Patent Description:
To provide a wider screen, a portable electronic device, such as a smartphone or a tablet PC, has a minimized bezel area and an increased display area. An image sensor for implementing a camera (e.g., a camera module), an illuminance sensor for sensing illuminance, a fingerprint recognition sensor for fingerprint verification, and the like, together with a display device (e.g., a display), may be disposed on a front surface of the portable electronic device such as a smartphone or a tablet PC.

<CIT> discloses an electronic device includes a housing including a first surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a side surface extending between and along a perimeter of the first surface and the second surface, a cover glass corresponding to at least the first surface, a display panel disposed under the cover glass and including an active area exposed through the cover glass, an inactive area surrounding the active area, and a printed circuit board connection portion connected to one end of the inactive area, wherein at least one opening or at least one cutaway portion is formed in the display panel, and a camera module disposed in a space formed by the at least one opening or the at least one cutaway portion and exposed through the cover glass.

<CIT> discloses a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) electrically connected to an image sensor is implemented to serve as an electrical path and at the same time, serve to provide an elastic restoring force in directions of a plurality of axes, thereby further miniaturizing and lightening the camera module.

<CIT> discloses a small camera apparatus including a base, a lens barrel, a lens driving assembly, and a first flexible printed circuit board.

<CIT> discloses an optical unit with a shake correction function may include a movable module holding an optical element; a fixed body; a support mechanism swingably supporting the movable module at a midway position in an optical axis direction; and a shake correction drive mechanism to swing the movable module.

In the electronic device, to increase the display area, the image sensor (e.g., a camera module) may be disposed to at least partially overlap the display device (e.g., a display) in an up/down direction. In this case, to maintain an angle of view of a lens of the camera module, a camera exposure area may be used for the display device, and in a case where the lens is moved to support an auto focus function, a camera exposure area having a predetermined size or more may be used.

Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to provide an electronic device including a camera module (e.g., a front camera) for taking an image through a portion of a display.

Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide an electronic device in which a lens of a camera module is fixed in a camera exposure area of a display that at least partially overlaps the camera module in an up/down direction and an image sensor is moved for auto focusing.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device exhibits the features specified in the appended independent claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments of the electronic device according to the present invention are subject of the dependent claims.

According to the embodiments of the disclosure, the size of the camera exposure area on the display may be reduced.

In the following description made with respect to the accompanying drawings, similar components will be assigned with similar reference numerals.

It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms "include" and "comprise," as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term "or," is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases "associated with" and "associated therewith," as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term "controller" means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same.

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

<FIG> is a view illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment. <FIG> illustrates a sectional view taken along line A-A' of <FIG>. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating a camera module of <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates exploded perspective views of a carrier of <FIG>. In <FIG>, view <NUM> illustrates the carrier <NUM> and a second housing <NUM> viewed from one point of view, and view <NUM> illustrates the carrier <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> viewed from another point of view.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> according to the embodiment may include a housing that includes a first surface (or, a front surface), a second surface (or, a rear surface), and side surfaces surrounding a space between the first surface and the second surface. According to an embodiment, the first surface may be formed by a first plate (or, a front plate) <NUM> (e.g., a glass plate including various coating layers or a polymer plate), at least part of which is substantially transparent. The second surface may be formed by a second plate (or, a back plate) that is substantially opaque. The second plate may be formed of, for example, coated or colored glass, ceramic, polymer, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or a combination of at least two of the aforementioned materials. The side surfaces may be formed by a side bezel structure (or, a side member) that is coupled with the first plate <NUM> and the second plate and that contains metal and/or polymer. In some embodiments, the back plate and the side bezel structure may be integrally formed with each other and may contain the same material (e.g., a metallic material such as aluminum).

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include a support member <NUM> therein. For example, the support member <NUM> may be disposed in the electronic device <NUM> and may be connected with the side bezel structure, or may be integrally formed with the side bezel structure. The support member <NUM> may be formed of, for example, a metallic material and/or a nonmetallic (e.g., polymer) material. A display <NUM> may be coupled to one surface of the support member <NUM>, and a printed circuit board may be coupled to an opposite surface of the support member <NUM>. The printed circuit board may have a processor, a memory, and/or an interface mounted thereon. The processor may include, for example, one or more of a central processing unit, an application processor, a graphic processing unit, an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor. The memory may include, for example, a volatile memory or a nonvolatile memory. The interface may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an SD card interface, and/or an audio interface. The interface, for example, may electrically or physically connect the electronic device <NUM> with an external electronic device and may include a USB connector, an SD card/MMC connector, or an audio connector.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include the display <NUM>. For example, the display <NUM> may be coupled to the one surface of the support member <NUM> and may be disposed between the first plate <NUM> and the support member <NUM>. The first plate <NUM> may include a camera exposure area <NUM> formed in a position corresponding to the camera module <NUM> when the first plate <NUM> is viewed in the Z-axis direction. The display <NUM> may include a first through-hole <NUM> corresponding to the camera exposure area <NUM>. The support member <NUM> may include a second through-hole <NUM>, at least part of which overlaps the first through-hole <NUM>. For example, one portion of a lens housing <NUM> of the camera module <NUM> may be disposed in the first through-hole <NUM>. Another portion of the lens housing <NUM> of the camera module <NUM> may be disposed in the second through-hole <NUM>. In another example (not illustrated), the first through-hole <NUM> may be filled with a transparent material and may form an optical hole. An opening <NUM> of the camera module <NUM> may be disposed to overlap the optical hole when the first plate <NUM> is viewed in the Z-axis direction.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the camera module <NUM> may include the lens housing <NUM>, at least one lens <NUM>, a first housing <NUM>, the carrier <NUM>, the second housing <NUM>, an image sensor <NUM>, a first printed circuit board <NUM>, a connecting member <NUM>, or a second printed circuit board <NUM>.

According an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may collect light incident from the outside and may deliver the collected light to the image sensor <NUM> disposed under the lens housing <NUM>. For example, the lens <NUM> may be constituted by one or more lenses. The lens <NUM> may be disposed in the lens housing <NUM> so as to have an optical axis in a specified direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction). The lens <NUM> may be disposed in a position corresponding to the camera exposure area <NUM>. The lens housing <NUM> may surround the lens <NUM> mounted therein and may provide an optical path along which light incident through the lens <NUM> is delivered to the image sensor <NUM>. In this regard, the lens housing <NUM> may have a hollow area in the center thereof and may be open at the bottom to expose the image sensor <NUM>. The lens housing <NUM> may have, in the top thereof, the opening <NUM> corresponding to the shape of the lens <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the lens housing <NUM> may be coupled (or, fixed) to the first housing <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> may be coupled (or, fixed) to the support member <NUM> to correspond to the second through-hole <NUM> of the support member <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the carrier <NUM> may be disposed in the first housing <NUM>. For example, the carrier <NUM> may have a hollow area in the center thereof and may be open at the top and the bottom to expose the image sensor <NUM>. The carrier <NUM> may linearly move in the specified direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction) in the first housing <NUM>. The carrier <NUM> may include an opening 230a formed in the specified direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction). The first printed circuit board <NUM>, when viewed in the specified direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction), may be coupled to the carrier <NUM> so as to overlap the opening 230a of the carrier <NUM>. The image sensor <NUM> may be disposed between the carrier <NUM> and the first printed circuit board <NUM>. The image sensor <NUM> may be mounted on one surface of the first printed circuit board <NUM>. The image sensor <NUM> may be disposed to correspond to the optical axis (e.g., the Z-axis) of the lens <NUM>. The second printed circuit board <NUM> may be coupled to one surface of the first housing <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the connecting member <NUM> may be disposed between the first printed circuit board <NUM> and the second printed circuit board <NUM>. For example, the connecting member <NUM> may include first contact terminals on at least part of a first surface thereof (e.g., one surface facing the first printed circuit board <NUM>). The connecting member <NUM> may include second contact terminals on at least part of a second surface thereof (e.g., an opposite surface facing the second printed circuit board <NUM>). The first contact terminals may be connected with third contact terminals formed on the first printed circuit board <NUM>. The second contact terminals may be connected with fourth contact terminals formed on the second printed circuit board <NUM>. One of the first contact terminals may be connected with one of the second contact terminals through the inside of the connecting member <NUM>. For example, the connecting member <NUM> may include a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). In another example, the connecting member <NUM> may include a plurality of spring structures.

According to an embodiment, image data obtained by the image sensor <NUM> may be transferred to a processor (e.g., a processor <NUM> of <FIG> to be described below) that is operatively connected with the camera module <NUM>. For example, a connector <NUM> may be operatively connected with the processor. The image data may be transferred to the processor through the first printed circuit board <NUM>, the connecting member <NUM>, the second printed circuit board <NUM>, and the connector <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the carrier <NUM> may have a magnet member <NUM> (e.g., a magnet member for auto focusing (AF)) disposed on one outside portion thereof (e.g., an outside portion viewed in the X-axis direction). The magnet member <NUM> may be operated in a state of being paired with a coil <NUM> disposed in the second housing <NUM>. For example, the second housing <NUM> may be coupled (or, fixed) to one inside portion (e.g., an inside portion viewed in the X-axis direction) of the first housing <NUM>. A coil substrate <NUM> may be coupled (or, fixed) to the second housing <NUM> in a direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) toward the magnet member <NUM>. For example, the coil substrate <NUM> may include a printed circuit board or an FPCB. The coil <NUM> may be mounted on the coil substrate <NUM> to face the magnet member <NUM>. The coil substrate <NUM> may be operatively connected with the processor. The coil substrate <NUM> may supply a signal (e.g., current) received from the processor to the coil <NUM>. A magnetic field may be formed around the coil <NUM> based on the signal, and the magnet member <NUM> may move in the specified direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction) based on the magnetic field. The processor may control the movement of the magnet member <NUM> by controlling the magnitude and direction of the signal. The carrier <NUM> may move together with the magnet member <NUM>, and the first printed circuit board <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> may move in the specified direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction) as the carrier <NUM> moves. According to various embodiments, the second housing <NUM> may be integrally formed with the first housing <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, a Hall sensor <NUM> may be disposed between the coil substrate <NUM> and the magnet member <NUM>. For example, the Hall sensor <NUM> may be mounted on the coil substrate <NUM> to face the magnet member <NUM>. The coil substrate <NUM> may receive a sensed value from the Hall sensor <NUM> and may transfer the sensed value to the processor. The processor may control (or, change) a signal supplied to the coil <NUM>, based on the sensed value.

According to an embodiment, the image sensor <NUM> may linearly move across a specified section in the Z-axis direction under the control of the processor. For example, a magnetic field generated by the coil <NUM> may be determined by a signal received from the processor, and the magnet member <NUM> may linearly move in the Z-axis direction based on the magnetic field. The carrier <NUM> may linearly move together with the magnet member <NUM>, and the first printed circuit board <NUM> coupled to the carrier <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> coupled to the first printed circuit board <NUM> may linearly move in the Z-axis direction. For example, the processor may linearly move the image sensor <NUM> in the Z-axis direction for auto focusing (AF).

According to an embodiment, the shape of the connecting member <NUM> may be changed as the first printed circuit board <NUM> moves. For example, a first edge <NUM> of the connecting member <NUM> may be coupled to the first printed circuit board <NUM>. A second edge <NUM> of the connecting member <NUM> that is not adjacent to (or, is parallel to) the first edge <NUM> may be coupled to the second printed circuit board <NUM>. For example, when the image sensor <NUM> closely approaches the lens housing <NUM>, the first printed circuit board <NUM>, the connecting member <NUM>, and the second printed circuit board <NUM> may form a "Z" shape (or, an inverted "Z" shape).

According to an embodiment, the carrier <NUM> may include, on one sidewall thereof (e.g., a sidewall on which the magnet member <NUM> is disposed), one or more guide grooves 239a and 239b that guide and support a movement of the carrier <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> may include, on one side surface thereof (e.g., a side surface facing the magnet member <NUM>), one or more guide grooves 249a and 249b that guide and support the movement of the carrier <NUM>. For example, the guide grooves 239a, 239b, 249a, and 249b may extend along the specified direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction) and may have a V-shaped cross-section. The guide grooves 239a and 239b of the carrier <NUM> may be formed in positions corresponding to the guide grooves 249a and 249b of the second housing <NUM>. One or more guide balls <NUM> may be disposed between the guide grooves 239a and 239b of the carrier <NUM> and the guide grooves 249a and 249b of the second housing <NUM>. When the carrier <NUM> moves along the specified direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction), the guide balls <NUM> may perform a rolling motion between the guide grooves 239a, 239b, 249a, and 249b. For example, the guide grooves 239a, 239b, 249a, and 249b may limit a movement of the carrier <NUM> in the first housing <NUM> in a direction other than the specified direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction).

According to an embodiment, a yoke <NUM> may be disposed on one surface of the second housing <NUM> so as to face the coil substrate <NUM>. For example, the coil <NUM> may be disposed between the yoke <NUM> and the magnet member <NUM>. The yoke <NUM> may concentrate an electromagnetic force of the coil <NUM> on the magnet member <NUM> to improve efficiency of the coil <NUM>. Furthermore, the carrier <NUM> may be brought into close contact with the second housing <NUM> by an attractive force between the magnet member <NUM> and the yoke <NUM>. Accordingly, the guide balls <NUM> may not be separated from the guide grooves 239a, 239b, 249a, and 249b, and the carrier <NUM> may smoothly linearly move in the specified direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction).

According to an embodiment, an infrared filter <NUM> may be disposed between the lens housing <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM>. For example, the infrared filter <NUM> may filter an infrared region from light incident through the lens <NUM>. For example, the infrared filter <NUM> may be attached to an area around the opening 230a of the carrier <NUM>. In another example, the infrared filter <NUM> may be attached to a lower end portion of the lens housing <NUM>.

As described above, the electronic device <NUM> may include the camera module <NUM> disposed to overlap one portion (e.g., the camera exposure area <NUM>) of the display <NUM>. To reduce the size of the camera exposure area <NUM>, the camera module <NUM> is disposed as close as possible to the display <NUM>. When the lens housing <NUM> moves in the specified direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction) for auto focusing (AF), the camera exposure area <NUM> may be formed to be larger in consideration of the angle of view of the lens <NUM> than when the lens housing <NUM> is fixed. The camera module <NUM> disclosed herein may move the image sensor <NUM> in the specified direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction) in a state in which the lens housing <NUM> is fixed, and the size of the camera exposure area <NUM> may be reduced based on the angle of view of the lens <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a coupling relationship between the carrier and the first printed circuit board of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, a perspective view <NUM> and a plan view <NUM> are illustrated. The perspective view <NUM> includes the carrier <NUM>, the first printed circuit board <NUM>, the connecting member <NUM>, and the second printed circuit board <NUM>. The plan view <NUM> is a view of the perspective view <NUM> in a direction B.

According to an embodiment, the carrier <NUM> and the first printed circuit board <NUM> may be coupled in a coupling area 260a of the first printed circuit board <NUM>. For example, the coupling area 260a may be formed along the periphery of the first printed circuit board <NUM>. For example, the carrier <NUM> may be attached to the coupling area 260a through an adhesive member. The opening 230a of the carrier <NUM> may be disposed to overlap the image sensor <NUM> in the Z-axis direction. The carrier <NUM> may be disposed on the first printed circuit board <NUM> such that the opening 230a of the carrier <NUM> overlaps the remaining area of the first printed circuit board <NUM> other than the coupling area 260a in the Z-axis direction.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an operation of the image sensor by the carrier according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the image sensor <NUM> may linearly move across the specified section in the specified direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction) in the first housing <NUM>. For example, the processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG> to be described below) may supply a signal (e.g., current) to the coil <NUM>. A magnetic field may be formed around the coil <NUM> based on the signal, and the magnet member <NUM> may move in the specified direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction) based on the magnetic field. The processor may control the movement of the magnet member <NUM> by controlling the magnitude and direction of the signal. The carrier <NUM> may move together with the magnet member <NUM>, and the first printed circuit board <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM> may reciprocate in the specified direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction) as the carrier <NUM> moves.

According to an embodiment, under the control of the processor, the image sensor <NUM> may be moved to a first position in the direction opposite to the Z-axis direction, where the first position is a position spaced apart from the second printed circuit board <NUM> by a first distance H1. Under the control of the processor, the image sensor <NUM> may be moved to a second position in the Z-axis direction, where the second position is a position spaced apart from the second printed circuit board <NUM> by a second distance H2. The image sensor <NUM> may be moved to a specified position between the first position and the second position under the control of the processor.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a coupling relationship between a connecting member and printed circuit boards according to an embodiment, as viewed in one direction. <FIG> is a view illustrating the coupling relationship between the connecting member and the printed circuit boards according to the embodiment, as viewed in a different direction. <FIG> is a view illustrating the connecting member of <FIG> or <FIG>.

According to an embodiment, a first connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> (e.g., the connecting member <NUM> of <FIG>) may be implemented with an FPCB. For example, a first surface <NUM>-1a of the first connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> may be disposed to face the first printed circuit board <NUM>. The first connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> may include first contact terminals <NUM>-<NUM> on at least part of the first surface <NUM>-1a thereof. A second surface <NUM>-1b of the first connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> may be disposed to face the second printed circuit board <NUM>. The first connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> may include second contact terminals <NUM>-<NUM> on at least part of the second surface <NUM>-1b thereof. Each of the first contact terminals <NUM>-<NUM> may be connected with a corresponding one of the second contact terminals <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, inside the first connecting member <NUM>-<NUM>, the first contact terminals <NUM>-<NUM> may be individually connected with the second contact terminals <NUM>-<NUM>. According to an embodiment, the first contact terminals <NUM>-<NUM> may be spaced apart from the second contact terminals <NUM>-<NUM> by a specified distance (e.g., the length of one side of the first connecting member <NUM>-<NUM>).

According to an embodiment, the first connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> may be electrically connected with the first printed circuit board <NUM>. For example, the first printed circuit board <NUM> may include third contact terminals <NUM> on one surface thereof that faces the first connecting member <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, when viewed in the Z-axis direction, the third contact terminals <NUM> may be disposed to overlap the first contact terminals <NUM>-<NUM>. The third contact terminals <NUM> may be electrically connected with the first contact terminals <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, the third contact terminals <NUM> may be individually brought into contact with the first contact terminals <NUM>-<NUM>. The third contact terminals <NUM> may be electrically connected with the image sensor <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the first connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> may be electrically connected with the second printed circuit board <NUM>. For example, the second printed circuit board <NUM> may include fourth contact terminals <NUM> on one surface thereof that faces the first connecting member <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, when viewed in the Z-axis direction, the fourth contact terminals <NUM> may be disposed to overlap the second contact terminals <NUM>-<NUM>. The fourth contact terminals <NUM> may be electrically connected with the second contact terminals <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, the fourth contact terminals <NUM> may be individually brought into contact with the second contact terminals <NUM>-<NUM>. The fourth contact terminals <NUM> may be electrically connected with the connector <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, when the first printed circuit board <NUM> performs a linear motion in the specified direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction), the first connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> may maintain the flexibility and elasticity thereof. When the first printed circuit board <NUM> moves, the first connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> may be deformed, but may transfer a signal between the first printed circuit board <NUM> and the second printed circuit board <NUM>. For example, when the first printed circuit board <NUM> moves away from the second printed circuit board <NUM>, the first printed circuit board <NUM>, the first connecting member <NUM>-<NUM>, and the second printed circuit board <NUM> may form a "Z" shape (or, an inverted "Z" shape).

According to an embodiment, the first connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> may include at least one perforation <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, the perforation <NUM>-<NUM> may extend in a direction from the first contact terminals <NUM>-<NUM> to the second contact terminals <NUM>-<NUM>. The perforation <NUM>-<NUM> may improve the flexibility of the first connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> when the first connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> is deformed.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a coupling relationship between a connecting member and printed circuit boards according to various embodiments, as viewed in one direction. <FIG> is a view illustrating the coupling relationship between the connecting member and the printed circuit boards according to the various embodiments, as viewed in a different direction. <FIG> is a view illustrating the connecting member of <FIG> or <FIG>.

According to an embodiment, a second connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> (e.g., the connecting member <NUM> of <FIG>) may be implemented with a plurality of spring structures. For example, each of the plurality of spring structures may include a first contact terminal <NUM>-<NUM>, a spring body <NUM>-<NUM>, and a second contact terminal <NUM>-<NUM>. The spring body <NUM>-<NUM> may connect the first contact terminal <NUM>-<NUM> and the second contact terminal <NUM>-<NUM> and may have flexibility and elasticity.

According to an embodiment, the second connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> may be electrically connected with the first printed circuit board <NUM>. For example, the first printed circuit board <NUM> may include third contact terminals <NUM> on one surface thereof that faces the second connecting member <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, when viewed in the Z-axis direction, the third contact terminals <NUM> may be disposed to overlap the first contact terminals <NUM>-<NUM> of the plurality of spring structures. The third contact terminals <NUM> may be electrically connected with the first contact terminals <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, the third contact terminals <NUM> may be individually brought into contact with the first contact terminals <NUM>-<NUM>. The third contact terminals <NUM> may be electrically connected with the image sensor <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the second connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> may be electrically connected with the second printed circuit board <NUM>. For example, the second printed circuit board <NUM> may include fourth contact terminals <NUM> on one surface thereof that faces the second connecting member <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, when viewed in the Z-axis direction, the fourth contact terminals <NUM> may be disposed to overlap the second contact terminals <NUM>-<NUM> of the plurality of spring structures. The fourth contact terminals <NUM> may be electrically connected with the second contact terminals <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, the fourth contact terminals <NUM> may be individually brought into contact with the second contact terminals <NUM>-<NUM>. The fourth contact terminals <NUM> may be electrically connected with the connector <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, when the first printed circuit board <NUM> performs a linear motion in the specified direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction), the second connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> may maintain the flexibility and elasticity thereof. When the first printed circuit board <NUM> moves, the second connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> may be deformed, but may transfer a signal between the first printed circuit board <NUM> and the second printed circuit board <NUM>. For example, when the first printed circuit board <NUM> moves away from the second printed circuit board <NUM>, the first printed circuit board <NUM>, the second connecting member <NUM>-<NUM>, and the second printed circuit board <NUM> may form a "Z" shape (or, an inverted "Z" shape).

<FIG> is a view illustrating a coupling relationship between connecting members and printed circuit boards according to various embodiments, as viewed in one direction. <FIG> is a view illustrating the coupling relationship between the connecting members and the printed circuit boards according to the various embodiments, as viewed in a different direction.

According to an embodiment, the first printed circuit board <NUM> and the second printed circuit board <NUM> may be connected through connecting members that are formed of various materials or that have various shapes. For example, some contact terminals of the first printed circuit board <NUM> may be connected with corresponding contact terminals of the second printed circuit board <NUM> through the first connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> (e.g., an FPCB). Other contact terminals of the first printed circuit board <NUM> may be connected with corresponding contact terminals of the second printed circuit board <NUM> through the second connecting members <NUM>-<NUM> (e.g., spring structures).

<FIG> is a view illustrating a coupling relationship between a connecting member and printed circuit boards according to various embodiments.

According to an embodiment, the first printed circuit board <NUM>, a third connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> (e.g., the connecting member <NUM> of <FIG>), and the second printed circuit board <NUM> may be integrally formed with one another. For example, the first printed circuit board <NUM> and the second printed circuit board <NUM> may include a plurality of layered structures. Some layers of the first printed circuit board <NUM> and the second printed circuit board <NUM> may be simultaneously formed with the third connecting member <NUM>-<NUM>. The third connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> may be implemented with an FPCB.

According to an embodiment, the third connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> may be bent at two or more points C1 and C2, and when viewed in the specified direction, at least part of the second printed circuit board <NUM> may overlap the first printed circuit board <NUM>. For example, the third connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> may be bent at the first point C1 in a first rotational direction <NUM> such that one surface of the first printed circuit board <NUM> (e.g., a surface opposite to the surface on which the image sensor <NUM> is mounted) faces the third connecting member <NUM>-<NUM>. The third connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> may be bent at the second point C2 in a second rotational direction <NUM> such that the third connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> is located between the first printed circuit board <NUM> and the second printed circuit board <NUM>. This is illustrative, and the point at which the third connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> is bent and the direction in which the third connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> is bent may be variously set.

According to an embodiment, a first fixing member <NUM> may be disposed (or, formed) on the one surface of the first printed circuit board <NUM> (e.g., the surface opposite to the surface on which the image sensor <NUM> is mounted) so as to be adjacent to the first point C1. For example, the first fixing member <NUM> may allow the curvature of the third connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> at the first point C1 to remain above a specified value. The first fixing member <NUM> may prevent (or, reduce) a defect in the portion where the third connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> and the first printed circuit board <NUM> are connected. According to various embodiments, a first shock-absorbing member <NUM> may be disposed on one surface of the second printed circuit board <NUM> (e.g., a surface facing the third connecting member <NUM>-<NUM>) to correspond to the first fixing member <NUM>. For example, when the first printed circuit board <NUM> approaches the second printed circuit board <NUM>, the first shock-absorbing member <NUM> may absorb shock applied to the first point C1.

According to an embodiment, a second fixing member <NUM> may be disposed (or, formed) on the one surface of the second printed circuit board <NUM> (e.g., the surface facing the third connecting member <NUM>-<NUM>) so as to be adjacent to the second point C2. For example, the second fixing member <NUM> may allow the curvature of the third connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> at the second point C2 to remain above the specified value. The second fixing member <NUM> may prevent (or, reduce) a defect in the portion where the third connecting member <NUM>-<NUM> and the second printed circuit board <NUM> are connected. According to various embodiments, a second shock-absorbing member <NUM> may be disposed on the one surface of the first printed circuit board <NUM> (e.g., the surface facing the third connecting member <NUM>-<NUM>) to correspond to the second fixing member <NUM>. For example, when the first printed circuit board <NUM> approaches the second printed circuit board <NUM>, the second shock-absorbing member <NUM> may absorb shock applied to the second point C2.

The program 1040may be stored in the memory <NUM> as software, and may include, for example, an operating system (OS) <NUM>, middleware <NUM>, or an application <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technological features set forth herein to particular embodiments and include various changes, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment. As used herein, each of such phrases as "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of, or all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, such terms as "1st" and "2nd", or "first" and "second" may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order). It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term "operatively" or "communicatively", as "coupled with", "coupled to", "connected with", or "connected to" another element (e.g., a second element), it means that the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a display (<NUM>) including a camera exposure area (<NUM>); and
a camera module (<NUM>) disposed on the camera exposure area (<NUM>),
wherein the camera module (<NUM>) includes:
a housing (<NUM>) fixed to the camera exposure area (<NUM>);
a lens housing (<NUM>) fixed to the housing (<NUM>), the lens housing (<NUM>) including an opening corresponding to the camera exposure area (<NUM>);
a lens (<NUM>) disposed in the lens housing (<NUM>), the lens (<NUM>) including an optical axis facing toward the camera exposure area (<NUM>);
a first printed circuit board (<NUM>) configured to move in the housing (<NUM>) in an optical axis direction of the lens (<NUM>);
an image sensor (<NUM>) that faces the lens (<NUM>) and that is mounted on one surface of the first printed circuit board (<NUM>);
a second printed circuit board (<NUM>) fixed to the housing (<NUM>) and disposed on an opposite side to the image sensor (<NUM>) with respect to the first printed circuit board (<NUM>); and
a connecting member (<NUM>) disposed between the first printed circuit board (<NUM>) and the second printed circuit board (<NUM>) and configured to transfer an electrical signal between the first printed circuit board (<NUM>) and the second printed circuit board (<NUM>), wherein the connecting member (<NUM>) is deformed as the first printed circuit board (<NUM>) moves;
wherein the connecting member (<NUM>) includes:
first contact terminals (<NUM>-<NUM>) disposed on a portion of a first surface (<NUM>-1a) of the connecting member (<NUM>), wherein the first surface (<NUM>-1a) faces the first printed circuit board (<NUM>); and
second contact terminals (<NUM>-<NUM>) disposed on a portion of a second surface (<NUM>-1b) of the connecting member (<NUM>), wherein the second surface (<NUM>-1b) faces the second printed circuit board (<NUM>), and
wherein the first contact terminals (<NUM>-<NUM>) are spaced apart from the second contact terminals (<NUM>-<NUM>) by at least a specified distance and are individually connected with the second contact terminals (<NUM>-<NUM>) through internal wiring of the connecting member (<NUM>).