# US 11,994,740 B2 · Optical element drive mechanism

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- Number: US 11,994,740 B2
- Document ID: US11994740B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/459,358
- Filed: 2021-08-27
- Published: 2022-03-03
- Granted: 2024-05-28
- Earliest claimed: 2020-08-28
- Assignees: TDK Taiwan Corp.
- Applicants: TDK Taiwan Corp.
- Inventors: Pai-Jui Cheng; Shu-Shan Chen; Chieh-An Chang; Chao-Chang Hu
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11994740B2

## CPC

- G02B 7/04: with mechanism for focusing or varying magnification
- G01L 1/16: using properties of piezoelectric devices
- G02B 7/003: {Alignment of optical elements (G02B7/001, G02B7/002 take precedence; for mirrors G02B7/1822)}
- G02B 7/02: for lenses {(supports for magnifying lenses G02B25/002)}
- G02B 7/021: {for more than one lens}
- G02B 7/09: adapted for automatic focusing or varying magnification
- G02B 7/1821: {for rotating or oscillating mirrors}
- G02B 13/001: {Miniaturised objectives for electronic devices, e.g. portable telephones, webcams, PDAs, small digital cameras (G02B23/243 takes precedence)}
- G02B 26/0816: {by means of one or more reflecting elements}
- G02B 26/0875: {by means of one or more refracting elements}
- G02B 27/0006: {with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation (G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B)}
- G02B 27/646: {compensating for small deviations, e.g. due to vibration or shake (movement of one or more optical elements for control of motion blur in cameras, projectors or printers G03B2205/0007; image stabilisation in cameras peculiar to the presence or use of an electronic image sensor H04N23/68)}
- G03B 3/10: Power-operated focusing
- G03B 5/00: Adjustment of optical system relative to image or object surface other than for focusing
- G03B 5/02: Lateral adjustment of lens
- G03B 17/12: with means for supporting objectives, supplementary lenses, filters, masks, or turrets
- G03B 30/00: Camera modules comprising integrated lens units and imaging units, specially adapted for being embedded in other devices, e.g. mobile phones or vehicles
- G06F 3/016: {Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user}
- H02K 41/0354: {Lorentz force motors, e.g. voice coil motors}
- H03K 17/964: {Piezoelectric touch switches}
- H04N 23/54: Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
- H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
- H04N 23/685: {performed by mechanical compensation}
- H10N 30/302: {Sensors}
- G03B 2205/0069: using electromagnetic actuators, e.g. voice coils
- H02K 41/0356: {moving along a straight path}
- H03K 17/9517: {using galvanomagnetic devices}
- H03K 2217/96062: with tactile or haptic feedback
- H10N 50/10: Magnetoresistive devices
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G)
- G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D)
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53})
- H03K: PULSE TECHNIQUE (measuring pulse characteristics G01R; modulating sinusoidal oscillations with pulses H03C; transmission of digital information H04L; discriminator circuits detecting phase difference between two signals by counting or integrating cycles of oscillation H03D3/04; automatic control, starting, synchronisation or stabilisation of generators of electronic oscillations or pulses where the type of generator is irrelevant or unspecified H03L; coding, decoding or code conversion, in general H03M)
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H10N: ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

An optical element drive mechanism is provided. The optical element drive mechanism includes an immovable part, a movable part, and a drive assembly. The movable part is connected to an optical element that includes an optical axis. The movable part is movable relative to the immovable part. The drive assembly drives the movable part to move relative to the immovable part.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An optical element drive mechanism, comprising:
an immovable part;
a movable part connected to an optical element that has an optical axis, wherein the movable part is movable relative to the immovable part;
a drive assembly driving the movable part to move relative to the immovable part; and
a buffer assembly for absorbing vibration of the driving assembly;
wherein the drive assembly comprises:
a piezoelectric element comprising a piezoelectric material, wherein the piezoelectric element generates a driving force;
a resilient element disposed on the piezoelectric element;
a transmission element extending in a first direction, wherein the transmission element transmits the driving force;
a contact element in direct contact with the transmission element; and
a compression element for generating a compression force, so that the contact element is in contact with the transmission element, wherein the compression element has a compression-element opening corresponding to the contact element, and the contact element is received in the compression-element opening;
wherein the movable part comprises a holder, the holder comprises a holder opening corresponding to the compression element, and the compression element is received in the holder opening,
wherein there is a space between the holder opening and the compression element;
wherein the buffer assembly comprises a buffer element in direct contact with the transmission element;
wherein Young's modulus of the holder is greater than Young's modulus of the buffer element.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The optical element drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the driving force is transmitted to the contact element by the transmission element, and the compression element thereby drives the movable part to move relative to the immovable part in the first direction.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The optical element drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the contact element comprises a metal material;
wherein when viewed from the first direction, the holder opening is polygonal;
wherein when viewed from the first direction, the compression element is circular;
wherein when viewed from the first direction, the transmission element is circular.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The optical element drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder and the compression element comprise different plastic materials, and the Young's modulus of the holder is different from Young's modulus of the compression element.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The optical element drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the buffer element and the compression element comprise different materials, and when viewed from the first direction, the buffer element is located on a corner of the immovable part that is polygonal.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The optical element drive mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein the transmission element bears a first contact force generated by the buffer assembly, the transmission element bears a second contact force generated by the movable part, and the transmission element bears a third contact force generated by the immovable part, wherein the second contact force is greater than the first contact force and the third contact force, and the first contact force is greater than the third contact force.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The optical element drive mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein the drive assembly is connected to the immovable part via an adhesive element, and the adhesive element includes a plastic material, wherein the first contact force is generated by the buffer element, the second contact force is generated by the compression element, and the third contact force is generated by the adhesive element.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The optical element drive mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein the buffer assembly further comprises a first buffer plate, and the first buffer plate comprises a buffer opening, wherein when viewed from the first direction, the buffer element is disposed on a periphery of the buffer opening, and the transmission element is surrounded by the buffer element, so that part of the transmission element is disposed in the buffer opening;
wherein the first buffer plate has a plate-like structure that is perpendicular to the first direction;
wherein in the first direction, a maximum size of the buffer element is greater than a maximum size of the first buffer plate;
wherein the first buffer plate and the buffer element comprise a groove and a structure corresponding to the groove.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The optical element drive mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first buffer plate and the buffer element comprise different materials, the first buffer plate comprises a metal material and the buffer element comprises a plastic material, a rubber material, and a silicon material, wherein Young's modulus of the first buffer plate is different from the Young's modulus of the buffer element.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The optical element drive mechanism as claimed in claim 9, wherein the Young's modulus of the first buffer plate is greater than the Young's modulus of the buffer element.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The optical element drive mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein the immovable part comprises a case, a bottom, and a base plate, the case is connected to the base plate, and the bottom is disposed between the case and the base plate, wherein the case and the base plate comprise a metal material, and the bottom comprises a plastic material, wherein the case comprises a top wall and a side wall, the top wall and the side wall respectively have a plate-like structure, and the top wall is not parallel with the side wall, wherein the first buffer plate is parallel with the top wall and the base plate, wherein the first buffer plate is disposed between the top wall and the base plate, and a minimum distance between the first buffer plate and the top wall is less than a minimum distance between the first buffer plate and the base plate, wherein the first buffer plate is not in contact with the top wall, wherein the bottom and the first buffer plate comprise a mating portion and another mating portion corresponding to the mating portion, wherein the piezoelectric element is located between the bottom and the base plate, and a minimum distance between the piezoelectric element and the bottom is less than a minimum distance between the piezoelectric element and the base plate, wherein the transmission element comprises a first end and a second end, the first end is located in the buffer opening, and the second end is located in a receiving space between the bottom and the base plate, wherein when viewed from a direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, the compression element is located between the buffer opening and the receiving space, wherein the transmission element passes through the receiving space, wherein the drive assembly is connected to the immovable part via an adhesive element, and at least part of the adhesive element is disposed in the receiving space, wherein the receiving space has an open structure.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The optical element drive mechanism as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a guidance assembly in contact with the movable part and the immovable part to guide the movable part to move relative to the immovable part in the first direction.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The optical element drive mechanism as claimed in claim 12, wherein the guidance assembly comprises a guidance element and a guidance plate, wherein the guidance element is fixedly connected to the guidance plate, and the guidance plate is fixedly connected to the base plate, wherein the guidance element has a rod structure extending in the first direction and passing through the bottom;
wherein the guidance plate has a plate-like structure;
wherein the guidance element and the guidance plate comprise a metal material, and the guidance element and the guidance plate comprise the same material;
wherein when viewed from a direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, the guidance plate is between the bottom and the base plate.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The optical element drive mechanism as claimed in claim 12, wherein the guidance assembly comprises a first guidance element and a second guidance element, the first guidance element and the second guidance element extend in the first direction, the first guidance element and the second guidance element are disposed on a diagonal line, and when viewed from the first direction, the diagonal line passes through the optical element, wherein when viewed from the first direction, area of the first guidance element is equal to area of the second guidance element.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The optical element drive mechanism as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first buffer plate further comprises a first receiving opening, and part of the first guidance element is disposed in the first receiving opening, wherein a minimum distance between the first receiving opening and the first guidance element is less than a minimum distance between the buffer opening and the transmission element.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The optical element drive mechanism as claimed in claim 14, wherein the buffer assembly further comprises a second buffer plate, the first buffer plate and the second buffer plate are disposed on the diagonal line, part of the first guidance element is disposed at the first buffer plate, and part of the second guidance element is disposed at the second buffer plate.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The optical element drive mechanism as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first guidance element is closer to the transmission element than the second guidance element.

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

The optical element drive mechanism as claimed in claim 14, wherein the transmission element bears a first contact force generated by the buffer assembly, the transmission element bears a second contact force generated by the movable part, and the transmission element bears a third contact force generated by the immovable part, wherein the first guidance element bears a fourth contact force generated by the buffer assembly, the first guidance element bears a fifth contact force generated by the movable part, and the first guidance element bears a sixth contact force generated by the immovable part, wherein the second guidance element bears a seventh contact force generated by the buffer assembly, the second guidance element bears an eighth contact force generated by the movable part, and the second guidance element bears a ninth contact force generated by the immovable part, wherein the second contact force is greater than the fifth contact force and the eighth contact force, and the fifth contact force is greater than the eighth contact force.

### Claim 19 (depends on 14)

The optical element drive mechanism as claimed in claim 14, wherein the holder further comprises a first guidance opening and a second guidance opening, the first guidance opening corresponds to the first guidance element, and the second guidance opening corresponds to the second guidance element;
wherein when viewed from the first direction, a minimum distance between the first guidance opening and the first guidance element is less than a minimum distance between the second guidance opening and the second guidance element;
wherein when viewed from the first direction, the first guidance opening is circular, and the second guidance opening is bar-like;
wherein when viewed from the first direction, the first guidance opening is smaller than the second guidance opening.