Camera Module Polymer Composition Balancing Impact and Dimensional Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional polymer compositions used in camera modules suffer from poor dimensional stability and inadequate impact strength, despite attempts to enhance strength with fibrous fillers, which often lead to other issues such as poor dimensional stability when heated.

Innovation Solution

A polymer composition comprising 100 parts of liquid crystalline polymer, 50-90 parts of inorganic particulate material with a hardness of 2.5 or more, and 1-15 parts of epoxy-functionalized olefin copolymer, which achieves a balance of tensile elongation, Charpy notched impact strength, and dimensional stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If fibrous fillers are used to improve strength, then strength is improved, but dimensional stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestrengthVSAvoiddimensional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the type of filler from fibrous to inorganic particulate material with specific hardness (≥2.5 on Mohs scale) and size (0.1-35 micrometers) parameters. This parameter change allows achieving both improved strength and maintained dimensional stability, resolving the contradiction between strength enhancement and dimensional stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining liquid crystalline polymer with inorganic particulate fillers and epoxy-functionalized olefin copolymer. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of enhanced strength through filler reinforcement and maintained dimensional stability through the specific composition and interaction between components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional polymer compositions are used, then manufacturing is simple, but impact strength is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidimpact strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite material system consisting of liquid crystalline polymer, inorganic particulate material, and epoxy-functionalized olefin copolymer. This composite structure provides enhanced impact strength while maintaining manufacturability through standard molding processes, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and impact strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the polymer composition parameters by incorporating specific ratios of inorganic filler (50-90 parts) and epoxy-functionalized copolymer (1-15 parts) per 100 parts of liquid crystalline polymer. These parameter changes enhance impact strength without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If polymer composition is made more ductile, then assembly process survivability is improved, but impact strength may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly process survivabilityVSAvoidimpact strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material system where liquid crystalline polymer provides ductility for assembly process survivability, inorganic particulate material provides strength, and epoxy-functionalized olefin copolymer acts as a coupling agent. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by distributing functions across different components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the composition parameters to achieve a balance between ductility and impact strength. The specific ratio ranges (50-90 parts inorganic filler, 1-15 parts epoxy copolymer per 100 parts LCP) are designed to provide sufficient ductility for assembly while maintaining high impact strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11820892B2Liquid crystalline polymer composition for camera modules
Publication Date: 2023.11.21 TICONA LLC
  • US11820892B2 patent drawing
  • US11820892B2 patent drawing
  • US11820892B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A polymer composition that is capable of exhibiting a unique combination of ductility (e.g., tensile elongation at break), impact strength (e.g., Charpy notched impact strength), and dimensional stability is provided. For example, the polymer composition may contain a liquid crystalline polymer in combination with an epoxy-functionalized olefin copolymer and an inorganic particulate material.