Liquid Lens Electrical Contact via Rotating Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image capturing devices face challenges in assembling an electrically conducting mechanism that is easy to assemble and facilitates convenient focus adjustment due to exposed wires that rotate with the base, making it difficult to connect the electrical connector to the circuit board and increasing assembly complexity.
Innovation Solution
An electrically conducting mechanism is designed with conducting members on the base and in the adjusting seat, featuring resilient tabs and ring portions that maintain contact during rotation, allowing for easy focus adjustment and auto-focusing of the liquid lens, while simplifying the assembly process by integrating the electrical connections within the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wires are exposed from the base for electrical connection, then electrical connection can be established, but the wires rotate with the base during focus adjustment making the operation inconvenient and assembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A rotating ring with contact points is introduced as an intermediary component between the base and the adjusting seat. This ring rotates with the adjusting seat during focus adjustment while maintaining continuous electrical contact through its contact points, thereby mediating the electrical connection without requiring exposed wires that would otherwise rotate and tangle
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connection is transitioned from a linear wire configuration to a circular/ring-based configuration. The rotating ring provides electrical contact in a different dimensional arrangement, allowing rotation around the optical axis while maintaining contact through the circular path rather than through linear wire extensions
2Ease of manufacture
If wires are exposed from the base, then electrical connection is possible, but the position of wires is not fixed making electrical connection to circuit board difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating ring serves as a mediator that provides fixed, predetermined contact points for electrical connection. Instead of handling flexible wires during assembly, the ring's rigid structure with built-in contact points allows for precise and repeatable electrical connections to the circuit board while still enabling rotation during operation
3Device complexity
If wires are mounted in the interior of the base, then assembly complexity is reduced, but the electrical connection mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection function is merged with the rotating adjustment mechanism by integrating the rotating ring directly into the adjusting seat assembly. The ring is coupled to the adjusting seat such that rotation of the seat for focus adjustment automatically rotates the ring, combining the electrical contact function with the mechanical adjustment function in a single integrated component
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables convenient and quick focus adjustment of the lens module, reduces assembly time, and enhances manufacturing efficiency by maintaining electrical contact during rotation, allowing the liquid lens to perform auto-focusing and simplifying the assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
When a voltage is applied between the first and second electrode portions of the liquid lens, an electrostatic force is generated, thereby enabling the liquid lens to adjust its focal length
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing device includes a base, a lens module, and an electrically conducting mechanism. The lens module includes a fixed lens set and a liquid lens disposed respectively in an adjusting seat with first and second through holes. The liquid lens has first and second electrode portions. The conducting mechanism includes first and second conducting members disposed respectively on outer and inner surfaces of a surrounding wall of the base, a third conducting member abutting against the first electrode portion and extending through the first through hole to contact the first conducting member, and a fourth conducting member abutting against the second electrode portion and extending through the second through hole to contact the second conducting member. When the adjusting seat is rotated relative to the base, the first and second electrode portions of the liquid lens are respectively and electrically connected to the first and second conducting members.