Patent Description:
Currently, in order to realize telephotography and wide-angle photography, an electronic device such as a mobile phone is generally provided with a separate telephoto lens and a separate wide-angle lens, so that the telephotography and the wide-angle photography are realized by switching the lenses. <CIT> proposes a lens drive device including a base, a lens frame holding a lens and provided to be movable with respect to the base in an optical axis direction of the lens, a light bending portion for bending incident light on the lens, a driving unit for moving the lens frame, and a position detection unit for detecting a position of the lens frame. <CIT> proposes a camera module including a fixed member, a movable member, a lens unit, and a driving member. <CIT> proposes an optical lens module including a lens barrel and a barrel base. These publications are related arts.

The present disclosure provides an imaging device and an electronic device.

The above and/or additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become obvious and be understood easily from a description of embodiments in conjunction with accompanying drawings.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be further described below in conjunction with accompanying drawings. Same or similar reference numerals in the accompanying drawings indicate same or similar elements or elements with same or similar functions throughout.

Furthermore, the embodiments of the present disclosure described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings are exemplary, and are only used to explain the embodiments of the present disclosure, and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure.

In the present disclosure, unless otherwise specifically specified or limited, a description that a first feature is "on" or "under" a second feature may indicate that the first feature directly contacts the second feature, or that the first feature and the second feature are indirectly contacted through an intermediary. Furthermore, a description that the first feature is "on", "above", or "on top of" the second feature may indicate that the first feature is right or obliquely "on", "above", or "on top of" the second feature, or just means that a sea-level elevation of the first feature is greater than a sea-level elevation of the second feature. A description that the first feature "under", "below", or "on bottom of" the second feature may indicate that the first feature is right or obliquely "under", "below", or "on bottom of" the second feature, or just means that the sea-level elevation of the first feature is less than the sea-level elevation of the second feature.

Please refer to <FIG>. In some embodiments, an imaging device <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM> and a first lens module <NUM>. The housing <NUM> comprises a base plate <NUM> and a side plate <NUM> disposed on the base plate <NUM>. The side plate <NUM> is provided with a sliding groove <NUM>. The first lens module <NUM> comprises a casing <NUM> and a lens group <NUM> disposed in the casing <NUM>. The casing <NUM> comprises a main body <NUM> and a sliding block <NUM> connected to the main body <NUM>. An extending direction of the sliding groove <NUM> is parallel to an optical axis O of the lens group <NUM>. The sliding block <NUM> is slidably disposed in the sliding groove <NUM>. The casing <NUM> is configured to drive the lens group <NUM> to slide.

Please refer to <FIG> and <FIG>. In some embodiments, in a direction perpendicular to a bearing surface <NUM> of the base plate <NUM>, opposite sides of the sliding block <NUM> respectively abut against opposite sides of an inner wall of the sliding groove <NUM>.

Please refer to <FIG> and <FIG>. In some embodiments, the side plate <NUM> is further provided with an installation groove <NUM>. One end of the installation groove <NUM> penetrates a surface of the side plate <NUM> away from the base plate <NUM>, and the other end of the installation groove <NUM> communicates with the sliding groove <NUM>. The sliding block <NUM> is disposed in the sliding groove <NUM> through the installation groove <NUM>.

Please refer to <FIG>. In some embodiments, an extending direction of the installation groove <NUM> is perpendicular or inclined to the extending direction of the sliding groove <NUM>.

Please refer to <FIG> and <FIG>. In some embodiments, the housing <NUM> further comprises a cover plate <NUM> disposed on the side plate <NUM> and comprising a cover plate body <NUM> and a resisting portion <NUM>. The resisting portion <NUM> is disposed on a side of the cover plate body <NUM> and in the installation groove <NUM>. A length L of the resisting portion <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the bearing surface <NUM> of the base plate <NUM> is equal to a depth H of the installation groove <NUM> in the direction perpendicular to the bearing surface <NUM>.

Please refer to <FIG>. In some embodiments, when the resisting portion <NUM> is disposed in the installation groove <NUM>, the resisting portion <NUM> completely fills the installation groove <NUM>.

Please refer to <FIG> and <FIG>. In some embodiments, the casing <NUM> further comprises a top surface <NUM> and a bottom surface <NUM> opposite to each other. The top surface <NUM> faces the cover plate <NUM>. The bottom surface <NUM> faces the base plate <NUM> and is provided with a first groove <NUM>. A surface of the base plate <NUM> facing the bottom surface <NUM> is provided with a first slide rail <NUM>. The first lens module <NUM> further comprises a first rolling ball <NUM> disposed in the first groove <NUM> and abuts against a bottom of the first slide rail <NUM>.

Please refer to <FIG> and <FIG>. In some embodiments, the top surface <NUM> is provided with a second groove <NUM>. The first lens module <NUM> further comprises a second rolling ball <NUM> disposed in the second groove <NUM> and abuts against the cover plate <NUM>.

Please refer to <FIG> and <FIG>. In some embodiments, a surface of the cover plate <NUM> facing the top surface <NUM> is provided with a second slide rail <NUM>. The second rolling ball <NUM> is disposed in the second groove <NUM> and abuts against a bottom of the second slide rail <NUM>.

Please refer to <FIG>. In some embodiments, a number of the first lens module <NUM> may be multiple. The sliding block <NUM> of each first lens module <NUM> is slidably disposed in the sliding groove <NUM>. The housing <NUM> further comprises one or more spacer plates <NUM> connected to the side plate <NUM>. Two adjacent first lens modules <NUM> are separated by one spacer plate <NUM>.

Please refer to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. An electronic device <NUM> of the present disclosure comprises a chassis <NUM> and an imaging device <NUM> combined with the chassis <NUM>. The imaging device <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM> and a first lens module <NUM>. The housing <NUM> comprises a base plate <NUM> and a side plate <NUM> disposed on the base plate <NUM>. The side plate <NUM> is provided with a sliding groove <NUM>. The first lens module <NUM> comprises a casing <NUM> and a lens group <NUM> disposed in the casing <NUM>. The casing <NUM> comprises a main body <NUM> and a sliding block <NUM> connected to the main body <NUM>. An extending direction of the sliding groove <NUM> is parallel to an optical axis O of the lens group <NUM>. The sliding block <NUM> is slidably disposed in the sliding groove <NUM>. The casing <NUM> is configured to drive the lens group <NUM> to slide.

Please refer to <FIG> and <FIG>. The electronic device <NUM> comprises the chassis <NUM> and the imaging device <NUM> combined with the chassis <NUM>. Specifically, the electronic device <NUM> may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a monitor, a notebook computer, a teller machine, a gate machine, a smart watch, a head-mounted display device, a game console, or the like. The embodiments of the present disclosure are described by taking the electronic device <NUM> as a mobile phone as an example. It can be understood that a specific form of the electronic device <NUM> is not limited to a mobile phone.

The chassis <NUM> may be configured to install the imaging device <NUM>. In other words, the chassis <NUM> may be configured as an installation carrier for the imaging device <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> further comprises a front surface <NUM> and a back surface <NUM>. The imaging device <NUM> may be disposed on the front surface <NUM> as a front camera. The imaging device <NUM> may also be disposed on the back surface <NUM> as a rear camera. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the imaging device <NUM> is disposed on the back surface <NUM> as a rear camera. In addition to installing the imaging device <NUM>, the chassis <NUM> may also be configured to install functional modules such as a power supply device and a communication device of the electronic device <NUM>. The chassis <NUM> provides protections such as dustproof, anti-drop, and waterproof for the functional modules such as the imaging device <NUM>, the power supply device, and the communication device.

Please refer to <FIG>, the imaging device <NUM> comprises the housing <NUM> and the first lens module <NUM>. The first lens module <NUM> is received and installed in the housing <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> comprises the base plate <NUM> and the side plate <NUM> disposed on the base plate <NUM>. The side plate <NUM> is provided with the sliding groove <NUM>. The first lens module <NUM> comprises the casing <NUM> and the lens group <NUM> disposed in the casing <NUM>. The casing <NUM> comprises the main body <NUM> and the sliding block <NUM> connected to the main body <NUM>. The extending direction of the sliding groove <NUM> is parallel to the optical axis O of the lens group <NUM>. The sliding block <NUM> is slidably disposed in the sliding groove <NUM>. The casing <NUM> is configured to drive the lens group <NUM> to slide.

A shape of the sliding block <NUM> matches a shape of the sliding groove <NUM>. For example, the sliding groove <NUM> is a rectangular groove, and the sliding block <NUM> is a rectangular block. That is, cross-sections of the sliding groove <NUM> and the sliding block <NUM> cut by a plane (i.e. a plane parallel to a line VII-VII in <FIG>, an explanation for this below is same) perpendicular to the optical axis O are both rectangular. Alternatively, the sliding groove <NUM> is a semicircular groove, and the sliding block <NUM> is a semicircular block. That is, the cross-sections of the sliding groove <NUM> and the sliding block <NUM> cut by the plane perpendicular to the optical axis O are both semicircular. Alternatively, the sliding groove <NUM> is a rectangular groove, and the sliding block <NUM> is a semicircular block. That is, the cross-section of the sliding groove <NUM> cut by the plane perpendicular to the optical axis O is rectangular, and the cross-section of the sliding block <NUM> cut by the plane perpendicular to the optical axis O is semicircular. The cross-sections of the sliding groove <NUM> and the sliding block <NUM> cut by the plane perpendicular to the optical axis O may also be other shapes, such as other regular shapes or irregular shapes, as long as the sliding block <NUM> can match the sliding groove <NUM> to slide in the sliding groove <NUM>, which will not be described in detail herein. In this embodiment, the cross-sections of the sliding groove <NUM> and the sliding block <NUM> cut by the plane perpendicular to the optical axis O both are irregular shapes. Each of the irregular shape is a closed "D" shape composed of a straight line and an arc. A curvature of an arc corresponding to the inner wall of the sliding groove <NUM> is same as a curvature of an arc corresponding to an outer wall of the sliding block <NUM>, so that the sliding block <NUM> and the sliding groove <NUM> can be better matched.

Recently, it is generally necessary to dispose both a telephoto lens and a wide-angle lens at a same time, so that telephotography and wide-angle photography can be realized by switching the lenses. A single lens cannot realize the telephotography and the wide-angle photography.

In the imaging device <NUM> of the present disclosure, the sliding block <NUM> of the casing <NUM> cooperates with the sliding groove <NUM> of the side plate <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to move the first lens group <NUM>, so that a focal length of the imaging device <NUM> is variable. Therefore, the telephotography and the wide-angle photography can be realized without disposing a telephoto lens and a wide-angle lens at a same time.

Please refer to <FIG> and <FIG>. In this embodiment, the imaging device <NUM> comprises the housing <NUM> and the first lens module <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> comprises the base plate <NUM>, the side plate <NUM>, and the cover plate <NUM>. The base plate <NUM>, the side plate <NUM>, and the cover plate <NUM> define a receiving space <NUM>. The first lens module <NUM> is disposed in the receiving space <NUM>.

The base plate <NUM> comprises the bearing surface <NUM>. The bearing surface <NUM> is configured to bear the side plate <NUM> and the first lens module <NUM>. The base plate <NUM> may be a rectangular parallelepiped structure, a cube structure, a cylindrical structure, or a structure of other shapes, which is not limited herein. In this embodiment, the base plate <NUM> is a rectangular parallelepiped structure.

The side plate <NUM> is disposed around an edge of the base plate <NUM>. The side plate <NUM> is perpendicular to the base plate <NUM>. The side plate <NUM> may be disposed on the base plate <NUM> by gluing, screwing, snapping, or the like. The side plate <NUM> may also be integrally formed with the base plate <NUM>.

Please refer to <FIG>, the side plate <NUM> comprises an inner surface <NUM>, an outer surface <NUM>, an upper surface <NUM>, and a lower surface <NUM>. The inner surface <NUM> and the outer surface <NUM> are opposite to each other. The inner surface <NUM> is located in the receiving space <NUM>. The outer surface <NUM> is located outside the receiving space <NUM>. The inner surface <NUM> is connected to both the upper surface <NUM> and the lower surface <NUM>. The outer surface <NUM> is also connected to both the upper surface <NUM> and the lower surface <NUM>. The upper surface <NUM> and the lower surface <NUM> are opposite to each other. The lower surface <NUM> is connected to the bearing surface <NUM> of the base plate <NUM>. The upper surface <NUM> is away from the bearing surface <NUM> of the base plate <NUM>.

The side plate <NUM> further comprises a first side plate <NUM> and a second side plate <NUM> parallel to the optical axis O. The first side plate <NUM> and the second side plate <NUM> are opposite to each other. An inner surface <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM> and/or an inner surface <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM> are provided with the sliding groove <NUM> and the installation groove <NUM>. For example, the inner surface <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM> is provided with the sliding groove <NUM> and the installation groove <NUM>. Alternatively, the inner surface <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM> is provided with the sliding groove <NUM> and the installation groove <NUM>. Alternatively, both the inner side <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM> and the inner side <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM> are provided with the sliding groove <NUM> and the installation groove <NUM>. In this embodiment, both the inner side <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM> and the inner side <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM> are provided with the sliding groove <NUM> and the installation groove <NUM>. The extending direction of the sliding groove <NUM> is parallel to the bearing surface <NUM>.

The sliding groove <NUM> communicates with the receiving space <NUM>. The extending direction of the sliding groove <NUM> is parallel to the optical axis O. A groove depth of the sliding groove <NUM> is less than a thickness of the side plate <NUM>. In other words, the sliding groove <NUM> does not penetrate the outer surface <NUM> of the side plate <NUM>. In other embodiments, the sliding groove <NUM> penetrates the outer surface <NUM> of the side plate <NUM>, so that the receiving space <NUM> communicates with outside. A number of the sliding grooves <NUM> formed on the inner surface <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM> and the inner surface <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM> may be one or more. For example, the inner surface <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM> is provided with one sliding groove <NUM>, and the inner surface <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM> is provided with one sliding groove <NUM>. For another example, the inner surface <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM> is provided with two sliding grooves <NUM>, and the inner surface <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM> is provided with two sliding grooves <NUM>. For yet another example, the inner surface <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM> is provided with one sliding groove <NUM>, and the inner surface <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM> is provided with two sliding grooves <NUM>, and so on, which will not be listed herein. In this embodiment, both the inner surface <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM> and the inner surface <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM> are provided with one sliding groove <NUM>. The cross-section of the sliding groove <NUM> cut by the plane perpendicular to the optical axis O is rectangular, semicircular, or other shapes, such as other regular shapes or irregular shapes. Please refer to <FIG>. In this embodiment, the cross-section of the sliding groove <NUM> cut by the plane perpendicular to the optical axis O is an irregular shape. The irregular shape is a closed "D" shape composed of a straight line and an arc. A cross-sectional shape of the inner wall of the sliding groove <NUM> corresponds to the arc of the "D" shape.

The installation groove <NUM> communicates with the receiving space <NUM>. One end of the installation groove <NUM> penetrates the upper surface <NUM> of the side plate <NUM>. The other end of the installation groove <NUM> communicates with the sliding groove <NUM>. The extending direction of the installation groove <NUM> may be perpendicular or inclined to the extending direction of the sliding groove <NUM>. For example, the extending direction of the installation groove <NUM> is perpendicular to the optical axis O. Alternatively, the extending direction of the installation groove <NUM> is inclined at a certain angle (not <NUM>°, but <NUM>°, <NUM>°, <NUM>°, etc.) with respect to the optical axis O. In this embodiment, the extending direction of the installation groove <NUM> is perpendicular to the optical axis O. A number of the installation grooves <NUM> formed on the inner surface <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM> and the inner surface <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM> may be one or more. For example, the inner surface <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM> is provided with one installation groove <NUM>, and the inner surface <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM> is provided with one installation groove <NUM>. For another example, the inner surface <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM> is provided with two installation grooves <NUM>, and the inner surface <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM> is provided with two installation grooves <NUM>. For yet another example, the inner surface <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM> is provided with one installation groove <NUM>, and the inner surface <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM> is provided with two installation grooves <NUM>, and so on, which will not be listed herein. In this embodiment, the inner surface <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM> and the inner surface <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM> are both provided with two installation grooves <NUM>.

The cover plate <NUM> is disposed on the side plate <NUM>. Specifically, the cover plate <NUM> may be disposed on the upper surface <NUM> of the side plate <NUM> by clamping, screwing, gluing, or the like. The cover plate <NUM> comprises the cover plate body <NUM> and a plurality of the resisting portions <NUM>. The cover plate body <NUM> is connected to the upper surface <NUM> of the side plate <NUM>. The cover plate body <NUM> is provided with a light entrance <NUM>. A depth direction of the light entrance <NUM> may be perpendicular to the optical axis O, so that the imaging device <NUM> has a periscope structure as a whole. The resisting portions <NUM> are disposed on two opposite sides of the cover plate body <NUM>. Specifically, the resisting portions <NUM> are disposed on two sides of the cover plate <NUM> respectively corresponding to the first side plate <NUM> and the second side plate <NUM>. When the cover plate <NUM> is disposed on the side plate <NUM>, the resisting portions <NUM> are disposed in the installation grooves <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a direction parallel to the optical axis O is defined as an x direction, a direction perpendicular to the inner surface <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM> is defined as a y direction, and a direction perpendicular to the bearing surface <NUM> is defined as a z direction. The x direction, the y direction, and the z direction are perpendicular to each other. The length L of the resisting portions <NUM> in the direction perpendicular to the bearing surface <NUM> of the base plate <NUM> is equal to the depth H of the installation grooves <NUM> in the z direction. The resisting portions <NUM> are disposed in the installation grooves <NUM>, which may be that each of the resisting portions <NUM> is disposed in one installation groove <NUM> and occupies a part of a space of the installation groove <NUM>. The resisting portions <NUM> are disposed in the installation grooves <NUM>, which may be that each of the resisting portions <NUM> is disposed in one installation groove <NUM> and completely fills the installation groove <NUM>. In this embodiment, when the resisting portions <NUM> are disposed in the installation grooves <NUM>, the resisting portions <NUM> completely fill the installation grooves <NUM> so that the resisting portions <NUM> and the installation grooves <NUM> are combined more firmly, and thus the cover plate <NUM> and the side plate <NUM> are connected more firmly. In other embodiments, the light entrance <NUM> is not a via hole, but a light-transmitting physical structure. Light can enter the receiving space <NUM> from the light-transmitting physical structure.

Please refer to <FIG>, the first lens module <NUM> comprises the casing <NUM> and the lens group <NUM>. The lens group <NUM> is disposed in the casing <NUM>. When the casing <NUM> slides, the casing <NUM> drives the lens group <NUM> to slide. A number of the first lens module <NUM> is one or more. For example, the number of the first lens module <NUM> is one, two, three, or the like. In this embodiment, the number of the first lens module <NUM> is one.

The casing <NUM> comprises the main body <NUM> and the sliding block <NUM>. The main body <NUM> is fixedly connected to the sliding block <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> comprises a light-inlet <NUM> and a light-outlet <NUM> corresponding to the lens group <NUM>. The main body <NUM> is provided with an accommodating space <NUM> for accommodating the lens group <NUM>. The accommodating space <NUM> communicates with the receiving space <NUM> through the light-inlet <NUM> and the light-outlet <NUM>.

Please refer to <FIG> and <FIG>, the sliding block <NUM> is movably disposed in the sliding groove <NUM>. A number of the sliding block <NUM> matches a number of the installation groove <NUM>. The number of the sliding block <NUM> matches the number of the installation groove <NUM>, which means that a number of the sliding block <NUM> located on a surface of the main body <NUM> facing the inner surface <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM> is same as a number of the installation groove <NUM> formed on the inner surface <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM>, both are two. And, a number of the sliding block <NUM> located on a surface of the main body <NUM> facing the inner surface <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM> is same as a number of the installation groove <NUM> formed on the inner surface <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM>, both are two, and the two sliding blocks <NUM> correspond to the two installation grooves <NUM> one-to-one. In other embodiments, the number of sliding block <NUM> may be less than the number of installation grooves <NUM>. For example, the number of the sliding block <NUM> located on the surface of the main body <NUM> facing the inner surface <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM> is less than the number of the installation groove <NUM> formed on the inner surface <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM>, and the number of the sliding block <NUM> located on the surface of the main body <NUM> facing the inner surface <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM> is less than the number of the installation groove <NUM> formed on the inner surface <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM>. Moreover, a length d1 of the sliding blocks <NUM> in the x direction is less than or equal to a length d2 of the installation grooves <NUM> in the x direction, so as to facilitate the sliding blocks <NUM> to slide into the sliding grooves <NUM> through the installation grooves <NUM>.

The cross-section of each of the installation grooves <NUM> cut by the plane perpendicular to the optical axis O is rectangular, semicircular, or other shapes, such as other regular shapes or irregular shapes, as long as a shape of one sliding block <NUM> matches a shape of one corresponding sliding groove <NUM>. Specifically, the shape of one sliding block <NUM> matches the shape of one corresponding sliding groove <NUM>, which means that when a cross-section of the sliding groove <NUM> formed on the inner side surface <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM> cut by the plane perpendicular to the optical axis O is rectangular, a cross-section of the sliding block <NUM> located on the surface of the main body <NUM> facing the inner surface <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM> is also rectangular. when a cross-section of the sliding groove <NUM> formed on the inner side surface <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM> cut by the plane perpendicular to the optical axis O is rectangular, a cross-section of the sliding block <NUM> located on the surface of the main body <NUM> facing the inner surface <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM> is also rectangular. when a cross-section of the sliding groove <NUM> formed on the inner side surface <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM> cut by the plane perpendicular to the optical axis O is rectangular, a cross-section of the sliding block <NUM> located on the surface of the main body <NUM> facing the inner surface <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM> is also semicircular. when a cross-section of the sliding groove <NUM> formed on the inner side surface <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM> cut by the plane perpendicular to the optical axis O is semicircular, a cross-section of the sliding block <NUM> located on the surface of the main body <NUM> facing the inner surface <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM> is also semicircular, and so on, which will not be listed herein.

Please refer to <FIG>. In this embodiment, the cross-section of the sliding block <NUM> cut by the plane perpendicular to the optical axis O is an irregular shape. The irregular shape is a closed "D" shape composed of a straight line and an arc. A cross-sectional shape of the outer wall of the sliding block <NUM> corresponds to the arc of the "D" shape. The shape of one sliding block <NUM> matches the shape of one corresponding sliding groove <NUM>, which means that the curvature of the arc corresponding to the inner wall of the sliding groove <NUM> is the same as the curvature of the arc corresponding to the outer wall of the sliding block <NUM>. Therefore, the sliding block <NUM> and the sliding groove <NUM> can be better matched.

In z direction, the opposite sides of the sliding block <NUM> respectively abut against the opposite sides of an inner wall of the sliding groove <NUM>. Specifically, when the sliding blocks <NUM> are disposed in the sliding grooves <NUM>, in the z direction, opposite sides of the sliding block <NUM> corresponding to the first side plate <NUM> are abutted by opposite sides of the inner wall of the sliding groove <NUM> on the inner surface <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM>. And, opposite sides of the sliding block <NUM> corresponding to the second side plate <NUM> are abutted by opposite sides of the inner wall of the sliding groove <NUM> on the inner surface <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM>. As a result, movement of the sliding blocks <NUM> in the z direction is restricted, which prevents the sliding blocks <NUM> from shaking or tilting in the z direction, thereby ensuring that an imaging quality of the first lens module <NUM> is not affected.

The lens group <NUM> is disposed in the accommodating space <NUM>. Specifically, the lens group <NUM> may be disposed in the accommodating space <NUM> by gluing, screwing, snapping, or the like. The lens group <NUM> may be a separate lens, and the lens is a convex lens or a concave lens. Alternatively, the lens group <NUM> comprises a plurality of (such as two, three, etc.) lenses. The lenses may all be convex lenses or concave lenses. Alternatively, some of the lenses may be convex lenses, while others may be concave lenses. In this embodiment, the lens group <NUM> comprises three lenses.

Please refer to <FIG> and <FIG>, the imaging device <NUM> further comprises a second lens module <NUM>, a prism assembly <NUM>, and a photosensitive element <NUM>.

The second lens module <NUM> comprises a fixed casing <NUM> and a lens group <NUM>. The lens group <NUM> is disposed in the fixed casing <NUM>.

The fixed casing <NUM> is disposed on the bearing surface <NUM> of the base plate <NUM>. Specifically, the fixed casing <NUM> may be fixedly disposed on the bearing surface <NUM> by gluing, screwing, snapping, or the like. The fixed casing <NUM> may also be integrally formed with the base plate <NUM>. The fixed casing <NUM> comprises a light-inlet hole <NUM>, a light-outlet hole <NUM>, and a receiving cavity <NUM>. The receiving cavity <NUM> communicates with the receiving space <NUM> through the light-inlet hole <NUM> and the light-outlet hole <NUM>. The light-outlet hole <NUM> faces the light-inlet <NUM> of the first lens module <NUM>. The light-inlet hole 311faces the lens group <NUM>.

The lens group <NUM> is disposed in the receiving cavity <NUM>. The lens group <NUM> may be disposed in the fixed casing <NUM> by gluing, screwing, snapping, or the like. The lens group <NUM> may be a separate lens, and the lens is a convex lens or a concave lens. Alternatively, the lens group <NUM> comprises a plurality of (such as two, three, etc.) lenses. The lenses may all be convex lenses or concave lenses. Alternatively, some of the lenses may be convex lenses, while others may be concave lenses. In this embodiment, the lens group <NUM> comprises two lenses.

The prism assembly <NUM> is disposed on the bearing surface <NUM> of the base plate <NUM> and in the receiving space <NUM>. The prism assembly <NUM> comprises a mounting platform <NUM> and a prism <NUM>.

The mounting platform <NUM> is disposed on the bearing surface <NUM> of the base plate <NUM>. Specifically, the mounting platform <NUM> may be disposed on the bearing surface <NUM> by gluing, screwing, snapping, etc. The mounting platform <NUM> may also be integrally formed with the base plate <NUM>. The mounting platform <NUM> comprises a light-inlet via hole <NUM>, a light-outlet via hole <NUM>, and an accommodating cavity <NUM>. The accommodating cavity <NUM> communicates with the receiving space <NUM> through the light-inlet via hole <NUM> and the light-outlet via hole <NUM>. The light-inlet via hole <NUM> faces the light entrance <NUM> of the cover plate <NUM>. The light-outlet via hole <NUM> faces the light-inlet hole <NUM> of the second lens module <NUM>.

The prism <NUM> is disposed in the accommodating cavity <NUM>. The prism <NUM> may be disposed on the mounting platform <NUM> by gluing, snapping, or the like. The prism <NUM> comprises an incident surface <NUM>, a reflective surface <NUM>, and an emission surface <NUM>. The reflective surface <NUM> obliquely connects the incident surface <NUM> and the emission surface <NUM>. An angle between the reflective surface <NUM> and the bearing surface <NUM> may be <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degrees, or the like. In this embodiment, the angle between the reflective surface <NUM> and the bearing surface <NUM> is <NUM> degrees. The incident surface <NUM> faces the light-inlet via hole <NUM>, and the emission surface <NUM> faces the light-outlet via hole <NUM>. The prism <NUM> is configured to change an exit direction of a light entering the light-inlet via hole <NUM>. The prism <NUM> may be a triangular prism. Specifically, a cross-section of the prism <NUM> is a right triangle. Two right-angled sides of the right triangle are the incident surface <NUM> and the emission surface <NUM>, respectively. A hypotenuse of the right triangle is the reflective surface <NUM>.

The photosensitive element <NUM> is disposed on the inner surface <NUM> of the side plate <NUM>. The photosensitive element <NUM> faces the light-outlet <NUM> of the first lens module <NUM>. The photosensitive element <NUM> may be a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) photosensitive element <NUM> or a charge-coupled device (CCD) photosensitive element <NUM>.

Please refer to <FIG>. In this embodiment, the prism assembly <NUM>, the second lens module <NUM>, and the first lens module <NUM> are sequentially disposed in the receiving space <NUM> along the optical axis O. The prism assembly <NUM> and the second lens module <NUM> are fixedly disposed on the bearing surface <NUM> of the base plate <NUM>. The sliding blocks <NUM> pass through the installation grooves <NUM> and then slide into the sliding grooves <NUM>, so that the sliding blocks <NUM> are slidably disposed in the sliding grooves <NUM>, and the first lens module <NUM> is slidably connected to the side plate <NUM>. The sliding blocks <NUM> are fixedly connected to the main body <NUM>. When the sliding blocks <NUM> slide in the sliding grooves <NUM>, a distance between the first lens module <NUM> and the second lens module <NUM> changes. After the prism assembly <NUM>, the second lens module <NUM>, and the first lens module <NUM> are disposed, the cover plate <NUM> is disposed on the side plate <NUM>. The resisting portions <NUM> of the cover plate <NUM> completely fill the installation grooves <NUM>. It can be understood that when the first lens module <NUM> is sliding and the sliding blocks <NUM> pass through positions of the sliding grooves <NUM> corresponding to the installation grooves <NUM>, the sliding blocks <NUM> may shake or tilt in the direction perpendicular to the bearing surface <NUM> because there is no inner wall of the sliding grooves <NUM> against the slider <NUM>. Accordingly, after the resisting portions <NUM> completely fill the installation grooves <NUM>, the resisting portions <NUM> can abut against the sliding blocks <NUM>, thereby preventing the sliding blocks <NUM> from shaking or tilting in the z direction.

It should be noted that the electronic device <NUM> may further comprise a drive structure. For example, the drive structure may be a magnetic drive structure disposed in the receiving space <NUM>. The magnetic drive structure comprises a magnetic coil and a magnet. The magnetic coil may be disposed between the second lens module <NUM> and the first lens module <NUM>, between the prism assembly <NUM> and the second lens module <NUM>, or between the first lens module <NUM> and the photosensitive element <NUM>. The magnet may be disposed on the main body <NUM> of the first lens module <NUM>. When the magnetic coil has electricity in different directions, corresponding magnetic fields will be generated, thereby controlling the first lens module <NUM> provided with the magnet to move away from or close to the magnetic coil, and causing the sliding blocks <NUM> to slide in the sliding grooves <NUM>.

For another example, the drive structure may also be a linear motor. A stator of the linear motor may be fixedly disposed on the inner side <NUM>. A mover of the linear motor extends from the stator and is connected to the main body <NUM>. When the mover telescopically moves in a straight line, the main body <NUM> is driven to move linearly, so that sliding blocks <NUM> slide in the sliding grooves <NUM>. A number of the linear motor may be two, one is disposed on the inner side <NUM> of the first side plate <NUM>, and the other is disposed on the inner side <NUM> of the second side plate <NUM>. The linear motor may be disposed on any side of the second lens module <NUM>. For example, the linear motor may be disposed between the second lens module <NUM> and the first lens module <NUM>, between the prism assembly <NUM> and the second lens module <NUM>, or between the first lens module <NUM> and the photosensitive element <NUM>. The drive structure may also be other structures, such as a hydraulic structure, a piezoelectric motor, etc., which will not be listed herein.

During imaging, light passes through the light entrance <NUM> of the cover plate <NUM> and the light-inlet via hole <NUM> of the prism assembly <NUM>, is reflected by the reflective surface <NUM> of the prism <NUM>, and then exits from the light-outlet via hole <NUM>. Then, the light sequentially passes through the light-inlet hole <NUM>, the lens group <NUM>, and the light-outlet hole <NUM> of the second lens module <NUM>, and the light-inlet <NUM>, the lens group <NUM>, and the light-outlet <NUM> of the first lens module <NUM>, and finally reaches the photosensitive element <NUM> for the imaging. A relative distance between the first lens module <NUM> and the second lens module <NUM> may be changed by relative movement of the sliding blocks <NUM> in the sliding grooves <NUM>, thereby changing the focal length of the imaging device <NUM> and achieving zooming of the imaging device <NUM>.

Please refer to <FIG> and <FIG>. In some embodiments, the casing <NUM> further comprises the top surface <NUM> and the bottom surface <NUM> opposite to each other. The top surface <NUM> faces the cover plate <NUM>. The bottom surface <NUM> faces the bearing surface <NUM> of the base plate <NUM>. The bottom surface <NUM> is provided with the first groove <NUM>. The surface (i.e. the bearing surface <NUM>) of the base plate <NUM> facing the bottom surface <NUM> is provided with the first slide rail <NUM>. The first lens module <NUM> further comprises the first rolling ball <NUM> disposed in the first groove <NUM> and abuts against the bottom of the first slide rail <NUM>.

Specifically, a shape of the first groove <NUM> matches a shape of the first rolling ball <NUM>. For example, the first rolling ball <NUM> is spherical and has a small moving resistance. The first groove <NUM> is a semicircular groove. A diameter of the first rolling ball <NUM> is equal to a diameter of the first groove <NUM>. In other words, a half of the first rolling ball <NUM> is disposed in the first groove <NUM>. The first rolling ball <NUM> is tightly combined with the first groove <NUM>, so that when the first rolling ball <NUM> moves, the casing <NUM> of the first lens module <NUM> is driven to move. The bearing surface <NUM> is provided with the first slide rail <NUM>. The first slide rail <NUM> may be a groove formed on the bearing surface <NUM> with an extending direction parallel to the optical axis O. The first sliding rail <NUM> may also be a boss disposed on the bearing surface <NUM> with an extending direction parallel to the optical axis O. A surface of the boss facing the bottom surface <NUM> of the casing <NUM> is provided with a groove matching the first rolling ball <NUM>. In this embodiment, the first slide rail <NUM> is a groove formed on the bearing surface <NUM> with an extending direction parallel to the optical axis O. After the first lens module <NUM> is disposed in the receiving space <NUM>, a part of the first rolling ball <NUM> is disposed in the first slide rail <NUM> and abuts against the bottom of the first slide rail <NUM>. A cross-section of an inner wall of the first slide rail <NUM> cut by the plane perpendicular to the optical axis O is a first arc. A cross-section of an outer contour of the first rolling ball <NUM> cut by the plane perpendicular to the optical axis O is a second arc. A curvature of the first arc is same as a curvature of the second arc. When the first rolling ball <NUM> rotates along the first slide rail <NUM>, in the y direction, opposite sides of an outer wall of the first rolling ball <NUM> are abutted by opposite sides of the inner wall of the first slide rail <NUM>, thereby restricting movement of the first rolling ball <NUM> in the y direction, and preventing the first lens module <NUM> from shaking or tilting in the y direction.

A number of the first groove <NUM> is one or more. For example, the number of the first groove <NUM> is one, two, three, four, or more. In this embodiment, the number of the first groove <NUM> is four. A number of the first rolling ball <NUM> may also be one or more. In this embodiment, the number of the first rolling ball <NUM> is same as the number of the first groove <NUM>, which is also four. The four first grooves <NUM> are formed on the bottom surface <NUM> of the casing <NUM> at intervals.

A number of the first slide rail <NUM> may be one or more. The number of the first slide rail <NUM> is determined according to positions of the four first grooves <NUM>. For example, if centers of the four first grooves <NUM> are on a straight line parallel to the optical axis O, only one first slide rail <NUM> is needed. For another example, the four first grooves <NUM> are divided into two groups. Each group comprises two first grooves <NUM>. A line connecting centers of the two first grooves <NUM> in each group is parallel to the optical axis O. The line connecting the centers of the two first grooves <NUM> in one group does not overlap with the line connecting the centers of the two first grooves <NUM> in the other group. Therefore, two first slide rails <NUM> are required, which respectively correspond to the two groups each comprising the two first grooves <NUM>. In this embodiment, the four first grooves <NUM> are divided into the two groups, each group comprises the two first grooves <NUM>, and the line connecting the centers of the two first grooves <NUM> in one group is parallel to the line connecting the centers of the two first grooves <NUM> in the other group and is parallel to the optical axis O. The four first grooves <NUM> may be enclosed in a rectangle. Therefore, when the four first rolling balls <NUM> slide in the two first slide rails <NUM>, the four first rolling balls <NUM> are restricted in the two first slide rails <NUM>. And, in the y direction, the opposite sides of the outer wall of each of the first rolling balls <NUM> are abutted by the opposite sides of the inner wall of one corresponding first slide rail <NUM>, thereby preventing the first lens module <NUM> from shaking or tilting in the y direction, and ensuring that an imaging quality of the imaging device <NUM> is not affected.

Please refer to <FIG> and <FIG>. In some embodiments, the top surface <NUM> of the casing <NUM> is provided with the second groove <NUM>. The first lens module <NUM> further comprises the second rolling ball <NUM> disposed in the second groove <NUM> and abuts against the cover plate <NUM>.

Specifically, a shape of the second groove <NUM> matches a shape of the second rolling ball <NUM>. For example, the second rolling ball <NUM> is spherical and has a small moving resistance. The second groove <NUM> is a semicircular groove. A diameter of the second rolling ball <NUM> is equal to a diameter of the second groove <NUM>. In other words, a half of the second rolling ball <NUM> is disposed in the second groove <NUM>. The second rolling ball <NUM> is tightly combined with the second groove <NUM>, so that when the second rolling ball <NUM> moves, the casing <NUM> of the first lens module <NUM> is driven to move. A number of the second groove <NUM> is one or more. For example, the number of the second groove <NUM> is one, two, three, four, or more. In this embodiment, the number of the second groove <NUM> is four. A number of the second rolling ball <NUM> may also be one or more. In this embodiment, the number of the second rolling ball <NUM> is same as the number of the second groove <NUM>, which is also four. The four second grooves <NUM> are formed on the top surface of the casing <NUM> at intervals. The second rolling balls <NUM> are disposed in the second grooves <NUM> and abut against the cover plate <NUM>, so that the first lens module <NUM> is confined between the cover plate <NUM> and the base plate <NUM>, thereby preventing the first lens module <NUM> from shaking or tilting in the z direction, and ensuring that the imaging quality is not affected.

Please refer to <FIG> and <FIG>. In some embodiments, the surface of the cover plate <NUM> facing the top surface <NUM> is provided with the second slide rail <NUM>. The second rolling ball <NUM> is disposed in the second groove <NUM> and abuts against the bottom of the second slide rail <NUM>.

Specifically, the second slide rail <NUM> may be a groove formed on the surface of the cover plate <NUM> facing the top surface <NUM> with an extending direction parallel to the optical axis O. The first sliding rail <NUM> may also be a boss disposed on the surface of the cover plate <NUM> facing the top surface <NUM> with an extending direction parallel to the optical axis O. A surface of the boss facing the top surface <NUM> of the casing <NUM> is provided with a groove matching the second rolling ball <NUM>. In this embodiment, the second slide rail <NUM> is a groove formed on the surface of the cover plate <NUM> facing the top surface <NUM> with an extending direction parallel to the optical axis O. After the first lens module <NUM> is disposed in the receiving space <NUM>, a part of the second rolling ball <NUM> is disposed in the second slide rail <NUM> and abuts against the bottom of the second slide rail <NUM>. A cross-section of an inner wall of the second slide rail <NUM> cut by the plane perpendicular to the optical axis O is a third arc. A cross-section of an outer contour of the second rolling ball <NUM> cut by the plane perpendicular to the optical axis O is a fourth arc. A curvature of the third arc is same as a curvature of the fourth arc. When the second rolling ball <NUM> rotates along the second slide rail <NUM>, in the y direction, opposite sides of an outer wall of the second rolling ball <NUM> are abutted by opposite sides of the inner wall of the second slide rail <NUM>, thereby restricting movement of the second rolling ball <NUM> in the y direction, and preventing the first lens module <NUM> from shaking or tilting in the y direction.

A number of the second slide rail <NUM> may be one or more. The number of the second slide rail <NUM> is determined according to positions of the four second groove <NUM>. For example, if centers of the four second groove <NUM> are on a straight line parallel to the optical axis O, only one second slide rail <NUM> is needed. For another example, the four second groove <NUM> are divided into two groups. Each group comprises two second groove <NUM>. A line connecting centers of the two second groove <NUM> in each group is parallel to the optical axis O. The line connecting the centers of the two second groove <NUM> in one group does not overlap with the line connecting the centers of the two second groove <NUM> in the other group. Therefore, two second slide rails <NUM> are required, which respectively correspond to the two groups each comprising the two second groove <NUM>. In this embodiment, the four second groove <NUM> are divided into the two groups, one group is parallel to the line connecting the centers of the two second groove <NUM> in the other group and is parallel to the optical axis O. The four second groove <NUM> may be enclosed in a rectangle. Therefore, when the four second rolling balls <NUM> slide in the two second slide rails <NUM>, the four second rolling balls <NUM> are restricted in the two second slide rails <NUM>. And, in the y direction, the opposite sides of the outer wall of each of the second rolling ball <NUM> are abutted by the opposite sides of the inner wall of one corresponding second slide rail <NUM>, thereby preventing the first lens module <NUM> from shaking or tilting in the y direction, and further ensuring that the imaging quality of the imaging device <NUM> is not affected.

Please refer to <FIG>. In some embodiments, the number of the first lens module <NUM> may be multiple. The sliding block <NUM> of each first lens module <NUM> is slidably disposed in the sliding groove <NUM>. The housing <NUM> further comprises one or more spacer plates <NUM> connected to the side plate <NUM>. Two adjacent first lens modules <NUM> are separated by one spacer plate <NUM>.

Specifically, two adjacent first lens modules <NUM> are separated by one spacer plate <NUM>. The spacer plates <NUM> can limit the first lens modules <NUM>. A movement stroke of each of the first lens modules <NUM> may be determined according to a focal length range of the imaging device <NUM>. And then, installation positions of the spacer plates <NUM> are determined according to the movement stroke of each of the first lens modules <NUM>, as long as it is satisfied that the spacer plates <NUM> do not block the light-outlets <NUM>, and that the spacer plates <NUM> can accurately limit the first lens modules <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the number of the first lens module <NUM> is two. One spacer plate <NUM> is disposed between the two first lens modules <NUM>, so that one of the two first lens modules <NUM> can only move between the spacer plate <NUM> and the second lens module <NUM>, and the other first lens module <NUM> can only move between the spacer plate <NUM> and the photosensitive element <NUM>.

In the description of the present disclosure, reference terms such as "certain embodiments", "an embodiment", "some embodiments", "exemplary embodiments", "an example", "a specific example", and "some examples" mean that specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described with reference to the embodiments or examples are included in at least one embodiment or example in the embodiments of the present disclosure. In the present specification, example expressions of the above terms are not necessarily with respect to same embodiments or examples. Furthermore, the described specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics can be combined in a proper way in any one or more of the embodiments or examples.

Claim 1:
An imaging device (<NUM>), comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) comprising a base plate (<NUM>) and a side plate (<NUM>) disposed on the base plate (<NUM>), wherein the side plate (<NUM>) is provided with a sliding groove (<NUM>); and
a first lens module (<NUM>) comprising a casing (<NUM>) and a lens group (<NUM>) disposed in the casing (<NUM>), wherein the casing (<NUM>) comprises a main body (<NUM>) and a sliding block (<NUM>) coupled to the main body (<NUM>), an extending direction of the sliding groove (<NUM>) being parallel to an optical axis (O) of the lens group (<NUM>), the sliding block (<NUM>) being slidably disposed in the sliding groove (<NUM>);
a drive structure configured to drive the main body (<NUM>) to move linearly, so that the sliding block (<NUM>) slides in the sliding groove (<NUM>);
characterized in that
the side plate (<NUM>) is further provided with an installation groove (<NUM>) for disposing the sliding block (<NUM>) in the sliding groove (<NUM>), one end of the installation groove (<NUM>) penetrates a surface of the side plate (<NUM>) away from the base plate (<NUM>), and the other end of the installation groove (<NUM>) communicates with the sliding groove (<NUM>), and the sliding block (<NUM>) is disposed in the sliding groove (<NUM>) through the installation groove (<NUM>); and
the housing (<NUM>) further comprises a cover plate (<NUM>) disposed on the side plate (<NUM>) and comprising a cover plate body (<NUM>) and a resisting portion (<NUM>), the resisting portion (<NUM>) are disposed on a side of the cover plate body (<NUM>) and in the installation groove (<NUM>), and a length (L) of the resisting portion (<NUM>) in a direction perpendicular to a bearing surface (<NUM>) of the base plate (<NUM>) is equal to a depth (H) of the installation groove (<NUM>) in the direction perpendicular to the bearing surface (<NUM>).