Under-Display Camera Module With Electrowetting Lens Autofocus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In electronic devices, the arrangement of a camera module to overlap the display vertically results in optical characteristics changes when the lens assembly moves for auto focus due to the presence of an aperture stop in the display, which complicates auto focus operations.
Innovation Solution
The camera module incorporates a variable lens with adjustable curvature based on electrical energy, a first lens with positive focal length, and a second lens with negative focal length, with specific distance ratios to maintain optical stability and minimize the camera hole size by placing the aperture stop in the display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the lens assembly moves toward the display for auto focus, then the focusing capability is improved, but the optical characteristics change due to the aperture stop in the display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical movement of the lens assembly with an electrical field-based variable lens that changes curvature through electrical energy supply. This substitution eliminates mechanical movement while achieving auto focus, thereby maintaining optical characteristics stability despite the presence of the aperture stop in the display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the curvature parameter of the variable lens through electrical energy supply to achieve focusing. By adjusting the curvature rather than moving the lens assembly, the system maintains consistent optical characteristics while achieving different focus distances, resolving the contradiction between focusing capability and optical stability.
2Area of stationary object
If the aperture stop is disposed in the display to minimize camera hole size, then the display area is maximized, but the optical characteristics change when lens assembly moves for auto focus
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing mechanical lens movement with electrical curvature adjustment of the variable lens, the system eliminates the problem of optical characteristic changes that would occur with aperture stop presence. This allows the aperture stop to be disposed in the display for maximizing display area while maintaining optical stability.
3Ease of operation
If a variable lens with adjustable curvature is used, then the lens assembly movement is eliminated for auto focus, but additional lens elements are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple lens functions into a compact lens assembly where the variable lens integrates both focusing and aperture control functions. The first lens with positive focal length and second lens with negative focal length work together with the variable lens to achieve auto focus without mechanical movement, balancing operational simplicity with structural complexity.
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 auto focus without lens assembly movement, maintaining consistent optical characteristics and minimizing the camera hole size by integrating the aperture stop within the display.
Implementation Method 1
a variable lens having a curvature changed based on supplied electrical energy
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic device comprising: a camera module including at least one lens; a display including a camera exposure region that at least partially overlaps with the at least one lens when viewed in the optical axis direction of the at least one lens; and an iris arranged in the camera exposure region. The camera module may comprise: a variable lens of which the curvature is changed on the basis of supplied electric energy; a first lens which is arranged between the display and the variable lens and which has a positive refractive power; and a second lens which is arranged to be farther than the first lens from the display and which has a negative refractive power. The ratio between a first distance from the iris to the variable lens and a second distance from the first lens to the variable lens can be set to have a size that is within a designated range.