1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a tray device for use with a lens holder for use during a vacuum coating process.
2. Description of Related Art
Many camera modules used in electronic devices such as digital cameras include lens holders for holding lenses. The lens holders usually have an EMI shield coating. The coating can be applied by any conventional technique such as vacuum coating. In the case of vacuum coating, the lens holders need to be positioned on a tray in a vacuum environment. The lens holder is held in position by a positioning post extending through the lens holder and the tray, which creates a closed cavity. During coating, the lens holder and the tray device will be heated. If air trapped in the cavity escapes into the vacuumized space, coating will be negatively affected.
Therefore, a tray device for use with lens holders during vacuum coating is essential to surmount the above mentioned problem.
The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the tray device.
Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Referring to
Referring also to
The tray device 101 includes a main body 11 that can be made of plastic material. The main body 11 includes a hollow frame 13 and a central portion 15. In the exemplary embodiment, the frame 13 and the central portion 15 are integrally formed. The central portion 15 is disposed within the hollow frame 13. The central portion 15 is connected to the main body 11 by a pair of tabs 17 (shown in
A through hole 151 is formed in the central portion 15. In the exemplary embodiment, the through hole 151 and the opening 27 in the lens barrel 23 are both circular and have the same diameter. The central portion 15 also includes a top surface 152, bounding the through hole 151. The top surface 152 is formed higher than the frame 13.
When starting to position the lens holder 20 to the tray device 101, the opening 27 in the lens barrel 23 is aligned with the through hole 151 by an auxiliary positioning device (not shown). A positioning post 30 is then inserted into the opening 27 and the through hole 151. The positioning post 30 is formed in such a way that it accurately positions and holds stationary the lens holder 20.
After positioning of the lens holder 20, the top surface 152 of the central portion 15 makes airtight contact with a bottom surface 251 of the recessed portion 25 and a periphery of the recessed portion 25 makes airtight contact with the frame 13. The recessed portion 25 thus communicates with the hollow spaces 19. With such arrangement, the air within the recessed portion 25 can be pumped out through the hollow spaces 19 creating a vacuum.
While one embodiment has been described and illustrated, the disclosure is not to be construed as being limited thereto. Those skilled in the art, can make various modifications to the embodiments without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
200910302604.0 | May 2009 | CN | national |