Camera device, SMA driver and driving method thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a camera device, an SMA driver and a driving method thereof, wherein the camera device comprises a circuit board, a photosensitive chip, at least one lens, a lens holder, and an SMA driver. The photosensitive chip and the lens are arranged on the lens holder along the optical axis direction, wherein the SMA driver further comprises an inner SMA driver and an outer SMA driver, wherein the lens is arranged on the inner SMA driver, and the inner SMA driver drives the lens to move, wherein the outer SMA driver is located outside the inner SMA driver, and the inner SMA driver is traversably supported on the outer SMA driver, and the outer SMA driver drives the inner SMA driver to move, so that the inner SMA driver drives the lens to move.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of optical imaging technology, and in particular to a camera device, an SMA driver and a driving method thereof. Background Art

[0002] As the integration of mobile electronic devices such as mobile phones and tablet computers becomes higher and higher, the miniaturization of camera modules has become a development trend. At the same time, in order to meet the high-definition requirements of cameras, camera modules are required to be able to focus automatically.

[0003] The existing camera module with auto-focus function uses an electromagnetic drive motor to drive the lens assembly to the target position to achieve the auto-focus function. However, the drive mechanism of the existing technology includes magnets, coils, etc., which is not only complex in structure, but also increases the structure of the camera module, making it difficult to reduce the overall size of the module structure, and does not meet the requirements of current mobile electronic devices for miniaturized camera modules.

[0004] SMA (shape memory alloys) materials are set as another feasible actuator due to their property of shrinking when heated, and can meet the requirements of miniaturization. And SMA materials as actuators for miniaturized camera lens assemblies also have the following advantages: providing linear, high power per unit mass.

[0005] A Chinese invention with publication number CN101668947A discloses a shape memory alloy driving device. In the invention, a camera device uses an SMA driver as a driving device to drive the movement of a lens element. The SMA driver further includes a supporting structure, a movable element, and two SMA wires, wherein the SMA driver includes two SMA wires, wherein the SMA wires pull the lens element upward when heated and contracted. The lens element includes a bracket and a suspension system, wherein the suspension system further includes two spring-type suspension parts, wherein the suspension system is arranged at the upper and lower ends of the movable element, and the bracket is arranged between the lower movable element and the spring. The bracket cooperates with the SMA wire, and when the SMA wire is heated and contracted, it drives the movable element to move upward, thereby driving the movement of the lens element.

[0006] The SMA driver of the prior art as a driving device of the camera device also has at least one of the following defects: First, the speed of driving the lens element to move by the SMA driver of the prior art is slow and the response time is long. As a driving device of the camera device, it is necessary to quickly drive the lens element to move to a suitable position so that the lens element moves along the optical axis to achieve focusing. It can be understood that the SMA wire of the prior art is thermally driven, and the SMA driver uses the contraction amount of the SMA wire as the distance to drive the lens element. Therefore, the driving form of the SMA driver of the prior art is short, and the lens element can only be driven to move within a short range. Secondly, the stability of the SMA wire is poor, and when the SMA device drives the lens element to a position, if the position of the lens element is unstable, the position of the lens element cannot be adjusted by adjusting the SMA driver. In other words, it is difficult for the SMA driver to maintain the stability of the lens element when the lens element reaches the imaging position, resulting in poor imaging performance of the camera device. Summary of the invention

[0007] A major advantage of the present invention is to provide a camera device, an SMA driver and a driving method thereof, wherein the SMA driver drives a lens of the camera device to move in a dual-driving manner, thereby improving the speed of driving the lens.

[0008] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a camera device, an SMA driver and a driving method thereof, wherein the SMA driver drives the movement of the lens in an internal driving and external driving manner to increase the speed at which the lens is driven to move, thereby reducing the focus response time of the camera device.

[0009] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a camera device, an SMA actuator and a driving method thereof, wherein the SMA actuator includes an inner SMA actuator and an outer SMA actuator, wherein the inner SMA actuator drives the movement of the lens, wherein the outer SMA actuator drives the inner SMA actuator to move, thereby driving the movement of the lens, thereby increasing the movement range of the lens.

[0010] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a camera device, an SMA actuator and a driving method thereof, wherein the inner SMA driving device and the outer SMA driving device of the SMA actuator can drive the lens to move in a translational or rotational manner within a spatial range, thereby increasing the focusing range of the lens, thereby increasing the shooting range of the camera device.

[0011] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a camera device, an SMA actuator and a driving method thereof, wherein the inner SMA actuator of the SMA actuator drives the lens to move while the outer SMA actuator drives the inner SMA actuator to move in the same direction, so as to increase the speed at which the SMA actuator drives the lens to move.

[0012] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a camera device, an SMA actuator and a driving method thereof, wherein when the inner SMA actuator of the SMA actuator drives the lens to move, the inner SMA actuator and the outer SMA actuator can be adjusted to keep the lens in a stable imaging position, thereby stabilizing the imaging of the camera device.

[0013] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a camera device, an SMA actuator and a driving method thereof, wherein the inner SMA driving device of the SMA actuator is disposed inside the outer SMA driving device, and the outer SMA driving device drives the movement of the inner SMA driving device, wherein the inner SMA driving device drives the movement of the lens under the support of the outer SMA driving device, thereby realizing the inner and outer driving of the lens, thereby increasing the travel distance of the lens.

[0014] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a camera device, an SMA actuator and a driving method thereof, wherein the inner SMA driving device of the SMA actuator drives the lens to move while being driven to move by the outer SMA driving device, so that the lens is driven by the inner SMA driving device and the outer SMA driving device together, thereby accelerating the movement speed of the lens and reducing the time for the lens to move to a specified position, thereby reducing the focus response time of the camera device.

[0015] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a camera device, an SMA actuator and a driving method thereof, wherein the inner SMA driving device of the SMA actuator includes at least two inner driving units, wherein the outer SMA driving device includes at least two outer driving units, wherein the inner driving units are symmetrically driven to move the lens, wherein the outer driving units are symmetrically arranged outside the inner SMA driving device, and the lens is kept stable during movement by the inner driving units and the outer driving units.

[0016] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a camera device, an SMA actuator and a driving method thereof, wherein the SMA actuator further includes at least one suspension system, wherein the suspension system is arranged on the inner SMA actuator and the outer SMA actuator, wherein the suspension system provides a reverse force of the lens to support the inner SMA device and the lens to move smoothly during the movement process.

[0017] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a camera device, an SMA driver and a driving method thereof, wherein the number of the inner driving unit and the outer driving unit of the SMA driver is four, and the inner driving unit and the outer driving unit are symmetrically arranged at four side positions of the lens, and the lens is driven to translate or rotate in any direction in space by driving the inner driving unit and the outer driving unit on different sides, so that the lens can acquire images in a larger range, thereby increasing the focusing range of the camera device.

[0018] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a camera device, an SMA actuator and a driving method thereof, wherein the inner driving unit and the outer driving unit of the SMA actuator further include a pair of SMA wires arranged in different planes from each other, wherein the SMA wires arranged in different planes from each other provide the same force so that the SMA actuator drives the lens to move smoothly.

[0019] Other advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

[0020] According to one aspect of the present invention, an SMA actuator of the present invention, which can achieve the aforementioned objects and other objects and advantages, is suitable for driving a lens to move, and comprises:

[0021] an inner SMA driving device, wherein the lens is arranged on the inner SMA driving device, and the inner SMA driving device drives the lens to move;

[0022] an outer SMA driving device, wherein the outer SMA driving device is located outside the inner SMA driving device, and the inner SMA driving device is tactilely supported by the outer SMA driving device, and the outer SMA driving device drives the inner SMA driving device to move, so that the inner SMA driving device drives the movement of the lens.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the outer SMA driving device is provided with an accommodating space, wherein the inner SMA driving device is built into the accommodating space, and the inner SMA driving device is driven by the outer SMA driving device to drive the lens to move in the accommodating space.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the internal SMA driving device includes a lens carrier, at least two internal driving units, and a supporting carrier, the lens carrier further having an optical axis, wherein the lens is mounted on the lens carrier based on the optical axis, the internal driving unit is drivably supported on the supporting carrier, and the lens carrier is pulled to move by supporting the internal driving unit through the supporting carrier.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the internal driving units are symmetrically arranged on the sides of the lens carrier, wherein each of the internal driving units synchronously drives the lens carrier with the same driving force based on the supporting carrier, so that the lens moves along the optical axis direction.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the number of the internal driving units is four, wherein the four internal driving units are symmetrically arranged on four sides of the lens carrier, wherein each of the internal driving units drives the lens carrier to move in a differential manner based on the supporting carrier, so that the lens carrier drives the lens to translate or rotate in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the external SMA driving device includes at least one carrying device and at least two external driving units, wherein the external driving unit is connected to the supporting carrier to the carrying device, and the external driving unit is supported by the carrying device to pull the internal SMA driving device and the lens to move.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the external driving unit is symmetrically arranged on the side of the supporting carrier, wherein the external driving unit synchronously drives the supporting carrier with the same driving force based on the supporting device, so that the internal SMA driving device and the lens move along the optical axis direction.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the number of the external driving units is four, wherein the four external driving units are symmetrically arranged on four sides of the lens carrier, wherein each of the external driving units drives the support carrier to move in a differential manner based on the support carrier, so that the support carrier drives the lens carrier and the lens to translate or rotate in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the lens carrier includes a carrier body and is further provided with at least one lens accommodating cavity, wherein the lens accommodating cavity is formed in the carrier body, wherein the carrier body fixes the lens in the lens accommodating cavity.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the carrier body is further provided with a carrier inner wall, wherein the lens is mounted on the carrier inner wall of the carrier body, wherein the lens is mounted in a manner selected from one or more of threaded connection, adhesive connection and snap connection.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the supporting carrier further includes at least two supporting carrier units, wherein the supporting carrier units are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the lens carrier, wherein the internal driving unit drives the lens carrier to move based on the supporting carrier units, the supporting carrier units are drivably connected to the external SMA driving device, and the external driving unit drives the movement of the lens carrier through the supporting carrier units.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the number of the support carrier units of the support carrier is four, and the support carrier units of the support carrier are sequentially connected to form an integrated annular support frame.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the support carrier unit of the support carrier forms an internal driving space, wherein the lens carrier is supported by the support carrier in the internal driving space, and the internal driving unit drives the lens carrier to move in the internal driving space by heat contraction.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in an initial state of the SMA actuator, the lens carrier is held by the support carrier close to a position below the inner drive space, and the inner drive unit pulls the lens carrier to move upward based on the support carrier unit.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the SMA actuator is in an initial state, the lens carrier is held by the support carrier at a position close to the upper side of the inner drive space, and the inner drive unit moves downward based on the direction in which the support carrier unit pulls the lens carrier.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the lens carrier is further provided with four carrier outer walls, and the supporting carrier unit is further provided with a carrier inner side surface, wherein the internal driving unit is configured to connect the lower end of the carrier outer wall to the upper end of the carrier inner side surface, and the internal driving unit pulls the lens carrier to move upward by heat shrinkage based on the supporting carrier unit.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the lens carrier is further provided with four carrier outer walls, and the supporting carrier unit is further provided with a carrier inner side surface, wherein the internal driving unit is configured to connect the upper end of the carrier outer wall to the lower end of the carrier inner side surface, and the internal driving unit pulls the lens carrier downward by heat shrinkage based on the supporting carrier unit.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the internal driving unit includes at least one internal driving SMA wire, wherein the carrier outer wall of the lens carrier is connected to the carrier inner side surface of the supporting carrier unit by the internal driving SMA wire, wherein the internal driving SMA wire is thermally contracted by electric heating to drive the lens carrier to move.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the number of the internal drive SMA wires of the internal drive unit is two, wherein the internal drive SMA wires of the internal drive unit are connected to the lens carrier to the supporting carrier unit in a non-planar manner, wherein the internal drive SMA wires of the internal drive unit are non-planar with each other, and when the internal drive SMA wires shrink with the same amount of thermal shrinkage, the horizontal force components generated by the internal drive SMA wires offset each other, so that the internal drive unit provides the lens carrier with a force along the optical axis direction, while keeping the lens carrier moving smoothly.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the internal SMA driving device further includes a plurality of internal SMA wire fixing devices, wherein the internal SMA wire fixing device fixes one end of the internal driving SMA wire to the carrier outer wall of the lens carrier, and fixes the other end of the internal driving SMA wire to the carrier inner side surface of the supporting carrier.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inner SMA wire fixing device is integrally provided on the carrier outer wall of the lens carrier, and is integrally provided on the carrier inner side surface of the support carrier.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the carrying device includes at least two carrying units, wherein the carrying units are symmetrically arranged on the outside of the supporting carrier, the carrying units of the carrying device form the accommodating space, wherein the external driving unit is supported by the carrying units, and wherein the external driving unit drives the lens carrier to move by heat shrinkage.

[0044] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the number of the carrying units of the carrying device is four, wherein the carrying units are sequentially connected to form an integrated annular support frame.

[0045] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the SMA actuator is in an initial state, the support carrier of the inner driving device is supported by the bearing device at the lower end of the accommodating space, and the outer driving unit pulls the support carrier to move upward based on the bearing unit.

[0046] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the SMA actuator is in an initial state, the support carrier of the inner driving device is supported by the bearing device at the upper end of the accommodating space, and the outer driving unit pulls the support carrier to move downward based on the bearing unit.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the supporting carrier is further provided with four carrier outer side surfaces, and the carrying unit of the carrying device is further provided with a carrying surface, wherein the external driving unit is configured to connect the lower end of the carrier outer side surface to the upper end of the carrying surface, and the external driving unit pulls the lens carrier upward by heat shrinkage based on the carrying unit.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the supporting carrier is further provided with four carrier outer side surfaces, and the carrying unit of the carrying device is further provided with a carrying surface, wherein the external driving unit is configured to connect the upper end of the carrier outer side surface to the lower end of the carrying surface, and the external driving unit pulls the lens carrier downward by heat shrinkage based on the carrying unit.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the external driving unit includes at least one external driving SMA wire, wherein the external driving SMA wire is connected to the outer side of the supporting carrier to the bearing surface of the bearing unit, wherein the external driving SMA wire is thermally contracted by electric heating to drive the supporting carrier to move.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the number of the external drive SMA wires of the external drive unit is two, wherein the external drive SMA wires of the external drive unit are connected to the support carrier to the bearing unit in a non-planar manner, wherein the external drive SMA wires of the external drive unit are non-planar with each other, and when the external drive SMA wires shrink with the same amount of thermal shrinkage, the horizontal force components generated by the external drive SMA wires offset each other, so that the external drive unit provides the support carrier with a force along the optical axis direction, while keeping the support carrier and the lens carrier moving smoothly.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the external SMA driving device further includes a plurality of external SMA wire fixing devices, wherein the external SMA wire fixing device fixes one end of the external drive SMA wire to the outer side surface of the support carrier, and fixes the other end of the external drive SMA wire to the bearing surface of the bearing unit.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the SMA actuator further includes a suspension system, wherein the suspension system is configured to be reversely supported on the inner SMA actuator and the outer SMA actuator, and the suspension system, the inner SMA actuator, and the outer SMA actuator work together to maintain the balance of the lens.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the suspension system includes an inner suspension device and an outer suspension device, wherein the inner suspension device is arranged on the inner SMA driving device, and provides the lens carrier with a force opposite to the inner driving unit, wherein the outer suspension device is arranged on the outer SMA driving device, and provides the support carrier with a force opposite to the outer driving unit to maintain the balance of the lens carrier and drive the lens carrier to return to its initial position.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the internal suspension device further includes at least two internal suspension units, wherein the lens carrier is connected to the supporting carrier by the internal suspension units, and the internal suspension unit is supported by the supporting carrier, and the internal suspension unit provides a force opposite to the internal driving unit to balance the force on the lens carrier and drive the lens carrier to move to an initial position.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the inner suspension unit is symmetrically arranged on the side of the lens carrier, wherein the inner suspension unit is connected to the upper end of the carrier outer wall of the lens carrier and the lower end of the carrier inner side surface of the supporting carrier in a manner that is skewed from the internal driving unit, and the inner suspension unit is supported by the supporting carrier to pull the lens carrier to move.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the external suspension device further includes at least two external suspension units, wherein the external suspension unit is connected to the supporting carrier to the load-bearing device, the external suspension unit is supported by the load-bearing device, and provides a force opposite to the external driving unit to balance the force on the supporting carrier and drive the supporting carrier to move to an initial position.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the external suspension unit is symmetrically arranged on the side of the supporting carrier, wherein the upper end of the outer side surface of the supporting carrier is connected to the lower end of the bearing surface of the bearing device in a manner that is skewed from the external driving unit, and the external suspension unit is supported by the bearing device to pull the lens carrier to move.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the internal suspension unit further includes at least one internal suspension wire, wherein the internal suspension wire connects the lens carrier to the supporting carrier, wherein when the internal driving unit drives the lens carrier to move, the lens carrier pulls the internal suspension wire to produce elastic deformation, and when the internal driving unit cools and relaxes, the internal suspension wire drives the lens carrier to move to an initial position under the action of elasticity.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the number of the internal suspension wires of the internal suspension unit is two, wherein the internal suspension wires are skewed with each other, and wherein the internal suspension wires are skewed with respect to the internal drive unit, so that the components of force of the internal suspension unit and the internal drive unit in the vertical direction cancel each other out.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the external suspension unit further includes at least one external suspension wire, wherein the external suspension wire is connected to the supporting carrier to the supporting device, wherein when the external driving unit drives the supporting carrier to move, the supporting carrier pulls the external suspension wire to produce elastic deformation, and when the external driving unit cools and relaxes, the external suspension wire drives the supporting carrier to move back to its initial position under the action of elasticity.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the number of the external suspension wires of the external suspension unit is two, wherein the external suspension wires are skewed with each other, and wherein the external suspension wires are skewed with respect to the external drive unit, so that the components of force of the external suspension unit and the external drive unit in the vertical direction cancel each other out.

[0062] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inner suspension wire and the outer suspension wire are elastic metal wires.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the internal SMA driving device further includes a plurality of internal suspension wire fixing devices, wherein the internal suspension wire fixing device fixes one end of the internal suspension wire to the carrier outer wall of the lens carrier, and fixes the other end of the internal suspension wire to the carrier inner side surface of the supporting carrier.

[0064] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the external SMA driving device further includes a plurality of external suspension wire fixing devices, wherein the external suspension wire fixing device fixes one end of the external suspension wire to the outer side surface of the support carrier, and fixes the other end of the external suspension wire to the bearing surface of the bearing device.

[0065] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the SMA actuator further comprises a supporting base, wherein the supporting device of the external SMA driving device is disposed on the supporting base, and the external SMA actuator is supported by the supporting base.

[0066] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the internal suspension device further includes an internal suspension upper spring plate and an internal suspension lower spring plate, wherein the internal suspension upper spring plate is arranged above the lens carrier to provide a downward supporting force to the lens carrier, and the internal suspension lower spring plate is arranged below the support carrier to provide an upward supporting force to the support carrier.

[0067] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the external suspension device further includes an external suspension upper spring plate and an external suspension lower spring plate, wherein the external suspension upper spring plate is arranged above the supporting carrier to provide a downward supporting force to the supporting carrier, and the external suspension lower spring plate is fixed below the supporting device.

[0068] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the internal suspension device further includes at least two internal suspension units, wherein the internal suspension units are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the lens carrier, wherein the internal suspension units are telescopically connected to the internal suspension upper spring plate and the internal suspension lower spring plate, when the internal driving unit drives the lens carrier to move, the lens carrier pulls the internal suspension unit to stretch and generate elastic deformation, wherein when the internal driving unit cools and relaxes, the internal suspension unit pulls the lens carrier to return to its initial position under the elastic action.

[0069] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the external suspension device further includes at least two external suspension units, wherein the external suspension units are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the supporting carrier, wherein the external suspension units are telescopically connected to the external suspension upper spring plate and the external suspension lower spring plate, when the external driving unit drives the supporting carrier to move, the supporting carrier pulls the external suspension unit to stretch and produce elastic deformation, wherein when the external driving unit cools and relaxes, the external suspension unit pulls the supporting carrier to return to its initial position under the action of elasticity.

[0070] According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention further provides a camera device, comprising:

[0071] at least one circuit board;

[0072] A photosensitive chip, wherein the photosensitive chip is attached to the circuit board;

[0073] At least one lens, wherein the lens is located above the photosensitive chip, and the lens focuses light on the photosensitive chip;

[0074] A lens holder, wherein the lens holder comprises a lens holder body and at least one color filter disposed on the lens holder body, wherein the color filter is supported by the lens holder body between the lens and the photosensitive chip; and

[0075] An SMA actuator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 48, wherein the lens is arranged on the SMA actuator, and the SMA actuator drives the lens to move above the lens mount.

[0076] According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention further provides a driving method of an SMA driving device, wherein the driving method comprises the following steps:

[0077] (a) supported by an outer SMA drive assembly, and driven to move a lens carrier by at least one inner drive unit of an inner SMA drive assembly; and

[0078] (b) driving a support carrier of the inner SMA driving device to move, thereby driving the movement of the lens carrier by the support carrier.

[0079] According to an embodiment of the present invention, step (a) and step (b) of the driving method may be performed simultaneously without any time difference.

[0080] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in step (a), at least one inner SMA wire of the inner driving unit is thermally shrunk, and the lens carrier is pulled to move by the support carrier through the inner driving SMA wire.

[0081] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in step (a), the internal driving unit pulls the lens carrier to move along the optical axis; or pulls the lens carrier to move in a horizontal direction in a translational manner; or pulls the lens carrier to move in a rotational manner.

[0082] According to one embodiment of the present invention, step (a) of the driving method further comprises: being driven by the internal SMA driving device, causing an internal suspension device of a suspension system to generate elastic deformation, and the lens carrier is pulled back to an initial position by the internal suspension device under the elastic action.

[0083] According to one embodiment of the present invention, step (b) of the driving method further includes: being driven by the external SMA driving device to cause an external suspension device of the suspension system to produce elastic deformation, and the supporting carrier is pulled back to its initial position under the elastic action of the external suspension device.

[0084] Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be fully apparent from an understanding of the following description and the accompanying drawings.

[0085] These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description, accompanying drawings and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0086] Figure 1It is an overall schematic diagram of a camera device according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] Figure 2 is a stereoscopic cross-sectional view of the camera device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] Figure 3 2 is a schematic diagram of an exploded view of the camera device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] Figure 4 1 is an overall schematic diagram of an SMA driver of the camera device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0090] Figure 5A 4 is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the SMA actuator of the camera device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] Figure 5B 4 is a schematic diagram of partial details of the SMA actuator of the camera device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of an exploded view of the SMA driver of the camera device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] Fig. 7A Schematic diagram of an inner driving unit and an outer driving unit of the SMA driver of the camera device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] Figure 7B Schematic diagram of a suspension system of the SMA actuator of the camera device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] Fig. 8A Schematic diagram of the SMA driver of the camera device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention driving a lens to translate upward.

[0096] Figure 8B Schematic diagram of the SMA driver of the camera device driving the lens to move in the horizontal direction according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0097] Figure 8C Schematic diagram of the SMA driver of the camera device driving the lens to rotate in a spatial direction according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] Fig. 9A 1 is an overall schematic diagram of another optional embodiment of an SMA driver of the camera device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] Fig. 9B is another overall schematic diagram of the SMA driver of the camera device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] Fig.10 Schematic diagram of a suspension system of the SMA actuator of the camera device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0101] Fig.11A 1 is an overall schematic diagram of a second optional embodiment of an SMA actuator of the camera device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0102] Fig. 11B is another overall schematic diagram of the SMA driver of the camera device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] Fig.12 Schematic diagram of a suspension system of the SMA actuator of the camera device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] FIG. 13 is an overall schematic diagram of a third optional implementation of an SMA actuator of the camera device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] Fig.14 Schematic diagram of the SMA driver of the camera device driving the lens to move according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0106] Fig.15 1 is an overall schematic diagram of a fourth optional implementation manner of an SMA actuator of the camera device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] Fig.16 is a schematic diagram of an exploded view of the SMA driver of the camera device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0108] The following description is used to disclose the present invention so that those skilled in the art can implement the present invention. The preferred embodiments described below are only examples, and those skilled in the art can think of other obvious variations. The basic principles of the present invention defined in the following description can be applied to other embodiments, variations, improvements, equivalents, and other technical solutions that do not deviate from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0109] Those skilled in the art should understand that, in the disclosure of the present invention, the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like indicating the orientation or position relationship are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, which are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, the above terms should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0110] It is to be understood that the term "one" should be understood as "at least one" or "one or more", that is, in one embodiment, the number of an element may be one, while in another embodiment, the number of the element may be multiple, and the term "one" should not be understood as a limitation on the quantity.

[0111] Referring to the accompanying drawings of the present invention Figures 1 to 8C As shown, a camera device according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is explained in the following description. The camera device includes at least one lens 10, an SMA driver 20, a lens holder 30, a circuit board 40, and at least one photosensitive element 50 disposed on the circuit board 40, wherein the SMA driver 20 is disposed on the lens holder 30. The lens 10 is disposed on the SMA driver 20, wherein the SMA driver 20 holds the lens 10 above the photosensitive element 50 and drives the lens 10 to move above the photosensitive element 50, so that the lens 10 focuses the acquired light on the photosensitive element 50, and acquires image information through the photosensitive element 50.

[0112] The camera device has an optical axis O, wherein the lens 10 and the photosensitive element 50 of the camera device are arranged along the direction of the optical axis O. It is worth mentioning that the SMA driver 20 drives the lens 10 to move based on the direction of the optical axis O to adjust the imaging position of the lens 10 from the photosensitive element 50, thereby achieving focusing of images at different positions.

[0113] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the lens 10 includes at least one lens 11, wherein the lens 11 forms the optical system of the camera device, wherein the lens 11 is disposed above the photosensitive element 50 along the direction of the optical axis O, so that the optical system focuses the image light onto the photosensitive element 50. The lens holder 30 includes a lens holder body 31 and at least one filter element 32 disposed on the lens holder body 31, wherein the filter element 32 is supported by the lens holder body 31 between the lens 10 and the photosensitive element 50 to filter the light entering the lens 10. The camera device further includes a housing 60, wherein the housing 60 is disposed outside the lens 10 and the SMA driver 20, and the housing 60 protects the lens 10 and the SMA driver 20 inside. The housing 60 has a containing space 61 and at least one light entrance hole 62 connected to the containing space 61 , wherein the light entrance hole 62 is formed at the upper portion of the housing 60 , and light enters into the containing space 61 through the light entrance hole 62 .

[0114] like Figures 4 to 8C As shown, the SMA driver 20 drives the lens 10 to move above the lens mount 30 in a dual-drive manner, wherein the SMA driver 20 drives the lens 10 to move in a translational manner or a rotational manner, so that the focus range of the lens 10 becomes larger, thereby enabling the camera device to obtain a larger camera range. When the lens 10 is driven and maintained at an imaging position by the SMA driver 20, wherein when the SMA driver 20 drives the lens 10 to move to the imaging position in the direction of the optical axis O, the lens 10 can be driven by the SMA driver 20 to adjust the focus direction of the lens 10, thereby stabilizing the imaging quality of the camera device.

[0115] In other words, in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the SMA driver 20 drives the lens 10 to move in the direction of the optical axis O in a dual-drive manner, and when the lens 10 reaches a specified position, the SMA driver 20 stabilizes the position of the lens 10 so that the lens 10 cooperates with the photosensitive element 50 to obtain a clear image.

[0116] In detail, the SMA actuator 20 includes an inner SMA actuator 21, an outer SMA actuator 22, and at least one suspension system 23, wherein the lens 10 is disposed on the inner SMA actuator 21, and the SMA actuator 21 drives the lens 10 to move. The outer SMA actuator 22 is disposed outside the inner SMA actuator 21, and the outer SMA actuator drives the inner SMA actuator 21 to move, wherein the lens 10 moves along with the inner SMA actuator 21 and is driven by the outer SMA actuator 22. The suspension system 23 is disposed on the inner SMA actuator 21 and the outer SMA actuator 22, and the suspension system 23 supports or pulls the inner SMA actuator 21 and the outer SMA actuator 22 in a manner opposite to the driving force of the inner SMA actuator 21 and the outer SMA actuator 22, thereby balancing the force applied to the lens 10, and thereby maintaining the lens 10 at the imaging position.

[0117] In other words, the lens 10 is kept above the photosensitive element 50 under the joint action of the suspension system 23, the inner SMA driving device 21 and the outer SMA driving device 22. When the lens 10 is driven to move, the suspension system 23 provides the lens 10 with a reverse force through the inner SMA driving device 21 and the outer SMA driving device 22 to maintain the stability of the lens 10 during the driven movement. In short, the suspension system 23 supports and stabilizes the lens 10.

[0118] like Figures 4 to 6As shown, the inner SMA driving device 21 of the SMA driver 20 includes a lens carrier 211, at least two inner driving units 212, and a support carrier 213, wherein the inner driving unit 212 is disposed on the lens carrier 211 and the support carrier 213. The support carrier 213 supports the inner driving unit 212, wherein the inner driving unit 212 is retractably connected to the lens carrier 211 under the support of the support carrier 213, and the inner driving unit 212 drives the lens carrier 211 to move in a thermal contraction manner. In other words, in the inner SMA driving device 21, the inner driving unit 212 drives the movement of the lens carrier 211 in a contraction manner based on the position of the support carrier 213, and drives the movement of the lens 10 through the lens carrier 211. Preferably, the inner driving units 212 are symmetrically arranged on two sides of the lens carrier 211, and when the inner driving units 212 are thermally contracted, the at least two inner driving units 212 provide symmetrical forces to the lens carrier 211 based on the optical axis O. More preferably, in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of the inner driving units 212 of the inner SMA driving device 21 is four, wherein the inner driving units 212 are symmetrically arranged on four sides of the lens carrier 211.

[0119] It can be understood that while the inner SMA driving device 21 drives the lens 10 to move upward, the outer SMA driving device 22 drives the inner SMA driving device 21 to move in the same direction, thereby shortening the time for the lens to reach the specified position and reducing the focus response time of the camera device.

[0120] Focus Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the outer SMA driving device 22 of the SMA driver 20 further includes at least one bearing device 221 and at least two outer driving units 222, wherein the outer driving units 222 are symmetrically arranged on the bearing device 221 and the supporting carrier 213. The bearing device 221 is drivingly connected to the supporting carrier 213 through the outer driving units 222, wherein the outer driving units 222 drive the supporting carrier 213 to move based on the bearing device 221, and drive the movement of the lens carrier 211 and the lens 10 through the supporting carrier 213. In other words, the outer SMA driving device 22 is configured to drive the movement of the inner SMA driving device 21, and when the inner SMA driving device 21 is driven to move, the inner SMA driving device 21 drives the movement of the lens 10.

[0121] The bearing device 221 is disposed on the lens holder 30, and the bearing device 221 is supported by the lens holder 30 to provide a supporting force to the external driving unit 222. The external driving unit 222 drives the internal SMA driving device 21 to move in a heat shrinking manner, wherein the internal SMA driving device 21 is driven by the external driving unit 222 to drive the movement of the lens 10. Preferably, in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of the external driving units 222 of the external SMA driving device 22 is four, and the external driving units 222 are symmetrically disposed at four side positions of the internal SMA driving device 21. The external driving units 222 of the external SMA driving device 22 jointly drive the movement of the internal SMA driving device 21 to increase the moving speed of the lens 10.

[0122] It can be understood that the lens 10 is driven to move by the inner SMA driving device 21 of the SMA driver 20 in a direct heat contraction manner, wherein the lens 10 is indirectly driven to move by the outer SMA driving device 22 via the inner SMA driving device 21. In other words, the lens 10 is driven to move by the SMA driver 20 in a dual driving manner based on the position of the initial state.

[0123] like Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the suspension system 23 is provided on the inner SMA driving device 21 and the outer SMA driving device 22, and the suspension system 23 balances the forces provided by the inner SMA driving device 21 and the outer SMA driving device 22 to maintain the balance of the lens 10 in the imaging position. The suspension system 23 provides a driving force opposite to the inner SMA driving device 21 and the outer SMA driving device 22. When the SMA driving device drives the lens 10 to move to an imaging position, exemplarily, when the lens 10 is driven upward by the inner SMA driving device 21 and the outer SMA driving device 22 to move, the suspension system 23 pulls the inner SMA driving device 21 and the outer SMA driving device 22 downward to restore the lens 10 to the position of the initial state.

[0124] Accordingly, the suspension system 23 further includes an inner suspension device 231 and an outer suspension device 232, wherein the inner suspension device 231 is disposed on the inner SMA drive device 21, and the outer suspension device 232 is disposed on the outer SMA drive device 22. The inner suspension device 231 provides a force opposite to the inner SMA drive device 21 to pull the SMA drive device 21 downward, and the lens 10 is pulled back to the initial position by the inner SMA drive device 21. The outer suspension device 232 provides a downward force opposite to the outer drive device 22, and the inner SMA drive device 21 and the lens 10 are pulled back to the initial position by the outer SMA drive device.

[0125] The inner suspension device 231 of the suspension system 23 is disposed between the lens carrier 211 of the inner SMA drive device 21 and the support carrier 213 in a manner of being opposite to the inner drive unit 212. It is worth mentioning that the inner suspension device 231 and the outer suspension device 232 of the suspension system 23 are elastic connection devices or elastic connection members, wherein when the inner SMA drive device 21 and / or the outer SMA drive device 22 of the SMA actuator 20 drive the lens 10 to move, the inner suspension device 231 and / or the outer suspension device 232 of the suspension system 23 are pulled by force to generate elastic deformation. When the lens 10 needs to return to the initial position, the inner suspension device 231 and / or the outer suspension device 232 of the suspension system 23 pull the lens 10 back to the initial position under the elastic action.

[0126] Correspondingly, the inner suspension device 231 further includes at least two inner suspension units 2311, wherein the inner suspension units 2311 are symmetrically arranged on the lens carrier 211 and the support carrier 213, wherein the support carrier 213 supports the inner suspension units 2311 to pull the lens carrier 211 back to the initial position with elastic force. The inner suspension units 2311 are arranged on the lens carrier 211 and the support carrier 213 in a manner of being skewed from the inner drive unit 212, and provide a force in the opposite direction to the inner drive unit 212. Preferably, in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of the inner suspension units 2311 is four, wherein the inner suspension units 2311 are symmetrically arranged on the four sides of the lens carrier 211.

[0127] The external suspension system 232 of the suspension system 23 is disposed between the support carrier 213 and the bearing device 221 of the external SMA driving device 22 in a manner that the external suspension system 232 is skewed relative to the external driving unit 222. The external suspension device 232 further includes at least two external suspension units 2321, wherein the external suspension units 2321 are symmetrically disposed at the support carrier 213 and the bearing device 221, wherein the bearing device 221 supports the external suspension units 2321 to pull the support carrier 213 back to the initial position with an elastic force. The external suspension units 2321 are disposed at the support carrier 213 and the bearing device 221 in a manner that the external suspension units 2321 are skewed relative to the external driving unit 222, and provide a force in the opposite direction to the external driving unit 222. It is worth mentioning that in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the external suspension units 2321 and the external driving unit are skewed relative to each other but do not contact each other. Preferably, in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of the external suspension units 2321 is four, wherein the external suspension units 2321 are symmetrically arranged on the four sides of the supporting carrier 213 .

[0128] It is worth mentioning that in the first preferred embodiment of the invention, the bearing device 221 of the external SMA driving device 22 and the housing 60 of the camera device are an integrated structure. In other words, the housing 60 and the bearing device 221 are the same device. It can be understood that in the present invention, the implementation of the housing 60 and the bearing device 221 is only exemplary and not restrictive.

[0129] like Figure 6As shown, the lens carrier 211 of the inner SMA driving device 21 includes a carrier body 2111 and further provided with at least one lens accommodating cavity 2112, wherein the lens accommodating cavity 2112 is formed in the carrier body 2111. The lens 10 is arranged and installed on the carrier body 2111 through the lens accommodating cavity 2112, wherein the carrier body 2111 drives the movement of the lens 10 when receiving the driving force of the inner driving unit 212, and drives the lens 10 to return to the initial position when receiving the force of the inner suspension unit 2311. The carrier body 2111 of the lens carrier 211 is further provided with a carrier inner wall 2113, wherein the lens 10 is arranged and installed on the carrier inner wall 2113 of the carrier body 2111. Preferably, in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lens 10 is installed on the carrier inner wall 2113 of the carrier body 2111 in a threaded connection manner. It can be understood that in the present invention, the connection method between the lens 10 and the carrier body 2111 is merely illustrative and not restrictive. Therefore, the lens 10 can also be set on the carrier inner wall 2113 of the carrier body 2111 by other installation methods, such as gluing.

[0130] For example, in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lens carrier 211 of the SMA driving device 21 is implemented as a support frame with a rectangular or square surface, wherein the inner driving unit 212 and the inner suspension unit 2311 are symmetrically arranged on the side of the lens carrier 211. It can be understood that in the present invention, the shape of the lens carrier 211 is only used as an example, not a limitation. Therefore, the lens carrier 211 can also be implemented as a support frame of other shapes, such as a frame with a hexagonal surface.

[0131] Correspondingly, the lens carrier 211 is further provided with four carrier outer walls 2114, wherein the inner driving unit 212 and one end of the inner suspension unit 2311 are configured to drive or pull the carrier outer wall 2114 of the lens carrier 211 to drive or pull the movement of the lens carrier 211.

[0132] The support carrier 213 of the inner SMA driving device 21 is arranged outside the lens carrier 211, wherein the support carrier 213 is suspended in the accommodating space 61 by the outer SMA driving device 22 and the outer suspension device 232 of the suspension system 23. The support carrier 213 includes at least two support carrier units 2131, wherein the support carrier units 2131 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the lens carrier 211, and are transmission-connected to the lens carrier 211 and the carrying device 221 through the support carrier units 2131. Preferably, in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of the support carrier units 2131 of the support carrier 213 is four, and the support carriers 2131 are symmetrically arranged on the four sides of the lens carrier 211.

[0133] Preferably, the support carrier 213 is a rectangular annular support frame, wherein the support carrier units 2131 of the support carrier 213 are connected to each other to form an integrated structure. In other words, the support carrier units 2131 of the support carrier 213 are connected in sequence to form the annular support frame.

[0134] Correspondingly, the support carrier unit 2131 of the support carrier 213 forms an inner drive space 2132, wherein the support carrier unit 2131 of the support carrier 213 supports the inner drive unit 212 in the inner drive space 2132, and pulls the lens carrier 211 to move in a heat shrinking manner. It can be understood that the lens carrier 211 is driven by the inner drive unit 212 to move in the inner drive space 2132, wherein the inner drive space 2132 moves with the movement of the support carrier unit 2131 of the support carrier 213. It can be understood that the inner drive space 2132 of the support carrier 213 runs through the upper and lower ends of the support carrier 213, wherein the lens carrier 211 is driven to move in the inner drive space 2132.

[0135] The support carrier unit 2131 of the support carrier 213 is further provided with a carrier inner side surface 21311 and a carrier outer side surface 21312, wherein the carrier inner side surface 21311 faces the inner drive space 2132 of the support carrier 213, and the carrier outer side surface 21312 faces the outside of the support carrier 213. One end of the inner drive unit 212 and one end of the inner suspension device 231 are arranged to be connected to the carrier inner side surface 21311 of the carrier unit 2131, and the inner drive unit 212 and the inner suspension device 231 are provided with acting force through the carrier inner side surface 21311. One end of the external driving unit 222 and one end of the external suspension device 232 are arranged to be connected to the carrier outer surface 21312 of the supporting carrier unit 2131, wherein the external driving unit 222 and the external suspension device 232 apply a force to the supporting carrier 213 through the carrier outer surface 21312 to drive the movement of the supporting carrier 213 and keep the supporting carrier 213 in the imaging position.

[0136] like Figures 6 to 7B As shown, the inner driving unit 212 is drivingly connected to the lens carrier 211 and the support carrier 213, wherein the inner driving unit 212 drives the lens carrier 211 to move by heat contraction under the support of the support carrier 213. The inner driving unit 212 further includes at least one inner driving SMA wire 2121, wherein the inner driving SMA wire 2121 is configured to be drivingly connected to the lens carrier 211 and the support carrier 213. In the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lens carrier 211 is driven by the inner driving unit 212 to move upward. Accordingly, the inner driving SMA wire 2121 is connected to the lower end of the lens carrier 211 and to the upper end of the support carrier 213, and the inner driving SMA wire 2121 is supported by the support carrier 213 to pull the lens carrier 211 to move upward.

[0137] Preferably, in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of the internal drive SMA wires 2121 of the internal drive unit 212 is two, and the internal drive SMA wires 2121 are connected to the lower end of the lens carrier 211 and the upper end of the support carrier 213 in an eccentric manner. It can be understood that when the internal drive SMA wires 2121 of the internal drive unit 212 are thermally contracted, a support force inclined upward along the direction of the internal drive SMA wires 2121 is provided to the lens carrier 211. It can be understood that the internal drive SMA wires 2121 of the same internal drive unit 212 are connected to the lens carrier 211 and the support carrier 213 in an eccentric manner. Therefore, when the internal drive SMA wires 2121 arranged in eccentric manner drive the lens carrier 211 with the same amount of thermal contraction, the driving forces provided by the internal drive SMA wires 2121 in the eccentric manner cancel each other out in the horizontal direction, and drive the lens carrier 211 to move along the optical axis.

[0138] like Fig. 7A As shown, one of the internal drive SMA wires 2121 of the internal drive unit 212 is connected from the lower left end of the lens carrier 211 to the upper right end of the support carrier 213, and the other internal drive SMA wire 2121 is connected from the lower right end of the lens carrier 211 to the upper left end of the support carrier 213, so that the two internal drive SMA wires 2121 are not in the same plane. It is worth mentioning that the two internal drive SMA wires 2121 are not in the same plane, but do not contact each other. The internal drive SMA wires 2121 are arranged on two diagonal connecting lines so that the left and right components of the driving force generated by the internal drive SMA wires 2121 during synchronous heat contraction offset each other, and only generate an oblique upward force. It can be understood that the horizontal components of the driving force provided by the two internal drive units 212 opposite to the lens carrier 211 can offset each other, and only generate a force along the optical axis O direction to drive the movement of the lens 10 along the optical axis O direction.

[0139] Optionally, in a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the internal drive unit 212 includes two or more internal drive SMA wires 2121, wherein the internal drive SMA wires 2121 are connected to the lower end of the lens carrier 211 and to the upper end of the support carrier 213, and the internal drive SMA wires 2121 provide a supporting force to the lens carrier 211.

[0140] like Figures 6 to 7BAs shown, the inner suspension unit 2311 of the inner suspension device 231 is connected to the lens carrier 211 and the support carrier 213 in a manner of being skewed from the inner drive unit 212, wherein the inner suspension unit 2311 provides a supporting force to the lens carrier 211 in the opposite direction to the inner drive unit 212. The inner suspension unit 2311 further includes at least one inner suspension wire 23111, wherein the inner suspension wire 23111 is arranged to connect the upper end of the lens carrier 211 to the lower end of the support carrier 213. The inner suspension device 231 and the outer suspension device 232 of the suspension system 23 are both connection devices with elastic support or elastic traction, wherein the inner suspension wire 23111 generates elastic deformation under force, and when the inner drive unit 212 cools and relaxes, the inner suspension wire 23111 pulls the lens carrier 211 back to the initial position under elastic action.

[0141] It is worth mentioning that the inner suspension wire 23111 of the inner suspension unit 2311 is a metal wire with elastic connection function, or an elastic metal wire. Optionally, in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner suspension wire 23111 can also be implemented as an SMA wire, wherein when the inner suspension unit 2311 is heated, the inner suspension wire 23111 contracts to generate an elastic force that drives the lens 211 to return.

[0142] Preferably, in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of the inner suspension wires 23111 of the inner suspension unit 2311 is two, wherein the inner suspension wires 23111 are connected to the lens carrier 211 and the support carrier 213 in a mutually skewed manner. One end of the inner suspension wire 23111 is configured to be connected to the upper end of the lens carrier 211, and the other end of the inner suspension wire 23111 is configured to be connected to the lower end of the support carrier 213.

[0143] like Figure 6 and Figure 7B As shown, one end of one of the inner suspension wires 23111 of the inner suspension unit 2311 is connected to the upper left end of the lens carrier 211 and the lower right end of the support carrier 213, and one end of another inner suspension wire 23111 is connected to the upper right end of the carrier 211 and the lower left end of the support carrier 213, so that the inner suspension wires 23111 of the inner suspension unit 2311 are not in the same plane. The inner suspension wires 23111 of the inner suspension unit 2311 do not contact each other. It can be understood that the inner drive unit 212 on the same side of the lens carrier 211 is not in the same plane as the inner suspension unit 2311.

[0144] The inner SMA driving device 21 further includes a plurality of inner SMA wire fixing devices 214 and a plurality of inner suspension wire fixing devices 215, wherein the inner SMA wire fixing devices 214 are arranged on the carrier outer wall 2114 of the lens carrier 211 and the carrier inner side surface 21311 of the support carrier 213. The inner SMA wire fixing devices 214 fix the inner drive SMA wire 2121 to the carrier outer wall 2114 of the lens carrier 211 and the carrier inner side surface 21311 of the support carrier 213. It can be understood that the inner SMA wire fixing devices 214 are fixedly arranged on the left and right sides of the lower end of the carrier outer wall 2114 of the lens carrier 211, and are fixedly arranged on the left and right sides of the upper end of the carrier inner side surface 21311 of the support carrier 213.

[0145] Preferably, in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner SMA wire fixture 214 is integrally formed on the carrier outer wall 2114 of the lens carrier 211, and is integrally formed on the carrier inner side surface 21311 of the support carrier 213. In other words, the inner SMA wire fixture 214 is integrally formed on the lens carrier 211 and the support carrier 213.

[0146] It is worth mentioning that the internal drive SMA wire 2121 is configured to be connected to the internal SMA wire fixture 214, and the internal drive SMA wire 2121 is fixedly connected to the lens carrier 211 and the support carrier 213 by the internal SMA wire fixture 214. The internal SMA wire fixture 214 is connected to one end of the internal drive SMA wire 2121 by crimping, welding or winding connection. It is worth mentioning that in the present invention, the connection relationship between the internal SMA wire fixture 214 and the internal suspension wire fixture 215 and the lens carrier 211 and the support carrier 213 is merely exemplary and not restrictive. Therefore, the internal SMA wire fixture 214 and the internal suspension wire fixture 215 can also be implemented to be connected to the lens carrier 211 and the support carrier 213 in an embedded installation manner.

[0147] The inner hanging wire fixing device 215 is arranged on the carrier outer wall 2114 of the lens carrier 211 and the carrier inner side surface 21311 of the support carrier 213. The inner hanging wire fixing device 215 fixes the inner hanging wire 23111 to the carrier outer wall 2114 of the lens carrier 211 and the carrier inner side surface 21311 of the support carrier 213. It can be understood that the inner hanging wire fixing device 215 is fixedly arranged on the left and right sides of the upper end of the carrier outer wall 2114 of the lens carrier 211, and is fixedly arranged on the left and right sides of the lower end of the carrier inner side surface 21311 of the support carrier 213.

[0148] Preferably, in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner suspension wire fixing device 215 is integrally formed on the carrier outer wall 2114 of the lens carrier 211 , and is integrally formed on the carrier inner side surface 21311 of the support carrier 213 .

[0149] like Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the outer SMA driving device 22 of the SMA actuator 20 and the outer suspension device 232 of the suspension system 23 jointly support the inner SMA driving device 21 in the accommodating space 61 , and drive the inner SMA driving device 21 to move in the accommodating space 61 .

[0150] In detail, the external driving unit 222 of the external SMA driving device 22 further includes at least one external driving SMA wire 2221, wherein the external driving SMA wire 2221 is retractably driven to connect the supporting carrier 213 to the carrying device 221, wherein the external driving SMA wire 2221 drives the movement of the supporting carrier 213 of the internal SMA driving device 21 by heat contraction under the support of the carrying device 221, and drives the movement of the lens carrier 211 and the lens 10 by the supporting carrier 213.

[0151] One end of the external drive SMA wire 2221 is configured to be connected to the upper end of the bearing device 221, wherein the other end of the external drive SMA wire 2221 is configured to be connected to the lower end of the support carrier 213, and when the external drive SMA wire 2221 is driven by heat contraction, the bearing device 221 supports the external drive SMA wire 2221, so that the external drive SMA wire 2221 pulls the support carrier 213 to move upward. Preferably, in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the external drive SMA wire 2221 of each of the external drive units 222 is connected to the support carrier 213 and the bearing device 221 in different planes from each other, and the external drive SMA wires 2221 are different planes from each other.

[0152] Correspondingly, the bearing device 221 further includes at least two bearing units 2211, wherein the bearing units 2211 are symmetrically arranged on the outer side of the supporting carrier 213 to support and connect the external driving unit 222. The bearing units 2211 support the external driving unit 222 to drive the movement of the internal SMA driving device 21 in a heat shrinking manner. Preferably, in the present invention, the number of the bearing units 2211 of the bearing device 221 is four, wherein the bearing device 221 is an integrated bearing frame arranged on the supporting carrier 213, wherein the bearing units 2211 of the bearing device 221 are sequentially connected to each other to form the bearing frame. Preferably, the bearing device 221 and the housing 60 of the camera device are the same device, wherein the bearing device 221 surrounds and forms the accommodating space 61, and the internal SMA driving device 21 is driven to move in the accommodating space 61 by the external driving unit 222.

[0153] The bearing unit 2211 of the bearing device 221 further has a bearing surface 2212, wherein the external driving unit 222 and the external suspension device 232 of the suspension system 23 are drivably connected to the bearing surface 2212 of the bearing unit 2211 and the carrier outer side surface 21312 of the supporting carrier 213. In detail, the external driving SMA wire 2221 of the external driving unit 222 is drivably connected to the upper left end of the bearing surface 2212 of the bearing unit 2211 and the lower right end of the carrier outer side surface 21312 of the supporting carrier 213. Another external drive SMA wire 2221 is drivably connected to the right upper end of the bearing surface 2212 of the bearing unit 2211 and the left lower end of the carrier outer surface 21312 of the supporting carrier 213, so that the external drive SMA wires 2221 are out of plane with each other, thereby offsetting the horizontal force of the external drive SMA wires 2221 and driving the internal SMA drive device 21 to move along the direction of the optical axis O.

[0154] The outer suspension unit 2321 of the outer suspension device 232 is configured to provide the support carrier 213 with a force opposite to the driving unit 222. Accordingly, the outer suspension unit 2321 includes at least one outer suspension wire 23211, wherein the outer suspension wire 23211 is configured to connect the carrier outer side surface 21312 of the support carrier 213 to the bearing surface 2212 of the bearing device 221. The outer suspension wire 23211 provides the support carrier 213 with a force opposite to the external driving unit 222 based on the bearing surface 2212 of the bearing device 221. One end of the outer suspension wire 23211 is configured to be connected to the upper end of the support carrier 213, wherein the other end of the outer suspension wire 23211 is configured to be connected to the lower end of the bearing device 221.

[0155] Preferably, in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of the external suspension wires 23211 of each external suspension unit 2321 is two, wherein the external suspension wires 23211 are connected to the support carrier 213 and the bearing device 221 in a mutually skewed manner. It is worth mentioning that the external suspension wires 23211 of the external suspension unit 2321 are skewed with respect to the external drive SMA wire 2221 of the external drive unit 222, so that the external suspension device 232 provides a force opposite to the external SMA drive device 222.

[0156] It is worth mentioning that the outer suspension wire 23211 of the outer suspension unit 2321 is a metal wire with elastic connection function, or an elastic metal wire. Optionally, in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer suspension wire 23211 can also be implemented as an SMA wire, wherein when the outer suspension unit 2321 is heated, the outer suspension wire 23211 contracts to generate an elastic force that drives the lens 211 to return.

[0157] Correspondingly, the external suspension wire 23211 is arranged to connect the left upper end portion of the carrier outer side surface 21312 of the supporting carrier 213 to the right lower end portion of the bearing surface 2212 of the bearing device 221, wherein another external suspension wire 23211 is arranged to connect the right upper end portion of the carrier outer side surface 21312 of the supporting carrier 213 to the left lower end portion of the bearing surface 2212 of the bearing device 221.

[0158] The external SMA driving device 22 of the SMA actuator 20 further includes a plurality of external SMA wire fixing devices 223 and a plurality of external suspension wire fixing devices 224, wherein the external SMA wire fixing device 223 fixes one end of the external drive SMA wire 2221 to the lower end of the carrier outer side surface 21312 of the support carrier 213, and fixes the other end of the SMA wire 2221 to the upper end of the bearing surface 2212 of the bearing device 221. The external suspension wire fixing device 224 fixes the external suspension wire 23211 to the upper end of the carrier outer side surface 21312 of the support carrier 213, and fixes the other end of the external suspension wire 23211 to the lower end of the bearing surface 2212 of the bearing device 221.

[0159] Preferably, in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the external SMA wire fixture 223 and the external suspension wire fixture 224 are integrally arranged on the carrier outer side surface 21312 of the support carrier 213, and are integrally arranged on the bearing surface 2212 of the bearing device 221. It can be understood that in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the external SMA wire fixture 223 and the external suspension wire fixture 224 are fixedly connected to the SMA wire and the suspension wire by crimping. Optionally, the SMA wire fixture 223 and the external suspension wire fixture 224 can also be connected to the external drive SMA wire by welding, winding connection, or adhesive connection. It is worth mentioning that in the present invention, the connection method of the external SMA wire fixture 223 and the external suspension wire fixture 224 with the carrier outer side surface 21312 of the support carrier 213 and the bearing surface 2212 of the bearing device 221 is only exemplary and not restrictive. Therefore, the outer SMA wire fixture 223 and the outer suspension wire fixture 224 may also be connected to the support carrier 213 and the carrying device 221 in other connection manners, such as in an embedded installation manner.

[0160] like Figure 6 As shown, the SMA driver 20 further includes a support base 24, wherein the support base 24 is disposed below the carrying device 221. The carrying device 221 is fixed to the support base 24, and the carrying device 221 is fixedly connected to the lens holder 30 via the support base 24. It can be understood that the inner SMA driving device 21 and the outer SMA driving device 22 of the SMA driver 20 drive the lens 10 to move in the accommodating space 61 under the support of the support base 24.

[0161] like FIG. 8A to FIG. 8CAs shown, the inner SMA driving device 21 and the outer SMA driving device 22 of the SMA driver 20 drive the lens 10 to move in the accommodating space 61, wherein the inner driving unit 212 of the inner SMA driving device 21 and the outer driving unit 222 of the outer SMA driving device 22 cooperate with each other, and the lens 10 is driven to move in the accommodating space 61 in a translational or rotational manner. It is worth mentioning that in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the camera device is in the initial position, the SMA driver 20 is in a relaxed state when not powered on, and the lens 10 of the camera device is at the lowest end. The SMA driver 20 heat contracts when powered on, and drives the lens 10 to move upward. When the lens 10 is driven to move to the imaging position, the suspension system 23 pulls the inner SMA driving device 21 and the outer SMA driving device 22, and drives the lens 10 to return to the initial position through the lens carrier 211.

[0162] like Fig. 8A As shown, when the inner driving unit 212 on the opposite side of the inner SMA driving device 21 drives the lens carrier 211 to move with the same amount of thermal contraction, the outer suspension wire 23211 of the lens carrier is connected to the outer side surface 211 of the support carrier 213 to drive the lens 10 to move upward along the direction of the optical axis O. Correspondingly, when the outer driving units 222 on the opposite side of the outer SMA driving device 22 drive the inner SMA driving device 21 to move with the same amount of thermal contraction, the lens carrier 211 of the inner SMA driving device 21 drives the lens 10 to move upward along the direction of the optical axis O.

[0163] like Figure 8BAs shown, when the inner driving units 212 on the left and right sides (or the front and rear sides) of the inner SMA driving device 21 drive the lens carrier 211 to move with different amounts of thermal contraction; or when only one of the two inner driving units 212 on the opposite sides of the inner SMA driving device 21 is driven by thermal contraction and the other inner SMA driving device 21 is in a relaxed state, the lens carrier 211 is subjected to a horizontal force, and the lens 10 is driven to move left and right (or front and back) in the horizontal direction. Correspondingly, when the outer driving units 222 on the left and right sides (or the front and rear sides) of the outer SMA driving device 22 drive the inner SMA driving device 21 to move with different amounts of thermal contraction; or when only one of the two outer driving units 222 on the opposite sides of the outer SMA driving device 22 is in thermal contraction and drives the inner SMA driving device 21 to move, and the other outer driving unit 222 is in a relaxed state, the inner SMA driving device 21 is subjected to a force in the horizontal direction, and the lens 10 is driven to move left and right (or front and back) in the horizontal direction by the inner SMA driving device 21.

[0164] like Figure 8C As shown, when the inner drive units 212 of the inner SMA drive device 21 and the outer drive units 222 of the outer SMA drive device 22 drive the lens 10 to move in a rotational manner in the accommodating space 61 with different driving forces respectively. It can be understood that when the inner drive SMA wire 2121 of the same inner drive unit 212 is driven with different thermal contraction amounts, the lens carrier 211 is driven by the inner drive unit 212 with a tilting force to drive the lens 10 to move tiltedly. It can be understood that when the inner drive units 212 at different positions of the inner SMA drive device 21 and the outer drive units 222 at different positions of the outer SMA drive device 22 are controlled to drive the lens carrier 211 to move in a tilted manner with different thermal contraction amounts, the lens 10 is driven to tilt.

[0165] Referring to the accompanying drawings of the present invention FIG. 9A to FIG. 10As shown, another optional implementation of an SMA actuator 20A of the camera device according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is explained in the following description. The SMA actuator 20A includes an inner SMA actuator 21A, an outer SMA actuator 22A, at least one suspension system 23A, and a support base 24A. It is worth mentioning that in the optional implementation of the SMA actuator 20A of the present invention, the structure and function of the inner SMA actuator 21A, the outer SMA actuator 22A, and the support base 24A are the same as the structure and function of the inner SMA actuator 21, the outer SMA actuator 22, and the support base 24 in the first preferred embodiment, and the difference lies in the suspension system 23A.

[0166] Accordingly, the inner SMA driving device 21A includes a lens carrier 211A, at least two inner driving units 212A, and a supporting carrier 213A, and the outer SMA driving device 22A includes a bearing device 221A and at least two outer driving units 222A.

[0167] The suspension system 23A supports the lens carrier 211A and the support carrier 213A of the SMA drive device 21A, and provides a force opposite to the inner SMA drive device 21A and the outer SMA drive device 22A. The suspension system 23A, the inner SMA drive device 21A and the outer SMA drive device 22A work together to hold the lens 10. When the lens 10 is moved to an imaging position, the lens 10 is pulled back to the initial position by the suspension system 23A through the lens carrier 211A. The suspension system 23A further includes an inner suspension device 231A and an outer suspension device 232A, wherein the inner suspension device 231A is disposed on the lens carrier 211A of the inner SMA drive device 21A, and provides a force opposite to the inner SMA drive device 21A. The outer suspension assembly 232A is disposed on the support carrier 213A of the inner SMA actuator 21A and provides a force acting in opposition to the outer SMA actuator 22A.

[0168] In this variant embodiment of the present invention, the inner suspension device 231A is implemented as a spring-type device supporting the lens carrier 211A, wherein the inner suspension device 231A further includes an inner suspension upper spring-type plate 2311A and an inner suspension lower spring-type plate 2312A. The inner suspension upper spring-type plate 2311A is disposed above the lens carrier 211A, and the inner suspension upper spring-type plate 2311A provides a downward supporting force to the lens carrier 211A. The inner suspension lower spring-type plate 2312A is disposed at the lower end of the lens carrier 211A, and provides an upward supporting force to the lens carrier 211A. Accordingly, the inner suspension lower spring-type plate 2312A is disposed on the support base 24A, and the inner suspension lower spring-type plate 2312A is supported upward by the support base 24A.

[0169] The external suspension device 232A is implemented as an elastic support device for supporting the support carrier 213A, wherein the external suspension device 232A further includes an external suspension upper spring plate 2321A and an external suspension lower spring plate 2322A, wherein the external suspension upper spring plate 2321A is disposed above the support carrier 213A, and the external suspension lower spring plate 2322A is disposed below the support carrier 213A. The external suspension device 232A provides the support carrier 213A with a force that is opposite to the external SMA driving device 22A, so that the support carrier 213A drives the lens 10 to return to the initial position. Accordingly, the external suspension lower spring plate 2322A of the external suspension device 232A is disposed on the support base 24A, and the lower spring plate 2322A is supported upward by the support base 24A.

[0170] Preferably, in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner suspension upper spring piece 2311A and the inner suspension lower spring piece 2312A of the inner suspension device 231A, and the outer suspension upper spring piece 2321A and the outer suspension lower spring piece 2322A of the outer suspension device 232A are metal elastic devices with elastic support. When the SMA driving device 20A drives the lens 10 to move linearly, the inner suspension upper spring piece 2311A and the outer suspension upper spring piece 2321A are driven to undergo elastic deformation. When the lens 10 needs to return to the initial position, the inner suspension upper spring piece 2311A and the outer suspension upper spring piece 2321A drive the lens carrier 211A and the support carrier 213A to move downward under the elastic force.

[0171] Referring to the accompanying drawings of the present invention FIG. 11A to FIG. 12As shown, another optional implementation of an SMA actuator 20B of the camera device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention is explained in the following description. The SMA actuator 20B includes an inner SMA actuator 21B, an outer SMA actuator 22B, at least one suspension system 23B, and a support base 24B. It is worth mentioning that in the optional implementation of the SMA actuator 20B of the present invention, the structure and function of the inner SMA actuator 21B, the outer SMA actuator 22B, and the support base 24B are the same as the structure and function of the inner SMA actuator 21, the outer SMA actuator 22, and the support base 24 in the above first preferred embodiment, and the difference lies in the suspension system 23B.

[0172] The suspension system 23B includes an inner suspension device 231B and an outer suspension device 232B, wherein the inner suspension device 231B provides a force opposite to the inner SMA drive device 21B, and the outer suspension device 232B provides a force opposite to the outer SMA drive device 22B, so that the suspension system 23B, the inner SMA drive device 21B and the outer SMA drive device 22B jointly support the lens 10 to maintain the stable position of the lens 10.

[0173] In detail, the inner suspension device 231B further includes an inner suspension upper spring piece 2311B, at least two inner suspension units 2312B, and an inner suspension lower spring piece 2313B, wherein the inner suspension upper spring piece 2311B is arranged above the lens carrier 211B, and the inner suspension lower spring piece 2313B is arranged below the support carrier 213B, wherein the inner suspension unit 2312B is arranged to connect the inner suspension upper spring piece 2311B and the inner suspension lower spring piece 2313B. The inner suspension unit 2312B applies a downward force to the lens carrier 211B through the inner suspension lower spring piece 2313B based on the position of the support carrier 213B. Preferably, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of the inner suspension units 2312B is four, wherein the inner suspension units 2312B are symmetrically arranged around the lens carrier 211B.

[0174] The inner suspension unit 2312B further includes at least one inner suspension wire 23121B, wherein the inner suspension wire 23121B connects the inner suspension upper spring piece 2311B to the inner suspension lower spring piece 2313B. Preferably, in this optional embodiment of the present invention, the number of the inner suspension wires 23121B of the inner suspension unit 2312B is two, wherein the inner suspension wires 23121B connect the inner suspension upper spring piece 2311B to the inner suspension lower spring piece 2313B in a non-planar manner. In other words, the inner suspension wire 23121B connects the left side of the inner suspension upper spring piece 2311B to the right side of the inner suspension lower spring piece 2313B, wherein another inner suspension wire 23121B of the inner suspension unit 2312B connects the right side of the inner suspension upper spring piece 2311B to the left side of the inner suspension lower spring piece 2313B, so that the two inner suspension wires 23121B of the inner suspension unit 2312B are non-planar.

[0175] The external suspension device 232B includes an external suspension upper spring piece 2321B, at least two external suspension units 2322B, and an external suspension lower spring piece 2323B, wherein the external suspension upper spring piece 2321B is arranged above the support carrier 213B, and the external suspension lower spring piece 2323B is arranged below the bearing device 221B, wherein the external suspension unit 2322B is arranged to connect the external suspension upper spring piece 2321B and the external suspension lower spring piece 2323B. The external suspension unit 2322B applies a downward force to the lens carrier 211B through the external suspension lower spring piece 2323B based on the position of the bearing device 221B. Preferably, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of the external suspension units 2322B is four, wherein the external suspension units 2322B are symmetrically arranged around the lens carrier 211B.

[0176] The outer suspension unit 2322B further includes at least one outer suspension wire 23221B, wherein the outer suspension wire 23221B connects the outer suspension upper spring sheet 2321B to the outer suspension lower spring sheet 2323B. Preferably, in this optional embodiment of the present invention, the number of the outer suspension wires 23221B of the outer suspension unit 2322B is two, wherein the outer suspension wires 23221B connect the outer suspension upper spring sheet 2321B to the outer suspension lower spring sheet 2323B in an eccentric manner. Preferably, in this optional embodiment of the present invention, the inner suspension wire 23121B and the outer suspension wire 23221B are fixed to the spring sheet by hooking or pressing.

[0177] Referring to Figures 13 and 14 of the accompanying drawings of the present invention Fig.14As shown, an SMA actuator 20C of the camera device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention is explained in the following description. The SMA actuator 20C includes an inner SMA actuator 21C, an outer SMA actuator 22C, at least one suspension system 23C, and a support base 24C. Different from the first preferred embodiment described above, the inner SMA actuator 21C and the outer SMA actuator 22C drive the direction of movement of the lens 10, and the position of the lens 10 in the initial state.

[0178] In detail, the inner SMA driving device 21C includes a lens carrier 211C, at least two inner driving units 212C, and a support carrier 213C, wherein the inner driving unit 212C is disposed on the lens carrier 211C and the support carrier 213C. In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner driving unit 212C drives the lens carrier 211C to move downward in a telescopic manner based on the support carrier 213C. The outer SMA driving device 22C further includes at least one bearing device 221C and at least two outer driving units 222C, wherein the outer driving units 222C are symmetrically disposed on the bearing device 221C and the support carrier 213C. The outer driving unit 222C of the outer SMA driving device 22C drives the inner SMA driving device 21C to move downward in a thermal contraction manner.

[0179] Accordingly, the suspension system 23C is configured to provide the lens carrier 211C and the support carrier 213C with a force opposite to the inner SMA drive device 21C and the outer SMA drive device 22C, so that the inner SMA drive device 21C, the outer SMA drive device 22C, and the suspension system 23C maintain the stability of the lens 10. The suspension system 23C supports the lens carrier 211C and the support carrier 213C, so that the lens 10 is pulled upward to an initial position by the suspension system 23C. The inner drive unit 212C further includes two inner drive SMA wires 2121C, and the outer drive unit 222C further includes two outer drive SMA wires 2221C. The inner drive SMA wires 2121C are telescopically connected to the upper end of the lens carrier 211C and the lower end of the support carrier 213C in a mutually non-planar manner. The external drive SMA wire 2221C is telescopically connected to the upper end of the support carrier 213C and the lower end of the bearing device 221C in a mutually skewed manner.

[0180] Correspondingly, the suspension system 23C further includes an inner suspension device 231C and an outer suspension device 232C, wherein the inner suspension device 231C is eccentrically arranged on the inner SMA drive device 21C, and the outer suspension device 232C is eccentrically arranged on the outer SMA drive device 22C, and the lens carrier 211C and the support carrier 213C provide the lens 10 with a force opposite to the inner SMA drive device 21C and the outer SMA drive device 22C.

[0181] The inner suspension device 231C further includes four inner suspension units 2311C, wherein the inner suspension units 2311C are symmetrically arranged on the sides of the lens carrier 211C. The inner suspension unit 2311C further includes two inner suspension wires 23111C, wherein the inner suspension wires 23111 connect the lower end of the lens carrier 211 to the upper end of the support carrier 213C in a manner that is not in the same plane with each other. The outer suspension device 232C further includes four outer suspension units 2321C, wherein the outer suspension units 2321C are symmetrically arranged on the four sides of the support carrier 213C. The outer suspension unit 2321C further includes two outer suspension wires 23211C, wherein the outer suspension wires 23211C connect the upper end of the support carrier 213C to the upper end of the bearing device 221C in a manner that is not in the same plane with each other.

[0182] In short, in the SMA driver 20C of this variant embodiment of the present invention, the lens 10 is held at the upper end by the inner SMA driver 21C, the outer SMA driver 22C, and the suspension system 23C in the initial state. The inner SMA driver 21C and the outer SMA driver 22C drive the lens 10 to move downward in a heat-contracting manner, so that the lens 10 is in an imaging position. When the lens 10 needs to return to the initial position, the suspension system 23C pulls the inner SMA driver 21C to move upward, and the lens carrier 211C of the inner SMA driver 21C drives the lens 10 to move upward.

[0183] like Fig.15 and Fig.16As shown, another optional implementation of an SMA driver 20D of the camera device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention is explained in the following description. The SMA driver 20B includes an inner SMA driver 21D, an outer SMA driver 22D, at least one suspension system 23D, and a support base 24D. The inner SMA driver 21D includes a lens carrier 211D, two inner drive units 212D, and a support carrier 213D, wherein the inner drive units 212D are symmetrically arranged on two opposite sides of the lens carrier 211D. The inner drive unit 212D drives the lens carrier 211D to move along the optical axis O direction based on the support carrier 213D in a heat shrinking manner.

[0184] The outer SMA drive device 22D includes a bearing device 221D and two outer drive units 222D, wherein the outer drive units are symmetrically arranged on the outer side of the support carrier 213D of the inner SMA drive device 21D. The outer drive unit 222D drives the inner SMA drive device 21D to move in the direction of the optical axis O in a heat shrinking manner based on the bearing device 221D. It is worth mentioning that in this optional embodiment of the present invention, the structure and function of the inner drive unit 212D and the outer drive unit 222D are the same as those of the first preferred embodiment, and the difference lies in the number of the inner drive unit 212D and the outer drive unit 222D.

[0185] Correspondingly, the suspension system 23D further includes an inner suspension device 231D and an outer suspension device 232D, wherein the inner suspension device 231D is disposed on the inner SMA driving device 21D to provide the lens carrier 211D with a force opposite to the inner driving unit 212D. The inner suspension device 231D further includes two inner suspension units 2311D, wherein the inner suspension units 2311D are symmetrically disposed on the other two side surfaces of the lens carrier 211D. In other words, one pair of side surfaces of the lens carrier 211D is disposed to be connected to the inner driving unit 212D, and the other pair of side surfaces is disposed to be connected to the inner suspension unit 2311D. The outer suspension device 232D further includes two outer suspension units 2321D, wherein the outer suspension units 2321D are symmetrically disposed on the other pair of side surfaces of the support carrier 213D.

[0186] It is worth mentioning that in this optional embodiment of the present invention, the structure and function of the inner suspension unit 2311D and the outer suspension unit 2321D are the same as the structure, function and installation method of the inner suspension unit 2311 and the outer suspension unit 2321 in the above-mentioned first preferred embodiment.

[0187] According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention further provides a driving method of an SMA actuator, wherein the driving method comprises the following steps:

[0188] (a) supported by an outer SMA driving device 22, a lens carrier 211 is driven to move by at least one inner driving unit 212 of an inner SMA driving device 21; and

[0189] (b) driving a support carrier 213 of the inner SMA driving device 21 to move, and driving the lens carrier 211 to move by the support carrier 213 .

[0190] In the above driving method of the present invention, step (a) and step (b) of the driving method can be performed simultaneously without time step difference. The inner SMA driving device 21 and the outer SMA driving device 22 drive the lens carrier 211 to move along the optical axis O in the same direction.

[0191] In step (a), the lens carrier 211 is pulled to move by heat shrinking. At least one inner SMA wire of the inner driving unit 212 is heat shrunk, and the lens carrier 211 is pulled to move by the inner driving SMA wire 2121 through the support carrier 213. The inner driving unit 212 pulls the lens carrier 211 to move along the optical axis O, or pulls the lens carrier 211 to move in a horizontal direction in a translational manner or in a tilted manner, or pulls the lens carrier 211 to move in a rotational manner.

[0192] The step (a) of the driving method further includes: being driven by the inner SMA driving device 21, causing an inner suspension device 231 of a suspension system 23 to generate elastic deformation, and the inner suspension device 231 pulls the lens carrier 211 to return to the initial position under the elastic action.

[0193] In step (b), the support carrier 213 is pulled to move in a heat shrinking manner. At least one external drive unit 222 of the external SMA drive device 22 is heat shrunk, and the external drive unit 222 is supported by a carrier device 221, so that the external drive unit 222 pulls the support carrier 213 to move in a shrinking manner. The external drive unit 222 pulls the support carrier 213 to move along the optical axis O direction, or pulls the support carrier 213 to move in a horizontal direction in a translational manner, or pulls the support carrier 213 to move in a rotational manner.

[0194] The step (b) of the driving method further includes: being driven by the external SMA driving device 22 to cause an external suspension device 232 of the suspension system 23 to produce elastic deformation, and the external suspension device 232 pulls the support carrier 213 to return to the initial position under the elastic action.

[0195] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments of the present invention described above and shown in the accompanying drawings are only examples and do not limit the present invention. The purpose of the present invention has been fully and effectively achieved. The functional and structural principles of the present invention have been demonstrated and explained in the embodiments, and the embodiments of the present invention may be deformed or modified in any way without departing from the principles.

Claims

1. An SMA actuator, adapted to drive a lens to move, characterized in that: include: an inner SMA driving device, wherein the lens is arranged on the inner SMA driving device, and the inner SMA driving device drives the lens to move; an outer SMA driving device, wherein the outer SMA driving device is located outside the inner SMA driving device, and the inner SMA driving device is tactilely supported by the outer SMA driving device, the outer SMA driving device drives the inner SMA driving device to move, so that the inner SMA driving device drives the movement of the lens, wherein the outer SMA driving device is provided with an accommodating space, wherein the inner SMA driving device is built in the accommodating space, and the inner SMA driving device is driven by the outer SMA driving device to drive the lens to move in the accommodating space; a suspension system, wherein the suspension system is configured to support the inner SMA actuator and the outer SMA The drive device is configured to maintain the balance of the lens by the joint action of the suspension system, the inner SMA drive device, and the outer SMA drive device; wherein the inner SMA drive device comprises a lens carrier, at least two inner drive units, and a support carrier, wherein the lens carrier further has an optical axis, wherein the lens is mounted on the lens carrier based on the optical axis, the inner drive unit is drivably supported by the lens carrier on the support carrier, and the lens carrier is pulled to move by supporting the inner drive unit by the support carrier, and the outer SMA drive device comprises at least one bearing device and at least two outer drive units, wherein the outer drive units are connected to The supporting carrier is on the carrying device, and supports the external driving unit by the carrying device, thereby pulling the internal SMA driving device and the lens to move, wherein the suspension system includes an internal suspension device and an external suspension device, wherein the internal suspension device is arranged on the internal SMA driving device, and provides the lens carrier with a force opposite to the internal driving unit, wherein the external suspension device is arranged on the external SMA driving device, and provides the supporting carrier with a force opposite to the external driving unit to maintain the balance of the lens carrier, and drive the lens carrier to return to an initial position, the internal suspension device further includes at least two internal suspension units, the internal The suspension unit further includes at least one inner suspension wire, wherein the inner suspension wire is connected to the lens carrier to the support carrier, wherein when the inner drive unit drives the lens carrier to move, the lens carrier pulls the inner suspension wire to produce elastic deformation, and when the inner drive unit cools and relaxes, the inner suspension wire drives the lens carrier to move to an initial position under elastic action, wherein the outer suspension device further includes at least two outer suspension units, and the outer suspension unit further includes at least one outer suspension wire, wherein the outer suspension wire is connected to the support carrier to the bearing device, wherein when the outer drive unit drives the support carrier to move, the support carrier pulls the outer suspension wire to produce elastic deformation. deformation, and when the external driving unit cools and relaxes, the external suspension wire drives the support carrier to move and return to its initial position under the action of elasticity; wherein the internal driving unit includes at least one internal driving SMA wire, wherein the carrier outer wall of the lens carrier is connected to the carrier inner side surface of the support carrier unit by the internal driving SMA wire, wherein the internal driving SMA wire is thermally contracted by electric heating to drive the lens carrier to move, wherein the external driving unit includes at least one external driving SMA wire, wherein the external driving SMA wire is connected to the carrier outer side surface of the support carrier to the bearing surface of the bearing unit, wherein the external driving SMA wire is thermally contracted by electric heating to drive the support carrier to move.

2. The SMA driver according to claim 1, wherein the two inner drive units are symmetrically arranged on the sides of the lens carrier, and each of the inner drive units synchronously drives the lens carrier with the same driving force based on the support carrier to move the lens along the optical axis.

3. The SMA driver according to claim 1, wherein the number of the inner drive units is four, wherein the four inner drive units are symmetrically arranged on four sides of the lens carrier, wherein each of the inner drive units drives the lens carrier to move in a differential manner based on the support carrier, so that the lens carrier drives the lens to translate or rotate in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

4. The SMA driver according to claim 3, wherein the two outer driving units are symmetrically arranged on the side of the carrying device, wherein each of the outer driving units synchronously drives the supporting carrier with the same driving force based on the carrying device, so that the inner SMA driving device and the lens move along the optical axis direction.

5. The SMA driver according to claim 4, wherein the number of the external drive units is four, wherein the four external drive units are symmetrically arranged on four sides of the lens carrier, and each of the external drive units drives the support carrier to move in a differential manner based on the support carrier, so that the support carrier drives the lens carrier and the lens to translate, tilt or rotate in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

6. The SMA actuator according to claim 4, wherein the lens carrier comprises a carrier body and further has at least one lens accommodating cavity, wherein the lens accommodating cavity is formed in the carrier body, and wherein the carrier body fixes the lens in the lens accommodating cavity.

7. The SMA driver according to claim 6, wherein the carrier body is further provided with a carrier inner wall, wherein the lens is mounted on the carrier inner wall of the carrier body, wherein the lens is mounted in a manner selected from one or more of a threaded connection, an adhesive connection and a snap-on connection.

8. The SMA driver according to claim 6, wherein the support carrier further comprises at least two support carrier units, wherein the support carrier units are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the lens carrier, wherein the inner driving unit drives the lens carrier to move based on the support carrier units, the support carrier units are drivably connected to the external SMA driving device, and the external driving unit drives the movement of the lens carrier through the support carrier units. 9 . The SMA actuator according to claim 8 , wherein the number of the support carrier units of the support carrier is four, and the support carrier units of the support carrier are sequentially connected to form an integrated annular support frame.

10. The SMA actuator according to claim 8, wherein the support carrier unit of the support carrier forms an inner drive space, wherein the lens carrier is held in the inner drive space by the support carrier based on the inner drive unit, and the inner drive unit drives the lens carrier to move in the inner drive space in a thermal contraction manner.

11. The SMA actuator according to claim 10, wherein in an initial state of the SMA actuator, the lens carrier is held by the support carrier close to a position below the inner drive space based on the inner drive unit, and the inner drive unit pulls the lens carrier to move upward based on the support carrier unit.

12. The SMA actuator according to claim 10, wherein when the SMA actuator is in an initial state, the lens carrier is held by the support carrier close to a position above the inner drive space based on the inner drive unit, and the inner drive unit moves downward based on the direction in which the lens carrier is pulled by the support carrier unit.

13. The SMA driver according to claim 11, wherein the lens carrier is further provided with four carrier outer walls, the supporting carrier unit is further provided with a carrier inner side surface, wherein the inner driving unit is configured to connect the lower end of the carrier outer wall with the upper end of the carrier inner side surface, and the inner driving unit pulls the lens carrier to move upward in a heat shrinking manner based on the supporting carrier unit.

14. The SMA actuator according to claim 12, wherein the lens carrier is further provided with four carrier outer walls, the supporting carrier unit is further provided with a carrier inner side surface, wherein the inner driving unit is configured to connect the upper end of the carrier outer wall to the lower end of the carrier inner side surface, and the inner driving unit pulls the lens carrier to move downward in a heat shrink manner based on the supporting carrier unit.

15. The SMA driver according to claim 14, wherein the number of the internal drive SMA wires of the internal drive unit is two, wherein the internal drive SMA wires of the internal drive unit connect the lens carrier and the support carrier unit in a non-planar manner, and when the internal drive SMA wires shrink with the same amount of thermal shrinkage, the horizontal force components generated by the internal drive SMA wires offset each other, so that the internal drive unit provides the lens carrier with a force along the optical axis direction to keep the lens carrier moving smoothly.

16. The SMA actuator of claim 15 , wherein the inner SMA driving device further comprises a plurality of inner SMA wire fixing devices, wherein the inner SMA wire fixing device fixes one end of the inner driving SMA wire to the carrier outer wall of the lens carrier, and fixes the other end of the inner driving SMA wire to the carrier inner side surface of the support carrier. 17 . The SMA actuator according to claim 16 , wherein the inner SMA wire fixing device is integrally provided on the carrier outer wall of the lens carrier and the carrier inner side surface of the support carrier, respectively.

18. The SMA actuator according to claim 5, wherein the bearing device comprises at least two bearing units, wherein the bearing units are symmetrically arranged on the outside of the supporting carrier, the bearing units of the bearing device form the accommodating space, wherein the external driving unit is supported by the bearing units, and wherein the external driving unit drives the lens carrier to move in a heat shrinking manner.

19. The SMA actuator according to claim 18, wherein the number of the bearing units of the bearing device is four, wherein the bearing units are sequentially connected to form an integrated annular support frame.

20. The SMA actuator according to claim 19, wherein when the SMA actuator is in an initial state, the support carrier of the inner SMA driving device is held by the carrying device close to a position below the accommodating space, and the outer driving unit pulls the support carrier to move upward based on the carrying unit.

21. The SMA actuator according to claim 19, wherein when the SMA actuator is in an initial state, the support carrier of the inner SMA driving device is held by the carrying device close to a position above the accommodating space, and the outer driving unit pulls the support carrier to move downward based on the carrying unit.

22. The SMA driver according to claim 20, wherein the support carrier is further provided with four carrier outer side surfaces, the bearing unit of the bearing device is further provided with a bearing surface, wherein the external driving unit is configured to connect the lower end of the carrier outer side surface to the upper end of the bearing surface, and the external driving unit pulls the lens carrier to move upward in a heat shrink manner based on the bearing unit.

23. The SMA driver according to claim 21, wherein the support carrier is further provided with four carrier outer side surfaces, the bearing unit of the bearing device is further provided with a bearing surface, wherein the external driving unit is configured to connect the upper end of the carrier outer side surface to the lower end of the bearing surface, and the external driving unit pulls the lens carrier downward by heat shrinkage based on the bearing unit.

24. The SMA driver according to claim 23, wherein the number of the external drive SMA wires of the external drive unit is two, wherein the external drive SMA wires of the external drive unit connect the support carrier and the bearing unit in a non-planar manner, and when the external drive SMA wires shrink with the same amount of thermal shrinkage, the horizontal force components generated by the external drive SMA wires offset each other, so that the external drive unit provides the support carrier with a force along the optical axis direction, while keeping the support carrier and the lens carrier moving smoothly.

25. The SMA actuator of claim 24, wherein the external SMA driving device further comprises a plurality of external SMA wire fixing devices, wherein the external SMA wire fixing device fixes one end of the external driving SMA wire to the carrier outer side surface of the supporting carrier, and fixes the other end of the external driving SMA wire to the bearing surface of the bearing unit.

26. The SMA actuator according to claim 25, wherein the lens carrier is connected to the support carrier by the inner suspension unit, the inner suspension unit is supported by the support carrier, and the inner suspension unit provides a force opposite to the inner driving unit to balance the force on the lens carrier and drive the lens carrier to move to an initial position.

27. The SMA driver according to claim 26, wherein the inner suspension unit is symmetrically arranged on the side of the lens carrier, wherein the inner suspension unit is connected to the upper end of the carrier outer wall of the lens carrier and the lower end of the carrier inner side surface of the supporting carrier in a manner that is skewed from the inner driving unit, and the inner suspension unit is supported by the supporting carrier to pull the lens carrier to move.

28. The SMA actuator of claim 26, wherein: The external suspension unit is connected to the support carrier and the load-bearing device, and the external suspension unit is supported by the load-bearing device and provides a force opposite to the external driving unit to balance the force on the support carrier and drive the support carrier to move to an initial position.

29. The SMA driver according to claim 28, wherein the external suspension unit is symmetrically arranged on the side of the supporting carrier, wherein the external suspension unit is connected to the upper end of the outer side surface of the supporting carrier and the lower end of the bearing surface of the bearing device in a manner that is skewed from the external driving unit, and the external suspension unit is supported by the bearing device to pull the lens carrier to move.

30. The SMA actuator according to claim 29, wherein the number of the inner suspension wires of the inner suspension unit is two, wherein the inner suspension wires are skewed with respect to each other, and wherein the inner suspension wires are skewed with respect to the inner drive unit, so that the components of force of the inner suspension unit and the inner drive unit in the vertical direction cancel each other out.

31. The SMA actuator of claim 30, wherein the number of the external suspension wires of the external suspension unit is two, wherein the external suspension wires are skewed with respect to each other, and wherein the external suspension wires are skewed with respect to the external drive unit, so that the components of force of the external suspension unit and the external drive unit in the vertical direction cancel each other out.

32. The SMA actuator of claim 30, wherein the inner suspension wire and the outer suspension wire are elastic wires.

33. The SMA actuator of claim 30, wherein the inner SMA actuator further comprises a plurality of inner suspension wire fixing devices, wherein the inner suspension wire fixing devices fix one end of the inner suspension wire to the carrier outer wall of the lens carrier, and fix the other end of the inner suspension wire to the carrier inner side surface of the support carrier.

34. The SMA actuator of claim 33, wherein the external SMA drive device further comprises a plurality of external suspension wire fixing devices, wherein the external suspension wire fixing device fixes one end of the external suspension wire to the carrier outer side surface of the support carrier, and fixes the other end of the external suspension wire to the bearing surface of the bearing device.

35. The SMA actuator of claim 1, wherein the SMA actuator further comprises a support base, wherein the carrier of the outer SMA actuator is disposed on the support base, and the outer SMA actuator is supported by the support base.

36. The SMA driver according to claim 25, wherein the inner suspension device further comprises an inner suspension upper spring plate and an inner suspension lower spring plate, wherein the inner suspension upper spring plate is disposed above the lens carrier to provide a downward supporting force to the lens carrier, and wherein the inner suspension lower spring plate is disposed below the support carrier to provide an upward supporting force to the support carrier.

37. The SMA driver according to claim 36, wherein the external suspension device further comprises an external suspension upper spring plate and an external suspension lower spring plate, wherein the external suspension upper spring plate is arranged above the supporting carrier to provide a downward supporting force to the supporting carrier, and wherein the external suspension lower spring plate is fixed below the supporting device.

38. The SMA driver according to claim 36, wherein the inner suspension unit is symmetrically arranged on both sides of the lens carrier, wherein the inner suspension unit is telescopically connected to the inner suspension upper spring plate and the inner suspension lower spring plate, when the inner driving unit drives the lens carrier to move, the lens carrier pulls the inner suspension unit to stretch and generate elastic deformation, wherein when the inner driving unit cools and relaxes, the inner suspension unit pulls the lens carrier to return to its initial position under the action of elasticity.

39. The SMA driver according to claim 37, wherein the external suspension unit is symmetrically arranged on both sides of the supporting carrier, wherein the external suspension unit is telescopically connected to the external suspension upper spring plate and the external suspension lower spring plate, and when the external driving unit drives the supporting carrier to move, the supporting carrier pulls the external suspension unit to stretch and generate elastic deformation, and when the external driving unit cools and relaxes, the external suspension unit pulls the supporting carrier to return to its initial position under the action of elasticity.

40. A camera device, characterized in that: include: at least one circuit board; A photosensitive chip, wherein the photosensitive chip is attached to the circuit board; At least one lens, wherein the lens is located above the photosensitive chip, and the lens focuses light on the photosensitive chip; A lens holder, wherein the lens holder comprises a lens holder body and at least one color filter disposed on the lens holder body, wherein the color filter is supported by the lens holder body between the lens and the photosensitive chip; and An SMA actuator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 39, wherein the lens is arranged on the SMA actuator, and the SMA actuator drives the lens to move above the lens mount.

41. A method for driving an SMA drive device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 39, characterized in that: The driving method comprises the following steps: (a) supported by an outer SMA drive assembly, and driven to move a lens carrier by at least one inner drive unit of an inner SMA drive assembly; and (b) driving a support carrier of the inner SMA driving device to move, thereby driving the movement of the lens carrier by the support carrier.

42. The driving method according to claim 41, wherein in step (a), at least one inner SMA wire of the inner driving unit is thermally shrunk, and the lens carrier is pulled to move by the supporting carrier through the inner driving SMA wire.

43. The driving method according to claim 42, wherein in step (a), the internal driving unit pulls the lens carrier to move along the optical axis direction; or pulls the lens carrier to move in a horizontal direction in a translational manner; or pulls the lens carrier to move in a tilted manner; or pulls the lens carrier to move in a rotational manner.

44. The driving method according to claim 41, wherein step (a) of the driving method further comprises: Driven by the inner SMA driving device, an inner suspension device of a suspension system is caused to produce elastic deformation, and the lens carrier is pulled back to the initial position by the inner suspension device under the elastic action.

45. The driving method according to claim 44, wherein step (b) of the driving method further comprises: Driven by the external SMA driving device, an external suspension device of the suspension system is caused to produce elastic deformation, and the external suspension device is used to pull the support carrier to return to the initial position under the elastic action.

Images