Imaging Device Lens Holder Alignment Pin ESD Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Imaging devices are vulnerable to electrostatic discharges, which can cause malfunction and damage to their sensitive electronic components, as static charges can accumulate and flow through internal components, leading to detrimental effects.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a lens holder with alignment pins made of electrically conductive material coated with an insulating layer, where the insulating layer is partially removed to expose conductive portions, allowing these pins to direct electrostatic charges to electrostatic discharge paths on the imager assembly, thereby preventing damage to internal electronics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If alignment pins are made of electrically conductive material to provide electrostatic discharge paths, then electrostatic discharge protection is improved, but the risk of direct electrostatic discharge damage to internal electronics increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment pin has different electrical conductivity at different locations: the distal end is conductive to receive and direct electrostatic charges, while the proximal end is insulated to prevent direct discharge into internal electronics. This local differentiation of electrical properties allows the pin to simultaneously provide ESD protection and protect sensitive components.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating layer acts as an intermediary between the conductive alignment pin and the internal electronic components. It controls the flow of electrostatic charges, allowing them to be directed to safe discharge paths on external surfaces while blocking direct discharge into sensitive electronics.
2Reliability
If the alignment pin is fully conductive to maximize charge dissipation, then electrostatic charge dissipation is improved, but the complexity of protecting internal electronics increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment pin structure incorporates an insulating layer that covers only the proximal portion, creating localized electrical property differentiation. This simple structural modification enables controlled charge dissipation without requiring complex protection circuits or additional components.
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
This solution effectively mitigates electrostatic discharges by directing accumulated charges away from sensitive internal components to external surfaces of the imager assembly, enhancing the immunity of imaging devices to electrostatic discharges and preventing device malfunction or permanent damage.
Implementation Method 1
The lens holder may include one or more alignment pins that can couple to the imager assembly and direct charges accumulated on the lens holder to electrostatic discharge paths (e.g., also referred to as electrostatic dissipation paths) provided through the imager assembly.
Implementation Method 2
The alignment pin may include electrically conductive material with the insulating layer disposed thereon
Implementation Method 3
A first portion of the alignment pin may have the electrically conductive material exposed, and a second portion of the alignment pin may have an insulating layer disposed on the electrically conductive material
Data Source
AI summary
Various techniques are provided to facilitate electrostatic discharge mitigation for imaging devices. In one example, an imaging device includes an imager assembly. The imaging device further includes a lens holder. The lens holder includes a receiving interface configured to receive a lens assembly therein. The lens holder further includes an alignment pin including electrically conductive material and coupled to the imager assembly to provide an electrostatic discharge path via the imager assembly, where a first portion of the alignment pin has the electrically conductive material exposed and a second portion of the alignment pin has an insulating layer disposed thereon. Related methods and systems are also provided.