Patent Description:
With the development of technology, featuring high image quality becomes one of the indispensable features of an optical system nowadays. Furthermore, electronic devices equipped with optical systems are trending towards multi-functionality for various applications, and therefore the functionality requirements for the optical systems have been increasing.

However, conventional optical systems are difficult to meet the requirement of high optical quality of an electronic device under diversified development in recent years, especially image quality which would be easily affected due to non-imaging light (e.g., stray light) reflected in a lens. The conventional configuration inside a lens is prone to reflect light, and therefore it is difficult to meet progressive market requirements in optical quality nowadays. Therefore, how to improve the configuration inside a lens to prevent generating reflected light for meeting the requirement of high-end-specification electronic devices is an important topic in this field nowadays. Document <CIT> discloses a lens driving device comprising a housing, a bobbin disposed in the housing, a first coil disposed on the bobbin, a magnet which is disposed on the housing and faces the first coil, a base disposed under the housing and a substrate which is disposed on an upper surface of the base.

The present disclosure provides a camera module that includes a fixed base, a carrier, an elastic element, an imaging lens, a coil, a magnetic element, a connection wire and an optical glue material.

The carrier is disposed opposite to the fixed base, and the carrier has a bobbin. Moreover, the bobbin and the remaining part of the carrier can be integrated into one piece. The elastic element is connected to the fixed base and the carrier so as to provide freedom of movement of the carrier along a direction with respect to the fixed base. The imaging lens is disposed on the carrier and has an optical axis. Moreover, the quantity of the bobbin can be two, and the two bobbins can be symmetrically disposed with respect to the optical axis of the imaging lens. Therefore, it is favorable for forming a mechanism design that can be used for the connection wire to be fixed thereon at both end of the imaging lens, thereby increasing assembly efficiency. Moreover, the carrier has freedom of movement along a direction in parallel with the optical axis with respect to the fixed base. Therefore, it is favorable for providing feasibility of auto-focusing of the camera module.

The coil is disposed on the carrier, and the magnetic element is disposed corresponding to the coil so as to provide a driving force for moving the carrier along the said direction. Moreover, the quantity of the coil can be two, and the two coils can be respectively disposed at two sides of the carrier. Therefore, it is favorable for maintaining the balance of the driving force while achieving a design of a micro driver.

The connection wire is disposed on the bobbin, and the connection wire is electrically connected to the elastic element and the coil. Moreover, the connection wire can be considered as a wire extending from the coil. Moreover, the bobbin can extend towards the fixed base, and the connection wire can be wound on the bobbin. With this configuration, it is favorable for automated production.

The optical glue material can be disposed on at least part of the connection wire. Specifically, the optical glue material can be a light-blocking coating. The connection wire can have at least part facing towards the optical axis, and the light-blocking coating can be disposed on the at least part of the connection wire facing towards the optical axis. Alternatively, the connection wire can have at least part fixedly disposed on the elastic element, and the light-blocking coating can be disposed on a position where the at least part of the connection wire and the elastic element are fixed. In this case, the at least part of the connection wire can be soldered to the elastic element, and the light-blocking coating can be disposed on a position where the connection wire and the elastic element are soldered.

The light-blocking coating, which can be used as a colloid for optical purpose, includes, but not limited to, a black material. Conventionally, the bobbin outwardly protruded from the carrier and the connection wire disposed thereon may together form a structure prone to reflect light, especially a protruded part of the connection wire extending towards the optical axis or a position where the connection wire and the elastic element are soldered. For this, the present disclosure provides the light-blocking coating to cover the place where light is easily reflected, thereby preventing light reflected off the connection wire on the bobbin from being incident on an image surface of the imaging lens. Further, the light-blocking coating can also fix the connection wire, such that the connection wire can be firmly secured. Moreover, the light-blocking coating can be a black glue material. Therefore, it is favorable for securing and protecting the connection wire with the good adhesion of the black glue material, thereby preventing the connection wire from being detached or broken and also providing good structural stability and an anti-reflection effect of the light-blocking coating. Moreover, the light-blocking coating can also be an insulation colloid, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Moreover, the light-blocking coating can be further disposed on at least part of the bobbin. Therefore, it is favorable for preventing the connection wire from being detached from the bobbin, and it is also favorable for increasing accuracy of the position where the light-blocking coating is coated. Moreover, the light-blocking coating can be located closer to the optical axis of the imaging lens than the bobbin. Therefore, it is favorable for easily intercepting high-intensity non-imaging light, thereby maintaining image quality of the imaging lens.

When a maximum field of view of the imaging lens is FOV, the following condition can be satisfied: <NUM> [deg. ] ≤ FOV ≤ <NUM> [deg. Therefore, it is favorable for applying the abovementioned driving structure to a wide-angle imaging lens so as to capturing an image with a large viewing angle. Moreover, the following condition can also be satisfied: <NUM> [deg. ] ≤ FOV ≤ <NUM> [deg. Therefore, it is favorable for obtaining a viewing angle range with a better light-blocking effect.

According to the present disclosure, the aforementioned features and conditions can be utilized in numerous combinations so as to achieve corresponding effect.

Please refer to <FIG>, where <FIG> is an exploded view of a camera module according to the 1st embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> is a perspective view of several components of the camera module in <FIG>, and <FIG> is an enlarged view of AA region of the several components of the camera module in <FIG>.

In this embodiment, the camera module <NUM> includes a fixed base <NUM>, a carrier <NUM>, a first elastic element <NUM>, a second elastic element <NUM>, an imaging lens <NUM> having an optical axis <NUM>, two coils <NUM>, two magnetic elements <NUM>, two connection wires <NUM> and two optical glue materials.

The carrier <NUM> is disposed opposite to the fixed base <NUM>, and the carrier <NUM> has two bobbins <NUM>. The bobbins <NUM> and the remaining part of the carrier <NUM> are integrated into one piece, and the bobbins <NUM> are symmetrically disposed with respect to the optical axis <NUM> of the imaging lens <NUM>.

The first elastic element <NUM> is connected to the fixed base <NUM> and the carrier <NUM>, and the imaging lens <NUM> is disposed on the carrier <NUM>. The first elastic element <NUM> provides freedom of movement of the carrier <NUM> together with the imaging lens <NUM> disposed thereon along a direction in parallel with the optical axis <NUM> with respect to the fixed base <NUM>. The second elastic element <NUM> is connected to the carrier <NUM> and the casing (not shown) of the camera module <NUM> so as to improve stability of movement of the carrier together with the imaging lens <NUM> disposed thereon along the direction in parallel with the optical axis <NUM>.

The coils <NUM> are respectively disposed at two opposite sides of the carrier <NUM>, and the magnetic elements <NUM> are disposed corresponding to the coils <NUM> so as to provide a driving force for moving the carrier <NUM> together with the imaging lens <NUM> disposed thereon along the direction in parallel with the optical axis <NUM>.

The connection wires <NUM> are wound on the bobbins <NUM>. The connection wires <NUM> are electrically connected to the first elastic element <NUM> and the coils <NUM>. Specifically, each of the connection wires <NUM> is a wire extending from one coil <NUM>, as shown by the extension part BB of the connection wire <NUM> in connection with the coil <NUM> in <FIG>. Moreover, each of the connection wires <NUM> has at least part protruded towards the optical axis <NUM>, as shown by the protrusion part CC of the connection wire <NUM> in <FIG>, wherein the protrusion part CC is soldered to the first elastic element <NUM> through an adhesive material AM (e.g., solder). Moreover, each of the connection wires <NUM> further has at least part facing towards the optical axis <NUM>, as shown by the lateral part EE of the connection wire <NUM> being close to the optical axis <NUM> in <FIG>, wherein the adhesive material AM is also disposed on the lateral part EE of the connection wire <NUM>.

The optical glue materials are light-blocking coatings <NUM>, and each of the light-blocking coatings <NUM> is disposed on a part (as denoted by the protrusion part CC in <FIG>) of one connection wire <NUM> extending towards the optical axis <NUM> and soldered to the first elastic element <NUM>. Moreover, each of the light-blocking coatings <NUM> is further disposed on at least part of one bobbin <NUM>, as shown by the partial bottom DD of the bobbin <NUM> in <FIG>, wherein each of the light-blocking coatings <NUM> is located closer to the optical axis <NUM> of the imaging lens <NUM> than the corresponding bobbin <NUM>.

When a maximum field of view of the imaging lens <NUM> is FOV, the following condition is satisfied: FOV = <NUM> [deg.

Please refer to <FIG>, which is a partial and enlarged view of a camera module according to the 2nd embodiment of the present disclosure.

In this embodiment, the camera module <NUM> includes a fixed base (not shown), a carrier <NUM>, a first elastic element <NUM>, a second elastic element (not shown), an imaging lens (not shown) having an optical axis, at least one coil <NUM>, at least one magnetic element (not shown), at least one connection wire <NUM> and at least one light-blocking coating <NUM>. Note that this embodiment is similar to the 1st embodiment, and only difference between this and the 1st embodiments will be illustrated hereinafter.

The carrier <NUM> has at least one bobbin <NUM>, and the bobbins <NUM> extends towards the fixed base.

The first elastic element <NUM> provides freedom of movement of the carrier <NUM> together with the imaging lens disposed thereon along a direction in parallel with the optical axis with respect to the fixed base. The coil <NUM> is disposed corresponding to the magnetic element <NUM> so as to provide a driving force for moving the carrier <NUM> together with the imaging lens disposed thereon along the direction in parallel with the optical axis.

The connection wire <NUM> is wound on the bobbin <NUM>. The connection wire <NUM> is a wire extending from the coil <NUM>, as shown by the extension part BB of the connection wire <NUM> in connection with the coil <NUM> in <FIG>. Moreover, the connection wire <NUM> has at least part protruded towards the optical axis, as shown by the protrusion part CC of the connection wire <NUM> in <FIG>, wherein the protrusion part CC is soldered to the first elastic element <NUM> through an adhesive material AM (e.g., solder). Moreover, the connection wire <NUM> further has at least part facing towards the optical axis, as shown by the lateral part EE of the connection wire <NUM> being close to the optical axis in <FIG>, wherein the adhesive material AM is also disposed on the lateral part EE of the connection wire <NUM>.

The light-blocking coating <NUM> is disposed on a part (as denoted by the protrusion part CC in <FIG>) of the connection wire <NUM> extending towards the optical axis and soldered to the first elastic element <NUM>.

Please refer to <FIG>, which is a partial and enlarged view of a camera module according to the 3rd embodiment of the present disclosure.

The carrier <NUM> has at least one bobbin <NUM>.

The light-blocking coating <NUM> is disposed on a part (as denoted by the protrusion part CC in <FIG>) of the connection wire <NUM> extending towards the optical axis and soldered to the first elastic element <NUM>. Moreover, the light-blocking coating <NUM> is further disposed on at least part of the bobbin <NUM>, as shown by the bottom DD of the bobbin <NUM> in <FIG>.

Please refer to <FIG> and <FIG>, where <FIG> is one perspective view of an electronic device according to the 4th embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is another perspective view of the electronic device in <FIG>.

In this embodiment, an electronic device <NUM> is a smartphone including a plurality of camera modules, a flash module <NUM>, a focus assist module <NUM>, an image signal processor <NUM>, a display module (user interface) <NUM> and an image software processor (not shown).

The camera modules include an ultra-wide-angle camera module 40a, a high pixel camera module 40b and a telephoto camera module 40c. Moreover, the camera modules 40a includes one of the camera modules <NUM>-<NUM> of the present disclosure.

The image captured by the ultra-wide-angle camera module 40a enjoys a feature of multiple imaged objects. <FIG> is an image captured by the ultra-wide-angle camera module 40a. Moreover, the maximum field of view (FOV) of the camera modules 40a corresponds to the viewing angle in <FIG>.

The image captured by the high pixel camera module 40b enjoys a feature of high resolution and less distortion, and the high pixel camera module 40b can capture part of the image in <FIG>. <FIG> is an image captured by the high pixel camera module 40b.

The image captured by the telephoto camera module 40c enjoys a feature of high optical magnification, and the telephoto camera module 40c can capture part of the image in <FIG>. <FIG> is an image captured by the telephoto camera module 40c.

When a user captures images of an object, the light rays converge in the ultra-wide-angle camera module 40a, the high pixel camera module 40b or the telephoto camera module 40c to generate images, and the flash module <NUM> is activated for light supplement. The focus assist module <NUM> detects the object distance of the imaged object to achieve fast auto focusing. The image signal processor <NUM> is configured to optimize the captured image to improve image quality and provided zooming function. The light beam emitted from the focus assist module <NUM> can be either conventional infrared or laser. The display module <NUM> can include a touch screen, and the user is able to interact with the display module <NUM> to adjust the angle of view and switch between different camera modules, and the image software processor having multiple functions to capture images and complete image processing. Alternatively, the user may capture images via a physical button. The image processed by the image software processor can be displayed on the display module <NUM>.

Please refer to <FIG>, which is one perspective view of an electronic device according to the 5th embodiment of the present disclosure.

In this embodiment, an electronic device <NUM> is a smartphone including a camera module <NUM>, a camera module 50a, a camera module 50b, a camera module 50c, a camera module 50d, a camera module 50e, a camera module 50f, a camera module <NUM>, a camera module <NUM>, a flash module <NUM>, an image signal processor, a display module and an image software processor (not shown). The camera module <NUM>, the camera module 50a, the camera module 50b, the camera module 50c, the camera module 50d, the camera module 50e, the camera module 50f, the camera module <NUM> and the camera module <NUM> are disposed on the same side of the electronic device <NUM>, while the display module is disposed on the opposite side of the electronic device <NUM>. At least one of the camera modules 50f and <NUM> includes one of the camera modules <NUM>-<NUM> of the present disclosure.

The camera module <NUM> is a telephoto camera module, the camera module 50a is a telephoto camera module, the camera module 50b is a telephoto camera module, the camera module 50c is a telephoto camera module, the camera module 50d is a wide-angle camera module, the camera module 50e is a wide-angle camera module, the camera module 50f is an ultra-wide-angle camera module, the camera module <NUM> is an ultra-wide-angle camera module, and the camera module <NUM> is a ToF (time of flight) camera module. In this embodiment, the camera module <NUM>, the camera module 50a, the camera module 50b, the camera module 50c, the camera module 50d, the camera module 50e, the camera module 50f and the camera module <NUM> have different fields of view, such that the electronic device <NUM> can have various magnification ratios so as to meet the requirement of optical zoom functionality. In addition, the camera module <NUM> and the camera module 50a are telephoto camera modules having a light-folding element configuration. In addition, the camera module <NUM> can determine depth information of the imaged object. In this embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> includes a plurality of camera modules <NUM>, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e, 50f, <NUM>, and <NUM>, but the present disclosure is not limited to the number and arrangement of camera module. When a user captures images of an object, the light rays converge in the camera modules <NUM>, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e, 50f, <NUM> or <NUM> to generate an image(s), and the flash module <NUM> is activated for light supplement. Further, the subsequent processes are performed in a manner similar to the abovementioned embodiments, so the details in this regard will not be provided again.

Please refer to <FIG>, where <FIG> is a perspective view of an electronic device according to the 6th embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> is a side view of the electronic device in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a top view of the electronic device in <FIG>.

In this embodiment, an electronic device <NUM> is an automobile. The electronic device <NUM> includes a plurality of automotive camera modules <NUM>, and the camera modules <NUM>, for example, each include one of the camera modules <NUM>-<NUM> of the present disclosure. The camera modules <NUM> can be served as, for example, panoramic view car cameras, dashboard cameras and vehicle backup cameras.

As shown in <FIG>, the camera modules <NUM> are disposed, for example, around the automobile to capture peripheral images of the automobile, which is favorable for recognizing road conditions outside the automobile so as to achieve an automatic driving assistant. In addition, the image software processor may stitch the peripheral images into a panorama image for the driver's checking every corner surrounding the automobile, thereby favorable for parking and driving.

As shown in <FIG>, the camera modules <NUM> are disposed, for example, on the lower portions of the side mirrors. A maximum field of view of each of the camera modules <NUM> can range from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees for capturing images on left and right sides within nearby lane regions.

As shown in <FIG>, the camera modules <NUM> are disposed, for example, on the lower portions of the side mirrors and further at the inner sides of the front and rear windshields for providing external information to the driver, and also providing more viewing angles so as to reduce blind spots, thereby improving driving safety.

The smartphones or the automobile in the embodiments are only exemplary for showing the camera modules <NUM>-<NUM> of the present disclosure installed in an electronic device <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The camera modules <NUM>-<NUM> can be optionally applied to optical systems with a movable focus. Furthermore, the camera modules <NUM>-<NUM> feature good capability in aberration corrections and high image quality, and can be applied to 3D (three-dimensional) image capturing applications, in products such as digital cameras, mobile devices, digital tablets, smart televisions, network surveillance devices, multi-camera devices, image recognition systems, motion sensing input devices, wearable devices, other electronic imaging devices.

Claim 1:
A camera module (<NUM>), comprising:
a fixed base (<NUM>);
a carrier (<NUM>), disposed opposite to the fixed base (<NUM>), wherein the carrier (<NUM>) has a bobbin (<NUM>);
an elastic element (<NUM>), connected to the fixed base (<NUM>) and the carrier (<NUM>) so as to provide freedom of movement of the carrier (<NUM>) along a direction with respect to the fixed base (<NUM>);
an imaging lens (<NUM>), disposed on the carrier (<NUM>) and having an optical axis (<NUM>);
a coil (<NUM>), disposed on the carrier (<NUM>);
a magnetic element (<NUM>), disposed corresponding to the coil (<NUM>) so as to provide a driving force for moving the carrier (<NUM>) along the direction; characterized in that the camera module further comprises:
a connection wire (<NUM>), disposed on the bobbin (<NUM>), wherein the connection wire (<NUM>) is electrically connected to the elastic element (<NUM>) and the coil (<NUM>); and
an optical glue material, disposed on at least part of the connection wire (<NUM>), wherein the optical glue material is configured to prevent light reflected off the connection wire (<NUM>) on the bobbin (<NUM>) from being incident on an image surface of the imaging lens (<NUM>).