Camera Module Stop Module Light Control Autofocus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Camera modules in portable electronic devices face challenges in incorporating mechanical stops due to weight increase and performance deterioration of autofocusing functions, particularly due to tension in circuit connections during lens movement.

Innovation Solution

A camera module design featuring a stop module with rotatable incident holes and a magnet-coil mechanism, where the coil is positioned on the housing to drive the stop module, allowing for selective light adjustment without increasing weight and maintaining autofocusing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a mechanical stop is added to change the amount of incident light, then light control function is improved, but the camera module weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight control functionVSAvoidcamera module weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The stop module is integrated with the lens module, merging two functional components into a single unified structure. This allows the stop to be driven by the same actuator that controls lens movement, eliminating the need for separate stop-driving components and reducing overall weight while maintaining light control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator serves dual functions: it controls both the lens position for autofocusing and the stop position for light control. By making the actuator universal, the design eliminates redundant components and reduces the overall weight of the camera module while providing both focusing and aperture control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a mechanical stop with circuit connection is added to control light, then light control function is improved, but autofocusing performance deteriorates due to tension in circuit connections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight control functionVSAvoidautofocusing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit connection portion is extracted from the stop itself and relocated to the housing. This separation eliminates the tension and interference that would occur in the circuit connections if they were embedded in the moving stop, thereby preventing deterioration of autofocusing performance while maintaining light control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing serves as an intermediary structure that houses the circuit connection portion. By positioning the circuit connections in the stationary housing rather than in the moving stop, the design mediates between the need for light control and the requirement for reliable autofocusing operation without circuit tension.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If driving components for the stop are added, then light control function is improved, but autofocusing function deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight control functionVSAvoidautofocusing function

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enables selective light adjustment and prevents deterioration of autofocusing performance, reducing the weight of the stop module and maintaining image quality across various illumination conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a first coil portion configured to drive the stop module to selectively change an amount of light incident to the lens module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The stop module may include a plate, a magnet portion disposed on the plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLorentz force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentUS10816876B2Camera module, lens module, and stop module

Publication Date: 2020.10.27 SAMSUNG ELECTRO MECHANICS CO LTD

AI summary

A camera module includes a housing to accommodate a lens module, a stop module coupled to the lens module and configured to selectively change an amount of light incident to the lens module, and a coil portion configured to drive the stop module to selectively change an amount of light incident to the lens module. The coil portion is disposed on the housing.