Camera Module Voice Coil Motor Inversion Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing voice coil motor structures in camera modules are complex, time-consuming to assemble, and bulky, making them unsuitable for thin products due to the arrangement of components and increased size.
Innovation Solution
A simplified camera module design featuring a lens assembly with an integrated lens base and tube, and a voice coil motor assembly with coils fixed on the base and magnets on the lens assembly, using a moving magnet driving mode to reduce component count and assembly complexity, and minimize size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the coil is arranged around the lens base and magnets are located on the external sides of the coil, then the voice coil motor can be assembled with standard components, but the width and size of the voice coil motor increase, making it unsuitable for thin products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing magnets inside the coil winding rather than outside. Specifically, the lens base is provided with a magnet receiving cavity that accommodates magnets, and the coil is wound around the lens base such that the magnets are positioned within the coil's magnetic field path. This inversion dramatically reduces the radial width of the voice coil motor while maintaining the electromagnetic driving function.
2Reliability
If the support and lower leaf spring are disposed in the housing with four magnets arranged around the movable assembly, then the voice coil motor can be assembled with proper component support, but the assembly procedure becomes very complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated components. The lens base serves multiple purposes: it supports the lens tube, provides a magnet receiving cavity for accommodating magnets, and acts as the movable assembly carrier. The housing integrates the coil support and magnetic component mounting structures. This merging reduces the number of discrete parts and simplifies the assembly sequence, directly addressing the complexity and time issues.
3Power
If four magnets are arranged around the movable assembly with coil winding around the lens base, then the electromagnetic driving function can be achieved, but the number of components increases and the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lens base is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as the structural support for the lens tube, the carrier for the magnets (via the magnet receiving cavity), and the core around which the coil is wound. This universal design eliminates the need for separate support structures and magnet holders, reducing overall component count and structural complexity while maintaining full electromagnetic driving capability.
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 simplifies assembly, reduces component count, and minimizes product size, making it more suitable for thin products by reducing the number of welding points and accommodating the trend of thinner devices.
Implementation Method 1
When the coil 34′ in the movable assembly 30′ is energized, magnetic force is generated between the coil 34′ and the fixed magnets 40′ so that the movable assembly 30′ moves in the accommodation chamber 12′
Implementation Method 2
an upper leaf spring 50′ and an lower leaf spring 60′ relatively arranged on the upper and lower surfaces of the movable assembly 30′
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a camera module that comprises a lens assembly that includes a lens base and a lens tube integrated with the lens base for receiving at least one lens; and a voice coil motor assembly for driving the lens assembly, comprising a base, two leaf springs, at least two coils, and at least two magnets. The coils are respectively fixed on two opposite sides of the base, the magnets are fixed on two opposite sides of the lens assembly respectively, and the magnets are located by inner sides of the coils respectively, the lens assembly is clamped by the leaf springs and supported on the base, the coils drive the magnets and the lens assembly to move after being energized. The camera module is simply structured, easy to assembly, less bulky and fit for the demand of thin products.