U.S. patent number RE39,874 [Application Number 10/819,888] was granted by the patent office on 2007-10-09 for lens with variable focus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Varioptic. Invention is credited to Bruno Berge, Jerome Peseux.
United States Patent |
RE39,874 |
Berge , et al. |
October 9, 2007 |
Lens with variable focus
Abstract
A variable focus lens comprising a chamber (12) filled with a
first liquid (13), a drop of a second liquid (11) being disposed at
rest on a region of a first surface of an insulating wall of the
chamber, the first and second liquids being non miscible, of
different optical indexes and of substantially same density. The
first liquid is conductive and the second liquid is insulating. The
lens further comprises means for applying a voltage between the
conductor liquid and an electrode (16) placed on the second surface
of said wall; and centering means for maintaining the centering of
the edge of the drop while the voltage is applied and for
controlling the shape thereof.
Inventors: |
Berge; Bruno (Lyons,
FR), Peseux; Jerome (Solaize, FR) |
Assignee: |
Varioptic (Lyons,
FR)
|
Family
ID: |
9512167 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/819,888 |
Filed: |
October 7, 1998 |
PCT
Filed: |
October 07, 1998 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/FR98/02143 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
July 25, 2000 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO99/18456 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
April 15, 1999 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
09529193 |
Jul 25, 2000 |
06369954 |
Apr 9, 2002 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Oct 8, 1997 [FR] |
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97 12781 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
359/666; 349/200;
359/291; 359/665 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B
1/0019 (20130101); G02B 3/14 (20130101); G02B
26/005 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G02B
1/06 (20060101); G02B 26/00 (20060101); G02B
3/12 (20060101); G02F 1/13 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;349/57,200
;359/290,291,665,666 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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822 886 |
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Jan 1937 |
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FR |
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2001-013306 |
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Jan 2001 |
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JP |
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Other References
"Mechanically Assisted Liquid Zoom Lens System", F.C. Wippermann,
P. Schreiber, A. Brauer and B. Berge; Novel Optical Systems Design
and Optimization IX; Proceedings of SPIE vol. 6289 (2006) pp.
62890T 1-9. cited by examiner .
"Liquid Lens Based on Electrowetting", J. Crassous, C. Gabay, G.
Liogier and B. Berge; Adaptive Optics and Applications III;
Proceedings of SPIE vol. 5639 (2004) pp. 143-148. cited by examiner
.
"Variable Focus Liquid Lens for Portable Applications", S. Kuiper,
B.H.W. Hendricks, L.J. Huijbregrts, a. Hirschberg, C. A. Renders
and M.A.J. vanAs; Current Developments in Lens Design and Optical
Engineering V; Proceedings of SPIE vol. 5523 (2004) pp. 100-109.
cited by examiner .
Sheridon, N.K.; Electrocapillary Imaging Devices for Display and
Data Storage; Xerox Disclosure Journal; vol. 4, No. 3 May 1979, pp.
385 and 386. cited by examiner .
Berge, B; Electrocapillarite et mouillage de films isolants par
l'eau; Comptes Rendus Des Seances De L'Academie Des Sciences, vol.
317, No. 2, Jun. 22, 1993; pp. 157-163. cited by examiner.
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Primary Examiner: Spector; David N.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Foley & Lardner LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A variable focus lens comprising a chamber (12) filled with a
first liquid (13), a drop of a second liquid (11) being disposed at
rest on a region of a first surface of an insulating wall of the
chamber, the first and second liquids being non miscible, of
different optical indexes and of substantially same density,
characterized in that: the first liquid is conductive; the second
liquid is insulating; in that it comprises: means for applying a
voltage between the conductor liquid and an electrode (16; 26;
35-37; 75-79) placed on the second surface of said wall; and
centering means for maintaining the centering of the edge of the
drop while the voltage is applied and for controlling the shape
thereof.
2. The variable focus lens according to claim 1, in which the
centering means allows a continuous maintaining of the centering of
the drop and a continuous control of the shape of the edge of the
drop while a varying voltage is applied by said means for applying
a voltage.
3. The variable focus lens according to claim 2, in which the first
surface is substantially flat, the contact region (15) is circular
and centered about an axis (O) which is perpendicular to the first
surface.
4. The variable focus lens according to claim 3, in which the
centering means corresponds to a progressive thickening of the
second surface of the wall of the chamber towards said axis, said
electrode (26) being applied against said second surface.
5. The variable focus lens according to claim 3, in which the
centering means corresponds to a radial decrease of the wetting
with respect to the first liquid (13), towards the center of said
contact region (15) with the second liquid.
6. The variable focus lens according to claim 3, in which the
centering means corresponds to a radial gradient of the dielectric
constant of said wall of the chamber (53) at the level of said
contact region (15) with the second liquid.
7. The variable focus lens according to claim 1, in which the first
surface is substantially flat, the contact region (15) is circular
and centered about an axis (O) perpendicular to the first surface,
and wherein the centering means comprises an electrode formed of
one or several circular concentric strips (35-37) insulated from
each other, centered about said axis, the circular strips being
supplied by distinct voltage sources of values decreasing towards
said axis.
8. The variable focus lens according to claim 1, in which the
chamber is cylindrical, the first surface is the internal surface
of the chamber, the contact region with the second liquid
corresponds to a cylindrical section of the chamber, the centering
means is comprised of one or several cylindrical electrodes of same
diameter, insulated from each other, placed side by side against
the external surface of the chamber at the level of the border of
said contact region, the electrodes being supplied by different
voltage of values decreasing towards the center of said contact
region.
9. The variable focus lens according to claim 1, in which the first
surface is substantially flat, the contact region (15) is
rectangular and symmetric with respect to an axis (O) perpendicular
to the first surface and the centering means is comprised of an
electrode formed of one or several rectangular concentric strips
insulated from each other, symmetric with respect to said axis (O),
the rectangular strips being supplied by distinct voltage sources
of decreasing values towards said axis.
10. The variable focus lens according to claim 1, in which said
wall is comprised of two non parallel planes and in which said
region bridges said two planes.
.Iadd.11. A variable focus lens comprising: a chamber containing a
first liquid, the first liquid being conductive; a drop of a second
liquid being disposed on a contact region of a first surface of an
insulating wall of the chamber, the second liquid being insulating,
the first and second liquids being non miscible, of different
optical indexes and of substantially same density; a voltage source
configured for applying a voltage between the first liquid and an
electrode placed on a second surface of said wall; and centering
means for maintaining the centering of the edge of the drop while
the voltage is applied and for controlling the shape
thereof..Iaddend.
.Iadd.12. The variable focus lens according to claim 11, in which
the centering means allows a continuous maintaining of the
centering of the drop and a continuous control of the shape of the
edge of the drop while a varying voltage is applied by said voltage
source..Iaddend.
.Iadd.13. The variable focus lens according to claim 12, in which
the first surface is substantially flat, the contact region is
circular and centered about an axis which is perpendicular to the
first surface..Iaddend.
.Iadd.14. The variable focus lens according to claim 13, in which
the centering means corresponds to a progressive thickening of the
second surface of the wall of the chamber towards said axis, said
electrode being applied against said second surface..Iaddend.
.Iadd.15. The variable focus lens according to claim 13, in which
the centering means corresponds to a radial decrease of the wetting
with respect to the first liquid, towards the center of said
contact region with the second liquid..Iaddend.
.Iadd.16. The variable focus lens according to claim 13, in which
the centering means corresponds to a radial gradient of the
dielectric constant of said wall of the chamber at the level of
said contact region with the second liquid..Iaddend.
.Iadd.17. The variable focus lens according to claim 11, in which
the first surface is substantially flat, the contact region is
circular and centered about an axis perpendicular to the first
surface, and wherein the centering means comprises an electrode
formed of one or several circular concentric strips insulated from
each other, centered about said axis, the circular strips being
supplied by distinct voltage sources of values decreasing towards
said axis..Iaddend.
.Iadd.18. The variable focus lens according to claim 11, in which
the chamber is cylindrical, the first surface is the internal
surface of the chamber, the contact region with the second liquid
corresponds to a cylindrical section of the chamber, and the
centering means comprises: one or more cylindrical electrodes of
same diameter, insulated from each other, placed side by side
against an external surface of the chamber at the level of the
border of said contact region, the electrodes being supplied by
different voltages of values decreasing towards the center of said
contact region..Iaddend.
.Iadd.19. The variable focus lens according to claim 11, in which
the first surface is substantially flat, the contact region is
rectangular and symmetric with respect to an axis perpendicular to
the first surface, and the centering means comprises: an electrode
formed of one or more rectangular concentric strips insulated from
each other, symmetric with respect to said axis, the rectangular
strips being supplied by distinct voltage sources of decreasing
values towards said axis..Iaddend.
.Iadd.20. The variable focus lens according to claim 11, in which
said wall is comprised of two non parallel planes and in which said
contact region bridges said two planes..Iaddend.
.Iadd.21. The variable focus lens according to claim 14, wherein
the progressive thickening of the second surface comprises a
dielectric drop centered about said axis..Iaddend.
.Iadd.22. The variable focus lens according to claim 11, in which
the first surface is substantially flat, the contact region is
circular and centered about an axis perpendicular to the first
surface, and wherein the centering means comprises an electrode
formed of circular concentric strips insulated from each other,
centered about said axis, the concentric strips being connected to
each other via switches configured to vary the number of concentric
strips to which a voltage is applied to vary the shape of the
drop..Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. The variable focus lens according to claim 11, wherein
the first surface has one of a concave and a convex
shape..Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. The variable focus lens according to claim 11, wherein
the contact region has a high wetting with respect to the
drop..Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. The variable focus lens according to claim 11, wherein
the contact region has a low wetting with respect to the first
liquid, and a region of the first surface surrounding the contact
region has a high wetting with respect to the first
liquid..Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. A variable focus lens comprising: a chamber containing a
first liquid, the first liquid being conductive; a drop of a second
liquid being disposed on a contact region of a first surface of an
insulating wall of the chamber, the second liquid being insulating,
the first and second liquids being non miscible, of different
optical indexes and of substantially same density; a voltage source
configured for applying a voltage between the first liquid and a
second conducting liquid contacting a second surface of said wall;
and centering means for maintaining the centering of the edge of
the drop while the voltage is applied and for controlling the shape
thereof..Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. An array of variable focus lenses, each of the lenses in
the array comprising: a chamber containing a first liquid, the
first liquid being conductive; a drop of a second liquid being
disposed on a contact region of a first surface of an insulating
wall of the chamber, the second liquid being insulating, the first
and second liquids being non miscible, of different optical indexes
and of substantially same density; a voltage source configured for
applying a voltage between the first liquid and an electrode placed
on a second surface of said wall; and centering means for
maintaining the centering of the edge of the drop while the voltage
is applied and for controlling the shape thereof..Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. The array of variable focus lenses according to claim 27,
wherein the lenses are arranged in groups of three..Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. The array of variable focus lenses according to claim 28,
wherein the groups of three comprises lenses colored in red, blue
and green..Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. The array of variable focus lenses according to claim 27,
wherein the lenses are arranged to form part of a color
screen..Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. The variable focus lens according to claim 11, wherein
the first liquid comprises water loaded with salts..Iaddend.
.Iadd.32. The variable focus lens according to claim 11, wherein
the second liquid comprises at least one of an oil, an alkane, and
a blend of alkanes..Iaddend.
.Iadd.33. The variable focus lens according to claim 11, wherein
the insulating wall comprises a glass plate treated with
silane..Iaddend.
.Iadd.34. The variable focus lens according to claim 11, wherein
the insulating wall comprises a glass plate coated with a coating
comprising fluorinated polymer..Iaddend.
.Iadd.35. The variable focus lens according to claim 34, wherein
the insulating wall comprises a glass plate coated with a coating
comprising a sandwich of fluorinated polymer, epoxy resin and
polyethylene..Iaddend.
.Iadd.36. The variable focus lens according to claim 11, wherein
the drop has a rest diameter of about 6 mm..Iaddend.
.Iadd.37. A variable focus lens comprising: a liquid containment
structure having a wall made of insulating material; a first,
conductive liquid contained in the liquid containment structure and
being in contact with the wall; a drop of a second, insulating
liquid being disposed on a contact region of a first insulating
surface of the wall of the liquid containment structure, the first
and second liquids being non miscible and of different optical
indexes; an electrode insulated from the first liquid and
positioned in the vicinity where the first liquid is in contact
with the wall; and a voltage source configured for creating an
electric field between the first liquid and the
electrode..Iaddend.
.Iadd.38. A variable focus lens according to claim 37, wherein the
wall of the liquid containment structure comprises a flat wall
member..Iaddend.
.Iadd.39. A variable focus lens according to claim 37, wherein the
wall of the liquid containment structure comprises a cylindrical
wall section..Iaddend.
.Iadd.40. A variable focus lens according to claim 39, wherein the
electrode comprises at least one cylindrical electrode surrounding
the cylindrical wall section..Iaddend.
.Iadd.41. A variable focus lens according to claim 37, wherein the
first and second liquids have substantially the same
density..Iaddend.
.Iadd.42. A variable focus lens according to claim 37, further
comprising a centering means for maintaining the centering of the
drop about its optical axis and for controlling the shape of the
drop while the voltage is applied..Iaddend.
.Iadd.43. A variable focus lens according to claim 42, wherein the
centering means comprises a cylindrical wall section containing the
drop..Iaddend.
.Iadd.44. A variable focus lens comprising: a chamber having a wall
of insulating material; a first liquid being disposed within the
chamber and contacting the wall of the chamber, the first liquid
being conducting; a second liquid being disposed within the chamber
and having an interface with the first liquid, the second liquid
being insulating, the first and second liquids being non miscible;
an electrode positioned on the opposite side of the wall with
respect to the first liquid; and a voltage source configured for
applying a voltage between the first liquid and the electrode so as
to change the wetability between the first liquid and the wall and
thereby change the shape of the interface between the first liquid
and the second liquid..Iaddend.
.Iadd.45. A variable focus lens according to claim 44, wherein the
chamber wall comprises a cylindrical wall section..Iaddend.
.Iadd.46. A variable focus lens according to claim 44, wherein the
first and second liquids have substantially the same
density..Iaddend.
.Iadd.47. A method of forming a lens of a variable focus lens,
comprising: providing a chamber containing a first liquid and a
second liquid, the first liquid being conductive and contacting a
wall of the chamber, the second liquid having an interface with the
first liquid, the second liquid being insulating, the first and
second liquids being non miscible, the wall being insulating; and
providing a voltage source for applying a voltage between the first
liquid and an electrode so as to increase the wetting between the
first liquid and the wall and thereby change the shape of the
interface between the first liquid and the second
liquid..Iaddend.
.Iadd.48. A method of forming a lens of a variable focus lens,
comprising: providing a chamber containing a first liquid and a
second liquid, the first liquid being conductive and contacting a
wall of the chamber, the second liquid having an interface with the
first liquid, the second liquid being insulating, the first and
second liquids being non miscible; and providing a plurality of
distinctive voltage sources for applying a plurality of distinctive
voltages between the first liquid and an electrode to thereby
change the shape of the interface between the first liquid and the
second liquid..Iaddend.
.Iadd.49. The method of forming a lens of a variable focus lens
according to claim 48, wherein at least one of the plurality of the
voltage sources comprises an alternating voltage
source..Iaddend.
.Iadd.50. The method of forming a lens of a variable focus lens
according to claim 48, wherein at least one of the plurality of the
voltage sources comprises an alternating voltage source having a
frequency range between 50 and 10,000 Hz..Iaddend.
.Iadd.51. The method of forming a lens of a variable focus lens
according to claim 48, wherein the first and second liquids have
substantially the same density..Iaddend.
.Iadd.52. A method of forming a lens of a variable focus lens,
comprising: providing a chamber containing a first liquid and a
drop of a second liquid, the first liquid being conductive, the
second liquid having an interface with the first liquid, the second
liquid being insulating, the first and second liquids being non
miscible, and of different optical indexes; and providing a voltage
source for varying a voltage so as to maintain the centering of the
drop and to continuously control the shape of the edge of the
drop..Iaddend.
.Iadd.53. A method of forming a lens of a variable focus lens,
comprising: providing a chamber containing a first liquid and a
drop of a second liquid, the first liquid being conductive, the
second liquid having an interface with the first liquid, the second
liquid being insulating, the first and second liquids being non
miscible, and of different optical indexes; and providing a voltage
source capable of applying a voltage so that the electric field
decreases radially toward a center of a contact region upon which
the drop is disposed..Iaddend.
.Iadd.54. A method of forming a lens of a variable focus lens,
comprising: providing a chamber containing a first liquid and a
drop of a second liquid, the first liquid being conductive, the
second liquid having an interface with the first liquid, the second
liquid being insulating, the first and second liquids being non
miscible, and of different optical indexes; and providing a voltage
source capable of controlling the shape of the edge of the drop by
varying the number of electrodes to which a voltage is
applied..Iaddend.
.Iadd.55. A method of changing the focus of a variable focus lens
of the type comprising a liquid containment structure having a wall
of insulating material, a body of a first, conductive liquid in
contact with the wall, a drop of a second, insulating liquid in
contact with the first liquid to form an interface therebetween,
wherein the first and second liquids are non miscible and have
different optical indexes, and a voltage source, the method
comprising: selectively applying a voltage differential between the
first liquid and the wall sufficient to change the wetability of
the first liquid with respect to the wall to change the shape of
the body of the first liquid; and using the change in the shape of
the body of first liquid to change the shape of the interface
between the first and second liquids..Iaddend.
.Iadd.56. A method of changing the focus of a variable focus lens
according to claim 55, wherein the liquid containment structure
comprises a cylindrical wall section..Iaddend.
.Iadd.57. A method of changing the focus of a variable focus lens
according to claim 55, wherein the first and second liquids have
substantially the same density..Iaddend.
.Iadd.58. A method of changing the focus of a variable focus lens,
comprising: selectively applying a voltage across a body of a
first, conductive liquid sufficient to change the shape of the body
of the first liquid; and using the change in the shape of the body
of first liquid to change the shape of an interface between the
first liquid and a drop of a second, insulating liquid in contact
with the first liquid to form the interface therebetween, wherein
the first and second liquids are non miscible and have different
optical indexes..Iaddend.
.Iadd.59. A method of changing the focus of a variable focus lens
according to claim 58, wherein the first and second liquids have
substantially the same density..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of variable focal
lenses, and more specifically to liquid lenses having a variable
electrically controlled focus.
(2) Description of Related Art
An article of B. Berge entitled "Electrocapillarite et mouillage de
films isolants per l'eau" published in 1993 in C.R. Acad. Sci.
Paris, t. 317, serial II, pages 157 to 163, discloses a device
comprising a drop of conductor liquid placed on a dielectric film
covering a flat electrode. A voltage may be applied between the
liquid conductor drop and the electrode. This article describes a
theoretical study of the wetting variation of a dielectric material
with respect to a conductor liquid and shows that the wetting
increases substantially in presence of an electric field caused by
the voltage existing between the conductor liquid and the
electrode. This phenomenon is called electrowetting by the
author.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,330 discloses a display device using the
electrowetting phenomenon to vary the shape of a drop of opaque
conductor liquid placed on a dielectric. This document does not
suggest the use as an optic lens.
An article of Vallet, Berge and Vovelle, "Electrowetting of water
and aqueous solutions on poly(ethylene terephthalate) insulating
films", published in Polymer, Vol. 37, N.sup.o 12, pages 2465 to
2470, 1996, discloses a deformation of a liquid conductor drop to
which a voltage is applied. It is indicated that, when the applied
voltage becomes too high, the surface of the drop becomes unstable,
and microdroplets may be ejected at the periphery of the drop.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This makes prior art systems inadequate for forming variable
lenses. Moreover, these systems need a transparent biasing
electrode and a connection for the electrode, which makes the
system difficult to manufacture or inefficient.
An object of the present invention is to provide a lens whose focus
may vary continuously as a function of an electric control, by
using the phenomenon of electrowetting.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a lens which
is simple to manufacture.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a lens which
is simple to use.
For achieving these objects, the present invention provides a
variable focus lens comprising a chamber filled with a first
liquid, a drop of a second liquid being disposed at rest on a
region of a first surface of an insulating wall of the chamber, the
first and second liquids being non miscible, of different optical
indexes and of substantially same density. The first liquid is
conductive and the second liquid is insulating. The lens further
comprises means for applying a voltage between the conductor liquid
and an electrode placed on the second surface of said wall; and
centering means for maintaining the centering of the edge of the
drop while the voltage is applied and for controlling the shape
thereof.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering means
allows a continuous maintaining of the centering of the drop and a
continuous control of the shape of the edge of the drop while a
varying voltage is applied by said means for applying a
voltage.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the first surface is
substantially flat, the contact region is circular and centered
about an axis which is perpendicular to the first surface.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering means
corresponds to a progressive thickening of the second surface of
the wall of the chamber towards said axis, said electrode being
applied against said second surface.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering means
corresponds to a radial decrease of the wetting with respect to the
first liquid, towards the center of said contact region with the
second liquid.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the centering means
corresponds to a radial gradient of the dielectric constant of said
wall of the chamber at the level of said contact region with the
second liquid.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the first surface is
substantially flat, the contact region 15 is circular and centered
about an axis perpendicular to the first surface, and the centering
means comprises an electrode formed of one or several circular
concentric strips insulated from each other, centered about said
axis, the circular strips being supplied by distinct voltage
sources of values decreasing towards said axis.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the chamber is
cylindrical, the first surface is the internal surface of the
chamber, the contact region with the second liquid corresponds to a
cylindrical section of the chamber, the centering means is
comprised of one or several cylindrical electrodes of same
diameter, insulated from each other, placed side by side against
the external surface of the chamber at the level of the border of
said contact region, the electrodes being supplied by different
voltages of values decreasing towards the center of said contact
region.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the first surface is
substantially flat, the contact region is rectangular and symmetric
with respect to an axis perpendicular to the first surface and the
centering means is comprised of an electrode formed of one or
several rectangular concentric strips insulated from each other,
symmetric with respect to said axis, the rectangular strips being
supplied by distinct voltage sources of decreasing values towards
said axis.
According to an embodiment of the invention, said wall is comprised
of two non parallel planes and in which said region bridges said
two planes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages
of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of embodiments, given by way of illustration and not of
limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings:
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a variable focus lens according
to the present invention;
FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a variable focus lens according
to the present invention;
FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of a variable focus lens according
to the present invention;
FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a variable focus lens according
to the present invention;
FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of a variable focus lens according
to the present invention; and
FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a variable focus lens according
to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a simplified cross-section view of a variable focus
liquid lens according to a first embodiment of the present
invention. A drop of an insulating liquid 11 is located on the
internal surface of a wall of a dielectric chamber 12 filled with a
conductor liquid 13. The insulating liquid 11 and the conductor
liquid 13 are both transparent, not miscible, have different
optical indexes and have substantially the same density. The
dielectric 12 naturally has a low wetting with respect to the
conductor liquid 13. A surface treatment 14 insuring a high wetting
of the wall of the dielectric chamber with respect to the conductor
liquid 13 surrounds the contact region 15 between the insulating
liquid drop 11 and the wall of chamber 12. The surface treatment 14
maintains the positioning of drop 11, preventing the insulating
liquid from spreading beyond the desired contact surface. When the
system is at rest, the insulating liquid drop 11 naturally takes
the shape designated by reference A. "O" designates the axis which
is perpendicular to the contact region 15 and passing through the
center of contact region 15. At rest, the insulating liquid drop 11
is centered about axis O which constitutes the optical axis of the
device. The elements of the device which are adjacent to axis O are
transparent. An electrode 16, letting through light in the vicinity
of axis O, is placed on the external surface of the wall of
dielectric chamber 12, on which is situated the insulating liquid
drop 11. An electrode 17 contacts the conductor liquid 13.
Electrode 17 may be immersed in liquid 13, or be a conductor
deposition achieved on an internal wall of chamber 12.
When a voltage V is established between electrodes 16 and 17, an
electrical field is created which, according to the above mentioned
electrowetting principle, will increase the wetting of region 15
with respect to conductor liquid 13. As a consequence, conductor
liquid 13 moves and deforms the insulating liquid drop 11. A
variation of the focus of the lens is thus obtained.
However, the center of the drop is likely to move with respect to
axis O during the deformation. Moreover, the outline of the contact
surface is likely to lose its circular character during the
deformation of the drop. An aspect of the present invention is to
maintain the circularity of the drop and its concentricity with
respect to axis O while its shape changes by generating an electric
field which decreases radially towards the center of region 15.
For avoiding this, according to an aspect of the present invention,
a centering means for drop 11 is additionally provided. Examples of
such centering means appear in the second to sixth embodiments of
the invention described hereinafter.
FIG. 2 shows a simplified cross-section view of a variable focus
liquid lens according to a second embodiment of the present
invention. Elements such as drop 11, axis O, chamber 12, conductor
liquid 13, surface treatment 14, contact region 15 and electrode 17
are the same as those of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. The
positions A and B also correspond to the rest position of drop 11
and to the limit position of drop 11, respectively. In this second
embodiment, the centering means comprises the generation of an
electrical field which decreases radially towards the center of
region 15. For this purpose, an electrode 26 is provided which has
a surface which progressively departs from the surface of region 15
while approaching axis O. Such an electrode 26 may, for example, be
obtained by depositing a metallic film on the lateral walls of a
taper centered about axis O, achieved on the external surface of
the wall of chamber 12 on which is placed drop 11. An alternative
embodiment may consist in depositing a metallic film on the surface
of a transparent dielectric resin drop centered about axis O,
attached to the external surface of the wall of chamber 12 on which
drop 11 is placed. The top of the resin drop is planed in the
vicinity of axis O to let the light through.
One may increase voltage V from O volt to a maximum voltage which
depends on the used materials. When the maximum voltage is reached,
the insulating liquid drop 11 reaches a limit position (designated
by reference B). When voltage V varies continuously between O volt
and its maximum value, the insulating liquid drop 11 continuously
deforms from position A to position B. It will be noted that, drop
11 being of an insulating liquid, no microdroplets are produced at
its periphery when the voltage is high, in contrast to what would
happen if the drop was of a conductor liquid (see the above
mentioned article of Vallet, Berge and Vovelle).
FIG. 3 shows a simplified cross-section view of a variable focus
liquid lens according to a third embodiment of the present
invention. Elements such as drop 11, axis O, chamber 12, conductor
liquid 13, surface treatment 14, contact region 15 and electrode 17
are the same as those of the embodiment described in FIG. 1. The
positions A and B also correspond to the rest position of drop 11
and to the limit position of drop 11, respectively.
In this third embodiment, on the external surface of the wall of
chamber 12 is placed a group of three circular concentric
electrodes, 35, 36 and 37, insulated from each other, and having O
as axis. A voltage may be applied between each of electrodes 35, 36
and 37 and electrode 17; exemplary voltages V1, V2 and V3 are
shown, each of which may vary. The voltages are chosen at any time
with decreasing values towards axis O so that the electric field
generated by applying the voltages to electrodes 35, 36 and 37
decreases radially towards the center of region 15. When voltages
V1, V2 and V3 continuously vary between 0 volt and their maximum
value, the insulating liquid drop 11 deforms continuously between
its rest position A and its limit position B.
According to an alternative of this third embodiment, each
electrode 35, 36 and 37 may be connected by a switch, either to a
same voltage source V, either to ground. For a constant voltage V,
the shape of drop 11 is then varied by varying the number of
electrodes to which a voltage is applied. In this case, the focus
variation is discrete and not continuous. Only certain
predetermined focuses can thus be obtained for the lens comprised
of drop 11, but the benefit is then that the voltage control is
relatively simple to implement.
FIG. 4 shows a simplified cross-section view of a variable focus
liquid lens according to a fourth embodiment of the present
invention. Elements such as drop 11, axis O, conductor liquid 13,
surface treatment 14, contact region 15 and electrodes 16 and 17
are the same as those of the embodiment described in FIG. 1. The
positions A and B also correspond to the rest position of drop 11
and to the limit position of drop 11, respectively.
In this fourth embodiment, the wall of the dielectric chamber 52 on
which the insulating liquid drop 11 is placed, comprises a circular
dielectric region 53, letting through the light about axis O.
Region 53 has a low wetting with respect to conductor liquid 13 in
the absence of a surface treatment 14. Region 53 has been treated
in such a way that its dielectric constant varies radially and
continuously towards axis O, and that the electric field generated
by voltage V has a gradient which decreases radially towards axis O
on the contact region 15. When voltage V is varied continuously
between 0 volt and its maximum value, the insulating liquid drop 11
continuously deforms between its rest position A and its limit
position B.
FIG. 5 shows a simplified cross-section view of a variable focus
liquid lens according to a fifth embodiment of the present
invention. Elements such as drop 11, axis O, dielectric chamber 12,
conductor liquid 13, contact region 15 and electrodes 16 and 17 are
the same as those of the embodiment described in FIG. 1. The
positions A and B also correspond to the rest position of drop 11
and to the limit position of drop 11, respectively.
In this fifth embodiment, the surface of the wall of dielectric
chamber 12 on which the insulating liquid drop 11 is placed has
been treated at different regions 14, 65, 66 and 67 such that the
wetting of regions 14, 65, 66 and 67 with respect to conductor
liquid 13 decreases radially towards axis O. A voltage V may be
applied between electrode 16 and electrode 17. The electric field
generated by voltage V increases the wetting of regions 14, 65, 66
and 67 but maintains the initial wetting gradient. When voltage V
varies between 0 volt and its maximum value, the shape of the
insulating liquid drop 11 continuously varies between its rest
position A and its limit position B.
FIG. 6 shows a simplified cross-section view of another embodiment
of the present invention in which an insulating liquid 11 occupies
the bottom portion of a cylindrical dielectric chamber and is
covered by a conductor liquid 13. The chamber is designated by
reference 12. The materials composing elements 11, 12 and 13 are
the same as those of the previous embodiments.
A surface treatment 14 insuring a high wetting of the internal wall
of chamber 12 with respect to the conductor liquid 13 is achieved
above the contact region 15 between liquid 11 and the internal
surface of chamber 12. The surface treatment 14 allows the position
of liquid 11 to be maintained for avoiding this liquid from
spreading beyond the contact surface. For simplifying the
description only the top portion of liquid 11 will be considered
and it will be called, like in the previous embodiment, "drop 11".
When the system is at rest, the insulating liquid drop 11 naturally
takes the shape designated by reference A. Axis O is the axis of
chamber 12. At rest, the insulating liquid drop 11 is centered
about axis O which constitutes the optical axis of the device.
Several electrodes 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 are placed about the external
wall of dielectric chamber 12 in the vicinity of contact region 15.
The electrodes 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 are insulated from each other and
a voltage V is established between electrode 75 and an electrode 17
contacting the conductor liquid 13. The electrodes 76, 77, 78, 79
are biased through capacitive influence when voltage V is
established. At wall 12, the electric field generated by voltage v
decreases according to a longitudinal gradient from electrode 75
towards electrode 79. When voltage V increases, conductor liquid 13
moves and deforms the insulating liquid drop 11. A variation of the
focus of the lens is thus obtained. The above-mentioned electric
field graident insures that the drop permanently has a radial
symmetry with respect to axis O. When voltage V varies between 0
volt and its maximum value, the insulating liquid drop 11 varies
continuously between its rest position A and its limit position
B.
Those skilled in the art will be able to combine the features
appearing in the various embodiments of the invention described
above.
Moreover, the present invention may be subject to various
alternatives which will appear to those skilled in the art.
The surface of the dielectric chamber 12 of FIG. 1 may be concave
or convex, in order to obtain a particular diopter value of the
device at rest.
The contact region between the insulating liquid drop and the
dielectric chamber may be treated for having a high wetting with
respect to the insulating liquid, in order to simplify the
positioning of the insulating liquid drop.
In the case of a dielectric chamber naturally having a high wetting
with respect to the conductor liquid, the contact region may be
achieved by a surface treatment adapted to providing it with a low
wetting with respect to the conductor liquid.
The surface treatment 14 may consist of depositing or sticking a
film of a material having a high wetting with respect to conductor
liquid 13.
Electrode 16 of FIG. 1 may be replaced with a conductor liquid in
contact with the external surface of chamber 12, voltage V then
being established between this conductor liquid and liquid 13.
It will be possible to realize a device including an array formed
of groups of three, separately controlled, variable focus lenses,
colored in red, green, and blue, operating, for example, in a
binary mode, stopping or allowing through light originating from a
unique source of white light, thus forming a luminous color screen
which may be of big size and of moderate cost.
It will be possible to realize a device in which the above
mentioned centering means are no longer used for maintaining drop
11 circular throughout its deformation, but in contrast for making
the drop go from a rest position determined, for example, by the
shape of the surface treatment 14, to an operating shape,
determined, for example, by the outline of electrode 16. It is thus
possible to create a variable focus cylindrical lens by using a
surface treatment 14 of rectangular shape and centering electrodes
16 of rectangular outline.
It will be possible to apply the present invention to a device
bridging more than one wall of chamber 12, drop 11 being placed,
for example, in an angle or in a corner of chamber 12. According to
this alternative, an electrode would of course be placed on the
back surface of each wall in contact with drop 11, at the level of
the contact region. Such an alternative would enable a variable
deflection prism to be achieved.
As an example of conductor liquid 13, one may use water loaded with
salts (mineral or other) or any other liquid, organic or not, which
is conductive or made conductive by addition of ionic components.
As an insulating liquid 11, one may use oil, an alcane or a blend
of alcanes, eventually halogenated, or any other insulating liquid
which is not miscible with conductor liquid 13. Chamber 12 may be
comprised of a glass plate, treated with silane or covered with a
thin coating of fluorinated polymer or of a sandwich of fluorinated
polymer, epoxy resin, polyethylene.
Voltage V will preferably be alternating in order to avoid the
accumulation of electric charges throughout material 12 from the
surface on which drop 11 is placed.
In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, drop 11 has a rest diameter
of approximately 6 mm. The conductor liquid 13 and the insulating
liquid of drop 11 being substantially of same density, drop 12 has
a hemispheric shape. When it is at rest (position A), the edge of
drop 11 is at an angle of approximately 45.degree. to the surface
of chamber 12. In its limit position (position B), the edge of drop
11 is at an angle of approximately 90.degree. to the surface of
chamber 12. The described device, using as a conductor liquid 13
salt water of optical index 1.35 and, for the insulating liquid of
drop 11, oil having an optical index of 1.45, achieves
approximately 40 diopters of focus variation for an applied voltage
of 250 volts and an electrical power of some mW. The frequency of
the alternating voltage is in this case comprised between 50 and
10,000 Hz, its period being substantially smaller than the response
time of the system which is several hundredths of a second.
The variable focus lens according to the present invention may have
a size comprised between several tens of .mu.m and several tens of
mm, and may in particular be applied to the field of optoelectronic
systems or to endoscopy.
* * * * *