Camera Module Guide Rails for Low-Friction Lens Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera modules face challenges such as friction torque, lens decentering, tilting, magnetic interference, and power consumption issues during zooming and image stabilization, particularly in ultra-slim designs, which affect image quality and resolution.
Innovation Solution
A camera module design featuring a lens assembly with a housing, first and second driving units, sensor magnets, and sensors aligned in specific directions to minimize friction, decentering, and tilting, while using yokes to inhibit magnetic interference and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the separation distance in the area where friction occurs is increased to reduce friction torque resistance when moving the lens for zooming function, then friction torque is reduced, but lens decentering or lens tilting is deepened during zoom movement or zoom reversing
Solution Approach 1:
A guide unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the lens assembly and the housing. This guide unit includes guide rails that constrain the lens assembly's movement, ensuring it moves only along the optical axis while preventing decentering and tilting. The guide rails work together with guide balls to provide smooth, controlled movement that reduces friction torque without compromising alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical bearing systems with a guide rail and guide ball mechanism. This substitution allows for smoother movement with lower friction torque while maintaining precise alignment. The guide rails provide a constrained path that prevents lens decentering and tilting, solving the contradiction between reducing friction and maintaining precision.
2Reliability
If OIS technology is implemented to correct image shaking, then image quality is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the OIS function with the existing zoom mechanism by integrating the lens assembly driving unit into the same structural framework. The driving unit that moves the lens for zooming also serves the OIS function by detecting and compensating for camera shake. This merging of functions reduces overall device complexity while maintaining image quality improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens assembly driving unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it enables zooming by moving the lens along the optical axis and simultaneously provides OIS by detecting camera shake through the gyro sensor and adjusting lens position accordingly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated OIS components, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If higher pixel resolution is used to increase resolution, then image detail is improved, but image shaking due to hand shake becomes more severe in dark environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism using a gyro sensor to detect camera shake in real-time. The sensor measures angular velocity and position, and this information is fed back to the lens assembly driving unit, which adjusts the lens position to compensate for hand shake. This feedback loop maintains image stability even when using high-resolution sensors that are more susceptible to shake effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical stabilization with an electromechanical system that uses electromagnetic forces to adjust lens position. The driving unit uses electromagnetic interaction between coils and magnets to precisely control lens movement, providing smoother and more responsive stabilization than mechanical systems alone, thereby reducing image shaking in dark environments.
4Reliability
If multiple zoom lens groups are used to achieve best optical characteristics, then optical performance is improved, but alignment precision between lens groups and image sensor becomes critical and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lens system into multiple independent lens groups (first lens group, second lens group, third lens group) that can be moved and positioned separately. Each lens group is mounted on its own support structure with its own driving unit, allowing independent alignment and adjustment. This segmentation makes it easier to achieve and maintain precise alignment between lens groups and the image sensor while optimizing optical characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment capabilities to the lens assembly, allowing the lens groups to be moved and repositioned during operation. The driving units enable real-time adjustment of lens positions to maintain optimal alignment, especially during zooming and focusing operations. This dynamic capability compensates for manufacturing tolerances and environmental changes, maintaining high alignment precision throughout the system's operational range.
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
Enhances detection rate for lens movement, reduces friction torque, minimizes decentering and tilting, secures sufficient light, and inhibits magnetic interference, achieving optimal optical characteristics with low power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a first driving unit (400) disposed in the lens assembly (200); a second driving unit (500) disposed in the housing (100) and facing the first driving unit (400)
Implementation Method 2
sensor magnets (700) disposed in the lens assembly (200) and extended in a direction of the optical axis; and a plurality of sensors (800) disposed in the housing (100) and facing the sensor magnets (700)
Implementation Method 3
it may comprise a first yoke (430, 440) disposed between the lens assembly (200) and the sensor magnet (700)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a camera module comprising: a housing; a lens assembly arranged in the housing; a first driving unit arranged in the lens assembly; a second driving unit which is arranged in the housing and which faces the first driving unit; sensor magnets arranged in the lens assembly and extended in the direction of an optical axis; and a plurality of sensors which are arranged in the housing and which face the sensor magnets, wherein the sensor magnets and the lens assembly are overlapped in a first direction that is vertical with respect to the direction of the optical axis, and in a second direction that is vertical with respect to the direction of the optical axis and the first direction.