IP Library Granted Patent US 7,342,726
Granted Patent B2
US 7,342,726 · App. 11/730,333 · Granted Mar 11, 2008

Autofocusing optical system of camera module

Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,342,726
App. No.
11/730,333
Granted
Mar 11, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

An autofocusing optical system of a camera module which can be installed in a subminiature camera module. In the optical system, a first lens group has an overall positive refractive power. A second lens group has an overall negative refractive power. The second lens group includes a liquid lens having a meniscus formed between non-miscible first and second liquids, the first liquid having conductivity and polarity, the meniscus having a curvature radius changing in response to a voltage applied to serve as a refractive surface, thereby autofocusing the optical system, a first cover lens for sealing the liquid lens at an object side and a second cover lens for sealing the liquid lens at an image side. A third lens group has an overall positive refractive power. Also, a fourth lens group has an overall negative refractive power.

Claims (41)

1. An autofocusing optical system of a camera module comprising:

a first lens group having an overall positive refractive power;

a second lens group having an overall negative refractive power, the second lens group including a liquid lens having a meniscus formed between non-miscible first and second liquids, the first liquid having conductivity and polarity, the meniscus having a curvature radius changing in response to a voltage applied to serve as a refractive surface, thereby autofocusing the optical system, a first cover lens for sealing the liquid lens at an object side and a second cover lens for sealing the liquid lens at an image side;

a third lens group having an overall positive refractive power; and

a fourth lens group having an overall negative refractive power.

2. The optical system according to claim 1 , wherein the first cover lens has a curvature radius at the object side and the liquid lens has a curvature radius at the meniscus, respectively, according to following relations 1 and 2 :

R 4× Rf 6<0  relation 1, and

R 4× Rn 6>0  relation 2,

where R 4 is a curvature radius of the first cover lens at the object side, Rf 6 is a curvature radius of the meniscus at a long distance focus, and Rn 6 is a curvature radius of the meniscus at a short distance focus.

3. The optical system according to claim 2 , wherein the second lens group has a refractive power according to following relation 3:

|F′2|/ F 21<1.2  relation 3,

where F′2 is a total focal length of the second lens group at a short distance focus, and F 2 is a total focal length of the second lens group at a long distance focus.

4. The optical system according to claim 1 , wherein the first lens group has a refractive power according to following relation 4:

0.4 <F 1/ F< 0.7  relation 4,

where F 1 is a total focal length of the first lens group, and F is a focal length of an entire optical system at a long distance focus.

5. The optical system according to claim 1 , wherein the third and fourth lens groups have a refractive power according to following relation 5:

−1.2 <F 3/ F 4<−0.7  relation 5,

where F 3 is a total focal length of the third lens group and F 4 is a total focal length of the fourth lens group.

6. The optical system according to claim 1 , wherein the second and third lens groups have a refractive power according to following relation 6:

−1.0< F 2/ F 3<−0.8  relation 6,

where F 2 is a total focal length of the second lens group at a long distance focus, and F 3 is a total focal length of the third lens group.

7. The optical system according to claim 1 , comprising an aperture stop disposed in front of the liquid lens to remove unnecessary light.

8. The optical system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of refractive surfaces of the first and second cover lenses is spherical or aspherical.

9. The optical system according to claim 2 , wherein the first lens group has a refractive power according to following relation 4:

0.4< F 1/ F< 0.7  relation 4,

where F 1 is a total focal length of the first lens group, and F is a focal length of an entire optical system at a long distance focus.

10. The optical system according to claim 2 , wherein the third and fourth lens groups have a refractive power according to following relation 5:

−1.2 <F 3/ F 4<−0.7  relation 5,

where F 3 is a total focal length of the third lens group and F 4 is a total focal length of the fourth lens group.

11. The optical system according to claim 2 , wherein the second and third lens groups have a refractive power according to following relation 6:

−1.0< F 2/ F 3<−0.8  relation 6,

where F 2 is a total focal length of the second lens group at a long distance focus, and F 3 is a total focal length of the third lens group.

12. The optical system according to claim 3 , wherein the first lens group has a refractive power according to following relation 4:

0.4 <F 1/ F< 0.7  relation 4,

where F 1 is a total focal length of the first lens group, and F is a focal length of an entire optical system at a long distance focus.

13. The optical system according to claim 3 , wherein the third and fourth lens groups have a refractive power according to following relation 5:

−1.2 <F 3/ F 4<−0.7  relation 5,

where F 3 is a total focal length of the third lens group and F 4 is a total focal length of the fourth lens group.

14. The optical system according to claim 3 , wherein the second and third lens groups have a refractive power according to following relation 6:

−1.0 <F 2/ F 3<−0.8  relation 6,

where F 2 is a total focal length of the second lens group at a long distance focus, and F 3 is a total focal length of the third lens group.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 30, 2007
From: KIM, TAE YOUNG
To: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 019174/0604 →
Priority Claims (1)
KR 10-2006-0029009 · Mar 30, 2006 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070229970A1 · Oct 4, 2007