Camera Module Housing Air Gap Thermal Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera modules face challenges in easy coupling between multiple housings and heat transfer during assembly, which can damage internal components.

Innovation Solution

A camera module design featuring a front and rear housing coupled by welding, with an air gap structure to prevent heat transfer and eliminate the need for screws and sealing members, using a coupling part with specific extension portions and regions to create an air gap for insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional screw coupling and sealing members are used to join front and rear housings, then coupling reliability and waterproofing are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling reliabilityVSAvoidassembly structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the coupling function and sealing function into a single integrated housing structure. The front housing and rear housing are directly coupled through precision-machined mating surfaces with integrated sealing grooves, eliminating the need for separate sealing members and screws. This integration maintains reliability while reducing component count and assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure is designed to be self-sealing through precision-machined mating surfaces and integrated sealing grooves that automatically engage during assembly. The coupling surfaces themselves provide the sealing function without requiring additional sealing members, making the structure self-sufficient and reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of manufacture

If welding is used to join front and rear housings, then manufacturing cost and assembly process are simplified, but heat transfer to internal components occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly process simplicityVSAvoidheat transfer to substrate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an air gap as an intermediary thermal insulation layer between the welding zone and the substrate. This air gap acts as a thermal barrier, preventing direct heat transfer from the welded housing to the sensitive internal components while allowing the welding process to proceed normally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure is segmented to create a thermal barrier zone (air gap) that separates the heat-generating welding area from the heat-sensitive substrate area. This segmentation allows the welding process to occur without compromising the thermal environment of internal components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If air gap structure is introduced to prevent heat transfer, then thermal protection of internal components is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer preventionVSAvoidair gap dimension control
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The air gap structure is pre-designed into the housing geometry during the molding or machining process, rather than being created through complex post-assembly adjustments. This preliminary incorporation of the thermal barrier simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces the need for high-precision assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the air gap dimensions to achieve effective thermal insulation while maintaining reasonable manufacturing tolerances. By carefully selecting the air gap thickness and positioning, the design achieves thermal protection without requiring excessively tight manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design simplifies the assembly process, reduces manufacturing costs, and prevents heat transfer to internal components, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the camera module.

Implementation Method 1

an air gap structure to prevent heat transfer and eliminate the need for screws and sealing members

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4694158A2Camera module
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 LG INNOTEK CO LTD
  • EP4694158A2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4694158A2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4694158A2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This camera module comprises: a lens holder; a front housing coupled to the lens holder; a rear housing coupled to the front housing; a substrate disposed in the rear housing; and a coupling part disposed between the front housing and the rear housing, wherein; the front housing comprises a first body and a first extension portion protruding from the first body toward the rear housing; the rear housing comprises a second body and a second extension portion protruding from the second body toward the front housing; a first region of the coupling part is disposed between the first body and the second extension portion and the first body and the second extension portion are arranged to be spaced apart from each other.