Camera Module Housing EMI Shielding via Faraday Cage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices face challenges in attenuating electromagnetic interference (EMI) between camera modules and other electronic components, leading to increased production and manufacturing costs, as well as physical footprint, due to the need for additional shielding components.
Innovation Solution
A camera module design that incorporates a housing with a movable lens barrel within a cavity defined by the housing, where the housing and circuit board form a Faraday cage to shield the image sensor from electromagnetic fields, using conductive materials and grounding to block EMI while allowing for autofocus functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a sheet metal can is added to the camera module to shield EMI, then EMI attenuation is improved, but production cost and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the shielding function with the existing actuator housing structure. The housing that already encloses the autofocus motor is designed to also provide EMI shielding by using conductive materials and implementing grounding connections, eliminating the need for a separate sheet metal can and reducing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator housing is given multiple functions: it serves as the structural enclosure for the autofocus mechanism and simultaneously acts as an EMI shield. This multi-functionality approach reduces the total component count and manufacturing steps while achieving both mechanical support and electromagnetic protection
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a sheet metal can is added to the camera module to shield EMI, then EMI attenuation is improved, but physical footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding function is merged into the existing actuator housing volume. By designing the housing walls and structure to provide EMI shielding through conductive material selection and grounding, the patent achieves shielding without adding external components that would increase the camera module's physical footprint
3Object-affected harmful factors
If additional shielding components are added to the camera module, then EMI attenuation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shielding function with the actuator housing, eliminating the need for separate shielding components. The housing structure itself is designed to provide EMI protection through material selection and grounding connections, simplifying the overall device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator housing performs multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical enclosure for the autofocus motor, structural support for the lens assembly, and EMI shielding. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate components
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 effectively reduces EMI noise, improves user interaction performance, and decreases production and manufacturing costs by integrating shielding within existing components, resulting in cleaner power supplies and less noisy images.
Implementation Method 1
the housing and circuit board form a Faraday cage to shield the image sensor from electromagnetic fields
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of the disclosure provide a camera module configured to shield an image sensor from an electromagnetic field. In some examples, the camera module includes a circuit board, an image sensor coupled to the circuit board, a housing coupled to the circuit board such that the housing shields the image sensor from an electromagnetic field, and a lens barrel coupled to the housing such that the lens barrel is moveable within a cavity defined by the housing. Examples of the disclosure enable an electromagnetic field to be blocked in a cost-effective and component-efficient manner.