Variable aperture device and camera module

Abstract

The invention provides a variable aperture device and a camera module. The variable aperture device comprises a shell with a containing cavity, a stator fixed to the shell and located in the containing cavity, a rotor assembly rotationally connected to the shell and located in the containing cavity, and blades rotationally connected to the shell and connected with the rotor assembly. The two ends of the elastic piece are connected to the shell and the mover assembly respectively, the guide pieces are arranged between the shell and the mover assembly and distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the guide pieces are in point contact or surface contact with the mover assembly. The guide piece is arranged between the shell and the rotor assembly, and the guide piece is in point contact or surface contact with the rotor assembly, so that in the rotation process of the rotor assembly, the guide piece can laterally support the rotor assembly and can guide the rotation of the rotor assembly, the coaxiality of the rotor assembly and the stator is ensured, and the service life of the rotor assembly is prolonged. The optical axis eccentricity of the blade relative to the variable aperture device is suppressed, thereby ensuring the imaging effect.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of camera technology, and in particular relates to a variable aperture device and a camera module. [Background Technology]

[0002] Camera modules are a crucial component of smart devices, and their user experience significantly impacts the user experience. Due to the limited installation space within electronic devices like mobile phones, camera modules typically utilize a simple fixed aperture mechanism. However, this fixed aperture area is incapable of adapting to varying shooting scenarios, much less satisfying user needs. Consequently, with market development, there is a growing demand for mobile phones with variable apertures to meet diverse shooting needs. For example, for telephoto photography, a large aperture is used to maximize light intake and enhance the bokeh effect, while for close-up photography, a small aperture is used to enhance resolution.

[0003] In related technologies, a variable aperture lens (VAL) structure uses a rotor to rotate relative to a stator, thereby driving the movement of blades, changing the size of the aperture defined by the multiple blades and adjusting the aperture size. However, during the rotation of the rotor, the rotor can easily shift relative to the optical axis, causing the blades to become eccentric relative to the optical axis, affecting the imaging effect.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a new variable aperture device to solve the technical problems existing in the related art. [Summary of the invention]

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a variable aperture device and a camera module, which can solve the technical problem in the related art that the concentricity of the mover and the stator in the variable aperture structure will be offset.

[0006] The technical solutions of the present invention are as follows:

[0007] A variable aperture device comprises a shell having an accommodating cavity, a stator fixed to the shell and located in the accommodating cavity, a movable assembly rotatably connected to the shell and located in the accommodating cavity, and a blade rotatably connected to the shell and connected to the movable assembly, the movable assembly and the stator inductively sense each other to generate a driving force for driving the movable assembly to rotate; at least three blades are provided, and at least three of the blades can rotate relative to the shell under the drive of the movable assembly to form a light-through hole with a variable aperture size, the variable aperture device also comprises an elastic member whose two ends are respectively connected to the shell and the movable assembly, and a plurality of guide members arranged between the shell and the movable assembly and distributed at intervals along the circumference of the variable aperture device, the guide members being in point contact or surface contact with the movable assembly.

[0008] Optionally, the mover assembly includes a turntable rotatably disposed in the housing and connected to the blades, the guide member is located between the outer circumference of the turntable and the inner circumference of the housing, and the guide member is in point contact or surface contact with the turntable.

[0009] Optionally, the housing includes a bottom plate, a first side plate extending from the bottom plate along the axial direction of the light-passing hole, and a top plate fixed to an end of the first side plate away from the bottom plate, and the bottom plate, the first side plate and the top plate together enclose the accommodating cavity; the turntable includes an annular base frame rotatably connected to the first side plate and a guide portion extending from the base frame along the axial direction of the light-passing hole, the first side plate is spaced apart from and opposite to the guide portion, and the guide member is arranged on the inner side of the first side plate and is in point contact or surface contact with the guide portion.

[0010] Optionally, a positioning groove is provided on a side of the first side plate close to the guide portion, and the guide member is assembled in the positioning groove.

[0011] Optionally, a positioning portion is provided on a side of the first side plate close to the guide portion and protrudes toward the guide portion, and the positioning portion is spaced apart from the guide portion;

[0012] The positioning groove is provided on the positioning portion, and the positioning groove passes through an end of the positioning portion close to the bottom frame.

[0013] Optionally, the mover assembly further includes a mover unit fixed on the turntable and sleeved on the outside of the stator, and the mover unit, the stator and the elastic member are each provided in plurality, and the plurality of mover units are distributed at intervals along the circumference of the variable aperture device, the plurality of mover units are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of stators, and the plurality of elastic members are connected to the plurality of mover units in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0014] Optionally, the length direction of each elastic member extends along the circumference of the variable aperture device, and both ends of each elastic member along the length direction are respectively connected to the housing and one of the mover units.

[0015] Optionally, the variable aperture device further includes a first conductive member fixed to the housing, and a second conductive member fixed to the movable subassembly and spaced apart from the first conductive member, and the elastic member is electrically connected to the first conductive member, the second conductive member and the movable subassembly, respectively.

[0016] Optionally, the elastic part includes a connecting part fixed on the movable subassembly, a first conductive part whose two ends are respectively connected to the connecting part and the first conductive part, and a second conductive part whose two ends are respectively connected to the connecting part and the second conductive part, and the first conductive part and the second conductive part are spaced apart.

[0017] A camera module comprises the variable aperture device as described in any one of the above.

[0018] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: under the action of the driving force generated by the mutual induction between the movable assembly and the stator, the movable assembly rotates, and the movable assembly drives the blades to rotate relative to the housing in a first direction; under the action of the restoring force provided by the elastic member, the movable assembly rotates, and the movable assembly drives the blades to rotate relative to the housing in a second direction, and the first direction and the second direction are opposite, thereby changing the size of the aperture of the light hole and achieving the adjustment of the aperture size. Moreover, because the guide member is arranged between the housing and the movable assembly, the guide member is in point contact or surface contact with the movable assembly. Therefore, during the rotation of the movable assembly, the guide member can laterally support the movable assembly and guide the rotation of the movable assembly, thereby ensuring the coaxiality of the movable assembly and the stator, and suppressing the eccentricity of the blades relative to the optical axis of the variable aperture device, thereby ensuring the imaging effect.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a variable aperture device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional exploded structure of a variable aperture device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the assembly of a turntable, a mover unit, and a stator provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the assembly of a housing and a guide member provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the assembly of the first conductive member, the second conductive member, and the elastic member provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of an elastic member provided in an embodiment of the present invention. [Specific implementation method]

[0025] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0026] The present invention provides a camera module, comprising a variable aperture device, which can adjust the amount of light entering the camera module.

[0027] See also Figures 1 to 6The variable aperture device includes a housing 1 having a accommodating cavity 11, a stator 2 fixed to the housing 1 and located in the accommodating cavity 11, a movable assembly 3 rotatably connected to the housing 1 and located in the accommodating cavity 11, and a blade 4 rotatably connected to the housing 1 and connected to the movable assembly 3. The movable assembly 3 and the stator 2 are mutually induced to generate a driving force for driving the movable assembly 3 to rotate; there are at least three blades 4, and at least three blades 4 can rotate relative to the housing 1 under the drive of the movable assembly 3 to form a light-passing hole 41 with a variable aperture size. The variable aperture device also includes an elastic member 5 whose two ends are respectively connected to the housing 1 and the movable assembly 3, and a plurality of guide members 6 arranged between the housing 1 and the movable assembly 3 and distributed at intervals along the circumference of the variable aperture device. The guide member 6 is in point contact or surface contact with the movable assembly 3.

[0028] Under the action of the driving force generated by the mutual induction between the movable assembly 3 and the stator 2, the movable assembly 3 rotates, and the movable assembly 3 drives the blades 4 to rotate relative to the housing 1 in a first direction. Under the action of the restoring force provided by the elastic member 5, the movable assembly 3 rotates, and the movable assembly 3 drives the blades 4 to rotate relative to the housing 1 in a second direction. The first direction and the second direction are opposite, thereby changing the aperture size of the light hole 41 and adjusting the aperture size. Moreover, because the guide member 6 is arranged between the housing 1 and the movable assembly 3, the guide member 6 is in point contact or surface contact with the movable assembly 3. Therefore, during the rotation of the movable assembly 3, the guide member 6 can laterally support the movable assembly 3 and guide the rotation of the movable assembly 3, ensuring the coaxiality of the movable assembly 3 and the stator 2, and suppressing the eccentricity of the blades 4 relative to the optical axis of the variable aperture device, thereby ensuring the imaging effect.

[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the stator 2 and the mover assembly 3 are coaxially arranged, one of the first direction and the second direction is a clockwise direction, and the other is a counterclockwise direction. For example, when the blade 4 rotates clockwise, the aperture of the light-passing hole 41 increases; when the blade 4 rotates counterclockwise, the aperture of the light-passing hole 41 decreases.

[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, since the elastic member 5 is arranged between the movable subassembly 3 and the housing 1, when the movable subassembly 3 rotates in the first direction under the action of the driving force, the elastic member 5 is compressed; when the driving force disappears, the elastic member 5 can provide a tangential restoring force balanced with the driving force, and the movable subassembly 3 rotates in the second direction under the action of the restoring force.

[0031] It should be noted that the restoring force provided by the elastic member 5 is significantly greater than the friction generated between the guide member 6 and the movable assembly 3, and between the blades 4 and the housing 1. This results in the closed-loop control of the variable aperture device being primarily controlled by the elastic member 5, with the guide member 6 serving as a supplement. Furthermore, compared to traditional friction (ball or roller designs), the elastic member 5 exhibits less movement during mass production, resulting in better consistency. Furthermore, the elastic member 5 exhibits no risk of spring coefficient changes during long-term operation or external stresses (such as drops), resulting in improved reliability.

[0032] In the embodiment of the present invention, the guide member 6 may be a ball, a roller, an arc-shaped member, etc., so that the guide member 6 is in point contact or surface contact with the mover assembly 3 .

[0033] See also Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, the mover assembly 3 includes a turntable 31 rotatably disposed within the housing 1 and connected to the blades 4. A guide member 6 is positioned between the outer periphery of the turntable 31 and the inner periphery of the housing 1 to provide lateral support to the turntable 31. The guide member 6 makes point contact or surface contact with the turntable 31 to guide the rotation of the turntable 31. The turntable 31 rotates, driving the blades 4. Each blade 4 is distributed on and connected to the turntable 31, enabling synchronous rotation of the blades 4.

[0034] See also Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, the turntable 31 is provided with at least three abutting portions 313, each of which is spaced apart along the circumference. The blades 4 are provided with arcuate slots 42, into which the abutting portions 313 slide and fit in a corresponding manner. When the turntable 31 rotates in a first direction, the abutting portions 313 slide toward one end of the slot 42 and abut against the rotation of the blades 4. When the turntable 31 rotates in a second direction, the abutting portions 313 slide toward the other end of the slot 42 and abut against the rotation of the blades 4, thereby changing the aperture size of the light-transmitting hole 41.

[0035] See also Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4In some embodiments, the housing 1 includes a bottom plate 12, a first side plate 13 extending from the bottom plate 12 along the axial direction of the light-through hole 41, and a top plate 14 fixed to an end of the first side plate 13 away from the bottom plate 12. The bottom plate 12, the first side plate 13, and the top plate 14 collectively enclose a receiving chamber 11. The turntable 31 includes an annular bottom frame 311 rotatably connected to the first side plate 13, and a guide portion 312 extending from the bottom frame 311 along the axial direction of the light-through hole 41. The first side plate 13 and the guide portion 312 are spaced apart and arranged opposite each other. The guide member 6 is disposed on the inner side of the housing 1 and is in point contact or surface contact with the guide portion 312. The point contact or surface contact between the guide portion 312 and the guide member 6 can increase the contact area compared to contact between the outer side of the bottom frame 311 and the guide member 6, which is conducive to improving friction and side support. Moreover, the thickness of the bottom frame 311 can be freely designed, which is conducive to reducing the thickness of the bottom frame 311, thereby reducing the difficulty of driving the turntable 311 to rotate.

[0036] According to actual needs, the guide portion 312 can be arc-shaped to facilitate point contact or surface contact between the guide member 6 and the movable subassembly 3. A sliding track 314 is formed between the guide portion 312, the base frame 311 and the housing 1, and the guide member 6 is slidably assembled in the sliding track 314.

[0037] See also Figure 3 and Figure 4 In some embodiments, a positioning groove 161 is provided on the side of the first side panel 13 near the guide portion 312, and the guide member 6 is assembled within the positioning groove 161. This ensures that the guide portion 312 and the housing 1 are spaced apart and aligned with each other while the base 311 is rotatably connected to the housing 1, thereby reducing the difficulty of fitting the housing 1, the guide member 6, and the turntable 31. Furthermore, the guide member 6 can roll within the positioning groove 161, which helps reduce friction between the turntable 31 and the housing 1.

[0038] See also Figure 3 and Figure 4 In some embodiments, a positioning portion 16 is provided on one side of the first side panel 13 near the guide portion 312, protruding toward the guide portion 312. The positioning portion 16 is spaced apart from the guide portion 312. A positioning slot 161 is provided on the positioning portion 16 and extends through the end of the positioning portion 16 near the base 311. The guide member 6 makes point contact with the base 311. This allows the guide member 6 to provide multi-point support for the turntable 31, improving the stability of the turntable 31's rotation.

[0039] It should be noted that the number of guide members 6 is set according to actual needs, such as two, three, four, etc.; the guide members 6 can also be provided in multiple groups, and the multiple groups of guide members 6 are distributed at intervals along the circumferential direction, and each group is provided with multiple guide members 6, and the guide members 6 in each group are distributed continuously.

[0040] See also Figure 1 and Figure 4 In some embodiments, the housing 1 further includes a second side panel 15 connected to the bottom panel 12 and the top panel 14, respectively. The first side panel 13 and the second side panel 15 are spaced apart and relatively distributed. The bottom panel 12, the first side panel 13, the top panel 14 and the second side panel 15 together enclose a closed accommodating cavity 11, thereby improving the sealing performance.

[0041] See also Figure 2 and Figure 4 In some embodiments, a plurality of rotating shafts 18 spaced apart along the circumferential direction are further provided on the side of the top plate 14 away from the base frame 311 , and a plurality of blades 4 are rotatably connected to the plurality of rotating shafts 18 one by one, so that the blades 4 can rotate relative to the housing 1 .

[0042] See also Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, the actuator assembly 3 further includes a actuator unit 32 fixed to the turntable 31 and sleeved around the stator 2. Multiple actuator units 32, stators 2, and elastic members 5 are provided. These multiple actuator units 32 are spaced apart along the circumference of the variable aperture device, corresponding one-to-one with the multiple stators 2. The multiple elastic members 5 are connected to the multiple actuator units 32 in a one-to-one manner. This reduces the weight of the actuator assembly 3 and allows for faster start and stop times when the actuator units 32 are powered. Furthermore, the actuator assembly 3 is generally annular, with the blades 4 spaced apart circumferentially along the actuator assembly 3. When adjusting the aperture, the blades 4 rotate with the actuator assembly 3 to quickly reach the desired position without jitter, achieving zero delay and precise aperture values, enhancing the user experience. Each actuator unit 32 is connected to an elastic member 5. The restoring force provided by the elastic member 5 balances the driving force, ensuring virtually no jitter when the actuator unit 32 reaches the desired position. This reduces the operating time and number of closed-loop control interventions and saves power.

[0043] It should be noted that the number of mover units 32, elastic members 5, and stators 2 is set according to actual needs, for example, two, three, four, etc. For example, in one embodiment, three stators 2 are provided, and the three stators 2 are fixed to the housing 1 at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. The three mover units 32 are respectively sleeved on the outsides of the three stators 2, and the three elastic members 5 are respectively connected to the three mover units 32, and the ends of the elastic members 5 away from the mover units 32 are fixed to the housing 1.

[0044] In some embodiments, the mover unit 32 may be a coil, the elastic member 5 may be a spring, and the stator 2 may be a magnet.

[0045] See also Figure 1 and Figure 4In some embodiments, the length of each elastic member 5 extends along the circumference of the variable aperture device, that is, the elastic member 5 is arc-shaped. Each elastic member 5 is connected to the housing 1 and a movable unit 32 at its ends along its length. In this way, the elastic member 5 can provide a tangential restoring force that balances the driving force.

[0046] See also Figure 1 and Figure 4 In some embodiments, the housing 1 is provided with an escape notch 17, and the elastic member 5 is at least partially disposed opposite the escape notch 17. Thus, when the elastic member 5 is bent under force, the escape notch 17 can provide space to accommodate the elastic member 5, thereby preventing the elastic member 5 from abutting against the housing 1.

[0047] See also Figure 2 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6 In some embodiments, the variable aperture device further includes a first conductive member 7 fixed to the housing 1, and a second conductive member 8 fixed to the mover assembly 3 and spaced apart from the first conductive member 7. The elastic member 5 is electrically connected to the first conductive member 7, the second conductive member 8, and the mover assembly 3, respectively. In this manner, the mover assembly 3 is electrically conductive through the first conductive member 7, the second conductive member 8, and the elastic member 5, resulting in a simple structure and convenient circuit layout within the accommodating cavity 11. Furthermore, the elastic member 5 can serve as a circuit conductive component for the mover unit 32, achieving multiple uses.

[0048] See also Figure 5 In some embodiments, the first conductive member 7 and the second conductive member 8 are both ring-shaped, and multiple elastic members 5 can be connected to different positions on the first conductive member 7 and the second conductive member 8 to facilitate the installation of the elastic members 5.

[0049] See also Figure 5 and Figure 6 In some embodiments, the elastic member 5 includes a connecting portion 51 fixed to the movable element assembly 3, a first conductive portion 52 having two ends connected to the connecting portion 51 and the first conductive element 7, and a second conductive portion 53 having two ends connected to the connecting portion 51 and the second conductive element 8. The first conductive portion 52 and the second conductive portion 53 are spaced apart. Thus, the first conductive element 7, the first conductive portion 52, the movable element 32, the second conductive element 8, and the second conductive portion 53 form a power supply circuit with a simple structure.

[0050] The above description is only an embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that those skilled in the art can make improvements without departing from the creative concept of the present invention, but these improvements all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A variable aperture device, comprising a housing having an accommodating cavity, a stator fixed to the housing and located in the accommodating cavity, a movable assembly rotatably connected to the housing and located in the accommodating cavity, and a blade rotatably connected to the housing and connected to the movable assembly, wherein the movable assembly and the stator mutually induce each other to generate a driving force for driving the movable assembly to rotate; at least three blades are provided, and at least three of the blades can rotate relative to the housing under the drive of the movable assembly to form a light-through hole with a variable aperture size, characterized in that: The variable aperture device further includes an elastic member whose two ends are respectively connected to the housing and the movable subassembly, and a plurality of guide members arranged between the housing and the movable subassembly and distributed at intervals along the circumference of the variable aperture device, wherein the guide members are in point contact or surface contact with the movable subassembly.

2. The variable aperture device according to claim 1, wherein: The movable subassembly includes a turntable rotatably disposed in the housing and connected to the blades. The guide member is located between the outer circumference of the turntable and the inner circumference of the housing, and the guide member is in point contact or surface contact with the turntable.

3. The variable aperture device according to claim 2, wherein: The shell includes a bottom plate, a first side plate extending from the bottom plate along the axial direction of the light-through hole, and a top plate fixed to an end of the first side plate away from the bottom plate, and the bottom plate, the first side plate and the top plate together enclose the accommodating cavity; the turntable includes an annular base frame rotatably connected to the first side plate and a guide portion extending from the base frame along the axial direction of the light-through hole, the first side plate is spaced apart from and opposite to the guide portion, and the guide member is arranged on the inner side of the first side plate and is in point contact or surface contact with the guide portion.

4. The variable aperture device according to claim 3, wherein: A positioning groove is provided on one side of the first side plate close to the guide portion, and the guide member is assembled in the positioning groove.

5. The variable aperture device according to claim 4, characterized in that: A positioning portion is provided on a side of the first side plate close to the guide portion and protrudes toward the guide portion, and the positioning portion is spaced apart from the guide portion; The positioning groove is provided on the positioning portion, and the positioning groove passes through an end of the positioning portion close to the bottom frame.

6. The variable aperture device according to claim 2, wherein: The mover assembly also includes a mover unit fixed on the turntable and sleeved on the outside of the stator. The mover unit, the stator and the elastic member are each provided in plurality. The plurality of mover units are distributed at intervals along the circumference of the variable aperture device. The plurality of mover units are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of stators, and the plurality of elastic members are connected to the plurality of mover units in a one-to-one correspondence.

7. The variable aperture device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The length direction of each elastic member extends along the circumference of the variable aperture device, and both ends of each elastic member along the length direction are respectively connected to the housing and one of the mover units.

8. The variable aperture device according to claim 1, wherein: The variable aperture device further includes a first conductive member fixed to the housing, and a second conductive member fixed to the movable subassembly and spaced apart from the first conductive member. The elastic member is electrically connected to the first conductive member, the second conductive member, and the movable subassembly, respectively.

9. The variable aperture device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The elastic member includes a connecting portion fixed to the movable subassembly, a first conductive portion whose two ends are respectively connected to the connecting portion and the first conductive member, and a second conductive portion whose two ends are respectively connected to the connecting portion and the second conductive member, and the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion are spaced apart.

10. A camera module, characterized in that: The invention comprises the variable aperture device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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