Lens module and electronic device

Abstract

The application provides a lens module and an electronic device. The lens module comprises a circuit board, a photosensitive chip, a base and a lens assembly. The photosensitive chip is arranged on the circuit board. The base is arranged on the circuit board and has a receiving cavity. The photosensitive chip is received in the receiving cavity. The lens assembly comprises a lens barrel, a first lens and a second lens. The lens barrel is arranged on the base and has a central axis. The first lens is arranged in the lens barrel. The second lens is arranged in the lens barrel and located between the first lens and the base. The second lens comprises a liquid lens and an electrical connector. The liquid lens comprises a non-soluble conductive liquid and an insulating liquid. The conductive liquid and the insulating liquid have an interface. The electrical connector comprises a first electrode and a second electrode which are oppositely arranged along the central axis. One end of each of the first electrode and the second electrode is located in the conductive liquid. The electrical connector is used to apply a voltage to change the curvature of the interface and adjust the focal length of the lens module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of lens technology, and more particularly to a lens module and electronic device. Background Technology

[0002] A lens module typically contains multiple lenses, each with a fixed shape and focal plane position. Therefore, the relative positions of the lenses can only be changed through mechanical movement to alter the focal length of the lens module, thereby capturing images at different working distances. For example, a voice coil motor can be installed in the lens module to drive the lenses or lens groups within the lens to move along the optical axis, thus changing the distance between the lenses or between the lenses and the focal plane.

[0003] However, due to the need for focusing, the overall size of the lens module is relatively large. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, this application provides a lens module to solve the above problems.

[0005] In addition, it is necessary to provide an electronic device having the lens module.

[0006] This application provides a lens module, which includes a circuit board, a photosensitive chip, a base, and a lens assembly. The photosensitive chip is disposed on the circuit board; the base is disposed on the circuit board and has a receiving cavity in which the photosensitive chip is housed.

[0007] The lens assembly includes a lens barrel, a first lens, and a second lens. The lens barrel is disposed on the base and has a central axis. The first lens is disposed within the lens barrel. The second lens is disposed within the lens barrel and located between the first lens and the base. The second lens includes a liquid lens and an electrical connector. The liquid lens includes immiscible conductive liquid and insulating liquid, with an interface between the conductive liquid and the insulating liquid. The electrical connector includes a first electrode and a second electrode disposed opposite to each other along the central axis, wherein one end of each of the first electrode and the second electrode is located within the conductive liquid, for applying a voltage to the electrical connector, thereby changing the curvature of the interface to adjust the focal length of the lens module.

[0008] In some embodiments, the surfaces of the first electrode and the second electrode that are close to each other are insulating layers.

[0009] In some embodiments, the lens module further includes a carrier, the carrier including a transparent bottom wall, a side wall extending from the bottom wall toward the first lens, and a top wall surrounding the side wall and away from the bottom wall, the bottom wall, the side wall and the top wall forming a receiving groove for accommodating the liquid lens.

[0010] In some embodiments, both the first electrode and the second electrode are located between the top wall and the bottom wall.

[0011] In some embodiments, both the first electrode and the second electrode are annular structures with notches.

[0012] In some embodiments, the liquid lens further includes a resilient transparent sealant, the conductive liquid includes one of saline solution or sodium sulfate, and the insulating liquid includes one of silicone oil or alcohol.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first electrode and the second electrode are fixed to the inner wall of the sealing body.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first lens includes a plurality of lenses, and a spacer ring is provided between the plurality of lenses.

[0015] In some embodiments, an adhesive layer is further provided between the base and the circuit board.

[0016] This application also provides an electronic device, which includes the aforementioned lens module.

[0017] In this application, the second lens includes a liquid lens. By applying voltage to the liquid lens, the curvature of the interface can be adjusted, thereby changing the focal length of the lens assembly. Therefore, the focusing process in this application does not require a mechanical drive structure. Compared with the focusing method of driving the lens with a voice coil motor, the overall volume of the lens module is reduced and the focusing speed is improved. At the same time, in this application, the liquid lens is disposed between the first lens and the base. This arrangement protects the liquid lens and prevents it from being scratched when the lens module is dropped, as it is located at the end of the lens barrel away from the base. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a lens module provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0019] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a structural schematic of the connection between the carrier and the liquid lens in a lens module in one embodiment.

[0020] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the state of the liquid lens when no voltage is applied to the lens module in one embodiment.

[0021] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the state of the liquid lens when a voltage is applied to the lens module in one embodiment.

[0022] Figure 5 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the state of the liquid lens when a reverse voltage is applied to the lens module in one embodiment.

[0023] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of the electronic device for the application lens module provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0024] Explanation of main component symbols

[0025] Lens Module 100

[0026] Circuit Board 10

[0027] Image sensor 11

[0028] Base 20

[0029] Receiving cavity 21

[0030] Adhesive layer 22

[0031] Lens assembly 30

[0032] Lens tube 31

[0033] Central axis 311

[0034] 312 convex edge

[0035] First shot 32

[0036] Lens 321

[0037] Spacer ring 322

[0038] Second shot 33

[0039] Electrical connector 331

[0040] First electrode 3311

[0041] Second electrode 3312

[0042] Insulation layer 3313

[0043] Power Supply Department 332

[0044] Controller 3321

[0045] Power Supply 3322

[0046] Liquid Lens 333

[0047] Sealing body 3331

[0048] Conductive liquid 3332

[0049] Insulating liquid 3333

[0050] Interface 3334

[0051] Bearing component 334

[0052] Bottom wall 3341

[0053] Side wall 3342

[0054] Top wall 3343

[0055] Container 3344

[0056] Filter 40

[0057] Electronic devices 200

[0058] Casing 210

[0059] The following detailed implementation methods will be combined with the above appendix. Figure 1-6 Further explanation of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0060] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0061] It should be noted that when a component is said to be "fixed to" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may be an intervening component. When a component is said to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intervening component. When a component is said to be "set on" another component, it can be directly set on the other component or there may be an intervening component.

[0062] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application.

[0063] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by this application in achieving its intended purpose, the following detailed description of this application is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0064] Please see Figure 1This application provides a lens module 100, which includes a circuit board 10, a photosensitive chip 11, a base 20, a lens assembly 30, and a filter 40. The photosensitive chip 11 and the base 20 are both disposed on the circuit board 10. The base 20 has a receiving cavity 21, in which the photosensitive chip 11 is housed. The lens assembly 30 is disposed on the base 20.

[0065] In some embodiments, an adhesive layer 22 is provided between the base 20 and the circuit board 10 to fix the base 20 to the circuit board 10.

[0066] See Figure 1 The lens assembly 30 includes a lens barrel 31, a first lens 32, and a second lens 33. The lens barrel 31 is mounted on a base 20 and has a central axis 311. In some embodiments, the lens barrel 31 can be threadedly connected to the base 20. The inner wall of the lens barrel 31 extends toward the central axis 311 to form a flange 312, and a filter 40 is disposed on the flange 312. The first lens 32 and the second lens 33 are spaced apart within the lens barrel 31. The first lens 32 is located at the end of the lens barrel 31 away from the base 20. The first lens 32 includes a plurality of lens elements 321, which can be spherical or aspherical lenses, and the number of lens elements 321 can be determined according to actual needs. The lens elements 321 can be fixed to the inner wall of the lens barrel 31 by bonding or by threading, and the connection method of the lens elements 321 within the lens barrel 31 is not limited.

[0067] In some embodiments, a spacer ring 322 is provided between adjacent lenses 321, and the central axis 311 of the spacer ring 322 is coaxial with the central axis 311 of the lens barrel 31. The spacer ring 322 is provided to space the multiple lenses 321 and control the amount of light flux.

[0068] See Figure 1 and Figure 2A second lens 33 is spaced between the filter 40 and the first lens 32. The second lens 33 includes a liquid lens 333, a carrier 334, and an electrical connector 331. The carrier 334 has a bottom wall 3341, side walls 3342 extending from the bottom wall 3341 toward the first lens 32, and a top wall 3343 surrounding the side walls 3342 and away from the bottom wall 3341. The bottom wall 3341, side walls 3342, and top wall 3343 form a sealed receiving groove 3344. The top wall 3343 and bottom wall 3341 are made of a transparent material, not affecting the transmission of external light. The liquid lens 333 is housed within the receiving groove 3344, and the central axis of the liquid lens 333 is collinear with the central axis 311 of the lens barrel 31. In some embodiments, both the top wall 3343 and the bottom wall 3341 are made of transparent resin or polyimide, or the entire carrier 334 is made of a transparent material. In some embodiments, the liquid lens 333 is completely housed in the receiving groove 3344 of the carrier 334.

[0069] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 The liquid lens 333 includes a sealing body 3331 and a conductive liquid 3332 and an insulating liquid 3333 disposed within the sealing body 3331. The conductive liquid 3332 and the insulating liquid 3333 are immiscible and have different refractive indices. In some embodiments, the conductive liquid 3332 is either salt water or sodium sulfate, and the insulating liquid 3333 includes either silicone oil or an alcohol, wherein the insulating liquid 3333 is located on top of the conductive liquid 3332. The sealing body 3331 is made of an elastic material. In some embodiments, the sealing body 3331 can be a polycarbonate film or a polyimide film with high light transmittance.

[0070] See Figure 1 and Figure 2The electrical connector 331 includes a first electrode 3311, a second electrode 3312 disposed opposite to each other along the central axis 311, and a power supply section 332 disposed on the circuit board 10. One end of each of the first electrode 3311 and the second electrode 3312 is in contact with the conductive liquid 3332 in the liquid lens 333. The other ends of each electrode extend out of the liquid lens 333 and are connected to a wire (not shown). The wire passes through the sidewall 3342 corresponding to the support member 334 and extends along the inner wall of the lens barrel 31 (e.g., a groove) to the circuit board 10, communicating with the power supply section 332 on the circuit board 10. The first electrode 3311 and the second electrode 3312 are located between the top wall 3343 and the bottom wall 3341. In some embodiments, the power supply section 332 includes a controller 3321 and a power source 3322. The controller 3321 controls the power source 3322 to provide voltage to the first electrode 3311 and the second electrode 3312. The controller 3321 is housed within the receiving cavity 21 of the base 20. The power supply 3322 can be located outside the base 20 or share other power supplies on the circuit board 10. This arrangement, compared to placing the liquid lens 333 at the end of the lens barrel 31 away from the base 20, reduces the volume occupied by a separate power supply 3322 within the lens barrel 31. Furthermore, the proximity of the liquid lens 333 to the circuit board 10 further reduces the length of the wiring. Moreover, since the liquid lens 333 is positioned between the first lens 32 and the filter 40, the first lens 32 can also prevent damage to the liquid lens 333 in the event of a drop, further protecting it and preventing scratches on the surface of the sealing body 3331 during use when the liquid lens 333 is near the end of the lens barrel 31 away from the base 20. In some embodiments, the base 20 and the second lens 33 are integrally formed, and the first lens 32 is fixed to the second lens 33 by means of threads or adhesives, etc., which can adjust various structures of the first lens 32 on the second lens 33 as needed, making it highly practical.

[0071] See Figure 1 and Figure 2In some embodiments, an AC / DC converter is also connected to the power supply 3322, which can change the voltage value provided by the power supply 3322 to the first electrode 3311 and the second electrode 3312. When the power supply 3322 applies a voltage to the liquid lens 333, under the action of the electric field, ions in the conductive liquid 3332 move towards the corresponding first electrode 3311 or second electrode 3312, causing changes in the charge on the two opposing surfaces of the liquid lens 333. This changes the surface tension required to reach a stable state between the conductive liquid 3332 and the insulating liquid 3333 in the liquid lens 333, and between the conductive liquid 3332 and the insulating liquid 3333 and the inner wall of the liquid lens 333. This changes the curvature of the interface 3334 between the conductive liquid 3332 and the insulating liquid 3333, thereby changing the curvature of the lens assembly 30.

[0072] See Figure 2 and Figure 3 When no voltage is applied between the first electrode 3311 and the second electrode 3312, since the conductive liquid 3332 and the insulating liquid 3333 are incompatible, the interface 3334 between the conductive liquid 3332 and the insulating liquid 3333 naturally forms a film under the surface tension of the interaction. At this time, the focal length of the interface 3334 is fixed.

[0073] See Figure 2 and Figure 4 When a voltage is applied to the first electrode 3311 and the second electrode 3312, the first electrode 3311 is connected to the positive terminal of the power supply 3322. More anions from the conductive liquid 3332 are adsorbed on the first electrode 3311, which causes the conductive liquid 3332 and the first electrode 3311 to generate an attractive electrostatic force. Under the action of the electrostatic force, the shape of the interface 3334 is adjusted, and the interface 3334 is concave towards the filter 40, changing the curvature of the interface 3334.

[0074] See Figure 2 and Figure 5 Conversely, when a reverse voltage is applied between the first electrode 3311 and the second electrode 3312, the first electrode 3311 is connected to the negative terminal of the power supply 3322. By adjusting the voltage between the first electrode 3311 and the second electrode 3312, the interface 3334 bulges outward in a direction away from the filter 40, thereby changing the curvature of the interface 3334 and thus adjusting the focal length of the lens assembly 30.

[0075] See Figure 2 The surfaces of the first electrode 3311 and the second electrode 3312 that are close to each other are an insulating layer 3313, which is coated on the first electrode 3311 and the second electrode 3312 to prevent the first electrode 3311 and the second electrode 3312 from coming into contact and causing a short circuit.

[0076] See Figure 2 In some embodiments, the first electrode 3311 and the second electrode 3312 are both rings with a notch, which is configured so that more ions in the conductive liquid 3332 are adsorbed on the first electrode 3311 or the second electrode 3312.

[0077] See Figure 2 In some embodiments, the first electrode 3311 and the second electrode 3312 are both fixed to the inner wall 3342 of the sealing body 3331 of the liquid lens 333, so that the interface 3334 in the liquid lens 333 deforms as much as possible along the direction of the central axis 311.

[0078] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some embodiments, in the direction of the central axis 311, the first electrode 3311 and the second electrode 3312 completely abut against the top wall 3343 and the bottom wall 3341 to prevent the liquid lens 333 from deforming in the direction toward the side wall 3342.

[0079] In some embodiments, the sidewall 3342 of the support member 334 is fixed to the inner wall of the lens barrel 31 by means of threads or adhesive, or the inner wall of the lens barrel 31 extends toward the central axis 311 to form a boss (not shown) to support and fix the support member 334.

[0080] See Figure 6 This application also provides an electronic device 200, which includes a lens module 100 and a housing 210, with the lens module 100 disposed in the housing 210. The lens module 100 can be applied to various electronic devices 200 with camera modules, such as mobile phones, wearable devices, vehicles, cameras, or monitoring devices. The lens module 100 can be applied to dual / multi-camera modules such as those used in vehicles, security systems, tablets, transmitters, or 3D sensing. In this embodiment, the lens module 100 is applied to a mobile phone.

[0081] In this application, the second lens 33 includes a liquid lens 333. By applying voltage to the liquid lens 333, the curvature of the interface 3334 can be adjusted, thereby changing the focal length of the lens module 100. Therefore, the focusing process in this application does not require a mechanical drive structure. Compared with the focusing method of driving the lens with a voice coil motor, the overall volume of the lens module 100 is reduced and the focusing speed is improved. At the same time, in this application, the liquid lens 333 is disposed between the first lens 32 and the base 20. This arrangement protects the liquid lens 333 and prevents it from being scratched when the lens module 100 is dropped, as the liquid lens 333 is located at the end of the lens barrel 31 away from the base 20.

[0082] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application and are not intended to limit it. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of this application.

Claims

1. A lens module, characterized in that, include: Circuit board; The photosensitive chip is mounted on the circuit board; A base is disposed on the circuit board, the base having a receiving cavity, and the photosensitive chip is housed in the receiving cavity; Lens assembly, including: A lens barrel is disposed on the base, and the lens barrel has a central axis; The first lens is installed inside the lens barrel; A second lens is disposed within the lens barrel and located between the first lens and the base. The second lens includes a liquid lens and an electrical connector. The liquid lens contains immiscible conductive liquid and insulating liquid, with an interface between the conductive liquid and the insulating liquid. The electrical connector includes a first electrode and a second electrode arranged opposite to each other along the central axis, wherein one end of each of the first electrode and the second electrode is located within the conductive liquid. This is used to apply a voltage to the electrical connector, thereby changing the curvature of the interface to adjust the focal length of the lens module. The liquid lens also includes a transparent, elastic seal. The carrier includes a transparent bottom wall, a side wall extending from the bottom wall toward the first lens, and a top wall surrounding the side wall and away from the bottom wall. The bottom wall, the side wall, and the top wall form a receiving groove for accommodating the liquid lens. In the direction of the central axis, the first electrode and the second electrode completely abut against the top wall and the bottom wall.

2. The lens module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The surfaces of the first electrode and the second electrode that are close to each other are insulating layers.

3. The lens module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first electrode and the second electrode are located between the top wall and the bottom wall.

4. The lens module as described in claim 3, characterized in that, Both the first electrode and the second electrode are ring structures with notches.

5. The lens module as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The conductive liquid includes either salt water or sodium sulfate, and the insulating liquid includes either silicone oil or an alcohol.

6. The lens module as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The first electrode and the second electrode are fixed to the inner wall of the sealing body.

7. The lens module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first lens includes multiple lenses, and spacers are provided between the multiple lenses.

8. The lens module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, An adhesive layer is also provided between the base and the circuit board.

9. An electronic device, characterized in that, Includes the lens module as described in any one of claims 1-8.

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