An elastomeric zoom lens device based on a stacked PVC gel driver
By combining a stacked PVC gel actuator with photopolymer 3D printing material, the problems of large size, slow response, high energy consumption and poor controllability of dielectric elastomer deformation in traditional zoom lenses are solved, achieving lightweight, fast response and stable focal length adjustment, which is suitable for miniaturized devices such as endoscopes and mobile phone lenses.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CHANGAN UNIV
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-14
AI Technical Summary
Traditional zoom lenses are large in size, slow in response speed, and high in energy consumption, while dielectric elastomer lenses have poor controllability of deformation and insufficient stability, making it difficult to meet the needs of continuous focal length adjustment in complex scenarios.
A ring-shaped, stacked PVC gel actuator is used to replace the traditional mechanical transmission mechanism. Combined with a transparent glass limiting and extrusion module, the extrusion and contraction of the stacked PVC gel actuator achieves precise control of the elastic silicone lens, constructing a limiting-force-deformation collaborative structure. With the help of photopolymer 3D printing materials and specific material composition design, the controllability and stability of deformation are improved.
It achieves lightweight, fast response, and low energy consumption of zoom lenses, expands the focal length adjustment range, adapts to the continuous adjustment needs in complex scenarios, and improves the stability and applicability of the device.
Smart Images
Figure CN224500963U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of optical device and smart material driving technology, specifically relating to an elastomer variable focus lens device based on a stacked PVC gel actuator. Background Technology
[0002] In the field of optical imaging, zoom lenses, as core components, play a crucial role in the application effect of imaging systems. With the miniaturization, high efficiency, and intelligence of modern optical equipment, the technological bottlenecks of traditional zoom lenses are becoming increasingly prominent, making the integration of new driving technologies with zoom lenses a research hotspot. Traditional zoom lenses rely on mechanical transmission mechanisms to drive the displacement of optical components, thereby changing the optical path to achieve focal length adjustment. While this approach is technically mature, it suffers from drawbacks such as large size, slow response speed (typically greater than 500ms), and high energy consumption: the mechanical transmission structure requires additional installation space, making it difficult to adapt to miniaturized devices such as mobile phone lenses and micro-optical sensors; the inertia and friction of mechanical components lead to slow response speed, and the high energy consumption of continuously running motors limits its application in low-power scenarios; frequent mechanical failures such as gear wear and lead screw jamming result in a mean time between failures (MTBF) of only a few thousand hours, failing to meet the requirements for long-term stable operation of industrial-grade equipment. In recent years, electrically driven zoom lenses based on dielectric elastomers (DE) or liquid crystal materials have gradually developed, but their deformation controllability is poor, and the focal length adjustment range is limited (generally less than 100%). For example, the focal length change rate of a single dielectric elastomer lens is typically less than 80%, and its performance is prone to degradation due to material fatigue over long periods of operation. While existing lenses using dielectric elastomers can achieve electrically driven zoom, they suffer from poor deformation controllability and insufficient stability. Furthermore, a single driving mechanism is insufficient to meet the continuous focal length adjustment requirements in complex scenarios.
[0003] PVC gel is a novel smart dielectric material. Actuators based on laminated PVC gel offer advantages over traditional motors and hydraulic actuators, including lighter weight, greater deformation, noiseless operation, faster response, lower energy consumption, and more flexible movement. They weigh only 1 / 10 of traditional motors, can deform by 300%–500%, have a response time of <10ms, consume microwatts of energy, and generate no mechanical noise. Their flexible deformation properties can directly act on elastic lenses, avoiding complex mechanical transmissions and enabling miniaturized, high-precision zooming, thus attracting increasing attention and research. However, current research has not fully explored the application potential of PVC gel actuators in zoom lenses. Challenges remain, such as designing the coupling structure between the elastic lens and the laminated PVC actuator to achieve synergy between precise compression, controllable deformation, and focal length adjustment; lacking an electric field-deformation-focal length mapping model for optical zoom, hindering continuous and stable focal length adjustment; and failing to verify the performance stability of PVC gel under long-term cyclic loading and temperature / humidity variations, limiting its engineering applications. Utility Model Content
[0004] This invention provides an elastomer variable focus lens device and its working method based on a stacked PVC gel actuator, in order to solve the technical problems of existing traditional zoom lenses and electrically driven zoom lenses based on dielectric elastomers and liquid crystal materials, which have large size, slow response, high energy consumption, poor deformation controllability, limited focal length adjustment range, insufficient stability, and difficulty in meeting the continuous focal length adjustment requirements of complex scenarios with a single driving mechanism.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:
[0006] An elastomer variable focus lens device based on a stacked PVC gel actuator includes a transparent glass, an elastic silicone lens disposed at the lower end of the transparent glass, a compression module disposed at the lower end of the outer edge of the elastic silicone lens, and an empty space at the lower end of the center part of the elastic silicone lens. The lower end of the compression module is connected to an annular stacked PVC gel actuator, and the annular stacked PVC gel actuator compresses the compression module upward, so that the compression module contacts the elastic silicone lens.
[0007] The lower end of the annular stacked PVC gel actuator is provided with a linear slide rail, which has an L-shaped structure, and the annular stacked PVC gel actuator is placed inside the L-shaped structure.
[0008] The linear slide rail is slidably mounted on the inner wall of the bottom frame.
[0009] The lower inner wall of the bottom frame is provided with a threaded structure, and the bottom frame is provided with an adjusting nut through the threaded structure. The adjusting nut is located at the lower end of the linear slide rail.
[0010] The bottom frame has a top frame at its upper end, and the outer edges of the bottom frame and the top frame are aligned vertically and connected together.
[0011] The lower surface of the top frame is provided with a slot, and the transparent glass is secured in the slot of the top frame.
[0012] The top frame was fabricated using photopolymer 3D printing.
[0013] The annular stacked PVC gel actuator consists of a cathode, an anode, and a PVC gel mold, wherein the cathode is a copper foil cathode, the anode is a copper mesh anode, the anode of the annular stacked PVC gel actuator is connected to the extrusion module at its upper end, and the cathode of the annular stacked PVC gel actuator is connected to a linear slide rail.
[0014] The PVC gel mold is obtained by combining PVC plastic particles and DBA plasticizer in a 1:4 ratio; the thickness of the PVC film is 220μm.
[0015] The elastic silicone lens is made of SYLGARD184 material, which contains two components, A and B, with a component ratio of A:B = 22.5:1.
[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:
[0017] This invention proposes an elastomer-based variable focus lens device based on a stacked PVC gel actuator. It replaces the traditional mechanical transmission mechanism (motor, gear set) and single dielectric elastomer / liquid crystal drive with a ring-shaped stacked PVC gel actuator. Utilizing the lightweight, large deformation, fast response, and low energy consumption characteristics of the PVC gel actuator, it overcomes the problems of bulky size, slow response, and high energy consumption of mechanical transmissions. It also overcomes the shortcomings of poor controllability and insufficient stability of dielectric elastomer deformation, making the zoom drive more flexible and efficient, adaptable to the continuous adjustment needs of complex scenarios.
[0018] Furthermore, this invention proposes an elastomeric variable focus lens device based on a stacked PVC gel actuator. This device utilizes a transparent glass limiting mechanism, a compression module for force transmission, and an annular stacked PVC gel actuator for active compression / contraction, constructing a collaborative "limiting-force-deformation" structure. The transparent glass restricts the upward displacement of the elastic silicone lens, while the annular stacked PVC gel actuator, in conjunction with the compression module, precisely controls the compression force on the edge of the elastic silicone lens, achieving stable curvature changes in the central area, improving deformation controllability, and expanding the focal length adjustment range.
[0019] Furthermore, this invention proposes an elastomer variable focus lens device based on a stacked PVC gel actuator. The top and bottom frames form a modular assembly space, integrating all components for easy installation and debugging. An adjusting nut, in conjunction with a linear slide rail, allows for fine-tuning of the position of the annular stacked PVC gel actuator to adapt to different initial pressure requirements. The precise design of different material components (such as the material ratio of PVC gel and elastic silicone lens) allows the device to flexibly adapt to various scenarios in terms of deformation, response, and other performance characteristics, improving overall stability and applicability.
[0020] Furthermore, this utility model proposes an elastomer variable focus lens device based on a stacked PVC gel actuator. The elastic silicone lens uses SYLGARD184 material and is designed with a specific component ratio. The annular stacked PVC gel actuator clearly defines the composition and parameters of the cathode, anode, and PVC gel film, ensuring the mechanical properties and chemical stability of the driving and deformation components from the material level. This alleviates the performance degradation problem caused by fatigue of traditional dielectric elastomer materials and improves the long-term stability of the device. Attached Figure Description
[0021] Figure 1 : This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the elastomer variable focus lens device for the laminated PVC gel actuator provided in the embodiments of this application;
[0022] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the adjustment nut zooming of the elastomer variable focus lens device for a laminated PVC gel actuator provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0023] Figure 3 This is a voltage-driven zoom schematic diagram of an elastomer variable focus lens device based on a laminated PVC gel actuator provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0024] Labeling: 1. Top frame; 2. Clear glass; 3. Elastic silicone lens; 4. Extrusion module; 5. Stacked PVC gel actuator; 6. Linear slide rail; 7. Bottom frame; 8. Adjusting nut. Detailed Implementation
[0025] To further understand the present invention, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the embodiments are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
[0026] The embodiments of this utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0027] Existing elastomer lenses primarily achieve zooming through mechanical components, which suffers from problems such as large size, slow response speed, and high energy consumption. Furthermore, while lenses using dielectric elastomers can achieve electrically driven zooming, they exhibit drawbacks such as poor deformation controllability, insufficient stability, and small focal length changes. Moreover, a single drive mechanism is insufficient to meet the continuous focal length adjustment requirements in complex scenarios. To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, such as… Figure 1 This embodiment provides an elastomer variable focus lens device based on a stacked PVC gel actuator, including a top frame 1, a bottom frame 7, a transparent glass 2, an elastic silicone lens 3, an extrusion module 4, an annular stacked PVC gel actuator 5, a linear slide rail 6, and an adjusting nut 8. In this embodiment, the top frame 1, bottom frame 7, extrusion module 4, linear slide rail 6, and adjusting nut 8 are all fabricated using photopolymerizable 3D printing material and are insulated. The fabrication material is not limited to photopolymerizable 3D printing materials. The elastic silicone lens 3 is made of SYLGARD184 material, which contains two components, A and B, with a component ratio of A:B = 22.5:1. The annular stacked PVC gel actuator 5 consists of a cathode, an anode, and a PVC gel mold. The cathode is a copper foil cathode, and the anode is a copper mesh anode. The anode of the annular stacked PVC gel actuator 5 is connected to the extrusion module 4 at its upper end, and the cathode of the annular stacked PVC gel actuator 5 is connected to the linear slide rail 6. The PVC gel mold is obtained by combining PVC plastic particles and DBA plasticizer in a 1:4 ratio. The thickness of the PVC film is 220 μm.
[0028] The bottom frame 7 is located at the lower end of the top frame 1. The bottom frame 7 corresponds vertically to the outer edge of the top frame 1 and is assembled to form a rigid frame. The transparent glass 2, the elastic silicone lens 3, the extrusion module 4, the annular stacked PVC gel actuator 5, and the linear slide rail 6 are located inside this rigid frame. The lower inner wall of the bottom frame 7 has a threaded structure. The adjusting nut 8 is connected to the bottom frame 7 through the threaded structure and can move up and down along the inner wall of the bottom frame 7. The lower surface of the top frame 1 has a slot. The transparent glass 2 is secured in the slot of the top frame 1. The elastic silicone lens 3 is located at the lower end of the transparent glass 2. The extrusion module 4 is located at the lower end of the outer edge of the elastic silicone lens 3. The lower end of the center part of the elastic silicone lens 3 is empty. The lower end of the extrusion module 4 is connected to the annular stacked PVC gel actuator 5. The lower end of the annular stacked PVC gel actuator 5 is connected to the linear slide rail 6, which limits the movement of the annular stacked PVC gel actuator 5. By rotating the adjusting nut 8, the annular stacked PVC gel actuator 5 and the extrusion module 8 are compressed into contact with the elastic silicone lens 3.
[0029] The specific implementation method of the above-mentioned elastomer variable focus lens device based on a laminated PVC gel actuator is as follows:
[0030] A device for adjusting the initial focal length of an elastomeric variable focal length lens of a laminated PVC gel actuator by adjusting nut 8 without applying voltage. After assembly, the elastomeric variable focal length lens device in Example 1, in its initial state without applying voltage, has the elastic silicone lens 3 portion slightly convex downwards, forming a hemispherical shape, thus obtaining a variable focal length lens with a large initial focal length, such as... Figure 1 As shown.
[0031] Rotating the adjusting nut 8 causes it to move upwards along the inner wall of the bottom frame 7, causing the linear slide rail 6 to move the annular stacked PVC gel actuator 5 upwards. This, in turn, causes the extrusion module 4 and the annular stacked PVC gel actuator 5 to move upwards together, controlling the annular stacked PVC gel actuator 5 and the extrusion module 8 to fully contact the elastic silicone lens 3 and generate pre-pressure. The contact surface between the extrusion module 4 and the elastic silicone lens 3 exerts extrusion force on the edge of the elastic silicone lens 3. The transparent glass 2 is positioned above the elastic silicone lens 3, limiting its movement. Under the action of edge extrusion force and downward limiting, the central part of the elastic silicone lens 3 bulges downwards towards the control area, increasing its curvature, thereby changing the focal length of the elastomeric zoom lens and obtaining an elastomeric zoom lens with a smaller initial focal length, such as... Figure 2 As shown.
[0032] When a voltage is applied, the elastomer lens is zoomed by applying a voltage to the annular laminated PVC gel actuator 5. For example... Figure 3 As shown, in Figure 2 Under the given conditions, when a voltage is applied to the annular stacked PVC gel actuator 5, the anode of the annular stacked PVC gel actuator 5 is attracted towards the linear slider 6, and the annular stacked PVC gel actuator 5 contracts downward, reducing its thickness. When different voltages are applied to the annular stacked PVC gel actuator 5, the degree to which the annular stacked PVC gel actuator 5 contracts towards the linear slider 6 varies, that is, the degree to which the protruding part of the elastic silicone lens 3 becomes flattened varies, and the overall focal length also changes. The focal length of the elastomeric lens is controlled according to the different applied voltages. The downward contraction of the annular stacked PVC gel actuator 5 reduces the original squeezing force generated by the extrusion module 4 on the outer edge of the elastic silicone lens 3, and the downward protruding part of the elastic silicone lens 3, relative to... Figure 2 The curvature gradually decreases as the state changes, thus altering the focal length of the elastomeric zoom lens to obtain elastomeric zoom lenses with different focal lengths. If the voltage applied to the annular laminated PVC gel actuator 5 is turned off, the focal length of the elastomeric zoom lens returns to its initial focal length.
[0033] In summary, this application provides an elastomeric variable focus lens with a stacked PVC gel actuator, comprising an annular stacked PVC gel actuator 5, which is disposed between an extrusion module 4 and a linear slide rail 6. The annular stacked PVC gel actuator 5 is used to contract under voltage, changing the pressure exerted on the elastic silicone lens 3, thereby changing the curvature of the elastic silicone lens 3 and thus altering the focal length of the elastomeric variable focus lens. The elastomeric variable focus lens with a stacked PVC gel actuator provided in this application has advantages such as simple structure, fast response, small size, and large zoom range. It is suitable for mounting on devices requiring rapid zoom while having strict size requirements, such as endoscopes, mobile phones, and microrobots, and has high research value.
[0034] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art. The above content is only for illustrating the technical concept of this utility model and should not be used to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Any modifications made to the technical solutions based on the technical concept proposed by this utility model shall fall within the scope of protection of the claims of this utility model.
Claims
1. An elastomer variable focus lens device based on a laminated PVC gel actuator, characterized in that, The device includes a transparent glass (2), an elastic silicone lens (3) is provided at the lower end of the transparent glass (2), an extrusion module (4) is provided at the lower end of the outer edge of the elastic silicone lens (3), the lower end of the center part of the elastic silicone lens (3) is empty, the lower end of the extrusion module (4) is connected to an annular stacked PVC gel driver (5), the annular stacked PVC gel driver (5) extrudes the extrusion module (4) upward, and the extrusion module (4) contacts the elastic silicone lens (3).
2. The elastomeric variable focus lens device based on a laminated PVC gel actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower end of the annular stacked PVC gel actuator (5) is provided with a linear slide rail (6), which is an L-shaped structure, and the annular stacked PVC gel actuator (5) is placed inside the L-shaped structure.
3. The elastomeric variable focus lens device based on a laminated PVC gel actuator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The linear slide rail (6) is slidably mounted on the inner wall of the bottom frame (7).
4. The elastomeric variable focus lens device based on a laminated PVC gel actuator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The lower inner wall of the bottom frame (7) is provided with a threaded structure, and the bottom frame (7) is provided with an adjusting nut (8) through the threaded structure. The adjusting nut (8) is located at the lower end of the linear slide rail (6).
5. The elastomeric variable focus lens device based on a laminated PVC gel actuator according to claim 4, characterized in that, The bottom frame (7) has a top frame (1) at its upper end. The outer edges of the bottom frame (7) and the top frame (1) are aligned vertically and connected by assembly.
6. The elastomeric variable focus lens device based on a laminated PVC gel actuator according to claim 5, characterized in that, The lower surface of the top frame (1) is provided with a slot, and the transparent glass (2) is fitted into the slot of the top frame (1).
7. The elastomeric variable focus lens device based on a laminated PVC gel actuator according to claim 6, characterized in that, The top frame (1) was prepared by photopolymerization 3D printing.
8. The elastomeric variable focus lens device based on a laminated PVC gel actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The annular stacked PVC gel actuator (5) consists of a cathode, an anode and a PVC gel mold, wherein the cathode is a copper foil cathode and the anode is a copper mesh anode. The anode of the annular stacked PVC gel actuator (5) is connected to the extrusion module (4) at its upper end, and the cathode of the annular stacked PVC gel actuator (5) is connected to the linear slide rail (6).