Camera Module Metalized Housing EMI Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional camera modules face issues with electromagnetic interference (EMI) that can lead to erroneous operations in electronic devices, particularly in portable terminals and other devices with camera modules, and require complex wiring and assembly processes, increasing manufacturing costs and reducing reliability.

Innovation Solution

A camera module with a metalized housing and electrode lines formed using Molded Interconnect Device (MID) technology, which simplifies the assembly process, reduces the need for additional parts, and shields EMI by integrating the electrode lines along the housing shape, allowing for integral injection molding and eliminating the need for separate metal cans.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional wiring and assembly processes are used, then electrical connections can be established, but the assembly process becomes complex and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the housing structure with the wiring function by integrating electrode lines directly into the housing body. The housing serves dual purposes: mechanical protection and electrical connection, eliminating the need for separate wiring components and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining reliable electrical connections between internal components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional metal cans are used for shielding, then EMI protection is provided, but the device weight increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEMI shieldingVSAvoidmodule weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the EMI shielding function with the housing structure by applying a metalized coating to the plastic housing. This integrated approach provides effective EMI shielding without requiring separate metal can assemblies, thereby reducing overall weight and simplifying the structure while maintaining electromagnetic interference protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material construction by combining plastic housing material with a metalized coating layer. This composite structure leverages the advantages of both materials: the plastic provides lightweight structural support while the metalized layer provides EMI shielding, achieving effective protection without the weight penalty of solid metal construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional metal cans are used, then EMI shielding is achieved, but the lens size is limited due to space constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEMI shieldingVSAvoidlens area

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the EMI shielding function directly into the housing structure through metalized coating, eliminating the need for separate metal can assemblies. This integration frees up internal space that can be allocated to larger lenses, allowing for improved optical performance without compromising EMI protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If separate metal can assemblies are used, then EMI protection is provided, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEMI shieldingVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the EMI shielding function with the housing manufacturing process by applying metalized coating during or after housing production. This integration eliminates the need for separate metal can assemblies and their associated assembly steps, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining effective EMI protection.

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

The solution effectively shields EMI, reduces manufacturing costs, improves reliability by eliminating thermal deformations and complex wiring, and enables the use of larger lenses by eliminating the need for separate metal cans, while simplifying the assembly process and reducing weight.

Implementation Method 1

surface of the housing is metalized... configured to minimize or shield the EMI

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 2

the housing may be formed with electrode lines realized by a surface electrode forming technology. the surface electrode forming technology may be an MID (Molded Interconnect Device) process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMolded Interconnect Device (MID) process: Deposition (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9749514B2Camera module

Publication Date: 2017.08.29 LG INNOTEK CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to a camera module, the camera module including a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) mounted with an image sensor, a housing configured to protect the image sensor and mounted therein with camera constituent parts, and plural pieces of lenses mounted on the housing, wherein a surface of the housing is metalized.