drive mechanism

Abstract

A driving mechanism includes a base, a movable unit and a movable member. The movable unit is movably disposed on the base and connected to an optical element. The movable member is movably disposed on the base and has a passage. When the movable member moves from a first position to a second position, the movable unit moves from an initial position through the passage to a limit position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a driving mechanism. More specifically, this invention relates to a driving mechanism for driving the movement of optical elements. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of technology, many electronic devices today (such as smartphones or digital cameras) have the function of taking pictures or recording videos. The use of these electronic devices is becoming more and more common, and they are developing towards convenient and thinner designs to provide users with more choices.

[0003] Some electronic devices with photographic or video recording functions include a lens drive module to drive an optical element to move, thereby achieving autofocus and optical image stabilization (OIS). Light can pass through the aforementioned optical element to form an image on a photosensitive element.

[0004] However, the aforementioned lens drive module and camera shutter mechanism often require many complex components, which limits the size of electronic devices from being further reduced. Therefore, solving the aforementioned problem has become an important issue. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a driving mechanism to solve at least one of the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] In view of the aforementioned known problems, one embodiment of the present invention provides a driving mechanism for driving the movement of an optical element, including a base, a movable unit, a movable member, a first driving assembly, and a second driving assembly. The movable unit is movably disposed on the base and connected to the optical element. The movable member is movably disposed on the base and has a channel. The first driving assembly drives the movable member to move relative to the base, and the second driving assembly drives the movable unit to move relative to the base. Specifically, when the first driving assembly drives the movable member from a first position to a second position, the second driving assembly drives the movable unit from an initial position through the channel to a limit position.

[0007] In one embodiment, the aforementioned movable member further has a body and two protrusions, the protrusions protruding from the aforementioned body in a vertical direction, and the aforementioned channel being formed between the aforementioned protrusions.

[0008] In one embodiment, the aforementioned movable unit has a slider, and when the aforementioned movable member is in the aforementioned first position, the aforementioned protrusion blocks the aforementioned slider to prevent the aforementioned slider from entering the aforementioned channel.

[0009] In one embodiment, the aforementioned movable member has an arc-shaped outer sidewall, and the aforementioned slider has an arc-shaped surface corresponding to the aforementioned outer sidewall.

[0010] In one embodiment, the aforementioned base has a fan-shaped groove, and the aforementioned movable member also has a limiting portion, wherein the aforementioned limiting portion protrudes from the aforementioned body in a horizontal direction, and when the aforementioned movable member is located in the aforementioned first position, the aforementioned limiting portion abuts against a first sidewall of the aforementioned fan-shaped groove, and when the aforementioned movable member is located in the aforementioned second position, the aforementioned limiting portion abuts against a second sidewall of the aforementioned fan-shaped groove.

[0011] In one embodiment, each of the aforementioned protrusions is formed with a first guide surface, and the aforementioned first guide surface forms a first expanding structure on the outside of the aforementioned movable member.

[0012] In one embodiment, the aforementioned protrusions are further provided with a second guide surface, and the aforementioned second guide surface forms a second gradually expanding structure on the outside of the aforementioned movable member, wherein the aforementioned first and second guide surfaces are inclined surfaces or curved surfaces, and the aforementioned first guide surface is closer to the aforementioned limiting portion than the aforementioned second guide surface.

[0013] In one embodiment, the aforementioned driving mechanism further includes a first buffer and a second buffer disposed within the aforementioned base. When the aforementioned active unit is in the aforementioned initial position, the aforementioned active unit contacts the aforementioned first buffer, and when the aforementioned active unit is in the aforementioned extreme position, the aforementioned active unit contacts the aforementioned second buffer, wherein the aforementioned second buffer is located in a vertical direction between the aforementioned optical element and the aforementioned first driving assembly.

[0014] In one embodiment, the position of the second buffer in the aforementioned vertical direction is lower than that of the first buffer.

[0015] In one embodiment, the aforementioned movable element contains a magnetic or magnetically conductive material. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An exploded view showing a drive mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 and Figure 4 express Figure 1 and Figure 2 The driving mechanism is shown in the three-dimensional diagram after assembly.

[0018] Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional diagram showing the combination of the active unit and the optical element.

[0019] Figure 7 express Figure 6 The slider in the diagram forms a circular arc surface.

[0020] Figure 8 This is an exploded view showing the movable part before it is assembled with the base.

[0021] Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional view showing the movable part combined with the base.

[0022] Figure 10 This is an exploded view showing the first drive component, the second drive component, and the base before assembly.

[0023] Figure 11 A three-dimensional diagram showing the movable parts.

[0024] Figure 12 This is a perspective view showing the slider located on the bottom side of the movable unit contacting the outer wall of the movable member when the first drive component generates a first magnetic field.

[0025] Figure 13 This is a three-dimensional view of the moving unit, movable part, and first driving component when the first driving component generates a first magnetic field.

[0026] Figure 14 This is a top view of the moving unit, movable part, and first drive assembly when the first drive assembly generates a first magnetic field.

[0027] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram showing the limiting part of the movable member abutting against the first sidewall of the fan-shaped groove when the first drive component generates a first magnetic field.

[0028] Figure 16 This is a perspective view showing the slider located on the bottom side of the active unit aligning with the channel of the movable part when the first drive component generates a second magnetic field.

[0029] Figure 17 This diagram illustrates how the slider of the moving unit enters the channel of the movable part when the first driving component generates a second magnetic field.

[0030] Figure 18 This diagram illustrates that when the first drive assembly generates a second magnetic field, the limiting portion of the movable member abuts against the second sidewall of the fan-shaped groove, and the movable member is located in a second position relative to the base.

[0031] Figure 19 This diagram illustrates the first buffer abutting against the active unit when the active unit is in its initial position.

[0032] Figure 20 This diagram illustrates the second buffer abutting against the active unit when the active unit is in its extreme position.

[0033] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0034] 100: Drive mechanism

[0035] 10: Outer shell

[0036] 11: Opening

[0037] 12: Opening

[0038] 13: Opening

[0039] 20: Activity Unit

[0040] 21: Protruding part

[0041] 211: Groove

[0042] 22: Card-connecting section

[0043] 23: Slider

[0044] 231: Arc surface

[0045] 30: Optical components

[0046] 31: Guide groove

[0047] 32: Perforation

[0048] 33: Shelter

[0049] 40: Base

[0050] 41: Card Block

[0051] 42: Groove

[0052] 43: Pivot

[0053] 44: Groove

[0054] 45: Groove

[0055] 50: Movable parts

[0056] 501:Ontology

[0057] 51: Shaft hole

[0058] 52: Channel

[0059] 53: Limiting part

[0060] 60: First driving component

[0061] 61: Magnetic conductive element

[0062] 62: Coil

[0063] 70: Second drive component

[0064] 71: Magnetic conductive element

[0065] 72: Coil

[0066] B: bump

[0067] M: Magnet

[0068] P1: First buffer

[0069] P2: Second buffer

[0070] R: Fan-shaped groove

[0071] R1: First sidewall

[0072] R2: Second sidewall

[0073] S1: First guiding surface

[0074] S2: Second guiding surface

[0075] W: Outer wall Detailed Implementation

[0076] The following describes the drive mechanism of an embodiment of the present invention. However, it will be readily apparent that the embodiments of the present invention provide many suitable inventive concepts and can be implemented in a wide range of specific contexts. The specific embodiments disclosed are merely illustrative of the use of the invention in a particular manner and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0077] 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 background or context of this disclosure, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal manner, unless specifically defined herein.

[0078] The foregoing and other technical contents, features, and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. The directional terms mentioned in the following embodiments, such as up, down, left, right, front, or back, are only for reference to the directions in the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used in the embodiments are for illustrative purposes and not for limiting the present invention.

[0079] Please refer to the following first: Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 ,in Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is an exploded view of a drive mechanism 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 and Figure 4 express Figure 1 and Figure 2 The drive mechanism 100 is shown in the three-dimensional diagram after assembly. Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional view showing the combination of the active unit 20 and the optical element 30. Figure 7 express Figure 6 The slider 23 in the diagram forms an arc surface 231.

[0080] The driving mechanism 100 of one embodiment of the present invention can be disposed in a mobile phone, tablet computer or other electronic device, and mainly includes a housing 10, a movable unit 20, an optical element 30, a base 40, a movable member 50, a first driving assembly 60, a second driving assembly 70, a magnet M, a first buffer member P1 and a second buffer member P2.

[0081] It should be understood that the aforementioned movable member 50 may contain magnetic material (e.g., a magnet) or magnetically permeable material, and is rotatably disposed inside the base 40. Furthermore, the aforementioned housing 10 has openings 11, 12, and 13; the aforementioned movable unit 20 has a protrusion 21 and at least one engaging portion 22; and the aforementioned optical element 30 has a guide groove 31, at least one through hole 32, and a shielding portion 33, wherein the aforementioned engaging portion 22 engages within the through hole 32, thereby connecting the movable unit 20 and the optical element 30.

[0082] The aforementioned base 40 has a locking block 41 and a groove 42, wherein the first buffer P1 is disposed in the aforementioned groove 42, and the aforementioned locking block 41, after assembly, will pass through the guide groove 31 and engage in the opening 13 of the outer shell 10 to restrict the movement of the outer shell 10 relative to the base 40; in addition, the aforementioned protrusion 21 of the aforementioned movable unit 20, after assembly, will extend into the opening 12 of the outer shell 10 and be exposed on the top side of the drive mechanism 100.

[0083] When the active unit 20 and the optical element 30 are in an initial position (e.g.) Figure 3 As shown, the active unit 20 will contact the first buffer P1. When the active unit 20 and the optical element 30 move from the aforementioned initial position to a limit position in the -X axis direction, the shielding part 33 provided on the optical element 30 will shield the opening 11 on the outer shell 10 to prevent external light from passing through the opening 11 and entering the drive mechanism 100.

[0084] For example, the aforementioned optical element 30 can serve as a camera shutter blade, wherein the aforementioned shielding portion 33, having a light-shading material, can effectively prevent light from passing through the opening 11 and reaching an image sensor (not shown) inside the electronic device.

[0085] On the other hand, from Figure 6 and Figure 7 As can be seen, a groove 211 and a slider 23 are formed on the bottom side of the active unit 20, wherein the groove 211 is mainly used to accommodate the magnet M. Figure 1 The slider 23 has an arcuate surface 231, corresponding to the arcuate outer wall of the cylindrical movable member 50. Additionally, from... Figures 1-4 As can be seen, the first driving component 60 and the second driving component 70 are both disposed on the bottom side of the base 40. The first driving component 60 can generate a magnetic field to drive the movable part 50 to rotate relative to the base 40, while the second driving component 70 can generate a magnetic field to drive the magnet M to move along the X-axis.

[0086] Figure 8 This is an exploded view of the movable part 50 before it is assembled with the base 40. Figure 9 This is a perspective view showing the movable part 50 and the base 40 after they are combined.

[0087] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the aforementioned movable member 50 has a body 501, a shaft hole 51, two protrusions B, a channel 52 and a limiting part 53, wherein the protrusions B protrude from the body 501 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), the channel 52 is formed between the two protrusions B, and the limiting part 53 protrudes from the body 501 in the horizontal direction.

[0088] During assembly, a pivot 43 inside the base 40 can be inserted into the shaft hole 51 of the movable member 50, and the limiting part 53 can be movably accommodated in a fan-shaped groove R inside the base 40. When the first drive assembly 60 generates a first magnetic field, the limiting part 53 on the movable member 50 will abut against the first sidewall R1 of the fan-shaped groove R, and the movable member 50 will be in a first position relative to the base 40. At this time, the channel 52 between the two protrusions B will be inclined relative to a major axis direction (X-axis direction) of the drive mechanism 100. In addition, from Figure 8 It can be seen that the second buffer P2 is located inside the base 40, and its position is between the locking block 41 and the movable part 50.

[0089] Figure 10 This is an exploded view of the first drive component 60, the second drive component 70, and the base 40 before assembly.

[0090] like Figure 10 As shown, the aforementioned first driving component 60 and second driving component 70 are respectively housed in the grooves 44 and 45 on the bottom side of the base 40. The first driving component 60 includes a magnetic element 61 and a coil 62, and the second driving component 70 includes a magnetic element 71 and a coil 72. The magnetic elements 61 and 71 pass through the coils 62 and 72 respectively.

[0091] Figure 11 A three-dimensional view showing movable part 50. Figure 12 This is a perspective view showing that when the first drive assembly 60 generates a first magnetic field, the slider 23 located on the bottom side of the movable unit 20 contacts the outer wall W of the movable member 50. Figure 13 This is a perspective view of the movable unit 20, the movable member 50, and the first drive assembly 60 when the first drive assembly 60 generates a first magnetic field. Figure 14 This is a top view of the movable unit 20, the movable member 50, and the first drive assembly 60 when the first drive assembly 60 generates a first magnetic field. Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram showing that when the first drive assembly 60 generates a first magnetic field, the limiting part 53 of the movable member 50 abuts against the first side wall R1 of the fan-shaped groove R.

[0092] like Figure 11 As shown, the two protrusions B on the top side of the movable member 50 form a first guide surface S1 and a second guide surface S2. The two first guide surfaces S1 form a first divergent structure in the direction of the outer side of the movable member 50, and the two second guide surfaces S2 form a second divergent structure in the direction of the outer side of the movable member 50. This can effectively guide the slider 23 on the bottom side of the movable unit 20 to slide through the channel 52 and avoid damage to the mechanism due to collision between components.

[0093] It should be understood that the aforementioned first and second guide surfaces S1 and S2 can be inclined surfaces or curved surfaces, and the first guide surface S1 is closer to the limiting part 53 than the second guide surface S2.

[0094] In this embodiment, when a first current signal is applied to the coil 62, the first driving component 60 generates a first magnetic field. At this time, the movable member 50 will be affected by the first magnetic field and exhibit the following behavior: Figure 9 , Figures 13-15 In the state shown, the limiting part 53 on the movable member 50 abuts against the first sidewall R1 of the fan-shaped groove R, and the channel 52 located between the two protrusions B is inclined relative to the long axis direction (X-axis direction) of the drive mechanism 100.

[0095] It should be noted that when channel 52 is tilted relative to the X-axis, even if a magnetic repulsive force is generated between the second drive assembly 70 and the magnet M to drive the movable unit 20 and the optical element 30 from... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The initial position shown moves in the -X axis direction. The slider 23 located on the bottom side of the movable unit 20 will also be blocked by the outer wall W of the protrusion B of the movable member 50 and will not be able to pass through the channel 52. This prevents the shielding part 33 on the optical element 30 from blocking the opening 11 on the housing 10, while allowing light to pass through the opening 11 and enter the image processor inside the electronic device.

[0096] Figure 16 This is a perspective view showing that when the first drive assembly 60 generates a second magnetic field, the slider 23 located on the bottom side of the movable unit 20 aligns with the channel 52 of the movable member 50. Figure 17 This diagram illustrates that when the first drive assembly 60 generates a second magnetic field, the slider 23 of the movable unit 20 enters the channel 52 of the movable member 50. Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram showing that when the first drive assembly 60 generates a second magnetic field, the limiting portion 53 of the movable member 50 abuts against the second sidewall R2 of the fan-shaped groove R, and the movable member 50 is located in a second position relative to the base 40.

[0097] like Figures 16-18 As shown, when a second current signal is applied to the coil 62, the first drive assembly 60 generates a second magnetic field to drive the movable member 50 to rotate relative to the base 40, thereby rotating the movable member 50 from the aforementioned first position relative to the base 40 to a second position. At this time, the channel 52 between the two protrusions B is parallel to the long axis direction (X-axis direction) of the drive mechanism 100 and aligned with the slider 23 on the bottom side of the movable unit 20.

[0098] In this case, an appropriate current signal can be passed through the coil 72 of the second drive assembly 70 to generate a magnetic repulsive force between the second drive assembly 70 and the magnet M, thereby driving the movable unit 20 and the optical element 30 from... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The initial position shown slides along the -X axis direction through the channel 52 to reach a limit position, and the shielding part 33 on the optical element 30 covers the opening 11 on the housing 10 to prevent external light from entering the drive mechanism 100 through the opening 11.

[0099] Figure 19 This diagram illustrates the first buffer P1 abutting against the active unit 20 when the active unit 20 is in its initial position. Figure 20 This diagram shows the second buffer P2 abutting against the active unit 20 when the active unit 20 is in its extreme position.

[0100] like Figure 19 As shown, when the movable unit 20 has not yet slid through the channel 52 of the movable member 50 and is in the initial position, one end of the movable unit 20 will contact the first buffer member P1 to prevent the movable unit 20 from directly impacting the outer shell 10 or the base 40 in the X-axis direction, which would cause damage to the mechanism.

[0101] Similarly, such as Figure 20 As indicated by the arrows, when the second drive assembly 70 drives the active unit 20 and the optical element 30... Figure 2 and Figure 3 When the initial position shown slides through the channel 52 along the -X axis and reaches the limit position, the other end of the movable unit 20 will contact the second buffer P2 to prevent the movable unit 20 from directly impacting the housing 10 or the base 40 in the X axis direction, which would cause damage to the mechanism.

[0102] from Figure 19 and Figure 20 As can be seen from the above, the second buffer P2 in this embodiment is lower in height than the first buffer P1 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), and the second buffer P2 is located between the optical element 30 and the first drive assembly 60 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). This allows for effective use of space to achieve miniaturization of the drive mechanism 100.

[0103] While the embodiments and advantages of the present invention 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 the invention. Furthermore, the scope of protection of the present invention 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 or in the future that can be developed from the disclosure of this invention can be used according to the present invention, 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 the present invention 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 the present invention also includes combinations of the various claims and embodiments.

[0104] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A driving mechanism for driving an optical element to move, comprising: a base; a movable unit movably disposed on the base and connected to the optical element; a movable member movably disposed on the base and having a passage; a first driving assembly for driving the movable member to move relative to the base; and a second driving assembly for driving the movable unit to move relative to the base, wherein when the first driving assembly drives the movable member to move from a first position to a second position, the second driving assembly drives the movable unit to move from an initial position through the passage to a limit position; wherein the movable unit has a slider, and the movable member further has a body and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the body in a vertical direction, and the passage is formed between the plurality of protrusions, wherein when the movable member is at the first position, the plurality of protrusions blocks the slider to prevent the slider from entering the passage, and when the movable member moves from the first position to the second position, the passage is aligned with the slider.

2. The driving mechanism of claim 1, wherein the movable member forms a circular-arc-shaped outer sidewall, and the slider forms a circular-arc surface corresponding to the outer sidewall.

3. The driving mechanism of claim 1, wherein the base has a sector-shaped recess, and the movable member further has a limiting portion protruding from the body in a horizontal direction, and when the movable member is at the first position, the limiting portion abuts a first sidewall of the sector-shaped recess, and when the movable member is at the second position, the limiting portion abuts a second sidewall of the sector-shaped recess.

4. The driving mechanism of claim 3, wherein the plurality of protrusions each forms a first guide surface, and the plurality of first guide surfaces form a first diverging structure toward the outside of the movable member.

5. The driving mechanism of claim 4, wherein the plurality of protrusions each further forms a second guide surface, and the plurality of second guide surfaces form a second diverging structure toward the outside of the movable member, wherein the plurality of first guide surfaces and the plurality of second guide surfaces are inclined surfaces or curved surfaces, and the plurality of first guide surfaces are closer to the limiting portion than the plurality of second guide surfaces.

6. The driving mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a first buffer and a second buffer disposed in the base, wherein when the movable unit is at the initial position, the movable unit contacts the first buffer, and when the movable unit is at the limit position, the movable unit contacts the second buffer.

7. The driving mechanism of claim 6, wherein the second buffer is located between the optical element and the first driving assembly in a vertical direction.

8. The driving mechanism of claim 7, wherein the second buffer is located lower than the first buffer in the vertical direction.

9. The driving mechanism of claim 1, wherein the movable member contains magnetic or magnetically permeable material. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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