CN111756957B

CN111756957B - Image pickup apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN111756957B
Application number: CN201910233084.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 卢志勇; 曾振光; 黄玉诚
Original assignee: Ability Enterprise Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ability Enterprise Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-03-26
Filing date: 2019-03-26
Publication date: 2022-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-26
Also published as: CN111756957A

Abstract

A camera device comprises a pin joint module, a base, a first camera module and a second camera module, wherein the base is provided with a frame body and a containing space, and the first camera module and the second camera module are respectively pin jointed with the frame body through the pin joint module and can be selectively folded in the containing space through the pin joint module. The pin joint module comprises a first bearing seat, a first shaft piece and a second shaft piece, the first shaft piece and the second shaft piece respectively and rotatably penetrate through the first bearing seat, the first camera module is arranged on the first shaft piece, and the second camera module is arranged on the second shaft piece.

Description

Image pickup apparatus

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a camera device, and more particularly, to a camera device capable of capturing images in different modes.

Background

With the development of image processing technology, the planar images captured by the multiple lenses can be integrated into non-planar images such as stereo images and panoramic images by appropriate image processing algorithms. Based on the above technologies, various electronic devices with dual lenses, such as dual-lens mobile phones, dual-lens cameras, dual-lens digital cameras, etc., have been developed.

However, the conventional dual-lens electronic device can capture only one of the stereoscopic image or the panoramic image. If the electronic device is to have the function of capturing the stereoscopic image and the panoramic image at the same time, more than three lenses are required to achieve the purpose. However, the above method significantly increases the cost, and the electronic device is increased in size and inconvenient to carry.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a camera device, which includes a pivot module, a base, a first camera module and a second camera module, wherein the base has a frame and an accommodating space, and the first camera module and the second camera module are respectively pivoted to the frame by the pivot module and can be selectively folded into the accommodating space by the pivot module. The pin joint module comprises a first bearing seat, a first shaft piece and a second shaft piece, the first shaft piece and the second shaft piece respectively and rotatably penetrate through the first bearing seat, the first camera module is arranged on the first shaft piece, and the second camera module is arranged on the second shaft piece.

In summary, the image capturing module provided by the present invention integrates two different image capturing functions, and has the advantages of small size and easy storage.

The invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings and specific examples, but the invention is not limited thereto.

Drawings

Fig. 1A is a perspective view illustrating a camera device according to an embodiment of the invention in a folded mode;

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of the camera device of FIG. 1A in an extended mode;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the camera device of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 3A depicts a front view of some of the components of the imaging device of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 3B illustrates a back view of the element shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the clamping mechanism of the base in a released state;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the clamping mechanism of the base in a compressed state;

FIG. 5A is a top view of a portion of the components of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 5B is a top view of a portion of the device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the components of the imaging device of FIG. 1B;

fig. 7 is a perspective view of the imaging device of fig. 1A connected to an external device.

Detailed Description

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous implementation details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that these implementation details are not to be interpreted as limiting the invention. That is, in some embodiments of the invention, such implementation details are not necessary. In addition, some conventional structures and elements are shown in simplified schematic form in the drawings. Also, unless otherwise indicated, like reference numerals may be used to identify corresponding elements in different figures. The drawings are for clarity of understanding, and do not show actual dimensions of the elements.

Fig. 1A is a perspective view illustrating a camera device 100 according to some embodiments of the invention in a folded mode; FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the image capture device 100 of FIG. 1A in an extended mode; fig. 2 is an exploded view of the image pickup apparatus 100 of fig. 1B. In fig. 2, specific components in the connection module 140 and parts of the image capturing apparatus 100 are omitted, but these components may be found in subsequent figures.

Referring to fig. 1A, fig. 1B and fig. 2, the camera device 100 at least includes a first camera module 110, a second camera module 120, a base 130, a connecting module 140 and a hinge module 150. The base 130 has a frame 137 and a receiving space 138; the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 are respectively pivoted to the frame 137 of the base 130 by the pivot module 150, and both can rotate relative to the base 130; the connecting module 140 is disposed on the frame 137 of the base 130 and electrically connects the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120.

Referring to fig. 1A and 1B, when the image capturing apparatus 100 is in the folded mode, the second image capturing module 120 and the first image capturing module 110 are oppositely accommodated in the accommodating space 138, that is, the first image capturing module 110 and the second image capturing module 120 can capture images in substantially opposite directions. In some embodiments, the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 may each have a viewing angle greater than or equal to 180 degrees. In other embodiments, the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 can capture the first image and the second image respectively in the closed mode, and can integrate the first image and the second image into a 360-degree panoramic image with one frame of viewing angle by image processing.

In fig. 1B, the image capturing apparatus 100 is in the extended mode, and the first image capturing module 110 and the second image capturing module 120 can capture images in substantially the same direction. In some embodiments, in the extended mode, the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 can capture the first image and the second image with parallax, respectively, and can be integrated into one frame of wide image by image processing; alternatively, in other embodiments, the first image and the second image can be integrated into a frame of stereoscopic image by image processing according to the parallax.

As shown in fig. 1A and 1B, the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 can rotate relative to the base 130, so that the camera device 100 can be switched between a retracted mode and an extended mode to obtain an image or a video. The camera device 100 can be reduced in size in the folded mode, and is easy to store and carry.

In some embodiments, when the camera device 100 is in the transition state out of the retracted mode and the extended mode, the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 may stop capturing the first image and/or the second image, and/or may stop storing or transmitting the captured first image and/or the second image, and/or the camera device 100 may enter the shutdown state or the standby state.

As shown in fig. 2, the first camera module 110 at least includes a camera unit 111, a front cover 112 and a rear cover 113. The first camera module 110 can be fixed to the hinge module 150 through the rear cover 113, the front cover 112 and the rear cover 113 can be fixed to each other, and the camera unit 111 can be disposed in a space formed by the front cover 112 and the rear cover 113. In some embodiments, the first camera module 110 is connected to the hinge module 150 via the back cover 113; in other embodiments, the camera unit 111 is fixed to the rear cover 113.

Similarly, the second camera module 120 at least includes a camera unit 121, a front cover 122 and a rear cover 123, the rear cover 123 is fixed to the hinge module 150, the front cover 122 and the rear cover 123 are fixed to each other, and the second camera module 120 is disposed in a space formed by the front cover 122 and the rear cover 123. In some embodiments, the second camera module 120 is pivotally connected to the pivotal module 150 via the rear cover 123; in other embodiments, the camera unit 121 is fixed to the rear cover 123.

In addition, other components may be disposed in the space between the

front cover plates

112, 122 and the

rear cover plates

113, 123 to perform specific functions. In some embodiments, the first camera module 110 and/or the second camera module 120 may further include at least one of an antistatic (ESD) element, a microphone with a sound receiving function, and a heat sink with a heat dissipation capability disposed on the front cover 112 or the rear cover 113.

FIG. 3A illustrates a front view of some of the components of the image capture device 100 of FIG. 1B; fig. 3B shows a back view of the element shown in fig. 3A.

As shown in fig. 3A, the hinge module 150 includes a first shaft 151, a second shaft 152, a first socket 153, a second socket 154, a support 157, a first elastic element 158, and a second elastic element 159. Wherein, the first bearing seat 153 includes two through holes; the first shaft 151 and the second shaft 152 respectively pass through two through holes of the first socket 153. The first camera module 110 may be disposed on the first shaft 151, and the second camera module 120 may be disposed on the second shaft 152. In some embodiments, the first shaft 151 is substantially parallel to the second shaft 152; in other embodiments, the first socket 153 may be made of metal or plastic material.

Further, the hinge module 150 may further include a first connecting member 155 and a second connecting member 156, the first connecting member 155 may be disposed on the first shaft 151, and the second connecting member 156 may be disposed on the second shaft 152. The rear cover 113 of the first camera module 110 can be fixed to the first connecting member 155 and can rotate relative to the first bearing 153 with the first shaft 151 as an axis; the rear cover plate 123 of the second camera module 120 can also be fixed to the second connecting member 156 and can rotate relative to the first bearing 153 with the second shaft member 152 as an axis. In some embodiments, the back cover plate 113 and the back cover plate 123 are fixed to the first connecting member 155 and the second connecting member 156 by screws and bolts, respectively.

In addition, the second socket 154 includes two through holes corresponding to the first socket 153, and the first shaft 151 and the second shaft 152 can respectively pass through the two through holes of the second socket 154. The first shaft 151 and the second shaft 152 may be fixed by a first bearing seat 153 and a second bearing seat 154, respectively, so as to improve the stability between the first shaft 151 and the second shaft 152.

Furthermore, the supporting member 157 may be fixed to the first bearing 153 and the second bearing 154, so that the first shaft 151 and the second shaft 152 may be kept parallel, which is helpful for the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 to provide stable image quality.

As shown in fig. 3A and 3B, two first elastic members 158 are respectively sleeved on the first shaft 151 and the second shaft 152. In some embodiments, the pivot module 150 includes a torsion spring, the torsion spring can be sleeved on the first shaft 151, and two ends of the torsion spring respectively abut against the supporting member 157 and the first connecting member 155. The torsion spring can generate a moment between the supporting member 157 and the first connecting member 155, so that the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 are maintained in the extended mode when no external force is applied.

The second elastic element 159 includes a compression spring 159a and an abutting element 159b, the compression spring 159a and the abutting 159b are both disposed on the first shaft 151, and the abutting 159b is disposed between the compression spring 159a and the first seat 153. The abutting piece 159b and the first shaft 151 can be engaged in the radial direction D2, and when the first shaft 151 and the first socket 153 rotate relatively, the abutting piece 159b also rotates relatively with the first socket 153; in addition, the abutting member 159b is linearly movable in the axial direction D1 of the first shaft member 151. In some embodiments, the abutting member 159b has a rectangular through hole, the first shaft 151 is disposed through the abutting member 159b, wherein a cylinder of the first shaft 151 disposed through the abutting member 159b may have a rectangular cross section corresponding to the through hole of the abutting member 159b, and the abutting member 159b may be made of a plastic material.

As shown in fig. 3B, the abutting piece 159B further has a first protrusion P1, the first socket 153 may have an inclined surface 153a corresponding to the first protrusion P1, and the first protrusion P1 may abut against the inclined surface 153 a. Under the condition that no other external force exists, the abutting piece 159b is pressed by the compression spring 159a, the first protrusion P1 moves along the inclined surface 153a, so that the abutting piece 159b rotates relative to the first socket 153, and the abutting piece 159b also drives the first shaft 151 to rotate. That is, the compression spring 159a indirectly applies a torque to the first shaft 151 in the same direction as the torque applied to the first shaft 151 by the first elastic member 158, and the image capturing apparatus 100 can be maintained in the extended mode. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, only one of the first elastic member 158 and the second elastic member 159 may be used to make the image capturing apparatus 100 in the extended mode.

Referring to fig. 1A and 1B, the first elastic member 158 and the second elastic member 159 apply a moment to the first shaft 151 and the second shaft 152, so that the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 can take images in the same direction in the unfolding mode; when the first camera module 110 and/or the second camera module 120 are in the retracted mode and are received in the base 130, the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 can capture images in opposite directions.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the engaging mechanism 131 of the base 130 in a released state; fig. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the engaging mechanism 131 of the base 130 in a compressed state.

As shown in fig. 4A, the base 130 may further include a clamping mechanism 131 and a releasing mechanism 132. The engaging mechanism 131 is disposed on the base 130 and protrudes from the inside of the base 130 to the outside; the releasing mechanism 132 is disposed on the base 130 and connected to the engaging mechanism 131, wherein the releasing mechanism 132 at least includes a control key 132a and a pushing portion 132 b.

Referring to fig. 1B, fig. 2, fig. 3B and fig. 4A, the engaging mechanism 131 includes a first protrusion 131a and a second protrusion 131B, and the rear cover 113 of the first camera module 110 has a first groove r1 corresponding to the first protrusion 131 a; the rear cover 123 of the second camera module 120 has a second recess r2 disposed corresponding to the second protrusion 131 b. However, without limiting the invention, in other embodiments, the engaging mechanism 131 may include a first groove r1 and a second groove r2, the rear cover 113 has a first protrusion 131a corresponding to the first groove r1, and the rear cover 123 has a second protrusion 131b corresponding to the second groove r 2; alternatively, the engaging mechanism 131 may include a first protrusion 131a and a second groove r2, the back cover 113 may have a first groove r1, and the back cover 123 may have a second protrusion 131 b; alternatively, the engaging mechanism 131 may include a first groove r1 and a second protrusion 131b, the back cover 113 may have a first protrusion 131a, and the back cover 123 may have a second groove r 2.

Referring to fig. 1A, in the folded mode, the first protrusion 131A may be inserted into the first groove r1, and the second protrusion 131b may be inserted into the second groove r2, such that the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 are fixedly disposed on the base 130.

As shown in fig. 4A and 4B, the engaging mechanism 131 further includes a through hole 139a, a through post 139B, a spring 133 and a stopping piece 139c, the through hole 139a is opened in the first protrusion 131a and the second protrusion 131B, the spring 133 is sleeved on the through post 139B, and the through post 139B is disposed on the stopping piece 139c and movably inserted into the through hole 139 a. Thus, the first protrusion 131a and the second protrusion 131b can move linearly relative to the stopping piece 139c by the spring 133 and the through post 139 b.

Referring to fig. 1A and 1B, when the image capturing apparatus 100 is switched from the unfolding mode to the folding mode, the first protrusion 131A and the second protrusion 131B are pushed by the back cover 113 and the back cover 123, respectively, to press the spring 133, so that the engaging mechanism 131 is in a compressed state. When the first protrusion 131a and the second protrusion 131b correspond to the first groove r1 and the second groove r2, respectively, the first protrusion 131a and the second protrusion 131b are engaged with the first groove r1 and the second groove r2, respectively, by the urging force of the spring 133.

On the contrary, if the folding mode is to be switched to the unfolding mode, the control key 132a can move toward the base 130, and the pushing portion 132b is coupled with the engaging mechanism 131 to release the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120. Specifically, the engaging mechanism 131 further includes a guiding member 131c, and the guiding member 131c is disposed at one side of the first protrusion 131a and/or the second protrusion 131b and abuts against the abutting portion 132 b.

When the control key 132a moves toward the base 130, the pushing portion 132b and the guiding portion 131c move relatively, the first protrusion 131a and the second protrusion 131b move toward the stopping piece and compress the spring 133, so that the first protrusion 131a and the second protrusion 131b are separated from the first groove r1 and the second groove r2, respectively, and the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 are released. Thus, the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 are respectively unfolded by the first elastic member 158 and the second elastic member 159.

In short, when the folding mode is switched to the unfolding mode, the first protrusion 131a and the second protrusion 131b of the engaging mechanism 131 can release the first groove r1 and the second groove r2 of the back covers 113 and 123, respectively, so that the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 are separated from the base 130; when the unfolding mode is switched to the folding mode, the first protrusion 131a and the second protrusion 131b can be respectively inserted into the first groove r1 and the second groove r2, so that the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 are accommodated in the base 130.

FIG. 5A is a top view of a portion of the components of FIG. 1B; FIG. 5B is a top view of a portion of the device of FIG. 1A. For clarity and simplicity of illustration, fig. 5A and 5B only depict the first camera module 110, the second camera module 120 and a portion of the hinge module 150.

As shown in fig. 5A, the image capturing apparatus 100 may further include an interlocking structure 160. The linkage structure 160 includes a first gear 161 and a second gear 162, the first gear 161 is fixed on the first shaft 151, the second gear 162 is fixed on the second shaft 152, and the first gear 161 and the second gear 162 are engaged with each other. When one of the first shaft 151 and the second shaft 152 rotates, the other rotates. Thus, the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 can rotate symmetrically between the retracted mode and the extended mode by the pivot module 150. In addition, only one of the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 needs to be twisted to rotate the other one synchronously, which is beneficial to operation.

As shown in fig. 5A and 5B, the first arc edge of the first gear 161 has a plurality of gear teeth (gear teeth) and/or the second gear 162 has a plurality of gear teeth, and the rotation angles of the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 are respectively 80 degrees to 120 degrees. In some embodiments, the rotation angle of the first camera module 110 and/or the second camera module 120 is substantially 90 degrees; in other embodiments, the ratio of the length of the first arc edge to the circumference of the first gear 161 is between 1 and 1/3, and/or the ratio of the length of the second arc edge to the circumference of the second gear 162 is between 1 and 1/3.

As shown in fig. 3A, the image capturing apparatus 100 may further include a control module (not shown) and a first circuit board 170, the first circuit board 170 is disposed between the first shaft 151 and the second shaft 152 and includes a first sensor 171, and the first circuit board 170 may be fixedly disposed on the first bearing seat 153; the abutment 159b also includes a second projection P2. In the extended mode, the second protrusion P2 may abut against the first sensor 171, so that the first circuit board 170 generates a corresponding first voltage control signal to the control module; when the image capturing apparatus 100 is out of the extended mode, the abutting member 159b rotates synchronously with the first shaft 151, the second protrusion P2 is separated from the first sensor 171, and the first circuit board 170 stops outputting the first voltage control signal.

Referring to fig. 1B, fig. 3B and fig. 5B again, the image capturing apparatus 100 further includes a second circuit board 180, wherein the second circuit board 180 is disposed in the first image capturing module 110, electrically connected to the first connecting element 155, and has a second sensor 181. The second sensor 181 is exposed from the rear cover 113 of the first camera module 110, and the rear cover 123 further includes a protrusion 123a, and the protrusion 123a is disposed corresponding to the second sensor 181. When the camera device 100 is in the retracted mode, the bump 123a may abut against the second sensor 181, and the second circuit board 180 provides the second voltage control signal to the control module via the second sensor 181; when the image capturing apparatus 100 is out of the storage mode, the second sensor 181 is separated from the protrusion 123a, that is, the protrusion 123a does not abut against the second sensor 181, and the second circuit board 180 stops outputting the second voltage control signal.

Accordingly, it can be determined whether the camera device 100 is in the folding mode through the second circuit board 180 in the first camera module 110 and the bump 123a of the second camera module 120; through the first circuit board 170 and the second protrusion P2 of the abutting member 159b, it can be determined whether the image capturing apparatus 100 is in the folded mode.

In other embodiments, if the control module determines that the camera device 100 is in the folded mode, the first image and the second image captured by the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 may be further integrated into a frame 360 degree panoramic image; if the control module determines that the camera device 100 is in the expansion mode, the first image and the second image can be further integrated into a frame wide image.

In still other embodiments, the image capturing apparatus 100 may further include a storage module and/or a power module, and when the control module determines that the image capturing apparatus 100 is in the transition mode of the undocked mode and the extended mode when both the first voltage control signal and the second voltage control signal are terminated. At this time, the control module may enable the storage module to stop storing the images from the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120, or enable the power module to stop supplying power to the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120, or enable the camera device 100 to enter a low power consumption standby mode; in some embodiments, the control module restarts the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 upon receiving the first voltage control signal or the second voltage control signal.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of some components in the image capturing apparatus 100 shown in fig. 1B.

As shown in fig. 6 and 2, the base 130 further includes a main support 134. The first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 are pivotally connected to the pivot module 150, and the pivot module 150 can be locked to the main bracket 134; the main support 134 may be locked to the frame 137 of the base 130. The pivot module 150, the main bracket 134 and the frame 137 may be fastened together by screws and screw holes, but the invention is not limited thereto.

As shown in fig. 2 and 6, the main support 134 has a ring structure corresponding to the frame 137, and a plurality of functional modules, including but not limited to a light emitting module 191 and a wireless transmission module 192, can be installed between the main support 134 and the frame 137. The light emitting module 191 may include a plurality of Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs. The base 130 can be provided with a light-transmitting area corresponding to various light patterns at positions corresponding to the bulbs. When the bulb is on, the user can identify the signal of the transparent area on the base 130 to identify the operation state of the camera device 100; the wireless transmission module 192 may be a wifi circuit board, a bluetooth device, etc., and the invention is not limited thereto.

Further, as shown in fig. 2, the base 130 may further include a first appearance member 135 and a second appearance member 136. The first appearance member 135 and the second appearance member 136 are fixed to the frame 137, and the main bracket 134 is covered by the first appearance member 135 and the second appearance member 136 in two directions. Thus, the structure of the base 130 is more stable, and the stability of the light emitting module 191 and the wireless transmission module 192 can be enhanced.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the camera device 100 of fig. 1A connected to an external device.

Referring to fig. 1A, fig. 1B and fig. 7, in some embodiments, the external device includes a holding portion 200, and the control module and/or the power module may be disposed in the holding portion 200. In some embodiments, the control module may be electrically connected to the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 through the connection module 140, and may be connected to an external device, such as a computer, a mobile phone, or other electronic devices, directly or via a connection cable. In some embodiments, the connection module 140 includes a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB); in other embodiments, the connection module 140 may further be electrically connected to an external device through a connection port or a connection wire.

As shown in fig. 7, the grip 200 may further include a power connection port, an electronic information transmission port, or a non-slip pad, but the invention is not limited thereto.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it should be understood that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An image pickup apparatus, comprising:

the pivoting module comprises a first bearing seat, a first shaft element, a second shaft element and a second elastic element, wherein the first shaft element and the second shaft element are respectively and rotatably arranged on the first bearing seat, the second elastic element comprises a propping element and a pressure spring, the propping element is arranged between the pressure spring and the first bearing seat, the propping element is clamped with the first shaft element in the radial direction, and the propping element can linearly move in the axial direction of the first shaft element;

a base having a frame and a containing space;

the first camera module is arranged on the first shaft piece and pivoted with the frame body; and

and the second camera module is arranged on the second shaft piece and is pivoted with the frame body.

2. The camera device of claim 1, wherein the pivot module further comprises a supporting member and two first elastic members, the supporting member is fixed to the first bearing seat, and the two first elastic members are respectively sleeved on the first shaft member and the second shaft member.

3. The image capturing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the abutting member includes a first protrusion, the first seat has an inclined surface, and the first protrusion abuts against the inclined surface.

4. The camera device of claim 1, further comprising a first circuit board, and wherein the abutting member comprises a second protrusion abutting the first circuit board in the extended mode.

5. The camera device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base further comprises a locking mechanism disposed on the frame, and the first camera module and/or the second camera module are accommodated in the accommodating space in a retracted mode by the locking mechanism.

6. The camera device of claim 5, wherein the first camera module and the engaging mechanism have a first groove and a first protrusion, respectively, or the second camera module and the engaging mechanism have a second groove and a second protrusion, respectively, and the first groove and the first protrusion are correspondingly disposed and the second groove and the second protrusion are correspondingly disposed.

7. The camera device of claim 6, wherein the base further comprises a release mechanism disposed on the frame and connected to the engaging mechanism, and the first protrusion and the first recess and/or the second protrusion and the second recess are disengaged from each other by the engaging mechanism.

8. The image capturing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a linkage structure, wherein the linkage structure has a first gear and a second gear, the first gear is fixed to the first shaft, the second gear is fixed to the second shaft, and the first gear and the second gear are engaged with each other.

9. The camera device of claim 1, further comprising a second circuit board and a bump, the second circuit board and the bump being disposed on the first camera module and the second camera module, respectively, the bump abutting against the second circuit board in a retracted mode.