Protruding Lens Barrel Camera Module for Macro Focusing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera modules in electronic devices face challenges in maintaining optimal height and focusing capabilities, especially when capturing subjects close to the device, due to the mechanical limitations of movable lenses.

Innovation Solution

The camera module incorporates a lens barrel with multiple lens elements and an actuator system that moves the lens barrel relative to the image sensor, allowing for precise focusing and adjustment of lens position to accommodate subjects at varying distances, including macro positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the lens barrel is fully extended to focus on close subjects, then the focusing capability for macro positions is improved, but the camera module height increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocusing capabilityVSAvoidcamera module height
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The lens barrel is nested within the housing structure, allowing it to extend and retract along the optical axis. When retracted, the lens barrel fits inside the housing, minimizing the camera module height. When extended, it enables macro focusing capability, thus resolving the contradiction between compact height and focusing versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The lens barrel is designed as a dynamic component that can move between extended and retracted positions along the optical axis. This dynamic movement allows the camera module to adapt its height based on focusing requirements, providing macro focusing capability when needed while maintaining a compact profile during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the lens barrel is moved to fully extended position for macro focusing, then the macro focusing capability is improved, but the distance between lens and image sensor increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemacro focusing capabilityVSAvoiddistance between lens and image sensor
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lens barrel is nested within the housing structure, allowing it to extend and retract along the optical axis. When retracted, the lens barrel fits inside the housing, minimizing the camera module height. When extended, it enables macro focusing capability, thus resolving the contradiction between compact height and focusing versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The lens barrel is designed as a dynamic component that can move between extended and retracted positions along the optical axis. This dynamic movement allows the camera module to adapt its height based on focusing requirements, providing macro focusing capability when needed while maintaining a compact profile during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2605507B1Camera module having protruding lens barrel
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2605507B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2605507B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2605507B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

An electronic device and camera module are described. The camera module includes a housing for housing components of the camera module. The housing has a top side which defines an opening. The camera module also includes a lens barrel housed by the housing and having one or more lens elements and an actuator housed by the housing and engaging the lens barrel. The actuator is configured to move the lens barrel to a first position in which at least a portion of the lens barrel extends through the opening. The camera module also includes an image sensor for receiving light which passes through the lens elements of the lens barrel. The image sensor is configured to produce an electronic signal based on the received light. The electronic device also includes a processor electrically connected to the camera module for receiving the electronic signal from the image sensor.