Lens Module Metal Embedded Rim for Impact Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Miniaturized image capturing modules in portable devices face structural weakness at the outer rims of lens sets and frames due to thin plastic components, leading to deformations, ruptures, and malfunctions from impacts and friction during operations like Auto-Focusing and Optical Image Stabilization.
Innovation Solution
Embedding a metal member with protrusions within the rim portions of the lens unit or frame using plastic insert-molding, enhancing structural strength and providing impact points to prevent damage, while allowing electrical connectivity for improved circuitry design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the image capturing module is miniaturized to fit portable devices, then the overall size is reduced, but the structural strength at the outer rims of lens sets and frames is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines plastic material for the lens set body with metal material for the embedded member. The metal embedded member is inserted into the plastic lens set body at the rim portion, creating a composite structure that leverages the light weight and molding flexibility of plastic while gaining the high strength and impact resistance of metal, thereby resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies reinforcement locally at the rim portion of the lens set where structural strength is most needed. The embedded member is specifically positioned at the outer rim area that experiences impact and friction during AF and OIS operations, providing targeted reinforcement without adding unnecessary weight or complexity to the entire structure.
2Volume of moving object
If the rim thickness is reduced to enable miniaturization, then the overall size is reduced, but the endure ability of impact and friction is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure where a metal embedded member is integrated into the plastic lens set body. This composite design allows the rim to maintain thin dimensions for miniaturization while the metal component provides enhanced impact and friction endurance, preventing deformations and ruptures during repeated AF and OIS operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal embedded member acts as a pre-positioned reinforcement that cushions and absorbs impact forces before they can cause damage to the plastic structure. The protrusions on the embedded member are strategically positioned to make contact with the frame first during impact, protecting the main lens set body from direct impact damage.
3Ease of manufacture
If plastic material is used for the lens set body, then the manufacturing flexibility and cost are improved, but the hardness and wear resistance at the rim portion are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the advantages of plastic material for the lens set body while compensating for its insufficient hardness and wear resistance by embedding a metal member. The metal embedded member provides the necessary hardness and friction resistance at the rim portion where the driving coil contacts during AF operations, without sacrificing the manufacturing flexibility and cost benefits of using plastic as the primary material.
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 solution significantly increases the structural strength, impact resistance, and durability of the rim portions, preventing deformations and malfunctions, and enables efficient electrical connectivity for the driving coils.
Implementation Method 1
a plastic insert-molding process to embed a metal embedded member within a thinner rim portion of a lens unit
Implementation Method 2
these metal made protrusions can act as the impact positions between the lens unit and the frame to avoid contacts between plastic components, so as to prevent the lens unit and frame from deformations or damages due to impacts
Implementation Method 3
the driving coils can be electrically connected with the protrusions of the embedded member, such that the electricity required by the coils can be transmitted via the embedded member
Data Source
AI summary
A lens module comprises a frame, a lens unit, and a driving module for driving the lens unit to move relative to the frame. The lens unit comprises a body made of plastic, at least one lens located in a center of the body, and an embedded member made of metal. The metal embedded member is embedded within a thinner rim portion of the lens unit by means of a plastic insert-molding process in such a manner that, at least one protrusion of the metal embedded member is exposed outside of the rim portion. When the lens unit moves relative to the frame, a location where the lens unit might touch the frame is one of the at least one protrusion, and therefore the structural strength, endure ability of impact and endure ability of friction at the rim portion of the lens unit are increased. In addition, the protrusion can also act as a positioning post or winding post for a coil of the driving module. Or, the coil can also be electrically connected to the protrusion such that the metal embedded member can transmit electric current for the coil.