IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,378,814
Granted Patent B2
US 11,378,814 · App. 17/056,337 · Granted Jul 5, 2022

Camera module with controller to move image sensor or lens assembly

Inventors: Yong Bok Choi (Seoul, KR); Eun Sung Seo (Seoul, KR)
Assignees: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.; CORNING INCORPORATED
G02B27/646G02B3/14G03B5/00H04N5/2253H04N5/2254H04N5/23287G03B2205/0015
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,378,814
App. No.
17/056,337
Granted
Jul 5, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A camera module includes a lens assembly comprising a plurality of solid lenses, an image sensor disposed on an optical axis of the plurality of solid lenses, a liquid lens disposed on the optical axis, the liquid lens being disposed on the image sensor, and a controller configured to move the image sensor in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

Claims (58)

1. A camera module, comprising:

a lens assembly comprising a plurality of solid lenses;

an image sensor disposed on an optical axis of the plurality of solid lenses;

a liquid lens disposed on the optical axis, the liquid lens being disposed on the image sensor, the liquid lens comprising a first liquid and a second liquid, the first liquid and the second liquid providing a single interface therebetween; and

a controller configured to move the image sensor in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis,

wherein, in response to movement of the image sensor by the controller, the controller is configured to change a position or a shape of the single interface or to change a position of at least one solid lens among the plurality of solid lenses.

2. The camera module according to claim 1 , wherein the first liquid is a conductive liquid and the second liquid is a non-conductive liquid, and

wherein, when the image sensor moves in a first direction, the at least one solid lens among the plurality of solid lenses moves in a second direction.

3. The camera module according to claim 1 ,

wherein the second liquid is disposed closer to the image sensor than the first liquid, and

wherein a direction in which the single interface is tilted varies depending on a direction in which the image sensor moves in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

4. The camera module according to claim 3 , wherein a refractive index of the second liquid is greater than a refractive index of the first liquid,

wherein the image sensor moves from a first position to a second position in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and

wherein, in a direction parallel to the optical axis, a shortest distance between the single interface and the second position of the image sensor is shorter than a shortest distance between the single interface and the first position of the image sensor.

5. The camera module according to claim 3 , wherein a refractive index of the first liquid is greater than a refractive index of the second liquid,

wherein the image sensor moves from a first position to a second position in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and

wherein, in a direction parallel to the optical axis, a shortest distance between the single interface and the first position of the image sensor is shorter than a shortest distance between the single interface and the second position of the image sensor.

6. The camera module according to claim 2 , wherein the solid lens, controlled in position by the controller, comprises a convex lens, and the image sensor and the convex lens are controlled so as to move in different directions from each other.

7. The camera module according to claim 1 , comprising:

a moving body configured to move the image sensor,

wherein the image sensor receives power via the moving body.

8. The camera module according to claim 1 , comprising:

a driving unit and a moving body configured to move the image sensor,

wherein power is applied to the driving unit so as to move the image sensor via the moving body.

9. The camera module according to claim 7 , comprising:

a moving substrate on which the image sensor is disposed; and

a fixed substrate disposed below the moving substrate,

wherein the moving body is disposed between the fixed substrate and the moving substrate.

10. The camera module according to claim 7 , comprising:

a moving substrate on which the image sensor is disposed; and

a fixed substrate disposed below the moving substrate,

wherein the moving body connects the fixed substrate and the moving substrate.

11. The camera module according to claim 1 , comprising a sensing unit configured to detect horizontal movement or rotational movement of the camera module,

wherein the controller is configured to move the image sensor using information received from the sensing unit.

12. A camera module, comprising:

a lens assembly comprising a plurality of solid lenses;

an image sensor disposed on an optical axis of the plurality of solid lenses;

a liquid lens disposed on the optical axis, the liquid lens being disposed on the image sensor;

a controller configured to move the image sensor in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis;

a moving substrate on which the image sensor is disposed;

a fixed substrate disposed below the moving substrate; and

a ball disposed between the moving substrate and the fixed substrate.

13. The camera module according to claim 12 , wherein the fixed substrate comprises a first accommodation recess in which the ball is disposed, and

wherein the moving substrate comprises a second accommodation recess in which the ball is disposed.

14. The camera module according to claim 13 , comprising a viscous body, which is disposed in the first accommodation recess or the second accommodation recess and is in contact with the ball.

15. The camera module according to claim 14 , wherein the viscous body is a conductive fluid.

16. The camera module according to claim 12 , comprising:

a detection sensor disposed on one of the moving substrate and the fixed substrate, to detect an amount of movement or an amount of rotation of the image sensor; and

a sensing magnet secured to the other of the moving substrate and the fixed substrate and disposed at a position corresponding to the Hall sensor.

17. The camera module according to claim 12 , wherein the ball is configured to electrically connect the moving substrate and the fixed substrate.

18. A camera module, comprising:

a lens assembly including a plurality of solid lenses;

an image sensor disposed on an optical axis of the plurality of solid lenses;

a liquid lens disposed above the image sensor on the optical axis; and

a controller configured to move the lens assembly in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis,

wherein the liquid lens includes a conductive liquid and a non-conductive liquid that form a single interface therebetween, and

wherein, in response to movement of the lens assembly by the controller, the controller is further configured to change a position or a shape of the single interface or change a position of at least one solid lens among the plurality of solid lenses.

19. The camera module according to claim 18 , wherein, when the lens assembly moves in a first direction, one solid lens among the plurality of solid lenses is configured to move in a second direction, and tilt the single interface of the liquid lens.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 6, 2021
From: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
To: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.; CORNING INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 055841/0477 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 18, 2020
From: CHOI, YONG BOK; SEO, EUN SUNG
To: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 054402/0035 →
Priority Claims (1)
KR 10-2018-0057410 · May 18, 2018 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210208417A1 · Jul 8, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,306,395