OPTICAL ELEMENT DRIVING MECHANISM

An optical element driving mechanism is provided. The optical element driving mechanism includes a movable part, a fixed part, and a driving assembly. The movable part is for connecting an optical element. The movable part moves relative to the fixed part. The driving assembly is for driving the movable part to move.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an optical element driving mechanism, and, in particular, to an optical element driving mechanism with a movable part and a plurality of connecting elements.

Description of the Related Art

With the development of technology, many electronic devices today (such as computers and tablets) have the function of taking photos and recording videos. The use of these electronic devices is becoming increasingly common, and while they have been developed to be more stable and have better optical quality, the design trend is also moving towards making them more convenient with a slim profile, to provide users with more options.

However, when it is necessary to install optical elements with longer focal lengths (such as lenses) into the aforementioned electronic devices, it results in an increase in the thickness of the electronic device, which is not advantageous to the slimming and stability of the electronic device. In view of this, designing an optical system that allows electronic devices to be slim and stable has become an important issue.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, an optical element driving mechanism is provided. The optical element driving mechanism includes a movable part, a fixed part, and a driving assembly. The movable part is for connecting an optical element. The movable part moves relative to the fixed part. The driving assembly is for driving the movable part to move.

According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, the optical element driving mechanism further includes an aperture assembly. The aperture assembly has a plurality of blades, wherein the plurality of blades form an opening through which incident light enters the optical element. The fixed part includes an outer cover and a buffering element. The outer cover at least partially covering the aperture assembly and the optical element. The buffering element is disposed between the outer cover and the aperture assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of the present detailed description, unless specifically disclaimed, and where appropriate, the singular includes the plural and vice versa. The word “including” means “including without limitation.” Moreover, words of approximation, such as “about,” “almost,” “substantially,” “approximately,” and the like, may be used herein to mean “at,” “near,” “nearly at,” “within 3-5% of,” “within acceptable manufacturing tolerances of,” or any logical combination thereof. Similarly, terms “vertical” or “horizontal” are intended to additionally include “within 3-5% of” a vertical or horizontal orientation, respectively. Additionally, words of direction, such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “above,” and “below” are intended to relate to the equivalent direction as depicted in a reference illustration; as understood contextually from the object(s) or element(s) being referenced, such as from a commonly used position for the object(s) or element(s); or as otherwise described herein.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, layers and/or parts, these elements, layers and/or parts should not be referred to as such. The terms are limited and are only used to distinguish between different elements, layers and/or parts. Thus, a first element, layer and/or part discussed below could be termed a second element, layer and/or part without departing from the teachings of some embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, for the sake of simplicity, terms such as “first” and “second” may not be used to distinguish different elements in the specification. Without departing from the scope defined in the appended patent application, the first element and/or the second element described in the claims are interpreted as any element consistent with the description in the specification.

It should be noted that the technical solutions provided in different embodiments below may be replaced, combined or mixed with each other to constitute another embodiment without violating the spirit of the present disclosure.

This disclosure relates to an optical element driving mechanism, having a driving assembly and a guiding assembly, which drive the movable part and an optical element to move, thereby adjusting the imaging of the optical element driving mechanism to meet different photographic needs.

First, please refer toFIG.1toFIG.4.FIG.1is a perspective view of the optical element driving mechanism1, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.FIG.2is a cross-sectional view of the optical element driving mechanism1and the optical element10along line A-A ofFIG.1, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.FIG.3is a perspective view of the optical element driving mechanism1and the optical element10, with the outer cover210and the buffering element220removed for illustrative purposes, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.FIG.4is an exploded perspective view of the optical element driving mechanism1and the optical element10, with the outer cover210and the buffering element220removed for illustrative purposes, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

The optical element driving mechanism1includes a movable part100, a fixed part200, a driving assembly300, an aperture assembly400, a circuit assembly500, and a guiding assembly600. The movable part100connects the optical element10, which may be, for example, an optical lens. The movable part100may move relative to the fixed part200. The driving assembly300drives the movement of the movable part100. The optical element10is disposed on a lens driving device (not shown), and achieves the functions of automatic focusing (AF) and optical image stabilization (OIS) through the lens driving device, and the lens driving device has a plurality of driving circuit parts (not shown in figures), for driving the lens driving device.

The movable part100includes a stabilizing element110. The stabilizing element110is fixedly disposed on the movable part100on the side that is opposite the magnetic element310of the driving assembly300. The stabilizing element110may be a magnetic element with a different size from the magnetic element310, providing additional magnetic attraction to stabilize the structure of the movable part100.

The fixed part200includes an outer cover210, a buffering element220, a frame230, a base240, a bottom250, a light-blocking element260, and an inner cover270.

The outer cover210at least partially covers the aperture assembly400and the optical element10. The buffering element220is disposed between the outer cover210and the aperture assembly400. The outer cover210and the buffering element220protect the elements inside the optical element driving mechanism1from external impacts.

Please also refer toFIG.5.FIG.5is a cross-sectional view of the optical element driving mechanism1and the optical element10along line B-B ofFIG.1, with the outer cover210and the buffering element220removed, and the first part241of the base240is shown with dashed lines for illustrative purposes, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. The frame230is fixedly connected to the base240. The base240has a protruding structure P1. The protruding structure P1protrudes towards the first side S1of the bottom250.

The base240includes a first part241, a second part242, and a plurality of connecting elements243,244,245,246,247. The second part242is fixedly connected to the first part241. The thickness T2of the second part242is greater than the thickness T1of the first part241, and the hardness of the second part242is greater than the hardness of the first part241. The plurality of connecting elements243,244,245,246,247are embedded within the second part242.

The light-blocking element260may be made of light-absorbing material, such as SOMA. The inner cover270is movably disposed on the aperture assembly400. The aperture assembly400is located between the light-blocking element260and the inner cover270.

Next, please continue to refer toFIG.4. The driving assembly300includes a magnetic element310and a coil320. The magnetic element310is disposed on the movable part100. The coil320is disposed on the protruding structure P1of the base240, adjacent to the first side S1.

Through the electromagnetic driving force generated between the magnetic element310and the coil320, the magnetic element310moves relative to the coil320. Thus, the movable part100moves relative to the base240and the movable part100drives the movement of the aperture assembly400. Therefore, the electromagnetic driving force generated between the magnetic element310and the coil320may drive the movable part100to move the aperture assembly400relative to the base240.

The aperture assembly400has a plurality of blades410. In this embodiment, there are six blades410. The six blades410form an opening470through which incident light passes to reach the optical element10.

The circuit assembly500includes a plurality of external elements511,512,513,514, and a plurality of elastic elements521,522,523,524,525,526. The elastic elements521,522,523,524,525,526are flexible. The external elements511,512,513,514are electrically connected to the elastic elements521,522,523,524,525,526. The elastic elements521,522,523,524,525,526are electrically connected to the coil320via the connecting elements243,244,245,246,247.

The external elements511,512,513, and514include a plurality of electrical connection parts511-E,512-E,513-E, and514-E extending along the direction of incident light. Which means that the electrical connection parts extend along the optical axis O. Specifically, the distance between the plurality of electrical connection parts511-E,512-E,513-E,514-E and the optical axis O is greater than the distance between the bottom250and the optical axis O. When viewed along the direction of incident light, the electrical connection parts511-E,512-E,513-E,514-E of the circuit assembly500at least partially overlap with the bottom250(seeFIG.1). Whereby, it is advantageous for disposing the optical element driving mechanism1on the lens driving device. Specifically, in this embodiment, there is no need to design additional circuits for driving the movable part100and the aperture assembly400in the lens driving device equipped with the optical element10, which would complicate the structural design of the lens driving device. At the same time, in conjunction with the electrical connection parts511-E,512-E,513-E, and514-E of the circuit assembly500of the optical element driving mechanism1located on the first side S1, the driving circuit part of the lens driving device may also be disposed on the first side S1. When the electrical connection parts511-E,512-E,513-E,514-E and the driving circuit part are all disposed on the same side, the circuit design for controlling the optical element driving mechanism1and the lens driving device may be more convenient and simplified.

The base240is connected to the bottom250via the elastic elements521,522,523,524,525,526. Due to the flexibility of the elastic elements521,522,523,524,525,526, the base240may move relative to the bottom250. The external elements511,512,513,514are located on the first side S1of the bottom250.

The guiding assembly600includes a plurality of guiding elements. In this embodiment, there are four guiding elements611,612,613,614, disposed between the movable part100and the frame230, adjacent to the first side S1. The movable part100is connected to the frame230via the four guiding elements611,612,613,614. The guiding elements611,612,613,614movably connect the frame230and the movable part100. When the movable part100is driven by the driving assembly300to move, the guiding elements611,612,613,614roll between the frame230and the movable part100, allowing the movable part100to move smoothly relative to the frame230.

The magnetic element310includes a first surface311and a second surface312. The first surface311and the second surface312face opposite directions. The first surface311faces the optical axis O, and the second surface312faces the coil320. The distance d2between the guiding elements611,612,613,614and the optical axis O of the incident light is greater than the distance d1between the magnetic element310and the optical axis O (please refer toFIG.5). The distance d2between the guiding elements611,612,613, and614and the optical axis O of the incident light is greater than the distance d2between the second surface312of the magnetic element310and the optical axis O. Both the first surface311and the second surface312are curved surfaces, and the radius of curvature of the first surface311is different from the radius of curvature of the second surface312. The radius of curvature of the first surface311is smaller than the radius of curvature of the second surface312. Therefore, when the electromagnetic driving force causes the element310to move relative to the coil320, the electromagnetic driving force is more stable, thereby making the movement of the movable part100and the aperture assembly400more stable.

The movement of the movable part100relative to the frame230is described with reference toFIG.6toFIG.9.FIG.6is a top view of the optical element driving mechanism1and the optical element10with the blades410in the first position, with the outer cover210, the inner cover270, and the buffering element220removed for illustrative purposes, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.FIG.7is a top view of the optical element driving mechanism1and the optical element10with the blades410in a second position, with the outer cover210, the inner cover270, and the buffering element220removed for illustrative purposes, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.FIG.8is a top view of the optical element driving mechanism1and the optical element10with the blades410in a third position, with the outer cover210, the inner cover270, and the buffering element220removed for illustrative purposes, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.FIG.9is a top view of the optical element driving mechanism1and the optical element10with the blades410in a fourth position, with the outer cover210, the inner cover270, and the buffering element220removed for illustrative purposes, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

The movable part100connects the six blades410. Each blade410has a hole410-aand an elongated hole410-b, for connecting the movable part100and the frame230, as will be further explained below.

The movable part100and the blades410may move relative to the frame230. The movable part100has a plurality of protrusions100-bthat pass through the elongated holes410-bof the blades410, allowing movements of the protrusions100-bwithin the elongated holes410-b.

The frame230has a plurality of protrusions230-athat pass through the holes410-aof the blades410, allowing rotations of the protrusions230-awithin the holes410-a. The blades410connect the movable part100to the frame230via the protrusions100-b, and the protrusions230-a, the elongated holes410-b, and the holes410-a.

When the movable part100is driven by the driving assembly300to move, the protrusions100-bof the movable part100pass through the elongated holes410-bof the blades410and move within the elongated holes410-b. The protrusions230-aof the frame230pass through the holes410-aof the blades410and rotate within the holes410-a, thereby driving the movement of the blades410. By moving the blades410, the size of the opening470formed by the blades410may be adjusted.

In the first position shown inFIG.6, the opening470formed by the blades410is larger, allowing more incident light to pass through the opening470to reach the optical element10.

In the second position shown inFIG.7, the opening470formed by the blades410is smaller than the opening470formed in the first position shown inFIG.6, allowing less incident light to pass through the opening470to reach the optical element10, compared to the first position.

In the third position shown inFIG.8, the opening470formed by the blades410is smaller than the opening470formed in the second position shown inFIG.7, allowing less incident light to pass through the opening470to reach the optical element10, compared to the second position.

In the fourth position shown inFIG.9, the opening470formed by the blades410is smaller than the opening470formed in the first position shown inFIG.6, the second position shown inFIG.7, and the third position shown inFIG.8. Thus, allowing less incident light to pass through the opening470to reach the optical element10compared to the first position, the second position, and the third position.

In summary, the present invention provides an optical element driving mechanism that includes a movable part, a fixed part, a driving assembly, an aperture assembly, and a guiding assembly. The movement of the driving assembly drives the movable part to move relative to the fixed part. This allows for the adjustment of the blades' positions and the amount of incident light reaching the optical element, adapting to different photographic needs and providing more stable optical quality. At the same time, through the design of the bottom and circuit assemblies, the optical element driving mechanism may be more easily disposed on the lens driving device, so that the structural design of the movable part of the optical element driving mechanism and the aperture assembly will not be affected by the lens driving device, and may be used with lens driving devices of different sizes. The circuit design for driving the movement of the movable part and aperture assembly and the circuit design of the lens driving device may be independent, simplifying the design of the control circuit.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments may be made, according to the disclosure herein, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described embodiments. Rather, the scope of the invention should be defined, according to the following claims and their equivalents.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a, an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, the terms “including, includes”, “having, has, with” or variations thereof used in the embodiments and/or claims are intended to be similar to “comprising” is included.