Overlapping Blade Stop Module for Compact Camera Light Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Camera modules in portable electronic devices face challenges due to structural limitations, leading to increased weight and potential deterioration of autofocusing and optical image stabilization functions, as well as difficulties in implementing accurate apertures due to space constraints and power supply issues.
Innovation Solution
A stop module with overlapping blades rotating about separate shafts to form incident holes of different sizes, driven by a magnet portion and coil configuration, which allows for adjustable light exposure without increasing the module's weight and maintains optical axis alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a mechanical stop with separate components is installed to alter incident light, then light exposure control is improved, but the weight of the camera module increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stop module is integrated into the camera module as a unified structure, merging the light control function with the existing camera components. The blades are positioned within the camera module's housing and share structural support with other components, eliminating the need for separate stop mounting structures and reducing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop module serves multiple functions: it controls incident light exposure, maintains optical axis alignment through its geometric design, and is driven by a compact magnet-coil mechanism that shares space with other camera functions. The regular polygon geometry of the blades provides both structural support and precise light control capabilities.
2Illumination intensity
If separate components for driving the stop are added, then light control functionality is improved, but the autofocusing function deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stop module uses multiple separate blades (at least three) that can be independently positioned around a central axis. Each blade is driven by the magnet-coil mechanism but maintains independent rotational freedom, allowing precise control of light exposure without creating mechanical interference with the autofocusing lens movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The blades are arranged in a regular polygon configuration around the optical axis, utilizing radial positioning instead of linear movement. This geometric arrangement allows the stop mechanism to control light exposure in the radial dimension while leaving the axial dimension free for lens movement during autofocusing, eliminating mechanical interference.
3Ease of operation
If power supply connecting parts are included in the stop structure, then stop driving capability is improved, but the parts are caught by lens movement during autofocusing
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical connection structure for power supply is replaced with a magnetic field-based driving system. The magnet portion and coil generate electromagnetic force to rotate the blades, eliminating the need for mechanical power transmission components that would be vulnerable to lens movement during autofocusing.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic field acts as an intermediary between the power supply and the blade movement. Electrical power is transmitted through flexible conductors to the coil, which converts it to mechanical rotation via magnetic interaction with the magnet portion, isolating the power transmission path from the mechanical movement path and preventing interference with lens autofocus operation.
4Volume of moving object
If the stop module is designed to fit in small space, then spatial limitations are addressed, but accurate aperture implementation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The blades are pre-positioned in specific angular orientations corresponding to different aperture sizes, and the magnet-coil mechanism provides precise rotational control to select between these pre-configured positions. This preliminary positioning, combined with accurate electromagnetic actuation, enables precise aperture control within a compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture size is controlled by changing the rotational angle of the blades around the optical axis. By precisely controlling the angular position of the blades through the magnet-coil mechanism, the effective aperture area can be accurately adjusted without requiring large physical dimensions, enabling accurate aperture implementation in a compact space.
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 precise adjustment of light exposure, maintains the quality of images in various illumination conditions, and prevents deterioration of autofocusing and optical image stabilization functions, while reducing the overall weight of the camera module.
Implementation Method 1
a driving portion (510) that includes a magnet portion (521a) and rotates the first to third blades (540, 560, 580)
Data Source
AI summary
A stop module and a camera module including disclosed stop module. A stop module includes a base; blades sequentially overlapping each other on the base to rotate about separate rotation shafts to form incident holes having different sizes; and a driving portion including a magnet portion. One of the blades is a driving blade, which is directly interlocked with the magnet portion, and the blades other than the driving blade are driven to be directly or indirectly interlocked with the driving blade.