Camera module

A camera module includes a housing including a lens module, blades disposed on an object side of the lens module to consecutively form apertures having various sizes, a magnet portion including a driving magnet opposing a driving coil and being moveable rectilinearly, and a rotating plate interlocked with the magnet portion and the blades to convert linear movement of the magnet portion to rotational movement.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(a) to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0066394 filed on Jun. 8, 2018 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The following description relates to a camera module.

2. Description of Related Art

Recently, a camera module has generally been employed in portable electronic devices such as tablet PCs, laptops, and the like, as well as smartphones. A general digital camera has a mechanical stop to change an amount of incident light depending on a surrounding environment, but it may be difficult to provide a separate stop in a camera module used in small-sized electronic products such as portable electronic devices, due to structural and spatial limitations.

For example, a weight of a camera module may be increased due to all the components required to drive a stop, and such an increase in weight may lead to degradation in an autofocusing function. Also, in the case in which a power connection portion for driving a stop, such as a coil, or the like, is provided in a stop, a power connection portion can be stuck when a lens moves up and down during autofocusing adjustment, or other problems may occur.

There also has been demand for a function of accurately implementing various sizes of aperture of a stop module.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect, a camera module includes a housing including a lens module, blades disposed on an object side of the lens module to consecutively form apertures having various sizes, a magnet portion including a driving magnet opposing a driving coil and being moveable rectilinearly, and a rotating plate interlocked with the magnet portion and the blades to convert linear movement of the magnet portion to rotational movement.

The camera module may include a base to accommodate the rotating plate, and the base may include a protrusion extended in an optical axis direction along a side surface of the lens module.

The magnet portion may be disposed in the protrusion and may move back and forth in a direction approximately perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

The blades may consecutively form the apertures having the various sizes by expanding and retracting around the optical axis according to a movement of the magnet portion with respect to the protrusion.

The rotating plate may rotate about an optical axis.

The rotating plate may include a driving protrusion inserting portion, the magnet portion may include a driving protrusion, and the driving protrusion may be inserted into the driving protrusion inserting portion.

The driving protrusion inserting portion may be inclined to a movement direction of the magnet portion.

Each of the blades may include a fixed shaft inserting portion and a driving shaft inserting portion, the fixed shaft inserting portion may be rotatably inserted into a respective fixed shaft on the base, and the driving shaft inserting portion may be inserted into a respective driving shaft on the rotating plate.

Each of the blades may include a fixed protrusion inserting portion and a driving shaft, the fixed shaft protrusion portion may be rotatably inserted into a respective fixed shaft on the base, and the driving shaft may be inserted into a respective driving shaft inserting portion on the rotating plate.

The driving shaft inserting portion may be lengthened in one direction and may be inclined to a rotation direction of the rotation plate.

A number of fixed shafts on the base may correspond to a number of the blades, and when the fixed shafts are sequentially connected, the fixed shafts may form a regular polygon.

The driving coil may be disposed in the housing.

The camera module may include a position sensor disposed to oppose the driving magnet.

The rotating plate may be disposed closer to the optical axis than the fixed shafts.

The rotating plate may be disposed farther away from the optical axis than the fixed shafts.

The blades may include three blades or six blades.

In another general aspect, a camera module includes a housing having an approximately square box shape, a lens module accommodated in the housing, and a stop module including blades that consecutively form apertures having various sizes. The housing includes a first optical image stabilization (OIS) driving coil to provide driving force to allow the lens module to move in a first direction perpendicular to an optical axis direction, a second OIS driving coil to provide driving force to allow the lens module to move in a second direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction and the first direction, an auto focusing (AF) driving coil to provide driving force to allow the lens module to move in the optical axis direction, and a stop driving coil to drive the blades on four surfaces of the housing parallel to the optical axis direction, respectively.

In another general aspect, a camera module includes a lens module, a magnet portion including a driving magnet opposing a driving coil to be moveable rectilinearly, a rotating plate interlocked with the magnet portion to convert linear movement of the magnet portion to rotational movement, and blades disposed on an object side of the lens module and interlocked with the rotating plate. The blades expand and retract around an optical axis based on the rotational movement.

The blades may expand and retract around the optical axis to form a variably sized aperture.

At least two of the blades may overlap each other in an optical axis direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a perspective diagram illustrating a camera module according to an example.FIG. 2is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating a camera module according to an example.

FIG. 3Ais a perspective diagram partially illustrating a camera module according to an example.FIG. 3Bis a profile view of the camera module ofFIG. 3A.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 3B, a camera module1000may include a lens module200, a carrier300, a guide portion400, a stop module500, a housing110, and a case120.

A lens module200may include a lens barrel210having a plurality of lenses for photographing an object, and a holder220accommodating the lens barrel. The plurality of lenses may be disposed inside the lens barrel210along an optical axis. The lens module200may be accommodated in the carrier300.

The lens module200may be configured to be movable in an optical axis direction for focus adjustment. For example, the lens module200may move in an optical axis direction along with the carrier300by a focus adjusting portion.

The focus adjusting portion may include a magnet710generating driving force in an optical axis direction, and a coil730. A position sensor750, such as a hole sensor, may be provided to sense a position of the lens module200in an optical axis direction, and a position of the carrier300in an optical axis direction.

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

The coil730, such as an AF driving coil, and the position sensor750may be mounted on the housing110. For example, the coil730and the position sensor750may be fixed to the housing to oppose the magnet710. The coil730and the position sensor750may be mounted on a substrate900, and the substrate900may be mounted on the housing110.

The magnet710may be a movable member mounted on the carrier300and moving in an optical axis direction along with the carrier300, and the coil730and the position sensor750may be fixed members fixed to the housing110.

Once power is applied to the coil730, the carrier300may be moved in an optical axis direction by electromagnetic force between the magnet710and the coil730, and the position sensor750may sense a position of the carrier300in an optical axis direction.

Because the lens module200is accommodated in the carrier300, the lens module200may move in an optical axis direction along with the carrier300as the carrier300moves.

The stop module500may be mounted on an upper portion (object side portion) of the lens module200and may move in an optical axis direction along with the lens module200.

When the carrier300moves, a rolling member B may be disposed between the carrier300and the housing110to reduce friction between the carrier300and the housing110. The rolling member B may be a ball type member.

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

A yoke may be mounted on the substrate900. For example, the yoke may be disposed to face the magnet710with the coil730interposed between the yoke and the magnet710.

Between the yoke and the magnet710, attraction force may be applied in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis direction.

The rolling member B may continue to be in contact with the carrier300and the housing110by the attraction force generated between the yoke and the magnet710.

The yoke may also serve to allow magnetic force of the magnet710to be focused. Accordingly, magnetic leakage may be prevented.

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

To correct an image-shake caused by a user hand-shake, or the like, the lens module200may move in a first direction (for example, in the x-direction or y-direction ofFIG. 2), perpendicular to an optical axis direction, and a second direction (for example, in the x-direction or y-direction ofFIG. 2), perpendicular to an optical axis direction and the first direction.

For example, when camera-shake occurs due to user hand-shake, and the like, while an object is imaged, a shake correction portion may correct camera-shake by applying a relative displacement corresponding to the camera-shake to the lens module200.

The guide portion400may be accommodated in an upper portion of the carrier300, and the holder220may be mounted on an upper portion of the guide portion400. A rolling member C serving as a rolling bearing may be provided between the carrier300and the guide portion400in an optical axis direction, and between the guide portion400and the holder220in an optical axis direction.

When the lens module200moves in the first and second directions perpendicular to an optical axis direction, the guide portion400may be configured to guide the lens module200.

For example, the lens module200may relatively move in the first direction about the guide portion400, and the guide portion400and the lens module200may move together in the second direction within the carrier300.

The shake correction portion may include a plurality of magnets810aand830a, and a plurality of coils810band830b, which are a first optical image stabilization (OIS) driving coil and a second OIS driving coil. A plurality of position sensors810cand830c, such as hole sensors, may be provided to sense positions of the lens module200in the first and second directions.

Among the magnets810aand830aand the coils810band830b, the magnet810aand the coil810bmay be disposed to face each other in the first direction and generate driving force in the first direction, and the magnet830aand the coil830bmay be disposed to face each other in the second direction and generate driving force in the second direction.

The magnets810aand830amay be mounted on the lens module200, and the coils810band830b, which face the magnets810aand830aand the position sensors810cand830c, may be fixed to the housing110. For example, the coils810band830band the position sensors810cand830cmay be mounted on the substrate900, and the substrate900may be mounted on the housing110.

The magnets810aand830amay be movable members moving in the first and second directions along with the lens module200, and the coils810band830band the position sensors810cand830cmay be fixed members fixed to the housing110.

A ball member C may be provided to support the guide portion400and the lens module200. The ball member C may serve to guide the guide portion400and the lens module200during the shake correction process.

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

In the case in which driving force occurs in the first direction, the ball members C disposed between the carrier300and the guide portion400and between the carrier300and the lens module200may roll in the first direction. Accordingly, the ball members C may guide the guide portion400and the lens module200moving in the first direction.

In the case in which driving force occurs in the second direction, the ball members C disposed between the guide portion400and the lens module200and between the carrier300and the lens module200may roll in the second direction. Accordingly, the ball members C may guide the lens module200moving in the second direction.

The lens module200and the carrier300may be accommodated in the housing110. For example, the housing110may have a square box shape in which an upper portion (in the z-direction inFIG. 2) and a lower portion (in the z-direction ofFIG. 2) are opened, and the lens module200and the carrier300may be accommodated in an internal space of the housing110.

A printed circuit substrate having an image sensor may be disposed in a lower portion of the housing110.

The case120may be coupled to the housing110to seal an external surface of the housing110, and may serve to protect internal components of the camera module. The case120may block electromagnetic waves.

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

Also, as various electronic components may be provided in a portable electronic device in addition to a camera module, the case120may block electromagnetic waves generated in the electronic components to prevent the electromagnetic waves from affecting the camera module.

The case120may be formed of a metal material and may be grounded to a ground pad provided in a printed circuit substrate, and accordingly, electromagnetic waves may be blocked.

The stop module500may be configured to selectively change the amount of light incident to the lens module200.

For example, the stop module500may consecutively implement different sizes of apertures by using a plurality of blades. Depending on surrounding environment, light may be incident through one of the different sizes of apertures.

FIG. 4is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating a stop module according to an example.FIG. 5is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating blades and a rotating plate provided in a stop module according to an example.

A stop module500may be coupled to a lens module200, and may be configured to selectively change the amount of light incident to the lens module200.

The stop module500may allow a relatively low amount of light to be incident to the lens module200in a high illumination environment, and may allow a relatively large amount of light to be incident to the lens module200in a low illumination environment. The stop module500may maintain an image quality to be constant in various illumination conditions.

The stop module500may be coupled to the lens module200and may move in an optical direction, a first direction, and a second direction along with the lens module. The stop module500may allow the lens module200and the stop module500to move together during focus correction and shake correction, and a distance between the lens module200and the stop module500may not change.

Referring toFIGS. 4 and 5, in addition toFIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B, the stop module500may include a base510, a plurality of blades540,550, and560, and a stop driving portion including a magnet portion520having a driving magnet521aand a driving coil521b.

The stop module500may include the plurality of blades540,550, and560. For example, the stop module500may include three or more blades. In the description below, an example in which three or six blades are provided will be described for ease of description.

First to third blades540,550, and560may have approximately a boomerang shape, and concave portions of the first to third blades540,550, and560may be disposed in a circle centered on an optical axis such that the first to third blades540,550, and560may form a circular or polygonal aperture. The inner concave portions of the first to third blades540,550, and560may be configured to form a hexagon, and the first to third blades540,550, and560may partially overlap with one another and form a hexagonal aperture. The inner portions of the blades forming the aperture may also be linear, and not concave or angled.

The first to third blades540,550, and560may slide while the first to third blades540,550, and560are partially in contact with one another, and thus, the first to third blades540,550, and560may be configured to be anti-static to prevent static electricity.

The first to third blades540,550, and560may be driven while being interlocked with a rotating plate530.

The rotating plate530may be interlocked with the magnet portion520moving back and forth rectilinearly in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis direction, convert the linear movement of the magnet portion520to rotational movement, and rotate about an optical axis. The through-hole531may be provided in a central portion of the rotating plate530to allow light to penetrate through the through hole531, and a size (diameter or area, for example) of the through hole531may be the same as or greater than a maximum size of the aperture formed by the first to third blades540,550, and560. Also, the rotating plate530may contact the first to third blades540,550, and560, and thus, the rotating plate530may be configured to be anti-static to prevent static electricity.

A guide groove511may be provided in the base510to guide the rotational movement of the rotating plate530, and the rotating plate530may be inserted into the guiding groove511and guided by the guiding groove511while rotating. The rotating plate530may have a rounded edge, and a groove shaped portion535(a dodging groove) may be provided on the edge of the rotating plate530to prevent interference from adjacent members, such as fixed shafts513a,513b, and513c, and the like. The guiding groove511may have a rounded edge to correspond to the rotating plate530, and the fixed shafts513a,513b, and513cmay be provided in an inner circumferential portion on the edge of the guiding groove511.

Even if the guiding groove511is not provided, driving shafts533a,533b, and533cof the rotating plate530may be inserted into the three blades540,550, and560, respectively, and thus, rotation may be smoothly induced.

The first to third blades540,550, and560may be interlocked with the rotating plate530.

The first to third blades540,550, and560may have rotating shaft holes543,553, and563and driving shaft holes545,555, and565, respectively, and the rotating shaft holes543,553, and563may be rotatably inserted into the fixed shafts513a,513b, and513cprovided in the base510, respectively, and the driving shaft holes545,555, and565may be rotatably and movably inserted into the driving shafts533a,533b, and533con the rotating plate530.

While the rotating shaft holes543,553, and563, the driving shaft holes545,555, and565, and the guide hole532, and the like, in which the fixed shafts513a,513b, and513chaving a protruding shape, the driving shafts533a,533b, and533c, and a driving protrusion523are inserted into to transfer force or to form a rotating shaft may include the term “hole” in their names, the rotating shaft holes543,553, and563, the driving shaft holes545,555, and565, and the guide hole532may have a hole shape or a groove shape. The rotating shaft holes543,553, and563, the driving shaft holes545,555, and565, and the guide hole532may also be referred to as “fixed shaft inserting portions543,553, and563,” “driving shaft inserting portions545,555, and565,” and “a driving protrusion inserting portion532,” respectively, herein.

The rotating shaft holes543,553, and563of the first to third blades540,550, and560may have a circular shape, and may only rotate while being inserted into the fixed shafts513a,513b, and513c, and the driving shaft holes545,555, and565may be lengthened in one direction and be inserted into the driving shafts533a,533b, and533c, and the driving shafts533a,533b, and533cmay move while being inserted into the driving shaft holes545,555, and565. The driving shaft holes545,555, and565may be configured to be inclined to a rotating direction of the rotating plate530.

The driving shafts533a,533b, and533cmay rotate in accordance with rotation of the rotating plate530, and as the driving shafts533a,533b, and533cinserted into the driving shaft holes545,555, and565of the first to third blades540,550, and560move, the first to third blades540,550, and560may be retracted inwardly or expanded outwardly, thereby implementing various sizes of the aperture580consecutively.

In the stop module500, the rotating plate530may be provided in an inner portion of the stop module500with reference to the fixed shafts513a,513b, and513cprovided in the base510. The rotating plate530may be configured to seal the fixed shafts513a,513b, and513c.

As the fixed shafts513a,513b, and513care positioned in an outer portion with respect to the driving shafts533a,533b, and533c, that is, being positioned further away from an optical axis than the driving shafts533a,533b, and533c, the rotating shaft holes543,553, and563provided in the first to third blades540,550, and560may be positioned in an outer position with respect to the driving shaft holes545,555, and565, that is, being positioned further away from an optical axis than the driving shaft holes545,555, and565to correspond to the positions of the fixed shafts513a,513b, and513c.

The fixed shafts513a,513b, and513cof the base510may be provided to correspond to the number of the blades540,550, and560, and when the fixed shafts513a,513b, and513care sequentially connected, the fixed shafts513a,513b, and513cmay form a regular polygon. In the case in which three blades are provided, when the fixed shafts513a,513b, and513care sequentially connected, the fixed shafts513a,513b, and513cmay form a regular triangle.

For example, the first to third blades540,550, and560may be disposed in a circle in a circumference direction and form an aperture, and the first to third blades540,550, and560may be retracted inwardly or expanded outwardly (adjusted) and implement various sizes of the aperture580consecutively. The aperture580may have a circular shape or a polygonal shape depending on a shape of an inner circumferential surface of the first to third blades540,550, and560.

Depending on surrounding environment of a camera, light may be allowed to be incident through one of the various sizes of apertures.

The stop driving portion may include the magnet portion520disposed in the base510to be movable along one axis, and the driving coil521bfixed to the housing110to oppose the magnet portion520.

The driving coil521bmay be provided in the substrate900, and the substrate900may be fixed to the housing110. The substrate900may be electrically connected to a printed circuit substrate attached to the bottom of the camera module1000.

The magnet portion520may be a movable member, moving in an optical axis direction and first and second directions, and the driving coil521bmay be a fixed member, fixed to the housing110.

As the driving coil521bproviding driving force to the stop module500is disposed in an outer portion of the stop module500, that is, disposed in the housing110of the camera module, a weight of the stop module500may be reduced.

Since the driving coil521bproviding driving force to the stop module500is a fixed member, the driving coil521bmay not move during autofocusing adjustment or hand shake correction, and accordingly, an increase in weight of a lens module200caused by employing the stop module500may be significantly reduced.

Since the driving coil521bproviding driving force to the stop module500is disposed in the housing110and may be electrically connected to a printed circuit substrate, the driving coil521bof the stop driving portion may not be affected even when the lens module200and the stop module500move during autofocusing adjustment and shake correction.

Accordingly, degradation in an autofocusing adjustment function may be prevented.

Also, a size of the aperture580of the stop may be consecutively changed, and thus, it may be necessary to accurately sense a position of the magnet portion520to accurately implement a size of an aperture. A position sensor521cconfigured to be disposed to oppose the driving magnet521aof the magnet portion520to determine a position of the driving magnet521amay be provided. The position sensor521cmay be a hole sensor, and may be installed in a central portion of the driving coil521band fixed to the housing110or in an adjacent side portion. For example, the position sensor521cmay be provided in the substrate900in which the driving coil521bis provided.

When the magnet portion520moves rectilinearly, a closed control method for sensing a position of the magnet portion520and providing a feedback of the position may be used. Thus, the position sensor521cmay be necessary to perform the closed control.

The substrate900may be configured to have a gyro sensor (not illustrated) sensing a cause of shaking such as a user hand-shake, and the like, and a driving circuit device (a driver IC, not illustrated) providing a driving signal to the coils810b,830b,730, and521b.

The base510may be configured to have a protrusion512in which the magnet portion520is disposed. The protrusion512may have a shape extended from the base510in an optical axis direction.

The magnet portion520may include the driving magnet521adisposed to oppose the driving coil521band a magnet holder522to which the driving magnet521ais attached. The driving magnet521amay be provided to oppose the driving coil521bin a direction perpendicular to an optical axis direction.

The magnet portion520may be coupled to the protrusion512of the base510, and the lens module200may be configured to have a yoke (not illustrated) in a position opposing the magnet portion520. Alternately, the yoke may be provided in the protrusion512of the base510. By attraction force between the yoke (not illustrated) and the driving magnet521a, the magnet portion520may slide while maintaining close contact with the protrusion512.

To facilitate the sliding of the magnet portion520, a support member516may be provided in the base510to support the magnet portion520. The support member516may have a stick shape or a plate shape to facilitate the sliding movement.

Once power is applied to the driving coil521b, the magnet portion520may move in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis direction by electromagnetic force generated between the driving magnet521aand the driving coil521b.

The base510may be configured to have a guiding groove511to guide rotational movement of the rotating plate530, and the rotating plate530may be inserted into the guiding groove511, and may rotate while being guided by the guiding groove511.

The rotating plate530may be configured to have a guide hole532lengthened in one direction. The guide hole532may be lengthened to allow the magnet portion520to be inclined with respect to a movement direction.

When the magnet portion520moves along one axis, the driving protrusion523provided in the magnet portion520may be moved within the guide hole523, the rotating plate530may rotate inside the guiding groove511along the movement of the driving protrusion523, and the first to third blades540,550, and560interlocked with the rotating plate530may be retracted or expanded, and a size of the aperture580can be consecutively (continually) changed (seeFIGS. 9ato 9c).

FIG. 6is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating a blade and a rotating plate provided in a stop module according to an example. A camera module in which a stop module is installed inFIG. 6is the same as the camera module1000described with reference toFIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 4, and 5, and only a connecting portion between a rotating plate530and blades540,550, and560provided in the stop module may be different. In the description below, only different features will be described, the description of the same elements will not be repeated, and the same reference numerals will be used for the same elements.

Referring toFIG. 6, first to third blades540,550, and560may be driven while being interlocked with the rotating plate530, and in the stop module, driving shafts545a,555a, and565ahaving protrusion shapes may be provided in the first to third blades540,550, and560, and driving shaft inserting portions534a,534b, and534chaving a groove shape or a hole shape may be provided in the rotating plate530.

The driving shaft inserting portions534a,534b, and534cin the rotating plate530may have a long shape inclined to a rotation direction. The driving shafts545a,555a, and565aprovided in the first to third blades540,550, and560, respectively, may be inserted into the driving shaft inserting portions534a,534b, and534c, and the driving shafts545a,555a, and565amay move along the driving shaft inserting portions534a,534b, and534cas the rotating plate530rotates. Accordingly, the first to third blades540,550, and560may be retracted inwardly (centered on an optical axis) or expanded outwardly, thereby consecutively implementing various sizes of the aperture580.

FIG. 7is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating a blade and a rotating plate provided in a stop module according to an example. A camera module in which a stop module is installed inFIG. 7is the same as the camera module1000described with reference toFIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 4, and 5, and only a connecting portion between a rotating plate530and blades540,550, and560provided in the stop module may be different. In the description below, only different features will be described, the description of the same elements will not be repeated, and the same reference numerals will be used for the same elements.

Referring toFIG. 7, first to third blades540,550, and560may be driven while being interlocked with the rotating plate530, and in the stop module, a rotating plate530may be provided in an outer portion with respect to fixed shafts513a,513b, and513cprovided in a base510. The rotating plate530may be configured to seal externally of the fixed shafts513a,513b, and513c, and the fixed shafts513a,513b, and513cmay be provided inside a through-hole531of the rotating plate530.

Accordingly, as the fixed shafts513a,513b, and513care positioned in an inner portion than driving shafts533a,533b, and533c, that is, being positioned closer to an optical axis than the driving shafts533a,533b, and533c, rotating shaft holes543,553, and563provided in the first to third blades540,550, and560may be positioned in an inner portion with respect to driving shaft holes545,555, and565, that is, being positioned closer to an optical axis than the driving shaft holes545,555, and565.

FIG. 8is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating a blade and a rotating plate provided in a stop module according to an example. A camera module in which a stop module is installed inFIG. 8is the same as the camera module1000described with reference toFIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 4 and 5, and in the example inFIG. 8, six blades540,550,560,640,650, and660are implemented. A basic shape of the blades540,550,560,640,650, and660may be the same as the shape of the blades inFIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 4, and 5, and only a difference in the number of blades may be present. In the description below, only different features will be described, the description of the same elements will not be repeated, and the same reference numerals will be used for the same elements.

Referring toFIG. 8, first to six blades540,550,560,640,650, and660may be driven while being interlocked with the rotating plate530.

The first to six blades540,550,560,640,650, and660may be configured to have rotating shaft holes543,553,563,643,653, and663, and driving shaft holes545,555,565,645,655, and665, respectively, the rotating shaft holes543,553,563,643,653, and663may be rotatably inserted into fixed holes513a,513b,513c,513d,513e, and513fprovided in a base510, and the driving shaft holes545,555,565,645,655, and665may be rotatably and movably inserted into driving shafts533a,533b,533c,533d,533e, and533f.

The rotating shaft holes543,553,563,643,653, and663of the first to six blades540,550,560,640,650, and660may be disposed in a circle and may rotate only while being inserted into the fixed holes513a,513b,513c,513d,513e, and513f, and the driving shaft holes545,555,565,645,655, and665may be lengthened in one direction and inserted into the driving shafts533a,533b,533c,533d,533e, and533f, and the driving shafts533a,533b,533c,533d,533e, and533fmay move while the driving shaft holes545,555,565,645,655, and665are inserted therein. The driving shaft holes545,555,565,645,655, and665may be configured to be inclined a to rotation direction of the rotating plate530.

The driving shafts533a,533b,533c,533d,533e, and533fmay rotate as the rotating plate530rotates, the driving shafts533a,533b,533c,533d,533e, and533finserted into the driving shaft holes545,555,565,645,655, and665of the first to six blades540,550,560,640,650, and660may move, and the first to six blades540,550,560,640,650, and660may be retracted inwardly or expanded outwardly, thereby consecutively implementing various sizes of the aperture580.

The fixed holes513a,513b,513c,513d,513e, and513fmay be provided to correspond to the number of the blades540,550,560,640,650, and660, and the fixed holes513a,513b,513c,513d,513e, and513fmay be disposed to form a regular polygon when the fixed holes513a,513b,513c,513d,513e, and513fare sequentially connected. In the case in which six blades are provided, the fixed holes513a,513b,513c,513d,513e, and513fmay form a regular hexagon when the fixed holes513a,513b,513c,513d,513e, and513fare sequentially connected.

In the case in which a hexagon is formed by the six blades540,550,560,640,650, and660, six internal linear lines (edges) of the blades540,550,560,640,650, and660may form a hexagon.

FIGS. 9A to 9Care top views illustrating a state in which a stop module is driven to consecutively change a size of an aperture according to an example.FIGS. 9A to 9Cillustrate a stop module500as an example.

Referring toFIG. 9a, when a magnet portion520is positioned in one end portion, a largest aperture581may be implemented by first to third blades540,550, and560. As in the description below referring toFIGS. 9B and 9C, in the case in which magnet portion520moves from one end portion to the other end portion and returns to one end portion, the small apertures583and585may be changed to the largest aperture581by the first to third blades540,550, and560.

Referring toFIG. 9C, when the magnet portion520moves to the other end portion opposing one end portion by driving a stop driving portion, the smallest aperture585may be implemented by the first to third blades540,550, and560.

Referring toFIG. 9B, when the magnet portion520moves between one end portion and the other end portion by driving the stop driving portion, the aperture583having a random size between the largest aperture581and the smallest aperture585may be implemented by the first to third blades540,550, and560in various manners.

As set forth above, the stop module500may consecutively implement apertures having various sizes by the magnet portion520moving back and forth rectilinearly.

As described in the aforementioned examples, the camera module may selectively change the amount of incident light using a stop module, an autofocusing adjustment function may not be degraded even when a stop module is mounted, and an increase in weight caused by employing a stop module may be significantly reduced.

As described above, a camera module may maintain performances of an autofocusing function and a hand shake correction function by significantly reducing an increase in weight of a driving portion even when a stop module is mounted.

Also, various sizes of apertures may be accurately implemented using a simplified structure.

A camera module according to the various examples may be provided in a portable electronic device such as a mobile communications terminal, a smartphone, a tablet PC, or the like.