Periscope Camera Light Steering for High Zoom in Thin Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of increasing zoom magnification in dual camera modules without increasing the size of the periscope camera module, particularly due to the height difference between the long-focal-length and wide-angle lenses, is addressed by reducing the dimensions of the long-focal-length lens and photosensitive assembly components while maintaining high zoom performance.
Innovation Solution
The camera unit incorporates a light steering mechanism to redirect light through a long-focal-length lens and photosensitive assembly, reducing the height of the long-focal-length camera module by minimizing the dimensions of the photosensitive element, lens, and other components through strategic design and integration, allowing for a smaller overall camera unit suitable for thinner electronic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the focal length of the long-focal-length lens is increased to achieve higher zoom magnification, then the zoom magnification is improved, but the dimension of the long-focal-length lens increases, leading to an increased size of the periscope camera module
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a light steering mechanism that redirects the optical path at a 45-degree angle, effectively changing the spatial dimension in which the optical components are arranged. This allows the long-focal-length lens to achieve high zoom magnification while the overall module height is reduced, as the light path is folded within a compact volume rather than extending linearly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple components including the light steering element, long-focal-length lens, and photosensitive assembly into a nested configuration where components are arranged in a compact, space-efficient manner within the periscope camera module, maximizing the use of available volume
2Adaptability or versatility
If the height of the long-focal-length lens is increased to achieve higher zoom magnification, then the focal length ratio is improved, but the assembly difficulty increases due to height difference between lenses
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing a light steering element that redirects light at a 45-degree angle, the patent transforms the vertical height requirement into a horizontal or diagonal arrangement, allowing the long-focal-length lens to maintain high focal length ratio while reducing the vertical height difference that complicates assembly with the wide-angle lens
3Adaptability or versatility
If the dimension of the long-focal-length lens is increased to achieve higher zoom magnification, then the zoom performance is improved, but the camera unit size increases, which is not suitable for thin electronic devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a light steering mechanism to fold the optical path, allowing the long-focal-length lens to achieve high zoom performance while the camera unit height is reduced. The light is redirected at a 45-degree angle, effectively converting a long vertical optical path into a compact three-dimensional arrangement that fits within thin device profiles
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 achieves a smaller camera unit with enhanced zoom performance, maintaining high zoom magnification and imaging quality without increasing the physical size, making it suitable for lightweight and thin electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a light steering mechanism (21), a long-focal-length lens (22), and a long-focal-length photosensitive assembly (23), wherein the light steering mechanism (21) is capable of turning light from an object to pass through the long-focal-length lens (22) to be received by the long-focal-length photosensitive assembly (23) for photoelectric conversion
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a camera unit with a light steering mechanism and application thereof, wherein the camera unit includes a long-focal-length camera module and a wide-angle camera module, wherein the wide-angle camera module provides a wide-angle image, and a ratio between an equivalent focal length of the long-focal-length camera module and an equivalent focal length of the wide-angle camera module is not less than 4, wherein the long-focal-length camera module includes a light steering mechanism, a long-focal-length lens and a long-focal-length photosensitive assembly, wherein the light steering mechanism is used for turning the light to pass through the long-focal-length lens to be received by the long-focal-length photosensitive assembly, wherein a height dimension of the long-focal-length camera module does not exceed 5.6 mm.