Liquid Lens Holder Structure for Stable Support in Slim Camera Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera modules with multiple lenses face challenges in size increase due to the need for power-consuming lens-moving apparatuses for autofocus and hand-tremor compensation, leading to increased thickness and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A camera module design featuring a liquid lens with a holder that includes a through-hole and a support portion with a stepped surface to stabilize the liquid lens, allowing it to be seated securely and balanced, even when a mold seam is formed during injection molding, reducing the need for mechanical lens movement and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a liquid lens is seated on a support portion formed by injection molding, then the camera module can be manufactured efficiently, but a mold seam may form on the support portion causing unstable support of the liquid lens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful mold seam into a beneficial feature by forming a stepped surface at the location where the mold seam occurs. The stepped surface creates a step difference that prevents the mold seam from contacting the liquid lens while still providing stable support, thus transforming the manufacturing defect into a functional advantage that ensures both manufacturing efficiency and support stability
Solution Approach 2:
The support portion is segmented into different height levels through the stepped surface, creating distinct regions: a first region at a higher level for stable liquid lens support and a second region at a lower level where the mold seam is located. This segmentation isolates the mold seam from the liquid lens while maintaining support functionality
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional lens-moving apparatus is used for autofocus and hand-tremor compensation, then these functions can be achieved, but the camera module size and thickness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical lens-moving apparatus with a liquid lens that uses electrical signals to change its focal length and optical properties. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical moving parts, magnets, and coils, thereby reducing the camera module's thickness and size while maintaining autofocus and hand-tremor compensation functions
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid lens changes its optical parameters (focal length, curvature) in response to electrical signals, enabling autofocus and image stabilization functions without mechanical movement. This parameter-based control replaces physical displacement with electrical control, reducing the overall device dimensions
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 design provides stable support for the liquid lens, reducing the camera module's size and power consumption while maintaining effective autofocus and hand-tremor compensation functions.
Implementation Method 1
research has been conducted on a liquid lens configured to electrically adjust the curvature of an interface between two kinds of liquid in order to perform autofocus and hand-tremor compensation functions
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment provides a camera module including a liquid lens including an electrode; and a holder in which the liquid lens is disposed, wherein the holder includes a first body portion including a first hole formed therein; a second body portion spaced apart from the first body portion, the second body portion including a second hole formed therein so as to correspond to the first hole; and a side portion connecting the first body portion and the second body portion to each other, wherein the second body portion includes a support portion supporting the liquid lens and an extension portion extending from the support portion, and wherein the support portion includes a side surface, an upper surface, and a step formed between the side surface and the upper surface.