Camera Module Lens Adjustment for Image Plane Inclination Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current camera module production faces challenges in achieving high image quality due to image plane inclination, field curvature, and other assembly-related defects, leading to increased manufacturing costs and reduced product yield, as existing methods rely heavily on precise assembly and component tolerances without efficient compensation mechanisms for lens assemblies.

Innovation Solution

A method for compensating image quality in optical systems through lens adjustment, where image quality parameters like image plane inclination and field curvature are quantitatively assessed, and lenses are adjusted in real-time using calculated adjustment amounts to ensure precise alignment and sensitivity balancing across lens units, reducing the need for precise component tolerances and simplifying the production process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If high assembly precision and strict component tolerances are used to ensure image quality, then image quality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating adjustment amounts for each lens unit based on measured image quality parameters (image plane inclination, field curvature, peak) before final assembly. This allows the optical system to be adjusted to optimal performance after assembly without requiring extremely tight tolerances during the assembly process itself, thereby improving productivity while maintaining image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If high assembly precision and strict component tolerances are used to ensure image quality, then image quality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by using an optical adjustment method that changes the positional parameters of lens units after assembly. Instead of controlling image quality through strict manufacturing tolerances, the system measures actual image quality parameters and adjusts lens positions accordingly, converting a manufacturing precision problem into a post-assembly adjustment problem, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If image plane inclination and field curvature are corrected through precise assembly, then image quality uniformity is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage quality uniformityVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by measuring actual image quality parameters (image plane inclination, field curvature, peak) after assembly and using these measurements to determine adjustment amounts for each lens unit. This closed-loop feedback approach simplifies the assembly process by allowing standard assembly procedures followed by automated adjustment, rather than requiring complex precision assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Manufacturing precision

If multiple lenses are adjusted separately to meet design requirements, then image quality is improved, but adjustment time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining the adjustment of multiple lens units into a unified process. Instead of adjusting each lens separately based on individual tolerances, the system measures overall image quality parameters and calculates coordinated adjustment amounts for multiple lens units simultaneously, reducing adjustment time and complexity while achieving better overall image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3392699B1Method for compensating imaging quality of optical system by adjusting lens
Publication Date: 2020.09.16 NINGBO SUNNY OPOTECH CO LTD
  • EP3392699B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3392699B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3392699B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a method for compensating for image quality of an optical system by means of a lens adjustment, applicable to a camera module comprising an adjustable lens or an adjustable lens set, the method comprising the following steps: (A) determining, based on imaging information of a to-be-adjusted optical system, parameters that need to be adjusted for compensating for the image quality; (B) establishing functions of relation between the parameters that need to be adjusted for compensating for the image quality and a to-be-adjusted lens factors; and (C) determining an adjustment mode and an adjustment amount for the to-be-adjusted lens based on the relation between the parameters that need to be adjusted for compensating for the image quality and the to-be-adjusted lens factors. Whereby, the present disclosure implements the accurate adjustment of the camera module by using an optical method during assembly and production, has high adjustment precision and high efficiency, can meet the production requirements such as high quality, low costs and high efficiency, and improves the image quality of the optical system.