IP Library Granted Patent US 12,739,486
Granted Patent B2
US 12,739,486 · App. 18/599,853 · Granted Sep 15, 2026

Camera including image sensor and electronic apparatus comprising same

Inventor: Jaeheung Park (Suwon-si, KR)
Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
H04N23/54H04N23/55
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,739,486
App. No.
18/599,853
Granted
Sep 15, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A camera module according to various embodiments may include a first circuit board electrically connected to an image sensor or a circuit board including the image sensor, an actuator configured to control at least one of a position or a posture of the first circuit board within the camera module, a flexible circuit board extracted and extending from at least one side surface of the first circuit board, multiple slits, the slits being disposed between adjacent ones of multiple conductive wires mounted on the flexible circuit board, and a second circuit board electrically connected to one end of the flexible circuit board. The flexible circuit board may include a first section extracted from the first circuit board or extending from the first circuit board in a first direction. The flexible circuit board may include a second section extending from one end of the first section in a second direction different from the first direction or fixed to another component of the camera module. The flexible circuit board may be deformed as the actuator is driven.

Claims (48)

1 . A camera module comprising:

a first circuit board electrically connected to an image sensor or a circuit board comprising the image sensor;

an actuator configured to control at least one of a position or a posture of the image sensor within the camera module;

a flexible circuit board extracted and extending from at least one side surface of the first circuit board;

a plurality of slits disposed between adjacent ones of multiple conductive wires mounted on the flexible circuit board; and

a second circuit board electrically connected to one end of the flexible circuit board,

wherein the flexible circuit board comprises a first section extending in a first direction from the first circuit board and a second section extending from one end of the first section in a second direction different from the first direction, and

the flexible circuit board is configured to be deformed based on the actuator being driven, and

wherein the plurality of slits comprise a plurality of first slits formed in parallel with each other in the first direction in the first section, a plurality of second slits formed in parallel with each other in the second direction in the second section, and the plurality of first slits are disjoined from the plurality of second slits in at least a section of the flexible circuit board between the first section and the second section where the direction of flexible circuit board changes.

2 . The camera module of claim 1 , wherein the section of the flexible circuit board between the first section and the second section comprises a curved section in which a direction in which the flexible circuit board extends is changed, and

wherein the curved section includes no slits.

3 . The camera module of claim 1 , further comprising an optical system comprising an optical path configured to guide light incident from a subject to the image sensor,

wherein the flexible circuit board is extracted at a position deviating from a central axis corresponding to an optical axis of the optical system on the at least one side surface of the first circuit board.

4 . The camera module of claim 3 , further comprising a housing accommodating the first circuit board and the optical system,

wherein the flexible circuit board is disposed along at least one surface of the housing around the optical system.

5 . The camera module of claim 3 , wherein the optical system comprises a refraction type optical system in which an optical path through which light incident from the subject reaches the image sensor is refracted at least twice.

6 . The camera module of claim 5 , wherein the image sensor is disposed such that a light detecting surface is oriented in an opposite direction to a direction in which light is incident from the subject to the optical system.

7 . The camera module of claim 5 , wherein the image sensor is disposed such that a light detecting surface is oriented in a same direction as a direction in which light is incident from the subject to the optical system.

8 . The camera module of claim 1 , wherein the flexible circuit board further comprises a third section extending in a third direction different from the second direction.

9 . The camera module of claim 8 , wherein the second section is configured to be deformed as the first circuit board moves in the first direction as the actuator is driven.

10 . The camera module of claim 8 , wherein the third section is configured to be deformed as the first circuit board moves in the second direction as the actuator is driven.

11 . The camera module of claim 8 , wherein the first section and the third section are configured to be deformed as the first circuit board rotates as the actuator is driven.

12 . The camera module of claim 8 , wherein the actuator comprises an auto-focusing actuator configured to provide an auto-focusing function, and

the first section is configured to be deformed as the auto-focusing actuator is driven.

13 . The camera module of claim 1 , wherein the flexible circuit board comprises a folded and bent section between the first section and the second section, and a stiffener is attached to the bent section.

14 . A camera module comprising:

a first circuit board electrically connected to an image sensor or a circuit board comprising the image sensor;

an actuator configured to control at least one of a position or a posture of the image sensor within the camera module;

a flexible circuit board extracted and extending from at least one side surface of the first circuit board;

a plurality of slits disposed between adjacent ones of multiple conductive wires mounted on the flexible circuit board; and

a second circuit board connected to one end of the flexible circuit board,

wherein the flexible circuit board comprises a first section extracted from a position deviated to one side from a central axis of the first circuit board and extending in a first direction, and a second section extending from one end of the first section in a second direction different from the first direction, and

wherein the plurality of slits comprise a plurality of first slits formed in parallel with each other in the first direction in the first section, a plurality of second slits formed in parallel with each other in the second direction in the second section, and the plurality of first slits are disjoined from the plurality of second slits in at least a section of the flexible circuit board between the first section and the second section where the direction of flexible circuit board changes.

15 . The camera module of claim 14 , further comprising an optical system comprising an optical path configured to guide light incident from a subject to the image sensor,

wherein the flexible circuit board is extracted at a position deviating from a central axis corresponding to an optical axis of the optical system on the at least one side surface of the first circuit board, and

wherein the optical system comprises a refraction type optical system in which an optical path through which light incident from the subject reaches the image sensor is refracted at least twice.

16 . The camera module of claim 15 , wherein the image sensor is disposed such that a light detecting surface is oriented in an opposite direction to a direction in which light is incident from the subject to the optical system.

17 . The camera module of claim 15 , wherein the image sensor is disposed such that a light detecting surface is oriented in a same direction as a direction in which light is incident from the subject to the optical system.

18 . An electronic apparatus comprising a camera module, the electronic apparatus comprising:

a circuit board electrically connected to an image sensor or a circuit board comprising the image sensor;

an actuator configured to control at least one of a position or a posture of the image sensor within the camera module;

a fixed portion fixed inside the electronic apparatus; and

a flexible circuit board interconnecting the circuit board and the fixed portion and comprising an operating section deformed as the actuator is driven,

wherein a plurality of slits are formed in the operating section including a first section and a second section, and the plurality of slits comprise a plurality of first slits formed in parallel with each other in a direction in the first section, a plurality of second slits formed in parallel with each other in a second direction in the second section, and the plurality of first slits are disjoined from the plurality of second slits in at least a section of the flexible circuit board between the first section and the second section where the direction of flexible circuit board changes.

19 . The electronic apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the flexible circuit board comprises multiple conductive wires, and

the plurality of slits are disposed in parallel to the conductive wires.

20 . The electronic apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the section of the flexible circuit board between the first section and the second section comprises a curved section in which a direction in which the flexible circuit board extends is changed within the operating section, and

the conductive wires are joined together without a gap between adjacent ones of the conductive wires in the curved section.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 13, 2024
From: PARK, JAEHEUNG
To: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 066750/0363 →
Priority Claims (2)
KR 10-2022-0065055 · May 27, 2022 · national
KR 10-2022-0116038 · Sep 15, 2022 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTKR2023007196 · May 25, 2023
Related Publication 20240214660A1 · Jun 27, 2024
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