Lens assembly

Abstract

A lens assembly is provided. The lens assembly includes: a spacer; and a first lens coupled to the spacer, in which a length of the first lens in a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis is greater than a length of the first lens in a second direction perpendicular to both the optical axis and the first direction, the first lens including a first side surface extending in the first direction, the spacer includes a plurality of support portions in contact with the first lens and a side wall portion connecting the plurality of support portions, and a first side surface of the first lens is disposed to face the side wall portion.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2023 - 0176711, filed on December 7, 2023, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Technical field

[0003] The following description relates to a lens assembly. Background art

[0004] Camera modules are conventionally implemented in portable electronic devices such as, but not limited to, smart phones.

[0005] A camera module may be provided with a lens assembly including a plurality of lenses, and a spacer may be provided between the plurality of lenses to maintain a gap between the lenses. To improve the optical performance of the lens assembly, the lens may be provided with a side surface having a shape in which a part of the lens is cut. However, due to the space between the cut side surface of the lens and the lens barrel, the structural stability of the lens assembly may be reduced. Summary of the invention

[0006] The Summary of the Invention section is intended to introduce, in a brief form, a selection of concepts that will be further described in the Detailed Description section below. The Summary of the Invention section is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to help determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0007] In general, a lens assembly includes: a spacer; and a first lens coupled to the spacer, wherein the length of the first lens in a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis is greater than the length of the first lens in a second direction perpendicular to both the optical axis and the first direction, wherein the first lens includes a first side surface extending in the first direction, wherein the spacer includes a plurality of support portions in contact with the first lens and a side wall portion connecting the plurality of support portions, and wherein the first side surface of the first lens is disposed to face the side wall portion.

[0008] The first side surface of the first lens may be disposed to be spaced apart from the side wall portion in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0009] A first protrusion may be provided on the first side surface of the first lens, the first protrusion protruding in a direction in which the distance from the optical axis increases, and the first protrusion may be disposed to be spaced apart from the side wall portion in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0010] The length of the side wall portion may be less than the length of the first side surface of the first lens.

[0011] When the length of the first side surface of the first lens is Ld and the length of the side wall portion is Lw, Ld / 2 < Lw < Ld can be satisfied.

[0012] The thickness of the side wall portion in the optical axis direction can be greater than the thickness of the support portion in the optical axis direction.

[0013] The first lens may further include an optical portion and a flange portion extending from the optical portion, and the lower surface of the flange portion may be arranged to be closer to the image side than the lower surface of the side wall portion in the optical axis direction.

[0014] The first lens may further include an optical portion and a flange portion extending from the optical portion, and the lower surface of the side wall portion may be arranged between the lower surfaces of the first protruding portion and the flange portion based on a direction parallel to the optical axis.

[0015] The inner surface of the side wall portion may include a second protruding portion protruding toward the optical axis, and the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion may be spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0016] When viewed from the object side, the first side surface of the first lens and the inner surface of the side wall portion may be arranged to be parallel to each other.

[0017] When viewed from the object side, the inner surface of the side wall portion may have a curved shape with the center of the radius of curvature facing the optical axis.

[0018] Generally, the lens assembly includes a lens barrel; a spacer disposed in the lens barrel; and a first lens disposed in the lens barrel and coupled to the spacer, wherein the length of the first lens in a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis is greater than the length of the first lens in a second direction perpendicular to both the optical axis and the first direction, wherein the first lens includes a first side surface extending in the first direction, wherein the spacer includes a plurality of support portions in contact with the first lens and a side wall portion connecting the plurality of support portions, wherein the side wall portion faces the first side surface of the first lens in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and wherein the side wall portion is arranged to be spaced apart from the inner surface of the lens barrel in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0019] The first side surface of the first lens may be arranged to be spaced apart from the inner surface of the side wall portion in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0020] A protruding portion protruding toward the optical axis may be provided on the inner surface of the side wall portion, the inner surface of the side wall portion may include an upper side surface provided above the protruding portion, and the upper side surface may be configured to form an acute angle with a line parallel to the optical axis.

[0021] The first lens may further include an optical portion and a flange portion extending from the optical portion, and the lower surface of the support portion may be arranged to contact the upper surface of the flange portion.

[0022] The length of the side wall portion may be less than the length of the first side surface of the first lens.

[0023] In general, the lens assembly includes: a first lens including a cut side surface, and including a first length in a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis and a second length less than the first length in a second direction perpendicular to both the optical axis and the first direction; and a first spacer including a support portion and a side wall portion, wherein the side wall portion may be spaced apart from the cut side surface of the first lens, overlap the cut side surface of the first lens in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and may extend from the upper surface of the first spacer toward the imaging surface.

[0024] The lens assembly may further include a second spacer disposed between the second lens and the first spacer, wherein the height of the second spacer in the optical axis direction may be less than the height of the first spacer in the optical axis direction.

[0025] The inner surface of the side wall portion has a curved shape with the center of the radius of curvature facing the optical axis, and the outer surface of the side wall portion has a straight shape.

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

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view showing an exemplary lens assembly according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0028] Figure 2 Shows along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken along line I-I'.

[0029] Figure 3 Shows along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken along line II-II'.

[0030] Figure 4 Is a perspective view showing a structure in which the first lens and the spacer are coupled according to one or more embodiments.

[0031] Figure 5 Is an exploded perspective view showing the first lens and the spacer according to one or more embodiments.

[0032] Figure 6 A side view showing a structure in which the first lens and the spacer are coupled according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0033] Figure 7 Shows Figure 2 an enlarged view of part A in

[0034] Figure 8 Shows another embodiment of an exemplary lens assembly according to one or more embodiments.

[0035] Figure 9 , Figure 10 , Figure 11 and Figure 12 Shows various embodiments of an exemplary lens assembly according to one or more embodiments, in which the structures of the cut side surface and the side wall portion are shown.

[0036] Figure 13 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a spacer applied to an exemplary lens assembly according to one or more embodiments.

[0037] Figure 14 is a plan view showing a spacer according to one or more embodiments.

[0038] Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwise described, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. For clarity, illustration, and convenience purposes, the drawings may not be drawn to scale, and the relative dimensions, proportions, and descriptions of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated. Detailed Description

[0039] The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and / or systems described herein. However, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and / or systems described herein will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of this application. For example, the order of operations described herein and / or the order of the operations described herein are merely examples and are not limited to the order set forth herein, except for the order of operations and / or the order of operations that must occur in a specific sequence, and may be changed, which will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of this application. As another example, the order of operations and / or the order of operations may be performed in parallel, except for at least a portion of the order of operations and / or the order of operations that must occur in one sequence (e.g., a specific sequence). Additionally, descriptions of features known after understanding the disclosure of this application may be omitted for greater clarity and conciseness.

[0040] Although terms such as "first", "second", and "third" or A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used herein to describe various components, parts, regions, layers, or sections, these components, parts, regions, layers, or sections are not limited by these terms. Each of these terms is not used to define, for example, the importance, sequence, or order of the corresponding component, part, region, layer, or section, but is only used to distinguish the corresponding component, part, region, layer, or section from other components, parts, regions, layers, or sections. Thus, without departing from the teachings of the examples described herein, the first component, first part, first region, first layer, or first section mentioned in these examples may also be referred to as the second component, second part, second region, second layer, or second section.

[0041] Throughout the specification, when a component, element, or layer is described as "on another component, element, or layer", "connected to", "coupled to", or "joined to" another component, element, or layer, it may be directly "on another component, element, or layer", directly "connected to", "coupled to", or "joined to" another component, element, or layer (e.g., in contact with another component, element, or layer), or there may reasonably be one or more other components, elements, or layers between that component, element, or layer and that other component, element, or layer. When a component, element, or layer is described as "directly on another component, element, or layer", "directly connected to", "directly coupled to", or "directly joined to" another component, element, or layer, there are no other components, elements, or layers between that component, element, or layer and that other component, element, or layer. Similarly, phrases such as "between" and "directly between" and "adjacent" and "directly adjacent" may be interpreted as described previously.

[0042] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing various examples only and are not intended to limit the disclosure. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the phrases "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well. By way of non-limiting example, the phrases "comprising", "including", and "having" state the presence of the stated features, quantities, operations, components, elements, and / or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, quantities, operations, components, elements, and / or combinations thereof, or the presence of alternative stated features, quantities, operations, components, elements, and / or combinations thereof. Additionally, while one embodiment may state that the phrases "comprising", "including", and "having" state the presence of the stated features, quantities, operations, components, elements, and / or combinations thereof, there may be other embodiments in which one or more of the stated features, quantities, operations, components, elements, and / or combinations thereof are absent.

[0043] As used herein, the phrase "and / or" includes any one of the associated listed items and any combination of any two or more of them. Phrases such as "at least one of A, B, and C" are intended to have a disjunctive meaning, and such phrases as "at least one of A, B, and C" also include examples in which one or more of A, B, and C may be present (e.g., any combination of one or more of A, B, and C), unless the corresponding description and implementation require that the enumeration (e.g., "at least one of A, B, and C") be interpreted as having a conjunctive meaning.

[0044] The features described herein may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples described herein. Instead, the examples described herein are provided merely to illustrate some of the many possible ways of implementing the methods, apparatuses, and / or systems described herein that will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of the present application. As used herein, the phrase "may" with respect to an example or implementation (e.g., with respect to what an example or implementation may include or implement) means that there is at least one example or implementation in which such a feature is included or implemented, and all examples or implementations are not limited thereto. The phrases "example" or "implementation" used herein have the same meaning (e.g., the phrase "in one example" has the same meaning as "in one implementation", and "in one or more examples" has the same meaning as "in one or more implementations").

[0045] One or more examples may improve the structural stability of a lens assembly by disposing a portion of a spacer between a side surface of a lens and an inner surface of a lens barrel, wherein the side surface of the lens is configured in a shape in which a portion of the lens is cut.

[0046] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of an exemplary lens assembly according to one or more embodiments is shown, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along Figure 1 line I-I', and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along Figure 1 line II-II'.

[0047] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 , a lens assembly according to one or more embodiments may include a plurality of lenses, a plurality of spacers, and a lens barrel 400. In one example, the number of lenses and the number of spacers are not limited to Figures 1 to 3 the numbers shown, and the number of lenses and the number of spacers may vary.

[0048] In a non - limiting example, each of the plurality of lenses can be set to be spaced apart from a corresponding adjacent lens. In this example, spacers can be provided between each of the lenses. In other words, the spacers can separate the lenses from each other. However, since the lenses can be assembled and coupled to the lens barrel 400, the lenses can be spaced apart from each other even if no spacers are provided between the lenses.

[0049] Spacers can be provided between the plurality of lenses. The spacers can maintain the gap between the lenses and, as another effect, can block unnecessary light. That is to say, the spacers can be provided with a light - absorbing layer, and the light - absorbing layer can be provided with a black film or black iron oxide. In an example, the spacers can be formed of plastic or metal, but are not limited thereto.

[0050] The lens barrel 400 can include a hollow portion. The hollow portion of the lens barrel 400 can penetrate the lens barrel 400 in the optical axis direction. The plurality of lenses and the plurality of spacers can be provided in the hollow portion of the lens barrel 400.

[0051] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a structure in which the first lens and the spacer are coupled, Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the first lens and the spacer according to one or more embodiments, and Figure 6 is a side view of a structure in which the first lens and the spacer are coupled according to one or more embodiments.

[0052] According to one or more embodiments, the first lens 100 can be a lens having a shape in which a part of the first lens is cut. Specifically, when viewed from the object side or the image side, the first lens 100 can have a cut side surface 110 in which a part of the lens is cut. In this example, the first lens 100 can be referred to as a cut - off lens.

[0053] For ease of explanation, the term "cut" is used. However, since the lens can be manufactured by injection molding, it should be noted that the term "cut" is merely a way of expressing the shape. In other words, the lens can be injection - molded into a shape in which a part of the lens is cut.

[0054] Since the first lens 100 includes a cut side surface 110, when viewed from the object side, the first lens 100 may have a major axis (a) direction and a minor axis (b) direction. That is, when viewed from the object side, the major axis (a) direction may refer to the direction with a relatively longer length, and the minor axis (b) direction may refer to the direction with a relatively shorter length. In an example, the major axis (a) and the minor axis (b) may be perpendicular to each other. In an example, the major axis (a) direction may be referred to as the first direction, and the minor axis (b) direction may be referred to as the second direction. The first direction may be perpendicular to the optical axis, and the second direction may be perpendicular to both the first direction and the optical axis. The cut side surface 110 may be a side surface extending in the major axis (a) direction or the first direction.

[0055] The first lens 100 may include an optical portion 120 and a flange portion 130.

[0056] The optical portion 120 may be a portion where the optical performance of the lens is presented. For example, light reflected from an object may pass through the optical portion 120 and may be refracted. The optical portion 120 may have a refractive power and may have an aspherical shape.

[0057] The flange portion 130 may be a portion extending from the optical portion 120. Specifically, the flange portion 130 may be a portion extending from the side surface portion of the optical portion 120 to the outside of the optical portion 120. Although it has been described that the flange portion 130 extends from the optical portion 120, this is only for convenience of explanation, and the flange portion 130 may be integrally formed with the optical portion 120 by injection molding.

[0058] The flange portion 130 may be disposed on the opposite side of the optical portion 120 based on the major axis (a) direction of the first lens 100. The flange portion 130 may be disposed in the major axis (a) direction with the optical axis interposed therebetween. That is, the flange portions 130 may be arranged in plurality and may include a first flange portion 131 and a second flange portion 132. In an example, the first flange portion 131 and the second flange portion 132 may be disposed in the major axis (a) direction with the optical axis interposed between the first flange portion 131 and the second flange portion 132.

[0059] The cut side surface 110 of the first lens 100 may be disposed between the first flange portion 131 and the second flange portion 132. The cut side surfaces 110 may be provided in plurality. The cut side surface 110 may include a first side surface 111 and a second side surface 112.

[0060] Each of the first side surface 111 and the second side surface 112 may be a side surface extending in the first direction. The first side surface 111 and the second side surface 112 may be disposed in opposite directions, and the optical axis is interposed between the first side surface 111 and the second side surface 112. That is, the first side surface 111 and the second side surface 112 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the short axis (b) direction. The first side surface 111 may connect the first side of the first flange portion 131 and the first side of the second flange portion 132, and the second side surface 112 may connect the second side of the first flange portion 131 and the second side of the second flange portion 132.

[0061] When viewed from the object side of the first lens 100, the spacer 300 may have an appearance similar to that of the first lens 100. That is, the shape of the spacer 300 may be determined in consideration of the connection with the first lens 100. Therefore, the spacer 300 may have a major axis direction and a minor axis direction.

[0062] Based on the state of connection between the spacer 300 and the first lens 100, the major axis direction and the minor axis direction of the spacer 300 may correspond to the major axis (a) direction and the minor axis (b) direction of the first lens 100.

[0063] The spacer 300 may include a support portion 310 and a side wall portion 320.

[0064] The support portion 310 may refer to an area that contacts or supports the first lens 100 or the lens barrel 400. The support portion 310 may be provided in a plurality, and the plurality of support portions 310 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the major axis (a) direction. The support portion 310 may include a first support portion 311 and a second support portion 312, and the first support portion 311 and the second support portion 312 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other, and the optical axis is interposed between the first support portion 311 and the second support portion 312. The support portion 310 may be provided at a position substantially corresponding to the flange portion 130 of the first lens 100.

[0065] The side wall portion 320 may have a surface extending in the major axis (a) direction and the optical axis direction. The side wall portion 320 may have a thickness in the optical axis direction.

[0066] The side wall portion 320 may be disposed between a plurality of support portions 310. That is to say, the side wall portion 320 may connect the first support portion 311 and the second support portion 312. The side wall portion 320 may include a first side wall portion 321 and a second side wall portion 322. The first side wall portion 321 and the second side wall portion 322 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the short axis (b) direction, and may be disposed on opposite sides of each other, with the optical axis interposed between the first side wall portion 321 and the second side wall portion 322. The first side wall portion 321 may connect the first side of the first support portion 311 and the first side of the second support portion 312, and the second side wall portion 322 may be disposed to face the first side wall portion 321 and may connect the second side of the first support portion 311 and the second side of the second support portion 312.

[0067] Referring Figure 6 , the first lens 100 and the spacer 300 may be coupled. Specifically, a part of the first lens 100 may be disposed in the opening 301 of the spacer 300, and a part of the spacer 300 may be disposed to surround a part of the outer surface of the first lens 100.

[0068] The flange portion 130 of the first lens 100 may contact the support portion 310 of the spacer 300. Specifically, the object side surface of the flange portion 130 may contact the image side surface of the support portion 310. For the sake of convenience of explanation, the object side may be referred to as the upper side, and the image side may be referred to as the lower side. The upper surface of the flange portion 130 may be disposed to face the lower surface of the support portion 310. In addition, the upper surface of the flange portion 130 may be disposed to contact the lower surface of the support portion 310.

[0069] The cut side surface 110 of the first lens 100 may be disposed to face the side wall portion 320 of the spacer 300. That is to say, the cut side surface 110 may be disposed to overlap the side wall portion 320 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. However, in this example, the cut side surface 110 may be disposed such that a part of the cut side surface 110 overlaps a part of the side wall portion 320 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0070] The distance from the upper surface of the support portion 310 to the lower surface of the support portion 310 may be defined as the thickness t1 of the support portion 310, and the distance from the upper surface of the side wall portion 320 to the lower surface of the side wall portion 320 may be defined as the thickness t2 of the side wall portion 320.

[0071] The length Lw of the side wall portion 320 can be shorter than the length Ld of the cutting side surface 110. Since the spacer 300 is disposed inside the lens barrel 400, in order to appropriately utilize the space inside the lens barrel 400, the length Lw of the side wall portion 320 can be determined to be shorter than the length Ld of the cutting side surface 110. Specifically, the length Lw of the side wall portion 320 can be determined to be shorter than the length Ld of the cutting side surface 110 and can be determined to be longer than half of the length Ld of the cutting side surface 110. That is to say, the length Lw of the side wall portion 320 can be determined within the range satisfying the condition Ld / 2 < Lw < Ld.

[0072] Figure 7 is Figure 2 An enlarged view of part A in.

[0073] Referring to Figure 7 , the first lens 100 can include an optical surface 121 and a cutting side surface 110. The optical surface 121 and the cutting side surface 110 can be directly connected.

[0074] As described above, the cutting side surface 110 refers to a part of the side surface of the first lens 100. The first protruding portion 113 can be provided on the cutting side surface 110. The first protruding portion 113 can refer to a portion that protrudes from the cutting side surface 110 of the first lens 100 in a direction in which the distance from the optical axis increases.

[0075] Since the first lens 100 is manufactured by injection molding, injection lines formed by the boundaries between a plurality of molds can be formed on the side surface of the first lens 100. The first protruding portion 113 of the first lens 100 can be an injection line formed on the side surface of the first lens 100.

[0076] The second protruding portion 323 can be provided on the side wall portion 320. The second protruding portion 323 can refer to a portion that protrudes from the inner surface of the side wall portion 320 in a direction toward the optical axis.

[0077] Since the spacer 300 can also be manufactured by injection molding, injection lines formed by the boundaries between a plurality of molds can be formed on the side wall portion 320, and the injection lines of the side wall portion 320 can correspond to the second protruding portion 323.

[0078] In the example, the second protruding portion 323 of the side wall portion 320 may be disposed in the same plane as the lower surface of the support portion 310 perpendicular to the optical axis. That is, the lower surface of the support portion 310 may be disposed at the boundary between a plurality of molds for manufacturing the spacer 300. When the spacer 300 is not manufactured by injection molding, an injection line may not be formed. However, in this example, the second protruding portion 323 may refer to a portion located in the same plane as the lower surface of the support portion 310.

[0079] The side wall portion 320 may have a thickness. The thickness t2 of the side wall portion 320 may be defined as the distance from the upper surface of the side wall portion 320 to the lower surface of the side wall portion 320. That is, the thickness t2 of the side wall portion 320 may refer to the height of the side wall portion 320 in the optical axis direction.

[0080] The thickness t2 of the side wall portion 320 may be greater than the thickness t1 of the support portion 310. In this example, the thickness t2 of the side wall portion 320 may be greater than the thickness t1 of the support portion 310. In this example, the thickness t2 of the side wall portion 320 may be determined to be greater than the distance from the upper surface of the side wall portion 320 to the first protruding portion 113 of the cutting side surface 110 in the optical axis direction. Additionally, the thickness t2 of the side wall portion 320 may be shorter than the distance from the upper surface of the side wall portion 320 to the lower surface of the flange portion 130 of the first lens 100 in the optical axis direction. That is, the lower surface of the flange portion 130 and the lower surface of the side wall portion 320 may be separated from each other by a third separation distance h1 in the optical axis direction. In this example, the lower surface of the side wall portion 320 may be disposed closer to the object side than the lower surface of the flange portion 130. That is, the lower surface of the flange portion 130 may be disposed closer to the image side than the lower surface of the side wall portion 320. Therefore, the lower surface of the side wall portion 320 may be located between the lower surfaces of the first protruding portion 113 and the flange portion 130 based on the optical axis direction.

[0081] The side wall portion 320 may be disposed between the first lens 100 and the lens barrel 400 to fill the separation space formed between the first lens 100 and the lens barrel 400. With this structure, deformation of the lens assembly due to external force can be prevented.

[0082] The side wall portion 320 may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the lens barrel 400 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The distance by which the side wall portion 320 and the inner surface of the lens barrel 400 are spaced apart may be referred to as a first separation distance d1.

[0083] The cutting side surface 110 and the side wall portion 320 may be arranged to be spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The shortest distance between the cutting side surface 110 and the side wall portion 320 may be defined as the second separation distance d2. Since the second separation distance d2 is the shortest distance between the cutting side surface 110 and the side wall portion 320, the second separation distance d2 may be defined as the distance between the first protruding portion 113 of the cutting side surface 110 and the second protruding portion 323 of the side wall portion 320 based on the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0084] The side wall portion 320 is disposed between the lens barrel 400 and the first lens 100 and is arranged to be spaced apart from the lens barrel 400 and the first lens 100. When manufacturing the spacer 300, the first lens 100, or the lens barrel 400, dimensional tolerances may occur. Since the side wall portion 320 is manufactured to be spaced apart from the lens barrel 400 and the first lens 100 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, assembly defects in the lens assembly that occur when the side wall portion 320 contacts the lens barrel 400 or the first lens 100 due to dimensional tolerances can be prevented.

[0085] The cutting side surface 110 and the side wall portion 320 may overlap in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. Based on Figure 7 , the entire cutting side surface 110 is shown to overlap the side wall portion 320 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, but one or more examples are not limited thereto.

[0086] The inner surface of the side wall portion 320 may be divided into an upper side surface 331 and a lower side surface 332. In an example, the upper side surface 331 may refer to the surface disposed above the second protruding portion 323 of the side wall portion 320 or the surface disposed on the object side with respect to the second protruding portion 323 of the side wall portion 320. The lower side surface 332 may refer to the surface disposed below the second protruding portion 323 of the side wall portion 320 or the surface disposed on the image side with respect to the second protruding portion 323 of the side wall portion 320. The upper side surface 331 may have an inclination angle α based on a line parallel to the optical axis. The inclination angle α may be an acute angle. The inclination angle α may be determined in consideration of the rigidity of the spacer 300. Specifically, as the inclination angle α increases, the thickness of the upper portion of the side wall portion 320 of the spacer 300 becomes thinner. When the thickness of the upper portion of the side wall portion 320 becomes too thin, the rigidity of the spacer 300 may be insufficient and the spacer 300 may bend. Therefore, the magnitude of the inclination angle α may be determined in consideration of the rigidity of the spacer 300. For example, the range of the inclination angle α may satisfy 0.1° < α < 60°.

[0087] Figure 8 Another embodiment of an exemplary lens assembly according to one or more embodiments is shown. Regarding Figure 8In the embodiments, descriptions of the same content as that of the above embodiments may be omitted.

[0088] Refer to Figure 8 , the second spacer 300a is disposed between the second lens 200 and the first spacer 300. That is, the first spacer 300 indirectly supports the second lens 200 based on the second spacer 300a. The height of the second spacer 300a may be less than the height of the first spacer 300. In the example, the height refers to the height in the optical axis direction.

[0089] Figures 9 to 11 Various embodiments of a lens assembly according to one or more embodiments are shown, in which the structures of the cut side surface and the side wall portion are shown. The structure of the spacer coupled to the first lens as viewed from the object side is shown. Descriptions of the same content as that of the previous embodiments will be omitted.

[0090] Refer to Figure 9 , based on the view as viewed from the object side, the cut side surface 110 may be referred to as the side portion 115 of the lens. In the example, the side portion 115 of the lens may be provided in a straight shape, and the inner surface 351 and the outer surface 352 of the side wall portion 320 may also be provided in a straight shape. The inner surface 351 and the outer surface 352 of the side wall portion 320 may be provided parallel to the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0091] Refer to Figure 10 , when viewed from the object side, the side portion 115 of the lens may have a straight shape. The inner surface 351 of the side wall portion 320 may have a curved shape with the center of the radius of curvature facing the optical axis, and the outer surface 352 of the side wall portion 320 may have a straight shape.

[0092] In this example, the side portion 115 of the lens and the outer surface 352 of the side wall portion 320 may be parallel in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0093] Refer to Figure 11 , when viewed from the object side, the side portion 115 of the lens may have a straight shape. The inner surface 351 of the side wall portion 320 may have a straight shape, and the outer surface 352 of the side wall portion 320 may have a curved shape with the center of the radius of curvature facing the optical axis.

[0094] In this example, the side portion 115 of the lens and the inner surface 351 of the side wall portion 320 may be parallel in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0095] Refer to Figure 12, when viewed from the object side, the side portion 115 of the lens may have a straight shape. Each of the inner surface 351 and the outer surface 352 of the side wall portion 320 may have a curved shape with the center of the radius of curvature oriented toward the optical axis.

[0096] Figure 13 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a spacer applied to an exemplary lens assembly according to one or more embodiments, and Figure 14 is a plan view showing the spacer of another embodiment. Descriptions of the same content as previously described with respect to the spacer will be omitted below.

[0097] Referring to Figure 13 and Figure 14 , a corrugated portion 3300 may be provided on the inner circumferential surface of the spacer 300. The corrugated portion 3300 may include valleys 3320 and peaks 3310. When the spacer 300 is assembled with the lens barrel 400 and the lens to form a lens assembly, light may be reflected from the inner surface of the spacer 300.

[0098] The light reflected from the inner surface of the spacer 300 may be reduced by the corrugated portion 3300 provided on the inner surface of the spacer 300. Specifically, when light is incident on the inner surface of the spacer 300, the light may be incident on the valleys 3320 of the corrugated portion 3300. A part of the light incident on the valleys 3320 of the corrugated portion 3300 may be reflected to another part of the valleys 3320. That is, the light incident on the valleys 3320 of the corrugated portion 3300 may be reflected within the valleys 3320 of the corrugated portion 3300, and the flare phenomenon may be reduced by forming destructive interference between the reflected light portions.

[0099] According to the above embodiment, the structural stability of the lens assembly can be ensured based on the structure of the side wall portion 320 of the spacer 300 provided between the cut side surface 110 of the first lens 100 and the inner surface of the lens barrel 400. In addition, the flare phenomenon can be reduced based on the side wall portion 320 of the spacer 300 facing the cut side surface 110 of the first lens 100 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0100] As described above, according to one or more embodiments, the structural stability of the lens assembly can be improved by providing the side wall portion of the spacer in the space between the lens and the lens barrel.

[0101] Although the present disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of the present application that various changes in form and detail may be made to these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples described herein are to be understood in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The description of features or aspects in each example should be considered to be applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. Appropriate results can still be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order and / or if the components in the described systems, architectures, devices, or circuits are combined in a different manner and / or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents.

[0102] Accordingly, in addition to the foregoing disclosure and all the drawings disclosure, the scope of the present disclosure also includes the claims and their equivalents, that is, all variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents should be understood to be included in the present disclosure.

Claims

1. Lens assembly, including: Spacers; as well as a first lens having refractive power and coupled to the spacer, wherein the length of the first lens in a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis is greater than the length of the first lens in a second direction perpendicular to both the optical axis and the first direction, wherein the first lens comprises a first side surface extending in the first direction, wherein the spacer comprises a plurality of supporting portions contacting the first lens and a side wall portion connecting the plurality of supporting portions, and Wherein, the first side surface of the first lens is arranged to face the side wall portion.

2. The lens assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The first side surface of the first lens is disposed to be spaced apart from the side wall portion in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

3. The lens assembly according to claim 1, wherein: A first protruding portion is provided on the first side surface of the first lens, the first protruding portion protruding in a direction in which a distance from the optical axis increases, and Wherein, the first protruding portion is arranged to be spaced apart from the side wall portion in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

4. The lens assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The length of the side wall portion is smaller than the length of the first side surface of the first lens.

5. The lens assembly according to claim 4, wherein: When the length of the first side surface of the first lens is Ld and the length of the side wall portion is Lw, Satisfy Ld / 2 <Lw<Ld。 6. The lens assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The thickness of the side wall portion in the optical axis direction is greater than the thickness of the support portion in the optical axis direction.

7. The lens assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The first lens further includes an optical portion and a flange portion extending from the optical portion, and The lower surface of the flange portion is arranged closer to the image side than the lower surface of the side wall portion in the optical axis direction.

8. The lens assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The first lens further includes an optical portion and a flange portion extending from the optical portion, and wherein a lower surface of the side wall portion is disposed between a lower surface of the first protruding portion and the flange portion based on a direction parallel to the optical axis.

9. The lens assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The inner surface of the side wall portion includes a second protruding portion protruding toward the optical axis, and The first protruding portion and the second protruding portion are spaced apart from each other in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

10. The lens assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The first side surface of the first lens and an inner surface of the side wall portion are arranged parallel to each other when viewed from an object side.

11. The lens assembly according to claim 1, wherein: When viewed from the object side, an inner surface of the side wall portion has a curved shape with a center of a radius of curvature disposed toward the optical axis.

12. Lens assembly, comprising: Lens barrel; a spacer disposed in the lens barrel; as well as a first lens having a refractive power, disposed in the lens barrel and coupled to the spacer, wherein the length of the first lens in a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis is greater than the length of the first lens in a second direction perpendicular to both the optical axis and the first direction, wherein the first lens comprises a first side surface extending in the first direction, wherein the spacer comprises a plurality of supporting portions contacting the first lens and a side wall portion connecting the plurality of supporting portions, wherein the side wall portion faces the first side surface of the first lens in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and Wherein, the side wall portion is arranged to be spaced apart from an inner surface of the lens barrel in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

13. The lens assembly according to claim 12, wherein: The first side surface of the first lens is disposed to be spaced apart from an inner surface of the side wall portion in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

14. The lens assembly according to claim 12, wherein: A protrusion protruding toward the optical axis is provided on the inner surface of the side wall portion, wherein the inner surface of the side wall portion includes an upper side surface disposed above the protruding portion, and Wherein, the upper surface is configured to form an acute angle with a line parallel to the optical axis.

15. The lens assembly of claim 12, wherein: The first lens further includes an optical portion and a flange portion extending from the optical portion, and Wherein, the lower surface of the support portion is arranged to be in contact with the upper surface of the flange portion.

16. The lens assembly of claim 12, wherein: The length of the side wall portion is smaller than the length of the first side surface of the first lens.

17. Lens assembly, comprising: a first lens having a refractive power and including a cut side surface and including a first length in a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis and a second length in a second direction perpendicular to both the optical axis and the first direction that is smaller than the first length; as well as a first spacer including a support portion and a side wall portion, The side wall portion is spaced apart from the cut side surface of the first lens, overlaps with the cut side surface of the first lens in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and extends from an upper surface of the first spacer toward an imaging surface.

18. The lens assembly of claim 17, further comprising a second spacer disposed between the second lens and the first spacer, in, A height of the second spacer in the optical axis direction is smaller than a height of the first spacer in the optical axis direction.

19. The lens assembly of claim 17, wherein: An inner surface of the side wall portion has a curved shape with a center of a radius of curvature disposed toward the optical axis, and an outer surface of the side wall portion has a straight shape.

Images