A voice coil motor, a camera module and a smart terminal

Abstract

The application relates to the imaging technical field and discloses a voice coil motor used for a camera module, which comprises a base, a circuit board, a connecting assembly and a voice coil motor body, the circuit board is arranged on the outer side of the base and is electrically connected with the voice coil motor body, the voice coil motor body is arranged in the base, the connecting assembly comprises a plurality of metal connecting pieces, the metal connecting pieces are arranged in the interior of the base, the metal connecting pieces have opposite two ends, one end of the metal connecting pieces is electrically connected with the circuit board through the base, and the other end is electrically connected with the substrate of the camera module through the base. The voice coil motor disclosed by the application reduces the overall thickness, is beneficial to the miniaturization of the whole, improves the space utilization of the whole and reduces the production cost. The application further discloses a camera module and an intelligent terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of imaging technology, and in particular to a voice coil motor, a camera module, and a smart terminal. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing prevalence of smart terminals (such as smartphones and tablets), built-in high-performance camera modules have become standard to meet users' needs for shooting anytime. As smart terminal technology continues to develop, the performance of its core component—the camera module—is also constantly improving. Among them, the automatic focus (AF) and optical image stabilization (OIS) functions integrated into the voice coil motor (VCM) significantly improve image quality and expand the range of shooting scenarios.

[0003] However, current VCM internal circuit designs that implement AF and OIS functions primarily establish electrical paths by arranging single-layer or layered circuit boards (one layer connecting the AF and OIS mechanisms, or two layers connecting the AF and OIS mechanisms respectively) within the base, and then connecting them to an external power supply. While this design achieves functional integration, it directly conflicts with the mainstream trend of continuous miniaturization and thinning of smart terminals. The multi-layered connection method inevitably increases the structural thickness of the voice coil motor, becoming a key bottleneck restricting further miniaturization of camera modules and even the entire smart terminal. At the same time, this redundant design also increases material costs and significantly reduces the utilization efficiency of internal space, making it difficult to meet the industry's urgent need for high integration and compact layout. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, this utility model provides a voice coil motor, a camera module, and a smart terminal.

[0005] This utility model provides a voice coil motor for a camera module, comprising: a base, a circuit board, a connecting assembly, and a voice coil motor body. The circuit board is disposed on the outside of the base and electrically connected to the voice coil motor body. The voice coil motor body is installed inside the base. The connecting assembly includes a plurality of metal connectors disposed inside the base. Each metal connector has two opposing ends. One end of each metal connector passes through the base and is electrically connected to the circuit board, and the other end passes through the base and is electrically connected to the substrate of the camera module.

[0006] In one embodiment, the metal connector includes a first pin and a second pin. The first pin is located at one end of the metal connector and passes through the base to be electrically connected to the circuit board. The second pin is located at the other end of the metal connector and passes through the base to be electrically connected to the substrate. The first pin and the second pin are connected in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0007] In one embodiment, the metal connector further includes a first bent portion and a second bent portion disposed inside the base, one end of the first bent portion and one end of the second bent portion are bent and connected, the other end of the first bent portion is connected to the first pin, and the other end of the second bent portion is connected to the second pin. In one embodiment, the base includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall, which are disposed opposite to or adjacent to each other. At least a portion of the circuit board is disposed outside the first sidewall. The first pin passes through the first sidewall and is electrically connected to the circuit board, and the second pin passes through the second sidewall and is electrically connected to the substrate.

[0008] In one embodiment, the base further includes a plurality of first clearance holes spaced apart on the first sidewall and a plurality of second clearance holes spaced apart on the second sidewall. The first pin passes through the first clearance holes and is electrically connected to the circuit board, and the second pin passes through the second clearance holes and is electrically connected to the substrate.

[0009] In one embodiment, the voice coil motor body includes an image stabilization mechanism and a focus drive mechanism. The image stabilization mechanism is installed in the base and electrically connected to the circuit board, and the focus drive mechanism is disposed in the image stabilization mechanism and electrically connected to the circuit board.

[0010] In one embodiment, the voice coil motor further includes a housing fitted onto the base, with a through hole at one end of the housing away from the base for the camera of the camera module to extend out, and the circuit board sandwiched between the housing and the base.

[0011] In one embodiment, the housing further includes a clearance groove for avoiding the second pin, the clearance groove being disposed on the side of the housing.

[0012] Another embodiment of this application provides a camera module, including a camera, a substrate, a folding prism, an image processing chip, and a voice coil motor provided in the foregoing embodiments. The camera is mounted in the base and fixedly connected to the voice coil motor body. The folding prism is disposed below the voice coil motor. The light incident surface of the folding prism is disposed opposite to the camera, and the light emitting surface of the folding prism is disposed opposite to the image processing chip on the substrate. The substrate is electrically connected to the metal connector. The image processing chip is disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to the substrate. The voice coil motor and the substrate are located on the same side of the folding prism.

[0013] Another embodiment of this application provides a smart terminal, including the camera module provided in the foregoing embodiments.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: by setting the circuit board on the outside of the base and electrically connecting it to the voice coil motor body, and then electrically connecting it to the substrate of the camera module and the external power supply in sequence through the metal connector, wherein the circuit board is electrically connected to the substrate of the camera module and the external power supply in sequence through the first and second pins on the metal connector passing through the base, not only is the overall thickness reduced, which is conducive to the miniaturization of the voice coil motor, but also the overall space utilization is improved and material costs are saved. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this utility model and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the structure of a voice coil motor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a voice coil motor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a voice coil motor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a connecting component according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The specific embodiments of this utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. Based on the description of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0022] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," and "connect," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms according to the specific circumstances.

[0023] The terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” and “outer,” etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product is in use. They are used only for the convenience of description and simplification, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0024] The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are used merely to distinguish elements with similar properties, not to indicate or imply relative importance or a specific order.

[0025] The terms “include,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, which includes not only the elements listed but also other elements not expressly listed.

[0026] Please refer to Figures 1-4 This illustration shows a voice coil motor 10 provided in an embodiment of the present invention for use in a camera module, comprising: a base 11, a circuit board 12, a connecting assembly 13, and a voice coil motor body 14. The circuit board 12 is disposed on the outside of the base 11 and electrically connected to the voice coil motor body 14. The voice coil motor body 14 is installed inside the base 11. The connecting assembly 13 includes a plurality of metal connectors 131, which are disposed inside the base 11. Each metal connector 131 has two opposite ends. One end of the metal connector 131 passes through the base 11 and is electrically connected to the circuit board 12, and the other end passes through the base 11 and is electrically connected to the substrate 30 of the camera module.

[0027] Specifically, the voice coil motor body 14 has AF and OIS functions, which helps improve image quality and expand the application range of shooting scenarios. The circuit board 12 is a flexible printed circuit (FPC), which has extremely high flexibility and bending ability, allowing the circuit board 12 to be better attached to the outside of the base 11. This not only improves the overall stability but also facilitates electrical connection with the voice coil motor body 14, improving space utilization. The metal connector 131 is embedded in the base 11 and located inside the base 11. This not only improves stability, reduces assembly steps, and lowers processing costs but also avoids interference and damage to the circuit board 12, further extending the service life of the circuit board 12. One end of the metal connector 131 passes through the base 11 and is electrically connected to the circuit board 12, while the other end passes through the base 11 and is electrically connected to the substrate 30 of the camera module. This facilitates better connection between the circuit board 12 and the external power supply, enabling the AF and OIS functions of the voice coil motor body 14.

[0028] By placing the circuit board 12 on the outside of the base 11 and electrically connecting it to the voice coil motor body 14, and then electrically connecting it to the base plate 30 of the camera module and the external power supply in sequence through the metal connector 131, not only is the overall thickness reduced, which is conducive to the miniaturization of the voice coil motor, but the overall space utilization is also improved, saving material costs.

[0029] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment, the metal connector 131 includes a first pin 1311 and a second pin 1312. The first pin 1311 is located at one end of the metal connector 131 and passes through the base 11 to be electrically connected to the circuit board 12. The second pin 1312 is located at the other end of the metal connector 131 and passes through the base 11 to be electrically connected to the substrate 30. The first pin 1311 and the second pin 1312 are connected in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0030] Specifically, the metal connector 131 is injection molded together with the base 11 through an insert injection molding process, the first pin 1311 is electrically connected to the circuit board 12 through solder, and the second pin 1312 is electrically connected to the substrate 30 through solder.

[0031] like Figure 4As shown, in one embodiment, the metal connector 131 further includes a first bent portion 1313 and a second bent portion 1314 disposed inside the base 11. One end of the first bent portion 1313 is bent and connected to one end of the second bent portion 1314, and the other end of the first bent portion 1313 is connected to the first pin 1311. The other end of the second bent portion 1314 is connected to the second pin 1312. By disposing the first bent portion 1313 and the second bent portion 1314 inside the base 11 and bending and connecting them, not only is the overall stability improved, but the space utilization is also improved. Specifically, the first pin 1311 is electrically connected to the first bent portion 1313, the second bent portion 1314, and the second pin 1312 in sequence.

[0032] In one embodiment, the base 11 includes a first sidewall 111 and a second sidewall 112, the first sidewall 111 and the second sidewall 112 are disposed opposite to or adjacent to each other, at least a portion of the circuit board 12 is disposed outside the first sidewall 111, a first pin 1311 passes through the first sidewall 111 and is electrically connected to the circuit board 12, and a second pin 1312 passes through the second sidewall 112 and is electrically connected to the substrate 30.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the first sidewall 111 and the second sidewall 112 are arranged adjacent to each other, which facilitates the electrical connection of the circuit board 12 to the substrate 30 through the metal connector 131, and at the same time helps to save the material of the metal connector 131.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the base 11 further includes a plurality of first clearance holes 113 spaced apart on the first sidewall 111 and a plurality of second clearance holes 114 spaced apart on the second sidewall 112. A first pin 1311 passes through the first clearance hole 113 and is electrically connected to the circuit board 12, and a second pin 1312 passes through the second clearance hole 114 and is electrically connected to the substrate 30. The first clearance holes 113 and the second clearance holes 114 facilitate the electrical connection between the circuit board 12 and the substrate 30 via the first pin 1311 and the second pin 1312.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the voice coil motor body 14 includes an image stabilization mechanism 141 and a focus drive mechanism 142. The image stabilization mechanism 141 is disposed within the base 11 and electrically connected to the circuit board 12, and the focus drive mechanism 142 is installed within the image stabilization mechanism 141 and electrically connected to the circuit board 12. The image stabilization mechanism 141 implements the OIS function, and the focus drive mechanism 142 implements the AF function.

[0036] like Figures 1-3As shown, in one embodiment, the voice coil motor 10 further includes a housing 15, which is sleeved on the base 11. The end of the housing 15 away from the base 11 is provided with a through hole 152 for the camera 20 of the camera module to extend out. The circuit board 12 is sandwiched between the housing 15 and the base 11.

[0037] Specifically, the housing 15 can be made of iron. The housing 15 not only provides protection, but also secures the circuit board 12 to the outside of the base 11, which helps improve stability and space utilization.

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment, the housing 15 further includes a clearance groove 151 for accommodating the second pin 1312, the clearance groove 151 being disposed on the side of the housing 15. The clearance groove 151 facilitates the second pin 1312 extending out and electrically connecting to the substrate 30.

[0039] like Figure 5 As shown, another embodiment of this application also provides a camera module, including a camera 20, a substrate 30, a folding prism 40, an image processing chip (not shown in the figure), and a voice coil motor 10 provided in the aforementioned embodiments. The camera 20 is installed in the base 11 and fixedly connected to the voice coil motor body 14. The folding prism 40 is disposed below the voice coil motor 10. The light incident surface of the folding prism 40 is disposed opposite to the camera 20, and the light emitting surface of the folding prism 40 is disposed opposite to the image processing chip on the substrate 30. The light incident surface and the emitting surface of the folding prism 40 are located on the same plane. The substrate 30 is electrically connected to the metal connector 131. The image processing chip is disposed on the substrate 30 and electrically connected to the substrate 30. The voice coil motor 10 and the substrate 30 are located on the same side of the folding prism 40.

[0040] Specifically, substrate 30 is a rigid-flex PCB, combining a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) and a rigid printed circuit board (PCB) through lamination and other processes according to relevant technological requirements to form a circuit board with both FPC and PCB characteristics. Substrate 30 also has connectors for connecting the camera module to the smart terminal, enabling signal transmission between the external circuitry and substrate 30. An image processing chip converts the optical signals captured by camera 20 into electronic signals.

[0041] Specifically, the folding prism 40 is used to fold the light emitted from the camera 20, changing the original straight-line direction of the light, thereby reducing the overall height and facilitating miniaturization. In this embodiment, the folding prism 40 is a trapezoidal prism, but this application is not limited to this; the folding prism 40 can also be a prism of other shapes, such as a triangular prism.

[0042] The camera module of this application not only reduces the overall thickness, which is conducive to the miniaturization of the camera module, but also improves the overall space utilization and saves material costs.

[0043] Another embodiment of this application provides a smart terminal, including the camera module provided in the foregoing embodiments.

[0044] Smart terminals can be, for example, smartphones, tablets, personal computers, wearable devices, etc. It can be understood that since smart terminals include camera modules as provided in the aforementioned embodiments, not only is the overall thickness reduced, which is conducive to the miniaturization of smart terminals, but also the overall space utilization is improved and costs are saved.

[0045] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A voice coil motor (10) for use in a camera module, characterized in that, include: The system comprises a base (11), a circuit board (12), a connecting assembly (13), and a voice coil motor body (14). The circuit board (12) is located on the outside of the base (11) and is electrically connected to the voice coil motor body (14). The voice coil motor body (14) is installed inside the base (11). The connecting assembly (13) includes several metal connectors (131). The metal connectors (131) are located inside the base (11) and have opposite ends. One end of the metal connector (131) passes through the base (11) and is electrically connected to the circuit board (12), and the other end passes through the base (11) and is electrically connected to the substrate (30) of the camera module.

2. The voice coil motor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The metal connector (131) includes a first pin (1311) and a second pin (1312). The first pin (1311) is located at one end of the metal connector (131) and passes through the base (11) to be electrically connected to the circuit board (12). The second pin (1312) is located at the other end of the metal connector (131) and passes through the base (11) to be electrically connected to the substrate (30). The first pin (1311) and the second pin (1312) are connected in a one-to-one correspondence.

3. The voice coil motor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The metal connector (131) further includes a first bent portion (1313) disposed inside the base (11) and a second bent portion (1314) disposed inside the base (11). One end of the first bent portion (1313) is bent and connected to one end of the second bent portion (1314). The other end of the first bent portion (1313) is connected to the first pin (1311), and the other end of the second bent portion (1314) is connected to the second pin (1312).

4. The voice coil motor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The base (11) includes a first sidewall (111) and a second sidewall (112), the first sidewall (111) and the second sidewall (112) are arranged opposite to or adjacent to each other, at least a portion of the circuit board (12) is disposed outside the first sidewall (111), the first pin (1311) passes through the first sidewall (111) and is electrically connected to the circuit board (12), and the second pin (1312) passes through the second sidewall (112) and is electrically connected to the substrate (30).

5. The voice coil motor according to claim 4, characterized in that, The base (11) further includes a plurality of first clearance holes (113) spaced apart on the first sidewall (111) and a plurality of second clearance holes (114) spaced apart on the second sidewall (112). The first pin (1311) passes through the first clearance hole (113) and is electrically connected to the circuit board (12), and the second pin (1312) passes through the second clearance hole (114) and is electrically connected to the substrate (30).

6. The voice coil motor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The voice coil motor body (14) includes an image stabilization mechanism (141) and a focus drive mechanism (142). The image stabilization mechanism (141) is installed in the base (11) and electrically connected to the circuit board (12). The focus drive mechanism (142) is located in the image stabilization mechanism (141) and electrically connected to the circuit board (12).

7. The voice coil motor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The voice coil motor (10) also includes a housing (15), which is fitted onto the base (11). The end of the housing (15) away from the base (11) is provided with a through hole (152) for the camera (20) of the camera module to extend out. The circuit board (12) is sandwiched between the housing (15) and the base (11).

8. The voice coil motor according to claim 7, characterized in that, The housing (15) also includes a clearance groove (151) for avoiding the second pin (1312), the clearance groove (151) being disposed on the side of the housing (15).

9. A camera module, characterized in that, The device includes a camera (20), a substrate (30), a folding prism (40), an image processing chip, and a voice coil motor (10) as described in any one of claims 1-8. The camera (20) is installed in the base (11) and fixedly connected to the voice coil motor body (14). The folding prism (40) is located below the voice coil motor (10). The light incident surface of the folding prism (40) is opposite to the camera (20), and the light emitting surface of the folding prism (40) is opposite to the image processing chip on the substrate (30). The substrate (30) is electrically connected to the metal connector (131). The image processing chip is located on the substrate (30) and electrically connected to the substrate (30). The voice coil motor (10) and the substrate (30) are located on the same side of the folding prism (40).

10. A smart terminal, characterized in that, Includes the camera module as described in claim 9.

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