KR20170019284A - Camera Module - Google Patents

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to reduce the size of a camera module. To this end, the camera module includes: an auto focus adjustment unit which moves a lens barrel in an optical axis direction; an optical image stabilizing unit which is configured to move the lens barrel in a direction which is vertical to an optical axis; and a connection unit which is connected to the auto focus adjustment unit and the optical image stabilizing unit and is configured to supply a control signal and a current to the auto focus adjustment unit and the optical image stabilizing unit. The auto focus adjustment unit and the optical image stabilizing unit are successively arranged along the optical axis direction of the lens barrel.

Description

Camera module {Camera Module}

The present invention relates to a camera module having an auto focus function and an image stabilization function.

The camera module has an auto focus function. In addition, the camera module may further include an optical image stabilization (OIS) function to reduce the resolution degradation due to hand shake.

A camera module that combines two functions is advantageous for high-resolution shooting. However, such a camera module is difficult to manufacture due to the complicated internal structure. In addition, such a camera is difficult to miniaturize due to an actuator that performs each function.

For reference, Patent Document 1 is a prior art related to the present invention.

KR 2009-127628 A

An object of the present invention is to provide a camera module that is easy to manufacture and miniaturize.

In order to achieve the above object, a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured such that an auto focus adjustment unit and an image stabilization unit are disposed in the optical axis direction, thereby improving assembling convenience of the camera module, have.

The present invention can enable miniaturization of the camera module.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram of an image stabilization unit according to an embodiment
3 is a block diagram of an image stabilization unit according to another embodiment
Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the auto-focus adjusting unit shown in Fig.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a part of the actuator in Fig.
6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the lens barrel holder and the second housing are engaged;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a coupling type of the connection unit;
8 is a partially-assembled perspective view of the camera module.
9 is a block diagram of a camera module according to another embodiment of the present invention
10 is a block diagram of a camera module according to another embodiment of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In describing the present invention, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing the present invention only and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

In addition, throughout the specification, a configuration is referred to as being 'connected' with another configuration, including not only when the configurations are directly connected but also when they are indirectly connected with another configuration . Also, to "include" an element means that it may include other elements, rather than excluding other elements, unless specifically stated otherwise.

A camera module according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The camera module 10 includes an image sensor unit 100, a filter unit 200, an image stabilization unit 300, an auto focus adjustment unit 400, and a housing unit 600. However, the configuration of the camera module 10 is not limited to the above-described units. For example, it is also possible to exclude the filter unit 200 from the configuration of the camera module 10.

The image sensor unit 100 includes a substrate 110 and an image sensor 120. The substrate 110 and the image sensor 120 may be integrally formed by a COB (Chip on Board) method. In this case, it is easy to make the image sensor unit 100 thinner.

The filter unit 200 includes a filter housing 210 and a filter 220. In the filter housing 210, a window 212 for adjusting the amount of light incident on the image sensor 120 is formed. The window 212 may be generally proportional to the shape and size of the image sensor 120. In one example, the window 212 may be rectangular in shape, similar to the image sensor 120. In addition, the size of the window 212 may be substantially the same as the image sensor 120. The filter 220 is configured for a clear image implementation of the camera module 10. For example, the filter 220 may block rays of a specific wavelength (e.g., infrared rays) from the incident light incident on the image sensor 120.

The camera shake correcting unit 300 is disposed below the automatic focus adjusting unit 400. However, the position of the camera-shake correction unit 300 is not limited to the position between the filter unit 200 and the auto-focus adjustment unit 400. In one example, the shake correction unit 300 may be disposed above the auto-focus adjustment unit 400. [

The camera-shake correcting unit 300 is configured to move a part of the auto-focus adjusting unit 400 in the vertical direction of the optical axis. In one example, the camera shake correction unit 300 can move the lens barrel of the auto-focus adjustment unit 400 in the first vertical direction of the optical axis. As another example, the camera-shake correction unit 300 can move the auto-focus adjustment unit 400 in the second vertical direction of the optical axis. As another example, the shaking motion correction unit 300 may move the lens barrel of the auto-focus adjustment unit 400 in the first vertical direction and the second vertical direction of the optical axis.

The camera-shake correction unit 300 can move the auto-focus adjustment unit 400 in the direction of attenuating the shake of the camera module 10. [ For example, when the camera module 10 moves in the first direction, the camera-shake correcting unit 300 can move the auto-focus adjusting unit 400 in a direction opposite to the first direction. As another example, when the camera module 10 moves in the second direction, the camera-shake correcting unit 300 can move the auto-focus adjusting unit 400 in a direction opposite to the second direction.

The shake correction unit 300 includes a first housing 310 and a connection terminal 320. The first housing 310 includes a configuration for engaging with the auto-focus adjusting unit 400. For example, the first housing 310 is formed with a receiving portion 312 in which a portion of the auto-focus adjusting unit 400 is received.

The camera shake correcting unit 300 operating in this way can enable the camera module 10 to take clear shots.

The auto-focus adjustment unit 400 is configured to be able to adjust the focus of the camera module 10. [ In one example, the auto-focus adjustment unit 400 is configured to move the lens or lens barrel in the direction of the optical axis.

The housing unit 600 is configured to protect the camera module 10 from harmful electromagnetic waves and shocks. To this end, the housing unit 600 may be made of a metal material. However, the material of the housing unit 600 is not limited to metal. For example, the housing unit 600 may be a resin material including a metal powder.

The housing unit 600 can be separated into a lower housing 610 and an upper housing 620. In one example, the lower housing 610 may be configured to receive the image sensor unit 100, the filter unit 200, the shake correction unit 300, and the auto-focus adjustment unit 400. The upper housing 62 may be configured to cover the upper portion of the lower housing 610.

The camera module 10 configured as described above has a structure in which the automatic focus adjustment unit 400 and the shake correction unit 300 are aligned in the optical axis direction. Therefore, the camera module 10 can be easily assembled and manufactured. Since the automatic focus adjusting unit 400 and the camera shake correcting unit 300 are arranged in the direction of the optical axis, the camera shake correcting unit 300 and the shake correcting unit 300 It is possible to make thinner.

An embodiment of the shake correction unit will be described with reference to Fig.

The camera shake correcting unit 300 is configured to move the lens barrel 410 of the auto-focus adjusting unit 400. [ For example, the shaking motion correction unit 300 can move the lens barrel 410 in the vertical direction of the optical axis (the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction with reference to Fig. 2).

The shake correction unit 300 includes a first housing 310, a connection terminal 320, and a first actuator 330. The first housing 310 is formed with a receiving portion 312 for receiving a portion of the lens barrel 410. The connection terminal 320 is formed on the side surface of the first housing 310. The connection terminal 320 is connected to the first actuator 330 mounted inside the first housing 310. The first actuator 330 is configured to move the lens barrel 410 mounted in the receiving portion 312 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. In one example, the actuator 330 may be a shape memory alloy 332, 334, 336, 338 that can be stretched or stretched in accordance with the control signal supplied.

The shape memory alloys 332, 334, 336, 338 are arranged in a circular shape around the accommodating portion 312. The shape memory alloys 332, 334, 336, and 338 arranged in this way can be stretched or stretched according to a control signal, and can be moved by pushing the lens barrel 410 in the vertical direction of the optical axis.

Another embodiment of the shake correction unit will be described with reference to Fig.

The shake correction unit 300 may include an actuator 330 of another type. For example, the actuator 330 may be changed into a permanent magnet 332 and a coil 334. The permanent magnet 332 may be disposed on the lens barrel 410 inserted into the receiving portion 312 and the coil 334 may be disposed on the first housing 310.

The actuator 330 configured as described above can move the lens barrel 410 in the vertical direction of the optical axis by adjusting the direction and size of the magnetic force lines generated between the permanent magnets 332 and the coils 334.

The autofocus adjusting unit will be described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. Fig.

The automatic focusing unit 400 includes a lens barrel 410, a lens barrel holder 420, a second housing 420, a cover 440, and a second actuator 450. However, the configuration of the auto-focus adjusting unit 400 is not limited to the above-described configuration. In one example, the auto-focus adjustment unit 400 may further include a plurality of bearings 562, 464, and 466.

The lens barrel 410 includes one or more lenses. In one example, the lens barrel 410 may include five or more lenses spaced apart along the optical axis. However, the number of lenses included in the lens barrel 410 is not limited to five. For example, the lens barrel 410 may include four or less lenses or six or more lenses.

The lens barrel holder 420 is engaged with the lens barrel 410. In one example, the lens barrel holder 420 may be configured to move in the direction of the optical axis together with the lens barrel 410. The lens barrel holder 420 is disposed in the second housing 430. In one example, the lens barrel holder 420 may be arranged to move in the direction of the optical axis within the second housing 430.

The lens barrel holder 420 may receive a portion of the second actuator 450. For example, a permanent magnet 452 of the second actuator 450 may be disposed on one surface of the lens barrel holder 420.

The second housing 430 is configured to receive the lens barrel holder 420. For example, an accommodation space larger than the lens barrel holder 420 may be formed inside the second housing 430. The second housing 430 is formed so as to be movable in the optical axis direction of the lens barrel holder 420. For example, the upper and lower portions of the second housing 430 are opened to allow the lens barrel holder 420 to move.

The second housing 430 is configured to allow the second actuator 450 to operate smoothly. One side of the second housing 430 is formed with an opening window 434 which is open to allow the permanent magnet 452 of the second actuator 450 and the coil 456 to face each other.

The cover 440 is configured to engage the second housing 430. In one example, the latch 442 of the cover 440 may engage the wedge 432 of the second housing 430. The cover 440 thus configured can block the lens barrel holder 420 from separating from the second housing 430.

The lid 440 may be made of a metal material capable of being elastically deformed. Accordingly, the lid 440 can absorb the impact generated during the collision with the lens barrel holder 420. [

A buffer member 444 is formed on the cover 440. For example, a plurality of buffer members 444 made of synthetic resin, rubber or the like is formed on the upper surface of the cover 440 (reference in FIG. 4).

The buffer member 444 may be integrally formed with the cover 440. For example, the buffer member 444 may be firmly formed on the cover 440 by a method such as insert injection. The cushioning member 444 thus formed can absorb the impact and the impact sound (noise) generated when the lens barrel holder 420 and the lid 440 collide with each other.

The second actuator 450 includes a permanent magnet 452, a coil 456,

The permanent magnet 452 is disposed in the movable portion of the auto-focus adjusting unit 400. [ In one example, the permanent magnet 452 may be disposed in the lens barrel holder 420. The coil 456 is disposed in a fixed portion of the auto-focus adjusting unit 400. [ In one example, the coil 456 may be disposed in the second housing 420.

 The permanent magnet 452 and the coil 456 are arranged to face each other. The permanent magnets 452 and the coils 456 can generate a magnetic force in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis. The magnetic force generated by the permanent magnet 452 and the coil 456 is used as a driving force for moving the lens barrel 410 and the lens barrel holder 420 in the optical axis direction.

The second actuator 450 may further include a substrate 454. The substrate 454 is disposed to cover the open window 434 of the second housing 430. A coil 456 and a driving element 458 are formed on the substrate 454. Further, a connection terminal 455 for supplying a control signal and a current to the coil 456 is formed on the substrate 454.

The automatic focus adjustment unit 400 further includes a configuration that allows smooth movement of the lens barrel holder 420. In one example, the auto-focus adjustment unit 400 may further include bearings 462, 464, 466 and a lubricant.

The bearings 462, 464 and 466 are disposed between the lens barrel holder 420 and the second housing 430. For example, the bearings 462, 464 and 466 may be disposed in guide grooves formed in the lens barrel holder 420 or the second housing 430. The bearings 462, 464, and 466 arranged in this way can reduce the contact friction between the lens barrel holder 420 and the second housing 430.

The bearings 462, 464 and 466 may have different sizes. In one example, the bearing 462 and the bearing 466 have the same size, but the bearing 466 can have a smaller size than the bearings 462 and 466. The arrangement of the bearings 462, 464 and 466 can smooth the rolling motion of the bearings 462, 464 and 466.

6, a combination of the lens barrel holder and the second housing will be described.

The lens barrel holder 420 is movably disposed in the second housing 430. For this purpose, a bearing 462 may be disposed between the lens barrel holder 420 and the second housing 430. The bearing 462 may be disposed in a space formed by the guide groove 428 of the lens barrel holder 420 and the guide groove 438 of the second housing 430. [

The lens barrel holder 420 includes a structure for defining a movement range in the optical axis direction. For example, a stopper 422 is formed on one surface (upper surface in reference to Fig. 6) of the lens barrel holder 420. The stopper 422 may limit the range in which the stopper 422 can move upwardly of the lens barrel holder 420. [

The second housing 420 includes a structure for defining a range of movement of the optical axis in the vertical direction. For example, a stopper 436 extending in the vertical direction of the optical axis is formed at the corner of the second housing 420. The thus formed stopper 436 can limit the range of the second housing 420 which can move in the vertical direction of the optical axis.

The coupling type of the connection unit will be described with reference to FIG.

The connection unit 500 connects the image sensor unit 100, the shake correction unit 300, and the auto-focus adjustment unit 400. [ For example, the connection unit 500 may include an image sensor unit 100, an image sensor unit 100, and an image sensor unit 100 so that the shake correction unit 300 and the auto-focus adjustment unit 400 can be operated by a control signal transmitted from the image sensor unit 100. [ The unit 300, and the auto focus adjustment unit 400 can all be connected.

The connecting unit 500 may be in a form in which bending deformation is easy. As an example, connection unit 500 may be in the form of a flexible substrate.

A coupling mode of the camera module will be described with reference to FIG.

The camera module 10 is configured in such a manner that an image sensor unit 100, a filter unit 200, an image stabilization unit 300, and an auto-focus adjustment unit 400 are sequentially stacked. The camera module 10 thus configured is easy to be thinned.

The camera module 10 is configured such that the image sensor unit 100, the shaking motion correction unit 300, and the auto-focus adjustment unit 400 are connected by the connection unit 500. The connection unit 500 is formed in such a manner that the image sensor unit 100, the shake correction unit 300, and the auto-focus adjustment unit 400 are wrapped around the side surface. This arrangement of the connection unit 500 can improve the connection reliability between the image sensor unit 100, the shake correction unit 300, and the auto-focus adjustment unit 400. [

The camera module 10 includes a protective housing. For example, the image sensor unit 100, the filter unit 200, the camera shake correction unit 300, and the auto-focus adjustment unit 400 may be received in the lower housing 610 and protected from external shocks.

Next, another embodiment of the camera module will be described. For reference, the same constituent elements as those in the above-described embodiment in the following description use the same reference numerals as those in the above-described embodiment, and a detailed description of these constituent elements is omitted.

A camera module according to another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The camera module 10 according to the present embodiment can be distinguished in the order of arrangement of the filter unit 200, the shake correction unit 300, and the auto-focus adjustment unit 400. [ For example, the camera module 10 may be configured to be assembled in the order of the camera shake correction unit 300, the auto-focus adjustment unit 400, and the filter unit 200.

The camera module 10 of this type can be advantageous when the size of the shake correction unit 300 can be reduced.

A camera module according to another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The camera module 10 according to the present embodiment can be distinguished in the configuration of the shake correction unit 300. [ In one example, the shaking motion correction unit 300 can be separated into the first shake correction unit 302 and the second shake correction unit 304. [

The first camera-shake correction unit 302 is disposed on the top surface of the auto-focus adjustment unit 400. [ The first camera-shake correction unit 302 is configured to move the auto-focus adjustment unit 400 in the first vertical direction of the optical axis (X-axis direction with reference to Fig. 10).

The second camera-shake correction unit 304 is disposed on the lower surface of the auto-focus adjustment unit 400. The second camera-shake correcting unit 304 is configured to move the auto-focus adjusting unit 400 in the second vertical direction of the optical axis (Y-axis direction with reference to Fig. 10).

The camera module 10 configured as described above is capable of selectively replacing and replacing the first camera shake correction unit 302 or the second camera shake correction unit 304. [

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions And various modifications may be made. For example, various features described in the foregoing embodiments can be applied in combination with other embodiments unless the description to the contrary is explicitly stated.

10 Camera module
100 image sensor unit
110 substrate
120 Image Sensor
200 filter unit
210 filter housing
212 windows
220 filter
300 Camera shake correction unit
310 first housing
312 receptacle
320 connection terminal
330 first actuator
400 auto focus adjustment unit
410 lens barrel
420 lens barrel holder
422 stopper
430 second housing
432 wedge
434 Open window
436 Stopper
440 Cover
442 Clasp
444 buffer member
450 second actuator
452 permanent magnets
454 substrate
455 connection terminal
456 coils
458 driving element
462, 464, 466 Bearings
500 connecting unit
600 housing unit
610 lower housing
620 upper housing

Claims (10)

An auto-focus adjusting unit configured to move the lens barrel in the optical axis direction;
An image stabilization unit configured to move the lens barrel in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis; And
A connecting unit connected to the auto-focus adjusting unit and the camera-shake correcting unit, the connecting unit being configured to supply a control signal and current to the auto-focus adjusting unit and the shake correcting unit;
/ RTI >
Wherein the automatic focus adjustment unit and the camera shake correction unit are sequentially arranged along the optical axis direction of the lens barrel. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the shaking motion correction unit
A first housing configured to receive a portion of the lens barrel; And
A first actuator arranged in the first housing and configured to move a portion of the lens barrel housed in the first housing in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis;
. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the shaking motion correction unit
And a plurality of shape memory alloys configured to move the lens barrel in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the shaking motion correction unit
And a permanent magnet and a coil configured to move the lens barrel in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis. The method according to claim 1,
The automatic focus steering unit includes:
A second housing configured to receive the lens barrel;
A lens barrel holder coupled to the lens barrel and mounted to the second housing; And
A second actuator configured to move the lens barrel holder in the optical axis direction;
. The method according to claim 1,
The automatic focus adjustment unit includes:
And a plurality of bearings for facilitating movement of the lens barrel. The method according to claim 1,
The automatic focus adjustment unit includes:
Further comprising a cover for blocking the lens barrel from being detached from the housing of the auto-focus adjusting unit. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the connecting unit is a flexible board which is easily deformed in flexure. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the connection unit is connected to the image sensor unit. An auto-focus adjusting unit configured to move the lens barrel in the optical axis direction;
A first camera-shake correction unit configured to move the auto-focus adjustment unit in a first vertical direction of an optical axis;
A second camera-shake correction unit configured to move the first camera-shake correction unit in a second vertical direction of the optical axis; And
A connection unit connecting the automatic focus adjustment unit, the first camera shake correction unit, and the second camera shake correction unit;
/ RTI >
Wherein the first camera-shake correction unit, the auto-focus adjustment unit, and the second camera-shake correction unit are sequentially arranged along the optical axis direction.

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