Camera Module Stop Module with Electromagnetic Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Camera modules in portable electronic devices face challenges in incorporating a mechanical stop due to structural and spatial limitations, leading to increased weight and potential power supply issues that can affect autofocusing and image stabilization.
Innovation Solution
A camera module design featuring a stop module with a magnet portion and coil configuration that allows for adjustable light incidence and reduced weight by positioning the coil outside the lens module, enabling effective autofocusing and image stabilization without increasing the module's weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a mechanical stop is included in the camera module to change the amount of incident light, then the image quality under varying illumination conditions is improved, but the weight of the camera module is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical stop system with an electromagnetic actuation system. A coil generates an electromagnetic field that interacts with a magnet portion to move the stop module, eliminating the need for mechanical linkages, springs, and additional drive components that would increase weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil is positioned outside the lens module housing, separating the electromagnetic drive component from the optical components. This extraction allows the coil to be placed in the housing while the magnet portion remains with the lens module, optimizing the distribution of components to minimize weight impact on the lens assembly.
2Ease of operation
If a mechanical stop with power supply connecting parts is included to drive the stop, then the stop function is improved, but the power supply connecting part may be caught by upward and downward movement of the lens during autofocusing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical power supply connections with electromagnetic coupling. The coil positioned outside the lens module generates an electromagnetic field that couples with the magnet portion, allowing power and signal transmission without physical electrical connections that could be damaged by lens movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional mechanical connections to a field-based interaction in another dimension. The electromagnetic field provides a non-contact pathway for power and data transmission, eliminating the risk of physical connections being caught or damaged during lens focusing movements.
3Ease of operation
If the coil is disposed inside the lens module to drive the stop module, then the stop function is improved, but the weight distribution and interference with optical components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the coil from the lens module and positions it in the housing instead. This separation removes the source of electromagnetic interference from the optical component area, while the magnet portion remains associated with the lens module to maintain the drive function.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnet portion acts as an intermediary between the coil in the housing and the stop module. It transfers the electromagnetic force from the coil to the stop module without requiring the coil to be in direct proximity to optical components, thus reducing electromagnetic interference.
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 maintains image quality across varying illumination conditions while preventing deterioration of autofocusing and image stabilization functions, reducing the weight of the camera module and minimizing interference from electromagnetic waves.
Implementation Method 1
a coil disposed in the housing and configured to interact with the driving magnet to drive the stop module
Implementation Method 2
the magnet portion may be supported to be in contact with the protrusion by attractive force between the driving magnet and the yoke
Data Source
AI summary
A camera module includes: a housing accommodating a lens module; a stop module coupled to a top of the lens module, and including a base including a protrusion fixed to the top of the lens module and extending in a direction of an optical axis of the camera module along an outer side of the lens module, plates disposed on the base and having incident holes configured to change an amount of light incident to the lens module, and a magnet portion movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the optical axis with respect to the protrusion and including a driving magnet; and a coil disposed in the housing and configured to interact with the driving magnet to drive the stop module.