Variable Camera Aperture Blades for Compact Light Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing variable aperture devices for camera modules face challenges in miniaturization due to the need for large blade back sizes and limited blade stroke, leading to device enlargement and unwanted light passage around the central aperture.
Innovation Solution
A variable aperture device with a pair of supplemental blades that project outward from the main blades to cover unwanted holes, combined with a unique actuator mechanism that converts rotational motion into linear movement, allowing for a compact design without compromising reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the blade back size is increased to prevent unwanted light passage in closed state, then the variable aperture device size enlarges
Solution Approach 1:
The blade structure is divided into two functional segments: the blade back portion that forms the central aperture and the blade front portion that extends forward. This segmentation allows the blade back to be minimized for compactness while the blade front maintains optical performance by covering unwanted light paths when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade is extended in the longitudinal direction (front-to-back dimension) rather than increasing the lateral dimensions. The blade front portion projects forward from the blade back, utilizing the depth dimension to cover unwanted light passage without enlarging the device's width or height.
2Area of stationary object
If the variable aperture device is miniaturized by reducing blade back size, then unwanted holes appear around the central aperture in closed state
Solution Approach 1:
The blade front portion extends in the longitudinal dimension forward from the blade back, creating an overlapping structure that covers unwanted holes around the central aperture without requiring larger blade back dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade front portion is positioned to overlap and cover the blade back portion when the aperture is closed. This nested arrangement ensures that any gaps or holes around the central aperture are covered by the extending blade front, preventing unwanted light passage.
3Area of stationary object
If a single actuator drives two blades to reduce space, then the device width is reduced but blade stroke is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Two separate actuators are merged into a single integrated actuator unit that simultaneously drives both blades. This combined actuator mechanism reduces the overall device width while maintaining sufficient blade stroke through coordinated rotational and linear motion of the shared actuating components.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a variable aperture device for a camera module. The device comprises: a base having a base aperture and a pair of blade guides; a pair of main blades guided by the blade guides; a pair of supplemental blades guided by the blade guides; a cover that is fixed to the base and has a cover aperture; and an actuator for moving the main blades and the supplemental blades relative to the base. Each of the main blades has a respective notch. The notches collaboratively define a central aperture and a fixed aperture. Each of the supplemental blades has a respective notch. The notches collaboratively define a minimum aperture and a maximum aperture.