Optical element drive mechanism

Abstract

This disclosure provides an optical element driving mechanism. The optical element driving mechanism includes a fixed component, a movable component, and a connecting component. The movable component is configured to connect to an optical element having an optical axis, and the movable component is movable relative to the fixed component. The movable component is movably connected to the fixed component via the connecting component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an optical element driving mechanism, and more particularly to an optical element driving mechanism that reduces internal components to achieve miniaturization. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of technology, many electronic devices today (such as smartphones) have the function of taking pictures or recording videos. Through the camera module set on the electronic device, users can operate the electronic device to capture all kinds of photos.

[0003] The design of modern electronic devices is constantly trending towards miniaturization, necessitating the continuous shrinking of various components and structures within camera modules to achieve this goal. Generally, the drive mechanism in a camera module may include a lens mount to support a lens, and the drive mechanism may possess autofocus or optical image stabilization capabilities. However, while existing drive mechanisms can achieve the aforementioned photographic or video recording functions, they still cannot meet all requirements.

[0004] Therefore, how to design a camera module that can simultaneously perform autofocus, optical image stabilization, and achieve miniaturization is a topic worthy of discussion and resolution. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide an optical element driving mechanism to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] This disclosure provides an optical element driving mechanism, including a movable component, a fixed component, and a connecting component. The movable component is configured to be connected to an optical element having an optical axis. The movable component is movable relative to the fixed component. The movable component is movably connected to the fixed component via the connecting component.

[0007] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the connecting assembly includes a first elastic unit having a block-like structure. The first elastic unit does not have a plate-like structure. The first elastic unit is made of plastic. The first elastic unit includes a UV-curable adhesive or a thermosetting adhesive.

[0008] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the first elastic unit includes a plurality of first elastic elements, and when viewed along the optical axis, the center of the movable component is located within a polygonal structure formed by the plurality of first elastic elements. When viewed along the optical axis, the center of the movable component is located at the center of the polygonal structure. When viewed along the optical axis, these first elastic elements are disposed between the movable component and the fixed component. When viewed along the optical axis, a first pair of these first elastic elements is disposed at a first corner and a second corner of the movable component. The first corner is diagonally opposite the second corner. When viewed along the optical axis, a second pair of these first elastic elements is disposed at a third corner and a fourth corner of the movable component. The third corner is diagonally opposite the fourth corner.

[0009] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the optical element driving mechanism further includes a driving assembly configured to drive a movable component to move relative to a fixed component. The driving assembly includes two magnetic elements disposed on opposite sides of the fixed component. A third pair of these first elastic elements is disposed between the two magnetic elements and the movable component.

[0010] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the driving assembly includes a driving coil disposed on the movable assembly. A winding axis of the driving coil is not perpendicular to the optical axis. The winding axis of the driving coil is parallel to the optical axis. A first pair and a second pair of these first elastic elements are disposed between the driving coil and the fixed assembly.

[0011] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the connecting assembly includes a second elastic unit having a plate-like structure. The second elastic unit is perpendicular to the optical axis. When viewed along a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the center of the movable assembly, consisting of the movable component and the optical element, is located between the center of the second elastic unit and the center of the first elastic unit.

[0012] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the fixing component further includes: a housing, a top wall having a plate-like structure and a side wall having a plate-like structure, the top wall being perpendicular to the optical axis and the side wall being parallel to the optical axis; and a base fixedly connected to the housing to form an accommodating space for accommodating the movable component. The top wall has a first surface facing an incident light, the first surface having a planar structure and not having a groove structure. The top wall has a second surface facing in the opposite direction to the first surface, the second surface facing the movable component, and when viewed along the optical axis, the portion of the second surface overlapping the movable component defines an overlap, and there are no elements between the overlap and the movable component.

[0013] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the housing has a protrusion extending from the top wall along an optical axis. The movable component has a recess configured to receive the protrusion. At least one of these first elastic elements is disposed within the recess and configured to connect between the movable component and the protrusion.

[0014] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the driving assembly includes a first driving coil and a second driving coil, disposed on opposite sides of the movable assembly. The second elastic unit includes a second elastic element and a third elastic element, configured to be electrically connected to the first driving coil and the second driving coil, respectively.

[0015] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the fixing assembly includes a base, and the base has a bottom wall perpendicular to the optical axis. A first pair of first elastic elements forms a first distance between the optical axis and the bottom wall. A second pair of elastic elements forms a second distance between the optical axis and the bottom wall. A third pair of elastic elements forms a third distance between the optical axis and the bottom wall. The first distance is equal to the second distance, and the second distance is equal to the third distance.

[0016] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the fixing assembly further includes: a housing, a top wall having a plate-like structure and a side wall having a plate-like structure, the top wall being perpendicular to the optical axis and the side wall being parallel to the optical axis; and a base, fixedly connected to the housing to form an accommodating space for accommodating the movable assembly. The base includes a bottom wall and at least one connecting member, and the connecting member protrudes from the bottom wall and is perpendicular to the bottom wall. The connecting member includes a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion. The second connecting portion is connected between the first connecting portion and the bottom wall. The bottom wall, the first connecting portion, and the second connecting portion are integrally formed. The housing has a through hole corresponding to the first connecting portion. When the housing is fixed to the base, one end of the first connecting portion is configured to pass through the through hole. The end is configured to be fixed to the housing by heat pressing or riveting.

[0017] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the size of the perforation in a first direction is larger than the size of the first connecting portion in the same first direction. The first direction is perpendicular to the optical axis. The perforation has a circular or square structure. The first connecting portion has a cylindrical, square-column, or conical structure corresponding to the perforation. When viewed along the first direction, the end has a rectangular or semi-circular structure. The top wall is a continuous planar structure, and when viewed along the first direction, the end does not overlap the top wall.

[0018] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, when viewed along the optical axis, the bottom wall has a polygonal structure. When viewed along the optical axis, the top wall has a polygonal structure corresponding to the bottom wall. A connecting member is located at one corner of the bottom wall. The top wall has a planar portion and a recessed portion recessed from the planar portion along the optical axis. The recessed portion is located at one corner of the top wall. A perforation is formed in the recessed portion. When viewed along a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the end completely overlaps the planar portion.

[0019] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the fixing component further includes a reinforcing member disposed within the second connecting portion and the bottom wall. The reinforcing member is made of metal.

[0020] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the housing has a first positioning portion, and the base has a second positioning portion corresponding to the first positioning portion. The first positioning portion is configured to align with and couple to the second positioning portion so that the housing is fixed to the base.

[0021] This disclosure provides an optical element driving mechanism, comprising a movable component, a fixed component, and a connecting component, wherein the movable component is movably connected to the fixed component via the connecting component. The connecting component includes a first elastic unit, and the first elastic unit may have multiple first elastic elements, connected between a base and a lens carrier. Compared to known optical element driving mechanisms using elastic springs, the optical element driving mechanism of this disclosure can effectively reduce its height along the Z-axis, thereby achieving miniaturization.

[0022] In some embodiments, the base may include multiple connecting members, and the housing may correspondingly have multiple through-holes. The end of the first connecting portion of each connecting member is configured to pass through a corresponding through-hole, and the end is configured to be fixed to the housing by heat pressing or riveting. Based on the above structural configuration, it can be ensured that the housing is securely fixed to the base. Attached Figure Description

[0023] This disclosure will become clear from the following detailed description and accompanying illustrations. It should be emphasized that, in accordance with industry standard practice, the features are not drawn to scale and are for illustrative purposes only. In fact, the dimensions of the features may be arbitrarily enlarged or reduced for clarity.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an optical element driving mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of an optical element driving mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 3 For an optical element driving mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of line segment AA in the middle.

[0027] Figure 4 For an optical element driving mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of line segment BB in the middle.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a top view of a portion of the structure of an optical element driving mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a top view of a portion of the structure of an optical element driving mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 7 This is a top view of a portion of the structure of an optical element driving mechanism according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the structure of an optical element driving mechanism according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of an optical element driving mechanism according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 10 This is an exploded view of a portion of the structure of an optical element driving mechanism according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 11 For an optical element driving mechanism according to another embodiment of this disclosure along Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the midline segment CC.

[0035] Figure 12 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the end and the perforation according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 13 This is a perspective view of an optical element driving mechanism according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 14 This is a top view of the housing and base according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 15 This is a front view of an optical element driving mechanism according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0040] 100: Optical element drive mechanism

[0041] 102: Outer shell

[0042] 1021: Exterior opening

[0043] 1023: Storage space

[0044] 1026: First Positioning Section

[0045] 102CP: Depression

[0046] 102FP: Planar Section

[0047] 102H: Perforation

[0048] 102P: Protrusion

[0049] 102S1: First surface

[0050] 102S2: Second Surface

[0051] 102SW: Sidewall

[0052] 102TW: Top Wall

[0053] 106: First elastic element

[0054] 1061: First elastic element

[0055] 1062: First elastic element

[0056] 1063: First elastic element

[0057] 1063: First elastic element

[0058] 1064: First elastic element

[0059] 1065: First elastic element

[0060] 1066: First elastic element

[0061] 1067: First elastic element

[0062] 108: Lens mount

[0063] 108C: Center

[0064] 108G: Groove

[0065] 110: Second elastic unit

[0066] 1101: Second elastic element

[0067] 1102: Third elastic element

[0068] 112: Base

[0069] 1121: Base opening

[0070] 1123: Connecting components

[0071] 1124: First connecting part

[0072] 1124E: End

[0073] 1125: Second connecting part

[0074] 1126: Second Positioning Unit

[0075] 112W: Bottom wall

[0076] 114: Reinforced Components

[0077] 120: Circuit components

[0078] CA: Connecting Components

[0079] CL11: First coil

[0080] CL12: Second coil

[0081] CR1: First Corner

[0082] CR2: Second Corner

[0083] CR3: The Third Corner

[0084] CR4: The Fourth Corner

[0085] D1: First Direction

[0086] D2: Second Direction

[0087] DA: Driver Component

[0088] DCL: Drive coil

[0089] EC1: Center

[0090] EC2: Center

[0091] FA: Fixed component

[0092] H1: First distance

[0093] H2: Second distance

[0094] H3: Third distance

[0095] L: Incident light

[0096] M11: First magnet

[0097] M12: Second magnet

[0098] MA: Active Component

[0099] MAC: Activity Component Center

[0100] O: Optical axis

[0101] OP: Overlapping part

[0102] WX: winding spool

[0103] X: X-axis

[0104] Y: Y-axis

[0105] Z: Z-axis Detailed Implementation

[0106] The following discloses many different implementation methods or examples to implement the different features provided. Specific embodiments of the elements and their arrangements are described below to illustrate the invention. Of course, these embodiments are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the invention. For example, the specification mentions that a first feature is formed on a second feature. This may include embodiments where the first and second feature are in direct contact, or embodiments where there are other features between the first and second feature; in other words, the first and second feature are not in direct contact.

[0107] Furthermore, repeated reference numerals or designations may be used in different embodiments. These repetitions are merely for the purpose of clearly and simply describing the invention and do not represent a specific relationship between the different embodiments and / or structures discussed. Additionally, forming, connecting to, and / or coupling to another feature component in this invention may include embodiments in which the feature components are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional feature components may be formed to insert into the aforementioned feature component, such that the aforementioned feature components may not be in direct contact. Furthermore, spatially related terms such as “vertical,” “above,” “up,” “below,” “bottom,” and similar terms (e.g., “downward,” “upward,” etc.) may be used to facilitate the description of the relationship between one element(s) or feature(s) in the illustrations and another element(s) or feature(s). These spatially related terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device including the feature.

[0108] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It is understood that these terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the relevant art and the context of this work, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal manner, unless specifically defined herein.

[0109] Furthermore, the use of ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" in the specification and claims to modify the elements of the claims does not imply or represent any prior ordinal number of the claimed element, nor does it represent the order of one claimed element with another, or the order of manufacturing methods. The use of ordinal numbers is only to enable a claimed element with a certain name to be clearly distinguished from another claimed element with the same name.

[0110] Furthermore, in some embodiments of this invention, terms such as "connection" and "interconnection," unless specifically defined, may refer to two structures in direct contact, or they may refer to two structures not in direct contact, with other structures disposed between them. Moreover, these terms regarding joining and connection may also include cases where both structures are movable or both structures are fixed.

[0111] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an optical element driving mechanism 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 This is an exploded view of an optical element driving mechanism 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 3 For an optical element driving mechanism 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of line segment AA. The optical element drive mechanism 100 may be an optical camera module configured to carry and drive an optical element. The optical element drive mechanism 100 can be installed in various electronic devices or portable electronic devices, such as smartphones, for users to perform image extraction functions. In this embodiment, the optical element drive mechanism 100 may be a voice coil motor (VCM) with autofocus (AF) functionality, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the optical element drive mechanism 100 may also have autofocus (AF) and optical image stabilization (OIS) functions.

[0112] In this embodiment, the optical element driving mechanism 100 may include a fixed component FA, a movable component MA, a connecting component CA, and a driving component DA. The movable component MA is movably connected to the fixed component FA through the connecting component CA, and the movable component MA is configured to carry an optical element (not shown in the figure). The driving component DA is used to drive the movable component MA to move relative to the fixed component FA.

[0113] In this embodiment, as Figure 2 As shown, the fixed component FA includes a housing 102 and a base 112, and the movable component MA includes a lens carrier 108 and the aforementioned optical element, wherein the lens carrier 108 is used to support the optical element.

[0114] like Figure 2 As shown, the aforementioned housing 102 has a hollow structure with a housing opening 1021 formed thereon, and a base opening 1121 is formed on the base 112. The center of the housing opening 1021 corresponds to the optical axis O of the optical element, and the base opening 1121 corresponds to the photosensitive element (not shown in the figure) disposed below the base 112. External light can enter the housing 102 through the housing opening 1021 and, after passing through the optical element and the base opening 1121, is received by the aforementioned photosensitive element to generate a digital image signal.

[0115] Furthermore, the housing 102 is disposed on the base 112 and may have an accommodating space 1023 for accommodating the movable component MA (including the aforementioned optical element and lens carrier 108), the connecting component CA, and the driving component DA.

[0116] The connecting component CA may include a first elastic unit 106 and a second elastic unit 110. The first elastic unit 106 is fixed between the base 112 and the movable component MA. The outer portion (outer ring portion) of the second elastic unit 110 is fixed to the base 112, and the inner portion (inner ring portion) of the second elastic unit 110 is connected to the lower side of the lens carrier 108. Based on the configuration of the first elastic unit 106 and the second elastic unit 110, the lens carrier 108 can be suspended within the accommodating space 1023.

[0117] In this embodiment, the driving component DA may include a first magnet M11 (magnetic element), a second magnet M12 (magnetic element), a first coil CL11, and a second coil CL12. The first coil CL11 (first driving coil) and the second coil CL12 (second driving coil) are disposed on the lens carrier 108, and the first magnet M11 and the second magnet M12 are respectively disposed on the inner wall surface of the housing 102 corresponding to the first coil CL11 and the second coil CL12. The first magnet M11 and the second magnet M12 are disposed on opposite sides of the fixing component FA.

[0118] In this embodiment, the first coil CL11 and the second coil CL12 can be wound coils, disposed on opposite sides of the lens carrier 108. When the first coil CL11 and the second coil CL12 are energized, they can generate electromagnetic driving force with the first magnet M11 and the second magnet M12 respectively, thereby driving the lens carrier 108 and the optical element it carries to move relative to the base 112 along the direction of the optical axis O (Z-axis direction).

[0119] It is worth noting that, such as Figure 2 As shown, the second elastic unit 110 has a plate-like structure, for example, extending along the XY plane, and the second elastic unit 110 is perpendicular to the optical axis O. Specifically, the second elastic unit 110 includes a second elastic element 1101 and a third elastic element 1102, configured to be electrically connected to the first driving coil (first coil CL11) and the second driving coil (second coil CL12), respectively.

[0120] Additionally, the optical element driving mechanism 100 may also include a circuit assembly 120 electrically connected to the driving assembly DA. The circuit assembly 120 may be a circuit board, such as a flexible circuit board, but is not limited thereto.

[0121] Please refer to Figures 2 to 5 , Figure 4 For an optical element driving mechanism 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of line segment BB in the middle, and Figure 5 This is a top view of a portion of the structure of an optical element driving mechanism 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the first elastic unit 106 may have a block structure, and the first elastic unit 106 does not have a plate structure. That is, the first elastic unit 106 and the second elastic unit 110 have different structures.

[0122] In this embodiment, the first elastic unit 106 may be made of plastic. For example, the first elastic unit 106 may be a light-curing adhesive or a thermosetting adhesive, but is not limited thereto. For example, such as Figure 5 As shown, the first elastic unit 106 may include a plurality of first elastic elements 1061 to 1064, and when viewed along the optical axis O, the center 108C of the lens carrier 108 of the movable component MA is located within a polygonal structure formed by the plurality of first elastic elements 1061 to 1064.

[0123] When viewed along the optical axis O, the center 108C of the lens carrier 108 of the movable component MA is located at the center of the polygonal structure. When viewed along the optical axis O, these first elastic elements 1061 to 1064 are disposed between the lens carrier 108 of the movable component MA and the base 112 of the fixed component FA.

[0124] Specifically, the base 112 may have a rectangular structure, and the base 112 may have four connecting members 1123 formed at the four corners of the rectangular structure. The connecting members 1123 are, for example, protruding pillars, and the first elastic elements 1061 to 1064 are disposed between the lens carrier 108 and the four connecting members 1123.

[0125] It should be noted that, as Figure 5 As shown, the first elastic element may have an elongated structure, and its extension direction is not parallel to the optical axis O, for example, perpendicular to the optical axis O.

[0126] like Figure 5 As shown, when viewed along the optical axis O, the first pair of first elastic elements (first elastic element 1061 and first elastic element 1062) are disposed at a first corner CR1 and a second corner CR2 of the lens carrier 108 of the movable component MA, and the first corner CR1 is diagonally opposite to the second corner CR2.

[0127] Furthermore, when viewed along the optical axis O, the second pair of first elastic elements (first elastic element 1063 and first elastic element 1064) are disposed at a third corner CR3 and a fourth corner CR4 of the lens carrier 108 of the movable assembly MA, and the third corner CR3 is diagonally opposite to the fourth corner CR4.

[0128] It should be noted that in some embodiments of this disclosure, the optical element driving mechanism 100 may only provide the first elastic element 1061 and the first elastic element 1062 at the first corner CR1 and the second corner CR2, without providing other elastic elements.

[0129] Furthermore, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the first elastic unit 106 may further include a third pair of first elastic elements (first elastic element 1065 and first elastic element 1066), disposed between the two magnetic elements (first magnet M11 and second magnet M12) and the lens carrier 108 of the movable component MA. Based on the above structural configuration, the stability of the first elastic unit 106 in clamping the lens carrier 108 can be further increased.

[0130] like Figure 3 As shown, when viewed along a first direction D1 (e.g., the Y-axis) perpendicular to the optical axis O, the center MAC of the movable component MA, consisting of the lens carrier 108 and the optical element, is located between the center EC2 of the second elastic unit 110 and the center EC1 of the first elastic unit 106.

[0131] Based on the above structural configuration, when the lens carrier 108 moves along the optical axis O, the first elastic element will not come into contact with the second elastic unit 110, thus avoiding the problem of damage to the first elastic element and the second elastic unit 110.

[0132] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the base has a bottom wall 112W, which is perpendicular to the optical axis O. A first pair of first elastic elements forms a first distance H1 between the optical axis O and the bottom wall 112W, a second pair of elastic elements forms a second distance H2 between the optical axis O and the bottom wall 112W, and a third pair of elastic elements forms a third distance H3 between the optical axis O and the bottom wall 112W.

[0133] Wherein, the first distance H1 is equal to the second distance H2, and the second distance H2 is equal to the third distance H3. That is to say, the distance between all the first elastic elements and the bottom wall 112W is the same, so as to ensure the stability of the lens support 108 during movement.

[0134] Please refer to Figure 2and Figure 6 ,and Figure 6 This is a top view of a portion of the structure of an optical element driving mechanism 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 As shown, the housing 102 has a plate-like top wall 102TW and a plate-like side wall 102SW, wherein the top wall 102TW is perpendicular to the optical axis O, and the side wall 102SW is parallel to the optical axis O. Furthermore, the base 112 is fixedly connected to the housing 102 to form an accommodating space 1023 for accommodating the movable component MA.

[0135] As shown in the figure, the top wall 102TW has a first surface 102S1 facing an incident light L. The first surface 102S1 has a planar structure and no groove structure. The top wall 102TW may also have a second surface 102S2 facing in the opposite direction to the first surface 102S1. Specifically, the second surface 102S2 faces the lens carrier 108 of the movable component MA.

[0136] Furthermore, such as Figure 6 As shown, when viewed along the optical axis O, the portion where the second surface 102S2 overlaps with the lens carrier 108 of the movable component MA defines an overlap portion OP, and as... Figure 3 As shown, there are no components between the overlapping portion OP and the lens carrier 108 of the movable component MA. Additionally, the first magnet M11 and the second magnet M12 can abut against the second surface 102S2.

[0137] Please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is a top view of a portion of the structure of an optical element driving mechanism 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the driving component DA may include a single driving coil DCL disposed on the lens carrier 108 of the movable component MA.

[0138] In this embodiment, one winding axis WX of the drive coil DCL is not perpendicular to the optical axis O; for example, the winding axis WX of the drive coil DCL can be parallel to the optical axis O. In this embodiment, the winding axis WX can overlap with the optical axis O. Additionally, as... Figure 7 As shown, the first pair and the second pair of these first elastic elements are disposed between the drive coil DCL and the base 112 of the fixing assembly FA.

[0139] Next, please refer to Figure 8 ,and Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the structure of an optical element driving mechanism 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The housing 102 has a protrusion 102P extending from the top wall 102TW along the optical axis O. The lens carrier 108 of the movable assembly MA has a recess 108G configured to receive the protrusion 102P.

[0140] Furthermore, at least one of these first elastic elements (e.g., first elastic element 1067) is disposed within the groove 108G and configured to connect between the lens carrier 108 and the protrusion 102P of the movable component MA. Based on the above structural configuration, the stability of the lens carrier 108 during movement can be further increased.

[0141] Please refer to Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 , Figure 9 This is a perspective view of an optical element driving mechanism 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 10 This is an exploded view of a portion of the structure of an optical element driving mechanism 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The base 112 includes a bottom wall 112W and at least one connecting member 1123. In this embodiment, the base 112 includes four connecting members 1123 protruding from and perpendicular to the bottom wall 112W.

[0142] like Figure 10 As shown, each connecting member 1123 may include a first connecting portion 1124 and a second connecting portion 1125, and the second connecting portion 1125 is connected between the first connecting portion 1124 and the bottom wall 112W. In this embodiment, the bottom wall 112W, the first connecting portion 1124, and the second connecting portion 1125 may be integrally formed. For example, the first connecting portion 1124 and the second connecting portion 1125 may be implemented by injection molding technology, but are not limited thereto.

[0143] like Figure 10 As shown, the outer casing 102 may have four through holes 102H, penetrating the top wall 102TW, and the four through holes 102H respectively correspond to four first connecting portions 1124. For example... Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 As shown, when the housing 102 is fixed to the base 112, one end 1124E of the first connecting part 1124 is configured to pass through the corresponding through hole 102H, and the end 1124E is configured to be fixed to the housing 102 by heat pressing or riveting.

[0144] Please also refer to Figures 9 to 12 , Figure 11 For the optical element driving mechanism 100 according to another embodiment of this disclosure along Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the midline segment CC, and Figure 12 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the end portion 1124E and the perforation 102H according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the size of the perforation 102H is larger than the size of the first connecting portion 1124.

[0145] For example, the dimension of the perforation 102H in the first direction D1 is larger than the dimension of the first connecting portion 1124 in the first direction D1. The first direction D1 is perpendicular to the optical axis O. Additionally, as... Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, the size of the perforation 102H in a second direction D2 (X-axis) is larger than the size of the first connecting part 1124 in the second direction D2, and the second direction D2 is perpendicular to the first direction D1.

[0146] In this disclosure, the perforation 102H may have a circular or square structure, and the first connecting portion 1124 may have a cylindrical or square columnar structure corresponding to the perforation 102H. Additionally, in some embodiments, the first connecting portion 1124 may also be a conical structure. That is, the end portion 1124E may be a pointed tip.

[0147] like Figure 11 as well as Figure 12 As shown, when viewed along the first direction D1 (Y-axis), the end 1124E has a rectangular or semi-circular structure. Furthermore, as... Figure 9 As shown, when viewed along the optical axis O, the end 1124E has a circular structure. In this embodiment, the top wall 102TW is a continuous planar structure, and when viewed along the first direction D1, the end 1124E does not overlap with the top wall 102TW.

[0148] Based on the above structural configuration, it can be ensured that the outer shell 102 is firmly fixed to the base 112, so as to avoid the problem of the outer shell 102 being detached from the base 112 due to impact.

[0149] In addition, such as Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 As shown, the housing 102 has a first positioning portion 1026, and the base 112 has a second positioning portion 1126 corresponding to the first positioning portion 1026. The first positioning portion 1026 is configured to align with and couple to the second positioning portion 1126, so that the housing 102 is fixed to the base 112. The first positioning portion 1026 and the second positioning portion 1126 are, for example, a mating engaging structure, but are not limited thereto.

[0150] Please return Figure 2 as well as Figure 10 In some embodiments, the optical element driving mechanism 100 may further include a reinforcing member 114, and at least a portion of the reinforcing member 114 is embedded in the base 112. The reinforcing member 114 may be made of metal.

[0151] Furthermore, for example, the base 112 is made of plastic material, and the reinforcing member 114 is formed in the base 112 as a molded interconnect device (MID).

[0152] exist Figure 10 In some embodiments, the reinforcing member 114 may be disposed within the second connecting portion 1125 and the bottom wall 112W, but is not limited thereto. For example, a portion of the reinforcing member 114 may also be disposed within the first connecting portion 1124. Based on this structural configuration, the structural strength of the connecting member 1123 can be increased, ensuring that the connecting member 1123 will not be damaged during hot pressing or riveting.

[0153] Please refer to Figures 13 to 15 , Figure 13 This is a perspective view of an optical element driving mechanism 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 14 This is a top view of the housing 102 and the base 112 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 15 This is a front view of an optical element driving mechanism 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 14 As shown, when viewed along the optical axis O, the bottom wall 112W has a polygonal structure, such as a rectangular structure.

[0154] Furthermore, when viewed along the optical axis O, the top wall 102TW has a polygonal structure, such as a rectangular structure, corresponding to the bottom wall 112W. The connecting member 1123 may be located at one corner of the bottom wall 112W. Specifically, four connecting members 1123 are located at the four corners of the bottom wall 112W.

[0155] like Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, the top wall 102TW has a flat portion 102FP and a recessed portion 102CP recessed from the flat portion 102FP along the optical axis O, and the recessed portion 102CP is located at one corner of the top wall 102TW. Specifically, four recessed portions 102CP are formed on the top wall 102TW, respectively located at the four corners of the top wall 102TW.

[0156] Among them, the perforation 102H is formed in the recess 102CP, and as shown in the figure Figure 15 As shown, when viewed along the first direction D1 perpendicular to the optical axis O, the end portion 1124E completely overlaps with the planar portion 102FP. Based on the above structural design, the problem of damage caused by the end portion 1124E colliding with other electronic components can be avoided when the optical element drive mechanism 100 is installed in an electronic device (such as a smartphone).

[0157] In summary, this disclosure provides an optical element driving mechanism 100, which includes a movable component MA, a fixed component FA, and a connecting component CA, wherein the movable component MA is movably connected to the fixed component FA via the connecting component CA. The connecting component CA includes a first elastic unit 106, and the first elastic unit 106 may have multiple first elastic elements, connected between the base 112 and the lens carrier 108. Compared to known optical element driving mechanisms using elastic springs, the optical element driving mechanism 100 of this disclosure can effectively reduce its height on the Z-axis, thereby achieving miniaturization.

[0158] In some embodiments, the base 112 may include multiple connecting members 1123, and the housing 102 may correspondingly have multiple through holes 102H. The end 1124E of the first connecting portion 1124 of the connecting member 1123 is configured to pass through the corresponding through hole 102H, and the end 1124E is configured to be fixed to the housing 102 by heat pressing or riveting. Based on the above structural configuration, it can be ensured that the housing 102 is securely fixed to the base 112.

[0159] While the embodiments and advantages of this disclosure have been disclosed above, it should be understood that those skilled in the art can make modifications, substitutions, and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the scope of protection of this disclosure is not limited to the processes, machines, manufacturing methods, material compositions, apparatuses, methods, and steps described in the specific embodiments of the specification. Any processes, machines, manufacturing methods, material compositions, apparatuses, methods, and steps currently in development or to be developed in the future can be understood from the disclosure of this disclosure, and can be used according to this disclosure as long as they can perform substantially the same function or obtain substantially the same results in the embodiments described herein. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure includes the aforementioned processes, machines, manufacturing methods, material compositions, apparatuses, methods, and steps. In addition, each claim constitutes an individual embodiment, and the scope of protection of this disclosure also includes combinations of various claims and embodiments.

Claims

1. An optical element driving mechanism, comprising: a movable component configured to be connected to an optical element having an optical axis; a fixed component, wherein the movable component is movable relative to the fixed component; a connecting component, the movable component being movably connected to the fixed component via the connecting component; the connecting component comprising a first elastic unit having a block structure; the first elastic unit not having a plate structure; the first elastic unit having a plastic material; the first elastic unit comprising a light-cured glue or a heat-cured glue; the first elastic unit comprising a plurality of first elastic elements; when viewed along the optical axis, the plurality of first elastic elements are disposed between the movable component and the fixed component, and the plurality of first elastic elements do not pass through the movable component and the fixed component.

2. The optical element driving mechanism of claim 1, wherein when viewed along the optical axis, a center of the movable component is located within a polygonal structure formed by the plurality of first elastic elements; when viewed along the optical axis, the center of the movable component is located at a center of the polygonal structure; when viewed along the optical axis, a first pair of the plurality of first elastic elements is disposed at a first corner and a second corner of the movable component; the first corner is diagonally opposite to the second corner; when viewed along the optical axis, a second pair of the plurality of first elastic elements is disposed at a third corner and a fourth corner of the movable component; the third corner is diagonally opposite to the fourth corner.

3. The optical element driving mechanism of claim 2, further comprising a driving component configured to drive the movable component to move relative to the fixed component; the driving component comprising two magnetic elements disposed at opposite sides of the fixed component; a third pair of the plurality of first elastic elements is disposed between the two magnetic elements and the movable component.

4. The optical element driving mechanism of claim 3, wherein the driving component comprises a driving coil disposed at the movable component; a winding axis of the driving coil is not perpendicular to the optical axis; the winding axis of the driving coil is parallel to the optical axis; the first pair and the second pair of the plurality of first elastic elements are disposed between the driving coil and the fixed component.

5. The optical element driving mechanism of claim 3, wherein the connecting component comprises: a second elastic unit having a plate structure; the second elastic unit is perpendicular to the optical axis; when viewed along a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis, a movable component center formed by the movable component and the optical element is located between a center of the second elastic unit and a center of the first elastic unit.

6. The optical element driving mechanism of claim 5, wherein the fixed component further comprises: a housing having a top wall with a plate structure and a side wall with a plate structure, the top wall being perpendicular to the optical axis, and the side wall being parallel to the optical axis; and a base fixedly connected to the housing to form a receiving space for receiving the movable component; the top wall has a first surface facing an incident light, the first surface having a planar structure and not having a groove structure. ​ ​ The top wall has a second surface facing in a direction opposite to the first surface, the second surface facing the movable assembly, a portion of the second surface overlapping the movable assembly when viewed along the optical axis defines an overlap portion, and there is no element between the overlap portion and the movable assembly.

7. The optical element driving mechanism of claim 6, wherein the housing has a protrusion extending from the top wall along the optical axis. The movable assembly has a groove configured to accommodate the protrusion. At least one of the plurality of first elastic elements is disposed in the groove and configured to be connected between the movable assembly and the protrusion.

8. The optical element driving mechanism of claim 5, wherein the driving assembly comprises a first driving coil and a second driving coil disposed on opposite sides of the movable assembly. The second elastic unit comprises a second elastic element and a third elastic element configured to be electrically connected to the first driving coil and the second driving coil, respectively.

9. The optical element driving mechanism of claim 5, wherein the fixed assembly comprises a base, and the base has a bottom wall perpendicular to the optical axis. The first pair of first elastic elements forms a first distance along the optical axis from the bottom wall. The second pair of elastic elements forms a second distance along the optical axis from the bottom wall. The third pair of elastic elements forms a third distance along the optical axis from the bottom wall. The first distance is equal to the second distance, and the second distance is equal to the third distance.

10. The optical element driving mechanism of claim 2, wherein the fixed assembly further comprises: a housing having a top wall with a plate structure and a side wall with a plate structure, the top wall being perpendicular to the optical axis, and the side wall being parallel to the optical axis; and a base fixedly connected to the housing to form a receiving space for accommodating the movable assembly; wherein the base comprises a bottom wall and at least one connecting member, and the connecting member protrudes from the bottom wall and is perpendicular to the bottom wall; the connecting member comprises a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion; the second connecting portion is connected between the first connecting portion and the bottom wall; the bottom wall, the first connecting portion, and the second connecting portion are integrally formed; the housing has a through hole corresponding to the first connecting portion; when the housing is fixed to the base, an end of the first connecting portion is configured to pass through the through hole; the end is configured to be fixed to the housing by heat pressing or riveting.

11. The optical element driving mechanism of claim 10, wherein a size of the through hole in a first direction is greater than a size of the first connecting portion in the first direction; the first direction is perpendicular to the optical axis; the through hole has a circular or square structure; the first connecting portion has a cylindrical, square column, or conical structure corresponding to the through hole; when viewed along the first direction, the end has a rectangular or semicircular structure; the top wall has a continuous planar structure, and when viewed along the first direction, the end does not overlap the top wall.

12. The optical element driving mechanism of claim 10, wherein when viewed along the optical axis, the bottom wall has a polygonal structure; ​ The top wall has a polygonal structure corresponding to the bottom wall when viewed along the optical axis; The connecting member is located at a corner of the bottom wall; The top wall has a flat portion and a recessed portion recessed from the flat portion along the optical axis; The recessed portion is located at a corner of the top wall; The through hole is formed in the recessed portion; The end completely overlaps the flat portion when viewed along a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

13. The optical element driving mechanism of claim 10, wherein the fixing assembly further comprises a reinforcing member disposed in the second connecting portion and the bottom wall. The reinforcing member has a metallic material.

14. The optical element driving mechanism of claim 10, wherein the housing has a first positioning portion, and the base has a second positioning portion corresponding to the first positioning portion. The first positioning portion is configured to be aligned and coupled to the second positioning portion to fix the housing to the base.

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