Liquid lens focusing motor and assembling method thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a liquid lens focusing motor and an assembling method thereof, and the motor comprises the components of a liquid lens which comprises a bracket and a glass lens which are integrally connected; the base is provided with a bearing surface and is used for fixing a glass lens of a liquid lens; the shell is fixedly connected with the base, an accommodating space is formed by the shell and the base, and an opening is formed in the shell; the carrier is movably connected to the base through an elastic piece and can move relative to the base in the optical axis direction of the liquid lens, and the carrier is provided with a bearing face used for fixing a support of the liquid lens; the size of the opening is configured to allow the liquid lens to be installed in the accommodating space through the opening; the base is provided with a through hole, and the through hole is configured to allow the jig to penetrate through and push the carrier upwards.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of liquid lenses, and more particularly to a liquid lens focusing motor and its assembly method. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional liquid lens focusing motors are typically assembled from top to bottom. The assembly process usually requires using the liquid lens as a reference and gradually installing other components, or fixing the liquid lens in the early stages of installation and then finally installing the housing.

[0003] This assembly method exposes the liquid lens to potential collisions or stress risks during subsequent installation of components that may generate stress, such as carriers and springs, making it prone to damage or initial internal stress. Furthermore, there is a lack of effective processes to ensure precise relative positioning of the carrier and the liquid lens holder before fixation, and to reduce installation stress. Any positional deviation or stress between the carrier and the holder can easily lead to decreased focusing accuracy and product reliability issues. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure provides a liquid lens focusing motor and its assembly method.

[0005] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a liquid lens focusing motor is provided, comprising: a liquid lens, the liquid lens including an integrally connected bracket and a glass lens; a base, the base having a bearing surface for fixing the glass lens of the liquid lens; a housing, the housing being fixedly connected to the base and forming an accommodating space with the base, the housing having an opening; and a carrier, the carrier being movably connected to the base via a spring contact and movable relative to the base along the optical axis of the liquid lens, the carrier having a bearing surface for fixing the bracket of the liquid lens; wherein the size of the opening is configured to allow the liquid lens to be inserted into the accommodating space through the opening; the base having a through hole configured to allow a fixture to pass through and push the carrier upward.

[0006] According to one aspect of the technical solution of this disclosure, the liquid lens focusing motor achieves stress-free assembly of the liquid lens subsequently through an opening on the housing and a through hole on the base. After the motor's drive frame (including the base, housing, carrier, and spring) is assembled, the housing opening allows the liquid lens to be installed as the last component into the receiving space, avoiding the problem of the liquid lens being fixed first and exposed to potential collision or stress risks in the traditional assembly process. The through hole in the base provides an operating channel for the fixture, allowing the fixture to push the carrier upwards, achieving contact between the carrier's bearing surface and the lower surface of the liquid lens holder, reducing stress generated during subsequent fixing, thereby solving the reliability problems caused by installation stress and the problem of decreased focusing accuracy due to positional deviation in the prior art.

[0007] According to at least one embodiment of the liquid lens focusing motor of the present disclosure, a light-shielding plate is provided at the opening of the housing.

[0008] In the technical solution of this embodiment, a light-shielding sheet covers the opening of the housing to block external light from entering the motor through the opening and prevent stray light from affecting the imaging quality.

[0009] According to at least one embodiment of the liquid lens focusing motor of the present disclosure, the bearing surface of the base is provided with a second adhesive groove for receiving adhesive; and / or the bearing surface of the carrier is provided with a first adhesive groove for receiving adhesive.

[0010] In the technical solution of this embodiment, the first adhesive groove and the second adhesive groove provide specific accommodating space for the adhesive, which helps to increase the thickness of the adhesive layer and control the flow of the adhesive, thereby improving the strength and reliability of the bonding and fixing between the glass lens of the liquid lens and the base, as well as between the bracket and the carrier.

[0011] According to at least one embodiment of the liquid lens focusing motor of the present disclosure, a spring is connected between the carrier and the base, and provides elastic support for the carrier in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0012] In the technical solution of this embodiment, when the carrier moves along the optical axis, the spring sheet uses its own elasticity to suppress the offset and swaying of the carrier in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis, thus ensuring the stability of the carrier's motion trajectory.

[0013] According to at least one embodiment of the liquid lens focusing motor of the present disclosure, the through hole on the base is located in the central region of the bearing surface and is opposite to the position of the carrier.

[0014] In the technical solution of this embodiment, the through hole is located in the central area of ​​the bearing surface and is opposite to the carrier, ensuring that the fixture can accurately act on the expected part of the carrier along the optical axis, thereby realizing that the carrier is lifted smoothly and vertically to complete the precise positioning.

[0015] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a method for assembling a liquid lens focusing motor is provided, comprising: inserting a liquid lens into a receiving space through an opening in a housing; moving a carrier downward relative to a base until the bearing surface of the base contacts the glass lens of the liquid lens, and a gap is formed between the bearing surface of the carrier and the lower surface of the support of the liquid lens; fixing the glass lens of the liquid lens to the bearing surface of the base; and passing a fixture through a through hole in the base to push the carrier upward, so that the bearing surface of the carrier fits against the lower surface of the support of the liquid lens, and fixing the support to the bearing surface.

[0016] According to one aspect of the technical solution disclosed herein, the assembly method first assembles the base, housing, carrier, and spring to form a complete drive frame, and finally installs the liquid lens. This process avoids the risk of the liquid lens being prematurely fixed and subjected to subsequent assembly stress and impacts, as is common in traditional methods. By first lowering the carrier to create a safety gap, interference between components during installation is effectively prevented. Subsequently, a fixture is used to push the carrier to achieve a close fit with the bracket, reducing or even eliminating stress generated during liquid lens fixing. This solves the reliability problems and focusing accuracy reduction issues caused by installation deviations and stress in the prior art.

[0017] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the assembly method of the liquid lens focusing motor includes fixing the glass lens of the liquid lens to the bearing surface of the base by: applying adhesive to a second adhesive groove provided on the bearing surface, and then pressing and fixing the glass lens.

[0018] In the technical solution of this embodiment, by applying adhesive in the first adhesive groove and then pressing and fixing it, the adhesive is effectively confined within the adhesive groove area, which not only ensures sufficient bonding area but also avoids adhesive overflow and contamination of other optical components.

[0019] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the assembly method of the liquid lens focusing motor includes fixing the bracket to the receiving surface by: applying adhesive to a first adhesive groove provided on the receiving surface, and then pressing and fixing the bracket.

[0020] In the technical solution of this embodiment, the first adhesive groove provides a precisely positioned adhesive space for bonding between the bracket and the carrier, and the bonding forms a firm and stable mechanical connection between the bracket and the carrier.

[0021] The assembly method of the liquid lens focusing motor according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes moving the carrier downward relative to the base by: pulling the carrier downward.

[0022] The assembly method of the liquid lens focusing motor according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure further includes, after the liquid lens is installed and fixed, attaching a light-shielding sheet to the opening of the housing to block light from entering the accommodating space from the opening.

[0023] In the technical solution of this embodiment, after all mechanical assembly is completed, the light-shielding sheet is pasted on, which can completely seal the opening of the outer shell, effectively block external stray light from entering the motor, eliminate possible optical interference, and ensure imaging quality. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description thereof, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. These drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification.

[0025] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the structure of a liquid lens focusing motor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a liquid lens focusing motor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a liquid lens according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of the bonding surfaces of the carrier and the base according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the shell opening according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a light-shielding sheet for a housing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a spring according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the lower part of the carrier according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the upper part of the carrier according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a base according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 11 This is a structural schematic diagram of the bearing surface of a base according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a carrier, coil, and magnet assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a base insert according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of a circuit conduction structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 15 This is a flowchart of the assembly method of a liquid lens focusing motor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 100 bases 110 Second positioning post 120 bearing surface 121 Second Glue Tank 122 Adhesive Resistant Groove 130 Second Through Hole 140 through hole 200 carriers 210 First positioning post 220 Clearance 230 bearing surface 231 First Glue Tank 240 First through hole 241 Circular groove 250 corner 260 winding post 270 coil positioning post 300 Liquid Lens 310 bracket 311 Liquid Chamber 320 glass lens 400 shrapnel 410 First positioning hole 420 Second positioning hole 430 Third Through Hole 440 pad 500 inserts 510 First insert 520 Second insert 530 The third insert 540 The fourth insert 600 casing 610 Opening 620 light-blocking sheet 700 coil 800 Magnet 900 thermistor. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The present disclosure will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts relevant to the present disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0042] It should be noted that, where there is no conflict, the embodiments and features described in this disclosure can be combined with each other. The technical solutions of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0043] Unless otherwise stated, the exemplary implementations / embodiments shown are to be understood as providing exemplary features of various details that provide ways in which the technical concepts of this disclosure can be implemented in practice. Therefore, unless otherwise stated, the features of various implementations / embodiments may be additionally combined, separated, interchanged and / or rearranged without departing from the technical concepts of this disclosure.

[0044] To facilitate description and make the technical solutions of this disclosure easier to understand, the terminology of this disclosure will be explained before describing the technical solutions of this disclosure.

[0045] Accommodation space: In this disclosure, it refers to the cavity space formed by the base and the outer shell after being fixedly connected, which is used to accommodate internal components such as carriers and liquid lenses.

[0046] Anti-interference gap: refers to a safe distance artificially created between the carrier receiving surface and the lower surface of the liquid lens holder during the assembly process to prevent unexpected contact or collision of components during installation or movement.

[0047] In existing technologies, traditional liquid lens focusing motors are typically assembled from top to bottom. The assembly process requires the liquid lens as a reference, or the liquid lens must be fixed in the early stages of installation. This makes the delicate liquid lens susceptible to damage or internal stress during subsequent assembly. Furthermore, the lack of effective processes to ensure the precise relative position of the carrier and lens holder before fixation can easily lead to interference and reliability issues during focusing.

[0048] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the structure of a liquid lens focusing motor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a liquid lens focusing motor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this disclosure provides a liquid lens focusing motor, including a base 100, a carrier 200, a liquid lens 300, a spring 400, and a housing 600.

[0050] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a liquid lens according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] like Figure 3As shown, the liquid lens 300 includes an integrally connected bracket 310 and a glass lens 320. As a focusing execution component, it changes the optical curvature by deforming the liquid cavity 311 inside the bracket 310 to achieve optical focusing.

[0052] The base 100 has a bearing surface 120 for supporting and fixing the glass lens 320 of the liquid lens 300, providing a stable mounting base. The carrier 200 is movably connected to the base 100 via a spring 400 and can move relative to the base 100 along the optical axis of the liquid lens 300. The carrier 200 has a receiving surface 230 for fixing the bracket 310 of the liquid lens 300, thereby driving the bracket 310 to move to trigger the deformation focusing of the liquid lens 300.

[0053] The outer casing 600 is fixedly connected to the base 100, together forming an accommodating space for accommodating internal components.

[0054] The housing 600 has an opening 610, the size of which is configured to allow the liquid lens 300 to be inserted into the receiving space from the outside, realizing the process flow of assembling the drive frame first and then installing the lens. The base 100 also has a through hole 140 to allow a fixture to pass through and push the carrier 200 upward, which facilitates the positioning of the carrier 200 and the support 310 during the assembly process.

[0055] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of the bonding surfaces of the carrier and the base according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] The working principle and process for solving the aforementioned technical problems of the liquid lens focusing motor are as follows: First, the base 100, housing 600, carrier 200, and spring 400 are assembled into a complete drive frame. Finally, the liquid lens 300 is inserted into the receiving space through the opening 610 of the housing 600. This assembly process avoids the liquid lens 300 being prematurely fixed and thus subject to the risks of subsequent assembly stress and impacts. Figure 4 As shown, a gap remains between the adhesive surfaces of the base 100 and the spring 400 and the carrier 200. When installing the liquid lens 300, as... Figure 2 and Figure 4As shown, the carrier 200 can be lowered first, so that the bearing surface 120 of the base 100 contacts the glass lens 320 for initial positioning. Simultaneously, a gap is formed between the bearing surface 230 of the carrier 200 and the lower surface of the bracket 310, effectively preventing collisions. Subsequently, the fixture precisely pushes the carrier 200 upwards through the through-hole 140 of the base 100, ensuring a perfect fit between the bearing surface 230 of the carrier 200 and the lower surface of the bracket 310, and then fixes it in place. This process ensures that the liquid lens 300 is installed under stress-free conditions, fundamentally solving the reliability problems caused by installation deviations and residual stress in the prior art. The cooperation between the through-hole 140 and the fixture enables the adjustment of the carrier 200's position, guaranteeing the focusing accuracy of the final product.

[0057] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the shell opening according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a light-shielding sheet for a housing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments of this disclosure, a light-shielding sheet 620 is provided at the opening 610 of the housing 600. The light-shielding sheet 620 is adhered to and covers the opening 610 of the housing 600. Its working principle is to block external ambient light from directly entering the accommodating space formed by the housing 600 and the base 100 through the opening 610, thereby significantly improving the contrast and image quality of the final captured image. In practice, the light-shielding sheet 620 is usually made of black light-shielding tape or a plastic sheet coated with a light-shielding coating. Its shape matches the opening 610, and it is firmly adhered to the outer surface or inner edge of the housing 600 with adhesive backing, ensuring complete coverage of the opening 610 without gaps.

[0059] like Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the bearing surface 120 of the base 100 is provided with a second adhesive groove 121 for receiving adhesive. The receiving surface 230 of the carrier 200 is provided with a first adhesive groove 231 for receiving adhesive. The second adhesive groove 121 is formed on the bearing surface 120 of the base 100 for supporting the glass lens 320, and the first adhesive groove 231 is formed on the receiving surface 230 of the carrier 200 for supporting the bracket 310. When performing an adhesive dispensing operation, the adhesive groove provides a preset space for receiving and flowing adhesive, which can increase the local adhesive thickness and bonding area, thereby significantly improving the bonding strength and reliability. In the implementation details, after the dispensing process is completed, the glass lens 320 is pressed onto the bearing surface 120 of the base 100, and the bracket 310 is pressed onto the receiving surface 230 of the carrier 200. The glue groove structure can effectively guide and limit the spread of the glue, prevent the glue from overflowing into the optically effective area (such as the center of the glass lens 320) or moving parts, and avoid contamination or motion interference.

[0060] Figure 15 This is a flowchart of the assembly method of a liquid lens focusing motor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] like Figure 15 As shown, this disclosure also provides a method for assembling a liquid lens focusing motor, including: Step S100: Insert the liquid lens 300 into the receiving space through the opening 610 on the housing 600; Step S200: Move the carrier 200 downward relative to the base 100 until the bearing surface 120 of the base 100 contacts the glass lens 320 of the liquid lens 300, and a gap is formed between the bearing surface 230 of the carrier 200 and the lower surface of the support 310 of the liquid lens 300. Step S300: Fix the glass lens 320 of the liquid lens 300 onto the bearing surface 120 of the base 100; and Step S400: Pass a fixture through the through hole 140 on the base 100 to push the carrier 200 upward, so that the receiving surface 230 of the carrier 200 is in contact with the lower surface of the support 310 of the liquid lens 300, and fix the support 310 on the receiving surface 230.

[0062] This assembly method, which involves first assembling the base 100, outer shell 600, carrier 200, and spring 400 to form a complete drive frame, and finally installing the liquid lens 300, avoids the risk of the liquid lens 300 being prematurely fixed and subjected to subsequent assembly stress and impacts, as is common in traditional methods. By first lowering the carrier 200 to create a safety gap, interference between components during installation is effectively prevented. Subsequently, a jig is used to push the carrier 200 to achieve a close fit with the bracket 310, reducing or even eliminating the stress generated during the fixing of the liquid lens 300. This solves the reliability problems and focusing accuracy reduction issues caused by installation deviations and stress in existing technologies.

[0063] Understandably, the assembly method also includes assembling the housing 600, the base 100, and the carrier 200 before inserting the liquid lens 300 into the accommodating space, including connecting the carrier 200 to the base 100 via the spring tab 400 and fixing the housing 600 to the base 100.

[0064] For example, the focusing motor drive frame is pre-assembled before liquid lens mounting. This specifically includes: The coil 700 is wound onto the carrier 200. For example... Figure 12As shown, the starting and ending ends of the coil 700 are fixed to two winding posts 260 on the carrier 200, and the wire of the coil 700 is wound in an orderly manner on the coil positioning posts 270 on opposite sides of the outer periphery of the carrier 200. The magnet 800 is fixed to the inside of the outer casing 600, ensuring precise alignment with the coil 700 on the carrier 200. The magnet 800 is preferably magnetized using a Hellbeck array, with its enhanced magnetic field facing the coil 700 to improve driving efficiency. Subsequently, the carrier 200 with the coil 700 is movably connected to the base 100 via a lower spring 400. During this process, the first positioning hole 410 on the lower spring 400 engages with the first positioning post 210 at the bottom of the carrier 200, and the second positioning hole 420 on the lower spring 400 engages with the second positioning post 110 on the base 100, thereby achieving precise fixation and tension of the lower spring 400 between the carrier 200 and the base 100. The lower spring 400 not only provides elastic constraints for the carrier 200 in the X and Y directions, but its pads 440 also serve as circuit connection points. Finally, the housing 600 is fixedly connected to the base 100 to form a complete drive frame and accommodating space. Within this frame, the carrier 200 can move smoothly in the Z direction, limited by the inner top surface of the housing 600.

[0065] In some embodiments of this disclosure, fixing the glass lens 320 of the liquid lens 300 to the bearing surface 120 of the base 100 includes: dispensing adhesive into a second adhesive groove 121 provided on the bearing surface 120, and then pressing and fixing the glass lens 320. The second adhesive groove 121 is used to regulate the dispensing position and amount of adhesive, ensuring reliable bonding. Exemplarily, in implementation, a dispensing device is used to precisely dispense UV-curable adhesive into the groove of the second adhesive groove 121, then the glass lens 320 is placed stably on the bearing surface 120, appropriate pressure is applied to ensure full contact with the adhesive, and finally, the adhesive is cured by UV irradiation.

[0066] Similarly, fixing the bracket 310 to the receiving surface 230 includes: applying adhesive to the first adhesive groove 231 provided on the receiving surface 230, and then pressing and fixing the bracket 310. For example, during implementation, an appropriate amount of adhesive is applied to the first adhesive groove 231 of the receiving surface 230 of the carrier 200. When the fixture lifts the carrier 200 so that the receiving surface 230 is attached to the lower surface of the bracket 310, the adhesive forms a uniform adhesive layer between the two, which cures to form a strong connection.

[0067] In some embodiments of this disclosure, moving the carrier 200 downward relative to the base 100 includes: pulling the carrier 200 downward, and utilizing the elastic properties of the spring sheet 400 to achieve controllable displacement. As an example, in practice, tools such as vacuum nozzles or mechanical grippers can be used to adsorb or clamp the upper part of the carrier 200, and a downward force can be applied to cause the spring sheet 400 to undergo elastic deformation, thereby causing the carrier 200 to move downward by a predetermined distance.

[0068] In some embodiments of this disclosure, after the liquid lens 300 is installed and fixed, a light-shielding sheet 620 is attached to the opening 610 of the housing 600 to block light from entering the accommodating space through the opening 610. For example, in implementation, black light-shielding tape is selected, die-cut to the shape of the opening 610, and accurately attached to cover the entire area of ​​the opening 610 to ensure no light leakage gaps.

[0069] The working process of the liquid lens focusing motor in the above technical solution is as follows: First, the operator assembles the base 100, housing 600, carrier 200, and lower spring 400 into a complete drive frame. Then, the liquid lens 300 is inserted into the receiving space through the opening 610 at the top of the housing 600, ensuring that its glass lens 320 initially contacts the bearing surface 120 of the base 100. Next, the carrier 200 is pulled downwards, utilizing the elastic deformation of the lower spring 400 to move the carrier 200 downwards, ensuring that an interference-preventing gap is formed between the bearing surface 230 of the carrier 200 and the lower surface of the liquid lens 300 support 310, provided that the glass lens 320 is in contact and positioned with the base 100. After this interference-preventing adjustment, adhesive is applied to the second adhesive groove 121 on the bearing surface 120 of the base 100 to formally fix the glass lens 320 onto the base 100.

[0070] Then, a special jig is vertically inserted through the through hole 140 from below the base 100, precisely pushing the bottom of the carrier 200 to allow it to rise smoothly until its receiving surface 230 is completely in contact with the lower surface of the liquid lens 300 bracket 310. In this perfectly fitted state, adhesive is applied to the first adhesive groove 231 of the receiving surface 230 of the carrier 200 to fix the bracket 310 onto the carrier 200, thus achieving high-precision installation of the liquid lens 300 without any installation stress. Finally, a light-shielding sheet 620 is attached to the opening 610 of the outer shell 600, completing the assembly of the entire module.

[0071] In existing technologies, liquid lenses are used to replace traditional multi-lens groups in order to achieve a thinner and lighter camera module. However, existing liquid lens focusing modules have a relatively large number of components in their drive mechanism, and the structure is still not simple enough. For example, in order to ensure that the lens can effectively return to its original position after focusing, a special elastic component (such as an upper spring) is usually required in the module to provide restoring force, which to some extent limits the further reduction in the size of the camera motor.

[0072] To solve the above technical problems, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this disclosure provides a liquid lens focusing motor, including a base 100, a carrier 200, and a liquid lens 300.

[0073] The base 100 is used to provide support for the entire liquid lens focusing motor.

[0074] The carrier 200 is movably disposed above the base 100 and is capable of moving relative to the base 100 along the Z-direction. Here, the Z-direction is defined in this disclosure as the direction parallel to the optical axis of the liquid lens, i.e., the direction of lens movement during focusing. The X and Y directions are two mutually perpendicular directions within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0075] Combination Figure 3 As shown, the liquid lens 300 includes an integrally connected support 310 and a glass lens 320. The support 310 is made of a flexible transparent material (such as silicone or elastic plastic) and has elastic deformation capability. A liquid cavity 311 for containing functional liquid is provided in its central part. The support 310 is fixed to the carrier 200 and can move with the carrier 200. The glass lens 320 is fixed to the base 100 and remains stationary relative to the base 100. When the carrier 200 is driven to move along the Z-axis, the support 310 and the liquid cavity 311 undergo elastic deformation relative to the glass lens 320; when the driving force disappears, the elastic restoring force of the support 310 causes the support 310 and the carrier 200 to return to their original positions.

[0076] The working principle and process of solving the above-mentioned technical problems of the liquid lens focusing motor are as follows: When focusing is required, the driving device (such as a voice coil motor) generates a driving force that acts on the carrier 200, causing the carrier 200 to move along the Z direction. Since the support 310 of the liquid lens 300 is fixed to the carrier 200, and the glass lens 320 is fixed to the base 100, the movement of the carrier 200 will force the support 310 to displace relative to the stationary glass lens 320, thereby causing the support 310, made of elastic material, and its internal liquid cavity 311 to undergo elastic deformation, changing the curvature of the liquid, and thus realizing the adjustment of the optical focal length (i.e., focusing). During this process, the support 310 stores elastic potential energy due to deformation. When focusing ends and the driving force disappears, the elastic potential energy stored in the support 310 is released, generating an elastic restoring force. This restoring force will drive the support 310 to return to its original shape and drive the carrier 200 fixed on it back to the initial position. The core of the above technical solution lies in the creative use of the support 310 of the liquid lens 300 itself as an elastic component that provides restoring force, thereby eliminating the need for separate elastic components such as the upper spring sheet in the background technology. This solves the technical problem of complex module structure and inability to further reduce volume due to the presence of additional reset elements, and achieves the beneficial effects of simplifying the structure and reducing the product volume.

[0077] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a spring according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0078] like Figure 2 and Figure 7 As shown, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the spring 400 connects the carrier 200 and the base 100, providing elastic support for the carrier 200 in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The spring 400 is typically made of a thin metal sheet with good elasticity. Its working principle utilizes the elasticity of its material to constrain any tendency of the carrier 200 to deviate in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis (i.e., in the X and Y directions) as the carrier 200 moves along the optical axis. This elastic support restricts the movement of the carrier 200 to a straight trajectory along the optical axis, preventing lateral swaying or tilting, thereby ensuring the stability and focusing accuracy of the carrier 200 driving the liquid lens 300.

[0079] For example, the spring 400 of the liquid lens focusing motor connects the base 100 and the carrier 200 to limit the offset of the carrier 200 in the X and Y directions, which are perpendicular to each other. This spring 400 provides constraint forces in the X and Y directions during the movement of the carrier 200 along the Z direction, preventing the carrier 200 from shifting laterally, thereby ensuring the directional stability of the focusing motion.

[0080] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the lower part of a carrier according to one embodiment of this disclosure. (In conjunction with...) Figure 2 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, exemplarily, the spring piece 400 is provided with a plurality of first positioning holes 410, and the lower part of the carrier 200 is provided with a first positioning post 210 adapted to the first positioning holes 410, the first positioning post 210 and the first positioning hole 410 being inserted into each other. Through the insertion and engagement of the first positioning post 210 and the first positioning hole 410, the spring piece 400 can be accurately positioned and reliably fixed on the carrier 200.

[0081] Furthermore, a clearance space 220 is provided at the lower part of the carrier 200 to prevent contact interference between the carrier 200 and the spring 400 when the carrier 200 moves in the Z direction. The clearance space 220 provides the necessary clearance for the reciprocating motion of the carrier 200 in the Z direction, effectively preventing mechanical interference between the moving parts and the spring 400.

[0082] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a base according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0083] like Figure 7 and Figure 10As shown, exemplarily, the spring piece 400 is further provided with a plurality of second positioning holes 420, and the base 100 is provided with a second positioning post 110 adapted to the second positioning holes 420, the second positioning post 110 and the second positioning hole 420 being inserted into each other. Through the cooperation of the second positioning post 110 and the second positioning hole 420, the precise positioning of the spring piece 400 on the base 100 is achieved, and it works in conjunction with the first positioning post 210 on the carrier 200 to jointly complete the fixation of both ends of the spring piece 400 between the base 100 and the carrier 200.

[0084] It should be noted that the spring 400 connecting the base 100 and the carrier 200 in this embodiment has a fundamentally different function from the "upper spring" in the prior art. One of the core functions of the upper spring in the prior art is to work with other elastic components (such as the lower spring) to provide a restoring force to the lens assembly after the driving force disappears, thus resetting it. However, the spring 400 in this disclosure primarily functions to constrain the movement of the carrier 200 in the X and Y directions using its structural elasticity, preventing displacement and providing stability and guidance. The core component providing the Z-axis resetting function is the innovative liquid lens 300 support 310 itself, which uses its own deformation to generate elastic restoring force to reset the carrier 200, thus making it possible to eliminate the need for a traditional upper spring and simplifying the structure. Therefore, the spring 400 in this disclosure is an auxiliary component for achieving motion stability, rather than an elastic component providing the main resetting force.

[0085] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the upper part of the carrier according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] like Figure 2 and Figure 9As shown, exemplarily, the carrier 200 has a first through hole 240 extending along the Z direction at the center of the receiving surface 230, for the light path of the liquid lens 300 to pass through. The carrier 200 includes a plurality of corner portions 250 surrounding the first through hole 240. The first adhesive groove 231 is provided with a plurality of portions located at each corner portion 250 of the receiving surface 230, and both ends of the first adhesive groove 231 are open. One end of the first through hole 240 is provided with a circular groove 241, which is coaxial with the first through hole 240, i.e., has the same axis. The aforementioned open state can be that both ends of the first adhesive groove 231 are connected to the circular groove 241 and the outside of the carrier 200, respectively. The design of placing the first adhesive groove 231 in the corner portion 250 area of ​​the receiving surface 230 and having both ends open is beneficial for the uniform distribution and full filling of the adhesive, while also facilitating the control of the amount of adhesive and preventing the adhesive from overflowing into unintended areas. Specifically, one end of the first glue groove 231 is connected to the outside of the carrier 200 to facilitate the flow and filling of glue, and the other end of the first glue groove 231 is connected to the circular groove 241 so that excess glue can be dispersed along the circular groove 241, which helps to control the amount of glue and reduce the risk of glue overflowing into the first through hole 240.

[0087] Figure 11 This is a structural schematic diagram of the bearing surface of a base according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0088] like Figure 2 and Figure 11 As shown, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the bearing surface 120 on the base 100 is annular, used to support and fix the glass lens 320 of the liquid lens 300. This annular bearing surface 120 provides a precise positioning and support platform for the glass lens 320.

[0089] For example, the base 100 has a second through hole 130 extending in the Z direction at the center of the bearing surface 120. The second through hole 130 is coaxial with the first through hole 240 and is used for the light path of the liquid lens 300 to pass through. The second through hole 130 forms a light channel to ensure that the imaging beam can pass through the base 100 and reach the image sensor without obstruction.

[0090] Furthermore, the bearing surface 120 has an adhesive-blocking groove 122, and multiple second adhesive grooves 121 are arranged around the second through hole 130 to hold adhesive. The adhesive is used to fix the glass lens 320 to the base 100. An adhesive-blocking groove 122 is provided between two adjacent second adhesive grooves 121. The multiple surrounding second adhesive grooves 121 increase the bonding area. The adhesive-blocking grooves 122 provided between adjacent second adhesive grooves 121 can effectively limit the flow range of the adhesive before curing and prevent adhesive from contaminating the optically effective area at the second through hole 130.

[0091] The number of spring pieces 400 can be two, and a third through hole 430 is formed between the two spring pieces 400. The base 100 includes a cylindrical structure forming a bearing surface 120. The cylindrical structure is disposed in the third through hole 430 to help restrict the movement of the spring pieces 400 in the X and Y directions.

[0092] The working process of the liquid lens focusing motor in the above technical solution is as follows: When focusing is required, the drive device (such as a voice coil motor) is energized, generating a driving force that acts on the carrier 200. Under the action of the driving force, the carrier 200 moves relative to the base 100 along the Z-axis (optical axis direction). Since the support 310 of the liquid lens 300 is firmly fixed to the carrier 200 through the bearing surface 230 on the upper part of the carrier 200 and the adhesive in the first adhesive groove 231, and the glass lens 320 of the liquid lens 300 is fixed to the base 100 through the bearing surface 120 of the base 100 and the adhesive in the second adhesive groove 121, the movement of the carrier 200 will cause the support 310 to act relative to the fixed glass lens 320, forcing the support 310, made of elastic material, and its internal liquid cavity 311 to undergo elastic deformation, thereby changing the curvature of the liquid, achieving precise adjustment of the optical focal length, and completing the focusing process. During this process, the spring piece 400 connecting the carrier 200 and the base 100 is stably tensioned between the carrier 200 and the base 100 through the engagement of its first positioning hole 410 on the carrier 200 side with the first positioning post 210, and the engagement of its second positioning hole 420 on the base 100 side with the second positioning post 110. This provides X and Y direction constraint forces for the Z-axis movement of the carrier 200, effectively preventing lateral displacement of the carrier 200 and ensuring the stability and accuracy of the focusing movement. Simultaneously, the clearance space 220 provided at the lower part of the carrier 200 ensures that the carrier 200 will not contact or interfere with the spring piece 400 during movement.

[0093] Once focusing is complete and the driving force disappears, the elastic restoring force stored in the liquid lens 300 support 310 due to deformation begins to be released. This restoring force drives the support 310 to return to its original shape and, together with the carrier 200 fixed to it, smoothly returns to its initial position, achieving automatic reset and preparing for the next focusing action.

[0094] In existing technologies, the magnetoelectric drive circuit of liquid lens focusing modules typically uses a flying wire (FPC) to conduct external power to a movable carrier coil. However, the flying wire occupies a large space, which is not conducive to further thinning of the module.

[0095] To solve the above technical problems, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, this disclosure provides a liquid lens focusing module, including a circuit conduction structure formed by a base 100, a carrier 200, a liquid lens 300, a spring 400 and an insert 500, a housing 600, a coil 700 and a magnet 800.

[0096] The base 100 is used to support and fix other components. The outer shell 600 is fixedly connected to the base 100, together forming the main support frame of the module. The carrier 200 is movably disposed between the base 100 and the outer shell 600, and can move along the Z-axis.

[0097] like Figure 3 As shown, the liquid lens 300 includes an integrally connected bracket 310 and a glass lens 320. The bracket 310 is fixed to the carrier 200 and has a liquid cavity 311 for containing liquid inside. The glass lens 320 is fixed to the base 100.

[0098] The coil 700 is disposed on the carrier 200. The magnet 800 is disposed inside the housing 600 and is positioned opposite the coil 700.

[0099] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a base insert according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of a circuit conduction structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0100] Combination Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, the circuit conduction structure is used to power the coil 700. It includes an insert 500 disposed on the base 100 and a spring 400 connected between the insert 500 and the coil 700. The spring 400 conducts current from the insert 500 to the coil 700.

[0101] When energized, coil 700 interacts with magnet 800, generating a Lorentz force that drives carrier 200 to move along the Z-axis. By driving carrier 200 to move along the Z-axis, the optical focal length of liquid lens 300 is changed, thereby achieving optical focusing. The working principle of the liquid lens focusing module based on the above technical solution and the process of solving the above technical problems are as follows: An external power source is connected to the module via an insert 500 embedded in the base 100. Current flows from the insert 500 into the spring 400 (commonly referred to as the lower spring), and is then conducted by the spring 400 to the coil 700 wound on the carrier 200. When current flows through the coil 700, a magnetic field is generated around it. This magnetic field interacts with the constant magnetic field generated by the magnet 800 fixed inside the housing 600, and according to the law of electromagnetic induction (Lorentz force), the coil 700 experiences a force along the optical axis (Z-direction). Since the coil 700 is fixed to the carrier 200, and the carrier 200 is constrained between the base 100 and the housing 600 through movable connections such as the spring 400, the carrier 200 can move along the Z-direction. The carrier 200 drives the liquid lens 300 support 310 fixed to it to move. Since the glass lens 320 of the liquid lens 300 is fixed on the base 100, the deformation of the carrier 200 (including the bracket 310) relative to the base 100 forces a change in the key optical components of the liquid lens 300 (such as the liquid curvature), thereby precisely adjusting its optical focal length and achieving autofocus. The core innovation of this technical solution lies in the complete replacement of the space-consuming and unsustainable flying wire (FPC) connection method in existing technologies through the highly integrated circuit conduction structure of the insert 500 and the spring 400. The insert 500 is embedded inside the base 100, and the spring 400 simultaneously provides conductive and elastic connection functions, making the overall structure more compact, reducing the module's volume and thickness, and achieving a thinner module design.

[0102] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a carrier, coil, and magnet assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0103] like Figure 12 As shown, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the coil 700 includes a starting end and a ending end, and the carrier 200 includes two winding posts 260, which are used to fix the starting end and the ending end of the coil 700, respectively. The winding posts 260 provide reliable mechanical fixing points for the starting end and the ending end of the coil 700, preventing the coil 700 from loosening due to vibration during the movement of the carrier 200, and ensuring the long-term stability of the electrical connection.

[0104] like Figure 8 and Figure 12As shown, furthermore, a set of coil positioning posts 270 is provided on each of the opposite sides of the outer periphery of the carrier 200. The two sets of coil positioning posts 270 are used to wind two sets of coils 700, which are connected in series. The coil positioning posts 270 ensure that the coils 700 can be precisely and neatly wound in the predetermined positions on the carrier 200. The series connection of the two sets of coils 700 ensures that the current flowing through them is always consistent, thereby maintaining a balance of Lorentz forces on both sides of the carrier 200. This helps the carrier 200 move smoothly and accurately along the Z-axis, avoiding tilting or jamming, and improving focusing accuracy.

[0105] like Figure 1 and Figure 13 As shown, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the circuit conduction structure further includes a thermistor 900, and the insert 500 is also used to conduct the circuit of the thermistor 900. The thermistor 900 is used to sense temperature changes inside the module in real time. Integrating the thermistor 900 into the circuit conduction structure allows the insert 500 to not only perform the main function of conducting the drive current, but also to be used to connect sensing elements, thus achieving integrated drive and sensing circuitry.

[0106] like Figure 13 As shown, exemplarily, there are four inserts 500. The first insert 510 and the second insert 520 are welded to the spring 400 to form the drive current loop for the coil 700. The third insert 530 and the fourth insert 540 are welded to both ends of the thermistor 900. The four inserts 500 achieve a clear functional division: the first insert 510 and the second insert 520 are dedicated to conducting the large current required to drive the coil 700, forming a high-efficiency power loop; the third insert 530 and the fourth insert 540 are used to transmit the current of the thermistor 900. The four inserts 500 are physically separated, which helps to reduce the interference of the drive circuit on the sensing signal and improve the accuracy and reliability of temperature detection.

[0107] like Figure 14 As shown, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the spring 400 is provided with two sets of pads 440, one set of pads 440 being soldered to the insert 500 and the other set of pads 440 being soldered to the coil 700, for forming a current path. The pads 440 provide an optimized and reliable soldering interface, increasing the soldering area and ensuring that current can be stably conducted from the insert 500 to the coil 700 through a low-resistance path, reducing contact resistance and heat generation at the connection point, and improving the reliability of conduction.

[0108] The aforementioned magnet 800 can be magnetized using a Hellbeck array. Hellbeck array magnetization is a technique for optimizing magnetic circuits. It concentrates and enhances the magnetic field strength on the side of the magnet 800 closest to the coil 700. With the same volume and input current, the coil 700 can cut stronger magnetic field lines, thereby obtaining a greater Lorentz force and improving the efficiency and response speed of the drive system.

[0109] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the housing 600 is made of a magnetically conductive material. The housing 600, made of a magnetically conductive material (such as iron, alloys, etc.), not only serves as a mounting base for the magnet 800 but also becomes part of the magnetic circuit itself. It can effectively converge and guide the magnetic field lines generated by the magnet 800, reduce magnetic field leakage, and allow the magnetic field to act more concentratedly on the coil 700, thereby further improving the utilization rate of the magnetic field and enhancing the driving effect.

[0110] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 As shown, the outer shell 600 constitutes the upper limit structure for the carrier 200 to move along the Z direction. The inner top of the outer shell 600 acts as a mechanical stop for the upward movement of the carrier 200. When the carrier 200 moves upward to the preset limit position under the action of driving force, it will contact the outer shell 600 and be stopped from continuing to move, preventing the moving parts from being damaged by collision due to overtravel, and ensuring the precise control of the focusing stroke and the safe operation of the module.

[0111] The working process of the liquid lens focusing module of the above technical solution is as follows: When the system is powered on and focusing is required, external current flows in through the insert 500 on the base 100 and is conducted to the coil 700 on the carrier 200 via the spring 400. When the coil 700 is energized, it interacts with the magnet 800, which is fixed inside the housing 600 and magnetized using a Helbeck array, generating a Lorentz force. This force drives the carrier 200 to overcome the elastic constraint of the spring 400 and move along the Z-axis (optical axis). The carrier 200 drives the support 310 of the liquid lens 300 to move, while the glass lens 320 of the liquid lens 300 remains stationary, fixed to the base 100. The deformation of the support 310 relative to the glass lens 320 forces the liquid cavity 311 of the liquid lens 300 to deform, changing its optical curvature, thereby achieving fast and precise optical focusing.

[0112] Throughout the entire operation, the spring 400 not only conducts current, but also effectively limits the offset of the carrier 200 in the X and Y directions through the positioning and tensioning of the first positioning post 210 on the carrier 200 and the second positioning post 110 on the base 100, ensuring the stability of the carrier 200's movement. Simultaneously, the thermistor 900 integrated in the circuit monitors the module temperature in real time through a dedicated insert 500, feeding the temperature signal back to the control system to compensate for focus drift caused by temperature changes, ensuring focusing accuracy under different environments. When the driving current disappears, the liquid lens 300, relying on the elastic restoring force of its support material 310, drives the carrier 200 back to its initial position, completing the reset. The inner top surface of the outer shell 600 acts as a mechanical limiter to prevent the carrier 200 from exceeding its travel range.

[0113] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment / mode," "some embodiments / modes," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment / mode or example is included in at least one embodiment / mode or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment / mode or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments / modes or examples. Furthermore, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments / modes or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments / modes or examples.

[0114] Those skilled in the art should understand that the above embodiments are merely for illustrating the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art can make other changes or modifications based on the above disclosure, and these changes or modifications still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A liquid lens focusing motor, characterized in that, include: A liquid lens, comprising an integrally connected bracket and a glass lens; A base, on which a bearing surface is provided for fixing the glass lens of the liquid lens; The outer casing is fixedly connected to the base and forms an accommodating space with the base; the outer casing is provided with an opening. The carrier is movably connected to the base via a spring and can move relative to the base along the optical axis of the liquid lens. The carrier is provided with a support surface for fixing the liquid lens. The opening is sized to allow the liquid lens to be inserted into the accommodating space; the base has a through hole configured to allow a fixture to pass through and push the carrier upward.

2. The liquid lens focusing motor according to claim 1, characterized in that, A light-shielding sheet is provided at the opening of the outer casing.

3. The liquid lens focusing motor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The carrier has a first adhesive groove on its receiving surface for receiving adhesive; and / or the base has a second adhesive groove on its bearing surface for receiving adhesive.

4. The liquid lens focusing motor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spring is connected between the carrier and the base, and provides elastic support for the carrier in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis.

5. The liquid lens focusing motor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The through hole on the base is located in the central area of ​​the bearing surface and is opposite to the position of the carrier.

6. A method for assembling a liquid lens focusing motor as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, include: The liquid lens is inserted into the accommodating space through the opening on the outer shell; The carrier is moved downward relative to the base until the bearing surface of the base contacts the glass lens of the liquid lens, and a gap is formed between the bearing surface of the carrier and the lower surface of the support of the liquid lens. The glass lens of the liquid lens is fixed to the bearing surface of the base; A fixture is passed through the through hole on the base to push the carrier upward, so that the receiving surface of the carrier is in contact with the lower surface of the support of the liquid lens, and the support is fixed to the receiving surface.

7. The assembly method of the liquid lens focusing motor according to claim 6, characterized in that, The step of fixing the glass lens of the liquid lens to the bearing surface of the base includes: applying adhesive into the second adhesive groove provided on the bearing surface, and then pressing and fixing the glass lens.

8. The assembly method of the liquid lens focusing motor according to claim 6, characterized in that, The step of fixing the bracket to the receiving surface includes: applying adhesive into the first adhesive groove provided on the receiving surface, and then pressing and fixing the bracket.

9. The assembly method of the liquid lens focusing motor according to claim 6, characterized in that, Moving the carrier downward relative to the base includes: pulling the carrier downward.

10. The assembly method of the liquid lens focusing motor according to claim 6, characterized in that, After the liquid lens is installed and fixed, the method further includes: attaching a light-shielding sheet to the opening of the housing to block light from entering the accommodating space from the opening.

Images