Camera Module Guide Groove Impact Resistance

Solution Overview

Problem

Camera modules in portable electronic devices face increased size and weight due to added functions, leading to higher impact forces during collisions, which can cause dents on ball member contact surfaces, impairing autofocus and optical image stabilization functions.

Innovation Solution

A camera module design featuring a guide unit with ball members and guide grooves, where the first guide grooves have an acute angle between adjacent surfaces (greater than 90° and less than or equal to 110°) and a 'v'-shaped cross-sectional shape, and auxiliary guide grooves with flat surfaces, along with larger ball members in auxiliary grooves, to distribute impact forces and reduce dent formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If various functions are added to the camera module, then the functionality is improved, but the size and weight increase, leading to higher impact forces

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidimpact force

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The guide groove is designed with a specific angle (greater than 90° and less than or equal to 110°) between adjacent surfaces to provide beforehand cushioning against impact forces. This angular design allows the ball member to experience a gradual change in direction during collision, reducing the peak impact force and preventing dents on the contact surface before they can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a ball guide-type actuator is used, then the autofocus and optical image stabilization functions are enabled, but dents occur on the ball member contact surface during collisions, impairing smooth movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautofocus and OIS functionVSAvoidsmooth movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide groove's angular design (greater than 90° and less than or equal to 110°) provides beforehand cushioning that prevents dent formation on the ball member contact surface during collisions, thereby maintaining smooth movement and reliable autofocus and OIS functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide groove angle is specifically optimized to be greater than 90° and less than or equal to 110°. This parameter change in the groove geometry transforms the impact force distribution, reducing peak stresses that would otherwise cause dents and maintain reliable ball member movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the guide groove has a standard design, then the structure is simple, but impact forces concentrate on the ball member contact surface, causing dents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide groove structureVSAvoiddent resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide groove angle is specifically optimized to be greater than 90° and less than or equal to 110°. This parameter change in the groove geometry transforms the impact force distribution, reducing peak stresses that would otherwise cause dents and maintain reliable ball member movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The guide groove's angular design (greater than 90° and less than or equal to 110°) provides beforehand cushioning that prevents dent formation on the ball member contact surface during collisions, thereby maintaining smooth movement and reliable autofocus and OIS functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

The design effectively minimizes dent occurrence on ball members, ensuring smooth movement and maintaining the functionality of autofocus and optical image stabilization functions by dispersing impact forces and enhancing dent resistance.

Implementation Method 1

a guide unit configured to guide the movement of the carrier, and comprising: a ball member configured to move in the optical axis direction; and a guide groove unit comprising a plurality of guide grooves in which the ball member is disposed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBall guide mechanism: Ball

Implementation Method 2

the plurality of guide grooves comprise a first guide groove in which an angle between normals of two adjacent surfaces of the first guide groove in contact with the ball member is an acute angle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact force distribution: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentUS12099283B2Camera module

Publication Date: 2024.09.24 SAMSUNG ELECTRO MECHANICS CO LTD

AI summary

A camera module includes: a housing; a carrier accommodated in the housing, and configured to move in an optical axis direction; a lens unit accommodated in the carrier, and configured to move in the optical axis direction together with the carrier; a driving unit configured to move the carrier; and a guide unit configured to guide the movement of the carrier, and comprising: a ball member configured to move in the optical axis direction; and a guide groove unit comprising a plurality of guide grooves in which the ball member is disposed, wherein the plurality of guide grooves comprise a first guide groove in which an angle between normals of two adjacent surfaces of the first guide groove in contact with the ball member is an acute angle.