Lens module and speaker module

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 102136403, filed on Oct. 8, 2013. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lens module and a speaker module, and more particularly to a lens module and a speaker module adopting a shape memory alloy.

2. Description of Related Art

With the development of technology, consumers have higher and higher expectations for entertaining functions of electronic products. Nowadays, almost all electronic products require a lens and a speaker so that users may take pictures, have video communication with others, listen to music and view videos, etc. at any time. However, when mounted in an electronic device, current lens modules are not able to rotate or shift left or right without the whole electronic device being turned, not to say adjusting focal distances. On the other hand, when mounted in an electronic device, current speaker modules are not able to adjust the output orientation of sounds without the whole electronic device being turned. Therefore, traditional lens and speaker in electronic devices are considerably limited in use.

A lens module is provided, capable of solving the problem of limited use of traditional lenses in electronic devices.

A speaker module is provided, capable of solving the problem of limited use of traditional speakers in electronic devices.

The lens module includes a lens stand, a base and a first shape memory alloy. The first shape memory alloy connects the lens stand and the base.

According to an embodiment, the lens module further comprises two screws, both ends of each screw are a stopper end and a thread end, wherein the thread end of the screw is locked to the base, both sides of the lens stand have a through hole respectively, and each screw passes through one of the through holes.

According to an embodiment, the lens module further comprises four resilient sleeves arranged on each screw in pairs, wherein the resilient sleeves on each screw are situated between the stopper end and the lens stand and between the base and the lens stand respectively.

According to an embodiment, the lens module further comprises a second shape memory alloy connecting the lens stand and the base, wherein the screws, the first shape memory alloy and the second shape memory alloy are disposed on the base in a row, and the first shape memory alloy and the second memory alloy are situated between the screws.

According to an embodiment, the base has two screw barrels disposed thereon, and the thread end of each screw is locked into one of the screw barrels.

According to an embodiment, the lens stand has at least one lens and an image sensing element.

According to an embodiment, the lens stand has at least one lens, while the base has an image sensing element.

According to an embodiment, the first shape memory alloy is spring-like or cylindrical.

The speaker module includes a speaker unit, a box and a first shape memory alloy. The box has a rear wall and an opening. The first shape memory alloy connects the speaker unit and the rear wall.

According to an embodiment, the speaker module further comprises two screws, both ends of each screw are a stopper end and a thread end, wherein the thread end of the screw is locked to the rear wall, both sides of the speaker unit have a through hole respectively, and each screw passes through one of the through holes.

According to an embodiment, the speaker module further comprises four resilient sleeves arranged on each screw in pairs, wherein the resilient sleeves on each screw are situated between the stopper end and the speaker unit and between the rear wall and the speaker unit respectively.

According to an embodiment, the speaker module further comprises a second shape memory alloy connecting the speaker unit and the rear wall, wherein the screws, the first shape memory alloy and the second shape memory alloy are disposed on the rear wall in a row, and the first shape memory alloy and the second memory alloy are situated between the screws.

According to an embodiment, the rear wall has two screw barrels disposed thereon, and the thread end of each screw is locked into one of the screw barrels.

According to an embodiment, the box further has an annular sidewall connecting between the rear wall and the opening, wherein the annular sidewall has telescopic creases.

According to an embodiment, the first shape memory alloy is spring-like or cylindrical.

According to an embodiment, the box further has an annular sidewall connecting between the rear wall and the opening, wherein the annular sidewall has telescopic creases.

Based on the above, in the lens module, relative positions of the lens stand and the base are changed by simply adjusting the size of the shape memory alloy. In the speaker module, relative positions of the speaker unit and the rear wall are changed by simply adjusting the size of the shape memory alloy. Thereby, convenience in using the lens module and the speaker module mounted in the electronic device is enhanced.

To make the above features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, several embodiments accompanied with drawings are described in detail as follows.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a lens module according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a lens module according to another embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a lens module according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the lens module in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an actuating example of the lens module.

FIGS. 6A to 6D are schematic views of four states of the lens module.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram that shows a connection by a first shape memory alloy in FIG. 3 .

FIGS. 8A-8C are circuit diagrams of three embodiments of the current source in FIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a speaker module according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a speaker module according to another embodiment.

A lens module and a speaker module are provided. Although belonging to different genres of products, both use a shape memory alloy to connect to two elements between which distance needs to be adjusted, for example, connecting a lens stand and a base, or connecting a speaker unit and a rear wall. Similarly, based on the characteristic that the size of the shape memory alloy varies with temperature, the distance between the two elements connected by the shape memory alloy becomes adjustable. Therefore, after the lens module and the speaker module are assembled in an electronic device, relative positions between the lens stand and the speaker unit in the electronic device can still be adjusted, so as to achieve focusing lens and adjusting the output direction of sounds.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a lens module according to one embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1 , a lens module 100 A of the present embodiment includes a lens stand 110 A, a base 120 A and a first shape memory alloy 130 A. The first shape memory alloy 130 A connects the lens stand 110 A and the base 120 A. The first shape memory alloy 130 A is made of shape memory alloy. The shape memory alloy is formed by depositing more than two different metal atoms. Since the size and structure of the metal atoms differ, conditions for forming the alloy differ. Thereby, different crystalline structures are formed, including an “austenite structure” and a “martensite structure,” while the transition between the two structures is called “austenite phase change.” The shape memory alloy has “martensite phase change,” and the alloy transforms from the “martensite structure” to the “austenite structure” and restores to the original shape when heated to the phase change temperature. Therefore, upon being supplied with power, the temperature of the first shape memory alloy 130 A rises and reaches a stable temperature after a certain period of time. At this moment, the length of the first shape memory alloy 130 A also differs from the length prior to power supply. Thereby, the purpose of adjusting the distance between the lens stand 110 A and the base 120 A is achieved. With the difference in the current applied to the first shape memory alloy 130 A, the stable temperature finally achieved by the first shape memory alloy 130 A differs. Therefore, adjusting the current applied to the first shape memory alloy 130 A adjusts the length of the first shape memory alloy 130 A.

When the lens module 100 A is assembled in the electronic device (not shown), the lens module 100 A is secured on a shell of the electronic device via the base 120 A. When the temperature of the first shape memory alloy 130 A is changed, even if the relative distance between the electronic device and the object to be focused on does not change, the relative distance between the lens stand 110 A and the object to be focused on can still be changed, thereby achieving the purpose such as focusing.

The present embodiment takes the example that the first memory shape memory alloy 130 A has a cylindrical profile, and also that the lens module has only one first shape memory alloy 130 A, but the invention is not limited thereto. The lens stand 110 A of the present embodiment has, for example, at least one lens 114 and an image sensing element 116 . In other words, a constant relative position is kept between the lens 114 and the image sensing element 116 of the present embodiment. However, in a lens module 100 B of FIG. 2 , the lens stand 110 B merely has at least one lens 114 , while the base 120 B has an image sensing element 124 . That is, when the length of the first shape memory alloy 130 A is changed, the distance between the lens 114 and the image sensing element 124 also changes.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a lens module according to yet another embodiment, while FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the lens module in FIG. 3 . Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , a lens module 100 C of the present embodiment is similar to the lens module 100 A of FIG. 1 , and merely the differences are elaborated herein. The lens module 100 C of the present embodiment further includes two screws 140 . Both ends of each screw 140 are a stopper end 142 and a thread end 144 . The thread end 144 of the screw 140 is locked to a base 120 C. Both sides of a lens stand 110 C have a through hole 112 respectively. Each screw 140 passes through one through hole 112 . By means of the arrangement of the screw 140 , the lens stand 110 C is able to slide between the stopper end 142 of the screw 140 and the base 120 C.

In the present embodiment, the lens module may further include four resilient sleeves 150 . Two resilient sleeves 150 are arranged on each screw 140 . One resilient sleeve 150 on each screw 140 is situated between the stopper end 142 and the lens stand 110 C, while the other resilient sleeve 150 is situated between the base 120 C and the lens stand 110 C. The resilient sleeves 150 are able to serve as buffers between the stopper end 142 and the lens stand 110 C and between the base 120 C and the lens stand 110 C.

In the present embodiment, the lens module 100 C includes a first shape memory alloy 130 B and a second shape memory alloy 160 , both connecting the lens stand 110 C and the base 120 C. The present embodiment takes the example that the first shape memory alloy 130 B and the second shape memory alloy 160 are spring-like. The screw 140 , the first shape memory alloy 130 B and the second shape memory alloy 160 are disposed on the base 120 C in a row, and the first shape memory alloy 130 B and the second shape memory alloy 160 are situated between the two screws 140 . The base 120 C of the present embodiment, for example, has two screw barrels 122 . The thread end 144 of each screw 140 is locked into one screw barrel 122 .

Next, we take the lens module 100 C for example to describe the actuating manner of the lens module. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an actuating example of the lens module, while FIGS. 6A to 6D are schematic views of four states of the lens module. Referring to FIG. 5 , after the actuating process of the lens module starts, the user first decides whether to adjust the focal distance of the lens module, which is a step S 110 . If yes, a step S 122 is entered, wherein power is supplied to both the first shape memory alloy 130 B and the second shape memory alloy 160 to change the temperatures of the first shape memory alloy 130 B and the second shape memory alloy 160 simultaneously and thereby change the lengths of both, for example, changing from the state in FIG. 6A to the state in FIG. 6B . If not, a step S 124 is entered, wherein power is not supplied to the first shape memory alloy 130 B and the second shape memory alloy 160 , for example, maintaining the state in FIG. 6A .

After the steps S 122 and S 124 , the user further decides whether to adjust the orientation of the lens stand of the lens module, which is a step S 130 . If not, the process returns to the step S 110 . If yes, a step S 140 is entered, wherein, for example, the user decides whether to adjust the orientation of the lens stand to face toward the right-hand side of FIG. 6B . If yes, a step S 152 is entered, wherein power continues to be supplied to the first shape memory alloy 130 B and stops to be supplied to the second shape memory alloy 160 . Thereby, the lens module changes from the state in FIG. 6B into the state in FIG. 6C , i.e. adjusting the orientation of the lens stand 110 C to face toward the right-hand side in FIG. 6C . If not, a step S 154 is entered, wherein power continues to be supplied to the second shape memory alloy 160 and stops to be supplied to the first shape memory alloy 130 B. Thereby, the lens module changes from the state in FIG. 6B into the state in FIG. 6D , i.e. adjusting the orientation of the lens stand 110 C to face toward the left-hand side in FIG. 6D . After the steps S 152 or S 154 , the process may return to the step S 110 . It should be noted that although FIG. 5 takes the example that the user first decides whether to adjust the focal distance of the lens module, in other embodiments, the user may also first decide whether to adjust the orientation of the lens stand, or the user may complete at once provision of his commands about adjusting the focal distance and the orientation before the lens module actuates.

In the lens module 100 C of FIG. 3 , example is taken by having two shape memory alloys to achieve the possibility that the lens stand 110 C has translational motion in one orientation and to obtain a degree of freedom of the rotating motion of the lens stand 110 C. However, in other embodiments, the degree of freedom of motions of the lens stand 110 C may certainly be increased by adding the number of the shape memory alloys, by changing the manner of connecting the shape memory alloys with the lens stand 110 C and the base 120 C, or by other manners.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram that shows a connection by a first shape memory alloy in FIG. 3 . Referring to FIG. 7 , the first shape memory alloy 130 B forms a loop with, for example, a current source 172 and a switch 174 . When the switch 174 is turned on, the current source 172 provides current to the first shape memory alloy 130 B to raise the temperature thereof, so that the size of the first shape memory alloy 130 B is changed. When the switch 174 is turned off, the current source 172 could not provide current to the first shape memory alloy 130 B, and the temperature of the first shape memory alloy 130 B lowers down, so that the size of the first shape memory alloy 130 B is changed.

FIGS. 8A-8C are circuit diagrams of three embodiments of the current source in FIG. 7 . The current source 172 in FIG. 7 may adopt a variety of designs, such as a micro-current source in FIG. 8A , a proportional current source in FIG. 8B or a current mirror in FIG. 8C .

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a speaker module according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 9 , the speaker module 200 A of the present embodiment includes a speaker unit 210 A, a box 220 A and a first shape memory alloy 230 A. The box 220 A has a rear wall 222 A and an opening 224 A. The first shape memory alloy 230 A connects the speaker unit 210 A and the rear wall 222 A. Upon being supplied with power, the temperature of the first shape memory alloy 230 A rises and reaches a stable temperature after a certain period of time. At this moment, the length of the first shape memory alloy 230 A also differs from the length prior to power supply. Thereby, the distance between the speaker unit 210 A and the rear wall 222 A is adjusted, and thereby the volume of the resonant cavity between the speaker unit 210 A and the rear wall 222 A is adjusted to achieve the purpose of adjusting tone quality. With the difference in the current applied to the first shape memory alloy 230 A, the stable temperature finally achieved by the first shape memory alloy 230 A differs. Therefore, adjusting the current applied to the first shape memory alloy 230 A adjusts the length of the first shape memory alloy 230 A. The first memory shape memory alloy 230 A of the present embodiment takes a cylindrical profile for example, and the present embodiment takes having only one first shape memory alloy 230 A for example, but the invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a speaker module according to another embodiment. Referring to FIG. 10 , the lens module 200 B of the present embodiment is similar to the speaker module 200 A of FIG. 9 , and merely the differences are elaborated herein. Therein, part of the elements are similar to the elements of the lens module of FIG. 4 . Please refer thereto to understand relevant details. The speaker module 200 B of the present embodiment further includes two screws 140 . Both ends of each screw 140 are a stopper end 142 and a thread end 144 . The thread end 144 of the screw 140 (referring to FIG. 4 ) is locked to a rear wall 222 B, and both sides of a speaker unit 210 B have one through hole 212 B respectively. Each screw 140 passes through one through hole 212 B. By means of the arrangement of the screw 140 , the speaker unit 210 B is able to slide between the stopper end 142 of the screw 140 and the rear wall 222 B.

In the present embodiment, the speaker module 200 B further includes four resilient sleeves 150 . Two resilient sleeves 150 are arranged on each screw 140 . One resilient sleeve 150 on each screw 140 is situated between the stopper end 142 and the speaker unit 210 B, while the other resilient sleeve 150 is situated between the rear wall 222 B and the speaker unit 210 B.

In the present embodiment, the speaker module 200 B includes a first shape memory alloy 230 B and a second shape memory alloy 230 C, both connecting the speaker unit 210 B and the rear wall 222 B. The present embodiment takes the example that the first shape memory alloy 230 B and the second shape memory alloy 230 C are spring-like. The screw 140 , the first shape memory alloy 230 B and the second shape memory alloy 230 C are disposed on the rear wall 222 B in a row, and the first shape memory alloy 230 B and the second shape memory alloy 230 C are situated between the two screws 140 . In the present embodiment, the rear wall 222 B has two screw barrels 222 B 1 disposed thereon, and the thread end 144 (referring to FIG. 4 ) of each screw 140 is locked into one screw barrel 222 B 1 .

A box 220 B of the present embodiment further has an annular sidewall 226 connected between the rear wall 222 B and the opening 224 B, and the annular sidewall 226 has telescopic creases 228 . By means of the telescopic creases 228 , when the sizes of the first shape memory alloy 230 B and the second shape memory alloy 230 C changes, the volume of the resonant cavity between the speaker unit 210 A and the rear wall 222 A has a larger possibility of variation. In addition, the manner of actuation as illustrated in FIG. 5 may also be applied to the speaker module 200 B of the present embodiment, that is, the orientation of the speaker unit 210 A of the speaker module 200 B may similarly be adjusted by using the first shape memory alloy 230 B and the second shape memory alloy 230 C, so as to change the output direction of sounds.

Based on the above, in the lens module, the shape memory alloy connects the lens stand and the base, and therefore relative positions of the lens stand and the base are changed by simply adjusting the size of the shape memory alloy. In the speaker module, the shape memory alloy connects the speaker unit and the rear wall, and therefore relative positions of the speaker unit and the rear wall are changed by simply adjusting the size of the shape memory alloy. Thereby, operations such as focusing, rotating, adjusting the volume of the resonant cavity may be performed on the lens module and the speaker module mounted in the electronic device, which increases the convenience in use.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the above embodiments, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that modifications to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention will be defined by the attached claims and not by the above detailed descriptions.