Electromagnetic Lens Drive Layout for Compact AF, OIS, and Aperture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional camera modules have complex structures due to separate driving members for auto focus, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), and aperture functions, leading to increased complexity and size.

Innovation Solution

A compact lens driving device that integrates auto focus, OIS, and aperture driving functions using a single driving member, employing electromagnetic interactions between coils and magnets to perform these functions, with a camera module and optical apparatus design that includes a housing with multiple coils and magnets for coordinated movement and aperture control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate driving members are used for auto focus, OIS, and aperture functions, then each function can be performed independently, but the structure becomes complicated and size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional independenceVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple driving members (autofocus driving member, OIS driving member, and aperture driving member) into a single integrated driving structure. This driving structure includes a driving member body with multiple driving members arranged in different directions, allowing all three functions (autofocus, OIS, and aperture control) to be performed by one unified component rather than separate independent mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated driving structure serves multiple functions simultaneously. The driving member body can generate driving forces in different directions to control the lens module for autofocus, stabilize the image sensor for OIS, and adjust the aperture size, making a single component universal for all three functions that previously required separate dedicated mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate driving members are used for auto focus, OIS, and aperture functions, then each function can be performed independently, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional independenceVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple driving members (autofocus driving member, OIS driving member, and aperture driving member) into a single integrated driving structure. This driving structure includes a driving member body with multiple driving members arranged in different directions, allowing all three functions (autofocus, OIS, and aperture control) to be performed by one unified component rather than separate independent mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent arranges the multiple driving members in a nested or compact configuration within the driving member body. The first, second, and third driving members are positioned in different directions and can be integrated into a compact structure where they share common support elements and mounting structures, reducing the overall volume required compared to separate distributed mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If a compact structure is used with integrated driving functions, then device size and complexity are reduced, but achieving accurate coordinated control becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidcontrol precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the integrated driving structure into distinct functional modules with independent driving members arranged in different directions. Each driving member (first, second, and third) can be independently controlled to perform specific functions (autofocus, OIS, aperture), allowing precise control of each function while maintaining the compact integrated structure. This modular segmentation enables accurate coordinated control through independent actuation of each segment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 a compact structure for camera modules to perform auto focus, OIS, and aperture driving functions effectively, reducing complexity and size while maintaining accurate image capture capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

The second housing may be moved to an optical axis direction by the electromagnetic interaction between the first magnet and the first coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic interaction: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

the bobbin may be moved to a first direction perpendicular to an optical axis by the electromagnetic interaction between the second magnet and the second coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic interaction: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 3

an area of a hole formed by the first groove and the second groove may be adjusted by the electromagnetic interaction between the fourth magnet and the fourth coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic interaction: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP3667408B1Lens driving apparatus, camera module, and optical device
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 LG INNOTEK CO LTD
  • EP3667408B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3667408B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3667408B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

The present embodiment relates to a lens driving device, a camera module and an optical apparatus, the lens driving device comprising: a first housing; a second housing; a bobbin; an aperture; a first coil, a second coil, a third coil, and a fourth coil; a first magnet; a second magnet; a third magnet; and a fourth magnet, wherein the first coil, the second coil, the third coil, and the fourth coil are disposed to be spaced apart from each other; the first coil and the third coil are disposed opposite to each other with the first magnet and the third magnet interposed therebetween; and the second coil and the fourth coil are disposed opposite to each other with the second magnet and the fourth magnet interposed therebetween.