Lens Module Flapper Mechanism for SMA Wire Fixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high-performance lens modules for portable devices face stress issues on shape memory alloy wires due to inadequate fixing methods, leading to reduced service life when implementing auto-focusing and optical image stabilization functions.

Innovation Solution

A lens module design that incorporates a flapper mechanism within the fixing member to prevent shape memory alloy wires from escaping, ensuring secure fixation and reducing stress on other wires, thereby prolonging their service life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the drive end of shape memory alloy wires is glued to strengthen fixing, then the fixing strength is improved, but greater stress is caused to other groups of shape memory alloy wires, reducing their service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing strengthVSAvoidservice life of shape memory alloy wires
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing member is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion that provides structural support, a drive end fixing portion that secures the wire end, and a flapper portion that prevents drive end escape. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with other wire groups, thus maintaining fixing strength while reducing stress transmission to other wires.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flapper acts as an intermediary component between the drive end and the external environment. It provides a mechanical barrier that prevents the drive end from escaping while isolating the stress generated by one wire group from affecting other wire groups. The flapper's pivotable connection allows it to accommodate wire movement without transmitting excessive stress to adjacent wires.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the drive end is secured with strong fixing, then the wire remains in position, but the stress on opposite wire groups increases, reducing overall system reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stability of drive endVSAvoidservice life of shape memory alloy wires
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flapper is designed with a pivotable connection to the body, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position as the drive end moves during operation. This dynamic design enables the flapper to maintain position stability by adapting to wire movement, while its flexible connection prevents rigid stress transmission to other wire groups, thereby preserving system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing member exhibits local quality differentiation: the body provides rigid structural support, the drive end fixing portion provides secure anchoring, and the flapper provides flexible positional constraint. This localized functional differentiation ensures position stability at each critical point while preventing stress propagation to other wire groups through the strategically designed flapper mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a flapper mechanism is added to prevent drive end escape, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice life of shape memory alloy wiresVSAvoidstructure complexity of fixing member
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flapper is integrally formed with the body as a single piece, merging two components into one. This integration reduces assembly steps and eliminates the need for separate fasteners or connections between the flapper and body, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while still providing the reliability benefits of the flapper mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing member is designed as a multi-functional component: the body provides structural support and mounting, the drive end fixing portion secures the wire, and the flapper prevents drive end escape. By combining multiple functions into a single integrated component, the design achieves improved reliability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as all functions are accomplished within one element rather than requiring multiple separate parts.

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

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 flapper mechanism effectively prevents shape memory alloy wires from escaping the fixing member, enhancing the secure fixation and reducing stress on other wires, thus extending the service life of the wires and improving the reliability of auto-focusing and optical image stabilization functions.

Implementation Method 1

several groups of shape memory alloy wires configured to drive the lens base to move in a direction perpendicular to a direction of an optical axis of a lens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShape memory alloy effect: Shape Memory Alloy

Data Source

PatentUS11500223B2Lens module
Publication Date: 2022.11.15 AAC OPTICS SOLUTIONS PTE LTD
  • US11500223B2 patent drawing
  • US11500223B2 patent drawing
  • US11500223B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A lens module is disclosed. In the lens module, each group of shape memory alloy wires comprises two ends fixed to one of a base and a lens base, and a drive end located between the two ends, the other one of the base and the lens base is provided with a fixing member. The drive end is connected to the fixing member. The fixing member is provided with a flapper for preventing the drive end from escaping the fixing member. By adding a flapper to the fixing member, it may effectively prevent the shape memory alloy wires from escaping the fixing member. Besides, when one group of shape memory alloy wires operates, it does not result in extra stress to other groups of shape memory alloy wires, thereby prolonging service life of the shape memory alloy wires.