Folded Camera Module with Plastic Prism for Compact Telephoto Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional telephoto optical systems face challenges in achieving compactness while maintaining high image quality, often resulting in complex structures and increased weight due to the need for complex driving units to fold the optical axis, which complicates the lens assembly and fails to meet the requirements of modern electronic devices.

Innovation Solution

A camera module design incorporating a casing, a base, an imaging lens module with a plastic light-folding element, a driving module, and an image stabilization module, where the plastic light-folding element folds the optical axis and the driving module moves the light-folding element parallel to the axis, and the image stabilization module moves the imaging lens or image sensor perpendicular to the axis, optimizing space utilization and reducing weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If conventional telephoto optical systems use complex driving units to fold the optical axis, then the optical system can achieve compactness, but the structure becomes overly complex and weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical system sizeVSAvoiddriving unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the light-folding function from complex mechanical driving units and implements it through a simplified driving mechanism that moves the entire lens assembly including the light-folding element. This separation of the light-folding function from complex mechanical structures resolves the contradiction between compactness and structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the light-folding element with the lens assembly into a single integrated unit that is moved together by the driving mechanism. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the optical axis folding capability for compactness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Volume of moving object

If conventional telephoto optical systems use complex driving units to fold the optical axis, then the optical system can achieve compactness, but the weight of the optical system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical system sizeVSAvoidoptical system weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes heavy complex mechanical driving units and replaces them with a simplified driving mechanism that moves the integrated lens assembly. This extraction of unnecessary complexity directly reduces the weight of the optical system while maintaining compactness through optical axis folding

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the driving approach from complex multi-component mechanisms to a simplified single-unit movement system. This parameter change in the driving mechanism reduces the weight while achieving the same compactness effect through optical axis folding

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Length of moving object

If conventional optical systems use folded optical axis configuration, then the dimension in specific direction is reduced, but the driving unit structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical system dimensionVSAvoiddriving unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the light-folding element with the lens assembly into a single integrated unit. This merging allows the folded optical axis configuration to be achieved with a simple driving mechanism that moves the entire unit, eliminating the need for complex driving structures while maintaining reduced dimensions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Volume of moving object

If conventional optical systems aim for compact size, then the total system size is reduced, but the structure becomes complex and weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetotal system sizeVSAvoidoptical system weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes heavy complex mechanical structures from the optical system while maintaining the compact size through optical axis folding. This extraction achieves compactness without the penalty of increased weight from unnecessary mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the structural parameter from complex multi-component mechanisms to a simplified integrated lens assembly with light-folding element. This parameter change reduces weight while maintaining compact total system size through the folded optical path

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This design simplifies the lens assembly, achieves compactness, and maintains high image quality by using a plastic light-folding element and efficient driving mechanisms, allowing for better space utilization and improved operational quality.

Implementation Method 1

The plastic light-folding element is located on the optical axis and configured to fold the optical axis at least one time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the image sensor is configured to convert an imaging light passing through the imaging lens module into an image signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4398031A1Camera module and electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 LARGAN PRECISION
  • EP4398031A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4398031A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4398031A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A camera module (1, 1a) includes a casing (10, 10a), a base (11, 11a), an imaging lens module (12, 12a), a driving module (13, 13a), an image stabilization module (14, 14a) and an image sensor (151, 151a). The base (11, 11a) is coupled to the casing (10, 10a), forming an accommodation space (S). The imaging lens module (12, 12a) is disposed in the accommodation space (S) and includes an imaging lens (120, 120a) and a plastic light-folding element (121, 121a). The driving module (13, 13a) includes a first holder (130, 130a), a fixed frame (131, 131a), a rollable support (132, 132a) and a first driving mechanism (133, 133a). The first holder (130, 130a) holds the plastic light-folding element (121, 121a). The fixed frame (131, 131a) is disposed corresponding to the first holder (130, 130a). The rollable support (132, 132a) is disposed between the first holder (130, 130a) and the fixed frame (131, 131a). The first driving mechanism (133, 133a) is configured to drive the first holder (130, 130a) to move relative to the fixed frame (130, 131a). The image stabilization module (14, 14a) is configured to drive the imaging lens (120) or the image sensor (151a) to move in a direction (DX, DY) perpendicular to the optical axis (OL).