Camera Module Lens Barrel Adjustment in Actuator Carrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera module manufacturing methods require large apparatuses and additional stroke margins due to the separation of actuators and image sensors, and the need for precise adjustment of imaging lenses in both optical axis and tilt directions, which complicates the assembly process and increases the size of the manufacturing equipment.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the insertion of a lens barrel with a connection section into a carrier within an actuator, allowing for adjustment and fixation of the imaging lens based on imaging information, enabling compact apparatus usage and minimizing stroke margins by adjusting the lens position and eccentricity before fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the actuator and image sensor are separated to enable adjustment of the imaging lens angle, then the adjustment capability is improved, but the manufacturing apparatus size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging lens angle adjustment capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing apparatus size

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the actuator and image sensor into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for separate positioning systems. The image sensor is directly mounted on the actuator, allowing angle adjustment of the imaging lens without requiring a large separated manufacturing apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the lens barrel is fixed to the carrier before adjustment, then the assembly stability is improved, but the adjustment accuracy deteriorates due to positional errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly stabilityVSAvoidadjustment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the angle adjustment of the imaging lens before fixing the lens barrel to the carrier. This preliminary adjustment ensures that the optimal position is established prior to fixation, eliminating the need for additional stroke margins that would be required if adjustment were attempted after fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If additional stroke margin is provided for positional error compensation, then the adjustment reliability is improved, but the optical axis direction stroke margin increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment reliabilityVSAvoidoptical axis direction stroke margin

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical positioning adjustments with an optical-based active alignment system. The imaging lens angle is adjusted based on imaging information from the image sensor, eliminating the need for large mechanical stroke margins for error compensation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10104275B2Manufacturing method for camera module, and camera module

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 SHARP KK

AI summary

A lens barrel (3) holding an imaging lens (2) is inserted into a carrier (5) accommodated in an actuator (4), and the carrier (5) is held at a position in an optical axis direction of the imaging lens (2) by the actuator (4). The position of the imaging lens (2) in the optical axis direction and the eccentricity of the imaging lens (2) are adjusted on the basis of imaging information of an image sensor (6), and the lens barrel (3) is fixed to the carrier (5).