Rotatable Camera Module for High Screen Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
The placement of a front-facing camera on electronic devices, such as mobile phones, reduces the screen ratio and occupies valuable space, making it difficult to maintain a high screen-to-body ratio and increasing production costs.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable camera module that includes a turnover element, housing, and camera assembly, allowing the camera to be moved from a rear-facing position to a front-facing position within a receiving groove, enabling self-photography without decreasing the screen ratio and optimizing internal space and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a front-facing camera is configured into a hole on the display screen, then self-photography function is achieved, but the screen ratio is reduced and space is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module is designed to be rotatable between a first position (front-facing for self-photography) and a second position (rear-facing for other photography). The rotation mechanism allows the camera to dynamically change its orientation, enabling the device to achieve front-facing camera functionality without a fixed hole on the display screen, thereby maintaining a high screen ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the camera module in the traditional planar position on the front display screen (2D plane), the invention utilizes the third dimension by rotating the camera module between front and rear positions. This dimensional approach allows the camera to access the front-facing position without occupying screen area, as the rotation occurs in the depth dimension rather than the display plane.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a front-facing camera is configured into a hole on the display screen, then self-photography function is achieved, but valuable space is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
A single camera module serves multiple functions by rotating between a first position for front-facing self-photography and a second position for rear-facing photography of other subjects. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate front and rear camera modules, thereby saving internal space and reducing the overall volume occupied by camera components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of what would traditionally require two separate camera modules (front and rear cameras) into a single rotatable camera module. By combining these functions, the device reduces the total space required for camera components, as the single module shares the same housing and support structure rather than requiring separate installations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate front and rear camera modules are used, then both photography functions are achieved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single camera module is designed to perform both front-facing and rear-facing photography functions by rotating between two positions. This universal design reduces device complexity compared to having two separate camera modules, as it eliminates the need for duplicate housings, mounting structures, and associated components, thereby simplifying the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable camera module introduces dynamic positioning capability, allowing the same hardware to serve different photographic functions based on its orientation. This dynamic approach reduces structural complexity compared to static dual-camera configurations, as the system uses one adaptable module rather than two fixed modules requiring separate installation and alignment.
Data Source
AI summary
A single camera module able to swivel to capture images in front of and behind an electronic device includes a housing, a camera module, and a turnover element. The turnover element includes a support plate and a connecting portion. The housing is arranged on the support plate, thus forming a receiving space together with the support plate. The camera assembly is received in the receiving space. The connecting portion is arranged on the support plate and located on an outside of the housing. The disclosure further provides an electronic device including the camera module.