Camera modules and electronic devices

Abstract

The present invention provides a camera module and an electronic device. The camera module includes a base, a camera, a slider, a spring, a limit rod and a shielding member. The base includes a first through hole. The camera is arranged on one side of the base and has a lens aligned with the first through hole. The slider is slidably arranged on the other side of the base and includes a guide groove. The guide groove has a positioning notch. The two ends of the spring are respectively connected to the base and the slider. The first end of the limit rod is pivotally connected to the base, and the second end of the limit rod is slidably arranged in the guide groove. The shielding member is slidably arranged on the other side of the base and abuts against the slider. The shielding member is suitable for being located at a first position or a second position to cover or expose the lens. When the shielding member is subjected to an external force to move from the second position to the first position, the shielding member drives the slider to move, causing the spring to stretch and the second end of the limit rod to slide to the positioning notch, so that the shielding member is positioned on the base and covers the lens, thereby achieving the effect of shielding the lens to protect privacy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a camera module and an electronic device, and more particularly to a camera module with a covering function and an electronic device with the camera module. Background Art

[0002] Laptops, tablets and smartphones have been developed to date, and have built-in microphones to provide sound reception and built-in cameras to provide image capture, so they can meet terminal needs such as office and teaching. Users can use laptops, tablets and smartphones for video conferencing or remote teaching interactions. Therefore, how to improve the privacy protection of these electronic devices is an important issue that needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present disclosure aims to provide a camera module and an electronic device to solve at least one of the above problems.

[0004] A camera module disclosed in the present invention comprises a base, a camera, a slider, a spring, a limit rod and a shielding member. The base comprises a first through hole and a first side and a second side opposite thereto. The camera is arranged on the first side of the base, and the camera has a lens aligned with the first through hole. The slider is slidably arranged on the second side of the base, and the slider comprises a guide groove. The guide groove has a positioning notch. The spring is located on the second side of the base. The two ends of the spring are respectively connected to the base and the slider. The limit rod is located on the second side of the base. The first end of the limit rod is pivotally connected to the base, and the second end of the limit rod is slidably arranged in the guide groove. The shielding member is slidably arranged on the second side of the base and abuts against the slider. The shielding member is suitable for being located at a first position or a second position to cover or expose the lens. When the shielding member is subjected to an external force to move from the second position to the first position, the shielding member drives the slider to move, causing the spring to stretch and the second end of the limit rod to slide to the positioning notch, so that the shielding member is positioned on the base and covers the lens.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the shielding member includes a second through-hole, and the lens is exposed through the second through-hole when the shielding member is located at the second position.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a cover plate is further included, the cover plate includes an opening and a transparent area or a window area corresponding to the lens, and the shielding member includes an operating portion, which is located at the opening.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the guide groove has a first path and a second path, the starting point of the first path is connected to the end point of the second path, and the starting point of the second path is connected to the end point of the first path, the height of the starting point of the first path is lower than the height of the end point of the first path and the end point of the second path, and the height of the starting point of the second path is lower than the height of the end point of the second path and the end point of the first path, the first path is suitable for sliding the slider to the second position, and the second path is suitable for moving the slider to the first position.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the guide groove has a first slope and a second slope, the starting point of the first path is located at the bottom point of the first slope, the end point of the first path is located at the high point of the first slope, the starting point of the second path is located at the bottom point of the second slope, and the end point of the second path is located at the high point of the second slope.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the guide groove has a first retaining wall and a second retaining wall, the first retaining wall is located between the starting point of the first path and the end point of the second path, and the second retaining wall is located between the starting point of the second path and the end point of the first path.

[0010] An electronic device disclosed in the present invention includes a body and a camera module. The camera module is arranged on the body and includes a base, a camera, a slider, a spring, a limit rod and a shielding member. The base includes a first through hole and a first side and a second side opposite to each other. The camera is arranged on the first side of the base and the camera has a lens. The lens is aligned with the first through hole. The slider is slidably arranged on the second side of the base and includes a guide groove. The guide groove has a positioning notch. The spring is located on the second side of the base and has two ends respectively connected to the base and the slider. The limit rod is located on the second side of the base and includes a first end and a second end opposite to each other. The first end is pivotally connected to the base. The second end is slidably arranged in the guide groove. The shielding member is slidably arranged on the second side of the base and abuts against the slider, and the shielding member is suitable for being located at a first position or a second position to cover or expose the lens. When the shielding member is subjected to external force to move from the second position to the first position, the shielding member drives the slider to move, causing the spring to stretch and the second end of the limiting rod to slide to the positioning notch, so that the shielding member is positioned on the base and covers the lens.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the shielding member has a second through-hole, and the lens is exposed through the second through-hole when the shielding member is located at the second position.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a cover plate is further included, the cover plate includes an opening and a transparent area or a window area corresponding to the lens, and the shielding member includes an operating portion, which is located at the opening.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the guide groove has a first path and a second path, the starting point of the first path is connected to the end point of the second path, and the starting point of the second path is connected to the end point of the first path, the height of the starting point of the first path is lower than the height of the end point of the first path and the end point of the second path, and the height of the starting point of the second path is lower than the height of the end point of the second path and the end point of the first path, the first path is suitable for sliding the slider to the second position, and the second path is suitable for sliding the slider to the first position.

[0014] Based on the above, in the camera module and electronic device disclosed in the present invention, when the shielding member is subjected to an external force to move from the second position to the first position, the shielding member drives the slider, causing the spring to stretch, thereby linking the second end of the limit rod to slide and position in the positioning recess, so that the shielding member is positioned on the base to cover the lens, thereby achieving the purpose of shielding the lens to protect privacy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a camera module.

[0017] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An exploded view of the camera module.

[0018] Figure 4 and Figure 5 yes Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the slider at different viewing angles.

[0019] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a camera module with a slider in a first position.

[0020] Figure 7 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a camera module with a slider in a second position.

[0021] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0022] 50: Electronic devices

[0023] 51: Body

[0024] 100: Camera module

[0025] 110: Base

[0026] 111a: The first passage

[0027] 111b: First side

[0028] 111c: Second side

[0029] 112: Cover

[0030] 112a: Transparent area

[0031] 112b: Opening

[0032] 113: Groove

[0033] 114: Slot

[0034] 120: Camera

[0035] 121: Lens

[0036] 130: Slider

[0037] 131: Guide groove

[0038] 131a: first inclined surface

[0039] 131b: Second inclined surface

[0040] 131c: First retaining wall

[0041] 131d: Second retaining wall

[0042] 131e: The third retaining wall

[0043] 131f: The fourth retaining wall

[0044] 131g: Positioning notch

[0045] 132: first engaging portion

[0046] 140: Spring

[0047] 150: Limit rod

[0048] 151: First End

[0049] 152: Second End

[0050] 160: Shielding

[0051] 161: The Second Guankou

[0052] 162: Operation Department

[0053] 163:convex part

[0054] 164: Second engagement portion

[0055] P1: First Path

[0056] P11: Unlock segment

[0057] P12: First climbing segment

[0058] P2: Second Path

[0059] P21: Second climbing segment

[0060] P22: Locking segment

[0061] S1: First starting point

[0062] S2: Second starting point

[0063] T1: First endpoint

[0064] T2: Second endpoint

[0065] XYZ: Cartesian coordinates DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a camera module. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Exploded view of the camera module. The rectangular coordinates XYZ are also provided for easy text description. Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 The electronic device 50 is, for example, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and a smart phone, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The electronic device 50 includes a body 51 and a camera module 100. The camera module 100 is disposed on the body 51, and the camera module 100 is, for example, located above the screen. The camera module 100 includes a base 110, a camera 120, a slider 130, a spring 140, a stop rod 150, and a shielding member 160.

[0067] The camera module 100 further includes a cover plate 112 connected to the base 110. The base 110 and the cover plate 112 can be attached to each other by dispensing glue around them.

[0068] The base 110 includes a first through hole 111a and opposite first and second sides 111b and 111c. The camera 120 is disposed on a first side 111b of the base 110, and the camera 120 has a lens 121. The lens 121 is aligned with the first through hole 111a of the base 110, so that the camera 120 can capture images through the first through hole 111a.

[0069] In one embodiment, the cover plate 112 has a transparent area 112 a corresponding to the position of the lens 121 . For example, the cover plate 112 is made of a transparent material at a local position corresponding to the lens 121 , but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0070] In one embodiment, the cover plate has a window area corresponding to the position of the lens, and the window area is a hole penetrating through two sides of the cover plate, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0071] Figure 4 and Figure 5 yes Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the slider at different viewing angles. Figure 6 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a camera module with a slider in a first position. Figure 7 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the camera module with the slider in the second position. Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 The base 110 further includes a groove 113 and a slot 114. The slider 130 is slidably disposed on the groove 113 of the base 110. The slider 130 has a guide groove 131 and a first engaging portion 132. The guide groove 131 includes a positioning notch 131g.

[0072] The spring 140 is located at the second side 111c of the base 110, and the two ends of the spring 140 are respectively connected to the base 110 and the slider 130. The spring 140 is, for example, a tension spring, and the two ends are respectively ring-shaped and are respectively sleeved on the protrusion on one side of the groove 113 of the base 110 and the positioning column on the slider 130, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0073] The limiting rod 150 is located at the second side 111c of the base 110 and includes a first end 151 and a second end 152 opposite to each other. The first end 151 is pivotally connected to the base 110 and the second end 152 is slidably disposed in the guide groove 131. Specifically, the first end 151 is inserted into a hole of the base 110 to be pivotally connected to the base 110.

[0074] The shielding member 160 is slidably disposed on the second side 111c of the base 110 and abuts against the slider 130. The shielding member 160 is suitable for being located at Figure 6 A first position shown with Figure 7 The shielding member 160 can slide back and forth between the first and second positions shown to cover or expose the first through-opening 111a, that is, the shielding member 160 can cover or expose the lens 121 by sliding back and forth. In this embodiment, the shielding member 160 includes a second through-opening 161, an operating portion 162, a convex portion 163 and a second engaging portion 164. When the shielding member 160 is located at the second position, the lens 121 is exposed through the second through-opening 161. The convex portion 163 is slidably disposed in the slot 114. The operating portion 162 is located at the opening 112b on the cover plate 112, and passes through the opening 112b to provide a user with a simple sliding operation. The second engaging portion 164 abuts against the first engaging portion 132 of the slider 130.

[0075] When the shielding member 160 is subjected to an external force to move from the second position (such as Figure 7 ) moves to the first position (as shown) Figure 6 131g), the shielding member 160 drives the slider 130, causing the spring 140 to stretch, and the second end 152 of the limiting rod 150 to slide to the positioning notch 131g, so that the shielding member 160 is positioned on the base 110 to cover the lens 121. In detail, when the operating portion 162 of the shielding member 160 is moved from the second position to the first position by an external force, the second engaging portion 164 of the shielding member 160 pushes against the first engaging portion 132 of the slider 130, causing the spring 140 to stretch, and the second end 152 of the limiting rod 150 to slide to the positioning notch 131g, so that the second through-opening 161 of the shielding member 160 is misaligned with the first through-opening 111a of the base 110, thereby covering the lens 121 of the camera 120.

[0076] When the shielding member 160 is subjected to an external force to move from the first position (such as Figure 6 ) to a second position (as shown) Figure 7 111a and the lens 121, so that the body 51 can shoot through the lens 121, which can be used for video conferencing or remote teaching interaction. In detail, when the operating portion 162 of the shielding member 160 is subjected to an external force to move from the first position to the second position, the second engaging portion 164 of the shielding member 160 is released from the first engaging portion 132 of the slider 130, and the second end 152 of the limiting rod 150 is separated from the positioning recess 131g based on the restoring force of the spring 140, so that the second through-hole 161 of the shielding member 160 is aligned with the first through-hole 111a of the base 110, thereby exposing the lens 121 of the camera 120.

[0077] When the camera module 100 needs to use cameras 120 of different sizes and specifications, it only needs to replace the shielding member 160 with a second through-hole 161 of corresponding specifications and assemble it into the camera module 100. Therefore, the modular design composed of the single base 110, slider 130, spring 140 and limit rod 150 disclosed in the present invention is compatible with cameras 120 and shielding members 160 of different specifications, which helps to reduce the time cost of product development and improve product competitiveness.

[0078] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 as well as Figure 7The guide groove 131 has a first path P1 and a second path P2. The first path P1 has a first starting point S1 and a first end point T1 at opposite ends thereof, and the second path P2 has a second starting point S2 and a second end point T2 at opposite ends thereof. The first starting point S1 of the first path P1 is connected to the second end point T2 of the second path P2, and the second starting point S2 of the second path P2 is connected to the first end point T1 of the first path P1.

[0079] In one embodiment, the guide groove 131 has a first inclined surface 131a, a second inclined surface 131b, a first retaining wall 131c, a second retaining wall 131d, a third retaining wall 131e and a fourth retaining wall 131f. The first starting point S1 of the first path P1 is located at the bottom point of the first inclined surface 131a, and the first end point T1 of the first path P1 is located at the high point of the first inclined surface 131a, that is, the height of the first starting point S1 in the Z-axis direction is lower than the height of the first end point T1 in the Z-axis direction. The second starting point S2 of the second path P2 is located at the bottom point of the second inclined surface 131b, and the second end point T2 of the second path P2 is located at the high point of the second inclined surface 131b, that is, the height of the second starting point S2 in the Z-axis direction is lower than the height of the second end point T2 in the Z-axis direction.

[0080] The first retaining wall 131c is located between the first starting point S1 of the first path P1 and the second end point T2 of the second path P2, so that the height of the first starting point S1 of the first path P1 is lower than the height of the second end point T2 of the second path P2 in the Z-axis direction. When the shielding member 160 is located at the first position, the second end 152 of the limiting rod 150 is located at the first starting point S1 of the first path P1 (i.e., the positioning notch 131g), and the first retaining wall 131c is located on the moving path of the second end 152 to prevent the second end 152 from moving into the second end point T2 of the second path P2.

[0081] The second blocking wall 131d is located between the second starting point S2 of the second path P2 and the first end point T1 of the first path P1, so that the height of the second starting point S2 of the second path P2 is lower than the height of the first end point T1 of the first path P1 in the Z-axis direction. When the shielding member 160 is located at the second position, the second end 152 of the limiting rod 150 is located at the second starting point S2 of the second path P2, and the second blocking wall 131d is located on the moving path of the second end 152 to prevent the second end 152 from moving into the first end point T1 of the first path P1.

[0082] In other words, the height of the first starting point S1 of the first path P1 is lower than the height of the first end point T1 of the first path P1 and the second end point T2 of the second path P2 in the Z-axis direction, and the height of the second starting point S2 of the second path P2 is lower than the height of the second end point T2 of the second path P2 and the first end point T1 of the first path P1 in the Z-axis direction. The first path P1 is suitable for sliding the slider 130 to the second position, and the second path P2 is suitable for sliding the slider 130 to the first position.

[0083] For the convenience of explanation, the first path P1 is further divided into an unlocking section P11 and a first climbing section P12 connected to the unlocking section P11, and the second path P2 is further divided into a second climbing section P21 and a locking section P22 connected to the second climbing section P21, wherein the first inclined surface 131a is located in the first climbing section P12, the second inclined surface 131b is located in the second climbing section P21, the first starting point S1 is located in the unlocking section P11, and the second end point T2 is located in the locking section P22. The unlocking section P11 is connected to the locking section P22, the first retaining wall 131c is located between the unlocking section P11 and the locking section P22, and the second retaining wall 131d is located between the first climbing section P12 and the second climbing section P21.

[0084] The unlocking section P11 and the locking section P22 present a “V”-shaped structure, and the second end 152 is located at the middle point of the “V”-shaped structure through the positioning notch 131g, thereby limiting the movement of the slider 130 in the X-axis direction.

[0085] The third blocking wall 131e is located between the unlocking section P11 and the first climbing section P12, so that when the second end 152 is located in the first climbing section P12, the second end 152 is blocked from moving into the unlocking section P11.

[0086] The fourth retaining wall 131f is located between the second climbing section P21 and the locking section P22, so as to prevent the second end 152 from sliding back to the second climbing section P21 after entering the locking section P22 from the second climbing section P21.

[0087] In other words, the camera module 100 and the electronic device 50 of the present disclosure use a push-push structure to enable the entire mechanism to be actuated in one direction, thereby preventing the shielding member 160 from being incompletely opened or closed, and improving the reliability of the camera module 100 and the electronic device 50 in use, thereby increasing the convenience of use for the user.

[0088] In summary, in the camera module and electronic device disclosed herein, when the shielding member is subjected to an external force to move from the second position to the first position, the shielding member drives the slider, causing the spring to stretch, and the second end of the stop rod to slide and be positioned in the positioning notch, so that the shielding member is positioned on the base to cover the lens, thereby achieving the effect of shielding the lens to protect privacy. When the shielding member is in the second position so that the second opening is aligned with the first opening and the lens, it can be used for video conferencing or remote teaching interaction.

[0089] In addition, when the camera module needs to use cameras of different sizes and specifications, it only needs to be replaced with a shielding member with a second through-hole of corresponding specifications and assembled into the camera module. Therefore, the modular design consisting of a single base, a slider, a spring and a limit rod disclosed in the present invention is compatible with cameras and shielding members of different specifications, which helps to reduce the time cost of product development and improve product competitiveness.

[0090] In addition, the camera module and the electronic device disclosed herein use a push-push structure to enable the entire mechanism to be actuated in one direction, thereby preventing the shielding member from being incompletely opened or closed, and improving the reliability of the camera module and the electronic device in use, thereby increasing the convenience of use for the user.

Claims

1. A camera module, characterized in that: include: A base including a first opening and a first side and a second side opposite to each other; A camera is disposed on the first side of the base, the camera has a lens, and the lens is aligned with the first opening; A slider is slidably disposed on the second side of the base and includes a guide groove having a positioning notch. The guide groove has a first path and a second path. The starting point of the first path is connected to the end point of the second path, and the starting point of the second path is connected to the end point of the first path. a spring, located on the second side of the base, with two ends respectively connected to the base and the slider; a limiting rod, located at the second side of the base, and comprising a first end and a second end opposite to each other, the first end being pivotally connected to the base, and the second end being slidably disposed in the guiding groove; and a shielding member, slidably disposed on the second side of the base and abutting against the slider, the shielding member being suitable for being located at a first position or a second position to cover or expose the lens, When the shielding member is subjected to an external force to move from the second position to the first position, the shielding member drives the slider to move, causing the spring to stretch and the second end of the limiting rod to slide to the positioning notch, so that the shielding member is positioned on the base and covers the lens.

2. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein: The shielding member comprises a second through opening, and the lens is exposed through the second through opening when the shielding member is located at the second position.

3. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein: The invention also comprises a cover plate, which comprises an opening and a transparent area or a window area corresponding to the lens. The shielding member comprises an operating portion, which is located at the opening.

4. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein: The height of the starting point of the first path is lower than the height of the end point of the first path and the end point of the second path, and the height of the starting point of the second path is lower than the height of the end point of the second path and the end point of the first path. The first path is suitable for the slider to slide to the second position, and the second path is suitable for the slider to move to the first position.

5. The camera module according to claim 4, wherein: The guide groove has a first slope and a second slope, the starting point of the first path is located at the bottom point of the first slope, the end point of the first path is located at the high point of the first slope, the starting point of the second path is located at the bottom point of the second slope, and the end point of the second path is located at the high point of the second slope.

6. The camera module according to claim 4, wherein: The guiding groove has a first retaining wall and a second retaining wall. The first retaining wall is located between the starting point of the first path and the end point of the second path, and the second retaining wall is located between the starting point of the second path and the end point of the first path.

7. An electronic device, characterized in that: include: One organism; A camera module, disposed on the body, comprising: A base having a first opening and comprising a first side and a second side opposite to each other; A camera is disposed on the first side of the base, the camera has a lens, and the lens is aligned with the first opening; A slider is slidably disposed on the second side of the base and includes a guide groove having a positioning notch; the guide groove has a first path and a second path, the starting point of the first path is connected to the end point of the second path, and the starting point of the second path is connected to the end point of the first path; a spring, located on the second side of the base, with two ends respectively connected to the base and the slider; a limiting rod, located at the second side of the base, and comprising a first end and a second end opposite to each other, the first end being pivotally connected to the base, and the second end being slidably disposed in the guiding groove; and a shielding member, slidably disposed on the second side of the base and abutting against the slider, the shielding member being suitable for being located at a first position or a second position to cover or expose the lens, When the shielding member is subjected to external force to move from the second position to the first position, the shielding member drives the slider to move, causing the spring to stretch and the second end of the limiting rod to slide to the positioning recess, so that the shielding member is positioned on the base and covers the lens.

8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: The shielding member has a second through opening, and the lens is exposed through the second through opening when the shielding member is located at the second position.

9. The electronic device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: The invention also comprises a cover plate, which comprises an opening and a transparent area or a window area corresponding to the lens. The shielding member comprises an operating portion, which is located at the opening.

10. The electronic device as claimed in claim 7, wherein: The height of the starting point of the first path is lower than the height of the end point of the first path and the end point of the second path, and the height of the starting point of the second path is lower than the height of the end point of the second path and the end point of the first path. The first path is suitable for the slider to slide to the second position, and the second path is suitable for the slider to slide to the first position.

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