Patent Description:
This application relates to the field of photographing technologies, and in particular, to a variable aperture, a camera module, and an electronic device.

A conventional camera module is provided with a variable aperture. A size of an aperture hole of the variable aperture may be changed to adjust light intensity of incident light. This improves imaging quality of the camera module to a large extent. In an existing variable aperture, blades are mainly driven by a voice coil motor (voice coil motor, VCM) to adjust a size of an aperture hole. Because the voice coil motor is prone to being interfered with by electromagnetic waves, aperture adjustment precision of the aperture hole of the variable aperture is low. Publication <CIT> discloses prior art.

This application provides a variable aperture, a camera module, and an electronic device, to implement high aperture adjustment precision of an aperture hole of the variable aperture.

According to a first aspect, this application provides a variable aperture, including a base, a fixed plate, a rotation plate, a plurality of blades, a first SMA wire, and a second SMA wire. The base is provided with a through hole. The fixed plate is fixedly connected to the base. The fixed plate is in a ring shape, and an inner through hole of the fixed plate is disposed opposite to the through hole. The rotation plate is rotatively connected to the base and disposed around the fixed plate. The plurality of blades are located on a same side of the fixed plate and the rotation plate. The plurality of blades are annularly distributed and enclose an aperture hole. The aperture hole is disposed opposite to the through hole. Each of the blades is rotatively connected to the fixed plate and slidably connected to the rotation plate. One end of each of the first SMA wire and the second SMA wire is connected to the base, and the other end is connected to the rotation plate. The first SMA wire or the second SMA wire is configured to shrink when power is on, to drive the rotation plate to rotate relative to the fixed plate. Each of the blades rotates relative to the fixed plate and slides relative to the rotation plate, so that an aperture of the aperture hole changes. A direction in which the first SMA wire shrinks to drive the rotation plate to rotate is opposite to a direction in which the second SMA wire shrinks to drive the rotation plate to rotate.

In this application, the variable aperture drives, by using the first SMA wire or the second SMA wire, the rotation plate to rotate relative to the fixed plate, so that the plurality of blades are closed or opened, and the aperture of the aperture hole changes. Compared with a conventional voice coil motor, a driving mechanism of the variable aperture is not prone to being interfered with by electromagnetic waves, so that aperture adjustment precision of the aperture hole of the variable aperture is high, and reliability is high.

In addition, because components of the driving mechanism for driving by using the SMA wire are small in size and arranged compactly, compared with the conventional voice coil motor, the variable aperture may narrow space in a length direction and a width direction. This facilitates miniaturization of the variable aperture. The length direction and the width direction are perpendicular to each other, and both are perpendicular to a center line of the aperture hole.

In some possible implementations, the variable aperture further includes a first flipping block. The first flipping block includes a rotation part, a first connection part, and a second connection part. The rotation part is rotatively connected to the base, the first SMA wire is connected to the first connection part, and the rotation plate is connected to the second connection part. The first SMA wire shrinks to drive the first connection part to rotate about the rotation part, so that the second connection part rotates about the rotation part and flips the rotation plate to rotate relative to the fixed plate.

The variable aperture further includes a second flipping block. The second flipping block is rotatively connected to the base. The second SMA wire is connected to the second flipping block. The second flipping block is further connected to the rotation plate.

In this implementation, the first flipping block is linked to the rotation plate, and the first SMA wire is connected to the rotation plate through the first flipping block. The second flipping block is linked to the rotation plate, and the second SMA wire is connected to the rotation plate through the second flipping block. Therefore, one end of each of the first SMA wire and the second SMA wire is connected to the base, and the other end is connected to the rotation plate. For example, the first SMA wire shrinks to drive the first rotation block to rotate, the first flipping block flips the rotation plate to rotate relative to the base, the second flipping block is driven by the rotation plate to rotate, and the second SMA wire is stretched. Similarly, the second SMA wire shrinks to drive the rotation plate to rotate in another direction, and the first SMA wire is stretched.

The first flipping block may further include a flipping block body, and the flipping block body includes a top surface and a bottom surface that are disposed back to each other. The rotation part is convexly disposed on the bottom surface of the flipping block body, and the rotation part may include a rotation column. The first connection part is convexly disposed on the top surface of the flipping block body, and the first connection part may include a support table and a connection column convexly disposed on a top surface of the support table. The second connection part may be formed on a side surface of the flipping block body, and the side surface of the flipping block body is located between the top surface of the flipping block body and the bottom surface of the flipping block body.

The variable aperture further includes a first claw, a second claw, a third claw, and a fourth claw. Two ends of the first SMA wire are separately connected to the first claw and the second claw, and two ends of the second SMA wire are separately connected to the third claw and the fourth claw. The first claw is installed on the base, so that one end of the first SMA wire is connected to the base. The second claw is connected to the first connection part of the first flipping block, so that the other end of the first SMA wire is connected to the rotation plate through the first flipping block. The third claw is installed on the base, so that one end of the second SMA wire is connected to the base. The fourth claw is connected to the second flipping block, so that the other end of the second SMA wire is connected to the rotation plate through the second flipping block.

In some possible implementations, the second connection part is engaged or in interference fit with the rotation plate. For example, the second connection part includes a gear structure, the rotation plate includes a gear structure, and the gear structure of the second connection part is engaged with the gear structure of the rotation plate.

In some possible implementations, a spacing between the first connection part and the rotation part is less than a spacing between the second connection part and the rotation part. It may be understood that an aperture hole of a variable aperture of a conventional voice coil motor is likely to change slightly because magnetic forces of a magnet and a coil have upper limits. In other words, a change range of the aperture hole of the conventional variable aperture is limited. However, in this application, the variable aperture is driven by using the first SMA wire or the second SMA wire, and an aperture change range of the aperture hole of the variable aperture is not affected by magnetic forces of a magnet and a coil. In addition, because the spacing between the first connection part and the rotation part of the first flipping block is less than the spacing between the second connection part and the rotation part, the first flipping block can implement a travel expansion. When a shrinkage length of the first SMA wire is small, the first flipping block can flip the rotation plate to rotate relative to the fixed plate by a large angle, so that a rotation angle of the blades is large, and an aperture change of the aperture hole is large. The second flipping block can also implement a travel expansion, so that the aperture change range of the aperture hole of the variable aperture is large. This helps improve photographing quality and enrich a photographing scenario of a camera module in which the variable aperture is used.

In some possible implementations, the first connection part and the second connection part are separately located on two sides of the rotation part. For example, the flipping block body may be approximately in a sector shape, the first connection part may be fastened to a circle center of the flipping block body or disposed near the circle center, the second connection part may be fastened to an outer cambered surface (namely, a side surface) of the flipping block body, and the rotation part is fastened between the circle center and the outer cambered surface of the flipping block body.

In some possible implementations, the variable aperture further includes a reset spring, and the reset spring is connected to the first connection part and the base. Because the variable aperture is provided with the reset spring, the reset spring can reset the blades after power-off. Therefore, the variable aperture does not need to be additionally powered on, and power consumption can be reduced, so that power consumption of the variable aperture is low.

For example, two ends of the reset spring may be separately connected to the first flipping block and the second flipping block, and a middle part of the reset spring is connected to the base. In some other implementations, the reset spring may alternatively include two parts independent of each other. One part is connected to the first flipping block and the base, and the other part is connected to the second flipping block and the base.

Two ends of the reset spring may be separately connected to the second claw and the fourth claw. The reset spring, the second claw, and the fourth claw may be an integrally molded structure.

In some possible implementations, the base includes a bottom plate and an inner ring wall, the bottom plate is annular and surrounds the through hole, the inner ring wall is fastened to an inner circumferential edge of the bottom plate, and the inner ring wall is provided with a first notch. The rotation plate includes a plate body and a first fitting part fastened to one side of the plate body, the plate body is disposed opposite to the bottom plate, and the first fitting part is located in the first notch and fits the second connection part.

In this implementation, the first fitting part and the second fitting part of the rotation plate are arranged by using the notch of the base, to share space with the base, and space utilization of the variable aperture is improved. This facilitates miniaturization of the variable aperture.

In some possible implementations, the fixed plate is fastened to a side that is of the inner ring wall and that backs onto the bottom plate, and the fixed plate covers the first notch, so that the first fitting part and the second fitting part of the rotation plate are limited between the fixed plate and the bottom plate of the base, and the rotation plate can stably rotate between the fixed plate and the base.

In some possible implementations, the variable aperture further includes a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member, the first magnetic member is fastened to the base and is disposed corresponding to the first SMA wire, and the second magnetic member is fastened to the base and is disposed corresponding to the second SMA wire.

For example, the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member may be permanent magnets, so that the first magnetic member attracts the first SMA wire, and the second magnetic member attracts the second SMA wire, to avoid that the SMA wires flutter in a loosened state. Alternatively, the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member may be electromagnets, and are configured to: under control of an electrical signal, attract the first SMA wire and/or the second SMA wire in some time periods, and not attract the first SMA wire and/or the second SMA wire in other time periods.

In some possible implementations, each of the blades includes a first end part and a second end part, the first end part includes a rotation hole and a guide hole that are spaced, the second end part includes a first edge, the first edge and the guide hole are disposed on a same side, and the first edge is a part of a hole wall of the aperture hole. A shape of the first edge may be a straight line, an arc line, a combination of a straight line and an arc line, a combination of a straight line and a straight line, or a combination of an arc line and an arc line.

The fixed plate includes a first fixed column, and the first fixed column is inserted into the rotation hole. The rotation plate includes a second fixed column, and the second fixed column is inserted into the guide hole and capable of sliding in the guide hole. When the rotation plate rotates relative to the fixed plate, the second fixed column slides in the guide hole, the second fixed column drives the blades to rotate about the first fixed column relative to the fixed plate, and the plurality of blades are closed to narrow the aperture hole or opened to enlarge the aperture hole.

The plurality of blades may be stacked into two layers. The blades stacked at a bottom layer may be in contact with the rotation plate and the fixed plate. The blades stacked at a top layer may be in contact with gaskets and the blades stacked at the bottom layer, and are heightened by the gaskets and the blades stacked at the bottom layer.

In some possible implementations, the rotation plate is connected to the base through a roll ball slide rail. For example, the base includes a bottom plate and a plurality of connection parts convexly disposed on a top surface of the bottom plate, and each of the connection parts is provided with a groove. The variable aperture further includes a plurality of roll balls, and the plurality of roll balls are separately installed in the grooves of the plurality of the connection parts. The rotation plate includes a plate body and a plurality of guide parts fastened to one side of the plate body. Each of the guide parts includes a guide groove. An extension track of the guide groove may be an arc, and circle centers of the extension tracks of the guide grooves of the plurality of guide parts coincide. The plate body of the rotation plate is disposed opposite to the bottom plate of the base, the plurality of roll balls are in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of guide parts, and each of the roll balls is partially located in the guide groove of a corresponding guide part.

In some possible implementations, the variable aperture further includes a reset spring, and the reset spring is connected to the base and the rotation plate. Because the variable aperture is provided with the reset spring, the reset spring can reset the rotation plate after power-off, and further reset the blades. Therefore, the variable aperture does not need to be additionally powered on, and power consumption can be reduced, so that power consumption of the variable aperture is low.

According to a second aspect, this application further provides a camera module, including a camera lens and the variable aperture according to any one of the foregoing implementations. The variable aperture is fastened to the camera lens, and an aperture hole of the variable aperture is located on a light transmission path of the camera lens.

In this application, because the variable aperture can accurately adjust an aperture size of the aperture hole of the variable aperture, light intensity of incident light emitted into an image sensor of the camera module through the camera lens can be adjusted. This improves imaging quality of the camera module to a large extent.

In some possible implementations, the aperture hole is located on a light inlet side of the camera lens. The camera lens may be partially embedded into the variable aperture, to reduce a size of the camera module in a thickness direction. This facilitates miniaturization.

In some possible implementations, the camera lens includes a first part and a second part that are coaxially disposed, and the aperture hole is located between the first part and the second part. The first part may include a first camera lens barrel and a first lens group installed in the first camera lens barrel, and the second part may include a second camera lens barrel and a second lens group installed in the second camera lens barrel. An optical axis of the second lens group and an optical axis of the first lens group coincide.

In this implementation, the aperture hole of the variable aperture is disposed between the first part and the second part, so that a photographing requirement of the camera module can be better met.

According to a third aspect, this application further provides an electronic device, including an image processor and the camera module according to any one of the foregoing implementations. The image processor is in a communication connection to the camera module, and the image processor is configured to obtain image data from the camera module and process the image data. Because the camera module has high imaging quality, user experience of the electronic device is good.

The following describes technical solutions in embodiments of this application with reference to accompanying drawings. In the descriptions of embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified, "/" means "or". For example, A/B may represent A or B. In this specification, "and/or" merely describes an association relationship for describing associated objects and represents that three relationships may exist. In addition, in the descriptions of embodiments of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more. The terms "first" and "second" are merely intended for a purpose of description, and shall not be understood as an implication or implication of relative importance or an implicit indication of a quantity of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature limited by "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more such features.

The orientation terms mentioned in embodiments of this application, for example, "inner", "outer", "side", "top", and "bottom", are merely directions of reference to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the orientation terms are used to better and more clearly describe and understand embodiments of this application, and are not intended to indicate or imply that a described apparatus or element needs to have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the orientation terms cannot be understood as a limitation on embodiments of this application.

In the descriptions of embodiments of this application, it should be noted that unless otherwise specified and limited, the terms such as "installed", "linked", "connected", and "disposed on. " should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connected" may be connected in a detachable manner, or may be connected in a non-detachable manner; and may be directly connected, or may be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. The "fixedly connected" means connected to each other and a relative position relationship remains unchanged after being connected. The "rotatively connected" means connected to each other and rotating relative to each other after being connected. The "slidably connected" means connected to each other and sliding relative to each other after being connected.

Refer to <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a structure of an electronic device <NUM> in some embodiments according to embodiments of this application. The electronic device <NUM> may be a device with a camera module such as a mobile phone, a tablet personal computer (tablet personal computer), a laptop computer (laptop computer), a personal digital assistant (personal digital assistant, PDA), a camera, a personal computer, a notebook computer, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) glasses, an AR helmet, virtual reality (virtual reality, VR) glasses, a VR helmet, or the like. In embodiments shown in <FIG>, descriptions are provided by using an example in which the electronic device <NUM> is a mobile phone.

The electronic device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, a display (not shown in the figure), an image processor <NUM>, and a camera module <NUM>. In some embodiments, the housing <NUM> includes a frame <NUM> and a rear cover <NUM>. The frame <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM> may be an integrally molded structure, or may be assembled to form an integrated structure. The display and the rear cover <NUM> are separately installed on two sides of the frame <NUM>.

The image processor <NUM> and the camera module <NUM> are accommodated on an inner side of the housing <NUM>. The image processor <NUM> is in a communication connection to the camera module <NUM>. The image processor <NUM> is configured to obtain image data from the camera module <NUM> and process the image data. The communication connection between the camera module <NUM> and the image processor <NUM> may be implemented in an electrical connection manner such as wiring or in a coupling manner or the like, for data transmission. It may be understood that the communication connection between the camera module <NUM> and the image processor <NUM> may alternatively be implemented in another manner for data transmission.

The image processor <NUM> is configured to: perform optimization processing on a digital image signal through a series of complex mathematical algorithm operations, and finally transmit a processed signal to a display. The image processor <NUM> may be an image processing chip or a digital signal processing chip. The image processor <NUM> is configured to: transfer data obtained by a photosensitive chip to a central processing unit quickly and in time, and refresh the photosensitive chip. Therefore, chip quality of the image processor <NUM> directly affects image quality (for example, color saturation and definition).

In this embodiment, the rear cover <NUM> is provided with a camera hole <NUM>, and the camera module <NUM> may collect light through the camera hole <NUM>, to serve as a rear-facing camera of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the rear cover <NUM> includes a transparent lens, and the transparent lens is installed on the camera hole <NUM>, to allow light to pass through and to prevent dust and water. In some other embodiments, the camera module <NUM> may alternatively serve as a front-facing camera of the electronic device <NUM>.

It may be understood that an installation position of the camera module <NUM> in the electronic device <NUM> in embodiments shown in <FIG> is merely an example, and the installation position of the camera module <NUM> is not strictly limited in this application. In some other embodiments, the camera module <NUM> may alternatively be installed in another position of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the camera module <NUM> may be installed in the upper middle or the upper right corner of the back of the electronic device <NUM>. In some other embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may include a device body and an auxiliary component that can rotate, move, or be detached relative to the device body. The camera module <NUM> may alternatively be disposed on the auxiliary component.

In some embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may further include an analog-to-digital converter (also referred to as an A/D converter, which is not shown in the figure). The analog-to-digital converter is connected between the camera module <NUM> and the image processor <NUM>. The analog-to-digital converter is configured to: convert a signal generated by the camera module <NUM> into a digital image signal, and transmit the digital image signal to the image processor <NUM>, then the image processor <NUM> processes the digital image signal, and finally the display displays an image or a video.

In some embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may further include a memory (not shown in the figure). The memory is in a communication connection to the image processor <NUM>. After processing a digital signal of an image, the image processor <NUM> transmits the image to the memory, so that the image can be found in the memory at any time and displayed on the display when the image needs to be viewed subsequently. In some embodiments, the image processor <NUM> further compresses a processed digital signal of an image, and then stores a compressed digital signal of the image in the memory to reduce consumption of memory space.

Refer to <FIG>. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a structure of the camera module <NUM> shown in <FIG> in some embodiments, <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a partially exploded structure of the camera module <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of the camera module <NUM> shown in <FIG> that is cut in an A-A position.

In some embodiments, the camera module <NUM> includes a variable aperture <NUM>, a camera lens <NUM>, a motor <NUM>, a light filter <NUM>, a holder (holder) <NUM>, an image sensor <NUM>, and a circuit board <NUM>. The holder <NUM> is fastened to the circuit board <NUM>, and the image sensor <NUM> is fastened to the circuit board <NUM> and is located on an inner side of the holder <NUM>. A plurality of elements <NUM> may be further fastened to the circuit board <NUM>, and the plurality of elements <NUM> are disposed around the image sensor <NUM>. The motor <NUM> is installed on the holder <NUM>, and is located on a side that is of the image sensor <NUM> and that backs onto the circuit board <NUM>. The camera lens <NUM> is installed on the motor <NUM>, and the motor <NUM> is configured to drive the camera lens <NUM> to move or tilt. The motor <NUM> may be a focus adjustment motor and/or an optical image stabilization motor. The image sensor <NUM> is located on an image side of the camera lens <NUM>. The light filter <NUM> is installed on the holder <NUM>, and is located between the camera lens <NUM> and the image sensor <NUM>. Light can pass through the camera lens <NUM> to illuminate an imaging surface of the image sensor <NUM>.

For example, an operating principle of the camera module <NUM> is as follows: The camera lens <NUM> generates an optical image based on light reflected by a photographed object, and projects the optical image to the imaging surface of the image sensor <NUM>; the image sensor <NUM> converts the optical image into an electrical signal, namely, an analog image signal, and transmits the electrical signal to the analog-to-digital converter; and the analog-to-digital converter converts the electrical signal into a digital image signal, and sends the digital image signal to the image processor <NUM>.

The image sensor <NUM> (also referred to as a photosensitive element) is a semiconductor chip. There are hundreds of thousands of to millions of photodiodes on a surface of the image sensor <NUM>, and electric charges are generated when the photodiodes are illuminated by light. The image sensor <NUM> may be a charge coupled device (charge coupled device, CCD), or may be a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor, CMOS) device. The charge coupled device is made of a highly photosensitive semiconductor material, and can convert light into electric charges. The charge coupled device includes a plurality of photosensitive units that are usually megapixels. When a surface of the charge coupled device is illuminated by light, each of the photosensitive units reflects the electric charges on the device. Signals generated by all the photosensitive units are combined to form a complete image. The complementary metal-oxide semiconductor device is a semiconductor mainly made of two elements, silicon and germanium, so that an N-type semiconductor (carrying negative electrons) and a P-type semiconductor (carrying positive electrons) coexist on the complementary metal-oxide semiconductor device. A current generated by these two complementary effects can be recorded and interpreted into a video by a processing chip.

The camera lens <NUM> affects imaging quality and imaging effect, and performs imaging mainly according to a refraction principle of a lens. To be specific, light from an object passes through the camera lens <NUM> to form a clear video on a focal plane, and the image sensor <NUM> located on the focal plane records the video of the object.

The light filter <NUM> is configured to: filter out unnecessary light projected onto the image sensor <NUM>, and prevent the image sensor <NUM> from generating a false color or a ripple, to improve effective resolution and color reproduction of the image sensor <NUM>. For example, the light filter <NUM> may be, but is not limited to, a blue glass light filter. For example, the light filter <NUM> may alternatively be a reflective infrared light filter or a dual-pass light filter. The dual-pass light filter may allow both visible light and infrared light in ambient light to pass through, or allow both visible light and another light of a specific wavelength (for example, ultraviolet light) in ambient light to pass through, or allow both infrared light and another light of a specific wavelength (for example, ultraviolet light) to pass through.

In some embodiments, the variable aperture <NUM> is fastened to the camera lens <NUM>. The variable aperture <NUM> is provided with an aperture hole <NUM>, an aperture size of the aperture hole <NUM> is adjustable, and the aperture hole <NUM> is located on a light transmission path of the camera lens <NUM>. The light transmission path of the camera lens <NUM> is a path that allows light to pass through. For example, the aperture hole <NUM> of the variable aperture <NUM> may be located on a light inlet side of the camera lens <NUM>, and external light enters the camera lens <NUM> after passing through the aperture hole <NUM> of the variable aperture <NUM>. An aperture size of the aperture hole <NUM> of the variable aperture <NUM> may be changed to adjust light intensity of incident light emitted into the image sensor <NUM> through the camera lens <NUM>. This improves imaging quality of the camera module <NUM> to a large extent.

The variable aperture <NUM> may be configured to increase or decrease a flux of light entering the camera lens <NUM>. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> performs photographing in a dark light condition, the aperture hole <NUM> of the variable aperture <NUM> may be enlarged. In this case, the flux of light entering the camera lens <NUM> is increased. When the electronic device <NUM> performs photographing in a sufficient light condition, the aperture hole <NUM> of the variable aperture <NUM> may be narrowed. In this case, the flux of light entering the camera lens <NUM> is decreased.

In some other embodiments, the camera module <NUM> may not include the motor <NUM>, and the camera lens <NUM> is fastened to the holder <NUM>.

Refer to <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a partially exploded structure of the variable aperture <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

In some embodiments, the variable aperture <NUM> may include a base <NUM>, a fixed plate <NUM>, a rotation plate <NUM>, a plurality of blades <NUM>, a first SMA (shape memory alloys, shape memory alloys) wire <NUM>, a second SMA wire <NUM>, a first flipping block <NUM>, a second flipping block <NUM>, a reset spring <NUM>, a first claw <NUM>, a second claw <NUM>, a third claw <NUM>, a fourth claw <NUM>, a first magnetic member <NUM>, a second magnetic member <NUM>, a plurality of roll balls <NUM>, a light-shielding plate <NUM>, and a cover plate <NUM>. In some other embodiments, the variable aperture <NUM> may include more or fewer components, or some components may be combined or split.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, for example, the cover plate <NUM> is fastened to one side of the base <NUM>, and another structure of the variable aperture <NUM> is installed between the base <NUM> and the cover plate <NUM>. The cover plate <NUM> and the base <NUM> may form an appearance member of the variable aperture <NUM>, and are configured to perform fastening and protection functions. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the variable aperture <NUM> is described by using an example in which one side the cover plate <NUM> is on is a "top" and the other side is a "bottom".

As shown in <FIG>, in this embodiment, there are six blades <NUM>. Each of the blades <NUM> has a same shape and size. Therefore, each of the blades <NUM> may use a same number. For brevity of the accompanying drawings, only one of the blades <NUM> is numbered in <FIG>. In other embodiments, the number of blades <NUM> is not limited. Shapes and sizes of the plurality of blades <NUM> may alternatively be different, and specific shapes and sizes may be flexibly set based on a requirement. In this embodiment, a numbering manner of the plurality of roll balls <NUM> is the same as a numbering manner of the plurality of blades <NUM>, and details are not described herein again. It should be understood that when there are a plurality of components/structures/constituents in the following descriptions, for the parts/structures/constituents, refer to the numbering manner of the plurality of blades <NUM>. Details are not described below again.

Refer to <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a structure of the base <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

In some embodiments, the base <NUM> includes a bottom plate <NUM>, an inner ring wall <NUM>, and an outer ring wall <NUM>, and the base <NUM> is provided with a through hole <NUM>. The bottom plate <NUM> is annular, for example, in a circular ring shape, and the bottom plate <NUM> is disposed around the through hole <NUM>. The bottom plate <NUM> includes an inner circumferential edge and an outer circumferential edge that are disposed back to each other, and the outer circumferential edge of the bottom plate <NUM> is disposed around the inner circumferential edge of the bottom plate <NUM>. The inner ring wall <NUM> is fastened to the inner circumferential edge of the bottom plate <NUM>, and the inner ring wall <NUM> is disposed around the through hole <NUM>. The outer ring wall <NUM> is fastened to the outer circumferential edge of the bottom plate <NUM>, and the outer ring wall <NUM> surrounds the inner ring wall <NUM>. The outer ring wall <NUM> is disposed opposite to the inner ring wall <NUM>, and an accommodation space <NUM> is formed between the outer ring wall <NUM> and the inner ring wall <NUM>.

The bottom plate <NUM> may be provided with a first through hole <NUM> and a second through hole <NUM> that are spaced, and both the first through hole <NUM> and the second through hole <NUM> communicate with the accommodation space <NUM>. The bottom plate <NUM> is provided with a top surface <NUM> that faces the accommodation space <NUM>. The base <NUM> may further include a first fixed part <NUM>, a second fixed part <NUM>, and a plurality of connection parts <NUM>, where the first fixed part <NUM>, the second fixed part <NUM>, and the plurality of connection parts <NUM> are convexly disposed on the top surface <NUM> of the bottom plate <NUM>. Both the first fixed part <NUM> and the second fixed part <NUM> may include a base table and a fixed column, the base table is fastened to the top surface <NUM> of the bottom plate <NUM>, and the fixed column is fastened to a top surface of the base table. The plurality of connection parts <NUM> are arranged around the first through hole <NUM>, each of the connection parts <NUM> is provided with a groove <NUM>, an opening of the groove <NUM> is located on a top surface of the connection part <NUM>, and the groove <NUM> may be a hemisphere space, a bowl space, or a space of another shape. The base <NUM> may further include a first annular boss <NUM> and a second annular boss <NUM> that are convexly disposed on the top surface <NUM> of the bottom plate <NUM>. The first annular boss <NUM> is disposed around the first through hole <NUM>, and the second annular boss <NUM> is disposed around the second through hole <NUM>. The connection part <NUM> that is in the plurality of connection parts <NUM> and that is located between the first through hole <NUM> and the second through hole <NUM> is further provided with a positioning ring <NUM>. The positioning ring <NUM> is located on a top of the connection part <NUM>, and the positioning ring <NUM> may be disposed around the groove <NUM>.

The inner ring wall <NUM> may be provided with a first notch <NUM> and a second notch <NUM> that is spaced from the first notch <NUM>. Both the first notch <NUM> and the second notch <NUM> communicate with the accommodation space <NUM>. The inner ring wall <NUM> may further include a plurality of positioning blocks <NUM> that are convexly disposed on a top surface of the inner ring wall <NUM>. The plurality of positioning blocks <NUM> are arranged around the through hole <NUM> and are spaced from each other.

The base <NUM> may be an integrally molded structural member. In some other embodiments, the base <NUM> may alternatively be an integrated structure formed by assembling a plurality of structural members. This is not strictly limited in this embodiment of this application.

Refer to <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a structure of the first flipping block <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

In some embodiments, the first flipping block <NUM> includes a rotation part <NUM>, a first connection part <NUM>, and a second connection part <NUM>. For example, the first flipping block <NUM> may further include a flipping block body <NUM>, and the flipping block body <NUM> includes a top surface <NUM> and a bottom surface <NUM> that are disposed back to each other. The rotation part <NUM> is convexly disposed on the bottom surface <NUM> of the flipping block body <NUM>, and the rotation part <NUM> may include a rotation column. The first connection part <NUM> is convexly disposed on the top surface <NUM> of the flipping block body <NUM>, and the first connection part <NUM> may include a support table and a connection column convexly disposed on a top surface of the support table. The second connection part <NUM> may be formed on a side surface <NUM> of the flipping block body <NUM>, and the side surface <NUM> of the flipping block body <NUM> is located between the top surface <NUM> of the flipping block body <NUM> and the bottom surface <NUM> of the flipping block body <NUM>. For example, the second connection part <NUM> may be a gear structure.

For example, a spacing between the first connection part <NUM> and the rotation part <NUM> is less than a spacing between the second connection part <NUM> and the rotation part <NUM>. The first connection part <NUM> and the second connection part <NUM> may be separately located on two sides of the rotation part <NUM>. The spacing between the first connection part <NUM> and the rotation part <NUM> means a spacing between a center of the first connection part <NUM> and a rotation center of the rotation part <NUM> on a vertical plane of a rotation center line of the rotation part <NUM>. The spacing between the second connection part <NUM> and the rotation part <NUM> means a spacing between a center of the second connection part <NUM> and the rotation center of the rotation part <NUM> on the vertical plane of the rotation center line of the rotation part <NUM>.

For example, the flipping block body <NUM> may be approximately in a sector shape, the first connection part <NUM> may be fastened to a circle center of the flipping block body <NUM> or disposed near the circle center. The second connection part <NUM> may be fastened to an outer cambered surface (namely, a side surface <NUM>) of the flipping block body <NUM>, and the rotation part <NUM> is fastened between the circle center and the outer cambered surface of the flipping block body <NUM>.

The second flipping block <NUM> may be a same structure as the first flipping block <NUM>, to simplify a material type and reduce design difficulty and costs. A structure of the second flipping block <NUM> is not described in detail in this embodiment of this application.

Refer to <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of the variable aperture <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

In some embodiments, two ends of the first SMA wire <NUM> are separately connected to the first claw <NUM> and the second claw <NUM>, and two ends of the second SMA wire <NUM> are separately connected to the third claw <NUM> and the fourth claw <NUM>. Two ends of the reset spring <NUM> are separately connected to the second claw <NUM> and the fourth claw <NUM>. The reset spring <NUM>, the second claw <NUM>, and the fourth claw <NUM> may be an integrally molded structure. A middle part of the reset spring <NUM> may form a ring <NUM>, and a bent connection section may be formed between the middle part and an end part of the reset spring <NUM>.

Refer to <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> is a first schematic diagram of a partial structure of the variable aperture <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a schematic diagram of the structure shown in <FIG> that is cut in a B-B position.

In some embodiments, the first flipping block <NUM> is installed on the base <NUM> and is rotatively connected to the base <NUM>. The rotation part <NUM> of the first flipping block <NUM> may be installed in the first through hole <NUM> of the bottom plate <NUM> of the base <NUM>, to be rotatively connected to the base <NUM>. The flipping block body <NUM> of the first flipping block <NUM> abuts against the first annular boss <NUM>, so that a contact area between the first flipping block <NUM> and the base <NUM> is small. This helps reduce a friction force generated when the first flipping block <NUM> rotates relative to the base <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, because the rotation part <NUM> of the first flipping block <NUM> is located between the first connection part <NUM> and the second connection part <NUM>, when one of the first connection part <NUM> and the second connection part <NUM> rotates about the rotation part <NUM> under force, the other also rotates about the rotation part <NUM>.

Similarly, the second flipping block <NUM> is installed on the base <NUM> and is rotatively connected to the base <NUM>. For a connection structure between the second flipping block <NUM> and the base <NUM>, refer to a connection structure between the first flipping block <NUM> and the base <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first claw <NUM> is installed on the first fixed part <NUM> of the base <NUM>, so that one end of the first SMA wire <NUM> is connected to the base <NUM>. The second claw <NUM> is connected to the first connection part <NUM> of the first flipping block <NUM>, so that the other end of the first SMA wire <NUM> is connected to the first connection part <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the ring <NUM> in the middle part of the reset spring <NUM> may be sleeved on an outer side of the positioning ring <NUM>, so that the reset spring <NUM> is connected to the base <NUM>. Because one end of the reset spring <NUM> is connected to the first claw <NUM>, and the first claw <NUM> is connected to the first connection part <NUM>, the reset spring <NUM> is connected to the first connection part <NUM> and the base <NUM>. Refer to <FIG> and <FIG>. The first SMA wire <NUM> may shrink when power is on, to drive the first connection part <NUM> to rotate clockwise about the rotation part <NUM>, so that the second connection part <NUM> rotates clockwise about the rotation part <NUM>, the first flipping block <NUM> rotates clockwise relative to the base <NUM>, and the reset spring <NUM> is stretched. When the first SMA is powered off, an elastic force of the reset spring <NUM> enables the first flipping block <NUM> to rotate anticlockwise relative to the base <NUM> to implement reset, and the first SMA wire <NUM> is stretched.

As shown in <FIG>, the third claw <NUM> is installed on the second fixed part <NUM> of the base <NUM>, so that one end of the second SMA wire <NUM> is connected to the base <NUM>. The fourth claw <NUM> is connected to the second flipping block <NUM>, so that the other end of the second SMA wire <NUM> is connected to the second flipping block <NUM>. The reset spring <NUM> is connected to the fourth claw <NUM> and the base <NUM>. For actions of the second SMA wire <NUM> and the second flipping block <NUM>, refer to related descriptions of the first SMA wire <NUM> and the first flipping block <NUM>.

It may be understood that in this embodiment, two ends of the reset spring <NUM> are separately connected to the first flipping block <NUM> and the second flipping block <NUM>, and the middle part is connected to the base <NUM>. In some other embodiments, the reset spring <NUM> may alternatively include two parts independent of each other. One part is connected to the first flipping block <NUM> and the base <NUM>, and the other part is connected to the second flipping block <NUM> and the base <NUM>. A specific structure of the reset spring <NUM>, a connection structure between the reset spring <NUM> and the base <NUM>, and a connection structure between the reset spring <NUM> and both of the first flipping block <NUM> and the second flipping block <NUM> are not strictly limited in this application.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the first magnetic member <NUM> is fastened to the base <NUM> and is disposed corresponding to the first SMA wire <NUM>, and may, for example, be fastened to the bottom plate <NUM> and arranged close to the first SMA wire <NUM>. The second magnetic member <NUM> is fastened to the base <NUM> and is disposed corresponding to the second SMA wire <NUM>, and may, for example, be fastened to the bottom plate <NUM> and arranged close to the second SMA wire <NUM>.

The first magnetic member <NUM> and the second magnetic member <NUM> may be permanent magnets, so that the first magnetic member <NUM> attracts the first SMA wire <NUM>, and the second magnetic member <NUM> attracts the second SMA wire <NUM>, to avoid that the SMA wires flutter in a loosened state. Alternatively, the first magnetic member <NUM> and the second magnetic member <NUM> may be electromagnets, and are configured to: under control of an electrical signal, attract the first SMA wire <NUM> and/or the second SMA wire <NUM> in some time periods, and not attract the first SMA wire <NUM> and/or the second SMA wire <NUM> in other time periods.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the plurality of roll balls <NUM> are separately installed in the grooves <NUM> of the plurality of connection parts <NUM> of the base <NUM>.

Refer to <FIG> is a schematic diagram of the rotation plate <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

In some embodiments, the rotation plate <NUM> includes a plate body <NUM>, and a first fitting part <NUM> and a second fitting part <NUM> that are fastened to one side of the plate body <NUM>. The plate body <NUM> is in a ring shape and is provided with an inner through hole <NUM>. The first fitting part <NUM> and the second fitting part <NUM> are spaced. The first fitting part <NUM> may form a gear structure, and the second fitting part <NUM> may form a gear structure.

The rotation plate <NUM> may further include a plurality of guide parts <NUM> fastened to one side of the plate body <NUM>, and the plurality of guide parts <NUM> and the first fitting part <NUM> are located on a same side of the plate body <NUM>. Each of the guide parts <NUM> includes a guide groove <NUM>. An extension track of the guide groove <NUM> may be an arc, and circle centers of the extension tracks of the guide grooves <NUM> of the plurality of guide parts <NUM> coincide. A cross-sectional shape of the guide groove <NUM> may be an arc, a bowl, a trapezoid, a U, or the like.

Refer to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> is a second schematic diagram of a partial structure of the variable aperture <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

In some embodiments, the rotation plate <NUM> is installed on the base <NUM> and is rotatively connected to the base <NUM>. The inner through hole <NUM> of the rotation plate <NUM> is disposed opposite to the through hole <NUM> of the base <NUM>. The plate body <NUM> of the rotation plate <NUM> is disposed opposite to the bottom plate <NUM> of the base <NUM>, the plurality of roll balls <NUM> are in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of guide parts <NUM>, and each of the roll ball <NUM> is partially located in the guide groove <NUM> of a corresponding guide part <NUM>. In this case, the rotation plate <NUM> is connected to the base <NUM> through a roll ball slide rail, so that the rotation plate <NUM> can rotate relative to the base <NUM>. In some other embodiments, the roll ball slide rail may alternatively be a structure different from the structure in the foregoing embodiment. This is not strictly limited in this application. In some other embodiments, the rotation plate <NUM> and the base <NUM> may alternatively be rotatively connected through another structure. This is not strictly limited in this application.

Refer to <FIG> and <FIG> is a schematic diagram of an internal structure of the structure shown in <FIG>. A perspective of <FIG> is upside down to a perspective of <FIG>.

In some embodiments, the first fitting part <NUM> of the rotation plate <NUM> is located in the first notch <NUM> of the base <NUM>, and the first fitting part <NUM> fits with the second connection part <NUM> of the first flipping block <NUM>, so that the rotation plate <NUM> is rotatively connected to the second connection part <NUM>. For example, the gear structure of the second connection part <NUM> is engaged with the gear structure of the first fitting part <NUM> of the rotation plate <NUM>, that is, the second connection part <NUM> is engaged with the rotation plate <NUM>, so that the first flipping block <NUM> is linked to the rotation plate <NUM>. In some other embodiments, the second connection part <NUM> may be linked to the rotation plate <NUM> through interference fit. The second fitting part <NUM> of the rotation plate <NUM> is located in the second notch <NUM> of the base <NUM>, the second fitting part <NUM> fits with the second flipping block <NUM>, and the second fitting part <NUM> is linked to the second flipping block <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the first flipping block <NUM> is linked to the rotation plate <NUM>, the first SMA wire <NUM> is connected to the rotation plate <NUM> through the first flipping block <NUM>, the second flipping block <NUM> is linked to the rotation plate <NUM>, and the second SMA wire <NUM> is connected to the rotation plate <NUM> through the second flipping block <NUM>. Therefore, one end of each of the first SMA wire <NUM> and the second SMA wire <NUM> is connected to the base <NUM>, and the other end is connected to the rotation plate <NUM>. For example, the first SMA wire <NUM> shrinks to drive the first rotation block to rotate, the first flipping block <NUM> flips the rotation plate <NUM> to rotate relative to the base <NUM>, the second flipping block <NUM> is driven by the rotation plate <NUM> to rotate, and the second SMA wire <NUM> is stretched. Similarly, the second SMA wire <NUM> shrinks to drive the rotation plate <NUM> to rotate in another direction, and the first SMA wire <NUM> is stretched.

In addition, the first fitting part <NUM> and the second fitting part <NUM> of the rotation plate <NUM> are arranged by using the notches (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the base <NUM>, to share space with the base <NUM>. This improves space utilization of the variable aperture <NUM>, and facilitates miniaturization of the variable aperture <NUM>.

Refer to <FIG>, <FIG> is a third schematic diagram of a partial structure of the variable aperture <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of the structure shown in <FIG> that is cut in a C-C position.

In some embodiments, the fixed plate <NUM> is installed on the base <NUM> and is fixedly connected to the base <NUM>. The fixed plate <NUM> may be located in the inner through hole <NUM> of the rotation plate <NUM>, that is, the rotation plate <NUM> is disposed around the fixed plate <NUM>. The fixed plate <NUM> is in a ring shape, an inner through hole <NUM> of the fixed plate <NUM> is disposed opposite to the through hole <NUM> of the base <NUM>, and light enters the through hole <NUM> of the base <NUM> through the inner through hole <NUM> of the fixed plate <NUM>. For example, the inner through hole <NUM> of the fixed plate <NUM> and the through hole <NUM> of the base <NUM> may be coaxially disposed. The plurality of positioning blocks <NUM> of the base <NUM> may be embedded in the fixed plate <NUM>, to limit the fixed plate <NUM> in a circumferential direction of the through hole <NUM>.

The fixed plate <NUM> is fastened to a side that is of the inner ring wall <NUM> of the base <NUM> and that backs onto the bottom plate <NUM>. The fixed plate <NUM> covers the first notch <NUM> and the second notch <NUM>, so that the first fitting part <NUM> and the second fitting part <NUM> of the rotation plate <NUM> are limited between the fixed plate <NUM> and the bottom plate <NUM> of the base <NUM>, and the rotation plate <NUM> can stably rotate between the fixed plate <NUM> and the base <NUM>.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the fixed plate <NUM> includes a plurality of first fixed columns <NUM>, and the plurality of first fixed columns <NUM> are annularly arranged at equal spacing. The rotation plate <NUM> includes a plurality of second fixed columns <NUM>, and the plurality of second fixed columns <NUM> are annularly arranged at equal spacing. A quantity of the second fixed columns <NUM> is the same as a quantity of the first fixed columns <NUM>, and the plurality of second fixed columns <NUM> are in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of first fixed columns <NUM>.

Refer to <FIG> and <FIG> is a fourth schematic diagram of a partial structure of the variable aperture <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

In some embodiments, the light-shielding plate <NUM> is fastened to the fixed plate <NUM>, and the light-shielding plate <NUM> is located on a side that is of the fixed plate <NUM> and that backs onto the inner ring wall <NUM> of the base <NUM>. The light-shielding plate <NUM> is in a ring shape, an inner through hole <NUM> of the light-shielding plate <NUM> is disposed opposite to the inner through hole <NUM> of the fixed plate <NUM>, and an aperture of the inner through hole <NUM> of the light-shielding plate <NUM> is smaller than an aperture of the inner through hole <NUM> of the fixed plate <NUM>. The plurality of first fixed columns <NUM> of the fixed plate <NUM> pass through the light-shielding plate <NUM>, and protrude relative to a top surface of the light-shielding plate <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the variable aperture <NUM> may further include a plurality of gaskets <NUM>, a quantity of the gaskets <NUM> is less than the quantity of the second fixed columns <NUM>, and the plurality of gaskets <NUM> are sleeved on some second fixed columns <NUM>.

Refer to <FIG> and <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a structure of the blade <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

In some embodiments, a quantity of the blades <NUM> of the variable aperture <NUM> may be five to ten, for example, six in this embodiment. Each of the blades <NUM> includes a first end part 15a and a second end part 15b, and the second end part 15b is disposed back to the first end part 15a. The first end part 15a includes a rotation hole <NUM> and a guide hole <NUM> that are spaced. The rotation hole <NUM> is a circular hole. The guide hole <NUM> is a strip hole, and an extension track may be a straight line, an arc line, or another curve. The second end part 15b includes a first edge <NUM>, and the first edge <NUM> and the guide hole <NUM> are disposed on a same side. A shape of the first edge <NUM> may be a straight line, an arc line, a combination of a straight line and an arc line, a combination of a straight line and a straight line, or a combination of an arc line and an arc line. The second end part 15b may further include a second edge <NUM>, the second edge <NUM> is disposed back to the first edge <NUM>, and the second edge <NUM> and the guide hole <NUM> are disposed on a same side. The second edge <NUM> may be concave to form an avoidance notch <NUM>.

Refer to <FIG> is a fifth schematic diagram of a partial structure of the variable aperture <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

In some embodiments, the plurality of blades <NUM> are located on a same side of the fixed plate <NUM> and the rotation plate <NUM>. The plurality of blades <NUM> are annularly distributed and enclose the aperture hole <NUM>. The aperture hole <NUM> is disposed opposite to the through hole <NUM>. The first edge <NUM> of each of the blades <NUM> is a part of a hole wall of the aperture hole <NUM>. For example, when the first edge <NUM> is an arc-line edge, the aperture hole <NUM> may be a circular hole. In some other embodiments, when the first edge <NUM> is a straight-line edge, the aperture hole <NUM> may be a polygonal hole.

Each of the blades <NUM> is rotatively connected to the fixed plate <NUM>, and is slidably connected to the rotation plate <NUM>. The first fixed column <NUM> of the fixed plate <NUM> is inserted into the rotation hole <NUM> of the blade <NUM>, so that the blade <NUM> can rotate relative to the fixed plate <NUM>. The second fixed column <NUM> of the rotation plate <NUM> is inserted into the guide hole <NUM> of the blade <NUM>, and can slide in the guide hole <NUM>, so that the blade <NUM> can slide relative to the rotation plate <NUM>. One blade <NUM> is connected to the corresponding first fixed column <NUM> and the corresponding second fixed column <NUM>. When the rotation plate <NUM> rotates relative to the fixed plate <NUM>, the second fixed column <NUM> slides in the guide hole <NUM>, the second fixed column <NUM> drives the blade <NUM> to rotate about the first fixed column <NUM> relative to the fixed plate <NUM>, and the plurality of blades <NUM> are closed to narrow the aperture hole <NUM> or opened to enlarge the aperture hole <NUM>.

The plurality of blades <NUM> may be stacked into two layers. The blades <NUM> stacked at a bottom layer may be in contact with the rotation plate <NUM> and the fixed plate <NUM>. The blades <NUM> stacked at a top layer may be in contact with the gaskets <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>) and the blades <NUM> stacked at the bottom layer, and are heightened by the gaskets <NUM> and the blades <NUM> stacked at the bottom layer.

The avoidance notch <NUM> of the blade <NUM> is configured to avoid the first fixed column <NUM> that is of the fixed plate <NUM> and that is adjacent to the blade <NUM>.

Refer to <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> is a first schematic diagram of a partial structure of the variable aperture <NUM> shown in <FIG> in a use state, and <FIG> is a second schematic diagram of a partial structure of the variable aperture <NUM> shown in <FIG> in a use state. A state in <FIG> corresponds to a state in <FIG>.

In this embodiment, one end of the first SMA wire <NUM> is connected to the base <NUM>, the other end of the first SMA wire <NUM> is connected to the rotation plate <NUM> through the first flipping block <NUM>, one end of the second SMA wire <NUM> is connected to the base <NUM>, and the other end of the second SMA wire <NUM> is connected to the rotation plate <NUM> through the second flipping block <NUM>.

In a use state, the first SMA wire <NUM> is configured to shrink when power is on, and the first SMA wire <NUM> shrinks to drive the first connection part <NUM> of the first flipping block <NUM> to rotate clockwise about the rotation part <NUM>, so that the second connection part <NUM> rotates clockwise about the rotation part <NUM> and flips the rotation plate <NUM> to rotate anticlockwise relative to the fixed plate <NUM>. That is, the first SMA wire <NUM> shrinks to drive the rotation plate <NUM> to rotate anticlockwise. Each of the blades <NUM> rotates anticlockwise relative to the fixed plate <NUM> to implement a centripetal motion, and slides relative to the rotation plate <NUM>. The plurality of blades <NUM> are closed to narrow the aperture of the aperture hole <NUM>. After the first SMA wire <NUM> is powered off, the reset spring <NUM> drives the first flipping block <NUM> to rotate anticlockwise, the first SMA wire <NUM> is stretched to an initial length, the first flipping block <NUM> flips the rotation plate <NUM> to rotate clockwise to an initial position, and the plurality of blades <NUM> are reset.

It may be understood that in another use state, the second SMA wire <NUM> is configured to shrink when power is on, the second SMA wire <NUM> shrinks to drive the second flipping block <NUM> to rotate anticlockwise, and the second flipping block <NUM> flips the rotation plate <NUM> to rotate clockwise relative to the fixed plate <NUM>. That is, the second SMA wire <NUM> shrinks to drive the rotation plate <NUM> to rotate clockwise. Each of the blades <NUM> rotates clockwise relative to the fixed plate <NUM> to implement a centrifugal motion, and slides relative to the rotation plate <NUM>. The plurality of blades <NUM> are opened to enlarge the aperture hole <NUM>. After the second SMA wire <NUM> is powered off, the reset spring <NUM> drives the second flipping block <NUM> to rotate clockwise, the second SMA wire <NUM> is stretched to an initial length, the second flipping block <NUM> flips the rotation plate <NUM> to rotate anticlockwise to an initial position, and the plurality of blades <NUM> are reset.

In short, the first SMA wire <NUM> or the second SMA wire <NUM> is configured to shrink when power is on, to drive the rotation plate <NUM> to rotate relative to the fixed plate <NUM>. Each of the blades <NUM> rotates relative to the fixed plate <NUM> and slides relative to the rotation plate <NUM>, so that the aperture of the aperture hole <NUM> changes. A direction in which the first SMA wire <NUM> shrinks to drive the rotation plate <NUM> to rotate is opposite to a direction in which the second SMA wire <NUM> shrinks to drive the rotation plate <NUM> to rotate.

In this embodiment, the variable aperture <NUM> drives, by using the first SMA wire <NUM> or the second SMA wire <NUM>, the rotation plate <NUM> to rotate relative to the fixed plate <NUM>, so that the plurality of blades <NUM> are closed or opened, and the aperture of the aperture hole <NUM> changes. Compared with a conventional voice coil motor, a driving mechanism of the variable aperture <NUM> is not prone to being interfered with by electromagnetic waves, so that aperture adjustment precision of the aperture hole <NUM> of the variable aperture <NUM> is high, and reliability is high. In this case, the camera module <NUM> in which the variable aperture <NUM> is used has high imaging quality.

In addition, because components of the driving mechanism for driving by using the SMA wire are small in size and arranged compactly, compared with the conventional voice coil motor, the variable aperture <NUM> can narrow space in a length direction and a width direction. This facilitates miniaturization of the variable aperture <NUM>. The length direction and the width direction are perpendicular to each other, and both are perpendicular to a center line of the aperture hole <NUM>.

In addition, because the variable aperture <NUM> is provided with the reset spring <NUM>, the reset spring <NUM> can reset the blade <NUM> after power-off. Therefore, the variable aperture <NUM> does not need to be additionally powered on, and power consumption can be reduced, so that power consumption of the variable aperture <NUM> is low.

It may be understood that an aperture hole of a variable aperture of the conventional voice coil motor is likely to change slightly because magnetic forces of a magnet and a coil have upper limits. In other words, a change range of the aperture hole of the conventional variable aperture is limited. However, in this application, the variable aperture <NUM> is driven by using the first SMA wire <NUM> or the second SMA wire <NUM>, and an aperture change range of the aperture hole <NUM> of the variable aperture <NUM> is not affected by magnetic forces of a magnet and a coil. In addition, because the spacing between the first connection part <NUM> and the rotation part <NUM> of the first flipping block <NUM> is less than the spacing between the second connection part <NUM> and the rotation part <NUM>, the first flipping block <NUM> can implement a travel expansion. When a shrinkage length of the first SMA wire <NUM> is small, the first flipping block <NUM> can flip the rotation plate <NUM> to rotate relative to the fixed plate <NUM> by a large angle, so that a rotation angle of the blade <NUM> is large, and an aperture change of the aperture hole <NUM> is large. The second flipping block <NUM> can also implement a travel expansion, so that the aperture change range of the aperture hole <NUM> of the variable aperture <NUM> is large. This helps improve photographing quality and enrich photographing scenarios of the camera module <NUM> in which the variable aperture <NUM> is used.

In some other embodiments, a connection structure between the first SMA wire <NUM> and the rotation plate <NUM> and a connection structure between the second SMA wire <NUM> and the rotation plate <NUM> are changed, so that the first SMA wire <NUM> shrinks to drive the rotation plate <NUM> to rotate clockwise, and the second SMA wire <NUM> shrinks to drive the rotation plate <NUM> to rotate anticlockwise.

In some other embodiments, the spacing between the first connection part <NUM> and the rotation part <NUM> may alternatively be greater than or equal to the spacing between the second connection part <NUM> and the rotation part <NUM>. In some other embodiments, the first connection part <NUM> and the second connection part <NUM> may alternatively be located on a same side of the rotation part <NUM>. This is not strictly limited in this embodiment of this application.

In some other embodiments, if the direction in which the first SMA wire <NUM> shrinks to drive the rotation plate <NUM> to rotate is opposite to the direction in which the second SMA wire <NUM> shrinks to drive the rotation plate <NUM> to rotate, the first SMA wire <NUM> and the second SMA wire <NUM> may alternatively be connected to the rotation plate <NUM> in another manner, including a direct connection manner and an indirect connection manner. This is not strictly limited in this application.

In some other embodiments, a structure, a position, and a connection relationship of the reset spring <NUM> may alternatively be different from those in the foregoing embodiments. For example, the reset spring <NUM> may alternatively be connected to the base <NUM> and the rotation plate <NUM>, so that the rotation plate <NUM>, after rotating relative to the fixed plate <NUM>, can return to an initial position under an elastic force of the reset spring <NUM>. This is not strictly limited in this embodiment of this application.

Refer to <FIG> again. In some embodiments, the camera lens <NUM> may be partially accommodated in the through hole <NUM> of the base <NUM> of the variable aperture <NUM> and partially embedded into the variable aperture <NUM>, to reduce a size of the camera module <NUM> in a thickness direction. This facilitates miniaturization. The camera lens <NUM> may be further partially accommodated in the inner through hole <NUM> of the fixed plate <NUM> of the variable aperture <NUM>. For example, the camera lens <NUM> may be provided with a top surface <NUM> and an annular protrusion <NUM> convexly disposed on the top surface <NUM>, and the annular protrusion <NUM> can be accommodated in the inner through hole <NUM> of the fixed plate <NUM>.

For example, the top surface <NUM> of the camera lens <NUM> may abut against a bottom surface that is of the fixed plate <NUM> and that faces the through hole <NUM>, so that the camera lens <NUM> and the variable aperture <NUM> are limited in a thickness direction. The camera lens <NUM> may fit a hole wall of the inner through hole <NUM> of the fixed plate <NUM> or fit a hole wall of the through hole <NUM>, so that the camera lens <NUM> and the variable aperture <NUM> are limited in the length direction and the width direction.

Refer to <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a structure of the camera module <NUM> shown in <FIG> in some other embodiments. The camera module <NUM> in this embodiment includes all or a part of features of the camera module <NUM> in the foregoing embodiments. The following mainly describes a difference between the camera module <NUM> in this embodiment and the camera module <NUM> in the foregoing embodiments.

In some embodiments, there may be a step surface <NUM> on a circumferential side of the camera lens <NUM>, and the step surface <NUM> is disposed facing the variable aperture <NUM>. When the variable aperture <NUM> is fastened to the camera lens <NUM>, the base <NUM> of the variable aperture <NUM> may be further fixedly connected to the step surface <NUM>, to improve connection stability between the variable aperture <NUM> and the camera lens <NUM>.

Refer to <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a structure of the camera module <NUM> shown in <FIG> in still some other embodiments. The camera module <NUM> in this embodiment includes all or a part of features of the camera module <NUM> in the foregoing embodiments. The following mainly describes a difference between the camera module <NUM> in this embodiment and the camera module <NUM> in the foregoing embodiments.

In some embodiments, the camera lens <NUM> includes a first part 2a and a second part 2b that are coaxially disposed. The first part 2a may include a first camera lens barrel and a first lens group installed in the first camera lens barrel, and the second part 2b may include a second camera lens barrel and a second lens group installed in the second camera lens barrel. An optical axis of the second lens group and an optical axis of the first lens group coincide.

The aperture hole <NUM> of the variable aperture <NUM> is located between the first part 2a and the second part 2b. For example, the first part 2a may be installed on the motor <NUM>, and the variable aperture <NUM> may be installed upside down on the camera lens <NUM>. In other words, the cover plate <NUM> is disposed facing the first part 2a, and the second part 2b may be accommodated in the through hole <NUM> of the variable aperture <NUM>. In this embodiment, the aperture hole <NUM> of the variable aperture <NUM> is disposed between the first part 2a and the second part 2b, so that a photographing requirement of the camera module <NUM> can be better met. For example, the camera lens <NUM> may implement zooming through the first part 2a and the second part 2b.

In some other embodiments, the aperture hole <NUM> of the variable aperture <NUM> may alternatively be arranged in another position. This is not strictly limited in this embodiment of this application. In some other embodiments, the camera lens <NUM> may further include more parts. This is not strictly limited in this embodiment of this application.

It may be understood that in some other embodiments, the variable aperture <NUM> and the camera lens <NUM> may also have another fitting structure and position relationship. This is not strictly limited in this embodiment of this application.

Claim 1:
A variable aperture (<NUM>), comprising:
a base (<NUM>), provided with a through hole (<NUM>);
a fixed plate (<NUM>), fixedly connected to the base (<NUM>), wherein the fixed plate (<NUM>) is in a ring shape, and an inner through hole (<NUM>) of the fixed plate (<NUM>) is disposed opposite to the through hole (<NUM>);
a rotation plate (<NUM>), rotatively connected to the base (<NUM>) and disposed around the fixed plate (<NUM>);
a plurality of blades (<NUM>), located on a same side of the fixed plate (<NUM>) and the rotation plate (<NUM>), wherein the plurality of blades (<NUM>) are annularly distributed and enclose an aperture hole (<NUM>), the aperture hole (<NUM>) is disposed opposite to the through hole (<NUM>), and each of the blades (<NUM>) is rotatively connected to the fixed plate (<NUM>) and slidably connected to the rotation plate (<NUM>); and
a first SMA wire (<NUM>) and a second SMA wire (<NUM>), wherein one end of each of the first SMA wire (<NUM>) and the second SMA wire (<NUM>) is connected to the base (<NUM>), the other end is connected to the rotation plate (<NUM>), the first SMA wire (<NUM>) or the second SMA wire (<NUM>) is configured to shrink when power is on, to drive the rotation plate (<NUM>) to rotate relative to the fixed plate (<NUM>), and each of the blades (<NUM>) rotates relative to the fixed plate (<NUM>) and slides relative to the rotation plate (<NUM>), so that an aperture of the aperture hole (<NUM>) changes; and a direction in which the first SMA wire (<NUM>) shrinks to drive the rotation plate (<NUM>) to rotate is opposite to a direction in which the second SMA wire (<NUM>) shrinks to drive the rotation plate (<NUM>) to rotate.