Camera Module Lens Electrical Contact via Movable Rings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera modules face challenges in electrical contacting due to limited installation space and exposure to environmental influences, which affects reliability and service life, and require minimal force to compensate for lens movements during alignment.

Innovation Solution

The camera module employs movably mounted contact rings with contact springs and resiliently supported contact legs, allowing for low-force electrical contacting and movement compensation across five axes, with contact rings and legs forming poles that maintain contact with conductor tracks despite movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If connectors are used to establish electrical connection between lens and camera module internal electronics, then electrical energy can be supplied to lens, but installation space is limited and connection is difficult to establish

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The contact rings are designed to be movable relative to the lens holder, allowing dynamic adjustment during active alignment to maintain electrical contact while accommodating lens position changes across five axes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Contact rings serve as intermediary elements between the lens and the lens holder, providing a flexible electrical connection interface that mediates between the fixed holder and the movable lens

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If external power supply connection is used, then electrical energy can be supplied to lens, but installation space must be adapted and external contact is exposed to environmental influences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidenvironmental exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The contact rings serve multiple functions: providing electrical connection, compensating for alignment movements, and protecting the connection interface from environmental influences by being positioned within the lens holder structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If spring contacts are used to compensate for lens movements during active alignment, then electrical contact can be maintained, but undue stress is applied to the adhesive used for fixing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical contact maintenanceVSAvoidadhesive strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The contact rings are mounted movably on the lens holder, allowing them to move independently to compensate for lens alignment movements without transmitting excessive force to the adhesive bonding the lens

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If contact springs are mounted on movably mounted contact rings, then lens movements can be compensated, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement compensation capabilityVSAvoidcontact mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contact rings combine multiple functions into a single component: electrical contact provision, movement compensation through movable mounting, and mechanical support for contact springs, thereby reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution ensures reliable and durable electrical contacting with minimal stress on adhesives, maintaining contact during lens alignment and operation while reducing exposure to environmental influences.

Implementation Method 1

The contact springs are preferably adjusted in such a way that, when the lens moves, the contact springs are not deformed, but rather only, or primarily, the contact rings are moved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4193220B1Camera module and method for producing a camera module
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP4193220B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4193220B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4193220B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a camera module (1) comprising a lens (2) having an electrical interface (3), and a lens holder (4) having means for electrically contacting the lens (2) in the region of the electrical interface (3), wherein the means for electrical contacting are also connected to an electronics system, in particular to a circuit board (5), of the camera module (1). According to the invention, the means for electrical contacting comprises two contact springs (8, 9) having contact rings (6, 7), which form a first and a second pole and which are electrically insulated by an intermediate spacer (10), wherein the two contact rings (6, 7) are moveably mounted via the lens holder (4) and the spacer (10). The invention also relates to a method for producing a camera module (1).