Optical zoom device with adjustable lens core
阅读说明：本技术 具有可调焦透镜芯的光学变焦装置 (Optical zoom device with adjustable lens core ) 是由 曼努埃尔·阿施万登 斯蒂芬·斯莫尔卡 戴维·尼德雷尔 马库斯·盖斯纳 罗曼·帕特沙伊德 于 2018-12-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及光学变焦装置(1),该光学变焦装置包括具有能够调节的焦距的第一透镜(10)和具有能够调节的焦距的第二透镜(20),其中,每个透镜(10、20)包括填充有透明流体(12、22)的透镜芯(11、21),其中,相应的透镜芯(11、21)包括呈能够弹性变形的膜的形式的透明的第一壁(13、23)和面向所述第一壁(13、23)的透明的第二壁(14、24),其中,所述流体(12、22)被布置在相应的透镜芯(11、21)的两个壁(13、23；14、24)之间,以及其中,相应的透镜(10、20)包括透镜成形构件(15、25),所述透镜成形构件与相应的膜(13、23)相互作用,以用于调节相应透镜(10、20)的焦距以及/或者用于使借助于两个透镜(10、20)生成的图像稳定,其中,光学变焦装置(1)包括第一透镜镜筒(30)和分开的第二透镜镜筒(31),其中,第一透镜芯(11)安装在第一透镜镜筒(30)上,而第二透镜芯(21)安装在第二透镜镜筒(31)上,其中,光学变焦装置(1)包括与第一透镜(10)相关联的至少一个致动器(40)以及与第二透镜(20)相关联的至少一个致动器(41),与第一透镜相关联的至少一个致动器用于产生第一透镜(10)的透镜成形构件(15)与第一透镜(10)的膜(13)的所述相互作用,以用于调节第一透镜(10)的所述焦距,与第二透镜相关联的至少一个致动器用于产生第二透镜(20)的透镜成形构件(25)与第二透镜(20)的膜(23)的所述相互作用,以用于调节第二透镜(20)的所述焦距。(The invention relates to an optical zoom device (1) comprising a first lens (10) having an adjustable focal length and a second lens (20) having an adjustable focal length, wherein each lens (10, 20) comprises a lens core (11, 21) filled with a transparent fluid (12, 22), wherein the respective lens core (11, 21) comprises a transparent first wall (13, 23) in the form of an elastically deformable membrane and a transparent second wall (14, 24) facing the first wall (13, 23), wherein the fluid (12, 22) is arranged between the two walls (13, 23; 14, 24) of the respective lens core (11, 21), and wherein the respective lens (10, 20) comprises a lens shaping member (15, 25) interacting with the respective membrane (13, 23), for adjusting the focal length of the respective lens (10, 20) and/or for stabilizing an image generated by means of the two lenses (10, 20), wherein the optical zoom device (1) comprises a first lens barrel (30) and a separate second lens barrel (31), wherein the first lens core (11) is mounted on the first lens barrel (30) and the second lens core (21) is mounted on the second lens barrel (31), wherein the optical zoom device (1) comprises at least one actuator (40) associated with the first lens (10) and at least one actuator (41) associated with the second lens (20), the at least one actuator associated with the first lens for producing said interaction of the lens shaping member (15) of the first lens (10) with the membrane (13) of the first lens (10) for adjusting said focal length of the first lens (10), at least one actuator associated with the second lens is for producing said interaction of the lens-shaping member (25) of the second lens (20) with the membrane (23) of the second lens (20) for adjusting said focal length of the second lens (20).)
1. An optical zoom device (1) comprising:
-a first lens (10) having an adjustable focal length and a second lens (20) having an adjustable focal length, wherein each lens (10, 20) comprises a lens core (11, 21) filled with a transparent fluid (12, 22), wherein the respective lens core (11, 21) comprises a transparent first wall (13, 23) in the form of an elastically deformable membrane and a transparent second wall (14, 24) facing the first wall (13, 23), wherein the fluid (12, 22) is arranged between the two walls (13, 23; 14, 24) of the respective lens core (11, 21), and wherein the respective lens (10, 20) comprises a lens shaping member (15, 25), the lens shaping member (15, 25) interacting with the respective membrane (13, 23) for adjusting the respective lens (10, 20), 20) And/or for stabilizing an image generated by means of the two lenses (10, 20),
-wherein the optical zoom device (1) comprises a first lens barrel (30) and a separate second lens barrel (31), wherein the first lens core (11) is mounted on the first lens barrel (30) and the second lens core (21) is mounted on the second lens barrel (31),
-wherein the optical zoom device (1) comprises at least one actuator (40) and at least one actuator (41), the at least one actuator (40) being associated with the first lens (10) for producing the interaction of the lens-shaping member (15) of the first lens (10) with the membrane (13) of the first lens (10) for adjusting the focal length of the first lens (10), the at least one actuator (41) being associated with the second lens (20) for producing the interaction of the lens-shaping member (25) of the second lens (20) with the membrane (23) of the second lens (20) for adjusting the focal length of the second lens (20).
2. Optical zoom device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first lens (10) has an outer diameter (D1) equal to or larger than the outer diameter (D2) of the first lens barrel, wherein the first lens barrel (30) comprises an opening (301) for holding the first lens (10), and/or wherein the second lens (20) has an outer diameter equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the second lens barrel (31), wherein the second lens barrel (31) comprises an opening (311) for holding the second lens (20).
3. Optical zoom device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical zoom device (1) comprises a prism (5) or a mirror (6).
4. Optical zoom device according to claim 3, characterized in that the optical zoom device (1) comprises a third barrel (32) holding the prism (5) or the mirror (6), the third barrel (32) being connected to the first barrel (30) such that the first lens (10) is arranged between the prism (5) or the mirror (6) and the second lens (20) in the optical path of the optical zoom device (1).
5. Optical zoom device according to claim 3, characterized in that the prism (5) or mirror (6) is arranged between the first lens (10) and the second lens (20) in the optical path of the optical zoom device (1).
6. Optical zoom device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical zoom device (1) comprises an image sensor (2).
7. Optical zoom device according to claim 6, characterized in that the image sensor (2) is mounted to the second lens barrel (31).
8. Optical zoom device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one actuator (40) of the first lens (10) is configured to move the lens-shaping member (15) of the first lens (10) relative to the lens core (11) of the first lens (10) for adjusting the focal length of the first lens (10), or the at least one actuator (40) of the first lens (10) is configured to move the lens core (11) of the first lens (10) relative to the lens-shaping member (15) of the first lens (10) for adjusting the focal length of the first lens (10); and/or the at least one actuator (41) of the second lens (20) is configured to move the lens shaping member (25) of the second lens (20) relative to the lens core (21) of the second lens (20) for adjusting the focal length of the second lens (20), or the at least one actuator (41) of the second lens (20) is configured to move the lens core (21) of the second lens (20) relative to the lens shaping member (25) of the second lens (20) for adjusting the focal length of the second lens (20).
9. Optical zoom device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first lens (10) comprises two, three or four actuators (40), the actuators (40) being configured to move the lens-shaping member (15) of the first lens (10) relative to the lens core (11) of the first lens (10) for adjusting the focal length of the first lens (10), or the actuators (40) being configured to move the lens core (11) of the first lens (10) relative to the lens-shaping member (15) of the first lens (10) for adjusting the focal length of the first lens (10); and/or the second lens (20) comprises two, three or four actuators (41), the actuators (41) being configured to move the lens shaping member (25) of the second lens (20) relative to the lens core (21) of the second lens (20) for adjusting the focal length of the second lens (20), or the actuators (41) being configured to move the lens core (21) of the second lens (20) relative to the lens shaping member (25) of the second lens (20) for adjusting the focal length of the second lens (20).
10. Optical zoom device according to claim 9, characterized in that the optical zoom device (1) is configured to tilt the lens shaping member (15) of the first lens (10) relative to the lens core (11) of the first lens (10) using the actuator (40) of the first lens (10) for stabilizing the image, or the optical zoom device (1) is configured to tilt the lens core (11) of the first lens (10) relative to the lens shaping member (15) of the first lens (10) using the actuator (40) of the first lens (10) for stabilizing the image; and/or the optical zoom device (1) is configured to tilt the lens shaping member (25) of the second lens (20) relative to the lens core (21) of the second lens (20) using the actuator (41) of the second lens (20) for stabilizing the image, or the optical zoom device (1) is configured to tilt the lens core (21) of the second lens (20) relative to the lens shaping member (25) of the second lens (20) using the actuator (41) of the second lens (20) for stabilizing the image.
11. Optical zoom device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical zoom device (1) is configured to stabilize the image using only the first lens (10) or the second lens (20).
12. Optical zoom device according to claim 3 or one of claims 4 to 9 when dependent on claim 3, characterized in that the optical zoom device (1) is configured to tune the prism (5) or mirror (6) or tilt the prism (5) or mirror (6) for stabilizing the image.
13. Optical zoom device according to claim 6 or one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the optical zoom device (1) is configured as one of the following:
-shifting the first lens (10) with respect to the image sensor (2) perpendicular to the optical axis (A) of the first lens (10) for stabilizing the image and/or shifting the second lens (20) with respect to the image sensor (2) perpendicular to the optical axis (A') of the second lens (20) for stabilizing the image,
-displacing a rigid lens (3) perpendicular to the optical axis (A) of the first lens (10) with respect to the image sensor (2) for stabilizing the image, and/or displacing a rigid lens (3) perpendicular to the optical axis (A') of the second lens (20) with respect to the image sensor (2) for stabilizing the image, and/or displacing a rigid lens (3) perpendicular to the optical axis (A ") of the third lens barrel (32) with respect to the image sensor (2) for stabilizing the image,
-shifting the image sensor (2) with respect to the first lens (10) perpendicularly to the optical axis (a) of the first lens (10) for stabilizing the image, and/or shifting the image sensor (2) with respect to the second lens (20) perpendicularly to the optical axis (Α') of the second lens (20) for stabilizing the image.
14. Optical zoom device according to claim 6 or one of claims 7 to 13 when dependent on claim 6, characterized in that the first lens (10) forms a zoom lens defining a field of view of the optical zoom device (1), while the second lens (20) is configured to refocus the image on the image sensor (2).
15. Optical zoom device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lens-shaping member (15) of the first lens (10) defines a region (13a) of the membrane (13) of the first lens (10) with adjustable curvature and/or the lens-shaping member (23) of the second lens (20) defines a region (23a) of the membrane (23) of the second lens (20) with adjustable curvature.
16. Optical zoom device according to claim 15, characterized in that the optical zoom device (1) comprises a wide-angle mode in which the area (13a) of the membrane (13) of the first lens (10) is concave and the area (23a) of the membrane (23) of the second lens (20) is convex, and/or the optical zoom device (1) comprises a telephoto mode in which the area (13a) of the membrane (13) of the first lens (10) is convex and the area (23a) of the membrane (23) of the second lens (20) is concave, and/or the optical zoom device (1) comprises an intermediate zoom state in which the areas (13, 23a) of the membranes (13, 23) of the two lenses (10, 20) are concave, 23) Is one of slightly convex, slightly concave or flat.
17. Optical zoom device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective actuator (40, 41) is or comprises one of the following: linear actuators, piezoelectric actuators, shape memory alloys, stepper motors, electromagnetic actuators, moving coils, moving magnets, permanent magnets.
18. An optical zoom device, characterized in that the first lens (10) comprises a single linear actuator (40), the single linear actuator (40) is configured to move a lens core (11) of the first lens (10) relative to a lens-shaping member (15) of the first lens (10) for adjusting a focal length of the first lens (10), and wherein the second lens (20) comprises four linear actuators (41), the four linear actuators (41) being configured to move a lens core (21) of the second lens (20) relative to a lens shaping member (25) of the second lens (20), for adjusting the focal length of the second lens (20) and tilting the lens core (21) of the second lens (20) about two different axes (a, a') for stabilizing the image.
19. Optical zoom device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective actuator (40) of the first lens (10) is arranged outside the first lens barrel (30) on a side wall (30a) of the first lens barrel (30) and/or in that the respective actuator (41) of the second lens (20) is arranged outside the second lens barrel (31) on a side wall (31a) of the second lens barrel (31).
20. The optical arrangement according to claim 9 or one of the claims 10 to 19 when depending on claim 9, characterized in that each of the two actuators (40) of the first lens (10) is connected to a region (500) of the lens shaping member (15) of the first lens (10) for exerting a force on the lens shaping member (15) of the first lens (10) via the respective region (500) or each of the two actuators (40) of the first lens (10) is connected to a region of the lens core (11) of the first lens (10) for exerting a force on the lens core (11) of the first lens (10) via the respective region (500), wherein the two regions (500) face each other in a first direction (D), and wherein each of the two actuators (41) of the second lens (20) is connected to a region (510) of the lens shaping member (510) of the second lens (20) to exert a force on the lens shaping member (25) of the second lens (20) via the respective region (510), or each of the two actuators (41) of the second lens (20) is connected to a region (510) of the lens core (21) of the second lens (20) to exert a force on the lens core (21) of the second lens (20) via the respective region (510), wherein the two regions (510) face each other in a second direction (Dd), and wherein the second direction (Dd) is different from the first direction (Dd).
21. Optical zoom device according to claim 20, characterized in that each of the two actuators (40) of the first lens (10) comprises a pusher (400) movable along the optical axis (A) of the first lens (10), wherein each of the pushers (400) of the first lens (10) is connected to one of the regions (500) of the lens-shaping member (15) of the first lens (10) or to one of the regions (500) of the lens core (11) of the first lens (10) to exert a respective force on the respective region (500), and/or each of the two actuators (41) of the second lens (20) comprises a pusher (410) movable along the optical axis (A') of the second lens (20), wherein each of the pushers (410) of the second lens (20) is connected to one of the regions (510) of the lens shaping member (25) of the second lens (20) or to one of the regions (510) of the lens core (21) of the second lens (20) to exert a respective force on the respective region (510).
22. Optical zoom device according to claim 21, characterized in that the respective pusher (400, 410) is connected to the respective region (500, 510) by a latch connection (C1).
23. Optical zoom device according to claim 21, characterized in that the respective pusher (400, 410) is connected to the respective region (500, 510) by a glued connection (C2).
24. Optical zoom device according to claim 21, characterized in that the respective pusher (400, 410) is connected to the respective region (500, 510) by a flexible piston (C3).
25. Optical zoom device according to claim 9 or according to one of claims 10 to 24 when dependent on claim 9, characterized in that each of the two actuators (40) of the first lens (10) comprises an electrically conductive coil (60) and a magnet structure (70), the magnet structure (70) comprising a first portion (70a) having a first magnetization (M1) and an adjacent second portion (70b) having a second magnetization (M2), wherein the two magnetizations (M1, M2) are anti-parallel, wherein the coil (60) comprises a first portion (60a) and a second portion (60b), and wherein the first portion (60a) of the coil (60) faces the first portion (70a) of the magnet structure (70), while the second portion (60b) of the coil (60) faces the second portion (70b) of the magnet structure (70); and/or each of the two actuators (41) of the second lens (20) comprises an electrically conductive coil (61) and a magnet structure (71), the magnet structure (71) comprising a first portion (71a) having a first magnetization (M1) and an adjacent second portion (71b) having a second magnetization (M2), wherein the two magnetizations (M1, M2) are anti-parallel, wherein the coil (61) comprises a first portion (61a) and a second portion (61b), and wherein the first portion (61a) of the coil (61) faces the first portion (71a) of the magnet structure (71) and the second portion (61b) of the coil (61) faces the second portion (71b) of the magnet structure (71).
26. Optical zoom device according to claims 21 and 25, characterized in that the magnet structure (70) of the respective actuator (40) of the first lens (10) is rigidly coupled to the first lens barrel (30), whereas the coils (60) of the respective actuators (40) of the first lens (10) are arranged on the pushers (400) of the respective actuators (40) of the first lens (10), and/or the magnet structure (71) of the respective actuator (41) of the second lens (20) is rigidly coupled to the second lens barrel (31), whereas the coils (61) of the respective actuators (41) of the second lens (20) are arranged on the pushers (410) of the respective actuators (41) of the second lens (20).
27. Optical zoom device according to claims 21 and 25, characterized in that the coils (60) of the respective actuators (40) of the first lenses (10) are rigidly coupled to the first lens barrel (30), whereas the magnet structure (70) of the respective actuator (40) of the first lens (10) is arranged on the pusher (400) of the respective actuator (40) of the first lens (10), and/or the coil (61) of the respective actuator (41) of the second lens (20) is rigidly coupled to the second lens barrel (31), whereas the magnet structure (71) of the respective actuator (41) of the second lens (20) is arranged on the pusher (410) of the respective actuator (41) of the second lens (20).
28. Optical zoom device according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that the optical zoom device (1) is configured to apply an electrical current to the coil (60) of the respective actuator (40) of the first lens (10) to interact with a magnetic field of the magnet structure (70) of the respective actuator (40) of the first lens (10) such that the pusher (400) of the respective actuator (40) of the first lens (10) moves along the optical axis (a) of the first lens (10); and/or the optical zoom device (1) is configured to apply an electrical current to the coil (61) of the respective actuator (41) of the second lens (20) to interact with a magnetic field of the magnet structure (71) of the respective actuator (41) of the second lens (20) such that the pusher (410) of the respective actuator (41) of the second lens (20) moves along the optical axis (Α') of the second lens (20).
29. The optical device according to claim 21 or one of claims 22 to 28 when depending on claim 21, characterized in that the pusher (400) of the respective actuator (40) of the first lens (10) is elastically coupled to the first lens barrel (30) via a spring structure (9) such that the pusher (400) of the respective actuator (40) of the first lens (10) is movable along the optical axis (a) of the first lens (10), and/or in that the pusher (410) of the respective actuator (41) of the second lens (20) is elastically coupled to the second lens barrel (31) via a spring structure (9) such that the pusher (410) of the respective actuator (41) of the second lens (20) is movable along the optical axis (Α') of the second lens (20) .
30. Optical device according to claim 21 or according to one of claims 22 to 28 when dependent on claim 21, characterized in that the pusher (400) of the respective actuator (40) of the first lens (10) is supported on a ball bearing (641), such that the pusher (400) of the respective actuator (40) of the first lens (10) is movable along the optical axis (A) of the first lens (10), and/or the pusher (410) of the corresponding actuator (41) of the second lens (20) is supported on a ball bearing (651), such that the pusher (410) of the respective actuator (41) of the second lens (20) is movable along the optical axis (Α') of the second lens (20).
31. The optical device according to claim 21 or one of claims 22 to 30 when dependent on claim 21, characterized in that the optical device (1) is configured to measure the movement of the respective pusher (400) of the first lens (10) along the optical axis (a) of the first lens (10) using a sensor (90) associated with the respective pusher (400) and/or the optical device (1) is configured to measure the movement of the respective pusher (410) of the second lens (20) along the optical axis (Α') of the second lens (20) using a sensor (91) associated with the respective pusher (410).
32. The optical device according to claim 31, wherein the respective sensor (90, 91) is one of a hall sensor, an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an optical sensor.
33. Optical zoom device according to claim 6 or one of claims 7 to 32 when dependent on claim 6, characterized in that the optical zoom device (1) is configured to adjust the focal lengths of the first lens (10) and the second lens (20) in coordination to produce a specific zoom range and a sharp image on the image sensor (2).
34. Optical zoom device according to claim 6 or one of claims 7 to 33 when dependent on claim 6, characterized in that the first lens (10) is configured to define the field of view of the optical zoom device (1) and the second lens (20) is configured to focus an image generated by the optical zoom device (1) on the image sensor (2).
35. Optical zoom device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical zoom device (1) is configured to receive an output signal of a gyroscope (100) coupled to the optical zoom device (1), the output signal being indicative of an undesired movement of the optical zoom device (1), wherein the optical zoom device is configured to use the output signal to stabilize the image so as to counter the undesired movement.
36. Optical zoom device according to claims 10 and 35, characterized in that the optical zoom device (1) is configured to use the output signals to control the respective actuators (40, 41) to stabilize the image.
37. An apparatus (1 '), the apparatus (1') comprising an optical zoom apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a camera (1 "), the camera (1") having a wider field of view than the optical zoom apparatus (1), wherein the camera (1 ") has a smaller F-value than the optical zoom apparatus (1).
Technical Field
The present invention relates to an optical zoom device using a focus-adjustable lens.
Background
In particular, with respect to such optical zoom devices, it is highly desirable to have a very compact form factor using known fluid lenses with adjustable focal length. This allows one to construct compact optical zoom devices, including in particular validated components.
Disclosure of Invention
The above problem is solved by an optical zoom device having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims and described below.
According to claim 1, an optical zoom apparatus is disclosed, the optical zoom apparatus comprising:
-a first lens having an adjustable focal length and a second lens having an adjustable focal length, wherein each lens comprises a lens core filled with a transparent fluid, wherein the respective lens core comprises a transparent first wall in the form of an elastically deformable membrane and a transparent second wall facing the first wall, wherein the fluid is arranged between the two walls of the respective lens core, and wherein the respective lens comprises a lens shaping member interacting with the respective membrane for adjusting the focal length of the respective lens and/or for stabilizing an image generated by means of the two lenses,
-wherein the optical zoom device comprises a first lens barrel and a separate second lens barrel, wherein the first lens core is mounted on the first lens barrel and the second lens core is mounted on the second lens barrel,
-wherein the optical zoom device comprises at least one actuator associated with the first lens for producing the interaction of the lens shaping member of the first lens with the membrane of the first lens for adjusting the focal length of the first lens and at least one actuator associated with the second lens for producing the interaction of the lens shaping member of the second lens with the membrane of the second lens for adjusting the focal length of the second lens.
In other words, more specifically, the present invention describes a new method to manufacture a liquid film based optical zoom lens in combination with optical image stabilization. In particular, the invention also allows the use of existing components, such as the first lens and the second lens, to manufacture a reliable optical system. Furthermore, in particular, the use of simple components allows complex camera modules to be built using components that can be tested separately before assembling them into a system, in particular the optical quality of the (e.g. plastic) lens stack and the adjustable lens can be evaluated before building into a system. The use of, in particular, linear actuators, such as voice coil actuators, piezoelectric actuators or shape memory alloys, also contributes to achieving a very compact form factor.
Furthermore, the optical zoom device according to the present invention may also be combined with an optical image stabilization system that may use an image sensor shifting mechanism or a prism tilting mechanism or an adjustable prism. Alternatively, optical image stabilization may be achieved by appropriately deforming the first and/or second lenses such that the first and/or second lenses represent adjustable prisms.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the respective lens barrel holds at least one rigid lens, in particular a plurality of rigid lenses. In particular, the first and second lenses each comprise an optical axis, which may be aligned with each other, i.e. forming a common optical axis. The optical axis of the first lens also forms in particular the optical axis of the rigid lens of the first lens barrel. Likewise, the optical axis of the second lens also forms the optical axis of the rigid lens of the second lens barrel.
Further, according to the embodiment, in order to achieve a compact device height, the first lens has an outer diameter (outer diameter of the first lens, for example, perpendicular to the optical axis of the first lens) equal to (or larger than) an outer diameter (outer diameter of the first lens barrel, for example, perpendicular to the optical axis/radial direction of the lens barrel) of the first lens barrel in the same direction, wherein the first lens barrel includes an opening for holding the first lens. In particular, the side walls bounding said opening of the first lens barrel configured to hold the first lens may comprise one or more recesses each accommodating a portion of the first lens, which allows said diameters to have equal dimensions.
Further, in the same manner, in the same direction, the second lens according to the embodiment has an outer diameter (outer diameter of the second lens, for example, perpendicular to the optical axis of the second lens) equal to (or larger than) an outer diameter (outer diameter of the second lens barrel, for example, perpendicular to the optical axis of the second lens/radial direction of the second lens barrel) of the second lens barrel including an opening for holding the second lens. In particular, the side walls bounding said opening of the second lens barrel configured to hold the second lens may comprise one or more recesses for respectively receiving a portion of the second lens, which allows said diameters to again have equal dimensions.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the optical device includes a prism or a mirror.
Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the optical zoom device includes a third barrel that holds the prism or the mirror, the third barrel being connected to the first lens barrel such that the first lens is disposed between the prism or the mirror and the second lens on an optical path of the optical zoom device.
According to an alternative embodiment, a prism or mirror is arranged between the first lens and the second lens in the optical path of the optical zoom device.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the optical device comprises an image sensor for generating said image to be stabilized.
In particular, in an embodiment of the present invention, the image sensor is mounted to the second lens barrel, specifically such that the image sensor faces the second lens.
Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one actuator of the first lens is configured to move the lens shaping member of the first lens relative to the lens core of the first lens to adjust the focal length of the first lens. Alternatively, the at least one actuator of the first lens is configured to move a lens core of the first lens relative to the lens shaping member of the first lens to adjust a focal length of said first lens.
Further, in an embodiment, the at least one actuator of the second lens is configured to move the lens shaping member of the second lens relative to the lens core of the second lens to adjust the focal length of the second lens. Alternatively, the at least one actuator of the second lens is configured to move a lens core of the second lens relative to the lens shaping member of the second lens to adjust the focal length of the second lens.
In particular, having a moving planar lens core of the respective lens and the fixed lens shaping member results in a design that is alignment insensitive, since the lateral displacement of the respective planar lens core is optically invisible.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the first lens comprises two, three or in particular four actuators configured to move the lens shaping member of the first lens relative to the lens core of the first lens to adjust the focal length of the first lens or to move the lens core of the first lens relative to the lens shaping member of the first lens to adjust the focal length of the first lens.
Furthermore, according to embodiments, the second lens may further comprise two, three or even four actuators configured to move the lens shaping member of the second lens relative to the lens core of the second lens to adjust the focal length of the second lens or to move the lens core of the second lens relative to the lens shaping member of the second lens to adjust the focal length of the second lens.
Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the optical zoom device is configured to tilt the lens forming member of the first lens with respect to the lens core of the first lens using the actuator of the first lens to stabilize the image. Alternatively, the optical zoom device may be configured to tilt a lens core of the first lens with respect to a lens shaping member of the first lens using the actuator of the first lens to stabilize the image.
Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the optical zoom device is configured to tilt the lens forming member of the second lens with respect to the lens core of the second lens using the actuator of the second lens to stabilize the image. Optionally, the optical zoom device may be further configured to tilt a lens core of the second lens relative to a lens forming member of the second lens using the actuator of the second lens to stabilize the image generated by the optical zoom device.
Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the optical device is configured to stabilize the image using only the first lens or the second lens. This means that the other lens, which is not used for image stabilization, only adjusts its focal length, and all image stabilization is performed by only one of the two focus-adjustable lenses.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the optical device is configured to tune or tilt the prism or to tune or tilt the mirror to stabilize the image. Here, both the first lens and the second lens may be configured to adjust only their focal lengths to achieve a zoom function of the optical zoom device.
In particular, according to an embodiment of the invention, the optical device is configured as one of:
-shifting the first lens with respect to the image sensor perpendicular to the optical axis of the first lens to stabilize the image and/or shifting the second lens with respect to the image sensor perpendicular to the optical axis of the second lens to stabilize the image,
-shifting a rigid lens perpendicular to the optical axis of the first lens relative to the image sensor to stabilize the image, and/or shifting a rigid lens perpendicular to the optical axis of the second lens relative to the image sensor to stabilize the image, and/or shifting a rigid lens perpendicular to the optical axis of the third lens barrel relative to the image sensor to stabilize the image, shifting the image sensor perpendicular to the optical axis of the first lens relative to the first lens to stabilize the image, and/or shifting the image sensor perpendicular to the optical axis of the second lens relative to the second lens to stabilize the image.
Further, according to an embodiment of the invention, the first lens forms a zoom lens defining a field of view of the optical zoom device, while the second lens is configured to refocus the image on the image sensor.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the lens shaping member of the first lens defines a region of the membrane of the first lens having an adjustable curvature and/or the lens shaping member of the second lens defines a region of the membrane of the second lens having an adjustable curvature. The respective membrane regions may be defined by circumferential or annular portions of the respective lens shaping members.
In particular, the respective lens-shaping member may comprise a circular portion, thereby creating a rotationally symmetric region of the respective lens. However, the respective lens-shaping member may also comprise square portions, which then form cylindrical lenses. In principle, any other shape of the lens shaping member is possible. Further, the lens forming member may be, in particular, an injection molded part, a metal, a glass or a silicon (etched) lens forming member.
In particular, the optical device may be configured to adjust the respective curvature by interaction of the respective lens shaping member with the respective film, e.g. by pushing the respective lens shaping member against the respective film or by pulling the respective film by means of the respective lens shaping member.
In particular, the respective lens-forming member may directly or indirectly contact the respective membrane via a further layer of material (e.g. formed by glue or the like). The respective lens-shaping member may be further attached to the respective film by bonding it directly to the film or via another layer of material, such as a glue layer.
In particular, according to an embodiment, the respective lens forming member may be plasma bonded to the respective film.
In particular, the concept that the respective lens-shaping member defines a region of the membrane having an adjustable curvature may mean: the respective lens-shaping member delimits a resiliently expandable (e.g. circular) region of the respective membrane by being attached to the membrane or by being in contact with the membrane, wherein in particular the respective region extends to a (e.g. circumferential) inner edge of the respective lens-shaping member. Since the light passes through the respective region of the respective (first or second) lens and is influenced by the curvature of the respective region, the respective region may also be denoted as an optically effective region.
When the respective lens-shaping member is pressed against the membrane, the respective membrane expands and the curvature of the area of the membrane increases due to the fluid residing in the respective lens core. Likewise, said curvature of the area of the respective film decreases when the respective lens forming member pushes less against the respective film or even pulls the respective film.
The increase in curvature means that the corresponding film region can form a more pronounced convex bulge, or change from a concave or flat state to a convex state. Also, the reduction in curvature means that the respective areas of the membrane change from a clearly convex state to a less clearly convex state or even to a flat or concave state, or from a flat or concave state to an even more clearly concave state.
The respective membrane may be made of at least one of the following materials: glass, polymer, elastomer, plastic, or any other transparent and stretchable or flexible material. For example, the film may be made of a silicone-based polymer, such as poly (dimethylsiloxane), also known as PDMS, or a polyester material, such as PET or biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (e.g., "Mylar").
Furthermore, the film may comprise a coating, in particular an anti-reflection coating made of nanostructures, or a nanoparticle or sol-gel coating. In addition, the film may also be structured, for example, including a structured surface or the entire film having a variable thickness or stiffness.
Furthermore, the fluid is preferably or comprises a liquid, a liquid metal, a gel, a gas or any deformable transparent, absorbing or reflecting material. For example, the fluid may be silicone oil.
Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the optical zoom device includes a wide-angle mode in which an area of the film of the first lens is concave and an area of the film of the second lens is convex.
Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the optical zoom device further includes a telephoto mode in which a region of the film of the first lens is convex and a region of the film of the second lens is concave. According to another embodiment, the optical zoom device further comprises an intermediate zoom state in which the areas of the membranes of the two lenses are only slightly convex, or slightly concave, or even flat. The closest macro focus can be achieved if both the first lens and the second lens are convex.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the respective actuator is or comprises one of: linear actuators, piezoelectric actuators, shape memory alloys, stepper motors, electromagnetic actuators, moving coils, moving magnets.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the first lens comprises a single linear actuator, in particular a piezo actuator, the single linear actuator being configured to move the lens-shaping member of the first lens relative to the lens core of the first lens (or to move the lens core of the first lens relative to the lens-shaping member of the first lens) to adjust the focal length of the first lens, and wherein the second lens comprises four linear actuators configured to move a lens core of the second lens relative to a lens-shaping member of the second lens, to adjust the focal length of the second lens and to tilt the lens core of the second lens about two different axes to stabilize the image, wherein the respective linear actuator may comprise a shape memory alloy for moving and tilting the lens core of the second lens relative to the lens shaping member of the second lens.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the respective actuator of the first lens is arranged outside and on a (e.g. circumferential) side wall of the first lens barrel. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the respective actuators of the second lenses are arranged outside and on a (e.g. circumferential) side wall of the second lens barrel.
In particular, an advantageous minimum configuration of the actuators comprises two actuators per lens. Here, according to an embodiment of the invention, each of the two actuators of the first lens is connected to a region of the lens shaping member of the first lens to exert a force on the lens shaping member of the first lens via the respective region (e.g. to adjust the focal length of the first lens and/or for stabilizing the image), or each of the two actuators of the first lens is connected to a region of the lens core of the first lens to exert a force on the lens core of the first lens via the respective region (e.g. to adjust the focal length of the first lens and/or for stabilizing the image), wherein the two regions face each other in the first direction. Furthermore, each of the two actuators of the second lens is connected to a region of the lens shaping member of the second lens to exert a force on the lens shaping member of the second lens via the respective region (e.g. to adjust the focal length of the second lens and/or for stabilizing the image), or each of the two actuators of the second lens is connected to a region of the lens core of the second lens to exert a force on the lens core of the second lens via the respective region (e.g. to adjust the focal length of the second lens and/or for stabilizing the image), wherein the two regions face each other in a second direction, and wherein the second direction is different from the first direction. In particular, the first and second directions are skewed and extend in parallel planes. In particular, the two directions are orthogonal.
In particular, embodiments are described below in which the respective lens shaping members are moved by the respective actuators while the lens cores of the first lenses are fixed to the first lens barrel and the lens cores of the second lenses are fixed to the second lens barrel.
In particular, in an embodiment, the optical device is configured to adjust the focal length of the first lens by applying a force on each area of the lens-shaping member of the first lens using the respective actuator, wherein the two forces are equal such that the lens-shaping member of the first lens pushes against or pulls against the membrane of the first lens to adjust the curvature of said area of the membrane of the first lens and thereby adjust the focal length of the first lens.
Furthermore, in an embodiment, in order to stabilize the image, the optical device is configured to displace the image in a first displacement direction by applying a force on each area of the lens shaping member of the first lens using the respective actuator, wherein the two forces are opposite and in particular equal or substantially equal in magnitude, thereby tilting the lens shaping member of the first lens about the first axis, thereby displacing the image in the first displacement direction. In particular, due to the inclination of the lens forming member of the first lens with respect to the lens core of the first lens, the lens core of the first lens is formed as a prism, i.e., the region of the film of the first lens is inclined with respect to the second wall of the lens core of the first lens.
Furthermore, in an embodiment, the optical device is configured to adjust the focal length of the second lens by applying a force on each area of the lens-shaping member of the second lens using the respective actuator, wherein the two forces are equal or substantially equal such that the lens-shaping member of the second lens pushes against or pulls against the membrane of the second lens in order to adjust the curvature of said area of the membrane of the second lens and thereby adjust the focal length of the second lens.
Furthermore, in an embodiment, in order to stabilize the image, the optical device is configured to displace the image in the second displacement direction by applying a force on each area of the lens shaping member of the second lens using the respective actuator, wherein the two forces are opposite and in particular equal or substantially equal in magnitude such that the lens shaping member of the second lens is tilted about the second axis, thereby displacing the image in the second displacement direction. In particular, due to the inclination of the lens forming member of the second lens with respect to the lens core of the second lens, the lens core of the second lens is formed as a prism, i.e. the region of the film of the second lens is inclined with respect to the second wall of the lens core of the second lens.
Furthermore, optionally, the actuators may also exert the above-mentioned forces on the respective lens cores. Here, the lens shaping member of the first lens is fixed to the first lens barrel and the lens shaping member of the second lens is fixed to the second lens barrel (of course, hybrid configurations are also contemplated, i.e. moving the lens shaping member in one of the two lenses and moving the respective lens core in the other lens).
In particular, in an embodiment, the optical device is configured to adjust the focal length of the first lens by applying a force on each area of the lens core of the first lens using the respective actuator, wherein the two forces are equal or substantially equal such that the lens core of the first lens pushes against or moves away from the lens shaping member of the first lens together with the membrane of the first lens such that the lens shaping member of the first lens pulls the membrane of the first lens to adjust the curvature of said area of the membrane of the first lens and thereby adjust the focal length of the first lens.
Furthermore, in an embodiment, in order to stabilize the image, the optical device is configured to displace the image in a first displacement direction by applying a force on each area of the lens core of the first lens using the respective actuator, wherein the two forces are opposite and in particular equal or substantially equal in magnitude such that the lens core of the first lens is tilted with respect to the lens shaping member of the first lens about the first axis, thereby displacing the image in the first displacement direction. In particular, due to the inclination of the lens core of the first lens, the lens core of the first lens is formed as a prism, i.e. the area of the film of the first lens is inclined with respect to the second wall of the lens core of the first lens.
Furthermore, in an embodiment, the optical device is configured to adjust the focal length of the second lens by applying a force on each area of the lens core of the second lens using the respective actuator, wherein the two forces are equal or substantially equal such that the lens core of the second lens is pushed against the lens shaping member of the second lens together with the membrane of the second lens or moved away from the lens shaping member of the second lens such that the lens shaping member of the second lens pulls the membrane of the second lens to adjust the curvature of said area of the membrane of the second lens, thereby adjusting the focal length of the second lens.
Furthermore, in an embodiment, in order to stabilize the image, the optical device is configured to shift the image in the second shift direction by applying a force on each area of the lens core of the second lens using the respective actuator, wherein the two forces are opposite and in particular equal or substantially equal in magnitude such that the lens core of the second lens is tilted with respect to the lens shaping member of the second lens about the second axis, thereby shifting the image in the second shift direction. In particular, due to the inclination of the lens core of the second lens, the lens core of the second lens is formed as a prism, i.e. said region of the film of the second lens is inclined with respect to the second wall of the lens core of the second lens.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment, the two actuators of the first lens are arranged outside the first lens barrel on a (circumferential) side wall of the first lens barrel, wherein the two actuators face each other in a first direction extending perpendicular to the optical axis of the first lens, and wherein the two actuators of the second lens are arranged outside the second lens barrel on a (circumferential) side wall of the second lens barrel, wherein the two actuators of the second lens face each other in a second direction extending perpendicular to the optical axis of the second lens, wherein the second direction is different from the first direction. In particular, the first and second directions are skewed and extend in parallel planes. In particular, the two directions are orthogonal.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the two actuators of the first lens comprises a pusher movable along the optical axis of the first lens, wherein each of the pushers of the first lens is connected to one of the regions of the lens shaping member of the first lens or to one of the regions of the lens core of the first lens to exert a stress force on the respective region. Furthermore, in an embodiment, each of the two actuators of the second lens further comprises a pusher movable along the optical axis of the second lens, wherein each of said pushers of the second lens is connected to one of said regions of the lens shaping member of the second lens or to one of said regions of the lens core of the second lens to exert a tensile force on the respective region.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the respective pusher is connected to the respective region via a latching connection, wherein in particular a portion of the respective pusher engages with a recess of the respective region.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the respective pusher is connected to the respective region via a glued connection.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the respective pusher is connected to the respective area via a flexible piston.
Furthermore, in embodiments, each of the areas of the respective lens shaping member on which the respective actuator exerts a force may be formed as an arm protruding from the portion of the respective lens shaping member defining the respective area of the membrane. Also, according to an embodiment, each of the regions of the respective lens core on which the respective actuator exerts a force may be formed as an arm protruding from the respective lens core, in particular an arm protruding from a side wall of the respective lens core.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, each of the two actuators of the first lens comprises an electrically conductive coil and a magnet structure comprising a first portion having a first magnetization and an adjacent second portion having a second magnetization, wherein the two magnetizations are anti-parallel (i.e. parallel but pointing in opposite directions) and in particular extend orthogonally to the optical axis of the first lens, wherein the coil comprises a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the first portion of the coil faces the first portion of the coil magnet structure and the second portion of the coil faces the second portion of the magnet structure. Furthermore, in particular, the coil comprises a conductor extending around a coil axis of the coil, wherein the coil axis extends in particular parallel to the magnetization.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment, each of the two actuators of the second lens may further comprise an electrically conductive coil and a magnet structure comprising a first portion having a first magnetization and an adjacent second portion having a second magnetization, wherein the two magnetizations are anti-parallel (i.e. parallel but pointing in opposite directions) and in particular extend orthogonal to the optical axis of the second lens, wherein the coil comprises a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the first portion of the coil faces the first portion of the magnet structure and the second portion of the coil faces the second portion of the magnet structure. In particular, the coil comprises a conductor extending around a coil axis of the coil, wherein the coil axis extends in particular parallel to said magnetization of the respective magnet structure of the actuator of the second lens.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the magnet structure of the respective actuator of the first lens is rigidly coupled to the first lens barrel, while the coil of the respective actuator of the first lens is arranged on the pusher of the respective actuator of the first lens. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the magnet structure of the respective actuator of the second lens is rigidly coupled to the second lens barrel, while the coil of the respective actuator of the second lens is arranged on the pusher of the respective actuator of the second lens.
In particular, the optical zoom device may comprise two magnetic flux return structures, in particular each in the form of an elongated plate. In particular, each flux return structure is connected to two parts of the magnet structure of the actuator of the first lens and to two parts of the magnet structure of the actuator of the second lens. The respective return structure is configured to direct or return magnetic flux from a portion of the magnet structure to an adjacent portion of the magnet structure to which it is connected. In particular, the respective flux return structures may extend along the optical axis of the first lens and the optical axis of the second lens. Furthermore, the two flux return structures face each other in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. In particular, the respective magnetic flux return structure may be connected to or may be part of a housing or a shield surrounding the first and/or second lens barrel.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the coils of the respective actuators of the first lens are rigidly coupled to the first lens barrel, while the magnet structures of the respective actuators of the first lens are arranged on the pushers of the respective actuators of the first lens. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the coils of the respective actuators of the second lens are rigidly coupled to the second lens barrel, while the magnet structures of the respective actuators of the second lens are arranged on the pushers of the respective actuators of the second lens.
Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present invention, the respective coil may be embedded in a substrate, in particular in the form of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). In particular, the optical zoom device may comprise two (e.g. elongated) substrates (e.g. PCBs), wherein each substrate comprises a coil of the actuator of the first lens and a coil of the actuator of the second lens. In particular, the two substrates may be connected to a housing enclosing the first lens barrel and/or the second lens barrel. In particular, the two substrates may face each other in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the first lens and perpendicular to the optical axis of the second lens.
Alternatively, the optical zoom device may comprise two substrate assemblies, wherein each substrate assembly comprises two separate substrates electrically connected to each other by a flexible connector to provide an electrical connection between the two substrates, wherein one of the two substrates comprises the embedded coil of the actuator of the first lens and the other substrate comprises the coil of the actuator of the second lens. Again, in particular, the two substrate assemblies may face each other in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the first lens and perpendicular to the optical axis of the second lens.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment involving moving magnet structures arranged on the pusher, each magnet structure is connected to a separate first magnetic flux return structure. The respective flux return structure is configured to direct or return flux from a portion of the magnet structure to an adjacent portion of the magnet structure to which it is connected. In particular, these first magnetic flux return structures are each rigidly coupled to an associated impeller and thus move together with the respective impeller.
Furthermore, in particular, the optical zoom device may comprise two second magnetic flux return structures, in particular in the form of elongated plates, respectively. In particular, each second magnetic flux return structure faces two portions of the magnet structure of the actuator of the first lens and two portions of the magnet structure of the actuator of the second lens. The respective second return structures are configured to direct or return magnetic flux from a portion of the magnet structure to an adjacent portion of the magnet structure. In particular, the respective second flux return structures may extend along the optical axis of the first lens and the optical axis of the second lens. Furthermore, the two second magnetic flux return structures face each other in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. In particular, the respective magnetic flux return structure may be connected to or may be part of a housing or a shield surrounding the first and/or second lens barrel. Thus, here, each coil of the actuator is arranged between the first and the second magnetic flux return structure.
Furthermore, in an embodiment, the respective actuator of the first lens comprises a coil holder for holding the substrate (and the coil embedded in the substrate) of the substrate assembly, via which coil holder the respective coil embedded in the substrate is rigidly connected to the first lens barrel.
Furthermore, in an embodiment, the respective actuator of the second lens further comprises a coil holder for holding the substrate (and the coil embedded in the substrate) of the substrate assembly, by which coil holder the respective coil embedded in the substrate is rigidly connected to the second lens barrel.
The respective coil holder may comprise a recess for accommodating the flexible connector connecting the two substrates of the substrate assembly.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the optical zoom device is configured to apply an electrical current to the coils of the respective actuators of the first lens to interact with the magnetic field of the magnet structures of the respective actuators of the first lens such that the pushers of the respective actuators of the first lens move along the optical axis of the first lens, wherein, depending on the direction of the electrical current in the coils of the respective actuators of the first lens, the pushers of the respective actuators of the first lens move along the optical axis of the first lens such that the lens shaping members of the first lens are pressed against the membrane of the first lens or the membrane of the first lens is pulled to adjust the focal length of the first lens and/or to stabilize the image.
Furthermore, in an embodiment, the optical zoom device is configured to apply an electrical current to the coils of the respective actuators of the second lens to interact with the magnetic field of the magnet structures of the respective actuators of the second lens such that the pushers of the respective actuators of the second lens move along the optical axis of the second lens, wherein, depending on the direction of the electrical current in the coils of the respective actuators of the second lens, the pushers of the respective actuators of the second lens move along the optical axis of the second lens such that the lens shaping members of the second lens press against or pull the membrane of the second lens to adjust the focal length of the second lens and/or to stabilize the image.
Furthermore, in particular, the respective currents flow in opposite directions in the two portions of the respective coil.
Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the pusher of the respective actuator of the first lens is elastically coupled to the first lens barrel via a spring structure such that the pusher of the respective actuator of the first lens is movable along the optical axis of the first lens. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the pushers of the respective actuators of the second lens are also elastically coupled to the second lens barrel via a spring structure, such that the pushers of the respective actuators of the second lens are movable along the optical axis of the second lens.
Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the pusher of the corresponding actuator of the first lens is supported on the ball bearing so that the pusher of the corresponding actuator of the first lens is movable along the optical axis of the first lens. Further, according to an embodiment, the pusher of the corresponding actuator of the second lens is also supported on the ball bearing so that the pusher of the corresponding actuator of the second lens is movable along the optical axis of the second lens.
In particular, the respective pusher may be supported on a housing by the ball bearing, which may surround and may be rigidly coupled to the first and/or second lens barrel.
In particular, the respective actuators of the first and second lenses may comprise cages, for example in the form of frames, for holding the respective ball bearings.
Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the optical device is configured to measure movement of the respective pusher of the first lens along the optical axis of the first lens using a sensor associated with the respective pusher. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the optical device is further configured to measure the movement of the respective pusher of the second lens along the optical axis of the second lens using a sensor associated with the respective pusher.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the respective sensor is one of: hall sensor, inductive sensor, capacitive sensor, optical sensor.
Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the optical zoom device is configured to adjust focal lengths of the first lens and the second lens in coordination to generate a specific zoom range and a sharp image on the image sensor.
Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first lens is configured to define a field of view (zoom range) of the optical zoom device, and the second lens is configured to focus an image generated by the optical zoom device on the image sensor.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the optical zoom device is configured to receive an output signal of a gyroscope coupled to the optical zoom device, the output signal being indicative of an undesired movement of the optical zoom device, wherein the optical zoom device is configured to stabilize the image using the output signal.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the optical zoom device is configured to use the output signal to control the respective actuator (in particular to individually control the respective actuator) to stabilize the image.
In particular, in embodiments, the optical zoom device may be calibrated in transmission by recording the focus power with respect to the actuation current applied to the respective actuator using a linear current source, or alternatively, the optical zoom device may be calibrated in transmission by measuring the focus power with respect to one or more sensor signals. This allows for fast initial tuning without image sensor data processing.
The algorithm may be based on one or more look-up tables for different sensor conditions and known physical properties (e.g. direction dependence) of the first lens and/or the second lens. Alternatively, the algorithm may be used to vary the actuation current applied to the respective actuator in a closed loop based on a function such as an nth order polynomial.
Furthermore, the ambient temperature may be used as an additional sensor signal to modify the look-up table and correct for the effect of the first lens and/or the second lens due to temperature variations.
Further, the calibration information may be stored into a memory of the optical zoom device, such as an EEPROM.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a device is disclosed, comprising an optical zoom device according to the invention and a camera having a wider field of view than the optical zoom device, wherein the camera has a lower F-value than the optical zoom device. In particular, the F-number of an optical system (e.g., a camera lens) is the ratio of the system focal length to the entrance pupil diameter.
This allows for a camera with a wide field of view with very good optical quality and still gives a good optical zoom effect with less constraints on the F-value.
In particular, the invention may be applied in the following technical fields/may be used in the following devices:
ophthalmic devices such as optometers, refractometers, pachymeters, biometrics, optometers, refractive keratometers, refractive lens analyzers, tonometers, color vision inspectors, contrast sensitivity instruments, endothelial microscopes, anoscopes, diphophometers, OCT, rodatest, ophthalmoscopes, RTA, machine vision, mobile phone cameras, medical equipment, robotic cameras, virtual reality or augmented reality cameras, microscopes, telescopes, endoscopes, drone cameras, surveillance cameras, webcams, automotive cameras, motion tracking, binoculars, research and development, automobiles, projectors, ophthalmic lenses, rangefinders, bar code readers, 3D sensing.
Drawings
The invention, together with further features and advantages of embodiments of the invention, will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
fig. 1 shows an embodiment of an optical zoom device comprising a piezoelectric actuator for actuating a first lens and an actuator comprising a shape memory alloy for actuating a second lens of the optical zoom device.
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows a detail of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 shows additional details of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3;
figure 5 shows a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a variation of the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 4;
fig. 6 shows another aspect of the invention, namely an apparatus according to the invention comprising a camera and a separate optical zoom device;
figure 7 shows different possible arrangements of the first and second lenses with respect to the position of the respective lens shaping members;
fig. 8 shows a schematic view of a possible interaction of a respective lens-shaping member for adjusting the focal length of a respective (first or second) lens with an associated membrane of the first or second lens;
fig. 9 shows a further possible arrangement of the first and second lenses, in particular in relation to the position of the respective lens shaping members;
fig. 10 shows a schematic view of another embodiment of an optical zoom apparatus according to the present invention;
fig. 11 shows schematic views of two further embodiments of an optical zoom device according to the present invention, wherein for each embodiment only half of the device is shown, i.e. the first embodiment is shown above the optical axis A, A 'and the second embodiment is depicted below the optical axis A, A';
fig. 12 shows a perspective view (lower half) of an embodiment of an optical zoom device according to the present invention of the type shown in fig. 11;
fig. 13 shows a schematic diagram of a minimum configuration of four actuators used in the embodiment of fig. 10-12;
fig. 14 shows a different embodiment regarding the connection between the pusher of the actuator and the lens shaping member (or lens core);
figures 15 to 17 show details of the actuator of the embodiment of figures 11 (lower half) and 12;
fig. 18 shows a permanent magnet that can be used as an actuator within the framework of the invention.
FIG. 19 shows a schematic diagram of an optical sensor that may be used to measure movement of pushers of respective actuators;
fig. 20 shows the principle of optical image stabilization and the adjustment of the focal length of the (first or second) lens in the case of a movement of the respective lens core by means of an actuator;
fig. 21 is a diagram illustrating the principle of optical image stabilization and the adjustment of the focal length of the (first or second) lens in the case of moving the respective lens shaping member by an actuator; and
fig. 22 to 23 show the use of tiltable prisms to stabilise an image generated by means of an optical zoom device.
Detailed Description
The present invention relates to an optical zoom device 1, wherein particular embodiments of the device are shown, for example, in fig. 1 to 5, 7 to 17 and 22 to 23.
Accordingly, the optical zoom device according to the present invention includes a
For actuating the respective adjustable
The principle of adjusting the focal length of the
In particular, the optical device 1 is configured to adjust the respective curvature by interaction of the respective
Thus, by axial movement of the respective
Furthermore, one or both of the
According to fig. 20 and 21, optical image stabilization can be achieved by shifting the 2D image relative to the image sensor in the image plane of the
Fig. 20 and 21 show such an image shift as an example of a single direction using a
Alternatively, as shown in fig. 21, the respective
Fig. 1 shows, in combination with fig. 2 to 4, an embodiment of the invention in which the first lens is actuated by a single linear actuator, in particular by a piezoelectric actuator, while the
In particular, the
In an alternative embodiment shown in fig. 5, such a
Further, the four
By actuating the
In particular, each lens barrel may hold an additional
Furthermore, the optical zoom device 1 may comprise a front lens forming a first lens on the optical path of the device 1, followed by a
Further, in order to allow for a fast assembly of the optical zoom device, each two adjacent lens barrels 30, 31, 32 are configured to be connected to each other via a positive connection. Further, as shown in fig. 2, in order to achieve a compact device height, the
With regard to the placement of the respective components, in particular the placement of the
For example, as shown in fig. 7(a) to (D), the first lens may be behind the mirror 6 (or optionally the prism 5) placed in the optical path of the device, wherein the lens-shaping
Fig. 9(a) to (D) also show these configurations, wherein here, in contrast to fig. 8, the first lens is arranged in front of the
Further embodiments of the optical device shown in fig. 10 to 17 relate to the following configurations: in this configuration, each
This is achieved by arranging the two
In the following, it is assumed that the respective
As shown in fig. 10, each of the two
In particular, with regard to all embodiments relating to the
In particular, as shown in fig. 14(a), the
Alternatively, as shown in fig. 14(C), the
Further, the
Furthermore, with reference to fig. 10, each of the two
Likewise, each of the two
As can be seen from fig. 10, this embodiment achieves a so-called moving coil configuration, i.e. the
Also, the
Further, the
Furthermore, in order to appropriately guide the magnetic flux generated by the
Now, in order to move the
Similarly, the optical zoom device 1 is further configured to apply an electrical current to the
In contrast to fig. 10, fig. 11 shows an embodiment comprising an actuator configuration with a so-called moving magnet.
Here, the
According to the upper part of fig. 11, the
Furthermore, according to fig. 11 (upper part), instead of having a
The lower part of fig. 11 shows a further embodiment of the invention in a schematic way. Fig. 12, 14-17 further illustrate this embodiment.
Here, in particular, the optical zoom device 1 may comprise two
Furthermore, in addition to the
Furthermore, as particularly shown in fig. 12 and 15 to 17, the
Furthermore, the
The
Further, as shown in fig. 11 (lower half portion) and fig. 15 to 17, the
In particular, the
In particular, the
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the optical apparatus 1 according to the present invention is preferably configured to measure the movement of the
In particular, the
According to fig. 11, 15 and 17, respective hall sensors may be arranged on the
Alternatively, inductive or capacitive sensors may be employed. According to fig. 19,
Further, in the above embodiments, generally, all suitable actuator types may be used for the
In particular, according to fig. 18, an actuator comprising
In particular, the magnetic flux guiding structure may be connected to the
Furthermore, different current levels in the
Tuning of the
Finally, fig. 6 shows another aspect of the invention, which relates to an apparatus 1 ', which apparatus 1' comprises an optical zoom apparatus 1 according to the invention and a camera 1 ″ having a wider field of view than the optical zoom apparatus 1, wherein the camera 1 ″ has a lower F-number than the optical zoom apparatus 1. Such an apparatus 1' may for example be used for mobile phones or other handheld devices and may have a very good optical quality for wide field of view cameras and still give a good optical zoom effect with less constraints on the F-value.
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