External Lens Adapter for Thin Mobile Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

The structure size of built-in camera modules in mobile terminals limits the improvement of imaging quality and overall aesthetics, as increasing the thickness of the camera module results in a bulky device.

Innovation Solution

An adapter that detachably assembles an external lens to a mobile terminal, utilizing a first connection structure to match the external lens with the mobile terminal's image sensor assembly and a second connection structure to maintain the flange focal length, ensuring both thinness and high shooting performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the thickness of the camera module is increased to improve imaging quality, then the imaging quality is improved, but the overall thickness of the mobile terminal increases resulting in a bulky device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging qualityVSAvoidthickness of mobile terminal
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary component that connects the external lens to the mobile terminal. The adapter includes a first connection structure for the external lens and a second connection structure for the mobile terminal, with a light passing channel that maintains the correct flange focal length. This intermediary structure enables high-quality imaging without increasing the mobile terminal's thickness, as the adapter houses the lens mounting interface separately from the terminal body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of moving object

If a built-in camera module is used to maintain thinness, then the mobile terminal remains thin, but the imaging quality and function are limited due to space constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethickness of mobile terminalVSAvoidimaging quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the camera system into separate components: the mobile terminal retains its thin profile with a reduced camera module, while the external lens with full imaging capabilities is mounted separately on the adapter. This segmentation allows the terminal to remain thin while the external lens provides enhanced imaging quality, as the lens is not constrained by the terminal's internal space limitations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If an external lens is detachably assembled to the mobile terminal, then the imaging quality and versatility are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelens interchangeabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the adapter with universal connection structures that can accommodate different types of external lenses. The first connection structure includes a mounting interface compatible with various lens types, while the second connection structure interfaces with the mobile terminal's image sensor assembly. This universal design enables the same adapter to work with multiple lens types, improving versatility without requiring separate adapters for each lens type, thus managing complexity effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4206818B1Adapter and mobile device
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4206818B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4206818B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4206818B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The disclosure relates to the technical field of electronics and provides an adapter and a mobile device. The adapter (1) includes a first connection structure (112) and a second connection structure (113), wherein the first connection structure (112) can be assembled and matched with an external lens, such that an access plane of the external lens matches with a preset end surface of a light passing channel, and the second connection structure (113) can be assembled and matched with a mobile terminal, such that a distance between the preset end surface and a photosensitive plane is equal to a flange focal length of the external lens.