Camera Module Stopper Damping for Lens Assembly Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Camera modules in electronic devices experience lens assembly movement when unpowered, leading to potential damage and image quality deterioration due to component collisions.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of stopper members and damping mechanisms to limit lens assembly movement and absorb impact, preventing damage and reducing noise during power loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the lens assembly is allowed to move freely in the camera housing, then the auto focus function can be performed, but the lens assembly may move when unpowered causing damage and image quality deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauto focus functionVSAvoidlens assembly stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The camera housing is divided into multiple regions with stopper members positioned at specific locations to limit lens assembly movement to a predetermined range, allowing AF motion while preventing excessive movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Stopper members are pre-positioned within the camera housing to provide preliminary resistance against lens assembly movement before damage can occur, acting as a preventive measure against unpowered movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If stopper members are added to limit lens assembly movement, then lens assembly stability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens assembly stabilityVSAvoidcamera housing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper members are integrated into the camera housing structure, combining the housing and stopping function into a single unified component rather than adding separate independent parts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The camera housing serves multiple functions: it protects internal components, guides lens assembly movement, and through integrated stopper members, limits excessive movement - combining structural support with motion control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If damping mechanisms are added to absorb impact, then noise from component collision is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision noiseVSAvoidcamera module structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Damping mechanisms are pre-positioned at locations where lens assembly movement may cause collisions, providing cushioning action before actual impact occurs to prevent noise and damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping mechanism acts as an intermediary element between the lens assembly and camera housing components, absorbing impact energy and preventing direct collision between hard surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Prevents lens assembly movement and collision damage, enhancing image quality and reducing noise in electronic devices by limiting movement range and absorbing impact.

Implementation Method 1

the first stopper member and the second stopper member are configured to provide damping when the lens assembly makes contact with the first stopper member and the second stopper member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

a damping member that is disposed on a sidewall of the camera housing and that makes contact with a portion of the support member as the lens assembly moves in the direction of the optical axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS12510805B2Camera module and electronic device including the same

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A camera module includes a camera housing; a lens assembly, part of which is accommodated in the camera housing; and a stopper member coupled to the inside of the camera housing. The lens assembly includes a lens and moves in a direction of an optical axis of the lens inside the camera housing. At least part of the stopper member limits a movement range of the lens assembly in the direction of the optical axis. The stopper member includes a first stopper member to limit the movement range of the lens assembly in a first optical axis direction, and a second stopper member to limit the movement range of the lens assembly in a second optical axis direction opposite to the first optical axis direction. The first and second stopper members are configured to provide damping when the lens assembly makes contact with the first and second stopper members.