Inclined Reflective Aperture for Compact AR Camera Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera modules in mobile devices face challenges in reducing size while maintaining optical performance, as the lens unit protrudes due to limitations in focal length and overall width reduction.
Innovation Solution
A camera module utilizing a small reflective unit with an inclined reflective surface that acts as an aperture, transferring incident image light to the lens unit, allowing for reduced device size and optimized light design, and also embedding the reflective unit in an optical means with a refractive index for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple lenses are employed to provide higher optical performance, then optical performance is improved, but the lens unit protrudes to the outside increasing overall width
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective unit is inclined at an angle (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the optical axis, redirecting light paths in a different spatial dimension. This allows the lens unit to be positioned closer to the image sensor without compromising optical performance, thereby reducing the overall width of the camera module while maintaining multiple lens elements for high optical quality.
2Length of stationary object
If the lens unit is designed to reduce focal length for compactness, then device size is reduced, but optical performance and depth of field are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective unit acts as an intermediary optical element that redirects incident light at an angle to the lens unit. This intermediary structure enables the use of longer focal length lenses (improving optical performance and depth of field) while maintaining a compact overall device size, as the reflective path allows for optimized lens positioning without increasing the form factor.
3Reliability
If a separate aperture is added to optimize light control, then light optimization is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it redirects light to the lens unit, controls the aperture opening, and optimizes light paths. By integrating these functions into a single component rather than adding separate elements, the camera module achieves effective light control and aperture functionality without increasing structural complexity or device size.
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 solution enables a compact camera module design with increased depth of field, eliminating the need for separate apertures and simplifying the structure, while providing high optical performance for augmented reality applications.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective unit configured to transfer incident image light to the lens unit by reflecting the incident image light
Implementation Method 2
embedding the reflective unit in an optical means with a refractive index for enhanced performance
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a camera module using a small reflective unit and an optical device for augmented reality using the same, and provides a camera module using a small reflective unit, the camera module including a lens unit configured such that one or more lenses are disposed therein and an image sensor configured to convert image light, incident through the lens unit, into an electrical signal and output the electrical signal, the camera module further including a reflective unit configured to transfer incident image light to the lens unit by reflecting the incident image light; wherein the reflective surface of the reflective unit is disposed to be inclined with respect to the optical axis of incident light in order to reflect incident image light to the lens unit, and acts as an aperture for the incident light.