Camera Module Integration on Display PCB Cutout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrating a camera module into portable electronic devices, such as smartphones and smartwatches, is challenging due to their small size and tightly integrated components, making it difficult to accommodate optical image stabilization and autofocus mechanisms while maintaining aesthetics and functionality.
Innovation Solution
The camera module is integrated using either front-crystal integration, where it resides on the display panel, or housing-side integration, allowing for fixed positioning and alignment with the display panel to optimize light transmission and image capture, while also considering the tight tolerances and component placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the camera module is integrated into small portable devices with tightly integrated components, then the device size is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and alignment tolerance become more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a display PCB as an intermediary component that carries the camera module. This mediator absorbs and manages the alignment tolerances, allowing the camera to be positioned relative to the display PCB rather than directly to the device housing. The display PCB acts as a buffer that decouples the tight tolerance requirements from the overall device assembly, enabling smaller device sizes while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
2Manufacturing precision
If the camera module is positioned to accommodate tight tolerances from tightly integrated components, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the camera module with the display PCB, combining two functional components into a single integrated assembly. By mounting the camera module on the display PCB rather than treating it as a separate subsystem, the patent reduces the number of independent alignment references and simplifies the overall device architecture. This merging approach maintains manufacturing precision while reducing device complexity.
3Reliability
If the camera module uses optical image stabilization and autofocus mechanisms, then the image capture quality is improved, but the device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the camera module on the display PCB, utilizing the z-dimension (depth) above the display surface to accommodate OIS and AF mechanisms. This vertical arrangement allows the lens assembly to move along the optical axis for autofocus and to compensate for vibrations through OIS, while the overall device footprint remains compact. The display PCB provides a stable platform that supports these moving components without increasing the device's planar dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device includes a camera module having an optical axis. The portable electronic device also includes a display panel. The portable electronic device further includes a display printed circuit board (PCB) including a cutout centered around the optical axis. In addition, the portable electronic device includes a mounting bracket fixedly coupling the camera module to the display PCB. The portable electronic device includes a housing configured to retain the camera module, the display panel, the display PCB, and the mounting bracket therein. In some aspects, the mounting bracket may be fixedly attached to an interior surface within the portable electronic device and configured to maintain a position of the camera module.