Camera module

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a camera module. The camera module includes a first frame and a second frame, a third frame coupled to a lens barrel and spaced apart from the first frame and the second frame in an optical axis direction, and a ball member disposed between the third frame and the second frame and supporting movement of the third frame relative to the second frame in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the third frame including a first guide groove portion accommodating a portion of the ball member, and the second frame including a second guide groove portion accommodating another portion of the ball member, H1+H2<D is satisfied, where H1 is a minimum separation distance between the first frame and the third frame in the optical axis direction, H2 is a maximum separation distance between the third frame and the second frame in the optical axis direction around the first guide groove portion and the second guide groove portion, and D is a diameter of the ball member.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0056659 filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on April 29, 2025 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0097887 filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on July 21, 2025, the entire disclosures of the foregoing Korean patent applications are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0004] As mobile devices such as, but not limited to, smartphones continue to become thinner, various structural schemes for mobile devices are being proposed to reduce the thickness or footprint of camera modules applied to such mobile devices.

[0005] For example, the stacking direction of lenses in the mobile device may be changed by providing a reflective member that bends an optical path inside the camera module, and the thickness of the camera module may be reduced by eliminating factors that increase the thickness of the camera module. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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

[0007] In one general aspect, a camera module includes a first frame and a second frame, a third frame coupled to a lens barrel and spaced apart from the first frame and the second frame in an optical axis direction, and a ball member disposed between the third frame and the second frame and configured to support movement of the third frame relative to the second frame in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, wherein the third frame includes a first guide groove portion accommodating a first portion of the ball member, and the second frame includes a second guide groove portion accommodating a second portion of the ball member, and H1+H2<D is satisfied, where H1 is the minimum separation distance in the optical axis direction between the first frame and the third frame, H2 is the maximum separation distance in the optical axis direction between the third frame and the second frame around the first guide groove portion and the second guide groove portion, and D is the diameter of the ball member.

[0008] The ball member may form a single point contact with each of the first guide groove portion and the second guide groove portion.

[0009] The first guide groove portion may include a first bottom surface and a first side wall, the first side wall extending from an edge of the first bottom surface in an optical axis direction; the second guide groove portion includes a second bottom surface and a second side wall, the second bottom surface faces the first bottom surface in the optical axis direction, the second side wall extends from an edge of the second bottom surface in the optical axis direction, and a ball member is in contact with the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface.

[0010] The maximum separation distance (H2) in the optical axis direction between the third frame and the second frame around the first guide groove portion and the second guide groove portion may be the maximum distance between the portions of the first side wall and the second side wall that face each other in the optical axis direction.

[0011] The first frame may be coupled to the second frame, and a portion of the first frame and a portion of the second frame may face each other in the optical axis direction relative to the third frame.

[0012] A protrusion penetrating the first frame in the optical axis direction may be disposed on the first frame, and one side of the protrusion may face the third frame in the optical axis direction.

[0013] The minimum separation distance (H1) in the optical axis direction between the first frame and the third frame may be the distance between one side of the protrusion and the third frame in the optical axis direction.

[0014] The first frame may include a cover portion spaced apart from the third frame in the optical axis direction, and an extension portion extending from the cover portion in the optical axis direction and coupled to the second frame, wherein the protrusion is disposed in the cover portion.

[0015] Each of the first guide groove portion and the second guide groove portion may have a width greater than the diameter (D) of the ball member.

[0016] The first guide groove portion and the second guide groove portion may satisfy the following conditional expression: W2<W1, where W1 is the width of the first guide groove portion, and W2 is the width of the second guide groove portion.

[0017] A magnet may be disposed on the third frame, a yoke may be disposed on the second frame, the yoke faces the magnet in the optical axis direction, and the third frame may be supported by the second frame in the optical axis direction through an attractive force generated by the magnet and the yoke.

[0018] The camera module may further include a coil facing the magnet in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and the third frame may be configured to move in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis based on a driving force generated by the magnet and the coil.

[0019] The first frame, the second frame and the third frame may be accommodated in a housing, and the first frame, the second frame and the third frame may be configured to be movable relative to the housing in the optical axis direction.

[0020] In another general aspect, the camera module includes a housing, a first movable part disposed in the housing and configured to move in the optical axis direction, a second movable part disposed in the housing and configured to move in the optical axis direction and in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and a spherical member disposed between the surfaces of the first movable part and the second movable part facing each other in the optical axis direction, wherein, at a position adjacent to the spherical member, the maximum distance between the first movable part and the second movable part in the optical axis direction is less than the diameter of the spherical member.

[0021] The first moving part may include a first frame and a second frame. The first frame is disposed on a first side of the second moving part in the optical axis direction, and the second frame is disposed on a second side of the second moving part in the optical axis direction. The second moving part is configured to be spaced apart from the first frame and the second frame in the optical axis direction.

[0022] The first moving part and the second moving part may each include a guide groove portion for accommodating the ball member, and the guide groove portion may each have a width greater than the diameter of the ball member.

[0023] The width of the guide groove portion provided in the second moving part can be greater than the width of the guide groove portion provided in the first moving part.

[0024] Other features and aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 A perspective view of an exemplary camera module according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0026] Figure 2 A partially exploded perspective view of an exemplary camera module according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0027] Figure 3 A perspective view of a fixed portion and a movable portion of an exemplary camera module according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0028] Figure 4A It shows along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken from line I-I'.

[0029] Figure 4B It shows along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken from line II-II'.

[0030] Figure 5 A plan view of an exemplary camera module according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0031] Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 It is to contain Figure 4A An enlarged view of the guide groove portion (area A) of the second ball component.

[0032] Throughout the accompanying drawings and detailed embodiments, 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 dimensions, scale, and depiction of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The following detailed embodiments are provided to help the reader gain a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatus, and / or systems described herein. However, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatus, and / or systems described herein will become apparent upon understanding the disclosure of this application. For example, the order of operations described herein and / or the sequence of 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 which must occur in a specific sequence, but can be varied, as will become apparent upon understanding the disclosure of this application. As another example, the order of operations and / or the order of operations can be performed in parallel, except for the order of operations and / or at least a portion of the order of operations which must occur in a sequence (e.g., a specific sequence). Furthermore, for clarity and conciseness, descriptions of features known upon understanding the disclosure of this application may be omitted.

[0034] Although terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third,” or A, B, (a), (b), 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 intended to define, for example, the importance, sequence, or order of the corresponding component, part, region, layer, or section, but only to distinguish the corresponding component, part, region, layer, or section from other components, parts, regions, layers, or sections. Therefore, 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.

[0035] Throughout this specification, when a component, element, or layer is described as "on another component, element, or layer," "connected to," "attached to," or "joined to" another component, element, or layer, it may be directly "on another component, element, or layer," directly "connected to," "attached to," or "joined to" another component, element, or layer (e.g., in contact with another component, element, or layer), or one or more other components, elements, or layers may reasonably be present 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 attached to," or "directly joined to" another component, element, or layer, then there are no other components, elements, or layers between that component, element, or layer and that other component, element, or layer. Similarly, expressions such as "between" and "directly between," and "adjacent" and "directly adjacent" may also be interpreted as described above.

[0036] The terminology used herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well. As non-limiting examples, the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” indicate 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 alternatives to the stated features, quantities, operations, components, elements, and / or combinations thereof. Furthermore, while one embodiment may use the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” to indicate the presence of the stated features, quantities, operations, components, elements, and / or combinations thereof, other embodiments may exist in which one or more of the stated features, quantities, operations, components, elements, and / or combinations thereof are absent.

[0037] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any one of the associated listed items and any combination of any two or more items. Phrases such as “at least one of A, B, and C” are intended to have a disjunctive meaning, and these phrases 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 embodiments require that the enumeration (e.g., “at least one of A, B, and C”) be interpreted as having a conjunctive meaning.

[0038] The features described herein may be embodied in various forms and should not be construed as being limited to the examples described herein. Rather, the examples described herein are provided merely to illustrate some of the many possible ways in which the methods, apparatus, and / or systems described herein will be apparent upon understanding the disclosure of this application. In this document, the use of the term “may” (e.g., regarding what an example or embodiment may include or implement) with respect to an example or embodiment means that there exists at least one example or embodiment that includes or implements such a feature, and that all examples or embodiments are not limited thereto. The terms “example” or “embodiment” as used herein have the same meaning (e.g., the phrase “in one example” has the same meaning as “in one embodiment,” and “in one or more examples” has the same meaning as “in one or more embodiments”).

[0039] One or more examples can provide camera modules with a thin profile, and the risks that may occur in a thin structure can be minimized.

[0040] One or more examples can enable the miniaturization and thinning of the camera module, and can prevent the ball components set in the camera module from falling off.

[0041] Figure 1 A perspective view of an exemplary camera module according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0042] Figure 1 The exemplary camera module 1000 shown can be installed on a mobile device such as, but not limited to, a smartphone. The optical axis of the camera module 1000 is formed parallel to... Figure 1 The Z-axis direction of the camera module 1000 is such that the optical axis of the camera module 1000 corresponds to the thickness direction of the mobile device.

[0043] According to one or more embodiments, the camera module 1000 can be manufactured to have a thin thickness in the optical axis direction. According to an embodiment, the camera module 1000 can have a structure in which a ball member that guides lens movement to compensate for jitter can roll in multiple directions. Furthermore, to address problems that may arise from this variation, the surrounding structure can be configured to meet specific conditions.

[0044] Figure 2 A partially exploded perspective view of an exemplary camera module according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0045] According to one or more embodiments, the camera module 1000 can be configured as follows: Figure 2 As shown in the image.

[0046] Light reflected from an external object is refracted as it passes through multiple lenses, forming an image on the image sensor 610. The multiple lenses are aligned with the image sensor 610 along the optical axis, and the direction of the incident light propagating within the camera module 1000 remains unchanged.

[0047] Multiple lenses and an image sensor 610 are disposed within the housing 120. In this example, the multiple lenses are mounted on a lens barrel 200 and housed within the internal space of the housing 120, and the image sensor 610 is mounted on a printed circuit board 620 and coupled to the bottom surface of the housing 120. The housing 120 may have an opening in the optical axis direction, allowing incident light to pass through the lens barrel 200 and enter the image sensor 610.

[0048] The outer casing 110 can be combined with the housing 120 to cover the internal space.

[0049] An opening 111 may be formed in the housing 110 to allow light reflected from an external object to enter the camera module 1000. A lens barrel 200 is disposed in the opening 111 to allow light reflected from an external object to enter the lens barrel 200.

[0050] In addition, a printed circuit board 130 equipped with coils or the like can be provided in the housing 120.

[0051] The printed circuit board 130 can be disposed on the side surface of the housing 120 from the outside of the housing 120. A through hole 121 is disposed on the side surface of the housing 120, and the printed circuit board 130 can be disposed in the housing 120 such that the surface on which coils or the like are attached faces the interior space of the housing 120.

[0052] In the example, the camera module 1000 can perform autofocus (AF) adjustment and image stabilization (OIS) operations, both of which can be achieved by moving the lens barrel 200. For example, when performing autofocus, the lens barrel 200 can be configured to move in the direction of the optical axis, and when performing image stabilization, the lens barrel 200 can be configured to move in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0053] Figure 3 A perspective view of a fixed portion and a movable portion of a camera module according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0054] The internal space of the housing 120 can accommodate multiple frames that move together with the lens barrel 200. According to an embodiment, a first frame 310, a second frame 320, and a third frame 330 can be accommodated within the internal space of the housing 120. The lens barrel 200 can be connected to the third frame 330.

[0055] The first frame 310, the second frame 320, and the third frame 330 can be configured to move along the optical axis within the internal space of the housing 120. That is, during autofocus adjustment, the first frame 310, the second frame 320, and the third frame 330 can all be moving bodies relative to the housing 120. Furthermore, the third frame 330 can be configured to move further in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. This movement of the third frame 330 in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis can be a relative movement relative to the first frame 310 and the second frame 320. In other words, during shake correction, the third frame 330 can be a moving body, while the first frame 310 and the second frame 320 can be fixed bodies.

[0056] According to one or more embodiments, the camera module 1000 may include an actuator (hereinafter referred to as the first actuator) that generates a driving force in the optical axis direction.

[0057] The first actuator may include a first magnet 411 and a first coil 413. The first magnet 411 may be disposed on a side surface of the second frame 320, and the first coil 413 may be disposed on a side surface of the housing 120 facing the side surface of the second frame 320 on which the first magnet 411 is disposed.

[0058] In one embodiment, the first coil 413 may be attached to a printed circuit board 130 disposed on a side surface of the housing 120. A through hole 121 is formed on the side surface of the housing 120, and the first coil 413 is disposed in the through hole 121 so as to directly face the first magnet 411.

[0059] The first magnet 411 and the first coil 413 are arranged to face each other in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis so as to generate a driving force in the direction of the optical axis.

[0060] In this example, the first position sensor 415 can be mounted on the printed circuit board 130 together with the first coil 413, and the position of the lens barrel 200 in the optical axis direction can be detected by the first position sensor 415. In this example, the first position sensor 415 can be a Hall sensor.

[0061] A ball component (hereinafter referred to as the first ball component) B1 can be provided between the second frame 320 and the housing 120 to guide the second frame 320 to move in the optical axis direction.

[0062] The first spherical component B1 may include multiple spherical components. The first spherical component B1 may be divided into two groups, each group consisting of one or more spherical components, and respectively disposed on both sides of the first magnet 411 in the length direction.

[0063] The guide groove portions G1 and G2, in which the first ball member B1 is housed, can be formed in the second frame 320 and the housing 120. The guide groove portions G1 and G2 are formed to extend in the optical axis direction, and the first ball member B1 can roll along the guide groove portions G1 and G2 in the optical axis direction while being housed in the guide groove portions G1 and G2.

[0064] The second frame 320 can be supported on the housing 120 by a first spherical member B1 disposed between the second frame 320 and the housing 120. In an embodiment, a magnetic yoke (not shown) can be disposed in the housing 120 facing the first magnet 411, and the first spherical member B1 is located between the magnetic yoke and the first magnet 411. The magnetic yoke and the first magnet 411 can generate forces in a direction facing each other (e.g., a direction perpendicular to the optical axis), and the second frame 320 can be pressed against the housing 120 by these forces.

[0065] In the example, as described above, when adjusting the focus of the camera module 1000, the first frame 310 and the third frame 330 can also move together with the second frame 320 in the optical axis direction.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the third frame 330 can be housed within the second frame 320, and the spherical member (hereinafter referred to as the second spherical member) B2 can be disposed between the second frame 320 and the third frame 330. Since the third frame 330 can be supported on the second frame 320 by the second spherical member B2, the third frame 330 can move together with the second frame 320 in the optical axis direction when the second frame 320 moves in that direction. Similarly, the lens barrel 200 connected to the third frame 330 can also move in the optical axis direction.

[0067] The first frame 310 can be coupled to the second frame 320 so that the first frame 310 can move together with the second frame 320 in the optical axis direction. The first frame 310 can be coupled to the second frame 320 to cover the third frame 330 housed inside the second frame 320. For example, the first frame 310 may include a cover portion covering the third frame 330 and a support leg portion coupled (attached) to the second frame 320.

[0068] According to one or more embodiments, the camera module 1000 may include an actuator (hereinafter referred to as a second actuator) that generates a driving force in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0069] The second actuator may include a second magnet 421 and a second coil 423, as well as a third magnet 431 and a third coil 433.

[0070] The second magnet 421 and the third magnet 431 can be disposed on two side surfaces of the third frame 330. In the example, the second magnet 421 and the third magnet 431 can be disposed perpendicular to each other. The second coil 423 and the third coil 433 can be disposed on two side surfaces of the housing 120 that face the two side surfaces of the third frame 330, and can be disposed perpendicular to each other.

[0071] The second coil 423 and the third coil 433 can be attached to the printed circuit board 130 in the same way as the first coil 413. The second coil 423 and the third coil 433 can directly face the second magnet 421 and the third magnet 431 through the through holes 121 formed in the housing 120, respectively.

[0072] The second magnet 421 and the second coil 423, as well as the third magnet 431 and the third coil 433, can be respectively arranged to face each other in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and can generate driving force in the direction in which they face each other.

[0073] According to one or more embodiments, the ball component that guides movement during jitter correction is configured to roll in multiple directions, such that unintended rotation may occur during the jitter correction process. Therefore, the second actuator may be configured to generate a rotational force.

[0074] In the example, the second magnet 421 and the third magnet 431 may include one or more magnets, and the second coil 423 and / or the third coil 433 may include multiple coils. At least one of the second coil 423 and the third coil 433 may control the driving force by including multiple independently controllable coils.

[0075] The second actuator can counteract unintended rotation by controlling the driving force generated by the second magnet 421 and the second coil 423 and / or the driving force generated by the third magnet 431 and the third coil 433. Alternatively, rotational force can be intentionally generated by changing the driving force or by utilizing the resultant force of the driving forces.

[0076] The second position sensor 425 and the third position sensor 435 can be disposed on the printed circuit board 130. The second position sensor 425 can be attached to the same surface as the surface where the second coil 423 is located, and the third position sensor 435 can be disposed on the same surface as the surface where the third coil 433 is located. According to an embodiment, at least one of the second position sensor 425 and the third position sensor 435 can be configured as multiple to detect the rotation of the lens barrel 200. In an example, the second position sensor 425 and the third position sensor 435 can be Hall sensors.

[0077] As described above, the second ball component B2 can be disposed between the third frame 330 and the second frame 320.

[0078] The second spherical member B2 may include multiple spherical members. In a non-limiting example, the second spherical member B2 may be provided in three or four forms, and each spherical member may be spaced apart from each other to be located at each corner of the third frame 330 and the second frame 320.

[0079] The second ball component B2 may have the function of guiding the movement of the third frame 330 and maintaining the gap between the third frame 330 and the second frame 320.

[0080] Figure 4A It is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken by line I-I', and Figure 4B It is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken from line II-II'.

[0081] Guide groove portions G3 and G4 that accommodate the second ball member B2 can be formed on the surfaces of the third frame 330 and the second frame 320 that face each other in the optical axis direction. For example, the first guide groove portion G3 can be formed in the third frame 330, and the second guide groove portion G4 can be formed in the second frame 320 to face the first guide groove portion G3. The second ball member B2 can be disposed between the first guide groove portion G3 and the second guide groove portion G4. The first guide groove portion G3 can accommodate a portion of the second ball member B2, and the second guide groove portion G4 can accommodate another portion of the second ball member B2.

[0082] The first guide groove portion G3 and the second guide groove portion G4 can be configured in a number corresponding to the number of ball members in the second ball member B2. Therefore, a ball member can be provided between the first guide groove portion G3 and the second guide groove portion G4, which face each other.

[0083] When viewed from the optical axis, the first guide groove portion G3 and the second guide groove portion G4 can have polygonal or circular shapes. Furthermore, the dimensions of the first guide groove portion G3 and the second guide groove portion G4 can be larger than the diameter of the second spherical member B2. For example, the cross-sectional dimensions of the first guide groove portion G3 and the second guide groove portion G4, taken perpendicular to the optical axis, are both larger than the diameter of the second spherical member B2, and the specific shapes of the first guide groove portion G3 and the second guide groove portion G4 are not limited as long as their cross-sectional dimensions are larger than the diameter of the second spherical member B2.

[0084] The second ball component B2 can roll in the direction of the driving force generated by the second actuator while being disposed between the first guide groove portion G3 and the second guide groove portion G4. The second ball component B2 can roll in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis and can roll freely in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0085] The first guide groove portion G3 may include a bottom surface (hereinafter referred to as the first bottom surface) 331, and the second guide groove portion G4 may include a bottom surface (hereinafter referred to as the second bottom surface) 321 facing the first bottom surface 331 in the optical axis direction. The first bottom surface 331 and the second bottom surface 321 may be substantially perpendicular to the optical axis and may also be substantially parallel to each other. For example, the cross-section of the first guide groove portion G3 may be the first bottom surface 331, and the cross-section of the second guide groove portion G4 may be the second bottom surface 321.

[0086] Furthermore, the first guide groove portion G3 may include a first sidewall 332 extending from the edge of the first bottom surface 331 in the optical axis direction. Similarly, the second guide groove portion G4 may also include a second sidewall 322 extending from the edge of the second bottom surface 321 in the optical axis direction.

[0087] The second ball component B2 can contact the first bottom surface 331 and the second bottom surface 321 respectively. That is, the second ball component B2 can form a single point contact with the first guide groove portion G3 on the first bottom surface 331 and a single point contact with the second guide groove portion G4 on the second bottom surface 321. In addition, the second ball component B2 can be spaced apart from or in contact with the first sidewall 332 and the second sidewall 322 depending on the change of its position during rolling.

[0088] In an embodiment, the second frame 320 and the third frame 330 may each include a reinforcing plate 325 and a reinforcing plate 335. The reinforcing plates 325 and 335 are provided to enhance the rigidity of the second frame 320 and the third frame 330; therefore, the reinforcing plates 325 and 335 may be formed of a material having higher rigidity than the main body material of the second frame 320 and the third frame 330. In a non-limiting example, the reinforcing plates 325 and 335 may be made of stainless steel.

[0089] The reinforcing plate 325 and the reinforcing plate 335 can be integrally formed with the second frame 320 and the third frame 330 respectively by insert injection molding process, and can form part of the second frame 320 and the third frame 330 respectively.

[0090] Reinforcing plates 325 and 335 can be disposed inside the second frame 320 and the third frame 330, respectively, such that a portion of reinforcing plates 325 and 335 is exposed to the outside. For example, reinforcing plates 325 and 335 can be exposed to the outside through the first bottom surface 331 of the first guide groove portion G3 and the second bottom surface 321 of the second guide groove portion G4 accommodating the second ball member B2. Therefore, the second ball member B2 can roll while in contact with reinforcing plates 325 and 335.

[0091] The third frame 330 can be supported on the second frame 320 by a second spherical member B2 located therebetween. In an embodiment, a magnetic yoke 315 can be disposed on the second frame 320 facing the second magnet 421 and the third magnet 431, and the second spherical member B2 is located between the second frame 320 and the third frame 330. Two magnetic yokes 315 can be provided such that the magnetic yokes 315 can face the second magnet 421 and the third magnet 431 respectively. The magnetic yokes 315 generate an attractive force in the direction facing the second magnet 421 and the third magnet 431, for example, in the optical axis direction, and the third frame 330 can be pressed against the second frame 320 by this attractive force.

[0092] Figure 5 A plan view of a camera module according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0093] Figure 5 In the example shown, housing 110 can be removed from camera module 1000, and first frame 310 can be disposed at the bottom of housing 110.

[0094] The second frame 320 may have an opening in the optical axis direction, and the first frame 310 may be connected to the second frame 320 to cover the opening portion of the second frame 320. Since the third frame 330 may be disposed in the opening portion of the second frame 320, the third frame 330 may also be covered by the first frame 310.

[0095] In other words, the first frame 310 to the third frame 330 can at least partially overlap in the optical axis direction, and in the overlapping part, the first frame 310 to the third frame 330 can be arranged in the order of the first frame 310, the third frame 330 and the second frame 320.

[0096] The first frame 310 may include a cover 311 covering the third frame 330, etc., and an extension 312 bent from the cover 311 along the optical axis direction.

[0097] The first frame 310 can be connected to the second frame 320 via an extension 312. For example, the extension 312 can be connected to a side surface of the second frame 320.

[0098] The first frame 310 may include a protrusion 313 projecting from the cover 311 in the optical axis direction.

[0099] In the example, the first frame 310 may include a plurality of protrusions 313. At least a portion of the plurality of protrusions 313 may be positioned at a location corresponding to the second spherical member B2. That is, the protrusions 313 may overlap with the second spherical member B2 in the optical axis direction.

[0100] One side of the protrusion 313 can protrude from one surface of the cover 311 in the direction toward the housing 110, and the other side of the protrusion 313 can protrude from another surface of the cover 311 in the direction toward the third frame 330. Therefore, referring to... Figure 6 One side 313a of the protrusion 313 can face the housing 110 in the optical axis direction, and the other side 313b of the protrusion 313 can face the third frame 330 in the optical axis direction.

[0101] The protrusion 313 can reduce impact and noise, as well as adjust the range of motion.

[0102] Since the first frame 310 is connected to the second frame 320, the first frame 310 can move together with the second frame 320 in two directions along the optical axis. In an embodiment, when the second frame 320 moves away from the image sensor 610 in the optical axis direction, the protrusion 313 can gradually approach the housing 110 and can contact (collide) the housing 110 at one side 313a of the protrusion 313. In an example, when an external impact occurs, the other side 313b of the protrusion 313 can contact (collide) the third frame 330.

[0103] The protrusion 313 can be formed of materials such as elastic polymers (e.g., polyurethane), rubber, silicone, etc. When the protrusion 313, made of such materials, comes into contact with (collides with) the housing 110, it can effectively absorb impact and noise by undergoing elastic deformation.

[0104] In the example, the second spherical component B2 and the peripheral portion of the second spherical component B2 can be implemented to satisfy the following conditions.

[0105] Figures 6 to 8 It is to contain Figure 4A An enlarged view of the guide groove portion (region A) of the second ball component. For reference, Figures 6 to 8 This is an enlarged view of region A, but the implementation conditions described below can be applied equally to the remaining regions that accommodate the second spherical component B2.

[0106] The camera module 1000 can satisfy the following conditional expression at the corner where the second spherical member B2 is located.

[0107] H1+H2 <D

[0108] In this conditional expression, H1 is the minimum separation distance formed between the first frame 310 and the third frame 330 in the optical axis direction, H2 is the maximum separation distance formed between the third frame 330 and the second frame 320 in the optical axis direction around the first guide groove portion G3 of the third frame 330 and the second guide groove portion G4 of the second frame 320, and D is the diameter of the second ball member B2.

[0109] The minimum separation distance H1 formed between the first frame 310 and the third frame 330 in the optical axis direction may be the distance in the optical axis direction from the protrusion 313 of the first frame 310 to the third frame 330. More specifically, H1 may be the distance in the optical axis direction between the side 313b of the protrusion 313 opposite to the side facing the third frame 330 in the optical axis direction and one surface (the upper surface based on the accompanying drawings) of the third frame 330.

[0110] The maximum separation distance H2 formed between the first guide groove portion G3 of the third frame 330 and the second guide groove portion G4 of the second frame 320 in the optical axis direction may be the maximum distance in the optical axis direction between the mutually facing portions of the first guide groove portion G3 and the second guide groove portion G4. More specifically, H2 may be the maximum distance between the portions of the first side wall 332 and the second side wall 322 that face each other in the optical axis direction (in Figure 7 , H3<H2).

[0111] According to this conditional expression, the sum of the minimum separation distance H1 formed between the first frame 310 and the third frame 330 in the optical axis direction and the maximum separation distance H2 formed between the first guide groove portion G3 of the third frame 330 and the second guide groove portion G4 of the second frame 320 in the optical axis direction may be less than the diameter D of the second ball member B2.

[0112] The third frame 330 may be magnetically supported by the second frame 320 via the second ball member B2, but is not structurally constrained, so the third frame 330 may be instantaneously separated from the second ball member B2 and the second frame 320 due to external impact or the like. In this example, the second ball member B2 interposed between the first guide groove portion G3 and the second guide groove portion G4 may fall off outward.

[0113] The sum of the minimum separation distance H1 formed between the first frame 310 and the third frame 330 in the optical axis direction and the maximum separation distance H2 formed between the first guide groove portion G3 of the third frame 330 and the second guide groove portion G4 of the second frame 320 in the optical axis direction corresponds to the maximum distance formed when the third frame 330 is separated from the second frame 320 in the optical axis direction.

[0114] In addition, the camera module 1000 can also meet the following conditions: W2 <W1 In this conditional expression, W1 is the width of the first guide slot portion G3, and W2 is the width of the second guide slot portion G4.

[0115] The width W1 of the first guide groove portion G3 is the distance between the first sidewalls 332 facing each other with the second ball member B2 as the interval, and the width W2 of the second guide groove portion G4 is the distance between the second sidewalls 322 facing each other with the second ball member B2 as the interval.

[0116] Based on this condition, the width W1 of the first guide groove portion G3 can be greater than the width W2 of the second guide groove portion G4.

[0117] The second ball member B2 is housed in the first guide groove portion G3 and the second guide groove portion G4 to guide the third frame 330 to move relative to the second frame 320 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. Specifically, the second ball member B2 can reduce friction caused by movement in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis by rolling motion within the first guide groove portion G3 and the second guide groove portion G4.

[0118] The first guide groove portion G3 and the second guide groove portion G4 can be configured to have sufficient space (width) to allow the second ball member B2 to roll smoothly. Specifically, since the amount of movement of the second ball member B2 is less than the amount of movement of the third frame 330, if the first guide groove portion G3 does not have sufficient space (width), the drive load may increase due to slippage of the second ball member B2. However, if, as in this embodiment, the first guide groove portion G3 has a wider width than the second guide groove portion G4, and thus sufficiently ensures the rolling motion space of the second ball member B2, slippage can be prevented and drive stability can be improved.

[0119] While this disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent upon understanding the disclosure of this 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 applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. Appropriate results may still be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order, and / or if components in the described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner and / or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents.

[0120] Therefore, in addition to the above disclosure and all the accompanying drawings, the scope of this 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 this disclosure.

Claims

1. Camera module, including: First frame and second frame; The third frame is connected to the lens barrel and is spaced apart from the first frame and the second frame in the optical axis direction; as well as A spherical component is disposed between the third frame and the second frame, and configured to support the movement of the third frame relative to the second frame in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The third frame includes a first guide groove portion that accommodates a first portion of the ball member, and the second frame includes a second guide groove portion that accommodates a second portion of the ball member. Satisfying H1+H2 <D, Wherein, H1 is the minimum spacing distance between the first frame and the third frame in the optical axis direction, H2 is the maximum spacing distance around the first guide groove portion and the second guide groove portion, and between the third frame and the second frame in the optical axis direction, and D is the diameter of the ball component.

2. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein, The ball component forms a single-point contact with both the first guide groove portion and the second guide groove portion.

3. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein, The first guide groove portion includes a first bottom surface and a first sidewall, the first sidewall extending from the edge of the first bottom surface in the optical axis direction. The second guide groove portion includes a second bottom surface and a second sidewall. The second bottom surface faces the first bottom surface in the optical axis direction, and the second sidewall extends from the edge of the second bottom surface in the optical axis direction. The ball component is in contact with the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface.

4. The camera module according to claim 3, wherein, The maximum spacing distance around the first guide groove portion and the second guide groove portion, and between the third frame and the second frame in the optical axis direction, is the maximum distance between the portions of the first sidewall and the second sidewall facing each other in the optical axis direction.

5. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein, The first frame is connected to the second frame, and In this configuration, a portion of the first frame and a portion of the second frame are opposite to each other in the optical axis direction relative to the third frame.

6. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein, A protrusion is provided on the first frame, the protrusion penetrating the first frame in the direction of the optical axis, and One side of the protrusion faces the third frame in the direction of the optical axis.

7. The camera module according to claim 6, wherein, The minimum spacing between the first frame and the third frame in the optical axis direction is the distance between one side of the protrusion and the third frame in the optical axis direction.

8. The camera module according to claim 6, wherein, The first framework includes: The cover portion is spaced apart from the third frame in the optical axis direction; and An extension, extending from the cover portion in the optical axis direction and connected to the second frame, The protrusion is provided in the cover portion.

9. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein, The first guide groove portion and the second guide groove portion each have a width greater than the diameter of the ball member.

10. The camera module according to claim 9, wherein, The first guide groove portion and the second guide groove portion satisfy the following conditional expression: W2 <W1, Wherein, W1 is the width of the first guide groove portion, and W2 is the width of the second guide groove portion.

11. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein, A magnet is provided on the third frame. A magnetic yoke is disposed on the second frame, and the magnetic yoke faces the magnet in the optical axis direction. The third frame is supported by the second frame in the optical axis direction by the attraction generated by the magnet and the yoke.

12. The camera module of claim 11, further comprising a coil facing the magnet in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. in, The third frame is configured to move in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis based on the driving force generated by the magnet and the coil.

13. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein, The first frame, the second frame, and the third frame are housed within a shell, and The first frame, the second frame, and the third frame are configured to be movable relative to the housing in the optical axis direction.

14. A camera module, including: case; A first movable part is disposed in the housing and configured to be movable in the optical axis direction; The second moving part is disposed in the housing and configured to be movable in the direction of the optical axis and in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis; as well as A spherical component is disposed between the surfaces of the first moving part and the second moving part that face each other in the optical axis direction. Wherein, at a position adjacent to the spherical component, the maximum distance between the first moving part and the second moving part in the optical axis direction is less than the diameter of the spherical component.

15. The camera module according to claim 14, wherein, The first moving part includes a first frame and a second frame. The first frame is disposed on a first side of the second moving part in the optical axis direction, and the second frame is disposed on a second side of the second moving part in the optical axis direction. The second moving part is configured to be spaced apart from the first frame and the second frame in the direction of the optical axis.

16. The camera module according to claim 14, wherein, The first moving part and the second moving part each include a guide groove portion for receiving the ball component, and Each of the guide groove portions has a width greater than the diameter of the ball component.

17. The camera module according to claim 16, wherein, The width of the guide groove portion provided in the second moving part is greater than the width of the guide groove portion provided in the first moving part.

Images