Camera Module Lens Barrel Stabilization via Elastic Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Camera modules in portable devices face challenges in miniaturization and stability due to the complexity of voice coil motor actuators, which increase size and risk disconnection and tilting phenomena during lens barrel movement.
Innovation Solution
A camera module design featuring a lens barrel with a magnet and coil configuration supported by elastic members, where the magnet is indirectly attached through a yoke and the elastic members prevent tilting and allow stable linear movement, reducing the number of magnets and space required, thus enabling miniaturization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a voice coil motor actuator with multiple magnets and coils is used to enable auto-focusing, then the camera module can perform automatic focus adjustment, but the size of the camera module increases and the structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential components needed for auto-focusing by using a single magnet attached to the lens barrel and a single coil attached to the housing, rather than using multiple magnets and coils. This extraction of necessary elements maintains the auto-focusing capability while significantly reducing the overall size and structural complexity of the camera module.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the magnet and coil into a simplified configuration where one magnet on the lens barrel interacts with one coil on the housing. This merging of components into a minimal effective arrangement achieves the required auto-focusing function with reduced component count and smaller module dimensions.
2Extent of automation
If multiple magnets with coils are disposed in the vicinity of the lens barrel to enable auto-focusing, then the camera module can perform automatic focus adjustment, but the structure becomes complicated and disconnection of the coil may occur during driving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential single magnet and single coil configuration needed for auto-focusing, removing unnecessary multiple magnets and coils. This extraction simplifies the actuator structure to its minimal effective form, reducing complexity and eliminating potential disconnection issues associated with multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of fixing multiple magnets to the housing and winding coils around the lens barrel (conventional approach), the patent inverts the arrangement by attaching one magnet to the lens barrel and one coil to the housing. This inversion simplifies the structure and reduces the risk of coil disconnection during lens barrel movement.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact actuator structure is used to reduce camera module size, then miniaturization is achieved, but the lens barrel may experience tilting phenomenon during driving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the single magnet and single coil at specific locations that optimize both compactness and stability. The magnet is attached to the lens barrel at a location and the coil is positioned on the housing to create effective electromagnetic interaction while maintaining proper lens barrel alignment, preventing tilting during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the single magnet on the lens barrel and the single coil on the housing. This magnetic field mediator enables compact actuator design while maintaining stable lens barrel movement, as the magnetic interaction provides smooth force transmission without mechanical complexity that could cause tilting.
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 design achieves a slim and miniaturized camera module that prevents tilting and ensures stable linear movement of the lens barrel, addressing the challenges of size and complexity in existing camera modules.
Implementation Method 1
first and second elastic members elastically supporting upper and lower portions of the lens barrel, respectively
Implementation Method 2
a voice coil motor generating driving force by an interaction between a magnet and a coil
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a camera module including: a lens barrel including at least one lens disposed on an optical axis; a housing having the lens barrel disposed therein; and first and second elastic members elastically supporting upper and lower portions of the lens barrel, respectively, wherein the first and second elastic members include a fixed side coupled to the housing and a driving side coupled to the lens barrel, respectively, the fixed side and the driving side being disposed to face each other based on the optical axis.