Lens Support Structure for Stable AF Feedback and OIS Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional camera modules with auto focus feedback functions suffer from oscillation due to natural vibrations and have spatial restrictions that limit the length of elastic members, affecting the performance of AF and OIS functions.

Innovation Solution

A lens driving device with a modified support member structure, including a bobbin, housing, and sensors, where the support member has varying elastic moduli and orientations to minimize oscillation, and a camera module with a long and wide elastic member to secure AF or OIS function performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a conventional support member structure is used in camera modules with auto focus feedback, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but oscillation occurs due to natural vibrations affecting AF control precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauto focus control precisionVSAvoidsupport member structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is designed with non-uniform thickness, where the first region has a first thickness and the second region has a second thickness different from the first. This local variation in geometric properties changes the natural vibration frequency distribution, preventing resonance oscillation during auto focus feedback control while maintaining overall structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the support member by varying its thickness across different regions. This parameter modification alters the elastic properties and vibration characteristics of the support member, eliminating the oscillation problem without requiring complex structural redesign

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Volume of moving object

If spatial restrictions are considered in camera module design, then the overall device size is reduced, but the length of the elastic member becomes insufficient affecting AF and OIS performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera module volumeVSAvoidelastic member length
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic member is configured to extend in multiple directions rather than solely in the vertical direction. By utilizing horizontal space and three-dimensional routing, the elastic member achieves sufficient effective length for AF and OIS functions while keeping the overall camera module volume compact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic member is routed through the interior space of the housing, nesting within the existing structural volume. This allows the elastic member to achieve sufficient length without increasing the external dimensions of the camera module, as it utilizes the internal three-dimensional space efficiently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 effectively minimizes oscillation during auto focus feedback control and ensures stable performance of AF or OIS functions by optimizing the support member structure and elastic member length.

Implementation Method 1

a support member coupled to the bobbin and the housing... an elastic modulus of the fist support unit may be lower than an elastic modulus of the second support unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3076235B1Lens driving device, camera module and optical apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.02.09 LG INNOTEK CO LTD
  • EP3076235B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3076235B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3076235B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A lens driving device is provided, the lens driving device includes: a housing; a bobbin disposed at an inner side of the housing; a support member coupled to the bobbin and the housing; and a sensor sensing a position of at least one of the bobbin and the housing, wherein the support member may include a first support unit, and a second support unit disposed not parallel to the first support unit, wherein the sensor may be disposed more adjacent to the first support unit than to the second support unit, and wherein an elastic modulus of the fist support unit may be lower than an elastic modulus of the second support unit.