Patent Publication Number: US-2023144198-A1

Title: Lens driving device and camera module including lens driving device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(a) of Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2021-0152479 filed on Nov. 8, 2021, and 10-2022-0049737 filed on Apr. 21, 2022, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a lens driving device and a camera module including a lens driving device. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     As information communication techniques and semiconductor techniques rapidly develop, supply and use of electronic devices are steeply increasing. The electronic devices do not merely perform functions in their own traditional areas of technology, but combine functions from various areas of technology, and perform the combined functions. 
     Camera modules have become standard features in portable electronic devices such as smartphones, tablet PCs, and laptop computers, and an autofocus (AF) function, an image stabilization (IS) function, and a zoom function are typically included in the camera modules provided in the portable electronic devices. 
     The image stabilization function may include camera shaking correction and hand shaking correction, and it may prevent images of subjects from being blurry when they are photographed when unintentional hand shaking or camera shaking occurs. 
     The autofocus function allows acquiring of clear images on an imaging plane of an image sensor by moving a lens positioned at the front of the image sensor in the optical axis direction depending on the distance from the subject. 
     As the electronic devices in which the camera module is provided have become thinner, the camera module must also become thinner, and to realize the thinner camera module, the constituent elements of the camera module must also become thinner, and great rigidity is simultaneously needed. 
     The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the disclosure, and therefore it may contain information that does not constitute prior art that is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In one general aspect, a lens driving device includes a lens holder configured to hold a lens barrel; and an image stabilization driver including an image stabilization magnet and an image stabilization coil facing each other and configured to apply a driving force to the lens holder in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens holder, wherein the lens holder includes a molded frame structure, and a magnet mounting bracket including an upper plate member protruding away from an upper end of an external side of the molded frame structure in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and an upper side of the upper plate member is disposed on a same plane as an upper side of the molded frame structure of the lens holder. 
     The upper plate member may include a magnetic material exposed to an outside of the molded frame structure of the lens holder. 
     The magnet mounting bracket may further include a magnet mounting portion including a magnetic material on an external side of the molded frame structure of the lens holder. 
     The upper plate member may be integrally bent from the magnet mounting portion in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis. 
     The molded frame structure of the lens holder may include a projection portion covering parts of a front edge of the upper plate member at end portions of the magnet mounting bracket in a width direction of the magnet mounting bracket to lock the magnet mounting bracket in place on the molded frame structure of the lens holder. 
     A central portion of the magnet mounting bracket in a width direction of the magnet mounting bracket may be unobstructed in a direction of the optical axis, the upper plate member may include a pair of upper plate members extending in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis at upper ends of end portions of the magnet mounting bracket in the width direction that block the end portions of the magnet mounting bracket in the optical axis direction, and the image stabilization magnet may be disposed on a central portion of the magnet mounting bracket in the width direction and on the end portions of the magnet mounting bracket in the width direction. 
     The image stabilization magnet may include an uplift portion protruding upward in the optical axis direction from the central portion of the magnet mounting bracket in the width direction. 
     An upper side of the image stabilization magnet may include a step portion that is lower than the uplift portion at the end portions of the magnet mounting bracket in the width direction and faces the upper plate member in the optical axis direction. 
     The molded frame structure of the lens holder may include a first external side and a second external side that are adjacent to each other and perpendicular to each other, the magnet mounting bracket may include a first magnet mounting bracket and a second magnet mounting bracket respectively disposed on the first external side and the second external side of the molded frame structure of the lens holder, the image stabilization magnet may include a first image stabilization magnet and a second image stabilization magnet respectively disposed on the first magnet mounting bracket and the second magnet mounting bracket, the image stabilization coil may include a first image stabilization coil and a second image stabilization coil respectively facing the first image stabilization magnet and the second image stabilization magnet, the first image stabilization magnet and the first image stabilization coil may be configured to apply a driving force to the lens holder in a first axis direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and the second image stabilization magnet and the second image stabilization coil may be configured to apply a driving force to the lens holder in a second axis direction perpendicular to the optical axis and perpendicular to the first axis direction. 
     In another general aspect, a camera module includes a housing; a lens barrel in which at least one lens is disposed; a lens holder in which the lens barrel is disposed; a frame supporting the lens holder; a carrier in which the lens holder and the frame are disposed, the carrier being disposed in the housing; and an image stabilization driver including an image stabilization magnet and an image stabilization coil facing each other and configured to apply a driving force to the lens holder in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens barrel, wherein the lens holder includes a molded frame structure, and a magnet mounting bracket including an upper plate member protruding away from an upper end of an external side of the molded frame structure in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and an upper side of the upper plate member is disposed on a same plane as an upper side of the molded frame structure of the lens holder. 
     The upper plate member may include a magnetic material exposed to an outside of the molded frame structure of the lens holder. 
     The magnet mounting bracket may further include a magnet mounting portion including a magnetic material on the external side of the molded frame structure of the lens holder. 
     The upper plate member may be integrally bent from the magnet mounting portion in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis. 
     The molded frame structure of the lens holder may include a projection portion covering parts of a front edge of the upper plate member at end portions of the magnet mounting bracket in a width direction of the magnet mounting bracket to lock the magnet mounting bracket in place on the molded frame structure of the lens holder. 
     A central portion of the magnet mounting bracket in a width direction of the magnet mounting bracket may be unobstructed in a direction of the optical axis, the upper plate member may include a pair of upper plate members extending in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis at upper ends of end portions of the magnet mounting bracket in the width direction that block the end portions of the magnet mounting bracket in the optical axis direction, and the image stabilization magnet may be disposed on the central portion of the magnet mounting bracket in the width direction and on the end portions of the magnet mounting bracket in the width direction. 
     The image stabilization magnet may include an uplift portion protruding upward in the optical axis direction from the central portion of the magnet mounting bracket in the width direction. 
     An upper side of the image stabilization magnet may include a step portion that is lower than the uplift portion at the end portions of the magnet mounting bracket in the width direction and faces the upper plate member in the optical axis direction. 
     The molded frame structure of the lens holder may include a first external side and a second external side that are adjacent to each other and perpendicular to each other, the magnet mounting bracket may include a first magnet mounting bracket and a second magnet mounting bracket respectively disposed on the first external side and the second external side of the molded frame structure of the lens holder, the image stabilization magnet may include a first image stabilization magnet and a second image stabilization magnet respectively disposed on the first magnet mounting bracket and the second magnet mounting bracket, the image stabilization coil may include a first image stabilization coil and a second image stabilization coil respectively facing the first image stabilization magnet and the second image stabilization magnet, the first image stabilization magnet and the first image stabilization coil may be configured to apply a driving force to the lens holder in a first axis direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and the second image stabilization magnet and the second image stabilization coil may be configured to apply a driving force to the lens holder in a second axis direction perpendicular to the optical axis and perpendicular to the first axis direction. 
     In another general aspect, a lens driving device includes a lens holder configured to hold a lens barrel; a carrier in which the lens barrel is disposed; and a focus driver including a focus magnet and a focus coil configured to apply a driving force to the carrier in a direction of an optical axis of the lens holder, wherein the carrier includes a molded frame structure, and a magnet mounting bracket including an upper plate member protruding away from an upper end of an external side of the molded frame structure in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and an upper side of the upper plate member is disposed on a same plane as an upper side of the molded frame structure. 
     The magnet mounting bracket may further include a magnet mounting portion including a magnetic material on an external side of the molded frame structure of the carrier. 
     A central portion of the magnet mounting bracket in a width direction of the magnet mounting bracket may be unobstructed in the optical axis direction, the upper plate member may include a pair of upper plate members extending in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis at upper ends of end portions of the magnet mounting bracket in the width direction that block the end portions of the magnet mounting bracket in the optical axis direction, and the focus magnet may be disposed on a central portion of the magnet mounting bracket in the width direction and on the end portions of the magnet mounting bracket in the width direction. 
     The focus magnet may include an uplift portion protruding upward in the optical axis direction from the central portion of the magnet mounting bracket in the width direction. 
     An upper side of the image stabilization magnet may include a step portion that is lower than the uplift portion at the end portions of the magnet mounting bracket in the width direction and faces the upper plate member in the optical axis direction. 
     In another general aspect, a camera module includes a housing; a lens barrel in which at least one lens is disposed; a lens holder in which the lens barrel is disposed; a frame supporting the lens holder; a carrier in which the lens holder and the frame are disposed, the carrier being disposed in the housing; and a focus driver including a focus magnet and a focus coil facing each other and configured to apply a driving force to the carrier in a direction of an optical axis of the lens barrel, wherein the carrier includes a molded frame structure, and a magnet mounting bracket including an upper plate member protruding away from an upper end of an external side of the molded frame structure in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and an upper side of the upper plate member is disposed on a same plane as an upper side of the molded frame structure of the carrier. 
     The magnet mounting bracket may further include a magnet mounting portion including a magnetic material on the external side of the molded frame structure of the carrier. 
     A central portion of the magnet mounting bracket in a width direction of the magnet mounting bracket may be unobstructed in the optical axis direction, the upper plate member may include a pair of upper plate members extending in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis at upper ends of end portions of the magnet mounting bracket in the width direction that block the end portions of the magnet mounting bracket in the optical axis direction, and the focus magnet may be disposed on the central portion of the magnet mounting bracket in the width direction and on the end portions of the magnet mounting bracket in the width direction. 
     The focus magnet may include an uplift portion protruding upward in the optical axis direction from the central portion of the magnet mounting bracket in the width direction. 
     An upper side of the image stabilization magnet may include a step portion that is lower than the uplift portion at the end portions of the magnet mounting bracket in the width direction and faces the upper plate member in the optical axis direction. 
     Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    shows a perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    shows an exploded perspective view of the camera module shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    shows a perspective view of a lens holder of the camera module shown in  FIG.  2    according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    shows a perspective view of a state in which an image stabilization magnet is mounted on the lens holder shown in  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    shows a side view of the lens holder and image stabilization magnet shown in  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  6    shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI′ in  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  7    shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line Vll-Vll′ in  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  8    shows an exploded perspective view of the lens holder of the camera module shown in  FIG.  2    according to another embodiment. 
         FIG.  9    shows an assembled side view of the lens holder shown in  FIG.  8   . 
         FIG.  10    shows an exploded perspective view of a carrier of the camera module shown in  FIG.  2    according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  11    shows an exploded perspective view of the carrier of the camera module shown in  FIG.  2    according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. The drawings may not be to scale, and the relative sizes, proportions, and depictions of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. However, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein will be apparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application. For example, the sequences of operations described herein are merely examples, and are not limited to those set forth herein, but may be changed as will be apparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application, with the exception of operations necessarily occurring in a certain order. Also, descriptions of features that are known in the art may be omitted for increased clarity and conciseness. 
     The features described herein may be embodied in different forms, and are not to be construed as being limited to the examples described herein. Rather, the examples described herein have been provided merely to illustrate some of the many possible ways of implementing the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein that will be apparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application. 
     Throughout the specification, when an element, such as a layer, region, or substrate, is described as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” the other element, or there may be one or more other elements intervening therebetween. In contrast, when an element is described as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element, there can be no other elements intervening therebetween. 
     As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any one and any combination of any two or more of the associated listed items. 
     Although terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used herein to describe various members, components, regions, layers, or sections, these members, components, regions, layers, or sections are not to be limited by these terms. Rather, these terms are only used to distinguish one member, component, region, layer, or section from another member, component, region, layer, or section. Thus, a first member, component, region, layer, or section referred to in examples described herein may also be referred to as a second member, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the examples. 
     Spatially relative terms such as “above,” “upper,” “below,” and “lower” may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element’s relationship to another element as shown in the figures. Such spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, an element described as being “above” or “upper” relative to another element will then be “below” or “lower” relative to the other element. Thus, the term “above” encompasses both the above and below orientations depending on the spatial orientation of the device. The device may also be oriented in other ways (for example, rotated by 90 degrees or at other orientations), and the spatially relative terms used herein are to be interpreted accordingly. 
     The terminology used herein is for describing various examples only, and is not to be used to limit the disclosure. The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “includes,” and “has” specify the presence of stated features, numbers, operations, members, elements, and/or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, operations, members, elements, and/or combinations thereof. 
     The phrase “in a plan view” or “on a plane” means viewing a target portion from the top, and the phrase “in a cross-sectional view” or “on a cross-section” means viewing a cross-section formed by perpendicularly cutting a target portion from the side. 
       FIG.  1    shows a perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment, and  FIG.  2    shows an exploded perspective view of the camera module shown in  FIG.  1   . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , a camera module  200  according to the present embodiment includes a lens barrel  220 , a lens driving device  250  for moving the lens barrel  220 , an image sensor unit  260  for converting light input through the lens barrel  220  into electric signals, a housing  210  for accommodating the lens barrel  220  and the lens driving device  250 , and a cover  213 . 
     The lens barrel  220  may have a hollow space in a cylindrical shape for receiving a plurality of lenses for photographing a subject into the lens barrel  220 , and the lenses are mounted in the lens barrel  220  along an optical axis. A required number of lenses may be disposed according to a design of the lens barrel  220 , and the respective lenses may have optical characteristics such as identical or different refractive indexes. The optical axis may be set to be a z-axis in the drawing. 
     The lens driving device  250  moves the lens barrel  220 , and includes a focus unit  230  for adjusting a focus of the camera module  200  and an image stabilization unit  240  for correcting hand trembling or shaking of the camera module  200 . 
     For example, the lens driving device  250  may use the focus unit  230  to move the lens barrel  220  in an optical axis direction (i.e., the z-axis direction in the drawing) to control the focus, and it may use the image stabilization unit  240  to move the lens barrel  220  in a direction (i.e., an x-axis or a y-axis direction in the drawing) that is perpendicular to the optical axis direction to correct the hand trembling or shaking at the time of photographing. 
     The focus unit  230  includes a carrier  231  for accommodating the lens barrel  220  and a focus driver for generating a driving force for moving the lens barrel  220  and the carrier  231  in the optical axis direction. The focus driver includes a focus magnet  232  and a focus coil  233 . 
     When a power voltage is applied to the focus coil  233 , the carrier  231  may be moved in the optical axis direction by an electromagnetic force between the focus magnet  232  and the focus coil  233 . Since the lens barrel  220  is disposed in the carrier  231 , the lens barrel  220  may also move in the optical axis direction with the carrier  231 , and the focus may be adjusted. 
     For example, the focus magnet  232  may be installed on one side of the carrier  231 , and the focus coil  233  may be installed on the housing  210  via a substrate  214 . In this example, the focus magnet  232  is a moving member that is mounted on the carrier  231  and moves in the optical axis direction together with the carrier  231 , and the focus coil  233  is a stationary member that is fixed to the housing  210 . However, this is only an example, and positions of the focus magnet  232  and the focus coil  233  may be exchanged with each other. 
     Rolling members  270  may be disposed between the carrier  231  and the housing  210  to reduce friction between the carrier  231  and the housing  210  when the carrier  231  moves. The rolling members  270  may have a ball shape, and may be disposed on opposite sides of one side of the carrier  231 . Guide grooves  231   a  may be formed in the carrier  231  so that the rolling members  270  may be disposed therein and may be guided in the optical axis direction. 
     The image stabilization unit  240  corrects blurring of images or shaking of videos by factors such as vibration of a hand of a user when the images or the videos are photographed. That is, when the images are shaken while they are photographed by the hand shaking of the user, the image stabilization unit  240  compensates for the shaking by providing a relative displacement that corresponds to the shaking to the lens barrel  220 . For example, the image stabilization unit  240  corrects the shaking by moving the lens barrel  220  in the x-axis and y-axis directions that are perpendicular to the optical axis direction. 
     The image stabilization unit  240  includes a guide assembly for guiding the movement of the lens barrel  220 , and an image stabilization driver for generating a driving force for moving the guide assembly in a direction that is perpendicular to the optical axis direction. 
     The guide assembly includes a frame  241  and a lens holder  242 . The frame  241  and the lens holder  242  are inserted into the carrier  231  and are disposed in the optical axis direction, and guide the movement of the lens barrel  220 . 
     The frame  241  and the lens holder  242  provide a space into which the lens barrel  220  may be inserted, and the lens barrel  220  is fixed to the lens holder  242 . The lens holder  242  may have a quadrangular frame shape, and the frame  241  may have a quadrangular frame structure corresponding to the quadrangular frame shape of the lens holder  242 . Image stabilization magnets  244   a  and  245   a  may be provided on two external sides of the lens holder  242  that are adjacent to each other and orthogonal to each other. 
     The image stabilization driver includes a first image stabilization driver  244  and a second image stabilization driver  245 , and the first and second image stabilization drivers  244  and  245  include the image stabilization magnets  244   a  and  245   a  and image stabilization coils  244   b  and  245   b . 
     The first image stabilization driver  244  generates a driving force in the first axis direction (the x-axis direction) that is perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and the second image stabilization driver  245  generates a driving force in the second axis direction (the y-axis direction) that is perpendicular to the optical axis direction and the first axis direction. The second axis (the y-axis) is perpendicular to the optical axis (the z-axis) and the first axis (the x-axis). The first image stabilization driver  244  and the second image stabilization driver  245  may be orthogonal to each other in a plane that is perpendicular to the optical axis. 
     The image stabilization magnets  244   a  and  245   a  of the first and second image stabilization drivers  244  and  245  are mounted on the lens holder  242 , and the image stabilization coils  244   b  and  245   b  respectively facing the image stabilization magnets  244   a  and  245   a  are mounted on the housing  210  via the substrate  214 . In another example, the image stabilization coils  244   b  and  245   b  may be installed to face the image stabilization magnets  244   a  and  245   a  by using another structure that is not the substrate  214  and the housing  210 . 
     The image stabilization magnets  244   a  and  245   a  are moving members that move in a direction that is perpendicular to the optical axis direction together with the lens holder  242 , and the image stabilization coils  244   b  and  245   b  are stationary members that are fixed to the housing  210 . However, this is only an example, and the positions of the image stabilization magnets  244   a  and  245   a  and the image stabilization coils  244   b  and  245   b  may be exchanged with each other. 
     The present embodiment provides a plurality of ball members for supporting the image stabilization unit  240 . The ball members facilitate movement of the frame  241  and the lens holder  242  in the image stabilization process. The ball members maintain gaps between the carrier  231 , the frame  241 , and the lens holder  242 . 
     The ball members include first ball members  272  and second ball members  274 . The first ball members  272  facilitate movement of the image stabilization unit  240  in the first axis direction (the x-axis direction), and the second ball members  274  facilitate movement of the image stabilization unit  240  in the second axis direction (the y-axis direction). The first ball members  272  include a plurality of ball members disposed between the frame  241  and the lens holder  242 , and the second ball members  274  include a plurality of ball members disposed between the carrier  231  and the frame  241 . 
     A first guide groove portion  281  for receiving the first ball members  272  is formed on a side of the frame  241  facing the lens holder  242  in the optical axis direction. The first guide groove portion  281  includes a plurality of guide grooves. 
     The first ball members  272  are disposed in the first guide groove portion  281  so that they are disposed between the frame  241  and the lens holder  242 . While they are disposed in the first guide groove portion  281 , the first ball members  272  may not move in the optical axis direction and the second axis direction (the y-axis direction), and may move only in the first axis direction (the x-axis direction). For this purpose, the guide grooves of the first guide groove portion  281  in a plan view may have a rectangular shape in which a length in the first axis direction is greater than a width in the second axis direction. 
     A second guide groove portion  282  for receiving the second ball members  274  is formed on a side of the carrier  231  facing the frame  241  in the optical axis direction. 
     The second guide groove portion  282  includes a plurality of guide grooves. The second ball members  274  are disposed in the second guide groove portion  282  so that they are disposed between the carrier  231  and the frame  241 . While they are disposed in the second guide groove portion  282 , the second ball members  274  may not move in the optical axis direction and the first axis direction (the x-axis direction), and may move only in the second axis direction (the y-axis direction). 
     The image sensor unit  260  converts light input through the lens barrel  220  into electrical signals. For example, the image sensor unit  260  may include an image sensor and a flexible printed circuit (FPC) on which the image sensor is mounted, and may further include an infrared ray filter. The infrared ray filter blocks light of an infrared ray region in the light input through the lens barrel  220 . 
     The lens barrel  220  and the lens driving device  250  are disposed in an internal space of the housing  210 . For example, the housing  210  may have a box shape having openings in the top and bottom. The image sensor unit  260  is mounted on the bottom of the housing  210 . 
     A stopper  222  is disposed over the lens barrel  220  and fastened to the carrier  231  to hold the lens barrel  220 , the lens holder  242 , the first ball members  272 , the frame  241 , and the second ball members  274  in place. 
     The cover  213  is fastened to the housing  210  to surround the housing  210  and protect the internal components of the camera module  200 . The cover  213  may shield electromagnetic waves generated by the camera module  200 . For example, the cover  213  may shield the electromagnetic waves generated by the camera module  200  so that they may not influence other electronic parts in the portable electronic device. 
       FIG.  3    shows a perspective view of a lens holder of the camera module shown in  FIG.  2   . 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , the lens holder  242  according to the present embodiment includes a molded frame structure  2420 , and a first magnet mounting bracket  2421  and a second magnet mounting bracket  2422  respectively disposed on a first external side and a second external side of the molded frame structure  2420  that are adjacent to each other and are orthogonal to each other. 
     A central portion of the first magnet mounting bracket  2421  in a width direction of the first magnet mounting bracket  2421 , i.e., the first axis direction (the x-axis direction), may be unobstructed in the optical axis direction, and end portions of the first magnet mounting bracket  2421  in the width direction of the first magnet mounting bracket  2421 , i.e., the first axis direction (the x-axis direction), may be blocked in the optical axis direction at upper ends of the end portions of the first magnet mounting bracket  2421 . 
     A central portion of the second magnet mounting bracket  2422  in a width direction of the second magnet mounting bracket  2422 , i.e., the second axis direction (the y-axis direction), may be unobstructed in the optical axis direction, and end portions of the second magnet mounting bracket  2422  in the width direction of the first magnet mounting bracket  2421 , i.e., the second axis direction (the y-axis direction), may be blocked in the optical axis direction at upper ends of the end portions of the second magnet mounting bracket  2422 . 
     That is, upper plate members  2421   a ,  2421   b ,  2422   a , and  2422   b  perpendicularly protruding to an outside from a first external side or a second external side of the lens holder  242  may be respectively disposed on respective end portions of the first and second magnet mounting brackets  2421  and  2422 . The upper plate members  2421   a ,  2421   b ,  2422   a , and  2422   b  may be formed with plate pieces that have sides that are perpendicular to the optical axis direction. The upper sides of the upper plate members  2421   a ,  2421   b ,  2422   a , and  2422   b  may be on the same level as the upper side of the lens holder  242  and may be disposed on a same plane. In other words, the upper sides of the upper plate members  2421   a ,  2421   b ,  2422   a , and  2422   b  and the upper side of the lens holder  242  may be configured to be at the same height. 
     The molded frame structure  2420  of the lens holder  242  may be made of a resin material, and the upper plate members  2421   a ,  2421   b ,  2422   a , and  2422   b  may be made of a magnetic material exposed to the outside of the molded frame structure  2420 . For example, the upper plate members  2421   a ,  2421   b ,  2422   a , and  2422   b  may be made of magnetic stainless steel. 
     The first and second magnet mounting brackets  2421  and  2422  may include magnet mounting portions  2421   c  and  2422   c  on the first external side or the second external side of the molded frame structure  2420 . lmage stabilization magnets  244   a  and  245   a  may be mounted on and fixed to the magnet mounting portions  2421   c  and  2422   c  by magnetic attraction because the magnet mounting portions  2421   c  and  2422   c  may be made of a magnetic material. For example, the magnet mounting portions  2421   c  and  2422   c  may be made of magnetic stainless steel. The upper plate members  2421   a ,  2421   b ,  2422   a , and  2422   b  may be integrally bent from the magnet mounting portions  2421   c  and  2422   c  in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. 
     When a width is measured in the first axis direction (the x-axis direction) or the second axis direction (the y-axis direction) that is perpendicular to the optical axis direction and is parallel to the first external side or the second external side, the width W1 of the upper plate members  2421   a ,  2421   b ,  2422   a , and  2422   b  may be less than a half width W2/2 of the entire width W2 of the magnet mounting portions  2421   c  and  2422   c . Hence, a space may be acquired in the central portion between one pair of upper plate members  2421   a ,  2421   b ,  2422   a , and  2422   b  disposed on respective end portions of the first and second magnet mounting brackets  2421  and  2422 , and sizes of the image stabilization magnets  244   a  and  245   a  in the central portions of the image stabilization magnets  244   a  and  245   a  may be further increased in the space. 
     In addition, the molded frame structure  2420  of the lens holder  242  may include lateral plate members  2420   e  and  2420   f  perpendicularly protruding to the outside from the first external side or the second external side at the end portions of the first and second magnet mounting brackets  2421  and  2422 . The lateral plate members  2420   e  and  2420   f  may have a plate structure having a side that is perpendicular to the first axis direction or the second axis direction, and may be configured to at least partially cover ends of the first image stabilization magnet  244   a  and the second image stabilization magnet  245   a  in width directions of the first image stabilization magnet  244   a  and the second image stabilization magnet  245   a . 
       FIG.  4    shows a perspective view of a state in which an image stabilization magnet is mounted on the lens holder shown in  FIG.  3   , and  FIG.  5    shows a side view of the lens holder and the image stabilization magnet shown in  FIG.  4   . 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , the first image stabilization magnet  244   a  may be fixed to the first magnet mounting bracket  2421  on the first external side of the lens holder  242 , and the second image stabilization magnet  245   a  may be fixed to the second magnet mounting bracket  2422  on the second external side of the lens holder  242 . 
     The light portions of the image stabilization magnets  244   a  and  245   a  in  FIGS.  4  and  5    may be north poles of the image stabilization magnets  244   a  and  245   a , and the dark portions of the image stabilization magnets  244   a  and  245   a  in  FIGS.  4  and  5    may be south poles of the image stabilization magnets  244   a  and  245   a . Alternatively, the light portions may be south poles, and the dark portions may be north poles. 
     Regarding the lens holder  242 , the first image stabilization magnet  244   a  and the second image stabilization magnet  245   a  may be disposed on the central portion of the first and second magnet mounting brackets  2421  and  2422  in the width direction and on the end portions of the first and second magnet mounting brackets  2421  and  2422  in the width direction. That is, the first image stabilization magnet  244   a  and the second image stabilization magnet  245   a  may extend to the end portions from the central portion of the first magnet mounting bracket  2421  and the second magnet mounting bracket  2422  in the width direction and may be disposed up to where an upper end of the first image stabilization magnet  244   a  and the second image stabilization magnet  245   a  is blocked by the upper plate members  2421   a ,  2421   b ,  2422   a , and  2422   b . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4  and  5   , the first image stabilization magnet  244   a  and the second image stabilization magnet  245   a  may include uplift portions  244   a   1 ,  244   a   2 ,  245   a   1 , and  245   a   2  protruding upward in the optical axis direction from the central portion of the first magnet mounting bracket  2421  or the second magnet mounting bracket  2422 . An upper side of the first image stabilization magnet  244   a  and the second image stabilization magnet  245   a  may have step portions  244   a   3 ,  244   a   4 ,  245   a   3 , and  245   a   4  that are lower than the uplift portions  244   a   1 ,  244   a   2 ,  245   a   1 , and  245   a   2  at the end portions of the magnet mounting brackets  2421  and  2422  in the width direction. 
     That is, the uplift portions  244   a   1 ,  244   a   2 ,  245   a   1 , and  245   a   2  of the first image stabilization magnet  244   a  and the second image stabilization magnet  245   a  may be disposed between a pair of upper plate members  2421   a ,  2421   b ,  2422   a , and  2422   b  in the central portion of the first magnet mounting bracket  2421  and the second magnet mounting bracket  2422 , and the step portions  244   a   3 ,  244   a   4 ,  245   a   3 , and  245   a   4  may be disposed to face the pair of upper plate members  2421   a ,  2421   b ,  2422   a , and  2422   b  in the optical axis direction at the end portions. Therefore, when the height of the image stabilization unit  240  is reduced, a magnet mounting structure having a reduced height may be realized while minimizing a reduction of the sizes of the image stabilization magnets  244   a  and  245   a . 
       FIG.  6    shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI′ in  FIG.  4   , and  FIG.  7    shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line Vll-Vll′ in  FIG.  4   . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the upper end of the first image stabilization magnet  244   a  is blocked by the upper plate member  2421   b  in the step portion  2421   b  as shown in  FIG.  7   , and it extends close to the upper side of the molded frame structure  2420  of the lens holder  242  in the uplift portion  244   a   1  as shown in  FIG.  6   . Therefore, the magnet mounting portion  2421   c  and the upper plate member  2421   b  made of a magnetic material may fix the first image stabilization magnet  244   a  in place, and the size of the first image stabilization magnet  244   a  may be increased in the central portion of the first image stabilization magnet  244   a  in which the upper end of the first image stabilization magnet  244   a  is not blocked by the upper plate member  2421   b . That is, a height h1 of the uplift portion  244   a   1  of the first image stabilization magnet  244   a  may be greater than a height h2 of the step portion  2421   b . 
     Although no cross-section of the second image stabilization magnet  245   a  is shown in  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the configuration of the first image stabilization magnet  244   a  shown in  FIGS.  6  and  7    may also be applied to the second image stabilization magnet  245   a . 
       FIG.  8    shows an exploded perspective view of the lens holder of the camera module shown in  FIG.  2    according to another embodiment, and  FIG.  9    shows an assembled side view of the lens holder shown in  FIG.  8   . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  8  and  9   , a lens holder  342  according to the present embodiment includes a molded frame structure  3420 , and a first magnet mounting bracket  3421  and a second magnet mounting bracket  3422  respectively disposed on a first external side and a second external side of the molded frame structure  3420  that are adjacent to each other and are orthogonal to each other. 
     The first magnet mounting bracket  3421  includes a first upper plate member  3421   a  protruding to the outside in the second axis direction (the y-axis direction) that is perpendicular to the optical axis direction from an upper end of the first external side of the molded frame structure  3420 , and the second magnet mounting bracket  3422  includes a second upper plate member  3422   a  protruding to the outside in the first axis direction (the x-axis direction) that is perpendicular to the optical axis direction from an upper end of the second external side of the molded frame structure  3420 . 
     In this instance, the first and second upper plate members  3421   a  and  3422   a  have upper sides that are perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and the upper sides may be positioned on the same plane as the upper side of the molded frame structure  3420  of the lens holder  342 . That is, the upper sides of the first and second upper plate members  3421   a  and  3422   a  may be configured to be at the same height as the upper side of the molded frame structure  3420  of the lens holder  342 . 
     The first and second upper plate members  3421   a  and  3422   a  may be made of a magnetic material. For example, the first and second upper plate members  3421   a  and  3422   a  may be made of magnetic stainless steel. 
     The first and second magnet mounting brackets  3421  and  3422  may include first and second magnet mounting portions  3421   c  and  3422   c  on the first external side or the second external side of the lens holder  342 . First and second image stabilization magnets  344   a  and  345   a  may be mounted on and fixed to the first and second magnet mounting portions  3421   c  and  3422   c  by magnetic attraction because the first and second magnet mounting portions  3421   c  and  3422   c  may be made of a magnetic material. For example, the first and second magnet mounting portions  3421   c  and  3422   c  may be made of magnetic stainless steel. The first and second upper plate members  3421   a  and  3422   a  may be respectively integrally bent from the first and second magnet mounting portions  3421   c  and  3422   c  in the second axis direction (the y-axis direction) and the first axis direction (the x-axis direction), respectively. 
     The first image stabilization magnet  344   a  may be fixed to the first magnet mounting bracket  3421  on the first external side of the lens holder  342  by magnetic attraction, and the second image stabilization magnet  345   a  may be fixed to the second magnet mounting bracket  3422  on the second external side of the lens holder  342  by magnetic attraction. 
     Referring to the enlarged portion of  FIG.  8   , the molded frame structure  3420  of the lens holder  342  may include a projection portions  3420   a  covering parts of front edges of the first and second upper plate members  3421   a  and  3422   a  at the ends of the first and second magnet mounting brackets  3421  and  3422  in the width direction to lock the first and second magnet mounting brackets  3421  and  3422  in place on the molded frame structure  3420  of the lens holder  342 . That is, the molded frame structure  3420  may include a lateral plate members  3420   c  perpendicularly protruding away from the molded frame structure  3420  adjacent to the end portions of the first and second magnet mounting brackets  3421  and  3422 , and portions of the lateral plate members  3420   c  may be bent toward the first and second magnet mounting brackets  3421  and  3422  to form the projection portions  3420   a . 
     The first and second magnet mounting brackets  3421  and  3422  may be mounted on the molded frame structure  3420  of the lens holder  342  so that the ends of the first and second upper plate members  3421   a  and  3422   a  in the width direction are inserted into spaces between the projection portions  3420   a  and the molded frame structure  3420  of the lens holder  342 . Accordingly, the first and second magnet mounting brackets  3421  and  3422  may be locked in place on the molded frame structure  3420  of the lens holder  342  by the projection portions  3420   a  so the first and second magnet mounting brackets  3421  and  3422  may be prevented from separating from the molded frame structure  3420  of the lens holder  342 . 
       FIG.  10    shows an exploded perspective view of a carrier of the camera module shown in  FIG.  2    according to an embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG.  10   , a carrier  131  according to the present embodiment includes a magnet mounting bracket  1311  on the external side of a molded frame structure  1310  of the carrier  131 . The magnet mounting bracket  1311  may include a pair of upper plate members  1311   a  and  1311   b  protruding away from an upper end of the external side of the molded frame structure  1310  in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. A central portion of the magnet mounting bracket  1311  in a width direction (the y-axis direction) of the magnet mounting bracket  1311  is unobstructed in the optical axis direction. End portions of the magnet mounting bracket  1311  in the width direction (the y-axis direction) of the magnet mounting bracket  1311  are blocked in the optical axis direction by the pair of upper plate members  1311   a  and  1311   b . 
     The upper plate members  1311   a  and  1311   b  may be formed by plate pieces that have sides that are perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and the upper sides of the upper plate members  1311   a  and  1311   b  may be on the same level as the upper side of the carrier  131  and may be disposed on a same plane. In other words, the upper sides of the upper plate members  1311   a  and  1311   b  and the upper side of the carrier  131  may be configured to be at the same height. 
     The upper plate members  1311   a  and  1311   b  may be made of a magnetic material. For example, they may be made of magnetic stainless steel. 
     The magnet mounting bracket  1311  may include a magnet mounting portion  1311   c  on the external side of the carrier  131 , and a focus magnet  132  may be mounted on and fixed to the magnet mounting portion  1311   c  by magnetic attraction because the magnet mounting portion  1311   c  may be made of a magnetic material. For example, the magnet mounting portion  1311   c  may be made of magnetic stainless steel. The upper plate members  1311   a  and  1311   b  may be integrally bent from the magnet mounting portion  1311   c  in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. 
     Regarding the carrier  131 , the focus magnet  132  may be disposed on the central portion of the magnet mounting bracket  1311  in the width direction and on the end portions of the magnet mounting bracket  1311  in the width direction. That is, the focus magnet  132  may extend to the end portions from the central portion of the magnet mounting bracket  1311  in the width direction and may extend in the optical axis direction up to a position at which an upper end of the focus magnet  132  is blocked by the pair of upper plate members  1311   a  and  1311   b . 
     The focus magnet  132  may have an uplift portion  132   c  protruding upward in the optical axis direction from the central portion of the magnet mounting bracket  1311  in the width direction. The upper side of the focus magnet  132  may have step portions  132   a  and  132   b  that are lower than the uplift portion  132   c  at the end portions of the magnet mounting bracket  1311  in the width direction. 
     That is, the uplift portion  132   c  of the focus magnet  132  is disposed between the pair of upper plate members  1311   a  and  1311   b  in the central portion of the magnet mounting bracket  1311 , and the step portions  132   a  and  132   b  may be disposed to face the pair of upper plate members  1311   a  and  1311   b  in the optical axis direction in the end portions of the magnet mounting bracket  1311 . Therefore, when the height of a focus unit including the carrier  131  is reduced, a magnet mounting structure may be realized while minimizing a reduction in the size of the focus magnet  132 . 
       FIG.  11    shows an exploded perspective view of the carrier of the camera module shown in  FIG.  2    according to another embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , a carrier  331  according to the present embodiment includes a magnet mounting bracket  3311  on the external side of a molded frame structure  3310 . The magnet mounting bracket  3311  includes an upper plate member  3311   a  protruding to the outside in the first axis direction (the x-axis direction) that is perpendicular to the optical axis direction from an upper end of the external side of the molded frame structure  3310 . 
     The upper plate member  3311   a  may have an upper side that is perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and the upper side of the upper plate member  3311   a  may be positioned on the same plane as the upper side of the molded frame structure  3310  of the carrier  331 . That is, the upper side of the upper plate member  3311   a  may be configured to be at the same height as the upper side of the molded frame structure  3310  of the carrier  331 . 
     The upper plate member  3311   a  may be made of a magnetic material. For example, it may be made of magnetic stainless steel. 
     The magnet mounting bracket  3311  may include a magnet mounting portion  3311   c  on the external side of the carrier  331 , and a focus magnet  332  may be mounted on and fixed to the magnet mounting portion  3311   c  by magnetic attraction because the magnet mounting portion  3311   c  may be made of a magnetic material. For example, the magnet mounting portion  3311   c  may be made of magnetic stainless steel. The upper plate member  3311   a  may be integrally bent from the magnet mounting portion  3311   c  in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. 
     While this disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application that various changes in form and details may be made in these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples described herein are to be considered in a descriptive sense only, and are not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects in each example are to be considered as being applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. Suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order, and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner, and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is defined not by the detailed description, but by the claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are to be construed as being included in the disclosure.