Low-Profile Camera Module Decorative Part with IPMC Pan-Tilt Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The large height dimension of camera module decorative parts in electronic devices, such as smartphones, is a result of the complex structure required to support camera lens movement, affecting the appearance expressiveness of the product.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device design featuring a pan-tilt camera apparatus with a camera module disposed in an inner cavity and a through hole in the decorative part, allowing the camera module to be exposed and movable on a plane with the decorative part, utilizing a drive assembly made of ionic polymer metal composite materials for multi-angle adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a complex structure with sufficient movement space is designed to support camera lens movement, then the camera lens can achieve multi-angle adjustment, but the height dimension of the camera module decorative part becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera lens movement capabilityVSAvoidheight dimension of camera module decorative part

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical drive assemblies (motors, transmission components) with ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) materials that achieve multi-angle camera lens adjustment through electrochemical actuation. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical structures while maintaining the camera lens movement capability, thereby reducing the height dimension of the camera module decorative part.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the unique property of ionic polymer metal composite materials that change their physical state and dimensions in response to electrical stimulation. By applying voltage, the IPMC material bends and changes shape, enabling camera lens movement without requiring traditional mechanical drive mechanisms, thus solving the contradiction between movement capability and compact size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If traditional mechanical drive assemblies with motors and transmission components are used, then reliable camera lens movement can be achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera lens movement reliabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces motors and transmission components with ionic polymer metal composite materials that directly convert electrical energy to mechanical motion. This eliminates the need for complex mechanical drive assemblies while maintaining reliable camera lens movement through the electrochemical actuation of IPMC materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The ionic polymer metal composite material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the actuator and the structural support element. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable camera lens movement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This design reduces the height dimension of the camera module decorative part, enhances appearance quality, and provides multi-angle anti-shake functionality without additional motors or transmission components, ensuring stable image capture.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a drive assembly made of ionic polymer metal composite materials for multi-angle adjustment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic polymer metal composite actuation: Electroactive Polymer

Data Source

PatentUS12464212B2Electronic device for reducing height dimension of camera module decorative part

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device includes a device body, a camera module decorative part, and a pan-tilt camera apparatus. The device body has an inner cavity and an opening communicating with the inner cavity. The camera module decorative part is disposed in the opening, and the camera module decorative part has a through hole. The pan-tilt camera apparatus is disposed in the inner cavity, and the pan-tilt camera apparatus faces toward the through hole. The pan-tilt camera apparatus includes a base and a camera module, the camera module is movably disposed on the base, and a surface of the camera module facing away from the inner cavity and a surface of the camera module decorative part facing away from the opening are located on a same plane.