Retractable Camera Module Using Rotating Lifting Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recent camera modules in portable electronic devices face challenges in miniaturization due to the need for various components for improved performance, resulting in them always protruding from the device.
Innovation Solution
The camera module design includes a housing with a carrier that moves relative to the housing in the optical axis direction, a lens module, a guide housing, a lifting guide, and a driving unit that adjusts the position of the lens barrel based on usage, allowing it to retract when not in use to minimize protrusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the camera module includes various components for improved performance (multiple lenses, actuators), then the imaging performance is improved, but the device size increases and it cannot be miniaturized
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting guide is rotatably disposed within the guide housing, and the lifting member is disposed within the lifting guide, creating a nested structure where components are placed inside each other to minimize space occupation while maintaining functional integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting guide rotates between a first position and a second position to dynamically adjust the position of the lifting member, enabling the lens barrel to move between retracted and extended states, thus achieving miniaturization while maintaining performance
2Reliability
If the camera module includes multiple lenses and actuators for high-resolution imaging, then the image quality is improved, but the camera module always protrudes from the portable electronic device
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting guide rotates to dynamically adjust the lens barrel position between retracted and extended states, allowing the camera module to maintain high image quality while minimizing protrusion when not in use
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting member acts as an intermediary that transmits the rotational motion of the lifting guide to the lens barrel, enabling controlled adjustment of the lens barrel position to reduce protrusion while maintaining imaging capability
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
This design enables the camera module to adjust its position based on usage, reducing protrusion from the device and maintaining performance by using a combination of mechanical and electromagnetic components for autofocusing and optical image stabilization.
Implementation Method 1
The lifting guide may include a guide hole inclined with respect to the optical axis direction, and the lifting member may include a guide protrusion disposed in the guide hole
Implementation Method 2
The driving unit may include a motor, a shaft extending from the motor, and a guide member movable along the shaft
Implementation Method 3
The sealing member may be made of a material having elasticity. The sealing member may include a bent part deformed as the lifting member is moved
Data Source
AI summary
A camera module includes a housing having an inner space; a carrier, disposed in the inner space, configured to move relative to the housing in an optical axis direction; a lens module accommodated in the carrier; a guide housing coupled with the housing; a lifting guide rotatable with respect to the guide housing; a lifting member configured to move in the optical axis direction as the lifting guide is rotated to be in contact with or spaced apart from the lens module; and a driving unit configured to transmit a driving force to the lifting guide. A protrusion part is disposed on one of the lifting guide and the driving unit, and a guide groove coupled to the protrusion part is disposed in another of the lifting guide and the driving unit.