Lens Array Elastic Spacer Alignment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of multiple lenses in a lens array along the optical-axis direction poses challenges in fixing them simultaneously, leading to performance deterioration and reliability issues due to manufacturing tolerances and differing lens widths.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an elastic member with specific dimensions and materials between the lenses and spacers, allowing for compressibility and adhesive fastening to ensure simultaneous alignment and fixation of lenses, enhancing the lens array's performance and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple lenses are assembled in the optical-axis direction, then the lens array can be formed, but it is difficult to fix the multiple lenses at the same time, causing deterioration in performance and reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation reliability of multiple lensesVSAvoidassembly complexity of multiple lenses

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An elastic member is introduced as an intermediary component between the spacer and the lenses. This elastic member has an outer diameter equal to or less than the inner diameter of the spacer and an inner diameter greater than the inner diameter of the spacer, creating a flexible interface that can simultaneously engage with multiple lenses of different widths and fix them together reliably during assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic member's dimensions are specifically designed with an outer diameter matching the spacer's inner diameter and an inner diameter larger than the spacer's inner diameter. This parameter configuration allows the elastic member to be compressed between the spacer and lenses, enabling simultaneous fixation of multiple lenses with different widths while maintaining assembly simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If lenses with different widths are arranged side by side, then the lens array can accommodate varying lens sizes, but manufacturing tolerances make simultaneous fixation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different lens widthsVSAvoidalignment precision of lenses

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic member provides locally adaptive fixation at different positions. Its elastic properties allow it to deform and accommodate lenses with different widths and manufacturing tolerances at each local contact point, while still maintaining overall alignment precision and simultaneous fixation of all lenses in the array

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic member's dimensional parameters (outer diameter equal to or less than spacer inner diameter, inner diameter greater than spacer inner diameter) enable it to adapt to varying lens widths. The elasticity allows parameter adjustment during compression, facilitating precise alignment and fixation of lenses with different dimensions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If a rigid fixation method is used, then lenses can be fixed firmly, but alignment precision and simultaneous fixation of multiple lenses are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation strength of lensesVSAvoidalignment precision of lenses

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic member acts as a flexible element between the rigid spacer and lenses. This flexibility allows the member to deform and adapt to slight misalignments and manufacturing tolerances while still providing firm fixation strength, thereby achieving both strong attachment and precise alignment of multiple lenses simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 elastic member enables improved alignment and fixation of lenses, thereby enhancing the performance and reliability of the lens array and camera module by allowing for uniform force application during assembly, reducing deformation and improving overall optical axis stability.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member disposed between a lower surface of the first spacer and an upper surface of at least one of first or second lens among the lenses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10365451B2Lens array and camera module including same

Publication Date: 2019.07.30 LG INNOTEK CO LTD

AI summary

A lens array of an embodiment comprises: a plurality of lenses arranged along an optical axis direction between an object and an image forming plane; a first spacer placed among the plurality of lenses; and an elastic member placed between the lower surface of the first spacer and an upper surface of at least one lens between first and second lenses, which have different widths, face the lower surface of the first spacer, and are arranged side by side along the optical axis direction among the plurality of lenses.