Fluid-Filled Camera Modules Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera modules are performance limited due to thermal throttling caused by waste heat generated during high-speed operations, which restricts the use of high-speed autofocus and high-framerate modes.
Innovation Solution
A camera module design that incorporates a sealed liquid volume within the module housing, utilizing a flexible seal to create two separate sealed volumes, one for an optically transparent fluid and another for a dielectric fluid, which acts as a heat sink to absorb and dissipate waste heat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-speed autofocus operations and high framerate modes are used, then imaging performance is improved, but thermal throttling occurs limiting operation duration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat generated by high-speed operations into a beneficial cooling mechanism. A dielectric fluid is introduced into the camera module housing that actively absorbs and dissipates heat generated by the image sensor and processing circuitry, enabling sustained high-power operations without thermal throttling.
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric fluid serves as an intermediary thermal management medium between the heat-generating components (image sensor, processing circuitry) and the external environment. The fluid absorbs heat from the components and dissipates it through convection and conduction, acting as a thermal bridge that enables sustained high-performance operation.
2Productivity
If conventional camera module design is used, then device complexity is low, but thermal throttling limits high-speed operation capability
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric fluid performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a thermal management medium to dissipate heat, serves as a structural component filling the housing volume, and provides electrical insulation given its dielectric properties. This multi-functionality adds thermal management capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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
The use of a sealed liquid volume effectively extends the duration of high-power operations by dissipating heat away from electronic components, thereby reducing thermal throttling and enhancing the camera module's performance.
Implementation Method 1
a dielectric fluid to absorb and dissipate heat generated by the image sensor and processing circuitry
Implementation Method 2
a dielectric fluid to absorb and dissipate heat generated by the image sensor and processing circuitry
Data Source
AI summary
A camera module for an electronic device includes a module housing that encloses an actuator structure for positioning an element of the camera module, such as an image sensor or a lens element. A flexible seal subdivides an internal volume of the camera module housing into two separate sub-volumes. A first fluid is retained within a first sub-volume between the image sensor and the lens element, and a second fluid is retained within a second sub-volume of the module housing. In one construction the first fluid is air, and the second fluid is a dielectric liquid.