Extending Camera Module Structure to Avoid Periscope Light Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Periscopic camera structures with telephoto lenses suffer from light attenuation and are limited by the thickness of the electronic device, which hinders improved photographic performance.
Innovation Solution
A camera module design featuring a lens assembly with a support guide assembly and drive assembly that allows the lens to move along the optical axis, using guide grooves and a transmission mechanism to extend or retract the lens outside the housing, eliminating the need for a prism and reducing size constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a periscopic camera structure with a prism module is used, then the telephoto lens can capture distant objects, but light attenuation occurs and the sensor size is limited by device thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the prism module from the optical path entirely. Instead of using a periscopic structure with light reflection, the lens assembly is directly extended along the optical axis to achieve telephoto effect, eliminating the harmful light attenuation caused by the prism while preserving the telephoto capture capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dimensional approach from lateral light folding (periscopic structure) to axial lens extension. The lens assembly moves along the optical axis direction to achieve telephoto effect, transforming the problem from a two-dimensional light path folding to a one-dimensional axial movement solution
2Adaptability or versatility
If a periscopic camera structure with a prism module is used, then the telephoto lens can capture distant objects, but the sensor size is constrained by the thickness of the electronic device
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the prism module and its associated light folding structure, the patent frees up internal space within the device housing. This allows the sensor to be positioned optimally along the optical axis without being constrained by the thickness limitations imposed by the periscopic structure, enabling larger sensor sizes for improved photographic performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a thickness-constrained lateral arrangement to an axial extension arrangement. The lens assembly extends along the optical axis to achieve telephoto effect, allowing the sensor to be positioned at the optimal focal distance without being limited by device thickness, thus enabling larger sensor dimensions
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lens assembly is extended outside the housing for telephoto shooting, then photographic performance is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lens assembly, support guide assembly, and drive assembly into an integrated movable unit. These components work together as a unified system where the drive assembly rotates the support guide assembly, which in turn guides the lens assembly along the optical axis, simplifying the overall structure while achieving the desired lens extension for improved photographic performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic rotation mechanism where the drive assembly rotates the support guide assembly around the optical axis. This rotational motion is converted into linear movement of the lens assembly along the optical axis through the guide grooves, creating a compact and efficient mechanism that enables lens extension without excessive structural complexity
Data Source
AI summary
In a camera module and an electronic device, a lens assembly is provided with at least one connection portion, a stand body sleeved outside the lens assembly is provided with at least one first guide groove running through the stand body and a transmission portion, and a housing is provided with a second guide groove in an inner wall of the housing. The connection portion runs through the first guide groove and then is engaged and secured into the second guide groove. A drive assembly drives, via the transmission portion, the stand body to rotate. When being rotated, the stand body guides the connection portion to move relatively between two ends of the first guide groove, such that the lens assembly moves along the second guide groove, and hence the lens assembly is stuck outside the housing and is retracted back to the inner of the housing.