Camera Module With Shared-Electrode Liquid Lens for Compact Autofocus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical devices in portable devices face challenges in achieving high resolution and various photographing functions while maintaining a small size, due to the need for additional lens moving apparatuses and cover glasses, which increase the overall size and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A camera module with a liquid lens unit that includes a holder, electrodes, and terminals for controlling the interface between two liquids, allowing for auto-focusing and handshaking correction functions, while reducing the external size by using electrodes and terminals to connect the liquid lens to temperature sensors and heaters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a liquid lens unit with multiple electrodes is used to control the interface between two liquids, then the auto-focusing and handshaking correction functions are achieved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple electrodes and terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The second common electrode serves dual purposes: it acts as a common electrode for the third and fourth upper electrodes, and simultaneously functions as one of the lower electrodes. This multi-functional design allows the liquid lens to achieve auto-focusing, handshaking correction, temperature control, and sensor operations with fewer electrodes, reducing structural complexity while maintaining versatile photographing functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple electrode functions into a unified structure where the second lower electrode serves as a common electrode for multiple upper electrodes. This merging of functions reduces the total number of separate electrodes and terminals needed, simplifying the overall electrode structure while preserving all necessary control capabilities
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of lenses is increased to achieve high resolution and various photographing functions, then the resolution and functionality are improved, but the overall size of the camera module increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical lens moving apparatuses with a liquid lens unit that uses electrical control to deform the interface between two liquids. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical driving mechanisms, cover glasses, and additional lens assemblies, achieving high-resolution photographing functions with a significantly reduced camera module size
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid lens unit changes its optical parameters by electrically controlling the curvature of the interface between two liquids. By applying voltages to different electrode combinations, the lens can dynamically adjust focal length, focus position, and other optical parameters, providing multiple photographing functions without requiring multiple physical lenses
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 enables effective control of the liquid lens interface, facilitates conductive connections, and reduces the external size of the first lens unit, thereby enhancing the camera module's functionality and compactness.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid lens, which is disposed in the holder and includes an upper electrode and a lower electrode... a drive signal may be applied between the upper electrode and the first common electrode so as to deform the interface between the first liquid and the second liquid
Implementation Method 2
The liquid lens may include a heater configured to control the temperature of the liquid lens
Implementation Method 3
The liquid lens may include a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the liquid lens
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment comprises: a substrate; a sensor base disposed on the substrate; a lens holder disposed on the sensor base; a lens barrel coupled to the lens holder; and a first lens part disposed inside the lens barrel, wherein: the first lens part comprises a holder, a liquid lens disposed inside the holder and including an upper electrode and a lower electrode, and a terminal disposed in the holder and electrically connected to the upper and lower electrodes; the upper electrode comprises a first upper electrode, a second upper electrode, a third upper electrode, and a fourth upper electrode, which are spaced apart from each other; the lower electrode comprises a first lower electrode, a second lower electrode, a third lower electrode, and a fourth lower electrode, which are spaced apart from each other; and the first lower electrode is a first common electrode for the upper electrode, and the second lower electrode is a second common electrode for the third lower electrode and the fourth lower electrode.