2000, the processor can detect the object and include the detected object in the image information. At the same time, the processor can further supplement the image information by obtaining distance information of the object detected by the camera sensor 2000.

[0273] The image information may be information about an object captured in the image.The camera sensor 2000 may include an image sensor and an image processing module.

[0274] The camera sensor 2000 may process a still image or a moving image obtained through an image sensor (eg, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) or a charge coupled device (CDD)).

[0275] The image processing module may process a static image or a dynamic image acquired by the image sensor to extract necessary information and transmit the extracted information to the processor.

[0276] Meanwhile, the camera sensor 2000 may include a stereo camera for improving measurement accuracy of an object and further ensuring information such as a distance between the vehicle 700 and the object, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0277] Although the above has been primarily described with respect to the embodiments, these embodiments are merely illustrative and do not limit the present invention, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and applications not illustrated above may be made without departing from the basic features of these embodiments. For example, each component specifically illustrated in these embodiments may be implemented by modification. In addition, differences associated with these modifications and applications should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A camera actuator comprising a mover comprising an optical member for changing a path of incident light; a driving unit configured to move the mover in a first direction or a second direction perpendicular to the optical axis; an output unit configured to output a control signal for moving the mover; a first position sensor configured to detect position information of the mover in the second direction; a second position sensor configured to detect position information of the mover in the first direction; an image sensor configured to receive light passing through the optical member to generate image information; as well as a calculation unit configured to calculate a rotation correction amount of the image information based on the optical axis direction using position information of the mover in the second direction, When the mover moves in the second direction, the image information rotates around the optical axis. The rotation correction amount is used to compensate for the rotation angle of the image information around the optical axis, and Wherein, the calculation unit is configured to: when the first position sensor and the second position sensor detect that the mover has moved only in the first direction but not in the second direction, determine that the image information has not rotated around the optical axis direction, thereby calculating the rotation correction amount without applying the position information in the first direction to the rotation correction amount.

2. The camera actuator according to claim 1, wherein: The incident light is incident from the mover along the first direction and is output along the optical axis direction.

3. The camera actuator according to claim 2, wherein: The optical member is provided to have an inclination that is not perpendicular to the first direction and the optical axis direction.

4. The camera actuator according to claim 1, wherein: The optical member is provided so as to be inclined with respect to a plane formed by the second direction and any one of the first direction and the optical axis direction.

5. The camera actuator according to claim 1, wherein: The optical member is perpendicular to a plane formed by the first direction and the optical axis direction.

6. The camera actuator according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one lens configured to move along the optical axis direction. in, The calculation unit adjusts a change in a rotation correction amount of the position information according to a change in a focal length of the at least one lens.

7. The camera actuator according to claim 6, wherein: The change in the rotation correction amount increases when the focal length of the at least one lens increases, and decreases when the focal length of the at least one lens decreases.

8. The camera actuator according to claim 1, wherein: The calculation unit does not reflect the position information to the rotation correction amount of the mover in the first direction.

Images