Array Camera Lens Modules Asymmetry Dead Space Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In array cameras, minimizing dead space between lens modules to reduce the size of the image sensor while preventing physical collisions and ensuring adequate image coverage is challenging, as reducing dead space leads to image overlap and insufficient space for barrels.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates lens modules with specific sidewall configurations, including inner and outer sidewalls that project to form image areas on the image sensor, allowing for reduced dead space and larger active sensor areas, and in a second embodiment, wafer-level lens modules with perpendicular sidewalls to optimize space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If dead space is reduced to minimize image sensor size, then image sensor size is reduced, but image areas from different lens modules overlap and barrels physically collide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the lens modules with non-rotationally symmetric cross-section shapes (such as U-shaped, C-shaped, or L-shaped profiles) instead of traditional symmetric barrel shapes. This asymmetric design allows the lens modules to be arranged in a compact configuration where their image areas cover different regions of the image sensor without overlapping, while also preventing physical collision between adjacent lens modules. The asymmetric shape enables optimized spatial arrangement that simultaneously reduces dead space and maintains reliable image coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes dimensional optimization by carefully designing the projection dimensions of each lens module's image area along the optical axis. By controlling the extent of image area projection in the lateral dimensions and arranging lens modules at specific positions, the patent ensures that image areas from different channels cover distinct regions without overlap. This dimensional control allows minimization of dead space while preventing both image overlap and barrel collision.
2Area of stationary object
If dead space is reduced to minimize image sensor size, then image sensor size is reduced, but space for lens module barrels becomes inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the lens modules with non-rotationally symmetric cross-section shapes (such as U-shaped, C-shaped, or L-shaped profiles) instead of traditional symmetric barrel shapes. This asymmetric design allows the lens modules to be arranged in a compact configuration where their image areas cover different regions of the image sensor without overlapping, while also preventing physical collision between adjacent lens modules. The asymmetric shape enables optimized spatial arrangement that simultaneously reduces dead space and maintains reliable image coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes dimensional optimization by carefully designing the projection dimensions of each lens module's image area along the optical axis. By controlling the extent of image area projection in the lateral dimensions and arranging lens modules at specific positions, the patent ensures that image areas from different channels cover distinct regions without overlap. This dimensional control allows minimization of dead space while preventing both image overlap and barrel collision.
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
This configuration effectively reduces the dead space, allowing for a smaller image sensor size without barrel collisions and ensuring complete image coverage, enhancing the array camera's efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
each lens module comprises a barrel 21 and at least one lens (no shown) received in the barrel 21... each barrel 21 has a rotationally symmetric cross section and a projection of the barrel 21 along the optical axis forms a rotationally symmetric image area 22′
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an array camera. The array camera includes an array camera comprising an image sensor sectioned into at least two channels and at least two lens modules each positioned on a top of one of the channels. Each channel consists of an active sensor area and a dead space. Each lens module has a barrel. Each barrel of the lens modules has an inner sidewall facing the adjacent lens modules and an outer sidewall opposite to the inner surface. Wherein, a projection of the inner sidewall of each barrel along the optical axis is an inner line on the corresponding channel of the image sensor and the inner line is substantially superposed with a part of the outline of the active sensor. The array camera has a small size.