Laminated Camera Lens Protector with Impact Absorbing Feature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera protectors for mobile devices often cause flares and other optical issues due to light transmission through the protective panels, and they fail to adequately protect the camera lenses and components from impact damage.
Innovation Solution
A laminated impact-resistant camera protector made of tempered glass with a cushioning TPU layer and adhesive, designed to fit the camera bump of mobile devices, featuring light isolating apertures and inserts to minimize flare and provide robust protection against scratches and impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a glass panel is used to protect the camera lens, then protection against scratches and impacts is improved, but flares and optical issues occur due to light transmission through the panel
Solution Approach 1:
The camera protector is segmented into multiple functional zones: clear aperture regions over the lens for optimal light transmission, and opaque or light-isolating regions surrounding the aperture to block stray light. This segmentation allows the protector to simultaneously provide mechanical protection while preventing flare and optical interference.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the camera protector have different optical properties: the central aperture area is transparent to allow light passage for imaging, while the peripheral regions are opaque or have light-isolating characteristics to block stray light. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between protection and optical performance.
2Strength
If a thick protective panel is used to absorb impact energy, then impact protection is improved, but the protector interferes with lens or flash modules
Solution Approach 1:
The protector design transitions from a single-plane thick panel to a multi-layer laminated structure with varying thicknesses. The laminated construction provides impact absorption through layered bonding while maintaining thin profiles and precise apertures that accommodate lens and flash modules without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The protector employs a nested multi-layer structure where multiple thin layers are bonded together to form a composite protective element. This nesting provides cumulative impact absorption while each layer can be precisely shaped with apertures to accommodate optical components.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single-layer glass protector is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but impact energy absorption and fragment containment are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The camera protector uses a laminated composite structure combining multiple glass or plastic layers with adhesive bonding. This composite construction enhances impact energy absorption through inter-layer deformation and provides automatic fragment containment where broken pieces remain bonded within the laminate, maintaining manufacturing feasibility while significantly improving safety and reliability.
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 effectively reduces flare and vignettes in photography while providing enhanced protection for camera lenses and components, containing shattered glass fragments and absorbing impact energy to prevent damage during drops.
Implementation Method 1
This additional layer enhances the impact protection offered by the protector by providing a cushioning, shock absorbent layer
Implementation Method 2
The invention is adhered to the back surface around the camera lenses or other portion of the electronic device by means of adhesive that is permanently affixed to the protector glass that creates a strong, but removable, bond to the electronic device camera surface
Implementation Method 3
These features eliminate lens flare, vignettes, and overexposure. Apertures utilizing isolating features can include lenses, flash, and microphones.
Data Source
AI summary
A laminated camera protector for a portable electronic device, the protector including adhesive layers to position the glass layer of the screen protector within 0.1 mm of the lens surface to reduce or eliminate flaring from a flash. The protector may further include a light isolating insert axially aligned with the camera flash.