Patent Description:
People who use portable devices demand optical devices that have high resolution, are small, and have various photographing functions. For example, these various photographing functions may be at least one of an optical zoom-in/zoom-out function, an auto-focusing (AF) function, or a hand-tremor compensation or optical image stabilizer (OIS) function.

In a conventional art, in order to implement the above-described various photographing functions, a method of combining a plurality of lenses and directly moving the combined lenses is used. In the case in which the number of lenses is increased, however, the size of an optical device may increase.

The auto-focusing and hand-tremor compensation functions are performed by moving or tilting a plurality of lenses, which are fixed to a lens holder and are aligned along an optical axis, in an optical-axis direction or a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. To this end, a separate lens moving apparatus is used to move a lens assembly composed of a plurality of lenses. However, the lens moving apparatus has high power consumption, and an additional cover glass needs to be provided separately from a camera module in order to protect the lens moving apparatus, thus causing a problem in that the overall size of the conventional camera module increases. In order to solve this problem, studies have been conducted on a liquid lens unit, which performs auto-focusing and hand-tremor compensation functions by electrically adjusting the curvature of an interface between two types of liquids.

The documents <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> show examples of camera lenses.

Embodiments may provide a camera module that is small, has a reduced number of parts, has a simple manufacturing process, and is inexpensive.

The objects to be accomplished by the disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

The present disclosure provides a camera module as defined by independent claim <NUM>.

For example, the lower connection substrate may include an outer terminal protruding toward the base so as to be connected to the lower connection part.

For example, the base may include a first sidewall facing the first side portion of the lens holder, a second sidewall facing the second side portion of the lens holder, and a third side wall and a fourth side wall disposed opposite each other between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The upper connection part and the lower connection part may be disposed on the surface of at least a portion of the first, second, third or fourth sidewall of the base.

For example, the first upper connection part may include a first upper terminal disposed on the first top surface of the first sidewall and connected to the first upper electrode, and a second upper terminal disposed on the side surface of the first sidewall between the first upper terminal and the main board.

For example, the second upper connection part may include a third upper terminal disposed on the second top surface of the second sidewall and connected to the second upper electrode, a terminal connection part extending from the third upper terminal to the first sidewall through at least one of the third or fourth sidewall, and a fourth upper terminal disposed on the side surface of the first sidewall between the terminal connection part and the main board while being spaced apart from the second upper terminal.

For example, the lower connection part may include a first lower terminal disposed on the third top surface of the first sidewall and connected to the outer terminal, and a second lower terminal disposed on the side surface of the first sidewall between the first lower terminal and the main board while being spaced apart from the second upper terminal and the fourth upper terminal.

For example, the main board may include a first pad disposed to be in contact with the second upper terminal, a second pad connected to the fourth upper terminal, and a third pad connected to the second lower terminal.

For example, the heights of the first to third top surfaces may be different from each other.

For example, the first upper electrode and the first upper terminal may be electrically connected to each other using at least one of metal epoxy, welding, soldering, or wire bonding, the second upper electrode and the third upper terminal may be electrically connected to each other using at least one of metal epoxy, welding, soldering, or wire bonding, and the outer terminal and the first lower terminal may be electrically connected to each other using at least one of metal epoxy, welding, soldering, or wire bonding.

For example, the first width of the center of the upper portion of the lens holder may be greater than the second width of the peripheral portion of the lens holder in a direction in which the first and second openings face each other, i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

For example, each of the second upper terminal, the fourth upper terminal, and the second lower terminal may include a first portion having a third width and disposed to be in contact with the first upper terminal, the third upper terminal, or the first lower terminal, a second portion having a fourth width greater than the third width and disposed to be in contact with the first, second or third pad, and a third portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion and having a fifth width greater than the fourth width.

For example, the lower connection substrate may further include a frame disposed on at least one of the bottom or the side portion of the liquid lens, and an inner terminal protruding inwards from the frame and connected to the lower electrode.

For example, the frame and the inner terminal of the lower connection substrate may have a shape allowing the liquid lens to be mounted in, seated in, in contact with, fixed to, provisionally fixed to, supported by, coupled to, or disposed in the lower connection substrate.

In a camera module according to an embodiment, since an upper electrode and a main board are connected to each other using an upper connection part without using a first flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), a process of connecting the first FPCB to the upper electrode is unnecessary, thus reducing manufacturing time and costs. In the case in which first and second FPCBs, which transmit a driving voltage from the main board to a liquid lens, are bent to be directly connected to the main board, tolerance at the contact portions between the first and second FPCBs and the main board may increase due to bending of the first and second FPCBs. However, in the embodiment, since a lower connection substrate does not need to be bent, tolerance at the contact portion between the lower connection substrate and a base is relatively small. Thus, since the accuracy of tolerance is improved, electrical connection between the lower connection substrate and the main board may be realized more reliably. Since the lower connection substrate is configured to surround the liquid lens to protect the same, a spacer for this function is not required. When the first and second FPCBs are bent to be connected to the main board, if the size of the main board is small, electrical contact between the first and second FPCBs and the main board may be defective. However, in the embodiment, since the lower connection substrate is connected to the main board without being bent, even when the size of the main board is small, electrical contact between the lower connection substrate and the main board is realized reliably, and thus the size of the main board (or the camera module) may be further reduced. Even when the size of the lower connection substrate is small, the lower connection substrate is prevented from being disconnected or separated, and thus the reliability thereof is improved. Since the lower connection substrate does not need to be bent, conditions required for design of the lower connection substrate are not complicated, and thus the freedom of design of the lower connection substrate may increase. Since the upper and lower connection parts are provided with a third portion, the supply of a driving voltage to the liquid lens through the upper and lower connection parts is easily realized during active alignment, whereby the active alignment process may be easily and accurately performed, and thus the reliability of the camera module may be improved. As described above, since a spacer or a first FPCB is not required, the number of parts may be reduced, manufacturing processes such as active alignment may be rapidly performed, the horizontal area of the camera module that is perpendicular to an optical axis may decrease, thus reducing the size thereof, the manufacturing costs thereof may be reduced, and the manufacturing process thereof may be simplified.

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

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings. However, the disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the embodiments.

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

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

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

The terms used in the present specification are used for explaining a specific exemplary embodiment, not to limit the present disclosure. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless clearly specified otherwise in context. In the specification, the terms "comprising" or "including" shall be understood to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains.

In addition, various exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined with each other, unless specifically mentioned otherwise.

In addition, with regard to an omission in the description of any one of various exemplary embodiments, the description of other embodiments may be applied thereto, unless specifically mentioned otherwise.

Hereinafter, a camera module <NUM> according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

Referring to <FIG>, the camera module <NUM> according to the embodiment may include a lens assembly <NUM>, a control circuit <NUM>, and an image sensor <NUM>.

First, the lens assembly <NUM> may include a plurality of lens units and a lens holder in which the plurality of lens units is accommodated. As will be described below, the plurality of lens units may include a liquid lens, and may further include a first lens unit or a second lens unit. Alternatively, the plurality of lens units may include a liquid lens unit and first and second lens units.

The control circuit <NUM> serves to supply a driving voltage (an operation voltage, an operation signal, or a driving signal) to the liquid lens unit.

The control circuit <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> described above may be disposed on a single printed circuit board (PCB), but this is merely given by way of example, and the embodiment is not limited thereto.

When the camera module <NUM> according to the embodiment is applied to an optical device (or an optical instrument), the configuration of the control circuit <NUM> may be designed in different ways according to the specifications required in the optical device. In particular, the control circuit <NUM> may be implemented as a single chip so as to reduce the magnitude of a driving voltage applied to the lens assembly <NUM>. Thereby, the size of an optical device, which is mounted in a portable device, may be further reduced.

The image sensor <NUM> may function to convert the light that has passed through the lens assembly <NUM> into image data. To this end, the control circuit <NUM> may control the image sensor <NUM>.

Hereinafter, an embodiment 100A of the camera module <NUM> shown in <FIG> will be described using the Cartesian coordinate system, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. In addition, in the Cartesian coordinate system, an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis are perpendicular to each other, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. That is, the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis may intersect each other, rather than being perpendicular to each other.

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

Referring to <FIG>, the camera module 100A may include a lens assembly, a main board <NUM>, a base <NUM>, and an image sensor <NUM>. In addition, the camera module 100A may further include a cover <NUM> and a sensor holder <NUM>. In addition, the camera module 100A may further include a filter <NUM>. In addition, the camera module 100A may further include a wire <NUM>.

At least one of the components <NUM> to <NUM> of the camera module 100A shown in <FIG> may be omitted. Alternatively, at least one component different from the components <NUM> to <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be further included in the camera module 100A.

Referring to <FIG>, the lens assembly may include at least one of a first lens unit <NUM>, a lens holder <NUM>, a second lens unit <NUM>, or a liquid lens unit <NUM>, and may correspond to the lens assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The lens assembly may be disposed on the main board <NUM>.

In the lens assembly, the first lens unit <NUM> and the second lens unit <NUM> may be referred to as a 'first solid lens unit' and a 'second solid lens unit', respectively, in order to be distinguished from the liquid lens unit <NUM>. However, the lens assembly may not include the first and second lens units <NUM> and <NUM>.

The first lens unit <NUM> may be disposed at the upper side of the lens assembly, and may be a region on which light is incident from outside the lens assembly. That is, the first lens unit <NUM> may be disposed above the liquid lens unit <NUM> within the lens holder <NUM>. Two or more lenses may be aligned along a center axis to form an optical system.

Here, the center axis may be an optical axis LX of the optical system, which is formed by at least one of the first lens unit <NUM>, the liquid lens unit <NUM>, or the second lens unit <NUM> included in the camera module <NUM>, or may be an axis parallel to the optical axis LX. The optical axis LX may correspond to the center axis of the image sensor <NUM>. That is, the first lens unit <NUM>, the liquid lens unit <NUM>, the second lens unit <NUM>, and the image sensor <NUM> may be aligned with each other along the optical axis LX, and may be disposed so as to overlap each other through active alignment (AA).

Here, active alignment may mean an operation of aligning the optical axes of the first lens unit <NUM>, the second lens unit <NUM>, and the liquid lens unit <NUM> with each other and adjusting an axial relationship or distance relationship between the image sensor <NUM> and the lens units <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> in order to acquire an improved image. Active alignment will be described in detail with reference to a method of manufacturing a camera module, which will be described later.

The first lens unit <NUM> may be implemented as a single lens, or may be implemented as two or more lenses. For example, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first lens unit <NUM> may include a plurality of lenses L1 to L3. An exposure lens may be disposed at the upper side of the first lens unit <NUM>. Here, the exposure lens may be the outermost lens among the lenses included in the first lens unit <NUM>. That is, the lens located at the uppermost side of the first lens unit <NUM> may protrude upwards, and therefore, may function as the exposure lens. The exposure lens faces the risk of damage to the surface thereof since it protrudes outwards from the lens holder <NUM>. When the surface of the exposure lens is damaged, the quality of an image captured by the camera module 100A may be deteriorated. Therefore, in order to prevent or suppress damage to the surface of the exposure lens, a cover glass may be disposed, or a coating layer may be formed on the top of the exposure lens. Alternatively, in order to prevent damage to the surface of the exposure lens, the exposure lens may be formed of a wear-resistant material having higher rigidity than the lenses of the other lens units.

In addition, the outer diameters of the lenses included in the first lens unit <NUM> may be the same, as shown in <FIG>, or may gradually increase toward the bottom (e.g. in the -z-axis direction), unlike the illustration of <FIG>, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

Referring to <FIG>, the lens holder <NUM> may include a space in which the liquid lens unit <NUM> is disposed, and may include first and second holes H1 and H2, first to fourth side portions S1, S2, S3 and S4, and an upper portion US.

Referring to <FIG>, the first and second holes H1 and H2 may be formed respectively in the upper portion and the lower portion of the lens holder <NUM> to open the upper portion and the lower portion of the lens holder <NUM> respectively. Here, the first hole H1 and the second hole H2 may be through-holes. The first lens unit <NUM> may be accommodated in, mounted in, seated in, in contact with, fixed to, provisionally fixed to, supported by, coupled to, or disposed in the first hole H1, which is formed in the lens holder <NUM>, and the second lens unit <NUM> may be accommodated in, mounted in, seated in, in contact with, fixed to, provisionally fixed to, supported by, coupled to, or disposed in the second hole H2, which is formed in the lens holder <NUM>.

In addition, the first and second side portions S1 and S2 of the lens holder <NUM> may be disposed so as to face each other in a direction (e.g. the y-axis direction) perpendicular to the direction of the optical axis LX, and the third and fourth side portions S3 and S4 may be disposed so as to face each other in a direction (e.g. the x-axis direction) intersecting (or perpendicular to) the direction of the optical axis LX. In addition, the first side portion S1 may include a first opening OP1, and the second side portion S2 may include a second opening OP2 having a shape that is the same as or similar to that of the first opening OP1. Thus, the first opening OP1 disposed in the first side portion S1 and the second opening OP2 disposed in the second side portion S2 may be disposed so as to face each other in a first direction (e.g. the y-axis direction) perpendicular to the direction of the optical axis LX.

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

As such, in order to allow the liquid lens unit <NUM> to be inserted into the inner space of the lens holder <NUM> through the first or second opening OP1 or OP2, the size of the first or second opening OP1 or OP2 may be greater than the thickness of the liquid lens unit <NUM> in the direction of the optical axis LX (e.g. the z-axis direction). Alternatively, in order to allow the liquid lens unit <NUM> to be inserted into the inner space of the holder <NUM> through the first or second opening OP1 or OP2, the size of the first or second opening OP1 or OP2 may be greater than the cross-sectional area of the liquid lens unit <NUM> when viewed from the y-axis direction.

In addition, the upper portion US of the lens holder <NUM> may have a shape exposing upper electrodes (or upper electrode sectors) E1 to E4 of the liquid lens unit <NUM> together with the first and second openings OP1 and OP2. Here, the upper electrode sectors may be some of the electrodes, as will be described in detail later.

As illustrated, when the plurality of electrodes E1 to E4 is disposed at four upper corners of the liquid lens <NUM>, the upper portion US of the lens holder <NUM> may have a planar shape exposing the electrodes E1 to E4 to the outside.

Referring to <FIG>, the first width W1 of the center portion of the lens holder <NUM> may be greater than the second width W2 of the peripheral portion of the lens holder <NUM> in the direction in which the first and second openings OP1 and OP2 face each other, i.e. in a direction (e.g. the y-axis direction) perpendicular to the optical axis. That is, the reason why the second width W2 of the peripheral portion of the lens holder <NUM> is less than the first width W1 of the center portion thereof in a plan view is to allow the lens holder <NUM> to expose the upper electrodes E1 to E4 together with the first and second openings OP1 and OP2.

In addition, the second width W2 of the peripheral portion of the lens holder <NUM> may be less than the diameter of each of the lenses (e.g. L1 to L3) included in the first lens unit <NUM> in a plan view, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

The second lens unit <NUM> may be disposed below the liquid lens unit <NUM> within the lens holder <NUM>. The second lens unit <NUM> and the first lens unit <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other in the optical-axis direction (e.g. the z-axis direction).

The light introduced into the first lens unit <NUM> from outside the camera module 100A may pass through the liquid lens unit <NUM> and may be introduced into the second lens unit <NUM>. The second lens unit <NUM> may be implemented using a single lens, or may be implemented using two or more lenses L4 to L7, which are aligned along the center axis to form an optical system, as shown in <FIG>.

Unlike the liquid lens unit <NUM>, each of the first lens unit <NUM> and the second lens unit <NUM> may be a solid lens formed of glass or plastic, but the embodiment is not limited as to a specific material of each of the first lens unit <NUM> and the second lens unit <NUM>.

Meanwhile, a portion of the liquid lens unit <NUM> may be mounted in, seated in, in contact with, fixed to, provisionally fixed to, supported by, coupled to, or disposed in the inner space between the first hole H1 and the second hole H2 in the lens holder <NUM> in the direction of the optical axis LX or in a direction (e.g. the z-axis direction) parallel to the direction of the optical axis LX. That is, a portion of the liquid lens unit <NUM> may be disposed between the first lens unit <NUM> and the second lens unit <NUM>. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, according to another embodiment, the first lens unit <NUM> or the second lens unit <NUM> may be omitted, the liquid lens unit <NUM> may be disposed above the first lens unit <NUM> within the lens holder <NUM>, or the liquid lens unit <NUM> may be disposed below the second lens unit <NUM> within the lens holder <NUM>.

In addition, referring to <FIG>, the other portion of the liquid lens unit <NUM> may be disposed in the first and second openings OP1 and OP2 in the lens holder <NUM>. In addition, the liquid lens unit <NUM> may include parts (e.g. outer terminals OT1 and OT2) protruding to the outside of at least one of the first side portion S1 or the second side portion S2 of the lens holder <NUM> from the first and second openings OP1 and OP2.

The liquid lens unit <NUM> may include a liquid lens (or a liquid lens body) <NUM>.

The liquid lens <NUM> will be described below.

<FIG> illustrates an exploded perspective view of the liquid lens unit <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the liquid lens unit <NUM> shown in <FIG>. <FIG> is a mere example given to facilitate understanding of the liquid lens <NUM>, and the embodiment is not limited as to a specific structure of the liquid lens <NUM>.

The liquid lens <NUM> may include a cavity CA. As shown in <FIG>, the open area of the cavity CA that is oriented in the direction in which light is introduced may be smaller than the open area of the cavity CA that is oriented in the direction opposite thereto. Alternatively, the liquid lens <NUM> may be disposed such that the direction of inclination of the cavity CA is opposite to that in the illustration. That is, unlike the illustration of <FIG>, the open area of the cavity CA that is oriented in the direction in which light is introduced may be larger than the open area of the cavity CA that is oriented in the direction opposite thereto. In addition, when the liquid lens <NUM> is disposed such that the direction of inclination of the cavity CA is opposite to that in the illustration, the arrangement of all or some of the components included in the liquid lens <NUM> may be changed, or only the direction of inclination of the cavity CA may be changed and the arrangement of the remaining components may not be changed, according to the direction of inclination of the liquid lens <NUM>.

The liquid lens <NUM> may include a plurality of different types of liquids LQ1 and LQ2, first to third plates <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, "n" upper electrodes (or 'individual electrodes') E1 to En, a lower electrode (or a 'common electrode') CO, and insulating layer <NUM>. Here, "n" may be a positive integer of <NUM> or greater. When "n" is <NUM>, an interface BO of the liquid lens <NUM> may be adjusted according to the voltage between one upper electrode and one lower electrode CO, thereby performing a focusing function. However, when "n" is a positive integer of <NUM> or greater, e.g. <NUM>, the tilting of the interface of the liquid lens <NUM> may be adjusted according to voltages between four upper electrodes E1 to E4 and one lower electrode CO, thereby performing a hand-tremor compensation or optical image stabilizer (OIS) function as well as an auto-focusing (AF) function.

The liquids LQ1 and LQ2 may be accommodated in the cavity CA, and may include a first liquid LQ1, which is conductive, and a second liquid (or an insulative liquid) LQ2, which is non-conductive. The first liquid LQ1 and the second liquid LQ2 may not mix with each other, and an interface BO may be formed at a contact portion between the first and second liquids LQ1 and LQ2. For example, the second liquid LQ2 may be disposed on the first liquid LQ1, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

In addition, in the cross-sectional shape of the liquid lens <NUM>, the edges of the first and second liquids LQ2 and LQ1 may be thinner than the center portions thereof.

The first liquid LQ1 may be formed of, for example, a mixture of ethylene glycol and sodium bromide (NaBr). The second liquid LQ2 may be oil, and for example, may be phenyl-based silicon oil.

Each of the first liquid LQ1 and the second liquid LQ2 may include at least one of an antioxidant or a sterilizer. The antioxidant may be a phenyl-based antioxidant or a phosphorus (P)-based antioxidant. In addition, the sterilizer may be any one of alcohol-based, aldehyde-based, and phenol-based sterilizers. When each of the first liquid LQ1 and the second liquid LQ2 includes the antioxidant and the sterilizer, it is possible to prevent a change in the physical properties of the first and second liquids LQ1 and LQ2 due to oxidation of the first and second liquids LQ1 and LQ2 or propagation of microorganisms.

The inner surface of the first plate <NUM> may form a sidewall i of the cavity CA. The first plate <NUM> may include upper and lower openings having a predetermined inclined surface. That is, the cavity CA may be defined as a region surrounded by the inclined surface of the first plate <NUM>, a third opening in contact with the second plate <NUM>, and a fourth opening in contact with the third plate <NUM>.

The diameter of the opening that is larger among the third and fourth openings may vary depending on the field of view (FOV) required for the liquid lens <NUM> or the role that the liquid lens <NUM> plays in the camera module 100A. According to the embodiment, the size (the area or the width) of the third opening O<NUM> may be greater than the size (the area or the width) of the fourth opening O<NUM>. Here, the size of each of the third and fourth openings may be the cross-sectional area in the horizontal direction (e.g. the x-axis direction or the y-axis direction). For example, when each of the third and fourth openings has a circular cross-section, the size thereof may be a radius, and when each of the third and fourth openings has a square cross-section, the size thereof may be a diagonal length.

Each of the third and fourth openings may take the form of a hole having a circular cross-section, and the inclined surface thereof may have an inclination angle ranging from <NUM>° to <NUM>° or an inclination angle ranging from <NUM>° to <NUM>°, and may have an inclination angle of, for example, <NUM>°. The interface BO formed by the two liquids may be moved along the inclined surface of the cavity CA by a driving voltage.

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

The upper electrodes E1 to E4 and the lower electrode CO may be disposed on the first plate <NUM>. That is, the upper electrodes E1 to E4 may be disposed on the top surface, the side surface, and the bottom surface of the first plate <NUM>. The lower electrode CO may be disposed on at least a portion of the bottom surface of the first plate <NUM>, and may be in direct contact with the first liquid LQ1.

In addition, each of the upper electrodes E1 to E4 and the lower electrode CO may include at least one electrode sector. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the electrode sectors E1 to E4 of the upper electrodes may be disposed respectively on the upper corners of the liquid lens <NUM>, and the electrode sectors CO of the lower electrode may be disposed respectively on the lower corners of the liquid lens <NUM>. That is, the electrode sector E1, E2, E3 or E4 of the upper electrodes may mean the portion of the upper electrodes that is exposed rather than being covered by the second plate <NUM>, and the electrode sector CO of the lower electrode may mean the portion of the lower electrode that is exposed rather than being covered by the third plate <NUM>. The reference numerals E1 to E4 in the specification mean the electrode sectors of the upper electrodes, but in some cases, are described as meaning the upper electrodes themselves.

The upper electrodes E1 to E4 may include first upper electrodes and second upper electrodes. The first upper electrodes may be the upper electrodes (e.g. E1 and E4) that are adjacent to the first opening OP1 among the upper electrodes E1 to E4, and the second upper electrodes may be the upper electrodes that are adjacent to the second opening OP2 among the upper electrodes E1 to E4.

Referring to <FIG>, each of the upper electrodes E1 to E4 and the lower electrode CO may include a plurality of electrode sectors sequentially arranged in the clockwise direction (or the counterclockwise direction) about the optical axis.

A portion of the lower electrode CO that is disposed on the other surface of the first plate <NUM> may be exposed to the first liquid LQ1, which is conductive.

Each of the upper electrodes E1 to E4 and the lower electrode CO may be formed of a conductive material, e.g. metal, and specifically, may include chrome (Cr). Chromium or chrome is a glossy silver rigid transition metal, which is fragile, does not readily discolor, and has a high melting point. In addition, since an alloy including chromium exhibits high corrosion resistance and rigidity, chromium may be used in the form of being alloyed with other metals. In particular, since chrome (Cr) is not easily corroded or discolored, chrome exhibits high resistance to the first liquid LQ1, which is conductive and is charged in the cavity CA.

In addition, the second plate <NUM> may be disposed on the surfaces of the upper electrodes E1 to E4. That is, the second plate <NUM> may be disposed on the first plate <NUM>. Specifically, the second plate <NUM> may be disposed on the top surfaces of the upper electrodes E1 to E4 and on the cavity CA.

The third plate <NUM> may be disposed on the surface of the lower electrode CO. That is, the third plate <NUM> may be disposed under the first plate <NUM>. Specifically, the third plate <NUM> may be disposed under the bottom surface of the lower electrode CO and under the cavity CA.

The second plate <NUM> and the third plate <NUM> may be disposed so as to face each other, with the first plate <NUM> interposed therebetween. In addition, at least one of the second plate <NUM> or the third plate <NUM> may be omitted.

At least one of the second plate <NUM> or the third plate <NUM> may have a rectangular planar shape. Each of the second and third plates <NUM> and <NUM> may be a region through which light passes, and may be formed of a light-transmitting material. For example, each of the second and third plates <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed of glass, and may be formed of the same material for convenience of processing. In addition, the edge of each of the second and third plates <NUM> and <NUM> may have a rectangular shape, without being necessarily limited thereto.

The second plate <NUM> may be configured so as to allow the light introduced from the first lens unit <NUM> to travel into the cavity CA in the first plate <NUM>.

The third plate <NUM> may be configured so as to allow the light that has passed through the cavity CA in the first plate <NUM> to travel to the second lens unit <NUM>. The third plate <NUM> may be in direct contact with the first liquid LQ1.

According to the embodiment, the third plate <NUM> may have a diameter greater than the diameter of the opening that is larger among the third and fourth openings in the first plate <NUM>.

In addition, the actual effective lens area of the liquid lens <NUM> may be smaller than the diameter (e.g. O<NUM>) of the opening that is larger among the third and fourth openings in the first plate <NUM>. For example, when a region within a small radius about the center of the liquid lens <NUM> is used as an actual light transmission path, the diameter (e.g. O<NUM>) of the center area of the third plate <NUM> may be smaller than the diameter (e.g. O<NUM>) of the opening that is larger among the third and fourth openings in the first plate <NUM>.

The insulating layer <NUM> may be disposed so as to cover a portion of the bottom surface of the second plate <NUM> in the upper area of the cavity CA. That is, the insulating layer <NUM> may be disposed between the second liquid LQ2 and the second plate <NUM>.

In addition, the insulating layer <NUM> may be disposed so as to cover portions of the upper electrodes E1 to E4 that form the sidewall of the cavity CA. In addition, the insulating layer <NUM> may be disposed on the bottom surface of the first plate <NUM> so as to cover portions of the upper electrodes E1 to E4, the bottom surface of the first plate <NUM> that is exposed between the upper electrodes E1 to E4 and the lower electrode CO, and a portion of the lower electrode CO. Thus, contact between the upper electrodes E1 to E4 and the first liquid LQ1 and contact between the upper electrodes E1 to E4 and the second liquid LQ2 may be prevented by the insulating layer <NUM>.

The insulating layer <NUM> may be formed of, for example, a coating agent such as parylene C, and may further include a white dye. The white dye may increase the rate of reflection of light from the insulating layer <NUM>, which forms the sidewall i of the cavity CA.

The insulating layer <NUM> may cover at least one (e.g. the upper electrodes E1 to E4) of the upper electrodes E1 to E4 or the lower electrode CO, and may expose a portion of the other electrode (e.g. the lower electrode CO), so that electric energy is applied to the first liquid LQ1, which is conductive.

In addition, the liquid lens unit <NUM> may further include at least one substrate. Here, the at least one substrate may include a lower connection substrate (or a common electrode connection substrate) <NUM>.

According to the embodiment, when a driving voltage is applied to the upper electrodes E1 to E4 and the lower electrode CO, the interface BO between the first liquid LQ1 and the second liquid LQ2 may be deformed, and thus at least one of the shape, such as a curvature, or the focal length of the liquid lens <NUM> may be changed (or adjusted). For example, the focal length of the liquid lens <NUM> may be adjusted as at least one of the flexure or the inclination of the interface BO formed in the liquid lens <NUM> is changed according to the driving voltage. When the deformation or the radius of curvature of the interface BO is controlled, the liquid lens <NUM>, the lens assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> including the liquid lens <NUM>, the camera module 100A, and the optical device may perform an AF function and an OIS function.

The lower connection substrate <NUM> may be disposed on at least one of the bottom or the side portion of the liquid lens <NUM>, and may be electrically connected to the lower electrode CO.

According to the embodiment, no connection substrate is disposed above the liquid lens <NUM>. Thus, four different driving voltages (or 'individual voltages') supplied from the main board <NUM> may be directly applied to the electrode sectors of the upper electrodes E1 to E4 through an upper connection part UP of the base <NUM>, which will be described later. Specifically, some of the four different individual voltages supplied from the main board <NUM> may be directly applied to the electrode sectors of the first upper electrodes (e.g. E1 and E4) through a first upper connection part UP1, and the remainder of the four different individual voltages may be directly applied to the electrode sectors of the second upper electrodes (e.g. E2 and E3) through a second upper connection part UP2.

On the other hand, the driving voltage (or 'common voltage') supplied from the main board <NUM> may be applied to the lower electrode CO via the lower connection substrate <NUM> through a lower connection part LP of the base <NUM>, which will be described later. The common voltage may include DC voltage or AC voltage, and when the common voltage is applied in the form of a pulse, the width or duty cycle of the pulse may be constant.

Referring to <FIG>, the lower connection substrate <NUM> may include a frame F, inner terminals IT, and first and second outer terminals OT1 and OT2.

The frame F is a part that is disposed on, attached to, or coupled to at least one of the bottom or the side portion of the liquid lens <NUM>. For example, the frame F may be disposed on, attached to, or coupled to the side portion of the liquid lens <NUM>.

The inner terminals IT are parts that are electrically connected to the electrode sectors of the lower electrode CO included in the liquid lens <NUM>. The electrode sectors of the lower electrode CO of the liquid lens <NUM> are disposed on the four lower corners of the liquid lens <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Therefore, the inner terminals IT may be disposed on the inner edge of the frame F so as to face the electrode sectors CO in order to be electrically connected to the electrode sectors CO.

Although not shown, each of the inner terminals IT may include a through-hole. In this case, the inner terminals IT may be electrically connected to the electrode sectors CO of the lower electrode of the liquid lens <NUM> through the through-holes. For example, when a conductive material, e.g. conductive epoxy, is charged in the through-holes, the inner terminals IT and the electrode sectors C0 of the lower electrode may be in contact with, coupled to, and electrically connected to each other.

The outer terminals are parts that protrude outwards, i.e. toward the base <NUM>, from the frame F, and may include the first and second outer terminals OT1 and OT2, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. That is, according to another embodiment, the first or second outer terminal OT1 or OT2 may be omitted. The first outer terminal OT1 may protrude toward the lower connection part LP of the base <NUM>, which will be described later, and may be electrically connected to the lower connection part LP.

Although the bottom surface of each of the inner terminals IT and the outer terminals OT1 and OT2 described above is illustrated as being flat, the embodiment is not limited thereto. According to another embodiment, as shown together with the coordinate system in the circular dotted line in <FIG>, the lower connection substrate <NUM> may further include an outer protrusion OPT, which has a shape protruding from the bottom surface of the outer terminal OT1 in a direction oriented toward the main board <NUM> (e.g. the - z-axis direction). In this case, the outer terminal (e.g. OT1) may include a concave portion ORT formed in the top surface thereof. For example, when the top surface of the outer terminal (e.g. OT1) is pressed through press processing, the outer protrusion OPT and the concave portion ORT may be formed at the same time.

The outer terminal OT1 is a part that is electrically connected to the lower connection part LP of the base <NUM>. Therefore, when the outer terminal OT1 includes the outer protrusion OPT, the outer terminal OT1 may be stably electrically connected to the lower connection part LP of the base <NUM>.

In addition, the portions of the outer terminals OT1 and OT2 that are close to the frame F (hereinafter, connection frames CF) may have elasticity. When the bottom surface (or the outer protrusion OPT) of the first outer terminal OT1 is brought into contact with the lower connection part LP, if the connection frame CF having elasticity is not provided, the first outer terminal OT1 is not elastic at all, and may thus be damaged. In order to prevent this, the outer terminal OT1 may include the connection frame CF having elasticity.

Although not shown, like the outer terminals OT1 and OT2, the inner terminal IT may include a concave portion formed in the top surface thereof and an inner protrusion formed on the bottom surface thereof. Here, the inner protrusion may have the same shape as the outer protrusion OPT. For example, when the top surface of the inner terminal IT is pressed through press processing, the inner protrusion and the concave portion may be formed at the same time.

In addition, the frame F may have a shape that surrounds and accommodates the liquid lens <NUM> together with the inner terminals IT. This is to protect the liquid lens <NUM> from external impacts. That is, the frame F and the inner terminals IT of the lower connection substrate <NUM> may have a shape allowing the liquid lens <NUM> to be mounted in, seated in, in contact with, fixed to, provisionally fixed to, supported by, coupled to, or disposed in the lower connection substrate <NUM>.

For example, the lower connection substrate <NUM> may be implemented as an FPCB or a single metal substrate (a conductive metal plate). According to another embodiment, the lower connection substrate <NUM> may have a plate shape that does not need to bend toward the main board <NUM>, and the material of the plate may be metal.

Meanwhile, the base <NUM> is disposed between the liquid lens unit <NUM> and the main board <NUM>, and serves to transmit a driving signal, output from the main board <NUM>, to the liquid lens unit <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the base <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The base <NUM> may be disposed on the image sensor <NUM>, and may be disposed so as to surround the second hole H2 formed in the lens holder <NUM>. That is, the lens holder <NUM> may be disposed in the base <NUM>, and the base <NUM> may accommodate the lens holder <NUM> and may be disposed so as to surround the side surface of the lens holder <NUM>. The base <NUM> may include an accommodation hole <NUM> for accommodating the second hole H2. The diameter of the accommodation hole <NUM> may be greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the second hole H2. Here, although the shape of each of the accommodation hole <NUM> in the base <NUM> and the second hole H2 is illustrated as being a circular shape, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the shape thereof may be any of various other shapes. The accommodation hole <NUM> may be formed at a position, near the center of the base <NUM>, corresponding to the position of the image sensor <NUM> disposed in the camera module 100A. The accommodation hole <NUM> may be a through-hole, or may be a blind hole.

The base <NUM> may be mounted on the sensor holder <NUM>, or may be mounted on the main board <NUM> when the sensor holder <NUM> is omitted.

The base <NUM> may include first to fourth sidewalls SW1 to SW4. The first sidewall SW1 may face the first side portion S1 of the lens holder <NUM>, the second sidewall SW2 may face the second side portion S2 of the lens holder <NUM>, the third sidewall SW3 may face the fourth side portion S4 of the lens holder <NUM>, and the fourth sidewall SW4 may face the third side portion S3 of the lens holder <NUM>. The third and fourth sidewalls SW3 and SW4 may be disposed opposite each other between the first sidewall SW1 and the second sidewall SW2.

In addition, the base <NUM> may include an upper connection part UP and a lower connection part LP. The upper connection part UP may electrically connect the upper electrodes E1 to E4 to the main board <NUM>. The lower connection part LP may electrically connect the lower connection substrate <NUM> to the main board <NUM>. That is, the outer terminal OT1 of the lower connection substrate <NUM> may protrude toward the base <NUM> and may be electrically connected to the lower connection part LP.

The upper connection part UP and the lower connection part LP may be disposed on the surface of at least a portion of the first, second, third or fourth sidewalls SW1 to SW4 of the base <NUM>. As illustrated, the surface of the base <NUM> on which the upper connection part UP and the lower connection part LP are disposed may be the outer surface and the top surface of each of the sidewalls SW1 to SW4, or, unlike the illustration, may be the inner surface of each of the sidewalls SW1 To SW4.

The base <NUM> may include a first end portion, on which the upper connection part UP is disposed, and a second end portion, on which the lower connection part LP is disposed. The first end portion and the second end portion may be formed so as to have a step formed therebetween. One or two or more upper connection parts may be provided, and accordingly, the base may include one or two or more first end portions so that the upper connection parts are respectively disposed thereon. The base may include protruding portions on which the upper connection parts are disposed. One end of the protruding portion may be the first end portion. The number of protruding portions may correspond to the number of electrodes disposed on the liquid lens. One or two or more lower connection parts may be provided, and accordingly, the base may include one or two or more second end portions on which the lower connection parts are disposed. The base may include grooves in which the lower connection parts are disposed. The grooves in which the lower connection parts are disposed may be disposed between the protruding portions on which the upper connection parts are disposed. The number of grooves in which the lower connection parts are disposed may correspond to the number of electrodes disposed under the liquid lens. In addition, the difference in height between the protruding portions and the grooves may correspond to the difference in height between the upper electrode and the lower electrode of the liquid lens. The positions of the first end portion and the second end portion may be positions corresponding to the top surface of the upper electrode and the bottom surface of the lower electrode of the liquid lens. Describing one embodiment with reference to <FIG>, since a plurality of individual electrodes is disposed on the liquid lens and one common electrode is disposed under the liquid lens, the base may include four protruding portions on which the upper connection parts are disposed and one groove in which the lower connection part is disposed. Due to the shape of the base and the arrangement of the connection parts, it is easy to connect the electrodes of the liquid lens to the outside.

The base may include a first wall, on which a first upper terminal and a lower terminal are disposed, a second wall, which is opposite the first wall and spaced apart from the first wall and on which a second upper terminal, which is different from the first upper terminal, is disposed, and connection walls, which connect the first wall and the second wall to each other. The maximum height of the connection walls in the optical-axis direction may be less than the maximum height of the first wall or the second wall in the optical-axis direction. The second upper terminal may extend along the second wall to the side surface of the first wall, and may be disposed on the side surface of the first wall. The first upper terminal and the lower terminal may extend to and be disposed on the side surface of the first wall. The first upper terminal, the second upper terminal, and the lower terminal may extend to and be disposed on the lower end of the first wall. The first wall and the second wall of the base may be disposed at positions corresponding to the first opening and the second opening in the holder, respectively. Since electrical signals are capable of being applied to one of the walls of the base due to the arrangement and extension of the terminals, assembly and control may be easily performed.

The upper connection part UP may include a first upper connection part UP1 and a second upper connection part UP2.

The first upper connection part UP1 may electrically connect the first upper electrodes E1 and E4, which are adjacent to the first opening OP1 among the upper electrodes E1 to E4, to the main board <NUM>. To this end, the first upper connection part UP1 may include a <NUM>-<NUM>st upper connection part UP11 and a <NUM>-<NUM>nd upper connection part UP12. The <NUM>-<NUM>st upper connection part UP11 may electrically connect one E1 of the first upper electrodes E1 and E4, which are adjacent to the first opening OP1 among the upper electrodes E1 to E4, to the main board <NUM>. The <NUM>-<NUM>nd upper connection part UP12 may electrically connect the other one E4 of the first upper electrodes E1 and E4, which are adjacent to the first opening OP1 among the upper electrodes E1 to E4, to the main board <NUM>.

The second upper connection part UP2 may electrically connect the second upper electrodes E2 and E3, which are adjacent to the second opening OP2 among the upper electrodes E1 to E4, to the main board <NUM>. To this end, the second upper connection part UP2 may include a <NUM>-<NUM>st upper connection part UP21 and a <NUM>-<NUM>nd upper connection part UP22. The <NUM>-<NUM>st upper connection part UP21 may electrically connect one E2 of the second upper electrodes E2 and E3, which are adjacent to the second opening OP2 among the upper electrodes E1 to E4, to the main board <NUM>. The <NUM>-<NUM>nd upper connection part UP22 may electrically connect the other one E3 of the second upper electrodes E2 and E3, which are adjacent to the second opening OP2 among the upper electrodes E1 to E4, to the main board <NUM>.

In addition, the first upper connection part UP1 may include a first upper terminal and a second upper terminal. That is, among the first upper connection part UP1, the <NUM>-<NUM>st upper connection part UP11 may include a first upper terminal UT11, which is disposed on a first top surface 172S1 of the first sidewall SW1 and is connected to one E1 of the first upper electrodes E1 and E4, and a second upper terminal UT12, which is disposed on the side surface of the first sidewall SW1 between the first upper terminal UT11 and the main board <NUM>. Among the first upper connection part UP1, the <NUM>-<NUM>nd upper connection part UP12 may include a first upper terminal UT21, which is disposed on a first top surface 172S2 of the first sidewall SW1 and is connected to the other one E4 of the first upper electrodes E1 and E4, and a second upper terminal UT22, which is disposed on the side surface of the first sidewall SW1 between the first upper terminal UT21 and the main board <NUM>.

In addition, the second upper connection part UP2 may include a third upper terminal, a terminal connection part, and a fourth upper terminal. Among the second upper connection part UP2, the <NUM>-<NUM>st upper connection part UP21 may include a third upper terminal UT13, a terminal connection part TC1, and a fourth upper terminal UT14. The third upper terminal UT13 may be disposed on the second top surface 172S3 of the second sidewall SW2, and may be connected to one E2 of the second upper electrodes E2 and E3. The terminal connection part TC1 may extend from the third upper terminal UT13 to the first sidewall SW1 through one SW3 of the third and fourth sidewalls SW3 and SW4, and may be disposed on the first sidewall SW1. The fourth upper terminal UT14 may be disposed on the side surface of the first sidewall SW1 between the terminal connection part TC1 and the main board <NUM>.

Among the second upper connection part UP2, the <NUM>-<NUM>nd upper connection part UP22 may include a third upper terminal UT23, a terminal connection part TC2, and a fourth upper terminal UT24. The third upper terminal UT23 may be disposed on the second top surface 172S4 of the second sidewall SW2, and may be connected to one E3 of the second upper electrodes E2 and E3. The terminal connection part TC2 may extend from the third upper terminal UT23 to the first sidewall SW1 through the other one SW4 of the third and fourth sidewalls SW3 and SW4, and may be disposed on the first sidewall SW1. The fourth upper terminal UT24 may be disposed on the side surface of the first sidewall SW1 between the terminal connection part TC2 and the main board <NUM>.

In addition, the lower connection part LP may include a first lower terminal LP1 and a second lower terminal LP2. The first lower terminal LP1 may be disposed on the third top surface 172S5 of the first sidewall SW1, and may be connected to the outer terminal OT1 of the lower connection substrate <NUM>. The second lower terminal LP2 may be disposed on the side surface of the first sidewall SW1 between the first lower terminal LP1 and the main board <NUM>.

The second upper terminals UT12 and UT22, the fourth upper terminals UT14 and UT24, and the second lower terminal LP2 may be spaced apart from each other on the outer surface of the first sidewall SW1. This is to prevent electrical shorts among the components.

In addition, the heights of the first to third top surfaces 172S1 to 172S5 may be different from each other.

In addition, referring to <FIG>, each of the second upper terminals UT12 and UT22, the fourth upper terminals UT14 and UT24, and the second lower terminal LP2 may include first, second and third portions. For example, the fourth upper terminal UT14 may include first to third portions P1 to P3. The first portion P1 may have a third width W3, the second portion P2 may have a fourth width W4, and the third portion P3 may have a fifth width W5. Here, the fourth width W4 may be greater than the third width W3, and the fifth width W5 may be greater than the fourth width W4. The first portion P1 is a portion that is in contact with the first upper terminals UT11 and UT21, the third upper terminals UT13 and UT23, or the first lower terminal LP1. The second portion P2 is a portion that is in contact with first to third pads P11, P12, P21, P22 and P3 of the main board <NUM>, and the third portion P3 is a portion that is disposed between the first portion P1 and the second portion P2.

When the fourth width W4 of the second portion P2 is large, electrical contact between the first to third pads P11, P12, P21, P22 and P3 and the second portion P2 may be more stable.

In addition, when active alignment is performed, the third portion P3 may be gripped by a gripper in order to apply a driving voltage to the liquid lens <NUM>. As the fifth width W5 of this portion P3 increases, the driving voltage may be more stably supplied to the liquid lens <NUM> during the active alignment.

In addition, the first upper electrodes E1 and E4 and the first upper terminals UT11 and UT21 may be electrically connected to each other using at least one of metal epoxy (e.g. Ag epoxy), welding, soldering, or wire bonding. The second upper electrodes E2 and E3 and the third upper connection parts UT13 and UT23 may also be electrically connected to each other using at least one of metal epoxy, welding, soldering, or wire bonding. The outer terminal OT1 and the first lower terminal LP1 may also be electrically connected to each other using at least one of metal epoxy, welding, soldering, or wire bonding.

For example, referring to <FIG>, the first upper electrodes E1 and E4 and the first upper terminals UT11 and UT21 may be electrically connected to each other via first and fourth wires 174a1 and 174a4, respectively. The second upper electrodes E2 and E3 and the third upper connection parts UT13 and UT23 may be connected to each other via second and third wires 174a2 and 174a3, respectively.

In addition, referring to <FIG>, the upper connection parts UP11 and UP12 may be disposed adjacent to the upper electrodes E1 to E4 in a plan view. That is, among the upper connection parts UP1 and UP2, the first upper terminals UT11 and UT21 may be disposed adjacent to the first upper electrodes E1 and E4, respectively, in a plan view, and among the upper connection parts UP1 and UP2, the third upper terminals UT13 and UT23 may be disposed adjacent to the second upper electrodes E2 and E3, respectively, in a plan view. This neighboring arrangement may facilitate electrical connection among neighboring parts.

As illustrated, each of the upper connection part UP and the lower connection part LP may be a surface electrode or a surface electrode pattern formed on the surface of the base <NUM>, but the embodiment is not limited as to a specific form of each of the upper connection part UP and the lower connection part LP.

As described above, the base <NUM> may be designed in a molded interconnect device (MID) type such that the upper connection part UP and the lower connection part LP are disposed on the surface thereof.

In addition, since the upper connection part UP and the lower connection part LP are disposed only on one sidewall (e.g. SW1) among the plurality of sidewalls of the base <NUM>, the horizontal area of the camera module 100A, which is perpendicular to the optical axis LX, may decrease compared to that when the upper connection part UP and the lower connection part LP are disposed on different respective sidewalls among the plurality of sidewalls of the base <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the filter <NUM> may be disposed between the base <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> and may filter light within a specific wavelength range, among the light that has passed through the first lens unit <NUM>, the liquid lens unit <NUM>, and the second lens unit <NUM>. The filter <NUM> may be an infrared (IR) light blocking filter, which blocks IR light, or an ultraviolet (UV) light blocking filter, which blocks UV light, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The filter <NUM> may be disposed on the image sensor <NUM>. The IR or UV light blocking filter <NUM> may be disposed inside the sensor holder <NUM>. For example, the filter <NUM> may be disposed or mounted in an inner recess in the sensor holder <NUM> or on a stepped portion thereof.

The sensor holder <NUM> may be disposed under the base <NUM>, and may be attached to the main board <NUM>. The sensor holder <NUM> may surround the image sensor <NUM> and may protect the image sensor <NUM> from foreign substances or external impacts.

The lens holder <NUM> in which the base <NUM>, the second lens unit <NUM>, the liquid lens unit <NUM>, and the first lens unit <NUM> are disposed may be disposed on the sensor holder <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the main board <NUM> may be disposed below the base <NUM>, and the image sensor <NUM> may be mounted on, seated on, in contact with, fixed to, provisionally fixed to, supported by, or coupled to the plane of the main board <NUM> that intersects the optical axis LX. Alternatively, according to another embodiment, a recess (not shown) for accommodating the image sensor <NUM> may be formed in the main board <NUM>, but the embodiment is not limited as to a specific arrangement type of the image sensor <NUM> on the main board <NUM>.

The main board <NUM> may include first to third pads P11, P12, P21, P22 and P3 to supply a driving voltage. The driving voltage supplied from the main board <NUM> may be supplied to the liquid lens <NUM> through the first to third pads P11, P12, P21, P22 and P3 and the upper and lower connection parts UP and LP.

Meanwhile, the cover <NUM> may be disposed so as to surround the lens holder <NUM>, the liquid lens unit <NUM>, and the base <NUM>, and may protect these components <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> from external impacts. In particular, due to the arrangement of the cover <NUM>, a plurality of lenses constituting the optical system may be protected from external impacts.

In addition, the cover <NUM> may include an upper opening <NUM> formed in the top surface thereof so that the first lens unit <NUM> disposed in the lens holder <NUM> is exposed to external light.

In addition, the upper opening <NUM> may be a hole, or a window formed of a light-transmitting material may be disposed in the hole, thereby preventing foreign substances, such as dust or moisture, from entering the camera module 100A.

The image sensor <NUM> may function to convert the light that has passed through the first lens unit <NUM>, the liquid lens unit <NUM> and the second lens unit <NUM> of the lens assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> into image data. More specifically, the image sensor <NUM> may convert light into analog signals through a pixel array including a plurality of pixels, and may synthesize digital signals corresponding to the analog signals to thereby generate image data.

The main board <NUM> may constitute a control module that controls the liquid lens unit <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM>. Here, the control module will be described below with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram of the camera module <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the camera module <NUM> may include a control circuit <NUM> and a lens assembly <NUM>. The control circuit <NUM> may correspond to the control circuit <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and the lens assembly <NUM> may correspond to the lens assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG> or the lens assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The control circuit <NUM> may include a control unit <NUM>, and may control the operation of the liquid lens unit <NUM> including a liquid lens <NUM>. Here, the liquid lens <NUM> may correspond to the liquid lens <NUM> described above.

The control unit <NUM> may include a gyro sensor <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and a voltage driver <NUM>. The gyro sensor <NUM> may be an independent component that is not included in the control unit <NUM>, or may be included in the control unit <NUM>.

The gyro sensor <NUM> may sense the angular velocity of movement in two directions, including a yaw-axis direction and a pitch-axis direction, in order to compensate for hand tremor in the vertical and horizontal directions of the optical device. The gyro sensor <NUM> may generate a motion signal corresponding to the sensed angular velocity, and may provide the motion signal to the controller <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may remove a high frequency noise component from the motion signal using a low-pass filter (LPF) so as to extract only a desired frequency band for implementation of an OIS function, may calculate the amount of hand tremor using the motion signal from which the noise has been removed, and may calculate a driving voltage corresponding to the shape that the liquid lens <NUM> of the liquid lens module <NUM> needs to have in order to compensate for the calculated amount of hand tremor.

The controller <NUM> may receive information for an AF function (i.e. information on the distance to an object) from an internal component (e.g. an image sensor <NUM>) or an external component (e.g. a distance sensor or an application processor) of the optical device or the camera module <NUM>, and may calculate the driving voltage corresponding to the desired shape of the liquid lens <NUM> based on a focal length, which is required to focus on the object, using the distance information.

The controller <NUM> may store a driving voltage table in which a driving voltage and a driving voltage code for making the voltage driver <NUM> generate the driving voltage are mapped, may acquire the driving voltage code corresponding to the calculated driving voltage by referring to the driving voltage table, and may output the acquired driving voltage code to the voltage driver <NUM>.

The voltage driver <NUM> may generate a driving voltage in an analog form, which corresponds to the driving voltage code, based on a driving voltage code in a digital form provided from the controller <NUM>, and may provide the driving voltage to the lens assembly <NUM>.

The voltage driver <NUM> may include a voltage booster, which increases a voltage level upon receiving a supply voltage (e.g. a voltage supplied from a separate power supply circuit), a voltage stabilizer for stabilizing the output of the voltage booster, and a switching unit for selectively supplying the output of the voltage booster to each terminal of the liquid lens <NUM>.

Here, the switching unit may include a circuit component called an H bridge. A high voltage output from the voltage booster is applied as a power supply voltage of the switching unit. The switching unit may selectively supply the applied power supply voltage and a ground voltage to opposite ends of the liquid lens <NUM>.

In addition, in order to allow the voltage driver <NUM> to control the driving voltage applied to the liquid lens <NUM> depending on a driving voltage code in a digital form provided from the controller <NUM>, the voltage booster may control an increase in a voltage level, and the switching unit may control the phase of a pulse voltage applied to the common electrode and the individual electrodes so as to generate a driving voltage in an analog form, which corresponds to the driving voltage code.

That is, the control unit <NUM> may control the voltage applied to each of the upper electrodes E1 to E4 and the lower electrode CO.

The control circuit <NUM> may further include a connector (not shown), which performs a communication or interface function of the control circuit <NUM>. For example, the connector may perform communication protocol conversion for communication between the control circuit <NUM>, which uses an inter-integrated circuit (I<NUM>C) communication method, and the lens assembly <NUM>, which uses a mobile industry processor interface (MIPI) communication method. In addition, the connector may receive power from an external source (e.g. a battery), and may supply power required for the operation of the control unit <NUM> and the lens assembly <NUM>.

The lens assembly <NUM> may include the liquid lens module <NUM>, and the liquid lens module <NUM> may include a driving voltage provider <NUM> and the liquid lens <NUM>.

The driving voltage provider <NUM> may receive a driving voltage from the voltage driver <NUM>, and may provide the driving voltage to the liquid lens <NUM>.

The driving voltage provider <NUM> may include a voltage adjustment circuit (not shown) or a noise removal circuit (not shown) for compensating for loss due to terminal connection between the control circuit <NUM> and the lens assembly <NUM>, or may divert the voltage provided from the voltage driver <NUM> to the liquid lens <NUM>.

The driving voltage provider <NUM> may be disposed on an FPCB (or a substrate), which constitutes at least a portion of the connector, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The connector may include the driving voltage provider <NUM>.

The liquid lens <NUM> may be deformed in the interface BO thereof between the first liquid LQ1 and the second liquid LQ2 depending on a driving voltage, thereby performing at least one of an AF function or an OIS function.

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing the camera module 100A according to the above-described embodiment will be described.

<FIG> are process perspective views for explaining a method of manufacturing the camera module 100A according to the above-described embodiment. Here, the same components as those of the camera module 100A according to the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

For convenience of description, it is assumed that the processes shown in <FIG> are performed after the first lens unit <NUM> and the second lens unit <NUM> are mounted in the lens holder <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> and the sensor holder <NUM> are mounted on the main board <NUM>, although not illustrated. However, the following description may also be applied to cases other than the above case.

Thereafter, referring to <FIG>, the liquid lens <NUM> is connected to the lower connection substrate <NUM>. To this end, conductive epoxy (e.g. Ag) or thermal epoxy may be used.

Thereafter, referring to <FIG>, the liquid lens unit <NUM> is inserted into and disposed inside the lens holder <NUM>.

Thereafter, referring to <FIG>, the lens holder <NUM> is inserted into and coupled to the accommodation hole <NUM> in the base <NUM>.

Thereafter, referring to <FIG>, as denoted by reference numerals <NUM> to <NUM>, the upper electrodes E1 to E4 and the upper connection part UP are electrically connected to each other using at least one of conductive metal epoxy (e.g. Ag epoxy), welding, soldering, or wire bonding in the state in which the upper electrodes E1 to E4 and the upper connection part UP are disposed so as to face each other in a plan view.

Thereafter, referring to <FIG>, in the state in which the gripper <NUM> grips the third portion P3 on the first sidewall SW1 of the base <NUM>, a driving voltage is supplied to the liquid lens <NUM> of the liquid lens unit <NUM>, and at the same time, the positions of the first lens unit <NUM>, the second lens unit <NUM> and the liquid lens unit <NUM> relative to each other are adjusted, thereby primarily performing active alignment of aligning the optical axes of the first lens unit <NUM>, the second lens unit <NUM> and the liquid lens <NUM> with each other.

Thereafter, the first and second lens units <NUM> and <NUM> and the liquid lens unit <NUM> are coupled to each other. At this time, the first and second lens units <NUM> and <NUM> and the liquid lens unit <NUM> may be coupled to each other using at least one of UV curing or thermal curing.

Thereafter, the base <NUM> is gripped by the gripper and is shifted to various positions so that the positions of the image sensor <NUM> and the lens holder <NUM> relative to each other are adjusted, thereby secondarily performing active alignment of aligning the optical axes of the first lens unit <NUM>, the liquid lens <NUM>, the second lens unit <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> with each other.

Thereafter, referring to <FIG>, the second portion P2 of the first sidewall SW1 of the base <NUM> and the first to third pads P11, P12, P21, P22 and P3 of the main board <NUM> are electrically connected to each other using soldering or the like.

Thereafter, the cover <NUM> may be disposed so as to surround the lens holder <NUM> and the base <NUM>.

In addition, with regard to the epoxy used to couple the components to each other in the description above, UV curing may be primarily performed and thermal curing may be secondarily performed, but the embodiment is not limited to any specific epoxy-curing method.

Meanwhile, the camera module 100A according to the embodiment and a camera module according to a comparative example will be described below.

The camera module according to the comparative example includes a liquid lens unit, a main board, and first and second flexible printed circuit boards. The liquid lens unit, the main board and the second flexible printed circuit board of the camera module according to the comparative example perform the same functions as the liquid lens unit <NUM>, the main board <NUM> and the lower connection substrate <NUM> of the camera module 100A according to the embodiment. In the camera module according to the comparative example, the first flexible printed circuit board serves to electrically connect the liquid lens unit to the main board.

In addition, in the camera module according to the comparative example, the liquid lens unit includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a spacer, and a liquid lens. Here, the first electrode, the second electrode and the liquid lens perform the same functions as the upper electrodes E1 to E4, the lower electrode CO and the liquid lens <NUM> of the camera module 100A according to the embodiment.

In the camera module according to the comparative example, in order to electrically connect the liquid lens unit to the main board, each of the first and second flexible printed circuit boards connected to the liquid lens unit is bent to be electrically connected to the main board. This may lead to several problems, described below.

When the size of the main board is small, the first and second flexible printed circuit boards, when bent, may not be accurately brought into contact with the main board, thus causing a defect of poor electrical connection between the first and second flexible printed circuit boards and the main board.

In addition, the connection between the liquid lens unit and the first and second flexible printed circuit boards may also become defective. In particular, when the size of the first and second flexible printed circuit boards is small, the first and second flexible printed circuit boards are likely to be disconnected or separated from the liquid lens unit, and thus the reliability thereof may be deteriorated.

In addition, since the first and second flexible printed circuit boards need to be bent, when the first and second flexible printed circuit boards are designed, the bending thereof needs to be included as a design consideration, which increases design constraints.

On the other hand, in the camera module 100A according to the embodiment, the structure of the lens holder <NUM>, the structure of the base <NUM> and the structure of the liquid lens unit <NUM> are modified so that the upper electrodes E1 to E4 are electrically connected to the main board <NUM> via the upper connection part UP disposed on the surface of the base <NUM> without the aid of a member such as the first flexible printed circuit board of the comparative example. In the case in which the first flexible printed circuit board is disposed on the liquid lens, like the comparative example, the x-axis length of the first flexible printed circuit board needs to be at least <NUM>, and the y-axis length thereof needs to be at least <NUM>. However, since the embodiment does not require the first flexible printed circuit board, the horizontal area (that is, a product of the x-axis length and the y-axis length) of the camera module 100A that is perpendicular to the optical axis decreases, thus reducing the size thereof, and a process for connecting the first flexible printed circuit board to the upper electrode is unnecessary, thus reducing manufacturing costs.

In the comparative example, since the first and second flexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs), which transmit a driving voltage from the main board to the liquid lens, are bent to be directly connected to the main board, tolerance at the contact portions between the first and second flexible printed circuit boards and the main board may increase due to bending of the first and second flexible printed circuit boards. However, in the embodiment, since the first flexible printed circuit board is not required and the lower connection part LP of the base <NUM> electrically connects the lower connection substrate <NUM> to the main board <NUM>, the lower connection substrate <NUM> does not need to be bent, and thus tolerance at the contact portion between the lower connection substrate <NUM> and the base <NUM> is smaller than that in the comparative example. As such, since the accuracy of tolerance is improved, electrical connection between the lower connection substrate <NUM> and the main board <NUM> may be reliably realized.

In addition, the comparative example requires a spacer in order to protect the liquid lens. On the other hand, according to the embodiment, since the lower connection substrate <NUM> is configured to surround the liquid lens <NUM> to protect the same, the liquid lens unit <NUM> does not require a spacer. Therefore, the number of components is reduced, and thus the size and manufacturing costs may be reduced.

In addition, when the first and second flexible printed circuit boards are bent, if the size of the main board is small, electrical contact between each flexible printed circuit board and the main board may be defective. However, in the embodiment, even when the size of the main board <NUM> is small, electrical contact between the lower connection substrate <NUM> and the main board <NUM> is realized reliably, and thus the size of the main board <NUM> (or the camera module 100A) may be further reduced.

In addition, electrical connection between the liquid lens unit <NUM> and the lower connection substrate <NUM> is realized reliably. In particular, even when the size of the lower connection substrate <NUM> is small, the lower connection substrate <NUM> is prevented from being disconnected or separated from the liquid lens unit, and thus the reliability thereof is improved.

In addition, since the upper and lower connection parts UP and LP are provided with the third portion P3, the supply of driving voltage to the liquid lens <NUM> through the upper and lower connection parts UP and LP is easily realized during active alignment, whereby the active alignment process may be easily and accurately performed, and thus the reliability of the camera module may be improved.

In addition, since the number of components, such as a spacer and a first flexible printed circuit board, is smaller than that of the comparative example, manufacturing processes such as active alignment may be rapidly performed.

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

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

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

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the disclosure set forth herein. Accordingly, the above detailed description is not intended to be construed to limit the disclosure in all aspects and to be considered by way of example. The scope of the disclosure should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims and all equivalent modifications made without departing from the disclosure should be included in the following claims.

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

Claim 1:
A camera module, comprising:
a liquid lens unit (<NUM>);
a lens holder (<NUM>) in which the liquid lens unit is disposed;
a main board (<NUM>) configured to supply a driving signal to drive the liquid lens unit; and
a base (<NUM>) disposed on the main board,
wherein the liquid lens unit comprises:
a liquid lens (<NUM>) comprising upper electrodes (E1 to En ) and a lower electrode (CO); and
a lower connection substrate (<NUM>) connected to the lower electrode, and
the base having an inner space in which the liquid lens unit is disposed, and the base comprises:
an upper connection part (UP) configured to electrically connect the upper electrodes to the main board, the upper connection part being disposed adjacent to the upper electrodes in a plan view; and
a lower connection part (LP) configured to electrically connect the lower connection substrate to the main board,
characterized in that
the lens holder comprises:
a first side portion (S1) comprising a first opening (OP1);
a second side portion (S2) comprising a second opening (OP2) disposed opposite the first opening in a direction perpendicular to an optical-axis direction; and
an upper portion (US) having a shape exposing the upper electrodes of the liquid lens unit together with the first opening and the second opening, and
wherein the upper connection part comprises:
a first upper connection part (UP1) configured to electrically connect a first upper electrode disposed adjacent to the first opening among the exposed upper electrodes to the main board; and
a second upper connection part (UP2) configured to electrically connect a second upper electrode disposed adjacent to the second opening among the exposed upper electrodes to the main board.