Patent Description:
Recently, various types of portable electronic devices, such as a smartphone, and a tablet personal computer (PC), have been widely spread, with the development of an information technology.

Reference is made here to <CIT>, in which an image photographing device having a hand shake compensation function is provided to sense motion of an optical unit by a hole sensor and to sense an X-Y direction motion of the optical unit. A magnet is combined with an optical unit. The optical unit and the magnet are inserted into a housing. A hole sensor recognizes a motion location of the magnet. A suspension wire is arranged to four edges of the optical unit. The suspension wire supports the optical unit from a bottom part of the housing. An FPCB (Flexible Printed Circuit Board) applies current to a coil.

Reference is made moreover to <CIT> and <CIT>.

The electronic devices include a camera module. The camera module may be implemented in compact size to be embedded in the electronic device and may include various functions. The camera module may include a zoom function to enlarge or reduce a captured target at various magnifications. The camera module may have an auto-focus function. In addition, the camera module may include an optical image stabilizer (OIS) function (e.g., vibration reduction).

The portable electronic device is limited in size and thickness in consideration of portability, and even the camera module included in the portable electronic device is limited in size and thickness. The camera module may include a magnetic member and a coil such that the auto focus (AF) function and the OIS function are implemented. In addition, the camera module may include a position sensor (e.g., a Hall sensor) to sense the position of the magnetic member. In a conventional camera module, the position sensor is placed at a position to measure the maximum magnetic force of the magnetic member. Although the size of the coil is able to be reduced, the size of the coil is determined depending on the size of the position sensor, thereby making it difficult to reduce the size of the camera module.

The portable electronic device is limited in size and thickness in consideration of portability, and even the camera module included in the portable electronic device is limited in size and thickness. The camera module may include a magnetic member and a coil such that the AF function and the OIS function are implemented. In addition, the camera module may include a position sensor (e.g., a Hall sensor) to sense the position of the magnetic member. In a conventional camera module, the position sensor is placed at a position to measure the maximum magnetic force of the magnetic member. Although the size of the coil is able to be more reduced, the size of the coil is determined depending on the size of the position sensor, thereby making it difficult to reduce the size of the camera module.

The present disclosure has been made to address at least the disadvantages described above and to provide at least the advantages described below.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a camera module is provided. The camera module includes a housing assembly, a driving assembly received in the housing assembly, and a lens assembly received in the driving assembly and including at least one lens aligned in a first direction. The driving assembly includes a first magnetic member fixed to one side surface of the driving assembly and driven in the first direction. The housing assembly includes a first coil disposed to face the first magnetic member and configured to generate a magnetic field in response to a first signal to drive the first magnetic member and a first position sensor disposed at one side of the first coil and configured to measure a position of the first magnetic member. The first position sensor is disposed to be partially overlapped with a first virtual expansion area formed by expanding the first magnetic member in a direction that uniformly maintains spacing from the first coil.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a camera module is provided. The camera module includes a housing assembly, a driving assembly received in the housing assembly, and a lens assembly received in the driving assembly and including at least one lens. The driving assembly includes at least one magnetic member fixed to one side surface of the driving assembly and moving in at least one direction. The housing assembly includes a coil disposed to face the magnetic member and a position sensor disposed at one side of the coil and configured to measure an intensity of a magnetic field from the magnetic member. The position sensor is disposed to be partially overlapped with a virtual expansion area formed by expanding the magnetic member in a direction that uniformly maintains a specific spacing from the coil.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, the size of the camera module may be reduced.

Besides, a variety of effects directly or indirectly understood through the disclosure may be provided.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the disclosure may be described with reference to accompanying drawings. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that modification, equivalent, and/or alternative on the various embodiments described herein can be variously made without departing from the scope of the disclosure defined according to the features of the claims.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a camera module, according to an embodiment. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating a driving assembly when viewed from one direction, according to an embodiment. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating a driving assembly when viewed from a direction different from the direction of <FIG>, according to an embodiment. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating a housing assembly when viewed from one direction, according to an embodiment. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating a housing assembly when viewed from a direction different from the direction of <FIG>, according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a view illustrating a PCB, a coil, and a position sensor, according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a sectional view taken along line A-A' of a camera module, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, a camera module <NUM> may include a lens assembly <NUM>, and a lens driving unit or an actuator structure (e.g., a driving assembly <NUM> and a housing assembly <NUM>). Alternatively, the camera module <NUM> may include the lens assembly <NUM>, a shield can <NUM>, and the actuator structure.

The lens assembly <NUM> may include a lens <NUM> and a lens barrel <NUM>. The lens <NUM> may collect light incident from the outside and transmit the light to an image sensor <NUM> disposed under the lens barrel <NUM>. The lens <NUM> may include one lens or a plurality of lenses. The lens <NUM> may be fixed to one side of the lens barrel <NUM>. The lens barrel <NUM> may surround the lens <NUM> seated thereon and may provide an optical path to transmit light, which is incident through the lens <NUM>, to the image sensor <NUM>. In this regard, the central portion of the lens barrel <NUM> may be empty, and the lower portion of the lens barrel <NUM> may be open to expose the image sensor <NUM>. An upper portion of the lens barrel <NUM> may be provided in the shape corresponding to the shape of the lens <NUM>. The lens barrel <NUM> may be seated and fixed inside the driving assembly <NUM>. Accordingly, as the driving assembly <NUM> moves, the lens assembly <NUM> (or the lens barrel <NUM> and the lens <NUM>) may move.

The shield can <NUM> may be provided substantially in the shape to cover the camera module <NUM> downward from the top. The shield can <NUM> may include a top surface <NUM>, shield can sidewalls <NUM> disposed at edges of the top surface <NUM>, and a bottom surface which is open. A shield can hole 120a having a specific size may be defined in the top surface <NUM> of the shield can <NUM> to expose at least a portion of the lens <NUM>. The shield can sidewall <NUM> is coupled to an edge of the housing assembly (or housing) <NUM> of the camera module <NUM> to protect or fix components (e.g., the lens assembly <NUM>, the driving assembly <NUM>, and the housing assembly <NUM>) seated therein. The shield can <NUM> may be formed of a metal material or a material (e.g., a metal material or tempered plastic) having hardness having a specific size or more.

The driving assembly <NUM> may include a first carrier <NUM> (e.g., an OIS carrier) and a second carrier <NUM> (e.g., an AF carrier). The first carrier <NUM> may be provided to be empty therein such that the lens barrel <NUM> is disposed therein. A first magnetic member 135a, a second magnetic member 135b, a third magnetic member 135c, and a fourth magnetic member 135d (e.g., the OIS magnetic member) may be disposed on at least two outer portions of the first carrier <NUM>. The first magnetic member 135a and the second magnetic member 135b may be disposed on one outer portion of the first carrier <NUM>. The third magnetic member 135c and the fourth magnetic member 135d may be disposed on another outer portion of the first carrier <NUM>. The at least two outer portions may share a corner.

The driving assembly <NUM> may include a cover <NUM> (or the OIS cover). The cover <NUM> may be provided in the shape to cover the driving assembly <NUM> downward from the top. The cover <NUM> may prevent the first carrier <NUM> from deviating from the second carrier <NUM>. In this regard, the cover <NUM> may include an upper board 131a and leads 131b. The upper board 131a, which has the shape of a cylindrical band or a polygonal band (e.g., a rectangular band) hollowed at the central portion thereof, may include a cover hole 131c provided in a specific size at the central portion thereof such that at least a portion of the lens <NUM> is exposed. The leads 131b may be formed with a specific length and a specific width while extending right downward from one side (e.g., a corner area) of the upper board 131a. The leads 131b may be provided in the shape of a band which is hollowed, and may be coupled to one side of the second carrier <NUM>.

The first carrier <NUM> may be seated on the central portion of the second carrier <NUM>. The first carrier <NUM> may move in an X-axis or Y-axis direction inside the second carrier <NUM>. The second carrier <NUM> may include one or more sidewalls 134a, 134b, 134c, and 134d. The second carrier <NUM> may include the first carrier sidewall 134a formed to expose the first magnetic member 135a and the second magnetic member 135b operating such that the first carrier <NUM> having the lens barrel <NUM> seated thereon moves in the X-axis direction, and the second carrier sidewall 134b formed to expose the third magnetic member 135c and the fourth magnetic member 135d operating such that the first carrier <NUM> having the lens barrel <NUM> seated thereon moves in the Y-axis direction. Alternatively, the second carrier <NUM> may include the third carrier sidewall 134c provided at the outside thereof with an AF magnetic member <NUM> used to move the lens assembly <NUM> in a Z-axis direction. Alternatively, the second carrier <NUM> may include the fourth carrier sidewall 134d.

The first magnetic member 135a, the second magnetic member 135b, the third magnetic member 135c, and the fourth magnetic member 135d for the OIS may each be used in pair with coils (e.g., a first coil 144a, a second coil 144b, a third coil 144c, and a fourth coil 144d) disposed in the housing assembly <NUM> and associated with the OIS. The first magnetic member 135a, and the second magnetic member 135b may be used to move the first carrier <NUM> having the lens barrel <NUM> fixed thereto in the X-axis direction (or one direction of a horizontal axis when an upper direction, in which the shield can <NUM> is disposed, is defined as a vertical axis). The third magnetic member 135c, and the fourth magnetic member 135d may be used to move the first carrier <NUM> having the lens barrel <NUM> fixed thereto in the Y-axis direction (or another direction of the horizontal axis when the upper direction in which the shield can <NUM> is disposed is defined as the vertical axis).

As position sensors 146a, 146b, and <NUM> are disposed at one sides of coils 144a, 144b, 144c, 144d, and <NUM> or between two adjacent coils of the coils 144a, 144b, 144c, 144d, and <NUM>, the thicknesses of the coils 144a, 144b, 144c, 144d, and <NUM> may be formed to be less than those of the position sensors 146a, 146b, and <NUM>. The thicknesses of the first coil 144a and the second coil 144b may be formed to be less than the thickness of the first position sensor 146a. The thicknesses of the third coil 144c and the fourth coil 144d may be formed to be less than the thickness of the second position sensor 146b. The thickness of the AF coil <NUM> may be formed to be less than the thickness of the AF position sensor <NUM>. According to various embodiments, the coils 144a, 144b, 144c, 144d, and <NUM> disposed in the housing assembly <NUM> may include a fine pattern coil.

The driving assembly <NUM> may include a guide member <NUM> and guide balls 137a and 137b to guide and support the movement of the first carrier <NUM>. The first guide balls 137a may be interposed between the first carrier <NUM> and the guide member <NUM>. The first carrier <NUM> may reciprocate in the X-axis direction (or Y-axis direction) through the first guide balls 137a. The second guide balls 137b may be interposed between the guide member <NUM> and the second carrier <NUM>. The guide member <NUM> may reciprocate in the Y-axis direction (or the X-axis direction) through the second guide balls 137b, so the first carrier <NUM> may reciprocate in the Y-axis direction (or the X-axis direction). The first carrier <NUM>, the guide member <NUM>, and the second carrier <NUM> may have guide grooves 132d, 133a, 133b, and 134e formed therein to receive the guide balls 137a and 137b. The guide grooves 132d, 133a, 133b, and 134e extend in a specified direction (e.g., the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction) and may have V-shaped sectional surfaces. The guide grooves 132d, 133a, 133b, and 134e may restrict the first carrier <NUM> from moving in a direction other than the specified direction (e.g., the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction). When the first carrier <NUM> reciprocates in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction, the guide balls 137a and 137b may perform rolling in the guide grooves 132d, 133a, 133b, and 134e.

AF guide grooves 134f and AF guide balls 137c may be provided in at least one sidewall (e.g., the third carrier sidewall 134c) of the second carrier <NUM> to guide and support the movement of the second carrier <NUM>. The AF guide grooves 134f may restrict the second carrier <NUM> from moving in a specified direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction) in the housing assembly <NUM>. The AF guide grooves 134f may extend in the specified direction (e.g., a Z-axis direction), and may have a V-shaped sectional surfaces. When the second carrier <NUM> reciprocates in the specified direction (e.g., in the Z-axis direction), the AF guide balls 137c may perform rolling in the AF guide grooves 134f.

The housing assembly <NUM> may include a seating part <NUM>, on which the above-components (e.g., the lens assembly <NUM> and the driving assembly <NUM>) are seated, and housing sidewalls <NUM> disposed to surround the above-components. The seating part <NUM> may include a seating part hole 141a provided at the center thereof to expose the central portion of the lens assembly <NUM> downward. The image sensor <NUM> may be disposed under the seating part hole 141a. The housing sidewalls <NUM> may be disposed while sharing each corner between edges of the seating part <NUM>. The housing sidewalls <NUM> may include the first housing sidewall 142a disposed with the first coil 144a and the second coil 144b mutually operated with the first magnetic member 135a and the second magnetic member 135b disposed in the first carrier <NUM> such that the lens assembly <NUM> moves in the X-axis direction, a second housing sidewall 142b disposed with a third coil 144c and a fourth coil 144d mutually operated with the third magnetic member 135c and the fourth magnetic member 135d disposed in the first carrier <NUM> such that the lens assembly <NUM> moves in the Y-axis direction, a third housing sidewall 142c disposed with the AF coil <NUM> mutually operated with the AF magnetic member <NUM> disposed such that the lens assembly <NUM> moves in the Z-axis direction, and a fourth housing sidewall 142d.

An AF yoke <NUM> may be disposed on a side surface of the third housing sidewall 142c to dispose the AF coil <NUM>. The AF coil <NUM> may be interposed between the AF magnetic member <NUM> and the AF yoke <NUM>. The AF yoke <NUM> may improve the efficiency of the AF coil <NUM> by concentrating electromagnetic force between the AF magnetic member <NUM> and the AF coil <NUM>. In addition, the second carrier <NUM> may make close contact with the third housing sidewall 142c by the attraction between the AF magnetic member <NUM> and the AF yoke <NUM>. Accordingly, the AF guide balls 137c are prevented from deviating from the AF guide grooves 134f, and the second carrier <NUM> may reciprocate in the Z-axis direction.

The housing sidewalls <NUM> may be coupled to the shield can sidewalls <NUM> to protect the above-described components associated with the camera module therein. The first position sensor 146a, the second position sensor 146b, and the AF position sensor <NUM> (e.g., Hall sensor) may be disposed on the housing sidewalls <NUM>. The first position sensor 146a may collect sensor information generated depending on the X-axis movement of the lens assembly <NUM> (or the first carrier <NUM>). The second position sensor 146b may collect sensor information generated depending on the Y-axis movement of the lens assembly <NUM> (or the first carrier <NUM>). The AF position sensor <NUM> may collect sensor information generated depending on the Z-axis movement of the lens assembly <NUM> (or the second carrier <NUM>). The first position sensor 146a, the second position sensor 146b, and the AF position sensor <NUM> are electrically connected to a PCB <NUM> (e.g., a flexible PCB (FPCB)), and the collected sensor information may be transmitted to a first processor (e.g., a control circuit) of the camera module <NUM> or a second processor of an electronic device through the PCB <NUM>. The first processor may be connected to a sensor board <NUM>.

The PCB <NUM> may supply a signal (e.g., a current) to the coils 144a, 144b, 144c, 144d, and <NUM> disposed in the housing assembly <NUM>. The PCB <NUM> may be connected to a first processor (or a control circuit) related to driving of the camera module <NUM> or a second processor of an electronic device on which the camera module <NUM> is mounted. The PCB <NUM> may supply a signal (e.g., a current of a specified intensity) of a specified intensity to at least one of the coils 144a, 144b, 144c, 144d, and <NUM> included in the housing assembly <NUM>, under the control of at least one of the first processor and the second processor. The PCB <NUM> may receive a sensing value from each of the position sensors 146a, 146b, and <NUM> disposed in the housing assembly <NUM>, and transmit a corresponding signal to each of the coils 144a, 144b, 144c, 144d, and <NUM>.

The camera module <NUM> may include the image sensor <NUM> (e.g., a memory device) to collect an image. The image sensor <NUM> may be disposed to face the lens <NUM> through the seating part hole 141a disposed in at the lower portion of the housing assembly <NUM>. The image sensor <NUM> may be disposed on the sensor board <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an AF magnetic member and an AF coil of a camera module, according to an embodiment.

<FIG> shows a perspective view <NUM> illustrating position relationships among the AF magnetic member <NUM>, the AF coil <NUM>, and the AF position sensor <NUM> of the camera module (e.g., the camera module <NUM>), and a plan view <NUM> illustrating the AF magnetic member <NUM>, the AF coil <NUM>, and the AF position sensor <NUM> of reference numeral <NUM> when viewed in the direction of `B'.

The AF magnetic member <NUM> may perform a first reciprocating movement <NUM> in a direction of one axis (e.g., the Z axis). The processor (e.g., the first processor (or the control circuit) associated with the driving of the camera module <NUM> or the second processor of the electronic device on which the camera module <NUM> is seated) may supply a signal (e.g., a current having a specified intensity) having a specified intensity to the AF coil <NUM>. The processor may receive a sensing value from the AF position sensor <NUM> and supply a corresponding signal to the AF coil <NUM>. The AF coil <NUM> may generate a magnetic field having a specified direction and a specified intensity depending on the received signal, and the AF magnetic member <NUM> may perform the first reciprocating movement <NUM> depending on the generated magnetic field.

The AF position sensor <NUM> is disposed at one side (e.g., one side in the X-axis direction) of the AF coil <NUM> when viewed in the direction of 'B'. In addition, the AF position sensor <NUM> may be disposed on one side of the AF magnetic member <NUM> (e.g., one side in the X-axis direction). The AF coil <NUM> and the AF magnet magnetic <NUM> may be overlapped with each other when viewed in the Y-axis direction (or may be disposed while facing each other). When it is assumed that there is present a virtual expansion area <NUM> of the AF magnetic member <NUM> in the X-axis direction (the direction of uniformly maintaining spacing from the AF coil <NUM>), at least a portion of the AF position sensor <NUM> is overlapped with the virtual expansion area <NUM>. Alternatively, at least a portion of the AF position sensor <NUM> may be overlapped with the AF magnetic member <NUM> when viewed in the X-axis direction.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a first magnetic member, a second magnetic member, a first coil, and a second coil of a camera module, according to an embodiment.

<FIG> shows a perspective view <NUM> illustrating position relationships among the first magnetic member 135a, the second magnetic member 135b, the first coil 144a, the second coil 144b, and the first position sensor 146a of the camera module <NUM>, and a plan view <NUM> illustrating the first magnetic member 135a, the second magnetic member 135b, the first coil 144a, the second coil 144b, and the first position sensor 146a of reference numeral <NUM> when viewed in the direction of 'B'.

The first magnetic member 135a and the second magnetic member 135b may perform a second reciprocating movement <NUM> and a third reciprocating movement <NUM> in the two axis directions (e.g., the X axis and the Y axis). The processor (e.g., the first processor (or the control circuit) associated with the driving of the camera module <NUM> or the second processor of the electronic device on which the camera module <NUM> is seated) may supply a signal (e.g., a current having a specified intensity) having a specified intensity to the first coil 144a and the second coil 144b. The processor may receive a sensing value from the first position sensor 146a and supply a corresponding signal to the first coil 144a and the second coil 144b. The first coil 144a and the second coil 144b may generate a magnetic field having a specified direction and a specified intensity depending on the received signal, and the first magnetic member 135a and the second magnetic member 135b may perform the second reciprocating movement <NUM> depending on the generated magnetic field.

In addition, referring to <FIG>, the third magnetic member 135c and the fourth magnetic member 135d may perform the third reciprocating movement <NUM> similarly to the first magnetic member 135a and the second magnetic member 135b. The processor may supply a signal having a specified intensity to the third coil 144c and the fourth coil 144d, the third coil 144c and the fourth coil 144d may generate a magnetic field having a specified direction and a specified intensity depending on the received signal, and the third magnetic member 135c and the fourth magnetic member 135d may perform the third reciprocating movement <NUM> depending on the generated magnetic field. When the first magnetic member 135a, the second magnetic member 135b, the third magnetic member 135c, and the fourth magnetic member 135d are fixed to the first carrier <NUM>, and, the first magnetic member 135a and the second magnetic member 135b may perform the third reciprocating movement <NUM> through the first carrier <NUM> when the third magnetic member 135c and the fourth magnetic member 135d perform the third reciprocating movement <NUM>. Accordingly, the first magnetic member 135a and the second magnetic member 135b may perform the second reciprocating movement <NUM> (e.g., the reciprocating movement by the first magnetic member 135a and the second magnetic member 135b) in the Y-axis direction, and perform the third reciprocating movement <NUM> (e.g., the third magnetic member 135c and the fourth magnetic member 135d) in the X-axis direction. Similarly, the third magnetic member 135c and the fourth magnetic member 135d may perform the second reciprocating movement <NUM> in the Y-axis direction and may perform the third reciprocating movement <NUM> in the X-axis direction.

The first position sensor 146a may be interposed between the first magnetic member 135a and the second magnetic member 135b when viewed in the direction of 'B'. In addition, the first position sensor 146a may be interposed between the first coil 144a and the second coil 144b. The first magnetic member 135a and the first coil 144a may be overlapped with each other when viewed in the Y-axis direction. The second magnetic member 135b and the second coil 144b may be overlapped with each other when viewed in the Y-axis direction. When it is assumed that there is present a virtual expansion area <NUM> of the first magnetic member 135a or the second magnetic member 135b in the X-axis direction (e.g., the direction that uniformly maintains specific spacing from the first magnetic member 135a or the second magnetic member 135b), at least a portion of the first position sensor 146a may be overlapped with the virtual expansion area <NUM>. Alternatively, the at least a portion of the first position sensor 146a may be overlapped with the first magnetic member 135a or the second magnetic member 135b when viewed in the X-axis direction. Similarly, the second position sensor 146b may be interposed between the third magnetic member 135c and the fourth magnetic member 135d. In addition, the second position sensor 146b may be interposed between the third coil 144c and the fourth coil 144d. The third magnetic member 135c and the third coil 144c may be overlapped with each other when viewed in the X-axis direction. The fourth magnetic member 135d and the fourth coil 144d may be overlapped with each other when viewed in the X-axis direction. When it is assumed that there is present a virtual expansion area of the third magnetic member 135c or the fourth magnetic member 135d in the Y-axis direction (e.g., the direction that uniformly maintains specific spacing from the third magnetic member 135c or the fourth magnetic member 135d), at least a portion of the second position sensor 146b may be overlapped with the virtual expansion area. Alternatively, the at least a portion of the second position sensor 146b may be overlapped with the third magnetic member 135c or the fourth magnetic member 135d when viewed in the Y-axis direction.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a method for correcting an assembling error of a first position sensor or a second position sensor of a camera module, according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a graph illustrating the intensity, which is measured by the first position sensor or the second position sensor, of the magnetic force, according to an embodiment.

As the first position sensor 146a more exactly approaches an intermediate portion between the first magnetic member 135a and the second magnetic member 135b, the positions of the first magnetic member 135a and the second magnetic member 135b may be exactly measured. As the second position sensor 146b more exactly approaches an intermediate portion between the third magnetic member 135c and the fourth magnetic member 135d, the positions of the third magnetic member 135c and the fourth magnetic member 135d may be more exactly measured. However, in the assembling procedure, the first position sensor 146a may be disposed closer to one of the first magnetic member 135a or the second magnetic member 135b (e.g., an assembling error). Alternatively, the second position sensor 146b may be disposed closer to one of the third magnetic member 135c or the fourth magnetic member 135d (e.g., an assembling error). Accordingly, the assembling error of the first position sensor 146a or the second position sensor 146b may be needed to be corrected.

The first position sensor 146a may be disposed closer to the second magnetic member 135b instead of the first magnetic member 135a in the assembling procedure. The distance "P+α" between the first magnetic member 135a and the first position sensor 146a may be obtained through the sum of a first reference distance "P" and a first assembling error "α". The distance "P-α" between the second magnetic member 135b and the first position sensor 146a may be a distance obtained by subtracting the first assembling error "α" from the first reference distance "P". In this case, the first reference distance "P" may refer to a half of the distance between the first magnetic member 135a and the second magnetic member 135b.

The second position sensor 146b may be disposed closer to the third magnetic member 135c instead of the fourth magnetic member 135d in the assembling procedure. The distance "Q-β" between the third magnetic member 135c and the second position sensor 146b may be a distance obtained by subtracting the second assembling error "β" from the second reference distance "Q". The distance "Q+β" between the fourth magnetic member 135d and the second position sensor 146b may be obtained through the sum of the second reference distance "Q" and the second assembling error "β". In this case, the second reference distance "Q" may refer to a half of the distance between the third magnetic member 135c and the fourth magnetic member 135d.

The processor (e.g., the first processor (or the control circuit) associated with the driving of the camera module <NUM> or the second processor of the electronic device on which the camera module <NUM> is seated) may move the first carrier <NUM> in the X-axis direction while restricting the movement of the first carrier <NUM> in the Y-axis direction, and measure (or scan) the intensity of the magnetic field formed by the first magnetic member 135a and the second magnetic member 135b through the first position sensor 146a. Alternatively, the processor may move the first carrier <NUM> in the Y-axis direction while restricting the movement of the first carrier <NUM> in the X-axis direction, and may measure (or scan) the intensity of the magnetic field formed by the third magnetic member 135c and the fourth magnetic member 135d through the second position sensor 146b. The intensity of the magnetic field measured by the first position sensor 146a or the second position sensor 146b may have the form as in the graph of <FIG>. When the assembling error is absent, the intensity of the magnetic field may have the maximum value (MAX) at a point at which a distance becomes '<NUM>' (e.g., the first reference distance 'P' or the second reference distance 'Q') in the graph of <FIG>. However, when the assembling error (e.g., the first assembling error 'α' or the second assembling error 'β') is present, a point, at which the intensity of the magnetic field becomes the MAX, may be at the left side or the right side of a point at which the distance becomes '<NUM>' in the graph of <FIG>. The offset distance 'DO' between the point, at which the intensity of the magnetic field becomes the MAX, and the point, at which the distance becomes '<NUM>', may be the assembling error (e.g., the first assembling error 'α' or the second assembling error 'β'). The processor may store the offset distance 'DO', which corresponds to the first position sensor 146a or the second position sensor 146b, in a memory (e.g., a memory included in the first position sensor 146a or the second position sensor 146b, or a memory <NUM> to be described below) and compensate the offset distance 'D' when determining the positions of the first magnetic member 135a and the second magnetic member 135b, and the positions of the third magnetic member 135c and the fourth magnetic member 135d.

According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor <NUM> (e.g., an ISP or a CP) may be implemented as part of another component (e.g., the camera module <NUM> or the communication module <NUM>) functionally related to the auxiliary processor <NUM>.

The program 940may be stored in the memory <NUM> as software, and may include, for example, an operating system (OS) <NUM>, middleware <NUM>, or an application <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the camera module <NUM> may include one or more lenses, image sensors, ISPs, or flashes.

The communication module <NUM> may include one or more CPs that are operable independently from the processor <NUM> (e.g., the AP) and supports a direct (e.g., wired) communication or a wireless communication.

A method according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be included and provided in a computer program product.

Claim 1:
A camera module (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing assembly (<NUM>);
a driving assembly (<NUM>) received in the housing assembly (<NUM>); and
a lens assembly (<NUM>) received in the driving assembly (<NUM>) and including at least one lens (<NUM>) aligned in a first direction (<NUM>),
wherein the driving assembly (<NUM>) includes:
an auto focus, AF, magnetic member (<NUM>) fixed to one side surface of the driving assembly (<NUM>) and driven in the first direction (<NUM>),
wherein the housing assembly (<NUM>) includes:
an AF coil (<NUM>) disposed to face the AF magnetic member (<NUM>) and configured to generate a magnetic field in response to a first signal to drive the AF magnetic member (<NUM>); and
an AF position sensor (<NUM>) disposed at one side of the AF coil (<NUM>) and configured to measure a position of the AF magnetic member (<NUM>), and
wherein the AF position sensor (<NUM>) is disposed to be partially overlapped with a first virtual expansion area (<NUM>) formed by expanding the AF magnetic member (<NUM>) in a second direction (<NUM>, <NUM>) that uniformly maintains spacing from the AF coil (<NUM>), said second direction being perpendicular to the first direction in which the AF magnetic member (<NUM>) is driven by the driving assembly (<NUM>).