Camera Module Lens Coupling via Support Protrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera modules using screw mechanisms for focal adjustment often suffer from issues such as insecure coupling leading to defocus and image quality degradation due to impurities from mechanical friction, which complicates manufacturing and affects image quality.
Innovation Solution
A camera module design featuring a camera housing with a support protrusion and mounting section that securely positions lenses without the need for a lens holder, eliminating the need for screw coupling and thus reducing mechanical friction and impurities, while maintaining a predetermined optical distance between lenses and the image sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If screw mechanism is used for focal adjustment, then focusing can be performed by adjusting distance between lens unit and image sensor, but torque value control is difficult leading to either insecure coupling causing defocus or excessive friction producing impurities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lens holder component entirely, extracting the problematic screw mechanism from the system. The lens unit is directly coupled to the housing without requiring a separate lens holder, thereby eliminating the source of torque control difficulties and mechanical friction impurities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the lens holder function directly into the housing structure. The housing itself provides the mounting and positioning function for the lens unit, combining multiple functions (housing, lens holder, and coupling mechanism) into a single integrated structure, thereby simplifying the overall device.
2Ease of operation
If screw mechanism is used for coupling lens holder and housing, then focusing adjustment is enabled, but mechanical friction produces impurities that degrade image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the screw mechanism that generates mechanical friction. By directly coupling the lens unit to the housing without a separate lens holder, the design eliminates the source of friction-induced impurities that would otherwise contaminate the optical path and degrade image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical screw coupling system with a direct structural integration. Instead of using threads and friction for coupling, the lens unit is positioned and secured through a direct mechanical fit within the housing, substituting the friction-based mechanism with a frictionless direct coupling.
3Adaptability or versatility
If screw sections are used for coupling, then lens holder can be adjusted, but torque value variations cause either defocus or image degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lens holder component that requires torque adjustment. By integrating the lens unit directly into the housing structure, the design eliminates the variable torque control problem, ensuring consistent and reliable coupling that maintains focus stability without the risk of defocus or image degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the coupling action during the manufacturing process rather than requiring post-assembly adjustment. The lens unit is pre-positioned and securely coupled to the housing in a fixed manner, eliminating the need for torque adjustment and ensuring consistent, reliable focus from the outset.
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 simplifies manufacturing, prevents image degradation, and ensures stable focusing without additional adjustments, improving image quality and reducing the number of parts and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the IR cut-off filter cuts off infrared ray from the optical image
Implementation Method 2
The image sensor converts the optical image into an electric signal to output the electric signal
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a camera module and a mobile terminal having the same, capable of simplifying the manufacturing process while reducing the fault rate and improving reliability of products. The camera module can include a camera housing having a support protrusion with an aperture formed at a center thereof and a predetermined mounting section provided at an inner portion; a plurality of lenses inserted and mounted in the mounting section of the camera housing so as to receive an optical image of a subject, where the support protrusion is provided at an upper portion of the lenses; an IR cut-off filter disposed below the lenses while sealing the mounting section; an image sensor; and a printed circuit board that digitalizes an image signal output from the image sensor.