阅读说明：本技术 包括相机模块的电子装置 (Electronic device including camera module ) 是由 金承勇 于 2020-04-03 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种电子装置包括：壳体；以及相机模块,相机模块包括：镜筒以及多个透镜,其中多个透镜包括至少一个其他透镜和最靠近开口设置并具有第一外径的第一透镜,其中第一透镜包括：透镜部分,其形成第一透镜的有效区域,透镜部分暴露于开口；连接部分,其形成第一透镜的无效区域的一部分,在远离透镜部分的第一方向上从透镜部分延伸并且以一角度倾斜；以及凸缘部分,其形成透镜部分的无效区域的另一部分,在与多个透镜的堆叠方向基本上垂直的第二方向上从连接部分延伸,其中镜筒包括：头部分,其包含开口并具有第二外径；主体部分,其从头部分延伸,容纳多个透镜中的至少一个其他透镜,并且具有大于第二外径的第三外径；以及接合部分,其形成在镜筒的内部空间中并且与凸缘部分接合,并且其中,第一透镜的第一外径大于头部分的第二外径。(An electronic device includes: a housing; and a camera module, the camera module including: a lens barrel and a plurality of lenses, wherein the plurality of lenses includes at least one other lens and a first lens disposed closest to the opening and having a first outer diameter, wherein the first lens includes: a lens portion forming an effective area of the first lens, the lens portion being exposed to the opening; a connecting portion forming a part of the ineffective area of the first lens, extending from the lens portion in a first direction away from the lens portion and inclined at an angle; and a flange portion forming another part of the ineffective area of the lens portion, extending from the connecting portion in a second direction substantially perpendicular to a stacking direction of the plurality of lenses, wherein the lens barrel includes: a head portion comprising an opening and having a second outer diameter; a body portion extending from the head portion, housing at least one other lens of the plurality of lenses, and having a third outer diameter greater than the second outer diameter; and an engaging portion formed in the inner space of the lens barrel and engaged with the flange portion, and wherein a first outer diameter of the first lens is larger than a second outer diameter of the head portion.)

1. An electronic device, the electronic device comprising:

a housing; and

a camera module disposed in the inner space of the housing and including:

a lens barrel having an opening; and

a plurality of lenses having centers aligned with an image sensor in an inner space of the lens barrel,

wherein the plurality of lenses includes at least one other lens and a first lens disposed closest to the opening and having a first outer diameter, wherein the first lens includes:

a lens portion forming an active area of the first lens, the lens portion being exposed to the opening;

a connection portion forming a part of an ineffective area of the first lens, extending from the lens portion in a first direction away from the lens portion and inclined at an angle; and

a flange portion forming another part of the ineffective area of the lens portion, extending from the connection portion in a second direction substantially perpendicular to a stacking direction of the plurality of lenses,

wherein the lens barrel includes:

a head portion containing the opening and having a second outer diameter;

a body portion extending from the head portion, housing the at least one other of the plurality of lenses, and having a third outer diameter greater than the second outer diameter; and

an engaging portion formed in an inner space of the lens barrel and engaged with the flange portion, and

wherein the first outer diameter of the first lens is larger than the second outer diameter of the head portion.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the lens portion is provided in the head portion in an inner space of the lens barrel, and the flange portion is joined to the body portion in the inner space of the lens barrel.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes at least one cover including a camera exposure area corresponding to the lens barrel, and

wherein a relative distance between the lens barrel and the at least one cover is fixed or variable when the camera module performs a focusing operation on an image.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the lens barrel further includes a connecting surface connecting the head portion and the body portion, and

wherein the connecting surface is formed in the second direction from the head portion to the body portion.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein a first vertical distance from a top of the head portion to the engagement portion is greater than a height of the head portion.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the angle in the first direction is in a range between 15 degrees and 75 degrees relative to the second direction.

7. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes at least one cover including a camera exposure area corresponding to the lens barrel, and

wherein the electronic device further comprises a display visually disposed in the interior space of the housing from outside the electronic device through at least a portion of the at least one cover.

8. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the display includes a via at least partially formed in the display, and

wherein the camera module is disposed such that the head portion passes through at least a portion of the through hole.

9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises:

at least one cover including a camera exposure area corresponding to the lens barrel, an

A side member surrounding a periphery of the at least one cover,

wherein the at least one cover comprises:

a front cover; and

a rear cover facing in a direction opposite to the front cover, and

wherein the side member is provided to surround a space between the front cover and the rear cover.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the side member includes a support member that extends at least partially toward the space and has a first through hole formed at a position corresponding to the head portion, and

wherein the camera module is disposed between the support member and the back cover.

11. The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein the camera module is provided such that the head portion is exposed or protrudes toward the front cover through the first through hole formed in the support member.

12. The electronic device of claim 11, further comprising:

a display visually disposed between the front cover and the support member from an exterior of the electronic device through at least a portion of the front cover.

13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the display includes a second via formed at least in part, and

wherein the camera module is disposed such that the head portion passes through the first through hole and also passes at least partially through the second through hole.

14. A camera module, the camera module comprising:

a housing having a circular opening;

a lens disposed in the housing, the lens comprising:

a circular lens portion exposed by the opening; and

an annular connecting portion surrounding the lens portion, the annular connecting portion extending at an angle away from the opening and the lens portion; and is

Wherein the housing covers the connection portion; and is

Wherein the diameter of the annular connecting portion exceeds the diameter of the opening.

15. The camera module of claim 14, wherein the lens further comprises:

a flange portion connected to the annular connecting portion and extending away from the lens portion; and is

Wherein the flange portion is covered by the housing.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device including a camera module.

Background

With the development of related art, various electronic devices such as mobile electronic devices have been developed and popularized. Recently, such electronic devices tend to have a touch-sensitive display with a large-sized screen, and also have at least one camera module. Typically, such camera modules may be arranged around a display in an electronic device. This is very important for providing both camera functionality and display area.

The above information is provided merely as background information to aid in understanding the present disclosure. There is no determination, nor is there any assertion, as to whether any of the above may be prior art to the present disclosure.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

It is desirable to design an electronic device that increases the display area to consume as high a proportion of the limited size of the electronic device as possible while also providing the user with camera functionality. Typically, an electronic device includes a display that is externally viewed through at least a portion of a front panel (e.g., a window or a bezel). In order to meet the demand for a large-sized screen, the display is preferably large-sized so as to be exposed through substantially the entire area of the front plate. In response to the trend of the display area increasing, the arrangement of various electronic components (e.g., at least one camera module) provided through the front panel is also changed accordingly. This is because if the camera module is disposed outside the display region? In a Black Matrix (BM) region of the front plate, the presence of the black matrix reduces the size of the display region.

In order to increase a display area and smoothly arrange electronic components, the front plate may include a camera exposure area (e.g., an opening, a punch hole, or a perforation) formed at a position corresponding to the camera module. Through the camera exposure area, the camera module may receive light from the outside and perform a camera function.

In general, the size of the camera exposure area may be determined according to the outer diameter of the lens barrel of the camera module. The lens barrel is a component of a camera module for receiving and supporting a plurality of lenses. However, the lens barrel may be limited in reducing the overall outer diameter due to the limitation of the structural design for supporting the lens.

Solution to the problem

Some embodiments of the present disclosure may provide an electronic device including a camera module.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure may provide an electronic device including a camera module configured to have a reduced camera exposure area without reducing a viewing angle.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure may provide an electronic device including a camera module having a relatively small camera exposure area, which may help to increase the size of a display area.

According to some embodiments, an electronic device comprises: a housing; and a camera module disposed in the inner space of the housing and including: a lens barrel having an opening; and a plurality of lenses having centers aligned with the image sensor in an inner space of the lens barrel, wherein the plurality of lenses include at least one other lens and a first lens disposed closest to the opening and having a first outer diameter, wherein the first lens includes: a lens portion forming an active area of the first lens, the lens portion being exposed to the opening; a connection portion forming a part of an ineffective area of the first lens, extending from the lens portion in a first direction away from the lens portion and inclined at an angle; and a flange portion forming another part of the ineffective area of the lens portion, extending from the connection portion in a second direction substantially perpendicular to a stacking direction of the plurality of lenses, wherein the lens barrel includes: a head portion containing the opening and having a second outer diameter; a body portion extending from the head portion, housing the at least one other of the plurality of lenses, and having a third outer diameter greater than the second outer diameter; and an engaging portion formed in an inner space of the lens barrel and engaged with the flange portion, and wherein the first outer diameter of the first lens is larger than the second outer diameter of the head portion.

According to some embodiments, an electronic device comprises: a housing including a front cover, a rear cover facing in an opposite direction from the front cover, and a support member surrounding a space between the front cover and the rear cover and including a portion extending at least partially into the space; a display disposed between the front cover and the support member and viewable from outside of the electronic device through at least a portion of the front cover; a camera module disposed between the rear cover and the support member in the space, and including a lens barrel having an opening formed toward the front cover, and a plurality of lenses provided with centers aligned with an image sensor in an inner space of the lens barrel, wherein the plurality of lenses includes at least one other lens and a first lens disposed closest to the opening and having a first outer diameter, wherein the first lens includes: a lens portion forming an effective area of the first lens, exposed to the opening; a connection portion forming a part of an ineffective region of the first lens, extending from the lens portion in a first direction away from the lens portion and inclined at a predetermined angle; and a flange portion forming another part of the ineffective area of the first lens, extending from the connection portion in a second direction perpendicular to a stacking direction of the plurality of lenses, wherein the lens barrel includes: a head portion containing the opening and having a second outer diameter; a body portion extending from the head portion, housing at least one other lens of the plurality of lenses, and having a third outer diameter greater than the second outer diameter; and an engaging portion formed in an inner space of the lens barrel and engaged with the flange portion, and wherein a first outer diameter of the first lens is larger than the second outer diameter of the head portion.

According to some embodiments, a camera module comprises: a housing having a circular opening; a lens disposed in the housing, the lens comprising: a circular lens portion exposed by the opening; and an annular connecting portion surrounding the lens portion, the annular connecting portion extending at an angle away from the opening and the lens portion; and wherein the housing covers the connecting portion; and wherein the diameter of the annular connecting portion exceeds the diameter of the opening.

The invention has the advantages of

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, therefore, even if lenses having the same effective area (e.g., effective diameter or lens portion) are used, the size of the camera exposure area can be reduced since the lens barrel has a relatively small outer diameter. This may help to increase the size of the display area of the electronic device.

Drawings

The foregoing and other aspects, features and advantages of some embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses below.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a front surface of a mobile electronic device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a rear surface of the mobile electronic device shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the mobile electronic device shown in fig. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view, partially illustrating an electronic device including a camera module, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating a region B of the camera module shown in fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a camera exposure area of an electronic device including a camera according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram comparing dimensions of a conventional lens barrel and a lens barrel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view partially illustrating a lens barrel of a camera module according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view showing a front surface of a mobile electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view showing a rear surface of the mobile electronic device shown in fig. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the mobile electronic device 100 may include a case 110, wherein the case 110 includes a first surface (or a front surface) 110A, a second surface (or a rear surface) 110B, and a side surface 110C surrounding a space between the first surface 110A and the second surface 110B. The case 110 may refer to a structure forming a portion of the first surface 110A, the second surface 110B, and the side surface 110C. The first surface 110A can be formed from a front sheet 102 (e.g., a glass sheet or a polymer sheet coated with various coatings) that is at least partially substantially transparent. The second surface 110B may be formed by a substantially opaque rear panel 111. The back plate 111 may be formed of, for example, coated or tinted glass, ceramic, polymer, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or any combination thereof. Side surface 110C may be formed by a side frame structure (or "side member") 118 that is bonded to front and back panels 102 and 111 and that includes metal and/or polymer. The back plate 111 and the side frame structure 118 may be integrally formed, and may be the same material (e.g., a metal material such as aluminum).

The front plate 102 may include two first regions 110D respectively arranged at long edges thereof and seamlessly bent and extended from the first surface 110A toward the rear plate 111. Similarly, the rear plate 111 may include two second regions 110E arranged at long edges thereof, respectively, and seamlessly bent and extended from the second surface 110B toward the front plate 102. The front plate 102 (or the rear plate 111) may include only one of the first regions 110D (or the second regions 110E). The first region 110D or the second region 110E may be partially omitted. When viewed from the side of the mobile electronic device 100, the side bezel structure 118 may have a first thickness (or width) on the side that does not include the first region 110D or the second region 110E, and may have a second thickness that is less than the first thickness on the other side that includes the first region 110D or the second region 110E.

The mobile electronic device 100 may comprise at least one of: a display 101, audio modules 103, 107, and 114, sensor modules 104 and 119, camera modules 105, 112, and 113, a key input device 117, a light emitting device, and connector holes 108 and 109. The mobile electronic device 100 may omit at least one of the above components (e.g., the key input device 117 or the light emitting device), or may also include other components.

For example, the display 101 may be exposed through a substantial portion of the front plate 102. At least a portion of the display 101 may be exposed through the front plate 102 forming the first area 110D of the first surface 110A and the side surface 110C. The outline (i.e., edges and corners) of the display 101 may have substantially the same shape as the outline of the front plate 102. The spacing between the outline of the display 101 and the outline of the front plate 102 may be substantially constant in order to enlarge the exposed area of the display 101.

A recess or opening may be formed in a portion of the display area of the display 101 to accommodate at least one of the audio module 114, the sensor module 104, the camera module 105, and the light emitting device. At least one of the audio module 114, the sensor module 104, the camera module 105, a fingerprint sensor (not shown), and a light emitting element may be disposed at the back of the display area of the display 101. The display 101 may be combined with or adjacent to touch sensing circuitry, a pressure sensor capable of measuring touch intensity (pressure), and/or a digitizer for detecting a stylus. At least a portion of the sensor modules 104 and 119 and/or at least a portion of the key input device 117 may be disposed in the first region 110D and/or the second region 110E.

The audio modules 103, 107, and 114 may correspond to the microphone aperture 103 and the speaker apertures 107 and 114, respectively. The microphone hole 103 may contain therein a microphone for picking up external sound, and in this case, may contain a plurality of microphones sensing a sound direction. The speaker holes 107 and 114 may be classified into an external speaker hole 107 and a call receiver hole 114. The microphone aperture 103 and the speaker apertures 107 and 114 may be implemented as a single aperture, or a speaker (e.g., a piezoelectric speaker) may be provided without the speaker apertures 107 and 114.

The sensor modules 104 and 119 may generate electrical signals or data corresponding to internal operating states of the mobile electronic device 100 or to external environmental conditions. The sensor modules 104 and 119 may include a first sensor module 104 (e.g., a proximity sensor) and/or a second sensor module (e.g., a fingerprint sensor) disposed on the first surface 110A of the housing 110, and/or a third sensor module 119 (e.g., a Heart Rate Monitor (HRM) sensor) and/or a fourth sensor module (e.g., a fingerprint sensor) disposed on the second surface 110B of the housing 110. The fingerprint sensor may be disposed on the second surface 110B and the first surface 110A (e.g., the display 101) of the housing 110. The electronic device 100 may further include at least one of the following sensors: a gesture sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a barometric sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a color sensor, an Infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

The camera modules 105, 112, and 113 may include a first camera device 105 disposed on a first surface 110A of the electronic device 100, and a second camera device 112 and/or a flash 113 disposed on a second surface 110B. The camera module 105 or the camera module 112 may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, and/or an image signal processor. The flash lamp 113 may include, for example, a light emitting diode or a xenon lamp. Two or more lenses (infrared camera, wide-angle and telephoto lens) and an image sensor may be disposed at one side of the electronic device 100.

The key input device 117 may be disposed on the side surface 110C of the case 110. The mobile electronic device 100 may not include some or all of the key input devices 117 described above, and the non-included key input devices 117 may be implemented in another form, such as soft keys on the display 101. The key input device 117 may include a sensor module disposed on the second surface 110B of the housing 110.

The light emitting device may be disposed on the first surface 110A of the housing 110. For example, the light emitting device may provide status information of the electronic device 100 in an optical form. The light emitting device may provide a light source associated with the operation of the camera module 105. The light emitting device may include, for example, a Light Emitting Diode (LED), an IR LED, or a xenon lamp.

The connector holes 108 and 109 may include a first connector hole 108 and/or a second connector hole 109, wherein the first connector hole 108 is adapted for a connector (e.g., a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector) for transmitting and receiving power and/or data to and from an external electronic device, and the second connector hole 109 is adapted for a connector (e.g., a headphone jack) for transmitting and receiving audio signals to and from the external electronic device.

Some of the sensor modules 105 and 112, some of the sensor modules 104 and 119, or the indicator may be arranged to be exposed through the display 101. For example, the camera module 105, the sensor module 104, or the indicator may be arranged in an interior space of the electronic device 100 so as to be in contact with an external environment through an opening of the display 101 perforated to the front plate 102. In another embodiment, some sensor modules 104 may be arranged to perform their functions in the interior space of the electronic device without being visually exposed through the front panel 102. For example, in this case, the area of the display 101 facing the sensor module may not require a perforated opening.

Fig. 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view showing the mobile electronic device shown in fig. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 3, the mobile electronic device 300 may include a side bezel structure 310, a first support member 311 (e.g., a stand), a front plate 320, a display 400, an electromagnetic induction panel (not shown), a Printed Circuit Board (PCB)340, a battery 350, a second support member 360 (e.g., a rear case), an antenna 370, and a rear plate 380. The mobile electronic device 300 may omit at least one of the above components (e.g., the first support member 311 or the second support member 360), or may also include another component. Some components of the electronic device 300 may be the same as or similar to those of the mobile electronic device 100 shown in fig. 1 or 2, and thus, descriptions thereof are omitted below.

The first support member 311 is disposed inside the mobile electronic device 300 and may be connected to the side bezel structure 310 or integrated with the side bezel structure 310. The first support member 311 may be formed of, for example, a metallic material and/or a non-metallic (e.g., polymeric) material. The first support member 311 may be coupled with the display 400 at one side thereof and may also be coupled with the PCB340 at the other side thereof. On the PCB340, a processor, memory, and/or interface may be mounted. The processor may include, for example, one or more of a Central Processing Unit (CPU), an Application Processor (AP), a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), an Image Signal Processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a Communication Processor (CP).

The memory may include, for example, one or more of volatile memory and non-volatile memory.

The interface may include, for example, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a USB interface, a Secure Digital (SD) card interface, and/or an audio interface. The interface may electrically or physically connect the mobile electronic device 300 with an external electronic device, and may include a USB connector, an SD/multimedia card (MMC) connector, or an audio connector.

The battery 350 is a device for powering at least one component of the mobile electronic device 300 and may comprise, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell. At least a portion of the battery 350 may be disposed on substantially the same plane as the PCB 340. The battery 350 may be integrally disposed within the mobile electronic device 300, and may be detachably disposed from the mobile electronic device 300.

The antenna 370 may be disposed between the rear plate 280 and the battery 350. Antenna 370 may include, for example, a Near Field Communication (NFC) antenna, a wireless charging antenna, and/or a Magnetic Secure Transport (MST) antenna. The antenna 370 may perform short-range communication with an external device or transmit and receive power required for wireless charging. The antenna structure may be formed by a portion of the side frame structure 310 and/or the first support member 311 or a combination of the side frame structure 310 and the first support member 311.

According to some embodiments, the first support member 311 of the side member 310 may include a first surface 3101 and a second surface 3102. The first surface 3101 may face the front plate 320 and the second surface 3102 may face the rear plate 380. The second surface 3102 may be opposite the first surface 3101.

A camera module 400 (e.g., camera module 105 in fig. 1) may be disposed between the first support member 311 and the back plate 380. According to an embodiment, the camera module 400 may be disposed to protrude toward the front plate 320 through the first through hole 301 or to be exposed through the front plate 320. The first through hole 301 may be formed from the first surface 3101 to the second surface 3102 of the first support member 311.

A portion of the camera module 400 protruding through the first through hole 301 may be disposed near or in contact with the lower surface of the front plate 320 through the second through hole 331 formed in the display 330. In another embodiment, when the camera module 400 is disposed between the display 330 and the first support member 311, the first through hole 301 may not be necessary. The camera module 400 may penetrate at least a portion of the first and second through holes 301 and 331 in the inner space of the electronic device 300. The camera module 400 receives light from the outside through a camera exposure area 321 formed in the front plate 320. The camera exposure area 321 may include a transparent area substantially facing an effective area of a lens (e.g., the first lens 431 in fig. 4) provided in a lens barrel (e.g., the lens barrel 420 in fig. 4) of the camera module 400 and a printed area having a predetermined width and surrounding the transparent area.

Hereinafter, the structure and arrangement of the camera module 400 in the electronic device 300 will be described in detail.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view, partially illustrating an electronic device 300 including a camera module 400, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. By allowing the diameter of the first lens 431 to be larger than the diameter of the head portion of the lens barrel 420, the area of the display interrupted by the camera module 400 is reduced without substantially reducing (if any) the viewing angle.

The electronic device 300 of fig. 4 may be at least partially similar to the electronic device 100 of fig. 2, or may include other embodiments of electronic devices.

Referring to fig. 4, the electronic device 300 may include a front plate 320, a rear plate 380, and side members 310. The front plate 320 (e.g., a front cover or a front window) faces a first direction (e.g., a Z direction). The rear panel 380 (e.g., a rear cover or a rear window) faces in a direction opposite the front panel 320. The side member 310 surrounds a space 3001 between the front plate 320 and the rear plate 380. The electronic device 300 may include a first waterproof member 3201 disposed between the display 330 and the side member 310. The electronic device 300 may include a second waterproof member 3801 disposed between the side member 310 and the rear plate 380. The first waterproof member 3201 and the second waterproof member 3801 may prevent foreign substances or moisture from entering the internal space 3001 of the electronic device 300.

The side member 310 may also include a support member 311 (e.g., the first support member 311 in fig. 3) that extends at least partially into the interior space 3001 of the electronic device 300. The support member 311 may be formed by structural coupling with the side member 310. According to an embodiment, the support member 311 may include a first through hole 301, the first through hole 301 being formed to accommodate the lens barrel 420 of the camera module 400 disposed between the support member 311 and the rear plate 380. According to an embodiment, the support member 311 may include a support structure for fixing the position of the lens barrel 420, at least a portion of the lens barrel 420 passing through the first through hole 301.

According to some embodiments, the display 330 may include a second via 331 formed at a position corresponding to the first via 301. According to an embodiment, the lens barrel 420 of the camera module 400 may be disposed to approach or contact the lower surface of the front plate 320 through the second through hole 331.

According to some embodiments, the camera module 400 may include a camera housing 410, a lens barrel 420, a plurality of lenses (i.e., 431, 432, 433, and 434, respectively), collectively referred to as 430, and at least one image sensor 440. The lens barrel 420 is disposed in the inner space 4001 of the camera housing 410, and at least partially protrudes from the camera housing 410. A plurality of lenses 430 are arranged at regular intervals in the inner space 4002 of the lens barrel 420. At least one image sensor 440 is disposed in the inner space 4001 of the camera housing 410 with its center aligned with the center of each lens 430. In another embodiment, the camera module 400 may not include the camera housing 410. In this case, the image sensor may be disposed in the inner space 4002 of the lens barrel 420.

According to some embodiments, the lens barrel 420 may be disposed to penetrate the first through hole 301 of the support member 311 and the second through hole 331 of the display 330 and to be close to the lower surface of the front plate 320. According to an embodiment, the plurality of lenses 430 may be supported at their positions by the structural shape of the inner space 4002 of the lens barrel 420. According to an embodiment, among the plurality of lenses 430, the first lens 431 disposed closest to the front plate 320 may be disposed to face a camera exposure area (e.g., the camera exposure area 321 in fig. 3) of the front plate 320 through an opening 4201 formed in the lens barrel 420. According to an embodiment, the size of the camera exposure area 321 of the front plate 320 may be determined depending on the outer diameter of the lens barrel 420 supporting the first lens 431. According to an embodiment, when the camera module 400 (e.g., a Fixed Focus (FF) camera) performs an operation of focusing an image, a relative distance between the lens barrel 420 and the front plate 320 may be fixed. According to an embodiment, when the camera module 400 (e.g., an Auto Focus (AF) camera) performs an operation of focusing an image, a relative distance between the lens barrel 420 and the front plate 320 may vary. For example, the camera module 400 may include a driving motor (e.g., a Voice Coil Motor (VCM), not shown) for moving the lens barrel 420, and the relative distance between the lens barrel 420 and the front plate 320 may be varied by the driving motor.

Accordingly, even if the first lens 431 having the same effective area (e.g., effective diameter or lens portion) is used, since the lens barrel 420 has a relatively small outer diameter, the size of the camera exposure area 321 can be reduced. This may help to increase the size of the display area.

Hereinafter, the structural relationship between the lens barrel 420 and the first lens 431 will be described in detail.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating an area B of the camera module 400 illustrated in fig. 4, and fig. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a camera exposure area 321 of the electronic device 100 including the camera module 400 according to some examples of the present disclosure.

The first lens 431 includes a lens portion 4311, a connection portion 4312, and a flange portion 4313. The connection portion 4312 is inclined. For the reasons described above, the flange portion 4313 is lower than the lens portion 4311 and is outward from the lens portion 4311. This makes the diameter D1 of the first lens 431 larger than the diameter of the head portion 421 of the lens barrel that accommodates the lens portion 4311.

In the present disclosure, the term "effective area L1" refers to a portion of the first lens 431 facing the opening 4201 of the lens barrel 420 and receiving a large amount of external light for imaging. In addition, the term "ineffective area L2" refers to another part of the first lens 431 surrounding the effective area L1, which has a structure supported by the lens barrel 420 or engaged with the lens barrel 420 in the inner space 4002 of the lens barrel 420. In addition, the term "first outer diameter D1" refers to the maximum diameter of the first lens 431 including both the effective region L1 and the ineffective region L2. In addition, the term "second outer diameter D2" refers to the outer diameter of head portion 421 of lens barrel 420. In addition, the term "third outer diameter D3" refers to the outer diameter of the main body portion 423 of the lens barrel 420.

Referring to fig. 5 and 6, the camera module 400 may include a first lens 431, the first lens 431 being disposed to be at least partially exposed through an opening 4201 in an inner space 4002 of the lens barrel 420. According to an embodiment, when the front plate 320 is viewed from above, the first lens 431 may include an effective area L1 and an ineffective area L2. The effective area L1 (e.g., effective diameter) may include a lens portion 4311 that overlaps the opening 4201 of the lens barrel 420. The inactive area L2 may include a connection portion 4312 extending from the lens portion 4311 in a direction in which the outer diameter increases, and a flange portion 4313 extending from the connection portion 4312. The connection part 4312 may be engaged with an engagement part 4221 formed in the inner space 4002 of the lens barrel 420.

According to an embodiment, the connection portion 4312 may be formed to extend from the lens portion 4311 in a direction in which the outer diameter increases and to be inclined at an angle (θ). According to an embodiment, the inclination angle (θ) may be in a range of 15 degrees to 75 degrees. According to an embodiment, the first lens 431 may have a first outer diameter D1 including an effective region L1 and an ineffective region L2. According to an embodiment, the connection portion 4312 may be formed to have a uniform, gradually thinner, or gradually thicker thickness. In another embodiment, the connection portion 4312 may be formed such that the inner surface and the outer surface thereof have different inclination angles. According to an embodiment, the flange portion 4313 may be formed to extend outward (i.e., in a direction in which the outer diameter increases) from the connection portion 4312. This allows diameter D1 if first lens 431 is larger than head portion 421 of barrel 420. According to an embodiment, the flange portion 4313 may extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction of the plurality of lenses 430 (i.e., 431, 432, 433, and 434) or in a direction within 5 degrees perpendicular to the stacking direction of the plurality of lenses 430 (i.e., 431, 432, 433, and 434) (here "substantially perpendicular" is understood to be "substantially perpendicular or within 5 degrees perpendicular").

According to some embodiments, the first lens 431 may be disposed in the inner space 4002 of the lens barrel 420 such that the flange portion 4313 contacts and engages with the engagement portion 4221 of the lens barrel 420. Even if the flange portion 4313 is engaged with the engagement portion 4221, other portions of the first lens 431 (i.e., the lens portion 4311 and the connection portion 4312) may not be engaged with the lens barrel 420. This is to achieve accurate alignment of the first lens 431 in the inner space 4002 of the lens barrel 420.

According to some embodiments, lens barrel 420 may include a head portion 421 and a body portion 423. The head portion 421 has an opening 4201, and the opening 4201 is formed to allow the lens portion 4311 of the first lens 431 to be visible from the outside. A body portion 423 extends from the head portion 421. According to an embodiment, the lens portion 4311 of the first lens 431 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the head portion 421 in the inner space 4002 of the lens barrel 420. According to one embodiment, the flange portion 4313 of the first lens 431 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the body portion 423 in the inner space 4002 of the lens barrel 420.

According to some embodiments, the head portion 421 of the lens barrel 420 passes through a first through hole (e.g., the first through hole 301 in fig. 3 and 4) of a support member (e.g., the support member 311 in fig. 3 and 4), and also at least partially passes through a second through hole (e.g., the second through hole 331 in fig. 3 and 4) of a display (e.g., the display 330 in fig. 3 and 4), and is disposed close to the lower surface of the front plate 320. Accordingly, as the outer diameter (e.g., the second outer diameter D2) of the head portion 421 becomes smaller, the size of the camera exposure area 321 (e.g., the print area) formed in the front plate 320 can be reduced. According to an embodiment, in order to reduce the outer diameter of the head section 421 without reducing the size of the effective area L1 of the first lens 431 that receives external light through the opening 4201, the flange portion 4313 of the first lens 431 may be displaced downward toward the body portion 423 of the lens barrel 420 and away from the lens portion 4311 by the connection portion 4312. Accordingly, the head portion 421 may be formed to have a second outer diameter D2 smaller than the first outer diameter D1 of the first lens 431. According to an embodiment, the body portion 423 may be formed to have at least one third outer diameter D3 that is greater than the second outer diameter D2.

According to an embodiment, the third outer diameter D3 of the body portion 423 may be generally greater than the first and second outer diameters D1 and D2. This is because at least a part of the body portion 423 accommodates the flange portion 4313 of the first lens 431 in the inner space 4002 of the lens barrel 420, and because the outer diameter of at least one of the other lenses 432, 433, and 434 sequentially stacked below the first lens 431 may be substantially larger than the outer diameter of the first lens 431.

According to some embodiments, the lens barrel 420 may include a connection surface 422 connecting the head portion 421 and the body portion 423. According to an embodiment, the connection surface 422 may be formed to have a flat surface extending from the bottom of the head portion 421 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction of the lenses 430 (i.e., 431, 432, 433, and 434). According to an embodiment, the connection surface 422 may serve as an adhesive surface and/or a receiving surface of a belt member (e.g., a PORON belt having a cushioning property) inserted when the camera module 400 is supported by a support member (e.g., the support member 311 in fig. 4). In another embodiment, a strap member may be interposed between display 330 and connection surface 422.

According to the embodiment, the first lens 431 is disposed in the inner space 4201 of the lens barrel 420 by structural changes of the lens portion 4311 and the flange portion 4313. At this time, a first perpendicular distance H1 from the top of the head portion 421 to an engagement portion 4221 of the lens barrel 420 (with which the flange portion 4313 of the first lens 431 is engaged) may be greater than a second perpendicular distance H2 from the top of the head portion 421 to the connection surface 422.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram comparing dimensions of lens barrel 420 'and lens barrel 420, with the lens portion and flange portion of lens barrel 420' arranged consistently (i.e., on the same line), according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 7, even though the size of an opening 4201 formed in the head portion 421 and determining the viewing angle of the camera module 400 is not changed, the outer diameter D2 of the head portion 421 of the lens barrel 420 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is smaller than the outer diameter D2 'of the head portion 421'. This is because, in the case of the lens barrel 420', the lens portion and the flange portion are arranged in line with each other (i.e., on the same line), and the flange portion 4313 of the first lens 431 is displaced toward the main body portion 423 by the connection portion 4312 and engaged with the lens barrel 420. When the outer diameter D2 of the head part 421 of the lens barrel 420 is reduced, the camera exposure area (e.g., the camera exposure area 321 of fig. 3) (e.g., the print area) formed in the front plate (e.g., the front plate 320 of fig. 3) may also be reduced in size. This may help to increase the size of the display area.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view partially illustrating a lens barrel 420 of a camera module 400 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

In fig. 8, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same elements as those of the camera module 400 shown in fig. 5, and redundant description may be omitted.

Referring to fig. 8, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first lens 431 may be engaged with the lens barrel 420 in the inner space 4002 of the lens barrel 420 through an inclined structure of the connection part 4314 itself without the above flange part.

According to some embodiments, when the front plate (e.g., the front plate 320 in fig. 4) is viewed from above, the first lens 431 may be composed of an effective region L1 (e.g., an effective diameter) and an ineffective region L2, the effective region L1 including a lens portion 4311 overlapping the opening 4201 of the lens barrel 420, the ineffective region L2 including a connection portion 4314 extending from the lens portion 4311. According to an embodiment, the connection portion 4314 may extend from the lens portion 4311 in a direction in which the outer diameter increases and be inclined toward the body portion 423.

According to some embodiments, the lens barrel 420 may include an inclined surface 4222 formed to face the inner space 4002 and correspond to the connection portion 4314 of the first lens 431. According to an embodiment, once first lens 431 is inserted toward opening 4201 in inner space 4002 of lens barrel 420, first lens 431 may be engaged with lens barrel 420 by contact between the outer surface of connection portion 4314 and inclined surface 4222 of lens barrel 420. In this case, the engagement structure between the first lens 431 and the lens barrel 420 through the connection portion 4314 may be implemented at the body portion 423 instead of the head portion 421. Accordingly, the head part 421 of the lens barrel 420 may be formed to have a second outer diameter D2 that is smaller than the first outer diameter D1 of the first lens 431 and is also reduced compared to the outer diameter D2 'of the head part 421' of fig. 7. This means that when the outer diameter D2 of the head portion 421 of the lens barrel 420 is reduced without changing the size of the opening 4201, the size of the camera exposure area (e.g., the camera exposure area 321 of fig. 3) (e.g., the print area) formed in the front plate (e.g., the front plate 320 of fig. 3) can also be reduced.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device 300 in fig. 4) may include a housing (e.g., housing 110 of fig. 1) and a camera module (e.g., camera module 400 of fig. 4) disposed in an interior space of the housing. The camera module may include a lens barrel (e.g., lens barrel 420 in fig. 4) having an opening (e.g., opening 4201 in fig. 4), and a plurality of lenses (e.g., lens 430 in fig. 4) disposed to be aligned with the image sensor in an inner space of the lens barrel (e.g., inner space 4002 in fig. 4). Among the plurality of lenses, a first lens (e.g., first lens 431 in fig. 5) disposed closest to the opening and having a first outer diameter (e.g., first outer diameter D1 in fig. 5) may include: a lens portion (e.g., lens portion 4311 in fig. 5) as an effective region (e.g., effective region L1 in fig. 5) provided so as to be exposed to the opening; a connection portion (e.g., connection portion 4312 in fig. 5) that is a part of the ineffective region (e.g., ineffective region L2 in fig. 5) extending from the lens portion in the first direction in which the outer diameter increases and inclined at a predetermined angle (e.g., angle θ in fig. 5); and a flange portion (for example, a flange portion 4313 in fig. 5) as another portion of the ineffective area extending from the connecting portion in a second direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the plurality of lenses. The lens barrel may include: a head portion (e.g., head portion 421 in fig. 5) containing an opening and having a second outer diameter (e.g., second outer diameter D2 in fig. 5); a body portion (e.g., body portion 423 in fig. 5) that extends from the head portion, accommodates lenses other than the first lens (e.g., lenses 432, 433, and 434 in fig. 4) among the plurality of lenses, and has a third outer diameter (e.g., third outer diameter D3 in fig. 5) that is larger than the second outer diameter; and an engaging portion (e.g., an engaging portion 4221 in fig. 5) formed in the inner space of the lens barrel and engaged with the flange portion. The first outer diameter of the first lens may be larger than the second outer diameter of the head portion.

According to some embodiments, the first lens may be formed such that at least a part of the lens portion is disposed at a position corresponding to the head portion in the inner space of the lens barrel, and such that the flange portion is disposed at a position corresponding to the body portion in the inner space of the lens barrel.

According to some embodiments, the housing may include at least one cover (e.g., the front plate 320 in fig. 4) including a camera exposure region (e.g., the camera exposure region 321 in fig. 3) corresponding to the lens barrel, and a relative distance between the lens barrel and the at least one cover may be fixed or variable when the camera module performs an operation of focusing an image.

According to some embodiments, the lens barrel may further include a connection surface (e.g., connection surface 422 in fig. 5) of the head portion and the body portion, and the connection surface may be formed in a second direction from the head portion to the body portion.

According to some embodiments, a first vertical distance from the top of the head portion to the engaging portion (e.g., first vertical distance H1 in fig. 5) may be greater than the height of the head portion (e.g., second vertical distance H2 in fig. 5).

According to some embodiments, the connection portion may extend from the lens portion to be inclined at an angle in a range of 15 degrees to 75 degrees with respect to the second direction.

According to some embodiments, the housing may include at least one cover (e.g., the front plate 320 in fig. 4) including a camera exposure area (e.g., the camera exposure area 321 in fig. 3) corresponding to the lens barrel; and the electronic device may further include a display (e.g., the display 330 in fig. 4) disposed in the inner space of the housing to be seen from the outside through at least a portion of the at least one cover.

According to some embodiments, the display may include an at least partially formed through hole (e.g., the second through hole 331 in fig. 4), and the camera module may be disposed such that the head portion at least partially passes through the through hole.

According to some embodiments, the housing may comprise: at least one cover (e.g., the front plate 320 in fig. 4) including a camera exposure area (e.g., the camera exposure area 321 in fig. 3) corresponding to the lens barrel; and a side member (e.g., side member 310 in fig. 4) surrounding a periphery of the at least one cover. The at least one cover may include a front cover (e.g., front plate 320 in fig. 4) and a rear cover (e.g., rear plate 380 in fig. 4) facing in a direction opposite to the front cover. The side member may be disposed to surround a space (e.g., a space 3001 in fig. 4) between the front cover and the rear cover.

According to some embodiments, the side member may include a support member (e.g., the support member 311 in fig. 4) extending at least partially to the space and having a first through hole (e.g., the first through hole 301 in fig. 4) formed at a position corresponding to the head portion, and the camera module may be disposed between the support member and the rear cover.

According to some embodiments, the camera module may be arranged such that the head portion is exposed or protrudes toward the front cover through a first through hole formed in the support member.

According to some embodiments, the electronic device may further include a display disposed between the front cover and the support member to be seen from the outside through at least a portion of the front cover.

According to some embodiments, the display may include a second through hole (e.g., second through hole 331 in fig. 4) formed at least in part, and the camera module may be disposed such that the head portion passes through the first through hole and also passes at least in part through the second through hole.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device 300 in fig. 4) may include a housing (e.g., housing 110 in fig. 1), a display (e.g., display 330 in fig. 4), and a camera module (e.g., camera module 400 in fig. 4). The housing may include a front cover (e.g., front plate 320 in fig. 4), a rear cover (e.g., rear plate 380 in fig. 4) facing in a direction opposite to the front cover, and a side member (e.g., side member 310 in fig. 4) surrounding a space (e.g., space 3001 in fig. 4) between the front cover and the rear cover and including a support member (e.g., support member 311 in fig. 4) extending at least partially toward the space. The display may be disposed between the front cover and the support member to be seen from the outside through at least a portion of the front cover. The camera module may be disposed between the rear cover and the support member in the space, and may include a lens barrel (e.g., lens barrel 420 in fig. 4) having an opening (e.g., opening 4201 in fig. 4) formed toward the front cover, and a plurality of lenses (e.g., lens 430 in fig. 4) disposed to be aligned with the image sensor in an inner space (e.g., inner space 4002 in fig. 4) of the lens barrel. Among the plurality of lenses, a first lens (e.g., first lens 431 in fig. 5) disposed closest to the opening and having a first outer diameter (e.g., first outer diameter D1 in fig. 5) may include: a lens portion (e.g., lens portion 4311 in fig. 5) as an effective region (e.g., effective region L1 in fig. 5) provided so as to be exposed to the opening; a connection portion (e.g., connection portion 4312 in fig. 5) that is a part of the ineffective region (e.g., ineffective region L2 in fig. 5) extending from the lens portion in the first direction in which the outer diameter increases and inclined at a predetermined angle (e.g., angle θ in fig. 5); and a flange portion (for example, a flange portion 4313 in fig. 5) as another portion of the ineffective area extending from the connecting portion in a second direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the plurality of lenses. The lens barrel may include: a head portion (e.g., head portion 421 in fig. 5) containing an opening and having a second outer diameter (e.g., second outer diameter D2 in fig. 5); a body portion (e.g., body portion 423 in fig. 5) that extends from the head portion, accommodates lenses other than the first lens (e.g., lenses 432, 433, and 434 in fig. 4) among the plurality of lenses, and has a third outer diameter (e.g., third outer diameter D3 in fig. 5) that is larger than the second outer diameter; and an engaging portion (e.g., an engaging portion 4221 in fig. 5) formed in the inner space of the lens barrel and engaged with the flange portion. The first outer diameter of the first lens may be larger than the second outer diameter of the head portion.

According to some embodiments, the first lens may be formed such that at least a part of the lens portion is disposed at a position corresponding to the head portion in the inner space of the lens barrel, and such that the flange portion is disposed at a position corresponding to the body portion in the inner space of the lens barrel.

According to some embodiments, the support member may have a first through hole (e.g., the first through hole 301 in fig. 4) formed at a position corresponding to the head portion, and the camera module may be disposed such that the head portion is exposed or protrudes toward the front cover through the first through hole.

According to some embodiments, the display may include a second through hole (e.g., second through hole 331 in fig. 4) formed at least in part, and the camera module may be disposed such that the head portion passes through the first through hole and also passes at least in part through the second through hole.

According to some embodiments, a first vertical distance from the top of the head portion to the engaging portion (e.g., first vertical distance H1 of fig. 5) may be greater than the height of the head portion (e.g., second vertical distance H2 of fig. 5).

According to some embodiments, the lens barrel may further include a connection surface (e.g., connection surface 422 in fig. 5) connecting the head portion and the body portion, and the connection surface may be formed in parallel with the support member from the head portion to the body portion.

According to some embodiments, when the camera module performs an operation of focusing an image, a relative distance between the lens barrel and the front cover may be fixed or variable.

While the present disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the subject matter defined by the appended claims.