WO2010021492A2 - Camera module - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a camera module. The camera module includes a case that is vertically penetrated, a lens unit that is arranged inside the case, a driving unit that is installed inside the case and can move the lens unit, a control member of which one side is coupled to the case, a printed circuit board that is coupled to the other side of the control member, and an image sensor that is mounted on the printed circuit board and faces the lens unit. The distance between the lens unit and the image sensor can be controlled according to the degree of coupling between the case and the control member.

Description

Camera module

The present invention relates to a camera module.

Recently, a mobile communication device such as a camera phone or a portable personal digital assistant is equipped with a camera module. In general, the camera module adjusts the focus of the lens unit, an imaging sensor that converts an optical signal of an object into an electrical signal, a printed circuit board that connects an image signal output from the imaging sensor to the outside, and an AF lens (auto focus lens). It includes a drive unit.

The lens unit and the driving unit are disposed inside the case, and a printed circuit board on which an image sensor is mounted is coupled to one surface of the case. In order to achieve initial focus in manufacturing the camera module, a process of appropriately adjusting the distance between the lens unit and the imaging sensor is performed. This process proceeds in such a way that the distance between the lens and the imaging sensor is adjusted by moving the lens unit disposed inside the case.

However, in order to proceed with the above process, it is necessary to use special equipment such as a dedicated wrench that can move the lens. This process requires considerable time, which slows down the process and decreases productivity. In addition, when a force is applied to the lens using a dedicated wrench, the driving part is deformed finely, and when the initial focus adjustment is completed in this state and the force by the dedicated wrench is removed, the driving part may be restored and the initial focus may be distorted. In addition, the drive may be damaged or permanently deformed by the force applied by the dedicated wrench.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a camera module which can adjust the distance between the lens unit and the imaging sensor simply and quickly, and does not damage the drive unit by external force.

Camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention, the case penetrates up and down, the lens unit disposed inside the case, the driving unit disposed inside the case and movable the lens unit, one side is coupled to the case A control member, a printed circuit board connected to the other side of the control member, and an imaging sensor mounted on the printed circuit board and facing the lens unit. The distance between the lens unit and the imaging sensor is adjusted according to the coupling depth of the case and the adjustment member.

Threads may be formed in the case and the adjustment member, and the case and the adjustment member may be screwed together.

The driving unit may include a coil surrounding the lens unit, a yoke surrounding the lens unit and a predetermined distance from the coil, a magnet surrounding the lens unit and positioned between an inner surface of the yoke and an outer surface of the lens unit, and And a first elastic member disposed between a coil and the yoke and surrounding the lens unit, an outer circumferential part of which is connected to the case, and an inner circumferential part of which is connected to the lens unit, wherein the lens unit and the magnet The silver may move by the electromagnetic force generated by the coil and the magnet.

The camera module may further include a spacer disposed between the first elastic member and the coil.

The camera module may further include a yoke ring positioned between the yoke and the lens unit, and the yoke ring may fix the yoke and the magnet to the lens unit by a heat fusion method.

The case may include a cover member, a side member, and a bottom member connected to each other, and the bottom member may be screwed with the adjustment member because a thread of the case is formed on an outer surface thereof, and the cover The member and the side member may be located outside of the adjusting member.

The case includes a lid member, a side member, and a bottom member connected to each other, and the bottom member has a thread formed on the inner side thereof to engage with a thread formed on the outer side of the adjustment member. Can be. In this case, the cover member and the side member may be located outside the adjustment member.

The camera module may further include a side spacer disposed between the side member and the yoke, and one end of the side spacer may contact the first elastic member.

The lens unit may have a stepped portion, and the driving unit may further include a second elastic member having an outer circumferential portion connected to the other end of the side spacer and an inner circumferential portion connected to the step portion of the lens portion. The stepped portion of the lens unit may be located higher than the other end of the side spacer when the first elastic member is referred to.

The camera module may further include a structural support spring disposed between the cover member and the second elastic member, and the second elastic member may be fixed by the structural support spring.

The structural support spring may include a first concentric plate, a second concentric plate, and a connecting member connecting the first and second concentric plates, and the first concentric plate may contact the second elastic member. The second concentric plate may contact the lower surface of the cover member.

The cover member may have a plurality of first unit wings and a plurality of second unit wings, which are divided by cutout grooves formed radially, and the first unit wings and the second unit wings alternately. The length of the first unit wing may be longer than the length of the second unit wing.

The side member and the bottom member may be integrally formed by an insert injection method. A wedge-shaped protrusion may be formed at a coupling portion of the side member and the bottom member.

The camera module may further include a flexible printed circuit board coupled along a circumference of the side member, and a flexible printed circuit film connecting the flexible printed circuit board and the printed circuit board. The flexible printed circuit board may include a strip-shaped first terminal and a second terminal separated from the first terminal, wherein the first and second terminals are respectively the first and second portions of the flexible printed circuit film. It may be electrically connected to the terminal.

The driving unit may include a coil surrounding the lens unit and connected to the lens unit, a magnet surrounding the lens unit and spaced apart from the coil by a predetermined distance, a spacer positioned between the coil and the magnet, and the lens unit. At least one leaf spring coupled to the lens unit and the coil may be moved by the electromagnetic force generated by the magnet and the coil.

The length of the first and second terminals of the flexible printed circuit board may be at least 1/3 of the outer circumferential length of the side member.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the lens unit and the imaging sensor may be adjusted simply and quickly by moving the entire case where the lens unit and the driving unit are fixed.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, since the initial focus is adjusted by adjusting the coupling depth of the case and the adjustment member, it is possible to block the external force is applied to the drive portion, such as the leaf spring, further deform or break the leaf spring It can be prevented.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention,

2 is a perspective view of the combination of the camera module shown in FIG.

3 is a cross-sectional view of the camera module of FIG. 2 taken along line III-III,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of A shown in FIG. 3,

5 is an enlarged view of the leaf spring shown in FIG.

6 and 7 are perspective views of a leaf spring having a structure different from that of FIG.

8 is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to another embodiment of the present invention;

9 is a cross-sectional view of the camera module of FIG. 8 in a coupled state;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of B illustrated in FIG. 9,

11 is another embodiment of the lid member shown in FIG.

12 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the lid member of FIG. 11 is coupled to a side member;

13 is a state diagram showing a process of integrally manufacturing the side member and the bottom member by an insert injection method,

14 is a perspective view showing a state in which the side member and the bottom member are integrally formed;

15 is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to another embodiment of the present invention;

16 is a perspective view of the combination of the camera module shown in FIG.

17 is a cross-sectional view of the camera module of FIG. 16 taken along line XVII-XVII,

18 is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to another embodiment of the present invention;

19 is a cross-sectional view of the camera module of FIG. 18 in a coupled state;

20 is a cross-sectional view of a camera module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout the specification.

Then, a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a combined perspective view of the camera module shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of the camera module of Figure 2 4 is an enlarged view of A shown in FIG. 3.

1 to 4, the camera module according to the present embodiment includes a case 110, a lens unit 140, a driver, an adjusting member 210, and a printed circuit board 240 and 300. Include. The driving unit moves the lens unit 140 and includes a yoke 120, a permanent magnet 130, a coil 160, and an elastic member. In this embodiment, the leaf spring 150 is used as the elastic member.

The case 110 penetrates up and down and includes a cover member 111, a side member 112, and a bottom member 113.

A plurality of grooves 1122 are formed on both sides of the side member 112, and holes 1121 are formed between neighboring grooves 1122.

A plurality of protrusions 1112 spaced apart from each other are formed around the lid member 111, and the protrusions 1112 are fitted into grooves 1122 formed on one side of the side member 112.

The bottom member 113 includes a stepped part 1133, and a plurality of protrusions 1132 are spaced apart from each other at an upper circumference based on the stepped part 1133, and protrusions are formed between the protrusions 1132. 1113 is formed. The protrusion 1132 is fitted into the groove 1122 formed on the other side of the side member 112, and the protrusion 1131 is inserted into the hole 1121 of the side member 112. A thread 1135 is formed around the lower outer side of the stepped part 1133. However, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the thread 1135 may be formed around the inner circumference of the bottom member 113. The bottom member 113 and the side member 112 may be integrally formed. This simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces the cost.

The shape of the case 110 in plan view is approximately circular. Therefore, it is very easy to adjust the distance between the case 110 and the structures located inside the case 110.

The shape of the case 110 may be variously changed.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the side member 112 has a cylindrical shape penetrating up and down, and does not include the groove 1122 and the hole 1121 of FIG. 1. The lid member 111 has a disk shape penetrating up and down and does not include the protrusion 1112 of FIG. 1. The lid member 111 and the side member 112 may be coupled by a method such as laser welding. The bottom member 113 includes a flange portion 1136 protruding from an outer center portion, and a plurality of grooves 1137 are formed at an upper circumference of the flange portion 1136. A thread 1135 is formed around the lower outer side of the flange portion 1136. The thread 1135 may be formed around the inner circumference of the bottom member 113, as shown in FIG. 20. In this case, the thread 215 of the adjustment member 210 is formed on the outer surface of the adjustment member 210 to engage with the thread 1135 of the bottom member 113. The side member 112 may be fixed to the upper portion of the flange portion 1136 by laser welding.

The side member 112, the bottom member 113, and the coil 160 may be integrally formed by an insert injection method. That is, when the side member 112 and the coil 160, which are manufactured by press working, are disposed in the mold and the bottom member 113 is formed by injection, the manufacturing process may be simplified and the cost may be reduced. It also simplifies dimension management and increases strength.

Meanwhile, according to the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, the camera module includes a side spacer 175. The side spacer 175 has a cylindrical shape penetrating up and down, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the side member 112. The side spacer 175 is located inside the side member 112, and the lower end presses the outer edge portions of the spacer 170 and the lower leaf spring 150b, and the upper leaf spring 150a on the upper end. ) Is arranged. The lid member 111 is placed on the upper leaf spring 150a. The height L1 (see FIG. 10) of the side spacer 175 may be changed.

The lens unit 140 is disposed inside the case 110. The lens unit 140 has a cylindrical shape, and first, second and third stepped portions 141a, 141b, and 141c are formed along the longitudinal direction thereof. The lens unit 140 may include a convex lens, a concave lens, or a combination thereof.

Between the inner surface of the case 110 and the outer surface of the lens unit 140, the annular yoke 120, the permanent magnet 130, the leaf spring 150, the structural support spring 155 and the coil ( 160 is disposed.

The leaf spring 150 includes an upper leaf spring 150a and a lower leaf spring 150b, wherein the outer circumferential portion is connected to the case 110 and the inner circumferential portion is connected to the lens portion 140.

The inner circumference of the lower leaf spring 150b is connected to the first stepped portion 141a, and the outer circumference is connected to the inner circumferential surface of the case 140.

The upper leaf spring 150a is connected to the upper circumference of the lens unit 140 based on FIG. 3. That is, the inner circumference of the upper leaf spring 150a is connected to the third stepped portion 141c, and the outer circumference is connected to the inner step of the side member 112.

Referring to FIG. 3, the third stepped portion 141c of the lens unit 140 is positioned higher than the inner step of the side member 112. By adjusting the height difference between the third step portion 141c and the inner step of the side member 112, the size of the elastic force applied by the upper leaf spring 150a to the lens unit 140 may be adjusted. The upper leaf spring 150a applies a compressive force to the lens unit 140, and the compressive force generated at this time acts as a preload applied to the lens unit 140. As a result, the magnitude of the preload can be easily controlled by adjusting the height difference between the inner step of the side member 112 and the third step portion 141c.

On the other hand, a groove (not shown) may be formed on an outer surface of the lens unit 140, and an inner circumference of the upper leaf spring 150a may be inserted into the groove.

The leaf spring 150 may be made of a metal plate, silicon, urethane, rubber, metal, or the like. The leaf spring 150 made of silicon, urethane or rubber has a greater restoring force than the leaf spring 150 made of metal. As shown in FIG. 5, the thickness t of the leaf spring 150 may be the same in any part of all cross sections. That is, the surface of the leaf spring 150 is generally flat, the groove may not be formed.

However, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the grooves 53 may be formed in the leaf springs 50a and 50b. This allows the inner circumferential portion to move smoothly even if the outer circumferential portions of the leaf springs 50a and 50b are fixed.

The structural support spring 155 is disposed between the upper leaf spring 150a and the lid member 111. In the structural support spring 155, two concentric circular plate members 155a and 155b having different diameters are connected by the connecting member 155c. The large diameter concentric plate 155b is in close contact with the upper surface of the upper spring 150a and presses the upper spring 150a, and the small diameter concentric plate 155a is in close contact with the lower surface of the lid member 111. . The small diameter concentric plate 155a may be compressed by the pressing force of the lid member 111. Therefore, even if the coupling between the lid member 111 and the side member 112 is loosened due to the external impact, the pressed small diameter concentric plate 155a is only partially deformed, and the large diameter concentric plate 155b is continuously As a result, a constant pressure may be applied to the upper leaf spring 150a. However, the structural support spring 155 may be omitted.

Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, the outer circumferential portion of the upper leaf spring 150a is disposed on the side spacer 175, and the inner circumferential portion is disposed on the third step portion 141c of the lens unit 140. Is placed. The length L1 of the side spacer 175 is smaller than the distance L2 between the first stepped portion 141a and the third stepped portion 141c. By varying the heights of the side spacers 175 and the third stepped portion 141c, the magnitude of the elastic force generated in the upper leaf spring 150a may be adjusted. The upper leaf spring 150a applies a compressive force to the lens unit 140, and the compressive force generated at this time acts as a preload applied to the lens unit 140.

The magnitude of the preload can be easily adjusted by adjusting the length L1 of the side spacer 175. That is, when the length L1 of the side spacer 175 is reduced, the preload applied to the lens unit 140 may be increased, and when the length L1 of the side spacer 175 is increased, the lens L 140 may be applied to the lens unit 140. Preload can be made small.

A structural support spring 150 is placed on the upper portion of the outer circumference of the upper leaf spring 150a to hold the upper leaf spring 150a.

The yoke 120 and the permanent magnet 130 are located between the upper leaf spring 150a and the lower leaf spring 150b. The yoke 120 increases the magnetic efficiency of the permanent magnet 130 and allows the direction of the magnetic force to be efficiently operated. The lower end of the yoke 120 is in contact with the lower leaf spring 150b. The yoke 120 includes a horizontal portion in which a central portion is drilled and a vertical portion extending around an outer circumference of the horizontal portion. The inner circumferential surface of the horizontal portion of the yoke 120 is fixed to the lens unit 140.

The permanent magnet 130 is fixed to the inner side of the horizontal and vertical portions of the yoke 120 and is spaced apart from the lower leaf spring 150b by a predetermined distance. However, the permanent magnet 130 may contact the upper surface of the lower leaf spring 150b. The inner diameter of the permanent magnet 130 is smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the lens unit 140. However, as shown in FIG. 20, the inner diameter of the permanent magnet 130 may be larger than the maximum outer diameter of the lens unit 140.

The permanent magnet 130 is magnetized along the length direction, and the portion close to the lower leaf spring 150b is the N pole, and the portion adjacent to the upper leaf spring 150a is the S pole. However, the north and south poles can be reversed.

The yoke 120 may be coupled to the lens unit 140 by a thermosetting bonding process. Furthermore, the yoke 120 and the lens unit 140 may be integrally formed by an insert injection method. That is, the yoke 120 may be integrally formed with the outer cover of the lens unit 140 by being inserted into the mold when injection molding the outer cover of the lens unit 140. This simplifies the process of fixing the yoke 120 to the lens unit 140 and can reduce the cost.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the yoke 120, the permanent magnet 130, and the lens unit 140 may be coupled in a heat fusion method using the yoke ring 125. The yoke ring 125 may be made of polycarbonate and disposed inside the horizontal portion of the yoke 120. A heat fusion jig (not shown) may be used to apply heat and pressure to the yoke ring 125, thereby fixing the yoke 120 and the permanent magnet 130 to the lens unit 140 within a short time. By using the heat fusion fixing method using the yoke ring 125, the productivity of the product is improved because the work process is simple and quick.

The coil 160 is spaced apart from the lower leaf spring 150b by a predetermined distance, and the lower surface thereof is placed on the step portion 1133 of the bottom member 113. When a current is supplied to the coil 160, the magnetic force lines by the permanent magnets 130 and the yoke 120 are electromagnetically interacted to generate an electromagnetic force, and the permanent magnets 130 and the leaf spring 150 are generated by this force. ) And the lens unit 140 may move in the vertical direction. In this manner, the lens unit 140 may be moved to perform an auto focus function of the camera module. The direction of the force acting on the lens unit 140 can be adjusted according to the direction of the current supplied to the coil 160, it can be seen through the left hand law of Fleming.

A spacer 170 is disposed between the coil 160 and the lower leaf spring 150b. The spacer 170 prevents the lower leaf spring 150b and the coil 160 from colliding with each other so that they are not damaged by the impact.

Since structures such as the lens unit 140, the yoke 120, and the permanent magnet 130 described above are disposed inside the circular case 110, the distance from the periphery of the structure to the inner surface of the case 110 may vary. Uniform throughout. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately adjust the distance between each part around the structure and the case 110.

A flexible printed circuit board 300 is formed at an outer circumference of the case 110. The flexible printed circuit board 300 is attached along the circumference of the case 110, and various circuit elements such as the terminals 310 and 320 are printed on one surface thereof. The terminals 310 and 320 may be connected to the coil 160, and the first and second terminals 310 and 320 of different types may have a long band shape and are separated from below.

The strip-shaped first and second terminals 310 and 320 are formed along the circumference of the side member 112, respectively, and a length thereof may be equal to or larger than the diameter of the side member 112. In addition, the lengths of the strip-shaped first and second terminals 310 and 320 may be 1/3 or more of the outer circumferential length of the side member 112.

The case 110 is connected to the adjustment member 210. The central portion of the adjusting member 210 is bored and the thread 215 is formed on the inner side thereof. Thread 215 of adjustment member 210 engages thread 1135 of bottom member 113. Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, the thread 215 may be formed on the outer surface of the adjusting member 210, in which case the thread 215 is engaged with the thread 1135 formed on the inner circumference of the bottom member 113. All. In this way, foreign matters generated when the bottom member 113 and the adjusting member 210 are screwed together may fall to the outside of the camera module and do not fall to the imaging sensor 230.

As shown in FIG. 4, the engagement depth d of the case 110 and the adjustment member 210 may be controlled by adjusting the engagement of the threads 215 and 1135.

When the screwing of the case 110 and the adjusting member 210 is completed, the bonding process may be performed on a portion where the thread 1135 (or the step portion 1133) and the adjusting member 210 of the bottom member 113 contact with each other. Can be. As a result, the case 110 and the adjustment member 210 may be more firmly fixed.

The support body 220 is installed below the adjustment member 210. A central portion of the support body 220 is drilled therein, and an infrared rays cut off filter 225 is fixed thereto. The infrared cut filter 225 blocks excessive infrared rays from the light passing through the lens unit 140.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the adjusting member 210 and the support body 220 may be integrally formed, and the infrared cut filter 225 may be fixed to the inside thereof. Semi-circular groove 211 is formed in the adjustment member 210. The thread 1135 of the bottom member 113 is exposed through the semicircular groove 211, and the bonding process is performed on the part by laser welding such that the bottom member 113 and the adjusting member 210 are screwed together. Do not loosen.

A printed circuit board 240 is disposed below the support body 220, and an imaging sensor 230 is mounted on one surface of the printed circuit board 240. The imaging sensor 230 is an imaging device having an image forming region for forming light passing through the infrared cut filter 225 and faces the lens unit 140.

Various circuit elements are formed on the printed circuit board 240, and digitally process the image signal output from the imaging sensor 230. The printed circuit board 240 may include a connector (not shown), and may be connected to an external device through the connector.

The printed circuit board 240 and the flexible printed circuit board 300 are connected through a flexible printed circuit 400. The first and second terminals 410 and 420 of the flexible printed circuit film 400 are coupled to the band-shaped first and second terminals 310 and 320 formed on the flexible printed circuit board 300, respectively. .

Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the cover member 111 may have a cutting groove radially, and has a plurality of unit wings 111a and 111b separated by the cutting groove. Each of the unit wings 111a and 111b is alternately arranged with a first unit wing portion 111a having a long length and a second unit wing portion 111b having a short length at the bottom portion. The difference in length between the lower end of the first unit wing 111a and the lower end of the second unit wing 111b may be 0.04 mm to 0.06 mm.

The first unit wing portion 111a and the second unit wing portion 111b are disposed on the structural support spring 155 positioned inside the side member 112. Lower end portions of the first unit wings 111a and the second unit wings 111b are in close contact with the upper surface of the structural support spring 155. The cover member and the side member including the first unit wing portion 111a and the second unit wing portion 111b may be coupled to a welding or the like. In the coupling method, first, the inner side of the side member 112 and the second unit wing portion 111b are welded in a state where the second unit wing portion 111b is pressed downward and in close contact with the structural support spring 150. do.

On the other hand, the side member 112, the bottom member 113 and the coil 160 may be integrally formed by the insert injection method. Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the side member 112 and the coil 160 are inserted into the fixed side mold M1 for insert injection, and the moving side mold M2 is transferred to the fixed side mold M1. In the state of close contact with M1), the injection molding resin is filled and cooled. After the cooling is completed, the moving side mold M2 is separated from the fixed side mold M1 to take out the injection molded product in which the side member 112 and the bottom member 113 are integrally formed. If the wedge-shaped protrusion A is formed at the coupling portion of the side member 112 and the bottom member 113, these can be more firmly coupled.

Next, a method of adjusting the initial focus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

First, the lens unit 140, the yoke 120, the permanent magnet 130, the leaf spring 150, the spacer 170, and the coil 160 in the case 110 having the thread 1135 formed on the outer surface thereof. Install it. The flexible printed circuit board 300 is attached to the circumference of the case 110.

Then, the case 110 is screwed to the adjustment member 210. The adjustment member 210 is connected to the support body 220 on which the infrared cut filter 225 is mounted and the printed circuit board 240 on which the imaging sensor 230 is mounted. The distance s between the lens unit 140 and the imaging sensor 230 varies according to the screwing depth d of the case 110 and the adjusting member 210.

That is, the case 110 or the adjusting member 210 may be rotated to adjust the distance s between the lens unit 140 and the imaging sensor 230, thereby adjusting the initial focus. This eliminates the need to apply a separate force to the yoke 120, the permanent magnet 130, the leaf spring 150, the spacer 170, and the coil 160 as well as the lens unit 140 during initial focusing.

Since the bearing force of the leaf spring 150 is only about 0.4gf, it can be easily deformed and broken. However, according to this embodiment, since no force is applied to the leaf spring 150, deformation and breakage of the leaf spring 150 can be prevented.

Finally, the first and second terminals 410 and 420 of the flexible printed circuit film 400 are connected to the first and second terminals 310 and 320 of the flexible printed circuit board 300. The first and second terminals 310 and 320 of the flexible printed circuit board 300 have a long stripe shape and a large contact area. Therefore, even when the case 110 and the flexible printed circuit board 300 rotate for the initial focusing, the first and second terminals 410 and 420 of the flexible printed circuit film 400 are the flexible printed circuit board 300. ) May be easily connected to the first and second terminals 310 and 320.

Next, a camera module according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17.

15 is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 16 is a combined perspective view of the camera module shown in FIG. 15, and FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVII-XVII of the camera module of FIG. 16. to be.

15 to 17, the camera module includes a case 110, a lens unit 140, a driver, an adjusting member 210, and printed circuit boards 240 and 300. The driving unit moves the lens unit 140 and includes a yoke 120, a permanent magnet 130, a leaf spring 50, a structural support spring 155, and a coil 160. The case 110 includes a lid member 111, a side member 112, and a bottom member 113, and a side spacer 175 is disposed inside the side member 112. The side member 112 and the bottom member 113 may be manufactured by insert injection method. In this case, the magnet 130 may also be manufactured by insert injection method.

The structure of the case 110, the lens unit 140, the driving unit, the adjusting member 210, the printed circuit boards 240 and 300, and the flexible printed circuit film 400 according to the present embodiment are illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. It is generally the same as the illustrated embodiment.

However, unlike the camera module illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, 8, and 9, the camera module according to the present embodiment has a structure in which the coil 160 moves together with the lens unit 140 by an electromagnetic force. This method is called a coil moving method. 1 to 4, 8 and 9 have a structure in which the lens unit 140 moves together with the permanent magnet 130, which is called a magnet moving method.

Again, referring to FIGS. 15 to 17, the lens unit 140 is disposed inside the case 110. The leaf spring 50, the coil 160, the spacer 170, the yoke 120, and the permanent magnet 130 are disposed between the inner surface of the case 110 and the outer surface of the lens unit 140. The leaf spring 50 includes an upper leaf spring 50a and a lower leaf spring 50b. The upper and lower leaf springs 50a and 50b have grooves 53, but as shown in FIG. 5, they are generally flat and may not have grooves.

The lens unit 140 has first, second, and third stepped portions 141a, 141b, and 141c positioned along the longitudinal direction, and an inner circumferential portion of the lower leaf spring 50b on the first stepped portion 141a. Is laid. The outer circumferential portion of the lower leaf spring 50b can be pressed by the bottom member 113.

The yoke 120 rests on the inner protruding portion of the bottom member 113. The yoke 120 includes a horizontal portion in which a central portion is drilled and a vertical portion extending around an outer circumference of the horizontal portion. The permanent magnet 130 is located on the inner side of the horizontal and vertical portions of the yoke 120. The yoke 120 and the lens unit 140 may be integrally formed by an insert injection method.

The spacer 170 is disposed on the yoke 120 and the permanent magnet 130. The inner circumferential portion of the spacer 170 is placed on the second stepped portion 141b of the lens unit 140, and the remaining portion is placed on the yoke 120 and the permanent magnet 130.

The coil bracket 165 and the coil 160 are disposed on the spacer 170. The coil bracket 165 includes a horizontal portion having a central portion and a vertical portion extending from the inner circumference of the horizontal portion, and the coil 160 surrounds the vertical portion of the coil bracket 165.

The upper leaf spring 50a is spaced apart from the coil bracket 165 by a predetermined distance. The outer circumferential portion of the upper leaf spring 50a is disposed on the side spacer 175, and the inner circumferential portion is disposed on the third step portion 141c of the lens portion 140.

Referring to FIG. 17, the third stepped portion 141c is positioned higher than the upper end of the side spacer 175. The elastic force applied to the lens unit 140 may be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the outer circumference of the upper plate spring 150a and the inner circumference of the upper plate spring 150a. The inner circumferential portion of the upper leaf spring 50a exerts a compressive force on the lens unit 140, and the compressive force generated at this time acts as a preload applied to the lens unit 140. The amount of preload can be easily adjusted by adjusting the height of the side spacer 175.

A structural support spring 155 is disposed between the upper leaf spring 50a and the lid member 111. In the structural support spring 155, two concentric circular plate members 155a and 155b having different diameters are connected by the connecting member 155c. The large diameter concentric plate 155b is in close contact with the upper surface of the upper spring 50a and presses the upper spring 50a, and the small diameter concentric plate 155a is in close contact with the lower surface of the lid member 111. . The small diameter concentric plate 155a may be compressed by the pressing force of the lid member 111. Therefore, even if the coupling between the lid member 111 and the side member 112 is loosened due to the external impact, the pressed small diameter concentric plate 155a is only partially deformed, and the large diameter concentric plate 155b is continuously As a result, a constant pressure can be applied to the upper leaf spring 50a. However, the structural support spring 155 may be omitted.

When a current is supplied to the coil 160, the magnetic force is caused to interact with the magnetic lines of force by the permanent magnet 130 and the yoke 120 to generate an electromagnetic force. By this force, the upper and lower leaf springs 50a and 50b, the lens unit 140, the spacer 170 and the coil 160 can be moved, thereby performing the autofocus function of the camera module. In the case of the coil moving method, the yoke 120 and the permanent magnet 130 do not move by the electromagnetic force.

The adjusting member 210 and the support body 220 are integrally formed, and the infrared cut filter 225 is fixed to the inside thereof. Semi-circular grooves 211 as shown in FIG. 8 may be formed in the adjustment member 210. The central portion of the adjusting member 210 is bored and the thread 215 is formed on the inner side thereof. The thread 215 of the adjusting member 210 engages with the thread 1135 formed on the outer surface of the bottom member 113. The distance s between the lens unit 140 and the imaging sensor 230 may be adjusted by adjusting the engagement of the threads 215 and 1135, and thus the initial focus may be adjusted. Meanwhile, the thread 215 of the adjustment member 210 may be formed on the outer surface of the adjustment member 210, as shown in FIGS. 18 to 20. In this case, the thread 1135 of the bottom member 113 is formed at its inner side to engage the thread 215 of the adjustment member 210.

A printed circuit board 240 is disposed below the support body 220, and an imaging sensor 230 is mounted on one surface of the printed circuit board 240. The printed circuit board 240 and the flexible printed circuit board 300 are connected through the flexible printed circuit film 400. The first and second terminals 410 and 420 of the flexible printed circuit film 400 are coupled to the band-shaped first and second terminals 310 and 320 formed on the flexible printed circuit board 300, respectively. . The strip-shaped first and second terminals 310 and 320 are formed along the circumference of the side member 112, respectively, and the length may be one third or more of the outer circumference of the side member 112.

Many of the features described in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, 8, and 9 may be applied to the present embodiment.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements of those skilled in the art using the basic concepts of the present invention defined in the following claims are also provided. It belongs to the scope of rights.

The present invention is applied to a small electronic device such as a portable terminal, it is possible to quickly adjust the distance between the lens unit and the imaging sensor, and to prevent the plate spring from being deformed or damaged by blocking external force applied to the plate spring.

Claims (17)

Up and down perforated case, A lens unit disposed inside the case; A driving unit disposed inside the case and capable of moving the lens unit; Adjusting member that one side is coupled to the case, A printed circuit board connected to the other side of the adjustment member, and An imaging sensor mounted on the printed circuit board and facing the lens unit, And a distance between the lens unit and the imaging sensor according to a coupling depth of the case and the adjustment member. The method of claim 1, A screw thread is formed in the case and the adjustment member, and the case and the adjustment member are screwed to the camera module. The method of claim 2, The driving unit A coil surrounding the lens unit, A yoke surrounding the lens unit and spaced apart from the coil by a predetermined distance, A magnet surrounding the lens unit and positioned between the yoke and the lens unit, and A first elastic member positioned between the coil and the yoke and surrounding the lens portion, the outer circumferential portion being connected to the case and the inner circumferential portion connected to the lens portion, The lens unit and the magnet, the camera module can move by the electromagnetic force generated by the coil and the magnet. The method of claim 3, The camera module further comprises a spacer disposed between the first elastic member and the coil. The method of claim 3, Further comprising a yoke ring positioned between the yoke and the lens unit, The yoke ring fixes the yoke and the magnet to the lens unit by a heat fusion method. Camera module. The method of claim 2, The case includes a lid member, a side member, and a bottom member connected to each other, and the bottom member is threaded with the adjustment member because a thread of the case is formed on an outer side thereof, and the lid member and the side member are screwed together. The camera module is located outside the adjustment member. The method of claim 2, The case includes a cover member, a side member, and a bottom member connected to each other, and the bottom member has a thread formed on the inner side thereof with a screw thread engaged with the thread formed on the outer surface of the adjustment member. module. The method of claim 7, wherein And the lid member and the side member are located outside the adjustment member. The method of claim 8, And a side spacer disposed between the side member and the yoke, wherein one end of the side spacer is in contact with the first elastic member. The method of claim 9, The lens portion has a stepped portion, The drive unit further includes a second elastic member having an outer circumferential portion connected to the other end of the side spacer and an inner circumferential portion connected to the step portion of the lens portion. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the stepped portion of the lens unit is positioned higher than the other end of the side spacer. The method of claim 10, Further comprising a structural support spring disposed between the lid member and the second elastic member, And the second elastic member is fixed by the structural support spring. The method of claim 11, The structural support spring includes a first concentric circular plate, a second concentric circular plate, and a connecting member connecting the first and second concentric circular plates, And the first concentric plate is in contact with the second elastic member, and the second concentric plate is in contact with the lower surface of the lid member. The method of claim 8, The cover member has a first unit wing portion and a second unit wing portion divided by a cutaway groove formed radially, wherein the length of the first unit wing portion is longer than the length of the second unit wing portion. The method of claim 8, The side member and the bottom member is a camera module integrally formed by the insert injection method. The method of claim 14, A camera module having a wedge-shaped protrusion formed at a coupling portion of the side member and the bottom member. The method of claim 8, A flexible printed circuit board coupled along the circumference of the side member, and Further comprising a flexible printed circuit board connecting the flexible printed circuit board and the printed circuit board, The flexible printed circuit board includes a band-shaped first terminal and a second terminal separated from the first terminal, wherein the first and second terminals are respectively the first and second of the flexible printed circuit film. Camera module electrically connected to the terminal. The method of claim 2, The driving unit A coil surrounding the lens unit and connected to the lens unit; A magnet surrounding the lens unit and spaced apart from the coil by a predetermined distance; A spacer positioned between the coil and the magnet, and At least one leaf spring coupled to the lens unit Including; The lens unit and the coil, the camera module can move by the electromagnetic force generated by the magnet and the coil.

Images