Camera Module with Dual Reflectors for Front Rear Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current camera modules in mobile terminals require separate manufacturing of front and rear cameras, leading to complex manufacturing, high costs, low space utilization, and poor performance of the front camera due to independent components and spatial constraints.
Innovation Solution
A camera module with a module support, driving device, first and second reflectors, and a lens module, where the reflectors are positioned at specific angles and connected to the driving device to alternately collect light from different inlets, enabling the same high-quality imaging in all directions and switching between front and rear camera functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate front camera and rear camera are arranged on the terminal, then camera function and video call function can be realized, but manufacturing complexity increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the front camera and rear camera into a single integrated camera module. The module support structure houses both the first light inlet (for front camera) and second light inlet (for rear camera), along with the lens module and reflectors, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and installation of two independent camera systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The single camera module is designed to perform multiple functions: it can capture images from the front (through the first light inlet), capture images from the rear (through the second light inlet), and support video call functions. The lens module and reflectors are configured to handle light from both inlets, making one module serve the roles of two separate cameras.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate front camera and rear camera are arranged on the terminal, then camera function and video call function can be realized, but space utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate camera systems into one compact module. The module support structure is designed to accommodate both light inlets and the lens module in a space-efficient configuration, significantly reducing the total space required compared to having two independent camera assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The first reflector and second reflector are positioned within the module support structure, with the lens module nested to receive light from either reflector. This nested arrangement allows both front and rear camera functions to coexist in a compact volume, maximizing space utilization.
3Ease of manufacture
If independent components are used for front camera and rear camera, then each camera can be manufactured separately, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the components of the front camera and rear camera into a single module support structure. The lens module, first reflector, and second reflector are all housed within one support, enabling unified manufacturing processes and reducing the number of assembly steps required.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens module is designed as a universal component that can receive light from either the first light inlet or the second light inlet through the reflectors. This multi-functional design allows a single lens module to replace what would traditionally require two separate lens assemblies, simplifying manufacturing.
4Ease of manufacture
If front camera has reduced performance to control cost, then terminal cost decreases, but front camera performance becomes poor
Solution Approach 1:
The lens module is designed as a universal, high-performance component that serves both front camera and rear camera functions. By using the same lens module for both light inlets, the patent ensures that the front camera achieves the same imaging quality and performance as the rear camera, eliminating the need to compromise front camera performance for cost reasons.
Solution Approach 2:
The integration of the first reflector and second reflector within the same module support structure, along with the shared lens module, creates a unified optical system. This merging ensures that both front and rear camera functions benefit from the same high-quality optical components and manufacturing precision, eliminating performance degradation.
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 solution simplifies manufacturing, reduces costs, enhances space utilization, and achieves equal performance for both front and rear camera functions, with a single camera module providing high integration, yield, and ease of debugging and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The first reflector is arranged at the first light inlet, a mirror surface of the first reflector is at a first preset angle with the first sidewall, the second reflector is arranged at the second light inlet, a mirror surface of the second reflector is at a second preset angle with a first horizontal plane perpendicular to the first sidewall
Implementation Method 2
the lens module is arranged on a second horizontal plane perpendicular to the first sidewall, a lens of the lens module faces the mirror surface of the second reflector
Data Source
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AI summary
A camera module, a mobile terminal and a method of controlling a camera module are provided. The camera module includes a module support, a driving device, a first reflector, a second reflector and a lens module. The first reflector, the second reflector and the lens module are in the module support. Based on the positon arrangement and the connection of the multiple components including the module support, the two reflectors, the lens module and the driving device, the lens module alternately collects light passing through the first light inlet and light passing through the second light inlet, so that the camera module alternately has the function of the front camera and the function of the rear camera, and the camera module has the same high quality imaging effect in all directions.