Patent ID: 12235568

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

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

A common camera module with optical zooming includes at least two moveable lens groups. One of the moveable lens groups is configured to implement a movement, in a specific range, of a lens assembly with zooming at some fixed powers, so as to implement zooming by changing a relative location; and the other of the moveable lens groups is configured to implement a movement, in a specific range, of a lens assembly with focusing, so as to implement focusing. For this purpose, a voice coil actuator is further provided in the common camera module, so that a thrust force provided by the voice coil actuator is used to drive a corresponding carrier to move. Synchronously, a movement of the carrier can synchronously drive a lens assembly on the carrier to move, so as to enable the lens assembly with zooming to reach a predetermined location.

The lens assembly with zooming should be carried on the carrier. Correspondingly, a relative location of the lens assembly is also determined based on a relative location of the carrier. That is, location precision of the carrier is closely associated with zooming precision of the corresponding lens assembly. It should be understood that, in the camera module, the lens assembly for implementing zooming at a fixed power has a high requirement on movement precision of the carrier. However, in an actual use process, for the common camera module, due to limitations of a structural design of a motor movement system, a motor movement detection and control system, and the like, control and location feedback of the carriers are not performed in time, and detection precision of these carriers is low.

Based on this, when the common camera module needs to implement zooming at some fixed powers, a location to which a motor carrier actually moves deviates from a predetermined location. Synchronously, an actual location of a lens assembly on the motor carrier also deviates from a predetermined location. Impact of such a location deviation is prominent in the zooming field. This affects, to a specific extent, user experience of an electronic device that uses the camera module.

For example, a first carrier is in a location A and a second carrier is in a location B. Now, the first carrier needs to move to a location C, and the second carrier needs to move to a location D to complete zooming and focusing at a power of 3×. However, a positioning element and a sensing element are affected by factors such as a manufacturing process and a material, and a movement of a related carrier cannot be well controlled, that is, location control precision of these carriers is low. Consequently, the first carrier may move to a location C+ or a location C−, and the second carrier may move to a location D+ or a location D−.

It should be understood that the location C+ and the location C− are different from the location C, and the location D+ and the location D− are also different from the location D. In this case, a problem such as defocus or blur may easily occur in images produced by the common camera module. Imaging effect of the camera module is poor, and user acceptance of these images is low.

Based on the foregoing problems, with reference to all ofFIG.1toFIG.7, embodiments of this application provide a linkage apparatus used in a camera module, the camera module, and an electronic device. A linkage apparatus100may carry related lens assemblies (1100and1200) to cooperate with these lens assemblies to implement zooming and focusing, so as to further implement a continuous optical zooming function.

When an electronic device that uses the camera module performs photographing, the linkage apparatus in the camera module may drive the related lens assemblies to move, so as to precisely enable these lens assemblies to move to predetermined locations. Therefore, the camera module can implement zooming and focusing at specific power, to improve photographing experience of a user.

To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, in each embodiment, description is provided by using an example in which the first carrier is mainly used as a carrier for carrying a first lens assembly with zooming, the second carrier is used as a carrier for carrying a second lens assembly with focusing, and a widely used mobile phone is used as an electronic device. However, it should also be understood that the first carrier and the second carrier each may carry another type of lens assembly based on a requirement. The electronic device may also refer to a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a vehicle-mounted monitor, a display, or another device. This is not limited in this application.

FIG.1is a schematic diagram of a first lens assembly, a second lens assembly, and an image sensor.FIG.2is a three-dimensional diagram of a linkage apparatus.FIG.3is a cutaway drawing of a linkage apparatus. With reference to all ofFIG.1toFIG.3, an embodiment of this application provides a linkage apparatus100, including a base110, a first carrier120, and a second carrier130. The base110has a sliding shaft112, and the sliding shaft112may sequentially pass through the first carrier120and the second carrier130. As shown inFIG.2andFIG.3, for example, there are two sliding shafts112, so that the first carrier120and the second carrier130slide stably. It should be understood that a quantity of the sliding shafts112may be adjusted based on a requirement, and there may be one, three, or another quantity of sliding shafts112.

Correspondingly, both the first carrier120and the second carrier130can be slidably connected to the base110, and their respective movement directions are limited by the sliding shafts112of the base110. Based on this, the first carrier120and the second carrier130may move along a length direction of the sliding shaft112when driven by a corresponding motor, so as to change their respective relative locations. Based on a movement of the first carrier120, the first lens assembly1100may be synchronously driven to move. Based on a movement of the second carrier130, the second lens assembly1200may be synchronously driven to move. In this way, the first lens assembly1100and the second lens assembly1200cooperate with each other to implement zooming and focusing at different powers.

To improve location control precision of the first carrier120and the second carrier130in the embodiments of this application, movements of the first carrier120and the second carrier130are set to associated movements. That is, the movement of the second carrier130is associated with the movement of the first carrier120. When the first carrier120moves, the second carrier130also correspondingly moves in response to the movement of the first carrier120, thereby improving the location control precision of the first carrier120and the second carrier130.

Based on the concept of associated movement, precision of location control by the first carrier120and the second carrier130can be improved. Therefore, the first lens assembly1100on the first carrier120can precisely move to a predetermined location, to implement zooming at a specific power. The second lens assembly1200of the second carrier130can also quickly respond and precisely move to a predetermined location, to implement focusing.

It should be understood that, when the first carrier120and the second carrier130move in association, respective speeds of the first carrier120and the second carrier130can be adjusted based on a usage requirement. That is, movement speeds of the first carrier120and the second carrier130may be different, and it should not be understood that the movement speeds of the first carrier120and the second carrier130are unnecessarily the same.

FIG.4is a top view of a linkage apparatus.FIG.5is a schematic exploded view of a linkage apparatus. With reference to all ofFIG.2,FIG.3,FIG.4, andFIG.5, in some embodiments, the first carrier120includes a first carrying portion122and a first extending portion124. The first carrying portion122may carry the first lens assembly1100, to drive the first lens assembly to move. The first carrying portion122further has a through hole (not shown in the figure) corresponding to the sliding shaft112. The through hole of the first carrying portion122may be available for the sliding shaft112to pass through, so that the first carrier120can slide by using the sliding shaft112. Therefore, when the first carrying portion122is driven by a corresponding motor to move along the sliding shaft112, the first carrying portion122can synchronously drive the first lens assembly to move, so as to change a location of the first lens assembly. By changing the location, the first lens assembly can implement zooming at a specific power.

To determine a location of the first carrying portion122to synchronously determine the location of the first lens assembly, a location association between the first carrier120and the base110is established in each embodiment. To be specific, a relative location of the first carrier120is determined by using the base110as a reference. For this reason, a first positioning element142is disposed on the base110, and a first sensing element144corresponding to the first positioning element142is disposed on the first extending portion124of the first carrier120.

In some embodiments, for example, the first sensing element144denoted in the accompanying drawings such asFIG.2,FIG.4, andFIG.5is actually located on a side of the first extending portion124and faces the first positioning element142. This may be understood with reference to the cutaway drawing ofFIG.3.

FIG.6is a partial schematic diagram of a linkage apparatus. As shown inFIG.2toFIG.6, the first extending portion124is located on a side of the first carrying portion122, and extends in a direction towards the base110. Based on an extension structure of the first extending portion124, when the first carrying portion122slides on the sliding shaft112, the first sensing element144on the first extending portion124can always maintain a sensing relationship with the first positioning element142on the base110, to determine the relative location of the first carrier120through cooperation between the first sensing element144and the first positioning element142. In addition, because the location of the first carrier120is determined, the location of the first lens assembly can be synchronously determined, to help control the location of the first lens assembly to implement zooming at a specific power.

In some embodiments, the first positioning element142is disposed opposite to the first sensing element144. In a movement process of the first carrier120, the first positioning element142and the first sensing element144can always maintain a relationship of being directly opposite to each other, so as to cooperate to obtain location information of the first carrier120. Alternatively, in some cases, the first positioning element142and the first sensing element144may be staggered at a distance, but the first positioning element142and the first sensing element144can still cooperate to obtain the location information of the first carrier120.

With reference to all ofFIG.2toFIG.5, in some embodiments, the second carrier130includes a second carrying portion132. The second carrying portion132may carry the second lens assembly, to drive the second lens assembly to move. Similarly, the second carrying portion132also has a through hole (not shown in the figure) corresponding to the sliding shaft112. The through hole of the second carrying portion132may be available for the sliding shaft112to pass through, so that the second carrier130can slide by using the sliding shaft112. Therefore, when the second carrying portion132is driven by a corresponding motor to move along the sliding shaft112, the second carrying portion132can synchronously drive the second lens assembly to move, so as to change a location of the second lens assembly. By changing the location, the second lens assembly can implement a focusing function.

To determine a location of the second carrying portion132to synchronously determine the location of the second lens assembly, the linkage apparatus100in each embodiment is implemented by establishing an associated location relationship between the second carrier130and the first carrier120. To be specific, a relative location of the second carrier130is correspondingly determined by using the first carrier120as a dynamic reference. For this reason, a second positioning element146is further disposed on the first carrier120, and a second sensing element148corresponding to the second positioning element146is disposed on the second carrier130. The relative location of the second carrier130is determined through cooperation between the second sensing element148and the second positioning element146. In addition, because the location of the second carrier130is determined, the location of the second lens assembly can be synchronously determined, to help control the location of the second lens assembly to implement focusing.

For example, the linkage apparatus100in each embodiment is applied to a mobile phone. When the linkage apparatus100is used in a mobile phone, based on a focal length that is of a specific power and that is selected by a user, the first carrier120drives the first lens assembly to move, and the second carrier130also drives the second lens assembly to move, so as to implement zooming and focusing at the specific power.

In some embodiments, the second positioning element146is disposed opposite to the second sensing element148. In a movement process of the first carrier120and the second carrier130, the second positioning element146and the second sensing element148can always maintain a relationship of being directly opposite to each other, to cooperate to obtain location information of the second carrier130. Alternatively, in some cases, the second positioning element146and the second sensing element148may be staggered at a distance, but the second positioning element146and the second sensing element148can still cooperate to obtain the location information of the second carrier130.

It should be understood that the relative location of the second carrier130is detected by using the first carrier120as a reference. When the first carrier120used as a reference moves, a relative location relationship between the second carrier130and the first carrier120changes. This change can be obtained through cooperation between the second sensing element148and the second positioning element146. Correspondingly, through adjustment of a driving force direction and an action time of a motor that drives the second carrier130to move, the second carrier130can quickly respond to the movement of the first carrier120to implement synchronous movement. Then, a location of the second carrier130relative to the first carrier120can be detected again through cooperation between the second sensing element148and the second positioning element146, thereby forming a closed-loop detection system. The relative location relationship between the second carrier130and the first carrier120can be precisely controlled based on a plurality of times of closed-loop detection, to drive the second carrier130to move more precisely to a predetermined location, thereby improving the location control precision of the second carrier130.

After the first carrier120carrying the first lens assembly and the second carrier130carrying the second lens assembly each reach a predetermined location, a zooming operation is first completed by adjusting the first lens assembly on the first carrier120. Then, the second carrier130slightly moves by adjusting the second carrier130, so that the second lens assembly on the second carrier130completes a focusing operation. Based on this, the mobile phone that uses the linkage apparatus100can precisely implement the zooming operation and the focusing operation, so that the user obtains a photo at a required power and photographing experience of the user is improved.

In some embodiments, the first sensing element144correspondingly generates a first sensing signal based on sensing of the first positioning element142. The first sensing signal includes location information of the first carrier120relative to the base110. The second sensing element148correspondingly generates a second sensing signal based on sensing of the second positioning element146. The second sensing signal includes the location information of the second carrier130relative to the first carrier120.

The first sensing signal and the second sensing signal may be transmitted to a control circuit of the camera module. Correspondingly, the control circuit may obtain the location information of the first carrier120based on the first sensing signal, and obtain the location information of the second carrier130based on the second sensing signal. In addition, the location information of the second carrier130in the second sensing signal is determined based on the first carrier120. Based on this, the control circuit can better determine relative distances of the base110, the first carrier120, and the second carrier130based on the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal, to improve the location control precision of the first carrier120and the second carrier130, and more precisely control the two carriers to move.

FIG.7is a partial schematic diagram of a linkage apparatus from another perspective. With reference to all ofFIG.2,FIG.3,FIG.4,FIG.5, andFIG.7, in some embodiments, to implement an associated movement between the second carrier130and the first carrier120, the first carrier120further includes a second extending portion126. Corresponding to the first extending portion124, the second extending portion126is also located on a side of the first carrying portion122. However, different from the first extending portion124, the second extending portion126extends in a direction towards the second carrier130. A second positioning element146corresponding to the second sensing element148is disposed on the second extending portion126. In addition to the second carrying portion132, the second carrier130further includes a first protruding portion134. The first protruding portion134is located on a side of the second carrying portion132, and the second sensing element148is disposed on the first protruding portion134. It should be understood that, relative to the sliding shaft112, the second extending portion126and the first protruding portion134are located on a same side, so that the second sensing element148on the first protruding portion134can cooperate with the second positioning element146on the second extending portion126.

In some embodiments, the second sensing element148denoted in the accompanying drawings such asFIG.4andFIG.7is actually located on a side of the first protruding portion134and faces the second positioning element146. This may be understood with reference to accompanying drawings such as the cutaway drawing ofFIG.3and the exploded view ofFIG.5.

In some embodiments, along the length direction of the sliding shaft112, a length of the second extending portion126is greater than a length of the first protruding portion134. Based on this, in a process in which the first carrier120and the second carrier130move in association, the second sensing element148on the first protruding portion134can always maintain a sensing relationship with the second positioning element146, to detect the relative location of the second carrier130by using the second positioning element146.

In some embodiments, to facilitate understanding of a location relationship of a related structure of the first carrier120, the following provides description by using an example in which the first carrying portion122includes a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side. It should be understood that the first end and the second end are two opposite ends of the first carrying portion122. For example, the first end is an end of the first carrying portion122that is near the base110, and the second end is an end of the first carrying portion122that is near the second carrier130. A direction from the first end to the second end or a direction from the second end to the first end may be equivalent to the length direction of the sliding shaft112. The first side and the second side are two opposite sides of the first carrying portion122. The first side and the second side may be equivalent to two sides of the first carrying portion122relative to the sliding shaft112.

Based on the foregoing definition of the first carrying portion122, for example, the first extending portion124is located on the first side of the first carrying portion122, and an extending direction of the first extending portion124is the direction from the second end to the first end. However, because location detection by the second sensing element148and location detection by the first sensing element144are independent of each other, the second extending portion126may be located on the first side of the first carrying portion122, or the second extending portion126may be located on the second side of the first carrying portion122. However, it should be understood that, contrary to that of the first extending portion124, an extending direction of the second extending portion126is the direction from the first end to the second end. In addition, the first protruding portion134of the second carrier130and the second extending portion126are located on the same side, so that the second sensing element148can sense the second positioning element146.

Still referring toFIG.2toFIG.5andFIG.7, in some embodiments, to reduce a possibility that the first protruding portion134deviates from a length range of the second extending portion126in some extreme cases, a first limiting block128is disposed at an end of the second extending portion126that is away from the first carrying portion122. The first protruding portion134may be limited between the first limiting block128and the first carrying portion122through cooperation among the first limiting block128, the second extending portion126, and the first carrying portion122, so that a distance between the second sensing element148and the second positioning element146does not exceed a maximum sensing distance.

It should be understood that, in some extreme cases, for example, the mobile phone that uses the linkage apparatus100is dropped from a high altitude or shaken relatively violently, the second carrier130and the first carrier120may be away from each other, and the second sensing element148cannot cooperate with the second positioning element146to detect a location. In this embodiment, based on a structure of the first limiting block128, when the second carrier130is about to move away from the first carrier120, a manner in which the first limiting block128abuts against the first protruding portion134can ensure that the first protruding portion134is located within the length range of the second extending portion126. Correspondingly, the second sensing element148on the first protruding portion134can still cooperate with the second positioning element146on the second extending portion126to detect the location of the second carrier130relative to the first carrier120.

In some embodiments, the first limiting block128and the second extending portion126may be integrally formed by using a same material, to improve overall strength. For example, materials of both the first limiting block128and the second extending portion126are high molecular polymers.

In some other embodiments, the first limiting block128and the second extending portion126may be two independent components, and are fastened by bonding, welding, screwing, or interference fitting, or in another manner.

In some other embodiments, the second carrier includes a second carrying portion and a third extending portion but does not include the first protruding portion. The third extending portion is located at an end of the second carrying portion that faces the first carrier, and extends in a direction towards the first carrier. The second sensing element is disposed on the third extending portion.

Corresponding to a structure of the second carrier, the first carrier has no second extending portion, but includes the first carrying portion, the first extending portion, and a second protruding portion. The second positioning element is disposed on the second protruding portion. In some embodiments, the second protruding portion and the first extending portion are located on a same side of the first carrying portion. In some other embodiments, the second protruding portion and the first extending portion are located on different sides of the first carrying portion. This is not limited.

It should be understood that, a relationship between the third extending portion and the second protruding portion is similar to a relationship between the second extending portion and the first protruding portion in another embodiment. This can also facilitate cooperation between the second sensing element and the second positioning element, to implement a location detection function.

In some embodiments, a corresponding second limiting block may be further disposed at an end of the third extending portion that is away from the second carrying portion, to limit the second protruding portion between the second limiting block and the second carrying portion. Similar to the first limiting block in another embodiment, when the second carrier is about to move away from the first carrier, a manner in which the second limiting block abuts against the second protruding portion can ensure that the second protruding portion is located within a length range of the third extending portion. Correspondingly, the second sensing element on the second protruding portion can still cooperate with the second positioning element on the third extending portion to detect the location of the second carrier relative to the first carrier.

With reference toFIG.2toFIG.6, in some embodiments, to improve overall strength of the first carrier120, the first carrying portion122, the first extending portion124, and the second extending portion126may be an integrally formed carrier structure. In some other embodiments, when the first carrier120includes the second protruding portion, the first carrying portion122, the first extending portion124, and the second protruding portion may also be integrally formed.

With reference toFIG.2toFIG.5andFIG.7, in some embodiments, to improve overall strength of the second carrier130, the second carrying portion132and the first protruding portion134may be an integrally formed carrier structure. In some other embodiments, when the second carrier130includes the second carrying portion132and the third extending portion, the second carrying portion132and the third extending portion may also be integrally formed.

In some embodiments, both the first positioning element142and the second positioning element146are magnets. For example, both the first positioning element142and the second positioning element146are strip-shaped magnets, to help cooperate with a corresponding sensing element to implement location detection. Correspondingly, both the first sensing element144and the second sensing element148are Hall sensors. The Hall sensors can detect a location by sensing a relative change of a magnetic field.

In some other embodiments, both the first positioning element142and the second positioning element146are Hall sensors. Based on this, the first sensing signal is generated by the first positioning element142, and the second sensing signal is generated by the second positioning element146. Correspondingly, both the first sensing element144and the second sensing element148are magnets. For example, both the first sensing element144and the second sensing element148are strip-shaped magnets, to help cooperate with a corresponding positioning element to implement location detection.

In some other embodiments, the two positioning elements may also be different, and one is a magnet and the other is a Hall sensor. Correspondingly, one of the two corresponding sensing elements is a Hall sensor and the other is a magnet, to respectively cooperate with the two positioning elements.

In some embodiments, to drive the first carrier120to move, a first drive coil may be disposed on the first carrier120, and a first drive magnet may be correspondingly disposed on the base110. The first drive coil and the first drive magnet form a first voice coil actuator. Based on this, the first voice coil actuator can drive the first carrier120to move, to change a relative location of the first lens assembly. Similarly, a second drive coil may be disposed on the second carrier130, and a second drive magnet may be correspondingly disposed on the base110. The second drive coil and the second drive magnet form a second voice coil actuator. Based on this, the second voice coil actuator can drive the second carrier130to move, to change a relative location of the second lens assembly.

FIG.8is a schematic diagram of relative movements of a first carrier and a second carrier. With reference toFIG.8, in some embodiments, similar to the foregoing example, the first carrier120is in a location A, and the second carrier130is in a location B. Now, the first carrier120needs to move to a location C, and the second carrier130needs to move to a location D to complete zooming and focusing at a power of 3×. Based on the linkage apparatus provided in this embodiment of this application, the movement of the first carrier120and the movement of the second carrier130are associated. When the first carrier120moves from the location A to the location C, the relative location relationship between the second carrier130and the first carrier120changes. This change is obtained through cooperation between the second sensing element and the second positioning element. Therefore, the second carrier130can quickly respond to the movement of the first carrier120to synchronously move from the location B to the location D. Further, through cooperation between the second sensing element and the second positioning element, the second carrier130cooperates with a related control circuit and/or control chip to detect the relative location relationship between the second carrier130and the first carrier120again, thereby forming a closed-loop detection system. Relative location feedback between the second carrier130and the first carrier120is more precise based on a plurality of times of closed-loop detection. This can drive the first carrier120to precisely move to the location C, and drive the second carrier130to precisely move to the location D, thereby implementing zooming and focusing at a power of 3×.

With reference to all ofFIG.1toFIG.8, in some embodiments, when the linkage apparatus100is applied to the camera module, the camera module further includes some structures configured to capture image information. For example, the camera module further includes an image sensor1300, and the image sensor1300is disposed on a side of the second lens assembly1200and away from the first lens assembly1100, to capture related image information.

In some other embodiments, the camera module may further include some other necessary or unnecessary structures. For example, the camera module further includes a reflector, and the reflector can change an angle of incidence of external light. Therefore, when the camera module is applied to the mobile phone, the linkage apparatus100may be disposed along a length direction or a width direction of the mobile phone, to have long zooming and focusing strokes. Based on this, photographing effect of the mobile phone can be correspondingly improved, and user experience of the mobile phone can be improved.

The foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementations of this application. It should be noted that a person of ordinary skill in the art may make several improvements or polishing without departing from the principle of this application and the improvements or polishing shall fall within the protection scope of this application.