Variable focal length lens device and camera module

Abstract

The application discloses a variable focal length lens device and a camera module, wherein the variable focal length lens device comprises a light-transmitting base, a deformable polymer, a bendable light-transmitting film and a driving unit. The polymer is supported on the light-transmitting base, the light-transmitting film is kept above the polymer, the driving unit comprises a ring-shaped driving element and a deformation element, the deformation element is above the light-transmitting film and is drivingly connected to the driving element, wherein when the driving element exerts a force on the deformation element in a horizontal direction, the deformation element can be deformed in a height direction to press the light-transmitting film towards the light-transmitting base, so that the surface shape of the polymer can be changed to realize zooming of the camera module.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to optical imaging devices, in particular to a zoom lens device and a camera module. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, with the rapid development and improvement of various functions of portable electronic devices, the camera module, as one of the important components of the portable electronic devices, has also been greatly developed in design and application. In order to meet the development trend of thin and light portable electronic devices, the industry attempts to apply the zoom lens widely used in the fields of medical treatment, industry, microscope, camera, etc. to small-sized camera modules. However, due to the complex structure and large volume of the existing zoom lens compared with the small-sized camera module arranged in the portable electronic device, it still has great challenges to apply the existing zoom lens to the small-sized camera module capable of mass production. SUMMARY

[0003] One object of the present application is to provide a zoom lens device and a camera module, wherein the zoom lens device provides a lens base, a light-transmitting film and a high polymer held between the lens base and the light-transmitting film, and the surface shape of the high polymer can be changed when the light-transmitting film is extruded, so as to change the optical power of the zoom lens device, thereby realizing zoom of the camera module.

[0004] One object of the present application is to provide a zoom lens device and a camera module, wherein the height dimension of the camera module will not be increased when the light-transmitting film is extruded to change the surface shape of the high polymer to realize zoom of the camera module, so that the portable electronic device does not need to reserve space for zoom of the camera module, thereby facilitating the development of the portable electronic device towards thin and light direction.

[0005] One object of the present application is to provide a zoom lens device and a camera module, wherein the high polymer has a greater deformation degree of freedom by reserving a clearance space for deformation of the high polymer between the light-transmitting base and the light-transmitting film, so that the camera module can zoom in a larger range, thereby improving the imaging capability of the camera module.

[0006] One object of the present application is to provide a zoom lens device and a camera module, wherein the zoom lens device provides a driving unit, and when at least one driving element of the driving unit exerts force on a deformation element in the horizontal direction, the deformation element can produce deformation in the height direction to extrude the edge of the light-transmitting film, thereby changing the surface shape of the high polymer.

[0007] One object of the present application is to provide a variable focal length lens device and a camera module, wherein the deformation element is arranged in a stacked manner in the height direction, so that when the deformation element is subjected to a pulling force in the horizontal direction, the deformation element can be deformed in the height direction to press the edge of the light-transmitting film.

[0008] One object of the present application is to provide a variable focal length lens device and a camera module, wherein when the edge of the high polymer is pressed to change the surface shape of the high polymer, the middle part of the high polymer is allowed to protrude towards the light-transmitting hole of the driving element on the inner side, so as to change the focal length of the variable focal length lens device in a larger range, thereby realizing zooming of the camera module in a larger range.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present application, the present application provides a variable focal length lens device, comprising:

[0010] a light-transmitting substrate;

[0011] a deformable high polymer, wherein the high polymer is supported on the light-transmitting substrate;

[0012] a bendable light-transmitting film, wherein the light-transmitting film is held above the high polymer; and

[0013] a driving unit, wherein the driving unit comprises a ring-shaped driving element and a deformation element, the deformation element is located above the light-transmitting film and is drivably connected to the driving element, and when the driving element applies a force to the deformation element in the horizontal direction, the deformation element can be deformed in the height direction to press the light-transmitting film towards the light-transmitting substrate.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present application, the driving element is located on the outer side of the light-transmitting film, and the outer side of the deformation element is drivably connected to the driving element; or the driving element is located in the middle part of the light-transmitting film, and the inner side of the deformation element is drivably connected to the driving element.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present application, the driving unit comprises two driving elements, which are an outer driving element and an inner driving element respectively, the outer driving element is located on the outer side of the light-transmitting film, the inner driving element is located in the middle part of the light-transmitting film, the outer side of the deformation element is drivably connected to the outer driving element, and the inner side of the deformation element is drivably connected to the inner driving element.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present application, the driving element is a piezoelectric element.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present application, the deformation element is a three-layer stacked structure.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present application, the deforming element comprises a bottom layer, a middle layer and a top layer, wherein the outer side of the bottom layer is drivably connected to the outer side driving element, the inner side of the bottom layer extends towards the direction of the inner side driving element, wherein the inner side of the top layer is drivably connected to the inner side driving element, the outer side of the bottom layer extends towards the direction of the outer side driving element, wherein the inner side of the middle layer and the inner side of the bottom layer are integrally and flexibly connected to form a first bending portion of the deforming element, the outer side of the middle layer and the outer side of the top layer are integrally and flexibly connected to form a second bending portion of the deforming element.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present application, the bottom layer of the deforming element is fixedly connected to the outer side driving element.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present application, the bottom layer of the deforming element is fixedly connected to the outer side driving element.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present application, the variable focal length lens device has a clearance space formed between the light-transmitting substrate and the light-transmitting film, and the clearance space surrounds the polymer.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present application, the variable focal length lens device further comprises a base having a through-hole shaped accommodating cavity, wherein the base is fixedly connected to the edge of the light-transmitting substrate, and the polymer is accommodated in the accommodating cavity of the base.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present application, the polymer is in a flat cylindrical shape, the cross-sectional shape of the accommodating cavity of the base is circular, and the radius size of the polymer is smaller than the radius size of the accommodating cavity of the base.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present application, the bottom surface of the light-transmitting film is fixedly connected to the top surface of the polymer.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present application, the bottom surface of the light-transmitting film is fixedly connected to the top surface of the polymer.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present application, the light-transmitting film is fixedly connected to the base, and the outer side driving element and the inner side driving element of the driving unit are respectively fixedly connected to the light-transmitting film.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present application, the outer side driving element of the driving unit is fixedly connected to the base, the inner side driving element is fixedly connected to the light-transmitting film, and the light-transmitting film is fixedly connected to the outer side driving element.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present application, the light-transmitting film further comprises a light-transmitting cover fixedly connected to the base or the light-transmitting film, wherein the outer driving element and the inner driving element of the driving unit are respectively fixedly connected to the light-transmitting cover.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present application, the present application further provides a camera module, comprising:

[0030] a light-sensing component;

[0031] a lens assembly, wherein the lens assembly is held in a light-sensing path of the light-sensing component; and

[0032] a variable focal length lens device, wherein the variable focal length lens device is held in the light-sensing path of the light-sensing component, wherein the variable focal length lens device further comprises:

[0033] a light-transmitting base;

[0034] a deformable polymer, wherein the polymer is supported on the light-transmitting base;

[0035] a bendable light-transmitting film, wherein the light-transmitting film is held above the polymer; and

[0036] a driving unit, wherein the driving unit comprises a ring-shaped driving element and a deformation element, the deformation element is located above the light-transmitting film and is drivingly connected to the driving element, wherein when the driving element exerts a force on the deformation element in a horizontal direction, the deformation element is capable of generating a deformation in a height direction to press the light-transmitting film in a direction towards the light-transmitting base.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the present application, the variable focal length lens device is attached to the light-sensing component.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the present application, the variable focal length lens device is attached to the lens assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional state of a camera module according to a preferred embodiment of the present application.

[0040] Figure 2A and Figure 2B respectively show perspective states of a variable focal length lens device of the camera module according to the above preferred embodiment of the present application from different viewing angles.

[0041] Figure 3A and Figure 3BCross-sectional states of different stages of the variable focal length lens device of the camera module according to the above preferred embodiment of the present application are shown respectively.

[0042] Figure 4 A cross-sectional state of another variable focal length lens device of the camera module according to the above preferred embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0043] Figure 5 A cross-sectional state of another variable focal length lens device of the camera module according to the above preferred embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0044] Figure 6 A cross-sectional state of another variable focal length lens device of the camera module according to the above preferred embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0045] Figure 7 A cross-sectional state of another variable focal length lens device of the camera module according to the above preferred embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0046] Figure 8 A cross-sectional state of a camera module according to another preferred embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0047] Figure 9 A cross-sectional state of a camera module according to still another preferred embodiment of the present application is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Before any embodiments of the application are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the application is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The application is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising" or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," "supported," and "coupled" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, "connected" and "coupled" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

[0049] Furthermore, firstly, in the disclosure of this invention, the terms "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. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and 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, the above terms should not be construed as limiting this invention. Secondly, the term "a" should be understood as "at least one" or "one or more," that is, in one embodiment, the number of an element can be one, while in another embodiment, the number of the element can be multiple. The term "a" should not be construed as a limitation on the quantity.

[0050] Refer to the accompanying drawings of the specification of this invention. Figures 1-3B A camera module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be disclosed and described in the following description, wherein the camera module includes a photosensitive component 10, a lens assembly 20 and a variable focal length lens device 30, wherein the lens assembly 20 and the variable focal length lens device 30 are both held in the photosensitive path of the photosensitive component 10.

[0051] Specifically, the photosensitive assembly 10 includes a circuit board 11 and a photosensitive chip 12, the photosensitive chip 12 being connected to the circuit board 11. Preferably, the photosensitive assembly 10 further includes a lens mount 13, the lens mount 13 being disposed on the circuit board 11, and the lens mount 13 at least surrounding the photosensitive area of ​​the photosensitive chip 12, such that the photosensitive area of ​​the photosensitive chip 12 corresponds to a light path 131 defined by the lens mount 13, so that incident light can reach the photosensitive chip 12 after passing through the light path 131 of the lens mount 13.

[0052] It is worth mentioning that the way the photosensitive chip 12 is connected to the circuit board 11 is not limited. For example, in the attached... Figures 1-3B In this specific example of the camera module shown, after the back of the photosensitive chip 12 is mounted on the front of the circuit board 11, a connecting wire 14 connects the pads of the photosensitive chip 12 and the pads of the circuit board 11 to achieve the connection between the photosensitive chip 12 and the circuit board 11. Optionally, when the front of the photosensitive chip 12 is mounted on the back of the circuit board 11, the pads of the photosensitive chip 12 and the pads of the circuit board 11 can be directly soldered to achieve the connection between the photosensitive chip 12 and the circuit board 11. In this case, the photosensitive area of ​​the photosensitive chip 12 corresponds to the reserved light-perforation hole of the circuit board 11.

[0053] It is worth mentioning that the mirror seat 13 is arranged on the circuit board 11 in a manner not limited. For example, in the specific example of the camera module shown in the accompanying drawings, the mirror seat 13 is integrally combined with the circuit board 11 and a part of the non-photosensitive region of the photosensitive chip 12 in the process of molding, and the mirror seat 13 forms the light channel 131 in the process of molding to allow the photosensitive region of the photosensitive chip 12 to correspond to the light channel 131. Alternatively, the mirror seat 13 is only integrally combined with the circuit board 11 in the process of molding, while the light channel 131 is formed, wherein the photosensitive chip 12 is allowed to be attached to the circuit board 11 through the light channel 131 of the mirror seat 13. Alternatively, the mirror seat 13 is a prefabricated part, which is adhered to the circuit board 11 by an adhesive such as glue after the photosensitive chip 12 is attached to the circuit board 11, and the photosensitive region of the photosensitive chip 12 corresponds to the light channel 131 of the mirror seat 13. Figures 1-3B In the specific example of the camera module shown in the accompanying drawings, the mirror seat 13 is integrally combined with the circuit board 11 and a part of the non-photosensitive region of the photosensitive chip 12 in the process of molding, and the mirror seat 13 forms the light channel 131 in the process of molding to allow the photosensitive region of the photosensitive chip 12 to correspond to the light channel 131. Alternatively, the mirror seat 13 is only integrally combined with the circuit board 11 in the process of molding, while the light channel 131 is formed, wherein the photosensitive chip 12 is allowed to be attached to the circuit board 11 through the light channel 131 of the mirror seat 13. Alternatively, the mirror seat 13 is a prefabricated part, which is adhered to the circuit board 11 by an adhesive such as glue after the photosensitive chip 12 is attached to the circuit board 11, and the photosensitive region of the photosensitive chip 12 corresponds to the light channel 131 of the mirror seat 13.

[0054] In addition, continuing to refer to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 The photosensitive assembly 10 includes at least one electronic component 15, which can be but is not limited to a resistor, a capacitor, a processor, a driver, etc., wherein the electronic component 15 is attached to the circuit board 11, and the electronic component 15 can be embedded by the mirror seat 13.

[0055] In addition, continuing to refer to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 The photosensitive assembly 10 further includes a filter 16, which can be but is not limited to an infrared cut-off filter, wherein the filter 16 is attached to the inner side of the top surface of the mirror seat 13 to keep the filter 16 in the photosensitive path of the photosensitive chip 12, so that the incident light can reach the photosensitive chip 12 through the light channel 131 of the mirror seat 13 after being filtered by the filter 16.

[0056] In the specific example of the camera module shown in the accompanying drawings, Figures 1-3B In the specific example of the camera module shown in the accompanying drawings, the lens assembly 20 is attached to the outer side of the top surface of the mirror seat 13 to keep the lens assembly 20 in the photosensitive path of the photosensitive chip 12 of the photosensitive assembly 10, and the variable focal length lens device 30 is attached to the inner side of the top surface of the mirror seat 13 of the photosensitive assembly 10 to keep the variable focal length lens device 30 in the photosensitive path of the photosensitive chip 12 of the photosensitive assembly 10, so that the incident light can reach the photosensitive chip 12 after passing through the lens assembly 20 and the variable focal length lens device 30 respectively to be photoelectrically converted by the photosensitive chip 12 to form an image. By changing the focal power of the variable focal length lens device 30, the camera module can be zoomed.

[0057] Understandably, in the appendix Figures 1-3B In this specific example of the camera module shown, the lens assembly 20 surrounds the variable focal length lens device 30. In this way, the arrangement of the variable focal length lens device 30 and the zooming of the camera module by changing the optical power of the variable focal length lens device 30 do not increase the height space of the camera module, thereby making the camera module suitable for use in electronic devices that pursue thinness and lightness.

[0058] Furthermore, in the appendix Figures 1-3B In this specific example of the camera module shown, the lens mount 13 is integrally integrated with the circuit board 11 through a molding process. By mounting the variable focal length lens device 30 on the inner side of the top surface of the lens mount 13, on the one hand, thanks to the advantages of the mold, the top surface of the lens mount 13 has good flatness. Thus, the lens mount 13 can ensure the flatness of the variable focal length lens device 30 and improve the imaging quality of the camera module. On the other hand, the lens mount 13 has good heat dissipation performance. The heat generated by the variable focal length lens device 30 during operation can be quickly dissipated through the lens mount 13. In this way, the lens mount 13 allows the variable focal length lens device 30 to operate in a dry working environment with a low angular temperature, thereby ensuring the stability and reliability of the variable focal length lens device 30.

[0059] It is worth mentioning that the specific structure of the lens assembly 20 is not limited in the camera module of the present invention, for example, in the attached... Figures 1-3B In this specific example of the camera module shown, the lens assembly 20 includes a top-side lens 21 and a bottom-side lens 22. The top-side lens 21 includes a top-side lens barrel 211 and a top-side lens 212 assembled in the top-side lens barrel 211. The bottom-side lens 22 includes a bottom-side lens barrel 221 and at least one bottom-side lens 222 assembled in the bottom-side lens barrel 221. The bottom side of the top-side lens 221 and the top side of the bottom-side lens barrel 221 are attached to each other to form the lens assembly 20.

[0060] Reference Appendix Figures 1-3BThe variable focal length lens device 30 includes a light-transmitting substrate 31, a flexible light-transmitting film 32, and a deformable polymer 33. The polymer 33 is supported on the light-transmitting substrate 31, which provides good support and defines the shape of the bottom surface 331 of the polymer 33. The light-transmitting film 32 is held above the polymer 33, allowing the polymer 33 to be positioned between the light-transmitting substrate 31 and the light-transmitting film 32. When the light-transmitting film 32 is pressed towards the light-transmitting substrate 31, the film 32 can change the shape of the top surface 332 of the polymer 33, thereby changing the optical power of the variable focal length lens device 30 and achieving zoom functionality for the camera module.

[0061] Preferably, the light-transmitting film 32 is supported on the polymer 33, that is, there is no gap between the lower surface of the light-transmitting film 32 and the top surface 332 of the polymer 33. In this way, when the light-transmitting film 32 is squeezed and deformed, the polymer 33 can deform synchronously and with the same amplitude, thereby improving the response sensitivity of the variable focal length lens device 30 and facilitating the control of the surface shape of the top surface 332 of the polymer 33.

[0062] More preferably, the lower surface of the light-transmitting film 32 and the top surface 332 of the polymer 33 are combined, so that when the external force applied to the light-transmitting film 32 is removed, the light-transmitting film 32 and the polymer 33 can synchronously return to their initial state, so as to avoid the light-transmitting film 32 from bouncing during the process of returning to its initial state, thereby ensuring the imaging quality of the camera module.

[0063] It is worth mentioning that the material of the light-transmitting substrate 31 is not limited in the camera module of the present invention. It only needs to provide good support for the polymer 33 to define the surface shape of the bottom surface 331 of the polymer 33 and have high light transmittance to visible light. For example, the light-transmitting substrate 31 can be made of glass.

[0064] It is worth mentioning that although the shape of the light-transmitting substrate 31 is not limited in the camera module of the present invention, the shape of the light-transmitting substrate 31 determines the overall shape of the variable focal length lens device 30. For example, in the attached... Figure 1 In this specific example of the camera module of the present invention shown, the light-transmitting substrate 31 is circular, therefore, the overall shape of the variable focal length lens device 30 is circular. Alternatively, in other examples of the camera module of the present invention, the light-transmitting substrate 31 is square, therefore, the overall shape of the variable focal length lens device 30 is square.

[0065] In addition, please continue to refer to the appendix.Figures 2A-3B The light-transmitting base 31 of the variable focal length lens device 30 can be attached to the top surface of the lens seat 13 of the photosensitive component 10, and the variable focal length lens device 30 is arranged on the photosensitive component 10.

[0066] It is worth mentioning that the material of the light-transmitting film 32 is not limited in the camera module of the present application, as long as it has good bending performance to define the surface shape of the top surface 332 of the high polymer 33, and has good light transmittance. For example, the light-transmitting film 32 can be a bendable glass film, so that the light-transmitting film 32 can change and maintain the surface shape of the top surface 332 of the high polymer 33 when the light-transmitting film 32 is bent by being squeezed or stretched.

[0067] The deformable high polymer 33 is located between the light-transmitting base 31 and the light-transmitting film 32, the bottom surface 331 of the high polymer 33 is attached to the light-transmitting base 31 to define the surface shape of the bottom surface 331 of the high polymer 33 by the light-transmitting base 31, the top surface 332 of the high polymer 33 is attached to or can be attached to the light-transmitting film 32 to change the surface shape of the top surface 332 of the high polymer 33 by the light-transmitting film 32, and the high polymer 33 has a high elastic modulus and a high refractive index, which can converge or diverge light rays in different shapes.

[0068] Referring to the accompanying drawings Figures 1-3B In this specific example of the variable focal length lens device 30, in the initial state, the high polymer 33 is in a flat cylindrical shape, and the central axis of the high polymer 33, the central axis of the light-transmitting base 31, and the central axis of the light-transmitting film 32 coincide. When the edge of the light-transmitting film 32 is squeezed towards the direction close to the light-transmitting base 31, the bent light-transmitting film 32 can squeeze the high polymer 33 towards the direction close to the light-transmitting base 31, so that the top surface 332 of the high polymer 33 is convex, so that the variable focal length lens device 30 can converge light rays, and the deformation amplitude of the top surface 332 of the high polymer 33 increases from the central axis to the edge direction, that is, the deformation amplitude of the edge part of the high polymer 33 is greater than that of the central part.

[0069] Preferably, the diameter size of the light-transmitting film 32 is larger than the diameter size of the high polymer 33, so that the variable focal length lens device 30 forms a relief space 34 between the light-transmitting substrate 31 and the light-transmitting film 32, and the relief space 34 surrounds the high polymer 33, and when the edge of the light-transmitting film 32 is pressed towards the direction close to the light-transmitting substrate 31, the high polymer 33 is pressed by the light-transmitting film 32 and deforms towards the relief space 34, so that the high polymer 33 has a larger deformation degree of freedom, and in this way, the camera module can zoom in a larger range, so as to improve the imaging capability of the camera module.

[0070] And when the edge of the light-transmitting film 32 is pressed towards the direction close to the light-transmitting substrate 31, by allowing the high polymer 33 to deform towards the relief space 34, the consistency of the density of the central part and the edge part of the deformed high polymer 33 can be ensured, so as to facilitate the control of the optical power of the variable focal length lens device 30, and further control the imaging quality of the camera module.

[0071] Referring to the accompanying drawings Figures 1-3B The variable focal length lens device 30 further comprises a base 35, and the base 35 has a through-hole-shaped accommodating cavity 351, wherein the base 35 is fixedly connected to the light-transmitting substrate 31, and the high polymer 33 is deformedly retained in the accommodating cavity 351 of the base 35, so as to allow the base 35 to surround the outside of the high polymer 33, and in this way, the base 35 can avoid the exposure of the high polymer 33 and prevent the light from being incident from the side of the high polymer 33.

[0072] Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the accommodating cavity 351 of the base 35 is circular, the central axis of the high polymer 33 coincides with the central axis of the accommodating cavity 351 of the base 35, and the radius size of the high polymer 33 is smaller than the radius size of the accommodating cavity 351 of the base 35, so that the relief space 34 can be formed on the inside of the base 35, so as to allow the high polymer 33 to deform towards the direction of the base 35 when being pressed by the light-transmitting film 32.

[0073] Preferably, the light-transmitting film 32 is fixedly connected to the base 35, so that the relief space 34 forms a sealed space, and in this way, after the high polymer 33 is pressed and the external force applied to the high polymer 33 is removed, the high polymer 33 can quickly recover to the initial state.

[0074] It is worth mentioning that the way the base 35 is fixedly connected to the light-transmitting substrate 31 is not limited in the camera module of the present application. For example, in some embodiments, the base 35 can be attached to the light-transmitting substrate 31 after being pre-fabricated to fixedly connect the base 35 to the light-transmitting substrate 31. In other embodiments, the base 35 can be integrally formed on the light-transmitting substrate 31. Specifically, first, glass material is selected as the light-transmitting substrate 31, and then the base 35 is formed on the edge of the light-transmitting substrate 31 by etching silicon-based material to fixedly connect the base 35 to the light-transmitting substrate 31. In this process, the glass material of the light-transmitting substrate 31 is advantageous to ensure the flatness of the base 35 and the stability of the connection between the light-transmitting substrate 31 and the base 35. In addition, the light-transmitting film 32 can be attached to the base 35 to fixedly connect the light-transmitting film 32 to the base 35.

[0075] With reference to the accompanying drawings Figures 1-3B The variable focal length lens device 30 further comprises a driving unit 37 for pressing the edge of the light-transmitting film 32 towards the direction close to the light-transmitting substrate 31 to change the surface shape of the top surface 332 of the high polymer 33 and the focal length of the variable focal length lens device 30, thereby realizing zooming of the camera module.

[0076] Specifically, the driving unit 37 comprises at least one annular driving element 374 and a deformation element 375, the deformation element 375 is located above the light-transmitting film 32, and the deformation element 375 is drivingly connected to the driving element 374. When the driving element 374 exerts force on the deformation element 375 in the horizontal direction, the deformation element 375 can be deformed in the height direction to press the light-transmitting film 32 towards the direction close to the light-transmitting substrate 31, thereby changing the surface shape of the top surface 332 of the high polymer 33 and the focal length of the variable focal length lens device 30 to realize zooming of the camera module.

[0077] Preferably, the driving element 374 is a piezoelectric element, so that when a pulse voltage of a certain frequency is applied to the driving element 374, the driving element 374 will contract to exert a pulling force on the deformation element 375 in the horizontal direction. When the deformation element 375 is subjected to the pulling force in the horizontal direction, it will be deformed in the height direction to press the light-transmitting film 32 towards the direction of the light-transmitting substrate 31.

[0078] More preferably, the deformation element 375 has a stacked structure to form a stacked deformation element 375, so that the deformation element 375 subjected to a horizontal direction pulling force can be deformed in the height direction to press the light-transmitting film 32 toward the direction close to the light-transmitting substrate 31.

[0079] Reference is made to the accompanying drawings Figures 1-3B In this specific example of the present application, the driving unit 37 includes two driving elements 374, which are an outer driving element 374a and an inner driving element 374b, respectively. The outer driving element 374a is located at the outer side of the light-transmitting film 32, and the inner driving element 374b is located at the middle of the light-transmitting film 32. The outer side of the deformation element 375 is drivingly connected to the outer driving element 374a, and the inner side of the deformation element 375 is drivingly connected to the inner driving element 374b. When the outer driving element 374a applies an outward pulling force to the deformation element 375 in the horizontal direction and the inner driving element 374b applies an inward pulling force to the deformation element 375 in the horizontal direction, the deformation element 375 having a stacked structure can have a greater deformation stroke in the height direction, so that the optical power of the variable focal length lens device 30 can be changed in a greater range to achieve a greater zoom range of the camera module.

[0080] For example, the outer driving element 374a and the inner driving element 374b are both piezoelectric elements, so that when the outer driving element 374a is applied with a pulse voltage of a certain frequency, the outer driving element 374a will contract in the horizontal direction to apply a pulling force to the deformation element 375 in the horizontal direction to allow the deformation element 375 to move in the outward direction. When the inner driving element 374b is applied with a pulse voltage of a certain frequency, the inner driving element 374b will contract in the horizontal direction to apply a pulling force to the deformation element 375 in the horizontal direction to allow the deformation element 375 to move in the inward direction. Since the deformation element 375 has a stacked structure between the outer driving element 374a and the inner driving element 374b, the deformation element 375 subjected to a horizontal direction pulling force will have a greater deformation stroke.

[0081] The inner side driving element 374b of the driving unit 37 is annular to allow the inner side driving element 374b to have a light transmission hole 3741, the center axis of the light transmission film 32 passes through the center of the light transmission hole 3741 of the inner side driving element 374b, and the center part of the light transmission film 32, the center part of the high polymer 33 and the center part of the light transmission base 31 correspond to the light transmission hole 3741 of the inner side driving element 374b respectively, so that the incident light can enter the variable focal length lens device 30 from the light transmission hole 3741 of the inner side driving element 374b and then pass through the light transmission film 32, the high polymer 33 and the light transmission base 31 in turn.

[0082] It is worth mentioning that the outer side driving element 374a and the inner side driving element 374b are substrates with inverse piezoelectric effect and shrink or expand according to the polarization direction and the electric field direction, which can be used by polarizing the substrate in the thickness direction of single crystal, polycrystalline ceramic, polymer, etc., so that the outer side driving element 374a can shrink towards the outside when excited by a pulse voltage of a certain frequency, and the inner side driving element 374b can shrink towards the inside when excited by a pulse voltage of a certain frequency. It can be understood that the inverse piezoelectric effect refers to the mechanical deformation of the dielectric when the electric potential difference is generated by applying an electric field in the polarization direction of the dielectric.

[0083] It is worth mentioning that in the variable focal length lens device 30 of the present application, the outer side driving element 374a and the inner side driving element 374b can be connected to the circuit board 11 of the photosensitive assembly 10, so that the circuit board 11 of the photosensitive assembly 10 can apply a pulse voltage excitation of a certain frequency to the outer side driving element 374a and a pulse voltage excitation of a certain frequency to the inner side driving element 374b respectively.

[0084] In particular, with reference to the accompanying drawings Figure 3B, the deforming element 375 of the driving unit 37 is a three-layer stack structure, which comprises a bottom layer 3751, a middle layer 3752 and a top layer 3753, wherein the outer side of the bottom layer 3751 is drivingly connected to the outer side driving element 374a, and the inner side of the bottom layer 3751 extends towards the inner side driving element 374b, wherein the inner side of the top layer 3753 is drivingly connected to the inner side driving element 374b, and the outer side of the top layer 3753 extends towards the outer side driving element 374a, wherein the inner side of the middle layer 3752 and the inner side of the bottom layer 3751 are integrally and flexibly connected to form a first bending part 3754 of the deforming element 375, and the outer side of the middle layer 3752 and the outer side of the top layer 3753 are integrally and flexibly connected to form a second bending part 3755 of the deforming element 375. Preferably, the distance between the first bending part 3754 and the inner side driving element 374b is consistent with the width dimension of the inner side driving element 374b.

[0085] When the outer side driving element 374a of the driving unit 37 is applied with a pulse voltage of a certain frequency, the outer side driving element 374a contracts in the horizontal direction to apply an outward pulling force to the bottom layer 3751 of the deforming element 375 in the horizontal direction, and due to the restriction of the top layer 3753 and the middle layer 3752 of the deforming element 375, the bottom layer 3751 of the deforming element 375 bends downward to make the first bending part 3754 displace towards the direction close to the light-transmitting substrate 31. Meanwhile, when the inner side driving element 374b is applied with a pulse voltage of a certain frequency, the inner side driving element 374b contracts in the horizontal direction to apply an inward pulling force to the top layer 3753 of the deforming element 375 in the horizontal direction, and due to the restriction of the bottom layer 3751 and the middle layer 3752 of the deforming element 375, the top layer 3753 of the deforming element 375 bends upward to make the second bending part 3755 displace towards the direction away from the light-transmitting substrate 31, at this time, the displacement of the second bending part 3755 of the deforming element 375 makes the first bending part 3754 further displace towards the direction close to the light-transmitting substrate 31 to increase the bending amplitude of the bottom layer 3751 of the deforming element 375, so that the bottom layer 3751 presses the light-transmitting film 32 towards the direction of the light-transmitting substrate 31 to make the middle part of the top surface 332 of the high polymer 33 protrude upward, so that the high polymer 33 has a structure similar to a convex lens, thereby realizing the zooming of the camera module.

[0086] It is worth mentioning that when zooming the camera module, a pulse voltage of a certain frequency can be applied to only the outer driving element 374a of the driving unit 37, or a pulse voltage of a certain frequency can be applied to only the inner driving element 374b of the driving unit 37, and when a pulse voltage of a certain frequency is applied to both the outer driving element 374a and the inner driving element 374b of the driving unit 37, the top surface 332 of the high polymer 33 has a larger deformation amplitude to change the optical power of the variable focal length lens device 30 in a larger range, so as to realize zooming of the camera module in a larger range. Preferably, refer to the accompanying Figures 1-3B The middle part of the high polymer 33 is allowed to protrude towards the light transmission hole 3741 of the inner driving element 374b to change the optical power of the variable focal length lens device 30 in a larger range, so as to realize zooming of the camera module in a larger range.

[0087] In the present application, by allowing the shape deformation element 375 to be stacked, on the one hand, the shape deformation element 375 has a longer size, so that when the outer side of the shape deformation element 375 is subjected to a horizontal outward pulling force and the inner side of the shape deformation element 375 is subjected to a horizontal inward pulling force, the first bending part 3754 of the shape deformation element 375 has a larger stroke in the height direction, so that the light transmission film 32 and the high polymer 33 have a larger deformation amount to allow the camera module to zoom in a larger range; on the other hand, the shape deformation element 375 makes the overall structure of the variable focal length lens device 30 more stable, and when the shape deformation element 375 drives the high polymer 33 to deform through the light transmission film 32, the high polymer 33 can be prevented from being forced to deviate, so that the deformation amount of the entire circumferential direction of the high polymer 33 is more uniform, so as to facilitate to ensure the imaging quality of the camera module.

[0088] Preferably, the lower surface of the bottom layer 3751 of the shape deformation element 375 is attached to the upper surface of the light transmission film 32, that is, there is no gap between the lower surface of the bottom layer 3751 of the shape deformation element 375 and the upper surface of the light transmission film 32, so that when the bottom layer 3751 of the shape deformation element 375 is subjected to a horizontal outward pulling force and the top layer 3753 is subjected to a horizontal inward pulling force, the light transmission film 32 can be deformed synchronously and with the same amplitude along with the displacement of the first bending part 3754 of the shape deformation element 375 towards the direction close to the light transmission substrate 31, so as to improve the response sensitivity of the variable focal length lens device 30 and facilitate to control the surface shape of the top surface 332 of the high polymer 33.

[0089] More preferably, the lower surface of the bottom layer 3751 of the deformation element 375 and the upper surface of the light-transmitting film 32 are combined, so that the deformation element 375, the light-transmitting film 32 and the polymer 33 can synchronously recover to the initial state when the application of the pulse voltage of a certain frequency to the outer driving element 374a and the inner driving element 374b is stopped, to avoid the bounce of the deformation element 375 and the light-transmitting film 32 in the process of recovering to the initial state, thereby ensuring the imaging quality of the camera module.

[0090] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the variable focal length lens device 30 of the present application will be described in detail. Figure 4 In this specific example of the camera module of the present application, the outer driving element 374a of the driving unit 37 is fixedly connected to the edge of the light-transmitting film 32, and the inner driving element 374b is fixedly connected to the middle of the light-transmitting film 32. Preferably, the inner driving element 374b is located above the polymer 33, i.e., the projection of the inner driving element 374b on the light-transmitting substrate 31 is contained in the projection of the polymer 33 on the light-transmitting substrate 31.

[0091] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the variable focal length lens device 30 of the present application will be described in detail. Figures 2A-3B A variant of the variable focal length lens device 30 of the present application is shown, which is different from the variable focal length lens device 30 shown in Fig. 1 in that, in the variable focal length lens device 30 shown in Fig. 2, the outer driving element 374a of the driving unit 37 is fixedly connected to the base 35, and the light-transmitting film 32 is fixedly connected to the outer driving element 374a. Figure 4 A variant of the variable focal length lens device 30 of the present application is shown, which is different from the variable focal length lens device 30 shown in Fig. 1 in that, in the variable focal length lens device 30 shown in Fig. 2, the outer driving element 374a of the driving unit 37 is fixedly connected to the base 35, and the light-transmitting film 32 is fixedly connected to the outer driving element 374a. Figure 4 In this specific example of the variable focal length lens device 30, the outer driving element 374a of the driving unit 37 is fixedly connected to the base 35, and the light-transmitting film 32 is fixedly connected to the outer driving element 374a. In other words, in this specific example of the variable focal length lens device 30, the light-transmitting film 32 and the base 35 are not directly connected. Figure 5 In this specific example of the variable focal length lens device 30, the outer driving element 374a of the driving unit 37 is fixedly connected to the base 35, and the light-transmitting film 32 is fixedly connected to the outer driving element 374a. In other words, in this specific example of the variable focal length lens device 30, the light-transmitting film 32 and the base 35 are not directly connected.

[0092] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the variable focal length lens device 30 of the present application will be described in detail. Figures 2A-3B A variant of the variable focal length lens device 30 of the present application is shown, which is different from the variable focal length lens device 30 shown in Fig. 1 in that, in the variable focal length lens device 30 shown in Fig. 2, the outer driving element 374a of the driving unit 37 is fixedly connected to the base 35, and the light-transmitting film 32 is fixedly connected to the outer driving element 374a. Figure 5 A variant of the variable focal length lens device 30 of the present application is shown, which is different from the variable focal length lens device 30 shown in Fig. 1 in that, in the variable focal length lens device 30 shown in Fig. 2, the outer driving element 374a of the driving unit 37 is fixedly connected to the base 35, and the light-transmitting film 32 is fixedly connected to the outer driving element 374a. Figure 6In the specific example of the variable focal length lens device 30 shown, the variable focal length lens device 30 further comprises a light-transmitting cover 39 fixedly connected to the outside of the base 35, and the light-transmitting film 32 is fixedly connected to the inside of the base 35, wherein the outside driving element 374a and the inside driving element 374b of the driving unit 37 are respectively fixedly connected to the light-transmitting cover 39, so as to hold the driving unit 37 above the light-transmitting film 32 by the light-transmitting cover 39. Alternatively, in other examples of the variable focal length lens device 30, the light-transmitting cover 39 can be fixedly connected to the light-transmitting film 32.

[0093] attached drawings Figures 2A-3B A variant example of the variable focal length lens device 30 of the present application is shown, which is different from the example shown in the attached drawings Figure 6 A variant example of the variable focal length lens device 30 of the present application is shown, which is different from the example shown in the attached drawings Figure 7 In the specific example of the variable focal length lens device 30 shown, the variable focal length lens device 30 further comprises a light-transmitting cover 39 fixedly connected to the outside of the base 35, and the light-transmitting film 32 is fixedly connected to the inside of the base 35, wherein the outside driving element 374a and the inside driving element 374b of the driving unit 37 are respectively fixedly connected to the light-transmitting cover 39, so as to hold the driving unit 37 above the light-transmitting film 32 by the light-transmitting cover 39. Alternatively, in other examples of the variable focal length lens device 30, the light-transmitting cover 39 can be fixedly connected to the light-transmitting film 32.

[0094] attached drawings Figures 2A-3B A variant example of the variable focal length lens device 30 of the present application is shown, which is different from the example shown in the attached drawings Figure 7 A variant example of the variable focal length lens device 30 of the present application is shown, which is different from the example shown in the attached drawings Figure 8In the shown specific example of the variable focal length lens device 30, the number of the driving elements 374 of the driving unit 37 is one, which is located in the middle of the light-transmitting film 32, the fixed elements 376 are located outside the light-transmitting envelope 2, the inner side of the deforming element 375 is drivingly connected to the driving element 375, and the outer side of the deforming element 375 is fixedly connected to the fixed element 376. When the driving element 374 applies a pulling force to the inner side of the deforming element 375 in the horizontal direction, the deforming element 375 can generate deformation in the vertical direction to press the light-transmitting film 32 towards the light-transmitting base 31, at this time, the surface shape of the top surface 332 of the high polymer 33 is changed to realize zooming of the camera module.

[0095] The camera module of the present application is shown in FIG. 1. The camera module comprises a lens assembly 20, a variable focal length lens device 30, and a light-sensing chip 12. The lens assembly 20 comprises a top side lens 21 and a bottom side lens 22. The variable focal length lens device 30 is arranged between the top side lens 21 and the bottom side lens 22. The light-sensing chip 12 is arranged on the bottom side lens 22. Figure 1 A variant of the camera module of the present application is shown in FIG. 2. The camera module of FIG. 2 is different from that of FIG. 1 in that the variable focal length lens device 30 is arranged on the top side lens 21. Figure 8 A specific example of the camera module of the present application is shown in FIG. 3. The camera module of FIG. 3 is different from that of FIG. 1 in that the variable focal length lens device 30 is arranged on the bottom side lens 22. Figure 9 A specific example of the camera module of the present application is shown in FIG. 4. The camera module of FIG. 4 is different from that of FIG. 1 in that the variable focal length lens device 30 is integrated inside the lens assembly 20. Specifically, the opposite sides of the variable focal length lens device 30 are respectively attached between the top side lens barrel 211 of the top side lens 21 and the bottom side lens barrel 221 of the bottom side lens 22, so that incident light rays can reach the light-sensing chip 12 after passing through the top side lens 21, the variable focal length lens device 30 and the bottom side lens 22, to be photoelectrically converted by the light-sensing chip 12 to form an image, and the camera module can be zoomed by changing the focal power of the variable focal length lens device 30.

[0096] A variant of the camera module of the present application is shown in FIG. 5. The camera module of FIG. 5 is different from that of FIG. 4 in that the variable focal length lens device 30 is arranged on the top side lens 21. Figure 1 A specific example of the camera module of the present application is shown in FIG. 6. The camera module of FIG. 6 is different from that of FIG. 4 in that the variable focal length lens device 30 is arranged on the top side lens 21. Figure 9 A specific example of the camera module of the present application is shown in FIG. 7. The camera module of FIG. 7 is different from that of FIG. 4 in that the variable focal length lens device 30 is arranged on the top side lens 21. ​ A specific example of the camera module of the present application is shown in FIG. 8. The camera module of FIG. 8 is different from that of FIG. 4 in that the variable focal length lens device 30 is arranged on the top side lens 21.

[0097] Those skilled in the art can understand that the above embodiments are only examples, and the features of different embodiments can be combined to obtain embodiments that can be easily thought of according to the disclosure of the present application but are not explicitly shown in the drawings.

[0098] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments of the application described above and shown in the drawings are merely illustrative and that numerous other modifications and configurations can be devised without departing from the principles of the present application. The scope of the application is best defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A variable focal length lens device, characterized in that, include: Translucent substrate; A deformable polymer, wherein the polymer is supported on the light-transmitting substrate; A flexible, light-transmitting film, wherein the light-transmitting film is held above the polymer; as well as A driving unit, wherein the driving unit includes an annular driving element and a deformation element, the deformation element being located above the light-transmitting film and drivably connected to the driving element, wherein the deformation element is a three-layer stacked structure, and when the driving element applies force to the deformation element in the horizontal direction, the deformation element is able to deform in the vertical direction to squeeze the light-transmitting film toward the light-transmitting substrate; The deformable element includes a bottom layer, a middle layer, and a top layer. The inner side of the middle layer and the inner side of the bottom layer are integrally and bently connected to form a first bent portion of the deformable element. The outer side of the middle layer and the outer side of the top layer are integrally and bently connected to form a second bent portion of the deformable element. Wherein, the inner side of the top layer is the inner side of the deformation element, the outer side of the bottom layer is the outer side of the deformation element, at least one side of the inner and outer sides of the deformation element is drivably connected to the driving element, and the driving element is located on the outer side of the light-transmitting film and / or the middle part of the light-transmitting film.

2. The variable focal length lens device according to claim 1, wherein the driving element is located on the outer side of the light-transmitting film, and the outer side of the deformation element is drivably connected to the driving element; or the driving element is located in the middle of the light-transmitting film, and the inner side of the deformation element is drivably connected to the driving element.

3. The variable focal length lens device according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit includes two driving elements, namely an outer driving element and an inner driving element, the outer driving element being located on the outer side of the light-transmitting film, the inner driving element being located in the middle of the light-transmitting film, the outer side of the deformation element being drivably connected to the outer driving element, and the inner side of the deformation element being drivably connected to the inner driving element.

4. The variable focal length lens device according to claim 3, wherein the driving element is a piezoelectric element.

5. The variable focal length lens device according to claim 4, wherein the lower surface of the bottom layer of the deformation element is attached to the upper surface of the light-transmitting film.

6. The variable focal length lens device according to claim 5, wherein the lower surface of the bottom layer of the deformation element and the upper surface of the light-transmitting film are combined.

7. The variable focal length lens device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the variable focal length lens device has a clearance space formed between the light-transmitting substrate and the light-transmitting film, and the clearance space surrounds the polymer.

8. The variable focal length lens device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a base having a through-hole accommodating cavity, wherein the base is fixedly connected to the edge of the light-transmitting substrate, and the polymer is accommodated in the accommodating cavity of the base.

9. The variable focal length lens device according to claim 8, wherein the polymer is in the shape of a flattened cylinder, the cross-sectional shape of the receiving cavity of the base is circular, and wherein the radius of the polymer is smaller than the radius of the receiving cavity of the base.

10. The variable focal length lens device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lower surface of the light-transmitting film is attached to the top surface of the polymer.

11. The variable focal length lens device according to claim 10, wherein the lower surface of the light-transmitting film and the top surface of the polymer are combined.

12. The variable focal length lens device according to claim 8, wherein the light-transmitting film is fixedly connected to the base, and the outer driving element and the inner driving element of the driving unit are respectively fixedly connected to the light-transmitting film.

13. The variable focal length lens device according to claim 8, wherein the outer driving element of the driving unit is fixedly connected to the base, the inner driving element is fixedly connected to the light-transmitting film, and the light-transmitting film is fixedly connected to the outer driving element.

14. The variable focal length lens device according to claim 8, further comprising a light-transmitting cover fixedly connected to the base or the light-transmitting film, wherein the outer driving element and the inner driving element of the driving unit are respectively fixedly connected to the light-transmitting cover.

15. A camera module, characterized in that, include: Photosensitive components; A lens assembly, wherein the lens assembly is held in the light-sensitive path of the photosensitive assembly; as well as The variable focal length lens device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the variable focal length lens device is held in the photosensitive path of the photosensitive component.

16. The camera module according to claim 15, wherein the variable focal length lens device is mounted on the photosensitive component.

17. The camera module of claim 15, wherein the variable focal length lens device is mounted on the lens assembly.

Images