Camera Voice Coil Motor Resilient Stop for Shock Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Camera lens modules in portable devices face issues with mechanical shocks and vibrations causing datum surfaces to separate and produce audible clicks, disrupting the user experience, especially when the device is held near the ear.
Innovation Solution
A resilient stop plate assembly with an elastic sheet material is integrated into the camera module, providing viscoelastic damping to absorb impact energy and reduce acoustic noise, while maintaining dimensional stability and tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring is used to hold the datum surfaces in contact, then the lens moving mechanism is supported against gravity, but mechanical shocks and vibrations cause the datum surfaces to separate and contact, producing audible clicking sounds
Solution Approach 1:
A resilient stop member is pre-installed between the lens moving mechanism and the camera module body to provide cushioning before impact occurs. This resilient member absorbs mechanical shocks and vibrations beforehand, preventing the datum surfaces from separating and making abrupt contact that generates clicking sounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient stop member acts as an intermediary element between the lens moving mechanism and the camera module body. It mediates the interaction by absorbing impact forces, preventing direct contact between the hard datum surfaces that would otherwise produce audible clicking sounds during mechanical shocks.
2Force
If the spring force is minimized to just support the weight of the moving portion, then the VCM requires minimal force to move the lens, but the datum surfaces become susceptible to separation under mechanical shocks and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient stop member provides pre-positioned cushioning that allows the spring force to remain minimal for normal operation while still protecting against shock-induced separation. The resilient member absorbs impact forces before they can cause datum surface separation, maintaining reliability without increasing the spring force or VCM requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient stop member is made from a resilient material that combines elasticity with structural support capability. This composite approach allows the system to maintain minimal spring force for normal operation while the resilient material provides the necessary shock absorption to prevent datum surface separation under mechanical shocks.
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 minimizes the sound produced by mechanical shocks, ensuring a quieter operation and maintaining the necessary precision for autofocus functionality in camera modules.
Implementation Method 1
A resilient stop plate assembly with an elastic sheet material is integrated into the camera module, providing viscoelastic damping to absorb impact energy
Implementation Method 2
A resilient stop plate assembly with an elastic sheet material is integrated into the camera module, providing viscoelastic damping to absorb impact energy
Data Source
AI summary
A camera module includes a body having recesses in a first datum surface. A filleted edge may join the recesses to the first datum surface. An image sensor is coupled to the body at a known distance from the first datum surface. A movable lens mechanism includes a fixed portion and a movable portion. The fixed portion is coupled to the body. The movable portion includes a lens assembly and protrusions arranged to fit within the recesses in the first datum surface and to define a second datum surface. A resilient stop plate covers the recesses in the first datum surface with an elastic sheet material. A spring may hold the protrusions in contact with the resilient stop plate when the movable lens mechanism is unpowered. The resilient stop plate may include a rigid support plate coupled to the body by heat staking. The elastic sheet material may be viscoelastic.