U.S. patent application number 15/425938 was filed with the patent office on 2017-05-25 for image capturing device.
The applicant listed for this patent is TERA XTAL TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Wei-Hsiang WANG, Chen-Hui WU.
Application Number | 20170149939 15/425938 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48654183 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170149939 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WANG; Wei-Hsiang ; et
al. |
May 25, 2017 |
IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE
Abstract
An image capturing device is provided. The image capturing
device includes a lens device including a first housing; and a
sapphire lens directly connected to the first housing for
protecting the lens device, wherein the sapphire lens includes a
crystal structure and has a crystal axis, the crystal structure is
a single-crystal structure, and the crystal axis includes one
selected from a group consisting of c-axis (0001), a-axis (1210),
a-axis (1120), a-axis (2110), a-axis (1120), a-axis (2110), a-axis
(1210), m-axis (1010), m-axis (1100), m-axis (0110), m-axis (1010),
m-axis (1100), m-axis (0110), r-axis (1011), r-axis (1011), r-axis
(0111), r-axis (011 1), r-axis (1101) and r-axis (1101).
Inventors: |
WANG; Wei-Hsiang; (Taipei
City, TW) ; WU; Chen-Hui; (Taoyuan County,
TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TERA XTAL TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION |
Hsinchu |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
48654183 |
Appl. No.: |
15/425938 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13593540 |
Aug 24, 2012 |
9599787 |
|
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15425938 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/0264 20130101;
G02B 1/14 20150115; G02B 7/025 20130101; H04N 5/2254 20130101; H04N
5/225 20130101; G02B 1/02 20130101; H04N 5/23293 20130101; H04N
5/22525 20180801; H04N 5/2257 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04M 1/02 20060101
H04M001/02; H04N 5/232 20060101 H04N005/232; G02B 1/14 20060101
G02B001/14; H04N 5/225 20060101 H04N005/225; G02B 7/02 20060101
G02B007/02; G02B 1/02 20060101 G02B001/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 27, 2011 |
TW |
100149015 |
Claims
1. An image capturing device, comprising: a lens device including a
housing which is a back housing of a cellphone; and a sapphire lens
disposed in a hollow area of the lens device and directly connected
to the housing for protecting the lens device, wherein the sapphire
lens includes a crystal structure and has a crystal axis, the
crystal structure is a single-crystal structure, and the crystal
axis includes one selected from a group consisting of c-axis
(0001), a-axis (1210), a-axis (1120), a-axis (2110), a-axis (1120),
a-axis (2110), a-axis (1210), m-axis (1010), m-axis (1100), m-axis
(0110), m-axis (1010), m-axis (1100), m-axis (0110), r-axis (1011),
r-axis (1011), r-axis (0111), r-axis (0111), r-axis (1101) and
r-axis (1101).
2. An image capturing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the
lens device further includes a lens module and a circuit board
coupled to the lens module, and the housing surrounds the lens
module; the sapphire lens is connected to the housing via a glue at
a first temperature, wherein the glue is a macromolecular glue
having an adhesion reaction at the first temperature and including
one selected from a group consisting of a high-temperature reaction
glue, a photosensitive glue and a dual-composition glue.
3. An image capturing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein: the
image capturing device further includes a liquid crystal display,
and the lens device is disposed on the liquid crystal display.
4. An image capturing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the
lens device further includes a lens module and a circuit board; the
housing has a plurality of hot-melt pillars, and the sapphire lens
has a plurality of openings; the housing is connected to the
sapphire lens by causing the hot-melt pillars to pass through the
openings and heating the hot-melt pillars, wherein the hot-melt
pillars include a thermoplastic material; the sapphire lens has a
protruding portion aligned with the lens module; and the housing
surrounds the lens module, and the circuit board is coupled to the
lens module.
5. An image capturing device as claimed in claim 4, wherein: the
image capturing device further includes a liquid crystal display,
and the lens device is disposed on the liquid crystal display.
6. An image capturing device, comprising: a lens device including a
housing which is a back housing of a cellphone, wherein the housing
has a hollow area and; and a sapphire lens embedded in the hollow
area for protecting the lens device, wherein the sapphire lens
includes a crystal structure and has a crystal axis, the crystal
structure is a single-crystal structure, and the crystal axis
includes one selected from a group consisting of c-axis (0001),
a-axis (1210), a-axis (1120), a-axis (2110), a-axis (1120), a-axis
(2110), a-axis (1210), m-axis (1010), m-axis (1100), m-axis (0110),
m-axis (1010), m-axis (1100), m-axis (0110), r-axis (1011), r-axis
(1011), r-axis (0111), r-axis (011 1), r-axis (1101) and r-axis
(1101.
7. An image capturing device as claimed in claim 6, wherein: the
lens device further a lens module and a circuit board coupled to
the lens module, and the housing surrounds the lens module; the
sapphire lens is connected to the lens device via a glue so that
the lens device is protected by the sapphire lens, wherein the glue
is a macromolecular glue including one selected from a group
consisting of a high-temperature reaction glue, a photosensitive
glue and a dual-composition glue; and the sapphire lens has a
plurality of recesses, the housing includes a plastic, and when the
sapphire lens is connected to the housing via the glue, the
recesses prevent the plastic from overflowing.
8. An image capturing device as claimed in claim 7, wherein: the
image capturing device further includes a liquid crystal display,
and the lens device is disposed on the liquid crystal display.
9. An image capturing device, comprising: a lens device including a
housing which is a back housing of a cellphone; and a sapphire lens
embedded in the lens device and directly connected to the housing,
wherein the sapphire lens includes a crystal structure and has a
crystal axis, the crystal structure is a single-crystal structure,
and the crystal axis includes one selected from a group consisting
of c-axis (0001), a-axis (1210), a-axis (1120), a-axis (2110),
a-axis (1120), a-axis (2110), a-axis (1210), m-axis (1010), m-axis
(1100), m-axis (0110), m-axis (1010), m-axis (1100), m-axis (0110),
r-axis (1011), r-axis (1011), r-axis (01111), r-axis (0111), r-axis
(1101) and r-axis (1101).
10. An image capturing device as claimed in claim 9, wherein: the
lens device includes a lens module which is surrounded by the
housing and a circuit board coupled to the lens module; the
sapphire lens is connected to the lens device via a glue so that
the lens device is protected by the sapphire lens, wherein the glue
is a macromolecular glue including one selected from a group
consisting of a high-temperature reaction glue, a photosensitive
glue and a dual-composition glue; the sapphire lens is connected to
the housing via the macromolecular glue at a first temperature.
11. An image capturing device as claimed in claim 10, wherein: the
image capturing device further includes a liquid crystal display,
and the lens device is disposed on the liquid crystal display.
12. An image capturing device as claimed in claim 9, wherein: the
lens device includes a lens module and a circuit board; the housing
includes a plurality of hot-melt pillars, and the sapphire lens
includes a plurality of openings; the housing is connected to the
sapphire lens by causing the hot-melt pillars to pass through the
openings and heating the hot-melt pillars, wherein the hot-melt
pillars include a thermoplastic material; and the sapphire lens has
a protruding portion aligned with the lens module; the housing
surrounds the lens module, and the circuit board is coupled to the
lens module.
13. An image capturing device as claimed in claim 12, wherein: the
image capturing device further includes a liquid crystal display,
and the lens device is disposed on the liquid crystal display.
14. An image capturing device, comprising: a lens device including
a housing which is a back housing of a cellphone; and a sapphire
lens embedded in the lens device and directly connected to the lens
device.
15. An image capturing device as claimed in claim 14, wherein: the
lens device includes a lens module which is surrounded by the
housing and a circuit board coupled to the lens module; the
sapphire lens is connected to the lens device via a glue so that
the lens device is protected by the sapphire lens, wherein the glue
is a macromolecular glue including one selected from a group
consisting of a high-temperature reaction glue, a photosensitive
glue and a dual-composition glue; the sapphire lens is connected to
the housing via the macromolecular glue at a first temperature,
wherein the macromolecular glue has an adhesion reaction at the
first temperature.
16. An image capturing device as claimed in claim 15, wherein: the
image capturing device further includes a liquid crystal display,
and the lens device is disposed on the liquid crystal display.
17. An image capturing device as claimed in claim 14, wherein: the
lens device includes a lens module and a circuit board; the housing
includes a plurality of hot-melt pillars, and the sapphire lens
includes a plurality of openings; the housing is connected to the
sapphire lens by causing the hot-melt pillars to pass through the
openings and heating the hot-melt pillars, wherein the hot-melt
pillars include a thermoplastic material; the sapphire lens has a
protruding portion aligned with the lens module; and the housing
surrounds the lens module, and the circuit board is coupled to the
lens module.
18. An image capturing device as claimed in claim 17, wherein: the
image capturing device further includes a liquid crystal display,
and the lens device is disposed on the liquid crystal display.
19. An image capturing device as claimed in claim 14, wherein: the
lens device includes a lens module which is surrounded by the
housing and a circuit board coupled to the lens module; the
sapphire lens is embedded in the lens device; the housing has a
hollow area, and the sapphire lens is embedded in the hollow area;
the sapphire lens is connected to the lens device via a glue so
that the lens device is protected by the sapphire lens, wherein the
glue is a macromolecular glue including one selected from a group
consisting of a high-temperature reaction glue, a photosensitive
glue and a dual-composition glue; the sapphire lens includes a
plurality of recesses, the housing includes a plastic, and when the
sapphire lens is connected to the housing via the glue, the
recesses prevent the plastic from overflowing; and the image
capturing device further includes a liquid crystal display, and the
lens device is disposed on the liquid crystal display.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 13/593,540, filed Aug. 24, 2012, which application claims
the benefit of Taiwan Patent Application No. 100149015, filed on
Dec. 27, 2011, in the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office, the
disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an image capturing device,
and more particularly to an image capturing device having a
sapphire lens.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The hand-held device having a photographing function is very
popular in recent years. Due to the development of the
semiconductor technology and the mighty advance of the optical
design technology, the size of the optical element is getting
smaller and smaller. Therefore, the digital camera lens can be
widely applied to the mobile device, e.g. the cellphone, hand-held
game console, MP3 player, notebook computer, tablet PC, global
positioning system, event data recorder, etc.
[0004] Since the pixels of the photosensitive element of the
digital camera lens are getting higher and higher, the request for
the imaging quality of the digital camera is also getting higher
and higher. Currently, the protective lens for the mobile device
having a photographing function in the market is usually made of a
transparent acrylic material or other transparent macromolecular
materials. The protective lens made by these materials provides the
basic protection for the digital camera lens, and enables the
digital camera lens to be normally imaged without being damaged.
However, when the digital camera is used by the user for a period
of time, the surface of the protective lens made by the acrylic
material or the transparent macromolecular material will be damaged
due to the frequent friction or collision. At this time, if the
digital camera lens takes images via the damaged surface of the
protective lens, the imaging quality will be poor, or the
photosensitive element cannot correctly and effectively determine
the imaging of the object to be taken, which results in the output
of the noise. This causes the function of the digital camera to be
lowered or inactive.
[0005] Please refer to FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b). FIG. 1(a) shows the
front of a conventional image capturing device 10, and FIG. 1(b)
shows the back of the conventional image capturing device 10 of
FIG. 1(a). As shown in FIG. 1(a), the conventional image capturing
device 10 includes a front housing 101, a liquid crystal display
102 and keys 103. As shown in FIG. 1(b), the conventional image
capturing device 10 further includes a protective lens 104 and a
back housing 105.
[0006] Please refer to FIG. 2, which shows a conventional image
capturing device structure 12. The conventional image capturing
device structure 12 includes a protective lens 104, a back housing
105 and a lens module 106. The protective lens 104 is disposed on
the back housing 105 for protecting the lens module 106 thereunder.
The protecting lens 104 is mainly made of a macromolecular
material, which includes the acrylics or polycarbonate resin.
[0007] Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a cross-sectional view of
the conventional image capturing device structure 12 of FIG. 2. As
shown in FIG. 3, the image capturing device structure 12 further
includes a liquid crystal display 102 and a circuit board 107. The
lens module 106 is electrically connected to the circuit board 107.
The circuit board 107 is disposed under the back housing 105. The
back housing 105 surrounds the lens module 106. The lens module 106
is disposed under the protecting lens 104 so that it can be
protected by the protecting lens 104.
[0008] In FIG. 3, the tempered glass also can serve as the
protecting lens 104 for the lens module 106. Although the tempered
glass is harder than the macromolecular material, the user might be
scraped by the tempered glass due to frequent use. Besides, if the
image capturing device 10 is fallen onto a hard surface (e.g. the
ground) by accident, the tempered glass would be cracked due to the
collision of external force. The cracked surface has a sharp angle
so that the user is easily cut thereby. Therefore, using the temped
glass to serve as the protecting lens 104 for the lens module 106
has potential danger.
[0009] Another prior art is to use the stack of multi-layers of
materials to serve as the protecting lens 104. However, such stack
will result in the loss of light, the poor imaging and the
generation of noise.
[0010] Please refer to FIG. 4, which is a cross-sectional view of
another conventional image capturing device structure 14 in the
Taiwan Patent No. M267775. The image capturing device structure 14
includes a protecting lens with multi-layers of materials 109, a
back housing 105, a lens module 106, a circuit board 107 and a
liquid crystal display 102. The protecting lens with multi-layers
of materials 109 includes a protecting lens 104 and a protecting
layer 108. Although the protecting layer 108 can enhance the
protecting ability of the protecting lens with multi-layers of
materials 109, the transmittance will be greatly reduced, thereby
affecting the imaging quality of the lens module 106.
[0011] In order to overcome the drawbacks in the prior art, an
image capturing device is , provided. The particular design in the
present invention not only solves the problems described above, but
also is easy to be implemented. Thus, the present invention has the
utility for the industry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention provides a protecting lens for a
camera lens module of an image capturing device. The protecting
lens is made of sapphire. The sapphire has a single-crystal
structure and different crystal axes. The hardness of the sapphire
substrate is only smaller than that of the diamond. Using the
sapphire to serve as the material of the protecting lens can
achieve the scratch-resistant, anti-wear and impact-resistant
effects. Besides, the excellent mechanical characteristic of the
sapphire also can eliminate the reduction of yield or performance
due to the collision of external force in the manufacturing
process, reduce the loss due to the conveyance in the manufacturing
process, and provide a great scratch-resistant function for the
lens.
[0013] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an
image capturing device is provided. The image capturing device
includes a lens device including a first housing; and a sapphire
lens directly connected to the first housing for protecting the
lens device, wherein the sapphire lens includes a crystal structure
and has a crystal axis, the crystal structure is a single-crystal
structure, and the crystal axis includes one selected from a group
consisting of c-axis (0001), a-axis (1210), a-axis (1120), a-axis
(2110), a-axis (1120), a-axis (21 10), a-axis (1210), m-axis
(1010), m-axis (1100), m-axis (0110), m-axis (1010), m-axis (1100),
m-axis (0110), r-axis (1011), r-axis (1011), r-axis (0111), r-axis
(011 1), r-axis (1101) and r-axis (1101).
[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
an image capturing device is provided. The image capturing device
includes a lens device having a hollow area; and a sapphire lens
disposed in the hollow area for protecting the lens device, wherein
the sapphire lens includes a crystal structure and has a crystal
axis, the crystal structure is a single-crystal structure, and the
crystal axis includes one selected from a group consisting of
c-axis (0001), a-axis (1210), a-axis (1120), a-axis (2110), a-axis
(1120), a-axis (21 10), a-axis (1210), m-axis (1010), m-axis
(1100), m-axis (0110), m-axis (1010), m-axis (1100), m-axis (0110),
r-axis (1011), r-axis (1011), r-axis (0111), r-axis (011 1), r-axis
(1101) and r-axis (1101).
[0015] In accordance with a further aspect of the present
invention, an image capturing device is provided. The image
capturing device includes a lens device; and a sapphire lens
directly connected to the lens device, wherein the sapphire lens
includes a crystal structure and has a crystal axis, the crystal
structure is a single-crystal structure, and the crystal axis
includes one selected from a group consisting of c-axis (0001),
a-axis (1210), a-axis (1120), a-axis (2110), a-axis (1120), a-axis
(21 10), a-axis (1210), m-axis (1010), m-axis (1100), m-axis
(0110), m-axis (1010), m-axis (1100), m-axis (0110), r-axis (1011),
r-axis (1011), r-axis (0111), r-axis (011 1), r-axis (1101) and
r-axis (1101).
[0016] In accordance with further another aspect of the present
invention, an image capturing device is provided. The image
capturing device includes a lens device; and a sapphire lens
directly connected to the lens device.
[0017] In accordance with further another aspect of the present
invention, a lens device is provided. The lens device includes a
lens module; and a sapphire lens disposed on the lens module to
constitute the lens device.
[0018] The above objects and advantages of the present invention
will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in
the art after reviewing the following detailed descriptions and
accompanying drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1(a) shows the front of a conventional image capturing
device;
[0020] FIG. 1(b) shows the back of the conventional image capturing
device of FIG. 1(a);
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a conventional image capturing device
structure;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the conventional image
capturing device structure of FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another conventional
image capturing device structure in the Taiwan Patent No.
M267775;
[0024] FIG. 5(a) shows the front of an image capturing device
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 5(b) shows the back of the image capturing device of
FIG. 5(a);
[0026] FIG. 5(c) is a cross-sectional view of an image capturing
device structure according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 6(a) shows the front of an image capturing device
according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 6(b) shows the back of the image capturing device of
FIG. 6(a);
[0029] FIG. 6(c) is a cross-sectional view of an image capturing
device structure according to a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0030] FIG. 6(d) is a top view of the sapphire lens;
[0031] FIG. 6(e) shows how the first back housing is connected to
the sapphire lens;
[0032] FIG. 7(a) shows the front of an image capturing device
according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 7(b) shows the back of the image capturing device of
FIG. 7(a);
[0034] FIG. 7(c) is a cross-sectional view of an image capturing
device structure according to a third embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0035] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an image capturing
device structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0036] The present invention will now be described more
specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to
be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments
of this invention are presented herein for the purposes of
illustration and description only; it is not intended to be
exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed.
[0037] Please refer to FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b). FIG. 5(a) shows the
front of an image capturing device 20 according to a first
embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5(b) shows the back
of the image capturing device 20 of FIG. 5(a). As shown in FIG.
5(a), the image capturing device 20 includes a front housing 201, a
liquid crystal display 202 and keys 203. As shown in FIG. 5(b), the
image capturing device 20 further includes a sapphire lens 204 and
a back housing 205. Preferably, the image capturing device 20 is a
hand-held device having a photographing function. The sapphire lens
204 can also be applied to the mobile device, e.g. the hand-held
game console, MP3 player, notebook computer, tablet PC, global
positioning system, event data recorder, etc.
[0038] Please refer to FIG. 5(c), which is a cross-sectional view
of an image capturing device structure 22 according to a first
embodiment of the present invention. The image capturing device
structure 22 includes the sapphire lens 204, the glue 210, a lens
device 208 and the liquid crystal display 202. The lens device 208
includes a lens module 206, a circuit board 207 and the back
housing 205. The lens module 206 is coupled to the circuit board
207. For example, the back housing 205 is a back housing of a
cellphone. The back housing 205 is disposed on the liquid crystal
display 202 and surrounds the lens module 206. The back housing 205
has an opening area 209 corresponding to the position of the lens
module 206 so that the lens module 206 can take images
therethrough. The sapphire lens 204 is directly connected to the
lens device 208 via the glue 210 at a first temperature.
[0039] The sapphire lens 204 has a crystal axis, a crystal
structure and a transmittance. The crystal axis includes one
selected from a group consisting of c-axis (0001), a-axis (1210),
a-axis (1 120), a-axis (2110), a-axis (1120), a-axis (2110), a-axis
(1210), m-axis (1010), m-axis (1100), m-axis (0110), m-axis (1010),
m-axis (1100), m-axis (0110), r-axis (1011), r-axis (1011), r-axis
(0111), r-axis (011 1), r-axis (1101) and r-axis (1101). The
crystal structure is a single-crystal structure, and the
transmittance is larger than or equal to 80%. Since the sapphire
lens 204 has a hard material and a large mechanical strength, and
is scratch-resisting and anticorrosive, it is suitable for serving
as a protecting lens for the image capturing device 20. However,
not all kinds of sapphires are suitable for serving as the
protecting lens. Only the sapphire having a single-crystal
structure is suitable for serving as the protecting lens since the
transmittance thereof is larger than 80%; the sapphire having a
poly-crystal structure is not suitable for serving as the
protecting lens since the transmittance thereof is smaller than
60%, which does not meet the requirement.
[0040] Moreover, the physical or optical characteristics of the
sapphire lens 204 vary with the crystal axis thereof. For example,
the physical characteristics of the sapphire lens 204 include at
least one of the hardness, the Young's modulus, the compressive
strength and the thermal conductivity. For example, the optical
characteristics of the sapphire lens 204 include the transmittance.
Table 1 shows the comparison of each crystal axis of the sapphire
lens 204 with the tempered glass on the physical and optical
characteristics.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 C-axis of A-axis of R-axis of M-axis of the
the the the Tempered Characteristic Unit sapphire sapphire sapphire
sapphire glass Hardness Kgf/cm2 2150 .+-. 50 1850 .+-. 50 2200 .+-.
50 1850 .+-. 50 674 Young's GPa 460 .+-. 50 460 .+-. 50 460 .+-. 50
460 .+-. 50 71.7 modulus Compressive MPa .gtoreq.2000 .gtoreq.2000
.gtoreq.2000 .gtoreq.2000 .gtoreq.800 strength Thermal W/m-k 32
.+-. 5 32 .+-. 5 32 .+-. 5 32 .+-. 5 1.2 conductivity Transmittance
% >85 >85 >85 >85 >90
[0041] When the crystal axis of the sapphire lens 204 is anyone of
the c-axis, a-axis, m-axis and r-axis, the hardness, the Young's
modulus, the compressive strength and the thermal conductivity of
the sapphire lens 204 are all far better than those of the tempered
glass. Although the transmittance of the sapphire lens 204 is a bit
lower than that of the tempered glass, it is still not bad.
[0042] In one embodiment, for enhancing the transmittance of the
sapphire lens 204, before the sapphire lens 204 is connected to the
back housing 205, an anti-reflection layer (not shown) can be
plated on the sapphire lens 204 first. The number of layers and the
thickness of the anti-reflection layer are related to the
transmittance. The anti-reflection layer includes at least one
layer. Preferably, the anti-reflection layer includes tens of
layers. The thickness of each layer is about 3-5 microns.
[0043] The anti-reflection layer can be formed on the surface 211
or the surface 212 of the sapphire lens 204. Before the
anti-reflection layer is formed on the sapphire lens 204, the
transmittance is at least above 80%. After the anti-reflection
layer is formed on the sapphire lens 204, the transmittance is at
least above 95%. The anti-reflection layer can be formed via the
physical vapor deposition or chemical vapor deposition. Besides,
the anti-reflection layer includes the metal oxide or semiconductor
oxide.
[0044] In another embodiment, since the sapphire lens 204 is more
heat-resistant and anticorrosive than general materials, before it
is connected to the back housing 205, a printing ink layer (not
shown) or a decorative film layer (not shown) can be formed on the
sapphire lens 204 via a specific process at a second temperature.
The specific process includes the printing ink transfer, physical
vapor deposition, laser carving, silk printing or spraying.
[0045] In another embodiment, the anti-reflection layer and the
printing ink layer can be formed on the surface 211 or the surface
212 of the sapphire lens 204 according to different order, or
formed on the surface 211 of the sapphire lens 204 and the surface
212 thereof respectively.
[0046] Please refer to FIG. 5(c) again. In the first embodiment of
the present invention, the sapphire lens 204 is directly connected
to the back housing 205 via the glue 210 for protecting the lens
module 206. The back housing 205 is a housing for a cellphone. The
glue 210 is a macromolecular glue having a connecting reaction at
the first temperature. The macromolecular glue includes the
high-temperature reaction glue, photosensitive glue (e.g. the UV
glue) or dual-composition glue.
[0047] In another embodiment, the anti-reflection layer or the
printing ink layer has been formed on the sapphire lens 204. The
anti-reflection layer or the printing ink layer is directly
connected to the back housing 205 via the glue 210.
[0048] In another embodiment, through the heat-resistant
characteristic of the sapphire lens 204, the sapphire lens 204 is
heter-connected to the back housing 205 at a third temperature
without using the glue 210.
[0049] Please refer to FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b). FIG. 6(a) shows the
front of an image capturing device 30 according to a first
embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6(b) shows the back
of the image capturing device 30 of FIG. 6(a). As shown in FIG.
6(a), the image capturing device 30 includes a front housing 301, a
liquid crystal display 302 and keys 303. As shown in FIG. 6(b), the
image capturing device 30 further includes a sapphire lens 304, a
first back housing 311 and a second back housing 305. In one
embodiment, the first back housing 311 is a battery housing, and
the second back housing 305 is a back housing of a cellphone.
[0050] Please refer to FIG. 6(c), which is a cross-sectional view
of an image capturing device structure 32 according to a second
embodiment of the present invention. The image capturing device
structure 32 includes the sapphire lens 304, a lens device 308 and
the liquid crystal display 302. The lens device 308 includes a lens
module 306, a circuit board 307 and the second back housing 305.
The lens module 306 is coupled to the circuit board 307. The second
back housing 305 is disposed on the liquid crystal display 302 and
surrounds the lens module 306. The second back housing 305 has an
opening area 309 corresponding to the position of the lens module
306.
[0051] Please refer to FIG. 6(d), which is a top view of the
sapphire lens 304. As shown in FIG. 6(d), the sapphire lens 304 has
a plurality of openings 313, and the first back housing 311 also
has an opening area 312. The opening areas 312, 309 are both
corresponding to the position of the lens module 306 so that the
lens module 306 can take images therethrough.
[0052] Please refer to FIG. 6(e), which shows how the first back
housing 311 is connected to the sapphire lens 304. The sapphire
lens 304 has a protruding portion 315 aligned with the lens module
306, as shown in FIGS. 6(c) and 6(e). The first back housing 311
has a plurality of hot-melt pillars 314. The first back housing 311
is connected to the sapphire lens 304 by causing the hot-melt
pillars 314 to pass through the openings 313 and heating the
hot-melt pillars 314. The hot-melt pillars 314 will be melted into
the glues (not shown) due to the heating. The hot-melt pillars 314
are made of thermoplastic materials. In another embodiment, through
the heat-resistant characteristic of the sapphire lens 304, the
sapphire lens 304 can be heter-connected to the first back housing
311 at a fourth temperature without heating the hot-melt pillars
314 to form the glues.
[0053] Identical to the first embodiment of the present invention,
before the sapphire lens 304 is connected to the first back housing
311, a film can be plated on the sapphire lens 304 first. For
example, the film can be the anti-reflection layer, the printing
ink layer or the decorative film layer to enhance the transmittance
and aesthetic feeling.
[0054] Please refer to FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b). FIG. 7(a) shows the
front of an image capturing device 40 according to a third
embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7(b) shows the back
of the image capturing device 40 of FIG. 7(a). As shown in FIG.
7(a), the image capturing device 40 includes a front housing 401, a
liquid crystal display 402 and keys 403. As shown in FIG. 7(b), the
image capturing device 40 further includes a sapphire lens 404 and
a back housing 405. The back housing 405 has a hollow area 413 for
embedding the sapphire lens 404 therein.
[0055] Please refer to FIG. 7(c), which is a cross-sectional view
of an image capturing device structure 42 according to a third
embodiment of the present invention. The image capturing device
structure 42 includes the sapphire lens 404, the glue 410, a lens
device 408 and the liquid crystal display 402. The lens device 408
includes a lens module 406, a circuit board 407 and the back
housing 405. The back housing 405 has an opening area 409
corresponding to the position of the lens module 406 so that the
lens module 406 can take images therethrough. The sapphire lens 404
has a plurality of recesses 414.
[0056] Similarly, before the sapphire lens 404 is connected to the
back housing 405, a film can be plated on the sapphire lens 404
first. For example, the film can be the anti-reflection layer, the
printing ink layer or the decorative film layer to enhance the
transmittance and aesthetic feeling.
[0057] The sapphire lens 404 is embedded in the hollow area 413 by
an injection molding technology. Firstly, the recesses 414 are
formed on the sapphire lens 404 in the way of polishing or etching.
Then, the sapphire lens 404 is placed in a mold (not shown),
wherein the mold has a shape identical to that of the back housing
405, and the sapphire lens 404 is placed in a position
corresponding to the position of the hollow area 413. Next, a
plastic fluid (not shown) is poured into the mold at a fifth
temperature, and the back housing 405 is formed by the injection
molding technology to cause the sapphire lens 404 to be embedded in
the hollow area 413 of the back housing 405.
[0058] In one embodiment, the back housing 405 is made of plastics.
When the sapphire lens 404 is connected to the back housing 405 via
the glue 410, the recesses 414 have the function of dredging the
plastic fluid and the glue 410. At the fifth temperature, the
plastic fluid and the glue 410 will be overflowed onto one or both
of the surface 411 and the surface 412 of the sapphire lens 404.
The recesses 414 can prevent the plastic fluid and the glue 410
from overflowing. In another embodiment, the glue 410 can be
omitted, and the recesses 414 can prevent the plastic fluid from
overflowing. After the injection molding, the sapphire lens 404 is
naturally embedded in the hollow area 413 of the back housing
405.
[0059] Please refer to FIG. 8, which is a cross-sectional view of
an image capturing device structure 52 according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention. The image capturing device
structure 52 includes a lens device 508 and a liquid crystal
display 502. The lens device 508 includes a lens module 506, a
sapphire lens 504 and a housing 505. The sapphire lens 504 is
disposed on the lens module 506, directly serves as the
image-capturing optical lens for the lens module 506, and
simultaneously has the high-hardness, scratch-resistant, anti-wear
and impact-resistant characteristics.
Embodiments
[0060] 1. An image capturing device, comprising:
[0061] a lens device including a first housing; and
[0062] a sapphire lens directly connected to the first housing for
protecting the lens device, wherein the sapphire lens includes a
crystal structure and has a crystal axis, the crystal structure is
a single-crystal structure, and the crystal axis includes one
selected from a group consisting of c-axis (0001), a-axis (1210),
a-axis (1120), a-axis (2110), a-axis (1120), a-axis (2110), a-axis
(1210), m-axis (1010), m-axis (1100), m-axis (0110), m-axis (1010),
m-axis (1100), m-axis (0110), r-axis (1011), r-axis (1011), r-axis
(0111), r-axis (011 1), r-axis (1101) and r-axis (1101).
2. The image capturing device of Embodiment 1, wherein:
[0063] the lens device further includes a lens module and a circuit
board coupled to the lens module, and the first housing surrounds
the lens module;
[0064] the sapphire lens is connected to the first housing via a
glue at a first temperature, wherein the glue is a macromolecular
glue having an adhesion reaction at the first temperature and
including one selected from a group consisting of a
high-temperature reaction glue, a photosensitive glue and a
dual-composition glue; and
[0065] the sapphire lens is heter-connected to the first housing at
a second temperature.
3. The image capturing device of any one of Embodiments 1-2,
wherein:
[0066] the first housing is a cellphone housing; and
[0067] the image capturing device further includes a liquid crystal
display, and the lens device is disposed on the liquid crystal
display.
4. The image capturing device of any one of Embodiments 1-3,
wherein:
[0068] the lens device further includes a second housing, a lens
module and a circuit board;
[0069] the sapphire lens is connected to the first housing via a
glue, wherein the glue is a macromolecular glue including one
selected from a group consisting of a high-temperature reaction
glue, a photosensitive glue and a dual-composition glue;
[0070] the first housing has a plurality of hot-melt pillars, and
the sapphire lens has a plurality of openings;
[0071] the first housing is connected to the sapphire lens by
causing the hot-melt pillars to pass through the openings and
heating the hot-melt pillars, wherein the hot-melt pillars include
a thermoplastic material;
[0072] the sapphire lens has a protruding portion aligned with the
lens module; and
[0073] the second housing surrounds the lens module, and the
circuit board is coupled to the lens module.
5. The image capturing device of any one of Embodiments 1-4,
wherein:
[0074] the first housing is a battery housing, and the second
housing is a cellphone housing; and
[0075] the image capturing device further includes a liquid crystal
display, and the lens device is disposed on the liquid crystal
display.
6. An image capturing device, comprising:
[0076] a lens device having a hollow area; and
[0077] a sapphire lens disposed in the hollow area for protecting
the lens device, wherein the sapphire lens includes a crystal
structure and has a crystal axis, the crystal structure is a
single-crystal structure, and the crystal axis includes one
selected from a group consisting of c-axis (0001), a-axis (1210),
a-axis (1120), a-axis (2110), a-axis (1120), a-axis (2110), a-axis
(1210), m-axis (1010), m-axis (1100), m-axis (0110), m-axis (1010),
m-axis (1100), m-axis (0110), r-axis (1011), r-axis (1011), r-axis
(0111), r-axis (011 1), r-axis (1101) and r-axis (1101).
7. The image capturing device of Embodiment 6, wherein:
[0078] the lens device further includes a housing, a lens module
and a circuit board coupled to the lens module, and the housing
surrounds the lens module;
[0079] the housing has the hollow area, and when the sapphire lens
is placed in a mold, the sapphire lens is embedded in the hollow
area by an injection molding technology;
[0080] the sapphire lens is connected to the lens device via a glue
so that the lens device is protected by the sapphire lens, wherein
the glue is a macromolecular glue including one selected from a
group consisting of a high-temperature reaction glue, a
photosensitive glue and a dual-composition glue; and
[0081] the sapphire lens has a plurality of recesses, the housing
includes a plastic, and when the sapphire lens is connected to the
housing via the glue, the recesses prevent the plastic from
overflowing.
8. The image capturing device of any one of Embodiments 6-7,
wherein:
[0082] the first housing is a cellphone housing; and
[0083] the image capturing device further includes a liquid crystal
display, and the lens device is disposed on the liquid crystal
display.
9. An image capturing device, comprising:
[0084] a lens device; and
[0085] a sapphire lens directly connected to the lens device,
wherein the sapphire lens includes a crystal structure and has a
crystal axis, the crystal structure is a single-crystal structure,
and the crystal axis includes one selected from a group consisting
of c-axis (0001), a-axis (1210), a-axis (1120), a-axis (2110),
a-axis (1120), a-axis (2110), a-axis (1210), m-axis (1010), m-axis
(100), m-axis (0110), m-axis (1010), m-axis (1100), m-axis (0110),
r-axis (1011), r-axis (1011), r-axis (0111), r-axis (011 1), r-axis
(1101) and r-axis (1101).
10. The image capturing device of Embodiment 9, wherein:
[0086] the lens device includes a lens module, a housing
surrounding the lens module, and a circuit board coupled to the
lens module;
[0087] the sapphire lens is connected to the lens device via a glue
so that the lens device is protected by the sapphire lens, wherein
the glue is a macromolecular glue including one selected from a
group consisting of a high-temperature reaction glue, a
photosensitive glue and a dual-composition glue;
[0088] the sapphire lens is connected to the housing via the
macromolecular glue at a first temperature; and
[0089] the sapphire lens is heter-connected to the housing at a
second temperature.
11. The image capturing device of any one of Embodiments 9-10,
wherein:
[0090] the housing is a cellphone housing; and
[0091] the image capturing device further includes a liquid crystal
display, and the lens device is disposed on the liquid crystal
display.
12. The image capturing device of any one of Embodiments 9-11,
wherein:
[0092] the lens device includes a first housing, a second housing,
a lens module and a circuit board;
[0093] the sapphire lens is connected to the lens device via a glue
so that the lens device is protected by the sapphire lens, wherein
the glue is a macromolecular glue including one selected from a
group consisting of a high-temperature reaction glue, a
photosensitive glue and a dual-composition glue;
[0094] the first housing includes a plurality of hot-melt pillars,
and the sapphire lens includes a plurality of openings;
[0095] the first housing is connected to the sapphire lens by
causing the hot-melt pillars to pass through the openings and
heating the hot-melt pillars, wherein the hot-melt pillars include
a thermoplastic material; and
[0096] the sapphire lens has a protruding portion aligned with the
lens module;
[0097] the second housing surrounds the lens module, and the
circuit board is coupled to the lens module.
13. The image capturing device of any one of Embodiments 9-12,
wherein:
[0098] the first housing is a battery housing, and the second
housing is a cellphone housing; and
[0099] the image capturing device further includes a liquid crystal
display, and the lens device is disposed on the liquid crystal
display.
14. An image capturing device, comprising:
[0100] a lens device; and
[0101] a sapphire lens directly connected to the lens device.
15. The image capturing device of Embodiment 14, wherein:
[0102] the sapphire lens includes a crystal structure and has a
crystal axis, the crystal structure is a single-crystal structure,
and the crystal axis includes one selected from a group consisting
of c-axis (0001), a-axis (1210), a-axis (1120), a-axis (2110),
a-axis (1120), a-axis (2110), a-axis (1210), m-axis (1010), m-axis
(1100), m-axis (0110), m-axis (1010), m-axis (1100), m-axis (0110),
r-axis (1011), r-axis (1011), r-axis (0111), r-axis (011 1), r-axis
(1101) and r- axis (1101);
[0103] the lens device includes a lens module, a housing
surrounding the lens module, and a circuit board coupled to the
lens module;
[0104] the sapphire lens is connected to the lens device via a glue
so that the lens device is protected by the sapphire lens, wherein
the glue is a macromolecular glue including one selected from a
group consisting of a high-temperature reaction glue, a
photosensitive glue and a dual-composition glue;
[0105] the sapphire lens is connected to the housing via the
macromolecular glue at a first temperature, wherein the
macromolecular glue has an adhesion reaction at the first
temperature; and the sapphire lens is heter-connected to the
housing at a second temperature.
16. The image capturing device of any one of Embodiments 14-15,
wherein:
[0106] the housing is a cellphone housing; and
[0107] the image capturing device further includes a liquid crystal
display, and the lens device is disposed on the liquid crystal
display.
17. The image capturing device of any one of Embodiments 14-16,
wherein:
[0108] the sapphire lens includes a crystal structure and has a
crystal axis, the crystal structure is a single-crystal structure,
and the crystal axis includes one selected from a group consisting
of c-axis (0001), a-axis (1210), a-axis (1120), a-axis (2110),
a-axis (1120) a-axis (2110), a-axis (1210), m-axis (1010), m-axis
(1100), m-axis (0110), m-axis (1010), m-axis (1100), m-axis (0110),
r-axis (1011), r-axis (1011), r-axis (0111), r-axis (0111), r-axis
(1101) and r-axis (1101);
[0109] the lens device includes a first housing, a second housing,
a lens module and a circuit board;
[0110] the sapphire lens is connected to the lens device via a glue
so that the lens device is protected by the sapphire lens, wherein
the glue is a macromolecular glue including one selected from a
group consisting of a high-temperature reaction glue, a
photosensitive glue and a dual-composition glue;
[0111] the first housing includes a plurality of hot-melt pillars,
and the sapphire lens includes a plurality of openings;
[0112] the first housing is connected to the sapphire lens by
causing the hot-melt pillars to pass through the openings and
heating the hot-melt pillars, wherein the hot-melt pillars include
a thermoplastic material;
[0113] the sapphire lens has a protruding portion aligned with the
lens module; and the second housing surrounds the lens module, and
the circuit board is coupled to the lens module.
18. The image capturing device of any one of Embodiments 14-17,
wherein:
[0114] the first housing is a battery housing, and the second
housing is a cellphone housing; and
[0115] the image capturing device further includes a liquid crystal
display, and the lens device is disposed on the liquid crystal
display.
19. The image capturing device of any one of Embodiments 14-18,
wherein:
[0116] the lens device includes a lens module, a housing
surrounding the lens module, and a circuit board coupled to the
lens module;
[0117] the sapphire lens is embedded in the lens device;
[0118] the housing has a hollow area, and when the sapphire lens is
placed in a mold, the sapphire lens is embedded in the hollow area
by an injection molding technology;
[0119] the sapphire lens is connected to the lens device via a glue
so that the lens device is protected by the sapphire lens, wherein
the glue is a macromolecular glue including one selected from a
group consisting of a high-temperature reaction glue, a
photosensitive glue and a dual-composition glue;
[0120] the sapphire lens includes a plurality of recesses, the
housing includes a plastic, and when the sapphire lens is connected
to the housing via the glue, the recesses prevent the plastic from
overflowing;
[0121] the housing is a cellphone housing; and
[0122] the image capturing device further includes a liquid crystal
display, and the lens device is disposed on the liquid crystal
display.
20. A lens device, comprising:
[0123] a lens module; and
[0124] a sapphire lens disposed on the lens module to constitute
the lens device.
[0125] While the invention has been described in terms of what is
presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be
limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is
intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which
are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to
encompass all such modifications and similar structures.
* * * * *