Imaging Device Illumination Element Rear Placement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging devices for close-up photography require large illumination elements, leading to increased device size.

Innovation Solution

The imaging device incorporates an illumination element positioned behind the element layer in the forward-and-rearward direction, allowing for efficient illumination while maintaining a compact device size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If illumination elements are provided in the imaging device for close-up photography, then illumination function is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination functionVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the illumination element with the element layer in a single integrated structure. The illumination element is provided at the same position as the element layer or behind it in the forward-and-rearward direction, merging two functional components into one compact unit that provides both imaging and illumination functions without increasing device volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The illumination element is positioned at a different lateral position from the image forming element when viewed from the forward-and-rearward direction. This spatial arrangement in the lateral dimension allows the illumination function to be added without increasing the device size in the optical path direction, effectively utilizing unused spatial dimensions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If illumination element is positioned behind the element layer, then device size is reduced, but illumination effectiveness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidillumination effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination element is positioned at a specific location behind the element layer where it can effectively illuminate the subject through the element layer's openings or transparent regions. This localized positioning ensures that illumination effectiveness is maintained at the critical subject area while keeping the overall device compact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing the illumination element in front of the element layer (conventional approach), the patent inverts the arrangement by positioning it behind the element layer. This inverted configuration achieves illumination effectiveness while simultaneously reducing device size, as the illumination light passes through the element layer to reach the subject

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12211310B2Imaging device

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

Provided is an imaging device that includes an element layer including an image forming element, an illumination element provided at the same position as that of the element layer or behind the element layer in the forward-and-rearward direction, and an imaging element provided behind the image forming element and the illumination element. The illumination element is provided at a position different from that of the image forming element when viewed from the forward-and-rearward direction.