Array Camera Module Layout for Compact Multi-Lens Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current double-lens camera modules face challenges in miniaturization due to increased size resulting from larger photosensitive areas and passive electronic components, leading to deformation issues and contamination risks, which hinder their integration in thinner and lighter portable electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
The camera module design involves attaching electronic components to the back face of a circuit board, with an embedding portion to reduce the module's length and width, and a molding base to prevent deformation and contamination, allowing for a more compact and reliable imaging system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a single lens is used to capture images, then the device structure is simple, but the field of view is limited and depth of field information cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging system into multiple independent lens units (first lens unit, second lens unit, etc.), each capable of capturing images from different directions. This segmentation allows the system to achieve a wider field of view and capture depth of field information while keeping each individual lens unit relatively simple in structure.
2Area of moving object
If multiple lens units are used to increase field of view, then more depth of field information is obtained, but the size of the imaging device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a stacked arrangement where multiple lens units are vertically stacked and integrated around a common imaging sensor. This nesting approach allows multiple lens units to share the same space footprint, increasing the field of view without proportionally increasing the overall device area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a horizontal arrangement of lens units to a vertical stacked arrangement. By utilizing the vertical dimension, the system can accommodate multiple lens units within a compact footprint, effectively increasing the field of view while controlling the device's horizontal area.
3Loss of information
If multiple lens units are used to capture images from different directions, then depth of field information is obtained, but alignment precision becomes more difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical paths of multiple lens units by directing all captured images to a single shared imaging sensor. This combining approach simplifies the alignment requirements compared to having separate sensors for each lens unit, as the sensor plane serves as a common reference for all lens units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a beam splitting mechanism or optical coupling structure as an intermediary between the multiple lens units and the imaging sensor. This intermediary component facilitates precise alignment by providing a unified optical interface, making it easier to control the relative positions and orientations of the lens units.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses an array camera module and application thereof, wherein the array camera module comprises at least one optical lens and at least one circuit board assembly. The circuit board assembly further comprises at least one photosensitive chip, at least one circuit board, and at least one electronic component, wherein the photosensitive chip and the circuit board are conductively connected, at least one of the electronic components is attached to a back face of the circuit board, and the optical lens is held in a photosensitive path of the photosensitive chip. In this way, at least one of the length and the width of the array camera module can be reduced, so as to be beneficial to the miniaturization of the array camera module, so that the array camera module can be conveniently applied to a light-weighted and thinned electronic device. (Fig.4)