Optical element drive mechanism

Abstract

To provide an optical element driving mechanism. 【Solution means】The present invention provides an optical element driving mechanism 10 having a movable part 200, a fixed part, and a drive assembly 300. The movable part is used to connect the optical element 20 and is movable relative to the fixed part. The drive assembly is used to move the movable part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical element drive mechanism, and more particularly to an optical element drive mechanism capable of changing the aperture size.

Background Art

[0002] With the development of technology, many current electronic devices (such as cameras and smartphones) are equipped with functions for taking photos and videos. However, when it is necessary to set a lens with a long focal length in the above-mentioned electronic devices, the thickness of the electronic device increases, which is disadvantageous for the thinning of the electronic device. In addition, currently commercially available small camera modules are mainly designed with a fixed-size aperture. As a result, the sharpness and sensitivity of the images of small portable electronic devices can hardly be adjusted. When the sensor is compatible and the light source is sufficient, a smaller aperture is required to obtain better imaging pixels. However, when a fixed-size aperture is used, in the case of a small aperture, the image quality deteriorates in an environment with insufficient light (for example, at night). Therefore, a fixed-size aperture has to compromise the shooting ability in various environments.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] To enable the change of the aperture size.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The present invention provides an optical element drive mechanism having a movable part, a fixed part, and a drive assembly. The movable part is used to connect the optical element and is movable relative to the fixed part. The drive assembly is used to move the movable part.

[0005] In some embodiments, the drive assembly has a piezoelectric element, which, when actuated, deforms along the direction of a first axis, and the drive assembly rotates a movable part in the direction of a second axis, the direction of the second axis being different from the direction of the first axis.

[0006] In some embodiments, the direction of the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the first axis.

[0007] In some embodiments, the drive assembly further has a counterweight element and a transmission element. The counterweight element is installed on a fixed part. The piezoelectric element is installed between the counterweight element and the transmission element, the piezoelectric element is connected to the counterweight element, and the transmission element is connected to the piezoelectric element. The optical element drive mechanism further has a pressurizing assembly, the pressurizing assembly is connected to the fixed part, contacts the transmission element, and the pressurizing assembly provides a thrust force to bring the transmission element into contact with the movable part.

[0008] In some embodiments, the direction of the thrust force is different from the direction of the first axis and the direction of the second axis.

[0009] In some embodiments, the direction of the thrust force is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the first axis and the direction of the second axis.

[0010] In some embodiments, the pressurizing assembly has a pressurizing element. The pressurizing element has a first fixed end, a second fixed end, and a contact segment, the first fixed end and the second fixed end are connected to the fixed part, and the contact segment contacts the transmission element. On the first axis, the contact segment is located between the first fixed end and the second fixed end.

[0011] In some embodiments, the pressurizing assembly has a pressurizing element. The pressurizing element has a first fixed end, a second fixed end, and a contact segment, the first fixed end and the second fixed end are connected to the fixed part, and the contact segment contacts the transmission element. On the second axis, the contact segment is located between the first fixed end and the second fixed end.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first fixed end and the second fixed end are connected to the fixing part in a movable manner.

[0013] In some embodiments, the pressurizing assembly further has a ball element that contacts the contact segment and the fixing part.

[0014] In some embodiments, the transmission element has a circular cross-section, and the pressurizing assembly has a plane that contacts the transmission element.

[0015] In some embodiments, the transmission element has a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the piezoelectric element. The second end is opposite to the first end, and there is a gap between the second end and the fixing part.

[0016] In some embodiments, the optical element driving mechanism further has a flexible element connected to the transmission element and the fixing part. The flexible element is installed between the first end and the second end.

[0017] In some embodiments, the movable part has a concave structure. The concave structure has an arcuate cross-section, and the radius of curvature of the arcuate cross-section is larger than the radius of curvature of the transmission element.

[0018] In some embodiments, the movable part has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface, forming an included angle therebetween, and the included angle is less than 180 degrees. The transmission element contacts the first inclined surface at a contact point, and the transmission element contacts the second inclined surface at another contact point.

[0019] In some embodiments, the movable part has a contact surface that is parallel to the second axis, and the transmission element contacts this contact surface at a contact point.

[0020] In some embodiments, the movable part has a rotating element and at least two positioning spheres, and the positioning spheres are connected to the fixing part and the rotating element.

[0021] In some embodiments, the optical element driving mechanism further has a plurality of flexible elements that contact the positioning sphere and the fixed part.

[0022] In some embodiments, the movable part has a rotating element and a bearing, and the bearing is connected to the fixed part and the rotating element.

[0023] In some embodiments, the optical element driving mechanism further has a position sensor assembly. The position sensor assembly has an annular magnetic element, a circuit board, and a sensor. The annular magnetic element is connected to the movable part. The circuit board is installed on the fixed part. The sensor is installed on the circuit board and is located on one side of the annular magnetic element. The fixed part has an opening, and the annular magnetic element and the sensor are exposed from this opening.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] According to the present invention, the aperture size can be changed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] The following detailed description, together with the accompanying drawings, provides a better understanding of this embodiment. It should be noted that the various components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale as is standard in the industry. In fact, the dimensions of the various components can be arbitrarily enlarged or reduced for clarity of illustration.

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Figure 6A

Figure 6B

Figure 6C

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Figure 8

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Figure 10

[0026] Hereinafter, the optical element driving mechanism of the present embodiment will be described. However, it will be readily understood that the embodiments of the present invention provide many suitable creative concepts that can be implemented in a variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments disclosed are intended only to illustrate the use of the present invention in a particular way and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in this specification, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this utility model belongs. These terms, as defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the relevant technology, the context of this utility model, or the background, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal manner unless specifically defined in this specification.

[0028] The following disclosure in this specification is intended to simplify by explaining specific examples of components and their arrangements. Of course, these specific examples are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. For example, when the following disclosure describes forming a first feature above or on top of a second feature, it means including embodiments in which the formed first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, and also means including embodiments in which additional features can be formed between the first feature and the second feature such that the first feature and the second feature may not be in direct contact. Further, for the sake of facilitating the description of the drawings and further facilitating the description of the relationship between certain features and other features in the drawings, spatial terms such as "lower surface", "below", "under", "above", "on" may be used. In addition to the orientation shown in the drawings, spatially related terms cover different orientations of the device during use or operation. The device may also be additionally positioned (rotated 90 degrees or other orientation), and the spatially related descriptions used in this specification may be interpreted accordingly.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an optical element driving mechanism 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the optical element driving mechanism 10, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a plurality of optical elements 20 are connected to the optical element driving mechanism 10, and the optical element driving mechanism 10 can control the range through which external light passes by rotating the optical elements 20. For example, the optical element driving mechanism 10 can be installed above a lens or a photosensitive element and used as an aperture.

[0030] The optical element driving mechanism 10 mainly includes a fixed part 100, a movable part 200, a driving assembly 300, a pressing assembly 400, and a position sensor assembly 500. The fixed part 100 has a lid 110 and a base 120, and the two can be coupled to each other to form a box body. The movable part 200, the driving assembly 300, and the pressing assembly 400 can be accommodated in the internal space 101 of the box body to prevent them from colliding with external elements and being damaged. The base 120 can have a main body 121 and side plates 122, and the two are coupled in a removable manner to facilitate the assembly of the movable part 200, the driving assembly 300, and the pressing assembly 400.

[0031] The movable part 200 has a rotating element 210 and two positioning spheres 220. The rotating element 210 can be connected to the fixed part 100 by the positioning spheres 220 and the driving assembly 300, and can rotate around the second axis AX2 with respect to the fixed part 100. The positioning spheres 220 can be installed on the fixed part 100 and can contact the fixed part 100 and the rotating element 210.

[0032] Specifically, the contact points between the two positioning spheres 220 and the rotating element 210, and the contact points between the driving assembly 300 and the rotating element 210 can generally form an equilateral triangle or an isosceles triangle to sandwich the rotating element 210 so that the rotating element 210 is suspended in the internal space of the fixed part 100. In this embodiment, the optical element driving mechanism 10 further has a flexible element S, which is filled between the inner wall surface of the fixed part 100 and the positioning spheres 220 and contacts both of them to ensure the contact between the positioning spheres 220 and the rotating element 210. For example, the flexible element S has a sponge or a foam, but is not limited thereto.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the lid 110 has a plurality of fixing posts 111 extending towards the rotating element 210, and the rotating element 210 has a plurality of guiding posts 211 extending in opposite directions. Each optical element 20 has a shaft hole 21 and a guiding groove 22. The fixing posts 111 can pass through the shaft hole 21, and the guiding posts 211 can pass through the guiding groove 22. The diameter of the shaft hole 21 is substantially the same as the diameter of the fixing posts 111, and the size of the guiding groove 22 is larger than the size of the guiding posts 211. Therefore, when the rotating element 210 rotates relative to the fixing portion 100, the fixing posts 111 can serve as the rotation axis, and the guiding posts 211 can move along the guiding groove 22, whereby the optical element 20 can be rotated by the fixing posts 111.

[0034] Refer to FIGS. 1 to 3. The drive assembly 300 has a counterweight element 310, a piezoelectric element 320, and a transmission element 330. The piezoelectric element 320 is installed between the counterweight element 310 and the transmission element 330, and the counterweight element 310, the piezoelectric element 320, and the transmission element 330 are arranged in sequence along the first axis AX1. The first axis AX1 is substantially perpendicular to the second axis AX2.

[0035] The counterweight element 310 is installed on the fixing portion 100, the piezoelectric element 320 is connected to the counterweight element 310, the transmission element 330 is connected to the piezoelectric element 320, and contacts the rotating element 210 of the movable portion 200. The piezoelectric element 320 deforms along the first axis AX1, and the mass of the counterweight element 310 is larger than the masses of the piezoelectric element 320 and the transmission element 330. Therefore, when the drive assembly 300 operates, the piezoelectric element 320 mainly deforms along the first axis AX1 in the direction of the transmission element 330, and the transmission element 330 generates displacement and provides a driving force to the rotating element 210 to rotate the rotating element 210 about the second axis AX2.

[0036] For example, the counterweight element 310 has tungsten or other suitable metals, the piezoelectric element 320 has ceramic, quartz, or other suitable materials, and the transmission element 330 has carbon fiber or other suitable materials.

[0037] In addition, it should be noted that the counterweight element 310 is not firmly fixed to the fixing portion 100 by members such as screws, rivets, and hard adhesives, but is attached to the fixing portion 100 by, for example, a soft adhesive K. Thereby, the driving effect of the drive assembly 300 can be improved.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the transmission element 330 has a first end 331 and a second end 332. The first end 331 is connected to the piezoelectric element 320, and the second end 332 is opposite to the first end 331. A gap G is provided between the second end 332 and the wall surface of the fixing portion 100 to prevent the transmission element 330 from colliding with and being damaged by the fixing portion 100 when the transmission element 330 moves. The upper and lower sides of the transmission element 330 are connected to the fixing portion 100 by flexible elements 340, so that the drive assembly 300 can be prevented from tilting with respect to the first axis AX1 due to the weight and sway of the elements. The flexible element 340 is installed between the first end 331 and the second end 332 to prevent it from affecting the driving effect of the drive assembly 300.

[0039] The flexible element 340 has, for example, silicon or an adhesive, but is not limited thereto.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 6A. In the present embodiment, the transmission element 330 has a circular cross section, the rotating element 210 has an inner concave structure 212, and the inner concave structure 212 has an arc-shaped cross section. Since the radius of curvature of the arc-shaped cross section of the inner concave structure 212 is larger than the radius of curvature of the circular cross section of the transmission element 330, at the end of the assembly of the optical element driving mechanism 10, the portion of the transmission element 330 is accommodated in the inner concave structure 212, and the transmission element 330 and the rotating element 210 can contact at a single contact point.

[0041] Refer to FIG. 6B. In some embodiments, the concave structure 212 of the rotating element 210 has a first inclined surface C1 and a second inclined surface C2, and an included angle θ smaller than 180 degrees can be formed between the first inclined surface C1 and the second inclined surface C2. When the assembly of the optical element driving mechanism 10 is completed, the transmission element 330 can contact the first inclined surface C1 at one contact point and can also contact the second inclined surface C2 at another contact point. By increasing the contact points, the stability and efficiency of the transmission element 330 rotating the rotating element 210 can be improved.

[0042] Refer to FIG. 6C. In some embodiments, the concave structure 212 of the rotating element 210 has a contact surface C3, and this contact surface C3 is a plane parallel to the second axis AX2. When the assembly of the optical element driving mechanism 10 is completed, the contact surface C3 contacts the transmission element 330 at a single contact point.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the pressing assembly 400 has a pressing element 410, and this pressing element 410 is a metal spring. The pressing element 410 has a first fixed end 411, a second fixed end 412, and a contact segment 413. The first fixed end 411 and the second fixed end 412 are fixed to the side plate 122 of the base 120 of the fixing portion 100, and the contact segment 413 can contact the transmission element 330 of the driving assembly 300.

[0044] When the optical element driving mechanism 10 is mounted, the movable part 200 and the driving assembly 300 are installed on the base 120 from above the main body 121 of the base 120. Subsequently, the side plate 122 for installing the pressing element 410 is coupled to the main body 121 from the side. When the side plate 122 and the main body 121 are coupled, the pressing element 410 contacts the transmission element 330, and due to its elastic force, provides a thrust to the transmission element 330 to maintain the contact between the transmission element 330 and the rotating element 210. The direction of the thrust is substantially perpendicular to the first axis AX1 and the second axis AX2.

[0045] In this embodiment, on the first axis AX1, the contact segment 413 is located between the first fixed end 411 and the second fixed end 412, and since the contact segment 413 has a plane, the contact segment 413 and the transmission element 330 are in contact on a line segment.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the position sensor assembly 500 includes an annular magnetic element 510, a circuit board 520, and a sensor 530. The annular magnetic element 510 is connected below the rotating element 210 of the movable part 200, the circuit board 520 is installed on the base 120 of the fixed part 100, and the sensor 530 is installed on the circuit board 520 and is located on one side of the annular magnetic element 510.

[0047] The sensor 530 can obtain the orientation of the rotating element 210 relative to the fixed part 100 by detecting the magnetic field change of the annular magnetic element 510. For example, the sensor 530 can be a Hall Sensor, a Magnetoresistance Effect Sensor (MR Sensor), a Giant Magnetoresistance Effect Sensor (GMR Sensor), a Tunneling Magnetoresistance Effect Sensor (TMR Sensor), or a Fluxgate, but not limited to this.

[0048] In this embodiment, the base 120 of the fixed part 100 can have an opening 123, and the annular magnetic element 510 and the sensor 530 are exposed by the opening 123 to miniaturize the optical element driving mechanism 10.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 8, in some embodiments of the present invention, the positioning sphere of the movable part 200 can be omitted, and the movable part 200 may further have a bearing 230. The bearing 230 can connect the rotating element 210 and the fixed part 100, whereby the rotating element 210 can rotate with respect to the fixed part 100, and when the optical element driving mechanism 10 sways, the rotating element 210 can be prevented from moving with respect to the fixed part 100.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 9, in another embodiment of the present invention, the first fixed end 411, the contact segment 413, and the second fixed end 412 of the pressing element 410 can be arranged in sequence along the second axis AX2. Therefore, on the second axis AX2, the contact segment 413 is located between the first fixed end 411 and the second fixed end 412. The contact segment 413 has a V-shaped structure, and when the assembly of the optical element driving mechanism 10 is completed, the contact segment 413 and the transmission element 330 can be in contact on two parallel lines.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 10, in another embodiment of the present invention, the first fixed end 411 and the second fixed end 412 of the pressing element 410 are connected to the fixed part 100 in a movable manner, and the pressing assembly 400 further has a ball element 420. The ball element 420 contacts the contact segment 413 of the pressing element 410 and the side plate 122 of the base 120. Specifically, there are two guide grooves 122A along the first axis AX1 on the side plate 122, and the first fixed end 411 and the second fixed end 412 are respectively installed in the two guide grooves 122A in a slidable manner. Therefore, when the assembly 300 starts to be driven, the pressing element 410 moves along with the movement of the transmission element 330.

[0052] The features among the foregoing embodiments can be freely combined as long as they do not conflict with the spirit of the present invention or with each other.

[0053] Overall, the present invention provides an optical element driving mechanism having a movable part, a fixed part, and a driving assembly. The movable part is used to connect the optical element and is movable relative to the fixed part. The driving assembly is used to move the movable part.

[0054] Having disclosed the embodiments and their advantages above, it should be understood that those with ordinary knowledge in the relevant technical field can make changes, substitutions, and decorations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, the protection scope of this utility model is not limited to the processes, machines, products, material compositions, devices, methods, and procedures in the specific embodiments described herein. Anyone with ordinary knowledge in the relevant technical field can use current or future processes, machines, products, material compositions, devices, methods, and procedures in accordance with this utility model as long as they can perform substantially the same functions or obtain substantially the same results as those in the embodiments described herein. Therefore, the protection scope of the utility model includes the above-mentioned processes, machines, products, compositions, devices, methods, and procedures. Also, each claim in the claims for utility model registration constitutes an individual embodiment, and the protection scope of the present invention includes each claim and combinations of embodiments.

[0055] Although several preferred embodiments are disclosed above, they do not limit the present invention. Those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field of the present invention can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be determined by the scope of the attached claims for utility model registration. Furthermore, each claim in the claims for utility model registration constitutes an independent embodiment, and combinations of various claims and embodiments are also included within the scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0056] 10…Optical element driving mechanism 20…Plurality of optical elements 21…Axial hole 22…Guide groove 100…Fixing part 101…Internal space 110…Cover body 111…Fixing post 120…Base 121…Main body 122…Side plate 122A…Guide groove 200…Movable part 210…Rotating element 211…Guide post 212…Concave structure 220…Positioning sphere 230…Bearing 300…Drive assembly 310…Counterweight element 320…Piezoelectric element 330…Transmission element 331…First end 332…Second end 340…Flexible element 400…Pressing assembly 410…Pressing element 411…First fixed end 412…Second fixed end 413…Contact segment 500…Position sensor assembly 510…Annular magnetic element 520…Circuit board 530…Sensor AX1…First axis AX2…Second axis C1…First inclined plane C2…Second inclined plane C3…Contact surface G…Gap K…Soft solder S…Flexible element θ…Clamping angle

Claims

1. An optical element driving mechanism, A movable part for connecting optical elements; a fixed portion, the movable portion being movable relative to the fixed portion; and A drive assembly for driving the moving part to move; An optical element driving mechanism comprising:

2. The optical element driving mechanism of claim 1, wherein the driving assembly has a piezoelectric element which, when actuated, deforms along a first axis direction, and the driving assembly rotates the movable part in a second axis direction, the second axis direction being different from the first axis direction.

3. 3. The optical element driving mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the direction of the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the first axis.

4. The drive assembly further comprises: A weighting element disposed on the fixed portion; and a transfer element, the piezoelectric element being disposed between the weighting element and the transfer element, the piezoelectric element connecting the weighting element and the transfer element connecting the piezoelectric element; The optical element driving mechanism of claim 2, further comprising a pressure assembly connected to the fixed part and in contact with the transmission element, and the pressure assembly provides a thrust to bring the transmission element into contact with the movable part.

5. 5. The optical element driving mechanism according to claim 4, wherein a direction of the thrust force is different from a direction of the first axis and a direction of the second axis.

6. 6. The optical element driving mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the direction of the thrust is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the first axis and the direction of the second axis.

7. 5. The optical element driving mechanism of claim 4, wherein the pressure assembly includes a pressure element having a first fixed end, a second fixed end, and a contact segment, the first fixed end and the second fixed end are connected to the fixed portion, and the contact segment contacts the transmission element, and the contact segment is located between the first fixed end and the second fixed end on the first axis.

8. 5. The optical element driving mechanism of claim 4, wherein the pressure assembly includes a pressure element having a first fixed end, a second fixed end, and a contact segment, the first fixed end and the second fixed end are connected to the fixed portion, and the contact segment contacts the transmission element, and the contact segment is located between the first fixed end and the second fixed end on the second axis.

9. The optical element driving mechanism according to claim 8 , wherein the first fixed end and the second fixed end are connected to the fixed part in a movable manner.

10. The optical element driving mechanism according to claim 9 , wherein the pressure assembly further comprises a ball element, which contacts the contact segment and the fixed portion.

11. 5. The optical element drive mechanism of claim 4, wherein the transfer element has a circular cross section, and the pressure assembly has a flat surface that contacts the transfer element.

12. The optical element driving mechanism of claim 4, wherein the transmission element has a first end and a second end, the first end connecting the piezoelectric element, and the second end opposing the first end and having a gap between the second end and the fixed portion.

13. The optical element driving mechanism of claim 12, further comprising a flexible element, the flexible element being connected to the transmission element and the fixed part and being positioned between the first end and the second end.

14. The optical element driving mechanism of claim 4, wherein the movable portion has an inwardly concave structure, the inwardly concave structure has an arc-shaped cross-section, and the radius of curvature of the arc-shaped cross-section is greater than the radius of curvature of the transmission element.

15. The optical element driving mechanism of claim 4, characterized in that the movable part has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface, forming an included angle between the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface, and the included angle is smaller than 180 degrees, and the transmission element contacts the first inclined surface at one contact point, and the transmission element contacts the second inclined surface at another contact point.

16. The optical element driving mechanism according to claim 4 , wherein the movable portion has a contact surface, the contact surface is parallel to the second axis, and the transmission element contacts the contact surface at one contact point.

17. 3. The optical element driving mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the movable portion has a rotating element and at least two positioning spheres, and the positioning spheres are connected to the fixed portion and the rotating elements.

18. 18. The optical element driving mechanism according to claim 17, further comprising a plurality of flexible elements, the flexible elements being in contact with the positioning sphere and the fixed portion.

19. 3. The optical element driving mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the movable portion includes a rotating element and a bearing, the bearing being connected to the fixed portion and the rotating element.

20. The optical element driving mechanism further includes a position sensor assembly, the position sensor assembly including: an annular magnetic element connecting the movable parts; a circuit board disposed on the fixed portion; and The optical element driving mechanism of claim 2, further comprising a sensor installed on the circuit board and located on one side of the annular magnetic element, the fixed portion having an opening, and the annular magnetic element and the sensor being exposed from the opening.

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