ELECTRONIC DEVICE COMPRISING CAMERA MODULE

An electronic device comprises: a printed circuit board comprising a ground portion; a camera comprising a lens facing a first direction; a camera housing including an opening in a first surface facing the first direction, and surrounding at least a portion of the camera; and a bracket electrically connected to the ground portion, and at least partially surrounding the camera housing. The camera housing comprises a bridge extending from the camera housing to a third surface of the bracket.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device including a camera module.

Description of Related Art

An electronic device may include a camera module for photographing a still image and/or a moving image. For example, the electronic device may include a front camera exposed to the front of the electronic device through an opening or a rear camera exposed through a rear cover. The electronic device may include a camera housing surrounding the camera. The camera housing may be grounded to shield electromagnetic waves emitted from the camera and electromagnetic waves reaching the camera housing from other electronic components.

The above-described information may be provided as a related art for the purpose of helping to understand the present disclosure. No assertion or determination is made as to whether any of the above-described information may be applied as a prior art related to the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

An electronic device according to an example embodiment may comprise: a printed circuit board, a camera, a camera housing, and a bracket. The printed circuit board may include a ground portion. The camera may include a lens. The lens may face a first direction. The camera housing may include an opening. The opening may be configured for the lens to be exposed toward the outside within a first surface facing the first direction. The camera housing may surround at least a portion of the camera. The bracket may include a third surface. The third surface may face away from a second surface of the camera housing, perpendicular to the first surface. The bracket may be electrically connected to the ground portion. The bracket may at least partially surround the camera housing. The camera housing may include a bridge. The bridge may extend from the camera housing to the third surface of the bracket.

An electronic device according to an example embodiment may comprise: a printed circuit board, a camera, a camera housing, an injection portion, and a connector. The printed circuit board may include a ground portion. The camera may include a lens. The camera may be disposed on the printed circuit board. The camera housing may surround at least a portion of the camera. The injection portion may be disposed inside the camera housing. The injection portion may surround at least a portion of the camera. The connector may extend from a portion of an inner surface of the camera housing, which is exposed through a groove of the injection portion, to the ground portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example electronic device 101 in a network environment 100 according to various embodiments.

The auxiliary processor 123 may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the main processor 121. Thus, the processor 120 may include various processing circuitry and/or multiple processors. For example, as used herein, including the claims, the term “processor” may include various processing circuitry, including at least one processor, wherein one or more of at least one processor, individually and/or collectively in a distributed manner, may be configured to perform various functions described herein. As used herein, when “a processor”, “at least one processor”, and “one or more processors” are described as being configured to perform numerous functions, these terms cover situations, for example and without limitation, in which one processor performs some of recited functions and another processor(s) performs other of recited functions, and also situations in which a single processor may perform all recited functions. Additionally, the at least one processor may include a combination of processors performing various of the recited/disclosed functions, e.g., in a distributed manner. At least one processor may execute program instructions to achieve or perform various functions.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram 200 illustrating an example configuration the camera module 180 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 2, the camera module 180 may include a lens assembly (e.g., including at least one lens) 210, a flash 220, an image sensor 230, an image stabilizer (e.g., including circuitry) 240, memory 250 (e.g., buffer memory), or an image signal processor (e.g., including circuitry) 260. The lens assembly 210 may collect light emitted or reflected from an object whose image is to be taken. The lens assembly 210 may include one or more lenses. According to an embodiment, the camera module 180 may include a plurality of lens assemblies 210. In such a case, the camera module 180 may form, for example, a dual camera, a 360-degree camera, or a spherical camera. Some of the plurality of lens assemblies 210 may have the same lens attribute (e.g., view angle, focal length, auto-focusing, f number, or optical zoom), or at least one lens assembly may have one or more lens attributes different from those of another lens assembly. The lens assembly 210 may include, for example, a wide-angle lens or a telephoto lens.

The flash 220 may emit light that is used to reinforce light reflected from an object. According to an embodiment, the flash 220 may include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) (e.g., a red-green-blue (RGB) LED, a white LED, an infrared (IR) LED, or an ultraviolet (UV) LED) or a xenon lamp. The image sensor 230 may obtain an image corresponding to an object by converting light emitted or reflected from the object and transmitted via the lens assembly 210 into an electrical signal. According to an embodiment, the image sensor 230 may include one selected from image sensors having different attributes, such as a RGB sensor, a black-and-white (BW) sensor, an IR sensor, or a UV sensor, a plurality of image sensors having the same attribute, or a plurality of image sensors having different attributes. Each image sensor included in the image sensor 230 may be implemented using, for example, a charged coupled device (CCD) sensor or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor.

The image stabilizer 240 may include various circuitry and move the image sensor 230 or at least one lens included in the lens assembly 210 in a particular direction, or control an operational attribute (e.g., adjust the read-out timing) of the image sensor 230 in response to the movement of the camera module 180 or the electronic device 101 including the camera module 180. This allows compensating for at least part of a negative effect (e.g., image blurring) by the movement on an image being captured. According to an embodiment, the image stabilizer 240 may sense such a movement by the camera module 180 or the electronic device 101 using a gyro sensor (not shown) or an acceleration sensor (not shown) disposed inside or outside the camera module 180. According to an embodiment, the image stabilizer 240 may be implemented, for example, as an optical image stabilizer. The memory 250 may store, at least temporarily, at least part of an image obtained via the image sensor 230 for a subsequent image processing task. For example, if image capturing is delayed due to shutter lag or multiple images are quickly captured, a raw image obtained (e.g., a Bayer-patterned image, a high-resolution image) may be stored in the memory 250, and its corresponding copy image (e.g., a low-resolution image) may be previewed via the display module 160. Thereafter, if a specified condition is met (e.g., by a user's input or system command), at least part of the raw image stored in the memory 250 may be obtained and processed, for example, by the image signal processor 260. According to an embodiment, the memory 250 may be configured as at least part of the memory 130 or as a separate memory that is operated independently from the memory 130.

The image signal processor 260 may include various circuitry and perform one or more image processing with respect to an image obtained via the image sensor 230 or an image stored in the memory 250. The one or more image processing may include, for example, depth map generation, three-dimensional (3D) modeling, panorama generation, feature point extraction, image synthesizing, or image compensation (e.g., noise reduction, resolution adjustment, brightness adjustment, blurring, sharpening, or softening). Additionally or alternatively, the image signal processor 260 may perform control (e.g., exposure time control or read-out timing control) with respect to at least one (e.g., the image sensor 230) of the components included in the camera module 180. An image processed by the image signal processor 260 may be stored back in the memory 250 for further processing, or may be provided to an external component (e.g., the memory 130, the display module 160, the electronic device 102, the electronic device 104, or the server 108) outside the camera module 180. According to an embodiment, the image signal processor 260 may be configured as at least part of the processor 120, or as a separate processor that is operated independently from the processor 120. If the image signal processor 260 is configured as a separate processor from the processor 120, at least one image processed by the image signal processor 260 may be displayed, by the processor 120, via the display module 160 as it is or after being further processed.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may include a plurality of camera modules 180 having different attributes or functions. In such a case, at least one of the plurality of camera modules 180 may form, for example, a wide-angle camera and at least another of the plurality of camera modules 180 may form a telephoto camera. Similarly, at least one of the plurality of camera modules 180 may form, for example, a front camera and at least another of the plurality of camera modules 180 may form a rear camera.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an example electronic device 101 according to various embodiments. FIG. 4 is a partial exploded perspective view of the electronic device 101 of FIG. 3 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the electronic device 101 according to an embodiment may include a housing 340, a printed circuit board 310, a camera module (e.g., the camera module 180 of FIG. 2), a camera housing 320, and a bracket 330. For example, the electronic device 101 may be a mobile terminal including a front camera and/or a rear camera, but is not limited thereto. The electronic device 101 may include one or more camera modules. According to an embodiment, the camera module 180 may include a camera 181 including a lens 210.

According to an embodiment, the housing 340 may form an exterior surface of the electronic device 101. For example, the housing 340 may include a support 344 configured to support components of the electronic device 101, a first plate 341 surrounding the support 344 and/or a second plate 342 coupled to the first plate 341 and disposed on the support 344. For example, the first plate 341 may be referred to as a side member forming side surfaces of the electronic device 101. For example, the support 344 may be referred to as a supporting portion extending from the first plate 341 toward an inside of the housing 340. For example, the first plate 341 and the support 344 may be integrated, but are not limited thereto. The camera module 180 and/or the printed circuit board 310 may be disposed on the support 344. The second plate 342 may face a first direction D1. The second plate 342 may include a camera decoration 342a for covering the camera module 180. Although not illustrated, the housing 340 may further include a third plate facing the second plate 342. For example, the third plate may face a fourth direction D4 opposite to the first direction D1.

According to an embodiment, the printed circuit board 310 may be disposed on a surface of the support 344 facing the first direction D1. For example, the printed circuit board 310 and the camera 181 may be disposed side by side on the support 344. For example, the printed circuit board 310 and the camera 181 may be electrically connected through electrical wires. The printed circuit board 310 may include a plurality of conductive layers and a plurality of non-conductive layers alternately laminated with the plurality of conductive layers. For example, the printed circuit board 310 may include a ground portion for grounding electronic components. The printed circuit board 310 may provide an electrical connection between various electronic components of the electronic device 101, using wires and conductive vias formed on the conductive layer. For example, the camera 181 may be electrically connected to a processor (e.g., the processor 120 of FIG. 1) through the printed circuit board 310.

According to an embodiment, the camera 181 may be disposed on the support 344. The camera 181 may include a lens 210 facing the first direction D1. FIG. 3 illustrates that the camera 181 faces the second plate 342 of the electronic device 101, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the first direction D1 may be a direction in which the second plate 342 faces or an opposite direction to a direction in which the second plate 342 faces. The camera 181 may include one or more lenses. For example, the lens 210 may collect light emitted from a subject that is a target of an image capture. For example, the lens 210 may include a wide-angle lens or a telephoto lens, but is not limited thereto. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may include a plurality of cameras disposed at different positions. Although not illustrated, the camera 181 may further include an actuator for driving the lens 210 and/or an image sensor (e.g., the image sensor 230 of FIG. 2).

According to an embodiment, the camera housing 320 may surround at least a portion of the camera 181. For example, the camera housing 320 may be referred to as a shield can. Referring to FIG. 4, the camera housing 320 may include a first surface 321 facing the first direction D1 and a second surface 322 substantially perpendicular to the first surface 321. The camera 181 may be disposed within a space surrounded by the first surface 321 and the second surface 322. The camera housing 320 may include an opening 323 for a lens 210 exposed toward an outside of the camera housing 320 within the first surface 321. A portion of the lens 210 may pass through the opening 323. For example, the lens 210 may be exposed from an inside of the camera housing 320 through the opening 323 to an outside of the first surface 321 of the camera housing 320 facing the first direction D1. The lens 210 may be configured to collect light emitted from a subject by being exposed to the outside of the camera housing 320 through the opening 323. According to an embodiment, the camera housing 320 may protect the camera 181 accommodated therein. The camera housing 320 may shield electromagnetic waves emitted from other electronic components (e.g., an antenna module) of the electronic device 101 from reaching the camera 181. The camera housing 320 may be configured to shield electromagnetic waves emitted from the camera 181.

According to an embodiment, the bracket 330 may at least partially surround the camera housing 320. The bracket 330 may be fixed to the support 344 and/or the printed circuit board 310 to fix a position of the camera 181 at a designated position within the housing 340. For example, the bracket 330 may include an accommodating space 330a for surrounding at least a portion of the camera 181. The camera housing 320 may be disposed within the accommodating space 330a.

As various electronic components (e.g., speaker, microphone, or antenna) are disposed in the electronic device 101, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of the camera 181 may be required. For example, in the housing 340, an antenna module (e.g., the antenna module 197 of FIG. 1) may be adjacent to the camera 181. When a transmission signal transmitted from an antenna module to an external electronic device is coupled to the camera 181 adjacent to the antenna module, malfunction of some components (e.g., image sensor and/or actuator) of the camera 181 may occur. For example, when electromagnetic waves emitted during operations of some components (e.g., image sensor and/or actuator) of the camera 181 is induced to an antenna module adjacent to the camera 181, performance (e.g., sensitivity) of the antenna module may be degraded. According to an embodiment, the camera housing 320 surrounding at least a portion of the camera 181 may be required to be electrically grounded to shield electromagnetic waves emitted from the camera 181 and shield electromagnetic waves emitted from other electronic components from reaching the camera 181. Enhancing the grounding performance of the camera housing 320 may improve electromagnetic interference (EMI) and/or electromagnetic susceptibility (EMS). When the camera housing 320 is directly connected to a ground portion of the printed circuit board 310, a separate connecting member (e.g., a connector including, for example, a c-clip or conductive tape) may be required for an electrical connection between the camera housing 320 and the ground portion. For example, when the camera housing 320 is electrically connected to the ground portion through the separate connecting member, an internal short may occur due to separation of the connecting member.

According to an embodiment, the camera housing 320 surrounding at least a portion of the camera 181 may be grounded for EMC of the camera 181 via the bracket 330. For example, the bracket 330 may be connected to a ground portion of the printed circuit board 310 and/or a ground region of the support 344. The camera housing 320 at least partially surrounded by the bracket 330 may be connected to the bracket 330. According to an embodiment, the camera housing 320 may include a bridge (e.g., the bridge 324 of FIG. 5A) for being connected to the bracket 330. The bridge 324 may be implemented as a portion of the camera housing 320, rather than as a separate connecting member independent of the camera housing 320. The camera housing 320 electrically connected to the ground region may shield electromagnetic waves reaching the camera 181 from other electronic components, and/or electromagnetic waves emitted from the camera 181. As the camera housing 320 is grounded, electromagnetic interference between the camera 181 and other electronic components (e.g., speaker, microphone, or antenna) within the electronic device 101 may be reduced. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may reduce malfunctions and/or degradation of signal quality due to noise, by reducing electromagnetic interference.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view illustrating an example camera housing 320 according to various embodiments. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example process of forming an example camera housing 320 according to various embodiments. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an example electronic device 101 taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 3 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the camera housing 320 may include a first surface 321 and a second surface 322 substantially perpendicular to the first surface 321. The second surface 322 may extend substantially perpendicularly with respect to the first surface 321 from a periphery 321a of the first surface 321. An opening 323 may be formed in the first surface 321. A camera (e.g., the camera 181 of FIG. 4) may be disposed within a space surrounded by the first surface 321 and the second surface 322. The space surrounded by the first surface 321 and the second surface 322 may be exposed to the outside of the camera housing 320 through the opening 323. At least a portion of a lens (e.g., the lens 210 of FIG. 4) of the camera 181 may be exposed to the outside of the camera housing 320 through the opening 323.

According to an embodiment, the camera housing 320 may include at least one bridge 324. Referring to FIG. 5B, the bridge 324 may be formed during a process of forming the opening 323 of the first surface 321. States 501, 502, and 503 of FIG. 5B schematically illustrate the first surface 321 of the camera housing 320 in the process of forming the camera housing 320 including the bridge 324.

For example, the state 501 indicates a top view of the camera housing 320 before the opening 323 is formed. Before the opening 323 is formed, the first surface 321 may close the internal space.

The state 502 indicates a top view of the camera housing 320 in a state that an opening 323 is formed by processing a portion of the first surface 321. For example, the opening 323 may be formed by a press method of punching a portion of the first surface 321, but is not limited thereto. In the process of forming the opening 323, the bridge 324 extending from a portion of a periphery 323a of the opening 323 within the first surface 321 toward a center of the opening 323 may be formed. For example, the opening 323 may be formed by leaving the bridge 324 in the first surface 321 and removing a remaining portion.

According to an embodiment, the bridge 324 may be one or more. For example, the camera housing 320 may include a pluralidty of bridges 325a, 325b, 325c, and 325d formed along the periphery 323a of the opening 323. The plurality of bridges 325a, 325b, 325c, and 325d may be symmetrical to each other. For example, the camera housing 320 may include four bridges 325a, 325b, 325c, and 325d that are symmetrical to each other with respect to the center of the opening 323. For example, the four bridges 325a, 325b, 325c, and 325d may be disposed to be orthogonal to each other at 90 degrees. For example, a first bridge 325a and a third bridge 325c may face each other. For example, a second bridge 325b and a fourth bridge 325d may face each other. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. When the plurality of bridges 325a, 325b, 325c, and 325d are disposed symmetrically, the area for grounding the camera housing 320 may increase, so the grounding effect of the camera housing 320 may be improved.

The state 503 indicates a top view of the camera housing 320 in a state that the bridge 324 is folded toward the outside of the camera housing 320. In the state 502, the bridge 324 may extend from the periphery 323a of the opening 323 toward the center of the opening 323. A portion of the bridge 324 may be folded toward the outside of the camera housing 320 so that the bridge 324 is contacted with a bracket (e.g., the bracket 330 of FIG. 6) at least partially surrounding the camera housing 320. The folded portion of the bridge 324 may be referred to as a bending portion (e.g., the bending portion 324a of FIG. 6).

According to an embodiment, the bridge 324, which was extended toward the center of the opening 323, may be folded to face the outside of the camera housing 320. The bridge 324 may be extended toward the bracket 330 through the bending portion 324a and may be contacted with the bracket 330. The camera housing 320 may be electrically connected to a ground portion that is electrically connected to the bracket 330, through the bridge 324 contacted with the bracket 330.

Referring to FIG. 6, the bracket 330 may include a third surface 331 faced away from the second surface 322. The third surface 331 being faced away from the second surface 322 may refer to a structure in which a direction in which the third surface 331 faces is opposite to a direction in which the second surface 322 faces, and the third surface 331 is spaced apart from the second surface 322. The bracket 330 may be electrically connected to a ground portion of the printed circuit board 310. The bridge 324 may be folded from a portion of the periphery 323a of the opening 323 formed in the first surface 321 toward the periphery 321a of the first surface 321, thereby contacting with the third surface 331.

According to an embodiment, the bridge 324 may extend from a portion of the periphery 323a of the opening 323 to the third surface 331 faced away from the second surface 322. The third surface 331 may be referred to as an inner surface of the bracket 330 facing the camera housing 320. For example, a gap g may be formed between the second surface 322 of the camera housing 320 and the third surface 331 of the bracket 330. The bridge 324 may extend to the third surface 331 through the gap g between the second surface 322 and the third surface 331. As the bridge 324 is contacted with the third surface 331 of the bracket 330, the camera housing 320 and the bracket 330 may be electrically connected. Since the bracket 330 is electrically connected to the ground portion of the printed circuit board 310, the camera housing 320 may be electrically connected to the ground portion of the printed circuit board 310 through the bracket 330 contacted with the bridge 324.

According to an embodiment, the bridge 324 may include a bending portion 324a. The bending portion 324a may be formed at an end portion of the bridge 324. The end potion of the bridge 324 may be referred to as a portion that contacts a portion of the periphery 323a of the opening 323. If the bending portion 324a protrudes toward the opening 323 when folded, it may affect the lens 210 passing through the opening 323. In order to prevent and/or reduce the bending portion 324a from interfering with the lens 210, the first surface 321 of the camera housing 320 may include a cut portion (e.g., the cut portion 321b of FIG. 5A) cut out from a portion of the periphery 323a of the opening 323, in which the bridge 324 extends, toward the periphery 321a of the first surface 321. For example, the cut portion 321b may extend from a portion of the periphery 323a of the opening 323 toward the periphery 321a of the first surface 321 with a width corresponding to a width of the bridge 324. A length of the cut portion 321b may be less than or equal to a length between the periphery 323a of the opening 323 and the periphery 321a of the first surface 321. When the bending portion 324a is folded, the cut portion 321b may form the bending portion 324a, so the bending portion 324a may be disposed on the outside of the opening 323. According to an embodiment, since the bending portion 324a is disposed on the outside of the opening 323, interference between the bending portion 324a and the lens 210 may be reduced.

According to an embodiment, the bending portion 324a may be bent from a portion of the periphery 323a of the opening 323 in a third direction D3 that is opposite to a second direction D2 toward the lens 210 passing through the opening 323. The bridge 324 may extend toward the bracket 330 disposed on the outside of the camera housing 320, through the bending portion 324a. According to an embodiment, the bridge 324 may include the bending portion 324a, a first portion 324-1, and a second portion 324-2. The first portion 324-1 may extend from the bending portion 324a in the third direction D3. The second portion 324-2 may extend from the first portion 324-1 with an inclination with respect to the first portion 324-1. For example, the second portion 324-2 may extend in a direction between the third direction D3 and a fourth direction D4 opposite to the first direction D1. For example, the second portion 324-2 may extend to a gap g between the second surface 322 and the third surface 331 and may contact the third surface 331. The camera housing 320 may be electrically connected to a ground portion, via the bridge 324 contacted with the third surface 331 of the bracket 330 electrically connected to the ground portion. The camera housing 320 electrically connected to the ground portion may be configured to shield electromagnetic waves reaching the camera 181 from other electronic components, and/or electromagnetic waves emitted from the camera 181.

According to an embodiment, the bridge 324 may be disposed between the camera housing 320 and the bracket 330 to fix the camera housing 320 within the bracket 330. For example, the bridge 324 may have elasticity. For example, the camera housing 320 may include an elastic material (e.g., stainless steel). The bridge 324 extending from the camera housing 320 may include the same material as the camera housing 320. For example, the bridge 324 may have a width capable of providing elasticity. The camera housing 320 within the bracket 330 may be coupled to the bracket 330 by the elasticity of the bridge 324. When the camera housing 320 is coupled into the bracket 330, the bridge 324 may be compressed to be less than or equal to a gap g between the bracket 330 and the camera housing 320. After the camera housing 320 is inserted within the bracket 330, the camera housing 320 may be supported by the restoring force of the bridge 324. The bridge 324 may be configured to support the camera housing 320 with respect to the bracket 330.

According to an embodiment, since the camera housing 320 may be coupled to the bracket 330 by utilizing the elasticity of the bridge 324, the stress applied to the camera housing 320 may be reduced. For example, when the camera housing 320 is inserted into the bracket 330 through at least one protrusion formed on a side surface of the camera housing 320 (e.g., force-fitting), the camera 181 within the camera housing 320 may continuously receive stress applied from the protrusion. Since the camera 181 has at least one circuit that is vulnerable to damage, it may be damaged by continuously applied stress. In order to protect the camera 181 having a sensitive circuit, the bridge 324 may be configured to reduce the stress due to coupling by supporting the camera housing 320 using elasticity. According to an embodiment, since the bridge 324 extends from the first surface 321 of the camera housing 320, the stress due to the elastic force of the bridge 324 may be transferred to the first surface 321 of the camera housing 320. Since the stress due to the elastic force of the bridge 324 may be transferred to the first surface 321 when the bridge 324 supports the camera housing 320 with respect to the bracket 330, the stress applied to the camera 181 disposed inside the camera housing 320 may be reduced.

According to an embodiment, the bracket 330 may include a groove 332 formed within the third surface 331. The bridge 324 may include an inserting portion 324b inserted within the groove 332. For example, the groove 332 may be recessed into the interior of the bracket 330 from the third surface 331. A shape of the inserting portion 324b may correspond to a shape of the groove 332. When the camera housing 320 is coupled into the bracket 330, a position of the inserting portion 324b may correspond to a position of the groove 332. The camera housing 320 may be fixed within the bracket 330 through the inserting portion 324b inserted within the groove 332. The inserting portion 324b may prevent and/or suppress the camera housing 320 from being separated from the bracket 330. The contact area of the bridge 324 and the bracket 330 may be increased through the inserting portion 324b and the groove 332 that are contacted with each other. As the contact area of the bridge 324 and the bracket 330 is increased, an electrical connection between the camera housing 320 and the bracket 330 may be improved, so the grounding effect of the camera housing 320 may be improved.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views illustrating the camera housing 320 illustrated in FIG. 6 being coupled to a bracket 330 according to various embodiments.

According to an embodiment, the shape of the bridge 324 may be different according to a coupling direction of the camera housing 320 and the bracket 330.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the camera housing 320 including the bridge 324 including the first portion 324-1 and the second portion 324-2 described above may be coupled to the bracket 330 in the first direction D1. In the gap g between the second surface 322 and the third surface 331, the second portion 324-2 may extend in a direction between the third direction D3 and the fourth direction D4. Since the second portion 324-2 has an incline with respect to the first portion 324-1, when an end 324-2a of the second portion 324-2 connected to the first portion 324-1 is inserted into the bracket 330 before another end 324-2b of the second portion 324-2, the camera housing 320 may be naturally coupled into the bracket 330. After the end 324-2a of the second portion 324-2 is first inserted into the bracket 330, when the camera housing 320 is pushed into the bracket 330 in the first direction D1, the second portion 324-2 may be naturally compressed and inserted into the bracket 330. The other end 324-2b of the second portion 324-2 may be contacted with the third surface 331 of the bracket 330. When the groove 332 is formed in the bracket 330, at least a portion of the second portion 324-2 may be inserted into the groove 332. After the second portion 324-2 is fully inserted into the bracket 330, the camera housing 320 may be supported relative to the bracket 330 by the elastic force of the bridge 324. The camera housing 320 of the above structure may be naturally inserted into the bracket 330 when it is coupled into the bracket 330 in the first direction D1.

Referring to FIG. 7B, when the camera housing 320 including the bridge 324 including the first portion 324-1 and the second portion 324-2 is coupled to the bracket 330 in the fourth direction D4, the other end 324-2b of the second portion 324-2 may be inserted into the bracket 330 before the end 324-2a of the second portion 324-2. In order to form the elastic force of the bridge 324 inside the bracket 330, the position of the bridge 324 may be designed to be tightly coupled to the internal space of the bracket 330. When the other end 324-2b of the second portion 324-2 is inserted into the bracket 330 before the first end 324-2a of the second portion 324-2, the other end 324-2b may be positioned on the outside of the opening 323 (e.g., in the third direction D3). When the camera housing 320 of the above structure is coupled in the fourth direction D4, the bridge 324 may be damaged by being caught on the opening 323, or insertion of the camera housing 320 may be difficult.

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of an example electronic device 101 taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 3 according to various embodiments. FIGS. 8B and 8C are cross-sectional views illustrating the camera housing 320 illustrated in FIG. 8A being coupled to a bracket 330 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the bridge 324 may include a bending portion 324a, a first portion 324-1, a second portion 324-2, and a third portion 324-3. A structure of the bridge 324 illustrated in FIG. 8A may be a structure suitable for the camera housing 320 to be coupled to the bracket 330 in the fourth direction D4.

According to an embodiment, the second portion 324-2 may extend from the first portion 324-1 to a point between the second surface 322 and the third surface 331. The second portion 324-2 may extend to a gap g between the second surface 322 and the third surface 331 without contacting the third surface 331 of the bracket 330. The third portion 324-3 may extend from the second portion 324-2 in a direction between the first direction D1 and the third direction D3, and may contact the third surface 331. For example, the third portion 324-3 may extend from an end 324-3a connected to the second portion 324-2 to another end 324-3b. The third portion 324-3 may contact the third surface 331 of the bracket 330, or, when a groove 332 is formed in the bracket 330, at least a portion of the third portion 324-3 may be inserted into the groove 332 of the bracket 330. An angle between the second portion 324-2 and the third portion 324-3 may be an acute angle (e.g., the angle A of FIG. 8A). Since the third portion 324-3 is bent relative to the second portion 324-2, the bridge 324 may include a bending portion between the bent portion 324a and the second portion 324-2 and the third portion 324-3.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the camera housing 320 including the bridge 324 including the bending portion 324a, the first portion 324-1, the second portion 324-2, and the third portion 324-3 may be coupled to the bracket 330 in the fourth direction D4. Since the third portion 324-3 extends in a direction between the first direction D1 and the third direction D3, when the end 324-3a of the third portion 324-3 connected to the second portion 324-2 is inserted into the bracket 330 before the other end 324-3b of the third portion 324-3, the camera housing 320 may be naturally coupled into the bracket 330. For example, before the camera housing 320 is coupled into the bracket 330, the end 324-3a of the third portion 324-3 may be positioned inward of the third surface 331 of the bracket 330 (e.g., in the second direction D2). When the end 324-3a of the third portion 324-3 is first inserted into the bracket 330 and then the camera housing 320 is pushed into the bracket 330 in the fourth direction D4, the second portion 324-2 and the third portion 324-3 may be naturally compressed and inserted into the bracket 330. For example, the other end 324-3b of the third portion 324-3 may be contacted with the third surface 331 of the bracket 330. When a groove 332 is formed in the bracket 330, at least a portion of the third portion 324-3 may be inserted into the groove 332. After the second portion 324-2 and the third portion 324-3 are fully inserted into the bracket 330, the camera housing 320 may be supported by the bracket 330 by the elastic force of the bridge 324. The camera housing 320 of the above structure may be naturally inserted into the bracket 330 when it is coupled into the bracket 330 in the fourth direction D4.

Referring to FIG. 8C, when the camera housing 320 including the bridge 324 including the bending portion 324a, the first portion 324-1, the second portion 324-2, and the third portion 324-3 is coupled to the bracket 330 in the first direction D1, the other end 324-3b of the third portion 324-3 protruding toward the outside of the camera housing 320 may be positioned on the outside of the third surface 331 of the bracket 330 (e.g., the third direction D3). When the camera housing 320 is pressed in the first direction D1 in a state that a portion of the third portion 324-3 is positioned on the outside of the third surface 331, the bridge 324 may be damaged by being caught on the opening 323, or insertion of the camera housing 320 may be difficult.

According to an embodiment, a shape of the bridge 324 may vary according to a coupling direction of the camera housing 320 and the bracket 330. For example, when the camera housing 320 is required to be coupled to the bracket 330 in the first direction D1, the bridge 324 may include the first portion 324-1 and the second portion 324-2. For example, when the camera housing 320 is required to be coupled to the bracket 330 in the fourth direction D4, the bridge 324 may include the first portion 324-1, the second portion 324-2, and the third portion 324-3. According to an embodiment, the camera housing 320 is not limited to a specific coupling direction and may have a bridge 324 with a suitable structure according to the coupling direction.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an example camera housing 320 according to various embodiments. FIGS. 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views of an example electronic device 101 including the camera housing 320 of FIG. 9 taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 3 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 9, 10A, and 10B, the bridge 324 may extend from the second surface 322 of the camera housing 320. For example, the second surface 322 may extend substantially perpendicularly to the first surface 321. A direction in which the second surface 322 extends may be a fourth direction D4 opposite to a first direction D1 in which the first surface 321 faces. The bridge 324 may extend from a portion of the other end 322b of the second surface 322 opposite to the end 322a of the second surface 322 connected to the first surface 321, in a direction between the first direction D1 and the third direction D3. The other end 322b may be referred to as an end of the fourth direction D4 of the second surface 322.

According to an embodiment, the bridge 324 may extend from a portion of the other end 322b of the second surface 322 to the third surface 331 of the bracket 330. The bridge 324 may connect the camera housing 320 and the bracket 330. The camera housing 320 may be electrically connected to a ground portion of the printed circuit board 310 through the bracket 330. The bridge 324 formed on the portion of the other end 322b of the second surface 322 may support the camera housing 320 relative to the bracket 330 in the gap g between the second surface 322 and the third surface 331. When the camera housing 320 is inserted into the bracket 330, the bridge 324 having elasticity may be inserted in a compressed state. In the bracket 330, the bridge 324 may be coupled, by restoring force, between the third surface 331 of the bracket 330 and the second surface 322 of the camera housing 320.

According to an embodiment, the force by which the bridge 324 supports the camera housing 320 may be provided to an end of the camera housing 320. For example, the stress applied to the camera housing 320 by the elastic force of the bridge 324 may be transferred to the other end 322b of the second surface 322 of the camera housing 320. When the bridge 324 supports the camera housing 320 relative to the bracket 330, the stress due to the elastic force of the bridge 324 may be transferred to the other end 322b of the second surface 322, so the stress applied to the camera 181 disposed inside the camera housing 320 may be reduced. According to an embodiment, since at least one circuit inside the camera 181 may receive less stress due to the elastic force of the bridge 324, damage to the at least one circuit may be reduced.

According to an embodiment, a shape of the bridge 324 may vary according to a coupling direction of the camera housing 320 and the bracket 330. Referring to FIG. 10A, the bridge 324 may include the first portion 324-1. The first portion 324-1 may extend from a portion of the other end 322b of the second surface 322 in a direction between the first direction D1 and the third direction D3. The first portion 324-1 may extend to the gap g between the second surface 322 and the third surface 331 and may contact the third surface 331. When a groove 332 is formed in the bracket 330, at least a portion of the first portion 324-1 may be inserted into the groove 332.

The camera housing 320 of the structure illustrated in FIG. 10A may be coupled to the bracket 330 in the fourth direction D4. When the camera housing 320 is coupled to the bracket 330 in the fourth direction D4, an end portion 324-1a of the first portion 324-1 connected to the second surface 322 may be inserted into the bracket 330 earlier than another end portion 324-1b of the first portion 324-1 opposite to the end portion 324-1a. Since the other end portion 324-1b is positioned further outward from the camera housing 320 than the end portion 324-1a, when the camera housing 320 is inserted into the bracket 330 in the fourth direction D4, the first portion 324-1 may be naturally compressed toward the camera housing 320 by the bracket 330. For example, the other end portion 324-1b may be inserted into the groove 332 of the bracket 330. In a state that the camera housing 320 is fully inserted into the bracket 330, the bridge 324 may support the camera housing 320 relative to the bracket 330.

Referring to FIG. 10B, the bridge 324 may include a first portion 324-1 and a second portion 324-2. The first portion 324-1 may extend from a portion of the other end portion 322b of the second surface 322 in a direction between the first direction D1 and the third direction D3. The second portion 324-2 may extend from the first portion 324-1 in a direction between the third direction D3 and the fourth direction D4 and may contact the third surface 331. When the groove 332 is formed in the bracket 330, at least a portion of the second portion 324-2 may be inserted into the groove 332. An angle between the first portion 324-1 and the second portion 324-2 may be an acute angle (e.g., the angle B of FIG. 10B). Since the second portion 324-2 is bent relative to the first portion 324-1, the bridge 324 may include a bent portion between the first portion 324-1 and the second portion 324-2.

The camera housing 320 of the structure illustrated in FIG. 10b may be coupled to the bracket 330 in the first direction D1. When the camera housing 320 is coupled to the bracket 330 in the first direction D1, an end portion 324-2a of the second portion 324-2 connected to the first portion 324-1 may be inserted into the bracket 330 earlier than another end portion 324-2b of the second portion 324-2 spaced from the first portion 324-1. Since the other end portion 324-2b is positioned further outward from the camera housing 320 than the end portion 324-2a, when the camera housing 320 is inserted into the bracket 330 in the first direction D1, the bridge 324 may be naturally compressed toward the camera housing 320 by the bracket 330. For example, the other end portion 324-2b may be inserted into the groove 332 of the bracket 330. In a state that the camera housing 320 is fully inserted into the bracket 330, the bridge 324 may support the camera housing 320 relative to the bracket 330.

According to an embodiment, the camera housing 320 having the bridge 324 extending from a portion of the other end portion 322b of the second surface 322 may be electrically connected to a ground portion of a printed circuit board 310 through the bracket 330. The camera housing 320 electrically connected to the ground portion may shield electromagnetic waves reaching the camera 181 from other electronic components and/or electromagnetic waves emitted from the camera 181 within the camera housing 320. Through the bridge 324, the camera housing 320 may be fixed within the bracket 330. Since the bridge 324 is formed on a portion of the other end portion 322b of the second surface 322, the stress applied to the camera housing 320 may not be transferred to the camera 181 but may be transferred to the other end portion 322b of the second surface 322. According to an embodiment, damage to the camera 181 due to the stress may be reduced. According to an embodiment, a shape of the bridge 324 may be different according to a coupling direction of the camera 181.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view illustrating an example camera housing 320 being connected to a printed circuit board 310 according to various embodiments. FIG. 11B is a perspective view illustrating an example camera housing 320 being connected to a support 344. FIG. 11C is a diagram illustrating an example process of forming an example camera housing 320 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 11A, the camera housing 320, which is disposed within the bracket 330, may be directly connected to the printed circuit board 310. According to an embodiment, the bridge 324 may pass through the bracket 330 and extend to a ground portion of the printed circuit board 310. When the bridge 324 is connected to the ground portion, the camera housing 320 may be electrically connected to the ground portion through the bridge 324.

According to an embodiment, the bracket 330 may include a through hole 333. The through hole 333 may be formed on a side surface of the bracket 330. For example, the through hole 333 may be formed on a side surface of the bracket 330 adjacent to the printed circuit board 310. The bridge 324 extending from the first surface 321 of the camera housing 320 may pass through the through hole 333. For example, the bridge 324 may have a length that passes between the camera housing 320 and the bracket 330 and extends through the through-hole 333. The bridge 324 exposed through the through hole 333 may be connected to the ground portion of the printed circuit board 310. For example, the bridge 324 may be connected to the ground portion through a conductive connecting member (e.g., c-clip) for electrical connection. Since the bridge 324 is connected to the ground portion, the camera housing 320 may be directly grounded, without passing through the bracket 330. The grounded camera housing 320 may shield electromagnetic waves reaching the camera 181 from other electronic components and/or electromagnetic waves emitted from the camera 181 disposed inside the camera housing 320.

Referring to FIG. 11B, the camera housing 320 disposed within the bracket 330 may be directly connected to a ground region of the support 344. According to an embodiment, the bridge 324 may extend through the bracket 330 to the ground region of the support 344. When the bridge 324 is connected to the ground region, the camera housing 320 may be electrically connected to the ground portion through the bridge 324.

According to an embodiment, the bracket 330 may include a through hole 333. The through hole 333 may be formed on a side surface of the bracket 330. For example, the through hole 333 may be formed on a side surface of the bracket 330 adjacent to the ground region of the support 344. The bridge 324 extending from the first surface 321 of the camera housing 320 may pass through the through hole 333. For example, the bridge 324 may have a length that passes between the camera housing 320 and the bracket 330 and extends through the through hole 333. The bridge 324 exposed through the through hole 333 may be connected to the ground region of the support 344.

According to an embodiment, the bracket 330 may include a protruding portion 334 into which a screw 350 is inserted. For example, the protruding portion 334 may be contacted with the through hole 333. The screw 350 may penetrate the bridge 324 and the protruding portion 334, and may be inserted into the grounding region. Since the screw 350 penetrates the bridge 324 and the protruding portion 334, the camera housing 320 may be electrically connected to the grounding region. For example, the screw 350 may include a conductive material (e.g., metal), and the bridge 324 may be electrically connected to the ground region through the screw 350. Since the bridge 324 is connected to the ground region through the screw 350, the camera housing 320 may be directly grounded without passing through the bracket 330. The grounded camera housing 320 may shield electromagnetic waves reaching the camera 181 from other electronic components and/or electromagnetic waves emitted from a camera (e.g., the camera 181 of FIG. 6) disposed inside the camera housing 320. The screw 350 may fix the bracket 330 to the support 344. Since the screw 350 may penetrate the protruding portion 334 and be inserted into the support 344, the bracket 330 may be fixed at a designated position on the support 344.

According to an embodiment, in order for the bridge 324 to pass through the bracket 330 and be connected to the printed circuit board 310 and/or the support 344, it may be required to secure a length of the bridge 324. Since the length of the bridge 324 may be limited by the opening 323, in order to secure the length of the bridge 324, the bridge 324 may be formed to have the longest length within the opening 323.

1101 of FIG. 11C illustrates a first surface 321 when the camera housing 320 is viewed from above. 1102 of FIG. 11C illustrates a side surface of the camera housing 320. Referring to 1101 of FIG. 11C, the bridge 324 may extend from a portion of the periphery 323a of the opening 323 toward a center of the opening 323. In order for the bridge 324 to be formed to be the longest in the opening 323, the bridge 324 may be formed between two points that are farthest apart from each other in the periphery 323a of the opening 323. For example, a portion of the periphery within the first surface 321 where the bridge 324 is formed may be positioned at a corner C of the opening 323. For example, the bridge 324 may be formed between two points diagonally crossing the opening 323, but is not limited thereto. Referring to 1102 of FIG. 11C, the length of the bridge 324 may be formed relatively long. The elongated bridge 324 may have a length that may pass through a through-hole (e.g., the through-hole 333 of FIG. 11A) of a bracket (e.g., the bracket 330 of FIG. 11A) and extend to the printed circuit board 310 and/or the support 344. According to an embodiment, when the camera housing 320 is directly connected to the printed circuit board 310 and/or the support 344, the grounding effect of the camera housing 320 may be enhanced. Since the camera housing 320 may shield electromagnetic waves emitted from the camera 181, the influence of the camera 181 on other electronic components may be reduced. Since the camera housing 320 may shield electromagnetic waves reaching the camera 181 from other electronic components, malfunctions of the camera 181 may be reduced.

FIG. 12A is a perspective view illustrating the camera housing 320 illustrated in FIG. 11A or 11B being coupled to a bracket 330 in a first direction D1 according to various embodiments. FIG. 12B is a perspective view illustrating the camera housing 320 illustrated in FIG. 11A or 11B being coupled to a bracket 330 in a direction opposite to the first direction D1 according to various embodiments. FIG. 12C is a perspective view illustrating the camera housing 320 illustrated in FIG. 10B being coupled to a bracket 330 in a fourth direction D4 opposite to the first direction D1 according to various embodiments.

According to an embodiment, a position of the through hole 333 of the bracket 330 may be different based on a direction in which the camera housing 320 is coupled to the bracket 330 or a position in which the bridge 324 is formed.

Referring to FIG. 12A, the camera housing 320 may be inserted into the bracket 330 in the first direction D1. The bridge 324 may extend from a portion of the periphery 323a of the opening 323. When the camera housing 320 is coupled to the bracket 330 in the first direction D1, the through hole 333 may be formed at a corner 330b in a direction opposite to the direction in which the camera housing 320 is inserted within the side surface of the bracket 330, in order to correspond to the bridge 324 extending from a portion of the periphery 323a of the opening 323. For example, the through hole 333 may be formed along a portion of the corner 330b in the fourth direction D4, which is opposite to the first direction D1, within the side surface of the bracket 330. For example, the through hole 333 may extend from a portion of the corner 330b of the fourth direction D4 within the side surface of the bracket 330 to the first direction D1. The bridge 324 may be exposed to the outside of the bracket 330, through the through hole 333. The bridge 324 passing the through hole 333 may be electrically connected to a printed circuit board (e.g., the printed circuit board 310 of FIG. 4) and/or a support (e.g., the support 344 of FIG. 4). When the camera housing 320 includes a plurality of bridges 324, the bracket 330 may include a plurality of through holes 333 corresponding to each of the plurality of bridges 324. The plurality of through holes 333 may be formed along a portion of the corner 330b of the fourth direction D4 within the side surface of the bracket 330, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 12B, the camera housing 320 may be inserted into the bracket 330 in the fourth direction D4. The bridge 324 may extend from a portion of the periphery 323a of the opening 323. When the camera housing 320 is coupled to the bracket 330 in the fourth direction D4, the through hole 333 may be formed in the corner 330c in a direction opposite to the direction in which the camera housing 320 is inserted within the side surface of the bracket 330, in order to correspond to the bridge 324 extending from a portion of the periphery 323a of the opening 323. For example, the through hole 333 may be formed along a portion of the corner 330c in the first direction D1, which is opposite to the fourth direction D4, within the side surface of the bracket 330. For example, the through hole 333 may extend from a portion of the corner 330c in the first direction D1 within the side surface of the bracket 330, toward the fourth direction D4. The bridge 324 may be exposed to the outside of the bracket 330, through the through hole 333. The bridge 324 passing the through hole 333 may be electrically connected to the printed circuit board 310 and/or the support 344. When the camera housing 320 includes a plurality of bridges 324, the bracket 330 may include a plurality of through holes 333 corresponding to each of the plurality of bridges 324. The plurality of through holes 333 may be formed along a portion of the corner 330c of the first direction D1 within the side surface of the bracket 330, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 12C, the camera housing 320 may be inserted into the bracket 330 in the fourth direction D4. The bridge 324 may be extended from the second surface 322 of the camera housing 320. For example, the bridge 324 may be extended from a portion of the other end portion 322b of the second surface 322 opposite to the end portion 322a of the second surface 322 connected to the first surface 321. When the camera housing 320 is coupled to the bracket 330 in the fourth direction D4, the through hole 333 may be formed in the corner 330c in a direction opposite to the direction in which the camera housing 320 is inserted within the side surface of the bracket 330, in order to correspond to the bridge 324 extending from a portion of the other end portion 322b of the second surface 322. For example, the through hole 333 may be formed along a portion of the corner 330c in the first direction D1, which is opposite to the fourth direction D4, within the side surface of the bracket 330. For example, the through hole 333 may extend from a portion of the corner 330c in the first direction D1 within the side surface of the bracket 330, toward the fourth direction D4. The bridge 324 may be exposed to the outside of the bracket 330, through the through hole 333. The bridge 324 passing the through hole 333 may be electrically connected to a printed circuit board (e.g., the printed circuit board 310 of FIG. 4) and/or a support (e.g., the support 344 of FIG. 4). When the camera housing 320 includes a plurality of bridges 324, the bracket 330 may include a plurality of through holes 333 corresponding to each of the plurality of bridges 324. The plurality of through holes 333 may be formed along a portion of the corner 330c of the first direction D1 within the side surface of the bracket 330, respectively. According to an embodiment, when the bridge 324 passes through the through hole 333 and is connected to the printed circuit board 310 and/or the support 344, a position of the through hole 333 may be determined based on a coupling direction of the camera housing 320 relative to the bracket 330 and/or a position of the bridge 324. FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C are examples, and various embodiments may be possible.

FIG. 13A is an exploded perspective view of an example camera 181 and camera housing 320 according to various embodiments. FIG. 13B is a perspective view illustrating an injection portion 326 of an example camera housing 320 according to various embodiments. FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view of an example electronic device 101 taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 3 according to various embodiments. FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of a portion X of FIG. 14A according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, the camera housing 320 may include an injection portion 326 and a connecting member 328. For example, the injection portion 326 may be disposed inside the camera housing 320. For example, the injection portion 326 may be contacted with an inner surface of the camera housing 320. The injection portion 326 may be configured to support one or more components of the camera module 180 inside the camera housing 320. For example, the injection portion 326 may at least partially surround the inner surface of the camera housing 320. For example, the injection portion 326 may support a lens 210 positioned inside the camera housing 320 and/or an actuator (not illustrated) for driving the lens 210, and may protect the lens 210 and/or the actuator. For example, the injection portion 326 may include a non-conductive material (e.g., polymer).

According to an embodiment, the camera housing 320 at least partially surrounding the camera 181 and the injection portion 326 may include an opening for the camera 181. For example, referring to FIG. 13A, a first opening 323 for the lens 210 exposed to the outside of the camera housing 320 may be formed in the first surface 321 of the camera housing 320. For example, referring to FIG. 13B, the injection portion 326 may include a second opening 326a for electrical connection between the camera 181 and a printed circuit board (e.g., the printed circuit board 310 of FIG. 14A). The second opening 326a may be formed on a surface (e.g., bottom surface) of the injection portion 326 opposite the first surface 321. For example, the first surface 321 may be a surface facing the first direction D1. For example, the injection portion 326 may form at least a portion of a surface facing the fourth direction D4.

According to an embodiment, the connecting member 328 may electrically connect the camera housing 320 to a ground portion of a printed circuit board 310 (e.g., printed circuit board 310 of FIG. 14A). The camera housing 320 may be grounded via the connecting member 328. Referring to FIG. 13B, the connecting member 328 may be positioned within a groove 327 of the injection portion 326. For example, the groove 327 may be formed by cutting a portion of the injection portion 326 from a periphery of the second opening 326a toward an inner surface of the camera housing 320.

For example, the groove 327 may include a plurality of grooves 327a, 327b, and 327c that are spaced apart from each other. As illustrated in FIG. 13B, the groove 327 may include a first groove 327a, a second groove 327b, and/or a third groove 327c that are spaced apart from each other, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. Since the injection portion 326 contacts the inner surface of the camera housing 320, the inner surface of the camera housing 320 contacted with the injection portion 326 may not be exposed by the injection portion 326. Since the groove 327 is formed by cutting a portion of the injection portion 326, a portion of the inner surface of the camera housing 320 may be exposed through the groove 327.

For example, the connecting member 328 may be positioned within the groove 327. The connecting member 328 may include a plurality of connecting members 328 that contact a plurality of portions of the inner surface of the camera housing 320 exposed through the plurality of grooves 327a, 327b, and 327c. For example, the connecting member 328 may include a first connecting member 328a positioned within the first groove 327a, a second connecting member 328b positioned within the second groove 327b, and/or a third connecting member 328c positioned within the third groove 327c, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, positions and numbers of the grooves 327 and the connecting members 328 may vary according to the size of the camera module 180 and the design of the electronic device 101.

Referring to FIG. 14A, the camera housing 320 may be electrically connected to the ground portion of the printed circuit board 310 through the connecting member 328. For example, the camera 181 and the camera housing 320 may be disposed on the printed circuit board 310. For example, the connecting member 328 may extend from the inner surface of the camera housing 320 exposed through the groove 327 to the ground portion of the printed circuit board 310. Although not illustrated, the ground portion may include a ground layer of the printed circuit board 310. Since the groove 327 is formed by cutting a portion of the injection portion 326, a portion of the inner surface of the camera housing 320 corresponding to the groove 327 may not be covered by the injection portion 326. The camera housing 320 may be electrically connected to the ground portion through the connecting member 328 that contacts the inner surface of the camera housing 320 exposed through the groove 327 and the ground portion of the printed circuit board 310. The connecting member 328 may include a conductive material (e.g., metal) to electrically connect the camera housing 320 and the ground portion. For example, the connecting member 328 may be implemented as a portion of a c-clip, but is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 14B, the connecting member 328 that contacts the inner surface of the camera housing 320 and the ground portion of the printed circuit board 310, may not be exposed to the outside of the camera housing 320. For example, the connecting member 328 may be overlapped with the camera housing 320 by extending from a portion the inner surface of the camera housing 320 exposed through the groove 327 within the camera housing 320. The connecting member 328 being overlapped with the camera housing 320 may indicate that the connecting member 328 is positioned entirely inside the camera housing 320, without a portion positioned outside the camera housing 320. For example, a shape of the connecting member 328 may be a shape having an approximately semicircular cross-section, unlike a shape of a typical c-clip having an approximately circular cross-section, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the connecting member 328 may have a partially bent shape.

According to an embodiment, since the connecting member 328 electrically connects the camera housing 320 and the ground portion within the camera housing 320, a region of the printed circuit board 310 for the connecting member 328 exposed to the outside of the camera housing 320 may not be required. For example, when a portion of the connecting member 328 is positioned outside the camera housing 320, a region of the printed circuit board 310 for soldering the portion of the connecting member 328 exposed to the outside of the camera housing 320 to the printed circuit board 310 may be required. Since the region of the printed circuit board 310 for the soldering is required, a size of the printed circuit board 310 may be increased. According to an embodiment, since the connecting member 328 extends inside the camera housing 320 and is positioned inside the housing 320, the camera housing 320 may be electrically connected to the ground portion without increasing the size of the printed circuit board 310. According to an embodiment, since the camera housing 320 is directly grounded to the ground region through the connecting member 328, the grounding performance of the camera housing 320 may be enhanced.

According to an example embodiment, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 101 of FIG. 3) may comprise a printed circuit board (e.g., the printed circuit board 310 of FIG. 6), a camera (e.g., the camera 181 of FIG. 6), a camera housing (e.g., the camera housing 320 of FIG. 6), and a bracket (e.g., the bracket 330 of FIG. 6). The printed circuit board may include a ground portion. The camera may include a lens (e.g., the lens 210 of FIG. 6). The lens may face a first direction. The camera housing may include an opening (e.g., the opening 323 of FIG. 6). The opening may be configured to expose the lens to the outside of a first surface (e.g., first surface 321 of FIG. 6) of the camera housing facing the first direction. The camera housing may surround at least a portion of the camera. The bracket may include a third surface (e.g., the third surface 331 of FIG. 6). The third surface may face away from a second surface (e.g., the second surface 322 of FIG. 6) of the camera housing perpendicular to the first surface. The bracket may be electrically connected to the ground portion. The bracket may at least partially surround the camera housing. The camera housing may further include a bridge (e.g., the bridge 324 of FIG. 6). The bridge may extend from the camera housing to the third surface of the bracket.

According to an example embodiment, the bridge may extend from a portion of a periphery (e.g., the periphery 323a of FIG. 5A) of the opening to the third surface of the bracket. The bridge may include a bending portion (e.g., the bending portion 324a of FIG. 6). The bending portion may be bent from the portion toward a third direction opposite to a second direction toward the lens passing through the opening. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the camera housing may be electrically connected to a ground portion through a bridge. The bridge may contact a bracket electrically connected to the ground portion. As the camera housing is electrically connected to the ground portion, the camera housing may be grounded. Since the camera housing surrounds at least a portion of the camera, it may be configured to shield electromagnetic waves reaching the camera from other electronic components and/or electromagnetic waves emitted from the camera. As the camera housing is grounded, electromagnetic interference between the camera and other electronic components (e.g., speaker, microphone, or antenna) within the electronic device may be reduced. According to an embodiment, the electronic device may reduce malfunctions and/or degradation of signal quality due to noise by reducing electromagnetic interference. The bridge for grounding the camera housing may fasten the camera housing to the bracket by supporting the camera housing with respect to the bracket. Since the bridge extends from a periphery of the opening within the first surface, the stress generated by supporting the camera housing may not be transferred to the camera inside the camera housing, but may transferred to the first surface. According to an embodiment, the stress applied to the camera within the camera housing may be reduced.

According to an example embodiment, the camera housing may be electrically connected to the ground portion, through the bridge contacted with the third surface of the bracket, which is electrically connected to the ground portion. According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the bridge may electrically connect the camera housing and the bracket by contacting the bracket. Since the bracket is electrically connected to the ground portion, the camera housing may be grounded through the bracket. According to an example embodiment, the camera housing may be grounded through a structure of the camera housing without a separate connecting member (e.g., c-clip or conductive tape) for grounding the camera housing.

According to an example embodiment, the bridge may extend to the third surface through a gap (e.g., the gap g of FIG. 6) between the second surface of the camera housing and the third surface of the bracket. According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, a gap may be formed between the camera housing and the camera. The bridge may support the camera housing relative to the bracket by extending through the gap. In the gap between the second surface and the third surface, the bridge may fix the camera housing within the bracket.

According to an example embodiment, the bridge may include a first portion (e.g., the first portion 324-1 of FIG. 6) and a second portion (e.g., the second portion 324-2 of FIG. 6). The first portion may extend from the bending portion in the third direction. The second portion may extend from the first portion in a direction between the third direction and a fourth direction opposite to the first direction. The second portion may be contacted with the third surface.

According to an example embodiment, at least a portion of the second portion may extend to a gap between the second surface and the third surface.

According to an example embodiment, the camera may be coupled to the camera housing in the fourth direction. According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the bridge may include a first portion extending from a periphery of the opening toward a periphery of the first surface and a second portion extending from the first portion to the third surface of the bracket. The first portion and the second portion may electrically connect the camera housing to the bracket while occupying a minimum space. The camera housing including the bending portion, the first portion, and the second portion may be coupled to the bracket in a fourth direction opposite the first direction.

According to an example embodiment, the bridge may include a first portion (e.g., the first portion 324-1 of FIG. 8A), a second portion (e.g., the second portion 324-2 of FIG. 8A), and a third portion (e.g., the third portion 324-3 of FIG. 8A). The first portion may extend from the bending portion in the third direction. The second portion may extend, from the first portion, in a direction between the third direction and a fourth direction opposite to the first direction, to a gap between the second surface and the third surface. The third portion may extend from the second portion in a direction between the first direction and the third direction. The third portion may be contacted with the third surface.

According to an example embodiment, the camera may be coupled to the camera housing in the first direction. According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the bridge may include a bending portion, a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The camera housing including the bridge of the above structure may be coupled to the bracket in the first direction. According to an example embodiment, the structure of the bridge may be determined based on a coupling direction of the camera housing and the bracket. According to an example embodiment, the camera housing may be electrically connected to the bracket by including a bridge of an appropriate structure according to the coupling direction of the camera housing and the bracket.

According to an example embodiment, the bracket may include a groove (e.g., the groove 332 of FIG. 6). The groove may be formed within the third surface. The bridge may include an inserting portion (e.g., the inserting portion 324b of FIG. 6). The inserting portion may be inserted into the groove. The inserting portion may fix the camera housing to the bracket. The camera housing may be fixed within the bracket through the inserting portion inserted into the groove. The inserting portion may prevent and/or suppress the camera housing from being separated from the bracket. The contact area between the bridge and the bracket may be increased through the inserting portion and the groove that are contacted with each other. As the contact area between the bridge and the bracket is increased, an electrical connection between the camera housing and the bracket may be improved, so the grounding effect of the camera housing may be improved.

According to an example embodiment, the bridge may elastically support the camera housing with respect to the bracket. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the bridge may have elasticity. For example, the bridge may include an elastic material. The bridge may be inserted into the gap between the second surface and the third surface in a compressed state. By the elasticity of the bridge, the camera housing may be coupled within the bracket. The bridge may connect the camera housing and the bracket without a separate coupling member, by coupling the camera housing to the bracket. Since the bridge has elasticity, the stress applied to the camera housing may be reduced. The bridge having elasticity may reduce damage to the camera within the camera housing by reducing the stress.

According to an example embodiment, the camera housing may include a plurality of bridges (e.g., the plurality of bridges 325a, 325b, 325c, and 325d of FIG. 5B). The plurality of bridges may be formed along the periphery of the opening. The plurality of bridges may be symmetrical to each other. According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of bridges may be disposed symmetrically to each other. The plurality of bridges may increase the grounding area for grounding the camera housing. Through the plurality of bridges, the grounding effect of the camera housing may be improved.

According to an example embodiment, the bridge may penetrate the bracket. The bridge may extend to the ground portion. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the bridge may be directly connected to the ground portion. As the bridge is directly connected to the ground portion, the grounding effect of the camera housing may be improved.

According to an example embodiment, the electronic device may further include a support (e.g., the support 344 of FIG. 11B). The support may support a portion of components of the electronic device. The support may include a grounding region. The bridge may penetrate the bracket. The bridge may extend to the grounding region of the support. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the bridge may be directly connected to the grounding region of the support. As the bridge is directly connected to the grounding region, the grounding effect of the camera housing may be improved.

According to an example embodiment, the bracket may include a through hole (e.g., the through hole 333 of FIG. 11A) and a protruding portion (e.g., the protruding portion 334 of FIG. 11A). The bridge may pass the through hole. The protruding portion may be contacted with the through hole. A screw (e.g., the screw 350 of FIG. 11A) may be inserted into the protruding portion. The screw may penetrate the protruding portion and the bridge. The screw may be inserted into the grounding region to electrically connect the bridge to the grounding region. According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, when the bridge penetrates the bracket, the bracket may include a through hole for the bridge. The bridge may be exposed to the outside of the bracket, through the through hole. The bridge exposed to the outside of the bracket may be connected to the grounding region of the support through the screw. The bracket may be fixed to the support through the screw penetrating the protruding portion.

According to an example embodiment, the first surface may include a cut portion (e.g., the cut portion 321b of FIG. 5A) cut out from a portion of the periphery of the opening toward the periphery of the first surface, such that the bending portion is disposed outside the opening. According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, since the bending portion extends from a portion of the periphery of the opening, it may protrude into the opening. When the bending portion protrudes into the opening, interference may occur with a lens of the camera. In order to eliminate the interference, the first surface may include a portion cut along a portion where the bridge is formed, toward the periphery of the first surface. When the bending portion is bent, the cut portion may be bent toward the periphery of the first surface. According to an embodiment, interference between the bending portion and the lens may be reduced because the bending portion does not protrude into the opening.

According to an example embodiment, a camera module (e.g., the camera module 180 of FIG. 3) may include a camera (e.g., the camera 181 of FIG. 6), a camera housing (e.g., the camera housing 320 of FIG. 6), and a bracket (e.g., the bracket 330 of FIG. 6). The camera may include a lens (e.g., the lens 210 of FIG. 6). The lens may face a first direction. The camera housing may include an opening (e.g., the opening 323 of FIG. 6). The opening may be formed for the lens exposed toward the outside within a first surface (e.g., the first surface 321 of FIG. 6) facing the first direction. The camera housing may surround at least a portion of the camera. The bracket may include a third surface (e.g., the third surface 331 of FIG. 6). The third surface may face away from a second surface (e.g., the second surface 322 of FIG. 6) of the camera housing perpendicular to the first surface. The bracket may be electrically connected to the ground portion of the printed circuit board. The bracket may at least partially surround the camera housing. The camera housing may further include a bridge (e.g., the bridge 324 of FIG. 6). The bridge may extend from a portion of the periphery of the opening to the third surface of the bracket. The bridge may include a bending portion (e.g., the bending portion 324a of FIG. 6). The bending portion may be bent from the portion in a third direction opposite to a second direction toward the lens passing through the opening. According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the camera housing may be electrically connected to the ground portion through a bridge. The bridge may be contacted with a bracket electrically connected to the ground portion. As the camera housing is electrically connected to the ground portion, the camera housing may be grounded. Since the camera housing surrounds at least a portion of the camera, it may be configured to shield electromagnetic waves reaching the camera from other electronic components and/or electromagnetic waves emitted from the camera. The bridge for grounding the camera housing may fasten the camera housing to the bracket by supporting the camera housing with respect to the bracket. Since the bridge extends from the periphery of the opening in the first surface, the stress generated by supporting the camera housing may not be transferred to the camera inside the camera housing but may be transferred to the first surface. According to an example embodiment, the stress applied to the camera inside the camera housing may be reduced.

According to an example embodiment, the camera housing may be electrically connected to the ground portion, through the bridge contacted with the third surface of the bracket electrically connected to the ground portion. According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the bridge may electrically connect the camera housing and the bracket by contacting the bracket. Since the bracket is electrically connected to the ground portion, the camera housing may be grounded through the bracket. According to an example embodiment, the camera housing may be grounded through the structure of the camera housing without a separate connecting member (e.g., c-clip or conductive tape) for grounding the camera housing.

According to an example embodiment, the bridge may extend to the third surface through a gap (e.g., the gap g of FIG. 6) between the second surface of the camera housing and the third surface of the bracket. According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, a gap may be formed between the camera housing and the camera. The bridge may support the camera housing relative to the bracket by extending through the gap. In the gap between the second surface and the third surface, the bridge may fix the camera housing within the bracket.

According to an example embodiment, the bridge may include a first portion (e.g., the first portion 324-1 of FIG. 6) and a second portion (e.g., the second portion 324-2 of FIG. 6). The first portion may extend from the bending portion in the third direction. The second portion may extend from the first portion in a direction between the third direction and a fourth direction opposite to the first direction. The second portion may be contacted with the third surface. According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the bridge may include a first portion extending from the periphery of the opening toward the periphery of the first surface, and a second portion extending from the first portion to the third surface of the bracket. The first portion and the second portion may electrically connect the camera housing to the bracket while occupying a minimum space. The camera housing including a bending portion, a first portion, and a second portion may be coupled to the bracket in a fourth direction opposite to the first direction.

According to an example embodiment, the bridge may include a first portion (e.g., the first portion 324-1 of FIG. 8A), a second portion (e.g., the second portion 324-2 of FIG. 8A), and a third portion (e.g., the third portion 324-3 of FIG. 8A). The first portion may extend from the bending portion in the third direction. The second portion may extend, from the first portion, in a direction between the third direction and a fourth direction opposite to the first direction, to a gap between the second surface and the third surface. The third portion may extend from the second portion in a direction between the first direction and the third direction. The third portion may be contacted with the third surface. According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the bridge may include a bending portion, a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The camera housing including the bridge of the above structure may be coupled to the bracket in the first direction. According to an example embodiment, the structure of the bridge may be determined based on the coupling direction of the camera housing and the bracket. According to an example embodiment, the camera housing may be electrically connected to the bracket by including a bridge of an appropriate structure according to the coupling direction of the camera housing and the bracket.

According to an example embodiment, the bracket may include a groove (e.g., the groove 332 of FIG. 6). The groove may be formed within the third surface. The bridge may include an inserting portion (e.g., the inserting portion 324b of FIG. 6). The inserting portion may be inserted into the groove. The inserting portion may fix the camera housing to the bracket. The camera housing may be fixed within the bracket through the inserting portion inserted into the groove. The inserting portion may prevent and/or suppress the camera housing from being separated from the bracket. The contact area between the bridge and the bracket may be increased through the inserting portion and the groove that are contacted with each other. As the contact area between the bridge and the bracket is increased, the electrical connection between the camera housing and the bracket may be improved, so the grounding effect of the camera housing may be improved.

According to an example embodiment, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 101 of FIG. 3) may include a printed circuit board (e.g., the printed circuit board 310 of FIG. 10A), a camera (e.g., the camera 181 of FIG. 10A), a camera housing (e.g., the camera housing 320 of

FIG. 10A), and a bracket (e.g., the bracket 330 of FIG. 10A). The printed circuit board may include a ground portion. The camera may include a lens (e.g., the lens 210 of FIG. 10A) facing a first direction. The camera housing may include an opening (e.g., the opening 323 of FIG. 10A) for the lens exposed to the outside within a first surface (e.g., the first surface 321 of FIG. 10A) facing the first direction. The camera housing may surround at least a portion of the camera. The bracket may include a third surface (e.g., the third surface 331 of FIG. 10A). The third surface may face away from a second surface (e.g., the second surface 322 of FIG. 10A) of the camera housing perpendicular to the first surface. The bracket may be electrically connected to the ground portion. The bracket may at least partially surround the camera housing. The camera housing may further include a bridge (e.g., the bridge 324 of FIG. 10A). The bridge may extend, from a portion of another end portion (e.g., the other end portion 322b of FIG. 10A) of the second surface opposite to an end portion (e.g., the end portion 322a of FIG. 10A) of the second surface connected to the first surface, to the third surface of the bracket. The bridge may include a first portion (e.g., the first portion 324-1 of FIG. 10A). The first portion may extend in a direction between the first direction and a third direction opposite to a second direction toward the lens passing through the opening from the first portion.

According to an example embodiment, the bridge may further include a second portion (e.g., the second portion 324-2 of FIG. 10B). The second portion may extend, from the first portion, in a direction between the third direction and a fourth direction opposite to the first direction. The second portion may be contacted with the third surface.

According to an example embodiment, an electronic device may comprise a printed circuit board, a camera, a camera housing, an injection portion (e.g., the injection portion 326 of FIG. 13B), and a connector (e.g., the connecting member 328 of FIG. 13B). The printed circuit board may include a ground portion. The camera may include a lens. The camera may be disposed on the printed circuit board. The camera housing may surround at least a portion of the camera. The injection portion may be disposed inside the camera housing. The injection portion may surround at least a portion of the camera. The connector may extend from a portion of the inner surface of the camera housing exposed through a groove (e.g., the groove 327 of FIG. 13B) of the injection portion, to the ground portion. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the camera housing and the ground portion may be electrically connected through the connector. The connector may contact the inner surface of the camera housing exposed through the groove. Since the camera housing may be directly grounded, the ground performance of the camera module may be enhanced. As the ground performance of the camera module is enhanced, electromagnetic interference (EMI) and/or electromagnetic susceptibility (EMS) may be improved.

According to an example embodiment, the connector may overlap the camera housing, by extending from the portion of the inner surface to the ground portion within the camera housing. According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector may be positioned only inside the camera housing. Since the connector is not exposed to the outside of the camera housing, an increase in the size of the printed circuit board may not be required.

According to an example embodiment, the groove may include a plurality of grooves spaced apart from each other. The connector may include a plurality of portions of the inner surface of the camera housing exposed through the plurality of grooves and a plurality of connectors contacting the ground portion. According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, numbers and positions of the groove and the connector(s) may vary.

According to an example embodiment, the injection portion may include an opening for the camera.

According to an example embodiment, the groove may be formed by cutting a portion of the injection portion toward the inner surface of the camera housing, from the periphery of the opening. According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, as a portion of the injection portion surrounding the inner surface of the camera housing is cut, the inner surface of the camera housing may be exposed. The connector may electrically connect the camera housing to the ground portion by contacting the exposed inner surface of the camera housing.

The problems addressed in the disclosure are not limited to those described above, and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

The effects that can be obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to those described above, and any other effects not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the art to which the present disclosure belongs, from the description.

No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or “means.”