Patents by Inventor Tai-Hsu Chou

Tai-Hsu Chou has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9071123
    Abstract: A voice coil motor includes a case, a stationary module, and a movable module. The stationary module is retained within the case, and includes a housing and a number of magnets. The housing and the plurality of magnets are integrally formed. The movable module is movably retained within the case, and includes a barrel and a coil coupled to the barrel. When electric current is applied to the coil, the coil generates a magnetic field and the magnetic field repels the magnets, thereby driving the movable module to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tai-Hsu Chou
  • Patent number: 8981603
    Abstract: A voice coil motor (VCM) includes a moving unit, a fixing unit, an elastic plate, and a conducting pole. The moving unit includes a moving barrel and a coil assembly around the moving barrel. The coil assembly includes a connecting portion. The moving barrel defines a blind hole on an upper surface thereof, one end of a conducting pole being received in the blind hole. The fixing unit defines a through hole receiving the moving unit. The elastic plate is connected between the moving barrel and the fixing unit. The conducting pole provides a stable electrical connection between the elastic plate and the connecting portion notwithstanding movements of the moving barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tai-Hsu Chou
  • Patent number: 8854749
    Abstract: A voice coil motor includes a base made of plastic or resin, a stator, a moving and a shell. The base includes a mounting surface, assembling surfaces, and protrusions extending from at least one of the assembling surfaces. The stator includes a rack and magnets. The rack is mounted to the mounting surface. The moving unit received in the rack. The shell includes a top plate and side plates extending from the top plate. The shell defines at least one slot. Each slot is positioned at a joint between two neighboring side plates. At least one side plate defines mounting holes. The base, the moving unit, and the stator are accommodated in the shell. Each protrusion passes through a mounting hole and is heated to form a head portion. The head portion is positioned outside the shell and has an outer diameter greater than a diameter of each mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tai-Hsu Chou
  • Patent number: 8634150
    Abstract: A voice coil motor includes a stationary magnetic field generator with a receiving space, a moveable magnetic field generator received in the receiving space, a lens module, a base, and a lower elastic plate. The moveable magnetic field generator includes a lens retainer. The lens retainer defines a circular hole with internal threads. The lens module forms external threads threadedly engaging with the internal threads. An adhesive is coated between the external and internal threads. The stationary magnetic field generator is supported on the base. The base defines an opening in its center. The lower elastic plate is sandwiched between the base and the stationary magnetic field generator and defines a light passing hole. The lower elastic plate includes an elastic portion surrounding the light passing hole. A cross-sectional area of the elastic portion is less than a cross-sectional area of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tai-Hsu Chou
  • Publication number: 20130279031
    Abstract: A voice coil motor includes a stationary magnetic field generator with a receiving space, a moveable magnetic field generator received in the receiving space, a lens module, a base, and a lower elastic plate. The moveable magnetic field generator includes a lens retainer. The lens retainer defines a circular hole with internal threads. The lens module forms external threads threadedly engaging with the internal threads. An adhesive is coated between the external and internal threads. The stationary magnetic field generator is supported on the base. The base defines an opening in its center. The lower elastic plate is sandwiched between the base and the stationary magnetic field generator and defines a light passing hole. The lower elastic plate includes an elastic portion surrounding the light passing hole. A cross-sectional area of the elastic portion is less than a cross-sectional area of the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: TAI-HSU CHOU
  • Patent number: 8542452
    Abstract: A voice coil motor (VCM) includes a case, a lens holder, a spring sheet, a coil, a magnet assembly, and a guiding ring. The case includes an inner surface. The lens holder is received in the case. The spring sheet is connected between the case and the lens holder. The coil circles around the lens holder. The magnet assembly is positioned on the inner surface of the case. The guiding ring defines a guiding hole and is positioned on the inner surface of the case, and one end of the lens holder is received in the guiding hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tai-Hsu Chou
  • Publication number: 20130242420
    Abstract: A voice coil motor includes a base made of plastic or resin, a stator, a moving and a shell. The base includes a mounting surface, assembling surfaces, and protrusions extending from at least one of the assembling surfaces. The stator includes a rack and magnets. The rack is mounted to the mounting surface. The moving unit received in the rack. The shell includes a top plate and side plates extending from the top plate. The shell defines at least one slot. Each slot is positioned at a joint between two neighboring side plates. At least one side plate defines mounting holes. The base, the moving unit, and the stator are accommodated in the shell. Each protrusion passes through a mounting hole and is heated to form a head portion. The head portion is positioned outside the shell and has an outer diameter greater than a diameter of each mounting hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: TAI-HSU CHOU
  • Publication number: 20130221765
    Abstract: A voice coil motor (VCM) includes a moving unit, a fixing unit, an elastic plate, and a conducting pole. The moving unit includes a moving barrel and a coil assembly around the moving barrel. The coil assembly includes a connecting portion. The moving barrel defines a blind hole on an upper surface thereof, one end of a conducting pole being received in the blind hole. The fixing unit defines a through hole receiving the moving unit. The elastic plate is connected between the moving barrel and the fixing unit. The conducting pole provides a stable electrical connection between the elastic plate and the connecting portion notwithstanding movements of the moving barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: TAI-HSU CHOU
  • Publication number: 20130221766
    Abstract: A voice coil motor includes a case, a stationary module, and a movable module. The stationary module is retained within the case, and includes a housing and a number of magnets. The housing and the plurality of magnets are integrally formed. The movable module is movably retained within the case, and includes a barrel and a coil coupled to the barrel. When electric current is applied to the coil, the coil generates a magnetic field and the magnetic field repels the magnets, thereby driving the movable module to move.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: TAI-HSU CHOU
  • Patent number: 8476792
    Abstract: A voice coil motor includes a lens retainer, a wire, and an elastic electrode member. The lens retainer includes an end portion. The wire wraps around the lens retainer and includes a first end and a second end. The elastic electrode member is metal and is mounted to the end portion. The elastic member includes a first elastic metal sheet and a second elastic metal sheet. The first elastic metal sheet includes a first electrode. The second elastic plate is physically separated from the first elastic sheet and includes a second electrode. The first end and the second end are respectively soldered to the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Wcube Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tai-Hsu Chou
  • Publication number: 20130154396
    Abstract: A voice coil motor (VCM) includes a shell, a frame, an elastic member, a moving unit, and a plurality of magnetic members. The shell includes a top plate and sidewall extending from the top plate. The frame is received in the shell and mounted to the top plate. The elastic member is mounted to the frame. The moving unit is received in the shell and includes a lens retainer and coils wrapped around the lens retainer. The frame and the elastic member are arranged on an end surface of the lens retainer. Each of the magnetic members is directly mounted to the sidewall and positioned between the sidewall and the moving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: TAI-HSU CHOU
  • Patent number: 8451526
    Abstract: An exemplary shutter device includes a base having an aperture defined therein, a shaft mounted on the base, a magnetic element, a shutter blade, a first wire coil and a second wire coil. The magnetic element is connected to the shaft and rotatable around the shaft. The shutter blade is coupled to the shaft and jointly rotatable with the magnetic element. The first wire coil and the second wire coil are mounted on the base arranged on two sides of the magnetic element. The first and second wire coils are configured for driving the magnetic element to rotate, thereby moving the shutter blade to selectively expose the aperture or cover the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tai-Hsu Chou
  • Publication number: 20130107382
    Abstract: A voice coil motor (VCM) includes a case, a lens holder, a spring sheet, a coil, a magnet assembly, and a guiding ring. The case includes an inner surface. The lens holder is received in the case. The spring sheet is connected between the case and the lens holder. The coil circles around the lens holder. The magnet assembly is positioned on the inner surface of the case. The guiding ring defines a guiding hole and is positioned on the inner surface of the case, and one end of the lens holder is received in the guiding hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: TAI-HSU CHOU
  • Publication number: 20120306294
    Abstract: A voice coil motor includes a lens retainer, a wire, and an elastic electrode member. The lens retainer includes an end portion. The wire wraps around the lens retainer and includes a first end and a second end. The elastic electrode member is metal and is mounted to the end portion. The elastic member includes a first elastic metal sheet and a second elastic metal sheet. The first elastic metal sheet includes a first electrode. The second elastic plate is physically separated from the first elastic sheet and includes a second electrode. The first end and the second end are respectively soldered to the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: TAI-HSU CHOU
  • Patent number: 8287376
    Abstract: A game drum includes a drum body, a compressible member and a MEMS pressure sensing module. The drum body includes an output interface circuit for coupling with a terminal electronic device. The compressible member is accommodated in the accommodating room of the drum body. The MEMS pressure sensing module includes a MEMS sensor, located under the compressible member, for sensing a pressure applied on the compressible member and converting the pressure values into electronic signals, a processing unit for calculating a value of the pressure according to the electronic signals, and a power supply unit for supplying power to the processing unit and the transmitting unit. The processing unit is connected with the output interface circuit such that a user is able to obtain the pressure value from the terminal electronic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hai Lan, Ga-Lane Chen, Tai-Hsu Chou
  • Patent number: 8285132
    Abstract: A voice coil motor includes a shell and a driving module in the shell. The shell includes a top plate. The driving module includes many magnets attached on the shell and defining a first receiving cavity, a movable unit movably received in the first receiving cavity, a bottom base, and a guiding post. The movable unit includes a movable barrel for receiving a lens module and a coil on the movable barrel. A central axis of the movable barrel is coaxial with an optical axis of the lens module. The movable barrel includes a first receiving portion. A central axis of the first receiving portion is parallel with the optical axis. The bottom base includes a second receiving portion. One end of the guiding post is received in the first receiving portion, and the other end of the guiding post is received in the second receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tai-Hsu Chou
  • Patent number: 8268242
    Abstract: A hydrogen sensor includes a substrate, a hydrogen absorbing member, a power source, an ammeter, and a processing unit. The hydrogen absorbing member is positioned on the substrate, and includes a carbon nanotube yarn and a hydrogen absorbing film coated on the carbon nanotube yarn. The ammeter measures an electric current. The hydrogen absorbing member and the ammeter are connected in series to the power source. The processing unit is electrically coupled to the ammeter to obtain a hydrogen concentration according to the electric current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tai-Hsu Chou
  • Patent number: 8253094
    Abstract: An aperture unit includes a transparent cylindrical member, a magnetic fluid, and a magnetic field generator. The cylindrical member includes a cylindrical chamber. A light input end portion of the cylindrical member is transparent, and an opposite light output end portion of the cylindrical member is transparent. The magnetic fluid is received in the cylindrical chamber. The magnetic fluid includes a transparent solvent, a surfactant, and nano-magnetic particles dispersed substantially evenly in the solvent. Each of the magnetic nano-particles is enveloped by a surfactant. The magnetic field generator is positioned outside the cylindrical chamber. The magnetic field generator is configured for generating a magnetic field applied to the chamber and attracting and clustering the nano-particles, such that an annular nano-particle opaque layer is formed on an inner surface of the cylindrical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Chien Huang, Tai-Hsu Chou
  • Patent number: 8249822
    Abstract: A motion controller includes a handle and a MEMS pressure sensing module. The handle has an output interface circuit for coupling with a terminal electronic device. The MEMS pressure sensing module includes a compressible member mounted on the handle, a MEMS sensor for sensing a pressure applied on the compressible member and converting the pressure into electronic signals, a processing unit for calculating a value of the pressure according to the electronic signals, and a power supply unit for supplying power to the processing unit. The processing unit is connected with the output interface circuit such that a user is able to obtain the pressure value from the terminal electronic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hai Lan, Ga-Lane Chen, Tai-Hsu Chou
  • Publication number: 20120148222
    Abstract: A voice coil motor includes a shell and a driving module in the shell. The shell includes a top plate. The driving module includes many magnets attached on the shell and defining a first receiving cavity, a movable unit movably received in the first receiving cavity, a bottom base, and a guiding post. The movable unit includes a movable barrel for receiving a lens module and a coil on the movable barrel. A central axis of the movable barrel is coaxial with an optical axis of the lens module. The movable barrel includes a first receiving portion. A central axis of the first receiving portion is parallel with the optical axis. The bottom base includes a second receiving portion. One end of the guiding post is received in the first receiving portion, and the other end of the guiding post is received in the second receiving portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: TAI-HSU CHOU