KR20180081935A - Liquid Lens, Camera Module, And Optical Device - Google Patents

Abstract

A liquid lens according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first plate having a cavity accommodating a conductive liquid and a nonconductive liquid, a first electrode disposed on the first plate, an insulating layer disposed on the first electrode, a second electrode disposed on the insulating layer, a second plate disposed on the second electrode and coupled with the first plate, and a first substrate disposed between the first plate and the second plate and electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode is connected to the lower portion of the first substrate and the second electrode is connected to the upper portion of the first substrate.

Description

Liquid lens, camera module, and optical device (Liquid lens, camera module, and optical device)

The present invention relates to a lens whose focal length (Distance) varies. More particularly, the present invention relates to a liquid lens, a camera module, and an optical device that can adjust a focal distance using electric energy.

Users of portable devices have high resolution and are small in size and have various shooting functions (zoom-in / zoom-out, auto-focusing, AF), image stabilization, OIS) function and the like). Such a photographing function can be realized by a method of directly moving the lens by combining a plurality of lenses, but when the number of lenses is increased, the size of the optical device can be increased. The autofocus and camera shake correction functions are performed by moving a plurality of lens modules fixed to a lens holder and having optical axes aligned in a vertical direction of an optical axis or an optical axis or by tilting, Device is used. However, since the lens driving device consumes a large amount of power, it is necessary to add a cover glass separately from the camera module in order to protect the lens module.

Therefore, liquid lenses that perform autofocus and camera shake correction functions by electrically adjusting the curvature of the interface between two liquids are being studied.

The present invention is to provide a liquid lens, a camera module, and an optical apparatus that can reduce the number of configurations including glass having difficulty in processing.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, unless further departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It will be possible.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid lens comprising: a first plate having a cavity for receiving a conductive liquid and a nonconductive liquid; A first electrode disposed on the first plate; An insulating layer disposed on the first electrode; A second electrode disposed on the insulating layer; A second plate disposed above the second electrode and coupled with the first plate; And a first substrate disposed between the first plate and the second plate and electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the first electrode is connected to a lower portion of the first substrate, And the second electrode may be connected to the upper portion of the first substrate.

According to an embodiment, the side wall of the cavity may comprise a predetermined inclined surface.

According to an embodiment, the first electrode includes a plurality of electrode sectors disposed on the slope, and the second electrode may include at least one electrode sector at least a portion of which is in contact with the nonconductive liquid.

According to an embodiment, the thickness of the first substrate may be less than the thickness of the insulating layer.

According to an embodiment, the thickness of the first substrate may be 25 to 200 [mu] m.

According to an embodiment, the insulating layer may be disposed so as not to overlap with the first substrate.

According to an embodiment, the first electrode and the second electrode may not be disposed in the optical path through which the light passes through the liquid lens.

According to an embodiment, the first electrode is disposed in metal deposition on top of the first plate,

The second electrode may be disposed under the second plate by metal deposition.

According to an embodiment, the first electrode and the second electrode may be bonded to the first substrate by a bonding process, respectively.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid lens comprising: a first plate including an aperture region having a predetermined inclined plane; A second plate disposed above the first plate; A conductive liquid and a nonconductive liquid filled in a cavity determined by the first plate, the second plate, and the opening region; And a first electrode and a second electrode disposed between the first plate and the second plate.

A camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a housing having upper and lower openings; A liquid lens accommodated in the housing; A first lens unit disposed on the liquid lens; A second lens unit disposed below the liquid lens; A sensor substrate disposed below the second lens unit and mounted with an image sensor; And a first substrate electrically connecting the liquid lens and the sensor substrate, wherein the first substrate is disposed between a first plate and a second plate of the liquid lens, And two electrodes, respectively.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, And can be understood and understood.

The effect of the device according to the present invention will be described as follows.

According to the liquid lens, the camera module and the optical device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the number of glass and FPCB (Flexible Printed Circuit Board) which are difficult to process without reducing the performance of the liquid lens is reduced, The unnecessary process can be simplified.

The effects obtainable by the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

1 illustrates an example of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 illustrates an example of a lens assembly included in the camera module.
3 illustrates a lens whose interface is adjusted corresponding to the driving voltage.
4 is a view showing a liquid lens according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 to 10 are views showing an embodiment of a method for manufacturing a liquid lens according to an embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a view for explaining the characteristics of the liquid lens according to an embodiment of the present invention, in comparison with a comparative example.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are to be considered in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not limited thereto. It is to be understood, however, that the embodiments are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but are to include all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the embodiments.

The terms "first "," second ", and the like can be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. In addition, terms specifically defined in consideration of the constitution and operation of the embodiment are only intended to illustrate the embodiments and do not limit the scope of the embodiments.

In the description of the embodiments, when it is described as being formed on the "upper" or "on or under" of each element, the upper or lower (on or under Quot; includes both that the two elements are in direct contact with each other or that one or more other elements are indirectly formed between the two elements. Also, when expressed as "on" or "on or under", it may include not only an upward direction but also a downward direction with respect to one element.

It is also to be understood that the terms "top / top / top" and "bottom / bottom / bottom", as used below, do not necessarily imply nor imply any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements, And may be used to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element.

1 illustrates an example of a camera module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the camera module 10 may include a lens assembly 22, a control circuit 24, and an image sensor 26, including a plurality of lenses including a liquid lens.

Wherein the liquid lens is adjusted in focal distance corresponding to a driving voltage applied between a common electrode including at least one or more electrode sectors and individual electrodes including a plurality of electrode sectors, and the control circuit (24) The image sensor 26 is arranged in the lens assembly 22 and converts the light transmitted through the lens assembly 22 into an electrical signal.

The camera module 10 may include a plurality of circuits 24 and 26 disposed on a single printed circuit board (PCB) and a lens assembly 22 comprising a plurality of lenses, But does not limit the scope of the invention. The configuration of the control circuit 24 can be designed differently according to the specifications required for the optical device. In particular, in order to reduce the magnitude of the operating voltage applied to the lens assembly 22, the control circuit 24 may be implemented as a single chip. As a result, the size of the optical apparatus mounted on the portable apparatus can be further reduced.

Fig. 2 illustrates an example of the lens assembly 22 included in the camera module 10. Fig.

Referring to FIG. 2, the lens assembly 22 may include a first lens unit 100, a second lens unit 200, a liquid lens 300, a holder 400, and a connection unit 500. The structure of the illustrated lens assembly 22 is only one example, and the structure of the lens assembly 22 may be changed according to the specifications required for the optical apparatus. For example, in the illustrated example, the liquid lens 300 is positioned between the first lens unit 100 and the second lens unit 200, but in another example, the liquid lens 300 is disposed between the first lens unit 100 and the second lens unit 200. [ (The front surface), and the second lens unit 200 may be omitted.

The liquid lens 300 shown in FIG. 2 is disposed such that a portion where the cavity is wide is directed toward the image sensor and a portion where the cavity is narrow is directed toward the top (front surface) 100, the liquid lens may be disposed upside down from the direction shown in FIG.

The first lens unit 100 is disposed in front of the lens assembly 22 and receives light from the outside of the lens assembly 22. The first lens unit 100 may be composed of at least one lens, or two or more lenses may be aligned with respect to the central axis PL to form an optical system.

The first lens unit 100 and the second lens unit 200 may be mounted on the holder 400. At this time, a through hole is formed in the holder 400, and the first lens unit 100 and the second lens unit 200 may be disposed in the through hole. In addition, the liquid lens 300 may be inserted into the space between the first lens unit 100 and the second lens unit 200 in the holder 400.

Meanwhile, the first lens unit 100 may include an exposure lens 110. Also, the exposure lens 110 may protrude from the holder 400. In the case of the exposure lens 110, the lens surface may be damaged due to exposure to the outside. If the lens surface is damaged, the image quality of the image taken by the camera module may be deteriorated. A method of disposing a cover glass, forming a coating layer, or constructing the exposure lens 100 with a wear resistant material for preventing surface damage may be applied in order to prevent or suppress the surface damage of the exposure lens 110.

The second lens unit 200 is disposed behind the first lens unit 100 and the liquid lens 300 and the light incident from the outside to the first lens unit 100 passes through the liquid lens unit 300 Can be incident on the second lens unit (200). The second lens unit 200 may be disposed in the through hole formed in the holder 400, spaced apart from the first lens unit 100.

Meanwhile, the second lens unit 200 may include at least one lens, and when two or more lenses are included, the optical system may be formed by aligning with respect to the center axis PL.

The liquid lens 300 is disposed between the first lens unit 100 and the second lens unit 200 and can be inserted into the insertion port 410 of the holder 400. [ The liquid lens 300 may also be aligned with respect to the center axis PL in the same manner as the first lens unit 100 and the second lens unit 200.

The liquid lens 300 may include a lens region 310. The lens region 310 is a portion through which the light passing through the first lens portion 100 is transmitted, and may include at least a part of the liquid. For example, the lens region 310 may include two types, that is, a conductive liquid and a non-conductive liquid, and the conductive liquid and the non-conductive liquid may form an interface without intermixing with each other. The interface between the conductive liquid and the non-conductive liquid may be deformed by the driving voltage applied through the connection part 500 so that the curvature and / or the focal length of the liquid lens 300 may be changed. The liquid lens 300 and the lens assembly 22 and the camera module 10 including the liquid lens 300 and the camera module 10 are controlled by a zoom function, an auto-focusing (AF) function, And an optical image stabilizer (OIS) function.

The connection part 500 may include at least one of a metal plate, a first substrate, and a wire for electrical connection between the liquid lens 300 and the control circuit 24.

3 illustrates a lens whose interface is adjusted corresponding to the driving voltage. Specifically, (a) illustrates the liquid lens 28 included in the lens assembly 22 (see FIG. 2), and (b) illustrates a schematic equivalent circuit of the liquid lens 28. FIG.

First, referring to (a), a liquid lens 28 whose interface is adjusted in accordance with a driving voltage is driven through individual electrodes L1, L2, L3, and L4 arranged at four different angles and having the same angular distance Voltage can be applied. When the driving voltage is applied through the individual electrodes L1, L2, L3, and L4, the interface between the conductive liquid and the non-conductive liquid disposed in the lens region 310 may be deformed. The degree and shape of the deformation of the interface between the conductive liquid and the non-conductive liquid can be controlled by the control circuit 24 to implement the AF function or the OIS function.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the lens 28 is driven by a driving voltage from one of the individual electrodes L1, L2, L3 and L4, and the other is connected to a plurality of capacitors 30).

In the present specification, the number of electrode sectors of the individual electrodes is four, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

4 is a view showing a liquid lens according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 4, the liquid lens 400 shows an embodiment of a cross-section of the liquid lens shown in Fig.

The liquid lens 400 includes a first plate 41, a second plate 42, a conductive liquid 43, a nonconductive liquid 44, a first electrode 45, a second electrode 46, 47, and may further include a first substrate 48 and a second substrate 48. [

The first plate 41 may be made of a transparent material, and the light passing through the first lens unit 100 (see FIG. 2) is first received by the liquid lens 400. In this specification, it is assumed that the liquid lens 400 is a liquid lens 28 included in the lens assembly 22 of FIG. 2 (the upper part of FIG. 2 and the upper part of FIG. 4 are opposite to each other) The plate 41 may be mounted in the lens assembly to be received at the liquid lens 400 at the latest.

The first plate 41 includes an opening region having a predetermined inclined plane (for example, an inclined plane having an angle of about 50 to 70 degrees or about 55 to 65 degrees), and the opening region has a width May have a truncated cone shape that is wider than the width of the lower opening surface of the opening area.

The second plate 42 may be made of a transparent material and configured to receive light that has passed through the first plate 41, the nonconductive liquid 44, and the conductive liquid 43.

The first plate 41 and the second plate 42 are housing structures for providing a cavity which is a space in which two liquids having different properties in the liquid lens 400 can be filled, The first plate 41 and the second plate 42 may include a region through which an optical signal passes and may be formed of a material such as glass having high transparency. The first plate 41 and the second plate 42 may include the same material as the first plate 41 and the second plate 42 because it is easy to prevent the liquid filled in the cavity from flowing out when the same material is used for the convenience of the process.

The conductive liquid 43 and the nonconductive liquid 44 may be filled or disposed in a cavity determined by the opening area. That is, the cavity may be filled with or disposed with the conductive liquid 43 and the nonconductive liquid 44, and an interface may be formed between the conductive liquid 43 and the nonconductive liquid 44.

The interface between the conductive liquid 43 and the nonconductive liquid 44 can be adjusted in the focal length of the liquid lens 400 while the curvature, the curvature, the inclination, the shape, and the like are changed. An area through which the optical signal can pass through the interface may correspond to the lens area 310 described in FIG.

The conductive liquid 52 may include ethylene glycol and / or sodium bromide (NaBr), and may be formed by mixing ethylene glycol and sodium bromide (NaBr) The liquid 53 may comprise a phenyl-based silicone oil.

The first electrode 45 and the second electrode 46 apply an electrical signal received from a control circuit 24 (see FIG. 1) for controlling the interface between the conductive liquid 43 and the nonconductive liquid 44 Function can be performed.

3, electrodes for forming the individual electrodes L1, L2, L3, and L4 and the common electrode C0 and / or electrodes for forming the common electrode C0 are formed on the upper portion of the first plate 41 and the lower portion of the second plate 42, Or an electrode pattern, and the first electrode 45 and the second electrode 46 correspond to the first electrode 45 and the second electrode 46, respectively. 4 illustrates the first electrode 45 and the second electrode 46 in a simplified manner. However, the second electrode 46 may be connected to the common electrode C0 of the first substrate 48 by a common voltage (for example, A ground voltage) may be electrically connected to the common electrode C0 arranged to surround the inclined surface of the opening region. In addition, the common electrode C0 may be exposed to be in contact with the conductive liquid 43. [

The first electrode 45 is formed so that the terminals for supplying the driving voltage to the individual electrodes L1, L2, L3 and L4 of the first substrate 48 are connected to each other And can be electrically connected to the electrodes L1, L2, L3, and L4.

The first electrode 45 is electrically connected with the conductive liquid 43 and the nonconductive liquid 44 and the insulating layer 48 to prevent electrolysis of the conductive liquid 43 which is a conductive liquid unlike the second electrode 46 And can be electrically separated.

The first electrode 45 and the second electrode 46 may include chromium (Cr). Chromium or chromium is a silver-colored, hard, transition metal that is easy to break, characterized by high melting point without discoloration. However, alloys containing chromium are resistant to corrosion and can be used in alloyed form with other metals. Particularly, chromium (Cr) has a characteristic of being resistant to the conductive liquid filling the cavity because of less corrosion and discoloration.

The first electrode 45 may be disposed on one surface of the first plate 41 and the first electrode 45 may be disposed on the inclined surface of the cavity and the upper surface of the first plate 41. The second electrode 46 may be disposed on one surface of the second plate 42 and the second electrode 46 may be disposed on at least a portion of the inner surface of the cavity and a lower surface of the second plate 42.

The insulating layer 47 is a constitution for electrically insulating the first electrode 45 with the conductive liquid 43 and the nonconductive liquid 44. For example, the insulating layer 56 may include parylene C, and may be formed by a method such as coating, deposition, plating, or the like.

The insulating layer 47 may be disposed on an inclined surface that may abut the conductive liquid 43 and the nonconductive liquid 44 and may further be disposed on top of the first plate 41 and / As shown in FIG. However, the insulating layer 47 may not be disposed in the space in which the first substrate 48 can be inserted between the first plate 41 and the second plate 42. Further, the first substrate 48 and the insulating layer 47 may not overlap each other.

The first substrate 48 is supplied with a driving voltage from a voltage driver (not shown) of the control circuit 24 (FIG. 1), and supplies driving voltage to the liquid lens 400 (not shown) . ≪ / RTI > The driving voltage includes an analog voltage corresponding to four individual electrodes and an analog voltage corresponding to one common electrode. The driving voltage providing unit may include a voltage adjusting circuit or a noise removing circuit for compensating for a loss due to terminal connection between the control circuit 24 and the lens assembly 22 or may be a circuit for bypassing the driving voltage It is possible. The first substrate may be an FPCB (Flexible Printed Circuit Board), but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

The first substrate 48 is overlapped with the first plate 41 and the second plate 42 between the first plate 41 and the second plate 42 and the second electrode 46 is inserted between the first plate 41 and the second plate 42, L2, L3, and L4 included in the first electrode 45 and the common electrode C0 included in the first electrode 45 to supply the driving voltage.

The first substrate 48 may further include a stiffener. The stiffener may be disposed on at least a portion of the first plate 41 and / or the second plate 42, or may be a portion that does not overlap with the first electrode 45 and / As shown in FIG. The reinforcing material may be pre-filled in the corresponding area of the first plate 41 or the second plate 42 to prevent bonding or to prevent breakage of the first plate 41 or the second plate 42, The bent region of the first substrate 48 can be made thin.

5 to 10 are views showing an embodiment of a method for manufacturing a liquid lens according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, in step S10, the first plate 41 and the second plate 42 may be processed into a shape for providing a predetermined cavity, respectively. Each of the first plate 41 and the second plate 42 may be formed of a glass material having high light transmittance, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. In the case of using a glass material, reflection or refraction of light can be prevented from occurring. The overall thickness of the first plate 41 may be greater than the overall thickness of the second plate 42. The total thickness of the first plate 41 may be in the range of 1.5 to 3 times the entire thickness of the second plate 42. For example, the total thickness of the first plate 41 and the second plate 42 is less than about 1 mm, the thickness of each of the first plate 41 and the second plate 42 is about 0.7 mm or less, And may be 0.3 mm or less.

6, a deposition, plating, or coating process for arranging the first electrode 45 and the second electrode 46 on one surface of each of the first plate 41 and the second plate 42 is performed in step S20 . Plating, or coating process is performed on only one side of each of the first plate 41 and the second plate 42, so that a process for forming electrodes on both sides is not required.

If an electrode is to be formed on both sides of the glass layer, a deposition, plating or coating process for forming an electrode is first performed on one side, and then a deposition, plating or coating process for forming an electrode is performed on the other side, When electrodes are formed on the other surface, there is a high possibility that scretch due to the equipment is generated on the one surface and electrodes formed on both surfaces of the glass layer are electrically connected to each other. Such a process is also difficult and can be vulnerable to scratching . Such a scratch may interfere with normal driving voltage supply and may cause a driving performance of the liquid lens to deteriorate.

However, according to the liquid lens 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the deposition, plating, or coating process for forming electrodes is performed only on the end faces of the first plate 41 and the second plate 42, It is not necessary to carry out a process for forming electrodes on both surfaces that can cause scratches.

Referring to FIG. 7, in step S30, the first electrode 45 and the second electrode 46, which cause light reflection or light refraction, are not located in the region corresponding to the optical path, A metal patterning process may be performed so that a driving voltage may be transmitted to the individual electrodes L1, L2, L3, and L4 and the common electrode C0.

Referring to FIG. 8, in step S40, an insulating coating for disposing the insulating layer 47 may be performed. The insulating layer 47 may be disposed to contact the inclined surface on which the conductive liquid 43 and the nonconductive liquid 44 are disposed. In addition, the insulating layer 47 may be disposed on top of the first plate 41. In addition, the insulating layer 47 may be disposed underneath the nonconductive liquid 44. However, the space in which the first substrate 48 is inserted between the first plate 41 and the second plate 42 may not be coated with the insulating layer 47.

Referring to FIG. 9, in step S50, the first substrate 48 may be bonded and fixed to the first electrode 45 through a bonding process. The lower terminal of the first substrate 48 and the first electrode 45 may be electrically connected to each other through the bonding process.

The thickness of the first substrate 48 may be about 25-200 μm and the thickness of the insulating layer 47 may be thicker or thinner than the thickness of the first substrate 48 considering the bonding process, You may. The thickness of the insulating layer 47 may be about 0.5 to 250 mu m. The second electrode 46 may be disposed apart from the insulating layer 47.

On the other hand, after the step S60 of FIG. 10 is completed, the first substrate 48 may be bent for connection with the control circuit 24 and coupling with the cover housing.

10, after a predetermined volume of the nonconductive liquid 44 is injected into the opening area of the first plate 41 joined to the first substrate 48 in step S60, the second electrode 46, The bonding process between the insulating layer 47 and the first substrate 48 and the process of injecting the conductive liquid 43 so that the cavity is completely filled can be performed simultaneously or sequentially.

The upper terminal of the first substrate 48 may be bonded to the second electrode 46 and the lower terminal of the first substrate 48 may be bonded to the first electrode 45. Also, (Anisotropic conductive film bonding) bonding between the first substrate 41 and the second plate 42 and the first substrate 48.

11 is a view for explaining the characteristics of the liquid lens according to an embodiment of the present invention, in comparison with a comparative example.

Referring to FIG. 11A, there is shown a cross-sectional view of one of the views and the corners C1 of the liquid lens 1100 according to the comparative example of the present invention.

Exposed to expose the electrodes for connection with the second substrate (corresponding to the first substrate 48) is formed at each corner of the second plate (corresponding to the second plate 42) Can be additionally arranged. In order to form such an exposed portion, a glass etching process for etching the second plate formed of a glass material is required, and there is a high probability that the second plate is unintentionally broken during the etching process.

A first plate 13, a second plate 11 and a third layer 12, which are made of glass and have a cross-section in any one of the lower corners C1, are sequentially stacked, and the second plate 11 And the electrode layer for supplying a voltage to the common electrode is metal-patterned. Therefore, as described above, the first plate 13 and the second plate 11 are partly formed with an exposed portion for exposing the electrode (requiring a glass etching process) and connected to the top of the third layer 12 The second substrate 14 and the third substrate 15 connected to the lower portion of the third layer 12, that is, two FPCBs are required.

Referring to FIG. 11 (b), there is shown a cross-sectional view of one of the views (C2) and the top view of the liquid lens 1200 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, the liquid lens 1200 corresponds to the liquid lens 400 in Fig.

Unlike the liquid lens 1100, it is not necessary to dispose the exposed portions for exposing the electrodes for connection with the first substrate 48 to the respective corners of the second plate 42 located above the liquid lens 1200 , A glass etching process for this is not necessary.

The first plate 22 and the second plate 21, which are made of a glass material in a cross section to one of the lower corners C2, are sequentially stacked, and the upper portion of the first plate 22, And an electrode layer for supplying a voltage to each of the individual electrodes and the common electrode is metal-patterned on the lower portion of the substrate 21. Accordingly, the liquid lens 1100 is realized by inserting the first substrate 23 between the first plate 22 and the second plate 21, the glass etching process for forming the exposed portion is not necessary, Only one first substrate 23 is required.

According to the liquid lens according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the amount of glass and the amount of FPCB, and it is possible to reduce the loss of material such as a glass etching process, a double-sided metal deposition, a plating or coating process, a glass- High-risk and high-difficult-to-process processes can be omitted, and the yield and cost reduction of the liquid lens can be achieved.

A liquid lens according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first plate 41 having a cavity for accommodating a conductive liquid 43 and a nonconductive liquid 44, a first electrode 41 disposed on the first plate 41, An insulating layer 47 disposed on the first electrode 45, a second electrode 46 disposed on the insulating layer, a second electrode 46 disposed on the second electrode 46, A second plate 42 coupled to the plate 41 and a second plate 42 disposed between the first plate 41 and the second plate 42 and electrically connected to the first electrode 45 and the second electrode 46 The first substrate 41 may include a first substrate 41 and a second substrate. The first electrode 45 may be connected to the lower portion of the first substrate 48 and the second electrode 46 may be connected to the upper portion of the first substrate 48.

Here, the side wall of the cavity may include a predetermined inclined surface.

The first electrode 45 includes a plurality of electrode sectors disposed on the inclined surface, and the second electrode 46 includes at least one electrode sector in contact with the nonconductive liquid 44 can do.

Here, the thickness of the first substrate 48 may be smaller than the thickness of the insulating layer 47.

Here, the thickness of the first substrate 48 may be 25 to 200 μm.

Here, the insulating layer 47 may be disposed so as not to overlap with the first substrate 48.

Here, the first electrode 45 and the second electrode 46 may not be disposed in the optical path through which the light passes through the liquid lens.

The first electrode 45 is disposed on the first plate 41 by metal deposition, plating, or coating. The second electrode 46 is disposed on the second plate 42, A metal plating, a plating, or a coating.

Here, the first electrode 45 and the second electrode 46 may be bonded to the first substrate 48 by a bonding process.

The liquid lens according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a first plate 41 including an opening area having a predetermined inclined plane, a second plate 42 disposed on the upper portion of the first plate 41, A conductive liquid 43 and a nonconductive liquid 44 filled in a cavity determined by the plate 41 and the second plate 42 and the opening region and the first plate 41 and the non- And at least one of a first electrode 45 and a second electrode 46 disposed between the second plates 42.

The first plate 41 and the second plate 42 may further include a first substrate 48 inserted between the first plate 41 and the second plate 42 so as to overlap the first plate 41 and the second plate 42 have.

A camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing having upper and lower openings, a liquid lens 400 accommodated in the housing, A first lens unit 100 disposed above the liquid lens 400, a second lens unit 200 disposed below the liquid lens 400, and a second lens unit 200 disposed under the second lens unit 200, A sensor substrate on which the sensor 26 is mounted, and a first substrate 48 electrically connecting the liquid lens 400 and the sensor substrate. The first substrate 48 is disposed between the first plate 41 and the second plate 42 of the liquid lens 400 and is disposed between the first electrode 45 of the liquid lens 400 and the second plate 42 of the liquid lens 400. [ And electrodes 46, respectively.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the camera module according to the present embodiment will be described.

The camera module may include a lens assembly including a liquid lens, an infrared cut filter (not shown), a printed circuit board (not shown), an image sensor (not shown) and a controller (not shown). However, any one or more of the infrared cut filter and the control unit in the camera module may be omitted or changed.

The infrared filter can block the light of the infrared region from entering the image sensor. An infrared filter may be disposed between the lens assembly and the image sensor. The infrared filter may be an infrared absorption filter or an infrared reflection filter. Alternatively, the infrared filter may be formed by coating or vapor-depositing on one side of the liquid lens without separately arranging the infrared filter.

The upper surface of the printed circuit board and the liquid lens may be electrically connected. An image sensor may be disposed on the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board may be electrically connected to the image sensor. In one example, a holder member may be disposed between the printed circuit board and the lens assembly. At this time, the holder member can house the image sensor inside. The printed circuit board can supply power (current or voltage) to the liquid lens. On the other hand, a control unit for controlling the liquid lens may be disposed on the printed circuit board.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the optical device according to the present embodiment will be described.

The optical device may be any one of a mobile phone, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a portable smart device, a digital camera, a laptop computer, a digital broadcast terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a PMP Lt; / RTI > However, the type of the optical device is not limited thereto, and any device for photographing the image or the photograph may be referred to as an optical device.

The optical device may include a main body (not shown), a camera module, and a display portion (not shown). However, any one or more of the main body, the camera module, and the display unit may be omitted or changed in the optical apparatus.

While only a few have been described above with respect to the embodiments, various other forms of implementation are possible. The technical contents of the embodiments described above may be combined in various forms other than the mutually incompatible technologies, and may be implemented in a new embodiment through the same.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the above description should not be construed in a limiting sense in all respects and should be considered illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by rational interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the scope of equivalents of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims (12)

A first plate having a cavity formed therein for receiving a conductive liquid and a nonconductive liquid;
A first electrode disposed on the first plate;
An insulating layer disposed on the first electrode;
A second electrode disposed on the insulating layer;
A second plate disposed above the second electrode and coupled with the first plate;
And a first substrate disposed between the first plate and the second plate and electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode,
The first electrode is connected to a lower portion of the first substrate,
And the second electrode is connected to the upper portion of the first substrate. The method according to claim 1,
And a side wall of the cavity includes a predetermined inclined surface. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the first electrode includes a plurality of electrode sectors disposed on the inclined surface,
Wherein the second electrode comprises at least one electrode sector in which at least a portion is in contact with the nonconductive liquid. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein a thickness of the first substrate is smaller than a thickness of the insulating layer. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the thickness of the first substrate is 25 to 200 占 퐉. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the insulating layer is disposed so as not to overlap with the first substrate. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are not disposed in an optical path through which light passes through the liquid lens. The method according to claim 1,
The first electrode is disposed on the first plate by metal deposition, plating, or coating,
Wherein the second electrode is disposed under the second plate by any one of metal deposition, plating, and coating. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are respectively bonded to the first substrate by a bonding process. A first plate including an opening region having a predetermined inclined plane;
A second plate disposed above the first plate;
A conductive liquid and a non-conductive liquid filled in a cavity determined by the first plate, the second plate, and the opening region; And
And a first electrode and a second electrode disposed between the first plate and the second plate. 11. The method of claim 10,
And a first substrate inserted between the first plate and the second plate so as to overlap the first plate and the second plate. A housing having upper and lower openings;
A liquid lens accommodated in the housing;
A first lens unit disposed on the liquid lens;
A second lens unit disposed below the liquid lens;
A sensor substrate disposed below the second lens unit and on which an image sensor is mounted;
And a first substrate electrically connecting the liquid lens and the sensor substrate,
Wherein the first substrate is disposed between the first plate and the second plate of the liquid lens and is electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode of the liquid lens, respectively.

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