JP4944013B2 - Liquid-based optical and electronic devices - Google Patents

Liquid-based optical and electronic devices Download PDF

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JP4944013B2
JP4944013B2 JP2007507917A JP2007507917A JP4944013B2 JP 4944013 B2 JP4944013 B2 JP 4944013B2 JP 2007507917 A JP2007507917 A JP 2007507917A JP 2007507917 A JP2007507917 A JP 2007507917A JP 4944013 B2 JP4944013 B2 JP 4944013B2
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interface
electric field
liquid
optical device
container
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JP2007534014A (en
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カイペル，ステイン
ハー ウェー ヘンドリクス，ベルナルデュス
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Koninklijke Philips NV
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B3/00—Simple or compound lenses
    • G02B3/12—Fluid-filled or evacuated lenses
    • G02B3/14—Fluid-filled or evacuated lenses of variable focal length
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B26/00—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements
    • G02B26/004—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements based on a displacement or a deformation of a fluid
    • G02B26/005—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements based on a displacement or a deformation of a fluid based on electrowetting

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Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical device in which unintended deformation of an interface is avoided.SOLUTION: The present invention discloses an optical device comprising a container enclosing an insulating liquid (A) and a liquid (B) responsive to an electric field. The insulating liquid (A) and the liquid (B) responsive to an electric field are immiscible and are in contact with each other via an interface (14), and at least one of the liquids (A) and (B) are at least partially placed in a light path through the container. The optical device further comprises: electrode arrangements (2 and 12) for controlling a shape of the interface (14) by means of a voltage; and means (100) for preventing the interface (14) from an exposure to an external electric field. Consequently, the build-up of an electrostatic charge on a surface of the optical device is avoided, which prevents an unwanted distortion of the interface (14) caused by the interaction of the liquid (B) responsive to an electric field and the electrostatic charge.

Description

本発明は、互いに界面を介して接触する不混和性のある絶縁性液体と電場に反応する液体とを収容する容器であって、液体が該容器を通る光路上に少なくとも部分的に配置される、容器と、前記界面の形状を電圧により制御する電極構成とを含む、光学装置に関する。   The present invention is a container containing an immiscible insulating liquid and an electric field-responsive liquid that are in contact with each other via an interface, the liquid being at least partially disposed on an optical path through the container And an optical device including a container and an electrode configuration that controls the shape of the interface by voltage.

本発明は、更に、かかる光学装置を含む電子装置に関する。   The invention further relates to an electronic device comprising such an optical device.

液体の操作（マニプレーション）に基づく光学装置は、急速に大きな商業的な関心を獲得している。これは、とりわけ、その機械的な可動部品の不要性及び装置の比較的簡易性に起因し、これにより、装置を安価で且つ耐久性の高いものとなる。   Optical devices based on the manipulation of liquids are rapidly gaining great commercial interest. This is due, inter alia, to the need for mechanical moving parts and the relative simplicity of the device, which makes the device cheaper and more durable.

例えば、特許文献１には、同一の屈折率であるが異なる透過率の２つの不混和性の液体を組み込み、当該２つの液体の一方が導電性のある光学装置が、開示される。これらの２つの液体間の界面を可変することにより、装置を通る光路における各液体の量が変化し、結果としてダイアフラムが得られる。   For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an optical device in which two immiscible liquids having the same refractive index but different transmittances are incorporated, and one of the two liquids is conductive. Varying the interface between these two liquids changes the amount of each liquid in the optical path through the device, resulting in a diaphragm.

特許文献２には、異なる屈折率を有する２つの流体であって、一方が導電性で他方が絶縁性を呈する２つの不混和性の流体を組み込む円筒形の可変焦点レンズが開示される。２つの流体の界面の形状は、レンズ両端に電圧を印加することにより操作され、これは、レンズの焦点に変化をもたらすために用いることができる。円筒体の壁及び円筒体の透明な蓋の一方は、疎水性のコーティングで被覆され、これにより、少なくともオフ状態において、レンズに対する大きな光学パワー領域に寄与する大きな曲率を持つ界面を実現するために、前記壁と、典型的には極性液体である伝導性流体の間の接触領域が最小化されることが保証される。
米国特許出願公開第２００１／００１７９８５号 国際特許出願ＷＯ０３/０６９３８０ Patent Document 2 discloses a cylindrical variable focus lens that incorporates two immiscible fluids, two fluids having different refractive indices, one conductive and the other insulating. The shape of the interface of the two fluids is manipulated by applying a voltage across the lens, which can be used to effect a change in the focal point of the lens. One of the cylindrical wall and the transparent lid of the cylindrical body is coated with a hydrophobic coating, thereby realizing an interface with a large curvature that contributes to a large optical power region for the lens, at least in the off state. It is ensured that the contact area between the wall and the conductive fluid, typically a polar liquid, is minimized.
US Patent Application Publication No. 2001/0017985 International patent application WO 03/069380

かかる装置を用いて生じる問題点は、一定期間後に界面の意図しない変形が生じうり、これにより、界面の所望の光学的挙動が阻害されることである。   A problem that arises with such devices is that unintentional deformation of the interface can occur after a certain period of time, thereby hindering the desired optical behavior of the interface.

本発明は、界面の意図しない変形が防止される光学装置を提供することを目的とする。
本発明は、更に、かかる改善された光学装置を含む電子装置を提供することを目的とする。 An object of the present invention is to provide an optical device that prevents unintended deformation of an interface.
The present invention further aims to provide an electronic device comprising such an improved optical device.

本発明の一局面によると、互いに界面を介して接触する不混和性のある絶縁性液体と電場に反応する液体とを収容する容器であって、前記２つの液体の一方の液体が少なくとも該容器を通る光路上に少なくとも部分的に配置される、容器と、
前記界面の形状を制御する手段と、
前記界面が外部の電場に晒されるのを防ぐ手段とを含む、光学装置が提供される。 According to one aspect of the present invention, a container containing an immiscible insulating liquid that is in contact with each other via an interface and a liquid that reacts with an electric field, wherein at least one of the two liquids is the container A container disposed at least partially on an optical path through
Means for controlling the shape of the interface;
Means for preventing the interface from being exposed to an external electric field.

本発明の内容において、用語‘電場に反応する液体’とは、伝導性液体、極性のある流体及び分極可能な流体を含む意図である。   In the context of the present invention, the term 'electric field-responsive liquid' is intended to include conductive liquids, polar fluids and polarizable fluids.

本発明は、意図しない界面の変形は、容器の表面の静電気の電荷の蓄積により生じる静的な場でありうる外部電場に、界面が晒されることにより生じることの知見に基づく。静電気の電荷の蓄積は、例えば、容器の表面の意図した若しくは意図しない摩擦により生じうる。   The present invention is based on the finding that unintended interface deformation is caused by exposing the interface to an external electric field, which can be a static field caused by the accumulation of electrostatic charges on the surface of the container. Static charge build-up can be caused, for example, by intended or unintended friction on the surface of the container.

前記界面の形状を制御する手段は、前記界面の形状を電圧により制御するための電極構成を含んでよい。これは、特に、光学装置が可変焦点レンズである場合に効果的であり、というのは、これは、大きな光学パワーを備えるレンズを容易化するからである。   The means for controlling the shape of the interface may include an electrode configuration for controlling the shape of the interface by voltage. This is particularly effective when the optical device is a variable focus lens, since this facilitates a lens with a large optical power.

一実施例では、表面が、前記容器の透明な端部の一部であり、前記界面が外部の電場に晒されるのを防ぐ手段が、前記透明な端部の一部を形成する伝導性層を含む。これは、透明な端部上の静電気の電荷の蓄積を防止できるという効果を奏する。   In one embodiment, the surface is part of the transparent end of the container and means for preventing the interface from being exposed to an external electric field is a conductive layer that forms part of the transparent end. including. This has the effect of preventing the accumulation of static charge on the transparent end.

効果的には、電極構成は、電場に反応する液体に接触する電極を含み、伝導性層が、当該電極に伝導性結合される。この実施例では、伝導性層は、電場に反応する液体と同一の電位に維持され、これにより、透明の端部上の如何なる静電気の電荷の存在も界面の形状に影響を与えないことが保証される。   Effectively, the electrode configuration includes an electrode that contacts a liquid that is responsive to an electric field, and a conductive layer is conductively coupled to the electrode. In this example, the conductive layer is maintained at the same potential as the liquid that reacts to the electric field, thereby ensuring that the presence of any static charge on the transparent edge does not affect the shape of the interface. Is done.

更なる実施例では、前記界面が外部の電場に晒されるのを防ぐ手段が、前記容器を囲繞するファラデーケージを含む。この実施例は、前記の実施例と組み合わせられてよいが、外部電場に光学装置が晒されることから保護し、その結果、光学装置の容器の表面上の静電気の電荷の蓄積を防止する。   In a further embodiment, the means for preventing the interface from being exposed to an external electric field includes a Faraday cage surrounding the container. This embodiment may be combined with the previous embodiment, but protects the optical device from exposure to an external electric field and, as a result, prevents the accumulation of electrostatic charges on the surface of the container of the optical device.

前記ファラデーケージは、更なる容器を少なくとも部分的に覆う伝導性コーティングを含んでよい。これは、ファラデーケージが光学装置から分離して製造できるという効果を奏する。   The Faraday cage may include a conductive coating that at least partially covers a further container. This has the effect that the Faraday cage can be manufactured separately from the optical device.

前記更なる容器は、少なくとも部分的に透明であってよい。これは、光学装置を通る光路が妥協されること無く、前記更なる容器が光学装置の容器を完全に内部に封入することができるという効果を奏する。   The further container may be at least partially transparent. This has the effect that the further container can completely enclose the container of the optical device inside without compromising the optical path through the optical device.

本発明の更なる局面によると、光学装置を含む電子装置であって、
互いに界面を介して接触する不混和性のある絶縁性液体と電場に反応する液体とを収容する容器であって、前記２つの液体の一方の液体が少なくとも該容器を通る光路上に少なくとも部分的に配置される、容器と、
前記界面の形状を制御する手段と、
前記界面が外部の電場に晒されるのを防ぐ手段と、
前記界面の形状を制御する手段に接続される駆動回路と、
前記駆動回路に給電する電源とを含み、前記界面が外部の電場に晒されるのを防ぐ手段が、前記電源の端子に結合される電子装置が提供される。 According to a further aspect of the present invention, an electronic device including an optical device comprising:
A container containing an immiscible insulating liquid that contacts each other through an interface and a liquid that reacts to an electric field, wherein one of the two liquids is at least partially on an optical path through the container Arranged in a container,
Means for controlling the shape of the interface;
Means for preventing the interface from being exposed to an external electric field;
A drive circuit connected to the means for controlling the shape of the interface;
An electronic device is provided that includes a power supply for supplying power to the drive circuit, and means for preventing the interface from being exposed to an external electric field is coupled to a terminal of the power supply.

本発明の電子装置は、その光学装置の性能が、光学装置の容器の表面上の静電気の電荷の蓄積のような、外部の電場により阻害されないという効果を奏する。   The electronic device of the present invention has an effect that the performance of the optical device is not hindered by an external electric field, such as accumulation of electrostatic charges on the surface of the container of the optical device.

一実施例では、前記界面が外部の電場に晒されるのを防ぐ手段は、前記電源の端子、好ましくはグランドに結合され、当該手段が、電場に反応する液体と同一の電位に保たれることが保証される。   In one embodiment, the means for preventing the interface from being exposed to an external electric field is coupled to the terminal of the power source, preferably ground, and the means is kept at the same potential as the liquid that reacts to the electric field. Is guaranteed.

代替的な実施例では、前記界面が外部の電場に晒されるのを防ぐ手段は、当該電子装置の電子回路を外部放射線から遮蔽する装置の一部を形成する。これは、光学装置が、電子装置内に既に存在する構成を拡張することによって静電気の電荷の蓄積から保護され、コスト効率が良いという効果を奏する。   In an alternative embodiment, the means for preventing the interface from being exposed to an external electric field forms part of a device that shields the electronic circuitry of the electronic device from external radiation. This has the effect that the optical device is protected from static charge accumulation by extending the configuration already present in the electronic device and is cost effective.

以下、本発明は、添付図面を参照して非限定的な例により詳細に説明される。   The present invention will now be described in detail by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

尚、図面は、単に概略的なものであり、実寸ではない。また、理解されるべきこととして、同一の参照符号が、同一ないし類似の部品を示すために全図を通して用いられている。   The drawings are only schematic and are not to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the figures to indicate the same or similar parts.

図１には、上記の特許文献２に開示される可変焦点レンズが示されている。可変焦点レンズは、円筒形のチャンバに収容される第１の流体Ａと第２の流体Ｂを含む。これらの流体は、不混和性であり、異なる屈折率を有し、好ましくは、流体間の界面１４を含む流体の形状（オリエンテーション）に対する形状に依存する重力の影響を防ぐため、同一の密度を有する。円筒形チャンバは、更に、第１の端部４及び第２の端部６を含み、第１の端部４は、円筒形チャンバの内壁と同様、パリレンの積層（スタック）と結合されてもよい、ＤｕＰｏｎｔ社からのＡＦ１６００ＴＭのような疎水性のあるコーティング材により、被覆され、印加される電圧が無い状況下で絶縁性流体Ａにより伝導性流体Ｂを閉じ込める。界面１４の形状は、チャンバの壁に埋設される円筒形の電極２と、好ましくは透明な、第２の流体Ｂに伝導的に接触する第２の蓋６上の管状の電極１２との間の直流電圧又は交流電圧を値Ｖ１からＶ２に変化させることによって、連続的な態様で、形状（ａ）で示す凸形状から形状（ｂ）で示す凹形状に切り替えられることができる。その結果、円筒体を通る光路Ｌの合焦点が変化される。 FIG. 1 shows a variable focus lens disclosed in Patent Document 2 described above. The variable focus lens includes a first fluid A and a second fluid B housed in a cylindrical chamber. These fluids are immiscible, have different refractive indices, and preferably have the same density to prevent shape-dependent gravitational effects on the shape (orientation) of the fluid including the interface 14 between the fluids. Have. The cylindrical chamber further includes a first end 4 and a second end 6 that may be coupled to a parylene stack as well as the inner wall of the cylindrical chamber. The conductive fluid B is confined by the insulating fluid A in the absence of an applied voltage, coated with a hydrophobic coating material such as AF1600 ™ from DuPont. The shape of the interface 14 is between the cylindrical electrode 2 embedded in the chamber wall and the tubular electrode 12 on the second lid 6 which is preferably transparent and in conductive contact with the second fluid B. By changing the direct current voltage or alternating current voltage from V1 to V2, the convex shape shown by shape (a) can be switched to the concave shape shown by shape (b) in a continuous manner. As a result, the focal point of the optical path L passing through the cylindrical body is changed.

透明な端部４は、ガラス又はポリマーの蓋若しくはその他の適切な透明な材料であってよく、レンズ形状であってよい。例えば布による端部４の清掃若しくは被服のポケット内に光学装置を入れることによる、透明な端部４の偶発的な摩擦、若しくは外部の電場に対する流体Ａ，Ｂの容器の暴露は、透明な端部４のような、容器の表面上の静電気の電荷の蓄積を発生させる。この電荷は、伝導性流体Ｂを引き付けることができ、これにより、流体Ａ、Ｂ間の界面１４の形状を、（ｃ）に示すように、乱し、これにより、レンズの所望の光学的な挙動の逸脱が発生する。静電気の電荷が除去されるのに数時間若しくはそれ以上かかるので、これは非常に望ましくない作用であることは明らかである。指摘すべきこととして、同様の望ましくない作用は、外部電場にレンズが晒されたときにも生ずる。   The transparent end 4 may be a glass or polymer lid or other suitable transparent material and may be in the form of a lens. For example, accidental rubbing of the transparent end 4 by cleaning the end 4 with a cloth or placing an optical device in a clothing pocket, or exposure of the fluid A, B container to an external electric field may cause The accumulation of electrostatic charges on the surface of the container, such as section 4, is generated. This charge can attract the conductive fluid B, thereby disturbing the shape of the interface 14 between the fluids A, B, as shown in (c), thereby causing the desired optical properties of the lens. A deviation in behavior occurs. Clearly this is a highly undesirable effect since it takes several hours or more to remove the static charge. It should be pointed out that a similar undesirable effect occurs when the lens is exposed to an external electric field.

強調すべきこととして、この望ましくない作用は、例として上記の特許文献２からの先行技術のレンズを用いて説明されているが、上記の特許文献１に開示されるダイアフラムのような、他の液体ベースの光学装置もこの問題点に同様に悩まされる。   It should be emphasized that this undesired effect has been described by way of example using prior art lenses from U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,836, but other such as the diaphragm disclosed in U.S. Pat. Liquid-based optical devices suffer from this problem as well.

図２及び後続の図面には、図１の可変焦点レンズが、本発明の光学装置の一実施例として示される。しかし、強調すべきこととして、本発明の教示は、他の液体ベースの光学装置にも適用できる。図２では、図１の可変焦点レンズは、レンズの外部電場、即ち第１の端部４上の電場に界面が晒されるのを防止するため伝導性層１００により拡張される。伝導性層１００は、端部４の内面上に示されているが、端部４の外面上の配設も考えられる。伝導性層１００は、酸化インジウムすず（ＩＴＯ）、酸化インジウム（Ｉｎ２Ｏ３）や酸化スズ（ＳｎＯ２）のような、任意の知られた透明な伝導性材料により実現されることができる。好ましくは、伝導性層１００は、電場に反応する液体Ｂと同一の電位に維持され、これは、図２に示すように、電場に反応する液体Ｂに接触する電極１２に伝導性層１００を伝導的に結合することによって実現することができる。 In FIG. 2 and the subsequent drawings, the variable focus lens of FIG. 1 is shown as an embodiment of the optical apparatus of the present invention. However, it should be emphasized that the teachings of the present invention can be applied to other liquid-based optical devices. In FIG. 2, the variable focus lens of FIG. 1 is extended by a conductive layer 100 to prevent exposure of the interface to the external electric field of the lens, ie the electric field on the first end 4. The conductive layer 100 is shown on the inner surface of the end 4, but an arrangement on the outer surface of the end 4 is also conceivable. The conductive layer 100 can be realized by any known transparent conductive material, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium oxide (In 2 O 3 ), or tin oxide (SnO 2 ). Preferably, the conductive layer 100 is maintained at the same potential as the liquid B that reacts to the electric field, which causes the conductive layer 100 to be applied to the electrode 12 that contacts the liquid B that reacts to the electric field, as shown in FIG. This can be realized by conductive coupling.

図３は、本発明の光学装置のその他の実施例を示す。図１の可変焦点レンズは、更なる容器１２０内に配置される。更なる容器１２０は、可変焦点レンズの端部４，６の反対側で開口してもよく、若しくは、これらの端部の反対側で透明な部分を有してもよい。更なる容器１２０は、更に、金属性の本体を含んでよく、若しくは、プラスティックやガラスのような、透明であることができる非伝導性材料を含んでよい。更なる容器１２０がかかる非伝導性材料を含む場合、更なる容器１２０は、更に、透明であることができる伝導性コーティング１４０を含み、これは、更なる容器１２０の内面若しくは外面上に設けられてよい。   FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the optical device of the present invention. The variable focus lens of FIG. 1 is placed in a further container 120. The further container 120 may open on the opposite side of the variable focus lens ends 4, 6 or may have a transparent portion on the opposite side of these ends. The further container 120 may further include a metallic body, or may include a non-conductive material that can be transparent, such as plastic or glass. If the further container 120 includes such a non-conductive material, the further container 120 further includes a conductive coating 140 that can be transparent, which is provided on the inner or outer surface of the further container 120. It's okay.

結果として、更なる容器１２０は、可変焦点レンズまわりでファラデーケージとして作用し、これにより、容器の表面上の静電気の電荷の蓄積が防止される。更に、外部電場は、光学装置の所期の光学的挙動を妨害もするが、ファラデーケージは、かかる妨害に対して光学装置を保護もする。伝導性コーティング１４０は、可変焦点レンズの容器の外面に塗布されてもよく、この場合、更なる容器１２０を省略することができる。好ましくは、伝導性コーティング１４０若しくは伝導性の更なる容器１２０は、電場に反応する液体Ｂに伝導的に結合され、ファラデーケージが電場に反応する液体Ｂと同一の電位で維持されることを保証する。この伝導性結合は、電極１２を介して実現されてよい。強調すべきこととして、ファラデーケージの上述の実施例は、本発明の範囲を逸脱することなく、図２に示すような伝導性層１００の実施例のいずれにも組み合わせることができる。   As a result, the further container 120 acts as a Faraday cage around the variable focus lens, thereby preventing the accumulation of electrostatic charges on the surface of the container. Furthermore, while the external electric field also interferes with the intended optical behavior of the optical device, the Faraday cage also protects the optical device against such interference. The conductive coating 140 may be applied to the outer surface of the variable focus lens container, in which case the further container 120 may be omitted. Preferably, the conductive coating 140 or the conductive further container 120 is conductively coupled to the electric field responsive liquid B, ensuring that the Faraday cage is maintained at the same potential as the electric field responsive liquid B. To do. This conductive coupling may be realized via the electrode 12. It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiment of the Faraday cage can be combined with any of the embodiments of the conductive layer 100 as shown in FIG. 2 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

この点、強調すべきこととして、この出願では、界面１４の形状を制御する手段は、電圧により界面１４の形状を制御する電極構成として示されているが、優先日が２００３年５月１４日の未公開の欧州特許出願０３１０１３３５．２に開示される界面１４の形状を制御する手段のような、界面１４の形状を制御するその他の手段も同等に適用可能である。   In this regard, it should be emphasized that in this application, the means for controlling the shape of the interface 14 is shown as an electrode configuration that controls the shape of the interface 14 by voltage, but the priority date is May 14, 2003. Other means for controlling the shape of the interface 14 are equally applicable, such as the means for controlling the shape of the interface 14 disclosed in the unpublished European patent application 03101335.2.

この出願では、可変焦点レンズが、異なる反射率を備える２つの不混和性の液体を含むことが開示されている。レンズは、２つの液体に対して分配される２つのチャンバ、即ち、界面が位置し光路が通過する第１のチャンバ、及び、第１のチャンバに２つの接続部を有する第２のチャンバを有する。第２のチャンバは、両チャンバにおけるそれぞれの液体の容積を変化させるために用いられるポンプを含む。結果として、レンズの焦点は、界面の形状、即ち界面の曲率を変化させること以外に、第１のチャンバの内壁に対する２つの液体間の界面の位置の平行移動により変化される。   In this application it is disclosed that the variable focus lens includes two immiscible liquids with different reflectivities. The lens has two chambers that are distributed to the two liquids: a first chamber in which the interface is located and the optical path passes, and a second chamber that has two connections in the first chamber. . The second chamber includes a pump that is used to change the volume of the respective liquid in both chambers. As a result, the focal point of the lens is changed by translating the position of the interface between the two liquids relative to the inner wall of the first chamber, in addition to changing the shape of the interface, ie the curvature of the interface.

図４は、図２及びその詳細な説明で示すように、端部４上に伝導性層１００を有する光学装置を含む、本発明の電子装置１の一実施例を示す。電子装置１は、電極２,１２を含む電極構成の両端に電圧を印加する駆動回路２０と、光学装置の光路を介して電子装置１に入る画像を捕捉する画像センサ３０とを更に含む。駆動回路２０及び画像センサ３０は、電源４０により給電され、当該電源４０は、その一方の端子、例えばグランド側が、伝導性層１００に結合される。これは、電子装置１のグランドであってもよい。或いは、図２に示した構成と同様の構成で、伝導性層１００は、電極１２を介して電源４０に結合されても良い。   FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the electronic device 1 of the present invention including an optical device having a conductive layer 100 on the end 4 as shown in FIG. 2 and its detailed description. The electronic device 1 further includes a drive circuit 20 that applies a voltage across the electrode configuration including the electrodes 2 and 12 and an image sensor 30 that captures an image entering the electronic device 1 via the optical path of the optical device. The drive circuit 20 and the image sensor 30 are supplied with power by a power supply 40, and one terminal, for example, the ground side of the power supply 40 is coupled to the conductive layer 100. This may be the ground of the electronic device 1. Alternatively, the conductive layer 100 may be coupled to the power supply 40 via the electrode 12 in a configuration similar to that shown in FIG.

図５は、液体ベースの光学装置、例えば可変焦点レンズ、駆動回路２０、画像センサ３０、及び電源（図示せず）を含む、本発明の電子装置１のその他の実施例を示す。電子装置１は、更に、電子回路５０を含み、当該電子回路５０は、外部放射線、即ち電子回路の外側からの放射線から、遮蔽材料６０により遮蔽される。遮蔽材料６０は、伝導性フォイルや金属製ハウジングのような、当業者に知られた任意の適切な材料であってよい。遮蔽材料６０は、光学装置を通る光路を遮蔽することなく、光学装置の容器上に延在され、光学装置の容器の表面上の静電気の電荷の蓄積を防止する。   FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the electronic device 1 of the present invention, including a liquid-based optical device, such as a variable focus lens, a drive circuit 20, an image sensor 30, and a power source (not shown). The electronic device 1 further includes an electronic circuit 50, which is shielded by a shielding material 60 from external radiation, i.e. radiation from outside the electronic circuit. The shielding material 60 may be any suitable material known to those skilled in the art, such as a conductive foil or a metal housing. The shielding material 60 extends onto the container of the optical device without blocking the light path through the optical device and prevents the accumulation of electrostatic charges on the surface of the container of the optical device.

尚、上述の実施例は、本発明を例示するもので限定するものでなく、当業者であれば、添付の請求の範囲の観点から逸脱することなく多数の代替的な実施例を設計することができるだろう。原文の請求項において、カッコ内の参照符号は、請求項を限定するのに解釈されるべきでない。単語“ｃｏｍｐｒｉｓｉｎｇ（含む）”は、請求項に列挙された要素やステップ以外の要素やステップの存在を除外するものでない。要素に付される単数表現は、かかる要素の複数の存在を除外するものでない。本発明は、幾つかの区別される要素を含むハードウェアにより実現されることができる。幾つかの手段を列挙する装置クレームでは、これらの手段のいくつかが、１つの同一のハードウェアのアイテムにより具現化されることができる。ある手段が、相互に異なる従属項の請求項に記載されているという単なる事実は、これらの手段の組み合わせが効果的に使用できないことを意味するものではない。   It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are illustrative and not limiting of the present invention, and those skilled in the art will be able to design a number of alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Will be able to. In the original claims, reference signs in parentheses should not be construed as limiting the claims. The word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. The singular expression attached to an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The present invention can be implemented by hardware including several distinct elements. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means can be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used effectively.

先行技術の可変焦点レンズを概略的に示す図である。It is a figure which shows schematically the variable focus lens of a prior art. 本発明による光学装置を概略的に示す図である。1 schematically shows an optical device according to the invention. 本発明によるその他の光学装置を概略的に示す図である。FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing another optical device according to the present invention. 本発明による電子装置を概略的に示す図である。1 schematically shows an electronic device according to the invention. 本発明によるその他の電子装置を概略的に示す図である。FIG. 6 schematically shows another electronic device according to the invention.

Claims (6)

透明な端部を含み、互いに界面を介して接触する不混和性のある絶縁性液体と電場に反応する液体とを収容する容器であって、前記２つの液体の一方の液体が少なくとも該容器を通る光路上に少なくとも部分的に配置される、容器と、
前記界面の形状を電圧により制御する電極構成と、
前記透明な端部の一部を形成し、前記界面が外部の電場に晒されるのを防ぐ伝導性層とを含む、光学装置。 A container containing an immiscible insulating liquid and a liquid that reacts to an electric field , each of which includes a transparent end and is in contact with each other through an interface, wherein at least one of the two liquids holds the container. A container disposed at least partially on a light path therethrough;
An electrode configuration for controlling the shape of the interface by voltage ;
An optical device comprising a conductive layer forming part of the transparent end and preventing the interface from being exposed to an external electric field. 前記電極構成が、前記電場に反応する液体に接触する電極を含み、前記伝導性層が、該電極に伝導性結合される、請求項１に記載の光学装置。The optical device of claim 1 , wherein the electrode configuration includes an electrode in contact with a liquid that is responsive to the electric field, and the conductive layer is conductively coupled to the electrode. 請求項１又は２に記載の光学装置を含む電子装置であって、
前記電極構成に接続される駆動回路と、
前記駆動回路に給電する電源とを含む、電子装置。An electronic device comprising an optical device according to claim 1 or 2,
A drive circuit connected to the electrode configuration ;
An electronic device including a power supply for supplying power to the drive circuit. 前記伝導性層が、前記電源の端子に結合される、請求項３に記載の電子装置。The electronic device of claim 3 , wherein the conductive layer is coupled to a terminal of the power source. 前記端子がグランドである、請求項４に記載の電子装置。The electronic device according to claim 4 , wherein the terminal is a ground. 前記伝導性層が、当該電子装置の電子回路を外部放射線から遮蔽する装置の一部を形成する、請求項３又は４に記載の電子装置。The electronic device according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein the conductive layer forms part of a device that shields the electronic circuit of the electronic device from external radiation.
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