Magnetic Iris Module for Three-Step Camera Aperture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Camera modules in portable electronic devices face challenges with weight increase and autofocus deterioration due to mechanical iris components, and power connection issues, as well as limited aperture diameter options in compact spaces.
Innovation Solution
An iris module with a base, blades, and a magnet unit that linearly reciprocates to drive the blades, featuring a driving magnet with three polarized poles and a yoke for fixation, allowing for three different aperture sizes without increasing weight, and a camera module design that includes this iris module with coils and a position sensor for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical iris with diaphragm components is provided in a camera module, then the aperture diameter can be adjusted, but the weight of the camera module increases and autofocus function deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical iris structure with a magnetic field-based iris module. The iris module uses a magnet unit with three polarized poles that can be positioned at different locations (first, second, and third positions) to control the aperture diameter, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical diaphragm components while maintaining aperture adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from mechanical position to magnetic field position. By moving the magnet unit between three distinct positions, the system achieves three different aperture diameters (first, second, and third aperture sizes) without requiring complex mechanical linkages or heavy diaphragm structures.
2Ease of operation
If a mechanical iris with power connection unit is provided, then the diaphragm can be driven, but the power connection unit may be caught during vertical lens movement in autofocus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the mechanical power connection unit (coil) that was previously required to drive the diaphragm. Instead, it uses a magnet unit that can be driven by electromagnetic actuators, allowing the iris module to change aperture diameter without any mechanical power connections that could be caught during lens movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic power connection unit from the iris module design. By using a magnet-based system rather than a mechanically-driven diaphragm, the system eliminates the coil and its associated power connections, preventing the catching issue during autofocus operation.
3Volume of moving object
If an iris module is provided in a narrow space, then compact design is achieved, but the correct aperture diameter may be inhibited due to driving unit position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an asymmetric magnet unit design with three distinct polarized poles arranged in a specific asymmetric pattern. This asymmetric configuration allows the magnet unit to achieve three different stable positions (first, second, and third positions) corresponding to three precise aperture diameters, ensuring accurate aperture control within a compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the aperture control into three distinct, discrete positions for the magnet unit, each corresponding to a specific aperture diameter. This segmentation approach allows precise control of aperture size in a compact space by defining three clear stable positions rather than requiring continuous mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
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 accurate implementation of three diaphragm diameters, reduces weight, and maintains autofocus and image stabilization performance, ensuring consistent image quality across various lighting conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet unit configured to linearly reciprocate on the base and drive the plurality of blades. The magnet unit includes a driving magnet with three polarized poles along a movement path of the magnet unit... A yoke disposed on the base may face the driving magnet along the movement path of the magnet unit... The magnet unit may be fixable to three different positions on the movement path by attractive force between the driving magnet and the yoke
Implementation Method 2
driving coils are disposed along the movement path of the magnet unit to face the driving magnet
Data Source
AI summary
An iris module includes a base, a plurality of blades disposed on the base, and an iris driving unit including a magnet unit configured to linearly reciprocate on the base and drive the plurality of blades. The magnet unit includes a driving magnet with an odd number of polarized poles along a movement path of the magnet unit.