Camera Module Shield Can Rib for Heat Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera modules face challenges in efficiently dissipating heat, which can affect their performance and reliability, especially in ultra-small form factors used in small electronic devices and vehicles.

Innovation Solution

The camera module incorporates a shield can with ribs that contact the printed circuit board, allowing for improved heat dissipation by transferring heat generated in the substrate module to the outside through a metal shield can, even when the housing is made of plastic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the housing is made of plastic to reduce weight and cost, then weight and manufacturing cost are reduced, but heat dissipation efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two parts: a plastic housing for structural support and a separate metal shield can for heat dissipation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between using plastic for weight/cost reasons and needing metal for heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The metal shield can acts as an intermediary between the heat-generating substrate module and the plastic housing. It provides a thermal conduction path that allows heat to escape from the plastic housing, effectively mediating the heat dissipation issue without requiring the entire housing to be metal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If the camera module is made ultra-small to fit in small electronic products, then compactness is improved, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation capabilityVSAvoidcamera module volume
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The shield can is merged with the housing structure, integrating the heat dissipation function into the existing compact design. By combining the protective shielding function with the heat dissipation function in a single component, the solution achieves effective heat management without requiring additional separate structures that would increase the module volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If the shield can is made of metal to improve heat dissipation, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The metal shield can serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electromagnetic shielding for the circuit board, acts as a heat dissipation structure through its thermal conductivity, and offers mechanical protection. This multi-functionality justifies the use of metal despite the increased manufacturing complexity, as it eliminates the need for separate shielding and heat dissipation components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances heat dissipation efficiency by effectively transferring heat generated in the substrate module, ensuring better performance and reliability of the camera module, particularly in ultra-small form factors.

Implementation Method 1

transferring heat generated in a substrate module to the outside through the shield can

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4174573B1Camera module
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 LG INNOTEK CO LTD
  • EP4174573B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4174573B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4174573B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A camera module comprises: a first housing; a lens module disposed in the first housing; a second housing coupled to the first housing; a first printed circuit board disposed in the inner space of the first housing and the second housing; an image sensor disposed on the first printed circuit board; and a shield can disposed under the first printed circuit board in the second housing, wherein the shield can comprises a rib which comes into contact with the lower surface of the first printed circuit board.