Lens Module Concentricity via Positioning Protrusion and Groove
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Solution Overview
Problem
Achieving high concentricity between lens units and their holder in lens modules during manufacturing is challenging, affecting the quality of images produced by cameras and other image pick-up devices.
Innovation Solution
A lens module design featuring a symmetric lens holder with integrated extensions and specific surface configurations, including apertures and arcs, ensures precise alignment and engagement between lens units and the holder, maintaining concentricity through complementary arc surfaces and inner diameters, thereby ensuring assembly precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional lens module manufacturing is used, then production efficiency is maintained, but concentricity between lens units and holder deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning structure comprising a positioning protrusion on the holder and a positioning groove on the lens unit. This intermediary positioning mechanism mediates the relationship between the holder and lens unit, enabling precise concentric alignment during assembly without requiring high manufacturing precision across all components. The positioning structure acts as a mediator that transforms the assembly process from one requiring high overall precision to one where precision is localized to the positioning elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the symmetric positioning structure on the holder and the corresponding positioning groove on the lens unit before assembly. The symmetric design of the positioning protrusion and groove is established in advance, ensuring that when assembled, they automatically guide the lens unit into correct concentric alignment with the holder, eliminating the need for post-assembly adjustment or high-precision control during the actual assembly process.
2Manufacturing precision
If high precision manufacturing is applied to all components, then concentricity improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the precision requirements specifically on the positioning structure (positioning protrusion and positioning groove) rather than requiring all components to be manufactured with high precision. The holder and lens unit can be manufactured with standard tolerances, while only the critical positioning elements require high precision. This localized approach to quality reduces overall manufacturing complexity while achieving the required concentricity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes asymmetric design in the positioning structure where the positioning protrusion on the holder has a specific asymmetric shape that corresponds to the positioning groove on the lens unit. This asymmetric configuration ensures unique and precise alignment, preventing any rotational or positional misalignment. The asymmetric design simplifies the manufacturing process by providing self-aligning features rather than requiring symmetric high-precision machining of all components.
Data Source
AI summary
A lens module includes a lens holder having a top wall that has a bottom surface, and a lens unit received by the lens holder. The lens unit includes a first lens adjacent to the top wall and a second lens attached to the first lens. The first lens includes a first object-side surface abutting against the bottom surface and a side surface abutting against an inner surface of the lens holder. The second lens includes a second object-side surface engaging with the first lens, and a jointing surface also abutting against the inner surface.