Patent Description:
With the development of semiconductor manufacturing technology, the performance of image sensors has been improved, and the pixel size thereof has been scaled down. Therefore, featuring high image quality becomes one of the indispensable features of an optical system nowadays. Furthermore, due to the rapid changes in technology, electronic devices and vehicle devices equipped with optical systems are trending towards multi-functionality for various applications, and therefore the functionality requirements for the optical systems have been increasing.

In recent years, there is an increasing demand for electronic devices and vehicle devices featuring compact size, but conventional optical systems, especially the optical systems with auto-focus, optical image stabilization and zoom functions, are difficult to meet the requirements of miniaturization, high image quality and freedom of movement in three-dimension. Conventional optical systems usually have shortcomings of poor lens driving in three-dimension, thereby unable to meet the requirements of the current technology trends. Therefore, how to improve the lens driving accuracy of the optical systems for meeting the requirement of high-end-specification electronic devices and vehicle devices is an important topic in this field nowadays. <CIT> discloses a small-sized camera module with auto-focusing (AF) and optical image stabilization (OIS) functions. <CIT> discloses a camera module capable of minimizing magnetic field interference therein. <CIT> discloses a camera module actuator capable of generating a driving force for hand shake correction. <CIT> discloses an optical adjusting apparatus integrating an optical image stabilizer function and an auto focusing function.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a camera module includes an imaging lens assembly and a driving device. The imaging lens assembly has an optical axis. The driving device includes a fixed component, a lens carrier, a magnet carrier, a first ball group, and a second ball group. The imaging lens assembly is disposed in the lens carrier. The magnet carrier has a first groove group and a second groove group. The first groove group extends along a first direction parallel to the optical axis, and the second groove group extends along a second direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The first ball group is disposed in the first groove group. The second ball group is disposed in the second groove group. One of the fixed component and the lens carrier has a third groove group, and another one of the fixed component and the lens carrier has a fourth groove group. The third groove group extends along a third direction being perpendicular to the optical axis and being different from the second direction and is disposed opposite to the second groove group. The second ball group is disposed in the third groove group, and the imaging lens assembly is movable with respect to the fixed component on a plane defined by the third direction and the second direction via the second ball group. The fourth groove group extends along the first direction parallel to the optical axis and is disposed opposite to the first groove group. The first ball group is disposed in the fourth groove group, and the imaging lens assembly is movable with respect to the fixed component along the first direction via the first ball group. The third direction is orthogonal to the second direction, and each of the third groove group and the second groove group is in physical contact with the second ball group, wherein the second ball group comprises at least one ball that is in two-points contact with one of the third groove group and the second groove group and in one-point contact with another one of the third groove group and the second groove group.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a camera module includes an imaging lens assembly and a driving device. The imaging lens assembly has an optical axis. The driving device includes a fixed component, a lens carrier, a magnet carrier, a first ball group, and a second ball group. The imaging lens assembly is disposed in the lens carrier. The magnet carrier has a first groove group and a second groove group. The first groove group extends along a first direction parallel to the optical axis, and the second groove group extends along a second direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The first ball group is disposed in the first groove group. The second ball group is disposed in the second groove group. One of the fixed component and the lens carrier has a third groove group, and another one of the fixed component and the lens carrier has a fourth groove group. The third groove group extends along a third direction being perpendicular to the optical axis and being different from the second direction and is disposed opposite to the second groove group. The second ball group is disposed in the third groove group, and the imaging lens assembly is movable with respect to the fixed component on a plane defined by the third direction and the second direction via the second ball group. The fourth groove group extends along the first direction parallel to the optical axis and is disposed opposite to the first groove group. The first ball group is disposed in the fourth groove group, and the imaging lens assembly is movable with respect to the fixed component along the first direction via the first ball group. The second groove group has at least one strip V-shaped groove and at least one U-shaped groove, and the third groove group has at least one strip V-shaped groove and at least one U-shaped groove. The at least one strip V-shaped groove of the second groove group and the at least one strip V-shaped groove of the third groove group each extend along a direction to be orthogonal to each other. The at least one strip V-shaped groove of the second groove group corresponds to the at least one U-shaped groove of the third groove group, and the at least one U-shaped groove of the second groove group corresponds to the at least one strip V-shaped groove of the third groove group.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device includes one of the aforementioned camera modules.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle device includes one of the aforementioned camera modules.

The present disclosure provides a camera module that includes an imaging lens assembly and a driving device. The imaging lens assembly has an optical axis. The driving device includes a fixed component, a lens carrier, a magnet carrier, a first ball group and a second ball group. The imaging lens assembly is disposed in the lens carrier.

The magnet carrier has a first groove group and a second groove group. The first groove group extends along a first direction parallel to the optical axis, and the second groove group extends along a second direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

One of the fixed component and the lens carrier has a third groove group, and the other one has a fourth groove group. The third groove group extends along a third direction being perpendicular to the optical axis and being different from the second direction and is disposed opposite to the second groove group. The fourth groove group extends along the first direction parallel to the optical axis and is disposed opposite to the first groove group.

The first ball group is disposed between the first groove group and the fourth groove group, and the imaging lens assembly is movable with respect to the fixed component along the first direction via the first ball group. Therefore, it is favorable for providing a relatively long movement for the imaging lens assembly with respect to the fixed component along the first direction parallel to the optical axis.

The second ball group is disposed between the second groove group and the third groove group, and the imaging lens assembly is movable with respect to the fixed component on a plane defined by the second direction and the third direction via the second ball group. Therefore, it is favorable for providing the imaging lens assembly with degrees of freedom of movement on a two-dimensional plane by a single ball-track combination.

Moreover, the second direction and the third direction can be orthogonal to each other, and each of the second groove group and the third groove group can be in physical contact with the second ball group. Moreover, the second ball group can include at least one ball that can be in two-points contact with one of the second groove group and the third groove group and in one-point contact with the other one. The form of two-points contact can restrict the ball to move only along the direction in which the groove group extends, and the form of one-point contact can provide support for the ball and allow the ball to move within a small range on a plane. Therefore, it is favorable for reducing friction between the groove group and the ball and allowing a relatively large manufacturing tolerance so as to increase assembly efficiency. Moreover, the at least one ball can also be in two-points contact with each of the second groove group and the third groove group. Therefore, it is favorable for restricting the ball to move only along the directions in which the two groove groups extend; it is also favorable for increasing the moving linearity of the imaging lens assembly, such that the driving device can control the imaging lens assembly by using a simple circuit controller, thereby providing the movement needed for compensating images. Moreover, the second ball group can also include at least four balls, and the second groove group can include at least four grooves in which the at least four balls are respectively disposed. Therefore, it is favorable for providing a relatively stable supporting force for preventing skewness of the imaging lens assembly so as to increase movement stability.

Moreover, the second groove group can have at least one strip V-shaped groove and at least one U-shaped groove, and the third groove group can have at least one strip V-shaped groove and at least one U-shaped groove. The at least one strip V-shaped groove of the second groove group and the at least one strip V-shaped groove of the third groove group can each extend along a direction to be orthogonal to each other, the at least one strip V-shaped groove of the second groove group corresponds to the at least one U-shaped groove of the third groove group, and the at least one U-shaped groove of the second groove group corresponds to the at least one strip V-shaped groove of the third groove group. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some other embodiments, each of the first groove group, the second groove group, the third groove group and the fourth groove group can be a narrow strip V-shaped groove, a wide U-shaped groove or a combination thereof.

Through the configuration structure discussed above, it is favorable for providing the imaging lens assembly with freedom of translational motion in a three-dimensional space so as to achieve auto focus and image stabilization. Also, this configuration can simplify assembly processes and make the driving device to be high-precisely controllable during driving the imaging lens assembly.

Specifically, in some embodiment, the third groove group can be provided by the lens carrier, and the fourth groove group can be provided by the fixed component. The magnet carrier can be movable with respect to the fixed component along the first direction. The lens carrier can be movable with respect to the magnet carrier on the plane defined by the second direction and the third direction. Therefore, it is favorable for providing the magnet carrier with the movement needed for auto-focusing and providing the lens carrier with the movement needed for image-stabilizing, which has relatively high space utilization efficiency so as to achieve miniaturization.

Moreover, the driving device can further include an auto focus magnet and an auto focus coil. The auto focus magnet can be disposed on the magnet carrier. The auto focus coil can be disposed on the fixed component. The auto focus coil can correspond to the auto focus magnet so as to provide a driving force for moving the magnet carrier along the first direction. Therefore, it is favorable for providing the imaging lens assembly with the driving force needed for achieving auto-focusing. Moreover, the auto focus magnet and the auto focus coil can be disposed at one edge of the driving device, and there can be additional magnetic component disposed for providing a preload force needed for assembling. Moreover, there can be a position sensing component disposed to provide circuit control, such that the imaging lens assembly can achieve the purpose of focus more quickly.

Moreover, the driving device can further include an image stabilization magnet and an image stabilization coil. The image stabilization magnet can be disposed on the lens carrier. The image stabilization coil can be disposed on the fixed component. The image stabilization coil can correspond to the image stabilization magnet so as to provide a driving force for moving the lens carrier on the plane defined by the second direction and the third direction. Therefore, it is favorable for providing the imaging lens assembly with the driving force needed for achieving image-stabilizing. Moreover, the image stabilization magnet and the image stabilization coil can be respectively disposed at two edges of the driving device, and there can be additional magnetic components disposed for providing preload forces needed for assembling. Moreover, there can be a position sensing component disposed to provide circuit control, such that the imaging lens assembly can achieve the purpose of image stabilization compensation more sensitively.

In some other embodiment, the third groove group can be provided by the fixed component, and the fourth groove group can be provided by the lens carrier. The magnet carrier can be movable with respect to the fixed component on the plane defined by the second direction and the third direction. The lens carrier can be movable with respect to the magnet carrier along the first direction. Therefore, it is favorable for providing the lens carrier with the movement needed for auto-focusing and providing the magnet carrier with the movement needed for image-stabilizing, which can reduce the total weight of moved components required for auto-focusing so as to achieve fast focus and low power consumption.

Moreover, the driving device can further include an auto focus magnet and an auto focus coil. The auto focus magnet can be disposed on the lens carrier. The auto focus coil can be disposed on the fixed component. The auto focus coil can correspond to the auto focus magnet so as to provide a driving force for moving the lens carrier along the first direction. Therefore, it is favorable for providing the imaging lens assembly with the driving force needed for achieving auto-focusing.

Moreover, the driving device can further include an image stabilization magnet and an image stabilization coil. The image stabilization magnet can be disposed on the magnet carrier. The image stabilization coil can be disposed on the fixed component. The image stabilization coil can correspond to the image stabilization magnet so as to provide a driving force for moving the magnet carrier on the plane defined by the second direction and the third direction. Therefore, it is favorable for providing the imaging lens assembly with the driving force needed for achieving image-stabilizing.

According to the present disclosure, the aforementioned features and conditions can be utilized in numerous combinations so as to achieve corresponding effect.

Please refer to <FIG>, where <FIG> is a perspective view of a camera module according to the 1st embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> is a schematic view of the camera module in <FIG> that has been sectioned, <FIG> is a schematic view of the camera module in <FIG> that has been sectioned in another manner, <FIG> is an exploded view of the camera module in <FIG>, <FIG> is another exploded view of the camera module in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a schematic view showing the corresponding relationship between a lens carrier and a magnet carrier of the camera module in <FIG>.

In this embodiment, a camera module <NUM> includes a casing <NUM>, an imaging lens assembly <NUM>, a driving device <NUM>, a circuit component <NUM> and an image sensor <NUM>. The casing <NUM> has an accommodation space (not numbered) for accommodating the imaging lens assembly <NUM>, the driving device <NUM>, the circuit component <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM>. The imaging lens assembly <NUM> has an optical axis <NUM>. The driving device <NUM> includes a fixed component <NUM>, a lens carrier <NUM>, a magnet carrier <NUM>, a first ball group <NUM>, a second ball group <NUM>, an auto focus magnet 136a, an auto focus coil 136b, two image stabilization magnets 137a and two image stabilization coils 137b. The imaging lens assembly <NUM> is disposed in the lens carrier <NUM>.

The magnet carrier <NUM> has a first groove group <NUM> and a second groove group <NUM>. The first groove group <NUM> extends along a first direction D1 parallel to the optical axis <NUM>, and the second groove group <NUM> extends along a second direction D2 perpendicular to the optical axis <NUM>.

The lens carrier <NUM> has a third groove group <NUM>, and the fixed component <NUM> has a fourth groove group <NUM>. The third groove group <NUM> extends along a third direction D3 being perpendicular to the optical axis <NUM> and being orthogonal to the second direction D2 and is disposed opposite to the second groove group <NUM>. The fourth groove group <NUM> extends along the first direction D1 parallel to the optical axis <NUM> and is disposed opposite to the first groove group <NUM>.

The first ball group <NUM> includes four balls 134n disposed between the first groove group <NUM> and the fourth groove group <NUM>. Accordingly, the magnet carrier <NUM> is movable with respect to the fixed component <NUM> along the first direction D1, such that the imaging lens assembly <NUM> is movable with respect to the fixed component <NUM> along the first direction D1 via the lens carrier <NUM>, the magnet carrier <NUM> and the first ball group <NUM>.

The second ball group <NUM> includes four balls 135n. The second groove group <NUM> includes two strip V-shaped grooves 1332v and two U-shaped grooves 1332p, and the third groove group <NUM> includes four strip V-shaped grooves 1321v. Two of the balls 135n are located between the second groove group <NUM> and the third groove group <NUM>, and each of them is in one-point contact with respective U-shaped groove 1332p and in two-points contact with two of the strip V-shaped grooves 1321v, as shown in <FIG>. The other two of the balls 135n are located between the second groove group <NUM> and the third groove group <NUM>, and each of them is in two-points contact with respective strip V-shaped groove 1332v and the other two strip V-shaped grooves 1321v, as shown in <FIG>. Accordingly, the lens carrier <NUM> is movable with respect to the magnet carrier <NUM> on a plane defined by the second direction D2 and the third direction D3, such that the imaging lens assembly <NUM> is movable with respect to the fixed component <NUM> on the plane defined by the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 via the lens carrier <NUM> and the second ball group <NUM>.

The auto focus magnet 136a is disposed at an edge of the magnet carrier <NUM>. The auto focus coil 136b is indirectly disposed at an edge of the fixed component <NUM> via the circuit component <NUM>. The auto focus coil 136b corresponds to the auto focus magnet 136a so as to provide a driving force for moving the magnet carrier <NUM> along the first direction D1.

The image stabilization magnets 137a are disposed at two edges of the lens carrier <NUM>. The image stabilization coils 137b are indirectly disposed at two edges of the fixed component <NUM> via the circuit component <NUM>. The image stabilization coils 137b correspond to the image stabilization magnets 137a so as to provide a driving force for moving the lens carrier <NUM> on the plane defined by the second direction D2 and the third direction D3.

The circuit component <NUM> is disposed on the fixed component <NUM>. The circuit component <NUM> is electrically connected to the auto focus coil 136b and the image stabilization coils 137b so as to send a controlling signal to the auto focus coil 136b and the image stabilization coils 137b.

The image sensor <NUM> is disposed on an image surface (not shown) of the imaging lens assembly <NUM> so as to receive an optical image signal imaged on the image surface through the imaging lens assembly <NUM>, and the image sensor <NUM> enables the conversion of the optical image signal into an electric image signal served as image data to be outputted.

Please refer to <FIG>, where <FIG> is a perspective view of a camera module according to the 2nd embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> is a schematic view of the camera module in <FIG> that has been sectioned, <FIG> is a schematic view of the camera module in <FIG> that has been sectioned in another manner, <FIG> is an exploded view of the camera module in <FIG>, <FIG> is another exploded view of the camera module in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a schematic view showing the corresponding relationship between a lens carrier and a magnet carrier of the camera module in <FIG>.

In this embodiment, a camera module <NUM> includes a casing <NUM>, an imaging lens assembly <NUM>, a driving device <NUM>, a circuit component <NUM> and an image sensor <NUM>. The casing <NUM> has an accommodation space (not numbered) for accommodating the imaging lens assembly <NUM>, the driving device <NUM>, the circuit component <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM>. The imaging lens assembly <NUM> has an optical axis <NUM>. The driving device <NUM> includes a fixed component <NUM>, a lens carrier <NUM>, a magnet carrier <NUM>, a first ball group <NUM>, a second ball group <NUM>, an auto focus magnet 236a, an auto focus coil 236b, two image stabilization magnets 237a and two image stabilization coils 237b. The imaging lens assembly <NUM> is disposed in the lens carrier <NUM>.

The first ball group <NUM> includes four balls 234n disposed between the first groove group <NUM> and the fourth groove group <NUM>. Accordingly, the magnet carrier <NUM> is movable with respect to the fixed component <NUM> along the first direction D1, such that the imaging lens assembly <NUM> is movable with respect to the fixed component <NUM> along the first direction D1 via the lens carrier <NUM>, the magnet carrier <NUM> and the first ball group <NUM>.

The second ball group <NUM> includes six balls 235n. The second groove group <NUM> includes three strip V-shaped grooves 2332v and three U-shaped grooves 2332p, and the third groove group <NUM> includes three strip V-shaped grooves 2321v and three U-shaped grooves 2321p. Three of the balls 235n are located between the second groove group <NUM> and the third groove group <NUM>, and each of them is in two-points contact with respective strip V-shaped groove 2332v and in one-point contact with respective U-shaped groove 2321p, as shown in <FIG>. The other three of the balls 235n are located between the second groove group <NUM> and the third groove group <NUM>, and each of them is in one-point contact with respective U-shaped groove 2332p and in two-points contact with respective strip V-shaped groove 2321v, as shown in <FIG>. Accordingly, the lens carrier <NUM> is movable with respect to the magnet carrier <NUM> on a plane defined by the second direction D2 and the third direction D3, such that the imaging lens assembly <NUM> is movable with respect to the fixed component <NUM> on the plane defined by the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 via the lens carrier <NUM> and the second ball group <NUM>.

The auto focus magnet 236a is disposed at an edge of the magnet carrier <NUM>. The auto focus coil 236b is indirectly disposed at an edge of the fixed component <NUM> via the circuit component <NUM>. The auto focus coil 236b corresponds to the auto focus magnet 236a so as to provide a driving force for moving the magnet carrier <NUM> along the first direction D1.

The image stabilization magnets 237a are disposed at two edges of the lens carrier <NUM>. The image stabilization coils 237b are indirectly disposed at two edges of the fixed component <NUM> via the circuit component <NUM>. The image stabilization coils 237b correspond to the image stabilization magnets 237a so as to provide a driving force for moving the lens carrier <NUM> on the plane defined by the second direction D2 and the third direction D3.

The circuit component <NUM> is disposed on the fixed component <NUM>. The circuit component <NUM> is electrically connected to the auto focus coil 236b and the image stabilization coils 237b so as to send a controlling signal to the auto focus coil 236b and the image stabilization coils 237b.

Please refer to <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> is one perspective view of an electronic device according to the 3rd embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is another perspective view of the electronic device in <FIG>.

In this embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> is a smartphone including a plurality of camera modules, a flash module <NUM>, a focus assist module <NUM>, an image signal processor <NUM>, a display module (user interface) <NUM> and an image software processor (not shown).

The camera modules include an ultra-wide-angle camera module 40a, a high pixel camera module 40b and a telephoto camera module 40c. Moreover, at least one of the camera modules 40a, 40b and 40c includes the camera module of the present disclosure.

The image captured by the ultra-wide-angle camera module 40a enjoys a feature of multiple imaged objects. <FIG> is an image captured by the ultra-wide-angle camera module 40a.

The image captured by the high pixel camera module 40b enjoys a feature of high resolution and less distortion, and the high pixel camera module 40b can capture part of the image in <FIG>. <FIG> is an image captured by the high pixel camera module 40b.

The image captured by the telephoto camera module 40c enjoys a feature of high optical magnification, and the telephoto camera module 40c can capture part of the image in <FIG>. <FIG> is an image captured by the telephoto camera module 40c.

When a user captures images of an object, the light rays converge in the ultra-wide-angle camera module 40a, the high pixel camera module 40b or the telephoto camera module 40c to generate images, and the flash module <NUM> is activated for light supplement. The focus assist module <NUM> detects the object distance of the imaged object to achieve fast auto focusing. The image signal processor <NUM> is configured to optimize the captured image to improve image quality and provided zooming function. The light beam emitted from the focus assist module <NUM> can be either conventional infrared or laser. The display module <NUM> can include a touch screen, and the user is able to interact with the display module <NUM> to adjust the angle of view and switch between different camera modules, and the image software processor having multiple functions to capture images and complete image processing. Alternatively, the user may capture images via a physical button. The image processed by the image software processor can be displayed on the display module <NUM>.

Please refer to <FIG>, which is one perspective view of an electronic device according to the 4th embodiment of the present disclosure.

In this embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> is a smartphone including a camera module 50z, a camera module 50a, a camera module 50b, a camera module 50c, a camera module 50d, a camera module 50e, a camera module 50f, a camera module <NUM>, a camera module <NUM>, a flash module <NUM>, an image signal processor, a display module and an image software processor (not shown). The camera module 50z, the camera module 50a, the camera module 50b, the camera module 50c, the camera module 50d, the camera module 50e, the camera module 50f, the camera module <NUM> and the camera module <NUM> are disposed on the same side of the electronic device <NUM>, while the display module is disposed on the opposite side of the electronic device <NUM>. At least one of the camera modules 50z, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e, 50f, <NUM> and <NUM> includes the camera module of the present disclosure.

The camera module 50z is a telephoto camera module, the camera module 50a is a telephoto camera module, the camera module 50b is a telephoto camera module, the camera module 50c is a telephoto camera module, the camera module 50d is a wide-angle camera module, the camera module 50e is a wide-angle camera module, the camera module 50f is an ultra-wide-angle camera module, the camera module <NUM> is an ultra-wide-angle camera module, and the camera module <NUM> is a ToF (time of flight) camera module. In this embodiment, the camera module 50z, the camera module 50a, the camera module 50b, the camera module 50c, the camera module 50d, the camera module 50e, the camera module 50f and the camera module <NUM> have different fields of view, such that the electronic device <NUM> can have various magnification ratios so as to meet the requirement of optical zoom functionality. In addition, the camera module 50z and the camera module 50a are telephoto camera modules having a light-folding element configuration. In addition, the camera module <NUM> can determine depth information of the imaged object. In this embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> includes a plurality of camera modules 50z, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e, 50f, <NUM>, and <NUM>, but the present disclosure is not limited to the number and arrangement of camera module. When a user captures images of an object, the light rays converge in the camera modules 50z, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e, 50f, <NUM> or <NUM> to generate an image(s), and the flash module <NUM> is activated for light supplement. Further, the subsequent processes are performed in a manner similar to the abovementioned embodiments, so the details in this regard will not be provided again.

Please refer to <FIG>. <FIG> is a perspective view of a vehicle device according to the 5th embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> is a partial view of the vehicle device in <FIG>, <FIG> is a side view of the vehicle device in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a top view of the vehicle device in <FIG>.

In this embodiment, the vehicle device <NUM> is an automobile. The vehicle device <NUM> includes a plurality of automotive camera modules <NUM>, and the camera modules <NUM>, for example, each includes the camera module of the present disclosure. The camera modules <NUM> can be served as, for example, panoramic view car cameras, dashboard cameras and vehicle backup cameras.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the camera modules <NUM> are, for example, respectively disposed on the lower portion of the side mirrors, and the front and rear of the automobile to capture peripheral images of the automobile. The image software processor may blend the peripheral images into one panoramic view image for the driver's checking every corner surrounding the automobile, thereby favorable for parking and driving.

As shown in <FIG>, the camera modules <NUM> are, for example, respectively disposed on the lower portion of the side mirrors. A maximum field of view of the camera modules <NUM> can be <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees for capturing images in regions on left and right lanes.

As shown in <FIG>, the camera modules <NUM> can also be, for example, respectively disposed inside the side mirrors and the front and rear windshields for providing external information to the driver, and also providing more viewing angles so as to reduce blind spots, thereby improving driving safety.

The smartphones in the embodiments are only exemplary for showing the camera module of the present disclosure installed in an electronic device or a vehicle device, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The camera module can be optionally applied to optical systems with a movable focus. Furthermore, the camera module feature good capability in aberration corrections and high image quality, and can be applied to 3D (three-dimensional) image capturing applications, in products such as digital cameras, mobile devices, digital tablets, smart televisions, network surveillance devices, multi-camera devices, image recognition systems, motion sensing input devices, wearable devices, other electronic imaging devices and other vehicle devices.

Claim 1:
A camera module (<NUM>), comprising:
an imaging lens assembly (<NUM>), having an optical axis (<NUM>); and
a driving device (<NUM>), comprising:
a fixed component (<NUM>);
a lens carrier (<NUM>), wherein the imaging lens assembly (<NUM>) is disposed in the lens carrier (<NUM>);
a magnet carrier (<NUM>), having a first groove group (<NUM>) and a second groove group (<NUM>), wherein the first groove group (<NUM>) extends along a first direction (D1) parallel to the optical axis (<NUM>), and the second groove group (<NUM>) extends along a second direction (D2) perpendicular to the optical axis (<NUM>);
a first ball group (<NUM>), disposed in the first groove group (<NUM>); and
a second ball group (<NUM>), disposed in the second groove group (<NUM>);
wherein one of the fixed component (<NUM>) and the lens carrier (<NUM>) has a third groove group (<NUM>), and another one of the fixed component (<NUM>) and the lens carrier (<NUM>) has a fourth groove group (<NUM>); the third groove group (<NUM>) extends along a third direction (D3) being perpendicular to the optical axis (<NUM>) and being different from the second direction (D2) and is disposed opposite to the second groove group (<NUM>), the second ball group (<NUM>) is disposed in the third groove group (<NUM>), and the imaging lens assembly (<NUM>) is movable with respect to the fixed component (<NUM>) on a plane defined by the third direction (D3) and the second direction (D2) via the second ball group (<NUM>); the fourth groove group (<NUM>) extends along the first direction (D1) parallel to the optical axis (<NUM>) and is disposed opposite to the first groove group (<NUM>), the first ball group (<NUM>) is disposed in the fourth groove group (<NUM>), and the imaging lens assembly (<NUM>) is movable with respect to the fixed component (<NUM>) along the first direction (D1) via the first ball group (<NUM>);
wherein the third direction (D3) is orthogonal to the second direction (D2), and each of the third groove group (<NUM>) and the second groove group (<NUM>) is in physical contact with the second ball group (<NUM>)
wherein the second ball group (<NUM>) comprises at least one ball (135n) that is in two-points contact with one of the third groove group (<NUM>) and the second groove group (<NUM>) and in one-point contact with another one of the third groove group (<NUM>) and the second groove group (<NUM>).