Camera Window Frame Layout for Thinner Electronic Housings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of miniaturizing and reducing the thickness of electronic devices, such as smartphones, is exacerbated by the thickness and size of camera modules, particularly those with advanced optical components, which affect the overall device dimensions and battery capacity.
Innovation Solution
The electronic apparatus incorporates a camera module, an exterior panel with uniform thickness, a frame member surrounding the lens, and a window member bonded to the frame member, with a coating on the exterior panel to facilitate bonding and support, allowing the frame member to be external to the panel, thus reducing thickness and enabling space for a larger battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the camera module is mounted on the electronic apparatus, then the camera function is achieved, but the thickness of the electronic apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame member is positioned between the exterior panel and the camera module, creating a nested structure where the frame member is housed within the thickness of the exterior panel. This nesting arrangement allows the camera module to be mounted while minimizing the overall thickness increase, as the frame member does not add external thickness but rather integrates within the panel's thickness profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame member extends in the width direction of the exterior panel rather than adding to the thickness. By utilizing the lateral dimension and bonding the frame member to the side surface of the exterior panel, the design accommodates the camera module without increasing the thickness profile, instead managing the camera mounting in a different spatial dimension.
2Length of stationary object
If the frame member is integrated inside the exterior panel, then the thickness is reduced, but the bonding area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding interface is segmented into multiple regions: a first bonding area on the side surface of the exterior panel and a second bonding area on the camera module. This segmentation allows the frame member to be bonded to both the exterior panel and the camera module, creating a multi-point attachment that provides sufficient bonding area while maintaining a thin overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame member acts as an intermediary component between the exterior panel and the camera module. By bonding the frame member to both components, it creates a stable connection that distributes the bonding area across multiple interfaces, effectively increasing the total bonding area without requiring a thick panel structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If the exterior panel has uniform thickness, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the camera module mounting space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
While the exterior panel maintains uniform thickness for simplified manufacturing, the frame member introduces localized structural variations. The frame member is bonded to the side surface of the exterior panel and extends to cover the camera module, creating local structural enhancements without requiring the panel itself to have varying thickness. This allows adequate mounting space while preserving manufacturing simplicity.
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
This configuration allows for a thinner electronic device design, accommodating periscope cameras and enhancing battery capacity by minimizing the internal frame member's presence, thereby optimizing space utilization and performance.
Implementation Method 1
The first area is bonded to the second main surface by an adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electronic apparatus having a structure of mounting a camera suitable for thickness reduction and an exterior member. The electronic apparatus includes a camera module, an exterior panel, a frame member, and a window member. The camera module includes a lens. The exterior panel has a uniform thickness, and has a first main surface on a side of an internal space in which the camera module is housed, and a second main surface on a side opposite to the first main surface. The frame member surrounds the lens as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the second main surface, and has a first area that faces the second main surface and is bonded to the second main surface, and a second area on a side opposite to the second main surface. The window member is bonded to the second area and covers the lens.