WO2025084764A1 - Camera actuator - Google Patents

Abstract

The camera actuator according to the present invention comprises: a housing comprising a first wall portion and a second wall portion spaced apart from each other; a mover which has an optical member disposed therein, and is disposed between the first wall portion and the second wall portion; a guide disposed in the housing and guiding tilting of the mover; a support unit coupled to the mover by penetrating the guide; a first magnetic body disposed on the guide; and a second magnetic body facing the first magnetic body and disposed on the support unit, wherein the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body, due to the repulsive force, provide holding force to the mover and the support unit.

Description

Camera Actuator

The present invention relates to a camera actuator.

A camera is a device that captures a subject as a photo or video, and is installed in portable devices, drones, vehicles, etc.

A camera device or camera module may have an image stabilization (IS) function that compensates for or prevents shaking caused by the user's movements to improve image quality, an auto focusing (AF) function that automatically adjusts the gap between the image sensor and the lens to align the focal length of the lens, and a zooming function that increases or decreases the magnification of a distant subject to take a picture using a zoom lens.

However, in order to perform the anti-shake function within the camera module, a collision absorption structure is required to prevent damage to the mover due to collision, and a structure is required that facilitates restraint of the mover's movement radius.

The present invention is an invention devised to solve the problems of the above-described prior art, and has as its object the prevention of rolling occurring in driving for OIS.

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

According to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-described object, a camera actuator comprises: a housing, a mover having an optical member disposed within the housing, a guide disposed in the housing and contacting the mover to guide tilting of the mover, a support unit penetrating the guide and coupled to the mover, a first magnetic body disposed in the guide, and a second magnetic body disposed on the support unit and facing the first magnetic body, wherein the guide includes a first protrusion contacting the mover, and the first protrusion of the guide is pressed against the mover by a repulsive force generated by the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body.

The above guide may include a housing including first and second wall portions spaced apart from each other, and a partition portion disposed between the support unit and the mover.

The above-mentioned bulkhead portion may have the first projection protruding toward the mover on a surface opposite to the surface facing the support unit.

The above mover may include a groove into which the first protrusion is inserted.

The mover may be tilted in a first direction or a second direction based on the first projection, the first direction being a direction from the first wall portion toward the second wall portion, and the second direction being perpendicular to the optical axis direction and the first direction.

It may further include an elastic member that is spaced apart from the support unit in the direction of the optical axis and is combined with the support unit and the guide.

The above elastic member may include a body part coupled with the guide, a fitting part arranged on the inside of the body part and coupled with the support unit, and a connecting part connecting the body part and the fitting part.

The above connecting portion includes a first unit pattern extending in a first direction from the body portion and a second unit pattern extending in a second direction, the first direction being a direction from the first wall portion toward the second wall portion, and the second direction being perpendicular to the optical axis direction and the first direction.

The above first unit pattern and the above second unit pattern can be arranged in the first direction.

The above connecting portion may be symmetrical in a first direction with respect to the fitting portion in plurality, and the first direction may be a direction from the first wall portion toward the second wall portion.

The above support unit may include a second projection protruding in a direction away from the mover on a surface facing the elastic portion.

The above second protrusion is arranged to have a step and can be connected to the fitting portion.

The above support unit includes a first protrusion that protrudes toward the mover in the direction of the optical axis and a second protrusion that is spaced apart from the first protrusion, and the partition wall may be arranged between the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

The first magnetic body is arranged on one side of the partition wall portion facing the support unit, the second magnetic body is arranged on one side of the support unit facing the partition wall portion, and the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body can overlap in the direction of the optical axis.

A first groove in which the first magnetic body is placed may be formed in the above-mentioned bulkhead portion, and a second groove in which the second magnetic body is placed may be formed in the above-mentioned support unit.

The first protrusion may be arranged only in one portion of the partition wall, and the groove portion may be arranged to correspond to the first protrusion.

The above-mentioned bulkhead portion may include a groove portion arranged on a surface opposite to a surface facing the support unit.

The above mover may include a first projection protruding toward the bulkhead portion on a surface facing the bulkhead portion.

The first protrusion may be arranged only once on the mover, and the groove may be arranged to correspond to the first protrusion.

The above-mentioned home portion, the first protrusion, the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body can overlap in the direction of the optical axis.

A camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problem can have an effect of preventing rolling that occurs during driving for OIS.

At this time, since a control unit is provided in the space formed by the length difference, heat generated by the control unit can be efficiently released, and the camera actuator can be miniaturized.

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

In addition, the effects of the present invention may be described in more detail in the detailed description of the present invention and may not necessarily be limited to what is presented above.

The summary set forth above, as well as the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present application set forth below, will be better understood when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

For the purpose of illustrating the present invention, there is shown in the drawings preferred embodiments thereof.

However, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the precise arrangements and means illustrated.

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a camera structure of a camera actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating the arrangement of a camera actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating an overall description of a camera actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a housing and a guide of a camera actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating the rear configuration of a housing and a guide of a camera actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a home portion of a camera actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating the overall arrangement structure of a camera actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating an elastic part of a camera actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating a fitting portion and a second protrusion of a camera actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating tilting of a camera actuator about a first axis according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a second direction of a camera actuator tilted about an axis according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating a first protrusion and a groove of a camera actuator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention can be modified in various ways and has various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention are included. In describing the present invention, if it is judged that a specific description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The terms first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

The terminology used in this application is only used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, it should be understood that the terms "comprises" or "has" and the like are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

Also, throughout the specification, when we say "connected," this does not only mean that two or more components are directly connected, but also that two or more components are indirectly connected through other components, that they are electrically connected as well as physically connected, or that they are referred to by different names depending on location or function but are one.

In addition, when described as being formed or arranged “above or below” each component, above or below includes not only the case where the two components are in direct contact with each other, but also the case where one or more other components are formed or arranged between the two components. In addition, when expressed as “above or below,” it can include the meaning of the downward direction as well as the upward direction based on one component.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention, in which the purpose of the present invention can be specifically realized, will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

First, reference may be made to FIGS. 1 and 2 for an overall description of a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Specifically, FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a camera structure of a camera actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a layout of a camera actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

First, in explaining the embodiment of the present invention, what is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is an explanation to help understand the field arrangement and relationship of the embodiment of the present invention, and the names of components such as housing, cover, lid, etc. mentioned in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are different from those in the drawings described later.

For example, even though the housing (not shown) mentioned in FIGS. 1 and 2 is described and the housing (100) in the drawings to be described later is described, the housing (not shown) described in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the housing (100) in the drawings to be described later may have different configurations.

That is, even if the same name is used, when describing a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention, a specific description of an embodiment of the present invention may mean different parts or components in addition to a description of the overall field.

First, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a camera module (1000) according to an embodiment may be composed of a cover (C), a first camera actuator (A1), a second camera actuator (A2), and a circuit board (B).

Here, the first camera actuator (A1) may be used interchangeably as the first actuator, and the second camera actuator (A2) may be used interchangeably as the second actuator.

Additionally, the cover (C) covers the first camera actuator (A1) and the second camera actuator (A2), and the bonding force between the first camera actuator (A1) and the second camera actuator (A2) can be improved by the cover (C).

Furthermore, the cover (C) can be made of a material that performs electromagnetic wave blocking. Accordingly, the first camera actuator (A1) and the second camera actuator (A2) within the cover (C) can be easily protected.

And the first camera actuator (A1) may be an OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer) actuator. For example, the first camera actuator (A1) may move an optical member (not shown) in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis (axis of incident light).

Additionally, the first camera actuator (A1) may include a fixed focal length lens arranged in a predetermined barrel (not shown).

Here, a fixed focal length lens may also be referred to as a "single focal length lens" or "single lens".

Meanwhile, the first camera actuator (A1) can change the path of light.

For example, the first camera actuator (A1) can change the light path vertically through an internal optical element (e.g., a prism or mirror) (20).

For example, an optical element (not shown) can change light from a second direction to the direction of the optical axis.

By this configuration, even if the thickness of the mobile terminal is reduced, a lens configuration larger than the thickness of the mobile terminal can be placed inside the mobile terminal through a change in the optical path, so that magnification, auto-focusing (AF), zoom, and OIS functions can be performed.

However, this is not limited to the first camera actuator (A1) and the optical path can be changed vertically or at a predetermined angle multiple times.

Meanwhile, the second camera actuator (A2) may be placed behind the first camera actuator (A1). In addition, the second camera actuator (A2) may be coupled with the first camera actuator (A1).

And the coupling between the first camera actuator (A1) and the second camera actuator (A2) can be achieved in various ways. In addition, the second camera actuator (A2) can be a zoom actuator or an AF (Auto Focus) actuator.

For example, the second camera actuator (A2) supports one or more lenses and can move the lenses according to a control signal from a predetermined control unit to perform an auto-focusing function or a zoom function.

And one or more lenses can move independently or individually along the optical axis.

Meanwhile, the circuit board (B) may be placed behind the second camera actuator (A2) in the optical axis direction. Here, the circuit board (B) may be electrically connected to the second camera actuator (A2) and the first camera actuator (A1). In addition, there may be a plurality of circuit boards (B).

A camera module according to an embodiment may be composed of a single or multiple camera modules. For example, the multiple camera modules may include a first camera module and a second camera module.

And a single camera module may include single or multiple actuators.

For example, a single camera module may include a first camera actuator (A1) and a second camera actuator (A2). Additionally, the camera module may be used interchangeably with various terms such as camera device, imaging device, etc.

And the camera module may be placed in a predetermined housing (not shown) and may include an actuator (not shown) capable of driving a lens unit. The actuator may be a voice coil motor, a micro actuator, a silicon actuator, etc., and may be applied in various ways such as an electrostatic method, a thermal method, a bimorph method, an electrostatic force method, etc., but is not limited thereto. In addition, the camera actuator in this specification may be referred to as an actuator, etc.

In addition, a camera module composed of a plurality of camera modules can be mounted in various electronic devices such as a mobile terminal. Furthermore, the actuator may be a device that moves or tilts a lens or an optical member. However, the following description will be made with the concept that the actuator includes a lens or an optical member. Furthermore, the actuator may be called a 'lens transport device', a 'lens transport device', an 'optical member transport device', an 'optical member moving device', etc.

A camera module according to an embodiment may include a first camera actuator (A1) having an OIS function and a second camera actuator (A2) having a zooming function and an AF function.

Light can be incident into the camera module or the first camera actuator (A1) through an opening area located on the upper surface of the first camera actuator (A1). That is, the light is incident into the interior of the first camera actuator (A1) along the optical axis direction (based on the incident light), and the light path can be changed vertically through an optical member (not shown).

And the light can pass through the second camera actuator (A2) and be incident on the image sensor (IS) located at one end of the second camera actuator (A2) (PATH). In addition, in this specification, the optical axis direction, the vertical direction may correspond to the second direction, and the horizontal direction may correspond to the first direction.

In this specification, the bottom side means one side in the second direction. And the second direction is the up-down direction in the drawing and can be used interchangeably with the second axis direction, etc. The first direction is the direction from the upper left to the rear right in the drawing and can be used interchangeably with the first axis direction, etc. The second direction is the direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Additionally, in the present specification, the inner side may be a direction from the cover (C) toward the first camera actuator (A1), and the outer side may be a direction opposite to the inner side. For example, the first camera actuator (A1) and the second camera actuator (A2) may be located inside the cover (C), and the cover (C) may be located outside the first camera actuator (A1) or the second camera actuator (A2).

The camera module according to the embodiment can improve the spatial limitations of the first camera actuator (A1) and the second camera actuator (A2) by changing the path of light. The camera module according to the embodiment can expand the optical path while minimizing the thickness of the camera module in response to the change in the path of light. Furthermore, it should be understood that the second camera actuator (A2) can provide a high range of magnification by controlling focus, etc. in the expanded optical path.

In addition, the camera module according to the embodiment can implement OIS by controlling the optical path through the first camera actuator (A1), thereby minimizing the occurrence of decenter or tilt phenomena and producing the best optical characteristics.

Furthermore, the second camera actuator (A2) may include an optical system and a lens driving unit. For example, the second camera actuator (A2) may have at least one of a first lens assembly, a second lens assembly, and a third lens assembly arranged therein.

Additionally, the second camera actuator (A2) is equipped with a coil and a magnet to perform a high-magnification zooming function and an autofocus function.

For example, the first lens assembly and the second lens assembly may be moving lenses that move via coils, magnets, and guide pins, and the third lens assembly may be a fixed lens, but is not limited thereto. For example, the third lens assembly may perform the function of a focator that focuses light at a specific location, and the distance to the subject or the image distance may change significantly depending on the movement of the first lens assembly, resulting in a large change in magnification. In addition, the first lens assembly, which is a variable magnification, may play an important role in the change in the focal length or magnification of the optical system.

Meanwhile, the point of focus formed by the first lens assembly, which is a variable, may have a slight difference depending on the position. Accordingly, the second lens assembly can perform a position compensation function for the image formed by the variable. For example, the second lens assembly can perform a compensator function that accurately focuses the point of focus formed by the first lens assembly, which is a variable, on the actual image sensor position.

And the first lens assembly and the second lens assembly can be driven by an electromagnetic force due to the interaction between the coil and the magnet. The above-described content can be applied to the lens assembly described later. In addition, the first lens assembly to the second lens assembly can move along the optical axis direction. And the first lens assembly to the second lens assembly can move in a third direction independently or dependently on each other.

Further, the third lens assembly may be positioned at the front end of the first lens assembly or the rear end of the second lens assembly. That is, the third lens assembly may be positioned adjacent to the first camera actuator or adjacent to the image sensor. And the third lens assembly may be fixed.

In the present invention, the first lens assembly and the second lens assembly can move along the optical axis direction. And the third lens assembly can be located at the front end of the first lens assembly or the rear end of the second lens assembly. And the third lens assembly may not move in the optical axis direction. That is, the third lens assembly may be a fixed part. In addition, the first and second lens assemblies may be movable parts.

Meanwhile, when the actuator for OIS and the actuator for AF/Zoom are arranged according to an embodiment of the present invention, magnetic interference with the magnet for AF/Zoom can be prevented when the OIS is driven. Since the magnet of the first camera actuator (A1) is arranged separately from the second camera actuator (A2), magnetic interference between the first camera actuator (A1) and the second camera actuator (A2) can be prevented. In this specification, OIS may be used interchangeably with terms such as shake correction, optical image stabilization, optical image correction, and shake correction.

Based on the above-described background, reference may be made to FIGS. 3 to 9 for a specific description of the present invention. As described above, even if the names of the components mentioned in the specific description to be described later and the components described above are the same, the specific description to be described later may be implemented differently from what is presented in the drawings and drawings.

In addition, the camera actuator according to the embodiment of the present invention described in the drawings to be described later may have a configuration corresponding to the first camera actuator (A1) described above.

Specifically, FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining the overall structure of a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining a housing and a guide of a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining the rear configuration of a housing and a guide of a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining a recess of a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining the overall arrangement structure of a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining an elastic part of a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining a fitting part and a second protrusion of a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining an elastic part of a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining a fitting part and a second protrusion of a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 9, a camera actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a housing (100), a mover (200), a guide (300), a support unit (400), an elastic member (500), a first driving member (610), a second driving member (620), a third driving member (630), and a cover member.

Here, the housing (100) may include a first wall portion (110) and a second wall portion (120) spaced apart from each other, and a floor portion (130) disposed between the first wall portion (110) and the second wall portion (120).

At this time, the direction toward the first wall portion (110) and the second wall portion (120) is defined as the first direction, the up-down direction based on Fig. 3 is defined as the second direction, and the direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction is defined as the optical axis direction.

Meanwhile, the first wall portion (110) and the second wall portion (120) are spaced apart from each other in the first direction to form a space, and the floor portion (130) arranged between the first wall portion (110) and the second wall portion (120) can be arranged on the bottom surface in the second direction. In this case, the bottom surface can mean the lower side based on the up-down direction of Fig. 3.

Here, a first opening (111) may be formed in the first wall portion (110), a second opening (121) may be formed in the second wall portion (120), and a third opening (131) may be formed in the bottom portion (130). At this time, the first opening (111) and the second opening (121) may overlap in the second direction, and a first driving unit (610) may be arranged in the first opening (111), and a second driving unit (620) may be arranged in the second opening (121).

In addition, the third opening (131) is opened in the second direction, and a third driving unit (630) may be arranged in the third opening (131). Here, the first driving unit (610) and the second driving unit (620) may tilt the mover (200) about the second direction, and the third driving unit (630) may tilt the mover (200) about the first direction.

More specifically, although the first driving unit (610) and the second driving unit (620) are said to tilt the mover (200) about the second direction as an axis, this corresponds to tilting the mover (200) in the first direction, and although the third driving unit is said to tilt the mover (200) about the first direction as an axis, this may correspond to tilting the mover (200) in the second direction. In the drawings described below, tilting the mover (200) about the first direction or the second direction as an axis and tilting in the first direction or the second direction may be used interchangeably.

Meanwhile, the mover (200) is arranged between the first wall portion (110) and the second wall portion (120), and may be arranged so that its bottom surface faces the bottom portion (130) of the housing (100). In addition, an optical member (20) may be arranged on the inside of the mover (200), and a first partition wall (220) and a second partition wall (230) may be arranged on both sides of the optical member (20) in the first direction, extending from the bottom surface in the second direction to surround the optical member (20).

Here, a first space (221) may be formed that overlaps the first opening (111) in the first direction based on the first bulkhead (220) and is sunken from the outside to the inside of the first bulkhead (220). The first space (221) is arranged to overlap the first opening (111), and a first driving unit (610) may be arranged in the first space (221).

In addition, a second space (not shown) may be formed in the second bulkhead (230) similarly to the first opening (111). The second space (not shown) is arranged to overlap the second opening (121), and a second driving unit (620) may be arranged in the second space (not shown).

In addition, a third space (not shown) that is sunken inward from the bottom surface may be formed on the bottom surface of the mover (200) similarly to the first space (221) and the second space (not shown). The third space (not shown) is arranged to overlap with the third opening (131), and a third driving unit (630) may be arranged in the third space (not shown).

In addition, a groove (210) that is sunken inwardly may be formed on the rear surface of the mover (200), that is, on one surface facing the guide (300). The groove (210) may be formed so that its diameter narrows inwardly. In addition, the groove (210) may be formed to have at least two or more surfaces, and each surface may be arranged to have an incline relative to the other.

In addition, the innermost surface of the groove (210) in the sinking direction can be arranged parallel to the second direction, and each surface except the innermost surface of the groove (210) can have a polygonal shape.

In addition, the cross-section cut in the second direction of the groove (210) may have a polygonal shape when viewed from the optical axis direction. At this time, the cross-sectional shape of the cross-section cut in the second direction of the groove (210) when viewed from the optical axis direction may be a multiple of the number of contacting surfaces of each surface except for the innermost surface of the groove (210).

For example, if there are three lines of contact between each surface except the innermost surface of the home portion (210) as shown in FIG. 6, the cross-sectional shape of the second direction cut of the home portion (210) when viewed from the optical axis direction may be a hexagonal shape.

Meanwhile, the guide (300) is arranged between the first wall portion (110) and the second wall portion (120), and may be arranged relatively rearwardly relative to the mover (200) in the direction of the optical axis. In addition, the guide (300) and the mover (200) are arranged so that some of them are in contact, and the guide (300) may guide (300) the tilting of the mover (200).

More specifically, the guide (300) may include a frame (301), a first side wall (302), a second side wall (303), and a partition wall (310). Here, the frame (301) may be arranged to partially close the interior of the housing (100) in the optical axis direction, and may be arranged to be in contact with the first wall portion (110) and the second wall portion (120) in the first direction.

Additionally, the first side wall (302) and the second side wall (303) are arranged spaced apart from each other in the first direction and can extend in the optical axis direction from the frame (301). More specifically, they can extend from the frame (301) toward the inside of the housing (100).

Through this, the first wall portion (110) and the first side wall (302) are in contact, and the second wall portion (120) and the second side wall (303) are in contact, so that the guide (300) can be effectively fixed.

In addition, the bulkhead (310) may extend from the upper side to the lower side based on the second direction of the frame (301). In addition, it is positioned to protrude in the second direction relative to the frame (301), which may be for combination with the support unit (400) in the drawing described later.

In addition, the bulkhead (310) is divided into a first surface (311) facing the inside of the housing (100) and a second surface (312) facing the outside of the housing (100), and the bulkhead (310) may include a first protrusion (320) protruding toward the inside of the housing (100) in the optical axis direction on the first surface (311).

More specifically, the first side (311) may be a side facing the mover (200), and the second side (312) may be a side facing the support unit (400).

At this time, the first protrusion (320) can be inserted into the groove (210) and come into contact with each surface of the groove (210). This can have the effect of preventing the mover (200) from rolling in a direction other than the first direction or the second direction during the process of tilting based on the first protrusion (320).

Here, the length in the first direction of the bulkhead (310) may be formed shorter than the length in the first direction of the frame (301), so that a space open in the direction of the optical axis may be formed on both sides of the bulkhead (310). In addition, a first groove (313) in which a first magnetic body (M1) is arranged may be formed on the second surface (312) of the bulkhead (310), and the first groove (313) may be formed to be recessed inwardly of the bulkhead (310) on the second surface (312).

In addition, as illustrated in Fig. 5, a portion of the rear surface of the frame (301) in the optical axis direction, i.e., in the direction facing the support unit (400), may be formed to be sunken inward. A cover part may be attached to the sunken portion of the frame (301).

In addition, a space is formed inside the guide (300) due to the frame (301), the first side wall (302), the second side wall (303), and the bulkhead (310), and a support unit (400) can be placed inside.

In addition, the support unit (400) includes a first protrusion (420) that protrudes toward the mover (200) in the direction of the optical axis and a second protrusion (430) that is spaced apart from the first protrusion (420), and a partition wall (310) may be arranged between the first protrusion (420) and the second protrusion (430).

Through this arrangement and configuration, the mover (200) and the support unit (400) are arranged with the bulkhead (310) between them, the first protrusion (420) and the second protrusion (430) are combined with the mover (200), and the support unit (400) can also be tilted in response to the tilt of the mover (200).

In addition, the support unit (400) is formed with a second groove (not shown) that is sunken inward on the surface facing the bulkhead (310), and a second magnetic body (M2) can be placed in the second groove (not shown). That is, the first magnetic body (M1) and the second magnetic body (M2) can be placed facing each other.

Here, the first magnetic body (M1) and the second magnetic body (M2) are arranged so that their same poles face each other, and thus a repulsive force may be generated between the first magnetic body (M1) and the second magnetic body (M2). As a result, a repulsive force may be applied between the support unit (400) and the partition wall (310) to repel each other. In addition, the repulsive force caused by the first magnetic body (M1) and the second magnetic body (M2) provides a holding force so that one side of the support unit (400) can face the partition wall (310), and the same may be true for the mover (200) coupled with the support unit (400).

That is, the support unit (400) is positioned so as to face the bulkhead (310) by providing a holding force through the repulsive force of the first magnetic body (M1) and the second magnetic body (M2), and the mover (200) is coupled to the support unit (400), so that the groove (210) can receive a holding force so as to face the bulkhead (310).

Meanwhile, the support unit (400) is arranged in the internal space of the guide (300) as described above, and may be arranged to face the bulkhead (310). In addition, the support unit (400) may include a second protrusion (410) that protrudes from a surface opposite to the surface facing the bulkhead (310).

Here, the second protrusion (410) may be protruded to have at least one step in a direction away from the bulkhead (310). At this time, the second protrusion (410) may form a contact surface (411) due to the step. The contact surface (411) may be a surface parallel to the second direction.

In addition, the second protrusion (410) protrudes with at least one step in a direction away from the bulkhead (310), and if two or more steps are formed, at least one of them may have an incline. In addition, one end of the second protrusion (410) may protrude in the shape of a polygonal pillar.

Meanwhile, the elastic part (500) may include a body part (510), a fitting part (520), and a connecting part (530) as illustrated in Fig. 8. Here, the elastic part (500) may be positioned opposite to the mover (200) with the support unit (400) interposed therebetween, and may have the effect of preventing rolling of the mover (200). This will be described in more detail through the configuration and drawings described below.

First, the body part (510) can be positioned in a sunken portion at the rear of the frame (301) in the optical axis direction as described above, and can be arranged along the perimeter of the sunken portion of the frame (301). In addition, the interior can be open in the optical axis direction.

Here, a fitting part (520) is arranged on the inside of the body part (510), and the body part (510) and the fitting part (520) can be connected through a connecting part (530). The inside of the fitting part (520) is formed to be open in the direction of the optical axis, so that a second protrusion (410) can be inserted into the inside. In addition, the inside of the fitting part (520) has a polygonal cross-sectional shape, and the second protrusion (410) can be tilted and come into contact with the inner surface.

Meanwhile, the connecting portion (530) may include a first unit pattern (531) extending in a first direction from the body portion (510) and a second unit pattern (532) extending in a second direction. In addition, a third unit pattern (533) that does not correspond to the first unit pattern (531) and the second unit pattern (532) may be further included. Here, the first unit pattern (531), the second unit pattern (532), and the third unit pattern (533) may be arranged in the first direction.

This may be the case where a third unit pattern (533) is used after the first unit pattern (531), the second unit pattern (532), or there may be a pattern that is repeated only with the first unit pattern (531) and the second unit pattern (532), or there may be another pattern that is repeated only with either the first unit pattern (531) or the second unit pattern (532) and the third unit pattern (533), and it may not necessarily be limited to what has been mentioned.

That is, the first unit pattern (531), the second unit pattern (532), and the third unit pattern (533) can be arranged in the first direction regardless of the order and arrangement relationship. In addition, the first unit pattern (531) and the second unit pattern (532) can be arranged in the first direction essentially so that the inner surface of the body part (510) and the outer surface of the fitting part (520) are connected, and the third unit pattern (533) can be provided as needed.

Here, as an example of the third unit pattern (533), it may mean a pattern that is bent in the first direction as shown in FIG. 8, or a pattern that is bent in the reverse direction from the fitting portion (520) toward the body portion (510), or a pattern that is bent in the second direction, and may not necessarily be limited to what has been mentioned.

In this way, the outer circumference of the fitting part (520) and the inner surface of the body part (510) are connected to each other through the connecting part (530), and can be arranged to have elasticity due to the first unit pattern (531), the second unit pattern (532), and the third unit pattern (533) of the connecting part (530), which can support the support unit (400) that tilts in either the first direction or the second direction.

Here, the fitting part (520) is joined with the second protrusion (410) penetrating the inside, the fitting part (520) comes into contact with the contact surface (411) of the second protrusion (410), and when the support unit (400) rolls in a direction that does not correspond to either the first direction or the second direction, that is, around the first protrusion (320), rolling can be prevented by the elasticity of the elastic part (500).

Specifically, when tilted in a direction inclined to the optical axis direction that does not belong to the first direction and the second direction, a problem may occur in which light incident on the optical member (20) does not move in the optical axis direction. To prevent this, the fitting part (520) and the second protrusion (410) are in contact with each other to support each other, and the inner surfaces of the second protrusion (410) and the fitting part (520), which are formed at an angle to each other, are prevented from rolling by contacting each other.

In addition, the second protrusion (410) may be heat-welded to the fitting portion (520) to effectively prevent rolling by improving the bonding strength with the fitting portion (520). However, this is only one example for improving the bonding strength between the second protrusion (410) and the fitting portion (520), and may not necessarily be limited to what has been mentioned.

Meanwhile, the first driving unit (610), the second driving unit (620), and the third driving unit (630) can be utilized to transmit light incident on the optical member (20) in the direction of the optical axis by tilting the mover (200).

Here, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the first driving unit (610) may include a first coil (611), a first magnet (612), and a first Hall sensor (613), the second driving unit (620) may include a second coil (621), a second magnet (622), and a second Hall sensor (623), and the third driving unit (630) may include a third coil (631), a third magnet (632), and a third Hall sensor (633).

At this time, as described above, the first driving unit (610) may be placed in the first space (221), the second driving unit (620) may be placed in the second space (not shown), and the third driving unit (630) may be placed in the third space (not shown). In addition, the first driving unit (610) and the second driving unit (620) may be placed to overlap each other in the first direction.

More specifically, a first magnet (612) may be placed inside a first space (221), and a first coil (611) and a first Hall sensor (613) may be placed to face an outer surface of the first magnet (612). In addition, a second magnet (622) may be placed inside a second space (not shown), and a second coil (621) and a second Hall sensor (623) may be placed to face an outer surface of the second magnet (622). In addition, a third magnet (632) may be placed inside a third space (not shown), and a third coil (631) and a third Hall sensor (633) may be placed on an outer surface of the third magnet (632).

Here, the outer surface of the first magnet (612) and the outer surface of the second magnet (622) mean directions that are opposite to each other in the first direction, and specifically, may mean a surface facing away from the mover (200). In addition, the outer surface of the third magnet (632) may mean a surface facing away from the mover (200) in the second direction.

Due to this, the mover (200) can be tilted about the first direction as an axis by the electrical interaction between the first magnet (612) and the first coil (611), the electrical interaction between the second magnet (622) and the second coil (621), and the mover (200) can be tilted about the second direction as an axis by the electrical interaction between the third magnet (632) and the third coil (631).

In addition, the lengths of the first coil (611) and the second coil (621) may be provided to correspond to each other. However, the length of the third coil (631) may be provided to be longer than the first coil (611) and the second coil (621). In addition, the lengths of the first magnet (612) and the second magnet (622) may be provided to correspond to each other. However, the length of the third magnet (632) may be provided to be longer than the first magnet (612) and the second magnet (622).

And the first Hall sensor (613) may be arranged on the inside of the first coil (611), the second Hall sensor (623) may be arranged on the inside of the second coil (621), and the third Hall sensor (633) may be arranged on the inside of the third coil (631). In addition, since the third coil (631) is provided to be longer than the first coil (611) and the second coil (621), at least two or more third Hall sensors (633) may be provided and arranged in the first direction. That is, the third coil (631) and the third magnet (632) may be formed to be long in the first direction.

To explain one embodiment and another embodiment of the present invention by applying the configuration and features described above, reference may be made to FIGS. 10 to 12.

Specifically, FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating a tilting about an axis in a first direction of a camera actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a tilting about an axis in a second direction of a camera actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating a first protrusion and a groove portion of a camera actuator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

First, as shown in Fig. 10, when the mover (200) is tilted about the first direction as an axis, it is tilted by the third driving unit (630) and can be tilted about the first protrusion (320) as an axis. Here, the mover (200) is tilted, and the support unit (400) coupled with the mover (200) is also tilted in the same direction, and the second protrusion (410) can also be tilted in the same direction.

At this time, the upper or lower inner surface of the fitting part (520) coupled to the second protrusion (410) is in contact with the second protrusion (410), and a restoring force for returning to the original position can be applied to the second protrusion (410) and transmitted to the mover (200). In addition, when rolling in a direction inclined to the second direction rather than a direction with the first direction as an axis, rolling can be prevented by a restoring force due to the elasticity of the connecting part (530).

Similarly, as shown in Fig. 11, when the mover (200) is tilted about the second direction as an axis, it is tilted by the first driving unit (610) and the second driving unit (620), and can be tilted about the first protrusion (320) as an axis. Here, the mover (200) is tilted, and the support unit (400) coupled with the mover (200) is also tilted in the same direction, and the second protrusion (410) can also be tilted in the same direction.

At this time, the inner side of the fitting part (520) coupled to the second protrusion (410) and the second protrusion (410) come into contact, and a restoring force for returning to the original position can be applied to the second protrusion (410) and transmitted to the mover (200). In addition, when rolling in a direction inclined to the first direction rather than a direction with the second direction as an axis, rolling can be prevented by a restoring force due to the elasticity of the connecting part (530).

Here, the upper and lower parts of the inner surface of the fitting (520) may refer to parts based on the second direction, and the side parts may refer to parts based on the first direction.

In the case of tilting about the first direction as described above and in the case of tilting about the second direction as an axis, tilting can be performed based on the first protrusion (320), and this may be because the first protrusion (320) and the groove (210) are provided as a single unit. In addition, during this process, the groove (210) continuously maintains a state of being in close contact with the first protrusion (320), and this may be due to the repulsive force between the first magnetic body (M1) and the second magnetic body (M2).

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 12, a camera actuator according to another embodiment of the present invention may be provided with a groove (330) in a partition wall (310) and a first protrusion (240) in a mover (200).

Specifically, a groove (330) is arranged on a first surface (311) facing the support unit (400) and a second surface (312) facing the bulkhead (310), and a first protrusion (240) may be protruded from a surface facing the bulkhead (310) on the mover (200) toward the bulkhead (310).

In this case, the mover (200) tilts based on the home part (330) and may have the same effects and functions as described above.

Meanwhile, in both the first embodiment and the other embodiment of the present invention described above, only one first protrusion (240, 320) is arranged, and the groove (210, 330) is arranged to correspond to the first protrusion (320), and the first magnetic body (M1), the second magnetic body (M2), the groove (210, 330), and the first protrusion (240, 320) can be arranged to overlap in the optical axis direction.

Having described preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms in addition to the embodiments described above without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be considered as illustrative rather than restrictive, and accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the above description but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (10)

housing; A mover having an optical element arranged thereon and positioned within the housing; A guide disposed in the housing and in contact with the mover to guide tilting of the mover; A support unit that penetrates the above guide and is connected to the above mover; A first magnetic body arranged in the above guide; and Including a second magnetic body positioned on the support unit facing the first magnetic body, The above guide includes a first projection that contacts the mover, A camera actuator in which the first projection of the above guide is pressed against the mover by a repulsive force generated by the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body. In the first paragraph, The above guide, The housing comprises a first wall portion and a second wall portion spaced apart from each other, A camera actuator including a partition wall portion disposed between the support unit and the mover. In the second paragraph, The above bulkhead part, A camera actuator in which the first protrusion protrudes toward the mover from a surface opposite to the surface facing the support unit. In the third paragraph, The above mover, A camera actuator including a groove into which the first protrusion is inserted. In the third paragraph, A camera actuator further comprising an elastic member spaced apart from the support unit in the direction of the optical axis and coupled with the support unit and the guide. In paragraph 5, The above elastic part, A body part coupled with the above guide; A fitting portion arranged on the inside of the above body portion and coupled with the above support unit; and A camera actuator including a connecting portion connecting the above body portion and the above fitting portion. In Article 6, The above support unit is, A camera actuator including a second protrusion protruding away from the mover on a surface facing the elastic portion. In Article 7, The second protrusion above is, A camera actuator arranged to have a step and connected to the fitting. In the second paragraph, The above support unit is, a first protrusion protruding toward the mover in the direction of the optical axis; and Including a second protrusion spaced apart from the first protrusion, A camera actuator in which the partition wall is arranged between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. In the second paragraph, The above first magnetic body is arranged on one side of the bulkhead facing the support unit, The above second magnetic body is arranged on one side of the support unit facing the bulkhead, A camera actuator in which the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body overlap in the optical axis direction.

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