TWM672090U - Lens adjustment system - Google Patents

Abstract

A lens adjustment system includes a base, a first transmission wheel, a second transmission wheel, a transmission belt and an idler wheel group. The first transmission wheel and the second transmission wheel are disposed on the base. The transmission belt is sleeved on the first transmission wheel and the second transmission wheel. The idler wheel group includes a plurality of idler wheels disposed between the first transmission wheel and the second transmission wheel.

Description

Focusing system

This novel invention relates to a focusing system, and in particular to a focusing system for an automatically processed lens module.

In the process of processing the lens module, it is very important to ensure that the light beam penetrating the lens can focus on the photo sensor. If the focus of the light beam penetrating the lens fails to fall on the photo sensor, the photo sensor can only capture blurred image data. Generally speaking, the focusing process of the lens module is performed manually, which is very time-consuming and may not be precise enough. Therefore, it is urgent to propose a lens module focusing system to achieve high imaging quality requirements.

In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, the present invention provides a focusing system for a lens module, which processes the lens module in an automated manner so that the lens module has high imaging quality.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a focusing system is provided. The focusing system includes a base, a first transmission wheel, a second transmission wheel, a transmission belt and an idler wheel set. The first transmission wheel and the second transmission wheel are arranged on the base. The transmission belt is sleeved on the first transmission wheel and the second transmission wheel. The idler wheel set includes a plurality of idler wheels arranged between the first transmission wheel and the second transmission wheel.

In order to better understand the above and other aspects of the new invention, the following is a specific example and a detailed description with the attached drawings as follows:

10: Processing equipment

11: Altimeter system

12: Lens module

13: Focusing system

15: Inspection system

16: Drive system

17: Glue dispensing system

19: Lighting system

120: Lens

122:Substrate

124: Photoelectric sensor

130: Base

130u: Opening

131: Teleconverter

134: Transmission belt

134ts: External surface

134ns: inner surface

138: Clamp structure

138C: First drive module

161:Carrier module

162: Track

1201: Upper part

1201s: Upper outer surface

1201sw: lower outer surface

1202: Lower part

1202sw: Inner surface

1321: First transmission wheel

1321E: Third drive module

1321SW: First cylinder

1322: Second transmission wheel

1341: Push block

1341E: Second drive module

1342: Base track

1360: Idler pulley assembly

1361: First idler wheel

1362: Second idler wheel

1363: Third idler gear

1364: Fourth idler gear

1381: First clamp arm

1382: Second clamp arm

AH: Adhesive

CH:Test chart

d: Belt spacing

P0~P3: Position

WD1: Bandwidth

S101~S109: Steps

SD1: First side

SD2: Second side

SP1,SP2: Spacing

SW1: First side wall

SW2: Second side wall

SW3: Third side wall

SW4: Fourth side wall

TS1: First tooth structure

TS2: Second tooth structure

TS3: The third tooth structure

X,Y,Z: Direction

FIG. 1A is a three-dimensional diagram of a processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1B is a three-dimensional diagram of the processing device of FIG. 1A from another perspective; FIG. 2A is a three-dimensional diagram of a lens module according to an embodiment of the present invention before the gluing process; FIG. 2B is an exploded view of the lens module of FIG. 2A; FIG. 2C is a three-dimensional diagram of the lens module of FIG. 2A after the gluing process; FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional diagram of a focusing system; FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional diagram of a focusing system; FIG. 3 shows a partial exploded view of the focusing system; FIG. 5A shows a partial top view of the focusing system of FIG. 3 before the focusing process is performed; FIG. 5B shows a partial cross-sectional view of the focusing system of FIG. 3; FIG. 5C shows a partial top view of the focusing system of FIG. 3 during the focusing process; FIG. 5D shows a partial stereoscopic view of the focusing system of FIG. 3 during the focusing process; and FIG. 6 shows a focusing method of the focusing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The following will describe in detail various embodiments of the present invention, with accompanying drawings as examples. In addition to these detailed descriptions, the present invention can also be widely implemented in other embodiments. Any easy replacement, modification, and equivalent changes of the embodiments are included in the scope of the present invention and are subject to the subsequent claims. In the description of the specification, many specific details and implementation examples are provided in order to enable readers to have a more complete understanding of the present invention; however, these specific details and implementation examples should not be regarded as limitations of the present invention. In addition, well-known steps or components are not described in the details to avoid unnecessary limitations of the present invention.

FIG. 1A shows a three-dimensional view of a processing device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B shows a three-dimensional view of the processing device 10 of FIG. 1A from another perspective.

Please refer to Figures 1A and 1B, the lens module processing device 10 mainly includes a focusing system 13, a driving system 16, a glue dispensing system 17 and a lighting system 19, and the driving system 16 has a supporting module 161, a track 162 and a driving motor (not shown).

When the processing device 10 performs processing on the lens module 12, the lens module 12 can be placed on the carrier module 161, and the driving motor of the driving system 16 drives the carrier module 161 and the lens module 12 to move to different workstations through the track 162 for corresponding processing. In a specific embodiment, the track 162 can be a straight path set in the Y direction (first direction), that is, the carrier module 161 and the lens module 12 can move along the Y direction, but it is not limited to the present invention.

When the processing device 10 performs the focusing procedure of the lens module 12, the driving system 16 can drive the carrier module 161 and the lens module 12 to move from the starting position P0 to the position P2 corresponding to the focusing system 13, and perform the focusing procedure on the lens module 12 through the focusing system 13; after completing the focusing procedure, the driving system 16 can drive the carrier module 161 and the lens module 12 to move to the position P3 corresponding to the glue dispensing system 17, and perform the glue dispensing procedure through the glue dispensing system 17; after completing the glue dispensing procedure, the lens module 12 is cured by the illumination system 19, and then the driving system 16 drives the carrier module 161 and the lens module 12 back to the starting position P0. It should be understood that the drive system 16 can drive the carrier module 161 and the lens module 12 to move to any position in the entire track 162, and is not limited to the above-mentioned positions P0~P3.

In addition, in a specific embodiment, the processing device 10 may further include a height measuring system 11, which may be set at position P1. Before the processing device 10 performs the focusing procedure of the lens module 12, the driving system 16 may first drive the carrier module 161 and the lens module 12 to move from the starting position P0 to the position P1, so that the height measuring system 11 can perform a preliminary measurement of the height of the lens module 12 and record the distance between the object end of the lens module 12 and the reference height, wherein the reference height may be the contact surface between the carrier module 161 and the lens module 12.

In another specific embodiment, the processing device 10 may also include an inspection system 15. Before the lens module 12 completes the focusing process and performs the glue dispensing process, the driving system 16 may also drive the carrier module 161 and the lens module 12 to move from position P2 to a position corresponding to the inspection system 15, so that the inspection system 15 can check whether there is dust, dirt and/or scratches in the lens module 12 that has completed the focusing process. The inspection system 15 may also be set at position P1, but this is not limited to the present invention. The height measurement system 11 and the inspection system 15 may also be set at other positions of the track 162.

Furthermore, the processing device 10 may also include a control center (not shown), and the carrier module 161 is electrically connected to the control center and the lens module 12.

FIG. 2A shows a three-dimensional image of the lens module 12 before the glue dispensing process according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B shows an exploded view of the lens module 12 of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2C shows a three-dimensional image of the lens module 12 of FIG. 2A after the glue dispensing process.

As shown in FIG. 2A , the lens module 12 may include a lens 120, a substrate 122, and a photoelectric sensor 124. The lens 120 is disposed on the substrate 122, and the photoelectric sensor 124 is fixed on the substrate 122 and disposed at the extension of the optical axis of the lens 120. Since the photoelectric sensor 124 of the lens module 12 can be electrically connected to the display device (not shown) of the control center through the carrier module 161, the control center can capture the real-time image of the light beam penetrating the lens 120 through the photoelectric sensor 124, and can synchronously observe the real-time image quality of the lens module 12.

Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B at the same time, specifically, the processing device 10 further includes a detection chart CH, which is set in the positive Z direction (third direction) of the focusing system 13. The lens module 12 can maintain the power-on state during the entire focusing process and can take images of the detection chart CH at a fixed frequency. The detection chart CH can also be displayed on the display device, so that the image can be observed in real time whether it is clear or blurred.

Referring to FIGS. 2A to 2C at the same time, the lens 120 may be a screw lens, which may include an upper component 1201 and a lower component 1202, wherein the upper component 1201 is partially accommodated in the annular groove of the lower component 1202. The upper component 1201 is a columnar structure and includes an optical lens. The upper component 1201 has an upper outer surface 1201s and a lower outer surface 1201sw, wherein the lower outer surface 1201sw is closer to the lower component 1202 than the upper outer surface 1201s. The diameter of the upper outer surface 1201s may be greater than the diameter of the lower outer surface 1201sw. The lower outer surface 1201sw may have a first screw thread structure, and the inner surface 1202sw of the annular groove of the lower component 1202 has a second screw thread structure corresponding to the first screw thread structure. In a specific embodiment, the distance SP1 between two adjacent screw threads on the lower outer surface 1201sw in the third direction of the Z direction may be between 0.25 millimeters (mm) and 2 millimeters, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and an appropriate distance SP1 may be set according to the size of the lens 120.

Before executing the gluing procedure, the upper part 1201 and the lower part 1202 of the lens 120 can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise relative to each other. After the lens 120 completes the focusing procedure and is processed by the gluing system 17 and the lighting system 19 through the gluing procedure and the curing procedure, the upper part 1201 and the lower part 1202 will be fixed together by the adhesive AH. The adhesive AH can be a photosensitive adhesive, including but not limited to UV glue, which can fix the upper part 1201 and the lower part 1202 after irradiating a specific light beam.

FIG. 3 shows a stereoscopic view of the focusing system 13. FIG. 4 shows a partial exploded view of the focusing system 13 of FIG. 3. FIG. 5A shows a partial top view of the focusing system 13 of FIG. 3 before adjusting the focal length. FIG. 5B shows a partial cross-sectional view of the focusing system 13 of FIG. 3. FIG. 5C shows a partial top view of the focusing system 13 of FIG. 3 when adjusting the focal length. FIG. 5D shows a partial stereoscopic view of the focusing system 13 of FIG. 3 when adjusting the focal length.

Please refer to Figures 3 to 5B at the same time. The focusing system 13 includes a base 130, a first transmission wheel 1321, a second transmission wheel 1322 and a transmission belt 134. The base 130 is set on the XY plane (first plane), and the first transmission wheel 1321 and the second transmission wheel 1322 are set on the base 130 along the X direction (second direction). The transmission belt 134 is sleeved on the first transmission wheel 1321 and the second transmission wheel 1322 so that the transmission belt 134 forms a belt spacing d in the Y direction, and the second transmission wheel 1322 rotates synchronously with the first transmission wheel 1321 through the transmission belt 134, wherein the positive Y direction of the transmission belt 134 is the first side SD1, and the negative Y direction of the transmission belt 134 is the second side SD2.

As shown in FIG. 5A , the base 130 has an opening 130u, and the opening 130u has a first side wall SW1, a second side wall SW2, a third side wall SW3, and a fourth side wall SW4 connected to each other. The first side wall SW1 is opposite to the third side wall SW3, and the second side wall SW2 is opposite to the fourth side wall SW4. The first transmission wheel 1321 is adjacent to the first side wall SW1, and the second transmission wheel 1322 is adjacent to the third side wall SW3.

The focusing system 13 further includes an idler wheel assembly 1360 and a clamping claw structure 138. The idler wheel assembly 1360 is disposed on the clamping claw structure 138. The clamping claw structure 138 is disposed on the base 130 and extends to the opening 130u. The idler wheel assembly 1360 includes a plurality of idler wheels disposed between the first transmission wheel 1321 and the second transmission wheel 1322. The clamp structure 138 is disposed on the base 130 and extends to the opening 130u, wherein the clamp structure 138 includes a first clamp arm 1381 and a second clamp arm 1382. The first clamp arm 1381 is adjacent to the second side wall SW2, and the second clamp arm 1382 is adjacent to the fourth side wall SW4. The plurality of idler wheels of the idler wheel assembly 1360 are respectively disposed on the first clamp arm 1381 and the second clamp arm 1382. In a specific embodiment, the idler wheel assembly 1360 includes a first idler wheel 1361, a second idler wheel 1362, a third idler wheel 1363 and a fourth idler wheel 1364, wherein the first idler wheel 1361 and the second idler wheel 1362 are disposed on the first clamping arm 1381, and the third idler wheel 1363 and the fourth idler wheel 1364 are disposed on the second clamping arm 1382, wherein the first idler wheel 1361 and the third idler wheel 1363 are adjacent to the first side wall SW1, and the second idler wheel 1362 and the fourth idler wheel 1364 are adjacent to the third side wall SW3.

The first clamp arm 1381 and the second clamp arm 1382 approach or move away from each other in the Y direction, which will cause the first idler wheel 1361 and the third idler wheel 1363, as well as the second idler wheel 1362 and the fourth idler wheel 1364 to approach or move away from each other in the Y direction. The idler wheel assembly 1360 and the transmission belt 134 can be arranged on substantially the same XY plane. Once the first clamp arm 1381 and the second clamp arm 1382 approach each other to a distance less than the belt spacing d of the transmission belt 134, the transmission belt 134 will be squeezed and the belt spacing d of the transmission belt 134 in the Y direction will be shortened.

The focusing system 13 also includes a first driving module 138C, which drives the first clamping arm 1381 and the second clamping arm 1382 to move closer to or farther from each other in the Y direction, wherein the first driving module 138C can be a cylinder or a motor.

As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the first transmission wheel 1321 has a first cylindrical surface 1321SW and multiple first tooth structures TS1, and the first tooth structure TS1 is arranged on the first cylindrical surface 1321SW; the transmission belt 134 has an inner surface 134ns and an outer surface 134ts, and the inner surface 134ns has multiple second tooth structures TS2; the second transmission wheel 1322 has a second cylindrical surface 1322SW and multiple third tooth structures TS3, and the third tooth structure TS3 is arranged on the second cylindrical surface 1322SW. The first transmission wheel 1321 drives the transmission belt 134 to operate by means of the first tooth structure TS1 and the second tooth structure TS2, and the transmission belt 134 drives the second transmission wheel 1322 to rotate by means of the second tooth structure TS2 and the third tooth structure TS3, wherein the first tooth structure TS1, the second tooth structure TS2 and the third tooth structure TS3 have substantially corresponding structures. In a specific embodiment, the first tooth structure TS1, the second tooth structure TS2 and the third tooth structure TS3 can be any one of a trapezoidal structure, a conical structure, a triangular prism structure and a hemispherical structure or a mixed configuration, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5B simultaneously, according to one embodiment, the belt width WD1 of the transmission belt 134 in the Z direction may be between 4 mm and 10 mm. In another embodiment, the spacing SP2 between two adjacent second tooth structures TS2 on the transmission belt 134 may be between 0.1 mm and 5 mm. In yet another embodiment, the transmission belt 134 may be made of a pliable material, such as rubber, plasticized material, or a compound or mixture of rubber and plasticized material.

As shown in FIG. 2B, FIG. 5C and FIG. 5D, the belt spacing d of the inner surface 134ns of the transmission belt 134 can accommodate the upper component 1201 of the lens 120. By bringing the first clamping arm 1381 and the second clamping arm 1382 closer to each other and compressing the belt spacing d of the transmission belt 134, the transmission belt 134 can contact the upper outer surface 1201 of the lens 120 through the second tooth structure TS2. 01s, thereby the first transmission wheel 1321 can be used to rotate the transmission belt 134 to actuate and rotate the upper component 1201 of the lens 120, so that the upper component 1201 is screwed with the second screw structure through the first screw structure, and then the relative distance between the upper component 1201 and the lower component 1202 of the lens 120 in the Z direction is adjusted to achieve the purpose of focusing the lens module 12. For example, the transmission belt 134 can reduce the relative distance between the upper component 1201 and the lower component 1202 in the Z direction by rotating the upper component 1201 clockwise; conversely, the upper component 1201 can be rotated counterclockwise to increase the relative distance between the upper component 1201 and the lower component 1202 in the Z direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Among them, in the focusing process, the transmission belt 134 may have three second tooth structures TS2 contacting the upper outer surface 1201s of the lens 120 at the positions adjacent to the first side SD1 and the second side SD2, but this is not limited to the present invention. The number of second tooth structures TS2 contacting the upper outer surface 1201s at the same time can also be determined according to the contact area and friction between the second tooth structures TS2 and the upper outer surface 1201s.

As shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 4, the focusing system 13 further includes a teleconverter 131 located in the positive Z direction of the base 130 and the transmission belt 134. Specifically, the teleconverter 131 is set at position P2 and located in the negative Z direction of the detection chart CH. In the focusing process, the detection chart CH, the teleconverter 131 and the lens 120 can be coaxially arranged in the Z direction, wherein the teleconverter 131 can be a lens group having at least one lens, and the overall focal length of the lens 120 and the teleconverter 131 can be increased by the additive effect of the teleconverter 131.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the focusing system 13 further includes a push block 1341, a base track 1342, and a second driving module 1341E. The push block 1341 is disposed on the base 130. The push block 1341 is slidably disposed on the base track 1342. The base track 1342 extends along the Z direction. The second driving module 1341E can drive the push block 1341 to drive the base 130 to move in the Z direction along the base track 1342. Specifically, when the lens 120 moves to the position P2 and is located in the negative Z direction of the opening 130u, the base 130 can move in the negative Z direction with the help of the push block 1341, so that the upper component 1201 of the lens 120 is located in the inner space of the conveyor belt 134.

The first transmission wheel 1321 is connected to the third drive module 1321E and can rotate with the help of the third drive module 1321E. The third drive module 1321E can be a servo motor, a motor motor or a servo reduction motor motor, which can precisely control the rotation frequency of the first transmission wheel 1321.

Figure 6 shows a focusing method of the focusing system 13 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Please refer to Figure 1A, Figure 1B and Figures 3 to 6, the focusing method of the focusing system 13 may include the following steps S101~S109.

As shown in step S101, a focusing system 13 is provided, such as the focusing system 13 in the aforementioned processing device 10.

As shown in step S103, a lens module 12 is provided, such as the lens module 12 in the aforementioned processing device 10.

As shown in step S105, the lens 120 is placed in the middle of the conveyor belt 134. In a specific embodiment, the lens module 12 is first fixed on the carrier module 161, and the drive system 16 drives the carrier module 161 to drive the lens 120 toward the opening 130u; then, after the carrier module 161 and the lens 120 move to the negative Z direction of the opening 130u at position P2, the push block 1341 moves the base 130 in the negative Z direction so that the upper part 1201 of the lens 120 is located in the inner space of the conveyor belt 134.

As shown in step S107, the first clamping arm 1381 and the second clamping arm 1382 are used to make the idler wheels of the idler wheel assembly 1360 close to the transmission belt 134 so that the transmission belt 134 clamps the upper component 1201.

As shown in step S109, the third driving module 1321E rotates the first transmission wheel 1321 clockwise or counterclockwise, so that the upper component 1201 rotates with the help of the transmission belt 134 and the first transmission wheel 1321 to adjust the distance between the upper component 1201 and the photoelectric sensor 124 in the Z direction, wherein the rotation of the first transmission wheel 1321 also causes the second transmission wheel 1322 to rotate in conjunction with the first transmission wheel 1321 through the transmission belt 134.

During the process of the upper component 1201 of the lens 120 rotating through the first transmission wheel 1321 and the transmission belt 134, the distance between the upper component 1201 and the photoelectric sensor 124 in the Z direction also changes accordingly, and the photoelectric sensor 124 can capture the light beam penetrating the lens 120 at a fixed frequency and transmit the image data to the display device of the control center to observe whether the image of the lens 120 is clear in real time. Once the control center determines that the photoelectric sensor 124 captures the best image, it defines the distance between the upper component 1201 and the photoelectric sensor 124 corresponding to the best image.

For example, when the first transmission wheel 1321 just starts to rotate clockwise, the photoelectric sensor 124 captures blurred image data. After that, the first transmission wheel 1321 maintains the same rotation direction. After the photoelectric sensor 124 captures gradually clear image data, it starts to capture gradually blurred image data again. It can be determined that the clearest image data is the best image, and the corresponding distance between the upper component 1201 and the photoelectric sensor 124 is the optimal height. Then, the first transmission wheel 1321 rotates counterclockwise to make the upper component 1201 and the photoelectric sensor 124 return to the optimal height, and then the upper component 1201 and the lower component 1202 can be fixed.

The focusing system of the new lens module 12 is to process the lens module 12 in an automated manner. Compared with the manual processing method, the focusing system of the new lens module 12 can be more precise, which can save labor costs and time, and the lens module 12 can have high imaging quality.

Although the present invention has been disclosed as above by way of embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Those with common knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be subject to the scope of the patent application attached hereto.

13: Focusing system

16: Drive system

120: Lens

130: Base

130u: Opening

134: Transmission belt

138: Clamp structure

1321: First transmission wheel

1321E: Third drive module

1322: Second transmission wheel

1341: Push block

1341E: Second drive module

1342: Base track

1360: Idler pulley assembly

1361: First idler wheel

1362: Second idler wheel

1363: Third idler gear

1364: Fourth idler gear

WD1: Bandwidth

X,Y,Z: Direction

Claims (10)

A focusing system includes: a base; a first transmission wheel disposed on the base; a second transmission wheel disposed on the base; a transmission belt sleeved on the first transmission wheel and the second transmission wheel; and an idler wheel assembly including a plurality of idler wheels disposed between the first transmission wheel and the second transmission wheel. The focusing system as described in claim 1 further includes a clamping structure, which includes a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm. A focusing system as described in claim 2, wherein the idler wheels are sequentially arranged on the first clamp and the second clamp, and when the first clamp and the second clamp approach each other to a distance less than a belt spacing of the transmission belt, the idler wheels squeeze the transmission belt and shorten the belt spacing. A focusing system as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the idler wheel assembly includes a first idler wheel, a second idler wheel, a third idler wheel and a fourth idler wheel, the first idler wheel and the second idler wheel are arranged on the first clamping arm, and the third idler wheel and the fourth idler wheel are arranged on the second clamping arm. A focusing system as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the focusing system further includes a supporting module for supporting a lens module. A focusing system as described in claim 5, wherein an upper component of the lens module is disposed in an inner space of the transmission belt, and when the first clamp and the second clamp approach each other, the idler wheels squeeze the transmission belt so that the transmission belt contacts the upper component. A focusing system as described in claim 6, wherein the transmission belt has an inner surface and a plurality of second tooth structures arranged on the inner surface, and the transmission belt contacts the upper part through the second tooth structures. A focusing system as described in claim 1, wherein the first drive wheel has a plurality of first tooth structures, the second drive wheel has a plurality of third tooth structures, and the first drive wheel drives the second drive wheel to rotate via the first tooth structures, the drive belt and the third tooth structures. A focusing system as described in claim 8, wherein the focusing system further includes a third driving module, and the first driving wheel drives the second driving wheel to rotate with the help of the third driving module. The focusing system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3 is characterized in that the focusing system further includes a teleconverter, which is arranged above the base and the transmission belt.

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