Compact Camera Aperture Stop With Rollable Support for Blade Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional controllable aperture stops face challenges in compact camera modules due to size limitations, potential damage to light-blocking blades, weight issues, and precision requirements, making it difficult to achieve high image quality and adjust background blur effectively.
Innovation Solution
A controllable aperture stop design featuring a light pass portion with movable blades, a fixed portion with shaft structures, and a driving part with a rotatable element, magnet, and coil configuration that allows precise adjustment of the light pass aperture, supported by rollable elements and a frame element, ensuring proper magnetic attraction and reduced component overlap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional controllable aperture stops are applied to compact camera modules, then aperture control functionality is achieved, but the device size increases and precision requirements cannot be satisfied
Solution Approach 1:
The movable blades are nested within the housing structure, with each blade rotatably mounted on a rotation axis. The blades are positioned inside the housing cavity, allowing the aperture stop to be compact while maintaining full aperture control functionality. The nested arrangement enables the aperture mechanism to fit within limited space without compromising its ability to adjust the light pass aperture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes rotational movement around central axes to achieve aperture control, transforming the traditional linear adjustment mechanism into a rotational system. The movable blades rotate around rotation axes that are offset from the central axis of the light pass aperture, enabling compact aperture adjustment through angular displacement rather than linear extension, thus reducing the overall device volume.
2Volume of moving object
If the size of camera modules is reduced, then compactness is achieved, but light-blocking blades become easily damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides sufficient spacing between the movable blades and the housing walls, preventing direct contact and potential damage during normal operation. The rotation axes are positioned such that the blades have adequate clearance from fixed structures, cushioning them against impact and reducing wear. This protective spacing ensures blade durability in the compact camera module environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure is designed with localized features that protect the movable blades, such as recesses or guide structures that constrain blade movement paths. The rotation axes are strategically positioned to minimize stress concentrations on the blades. These localized structural qualities enhance blade reliability without increasing the overall module size.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional aperture stops are used in compact modules, then aperture control is possible, but total weight becomes too heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture stop is segmented into multiple independent movable blades, each capable of rotating on its own axis. This segmentation allows for a lighter overall structure compared to a solid, monolithic aperture mechanism. Each blade can be made from lightweight materials and requires minimal actuation force, reducing the weight of the driving mechanism while maintaining aperture control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a magnetic field-based driving mechanism instead of traditional mechanical linkages or motors to rotate the movable blades. The magnetic driving system eliminates heavy mechanical transmission components, significantly reducing the total weight of the aperture stop assembly while maintaining precise aperture control capability.
4Manufacturing precision
If precision requirements for light pass aperture are increased, then image quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable blades are designed with self-aligning features that automatically position them correctly during rotation. The rotation axes are positioned to naturally guide the blades into proper alignment, eliminating the need for complex external positioning mechanisms. This self-service capability achieves high light pass aperture precision while keeping the device structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic rotational movement of the movable blades to achieve precise aperture control. By allowing the blades to rotate freely on their axes with minimal friction, the system can achieve high positioning precision through controlled angular displacement. The dynamic nature of the rotation mechanism simplifies the overall structure compared to static, mechanically constrained systems.
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
The design enhances precision, stability, and reduces the risk of damage, enabling effective control over aperture size and light exposure, thus improving image quality and reducing mechanical wear, while maintaining compact size and weight.
Implementation Method 1
The first magnet and the first coil are configured to drive the rotatable element to rotate around the light pass aperture
Implementation Method 2
The attraction portion is ferromagnetic and disposed corresponding to the first magnet so as to generate a magnetic attraction, and the magnetic attraction forces the first magnet and the rotatable element to exert a pressure on the rollable elements
Data Source
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AI summary
A controllable aperture stop (2) includes a light pass portion (21), a fixed portion (23), a driving part (25) and rollable elements (270). The light pass portion (21) includes movable blades (ASB) together surrounding a light pass aperture (210). The fixed portion (23) has shaft structures (2310) corresponding to the movable blades (ASB). The driving part (25) includes a rotatable element (251), a magnet (253) and a coil (255). The magnet (253) is disposed on the rotatable element (251). The magnet (253) and the coil (255) are to drive the rotatable element (251) to rotate around the light pass aperture (210) for driving the movable blades (ASB) to rotate relative to the shaft structures (2310). The rollable elements (270) are disposed between the fixed portion (23) and the rotatable element (251) and arranged around the light pass aperture (210), so the rotatable element (251) is rotatable relative to the fixed portion (23).