A lens module and an electronic device using the same

Abstract

Disclosed are a lens module and an electronic device using the same. The lens module comprises a first lens, a first diaphragm, a housing, a filler and a driving unit. The first lens and the first diaphragm are fixed on the housing, the filler fills the internal space of the housing, the volume of the internal space of the housing is changed by the driving unit, and then the filler pushes or pulls the first diaphragm and the first lens to change the displacement, so that zooming is realized. The lens module drives zooming by using the filler in the internal space of the housing, and the space required for zooming is effectively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of optoelectronic devices, and more specifically to a lens module and an electronic device using the same. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of microelectronics technology, electronic devices are becoming increasingly portable, and people have higher and higher demands for overall thinner electronic devices. As the most commonly used optical imaging device, the lens plays an important role in electronic devices such as digital cameras, mobile phones, and tablets. The zoom function of the lens module requires a certain amount of adjustment space. Therefore, the design of the lens module has a significant impact on the size / thickness of electronic devices.

[0003] In existing electronic devices, lens modules typically use voice coil motor technology to achieve zoom, which requires a large amount of space along the lens axis, making it unsuitable for the increasingly thinner requirements of electronic devices. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a lens module that uses liquid filler inside the housing to drive lens zoom, thereby reducing the axial size of the lens module.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a lens module, comprising:

[0006] First lens;

[0007] The first diaphragm is made of a material with elastic deformation capability;

[0008] The shell is made of a material capable of elastic deformation.

[0009] Filler, filling the interior of the housing; and

[0010] The drive unit is connected to the housing;

[0011] The lens module is configured to change the volume inside the housing under control via the drive unit, causing the filler to move the first diaphragm and the first lens.

[0012] Furthermore, the housing has a first opening corresponding to the first diaphragm, and the first diaphragm is connected to the housing through the first opening;

[0013] The first diaphragm has a receiving hole corresponding to the first lens, and the first lens is connected to the first diaphragm through the receiving hole.

[0014] Furthermore, the driving unit includes:

[0015] A piezoelectric element is disposed on the outer surface of the housing and is configured to receive an electrical signal to generate deformation, thereby causing the housing to deform and thus changing the internal volume of the housing.

[0016] Furthermore, the filler is a light-transmitting liquid or a light-transmitting inert gas.

[0017] Furthermore, the lens module also includes:

[0018] The second opening is located on the housing;

[0019] The second lens is disposed in the second opening; and

[0020] A photosensitive element, disposed on one side of the second lens relative to the first lens, is configured to receive light signals transmitted through the first lens, the filler, and the second lens.

[0021] Furthermore, the driving unit includes:

[0022] The second diaphragm is made of a material with elastic deformation capability and is configured to controllably cause changes in the volume inside the housing.

[0023] Furthermore, the driving unit also includes:

[0024] The voice coil is connected to the second diaphragm;

[0025] A diaphragm plate, connected to the second diaphragm, the diaphragm plate being configured to vibrate in a controlled manner together with the second diaphragm.

[0026] Magnetic circuit system, used to generate a magnetic field; and

[0027] A basin stand is used to fix the drive unit;

[0028] The voice coil is configured to be controlled by the magnetic circuit system to drive the second diaphragm to vibrate, thereby changing the volume inside the housing.

[0029] Furthermore, the frame has a through hole that allows the voice coil and the magnetic circuit system to communicate with the interior of the housing.

[0030] Furthermore, the filler is a light-transmitting insulating liquid or a light-transmitting inert gas.

[0031] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide an electronic device, comprising:

[0032] The lens module as described in any one of the first aspects.

[0033] The lens module of this invention is filled with filler material in a flexible housing. The volume inside the housing changes through a driving unit, which in turn causes the filler material to push or pull the first diaphragm and the first lens to move, thereby achieving zoom. As a result, the volume of the lens module can be effectively reduced, especially its size in the optical lens axis, thus achieving miniaturization of the lens module. Attached Figure Description

[0034] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0035] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the lens module according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the lens module according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the housing according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first diaphragm according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the lens module according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of the driving unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the shell structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of an external electronic device connected to the lens module of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The present invention is described below based on embodiments, but the invention is not limited to these embodiments. In the detailed description of the invention below, certain specific details are described in detail. Those skilled in the art will fully understand the invention even without these details. To avoid obscuring the essence of the invention, well-known methods, processes, flows, elements, and circuits are not described in detail.

[0044] Furthermore, those skilled in the art should understand that the accompanying drawings provided herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0045] Furthermore, it should be understood that in the following description, "circuit" refers to a conductive loop consisting of at least one element or sub-circuit connected by electrical or electromagnetic connections. When an element or circuit is said to be "connected" to another element or "connected" between two nodes, it can be directly coupled or connected to another element, or there may be intermediate elements. The connection between elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Conversely, when an element is said to be "directly coupled to" or "directly connected" to another element, it means that there are no intermediate elements between them.

[0046] Unless the context explicitly requires it, words such as "including" or "contains" in the instruction manual should be interpreted as including rather than exclusive or exhaustive; that is, meaning "including but not limited to".

[0047] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Furthermore, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0048] Figures 1-4 This is a schematic diagram of a lens module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The lens module includes a first lens element 11, a first diaphragm 2, a housing 3, a filler 4, and a drive unit 5. The first lens element 11 and the first diaphragm 2 are fixed to the housing 3, and the filler 4 substantially fills the internal space of the housing 3. The drive unit 5 causes a change in the volume inside the housing 3, which in turn causes the filler 4 to push or pull the first diaphragm 2 and the first lens element 11, resulting in displacement and achieving zoom.

[0049] like Figure 3 As shown, the housing 3 has a first opening 31 corresponding to the first diaphragm 2, and the first diaphragm 2 is disposed at the first opening 31 and connected to the housing 3. The first diaphragm 2 has a receiving hole 21 corresponding to the first lens 11, and the first lens 11 is disposed in the receiving hole 21 and connected to the first diaphragm 2. The first diaphragm 2 is made of a material with elastic deformation capability (e.g., rubber or silicone), that is, when the first diaphragm 2 is subjected to force, it will produce tensile elastic deformation, thereby causing the first lens 11 on it to move and realize the focal length adjustment of the first lens 11.

[0050] In this embodiment, the first opening 31 is circular, and the first diaphragm 2 is an annular ring whose outer contour matches the circular shape of the first opening 31. In an optional implementation, a snap-fit ​​structure 201 is machined into the outer contour edge of the first diaphragm 2, such as... Figure 4As shown, the first diaphragm 2 is fixedly connected to the housing 3 by fastening it into the first opening 31, which facilitates subsequent disassembly and maintenance. In another optional implementation, the first diaphragm 2 is fixedly connected to the housing 3 by welding or gluing its outer contour edge to the first opening 31, which can simplify the process.

[0051] A rigid structure 202 with a certain stiffness compared to the material of the first diaphragm 2 itself can be provided inside the receiving hole 21, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the first lens 11 is fixed in the receiving hole 21 by welding or gluing to the rigid structure 202 to avoid tilting of the first lens 11 when it is displaced in a controlled manner, which would lead to a decrease in zoom quality. For example, two plastic rings are used to clamp the edge of the receiving hole 21 and fasten them together. The first lens 11 is fixed to the plastic rings by gluing, welding or other methods, and then connected to the first diaphragm 2.

[0052] In this embodiment, the driving unit 5 includes a piezoelectric sheet 51, which can be fixed to the housing 3 by welding or gluing, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown. The piezoelectric element 51 is made of a material with a piezoelectric effect. Preferably, it can be a lead zirconate titanate-based piezoelectric ceramic (a solid solution of PZT, PbZrO3, and PbTiO2), which has high piezoelectric response sensitivity. A circuit is formed on the piezoelectric element 51 or connected to a conductive circuit, which is used to input an electrical signal to the piezoelectric element 51. After receiving the electrical signal, the piezoelectric element 51 undergoes tensile or compressive deformation due to the inverse piezoelectric effect, causing the housing 3 to bend accordingly, resulting in an increase or decrease in the volume inside the housing 3. The filler 4 with a fixed volume will pull or push the first diaphragm 2, thereby causing the first lens 11 to displace.

[0053] The housing 3 is made of a stretchable metal or polymer material so that it can deform under the drive of the piezoelectric sheet 51.

[0054] The inverse piezoelectric effect is a phenomenon where piezoelectric materials deform along the direction of an external electric field when subjected to such a field. The nonpolar dielectric molecules within a piezoelectric material have non-coincident average centers of positive and negative charge. The vector sum of the line connecting these non-coincident average centers of positive and negative charge and the charge difference between them is called the electric dipole moment. Without an external electric field, due to the anisotropy and dielectric properties of the piezoelectric material, although the directions of the electric dipole moments of the dielectric molecules within the piezoelectric material are arranged randomly at the microscopic level, the vector sum of the electric dipole moments is zero, and macroscopically, no electrical charge is observed. When an external electric field is applied, free charges of opposite polarity are generated on the opposite surface of the piezoelectric material along the direction of the external electric field. Microscopically, the electric dipole moments of the dielectric molecules inside the piezoelectric material deflect along the direction of the external electric field. The centers of positive and negative charges of the electric dipole moments repel each other and attract each other with the free charges on the surface of the piezoelectric material, causing the centers of positive and negative charges of the electric dipole moments to shift relative to each other along the direction of the external electric field. Macroscopically, the piezoelectric material deforms along the direction of the external electric field.

[0055] The lens module described in this embodiment further includes a second opening 32, a second lens 12, and a photosensitive element 6. The second opening 32 is located on the housing 3 on the side opposite to the first opening 31. Specifically, the second opening 32 can be coaxial with the first opening 31. The second lens 12 is disposed in the second opening 32, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown. The second opening 32 is a circular through hole, as shown. Figure 3 As shown, the second lens 12 is a circular lens adapted to the shape of the second opening 32, and is fixed in the second opening 32 by welding, gluing or other means. The photosensitive element 6 is disposed on the side of the second lens 12 opposite to the first lens 11, and is used to convert the received light signal into an electrical signal.

[0056] In this embodiment, the first diaphragm 2, the first lens 11, the second lens 12, and the housing 3 form a sealed internal space, which is filled with a filler 4. The first lens 11 and the second lens 12 are lenses with specific optical functions. For example, the first lens 11 can be a concave lens, a convex lens, etc., and the second lens 12 can be a filter lens, a plano lens, etc. The filler 4 is a light-transmitting liquid or a light-transmitting inert gas, such as distilled water or liquid silica gel. External light passes sequentially through the first lens 11, the filler 4, and the second lens 12 to illuminate the photosensitive element 6. The photosensitive element 6 converts the received light signal into an electrical signal and performs subsequent processing.

[0057] The lens module described in this embodiment uses the inverse piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric element 51 to cause deformation of the housing 3, so that the filling material 4 inside the housing 3 can be affected by the corresponding force. The force on the filling material 4 can be transmitted to the first diaphragm 2 in the space inside the housing 3, thereby causing the first lens 11 to be displaced in the axial direction relative to the photosensitive element 6, thus achieving zoom.

[0058] Figures 5-6 This is a schematic diagram of the lens module according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the lens module includes a first lens element 11, a first diaphragm 2, a housing 3, a filler 4, and a drive unit 5. The drive unit 5 includes a second diaphragm 521, a voice coil 522, a diaphragm plate 523, a magnetic circuit system 53, and a frame 54. The second diaphragm 521 and the voice coil 522 are configured to vibrate under the drive of the magnetic field formed by the magnetic circuit system 53, thereby changing the volume of the internal space of the housing 3.

[0059] Specifically, the voice coil 522 is configured as a coil assembly. The second diaphragm 521 is fixedly connected to the voice coil 522. When the voice coil 522 is energized, the magnetic circuit system 53 forms a magnetic field in the region of the voice coil 522, causing the voice coil 522 to move under the influence of the Ampere force of the magnetic field. The second diaphragm 521, connected to the voice coil 522, will also move in the same way, causing a change in the volume of the sealed space formed by the second diaphragm 521, the first diaphragm 2, the first lens 11, the second lens 12, and the housing 3. This, in turn, drives the filler 4 to push or pull the first diaphragm 2 and the first lens 11, resulting in a change in displacement. The second diaphragm 521 is made of a material with elastic deformation capability (e.g., rubber or silicone) so that its vibration can change the volume of the sealed space.

[0060] It should be understood that the drive unit 5 in this embodiment adopts a structure similar to a loudspeaker to drive a portion of the components to move, thereby changing the volume of the sealed space inside the housing 3. However, in this embodiment, since the second diaphragm 521 is not used for vibration to produce sound, the voice coil 522 does not need to reciprocate rapidly. Therefore, the electrical signal passing through the voice coil 522 is not limited to alternating current signals; any electrical signal that can cause the voice coil 522 to move is applicable to this invention.

[0061] Furthermore, the driving unit 5 described in this embodiment is not limited to a structure similar to a moving-coil loudspeaker. Any loudspeaker-like structure capable of displacing the second diaphragm 521 and thus changing the volume of the sealed space inside the housing 3 is applicable to this invention. For example, the moving-iron unit of a moving-iron loudspeaker can also achieve the same function as the driving unit 5 in this embodiment. The principle of the moving-iron unit will not be elaborated here.

[0062] like Figure 6As shown, the magnetic circuit system 53 includes a top plate 531, a magnet 532, and a yoke 533, which are configured together to form a magnetic field. The top plate 531 is positioned above the magnet 532 for magnetic conduction. The yoke 533 is a ring-shaped structure adapted to the top plate 531, positioned outside the top plate 531 and the magnet 532, to distribute the magnetic field of the magnet 532 in the region where the voice coil 522 is located.

[0063] The housing 3 also includes a third opening 33, and the second diaphragm 521 is disposed in the third opening 521 and connected to the housing 3, such as Figure 5 As shown. In an alternative implementation, a rigid material 202 (e.g., plastic) with a certain stiffness compared to the material of the second diaphragm 521 is provided on the outer side of the second diaphragm 521, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the second diaphragm 521 is fixedly connected to the housing 3 by means of welding or gluing to the third opening 33 through a rigid material 202.

[0064] like Figure 5 As shown, the frame 54 is disposed on the outside of the voice coil 522 and the magnetic circuit system 53 for fixing the voice coil 522 and the magnetic circuit system 53. The frame 54 is made of a non-conductive material, such as plastic, to avoid affecting the magnetic field formed by the magnetic circuit system 53.

[0065] like Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the frame 54 has a through hole 541, which connects the voice coil 522 and the magnetic circuit system 53 to the interior of the housing 3, allowing the filler 4 to enter the interior of the frame and cover the voice coil 522 and the magnetic circuit system 53. Therefore, when the second diaphragm 521 moves upward or downward due to the voice coil 522, the filler 4 in the frame 54 is affected by a corresponding force. Since the spaces inside and outside the through hole 541 are interconnected, the force on the filler 4 can be transmitted to the first diaphragm 2 within the space inside the housing 3, thereby causing the first lens 11 to shift axially relative to the photosensitive element 6, achieving zoom.

[0066] The filler 4 is configured as a light-transmitting insulating liquid or a light-transmitting inert gas, such as distilled water or liquid silica gel. Thus, the filler 4 does not affect the magnetic field formed by the magnetic circuit system 53, and allows light illuminating the first lens 11 to be transmitted to the second lens 12 via the filler 4.

[0067] The diaphragm plate 523 is disposed on the second diaphragm 521, such as Figure 5 As shown. The diaphragm plate 523 is configured to vibrate in a controlled manner together with the second diaphragm 521, and has a regulating effect on the vibration of the second diaphragm 521.

[0068] The lens module described in this embodiment forms a magnetic field in the voice coil 522 region through the magnetic circuit system 53, which causes the energized voice coil 522 to drive the second diaphragm 521 to move, changing the volume inside the housing 3, and then driving the filling material 4 inside the housing 3 to push or pull the first diaphragm 2 and the first lens 11 to produce displacement changes, thereby achieving zoom.

[0069] It should be understood that the driving unit 5 is not limited to the piezoelectric or moving coil forms in the first and second embodiments described above. As long as the volume inside the housing 3 can be changed to drive the filling material 4 to vibrate the first diaphragm 2 and thus cause the first lens 11 to produce a displacement change, various forms of driving unit 5 are applicable to the present invention.

[0070] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the external appearance of an electronic device with a lens module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 As shown in the figure, this example uses a mobile phone with a lens module. The lens module 81 can be located on the back of the phone. The lens module 81 can be electrically connected to a controller in the internal circuitry of the phone. The controller controls the zoom of the lens module 81 through a signal connection and captures dynamic or static images through the lens module 81.

[0071] It should be understood that Figure 8 This embodiment uses a mobile phone as an example to illustrate the applicable electronic devices. For those skilled in the art, this invention can be applied to the lens modules of any electronic device with zoom functionality. The electronic devices described include lens modules with the same structure as those in this embodiment.

[0072] The present invention drives the internal volume of the housing to change through the driving unit, thereby causing the filler to push or pull the first diaphragm and the first lens to change displacement, thus achieving zoom and effectively reducing the space required for zoom.

[0073] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can be modified and varied in various ways. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principle of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A lens module, characterized in that, include: First lens (11); The first diaphragm (2) is made of a material with elastic deformation capability. The first diaphragm (2) has a receiving hole (21) corresponding to the first lens (11). A rigid structure (202) is provided on the inner side of the receiving hole (21). The first lens (11) is fixed in the receiving hole (21) by the rigid structure (202). The housing (3) is made of a metal or polymer material with extensibility. The housing (3) has a first opening (31) corresponding to the first diaphragm (2). The first diaphragm (2) is set as a ring whose outer contour is adapted to the circle of the first opening (31). The first lens (11) and the first diaphragm (2) are fixed on the housing (3). Filler (4) is used to fill the interior of the housing (3); as well as The drive unit (5) is connected to the housing (3); The second opening (32) is located on the housing (3); The second lens (12) is disposed in the second opening (32); and A sealed space is formed between the first lens (11), the first diaphragm (2), the housing (3), the second lens (12), and the driving unit (5). The lens module is configured to change the volume inside the housing (3) under control by the driving unit (5), so that the filler (4) causes the first diaphragm (2) and the first lens (11) to move.

2. The lens module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first diaphragm (2) is connected to the housing (3) through the first opening (31).

3. The lens module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving unit (5) includes: A piezoelectric element (51) is disposed on the outer surface of the housing (3) and is configured to receive an electrical signal to generate a deformation that causes the housing (3) to deform, thereby changing the internal volume of the housing (3).

4. The lens module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The filler (4) is a light-transmitting liquid or a light-transmitting inert gas.

5. The lens module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lens module also includes: A photosensitive element (6) is disposed on one side of the second lens (12) relative to the first lens (11) and is configured to receive light signals transmitted through the first lens (11), the filler (4) and the second lens (12).

6. The lens module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving unit (5) includes: The second diaphragm (521) is made of a material with elastic deformation capability and is configured to controllably drive a change in the volume inside the housing (3).

7. The lens module according to claim 6, characterized in that, The drive unit (5) further includes: The voice coil (522) is connected to the second diaphragm (521); A diaphragm plate (523) is connected to the second diaphragm (521), and the diaphragm plate (523) is configured to vibrate in a controlled manner together with the second diaphragm (521); Magnetic circuit system (53), used to generate a magnetic field; and A basin stand (54) is used to fix the drive unit (5); The voice coil (522) is configured to be controlled by the magnetic circuit system (53) to drive the second diaphragm (521) to vibrate, thereby changing the volume inside the housing (3).

8. The lens module according to claim 7, characterized in that, The frame (54) has a through hole (541) that allows the voice coil (522) and the magnetic circuit system (53) to communicate with the interior of the housing (3).

9. The lens module according to claim 8, characterized in that, The filler (4) is a light-transmitting insulating liquid or a light-transmitting inert gas.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that, include: The lens module as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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