Adjustable Optical Lens for Camera Module Axis Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional camera modules face challenges in ensuring high image quality due to deviations in the central axis alignment of lenses and optical sensors, leading to issues like blur imaging and increased production costs, primarily caused by limitations in molding, packaging, and manufacturing processes.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable optical lens system with an optical structural member and multiple lenses that can be adjusted in various directions (horizontal, vertical, tilt, and rotation) to align the central axis lines, allowing for precise alignment with the optical sensor, thereby improving image quality and reducing production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If multiple lenses are aligned overlappingly and molded together in the conventional camera module, then the lens structure can be formed, but the central axis line of the lens has greater deviation due to packaging limitations and gluing/welding processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelens molding and packagingVSAvoidcentral axis line alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the lens adjustable after assembly rather than fixed during molding. The lens can be moved along the optical axis and rotated around the central axis line, allowing post-assembly adjustment to correct alignment deviations. This transforms a static manufacturing process into a dynamic one where precision can be optimized after the basic structure is formed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling the lens and optical sensor in a preliminary assembly structure before final packaging. This preliminary assembly allows for adjustment and alignment of the lens central axis line with the optical sensor central axis line before the final sealed package is formed, correcting deviations that would otherwise be locked in during conventional molding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the lens and optical sensor are packaged together in the conventional process, then the camera module is formed, but it is difficult to ensure alignment of the central axis lines of the lens and optical sensor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera module production efficiencyVSAvoidcentral axis line alignment between lens and sensor
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the assembly process into distinct stages: first forming a preliminary assembly with adjustable lens and optical sensor, then performing final packaging. This segmentation allows alignment adjustments to be made in the preliminary assembly stage before the final sealed package is formed, separating the alignment adjustment function from the final packaging operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the lens position and orientation adjustable in the preliminary assembly stage, allowing dynamic adjustment of the lens central axis line to align with the optical sensor central axis line. This dynamic adjustability enables precision alignment to be achieved after the basic components are in place, without requiring extremely tight tolerances in the initial packaging process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional packaging techniques are used to assemble the camera module, then production can proceed, but image quality is affected due to alignment deviations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging processVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing lens alignment and adjustment in a preliminary assembly stage before final packaging. The lens central axis line can be adjusted to coincide with the optical sensor central axis line in this preliminary stage, ensuring proper alignment is established before the final sealed package is formed, thereby protecting image quality while maintaining ease of manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the lens mounting structure, allowing the lens to be repositioned and reoriented after initial assembly but before final packaging. This dynamic capability enables correction of alignment deviations that would otherwise compromise image quality, while the final packaged product remains as easy to manufacture as conventional designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4180852A1Adjustable optical lens and camera module and manufacturing method and applications thereof
Publication Date: 2023.05.17 NINGBO SUNNY OPOTECH CO LTD
  • EP4180852A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4180852A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4180852A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A camera module lens and camera module are disclosed. The camera module lens includes at least an internal optical lens, at least an external optical lens and a lens cone component. The internal optical lenses are arranged in an interior of said lens cone component according to a predesigned order, wherein said external optical lens is arranging in the exterior of said lens cone component along the vertical direction of said lens cone component. The internal optical lenses and the external optical lens are all arranged in the optical path of said camera module lens, wherein at least a piece of said internal optical lenses and external optical lenses serves as an adjustable lens. The assembling position of said adjustable lens is adaptable to be adjusted correspondingly to the spatial position of said lens cone component in at least one direction.