Image Sensor Drive Layout for Compact Camera Module Focusing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera modules are large and heavy due to oversized drivers for lens movement, which contradicts the trend towards smaller and lighter electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A camera module design incorporating a corner drive mechanism and a side drive mechanism, both potentially voice coil motors, to move an image sensor in focusing and translational directions, with an elastic protrusion structure for collision reduction and a movable carrier for miniaturization and improved assemblability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a conventional driver is used to move the imaging lens for focusing and image stabilization, then the driving functionality is achieved, but the camera module becomes large and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical driver system with a magnetic field-based drive mechanism. Voice coil motors generate magnetic fields that directly actuate the image sensor, eliminating the need for traditional mechanical drivers and their associated gears, motors, and linkages. This substitution of mechanical systems with electromagnetic fields achieves the required driving functionality while significantly reducing the overall weight and size of the camera module.
2Weight of stationary object
If the driver size is reduced to miniaturize the camera module, then the camera module becomes smaller and lighter, but the driving capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the voice coil motors at the corners of the image sensor, utilizing the vertical dimension (focusing direction) and horizontal dimension (translational direction) independently. By distributing multiple voice coil motors at different corners and activating them in specific combinations, the system achieves full-range driving capability in multiple directions without requiring large individual driver components. This dimensional distribution allows compact sizing while maintaining adequate driving power.
3Measurement precision
If corner drive mechanisms and side drive mechanisms are used for precise image sensor control, then focusing and stabilization functionality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the corner voice coil motors to perform multiple functions. Each corner drive mechanism can independently contribute to both focusing (by actuating in the vertical direction) and image stabilization (by actuating in the horizontal direction). This multi-functionality allows the same set of corner drive mechanisms to handle both focusing and stabilization tasks, eliminating the need for separate side drive mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining precise control capability.
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 design achieves miniaturization, reduces mechanical interference, and enhances image quality by allowing precise control and stabilization, while maintaining functionality.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the corner drive mechanism and the side drive mechanism may be a voice coil motor
Implementation Method 2
The elastic protrusion structure is configured to provide a collision reduction mechanism for the movable carrier
Data Source
AI summary
A camera module includes an imaging lens, an image sensor, a corner drive mechanism and a side drive mechanism. The image sensor is disposed at an image side of the imaging lens. The image sensor includes a photosensitive surface. The photosensitive surface faces the imaging lens. The photosensitive surface is substantially rectangular. The photosensitive surface is movable close to or away from the imaging lens in a focusing direction, and is movable in a translational direction orthogonal to the focusing direction. The corner drive mechanism is disposed corresponding to a corner of the photosensitive surface. The side drive mechanism is disposed corresponding to a side of the photosensitive surface. One of the corner drive mechanism and the side drive mechanism drives the image sensor to move in the focusing direction, and another one thereof drives the image sensor to move in the translational direction.