Patent Description:
People who use portable devices demand optical devices that have high resolution, are small, and have various photographing functions. As examples of various photographing functions, there are an optical zoom-in/zoom-out function, an auto-focusing (AF) function, and a hand-tremor compensation or optical image stabilizer (OIS) function.

The auto-focusing function and the hand-tremor compensation function are performed by moving or tilting several lens modules, which are fixed to a lens holder so as to be aligned with an optical axis, along the optical axis or in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and a separate lens-moving apparatus is used to move the lens modules.

In particular, the conventional OIS function is required to compensate for all types of hand tremor (or shaking) occurring in optical devices.

<CIT> discloses a photographic lens unit while <CIT> discloses an image sensor device that have a function of correcting image blurring which occurs in a captured image due to shaking. <CIT> discloses a zoom lens suitable for a miniature camera. <CIT> and <CIT> disclose a camera module and an auto-focus adjustment method using the same.

Embodiments provide a camera module capable of compensating for various types of hand tremor.

In the present description and drawings, any examples and technical descriptions of apparatuses, products and/or methods which are not covered by the claims should be taken as background art or examples useful for understanding the invention.

A camera module according to an embodiment includes a lens assembly including a plurality of solid lenses, an image sensor disposed on the optical axis of the plurality of solid lenses, a liquid lens disposed on the optical axis and disposed on the image sensor, and a controller configured to move the image sensor in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

For example, the liquid lens may include a conductive liquid and a non-conductive liquid that form an interface therebetween, and the controller may change the position or shape of the interface or may change the position of at least one solid lens among the plurality of solid lenses.

For example, the liquid lens may include a conductive liquid and a non-conductive liquid that form an interface therebetween. When the image sensor moves in a first direction, one solid lens among the plurality of solid lenses may move in a second direction.

For example, the liquid lens may include first and second liquids that are in contact with each other to form an interface. The second liquid may be disposed closer to the image sensor than the first liquid, and the direction in which the interface is tilted may vary depending on the direction in which the image sensor moves in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

For example, the refractive index of the second liquid may be greater than the refractive index of the first liquid, the image sensor may move from a first position to a second position in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and in a direction parallel to the optical axis, the shortest distance between the interface and the second position of the image sensor may be shorter than the shortest distance between the interface and the first position of the image sensor.

For example, the refractive index of the first liquid may be greater than the refractive index of the second liquid, the image sensor may move from a first position to a second position in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and in a direction parallel to the optical axis, the shortest distance between the interface and the first position of the image sensor may be shorter than the shortest distance between the interface and the second position of the image sensor.

For example, the solid lens, controlled in position by the controller, may include a convex lens, and the image sensor and the convex lens may be controlled so as to move in different directions from each other.

For example, the camera module may include a moving body configured to move the image sensor, and the image sensor may receive power via the moving body.

For example, the camera module may further include a driving unit and a moving body configured to move the image sensor, and power may be applied to the driving unit so as to move the image sensor via the moving body.

For example, the moving body may be a ball or a wire.

For example, the camera module may include a moving substrate on which the image sensor is disposed and a fixed substrate disposed below the moving substrate, and the moving body may be disposed between the fixed substrate and the moving substrate.

For example, the camera module may include a moving substrate on which the image sensor is disposed and a fixed substrate disposed below the moving substrate, and the moving body may connect the fixed substrate and the moving substrate.

For example, the camera module may further include a moving substrate on which the image sensor is disposed, a fixed substrate disposed below the moving substrate, and a ball disposed between the moving substrate and the fixed substrate.

For example, the fixed substrate may include a first accommodation recess in which the ball is disposed, and the moving substrate may include a second accommodation recess in which the ball is disposed.

For example, the camera module may further include a viscous body, which is disposed in the first accommodation recess or the second accommodation recess and is in contact with the ball.

For example, the viscous body may be a conductive fluid.

For example, the camera module may include a first magnet disposed on one of the moving substrate and the fixed substrate and a coil disposed on the other one of the moving substrate and the fixed substrate.

For example, the camera module may further include a detection sensor, disposed on one of the moving substrate and the fixed substrate to detect the amount of movement or the amount of rotation of the image sensor, and a sensing magnet, secured to the other one of the moving substrate and the fixed substrate and disposed at a position corresponding to the Hall sensor.

For example, the ball may electrically connect the moving substrate and the fixed substrate.

For example, the camera module may further include a sensing unit configured to detect horizontal movement or rotational movement of the camera module, and the controller may move the image sensor using information received from the sensing unit.

A camera module according to another embodiment includes a lens assembly including a plurality of solid lenses, an image sensor disposed on the optical axis of the plurality of solid lenses, a liquid lens disposed above the image sensor on the optical axis, and a controller configured to move the lens assembly in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The liquid lens may include a conductive liquid and a non-conductive liquid that form an interface therebetween, and the controller may change the position or shape of the interface or may change the position of at least one solid lens among the plurality of solid lenses.

For example, when the lens assembly moves in a first direction, one solid lens among the plurality of solid lenses may move in a second direction, and may tilt the interface of the liquid lens.

A camera module according to an embodiment is capable of effectively compensating for shaking (or hand tremor) of a device including a camera module by moving one or more among a lens assembly, a solid lens, a liquid lens, and an image sensor.

It is possible to compensate for shaking caused by rotation about an optical axis, to realize a reduced thickness, and to enable electrically stable connection between elements.

The effects achievable through the embodiments are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It may be understood that, although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements are not to be limited by these terms. In addition, terms particularly defined in consideration of the construction and operation of the embodiments are used only to describe the embodiments, but do not define the scope of the embodiments.

In the following description of the embodiments, it will be understood that, when each element is referred to as being "on" or "under" another element, it can be directly on or under the other element, or can be indirectly formed such that one or more intervening elements are also present. In addition, when an element is referred to as being "on" or "under", "under the element" as well as "on the element" may be included based on the element.

In addition, relational terms, such as "on/upper part/above" and "under/lower part/below", are used only to distinguish between one subject or element and another subject or element, without necessarily requiring or involving any physical or logical relationship or sequence between such subjects or elements.

Hereinafter, a camera module <NUM> (100A to 100D) and an optical device <NUM> according to embodiments will be described using the Cartesian coordinate system, but the embodiments are not limited thereto. That is, in the Cartesian coordinate system, the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis are perpendicular to one another, but the embodiments are not limited thereto. That is, the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis may cross one another, rather than being perpendicular to one another.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic block diagram of a camera module <NUM> according to an embodiment.

The camera module <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a lens assembly <NUM> and an image sensor <NUM>, and further includes a liquid lens <NUM>.

The camera module <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a lens assembly <NUM>, a liquid lens <NUM>, and an image sensor <NUM>, and may include at least one of a sensing unit <NUM>, a driving unit <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, or a distance measurement unit <NUM>.

The lens assembly <NUM> includes a plurality of lenses. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the plurality of lenses may include four lenses L1, L2, L3 and L4, but the embodiment is not limited as to the specific number of lenses included in the lens assembly <NUM>. That is, the lens assembly <NUM> may include three or fewer lenses or five or more lenses.

In addition, the plurality of lenses included in the lens assembly <NUM> may include convex lenses L1 to L4, as shown in <FIG>. Unlike the illustrated configuration, concave lenses may be included, or a combination including at least one of a convex lens, a concave lens, or an aspherical lens may be included.

In addition, the plurality of lenses included in the lens assembly <NUM> may include at least one of a solid lens or a liquid lens. That is, the liquid lens may be included inside the lens assembly <NUM>, or may be disposed outside (e.g. above or below) the lens assembly <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, all of the lenses L1 to L4 included in the lens assembly <NUM> may be solid lenses. In this case, as shown in <FIG>, the liquid lens <NUM> may be disposed outside the lens assembly <NUM>. Further, although the liquid lens <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG> as being disposed between the rear end of (i.e. below) the lens assembly <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM>, the embodiment is not limited thereto. That is, according to another embodiment, the liquid lens <NUM> may be disposed on the front end of (i.e. above) the lens assembly <NUM>. In this case, the light that has passed through the liquid lens <NUM> may be incident on the lens assembly <NUM>, and the light that has passed through the lens assembly <NUM> may be incident on the image sensor <NUM>.

According to another embodiment, unlike what is illustrated in <FIG>, the lens assembly <NUM> may include both the lenses L1 to L4, which are solid lenses, and the liquid lens <NUM>. When the liquid lens <NUM> shown in <FIG> is contained in the lens assembly <NUM>, the liquid lens <NUM> may be disposed in front of or behind the solid lenses L1 to L4, or may be disposed between the lenses L1 to L4. That is, the liquid lens <NUM> may be disposed on the front end A1 of the first lens L1, may be disposed on the rear end A5 of the fourth lens L4, or may be disposed in a region A2, A3 or A4 between the first to fourth lenses L1 to L4.

The liquid lens <NUM> or the image sensor <NUM> are disposed along an optical axis LX of at least one of the lenses L1 to L4. In a non-claimed example, the camera module <NUM> shown in <FIG> may not include the liquid lens <NUM>.

Further, although not shown, an aperture (not shown) may be disposed on the front end A1 or the rear end A5 of the lenses, or may be disposed in the region A2, A3 or A4 between the lenses L1 to L4.

Hereinafter, the liquid lens <NUM> shown in <FIG> will be described below briefly with reference to the accompanying drawings. The liquid lens <NUM> and first and second connection substrates <NUM> and <NUM> will be described later with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view according to an embodiment of a liquid lens module <NUM> including the liquid lens <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The liquid lens module <NUM> shown in <FIG> may include the liquid lens and a connection substrate (a first connection substrate <NUM> or a second connection substrate <NUM>).

The liquid lens may be an optical member that includes at least one liquid and controls the path of light that passes through the liquid lens using variation in the shape of the liquid. Further, the liquid lens may include a plurality of different types of liquids LQ1 and LQ2 and a first plate <NUM> having therein a cavity CA in which the different types of liquids LQ1 and LQ2 are disposed. In addition, the liquid lens may further include at least one of a second plate <NUM>, a third plate <NUM>, an electrode (e.g. at least one of first and second electrodes E1 and E2), or an insulation layer <NUM>.

Although not illustrated, the liquid lens may further include an optical layer. In this case, the optical layer may serve as a filter <NUM> in a camera module 100A shown in <FIG>.

The liquids LQ1 and LQ2 may be accommodated in the cavity CA in the first plate <NUM>, and may include a first liquid (or an insulative liquid) LQ1, which is non-conductive, and a second liquid LQ2, which is conductive. The first liquid LQ1 and the second liquid LQ2 may be immiscible with each other, and an interface (or a boundary surface) BO may be formed at the contact portion between the first and second liquids LQ1 and LQ2. The interface BO formed by the two liquids LQ1 and LQ2 may be moved along an inclined surface i of the cavity CA by a driving voltage supplied to the first electrode E1 and/or the second electrode E2 via the first connection substrate <NUM> and/or the second connection substrate <NUM>.

The inner side surface of the first plate <NUM> may form an inclined sidewall i of the cavity CA. The first plate <NUM> may include upper and lower openings having a predetermined inclined surface i. The open area in the direction in which light is introduced into the cavity CA may be smaller than the open area in the opposite direction. Alternatively, the cavity CA may be formed such that the inclination direction thereof is opposite what is illustrated.

The first liquid LQ1 and the second liquid LQ2 are charged, accommodated, or disposed in the cavity CA in the first plate <NUM>. In addition, the cavity CA is the area through which light passes, and the first plate <NUM> may be formed of a transparent material, or may include impurities so that light does not easily pass therethrough.

Electrodes may be disposed respectively on one surface and the other surface of the first plate <NUM>. A plurality of first electrodes E1 may be spaced apart from a second electrode E2, and may be disposed on one surface (e.g. the upper surface, the side surface, and the lower surface) of the first plate <NUM>. The second electrode E2 may be disposed on at least a portion of the other surface (e.g. the lower surface) of the first plate <NUM>, and may be in direct contact with the second liquid LQ2. To this end, a portion of the second electrode E2 disposed on the other surface of the first plate <NUM> may be exposed to the second liquid LQ2, which is conductive.

In addition, the second plate <NUM> may be disposed on one surface of the first electrodes E1. That is, the second plate <NUM> may be disposed above the first plate <NUM>. Specifically, the second plate <NUM> may be disposed above the upper surface of the first electrodes E1 and the cavity CA.

Each of the first and second electrodes E1 and E2 may include at least one electrode sector. For example, the first electrodes E1 may include two or more electrode sectors, and the second electrode E2 may include at least one electrode sector. For example, the plurality of first electrodes E1 may include a plurality of electrode sectors sequentially disposed in the clockwise direction (or in the counterclockwise direction) about the optical axis.

In addition, the liquid lens module <NUM> shown in <FIG> may further include a bonding member <NUM>. The bonding member (or adhesive) <NUM> may be disposed between the first plate <NUM> and the third plate <NUM>, and may serve to engage the first plate <NUM> and the third plate <NUM> with each other.

Alternatively, the liquid lens module <NUM> shown in <FIG> may further include a plate leg <NUM>, rather than the bonding member <NUM>. The plate leg <NUM> is disposed between the first plate <NUM> and the third plate <NUM>, and serves to support the third plate <NUM>. Here, the plate leg <NUM> may be made of the same material as the third plate <NUM>, and may be integrally formed therewith.

Hereinafter, the case in which the plate leg <NUM> is integrally formed with the third plate <NUM> will be described. However, the following description may also apply to the case in which the plate leg <NUM> is provided separately from the third plate <NUM>.

The third plate <NUM> may be disposed on one surface of the second electrode E2. That is, the third plate <NUM> may be disposed below the first plate <NUM>. Specifically, the third plate <NUM> may be disposed below the lower surface of the second electrode E2 and the cavity CA. The second plate <NUM> and the third plate <NUM> may be disposed so as to face each other, with the first plate <NUM> interposed therebetween. In addition, at least one of the second plate <NUM> or the third plate <NUM> may be omitted. Each of the second and third plates <NUM> and <NUM> is an area through which light passes, and may be formed of a light-transmitting material.

The insulation layer <NUM> may be disposed so as to cover a portion of the lower surface of the second plate <NUM> in the upper area of the cavity CA. That is, the insulation layer <NUM> may be disposed between the first liquid LQ1 and the first plate <NUM>. In addition, the insulation layer <NUM> may be disposed so as to cover a portion of the first electrode E1, which forms the sidewall of the cavity CA. In addition, the insulation layer <NUM> may be disposed on the lower surface of the first plate <NUM> so as to cover a portion of the first electrode E1, the first plate <NUM>, and the second electrode E2. The insulation layer <NUM> may cover one electrode among the first and second electrodes E1 and E2 (e.g. the first electrode E1), and may expose a portion of the other electrode (e.g. the second electrode E2) so that electrical energy is applied to the second liquid LQ2, which is conductive.

The configuration in <FIG> is just an example for helping understanding of the liquid lens <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The liquid lens <NUM> included in the camera module <NUM> according to the embodiment may be implemented in various forms, and thus is not limited to the configuration shown in <FIG>.

Meanwhile, referring again to <FIG>, the image sensor <NUM> is aligned with the lenses L1 to L4 and the liquid lens <NUM> along the optical axis LX. The image sensor <NUM> may perform a function of converting the light that has passed through the lens assembly <NUM> and the liquid lens <NUM> into image data. More specifically, the image sensor <NUM> may generate image data by converting light into analog signals via a pixel array including a plurality of pixels and synthesizing digital signals corresponding to the analog signals.

The sensing unit <NUM> may detect shaking (or hand tremor) caused by at least one of movement of the camera module <NUM> in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the optical axis LX (<NUM> and <NUM> shown in <FIG>), tilting of the camera module <NUM> with respect to the horizontal direction (<NUM> and <NUM> shown in <FIG>), or tilting (or rotation) of the camera module <NUM> with respect to the optical axis LX (<NUM> shown in <FIG>), and may output the result of detection to the controller <NUM>. Here, when the optical axis LX is parallel to the z-axis, at least one of the x-axis direction or the y-axis direction, which is perpendicular to the z-axis direction, may be a 'horizontal direction'. The sensing unit <NUM> may detect horizontal movement or rotational movement of the camera module <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> may move the image sensor <NUM> using information received from the sensing unit <NUM>.

For example, the sensing unit <NUM> may include at least one of first to fifth sensing units <NUM> to <NUM>.

The first sensing unit <NUM> detects movement of the camera module <NUM> in the first direction (e.g. the x-axis direction), which is one of the horizontal directions, and outputs the result of detection to the controller <NUM>.

The second sensing unit <NUM> detects movement of the camera module <NUM> in the second direction (e.g. the y-axis direction), which is another one of the horizontal directions and crosses the first direction (e.g. the x-axis direction), and outputs the result of detection to the controller <NUM>.

For the above-described operation, each of the first and second sensing units <NUM> and <NUM> may be implemented as one acceleration sensor in order to detect the movement that each of the first and second sensing units <NUM> and <NUM> is supposed to detect.

The third sensing unit <NUM> detects tilting of the camera module <NUM> with respect to the first direction (e.g. the x-axis direction), and outputs the result of detection to the controller <NUM>. Here, the tilting of the camera module <NUM> with respect to the first direction is rotation <NUM> of the camera module <NUM> about the first direction (e.g. the x-axis direction), as shown in <FIG>.

The fourth sensing unit <NUM> detects tilting of the camera module <NUM> with respect to the second direction (e.g. the y-axis direction), and outputs the result of detection to the controller <NUM>. Here, the tilting of the camera module <NUM> with respect to the second direction is rotation <NUM> of the camera module <NUM> about the second direction (e.g. the y-axis direction), as shown in <FIG>.

The fifth sensing unit <NUM> detects rotation of the camera module <NUM> about the optical axis LX or a direction parallel to the optical axis LX (e.g. the z-axis direction), and outputs the result of detection to the controller <NUM>.

For the above-described operation, each of the third to fifth sensing units <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may be implemented as one gyro sensor in order to detect the movement that each of the third to fifth sensing units <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> is supposed to detect. That is, the sensing unit <NUM> may include at least one of an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor.

The controller <NUM> generates a control signal in response to the result of detection by the sensing unit <NUM> and outputs the generated control signal to the driving unit <NUM>.

In response to the control signal output from the controller <NUM>, the driving unit <NUM> may perform one of first, second, third, fourth and fifth operations, or may perform at least two of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth operations in a combined manner, thereby compensating for shaking of the camera module <NUM>.

The first operation is an operation of moving the image sensor <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis LX (e.g. the horizontal direction). In addition, the second operation is an operation of moving the lens assembly <NUM> in the horizontal direction. The third operation is an operation of changing the position or shape of the interface BO of the liquid lens <NUM> i.e. tilting). The fourth operation is an operation of moving one of the lenses L1 to L4 included in the lens assembly <NUM> in the horizontal direction. The fifth operation is an operation of rotating the image sensor <NUM> about the optical axis LX.

Among the plurality of lenses, the lens that the driving unit <NUM> moves in the horizontal direction in order to perform the fourth operation may be a lens disposed adjacent to the aperture. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, when the aperture is located in the region A2 or A3 shown in <FIG>, the fourth operation may be performed using the second lens L2, among the plurality of lenses L1 to L4. Hereinafter, the case in which the second lens L2 is moved in order to perform the fourth operation will be described. However, the following description may identically apply to the case in which the first, third or fourth lens L1, L3 or L4 is moved.

According to the embodiment, the controller <NUM> may compensate for shaking of the camera module <NUM> through the first operation or the second operation. For example, the controller <NUM> may control the driving unit <NUM> to move the image sensor <NUM> or the lens assembly <NUM> in the horizontal direction, thereby implementing the hand-tremor compensation function of the camera module <NUM>. The driving unit <NUM> may be an actuator. The driving unit <NUM> may be a part that generates force for moving the image sensor <NUM> or the lens assembly <NUM> in the horizontal direction. For example, the driving unit <NUM> may include a coil and a magnet, which generate driving force. In this case, one of the coil and the magnet may be disposed on one of a moving member and a fixed member, and the other one of the coil and the magnet may be disposed on the other one of the moving member and the fixed member. In addition, the controller <NUM> may compensate for shaking of the camera module <NUM> by performing at least one of the third operation or the fourth operation. Since distortion caused by shaking compensation through the first or second operation and distortion caused by shaking compensation through the third or fourth operation cancel each other, it is possible to more accurately compensate for shaking of the camera module <NUM> by performing two or more of the first to fourth operations in a combined manner.

<FIG> are conceptual diagrams for explaining the operations according to an embodiment. In each of <FIG>, the dotted line <NUM> represents the state of incident light before 6the camera module <NUM> is shaken, and the solid lines <NUM> to <NUM> represent the state of incident light after the camera module <NUM> is shaken. In addition, a liquid lens 120A shown in each of <FIG> corresponds to the liquid lens <NUM> shown in <FIG>. For better understanding, in <FIG>, only the interface BO of the liquid lens 120A and the first and second liquids LQ1 and LQ2 are schematically illustrated. In addition, a member <NUM> disposed between the liquid lens 120A and the image sensor <NUM> in each of <FIG> may be the base substrate <NUM> shown in <FIG>, which will be described later, without being limited thereto, or may be omitted.

According to an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the driving unit <NUM> may perform the second operation of moving the lens assembly <NUM> in the direction of the arrow AR1 and the fourth operation of moving one (e.g. L2) of the lenses L1 to L4 in the direction of the arrow AR2 in a combined manner. At this time, the image sensor <NUM> may be fixed so as to be immobile.

According to another embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the driving unit <NUM> may perform the first operation of moving the lens assembly <NUM> in the direction of the arrow AR3 and the fourth operation of moving one (e.g. L2) of the lenses L1 to L4 in the direction of the arrow AR2 in a combined manner. At this time, the lens assembly <NUM> may be fixed so as to be immobile.

According to still another embodiment, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the driving unit <NUM> may perform the second operation of moving the lens <NUM> in the direction of the arrow AR1 and the third operation of tilting the interface BO of the liquid lens 120A in a combined manner. At this time, the image sensor <NUM> may be fixed so as to be immobile. In the case of <FIG>, the liquid lens 120A is disposed inside the lens assembly <NUM>, unlike what is illustrated in <FIG>. In the case of <FIG>, the liquid lens 120A is disposed outside the lens assembly <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Accordingly, in the case of <FIG>, when the lens assembly <NUM> moves in the direction of the arrow AR1, the liquid lens 120A may also move in the direction of the arrow AR1. In contrast, in the case of <FIG>, when the lens assembly <NUM> moves in the direction of the arrow AR1, the liquid lens 120A does not move in the direction of the arrow AR1. Except therefor, the operations of the driving unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> are identical.

According to still another embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the driving unit <NUM> may perform the first operation of moving the image sensor <NUM> in the direction of the arrow AR3 and the third operation of tilting the interface BO of the liquid lens 120A in a combined manner. In this case, the lens assembly <NUM> may not move.

The driving unit <NUM> is capable of more effectively compensating for shaking of the camera module <NUM> when performing at least two of the first, second, third, or fourth operation in a combined manner than when performing only one of the first to fourth operations. This will be described below in detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

For better understanding, it is assumed that the camera module <NUM> is shaken while being tilted by <NUM>° with respect to the y-axis direction. At this time, the sensing unit <NUM> (e.g. the fourth sensing unit <NUM>) detects the tilting of the camera module <NUM> with respect to the y-axis direction, and outputs the result of detection to the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may control the operation of the driving unit <NUM> as follows according to the result of detection by the sensing unit <NUM>.

<FIG> are diagrams for explaining the operations of the driving unit <NUM> according to the embodiment. In each of <FIG> and <FIG>, the dotted line <NUM> represents the state of incident light in a non-shaken state of the camera module <NUM>, and the solid lines <NUM> and <NUM> represent the state of incident light in the shaken state of the camera module <NUM>. In addition, a liquid lens 120A shown in <FIG> corresponds to the liquid lens shown in <FIG>. For better understanding, only the interface BO and the first and second liquids LQ1 and LQ2 are schematically illustrated. In addition, for description of the concept, the lens assembly <NUM> is schematically illustrated using an arrow in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the driving unit <NUM> may perform the first operation of moving the image sensor <NUM> in the y-axis direction indicated by the arrow AR3, or may perform the second operation of moving the lens assembly <NUM> in the y-axis direction indicated by the arrow AR1. The lens assembly <NUM> may be fixed while the first operation of moving the image sensor <NUM> is performed, and the image sensor <NUM> may be fixed while the second operation of moving the lens assembly <NUM> is performed. However, both the lens assembly <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> may be moved during any operation.

Described in detail, when the camera module <NUM> is shaken while being tilted by <NUM>° with respect to the y-axis direction, light <NUM> is incident on the center P1 of the image sensor <NUM> in the state of being tilted by <NUM>°, which is a first angle Θ1, and thus the first angle needs to be corrected to <NUM>°. The light <NUM> is incident on one peripheral portion P2 of the image sensor <NUM> in the state of being tilted by <NUM>°, which is a second angle Θ2, and thus the second angle needs to be corrected to <NUM>°, which is a third angle Θ3. The light <NUM> is incident on an opposite peripheral portion P3 of the image sensor <NUM> in the state of being tilted by <NUM>°, which is a fourth angle Θ4, and thus the fourth angle needs to be corrected to <NUM>°, which is a fifth angle Θ5. In this way, the image sensor <NUM> or the lens assembly <NUM> is moved on the basis of an image projected onto the image sensor <NUM>.

When the first angle Θ1 of <NUM>° is corrected to <NUM>°, a first amount of movement M1 at the center P1 of the image sensor <NUM> may be expressed using Equation <NUM> below. When the second angle Θ2 of <NUM>° is corrected to the third angle Θ3 of <NUM>°, a second amount of movement M2 at the one peripheral portion P2 of the image sensor <NUM> may be expressed using Equation <NUM> below. When the fourth angle Θ4 of <NUM>° is corrected to the fifth angle Θ5 of <NUM>°, a third amount of movement M3 at the opposite peripheral portion P3 of the image sensor <NUM> may be expressed using Equation <NUM> below. <MAT><MAT><MAT>.

Here, FL represents the focal length. When FL is <NUM>, the first amount of movement M1 is about <NUM>, the second amount of movement M2 is about <NUM>, and the third amount of movement M3 is about <NUM>. On the basis of the first amount of movement M1 of the light incident on the center P1, the second amount of movement M2 causes distortion of +<NUM>, and the third amount of movement M3 causes distortion of +<NUM>.

Meanwhile, the driving unit <NUM> may further perform the third or fourth operation. That is, the driving unit <NUM> may perform the third operation of tilting the interface BO of the liquid lens 120A, as shown in <FIG>, or may perform the fourth operation of moving any one (L2) of the lenses L1 to L4 included in the lens assembly <NUM> in the y-axis direction indicated by the arrow AR2, as shown in <FIG>. While the third operation of tilting the interface BO of the liquid lens 120A is performed, the image sensor <NUM> may be fixed, and while the fourth operation of moving any one lens L2 is performed, the image sensor <NUM> may be fixed. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the image sensor may be moved in any operation. Furthermore, the third or fourth operation may be performed simultaneously with the first or second operation, or may be performed with a time difference therebetween.

Describing the third operation, when the camera module <NUM> is shaken while being tilted by approximately <NUM>° with respect to the y-axis direction and the interface B0 of the liquid lens 120A is tilted by a predetermined angle Θ6, e.g. <NUM>°, the angle at which light is incident on the center P1 of the image sensor <NUM> is corrected from <NUM>° to <NUM>°. However, the second angle Θ2 at which light is incident on the one peripheral portion P2 is corrected from <NUM>° to -<NUM>°, rather than being corrected to <NUM>°, which is the third angle Θ3, and the fourth angle Θ4 at which light is incident on the opposite peripheral portion P3 of the image sensor <NUM> is corrected from <NUM>° to <NUM>°, rather than being corrected to <NUM>°, which is the fifth angle Θ5. In this case, the one peripheral portion P2 undergoes distortion of -<NUM>, and the opposite peripheral portion P3 undergoes distortion of -<NUM>. In this way, when the third operation is performed, the peripheral portions P2 and P3 of the image sensor <NUM> are corrected less than the center P1 thereof. Similarly, when the fourth operation shown in <FIG> is performed, the peripheral portions P2 and P3 of the image sensor <NUM> are corrected less than the center P1 thereof.

<FIG> is a graph for explaining distortion compensation of the camera module <NUM> according to the embodiment, in which the horizontal axis represents the position of the field in the image sensor <NUM> and the vertical axis represents the degree of distortion as the number of pixels.

As described above, when the driving unit <NUM> performs the first or second operation, the peripheral portions P2 and P3 of the image sensor <NUM> are corrected more than the center P1 thereof, whereas when the driving unit <NUM> performs the third or fourth operation, the peripheral portions P2 and P3 of the image sensor <NUM> are corrected less than the center P1 thereof. Therefore, when the driving unit <NUM> performs one of the first and second operations and one of the third and fourth operations in a combined manner, distortion <NUM> caused by the first or second operation and distortion <NUM> caused by the third or fourth operation may cancel each other, as shown in <FIG>. In the example described above, at the one peripheral portion P2 of the image sensor <NUM>, when the distortion of +<NUM> caused by the first or second operation and the distortion of -<NUM> caused by the third operation are summed, the distortion may be reduced to -<NUM>. At the opposite peripheral portion P3 of the image sensor <NUM>, when the distortion of +<NUM> caused by the first or second operation and the distortion of -<NUM> caused by the third operation are summed, the distortion may be reduced to +<NUM>.

As such, since the distortion <NUM> (e.g. -<NUM> or +<NUM>) caused by performing the first or second operation and the third or fourth operation according to the embodiment is less than the distortion <NUM> (e.g. +<NUM> or <NUM>) caused by performing only the first or second operation or the distortion <NUM> (e.g. -<NUM> or -<NUM>) caused by performing only the third or fourth operation, it can be seen that the embodiment more effectively compensates for shaking of the camera module <NUM>.

The description made with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> may identically apply to the case in which the camera module <NUM> is shaken while being tilted by approximately <NUM>° with respect to the x-axis direction. In this case, the sensing unit <NUM> (e.g. the third sensing unit <NUM>) detects tilting of the camera module <NUM> with respect to the x-axis direction and outputs the result of detection to the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may control the operation of the driving unit <NUM> based on the result of detection by the sensing unit <NUM>, as described above.

Meanwhile, the camera module <NUM> may be shaken by being rotated about the optical axis LX (e.g. in the z-axis direction). At this time, the sensing unit <NUM> (e.g. the fifth sensing unit <NUM>) detects shaking of the camera module <NUM> attributable to rotation of the camera module <NUM> about the optical axis LX and outputs the result of detection to the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> generates, based on the result of detection by the fifth sensing unit <NUM>, a control signal such that the driving unit <NUM> performs the fifth operation. The driving unit <NUM> rotates the image sensor <NUM> about the optical axis LX in response to the control signal, thereby compensating for shaking of the camera module <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the relationships between the operations performed in a combined manner by the driving unit <NUM> will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams for explaining the relationship between the first operation and the fourth operation.

When the driving unit <NUM> performs the first operation of moving the image sensor <NUM> in the direction of the arrow AR3 and the fourth operation of moving one (e.g. L2) of the lenses L1 to L4 in a combined manner, if the lens L2 that is moved by the fourth operation is a convex lens, the direction in which the image sensor <NUM> is moved by the first operation and the direction in which the convex lens L2 is moved by the fourth operation may be opposite each other. For example, as shown in <FIG>, when the image sensor <NUM> is moved in the +y-axis direction (or the +x-axis direction) indicated by the arrow AR3, the convex lens L2 may be moved in the -y-axis direction (or the -x-axis direction) indicated by the arrow AR2. Alternatively, as shown in <FIG>, when the image sensor <NUM> is moved in the -y-axis direction (or the -x-axis direction) indicated by the arrow AR3, the convex lens L2 may be moved in the +y-axis direction (or the +x-axis direction) indicated by the arrow AR2.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams for explaining the relationship between the first operation and the third operation.

When the driving unit <NUM> performs the first operation of moving the image sensor <NUM> in the direction of the arrow AR3 and the third operation of tilting the interface BO of the liquid lens 120A in a combined manner, the direction in which the interface BO is tilted may vary depending on the direction in which the image sensor <NUM> is moved by the first operation.

According to an embodiment, when the refractive index of the second liquid LQ2 is greater than the refractive index of the first liquid LQ1, the direction in which the interface BO is tilted may vary as follows depending on the direction in which the image sensor <NUM> is moved by the first operation.

As shown in <FIG>, when the image sensor <NUM> is moved from the first position ① to the second position ② in the horizontal direction (e.g. the +y-axis direction or the +x-axis direction) by the first operation, the interface BO may be tilted such that the distance between the interface BO and the upper surface 130T of the image sensor <NUM> gradually decreases from the first position ① to the second position ② of the image sensor <NUM>. That is, the first distance d1 between the interface BO and the upper surface 130T of the image sensor <NUM> at the first position ① may be greater than the second distance d2 between the interface BO and the upper surface 130T of the image sensor <NUM> at the second position ②. That is, in the direction parallel to the optical axis LX (e.g. the z-axis direction), the shortest distance between the interface BO and the second position ② of the image sensor <NUM> may be shorter than the shortest distance between the interface BO and the first position ① of the image sensor <NUM>.

Alternatively, as shown in <FIG>, when the image sensor <NUM> is moved from the second position ② to the first position ① in the horizontal direction (e.g. the -y-axis direction or the -x-axis direction) by the first operation, the interface BO may be tilted such that the distance between the interface BO and the upper surface 130T of the image sensor <NUM> gradually decreases from the second position ② to the first position ① of the image sensor <NUM>. That is, the second distance d2 between the interface BO and the upper surface 130T of the image sensor <NUM> at the second position ② may be greater than the first distance d1 between the interface BO and the upper surface 130T of the image sensor <NUM> at the first position ①.

According to another embodiment, when the refractive index of the first liquid LQ1 is greater than the refractive index of the second liquid LQ2, the direction in which the interface BO is tilted may vary in the direction opposite the direction shown in <FIG> and <FIG> depending on the direction in which the image sensor <NUM> is moved by the first operation.

Unlike what is illustrated in <FIG>, when the image sensor <NUM> is moved from the first position ① to the second position ② in the horizontal direction (e.g. +y-axis direction or the +x-axis direction) by the first operation, the interface BO may be tilted such that the distance between the interface BO and the upper surface 130T of the image sensor <NUM> gradually increases from the first position ① to the second position ② of the image sensor <NUM>. That is, the first distance d1 between the interface BO and the upper surface 130T of the image sensor <NUM> at the first position ① may be less than the second distance d2 between the interface BO and the upper surface 130T of the image sensor <NUM> at the second position ②. That is, in the direction parallel to the optical axis LX (e.g. the z-axis direction), the shortest distance between the interface BO and the first position ① of the image sensor <NUM> may be shorter than the shortest distance between the interface BO and the second position ② of the image sensor <NUM>.

Alternatively, unlike what is illustrated in <FIG>, when the image sensor <NUM> is moved from the second position ② to the first position ① in the horizontal direction (e.g. the -y-axis direction or the -x-axis direction) by the first operation, the interface BO may be tilted such that the distance between the interface BO and the upper surface 130T of the image sensor <NUM> gradually increases from the second position ② to the first position ① of the image sensor <NUM>. That is, the second distance d2 between the interface BO and the upper surface 130T of the image sensor <NUM> at the second position ② may be less than the first distance d1 between the interface BO and the upper surface 130T of the image sensor <NUM> at the first position ①.

As described above, when the interface BO of the liquid lens <NUM> is tilted, the angle Θ6 by which the interface BO of the liquid lens 120A is tilted with respect to a horizontal surface perpendicular to the optical axis LX (e.g. the surface formed by the x-axis and the y-axis) may be <NUM>° or less, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, referring again to <FIG>, the driving unit <NUM> may include at least one of first to third driving units <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, or a single driving unit may serve as the first to third driving units <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

The first driving unit <NUM> may perform at least one of the first operation or the fifth operation. That is, the first driving unit <NUM> may perform the first operation by moving the image sensor <NUM> in the horizontal direction, or may perform the fifth operation by rotating the image sensor <NUM> about the optical axis LX.

The second driving unit <NUM> may perform at least one of the second operation or the fourth operation. That is, the second driving unit <NUM> may perform the second operation by moving the lens assembly <NUM> in the horizontal direction, and may perform the fourth operation by moving one (e.g. L2) of the lenses L1 to L4 included in the lens assembly <NUM> in the horizontal direction. To this end, the second driving unit <NUM> may use microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), a voice coil motor (VCM), a shape memory alloy (SMA), an electro-active polymer (EAP) actuator, a bimetal actuator, or a piezoelectric effect element, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

The third driving unit <NUM> may perform the third operation by tilting the interface BO of the liquid lens <NUM>. For example, referring to <FIG>, when the third driving unit <NUM> applies a driving voltage to the first and second electrodes E1 and E2 via the first connection substrate <NUM> and the second connection substrate <NUM> of the liquid lens <NUM>, the interface BO between the first liquid LQ1 and the second liquid LQ2 is moved along the inclined surface i of the cavity CA and tilted, whereby the third operation may be performed. That is, due to the deformation of the interface BO, at least one of the shape of the liquid lens <NUM>, such as the curvature thereof, or the focal length thereof may be changed (or adjusted). For example, the focal length of the liquid lens <NUM> may be adjusted when at least one of the flexure or inclination of the interface BO formed inside the liquid lens <NUM> is changed in response to a driving voltage.

If the controller <NUM> serves as the third driving unit <NUM> for tilting the interface BO of the liquid lens <NUM>, the third driving unit <NUM> may be omitted.

In addition, the camera module <NUM> may include a moving body for moving the image sensor <NUM>, and the image sensor <NUM> may receive power via the moving body. Alternatively, the camera module <NUM> may include a driving unit and a moving body for moving the image sensor <NUM>, and power may be applied to the driving unit so as to move the image sensor <NUM> via the moving body. The moving body may be a ball or a wire.

Hereinafter, an embodiment 152A of the first driving unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a diagram for explaining the embodiment 152A of the first driving unit <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and illustrates the first driving unit 152A, the image sensor <NUM>, and the sensing unit <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the first driving unit 152A may include a moving substrate <NUM>, a fixed substrate (or a fixed body) <NUM>, an actuator <NUM>, and a connection part <NUM>. Here, the connection part <NUM> may serve as the aforementioned moving body.

The moving substrate <NUM> may be disposed below the lens assembly <NUM> or the liquid lens <NUM> so as to be moved together with the image sensor <NUM>. That is, when the moving substrate <NUM> is moved in the horizontal direction, the image sensor <NUM> may also be moved in the same horizontal direction together therewith, and when the moving substrate <NUM> is rotated about the optical axis LX, the image sensor <NUM> may also be rotated together therewith. In addition, the moving substrate <NUM> may provide an operation voltage, which is required by the image sensor <NUM>, to the image sensor <NUM>, and may be electrically connected to the image sensor <NUM> in order to receive image data from the image sensor <NUM>.

The fixed substrate <NUM> may be disposed below the moving substrate <NUM>, and may be fixed so as to be immobile, unlike the moving substrate <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the sensing unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be disposed on the fixed substrate <NUM>, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. In addition, the fixed substrate <NUM> may transfer the aforementioned operation voltage of the image sensor <NUM> to the moving substrate <NUM> via the connection part <NUM>, and may receive the image data generated in the image sensor <NUM> from the moving substrate <NUM> via the connection part <NUM>.

The actuator <NUM> may move the moving substrate <NUM> in the horizontal direction, or may rotate the moving substrate <NUM> about the optical axis LX under the control of the controller <NUM>. To this end, the actuator <NUM> may operate in response to the control signal received via an input terminal IN.

The actuator <NUM> may move the moving substrate <NUM> in various manners. For example, the actuator <NUM> may include a first magnet (not shown) and a coil (not shown). In this case, in order to allow the moving substrate <NUM> to be moved by the electromagnetic interaction between the first magnet and the coil, the first magnet may be disposed so as to be fixed to one of the moving substrate <NUM> and the fixed substrate <NUM>, and the coil may be disposed so as to be fixed to the other one of the moving substrate <NUM> and the fixed substrate <NUM> and to face the first magnet. An embodiment of the first magnet and the coil of the actuator <NUM> will be described later with reference to <FIG>.

The moving body, i.e. the connection part <NUM>, may be disposed between the moving substrate <NUM> and the fixed substrate <NUM>, and may allow at least one of the movement of the moving substrate <NUM> in the horizontal direction or the rotation of the moving substrate <NUM> about the optical axis LX. In addition, as described above, in order to receive the operation voltage for operating the image sensor <NUM> from the fixed substrate <NUM> and transfer the same to the image sensor <NUM> via the moving substrate <NUM> and in order to receive image data, which is an electrical signal of an image captured by the image sensor <NUM>, from the moving substrate <NUM> and transfer the same to the fixed substrate <NUM>, the connection part <NUM> may be electrically conductive. That is, the connection part <NUM> may serve to electrically connect the moving substrate <NUM> and the fixed substrate <NUM> to each other.

According to the embodiment, the connection part <NUM> may include a plurality of first bearings. The first bearings <NUM> may be in point contact with the lower surface 410B of the moving substrate <NUM> and the upper surface 420T of the fixed substrate <NUM> in order to allow at least one of the movement of the moving substrate <NUM> in the horizontal direction or the rotation of the moving substrate <NUM> about the optical axis LX. Further, in order to electrically connect the moving substrate <NUM> and the fixed substrate <NUM> to each other, the first bearings <NUM> may be made of a conductive material.

Although the number of first bearings <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG> as being three, the embodiment is not limited as to the specific number of first bearings <NUM>, so long as the first bearings <NUM> are capable of allowing at least one of movement of the moving substrate <NUM> in the horizontal direction or rotation of the moving substrate <NUM> about the optical axis LX.

Meanwhile, <FIG> illustrate compensation for shaking caused by tilting of the camera module <NUM> in the horizontal direction. In this case, the controller <NUM> may not use the distance between an object to be photographed and the camera module <NUM> in order to control the driving unit <NUM>. Therefore, in the case in which it is intended to compensate only for shaking caused by tilting of the camera module <NUM> shown in <FIG> in the horizontal direction, the distance measurement unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be omitted.

However, when it is intended to compensate for shaking caused by movement of the camera module <NUM> in the horizontal direction, the controller <NUM> may control the driving unit <NUM> using the distance between the object to be photographed and the camera module <NUM>. This will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The distance measurement unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> measures the distance between the object to be photographed and the camera module <NUM> and outputs the measured distance to the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> generates a control signal in consideration of the distance measured by the distance measurement unit <NUM> and the result of detection by the sensing unit <NUM> and outputs the generated control signal to the driving unit <NUM>. That is, upon determining that the camera module <NUM> has moved in the first direction (e.g. the x-axis direction) based on the result of detection by the first sensing unit <NUM> or that the camera module <NUM> has moved in the second direction (e.g. the y-axis direction) based on the result of detection by the second sensing unit <NUM>, the controller <NUM> generates a control signal using the distance measured by the distance measurement unit <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the distance measurement unit <NUM> may measure the distance between the object to be photographed and the camera module <NUM> using a phase difference of light incident on the image sensor <NUM>.

According to another embodiment, the distance measurement unit <NUM> may be implemented as a distance measurement camera (not shown). The distance measurement camera may measure the distance between the object to be photographed and the camera module <NUM>. To this end, the distance measurement camera may capture an image of the object to be photographed, and may measure the distance between the object to be photographed and the camera module <NUM> using the captured image.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment 170A of the distance measurement unit <NUM> shown in <FIG>, which may include an area measurement unit <NUM>, a tilting amount prediction unit <NUM>, and a distance determination unit <NUM>.

According to another embodiment, the distance measurement unit <NUM> may be implemented in the form shown in <FIG> to measure the distance between the object to be photographed and the camera module <NUM>.

The area measurement unit <NUM> measures the area of the interface BO of the liquid lens <NUM> and outputs the measured area of the interface BO to the tilting amount prediction unit <NUM>.

The tilting amount prediction unit <NUM> predicts the degree of tilting (tilting amount, tilting angle, or curvature) of the interface BO using the area measured by the area measurement unit <NUM> and outputs the predicted tilting amount to the distance determination unit <NUM>.

The distance determination unit <NUM> determines the distance between the object to be photographed and the camera module <NUM> based on the tilting amount predicted by the tilting amount prediction unit <NUM> and outputs the determined distance to the controller <NUM> via an output terminal OUT. For example, the distance determination unit <NUM> may determine the distance by converting the predicted tilting amount into a distance. Further, since the predicted curvature of the interface BO is in one-to-one correspondence with the distance to a corresponding object to be photographed, the distance may be predicted and determined based on the predicted curvature.

According to still another embodiment, the distance measurement unit <NUM> may calculate the distance between the object to be photographed and the camera module <NUM> using at least one of first information about the phase difference of light incident on the image sensor <NUM>, second information about an image captured by the distance measurement camera, or third information about the curvature of the interface BO of the liquid lens <NUM>.

According to still another embodiment, a main processor of an optical device (not shown) including the camera module <NUM> may calculate a distance using at least one of the first, second, or third information, and may directly provide the calculated distance to the controller <NUM>. In this case, the distance measurement unit <NUM> may be omitted.

Meanwhile, the camera module <NUM> according to the embodiment may further include a Hall sensor and a second magnet (or a sensing magnet) in order to determine whether the first or fifth operation has been properly performed by the driving unit <NUM>.

The Hall sensor may be fixedly disposed on one of the moving substrate <NUM> and the fixed substrate <NUM>, and the second magnet may be fixedly disposed on the other one of the moving substrate <NUM> and the fixed substrate <NUM> so as to face the Hall sensor. The Hall sensor may detect the amount of movement or amount of rotation of the image sensor <NUM> due to the first or fifth operation and may output the result of detection to the controller <NUM>. That is, the Hall sensor is a sensor capable of measuring magnetic force. Accordingly, when one of the Hall sensor and the second magnet is disposed on one of the moving substrate <NUM> and the fixed substrate <NUM> and the other one of the Hall sensor and the second magnet is disposed on the other one of the moving substrate <NUM> and the fixed substrate <NUM>, the relative positions of the Hall sensor and the second magnet may be recognized using the magnetic force detected by the Hall sensor, and the amount of movement or amount of rotation of the image sensor <NUM> may be determined based on the recognized relative positions.

For example, reference numeral <NUM> shown in <FIG> may correspond to the Hall sensor, and <NUM> may correspond to the second magnet. Reference numeral <NUM> may correspond to the second magnet, and <NUM> may correspond to the Hall sensor. In the case illustrated in <FIG>, the positions <NUM> and <NUM>, at which the Hall sensor and the second magnet (or the second magnet and the Hall sensor) are respectively disposed, may be respectively located on the lower surface 410B of the moving substrate <NUM> and the upper surface 420T of the fixed substrate <NUM>, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. That is, the Hall sensor may be disposed on the upper surface, the lower surface, or the side surface of any one of the moving substrate <NUM> and the fixed substrate <NUM>, or at least a portion of the Hall sensor may be disposed so as to be embedded in any one of the moving substrate <NUM> and the fixed substrate <NUM>. Similarly, the second magnet may be disposed on the upper surface, the lower surface, or the side surface of the other one of the moving substrate <NUM> and the fixed substrate <NUM>, or at least a portion of the second magnet may be disposed so as to be embedded in the other one of the moving substrate <NUM> and the fixed substrate <NUM>. That is, the embodiment is not limited as to the specific positions of the Hall sensor and the second magnet, so long as the Hall sensor and the second magnet are disposed so as to face each other.

Furthermore, although a single Hall sensor and a single second magnet are illustrated in <FIG>, the embodiment is not limited as to the specific number of Hall sensors or the specific number of second magnets.

Furthermore, the camera module <NUM> according to the embodiment may use the curvature of the interface BO of the liquid lens <NUM> in order to determine whether the third operation has been properly performed by the driving unit <NUM>. That is, when the interface BO of the liquid lens <NUM> is tilted, the amount of tilting may be predicted by measuring the area of the interface BO, and the curvature of the interface BO may also be recognized in the same manner.

The controller <NUM> generates a control signal based on the amount of movement or amount of rotation detected by the Hall sensor and the predicted amount of tilting of the interface BO, and controls the driving unit <NUM> using the generated control signal. After determining whether the driving unit <NUM> has accurately performed the first, third or fifth operation, the controller <NUM> may control the driving unit <NUM> to accurately perform the operation based on the result of the determination.

Hereinafter, an embodiment 100A of the camera module <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> illustrates a top perspective view of the coupled state of an embodiment 100A of the camera module <NUM> shown in <FIG>, <FIG> illustrates a top perspective view of the camera module 100A shown in <FIG>, from which a cover <NUM> is removed, <FIG> illustrates an exploded perspective view of the camera module 100A shown in <FIG>, <FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' in the camera module 100A shown in <FIG>, <FIG> illustrates an exploded perspective view of a portion of the camera module 100A shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> illustrates an exploded perspective view of a portion of the camera module 100A shown in <FIG>.

The camera module 100A illustrated in <FIG> may compensate for shaking of the camera module 100A by performing the first operation and the third operation in a combined manner or by performing the fifth operation.

The camera module 100A may include a lens assembly, an actuator 430A, a plurality of first bearings <NUM>, a sensor substrate <NUM>, a main board <NUM>, and an image sensor 130A. In addition, the camera module 100A may further include a cover <NUM> and a middle base <NUM>. In addition, the camera module 100A may further include a filter base <NUM> and a filter <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, at least one of the components <NUM> to <NUM> of the camera module 100A shown in <FIG> may be omitted. Alternatively, at least one component other than the components 200A, 430A and <NUM> to <NUM> may be further included in the camera module 100A.

The lens assembly may include at least one of a liquid lens module 200A, a holder <NUM>, or a plurality of lenses LL1, LL2, LL3, LL4 and LL5. Here, the lens assembly may perform the same function as the lens assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the liquid lens <NUM> may perform the same function as the liquid lens <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and the lenses LL1, LL2, LL3, LL4 and LL5 may perform the same functions as the lenses L1, L2, L3 and L4 shown in <FIG>.

In the configuration shown in <FIG>, the liquid lens <NUM> is disposed outside the lens assembly <NUM>. However, as shown in <FIG>, the liquid lens <NUM> may be contained in the lens assembly. Unlike the liquid lens <NUM> of the liquid lens module 200A, each of the lenses LL1 to LL5 may be a solid lens formed of glass or plastic, but the embodiment is not limited as to the specific material of each of the lenses LL1 to LL5.

Some LL1 and LL2 of the lenses LL1 to LL5 may be disposed at the upper side of the lens assembly above the liquid lens <NUM> inside the holder <NUM>, and the others LL3 to LL5 of the lenses LL1 to LL5 may be disposed at the lower side of the lens assembly below the liquid lens <NUM> inside the holder <NUM>. The lenses LL1 to LL5 may be implemented using a plurality of lenses that are aligned along a center axis to form an optical system, or may be implemented using a single lens. Here, the center axis may be an optical axis LX of the optical system, which is formed by the lenses LL1 to LL5 and the liquid lens <NUM> included in the camera module 100A, or may be an axis parallel to the optical axis LX. The optical axis LX may correspond to the optical axis of the image sensor 130A. That is, the lenses LL1 to LL5, the liquid lens <NUM>, and the image sensor 130A may be aligned along the optical axis LX through active alignment (AA). Here, active alignment may mean an operation of aligning the optical axes of the lenses LL1 to LL5 and the liquid lens <NUM> with each other and adjusting an axial relationship or distance relationship between the image sensor 130A and the lenses LL1 to LL5 (200A) in order to acquire an improved image.

In addition, as illustrated in <FIG>, the lenses may include, for example, five lenses LL1 to LL5, but this is merely given by way of example, and four or fewer lenses or six or more lenses may be included. Further, the lens LL1 located at the uppermost position, among the lenses LL1 to LL5, functions as an exposure lens that protrudes upwards from the holder <NUM>, and faces the risk of damage to the surface thereof. When the surface of the exposure lens LL1 is damaged, the quality of an image captured by the camera module 100A may be deteriorated. Therefore, in order to prevent or minimize damage to the surface of the exposure lens LL1, a cover glass may be disposed, or a coating layer may be formed on the top of the exposure lens LL1. Alternatively, in order to prevent damage to the surface of the exposure lens LL1, the exposure lens LL1 may be formed of a wear-resistant material having higher rigidity than the other lenses LL2 to LL5. The outer diameter of each of the lenses LL1 to LL5 may gradually increase in a direction approaching the bottom (e.g. the -z-axis direction), but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

The light incident on the lenses LL1 and LL2 from the outside of the camera module 100A may pass through the liquid lens module 200A, and may be incident on the lenses LL3 to LL5.

The liquid lens module 200A is an embodiment of the liquid lens module <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and may include a first connection substrate <NUM>, a second connection substrate <NUM>, a spacer <NUM>, and a liquid lens <NUM>. Here, the first connection substrate <NUM>, the second connection substrate <NUM>, and the liquid lens <NUM> correspond to the first connection substrate <NUM>, the second connection substrate <NUM>, and the liquid lens shown in <FIG>, respectively.

The first connection substrate <NUM> may electrically connect a plurality of first electrodes (E1 shown in <FIG>) included in the liquid lens <NUM> to the main board <NUM>, and may be disposed above the liquid lens <NUM>. The first connection substrate <NUM> may be implemented as a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). In addition, the first connection substrate <NUM> may be electrically connected to an electrode pad (not shown), which is formed on the main board <NUM>, via a connection pad (not shown), which is electrically connected to each of the first electrodes E1. To this end, after the liquid lens module 200A is inserted into the inner space of the holder <NUM>, the first connection substrate <NUM> may be subjected to bending in the -z-axis direction toward the main board <NUM>, and thereafter the connection pad (not shown) and the electrode pad (not shown) may be electrically connected to each other via conductive epoxy.

The second connection substrate <NUM> may electrically connect a second electrode (E2 shown in <FIG>) included in the liquid lens <NUM> to the main board <NUM>, and may be disposed below the liquid lens <NUM>. The second connection substrate <NUM> may be implemented as an FPCB or a single metal substrate (a conductive metal plate). The second connection substrate <NUM> may be electrically connected to an electrode pad, which is formed on the main board <NUM>, via a connection pad, which is electrically connected to the second electrode E2. To this end, after the liquid lens module 200A is inserted into the inner space of the holder <NUM>, the second connection substrate <NUM> may be subjected to bending in the -z-axis direction toward the main board <NUM>. A driving voltage may be supplied to the liquid lens <NUM> via the first connection substrate <NUM> and the second connection substrate <NUM>.

An upper hole and a lower hole, which are through-holes, may be formed respectively in the upper portion and the lower portion of the holder <NUM>. Some LL1 and LL2 of the lenses LL1 to LL5 may be accommodated in, mounted in, seated in, in contact with, fixed to, provisionally fixed to, supported by, coupled to, or disposed in the upper hole in the holder <NUM>, and the others LL3 to LL5 among the lenses LL1 to LL5 may be accommodated in, mounted in, seated in, in contact with, fixed to, provisionally fixed to, supported by, coupled to, or disposed in the lower hole in the holder <NUM>.

In addition, the first and second sidewalls of the holder <NUM> may be disposed so as to face each other in a first direction perpendicular to the direction of the optical axis LX (e.g. in the x-axis direction). The first sidewall may include a first opening OP1, and the second sidewall may include a second opening OP2 having a shape that is the same as or similar to that of the first opening OP1. Thus, the first opening OP1 disposed in the first sidewall and the second opening OP2 disposed in the second sidewall may be disposed so as to face each other in the first direction perpendicular to the direction of the optical axis LX (e.g. in the x-axis direction).

The inner space in the holder <NUM>, in which the liquid lens module 200A is disposed, may be open due to the first and second openings OP1 and OP2. In this case, the liquid lens module 200A may be inserted through the first or second opening OP1 or OP2 so as to be mounted in, seated in, in contact with, fixed to, provisionally fixed to, supported by, coupled to, or disposed in the inner space in the holder <NUM>. For example, the liquid lens module 200A may be inserted into the inner space in the holder <NUM> through the first opening OP1.

The spacer <NUM> may be disposed so as to surround the side surface of the liquid lens <NUM>, and may protect the liquid lens <NUM> from external impacts. To this end, the spacer <NUM> may have a shape, for example, a ring shape, that allows the liquid lens <NUM> to be mounted in, seated in, in contact with, fixed to, provisionally fixed to, supported by, coupled to, or disposed in the spacer. For example, the spacer <NUM> may include a hollow region in which the liquid lens <NUM> is accommodated, and a frame configured to surround the hollow region formed in the center thereof. As such, the spacer <NUM> may have a centrally-hollowed square planar shape (hereinafter referred to as a '□'-shaped form), but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The first and second connection substrates <NUM> and <NUM> may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the spacer <NUM>, and may include a ring shape.

In addition, the spacer <NUM> may be disposed between the first connection substrate <NUM> and the second connection substrate <NUM>, and may be disposed so as to protrude from at least one of the first or second opening OP1 or OP2 in the holder <NUM>. That is, at least a portion of the spacer <NUM> may be shaped so as to protrude, along with the first and second connection substrates <NUM> and <NUM>, from at least one of the first or second sidewall of the holder <NUM> in the first direction perpendicular to the optical axis LX (e.g. in the x-axis direction). The reason for this is that the length of the spacer <NUM> in the x-axis direction is greater than the length of the holder <NUM> in the x-axis direction. Furthermore, at least a portion of the spacer <NUM> may be disposed in at least one of the first opening OP1 or the second opening OP2.

In addition, although not shown, the camera module 100A may further include first and second adhesive members (not shown) for coupling the holder <NUM> and the liquid lens module 200A in the first and second openings OP1 and OP2.

The cover <NUM> may be disposed so as to surround the holder <NUM>, the liquid lens module 200A, and the middle base <NUM>, and may protect these components 200A, <NUM> and <NUM> from external impacts. In particular, since the cover <NUM> is disposed, the lenses LL1 to LL5 and the liquid lens module 200A, which form an optical system, may be protected from external impacts. In addition, in order to allow the lenses LL1 and LL2 disposed in the holder <NUM> to be exposed to external light, the cover <NUM> may include an upper opening <NUM> formed in the upper surface of the cover <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the middle base <NUM> may be disposed so as to surround the lower hole in the holder <NUM>. To this end, the middle base <NUM> may include an accommodation hole 530H1 for accommodating the lower hole therein. Similar to the upper opening <NUM> in the cover <NUM>, the accommodation hole 530H1 may be formed near the center of the middle base <NUM> at a position corresponding to the position of the image sensor 130A, which is disposed in the camera module 100A.

The filter <NUM> may filter light within a specific wavelength range, among the light that has passed through the lenses LL1 to LL5 and the liquid lens <NUM>. The filter <NUM> may be an infrared (IR) light blocking filter or an ultraviolet (UV) light blocking filter, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The filter <NUM> may be disposed inside the filter base <NUM> above the image sensor 130A. For example, the filter <NUM> may be disposed or mounted in an inner recess in the filter base <NUM> or on a stepped portion thereof. The filter base <NUM> may be disposed below the middle base <NUM>, and may be attached to the sensor substrate <NUM>. Alternatively, the camera module 100A may not include either of the filter base <NUM> or the filter <NUM>.

The sensor substrate <NUM> may be disposed below the filter base <NUM>, and may include a first accommodation recess 560H1 in which the image sensor 130A is mounted, seated, tightly disposed, fixed, provisionally fixed, supported, coupled, or accommodated. As such, since the image sensor 130A is disposed in the first accommodation recess 560H1, when the sensor substrate <NUM> moves in the horizontal direction or rotates about the optical axis LX, the image sensor 130A may also move or rotate together therewith.

The main board <NUM> may be disposed below the sensor substrate <NUM>, and may include a circuit element or a connector, although not shown. The circuit element of the main board <NUM> may constitute the controller <NUM>, which controls the liquid lens module 200A and the image sensor 130A. The sensor substrate <NUM> or the main board <NUM> may be implemented as a rigid flexible printed circuit board (RFPCB) including an FPCB. The FPCB may be subjected to bending depending on the requirements of the space in which the camera module 100A is mounted.

The sensor substrate <NUM>, the main board <NUM>, the image sensor 130A, the first bearings <NUM>, and the actuator 430A shown in <FIG> may correspond to and perform the same functions as the respective embodiments of the moving substrate <NUM>, the fixed substrate <NUM>, the image sensor <NUM>, the connection part <NUM>, and the actuator <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The main board <NUM> may include a second accommodation recess <NUM> accommodating the first bearings <NUM>. In addition, although not shown, the sensing unit <NUM> may be disposed on the main board <NUM>, which serves as the fixed substrate <NUM>. In this case, the sensor substrate <NUM> may include a third accommodation recess 560H2 accommodating the first bearings <NUM> together with the second accommodation recess <NUM>. The first bearings <NUM>, which serve as the connection part <NUM> shown in <FIG>, may be in point contact with a lower surface 560B of the sensor substrate <NUM> in the third accommodation recess 560H2 in the sensor substrate <NUM>, and may be in point contact with an upper surface 570T of the main board <NUM> in the second accommodation recess <NUM> in the main board <NUM> in order to electrically connect the sensor substrate <NUM> and the main board <NUM>.

When the sensor substrate <NUM> moves in the horizontal direction or rotates on the main board <NUM>, the first bearings <NUM> and the lower surface 560B of the sensor board <NUM> may be separated from each other, or the first bearings <NUM> and the upper surface 570T of the main board <NUM> may be separated from each other. In this way, when the first bearings <NUM> are separated from the sensor substrate <NUM> or the main board <NUM>, it may be difficult to maintain the electrical connection between the sensor substrate <NUM> and the main board <NUM> via the first bearings <NUM>. In order to prevent this, the connection part <NUM> shown in <FIG> may further include first and second viscous bodies <NUM> and <NUM>, in addition to the first bearings <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

The first viscous body <NUM> may be disposed around the point contact portions between the first bearings <NUM> and the lower surface 560B of the sensor substrate <NUM>, and the second viscous body <NUM> may be disposed around the point contact portions between the first bearings <NUM> and the upper surface 570T of the main board <NUM>. Each of the first and second viscous bodies <NUM> and <NUM> may be made of a material that is electrically conductive and viscous enough not to interfere with the rotation of the first bearings <NUM>. For example, each of the first and second viscous bodies <NUM> and <NUM> may be a conductive fluid (e.g. conductive grease).

The actuator 430A may include a plurality of first magnets <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>) and a plurality of coils <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>).

The first magnets <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>) may be secured to one of the sensor substrate <NUM> and the main board <NUM>, and may be spaced apart from each other. The coils <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>) may be secured to the other one of the sensor substrate <NUM> and the main board <NUM>, and may be disposed so as to face the first magnets <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>). The embodiment is not limited as to the specific positions of the first magnets <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>) and the coils <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>), so long as the sensor substrate <NUM> is moved in the horizontal direction or is rotated about the optical axis LX by electromagnetic interaction between the first magnets <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>) and the coils <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>) when current is supplied to the coils <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>) in the state in which the first magnets <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>) and the coils <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>) face each other. For example, as illustrated, the first magnets <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>) may be fixedly disposed on the respective four corners of the upper surface of the sensor substrate <NUM>, and the coils <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>) may be disposed on the four corners of the upper surface of the main board <NUM> so as to face the first magnets <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>). Alternatively, unlike the illustrated configuration, the first magnets <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>) may be fixedly disposed on the respective four corners of the upper surface of the main board <NUM>, and the coils <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>) may be disposed on the four corners of the upper surface of the sensor substrate <NUM> so as to face the first magnets <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>).

The controller <NUM> may perform control such that the first driving unit 152A adjusts the intensity and direction of the current supplied to the coils <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>) and selectively supplies current only to a corresponding coil among the coils <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>), thereby changing the intensity or direction of the force applied to the sensor substrate <NUM> and moving the same due to the electromagnetic interaction between the coils <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>) and the first magnets <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>). Accordingly, the sensor substrate <NUM> is capable of moving in any one of the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction or of rotating about the z-axis.

In addition, in order to prevent the sensor substrate <NUM> from being separated when the sensor substrate <NUM> moves or rotates, the first driving unit 152A shown in <FIG> may further include at least one second bearing <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>), shown in <FIG>. To this end, in the state in which the middle base <NUM> is disposed between the lens assembly 200A, <NUM>, and LL1 to LL4 (or <NUM>, <NUM>, and LL1 to LL4) and the sensor substrate <NUM>, the second bearings <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>) may be disposed between the middle base <NUM> and the sensor substrate <NUM> so as to press the upper surface of the sensor substrate <NUM>. To this end, the middle base <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, may further include fourth accommodation recesses 530H2-<NUM> to 530H2-<NUM> for accommodating the second bearings <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>).

Hereinafter, camera modules 100B, 100C and 100D according to other embodiments including embodiments 154A, 154B and 154C of the second driving unit <NUM> in the camera module <NUM> shown in <FIG> will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of a camera module 100B according to another embodiment. Except for a second driving unit 154A, the camera module 100B shown in <FIG> is the same as the camera module <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and thus the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted.

For convenience of description, components other than the lens assembly <NUM> and the second driving unit <NUM> of the camera module <NUM> shown in <FIG> are not illustrated in the camera module 100B shown in <FIG>.

The camera module 100B shown in <FIG> may include a lens assembly <NUM> and a second driving unit 154A. As described above, the second driving unit 154A may perform the second operation of moving the lens assembly <NUM> in the direction of the arrow AR1.

The second driving unit 154A shown in <FIG> may include a fixed member <NUM>, an elastic member <NUM>, and first and second driving actuators <NUM> and <NUM>. In addition, the second driving unit 154A may further include a stopper <NUM>.

The fixed member <NUM> may accommodate the elastic member <NUM>, the stopper <NUM>, and the lens assembly <NUM>, and may be fixed so as to be immobile, unlike the lens assembly <NUM>.

The elastic member <NUM> may be disposed between the lens assembly <NUM> and the fixed member <NUM>, and may be elastic so that the lens assembly <NUM> may move in the direction of the arrow AR1. For example, the elastic member <NUM> may be implemented as a spring.

One of the first and second driving actuators <NUM> and <NUM> may be secured to the lens assembly <NUM>, and the other one of the first and second driving actuators <NUM> and <NUM> may be secured to the fixed member <NUM>. Although it is illustrated in <FIG> that the first driving actuator <NUM> is disposed on the fixed member <NUM> and the second driving actuator <NUM> is disposed on the lens assembly <NUM>, the embodiment is not limited thereto. According to another embodiment, unlike what is illustrated in <FIG>, the second driving actuator <NUM> may be disposed on the fixed member <NUM>, and the first driving actuator <NUM> may be disposed on the lens assembly <NUM>.

Further, the first and second driving actuators <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed so as to face each other in a second direction (e.g. the y-axis direction) in which the lens assembly <NUM> moves. The purpose of this is to move the lens assembly <NUM> through interaction between the first and second driving actuators <NUM> and <NUM>.

Further, in order to prevent the lens assembly <NUM> from moving a distance longer than a desired distance when the lens assembly <NUM> moves in the second direction due to the operation of the first and second driving actuators <NUM> and <NUM>, the stopper <NUM> may be disposed in the path along which the lens assembly <NUM> moves. For example, the stopper <NUM> may be disposed between the lens assembly <NUM> and the fixed member <NUM>.

Describing the operation of the second driving unit 154A having the above-described configuration, the first and second driving actuators <NUM> and <NUM>, which are driven under the control of the controller <NUM>, may interact with each other so as to move the lens assembly <NUM> in the second direction (e.g. the y-axis direction). For example, it is possible to move the lens assembly <NUM> in the -y-axis direction or the +y-axis direction due to interaction between the first and second driving actuators <NUM> and <NUM> by changing the signal level of the driving voltage (or driving current) supplied from the controller <NUM> to each of the first and second driving actuators <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of a camera module 100C according to still another embodiment. Except for a second driving unit 154B, the camera module 100C shown in <FIG> is the same as the camera module <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and thus the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted.

For convenience of description, components other than the lens assembly <NUM>, the second driving unit <NUM>, and the image sensor <NUM> of the camera module <NUM> shown in <FIG> are not illustrated in the camera module 100C shown in <FIG>.

The camera module 100C shown in <FIG> may include a lens assembly <NUM>, an image sensor <NUM>, a moving member <NUM>, a magnet <NUM>, an elastic member <NUM>, a coil <NUM>, and a fixed member <NUM>. As described above, the second driving unit 154B may perform the second operation of moving the lens assembly <NUM> in the direction of the arrow AR1.

The lens assembly <NUM> may be mounted to the moving member <NUM> so as to move together with the moving member <NUM> when the moving member <NUM> moves in the direction of the arrow AR1. In order to enable this movement in the direction of the arrow AR1, the elastic member <NUM> may be disposed between the moving member <NUM> and the fixed member <NUM>. The elastic member <NUM> may be implemented as a type of line spring.

The magnet <NUM> may be mounted on the lower surface of the moving member <NUM>, but the embodiment is not limited as to the specific position at which the magnet <NUM> is mounted on the moving member <NUM>, so long as the magnet <NUM> faces the coil <NUM> and electromagnetically interacts therewith.

The fixed member <NUM> is a member to which the image sensor <NUM> and the coil <NUM> are mounted, and which may supply an operation voltage for operating the image sensor <NUM> to the image sensor <NUM> or may receive image data, which is an electrical signal of an image captured by the image sensor <NUM>, from the image sensor <NUM>. In addition, the fixed member <NUM> may also serve to supply a driving current to the coil <NUM>. In order to perform this function, the fixed member <NUM> may be implemented as a rigid flexible printed circuit board (RFPCB) including an FPCB, like the sensor substrate <NUM> or the main board <NUM>.

The coil <NUM> may be disposed on the fixed member <NUM> so as to face the magnet <NUM>. The embodiment is not limited as to the specific position at which the coil <NUM> is mounted to the fixed member <NUM>, so long as the coil <NUM> faces the magnet <NUM> and electromagnetically interacts therewith.

Describing the operation of the second driving unit 154B having the above-described configuration, when a driving current is supplied to the coil <NUM> under the control of the controller <NUM>, the moving member <NUM> may be moved together with the lens assembly <NUM> in the second direction (e.g. the y-axis direction) by electromagnetic interaction between the coil <NUM> and the magnet <NUM>. For example, the moving direction of the lens assembly <NUM> mounted to the moving member <NUM> may be changed to the -y-axis direction or the +y-axis direction by changing the signal level of the driving current supplied from the controller <NUM> to the coil <NUM> to a positive (+) or negative (-) level. In addition, the amount of movement of the lens assembly <NUM> mounted to the moving member <NUM> may be adjusted by varying the magnitude of the level of the driving current supplied from the controller <NUM> to the coil <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of a camera module 100D according to still another embodiment. Except for a second driving unit 154C, the camera module 100D shown in <FIG> is the same as the camera module <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and thus the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted.

For convenience of description, components other than the lens assembly <NUM> and the second driving unit <NUM> of the camera module <NUM> shown in <FIG> are not illustrated in the camera module 100D shown in <FIG>.

Further, it is illustrated in <FIG> that four lenses L1 to L4 are accommodated in the lens assembly <NUM>, whereas it is illustrated in <FIG> that five lenses L1 to L5 are accommodated in the lens assembly <NUM>. Furthermore, it has been described above that the second lens L2 is moved in order to perform the fourth operation, whereas the first lens L1 may be moved in order to perform the fourth operation, as shown in <FIG>.

The camera module 100D shown in <FIG> may include a lens assembly <NUM> and a second driving unit 154C. As described above, the second driving unit 154C performs the fourth operation of moving one (e.g. L1) of the lenses included in the lens assembly <NUM> in the direction of the arrow AR2.

The second driving unit 154C shown in <FIG> may include an elastic member <NUM>, first and second driving actuators <NUM> and <NUM>, and a moving member <NUM>.

The moving member <NUM> serves to accommodate a lens (e.g. L1) to be moved, among the lenses L1 to L5 accommodated in the lens assembly <NUM>. In other words, the lens L1 to be moved may be moved along with the movement of the moving member <NUM>.

The elastic member <NUM> is disposed between the lens assembly <NUM> and the moving member <NUM>, and serves to provide elasticity when the moving member <NUM> moves in the direction of the arrow AR2. For example, the elastic member <NUM> may be implemented as a spring, and the moving member <NUM> may be supported on the body of the lens assembly <NUM> by the elastic member <NUM>.

One of the first and second driving actuators <NUM> and <NUM> may be secured to the lens assembly <NUM>, and the other one of the first and second driving actuators <NUM> and <NUM> may be secured to the moving member <NUM>. Although it is illustrated in <FIG> that the first driving actuator <NUM> is secured to the lens assembly <NUM> and the second driving actuator <NUM> is secured to the moving member <NUM>, the embodiment is not limited thereto. According to another embodiment, unlike what is illustrated in <FIG>, the second driving actuator <NUM> may be secured to the lens assembly <NUM>, and the first driving actuator <NUM> may be secured to the moving member <NUM>. The first and second driving actuators <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed so as to face each other in the second direction (e.g. the y-axis direction) in which the lens L1 moves. The purpose of this is to move the lens L1 together with the moving member <NUM> through interaction between the first and second driving actuators <NUM> and <NUM>.

Describing the operation of the second driving unit 154C having the above-described configuration, the first and second driving actuators <NUM> and <NUM> interact with each other under the control of the controller <NUM> to move the lens L1 in the second direction (e.g. the y-axis direction). For example, it is possible to move the lens L1 a desired distance in the - y-axis direction or the +y-axis direction through the interaction between the first and second driving actuators <NUM> and <NUM> by changing the signal level of the driving voltage (or driving current) supplied from the controller <NUM> to each of the first and second driving actuators <NUM> and <NUM>.

Although only a limited number of embodiments have been described above, various other embodiments are possible. The technical contents of the above-described embodiments may be combined into various forms as long as they are not incompatible with one another, and thus may be implemented in new embodiments.

Meanwhile, an optical device may be implemented using the camera module <NUM> (100A to 100D) according to the embodiments described above. Here, the optical device may include a device that may process or analyze optical signals. Examples of the optical device may include camera/video devices, telescopic devices, microscopic devices, an interferometer, a photometer, a polarimeter, a spectrometer, a reflectometer, an auto-collimator, and a lens-meter, and the embodiments may be applied to optical devices that may include a lens assembly.

In addition, the optical device may be implemented in a portable device such as, for example, a smartphone, a laptop computer, or a tablet computer. Such an optical device may include the camera module <NUM> (100A to 100D), a display unit (not shown) configured to output an image, a battery (not shown) configured to supply power to the camera module <NUM> (100A to 100D), and a body housing in which the camera module <NUM> (100A to 100D), the display unit, and the battery are mounted. The optical device may further include a communication module, which may communicate with other devices, and a memory unit, which may store data. The communication module and the memory unit may also be mounted in the body housing.

Hereinafter, when shaking (or hand tremor) occurs in an optical device including the camera <NUM> (100A to 100D) according to the embodiment, the operation example of the camera module <NUM> (100A to 100D) according to the embodiment for compensating for such shaking will be described.

<FIG> is a diagram for explaining shaking of an optical device <NUM> including the camera module <NUM> (100A to 100D) according to the embodiment.

The optical device <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be shaken by movement <NUM> in the x-axis direction, may be shaken by movement <NUM> in the y-axis direction, may be shaken by movement <NUM> in the z-axis direction, may be shaken by tilting <NUM> in the x-axis direction, may be shaken by tilting <NUM> in the y-axis direction, or may be shaken by tilting <NUM> in the z-axis direction.

In this case, the shaking attributable to the movement <NUM> in the z-axis direction may be compensated for by performing an AF function, and the other kinds of shaking <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> to <NUM> may be compensated for by performing an OIS function.

If the focal length FL is <NUM> and the size of the unit pixel of the image sensor <NUM> or 130A is <NUM>, the camera module <NUM> (100A to 100D) according to the embodiment may compensate for shaking, as described in Table <NUM> below, depending on the direction and degree of shaking.

Here, "defocus" indicates the state in which focusing is not performed.

Table <NUM> shows compensation performed when shaking of <NUM> occurs along each of the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis and tilting of <NUM>° occurs along each of the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis. Further, shaking caused by movement along the x-axis or the y-axis and shaking caused by tilting along the x-axis, the y-axis, or the z-axis are compensated for using one of the first and second operations and one of the third and fourth operations. Due to this compensation, an image captured by the image sensor <NUM> or 130A may be moved along the - x-axis in order to compensate for shaking caused by movement along the x-axis, may be moved along the -y-axis in order to compensate for shaking caused by movement along the y-axis, may be moved along the -x-axis in order to compensate for shaking caused by tilting along the x-axis, may be moved along the -y-axis in order to compensate for shaking caused by tilting along the y-axis, and may be rotated about the z-axis in order to compensate for shaking caused by tilting along the z-axis.

Further, when the distance between the object to be photographed and the camera module is <NUM>, an image captured by the image sensor <NUM> or 130A may be moved <NUM> pixels in order to compensate for shaking caused by movement along each of the x-axis and the y-axis, may be moved <NUM> pixels in order to compensate for shaking caused by tilting along each of the x-axis and the y-axis, and may be rotated <NUM> pixels about the z-axis in order to compensate for shaking caused by tilting along the z-axis.

Furthermore, when the distance between the object to be photographed and the camera module is <NUM>, an image captured by the image sensor <NUM> or 130A may be moved <NUM> pixels in order to compensate for shaking caused by movement along each of the x-axis and the y-axis, may be moved <NUM> pixels in order to compensate for shaking caused by tilting along each of the x-axis and the y-axis, and may be rotated <NUM> pixels about the z-axis in order to compensate for shaking caused by tilting along the z-axis.

As illustrated in Table <NUM>, it can be seen that the camera module <NUM> (100A to 100D) according to the embodiment is capable of compensating for shaking in the directions of the five axes (x-axis movement, y-axis movement, x-axis tilting, y-axis tilting, and z-axis tilting).

If only the lens assembly <NUM> is moved or if only the image sensor <NUM> is moved in order to compensate for shaking of the camera module, as described above, the shaking may not be properly compensated for, and thus the image obtained by the image sensor <NUM> may be distorted. However, the camera module <NUM> (100A to 100D) according to the embodiment is capable of performing an operation of moving the lens assembly <NUM>, an operation of moving one of the lenses included in the lens assembly <NUM>, and an operation of moving the image sensor <NUM> or 130A in a combined manner. In particular, it is possible to perform operations of correcting the peripheral portions P2 and P3 of the image sensor <NUM> or 130A to a greater extent and to a lesser extent than the center P1 thereof in a combined manner, thereby reducing distortion.

Furthermore, when shaking occurs due to rotation about the optical axis LX, the image sensor <NUM> or 130A may be rotated about the optical axis LX so as to compensate for the shaking.

Furthermore, in the camera module <NUM> or 100A according to the embodiment, since the image sensor 130A is accommodated in the accommodation recess 560H1 in the sensor substrate <NUM>, the overall thickness of the camera module <NUM> or 100A may be reduced. Furthermore, since the first and second viscous bodies <NUM> and <NUM> are used, although the sensor substrate <NUM> and the main board <NUM> are spaced apart from each other by the first bearings <NUM>, it is possible to secure the stability of the electrical connection between the sensor substrate <NUM> and the main board <NUM> via the first bearings <NUM>.

Various embodiments have been described in the best mode for carrying out the disclosure.

Claim 1:
A camera module (<NUM>), comprising:
a lens assembly (<NUM>) comprising a plurality of solid lenses (L1, L2, L3, L4);
an image sensor (<NUM>, 130A) disposed on an optical axis (LX) of the plurality of solid lenses (L1, L2, L3, L4);
a liquid lens (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed on the optical axis (LX), the liquid lens (<NUM>, <NUM>) being disposed above the image sensor (<NUM>, 130A), the liquid lens (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a first liquid (LQ1) and a second liquid (LQ2) that are in contact with each other to form an interface (BO); and
a controller (<NUM>),
wherein the controller is configured to move the image sensor (<NUM>, 130A) in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis (LX) and to tilt said interface (BO) in a direction depending on a direction in which the image sensor (<NUM>, 130A) moves in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis (LX),
characterized in that the controller is configured to move the image sensor, tilt the interface (BO) by changing a position or a shape of the interface (BO) and change a position of at least one solid lens (L1, L2, L3, L4) among the plurality of solid lenses (L1, L2, L3, L4) in a combined manner.