Camera Trim Suspension for Thinner Stack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera mounting systems in portable electronic devices face challenges in protecting the camera from impact shocks without increasing the device's thickness or interfering with optical alignment, as shock-absorbing materials can decouple optical components and hinder alignment features.
Innovation Solution
A camera assembly with a trim suspension system that uses first and second shock mounts to suspend the camera trim within the housing, decoupling impact shocks along the periphery and maintaining optical alignment, while reducing the overall thickness of the camera assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shock pads made of foam or elastomer materials are placed on the front side and back side of the camera module, then the camera module can survive drop events by absorbing and dampening impact, but the overall z-thickness of the camera stack increases and the shock absorbing materials may decouple optical components from alignment features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from placing shock pads in the z-direction (front and back sides of camera module) to placing shock pads in the x-y plane (between camera module and housing, and between camera module and cover glass). This dimensional change allows shock absorption without increasing z-thickness of the camera stack.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the shock protection function into multiple locations: shock pads between the camera module and housing, and shock pads between the camera module and cover glass. This segmentation allows distributed shock absorption while maintaining compact z-stack thickness.
2Reliability
If shock absorbing materials are used to protect the camera from impact shocks, then the camera can survive drop events, but the shock absorbing material may decouple optical components from alignment features such as datum frame
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces rigid support structures (housing and cover glass) as intermediaries that provide stable mounting surfaces for the camera module. The shock pads act as controlled mediators that absorb shock while maintaining optical alignment through their specific placement and properties, preventing uncontrolled decoupling of optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies shock pads only at specific locations (between camera module and housing, and between camera module and cover glass) rather than uniformly across the camera module. This localized application provides shock absorption while maintaining precise optical alignment in critical areas.
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 effectively absorbs and dissipates impact shocks, maintains camera performance and optical alignment, and provides a compact, reliable mounting system that protects both the camera and the device from drops and other impacts.
Implementation Method 1
The shock pads absorb and dampen the impact of a drop and prevent that impact from being directly translated to the camera
Implementation Method 2
a trim suspension coupling the trim to the housing... the means to decouple the impact shock disposed along a periphery of the trim
Data Source
AI summary
A camera assembly and a method for mounting it in a portable electronic device are provided. The assembly includes a camera module, and a camera trim coupled with the camera module. The camera assembly includes a first shock mount coupling the camera trim to an interior surface of the housing, and a second shock mount coupling the camera trim to an exterior surface of the housing. The first and second shock mounts cooperate to suspend an outer perimeter of the camera trim within an opening of the housing of the portable electronic device. A mobile telecommunications device including a camera assembly as above is also provided.