Patent ID: 12225307

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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 the disclosure of this application. 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 the disclosure of this application, with the exception of operations necessarily occurring in a certain order. Also, descriptions of features that are known, after an understanding of the disclosure of this application, may be omitted for increased clarity and conciseness, noting that omissions of features and their descriptions are also not intended to be admissions of their general knowledge.

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 the disclosure of this application.

In addition, the same reference numerals or symbols described in the attached drawings denote parts or components that actually perform the same functions. For ease of descriptions and understanding, the same reference numerals or symbols are used and described in different embodiments. In other words, although components having the same reference numerals are all illustrated in a plurality of drawings, the plurality of drawings do not mean one example embodiment.

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.

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. Likewise, expressions, for example, “between” and “immediately between” and “adjacent to” and “immediately adjacent to” may also be construed as described in the foregoing.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only, and is not to be used to limit the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any one and any combination of any two or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the terms “include,” “comprise,” and “have” specify the presence of stated features, numbers, operations, elements, components, and/or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, operations, elements, components, and/or combinations thereof. The use of the term “may” herein with respect to an example or embodiment (for example, as to what an example or embodiment may include or implement) means that at least one example or embodiment exists where such a feature is included or implemented, while all examples are not limited thereto.

As used herein, it will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components or a combination thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, an X-direction, a Y-direction, and a Z-direction refer to a direction, parallel to an X-axis, a direction, parallel to a Y-axis, and a direction, parallel to a Z-axis illustrated in the drawings, respectively. In addition, unless otherwise described, the X-direction is based on a concept including both a +X-axis direction and a −X-axis direction, which is also applied to the Y-direction and the Z-direction.

As used herein, two directions (or axes) parallel to or perpendicular to each other includes two directions (or axes) are substantially parallel to each other. For example, a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to each other refer to a first axis and a second axis forming an angle of 90 degrees or an angle close to 90 degrees.

As used herein, paragraphs beginning with “in an example embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same example embodiments. The particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner consistent with the present disclosure.

As used herein, “configured to” means that a component includes a structure necessary for implementing a function.

Hereinafter, example embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the spirit of the one or more examples is not limited to the presented example embodiments. For example, a person skilled in the art, and understanding the spirit of the examples, would be able to propose other example embodiments included within the scope of the one or more examples through the addition, change, or deletion of components. All such variations are also within the scope of the examples.

One or more examples relate to a camera module which provides an optical image stabilization (OIS) function and an autofocus control function.

One or more examples may also include a folded camera which includes an actuator for OIS, where the actuator is drivable in a compact and precise manner.

One or more examples provide an actuator for optical image stabilization (OIS) in a folded camera, the actuator being drivable in a compact and precise manner.

FIG.1schematically illustrates a configuration of a camera module1, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIG.1, the camera module1may include a housing100, a reflective module200, a lens module300, and a sensor module400.

The reflective module200may be accommodated in the housing100, and may include a reflective member210. The reflective member210may change a path of light incident to the camera module1. The reflective member210may be, for example, a prism or a mirror. The reflective member210may bend light incident on a first optical axis C1toward a second optical axis C2(FIG.2). The first optical axis C1and the second optical axis C2may intersect each other. For example, the first optical axis C1may be parallel to a Y-axis, and the second optical axis C2may be parallel to a Z-axis. As used herein, it may be understood that the reflective module200is based on a concept including some or all of the reflective member210, driving elements that drive the reflective member210, and the housing100that accommodates the reflective member210and the driving elements.

The lens module300may include at least one lens and at least one lens barrel that accommodates the at least one lens, respectively. In an example, the at least one lens may be aligned along the second optical axis C2. Alternatively, the at least one lens may define the second optical axis C2. At least a portion of the lens module300may move with respect to the housing100along the second optical axis C2.

In an example, a plurality of lens modules300may be disposed in the camera module1. For example, as illustrated inFIG.1, the lens module300may include a first lens module310, a second lens module320, and a third lens module330. A first portion of the plurality of lens modules310,320, and330may be fixed to the housing100, and a second portion of the plurality of lens modules310,320, and330may move with respect to the housing100along the second optical axis C2. For example, the second lens module320and the third lens module330may move along the second optical axis C2, respectively. As a distance between the lens modules310,320, and330is adjusted, a magnification may be adjusted. Additionally, as a distance between an image sensor of the sensor module400and the lens module300is adjusted, a focus may be adjusted.

InFIG.1, the lens module300and the reflective module200are accommodated in the same housing100, but such a configuration is merely an example. For example, in example embodiments, the lens module300and the reflective module200may be provided as different parts in separate housings, respectively, and then may be assembled with each other. The sensor module400may also be provided as a part that is separate from the reflective module200or the lens module300, and then may be assembled.

FIG.2illustrates movement of the reflective member210according to example embodiments.FIG.3illustrates a driver that rotates the reflective member210according to example embodiments.FIGS.4and5schematically illustrate a ball guide structure implementing a kinematic coupling according to example embodiments.

Referring toFIG.2, the reflective member210may change a path of light entering along the first optical axis C1toward the second optical axis C2. The reflective member210may rotate about an axis (for example, A1and A2inFIG.2), perpendicular to the second optical axis C2, with respect to the lens module (for example,300inFIG.1). The second optical axis C2may be an optical axis of the lens module300. The reflective member210may perform an optical image stabilization (OIS) operation by rotating the reflective member210about an axis, perpendicular to the second optical axis C2.

In example embodiments, the reflective member210may rotate about two axes, perpendicular to the second optical axis C2, and the two axes may intersect each other. That is, the reflective member210may rotate about a first axis A1and a second axis A2, perpendicular to the second optical axis C2. The first axis A1and the second axis A2may intersect each other. For example, the first axis A1may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first optical axis C1and the second optical axis C2. The second axis A2may be parallel to the first optical axis C1.

As illustrated inFIG.2, in example embodiments, the first axis A1may be an axis passing through the reflective member210. However, a position of the first axis A1is not limited to the above described. For example, the first axis A1may be disposed in a position substantially corresponding to an outer surface of the reflective member210or a position having a predetermined distance from the reflective member210.

Referring toFIG.3, the reflective module200may include a fixed body10, a moving body20which rotates about a rotational axis A with respect to the fixed body10. The reflective member210may be coupled to the moving body20. The reflective member210may be fixedly coupled to the moving body20or may be movably coupled to the moving body20. As the moving body20rotates about the rotational axis A with respect to the fixed body10, the reflective member210may rotate about the rotational axis A together with the moving body20. Accordingly, even when incident light is incident on the reflective module200in various directions, the reflection member210may properly rotate to change a path of the incident light in a predetermined direction (for example, a Z-axis direction inFIG.3).

In example embodiments, the reflective member210may be disposed in various positions within the moving body20. An orientation of the reflective member210displayed in the moving body20inFIG.3is merely an example, and the reflective member210may be disposed in the moving body20to face in various directions.

Referring toFIG.3, the reflective module200may include an OIS driver30that rotates the moving body20with respect to the fixed body10. The OIS driver30may include a driving magnet31and a driving coil32opposing each other. The driving coil32and the driving magnet31may be respectively disposed in one of the moving body20and the fixed body10. For example, referring toFIG.3, the driving magnet31may be coupled to the moving body20, and the driving coil32may be coupled to the fixed body10. A coil groove10a, in which at least a portion of the driving coil32is accommodated, may be disposed in the fixed body10, and thus the reflective module200may be manufactured to have a more compact structure. Through electromagnetic interaction between the driving coil32and the driving magnet31, the moving body20may rotate about the rotational axis A with respect to the fixed body10.

At least a portion of the driving magnet31may be formed to extend in a circumferential direction about the rotational axis A. For example, as illustrated inFIG.3, the driving magnet31may be formed to be similar to that of a portion of a torus. The driving coil32may be provided in a form corresponding to the driving magnet31. The driving coil32may include one or two or more coils. Although not illustrated, the OIS driver30may include a position sensor that measures an amount of rotation of the moving body20. The position sensor may be, as examples, a Hall sensor or a magnetoresistance sensor. In this example, the position sensor may be disposed to oppose the driving magnet31or to oppose a separately provided magnet. The position sensor may be disposed on an inside or outside of a coil.

The driving magnet31and the driving coil32may oppose each other in a direction, parallel to the rotational axis A, and may rotate with respect to each other while maintaining a distance therebetween. That is, a surface of the driving magnet31opposing the driving coil32and a surface of the driving coil32opposing the driving magnet31may be perpendicular to the rotational axis A. Accordingly, even when the moving body20rotates with respect to the fixed body10, a constant distance between the driving magnet31and the driving coil32may be maintained, which may contribute to precise implementation of OIS driving.

In example embodiments, the driving magnet31(or the driving coil32) may be disposed radially outward from the ball members33a,33b, and33cabout the rotational axis A. For example, when viewed in a direction of the rotational axis A, the ball members33a,33b, and33cmay be positioned in an inner region of an inner diameter of the driving magnet31. A ball group33supporting rotation of the moving body20may be positioned on an inside of the driving magnet31or the driving coil32, thereby implementing the OIS driver30in a compact manner.

The OIS driver30may include a ball guide structure that guides and supports a rotation of the moving body20. In example embodiments, the OIS driver30may include the ball group33disposed between the moving body20and the fixed body10. The ball group33may include at least three ball members33a,33b, and33c. The three ball members33a,33b, and33cmay be arranged in a circumferential direction about the rotational axis A. The three ball members33a,33b, and33cmay be arranged on circumferences about the rotational axis A, the circumferences having different radii, or may be arranged on a single circumference having the same radius.

The OIS driver30may include a groove that partially accommodates the three ball members33a,33b, and33c. The OIS driver30may include a groove arrangement34provided in at least one of the moving body20and the fixed body10. The OIS driver30may partially accommodate the ball group33on an opposite side of the groove arrangement34, and may include a guide portion that guides movement of the three ball members33a,33b, and33c. For example, the guide portion may be a guide groove35which forms a path through which the three ball members33a,33b, and33cmove. The guide groove35may extend in the circumferential direction about the rotational axis A. For example, the guide groove35may be a circular groove.

The groove arrangement34may be disposed on a first side of the ball group33, and the guide groove35may be disposed on a second side of the ball group33to accommodate at least a portion of the ball group33, respectively. InFIG.3, in a non-limited example, the groove arrangement34may be provided in the moving body20, and the guide groove35may be provided in the fixed body10. However, such a configuration is merely an example. In another example embodiment, the groove arrangement34and the guide groove35may be disposed in the fixed body10and the moving body20, respectively.

Referring toFIG.4, the groove arrangement34may be arranged in the circumferential direction about the rotational axis A to include a first groove34a, a second groove34b, and a third groove34cthat accommodate the first ball member33a, the second ball member33b, and the third ball member33c, respectively. The plurality of grooves34a,34b, and34cincluded in the groove arrangement34may accommodate the three ball members33a,33b, and33c, respectively.

In example embodiments, a total of six contact points may occur between the groove arrangement34and the three ball members33a,33b, and33c. That is, a sum of the number of contact points formed by the first ball member33awith the first groove34a, the number of contact points formed by the second ball member33bwith the second groove34b, and the number of contact points formed by the third ball member33cwith the third groove34cmay be six. In an example, “contact point” may be considered as a contact portion (contact point) between a ball member and a groove. The contact portion may be in the form of an approximately one point, or may have a predetermined area according to physical properties or the determined curvature of the ball member or groove.

FIGS.4and5illustrate various shapes of the groove arrangement34and the guide groove35according to example embodiments.

For example, referring to the left drawing ofFIG.4, the first groove34aand the first ball member33amay form two contact points, the second groove34band the second ball member33bmay form three contact points, and the third groove34cand the third ball member33cmay form one contact point. The first groove34amay be a groove having a “V”-shaped cross-section (hereinafter, a “V-shaped groove”). The second groove34bmay have a concave tetrahedron shape. The third groove34cmay have a flat bottom surface such that the third groove34chas one contact point with the third ball member33c.

Alternatively, referring to the left drawing ofFIG.5, in example embodiments, the first groove34a, the second groove34b, and the third groove34c, V-shaped grooves extending in a radial direction, may form two contact points with the three ball members33a,33b, and33c, respectively.

As the moving body20rotates with respect to the fixed body10, the three ball members33a,33b, and33cmay move along the guide groove35. In this example, the ball members33a,33b, and33cmay move in the circumferential direction about the rotational axis A of the moving body20. For example, the first ball member33a, the second ball member33b, and the third ball member33cmay be disposed in a fixed position with respect to the first groove34a, the second groove34b, and the third groove34c, and may rotate about the rotational axis A along the guide groove35. Referring to right sides ofFIGS.4and5, the ball members33a,33b, and33cmay form two contact points with the guide groove35, respectively.

A structure between the ball group33and the groove arrangement34may be an application of a so-called kinematic coupling.FIG.4illustrates an application of a Kelvin coupling, andFIG.5illustrates an application of a Maxwell coupling. According to a kinematic coupling structure, a rotational axis of a moving body may pass through a triangle having the three ball members33a,33b, and33cas vertices.

A kinematic coupling applied to a reflective module according to example embodiments may increase accuracy of alignment between the moving body20and the fixed body10. That is, through the kinematic coupling structure, the rotational axis A of the moving body20may be aligned at an accurate position with respect to the fixed body10. Additionally, backlash between the ball members33a,33b, and33cand the groove arrangement34may be zero. Accordingly, rotation of the moving body20may be controlled very precisely. Additionally, even when the OIS driver30does not operate (that is, when no current flows in the driving coil32), shaking between the moving body20and the fixed body10may be prevented or minimized.

The OIS driver30may include a pulling device that adheres the moving body20to the fixed body10. In example embodiments, the OIS driver30may include a pulling magnet36and a pulling yoke37that oppose each other. The pulling magnet36and the pulling yoke37may be coupled to the moving body20or the fixed body10, respectively. A magnetic force may be generated between the pulling magnet36and the pulling yoke37, which causes the moving body20and the fixed body10to be pulled toward each other. Accordingly, the ball group33may maintain contact with the groove arrangement34and the guide groove35, which may allow the moving body20to precisely and smoothly rotate with respect to the fixed body10. The pulling yoke37may be replaced with a magnet.

InFIG.3, the pulling magnet36and the pulling yoke37may be coupled to the moving body20and the fixed body10, respectively, but such a configuration is merely an example. For example, the pulling magnet36and the pulling yoke37may be coupled to the fixed body10and the moving body20, respectively.

In example embodiments, the pulling magnet36and the pulling yoke37may be arranged along the rotational axis A. That is, the pulling magnet36and the pulling yoke37may oppose each other in a direction, parallel to the rotational axis A, and the rotational axis A may be disposed to pass through the pulling magnet36and the pulling yoke37.

FIG.6illustrates a supporter220that is supported on the housing100in example embodiments.FIG.6is a cross-section taken along line I-I′ ofFIG.1.FIG.7illustrates an OIS driver240disposed between the supporter220and the housing100in example embodiments.FIG.8illustrates a structure that supports rotation of the supporter220on an opposite side of the ball group33in example embodiments.FIG.9illustrates a holder230supported on the supporter220in example embodiments.FIG.9is a cross-section taken along line Il-Il′ ofFIG.1.FIG.10illustrates an OIS driver250disposed between the supporter220and the holder230in example embodiments.

Referring toFIGS.6to10, the reflective module200may include the housing100, the supporter220disposed in the housing100, and the holder230connected to the supporter220. The holder230may be fixedly coupled to the reflective member210.

The supporter220may be rotatably coupled to the housing100. The supporter220may be rotatably coupled to the housing100about the first axis A1. The first axis A1may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to both the first optical axis C1and the second optical axis C2. The holder230may be rotatably coupled to the supporter220. The holder230may rotate about the second axis A2with respect to the supporter220. The second axis A2may be parallel to or substantially parallel to the first optical axis C1.

In example embodiments, the reflective module200may include a first driver240that rotates the supporter220about the first axis A1with respect to the housing100, and a second driver250that rotates the holder230about the second axis A2with respect to the supporter220.

Referring toFIGS.6and9, the first axis A1and the second axis A2may pass through an intersection point between the first optical axis C1and the second optical axis C2, or may be positioned to be very close to the intersection point. For example, the first axis A1and the second axis A2may intersect the first optical axis C1and the second optical axis C2. Accordingly, more predictable and accurate OIS driving may be implemented.

Referring toFIGS.6and7, in example embodiments, the supporter220may include a base221disposed on a lower portion of the reflective member210, and sidewalls222and223extending to oppose each other from opposite ends of the base221to opposite sides of the reflective member210in a longitudinal direction (for example, an X-direction). The reflective module200may include the first driver240that rotates the supporter220about the first axis A1with respect to the housing100. The first driver240may be disposed between the first sidewall222of the supporter220and the housing100.

The moving body20, the fixed body10, the rotational axis A, and the OIS driver30described with reference toFIGS.3to5may respectively correspond to the supporter220, the housing100, the first axis A1, and the first driver240inFIGS.6to8, respectively.

The first driver240may include some or all of a first driving magnet241, a first driving coil242, a first ball group243, a first groove arrangement244, a first guide groove245, a first pulling magnet246, and a first pulling yoke247, and the above-described components may correspond to the driving magnet31, the driving coil32, the ball group33, the groove arrangement34, the guide groove35, the pulling magnet36, and the pulling yoke37described with reference toFIGS.3to5.

For example, referring toFIGS.6and7, the first driving magnet241, the first groove arrangement244, and the first pulling magnet246may be disposed in the supporter220, and the first driving coil242, the first guide groove245and the first pulling yoke247may be disposed in the housing100. A first coil groove100ain which at least a portion of the first driving coil242is accommodated may be further disposed in the housing100.

In example embodiments, the reflective module200may include a shaft224that extends from the supporter220. For example, as illustrated inFIGS.6and8, the shaft224may extend from a second sidewall223or may be coupled to the second sidewall223, and may extend along the first axis A1. The shaft224may support the rotation of the supporter220. The supporter220may be supported in the housing by the shaft224and the first ball group243respectively disposed on opposite sides of the supporter220. For example, a first side of the supporter220may be supported by a magnetic force between the first pulling yoke247and the first pulling magnet246and contact between the first ball group243and grooves244and245. A second side of the supporter220may be rotatably supported by the shaft224being rotatably coupled to the housing100about the first axis A1.

Referring toFIG.6, in a non-limited example, the shaft224may have a conical end224a. The first driver240may include a support member225coupled to the housing100. The shaft224may be fitted to the support member225. The support member225may include an accommodating groove225ahaving a “V”-shaped cross-section, and the end224aof the shaft224may be accommodated in the groove225a. That is, the end224aof the shaft224may be supported with a vertex thereof in contact with the groove225aof the support member225. Through such a support structure, the housing100may reduce frictional force by minimizing a contact area between the supporters220, thereby increasing a driving efficiency of the first driver240. In another example embodiment, the support member225may be integrally formed with the housing100. That is, a groove in which at least a portion of the shaft224is accommodated and supported may be disposed on at least a partial surface of the housing100.

In one or more examples, in order to eliminate an unnecessary clearance on the first axis A1between the support member225and the shaft224, the OIS driver30may include an elastic member pushing the shaft224. The elastic member may be, for example, a coil spring or a leaf spring. The elastic member may be mounted between the housing100and the support member225to push the first shaft224in a direction, parallel to the first axis A1.

FIG.8illustrates a shaft224and a support structure formed to be different from the structures ofFIG.6. That is, the shaft224and the support structure inFIG.6may be replaced with the shaft224and the support structure inFIG.8. The end224aof the shaft224extending from the supporter220may include a first accommodating groove224bthat partially accommodates the ball member226, and the support member225may include a second accommodating groove225athat accommodates the ball member226on an opposite side of the shaft224. The grooves224band225aof the shaft224and the support member225may have a “V” or “U”-shaped cross-section to accommodate the ball member226. In this case, in order to minimize frictional force, the grooves224band225aof the shaft224and the support member225may be in point contact or line contact with the ball member226.

In one or more examples, the reflective module200may include a second driver250that rotates the holder230about the second axis A2with respect to the supporter220.

For example, referring toFIGS.9and10, the holder230that supports the reflective member210may be rotatably disposed about the second axis A2, substantially perpendicular to the second optical axis C2, with respect to the supporter220, and the second driver250may be disposed between the holder230and the base221of the supporter220.

The moving body20, the fixed body10, the rotational axis A, and the OIS driver30described with reference toFIGS.3to5may correspond to the holder230, the supporter220, the second axis A2, and the second driver250inFIGS.9and10, respectively.

The second driver250may include some or all of a second driving magnet251, a second driving coil252, a second ball group253, a second groove arrangement254, a second guide groove255, a second pulling magnet256, and a second pulling yoke257, and the above-described components may correspond to the driving magnet31, the driving coil32, the ball group33, the groove arrangement34, the guide groove35, the pulling magnet36, and the pulling yoke37described with reference toFIGS.3to5, respectively.

For example, referring toFIGS.9and10, the second driving magnet251, the second groove arrangement254, the second driving magnet251, and the second pulling magnet256may be disposed in the holder230, and the second driving coil252, the second guide groove255, and the second pulling yoke257may be disposed in the supporter220. A second coil groove220ain which at least a portion of the second driving coil252is accommodated may be further disposed in the supporter220.

In example embodiments, the holder230may rotate about the second axis A2with respect to the supporter220to change a direction of a propagation path of light incident at various angles to a targeted direction (for example, the second optical axis C2).

The driving structures of the reflective module200described with reference toFIGS.6to10may be combined with each other. For example, the reflective module200may include the housing100, the supporter220and the first driver240illustrated inFIGS.6and7, and the second driver250may be disposed between the supporter220and the holder230. Accordingly, pitch and yaw driving of the reflective member210may be implemented with respect to the housing100.

Additionally, a ball group support structure, an application of the kinematic coupling structure, may be applied between the housing100and the supporter220, and between the supporter220and the holder230, thereby rotation of the supporter220and the holder230can be precisely controlled. Accordingly, a prism module may implement predictable and accurate OIS driving.

While this disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, after an understanding of the disclosure of this application, 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.