Camera Module Guide Groove Reinforcement for Vibration Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

As cameras in portable electronic devices support high performance and high-magnification lenses, the increased weight and exposure to vibrations lead to frequent deformation of components, necessitating improved structural reinforcement to maintain functionality.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a reinforcing insert made of a metallic material with greater strength than the resin mold, featuring rails and connectors in guide grooves to reduce friction and enhance stability, ensuring smooth operation of autofocus and optical image stabilization functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high-magnification lenses and high-capacity actuators are introduced to achieve high performance, then camera performance is improved, but component weight increases and deformation frequency increases under vibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera performanceVSAvoidcomponent strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material construction by combining resin mold with metallic reinforcing inserts. The resin mold provides basic structural form and electrical insulation, while the metallic inserts (made of aluminum alloy, stainless steel, or titanium alloy) provide enhanced mechanical strength and deformation resistance. This composite approach allows the housing and carrier to maintain structural integrity under vibration while supporting high-magnification lenses and high-capacity actuators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If component weight is increased to support high-magnification lenses, then optical performance is improved, but friction and deformation under vibration increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelens support capabilityVSAvoidfriction force
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the load-bearing function from the resin mold by introducing separate metallic reinforcing inserts. These inserts are selectively positioned in guide grooves and rolling portions to bear mechanical loads and resist deformation, while the resin mold retains its functions of providing structural form and electrical insulation. This separation allows the structure to support heavy lenses without the entire housing needing to be made of heavy metal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality enhancement by placing metallic reinforcing inserts only in specific critical areas where strength is needed, such as guide grooves and rolling portions, rather than making the entire housing from metal. This localized reinforcement reduces overall weight while providing sufficient strength to support high-magnification lenses and resist vibration-induced deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If resin material is used for mold, then ease of manufacture is improved, but impact resistance and structural strength deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemold manufacturingVSAvoidimpact resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite structure where the resin mold maintains its manufacturing advantages (ease of molding, electrical insulation, cost-effectiveness) while metallic reinforcing inserts provide the missing impact resistance and structural strength. The inserts are embedded into the resin mold during the molding process, creating a unified composite component that combines the benefits of both materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric material distribution by using different materials (resin and metal) in different regions of the same component. The resin forms the bulk structure for ease of manufacture, while metallic inserts are strategically placed in asymmetric patterns at critical stress points to provide targeted reinforcement without uniformly increasing weight or complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS12498535B2Camera module
Publication Date: 2025.12.16 SAMSUNG ELECTRO MECHANICS CO LTD
  • US12498535B2 patent drawing
  • US12498535B2 patent drawing
  • US12498535B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A camera module includes a carrier, disposed in an internal space of a housing, configured to receive a lens barrel, and having an external rolling portion corresponding to the internal rolling portion on an exterior side; a focus adjustment driver configured to generate a driving force to move the carrier in an optical-axis direction in the housing; and a rolling member disposed between the internal rolling portion and the external rolling portion. Either one or both of the internal rolling portion and the external rolling portion includes a guide groove, formed on an external surface of a mold forming an exterior of the housing or the carrier, including a pair of rolling sides facing each other with a predetermined angle, and a reinforcing insert made of a material having greater strength than a material of the mold.