Patent Description:
A liquid state camera lens (liquid state camera Lens) is a micro camera. Using <FIG> as an example, a lens assembly of a liquid state camera lens includes a container <NUM>, a sealing film <NUM> attached on the container <NUM>, and a liquid <NUM> accommodated between the container <NUM> and the sealing film <NUM>. Auto focus (auto focus, AF) and optical image stabilization (optical image stabilization, OIS) are necessary steps to improve shooting quality of the liquid state camera lens. Specifically, the auto focus requires that the liquid state camera lens can calculate an object distance from a subject by obtaining light reflected by the subject, and adjust a focal length along an optical axis direction according to the calculated object distance to implement clear imaging. The optical image stabilization requires that the liquid state camera lens can move a focus deviated by jitter under an external force to an imaging point, so as to implement the clear imaging.

To ensure working performance of the auto focus and the optical image stabilization of the liquid state camera lens, a motor needs to be assembled in the liquid state camera lens. The motor uniformly changes the shape of the sealing film <NUM> in the optical axis direction, and the sealing film <NUM> squeezes the liquid <NUM> to change the shape of a refraction plane of a lens assembly, thereby changing a refraction direction of the light, to adjust the focal length to implement the auto focus. The motor non-uniformly changes the shape of the sealing film <NUM> in the optical axis direction, and the sealing film <NUM> squeezes the liquid <NUM> to change the shape of the refraction plane of the lens assembly, thereby changing the refraction direction of the light, to move the deviated focus to the imaging point.

The motor includes a movable member and a guide elastic piece. The guide elastic piece is of a sheet structure, with two ends fixed and a middle part connected to the movable member. In an actual guiding process, the guide elastic piece may deform in the optical axis direction. Therefore, when subjected to a driving force, the movable member may move in the optical axis direction under the guidance of the guide elastic piece, so as to squeeze the liquid state camera lens. However, the deformation of the guide elastic piece may produce a counter force opposite to a moving direction of the movable member, and the counter force counteracts a part of a driving force, resulting in an insufficient driving force, which further affects accuracy of the auto focus and the optical image stabilization of the liquid state camera lens.

<CIT> relates to a camera lens assembly comprising an Auto Focus (AF) unit configured to move back and forth in a direction of an optical axis of an image sensor; a housing configured to accommodate the AF unit; a guide member mounted on the housing; a plurality of balls interposed between the guide member and the AF unit; and an Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) unit installed on the AF unit and configured to move back and forth in the direction of the optical axis together with the AF unit, wherein the OIS unit is configured to float in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis on the AF unit, and wherein, when the AF unit is accommodated in the housing and moves back and forth, the plurality of balls roll between the guide member and the AF unit.

<CIT> relates to a voice coil motor for driving a liquid lens and a lens assembly having a voice coil motor. The voice coil motor comprises a plurality of sub-motor portions, the plurality of sub-motor portions being independently controllable, and each sub-motor portion comprising: a fixed part; a movable part which is movable relative to the fixed part along an optical axis direction; and connecting elastic pieces, respectively connecting the liquid lens to the movable part, the movable part driving the connecting elastic pieces to press the liquid lens when the movable part is subjected to a force in the optical axis direction, and the connecting elastic pieces being leaf springs, of which the stiffness coefficient in the optical axis direction is greater than the stiffness coefficient of the connecting elastic piece in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis; and a driving circuit part controlling the moving distance of the movable part. The voice coil motor is able to accurately realize the auto focus and optical image stabilization of the liquid lens.

This application provides a motor for driving a liquid state camera lens, and a camera lens assembly, to ensure the driving force of the motor to the liquid state camera lens.

According to a first aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a motor for driving a liquid state camera lens. The motor includes at least one sub-motor, the sub-motor is independently controllable, and the sub-motor includes:.

The driving circuit part enables the movable member part to move relative to the fixed member part in the optical axis direction of the liquid state camera lens and squeeze the liquid state camera lens to complete auto focus and optical image stabilization of the liquid state camera lens. Under driving of the driving circuit part, the movable guide member is subjected to a driving force to start moving in a guiding direction of a guide member, and the connecting arm arranged on the movable guide member can move with the movable guide member. The guide balls arranged between the fixed guide member and the movable guide member are configured to reduce a friction force during movement of the movable guide member, so that the movable guide member can move more smoothly, and the driving force is fully applied to squeeze the liquid state camera lens.

The connecting arm made of a rigid material has a very small deformation amount compared with a movement amount during a movement under a force. In other words, when subjected to a driving force in the optical axis direction, the connecting arm can better transfer displacement of the movable guide member to the liquid state camera lens, to squeeze the liquid state camera lens, ensuring accuracy of auto focus and optical image stabilization.

Optionally, with reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the fixed member part further comprises a motor base on which the fixed guide member is fixed, a circuit board arranged at a periphery of the fixed guide member, and a coil fixed at a side of the fixed guide member facing an optical axis; and the movable member part further comprises a magnet arranged opposite to the coil, and the magnet is fixed on the movable guide member.

The circuit board is configured for wiring and the coil can be energized through the circuit board. The coil can generate a magnetic field when energized, and the magnet can move relative to the coil under an action of the magnetic field. Because the magnet is fixed on the movable guide member, when the magnet moves, the movable guide member can be driven to move in the optical axis direction of the liquid state camera lens.

Optionally, with reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the fixed member part further comprises a magnetic conductive sheet, the magnetic conductive sheet is fixed at a side of the fixed guide member away from the coil, and the magnetic conductive sheet, the coil, and the magnet form a closed magnetic circuit.

The magnet and the coil produce magnetic leakage when energized, resulting in an energy loss. The magnetic conductive sheet, the coil, and the magnet form the closed magnetic circuit, which can avoid the magnetic leakage. The magnetic conductive sheet may be made of metal iron, and an attraction force between the magnetic conductive sheet and the magnet ensures that the movable guide member can always press the guide balls on the fixed guide member tightly, thereby ensuring that the guide balls can stably move between the fixed guide member and the movable guide member.

Optionally, with reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the fixed member part further comprises a motor base on which the fixed guide member is fixed, and a magnet fixed at a side of the fixed guide member facing an optical axis; and the movable member part further comprises a coil arranged opposite to the magnet and fixed on the movable guide member, and a circuit board arranged at a periphery of the coil.

The coil can generate a magnetic field when energized, and the energized coil can interact with the magnet to move relative to the magnet. Because the coil and the circuit board are fixed on the movable guide member, when the coil moves, the circuit board and the movable guide member can be driven to move in the optical axis direction of the liquid state camera lens.

Optionally, with reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the movable member part further comprises a magnetic conductive sheet, the magnetic conductive sheet is fixed at a side of the coil away from the magnet, and the magnetic conductive sheet, the coil, and the magnet form a closed magnetic circuit.

The magnetic conductive sheet, the coil, and the magnet form the closed magnetic circuit, which can reduce magnetic leakage. An attraction force between the magnetic conductive sheet and the coil ensures that the movable guide member can always press the guide ball on the fixed guide member tightly, thereby ensuring that the guide ball can stably move between the fixed guide member and the movable guide member.

Optionally, with reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, a plurality of sub-motors are arranged, and motor bases of the plurality of sub-motors form an integral motor base. It is more convenient to manufacture the integral motor base.

Optionally, with reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the fixed member part comprises at least two fixed guide members, the movable member part comprises at least two movable guide members, the fixed guide member is provided with a first guide rail groove, the movable guide member is provided with a second guide rail groove, the first guide rail groove and the second guide rail groove are arranged opposite to each other, and the guide balls are arranged between the first guide rail groove and the second guide rail groove.

In this way, the guide balls are arranged in the guide rail grooves, so that the guide balls can move more smoothly.

Optionally, with reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the first guide rail groove is a V-shaped groove or a rectangular groove; and the second guide rail groove is a V-shaped groove or a rectangular groove.

Optionally, with reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, at least one first guide rail groove is a rectangular groove; or at least one second guide rail groove is a rectangular groove.

By combining the V-shaped groove with the rectangular groove, the guide balls can move more smoothly, avoiding a situation in which the guide balls are jammed during guiding.

Optionally, with reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the sub-motor further comprises a squeezing component, the squeezing component comprises an arc-shaped squeezing portion, and a lug arranged on an outer arc of the squeezing portion, and the lug is connected to an end of the connecting arm away from the movable guide member; and the squeezing component directly faces the liquid state camera lens and is in contact with the liquid state camera lens. The liquid state camera lens is squeezed by the squeezing portion, and the liquid state camera lens can be prevented from being damaged by a squeezing action.

Optionally, with reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the driving circuit part comprises a driver chip, the driver chip is fixed on the circuit board, and the driver chip is located at a center of the coil to perform closed-loop control on displacement of the movable member part.

The closed-loop control through the driver chip can precisely control displacement of the movable guide member in the optical axis direction, ensuring accuracy of auto focus and optical image stabilization of the liquid state camera lens.

Optionally, with reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the driving circuit part further comprises a controller, and the controller obtains an auto focus instruction and/or an optical image stabilization instruction, calculates a motor displacement instruction through algorithm, and inputs the motor displacement instruction to the driver chip to perform the closed-loop control on the sub-motor part.

The motor displacement instruction generated through the controller may enable the motor to separately perform auto focus and optical image stabilization on the liquid state camera lens, or may enable the motor to perform auto focus and optical image stabilization on the liquid state camera lens at the same time.

Optionally, with reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, a plurality of sub-motors are arranged, and the plurality of sub-motors are distributed around the optical axis to form the motor. The plurality of sub-motors can squeeze different positions of the liquid state camera lens around the optical axis, and implement auto focus and optical image stabilization of the liquid state camera lens at the same time.

According to a second aspect, an embodiment of this application further provides a camera lens assembly. The camera lens assembly includes a liquid state camera lens, a housing, a motor, and a photosensitive chip. The motor is the motor for driving a liquid state camera lens according to the first aspect; the photosensitive chip is arranged opposite to the liquid state camera lens; the motor is arranged between the liquid state camera lens and the photosensitive chip; the liquid state camera lens is connected to the motor by the housing; and a central axis of the motor is collinear with an optical axis of the liquid state camera lens.

The camera lens assembly provided in this aspect includes the liquid state camera lens, the housing, the motor, and the photosensitive chip. In a process of shooting a subject, the camera lens assembly can perform auto focus, and can implement optical image stabilization, ensuring shooting quality.

Optionally, with reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation, that the liquid state camera lens is connected to the motor by the housing comprises:
an end of the housing is provided with an opening; the opening is connected to the liquid state camera lens; the housing and a motor base in the motor form a cavity to accommodate the motor; and the motor comprises a squeezing component, the squeezing component is in contact with the liquid state camera lens, and the squeezing component squeezes the liquid state camera lens when subjected to a driving force of the motor.

In this implementation, the motor is arranged inside the housing, and the liquid state camera lens is arranged at the opening of the housing, which can ensure that in a process in which the motor squeezes the liquid state camera lens, positions of the motor and the liquid state camera lens do not move, thereby ensuring accuracy of the auto focus and the optical image stabilization.

According to a third aspect, an embodiment of this application further provides a terminal device. The terminal device includes a camera lens assembly, and the camera lens assembly is the camera lens assembly according to the second aspect.

The following clearly describes technical solutions in embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application.

The technical solutions of this application are applied to an intelligent electronic device, and the electronic device includes a camera lens assembly configured to shoot a subject.

The electronic device may be a terminal device. The terminal device may be, for example, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a personal computer (personal computer, PC), a foldable terminal, a wearable device with a wireless communication function (such as a smart watch or band), a user device (user device) or a user equipment (user equipment, UE), an in-vehicle terminal, an augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) or a virtual reality (virtual reality, VR) device, or a headset. A specific device form of the terminal device is not limited in this embodiment.

<FIG> is a diagram of an application scenario of a liquid state camera lens according to this application. <FIG> schematically shows a scenario in which the liquid state camera lens is applied to a smartphone. It may be learned from <FIG> that the technical solutions of this application may be applied to a rear camera <NUM> or a front camera <NUM> of the smartphone.

During use of a camera, it is often necessary to change a focus position of a camera lens assembly to implement auto focus and optical image stabilization of the camera to improve imaging quality, to implement clear imaging.

Related terms of this application are first introduced before the technical solutions of this application are introduced.

Auto focus (auto focus, AF) is to use the principle of subject light reflection of to receive light reflected by a subject through a graphics processing unit behind a camera lens assembly, obtain an object distance of the subject by processing of the processing unit, calculate a focal length of the camera lens assembly according to the object distance, and adjust the camera lens assembly according to the focal length, to move an imaging point of the subject to a focal plane.

Optical image stabilization (optical image stabilization, OIS) is to use settings to optical components (such as a camera lens) in an imaging instrument to reduce impact on imaging caused by camera jitter, thereby improving imaging quality. For example, when the camera jitters, according to a jitter direction and displacement amount of the camera, the entire camera is translated or rotated along an opposite direction through a motor.

A liquid state camera lens is a micro camera lens in which a lens assembly has a variable curvature, and parameters of the camera lens assembly and the like can be changed by external control to change a light path of imaging, to further implement the auto focus and the optical image stabilization. An optical axis of the liquid state camera lens generally refers to a center line of a camera lens.

<FIG> is a principle diagram of auto focus and optical image stabilization of a liquid state camera lens according to an embodiment of this application. <FIG> shows a working process of the auto focus and the optical image stabilization of a liquid state camera lens <NUM>.

During the auto focus by the liquid state camera lens <NUM>, a plurality of action forces may be applied to the liquid state camera lens <NUM> through a motor or the like, so that a refraction plane of the lens assembly is uniformly deformed, that is, a light path of light reflected by the subject through the lens assembly is changed, so that an imaging focus moves up and down along the optical axis, thereby keeping the imaging focus at a focal plane to obtain a clear image. As shown in (a) and (b) of <FIG>, a plurality of light rays L entering from a light entry side A are refracted by a light refraction plane P1 and form an imaging focus f1 on the optical axis, but beyond a focal plane P2. In this case, the obtained image is not clear, and therefore the auto focus is required. A squeezing assembly <NUM> of the motor moves toward a direction of A under an action of a driving motor and the like, and a plurality of squeezing assemblies <NUM> uniformly squeeze the lens assembly, so that a curvature of the light refraction plane P1 increases. In this case, refraction angles of the plurality of light rays L on the light refraction plane P1 increase, and the original focus f1 moves toward the direction of the light entry side A, forming a focus f2 remaining on the focal plane P2. In this case, a clear image can be obtained, to implement the auto focus.

During optical image stabilization by the liquid state camera lens <NUM>, a plurality of action forces may be applied to the liquid state camera lens <NUM> through the motor or the like, so that the refraction plane of the lens assembly is non-uniformly deformed, that is, the light path of the light reflected by the object is changed, so that a focus deviated from the focal plane P2 moves on the focal plane to obtain a clear image. As shown in (c) and (d) of <FIG>, if the liquid state camera lens <NUM> is affected by jitter during exposure, the lens assembly may deviate. The plurality of light rays L entering from the light entry side A are refracted by the light refraction plane P1, and a formed imaging focus f3 deviates from the focal plane P2. In this case, the obtained image is not clear, and therefore the optical image stabilization is required. The squeezing assembly <NUM> of the motor moves toward the direction of A under the action of the driving motor and the like, and the plurality of squeezing assemblies <NUM> each move by a certain distance and non-uniformly squeeze the lens assembly, so that the curvature of the light refraction plane P1 is non-uniformly changed. In this case, the refraction angles of the plurality of light rays L are affected in different degrees and changed in different degrees. The original focus f3 deviates to f4, reversely compensating an impact of the jittering liquid state camera lens <NUM> on the light path during exposure, to implement clear imaging.

When squeezing the liquid state camera lens <NUM>, to prevent the squeezing assembly <NUM> from deviating during a movement, the conventional motor includes a guide elastic piece. The guide elastic piece can ensure that the squeezing assembly only move in an optical axis direction, instead of moving in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. However, in a process in which the squeezing assembly <NUM> squeezes the liquid state camera lens <NUM>, the squeezing assembly <NUM> may deform and produce a force opposite to a moving direction of the squeezing assembly <NUM>. The force may result in an insufficient driving force, affecting accuracy of the auto focus and the optical image stabilization of the liquid state camera lens <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a motor according to an embodiment of this application, <FIG> is a schematic exploded view of some components of a motor according to an embodiment of this application, <FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a motor base and a fixed guide member according to an embodiment of this application, <FIG> is a schematic diagram of cooperation between a fixed guide member and a movable guide member according to an embodiment of this application, and <FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a squeezing component according to an embodiment of this application. For ease of understanding, an optical axis direction of the liquid state camera lens is defined as a Z axis, a direction of a camera lens close to the subject is defined as a front side, that is, a positive direction of the Z axis, and a direction of the camera lens away from the subject is defined as a rear side, that is, a negative direction of the Z axis. A first direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction is an X axis, and it may be seen from the figures that an edge at a lower left corner of the motor is parallel to an X axis direction. A second direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction and the first direction is a Y axis, and it may be seen from the figures that an edge at a lower right corner of the motor is parallel to a Y axis direction. In the X axis direction and the Y axis direction, a side close to the Z axis is defined as an inner side, and a side away from the Z axis is defined as an outer side. Correspondingly, the definitions of the directions of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis, and the front side, the rear side, the outer side, and the inner side are equally applicable in other accompanying drawings.

It should be understood that the foregoing directions of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis, and the front side, the rear side, the outer side, and the inner side are merely for easily describing the motor provided in the embodiments of this application and clearly showing the structure and connection relationships of the structure of the motor, but should not be construed as any limitation on the embodiments of this application.

A motor for driving a liquid state camera lens <NUM> provided in this embodiment of this application may include one or more sub-motors <NUM>. When the motor includes a plurality of sub-motors <NUM>, the plurality of sub-motors <NUM> may form an integral motor around an optical axis. The quantity of the sub-motors <NUM> may be <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or more. The plurality of sub-motors <NUM> is independently controllable.

For example, a same control instruction may be inputted to the plurality of sub-motors <NUM> to control the plurality of sub-motors <NUM> to perform same movements; or, control instructions may be separately inputted to the plurality of sub-motors <NUM> to control the plurality of sub-motors <NUM> to perform independent movements, and moving manners of the plurality of sub-motors <NUM> do not affect each other; or, a same control instruction may be inputted to several of the sub-motors <NUM> to control the several of the sub-motors <NUM> to perform same movements, and control instructions may be separately inputted to the other sub-motors <NUM> to control the other sub-motors <NUM> to perform movements separately.

Four sub-motors <NUM> surrounding the optical axis to form an integral motor is used as an example in this embodiment of this application to introduce the structure of the motor. The integral motor is of a square shape, and the four sub-motors are separately arranged on four edges of the integral motor.

The sub-motor <NUM> provided in this embodiment of this application includes a fixed guide member <NUM>, a movable guide member <NUM>, guide balls <NUM>, a connecting arm <NUM>, a motor base <NUM>, and a circuit board <NUM>. The fixed guide member <NUM> is arranged opposite to the movable guide member <NUM>, the guide balls <NUM> are arranged between the fixed guide member <NUM> and the movable guide member <NUM>, the fixed guide member <NUM> is fixed on the motor base <NUM>, and the connecting arm <NUM> is fixed at a side of the movable guide member <NUM> facing the liquid state camera lens <NUM>. The movable guide member <NUM> can move relative to the fixed guide member <NUM> in the optical axis direction, and the guide balls <NUM> between the fixed guide member <NUM> and the movable guide member <NUM> can reduce a friction force to enable the movable guide member <NUM> to move more smoothly. During a movement of the movable guide member <NUM> along the optical axis, the connecting arm <NUM> can squeeze the liquid state camera lens <NUM> to cause the liquid state camera lens <NUM> to perform the auto focus and/or the optical image stabilization.

It may be understood that in the technical solution provided in this embodiment of this application, the liquid state camera lens <NUM> is at the foremost side, and the motor base <NUM> is at the rearmost side (lowermost end).

A driving force generated when the movable guide member <NUM> moves relative to the fixed guide member <NUM> may be from an electromagnetic interaction force. According to the magnetic effect of the electric current, an energized coil can generate a magnetic field around. When the energized coil has a corresponding magnet, that is, a magnet is arranged in the magnetic field generated by the energized coil, the magnet is moved by an electromagnetic force in the magnetic field.

In an implementation, the sub-motor <NUM> further includes a motor base <NUM> on which a fixed guide member <NUM> is fixed, a circuit board <NUM> arranged at a periphery of the fixed guide member <NUM>, a coil <NUM> fixed at a side of the fixed guide member <NUM> facing the optical axis, and a magnet <NUM> arranged opposite to the coil <NUM>, and the magnet <NUM> is fixed on a movable guide member <NUM>.

The coil <NUM> is electrically connected to the circuit board <NUM>. When the coil <NUM> is energized, the magnet <NUM> is in the magnetic field generated by the coil <NUM>, and moves relative to the coil <NUM> under an action of the electromagnetic force, that is, forward or backward along the optical axis. Because the magnet <NUM> is fixed on the movable guide member <NUM>, the movement of the magnet <NUM> drives the movable guide member <NUM> to move, thereby driving the connecting arm <NUM> to perform a movement of squeezing the liquid state camera lens <NUM>.

The guide balls <NUM> are fixed between the fixed guide member <NUM> and the movable guide member <NUM>. When the movable guide member <NUM> moves forward or backward, the guide balls <NUM> roll between the fixed guide member <NUM> and the movable guide member <NUM> in the optical axis direction, reducing the friction force of the movement of the movable guide member <NUM>, so that the electromagnetic force between the energized coil <NUM> and the magnet <NUM> can be converted into the driving force as much as possible for driving the movable guide member <NUM> to move to reduce a loss of the driving force, ensuring accuracy of movement displacement of the movable guide member <NUM>, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the auto focus and/or the optical image stabilization.

The connecting arm <NUM> and the movable guide member <NUM> may be an integrally formed structure, or may be connected in a fixing manner. In a process in which the connecting arm <NUM> squeezes the liquid state camera lens <NUM>, to accurately transfer displacement of the movable guide member <NUM> generated under an action of the driving force to a surface of the liquid state camera lens <NUM>, and to prevent the connecting arm <NUM> from losing stability, the connecting arm <NUM> is a rigid connecting arm. In the optical axis direction, a deformation amount of the integral structure formed by the connecting arm <NUM> and the movable guide member <NUM> is much smaller than a displacement amount. The connecting arm <NUM> may be made of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, hard plastic, or the like.

The sub-motor <NUM> further includes a magnetic conductive sheet <NUM>, and the magnetic conductive sheet <NUM> is fixed at a side of the fixed guide member <NUM> away from the magnet <NUM>. The magnetic conductive sheet <NUM>, the coil <NUM>, and the magnet <NUM> may form a closed magnetic circuit.

In some implementations, the magnetic conductive sheet <NUM> may be made of iron or another metal.

If the magnetic circuit is not closed, an air gap exists in the magnetic circuit, and magnetic leakage is produced, increasing energy consumption. The formed closed magnetic circuit can reduce the magnetic leakage when the magnet <NUM> and the coil <NUM> are energized, ensuring an action force between the coil <NUM> and the magnet <NUM>, that is, ensuring a thrust force of the motor.

In the conventional motor, it is likely that a gap between a fixed member and a movable member changes. If a constant gap between the fixed member and the movable member cannot be ensured, a driving force of the motor changes consequently, and accuracy of displacement of the movable member in the optical axis direction cannot be ensured, which affects results of the auto focus and/or the optical image stabilization. In this embodiment of this application, an attraction force between the magnet <NUM> and the magnetic conductive sheet <NUM> can ensure a constant gap between the magnet <NUM> and the coil <NUM>, ensuring that the driving force is correctly applied to the movable guide member <NUM>, avoiding affecting sensing precision of calibration of a location sensing device (Hall).

In addition, because the magnet <NUM> is fixed on the movable guide member <NUM>, and the magnetic conductive sheet <NUM> is fixed at a side of the fixed guide member <NUM> away from the coil <NUM>, the attraction force between the magnet <NUM> and the magnetic conductive sheet <NUM> can be applied to the fixed guide member <NUM>, the guide balls <NUM>, and the movable guide member <NUM> to ensure that the movable guide member always presses the guide balls on the fixed guide member tightly, thereby ensuring that the guide balls can stably move between the fixed guide member and the movable guide member to guide and reduce the friction force.

The movable guide member <NUM>, the guide balls <NUM>, the connecting arm <NUM>, and the magnet <NUM> may be considered as a movable member part movable relative to the liquid state camera lens <NUM>, and the fixed guide member <NUM>, the motor base <NUM>, the circuit board <NUM>, the coil <NUM>, and the magnetic conductive sheet <NUM> may be considered as a fixed member part fixed relative to the liquid state camera lens <NUM>.

In another implementation, the sub-motor <NUM> further includes a motor base <NUM> on which a fixed guide member <NUM> is fixed, a magnet <NUM> fixed at a side of the fixed guide member <NUM> facing the optical axis, and a coil <NUM> arranged opposite to the magnet <NUM>, and the coil <NUM> is fixed on the movable guide member <NUM>. A circuit board <NUM> is arranged at a periphery of the coil <NUM>, and the coil <NUM> is connected to the circuit board <NUM>. The magnet <NUM> may be fixed on the motor base <NUM> to form a fixed member part, and the coil <NUM> may be fixed on the movable guide member <NUM> to form a movable member part with the circuit board <NUM>.

In some implementations, the circuit board <NUM> and the coil <NUM> are connected by a flexible printed circuit board (flexible printed circuit board, FPC), and the circuit board <NUM> is connected to an external circuit by a flexible circuit board, that is, the circuit board <NUM> transmits an electrical signal through the flexible circuit board.

When energized, the coil <NUM> generates a magnetic field, and under an action of an electromagnetic action force, the coil <NUM> moves relative to the fixed magnet <NUM>, that is, forward or backward. Because the coil <NUM> is fixed on the movable guide member <NUM>, a movement of the coil <NUM> drives the movable guide member <NUM> to move, thereby driving the connecting arm <NUM> to perform a movement of squeezing the liquid state camera lens <NUM>. In addition, because the circuit board <NUM> is arranged at a periphery of the coil <NUM>, the circuit board <NUM> moves with the coil <NUM>.

The sub-motor <NUM> further includes a magnetic conductive sheet <NUM>, and the magnetic conductive sheet <NUM> is fixed at a side of the coil <NUM> away from the magnet <NUM>. The magnetic conductive sheet <NUM>, the magnet <NUM>, and the coil <NUM> may form a closed magnetic circuit. The formed closed magnetic circuit can reduce magnetic leakage and ensure a thrust force of the motor. In addition, an attraction force exists between the magnet <NUM> and the magnetic conductive sheet <NUM>. Because the coil <NUM> is fixed on the movable guide member <NUM>, and the magnetic conductive sheet <NUM> is fixed at a side of the coil <NUM> away from the magnet <NUM>, the attraction force between the magnet <NUM> and the magnetic conductive sheet <NUM> may be applied to the fixed guide member <NUM>, the guide balls <NUM>, and the movable guide member <NUM>, so that the guide ball <NUM> can stably maintain between the fixed guide member <NUM> and the movable guide member <NUM> to guide and reduce the friction force.

The movable guide member <NUM>, the guide ball <NUM>, the connecting arm <NUM>, the circuit board <NUM>, the coil <NUM>, and the magnetic conductive sheet <NUM> may be considered as a movable member part movable relative to the liquid state camera lens <NUM>, and the fixed guide member <NUM>, the motor base <NUM>, and the magnet <NUM> may be considered as a fixed member part fixed relative to the liquid state camera lens <NUM>.

It may be learned from <FIG>, the magnet <NUM> of the sub-motor <NUM> includes an N pole <NUM> and an S pole <NUM> fixed in the optical axis direction. The N pole <NUM> and the S pole <NUM> are arranged opposite to each other front to rear, which is not limited to a situation in which the N pole <NUM> is arranged at a front side of the S pole <NUM> in this embodiment and may be arranged according to a direction of the magnetic field.

Optionally, in some implementations, the coil <NUM> may be annular, or may be in another shape, such as rectangular or triangular. According to the shape of the motor base <NUM> or the movable guide member <NUM>, the coil <NUM> may be matched in an appropriate shape.

In addition, the quantity of the coils <NUM> in the sub-motor <NUM> is not limited to one, or may be more than one, and a plurality of coils <NUM> may be energized at the same time.

The sub-motor <NUM> includes at least two fixed guide members <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, two fixed guide members <NUM> being fixed on a motor base 105a is used as an example for description. A fixed guide member 101a and a fixed guide member 101b are fixed at two ends of the motor base 105a, an outer side of the fixed guide member 101a is provided with a first guide rail groove 1011a, and an outer side of the fixed guide member 101b is provided with a first guide rail groove 1011b.

In some implementations, the fixed guide members <NUM> of two adjacent sub-motors <NUM> may form an integral structure.

Referring to <FIG>, the sub-motor <NUM> includes at least two movable guide members <NUM> to match two fixed guide members <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a movable guide member 102a and a movable guide member 102b are respectively opposite to the fixed guide member 101a and the fixed guide member 101b, and the movable guide member 102a and the movable guide member 102b may be integrally formed.

Still referring to <FIG>, the movable guide member 102a includes a guide rail substrate 1021a, and an inner side of the guide rail substrate 1021a is provided with a second guide rail groove 1022a. The movable guide member 102b includes a guide rail substrate 1021b, and an inner side of the guide rail substrate 1021b is provided with a second guide rail groove 1022b. The first guide rail groove 1011a and the second guide rail groove 1022a may match each other, and the first guide rail groove 1011b and the second guide rail groove 1022b may match each other. The guide balls 103a may move in a space formed by the first guide rail groove 1011a and the second guide rail groove 1022a, and the guide balls 103b may move in a space formed by the first guide rail groove 1011b and the second guide rail groove 1022b.

In the space formed by the opposite arranged guide rail grooves, the quantity of accommodated guide balls <NUM> may be designed according to requirements, which may be four, five, or more, and only five guide balls shown in the figure are used as an example. The five guide balls <NUM> are arranged front to rear in the optical axis direction.

The first guide rail groove 1011a and the first guide rail groove 1011b may be V-shaped grooves or rectangular grooves, and the second guide rail groove 1022a and the second guide rail groove 1022b may be V-shaped grooves or rectangular grooves.

In an implementation, at least one first guide rail groove <NUM> is a rectangular groove, or at least one second guide rail groove <NUM> is a rectangular groove.

For example, the first guide rail groove 1011b is a rectangular groove, and the first guide rail groove 1011a, the second guide rail groove 1022a, and the second guide rail groove 1022b are V-shaped grooves. The V-shaped first guide rail groove 1011a matches the V-shaped second guide rail groove 1022a, and the rectangular first guide rail groove 1011b matches the V-shaped second guide rail groove 1022b. When the movable guide member <NUM> moves relative to the fixed guide member <NUM> forward or backward in the optical axis direction, the two opposite arranged V-shaped grooves and the guide balls <NUM> therebetween play a role of guiding, and the opposite arranged rectangular groove and V-shaped groove and the guide balls <NUM> therebetween play a role of supporting and guiding.

It may be seen from <FIG> that when the guide balls <NUM> are arranged between the rectangular first guide rail groove 1011b and the V-shaped second guide rail groove 1022b, the guide balls <NUM> are only in contact with a bottom surface of the first guide rail groove 1011b. Such a matching manner can ensure that the guide balls <NUM> are not jammed during guiding.

In some implementations, the rectangular guide rail groove may be arranged on the movable guide member <NUM>, or may be arranged on the fixed guide member <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, for ease of wiring of a driving circuit, the sub-motor <NUM> may further include a circuit board <NUM>. The circuit board <NUM> may be a carrier electrically connected to other electrical devices of the sub-motor <NUM>.

The circuit board <NUM> includes a connection portion <NUM>, and wiring in the circuit board <NUM> may be connected to an external driving circuit and the like by the connection portion <NUM>. The motor base <NUM> is provided with a groove <NUM>, and the connection portion <NUM> extends outward by the groove <NUM>.

In some implementations, the circuit board <NUM> may be a printed circuit board (printed circuit board, PCB), a flexible printed circuit board (flexible printed circuit board, FPC), or the like.

A specific shape of the circuit board <NUM> may be adaptively designed according to an actual situation.

In some implementations, the wiring of the circuit board <NUM> may be integral IC wiring, or may be common wiring.

In some implementations, circuit boards <NUM> of the plurality of sub-motors <NUM> may form an integral structure by welding, or may be separate and independent.

To precisely control a moving manner of the movable guide member <NUM>, the sub-motor <NUM> may include a driver chip <NUM>. The driver chip <NUM> may be arranged at a center of the coil <NUM> and fixed on a side surface of the circuit board <NUM>. A fixing manner may be welding, and a solder pad or the like may be arranged on the driver chip <NUM>.

The driver chip <NUM> can perform closed-loop control on displacement of the movable guide member <NUM>, so that more precise auto focus and optical image stabilization can be implemented.

It should be understood that when the coil <NUM> moves as a movable member part, the driver chip <NUM> arranged at the center of the coil moves together with the coil <NUM>.

The sub-motor <NUM> may further include a controller. The controller may obtain an auto focus instruction and/or an optical image stabilization instruction, calculates a motor displacement instruction by superimposing and blending algorithms, and inputs the motor displacement instruction to the driver chip <NUM> to perform the closed-loop control on the sub-motor <NUM>. The controller can control the motor to perform the auto focus and the optical image stabilization at the same time, or can control the motor to separately perform the auto focus and the optical image stabilization.

In some implementations, the plurality of sub-motors <NUM> may be controlled by one controller, or may be controlled by a plurality of controllers together.

Still referring to <FIG>, an end of a connecting arm 104a is fixed at a front side of the guide rail substrate 1021a and the guide rail substrate 1021b. When the movable guide member <NUM> moves in the optical axis direction forward or backward, the connecting arm 104a moves with the movable guide member <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the sub-motor <NUM> may further include a squeezing component. The squeezing component may include an arc-shaped squeezing portion <NUM> and a lug <NUM> arranged on an outer arc of the squeezing portion <NUM>. The squeezing component may be in direct contact with the liquid state camera lens <NUM> to squeeze the liquid state camera lens <NUM>.

A front end of the connecting arm <NUM> may be provided with a insertion hole, and the lug <NUM> of the squeezing component may be inserted into the insertion hole of a connecting portion <NUM>. When the connecting arm <NUM> moves forward or backward in the optical axis direction, the squeezing portion <NUM> is driven to squeeze the liquid state camera lens <NUM> in the optical axis direction. A connecting manner between the connecting arm <NUM> and the lug <NUM> is not limited to being connected through the insertion hole, or may be connected in hinged point contact.

In some implementations, arc-shaped squeezing portions <NUM> of the plurality of sub-motors <NUM> may be separate and independent, or may form an integral annular squeezing portion. Alternatively, the arc-shaped squeezing portion <NUM> may be of another shape, such as L-shaped.

A process of auto focus of the motor is described in detail below with reference to <FIG> is a schematic principle diagram of a motor performing auto focus according to an embodiment of this application. <FIG> only shows a case that the fixed member part includes the coil <NUM> and the movable member part includes the magnet <NUM>, and embodiments in which the fixed member part includes the magnet <NUM> and the movable member part includes the coil <NUM> has the same working principle of auto focus.

It should be noted that, for ease of understanding, <FIG> only schematically shows the fixed guide member <NUM>, the movable guide member <NUM>, the guide ball <NUM>, the connecting arm <NUM>, the coil <NUM>, the magnet <NUM>, and the squeezing portion <NUM>, without showing the motor base <NUM>, the circuit board <NUM>, the driver chip <NUM>, and the like.

<FIG> shows a case before the auto focus is performed. A light ray L reflected by a subject, after entering the liquid state camera lens <NUM>, is focused to a focus fa through refraction, and the focus fa deviates from a focal plane P. In this case, the controller obtains an auto focus instruction and forms closed-loop control with the driver chip <NUM> to energize the coil <NUM>. <FIG> shows a process of the auto focus. After energized, the magnet <NUM> is subjected to an electromagnetic force in a magnetic field of the coil <NUM>, and moves relative to the fixed coil <NUM> in the optical axis direction. The movement of the magnet <NUM> drives the connecting arm <NUM> to move in the optical axis direction, so that the squeezing portion <NUM> can squeeze the liquid state camera lens <NUM> in the optical axis direction. Squeezing of the squeezing portion <NUM> changes a curvature of the liquid state camera lens <NUM>, so that the light ray L is refracted to a focus fb after passing through the liquid state camera lens <NUM>, and the focus fb is at the focal plane P, thereby completing the auto focus.

In the process of auto focus, the focus moves in the optical axis direction. Therefore, the change of the curvature of the liquid state camera lens <NUM> needs to be uniform, and squeezing portions <NUM> of the plurality of sub-motors <NUM> need to apply uniform forces to the liquid camera lens, that is, an integral squeezing portion needs to apply uniform forces to the liquid state camera lens <NUM>. In other words, thrust forces of connecting arms <NUM> of the plurality of sub-motors <NUM> in the optical axis direction are the same, that is, magnets <NUM> of the plurality of sub-motors <NUM> are subjected to the same electromagnetic forces. In this case, the plurality of sub-motors <NUM> may be controlled by one controller together, or may be controlled by a plurality of controllers respectively.

A process of optical image stabilization of the motor is described in detail below with reference to <FIG> is a schematic principle diagram of a motor performing optical image stabilization according to an embodiment of this application. <FIG> only shows a case that the fixed member part includes the coil <NUM> and the movable member part includes the magnet <NUM>, and embodiments in which the fixed member part includes the magnet <NUM> and the movable member part includes the coil <NUM> has the same working principle of optical image stabilization.

<FIG> shows a case before the optical image stabilization is performed. A light ray L reflected by a subject, after entering the liquid state camera lens <NUM>, is focused to a focus fc through refraction. Affected by jitter of the liquid state camera lens <NUM>, the focus fc deviates from the focal plane P, and the formed image is not clear. In this case, the controller obtains an optical image stabilization instruction and forms closed-loop control with the driver chip <NUM> to energize the coil <NUM>. <FIG> shows a process of the optical image stabilization. After energized, the magnet <NUM> is subjected to an electromagnetic force in a magnetic field of the coil <NUM>, and moves relative to the fixed coil <NUM> in the optical axis direction. The movement of the magnet <NUM> drives the connecting arm <NUM> to move in the optical axis direction, so that the squeezing portion <NUM> can squeeze the liquid state camera lens <NUM> in the optical axis direction. Squeezing of the squeezing portion <NUM> changes a curvature of the liquid state camera lens <NUM>, so that the light ray L is refracted to a focus fd after passing through the liquid state camera lens <NUM>, and the focus fd is at the focal plane P, thereby completing the optical image stabilization.

In the process of the optical image stabilization, the problem that a focus deviates from a focal plane needs to be resolved, and the focus deviates from the optical axis. Therefore, the change of the curvature of the liquid state camera lens <NUM> needs to be non-uniform, and squeezing portions <NUM> of the plurality of sub-motors <NUM> need to apply different or partially same forces to the liquid state camera lens <NUM>. In other words, thrust forces of connecting arms <NUM> of the plurality of sub-motors <NUM> in the optical axis direction are different or partially same, that is, magnets <NUM> of the plurality of sub-motors <NUM> are subj ected to different or partially same electromagnetic forces.

The motor in this embodiment can separately perform the auto focus and the optical image stabilization, or may perform the auto focus and the optical image stabilization at the same time.

In some implementations, the process of the auto focus can be implemented by using one sub-motor <NUM>. The connecting arm <NUM> of the sub-motor <NUM> is connected to an annular integral squeezing portion. In the process of the auto focus, the liquid state camera lens <NUM> needs to be squeezed uniformly. Therefore, the movable guide member <NUM> of the sub-motor <NUM> moves in the optical axis direction and drives the connecting arm <NUM> and the annular integral squeezing portion, and the integral squeezing portion can apply a uniform force to the liquid state camera lens <NUM>. In this process, a perpendicular state may be maintained between the connecting arm <NUM> and the integral squeezing portion, that is, the annular integral squeezing portion and the optical axis are in a perpendicular state, preventing the annular integral squeezing portion from deviation and avoiding inaccurate auto focus caused by non-uniform squeezing to the liquid state camera lens <NUM>.

In some implementations, the process of the optical image stabilization may be implemented by using three sub-motors <NUM>, or the process of the optical image stabilization may be implemented by using four sub-motors <NUM>. The connecting arm <NUM> is connected to the annular integral squeezing portion. Specifically, the connecting arm <NUM> is in hinged electrical contact with the lug <NUM>, and a contact position of the lug <NUM> moves as the connecting arm <NUM> moves up and down. In this case, for the integral annular squeezing portion, when there is only one connecting arm <NUM> moving, the integral squeezing portion and the optical axis are in a non-perpendicular state. In this way, non-uniform squeezing to the liquid state camera lens <NUM> can be implemented.

Referring to <FIG>, an embodiment of this application further provides a camera lens assembly <NUM>, which includes a liquid state camera lens <NUM>, a housing <NUM>, a photosensitive chip, and the motor according to the foregoing embodiments. The motor included in the camera lens assembly <NUM> shown in the figure is formed by four sub-motors <NUM>. The photosensitive chip and the liquid state camera lens <NUM> are arranged opposite to each other, and the motor is arranged between the liquid state camera lens and the photosensitive chip. The camera lens assembly <NUM> is integrally a cuboid. The liquid state camera lens <NUM> is connected to the motor by the housing <NUM>, and a central axis of the motor is collinear with an optical axis of the liquid state camera lens <NUM>.

An end of the housing <NUM> is provided with an opening <NUM>, and the liquid state camera lens <NUM> is arranged in the opening <NUM>. The opening <NUM> can fix the liquid state camera lens <NUM>.

A cavity is formed between the housing <NUM> and an integral motor base of the motor. The cavity can accommodate components of the motor.

The camera lens assembly <NUM> in this embodiment of this application can complete the auto focus and the optical image stabilization. Specifically, the motor arranged in the housing <NUM> applies a force to the liquid state camera lens <NUM> arranged in the opening <NUM> to squeeze the liquid state camera lens <NUM>, so as to implement the auto focus and the optical image stabilization of the camera lens assembly <NUM>.

An embodiment of this application further provides a terminal device, which includes the camera lens assembly according to the foregoing embodiment.

Apparently, the described embodiments are a part rather than all of the embodiments of this application. Other embodiments obtained by a person skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of this application.

Claim 1:
A motor for driving a liquid state camera lens (<NUM>), wherein the motor comprises at least one sub-motor (<NUM>), the sub-motor (<NUM>) is independently controllable, and the sub-motor (<NUM>) comprises:
a fixed member part;
a movable member part movable relative to the fixed member part in an optical axis direction of the liquid state camera lens (<NUM>), wherein
the fixed member part comprises a fixed guide member (<NUM>), the movable member part comprises a movable guide member (<NUM>), a rigid connecting arm (<NUM>), and a plurality of guide balls (<NUM>), the fixed guide member (<NUM>) and the movable guide member (<NUM>) are arranged opposite to each other, and the plurality of guide balls (<NUM>) are arranged between the fixed guide member (<NUM>) and the movable guide member (<NUM>); the connecting arm (<NUM>) is arranged at an end of the movable guide member (<NUM>) facing the liquid state camera lens (<NUM>); and the movable guide member (<NUM>) drives the connecting arm (<NUM>) to squeeze the liquid state camera lens (<NUM>) when subjected to a force in the optical axis direction; and
a driving circuit part, configured to control displacement of the movable member part in the optical axis direction.