Annular optical component and camera lens module having tapered portions

An annular optical component includes an inner surface, an outer surface, an object-side surface and an image-side surface. The inner surface includes a molded anti-reflective layer structure surrounding a central axis of the annular optical component. The molded anti-reflective layer structure defines a central aperture. The outer surface includes a frame structure surrounding at least a part of the molded anti-reflective layer structure. A hardness of the frame structure is larger than a hardness of the molded anti-reflective layer structure. The object-side surface and the image-side surface respectively face toward an object side and an image side of the annular optical component. The molded anti-reflective layer structure is joined with the frame structure. The molded anti-reflective layer structure includes a tapered portion adjacent to the central aperture, and the tapered portion tapers off along a direction from the outer surface toward the inner surface.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Taiwan Application 107113499, filed on Apr. 20, 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an annular optical component and a camera lens module, more particularly to an annular optical component and a camera lens module applicable to an electronic device.

Description of Related Art

With the development of semiconductor manufacturing technology, the performance of image sensors has been improved, and the pixel size thereof has been scaled down. Therefore, featuring high image quality has been one of the indispensable features of an optical system nowadays.

However, a conventional optical system does not have a proper capability of eliminating stray light. Thus, when powerful light rays are existed in the environment where an imaged object is located, unwanted light traveling into the optical system will be received by an image sensor, thereby resulting in halo effect at the periphery of the image. Specifically, the above-mentioned problems usually happen when the image object is located outdoors with sufficient amount of sunlight, or the image object is located in a dim room where a high intensity light source is existed.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an annular optical component includes an inner surface, an outer surface, an object-side surface and an image-side surface. The inner surface includes a molded anti-reflective layer structure. The molded anti-reflective layer structure surrounds a central axis of the annular optical component, and the molded anti-reflective layer defines a central aperture. The outer surface includes a frame structure. The outer surface is opposite to the inner surface. The frame structure surrounds at least a part of the molded anti-reflective layer structure. A hardness of the frame structure is larger than a hardness of the molded anti-reflective layer structure. The object-side surface faces toward an object side of the annular optical component, and the object-side surface is connected to the outer surface and the inner surface. The image-side surface faces toward an image side of the annular optical component, and the image-side surface is connected to the outer surface and the inner surface. The image-side surface is opposite to the object-side surface. The molded anti-reflective layer structure is joined with the frame structure. The molded anti-reflective layer structure includes a tapered portion adjacent to the central aperture, and the tapered portion tapers off along a direction from the outer surface toward the inner surface.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a camera lens module includes the aforementioned annular optical component and an optical lens assembly. The annular optical component is disposed in the optical lens assembly.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, an annular optical component includes an inner surface, an outer surface, an object-side surface and an image-side surface. The inner surface includes a molded anti-reflective layer structure. The molded anti-reflective layer structure surrounds a central axis of the annular optical component, and the molded anti-reflective layer structure defines a central aperture. The outer surface includes a frame structure. The outer surface is opposite to the inner surface. The molded anti-reflective layer structure is joined with the frame structure. The frame structure surrounds at least a part of the molded anti-reflective layer structure. A hardness of the frame structure is larger than a hardness of the molded anti-reflective layer structure. The object-side surface faces toward an object side of the annular optical component, and the object-side surface is connected to the outer surface and the inner surface. The image-side surface faces toward an image side of the annular optical component, and the image-side surface is connected to the outer surface and the inner surface. The image-side surface is opposite to the object-side surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An annular optical component includes an inner surface, an outer surface, an object-side surface and an image-side surface. The outer surface is opposite to the inner surface, and the image-side surface is opposite to the object-side surface. The object-side surface faces toward an object side of the annular optical component, and the image-side surface faces toward an image side of the annular optical component. Both the object-side surface and image-side surface are connected to the outer surface and the inner surface. The inner surface includes a molded anti-reflective layer structure. The molded anti-reflective layer structure surrounds a central axis of the annular optical component, and the molded anti-reflective layer structure defines a central aperture. The outer surface includes a frame structure, and the frame structure surrounds at least a part of the molded anti-reflective layer structure. The molded anti-reflective layer structure is joined with the frame structure. A hardness of the frame structure is larger than a hardness of the molded anti-reflective layer structure. The annular optical component includes the frame structure having relatively high hardness and the molded anti-reflective layer structure having relatively low hardness. The molded anti-reflective layer structure has low reflectivity so as to reduce the reflection of stray light so as to allow the annular optical component to be applicable to mobile devices and intelligent image sensing or capturing devices. In some cases, the frame structure is made of metal material, the molded anti-reflective layer structure is made of resin material, and the molded anti-reflective layer structure is disposed on the frame structure by injection molding.

The molded anti-reflective layer structure can include a tapered portion adjacent to the central aperture, and the tapered portion can taper off along a direction from the outer surface toward the inner surface. Therefore, it is favorable for the molded anti-reflective layer structure of the inner surface to have even thickness so as to prevent overly large difference in thickness between two opposite sides of the molded anti-reflective layer structure. In some cases, one side of the tapered portion closer to the object-side surface tapers off toward the central aperture. In yet some cases, another side of the tapered portion closer to the image-side surface tapers off toward the central aperture.

When a diameter of the outer surface is φo, and a minimum diameter of the inner surface is φi, the following condition can be satisfied: 1.1<φo/φi<3.5. Therefore, a proper ratio of the diameter of the outer surface to the minimum diameter of the inner surface is favorable for preventing overly thin molded anti-reflective layer structure due to molding problems.

The tapered portion of the molded anti-reflective layer structure can include an angled end. Therefore, it is favorable for the inner surface of the annular optical component to be a non-smooth surface so as to prevent reflection of light.

When an angle of the angled end of the tapered portion is θ, the following condition can be satisfied: 46 degrees<θ<136 degrees. Therefore, it is favorable for the angled end having a proper angle. In detail, when the angle of the angled end is overly small, some slits existed at the periphery of the central aperture of the annular optical component result in light leakage, and thus degrade the image quality. When the angle of the angled end is overly large, the inner surface is overly smooth, which is unfavorable for preventing the reflection of stray light.

When a displacement in parallel with the central axis of the annular optical component between the angled end and the object-side surface is h, and a thickness of the annular optical component is d, the following condition can be satisfied: 0.1<h/d<0.9. Therefore, it is favorable for preventing the tapered portion from overly slanted to either the object-side surface or the image-side surface so as to reduce molding flash on the molded anti-reflective layer structure, thereby improving manufacturing quality of the tapered portion. Preferably, the following condition can also be satisfied: 0.3<h/d<0.7. Therefore, it is favorable for the plastic material to flow in a steady state during injection molding process so as to obtain the tapered portion with even thickness.

The frame structure can include at least one notch structure, and the notch structure extends from the object-side surface toward the image-side surface; that is, the notch structure extends from the object-side surface toward the image-side surface, or the notch structure extends from the image-side surface toward the object-side surface. The notch structure provides a better attachment between the molded anti-reflective layer structure and the frame structure; furthermore, the notch structure also provides a better sealing tightness between the frame structure and an injection mold for manufacturing the molded anti-reflective layer structure so as to prevent movement (slide or rotation) of the frame structure with respect to the injection mold. In some cases, the notch structure is located on one side of the frame structure facing toward the object side. In still some cases, the notch structure is located on one side of the frame structure facing toward the image side.

The molded anti-reflective layer structure can be made of black and opaque resin material. The molded anti-reflective layer structure can include at least one resin gate trace, and the resin gate trace corresponds to the at least one notch structure. Therefore, the notch structure is used as a channel for plastic resin flow for molding the molded anti-reflective layer structure, such that it is favorable for increasing molding design flexibility, thereby increasing the design flexibility of resin injection gate.

The frame structure can have uneven thickness. The frame structure can taper off along either a direction from the image-side surface toward the object-side surface or a direction from the object-side surface toward the image-side surface. Therefore, it is favorable for ensuring a good fluidity of the plastic resin during injection molding process, and thus improving the appearance quality thereof.

When the thickness of the annular optical component is d, and the minimum diameter of the inner surface is φi, the following condition can be satisfied: 0.15<d/φi<0.8. Therefore, it is favorable for maintaining a proper ratio of the thickness of the annular optical component to the diameter of the central aperture. If the ratio is overly small, the overly thin frame structure may be easily distorted and deformed. If the ratio is overly large, the thickness distribution of the molded anti-reflective layer structure is uneven.

The molded anti-reflective layer structure can include glass fiber. Therefore, the molded anti-reflective layer structure is manufactured in a more accurate size and have higher mechanical strength, so that the molded anti-reflective layer structure can be processed to obtain an assembling structure.

The central aperture of the annular optical component can be non-circular. Therefore, it is favorable for the annular optical component to block unwanted light.

When the central aperture of the annular optical component is non-circular, the central aperture can have at least two arc sides. Therefore, it is favorable for effectively diverging reflected light so as to further reduce the intensity of unwanted reflected light.

When the central aperture of the annular optical component is non-circular, the central aperture can have at least two straight sides. Therefore, it is favorable for testing the manufacturing quality of the central aperture so as to increase quality control efficiency.

The molded anti-reflective layer structure can include a molded surface structure. The molded surface structure can be formed by additional patterns on the injection mold. Therefore, it is favorable for reducing the surface reflectivity of the molded anti-reflective layer structure so as to further reduce unwanted light reflection, and this allows the annular optical component to be applicable to environments having higher intensity of light or environments having lower intensity of light such as dark night and darkroom. In some cases, the molded surface structure includes a plurality of straight protrusions, which is favorable for effectively reducing surface reflection and thus allows the annular optical component to be applicable to various photographing environments without problems caused by reflected light, thereby improving the image quality. In still some cases, the molded surface structure includes a plurality of annular protrusions, which is favorable for an easier treatment to form patterns on the surface of the injection mold, thereby improving the processing efficiency on the injection mold and simplifying the manufacturing process.

According to the present disclosure, a camera lens module includes the aforementioned annular optical component and an optical lens assembly. The annular optical component is disposed in the optical lens assembly. In some embodiments, the camera lens module can further include a barrel member, a holding member or a combination thereof. When the annular optical component is disposed in the optical lens assembly, the object-side surface of the annular optical component faces toward an object side of the camera lens module, and the image-side surface of the annular optical component faces toward an image side of the camera lens module.

According to the present disclosure, the molded anti-reflective layer structure can include an axial assembling structure, and the annular optical component can be disposed in the optical lens assembly by the axial assembling structure. The optical lens assembly includes a lens element adjacent to the annular optical component, and the axial assembling structure is configured to align the central axis of the annular optical component with a center of the lens element. Therefore, it is favorable for improving the coaxiality of lens elements of the optical lens assembly so as to compensate unavoidable tolerances in the assembling process, thereby improving the image quality.

Among all parts of the molded anti-reflective layer structure, there can be only the axial assembling structure in contact with the lens element of the optical lens assembly adjacent to the annular optical component. In other words, except the axial assembling structure, other parts of the molded anti-reflective layer structure are not in contact with the aforementioned lens element. Therefore, it is favorable for reducing the damage risk of the molded anti-reflective layer structure by using the frame structure with relatively high mechanical strength to bear most of the fastening force when assembling the camera lens module.

The molded anti-reflective layer structure can be not in contact with the lens element of the optical lens assembly adjacent to the annular optical component. In other words, the aforementioned lens element is in contact with the frame structure. Therefore, it is favorable for reducing the possibility of the molded anti-reflective layer structure experiencing external stresses, thereby ensuring the shape consistency of the molded surface structure of the molded anti-reflective layer structure between before and after assembling.

According to the present disclosure, the molded anti-reflective layer structure is made of, for example, resin material such as polyamide (PA), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride polymer (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) copolymer; in addition, the molded anti-reflective layer structure may be made of resin material including glass fiber or chemical fiber. The frame structure is made of, for example, metal material such as copper, aluminum, zinc, stainless steel or alloys thereof.

According to the present disclosure, the hardness of the frame structure and the hardness of the molded anti-reflective layer structure can refer to scratch hardness, indentation hardness or rebound hardness.

According to the present disclosure, the aforementioned features and conditions can be utilized in numerous combinations so as to achieve corresponding effects.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of an annular optical component according to the 1st embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 2is a top view of the annular optical component inFIG. 1.FIG. 3is a bottom view of the annular optical component inFIG. 1.FIG. 4is a side cross-sectional view of the annular optical component inFIG. 1. In this embodiment, an annular optical component1includes an object-side surface11, an image-side surface12, an inner surface13and an outer surface14.

The object-side surface11faces toward an object side of the annular optical component1. The image-side surface12faces toward an image side of the annular optical component1, and the image-side surface12is opposite to the object-side surface11. Both the object-side surface11and the image-side surface12are connected to the inner surface13and the outer surface14.

The inner surface13includes a molded anti-reflective layer structure131, and the molded anti-reflective layer structure131includes a tapered portion131aand a plurality of resin gate traces131b. The molded anti-reflective layer structure131surrounds a central axis A of the annular optical component1, and the molded anti-reflective layer structure131defines a central aperture132. The tapered portion131ais adjacent to the central aperture132and includes an angled end1311.

The outer surface14is opposite to the inner surface13. The outer surface14includes a frame structure141. The molded anti-reflective layer structure131is joined with the frame structure141. The frame structure141surrounds a part of the molded anti-reflective layer structure131. A hardness of the frame structure141is larger than a hardness of the molded anti-reflective layer structure131. In this embodiment, the molded anti-reflective layer structure131is made of resin material and includes glass fiber, and the frame structure141is made of metal material.

The frame structure141includes a plurality of notch structures141aon one side thereof facing toward the object side and a plurality of notch structures141bon another side thereof facing toward the image side. All the notch structures141aand141bextend from the image-side surface12toward the object-side surface11. The resin gate traces131bof the molded anti-reflective layer structure131respectively correspond to the notch structures141aand141b.

The frame structure141has uneven thickness, and the frame structure141tapers off along a direction D1from the object-side surface11toward the image-side surface12. The frame structure141further includes a frame tapered portion141ccorresponding to the tapered portion131aof the molded anti-reflective layer structure131. Furthermore, both of the frame tapered portion141cof the frame structure141and the tapered portion131aof the molded anti-reflective layer structure131taper off along a direction D2from the outer surface14toward the inner surface13. In this embodiment, the tapered portion131ahas a first side1312closer to the object-side surface11and a second side1313closer to the image-side surface12, and the tapered portion131atapers off from both the first side1312and the second side1313toward the central aperture132.

When a diameter of the outer surface14is φo, and a minimum diameter of the inner surface13is φi, the following condition is satisfied: φo/φi=1.48.

FIG. 5is a partial and enlarged view of the annular optical component inFIG. 4. When an angle of the angled end1311of the tapered portion131ais θ, the following condition is satisfied: θ=90 degrees (deg.).

When a displacement in parallel with the central axis A of the annular optical component1between the angled end1311and the object-side surface11is h, and a thickness of the annular optical component1is d, the following condition is satisfied: h/d=0.55.

When the thickness of the annular optical component1is d, and the minimum diameter of the inner surface13is φi, the following condition is satisfied: d/φi=0.38.

FIG. 6is a side cross-sectional view of an annular optical component according to the 2nd embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 7is a partial and enlarged view of the annular optical component inFIG. 6. In this embodiment, an annular optical component2includes an object-side surface21, an image-side surface22, an inner surface23and an outer surface24.

The object-side surface21faces toward an object side of the annular optical component2. The image-side surface22faces toward an image side of the annular optical component2, and the image-side surface22is opposite to the object-side surface21. Both the object-side surface21and the image-side surface22are connected to the inner surface23and the outer surface24.

The inner surface23includes a molded anti-reflective layer structure231, and the molded anti-reflective layer structure231includes a tapered portion231aand a plurality of resin gate traces (its reference numeral is omitted). The molded anti-reflective layer structure231surrounds a central axis A of the annular optical component2, and the molded anti-reflective layer structure231defines a central aperture232. The tapered portion231ais adjacent to the central aperture232and includes an angled end2311.

The outer surface24is opposite to the inner surface23. The outer surface24includes a frame structure241. The molded anti-reflective layer structure231is joined with the frame structure241. The frame structure241surrounds a part of the molded anti-reflective layer structure231. A hardness of the frame structure241is larger than a hardness of the molded anti-reflective layer structure231. In this embodiment, the molded anti-reflective layer structure231is made of resin material and includes glass fiber, and the frame structure241is made of metal material.

The frame structure241includes a plurality of notch structures241bon one side thereof facing toward the image side. The notch structures241bextend from the image-side surface22toward the object-side surface21. The resin gate traces of the molded anti-reflective layer structure231respectively correspond to the notch structures241b.

The frame structure241has uneven thickness, and the frame structure241tapers off along a direction D1from the object-side surface21toward the image-side surface22and a direction D3from the image-side surface22toward the object-side surface21. The frame structure241further includes a frame tapered portion241ccorresponding to the tapered portion231aof the molded anti-reflective layer structure231. Furthermore, both of the frame tapered portion241cof the frame structure241and the tapered portion231aof the molded anti-reflective layer structure231taper off along a direction D2from the outer surface24toward the inner surface23. In this embodiment, the tapered portion231ahas a first side2312closer to the object-side surface21and a second side2313closer to the image-side surface22, and the tapered portion231atapers off from both the first side2312and the second side2313toward the central aperture232.

In the 2nd embodiment, the definitions of these parameters shown in the following table are the same as those stated in the 1st embodiment with corresponding values for the 2nd embodiment, so an explanation in this regard will not be provided again.

FIG. 8is a side cross-sectional view of an annular optical component according to the 3rd embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 9is a partial and enlarged view of the annular optical component inFIG. 8. In this embodiment, an annular optical component3includes an object-side surface31, an image-side surface32, an inner surface33and an outer surface34.

The object-side surface31faces toward an object side of the annular optical component3. The image-side surface32faces toward an image side of the annular optical component3, and the image-side surface32is opposite to the object-side surface31. Both the object-side surface31and the image-side surface32are connected to the inner surface33and the outer surface34.

The inner surface33includes a molded anti-reflective layer structure331, and the molded anti-reflective layer structure331includes a tapered portion331aand a plurality of resin gate traces (its reference numeral is omitted). The molded anti-reflective layer structure331surrounds a central axis A of the annular optical component3, and the molded anti-reflective layer structure331defines a central aperture332. The tapered portion331ais adjacent to the central aperture332and includes an angled end3311.

The outer surface34is opposite to the inner surface33. The outer surface34includes a frame structure341. The molded anti-reflective layer structure331is joined with the frame structure341. The frame structure341surrounds a part of the molded anti-reflective layer structure331. A hardness of the frame structure341is larger than a hardness of the molded anti-reflective layer structure331. In this embodiment, the molded anti-reflective layer structure331is made of resin material and includes glass fiber, and the frame structure341is made of metal material.

The frame structure341includes a plurality of notch structures341bon one side thereof facing toward the image side. The notch structures341bextend from the image-side surface32toward the object-side surface31. The resin gate traces of the molded anti-reflective layer structure331respectively correspond to the notch structures341b.

The frame structure341has uneven thickness, and the frame structure341tapers off along a direction D1from the object-side surface31toward the image-side surface32and a direction D3from the image-side surface32toward the object-side surface31. The frame structure341further includes a frame tapered portion341ccorresponding to the tapered portion331aof the molded anti-reflective layer structure331. Furthermore, both of the frame tapered portion341cof the frame structure341and the tapered portion331aof the molded anti-reflective layer structure331taper off along a direction D2from the outer surface34toward the inner surface33. In this embodiment, the tapered portion331ahas a first side3312closer to the object-side surface31and a second side3313closer to the image-side surface32, and the tapered portion331atapers off from both the first side3312and the second side3313toward the central aperture332.

In the 3rd embodiment, the definitions of these parameters shown in the following table are the same as those stated in the 1st embodiment with corresponding values for the 3rd embodiment, so an explanation in this regard will not be provided again.

FIG. 10is a side cross-sectional view of an annular optical component according to the 4th embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 11is a partial and enlarged view of the annular optical component inFIG. 10. In this embodiment, an annular optical component4includes an object-side surface41, an image-side surface42, an inner surface43and an outer surface44.

The object-side surface41faces toward an object side of the annular optical component4. The image-side surface42faces toward an image side of the annular optical component4, and the image-side surface42is opposite to the object-side surface41. Both the object-side surface41and the image-side surface42are connected to the inner surface43and the outer surface44.

The inner surface43includes a molded anti-reflective layer structure431, and the molded anti-reflective layer structure431includes a tapered portion431aand a plurality of resin gate traces (its reference numeral is omitted). The molded anti-reflective layer structure431surrounds a central axis A of the annular optical component4, and the molded anti-reflective layer structure431defines a central aperture432. The tapered portion431ais adjacent to the central aperture432and includes an angled end4311.

The outer surface44is opposite to the inner surface43. The outer surface44includes a frame structure441. The molded anti-reflective layer structure431is joined with the frame structure441. The frame structure441surrounds a part of the molded anti-reflective layer structure431. A hardness of the frame structure441is larger than a hardness of the molded anti-reflective layer structure431. In this embodiment, the molded anti-reflective layer structure431is made of resin material and includes glass fiber, and the frame structure441is made of metal material.

The frame structure441includes a plurality of notch structures441aon one side thereof facing toward the object side and a plurality of notch structures441bon another side thereof facing toward the image side. All the notch structures441aand441bextend from the image-side surface42toward the object-side surface41. The resin gate traces of the molded anti-reflective layer structure431respectively correspond to the notch structures441aand441b.

The frame structure441has uneven thickness, and the frame structure441tapers off along a direction D3from the image-side surface42toward the object-side surface41. The frame structure441further includes a frame tapered portion441ccorresponding to the tapered portion431aof the molded anti-reflective layer structure431. Furthermore, both of the frame tapered portion441cof the frame structure441and the tapered portion431aof the molded anti-reflective layer structure431taper off along a direction D2from the outer surface44toward the inner surface43. In this embodiment, the tapered portion431ahas a first side4312closer to the object-side surface41and a second side4313closer to the image-side surface42, and the tapered portion431atapers off from both the first side4312and the second side4313toward the central aperture432.

In the 4th embodiment, the definitions of these parameters shown in the following table are the same as those stated in the 1st embodiment with corresponding values for the 4th embodiment, so an explanation in this regard will not be provided again.

FIG. 12a perspective view of an annular optical component according to the 5th embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 13is a partial and enlarged view of the annular optical component inFIG. 12. In this embodiment, an annular optical component5includes an object-side surface51, an image-side surface52, an inner surface53and an outer surface54.

The object-side surface51faces toward an object side of the annular optical component5. The image-side surface52faces toward an image side of the annular optical component5, and the image-side surface52is opposite to the object-side surface51. Both the object-side surface51and the image-side surface52are connected to the inner surface53and the outer surface54.

The inner surface53includes a molded anti-reflective layer structure531, and the molded anti-reflective layer structure531includes a tapered portion531a. The molded anti-reflective layer structure531surrounds a central axis A of the annular optical component5, and the molded anti-reflective layer structure531defines a central aperture532.

The outer surface54is opposite to the inner surface53. The outer surface54includes a frame structure541. The molded anti-reflective layer structure531is joined with the frame structure541. The frame structure541surrounds a part of the molded anti-reflective layer structure531. A hardness of the frame structure541is larger than a hardness of the molded anti-reflective layer structure531. In this embodiment, the tapered portion531aof the molded anti-reflective layer structure531is adjacent to the central aperture532, and the molded anti-reflective layer structure531includes a molded surface structure531c. The molded surface structure531cincludes a plurality of annular protrusions5312, and a curvature radius of each of the annular protrusions5312is approximately 0.1 mm.

FIG. 14a perspective view of an annular optical component according to the 6th embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 15is a partial and enlarged view of the annular optical component inFIG. 14. In this embodiment, an annular optical component6includes an object-side surface61, an image-side surface62, an inner surface63and an outer surface64.

The object-side surface61faces toward an object side of the annular optical component6. The image-side surface62faces toward an image side of the annular optical component6, and the image-side surface62is opposite to the object-side surface61. Both the object-side surface61and the image-side surface62are connected to the inner surface63and the outer surface64.

The inner surface63includes a molded anti-reflective layer structure631, and the molded anti-reflective layer structure631includes a tapered portion631a. The molded anti-reflective layer structure631surrounds a central axis A of the annular optical component6, and the molded anti-reflective layer structure631defines a central aperture632.

The outer surface64is opposite to the inner surface63. The outer surface64includes a frame structure641. The molded anti-reflective layer structure631is joined with the frame structure641. The frame structure641surrounds a part of the molded anti-reflective layer structure631. A hardness of the frame structure641is larger than a hardness of the molded anti-reflective layer structure631. In this embodiment, the tapered portion631aof the molded anti-reflective layer structure631is adjacent to the central aperture632, and the molded anti-reflective layer structure631includes a molded surface structure631c. The molded surface structure631cincludes a plurality of straight protrusions6313arranged side by side.

FIG. 16is a top view of an annular optical component according to the 7th embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 17is a bottom view of the annular optical component according to the 7th embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, an annular optical component7includes an object-side surface71, an image-side surface72, an inner surface73and an outer surface74.

The object-side surface71faces toward an object side of the annular optical component7. The image-side surface72faces toward an image side of the annular optical component7, and the image-side surface72is opposite to the object-side surface71. Both the object-side surface71and the image-side surface72are connected to the inner surface73and the outer surface74.

The inner surface73includes a molded anti-reflective layer structure731. The molded anti-reflective layer structure731surrounds a central axis A of the annular optical component7, and the molded anti-reflective layer structure731defines a central aperture732. In this embodiment, the central aperture732is in a non-circular shape having four arc sides7321and four straight sides7322.

FIG. 18is a partial and enlarged view of an annular optical component according to the 8th embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 19is a bottom view of the annular optical component according to the 8th embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, an annular optical component8includes an object-side surface81, an image-side surface82, an inner surface83and an outer surface84.

The object-side surface81faces toward an object side of the annular optical component8. The image-side surface82faces toward an image side of the annular optical component8, and the image-side surface82is opposite to the object-side surface81. Both the object-side surface81and the image-side surface82are connected to the inner surface83and the outer surface84.

The inner surface83includes a molded anti-reflective layer structure831. The molded anti-reflective layer structure831surrounds a central axis A of the annular optical component8, and the molded anti-reflective layer structure831defines a central aperture832. In this embodiment, the central aperture832is in a non-circular shape having four arc sides8321.

FIG. 20is a schematic view of a camera lens module according to the 9th embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, a camera lens module9includes the annular optical component1disclosed in the 1st embodiment and an optical lens assembly91.

The optical lens assembly91includes a barrel911, multiple lens elements912and an image sensor913. The annular optical component1and the lens elements912are disposed in the barrel911.

In this embodiment, the molded anti-reflective layer structure131is not in contact with the lens element912adjacent to the annular optical component1. In other words, the frame structure141of the annular optical component1is in direct contact with the aforementioned lens element912.

FIG. 21is a schematic view of a camera lens module according to the 10th embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, a camera lens module10includes the annular optical component2disclosed in the 2nd embodiment and an optical lens assembly101.

The optical lens assembly101includes a barrel1011, multiple lens elements1012and an image sensor1013. The annular optical component2and the lens elements1012are disposed in the barrel1011.

The molded anti-reflective layer structure231further includes an axial assembling structure231d. The annular optical component2is disposed in the optical lens assembly101by the axial assembling structure231d. Moreover, the axial assembling structure231dis configured to align the central axis A of the annular optical component2with a center of the lens element1012adjacent to the annular optical component2. In this embodiment, among all parts of the molded anti-reflective layer structure231, only the axial assembling structure231dis in contact with the lens element1012adjacent to the annular optical component2. The tapered portion231ais not in contact with the aforementioned lens element1012.

FIG. 22is a schematic view of a camera lens module according to the 11th embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, a camera lens module11includes the annular optical component3disclosed in the 3rd embodiment and an optical lens assembly111.

The optical lens assembly111includes a barrel1111, multiple lens elements1112and an image sensor1113. The annular optical component3and the lens elements1112are disposed in the barrel1111.

The molded anti-reflective layer structure331further includes an axial assembling structure331d. The annular optical component3is disposed in the optical lens assembly111by the axial assembling structure331d. Moreover, the axial assembling structure331dis configured to align the central axis A of the annular optical component3with a center of the lens element1112adjacent to the annular optical component3. In this embodiment, both the tapered portion331aand the axial assembling structure331dare in contact with the aforementioned lens element1112.

FIG. 23is a perspective view of an image capturing unit according to the 12th embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, an image capturing unit20includes the camera lens module9disclosed in the 9th embodiment, a driving device201and an image stabilizer202. The imaging light converges in the camera lens module9of the image capturing unit20to generate an image with the driving device201utilized for image focusing on the image sensor913, and the generated image is then digitally transmitted to other electronic component for further processing.

The driving device201can have auto focusing functionality, and different driving configurations can be obtained through the usages of voice coil motors (VCM), micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), piezoelectric systems, or shape memory alloy materials. The driving device201is favorable for obtaining a better imaging position of the camera lens module9, so that a clear image of the imaged object can be captured by the camera lens module9with different object distances. The image sensor913(for example, CCD or CMOS), which can feature high photosensitivity and low noise, is disposed on the image surface of the photographing optical lens system to provide higher image quality.

The image stabilizer202, such as an accelerometer, a gyro sensor and a Hall Effect sensor, is configured to work with the driving device201to provide optical image stabilization (OIS). The driving device201working with the image stabilizer202is favorable for compensating for pan and tilt of the camera lens module9to reduce blurring associated with motion during exposure. In some cases, the compensation can be provided by electronic image stabilization (EIS) with image processing software, thereby improving image quality while in motion or low-light conditions.

FIG. 24is a perspective view of an electronic device according to the 13th embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 25is another perspective view of the electronic device inFIG. 24. In this embodiment, an electronic device30is a smartphone including the image capturing unit20disclosed in the 12th embodiment, a flash module301, a focus assist module302, an image signal processor303and a user interface304. The present disclosure is not limited to the number of image capturing unit.

When a user captures images of an object, the light rays converge in the image capturing unit20to generate an image, and the flash module301is activated for light supplement. The focus assist module302detects the object distance of the imaged object to achieve fast auto focusing. The image signal processor303is configured to optimize the captured image to improve image quality. The light beam emitted from the focus assist module302can be either conventional infrared or laser. The user interface304can be a touch screen or a physical button. The user is able to interact with the user interface304and the image software processor having multiple functions to capture images and complete image processing. The image processed by the image software processor can be displayed on the user interface304.

The smartphone in this embodiment is only exemplary for showing the image capturing unit20of the present disclosure installed in an electronic device, including a tablet personal computer (FIG. 26), a wearable device (FIG. 27) or a vehicle backup cameras (FIG. 28), and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The annular optical component and the camera lens module of the present disclosure can be applied to3D (three-dimensional) image capturing applications, in products such as digital cameras, mobile devices, digital tablets, smart televisions, network surveillance devices, dashboard cameras, vehicle backup cameras, multi-camera devices, image recognition systems, motion sensing input devices, wearable devices and other electronic imaging devices.