Ink Coating for Camera Module Stray Light Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera modules struggle to effectively prevent stray light from entering through sidewalls, leading to compromised image quality, with existing solutions either increasing the module's size or cost.
Innovation Solution
A camera module design featuring a semiconducting die with an ink coating applied to the sidewalls to prevent stray light, using a mask material to selectively apply the ink and ensure it does not coat critical areas like the lens aperture, maintaining module size and cost while enhancing light shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a molded lens housing with thick walls is used to shield stray light, then light shielding effectiveness is improved, but the overall size of the camera module increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a thin black ink coating (film) on the sidewalls of the lens housing to block stray light. This thin film approach replaces the need for thick plastic walls, achieving effective light shielding while maintaining a compact camera module size. The ink layer is sufficiently thin that it does not appreciably increase the overall dimensions of the module.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from thick opaque plastic to a thin black ink coating. By altering the shielding mechanism from bulk material absorption to a surface coating with appropriate optical properties (black color for light absorption), the solution achieves effective stray light prevention without the volume penalty of thick walls.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a metal shield can is used to prevent stray light, then light shielding effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive metal shield can with a inexpensive black ink coating. The ink is applied directly to the lens housing sidewalls as a thin layer, eliminating the need for separate metal component fabrication, handling, and precision assembly operations. This dramatically reduces manufacturing cost and assembly complexity while maintaining light shielding effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the light shielding function with the existing lens housing structure by coating the sidewalls directly. Instead of adding a separate metal shield can as a distinct component, the shielding function is integrated into the housing itself through the ink coating, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and assembly steps for the shield component.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If black paper is adhered to outer walls to shield light, then light shielding effectiveness is improved, but adhesion reliability and scratch resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a liquid ink coating that forms a continuous film on the lens housing sidewalls, replacing the paper-based shielding approach. This film formation provides superior adhesion to the housing surface and creates a monolithic structure that is inherently more scratch-resistant than adhered paper, while maintaining the light-blocking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite approach by applying a black ink coating over the existing lens housing material. This creates a composite structure where the ink layer provides the light-blocking function while bonding to the housing substrate, achieving both effective shielding and improved mechanical reliability compared to paper adhesion.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate light shielding component is added to the camera module, then stray light prevention is improved, but the overall device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light shielding function with the lens housing structure by applying the black ink coating directly to the housing sidewalls. This integration eliminates the need for separate light shielding components, reducing the total component count and simplifying the device structure while maintaining effective stray light prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens housing sidewalls are given multiple functions: structural support for the lens assembly and stray light shielding through the black ink coating. This multi-functionality approach eliminates the need for dedicated shielding components, reducing device complexity while achieving the light-blocking objective.
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 ink coating effectively shields stray light without increasing the camera module's size or production costs, maintaining image quality while being scalable and not affecting production cycle times.
Implementation Method 1
An ink coating is applied to all exposed surfaces of the apparatus, including sidewalls of the lens body and the glass layer. The ink coating acts as a light shield to prevent stray light from entering the lens body.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a camera module that includes at least a semiconducting die, an image-sensing circuit, a lens, a lens aperture, and a coating that adheres to an exterior surface of the camera module. The coating is opaque to light and prevents light from accessing the camera other than through the lens aperture. The opaque coating is applied as a fluid and is cured. In one embodiment, a mask material is selectively applied to exterior surfaces of the semiconducting die, electrical interconnect layers, glass layers, the lens body, or the lens aperture. After applying the opaque coating, the selectively applied mask material is removed. Methods of selectively applying a mask material include applying a conformable and peelably releasable dope-like material, placing an array of joined, selectively shaped rigid masks over an array of assemblies, and applying a conformable mask material that is heat-expandable.