Camera modules and electronic devices

Abstract

This application provides a camera module and an electronic device. The camera module includes a driving device and a photosensitive element. The camera module has a first chamber and a second chamber. The driving device is capable of displacement when irradiated by a laser. The driving device is used to reduce the volume of the first chamber, so that a cooling medium in the first chamber is transported to the second chamber, which is in communication with it. The cooling medium transported to the second chamber is used to cool the photosensitive element. This camera module has the characteristic of preventing the photosensitive element from being burned by the laser.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] With the widespread use of mobile phones and other electronic devices, consumers are increasingly using the built-in camera modules of these devices to record scenes from their daily lives. For example, consumers may use their phones to record the scene while watching a light show or concert. Light shows or concerts often involve strong lasers. Due to the high brightness and high directionality of lasers, when the laser shines on the camera module, the focusing effect of the lens further concentrates the laser energy onto the image sensor, causing the image sensor to be burned and thus damaging the camera module. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a camera module and an electronic device that at least solves the problem of how to improve the photosensitive chip's susceptibility to laser burns.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this application is implemented as follows:

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a camera module.

[0006] The camera module provided in this application includes a driving device and a photosensitive element. The camera module has a first chamber and a second chamber. The driving device can generate displacement when irradiated by a laser. The driving device is used to drive the volume of the first chamber to decrease so that the cooling medium in the first chamber is transported to the second chamber connected thereto. The cooling medium transported to the second chamber is used to cool the photosensitive element.

[0007] Optionally, the driving device is a photodynamic graphene device.

[0008] Optionally, the camera module further includes a first cavity and a first slider, the first slider being slidably connected to the first cavity, the first cavity and the first slider forming the first chamber; the driving device is drivenly connected to the first slider to drive the first slider to slide relative to the first cavity, so as to reduce the volume of the first chamber.

[0009] Optionally, the camera module further includes a first elastic element, which is connected to the first slider and the first cavity respectively, and the first elastic element is used to drive the first slider to reset.

[0010] Optionally, the camera module further includes a connector, and the driving device is connected to the first sliding body via the connector, with the first sliding body facing the driving device.

[0011] Optionally, the camera module further includes a second cavity, which forms a second chamber with the side of the photosensitive element facing away from the lens of the camera module.

[0012] Optionally, the second cavity is provided with a receiving hole at the portion between the first cavity and the second cavity, and a second sliding body is provided in the receiving hole. The second sliding body is provided with a connecting pipe, and the first connecting port of the connecting pipe is connected to the first cavity. When the volume of the first cavity decreases, the cooling medium can drive the second sliding body to slide from the closed position to the open position. When the second sliding body is in the closed position, the second connecting port of the connecting pipe is sealed with the wall of the receiving hole. When the second sliding body is in the open position, the second connecting port of the connecting pipe is connected to the second cavity.

[0013] Optionally, the camera module further includes a second elastic element, which is connected to the second slider and the second cavity respectively, and the second elastic element is used to drive the second slider to reset.

[0014] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide an electronic device.

[0015] The electronic devices provided in this application include any of the camera modules provided in this application.

[0016] Optionally, the electronic device further includes a light-transmitting cover plate, the lens of the camera module is disposed between the light-transmitting cover plate and the photosensitive element, the driving device is disposed to the side of the lens, and the illumination surface of the driving device faces the light-transmitting cover plate.

[0017] The above-described technical solutions adopted in the embodiments of this application can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0018] In the embodiments of this application, when a laser emitted from a laser source irradiates a driving device, the driving device is displaced. The driving device can reduce the volume of the first chamber, thereby "squeezing" the cooling medium in the first chamber into a second chamber connected thereto. The second chamber is thermally connected to the photosensitive element, so the cooling medium delivered to the second chamber can be used to cool the photosensitive element. This prevents excessive heat generated by the laser from accumulating on the photosensitive element, thus preventing the laser from burning the photosensitive element.

[0019] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments or related technologies of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a laser source and a camera module and a light-transmitting cover plate for an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial schematic diagram of the camera module shown in the image;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a laser source and a camera module and a light-transmitting cover of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application, showing the situation where the driving device is irradiated by a laser;

[0024] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A partial schematic diagram of the camera module is shown in the image.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0026] 1-Electronic device; 10-Camera module; 10a-First chamber; 10b-Second chamber; 11-Driver; 111-Connector; 12-Photosensitive element; 131-First cavity; 132-First slider; 133-First elastic element; 134-Second cavity; 135-Accommodation hole; 136-Second slider; 137-Connecting pipe; 1371-First connecting port; 1372-Second connecting port; 138-Second elastic element; 14-Lens; 15-Substrate; 16-Filter; 20-Light-transmitting cover; 2-Laser source. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions of this application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with specific embodiments and corresponding drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0028] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0029] Furthermore, although the terminology used in this application is selected from commonly known and used terms, some terms mentioned in this application specification may have been selected by the applicant at his or her own discretion, and their detailed meanings are explained in the relevant sections of this description.

[0030] Furthermore, this application is required to be understood not only through the actual terms used, but also through the meaning implied by each term.

[0031] The technical solutions provided by the various embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] This application provides a camera module. (See reference...) Figures 1 to 4 The camera module 10 provided in this embodiment includes a driving device 11 and a photosensitive element 12. The camera module 10 has a first chamber 10a and a second chamber 10b. The driving device 11 is capable of displacement when irradiated by a laser. The driving device 11 is used to reduce the volume of the first chamber 10a, so that the cooling medium in the first chamber 10a is transported to the second chamber 10b, which is in communication with it. The cooling medium transported to the second chamber 10b is used to cool the photosensitive element 12.

[0033] For example, the driving device 11 may be a photodynamic graphene device. The photodynamic graphene device is made of photodynamic graphene material. When the photodynamic graphene is irradiated by light, it ejects electrons, which are ejected towards the light source, causing the photodynamic graphene to move away from the light source. It is understood that lasers have higher energy, and when the photodynamic graphene is irradiated by a laser, its response speed is faster.

[0034] For example, the driving device 11 may also be made of a photostrictive material. Photostrictive materials are capable of stretching and deforming when exposed to light. It should be noted that with technological advancements, other materials capable of displacement under laser irradiation may emerge in the future. Therefore, this embodiment does not limit the material of the driving device 11; it only requires that the driving device 11 be able to generate displacement under laser irradiation.

[0035] For example, the photosensitive element 12 may be a charge-coupled device (CCD). Alternatively, the photosensitive element 12 may be a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) element.

[0036] For example, the photosensitive element 12 may be disposed outside the second chamber 10b, or the photosensitive element 12 may be thermally coupled with the outer wall of the second chamber 10b. Thus, when the cooling medium in the first chamber 10a is supplied to the second chamber 10b, the cooling medium in the second chamber 10b can cool the photosensitive element 12 to prevent the photosensitive element 12 from being burned by the laser.

[0037] In this manner, in the embodiments of this application, when the laser emitted from the laser source 2 irradiates the driving device 11, the driving device 11 is displaced. The driving device 11 can cause the volume of the first chamber 10a to decrease, thereby "squeezing" the cooling medium in the first chamber 10a into the second chamber 10b connected thereto. The second chamber 10b is thermally connected to the photosensitive element 12, so the cooling medium delivered to the second chamber 10b can be used to cool the photosensitive element 12. In this way, the heat generated by the laser can be prevented from accumulating excessively on the photosensitive element 12, thus preventing the laser from burning the photosensitive element 12.

[0038] To facilitate those skilled in the art in better implementing the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, more detailed examples are provided below for reference.

[0039] In some embodiments, the camera module 10 further includes a first cavity 131 and a first slider 132. The first slider 132 is slidably connected to the first cavity 131, and the first cavity 131 and the first slider 132 form a first chamber 10a. The driving device 11 is drivenly connected to the first slider 132 to drive the first slider 132 to slide relative to the first cavity 131, thereby reducing the volume of the first chamber 10a.

[0040] More simply, the first cavity 131 and the first slider 132 form a structure similar to a syringe. Thus, when the actuator 11 drives the first slider 132 to move towards the bottom of the first cavity 131, the volume of the first chamber 10a decreases. This allows the cooling medium within the first chamber 10a to be "squeezed" into the second chamber 10b, which communicates with it.

[0041] It should be noted that, in order to improve the sealing between the outer periphery of the first sliding body 132 and the cavity wall of the first cavity 131, in some embodiments, a first sealing ring is provided on the outer periphery of the first sliding body 132, and the first sealing ring is sandwiched between the outer periphery of the first sliding body 132 and the cavity wall of the first cavity 131. Of course, in some embodiments, the area between the outer periphery of the first sliding body 132 and the cavity wall of the first cavity 131 can be sealed based on the principle of gap sealing.

[0042] In some embodiments, the camera module 10 further includes a first elastic element 133. The first elastic element 133 is connected to the first slider 132 and the first cavity 131, respectively, and is used to drive the first slider 132 to reset. Exemplarily, the first elastic element 133 is a first compression spring. The first compression spring is connected to the bottom of both the first slider 132 and the first cavity 131. Thus, during the process of the driving device 11 driving the first slider 132 to move towards the bottom of the first cavity 131, the first compression spring stores elastic energy. After the driving device 11 stops working, the first slider 132 can reset under the action of the elastic energy released by the first compression spring. This helps the cooling medium flow back to the first chamber 10a.

[0043] In some embodiments, the camera module 10 further includes a connector 111. The driving device 11 is connected to the first sliding body 132 via the connector 111, with the first sliding body 132 facing the driving device 11. Exemplarily, the connector 111 may be a connecting rod, which can directly transmit the driving force of the driving device 11 to the first sliding body 132, thereby driving the first sliding body 132 to move towards the bottom of the first cavity 131, so as to reduce the volume of the first chamber 10a.

[0044] In some embodiments, the camera module 10 further includes a second cavity 134, which, together with the side of the photosensitive element 12 facing away from the lens 14 of the camera module 10, forms a second chamber 10b. Exemplarily, the camera module 10 also includes a substrate 15. The photosensitive element 12 is disposed on the substrate 15. The second cavity 134, the photosensitive element 12, and the substrate 15 form the second chamber 10b. Thus, when a cooling medium enters the second chamber 10b, the cooling medium can absorb heat from the photosensitive element 12.

[0045] In some embodiments, the second cavity 134 has a receiving hole 135 located between the first cavity 10a and the second cavity 10b. A second sliding body 136 is provided within the receiving hole 135. The second sliding body 136 has a connecting pipe 137, and the first connecting port 1371 of the connecting pipe 137 communicates with the first cavity 10a. When the volume of the first cavity 10a decreases, the cooling medium can drive the second sliding body 136 to slide from a closed position to an open position.

[0046] When the second sliding body 136 is in the closed position, the second connecting port 1372 of the connecting pipe 137 seals against the wall of the receiving hole 135. When the second sliding body 136 is in the open position, the second connecting port 1372 of the connecting pipe 137 communicates with the second chamber 10b. In other words, the second sliding body 136 being in the closed position means that the second sliding body 136 is in a position that closes the second connecting port 1372. The second sliding body 136 being in the open position means that the second sliding body 136 is in a position that opens the second connecting port 1372. Thus, when the second sliding body 136 is in the closed position, the second connecting port 1372 is closed to prevent the cooling medium from entering the second chamber 10b when not under laser irradiation. When the driving device 11 is irradiated by laser, the second sliding body 136 slides to the open position, the second connecting port 1372 is open, and the cooling medium in the first chamber 10a can be transported to the second chamber 10b via the connecting pipe 137.

[0047] It should be noted that, in order to improve the sealing performance between the outer periphery of the second sliding body 136 and the wall of the receiving hole 135, in some embodiments, a second sealing ring is provided on the outer periphery of the second sliding body 136, and the second sealing ring is sandwiched between the outer periphery of the second sliding body 136 and the wall of the receiving hole 135. Of course, in some embodiments, the area between the outer periphery of the second sliding body 136 and the wall of the receiving hole 135 can be sealed based on the principle of gap sealing.

[0048] In some embodiments, the camera module 10 further includes a second elastic element 138. The second elastic element 138 is connected to the second slider 136 and the second cavity 134, respectively, and is used to drive the second slider 136 to reset. Exemplarily, the second elastic element 138 is a second compression spring. The second compression spring is connected to the second slider 136 and the second cavity 134, respectively. Thus, during the process of the driving device 11 driving the second slider 136 to move towards the bottom of the second cavity 134, the pressure in the first chamber 10a increases, and the cooling medium in the first chamber 10a drives the second slider 136 to move in a direction away from the first chamber 10a, while the second compression spring stores elastic energy. After the driving device 11 stops working, the cooling medium flows back to the first chamber 10a, and when the pressure in the first chamber 10a and the pressure in the second chamber 10b tend to be balanced, the second slider 136 can reset under the action of the elastic energy released by the second compression spring.

[0049] It should be noted that in some embodiments, the cooling medium in the second chamber 10b does not need to flow back to the first chamber 10a. For example, after the camera module 10 is irradiated by a laser and the cooling process for cooling the photosensitive element 12 is initiated, a corresponding prompt message can be displayed on the electronic device's display to remind the consumer to take the electronic device to an after-sales service point for photosensitive element protection function reset. Then, the repair personnel at the after-sales service point will drain the cooling medium in the second chamber 10b to the first chamber 10a.

[0050] In other embodiments, using coolant as the cooling medium, during the cooling process of cooling the photosensitive element 12, 4 ml of coolant is introduced from the first chamber 10a to the second chamber 10b. For example, the temperature of the coolant is 25 degrees Celsius. The coolant compresses the gas in the second chamber 10b. Therefore, after the driving device 11 stops operating, 3 ml of coolant in the second chamber 10b is discharged back to the first chamber 10a under the action of the compressed gas in the second chamber 10b. For example, the temperature of the coolant discharged from the second chamber 10b is 60 degrees Celsius. After the coolant in the second chamber 10b is discharged into the first chamber 10a, it mixes with the coolant in the first chamber 10a, raising the temperature of the coolant in the first chamber 10a to 27 degrees Celsius.

[0051] Furthermore, when the drive device 11 is irradiated by the laser again, the first chamber 10a injects approximately 3 ml of coolant into the second chamber 10b to cool the photosensitive element 12 and prevent it from being burned by the laser. Thus, by employing the retractable sliding design of the second slider 136, the photosensitive element 12 can be cooled multiple times.

[0052] Alternatively, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the wall of the second chamber 10b is provided with an elastic membrane. When 4 ml of coolant is introduced into the second chamber 10b, the elastic membrane is in an expanded state. After the drive device 11 stops operating, the elastic membrane contracts, allowing the coolant to drain into the first chamber 10a.

[0053] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, the cooling medium can be a cooling gas or a cooling liquid. It is understood that the cooling effect of liquid is better than that of gas; therefore, it is recommended to use a cooling liquid as the cooling medium. When the cooling medium is a cooling liquid, a cooling liquid that will not damage the photosensitive element 12 can be selected. Alternatively, the photosensitive element 12 can be sealed to prevent the cooling liquid from directly contacting the photosensitive element 12 and causing damage. Furthermore, in some embodiments, after the driving device 11 stops working, most of the cooling liquid in the second chamber 10b can be drained back into the first chamber 10a. In this way, only a small portion of the cooling liquid adheres to the wall of the second chamber 10b, preventing the photosensitive element 12 from being immersed in the cooling liquid for a long time and thus causing damage.

[0054] It should also be noted that the first cavity 131 and the second cavity 134 mentioned above can be an integral structure or a separate structure. Those skilled in the art can set the size, shape and structure of the first cavity 131 and the second cavity 134 according to actual needs. The embodiments of this application do not limit the size, shape and structure of the first cavity 131 and the second cavity 134.

[0055] In some embodiments, the camera module 10 further includes a light filter 16. The light filter 16 is disposed between the lens 14 and the photosensitive element 12. The light filter 16 is used to filter stray light to improve the imaging effect of the camera module 10.

[0056] This application provides an electronic device. (See reference...) Figures 1 to 4 The electronic device 1 provided in this application embodiment includes any of the camera modules 10 provided in this application embodiment. For example, the electronic device 1 may be a mobile phone, smartwatch, or tablet computer, etc.

[0057] In some embodiments, the electronic device 1 further includes a light-transmitting cover plate 20. The lens 14 of the camera module 10 is disposed between the light-transmitting cover plate 20 and the photosensitive element 12, and the driving device 11 is disposed to the side of the lens 14, with the irradiation surface of the driving device 11 facing the light-transmitting cover plate 20. Thus, when the camera module 10 is irradiated by a laser emitted from the laser source 2, the laser will also irradiate the irradiation surface of the driving device 11. It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, the driving device 11 is a device that automatically generates displacement upon laser irradiation. This gives the driving device 11 the advantage of being more responsive, allowing it to act before the laser energy damages the photosensitive element 12, thereby timely cooling the photosensitive element 12 to prevent it from being burned by the laser.

[0058] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0059] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the embodiments of this application, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A camera module (10), characterized in that, include: The camera module (10) includes a driving device (11), a photosensitive element (12), and a second cavity (134), and is provided with a first cavity (10a) and a second cavity (10b). The driving device (11) can generate displacement when irradiated by laser. The driving device (11) is used to reduce the volume of the first chamber (10a) so that the cooling medium in the first chamber (10a) is transported to the second chamber (10b) connected thereto. After the driving device (11) stops working, the cooling medium transported to the second chamber (10b) flows back to the first chamber (10a). The second cavity (134) and the side of the photosensitive element (12) away from the lens (14) of the camera module (10) form the second chamber (10b). The cooling medium transported to the second chamber (10b) is used to cool the photosensitive element (12). The second cavity (134) is provided with a receiving hole (135) at the part between the first cavity (10a) and the second cavity (10b). A second sliding body (136) is provided in the receiving hole (135). The second sliding body (136) is provided with a connecting pipe (137). The first connecting port (1371) of the connecting pipe (137) is connected to the first cavity (10a). When the volume of the first chamber (10a) decreases, the cooling medium can drive the second sliding body (136) to slide from the closed position to the open position. When the second sliding body (136) is in the closed position, the second connecting port (1372) of the connecting pipe (137) is sealed against the wall of the receiving hole (135). When the second sliding body (136) is in the open position, the second connecting port (1372) of the connecting pipe (137) is connected to the second chamber (10b).

2. The camera module (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving device (11) is a photodynamic graphene device.

3. The camera module (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The camera module (10) further includes a first cavity (131) and a first slider (132), the first slider (132) being slidably connected to the first cavity (131), the first cavity (131) and the first slider (132) forming the first chamber (10a); the driving device (11) is drivenly connected to the first slider (132) to drive the first slider (132) to slide relative to the first cavity (131) so as to reduce the volume of the first chamber (10a).

4. The camera module (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The camera module (10) further includes a first elastic element (133), which is connected to the first slider (132) and the first cavity (131) respectively. The first elastic element (133) is used to drive the first slider (132) to reset.

5. The camera module (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The camera module (10) also includes a connector (111), and the driving device (11) is connected to the first sliding body (132) via the connector (111), with the first sliding body (132) facing the driving device (11).

6. The camera module (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The camera module (10) further includes a second elastic element (138), which is connected to the second slider (136) and the second cavity (134) respectively. The second elastic element (138) is used to drive the second slider (136) to reset.

7. An electronic device, characterized in that, Includes the camera module (10) as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The electronic device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The electronic device also includes a light-transmitting cover plate (20), the lens (14) of the camera module (10) is disposed between the light-transmitting cover plate (20) and the photosensitive element (12), the driving device (11) is disposed on the side of the lens (14), and the irradiation surface of the driving device (11) faces the light-transmitting cover plate (20).

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