Camera Module Infrared Ray Blocking Member Height Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional camera modules face challenges in reducing height due to the thickness required for the protruding portion that houses the infrared ray blocking member, limiting miniaturization and design flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A camera module design featuring a window film with a guide groove and an infrared ray blocking member supported by guides within the housing, allowing for a thinner profile by eliminating the need for a protruding portion, and using adhesive material to secure the window film and blocking member to the housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a protruding portion is formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of the housing to house the infrared ray blocking member, then the infrared ray blocking function is achieved, but the height of the camera module increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrared ray blocking functionVSAvoidheight of camera module

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The infrared ray blocking member is extracted from the protruding portion structure and repositioned to be attached directly to the bottom surface of the housing. This extraction eliminates the need for the protruding portion while maintaining the infrared ray blocking function, thereby reducing the overall height of the camera module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The infrared ray blocking member is repositioned from a vertical arrangement (within a protruding portion) to a horizontal arrangement (attached to the bottom surface). This dimensional change allows the blocking function to be achieved without increasing the height dimension of the camera module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the protruding portion is made thicker to provide window shape and space for infrared ray blocking member, then the structural integrity and functionality are ensured, but the height reduction is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidheight of camera module

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The window shape function is extracted from the protruding portion and transferred to a separate window member that can be attached to the bottom surface. This allows the housing to be thinner while still providing the necessary window structure and space for the infrared ray blocking member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure is segmented into the main housing body and separate functional components (window member, infrared ray blocking member). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling the housing to be thinner while maintaining structural integrity through the separate window member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional housing structure with protruding portion is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but design freedom is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddesign freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The camera module is segmented into modular components (housing, window member, infrared ray blocking member) that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. This segmentation maintains manufacturing simplicity for each individual component while enabling greater design freedom in the overall assembly configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An adhesive agent is introduced as an intermediary to join the window member and infrared ray blocking member to the housing bottom surface. This intermediary allows for flexible positioning and secure attachment, maintaining ease of manufacture while enabling design freedom in component arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reduces the overall height of the camera module while enhancing design freedom by allowing for a thinner profile and improved image quality by blocking unnecessary light effectively.

Implementation Method 1

an infrared ray blocking member blocking an infrared ray in the light incident on the image sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared ray blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a window film having a window formed therein to define an incident area of light incident on the image sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission and blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS9210309B2Camera module including an infrared ray blocking member and a window film which block noise light

Publication Date: 2015.12.08 SAMSUNG ELECTRO MECHANICS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a camera module including: a lens barrel in which one or more lenses are installed; a housing accommodating the lens barrel; a printed circuit board coupled with a bottom of the housing and having an image sensor with a light receiving portion mounted thereon; a window film having a window formed therein to define an incident area of light incident on the image sensor; and an infrared ray blocking member blocking an infrared ray in the light incident on the image sensor.