Camera Module Optical Path Member for Thin Form Factor
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to maintain high-quality camera module performance while reducing its size, as thinner form factors in electronic devices require smaller image sensors and thinner camera modules without compromising image quality.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an optical path member, such as optical fibers or fine optical waveguides, between the image sensor and the lens assembly, which is partially in contact with a first lens, allowing for opposite surface shapes and enabling light to be directed perpendicular to the image sensor surface without increasing the lens assembly's thickness or number of lenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the camera module thickness is reduced to meet thin form factor requirements, then the overall device size is reduced, but the image sensor size cannot be reduced which compromises the camera performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical path member that extends in a direction perpendicular to the image sensor surface, creating a new spatial dimension for light transmission. This allows light to be directed to the image sensor without increasing the lens assembly thickness, effectively decoupling the thickness reduction from performance degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical path member acts as an intermediary component between the lens assembly and the image sensor. It receives light from the lens assembly and directs it to the image sensor, enabling efficient light transmission while maintaining a compact thickness without compromising image quality.
2Reliability
If the number of lenses or lens assembly thickness is increased to maintain image quality, then camera performance is improved, but the camera module size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light transmission function from the traditional lens assembly structure and assigns it to a separate optical path member. This allows the lens assembly to be optimized for optical quality while the optical path member handles light direction, eliminating the need to increase lens count or thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is segmented into distinct functional components: the lens assembly for light gathering and the optical path member for light direction. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, maintaining image quality while reducing overall module thickness.
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 allows for reduced camera module thickness without compromising image quality, as light is efficiently directed to the image sensor, maintaining performance while minimizing size.
Implementation Method 1
an optical path member disposed between the image sensor and the lens assembly, wherein the optical path member is configured to be at least partially in contact with a first surface of a first lens adjacent to the image sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A camera module is provided. The camera module includes an image sensor, a lens assembly disposed on the image sensor and including a plurality of lenses, and an optical path member disposed between the image sensor and the lens assembly, wherein the optical path member is configured to be at least partially in contact with a first surface of a first lens adjacent to the image sensor among the plurality of lenses of the lens assembly.