Electroactive Polymer Lens for Compact Zoom Module

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Solution Overview

Problem

As pixel density increases in lens modules of electronic devices, the volume of voice coil motors required to adjust focal distance grows, necessitating a more compact and efficient solution.

Innovation Solution

A lens module design utilizing an electrically conductive first lens that deforms under voltage, connected to a printed circuit board via electric conductors, allowing focal distance adjustment without a voice coil motor, and featuring receiving grooves to secure and protect the conductors, thereby maintaining module compactness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a voice coil motor is used to adjust focal distance, then focal distance can be changed, but the volume of the lens module increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocal distance adjustmentVSAvoidlens module volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical voice coil motor system with an electro-active polymer lens that directly responds to electrical voltage to change focal distance. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical moving parts and reduces the overall lens module volume while maintaining focal adjustment functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of the lens by using electro-active polymer material that changes its shape and focal length in response to applied voltage. This allows focal distance adjustment through electrical parameter changes rather than mechanical movement, reducing module volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If pixel density is increased, then image quality improves, but the volume of the voice coil motor becomes larger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidvoice coil motor volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the mechanical voice coil motor entirely by using an electro-active polymer lens that integrates the focusing function directly into the lens material. This allows high pixel density sensors to be paired with a compact lens system, improving image quality without increasing motor volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electro-active polymer lens serves multiple functions: it acts as both the optical lens element and the focusing actuator. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate motor components, allowing high pixel density configurations without proportionally increasing motor volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If a voice coil motor is used, then focal distance can be adjusted, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocal distance adjustmentVSAvoidlens module complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical voice coil motor assembly with a simpler electro-active polymer lens that requires only electrical control. This substitution reduces the number of moving parts, simplifies the mechanical structure, and decreases overall device complexity while maintaining focal adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the voice coil motor component from the lens module, retaining only the essential optical and electrical elements. This extraction simplifies the overall device structure by eliminating unnecessary mechanical complexity while preserving the core function of focal distance adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables focal distance adjustment without the need for a voice coil motor, reducing the lens module's volume and potentially enhancing optical image stabilization, while maintaining functionality and compactness.

Implementation Method 1

The first lens 41 is electrically conductive and deforms under voltage to change the focal distance of lights passing through the first lens 41

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroactive polymer deformation: Electroactive Polymer

Data Source

PatentUS11347042B2Lens module capable of changing focal distance and electronic device using the same

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 TRIPLE WIN TECH (SHENZHEN) CO LTD

AI summary

A lens module includes a printed circuit board, a lens component, and at least two electric conductors. The lens component includes a first lens and a microscope base, the first lens is formed on the microscope base, the microscope base is formed on the printed circuit board, and the first lens is electrically conductive and deforms under voltage. The first lens is electrically connected to the printed circuit board by the electric conductors. The printed circuit board outputs a voltage to the first lens through the electric conductors; the first lens deforms according to the voltage thereby changing a focal distance of light passing through the first lens. The disclosure also relates to an electronic device using the lens module. The lens module can has a zoom function and has a litter volume.