Optical module

Abstract

An optical module includes a housing, an optical assembly, and a drive assembly. The housing has a hollow body and a top wall, wherein the top wall forms an opening. The optical assembly is disposed on the top wall and corresponds to the opening. The drive assembly is connected to the housing and drives an effective optical area of the optical assembly to reciprocate relative to the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an optical module. More specifically, it relates to an optical module in which the optical components are movable relative to a housing. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of technology, many electronic devices today (such as smartphones or digital cameras) have the function of taking pictures or recording videos. The use of these electronic devices is becoming more and more common, and they are developing towards convenient and thinner designs to provide users with more choices.

[0003] Some electronic devices with photographic or video recording functions are equipped with a lens drive module to drive an optical component to move, thereby achieving the functions of autofocusing (AF) and optical image stabilization (OIS), in which light can pass through the aforementioned optical component to form an image on a photosensitive component.

[0004] However, further miniaturization of optical modules and improvement of their stability and reliability have become important challenges for researchers in this field. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an optical module to solve at least one of the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] In view of the aforementioned problems, one embodiment of the present invention provides an optical module, including a housing, an optical component, and a driving component. The housing has a hollow body and a top wall, wherein the top wall forms an opening. The optical component is disposed on the top wall and corresponds to the opening. The driving component is connected to the housing and drives an effective optical area of ​​the optical component to reciprocate relative to the housing.

[0007] In one embodiment, when a first signal is input to the aforementioned driving component, the aforementioned top wall performs a first reciprocating motion relative to the aforementioned body, and the aforementioned effective optical area performs a second reciprocating motion relative to the aforementioned top wall.

[0008] In one embodiment, when a first signal is input to the driving component, the top wall performs a first reciprocating motion relative to the body, and the effective optical area performs a second reciprocating motion relative to the top wall.

[0009] In one embodiment, the first reciprocating motion has a first amplitude in a first axial direction, the second reciprocating motion has a second amplitude in the first axial direction, the first axial direction is perpendicular to the top wall, and the first amplitude is different from the second amplitude.

[0010] In one embodiment, when a second signal is input to the driving component, the top wall performs a third reciprocating motion relative to the body, and the effective optical area performs a fourth reciprocating motion relative to the top wall, wherein the third reciprocating motion has a third amplitude in the first axis, the fourth reciprocating motion has a fourth amplitude in the first axis, and the third amplitude is different from the fourth amplitude.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first signal has a first frequency, the second signal has a second frequency, and the first frequency is different from the second frequency.

[0012] In one embodiment, the first frequency is between 40 kHz and 60 kHz, and the second frequency is between 70 kHz and 90 kHz.

[0013] In one embodiment, the difference between the first amplitude and the second amplitude is different from the difference between the third amplitude and the fourth amplitude.

[0014] In one embodiment, the difference between the first amplitude and the second amplitude is less than the difference between the third amplitude and the fourth amplitude.

[0015] In one embodiment, the optical module further includes a control unit electrically connected to the driving component, and the control unit sequentially outputs the first signal and the second signal to the driving component.

[0016] In one embodiment, the control unit alternately outputs the first signal and the second signal to the drive component.

[0017] In one embodiment, the dimension of the body in the first axial direction is larger than the dimension of the top wall in the first axial direction.

[0018] In one embodiment, the optical component and the driving component are disposed on opposite sides of the top wall, and the optical component, the driving component, and the top wall at least partially overlap in the first axial direction.

[0019] In one embodiment, the optical component is a light-transmitting lens, and the driving component includes a piezoelectric actuator.

[0020] In one embodiment, the optical component includes a circular optical section and an annular connecting section, the effective optical area is located within the optical section, the connecting section surrounds the optical section, and the optical section is connected to the top wall via the connecting section.

[0021] In one embodiment, the thickness of the connecting portion in the first axial direction is different from the thickness of the optical portion in the first axial direction.

[0022] In one embodiment, the thickness of the connecting portion in the first axial direction is less than the thickness of the optical portion in the first axial direction.

[0023] In one embodiment, the connecting portion has a first connecting surface and a second connecting surface that are not parallel to each other, and the first connecting surface and the second connecting surface are bonded to the top wall.

[0024] In one embodiment, the optical module further includes a lens assembly disposed within the housing, and the optical assembly is a light-transmitting lens, wherein an optical axis of the lens assembly passes through the light-transmitting lens and is parallel to the first axial direction.

[0025] In one embodiment, the lens assembly extends into the opening, and the optical assembly is spaced apart from the lens assembly along the first axis by a distance.

[0026] In one embodiment, the housing further includes a bottom, the body connecting the top wall and the bottom, a surface of the bottom facing the top wall, and the lens assembly fixed to the surface. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of an optical module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 express Figure 1 An exploded view of the optical unit and the base unit before they are assembled.

[0029] Figure 3 This diagram shows the base unit connected to a controller via wires.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the optical unit, base unit, and lens assembly combined.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the optical components and the drive components located on opposite sides of the top wall.

[0032] Figure 6 express Figure 5 An enlarged view of part A in the image.

[0033] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing the optical unit and lens assembly.

[0034] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view showing the lens assembly and optical unit combined in an optical module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 9 express Figure 8 An enlarged view of the lens assembly combined with the bottom of the housing.

[0036] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0037] 100: Optical Module

[0038] 10: Optical Unit

[0039] 11: Outer shell

[0040] 110: Opening

[0041] 111: Top Wall

[0042] 112: Hollow Body

[0043] 12: Optical Components

[0044] 121: Optics Department

[0045] 122: Connecting part

[0046] 13: Driver Components

[0047] 20: Base unit

[0048] 30: Controller

[0049] 200: Optical Module

[0050] d: distance

[0051] L: Lens assembly

[0052] L1: Depression

[0053] O: Optical axis

[0054] R: Groove

[0055] R1: First connecting surface

[0056] R2: Second connecting surface

[0057] S: Surface

[0058] W: Conductor Detailed Implementation

[0059] The optical module of this utility model is described below according to an embodiment. However, it will be readily apparent that this utility model provides many suitable inventive concepts that can be implemented in a wide range of specific contexts. The specific embodiments disclosed are merely illustrative of the use of this utility model in a particular manner and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model.

[0060] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It is understood that these terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the relevant art and the background or context of this disclosure, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal manner, unless specifically defined herein.

[0061] The foregoing and other technical contents, features, and effects of this utility model will be clearly presented in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. The directional terms mentioned in the following embodiments, such as up, down, left, right, front, or back, are only for reference to the directions in the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used in the embodiments are for illustrative purposes and not for limiting the present utility model.

[0062] Please refer to the following: Figures 1 to 2 ,in Figure 1 This is an exploded view of an optical module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 express Figure 1 An exploded view of the optical unit 10 and the base unit 20 before they are combined.

[0063] The optical module 100 in this embodiment is, for example, a camera module, which can be mounted on a vehicle or drone to extract a digital image. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the aforementioned optical module 100 includes an optical unit 10, a base unit 20, and a lens assembly L that are interconnected.

[0064] Specifically, the aforementioned optical unit 10 mainly includes a housing 11, an optical component 12, and an annular drive component 13. The aforementioned optical component 12 is, for example, a light-transmitting lens made of plastic or glass, which is disposed on the top side of the housing 11 and covers an opening 110 in the center of the housing 11. The aforementioned drive component 13 is, for example, a piezoelectric actuator, which is disposed on the inner surface of the housing 11 and can be used to drive the optical component 12 to generate reciprocating motion, thereby cleaning and removing water droplets or dust adhering to the surface of the optical component 12.

[0065] In this embodiment, the aforementioned lens assembly L is connected to the base unit 20. Furthermore, an image sensor (not shown) is provided inside the base unit 20. External light can pass through the optical assembly 12 along the optical axis O direction (-Z axis direction) of the lens assembly L and enter the optical module 100. Then, the light can pass through the lens assembly L and reach the image sensor of the base unit 20 to generate a digital image.

[0066] Please refer to the following: Figure 3 ,in Figure 3 This diagram shows the base unit 20 connected to a controller 30 via a wire W.

[0067] like Figure 3As shown, the aforementioned optical module 100 may further include a control unit 30 (e.g., a control circuit or a central controller). The drive component 13 disposed inside the optical unit 10 and the image sensor disposed inside the base unit 20 can be electrically connected to the aforementioned control unit 30 via wires W.

[0068] It should be noted that the aforementioned control unit 30 can output different signals to the drive component 13 inside the optical unit 10, and drive the optical component 12 to generate vibrations (reciprocating motion) of different frequencies and / or amplitudes relative to the housing 11 through the drive component 13, thereby enabling water droplets or dust to be quickly and effectively shaken off the surface of the optical component 12, so as to ensure that the optical module 100 can provide good image quality.

[0069] Please refer to the following: Figure 4 and Figure 5 ,in Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the optical unit 10, the base unit 20, and the lens assembly L after they are combined. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing that the optical assembly 12 and the drive assembly 13 are located on opposite sides of the top wall 111.

[0070] like Figure 4 As shown, after the aforementioned optical module 100 is assembled, a portion of the base unit 20 extends into the housing 11 of the optical unit 10, and the outer surface of the base unit 20 is fixed to the inner surface of the housing 11.

[0071] In addition, from Figure 5 As can be seen, the outer shell 11 of the optical unit 10 includes a top wall 111 and a hollow body 112 connected to each other. The aforementioned body 112 has a cylindrical structure. The aforementioned top wall 111 is perpendicular to the optical axis O and forms a circular opening 110. The top of the lens assembly L extends into the aforementioned opening 110 after assembly.

[0072] In this embodiment, the optical component 12 and the driving component 13 are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the top wall 111, and the thickness of the optical component 12 in the optical axis O direction (Z-axis direction) is greater than the thickness of the top wall 111 in the optical axis O direction (Z-axis direction). It should be understood that the optical component 12, the driving component 13, and the top wall 111 at least partially overlap in the optical axis O direction, and the optical axis O is parallel to the Z-axis direction (first axial direction).

[0073] It should be understood that the aforementioned drive component 13 is separated from the body 112 of the housing 11 by a distance d in a horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction), and the two do not contact each other.

[0074] Please refer to this as well. Figure 6 and Figure 7 ,in Figure 6 express Figure 5 An enlarged view of part A in the image. Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing the optical unit 10 and the lens assembly L.

[0075] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the optical component 12 in this embodiment has a circular optical part 121 and an annular connecting part 122. The optical part 121 is used to shield and protect the lens assembly L inside the housing 11, and the optical component 12 and the lens assembly L are separated by a distance in the Z-axis direction (first axial direction). Specifically, the connecting part 122 surrounds the optical part 121, and the optical part 121 can be fixed to the top wall 111 of the housing 11 via the connecting part 122.

[0076] from Figure 6 As can be seen, a groove R is formed on the upper and lower sides of the connecting portion 122 of the optical component 12. The groove R located at the bottom edge of the connecting portion 122 has a first connecting surface R1 and a second connecting surface R2. During assembly, an adhesive component (e.g., glue) can be applied inside the groove R to bond and fix the connecting portion 122 to the top wall 111. The first and second connecting surfaces R1 and R2 are not parallel to each other (e.g., they can be perpendicular to each other), and the thickness of the connecting portion 122 in the Z-axis direction (first axial direction) is less than the thickness of the optical component 121 in the Z-axis direction (first axial direction).

[0077] In one embodiment, an elastic component (such as a spring or a sheet spring) may be used instead of the aforementioned connecting portion 122, and the optical portion 121 of the optical component 12 may be directly connected to the upper surface of the top wall 111 through the aforementioned elastic component, without being limited to the embodiments disclosed in this utility model.

[0078] In the actual operation of the aforementioned optical module 100, it can first be done by, for example Figure 3 The controller 30 shown transmits a first signal with a first frequency to the aforementioned drive component 13. At this time, the drive component 13 (e.g., a piezoelectric actuator) will drive the top wall 111 to perform a first reciprocating motion relative to the body 112. The effective optical area in the optical part 121 located in the center of the optical component 12 will be affected by the first reciprocating motion of the top wall 111 and will perform a second reciprocating motion relative to the top wall 111. The aforementioned first reciprocating motion has a first amplitude in the Z-axis direction (first axial direction), and the aforementioned second reciprocating motion has a second amplitude in the Z-axis direction (first axial direction). The aforementioned first amplitude is different from the aforementioned second amplitude.

[0079] It should be noted that the aforementioned first frequency is approximately between 40KHz and 60KHz (e.g., 50KHz), which can generate a wide range of vibrations on the surface of the optical component 12 to uniformly clean and remove water droplets or dust from the surface of the optical component 12.

[0080] After the aforementioned procedure is completed, the controller 30 can transmit a second signal with a second frequency to the aforementioned drive component 13. At this time, the drive component 13 (e.g., a piezoelectric actuator) will drive the top wall 111 to perform a third reciprocating motion relative to the body 112. The effective optical area in the optical part 121 located in the center of the optical component 12 will be affected by the third reciprocating motion of the top wall 111 and will perform a fourth reciprocating motion relative to the top wall 111. The aforementioned third reciprocating motion has a third amplitude in the Z-axis direction (first axial direction), and the aforementioned fourth reciprocating motion has a fourth amplitude in the Z-axis direction (first axial direction). The aforementioned third amplitude is different from the aforementioned fourth amplitude.

[0081] It should be noted that the aforementioned second frequency is approximately between 70KHz and 90KHz (e.g., 80KHz), which can generate a small-range but concentrated vibration on the surface of the optical component 12, thereby further enhancing the cleaning and removing water droplets or dust located at the center of the effective optical area of ​​the optical component 12. The difference between the aforementioned first and second amplitudes is smaller than the difference between the aforementioned third and fourth amplitudes.

[0082] In one embodiment, the aforementioned control unit 30 may also continuously and alternately output the aforementioned first signal and second signal to the drive component 13, thereby enabling the aforementioned optical component 12 to alternately generate a large range (with relatively uniform intensity) and a small range (with relatively concentrated intensity) of vibration, so as to greatly improve the cleaning effect on water droplets or dust on the optical component 12.

[0083] Please refer to the following: Figure 8 and Figure 9 ,in Figure 8 A cross-sectional view showing the lens assembly L and optical unit 10 combined in an optical module 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 express Figure 8 An enlarged view of the lens assembly L combined with the bottom 113 of the housing 11.

[0084] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the optical module 200 in this embodiment and Figures 1 to 7The main difference of the optical module 100 is that the housing 11 of the optical unit 10 in this embodiment has a bottom 113, wherein the body 112 of the housing 11 is connected to the top wall 111 and the bottom 113, a surface S of the bottom 113 faces the top wall 111, and the lens assembly L is fixed on the surface S.

[0085] Specifically, the bottom 113 of the aforementioned housing 11 can be further embedded in the recess L1 on the side of the optical unit 10, which not only strengthens the fixing effect between the lens assembly L and the housing 11 to greatly improve the reliability of the optical module 200, but also effectively reduces the overall weight and volume of the optical module 200, thereby helping to achieve product miniaturization.

[0086] While the embodiments and advantages of this utility model have been disclosed above, it should be understood that those skilled in the art can make modifications, substitutions, and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of this utility model. Furthermore, the scope of protection of this utility model is not limited to the processes, machines, manufacturing methods, material compositions, apparatuses, methods, and steps described in the specific embodiments of the specification. Those skilled in the art can understand from the disclosure of this utility model that current or future developed processes, machines, manufacturing methods, material compositions, apparatuses, methods, and steps can be used according to this utility model as long as they can perform substantially the same function or obtain substantially the same results in the embodiments described herein. Therefore, the scope of protection of this utility model includes the aforementioned processes, machines, manufacturing methods, material compositions, apparatuses, methods, and steps. In addition, each claim constitutes an individual embodiment, and the scope of protection of this utility model also includes combinations of various claims and embodiments.

[0087] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An optical module characterized by comprising: include: An outer shell having a hollow body and a top wall, wherein the top wall forms an opening; An optical component is disposed on the top wall and corresponds to the opening; as well as A drive assembly is connected to the housing and drives an effective optical area of ​​the optical assembly to reciprocate relative to the housing.

2. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein When a first signal is input to the drive component, the top wall performs a first reciprocating motion relative to the body, and the effective optical area performs a second reciprocating motion relative to the top wall.

3. The optical module of claim 2, wherein, The first reciprocating motion has a first amplitude along a first axis, and the second reciprocating motion has a second amplitude along the first axis, the first axis being perpendicular to the top wall, and the first amplitude being different from the second amplitude.

4. The optical module as described in claim 3, characterized in that, When a second signal is input to the drive component, the top wall performs a third reciprocating motion relative to the body, and the effective optical area performs a fourth reciprocating motion relative to the top wall. The third reciprocating motion has a third amplitude in the first axis, and the fourth reciprocating motion has a fourth amplitude in the first axis, and the third amplitude is different from the fourth amplitude.

5. The optical module according to claim 4, wherein The first signal has a first frequency, the second signal has a second frequency, and the first frequency is different from the second frequency.

6. The optical module according to claim 5, wherein The first frequency is between 40kHz and 60kHz, and the second frequency is between 70kHz and 90kHz.

7. The optical module according to claim 4, wherein The difference between the first amplitude and the second amplitude is different from the difference between the third amplitude and the fourth amplitude.

8. The optical module according to claim 7, wherein The difference between the first amplitude and the second amplitude is less than the difference between the third amplitude and the fourth amplitude.

9. The optical module according to claim 4, wherein The optical module also includes a control unit electrically connected to the drive component, and the control unit sequentially outputs the first signal and the second signal to the drive component.

10. The optical module according to claim 9, wherein The control unit alternately outputs the first signal and the second signal to the drive component.

11. The optical module according to claim 4, wherein The dimension of the body in the first axis is larger than the dimension of the top wall in the first axis.

12. The optical module according to claim 4, wherein The optical component and the drive component are disposed on opposite sides of the top wall, and the optical component, the drive component, and the top wall at least partially overlap in the first axial direction.

13. The optical module of claim 4, wherein, The optical component is a light-transmitting lens, and the driving component includes a piezoelectric actuator.

14. The optical module according to claim 4, wherein The optical component includes a circular optical section and an annular connecting section. The effective optical area is located within the optical section, the connecting section surrounds the optical section, and the optical section is connected to the top wall via the connecting section.

15. The optical module of claim 14, wherein, Furthermore, the thickness of the connecting portion along the first axis is different from the thickness of the optical portion along the first axis.

16. The optical module as described in claim 15, characterized in that, The thickness of the connecting part along the first axis is less than the thickness of the optical part along the first axis.

17. The optical module of claim 15, wherein, The connecting part has a first connecting surface and a second connecting surface that are not parallel to each other, and the first connecting surface and the second connecting surface are bonded to the top wall.

18. The optical module according to claim 4, wherein The optical module also includes a lens assembly disposed within the housing, and the optical assembly is a light-transmitting lens, wherein an optical axis of the lens assembly passes through the light-transmitting lens and is parallel to the first axis.

19. The optical module of claim 18, wherein, The lens assembly extends into the opening, and the optical assembly is spaced a distance from the lens assembly along the first axis.

20. The optical module of claim 19, wherein, The housing also includes a bottom, the body is connected to the top wall and the bottom, a surface of the bottom faces the top wall and the lens assembly is fixed to the surface.

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