Support device and method for supporting lens and support component for supporting functional element

A support device for supporting a lens includes a support component. The support component includes a main body, a plurality of first support portions and a plurality of second support portions. Each of the plurality of first support portions is disposed on the main body, has a first support position thereon having a first height, and is configured to rigidly support the lens. Each of the plurality of second support portions is disposed on the main body, has a second support position thereon having a second height, and is configured to flexibly support the lens. When a configuration relationship between the support component and the lens becomes a decoupling relationship, the second height is larger than the first height. When the configuration relationship is changed to a coupling relationship, an absolute difference value between the first and the second heights is less than a threshold.

The application claims the benefit of Taiwan Patent Application No. 105134864, filed on Oct. 27, 2016, at the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is related to a support device and, more particularly, is related to a support device and a method for supporting a lens.

BACKGROUND

In the semiconductor industry, the lens of an exposure apparatus is used to perform a magnification conversion to a pattern of a mask, thereby transferring the pattern onto a wafer. The resolution dimensions on the wafer are at least a micrometer or smaller; because the resolution dimension approaches the dimension of the diffraction limit, the optical quality is estimated by considering the wavefront error. In view of the wavefront, any deformation occurring on a lens surface can change the phase of a light wave, so that through the wavefront distortion of each lens, the light wave on the imaging surface can create a superposed final wavefront error. Therefore, a lens assembly including a large-diameter lens (having an outer diameter (φ>150 mm) can suffer the following situation: even if the lens is perfect and is located in a correct position, a good image-forming quality cannot be guaranteed. The reason for this situation is that the lens surface deformation and the stress, generated from the lens own-gravity and the lens clamping, cause the optical quality to decrease. When a firmly fixed mechanism of an annular support used for a common miniature lens is applied to the large-diameter lens, the deformation generated by the firmly fixed mechanism is too large; therefore, it is unsuitable to apply the firmly fixed mechanism to the large-diameter lens, and it is necessary to use an additional specific design.

A firmly fixed mechanism applied to the large-diameter lens basically follows the kinematic principle of the design concept: the freedoms of a rigid body include three translation freedoms and three rotation freedoms; in order to firmly fix an element, it is necessary to apply six linearly independent constraint forces; when an element is clamped in a situation of over constraint, the clamped element can still have inner stress and deformation; when the clamping condition meets a kinematic constraint condition, the deformation of the element can be minimized. However, the rigid contact of the kinematic principle is assumed to be a point contact. The point contact applied to the lens can result in a problem that the contact stress is too large, so that the contact point is enlarged to form a small-area contact; such a design is called a semi-kinematic design. In the prior art, many firmly fixed mechanisms applied to large-diameter lenses are designed according to this semi-kinematic principle.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,085,080 B2 discloses a low-deformation support device of an optical element. U.S. Pat. No. 6,594,093 B2 discloses an adjusting apparatus for an optical element in a lens system. U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,924 B1 discloses a kinematic lens mounting with distributed support and radial flexure. U.S. Pat. No. 6,400,516 B1 discloses a kinematic optical mounting. European Patent No. 0230277 B1 discloses a precision lens mounting. U.S. Pat. No. 8,654,461 B2 discloses a lens positioning unit of an optical system. U.S. Pat. No. 7,903,353 B2 discloses a laterally adjustable optical mount with bent lever manipulator units. China Patent No. 102279454 B discloses a support device of a lens in a photoetching projection objective.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

It is one aspect of the present disclosure to provide a support device for supporting a lens to reduce the own-gravity deformation of the lens, and thereby accomplish the technical effect of extremely low lens surface deformation.

It is therefore one embodiment of the present disclosure to provide a support device for supporting a lens. The support device includes a support component. The support component includes a main body, a plurality of first support portions and a plurality of second support portions. The plurality of first support portions are disposed on the main body, wherein each of the plurality of first support portions has a first support position thereon having a first height, and is configured to rigidly support the lens. The plurality of second support portions are disposed on the main body, wherein each of the plurality of second support portions is disposed between respective adjacent two of the plurality of first support portions, has a second support position thereon having a second height, and is configured to flexibly support the lens. When a configuration relationship between the support component and the lens becomes a decoupling relationship, the second height is larger than the first height. When the configuration relationship is changed to a coupling relationship, an absolute difference value between the first and the second heights is less than a threshold.

It is therefore another embodiment of the present disclosure to provide a support method for supporting a lens. The support method includes the following steps. A support component is provided, wherein the support component includes a main body, a plurality of first support portions disposed on the main body, and a plurality of second support portions disposed on the main body; each of the plurality of first support portions has a first support position thereon having a first height, and is configured to rigidly support the lens; and each of the plurality of second support portions is disposed between respective adjacent two of the plurality of first support portions, has a second support position thereon having a second height, and is configured to flexibly support the lens. When a configuration relationship between the support component and the lens forms a decoupling relationship, the second height is caused to be larger than the first height. When the configuration relationship is changed to a coupling relationship, an absolute difference value between the first and the second heights is caused to be less than a threshold.

It is therefore still another embodiment of the present disclosure to provide a support component for supporting a functional element. The support component includes a main body, a plurality of first support portions and a plurality of second support portions. The plurality of first support portions are disposed on the main body, wherein each of the plurality of first support portions has a first support position thereon having a first height, and is configured to rigidly support the functional element. The plurality of second support portions are disposed on the main body, wherein each of the plurality of second support portions is disposed between respective adjacent two of the plurality of first support portions, has a second support position thereon having a second height, and is configured to flexibly support the functional element. When a configuration relationship between the support component and the functional element is a decoupling relationship, the second height is larger than the first height. When the configuration relationship is a coupling relationship, an absolute difference value between the first and the second heights is less than a threshold.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of this disclosure are presented herein for the purposes of illustration and description only; they are not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed.

Please refer toFIG. 1A,FIG. 1B,FIG. 1C,FIG. 1D,FIG. 1EandFIG. 1F.FIG. 1Ais a schematic diagram showing a side cross-sectional view of a configuration relationship between a lens10and a support component21included in a support device20when the configuration relationship forms a coupling relationship.FIG. 1Bis a schematic diagram showing a top view of the support component21when the configuration relationship forms a decoupling relationship.FIG. 1Cis a schematic diagram showing a front cross-sectional view of the support component21at the reference line CC′ marked inFIG. 1Bwhen the configuration relationship forms the decoupling relationship.FIG. 1Dis a schematic diagram showing a right side cross-sectional view of the support component21at the reference line FF′ marked inFIG. 1Bwhen the configuration relationship forms the decoupling relationship.FIG. 1Eis a schematic diagram showing a left side cross-sectional view of the support component21at the reference line GG′ marked inFIG. 1Bwhen the configuration relationship forms the decoupling relationship.FIG. 1Fis a schematic diagram showing a bottom view of the support component21when the configuration relationship forms the decoupling relationship.

As shown inFIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F, a support device20for supporting a lens10includes a support component21. The support component21includes a main body211, a plurality of first support portions31,32and33, and a plurality of second support portions41,42and43. The plurality of first support portions31,32and33are disposed on the main body211, wherein each of the plurality of first support portions31,32and33has a first support position30P thereon having a first height30H, and is configured to rigidly support the lens10. The plurality of second support portions41,42and43are disposed on the main body211, wherein each (such as42) of the plurality of second support portions41,42and43is disposed between respective adjacent two (such as32and33) of the plurality of first support portions31,32and33, has a second support position40P thereon having a second height40H, and is configured to flexibly support the lens10. When a configuration relationship between the support component21and the lens10becomes a decoupling relationship, the second height40H is larger than the first height30H. When the configuration relationship is changed to a coupling relationship, an absolute difference value AD1between the first and the second heights30H and40H is less than a threshold TH1.

For instance, each of the plurality of first support portions31,32and33has a support reference position3R, and each of the first and the second heights30H and40H refers to the support reference position3R. When the configuration relationship forms the decoupling relationship, the second height40H of the second support position40P is larger than the first height30H of the first support position30P by a height difference D1. For instance, the support component21is formed in one piece. For instance, each of the plurality of second support portions41,42and43is mounted on the main body211through at least a fastening component (not shown). For instance, a ratio of the threshold TH1to the height difference D1is equal to a specific ratio between 0 and 1 to cause the threshold TH1to be less than the height difference D1.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of first support portions31,32and33protrudes from the main body211, and includes a first support surface30S having the first support position30P. Each of the plurality of second support portions41,42and43protrudes from the main body211, and includes a second support surface40S having the second support position40P. The plurality of first support positions31P,32P and33P (30P) are evenly spaced to form a first polar support position array30U. The plurality of second support positions41P,42P and43P (40P) are evenly spaced to form a second polar support position array40U. The plurality of first support positions31P,32P and33P (30P) and the plurality of second support positions41P,42P and43P (40P) are evenly spaced to form a third polar support position array21U.

The support component21further includes a plurality of third support portions51,52and53respectively opposite to the plurality of first support portions31,32and33in relation to the main body211. Each of the plurality of third support portions51,52and53protrudes from the main body211, and includes a third support surface50S having a third support position50P; and the first support surface30S is opposite to the third support surface50S in relation to the main body211. When the configuration relationship forms the coupling relationship, each of third support portions51,52and53rigidly supports the main body211, so that the support component21supports the lens10to form the coupling relationship. For instance, the respective third support position50P serves as the respective support reference position3R.

In some embodiments, the main body211forms a ring, and includes a plurality of rigid body portions61,62and63, and a plurality of flexible body portions71,72and73, wherein each (such as72) of the plurality of flexible body portions71,72and73and a corresponding one (such as42) of the plurality of second support portions41,42and43constitute a support beam74. The plurality of first support portions31,32and33are respectively disposed on the plurality of rigid body portions61,62and63, and the plurality of rigid body portions61,62and63are respectively disposed on the plurality of third support portions51,52and53. Each of the plurality of rigid body portions61,62and63includes a first side60A, a second side60B opposite to the first side60A, a third side60C adjacent to the first and the second sides60A and60B, and a fourth side60D opposite to the third side60C. The respective first support portion (such as31) is disposed on the respective first side60A, and the respective third support portion (such as51) is coupled to the respective second side60B. The plurality of second support portions41,42and43are respectively disposed on the plurality of flexible body portions71,72and73.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of flexible body portions71,72and73includes a central portion701, a first terminal702in relation to the central portion701, and a second terminal703opposite to the first terminal702. The respective second support portion (such as42) is disposed on the respective central portion701. Each (such as72) of the plurality of flexible body portions71,72and73is disposed between respective adjacent two (such as62and63) of the plurality of rigid body portions61,62and63. The respective first terminal702is coupled to the respective fourth side60D of one (such as62) of respective adjacent two (such as62and63) of the plurality of rigid body portions61,62and63, and the respective second terminal703is coupled to the respective third side60C of the other (such as63) of the respective adjacent two (such as62and63) of the plurality of rigid body portions61,62and63.

In some embodiments, the support component21further includes a central axis21A, a plurality of first outer locating notches31A,32A and33A respectively corresponding to the plurality of first support portions31,32and33, and a plurality of second outer locating notches41A,42A and43A respectively corresponding to the plurality of second support portions41,42and43. Each of the plurality of first outer locating notches31A,32A and33A has a portion formed on a respective one of the plurality of first support portions31,32and33. Each of the plurality of second outer locating notches41A,42A and43A has a portion formed on a respective one of the plurality of second support portions41,42and43.

Please refer toFIG. 2AandFIG. 2B, which are schematic diagrams respectively showing a disassembled state and an assembled state of the support component21and the lens10according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the support device20further includes a retainer22and a sleeve23. The retainer22includes a peripheral thread structure221, wherein when the configuration relationship is the coupling relationship, the support component is disposed on the retainer22by using the plurality of third support portions51,52and53.

The sleeve23includes a fifth side231and a sixth side232opposite to the fifth side231. The fifth side231includes a first body2315, and a plurality of fourth support portions2311,2312and2313. The first body2315has an inner portion23151. The plurality of fourth support portions2311,2312and2313are configured to be coupled to the lens10, and respectively correspond to the plurality of first support portions31,32and33. Each of the plurality of fourth support portions2311,2312and2313protrudes from the inner portion23151and includes a fourth support surface2310S having a fourth support position2310P. The sixth side232includes an inner thread structure2321. When the configuration relationship is the coupling relationship, the lens10is disposed on the plurality of first support portions31,32and33, the plurality of fourth support portions2311,2312and2313are disposed on the lens10, the respective fourth support surface2310S is opposite to the respective first support surface30S in relation to the lens10, and the peripheral thread structure221is coupled to the inner thread structure2321.

Please refer toFIG. 3AandFIG. 3B, which are schematic diagrams respectively showing a partial top view and a partial front view of an implementation structure26of the support component21according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B, each of the plurality of flexible body portions71,72and73of the support component21further includes a first flexible hinge704, a first relatively rigid connection portion705, a second flexible hinge706and a second relatively rigid connection portion707. The first flexible hinge704is disposed between the first terminal702and the central portion701; the first relatively rigid connection portion705is disposed between the first flexible hinge704and the central portion701; the second flexible hinge706is disposed between the central portion701and the second terminal703; and the second relatively rigid connection portion707is disposed between the central portion701and the second flexible hinge706.

In some embodiments, the central portion701includes a central support block751, a third flexible hinge752coupled to the central support block751, and a fourth flexible hinge753coupled to the central support block751. The central support block751includes a seventh side7511coupled to the respective second support portion (such as42), an eighth side7512adjacent to the seventh side7511, and a ninth side7513opposite to the eighth side7512. The respective second support portion (such as42) is disposed on the respective seventh side7511. The third flexible hinge752is disposed between the eighth side7512and the first relatively rigid connection portion705. The fourth flexible hinge753is disposed between the ninth side7513and the second relatively rigid connection portion707. For instance, the support component21is formed as one piece.

In some embodiments, the central support block751, the first flexible hinge704, the second flexible hinge706, the third flexible hinge752and the fourth flexible hinge753respectively have a first reference position751P, a second reference position704P, a third reference position706P, a fourth reference position752P and a fifth reference position753P. The central axis21A and the first reference position751P have a first reference plane751Q therebetween. The central axis21A and the second reference position704P have a second reference plane704Q therebetween. The central axis21A and the third reference position706P have a third reference plane706Q therebetween. The central axis21A and the fourth reference position752P have a fourth reference plane752Q therebetween. The central axis21A and the fifth reference position753P have a fifth reference plane753Q therebetween.

The first and the second reference planes751Q and704Q have a first predetermined angle θ1therebetween to cause the first flexible hinge704to be near the first terminal702. The first and the third reference planes751Q and706Q have a second predetermined angle θ2therebetween to cause the second flexible hinge706to be near the second terminal703. The first and the fourth reference planes751Q and752Q have a third predetermined angle θ3therebetween to cause the third flexible hinge752to be near the eighth side7512. The first and the fifth reference planes751Q and753Q have a fourth predetermined angle θ4therebetween to cause the fourth flexible hinge753to be near the ninth side7513.

As shown inFIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B, in view of the drawbacks found in the prior art, the support component21includes the first, the second, the third and the fourth flexible hinges704,706,752and753according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The support component21uses the first, the second, the third and the fourth flexible hinges704,706,752and753to form an elastic support component, and is manufactured to be formed in one piece to facilitate the manufacture and assembly associated with the support device20.

In some embodiments, the support device20for supporting the lens10includes the sleeve23, the support component21and the retainer22. For instance, the sleeve23serves as a sub-cell, forms a lens support body, and can be coupled to an additional sleeve (not shown) to form a lens support combination. The sleeve23has an inner portion (such as the inner portion23151of the fifth side231), which includes the three fourth support surfaces2310S. For instance, the three fourth support surfaces2310S are respectively three small rigid support faces.

The lens10has an outer diameter φ. In some embodiments, the outer diameter φ can be larger than equal to 150 mm to enable the lens10to be a large-diameter lens. For instance, in some situations, it is suitable for the support device20to support the large-diameter lens. In some embodiments, the support component21serves as a load-bearing ring. The three first support surfaces30S are respectively three small rigid support faces. The three second support surfaces40S are respectively three small flexible support faces.

For instance, the retainer22includes an edge portion having the peripheral thread structure221, with which the retainer22is used for the locking and the load bearing. In the present disclosure, employing only the abovementioned three mechanical components (the sleeve23, the support component21and the retainer22) can accomplish the technical effect of providing flexible support. In comparison to the common lens support device, which frequently includes tens of components, as disclosed in the prior art, the support device20in the present disclosure can be said to have a quite simple design in view of the number of components.

In some embodiments, a lens system including the support device20and the lens10is shown inFIG. 2B. The three small rigid support faces (such as2310S) included in the sleeve23form three first included angles in relation to the central axis21A, wherein each of the three first included angles is equal to an angle of 120°. For instance, the dimensions of each of the three small rigid support faces (such as2310S) are expressed in a rectangle of 4×4 mm. Each of the three small rigid support faces (such as2310S) has a slope to cause each of the three small rigid support faces (such as2310S) to be tangent to the surface of the lens10, thereby reducing the stress applied to the lens10. For instance, the actual effective contact between the lens10and each of the three small rigid support faces (such as2310S) is a line contact.

The support device20has a structure where the three small rigid support faces (such as30S) included in the support component21respectively face the three small rigid support faces (such as2310S) included in the sleeve23; in this way, the structure can effectively counteract the clamping forces to avoid generating a torque, can effectively firmly fix the lens10, and it additionally has a lens centering function. The three-point support in this situation follows the semi-kinematic design, thus does not create over constraint, and thus causes the clamping forces to be counteracted; therefore, when the clamping forces are counteracted, the surface deformation of the lens10is mainly caused by the own-gravity deformation. The deformation level of the surface deformation is associated with the weight of the lens10. The surface deformation can have different deformation levels according to different lens diameters and/or materials. In this situation, if the surface deformation level is measured, a trefoil deformation diagram (not shown) can be obtained to show three deformation depression portions. If it is desirable to further reduce the deformation level, spring forces can be applied to positions of the three deformation depression portions so as to upwardly push the depression portions.

The reasons to apply the spring forces are described as follows. The maximum deformation level on the surface of the lens10having the three-point support generally ranges from (⅓)λ to ( 1/10)λ, when the light wavelength λ is equal to 0.633 μm. Therefore, if rigid bodies serving as pushing elements are put in the positions of the three deformation depression portions shown in the trefoil deformation diagram, stresses generated at the positions can destroy the original three-point support to result in the over constraint, because even the most precise mechanical finishing cannot accomplish the perfect coplanar condition. In the present disclosure, the three second support surfaces40S included in the support component21are respectively three flexible support surfaces; and the spring forces on the three second support surfaces40S are generated based on the principle of a flexible hinge, and can cause the upwardly pushing supports at the three depression positions of the trefoil deformation formed by the own-gravity of the lens10.

In some embodiments, when the configuration relationship forms the decoupling relationship, the second height40H at the second support position40P is larger than the first height30H at the first support position30P by the height difference D1. The height difference D1depends on the weight of the lens10and the elastic modulus of each of the plurality of flexible body portions71,72and73. When the configuration relationship forms the coupling relationship, the support component21generates a spring force through the linear deformation induced by the downwardly applied weight of the lens10. For instance, when the lens10has a first predetermined weight and each of the plurality of flexible body portions71,72and73has a predetermined elastic modulus, the height difference D1is a predetermined height difference. For instance, the predetermined height difference is equal to 0.15 mm. The first support position30P is a predetermined representative contact position on the first support surface30S. The second support position40P is a predetermined representative contact position on the second support surface40S. The third support position50P is a predetermined representative contact position on the third support surface50S. The fourth support position2310P is a predetermined representative contact position on the fourth support surface40S.

When the configuration relationship is the coupling relationship, a respective first clamping force occurring at the respective first support position30P counteracts a respective second clamping force occurring at the respective fourth support position2310P, and the respective spring force is used to resist the deformation induced by the gravity of the lens10. At this time, the support for the gravity of the lens10is changed from the three-point even distribution support in the original state to the six-point even distribution support, so that the maximum surface deformation of the lens10can be effectively reduced. For instance, when the lens10is only supported at the three rigid support positions (such as30P), a maximum surface deformation level formed on the surface of the lens10is ( 1/10)λ, wherein the light wavelength λ is equal to 0.633 μm; therefore, when the lens10is supported at the three rigid support positions (such as30P) and at the three flexible support positions (such as40P), a maximum surface deformation level formed on the surface of the lens10can be reduced to a lower level between ( 1/10)λ and ( 1/20)λ. Specifically, the threshold TH1is equal to a value between ( 1/10)λ and ( 1/20)λ.

In some embodiments, the support device20serves as a lens-mounting device having a vertical-setup structure. A lens in a common exposure apparatus (where the resolution dimension is less than 1 μm) is an example of this structure. Therefore, the support device20can be applied to the support of a functional element15for one of quite various types of elements. For instance, the functional element15is an optical element. The support device20is included in an exposure apparatus. In some embodiments, the three rigid support positions (30P) included in the support component21form three second included angles in relation to the central axis21A, wherein each of the three second included angles is equal to an angle of 120°. The three flexible support positions (40P) included in the support component21form three third included angles in relation to the central axis21A, wherein each of the three third included angles is equal to an angle of 120°. The respective rigid support positions (30P) and the respective flexible support positions (40P) adjacent to the respective rigid support positions (30P) form a fourth included angle in relation to the central axis21A, wherein the fourth included angle is equal to an angle of 60°.

In some embodiments, the support device20uses the three first support surfaces (30S) on the upper side and the three fourth support surfaces (2310S) on the lower side to clamp the lens10so as to locate the lens10, thereby accomplishing the functions including stress counteraction and aligning the central axis of the lens10with the central axis21A of the support component21. The support device20uses the first, the second, the third and the fourth flexible hinges704,706,752and753included in the support component21to form the spring forces that support the lens10. The spring forces are configured to counteract the residual own-gravity deformation caused by the three-point support, thereby accomplishing the effect of minimizing the surface deformation of the lens10.

In some embodiments, a flexible hinge can be applied in the precise mechanical industry. For instance, a micro-motion platform can be moved by the deformation of the flexible hinge. The advantages of this motion platform include the avoidance of traditional mechanical motion problems associated with friction, loss, gear backlash, and so forth.

Please refer toFIG. 4, which is a schematic diagram showing a three-dimensional view of a flexible hinge758of the support component21according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The structure of each of the first, the second, the third and the fourth flexible hinges704,706,752and753is similar to that of the flexible hinge758. As shown inFIG. 4, the flexible hinge758includes a first trench7581, a second trench7582opposite to the first trench7581, and a neck7583formed between the first and the second trenches7581and7582. The neck7583has a neck thickness tA, a first curved surface758S1formed by the first trench7581, and a second curved surface758S2formed by the second trench7582. The first and the second curved surfaces758S1and758S2respectively have a first curvature radius RA and a second curvature radius RB. The flexibility characteristics of the flexible hinge758depend on the ratio tA/RA and the ratio tA/RB.

For instance, each of the first and the second curvature radiuses RA and RB is equal to a third curvature radius RC; in this way, a ratio tA/RC of the neck thickness tA to the third curvature radius can be configured through an optimum calculation to estimate the spring force necessary to support the lens10. When the configuration relationship forms the decoupling relationship, the second support surface40S (or the second support position40P) is larger than the first support surface30S (or the first support position30P) by the height difference D1. The support device20and the lens10are assembled to cause the configuration relationship to form the coupling relationship. When the configuration relationship is the coupling relationship, the absolute difference value AD1between the first and the second heights30H and40H is less than the threshold TH1, and the linear deformation of the support beam74can form a spring force, wherein the strength of the spring force is proportional to the predetermined height difference (D1). For instance, through a change of the predetermined height difference (D1), the spring force can be controlled to avoid causing over constraint so as to accomplish an effect of reducing the own-gravity deformation. For instance, the support component21is formed of one piece; and in comparison to the conventional lens support device having complex mechanical components, the support component21has advantages including simplicity in manufacturing and assembly, and low cost, and can easily be made using mass production.

In some embodiments, the height difference D1is proportional to a theoretical protrusion value δ1. The theoretical protrusion value δ1satisfies the equation: δ1=( 3/16)R12(αz/Mz)P, wherein the αz/Mzsatisfies the following equation:

wherein the reference character R1represents a radius from each of the plurality of flexible body portions71,72and73to the optical axis center of the lens10; the reference character αzrepresents a flexure angle in the z direction; the reference character Mzrepresents a moment of force in the z direction; the reference character P represents a weight on each of the support surfaces associated with the lens10; the reference character E1represents a Young's modulus (or an elastic modulus) of each of the plurality of flexible body portions71,72and73; the reference character b1represents a width of the flexible hinge758; the reference character t1represents a thickness of the flexible hinge758; and the reference character Rhrepresents a radius of the flexible hinge758. Also, each of the plurality of flexible body portions71,72and73has a central reference arc in relation to the central axis21A, wherein the central reference arc has the radius R1.

Please refer toFIG. 5A,FIG. 5BandFIG. 5C.FIG. 5Ais a schematic diagram showing a partial three-dimensional view of an implementation structure27of the support component21according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.FIGS. 5B and 5Care schematic diagrams respectively showing cross-sectional views of an implementation structure76of the central portion701of the support component21according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C, each (such as71) of the plurality of flexible body portions71,72and73further includes a first relatively rigid connection portion801disposed between the respective first terminal702and the respective central portion701, and a second relatively rigid connection portion802disposed between the respective central portion701and the respective second terminal703.

In some embodiments, each the respective central portion701includes a first terminal portion851, a second terminal portion852, a relatively rigid body portion853and a flexible unit854. The first terminal portion851is coupled to the respective first relatively rigid connection portion801. The second terminal portion852is coupled to the respective second relatively rigid connection portion802. The relatively rigid body portion853is disposed between the respective first and the respective second terminal portions851and852. The flexible unit854is disposed between the respective first and the respective second terminal portions851and852, is located above the respective relatively rigid body portion853, forms a flexible plate, and includes a third terminal portion8541and a fourth terminal portion8542opposite to the third terminal portion8541. The third and the fourth terminal portions8541and8542are respectively coupled to the respective first and the respective second terminal portions851and852. The flexible unit854and the respective second support portion (such as41) constitute a flexible beam741included in the support beam74.

In addition, the flexible unit854and the relatively rigid body portion853have a gap855therebetween. The flexible unit854further includes a first surface8543opposite to the relatively rigid body portion853, and a second surface8544opposite to the first surface8543. For instance, the first surface8543faces the relatively rigid body portion853. The respective second support portion (such as41) is disposed on the second surface8544of the flexible unit854. The first and the second terminal portions851and852respectively include a first support structure8511and a second support structure8521. The first support structure8511and the third terminal portion8541have a first connection relationship therebetween to cause the first support structure8511to support the third terminal portion8541. The second support structure8521and the fourth terminal portion8542have a second connection relationship therebetween to cause the second support structure8521to support the fourth terminal portion8542, wherein the second connection relationship corresponds to the first connection relationship;

The first connection relationship is one selected from a plurality of predetermined relationships including a first predetermined relationship, a second predetermined relationship and a third predetermined relationship. The central portion701exists in one selected from a group consisting of a first state, a second state and a third state respectively associated with the first, the second and the third predetermined relationships. In the first state, the first support structure8511includes a first thread component85111, which causes the first support structure8511and the third terminal portion8541to join together to form the first predetermined relationship. For instance, the second support structure8521includes a second thread component85211, which causes the second support structure8521and the fourth terminal portion8542to join together to form a fourth predetermined relationship corresponding to the first predetermined relationship.

In some embodiments, in the first state, the height difference D1is proportional to a theoretical protrusion value δ2. The theoretical protrusion value δ2satisfies the equation: δ2=(PL23)/(16E2b2t23), wherein the reference character P represents a weight on each of the support surfaces associated with the lens10; the reference character L2represents a length of the flexible unit854; the reference character E2represents a Young's modulus (or an elastic modulus) of the flexible unit854; the reference character b2represents a width of the flexible unit854; and the reference character t2represents a thickness of the flexible unit854. For instance, in one specific condition, the height difference D1is equal to 0.77 mm.

Please refer toFIG. 6, which is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of an implementation structure77of the central portion701of the support component21according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 6, in the second state, the first support structure8511and the third terminal portion8541are configured as one piece to form the second predetermined relationship. In the second state, the height difference D1is proportional to the theoretical protrusion value δ2. The second support structure8521and the fourth terminal portion8542are configured as one piece to form a fifth predetermined relationship corresponding to the second predetermined relationship.

Please refer toFIG. 7, which is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of an implementation structure78of the central portion701of the support component21according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 7, in the third state, the first support structure8511includes a first constraint portion85115and a second constraint portion85116opposite to the first constraint portion85115, and uses the first and the second constraint portions85115and85116to constrain the third terminal portion8541to form the third predetermined relationship. Specifically, the first and the second constraint portions85115and85116respectively form a first semi-sphere and a second semi-sphere. In the third state, because each of the first and the second support structures8511and8521does not include a thread component to lock the flexible unit854through penetration, when the flexible unit854supports the lens10, the flexible unit854can slide on any of the first and the second support structure8511and8521and deform. Also, the second support structure8521includes a third constraint portion85215and a fourth constraint portion85216opposite to the third constraint portion85215, and uses the third and the fourth constraint portions85215and85216to constrain the fourth terminal portion8542to form a sixth predetermined relationship corresponding to the third predetermined relationship.

In some embodiments, in the third state, the height difference D1is proportional to a theoretical protrusion value δ3. The theoretical protrusion value δ3satisfies the equation: δ3=(PL33)/(4E3b3t33), wherein the reference character P represents a weight on each of the support surfaces associated with the lens10; the reference character L3represents a length of the flexible unit854; the reference character E3represents a Young's modulus (or an elastic modulus) of the flexible unit854; the reference character b3represents a width of the flexible unit854; and the reference character t3represents a thickness of the flexible unit854.

Based on the illustrations inFIGS. 1A-7, a support method for supporting a lens10is disclosed. In some embodiments, the support method includes the following steps. A support component21is provided, wherein the support component21includes a main body211, a plurality of first support portions31,32and33disposed on the main body211, and a plurality of second support portions41,42and43disposed on the main body211, each of the plurality of first support portions31,32and33has a first support position30P thereon having a first height30H, and is configured to rigidly support the lens10, and each (such as42) of the plurality of second support portions41,42and43is disposed between respective adjacent two (such as32and33) of the plurality of first support portions31,32and33, has a second support position40P thereon having a second height40H, and is configured to flexibly support the lens10. When a configuration relationship between the support component21and the lens10forms a decoupling relationship, the second height40H is caused to be larger than the first height30H. When the configuration relationship is changed to a coupling relationship, an absolute difference value AD1between the first and the second heights30H and40H is caused to be less than a threshold TH1.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of first support portions31,32and33protrudes from the main body211, and includes a first support surface30S having the first support position30S. Each of the plurality of second support portions41,42and43protrudes from the main body211, and includes a second support surface40S having the second support position40P. The support component21further includes a plurality of third support portions51,52and53correspondingly opposite to the plurality of first support portions31,32and33in relation to the main body211. Each of the plurality of third support portions51,52and53protrudes from the main body211, and includes a third support surface50S having a third support position50P, and the first support surface30S is opposite to the third support surface50S in relation to the main body211.

In some embodiments, the support method further includes steps of: providing a retainer22; and providing a sleeve23. The retainer22includes a peripheral thread structure221. The sleeve23includes a fifth side231and a sixth side232opposite to the fifth side231. The fifth side231includes a first body2315, and a plurality of fourth support portions2311,2312and2313. The first body2315has an inner portion23151. Each (such as2311) of the plurality of fourth support portions2311,2312and2313is configured to be coupled to the lens10, corresponds to a respective one (such as31) of the plurality of first support portions31,32and33, protrudes from the inner portion23151, and includes a fourth support surface2310S having a fourth support position2310P. The sixth side232includes an inner thread structure2321.

In some embodiments, the support method further includes steps of when the configuration relationship forms the coupling relationship: causing the support component21to be disposed on the retainer22by using the plurality of third support portions51,52and53; causing the lens10to be disposed on the plurality of first support portions31,32and33and on the plurality of second support portions41,42and43; causing the sleeve23to be disposed on the lens10by using the plurality of fourth support portions2311,2312and2313, wherein the respective fourth support surface2310S is opposite to the respective first support surface30S in relation to the lens10; and causing the retainer22to couple to the sleeve23by coupling the peripheral thread structure221to the inner thread structure2321.

Based on the illustrations inFIGS. 1A-7, a support component91for supporting a functional element15is disclosed. In some embodiments, the support component91includes a main body211, a plurality of first support portions31,32and33, and a plurality of second support portions41,42and43. The plurality of first support portions31,32and33are disposed on the main body211, wherein each of the plurality of first support portions31,32and33has a first support position30P thereon having a first height30H, and is configured to rigidly support the functional element15. The plurality of second support portions41,42and43are disposed on the main body211, wherein each (such as42) of the plurality of second support portions41,42and43is disposed between respective adjacent two (such as32and33) of the plurality of first support portions31,32and33, has a second support position40P thereon having a second height40H, and is configured to flexibly support the functional element15. When a configuration relationship between the support component91and the functional element15is a decoupling relationship, the second height40H is larger than the first height30H. When the configuration relationship is a coupling relationship, an absolute difference value AD1between the first and the second heights30H and40H is less than a threshold TH1.

In some embodiments, the functional element15has a specific function being one selected from a plurality of predetermined functions. The plurality of predetermined functions include a light using function, a force using function and an electricity using function. When the specific function is the light using function, the functional element15is an optical element. When the specific function is the force using function, the functional element15is a mechanical element. When the specific function is the electricity using function, the functional element15is an electrical/electronic element. For instance, when the specific function is the light using function and the light using function is a light transmission function, the functional element15is a lens10. The support component91is included in a support device90. For instance, the support device90further includes a retainer22and a sleeve23. When the configuration relationship is a coupling relationship, the functional element15is disposed on the retainer22, the retainer22is coupled to the sleeve23, and the sleeve23and the support component91clamp the functional element15in different directions. The functional element15further has a predetermined structure, so that the coupling relationship between the support component91and the functional element15can be calculated.