Camera Optical Module Heating for Low-Temperature Shutter Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with camera modules face challenges in reducing the size of shutter or aperture mechanisms and preventing them from freezing in extreme low-temperature environments.
Innovation Solution
An optical system incorporating a housing, an optical element, a first movable part, a driving assembly, and a temperature adjusting module, which includes thermal conductive elements and a heating circuit to maintain the optical system's temperature within a functional range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shutter or aperture mechanism is incorporated in a camera module, then the camera module can control light entry, but the size of the camera module increases and the mechanism may freeze in extreme low-temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the mechanical shutter or aperture mechanism from the camera module, replacing it with an electronic solution. Specifically, the imaging device captures images at different exposures and uses image processing to simulate aperture effects, removing the need for physical moving parts that freeze in cold environments while reducing overall module complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical shutter/aperture system with an electronic/image-processing-based system. Instead of using physical blades to control light entry, the system uses multiple exposures captured by the image sensor and processes these through software to achieve the desired light control and depth of field effects, eliminating mechanical components that fail in extreme temperatures
2Length of stationary object
If the camera module is made thinner, then the device becomes more compact and convenient, but the shutter or aperture mechanism becomes difficult to reduce in size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the shutter and aperture mechanisms entirely from the camera module design, replacing them with an electronic solution based on multiple exposures and image processing. This extraction eliminates the need for complex mechanical components that would increase thickness, enabling a thinner camera module design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical light control mechanisms with an electronic/image-processing approach. By capturing multiple exposures with the image sensor and processing them computationally to simulate aperture effects and control light entry, the system eliminates the need for physical shutters and apertures, thereby reducing camera module thickness
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
The optical system effectively maintains operational temperatures, preventing mechanical freezing and ensuring reliable functionality of the camera module across varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature adjusting module has a heating circuit
Implementation Method 2
the first thermal conductive element is embedded in the housing, and the second thermal conductive element is embedded in the optical element
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system is provided, including a housing, an optical element, a first movable part, a driving assembly, and a temperature adjusting module. The optical element is disposed on the housing. The first movable part is movably connected to the housing. The driving assembly is configured to drive the first movable part to move relative to the housing. The temperature adjusting module is disposed in the housing for adjusting the temperature of the optical system.