Webcam module having a clamping device

A webcam module having a clamping device includes a body portion, a first sliding unit, a second sliding unit, a first torsion element and a second torsion element. The first sliding unit and the second sliding unit are provided on the body portion. The first sliding unit is able to slide by means of the cooperation between the sliding block and the guiding though-groove. The torsion elements are used to generate a force for clamping an article. Via the above arrangement, a user can turn a first turning portion of the first sliding unit and a second turning portion of the second sliding unit, thereby opening a first clip and a second clip to a predetermined angle. The torsion elements allow the first clip and the second clip to be clamped at a predetermined position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a webcam module having a clamping device, and in particular to a webcam module which has high degree of integration and can be clamped on other devices.

2. Description of Related Art

With the continuous advancement of modern science technology, the speed of transmitting information is more and more amazing. The high speed achieved by a wired or wireless transmission allows people to grasp the messages all over the world very quickly, so that the concept of a global village is generated. With the widening of network bandwidth, word message cannot satisfy the information flow necessary for industries or individuals, so that the transmission of information containing pictures and voices are gradually developed. Therefore, webcams have been widely used in a picture information end of the Internet, whereby, for example, technical meetings held by providers and downstream manufacturers or remote video courses offered by universities and colleges can be achieved.

However, in order to achieve a preferred aspect of a webcam, most manufacturers devote themselves to design an improved base associated with the webcam and a clamping mount for clamping or attaching to other articles, thereby facilitating the video meeting or instantaneous communication by Internet.

However, the conventional webcam cannot form a preferred mechanism with a base or clamping mount. For example, Taiwan Patent No.M333589 discloses a base for a webcam, which can be clamped on a screen or disposed on a table directly for use. However, such a webcam has to be mounted to the base, so that the combined volume of the webcam and the base is too large, which may affect the operation of the user adversely. Furthermore, the assembly of the webcam and the base lacks integration, so that the additional value of the product cannot be raised. In the webcam available in the market, elastic elements provided in the clamping mount may be exposed to the outside. Since the elastic element is used to provide a clamping torsion force, the exposed elastic element may make it in danger of falling off or getting damaged easily by external force. As a result, the above-mentioned webcam will lose its effect of clamping articles, which makes the user feel inconvenience in use.

Consequently, because of the above limitation resulting from the technical design of prior art, the inventor strives via real world experience and academic research to develop the present invention, which can effectively improve the limitations described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a webcam module having a clamping device. With its compact design, the volume and size of the webcam module can be reduced efficiently, thereby conforming to the requirements for the usage of the webcam module.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a webcam module having a clamping device, in which a torsion spring is disposed in a space within a body portion, thereby avoiding the torsion spring from being hit by external force. In this way, the lifetime and the quality of assembly of the webcam module can be increased.

In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a webcam module having a clamping device, which includes a body portion, a first sliding unit, a second sliding unit, a first torsion element and a second torsion element. The body portion is formed by a first casing and a second casing. The first casing is provided with a first guiding though-groove and a second guiding though-groove. The second casing is provided with a third guiding though-groove and a fourth guiding though-groove. The first sliding unit includes a first sliding piece, a first sliding block and a second sliding block. The first sliding piece is provided outside the first casing. The first sliding block and the second sliding block are provided inside the first casing and correspond to the first guiding though-groove and the second guiding though-groove respectively, thereby connecting to the first sliding piece. The top end and bottom end of the first sliding piece extend to form a first turning portion and a first clip respectively. The second sliding unit includes a second sliding piece, a third sliding block and a fourth sliding block. The second sliding piece is provided outside the second casing. The third sliding block and the fourth sliding block are provided inside the second casing and correspond to the third guiding though-groove and the fourth guiding though-groove respectively, thereby connecting to the second sliding piece. The top end and the bottom end of the second sliding piece extend to form a second turning portion and a second clip respectively. Both ends of the first torsion element are connected to the first sliding block and the third sliding block respectively. Both ends of the second torsion element are connected to the second sliding block and the fourth sliding block respectively. The user turns the first turning portion and the second turning portion, thereby opening the first clip and the second clip to a predetermined angle. By means of the first torsion element and the second torsion element, the first clip and the second clip are clamped at a predetermined position. The actions of the clips and the turning portions can be achieved by means of the cooperation between the guiding though-grooves and the sliding blocks.

The present invention further provides a webcam module having a clamping device, which includes a body portion, a first sliding unit, a second sliding unit, a first torsion element and s second torsion element. The body portion is formed by a first casing and a second casing. The first casing and the second casing are provided with at least one corresponding guiding though-groove respectively. The first sliding unit includes a first sliding piece and at least one sliding block. The first casing is provided between the first sliding piece and the sliding block of first sliding unit. The sliding block of the first sliding unit corresponds to the guiding though-groove of the first casing and is connected to the first sliding piece. The top end and bottom end of the first sliding piece extend to form a first turning portion and a first clip respectively. Similarly, the second sliding unit includes a second sliding piece and at least one sliding block. The second casing is provided between the second sliding piece and the sliding block of the second sliding unit. The sliding block of the second sliding unit corresponds to the guiding though-groove of the second casing and is connected to the second sliding piece. The top end and bottom end of the second sliding piece extend to form a second turning portion and a second clip respectively. Both ends of the at least one torsion element are connected to the sliding block of the first sliding unit and the sliding block of the second sliding unit respectively. The user turns the first turning portion and the second turning portion, thereby opening the first clip and the second clip to a predetermined angle. By means of the torsion element, the first clip and the second clip are clamped at a predetermined position. The actions of the clips and the turning portions can be achieved by means of the cooperation between the guiding though-grooves and the sliding blocks.

Via to the above-mentioned structure, the webcam module having a clamping device can integrate an image module, a torsion element and other members into one body. Therefore, the present invention can reduce the volume of a portable electronic card connector effectively. Furthermore, the present invention utilizes a cover to cooperate with the body portion, so that the above components will not be exposed to the outside, thereby protecting them.

Furthermore, the cooperation between the sliding blocks and the guiding though-grooves allows the clips and the turning portions to be drivingly connected with each other, thereby generating more convenience in use and better additional value of the product of the webcam module.

In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present invention, a detailed description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only, but not used to limit the scope of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer toFIGS. 1 to 4. The present invention provides a webcam module1having a clamping device. The webcam module1having a clamping device can be mounted to a predetermined position by means of a torsion force, such as a side frame of a liquid crystal screen2or other positions easy to be clamped.FIG. 1andFIG. 1Aare an assembled view and an exploded assembled view showing the webcam module1having a clamping device respectively. The webcam module1having a clamping device includes a body portion10, a first sliding unit11, a second sliding unit12, a first torsion element13and a second torsion element14. A description relating to the above units is made as follows.

Please refer toFIG. 2. The body portion10of the webcam module1having a clamping device is formed by a first casing101and a second casing102. In the present embodiment, the body portion10is a cylindrical hollow body portion with an accommodated space103. The first casing101and the second casing102are each a semi-cylindrical member. The first casing101and the second casing102can be assembled with each other via engaging, locking or other similar means, thereby forming the body portion10. Further, the first casing101and the second casing102are provided with at least one corresponding guiding though-groove respectively. In the present embodiment, the first casing101is provided with a first guiding though-groove1011and a second guiding though-groove1012. The second casing102is provided with a third guiding though-groove1021and a fourth guiding though-groove1022. The first guiding though-groove1011is located at a position corresponding to that of the third guiding though-groove1021. Similarly, the second guiding though-groove1012is located at a position corresponding to that of the fourth guiding though-groove1022.

The first sliding unit11is slidingly provided on the first casing101. The first sliding unit11includes a first sliding piece111and at least one sliding block (i.e., a first sliding block112and a second sliding block113corresponding to the first guiding though-groove1011and a second guiding though-groove1012). The first sliding piece111is connected to the sliding block using a connecting piece though the guiding though-groove. The first casing101is provided between the first sliding piece111and the sliding block of the first sliding unit11. That is, the first sliding piece111is provided outside the first casing101so as to cover the first guiding though-groove1011and the second guiding though-groove1012. The first sliding block112and the second sliding block113are provided inside the first casing101and correspond to the first guiding though-groove1011and the second guiding though-groove1012, thereby connecting to the first sliding piece111. In other words, a first connecting piece1241is used to fix the first sliding piece111with the first sliding block112and a second connecting piece1242is used to fix the first sliding piece111with the second sliding block113. The first connecting piece1241is limited by the first guiding though-groove1011for limiting the position of the first sliding piece111. In the present embodiment, a screw (i.e. the first connecting piece1241) is inserted in the first guiding though-groove1011for fixing the first sliding piece111with the first sliding block112. Similarly, the second sliding block113is fixed on the first sliding piece111in the same manner. Thus, one side of the first sliding piece111and the first sliding block112are provided on the first guiding though-groove1011. The other side of the first sliding piece111and the second sliding block113are provided on the second guiding though-groove1012. The cooperation between the first sliding block112, the connecting piece124and the first guiding though-groove1011and the cooperation between the second sliding block113, connecting piece124and the second guiding though-groove1012allow the first sliding piece111to slide with respect to the first casing101. Further, the top end and the bottom end of the first sliding piece111extend to form a first turning portion1111and a first clip1112respectively. On the other hand, the first sliding piece111can cover the first guiding though-groove1011and the second guiding though-groove1012for presenting the moisture form the electronic module15inside the accommodated space103. Moreover, the first casing101has a first concave portion1013respectively on two ends thereof.

The structure of the second sliding unit12is substantially the same as that of the first sliding unit11. The second sliding unit12is slidingly provided on the second casing102. The second sliding unit12includes a second sliding piece121and at least one sliding block (i.e. a third sliding block122and a fourth sliding block123). The second sliding piece121is connected to the sliding block using a connecting piece though the guiding though-groove on the second casing102. The second casing102is provided between the second sliding piece121and the sliding block of the second sliding unit12, that is, the second sliding piece121is provided outside the second casing102so as to cover the third guiding though-groove1021and the fourth guiding though-groove1022. The third sliding block122and the fourth sliding block123are provided inside the second casing102and correspond to the third guiding though-groove1021and the fourth guiding though-groove1022respectively, thereby connecting to the second sliding piece121using the connecting piece124. In other words, one side of the second sliding piece121and the third sliding block122are provided on the third guiding though-groove1021. The other side of the second sliding piece121and the fourth sliding block123are provided on the fourth guiding though-groove1022. The cooperation between the third sliding block122and the third guiding though-groove1021and the cooperation between the fourth sliding block123and the fourth guiding though-groove1022allow the second sliding piece121to slide with respect to the second casing102. In other words, a third and a fourth connecting pieces1243,1244are used to fix the second sliding piece121with the third sliding block122and the fourth sliding block123respectively. Similarly, the third and a fourth connecting pieces1243,1244are respectively limited by the third guiding though-groove1021and the fourth guiding though-groove1022for limiting the position of the second sliding piece121. Further, the top end and bottom end of the second sliding piece121extend to form a second turning portion1211and a second clip1212respectively. The second turning portion1211and the second clip1212correspond to the first turning portion1111and the first clip1112respectively, thereby forming a turning portion and a clip. The first sliding block112and the third sliding block122together form a set of sliding members, and the second sliding block113and the fourth sliding block123together form another set of sliding members. On the other hand, the second sliding piece121can cover the third guiding though-groove1021and the fourth guiding though-groove1022for presenting the moisture form the electronic module15inside the accommodated space103. Moreover, the second casing102has a second concave portion1023respectively on two ends thereof.

On the other hand, the webcam module1having a clamping device further has a torsion element, both ends of which are connected to the sliding block of the first sliding unit11and the sliding block of the second sliding unit12. In the present embodiment, the webcam module1having a clamping device has two torsion elements. The first torsion element13and the second torsion element14correspond to the above two sets of sliding members respectively. That is, both ends of the first torsion element13are connected to the first sliding block112and the third sliding block122respectively, while both ends of the second torsion element14are connected to the second sliding block113and the fourth sliding block123respectively. Both of the first torsion element13and the second torsion element14are accommodated inside the accommodated space103. In other words, the components of the webcam module1are accommodated in the accommodated space103constructed by the first casing101and the second casing102except the first sliding unit11and the second sliding unit12.

After the above components are assembled together, a user can exert a force F to turn inwards the first turning portion1111and the second turning portion1211, thereby opening the first clip1112and the second clip1212to a predetermined angle. The web module1having a clamping device is mounted to a predetermined position (e.g. on a side frame of the liquid crystal screen2). Then, the user releases the first turning portion1111and the second turning portion1211, so that the torsion force generated by the first torsion element13and the second torsion element14can be used to clamp the first clip1112and the second clip1212to the above-mentioned predetermined position without shaking or falling off due to external force.

In the present embodiment, the directions of the first guiding though-groove1011, the second guiding though-groove1012, the third guiding though-groove1021and the fourth guiding though-groove1022are perpendicular to the direction of the cylindrical hollow body portion. The widths of the first sliding block112and the second sliding block113are larger than those of the first guiding though-groove1011and the second guiding though-groove1012respectively. Further, the widths of the third sliding block122and the fourth sliding block123are larger than those of the third guiding though-groove1021and the fourth guiding though-groove1022respectively. Moreover, the connecting piece124is sliding along with the direction of the guiding though-groove and limited inside the guiding though-groove. Via this arrangement, the first sliding block112and the second sliding block113abut the side of the first guiding though-groove1011and the side of the second guiding though-groove1012respectively, so that the first sliding block112and the second sliding block113can slide along the first guiding though-groove1011and the second guiding though-groove1012respectively. The characteristics of the third sliding block122and the fourth sliding block123are the same as those of the first sliding block112and the second sliding block113, and thus the description thereof is omitted for simplicity.

The webcam module1having a clamping device further includes an electronic module15with circuit boards, connecting leads and etc. being accommodated in an accommodated space103formed by the body portion10. The second casing102is further provided with a lens module. Further, the shape of the first sliding piece111corresponds to that of the first casing101, and the shape of the second sliding piece121corresponds to that of the second casing102, thereby facilitating the sliding movements of the first sliding piece111and the second sliding piece121. In other words, when a stress is forced on the first turning portion1111and the second turning portion1211, the first clip1112and the second clip1212are in an open state. Moreover, the first sliding piece111is provided with an opening for exposing the lens module to the outside. The first torsion element13and the second torsion element14are each a torsion spring. The torsion springs are used to provide the first clip1112and the second clip1212with a force for clamping an article. In other words, the first torsion element13and the second torsion element14are used to close the first clip1112and the second clip1212. The webcam module1having a clamping device further includes a first cover17and a second cover18that are provided on both sides of the body portion10respectively, so that the first torsion element13, the second torsion element14or the circuit boards can be avoided from being exposed to the outside. One first concave portion1013and one second concave portion1023are constructed as a slot on one end of the body portion10for assembling the first cover17. Similarly, the other first concave portion1013and the other second concave portion1023are constructed as another slot for assembling the second cover18. The structure of the slots and the covers17,18can be used for preventing moisture. However, in another embodiment, two ends of the first casing101have a semi-circle wall respectively and two ends of the second casing102has a corresponding semi-circle wall respectively as shown inFIG. 5. Therefore, the first casing101and the second casing102can directly form the accommodated space103as an enclosure.

The facing sides of the first clip1112and the second clip1212further includes an elastic element16respectively (e.g. a rubber pad or other elastic materials), so that the first clip1112and the second clip1212can clamp other article more firmly and the clamped article can be protected from being scraped.

According to the above, the present invention has advantageous features as follows.

(I) In the webcam module having a clamping device according to the present invention, the torsion elements are accommodated in the body portion directly, thereby protecting the torsion element more carefully. In this way, the damage caused by the external force when the torsion elements are exposed to the outside can be reduced and the reliability of the present invention may not be affected adversely. The clamping mechanism can be further applied in another electronic module, such as microphone, speaker and so on.

(II) The lens module and the torsion elements are integrated in the body portion, so that the webcam module having a clamping device according to the present invention has a small volume, appropriate weight and size. Thus, it is much easier for the user to provide the webcam module on a side frame of the screen.

(III) The action of the turning portions and the cooperation between the guiding though-groove and sliding block can cause the clips to open or close, so that the webcam module can be clamped on the top side of the screen quickly without falling off due to shakes. Thus, it is more convenient to use the webcam module having a clamping device of the present invention with high quality.