Camera module

A camera module includes a housing accommodating a lens module, and an aperture module coupled to an upper portion of the lens module. The aperture module includes a plurality of plates having an incident hole configured to change an amount of light incident on the lens module. At least one of the plurality of plates is configured to be driven by an interaction between a driving magnet provided in the aperture module and a driving coil provided on the housing opposing the driving magnet in a first direction substantially perpendicular to an optical axis direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

BACKGROUND

This application relates to a camera module.

2. Description of the Background

Recently, camera modules have been standardly adopted in portable electronic devices such as tablet PCs, notebooks, and the like, in addition to smartphones. In the case of a digital camera, a mechanical aperture may be provided to change an amount of incident light according to an imaging environment. However, in the case of a camera module used in a small product, such as a portable electronic device, it may be difficult to separately provide an aperture, due to structural features and space securing problems.

For example, due to various components for driving an aperture, the weight of a camera module may be increased. Thus, autofocusing or optical image stabilization functions may be reduced. Moreover, when a power connecting portion such as a coil for driving an aperture is provided in an aperture itself, a problem in which such a power connecting portion is caught by vertical movement of a lens during autofocusing may occur.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect, a camera module includes a housing accommodating a lens module and an aperture module coupled to an upper portion of the lens module. The aperture module includes a plurality of plates having an incident hole configured to change an amount of light incident on the lens module. At least one of the plurality of plates is configured to be driven by an interaction between a driving magnet provided in the aperture module and a driving coil provided on the housing opposing the driving magnet in first a direction substantially perpendicular to an optical axis direction.

The aperture module may further include a fixed portion having a base fixed to an upper portion of the lens module, and a protruding portion extended in the optical axis direction along an outer side of the lens module from the base, and a driving portion configured to be moved from the protruding portion in a second direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

The driving magnet may be disposed in the driving portion.

The camera module may further include a pulling yoke disposed on a portion of an outer side surface of the lens module opposing the driving magnet in the first direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

The pulling yoke may have a length greater than a length of the driving magnet in the second direction, and the pulling yoke may have a middle portion and ends, which each have an area greater than an area of the middle portion.

The camera module may further include a holding yoke disposed in each end of the protruding portion in the second direction.

The camera module may further include at least one ball bearing disposed between the fixed portion and the driving portion.

The at least one ball bearing may include two or more ball bearings and at least two of the ball bearings are spaced apart from each other in the optical axis direction and disposed in each of at least two portions, upwardly and downwardly.

A lower end of the protruding portion may include a protruding bump protruding upwardly in the optical axis direction, and a lower end of the driving portion may include a locking projection protruding downwardly in the optical axis direction to be caught by an inner side of the protruding bump.

The protruding bump and the locking projection may extend in the second direction.

The aperture module may include a cover coupled to an upper portion, and an additional plate, fixedly coupled to the aperture module, may be disposed between the plurality of plates and the cover.

The additional plate may include a passing hole, through which light passes, and the passing hole may have a diameter smaller than a relatively large diameter of a first hole formed by overlapping the plurality of plates in a first arrangement, and may have a diameter larger than a relatively small diameter of a second hole formed by overlapping the plurality of plates in a second arrangement.

The additional plate may be provided in the form of a plate and be antistatic treated.

The base may include a first projecting portion protruding in an optical axis direction, the at least one of the plurality of plates may be fitted to the first projecting portion to be rotated around the first projecting portion as a shaft, the driving portion may include a second projecting portion protruding in the optical axis direction, and the second projecting portion may be disposed in a guide hole having a hole shape elongated in a direction in the at least one of the plurality of plates.

The guide hole may include a first guide hole and a second guide hole disposed in respective plates of the at least one of the plurality of plates, wherein the elongated direction is inclined in the second direction, and the first guide hole and the second guide hole may be inclined with respect to each other.

In another general aspect, a camera module includes a housing accommodating a lens module and an aperture module coupled to an upper portion of the lens module, and including a plurality of plates having an incident hole to change an amount of light incident on the lens module. The housing includes four sides substantially parallel to an optical axis direction, wherein first and second driving coils configured to stabilize an optical image of the lens module, a third driving coil configured to autofocus the lens module, and a fourth driving coil configured to drive at least one of the plurality of plates are disposed on respective sides of the housing.

The aperture module may further include a fixed portion having a base fixed to the upper portion of the lens module, and a protruding portion extended in the optical axis direction along an outer side of the lens module from the base, and a driving portion disposed opposing the fourth driving coil in a first direction substantially perpendicular to an optical axis direction and configured to be moved from the protruding portion in a second direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction to drive the at least one of the plurality of plates.

In another general aspect, a camera module includes a lens module disposed in a housing, and an aperture module. The aperture module includes a fixed portion disposed on the lens module comprising a protruding portion extended in a first direction, a driving magnet, disposed on the protruding portion, and configured to move from the protruding portion in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a driving coil disposed on the housing and configured to move the driving magnet, plates disposed on the fixed portion and coupled to the driving magnet, wherein through holes in each of the plates overlap to form an incident hole and change a diameter of the incident hole based on movement of the driving magnet.

The plates may include a first plate and a second plate disposed on a first projecting portion of the fixed portion that are configured to rotate in opposite directions from each other around the first projecting portion as a shaft by movement of the driving magnet to a first end portion of the protruding portion in the second direction and to counter-rotate around the first projecting portion as a shaft by movement of the driving magnet to a second end portion of the protruding portion in the second direction, wherein the first plate and the second plate may each form a portion of an edge of the incident hole having a first diameter by the driving magnet being at the first end portion of the protruding portion and the first plate and the second plate may each form a portion of an edge of the incident hole having a second diameter greater than the first diameter by the driving magnet being at the second end portion of the protruding portion.

The aperture module may further include an additional plate, disposed above the aperture module, and including a passing hole having a third diameter greater than the first diameter and less than the second diameter through which light passes to the incident hole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples described herein provide a camera module capable of selectively changing an amount of light incident through an aperture module and capable of preventing autofocusing or optical image stabilization functions from being degraded, even when an aperture module is mounted thereon.

The examples described herein also provide a camera module capable of significantly reducing an increase in weight through application of an aperture module.

A camera module in the examples described herein may be mounted in a portable electronic device, such as a mobile communications terminal, a smart phone, a tablet PC, and the like.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of an example of a camera module,FIG. 2is an exploded perspective view of the example camera module ofFIG. 1, andFIG. 3is a perspective view of a portion of the example camera module ofFIG. 1.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 3, the camera module1000in the present example includes a lens module200, a carrier300, a guide portion400, an aperture module500, a housing110, and a case120.

The lens module200may include a lens barrel210having a plurality of lenses for imaging a subject, and a barrel holder220accommodating the lens barrel210. The plurality of lenses may be disposed in the lens barrel210along an optical axis. The lens module200may be accommodated in the carrier300to be moved in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis (a Z-axis), for example, in an X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction perpendicular to the optical axis and the X-axis direction.

The lens module200is configured to be moved in the optical axis direction for autofocusing. For example, due to an autofocusing portion, the lens module200may be moved in the optical axis direction together with the carrier300.

The autofocusing portion includes a magnet710, generating driving force in the optical axis direction, and a coil730. Moreover, a position sensor750, for example, a Hall sensor, may be provided to sense a position of the lens module200in an optical axis direction, that is, to sense a position of the carrier300in the optical axis direction.

The magnet710may be mounted in the carrier300. For example, the magnet710may be mounted on one side of the carrier300.

The coil730and the position sensor750are mounted in the housing110. For example, the coil730and the position sensor750may be fixed to the housing110to oppose the magnet710. The coil730and the position sensor750may be provided in a substrate900, and the substrate900may be mounted on the housing110.

The magnet710is a moving member, mounted on the carrier300and moving in the optical axis direction together with the carrier300, while the coil730and the position sensor750are fixed members, fixed to the housing110.

When power is applied to the coil730, due to the electromagnetic influence between the magnet710and the coil730, the carrier300may be moved in the optical axis direction. In addition, the position sensor750may sense a position of the carrier300in an optical axis direction.

The lens module200is accommodated in the carrier300, so, due to movement of the carrier300, the lens module200is also moved in the optical axis direction, together with the carrier300.

When the carrier300is moved, to reduce friction between the carrier300and the housing110, a rolling member B may be disposed between the carrier300and the housing110. The rolling member B may have a ball shape.

The rolling member B may be disposed on each of both sides of the magnet710(or the coil730).

A yoke may be mounted on the substrate900. For example, the yoke may be provided to oppose the magnet710with the coil730interposed therebetween.

Attractive force is applied in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction between the yoke and the magnet710. Thus, due to the attractive force between the yoke and the magnet710, the rolling member B may maintain a state of contact between the carrier300and the housing110.

Moreover, the yoke may serve to focus a magnetic force of the magnet710. Thus, occurrence of leakage flux may be prevented.

For example, the yoke and the magnet710may form a magnetic circuit.

To correct shaking of an image, caused by factors, such as user hand-shake, and the like, the lens module200may be moved in a first direction perpendicular to an optical axis, and a second direction perpendicular to the optical axis and the first direction.

For example, an optical image stabilizing portion may compensate for shake by giving a relative displacement, corresponding to shake, to the lens module200, when shake occurs during imaging due to user hand-shake.

The guide portion400is accommodated in the carrier300to be placed upwardly in the optical axis direction. In addition, a barrel holder220is placed in an upper portion of the guide portion400. Moreover, between the carrier300and the guide portion400in the optical axis direction and between the guide portion400and the barrel holder220in the optical axis direction, a ball member C, serving as a rolling bearing, may be provided.

When the lens module200is moved in the first direction and the second direction, perpendicular to the optical axis, the guide portion400is configured to guide the lens module200.

For example, the lens module200may move relatively in the first direction with respect to the guide portion400, while the guide portion400and the lens module200may be configured to be moved together in the second direction in the carrier300.

The optical image stabilizing portion includes a plurality of magnets810aand830agenerating driving force for optical image stabilization and a plurality of coils810band830b. Moreover, to sense a position of the lens module200in the first direction and the second direction, a plurality of position sensors810cand830c, for example, a Hall sensor, may be provided.

Among the plurality of magnets810aand830aand the plurality of coils810band830b, a portion of magnets, for example, the magnet810a, and a portion of coils, for example, the coil810bmay be disposed to oppose each other in the first direction to generate driving force in the first direction, while a remaining portion of magnets, for example, the magnet830aand a remaining portion of coils, for example, the coil830bmay be disposed to oppose each other in the second direction to generate driving force in the second direction.

The plurality of magnets810aand830aare mounted in the lens module200, while the plurality of coils810band830b, opposing the plurality of magnets810aand830a, and a plurality of position sensors810cand830care fixed to the housing110. For example, the plurality of coils810band830band the plurality of position sensors810cand830care provided in the substrate900, and the substrate900is mounted in the housing110.

The plurality of magnets810aand830aare moving members, moved in the first direction and the second direction, together with the lens module200, while the plurality of coils810band830band the plurality of position sensors810cand830care fixed members, fixed to the housing110.

In an example, a ball member C, supporting the guide portion400and the lens module200, is provided. The ball member C serves to guide the guide portion400and the lens module200during a process of optical image stabilization.

The ball member C may be provided between the carrier300and the guide portion400, between the carrier300and the lens module200, and between the guide portion400and the lens module200.

When driving force is generated in the first direction, the ball member C, disposed between the carrier300and the guide portion400, and between the carrier300and the lens module200, may move in a rolling motion in the first direction. Thus, the ball member C may guide movement of the guide portion400and the lens module200in the first direction.

In addition, when driving force is generated in the second direction, the ball member C, disposed between the guide portion400and the lens module200, and between the carrier300and the lens module200, may move in a rolling motion in the second direction. Thus, the ball member C may guide movement of the lens module200in the second direction.

The lens module200and the carrier300are accommodated in the housing110. For example, the housing110has a shape in which a top and a bottom are open, and the lens module200and the carrier300are accommodated in an internal space of the housing110.

A printed circuit board (not shown) on which an image sensor is mounted may be disposed in a lower portion of the housing110.

The case120may be coupled to the housing110to surround an external surface of the housing110, and may serve to protect an internal component of the camera module1000. Moreover, the case120may serve to shield electromagnetic waves.

For example, to prevent the electromagnetic waves, generated from the camera module1000, from affecting other electronic components in a portable electronic device, the case120may shield electromagnetic waves.

Moreover, as the portable electronic device is equipped with various electronic components other than the camera module1000, the case120may shield electromagnetic waves, such that electromagnetic waves, generated by the electronic components, do not affect the camera module1000.

The case120is formed of a material such as a metal, and thus may be grounded to a ground pad provided in a printed circuit board, thereby shielding electromagnetic waves.

The aperture module500is a device configured to selectively change an amount of light incident on the lens module200.

For example, referring toFIG. 4, in the example of an aperture module500shown inFIGS. 1-3, plates530and540, having a plurality of incident holes with different sizes, may be provided as a plurality of plates, for example, at least two plates. Depending on the imaging environment, light may be incident through one, among a plurality of incident holes with different sizes, formed by the plates530and540.

As described previously, the camera module1000in the examples disclosed herein, includes the housing110accommodating the lens module200and having a substantially rectangular box shape. Moreover, the aperture module500, coupled to an upper portion of the lens module200, and including plates530and540having incident holes with different diameters to change an amount of light incident on the lens module200, may be provided.

Thus, four sides of the housing110, parallel to an optical axis direction, are provided with two driving coils810band830bfor optical image stabilization, a driving coil730for autofocusing, and a driving coil521bof the driving portion520of the aperture module200, respectively.

FIG. 4is an exploded perspective view of an example aperture module in the portion of the camera module ofFIG. 3,FIG. 5Ais a perspective view of an example of a first plate provided in the aperture module ofFIG. 4,FIG. 5Bis a perspective view of an example of a second plate provided in the aperture module ofFIG. 4,FIGS. 6A and 6Bare reference views illustrating example arrangements in which the first plate, the second plate, and a third plate are disposed to overlap each other in the examples described herein,FIGS. 7A and 7Bare top perspective views of a portion of the example aperture ofFIG. 4illustrating an example of a state in which an aperture module is driven to change a diameter of an incident hole in the examples described herein,FIG. 8is a perspective view of a portion of the example of an aperture module ofFIG. 4, andFIG. 9is an exploded perspective view of an example of a fixed portion and a driving portion of the aperture module ofFIG. 4.

The aperture module500is coupled to an upper portion of the lens module200, and may be configured to selectively change an amount of light incident on the lens module200.

In a high light level environment, a relatively small amount of light is allowed to be incident on the lens module200by the aperture module500. In a low light level environment, a relatively large amount of light is allowed to be incident on the lens module200by the aperture module500. Thus, even in various illumination conditions, a quality of an image may be kept constant.

The aperture module500is configured to be coupled to the lens module200to be moved in the optical axis direction, the first direction, and the second direction together with the lens module200. In other words, during autofocusing and optical image stabilization, the lens module200and the aperture module500are allowed to be moved together, so that a distance therebetween is not changed.

Referring toFIG. 4, the aperture module500includes a fixed portion510, including a base511fixed to an upper portion of the lens module200and a protruding portion516extended from the base511along an outer side of the lens module200in an optical axis direction, and a driving portion520provided to be moved in the protruding portion516in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. In other words, the fixed portion510, fixed to an upper portion of the lens module200, and the driving portion520, movably supported by the fixed portion510, are included in the aperture module500.

In addition, in order to adjust a size of incident holes531and541due to movement of the driving portion520, a first plate530, a second plate540, and an aperture driving portion, for example, a driving magnet521aand a driving coil521b, are included in the aperture module500. Moreover, a position sensor521c, for example, a Hall sensor, sensing a position of the driving portion520may be provided on the housing110, for example, the position sensor521cmay be disposed on the substrate900coupled to the housing110.

Moreover, a cover550, covering the fixed portion510, the first plate530, and the second plate540, and having a through hole551on which light is incident, may be included.

In the examples of the aperture module500described herein, a third plate555, fixedly coupled to the base511of the fixed portion510, may be provided between the plurality of plates530and540and the cover550. The third plate555may be fixedly coupled to a rotating shaft, to which the plurality of plates530and540are fitted, a groove of the base511, or an upper surface of the base511, or the like.

A distance between the plates530and540and the cover550may be maintained due to the third plate555, and static electricity, and the like, may be prevented from occurring. The third plate555may be provided in the form of a plate, and may be antistatic treated. The plurality of plates530and540are antistatic treated, and may be used as an antistatic member. The third plate555may include a material the same as a material of the plates530and540. The third plate555may be in contact with the second plate540, located thereabove, when the plates530and540move.

Moreover, the third plate555is provided with the passing hole555a, through which light passes, and light, incident through the through hole551of the cover550, may pass therethrough.

In an alternative example of an aperture module500, a third plate555may not be separately provided. In this case, a separate member for maintaining a distance between the plates530and540and the cover550may be provided, or an inner side surface of the cover550may be antistatic treated.

Referring toFIGS. 5A and 5B, the first plate530is provided with the first incident hole531, and the second plate540is provided with the second incident hole541.

In addition, the first plate530is provided with the first guide hole533and the third guide hole535, while the second plate540is provided with the second guide hole543and the fourth guide hole545.

The first guide hole533and the second guide hole543are provided to have a circular shape, and the third guide hole535and the fourth guide hole545may be provided each having a shape elongated in a direction to be inclined with respect to each other. Moreover, inclined directions of the third guide hole535and the fourth guide hole545may be opposite to each other.

The first incident hole531and the second incident hole541may have a shape in which a plurality of through holes531a,531b,541a, and541bwith different diameters are connected to each other. The first incident hole531may have a shape in which through hole531awith a relatively large diameter and through hole531bwith a relatively small diameter are connected to each other. The second incident hole541may have a shape in which through hole541awith a relatively large diameter and through hole541bwith a relatively small diameter are connected to each other. For example, the first incident hole531may have an overall gourd (or a roly poly toy) shape, while the through holes531aand531b, may each have a rounded, distorted and rounded, or polygonal shape. The second incident hole541may have an overall gourd (or a roly poly toy) shape, while the through holes541aand541b, may each have a rounded, distorted and rounded, or polygonal shape.

Moreover, shapes of the first incident hole531and the second incident hole541may be opposite to each other. In other words, the first plate530and the second plate540may move around a first projecting portion513as a central axis in a rotating motion, while the first guide hole533and the second guide hole543are fitted to the first projecting portion513. In consideration of this, the first incident hole531and the second incident hole541may be provided to have approximately symmetrical shapes in a circumferential direction.

The first plate530and the second plate540are coupled to the base511to allow portions thereof to overlap each other in an optical axis direction, and may be configured to be moved by an aperture driving portion. For example, the first plate530and the second plate540may be configured to move in a rotating motion in opposite directions depending on movement of the driving portion520.

Moreover, portions of the first incident hole531and the second incident hole541may be configured to overlap each other in an optical axis direction. The portions of the first incident hole531and the second incident hole541overlap each other in the optical axis direction, thereby forming an incident hole through which light passes.

The portions of the first incident hole531and the second incident hole541overlap each other, thereby forming a plurality of incident holes having different diameters. For example, considering that the first incident hole531and the second incident hole541are formed to have a gourd (a roly poly toy) shape, respective portions of the first incident hole531(531a) and the second incident hole541(541a) having a larger diameter overlap each other to form an incident hole having a relatively large diameter d1(FIGS. 6A and 7A), and respective portions having a smaller diameter of the first incident hole531(531b) and the second incident hole541(541b) overlap each other to form an incident hole having a relatively small diameter d2(FIGS. 6B and 7B). In the present examples, the respective incident holes531a,541aand531b,541bmay have a rounded or polygonal shape depending on a shape of the first incident hole531and the second incident hole541.

Thus, depending on the imaging environment, through one among a plurality of incident holes with different sizes, light may be allowed to be incident.

The third plate555, fixed to the base511and not rotating, may be provided above the first plate530and the second plate540. In addition, the third plate555is provided with a passing hole555a.

The passing hole555a, provided in the third plate555, may be formed to be larger than a hole (D>d2), formed by overlapping through holes531band541b, having a smaller diameter, among incident holes531and541of the first plate530and the second plate540, and may be formed to be smaller than a hole (D<d1), formed by overlapping through holes531aand541a, having a larger diameter (FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B).

Thus, when the first plate530and the second plate540move and through holes531band541bhaving smaller diameters overlap each other to form a hole, a size of the passing hole555ais larger, so a maximum diameter in which light passes through holes531band541bformed by overlapping the first plate530and the second plate540may be provided. When the first plate530and the second plate540move and through holes531aand541ahaving larger diameters overlap each other to form a hole, a size of the passing hole555ais smaller, so a maximum diameter in which light passes through the passing hole555aof the third plate555may be provided. In the case of the latter, the passing hole555amay serve as an aperture (FIGS. 6B and 7B).

Referring toFIG. 7A, when the driving portion520moves relatively with respect to the fixed portion510in one direction A′, and the first plate530and the second plate540move in a rotating motion around the first projecting portion513as a shaft, portions of the first incident hole531and the second incident hole541, that is, through holes531aand541ahaving larger diameters overlap each other, so an incident hole having a relatively large diameter may be provided. Moreover, a size of a passing hole555aof the third plate555(shown in dashed lines) provided above the first plate530and the second plate540is smaller than a size of a hole formed by overlapping the first plate530and the second plate540. In this case, the passing hole555aof the third plate555may serve as an aperture.

Referring toFIG. 7B, when the driving portion520moves relatively with respect to the fixed portion510in the opposite direction A″ of the one direction A′ and the first plate530and the second plate540move in a rotating motion around the first projecting portion513as a shaft, portions of the first incident hole531and the second incident hole541, that is, through holes531band541bhaving smaller diameters overlap each other, so that an incident hole having a relatively small diameter may be provided.

Referring toFIGS. 8 to 10A and 11A, the aperture driving portion includes the driving portion520supported by the fixed portion510. For example, the fixed portion510includes a protruding portion516extending in an optical axis direction, and the driving portion520includes a holder522disposed on the protruding portion516to be moved in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction along one axis, and having a driving magnet521a, and a driving coil521bprovided in the housing110to oppose the driving magnet521a. Due to an electromagnetic interaction between the driving magnet521aand the driving coil521b, the driving portion520in which the driving magnet521ais fixedly mounted may move in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

The driving coil521bmay be provided in the substrate900(FIG. 2), and the substrate900may be fixed to the housing110. The substrate900may be electrically connected to a printed circuit board (not shown) attached to a bottom of the camera module1000.

The driving portion520is a moving member moving in an optical axis direction, a first direction, and a second direction together with the fixed portion510, while the driving coil521bis a fixed member fixed to the housing110.

The driving coil521b, providing driving force to the aperture module500, is disposed external to an outer side of the aperture module500, that is, in the housing110of the camera module, thereby reducing the weight of an overall aperture module500.

In other words, the driving coil521b, providing driving force to the aperture module500, is provided as a fixed member, so the driving coil521bdoes not move during autofocusing or optical image stabilization driving. Thus, an increase in weight of the lens module200due to application of the aperture module500may be significantly reduced.

Moreover, the driving coil521b, providing driving force to the aperture module500, is disposed in the housing110, a fixed member. Even when the lens module200and the aperture module500move during autofocusing and optical image stabilization, the driving coil521bof the aperture driving portion is not affected. Thus, an auto focusing function may be prevented from being degraded.

The fixed portion510is provided with the protruding portion516and a crossbar portion512in which the driving portion520is disposed. The protruding portion516may have a shape extended from the base511fixed to an upper portion of the lens module200in the optical axis direction.

The driving portion520includes a driving magnet521adisposed to oppose the driving coil521band a holder522to which the driving magnet521ais attached. The driving portion520is closely attached to the protruding portion516of the fixed portion510.

Moreover, in the barrel holder220of the lens module200, a pulling yoke225may be provided in a position opposing the driving portion520. Due to the attractive force between the pulling yoke225and the driving magnet521a, the driving portion520may move in a sliding motion while the driving portion is closely attached to the protruding portion516. Although not illustrated, the pulling yoke225may be provided in the fixed portion510. For example, the pulling yoke may be provided in the base511or the protruding portion516of the fixed portion510.

Moreover, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the pulling yoke225may be provided at both ends with an area larger than an area of a middle portion, for example, the pulling yoke225may even be provided as two separate members spaced apart from each other at regular intervals in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis direction.

Moreover, as illustrated inFIG. 7A, when the driving portion520is moved to a left side, the attractive force acting between the driving magnet521aand a left side of the pulling yoke225may be greater than the attractive force acting between the driving magnet521aand a right side of the pulling yoke225, so the driving portion520may be fixed to the left side.

In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 7B, when the driving portion520is moved to a right side, the attractive force acting between the driving magnet521aand a right side of the pulling yoke225may be greater than the attractive force acting between the driving magnet521aand a left side of the pulling yoke225, so the driving portion520may be fixed to the right side.

To allow the driving portion520to move easily, ball bearings571and573may be provided between the protruding portion516and the driving portion520. A first ball bearing571and a second ball bearing573may be spaced apart from each other in an optical axis direction and at least one may be provided upwardly or downwardly in each of at least two portions. For example, the first ball bearing571and the second ball bearing573may be provided as two ball bearings571upwardly in an optical axis direction and two ball bearings573downwardly in the optical axis direction as illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9.

Moreover, in the protruding portion516and the driving portion520, first to fourth guide grooves, into which the first ball bearing571and the second ball bearing573are inserted, may be provided. In detail, in the protruding portion516, a first guide groove516amay be provided in each of left and right sides to allow the first ball bearing571upwardly in the optical axis direction to be inserted thereinto, and a second guide groove516bmay be provided in each of left and right sides to allow the second ball bearing573downwardly in the optical axis direction to be inserted thereinto. Moreover, in the holder522of the driving portion520, a third guide groove522amay be provided to allow the first ball bearing571upwardly in the optical axis direction to be inserted thereinto, and a fourth guide groove522bmay be provided to allow the second ball bearing573downwardly in the optical axis direction to be inserted thereinto. Here, the first to fourth guide grooves516a,516b,522a, and522bmay be grooves in the lead-in form, provided in a member. However, if the first to fourth guide grooves516a,516b,522a, and522bare a space restraining a ball bearing to be moved in a rolling motion, the first to fourth guide grooves516a,516b,522a, and522bmay not have a groove shape.

Even when the driving portion520, for example, the holder522, is tightly supported on the protruding portion516by the pulling yoke225, the holder522and the protruding portion516may be spaced apart from each other by external force. Thus, a problem in which ball bearings571and573, for example, the second ball bearing573in a lower portion, may be separated from either the holder522or the protruding portion516or both the holder522and the protruding portion516, may occur.

Here, referring toFIG. 10A, in an example, to prevent the driving portion520from being separated from the protruding portion516, a device, allowing the driving portion520to be continuously in close contact with the protruding portion516, may be provided. In other words, a lower end of the protruding portion516is provided with a protruding bump516cprotruding upwardly in the optical axis direction, while a lower end of the driving portion520is provided with a locking projection522cprotruding downwardly in the optical axis direction to be caught by an inner side of the protruding bump516c. Due to the structure described above, the locking projection522cis caught by the protruding bump516c, and thus may not be spaced apart externally. Thus, the protruding portion516may be in close contact with the driving portion520, so the ball bearings571and573may not be separated externally.

Moreover, the protruding bump516cand the locking projection522care provided to be extended in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis direction, a direction in which the driving portion520moves, and may serve to guide movement of the driving portion520.

The fixed portion510, for example, the base511may be provided with the first projecting portion513simultaneously passing through the first guide hole533of the first plate530and the second guide hole543of the second plate540. Moreover, the first plate530and the second plate540move in a rotating motion around the first projecting portion513as a shaft.

Moreover, the holder522is provided with a second projecting portion523extending through the first plate530and the second plate540.

The second projecting portion523may be configured to pass through the third guide hole535of the first plate530and the fourth guide hole545of the second plate540.

The third guide hole535and the fourth guide hole545may be elongated to be inclined in a direction of movement of the driving portion520. In addition, inclined directions of the third guide hole535and the fourth guide hole545may be opposite to each other.

Thus, when the driving portion520moves along one axis, the second projecting portion523may move in the third guide hole535and the fourth guide hole545. According to movement of the second projecting portion523, the first plate530and the second plate540rotate around the first projecting portion513as a shaft, and thus may move toward the driving portion520or may move away from the driving portion520(FIGS. 7A and 7B). For example, inFIG. 7A, the holder522has moved to the left as indicated by arrow A′, the first plate530has rotated around the first projecting portion513away from the driving portion520according to movement of the second projecting portion523in the third guide hole535, and the second plate540has rotated around the first projecting portion513toward the driving portion520according to movement of the second projecting portion523in the fourth guide hole545. For example, inFIG. 7B, the holder522has moved to the right as indicated by arrow A″, the first plate530has rotated around the first projecting portion513toward the driving portion520according to movement of the second projecting portion523in the third guide hole535, and the second plate540has rotated around the first projecting portion513away from the driving portion520according to movement of the second projecting portion523in the fourth guide hole545.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 100are cross-sectional views of various alternative examples of the aperture module in the examples described herein.

As described previously, according to an example illustrated inFIG. 10A, due to the attractive force between the driving magnet521aand the pulling yoke225, the driving portion520may be in close contact with the fixed portion510, for example, the protruding portion516. Moreover, in an example, in addition to the pulling yoke225, to prevent the ball bearings571and573from being separated, the protruding bump516cof the fixed portion510and the locking projection522cof the driving portion520caught by an inner side of the protruding bump516cmay be provided. Thus, in an example, a structure, in which the driving portion520is able to be tightly coupled to the protruding portion516, may be doubly provided.

Here, in an example, as disclosed inFIG. 10B, a structure in which tight coupling of the driving portion520and the protruding portion516is implemented by the protruding bump516cof the fixed portion510and the locking projection522cof the driving portion520caught by an inner side of the protruding bump516cis also included. In this case, a pulling yoke225may not be provided.

Furthermore, in an example, as disclosed inFIG. 100, a structure, in which tight coupling of the driving portion520and the protruding portion516is only implemented by the attractive force between the driving magnet521aand the pulling yoke225, is also included. In this case, a protruding bump516cand a locking projection522cmay not be provided.

FIG. 11Ais a view illustrating an example of the locational relationship of a driving magnet, a pulling yoke, and a holding yoke,FIG. 11Bis a view illustrating an example of the locational relationship of a driving magnet and a pulling yoke, andFIG. 11Cis a view illustrating an example of the locational relationship of a driving magnet and a holding yoke.

As described previously, according to an example illustrated inFIG. 11A, due to the attractive force between the driving magnet521aand the pulling yoke225as well as the protruding bump516cof the fixed portion510and the locking projection522cof the driving portion520caught by an inner side of the protruding bump516c, the driving portion520may be doubly held in close contact with the fixed portion510, for example, the protruding portion516.

Moreover, in an example, as illustrated inFIG. 11A, the pulling yoke225is formed to have a length greater than a length of the driving magnet521ain a direction of movement of the driving portion520, and both ends of the pulling yoke225are provided to have an area larger than an area of a middle portion thereof. In addition, the protruding portion516may be provided with a holding yoke519at both ends of the driving magnet521ain the direction of movement of the driving portion520. Thus, a structure in which the driving portion520moves to a left or right side and is then fixed may be doubly provided by the pulling yoke225and the holding yoke519.

Here, in an example, as disclosed inFIG. 11B, a structure, in which the driving portion520moves to a left or right side and is then fixed, may be implemented by the pulling yoke225. In this case, a holding yoke519may not be provided.

Moreover, in an example, as disclosed inFIG. 11C, a structure, in which the driving portion520moves to a left or right side and is then fixed, may be implemented by the holding yoke519. In this case, the pulling yoke225may not be provided. Alternatively, even when the pulling yoke225is provided, the pulling yoke225may mainly serve to allow the driving portion520to be in close contact with the protruding portion516by the attractive force with the driving magnet521a.

Through the examples described herein, a camera module may selectively change an amount of light incident through an aperture module, prevent a level of an autofocusing function from being degraded even when an aperture module is mounted on a lens module, and significantly reduce an increase in weight on the lens module applied by the aperture module.

As set forth in the examples described herein, a camera module may significantly reduce an increase in weight of a driving portion even when an aperture module is mounted on a lens module and may optimize the placement of components, thereby maintaining autofocusing and optical image stabilization functions.