Patent Publication Number: US-2023161224-A1

Title: Optical system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/281,198 filed 19 Nov. 2021 the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an optical system, and, in particular, to an optical system having a driving assembly that drives an optical sensing element. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Thanks to the rapid development of technology, it has become more common to include image-capturing and video-recording functions into various electronic devices, such as notebook computers, smartphones, and digital cameras. The use of these electronic devices is becoming more and more common. In addition to the models that have been developed to be more convenient, thin, and lightweight, it is also desirable to provide optical qualities that are better and more stable, offering the consumers more choice. 
     Electronic devices that have image-capturing or video-recording functions normally include one or more lenses, thereby achieving such functions as auto focus (AF), zooming, and optical image stabilization (OIS). Therefore, optical element driving mechanisms often include multiple driving assemblies for driving the optical elements to move. Conventionally, the focusing on the optical axis is realized by auto focusing of the lens module. However, some of the lens installed on the device is heavier. In these circumstances, it is relatively harder to move the lens. As a result, there is a need for an optical system that achieves focusing on the optical axis by driving the optical sensing element without the need to move the lens. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The term embodiment and like terms, e.g., implementation, configuration, aspect, example, and option, are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this disclosure and the claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the claims below. Embodiments of the present disclosure covered herein are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the disclosure and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter. This summary is also not intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this disclosure, any or all drawings, and each claim. 
     According to some aspect of the present disclosure, an optical system is provided. The optical system includes a movable portion, a fixed portion, and a driving assembly, wherein the movable portion is movable relative to the fixed portion, and the driving assembly drives the movable portion to move relative to the fixed portion. The driving assembly is located between the movable portion and the fixed portion. 
     In some of the embodiments, the movable portion includes a first optical element, the first optical element includes an optical sensing element, and the optical sensing element includes an optical sensing portion and a base. The optical sensing element further includes an optical axis. The base is located between the optical sensing portion and the driving assembly when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. In some of the embodiments, the optical system further includes a guiding structure guiding the movement of the movable portion relative to the fixed portion along a first dimension. The first dimension is a dimension along the optical axis. 
     In some of the embodiments, the fixed portion includes a housing. The movable portion further includes a first surface on which the driving assembly is disposed, and the first surface is not perpendicular to the optical axis. The first surface faces the housing. 
     In some of the embodiments, the optical system further includes a plurality of adsorption structures generating an adsorption force. The movable portion further includes a second surface on which the plurality of adsorption structures is disposed. The second surface faces the housing. The first surface and the second surface face different directions. Each one of the plurality of adsorption structures has a magnetic permeable piece and a magnet. The guiding structure is located between the plurality of adsorption structures. 
     In some of the embodiments, the optical system further includes a circuit assembly. The movable portion further includes a third surface facing the circuit assembly. The third surface and the first surface face different directions. The third surface and the first surface face opposite directions. The movable portion further includes an accommodating portion to accommodate at least part of the circuit assembly. The circuit assembly further includes a flexible portion. At least part of the flexible portion is located in the accommodating portion. The movable portion further includes a second optical element. The first optical element is located between the second optical element and the flexible portion. In some of the embodiments, the circuit assembly has a first connecting end and a second connecting end, the first connecting end is fixedly connected to the fixed portion, and the second connecting end is fixedly connected to the movable portion. The first connecting end and the second connecting end are arranged along the optical axis. The first optical element further includes an electric connecting element located between the base of the optical sensing element and the circuit assembly. The electric connecting element, the optical sensing element, and the second connecting end partially overlap when viewed along the optical axis. In some of the embodiments, the optical system has a longitudinal configuration extending along the optical axis in an order of the first optical element, the driving assembly, and the circuit assembly. 
     In some of the embodiments, the driving assembly includes a coil assembly and a magnetic assembly corresponding to the coil assembly, wherein the coil assembly and the magnetic assembly drives the movable portion to move relative to the fixed portion along the first dimension. 
     In some of the embodiments, the driving assembly includes a piezoelectric assembly driving the movable portion to move along the first dimension relative to the fixed portion. 
     The above summary is not intended to represent each embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure. Rather, the foregoing summary merely provides an example of some of the novel aspects and features set forth herein. The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of representative embodiments and modes for carrying out the present invention, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. Additional aspects of the disclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure, and its advantages and drawings, will be better understood from the following description of representative embodiments together with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only representative embodiments, and are therefore not to be considered as limitations on the scope of the various embodiments or claims. 
         FIG.  1    is a front perspective view of an optical system, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded view of the optical system of  FIG.  1   , according to some aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view of the optical system of  FIG.  1    taken across line A-A, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view of the optical system of  FIG.  1    taken across line B-B, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a front perspective view of a circuit assembly and an optical sensing element in the optical system of  FIG.  1   , according to some aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a front perspective view of another optical system, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is an exploded view of the optical system of  FIG.  6   , according to some aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is a cross-sectional view of the optical system of  FIG.  6    taken across line A-A, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    is a cross-sectional view of the optical system of  FIG.  6    taken across line B-B, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  10    is a schematic diagram of a guiding structure of another optical system, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Various embodiments are described with reference to the attached figures, where like reference numerals are used throughout the figures to designate similar or equivalent elements. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and are provided merely to illustrate aspects and features of the present disclosure. Numerous specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a full understanding of certain aspects and features of the present disclosure, although one having ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize that these aspects and features can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, with other relationships, or with other methods. In some instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown in detail for illustrative purposes. The various embodiments disclosed herein are not necessarily limited by the illustrated ordering of acts or events, as some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts or events. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts or events are necessarily required to implement certain aspects and features of the present disclosure. 
     For purposes of the present detailed description, unless specifically disclaimed, and where appropriate, the singular includes the plural and vice versa. The word “including” means “including without limitation.” Moreover, words of approximation, such as “about,” “almost,” “substantially,” “approximately,” and the like, can be used herein to mean “at,” “near,” “nearly at,” “within 3-5% of,” “within acceptable manufacturing tolerances of” or any logical combination thereof. 
     Although the disclosed embodiments have been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur or be known to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. 
     First, please refer to  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  1    is a front perspective view of an optical system  1 , according to some aspects of the present disclosure. 
     Then, please refer to  FIG.  2   .  FIG.  2    is an exploded view of the optical system  1 , according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The optical system  1  includes a movable portion  100 , a fixed portion  200 , a guiding structure  300 , two adsorption structures  350 , a first circuit assembly  400 , and a driving assembly  500 . 
     The movable portion  100  is movable relative to the fixed portion  200 , and the movable portion  100  includes a first optical element  110 , a second bearing seat  120 , an accommodating portion  130 , and a second circuit assembly  140 . 
     Please refer to  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3    together.  FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view of the optical system  1  taken across line A-A, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The first optical element  110  includes an optical sensing element  112 , and the optical sensing element  112  includes an optical sensing portion  114 , a base  116 , and an electric connecting element  118 . The base  116  is located on the second bearing seat  120 , and the optical sensing element  112  has an optical axis L 1 . The electric connecting element  118  is located between the base  116  and the first circuit assembly  400  (as will be described in detail below with respect to  FIG.  5   ). When viewed along a direction perpendicular to the optical axis L 1  (e.g., the X direction), the base  116  is located between the optical sensing portion  114  and the driving assembly  500 . The optical system  1  has a longitudinal configuration extending along the optical axis L 1  in an order of the first optical element  110 , the driving assembly  500 , and the circuit assembly  400 . 
     Next, please refer to  FIG.  3    and  FIG.  4    together.  FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view of the optical system  1  taken across line B-B, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The second bearing seat  120  includes a first surface  121 , a second surface  122 , and a third surface  123 . The first surface  121  and the second surface  122  are both the outer side surfaces of the second bearing seat  120  facing a housing  202  of the fixed portion  200 . The third surface  123  is an inner side surface of the second bearing seat  120 . The first surface  121  is not perpendicular to the optical axis L 1 , and the first surface  121  and the second surface  122  face different directions. The third surface  123  faces the first circuit assembly  400 , and the third surface  123  and the first surface  121  face different directions. Although in  FIG.  4   , the third surface  123  is shown facing the opposite direction from the first surface  121 , but the third surface is not limited to this configuration. The third surface  123  further faces the accommodating portion  130 . 
     The accommodating portion  130  is the inner space of the second bearing seat  120 . The accommodating portion  130  and a hollow portion of a bottom  204  of the fixed portion  200  form an accommodating space for accommodating at least part of the first circuit assembly  400 . 
     The second circuit assembly  140  is located on the outside of the second bearing seat  120 . The second circuit assembly  140  has a sensing element  142  for sensing the relative position of the second bearing seat  120  relative to the fixed portion  200 . 
     The fixed portion  200  includes the housing  202 , a bottom  204 , a frame  206 , a first bearing seat  208 , a second optical element  210 , and a fastening assembly  212 . The second optical element  210  is, for example, a lens. The fastening assembly  212  may be any components suitable for fixing the optical system  1  onto other devices, such as bolts and nuts. 
     Please refer to  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3    together again. The guiding structure  300  guides the movable portion  100  to move relative to the fixed portion  200  in a first dimension D 1 . The first dimension D 1  is a dimension along the optical axis L 1 . In this example, the guiding structure  300  is cylindrical and extends along the optical axis L 1 . However, the guiding structure  300  may have any other shape or configuration, as desired. For example, it may have a ball shape (as will be described further below with respect to  FIG.  7   ). The first bearing seat  208  of the fixed portion  200  and the second bearing seat  120  of the movable portion  100  are engaged with the shape of the guiding structure  300 . For example, the guiding structure  300  is cylindrical in this example, and the first bearing seat  208  and the second bearing seat  120  each have a cylindrical groove for accommodating and fitting the guiding structure  300  (as illustrated in  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  4   ). The guiding structure  300  is located between the two adsorption structures  350 . 
     Please refer to  FIG.  2   . Two adsorption structures  350  are disposed on the second surface  122  of the second bearing seat  120 . Each one of the adsorption structures  350  includes a magnetic permeable piece  352  and a magnet  354  for generating an adsorption force. The adsorption force adsorbs the second bearing seat  120  with the frame  206  of the fixed portion  200 , further assisting the guiding structure  300  to guide the movement of the movable portion  100  relative to the fixed portion  200 , preventing the movable portion  100  from tilting during movement. 
     Next, please refer to  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  5    together.  FIG.  5    is a front perspective view of the first circuit assembly  400  and the optical sensing element  112  in the optical system  1 , according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The first circuit component  400  has a first connecting end  410 , a second connecting end  420 , and a flexible portion  430 . The first optical element  110  is located between the second optical element  210  and the flexible portion  430 . The first connecting end  410  is fixedly connected to the bottom  204  of the fixed portion  200 . The second connecting end  420  is fixedly connected to the first optical element  110  of the movable portion  100 . The first connecting end  410  and the second connecting end  420  are arranged along the optical axis L 1 . When viewed along the direction of the optical axis L 1 , the electric connecting element  118 , the optical sensing element  112 , and the second connecting end  420  at least partially overlap. At least part of the flexible portion  430  is located within the accommodating portion  130 . 
     The driving assembly  500  drives the movement of the movable portion  100  relative to the fixed portion  200 . The driving assembly  500  is located between the movable portion  100  and the fixed portion  200 , and is disposed on the first surface  121  of the second bearing seat  120 . In this embodiment, the driving assembly  500  includes a driving magnet assembly  510  and a coil assembly  520 , and the driving magnet assembly  510  corresponds to the coil assembly  520 . The driving magnet assembly  510  and the coil assembly  520  drive the movable portion  100  to move relative to the fixed portion  200  in the first dimension Dl. Although in this example the driving assembly  500  is a configuration of coil assembly and driving magnet assembly, the driving assembly  500  may be in any other configuration as desired, such as a piezoelectric assembly (as will be described further below with respect to  FIG.  6   ). In  FIG.  4   , the coil assembly  520  is disposed on the first surface  121 , but the coil assembly  520  is not limited to this configuration. For example, the coil assembly  520  may also be disposed on the third surface  123  and located in the accommodating portion  130 . 
     When the optical system  1  is powered on, the sensing element  142  senses the driving magnet assembly  510  to generate a signal, and a controlling circuit on the second circuit assembly  140  controls the driving assembly  500  according to the signal to drive the second bearing seat  120  of the movable portion  100 . The second bearing seat  120  carries the first optical element  110  to perform translational movement in the first dimension D 1  (along the optical axis L 1 ). The flexible portion  430  of the first circuit assembly  400  expands and contracts with the movement of the movable portion  100 , and provides support as well as downward stabilizing force. In this way, the optical system  1  may achieve focusing or zooming by moving the optical sensing element  112  without moving the second optical element  210 . 
     Next, please refer to  FIG.  6    and  FIG.  7   .  FIG.  6    is a front perspective view of another optical system  2 , according to some aspects of the present disclosure.  FIG.  7    is an exploded view of the optical system  2 , according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The optical system  2  is similar to the optical system  1 , wherein the same tens and ones digits are used for reference signs of similar elements. The difference between the optical system  2  and the optical system  1  lies in the second circuit assembly of the movable portion and the driving assembly. 
     The optical system  2  includes a movable portion  600 , a fixed portion  700 , a guiding structure  800 , two adsorption structures  850 , a first circuit assembly  900 , and a driving assembly  1000 . 
     The movable portion  600  is movable relative to the fixed portion  700 , and the movable portion  600  includes a first optical element  610 , a second bearing seat  620 , an accommodating portion  630 , and a second circuit assembly  640 . 
     Please refer to  FIG.  7    and  FIG.  8    together.  FIG.  8    is a cross-sectional view of the optical system  2  taken across line A-A, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The first optical element  610  includes an optical sensing element  612 , and the optical sensing element  612  includes an optical sensing portion  614 , a base  616 , and an electric connecting element  618 . The optical sensing element  612  has an optical axis L 2 . 
     Next, please refer to  FIG.  8    and  FIG.  9    together.  FIG.  9    is a cross-sectional view of the optical system  2  taken across line B-B, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The second bearing seat  620  includes a first surface  621 , a second surface  622 , and a third surface  623 . 
     The second circuit assembly  640  is located on the outside of the second bearing seat  620 . The second circuit assembly  640  has a sensing element  642  and a sensing magnet  644  for sensing the relative position of the second bearing seat  620  relative to the fixed portion  700 . 
     The guiding structure  800  guides the movable portion  600  to move relative to the fixed portion  700  in a second dimension D 2 . The second dimension D 2  is a dimension along the optical axis L 2 . 
     Please refer to  FIG.  8    again. The first circuit component  900  has a first connecting end  910 , a second connecting end  920 , and a flexible portion  930 . The first connecting end  910  and the second connecting end  920  are arranged along the optical axis L 2 . When viewed along the direction of the optical axis L 2 , the electric connecting element  618 , the optical sensing element  612 , and the second connecting end  920  at least partially overlap. 
     The driving assembly  1000  drives the movement of the movable portion  600  relative to the fixed portion  700 . The driving assembly  1000  is located between the movable portion  600  and the fixed portion  700 , and is disposed on the first surface  621  of the second bearing seat  620 . In this example, the driving assembly  1000  includes a piezoelectric assembly  1010 . The piezoelectric assembly  1010  drives the movable portion  600  to move relative to the fixed portion  700  in the second dimension D 2 . Although in this example the driving assembly  1000  includes a piezoelectric element, but the driving assembly  1000  is not limited to the configuration of piezoelectric assembly. The driving assembly  1000  may be in any other configuration as desired. 
     When the optical system  2  is powered on, the sensing element  642  senses the sensing magnet  644  to generate a signal, and a controlling circuit on the second circuit assembly  640  controls the driving assembly  1000  according to the signal to drive the second bearing seat  620  of the movable portion  600 . The second bearing seat  620  carries the first optical element  610  to perform translational movement in the second dimension D 2  (along the optical axis L 2 ). The flexible portion  930  of the first circuit assembly  900  expands and contracts with the movement of the movable portion  600 , and provides support as well as downward stabilizing force. In this way, the optical system  2  may achieve focusing or zooming by moving the optical sensing element  612  without moving a second optical element  710  of the fixed portion  700 . 
     Please refer to  FIG.  10   .  FIG.  10    is a schematic diagram of the guiding structure of another optical system  3 , according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The optical system  3  is similar to the optical system  1  and the optical system  2 , wherein the same tens and ones digits are used for reference signs of similar elements. The difference between the optical system  3  and the optical system  2  lies in the guiding structure. 
     The optical system  3  includes a movable portion  1100 , a fixed portion  1200 , a guiding structure  1300 , a plurality of adsorption structures (not shown in  FIG.  10   ), a first circuit assembly  1400 , and a driving assembly  1500 . 
     The movable portion  1100  is movable relative to the fixed portion  1200 , and the movable portion  1100  includes a first optical element  1110 , a second bearing seat  1120 , an accommodating portion  1130 , and a second circuit assembly  1140 . 
     The first optical element  1110  includes an optical sensing element  1112 , and the optical sensing element  1112  includes an optical sensing portion  1114 , a base  1116 , and an electric connecting element  1118 . The optical sensing element  1112  has an optical axis L 3 . 
     The guiding structure  1300  guides the movable portion  1100  to move relative to the fixed portion  1200  in a third dimension D 3 . The third dimension D 3  is a dimension along the optical axis L 3 . 
     In this example, the guiding structure  1300  is of two balls  1301  and  1302 . However, the amount of the balls is not limited to two, and the guiding structure  1300  is not limited to the configuration of cylindrical or balls, the guiding structure  1300  may have any other shape or configuration, as desired. 
     Additionally, the driving assembly  1500  may be a coil and a driving magnet assembly such as the driving assembly  500  of the optical system  1 , or a piezoelectric assembly such as the driving assembly  1000  of the optical system  2 . The driving component  1500  is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration. The drive assembly  1500  may be in any other configuration as desired. 
     In summary, the present disclosure provides an optical system that may achieve focusing and zooming in the optical axis direction by driving the optical sensing element without moving the lens. 
     While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Numerous changes to the disclosed examples can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described examples. Rather, the scope of the disclosure should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “including,” “includes,” “having,” “has,” “with,” or variants thereof, are used in either the detailed description and/or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”