Barrel-less Micromolding Lens Stack for Compact Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current camera miniaturization technologies face challenges in achieving both a small footprint and low z-height while maintaining high optical performance, as wafer-level optics limit lens shapes and materials, and micromolding requires barrel or lens holder assembly, increasing footprint.
Innovation Solution
A barrel-less camera device with a micromolding lens stack that uses self-supporting micromolding lenses directly affixed without a lens barrel or holder, utilizing interlocking mechanisms and adhesives for alignment and stabilization, allowing for compact and high-image-quality camera designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If micromolding lens technology is used to reduce z-height, then the vertical dimension is minimized, but the footprint increases due to the requirement of lens barrels or holders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the lens barrel or holder component from the micromolding lens assembly. By directly mounting the micromolding lenses to the sensor without an intermediate barrel structure, the footprint is reduced while maintaining the low z-height advantage of micromolding technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the lens mounting function directly into the sensor structure. The micromolding lenses are integrated with the sensor through direct attachment, eliminating the need for separate barrel components and reducing the overall footprint while maintaining structural stability.
2Area of stationary object
If wafer-level optics technology is used to achieve small footprint, then the horizontal dimensions are minimized, but the z-height increases due to glass substrate thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional glass substrates to micromolding polymer materials. This allows for thinner lens structures with reduced z-height while maintaining the small footprint advantage of wafer-level optics through direct sensor integration.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional lens assemblies with barrels are used, then structural stability is maintained, but the footprint and z-height increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the barrel structure from the lens assembly while maintaining structural stability through direct mounting of micromolding lenses to the sensor. The stability is achieved through precise alignment features and adhesive bonding rather than mechanical barrel support.
Solution Approach 2:
The micromolding lenses incorporate self-aligning features such as recesses and protrusions that enable self-positioning on the sensor. This self-service alignment mechanism maintains structural stability without requiring external barrel support structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A compact camera device with a lens assembly that does not include any lens barrel or lens holder. The lens assembly includes a first micromolding lens and a second micromolding lens. The first micromolding lens includes a first side and a second side that is opposite to the first side, the first side including a first mounting surface. The second micromolding lens includes a third side and a fourth side that is opposite to the third side, the fourth side including a second mounting surface that is directly affixed to the first mounting surface to form at least a portion of a micromolding lens stack comprising the first micromolding lens and the second micromolding lens in optical series. The micromolding lens stack is a self-supporting structure fixed in place within the camera device without the use of a lens barrel or a lens holder.