Camera Module Light Blocking with Inclined Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to miniaturize camera modules for portable electronic devices while maintaining or improving performance features like autofocusing and optical image stabilization, without increasing the device's thickness, as conventional designs face limitations in reducing size due to the arrangement of lenses and reflective members.

Innovation Solution

The camera module design includes a lens module with lenses having optical axes perpendicular to the device's thickness direction, a reflection module, and a light blocking portion with inclined surfaces and multiple light blocking plates to prevent flare phenomena, allowing for a thinner device form factor while maintaining advanced features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lenses and reflective members are arranged in the thickness direction to achieve autofocusing and optical image stabilization, then imaging performance is improved, but device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging performanceVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the arrangement dimension from thickness direction to width/length direction. The lens module and reflection module are positioned side-by-side in the width direction rather than stacked in the thickness direction, allowing advanced imaging functions to be achieved without increasing device thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

A light blocking portion with specifically designed inclined surfaces is introduced as an intermediary element between the lens module and image sensor. This light blocking structure mediates the optical path to prevent flare phenomena that arise from the non-conventional lens arrangement, enabling the dimensional change strategy to work effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of moving object

If lenses are arranged in the width or length direction rather than thickness direction, then device thickness is reduced, but flare phenomenon occurs and image quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice thicknessVSAvoidflare phenomenon

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful flare phenomenon into a controllable optical path issue. By introducing the light blocking portion with inclined surfaces, the design addresses the flare problem created by the lateral lens arrangement, transforming the harmful effect into a solvable geometric optical challenge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The light blocking portion applies local quality control by selectively blocking light paths only where flare occurs. The inclined surfaces are positioned and angled to block specific stray light paths while allowing desired light to reach the image sensor, providing localized correction without affecting overall image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a light blocking portion with inclined surfaces is added to prevent flare, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflare suppressionVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light blocking portion is merged with the existing housing structure. The light blocking plates are integrated into the housing rather than being separate components, reducing the number of parts and simplifying assembly while maintaining effective flare suppression functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables the integration of autofocusing, optical zoom, and optical image stabilization functions without increasing the device's thickness, while effectively suppressing flare phenomena through strategic light blocking, thus enhancing image quality and device thinness.

Implementation Method 1

a first light blocking plate including a first window having a first opening through which the light is allowed to pass; and a second light blocking plate including a second window having a second opening through which the light is allowed to pass. The first window includes a first inner wall including a first inclined surface, and the second window includes a second inner wall including a second inclined surface.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11425291B2Camera module

Publication Date: 2022.08.23 SAMSUNG ELECTRO MECHANICS CO LTD

AI summary

A camera module includes: a lens module including a plurality of lenses; a housing accommodating the lens module; a reflection module disposed in front of the lens module; an image sensor module configured to receive light passing through the lens module; and a light blocking portion disposed in the housing and positioned in a space between the lens module and the image sensor module. The light blocking portion includes: a first light blocking plate including a first window having a first opening through which the light is allowed to pass; and a second light blocking plate including a second window having a second opening through which the light is allowed to pass. The first window includes a first inner wall including a first inclined surface, and the second window includes a second inner wall including a second inclined surface.