Image Sensor Drive Layout for Compact Camera Focusing and Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera modules are large and heavy due to oversized drivers, which counteracts the goal of creating small and light electronic devices with advanced optical systems, and they struggle with mechanical and magnetic interference, assembly complexity, and image stabilization.
Innovation Solution
A camera module design incorporating a rectangular image sensor with corner and side drive mechanisms, including voice coil motors, and an elastic protrusion structure to facilitate miniaturization, reduce interference, and enhance image quality by allowing precise movement and collision reduction, thereby enabling efficient focusing and image stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional drivers are used to drive the imaging lens, then the imaging lens can move for focusing and image stabilization, but the camera module becomes large and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The driver is divided into two separate drive mechanisms: a corner drive mechanism for focusing and a side drive mechanism for image stabilization. This segmentation allows each mechanism to be optimized for its specific function with reduced size and weight, eliminating the need for a single large driver that performed both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive mechanisms are positioned at different locations (corner vs. side) of the image sensor, utilizing spatial distribution to reduce interference and allow compact integration. This dimensional arrangement enables both mechanisms to operate independently in different directions without requiring excessive space.
2Force
If the driver size increases with imaging lens weight, then the driving force is sufficient, but the camera module becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The driving force requirement is segmented between two specialized mechanisms: the corner drive mechanism provides sufficient force for focusing movement, while the side drive mechanism provides controlled force for image stabilization. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single oversized driver that would be required to handle the maximum force for both functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Each drive mechanism is designed with local quality optimized for its specific function: the corner drive mechanism is configured for high-force focusing, while the side drive mechanism is configured for precision image stabilization. This localized optimization allows sufficient driving force where needed without increasing the overall camera module area.
3Reliability
If corner and side drive mechanisms are used, then focusing and image stabilization are achieved, but mechanical and magnetic interference may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The two drive mechanisms are physically separated and positioned at different locations (corner and side) of the image sensor, extracting them from a potential source of interference. This spatial separation reduces mechanical coupling and magnetic field interaction between the voice coil motors, minimizing harmful interference while maintaining both functions.
4Weight of moving object
If the camera module is miniaturized, then the electronic device becomes small and light, but the driver size must be reduced which may affect performance
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the driver into two smaller specialized mechanisms, the overall size and weight are reduced for miniaturization, while each segment maintains sufficient performance for its specific function. The corner drive mechanism provides adequate focusing force, and the side drive mechanism provides adequate image stabilization force, collectively maintaining driving performance without requiring a single large driver.
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 design achieves a compact and lightweight camera module with improved image quality and stabilization, reducing mechanical interference and assembly complexity while maintaining precise control and image clarity.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the corner drive mechanism and the side drive mechanism is a voice coil motor
Implementation Method 2
The elastic protrusion structure is configured to provide a collision reduction mechanism for the movable carrier
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A camera module (1, 2, 3) includes an imaging lens (10), an image sensor (40), a corner drive mechanism (50) and a side drive mechanism (60). The image sensor (40) is disposed at an image side of the imaging lens (10). The image sensor (40) includes a photosensitive surface (410). The photosensitive surface (410) faces the imaging lens (10). The photosensitive surface (410) is substantially rectangular. The photosensitive surface (410) is movable close to or away from the imaging lens (10) in a focusing direction (D1), and is movable in a translational direction (D2) orthogonal to the focusing direction (D1). The corner drive mechanism (50) is disposed corresponding to a corner of the photosensitive surface (410). The side drive mechanism (60) is disposed corresponding to a side of the photosensitive surface (410). One of the corner drive mechanism (50) and the side drive mechanism (60) drives the image sensor (40) to move in the focusing direction (D1), and another one thereof drives the image sensor (40) to move in the translational direction (D2).