Lens Carrier Variable Aperture Integration for Compact Imaging Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical systems in electronic devices lack design flexibility for integrating a variable aperture stop, leading to poor integration and limited functionality due to space constraints and manufacturing challenges.

Innovation Solution

An imaging lens module design incorporating a lens carrier with a variable through hole assembly featuring rotatable blades and a blade driving part, including driving magnets and coils, allowing for adjustable aperture size to accommodate various applications and improve image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a variable aperture stop is added to improve image quality and depth of field control, then image quality and functionality are improved, but device complexity and integration difficulty increase due to space constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidintegration difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The variable aperture stop is merged with the lens carrier structure. The lens carrier includes a carrier body with a through hole and a clamping structure that holds the aperture stop. The driving coil and magnet assembly are integrated into the lens carrier, eliminating the need for separate housing structures and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the variable aperture functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lens carrier serves multiple functions: it holds the lens elements, provides structural support, integrates the variable aperture stop mechanism, and houses the driving assembly. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed in the optical system, improving adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If a variable aperture stop is added to control depth of field and incident light, then image quality is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to limited space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaperture stop fit precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping structure includes elastic arms that automatically adjust to hold the aperture stop. The elastic deformation of these arms provides self-adjusting clamping force, eliminating the need for precise manual adjustment during assembly. The structure compensates for minor manufacturing variations through its elastic properties, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining proper aperture stop positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the aperture stop is accurately manufactured to fit limited space, then integration is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing yield rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping force and positioning parameters are made adjustable through the elastic arms. By changing the elastic properties or pre-load of these arms, the system can accommodate variations in aperture stop dimensions without requiring high-precision manufacturing. This parameter flexibility maintains integration quality while improving manufacturing yield rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances integration and flexibility of the variable aperture stop within the optical system, enabling high-end specification electronic devices to achieve better image quality and field of view while maintaining manufacturing yield rates.

Implementation Method 1

The blade driving part includes at least one driving magnet and at least one driving coil. The at least one driving magnet and the at least one driving coil are disposed opposite to each other along a direction parallel to the optical axis.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4403993A1Imaging lens module and electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 LARGAN PRECISION
  • EP4403993A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4403993A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4403993A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An imaging lens module (1, 2, 3, 4) includes a lens element (11, 41, 51, 61) having an optical axis, a lens carrier (12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62) and a variable through hole assembly (13, 43). The lens carrier accommodates the lens element and sequentially includes an object-side portion (121, 421, 521, 621), an image-side portion (122, 322, 422) and a tubular portion (123, 423). The object-side portion configured for light entering the imaging lens module forms a minimum opening (OP) of the lens carrier. The variable through hole assembly is disposed on the object-side portion and includes rotatable blades (132, 432) rotatably disposed about the optical axis and configured to form a through hole (TH) with a variable size. Moreover, the object-side portion further has a guiding structure (1212, 4212) guiding the movement of the rotatable blades and located further away from the optical axis than the minimum opening. Moreover, the object-side portion and the image-side portion form an air sleeve (AS) therebetween, and the air sleeve is located further away from the optical axis than the tubular portion.