Camera Module with Movable Image Sensor for Compact Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electronic devices with minimized bezel areas, the camera module overlaps the display, requiring a camera exposure area that maintains the lens's angle of view and supports auto focus, while also needing to reduce the camera exposure area's size for increased display space.

Innovation Solution

The camera module is designed with a lens housing fixed in the camera exposure area, a moving image sensor, and a connecting member that deforms as the printed circuit board moves, allowing for auto focusing without increasing the camera exposure area's size, by using a processor to control the movement of the image sensor and lens housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the camera module is disposed to overlap the display to increase display area, then the display area is increased, but the camera exposure area size must be maintained for lens angle of view and auto focus, creating a trade-off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidcamera exposure area requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the image sensor movable along the optical axis while keeping the lens housing fixed. This allows the camera module to achieve auto focus functionality without requiring a larger camera exposure area, as the sensor movement provides the necessary focus adjustment capability within the constrained space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of moving the lens for auto focus (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by moving the image sensor along the optical axis while keeping the lens housing fixed. This inversion allows the camera exposure area to be determined solely by the lens angle of view without additional space for lens movement mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the lens is moved to support auto focus function, then auto focus is enabled, but the camera exposure area size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauto focus functionVSAvoidcamera exposure area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements auto focus by making the image sensor movable along the optical axis through a driving assembly, while the lens housing remains fixed. This dynamic sensor positioning enables focus adjustment without requiring lateral movement of the lens, thereby maintaining a compact camera exposure area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional auto focus mechanism by moving the image sensor instead of the lens. This approach enables auto focus functionality while the camera exposure area is determined only by the lens angle of view, avoiding the need for additional space that would be required if the lens itself were moved

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the image sensor moves for auto focusing, then auto focus is achieved, but the electrical connection between printed circuit boards must be maintained during movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauto focus capabilityVSAvoidelectrical signal transfer during movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible printed circuit board as the connecting member between the stationary second printed circuit board and the movable first printed circuit board. This flexible circuit board can deform and bend to accommodate the relative movement of the image sensor during auto focus, while maintaining continuous electrical signal transfer without interruption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible printed circuit board acts as an intermediary element that bridges the stationary and movable components. It transfers electrical signals between the fixed second printed circuit board and the moving first printed circuit board, accommodating the relative displacement through its flexibility while ensuring continuous electrical connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11522986B2Electronic device including camera module for taking image through at least one portion of display

Publication Date: 2022.12.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is an electronic device that includes a display and a camera module. The display includes a camera exposure area. The camera module is disposed on the camera exposure area and includes a housing. The camera module includes a lens housing that is fixed to the housing and at least one lens that is disposed in the lens housing and includes an optical axis facing toward the camera exposure area. The camera module includes a first printed circuit board that moves in the housing in an optical axis direction of the lens and an image sensor that faces the lens and that is mounted on the first printed circuit board. The camera module includes a second printed circuit board disposed on an opposite side to the image sensor. The camera module includes a connecting member disposed between the first and second printed circuit boards for transferring an electrical signal.