Electroactive Aperture for Mobile Camera Miniaturization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile camera aperture constructions are complex, prone to breakdown, non-circular, and difficult to miniaturize due to mechanical complexity, leading to increased size, weight, and power consumption, while compromising image quality and usability.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable aperture construction using electroactive materials between electrodes, where an electric field deforms the material to control aperture size, eliminating the need for mechanical parts and allowing for a fully circular, stepless aperture with minimal power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional mechanical aperture mechanism with multiple moving parts is used, then the aperture can be adjusted, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical aperture mechanism with an electroactive material-based system. Voltage applied to the electroactive material causes it to change shape and adjust the aperture opening, eliminating the need for mechanical moving parts such as blades, springs, and actuators. This substitution of mechanical systems with electrical/electrochemical systems resolves the contradiction by maintaining aperture adjustability while dramatically reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the ability of electroactive materials to change their physical parameters (shape, size, curvature) in response to electrical voltage. By varying the applied voltage, the aperture opening size can be continuously adjusted without mechanical movement. This parameter-based control approach enables aperture adjustment while avoiding the complexity of mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If a traditional mechanical aperture mechanism is used, then the aperture can be adjusted, but the weight and size of the camera increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electroactive material-based aperture system replaces heavy mechanical components with lightweight electrical/electrochemical elements. The electroactive material itself forms the aperture structure, eliminating the need for separate mechanical adjustment mechanisms. This substitution dramatically reduces the weight of the aperture assembly and overall camera system while maintaining full aperture adjustability functionality.
3Ease of operation
If a traditional mechanical aperture mechanism is used, then the aperture can be adjusted, but the manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical aperture mechanisms with electroactive material structures that can be manufactured using standard thin-film deposition and patterning techniques. The electroactive material is deposited as a continuous or patterned layer on a substrate, and aperture adjustment is achieved through electrical control rather than mechanical assembly. This manufacturing approach is simpler, more scalable, and requires less precision machining and assembly compared to traditional mechanical mechanisms.
4Volume of moving object
If the aperture size is reduced to miniaturize the camera, then the camera size decreases, but the image quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The electroactive material-based aperture system enables precise control of aperture opening size through electrical voltage, achieving fine adjustment resolution that maintains image quality. The continuous deformation capability of electroactive materials allows for precise aperture positioning without the discrete steps or mechanical tolerances that limit traditional mechanisms. This enables miniaturization while preserving the precision needed for high-quality imaging.
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 solution simplifies the aperture system, reduces size and weight, enhances reliability, and maintains image quality by providing a fully adjustable, circular aperture with low power usage, enabling precise control over aperture size without mechanical complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a center unit made of an electroactive material, where the center unit is placed essentially between the electrodes, and where the shape of the center unit is deformed by the electric field created between said electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable aperture construction for a camera comprises at least two electrodes, and an electrical circuit for applying a voltage to the electrodes in order to create an electric field between the electrodes. In addition the construction comprises a center unit with a hole in the middle as an aperture, where the center unit is made of an electroactive material and placed essentially between the electrodes. The center unit is then deformed, expanded or retracted by applying the electric field between the electrodes using the electrical circuit thereby adjusting the aperture in the center unit.