Camera Module Sloped Support for Lower Height and Fewer Flares
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera modules face challenges in reducing height due to the need for a longer back focus and interference between supporting components and lenses, leading to increased size and cost, as well as issues with ghosts and flares from light reflection.
Innovation Solution
The camera module design includes a supporting component with a sloped portion inclined towards the lens, allowing the lens to be positioned closer to the imaging element, reducing the overall height and minimizing light interference, and incorporating a sloped portion with antireflection features to reduce ghosts and flares.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a supporting component with an opening is used to support an optical component, then the optical component can be positioned to cover the opening, but a distance must be secured between the supporting component and the lens to prevent interference, which increases the height of the camera module
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sloped portion on the supporting component that changes the vertical distance between the supporting component and the lens in the region around the opening. This dimensional change allows the lens to be positioned closer to the imaging element while maintaining adequate clearance through the sloped geometry, thereby reducing the overall height of the camera module without compromising the prevention of interference.
2Length of stationary object
If the distance between the lens and the imaging element is shortened to reduce camera module height, then the back focus of the lens must be increased, which complicates lens design and increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting component is segmented into different regions: a flat portion and a sloped portion. The sloped portion is specifically designed to create additional space around the opening, allowing the lens to be positioned closer to the imaging element without requiring increased back focus. This segmentation of the supporting component's geometry enables independent optimization of the lens positioning and overall module height.
3Length of stationary object
If the supporting component is positioned closer to the lens to reduce height, then light reflection and interference between the supporting component and lens increases, causing ghosts and flares
Solution Approach 1:
The sloped portion changes the vertical dimension of the supporting component in the region around the opening, creating a gradual transition that reduces abrupt light reflections. This dimensional modification allows the supporting component to be positioned closer to the lens while minimizing ghost and flare generation by altering the light interaction geometry through the sloped surface.
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 design achieves a lower camera module height, reduces light interference, and minimizes ghosts and flares, enabling more flexible lens design and lower costs by optimizing the size and placement of optical components.
Implementation Method 1
a sloped portion inclined in a thickness direction of the supporting component is disposed around the opening; the supporting component is placed such that a slope of the sloped portion and the lens face each other
Implementation Method 2
an optical component being placed so as to cover the opening and being supported on a side of the supporting component closer to the imaging element
Implementation Method 3
an imaging element that performs photoelectric conversion of the light
Data Source
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AI summary
The present technology relates to a camera module that is enabled to have a lower height. The camera module includes a supporting component that includes an opening through which light from a lens collecting the light passes, the supporting component supporting an optical component between the lens and an imaging element that performs photoelectric conversion of the light, the optical component being placed so as to cover the opening and being supported on a side of the supporting component closer to the imaging element. In addition, around the opening, there is disposed a sloped portion inclined in the thickness direction of the supporting component, and the supporting component is placed such that the slope of the sloped portion and the lens face each other. Furthermore, the camera module is configured such that a portion of the lens is placed closer to a first face of the supporting component beyond a second face of the supporting component, the portion facing the supporting component, the optical component being placed on the first face, and the second face being opposite to the first face. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a camera module that collects light to capture an image.