Integrated Spacer Structure for Camera Module Board Parallelism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional camera modules face challenges in maintaining the degree of parallelism between boards due to increased accumulated tolerances from spacer components, leading to potential board damage and difficulties in designing and handling small components.

Innovation Solution

A camera module design that includes a spacer component with a component body made of insulating material, featuring multiple reference surfaces and engagement protrusions to ensure precise alignment and connection between the first and second component-mounting boards, thereby improving the degree of parallelism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple block-shaped spacer components are arranged to maintain board flatness, then the degree of parallelism is improved, but the device complexity and handling difficulty increase due to the need to assemble multiple small components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedegree of parallelismVSAvoidnumber of spacer components

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple block-shaped spacer components into a single integrated spacer component. This single component includes a support portion with multiple reference surfaces and an accommodation portion that houses connector components, thereby reducing the total number of parts while maintaining the degree of parallelism between boards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer component is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains the degree of parallelism between boards through its support portion with reference surfaces, provides structural support through its body, and houses connector components for electrical connection through its accommodation portion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate spacer blocks and connector components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple block-shaped spacer components are used to maintain board spacing, then the degree of parallelism is improved, but accumulated tolerances increase leading to reduced precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedegree of parallelismVSAvoidaccumulated tolerances

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating multiple spacer functions into a single spacer component, the patent eliminates the accumulated tolerances that would result from assembling multiple separate spacer blocks. The single component ensures consistent spacing and parallelism without the compounding of manufacturing variations from multiple parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If sufficient clearance between boards is maintained to avoid short circuits, then electrical safety is improved, but the available space for peripheral components decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshort circuit preventionVSAvoidspace for peripheral components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs nesting by placing connector components and other peripheral elements inside the accommodation portion of the spacer component. This allows sufficient clearance between boards for electrical safety while utilizing the spacer's internal space to house necessary components, thereby optimizing the use of available volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Manufacturing precision

If small spacer components are used to maintain board distance, then the degree of parallelism is improved, but handling and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedegree of parallelismVSAvoidhandling ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple small spacer blocks into one larger, integrated spacer component with dimensions suitable for easy handling. The single component includes all necessary features (support surfaces, accommodation portion) and can be assembled as one piece, significantly improving ease of operation compared to handling multiple small blocks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4080263B1Camera module, spacer component, and method for manufacturing camera module

Publication Date: 2025.06.11 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP

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AI summary

A camera module according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a first component-mounting board, a second component-mounting board, and a spacer component. The first component-mounting board includes an imaging device. The second component-mounting board is electrically connected to the first component-mounting board. The spacer component is arranged between the first component-mounting board and the second component-mounting board. The spacer component includes a component body that is made of a first insulating material. The component body including a first primary-surface portion that includes a plurality of first reference surfaces including at least three first reference surfaces, a second primary-surface portion that includes a plurality of second reference surfaces including at least three second reference surfaces, and a component accommodation portion with or without a bottom, the first primary-surface portion being brought into contact with the first component-mounting board, the second primary-surface portion being brought into contact with the second component-mounting board, the component accommodation portion being provided to at least one of the first primary-surface portion or the second primary-surface portion.