Annular Light Guide Camera Module for Uniform Macro Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile phone cameras face insufficient illumination during macro or ultra-macro shooting due to the flash lamp's inability to effectively supplement light to the camera area, resulting in poor image quality.
Innovation Solution
A camera module with an annular light guide member that surrounds the lens assembly, where light from a peripheral light source enters and is diffused through the light guide member to provide uniform and sufficient illumination to the camera area, hidden within the mobile terminal's housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a flash lamp is used to supplement light for the camera, then illumination is improved for normal shooting, but illumination is insufficient for macro or ultra macro shooting where the distance between the camera and photographed object is extremely small
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is segmented into multiple light sources positioned at different locations (first light source at the first end, second light source at the second end of the light guide member) to provide targeted illumination for different shooting scenarios including macro photography
Solution Approach 2:
A light guide member is introduced as an intermediary component to transmit and distribute light from the light sources to the camera area, enabling controlled illumination distribution that adapts to different shooting distances and modes
2Illumination intensity
If the light guide member is disposed at the light-through opening, then uniform illumination is achieved, but the module thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide member is designed with an annular cross-section that extends in the thickness direction, allowing light to be distributed uniformly across the camera area while maintaining a compact overall thickness by utilizing the radial dimension for light guidance
3Illumination intensity
If the light source is positioned to provide sufficient illumination, then image quality improves, but the risk of lamp exposure increases affecting aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide member is disposed within the housing at the light-through opening, nesting the illumination system within the existing camera module structure, which hides the light source and light guide member while providing sufficient illumination, thus maintaining aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide member has different optical properties at different locations - the outer peripheral side allows light entry while the light emitting surface is designed to diffuse light uniformly, creating local variations in light transmission that ensure sufficient illumination without visible lamp exposure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures adequate and uniform illumination for macro or ultra-macro shooting, enhancing image quality while minimizing the module's thickness and preventing lamp exposure, thus improving user experience and aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
light emitted from the light source being incident in the light guide member through an outer peripheral side of the light guide member, and being emitted out through a light emitting surface of the light guide member
Data Source
AI summary
A camera module and a mobile terminal are provided. The camera module includes a lens assembly, a light guide member and a light source, the light guide member is of an annular structure, and the light guide member is sleeved on an outer peripheral side of the lens assembly; and light emitted from the light source is incident in the light guide member through the outer peripheral side of the light guide member and is emitted out through a light emitting surface of the light guide member, and the light emitting surface faces toward an object side of the lens assembly. The camera module and the mobile terminal have sufficient and uniform illumination supplementation.