Camera Mounting Interface Geometry for Thin Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera mounting techniques consume valuable space and increase manufacturing complexity and costs, leading to thicker devices and alignment difficulties in aligning the camera lens with the housing aperture.
Innovation Solution
A lens barrel assembly with an interface geometry complementary to the external enclosure's aperture, allowing for precise alignment and reduced device height, enabling the camera system to capture images outside the enclosure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional camera mounting techniques are used, then the camera system can be mounted in the device, but it consumes valuable space and increases device thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The lens barrel assembly is nested within the housing aperture, with the interface geometry fitting precisely into the aperture opening. This nesting arrangement allows the camera system to be mounted within the available space without protruding, thereby reducing device thickness while maintaining functional mounting capability
Solution Approach 2:
The interface geometry extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens, utilizing the depth dimension of the aperture rather than only the lateral dimensions. This dimensional approach allows precise positioning of the lens elements while minimizing the overall footprint and thickness of the camera system
2Ease of operation
If conventional camera mounting techniques are used, then the camera system can be mounted, but alignment of the lens with the aperture is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The interface geometry is designed with a complementary shape that self-aligns with the aperture during assembly. The specific geometric features guide the lens barrel into the correct position automatically, eliminating the need for complex external alignment tools or procedures and ensuring precise lens-aperture alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The interface geometry features an asymmetric design with specific protrusions and corresponding recesses that provide unique orientation cues. This asymmetry ensures that the lens barrel can only be installed in the correct rotational and positional orientation, guaranteeing precise alignment of the lens optical axis with the aperture center
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional camera mounting techniques are used, then the camera system can be mounted, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interface geometry is integrated directly into the lens barrel assembly as a unified component rather than being a separate mounting bracket or mechanism. This merging of the mounting interface with the lens barrel structure simplifies the overall assembly, reduces the number of parts, and decreases manufacturing complexity while maintaining precise mounting capability
Solution Approach 2:
The interface geometry serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical attachment of the lens barrel to the housing, ensures precise alignment of the lens with the aperture, and defines the optical path geometry. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate alignment features or mounting mechanisms, simplifying manufacturing
Data Source
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AI summary
A lens barrel assembly comprising one or more lens elements and a lens barrel (112) configured to retain the one or more lens elements. The lens barrel (112) includes a connection portion configured to provide a physical coupling to a camera module (110) and an interface geometry (114) having a complementary shape of an aperture (108) of an external enclosure (104) of a mobile computing device (200) sufficient to align the lens barrel (112) and the one or more lens elements in relation to the external housing of the mobile computing device (200).