Patent ID: 12250459

Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. The drawings may not be to scale, and the relative sizes, proportions, and depictions of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, while example embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is noted that examples are not limited to the same.

The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. However, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein will be apparent after an understanding of this disclosure. For example, the sequences of operations described herein are merely examples, and are not limited to those set forth herein, but may be changed as will be apparent after an understanding of this disclosure, with the exception of operations necessarily occurring in a certain order. Also, descriptions of features that are known in the art may be omitted for increased clarity and conciseness.

The features described herein may be embodied in different forms, and are not to be construed as being limited to the examples described herein. Rather, the examples described herein have been provided merely to illustrate some of the many possible ways of implementing the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein that will be apparent after an understanding of this disclosure.

Throughout the specification, when an element, such as a layer, region, or substrate is described as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” the other element, or there may be one or more other elements intervening therebetween. In contrast, when an element is described as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element, there can be no other elements intervening therebetween.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any one and any combination of any two or more of the associated listed items; likewise, “at least one of” includes any one and any combination of any two or more of the associated listed items.

Although terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used herein to describe various members, components, regions, layers, or sections, these members, components, regions, layers, or sections are not to be limited by these terms. Rather, these terms are only used to distinguish one member, component, region, layer, or section from another member, component, region, layer, or section. Thus, a first member, component, region, layer, or section referred to in examples described herein may also be referred to as a second member, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the examples.

Spatially relative terms, such as “above,” “upper,” “below,” “lower,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element's relationship to another element as shown in the figures. Such spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, an element described as being “above,” or “upper” relative to another element would then be “below,” or “lower” relative to the other element. Thus, the term “above” encompasses both the above and below orientations depending on the spatial orientation of the device. The device may also be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and the spatially relative terms used herein are to be interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for describing various examples only, and is not to be used to limit the disclosure. The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “includes,” and “has” specify the presence of stated features, numbers, operations, members, elements, and/or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, operations, members, elements, and/or combinations thereof.

Due to manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, variations of the shapes shown in the drawings may occur. Thus, the examples described herein are not limited to the specific shapes shown in the drawings, but include changes in shape that occur during manufacturing.

Herein, it is noted that use of the term “may” with respect to an example, for example, as to what an example may include or implement, means that at least one example exists in which such a feature is included or implemented while all examples are not limited thereto.

The features of the examples described herein may be combined in various ways as will be apparent after an understanding of this disclosure. Further, although the examples described herein have a variety of configurations, other configurations are possible as will be apparent after an understanding of this disclosure.

An aspect of the present disclosure may provide a camera module having an improved image stabilization function, and more particularly, an actuator having a sufficient driving force even when the lens barrel is moved to a greater degree for image stabilization.

The present disclosure relates to a lens driving device and a camera module including the same, and may be used in a portable electronic device such as a mobile communications terminal, a smart phone, and a tablet personal computer (PC).

The camera module is an optical device for capturing an image or a video, and may include a lens refracting light reflected from a subject and the lens driving device moving the lens to adjust a focus or stabilize the image.

FIG.1is a perspective view of a camera module according to one or more example embodiments; andFIG.2is an exploded perspective view of the camera module according to one or more example embodiments.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, a camera module100according to one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure includes a lens barrel200, an image sensor unit600that converts light incident through the lens barrel200into an electrical signal, a housing120accommodating the lens barrel200and the lens driving device500and a case110.

The lens barrel200may have a hollow cylindrical shape to accommodate a plurality of lenses for imaging a subject, and the plurality of lenses may be mounted in the lens barrel200in an optical axis direction. The optical axis direction is parallel to a Z-axis direction, and in the present disclosure, the optical axis direction or a direction parallel to the optical axis direction indicates the Z-axis direction. The number of the plurality of lenses mounted in the lens barrel200may depend on a design of the lens barrel200, and each lens may have an optical characteristic such as the same or different refractive index.

The image sensor unit600is a device that converts the light incident through the lens barrel200into the electrical signal. For example, the image sensor unit600may include an image sensor610and a printed circuit board620on which the image sensor610is mounted, and may further include an infrared filter. The infrared filter may serve to cut off light in an infrared region in the light incident thereto through the lens barrel200.

The image sensor610may convert the light incident through the lens barrel200into the electrical signal. For example, the image sensor610may be a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS).

The electrical signal converted by the image sensor610may be output through a display of a portable electronic device. The image sensor610may be mounted on the printed circuit board620, and electrically connected to the printed circuit board620by wire bonding, for example.

In an example embodiment, the camera module may include the lens driving device500. The lens driving device500may be configured to move the lens barrel200, relative to the housing120. The lens driving device500may include an autofocus driver300for autofocus and an image stabilization driver400for image stabilization. For example, the lens driving device500may adjust the focus by moving the lens barrel200in the optical axis (Z-axis) direction, and may stabilize an image being captured by moving the lens barrel200in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis (Z-axis) direction.

The case110may be coupled to the housing120to cover an outer surface of the housing120, and function to protect an internal component of the camera module. In addition, the case110may serve to shield electromagnetic waves. For example, the case110may shield the electromagnetic waves generated from the camera module to prevent the electromagnetic waves from affecting another electronic component in the portable electronic device.

In addition, various electronic components as well as the camera module may be mounted in the portable electronic device, and the case110may thus shield the electromagnetic waves generated from these electronic components to prevent the electromagnetic waves from affecting the camera module. The case110may be made of a metal and thus be grounded to a ground pad disposed in the printed circuit board620, resulting in shielding the electromagnetic waves.

The autofocus driver300may be configured to move the lens barrel200in the direction parallel to the optical axis direction. In another example embodiment, the autofocus driver300may include a carrier310that accommodates the lens barrel200and an autofocus (AF) actuator that generates a driving force to move the lens barrel200and the carrier310in the optical axis (Z-axis) direction.

In an example embodiment, the AF actuator may be a voice coil motor, and may include a magnet320aand a coil330a. The magnet320amay be mounted on the carrier310, and the coil330amay be mounted in the housing120. The coil330amay be mounted in the housing120through a substrate130.

The magnet320amay be a moving member that is fixedly mounted on the carrier310and moved in the optical axis (Z-axis) direction together with the carrier310, and the coil330amay be a fixed member fixed to the housing120. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and positions of the magnet320aand the coil330amay also be switched to each other.

When power is applied to the coil330a, the carrier310may be moved in the optical axis (Z-axis) direction by an electromagnetic force between the magnet320aand the coil330a. The lens barrel200may be accommodated in the carrier310, and the lens barrel200may also be moved in the optical axis (Z-axis) direction by the movement of the carrier310.

A rolling member370may be disposed between the carrier310and the housing120to reduce friction between the carrier310and the housing120when the carrier310is moved. The rolling member370may have a ball shape. The rolling member370may be disposed in each of two sides (i.e., +X direction and −X direction) in a longitudinal direction (i.e., X direction) of the magnet320a.

A first yoke350may be disposed in the housing120, and the first yoke350may generate an attractive force between the magnet320aand the first yoke350in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis (Z-axis) direction. For example, the rolling member370may keep in contact with the carrier310and the housing120by the magnetic attraction between the first yoke350and the magnet320a.

The autofocus driver300shown inFIG.2is only an example, and example embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. It is sufficient that the autofocus driver300is configured to move the lens barrel200, relative to the image sensor610in the optical axis direction. For example, some components may be omitted from the autofocus driver300shown inFIG.2, or additional components may be added to the autofocus driver300shown inFIG.2.

The image stabilization driver400may be used to stabilize a blurred image or an unstable video, due to a factor such as user hand-shake when capturing the image or the video. For example, when the image being captured is unstable due to user hand-shake or the like, the image stabilization driver400may stabilize the image by allowing the lens barrel200to be relatively displaced to correspond to this instability. For example, the image stabilization driver400may stabilize the image by moving the lens barrel200in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis (Z-axis) direction.

The image stabilization driver400may include a guide member guiding the movement of the lens barrel200and an image stabilization driver generating a driving force to move the guide member in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis (Z-axis) direction.

In an example embodiment, the guide member may include a frame410and a lens holder420. The frame410and the lens holder420may be inserted into the carrier310, disposed in the optical axis (Z-axis) direction, and may serve to guide movement of the lens barrel200. In an example embodiment, the frame410and the lens holder420may be moved in the carrier310in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis (Z-axis) direction.

The lens barrel200may be fixedly coupled to the lens holder420, and in the present disclosure, the lens barrel200and the lens holder420may be referred to as a lens module.

The image stabilization driver400(optical image stabilization (01S) driver) may be configured to move the lens barrel200in a two-dimensional plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction. In an example embodiment, the image stabilization driver400may move the lens barrel200in the two directions each perpendicular to the optical axis direction and intersecting each other. For example, the image stabilization driver400may move the lens barrel in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, perpendicular to the optical axis (Z-axis) direction.

In an example embodiment, the image stabilization driver400may include a first optical image stabilization (OIS) driver moving the lens barrel in a first direction, and a second OIS driver moving the lens barrel in a second direction. The first image stabilization driver may generate a driving force in the first direction (i.e., X direction) perpendicular to the optical axis (Z-axis) direction, and the second image stabilization driver may generate a driving force in the second direction (i.e., Y direction) perpendicular to the first direction.

The first and second image stabilization drivers may include a voice coil motor as an actuator. The voice coil motor may include a magnet mounted on the lens holder420, and a coil mounted in the housing. The coil may be mounted in the housing120through the substrate130. The magnet may be a moving member moved in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis (Z-axis) direction along with the lens holder420, and the coil may be a fixed member fixed to the housing120. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it is also possible to switch the positions of the magnet and the coil. When current is applied to the coil, the lens holder420may be moved relative to the housing120by an electromagnetic force between the coil and the magnet.

In an example embodiment, the camera module may include ball members that allow the OIS driver to be smoothly moved. The ball members may support the frame410and the lens holder420during a process of stabilizing the image, and may function to guide a direction in which the frame410and the lens holder420are moved. The ball members may also maintain each distance between the carrier310, frame410and lens holder420.

In an example embodiment, the ball members may include a first ball member700and a second ball member800. The first ball member700may guide the movement of the image stabilization driver400in the first direction (X direction), and the second ball member800may guide the movement of the image stabilization driver400in the second direction (Y direction).

In an example embodiment, a first guide groove accommodating the first ball member700may be disposed in a surface where the carrier310and the frame410face each other in the optical axis (Z-axis) direction. In an example embodiment, the first guide groove may extend in the X direction, and may limit a movement direction of the first ball member to the X direction.

In an example embodiment, a second guide groove accommodating the second ball member800may be disposed in a surface where the frame410and the lens holder420face each other in the optical axis (Z-axis) direction. In an example embodiment, the second guide groove may extend in the Y direction, and may limit a movement direction of the second ball member to the Y direction.

In an example embodiment, the number of the first guide grooves (or the second guide grooves) may depend on the number of the first ball members (or the second ball members). These several guide grooves may respectively have cross-sections of the same or different shapes. For example, the first guide groove disposed in the carrier and the first guide groove disposed in the frame may respectively have the cross-sections of the same or different shapes. For example, the second guide groove disposed in the frame and the second guide groove disposed in the lens holder may respectively have the cross-sections of the same or different shapes. For example, some of the guide grooves may each have a cross-section of a substantially U-shape, and other portions of the guide grooves may each have a cross-section of a substantially V-shape.

In an example embodiment, a third ball member900may be positioned to support the movement of the lens holder420between the carrier310and the lens holder420. The third ball member900may support both the movements of the lens holder420in the first direction (X direction) and the second direction (Y direction).

A third guide groove accommodating the third ball member900may be disposed in a surface where the carrier310and the lens holder420face each other in the optical axis (Z-axis) direction. The third ball member900may be accommodated in the third guide groove and inserted between the carrier310and the lens holder420.

The third ball member900accommodated in the third guide groove may have limited movement in the optical axis (Z-axis) direction, and may roll in the first direction (X direction) and the second direction (Y direction). For example, the third guide groove910may be defined as a circular bottom surface and a cylindrical sidewall extending from the bottom surface.

A structure shown inFIG.2for guiding the lens holder420to be moved in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction is only an example. It is sufficient that the image stabilization driver400is configured to move the lens barrel200, relative to the image sensor610in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. For example, some components may be omitted from the image stabilization driver400shown inFIG.2, or additional components may be added to the image stabilization driver400shown inFIG.2.

FIG.3shows an actuator for image stabilization in one or more example embodiments;FIG.4is a side view of the actuator ofFIG.3; andFIG.5is a side view of the actuator ofFIG.3, in which a magnet is in a different form.

Referring toFIGS.3through5, in an example embodiment, the first OIS driving unit may include first voice coil motors401positioned as a pair on both sides of the lens barrel200. The first OIS driving unit may be configured to move the lens barrel200, relative to the housing120in the first direction, and in an example embodiment, the first voice coil motors401may be disposed as the pair on both the sides of the lens barrel200in the first direction. For example, the first voice coil motors401may respectively be disposed at the lens barrel200in the −X direction and +X direction.

In an example embodiment, the first voice coil motor401may include a first magnet441fixedly disposed on the lens barrel200, and a first coil461disposed in the housing120and facing the first magnet441in the first direction. For example, the first magnet441may be mounted on the lens holder420, and the lens barrel200accommodated in the lens holder420by electromagnetic interaction between the first coil461and the first magnet441may be moved relative to the housing120in the first direction.

In an example embodiment, the second OIS driving unit may include second voice coil motors402positioned as a pair on both the sides of the lens barrel200. The second OIS driving unit may be configured to move the lens barrel200, relative to the housing120in the second direction, and in an example embodiment, the second voice coil motors402may be disposed as the pair on both the sides of the lens barrel200in a direction perpendicular to the second direction. For example, the second voice coil motors402may respectively be disposed at the lens barrel200in the −X direction and +X direction.

In an example embodiment, the second voice coil motors402may respectively be disposed next to the first voice coil motors401. For example, a second magnet442and a second coil462may respectively be disposed adjacent to the first magnet441and the first coil461in the Y direction. For example, the first coil461and the second coil462may be arranged in the second direction, and the first magnet441and the second magnet442may be arranged in the second direction.

In an example embodiment, the second voice coil motor402may include the second magnet442fixedly disposed on the lens barrel200, and the second coil462disposed in the housing120and facing the second magnet442in the first direction. For example, the second magnet442may be mounted on the lens holder420, and the lens barrel200accommodated in the lens holder420by electromagnetic interaction between the second coil462and the second magnet442may be moved relative to the housing120in the second direction.

In an example embodiment, each of the first magnet441and the second magnet442partially configuring the first voice coil motor401and the second voice coil motor402may be a portion of a single magnet440. For example, the single magnet440may be disposed on one side of the lens barrel200, and the single magnet440may face both of the first coil461and the second coil462in the first direction. Here, a portion of the magnet440, facing the first coil461may be referred to as the first magnet441, and a portion of the magnet440, facing the second coil462may be referred to as the second magnet442.

The drawings of the present disclosure show that the first magnet441and the second magnet442are included in the single magnet440. However, the example embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and in other example embodiments, the first magnet441and the second magnet442may be individual magnets separated from each other.

In the present disclosure, two components facing each other in a specific direction may indicate that the two components are disposed to partially or entirely overlap each other when viewed in the specific direction. For example, the first coil461facing the first magnet441in the first direction may indicate that the first coil461and the first magnet441at least partially overlap each other when viewed in the first direction.

In an example embodiment, the first magnet441may have a single polarity. For example, a surface of the first magnet441, facing the first coil461may have either an N pole or an S pole.

In an example embodiment, the second magnet442may be polarized at least once in its longitudinal direction (Y direction). For example, a surface of the second magnet442, facing the second coil462may have a different polarity, based on a polarization boundary (PL). Referring toFIG.4, the second magnet442may be divided into two portions442aand442bleft and right, based on the polarization boundary PL, and the left portion442aand right portion442bof the second magnet442may respectively face the left portion and right portion of the first coil461.

In an example embodiment, the first magnet441may be disposed adjacent to the second magnet442, or may be formed integrally with the second magnet442. In an example embodiment, the first magnet441may be adjacent to or border the left portion442aof the second magnet442. Here, the left portion442aof the second magnet442and the first magnet441may have the same or different polarities. Referring toFIG.4, the first magnet441may have the different polarity from that of the left portion442aof the second magnet442.

The magnet440ofFIG.3may have a type shown inFIG.4, and this type is only an example, and the magnet440may have a type shown inFIG.5. Referring toFIG.5, the first magnet441may have the same polarity as that of the left portion442aof the second magnet442.

FIG.6shows an actuator for image stabilization in one or more other example embodiments;FIG.7is a side view of the actuator ofFIG.6; andFIG.8is a side view of the actuator ofFIG.6, in which the magnet is in a different form.

Referring toFIGS.6through8, in an example embodiment, the second coil462may include two coils462aand462b. The second coil462may be disposed in a direction parallel to a direction of a driving force generated by the second voice coil motor402. For example, the second voice coil motor402may move the lens barrel200in the second direction, and the second coil462may include the two coils462aand462barranged in the second direction.

In an example embodiment, the second magnet442may be polarized twice in the second direction to be divided into three portions442a,442band442c. For example, the second magnet442may include two polarization boundaries (PL). The polarization boundary (PL) may extend in the direction parallel to the optical axis (i.e., Z-axis) direction. The magnet may have different polarities, based on the polarization boundary (PL). For example, the first portion442aand the third portion442cmay each have the N pole, and the second portion442bmay have the S pole.

In an example embodiment, the first magnet441may be disposed adjacent to the second magnet442, or may be formed integrally with the second magnet442. In an example embodiment, the first magnet441may be adjacent to or border the left portion (first portion)442aof the second magnet442. Here, the left portion442aof the second magnet442and the first magnet441may have the same or different polarities. Referring toFIG.7, the first magnet441may have the same polarity as that of the left portion442aof the second magnet442.

The magnet440ofFIG.6may have a type shown inFIG.7, and this type is only an example, and the magnet440may have a type shown inFIG.8. Referring toFIG.8, the first magnet441may have the different polarity from that of the left portion442aof the second magnet442.

FIG.9shows an actuator for image stabilization in one or more yet other example embodiments;FIG.10is a side view of the actuator ofFIG.9; andFIG.11is a side view of the actuator ofFIG.9, in which a magnet is in a different form.

Referring toFIGS.9through11, in an example embodiment, the first OIS driving unit may further include a third voice coil motor403in addition to the first voice coil motor401. Like the first voice coil motor401, the third voice coil motor403may be configured to move the lens barrel200, relative to the housing120in the first direction (X direction).

In an example embodiment, the third voice coil motor403may include a third magnet451fixedly disposed on the lens barrel200, and a third coil471disposed in the housing120and facing the third magnet451in the second direction. For example, the third magnet451may be mounted on the lens holder420, and the lens barrel200accommodated in the lens holder420by electromagnetic interaction between the third coil471and the third magnet451may be moved relative to the housing120in the first direction.

The first voice coil motor401and the third voice coil motor403may be disposed in the lens barrel200in directions different from each other. In an example embodiment, the first voice coil motor401may be disposed on the lens barrel200in the first direction (e.g., +X/−X direction), and the third voice coil motor403may be disposed on the lens barrel200in the second direction (e.g., +Y direction). For example, the first magnet441may be mounted on a surface of the lens holder420, facing the first direction, and the third magnet451may be mounted on a surface of the lens holder420, facing the second direction.

In an example embodiment, the second OIS driving unit may further include a fourth voice coil motor404in addition to the second voice coil motor402. Like the second voice coil motor402, the fourth voice coil motor404may be configured to move the lens barrel200, relative to the housing120in the second direction (Y direction).

In an example embodiment, the fourth voice coil motor404may include a fourth magnet452fixedly disposed on the lens barrel200, and a fourth coil472disposed in the housing120and facing the fourth magnet452in the second direction. For example, the fourth magnet452may be mounted on the lens holder420, and the lens barrel200accommodated in the lens holder420by electromagnetic interaction between the fourth coil472and the fourth magnet452may be moved relative to the housing120in the second direction.

The second voice coil motor402and the fourth voice coil motor404may be disposed on the lens barrel200in directions different from each other. The second voice coil motor402may be disposed on the lens barrel200in the first direction (e.g., +X/−X direction), and the fourth voice coil motor404may be disposed on the lens barrel200in the second direction (e.g., +Y direction). For example, the second magnet442may be mounted on the outer surface of the lens holder420, facing the first direction, and the fourth magnet452may be mounted on the outer surface of the lens holder420, facing the second direction.

In an example embodiment, each of the third magnet451and the fourth magnet452partially configuring the third voice coil motor403and the fourth voice coil motor404may be a portion of a single magnet450. For example, the single magnet450may be disposed on one side of the lens barrel200, and the single magnet450may face both of the third coil471and the fourth coil472in the second direction. Here, a portion of the magnet450, facing the third coil471may be referred to as the third magnet451, and a portion of the magnet450, facing the fourth coil472may be referred to as the fourth magnet452.

The drawings of the present disclosure show that the third magnet451and the fourth magnet452are included in the single magnet450. However, the example embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and in another example embodiment, the third magnet451and the fourth magnet452may be individual magnets separated from each other.

In an example embodiment, the fourth magnet452may have a single polarity. For example, a surface of the fourth magnet452, facing the fourth coil472may have either the N pole or the S pole.

In an example embodiment, the third magnet451may be polarized at least once in its longitudinal direction (X direction). For example, a surface of the third magnet451, facing the third coil471may have a different polarity, based on a polarization boundary (PL). Referring toFIG.10, the third magnet451may be divided into two portions451aand451bleft and right, based on the polarization boundary PL, and the left portion451aand right portion451bof the third magnet451may respectively face the left portion and right portion of the third coil471.

In an example embodiment, the third magnet451may be disposed adjacent to the fourth magnet452, or may be formed integrally with the fourth magnet452. In an example embodiment, the fourth magnet452may be adjacent to or border the right portion451bof the third magnet451. Here, the right portion451bof the third magnet451and the fourth magnet452may have the same or different polarities. Referring toFIG.10, the fourth magnet452may have the different polarity from that of the right portion451bof the third magnet451.

The magnet450ofFIG.9may have a type shown inFIG.10, and this type is only an example, and the magnet450may have a type shown inFIG.11. Referring toFIG.11, the fourth magnet452may have the same polarity as that of the right portion451bof the third magnet451.

FIG.9shows that the third voice coil motor403and the fourth voice coil motor404are both disposed on the right side of the lens holder420, and this disposition is only an example, and in another example embodiment, one of the two components may be omitted.

FIG.12shows an actuator for image stabilization in one or more still other example embodiments;FIG.13is a side view of the actuator ofFIG.12; andFIG.14is a side view of the actuator ofFIG.12, in which a magnet is in a different form.

Referring toFIGS.12through14, in an example embodiment, the third coil471may include two coils471aand471b. The third coil471may be disposed in a direction parallel to a direction of a driving force generated by the third voice coil motor403. For example, the third voice coil motor403may move the lens barrel200in the first direction (i.e., X direction), and the third coil471may include the two coils471aand471barranged in the first direction.

In an example embodiment, the third magnet451may be polarized twice in the first direction to be divided into three portions451a,451band451c. For example, the third magnet451may include two polarization boundaries (PL). The polarization boundary (PL) may extend in the direction parallel to the optical axis (i.e., Z-axis) direction. The magnet may have different polarities, based on the polarization boundary (PL). For example, the first portion451aand the third portion451cmay each have the N pole, and the second portion451bmay have the S pole.

In an example embodiment, the third magnet451may be disposed adjacent to the fourth magnet452, or may be formed integrally with the fourth magnet452. In an example embodiment, the fourth magnet452may be adjacent to or border the right portion (third portion)451cof the third magnet451. Here, the right portion451cof the third magnet451and the fourth magnet452may have the same or different polarities. Referring toFIG.13, the fourth magnet452may have the same polarity as that of the right portion451cof the third magnet451.

The magnet450ofFIG.12may have a type shown inFIG.13, and this type is only an example, and the magnet450may have a type shown inFIG.14. Referring toFIG.14, the fourth magnet452may have the different polarity from that of the right portion451cof the third magnet451.

FIG.12shows that the third voice coil motor403and the fourth voice coil motor404are both disposed on the right side of the lens holder420, and this disposition is only an example, and in another example embodiment, one of the two components may be omitted.

FIG.15shows a magnetic field of the camera module in one or more example embodiments.FIG.16shows a magnetic field of the camera module in one or more other example embodiments.FIGS.15and16are examples of the magnetic field including both the image stabilization driver and the autofocus driver.

Referring toFIG.15, the camera module100may include the first voice coil motor401and the second voice coil motor402, and descriptions thereof are the same as those described with reference toFIGS.3through8.

Referring toFIG.16, the camera module100may include the first voice coil motor401, the second voice coil motor402and the fourth voice coil motor404, and descriptions thereof are the same as those described with reference toFIGS.9through14. However, in the example embodiment ofFIG.16, a center452aof the fourth magnet452may have a polarity different from those of both ends452bof the fourth magnet452. The center452aof the fourth magnet452may generally face an inner hole472aof the fourth coil472. When having a type shown inFIG.16, the fourth magnet452may prevent leakage of the magnetic field, which may allow the magnetic field of the fourth magnet452to effectively act on the fourth coil472. In addition, this feature may be similarly applied to some or all of the other drive magnets320a,441,442,451and452, described in the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.15and16, the camera module100may include the carrier310accommodating the lens holder420and a magnetic field for autofocus, in which a driving force is generated to move the carrier310in the optical axis (Z-axis) direction. The magnet320afor autofocus (AF) drive may be mounted on the carrier310, and the coil330afor AF drive may be disposed to face the magnet320afor autofocus (AF) drive on the housing120.

The combination of the actuators for implementing the OIS drive, shown in the drawings of the present disclosure are only examples, and the example embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the second voice coil motor402disposed on one side of the lens barrel200in the OIS driver may include one coil, as shown inFIG.9, and may include two coils, as shown inFIG.6.

For another example, the pair of first voice coil motors401disposed on both the sides of the lens barrel200may not be symmetrical to each other. For example, the first voice coil motor401disposed on the lens barrel200in the −X direction may have the type shown inFIG.3, and the first voice coil motor401disposed in the +X direction may have the type shown inFIG.6. Likewise, for example, the pair of second voice coil motors402disposed on both the sides of the lens barrel200may not be symmetrical to each other. For example, the second voice coil motor402disposed on the lens barrel200in the −X direction may have the type shown inFIG.3, and the second voice coil motor402disposed in the +X direction may have the type shown inFIG.6.

The example embodiments describe that the first voice coil motor401is disposed in the left side, and the second voice coil motor402is disposed in the right side. However, in another example embodiment, the positions of the first voice coil motor401and the second voice coil motors402in the Y direction may be switched to each other. In addition, the example embodiments describe that the third voice coil motor403is disposed in a lower side, and the fourth voice coil motor404is disposed in an upper side. However, in another example embodiment, the positions of the third voice coil motor403and the fourth voice coil motor404in the X direction may be switched to each other.

The example embodiments describe that the magnet320afor AF drive is disposed in the carrier310, and the coil330afor AF drive is disposed in the housing120, and this disposition is only an example. In another example embodiment, the magnet320afor AF drive may be disposed in the housing120, and the coil330afor AF drive may be disposed in the carrier310.

The example embodiments describe that the magnets441,442,451and452for OIS drive are provided on the lens holder420, and the coils461,462,471and472for OIS drive are provided in the housing120, and this disposition is only an example. In another example embodiment, the magnets441,442,451and452for OIS drive are provided in the housing120, and the coils461,462,471and472for OIS drive are provided on the lens holder420.

As set forth above, according to one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure, an actuator for the image stabilization included in the camera module may provide the sufficient driving force even when the lens barrel is moved to the greater degree, thus improving the image stabilization.

While specific example embodiments have been shown and described above, it will be apparent after an understanding of this disclosure that various changes in form and details may be made in these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples described herein are to be considered in a descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects in each example are to be considered as being applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. Suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order, and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner, and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is defined not by the detailed description, but by the claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are to be construed as being included in the disclosure.