Autofocus Camera Module Ball Layout for Parallel Lens Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Camera modules with ball-supported lens modules often experience tilting during autofocus, which adversely affects autofocus performance due to the movement of the lens module not being parallel to the optical axis.
Innovation Solution
A camera module design featuring a housing with a carrier and ball units positioned diagonally to support the lens module, where the first ball unit has more balls than the second, and a distance between them is greater than the carrier's longest side, ensuring parallel movement and minimizing tilting through a rotational force applied by magnets and coils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a plurality of balls are used to support the lens module in the optical axis direction, then the lens module can move smoothly during autofocus, but the lens module may tilt when moving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring different numbers of balls in different ball units. Specifically, the first ball unit has a different number of balls compared to the second ball unit, creating an asymmetric support structure that generates rotational force to counteract tilting while maintaining smooth movement along the optical axis
2Stability of the object's composition
If the distance between ball units is increased to reduce tilting, then parallel movement is improved, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the distance parameter between ball units to be greater than the longest side length of the carrier, which is the minimum distance required to generate sufficient rotational force. This parameter optimization achieves tilting prevention while minimizing the overall space occupied by the ball unit configuration
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 design enhances driving stability during autofocus operations by maintaining parallel movement of the lens module along the optical axis, thereby improving autofocus performance and reducing tilting issues.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator driving the autofocus function may include a magnet and a coil generating a driving force
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of balls supporting the movement of a lens module in an optical axis direction
Data Source
AI summary
A camera module includes a housing having an internal space; a carrier disposed in the internal space of the housing; a lens module disposed in the carrier; a first driver including a first magnet coupled to the carrier, and a first coil facing the first magnet; and a first ball unit and a second ball unit disposed between the carrier and the housing and spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the camera module, wherein the first ball unit includes two or more balls disposed in an optical axis direction, and the second ball unit includes a smaller number of balls than the first ball unit disposed in the optical axis direction, and a distance between the first ball unit and the second ball unit is greater than a length of a longest side of the carrier.