Power connection device for a flash tube and a camera module

A power connection device for connecting a flash tube and a camera module includes a wire, a first electrical connector, and a second electrical connector. One end of the wire is connected with the flash tube, and the first electrical connector is electrically connected with the other end of the wire. The second electrical connector is located at a power supply terminal of the camera module and the second electrical connector is electrically plugged with the first electrical connector. Thereby, the flash tube is connected with the camera module via the power connection device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a power connection device. In particular, this invention relates to a power connection device for connecting a flash tube and a camera module.

2. Description of the Related Art

As consumer electronic products have developed, a lot of devices (such as cell phone cameras, PDAs, and smart phones, etc.) include a camera module that allows users take photos. In order to enhance the quality of photos, a flash tube is added to the devices to compensate for inadequate lighting. Other camera devices, such as conventional still cameras, digital still cameras, or digital cameras, also make use of the flash tube.

However, the power connection between the flash tube and the camera module is usually implemented by a flexible flake or a wire and a welding process. Because the power connection needs a strong structure, these two methods adopt multiple welding processes that consume a large amount of time to be completed. Furthermore, when the welded process is being performed, the flash tube is easily overheated, damaging the flash tube.

When the power connection between the flash tube and the camera module usually is implemented via a wire and a welding process, a process of spotting glue to fully wrap the welding points is necessary. Therefore, when the flash tube is used, the problem of jump spark affecting the operation of the camera module is avoided.FIG. 1is a schematic diagram of the flash tube connected with a camera module of the prior art. Two ends of the flash tube100are electrically connected with wires3. Another end of the wire3is connected with the power supply terminal201of the camera module200via a process of welding tin on the welding points40. The welding points40is wrapped with insulating glue60to prevent the jump spark from occurring when the flash tube is used.

In the manufacturing process of devices adopting the prior art, multiple welding processes are needed. Therefore, a lot of problems may occur due to artificial factors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One particular aspect of the present invention utilizes a wire to connect a flash tube with a camera module. One end of the wire is connected with the flash tube, and another end of the wire has an electrical connector and is connected with a corresponding electrical connector located on the camera module. Therefore, the goals of reducing the time required for the welding processes, reducing the manpower required, and increasing the yield rate are achieved.

The present invention provides a power connection device for connecting a flash tube and a camera module. The power connection device for connecting a flash tube and a camera module includes a wire, a first electrical connector, and a second electrical connector. The first electrical connector further includes a first electrical connector shell and a first conducting part. The second electrical connector further includes a second electrical connector shell and a second conducting part. One end of the wire is connected with the flash tube, and another end of the wire is connected with the first electrical connector. Next, the first electrical connector is electrically plugged into the second electrical connector located at a power supply terminal of the camera module. Thereby, the flash tube is connected with the power source of the camera module via the wire, the first electrical connector, and the second electrical connector.

For further understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following detailed description illustrating the embodiments and examples of the invention. The description is only for illustrating the invention and is not intended to be considered limiting of the scope of the claim.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is made toFIGS. 2A and 2B, which show a schematic diagram of the flash tube not plugged into a camera module of the present invention and a schematic diagram of the flash tube plugged into a camera module of the present invention. The present invention provides a power connection device for connecting the flash tube100with a camera module200. One end of the first wire31and the second wire32are individually and electrically connected with the two ends of the flash tube100via a welding method. The first wire31and the second wire32are made of anti-high-voltage material for sustaining the desired high voltage for the flash tube100. Another end of the first wire31and the second wire32are individually connected with a first electrical connector1. When the power connection device is assembled, the first electrical connectors1are individually connected with the second electrical connectors2located at the power supply terminal201of the camera module200. Thereby, the flash tube100is electrically connected with the power source of the camera module200by connecting the first wire31and the second wire32with the first electrical connector and electrically plugging the first electrical connector1into the second electrical connector2. Therefore, the flash tube100obtains power from the power supply terminal201to perform the flash function.

FIG. 3shows an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the power connection device for connecting a flash tube and a camera module of the present invention. The present invention provides a power connection device for connecting the flash tube100with the camera module200. The power connection device includes a wire3, a first electrical connector1, and a second electrical connector2. One end of the wire31is electrically connected with the flash tube100via a welding method. The wire3is made of anti-high-voltage material for sustaining the desired high voltage for the flash tube100. The first electrical connector1further includes a first electrical connector shell11and a first conducting part12. The first electrical connector shell11is electrically connected with the other end of the wire3via a welding method. The first conducting part12is connected with the inner part of the first electrical connector shell11. The first electrical connector shell11is made of non-conducting material. The first electrical connector1is electrically connected with the wire3via the first conducting part12. The second electrical connector2further includes a second electrical connector shell21and a second conducting part22. The second electrical connector shell21is made of non-conducting material. The second conducting part22is connected with the inner part of the second electrical connector shell21. The second electrical connector2is electrically connected with the power supply terminal201of the camera module200via the second conducting part22. Thereby, by plugging the first electrical connector shell11of the first electrical connector1into the second electrical connector shell21of the second electrical connector2, the first conducting part12contacts the second conducting part22so as to form an electrical connection. Therefore, the first electrical connector1is electrically plugged into and connected with the second electrical connector2. The flash tube100is electrically connected with the power supply terminal201of the camera module200by electrically connecting the wire with the first electrical connector1and electrically plugging the first electrical connector1into the second electrical connector2. The flash tube100obtains power from the power supply terminal201to perform the flash function.

The appearance of the first electrical connector1and the second electrical connector2is not used to restrict the connection method between the flash tube100and the power supply terminal201of the camera module200.

By this method, the present invention achieves the goals of reducing the time required for the welding processes, reducing the manpower required, and increasing the yield rate by connecting the first electrical connector1with the second electrical connector2. The present invention also has the following further characteristics:

1. Damage to the flash tube100is reduced. By connecting the first electrical connector1with the second electrical connector2the problem of the flash tube100being damaged due high temperatures or artificial factors when the flash tube100is welded is eliminated.

2. Production efficiency is increased. By reducing the time required for the welding process and the glue-spotting process, the checking points for the welding process and the glue-spotting process are not required. A normal manufacturing process can be executed instead which increases production efficiency.

3. It is easy to maintain and replace the flash tube. When the flash tube100needs to be replaced or maintained, the processes of removing the insulating glue and welding tin on the welding points can be omitted. The connecting method of the present invention shortens time required for maintenance.

The description above only illustrates specific embodiments and examples of the invention. The invention should therefore cover various modifications and variations made to the herein-described structure and operations of the invention, provided they fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the following appended claims.