Camera Module Elastic Suspension Eliminates Guide Shaft Friction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional autofocus camera modules face challenges in achieving a smaller, thinner design while minimizing power consumption due to high friction caused by guide shafts, leading to larger voice coil motors and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The camera module employs first and second elastic bodies with specific shapes and arrangements to minimize friction between the lens and imaging element, allowing for focus control without significant power consumption, and includes a coil and permanent magnet configuration that reduces the module's size and thickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If guide shafts are used to support the movable base, then the lens can be moved in the optical axis direction, but friction increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens movementVSAvoidfriction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the guide shafts from the system entirely and replaces them with elastic bodies (springs) that provide both support and movement guidance through their mechanical properties alone, eliminating the source of high friction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical guide shaft system with an elastic body-based suspension system that uses the inherent elasticity and geometry of springs to achieve the same guidance function with minimal friction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the voice coil motor power is increased to overcome friction, then the lens can be moved more reliably, but the motor size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens movement reliabilityVSAvoidvoice coil motor size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful friction force into a beneficial pre-loaded elastic force by designing the elastic bodies to be pre-compressed or pre-tensioned, creating a self-lubricating effect that reduces friction during movement

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the support system by replacing rigid guide shafts with compliant elastic bodies, fundamentally altering the friction characteristics and enabling smaller motor sizes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If the current through the drive coil is increased to increase motor power, then the lens can be moved with higher force, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens movement forceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful friction force into a beneficial pre-loaded elastic force, creating a system where the elastic bodies' deformation provides the necessary movement force without requiring additional electrical energy input

Inventive Principle:

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

4Force

If the permanent magnet size is increased to increase motor power, then the lens can be moved with higher force, but the camera module size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens movement forceVSAvoidcamera module size

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful friction into a beneficial pre-loaded elastic force, allowing the use of smaller permanent magnets that generate sufficient force without requiring large sizes

Inventive Principle:

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

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 configuration enables a smaller, thinner autofocus camera module with reduced power consumption and minimized lens tilt, ensuring high-quality image formation.

Implementation Method 1

a first elastic body that is provided on a side opposite to the imaging element side with respect to the lens and couples the lens portion and the fixed portion; and a second elastic body that is provided on the imaging element side with respect to the lens and couples the lens portion and the fixed portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a voice coil motor 953 includes a drive coil 920, a bobbin 922, a center yoke 923, and a permanent magnet 924

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentUS7590341B2Camera module

Publication Date: 2009.09.15 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA

AI summary

A camera module including: a lens portion including at least one lens; an imaging element; a fixed portion; a first elastic body that is provided on a side opposite to the imaging element side with respect to the lens and couples the lens portion and the fixed portion; and a second elastic body that is provided on the imaging element side with respect to the lens and couples the lens portion and the fixed portion. The first elastic body and the second elastic body have the same shape. The first elastic body and the second elastic body are arranged so as to oppose each other while sharing a common central axis. The second elastic body is arranged so that so that the shape of the second elastic body is different from a shape of the first elastic body projected in the optical axis direction of the lens.