Camera Module with Integrated Infrared Blocking Reflective Member

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera modules face challenges in optimizing light path direction and reducing height while effectively correcting aberrations and blocking infrared radiation, which affects image quality and module design.

Innovation Solution

A camera module design incorporating a lens unit with a first reflective member, such as a prism, and a second reflective member, along with an image sensor and a printed circuit board (PCB), where the first reflective member corrects incident light and the second reflective member adjusts the light path to the image sensor, and an infrared blocking material on the lenses eliminates the need for additional filters, allowing for a compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional camera module design is used with separate infrared filters and reflective members, then infrared blocking and light path adjustment are achieved, but the module height increases and structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodule heightVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the infrared blocking function and light path reflection function into a single integrated component. The reflective member is designed with infrared blocking capability, eliminating the need for separate infrared filters and reducing the overall module height while maintaining the required optical functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The reflective member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it reflects light to adjust the light path direction and blocks infrared radiation. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall module structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If additional infrared filters are added to block infrared radiation, then infrared rejection is improved, but the module height increases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrared rejectionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The infrared blocking function is merged into the reflective member itself. The reflective member is designed with material properties or structural features that enable it to block infrared radiation while performing its primary light reflection function, eliminating the need for separate infrared filters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the infrared blocking function from a separate filter component and integrates it into the reflective member. This extraction and integration approach reduces the number of discrete components and simplifies the module structure while maintaining effective infrared rejection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If additional infrared filters are added to block infrared radiation, then infrared rejection is improved, but the module height increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrared rejectionVSAvoidmodule height

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Measurement precision

If the lens unit is designed to correct aberrations, then image quality is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The aberration correction function is divided between multiple lens elements within the lens unit. Each lens element is designed with specific optical properties that contribute to overall aberration correction, allowing for modular manufacturing and assembly while achieving high image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 enhances image quality by correcting aberrations and reducing module height, while the infrared blocking material ensures effective infrared rejection without additional filters, resulting in a more compact and efficient camera module.

Implementation Method 1

a first reflective member that reflects and corrects incident light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a second reflective member that reflects the light passing through the lens unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

an image sensor that converts the light reflected from the second reflective member into an electric signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8208060B2Camera module

Publication Date: 2012.06.26 LG INNOTEK CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a camera module. The camera module includes a lens unit including a first reflective member that reflects and corrects incident light, a second reflective member that reflects the light passing through the lens unit, an image sensor that converts the light reflected from the second reflective member into an electric signal, a PCB electrically connected with the image sensor, and a holder that fixes the lens unit, the second reflective member, the image sensor and the PCB thereto.