Camera Module Suspension Wires and Ball Bearings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Miniaturization of camera modules in mobile devices leads to significant hand-shake impacts on image quality, and existing lens driving apparatuses with OIS technology face issues with suspension wire deformation and fracturing during hand-shake correction, affecting image stability and durability.

Innovation Solution

A camera module design that uses a combination of suspension wires and ball bearings to support the driving part, maintaining a gap between the driving and fixed parts, and incorporates an elastic member to allow stable movement, preventing tilting and deformation of the lens during hand-shake correction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a suspension wire is used to support the lens module for OIS driving, then the lens module can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, but the suspension wire may be deformed or fractured due to external impacts or driving forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens module movement capabilityVSAvoidsuspension wire durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support system is divided into multiple functional components: suspension wires for perpendicular movement, ball bearings for optical axis support, and elastic members for shock absorption. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, preventing the suspension wire from bearing unnecessary loads that could cause deformation or fracture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Ball bearings are introduced as intermediary elements between the suspension wire support structure and the lens module. These ball bearings mediate the mechanical interaction, providing support in the optical axis direction while allowing the suspension wires to focus on perpendicular movement without direct mechanical stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If the lens module is moved rapidly for hand-shake correction, then image quality can be maintained, but the suspension wire may deform under high driving forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens module driving speedVSAvoidsuspension wire shape stability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates elastic members that can dynamically deform to absorb shock and reduce mechanical stress on the suspension wires during rapid lens module movement. This dynamic response allows high-speed driving while maintaining wire shape stability through elastic energy absorption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Elastic members are pre-installed in the support structure to provide cushioning before high-force driving events occur. These elastic elements absorb impact energy and reduce peak forces on the suspension wires, preventing deformation even during rapid hand-shake correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Volume of moving object

If the camera module is miniaturized to fit portable devices, then device portability is improved, but hand-shake impact on image quality becomes more significant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera module sizeVSAvoidhand-shake impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a virtual copy of the physical lens module through image processing techniques. By capturing multiple images at different positions during hand-shake and then processing these images to reconstruct a sharp image, the system compensates for the physical limitations of miniaturized camera modules without requiring larger hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 suppresses lens tilting and prevents suspension wire deformation, ensuring stable image capture and improved durability against external impacts, enhancing the camera module's performance in correcting hand-shake and maintaining image quality.

Implementation Method 1

a driving part (300) moved relatively with respect to the fixed part (400) in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis direction, wherein the driving part (300) and the fixed part (400) are disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the optical axis direction, and the driving part (300) is supported by a plurality of suspension wires (700) and a plurality of ball bearings (800), such that the occurrence of tilting of a lens accommodated in the driving part (300) may be prevented

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBall Bearing: Ball Bearing

Implementation Method 2

when the driving part is driven in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, an elastic member attached to the driving part may be elastically deformed in the optical axis direction to allow the driving part to be moved in a relatively stable manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9531953B2Camera module and portable electronic device including the same

Publication Date: 2016.12.27 SAMSUNG ELECTRO MECHANICS CO LTD

AI summary

A camera module may include a fixed part, and a driving part moved relatively with respect to the fixed part in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis direction. The driving part and the fixed part may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the optical axis direction, and the driving part may be supported by a plurality of suspension wires and a plurality of ball bearings, such that occurrence of tilting of a lens may be prevented when the driving part is driven in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.