Image Pickup Module Alignment via Vertical Gravity Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The alignment of image pickup elements and lens units in image pickup modules is challenging due to gravitational influences, leading to potential image quality deterioration, especially with high-pixel density sensors where precise alignment is critical.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that involve holding the lens unit perpendicular to the direction of gravity and using drive units to adjust the relative positions of the lens and image pickup element units based on image pickup signals from a measurement chart, ensuring accurate alignment and fixing them securely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the lens unit and image pickup element unit are aligned in a horizontal position (parallel to gravity), then the alignment process is simple, but the lens moves due to gravity causing misalignment and image quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional alignment approach by performing alignment in a vertical position (perpendicular to gravity) rather than horizontal. This inversion prevents gravitational displacement of the lens during alignment, eliminating the trade-off between simplicity and precision. The vertical alignment position ensures the lens remains stable while maintaining alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the lens unit from horizontal to vertical during the alignment process. By rotating the lens unit to a vertical position where the optical axis is perpendicular to gravity, the system eliminates gravitational influence on lens position while performing alignment, thereby achieving both operational simplicity and alignment precision.
2Measurement precision
If an image pickup element with a large number of pixels is used, then image quality is improved, but alignment accuracy requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the gravitational parameter (orientation relative to gravity) to eliminate its negative effect on alignment. By performing alignment in a vertical position, the system prevents gravitational lens displacement, thereby meeting the stringent alignment accuracy requirements necessary for high-pixel-density image sensors without compromising image quality.
3Ease of operation
If the lens unit is held in a position parallel to the direction of gravity during alignment, then the setup is simple, but the lens position shifts due to gravitational influence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional setup by holding the lens unit vertically (perpendicular to gravity) during alignment rather than horizontally. This inversion maintains operational simplicity while ensuring lens position stability, as the vertical orientation prevents gravitational force from causing lens displacement during the alignment process.
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 approach enables the production of high-quality images by ensuring precise alignment of image pickup elements with lens units, even when gravitational forces affect the lens position, thereby maintaining image quality across various pixel densities.
Implementation Method 1
driving the image pickup element through the electrical connection portion to pick up an image of the measurement chart at each relative position by the image pickup element
Data Source
AI summary
A manufacturing device holds a lens unit on a Z axis that is orthogonal to a chart surface of a measurement chart, holds an image pickup element unit on the Z axis, picks up an image of the measurement chart by an image pickup element while changing a Z-axis direction position of the image pickup element unit held on the Z axis in a state in which current is applied to a second lens drive unit and a third lens drive unit of the lens unit held on the Z axis, adjusts the position and a tilt of the image pickup element unit relative to the lens unit on the basis of image pickup signals that are obtained in the case where the image of the measurement chart is picked up, and fixes the image pickup element unit to the lens unit.