Camera Module Driving Units with Intersecting Magnetic Fields

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Solution Overview

Problem

In camera modules with multiple driving units, the narrowing interval between units due to miniaturization leads to reduced accuracy in lens position movement, affecting functions like zoom and auto-focus, and using shielding members to mitigate magnetic interference increases module size, making miniaturization challenging.

Innovation Solution

A camera module design with driving units arranged inside a housing, where each unit forms a magnetic field oriented at a specified angle relative to others, minimizing magnetic interference and allowing stable lens movement without the need for shielding, thus enabling efficient use of limited space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If multiple driving units are arranged adjacent to each other on one surface to enable miniaturization, then the camera module size is reduced, but the magnetic field interference between driving units increases and position movement accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera module sizeVSAvoidlens position movement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the magnetic field direction parameter of adjacent driving units. Specifically, the first driving unit generates a magnetic field in a first direction, while the second driving unit generates a magnetic field in a second direction that intersects the first direction at a specified angle (e.g., 90 degrees). This parameter change in magnetic field orientation reduces magnetic field interference between adjacent driving units, allowing them to be arranged closer together without compromising position movement accuracy, thus enabling camera module miniaturization while maintaining functional precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If shielding members are added to prevent magnetic field interference between driving units, then position movement accuracy is improved, but the camera module size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelens position movement accuracyVSAvoidcamera module size
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding shielding members that increase size, the patent changes the operational parameter of the driving units by setting their magnetic field directions to intersect at specified angles. This approach achieves the same goal of reducing magnetic interference but through a different mechanism that does not require additional physical space for shielding components, thus maintaining position movement accuracy while preventing camera module size increase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical shielding approach (using shielding members to block magnetic fields) with a field configuration approach (orienting magnetic fields at intersecting angles). This substitution eliminates the need for additional shielding structures while still achieving the objective of reducing magnetic field interference, thereby avoiding the size penalty that would result from adding shielding components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 stabilizes lens movement for zoom, auto-focus, and optical image stabilization functions while maintaining a compact size, effectively utilizing limited mounting area without the need for shielding members.

Implementation Method 1

the first driving unit forms a first magnetic field oriented in a first direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a voice coil motor (VCM) is often used, which operates by way of a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through a coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLorentz force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 3

the second driving unit forms a second magnetic field oriented in a second direction intersecting the first direction at a specified angle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 4

the second driving unit forms a second magnetic field in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLorentz force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP3665530B1Camera module including plural driving units having different magnetic field directions
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3665530B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP3665530B1 patent drawingFigure 2b
  • EP3665530B1 patent drawingFigure 2c

AI summary

A camera module is disclosed herein, including a housing, a lens unit arranged in the housing and including at least one lens, a first driving unit arranged adjacent to a first surface inside the housing and configured to move the at least one lens in a direction along an optical axis, and a second driving unit arranged adjacent to the first surface inside the housing to move the lens unit in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, where the first driving unit forms a first magnetic field oriented in a first direction, and wherein the second driving unit forms a second magnetic field oriented in a second direction intersecting the first direction at a pre specified angle.