Liquid Crystal Variable Aperture for Thin Camera Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current variable aperture devices in camera modules are bulky and increase the thickness of mobile devices due to mechanical structures, limiting their usability in thinner form factors and hindering the adjustment of light exposure for depth of field and background blur effects.
Innovation Solution
A variable aperture device that uses a light-impermeable fluid to adjust the light-transmitting area within a camera module, allowing for precise control of light exposure through fluid flow driven by a driving unit, reducing the module's thickness and enabling adjustable depth of field and diverse shooting effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical structure with multiple metal sheets or hole-shaped gratings is used to control the aperture size, then the amount of light entering the camera module can be adjusted, but the thickness and weight of the camera module increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical iris diaphragm structure with a liquid crystal variable aperture device. The liquid crystal material changes its optical properties in response to electrical signals, allowing dynamic control of light transmission without mechanical moving parts. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical components while maintaining light control functionality, thereby reducing camera module thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a liquid crystal material that behaves like a fluid in terms of its ability to change optical properties continuously. The liquid crystal layer can be electrically controlled to transition between different optical states, effectively using a fluid-like medium to control light transmission rather than solid mechanical parts, thus achieving a thinner design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical iris diaphragm with overlapping arc-shaped thin metal sheets is used, then the aperture size can be changed mechanically, but the structure occupies a lot of space and increases device thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical iris diaphragm with a liquid crystal-based optical control system. Instead of using physical metal sheets that move and overlap to control aperture size, the invention uses an electrically controlled liquid crystal layer that changes its optical transmission properties. This eliminates mechanical moving parts and significantly reduces the volume required for aperture adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from mechanical position (metal sheet angles) to electrical signal (voltage applied to liquid crystal). By controlling the voltage applied to the liquid crystal material, the optical properties change continuously, allowing smooth aperture adjustment without mechanical constraints. This parameter transformation enables a more compact design.
3Length of stationary object
If software APP post-adjustment of image brightness is used instead of variable aperture, then the camera module can remain thin, but the depth of field and background blur effects cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based image processing with an optical control system using liquid crystals. Instead of adjusting image brightness through algorithms after capture, the liquid crystal variable aperture controls the actual amount of light entering the camera module during capture. This enables true optical control of depth of field and background blur effects while maintaining a thin camera module design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs light control action before image capture by using the liquid crystal variable aperture to adjust the aperture size in advance. This preliminary optical control ensures that the correct amount of light enters the lens and that depth of field effects are achieved during the actual photo capture, rather than attempting to correct these effects through software processing after the fact.
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 provides a thinner, more compact camera module with improved light control, allowing for faster and more precise adjustment of light exposure, enhancing user experience by enabling adjustable depth of field and background blur effects without increasing device thickness.
Implementation Method 1
drive the light-impermeable fluid to flow into or out of the light-transmitting region to block or transmit light
Data Source
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AI summary
A variable aperture device, which is suitable for photographing and filming of a camera module, includes a main body, a fluid passage, and a fluid accommodation cavity, wherein the main body is used to be provided in the camera module, and the main body has a light-transmitting region, the fluid passage is provided in the light-transmitting region of the main body, the fluid accommodation cavity is in communication with the fluid passage for an light-impermeable fluid to be driven to flow back and forth between the fluid accommodation cavity and the fluid passage to enlarge or reduce the light transmission area of the light-transmitting region.