Lens Assembly Spacer Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in camera modules is aligning the optical axes of multiple lenses, which are prone to misalignment due to size constraints and displacement during assembly, leading to performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
A lens assembly design that includes a spacer with alignment portions and ribs on the lenses, allowing for precise alignment and stabilization of the optical axes through protrusions and recesses, ensuring accurate positioning even under vibration or shock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of lenses is increased to improve camera module performance, then the performance is improved, but the alignment precision of optical axes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A spacer is introduced as an intermediary component between adjacent lenses to maintain precise spacing and alignment. The spacer includes alignment portions that fit into corresponding features on lens ribs, acting as a mediator to prevent direct contact and misalignment between lenses while maintaining the increased lens count for improved camera performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment function is segmented from the lens elements themselves and transferred to the spacer component. By dividing the alignment task into separate alignment portions on the spacer and corresponding features on lens ribs, the system can maintain precise optical axis alignment across multiple lenses without compromising camera module performance.
2Volume of moving object
If lenses are sequentially stacked and assembled in a lens barrel to reduce camera module size, then the size is reduced, but the stability of lens positioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer serves as a stable intermediary structure between sequentially stacked lenses, providing fixed spacing and alignment features that prevent displacement during assembly and operation. This mediator maintains lens positioning stability while enabling the compact sequential stacking arrangement that reduces overall camera module size.
Solution Approach 2:
Alignment portions are pre-formed on the spacer and corresponding features are pre-formed on lens ribs before assembly. This preliminary preparation of alignment features ensures that when lenses are sequentially stacked, the pre-configured alignment structures automatically guide and stabilize lens positioning, preventing displacement without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If alignment features are added to lenses and spacers to improve optical axis alignment, then the alignment precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment features are localized to specific regions: ribs are formed only on the outer peripheral portions of lenses, and alignment portions are formed only on specific surfaces of the spacer. This localized approach provides precise optical axis alignment where needed without adding complexity to the entire lens structure, maintaining simplicity in non-critical areas while achieving high precision where required.
Data Source
AI summary
A lens assembly is provided. The lens assembly includes a lens barrel, at least two lenses arranged inside the lens barrel along an optical axis direction, and a spacer provided between the at least two lenses, wherein the spacer includes a first alignment portion and a second alignment portion seated in respective protrusions or recesses provided on a rib of the first lens and a rib of the second lens.