The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following description is of the best contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims.
Referring to
The optical device 100 can be divided substantially into a drive mechanism and a brake mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a drive moving assembly (including the lens module 130 and drive coil 140) and a drive stator (including the housing 110, guide bars 120, magnetic member 150, and yoke 160). The brake mechanism includes the braking resilient member 175, brake coil 180, sliding member 190, and friction member 195. The drive mechanism moves the lens module 130 parallel to an optical axis. The brake mechanism positions or fixes the lens module 130 when focus adjustment of the optical device 100 (or drive mechanism) is complete or stopped.
As shown in
As shown in
The magnetic member 150 surrounds the drive coil 140 and comprises an opening 151 (as shown in
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Moreover, the sliding member 190 can slide on the housing 110. As shown in
The following description is directed to operation of the optical device 100.
As shown in
To move the lens module 130, the brake coil 180 is energized by application of a current to interact with the magnetic lines B2, generating a force F2 (as shown in
When the lens module 130 reaches a target focus position, application of the current to the brake coil 180 and drive coil 140 is stopped. At this point, the lens module 130 and drive coil 140 cannot move along the optical axis O in the absence of the force F1, and the brake coil 180, sliding member 190, and friction member 195 immediately move toward the optical axis O of the lens module 130 in the absence of the force F2 and by resilience provided by the braking resilient member 175. The friction member 195 again abuts the lens module 130, fixing the lens module 130 in the target focus position.
Accordingly, as the brake coil 180, sliding member 190, and friction member 195 can rapidly release and fix the lens module 130 and drive coil 140, no power is required to maintain the lens module 130 and drive coil 140 in the target focus position. Power consumption of the optical device 100 is thus reduced. Moreover, as the guiding protrusion 191 of the sliding member 190 slides in the guiding groove 111 of the housing 110, deviation, deflection or focus error, from external vibration or impact, of the lens module 130 is prevented.
Specifically, when operation of the optical device 100 is complete, the lens module 130 and drive coil 140 return to their initial positions along the optical axis O by resilience provided by the drive resilient member 170.
Moreover, the sliding member 190 is not limited to having a guiding protrusion 191 and the housing 110 is not limited to having a guiding groove 111. Namely, the sliding member 190 may comprise a guiding groove while the housing 110 may comprise a guiding protrusion, providing the optical device I 00 with the same shockproof capability.
Additionally, the braking resilient member of this embodiment is not limited to connection between the first extension portion 162 and the brake coil 180. The braking resilient member may be connected between the housing 110 and the brake coil 180, providing resilience to the brake mechanism.
Moreover, sliding between the sliding member 190 and the housing 110 may be achieved by a shaft and a bearing. As shown in
Moreover, although a magnetic member 150 and yoke 160 are disclosed here, the optical device 100 may selectively employ more than two magnetic members and more than two yokes. Namely, the drive mechanism and brake mechanism of the optical device 100 may respectively employ independent magnetic members and yokes to achieve moving and positioning of the lens module 130.
Moreover, the optical device 100 of this embodiment is not limited to having only one brake mechanism. Namely, the optical device 100 may employ more than one brake mechanism to rapidly release and fix the lens module 130 as required.
Elements corresponding to those in the first embodiment share the same reference numerals.
Referring to
As shown in
As shown in
The drive magnetic-permeable member 170′ and brake magnetic-permeable member 175′ may be composed of metal.
Specifically, the drive magnetic-permeable member 170′ is attracted by the magnetic member 150, generating resultant magnetic forces parallel and perpendicular to the optical axis. When the drive magnetic-permeable member 170′ is located in a specific position on the magnetic member 150, the resultant magnetic force between the drive magnetic-permeable member 170′ and the magnetic member 150 and parallel to the optical axis reaches a level of static equilibrium. At this point, only the resultant magnetic force perpendicular to the optical axis exists between the drive magnetic-permeable member 170′ and the magnetic member 150 and reaches equilibrium because the drive moving assembly in the drive mechanism is fit on the guide bars. Namely, the drive moving assembly and drive magnetic-permeable member 170′ are stably stationary. In another aspect, the brake magnetic-permeable member 175′ is attracted by the magnetic member 150, generating resultant magnetic forces parallel and perpendicular to the central axis of the brake coil 180. When the brake magnetic-permeable member 175′ is in a specific position in the opening 151 of the magnetic member 150, the resultant magnetic force between the brake magnetic-permeable member 175′ and the magnetic member 150 and parallel to central axis of the brake coil 180 reaches static equilibrium. At this point, only the resultant magnetic force perpendicular to the central axis of the brake coil 180 exists between the brake magnetic-permeable member 175′ and the magnetic member 150 and reaches equilibrium because the brake coil 180 surrounds the third extension portion 164. Namely, the brake coil 180 and brake magnetic-permeable member 175′ are stably stationary. In this embodiment, the drive magnetic-permeable member 170′ is in the specific position on the magnetic member 150 when the drive coil 140 is not energized by application of a current. The resultant magnetic force between the drive magnetic-permeable member 170′ and the magnetic member 150 and parallel to the optical axis reaches static equilibrium when the drive magnetic-permeable member 170′ is in the specific position. The brake magnetic-permeable member 175′ is in the specific position in the opening 151 of the magnetic member 150 when the brake coil 180 is not energized by application of a current. The resultant magnetic force between the brake magnetic-permeable member 175′ and the magnetic member 150 and parallel to the central axis of the brake coil 180 reaches static equilibrium when the brake magnetic-permeable member 175′ is in the specific position.
Structure, disposition, and function of other elements in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, and explanation thereof is omitted for simplicity.
Similarly, to move the lens module 130, the brake coil 180 is energized by application of a current to interact with the magnetic lines B2, generating a force F2 (as shown in
When the lens module 130 reaches a target focus position, application of the current to the brake coil 180 and drive coil 140 is stopped. At this point, the lens module 130 and drive coil 140 cannot move along the optical axis O in the absence of the force F1, and the brake magnetic-permeable member 175′ is attracted by the magnetic member 150 via the opening 151 and immediately moves toward a predetermined position, forcing the friction member 195 to again abut the lens module 130. The lens module 130 is thus fixed in the target focus position.
Similarly, as the brake coil 180, sliding member 190, and friction member 195 can rapidly release and fix the lens module 130 and drive coil 140, no power is required to maintain the lens module 130 and drive coil 140 at the target focus position. Power consumption of the optical device 100 is thus reduced. Moreover, as the guiding protrusion 191 of the sliding member 190 slides in the guiding groove 111 of the housing 110, deviation, deflection or focus error, caused by external vibration or impact, of the lens module 130 is prevented.
Specifically, when operation of the optical device 100 is complete or stopped, the drive magnetic-permeable member 170′ immediately moves toward the predetermined position on the magnetic member. 150 by attraction of the magnetic member 150, returning the lens module 130 and drive coil 140 to their initial positions along the optical axis O.
Referring to
The optical device 200 can be divided substantially into a drive mechanism and a brake mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a drive moving assembly (including the lens module 230 and magnetic member 240) and a drive stator (including the housing 210, guide bars 220, drive coil 250, and yoke 260). The brake mechanism includes the braking resilient member 275, brake coil 280, sliding member 290, and friction member 295. The drive mechanism moves the lens module 230 parallel to an optical axis. The brake mechanism positions or fixes the lens module 230 when focus adjustment of the optical device 200 (or drive mechanism) is complete or stopped.
As shown in
The magnetic member 240 surrounds the lens module 230. The drive coil 250 surrounds the magnetic member 240 and provides a central axis aligned with the optical axis O of the lens module 230. Additionally, the magnetic member 240 may be a magnet.
The yoke 260 comprises a main portion 261, a first extension portion 262, and a second extension portion 263. The main portion 261 is connected to the housing 210. The first extension portion 262 and second extension portion 263 are connected to the main portion 261. The second extension portion 263 is separated from the first extension portion 262. The first extension portion 262 surrounds the drive coil 250. Specifically, the drive coil 250 and magnetic member 240 are disposed between the first extension portion 262 and the second extension portion 263.
The drive resilient member 270 is connected between the drive moving assembly and the drive stator of the drive mechanism. The braking resilient member 275 is connected to the housing 210. Specifically, the drive resilient member 270 is connected between the magnetic member 240 and the main portion 261 of the yoke 260.
The brake coil 280 is connected to the braking resilient member 275 and opposes the magnetic member 240. The brake coil 280 provides a central axis perpendicular to the optical axis O of the lens module 230. Additionally, the brake coil 280 opposes the second extension portion 263.
The sliding member 290 is connected to the brake coil 280. The friction member 295 is connected to the sliding member 290, abutting the magnetic member 240. Moreover, the friction member 295 may comprise frictional material with a high coefficient of friction, enhancing holding between the friction member 195 and the magnetic member 240, and further enhancing stability of the lens module 230 when positioned.
Moreover, the sliding member 290 can slide on the housing 210. As shown in
The following description is directed to operation of the optical device 200.
As shown in
When the lens module 230 performs focus movement, the brake coil 280 is energized by application of a current, generating magnetic lines (magnetic field) B2′ therein. At this point, as shown in
When the lens module 230 reaches a target focus position, application of the current to the brake coil 280 and drive coil 250 is stopped. At this point, the lens module 230 and magnetic member 240 cannot move along the optical axis O in the absence of the force F3, and the brake coil 280, sliding member 290, and friction member 295 immediately move toward the magnetic member 240 in the absence of the magnetic repulsion force F4 and by resilience provided by the braking resilient member 275. The friction member 295 again abuts the magnetic member 240, fixing the lens module 230 in the target focus position.
Accordingly, as the brake coil 280, sliding member 290, and friction member 295 can rapidly release and fix the magnetic member 240 and lens module 230, no power is required to maintain the lens module 230 in the target focus position. Power consumption of the optical device 200 is thus reduced. Moreover, as the guiding protrusion 291 of the sliding member 290 slides in the guiding groove of the housing 210, deviation, deflection or focus error from external vibration or impact, of the lens module 230 is prevented.
Moreover, the sliding member 290 is not limited to having a guiding protrusion 291 and the housing 210 is not limited to having a guiding groove. Namely, the sliding member 290 may comprise a guiding groove while the housing 210 may comprise a guiding protrusion, providing the optical device 200 with the same shockproof capability.
Moreover, although a magnetic member 240 is disclosed here, the optical device 200 may selectively employ more than two magnetic members. Namely, the drive mechanism and brake mechanism of the optical device 200 may respectively employ independent magnetic members to achieve moving and positioning of the lens module 230.
Moreover, the optical device 200 of this embodiment is not limited to only one brake mechanism. Namely, the optical device 200 may employ more than one brake mechanism to rapidly release and fix the lens module 230 as required.
Elements corresponding to those in the third embodiment share the same reference numerals.
Referring to
Structure, disposition, and function of other elements in this embodiment are the same as those in the third embodiment, and explanation thereof is omitted for simplicity.
In conclusion, in the disclosed optical devices, lens modules can be miniaturized and power required to position the lens modules conserved. Shockproof capability and stability of the lens modules are enhanced.
While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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TW95124457 | Jul 2006 | TW | national |