|
Digital Camera Patent Abstract
A digital camera module (100) includes a first sleeve (10), a first
motor (20), a first barrel (30), a second sleeve (40), a second
motor (50) and a second barrel (60). The first sleeve has at least
one lens element (142) received therein. The first motor is received
in the first sleeve. The first barrel has at least one lens element
(32) received therein. The first motor engages with the first barrel
and drives the first barrel to axially slide relative to the first
sleeve. The second sleeve is located proximate to the first sleeve.
The second motor is received in the second sleeve. The second barrel
has at least one lens element (62). The second motor engages with
the second barrel and drives the second barrel to axially slide
relative to the second sleeve.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
1. A digital camera module, comprising: a first sleeve having at
least one lens element received therein; a first motor received
in the first sleeve; a first barrel having at least one zoom lens
element received therein, the first motor being configured for engaging
with the first barrel and driving the first barrel to axially slide
relative to the first sleeve; a second sleeve located proximate
to the first sleeve; a second motor receive in the second sleeve;
and a second barrel having at least one focusing lens element, the
second motor engaging with the second barrel and driving the second
barrel to axially slide relative to the second sleeve.
2. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
first motor includes at least one winding coil, a magnet and a rotor,
where the at least one winding coil is received in the first sleeve,
the magnet and the rotor are fixed to each other, the magnet and
the rotor are spaced from the at least one winding coil whilst also
being configured for rotating relative to the at least one winding
coil, and the rotor is threaded with the first barrel.
3. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 2, wherein two
arms extend from the first sleeve, and the first barrel defines
two through cutouts, each arm engages in a corresponding cutout
so as to limit the rotation of the first barrel.
4. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
second motor includes at least one winding coil, a magnet and a
rotor, where the at least one winding coil is received in the second
sleeve, the magnet and the rotor are fixed to each other and are
spaced from the at least one winding coil, the magnet and the rotor
are configured to rotate relative to the at least one winding coil,
and the rotor is threaded with the second barrel.
5. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 4, wherein two
arms extend from the second sleeve, and the second barrel defines
two through cutouts, each arm engages in a corresponding cutout
so as to limit the rotation of the first barrel.
6. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 5, wherein each
arm forms a long rectangular prism so as to be slidably received
in a corresponding cutout.
7. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
first sleeve includes a flange and a sleeve body formed together,
and the first motor and the first barrel are received in the sleeve
body of the first sleeve.
8. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 1, further comprising
an image sensor and a base seat, where the image sensor is fixed
on the base seat.
9. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
base seat is fixed under the second sleeve by means of adhesive.
10. A digital camera module, comprising: a sleeve having at least
one lens element received therein; a motor received in the sleeve,
the motor including: winding coils fixed in the sleeve; a magnet;
a rotor being fixed to the magnet, the magnet with the rotor being
received in the winding coils and configured for driving the rotor
to rotate relative to the sleeve under the effect of the magnetic
field caused by the winding coils; and a barrel having at least
one of a zoom lens element and a focusing lens element received
therein, the rotor engaging with the barrel in a manner so as to
drive the barrel to axially slide relative to the sleeve when the
winding coils are energized.
11. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 10, wherein the
sleeve includes a flange and a sleeve body formed together, and
the motor and the barrel are received in the sleeve body.
12. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 11, wherein two
arms extend from the sleeve, and the barrel defines two through
cutouts, each arm engages in a corresponding cutout.
13. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
rotor is threaded with the barrel.
14. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 10, further comprising
an image sensor and a base seat, the image sensor is fixed on the
base seat.
15. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
base seat is fixed under the sleeve by means of adhesive.
16. A digital camera module comprising: a sleeve having a first
sleeve portion and a second sleeve portion axially aligning with
each other; a first motor including a first stator coil configured
for producing a first magnetic field, and a first rotor assembly
for interacting with the first magnetic field, the first stator
coil forming a hollow cylinder mounted to an inner peripheral surface
of the first sleeve portion, the first rotor assembly including
a first magnetic portion on an outer periphery thereof, and a first
rotor thread portion on an inner periphery thereof, the first magnetic
portion being received in the first stator coil in a manner so as
to be rotatable relative to the first sleeve portion under the effect
of the first magnetic field; a first barrel having a first barrel
thread on an outer periphery thereof, the first barrel thread engaging
with the first rotor thread in a manner such that the first barrel
is axially movable relative to the first rotor assembly when the
first rotor assembly rotates, the first barrel having a zoom lens
received therein; a second motor including a second stator coil
configured for producing a second magnetic field, and a second rotor
assembly for interacting with the second magnetic field, the second
stator coil forming a hollow cylinder mounted to an inner peripheral
surface of the second sleeve portion, the second rotor assembly
including a second magnetic portion on an outer periphery thereof,
and a second rotor thread portion on an inner periphery thereof,
the second magnetic portion being received in the second stator
coil in a manner so as to be rotatable relative to the second sleeve
portion under the effect of the second magnetic field; a second
barrel having a second barrel thread on an outer periphery thereof,
the second barrel thread engaging with the second rotor thread in
a manner such that the second barrel is axially movable relative
to the second rotor assembly when the second rotor assembly rotates,
the second barrel having a focusing lens received therein, the focusing
lens being aligning with the zoom lens; and an image sensor arranged
so as to receive light transmitted through the zoom lens and the
focusing lens.
17. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 16, wherein a
middle portion is formed on the inner periphery of the sleeve and
separates the first sleeve portion and the second sleeve portion.
18. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 16, wherein the
axial length of the first stator coil is greater than the axial
length of the second stator coil.
19. The digital camera module as claimed in claim 14, wherein two
arms extend from the sleeve, the first barrel defines two through
first cutouts, the second barrel defines two through second cutouts,
each first cutout is aligned with a corresponding second cutout,
each arm engages in a corresponding cutout.
Digital Camera Patent Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a camera module
with a zoom function and a focusing function, and more particularly,
to a small-sized digital camera module with a zoom function and
a focusing function.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0002] With the development of wireless communication technologies,
increasing numbers of mobile phones and PDAs now include digital
cameras as a special feature.
[0003] Generally speaking, digital cameras are image recording
media capable of photographing images without using film. Such a
digital camera typically uses an image pickup device, which is a
kind of semiconductor device, such as a charged coupled device (CCD)
or complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS). In the digital
camera, an object image formed on the image pickup device through
a lens is converted into an electronic signal by the image pickup
device, and the electrical signal is stored as a digital signal,
for example, either in the camera unit or in a mobile phone or PDA
in which the digital camera is mounted.
[0004] Since the digital camera is to be mounted in a small mobile
phone or PDA, a fixed focus lens module is usually used to facilitate
mounting thereof. However, images photographed by a digital camera
module with a fixed focus lens module tend to be of poor quality.
This is partly due to the fixed focus lens, which is incapable of
adjusting distance between the lens and the image pickup device
to make a clearer image when photographing objects at different
distances from the camera. This is also due to the fixed lens, which
is incapable of adjusting distance between the lens elements to
change the focus of the digital camera module.
[0005] Whichever focusing structure or zoom structure needs a driving
apparatus. A typical driving apparatus uses a gear or cam mechanism
to realize the focusing or zoom function. This structure is relatively
large and makes the camera structure very complicated. Furthermore,
the mechanical structure consumes a substantial amount of energy.
In addition, the precision of the mechanical transmission is not
high.
[0006] Therefore, a digital camera with a zoom function and a focusing
function is desired in order to overcome the above-described shortcomings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In one embodiment thereof, a digital camera module includes
a first sleeve, a first motor, a first barrel, a second sleeve,
a second motor and a second barrel. The first sleeve has at least
one lens element received therein. The first motor is received in
the first sleeve. The first barrel has at least one lens element
received therein. The first motor is configured for engaging with
the first barrel and drives the first barrel to axially slide relative
to the first sleeve. The second sleeve is located proximate to the
first sleeve. The second motor is received in the second sleeve.
The second barrel has at least one lens element. The second motor
engages with the second barrel and drives the second barrel to axially
slide relative to the second sleeve.
[0008] Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent
from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Many aspects of the digital camera module with the zoom
function and focusing function can be better understood with reference
to the following drawing. The components in the drawing are not
necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon
clearly illustrating the principles of the digital camera module
with the zoom function and the focusing function. Moreover, in the
drawing, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a cut-away view of an embodiment of a digital
camera module with a zoom function and a focusing function.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Referring now to the drawing, FIG. 1 shows a digital camera
module 100 with a zoom function and a focusing function, according
to a preferred embodiment. The digital camera module 100 is adapted
for use in a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone or
a personal digital assistant (PDA), but the compact nature thereof
could prove useful in compact digital camera units, digital camcorders
or regular film cameras as well. The digital camera module 100 includes
a first sleeve 10, a first motor 20, a first barrel 30, a second
sleeve 40, a second motor 50, a second barrel 60, an image sensor
70 and a base seat 80.
[0012] The first sleeve 10 includes a flange 12 and a sleeve body
14 formed together. The flange 12 is formed at a top end of the
sleeve body 14. The flange 12 has a through hole 122 defined in
a middle thereof. Several lens elements 124 are set in the through
hole 122 of the flange 12, and receive light that enters from the
outside. The sleeve body 14 is a hollow cylinder, and includes a
receiving hole 142 cooperatively defined by an inner periphery wall
and a bottom wall. The through hole 122 communicates with the receiving
hole 142 of the sleeve body 14 so that light can be transmitted
therethrough. An axis of the through hole 122 is aligned with that
of the receiving hole 142, and a diameter of the through hole 122
is smaller than that of the receiving hole 142. Two spaced arms
144 perpendicularly extend from the bottom wall of the sleeve body
14. Each arm 144 is substantially a long rectangular prism, and
a free end of the arm 144 is coplanar with one end of the sleeve
body 14 opposite to the flange 12.
[0013] The first motor 20 is received in the receiving hole 142
of the sleeve body 14. The first motor 20 includes a plurality of
winding coils 22, a magnet 24 and a rotor 26. The winding coils
22 form a hollow cylinder, and are mounted on the inner periphery
wall of the sleeve body 14. The winding coils 22 are electrically
connected to a power supply of the digital camera module 100. The
magnet 24 is tubular in shape. The magnet 24 is received in the
winding coils 22, and may rotate relative to the winding coils 22.
The rotor 26 is a substantially hollow cylinder, and an inner periphery
wall of the rotor 26 defines an inner thread 262. An outer periphery
wall of the rotor 26 is fixed on the inner periphery of the magnet
24. If the winding coils 22 are energized by current, the winding
coils 22 produce a magnetic field. The magnetic field drives the
magnet 24 with the rotor 26 to rotate together.
[0014] The first barrel 30 is substantially a hollow cylinder with
two open ends so that light can be transmitted therethrough. The
first barrel 30 is positioned in the rotor 26. Zoom lens elements
32 are set in the first barrel 30. An optical axis of the zoom lens
elements 32 is aligned with an optical axis of the lens elements
124. The first barrel 30 defines an outer thread 34 at an outer
periphery wall thereof. The outer thread 34 may engage with the
inner thread 262. The first barrel 30 defines two through cutouts
36 for slidably receiving two arms 144 of the first sleeve 10.
[0015] The second sleeve 40 is a hollow cylinder, and an outer
diameter of the second sleeve 40 is the same as that of the sleeve
body 14 of the first sleeve 10. One end of the second sleeve 40
defines an opening 42, the other end of the second sleeve 40 defines
a containing hole 44. Two arms 46 extend from a bottom of the second
sleeve 40. Each free end of the arms 46 is coplanar with one end
of the second sleeve 40.
[0016] The second motor 50 is received in the containing hole 44,
and also includes a plurality of winding coils 52, a magnet 54 and
a rotor 56. The structures of the winding coils 52, the magnet 54
and the rotor 56 are substantially similar to those of the first
motor 20 mentioned above. The difference is that the second motor
50 has a smaller volume than the first motor 20. Accordingly, the
second motor 50 may be driven by less power.
[0017] The second barrel 60 is substantially a hollow cylinder
with two open ends so that light can be transmitted therethrough.
The second barrel 60 is positioned in the rotor 56. Focusing lens
elements 62 are set in the second barrel 60. An optical axis of
the focusing lens elements 62 is aligned with an optical axis of
the zoom lens elements 32. The second barrel 60 defines an outer
thread 64 at an outer periphery wall thereof. The outer thread 64
engages with the inner thread 562. The second barrel 60 defines
two through cutouts 66 for slidably receiving two arms 46 of the
second sleeve 40.
[0018] The image sensor 70 can be a charge-coupled device (CCD)
or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS). The image sensor
70 may convert the optical image data of an object into electronic
signals.
[0019] The base seat 80 is a long cube, and defines a cavity 82
for receiving the image sensor 70. The base seat 80 may be mounted
under the second sleeve 40 for supporting the second sleeve 40.
[0020] In assembly, the first motor 20 is placed in the first sleeve
10, and the winding coils 22 are mounted on the receiving hole 142
of the first sleeve 10. The magnet 24 and the rotor 26 are fixed
each other, and are received in the winding coils 22. Then, the
arms 144 are inserted into the cutout 36 of the first barrel 30,
with the outer thread 34 of the first barrel 30 engaging with the
inner thread 262 of the rotor 26. The second motor 50 is placed
in the second sleeve 40, and the winding coils 52 are mounted on
the containing hole 44 of the second sleeve 40. The magnet 54 and
the rotor 56 are fixed to each other, and are received in the winding
coils 52. The arms 46 of the second sleeve 40 are inserted into
the cutout 66 of the second barrel 60, with the outer thread 64
of the second barrel 60 engaging with the inner thread 562 of the
rotor 56. After that, one end of the first sleeve 10 opposite to
the flange 12 is fixed on the second sleeve 40 by means of adhesion
and/or welding. The image sensor 70 is mounted in the base seat
80 by means of adhesive. The image sensor 70 aligns with the axis
of the first barrel 30 and the second barrel 60. Finally, the second
sleeve 40 with the first sleeve 10 is fixed on the base seat 80.
The assembly process of the digital camera module 100 is thus completed.
[0021] When taking pictures, the light reflected from an image
object (not shown) pass through the lens elements 124, the zoom
lens elements 32 and the focusing lens elements 62. The lens elements
124, 32 and 62 focus the light, after which the light arrives at
the image sensor 70. The image sensor chip 70 transforms the light
signal into an electronic signal, permitting the storage of the
image information in a memory of the digital camera 100. As such,
the photographic process is finished. If the image is too far away,
the user may activate the zoom function. The winding coils 22 are
energized by current and the winding coils 22 produce a magnetic
field. The magnetic field drives the magnet 24 with the rotor 26
to rotate together. The rotor 26 further brings the first barrel
30 to rotate. However, the first barrel 30 cannot rotate, because
the first barrel 30 is limited in movement by the arms 144 of the
first sleeve 10. Thus, the first barrel 30 only slides along the
arms 144 relative to the first sleeve 10. Accordingly, the distance
between the zoom lens elements 32 of the first barrel 30 and the
lens element 124 is changed, thereby resulting in the stable telescopic
movement of the first barrel 30. The focus distance is thus changed
so that a distant object can be imaged in the image sensor 70.
[0022] After zooming, if the image should prove not to be clear
enough (i.e. out of focus), the user may activate the focusing function.
The driving principle is similar to the zoom operation. The winding
coils 52 are energized by current, and the winding coils 52 produce
a magnetic field. The magnetic field drives the magnet 54 with the
rotor 56 to rotate together. The rotor 56 further brings the second
barrel 60 to rotate. However, the second barrel 60 cannot rotate,
because the second barrel 60 is limited in movement by the arms
46 of the second sleeve 40. Thus, the second barrel 60 only slides
along the arms 46 relative to the second sleeve 40. Accordingly,
the distance between the focusing lens elements 62 and the image
sensor 70 is changed, thereby resulting in the stable telescopic
movement of the second barrel 60. The image distance is changed
so that a distant object can be imaged in the image sensor 70. When
the image becomes clear, the second barrel 60 stops sliding. The
second barrel 60 is kept in the focusing position because of the
limitation influence of the thread. Thus, the focusing purpose is
achieved by changing the distance between the image sensor 70 and
the second barrel 60.
[0023] In alternative embodiments, the first sleeve 10 and the
second sleeve 40 may be formed together, and a middle portion is
formed on the inner periphery of the sleeve and separates the sleeve
portion to be a first sleeve portion and a second sleeve portion.
Understandably, the arms of the first sleeve and the second sleeve
are connected each other.
[0024] As described above, the preferred embodiment provides a
digital camera module 100 with a zoom function and a focusing function
for devices such as mobile phones, which has both simplicity and
ease of use. It is, however, to be understood that the digital camera
module 100 could potentially be useful in other applications in
which it may be desirable to allow incoming light to be adjusted
so as to attain a clear image.
[0025] It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages
will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be
apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of
its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely
being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention.
|