US 8,411,193 B2Granted

Lens module having liquid crystal lens and image pick-up device using same

AssigneeHon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.

InventorChi-Wei Chiu

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A lens module includes a liquid crystal lens, a lens barrel and two electrically conductive traces. The liquid crystal lens includes a light incident surface, a light output surface facing away from the light incident surface, and a number of side wall surfaces interconnecting the light incident surface and the light output surface. The liquid crystal lens includes at least two electrode layers. Each of the electrode layers comprising a connection terminal exposed at the corresponding side wall surface. The liquid crystal lens is received in the lens barrel. The two electrically conductive traces are embedded in an outer surface of the lens barrel, and includes a first end electrically connected to the corresponding connection terminal, and a second end for electrical connection to an external circuit.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A lens module, comprising:

a liquid crystal lens, the liquid crystal lens comprising a light incident surface, a light output surface facing away from the light incident surface, and a plurality of side wall surfaces interconnecting the light incident surface and the light output surface, the liquid crystal lens comprising at least two electrode layers, each of the electrode layers comprising a connection terminal exposed at the corresponding side wall surface;
a lens barrel comprising a base and a lens receiving member connected to the base, the base being substantially cubiform, the lens receiving member being substantially cylindrical, the base and the lens receiving member being integrally connected to each other, thereby forming a monolithic body, the base and the lens receiving member having a common central axis, the base having a first end abaxial to the lens receiving member, the base defining a first receiving hole in the first end, the first receiving hole being configured for receiving an image sensor, the base having two contact blocks protruding from each of two opposite outer side wall surfaces thereof, each of the contact blocks having a contact surface coplanar with the first end, the contact surface being configured for contacting a printed circuit board, the lens receiving member having a second end abaxial to the first end, the lens receiving member defining a stepped hole, the stepped through hole including a second receiving hole portion through the second end, and an interconnection hole portion interconnecting the second receiving hole portion and the first receiving hole, a support surface being formed between the second receiving hole portion and the interconnection hole, the liquid crystal lens received in the second receiving hole portion, and the light output surface of the liquid crystal lens contacting the support surface;
and
two electrically conductive traces embedded in an outer surface of the lens barrel, the electrically conductive traces each comprising a first end exposed in the second receiving hole portion and electrically connected to the corresponding connection terminal, and a second end exposed at the contact surface of the corresponding contact block for electrical connection to an external circuit.

1 more element

An image pick-up device, comprising:

a lens module comprising:
a liquid crystal lens, the liquid crystal lens comprising a light incident surface, a light output surface facing away from the light incident surface, and a plurality of side wall surfaces interconnecting the light incident surface and the light output surface, the liquid crystal lens comprising at least two electrode layers, each of the electrode layers comprising a connection terminal exposed at the corresponding side wall surface,
a lens barrel being generally cuboid, the liquid crystal lens received in the lens barrel, and
two electrically conductive traces embedded in an outer surface of the lens barrel, the electrically conductive traces each comprising a first end electrically connected to the corresponding connection terminal, and a second end for electrical connection to an external circuit;
a connection socket defining a cuboid connecting recess, four inner side wall surfaces and an inner bottom surface of the connection socket cooperatively define the connection recess, the connection socket having an opening opposite to the bottom surface, the connection socket comprising a plurality of first connection pins fixed on the four inner side wall surfaces, and two second connection pins on one of the inner side wall surfaces, the second connection pins being resilient and tilt relative to the corresponding inner side wall surface along a direction abaxial to the opening of the connection recess, the lens barrel being partly received in the connection socket, the electrically conductive traces respectively being in elastic contact with the second connection pins, thereby electrically connected to the electrically conductive traces;
and
an image sensor received in the connection socket and on the inner bottom surface, and electrically connected to the first connection pins.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/856,649Filed 14 Aug 2010
Priority: TW 99118827 A10 Jun 2010
Published: US 2011/0304762 A115 Dec 2011
Granted: 2 Apr 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

G02F 1/29
Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light…:…
H04N 23/55
Constructional details: optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
G02F 1/294
For the control of the position or the direction of light beams, i.e. deflection: variable focal length devices
G02F
Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light by modification of