Camera Assembly Decorative Member Nesting for Compact Periscope Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

The compactness of mobile phones is compromised by the large size of periscope lenses used in zoom cameras, which are necessary to reduce the thickness while maintaining image quality.

Innovation Solution

A camera assembly that includes a shell with a light-redirecting element and a decorative member, where the light-redirecting element redirects incident light to an imaging module, and the decorative member is designed to expose the light inlet while being partially received in a recess, reducing the overall size and thickness of the camera assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a periscope lens is used to reduce the height of the zoom lens, then the thickness of the mobile phone is reduced, but the width of the decorative piece increases which compromises the compactness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethickness of mobile phoneVSAvoidsize of decorative piece
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The decorative piece is nested into a receiving recess formed on the shell of the camera assembly. This allows the decorative piece to be partially embedded in the shell structure, reducing its protruding width while still covering the light incident opening, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining aesthetic coverage and reducing overall size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The design transitions from a flat decorative piece to a three-dimensional structure where the decorative piece extends into the receiving recess. This dimensional change allows the decorative piece to maintain its functional coverage area while reducing its width projection, thus improving compactness without sacrificing the aesthetic function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Shape

If the decorative piece is made large to cover the periscope lens, then the light incident opening is well covered, but the overall size of the camera assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage of light incident openingVSAvoidsize of camera assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The decorative piece is nested into the receiving recess, allowing it to maintain adequate coverage of the light incident opening while being partially embedded in the shell. This reduces the overall volume and width of the camera assembly while preserving the aesthetic coverage function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving recess is strategically positioned and sized to provide local support and embedding space for the decorative piece. This localized structural feature allows the decorative piece to maintain its coverage function in the critical area while reducing its overall dimensions through selective embedding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 allows for a more compact camera assembly that maintains image quality by reducing the height and width of the camera module, enhancing the miniaturization and aesthetic appeal of mobile devices.

Implementation Method 1

The light-redirecting element is accommodated in the shell and configured to redirect an incident light from the light incident opening to the first imaging module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight redirection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3581981B1Camera assembly and electronic device using the same
Publication Date: 2022.06.22 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3581981B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3581981B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3581981B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure discloses a camera assembly. The camera assembly includes a shell, a light incident opening defined in the shell, a first imaging module accommodated in the shell, a light-redirecting element, a receiving recess defined in the shell and adjacent to the light incident opening; and a decorative member. The light-redirecting element is accommodated in the shell and configured to redirect an incident light from the light incident opening to the first imaging module. The decorative member is mounted on the shell in such a manner that the light entrance incident opening is exposed from the decorative member and the decorative member is arranged around the light incident opening and partially received in the receiving recess. The disclosure also provides an electronic device.