KR102653203B1 - Continulus zoom module and folded camera module including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A continuous zoom lens module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing; a plurality of zoom lenses provided inside the housing and movable in the optical axis direction; a plurality of driving plates coupled to the plurality of zoom lenses; a drive link that moves along a movement guide provided in the housing in the optical axis direction and adjusts the amount of movement of the drive plate in the optical axis direction; and a driving unit provided on at least one of the plurality of driving plates, wherein the plurality of driving plates are interlocked in driving by the driving link, and the plurality of zoom lenses are provided on the plurality of driving plates and the driving The amount of movement in the optical axis direction can be determined depending on the shape of the driving guide into which the link is inserted.

Description

Continuous zoom lens module and folded camera module including the same {CONTINULUS ZOOM MODULE AND FOLDED CAMERA MODULE INCLUDING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a continuous zoom lens module and a folded camera module including the same.

Recently, cameras have been basically adopted in portable electronic devices such as smartphones, tablet PCs, and laptops, and autofocus functions, image stabilization functions, and zoom functions are being added to cameras for mobile devices.

However, in order to implement various functions, the structure of the camera module becomes more complex and its size increases, which ultimately causes the size of the portable electronic device on which the camera module is mounted to increase.

In addition, when moving the lens directly to implement the autofocus (AF) or zoom function, both the weight of the lens and the weight of other members to which the lens or image sensor are attached must be taken into consideration, so a certain amount of There is a problem that a higher driving force is required, and the length of the optical axis must be longer in order to directly move multiple lenses.

The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and seeks to provide a continuous zoom camera module that can easily drive the lens in the optical axis direction and reduce power consumption.

A continuous zoom lens module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing; a plurality of zoom lenses provided inside the housing and movable in the optical axis direction; a plurality of driving plates coupled to the plurality of zoom lenses; a drive link that moves along a movement guide provided in the housing in the optical axis direction and adjusts the amount of movement of the drive plate in the optical axis direction; and a driving unit provided on at least one of the plurality of driving plates, wherein the plurality of driving plates are interlocked in driving by the driving link, and the plurality of zoom lenses are provided on the plurality of driving plates and the driving The amount of movement in the optical axis direction can be determined depending on the shape of the driving guide into which the link is inserted.

Additionally, a folded camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a continuous zoom lens module; a reflective member provided in front of the continuous zoom lens module; and an image sensor provided behind the continuous zoom lens module.

According to the present invention, a continuous zoom lens can be efficiently implemented using a simple link structure.

1A and 1B are perspective views showing a folded camera module installed in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a folded camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a continuous zoom lens module according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 is an internal perspective view of a continuous zoom lens module according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figures 5a and 5b are reference diagrams showing the shape in which the zoom lens and driving plate of the continuous zoom lens module according to an embodiment of the present invention are combined;
Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the driving plate of the continuous zoom lens module according to an embodiment of the present invention combined with the driving link and mounted on the housing;
Figures 7a and 7b are reference diagrams showing the shape in which the AF lens and the AF driving unit are coupled to the housing according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figures 8A to 13B are reference diagrams showing various embodiments of a zoom lens unit in which various movements are implemented according to various shapes of the driving plate.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the presented embodiments.

For example, a person skilled in the art who understands the spirit of the present invention will be able to suggest other embodiments that are included within the scope of the spirit of the present invention through addition, change, or deletion of components, but this is also within the spirit of the present invention. It will be said to be included within the scope.

Figure 1A is a perspective view of a portable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1A, a portable electronic device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a folded camera module 1000 - a folded camera module 1001 described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 13 - It may be a portable electronic device such as a mobile communication terminal, a smart phone, or a tablet PC.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the portable electronic device 1 is equipped with a folded camera module 1000 to photograph a subject.

In this embodiment, the folded camera module 1000 includes a plurality of lenses, and the optical axis (Z axis) of the lens is oriented in the thickness direction (Y axis direction, front surface of the portable electronic device 1). ) can be oriented in a direction perpendicular to the rear surface (or vice versa).

For example, the optical axis (Z-axis) of the plurality of lenses provided in the folded camera module 1000 may be formed in the width or length direction of the portable electronic device 1.

Therefore, even if the folded camera module 1000 is equipped with functions such as auto focusing (AF), zoom, and optical image stabilization (OIS), the thickness of the portable electronic device 1 can be prevented from increasing. Accordingly, miniaturization of the portable electronic device 1 is possible.

The camera module 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be equipped with at least one of AF, zoom, and OIS functions.

Since the camera module 1000 equipped with AF, zoom, and OIS functions must be equipped with various parts, the size of the camera module increases compared to a general camera module.

If the size of the folded camera module 1000 increases, there may be a problem in miniaturizing the portable electronic device 1 on which the camera module 1000 is mounted.

For example, the number of laminated lenses in a camera module increases for the zoom function, and when multiple laminated lenses are formed in the thickness direction of the portable electronic device, the thickness of the portable electronic device also increases according to the number of laminated lenses. do. Accordingly, unless the thickness of the portable electronic device is increased, a sufficient number of laminated lenses cannot be secured, thereby weakening zoom performance.

In addition, in order to implement AF and OIS functions, an actuator must be installed to move the lens group in the direction of the optical axis or in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. When the optical axis (Z axis) of the lens group is formed in the thickness direction of the portable electronic device, An actuator to move the lens group must also be installed in the thickness direction of the portable electronic device. Accordingly, the thickness of portable electronic devices increases.

However, the camera module 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention is arranged so that the optical axis (Z-axis) of the plurality of lenses is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the portable electronic device 1, so it has AF, zoom, and OIS functions. Even if the camera module 1000 is installed, the portable electronic device 1 can be miniaturized.

In addition, the present invention, like the portable electronic device 2 according to another embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1B, is applicable to portable electronic devices such as mobile communication terminals, smart phones, and tablet PCs equipped with a plurality of camera modules 500 and 1000. It could be a device.

In this embodiment, a plurality of camera modules 500 and 1000 may be mounted on the portable electronic device 2.

At least one camera module among the plurality of camera modules 500 and 1000 may include a folded camera module 1001 according to an embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 13 below.

That is, in the case of a portable electronic device equipped with a dual camera module, at least one of the two camera modules may be provided as the camera module 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a folded camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, a folded camera module 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a reflection module, a continuous zoom lens module 1001, and an image sensor module.

The reflection module is configured to change the direction of light by including a reflection member 1002 such as a prism or mirror.

The light incident on the reflection module changes its path toward the continuous zoom lens module 1001 by the reflection member 1002 of the reflection module. For example, the path of light incident in the thickness direction (Y-axis direction) of the folded camera module 1000 is changed to approximately match the optical axis (Z-axis) direction by the reflection module.

The image sensor module includes an image sensor 1003 that converts light passing through a plurality of lenses of the continuous zoom lens module 1001 into an electrical signal, and a printed circuit board (not shown) on which the image sensor 1003 is mounted. It can be included. Additionally, the image sensor module may include an optical filter (not shown) that filters light incident from the continuous zoom lens module 1001. The optical filter may be an infrared blocking filter.

The continuous zoom lens module 1001 includes a plurality of lenses through which light whose traveling direction is changed by the reflection module passes.

A reflection module is provided in front of the continuous zoom lens module 1001, and an image sensor module is provided at the rear of the continuous zoom lens module 1001.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 7B, the continuous zoom lens module 1001 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a housing 100, a zoom lens module 200, and an AF lens module 300.

The AF lens module 300 and the zoom lens module 200 may be sequentially arranged inside the housing 100.

A reflective member 1002 may be provided in front of the AF lens module 300, and a zoom lens module 200 may be provided in the rear. Additionally, an AF lens module 300 may be provided in front of the zoom lens module 200, and an image sensor 1003 may be provided at the rear of the zoom lens module 200.

The AF lens module 300 and the zoom lens module 200 may operate independently of each other within the housing 100. Accordingly, the AF lens module 300 and the zoom lens module 200 each have individual driving units, and may be the AF driving unit 330 and the zoom driving unit 230, respectively, including a coil and a magnet.

The housing 100 may be shaped like a box, particularly a square box, and have a long length in the direction of the optical axis. Accordingly, the AF lens 310 and the zoom lens 210 can each be interpolated to be movable in the optical axis direction.

In the housing 100, a driving link 240 that controls the movement amount of each zoom lens 210 in conjunction with the zoom lens module 200 and a zoom lens 210 are fixed, respectively, and a driving plate 220 linked to the driving link 240 is provided. It can be provided inside.

Accordingly, the housing 100 includes a fixed guide 107 to which one end of the driving link 240 is fixed, and a groove or hole shape long in the optical axis direction so that the remaining part of the driving link 240 can move in the optical axis direction. A second moving guide 105 may be provided, and a first moving guide 101 may be provided in the shape of a groove or hole long in the optical axis direction so that the driving plate 220 can move in the optical axis direction.

More specifically, a fixing protrusion 247 provided at one end of the drive link 240 is rotatably fixed to the fixed guide 107, and the joint of the drive link 240 is fixed to the second moving guide 105. A plurality of second moving protrusions 245 provided at the intersection of 241 are aligned in the optical axis direction and are inserted into the first moving guide 101. The moving protrusions 221a, b, and c may be inserted while aligned in the optical axis direction.

In addition, the fixed protrusion 247 only rotates while its position is fixed, and the first movable protrusions 221a, b, c and the second movable protrusions 245 move when the drive link 240 is folded or unfolded. It can move in the direction of the optical axis along the first movement guide 101 and the second movement guide 105.

Here, the amount of movement of the second moving protrusion 245 is always constant in proportion to the amount by which the driving link 240 is folded or unfolded, but the first moving protrusions 221a, b, and c are formed on each driving plate 220. The amount of movement may vary depending on the shape of the driving guides 223a, b, and c.

Additionally, the housing 100 may be provided with an AF driving unit 330 and a zoom driving unit 230 for driving the AF lens 310 and the zoom lens 210. The AF driving unit 330 and the zoom driving unit 230 may be linear motors composed of a coil and a magnet and driven by electromagnetic force. Of course, it is not limited to this, and various driving parts such as piezoelectric elements and shape memory alloys can be applied.

Meanwhile, in the drawing, the AF coil 333 and the zoom coil 233 are fixedly mounted on the housing 100, which is a fixed member, and the AF magnet 331 and the AF lens 310 and the zoom lens 210, which are moving members. A structure in which the zoom magnet 231 is fixedly mounted is disclosed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the coil and the magnet may be provided opposite to each other.

A plurality of zoom lenses 210-210a, b, and c may be provided to be aligned in the optical axis direction. Additionally, driving plates 220-220a, b, and c may be fixedly coupled to each zoom lens 210-210a, b, and c. The movements of each driving plate (220-220a, b, c) are interlocked with each other by the driving link 240, and accordingly, each zoom lens (210-210a, b, c) is linked to the movement of the driving link 240. It can be driven by

Additionally, a zoom driving unit 230 may be provided on any one of the plurality of driving plates 220-220a, b, and c. In particular, the driving plate 220a coupled to the first zoom lens 210a, which is likely to have a relatively small movement amount among the plurality of zoom lenses 210-210a, b, and - the zoom lens 210a closest to the fixed guide 107 - A zoom driving unit 230 may be provided.

Each driving plate (220-220a, b, c) is provided with first moving protrusions (221-221a, b, c), and the first moving protrusions (221-221a, b, c) of the housing 100 It can be moved in the optical axis direction while being inserted into the first moving guide 101 in parallel in the optical axis direction.

In addition, each driving plate (220-220a, b, c) is provided with a driving guide (223-223a, b, c) in the shape of a groove or hole. The driving protrusions (243-243a, b, c) of the driving link 240 are respectively inserted into the driving guides (223-223a, b, c), and according to the movement of the driving protrusions (243-243a, b, c) in the optical axis direction. Each driving plate (220-220a, b, c) moves in the optical axis direction.

The driving guides 223-223a, b, and c may have various shapes depending on the zoom lens to be implemented. For example, to move all of the plurality of zoom lenses 210 in the same direction, the tilt directions can all be in the same direction, and to move one or more of the plurality of zoom lenses 210 in different directions, the tilt directions can be changed from each other. You can. This will be described later with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8F.

The driving link 240 is interposed between the zoom lens 210 and the housing 100 and can be folded or extended in the optical axis direction to move the plurality of zoom lenses 210 in the optical axis direction.

The drive link 240 may have a shape in which a plurality of joints 241 are interconnected, and the portion where each joint is connected may be provided with two sets of protrusions aligned in the optical axis direction.

One is a fixing protrusion 247 and a second moving protrusion 245 that allow the driving link 240 to be folded or extended in the direction of the optical axis while being fixed at one end, and the other is respectively inserted into the plurality of driving plates 220. These are the fixing protrusions (243a, b, c).

Figures 8A to 13B are reference diagrams showing various embodiments of a zoom lens unit in which various movements are implemented according to various shapes of the driving plate.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the drive guides 223-223a, b, and c provided on the plurality of drive plates 220-220a, b, and c are all structured to have the same inclination direction and inclination angle. According to this, it can be seen that, for example, the zoom lenses 210-201a, b, and c, which were concentrated on the left before driving (FIG. 8a), were moved to the right to have the same spacing after driving (FIG. 8b).

Next, referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, although the driving guides 223-223a, b, and c provided on the plurality of driving plates 220-220a, b, and c all have the same inclination direction, the driving in the middle The plate 220b is structured to have a drive guide 223b that is round rather than straight. According to this, for example, the zoom lenses 210-201a, b, and c, which were concentrated on the left before driving (FIG. 9a), are moved to the right to have a gap after driving (FIG. 9b), but the middle zoom lens 201b is moved to the right. It can be seen that it is placed closer to the zoom lens 201a on the left.

Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, some (223b) of the driving guides (223-223a, b, c) provided on the plurality of driving plates (220-220a, b, c) are structured so that the inclination direction is reversed. am. According to this, for example, when comparing before driving (FIG. 10a) and after driving (FIG. 10b), it can be seen that the zoom lens 201b in the middle moves in the opposite direction to the other zoom lenses 201a and c.

Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, some (223b) of the driving guides (223-223a, b, c) provided on the plurality of driving plates (220-220a, b, c) have opposite inclination directions and have a round shape. This is a structure that has been implemented as much as possible. According to this, for example, when comparing before driving (FIG. 11a) and after driving (FIG. 11b), it can be seen that the zoom lens 201b in the middle has the same movement direction as the other zoom lenses 201a and c, but the movement amount is significantly reduced. there is.

Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, some (223c) of the driving guides (223-223a, b, c) provided on the plurality of driving plates (220-220a, b, c) are structured so that the inclination direction is reversed. am. According to this, for example, when comparing before driving (FIG. 12a) and after driving (FIG. 12b), the left and middle zoom lenses 201a, b move significantly to the right, while the rightmost zoom lens 201c moves a small amount. It can be seen that the size of the gap between each lens changes.

Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, among the driving guides 223-223a, b, and c provided on the plurality of driving plates 220-220a, b, and c, some 223a have the inclination direction reversed, while others have the inclination direction reversed. It is a structure implemented to have a round shape. According to this, for example, when comparing before driving (FIG. 13a) and after driving (FIG. 13b), it can be seen that the left and center zoom lenses 201a, b are closer.

In the above, the configuration and features of the present invention have been described based on the embodiments according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various changes or modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is obvious to those skilled in the art, and therefore, it is stated that such changes or modifications fall within the scope of the appended patent claims.

1, 2: Portable electronic devices
100: housing
200: Zoom lens module
210: Zoom lens
220: driving plate
230: Zoom drive eastern part
240: Driving link
300: AF lens module
310: AF lens
320: AF driving unit
1000: Folded camera module
1001: Continuous zoom lens module
1002: Reflection member
1003: Image sensor

Claims (15)

A housing including first and second moving guides having a length in the optical axis direction on one side;
a plurality of zoom lenses provided inside the housing and movable in an optical axis direction with respect to the housing;
a plurality of driving plates each coupled to one side of the plurality of zoom lenses opposite to one side of the housing and coupled to the housing through the first movement guide;
a drive link disposed between the housing and the plurality of drive plates and coupled to the housing through the second movement guide; and
It includes a driving unit provided on at least one of the plurality of driving plates,
The plurality of driving plates each include a driving guide, and the driving link is coupled to the plurality of driving plates through the driving guide, respectively,
The plurality of driving plates are driven in conjunction with each other by the driving link and move together with the plurality of zoom lenses in the optical axis direction with respect to the housing,
A continuous zoom lens module in which the amount of movement of the plurality of zoom lenses in the optical axis direction is determined depending on the shape of the driving guide to which the driving link is coupled.
According to paragraph 1,
The housing is a continuous zoom lens module in the shape of a square box.
delete According to paragraph 1,
The driving link is a continuous zoom lens module having a foldable joint structure.
According to paragraph 4,
The driving link is a continuous zoom lens module in which the distance between joints increases as it unfolds.
The method of claim 1, wherein the driving unit,
A magnet provided on at least one of the driving plates; and a coil provided in the housing to face the magnet.
According to paragraph 1,
A continuous zoom lens module further comprising an AF lens provided in the housing.
In clause 7,
The AF lens is a continuous zoom lens module that is movable in the direction of the optical axis separately from the zoom lens.
delete delete According to paragraph 1,
The driving plate includes a first moving protrusion fitted to the first moving guide to be movable along the first moving guide,
The driving link is a continuous zoom lens module including a second moving protrusion fitted to the second moving guide to be movable along the second moving guide.
According to paragraph 1,
The driving link is a continuous zoom lens module including a driving protrusion that is movably fitted to the driving guide.
According to paragraph 1,
The housing includes a fixed guide on one side, and the driving link includes a fixed protrusion rotatably fitted to the fixed guide.
The continuous zoom lens module of any one of claims 1, 2, 4 to 8, and 11 to 13;
a reflective member provided in front of the continuous zoom lens module; and
A folded camera module including an image sensor provided behind the continuous zoom lens module.
According to clause 14,
A folded camera module wherein the plurality of zoom lenses of the continuous zoom lens module are provided adjacent to the image sensor.

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