Camera Module Thickness Reduction via Perpendicular Magnet Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera modules with automatic focusing systems face challenges in reducing thickness due to the stacking of magnets and elastic supports along the optical axis, making it difficult to achieve a smaller and thinner design.
Innovation Solution
A camera module design that includes a movable section with a lens, a fixed section with a hollow space, elastic bodies supporting the movable section, and a coil and magnets arranged to allow for independent movement of the lens, enabling elastic support between magnets and reducing the thickness by eliminating the dependency on magnet thickness for elastic body positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnets and elastic supports are stacked along the optical axis direction, then the automatic focusing system can be implemented, but the thickness of the camera module increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the arrangement dimension of magnets from the optical axis direction (vertical stacking) to the direction perpendicular to the optical axis (horizontal arrangement). The fixed section supports the elastic body between adjacent magnets along the arrangement direction of the magnets, allowing the lens to move vertically for focusing while magnets are arranged horizontally, thus reducing camera module thickness.
2Length of moving object
If the thickness of the magnet is reduced to make the camera module thinner, then the thickness requirement is met, but the magnetic force becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent redistributes the magnetic components from vertical stacking to horizontal arrangement. Multiple magnets are arranged side by side in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, allowing each magnet to maintain sufficient thickness for adequate magnetic force while the overall camera module thickness is reduced through the horizontal configuration.
3Manufacturing precision
If components are stacked on the magnet, then the elastic body positioning is maintained, but the design flexibility for thinning is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent decouples the elastic body positioning from the vertical stacking of magnets. The fixed section supports the elastic body between adjacent magnets along the horizontal arrangement direction, allowing independent optimization of magnet thickness for magnetic force requirements while maintaining precise elastic body positioning, thereby increasing design flexibility for thin camera modules.
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 allows for a significant reduction in camera module thickness while maintaining effective automatic focusing control, improving image quality and reducing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastic body that elastically supports the movable section and the fixed section
Implementation Method 2
a coil provided in the movable section; a plurality of magnets arranged along the fixed section
Data Source
AI summary
A camera module 100 includes a movable section 10 that includes a lens 11, a fixed section 30 having a hollow space extending in the optical axis direction of the lens 11, and an elastic body 40 that elastically supports the movable section 10 and the fixed section 30, an imaging element 3 that is fixed to the fixed section 30 and has a light-receiving surface perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens 11, a plurality of magnets 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d arranged along the fixed section 30, and a coil section 22 provided in the movable section 10. The elastic body 40 includes an upper spring 41a and a lower spring 41b, which support the fixed section 30 between adjacent ones of the magnets 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d along the arrangement direction of these magnets on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens 11. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a camera module with an automatic focusing control function, whose thickness can be reduced remarkably.