Periscope Camera Reflective Element Stabilization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Periscope cameras in electronic devices are prone to positional deviations when impacted, leading to inaccurate light redirection and compromised image sensing capabilities.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a gyroscope within the electronic device to detect shaking and provide feedback for the processing chip to control the camera assembly, combined with a reflective element stabilization mechanism using a mounting base and limiting structure to prevent positional deviations of the reflective element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the periscope camera uses a reflective element to redirect light, then the optical length can be extended to improve image quality, but the reflective element may shift position when impacted, affecting normal camera operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical length precisionVSAvoidreflective element position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The camera module is divided into separate functional components: a lens assembly, a reflective element mounted on an independent mounting seat, and a driving device. This segmentation allows the reflective element to be stabilized independently through the driving device while maintaining the optical path extension function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The driving device receives feedback signals (implied through the control system) to adjust the position of the mounting seat and reflective element, compensating for shifts caused by impacts and maintaining stable light redirection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Volume of moving object

If the camera assembly size is reduced, then the electronic device can be more compact, but the optical anti-shake mechanism requires sufficient space to function effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera assembly volumeVSAvoidoptical anti-shake functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The driving device incorporates an arc-shaped guide rail that enables rotational movement of the mounting seat along a curved path. This curved trajectory allows the reflective element to redirect light in a compact configuration while maintaining the necessary range of motion for optical anti-shake operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from linear adjustment to rotational adjustment around an arc-shaped guide rail, utilizing angular movement in a different dimensional space to achieve anti-shake functionality within a reduced volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the mounting seat rotates along the arc-shaped guide rail for optical anti-shake, then the friction is reduced and rotation is smooth, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting seat rotation smoothnessVSAvoiddriving device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The arc-shaped guide rail acts as an intermediary mechanical structure that facilitates smooth rotational movement between the driving device and the mounting seat. It provides a predefined curved path that reduces friction and guides the motion, simplifying the interaction between components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the light-converting element is made as an integrated structure, then the reliability is improved by preventing detachment during use or after dropping, but the manufacturing flexibility and adjustability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight-converting element reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The light-converting element is divided into a light-converting portion and a mounting portion that can be separately manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall reliability through proper connection design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enhances optical anti-shake functionality, reduces the size of the camera assembly while maintaining image stabilization, and improves the reliability of the reflective element by preventing positional shifts during impacts.

Implementation Method 1

Integration of a gyroscope within the electronic device to detect shaking and provide feedback for the processing chip to control the camera assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGyroscope: Gyroscope

Implementation Method 2

The reflective element is configured to redirect the light incident into the periscope camera and transmit the light to an image sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3879804B1Imaging module, camera assembly, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3879804B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3879804B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3879804B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An imaging module (20), a camera assembly (100), and an electronic device (1000). The imaging module (20) comprises a housing (21), a light reflecting element (22), a mounting base (23), and an image sensor (26). The light reflecting element (22), the mounting base (23), and the image sensor (26) are all disposed in the housing (21). The housing (21) is provided with a light entrance (211). The mounting base (23) is disposed on the light reflecting element (22). The light reflecting element (22) is used for reflecting incident light incident from the light entrance (211) to enable the light to pass through the lens assembly (24) to reach the image sensor (26), so that the image sensor (26) senses the incident light outside the imaging module (20). The mounting base (23) is provided with a limiting structure (232). The limiting structure (232) is connected to the light reflecting element (22) to limit the position of the light reflecting element (22) on the mounting base (23).