Camera Module One-Piece Support Member Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image sensing systems face challenges in maintaining precise optical alignment between the lens and the optical sensor due to tolerance stack-ups during fabrication and assembly, which are inadequate for accurate optical metrology applications.

Innovation Solution

A one-piece support member with integrated lens and imager mount portions simplifies the alignment process by eliminating tolerance stack-ups, allowing for precise optical alignment through a unitary construction that secures both the lens and imager assembly, reducing the need for multiple alignment and gluing steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional multi-component lens mounting structures are used, then assembly flexibility is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to tolerance stack-ups

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidoptical alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the lens mounting structure and imager mounting structure into a single integrated support member. This unitary construction eliminates the interface between separate components, thereby eliminating tolerance stack-ups that occur during assembly of multiple parts. The integrated design maintains assembly flexibility while achieving superior optical alignment precision through a single monolithic structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple alignment and gluing steps are used, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical alignment precisionVSAvoidassembly process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is pre-integrated as a single unit with built-in alignment features, eliminating the need for multiple alignment and gluing steps during assembly. The preliminary integration of mounting features into the monolithic structure allows for simplified assembly while maintaining high precision through design-in alignment rather than process-dependent alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate lens and imager mounting features are used, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to tolerance stack-ups

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting configuration flexibilityVSAvoidalignment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines lens mounting features and imager mounting features into a single integrated support member structure. This merger maintains adaptability through built-in mounting interfaces while improving reliability by eliminating tolerance stack-ups between separate components. The monolithic construction ensures stable and reliable alignment that is not compromised by assembly variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3384667B1Camera module

Publication Date: 2019.11.06 BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC

Figure 1~6
Figure 3
Figure 7~10

AI summary

A camera module including a housing having an interior compartment and a lens bore extending from the interior compartment to an exterior of the housing, and a support member having a lens mount portion supporting a lens and an imager mount portion supporting an imager assembly. The support member is supported by the housing with at least a portion of the lens mount portion received in the lens bore, and the imager mount portion abuttingly engaged with a shoulder of the housing.