Micro Shutter Iris Function Rollup Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable digital devices face challenges in miniaturizing mechanical shutters for camera units while maintaining high-quality image capture, as current leaf shutters are limited by size and speed, and require separate iris units, increasing manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A micro shutter with an iris function is developed, featuring a base plate with a transparent portion and rollup blades arranged in a regular polygon, each with a fixing and moving portion, controlled by a controller to block or allow light, utilizing residual stresses and piezoelectric driving layers for high-speed operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical shutter is used to maintain high-quality image capture, then image quality is improved, but device size increases and portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shutter and iris functions into a single integrated structure. The rollup blades that form the shutter also create the iris aperture when positioned at different angles, eliminating the need for separate iris unit and reducing overall camera unit size while maintaining high-quality image capture capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thin film rollup blades that can be actuated to change position. These flexible thin film structures enable the shutter mechanism to achieve both shutter and iris functions without requiring bulky mechanical components, thus reducing camera unit size while preserving image quality
2Volume of moving object
If a leaf shutter is used to reduce size, then device size is reduced, but operating speed becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical leaf shutter actuation with an electrostatic actuation system. The rollup blades are positioned using electrostatic forces between electrodes, enabling faster and more precise control of the shutter and iris functions while maintaining compact size, thus improving operating speed without sacrificing miniaturization
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate iris unit is disposed to achieve iris function, then iris functionality is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the rollup blade structure to perform multiple functions: it acts as both the shutter that blocks light and the iris that controls aperture size. By adjusting the angular position of the rollup blades, the system achieves both shutter closure and variable aperture control, eliminating the need for a separate iris unit and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the shutter and iris into a single integrated mechanism where the same rollup blades perform both functions. This merging of functions reduces the number of components, simplifies the camera unit structure, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining full iris 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
The micro shutter achieves high-speed operation and iris functionality in a compact size, reducing manufacturing costs and complexity, enabling high-quality image capture in portable devices.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the plurality of rollup blades may include an insulating layer which contacts the base plate; and a piezoelectric driving layer formed on the insulating layer. The piezoelectric driving layer may comprise a first electrode layer, a piezoelectric layer, and a second electrode layer, and a voltage is applied to the first electrode layer or the second electrode layer so that a piezoelectric driving force is generated in the piezoelectric driving layer
Implementation Method 2
Each of the plurality of rollup blades may include; a bottom insulating layer which contacts the base plate; and a top electrode layer formed on the bottom insulating layer; wherein the bottom insulating layer and the top electrode layer have residual stresses different from each other so that the moving portion is rolled up toward the fixing portion
Data Source
AI summary
A micro shutter with an iris function includes a base plate with a transparent portion formed in a circular shape corresponding to an image sensor which allows light to pass through; a plurality of rollup blades which block the light, arranged in a regular polygon at a circumference of the transparent portion on the base plate to cover the transparent portion, and each of the plurality of rollup blades to have a fixing portion fixed to the base plate and a moving portion rolled up toward the fixing portion; and a controller electrically connected with the base plate and the plurality of rollup blades which controls unrolling degrees of the plurality of rollup blades.