Patent Description:
Recent smartphones are used to perform functions requiring security. Therefore, there is a trend of employing a higher level of security measures for smart phones.

Conventionally, a security means using a password or a pattern of a specific shape has been used, but in recent years, a security means using fingerprint recognition is widely spread.

Furthermore, research on a security means using iris recognition is in progress. Since the iris has more complex unique patterns than fingerprints, it is less likely to be forged than fingerprints and thus has high security. In addition, fingerprint recognition has a disadvantage in that it is impossible to recognize if you are wearing gloves or if there is a foreign substance on the fingerprint because the surface of the fingerprint must be in direct contact with the sensor surface, however, iris recognition which is a non-contact method has an advantage in that recognition is possible even when wearing glasses or contact lenses. Facial recognition also has the same advantages as iris cognition.

However, mounting a separate device other than a camera for iris recognition and facial recognition is a factor that increases the unit price, and it is a factor that hinders making smartphones light, thin, short, and small, so camera modules for iris recognition and facial recognition are not widely used. <CIT> and <CIT> are examples of light emitting modules.

The present embodiment is intended to provide a light emitting module having a low shoulder height suitable for making a smart phone light, thin, short and small.

Further, the present invention is intended to provide a light emitting module in which a diffuser lens is prevented from being separated upward by comprising a structure in which the diffuser lens is coupled by being inserted from the lower side of the holder.

It is intended to provide a camera module comprising the light emitting module and a light receiving module for sensing light emitted from the light emitting module.

A light emitting module according to the present invention is claimed in claim <NUM>. Advantageous embodiments of the light emitting module according to the present invention are claimed in claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

The light emitting module according to claim <NUM> includes a substrate; a light source which is disposed on the substrate and emits laser light; a holder disposed on the substrate; a diffuser lens disposed in the holder and over the light source; and a diffuser ring for supporting the diffuser lens, wherein the diffuser lens comprises a plurality of micro lenses, and the holder may comprise an opening formed above the diffuser lens and a stopping protrusion for preventing the diffuser lens from being separated through the opening.

The upper surface of the diffuser lens may be larger than the size of the opening.

At least a portion of the opening may be defined by at least a portion of the stopping protrusion.

The diffuser ring may comprise a support portion being in contact with a lower portion of the diffuser lens, and a ring portion being protruded from an outer circumference of the support portion.

The diffuser lens comprises a lens portion and a flange portion disposed on an outer circumference of the lens portion.

The diffuser lens comprises a protrusion formed by being protruded from a portion of a lower surface of the flange portion.

A gap is formed in at least a portion between the diffuser lens and the diffuser ring by the protrusion.

The protrusion may be formed adjacent to the inner circumferential surface than the outer circumferential surface of the flange portion.

The diffuser ring may comprise a recess formed on the support portion and coupled to the protrusion.

The diffuser lens may comprise a protruding portion for a coupling guide, the holder may comprise a groove corresponding to the protrusion, and at least a portion of the protruding portion of the diffuser lens may be disposed in the groove of the holder.

The diffuser lens may comprise a first portion being overlapped with the stopping protrusion in a vertical direction, and a second portion being overlapped with the opening in the vertical direction.

The stopping protrusion of the holder may be disposed between the diffuser lens and the opening.

The stopping protrusion of the holder may contact a portion of an upper surface of the diffuser lens.

The diffuser lens and the diffuser ring may be separated from each other.

The diffuser lens may be inserted upward in a vertical direction to be coupled to the holder.

The upward direction may be a direction from a lower portion of the holder toward an upper portion of the holder.

A portion of the diffuser lens may be overlapped with the holder in the upward direction.

The portion of the diffuser lens may be overlapped with the holder and the diffuser ring in the vertical direction.

The holder comprises a barrel portion on which the diffuser lens is disposed, and the stopping protrusion of the holder is extended from the barrel portion toward the inner side and is disposed on the diffuser lens, and the portion of the diffuser lens may be overlapped with the stopping protrusion of the holder in the upward direction.

At least a portion of the diffuser ring may be disposed on the barrel portion, and the diffuser ring may be disposed below the diffuser lens.

The holder comprises a second groove formed on a surface of the diffuser ring facing an upper surface of the ring portion, and the second groove of the holder may form a passage connected to an inner space between the holder and the substrate.

The second groove of the holder may be a passage connecting the inner space and the outer space of the holder.

The outer circumference of the diffuser lens may comprise four planes, and the barrel portion of the holder may comprise protrusions protruding from the inner circumference of the barrel portion and being in contact with each of the four planes of the diffuser lens.

Two of the four planes may be disposed in the opposite side from each other.

The light emitting module further comprises a shield can comprising an upper plate and a side plate being extended downward from the upper plate, the holder comprises a body portion disposed on an upper surface of the substrate, a barrel portion being protruded from the upper surface of the body portion, and a first groove being formed on the upper surface of the body portion, an adhesive for fixing the upper plate of the shield can to the holder is disposed in the first groove of the holder, and the first groove may comprise a first portion being extended in the first direction among the horizontal directions, and a second portion being extended in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction among the horizontal directions.

The shield can covers the body portion of the holder and may be electrically connected to the substrate.

The diffuser lens comprises a lens portion disposed on an optical path of light being emitted from the light source, and a flange portion disposed on an outer circumference of the lens portion, an adhesive accommodating portion being connected to the outer circumference of the flange portion of the diffuser lens is formed on a lower surface of the flange portion of the diffuser lens, and an adhesive fixing the diffuser lens to the holder is disposed in the adhesive accommodating portion of the flange portion of the diffuser lens.

The diffuser lens and the diffuser ring may be integrally formed.

The diffuser lens comprises a protruding portion being protruded from an outer circumference of the diffuser lens, the diffuser ring comprises a protruding portion being protruded from an outer circumference of the diffuser ring, the holder comprises a groove corresponding to each of the protruding portion of the diffuser lens and the protruding portion of the diffuser ring, and the protruding portion of the diffuser lens and the protruding portion of the diffuser ring may be correspondingly disposed in a vertical direction.

The camera module according to the present embodiment comprises a substrate; a holder comprising a partition wall and disposed on the substrate; a light source disposed on one side of the partition wall on the substrate and emitting a laser light; a sensor disposed on the substrate on the other side of the partition wall; a lens coupled to the holder and disposed on the sensor; a diffuser lens coupled to the holder and disposed on the light source; and a diffuser ring supporting the diffuser lens, wherein the diffuser lens comprises a plurality of micro lenses, and wherein the holder may comprise an opening formed on the diffuser lens and a stopping protrusion preventing the diffuser lens from being separated through the opening.

The sensor may detect light in the wavelength band of the light source.

The camera module further comprises a filter disposed between the lens and the sensor and passing light in a wavelength band of light emitted by the light source, wherein the lens is fixed in the barrel, the barrel is screw-coupled to the holder, the filter is coupled to the holder, the holder comprises a third groove formed in a surface opposite to the upper surface of the filter, and the third groove of the holder may form a passage connected to the inner space between the substrates.

The holder comprises a first opening and a second opening, the diffuser lens is inserted and coupled to the first opening of the holder in a first direction, and the lens may be inserted into and coupled to the second opening of the holder in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

The diffuser lens is inserted from the lower portion of the holder to the upper portion of the holder and coupled to the first opening of the holder, the lens is inserted from the upper portion of the holder to the lower portion of the holder and coupled to the second opening of the holder, and the stopping protrusion of the holder may be caught on the upper end of the diffuser lens.

The present embodiment may be suitable in making smartphones light, thin, short, and small through the low shoulder height of the camera module.

In the present embodiment, a phenomenon in which the diffuser lens is removed off in the upper direction of the camera module can be prevented.

However, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited to some embodiments to be described, but may be implemented in various forms, and if it is within the scope of the appended claims, one or more of the components may be selected, combined, and substituted between the embodiments for use.

In the present specification, the singular form may comprise 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 order 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 comprise 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 comprises a case when the two components are in direct contact with each other but also comprises 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 comprised.

Hereinafter, a configuration of an optical apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

The optical apparatus may be any one of a mobile phone, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a portable smart device, a digital camera, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), and a navigation device. However, the type of the optical apparatus is not limited thereto, and any device for capturing an image or a picture may be comprised in the optical apparatus.

The optical apparatus may comprise a main body. The main body may form the appearance of the optical apparatus. The main body may accommodate a camera module. A display unit may be disposed on one surface of the main body. For example, the display unit and the camera module may be disposed on one surface of the main body.

The optical apparatus may comprise a display unit. The display unit may be disposed on one surface of the main body. The display unit may output a result detected by the camera module. The display unit may be a touch screen.

The optical apparatus may comprise a camera module. The camera module may be a time of flight (TOF) module or a TOF device. The camera module may be a TOF camera module or a TOF camera device. The camera module may be an optical device. The camera module can provide TOF 3D detection technology. The camera module may be used for facial recognition and/or iris recognition. That is, the camera module may provide a facial recognition function and/or an iris recognition function to the optical apparatus. The camera module may provide a biometric authentication function for security. The camera module may be installed in a main body of an optical apparatus. A portion of a holder <NUM> of the camera module and a shield can <NUM> are accommodated in the main body of an optical apparatus, and a portion and the like of a diffuser lens <NUM> of the camera module and a portion of a lens <NUM> may be protruded from the main body of the optical apparatus.

In the present embodiment, it may comprise a structure coupled in a manner that a diffuser lens <NUM> disposed protrudedly from the main body of the optical apparatus is inserted from the lower direction (inner side) of the holder <NUM> so that it is not removed off toward the outer side. In the present embodiment, a phenomenon in which the diffuser lens <NUM> inserted into the holder <NUM> from the lower side (inner side) is caught by a stopping protrusion (protruding portion) <NUM> at the upper end of a holder <NUM>, thereby being removed off toward the outer side can be prevented.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the camera module will be described with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a camera module according to the present embodiment, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the camera module according to the present embodiment, <FIG> is a bottom exploded perspective view of the camera module according to the present embodiment, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of <FIG>, <FIG> is a perspective view of a cab and a tape for packaging a camera module according to the present embodiment, <FIG> is a perspective view of a diffuser lens module of a camera module according to the present embodiment, <FIG> is a side view of a diffuser lens module of a camera module according to the present embodiment, <FIG> is a plan view of a diffuser lens of a camera module according to the present embodiment, <FIG> is a bottom perspective view of a diffuser lens of a camera module according to the present embodiment, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line Y-Y of <FIG>, <FIG> is a perspective view of a lens and a barrel of a camera module according to the present embodiment, <FIG> is a perspective view of a holder of a camera module according to the present embodiment, <FIG> is a bottom view of a holder of a camera module according to the present embodiment, <FIG> is a perspective view of a diffuser lens of a camera module according to a modified embodiment, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a camera module to which a diffuser lens according to a modified embodiment is applied.

The camera module may comprise a light emitting module and a light receiving module. However, since the substrate <NUM>, the holder <NUM>, and the shield can <NUM> are integrally formed and used in common with the light emitting module and the light receiving module, it may be difficult to distinguish the light emitting module and the light receiving module. In this case, each of the above components may be understood as a component of each of the light emitting module and the light receiving module. However, as a modified embodiment, the common components of the substrate <NUM>, the holder <NUM>, and the shield can <NUM>, and the like may be separately provided to the light emitting module and the light receiving module.

The camera module may comprise a light emitting module. The light emitting module can emit light. The light emitted from the light emitting module may hit a subject disposed in front direction (upper direction) of the light emitting module and be reflected. The light emitting module may comprise a substrate <NUM>, a light source <NUM>, a holder <NUM>, a diffuser lens <NUM>, a diffuser ring <NUM>, and a shield can <NUM>.

The camera module may comprise a light receiving module. The light receiving module can detect light. The light receiving module may detect light emitted from the light emitting module and reflected by hitting the subject. Through this, the light receiving module may recognize depth information (3D information) and/or pattern information of the subject. The light receiving module may comprise a substrate <NUM>, a sensor <NUM>, a filter <NUM>, a holder <NUM>, a lens <NUM>, a barrel <NUM>, and a shield can <NUM>.

The camera module may comprise a substrate <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> may comprise a printed circuit board (PCB). The substrate <NUM> may be connected to the connector <NUM> through a FPCB <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> and the FPCB <NUM> may be formed of a rigid flexible PCB (RFPCB). A light source <NUM> and a sensor <NUM> may be disposed in the substrate <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> may be disposed below the holder <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> may comprise a terminal <NUM>. The terminal <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> may be coupled to a coupling portion <NUM> of the shield can <NUM>. The terminal <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> may comprise a plurality of terminals. The terminal <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> may comprise two terminals.

The camera module may comprise a light source <NUM>. The light source <NUM> may be disposed on the substrate <NUM>. The light source <NUM> may be disposed in contact with the substrate <NUM>. The light source <NUM> may be disposed above the substrate <NUM>. The light source <NUM> may emit a laser light. The light source <NUM> may be disposed in the substrate <NUM>. The light source <NUM> may be disposed on one side of a partition wall <NUM> of the holder <NUM> on the substrate <NUM>. The light source <NUM> may emit light. The light source <NUM> may emit infrared rays. The light source <NUM> may comprise an infrared laser. The light source <NUM> may comprise a semiconductor laser diode. The light source <NUM> may comprise a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). Light emitted from the light source <NUM> may be emitted to form a substantially rectangular cross section while passing through the diffuser lens <NUM>. The shape of the cross section of the light emitted from the light source <NUM> and passed through the diffuser lens <NUM> may correspond to the shape of the effective area of the sensor <NUM>. However, the size of the cross-section of the light emitted from the light source <NUM> and passed through the diffuser lens <NUM> may be larger than the size of the effective area of the sensor <NUM> by a predetermined size.

The camera module may comprise a holder <NUM>. The holder <NUM> may be disposed on the substrate <NUM>. The holder <NUM> may be disposed in contact with the substrate <NUM>. The holder <NUM> may be disposed above the substrate <NUM>. The holder <NUM> may be disposed above the substrate <NUM>. The holder <NUM> may be disposed in the substrate <NUM>. The holder <NUM> may be fixed to the substrate <NUM> by an adhesive. The holder <NUM> may accommodate a light source <NUM>, a diffuser lens module <NUM>, a sensor <NUM>, and a filter <NUM> therein. The holder <NUM> may be a plastic injection product. The holder <NUM> may be formed by injection.

The holder <NUM> may comprise a first opening and a second opening. The holder <NUM> may comprise a first opening in which the diffuser lens <NUM> is disposed and a second opening in which the lens <NUM> is disposed. The diffuser lens <NUM> is inserted in the first direction into the first opening of the holder <NUM> and coupled thereto, and the lens <NUM> may be inserted into the second opening of the holder <NUM> in a second direction which is an opposite direction to the first direction and coupled thereto. The diffuser lens <NUM> is inserted from the lower portion of the holder <NUM> toward the upper portion of the holder <NUM> and coupled to the first opening of the holder <NUM>, and the lens <NUM> may be inserted from the upper portion of the holder <NUM> toward the lower portion of the holder <NUM> and coupled to the second opening of the holder <NUM>. The holder <NUM> may comprise a stopping protrusion <NUM> supporting the upper end of the diffuser lens <NUM> and a bottom surface supporting the lower end of the lens <NUM>. The stopping protrusion <NUM> of the holder <NUM> may be caught on the upper end of the diffuser lens <NUM>. A filter <NUM> may be disposed on the opposite side of the bottom surface of the holder <NUM>. The holder <NUM> may comprise a stopping protrusion disposed between the lens <NUM> and the filter <NUM>.

The holder <NUM> may comprise a body portion <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> may be disposed on an upper surface of the substrate <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> may be coupled to the diffuser lens module <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> may be coupled to the barrel <NUM> of the lens <NUM>. The portion <NUM> may be coupled to the filter <NUM>.

The body portion <NUM> may comprise a sidewall <NUM>. The sidewall <NUM> may be disposed on the substrate <NUM>. The sidewall <NUM> may comprise a plurality of sidewalls. The sidewall <NUM> may comprise four sidewalls. The sidewall <NUM> may comprise a first sidewall, a second sidewall disposed opposite the first sidewall, and a third sidewall and a fourth sidewall disposed opposite to each other between the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

The body portion <NUM> may comprise a step portion <NUM>. The step portion <NUM> may be formed by being protruded outward at the lower end portion of the sidewall <NUM>. The step portion <NUM> may be overlapped with the side plate <NUM> of the shield can <NUM> in a vertical direction. The step portion <NUM> may provide an effect of increasing the area of the lower surface of the holder <NUM>. Through this, the contact area (area adhered by the adhesive) between the holder <NUM> and the substrate <NUM> is widened, so that a phenomenon in which the holder <NUM> is removed off from the substrate <NUM> may be reduced. In the present embodiment, the step portion <NUM> and the side plate <NUM> of the shield can <NUM> are spaced apart, but in a modified embodiment, the side plate <NUM> of the shield can <NUM> may be seated on the step portion <NUM>.

The body portion <NUM> may comprise a step <NUM>. The step <NUM> may be formed on the outer surface of the sidewall <NUM>. The step <NUM> may comprise a bottom surface that is disposed to look upward. At this time, the adhesive fixing the holder <NUM> and the shield can <NUM> may be placed down from the upper surface of the body portion <NUM> of the holder <NUM> along the outer surface of the sidewall <NUM> to the bottom surface of the step <NUM>.

The body portion <NUM> may comprise a protrusion <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the holder <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may be formed on a surface corresponding to the diffuser ring <NUM> of the inner circumferential surface of the holder <NUM> to support the diffuser ring <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may be in surface contact with the outer surface of the diffuser ring <NUM>. Through this, the protrusion <NUM> may prevent a phenomenon in which the diffuser ring <NUM> is being rotated. That is, the protrusion <NUM> can fix the diffuser ring <NUM> in the correct position.

The body portion <NUM> may comprise a groove <NUM>. The groove <NUM> may be formed at a position corresponding to the protruding portion <NUM> formed in the diffuser ring <NUM>. The groove <NUM> may accommodate at least a portion of the protruding portion <NUM> of the diffuser ring <NUM>.

The holder <NUM> may comprise a barrel portion <NUM>. At least a portion of the diffuser lens <NUM> and the diffuser ring <NUM> may be disposed in the barrel portion <NUM>. The barrel portion <NUM> may accommodate the diffuser lens <NUM>. The barrel portion <NUM> may be protruded from the upper surface of the body portion <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the body portion <NUM> of the holder <NUM> forming the shoulder of the optical device and the upper plate <NUM> of the shield can <NUM> may be disposed at a position lower than the upper end of the barrel portion <NUM>. Through this structure, even when the optical device is mounted on an optical apparatus such as a smart phone, the barrel portion <NUM> may be protruded from the main body of the optical apparatus.

The barrel portion <NUM> may comprise a protrusion <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may be protruded from the inner circumference of the barrel portion <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may be in contact with each of the four planes <NUM> of the diffuser lens <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may be formed on four surfaces corresponding to the four planes <NUM> of the diffuser lens <NUM> among the inner circumferential surfaces of the barrel portion <NUM>, respectively. For example, the protrusions <NUM> may be formed in a total of eight, two on each of four surfaces of the inner circumferential surface of the barrel portion <NUM>. In a modified embodiment, the protrusion <NUM> may be formed in a total of four, one on each of the four surfaces of the inner circumferential surface of the barrel portion <NUM>. The outer surface of the protrusion <NUM> may be in surface contact with the plane <NUM> of the diffuser lens <NUM>. Accordingly, the outer surface of the protrusion <NUM> may also comprise a plane. Through such a structure, the protrusion <NUM> of the barrel portion <NUM> may prevent a phenomenon in which the diffuser lens <NUM> is being rotated. That is, the protrusion <NUM> of the barrel portion <NUM> may fix the diffuser lens <NUM> in the correct position.

The barrel portion <NUM> may comprise a step <NUM>. The step <NUM> may be formed on the outer side surface of the barrel portion <NUM>. Since the width of the upper portion of the barrel portion <NUM> becomes narrower through the step <NUM>, the size of a portion being protruded to the outside of the main body of an optical apparatus such as a smart phone may be reduced.

The barrel portion <NUM> may comprise a groove <NUM>. The groove <NUM> may be formed at a position corresponding to the protruding portion <NUM> of the diffuser lens <NUM>. The groove <NUM> may accommodate at least a portion of the protruding portion <NUM> of the diffuser lens <NUM>.

The holder <NUM> may comprise a stopping protrusion <NUM>. The holder <NUM> may comprise an opening formed on the diffuser lens <NUM> and a stopping protrusion <NUM> that prevents the diffuser lens <NUM> from being separated through the opening. At this time, at least a portion of the opening may be defined by at least a portion of the stopping protrusion <NUM>. The opening may be an opening defined by at least a portion of the stopping protrusion <NUM>. The stopping protrusion <NUM> may form a portion of the opening. The stopping protrusion <NUM> may be formed so that the diffuser lens <NUM> is not removed off. The stopping protrusion <NUM> may be extended inwardly from the barrel portion <NUM>. The stopping protrusion <NUM> may be disposed above the diffuser lens <NUM>. The stopping protrusion <NUM> may provide a hole so that a light passing through the diffuser lens <NUM> can pass through. The stopping protrusion <NUM> may be disposed between the diffuser lens <NUM> and the opening. The stopping protrusion <NUM> may be in contact with a portion of an upper surface of the diffuser lens <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the holder <NUM> may comprise a hole formed by the inner circumference of the stopping protrusion <NUM>. The size of the hole of the holder <NUM> in the horizontal direction may be smaller than the size of the upper end of the diffuser lens <NUM> in a corresponding direction. Through this, the stopping protrusion <NUM> of the holder <NUM> may provide a stopping protrusion for the diffuser lens <NUM>. Therefore, simply by inserting the diffuser lens <NUM> from the lower side of the holder <NUM>, the diffuser lens <NUM> may be in contact with the stopping protrusion <NUM> to be placed in a correct position. An adhesive may be applied between the diffuser lens <NUM> and the inner circumferential surface of the barrel portion <NUM>.

The holder <NUM> may comprise a partition wall <NUM>. The partition wall <NUM> may partition a space between the holder <NUM> and the substrate <NUM>. The partition wall <NUM> may divide the space between the holder <NUM> and the substrate <NUM> into a first space in which the light source <NUM> is disposed and a second space in which the sensor <NUM> is disposed. Through this, it is possible to block the light emitted from the light source <NUM> from directly entering the sensor <NUM> without passing through the diffuser lens <NUM>. The partition wall <NUM> may connect two sidewalls <NUM> disposed opposite to each other.

The holder <NUM> may comprise a first groove <NUM>. The first groove <NUM> may be formed on an upper surface of the body portion <NUM>. An adhesive that fixes the upper plate <NUM> of the shield can <NUM> to the holder <NUM> may be disposed in the first groove <NUM> of the holder <NUM>. The first groove <NUM> of the holder <NUM> may be an adhesive receiving groove in which the adhesive is disposed. The first groove <NUM> may improve the fixing power of the adhesive. That is, even if an external force acts on the shield can <NUM> as the adhesive is disposed in the first groove <NUM>, a phenomenon in which the shield can <NUM> is removed off may be minimized.

In the present embodiment, the first groove <NUM> of the holder <NUM> may comprise a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM>. In more detail, the first groove <NUM> of the holder <NUM> may comprise a first portion <NUM> whose length in the first direction is longer than the length in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction among the horizontal directions, and a second portion <NUM> whose length in the second direction is longer than a length in the first direction. At this time, the first direction may be an x-axis direction, and the second direction may be a y-axis direction. That is, the first groove <NUM> of the holder <NUM> may comprise a portion in which an adhesive providing a fixing force to the shield can <NUM> is accommodated when the shield can <NUM> is pressed in the x-axis direction, and a portion in which an adhesive providing a fixing force to the shield can <NUM> is accommodated when the shield can <NUM> is pressed in the y-axis direction. Accordingly, even if an external force acts on the shield can <NUM> in any of the horizontal directions, a phenomenon in which the shield can <NUM> is removed off from the holder <NUM> can be minimized. The first groove <NUM> may be depressed to a deeper depth than the fifth groove <NUM>.

The holder <NUM> may comprise a second groove <NUM>. The second groove <NUM> may be formed on a surface of the diffuser ring <NUM> opposite to the upper surface of the ring portion <NUM>. The second groove <NUM> may comprise a plurality of grooves. The second groove <NUM> of the holder <NUM> may form a passage between the upper surface of the ring portion <NUM> of the diffuser ring <NUM> and the holder <NUM>. The second groove <NUM> of the holder <NUM> may form a passage connecting the inner space between the holder <NUM> and the substrate <NUM> and the outer space of the holder <NUM>. Through this, the second groove <NUM> of the holder <NUM> may provide a vent hole, which is a passage through which gas generated in the inner space between the substrate <NUM> and the holder <NUM> is discharged, in the process of curing the adhesive bonding the substrate <NUM> and the holder <NUM>.

The holder <NUM> may comprise a third groove <NUM>. The third groove <NUM> may be formed on a surface facing the upper surface of the filter <NUM>. The third groove <NUM> may comprise a plurality of grooves. The third groove <NUM> of the holder <NUM> may form a passage between the upper surface of the filter <NUM> and the holder <NUM>. The third groove <NUM> of the holder <NUM> may form a passage connecting the inner space between the holder <NUM> and the substrate <NUM> and the outer space of the holder <NUM>. Through this, the third groove <NUM> of the holder <NUM> may provide a vent hole, which is a passage through which gas generated in an inner space between the substrate <NUM> and the holder <NUM> is discharged, in the process of curing the adhesive bonding the substrate <NUM> and the holder <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the space between the holder <NUM> and the substrate <NUM> is divided into a first space and a second space by the partition wall <NUM>, the gas in the first space may be discharged through the second groove <NUM> of the holder <NUM>, and gas in the second space may be discharged through the third groove <NUM> of the holder <NUM>.

The holder <NUM> may comprise a lens coupling portion <NUM>. The lens <NUM> and the barrel <NUM> may be coupled to the lens coupling unit <NUM>. The lens coupling portion <NUM> may comprise a groove into which the barrel <NUM> is inserted. The lens coupling portion <NUM> may comprise the barrel <NUM> or a bottom surface with which the lower end of the lens <NUM> is in contact. Although not shown in the drawing, a thread corresponding to a thread <NUM> of the barrel <NUM> may be formed on an inner circumferential surface of the lens coupling portion <NUM>. However, the thread may not be formed. The lens coupling portion <NUM> may comprise a protruding portion protruding from an upper surface of the body portion <NUM>. The lens coupling portion <NUM> may comprise a groove <NUM> formed on an upper surface of the protruding portion. An adhesive for bonding the barrel <NUM> and the holder <NUM> may be applied to the groove <NUM> of the lens coupling portion <NUM>. The groove <NUM> may be disposed in a diagonal direction other than the x-axis and y-axis directions in the horizontal direction.

In the present embodiment, the upper surface of the body portion <NUM> may be disposed between the upper end of the thread of the lens coupling portion <NUM> and the lower end of the thread of the lens coupling portion <NUM>. In addition, an upper surface of the body portion <NUM> or an upper plate <NUM> of the shield can <NUM> may be disposed between the upper end of the thread <NUM> of the barrel <NUM> and the lower end of the thread <NUM> of the barrel <NUM>.

The holder <NUM> may comprise a filter coupling portion <NUM>. The filter <NUM> may be coupled to the filter coupling portion <NUM>. The filter coupling portion <NUM> may comprise a groove having a size corresponding to the filter <NUM>. The filter <NUM> may be inserted into the groove of the filter coupling portion <NUM> and fixed with an adhesive. The filter coupling portion <NUM> may comprise a ceiling surface with which the upper surface of the filter <NUM> is in contact. A third groove <NUM> may be formed in a ceiling surface of the filter coupling portion <NUM>.

The holder <NUM> may comprise a fourth groove <NUM>. The fourth groove <NUM> may be formed in the sidewall <NUM> of the holder <NUM>. The fourth groove <NUM> may be a groove that avoids the coupling portion <NUM> of the shield can <NUM>. The fourth groove <NUM> may be formed on two side surfaces of the holder <NUM> that are opposite to each other. In the fourth groove <NUM>, a coupling portion <NUM> of the shield can <NUM> and a solder ball <NUM> connecting the coupling portion <NUM> and the substrate <NUM> may be disposed. The fourth groove <NUM> may comprise a flat surface and a curved surface.

The holder <NUM> may comprise a fifth groove <NUM>. The fifth groove <NUM> may be formed on an upper surface of the body portion <NUM> of the holder <NUM>. The fifth groove <NUM> may comprise a plurality of grooves. The fifth groove <NUM> may comprise six grooves. The fifth groove <NUM> may be a push pin groove generated by a push pin during a process of injection molding the holder <NUM> and separating it from the mold.

The camera module may comprise a diffuser lens module <NUM>. The diffuser lens module <NUM> may comprise a diffuser lens <NUM> and a diffuser ring <NUM>. The diffuser lens module <NUM> may be integrally formed as in the modified embodiment, but in the present embodiment, the diffuser lens <NUM> and the diffuser ring <NUM> may be separately manufactured to increase moldability during injection molding. The diffuser lens <NUM> and the diffuser ring <NUM> may be separated from each other.

The camera module may comprise a diffuser lens <NUM>. The diffuser lens <NUM> may be disposed in the holder <NUM>. The diffuser lens <NUM> may be coupled to the holder <NUM>. The diffuser lens <NUM> may be fixed to the holder <NUM>. The diffuser lens <NUM> may be disposed on an optical path of light emitted from the light source <NUM>. The diffuser lens <NUM> may be disposed on the light source <NUM>. The diffuser lens <NUM> may be disposed on the light source <NUM>. The diffuser lens <NUM> may be a plastic injection product. The diffuser lens <NUM> may be formed by plastic injection. The height of the upper end of the diffuser lens <NUM> may correspond to the height of the upper end of the lens <NUM>. The diffuser lens <NUM> may be disposed at a height corresponding to the first to third lenses <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> disposed above the lens <NUM>. The diffuser lens <NUM> may be inserted in the upward direction among the vertical directions to be coupled to the holder <NUM>. In this case, the upward direction may be a direction from the lower portion of the holder <NUM> toward the upper portion of the holder <NUM>. A portion of the diffuser lens <NUM> may be overlapped with the holder <NUM> in an upward direction.

In the present embodiment, a portion of the diffuser lens <NUM> may be disposed between the holder <NUM> and the diffuser ring <NUM> in a vertical direction. At this time, the vertical direction may be the z-axis direction. In more detail, a portion of the diffuser lens <NUM> may be disposed between the stopping protrusion <NUM> of the holder <NUM> and the diffuser ring <NUM> in a vertical direction. In this case, a portion of the diffuser lens <NUM> may be overlapped with the holder <NUM> and the diffuser ring <NUM> in a vertical direction. Meanwhile, the diffuser lens <NUM> may be coupled by being inserted from the lower side of the holder <NUM>. In this case, the diffuser lens <NUM> is caught by the holder <NUM>, thereby preventing from being upwardly removed off, and since it is supported by the diffuser ring <NUM>, a phenomenon of being downwardly removed off can also be prevented. That is, the upper end of the diffuser lens <NUM> may be in contact with the holder <NUM> and the lower end of the diffuser lens <NUM> may be fixed by being contacted with the diffuser ring <NUM>. Further, a separate adhesive may fix the diffuser lens <NUM> to the holder <NUM>. The size of the diffuser lens <NUM> may be larger than the opening of the stopping protrusion <NUM> of the holder <NUM>. The upper surface of the diffuser lens <NUM> may be larger than the size of the opening of the stopping protrusion <NUM> of the holder <NUM>. The diffuser lens <NUM> may comprise a first portion being overlapped with the stopping protrusion <NUM> in a vertical direction and a second portion being overlapped with the opening in a vertical direction.

The diffuser lens <NUM> may comprise a lens unit <NUM>. The lens unit <NUM> may be disposed on an optical path of a light emitted from the light source <NUM>. The light passing through the lens unit <NUM> may have a rectangular cross section.

The diffuser lens <NUM> may comprise a flange portion <NUM>. The flange portion <NUM> may be disposed on the outer circumference of the lens unit <NUM>. The flange portion <NUM> may be integrally formed with the lens unit <NUM>. The flange portion <NUM> may be fixed to the barrel portion <NUM> of the holder <NUM>. The flange portion <NUM> may be fixed to the diffuser ring <NUM>. The flange portion <NUM> may be supported by the diffuser ring <NUM>. The flange portion <NUM> may be fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the barrel portion <NUM> of the holder <NUM> by an adhesive.

The diffuser lens <NUM> may comprise a plane <NUM>. The plane <NUM> may be referred to as a guide portion. The diffuser lens <NUM> may comprise a plurality of planes <NUM>. The diffuser lens <NUM> may comprise four planes <NUM>. At this time, the four planes <NUM> may be disposed on opposite sides of each other. In addition, the four planes <NUM> may be disposed symmetrically. The four planes <NUM> may comprise a first plane, a second plane disposed opposite the first plane, and a third plane and a fourth plane disposed on opposite sides between the first plane and the second plane. The areas of the first and second planes may be smaller than the areas of the third and fourth planes. That is, the length of the first and second planes in the horizontal direction may be smaller than the length of the third and fourth planes in the horizontal direction. However, a cross-section of a shape formed by meeting virtual planes extending each of the first and second planes and virtual planes extending each of the third and fourth planes may be square. That is, the length of the curved surface may be long on the side where the first and second planes are disposed. In the present embodiment, erroneous insertion can be prevented in the process of inserting the diffuser lens <NUM> into the holder <NUM> through a feature having different lengths and/or areas between planes. The protruding portion <NUM> may be disposed in portions corresponding to the third and fourth planes.

The diffuser lens <NUM> may comprise a protruding portion <NUM>. The protruding portion <NUM> may be a gate protruding portion. However, the protruding portion <NUM> may be a protrusion irrelevant to the gate. The protruding portion <NUM> may be generated in a process of injection molding the diffuser lens <NUM>. The protruding portion <NUM> may be disposed in the groove <NUM> of the barrel portion <NUM>. The protruding portion <NUM> may comprise a protrusion. The lower surface of the protruding portion <NUM> may be disposed on the same surface as the lower surface of the diffuser lens <NUM>.

The diffuser lens <NUM> may comprise a micro lens array <NUM>. The diffuser lens <NUM> may comprise a plurality of micro lenses. The micro lens array <NUM> may comprise a plurality of micro lenses. The plurality of micro lenses may be disposed on the lower surface of the lens unit <NUM> of the diffuser lens <NUM> at equal intervals. The plurality of micro lenses may have the same shape. However, the micro lenses at a portion adjacent to the flange portion <NUM> may have some different shapes. The curvature of each of the micro lenses may be in a micro numerical range.

In the present embodiment, the effective sensing area of the sensor <NUM> may be rectangular and the lens unit <NUM> of the diffuser lens <NUM> may be approximately square. Accordingly, each of the plurality of micro lenses may have different curvatures in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. Through such a structure, a light passing through the diffuser lens <NUM> may have a rectangular cross section.

The diffuser lens <NUM> comprises an adhesive accommodating portion <NUM>. The adhesive accommodating portion <NUM> is formed on the lower surface of the flange portion <NUM> of the diffuser lens <NUM>. The adhesive accommodating portion <NUM> is connected to the outer circumference of the flange portion <NUM> of the diffuser lens <NUM>. The adhesive accommodating portion <NUM> is recessed from the outer circumference of the flange portion <NUM> of the diffuser lens <NUM>. An adhesive fixing the diffuser lens <NUM> to the holder <NUM> is disposed in the adhesive accommodating portion <NUM> of the flange portion <NUM> of the diffuser lens <NUM>. Some of the adhesive applied to the adhesive accommodating portion <NUM> may flow between the outer circumferential surface of the flange portion <NUM> of the diffuser lens <NUM> and the inner circumferential surface of the barrel portion <NUM>. The adhesive accommodating portion <NUM> may comprise a plurality of grooves. The adhesive accommodating portion <NUM> may comprise four grooves. However, the adhesive accommodating portion <NUM> has a recessed configuration compared to the protrusion <NUM>, and the protrusion <NUM> is protruded from the lower surface of the flange portion <NUM> of the diffuser lens <NUM>, and the adhesive accommodating portion <NUM> is formed by the lower surface of the flange portion <NUM> of the diffuser lens <NUM>.

The diffuser lens <NUM> comprises a protrusion <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> is formed by being protruded from a portion of the lower surface of the flange portion <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> has a ring shape. The protrusion <NUM> may be a rectangular ring, a circular ring, or a polygonal ring. The protrusion <NUM> is formed on an inner circumferential surface on a lower surface of the diffuser lens <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> is understood as being protruded from a lower surface of the diffuser lens <NUM>, or is understood as the remaining portion in which the adhesive accommodating portion <NUM> is formed on a lower surface of the diffuser lens <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> blocks a phenomenon in which the adhesive disposed on the adhesive accommodating portion <NUM> flows into the lens unit <NUM>. However, a small amount of the adhesive may be disposed on the protrusion <NUM> as well. In the present embodiment, a gap may be formed in at least a portion between the diffuser lens <NUM> and the diffuser ring <NUM> by the protrusion <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may be formed closer to the inner circumferential surface than the outer circumferential surface of the flange portion <NUM>.

The camera module may comprise a diffuser ring <NUM>. The diffuser ring <NUM> may be disposed in the holder <NUM>. The diffuser ring <NUM> may be fixed to the holder <NUM>. The diffuser ring <NUM> may be coupled to the holder <NUM>. The diffuser ring <NUM> may be disposed accommodating portion the diffuser lens <NUM>. The diffuser ring <NUM> may support the diffuser lens <NUM>. The diffuser ring <NUM> may be in contact with the diffuser lens <NUM>. The diffuser ring <NUM> may be a plastic injection product. The diffuser ring <NUM> may be formed by plastic injection.

The diffuser ring <NUM> may comprise a support portion <NUM>. The support portion <NUM> may be in contact with the lower portion of the diffuser lens <NUM>. The support portion <NUM> may support the flange portion <NUM> of the diffuser lens <NUM>. The upper surface of the support portion <NUM> may be in contact with the lower surface of the flange portion <NUM> of the diffuser lens <NUM>. At least a portion of the support portion <NUM> may be disposed in the barrel portion <NUM> of the holder <NUM>. A portion of the support portion <NUM> may be understood as being disposed within the body portion <NUM> of the holder <NUM>. The size of the support portion <NUM> in the horizontal direction may be smaller than the size of the ring portion <NUM> in the horizontal direction.

In a modified embodiment, the diffuser ring <NUM> may comprise a recess (not shown) or a groove formed on an upper surface of the support portion <NUM> and coupled to the protrusion <NUM> of the diffuser lens <NUM>. The recess of the diffuser ring <NUM> and the protrusion <NUM> of the diffuser lens <NUM> may have shapes corresponding to each other. However, the depth of the recess of the diffuser ring <NUM> may be deeper than the height of the protrusion <NUM> of the diffuser lens <NUM>. The adhesive may be disposed in a space formed by a difference between the depth of the recess and the height of the protrusion <NUM>.

The diffuser ring <NUM> may comprise a ring portion <NUM>. The ring portion <NUM> may be protruded from the outer circumference of the support portion <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the size in the horizontal direction of the ring portion <NUM> of the diffuser ring <NUM> may be larger than the size in the corresponding direction of the lower end of the barrel portion <NUM>. Through this, the lower end of the barrel portion <NUM> may function as a stopping protrusion with respect to the upper surface of the ring portion <NUM> of the diffuser ring <NUM>. The ring portion <NUM> may be fixed to the holder <NUM> by an adhesive. The ring portion <NUM> may comprise a flat surface. The plane of the ring portion <NUM> may be in surface contact with the protrusion <NUM>.

The diffuser ring <NUM> may comprise a protruding portion <NUM>. The protruding portion <NUM> may be a gate protruding portion. However, the protruding portion <NUM> may be a protrusion irrelevant to the gate. The protruding portion <NUM> may be generated in a process of injection molding the diffuser ring <NUM>. The protruding portion <NUM> may be disposed in the groove <NUM> of the holder <NUM>. The protruding portion <NUM> may comprise a protrusion. The protruding portion <NUM> may be protruded from the side surface of the ring portion <NUM> toward the side direction. The protruding portion <NUM> may be protruded from the upper surface of the ring portion <NUM> toward the upward direction.

The diffuser ring <NUM> may comprise a protrusion <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may be formed on an upper surface of the ring portion <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may be spaced apart from the upper surface or the ceiling surface of the holder <NUM>. However, in the modified embodiment, the protrusion <NUM> may function as an assembly reference surface by being contacted with an upper surface or a ceiling surface of the holder <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the protruding portion <NUM> of the diffuser lens <NUM> and the protruding portion <NUM> of the diffuser ring <NUM> may be disposed to correspond to each other in a vertical direction. Also, the holder <NUM> may comprise corresponding grooves <NUM> and <NUM>. Through this, erroneous insertion of the diffuser lens <NUM> and the diffuser ring <NUM> in the wrong direction may be prevented.

In a modified embodiment, the camera module may comprise a diffuser lens 400a that replaces the diffuser lens module <NUM>. The diffuser lens 400a of the modified embodiment may have a form in which the diffuser lens <NUM> and the diffuser ring <NUM> of the present embodiment are integrally formed. However, a shape of a portion of the diffuser lens 400a of the modified embodiment may be different from the shape of a portion of the diffuser lens <NUM> and the diffuser ring <NUM> of the present embodiment. The diffuser lens 400a may be a plastic injection product. The diffuser lens 400a may be formed by plastic injection.

The diffuser lens 400a may comprise a lens portion 410a. The lens portion 410a of the modified embodiment may correspond to the lens portion <NUM> of the present embodiment. The diffuser lens 400a may comprise a flange portion 420a. The flange portion 420a of the modified embodiment may correspond to the flange portion <NUM> of the present embodiment and the support portion <NUM> of the diffuser ring <NUM>. The diffuser lens 400a may comprise a ring portion 430a. The ring portion 430a of the modified embodiment may correspond to the ring portion <NUM> of the present embodiment. The diffuser lens 400a may comprise a protrusion 440a. The protrusion 440a may be a gate generated in the process of injection molding the diffuser lens 400a. In the present embodiment, a gate protrusion generated by injection molding is formed on each of the diffuser lens <NUM> and the diffuser ring <NUM>, but only one gate protrusion may be formed in the modified embodiment. The diffuser lens 400a may comprise a protrusion 450a. The protrusion 450a may be formed on an upper surface of the ring portion 430a. The angle of the inclined surface of the flange portion 420a may be steeper than the angle of the inclined surface of the barrel <NUM>. The protrusion 450a may function as an assembly reference surface by being contacted with an upper surface or a ceiling surface of the holder <NUM>.

Compared with the present embodiment, the modified embodiment has an advantage that the process is simple and the manufacturing cost can be lowered. However, the present embodiment has an advantage of having a better moldability of the diffuser lens formed by plastic injection compared to the modified embodiment. In particular, in the case of the present embodiment, there is an advantage in that the shrinkage ratio is almost the same in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction.

The camera module may comprise a shield can <NUM>. The shield can <NUM> may cover the body <NUM> of the holder <NUM>. The shield can <NUM> may comprise a cover. The shield can <NUM> may comprise a cover can. The shield can <NUM> may be a non-magnetic material. The shield can <NUM> may be formed of a metal material. The shield can <NUM> may be formed of a metal plate. The shield can <NUM> may be electrically connected to the substrate <NUM>. The shield can <NUM> may be connected to the substrate <NUM> through a solder ball <NUM>. Through this, the shield can <NUM> may be grounded. The shield can <NUM> may block electromagnetic interference (EMI). In this case, the shield can <NUM> may be referred to as 'EMI shield can'. In the present embodiment, as a high voltage is used inside the optical device, the electromagnetic interference noise may increase. The shield can <NUM> may block the electromagnetic interference noise.

The shield can <NUM> may comprise an upper plate <NUM> and a side plate <NUM>. The shield can <NUM> may comprise an upper plate <NUM> and a side plate <NUM> being downwardly extended from the upper plate <NUM>. The shield can <NUM> may comprise an upper plate <NUM> disposed on the holder <NUM>, and a side plate <NUM> being downwardly extended from an outer circumference or an edge of the upper plate <NUM>. The upper plate <NUM> of the shield can <NUM> may comprise a hole or an opening. The upper plate <NUM> of the shield can <NUM> may comprise a first hole corresponding to the diffuser lens <NUM> and a second hole corresponding to the lens <NUM>. The upper plate <NUM> may be disposed at the same height at the first opening side of the holder <NUM> and the second opening side of the holder <NUM>. The side plate <NUM> of the shield can <NUM> may be fixed to the holder <NUM>. The lower end of the side plate <NUM> of the shield can <NUM> may be disposed on the step portion <NUM> of the holder <NUM>. The lower end of the side plate <NUM> of the shield can <NUM> may be spaced apart from the step portion <NUM> of the holder <NUM>. The inner surface of the side plate <NUM> of the shield can <NUM> may be fixed to the holder <NUM> by an adhesive.

The shield can <NUM> may comprise a coupling portion <NUM>. The coupling portion <NUM> may be a ground terminal. The shield can <NUM> may comprise a coupling portion <NUM> formed by cutting a portion of the side plate <NUM>. The coupling portion <NUM> may be integrally formed with the side plate <NUM> and the upper plate <NUM>. The coupling portion <NUM> may be electrically connected to the substrate <NUM> and the solder ball <NUM>. The lower end of the coupling portion <NUM> may be extended below the lower end of the side plate <NUM> of the shield can <NUM>. The coupling portion <NUM> may be disposed to be inclined inward with respect to the side plate <NUM>. The coupling portion <NUM> may comprise a plurality of coupling portions. The coupling portion <NUM> may comprise two coupling portions. The two coupling portion <NUM> may be biased toward the corner side of the shield can <NUM> and may be disposed opposite to each other.

The camera module may comprise a sensor <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> may be disposed on the substrate <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> may be disposed on the other side of the partition wall <NUM> of the holder <NUM> on the substrate <NUM>. That is, the sensor <NUM> may be disposed on the opposite side of the light source <NUM> with respect to the partition wall <NUM> of the holder <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> may detect infrared rays. The sensor <NUM> may detect light of a specific wavelength among infrared rays. The sensor <NUM> may detect light passing through the filter <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> may detect light in the wavelength band of the light source <NUM>. Through this, the sensor <NUM> senses light emitted from the light source <NUM> and reflected on the subject to sense 3D image information of the subject. The effective sensing area of the sensor <NUM> is disposed to correspond to the diffuser lens <NUM>, but the sensor <NUM> may be disposed to be biased toward the partition wall <NUM> as a whole. A circuit pattern of the sensor <NUM> or the like may be disposed in a portion of the sensor <NUM> that is biased toward the partition wall <NUM>.

The sensor <NUM> may comprise an effective sensing area. The sensor <NUM> may have a rectangular shape that is long in a first direction and short in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. At this time, the effective sensing area may have a rectangular shape that is long in the second direction and short in the first direction. The effective sensing area of the sensor <NUM> may comprise a long side and a short side. In this case, the curvature of the micro lens may have a small curvature in a direction corresponding to a long side of the effective sensing area of the sensor <NUM> and a large curvature in a direction corresponding to a short side of the effective sensing area of the sensor <NUM>. The surface of the micro lens may be formed steeply in a direction having a small curvature and smoothly formed in a direction having a large curvature. In the present embodiment, the micro lens may have a small curvature in a direction from the center toward the protruding portion <NUM> and a large curvature in a direction perpendicular to the direction toward the protruding portion <NUM>.

The camera module may comprise a lens <NUM>. The lens <NUM> may be fixed within the barrel <NUM>. The lens <NUM> may be a plastic injection product. The lens <NUM> may be formed by plastic injection. The lens <NUM> may comprise a plurality of lenses. The lens <NUM> may comprise a total of <NUM> or <NUM> lenses. The lens <NUM> may comprise first to fifth lenses <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The camera module may comprise a barrel <NUM>. A thread <NUM> may be formed in the barrel <NUM>. The barrel <NUM> may be screw-coupled to the holder <NUM>. The barrel <NUM> may comprise a groove <NUM> formed on an upper surface of the barrel <NUM>. The barrel <NUM> may comprise a step <NUM> formed on the outer circumferential surface of the barrel <NUM>. The barrel <NUM> may comprise a groove <NUM> formed in an outer circumferential surface of the barrel <NUM>. The barrel <NUM> may comprise a curved surface <NUM> formed below the thread <NUM> on the outer circumferential surface of the barrel <NUM>.

The camera module may comprise a filter <NUM>. The filter <NUM> may be disposed between the lens <NUM> and the sensor <NUM>. The filter <NUM> may be a band pass filter that passes light of a specific wavelength band. The filter <NUM> may pass infrared rays. The filter <NUM> may pass light of a specific wavelength among infrared rays. The filter <NUM> may pass light in a wavelength band of light emitted by the light source <NUM>. The filter <NUM> may block visible light. The filter <NUM> may be coupled to the holder <NUM>. A groove having a size corresponding to the filter <NUM> is formed in the holder <NUM>, and the filter <NUM> may be inserted into the groove and fixed with an adhesive. An adhesive injection groove for injecting an adhesive between the filter <NUM> and the holder <NUM> may be formed together in the groove of the holder <NUM>. The filter <NUM> may be disposed at a position lower than the position of the diffuser ring <NUM>.

The camera module may comprise an FPCB <NUM>. The FPCB <NUM> may connect the substrate <NUM> and the connector <NUM>. The camera module may comprise a connector <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be connected to an external component of the optical device.

The adhesives described in the present and modified embodiments may comprise epoxy.

The camera module can be packaged to be delivered in an assembled state. That is, a packaging member (protection member) for preventing damage to the optical device may be additionally provided. In the present embodiment, the packaging member cab <NUM> and tape <NUM> may be removed during installation in an optical apparatus.

The camera module may comprise a cab <NUM>. The cab <NUM> may cover all configurations of the diffuser lens <NUM> and the lens <NUM> comprising the holder <NUM> and the shield can <NUM>. Through this, it is possible to prevent a phenomenon in which the protruding barrel portion <NUM> and the like is damaged.

The camera module may comprise a tape <NUM>. The tape <NUM> may be disposed on an upper surface of the cab <NUM>. The tape <NUM> may prevent foreign substances from penetrating into the optical device through the hole of the cab <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the assembly process of a camera module according to the present embodiment will be described.

First, the barrel <NUM> to which the diffuser lens <NUM> and the lens <NUM> are coupled is coupled to the holder <NUM>. Thereafter, the shield can <NUM> is coupled to the holder <NUM> by an adhesive. Thereafter, an adhesive is applied between the diffuser lens <NUM> and the holder <NUM>. Thereafter, the diffuser ring <NUM> is inserted into the holder <NUM> and an adhesive is applied between the diffuser ring <NUM> and the holder <NUM>. Thereafter, the filter <NUM> is coupled to the holder <NUM> by an adhesive. Through this, the housing assembly is completed.

Claim 1:
A light emitting module, including:
a substrate (<NUM>);
a light source (<NUM>) disposed above the substrate (<NUM>) and emitting laser light;
a holder (<NUM>) disposed above the substrate (<NUM>);
a diffuser lens (<NUM>) disposed in the holder (<NUM>) and disposed above the light source (<NUM>); and
a diffuser ring (<NUM>) disposed between the diffuser lens (<NUM>) and the light source (<NUM>),
wherein the diffuser lens (<NUM>) comprises a plurality of micro lenses, and
wherein the holder (<NUM>) comprises an opening formed above the diffuser lens (<NUM>) and a stopping protrusion (<NUM>) configured to prevent the diffuser lens (<NUM>) from being separated through the opening,
wherein the diffuser lens (<NUM>) comprises a lens unit (<NUM>) and a flange portion (<NUM>) disposed on an outer periphery of the lens unit (<NUM>),
the diffuser lens (<NUM>) comprises a protrusion (<NUM>) protruding from a portion of a lower surface of the flange portion (<NUM>),
wherein the protrusion (<NUM>) has a ring shape,
wherein a gap is formed in at least a portion between the diffuser lens (<NUM>) and the diffuser ring (<NUM>) by the protrusion (<NUM>) to define an adhesive accommodating portion (<NUM>).