Patent Description:
Recently, ultra-compact camera modules have been developed, and ultra-compact camera modules are widely used in small electronic products such as smart phones, notebook computers, and game consoles.

As automobiles are popularized, ultra-compact camera modules are widely used not only in small electronic products but also in vehicles. For example, it is equipped with a black box camera for vehicle protection or objective data of traffic accidents, a rear surveillance camera that enables the driver to monitor the blind spot at the rear of the vehicle through the screen to ensure safety when the vehicle is reversing, an surrounding detection camera that can monitor the vehicle's surroundings, and the like.

The exterior member of a vehicle camera module is generally formed by combining a front body, in which a lens barrel is disposed, and a rear body, in which electronic components are accommodated, and metal or plastic is used as a material. Plastic materials are widely used because they have an advantage in that the material cost is low, and the front body and the rear body are combined by ultrasonic or laser fusion, so that the component accommodating area become widened.

Meanwhile, when manufacturing the camera module, the ground portion of the substrate and the shield are grounded, and the substrate and the shield are screw-coupled to the inside surface of the front body. After that, the front body and the rear body are subjected to ultrasonic or laser fusion. In this case, there is a problem in that the optical axis of the lens and the image sensor is misaligned due to the loosening of the screw by the vibration generated during ultrasonic or laser fusion.

<CIT> discloses an attaching structure capable of attaching a CCD in simple configuration without backlash. <CIT> discloses an electronic equipment comprising an upper printed wiring board mounted to four first upper bent pieces, a lower printed wiring board mounted to three first lower bent pieces, wherein they are fixed with screws which have axial centers extending in thickness directions of the printed wiring boards.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a camera module capable of preventing the coupling between components from being loosened.

A camera module according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a housing; a substrate arranged on the housing; a substrate supporting member arranged on the housing and supporting the substrate; and a coupling member that fixes the substrate on the housing, wherein the coupling member screw-couples the substrate to an inside surface of the housing, and wherein the substrate supporting member comprises a screw coupling portion screw-coupled to the inside surface of the housing, wherein the substrate supporting member includes a body, an extending portion which extends from the body to be disposed between the substrate and the inside surface of the housing, a hole formed in the extending portion and penetrated by the coupling member (<NUM>), and a bent portion which extends from the extending portion inwardly of the hole and towards the substrate, wherein the bent portion comprises a plurality of bent portions, and the plurality of bent portions is spaced apart from each other, and wherein a separation space is formed between two adjacents of the plurality of bent portions.

Through this embodiment, a camera module capable of preventing the coupling between parts from being loosened can be provided.

In addition, terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention are generally understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs unless explicitly defined and described, and it can be interpreted as a meaning, and terms generally used, such as terms defined in a dictionary, may be interpreted in consideration of the meaning in the context of the related technology.

In addition, terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are for describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

In the present specification, the singular form may include the plural form unless specifically stated in the phrase, and when described as "at least one (or more than one) of A and B and C", it may contain one or more of all combinations that can be combined with A, B, and C.

In addition, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), and the like may be used in describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention. These terms are only for distinguishing the component from other components, and are not limited to the nature, order, or sequence of the component by the term.

And, when a component is described as being 'connected', 'coupled' or 'interconnected' to another component, the component is not only directly connected, coupled or interconnected to the other component, but may also include cases of being 'connected', 'coupled', or 'interconnected' due that another component between that other components.

In addition, when it is described as being formed or disposed in the "top (upper side) or bottom (lower side)" of each component, the top (upper side) or bottom (lower side) not only includes a case when the two components are in direct contact with each other but also includes a case where one or more other components are formed or disposed between the two components. In addition, when expressed as "top (upper side) or bottom (lower side)", the meaning of not only an upward direction but also a downward direction based on one component may be included.

The 'optical axis direction' used below is defined as the optical axis direction of the lens coupled to the lens driving device. Meanwhile, the 'optical axis direction' may correspond to an 'up-down direction', a 'z-axis direction', and the like.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a perspective view of a substrate of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is an enlarged view of portion A of <FIG>. <FIG> is a partial cross-sectional view of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the camera module <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention may include housings <NUM> and <NUM>, a substrate module <NUM>, and a lens module <NUM>. The camera module <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include at least one or more of a substrate supporting member <NUM>, a connector <NUM>, a metal ring <NUM>, a metal cover <NUM>, and a coupling member <NUM>, however, it may be implemented excluding some of these configurations, and it does not exclude additional configurations other than those mentioned above. The substrate supporting member <NUM> may be formed of a metal material.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the front can be interpreted as meaning a downward direction (down), and a rear meaning an upward direction (up).

The camera module <NUM> may include housings <NUM> and <NUM>. The housings <NUM> and <NUM> may form the outer appearance of the camera module <NUM>. The housings <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first housing <NUM> and a second housing <NUM>.

The camera module <NUM> includes a first housing <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> may be a front body. The first housing <NUM> may be an exterior member. The first housing <NUM> may form the outer appearance of the camera module <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> may be coupled to the second housing <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> may be coupled to the second housing <NUM> through ultrasonic fusion welding or adhesion through an adhesive. The first housing <NUM> may be disposed in front of the second housing <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> may be formed of a plastic material. The first housing <NUM> may be formed of a plastic material mixed with carbon or metal. The first housing <NUM> may be formed of a laser-transmitting plastic material, a laser-transmitting carbon, or a plastic material in which a metal is mixed. The first housing <NUM> may be grounded with the substrate supporting member <NUM> to discharge residual electromagnetism to the outside. The first housing <NUM> may have a hollow formed in the central area. The lens module <NUM> may be coupled to the hollow of the first housing <NUM>. An inside space may be formed inside the first housing <NUM>. A substrate module <NUM>, a substrate supporting member <NUM>, and a cable <NUM> may be disposed in the inside space of the first housing <NUM>. The substrate module <NUM> and the substrate supporting member <NUM> may be coupled to the inside surface of the first housing <NUM>.

A substrate module <NUM> and a substrate supporting member <NUM> may be coupled to the first housing <NUM>. Specifically, a first substrate <NUM> and a first substrate supporting member <NUM> may be coupled to the inside surface of the first housing <NUM>. The first substrate <NUM> and the first substrate supporting member <NUM> may be coupled to the inside surface of the first housing <NUM> by a coupling member <NUM>. The first substrate <NUM> and the first substrate supporting member <NUM> may be screw-coupled to the upper surface <NUM> of the step portion <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> by the coupling member <NUM>. The inside surface of the first housing <NUM> may be disposed on the lower surface of the extending portion <NUM> of the first substrate supporting member <NUM>.

The inside surface of the first housing <NUM> may include a step portion <NUM>. The step portion <NUM> may be formed to be protruded upward from the bottom surface of the inside surface of the first housing <NUM>. The step portion <NUM> may be formed to be protruded inward from the inside surface of the first housing <NUM>. The extension portion <NUM> of the first substrate supporting member <NUM> may be disposed on the upper surface <NUM> of the step portion <NUM>. The lower surface of the extending portion <NUM> of the first substrate supporting member <NUM> may be disposed on the upper surface <NUM> of the step portion <NUM>. The upper surface <NUM> of the step portion <NUM> may include a through hole penetrated by the coupling member <NUM>. The body <NUM> of the first substrate supporting member <NUM> may be disposed on a side surface <NUM> of the step portion <NUM>. The side surface <NUM> of the step portion <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to the body <NUM> of the first substrate supporting member <NUM>.

The camera module <NUM> may include a second housing <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> may be a rear body. The second housing <NUM> may be an exterior member. The second housing <NUM> may form the outer appearance of the camera module <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> may be coupled to the first housing <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> may be coupled to the first housing <NUM> through ultrasonic fusion welding or adhesion through an adhesive. The second housing <NUM> may be disposed rear of the first housing <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> may be formed of a plastic material. The second housing <NUM> may be formed of a plastic material mixed with carbon or metal. The second housing <NUM> may be formed of a laser-transmitting plastic material, a laser-transmitting carbon, or a plastic material in which a metal is mixed. The second housing <NUM> may be grounded with the metal cover <NUM> to discharge residual electromagnetism to the outside. The second housing <NUM> may include a through hole penetrated by the connector <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be coupled to the through hole of the second housing <NUM>. A metal cover <NUM> may be disposed on the inside surface of the second housing <NUM>. The metal cover <NUM> may be coupled to the inside surface of the second housing <NUM> by a method such as adhesion through an adhesive or screw-coupling.

The camera module <NUM> includes a substrate module <NUM>. The substrate module <NUM> is disposed in the first housing <NUM>. The substrate module <NUM> may be disposed in the inside space of the first housing <NUM>. The substrate module <NUM> may be coupled to the inside surface of the first housing <NUM>. The substrate module <NUM> may be screw-coupled to the inside surface of the first housing <NUM>. The substrate module <NUM> may be disposed in an inside space formed by the coupling of the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. The substrate module <NUM> may be coupled to the connector <NUM>. The substrate module <NUM> may be electrically connected to the connector <NUM>. The substrate module <NUM> may include first to third substrates <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The substrate module <NUM> may include a first substrate <NUM>. The first substrate <NUM> may be coupled to the inside surface of the first housing <NUM>. The first substrate <NUM> may be screw-coupled to the inside surface of the first housing <NUM> together with the first substrate supporting member <NUM>. An image sensor may be disposed on the front surface of the first substrate <NUM>. The image sensor disposed on the first substrate <NUM> may face the lens module <NUM>. The first substrate <NUM> may be disposed in front of the second substrate <NUM>. The first substrate <NUM> may be spaced apart from the second substrate <NUM> in the optical axis direction. The first substrate <NUM> may be electrically connected to the second substrate <NUM>. The first substrate <NUM> may be electrically connected to the second substrate <NUM> through a substrate supporting member <NUM> or a separate flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The first substrate <NUM> may include a first ground portion. The first ground portion of the first substrate <NUM> may be in contact with the first substrate supporting member <NUM> of the substrate supporting member <NUM>. The first substrate <NUM> may be in contact with the first substrate supporting member <NUM>. The lower surface of the first substrate <NUM> may be in contact with an upper surface <NUM> of a bent portion <NUM> of the first substrate supporting member <NUM>. The lower surface of the first substrate <NUM> may be in surface-contact with the upper surface <NUM> of the bent portion <NUM> of the first substrate supporting member <NUM>. The first substrate <NUM> may include a through hole penetrated by the coupling member <NUM>. The through hole of the first substrate <NUM> may be overlapped with a hole <NUM> of the first substrate supporting member <NUM> in the optical axis direction. The through hole of the first substrate <NUM> may be overlapped with the through hole of the upper surface <NUM> of the step portion <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> in the optical axis direction or a vertical direction.

The substrate module <NUM> may include a second substrate <NUM>. The second substrate <NUM> may be disposed rear of the first substrate <NUM>. The second substrate <NUM> may be spaced apart from the first substrate <NUM> in the optical axis direction. The second substrate <NUM> may be electrically connected to the first substrate <NUM>. The second substrate <NUM> may be electrically connected to the first substrate <NUM> through a substrate supporting member <NUM> or a separate flexible printed circuit board. The second substrate <NUM> may include a second ground portion. The second ground portion of the second substrate <NUM> may be in contact with a second substrate supporting member <NUM> of the substrate supporting member <NUM> and/or a third substrate supporting member <NUM> of the substrate supporting member <NUM>. The second substrate <NUM> may be disposed in front of the third substrate <NUM>. The second substrate <NUM> may be spaced apart from the third substrate <NUM> in the optical axis direction. The second substrate <NUM> may be electrically connected to the third substrate <NUM>. The second substrate <NUM> may be electrically connected to the third substrate <NUM> through a substrate supporting member <NUM> or a separate flexible printed circuit board.

The substrate module <NUM> may include a third substrate <NUM>. The third substrate <NUM> may be disposed rear of the second substrate <NUM>. The third substrate <NUM> may be spaced apart from the second substrate <NUM> in the optical axis direction. The third substrate <NUM> may be electrically connected to the second substrate <NUM>. The third substrate <NUM> may be electrically connected to the second substrate <NUM> through a substrate supporting member <NUM> or a separate flexible printed circuit board. The third substrate <NUM> may include a third ground portion. The third ground portion of the third substrate <NUM> may be in contact with the second substrate supporting member <NUM> of the substrate supporting member <NUM> and/or the third substrate supporting member <NUM> of the substrate supporting member <NUM>. A connector <NUM> may be disposed on the rear surface of the third substrate <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be mounted on the rear surface of the third substrate <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be coupled to the third substrate <NUM>. A terminal of the connector <NUM> may be inserted into a coupling hole of the third substrate <NUM>.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the substrate module <NUM> including three substrates <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is described as an example, but is not limited thereto, and may include two substrates <NUM> and <NUM> or four or more substrates. In addition, the first to third substrates <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be a printed circuit board (PCB) in the form of a square plate.

The camera module <NUM> includes a substrate supporting member <NUM>. The substrate supporting member <NUM> is disposed in the first housing <NUM>. The substrate supporting member <NUM> accomodates the substrate module <NUM> therein. The substrate supporting member <NUM> may be electrically connected to the substrate module <NUM>. The substrate supporting member <NUM> may be coupled to the inside surface of the first housing <NUM>. The substrate supporting member <NUM> may be in contact with the metal cover <NUM>. The substrate supporting member <NUM> may be formed of a metal material. The substrate supporting member <NUM> may be formed of a metal plate forming a plurality of side surfaces. The substrate supporting member <NUM> may block electromagnetic interference (EMI). The substrate supporting member <NUM> may block radio waves generated from the outside from flowing into the substrate module <NUM>. The substrate supporting member <NUM> may be in contact with the ground portion of the substrate module <NUM>. The substrate supporting member <NUM> may ground the substrate module <NUM>. Residual electromagnetism remaining in the substrate module <NUM> may be accumulated in the substrate supporting member <NUM>. The substrate supporting member <NUM> may include first to third substrate supporting members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The substrate supporting member <NUM> may include a first substrate supporting member <NUM>. The first substrate supporting member <NUM> may be disposed between the first housing <NUM> and the first substrate <NUM>. The first substrate supporting member <NUM> may be disposed between the inside surface of the first housing <NUM> and the first substrate <NUM>. The first substrate supporting member <NUM> may be coupled to the inside surface of the first housing <NUM>. The first substrate supporting member <NUM> may be coupled to the inside surface of the first housing <NUM> together with the first substrate <NUM>. The first substrate supporting member <NUM> may be coupled to the front surface of the first substrate <NUM>. The first substrate supporting member <NUM> may be in contact with the second substrate supporting member <NUM>. The first substrate supporting member <NUM> may include a screw coupling portion being screw-coupled to the inside surface of the first housing <NUM>. The first substrate supporting member <NUM> may include a snap-fit coupling portion that is snap-fit coupled to a side surface of the first substrate <NUM>.

The first substrate supporting member <NUM> includes a body <NUM>, an extending portion <NUM>, a hole <NUM>, and a bent portion <NUM>.

The body <NUM> may be formed with four metal plates forming a plurality of side surfaces. The extending portion <NUM> may be extended from the upper end of the body <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The body <NUM> may be disposed on the inside surface of the first housing <NUM>. The body <NUM> may be disposed between the inside surface of the first housing <NUM> and the first substrate <NUM>. The body <NUM> may be disposed on the side surface <NUM> of the step portion <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>. The body <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to the side surface <NUM> of the step portion <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>.

The extending portion <NUM> may be formed to be extended in a horizontal direction from an upper end of the body <NUM>. The extending portion <NUM> may be disposed between the inside surface of the first housing <NUM> and the first substrate <NUM>. The extending portion <NUM> may be disposed on the upper surface <NUM> of the step portion <NUM>. The lower surface of the extending portion <NUM> may be in contact with the inside surface of the first housing <NUM>. The lower surface of the extending portion <NUM> may be in contact with the step portion <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>. The lower surface of the extending portion <NUM> may be in contact with the upper surface <NUM> of the step portion <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>. The extending portion <NUM> may include a plurality of extending portions. Each of the plurality of extending portions may be spaced apart. Each of the plurality of extending portions may be symmetrically disposed with respect to the optical axis.

The hole <NUM> may be formed in the extending portion <NUM>. The hole <NUM> may be formed in the central region of the extending portion <NUM>. The hole <NUM> may be overlapped with the through hole of the first substrate <NUM> and/or the through hole of the upper surface <NUM> of the step portion <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> in the optical axis direction or a vertical direction.

The bent portion <NUM> is formed to be extended from the extending portion <NUM> in the inner direction of the hole <NUM>. The bent portion <NUM> is formed to be extended from the extending portion <NUM> toward the first substrate <NUM>. The bent portion <NUM> may be formed to be extended upward from the extending portion <NUM>. The upper surface <NUM> of the bent portion <NUM> may be disposed above the extending portion <NUM>. The upper surface <NUM> of the bent portion <NUM> may be in contact with the lower surface of the first substrate <NUM>. The upper surface <NUM> of the bent portion <NUM> may be in surface-contact with the lower surface of the first substrate <NUM>. The bent portion <NUM> may be curved at least twice. The bent portion <NUM> may include a first curved portion <NUM> curved in the direction of the hole <NUM> in the extending portion <NUM>, and a second curved portion <NUM> curved in the direction opposite to the hole <NUM> in the first curved portion <NUM>. That is, the bent portion <NUM> may include at least one inflection point. Through this, space efficiency of the bent portion <NUM> may be improved, and elasticity may be improved. The bent portion <NUM> includes a plurality of bent portions. Each of the plurality of bent portions is spaced apart from each other. A separation space <NUM> is formed between the multiple bent portions. Through this, when the coupling member <NUM> is fastened, a space in which the bent portion <NUM> can be pressed by the first substrate <NUM> and the upper surface <NUM> of the step portion <NUM> may be secured. That is, as the first substrate <NUM> and the first substrate supporting member <NUM> are screw-coupled to the first housing <NUM> by the coupling member <NUM>, the bent portion <NUM> is gradually lowered in height to become flat. Through this, a tensile force is generated in the opposite direction to which the screw is coupled, so that the coupling member <NUM> can be prevented from being loosened.

The substrate supporting member <NUM> may include a second substrate supporting member <NUM>. The second substrate supporting member <NUM> may be disposed between the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM>. The second substrate supporting member <NUM> may be in contact with the first substrate supporting member <NUM>. The second substrate supporting member <NUM> may be in contact with the third substrate supporting member <NUM>. One side of the second substrate supporting member <NUM> may be coupled to the rear surface of the first substrate <NUM>, and the other side of the second substrate supporting member <NUM> may be coupled to the front surface of the second substrate <NUM>.

The substrate supporting member <NUM> may include a third substrate supporting member <NUM>. The third substrate supporting member <NUM> may be disposed between the second substrate <NUM> and the third substrate <NUM>. The third substrate supporting member <NUM> may be in contact with the second substrate supporting member <NUM>. The third substrate supporting member <NUM> may be in contact with the metal cover <NUM>. One side of the third substrate supporting member <NUM> may be coupled to the rear surface of the second substrate <NUM>, and the other side of the third substrate supporting member <NUM> may be coupled to the front surface of the third substrate <NUM>. One side of the third substrate supporting member <NUM> may be inserted or mounted on the second substrate <NUM>. The other side of the third substrate supporting member <NUM> may include a snap-fit coupling portion that is snap-fit coupled to the third substrate <NUM>.

In an embodiment of the present invention, it has been described that there are three substrate supporting members <NUM> as an example, but the number of detailed configurations of the substrate supporting member <NUM> may be variously changed according to the number of detailed configurations of the substrate module <NUM>. For example, when the substrate module <NUM> is composed of a first substrate <NUM> and a second substrate <NUM>, the substrate supporting member <NUM> may be formed of a first substrate supporting member <NUM> and a second substrate supporting member <NUM> accommodating at least a portion of the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM>. In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the first to third substrate supporting members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> have been described as an example that they are separated from each other, but the first to third substrate supporting members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be integrally formed.

The camera module <NUM> may include a connector <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be disposed in the inside space of the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be electrically connected to the substrate module <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be coupled to the rear surface of the third substrate <NUM>. At least a portion of the connector <NUM> may penetrate through the third substrate <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be mounted on the third substrate <NUM> from the rear of the third substrate <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be electrically connected to the third substrate <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may penetrate through the second housing <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may penetrate through a through hole formed in the second housing <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be connected to an external component to supply power and/or current to the substrate module <NUM>. In an embodiment of the present invention, the connector <NUM> is described as an example that is formed in a round circular column shape, but is not limited thereto and may be variously changed into a rectangular column shape and the like. A metal ring <NUM> may be disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the connector <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be in contact with the metal ring <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may include a ground portion being in contact with the metal ring.

The camera module <NUM> may include a metal ring <NUM>. The metal ring <NUM> may be disposed in the inside space of the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. The metal ring <NUM> may be disposed in the connector <NUM>. The metal ring <NUM> may be disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the connector <NUM>. The metal ring <NUM> may be in contact with the ground portion of the connector <NUM>. The metal ring <NUM> may be in contact with the metal cover <NUM>. At least a portion of the metal ring <NUM> may be bent. The metal ring <NUM> may not be in contact with the first housing <NUM>. The metal ring <NUM> may not be in contact with the second housing <NUM>. The metal ring <NUM> may be formed of a metal material. The metal ring <NUM> may block electromagnetic interference (EMI). The metal ring <NUM> may block radio waves generated from outside from flowing into the substrate module <NUM>. The metal ring <NUM> may ground the substrate module <NUM>. The metal ring <NUM> may ground the substrate module <NUM> through the ground portion of the connector <NUM>. The metal ring <NUM> may include a circular portion and at least one connecting portion.

The metal ring <NUM> may include a circular portion. The circular portion may be formed in a round ring shape. The inside surface of the circular portion may be in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the connector <NUM>. The inside surface of the circular portion may be disposed on a ground portion formed in the connector <NUM>. The inside surface of the circular portion may be in contact with the ground portion formed in the connector <NUM>. At least one connecting portion may be formed by being extended from the circular portion. The connecting portion may include a horizontal region being extended in a horizontal direction from the circular portion and an inclined region being extended inclining to the rear. The circular portion may be integrally formed with at least one connecting portion. The circular portion may be formed of the same material as at least one connecting portion.

The metal ring <NUM> may include at least one connecting portion. The metal ring <NUM> may include a plurality of connecting portions. The connecting portion may be formed being extended from the circular portion. The connecting portion may be integrally formed with the circular portion. The connecting portion may be formed of the same material as the circular portion. The connecting portion may be formed being extended from the circular portion to the rear. The connecting portion may be formed being extended outward from the circular portion. At least portion of the connecting portion may be bent. The connecting portion may be in contact with the metal cover <NUM>. The area of the connecting portion in contact with the metal cover <NUM> may be formed in a letter 'U' shape. The connecting portion may be in surface-contact with the metal cover <NUM>. The plurality of connecting portions may be formed symmetrically with each other around the circular portion. A plurality of connecting portions may be disposed spaced apart from each other. A plurality of connecting portions may be formed in a shape corresponding to each other. The inclined region of the connecting portion may have elasticity. When the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> are coupled, the connecting portion may be pressed forward by the second housing <NUM>. Through this, the contact between the letter 'U'-shaped region of the connecting portion and the metal cover <NUM> may be maintained. The connecting portion may be disposed to be spaced apart from the second housing <NUM>. At least a portion of the connecting portion may be bent so that a distance separated from the second housing <NUM> is always constant.

The camera module <NUM> may include a metal cover <NUM>. The metal cover <NUM> may have a block shape with an open lower portion. The metal cover <NUM> may be disposed on the inside surface of the second housing <NUM>. The metal cover <NUM> may be disposed on the inside surface of the first housing <NUM>. The metal cover <NUM> may be in contact with the metal ring <NUM>. The metal cover <NUM> may be in contact with the substrate supporting member <NUM>. The metal cover <NUM> may be formed of a metal material. The metal cover <NUM> may be formed as a metal plate is forming a plurality of side surfaces and rear surfaces. The metal cover <NUM> may block electromagnetic interference (EMI). The metal cover <NUM> may block radio waves generated from outside from flowing into the substrate module <NUM>. Residual electromagnetism remaining in the substrate module <NUM> may be delivered to the metal cover <NUM> through the substrate supporting member <NUM>. In addition, residual electromagnetism remaining in the metal cover <NUM> may be delivered to the outside through the metal ring <NUM> and the connector <NUM>. For example, residual electromagnetism of the first substrate <NUM> may be delivered to the outside by sequentially passing through a first substrate supporting member <NUM>, a second substrate supporting member <NUM>, a third substrate supporting member <NUM>, a metal cover <NUM>, a metal ring <NUM>, and a connector <NUM>. The residual electromagnetism of the second substrate <NUM> may be delivered to the outside by sequentially passing through a second substrate supporting member <NUM>, a third substrate supporting member <NUM>, a metal cover <NUM>, a metal ring <NUM>, and a connector <NUM>. The residual electromagnetism of the third substrate <NUM> may be delivered to the outside by sequentially passing through a third substrate supporting member <NUM>, a metal cover <NUM>, the metal ring <NUM>, and a connector <NUM>. Alternatively, residual electromagnetism of the third substrate <NUM> may be directly delivered to the outside through the connector <NUM>.

The camera module <NUM> may include a lens module <NUM>. The lens module <NUM> may include at least one lens. The lens module <NUM> may be coupled to the first housing <NUM>. The lens module <NUM> may face the image sensor disposed on the substrate module <NUM> in the optical axis direction. The lens module <NUM> may be penetrating through the first housing <NUM>. The lens module <NUM> may be screw-coupled to the first housing <NUM>. A thread may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lens module <NUM>. The lens module <NUM> may be coupled to the first housing <NUM> from the front.

The camera module <NUM> includes a coupling member <NUM>. The coupling member <NUM> fixed the substrate module <NUM> to the first housing <NUM>.

The coupling member <NUM> may fix the substrate supporting member <NUM> to the first housing <NUM>. The coupling member <NUM> may fix the first substrate <NUM> and the first substrate supporting member <NUM> to the first housing <NUM>. The coupling member <NUM> may fix the first substrate <NUM> and the first substrate supporting member <NUM> to the step portion <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>. The coupling member <NUM> includes a screw. The coupling member <NUM> sequentially penetrates through the through hole of the first substrate <NUM>, the hole <NUM> of the first substrate supporting member <NUM>, and the through hole of the step portion <NUM>.

<FIG> are assembly views of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first substrate supporting member <NUM> is disposed on the inside surface of the first housing <NUM>. In this case, the position of the first substrate supporting member <NUM> may be determined through the step portion <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a first substrate <NUM> is disposed in the first housing <NUM>. In this case, the first substrate <NUM> is disposed on an upper surface <NUM> of the step portion <NUM>, and the side surface of the first substrate <NUM> may be snap-fit coupled to the snap-fit coupling portion of the first substrate supporting member <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A camera module comprising:
a housing (<NUM>);
a substrate (<NUM>) disposed in the housing (<NUM>);
a substrate supporting member (<NUM>) disposed in the housing (<NUM>) and supporting the substrate (<NUM>); and
a coupling member (<NUM>) for fixing the substrate (<NUM>) at the housing (<NUM>),
wherein the coupling member (<NUM>) screw-couples the substrate (<NUM>) to an inside surface of the housing (<NUM>), and wherein the substrate (<NUM>) supporting member comprises a screw coupling portion screw-coupled to the inside surface of the housing (<NUM>),
wherein the substrate supporting member (<NUM>) comprises: a body (<NUM>);
an extending portion (<NUM>) extended from the body (<NUM>) to be disposed between the substrate (<NUM>) and the inside surface of the housing (<NUM>);
a hole (<NUM>) formed in the extending portion (<NUM>) and penetrated by the coupling member (<NUM>); and
a bent portion (<NUM>) extended from the extending portion (<NUM>) inwardly of the hole (<NUM>) and towards the substrate (<NUM>),
wherein the bent portion (<NUM>) comprises a plurality of bent portions, and the plurality of bent portions is spaced apart from each other, and
wherein a separation space (<NUM>) is formed between two adjacents of the multiple bent portions.