Camera module

An exemplary camera module includes a barrel and a holder. The holder includes an accommodating space defined therein. The barrel is received in the accommodating space of the holder. Independent grooves are formed in one of the outer cylindrical surface of the barrel and the inner cylindrical surface the holder. Stripe-shaped protrusions are formed on the other of the outer cylindrical surface of the barrel and the inner cylindrical surface the holder. Each stripe-shaped protrusion is engaged in a respective groove.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to optical imaging, and particularly to a camera module.

2. Description of Related Art

A typical fixed-focus camera module includes a holder and a barrel. In assembly, the barrel is inserted in the holder and is completely fixed with the holder via an adhesive. Accordingly, in operation, it is impossible to achieve focusing. Sometimes, the image taken by the fixed-focus camera module may be unclear.

Therefore, a new camera module is desired to overcome the above-mentioned problem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment will now be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, a camera module20according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. The camera module20includes a barrel201, a holder202, and a plurality of optical elements (e.g., lenses; not shown) received in the barrel201.

The barrel201is substantially a stepped cylinder. In other embodiments, the barrel201can be substantially a cylinder. The barrel201includes a central axis MN, and a plurality of grooves2014defined in the outer cylindrical surface2012. In the present embodiment, the barrel201includes three grooves2014. The three grooves2014are evenly distributed on the outer cylindrical surface2012. The grooves2014are independent from each other. Each groove2014extends obliquely relative to the central axis MN from an end surface2013at a first end of the barrel201to an opposite second end of the barrel201along the outer cylindrical surface2012.

The grooves2014are equidistant from each other on any cross section perpendicular to the central axis MN. Each groove2014is projected along the central axis MN of the barrel201to form an arc on a projection plane perpendicular to the central axis MN, and a central angle the arc subtends is less than 180 degrees.

The holder202has a central axis OP, a plurality of strip-shaped protrusions2024formed on the inner cylindrical surface2022, and an accommodating space2020. The accommodating space2020is a stepped through hole. In alternative embodiments, the accommodating space2020can be a cylindrical hole. In the present embodiment, the holder202includes three strip-shaped protrusions2024. Each protrusion2024is configured for engaging with a respective groove2014. The accommodating space2020is for partially receiving the barrel201. The protrusions2024are equidistant from each other on any cross section perpendicular to the central axis OP. Each protrusion2024is projected along the central axis OP of the holder202to form an arc on a projection plane perpendicular to the central axis OP, and a central angle the arc subtends is less than 180 degrees.

After the barrel201is coupled to the holder202, the complete outer cylindrical surface2012contacts the whole inner cylindrical surface2022. Accordingly, it is less likely that the barrel201will tilt relative to the holder202in assembly.

In assembly, one end of each groove2014is aligned with one end of a corresponding strip-shaped protrusion2024, the barrel201is rotated relative to the holder202until the barrel201is screwed into a proper position. In operation, the barrel201can be rotated relative to the holder202to achieve focusing.

In other embodiments, the total number of the recesses2014is not limited to three, and can be e.g., two, four. The plurality of recesses2014can be uniformly arranged on the outer cylindrical surface2012, or symmetrical about the central axis MN of the barrel201. The total number and the configuration of the protrusions2024depends on the number and the configuration of recesses2014.

It is to be understood that in alternative embodiments, the recesses2014can be formed in the inner cylindrical surface2022of the holder202, and the strip-shaped protrusions2024can be formed on the outer cylindrical surface2012of the barrel201.

While certain embodiment have been described and exemplified above, various other embodiment from the foregoing disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The present disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiment described and exemplified but is capable of considerable variation and modification without departure from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.