Camera Module Lens Holder Rip Thread Thermal Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive camera modules face challenges in maintaining focus over varying temperatures due to thermal expansion of the lens holder, leading to image quality deterioration, and existing solutions complicate the mounting process and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A camera module design featuring a circumferential rip thread that engages over less than 360 degrees, combined with guiding projections, allows for precise axial movement and reduced thermal expansion issues, facilitating easier assembly and cost-effective production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a compensating element is added to compensate for thermal expansion, then thermal stability is improved, but device complexity and mounting difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the thermal compensation function directly into the lens holder structure by incorporating a circumferential rip (expansion joint) into the housing tube. This merging of the compensation mechanism with the existing structural component eliminates the need for separate compensating elements, thereby maintaining thermal stability while reducing device complexity and mounting difficulty.
2Strength
If a complete thread is used for connection, then mechanical strength is improved, but manufacturing cost and assembly difficulty increase due to internal tensions and blocking risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a circumferential rip that extends over less than 360 degrees of the housing tube circumference, rather than a complete circumferential thread. This partial engagement provides sufficient mechanical connection strength for the application while eliminating internal tensions and overlapping sections that cause manufacturing complexity and assembly blocking risks, thereby improving ease of manufacture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lens holder expands with temperature, then thermal adaptation is improved, but imaging precision deteriorates due to focus shift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately incorporates a circumferential rip (expansion joint) into the lens holder structure that allows controlled thermal expansion of the housing tube in the radial direction. This controlled expansion prevents uncontrolled axial displacement of the lens objective, thereby maintaining imaging precision across temperature variations while still adapting thermally.
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 ensures stable image quality across temperature ranges while simplifying the assembly process and reducing production costs by minimizing internal tensions and thread overlap risks.
Implementation Method 1
one of the threads is designed as a circumferential rip having a profile in cross-section which is adapted to engage with the other thread, wherein the rip is extending over a circumference section of less than 360 degree
Implementation Method 2
the lens holder expands with increasing temperature, and therefore the distance between the lens objective and the image sensor increases along the optical axis with increasing temperature
Data Source
Figure 1~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a camera module (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a lens objective (2) having an outer thread (7), a lens holder (3) holding said lens objective (2), and a back plate (4) connected to said lens holder (3) and holding an image sensor (5), wherein the lens holder (3) is provided with a thread (6) formed as an injection mould part and designed as a circumferential rip (14) having a profile in cross-section which is adapted to engage with the other thread (7) and arranged at a separation plane of the injection mould, and wherein the circumferential rip (14) is extending over a circumference section of less than 360 degrees, and the lens holder (3) comprise projections (8,9,10) extending in axial direction (X) of the objective lens (2) and radially from inside wall of the lens holder (3) and arranged to provide support for the objective lens (2) in a radial direction.