An actuating motor device and a camera assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to an actuating motor device, which has a supporting structure, a movable component and a shape memory alloy actuator. The movable component is assembled on the supporting structure and obtains a first axial direction for guiding the movement direction of the movable component. The movable component has two or more moving parts, and the moving parts perform hierarchical movement along the first axial direction; the shape memory alloy actuator is used to drive the moving parts of the movable component to move along the first axial direction. By designing the structural system of the movable component, the present invention achieves hierarchical movement of the moving parts in the movable component along the first axial direction, with a small size, stable and reliable operation, and a large focusing stroke. When used to manufacture a camera component, it can drive the lens to move up and down, realize the automatic focusing function of the lens, and perform hierarchical movement focusing to increase the focusing function of the lens. The product structure is light and small, the manufacturing cost is reduced, and at the same time, the control is simple and accurate, which is suitable for popularization and utilization.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of actuating motor devices, specifically an actuating motor device driven by a shape memory alloy (SMA) material, and particularly for driving a camera lens element. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the explosive popularity of portable information terminals sometimes referred to as PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) and mobile phones, more and more devices have integrated compact digital camera devices employing image sensors. When such digital camera devices are miniaturized using image sensors with relatively small image acquisition areas, their optical systems (including one or more lenses) also need to be miniaturized accordingly.

[0003] In order to be able to focus and zoom, certain types of drive devices must be included in the narrow space of such small cameras to drive the camera lens element along the optical axis. Since the camera lens element is relatively small, the drive device must be able to provide precise drive in a relatively small range of motion. At the same time, it is desirable that the drive device itself is compact to miniaturize the overall camera device. In practical applications, these aspects limit the types of drive devices that can be employed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an actuating motor device that is small in size, stable and reliable in operation, and has a large focusing stroke to improve the performance.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a camera assembly that uses the above actuating motor device to drive the camera lens element, obtaining a large focusing stroke and improving the performance and application.

[0006] To achieve the above first object, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] An actuating motor device having:

[0008] A support structure;

[0009] A movable assembly assembled on the support structure and obtaining a first axis guiding the movement direction of the movable assembly, the movable assembly having two or more moving parts that move in stages along the first axis;

[0010] A shape memory alloy actuator for driving the moving parts of the movable assembly to move along the first axis.

[0011] Further, a suspension system is provided on the support structure, and the suspension system satisfies the relationship that the moving parts of the movable component are sleeved inside and outside each other and move in a hierarchical manner along the first axial direction; the shape memory alloy actuators are hierarchically arranged between the moving parts of the movable component and the support structure and between adjacent moving parts.

[0012] Further, the shape memory alloy actuator includes an elastic actuator arm and a shape memory alloy wire. The elastic actuator arm has at least a fixed end, an actuator end, and an elastic part, and the elastic part is located between the fixed end and the actuator end; the shape memory alloy wire is connected to the elastic part, and the axial direction of the shape memory alloy wire forms an acute angle with the direction of the actuator end; the elastic actuator arm is positioned and installed through the fixed end and electrically connected to the shape memory alloy wire. The actuator end of the elastic actuator arm is hingedly connected to the corresponding moving part, and the actuating force generated by the shape memory alloy wire drives the moving part to move through the elastic part and the actuator end of the elastic actuator arm.

[0013] Further, the suspension system includes spring bodies distributed at the upper and lower ends of the movable component. The spring bodies have spring arms distributed in a hierarchical manner and mounting parts located at both ends of the spring arms. The spring bodies are connected to the corresponding support structure and moving parts through the mounting parts.

[0014] Further, the spring bodies are distributed according to the four directions of the upper and lower ends of the movable component, and the spring bodies located on the same end of the movable component are connected together by connecting rods.

[0015] Further, two elastic actuator arms are included in the shape memory alloy actuator. The two ends of the shape memory alloy wire are respectively connected to the elastic parts of the two elastic actuator arms. The actuator ends of the two elastic actuator arms point in a cross direction and are respectively connected to the corresponding moving parts, so that the two elastic actuator arms and the shape memory alloy wire form a triangular relationship.

[0016] Further, the moving part has four peripheries relative to the first axial direction, and shape memory alloy actuators are assembled on each side. The shape memory alloy actuators on adjacent sides drive the moving part in opposite directions; at the same time, the shape memory alloy actuators on the same side of the two moving parts sleeved inside and outside each other drive in opposite directions.

[0017] To achieve the above second object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0018] A camera component includes the above-mentioned actuating motor device, and the lens of the camera is arranged on the corresponding moving part of the movable component; avoidance spaces for the optical axis of the lens to pass through are provided on the support structure and the movable component.

[0019] The present invention utilizes the characteristic that a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire shrinks when heated to manufacture an actuating motor device. By designing the structural system of the movable component, hierarchical movement along the first axial direction among the moving components in the movable component is achieved. It is small in size, stable and reliable in operation, and a relatively large focusing stroke is obtained. It is used to manufacture a camera component, which can drive the lens to move up and down to realize the automatic focusing function of the lens, and the focusing is performed by hierarchical movement, increasing the focusing function of the lens. The driving structure is simple and small in size, meeting the requirements of product miniaturization, making the product structure lightweight and miniaturized, reducing the manufacturing cost, and at the same time, the control is simple and accurate, being suitable for popularization and utilization. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. Figure 2 is Figure 1 a partial structural exploded view of the embodiment;

[0022] FIG. Figure 3 is Figure 1 a schematic structural diagram of the suspension system of the embodiment;

[0023] FIG. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a camera component of an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0024] The following will further illustrate the concept, specific structure and technical effects generated by the present invention in conjunction with the drawings to fully understand the purpose, features and effects of the present invention.

[0025] It should be noted that in the description of the present invention, the terms indicating directions or positional relationships such as "up", "down", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings. This is only for convenience of description and does not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0026] Refer to Figure 1 、 2, as shown in FIGS. 3, is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The present invention relates to an actuating motor device, which has a support structure 10, a movable component 20 and a shape memory alloy actuator 30; the support structure 10 provides a corresponding assembly space, and if necessary, a circuit can be integrally made on the support structure 10, and corresponding pads are left to connect corresponding components. Of course, in order to increase functions and facilitate circuit wiring, an FPC circuit board can also be added to the support structure 10, and the specific situation is determined according to actual needs. The movable component 20 is assembled on the support structure 10 and obtains a first axis for guiding the movement direction of the movable component. The movable component 20 has two or more moving parts 21, and the moving parts 21 move in a hierarchical manner along the first axis. The shape memory alloy actuator 30 is used to drive the moving parts 21 of the movable component to move along the first axis. The shape memory alloy actuator 30 works by using the characteristic that the shape memory alloy (SMA) wire shrinks when heated. It has a simple structure and a small size, which meets the requirements of product miniaturization, makes the product structure lightweight and miniaturized, and reduces the manufacturing cost. The control is simple and accurate. As is known in the industry, shape memory alloys (SMAs) have a shape memory effect through thermoelastic and martensitic phase transformations and their inversions, and are composed of more than two metal elements. The specific principle characteristics of the shape memory alloy are not described here again.

[0027] Referring to Figure 1 , 2 , as shown in FIGS. 3, in this embodiment, a suspension system 40 is provided on the support structure 10, and the suspension system 40 satisfies the relationship that the moving parts 21 of the movable component are sleeved inside and outside each other and move in a hierarchical manner along the first axis; the shape memory alloy actuators 30 are hierarchically arranged between the moving parts of the movable component and the support structure and between adjacent moving parts. The suspension system 40 gives suspension support to the movable component 20, can satisfy the hierarchical movement of the moving parts 21, the structure between the parts is compact, and at the same time, the structural property and the movement property are increased, and the actuation effect is improved.

[0028] Referring to Figure 1 , 2, as shown in FIGS. 3, in this embodiment, the shape memory alloy actuator 30 further includes an elastic actuator arm 31 and a shape memory alloy wire 32. The elastic actuator arm 31 has at least a fixed end 311, an actuator end 312, and an elastic portion 313. The elastic portion 313 is located between the fixed end 311 and the actuator end 312. The elastic portion 313 can be designed into a U shape, a V shape, or a W shape as needed to obtain corresponding opening and recovery characteristics. Of course, the elastic portion of the present invention is not limited to the above shapes, and will not be elaborated one by one here. The shape memory alloy wire 32 is connected to the elastic portion 313, and the axial direction of the shape memory alloy wire 32 forms an angle with the direction pointed by the actuator end 312. This angle is preferably an acute angle, so that when the shape memory alloy wire 32 acts, the actuator end 312 obtains a driving force in the corresponding direction. The elastic actuator arm 31 is positioned and installed through the fixed end 311 and electrically conductively connected to the shape memory alloy wire 32. The actuator end 312 of the elastic actuator arm is hingedly connected to the corresponding moving part 21. The actuating force generated by the shape memory alloy wire 32 drives the moving part 21 to move through the elastic portion 313 and the actuator end 312 of the elastic actuator arm, obtaining an actuating function.

[0029] Referring to Figure 1 , 2 , as shown in FIGS. 3, in this embodiment, the shape memory alloy actuator 30 includes two elastic actuator arms 31. The two ends of the shape memory alloy wire 32 are respectively connected to the elastic portions of the two elastic actuator arms. The actuator ends of the two elastic actuator arms point crosswise and are respectively connected to the corresponding moving parts 21, so that the two elastic actuator arms and the shape memory alloy wire form a triangular relationship, increasing the driving force and stability. Further, the moving part 21 has four sides relative to the first axis. A shape memory alloy actuator 30 is assembled on each side, and the shape memory alloy actuators on adjacent sides drive the moving part 21 to move in opposite directions; at the same time, two moving parts 21 sleeved inside and outside drive in opposite directions on the same side by the shape memory alloy actuators. This structural design realizes the forward and reverse movement of the moving part 21 along the first axis, while increasing the movement smoothness of the moving part, reducing jitter. The two moving parts 21 sleeved inside and outside are also balanced by the shape memory alloy actuators with different driving directions, satisfying the hierarchical movement, while also assisting each other to be stable, increasing the hierarchical movement effect and accuracy.

[0030] Referring to Figure 1 , 2, as shown in FIGS. 3, in this embodiment, the suspension system 40 further includes spring bodies 41 distributed at the upper and lower ends of the movable assembly. The spring bodies 41 have spring arms 411 distributed step by step and mounting portions 412 located at both ends of the spring arms. The spring bodies 41 are connected to the corresponding supporting structures 10 and moving components 21 through the mounting portions 412. In the figure, the mounting portions 412 are in the form of patches, and the supporting structures 10 and moving components 21 provide corresponding fitting platforms to meet the fitting and assembly of the mounting portions 412, and are fixed by means such as welding, riveting, screw locking or adhesion. A positioning structure, such as a positioning hole, positioning pin, positioning groove or positioning step, etc., can also be added between the fitting platform and the mounting portion 412 to increase the connection stability and convenience. In this embodiment, the spring bodies 41 are distributed according to the four directions at the upper and lower ends of the movable assembly, and the spring bodies located on the same end of the movable assembly are connected together by a connecting rod 42 to achieve coordinated movement between the spring bodies 41 in the four directions, increasing the suspension effect and movement balance. In this embodiment, the spring bodies 41 are designed in a sheet shape, with a small size and convenient assembly. Of course, according to the structural design of the physical product, the spring bodies 41 can also be designed into other special-shaped structures to facilitate assembly, and at the same time, the working performance of the spring arms 411 can be increased. No further drawings will be described one by one here.

[0031] Referring to Figure 4 shown, the present invention also provides a camera assembly, which includes the above-mentioned actuation motor device, and the lens of the camera is arranged on the corresponding moving component of the movable assembly; avoidance spaces for the optical axis of the lens to pass through are provided on the supporting structure 10 and the movable assembly. In the figure, there is also an outer shell 50, which covers the movable assembly and is provided with a hollow or light-transmitting lens, etc. at the alignment position of the lens. Of course, it also includes the inherent control system of the camera (not shown in the figure) to control the operation of the lens. This camera assembly is adaptively installed on a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone or a tablet computer, and the actuation motor device drives the lens to perform hierarchical focusing movement.

[0032] The present invention utilizes the characteristic that the shape memory alloy (SMA) wire shrinks when heated to manufacture the actuation motor device, and by designing the structural system of the movable assembly, it achieves hierarchical movement of the moving components in the movable assembly along the first axis, with a small size, stable and reliable operation, and a large focusing stroke. When used to manufacture a camera assembly, it can drive the lens to move up and down, realize the automatic focusing function of the lens, and perform hierarchical movement focusing to increase the focusing function of the lens. The driving structure is simple and the size is small, meeting the requirements of product miniaturization, making the product structure lightweight and miniaturized, reducing the manufacturing cost, and at the same time, the control is simple and accurate, suitable for popularization and utilization.

[0033] Although the preferred specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the present invention should not be limited to the exact structures and operations described above and shown in the drawings. For those skilled in the art of this technology, many equivalent improvements and variations can still be made to the above embodiments through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experiments without departing from the concept and scope of the present invention. However, all such improvements and variations should fall within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

Claims

1. An actuating motor device, characterized in that, it has: a support structure; a movable component, which is assembled on the support structure and obtains a first axial direction guiding the movement direction of the movable component. The movable component has two or more moving parts, and the moving parts move hierarchically along the first axial direction; a suspension system is arranged on the support structure, and the suspension system satisfies the relationship that the moving parts of the movable component are sleeved inside and outside and move hierarchically along the first axial direction; a shape memory alloy actuator for driving the moving parts of the movable component to move along the first axial direction; each side of the moving part has a shape memory alloy actuator relative to the first axial direction, and the shape memory alloy actuators on adjacent sides drive the moving part in opposite movement directions, and at the same time, the shape memory alloy actuators on the same side of the two moving parts sleeved inside and outside drive in opposite directions; wherein, the suspension system includes spring bodies distributed at the upper and lower ends of the movable component. The spring bodies have spring arms distributed step by step and mounting parts at both ends of the spring arms. The spring bodies are connected to the corresponding support structure and moving parts through the mounting parts.

2. An actuating motor device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the shape memory alloy actuators are hierarchically arranged between the moving parts of the movable component and the support structure and between adjacent moving parts.

3. An actuating motor device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the shape memory alloy actuator includes an elastic actuating arm and a shape memory alloy wire. The elastic actuating arm has at least a fixed end, an actuating end and an elastic part. The elastic part is located between the fixed end and the actuating end; the shape memory alloy wire is connected to the elastic part, and the axial direction of the shape memory alloy wire forms an angle with the direction pointed by the actuating end, and this angle is an acute angle; the elastic actuating arm is positioned and installed through the fixed end and electrically conductively connected to the shape memory alloy wire. The actuating end of the elastic actuating arm is hingedly connected to the corresponding moving part, and the actuating force generated by the shape memory alloy wire drives the moving part to move through the elastic part and the actuating end of the elastic actuating arm.

4. An actuating motor device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the spring bodies are distributed according to the four directions of the upper and lower ends of the movable component, and the spring bodies located on the same end of the movable component are connected together by a connecting rod.

5. An actuating motor device according to claim 3, characterized in that, the shape memory alloy actuator contains two elastic actuating arms. The two ends of the shape memory alloy wire are respectively connected to the elastic parts of the two elastic actuating arms. The actuating ends of the two elastic actuating arms point crosswise and are respectively connected to the corresponding moving parts, so that the two elastic actuating arms and the shape memory alloy wire form a triangular relationship.

6. A camera assembly, characterized in that, it includes the actuating motor device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The lens of the camera is arranged on the corresponding moving part of the movable component; avoidance spaces for the optical axis of the lens to pass through are provided on the support structure and the movable component.

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