Camera Chassis With Stepped Mounting Surfaces For Coplanar Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The alignment of multiple cameras in electronic devices, such as smartphones and virtual reality headsets, is challenging due to differences in camera sizing and manufacturing tolerances, which can result in misalignment and affect image capture accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A chassis with a top wall and sidewalls that define multiple cavities for mounting cameras, featuring exterior and interior surfaces with varying surface heights to facilitate precise alignment and mounting of cameras with different lens module heights, ensuring coplanar top surfaces of the cameras.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple cameras with different sizes are mounted using conventional methods, then camera mounting is achieved, but alignment precision deteriorates due to manufacturing tolerances and size differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a chassis as an intermediary mounting structure that provides precision alignment features (such as alignment pins, precision-machined surfaces, and standardized mounting interfaces) between the cameras and the device housing. This mediator absorbs and compensates for manufacturing tolerances in both the cameras and the housing, achieving high alignment precision without requiring the entire system to be highly complex
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by providing multiple mounting hole positions, adjustable alignment features, and variable spacing configurations in the chassis design. This allows the mounting structure to adapt to different camera sizes and positions while maintaining precise alignment, resolving the contradiction between handling size variations and achieving alignment precision
2Volume of moving object
If camera mounting structure is made compact, then form factor is reduced, but alignment accuracy may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional space efficiently by designing the chassis with vertical stacking capabilities, multi-level mounting surfaces, and depth-optimized cavity configurations. This allows multiple cameras to be arranged in a compact volume while maintaining precise relative positioning through carefully designed spacing features and alignment references in multiple dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing cameras, lens assemblies, and supporting structures within nested cavities and compartments of the chassis. This nested arrangement maximizes space utilization while maintaining precise relative positions through integrated alignment features built into each nesting level, achieving compact form factor without sacrificing positioning accuracy
3Adaptability or versatility
If cameras are mounted with different lens module heights, then camera variety is increased, but coplanarity becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different mounting surface heights, stepped support structures, and localized alignment features at specific positions within the chassis. Each camera mounting location can have customized height compensation features tailored to that specific camera's lens module height, allowing cameras with different dimensions to achieve coplanar top surfaces while maintaining overall structural integrity
Data Source
AI summary
A camera system for an electronic device is described herein. The camera system may include a chassis configured to receive at least two cameras. The chassis may include a top wall having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may define a first region of an exterior surface of the top wall having a first surface height and a first opening. The second portion may define a second region of the exterior surface having a second surface height recessed with respect to the first surface height, and further defines a second opening. The second opening may be substantially surrounded by the first region. A first camera may be mounted to the chassis and at least partially extends through the first opening and a second camera may be mounted to the chassis and at least partially extend through the second opening.