Liquid lens

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of optical lenses, and discloses a liquid lens which comprises a shell, a first light-transmitting plate, an electrode, a second light-transmitting plate and a sealing piece. The shell is provided with a first containing cavity and a second containing cavity, a shell light-transmitting hole is formed in the cavity bottom wall of the second containing cavity, and the first light-transmitting plate is arranged in the second containing cavity and seals the shell light-transmitting hole. The electrode is arranged in the first containing cavity and provided with a mounting hole, an electrode light-transmitting hole is formed in the hole bottom face of the mounting hole, a film layer structure is arranged on the hole wall face of the conical hole section of the electrode light-transmitting hole, and the second light-transmitting plate is arranged in the mounting hole and seals the electrode light-transmitting hole. The diameter of the straight hole section of the electrode light through hole is larger than that of the shell light through hole. The sealing piece is clamped between the inner wall of the first containing cavity and the outer wall of the electrode, and a liquid cavity capable of containing optical liquid is formed among the first light-transmitting plate, the second light-transmitting plate, the electrode and the sealing piece. The service life and the reliability of the liquid lens can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of optical lenses, in particular to a liquid lens. Background Art

[0002] Traditional solid-state lens zoom systems rely on stepping or voice coil motors to drive one or more groups of lenses to move. They have disadvantages such as difficulty in miniaturization, slow zoom speed, high price, and inconvenience in precise control.

[0003] Liquid lenses based on the principle of electrowetting can perfectly solve these problems. Their special advantages are fast response speed and small structural space occupation. However, the aging of the film structure of the liquid lens will greatly reduce the service life of the liquid lens or reduce its performance. In the prior art, the film structure on the inner wall of the electrode light hole is easily exposed to strong light, which accelerates the aging of the film structure and greatly reduces the reliability and service life of the liquid lens. Utility Model Content

[0004] The utility model aims to provide a liquid lens, which improves the reliability and service life of the liquid lens.

[0005] To achieve this purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] Liquid lens, including:

[0007] A housing, which is provided with an open first accommodating cavity and a second accommodating cavity connected to a cavity bottom wall of the first accommodating cavity and extending outward, wherein the cavity bottom wall of the second accommodating cavity is provided with a housing light-through hole;

[0008] A first light-transmitting plate, disposed in the second accommodating cavity and sealing the light-transmitting hole of the housing;

[0009] An electrode, which is arranged in the first accommodating cavity, and the electrode is provided with a mounting hole, the bottom surface of the mounting hole is provided with an electrode light-through hole, the electrode light-through hole comprises a straight hole section arranged on the bottom surface of the mounting hole and a tapered hole section connected to the edge of the straight hole section, the tapered hole section is arranged at one end of the straight hole section away from the mounting hole, the cross-sectional diameter of the tapered hole section gradually increases in the direction from the straight hole section to the tapered hole section, the hole wall surface of the tapered hole section is provided with a film layer structure, and the diameter of the straight hole section is larger than the diameter of the light-through hole of the housing;

[0010] A second light-transmitting plate is disposed in the mounting hole and closes the electrode light-transmitting hole;

[0011] A sealing member, disposed in the first accommodating cavity and sandwiched between an inner wall of the first accommodating cavity and an outer wall of the electrode;

[0012] A liquid chamber is formed among the first light-transmitting plate, the second light-transmitting plate, the electrode and the seal, and an optical liquid is disposed in the liquid chamber.

[0013] As an alternative, a bending structure is provided on the bottom wall of the first accommodation chamber, and the bending structure is disposed between the seal and the second accommodation chamber.

[0014] As an alternative, the bending structure includes a first bending portion protruding away from the first accommodation chamber and a second bending portion protruding towards the first accommodation chamber.

[0015] As an alternative, the wall thickness of the bending structure is less than the wall thickness of the remaining part of the bottom wall of the first accommodation chamber excluding the bending structure, and the wall thickness of the bending structure is less than the wall thickness of the side wall of the first accommodation chamber.

[0016] As an alternative, a first annular extension wall is inwardly extended and provided at one end of the side wall of the first accommodation chamber departing from the bottom wall of the first accommodation chamber to form the open end; a second annular extension wall is inwardly extended and provided at one end of the side wall of the second accommodation chamber departing from the first accommodation chamber to form the through hole of the housing for light.

[0017] As an alternative, the cross section of the seal is a C-shaped structure. The seal abuts against the side wall of the first accommodation chamber, the bottom wall of the first accommodation chamber and the first annular extension wall. An annular protrusion is provided on the outer wall of the electrode, and the annular protrusion is inserted into the C-shaped groove of the seal.

[0018] As an alternative, the included angle between the wall surface of the tapered hole section and the second light-transmitting plate is between 0° and 90°.

[0019] As an alternative, the film layer structure includes a dielectric film plated on the wall surface of the tapered hole section and a hydrophobic film covering the dielectric film.

[0020] As an alternative, a sealant layer is provided between the first light-transmitting plate and the bottom wall of the second accommodation chamber and between the second light-transmitting plate and the bottom surface of the mounting hole.

[0021] As an alternative, the optical liquid includes a conductive liquid and a non-conductive liquid.

[0022] Advantages of the present utility model:

[0023] The present utility model provides a liquid lens. By setting the diameter of the straight hole section to be larger than that of the light-transmitting hole of the housing, when the liquid lens is in use, the second light-transmitting plate can be arranged on the side facing the strong light. The strong light beam can sequentially pass through the second light-transmitting plate, the optical liquid, and the first light-transmitting plate, avoiding the direct irradiation of the strong light beam on the film layer structure on the hole wall surface of the conical hole section, reducing the aging speed of the film layer structure, and improving the reliability and service life of the liquid lens. Description of the Drawings

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic structural view of the liquid lens provided by an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic structural view of the housing involved in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic structural view of the electrode involved in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0027] In the figure:

[0028] 1. Housing; 11. First accommodation cavity; 12. Second accommodation cavity; 13. Light-transmitting hole of the housing; 14. First bending part; 15. Second bending part; 16. First annular extension wall; 17. Second annular extension wall;

[0029] 2. First light-transmitting plate;

[0030] 3. Electrode; 31. Mounting hole; 32. Straight hole section; 33. Conical hole section; 34. Dielectric film; 35. Hydrophobic film; 36. Annular protrusion;

[0031] 4. Second light-transmitting plate;

[0032] 5. Seal;

[0033] 6. Conductive liquid;

[0034] 7. Non-conductive liquid

[0035] 8. Sealant layer. Detailed Embodiment

[0036] The embodiments of the present utility model will be described in detail below. The examples of the embodiments are shown in the drawings, in which the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar components or components with the same or similar functions from beginning to end. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are exemplary and are intended to explain the present utility model, but should not be construed as a limitation to the present utility model.

[0037] In the description of the present utility model, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "connected", "connected to", and "fixed" shall be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. It may be the communication inside two components or the interaction relationship between two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0038] In the description of the present utility model, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may include the direct contact between the first feature and the second feature, or may include the situation where the first feature and the second feature are not in direct contact but in contact through other features between them. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "above and to the right", and "on the top" of the second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature being "below", "below and to the left", and "underneath" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than that of the second feature.

[0039] The technical solution of the present utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0040] Such as Figures 1 - 3As shown in the figure, an embodiment of the present utility model provides a liquid lens, which includes a housing 1, a first light-transmitting plate 2, an electrode 3, a second light-transmitting plate 4, and a seal 5. Among them, the housing 1 is provided with an open first accommodation cavity 11 and a second accommodation cavity 12 that communicates with the bottom wall of the first accommodation cavity 11 and extends outward. The bottom wall of the second accommodation cavity 12 is provided with a housing light-transmitting hole 13. The first light-transmitting plate 2 is disposed in the second accommodation cavity 12 and closes the housing light-transmitting hole 13. The electrode 3 is disposed in the first accommodation cavity 11, and the electrode 3 is provided with a mounting hole 31. The bottom surface of the mounting hole 31 is provided with an electrode light-transmitting hole. The electrode light-transmitting hole includes a straight hole section 32 disposed on the bottom surface of the mounting hole 31 and a tapered hole section 33 connected to the edge of the straight hole section 32. The tapered hole section 33 is disposed at one end of the straight hole section 32 away from the mounting hole 31, and in the direction from the straight hole section 32 to the tapered hole section 33, the cross-sectional diameter dimension of the tapered hole section 33 gradually increases. The hole wall surface of the tapered hole section 33 is provided with a film layer structure. The second light-transmitting plate 4 is disposed in the mounting hole 31 and closes the electrode light-transmitting hole. The diameter of the straight hole section 32 is larger than the diameter of the housing light-transmitting hole 13, which can prevent strong light from directly irradiating the film layer structure of the electrode light-transmitting hole. The seal 5 is disposed in the first accommodation cavity 11 and is clamped between the inner wall of the first accommodation cavity 11 and the outer wall of the electrode 3. A liquid cavity is formed among the first light-transmitting plate 2, the second light-transmitting plate 4, the electrode 3, and the seal 5, and the liquid cavity is filled with optical liquid. The first light-transmitting plate 2 and the second light-transmitting plate 4 can transmit visible light, and their materials can be organic materials or inorganic materials. Optionally, the materials of the first light-transmitting plate 2 and the second light-transmitting plate 4 include glass plates or PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) plates.

[0041] By setting the diameter dimension of the straight hole section 32 to be larger than the diameter of the housing light-transmitting hole 13, when the liquid lens is in use, the second light-transmitting plate 4 can be set to face the side of strong light. The strong light beam can sequentially pass through the second light-transmitting plate 4, the optical liquid, and the first light-transmitting plate 2, avoiding the strong light beam from directly irradiating the film layer structure on the hole wall surface of the tapered hole section 33, reducing the aging speed of the film layer structure, and improving the reliability and service life of the liquid lens.

[0042] Optionally, as Figure 2 shown, the bottom wall of the first accommodation cavity 11 is provided with a bending structure, and the bending structure is disposed between the seal 5 and the second accommodation cavity 12. When the optical liquid in the liquid lens expands due to heat, the bending structure can absorb the extrusion force generated by the expansion of the optical liquid and can be stretched and deformed, avoiding damage to the seal of the liquid lens and improving the reliability of the liquid lens.

[0043] Furthermore, the bending structure includes a first bending portion 14 protruding away from the first accommodation cavity 11 and a second bending portion 15 protruding toward the first accommodation cavity 11, which greatly improves the ability to absorb the extrusion force of the optical liquid.

[0044] Optionally, at one end of the cavity side wall of the first accommodation cavity 11 away from the cavity bottom wall of the first accommodation cavity 11, a first annular extension wall 16 is extended inward to form an opening; at one end of the cavity side wall of the second accommodation cavity 12 away from the first accommodation cavity 11, a second annular extension wall 17 is extended inward to form an outer shell light passing hole 13. This structure can enhance the strength of the outer shell 1 and improve the sealing performance.

[0045] In order to further improve the strength of the outer shell 1 and ensure the deformation ability of the bending structure, the wall thickness of the cavity side wall of the first accommodation cavity 11, the part of the cavity bottom wall of the first accommodation cavity 11 other than the bending structure, and the first annular extension wall 16 is greater than the wall thickness of the bending structure on the cavity bottom wall of the first accommodation cavity 11. By thickening the wall thickness of the cavity side wall of the first accommodation cavity 11, the part of the cavity bottom wall of the first accommodation cavity 11 other than the bending structure, and the first annular extension wall 16, the strength of the outer shell 1 can be ensured. By appropriately thinning the wall thickness of the bending structure on the cavity bottom wall of the first accommodation cavity 11, the deformation ability of the bending structure can be ensured.

[0046] Optionally, as Figure 1 and in combination with Figure 3 shown, the cross-section of the seal 5 is a C-shaped structure. The seal 5 abuts against the cavity side wall of the first accommodation cavity 11, the cavity bottom wall of the first accommodation cavity 11, and the first annular extension wall 16. An annular protrusion 36 is provided on the outer wall of the electrode 3, and the annular protrusion 36 is inserted into the C-shaped groove of the seal 5. This seal 5 structure can effectively improve the sealing effect.

[0047] In this embodiment, the included angle between the pore wall surface of the tapered hole section 33 and the second light-transmitting plate 4 is 0° - 90°.

[0048] In this embodiment, the film layer structure includes a dielectric film 34 plated on the pore wall surface of the tapered hole section 33 and a hydrophobic film 35 covering the dielectric film 34. The hydrophobic film 35 and the dielectric film 34 can be made of the same material. In this case, the hydrophobic film 35 is both a hydrophobic layer and a dielectric layer. The dielectric film 34 can prevent the electrode 3 from being electrically broken down. The hydrophobic film 35 is to obtain a larger initial contact angle to make the hysteresis of the liquid lens smaller. The dielectric film 34 can be selected from one or more of parylene, tantalum pentoxide, aluminum oxide, silicon nitride, etc. The hydrophobic film 35 can be Cytop, AF1600 or other fluorides, siloxanes, etc. The contact angle between the hydrophobic film 35 and water is greater than 100°. At the same time, only one layer of film can be used as both the dielectric layer and the hydrophobic layer. Exemplarily, the material can be selected from parylene, AF1600, etc.

[0049] Optionally, a sealant layer 8 is provided between the first light-transmitting plate 2 and the bottom wall of the second receiving cavity 12, and between the second light-transmitting plate 4 and the bottom surface of the mounting hole 31. By providing the sealant layer 8, not only the separate connection and fixation of the first light-transmitting plate 2 and the second light-transmitting plate 4 are achieved, but also the sealing performance is further improved.

[0050] In this embodiment, the optical liquid includes a conductive liquid 6 and a non-conductive liquid 7. A liquid interface is formed between the conductive liquid 6 and the non-conductive liquid 7. The non-conductive liquid 7 contacts the second light-transmitting plate 4, and the conductive liquid 6 contacts the first light-transmitting plate 2. When the liquid lens is powered on through the electrode 3 and the housing 1, in the case of no power supply, the liquid interface between the non-conductive liquid 7 and the conductive liquid 6 forms a liquid surface convex towards the second light-transmitting plate 4. Correspondingly, a negative optical power is formed at this time. After the power is turned on, as the voltage continuously increases, the liquid interface forms a liquid surface convex towards the first light-transmitting plate 2. Correspondingly, a positive optical power is formed.

[0051] Specifically, the non-conductive liquid 7 includes organic solvents such as silicone oil and chlorobenzene or mixtures thereof. The conductive liquid 6 includes water, alcohol, salt solution or mixtures thereof. The density of the conductive liquid 6 is the same as that of the non-conductive liquid 7. Both the conductive liquid 6 and the non-conductive liquid 7 contact the surface of the electrode 3. The non-conductive liquid 7 does not contact the housing 1.

[0052] Optionally, the material of the electrode 3 includes various metal materials, such as Zn, Cu, Cr, Al, etc. As an example, the metal surface can be coated with an antioxidant material such as nickel to prevent the electrode 3 from being oxidized during use and affecting the use effect. At the same time, the electrode 3 can also be coated with metal oxides as an adhesive layer, such as Al2O3, Ta2O5, etc., which can not only increase the adhesion between the hydrophobic layer coating and the substrate, but also play an insulating role to improve the breakdown voltage of the liquid lens. The metal coating can be prepared by methods such as physical vapor deposition (PVD) or vacuum magnetron sputtering deposition.

[0053] Optionally, the material selected for the seal 5 is, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene, parylene or perfluorocyclic polymer.

[0054] Optionally, the material of the housing 1 includes any one of metallic iron, iron alloy, metallic copper, metallic zinc, copper alloy, zinc alloy, copper-zinc alloy, metallic aluminum and aluminum alloy. For example, the housing 1 is obtained by numerical control machining, sheet metal working or die forming.

[0055] The liquid lens can make full use of the structural design of the electrode 3. The total area of the surface of the electrode 3 in contact with the optical liquid is reduced, the internal field strength is lowered, the border of the liquid lens is made narrower, and the optical quality and service life of the liquid lens are improved. Moreover, the liquid lens adopts the way of curling and necking sealing, which enhances the structural strength, enhances the sealing reliability, and is simple to manufacture and low in cost.

[0056] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, rather than limitations on the implementation manners of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other different forms of changes or modifications can be made on the basis of the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to enumerate all the implementation manners here. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. Liquid lens, characterized in that, include: A housing (1) provided with an open first accommodating cavity (11) and a second accommodating cavity (12) connected to a cavity bottom wall of the first accommodating cavity (11) and extending outwards, wherein the cavity bottom wall of the second accommodating cavity (12) is provided with a housing light-through hole (13); A first light-transmitting plate (2) is arranged in the second accommodating cavity (12) and seals the light-through hole (13) of the housing; An electrode (3), which is arranged in the first accommodating cavity (11), and the electrode (3) is provided with a mounting hole (31), and the bottom surface of the mounting hole (31) is provided with an electrode light-through hole, and the electrode light-through hole comprises a straight hole section (32) arranged on the bottom surface of the mounting hole (31) and a tapered hole section (33) connected to the edge of the straight hole section (32), and the tapered hole section (33) is arranged at one end of the straight hole section (32) away from the mounting hole (31), and the cross-sectional diameter of the tapered hole section (33) gradually increases in the direction from the straight hole section (32) to the tapered hole section (33), and the hole wall surface of the tapered hole section (33) is provided with a film layer structure, and the diameter of the straight hole section (32) is larger than the diameter of the shell light-through hole (13); A second light-transmitting plate (4) is arranged in the mounting hole (31) and seals the electrode light-transmitting hole; A sealing member (5) is arranged in the first accommodating cavity (11) and sandwiched between the inner wall of the first accommodating cavity (11) and the outer wall of the electrode (3); A liquid cavity is formed between the first light-transmitting plate (2), the second light-transmitting plate (4), the electrode (3) and the sealing member (5), and an optical liquid is arranged in the liquid cavity.

2. The liquid lens according to claim 1, wherein The bottom wall of the first accommodating cavity (11) is provided with a bending structure, and the bending structure is arranged between the sealing element (5) and the second accommodating cavity (12).

3. The liquid lens according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bending structure comprises a first bending portion (14) protruding away from the first accommodating cavity (11) and a second bending portion (15) protruding toward the first accommodating cavity (11).

4. The liquid lens according to claim 2, characterized in that, The wall thickness of the bending structure is smaller than the wall thickness of the bottom wall of the first accommodating cavity (11) excluding the bending structure, and the wall thickness of the bending structure is smaller than the wall thickness of the side wall of the first accommodating cavity (11).

5. The liquid lens according to claim 1, characterized in that, A first annular extending wall (16) is provided inwardly extending from one end of the side wall of the first accommodating cavity (11) away from the cavity bottom wall of the first accommodating cavity (11) to form the opening; and a second annular extending wall (17) is provided inwardly extending from one end of the side wall of the second accommodating cavity (12) away from the first accommodating cavity (11) to form the light-through hole (13) of the outer shell.

6. The liquid lens according to claim 5, wherein The cross section of the sealing member (5) is a C-shaped structure. The sealing member (5) abuts against the side wall of the first accommodating cavity (11), the bottom wall of the first accommodating cavity (11) and the first annular extension wall (16). The outer wall of the electrode (3) is provided with an annular protrusion (36), and the annular protrusion (36) is inserted into the C-shaped groove of the sealing member (5).

7. The liquid lens according to claim 1, wherein The included angle between the hole wall surface of the conical hole section (33) and the second light-transmitting plate (4) is between 0° and 90°.

8. The liquid lens according to claim 1, wherein The film layer structure includes a dielectric film (34) plated on the hole wall surface of the conical hole section (33) and a hydrophobic film (35) covering the dielectric film (34).

9. The liquid lens according to claim 1, wherein Sealing adhesive layers (8) are provided between the first light-transmitting plate (2) and the bottom wall of the second accommodation cavity (12) and between the second light-transmitting plate (4) and the bottom surface of the mounting hole (31).

10. The liquid lens according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical liquid includes a conductive liquid (6) and a non-conductive liquid (7).

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