Camera Lens Assembly Auto-Focusing Guide Section

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera lens assemblies for mobile communication terminals face challenges in providing auto-focusing and optical zoom functions while maintaining portability and communication functionality, as they are limited by the need to prioritize these main functions over camera performance.

Innovation Solution

A camera lens assembly with a driving unit and guide section, utilizing a voice coil motor and balls for smooth forward and backward movement along the optical axis, enabling auto-focusing and miniaturization for easy mounting on portable devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a camera lens assembly is miniaturized for mounting on mobile communication terminals, then portability and communication functionality are improved, but auto-focusing and optical zoom functions cannot be provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera lens assembly sizeVSAvoidauto-focusing function

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The camera lens assembly is divided into separate functional modules: a lens unit, a driving unit with voice coil motor, and a guide section with balls. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling auto-focusing functionality while maintaining compact overall size suitable for mobile terminals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide section with balls is nested within the driving unit structure, and the lens assembly moves within the confined space of the driving unit. This nested arrangement maximizes space utilization, allowing complex functions like auto-focusing to be achieved within a miniaturized form factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Manufacturing precision

If optical zoom and auto-focusing functions are added to camera lens assembly, then camera performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera performanceVSAvoidlens assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The driving unit with voice coil motor serves multiple functions: it provides auto-focusing by moving the lens assembly forward and backward, and enables optical zoom by adjusting focal length. The guide section with balls simultaneously guides movement and reduces friction. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate mechanisms for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The voice coil motor replaces traditional mechanical focusing mechanisms with an electromagnetic system. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical linkages, gears, and linkages, reducing device complexity while achieving precise auto-focusing and optical zoom functions through electromagnetic actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Force

If traditional driving mechanisms are used for lens movement, then sufficient driving force is provided, but power consumption increases and miniaturization is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving force for lens movementVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The voice coil motor replaces traditional mechanical motors with an electromagnetic actuation system. This substitution provides sufficient driving force for lens movement while significantly reducing power consumption and enabling miniaturization, as voice coil motors can generate adequate force in a compact, low-power configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide section with balls introduces dynamic elements that reduce friction during lens movement. The balls roll between the lens assembly and driving unit, converting static friction to dynamic rolling friction. This dynamic approach reduces the power required to move the lens while maintaining sufficient driving force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution simplifies the driving unit configuration, reduces the power required for lens movement, and allows for precise focal length adjustment, enhancing camera performance while maintaining portability and communication functionality.

Implementation Method 1

the configuration of the driving unit includes a voice coil motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoice coil motor: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Implementation Method 2

provides balls, as the guide section, between the lens assembly and the driving unit so as to enable smooth movement of the lens assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBall bearing: Ball Bearing

Data Source

PatentUS7589920B2Camera lens assembly

Publication Date: 2009.09.15 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A camera lens assembly providing focal length adjustment to permit mounting in a personal portable terminal. The camera lens assembly includes a lens assembly; a driving unit provided in one side of the lens assembly; and a guide section provided between the lens assembly and the driving unit, wherein the lens assembly moves forward and backward in a direction of an optical axis to the driving unit by guidance of the guide section. The guide section enhances an auto-focusing function and simplifies mounting of the camera lens assembly, rendering it possible to secure portability even when a camera is mounted to a miniaturized personal portable device such as a mobile communication terminal, a portable computer or the like.