Patent Publication Number: US-2022236626-A1

Title: Portable electronic device and movable lens shutting module thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to Taiwan Patent Application No. 110102689, filed on Jan. 25, 2021. The entire content of the above identified application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Some references, which may include patents, patent applications and various publications, may be cited and discussed in the description of this disclosure. The citation and/or discussion of such references is provided merely to clarify the description of the present disclosure and is not an admission that any such reference is “prior art” to the disclosure described herein. All references cited and discussed in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and to the same extent as if each reference was individually incorporated by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to an electronic device and a lens shutting (lens-shutting) module thereof, and more particularly to a portable electronic device and a movable lens shutting module thereof. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In the related art, a camera lens that is equipped on a laptop computer is constantly exposed and cannot be blocked (or be shielded), so that user privacy can easily be violated when the laptop computer is used for an extended period of time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In response to the above-referenced technical inadequacy, the present disclosure provides a portable electronic device and a movable lens shutting module thereof. 
     In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a movable lens shutting module that includes a first magnetic assembly, a second magnetic assembly and a movable shutter assembly. The first magnetic assembly includes a fixed magnetic field generator and a movable magnetic structure adjacent to the fixed magnetic field generator, and the movable magnetic structure includes a matching portion that protrudes outwards. The second magnetic assembly includes a movable magnetic field generator, a fixed magnetic structure adjacent to the movable magnetic field generator, and an elastic structure connected to the movable magnetic field generator, and the movable magnetic field generator includes a limiting portion that protrudes outwards. The movable shutter assembly includes a lens shutting portion corresponding to a lens module, a matching opening matching with the matching portion of the movable magnetic structure, and a limiting opening corresponding to the limiting portion of the movable magnetic field generator. 
     More particularly, the movable magnetic structure is movable horizontally between a first horizontal position and a second horizontal position relative to the fixed magnetic field generator by cooperation of the movable magnetic structure and the fixed magnetic field generator. The movable magnetic field generator is movable vertically between a first vertical position and a second vertical position relative to the fixed magnetic structure by cooperation of the fixed magnetic structure, the movable magnetic field generator and the elastic structure. When the movable magnetic structure is horizontally moved relative to the fixed magnetic field generator from the first horizontal position to the second horizontal position, the movable magnetic field generator is placed at the first vertical position by an elastic force provided by the elastic structure, so that a side portion of the movable shutter assembly is blocked by the limiting portion of the movable magnetic field generator so as to prevent the movable shutter assembly from being moved, and the movable shutter assembly is moved to a lens shielding position by the movable magnetic structure so as to shield the lens module by the lens shutting portion of the movable shutter assembly. When the movable magnetic structure is horizontally moved relative to the fixed magnetic field generator from the second horizontal position to the first horizontal position, the movable magnetic field generator is placed at the first vertical position by the elastic force provided by the elastic structure, so that the limiting portion of the movable magnetic field generator is moved into the limiting opening of the movable shutter assembly so as to prevent the movable shutter assembly from being moved, and the movable shutter assembly is moved to a lens opening position by the movable magnetic structure so as to expose the lens module from the lens shutting portion of the movable shutter assembly. When the movable magnetic field generator is vertically and downwardly moved relative to the fixed magnetic structure from the first vertical position to the second vertical position, the movable shutter assembly is released from the limiting portion of the movable magnetic field generator, so that the movable shutter assembly is movable between the first horizontal position and the second horizontal position relative to the fixed magnetic field generator. 
     In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a movable lens shutting module including a first magnetic assembly, a second magnetic assembly and a movable shutter assembly. The first magnetic assembly includes a fixed magnetic field generator and a movable magnetic structure adjacent to the fixed magnetic field generator, and the movable magnetic structure includes a matching portion. The second magnetic assembly includes a movable magnetic field generator, a fixed magnetic structure adjacent to the movable magnetic field generator, and an elastic structure connected to the movable magnetic field generator, and the movable magnetic field generator includes a limiting portion. The movable shutter assembly includes a lens shutting portion corresponding to a lens module, a matching opening matching with the matching portion of the movable magnetic structure, and a limiting opening corresponding to the limiting portion of the movable magnetic field generator. 
     In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a portable electronic device using an image-capturing assembly that includes a lens module and a movable lens shutting module cooperating with the lens module, and the movable lens shutting module includes a first magnetic assembly, a second magnetic assembly and a movable shutter assembly. The first magnetic assembly includes a fixed magnetic field generator and a movable magnetic structure adjacent to the fixed magnetic field generator, and the movable magnetic structure includes a matching portion. The second magnetic assembly includes a movable magnetic field generator, a fixed magnetic structure adjacent to the movable magnetic field generator, and an elastic structure connected to the movable magnetic field generator, and the movable magnetic field generator includes a limiting portion. The movable shutter assembly includes a lens shutting portion corresponding to the lens module, a matching opening matching with the matching portion of the movable magnetic structure, and a limiting opening corresponding to the limiting portion of the movable magnetic field generator. 
     Therefore, by virtue of “the first magnetic assembly including a fixed magnetic field generator and a movable magnetic structure adjacent to the fixed magnetic field generator, and the movable magnetic structure including a matching portion”, “the second magnetic assembly including a movable magnetic field generator, a fixed magnetic structure adjacent to the movable magnetic field generator, and an elastic structure connected to the movable magnetic field generator, and the movable magnetic field generator including a limiting portion”, and “the movable shutter assembly including a lens shutting portion corresponding to a lens module, a matching opening matching with the matching portion of the movable magnetic structure, and a limiting opening corresponding to the limiting portion of the movable magnetic field generator”, the movable magnetic structure is movable horizontally between a first horizontal position and a second horizontal position relative to the fixed magnetic field generator, and the movable magnetic field generator is movable vertically between a first vertical position and a second vertical position relative to the fixed magnetic structure. 
     These and other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of the embodiment taken in conjunction with the following drawings and their captions, although variations and modifications therein may be affected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The described embodiments may be better understood by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a first schematic perspective exploded view of a movable lens shutting module according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a first schematic perspective exploded view of a second magnetic assembly of the movable lens shutting module according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective assembled view of the movable lens shutting module according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a second schematic perspective exploded view of the movable lens shutting module according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a second schematic perspective exploded view of the second magnetic assembly of the movable lens shutting module according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic top view of a movable magnetic structure being moved relative to a fixed magnetic field generator from a first horizontal position to a second horizontal position according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic top view of the movable magnetic structure being moved relative to the fixed magnetic field generator from the second horizontal position to the first horizontal position according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic top view of the movable magnetic structure being movable between the first horizontal position and the second horizontal position relative to the fixed magnetic field generator according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI of  FIG. 10 ; and 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic perspective view of a portable electronic device using the movable lens shutting module according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The present disclosure is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended as illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Like numbers in the drawings indicate like components throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the meaning of “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural reference, and the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on”. Titles or subtitles can be used herein for the convenience of a reader, which shall have no influence on the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The terms used herein generally have their ordinary meanings in the art. In the case of conflict, the present document, including any definitions given herein, will prevail. The same thing can be expressed in more than one way. Alternative language and synonyms can be used for any term(s) discussed herein, and no special significance is to be placed upon whether a term is elaborated or discussed herein. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the present disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the present disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given herein. Numbering terms such as “first”, “second” or “third” can be used to describe various components, signals or the like, which are for distinguishing one component/signal from another one only, and are not intended to, nor should be construed to impose any substantive limitations on the components, signals or the like. 
     First Embodiment 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 5 , a first embodiment of the present disclosure provides a movable lens shutting module M including a first magnetic assembly  1 , a second magnetic assembly  2  and a movable shutter assembly  3 . 
     More particularly, referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 , the first magnetic assembly  1  includes a fixed magnetic field generator  11  and a movable magnetic structure  12  (for example, the movable magnetic structure  12  is made of magnetic material, or the movable magnetic structure  12  includes a magnetic material embedded therein) adjacent to the fixed magnetic field generator  11 , and the movable magnetic structure  12  includes a matching portion  120  that protrudes outwards. In addition, the second magnetic assembly  2  includes a movable magnetic field generator  21 , a fixed magnetic structure  22  (for example, the fixed magnetic structure  22  is made of magnetic material, or the fixed magnetic structure  22  includes a magnetic material embedded therein) adjacent to the movable magnetic field generator  21 , and an elastic structure connected to the movable magnetic field generator  21 , and the movable magnetic field generator  21  includes a limiting portion  210  that protrudes outwards. 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 , the second magnetic assembly  2  includes a casing structure, and the casing structure includes a bottom casing  23  and a top casing  24  matching with the bottom casing  23 . Furthermore, the elastic structure includes a first elastic element  25  disposed on the bottom casing  23  and a second elastic element  26  disposed on the top casing  24 , and the movable magnetic field generator  21  is disposed between the first elastic element  25  and the second elastic element  26 . Moreover, the fixed magnetic structure  22  includes a left fixed magnetic element  22 L disposed on a left inner wall  240 L (as shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5 ) of the top casing  24  and a right fixed magnetic element  22 R disposed on a right inner wall  240 R (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) of the top casing  24 . In addition, the bottom casing  23  has a bottom casing opening  2300  for exposing the first elastic element  25 , and the top casing  24  has a top casing opening  2400  for exposing the limiting portion  210  of the movable magnetic field generator  21 . However, the aforementioned description of the first embodiment is merely an example and is not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5 , the first elastic element  25  has a first left outer matching portion  251 L fixedly or detachably disposed on the bottom casing  23 , a first right outer matching portion  251 R fixedly or detachably disposed on the bottom casing  23 , a first left inner matching portion  252 L disposed on a first left matching portion  211 L (such as including a matching block) of the movable magnetic field generator  21 , a first right inner matching portion  252 R disposed on a first right matching portion  211 R (such as including a matching block) of the movable magnetic field generator  21 , a first left elastic portion  253 L connected between the first left outer matching portion  251 L and the first left inner matching portion  252 L, and a first right elastic portion  253 R connected between the first right outer matching portion  251 R and the first right inner matching portion  252 R. Therefore, the first left inner matching portion  252 L and the first right inner matching portion  252 R can be moved respectively relative to the first left outer matching portion  251 L and the first right outer matching portion  251 R respectively through elasticity provided by the first left elastic portion  253 L and the first right elastic portion  253 R, so that the movable magnetic field generator  21  can be moved relative to both the first left outer matching portion  251 L and the first right outer matching portion  251 R simultaneously through two elastic forces that are respectively provided by the first left elastic portion  253 L and the first right elastic portion  253 R. However, the aforementioned description of the first embodiment is merely an example and is not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5 , the second elastic element  26  has an outer surrounding matching portion  261  (such as a complete circular structure or an incomplete circular structure) fixedly or detachably disposed on the top casing  24 , a second left inner matching portion  262 L fixedly or detachably disposed on a second left matching portion  212 L (or two second left matching portions  212 L) of the movable magnetic field generator  21 , a second right inner matching portion  262 R fixedly or detachably disposed on a second right matching portion  212 R (or two second right matching portions  212 R) of the movable magnetic field generator  21 , a second left elastic portion  263 L connected between the outer surrounding matching portion  261  and the second left inner matching portion  262 L, and a second right elastic portion  263 R connected between the outer surrounding matching portion  261  and the second right inner matching portion  262 R. Therefore, the second left inner matching portion  262 L and the second right inner matching portion  262 R can be simultaneously moved relative to the outer surrounding matching portion  261  respectively through two elastic forces that are respectively provided by the second left elastic portion  263 L and the second right elastic portion  263 R, so that the movable magnetic field generator  21  can be moved relative to the outer surrounding matching portion  261  simultaneously through the two elastic forces that are respectively provided by the second left elastic portion  263 L and the second right elastic portion  263 R. However, the aforementioned description of the first embodiment is merely an example and is not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Furthermore, referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 , the movable shutter assembly  3  includes a lens shutting portion  301  for corresponding to a lens module L (as shown in  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 11 ), a matching opening  302  for matching with the matching portion  120  of the movable magnetic structure  12 , and a limiting opening  303  for corresponding to the limiting portion  210  of the movable magnetic field generator  21 . 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 , the movable lens shutting module M further includes a carrying structure  4 , and the carrying structure  4  includes a base body  400 , a lens opening  401 , a limiting portion opening  402 , a first sliding groove  403 , a second sliding groove  404 , a first receiving groove  405  and a second receiving groove  406 . More particularly, the lens opening  401  can pass through the base body  400  for exposing the lens module L and corresponds to the lens shutting portion  301  of the movable shutter assembly  3 , and the limiting portion opening  402  can pass through the base body  400  for exposing the limiting portion  210  of the movable magnetic field generator  21  and corresponds to the limiting opening  303  of the movable shutter assembly  3 . The first sliding groove  403  can be formed on a top side of the base body  400  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) for receiving the movable shutter assembly  3 , and the movable shutter assembly  3  can be movably disposed inside the first sliding groove  403 . The second sliding groove  404  can be formed on the top side of the base body  400  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) for receiving the movable magnetic structure  12  and corresponds to the matching opening  302  of the movable shutter assembly  3 , and the movable magnetic structure  12  can be movably disposed inside the second sliding groove  404 . Furthermore, the first receiving groove  405  can be formed on a bottom side of the base body  400  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) for receiving the fixed magnetic field generator  11 , and the fixed magnetic field generator  11  can be fixedly disposed inside the first receiving groove  405 . The second receiving groove  406  can be formed on the bottom side of the base body  400  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) for receiving the second magnetic assembly  2 , and the casing structure of the second magnetic assembly  2  can be fixedly disposed inside the second receiving groove  406  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). However, the aforementioned description of the first embodiment is merely an example and is not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     More particularly, referring to  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 11 , when the fixed magnetic field generator  11  is turned on by a power source, the movable magnetic structure  12  is movable horizontally between a first horizontal position (as shown in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 ) and a second horizontal position (as shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 ) relative to the fixed magnetic field generator  11  by cooperation of the movable magnetic structure  12  and the fixed magnetic field generator  11 . Furthermore, when the movable magnetic field generator  21  is turned on by a power source, the movable magnetic field generator  21  is movable vertically between a first vertical position (as shown in  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 9 ) and a second vertical position (as shown in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 ) relative to the fixed magnetic structure  22  by cooperation of the fixed magnetic structure  22 , the movable magnetic field generator  21  and the elastic structure (such as the first elastic element  25  and the second elastic element  26 ). However, the aforementioned description of the first embodiment is merely an example and is not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , when the movable magnetic structure  12  is horizontally moved relative to the fixed magnetic field generator  11  and from the first horizontal position (as shown in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 ) to the second horizontal position (as shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 ), the movable shutter assembly  3  is moved to a lens shielding position (as shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 ) by the matching portion  120  of the movable magnetic structure  12  so as to shield the lens module L by the lens shutting portion  301 , and the movable magnetic field generator  21  is placed at the first vertical position (as shown in  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 9 ) by an elastic force that is provided by the elastic structure (such as the first elastic element  25  and the second elastic element  26 ), so that a side portion  304  of the movable shutter assembly  3  is blocked by the limiting portion  210  of the movable magnetic field generator  21  so as to restrict the position of the movable shutter assembly  3  and prevent the movable shutter assembly  3  from being moved (to limit or restrict a movement of the movable shutter assembly  3 ). Therefore, when the lens shutting portion  301  of the movable shutter assembly  3  is moved so as to shield the lens module L, and the limiting portion  210  of the movable magnetic field generator  21  is moved to restrict the movable shutter assembly  3  so as to prevent the movable shutter assembly  3  from being moved, the lens module L is unable to capture image by cooperation of the lens shutting portion  301  of the movable shutter assembly  3  and the limiting portion  210  of the movable magnetic field generator  21 . However, the aforementioned description of the first embodiment is merely an example and is not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , when the movable magnetic structure  12  is horizontally moved relative to the fixed magnetic field generator  11  from the second horizontal position (as shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 ) to the first horizontal position (as shown in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 ), the movable shutter assembly  3  can be moved to a lens opening position (as shown in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 ) by the limiting portion  210  of the movable magnetic structure  12  so as to expose the lens module L from the lens shutting portion  301 , and the movable magnetic field generator  21  can be placed at the first vertical position (as shown in  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 9 ) by the elastic force that is provided by the elastic structure (such as the first elastic element  25  and the second elastic element  26 ), so that the limiting portion  210  of the movable magnetic field generator  21  can be moved into the limiting opening  303  of the movable shutter assembly  3  so as to restrict the position of the movable shutter assembly  3  and prevent the movable shutter assembly  3  from being moved. Therefore, when the lens shutting portion  301  of the movable shutter assembly  3  is moved so as to expose the lens module L, and the limiting portion  210  of the movable magnetic field generator  21  is moved to restrict the movable shutter assembly  3  so as to prevent the movable shutter assembly  3  from being moved, the lens module L is able to capture image by cooperation of the lens shutting portion  301  of the movable shutter assembly  3  and the limiting portion  210  of the movable magnetic field generator  21 . However, the aforementioned description of the first embodiment is merely an example and is not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , when the movable magnetic field generator  21  is vertically and downwardly moved relative to the fixed magnetic structure  22  from the first vertical position (as shown in  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 9 ) to the second vertical position (as shown in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 ), the movable shutter assembly  3  can be released from the limiting portion  210  of the movable magnetic field generator  21 , so that the movable shutter assembly  3  is movable between the first horizontal position (as shown in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 ) and the second horizontal position (as shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 ) relative to the fixed magnetic field generator  11 . That is to say, when the movable magnetic field generator  21  is moved to the first vertical position (as shown in  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 9 ) relative to the fixed magnetic structure  22 , the limiting portion  210  of the movable magnetic field generator  21  can be used to block the movable shutter assembly  3  so as to restrict the movable shutter assembly  3  at the first horizontal position for exposing the lens module L (as shown in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 ) or the second horizontal position for shielding the lens module L (as shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 ). However, the aforementioned description of the first embodiment is merely an example and is not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , a second embodiment of the present disclosure provides a portable electronic device Z using an image-capturing assembly S (as shown in  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 11 ). More particularly, the image-capturing assembly S includes a lens module L disposed on a circuit substrate P and a movable lens shutting module M for cooperating with the lens module L (as shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 5 ), and the movable lens shutting module M includes a first magnetic assembly  1 , a second magnetic assembly  2 , and a movable shutter assembly  3 . For example, the portable electronic device Z may be a desktop, a laptop computer or a tablet computer. However, the aforementioned description of the second embodiment is merely an example and is not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Beneficial Effects of the Embodiments 
     In conclusion, by virtue of “the first magnetic assembly  1  including a fixed magnetic field generator  11  and a movable magnetic structure  12  adjacent to the fixed magnetic field generator  11 , and the movable magnetic structure  12  including a matching portion  120 ”, “the second magnetic assembly  2  including a movable magnetic field generator  21 , a fixed magnetic structure  22  adjacent to the movable magnetic field generator  21 , and an elastic structure connected to the movable magnetic field generator  21 , and the movable magnetic field generator  21  including a limiting portion  210 ”, and “the movable shutter assembly  3  including a lens shutting portion  301  corresponding to a lens module L, a matching opening  302  matching with the matching portion  120  of the movable magnetic structure  12 , and a limiting opening  303  corresponding to the limiting portion  120  of the movable magnetic field generator  21 ”, the movable magnetic structure  12  is movable horizontally between a first horizontal position and a second horizontal position relative to the fixed magnetic field generator  11 , and the movable magnetic field generator  21  is movable vertically between a first vertical position and a second vertical position relative to the fixed magnetic structure  22 . 
     The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. 
     The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the disclosure and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the disclosure and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from its spirit and scope.