Liquid lens with piezoelectric voltage converter
First Claim
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1. A variable optical element comprising:
- (a) a lens including a first liquid, a second liquid having an index of refraction different from said first liquid, a structure defining a space containing said liquids, and control electrodes in proximity to said first and second liquids, said first and second liquids forming a meniscus therebetween, said electrodes and said liquids being arranged so that the curvature of said meniscus can be altered by varying an electrical potential between said electrodes; and
(b) a piezoelectric transformer including a primary piezoelectric element and a secondary piezoelectric element mechanically linked to said primary piezoelectric element, said secondary piezoelectric element being electrically connected to said control electrodes, said piezoelectric transformer being arranged to convert a primary electrical signal applied to said primary piezoelectric element into mechanical motion and to convert the mechanical motion into a secondary electrical signal in said secondary piezoelectric element, whereby said secondary electrical signal will be applied to said control electrodes, and wherein said piezoelectric transformer has a step-up ratio of about 10;
1 to about 100;
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Abstract
An electronic camera module includes a lens or refractive element formed by a pair of immiscible liquids and having optical properties which can be varied by applying a voltage so as to deform the meniscus. One of the two liquids extends from the meniscus all the way to the front surface of the sensor, so that light passing through the meniscus does not encounter further changes in refractive index enroute to the sensor.
64 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A variable optical element comprising:
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(a) a lens including a first liquid, a second liquid having an index of refraction different from said first liquid, a structure defining a space containing said liquids, and control electrodes in proximity to said first and second liquids, said first and second liquids forming a meniscus therebetween, said electrodes and said liquids being arranged so that the curvature of said meniscus can be altered by varying an electrical potential between said electrodes; and (b) a piezoelectric transformer including a primary piezoelectric element and a secondary piezoelectric element mechanically linked to said primary piezoelectric element, said secondary piezoelectric element being electrically connected to said control electrodes, said piezoelectric transformer being arranged to convert a primary electrical signal applied to said primary piezoelectric element into mechanical motion and to convert the mechanical motion into a secondary electrical signal in said secondary piezoelectric element, whereby said secondary electrical signal will be applied to said control electrodes, and wherein said piezoelectric transformer has a step-up ratio of about 10;
1 to about 100;
1.
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2. The An optical module including a variable optical element comprising:
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(a) a lens including a first liquid, a second liquid having an index of refraction different from said first liquid, a structure defining a space containing said liquids, and control electrodes in proximity to said first and second liquids, said first and second liquids forming a meniscus therebetween, said electrodes and said liquids being arranged so that the curvature of said meniscus can be altered by varying an electrical potential between said electrodes; (b) a piezoelectric transformer including a primary piezoelectric element and a secondary piezoelectric element mechanically linked to said primary piezoelectric element, said secondary piezoelectric element being electrically connected to said control electrodes, said piezoelectric transformer being arranged to convert a primary electrical signal applied to said primary piezoelectric element into mechanical motion and to convert the mechanical motion into a secondary electrical signal in said secondary piezoelectric element, whereby said secondary electrical signal will be applied to said control electrodes, and wherein said secondary piezoelectric element is directly attached to said primary piezoelectric element; (c) a structure containing said liquids, said control electrodes being mounted to said structure and wherein said piezoelectric transformer is mechanically connected to said structure; and (d) lens control terminals electrically connected to said primary piezoelectric element. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A digital camera comprising:
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(a) a lens assembly including a first liquid, a second liquid having an index of refraction different from said first liquid, control electrodes in proximity to said first and second liquids, and a structure containing said liquids, said first and second liquids forming a meniscus therebetween, said electrodes and said liquids being arranged so that the curvature of said meniscus can be altered by varying an electrical potential between said electrodes; (b) a piezoelectric transformer including a primary piezoelectric element and a secondary piezoelectric element mechanically linked to said primary piezoelectric element, said secondary piezoelectric element being electrically connected to said control electrodes, said piezoelectric transformer being arranged to convert a primary electrical signal applied to said primary piezoelectric element into mechanical motion and to convert the mechanical motion into a secondary electrical signal in said secondary piezoelectric element, whereby said secondary electrical signal will be applied to said control electrodes; (c) an optoelectronic sensor mounted in a preselected spatial relationship to the structure; and (d) a circuit panel, said optoelectronic sensor, said container structure and said piezoelectric transformer being mechanically connected to said circuit panel, and wherein said transformer is mounted to said sensor and mechanically connected to said circuit panel by said sensor. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification