Light-Absorbing Material Placement in Camera Spacer for Flare Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The flare phenomenon due to internal reflection of light in imaging apparatuses, particularly in CSP-type solid-state imaging elements, reduces image quality.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus is designed with a transparent substrate, a circuit substrate, a spacer with fixing portions, and a light absorbing material applied to the side surfaces of the imaging structure and lenses to guide and fix the imaging element, thereby absorbing stray light and reducing flare effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a CSP-type solid-state imaging element is used for downsizing and thinning the camera, then the imaging apparatus achieves smaller size and reduced height, but a flare phenomenon occurs due to internal reflection of light reducing image quality
Solution Approach 1:
A light-absorbing material is introduced as an intermediary substance between the imaging element and the spacer to absorb stray light and prevent internal reflection. This mediator eliminates the harmful flare effect while maintaining the compact CSP structure, resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful internal reflection of light into a beneficial effect by strategically placing light-absorbing material in the cavity. The material absorbs stray light that would otherwise cause flare, transforming the potential harmful reflection into controlled light absorption that improves image quality while maintaining the compact design.
2Manufacturing precision
If the imaging structure is mounted on the circuit substrate using a spacer with fixing portions, then the imaging element is guided to the desired position, but light reflection from the spacer and fixing portions causes flare
Solution Approach 1:
The light-absorbing material is selectively applied to specific locations where light reflection problems occur - namely the spacer and fixing portions. This localized treatment addresses the reflection issue at its source without affecting other functional areas, maintaining positioning accuracy while eliminating flare.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-absorbing material serves as an intermediary between the optical path and the spacer structure. It prevents direct interaction between stray light and the reflective surfaces of the spacer and fixing portions, thereby eliminating flare while preserving the mechanical positioning function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cavity between the imaging element and transparent substrate is filled with light absorbing material, then internal reflection is suppressed, but the cavity volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The light-absorbing material is applied locally to the critical surfaces within the cavity (spacer and fixing portions) rather than filling the entire cavity volume. This localized application suppresses internal reflection at the problem areas while preserving the overall cavity structure and its necessary volume for mechanical tolerance and assembly.
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 suppresses the flare phenomenon, enhancing image quality by ensuring that incident light is focused correctly and reducing reflections within the imaging apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a light absorbing material disposed on at least one side surface of the imaging structure such that that light absorbing material is between the imaging structure and the at least one fixing portion
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus with reduced flare includes an imaging structure including a solid state imaging element (1) and a transparent substrate (2) disposed on the imaging element. The imaging apparatus includes a circuit substrate (7) including a circuit, a spacer (10) including at least one fixing portion (11) that guides the imaging structure to a desired position on the circuit substrate (7) when the imaging structure is mounted on the circuit substrate, and a light absorbing material (13) disposed on at least one side surface of the imaging structure such that that light absorbing material (13) is between the imaging structure and the at least one fixing portion.