Camera Module Adhesive Through-Hole for Focal Point Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

During the assembly of a camera module, there is a risk that the focal point of the lens may be outside the design range, and some components may be deformed or damaged.

Innovation Solution

The camera module design includes a lens unit, a front body with the lens unit installed, a substrate unit with an image sensor, a first coupling element, and a first adhesive unit with through holes between the front body and the substrate unit. This configuration allows for active alignment and prevents air expansion issues during adhesive hardening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the adhesive unit is heated to harden it during assembly, then the adhesive bonding strength is improved, but the air inside the sealed space expands and causes deformation or damage to components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive bonding strengthVSAvoidcomponent deformation and damage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of expanding air during heating into a beneficial feature by designing a through-hole that allows the expanding air to escape. The heating process, which originally caused damage, is now utilized effectively to harden the adhesive while the through-hole prevents the harmful side effect of air expansion, thus transforming a harmful process into a beneficial one.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

This principle is not directly applicable to the patent. The patent deals with physical changes (air expansion, adhesive hardening) rather than optical properties or color changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Strength

If the adhesive unit is heated to harden it during assembly, then the adhesive bonding strength is improved, but the focal point position deviates from the design range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive bonding strengthVSAvoidfocal point position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of air expansion during heating, which causes focal point deviation, into a beneficial process by providing a through-hole for air escape. This allows the heating process to proceed without the harmful side effect of air expansion, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while achieving the desired adhesive bonding strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If the space between the front body and substrate unit is completely sealed, then the internal environment is protected, but air expansion during heating causes deformation and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal environment protectionVSAvoidcomponent deformation and damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sealed space by introducing a through-hole that divides the previously continuous sealed environment into a controlled system with a designated escape path. This segmentation allows the space to maintain its protective function while providing a controlled outlet for air expansion, preventing deformation and damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the harmful element (expanding air) from the sealed space by providing a through-hole that allows it to escape. This extraction maintains the protective function of the sealed environment while removing the source of deformation and damage during the heating process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design ensures that the focal point of the lens is accurately positioned within the design range, preventing deformation and damage of components due to air expansion during adhesive hardening, thereby enhancing image quality and assembly reliability.

Implementation Method 1

includes an oxide film that is formed on the first adhesive surface via corrosion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorrosion resistance: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

when air that is filled in a space formed by the front body and the substrate unit expands while the first adhesive unit is heated in order to be hardened

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal hardening: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4531408A1Camera module
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 LG INNOTEK CO LTD
  • EP4531408A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4531408A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4531408A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A camera module comprising: a lens unit(100); a front body(200) coupled to the lens unit(100) and comprising a first protrusion(210) protruding from one end thereof and a second protrusion(220) protruding from the first protrusion(210); a first substrate(310) disposed on the first protrusion(210) of the front body(200); a second substrate(320) disposed on the second protrusion(220) of the front body(200) and spaced apart from the first substrate(310); an image sensor(400) disposed on the first substrate(310) and configured to face the lens unit(100); a first coupling element(710) configured to couple the second substrate(320) and the second protrusion(220) of the front body(200); and a first adhesive unit(500) disposed between the first protrusion(210) of the front body(200) and the first substrate(310), wherein the first adhesive unit(500) is configured to couple the first protrusion(210) of the front body(200) and the first substrate(310) and comprises at least one through hole(510) formed between the first protrusion(210) of the front body(200) and the first substrate(310), wherein the second substrate(320) comprises a first through hole(322) that the first coupling element(710) penetrates, and wherein the first substrate(310) comprises an first escape groove(312) having a shape corresponding to the second protrusion(220).