A liquid lens and its fabrication method

Abstract

This invention provides a liquid lens and its manufacturing method. The liquid lens includes a first electrode, which comprises a first housing and a top cover disposed at one end of the first housing. The top cover is elastic and its thickness is less than that of the first housing. A through hole is provided on the top cover, and a first light-transmitting plate corresponding to the position of the through hole is disposed within the first housing. The liquid lens also includes a second electrode, one end of which is nested within the first housing. A receiving space is formed between the first and second electrodes, and an optical liquid is disposed within the receiving space. This invention enhances the deformability of the first electrode by reducing the thickness of the top cover of the first electrode and using an elastic top cover. While meeting the requirements for large-aperture light transmission, the thickness of the liquid lens is reduced, solving the reliability problem caused by the thermal expansion and contraction of the optical liquid within the liquid lens, and reducing the manufacturing difficulty and cost of the liquid lens.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of liquid lens technology, and relates to a liquid lens, and more particularly to a liquid lens and its manufacturing method. Background Technology

[0002] Electrowetting-based liquid lenses use one or two liquids as substrates and achieve zoom by changing the curvature of the liquid surface. Traditional solid-state lens zoom systems rely on stepper / voice coil motors to drive one or more lens groups, which suffers from drawbacks such as difficulty in miniaturization, slow zoom speed, high cost, short lifespan, inconvenience in precise control, and relatively poor reliability. Electrowetting-based liquid lenses perfectly solve these problems, with their unique advantages being fast response speed and small structural footprint.

[0003] Existing liquid lenses suffer from performance issues due to the thermal expansion and contraction of the filling liquid. To ensure reliability, current liquid lenses often employ complex configurations, which not only increases manufacturing difficulty but also leads to higher costs, lower precision, poorer product consistency, and reduced image quality. Furthermore, existing liquid lenses are relatively thick, making them unsuitable for consumer electronics applications. Additionally, the sealing reliability between the upper and lower electrodes in existing liquid lenses is poor; over time, the weakening of the seal may lead to lens malfunction.

[0004] CN113933919A discloses a three-layer cemented liquid lens, an imaging module, and a zoom method for the imaging module. The liquid lens comprises: an elastic thin-film lens, a sidewall, and a hard substrate lens. The sidewall is connected to the hard substrate lens to form a cavity. The cavity is filled with liquid to form a liquid cavity lens. The elastic thin-film lens is connected to the sidewall to form a three-layer cemented liquid lens in which the elastic thin-film lens, the liquid cavity lens, and the hard substrate lens are connected in sequence. The edge thickness of the elastic thin-film lens is different from its center thickness.

[0005] CN114910987A discloses a liquid lens and its manufacturing method. This liquid lens includes an elastomer, whose elasticity surpasses the expansion capability of the optical liquid within the lens. This effectively solves the problem of optical liquid expansion, thus avoiding issues such as reduced aperture size and poor image quality caused by optical liquid expansion, thereby improving the imaging quality of electronic devices. Furthermore, the manufacturing method of the liquid lens provided by this invention is simple and has low manufacturing cost, significantly improving manufacturing efficiency and reducing costs. In the liquid lens provided by this invention, the elastomer and housing can be combined in various ways, increasing the flexibility and variety of lens design and enhancing the applicability of the elastomer and lens. However, this liquid lens has a complex structure, high manufacturing cost, and poor sealing performance.

[0006] Therefore, while ensuring that the performance of liquid lenses is not affected by thermal expansion and contraction, simplifying the product structure, reducing manufacturing difficulty, ensuring high imaging quality, increasing the sealing reliability of liquid lenses, and improving the service life of liquid lenses are problems that urgently need to be solved by those in this technical field. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the present invention aims to provide a liquid lens and its manufacturing method. This invention enhances the deformation capability of the first electrode by reducing the thickness of its top cover and using an elastic top cover. While meeting the requirements for large-aperture light transmission, it significantly reduces the thickness of the liquid lens, solving the reliability problem caused by the thermal expansion and contraction of the optical liquid within the liquid lens. This substantially reduces the manufacturing difficulty and cost of the liquid lens, while simultaneously improving its manufacturing precision and consistency. The second electrode structure of the liquid lens is simple, eliminating redundant structures and reducing the weight of the liquid lens. The overall structure of the liquid lens is simple, with low manufacturing cost, excellent sealing effect, high stability and reliability, and excellent imaging quality.

[0008] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0009] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a liquid lens, the liquid lens including a first electrode, the first electrode including a first housing and a top cover disposed on one end of the first housing, the top cover being elastic and having a thickness less than the thickness of the first housing; the top cover having a through hole, and the first housing having a first light-transmitting plate corresponding to the position of the through hole;

[0010] The liquid lens further includes a second electrode, one end of which is nested within the first housing. A receiving space is formed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an optical liquid is disposed within the receiving space.

[0011] In this invention, by reducing the thickness of the top cover of the first electrode and using a flexible top cover, the deformation capability of the first electrode is enhanced. While meeting the requirements for large-aperture light transmission, the thickness of the liquid lens is greatly reduced, solving the reliability problem caused by the thermal expansion and contraction of the optical liquid inside the liquid lens. This significantly reduces the manufacturing difficulty and cost of the liquid lens, while improving the manufacturing precision and consistency. The second electrode structure of the liquid lens is simple, eliminating redundant structures and reducing the weight of the liquid lens. The overall structure of the liquid lens is simple, with low manufacturing cost, excellent sealing effect, high stability and reliability, and excellent imaging quality.

[0012] In this invention, the materials of the first electrode and the second electrode are independently selected from any one of iron, iron alloy, copper, copper alloy, zinc, zinc alloy, copper-zinc alloy, chromium, chromium alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy.

[0013] In this invention, the material of the first light-transmitting plate includes glass and / or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) plate.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the first housing includes a first region and a second region. The first housing corresponding to the first region is disposed around the first light-transmitting plate, and the first housing corresponding to the second region forms an annular groove. The second electrode is nested in the annular groove.

[0015] Preferably, the first shell corresponding to the first region is elastic and its thickness is less than that of the first shell corresponding to the second region.

[0016] In this invention, the first shell corresponding to the first region is elastic and its thickness is less than that of the first shell corresponding to the second region, which also enhances the deformation capability of the first electrode.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second electrode includes a second housing, and the end of the second housing away from the first light-transmitting plate is covered with a second light-transmitting plate.

[0018] In this invention, the material of the second light-transmitting plate includes glass and / or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) plate.

[0019] Preferably, the second housing includes a first part and a second part, wherein a cylindrical space is formed inside the second housing corresponding to the first part, and a frustum-shaped space is formed inside the second housing corresponding to the second part, wherein the top surface of the frustum-shaped space coincides with the top surface of the cylindrical space.

[0020] Preferably, the second shell corresponding to the second part extends outward from the end away from the first part to form a nested structure, and the nested structure is inserted into the annular groove.

[0021] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner wall of the second housing corresponding to the second part is covered with a dielectric film, and the dielectric film is covered with a hydrophobic film.

[0022] The dielectric film of this invention is used to prevent the second electrode from being electrically broken down, and the hydrophobic film is used to control the contact angle between the interface between the conductive liquids and the second shell.

[0023] In this invention, the dielectric film and the hydrophobic film can be made of the same material or different materials. When the dielectric film and the hydrophobic film are made of the same material, the materials of the dielectric film and the hydrophobic film need to have both dielectric and hydrophobic properties.

[0024] The dielectric film of the present invention is made of any one or a combination of at least two of parylene, tantalum pentoxide, aluminum oxide, or silicon nitride. Typical but non-limiting combinations include a combination of parylene and tantalum pentoxide, a combination of tantalum pentoxide and aluminum oxide, a combination of aluminum oxide and silicon nitride, or a combination of parylene, tantalum pentoxide, and aluminum oxide.

[0025] The hydrophobic membrane material in this invention includes fluorides, such as Cytop and / or AF1600.

[0026] In this invention, a metal oxide layer can be applied to the inner wall of the second housing to enhance the adhesion between the hydrophobic film and the inner wall of the second housing, and it can also serve as an insulator and improve the breakdown voltage of the liquid lens.

[0027] The metal oxide layer in this invention is made of Al2O3 and / or Ta2O5, and the method for depositing the metal oxide layer on the inner wall of the second housing includes physical vapor deposition and / or vacuum magnetron sputtering deposition.

[0028] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an annular U-shaped sealing ring is provided between the nested structure and the annular groove.

[0029] The material of the annular U-shaped sealing ring in this invention includes any one or a combination of at least two of polytetrafluoroethylene, parylene, or perfluorocyclic polymers. Typical but non-limiting combinations include a combination of polytetrafluoroethylene and parylene, a combination of parylene and perfluorocyclic polymers, or a combination of polytetrafluoroethylene, parylene, and perfluorocyclic polymers.

[0030] The annular U-shaped sealing ring in this invention can improve the sealing performance between the nested structure and the annular groove, thereby ensuring the sealing reliability between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0031] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the optical liquid comprises a conductive liquid and an insulating liquid forming an interface, wherein the conductive liquid faces the first light-transmitting plate and the insulating liquid faces the second light-transmitting plate.

[0032] The conductive liquid in this invention includes any one or a combination of at least two of water, alcohol, or salt solutions, such as a combination of water and alcohol, an alcohol and salt solution, or a combination of water, alcohol, and salt solution.

[0033] The insulating liquid in this invention includes an organic solvent, which includes silicone oil and / or chlorobenzene.

[0034] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a sealing adhesive layer is provided between the first light-transmitting plate and the top cover.

[0035] Preferably, a sealant layer is provided between the second light-transmitting plate and one end of the second housing corresponding to the first part.

[0036] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, both the first electrode and the second electrode are stamped parts.

[0037] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a liquid lens as described in the first aspect, the method comprising:

[0038] The first light-transmitting plate is installed inside the first housing and the top cover with a through hole is disposed on one end of the first housing by integral molding. The first light-transmitting plate covers the through hole on the top cover.

[0039] The second electrode is manufactured by integral molding, and one end of the second electrode is nested inside the first housing, forming a receiving space between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0040] An optical liquid is injected into the containment space to obtain a liquid lens.

[0041] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the manufacturing method includes:

[0042] The first housing and a top cover with a through hole are manufactured by stamping. The first housing includes a first region and a second region. A first light-transmitting plate is installed in the first housing corresponding to the first region using sealant, so that the first light-transmitting plate covers the through hole on the top cover.

[0043] The second housing is manufactured by stamping. The second housing includes a first part and a second part. A second light-transmitting plate is installed at one end of the second housing corresponding to the first part using sealant. A dielectric film is covered on the inner wall of the second housing corresponding to the second part, and a hydrophobic film is covered on the dielectric film.

[0044] A U-shaped sealing ring is assembled on the outside of the nested structure formed by the second shell extending outward from the second part. Conductive liquid and insulating liquid forming the interface are injected into the cylindrical space and the frustum-shaped space inside the second shell, so that the conductive liquid is away from the second light-transmitting plate and the insulating liquid is close to the second light-transmitting plate.

[0045] The first housing is placed on top of the second housing, and the first housing is shrunk using a shrunk mold. After shrunk, the first housing in the second region forms an annular groove. The nested structure is inserted into the annular groove to obtain a liquid lens.

[0046] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0047] In this invention, by reducing the thickness of the top cover of the first electrode and using a flexible top cover, the deformation capability of the first electrode is enhanced. While meeting the requirements for large-aperture light transmission, the thickness of the liquid lens is greatly reduced, solving the reliability problem caused by the thermal expansion and contraction of the optical liquid inside the liquid lens. This significantly reduces the manufacturing difficulty and cost of the liquid lens, while improving the manufacturing precision and consistency. The second electrode structure of the liquid lens is simple, eliminating redundant structures and reducing the weight of the liquid lens. The overall structure of the liquid lens is simple, with low manufacturing cost, excellent sealing effect, high stability and reliability, and excellent imaging quality. Attached Figure Description

[0048] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a liquid lens in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 2 This is a front view of a liquid lens in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 3 This is a first side view of a liquid lens in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 4 This is a second side view of a liquid lens in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the first electrode in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the second electrode in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Wherein, 1-first shell; 2-top cover; 3-through hole; 4-first light-transmitting plate; 5-first region; 6-second region; 7-annular groove; 8-second shell; 9-second light-transmitting plate; 10-first part; 11-second part; 12-cylindrical space; 13-frustum-shaped space; 14-nested structure; 15-dielectric film; 16-hydrophobic film; 17-annular U-shaped sealing ring; 18-conductive liquid; 19-insulating liquid. Detailed Implementation

[0055] It should be understood that in the description of this invention, the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0056] It should be noted that, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0057] The technical solution of the present invention will be further illustrated below through specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments described are merely illustrative of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way.

[0058] In one specific embodiment, the present invention provides a liquid lens, such as... Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the liquid lens includes a first electrode, which includes a first housing 1 and a top cover 2 disposed on one end of the first housing 1. The top cover 2 is elastic and its thickness is less than that of the first housing 1. A through hole 3 is provided on the top cover 2, and a first light-transmitting plate 4 corresponding to the position of the through hole 3 is provided inside the first housing 1.

[0059] The liquid lens also includes a second electrode, one end of which is nested inside the first housing 1. A receiving space is formed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an optical liquid is disposed in the receiving space.

[0060] In this invention, by reducing the thickness of the top cover 2 of the first electrode and using an elastic top cover 2, the deformation capability of the first electrode is enhanced. While meeting the requirements for large-aperture light transmission, the thickness of the liquid lens is greatly reduced, solving the reliability problem caused by the thermal expansion and contraction of the optical liquid inside the liquid lens. This significantly reduces the manufacturing difficulty and cost of the liquid lens, while improving the manufacturing precision and consistency of the liquid lens. The second electrode structure of the liquid lens is simple, eliminating redundant structures and reducing the weight of the liquid lens. The overall structure of the liquid lens is simple, with low manufacturing cost, excellent sealing effect, high stability and reliability, and excellent imaging quality.

[0061] In this invention, the materials of the first electrode and the second electrode are independently selected from any one of iron, iron alloy, copper, copper alloy, zinc, zinc alloy, copper-zinc alloy, chromium, chromium alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy.

[0062] In this invention, the material of the first light-transmitting plate 4 includes glass and / or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) plate.

[0063] Furthermore, the first housing 1 includes a first region 5 and a second region 6, with the first housing 1 corresponding to the first region 5 surrounding the first light-transmitting plate 4, as shown below. Figure 5 As shown, the first housing 1 corresponding to the second region 6 forms an annular groove 7, and the second electrode is nested in the annular groove 7.

[0064] Furthermore, the first shell 1 corresponding to the first region 5 is elastic and its thickness is less than that of the first shell 1 corresponding to the second region 6.

[0065] In this invention, the first shell 1 corresponding to the first region 5 is elastic and its thickness is less than that of the first shell 1 corresponding to the second region 6, which also enhances the deformation capability of the first electrode.

[0066] Furthermore, the second electrode includes a second housing 8, and a second light-transmitting plate 9 is provided on one end of the second housing 8 away from the first light-transmitting plate 4.

[0067] In this invention, the material of the second light-transmitting plate 9 includes glass and / or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) plate.

[0068] Furthermore, the second housing 8 includes a first part 10 and a second part 11. The interior of the second housing 8 corresponding to the first part 10 forms a cylindrical space 12, and the interior of the second housing 8 corresponding to the second part 11 forms a frustum-shaped space 13. The top surface of the frustum-shaped space 13 coincides with the top surface of the cylindrical space 12.

[0069] Furthermore, the second shell 8 corresponding to the second part 11 extends outward from the end away from the first part 10 to form a nested structure 14, which is inserted into the annular groove 7.

[0070] Furthermore, such as Figure 6 As shown, the inner wall of the second housing 8 corresponding to the second part 11 is covered with a dielectric film 15, and the dielectric film 15 is covered with a hydrophobic film 16.

[0071] The dielectric film 15 of the present invention is used to prevent the second electrode from being electrically broken down, and the hydrophobic film 16 is used to control the contact angle between the interface between the conductive liquids 18 and the second housing 8.

[0072] In this invention, the dielectric film 15 and the hydrophobic film 16 can be made of the same material or different materials. When the dielectric film 15 and the hydrophobic film 16 are made of the same material, the materials of the dielectric film 15 and the hydrophobic film 16 need to have both dielectric and hydrophobic properties.

[0073] The dielectric film 15 of the present invention is made of any one or a combination of at least two of parylene, tantalum pentoxide, alumina or silicon nitride.

[0074] In this invention, the hydrophobic membrane 16 is made of fluoride, including Cytop and / or AF1600.

[0075] In this invention, a metal oxide layer can be applied to the inner wall of the second housing 8 to enhance the adhesion between the hydrophobic film 16 and the inner wall of the second housing 8, and it can also serve as an insulator and improve the breakdown voltage of the liquid lens.

[0076] The metal oxide layer in this invention is made of Al2O3 and / or Ta2O5, and the method for depositing the metal oxide layer on the inner wall of the second housing 8 includes physical vapor deposition and / or vacuum magnetron sputtering deposition.

[0077] Furthermore, an annular U-shaped sealing ring 17 is provided between the nested structure 14 and the annular groove 7.

[0078] The material of the annular U-shaped sealing ring 17 in this invention includes any one or a combination of at least two of polytetrafluoroethylene, poly(p-xylene), or perfluorocyclic polymers.

[0079] The annular U-shaped sealing ring 17 in this invention can improve the sealing performance between the nested structure 14 and the annular groove 7, thereby ensuring the sealing reliability between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0080] Furthermore, the optical liquid includes a conductive liquid 18 and an insulating liquid 19 forming an interface, with the conductive liquid 18 facing the first light-transmitting plate 4 and the insulating liquid 19 facing the second light-transmitting plate 9.

[0081] In this invention, the conductive liquid 18 includes any one or a combination of at least two of water, alcohol, or salt solutions.

[0082] In this invention, the insulating liquid 19 includes an organic solvent, which includes silicone oil and / or chlorobenzene.

[0083] Furthermore, a sealing layer is provided between the first light-transmitting plate 4 and the top cover 2.

[0084] Furthermore, a sealant layer is provided between the second light-transmitting plate 9 and one end of the second housing 8 corresponding to the first part 10.

[0085] Furthermore, both the first electrode and the second electrode are stamped parts.

[0086] Example 1

[0087] This embodiment provides a liquid lens, such as Figures 1-6 As shown, the liquid lens includes a first electrode, which is a stamped part. The first electrode includes a first housing 1 and a top cover 2 covering one end of the first housing 1. The top cover 2 is elastic and its thickness is less than that of the first housing 1. A through hole 3 is provided on the top cover 2. A first light-transmitting plate 4 corresponding to the position of the through hole 3 is provided inside the first housing 1. A sealant layer is provided between the first light-transmitting plate 4 and the top cover 2.

[0088] The first housing 1 includes a first region 5 and a second region 6. The first housing 1 corresponding to the first region 5 is elastic and its thickness is less than that of the first housing 1 corresponding to the second region 6. The first housing 1 corresponding to the first region 5 is arranged around the first light-transmitting plate 4. The first housing 1 corresponding to the second region 6 forms an annular groove 7.

[0089] The liquid lens further includes a second electrode, which is a stamped part. The second electrode includes a second housing 8, and a second light-transmitting plate 9 is covered at the end of the second housing 8 away from the first light-transmitting plate 4. The second housing 8 includes a first part 10 and a second part 11. A cylindrical space 12 is formed inside the second housing 8 corresponding to the first part 10, and a frustum-shaped space 13 is formed inside the second housing 8 corresponding to the second part 11. The top surface of the frustum-shaped space 13 coincides with the top surface of the cylindrical space 12. A sealing layer is provided between the second light-transmitting plate 9 and one end of the second housing 8 corresponding to the first part 10. A dielectric film 15 is covered on the inner wall of the second housing 8 corresponding to the second part 11, and a hydrophobic film 16 is covered on the dielectric film 15. The end of the second housing 8 corresponding to the second part 11 away from the first part 10 extends outward to form a nested structure 14. The nested structure 14 is inserted into the annular groove 7, and an annular U-shaped sealing ring 17 is provided between the nested structure 14 and the annular groove 7.

[0090] A receiving space is formed between the first electrode and the second electrode. A conductive liquid 18 and an insulating liquid 19 forming an interface are disposed in the receiving space. The conductive liquid 18 faces the first light-transmitting plate 4, and the insulating liquid 19 faces the second light-transmitting plate 9.

[0091] Example 2

[0092] This embodiment provides a method for fabricating the liquid lens as described in Embodiment 1, such as... Figures 1-6 As shown, the manufacturing method includes:

[0093] The first housing 1 and the top cover 2 with a through hole 3 are manufactured by stamping. The first housing 1 includes a first region 5 and a second region 6. A first light-transmitting plate 4 is installed in the first housing 1 corresponding to the first region 5 using sealant, so that the first light-transmitting plate 4 covers the through hole 3 on the top cover 2.

[0094] The second housing 8 is manufactured by stamping. The second housing 8 includes a first part 10 and a second part 11. A second light-transmitting plate 9 is installed at one end of the second housing 8 corresponding to the first part 10 using sealant. A dielectric film 15 is covered on the inner wall of the second housing 8 corresponding to the second part 11. A hydrophobic film 16 is covered on the dielectric film 15.

[0095] A U-shaped sealing ring 17 is assembled on the outside of the nested structure 14 formed by the second shell 8 extending outward from the second part 11. Conductive liquid 18 and insulating liquid 19 forming an interface are injected into the cylindrical space 12 and frustum-shaped space 13 inside the second shell 8, so that the conductive liquid 18 is away from the second light-transmitting plate 9 and the insulating liquid 19 is close to the second light-transmitting plate 9.

[0096] The first housing 1 is placed on the second housing 8, and the first housing 1 is narrowed using a narrowing mold. After narrowing, the first housing 1 in the second region 6 forms an annular groove 7. The nested structure 14 is inserted into the annular groove 7 to obtain a liquid lens.

[0097] The above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art should understand that any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention fall within the protection and disclosure scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A liquid lens, characterized by, The liquid lens includes a first electrode, which includes a first housing and a top cover disposed at one end of the first housing. The top cover is elastic and its thickness is less than that of the first housing. The top cover is provided with a through hole, and a first light-transmitting plate corresponding to the position of the through hole is disposed inside the first housing. The liquid lens further includes a second electrode, one end of which is nested inside the first housing. A receiving space is formed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an optical liquid is disposed in the receiving space. The second electrode includes a second housing, and the end of the second housing away from the first light-transmitting plate is covered with a second light-transmitting plate; The second shell includes a first part and a second part. The interior of the second shell corresponding to the first part forms a cylindrical space, and the interior of the second shell corresponding to the second part forms a frustum-shaped space. The top surface of the frustum-shaped space coincides with the top surface of the cylindrical space. The first housing includes a first region and a second region. The first housing corresponding to the first region is disposed around the first light-transmitting plate. The first housing corresponding to the second region forms an annular groove, and the second electrode is nested in the annular groove. The first shell corresponding to the first region is elastic and its thickness is less than that of the first shell corresponding to the second region.

2. The liquid lens of claim 1, wherein, The second shell corresponding to the second part extends outward from the end away from the first part to form a nested structure, which is inserted into the annular groove.

3. The liquid lens according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the second housing corresponding to the second part is covered with a dielectric film, and the dielectric film is covered with a hydrophobic film.

4. The liquid lens according to claim 2, characterized in that, An annular U-shaped sealing ring is provided between the nested structure and the annular groove.

5. The liquid lens according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical liquid includes a conductive liquid and an insulating liquid forming an interface, with the conductive liquid facing the first light-transmitting plate and the insulating liquid facing the second light-transmitting plate.

6. The liquid lens according to claim 1, characterized in that, A sealing layer is provided between the first light-transmitting plate and the top cover.

7. The liquid lens according to claim 1, characterized in that, A sealant layer is provided between the second light-transmitting plate and one end of the second housing corresponding to the first part.

8. The liquid lens according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, Both the first electrode and the second electrode are stamped parts.

9. A method for manufacturing a liquid lens as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The manufacturing method includes: The first light-transmitting plate is installed inside the first housing and the top cover with a through hole is disposed on one end of the first housing by integral molding. The first light-transmitting plate covers the through hole on the top cover. The second electrode is manufactured by integral molding, and one end of the second electrode is nested inside the first housing, forming a receiving space between the first electrode and the second electrode. An optical liquid is injected into the containment space to obtain a liquid lens.

10. The manufacturing method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The manufacturing method includes: The first housing and a top cover with a through hole are manufactured by stamping. The first housing includes a first region and a second region. A first light-transmitting plate is installed in the first housing corresponding to the first region using sealant, so that the first light-transmitting plate covers the through hole on the top cover. The second housing is manufactured by stamping. The second housing includes a first part and a second part. A second light-transmitting plate is installed at one end of the second housing corresponding to the first part using sealant. A dielectric film is covered on the inner wall of the second housing corresponding to the second part, and a hydrophobic film is covered on the dielectric film. A U-shaped sealing ring is assembled on the outside of the nested structure formed by the second shell extending outward from the second part. Conductive liquid and insulating liquid forming the interface are injected into the cylindrical space and the frustum-shaped space inside the second shell, so that the conductive liquid is away from the second light-transmitting plate and the insulating liquid is close to the second light-transmitting plate. The first housing is placed on top of the second housing, and the first housing is shrunk using a shrunk mold. After shrunk, the first housing in the second region forms an annular groove. The nested structure is inserted into the annular groove to obtain a liquid lens.

Images