Camera Module Optical Element Unit for Brightness and Size Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera modules suffer from low image brightness due to the refractive index of air being 1, which results in a high F-number, leading to inadequate light transmission to the image sensor.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an optical element unit with a material of higher refractive index than air between the lens module and the image sensor, which reduces the F-number and enhances image brightness, and can replace the final lens to shorten the camera module length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If air is used as the medium between the lens module and the image sensor, then the camera module structure is simple, but the image brightness is insufficient due to high F-number
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical element unit filled with optical liquid as an intermediary medium between the lens module and image sensor. This optical liquid has a refractive index higher than air, which reduces the F-number and improves image brightness. The optical element unit acts as a mediator that transforms the optical path characteristics without requiring fundamental changes to the existing camera module structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the refractive index parameter of the medium between the lens and image sensor by filling optical liquid with a refractive index of 1.3-1.6 into the optical element unit. This parameter change directly reduces the F-number from its original value to a lower value, thereby improving image brightness without complicating the overall device structure.
2Illumination intensity
If a material with high refractive index is introduced to improve image brightness, then the F-number is reduced and brightness improves, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural housing, contains the optical liquid medium, provides optical paths for light transmission, and interfaces with both the lens module and image sensor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby improving image brightness without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the optical medium container, optical path guide, and sensor interface into a single integrated optical element unit. By combining these functions, the design achieves improved image brightness through the use of high refractive index optical liquid while avoiding the need for multiple separate components that would increase structural complexity.
3Productivity
If the optical element unit is added to improve light transmission, then image brightness improves, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The optical liquid is pre-filled into the optical element unit during the manufacturing process before final assembly with the image sensor and lens module. This preliminary action ensures that the optical medium is already in place and properly positioned, simplifying the overall assembly process and improving light transmission efficiency without significantly complicating the manufacturing workflow.
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 improves image brightness and reduces the camera module size by lowering the F-number, allowing for more efficient light transmission and enhancing image sharpness and resolution.
Implementation Method 1
The refractive index of air is 1, which is somewhat smaller. As a result, the camera modules have a high F-number (the brightness of the image is inversely proportional to the square of the F-number)
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present invention relates to a camera module and an optical device, comprising: a housing; a lens module disposed in the housing; a substrate disposed below the lens module; an image sensor disposed between the lens module and the substrate; and an optical element unit disposed between the lens module and the image sensor, wherein the optical element unit has an optical surface disposed at the top thereof, to which the light transmitted through the lens module is incident, comes in contact with a light receiving surface of the image sensor at the bottom thereof, and contains a material having a higher refractive index than air.