Camera actuator

Abstract

A camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a housing; a mover on which an optical member is disposed and which is disposed within the housing; a first guide module coupled to one side of the mover; and a second guide module disposed on one side of the first guide module in a direction opposite to a direction facing the mover, wherein the first guide module includes a body portion and a plurality of first ball units disposed on the body portion and spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction parallel to the optical axis of light incident on the optical member, wherein the second guide module includes a first rail portion and a plurality of second ball units disposed on the first rail portion and disposed along a circular track having a radius of curvature about the first direction, and wherein a virtual line connecting the centers of the plurality of first ball units, the center of the circular track formed by connecting the centers of the plurality of second ball units, and the optical axis of light incident on the optical member intersect.

Description

Camera actuator

[0001] The present invention relates to a camera actuator.

[0002] A camera is a device that captures a subject in photos or videos, and it is mounted on portable devices, drones, vehicles, etc.

[0003] A camera device or camera module may have an Image Stabilization (IS) function that corrects or prevents shaking caused by user movement to improve image quality, an Auto Focusing (AF) function that automatically adjusts the distance between the image sensor and the lens to align the focal length of the lens, and a zooming function that increases or decreases the magnification of a distant subject through a zoom lens to capture it.

[0004] In the case of a camera module used in a portable terminal, an incident light can be refracted toward the image sensor by utilizing a camera actuator equipped with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS).

[0005] However, since the tilt of the optical member due to the Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) function is supported by the magnetism of the magnet, there is a problem that it is not driven only in the first tilt axis and the second tilt axis but tilts in other directions, and a means to solve this is required.

[0006] The present invention is an invention devised to solve the problems of the aforementioned prior art, and has the objective of preventing rolling of the mover.

[0007] The problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0008] A camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-described purpose comprises a housing, a mover disposed within the housing in which an optical member is disposed, a first guide module coupled to one side of the mover, and a second guide module disposed on one side of the first guide module in a direction opposite to the direction toward the mover. The first guide module comprises a body portion and a plurality of first ball units disposed in the body portion and spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction parallel to the optical axis of light incident on the optical member. The second guide module comprises a first rail portion and a plurality of second ball units disposed on the first rail portion and arranged along a circular track having a radius of curvature centered on the first direction. A virtual line connecting the centers of the plurality of first ball units, the center of the circular track formed by connecting the centers of the plurality of second ball units, and the optical axis of light incident on the optical member intersect.

[0009] According to the present embodiment, a plurality of the first ball units may include a first-1 ball member disposed on one side of the mover in the second direction and a first-2 ball member disposed on the other side of the mover in the second direction.

[0010] According to the present embodiment, the body portion includes a first extension portion and a second extension portion extending along a third direction from both ends of the body portion in the second direction, and the third direction may be perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction and parallel to the optical axis of light refracted in the optical member.

[0011] According to the present embodiment, a first groove in which the first-1 ball member is disposed is formed at the end of the first extension portion in the third direction, and a second groove in which the first-2 ball member is disposed is formed at the end of the second extension portion in the third direction.

[0012] According to the present embodiment, the shapes of the first groove and the second groove may be different.

[0013] According to the present embodiment, the mover is recessed in the third direction and includes a first groove in which the first extension is disposed and a second groove in which the second extension is disposed, wherein the first groove is disposed on one side of the mover in the second direction and the second groove may be disposed on the other side of the mover in the second direction.

[0014] According to the present embodiment, the mover includes a protrusion that protrudes toward the second guide module, and the body part may include a first hole in which the protrusion is disposed.

[0015] According to the present embodiment, a third groove in which the first magnet is disposed is formed at the end of the protrusion in the third direction, and a fourth groove in which a second magnet is disposed facing the first magnet in the third direction is formed in the second guide module, and the third direction may be perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and parallel to the optical axis of the light refracted in the optical member.

[0016] According to the present embodiment, the first rail section may include a first-1 rail section and a first-2 rail section spaced apart with the second magnet in between in the first direction.

[0017] According to the present embodiment, the plurality of second ball units may include at least one second-1 ball member disposed in the first-1 rail portion and at least one second-2 ball member disposed in the first-2 rail portion.

[0018] According to the present embodiment, the body portion may include a second-1 rail portion arranged facing the first-1 rail portion in the third direction and a second-2 rail portion arranged facing the first-2 rail portion in the third direction.

[0019] According to the present embodiment, at least one of the first-1 rail portion, the first-2 rail portion, the second-1 rail portion, and the second-2 rail portion may have a different shape.

[0020] According to the present embodiment, the second-1 rail portion and the second-2 rail portion may be spaced apart in the first direction with the first magnet or the protrusion in between.

[0021] According to the present embodiment, the first guide module and the mover overlap in the first direction, and at least a portion of the second guide module and the mover overlap in the first direction.

[0022] According to the present embodiment, a plurality of the first ball units overlap with the mover in the second direction, and a plurality of the second ball units overlap with the mover in the first direction.

[0023] A camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problem may have the effect of preventing rolling of the mover.

[0024] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description in the claims.

[0025] In addition, the effects of the present invention may be described in more detail in the detailed description of the present invention and are not necessarily limited to those presented above.

[0026] The summary described above, as well as the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present application described below, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Preferred embodiments are illustrated in the drawings for the purpose of illustrating the present invention.

[0028] However, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the exact arrangement and means depicted.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrated for the general explanation of a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating the overall configuration of a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a mover of a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a first guide module of a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating the configuration of a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention in the direction in which the first guide module faces the second guide module;

[0034] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a second guide module of a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating a first ball unit of a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating a second ball unit of a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating a virtual line and a virtual trajectory of a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0038] FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating the first ball unit and optical axis of a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] The present invention is capable of various modifications and may have various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated and described in the drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0040] Terms including ordinal numbers, such as second, first, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the second component may be named the first component, and similarly, the first component may be named the second component. The term "and / or" includes a combination of a plurality of related described items or any of a plurality of related described items.

[0041] When it is stated that one component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, there may also be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is stated that one component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0042] The terms used in this application are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to specify the presence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0043] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0044] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, provided that identical or corresponding components are given the same reference number regardless of the drawing symbols, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0045] Furthermore, when describing objects as "identical" or "similar" based on numerically or geometrically comparable properties such as length, inner diameter, diameter, or area, this may imply that there is a margin of error. For example, if it is stated that the lengths of components A and B are identical, it may be advisable to interpret this to mean that the length of B falls within the margin of error of the length of A. This takes into account the margin of error that occurs during the injection molding and manufacturing processes; since this is a matter that can occur physically and is self-evident, it is advisable to understand the description as "identical" or "similar" by considering the margin of error as described above. In this case, the margin of error may be within the range of -5% to +5% of the mentioned numerical value or shape, but this is merely an example of the margin of error and may not necessarily be limited to the stated range.

[0046] A preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the objective of the present invention can be specifically realized, will be described below with reference to the attached FIGS. 1 to 10.

[0047] First, before describing the camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention, refer to FIG. 1 for a general description of the camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing (100), a mover (200) disposed within the housing (100), and an optical member (10) disposed on the mover (200).

[0048] Here, the optical element (10) can change the optical path by refracting or reflecting the incident light (IL). Specifically, the optical axis of the incident light (IL) and the optical axis of the refracted light (RL) are different from each other, and the point where the optical axis of the incident light (IL) and the optical axis of the refracted light (RL) intersect can be placed within the optical element (10). Here, the optical element (10) may be a prism, but this is merely an exemplary description and is not necessarily limited to what is mentioned.

[0049] In this way, by changing the optical path of the incident light (IL) incident on the optical member (10), the refracted light (RL) has a different optical path from the incident light (IL), thereby allowing the camera actuator to be miniaturized. Specifically, in addition to the camera actuator according to the embodiment of the present invention, a separate camera actuator including a zoom lens assembly and an auto-focusing lens assembly may be further included. That is, by combining the camera actuator according to the embodiment of the present invention with the zoom lens assembly and the auto-focusing lens assembly to form a camera module, the miniaturization of the camera module can be achieved.

[0050] At this time, the optical axis of the incident light (IL) and the optical axis of the refracted light (RL) may be perpendicular, but are not necessarily limited thereto, and the optical member (10) may refract the incident light (IL) multiple times so that the optical axis of the incident light (IL) and the optical axis of the refracted light (RL) are different from each other.

[0051] Meanwhile, the camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention can perform optical image stabilization (OIS). To this end, the housing (100) is fixed, and a driving unit to be described later is placed in the housing (100), so that a mover (200) placed on the housing (100) can be tilted through electrical interaction of the driving unit.

[0052] Here, the mover (200) may be implemented as a 3-axis tilt having a first axis, a second axis and a third axis, but the camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented as a 2-axis tilt having a first axis and a second axis.

[0053] However, since the mover (200) is fixed to the housing (100) by the attractive or repulsive force between magnets, rolling occurs during the process of tilting the mover (200) with respect to the first axis and the second axis, which may cause problems with the optical image stabilization (OIS) function. If problems with the optical image stabilization (OIS) function occur due to rolling, the refracted light (RL) may not be properly incident on the image sensor, which may result in a decrease in image resolution.

[0054] Meanwhile, to specifically describe the camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are defined such that the first direction is a direction parallel to the optical axis of the incident light (IL), the third direction is a direction parallel to the optical axis of the refracted light (RL), and the second direction may be a direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

[0055] More specifically, the first direction refers to a two-way direction including a direction from the upper side to the lower side and a direction from the lower side to the upper side based on FIG. 1, the second direction refers to a two-way direction including a direction from the upper left to the lower right and a direction from the lower right to the upper left, and the third direction may refer to a two-way direction including a direction from the lower left to the upper right and a direction from the upper right to the lower left.

[0056] Meanwhile, a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem includes a housing (100), a mover (200), a first guide module (300), a second guide module (400), and a driving module (500), as shown in FIG. 2. Here, the driving module (500) may include a first driving unit (510), a second driving unit (520), and a third driving unit (530).

[0057] First, the housing (100) includes a bottom portion and a side portion, and the side portion may extend from both ends of the bottom portion in a second direction to a first direction. That is, a pair of side portions may be arranged. To explain this in detail, if described as a first side portion and a second side portion, the first side portion, the second side portion, and the third side portion may have openings formed therein for which a driving unit is arranged. The first side portion may have an opening formed that penetrates in a second direction, the second side portion may have an opening formed that penetrates in a second direction, and the bottom portion may have an opening formed that penetrates in a first direction.

[0058] At this time, a first driving unit (510) may be disposed in the opening of the first side, a second driving unit (520) may be disposed in the opening of the second side, and a third driving unit (530) may be disposed in the opening of the bottom. The first driving unit (510) may include a first driving magnet (511) and a first coil (512), the second driving unit (520) may include a second driving magnet (521) and a second coil (522), and the third driving unit (530) may include a third driving magnet (531) and a third coil (532). The first driving magnet (511) and the first coil (512) may be disposed facing each other in the second direction, the first coil (512) may be disposed on the opening of the first side, and the first driving magnet (511) may be disposed on the mover (200). The second drive magnet (521) and the second coil (522) are arranged facing each other in the second direction, the second coil (522) is placed on the opening of the second side, and the second drive magnet (521) may be placed on the mover (200). The third drive magnet (531) and the third coil (532) are arranged facing each other in the first direction, the third coil (532) is placed on the opening of the bottom part, and the third drive magnet (531) may be placed on the mover (200).

[0059] Here, a first Hall sensor is disposed inside the first coil (512), a second Hall sensor is disposed inside the second coil (522), and at least one third Hall sensor may be disposed inside the third coil (532). Here, if there are multiple third Hall sensors, the third Hall sensors may be disposed spaced apart in the second direction inside the third coil (532). Additionally, the length of the first coil (512) and the second coil (522) in the first direction may be smaller than the length of the third coil (532) in the second direction.

[0060] Meanwhile, the mover (200) is positioned within the housing (100) where the optical member (10) is placed. As will be explained in more detail through the drawings to be described later, a first magnet (201) may be placed on the mover (200).

[0061] Additionally, the first guide module (300) is coupled to one side of the mover (200). Furthermore, as will be explained in more detail through the drawings to be described later, the first guide module (300) includes a body portion (310) and a plurality of first ball units (320) spaced apart in a first direction parallel to the optical axis of the incident light (IL) incident on the optical member (10) and a second direction perpendicular to it.

[0062] Here, a plurality of first ball units (320) may include a first-1 ball member (321) disposed on one side of the second direction of the mover (200) and a first-2 ball member (322) disposed on the other side of the second direction of the mover (200). Here, the first-1 ball member (321) and the first-2 ball member (322) are merely for distinguishing and explaining the plurality of first ball units (320), and any one of the first ball units (320) may be the first-1 ball member (321) and the other first ball unit (320) may be the first-2 ball member (322).

[0063] In addition, the second guide module (400) is positioned on one side of the first guide module (300) in a direction opposite to the direction toward the mover (200). Furthermore, as will be explained in detail through the drawings to be described later, the second guide module (400) includes a first rail section (410) and a plurality of second ball units (420) that are positioned on the first rail section (410) and arranged along a circular track having a radius of curvature centered on the first direction.

[0064] Here, a plurality of second ball units (420) include at least one second-1 ball member (421) and at least one second-2 ball member (422) spaced apart in a first direction, and the second-1 ball member (421) may be placed in the first-1 rail section (411) to be described later, and the second-2 ball member (422) may be placed in the first-2 rail section (412) to be described later. Here, there may be a plurality of second-1 ball members (421), and the plurality of second-1 ball members (421) may be arranged along the circular track (T2) of the first-1 rail section (411) described above. Additionally, there may be a plurality of second-2 ball members (422), and the plurality of second-2 ball members (422) may be arranged along the circular track (T2) of the first-2 rail section (412) described above.

[0065] Additionally, a second magnet (401) may be positioned in the second guide module (400) so as to face the first magnet (201) in a third direction. This will be explained in more detail through the drawings to be described later.

[0066] First, to specifically describe the mover (200), refer to FIG. 3. The mover (200) includes a first frame (210), an outer surface (231) of a second-1 groove (230) that is recessed in a third direction from one side of the first frame (210) facing the second guide module (400), and an outer surface (221) of a second-2 groove (220). The outer surface of the outer surface (231) of the second-1 groove (230) and the outer surface of the outer surface (221) of the second-2 groove (220) can come into contact with the second guide module (400). Here, the outer surface (231) of the second-1 groove (230) is a surface where one side of the first frame (210) in the second direction contacts the second guide module (400) in the third direction, and the outer surface (221) of the second-2 groove (220) may mean a surface where the other side of the first frame (210) in the second direction contacts the second guide module (400) in the third direction.

[0067] In addition, a first protrusion (240) protruding toward the second guide module (400) may be formed on one side of the first frame (210) facing the second guide module (400) in the third direction. Here, the first protrusion (240) may be inserted into the first hole of the first guide module (300) to be described later. Additionally, the space (202) between the outer surface (231) of the second-1 groove (230) and the first protrusion (240) in the second direction, and between the outer surface (221) of the second-2 groove (220) and the first protrusion (240) in the second direction, may be formed by being sunken in the third direction and having a step difference with the first protrusion (240), which may have the effect of reducing the weight of the mover (200) and improving power efficiency during the process in which the mover (200) is driven by the first drive unit (510) to the third drive unit (530).

[0068] Additionally, a first magnet (201) is disposed at the end of the first protrusion (240) in the third direction, and a third groove (241) in which the first magnet (201) is disposed can be formed at the end of the first protrusion (240) in the third direction.

[0069] Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 to explain the first guide module (300), the first guide module (300) may include a body part (310), a first extension part (320) and a second extension part (330) extending along a third direction from both ends of the body part (310) in a second direction.

[0070] Here, the first extension part (320) includes a first wing part (321) extending in a second direction, and a first contact part (322) extending in a third direction from the end area in the second direction of the first wing part (321), and the second extension part (330) may include a second wing part (331) extending in a direction opposite to that of the first wing part (321) from the body part (310) in the second direction, and a second contact part (332) extending in a third direction from the end area in the second direction of the second wing part (331).

[0071] Here, the first contact portion (322) may be disposed on the outer surface (231) of the aforementioned second-1 groove (230), and the second contact portion (332) may be disposed on the outer surface (221) of the aforementioned second-2 groove (220). Additionally, a first-1 ball member (321) may be disposed between the inner surface in the third direction of the outer surface (231) of the second-1 groove (230) and the end in the third direction of the first contact portion (322), and a first-2 ball member (322) may be disposed between the inner surface in the third direction of the outer surface (221) of the second-2 groove (220) and the end in the third direction of the second contact portion (332). Additionally, a first-1 groove (323) in which a first-1 ball member (321) is disposed may be formed at the third end of the first contact portion (322), and a first-2 groove (333) in which a first-2 ball member (322) is disposed may be formed at the third end of the second extension portion (330). Here, the shapes of the first-1 groove (323) and the first-2 groove (333) may be different. Alternatively, the first-1 groove (323) may be formed such that three or more surfaces are in contact with the first-1 ball member (321), and the first-2 groove (333) may be formed such that two surfaces are in contact with the first-2 ball member (322).

[0072] Additionally, a first hole is formed in the body portion (310) that penetrates in a third direction, and the first protrusion (240) described above may be disposed in the first hole. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, a second rail portion (312, 313) that contacts the second ball unit (420) is formed on one side of the body portion (310) facing the second guide module (400) in the third direction, and the second rail portion (312, 313) may include a second-1 rail portion (312) and a second-2 rail portion (313) that are spaced apart in the first direction with the first hole in between. Here, the inner surface of the second-1 rail portion (312) and the second-2 rail portion (313) in the third direction may be formed to have a radius of curvature. That is, the inner surface in the third direction of the 2-1 rail section (312) and the 2-2 rail section (313) can be formed along the circular track (T2).

[0073] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 6 to explain the second guide module (400), the second guide module (400) may include a second frame (402), a first part (403) extending from both ends of the second frame (402) in the second direction, and a second part (404) extending from the first part (403) in the second direction and formed with a step difference from the first part (403). Here, the second part (404) may be an area that contacts the outer surface (231) of the second-1 groove (230) described above and the outer surface (221) of the second-2 groove (220). At this time, an adhesive member may be placed in the area between the outer surface (231) of the second-1 groove (230) and the second part (404), and in the area between the outer surface (221) of the second-2 groove (220) and the second part (404).

[0074] Here, the second frame (402) includes a second protrusion that protrudes toward the first guide module (300) in a third direction, and the second protrusion may protrude longer than the second part (404) in the third direction. Here, a fourth groove (413) in which a second magnet (401) is disposed is formed in the second protrusion, and the second magnet (401) may be disposed facing the first magnet (201) in the third direction.

[0075] Additionally, the second protrusion includes a first rail portion (410) that contacts a plurality of second ball units (420), and the first rail portion (410) may include a first-1 rail portion (411) and a first-2 rail portion (412) spaced apart in a first direction with a second magnet (401) in between. Here, the inner surface of the first-1 rail portion (411) and the first-2 rail portion (412) in a third direction may be formed to have a radius of curvature. That is, the inner surface of the first-1 rail portion (411) and the first-2 rail portion (412) in a third direction may be formed along a circular track (T2). Here, the circular track (T2) forming the radius of curvature of the second rail section (312, 313) and the circular track (T2) forming the radius of curvature of the first rail section (410) may be concentric circles having the same center but different radii. In addition, the shapes of the first-1 rail section (411) and the first-2 rail section (412) may be different from each other.

[0076] Meanwhile, to explain the technical features including the arrangement relationship of the camera actuator according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, reference may be made to FIGS. 7 to 10.

[0077] First, referring to FIG. 7, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a first contact portion (322) is disposed on the outer surface (231) of the second-first groove (230), and a first-first ball member (321) is disposed at the end of the first contact portion (322) in the third direction. A fifth groove (222) that contacts the first-first ball member (321) may be formed on the inner surface of the outer surface (231) of the second-first groove (230) in the third direction. Here, the fifth groove (222) may be formed to be recessed in the third direction opposite to the first contact portion (322) from the inner surface of the outer surface (231) of the second-first groove (230) in the third direction. Additionally, although only the outer surface (231) of the second-1 groove (230), the first contact portion (322), and the first-1 ball member (321) are shown, a fifth groove (222) may be formed on the inner surface of the outer surface (221) of the second-2 groove (220) in the third direction, so as to be recessed in the opposite direction to the second contact portion (332) in the third direction.

[0078] At this time, the shape of the fifth groove (222) formed on the inner surface in the third direction of the outer surface (231) of the second-1 groove (230) and the shape of the fifth groove (222) formed on the inner surface in the third direction of the outer surface (221) of the second-2 groove (220) may be different. Additionally, the shape of the fifth groove (222) on the outer surface (231) of the second-1 groove (230) and the first-1 groove (323) may be the same or different, and the shape of the fifth groove (222) on the outer surface (221) of the second-2 groove (220) and the first-2 groove (333) may be the same or different.

[0079] Additionally, the length of the outer surface (231) of the second-1 groove (230) in the first direction may be greater than the length of the first contact portion (322) in the first direction. Furthermore, the length of the outer surface (221) of the second-2 groove (220) in the first direction may be greater than the length of the second contact portion (332) in the first direction. Through this, during the process of the mover (200) tilting relative to the first ball unit (320), the first contact portion (322) and the outer surface (231) of the second-1 groove (230) may come into contact, or the second contact portion (332) and the outer surface (221) of the second-2 groove (220) may come into contact, thereby preventing the tilting of the mover (200) from being obstructed.

[0080] Meanwhile, to explain the second ball unit (420), refer to FIG. 8. The first-1 rail section (411) and the second-1 rail section (312) are arranged facing each other in a third direction, and at least one second-1 ball member (421) is arranged between the first-1 rail section (411) and the second-1 rail section (312). The first-2 rail section (412) and the second-2 rail section (313) are arranged facing each other in a third direction, and at least one second-2 ball member (422) can be arranged between the first-2 rail section (412) and the second-2 rail section (313).

[0081] At this time, at least a portion of the first protrusion (240) is inserted into the first hole, and the third groove (241) and the first magnet (201) can be placed within the first hole. The fourth groove (413) placed in the second guide module (400) is positioned so that at least a portion overlaps with the third groove (241) in the third direction, and the second magnet (401) placed in the fourth groove (413) can be positioned to face the first magnet (201) in the third direction. Here, an attractive force may be applied between the first magnet (201) and the second magnet (401). As the mover (200) is effectively fixed by the force of the first magnet (201) and the second magnet (401), the first-1 rail section (411) and the second-1 rail section (312) and the second-1 ball member (421) can be effectively fixed and in contact, and the first-2 rail section (412) and the second-2 rail section (313) and the second-2 ball member (422) can be effectively fixed and in contact.

[0082] Meanwhile, the tilt of the mover (200) of the camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention can be explained with reference to FIGS. 9 and FIGS. 10.

[0083] First, as illustrated in FIG. 9, a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first tilt axis (T1) and a second tilt axis. Here, the first tilt axis (T1) may be formed through a first-1 ball member (321) and a first-2 ball member (322). Additionally, the second tilt axis may be formed through a second-1 ball member (421) and a second-2 ball member (422).

[0084] Specifically, a virtual line crossing the center of the first-1 ball member (321) and the center of the first-2 ball member (322) is the first tilt axis (T1), and a virtual line formed along the first direction from the center of the circular track (T2) formed by connecting the centers of a plurality of second-1 ball members (421) or the center of the circular track (T2) formed by connecting the centers of a plurality of second-2 ball members (422) may be the second tilt axis.

[0085] That is, a first tilt axis (T1) can be formed through a plurality of first ball units (320), and a second tilt axis can be formed through a plurality of second ball units (420).

[0086] Here, the virtual line connecting the centers of each of the plurality of first ball units (320), the center of the circular orbit (T2) formed by connecting the centers of the plurality of second ball units (420), and the optical axis of the light incident on the optical member (10) intersect each other.

[0087] Alternatively, the center point between the first-1 ball member (321) and the first-2 ball member (322) may be positioned on the optical axis of the incident light (IL) or the refracted light (RL), and the center of the circular orbit (T2) connecting the centers of the plurality of second-1 ball members (421) and the center of the circular orbit (T2) connecting the centers of the plurality of second-2 ball members (422) may be positioned on the optical axis of the incident light (IL) or the refracted light (RL).

[0088] Here, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the center of each of the plurality of first ball units (320) may overlap with the optical center (OC) where the optical axis of the incident light (IL) and the optical axis of the refracted light (RL) intersect in the second direction.

[0089] Alternatively, the center point between the first-1 ball member (321) and the first-2 ball member (322) may be placed at the optical center (OC), and the center of the circular orbit (T2) connecting the centers of the plurality of second-1 ball members (421) and the center of the circular orbit (T2) connecting the centers of the plurality of second-2 ball members (422) may be placed at the optical center (OC). That is, the center of the first-1 ball member (321), the center of the first-2 ball member (322), the center of the circular orbit (T2) connecting the centers of the plurality of second-1 ball members (421), and the center of the circular orbit (T2) connecting the centers of the plurality of second-2 ball members (422) may be placed on the same plane as the optical axis of the incident light (IL). Additionally, the center of the first-1 ball member (321), the center of the first-2 ball member (322), the center of the circular orbit (T2) connecting the centers of the plurality of second-1 ball members (421), and the center of the circular orbit (T2) connecting the centers of the plurality of second-2 ball members (422) can also be placed on the same plane as the optical axis of the refracted light (RL).

[0090] Meanwhile, the radius of the circular track (T2) connecting the centers of the plurality of second-1 ball members (421) or the circular track (T2) connecting the centers of the plurality of second-2 ball members (422) may have a value between the radius of the virtual circle formed along the curvature of the first rail section (410) and the radius of the virtual circle formed along the curvature of the second rail sections (312, 313).

[0091] Specifically, the radius of the circular track (T2) connecting the centers of the plurality of second-1 ball members (421) or the circular track (T2) connecting the centers of the plurality of second-2 ball members (422) may be smaller than the radius of the virtual circle formed along the curvature of the first rail section (410) and larger than the radius of the virtual circle formed along the curvature of the second rail sections (312, 313).

[0092] Meanwhile, the mover (200) can be tilted with respect to a first tilt axis (T1) formed through the first-1 ball member (321) and the first-2 ball member (322). At this time, when tilted with respect to the first tilt axis (T1), the first guide module (300) is not tilted together, and only the mover (200) can be tilted. When the mover (200) is tilted with respect to a second tilt axis along a circular track (T2) formed by a plurality of second-1 ball members (421) and a plurality of second-2 ball members (422), the mover (200) and the first guide module (300) can be tilted together.

[0093] That is, the first guide module (300) is fixed during the process of tilting with respect to the first tilt axis (T1), and can be tilted together with the mover (200) during the process of tilting with respect to the second tilt axis. By clearly forming the first tilt axis (T1) and the second tilt axis in this way, the problem of the mover (200) rolling can be effectively prevented.

[0094] We have examined preferred embodiments according to the invention, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that, in addition to the embodiments described above, the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.

[0095] Therefore, the embodiments described above should be regarded as exemplary rather than limiting, and accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the description above but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. Housing; An optical element is disposed therein, and a mover disposed within the housing; A first guide module coupled to one side of the above-mentioned mover; and It includes a second guide module disposed on one side of the first guide module in a direction opposite to the direction toward the mover, and The first guide module comprises a body portion and a plurality of first ball units disposed in the body portion and spaced apart in a first direction parallel to the optical axis of light incident on the optical member and a second direction perpendicular to it. The second guide module comprises a first rail portion and a plurality of second ball units disposed on the first rail portion and arranged along a circular track having a radius of curvature centered on the first direction. A camera actuator in which a virtual line connecting the centers of a plurality of first ball units, the center of a circular orbit formed by connecting the centers of a plurality of second ball units, and the optical axis of light incident on the optical member intersect.

2. In Paragraph 1, A camera actuator comprising a plurality of first ball units, a first-1 ball member disposed on one side of the mover in the second direction and a first-2 ball member disposed on the other side of the mover in the second direction.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above body portion includes a first extension portion and a second extension portion extending along a third direction from both ends of the body portion in the second direction, and A camera actuator in which the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and parallel to the optical axis of the light refracted in the optical member.

4. In Paragraph 3, A first groove is formed at the end of the first extension portion in the third direction in which the first-1 ball member is disposed, and A camera actuator having a second groove formed at the end of the second extension portion in the third direction, in which the first and second ball members are disposed.

5. In Paragraph 3, The above mover is recessed in the third direction and includes a first groove in which the first extension is disposed and a second groove in which the second extension is disposed. The first groove is positioned on one side of the mover in the second direction, and The second groove is a camera actuator positioned on the other side of the mover in the second direction.

6. In Paragraph 2, The above mover includes a protrusion that protrudes toward the second guide module, and The above body part is a camera actuator including a first hole in which the above protrusion is disposed.

7. In Paragraph 6, A third groove is formed at the end of the above-mentioned protrusion in the third direction in which the first magnet is disposed, and In the second guide module above, a fourth groove is formed in which a second magnet is disposed facing the first magnet in the third direction, and A camera actuator in which the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and parallel to the optical axis of the light refracted in the optical member.

8. In Paragraph 7, A camera actuator comprising a first rail section, a first-1 rail section and a first-2 rail section spaced apart in the first direction with the second magnet in between.

9. In Paragraph 8, A plurality of the above-mentioned second ball units, At least one 2-1 ball member disposed in the above 1-1 rail portion; and A camera actuator comprising at least one second-2 ball member disposed in the first-2 rail portion.

10. In Paragraph 9, The above body part is, A second rail section positioned facing the first rail section and the third rail section in the third direction; and A camera actuator comprising the first-2 rail section and the second-2 rail section arranged facing each other in the third direction.

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