Lens Holder Assembly for Optical Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniaturization of in-vivo imaging devices leads to small errors in alignment of optical systems with image sensors due to variations in adhesive thickness and improper centering, affecting image quality.
Innovation Solution
A lens structure with an optical section and a structural section that includes stoppers and lips to precisely align and center the optical system over the image sensor, using a lens holder to secure the assembly onto a substrate, and allowing for the stacking of multiple lens structures to minimize tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If miniaturization is implemented to reduce device size, then device compactness is improved, but alignment precision between optical system and image sensor deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lens holder as an intermediary component between the optical system and image sensor. The lens holder includes positioning features such as lips that abut against the image sensor and stoppers that contact the optical system, serving as a mediator to establish precise relative positioning. This intermediary structure enables accurate alignment even in miniaturized devices where direct positioning would be difficult to achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens holder is pre-configured with positioning features (lips and stoppers) that define the focal length distance and centering position before final assembly. The optical system and image sensor are positioned relative to the pre-prepared lens holder structure, allowing preliminary establishment of alignment relationships that maintain precision despite miniaturization.
2Ease of manufacture
If adhesive thickness varies during assembly, then ease of manufacture is improved, but focal length precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces reliance on adhesive thickness control with a mechanical positioning system. The lens holder uses lips abutting against the image sensor and stoppers contacting the optical system to mechanically define the focal length distance. This mechanical substitution eliminates sensitivity to adhesive variations while maintaining ease of assembly through simple abutment-based positioning.
3Device complexity
If optical system is not properly centered, then device complexity is reduced, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lens holder employs asymmetric positioning features including lips positioned at specific locations to abut against the image sensor and stoppers arranged to contact the optical system at defined positions. This asymmetric configuration provides inherent centering guidance without requiring complex symmetric mechanisms, achieving proper optical alignment through strategically placed simple structural elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A lens holder assembly for aligning an optical system over an image sensor is described. The image sensor may be lying on a substrate. The assembly may include a lens holder aperture and at least one centering leg or protrusion which may be detached from the substrate and wherein the centering legs or protrusions may tightly abut or surround the image sensor in order to center the lens holder assembly with respect to the image sensor and to the optical system.