Lens module

The present invention relates to optical apparatuses, and more particularly to a lens module used in a camera or other image pick-up device.

With the rapid development of technologies, electronic devices having image pick-up functions, such as cameras, mobile phones, portable computers, tablets, are equipped with lens modules. For satisfying the demands of high quality pictures, lens modules are designed and manufactured with high precisions. As one of the key characters of a lens module, concentricity is much important for performing high quality pictures.

Generally, a lens module includes a holder for receiving a plurality of lens units therein. The lens units should be provided with high concentricity to be concentric with each other, and the combination of the lens unit should be concentric with the holder. During actual manufacturing process, the concentricity between the lens units, or between the lens unit and the holder is difficult to be controlled. Thus, this disclosure provides a lens module provided with special configuration for ensuring the concentricity thereof.

Many aspects of the embodiment can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative cross-sectional view of a lens module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative cross-sectional view of a lens holder of the lens module in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is an illustrative cross-sectional view of a first lens used in the lens module in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a top view of a first surface of the first lens.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a second surface of the first lens.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative cross-sectional view of a second lens used in the lens module in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 is a top view of an upper surface of the second lens.

FIG. 8 is an illustrative view of the first lens ready to be attached to the second lens.

The present invention will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment.

The present disclosure provides a lens module that could be used in a mobile phone, a tablet, or a digital camera. Referring to FIGS. 1-2 , a lens module 100 includes a lens holder 101 and a lens unit 103 supported by the lens holder 101 . The lens module has an optic axis 106 . The lens holder 101 is symmetric about the optic axis 106 , and comprises a first holder 101 A and a second holder 101 B extending vertically from an edge of the first holder 101 A. In this embodiment, the second holder 101 B is integrated with the first holder 101 A. Along a direction perpendicular to the optic axis 106 , a first thickness T1 of the first holder 101 A is greater than a second thickness T2 of the second holder 101 B. The first holder 101 A includes a top surface 24 , a bottom surface 25 opposed and parallel to the top surface 24 , and a first inner surface 26 connecting the top surface 24 and the bottom surface 25 . The first inner surface 26 forms an aperture 101 C for passing lights into the holder. The second holder 101 B includes a second inner surface 101 D jointing with and perpendicular to the bottom surface 25 of the first holder 101 A, a third inner surface 101 F parallel to the second inner surface 101 D, and a step 101 E connecting the second inner surface 101 D to the third inner surface 101 F. By virtue of the step 101 E, an inner diameter W1 of the second inner surface 101 D is smaller than an inner diameter W2 of the third inner surface 101 F. The second inner surface 101 D, the third inner surface 101 F, the step 101 E, and the bottom surface 25 cooperatively form a receiving space 102 for receiving the lens unit 103 therein. The lens unit 103 includes a first lens 104 and a second lens 105 attached to the first lens 104 . The first lens 104 locates between the first holder 101 A and the second lens 105 .

Referring to FIGS. 3-5 , the first lens 104 includes a first object-side surface 104 A, a first image-side surface 104 B opposed to the first object-side surface 104 A, and a side surface 104 C connecting the first object-side surface 104 A to the first image-side surface 104 B. A distance between the first object-side surface 104 A and the first image-side surface determines a thickness of the first lens 104 . The first object-side surface 104 A comprises, from a periphery to a center, a first plane 107 and a first optic surface 108 connecting with the first plane 107 . The first plane 107 is perpendicular to the optic axis 106 .

The first image-side surface 104 B comprises, from the periphery to the center, a second plane 109 perpendicular to the optic axis, a first arc surface 110 connecting with the second plane 109 , a third plane 111 connecting with the first arc surface 110 and perpendicular to the optic axis, and a second optic surface 112 connecting with the third plane 111 . The first arc surface 110 is thus configured that the third plane 111 is closer to the first object-side surface 104 A than the second plane 109 . Alternatively, the first arc surface 110 can also be thus configured that the third plane 111 is farther from the first object-side surface 104 A than the second plane 109 .

Referring to FIGS. 6-7 , the second lens 105 comprises a second object-side surface 105 A, a second image-side surface 105 B opposed to the second object-side surface 105 A, and a jointing surface 105 C connecting the second object-side surface 105 A to the second image-side surface 105 B. A distance between the second object-side surface 105 A and the second image-side surface 105 B determines a thickness of the second lens 105 . The second object-side surface 105 A comprises, from a periphery to a center, a first carrying surface 113 perpendicular to the optic axis, a second arc surface 114 , a second carrying surface 115 perpendicular to the optic axis, a fourth plane 117 , and a third optic surface 118 . By virtue of the second arc surface 114 , the second carrying surface 115 is closer to the second image-side surface 105 B than the first carrying surface 113 . Alternatively and corresponding to the first arc surface, the second arc surface can also be thus configured that the second carrying surface 115 is farther from the second image-side surface 105 B than the first carrying surface 113 , which means actually that the first arc surface and the second arc surface are complementary structures. And, the second carrying surface 115 and the fourth plane 117 form a fall so that the fourth plane 117 farther from the third plane 111 than the second carrying surface 115 .

Referring to FIG. 8 , and also referring to FIG. 1 , while assembled, the second plane 109 abuts against the first carrying surface 113 , the first arc surface 110 abuts against the second arc surface 114 , and the third plane 111 spaces from the second carrying surface 115 . In addition, a space is accordingly formed between the second optic surface 112 and the third optic surface 118 for arranging a filter 50 therebetween. The fall formed between the second carrying surface 115 and the fourth plane 117 is used for expanding the space formed between the second optic surface 112 and the third optic surface 118

Referring back to FIG. 1 , also referring to FIGS. 2-8 , when the combination of the first lens 104 and the second lens 105 , i.e., the lens unit 103 is assembled with the lens holder 101 , the first plane 107 abuts against the bottom surface 25 of the first holder 101 A, and the side surface 104 C abuts against the second inner surface 101 D of the second holder 101 B. Further, the jointing surface 105 C abuts against the third inner surface 101 F of the second holder 101 B. Be noted that the first carrying surface 113 keeps a distance from the step 101 E.

The cooperation or engagement between the first arc surface 110 and the second arc surface 114 ensures the concentricity between the first lens 104 and the second lens 105 . The engagement between the side surface 104 C and the second inner surface 101 D ensures the concentricity between the lens unit 103 and the lens holder 101 . Further, the jointing surface 105 C of the second lens 105 engages with the third inner surface 101 F of the second holder 101 B, the concentricity between the lens unit 103 and the lens holder 101 is determined cooperatively by the engagement between the first lens 104 and the lens holder 101 , and the engagement between the second lens 105 and the lens holder 101 . And, the concentricity between the first lens 104 and the second lens 105 is determined by the engagement between the first arc surface 110 and the second arc surface 114 . Another word, the first arc surface 110 of the first lens and the second arc surface 114 of the second lens define a first assembling precision, and the side surface 104 C and the second inner surface 22 defines a second assembly precision. The first assembly precision ensures the concentricity between the first lens and the second lens, and the second assembly precision ensures the concentricity between the lens unit 103 and the lens holder 101 .

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present embodiment have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiment, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.