Camera module

Abstract

A camera module is provided. The camera module includes: a bearing portion in which the lens barrel is disposed, the bearing portion configured to move in an optical axis direction; the frame is at least partially arranged on the inner side of the bearing part; a housing accommodating the bearing portion; and a buffer member, in which the frame includes a coupling portion exposed to an outer region of the bearing portion, and the buffer member is configured to be coupled to the coupling portion, and one side of the buffer member is disposed closer to an inner surface of the housing than one side of the bearing portion.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0146923 filed on October 30, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] The following description relates to a camera module. Background Art

[0004] The camera module may include a bearing portion for accommodating a lens module. The lens module is configured to be movable inside the camera module to achieve focus adjustment of the camera module. In an example, the lens module may be moved in the optical axis direction within the housing of the camera module through the bearing portion. Typically, the movement of the bearing portion may be controlled by the camera module. However, the movement of the bearing portion caused by external jitter (for example, when a user walks or runs quickly while holding a mobile terminal equipped with a camera module) is not controlled by the camera module, resulting in collisions and collision noises between the bearing portion of the camera module and other components.

[0005] The above information is presented as background information only to assist with understanding the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above may be applicable as prior art with respect to the present disclosure. Summary of the invention

[0006] The purpose of providing this summary is to introduce a selection of inventive concepts in a concise form, and these inventive concepts will be further described in the following detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or essential features of the subject matter claimed, nor is it intended to help determine the scope of the subject matter claimed.

[0007] In a general aspect, a camera module includes: a carrying portion configured to move in an optical axis direction; a frame at least partially disposed on an inner side of the carrying portion; a shell housing the carrying portion; and a buffer member, wherein the frame includes a connecting portion exposed to an outer area of ​​the carrying portion, and wherein the buffer member is configured to be connected to the connecting portion, and one side of the buffer member is disposed closer to an inner surface of the shell than one side of the carrying portion.

[0008] The carrier may be configured to hold a lens barrel.

[0009] The camera module may include a driving unit configured to move the carrier in an optical axis direction, wherein the driving unit may be disposed on a first side of the carrier, and the buffer member may be disposed opposite to the first side with respect to the optical axis.

[0010] Each of the coupling portion and the buffer member may be arranged in plural.

[0011] A first subset of the plurality of cushioning members and a second subset of the plurality of cushioning members may be arranged on opposite sides of the frame relative to an axis perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0012] Each of the connecting parts and the buffer members can be arranged in plurality, the load-bearing portion may include a first side, a second side arranged opposite to the first side, a third side connecting the first side to the second side, and a fourth side arranged opposite to the third side, and the plurality of buffer members may include a buffer member arranged on the third side of the load-bearing portion and a buffer member arranged on the fourth side of the load-bearing portion.

[0013] The buffer member is provided in plural, and the plurality of buffer members may be arranged on opposite sides of the housing, and a virtual straight line extending between an edge of the housing and the optical axis is between the plurality of buffer members.

[0014] The camera module may include a shield case configured to cover the housing, wherein an upper surface of the buffer member may be disposed closer to the shield case than an upper surface of the bearing portion.

[0015] The housing may include a step portion protruding from an inner surface of the housing toward an inner region of the housing, and a lower surface of the buffer member may be disposed to face the step portion in the optical axis direction.

[0016] The coupling portion may include a coupling recess and a support portion, and the support portion may be disposed at an outer side of the coupling recess with respect to the optical axis.

[0017] A first portion of the buffer member may be disposed in the coupling recess, and a second portion of the buffer member surrounds the support portion.

[0018] The support portion may include a first support portion and a second support portion, and the first support portion and the second support portion may face each other in opposite directions and may be spaced apart from each other.

[0019] The buffer member may include a first buffer portion, a second buffer portion, and a connection portion disposed between the first buffer portion and the second buffer portion.

[0020] The coupling portion may include a coupling recess and a support portion, and the connection portion may be fitted into the coupling recess.

[0021] The support portion may be provided between the first buffer portion and the second buffer portion.

[0022] In a general aspect, a camera module includes: a housing; a carrying portion disposed within the housing and configured to move in an optical axis direction; and a frame connected to an inner region of the carrying portion, wherein the carrying portion exposes a portion of the frame to an outer region of the carrying portion, and a portion of the frame exposed to the outer region of the carrying portion is connected to a buffer member.

[0023] The carrier may be configured to move the lens barrel in the optical axis direction.

[0024] One side of the buffer member may face the inner surface of the housing.

[0025] A coupling portion of the frame to which the buffer member is coupled may be provided in a portion of the frame exposed to an outer region of the load-bearing portion.

[0026] Other features and aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 A perspective view of an exemplary camera module is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0028] Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of an exemplary camera module is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0029] Figure 3 A plan view of a portion of an exemplary camera module is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0030] Figure 4 A perspective view of a housing of an exemplary camera module is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0031] Figure 5 A perspective view of a carrier coupled to a frame of an exemplary camera module is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0032] Figure 6 A plan view of a carrier coupled to a frame of an exemplary camera module is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0033] Figure 7 A plan view of a frame of an exemplary camera module is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0034] Figure 8 A perspective view of a first buffer member of an exemplary camera module according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0035] Fig. 9 A front view of a first buffer member of an exemplary camera module according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0036] Fig.10 A perspective view of a second buffer member of an exemplary camera module according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0037] Fig.11 Shown along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line II' of Fig.12 Shown along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line II-II'.

[0038] Fig.13 , Fig.14 , Fig.15 , Fig.16 and Fig.17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure in which a buffer member is provided in an exemplary camera module according to one or more embodiments.

[0039] Throughout the drawings and detailed description, unless otherwise described, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. For purposes of clarity, illustration, and convenience, the drawings may not be drawn to scale, and the relative sizes, proportions, and depictions of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Hereinafter, although examples of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be noted that the examples are not limited thereto.

[0041] The following specific embodiments are provided to help the reader obtain a comprehensive understanding of the methods, devices and / or systems described in this application. However, various changes, modifications and equivalents of the methods, devices and / or systems described in this application will be apparent after understanding the present disclosure. For example, the order of operations described in this application is merely an example, and except for operations that must occur in a specific order, it is not limited to the order set forth in this application, but can be changed, which will be apparent after understanding the present disclosure. In addition, for greater clarity and brevity, the description of features well known in the art may be omitted.

[0042] The features described in this application can be implemented in different forms and should not be understood as being limited to the examples described in this application. Rather, the examples described in this application are provided only to illustrate some of the many possible ways to implement the methods, devices and / or systems described in this application, which will be apparent after understanding this disclosure.

[0043] Throughout the specification, when an element such as a layer, a region, or a substrate is described as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element, the element may be directly “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” the other element, or one or more other elements may be present between the element and the other element. Conversely, when an element is described as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element, there may be no other elements between the element and the other element.

[0044] For a specific embodiment, the object side may be referred to as the front side or the upper side, and the image side may be referred to as the rear side or the lower side. In addition, based on the optical axis, the direction away in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis may be referred to as the outer side, and the direction inward in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis may be referred to as the inner side.

[0045] As used in this application, the term "and / or" includes any one of the associated listed items and any combination of any two or more items; similarly, "at least one of..." includes any one of the associated listed items and any combination of any two or more items.

[0046] Although the terms "first", "second" and "third" may be used in this application to describe various members, components, regions, layers or parts, these members, components, regions, layers or parts are not limited by these terms. More specifically, these terms are only used to distinguish one member, component, region, layer or part from another member, component, region, layer or part. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the examples described in this application, the first member, first component, first region, first layer or first part mentioned in these examples may also be referred to as the second member, second component, second region, second layer or second part.

[0047] Spatially relative terms such as "above", "higher", "below", "lower" and the like may be used in this application for descriptive convenience to describe the relationship of one element relative to another element as shown in the accompanying drawings. In addition to covering the orientations depicted in the accompanying drawings, these spatially relative terms are intended to also cover different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the accompanying drawings is flipped, an element described as being "above" or "higher" relative to another element will be "below" or "lower" relative to the other element. Therefore, depending on the spatial orientation of the device, the term "above" covers both orientations of "above" and "below". The device may also be oriented in other ways (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative terms used in this application should be interpreted accordingly.

[0048] The terms used in this application are only used to describe various examples and are not used to limit the present disclosure. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the words "a", "an" and "the" are intended to also include plural forms. The words "comprise", "include" and "have" indicate the presence of the features, numbers, operations, components, elements and / or combinations thereof described, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, operations, components, elements and / or combinations thereof.

[0049] Variations in the shapes shown in the drawings may occur due to manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. Therefore, the examples described in the present application are not limited to the specific shapes shown in the drawings, but include variations in shapes that occur during manufacturing.

[0050] It should be noted that in the present application, the use of the word “may” with respect to an example, for example, regarding what an example may include or implement, means that there is at least one example in which such feature is included or implemented, and all examples are not limited thereto.

[0051] The features of the examples described in this application may be combined in various ways that will be apparent after gaining an understanding of the present disclosure. In addition, although the examples described in this application have various configurations, other configurations that will be apparent after understanding the present disclosure are also possible.

[0052] One or more examples may be configured to reduce noise caused by movement of a carrier within a camera module.

[0053] One or more examples may provide a camera module configured to reduce collision noise of a carrier and malfunction and damage of the camera module due to collision of the carrier.

[0054] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary camera module according to one or more embodiments, Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of an exemplary camera module according to one or more embodiments is shown, and Figure 3 A plan view of a portion of an exemplary camera module is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0055] The camera module 1 according to one or more embodiments may include a housing 10, a drive unit 20, a bearing portion 30, a frame 40, a buffer member 50, and a lens barrel 60. However, the components of the camera module 1 are not limited thereto, but may include other components, such as but not limited to a substrate and an image sensor. The bearing portion 30 is disposed in the housing 10, and the lens barrel 60 may be disposed in the bearing portion 30. In the bearing portion 30, the buffer member 50 may be disposed to reduce the impact between the housing 10 and the bearing portion 30. The first part of the drive unit 20 may be disposed in the bearing portion 30, and the second part of the drive unit 20 may be disposed in the housing 10. The first part of the drive unit 20 and the second part of the drive unit 20 may be disposed to face each other. For example, the drive unit 20 includes a yoke 21, a magnet 22, and a coil 23. The magnet 22 may be disposed in the bearing portion 30, and the coil 23 may be disposed in the housing 10.

[0056] The shield case 70 may be configured to cover the housing 10 , which may be coupled with other components, to surround the housing 10 .

[0057] Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating a housing of a camera module according to one or more embodiments.

[0058] The housing 10 may accommodate the carrier 30. That is, the carrier 30 may be disposed in an inner space of the housing 10. An opening 11 having a predetermined size may be disposed on a lower surface of the housing 10. Light may be incident on the image sensor through the opening 11.

[0059] The housing 10 may have a quadrilateral shape when viewed from the top of the housing 10. The housing 10 may include a side wall 110. The side wall 110 of the housing 10 may include four side walls. The side wall 110 of the housing 10 may include a first side wall 111, a second side wall 112 disposed opposite to the first side wall 111, a third side wall 113 connecting the first side wall 111 to the second side wall 112, and a fourth side wall 114 connecting the first side wall 111 to the second side wall 112 and disposed opposite to the third side wall 113.

[0060] The bearing portion 30 may be disposed in a space formed by the side wall 110 of the housing 10. The space side formed by the side wall 110 of the housing 10 may be the inner side of the housing 10. The bearing portion 30 may be disposed inside the housing 10, and the bearing portion 30 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the surface of the side wall 110 of the housing 10.

[0061] A portion of the drive unit 20 may be disposed in any one of the side walls 110 of the housing 10. The drive unit 20 may include a yoke 21, a magnet 22, and a coil 23. The drive unit 20 may be an actuator that generates a driving force through electromagnetic interaction between the magnet 22 and the coil 23. If the yoke 21 is disposed adjacent to the bearing portion 30, the magnet 22 may be disposed adjacent to the housing 10. Conversely, if the yoke 21 is disposed adjacent to the housing 10, the magnet 22 may be disposed adjacent to the bearing portion 30. Therefore, through the magnet 22 and the yoke 21, an attractive force may act on the bearing portion 30 to pull the bearing portion 30 toward one side of the housing 10 inside the housing 10.

[0062] In an example, the step portion 150 may be disposed inside the housing 10. The step portion 150 may contact the buffer member 50 to be described below. The step portion 150 may protrude from the lower surface of the housing 10 in the optical axis direction. In addition, the step portion 150 may be connected to the side wall 110 of the housing 10. That is, the step portion 150 may protrude from the inner surface of the side wall 110 of the housing 10 toward the inner side of the housing 10.

[0063] In an example, the height of the step portion 150 may be lower than the height of the side wall 110 of the housing 10. That is, the upper surface of the step portion 150 may be disposed in a position lower than the upper surface of the side wall 110 of the housing 10. The step portion 150 may be disposed on a side wall among the side walls 110 of the housing 10 where a portion of the drive unit 20 is not disposed. For example, when a portion of the drive unit 20 is disposed on the first side wall 111, the step portion 150 may be disposed on at least one of the second side wall 112, the third side wall 113, and the fourth side wall 114.

[0064] The stepped portion 150 may include a first stepped portion 151 and a second stepped portion 152 .

[0065] The first step portion 151 may be disposed in an inner corner region of the housing 10. That is, the first step portion 151 may be formed to protrude from the side wall 110 toward the inner side of the housing 10. For example, when a portion of the drive unit 20 is disposed on the first side wall 111, the first step portion 151 may be disposed in a corner region formed by the second side wall 112 and the third side wall 113. The first step portion 151 may be disposed in a corner region formed by the second side wall 112 and the fourth side wall 114.

[0066] The second step portion 152 may be formed to protrude from the inner surface of the side wall 110 toward the inner side of the housing 10. The second step portion 152 may be formed to protrude from the inner surface of another side wall 110 other than the side wall 110 on which a portion of the driving unit 20 is disposed toward the inner side of the housing 10. For example, when a portion of the driving unit 20 is disposed on the first side wall 111, the second step portion 152 may be formed to protrude from the inner surface of at least one of the second side wall 112, the third side wall 113, and the fourth side wall 114 toward the inner side of the housing 10.

[0067] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a carrier coupled with a frame of a camera module according to one or more embodiments, and Figure 6 is a plan view illustrating a carrier coupled with a frame of a camera module according to one or more embodiments.

[0068] The bearing portion 30 may be disposed inside the housing 10. The lens barrel 60 may be arranged inside the bearing portion 30. The bearing portion 30 may be disposed inside the housing 10 and may be moved in the optical axis direction by the driving unit 20. The bearing portion 30 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the inner surface of the side wall 110 of the housing 10.

[0069] When viewed from above, the carrier portion 30 may have a square shape. That is, the carrier portion 30 may include a first side 311, a second side 312, a third side 313, and a fourth side 314, respectively.

[0070] The first side 311 may be disposed opposite to the second side 312. The third side 313 may connect the first side 311 to the second side 312. The fourth side 314 may connect the first side 311 to the second side 312, and may be an opposite side of the third side 313.

[0071] A portion of the driving unit 20 and the buffer member 50 may be disposed on at least one of the sides 311, 312, 313, and 314 of the bearing portion 30. In this example, the buffer member 50 may be disposed on one of the sides 311, 312, 313, and 314 of the bearing portion 30 on which a portion of the driving unit 20 is not disposed. For example, when a portion of the driving unit 20 is disposed on the first side 311 of the bearing portion 30, the buffer member 50 may be disposed on any one of the second side 312, the third side 313, and the fourth side 314 of the bearing portion 30.

[0072] The frame 40 may be insertedly disposed in the carrier 30. The frame 40 may be inserted into the carrier 30. That is, the carrier 30 may be manufactured by an insert injection method, and the frame 40 may be placed in a mold, and an injection molded product may be manufactured by the insert injection method with the frame 40 placed in the mold. Therefore, at least a portion of the frame 40 may be disposed inside the carrier 30.

[0073] Figure 7 is a plan view illustrating a frame of an exemplary camera module according to one or more embodiments.

[0074] The frame 40 may be inserted into the carrier 30. In an example, the frame 40 may be a metal material. In order to minimize magnetic field interference with the drive unit 20, in an example, the frame 40 may be formed of a non-magnetic metal (eg, stainless steel).

[0075] A portion of the frame 40 may be exposed to the outside of the carrier 30 (ie, exposed to an outer region of the carrier 30). In an example, the portion of the frame 40 exposed to the outside of the carrier 30 may be a coupling portion 410. The buffer member 50 may be coupled to the coupling portion 410.

[0076] In an example, the coupling portion 410 may be provided in plural. If a portion of the driving unit 20 is provided on the first side 311 of the carrier 30, the coupling portion 410 may be provided on any one of the second side 312, the third side 313, and the fourth side 314. That is, the coupling portion 410 may be provided in an area other than the area in which the driving unit 20 is provided based on the carrier 30.

[0077] The coupling portion 410 may include a first coupling portion 411 and a second coupling portion 412. Each of the first coupling portion 411 and the second coupling portion 412 may be provided in plural. A first buffer member 510 to be described below may be provided in the first coupling portion 411, and the second coupling portion 412 may be provided in a second buffer member 520 to be described below.

[0078] When viewed from above the frame 40, the first coupling portion 411 may be formed to be guided from the outside of the frame 40 to the inside of the frame 40. That is, the first coupling portion 411 may include a coupling recess 4110 guided from the outside of the frame 40 into the frame 40, a first supporting portion 4111, and a second supporting portion 4112.

[0079] The coupling recess 4110 may be a recess formed to be guided inward from the outside of the frame 40. The coupling recess 4110 may be provided between the first supporting portion 4111 and the second supporting portion 4112.

[0080] The first support portion 4111 and the second support portion 4112 may have a protrusion shape. The first support portion 4111 and the second support portion 4112 may be arranged to face each other in opposite directions. The end of the first support portion 4111 and the end of the second support portion 4112 may be spaced apart from each other. That is, the coupling recess 4110 may be a recess formed to guide toward the inner side of the frame 40 between the end of the first support portion 4111 and the end of the second support portion 4112.

[0081] A portion of the first buffer member 510 to be described below may be disposed in the coupling recess 4110, and the first supporting portion 4111 and the second supporting portion 4112 may be disposed in a portion of the first buffer member 510 to be described below. That is, a portion of the first buffer member 510 may be inserted into the coupling recess 4110, and another portion of the first buffer member 510 may be disposed to surround the first supporting portion 4111 and the second supporting portion 4112.

[0082] The second coupling portion 412 may protrude from the side of the frame 40 to the outside of the frame 40. That is, the second coupling portion 412 may include a protrusion 4120 protruding from the side of the frame 40. The second buffer member 520 to be described below may be coupled to the second coupling portion 412. Specifically, the second coupling portion 412 may be inserted into the second buffer member 520 so that the second buffer member 520 and the second coupling portion 412 may be matched with each other. In this example, the combination of the second buffer member 520 and the second coupling portion 412 may be reinforced by the protrusion 4120 of the second coupling portion 412.

[0083] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a first buffer member of a camera module according to one or more embodiments, Fig. 9 is a plan view showing a first buffer member of a camera module according to one or more embodiments, and Fig.10 is a perspective view illustrating a second buffer member of a camera module according to one or more embodiments. Fig.11 Shown along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line II' of Fig.12 Shown along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line II-II'.

[0084] In an example, the buffer member 50 may be elastic. That is, the buffer member 50 may be formed of a material that can absorb shock. For example, the buffer member 50 may be formed of a material such as, but not limited to, urethane, foamed resin, natural rubber, and synthetic rubber.

[0085] The first buffer member 510 may include a first buffer portion 511, a second buffer portion 512, and a connecting portion 513. The connecting portion 513 may be provided between the first buffer portion 511 and the second buffer portion 512 to connect the first buffer portion 511 and the second buffer portion 512. That is, the lower surface of the first buffer portion 511 and the upper surface of the second buffer portion 512 may be spaced apart from each other by the connecting portion 513. In addition, the connecting portion 513 may have a cylindrical shape. The cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting portion 513 may be smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first buffer portion 511 or the second buffer portion 512. Due to such a structure, a separation space 514 may be formed between the first buffer portion 511, the second buffer portion 512, and the connecting portion 513.

[0086] The first supporting portion 4111 and the second supporting portion 4112 of the first coupling portion 411 may be disposed in the separation space 514, and the connecting portion 513 of the first buffer member 510 may be disposed in the coupling recess 4110 of the first coupling portion 411. In this case, one side of the first buffer member 510 disposed on the opposite side of the separation space 514 may face the inner surface of the housing 10.

[0087] The second buffer member 520 may have a flat plate shape. The second coupling portion 412 of the frame 40 described above may be inserted into the first side surface 521 of the second buffer member 520. That is, the second coupling portion 412 of the frame 40 may be inserted into the second buffer member 520 through the first side surface 521 of the second buffer member 520 and assembled and coupled to the second buffer member 520. In this case, the second side surface 522 of the second buffer member 520 may face the side wall 110 of the housing 10. The length of the second buffer member 520 measured in the longitudinal direction of the side wall of the housing 10 based on the upper surface 5210 of the second buffer member 520 may be formed to be longer than the length of the first buffer member 510.

[0088] Fig.11 Shown along Figure 3 The cross section is taken along the line II', and Fig.12 Shown along Figure 3 The cross section is taken along the line II-II'. Fig.11 and Fig.12 The arrangement structure of the buffer member is described.

[0089] refer to Fig.11 , the bearing part 30 and the lens barrel 60 are disposed in the housing 10, and the frame 40 is inserted into the bearing part 30. In addition, the first buffer member 510 is disposed in the first coupling portion 411 of the frame 40.

[0090] The upper surface 5110 of the first buffer member 510 may be disposed higher than the upper surface 31 of the carrier 30. That is, the upper surface 5110 of the first buffer member 510 may be disposed closer to the shield cover 70 than the upper surface 31 of the carrier 30, and therefore, when the upward movement of the carrier 30 in the optical axis direction exceeds a predetermined range, the upper surface 5110 of the first buffer member 510 may first contact the shield cover 70 before the upper surface 31 of the carrier 30. Thus, the impact caused by the movement of the carrier 30 in the optical axis direction is reduced.

[0091] The lower surface 5120 of the first buffer member 510 may be disposed to face the first step portion 151 of the bearing portion 30. When the bearing portion 30 is lowered by the driving unit 20 and the lower surface 5120 of the first buffer member 510 contacts the first step portion 151, the bearing portion 30 may be separated from the housing 10. That is, through this structure, when the downward movement of the bearing portion 30 in the optical axis direction exceeds a predetermined range, the lower surface 5120 of the first buffer member 510 contacts the first step portion 151, and thus, the impact between the bearing portion 30 and the housing 10 caused by the movement of the bearing portion 30 in the optical axis direction may be reduced.

[0092] The side surface of the first buffer member 510 may be disposed closer to the inner surface of the housing 10 than the side surface of the bearing portion 30. That is, when the bearing portion 30 undesirably moves in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the side surface of the first buffer member 510 may first contact the inner surface of the side wall 110 of the housing 10 before the side surface of the bearing portion 30, and thus, the impact caused by the movement of the bearing portion 30 may be reduced.

[0093] refer to Fig.12 , the carrying part 30 and the lens barrel 60 are disposed in the housing 10, and the frame 40 is inserted into the carrying part 30. In addition, the second buffer member 520 is disposed on the second coupling portion 412 of the frame 40.

[0094] The upper surface 5210 of the second buffer member 520 may be arranged to be higher than the upper surface 31 of the bearing portion 30. That is, since the upper surface 5210 of the second buffer member 520 is arranged to be closer to the shield cover 70 than the upper surface 31 of the bearing portion 30, when the upward movement of the bearing portion 30 in the optical axis direction exceeds a predetermined range, the upper surface 5210 of the second buffer member 520 may first contact the shield cover 70 before the upper surface 31 of the bearing portion 30, and the impact caused by the movement of the bearing portion 30 in the optical axis direction may be reduced.

[0095] The lower surface 5220 of the second buffer member 520 may be disposed to face the second step portion 152 of the housing 10. When the bearing portion 30 is lowered by the driving unit 20 and the lower surface 5220 of the second buffer member 520 contacts the second step portion 152, the lower surface 5220 of the bearing portion 30 may be spaced apart from the housing 10. That is, through this structure, when the downward movement of the bearing portion 30 in the optical axis direction exceeds a predetermined range, the lower surface 5220 of the second buffer member 520 may first contact the second step portion 152, and thus, the impact between the bearing portion 30 and the housing 10 caused by the movement of the bearing portion 30 in the optical axis direction may be reduced.

[0096] The second side surface 522 of the second buffer member 520 may be disposed closer to the inner surface of the side wall 110 of the housing 10 than the side surface of the bearing portion 30. That is, when the bearing portion 30 undesirably moves in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the second side surface 522 of the second buffer member 520 may first contact the inner surface of the side wall 110 of the housing 10 before the side surface of the bearing portion 30, and thus, the impact caused by the movement of the bearing portion 30 may be reduced.

[0097] Fig.13 , Fig.14 , Fig.15 , Fig.16 and Fig.17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure in which a buffer member is provided in an exemplary camera module according to further embodiments.

[0098] refer to Fig.13 , each of the first buffer member 510 and the second buffer member 520 may be arranged in plural. When the driving unit 20 is disposed on the first side 311 of the bearing portion 30, a plurality of first buffer members 510 may be disposed adjacent to the second side 312, and the second buffer member 520 may be disposed on each of the third side 313 and the fourth side 314.

[0099] When external force acts on the camera module 1 , the carrying portion 30 may move within the housing 10 .

[0100] When the carrier 30 moves in the second direction within the housing 10, the first buffer member 510 may contact the housing 10 to reduce impact. In addition, when the carrier 30 moves in the third or fourth direction within the housing 10, the second buffer member 520 may contact the housing 10 to reduce impact.

[0101] refer to Fig.14, the first buffer member 510 may be arranged in plurality. When the drive unit 20 is disposed on the first side 311 of the bearing portion 30, the first buffer member 510 may be disposed in a first corner region between the second side 312 and the third side 313. The first buffer member 510 may be disposed in a second corner region between the second side 312 and the fourth side 314. In addition, the first buffer member 510 may be disposed on the third side 313 and the fourth side 314. In this case, the first buffer member 510 may be disposed to be inclined toward the first side 311.

[0102] The plurality of first buffer members 510 arranged in each of the first corner region and the second corner region may be arranged on opposite sides with a virtual straight line connecting the edge of the housing 10 and the optical axis therebetween.

[0103] When external force acts on the camera module 1 , the carrying portion 30 may move within the housing 10 .

[0104] When the bearing portion 30 moves in the second direction within the housing 10, the first buffer member 510 disposed on the second side 312 may contact the housing 10 to reduce impact. In addition, when the bearing portion 30 moves in the third direction or the fourth direction within the housing 10, the first buffer member 510 disposed in the third direction or the fourth direction may contact the housing 10 to reduce impact.

[0105] refer to Fig.15 The second buffer member 520 may be provided in plurality. When the driving unit 20 is provided adjacent to the first side 311 of the bearing portion 30 , the second buffer member 520 may be provided on each of the second side 312 , the third side 313 , and the fourth side 314 .

[0106] When external force acts on the camera module 1 , the carrying portion 30 may move within the housing 10 .

[0107] When the carrier 30 moves in the second direction within the housing 10, the first buffer member 510 may contact the housing 10 to reduce impact. In addition, when the carrier 30 moves in the third or fourth direction within the housing 10, the second buffer member 520 may contact the housing 10 to reduce impact.

[0108] refer to Fig.16 , the first buffer member 510 may be provided in plurality. When the drive unit 20 is provided on the first side 311 of the bearing portion 30, the first buffer member 510 may be provided in the first corner region between the second side 312 and the third side 313. Two first buffer members 510 may be provided in the first corner region, one of the first buffer members 510 being provided on the second side 312, and the other first buffer member 510 being provided on the third side 313.

[0109] The first cushioning member 510 may be disposed in the second corner region formed by the second side 312 and the fourth side 314. Two first cushioning members 510 may be disposed in the second corner region, one of which is disposed on the second side 312 and the other on the fourth side 314.

[0110] When external force acts on the camera module 1 , the carrying portion 30 may move within the housing 10 .

[0111] When the bearing portion 30 moves in the second direction within the housing 10 , the impact may be reduced by the first buffer member 510 disposed on the second side 312 .

[0112] When a relatively weak external force acts on the camera module 1 in the third direction or the fourth direction, an attractive force acts on the bearing portion 30 in the first direction through the driving unit 20, and thus, the bearing portion 30 may be tilted in the third direction or the fourth direction based on the driving unit 20. In this case, the impact may be reduced by the first buffer member 510 provided in the first corner region or the second corner region.

[0113] refer to Fig.17 The first buffer member 510 may be provided in plurality. When the driving unit 20 is relatively disposed on the first side 311 of the bearing portion 30 , the first buffer member 510 may be provided on the third side 313 and the fourth side 314 .

[0114] When a relatively weak external force acts on the camera module 1 in the first direction or the second direction, an attractive force acts on the carrier 30 in the first direction through the driving unit 20 , and thus the carrier 30 may be prevented from colliding with the housing 10 in the second direction.

[0115] When a relatively weak external force acts on the camera module 1 in the third direction or the fourth direction, an attractive force acts on the bearing portion 30 in the first direction through the driving unit 20, and thus, the bearing portion 30 may be tilted in the third direction or the fourth direction based on the driving unit 20. In this case, the impact may be reduced by the first buffer member 510 provided on the third side 313 or the fourth side 314.

[0116] The camera module 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can reduce noise caused by movement of the carrier 30 within the camera module 1. In addition, malfunction and damage of the camera module 1 caused by collision of the carrier 30 of the camera module 1 with another member can be reduced.

[0117] The present disclosure is not limited to the above exemplary embodiments, and a person of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs may make any changes without departing from the gist of the technical ideas of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. It can be implemented with various changes. For example, the various features described in the above exemplary embodiments may be applied in combination to other exemplary embodiments, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0118] One or more examples may reduce noise caused by movement of a carrier in a camera module.

[0119] Furthermore, one or more examples may reduce malfunction and damage of a camera module due to collision of a carrier of the camera module with other components.

[0120] Although specific examples have been shown and described above, it will be apparent after understanding the present disclosure that various changes in form and detail may be made in these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples described in this application should be considered to be merely descriptive in nature and not for limiting purposes. The description of the features or aspects in each example should be considered to be applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. If the described techniques are performed in a different order, and / or if the components in the described systems, architectures, devices, or circuits are combined in different ways, and / or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents, suitable results may be obtained. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited by specific embodiments, but by the claims and their equivalents, and all changes within the scope of the claims and their equivalents should be interpreted as included in the present disclosure.

Claims

1. Camera module, including: A bearing portion configured to move in the direction of the optical axis; a frame, at least partially disposed inside the bearing portion; A housing for accommodating the bearing portion; Buffer member; as well as an image sensor, light is incident on the image sensor through the opening of the housing, wherein the frame includes a coupling portion exposed to an outer area of ​​the bearing portion, and The buffer member is configured to be coupled to the coupling portion, and one side of the buffer member is disposed closer to an inner surface of the housing than one side of the bearing portion.

2. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein: The carrier is configured to hold a lens barrel.

3. The camera module according to claim 1, further comprising: a driving unit configured to move the bearing portion in the direction of the optical axis, The driving unit is disposed on a first side of the bearing portion, and the buffer member is disposed opposite to the first side relative to the optical axis.

4. The camera module according to claim 3, wherein: Each of the coupling portion and the buffer member is arranged in plural.

5. The camera module according to claim 4, wherein: A first subset of the plurality of cushioning members and a second subset of the plurality of cushioning members are arranged on opposite sides of the frame relative to an axis perpendicular to the optical axis.

6. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the coupling portion and the buffer member is arranged in plural, The bearing portion includes a first side, a second side disposed opposite to the first side, a third side connecting the first side to the second side, and a fourth side disposed opposite to the third side, and The plurality of buffer members include a buffer member disposed on the third side of the load-bearing portion and a buffer member disposed on the fourth side of the load-bearing portion.

7. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein: The buffer member is provided in plurality, and The plurality of buffer members are arranged on opposite sides of the housing, and a virtual straight line extending between an edge of the housing and an optical axis is arranged between the plurality of buffer members.

8. The camera module according to claim 1, further comprising: a shielding cover configured to cover the housing, Wherein, the upper surface of the buffer member is arranged to be closer to the shielding cover than the upper surface of the bearing portion.

9. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein: The housing includes a stepped portion protruding from the inner surface of the housing toward an inner region of the housing, and A lower surface of the buffer member is disposed to face the step portion in the optical axis direction.

10. The camera module of claim 1, wherein: The coupling portion includes a coupling recess and a supporting portion, and The support portion is disposed outside the coupling recess with respect to the optical axis.

11. The camera module of claim 10, wherein: The first portion of the buffer member is disposed in the coupling recess, and The second portion of the cushioning member surrounds the support portion.

12. The camera module of claim 10, wherein: The support portion includes a first support portion and a second support portion, and The first supporting portion and the second supporting portion face each other in opposite directions and are spaced apart from each other.

13. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein: The buffer member includes a first buffer portion, a second buffer portion, and a connection portion disposed between the first buffer portion and the second buffer portion.

14. The camera module according to claim 13, wherein: The coupling portion includes a coupling recess and a support portion, and the connecting portion is fitted into the coupling recess.

15. The camera module according to claim 14, wherein: The supporting portion is provided between the first buffering portion and the second buffering portion.

16. Camera module, including: A housing and an image sensor, wherein light is incident on the image sensor through an opening of the housing; A bearing portion, disposed in the housing and configured to move in the optical axis direction; as well as a frame coupled to an interior region of the load-bearing portion, The bearing portion exposes a portion of the frame to an outer region of the bearing portion, and the portion of the frame exposed to the outer region of the bearing portion is coupled to a buffer member.

17. The camera module according to claim 16, wherein: The carrier is configured to move the lens barrel in the optical axis direction.

18. The camera module according to claim 16, wherein: One side of the buffer member faces the inner surface of the housing.

19. The camera module according to claim 16, wherein: A coupling portion of the frame to which the buffer member is coupled is provided in the portion of the frame exposed to the outer region of the load-bearing portion.

Images