Compact Folded Camera Structure for Smaller Smartphone Bumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compact cameras in mobile devices, such as smartphones, suffer from a protruding 'bump' due to the height of the camera lens, which is undesirable and can be exacerbated by the inclusion of a flash element, leading to an increased footprint.
Innovation Solution
The design of folded cameras and dual folded-upright cameras with reduced height, particularly by minimizing the back focal plane section and lens subsections, along with asymmetric positioning of the image sensor and incorporating a flash element within the camera structure, to minimize the bump footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional upright camera design is used with a lens assembly placed on top of an image sensor, then the optical performance is maintained, but the camera height increases causing a protruding bump on the mobile device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies optical path folding using mirrors or prisms to redirect light at 90-degree angles, transforming the linear vertical optical path into a folded configuration. This allows the optical axis to extend horizontally within the device thickness rather than vertically, reducing camera height while maintaining focal length and optical performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests multiple optical components including lens assemblies, mirrors, and image sensors within a compact folded structure. The optical path is folded back on itself, allowing components to be arranged in a nested configuration that minimizes the overall camera module height while preserving the required optical path length
2Measurement precision
If the focal length of the lens is increased to improve optical performance, then the field of view and image quality are enhanced, but the optics height increases proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical path folding to decouple the relationship between focal length and camera height. By folding the optical path at 90-degree angles using mirrors or prisms, the effective focal length can be increased for better image quality while the physical camera height remains constrained by the device thickness rather than scaling with focal length
3Illumination intensity
If a flash element is added to the camera structure to improve photography capability, then the lighting performance is enhanced, but the bump footprint and device profile are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the flash element within the existing camera bump footprint by positioning it adjacent to or overlapping with the folded camera structure. This merging of functions allows the flash to be accommodated without increasing the overall bump area, as both the folded camera and flash share the same spatial envelope
Solution Approach 2:
The camera bump structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: housing the folded camera optics, containing the flash element, and maintaining a compact profile. This multi-functionality allows the bump to accommodate both imaging and lighting components without requiring separate protrusions
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 design reduces the overall height and footprint of the camera bump, allowing for a more compact and aesthetically pleasing integration into mobile devices without compromising optical performance.
Implementation Method 1
an optical path folding element (referred to hereinafter as 'OPFE' or 'reflecting element') e.g. a prism or a mirror, is added in order to tilt the light propagation direction
Implementation Method 2
The lens assembly (also referred to as 'lens module' or simply 'lens') refracts the incoming light rays and bends them to create image data (or an 'image') of a scene on the image sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Folded cameras and dual folded-upright cameras that reduce a mobile electronic device and specifically a smartphone bump footprint and height. In some examples, the bump footprint is reduced by reducing the height of a back focal plane section of the folded camera. In some examples, the bump footprint is reduced by reducing the height of a back focal plane section and a lens subsection of the folded camera.