Proximity sensor, camera module comprising same, and mobile terminal comprising same

A proximity sensor comprising:

• a substrate;
• a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit disposed on the substrate so as to be spaced apart from each other;
• a spacing maintainer disposed between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit;
• a reflector having a first reflecting plane configured to reflect light emitted from the light-emitting unit and a second reflecting plane configured to reflect light introduced into the light-receiving unit;
• and
• a cover unit disposed above the light-emitting unit, the light-receiving unit and the spacing maintainer, and the cover unit having a lattice hole,
• wherein the light-receiving unit includes:
• a second body configured to support the light-receiving unit;
• a photodiode provided to face the second reflecting plane that is disposed on one side of the second body;
• and
• a second lens disposed in a second hole that is formed in an upper end surface of the second body.

A proximity sensor comprising:

• a substrate;
• a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit disposed on the substrate so as to be spaced apart from each other;
• a spacing maintainer disposed between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit;
• a reflector having a first reflecting plane configured to reflect light emitted from the light-emitting unit and a second reflecting plane configured to reflect light introduced into the light-receiving unit;
• and
• a cover unit disposed above the light-emitting unit, the light-receiving unit and the spacing maintainer, and the cover unit having a lattice hole,
• wherein the first reflecting plane and the second reflecting plane have an inclination angle ranging from 35 degrees to 50 degrees relative to the substrate.

A camera module comprising:

• a display unit;
• a proximity sensor including a substrate, a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit disposed on the substrate so as to be spaced apart from each other, a spacing maintainer disposed between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit, a reflector having a first reflecting plane configured to reflect light emitted from the light-emitting unit and a second reflecting plane configured to reflect light introduced into the light-receiving unit, and a cover unit disposed above the light-emitting unit, the light-receiving unit and the spacing maintainer, and the cover unit having a lattice hole, the proximity sensor being configured to sense whether a user has approached the display unit within a predetermined distance;
• a photographing lens disposed adjacent to the proximity sensor;
• a controller configured to drive the display unit when receiving the amount of light emitted from the light-emitting unit and the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit from the proximity sensor;
• and
• a touch sensor configured to convert pressure applied to a specific region of the display unit or variation in capacitance generated in a specific region of the display unit into electrical input signals,
• wherein the light-emitting unit includes:
• a first body configured to support the light-emitting unit;
• an infrared light-emitting diode provided to face the first reflecting plane that is disposed on one side of the first body;
• and
• a first lens disposed in a first hole that is formed in an upper end surface of the first body.

A camera module comprising:

• a display unit;
• a proximity sensor including a substrate, a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit disposed on the substrate so as to be spaced apart from each other, a spacing maintainer disposed between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit, a reflector having a first reflecting plane configured to reflect light emitted from the light-emitting unit and a second reflecting plane configured to reflect light introduced into the light-receiving unit, and a cover unit disposed above the light-emitting unit, the light-receiving unit and the spacing maintainer, and the cover unit having a lattice hole, the proximity sensor being configured to sense whether a user has approached the display unit within a predetermined distance;
• a photographing lens disposed adjacent to the proximity sensor;
• a controller configured to drive the display unit when receiving the amount of light emitted from the light-emitting unit and the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit from the proximity sensor;
• and
• a touch sensor configured to convert pressure applied to a specific region of the display unit or variation in capacitance generated in a specific region of the display unit into electrical input signals,
• wherein the light-receiving unit includes:
• a second body configured to support the light-receiving unit;
• a photodiode provided to face the second reflecting plane that is disposed on one side of the second body;
• and
• a second lens disposed in a second hole that is formed in an upper end surface of the second body.