Patent Publication Number: US-2007108140-A1

Title: Apparatus for removing optical element from washing tool

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to a clamping device, and more particularly, to an apparatus for removing optical element from a washing tool.  
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART  
      With the ongoing development of micro circuitry and multimedia technologies, digital cameras have become a highly popular way of taking pictures. High-end portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs), are being developed to include increasing numbers of special features, including digital camera modules. Portable electronic devices which include digital cameras enable consumers to enjoy taking digital pictures anytime and anywhere, the smallest and most eye-catching of such electronic devices being the most popular.  
      In camera modules, optical lens quality is very important to the quality of the pictures captured by the camera modules. In the process of manufacturing, the optical lenses need to be washed before applying a film thereon. Generally, optical elements are washed using ultrasound in a vessel filled with liquid. The optical elements are prone to collide with each other during cleaning. As a result, a surface of each optical element may easily be scraped or damaged. To prevent this, optical elements need to be fixed in a washing tool so that the optical elements are separated from each other and do not collide with each other.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , a typical washing tool  10  is inverted to show. The washing tool  10  is substantially double-layer frames structure. The washing tool  10  includes many spaced rods  12 , each three rods surrounding a triangle. A plurality of securing pieces  14  are positioned among each three rods  12 . Each securing piece  14  defines a V-shaped groove  16 . When washing, each optical element  18  may be locked in a corresponding groove  16 . After the process of the washing is finished, the washing tool  10  may be inverted. Most of optical elements may fall out from the washing tool  10 . However, some optical elements might still stay in the washing tool  10  owing to the securing pieces  14 . Therefore, the remaining optical elements  18  need a specialized clamping device  20  to separate the optical elements  18  from the washing tool  10 . The clamping device  20  includes two end portions  22  bent inwardly.  
      In operation, this kind of the clamping device  20  firstly rides the rod  12  on the top of one of optical element  18 , thereby allowing the end portions  22  of the clamping device  20  to resist the securing pieces  14  on the two sides of the optical element  18 . Then, the clamping device  20  pushes downwards so as to make the optical element  18  fall out. When the optical element  18  falls out from the securing pieces  14 , because the end portion  22  is peaked and is disposed at the inner side thereof, the optical element  18  may become polluted if the clamping device  20  becomes offset, causing the optical element  18  to be scraped so as to effect the image quality.  
      Therefore, a new clamping device is desired in order to overcome the above-described shortcomings.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      One embodiment of an apparatus for removing an optical element from a holding portion of the washing tool, includes two operating portions connecting each other. Each operating portion has an end portion, and each end portion bent outwardly. The end portion is configured for pressing the holding portion so as to disengage the holding portion from the optical element.  
      Another embodiment of an apparatus for removing a plurality of optical elements includes a plurality of clamping device and a connecting portion. Each clamping device includes two operating portions. Each operating portion has an end portion bent outwardly. The connecting portion is attached to an end opposite to the end portion of each of the clamping devices.  
      Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      Many aspects of the present clamping device can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the clamping device. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a conventional clamping device used in a washing tool;  
       FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a clamping device used in a washing tool according to a preferred embodiment; and  
       FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a clamping device used in a washing tool according to another preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
      Referring to  FIG. 2 , a clamping device  40  (i.e. jig), is used in a washing tool  30 .  
      The washing tool  30  is substantially a rectangular frame, which includes a support frame  31 , a first frame  32  and a second frame  33  connected in that order, thereby forming a double-layer structure. The support frame  31  is made up of four rods. The first frame  32  and the second frame  33  are parallel spaced from each other. The first frame  32  is made up of two long rods  320  and two short rods  322  arranged so as to form a rectangle. Two fixed rods  324  are positioned on the first frame  32 , and are connected to the long rods  320 . The fixed rods  324  are between the two short rods  322  with equally arranged. A plurality of securing pieces  326  are positioned between the short rod  322  and the fixed rod  324 , between the fixed rods  324 . Each securing piece  324  is parallel to the first frame  32 . The securing pieces  326  are made of elastic material such as Teflon which is both heat resistant and will not scratch optical elements owing to its elastic characteristics.  
      The second frame  34  is also made of two long rods  340  and two short rods  342  arranged so as to form a rectangle. Three holding rods  344  are positioned on the second frame  34 , and are connected to the long rods  340 . The holding rods  344  are arranged between the two short rods  342 . The holding rods  344  are offset relative to the fixed rods  324  and are arranged so as to form a triangle. The holding rods  344  have a plurality of securing pieces  326 , a quantity of which corresponds to that of the securing pieces  326  on the fixed rods  324 . Each securing piece  346  of the second frame  34  is perpendicular to the second frame  34 . The material of the securing pieces  346  is the same as those of the securing piece  326  on the first frame  32 . A free end of each securing piece  326 ,  346  defines a corresponding V-shaped groove  328 ,  348 . Optical elements  38  may be engaged in a corresponding groove  328 ,  348 .  
      The clamping device  40  has a substantially n-shaped cross section, and includes two operating portions  42 . Each operating portion  42  has an end portion  44  bending outwardly. The operating portions  42  connect to each other at one end thereof opposite to the end portion  44 . The clamping device  40  is made of stainless material or metal material. When the clamping device  40  is pressed, the clamping device  40  may be deformable.  
      In use, the user holds the clamping device  40  to cause the clamping device  40  to be aligned with a given optical element  38 . Then, the operating portions  42  of the clamping device  40  firstly ride the holding rod  344  on the top of the optical element  38 , thereby allowing the end portion  44  of the clamping device  40  to hold on the peripheral wall of the optical element  38 . Next, the clamping device  40  pushes downwards, and the height of the operating portions  42  becomes shorter. At the same time, the end portions  44  slide outside. The end portions  44  of the clamping device  40  push the securing pieces  326  on the two sides of the optical element  38  so that the securing pieces  326  move down and to their respective sides. Accordingly, the optical element  38  is rendered removable from the groove  328 . This kind structure of the clamping device  40  may avoid contacting with the optical element  38  directly. When the optical elements are separated from the securing pieces  326 , the optical elements  38  can be removed from the support frame  31 .  
      In another embodiment, the clamping device may be formed in a group structure. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the clamping group  50  includes a plurality of clamping devices  52 . The clamping devices  52  are spaced from each other by a gap. The clamping devices  52  of the clamping group  50  are of an amount corresponding to that of a number of rows of securing pieces  346 . Each clamping device  52  includes two operating portions  56 . Each operating portion  56  has an end portion  58  bending outwardly. The operating portions  54  can connect to each other by means of a connecting portion  54  at one end thereof opposite to the end portion  58 . The connecting portion  54  is rod-like. The connecting portion  54  can be made of a metal such as iron. Each clamping device may be connected to the connecting portion  56  by means of welding or other related methods. The clamping devices  52  can be made of stainless material or other similar metallic materials. When the clamping group  50  is pressed, the clamping devices  52  may be deformable.  
      In use, the user holds the clamping group  50  to cause the clamping devices  52  to be aligned with a row of optical elements  38 . Then, the operating portions  56  of the clamping devices  52  firstly ride the holding rod  322  on the top of the optical element  38 , thereby allowing the end portions  58  of the clamping devices  52  to hold on the securing pieces  326  on two sides of each optical element  38 . Next, the clamping group  50  pushes downwards, and the height of the operating portions  56  becomes shorter. At the same time, the end portions  58  slide outside. The end portions  58  of the clamping group  50  push the securing pieces  326  at two sides of the optical elements  38  so that the securing pieces  326  move down and to their respective sides. Accordingly, the optical elements  38  can be removed from the grooves  328 .  
      Understandably, the clamping device may include a base and two legs extending from two sides of the base. Each leg has two feet bent outwardly. Each foot is configured for pushing the securing piece of the washing tool so as to remove the optical element from the washing tool. A main advantage of the clamping device  40  is that it is cheap and simple. In addition, the clamping device  40  may be conveniently operated by hand.  
      As described above, the preferred embodiment provides a clamping device for a washing tool, which has both simplicity and ease of use. It is, however, to be understood that the clamping device could potentially be useful in other applications in which it may be desirable to allow clamping something by resisting a locking mechanism so as to attain a stable disassembly.  
      It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention.