Focusing system

Abstract

The application provides a focusing system, comprising a base, a first transmission wheel, a second transmission wheel, a transmission belt and an idler set. The first transmission wheel and the second transmission wheel are arranged on the base. The transmission belt is sleeved on the first transmission wheel and the second transmission wheel. The idler set comprises a plurality of idlers arranged between the first transmission wheel and the second transmission wheel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a focusing system, and more particularly to a focusing system for an automated lens module. Background Technology

[0002] In the manufacturing process of lens modules, ensuring that the light beam passing through the lens is focused on the photoelectric sensor is crucial. If the focus of the light beam passing through the lens fails to fall on the photoelectric sensor, the sensor will only capture blurry image data. Generally, the focusing process of lens modules is performed manually, which is time-consuming and potentially lacks precision. Therefore, there is an urgent need to propose a focusing system for lens modules to achieve high image quality. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides a focusing system for a lens module, which processes the lens module in an automated manner to enable the lens module to have high imaging quality.

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a focusing system is provided. The focusing system includes a base, a first drive wheel, a second drive wheel, a drive belt, and an idler pulley assembly. The first drive wheel and the second drive wheel are disposed on the base. The drive belt is sleeved on the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel. The idler pulley assembly includes a plurality of idler pulleys disposed between the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel.

[0005] To provide a better understanding of the above and other aspects of the present invention, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings: Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1A This is a perspective view of a processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0007] Figure 1B for Figure 1A A three-dimensional view of the processing equipment from another perspective;

[0008] Figure 2A A perspective view of a lens module before the dispensing process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 2B for Figure 2A An exploded view of the lens module;

[0010] Figure 2C for Figure 2A A 3D view of the lens module after the dispensing process;

[0011] Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of the focusing system;

[0012] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A partially exploded view of the focusing system;

[0013] Figure 5A for Figure 3 A partial top view of the focusing system before the focusing procedure is performed;

[0014] Figure 5B for Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional view of the focusing system;

[0015] Figure 5C for Figure 3 A partial top view of the focusing system during the focusing process;

[0016] Figure 5D for Figure 3 A partial 3D view of the focusing system during the focusing process;

[0017] Figure 6 This is a focusing method for a focusing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below, with illustrations provided. In addition to these detailed descriptions, the present invention can be widely implemented in other embodiments, and any easy substitutions, modifications, or equivalent changes to the described embodiments are included within the scope of the present invention, and are subject to the following claims. In the description of the specification, many specific details and embodiments are provided to give the reader a more complete understanding of the present invention; however, these specific details and embodiments should not be considered as limitations on the present invention. Furthermore, well-known steps or elements are not described in the details to avoid unnecessarily limiting the present invention.

[0019] Figure 1A This is a perspective view of a processing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1B for Figure 1A A perspective view of the processing device 10 from another angle.

[0020] Please refer to Figure 1A and 1B The lens module processing device 10 mainly includes a focusing system 13, a drive system 16, a dispensing system 17 and an illumination system 19, and the drive system 16 has a carrier module 161, a track 162 and a drive motor (not shown).

[0021] When the processing device 10 processes the lens module 12, the lens module 12 can be placed on the carrier module 161. The drive motor of the drive system 16 drives the carrier module 161 and the lens module 12 to different workstations via the track 162 for corresponding processing. In one specific embodiment, the track 162 can be a straight path set in the Y direction (first direction), that is, the carrier module 161 and the lens module 12 can move along the Y direction, but this is not intended to limit the invention.

[0022] When the processing device 10 performs the focusing procedure for the lens module 12, the drive system 16 can drive the carrier module 161 and the lens module 12 from the starting position P0 to the position P2 corresponding to the focusing system 13, and perform the focusing procedure for the lens module 12 through the focusing system 13; after the focusing procedure is completed, the drive system 16 can drive the carrier module 161 and the lens module 12 to the position P3 corresponding to the dispensing system 17, and perform the dispensing procedure through the dispensing system 17; after the dispensing procedure is completed, the lens module 12 is cured by means of the illumination system 19, and then the drive system 16 drives the carrier module 161 and the lens module 12 back to the starting position P0. It should be understood that the drive system 16 can drive the carrier module 161 and the lens module 12 to any position in the entire track 162, and is not limited to the positions P0 to P3 mentioned above.

[0023] In addition, in one specific embodiment, the processing device 10 may further include a height measuring system 11, which may be located at position P1. Before the processing device 10 performs the focusing procedure of the lens module 12, the drive system 16 may first move the carrier module 161 and the lens module 12 from the starting position P0 to the position P1, so that the height measuring system 11 can perform a preliminary measurement of the height of the lens module 12 and record the distance between the object end of the lens module 12 and the reference height, wherein the reference height may be the contact surface between the carrier module 161 and the lens module 12.

[0024] In another specific embodiment, the processing apparatus 10 may further include an inspection system 15. Before the lens module 12 completes the focusing procedure and performs the dispensing procedure, the drive system 16 may also drive the carrier module 161 and the lens module 12 from position P2 to the position corresponding to the inspection system 15, so that the inspection system 15 can check whether there is dust, dirt and / or scratches in the lens module 12 after focusing. The inspection system 15 may also be set at position P1, but this is not intended to limit the invention. The height measuring system 11 and the inspection system 15 may also be set at other positions on the track 162.

[0025] Furthermore, the processing apparatus 10 may also include a control center (not shown), and the carrier module 161 is electrically connected to the control center and the lens module 12.

[0026] Figure 2AThis is a perspective view of the lens module 12 before the dispensing process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2B for Figure 2A An exploded view of lens module 12. Figure 2C for Figure 2A A stereoscopic view of lens module 12 after the dispensing process.

[0027] like Figure 2A As shown, the lens module 12 may include a lens 120, a substrate 122, and a photoelectric sensor 124. The lens 120 is disposed on the substrate 122, and the photoelectric sensor 124 is fixed on the substrate 122 and disposed at the optical axis extension of the lens 120. Since the photoelectric sensor 124 of the lens module 12 can be electrically connected to the display device (not shown) of the control center through the carrier module 161, the control center can capture the real-time image of the light beam passing through the lens 120 through the photoelectric sensor 124 and thus synchronously observe the real-time image quality of the lens module 12.

[0028] Simultaneously refer to Figure 1A and Figure 1B Specifically, the processing device 10 further includes a detection chart CH, which is set in the positive Z direction (third direction) of the focusing system 13. The lens module 12 can maintain power throughout the focusing process and can capture images of the detection chart CH at a fixed frequency. It can also display the detection chart CH on a display device so that the image is clear or blurry in real time.

[0029] Simultaneously refer to Figures 2A to 2C Lens 120 may be a threaded lens, which may include an upper component 1201 and a lower component 1202, with the upper component 1201 partially housed in an annular groove of the lower component 1202. The upper component 1201 has a columnar structure and includes an optical lens. The upper component 1201 has an upper outer surface 1201s and a lower outer surface 1201sw, with the lower outer surface 1201sw being closer to the lower component 1201 than the upper outer surface 1201s. The diameter of the upper outer surface 1201s may be larger than the diameter of the lower outer surface 1201sw. The lower outer surface 1201sw may have a first threaded structure, and the inner surface 1202sw of the annular groove of the lower component 1202 has a second threaded structure corresponding to the first threaded structure. In one specific embodiment, the spacing SP1 between two adjacent threads on the lower outer surface 1201sw in the third direction of the Z direction can be between 0.25 mm and 2 mm. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an appropriate spacing SP1 can also be set according to the size of the lens 120.

[0030] Before the dispensing process, the upper component 1201 and the lower component 1202 of the lens 120 can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise relative to each other. After the lens 120 completes the focusing process and undergoes the dispensing and curing processes by the dispensing system 17 and the illumination system 19, the upper component 1201 and the lower component 1202 are fixedly bonded together by an adhesive AH. The adhesive AH can be a photosensitive adhesive, including but not limited to UV adhesive, which can fix the upper component 1201 and the lower component 1202 after being irradiated with a specific light beam.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of the focusing system 13. Figure 4 for Figure 3 A partial exploded view of the focusing system 13. Figure 5A for Figure 3 A partial top view of the focusing system 13 before the focal length is adjusted. Figure 5B for Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional view of the focusing system 13. Figure 5C for Figure 3 A partial top view of the focusing system 13 when adjusting the focal length. Figure 5D for Figure 3 A partial stereoscopic view of the focusing system 13 when adjusting the focal length.

[0032] Please refer to the following at the same time Figures 3 to 5B The focusing system 13 includes a base 130, a first drive wheel 1321, a second drive wheel 1322, and a drive belt 134. The base 130 is disposed in the XY plane (first plane), and the first drive wheel 1321 and the second drive wheel 1322 are disposed on the base 130 along the X direction (second direction). The drive belt 134 is sleeved on the first drive wheel 1321 and the second drive wheel 1322, such that the drive belt 134 forms a belt spacing d in the Y direction, and the second drive wheel 1322 rotates synchronously with the first drive wheel 1321 through the drive belt 134. The positive Y direction of the drive belt 134 is the first side SD1, and the negative Y direction of the drive belt 134 is the second side SD2.

[0033] like Figure 5A As shown, the base 130 has an opening 130u, and the opening 130u has a first sidewall SW1, a second sidewall SW2, a third sidewall SW3 and a fourth sidewall SW4 that are connected to each other. The first sidewall SW1 is opposite to the third sidewall SW3, the second sidewall SW2 is opposite to the fourth sidewall SW4, the first drive wheel 1321 is adjacent to the first sidewall SW1, and the second drive wheel 1322 is adjacent to the third sidewall SW3.

[0034] The focusing system 13 further includes an idler wheel assembly 1360 and a gripper structure 138. The idler wheel assembly 1360 is disposed on the gripper structure 138, which is disposed on the base 130 and extends to the opening 130u. The idler wheel assembly 1360 includes a plurality of idler wheels disposed between the first drive wheel 1321 and the second drive wheel 1322. The gripper structure 138 is disposed on the base 130 and extends to the opening 130u. The gripper structure 138 includes a first gripping arm 1381 and a second gripping arm 1382. The first gripping arm 1381 is adjacent to the second side wall SW2, and the second gripping arm 1382 is adjacent to the fourth side wall SW4. The plurality of idler wheels of the idler wheel assembly 1360 are respectively disposed on the first gripping arm 1381 and the second gripping arm 1382. In one specific embodiment, the idler wheel assembly 1360 includes a first idler wheel 1361, a second idler wheel 1362, a third idler wheel 1363, and a fourth idler wheel 1364. The first idler wheel 1361 and the second idler wheel 1362 are disposed on a first clamping arm 1381, and the third idler wheel 1363 and the fourth idler wheel 1364 are disposed on a second clamping arm 1382. The first idler wheel 1361 and the third idler wheel 1363 are adjacent to a first sidewall SW1, and the second idler wheel 1362 and the fourth idler wheel 1364 are adjacent to a third sidewall SW3.

[0035] The movement of the first clamping arm 1381 and the second clamping arm 1382 toward each other in the Y direction will cause the first idler pulley 1361 and the third idler pulley 1363, as well as the second idler pulley 1362 and the fourth idler pulley 1364, to move closer or further apart in the Y direction. The idler pulley assembly 1360 and the drive belt 134 can be arranged on substantially the same XY plane. Once the first clamping arm 1381 and the second clamping arm 1382 move closer to each other to a distance less than the belt pitch d of the drive belt 134, they will compress the drive belt 134, thereby shortening the belt pitch d of the drive belt 134 in the Y direction.

[0036] The focusing system 13 also includes a first drive module 138C, which drives the first clamping arm 1381 and the second clamping arm 1382 to move closer or further apart in the Y direction. The first drive module 138C can be a cylinder or a motor.

[0037] like Figure 5A and 5BAs shown, the first drive wheel 1321 has a first cylindrical surface 1321SW and multiple first toothed structures TS1, with the first toothed structures TS1 disposed on the first cylindrical surface 1321SW; the drive belt 134 has an inner surface 134ns and an outer surface 134ts, with multiple second toothed structures TS2 on the inner surface 134ns; the second drive wheel 1322 has a second cylindrical surface 1322SW and multiple third toothed structures TS3, with the third toothed structures TS3 disposed on the second cylindrical surface 1322SW. The first drive wheel 1321 drives the drive belt 134 by means of the contact and engagement of the first toothed structures TS1 and the second toothed structures TS2, and the drive belt 134 drives the second drive wheel 1322 to rotate by means of the contact and engagement of the second toothed structures TS2 and the third toothed structures TS3, wherein the first toothed structures TS1, the second toothed structures TS2, and the third toothed structures TS3 have substantially corresponding structures. In one specific embodiment, the first tooth structure TS1, the second tooth structure TS2, and the third tooth structure TS3 can be any or a combination of trapezoidal structure, conical structure, triangular prism structure, and hemispherical structure, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0038] Simultaneously refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5B According to one embodiment, the width WD1 of the transmission belt 134 in the Z direction can be between 4 mm and 10 mm. In another embodiment, the spacing SP2 between two adjacent second toothed structures TS2 on the transmission belt 134 can be between 0.1 mm and 5 mm. In yet another embodiment, the transmission belt 134 can be made of a tough material, such as rubber, plasticizer, or a compound or mixture of rubber and plasticizer.

[0039] like Figure 2B , Figure 5C and Figure 5DAs shown, the belt gap d of the inner surface 134ns of the transmission belt 134 can accommodate the upper component 1201 of the lens 120. By bringing the first clamping arm 1381 and the second clamping arm 1382 closer together and compressing the belt gap d of the transmission belt 134, the transmission belt 134 can contact the upper surface 1201s of the lens 120 through the second toothed structure TS2. Thus, the transmission belt 134 can be driven to rotate by the rotation of the first transmission wheel 1321, thereby rotating the upper component 1201 of the lens 120. The upper component 1201 is screwed together by the first thread structure and the second thread structure, thereby adjusting the relative distance in the Z direction between the upper component 1201 and the lower component 1202 of the lens 120, so as to achieve the purpose of focusing the lens module 12. For example, rotating the upper component 1201 clockwise on the drive belt 134 can reduce the relative distance between the upper component 1201 and the lower component 1202 in the Z direction; conversely, rotating the upper component 1201 counterclockwise can increase the relative distance between the upper component 1201 and the lower component 1202 in the Z direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the focusing process, the drive belt 130 may have three second toothed structures TS2 contacting the upper surface 1201s of the lens 120 at positions adjacent to the first side SD1 and the second side SD2, but this is not intended to limit the present invention. The number of second toothed structures TS2 simultaneously contacting the upper surface 1201s can also be determined based on the contact area and friction between the second toothed structures TS2 and the upper surface 1201s.

[0040] like Figure 1A and 4 As shown, the focusing system 13 further includes a teleconverter 131 located in the positive Z direction of the base 130 and the drive belt 134. Specifically, the teleconverter 131 is positioned at position P2 and located in the negative Z direction of the detection chart CH. In the focusing procedure, the detection chart CH, the teleconverter 131, and the lens 120 can be coaxially arranged in the Z direction. The teleconverter 131 can be a lens group with at least one lens. The overall focal length of the lens 120 and the teleconverter 131 can be increased through the additive effect of the teleconverter 131.

[0041] like Figure 3 As shown, the focusing system 13 further includes a push block 1341, a base track 1342, and a second drive module 1341E. The push block 1341 is disposed on the base 130 and slidably disposed on the base track 1342, which extends along the Z direction. The second drive module 1341E can drive the push block 1341 to move the base 130 along the base track 1342 in the Z direction. Specifically, when the lens 120 moves to position P2 and is located in the negative Z direction of the opening 130u, the base 130 can move in the negative Z direction with the help of the push block 1341, so that the upper part 1201 of the lens 120 is in the internal space of the transmission belt 134.

[0042] The first transmission wheel 1321 is connected to the third drive module 1321E and can rotate with the help of the third drive module 1321E. The third drive module 1321E can be a servo motor, an electric motor, or a servo geared motor, which can precisely control the rotation frequency of the first transmission wheel 1321.

[0043] Figure 6 This is a focusing method for a focusing system 13 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Please refer to Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figures 3 to 6 The focusing method of the focusing system 13 may include the following steps S101 to S109.

[0045] As shown in step S101, a focusing system 13 is provided, such as the focusing system 13 in the aforementioned processing apparatus 10.

[0046] As shown in step S103, a lens module 12 is provided, such as the lens module 12 in the aforementioned processing apparatus 10.

[0047] As shown in step S105, the lens 120 is positioned in the middle of the transmission belt 134. In a specific embodiment, the lens module 12 is first fixed on the carrier module 161, and the carrier module 161 is driven by the drive system 16 to move the lens 120 toward the opening 130u; then, after the carrier module 161 and the lens 120 have moved to the negative Z direction of the opening 130u at position P2, the push block 1341 causes the base 130 to move in the negative Z direction so that the upper part 1201 of the lens 120 is in the internal space of the transmission belt 134.

[0048] As shown in step S107, the first clamping arm 1381 and the second clamping arm 1382 are used to bring the multiple idler wheels of the idler wheel group 1360 close to the transmission belt 134 so that the transmission belt 134 clamps the upper component 1201.

[0049] As shown in step S109, the first transmission wheel 1361 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by the third drive module 1321E, so that the upper component 1201 rotates by means of the transmission belt 134 and the first transmission wheel 1361 to adjust the distance between the upper component 1201 and the photoelectric sensor 124 in the Z direction. The rotation of the first transmission wheel 1361 will also cause the second transmission wheel 1362 to rotate in conjunction with the first transmission wheel 1361 through the transmission belt 134.

[0050] As the upper component 1201 of the lens 120 rotates via the first transmission wheel 1321 and the transmission belt 134, the distance between the upper component 1201 and the photoelectric sensor 124 in the Z direction changes accordingly. The photoelectric sensor 124 can capture the light beam penetrating the lens 120 at a constant frequency and transmit the image data to the display device in the control center for real-time observation of whether the image captured by the lens 120 is clear. Once the control center determines that the photoelectric sensor 124 has captured the optimal image, it defines the distance between the upper component 1201 and the photoelectric sensor 124 corresponding to this optimal image.

[0051] For example, when the first drive wheel 1321 starts to rotate clockwise, the photoelectric sensor 124 captures blurry image data. After that, the first drive wheel 1321 maintains the same direction of rotation. After the photoelectric sensor 124 captures gradually clearer image data, it then starts to capture gradually blurry image data again. It can be determined that the clearest image data is the best image, and the distance between the upper component 1201 and the photoelectric sensor 124 corresponding to it is the optimal height. Then, the first drive wheel 1321 rotates counterclockwise to bring the upper component 1201 and the photoelectric sensor 124 back to the optimal height, and then the upper component 1201 and the lower component 1202 can be fixed.

[0052] The focusing system of the lens module 12 of the present invention is to process the lens module 12 in an automated manner. Compared with the manual processing method, the focusing system of the lens module 12 of the present invention can be more precise, save labor costs and time, and the lens module 12 can have high imaging quality.

[0053] In summary, although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains can make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of this invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A focusing system, characterized by, The focusing system includes: A base; A first transmission wheel is mounted on the base; A second transmission wheel is mounted on the base; A transmission belt is fitted onto the first transmission wheel and the second transmission wheel; and An idler gear assembly includes a plurality of idler gears disposed between the first drive gear and the second drive gear.

2. The focusing system of claim 1, wherein The focusing system further includes a gripper structure, which includes a first gripper arm and a second gripper arm.

3. The focusing system of claim 2, wherein The idler pulleys are sequentially arranged on the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm. When the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm approach each other to a distance less than the belt spacing of the transmission belt, the idler pulleys squeeze the transmission belt and shorten the belt spacing.

4. A focusing system as claimed in any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that The idler wheel assembly includes a first idler wheel, a second idler wheel, a third idler wheel, and a fourth idler wheel. The first and second idler wheels are disposed on the first clamping arm, and the third and fourth idler wheels are disposed on the second clamping arm.

5. A focusing system as claimed in any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that The focusing system further includes a carrier module that carries a lens module.

6. The focusing system of claim 5, wherein An upper component of the lens module is disposed in an internal space of the transmission belt. When the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm approach each other, the idler pulleys squeeze the transmission belt, thereby causing the transmission belt to contact the upper component.

7. The focusing system of claim 6, wherein the drive belt has an inner surface and a plurality of second toothed structures disposed on the inner surface, the drive belt contacting the upper component through the second toothed structures.

8. The focusing system of claim 1, wherein, The first drive wheel has multiple first tooth structures, and the second drive wheel has multiple third tooth structures. The first drive wheel drives the second drive wheel to rotate through the first tooth structures, the drive belt, and the third tooth structures.

9. The focusing system of claim 8, wherein, The focusing system further includes a third drive module, through which the first drive wheel drives the second drive wheel to rotate.

10. A focusing system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The focusing system further includes a teleconverter positioned above the base and the synchronization belt.

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