Camera module

Abstract

A camera module is provided. The camera module includes: a lens module including at least one lens; a bearing portion accommodating the lens module and configured to move in an optical axis direction; a housing accommodating the bearing portion; a focus adjustment driving unit including a focus adjustment magnet disposed on the bearing portion and a focus adjustment coil disposed on the housing to face the focus adjustment magnet, and configured to generate a driving force to move the bearing portion in an optical axis direction; the first ball group is arranged between the bearing part and the shell to guide the bearing part to move in the optical axis direction, and a gap between the focus adjusting magnet and the focus adjusting coil is increased or decreased in the longitudinal direction of the focus adjusting magnet.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0023683, filed on February 19, 2024, 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 pertains to the camera module. Background Technology

[0004] Camera modules are implemented in portable electronic devices such as, but not limited to, smartphones, tablet PCs, and laptop computers.

[0005] Most camera modules implemented in portable electronic devices have autofocus and optical image stabilization, and zoom capabilities can be added to them.

[0006] Among the camera module functions mentioned above, it is important to ensure the linearity of motion in the autofocus function to prevent tilting. Utility Model Content

[0007] This summary portion is provided to briefly introduce the selection of concepts, which will be further described in the detailed description portion below. This summary portion is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to help determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0008] In general, the camera module includes: a lens module including at least one lens; a carrier portion housing the lens module and configured to move in the optical axis direction; a housing housing the carrier portion; a focus adjustment drive unit including a focus adjustment magnet disposed on the carrier portion and a focus adjustment coil disposed on the housing portion facing the focus adjustment magnet, and configured to generate a driving force to move the carrier portion in the optical axis direction; and a first ball assembly disposed between the carrier portion and the housing portion to guide the movement of the carrier portion in the optical axis direction, wherein the gap between the focus adjustment magnet and the focus adjustment coil increases or decreases in the longitudinal direction of the focus adjustment magnet.

[0009] The camera module may include a substrate on which a focus adjustment coil is disposed, wherein the focus adjustment coil is patterned and formed on one surface of the substrate.

[0010] The camera module may include a position sensor disposed on one surface of a substrate, wherein the position sensor protrudes further from one surface of the substrate toward the focus adjustment magnet than the focus adjustment coil.

[0011] The gap between the focus adjustment magnet and the focus adjustment coil can increase in the longitudinal direction from the first side of the focus adjustment magnet to the second side of the focus adjustment magnet, and the position sensor can be disposed to face the second side of the focus adjustment magnet.

[0012] The camera module can include a first yoke disposed to face the focus adjustment magnet, and the focus adjustment coil interposed between the first yoke and the focus adjustment magnet, wherein the first yoke can be disposed as a magnetic material to generate an attractive force with the focus adjustment magnet.

[0013] The gap between the focus adjustment magnet and the focus adjustment coil can increase in the longitudinal direction from the first side of the focus adjustment magnet to the second side of the focus adjustment magnet, and the first ball group can include a first ball member disposed to be close to the first side of the focus adjustment magnet in the longitudinal direction, and a second ball member disposed to be close to the second side of the focus adjustment magnet in the longitudinal direction.

[0014] The number of contact points of the first ball member contacting the bearing portion and the housing can be greater than the number of contact points of the second ball member contacting the bearing portion and the housing.

[0015] The bearing portion can include a seating recess including an inclined surface disposed to be inclined with respect to the focus adjustment coil, and the focus adjustment magnet is disposed in the seating recess.

[0016] The camera module can include a rear yoke disposed between the bearing portion and the focus adjustment magnet, wherein the rear yoke is arranged in parallel to the focus adjustment magnet.

[0017] The camera module can further include a first frame and a second frame accommodating the lens module and configured to move in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

[0018] In a general aspect, a camera module includes a housing accommodating a lens module, a bearing portion configured to move in an optical axis direction with respect to the housing, a first ball member and a second ball member disposed between the housing and the bearing portion, spaced apart from each other in a first axis direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and respectively including one or more balls, a driving unit including a focus adjustment magnet disposed on the bearing portion, and a yoke facing the focus adjustment magnet in a second axis direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction and the first axis direction, wherein a number of balls included in the first ball member is greater than a number of balls included in the second ball member, and a gap between the yoke and the focus adjustment magnet decreases at a position closer to the first ball member than the second ball member.

[0019] The focus adjustment magnet can be disposed between the first ball member and the second ball member, the yoke is disposed on the housing, and the focus adjustment magnet can be disposed to be inclined with respect to the yoke.

[0020] A focus adjustment coil facing the focus adjustment magnet in the second axial direction can be mounted on the housing, and the focus adjustment magnet can be tilted relative to the focus adjustment coil.

[0021] The camera module may also include a substrate on which a focus adjustment coil is disposed, wherein the focus adjustment coil may be patterned and formed on a first surface of the substrate.

[0022] The camera module may include a position sensor disposed on a first surface of a substrate, wherein the position sensor protrudes further from the first surface of the substrate toward a focus adjustment magnet than the focus adjustment coil.

[0023] The gap between the focus adjustment magnet and the focus adjustment coil can be increased from the first side of the focus adjustment magnet to the second side of the focus adjustment magnet in the longitudinal direction, and the position sensor can be set to face the second side of the focus adjustment magnet.

[0024] Other features and aspects will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and the detailed description below. 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 schematic exploded perspective view of an exemplary camera module according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0027] Figure 3 It shows along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken from line I-I'.

[0028] Figure 4 An exploded perspective view of a focus adjustment unit according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0029] Figure 5 A plan view of a focus adjustment unit according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0030] Figure 6 A conceptual diagram of a focus adjustment unit according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0031] Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is an exploded perspective view of a jitter correction unit according to one or more embodiments.

[0032] Throughout the drawings and specific embodiments, identical reference numerals designate identical elements, unless otherwise described. The drawings can not be to scale and the relative dimensions, proportions and descriptions of the elements in the drawings can be exaggerated for purpose of clarity, illustration and convenience. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following detailed description is presented to aid the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and / or systems described herein. However, various changes, modifications, and equivalents can be used, and the disclosure herein has been presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the methods, apparatuses, and / or systems described herein, as well as the various changes, modifications, and equivalents that will become apparent to the skilled artisan upon

[0034] Although expressions such as "first", "second", and "third" or A, B, (a), (b) and the like can be used in this document to describe various components, parts, regions, layers or sections, the components, parts, regions, layers or sections are not limited by the expressions. Each of the expressions is not used to define importance, sequence or order of, for example, the corresponding components, parts, regions, layers or sections, but is used only to distinguish the corresponding components, parts, regions, layers or sections from the other components, parts, regions, layers or sections. Accordingly, the first components, first parts, first regions, first layers or first sections mentioned in the examples can be referred to as the second components, second parts, second regions, second layers or second sections without departing from the teachings of the examples described herein.

[0035] Throughout this specification, where a component, element, or layer is described as being "on", "connected to", "coupled to", or "joined to" another component, element, or layer, it can be directly on, directly connected to, directly coupled to, or directly joined to the other component, element, or layer (e.g., in contact with the other component, element, or layer), or there can be one or more other components, elements, or layers intervening. Where a component, element, or layer is described as being "directly on", "directly connected to", "directly coupled to", or "directly joined to" another component, element, or layer, then there are no intervening components, elements, or layers between the component, element, or layer and the other component, element, or layer. Likewise, the expressions, for example, "between" and "directly between", as well as "adjacent" and "directly adjacent", can also be interpreted in the manner as previously described.

[0036] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing various examples only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. By the term "comprising" or "containing" or "including" or "having" or "characterized by" is meant "including, but not limited to", and is intended to cover the terms "consisting essentially of" or "consisting of" or "consisting of and their grammatical variants. As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the expression "and / or" includes any one as well as any combination of any two or more of the associated listed items. The phrases "at least one of A, B, and C", and the like, are intended to mean one or more of A, B, and C, for example, any combination of one or more of A, B, and C (e.g., A alone, B alone, C alone, two of A, B, and C, for example, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc.). As used herein, the term "exemplary" means "an example of" and is not intended to indicate that a described implementation is preferred or superior to other implementations.

[0037] As used herein, the expression "and / or" includes any one as well as any combination of any two or more of the associated listed items. The phrases "at least one of A, B, and C", and the like, are intended to mean one or more of A, B, and C, for example, any combination of one or more of A, B, and C (e.g., A alone, B alone, C alone, two of A, B, and C, for example, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc.). As used herein, the term "exemplary" means "an example of" and is not intended to indicate that a described implementation is preferred or superior to other implementations.

[0038] The features described herein can be embodied in different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to the examples described herein. Rather, the examples described herein have been provided merely for the purpose of illustration so that one of ordinary skill in the art will understand many possible ways to implement the methods, apparatuses, and / or systems described herein after the disclosure herein is understood. In this document, the use of the expression "can" (for example, with respect to what an example or embodiment can include or implement) means that there is at least one example or embodiment for which the feature is included or implemented, and that not all examples or embodiments need to include or implement the feature. The expression "example" or "embodiment" used herein has the same meaning (for example, 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 embodiments can provide a camera module having improved focusing performance while having a reduced number of components and a reduced price.

[0040] The following description relates to a camera module 1000, which can be applied to or implemented in a portable electronic device such as, but not limited to, a smart phone, and can be used to photograph an image or a video of an external object.

[0041] Figure 1 A perspective view of an exemplary camera module according to one or more embodiments is shown, and Figure 2 A schematic exploded perspective view of an exemplary camera module according to one or more embodiments is shown.

[0042] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 An exemplary camera module 1000 according to one or more embodiments can include a lens module 200, a focus adjusting unit that moves the lens module 200 in an optical axis direction (Z-axis direction), a shake correction unit that moves the lens module 200 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis (Z-axis) (X-axis direction and Y-axis direction), an image sensor module 500 that converts light incident on the lens module 200 into an electrical signal, and a housing 110 and a cover 120 that accommodate the components listed above.

[0043] The housing 110 can have a quadrangular (e.g., rectangular) box shape with an internal space. For example, the housing 110 can have an open top and bottom and at least three sides. The lens module 200, the focus adjustment unit, and the shake correction unit can be accommodated in the internal space of the housing 110, and the image sensor module 500 can be disposed below the housing 110. In an example, the substrate 600 on which a portion of the focus adjustment unit and a portion of the shake correction unit are mounted can be disposed on a side of the housing 110.

[0044] The case 120 can be coupled to the housing 110 with the components listed above accommodated and disposed in the housing 110. In an example, the case 120 can cover the internal space while surrounding the four sides of the housing 110.

[0045] The case 120 can be coupled to the housing 110 and can have a function of protecting the components accommodated and disposed in the housing 110.

[0046] In addition, the case 120 can perform a function of shielding the components inside the housing from electromagnetic waves. Thus, electromagnetic waves generated by the camera module 1000 can not affect other electronic components within the portable electronic device, or conversely, electromagnetic waves generated by other electronic components within the portable electronic device can not affect the camera module 1000.

[0047] Thus, the case 120 can be formed of a metal material and can be grounded to a ground pad of a printed circuit board (hereinafter referred to as a sensor substrate 520) of the image sensor module 500 disposed below the housing 110.

[0048] The image sensor module 500 can include an image sensor 510 and a sensor substrate 520 on which the image sensor 510 is mounted.

[0049] The image sensor 510 can convert light incident through the lens module 200 into an electrical signal. In an example, the image sensor 510 can be a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS). The electrical signal converted by the image sensor 510 can be output as an image or a video through a display device of the portable electronic device.

[0050] The image sensor 510 can be electrically connected to the sensor substrate 520 by, for example, wire bonding or the like.

[0051] Although not shown in the drawings, the image sensor module 500 can further include an infrared (IR) cut filter. The IR cut filter can be disposed above the image sensor 510 to block light in an infrared region among the light incident through the lens module 200 from entering the image sensor 510.

[0052] The lens module 200 can include a lens barrel 210 in which at least one lens L is accommodated. In an example, the lens barrel 210 can have a hollow cylindrical shape, and the at least one lens L can be mounted in the lens barrel 210 in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction).

[0053] The lens module 200 can be configured to move in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction) and in directions perpendicular to the optical axis (X-axis direction and Y-axis direction). For example, the lens module 200 can move in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction) by a focus adjustment unit during focus adjustment, and can move in the directions perpendicular to the optical axis (X-axis direction and Y-axis direction) by a shake correction unit during shake correction.

[0054] Referring to Figure 3 , the lens module 200, the focus adjustment unit, and the shake correction unit can be movable parts that are accommodated in the internal space of the housing 110 and can move with respect to the housing 110 and the outer case 120, and the housing 110 and the outer case 120 can be fixed parts. In an example, parts of the focus adjustment unit and parts of the shake correction unit can be disposed on the housing 110, which can be a fixed part that does not move in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction) and / or in the directions perpendicular to the optical axis (X-axis direction and Y-axis direction).

[0055] Hereinafter, referring to Figures 3 to 6 a focus adjustment unit according to one or more embodiments is described.

[0056] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line I-I' of Figure 1 , is an exploded perspective view of a focus adjustment unit according to one or more embodiments, Figure 4 is a plan view of a focus adjustment unit according to one or more embodiments, and Figure 5 is a conceptual view of a focus adjustment unit according to one or more embodiments. Figure 6 The focus adjustment unit can be a part that adjusts a focus so that an object is focused. Specifically, the focus adjustment unit can adjust the focus by moving the lens module 200 in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction).

[0057] The focus adjustment unit can include a bearing part 310 that guides movement of the lens module 200 in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction) and a focus adjustment driving unit 330 that generates a driving force in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction).

[0058] The focus adjustment driving unit 330 can include a focus adjustment motor 331 that generates a driving force in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction) and a focus adjustment gear train 332 that transmits the driving force of the focus adjustment motor 331 to the bearing part 310.

[0059] The focus adjustment gear train 332 can include a focus adjustment gear 332a that is engaged with the bearing part 310 and a focus adjustment gear 332b that is engaged with the focus adjustment motor 331.The bearing portion 310 can be provided with a space into which the lens barrel 210 can be inserted. The lens barrel 210 can be arranged to pass through the bearing portion 310 in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction).

[0060] The bearing portion 310 can move in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction) with respect to the housing 110 while being accommodated in the housing 110. The lens barrel 210 can move in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction) together with the bearing portion 310 while being accommodated in the bearing portion 310.

[0061] The focus adjustment driving unit 330 can generate a driving force to move the bearing portion 310 in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction).

[0062] The focus adjustment driving unit 330 can include a focus adjustment magnet 331 and a focus adjustment coil 333 arranged to face each other. In an example, the focus adjustment magnet 331 can be disposed on one side of the bearing portion 310, and the focus adjustment coil 333 can be disposed on one side of the housing 110 to face the focus adjustment magnet 331. Accordingly, the focus adjustment magnet 331 can be a moving member that moves together with the bearing portion 310 in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction), and the focus adjustment coil 333 can be a fixed member fixed to the housing 110. However, the positions of the focus adjustment magnet 331 and the focus adjustment coil 333 can be interchanged.

[0063] The focus adjustment coil 333 can be mounted on the housing 110 through a printed circuit board (hereinafter, referred to as a substrate 600). According to one or more embodiments, the focus adjustment coil 333 can be a fine pattern coil (FP coil) formed by patterning a metal layer on an insulating layer of the substrate 600. In an example of the fine pattern coil, the driving force can increase as a gap between patterns decreases.

[0064] When the focus adjustment coil 333 is provided as a fine pattern coil, a separate process for electrically connecting the focus adjustment coil 333 to the substrate 600 can not be needed, and thus a manufacturing process can be simplified. In addition, since the fine pattern coil can be thinner than a winding coil, a gap between the focus adjustment magnet 331 and the focus adjustment coil 333 can be reduced, which is advantageous in miniaturization of the camera module 1000.

[0065] According to one or more embodiments, a gap between the focus adjustment magnet 331 and the focus adjustment coil 333 can increase or decrease in a longitudinal direction of the focus adjustment magnet 331, and thus the focus adjustment magnet 331 can be disposed obliquely with respect to the focus adjustment coil 333. Since the focus adjustment magnet 331 is disposed obliquely with respect to the focus adjustment coil 333, a gap between one side 331a of the focus adjustment magnet 331 and the focus adjustment coil 333 can be smaller than a gap between the other side 331b of the focus adjustment magnet 331 and the focus adjustment coil 333.

[0066] The focus adjustment magnet 331 can be disposed in a seating recess 311 formed on one side of the bearing portion 310, and the seating recess 311 can be disposed as an inclined surface so that the focus adjustment magnet 331 is inclined with respect to the focus adjustment coil 333.

[0067] A back yoke 332 focusing a magnetic force generated by the focus adjustment magnet 331 can be disposed between the focus adjustment magnet 331 and the bearing portion 310. In an example, the back yoke 332 can be insert-molded into the bearing portion 310 to be disposed integrally with the bearing portion 310, and can be exposed from the outside through the seating recess 311. The back yoke 332 can be disposed on the inclined surface of the seating recess 311, and thus can be disposed parallel to the focus adjustment magnet 331.

[0068] The focus adjustment driving unit 330 can use a closed-loop control method that detects a position of the lens module 200 during focus adjustment and provides feedback. Thus, the focus adjustment driving unit 330 can include a position sensor 335 that senses a position of the lens module 200 in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction) through the focus adjustment magnet 331. In a non-limiting example, the position sensor 335 can be a Hall sensor.

[0069] The position sensor 335 can be disposed on the substrate 600 together with the focus adjustment coil 333, and can face the focus adjustment magnet 331. The position sensor 335 can be disposed not to overlap a pattern of the focus adjustment coil 333 disposed on one surface of the substrate 600 facing the focus adjustment magnet 331. In an example, the position sensor 335 can be disposed inside or outside the focus adjustment coil 333.

[0070] In an example, the position sensor 335 can be disposed to face the other side 331b of the focus adjustment magnet 331 in which the gap between the focus adjustment magnet 331 and the focus adjustment coil 333 is relatively large. In an example, since the focus adjustment coil 333 can be disposed as a fine pattern coil, the position sensor 335 can protrude further from one surface of the substrate 600 toward the focus adjustment magnet 331 than the focus adjustment coil 333. That is, the thickness of the position sensor 335 can be greater than the thickness of the focus adjustment coil 333. Accordingly, in an example, a space in which the position sensor 335 can be disposed can be secured by disposing the focus adjustment magnet 331 obliquely with respect to the focus adjustment coil 333.

[0071] The first yoke 337 can be disposed on the other surface of the substrate 600 (in an example, the other surface refers to a surface opposite to the surface on which the focus adjustment coil 333 is disposed). The first yoke 337 can prevent leakage of magnetic flux generated by the focus adjustment magnet 331. In addition, the first yoke 337 can form an attractive force with the focus adjustment magnet 331. Details thereof are described below.

[0072] The first ball group 340 can be disposed between the bearing part 310 and the housing 110 to guide the movement of the bearing part 310 and maintain a gap between the bearing part 310 and the housing 110.

[0073] The first ball group 340 can include a first ball member 341 disposed to be close to one side 331a of the focus adjustment magnet 331 in a longitudinal direction of the focus adjustment magnet 331 and a second ball member 343 disposed to be close to the other side 331b of the focus adjustment magnet 331 in the longitudinal direction of the focus adjustment magnet 331. In an example, the first ball member 341 and the second ball member 343 can be spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction).

[0074] The first ball member 341 and the second ball member 343 can each include one or more ball members arranged in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction), and can each include different numbers of ball members.

[0075] Referring to the drawings, in an example, the first ball member 341 can include three ball members, and the second ball member 343 can include two ball members. In another example, the number of ball members included in the first ball member 341 and the second ball member 343 can vary. However, in an example, the first ball member 341 can include more ball members than the second ball member 343.

[0076] In an example, when a driving force is generated in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction) of the bearing portion 310, the first ball group 340 (i.e., the first ball member 341 and the second ball member 343) can guide the movement of the bearing portion 310 in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction).

[0077] The bearing portion 310 and the housing 110 can include guide recesses 313, 315, 113, and 115 that extend in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction) on surfaces of the bearing portion 310 and the housing 110 that face each other in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis (Z-axis) (e.g., the first axis direction (Y-axis direction) based on the drawings).

[0078] In an example, the bearing portion 310 can include a first guide recess 313 disposed adjacent to one side 331a of the focus adjustment magnet 331 and a second guide recess 315 disposed adjacent to the other side 331b of the focus adjustment magnet 331, and the housing 110 can include a third guide recess 113 disposed to face the first guide recess 313 and a fourth guide recess 115 disposed to face the second guide recess 315.

[0079] The first ball member 341 can roll in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction) while being inserted into the first guide recess 313 and the third guide recess 113, and the second ball member 343 can roll in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction) while being inserted into the second guide recess 315 and the fourth guide recess 115.

[0080] In an example, the first guide recess 313 and the second guide recess 315 disposed on the bearing portion 310 can have different cross-sectional shapes. Accordingly, the number of contact points between the first ball member 341 and the first guide recess 313 and the number of contact points between the second ball member 343 and the second guide recess 315 can be different from each other.

[0081] Referring to Figure 6 , the first ball member 341 can contact each of the two sides of the first guide recess 313 while being inserted into the first guide recess 313. That is, in an example, the first ball member 341 can form two contact points with the first guide recess 313. In an example, the second ball member 343 can contact the bottom surface of the second guide recess 315 while being inserted into the second guide recess 315. That is, in an example, the second ball member 343 can form one contact point with the second guide recess 315.

[0082] According to this configuration, the first guide recess 313 provided on one side 331a of the focus adjustment magnet 331 can be a main guide that guides the movement of the bearing part 310 in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction) by providing a movement direction to the first ball member 341, and the second guide recess 315 provided on the other side 331b of the focus adjustment magnet 331 can be an auxiliary guide that stably supports the movement of the bearing part 310 in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction) by allowing the second ball member 343 to smoothly roll therein.

[0083] In an example, the third guide recess 113 in the housing 110 facing the first guide recess 313 and the fourth guide recess 115 in the housing 110 facing the second guide recess 315 can have the same cross-sectional shape, and for example, the third guide recess 113 can have the same cross-sectional shape as the first guide recess 313. Thus, the first ball member 341 and the second ball member 343 can each form two contact points with the respective third guide recess 113 and fourth guide recess 115.

[0084] With regard to the above description, the plurality of ball members included in the first ball member 341 and the second ball member 343 can not all be in contact with the guide recesses 313, 315, 113, and 115. For example, at least some of the plurality of ball members included in the first ball member 341 and the second ball member 343 can have a smaller diameter than the diameters of the other ball members, and the respective ball members can not be in contact with the guide recesses 313, 315, 113, and 115. In contrast, the respective ball members can be in contact with the ball members disposed adjacent in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction), and can roll together in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction).

[0085] The first yoke 337 can be provided in the housing 110 to maintain contact between the first ball group 340 and the guide recesses 313, 315, 113, and 115. The first yoke 337 can be formed of a magnetic material. In an example, the first yoke 337 can be provided in the housing 110 to face the focus adjustment magnet 331 in a first axis direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the optical axis. Thus, an attractive force F can be generated between the first yoke 337 and the focus adjustment magnet 331 in the first axis direction (Y-axis direction), and the bearing part 310 can be pressed toward the housing 110 by the attractive force.

[0086] In an example, the focus adjustment magnet 331 can be provided obliquely with respect to the focus adjustment coil 333, and thus, the focus adjustment magnet 331 can also be provided obliquely with respect to the first yoke 337.

[0087] Referring to Figure 6The gap between one side 331a of the focus adjustment magnet 331 and the first yoke 337 can be shorter than the gap between the other side 331b of the focus adjustment magnet 331 and the first yoke 337.

[0088] In an example, a first guide recess 313 corresponding to the main guide can be disposed on one side 331a of the focus adjustment magnet 331, and a second guide recess 315 corresponding to the auxiliary guide can be disposed on the other side 331b of the focus adjustment magnet 331. Accordingly, the size of the pressure F1 applied to the first ball member 341 disposed in the main guide can be greater than the size of the pressure F2 applied to the second ball member 343 disposed in the auxiliary guide.

[0089] According to the above-described structure, the first ball member 341 can stably contact the first guide recess 313 and the third guide recess 113 as the main guide, and the second ball member 343 can smoothly roll in the second guide recess 315 and the fourth guide recess 115 as the auxiliary guide, and thus, linearity of movement of the bearing part 310 in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction) can be ensured, and a tilt defect can be improved.

[0090] Next, referring to Figure 7 and Figure 8 a shake correction unit according to one or more embodiments is described.

[0091] The shake correction unit can be a part that corrects shake of an image or a video due to a factor such as hand shake of a user during imaging. Specifically, the shake correction unit can correct the shake by moving the lens module 200 in directions perpendicular to the optical axis (X-axis and Y-axis directions) based on a relative displacement corresponding to shake that occurs when an image or a video is photographed.

[0092] The shake correction unit includes a first frame 410 and a second frame 420 that guide movement of the lens module 200 in directions perpendicular to the optical axis (X-axis and Y-axis directions), and a shake correction driving unit 430 that generates a driving force in the directions perpendicular to the optical axis (X-axis and Y-axis directions).

[0093] The first frame 410 and the second frame 420 can be accommodated in the bearing part 310, and the first frame 410, the second frame 420, and the bearing part 310 can be disposed in order along the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction). In an example, the first frame 410 can be disposed on the second frame 420, and the second frame 420 can be disposed on the bearing part 310.

[0094] The first frame 410 and the second frame 420 can be provided with spaces into which the lens barrel 210 can be inserted. The lens barrel 210 can be coupled to the first frame 410 and can be disposed to pass through the first frame 410 and the second frame 420 in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction).

[0095] The first frame 410 and the second frame 420 can move in directions (X-axis direction and Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the optical axis with respect to the bearing part 310 while being accommodated in the bearing part 310. Since the lens barrel 210 is coupled to the first frame 410, the lens barrel 210 can move together with the first frame 410. Also, since the first frame 410 is disposed on the second frame 420, the first frame 410 can move together with the second frame 420. In an example, the first frame 410 can move in a first axis direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the optical axis (Z-axis), and the second frame 420 can move in a second axis direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the optical axis (Z-axis) and the first axis (Y-axis).

[0096] The shake correction driving unit 430 can generate a driving force to move the first frame 410 and the second frame 420.

[0097] The shake correction driving unit 430 can include a first shake correction driving unit 431 generating a driving force in the first axis direction (Y-axis direction) and a second shake correction driving unit 433 generating a driving force in the second axis direction (X-axis direction). The first shake correction driving unit 431 and the second shake correction driving unit 433 can be arranged perpendicular to each other.

[0098] The first shake correction driving unit 431 can include a shake correction magnet 4311 and a shake correction coil 4313 arranged to face each other, and the second shake correction driving unit 433 can include a shake correction magnet 4331 and a shake correction coil 4333 arranged to face each other. In an example, the respective shake correction magnets 4311 and 4331 can be disposed on both sides of the first frame 410 perpendicular to each other, and the respective shake correction coils 4313 and 4333 can be disposed on both sides of the housing 110 perpendicular to each other to face the respective shake correction magnets 4311 and 4331. Accordingly, the shake correction magnets 4311 and 4331 can be moving parts moving together with the first frame 410 in the directions (X-axis direction and Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the optical axis, and the shake correction coils 4313 and 4333 can be fixed parts fixed to the housing 110. However, the positions of the shake correction magnets 4311 and 4331 and the positions of the shake correction coils 4313 and 4333 can be changed.

[0099] The shake correction coils 4313 and 4333 can be mounted on the housing 110 via the substrate 600. In an example, unlike the focus adjustment coil 333, the shake correction coils 4313 and 4333 can be provided as a winding coil. In another example, similar to the focus adjustment coil 333, the shake correction coils 4313 and 4333 can be provided as a fine pattern (FP) coil.

[0100] Although not shown in the drawings, a back yoke can be provided between the shake correction magnets 4311 and 4331 and the first frame 410 to focus the magnetic force generated by the shake correction magnets 4311 and 4331. The back yoke can be inserted into molding into the first frame 410 and can be provided integrally with the first frame 410.

[0101] Similarly, a second yoke 4317 and a third yoke (not shown) can be provided on the other surface of the substrate 600 (here, the other surface indicates a surface opposite to the surface on which the shake correction coils 4313 and 4333 are provided) to prevent leakage of the magnetic flux generated by the shake correction magnets 4311 and 4331.

[0102] The second ball group 440 that guides the movement of the first frame 410 and the second frame 420 and maintains the gap between the above-described components can be provided between the first frame 410 and the second frame 420 and between the second frame 420 and the bearing part 310.

[0103] The second ball group 440 can include a third ball member 441 provided between the first frame 410 and the second frame 420, and a fourth ball member 443 provided between the second frame 420 and the bearing part 310.

[0104] The third ball member 441 and the fourth ball member 443 can include a plurality of ball members. According to the drawings, in a non-limiting example, the third ball member 441 and the fourth ball member 443 can each include three ball members, and the third ball member 441 and the fourth ball member 443 can include three or more ball members.

[0105] In an example, when a driving force is generated in the first axis direction (Y-axis direction), the third ball member 441 can guide the movement of the first frame 410 in the first axis direction (Y-axis direction), and when a driving force is generated in the second axis direction (X-axis direction), the fourth ball member 443 can guide the movement of the first frame 410 and the second frame 420 in the second axis direction (X-axis direction).

[0106] The first frame 410 and the second frame 420 can include fifth and sixth guide recesses 411 and 421, respectively, extending in the first axis direction (Y-axis direction) on surfaces thereof facing each other in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction). The third ball member 441 can roll in the first axis direction (Y-axis direction) while being inserted between the fifth and sixth guide recesses 411 and 421, and movement of the third ball member 441 in the second axis direction (X-axis direction) can be restricted.

[0107] The second frame 420 and the bearing part 310 can include seventh and eighth guide recesses 423 and 317, respectively, extending in the second axis direction (X-axis direction) on surfaces thereof facing each other in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction). The fourth ball member 443 can roll in the second axis direction (X-axis direction) while being inserted between the seventh and eighth guide recesses 423 and 317, and movement of the fourth ball member 443 in the first axis direction (Y-axis direction) can be restricted.

[0108] A drag yoke 450 can be disposed on the bearing part 310 to maintain contact between the second ball group 440 and the guide recesses 411, 421, 423, and 317. The drag yoke 450 can be formed of a magnetic material. In an example, the drag yoke 450 can be disposed on the bearing part 310 to face the shake correction magnets 4311 and 4331 disposed on the first frame 410 in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction). Accordingly, an attractive force can be generated between the drag yoke 450 and the shake correction magnets 4311 and 4331 in the optical axis direction (Z-axis direction), and the first and second frames 410 and 420 can be pressed toward the bearing part 310 by the attractive force.

[0109] The shake correction driving unit 430 can use a closed-loop control method that detects a position of the lens module 200 during shake correction and provides feedback. Accordingly, the first and second shake correction driving units 431 and 433 can include position sensors 4315 and 4335 that sense a position of the lens module 200 in the first and second axis directions (Y-axis and X-axis directions), respectively, by the shake correction magnets 4311 and 4331. In an example, the position sensors 4315 and 4335 can be Hall sensors. The position sensors 4315 and 4335 can be mounted on the substrate 600 to be disposed inside the shake correction coils 4313 and 4333 and can face the shake correction magnets 4311 and 4331.

[0110] The camera module according to one or more examples can improve a posture difference when moving in the optical axis direction. In addition, since some components are omitted, manufacturing costs can be reduced and driving stability can be ensured.

[0111] While the present disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art, after an understanding of the disclosure herein, that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples described herein are to be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects in each example should be considered as being applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. Proper results can be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order, and / or if 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.

[0112] Therefore, in addition to the disclosure specifically described herein and all appended drawings, the scope of the present disclosure includes the claims and their equivalents, i.e., all modifications within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are to be understood as included in the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A camera module characterized by, The camera module includes: a lens module including at least one lens; a carrier accommodating the lens module and configured to move in an optical axis direction; a housing accommodating the carrier; a focus adjustment driving unit including a focus adjustment magnet disposed on the carrier and a focus adjustment coil disposed on the housing to face the focus adjustment magnet and configured to generate a driving force to move the carrier in the optical axis direction; and a first ball group disposed between the carrier and the housing to guide movement of the carrier in the optical axis direction, wherein a gap between the focus adjustment magnet and the focus adjustment coil increases or decreases in a longitudinal direction of the focus adjustment magnet.

2. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The camera module further includes: a substrate on which the focus adjustment coil is disposed, wherein the focus adjustment coil is patterned and formed on one surface of the substrate.

3. The camera module of claim 2, wherein, The camera module further includes: a position sensor disposed on the one surface of the substrate, wherein the position sensor protrudes further than the focus adjustment coil from the one surface of the substrate toward the focus adjustment magnet. 4.The camera module of claim 3, wherein: the gap between the focus adjustment magnet and the focus adjustment coil increases in the longitudinal direction from a first side of the focus adjustment magnet to a second side of the focus adjustment magnet, and the position sensor is disposed to face the second side of the focus adjustment magnet.

5. The camera module of claim 1, wherein, The camera module further includes: a first yoke disposed to face the focus adjustment magnet, and the focus adjustment coil is interposed between the first yoke and the focus adjustment magnet, wherein the first yoke is disposed as a magnetic material to generate an attractive force with the focus adjustment magnet. 6.The camera module of claim 5, wherein: the gap between the focus adjustment magnet and the focus adjustment coil increases in the longitudinal direction from a first side of the focus adjustment magnet to a second side of the focus adjustment magnet, and the first ball group includes: a first ball member disposed to be close to the first side of the focus adjustment magnet in the longitudinal direction; and a second ball member disposed to be close to the second side of the focus adjustment magnet in the longitudinal direction.

7. The camera module of claim 6, wherein, The number of contact points of the first ball member contacting the carrier and the housing is greater than the number of contact points of the second ball member contacting the carrier and the housing.

8. The camera module of claim 1, wherein, The carrier includes a seating recess including an inclined surface that is disposed obliquely with respect to the focus adjustment coil, and the focus adjustment magnet is disposed in the seating recess.

9. The camera module of claim 1, wherein, The camera module further includes: a rear yoke disposed between the carrier and the focus adjustment magnet, wherein the rear yoke is disposed parallel to the focus adjustment magnet.

10. The camera module of claim 1, wherein, The camera module further includes first and second frames accommodating the lens module and configured to move in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

11. A camera module characterized by, The camera module includes: a housing accommodating a lens module; a carrier configured to move in an optical axis direction with respect to the housing; first and second ball members disposed between the housing and the carrier, spaced apart from each other in a first axis direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and each including one or more balls; a drive unit including a focus adjustment magnet disposed on the carrier; and a yoke facing the focus adjustment magnet in a second axis direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction and the first axis direction, wherein a number of balls included in the first ball member is greater than a number of balls included in the second ball member, and a gap between the yoke and the focus adjustment magnet is reduced at a position closer to the first ball member than to the second ball member.

12. The camera module of claim 11, wherein: the focus adjustment magnet is disposed between the first and second ball members, and the yoke is disposed on the housing, and the focus adjustment magnet is disposed obliquely with respect to the yoke.

13. The camera module of claim 11, wherein: a focus adjustment coil facing the focus adjustment magnet in the second axis direction is disposed on the housing, and the focus adjustment magnet is disposed obliquely with respect to the focus adjustment coil.

14. The camera module of claim 13, wherein, The camera module further includes: a substrate on which the focus adjustment coil is disposed, wherein the focus adjustment coil is patterned and formed on a first surface of the substrate.

15. The camera module of claim 14, wherein, The camera module further includes: a position sensor disposed on the first surface of the substrate, wherein the position sensor protrudes further from the first surface of the substrate toward the focus adjustment magnet than the focus adjustment coil.

16. The camera module of claim 15, wherein: a gap between the focus adjustment magnet and the focus adjustment coil increases in a longitudinal direction of the focus adjustment magnet from a first side of the focus adjustment magnet to a second side of the focus adjustment magnet, and the position sensor is disposed facing the second side of the focus adjustment magnet.

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