Foldable PCB Camera Module for Flexible Connector Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Camera modules face challenges in production flexibility due to fixed connector positions, leading to increased equipment costs and difficulties in small quantity production across different electronic device models.
Innovation Solution
A camera module design featuring a flexible region on the printed circuit board that can be folded, allowing the connector to move between positions, enabling adaptation to various electronic device configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the connector position is fixed on the camera module, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the camera module cannot be adapted to different electronic device models with varying mounting spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the printed circuit board foldable along a folding axis, allowing the connector position to be dynamically adjusted between different states (e.g., first position and second position) to match different mounting space requirements of various electronic device models, thereby achieving adaptability without requiring multiple fixed designs
2Manufacturing precision
If the camera module is customized for each electronic device model, then the connector can be positioned correctly, but the production cost increases and small quantity production becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable printed circuit board allows a single camera module design to achieve precise connector positioning for different electronic device models by changing the folded state, eliminating the need for model-specific customizations and enabling standardized production across various devices
Solution Approach 2:
The camera module with the foldable printed circuit board serves multiple functions by being compatible with different electronic device models through a single design, where the same module can be adapted to various mounting spaces and connector positions, thereby improving production flexibility and reducing equipment costs
3Adaptability or versatility
If the connector position varies by mounting space, then the camera module can fit different devices, but the cable and connector must be redesigned for each model
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable printed circuit board dynamically adjusts the connector position relative to the camera module body, allowing the same cable and connector design to serve multiple mounting configurations without requiring redesigns for different electronic device models
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a camera module comprises: a camera; a printed circuit board including a rigid area, which includes a first edge and a second edge extending perpendicularly to the first edge, and a flexible area, which extends from the rigid area; and a connector, wherein the flexible area is foldable on one surface of the printed circuit board along a folding axis passing through the point at which the first edge and the second edge make contact, and the connector is movable between a position facing the first edge and a position facing the second edge, according to the folding of the flexible region along the folding axis.