Flexible PCB Shield Can Avoidance for Camera Module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rigid PCBs in camera modules are prone to cracking and tearing due to bending forces, and the flexible areas can cause interference issues when bent, leading to defective products and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A camera module design featuring a flexible PCB with a conductive layer pattern and a shield can with an avoidance part to prevent interference, where the conductive layer is formed in a mesh structure to enhance flexibility and reduce damage, and the shield can is designed to avoid contact with the connecting parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a rigid PCB is used to connect various parts in high density, then the circuit connection capability is improved, but the flexible area receives continued bending force causing cracks and tearing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit connection capabilityVSAvoidflexible area durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible area is segmented into multiple isolated conductive patterns rather than continuous traces, dividing the conductive path into discrete segments that can withstand bending without cracking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the PCB have different conductive material configurations - rigid areas have standard continuous patterns while flexible areas have isolated segmented patterns optimized for bending resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible area is printed with conductive material to provide bending influence, then the flexibility is improved, but damage such as cracks and tearing is frequently generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending flexibilityVSAvoidconductive layer integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive material in flexible areas is divided into isolated patterns or dots rather than continuous traces, allowing the material to flex without creating stress concentration points that lead to cracking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible PCB uses a thin film structure with strategically placed conductive patterns that maintain electrical connectivity while accommodating bending deformations without damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the shield can protects the substrate assembly by accommodating it, then the protection is improved, but interference at the connection part is generated due to bending

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from damageVSAvoidinterference at connection part

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shield can includes a cutout or opening that extracts or removes the shielding material at the specific location where the flexible PCB connects, allowing the flexible area to bend and connect without interference from the rigid shield structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10558108B2Camera module

Publication Date: 2020.02.11 LG INNOTEK CO LTD

AI summary

A camera module including a lens part; a lens holder supporting the lens part while surrounding the same; a PCB assembly processing light input through the lens part into an electrical signal; and a shield can having an internal space in which the PCB assembly is disposed, wherein the PCB assembly includes a plurality of PCBs having circuits mounted thereon; and a flexible connecting part electrically connecting the plurality of PCBs and including a conductive layer in which a conductive material is disposed, and the shield can has an avoidance part formed in a position corresponding to the connecting part.