Curved Light Shield for Compact Imaging Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging devices struggle to be compact due to the shape and arrangement of shutters or shutter driving assemblies, which restricts their miniaturization.

Innovation Solution

The imaging device incorporates a light shield that is curved along the curved profile of an optical member, allowing it to be moved between positions that either restrict or allow subject light to enter the imaging element, thereby enabling a more compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a traditional shutter or shutter driving assembly is used, then light control functionality is achieved, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidshutter arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light shield is designed with a curved surface that conforms to the curved profile of the optical member (lens). This curvature allows the light shield to wrap around the lens effectively, blocking light from reaching the imaging element when in the closed position, while maintaining a compact radial arrangement that reduces overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The light shield is arranged radially around the optical axis rather than linearly, utilizing the circumferential dimension. The light shield extends in the radial direction from the optical axis, with its curved surface facing the optical member, effectively using three-dimensional spatial arrangement to achieve compact light control without increasing device footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the light shield is moved to restrict light entry, then privacy protection is achieved, but the drive mechanism requires space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoiddrive assembly volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The drive assembly is integrated adjacent to the imaging element rather than being a separate external mechanism. The drive moves the light shield between a first position (blocking light) and a second position (allowing light entry), and its compact placement next to the imaging element eliminates the need for additional space-consuming shutter mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If the light shield is curved to match the optical member profile, then space optimization is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidcurved light shield fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS12332542B2Imaging device

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 COPAL CO LTD

AI summary

An imaging device includes an imaging element that receives subject light, a lens that guides the subject light traveling through a first opening in a housing to the imaging element, a blade between the first opening and the lens to restrict the subject light from entering the imaging element, and an actuator that moves the blade in a first direction intersecting with an optical axis of the lens to position the blade at one of a first position at which the subject light is restricted from entering the image element or a second position at which the subject light is allowed to enter the imaging element. The blade is curved along a curved profile of the lens in a second direction intersecting with the optical axis and with the first direction.