Patent Description:
With development of science and technology, not only a higher requirement is put forward for functions of an electronic device such as a mobile phone or a tablet computer, but also an appearance of the electronic device is developing in a lightening and thinning direction.

Using the mobile phone as an example, a camera module of the mobile phone is usually mounted on a middle frame. The camera module includes a lens assembly, and a light filtering assembly, and a photosensitive chip assembly that are sequentially mounted on an out-light side of the lens assembly. To reduce a thickness of a whole machine, an avoidance opening is usually disposed on the middle frame. Using a front camera as an example, in the camera module, the lens assembly mainly occupies a mounting space between the middle frame and a screen, the photosensitive chip assembly and a part of the thickness of the light filtering assembly extend into the avoidance opening, to reduce a thickness space of the whole machine that is occupied by the camera module.

However, as a plane size of the camera module gradually increases, an area of the avoidance opening disposed on the middle frame gradually increases, and consequently, strength of the middle frame is reduced.

The document <CIT> U shows a terminal device and a camera module for use in a terminal device.

Further advantageous developments are shown in the dependent claims. This application provides an electronic device. A space occupied by a camera module of the electronic device is small. This reduces impact of mounting of the camera module on a middle frame while ensuring lightening and thinning of a whole machine, thereby improving strength of the middle frame.

This application provides an electronic device, including a middle frame and a camera module, where the middle frame includes a frame portion and a support plate connected to the frame portion, an opening is disposed on the support plate, and the camera module is mounted on the middle frame and corresponds to the opening;
the camera module includes a lens assembly and a dimming conversion assembly, the dimming conversion assembly is disposed on an out-light side of the lens assembly, and the dimming conversion assembly extends into the opening; at least a part of a circumferential area of an edge of the dimming conversion assembly includes an inner concave portion, and an edge of the inner concave portion is located on an inner side of an edge of the lens assembly; and
the inner concave portion is located on a side that is of the dimming conversion assembly and that is away from the lens assembly, and the inner concave portion occupies at least a part of the thickness of the dimming conversion assembly; and an avoidance space is formed between the edge of the inner concave portion and the edge of the lens assembly, an inner edge of the opening includes a reinforcing portion, and the reinforcing portion extends into the avoidance space.

According to the electronic device provided in this application, the opening is disposed on the support plate of the middle frame, and the camera module is mounted corresponding to the opening. At least a part of the thickness of the dimming conversion assembly of the camera module extends into the opening, the part of the thickness of the dimming conversion assembly does not occupy a mounting space between the middle frame and a rear cover (a display panel), and a thickness of the whole machine can be reduced, thereby facilitating lightening and thinning of the electronic device. The inner concave portion is disposed on at least a part of an area of a circumferential edge of the dimming conversion assembly, and the edge of the inner concave portion contracts in the edge of the lens assembly. An avoidance space is formed between the edge of the inner concave portion and the edge of the lens assembly. A reinforcing portion is disposed on a part that is of an inner edge of the opening and that corresponds to the inner concave portion, and the reinforcing portion extends into the avoidance space, to reduce an area of an opening area enclosed by the opening, increase a coverage area of the support plate, improve structural strength of the middle frame, and improve reliability of the camera module and the electronic device.

In a possible implementation, the dimming conversion assembly includes a light filtering assembly and an image sensor assembly, the light filtering assembly and the image sensor assembly are sequentially stacked on the out-light side of the lens assembly, and both the image sensor assembly and the light filtering assembly extend into the opening; and
the inner concave portion is disposed at least on the image sensor assembly.

The light filtering assembly is mounted on the out-light side of the lens assembly, and the image sensor assembly is connected to a side that is of the light filtering assembly and that is away from the lens assembly. The inner concave portion is disposed at least on the image sensor assembly, so that the reinforcing portion that extends from the inner edge of the opening on the support plate is at least correspondingly located outside a peripheral side of the image sensor assembly, to ensure that the dimming conversion assembly can extend into an opening area enclosed by the reinforcing portion.

In a possible implementation, an edge of the light filtering assembly is flush with the edge of the lens assembly, and at least a part of a circumferential area of an edge of the image sensor assembly includes the inner concave portion; and
the reinforcing portion includes a step portion connected to the inner edge of the opening, and in a thickness direction of the support plate, the step portion is located on a part that is of the support plate and that is away from the lens assembly.

The edge of the support frame of the light filtering assembly is flush with the edge of the lens assembly. The inner concave portion is disposed on an edge of a substrate of the image sensor assembly, and the avoidance space is formed between an edge of the inner concave portion of the substrate and the edge of the lens assembly. In the thickness direction of the support plate, a part that is of the inner edge of the opening and that corresponds to the support frame is located on an outer side of a side wall of the lens assembly, and a part that is of the inner edge of the opening and that corresponds to the inner concave portion of the substrate extends inward to form a step portion, and the step portion extends into the avoidance space to form the reinforcing portion.

In a possible implementation, at least a part of a circumferential area of an edge of the image sensor assembly includes a first inner concave portion, at least a part of a circumferential area of an edge of the light filtering assembly includes a second inner concave portion, the second inner concave portion corresponds to the first inner concave portion, and the first inner concave portion and the second inner concave portion jointly constitute the inner concave portion; and
a first avoidance space is formed between an edge of the first inner concave portion and the edge of the lens assembly, a second avoidance space is formed between an edge of the second inner concave portion and the edge of the lens assembly, and the reinforcing portion extends into the first avoidance space and the second avoidance space.

The first inner concave portion is disposed on a circumferential edge of a substrate of the image sensor assembly, the second inner concave portion is disposed on the circumferential edge of the support frame of the light filtering assembly, the first inner concave portion and the second inner concave portion jointly constitute the inner concave portion, the first avoidance space is formed between the edge of the first inner concave portion and the edge of the lens assembly, and the second avoidance space is formed between the edge of the second inner concave portion and the edge of the lens assembly. In this way, the reinforcing portion that extends from the inner edge of the opening on the support plate may include a part that extends into the first avoidance space and a part that extends into the second avoidance space. This can increase a thickness of the reinforcing portion and improve structural strength of the support plate. The second inner concave portion should correspond to the first inner concave portion, so that the first inner concave portion can pass through an opening area enclosed by a part that is of the reinforcing portion and that corresponds to the second inner concave portion, and extend into an opening area enclosed by a part that is of the reinforcing portion and that corresponds to the first inner concave portion.

In a possible implementation, an orthographic projection of the image sensor assembly on the light filtering assembly completely covers the light filtering assembly, surfaces on two sides of the reinforcing portion are respectively flush with surfaces on two sides of the support plate, and end surfaces that are of the reinforcing portion and that face a side wall of the dimming conversion assembly are flush.

The edge of the second inner concave portion is flush with the edge of the first inner concave portion, or the edge of the second inner concave portion contracts in the edge of the first inner concave portion, so that a projection of the image sensor assembly on the light filtering assembly completely covers the light filtering assembly, and a cross-sectional area of the second avoidance space is larger than or equal to a cross-sectional area of the first avoidance space. Because the substrate of the image sensor assembly needs to pass through an opening area enclosed by a part that is of the reinforcing portion and that extends into the second avoidance space, the inner edge of the opening may integrally extend inward in a thickness direction of the substrate, to form the reinforcing portion. This can increase a thickness of the reinforcing portion and improve structural strength of the support plate. In addition, a length of a part that is of the reinforcing portion and that extends into the second avoidance space is the same as a length of a part that is of the reinforcing portion and that extends into the first avoidance space, and end surfaces that are of the reinforcing portion and that face the dimming conversion assembly are flush.

In a possible implementation, the edge of the first inner concave portion is located on an inner side of the edge of the second inner concave portion, the reinforcing portion includes a first reinforcing portion and a second reinforcing portion, the first reinforcing portion extends into the first avoidance space and is located on a part that is of the support plate and that is away from the lens assembly, and the second reinforcing portion extends into the second avoidance space and is located on a part that is of the support plate and that is close to the lens assembly; and
an extension length of the first reinforcing portion is greater than an extension length of the second reinforcing portion, and the first reinforcing portion includes a step surface facing the light filtering assembly.

The first inner concave portion contracts in the second inner concave portion, and the edge of the first inner concave portion is located on the inner side of the edge of the second inner concave portion. A cross-sectional area of the first avoidance space is larger than a cross-sectional area of the second avoidance space. Correspondingly, the reinforcing portion includes the first reinforcing portion that extends into the first avoidance space and the second reinforcing portion that extends into the second avoidance space. An extension length of the first reinforcing portion is greater than an extension length of the second reinforcing portion, an end portion of the first reinforcing portion extends to the outside of the second reinforcing portion, and a step surface facing the light filtering assembly is formed between the first reinforcing portion and the second reinforcing portion. In this way, an extension length of the reinforcing portion is increased, an area of the opening is reduced, and structural strength of the support plate is improved.

In a possible implementation, the inner concave portion covers at least one side of the dimming conversion assembly.

The inner concave portion is disposed on the at least one side of the dimming conversion assembly, and the inner concave portion extends to a whole area that covers the side. In this way, the reinforcing portion formed on the inner edge of the opening may cover the whole area of an inner wall of the corresponding side of the opening. This can increase a coverage area of the reinforcing portion, reduce an opening area of the opening, and improve structural strength of the support plate.

In a possible implementation, the inner concave portion covers sides of at least two opposite sides of the dimming conversion assembly.

In a possible implementation, the inner concave portion is a ring-shaped structure disposed along a circumferential edge of the dimming conversion assembly.

In a possible implementation, the inner concave portion is disposed corresponding to a corner portion of the dimming conversion assembly, and at least one corner portion of the dimming conversion assembly is provided with the inner concave portion.

The inner concave portion is disposed at the corner portion of the dimming conversion assembly, and correspondingly, a corner portion of the inner edge of the opening on the support plate extends inward to form a reinforcing portion, to reduce an area of the opening, increase a coverage area of the support plate, and enhance structural strength of the support plate.

In a possible implementation, the camera module further includes a protective cover, the protective cover wraps side walls of the dimming conversion assembly and the lens assembly, the protective cover includes a recessed portion, and the recessed portion corresponds to the inner concave portion.

The protective cover is wrapped outside the side walls of the dimming conversion assembly and the lens assembly, so that the protective cover can improve a sealing property of the camera module, prevent foreign matter in an external environment from entering the dimming conversion assembly, and protect performance of the dimming conversion assembly. The recessed portion is disposed on a part of that is of the protective cover and that corresponds to the inner concave portion of the dimming conversion assembly, so that the recessed portion can provide a space for the reinforcing portion of the inner edge of the opening, and then the protective cover passes through the opening area enclosed by the reinforcing portion.

In a possible implementation, the protective cover is connected to the middle frame.

The protective cover is connected to the middle frame, so that the camera module is mounted on the middle frame.

In a possible implementation, the camera module further includes a bracket, the bracket is sleeved onto the side wall of the lens assembly, and the bracket is connected to the middle frame.

The bracket is sleeved onto the side wall of the lens assembly, and the bracket is fixedly connected to the middle frame, so that the camera module is mounted on the middle frame by using the bracket. The bracket may be directly sleeved onto the side wall of the lens assembly, or the bracket is sleeved outside the protective cover wrapped outside the side wall of the lens assembly.

In a possible implementation, the image sensor assembly includes a substrate and an image sensor disposed on the substrate, and the light filtering assembly includes a support frame and a light filter mounted on the support frame; and
the inner concave portion is disposed on the substrate, or the inner concave portion is disposed on the substrate and the support frame.

An outer edge of the image sensor assembly is an outer edge of the substrate, an outer edge of the light filtering assembly is an outer edge of the support frame, and the substrate is located on a side that is of the support frame and that is away from the lens assembly. The inner concave portion is disposed on the edge of the substrate, or the inner concave portion is disposed on the edge of the substrate and the edge of the support frame, to form an avoidance space between the edge of the dimming conversion assembly and the edge of the lens assembly, and the dimming conversion assembly can extend into an opening area formed by the reinforcing portion of the inner edge of the opening on the support plate.

In a possible implementation, the image sensor assembly further includes a flexible printed circuit, one end of the flexible printed circuit is connected to the substrate, and the other end of the flexible printed circuit is connected to an external circuit.

In a possible implementation, the flexible printed circuit includes a connection segment located on an outer side of a side wall of the lens assembly, one side that is of the connection segment and that faces one side of the support plate is a first side of the flexible printed circuit, and a spacing between at least a part of the segment of the first side and the support plate is greater than or equal to a spacing between the lens assembly and the support plate.

The FPC extends from one end connected to the substrate along the side wall of the lens assembly, and extends to the outside of the camera module. The FPC includes a connection segment that is located outside the side wall of the lens assembly and that extends along the side wall of the lens assembly. One side that is of the connection segment of the FPC and that faces the support plate is a first side of the FPC. A spacing between at least a part of the segment of the first side of the FPC and the support plate is greater than a spacing between the lens assembly and the support plate, and a spacing between at least a part of the segment of the connection segment and the support plate is greater than or equal to a spacing between the lens assembly and the support plate, so that the connection segment increases a spacing between the inner concave portion of the edge of the dimming conversion assembly and the FPC that is located on an outer side of the lens assembly, and then the connection segment provides a space for the reinforcing portion of the edge of the opening on the support plate to extend. In this way, an extension length of the reinforcing portion is increased, an area of an opening area enclosed by the reinforcing portion is reduced, a coverage area of the support plate is increased, and structural strength of the middle frame is improved.

In a possible implementation, the flexible printed circuit extends along an axial direction of the lens assembly from a side that is the flexible printed circuit and that is connected to the substrate, and extends from a side that is of the lens assembly and that is away from the image sensor assembly; and the connection segment is a part that is of the flexible printed circuit and that extends along an axial direction of the lens assembly.

The connection segment of the FPC extends along the connection side between the FPC and the substrate, the connection segment of the FPC corresponds to a corresponding side of the lens assembly, and the FPC on an outer side of the corresponding side of the lens assembly can provide an extra space, to increase a spacing between an outer edge of the inner concave portion of a corresponding side of the dimming conversion assembly and the connection segment of the FPC, and then increase an extension length of the reinforcing portion at a corresponding part of the inner edge of the opening on the support plate.

In a possible implementation, the flexible printed circuit extends circumferentially around the side wall of the lens assembly from a side that is of the flexible printed circuit and that is connected to the substrate, and extends from a side that is of the lens assembly and that is away from the image sensor assembly; and the connection segment is a part that is of the flexible printed circuit and that extends around the side wall of the lens assembly.

After the FPC extends from a corresponding side that is connected to the substrate, the FPC extends circumferentially around an outer side wall of the lens assembly, so that at least two sides of the outer side wall of the lens assembly include connection segments of the FPC. Both connection segments of the FPC located on the outer side of the corresponding side of the lens assembly can provide an extra space, to increase a spacing between an outer edge of the inner concave portion of a corresponding side of the dimming conversion assembly and the connection segment of the FPC, and then increase an extension length of a reinforcing portion at a corresponding part of the inner edge of the opening on the support plate.

In a possible implementation, the lens assembly includes a lens barrel and a plurality of lenses disposed in the lens barrel, the plurality of lenses are stacked along an axial direction of the lens barrel, and the dimming conversion assembly is connected to the lens barrel.

The camera module may be a fixed-focus module. The lens assembly of the fixed-focus module includes a lens barrel and a lens that is packaged in the lens barrel. The dimming conversion assembly may be bonded to an out-light side of the lens barrel.

In a possible implementation, the lens assembly includes a lens and a drive apparatus, the drive apparatus includes a housing, the lens is movably disposed in the housing, and the dimming conversion assembly is connected to the housing.

The camera module may be an autofocus module, and the lens assembly of the autofocus module includes a drive apparatus and a lens. The lens assembly is disposed in the housing of the drive apparatus, the drive apparatus drives the lens to move, and the dimming conversion module is connected to an outer surface of the housing of the drive apparatus.

Terms used in implementations of this application are only used to explain specific embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit this application.

With continuous progress of science and technology, a photographing function has gradually become a basic configuration of a terminal device such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, an ultra-mobile personal computer (ultra-mobile personal computer, UMPC), a netbook, a personal digital assistant (Personal Digital Assistant, PDA), a smart wearable device, a point of sales terminal (Point of Sales, POS), a vehicle-mounted device, or an augmented reality (augmented reality, AR)/a virtual reality (virtual reality, VR) device.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a structure of an electronic device according to an embodiment of this application; and <FIG> is a partial exploded view of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a mobile phone is used as an example to describe an electronic device <NUM> in this application. It should be understood that the electronic device <NUM> in this embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a mobile phone. The electronic device <NUM> may alternatively be a terminal device such as the foregoing tablet computer, notebook computer, UMPC, netbook, PDA, POS, vehicle-mounted device, or AR/VR device.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a housing, a display panel <NUM>, a camera module <NUM>, and a circuit board <NUM>. The housing is disposed around a rear surface and a side surface of the electronic device <NUM>, and the display panel <NUM> is mounted on the housing. The display panel <NUM> and the housing are jointly enclosed into an accommodating space of the electronic device <NUM>, and both the camera module <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM> are mounted in the accommodating space. In addition, components such as a microphone, a speaker, and a battery may be further disposed in the accommodating space.

With reference to <FIG> shows that the camera module <NUM> is located in an area that is at a top of the housing and near an edge. It can be understood that a position that is of the camera module <NUM> and that is not limited to the position shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the housing may include a rear cover <NUM> and a middle frame <NUM>, and the camera module <NUM> may be disposed on the middle frame <NUM>. A light-transmitting hole <NUM> is disposed on the rear cover <NUM>. In an example in which the camera module <NUM> is a rear camera, the camera module <NUM> collects external ambient light through the light-transmitting hole <NUM> on the rear cover <NUM>. An in-light surface of the camera module <NUM> and the light-transmitting hole <NUM> are disposed opposite to each other, and the external ambient light passes through the light-transmitting hole <NUM> and irradiates to the in-light surface of the camera module <NUM>. The in-light surface of the camera module <NUM> is configured to collect the external ambient light, and the camera module <NUM> is configured to convert a light signal into an electrical signal, to implement a photographing function of the camera module <NUM>.

The camera module <NUM> may alternatively be a front camera. In this case, the in-light surface of the camera module <NUM> faces the display panel <NUM>, a part that is of the display panel <NUM> and that faces the in-light surface of the camera module <NUM> includes a light-transmitting portion (not shown), and the external ambient light irradiates to the in-light surface of the camera module <NUM> through the light-transmitting portion of the display panel <NUM>. Details are not described again.

<FIG> shows that a camera module <NUM> is disposed in the electronic device <NUM>. It should be noted that, in an actual application, a quantity of camera modules <NUM> is not limited to one, and there may be two or more camera modules <NUM>. When there are a plurality of camera modules <NUM>, the plurality of camera modules <NUM> may be randomly arranged in an X-Y plane. For example, the plurality of camera modules <NUM> are arranged along an X-axis direction, or the plurality of camera modules <NUM> are arranged along a Y-axis direction.

In addition, the camera module <NUM> includes, but is not limited to, an autofocus (Auto Focus, AF) module, a fixed-focus (Fixed Focus, FF) module, a wide-angle camera module, a longfocus camera module, a color camera module, or a greyscale digital camera module. The camera module <NUM> in the electronic device <NUM> may include any one of the foregoing camera modules <NUM>, or include two or more of the foregoing camera modules <NUM>. When there are two or more camera modules <NUM>, the two or more camera modules <NUM> may be integrated into one camera assembly.

Referring to <FIG>, the camera module <NUM> may be electrically connected to the circuit board <NUM>, for example, the circuit board <NUM> is a mainboard in the electronic device <NUM>. In an implementation, the camera module <NUM> may be electrically connected to the mainboard by using an electrical connector <NUM>, for example, the camera module <NUM> is provided with a female socket of the electrical connector <NUM>, and the mainboard is provided with a male socket of the electrical connector <NUM>. The female socket is inserted into the male socket, to implement an electrical connection between the camera module <NUM> and the mainboard. A processor may be disposed on the mainboard, and the camera module <NUM> is controlled to photograph an image by using the processor. When a user inputs a photographing instruction, the processor receives the photographing instruction, and controls the camera module <NUM> to photograph the photographed object according to the photographing instruction.

In an actual application, the camera module <NUM> is usually mounted and disposed by using a thickness direction of the electronic device <NUM> as a light axis direction of the camera module <NUM>, and a mounting space is provided for the camera module <NUM> in the thickness direction of the electronic device <NUM>. In an example in which the camera module <NUM> is a rear camera, in the electronic device <NUM>, the camera module <NUM> is located in a space between the middle frame <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM>. In an example in which the camera module <NUM> is a front camera, in the electronic device <NUM>, the camera module <NUM> is located in a space between the middle frame <NUM> and the display panel <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a mounting structure of a camera module in a related technology. Referring to <FIG>, the camera module <NUM> usually includes a lens assembly <NUM>, a light filtering assembly <NUM>, and an image sensor assembly <NUM>. The light filtering assembly <NUM> and the image sensor assembly <NUM> are sequentially stacked on an out-light side of the lens assembly <NUM>. The image sensor assembly <NUM> faces the middle frame <NUM>, and the lens assembly <NUM> faces the rear cover <NUM> or the display panel <NUM>. The camera module <NUM> may further include a bracket <NUM>, and the bracket <NUM> is sleeved onto an outer side wall of the lens assembly <NUM>, the bracket <NUM> is fixedly connected to the middle frame <NUM>, and the camera module <NUM> is mounted on the middle frame <NUM> by using the bracket <NUM>.

To reduce a mounting space occupied by the camera module <NUM>, an opening <NUM> is disposed on the middle frame <NUM>, so that the image sensor assembly <NUM> and a part of the thickness of the light filtering assembly <NUM> extend into the opening <NUM>. A space between the middle frame <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM> (the display panel <NUM>) is mainly used for disposing the lens assembly <NUM>. In this way, a thickness space of a whole machine occupied by the camera module <NUM> is reduced, and further, a thickness of the whole machine can be reduced, thereby facilitating lightening and thinning of the electronic device <NUM>.

In addition, to improve performance of the camera module <NUM>, a plane size of the camera module <NUM> gradually increases, that is, a cross-sectional area that is of the camera module <NUM> and that is perpendicular to a light axis direction increases. With reference to <FIG>, for matching the lens assembly <NUM>, plane sizes of the light filtering assembly <NUM> and the image sensor assembly <NUM> increase synchronously. In this way, a size of the opening <NUM> disposed on the middle frame <NUM> also gradually increases.

However, as the size of the opening <NUM> on the middle frame <NUM> increases, structural strength of the middle frame <NUM> is reduced. The structural strength of the middle frame <NUM> affects mounting performance of the camera module <NUM>, reduces reliability of the camera module <NUM>, and then affects reliability of the electronic device <NUM>.

In view of this, according to the electronic device provided in this embodiment of this application, an inner concave portion is disposed on an edge of the dimming conversion assembly in the camera module, so that at least a part of an edge area that is of the dimming conversion assembly and that faces the middle frame contracts in the lens assembly, and an avoidance space is formed between an edge of the inner concave portion and an edge of the lens assembly. Therefore, an inner edge of the opening disposed on the middle frame may include a reinforcing portion that extends into the avoidance space. In this way, the thickness space occupied by the camera module is reduced, a size of the opening disposed on the middle frame can be reduced, and structural strength of the middle frame may be improved, thereby ensuring reliability of the camera module.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a structure of a camera module mounted on a middle frame according to an embodiment of this application; <FIG> is an exploded view of <FIG>; and <FIG> is an exploded view of a camera module in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, in the electronic device <NUM> in this embodiment, a middle frame <NUM> includes a frame portion <NUM> and a support plate <NUM> connected to at least a part of an area on an inner edge of the frame portion <NUM>. The frame portion <NUM> may be adapted to a contour of the electronic device <NUM>. The frame portion <NUM> is disposed around an outer circumference of the electronic device <NUM>. The display panel <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM> are respectively located on both sides of the middle frame <NUM>, and the display panel <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM> are supported and limited by using the frame portion <NUM>. The support plate <NUM> is connected to the inner edge of the frame portion <NUM>, that is, the support plate <NUM> is located in an area enclosed by the frame portion <NUM>. Some components in the electronic device <NUM> may be mounted on the support plate <NUM>. For example, components such as the camera module <NUM>, a speaker, and an earpiece may be mounted on the support plate <NUM>.

For example, the support plate <NUM> may be connected to a side that is of the frame portion <NUM> and that is close to the display panel <NUM>, a surface of a side that is of the support plate <NUM> and that faces the display panel <NUM> may be a plane, and the display panel <NUM> may be bonded to the surface of the side of the support plate <NUM> through a glue dispensing process or the like. A mounting space is formed between the support plate <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM>. Components such as the camera module <NUM>, the speaker, and the earpiece may be mounted on a surface of a side of that is of the support plate <NUM> and that faces the rear cover <NUM>.

The support plate <NUM> may cover all areas enclosed by the frame portion <NUM> (except an area in which a through hole or an opening is disposed on the support plate <NUM>); or the support plate <NUM> covers only a part of an area enclosed by the frame portion <NUM>, for example, the support plate <NUM> is connected to only parts on which the foregoing components need to be mounted. This is not limited in this embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, in this embodiment, the camera module <NUM> mounted on the middle frame <NUM> includes a lens assembly <NUM> and a dimming conversion assembly. An axial direction of the lens assembly <NUM> is, for example, a thickness direction of the electronic device <NUM>, and the dimming conversion assembly is mounted on an out-light side of the lens assembly <NUM>. External ambient light enters the camera module <NUM> from an in-light side of the lens assembly <NUM>. After being emitted from the out-light side of the lens assembly <NUM>, the light enters the dimming conversion assembly, and the dimming conversion assembly converts a light signal into an electrical signal, thereby implementing an imaging function of the camera module <NUM>.

For the camera module <NUM> in the mounting space between the support plate <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM>, in an example in which the camera module <NUM> is a front camera, the lens assembly <NUM> of the camera module <NUM> faces a direction of the display panel <NUM>, and the dimming conversion assembly faces a direction of the rear cover <NUM>. A light-transmitting hole is disposed on the support plate <NUM>, and an in-light surface of the lens assembly <NUM> is located in the light-transmitting hole, so that the lens assembly <NUM> receives light incident from one side of the display panel <NUM>. In an example in which the camera module <NUM> is a rear camera, the lens assembly <NUM> of the camera module <NUM> faces a direction of the rear cover <NUM>, and the dimming conversion assembly faces a direction of the display panel <NUM>.

The camera module <NUM> is located in the mounting space between the support plate <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM>. To reduce an occupied space of the camera module <NUM> in an axial direction of the camera module <NUM>, for the front camera, a front end of the lens assembly <NUM> may pass through a light-transmitting hole disposed on the support plate <NUM>, thereby reducing a height that is of the camera module <NUM> and that is located in the mounting space; and for the rear camera, an opening <NUM> may be disposed on the support plate <NUM>, so that at least a part of the thickness of the dimming conversion assembly of the camera module <NUM> extends into the opening <NUM>, thereby reducing a height of that is of the camera module <NUM> and that is located in the mounting space.

In some embodiments, for a position of the front camera disposed in the electronic device <NUM>, there may be a mounting space between the support plate <NUM> and the display panel <NUM>, and the front camera may be mounted in the mounting space between the display panel <NUM> and the support plate <NUM>. In this case, the dimming conversion assembly of the front camera faces the support plate <NUM>, the opening <NUM> is disposed on a part that is of the support plate <NUM> and that corresponds to the front camera, and at least a part of the thickness of the dimming conversion assembly of the front camera extends into the opening <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in this embodiment, for a mounting structure in which at least a part of the thickness of the dimming conversion assembly of the camera module <NUM> extends into the opening <NUM> on the support plate <NUM>, the camera module <NUM> may be the rear camera located in the mounting space between the back cover <NUM> and the support plate <NUM>, or may be the front camera in the mounting space between the display panel <NUM> and the support plate <NUM>.

As a plane size of the lens assembly <NUM> gradually increases, to prevent the opening <NUM> disposed on the support plate <NUM> from affecting the structural strength of the middle frame <NUM>, referring to <FIG>, at least a part of an area of a circumferential edge of the dimming conversion assembly contracts in the lens assembly <NUM>, so that a size of the dimming conversion assembly is reduced. In a plane direction of the camera module <NUM> (in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the camera module <NUM>), an avoidance space is formed between the edge of the dimming conversion assembly and the edge of the lens assembly <NUM>. Therefore, the inner edge of the opening <NUM> on the support plate <NUM> may extend into the avoidance space, thereby reducing a size of the opening <NUM> and improving strength of the middle frame <NUM>.

Specifically, an inner concave portion <NUM> is disposed on the edge of the dimming conversion assembly. In a plane direction of the camera module <NUM> (a plane perpendicular to a light axis of the camera module <NUM>), an edge of the inner concave portion <NUM> is located on an inner side of the edge of the lens assembly <NUM>, that is, an edge of the inner concave portion <NUM> contracts in the edge of the lens assembly <NUM>, and an avoidance space is formed between the edge of the inner concave portion <NUM> and the edge of the lens assembly <NUM>. A reinforcing portion <NUM> is formed on the inner edge of the opening <NUM> on the support plate <NUM>. The reinforcing portion <NUM> extends to an inner side of the opening <NUM> and extends into the avoidance space. A cross-sectional area of the opening <NUM> is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the lens assembly <NUM>, a size of the opening <NUM> is reduced, and a coverage area of the support plate <NUM> is increased, so that structural strength of the middle frame <NUM> is enhanced, thereby providing a reliable guarantee for mounting of the camera module <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, when the camera module <NUM> is mounted, the camera module <NUM> is mounted on the middle frame <NUM> from the mounting space formed between the support plate <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM> (the display panel <NUM>), the dimming conversion assembly of the camera module <NUM> faces the support plate <NUM>, and the dimming conversion assembly extends into the opening <NUM> from a side that is of the dimming conversion assembly and that is away from the lens assembly <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, to enable the dimming conversion assembly to extend into an opening area enclosed by the reinforcing portion <NUM> of an inner edge of the opening <NUM>, the inner concave portion <NUM> should be located on a side that is of the dimming conversion assembly and that is away from the lens assembly <NUM>, so that the side that is of the dimming conversion assembly and that is away from the lens assembly <NUM> contracts in the lens assembly <NUM>, and then the dimming conversion assembly extends into the opening area enclosed by the reinforcing portion <NUM> on the inner edge of the opening <NUM>.

The inner concave portion <NUM> occupies at least a part of the thickness of the dimming conversion assembly, so that an avoidance space formed between the edge of the inner concave portion <NUM> and the edge of the lens assembly <NUM> occupies the at least a part of the thickness of the dimming conversion assembly. Correspondingly, the reinforcing portion <NUM> formed on an inner edge of the opening <NUM> may occupy at least a part of the thickness of a support plate <NUM>. In addition, in a thickness direction of the dimming conversion assembly, to enable a larger part of the dimming conversion assembly extend into the opening <NUM>, the reinforcing portion <NUM> may be flush with a side surface that is of the support plate <NUM> and that is away from the lens assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> is a sectional view of a mounting structure of a camera module according to an embodiment of this application; <FIG> is a sectional view of another mounting structure of a camera module according to an embodiment of this application; and <FIG> is a sectional view of a third mounting structure of a camera module according to an embodiment of this application.

Referring to <FIG>, the dimming conversion assembly includes a light filtering assembly <NUM> and an image sensor assembly <NUM>. The light filtering assembly <NUM> and the image sensor assembly <NUM> are sequentially stacked on an out-light side of the lens assembly <NUM>, the light filtering assembly <NUM> is mounted on the out-light side of the lens assembly <NUM>, and the image sensor assembly <NUM> is connected to a side that is of the light filtering assembly <NUM> and that is away from the lens assembly <NUM>. The image sensor assembly <NUM> extends into the opening <NUM>. For example, the image sensor assembly <NUM> is located within a thickness range of the support plate <NUM>, or a part or all of the thickness of the image sensor assembly <NUM> passes through the opening <NUM> and extends to the outside of the support plate <NUM>, and at least a part of the thickness of the light filtering assembly <NUM> extends into the opening <NUM>.

In the dimming conversion assembly, because the image sensor assembly <NUM> is disposed away from the lens assembly <NUM>, the inner concave portion <NUM> is disposed at least on the image sensor assembly <NUM>, or the inner concave portion <NUM> is disposed on the image sensor assembly <NUM> and the light filtering assembly <NUM>.

Specifically, referring to <FIG>, the image sensor assembly <NUM> includes a substrate <NUM> and an image sensor <NUM>. For example, the substrate <NUM> may be a printed circuit board (Printed Circuit Board, PCB), the image sensor <NUM> may be bonded to the PCB, and the image sensor <NUM> corresponds to the out-light side of the lens assembly <NUM>. In addition, the image sensor assembly <NUM> may further include a flexible printed circuit (Flexible Printed Circuit, FPC <NUM>), one end of the FPC <NUM> is connected to the substrate <NUM>, and the other end of the FPC <NUM> extends to the outside of the camera module <NUM> and is connected to a mainboard in the electronic device <NUM>.

The light filtering assembly <NUM> includes a support frame <NUM> and a light filter <NUM>. A middle area of the support frame <NUM> is provided with a mounting port. The light filter <NUM> is bonded to the support frame <NUM> and covers the mounting port. An area that is on the substrate <NUM> and that is located on a periphery of the image sensor <NUM> is a packaging area, and a packaging adhesive layer is disposed in the packaging area. The support frame <NUM> is bonded to the packaging area of the substrate <NUM> through the packaging adhesive layer.

When the camera module <NUM> is operating, the processor on the mainboard controls the camera module <NUM> to photograph. External ambient light enters the camera module <NUM> from the in-light side of the lens assembly <NUM>, passes through the light filter <NUM> and irradiates to the image sensor <NUM> after the light is emitted from the lens assembly <NUM>, and then the light filter <NUM> is used to filter light, and then the image sensor <NUM> converts a light signal into an electrical signal to perform imaging, to improve an imaging effect.

A size of the light filter <NUM> and a size of the image sensor <NUM> match a size of an out-light surface of the lens assembly <NUM>. After the plane size of the lens assembly <NUM> increases, the size of the light filter <NUM> and the size of the image sensor <NUM> may increase accordingly, or the size of the light filter <NUM> and the size of the image sensor <NUM> remain unchanged. The inner concave portion <NUM> is formed on the substrate <NUM> of the image sensor assembly <NUM>, or the inner concave portion <NUM> is formed on the substrate <NUM> of the image sensor assembly <NUM> and the support frame <NUM> of the light filtering assembly <NUM>, and a local size of the edge of the dimming conversion assembly is reduced, to form an avoidance space between the edge of the dimming conversion assembly and the edge of the lens assembly <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, in an example in which the camera module <NUM> is a fixed-focus module (FF module), the lens assembly <NUM> may include a lens barrel (not shown in the figure) and a plurality of lenses (not shown in the figure) packaged in the lens barrel, and the plurality of lenses may be disposed near an in-light side of the lens barrel. The plurality of lenses may be stacked along an axial direction of the lens barrel, and a light axis of the lens may be parallel to the axial direction of the lens barrel. For example, the light axis of the lens assembly <NUM> may pass through centers of the plurality of lenses. The dimming conversion assembly may be bonded to an out-light side of the lens barrel. For example, the support frame <NUM> of the light filtering assembly <NUM> is bonded to an end surface of the out-light side of the lens barrel.

An increase in a plane size of the lens assembly <NUM> of the fixed-focus module may be an increase in a plane size of a lens disposed in the lens barrel. In this way, a luminous flux of the lens assembly <NUM> may be increased, thereby improving a photographing effect of the camera module <NUM>. In this case, the size of the light filter <NUM> and the size of the image sensor <NUM> may increase accordingly, and the sizes of the support frame <NUM> and the substrate <NUM> are reduced, so that a plane size of the dimming conversion assembly matches the plane size of the lens assembly <NUM>.

For example, in an example in which the camera module <NUM> is an autofocus module (AF module), the lens assembly <NUM> may include a lens <NUM> (not shown in the figure) and a drive apparatus <NUM> (not shown in the figure). The drive apparatus <NUM> is configured to drive the lens <NUM> to move. For example, the drive apparatus <NUM> drives the lens <NUM> to move along a light axis direction of the lens <NUM>, to implement a focusing function of the camera module <NUM>. Alternatively, the drive apparatus <NUM> drives the lens <NUM> to move along a plane direction in which the lens <NUM> is located; that is, the drive apparatus <NUM> drives the lens <NUM> to move along a direction perpendicular to the light axis of the lens <NUM>, to implement an image stabilization function of the camera module <NUM>. The drive apparatus <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, and the lens <NUM> is movably disposed in the housing <NUM>. The dimming conversion assembly may be connected to an outer surface of the housing <NUM> of the drive apparatus <NUM>. For example, a support frame <NUM> of the light filtering assembly <NUM> is bonded to an outer surface that is of the housing <NUM> and that corresponds to an out-light side of the lens <NUM>.

An increase in a plane size of the lens assembly <NUM> of the autofocus module may be an increase in a plane size of the housing <NUM> of the drive apparatus <NUM>, while a plane size of the lens <NUM> remains unchanged. In this case, a size of the light filter <NUM> and a size of the image sensor <NUM> may remain unchanged, and a size that are of the support frame <NUM> and the substrate <NUM> may be correspondingly increased, so that a plane size of the dimming conversion assembly matches the size of the lens assembly <NUM>. Alternatively, a plane size of the housing <NUM> of the drive apparatus <NUM> is not large, and a plane size of the lens <NUM> increases. For example, a plane size of a lens in the lens <NUM> increases, and in this case, a size of the light filter <NUM> and a size of the image sensor <NUM> may increase accordingly, and a size of the support frame <NUM> and the substrate <NUM> remains unchanged or decreases, so that a plane size of the dimming conversion assembly matches the plane size of the lens assembly <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in an implementation, the inner concave portion <NUM> on the dimming conversion assembly may be formed only on the image sensor assembly <NUM>. In this case, in a plane direction of the camera module <NUM> (a plane perpendicular to the light axis of the camera module <NUM>), an edge of the support frame <NUM> of the light filtering assembly <NUM> is flush with an edge of the lens assembly <NUM>, at least a part of a circumferential area of an edge of the substrate <NUM> of the image sensor assembly <NUM> includes the inner concave portion <NUM>, and an avoidance space is formed between an edge of the inner concave portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> and the edge of the lens assembly <NUM>.

Corresponding to the inner concave portion <NUM> on the substrate <NUM>, the reinforcing portion <NUM> that extends from the inner edge of the opening <NUM> on the support plate <NUM> extends into the avoidance space outside a peripheral side of the substrate <NUM>, and a part that is of the inner edge of the opening <NUM> and that corresponds to the supporting frame <NUM> is located on an outer side of a side wall surface of the lens assembly <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, in this case, the reinforcing portion <NUM> is a step portion 212a that extends inward from the inner edge of the opening <NUM>, and in a thickness direction of the support plate <NUM>, the step portion 212a is located on a part that is of the support plate <NUM> and that is away from the lens assembly <NUM>. For example, the step portion 212a is flush with a side surface that is of the support plate <NUM> that is away from the lens assembly <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in another implementation, the image sensor assembly <NUM> and the light filtering assembly <NUM> jointly form the inner concave portion <NUM> on the dimming conversion assembly. Specifically, at least a part of a circumferential area of an edge of the substrate <NUM> of the image sensor assembly <NUM> is provided with a first inner concave portion <NUM>, and at least a part of a circumferential area of an edge of the support frame <NUM> of the light filtering assembly <NUM> is provided with a second inner concave portion <NUM>. Both the edge of the first inner concave portion <NUM> and the edge of the second inner concave portion <NUM> are located on the inner side of the edge of the lens assembly <NUM>, and the first inner concave portion <NUM> and the second inner concave portion <NUM> jointly constitute the inner concave portion <NUM> of the dimming conversion assembly.

A first avoidance space is formed between the edge of the first inner concave portion <NUM> and the edge of the lens assembly <NUM>, a second avoidance space is formed between the edge of the second inner concave portion <NUM> and the edge of the lens assembly <NUM>, and the first avoidance space and the second avoidance space jointly constitute the avoidance space. Correspondingly, the reinforcing portion <NUM> that extends from the inner edge of the opening <NUM> on the support plate <NUM> includes a part that extends into the first avoidance space between the edge of the first inner concave portion <NUM> and the lens assembly <NUM>, and further includes a part that extends into the second avoidance space between the edge of the second inner concave portion <NUM> and the lens assembly <NUM>.

The second inner concave portion <NUM> of the edge of the support frame <NUM> corresponds to the first inner concave portion <NUM> on the edge of the substrate <NUM>, and the reinforcing portion <NUM> of the inner edge of the opening <NUM> on the support plate <NUM> matches the first inner concave portion <NUM> and the second inner concave portion <NUM>, so that the first inner concave portion <NUM> on the substrate <NUM> extends into a part in which the inner edge of the opening <NUM> of the reinforcing portion <NUM> is disposed corresponding to the second inner concave portion <NUM> of the edge of the support frame <NUM>, and then the substrate <NUM> passes through an opening area enclosed by a part that is of the second inner concave portion <NUM> and that corresponds to the reinforcing portion <NUM>, and extends into an opening area enclosed by a part that is of the first inner concave portion <NUM> and that corresponds to the reinforcing portion <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in a specific implementation, an orthographic projection of the image sensor assembly <NUM> on the light filtering assembly <NUM> may completely cover the light filtering assembly <NUM>, that is, in a thickness direction of the dimming conversion assembly, a projection of the image sensor assembly <NUM> on the light filtering assembly <NUM> completely covers the light filtering assembly <NUM>. For example, the circumferential edge of the support frame <NUM> of the light filtering assembly <NUM> is flush with the circumferential edge of the substrate <NUM> of the image sensor assembly <NUM>, that is, the edge of the second inner concave portion <NUM> on the support frame <NUM> is flush with the edge of the first inner concave portion <NUM> on the substrate <NUM>. In this way, the first avoidance space formed between the edge of the second inner concave portion <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> and the edge of the lens assembly <NUM> may be the same as a size of the second avoidance space formed between the edge of the first inner concave portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> and the edge of the lens assembly <NUM>.

Alternatively, an edge of the second inner concave portion <NUM> on the support frame <NUM> contracts in an edge of the first inner concave portion <NUM> on the substrate <NUM>, and a cross-sectional area of the second avoidance space formed between the edge of the second inner concave portion <NUM> on the support frame <NUM> and the edge of the lens assembly <NUM> is larger than a cross-sectional area of the first avoidance space formed between the edge of the first inner concave portion <NUM> on the substrate <NUM> and the edge of the lens assembly <NUM>.

For a case in which a circumferential edge of the support frame <NUM> is flush with a circumferential edge of the substrate <NUM>, and a cross-sectional area of the second avoidance space is the same as a cross-sectional area of the first avoidance space, in a thickness direction of the support plate <NUM>, the inner edge of the opening <NUM> may integrally extend inward to form a reinforcing portion <NUM>; that is, the reinforcing portion <NUM> occupies a whole thickness of the support plate <NUM>, surfaces on two sides of the reinforcing portion <NUM> are flush with surfaces on both sides of the support plate <NUM>, and end surfaces of the reinforcing portion <NUM> (surfaces that are of the reinforcing portion <NUM> and that face the side wall of the dimming conversion assembly) are flush.

For a case in which an edge of the second inner concave portion <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> contracts in an edge of the first inner concave portion <NUM> on the substrate <NUM>, a cross-sectional area of the second avoidance space is larger than a cross-sectional area of the first avoidance space. Because the substrate <NUM> needs to pass through an opening area enclosed by a part that is of the reinforcing portion <NUM> and that extends into in the second avoidance space, a length of the part that is of the reinforcing portion <NUM> and that extends into the second avoidance space cannot exceed a width of the first avoidance space. Based on this, a part that is of the reinforcing portion <NUM> and that extends into the second avoidance space may be the same as a part that is of the reinforcing portion <NUM> and that extends into the first avoidance space, that is, end surfaces of the reinforcing portion <NUM> are flush.

Referring to <FIG>, in another specific implementation, the first inner concave portion <NUM> on the circumferential edge of the substrate <NUM> of the image sensor assembly <NUM> may be located on an inner side of the second inner concave portion <NUM> on the circumferential edge of the support frame <NUM> of the light filtering assembly <NUM>; that is, the first inner concave portion <NUM> on the edge of the substrate <NUM> contracts in the second inner concave portion <NUM> on the edge of the support frame <NUM>, and the second inner concave portion <NUM> on the edge of the support frame <NUM> contracts in the edge of the lens assembly <NUM>. In this way, a cross-sectional area of the first avoidance space formed between the edge of the first inner concave portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> and the edge of the lens assembly <NUM> is larger than a cross-sectional area of the second avoidance space formed between the edge of the second inner concave portion <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> and the edge of the lens assembly <NUM>.

Correspondingly, in a thickness direction of the support plate <NUM>, the reinforcing portion <NUM> may include a first reinforcing portion <NUM> and a second reinforcing portion <NUM>. The first reinforcing portion <NUM> correspondingly extends into the first avoidance space, and the second reinforcing portion <NUM> correspondingly extends into the second avoidance space. Corresponding to a positional relationship between the substrate <NUM> and the support frame <NUM>, the first reinforcing portion <NUM> is located on a part that is of the support plate <NUM> and that is away from the lens assembly <NUM>, and the second reinforcing portion <NUM> is located on a part that is of the support plate <NUM> and that is close to the lens assembly <NUM>.

The edge of the first inner concave portion <NUM> contracts in the edge of the second inner concave portion <NUM>, and the cross-sectional area of the first avoidance space is larger than the cross-sectional area of the second avoidance space. To use an extra space of the first avoidance space, an extension length of the first reinforcing portion <NUM> may be greater than an extension length of the second reinforcing portion <NUM>, and an end portion of the first reinforcing portion <NUM> extends outside the second reinforcing portion <NUM>. In this way, an extension length of the reinforcing portion <NUM> can be increased, an area of an opening <NUM> on the support plate <NUM> can be reduced, and structural strength of the support plate <NUM> can be improved. A step surface 2121a is formed between the first reinforcing portion <NUM> and the second reinforcing portion <NUM>, and the step surface 2121a faces the light filtering assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> is a sectional view of a fourth mounting structure of a camera module according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to <FIG>, the camera module <NUM> may further include a protective cover <NUM>, and the protective cover <NUM> wraps outside the dimming conversion assembly and the lens assembly <NUM>, where the protective cover <NUM> wraps the whole dimming conversion assembly and a side wall of the lens assembly <NUM>, and an in-light side of the lens assembly <NUM> is exposed outside the protective cover <NUM>, so that external ambient light enters the lens assembly <NUM>.

For example, in an example in which the camera module <NUM> is an autofocus module, because the lens <NUM> may be moved in the housing <NUM> of the drive apparatus <NUM>, a gap exists between the lens <NUM> and the housing <NUM>, and external foreign matters such as dust and water vapor may easily enter the dimming conversion assembly through the gap between the lens <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. This affects the light filter <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM>, and affects an imaging effect of the camera module <NUM>. The protective cover <NUM> is disposed outside the dimming conversion assembly and the lens assembly <NUM>, and the protective cover <NUM> may serve as a sealing function, to prevent foreign matter in an external environment from entering the dimming conversion assembly, and protect performance of the dimming conversion assembly.

For the fixed-focus module, because the lens is packaged in the lens <NUM>, the lens assembly <NUM> has better sealing property, and the dimming conversion assembly is usually packaged in the lens assembly <NUM> by using sealing adhesive. Therefore, overall sealing performance of the fixed-focus module is better. Therefore, the protective cover <NUM> may be disposed outside the dimming conversion assembly and the lens assembly <NUM>, or the protective cover <NUM> may not be disposed outside the dimming conversion assembly and the lens assembly <NUM>.

For example, the protective cover <NUM> sleeved outside the dimming conversion assembly and the lens assembly <NUM> may be a protective cover <NUM> made of a metal material, and the protective cover <NUM> made of the metal material has high strength, and further has a signal shielding function, to shield interference of an external signal on the camera module <NUM>.

Corresponding to the inner concave portion <NUM> disposed on the circumferential outer edge of the dimming conversion assembly, the protective cover <NUM> includes a recessed portion <NUM>, and the inner recessed portion <NUM> on the protective cover <NUM> is disposed around an outer side of the inner concave portion <NUM> of the dimming conversion assembly. A size of the inner recessed portion <NUM> of the protective cover <NUM> contracts inward, so that a size of the protective cover <NUM> at a lower part (a part that is of the protective cover <NUM> and that corresponds to the dimming conversion assembly) is smaller than a size of the protective cover <NUM> at an upper portion (a part that is of the protective cover <NUM> and that corresponds to the lens assembly <NUM>). The inner concave portion <NUM> on the protective cover <NUM> provides a space for disposing the reinforcing portion <NUM> for the inner edge of the opening <NUM> on the support plate <NUM>, so that the protective cover <NUM> may extend into an opening area enclosed by the reinforcing portion <NUM> on the inner edge of the opening <NUM>.

<FIG> is a sectional view of a fifth mounting structure of a camera module according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to <FIG>, in some embodiments, the camera module <NUM> may further include a bracket <NUM>, the bracket <NUM> is disposed on a side wall of the lens assembly <NUM>, and the bracket <NUM> is fixedly connected to the middle frame <NUM>. For example, one surface that is of the bracket <NUM> and that faces the support plate <NUM> is fixedly connected to the support plate <NUM>, or a surface that is of the bracket <NUM> and that is opposite to the frame portion <NUM> is attached to the frame portion <NUM>, and the bracket <NUM> is fixedly connected to the frame portion <NUM>, and the camera module <NUM> is fixedly mounted on the middle frame <NUM> by using the bracket <NUM>.

In a specific application, when no protective cover <NUM> wraps outside the camera module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM> may be directly mounted and fastened to the middle frame <NUM> by relying on an outer side wall of the lens assembly <NUM>. For example, a lens barrel of the lens assembly <NUM> of the fixed-focus assembly is connected to the middle frame <NUM>, and a housing <NUM> of a drive apparatus <NUM> of the autofocus module is connected to the middle frame <NUM>. Alternatively, the camera module <NUM> is connected to the middle frame <NUM> by using the bracket <NUM> sleeved onto the outer side wall of the lens assembly <NUM>.

When the protective cover <NUM> is wrapped on the outside of the camera module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM> may be mounted on the middle frame <NUM> by relying on the protective cover <NUM>. For example, the protective cover <NUM> wrapped by the outer wall of the lens barrel of the focusing assembly is bonded to the middle frame <NUM>, or the protective cover <NUM> wrapped by the outer wall of the housing <NUM> of the drive apparatus <NUM> of the autofocus module is bonded to the middle frame <NUM>. Alternatively, referring to <FIG>, a bracket <NUM> is further sleeved onto an outer side of the protective cover <NUM> outside the lens assembly <NUM>. For example, the bracket <NUM> is bonded to an outer surface of the protective cover <NUM>, and the bracket <NUM> is fixedly connected to the middle frame <NUM>.

In addition to the protective cover <NUM> sleeved outside the dimming conversion assembly and the lens assembly <NUM>, because the protective cover <NUM> has a specific thickness, the protective cover <NUM> also provides a specific space on the basis of an avoidance space between an outer edge of the inner concave portion <NUM> of the dimming conversion assembly and an outer edge of the lens assembly <NUM>, to increase an extension length of the reinforcing portion <NUM> of the inner edge of the opening <NUM> on the support plate <NUM>. Therefore, an area of an opening area enclosed by the reinforcing portion <NUM> is reduced, a coverage area of the support plate <NUM> is increased, strength of the middle frame <NUM> is enhanced, and reliability of the camera module <NUM> and the electronic device <NUM> is improved.

<FIG> is a sectional view of a sixth mounting structure of a camera module according to an embodiment of this application; and <FIG> is a sectional view of a seventh mounting structure of a camera module according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, using an autofocus module as an example, <FIG> shows a structure in which a protective cover <NUM> outside a housing <NUM> of a drive apparatus <NUM> and a dimming conversion assembly is fastened to a middle frame <NUM>; and <FIG> shows a structure in which a bracket <NUM> is sleeved outside a protective cover <NUM> that is wrapped by a side wall of a housing <NUM> of a drive apparatus <NUM>. Regardless of whether the bracket <NUM> is sleeved outside the protective cover <NUM>, because the protective cover <NUM> wraps the whole dimming conversion assembly, the FPC <NUM> connected to a substrate <NUM> of an image sensor assembly <NUM> needs to extend from a side of an opening (an in-light side of a lens assembly <NUM>) of the protective cover <NUM> to the outside of the camera module <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, for the fixed-focus module that is not provided with the protective cover <NUM>, if a bracket <NUM> is sleeved onto an outer side wall of the lens assembly <NUM>, and a bottom end that is of the bracket <NUM> and that faces the middle frame <NUM> on the support plate <NUM> is attached to the support plate <NUM>; and if no avoidance gap is disposed between the bracket <NUM> and the support plate <NUM> for the FPC <NUM> to pass through, the FPC <NUM> needs to extend from a gap reserved between the outer side wall of the lens barrel and the inner wall of the bracket <NUM> to an in-light side of the lens assembly <NUM>, and extend from the in-light side of the lens assembly <NUM> to the outside of the camera module <NUM>.

In the following, that the camera module <NUM> is an autofocus module is used as an example, and the FPC <NUM> passes through a side of an opening (the in-light side of the lens assembly <NUM>) of the protective cover <NUM>. It can be understood that, when the camera module <NUM> is a fixed-focus module, a case in which the FPC <NUM> passes through the in-light side of the lens barrel may also exist. Details are not described again.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, one end of the FPC <NUM> is connected to the substrate <NUM> of the image sensor assembly <NUM>, and the other end of the FPC <NUM> extends from the out-light side of the lens assembly <NUM> to the outside of the camera module <NUM>, and is connected to an external circuit (for example, which is connected to a mainboard). A middle segment that is of the FPC <NUM> and that is located between the substrate <NUM> and the out-light side of the lens assembly <NUM> is defined as a connection segment <NUM> of the FPC <NUM>. The connection segment <NUM> is located on an outer side of a side wall of the housing <NUM> of the drive apparatus <NUM>, and the connection segment <NUM> may extend along the side wall of the housing <NUM>.

A connection segment <NUM> of the FPC <NUM> is located on an outer side of a side wall of the housing <NUM> of the drive apparatus <NUM>. In a plane direction of the camera module <NUM>, the FPC <NUM> occupies at least a part of a space on an outer circumference of the camera module <NUM>, and the FPC <NUM> increases a plane size of the camera module <NUM>. For the inner concave portion <NUM> that is on the dimming conversion assembly and that corresponds to a portion on which the connection segment <NUM> of the FPC <NUM> is located, compared with a spacing between the edge of the inner concave portion <NUM> and a circumferential edge of the lens assembly <NUM>, a spacing between the edge of the inner concave portion <NUM> and the connection section <NUM> of the FPC <NUM> is greater.

A side that is of the connection segment <NUM> and that faces the support plate <NUM> is defined as a first side 1331a of the connection segment <NUM>. With reference to <FIG>, the spacing between at least a part of the segment of the first side 1331a of the connection segment <NUM> of the FPC <NUM> and the support plate <NUM> may be greater than or equal to the spacing between the lens assembly <NUM> and the support plate <NUM>; that is, in an axial direction of the camera module <NUM>, the spacing between at least a part of the segment of the connection segment <NUM> and the support plate <NUM> is greater than or equal to the spacing between the lens assembly <NUM> and the support plate <NUM>. In this way, the reinforcing portion <NUM> of the inner edge of the opening <NUM> on the support plate <NUM> may extend from the outer side of the FPC <NUM> toward the edge of the inner concave portion <NUM> of the dimming conversion assembly, and the connection segment <NUM> of the FPC <NUM> can provide an extension section of the reinforcing portion <NUM>, increase an extension length of the reinforcing portion <NUM>, reduce an area of an opening area enclosed by the reinforcing portion <NUM>, increase a coverage area of the support plate <NUM>, and improve structural strength of the middle frame <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of an FPC design according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to <FIG>, the flexible printed circuit may be connected to one side of the substrate <NUM>, and extends along the side that is of the flexible printed circuit and that is connected to the substrate <NUM>. With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, using an autofocus module as an example, after the FPC <NUM> extends from a side that is of the FPC <NUM> and that is connected to the substrate <NUM>, the FPC <NUM> extends from the side and along an outer side wall of the housing <NUM> of the drive apparatus <NUM> in an axial direction of the lens assembly <NUM>, and extends from a side that is of the housing <NUM> and that is away from the image sensor assembly <NUM>.

The connection segment <NUM> of the FPC <NUM> is a part that corresponds to an outer side wall of the housing <NUM>, and a part of the connecting section <NUM> of the FPC <NUM> on the outer side of the housing <NUM> of the driving apparatus <NUM> corresponds to a corresponding side that is of the FPC <NUM> and that is connected to the substrate <NUM>. Because the connection segment <NUM> of the FPC <NUM> is located on only one side of the housing <NUM>, the connection segment <NUM> of the FPC <NUM> on the side of the housing <NUM> can provide an extra space, to increase an extension length of the reinforcing portion <NUM> at a corresponding part of the inner edge of the opening <NUM> on the support plate <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of another FPC design according to an embodiment of this application; and <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a third FPC design according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to <FIG>, in addition to the structure of the FPC <NUM> shown in <FIG>, after the FPC <NUM> extends from one end that is of the FPC <NUM> and that is connected to the substrate <NUM> of the image sensor assembly <NUM>, the FPC <NUM> may extend circumferentially around an outer side wall of the lens assembly <NUM>, and after being wound, the FPC <NUM> extends from an in-light side of the lens assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> is a sectional view of an eighth mounting structure of a camera module according to an embodiment of this application; and <FIG> is a sectional view of a ninth mounting structure of a camera module according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to <FIG>, still using an autofocus module as an example, the protective cover <NUM> in the camera module <NUM> is fixedly connected to the middle frame <NUM> in <FIG>, and the camera module <NUM> is fixedly connected to the middle frame <NUM> by using a bracket <NUM> sleeved on the protective cover <NUM> in <FIG>. A part of the FPC <NUM> wound around an outer side the outer side wall of the lens assembly <NUM> is the connection segment <NUM> of the FPC <NUM>, a width direction of the connection segment <NUM> of the FPC <NUM> may be a thickness direction of the housing <NUM> of the drive apparatus <NUM>, and a first side 1331a of the connection segment <NUM> of the FPC <NUM> faces the support plate <NUM>.

For example, with reference to <FIG>, in a specific implementation, the FPC <NUM> is connected to one side of the substrate <NUM>. After the FPC <NUM> extends from one side that is of the FPC <NUM> and that is connected to the substrate <NUM>, the FPC <NUM> extends to two opposite sides of the substrate <NUM>. After the FPC <NUM> respectively wind around two opposite sides of the lens assembly <NUM>, the FPC <NUM> extends the other side opposite to one side that is of the FPC <NUM> and that is connected to the substrate <NUM>, extends from a direction that is of the side and that is away from the image sensor assembly <NUM> to the outside of the camera module <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, in another specific implementation, the FPC <NUM> is connected to two opposite sides of the substrate <NUM>. After the FPC <NUM> extends from the two opposite sides that are of the FPC <NUM> and that are connected to the substrate <NUM>, the FPC <NUM> on two sides extends toward each other along the outer side wall of the lens assembly <NUM>, and winds around a side between two opposite sides that are of the lens assembly <NUM> and that correspond to the substrate <NUM>, extends from a direction that is of the side and that is away from the image sensor assembly <NUM>, and extends to the outside of the camera module <NUM>.

In some other implementations, the FPC <NUM> may wind around the outer side of the lens assembly <NUM> in another winding manner. For example, the FPC <NUM> is connected to a side of the substrate <NUM>, the FPC <NUM> extends from a side that is of the FPC <NUM> and that is of the substrate <NUM> to the outside of the camera module <NUM> after being wound around the outer side wall of the lens assembly <NUM> for half a circle or one circle in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment.

The FPC <NUM> extends circumferentially around the lens assembly <NUM>, so that a part that is of the FPC <NUM> and that winds around an outer side of the lens assembly <NUM> forms an active part of the FPC <NUM>. This part of the FPC <NUM> provides a condition for translation of the image sensor assembly <NUM>, and may be bent or extended in cooperation with the translation of the image sensor assembly <NUM>. Therefore, the FPC <NUM> can be applied to the camera module <NUM> that compensates a hand shake amount by translating the image sensor assembly <NUM>, to implement an image stabilization function of the camera module <NUM>. A part that is of the FPC <NUM> and that is wound around an outer side of the outer side wall of the lens assembly <NUM> is the connection segment <NUM> of the FPC <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the connection segment <NUM> of the FPC <NUM> is circumferentially wound around an outer side of the lens assembly <NUM>. Therefore, using two opposite sides of the lens assembly <NUM> as an example, outer sides of the two opposite sides of the lens assembly <NUM> may be provided with a connection segment <NUM> of the FPC <NUM>. In this way, the connection segment <NUM> of the FPC <NUM> of the two opposite sides of the lens assembly <NUM> can provide an extra space, so that a larger avoidance space is formed between an edge of the inner concave portion <NUM> disposed on two opposite sides of the dimming conversion assembly and the corresponding side of the FPC <NUM>, and then an extension length of the reinforcing portion <NUM> of two opposite sides of an inner edge of the opening <NUM> may be increased, and an area of an opening area enclosed by two sides of the reinforcing portion <NUM> can be reduced, and strength of the support plate <NUM> can be improved.

In addition, it can be understood that a connection segment <NUM> of the FPC <NUM> is provided on each of the three sides of the lens assembly <NUM> in the circumferential direction, to increase an extension length of the reinforcing portion <NUM> of the three sides of the inner edge of the opening <NUM>. Alternatively, a connection segment <NUM> of the FPC <NUM> is provided on each side of the lens assembly <NUM> in the circumferential direction, to increase an extension length of the reinforcing portion <NUM> of each side of the inner edge of the opening <NUM>. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment.

<FIG> is a schematic top view of a camera module according to an embodiment of this application; <FIG> is a schematic top view of another camera module according to an embodiment of this application; and <FIG> is a schematic top view of a third camera module according to an embodiment of this application.

That the edge of the substrate <NUM> of the image sensor assembly <NUM> in <FIG> includes the first inner concave portion <NUM>, the edge of the support frame <NUM> of the light filtering assembly <NUM> includes the second inner concave portion <NUM>, and the edge of the second inner concave portion <NUM> and the edge of the first inner concave portion <NUM> are flush is used as an example. With reference to <FIG>, in an example in which a plane shape of the dimming conversion assembly is a polygon, the inner concave portion <NUM> may be located on a side or a corner portion of the dimming conversion assembly, and a side of one side/a plurality of the sides of the dimming conversion assembly may integrally contract to form the inner concave portion <NUM>, or a local area of a side of one side/a plurality of the dimming conversion assembly contracts to form the inner concave portion <NUM>, or one or more corner portions of the dimming conversion assembly contract to form the inner concave portion <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the reinforcing portion <NUM> that extends inward from the inner edge of the opening <NUM> on the support plate <NUM> corresponds to the inner concave portion <NUM> of the dimming conversion assembly, and the reinforcing portion <NUM> extends into the avoidance space formed between the edge of the inner concave portion <NUM> and the edge of the lens assembly <NUM>. Therefore, a shape and a size of the opening <NUM> with the reinforcing portion <NUM> matches a shape and a size of the dimming conversion assembly that includes the inner concave portion <NUM>.

In an example in which the inner concave portion <NUM> extends along a side of the dimming conversion assembly, the inner concave portion <NUM> is disposed on at least one side of the dimming conversion assembly, and a reinforcing portion <NUM> is formed on a side that is of an inner edge of the opening <NUM> on the support plate <NUM> and that corresponds to the inner concave portion <NUM> of the dimming conversion assembly. Using one side of the dimming conversion assembly as an example, the inner concave portion <NUM> may extend to a whole area covering the side. In this way, the reinforcing portion <NUM> on the inner edge of the opening <NUM> may correspondingly cover the whole side of the side of the opening <NUM>. This can increase a coverage area of the reinforcing portion <NUM>, reduce an opening area of the opening <NUM>, and improve structural strength of the support plate <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in a specific implementation, an inner concave portion <NUM> may be disposed on two opposite sides of the dimming conversion assembly, and the side walls of the two opposite sides of the dimming conversion assembly integrally contract in the lens assembly <NUM>. Correspondingly, two inner edges corresponding to two side walls of the opening <NUM> and the inner concave portion <NUM> extend inward to form the reinforcing portion <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in another specific implementation, an inner concave portion <NUM> may be disposed on each circumferential side of the dimming conversion assembly, a circumferential edge of the dimming conversion assembly integrally contracts in the lens assembly <NUM>, a concave and convex portion forms a ring-shaped structure, and a ring-shaped avoidance space is formed between an edge of the concave and convex portion and an edge of the lens assembly <NUM>. Correspondingly, an inner edge of the opening <NUM> integrally extends inward, and a circumferential circle of the inner edge of the opening <NUM> forms a reinforcing portion <NUM>.

In another implementation, the inner concave portion <NUM> may alternatively be disposed corresponding to a corner portion of the dimming conversion assembly. In an example in which a plane shape of the dimming conversion assembly is a rectangle, at least one corner portion of the four corner portions of the dimming conversion assembly forms an inner concave portion <NUM>. For example, referring to <FIG>, each of four corner portions of a dimming conversion assembly may form an inner concave portions <NUM>, and the inner concave portions <NUM> of the four corner portions may be formed, for example, by removing material from a part of an area of each corner portion of the substrate <NUM> and the support frame <NUM>.

Corresponding to the inner concave portion <NUM> disposed at the corner portion of the dimming conversion assembly, a reinforcing portion <NUM> is formed at the corner portion of an inner edge of the opening <NUM> on the support plate <NUM>. The reinforcing portion <NUM> extending from a corner portion of the opening <NUM> reduces an area of the opening <NUM>, increases a coverage area of the support plate <NUM>, and enhances structural strength of the support plate <NUM>.

In the descriptions of embodiments of this application, it should be noted that unless otherwise specified and defined explicitly, the terms "mount", "connected to" and "connect" should be understood in a broad sense, and for example, may be a fixed connection or an indirect connection by using an intermediate medium, or may be internal communication between two elements or an interaction relationship between two elements. A person of ordinary skill in the art can understand specific meanings of the foregoing terms in embodiments of this application based on a specific situation.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>), comprising a middle frame (<NUM>) and a camera module (<NUM>), wherein the middle frame (<NUM>) comprises a frame portion (<NUM>) and a support plate (<NUM>) connected to the frame portion (<NUM>), an opening (<NUM>) is disposed on the support plate (<NUM>), and the camera module (<NUM>) is mounted on the middle frame (<NUM>) and corresponds to the opening (<NUM>);
the camera module (<NUM>) comprises a lens assembly (<NUM>), a dimming conversion assembly and a protective cover (<NUM>), the dimming conversion assembly is disposed on an out-light side of the lens assembly (<NUM>), the protective cover (<NUM>) wraps the dimming conversion assembly and the lens assembly (<NUM>), and the protective cover (<NUM>) extends into the opening (<NUM>);
an edge of the dimming conversion assembly comprises an inner concave portion, the inner concave portion is located on a side that is of the dimming conversion assembly and that is away from the lens assembly (<NUM>), and the inner concave portion occupies at least a part of the thickness of the dimming conversion assembly; and along the circumferential direction of the lens assembly (<NUM>), the protective cover (<NUM>) comprises a recessed portion, the recessed portion is located corresponding to the inner concave portion; and an inner edge of the opening (<NUM>) comprises a reinforcing portion, and the reinforcing portion extends into the recessed portion.