Rotatable Reflective Member Camera Assembly for Wide Angle View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera systems in portable electronic devices lack the ability to dynamically change the angle of view without increasing device thickness, making it difficult to capture images with different perspectives without rotating the device itself.
Innovation Solution
A camera assembly with a rotating optical member providing two degrees of freedom, utilizing a linear actuator module and a reflective member that rotates about a support ball with a curved surface, allowing the optical axis to change angles without increasing the device's thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotating optical member with two degrees of freedom is added to enable wide angle of view, then the camera's capability to capture images with varying perspectives is improved, but the device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective member is nested within the holder, which is disposed within the camera assembly housing. The support ball is embedded in the holder to enable rotation. This nested arrangement allows the rotating optical components to be integrated into the existing device thickness without requiring additional external space, thereby achieving wide angle of view capability while maintaining a slim form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective member rotates about two perpendicular axes (first and second axes of rotation) that are both perpendicular to the optical axis direction. This two-degree-of-freedom rotation enables the optical axis to change angles in multiple dimensions, providing wide angle of view capability without increasing device thickness in the optical path direction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a linear actuator module and support ball mechanism are added to enable rotation, then the optical axis can rotate in two degrees of freedom, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support ball has a spherical shape with a curved surface that physically connects to the reflective member. This spherical geometry naturally enables rotation about multiple axes through simple contact, eliminating the need for complex rotational joints or bearings. The linear actuators simply push or pull the holder along straight lines, and the spherical support ball converts this linear motion into two-degree-of-freedom rotation automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The support ball acts as an intermediary mechanism between the linear actuators and the reflective member. The first and second linear actuators move the holder along the first and second axes respectively, and the support ball mediates this linear motion to produce the desired rotational movement of the reflective member about two perpendicular axes, simplifying the overall control mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the reflective member rotates about two perpendicular axes, then the angle of view is widened, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support ball with its curved surface automatically maintains proper alignment between the holder and reflective member during rotation. The spherical geometry provides self-centering and self-alignment features, where the contact between the support ball and holder naturally keeps the reflective member properly positioned as it rotates, reducing the need for high-precision manufacturing tolerances and complex alignment procedures.
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
Enables a wide angle of view by allowing the optical axis to rotate in two degrees of freedom, enhancing the camera's capability to capture images with varying perspectives without the need for device rotation, while maintaining a slim form factor.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective member that reflects light incident from outside the camera assembly and delivers the light to the one or more lenses
Implementation Method 2
a support ball that is physically connected with the light reflecting member and that has at least a partial protruding area formed to be a curved surface
Data Source
AI summary
A camera assembly is provided. The camera assembly comprises: a frame comprising a first side wall, a second side wall facing the first side wall, and a base formed between the first side wall and the second side wall; a linear driving portion comprising a first movable member coupled to the first side wall to be able to slide and a second movable member coupled to the second side wall to be able to slide; a lens module arranged on the base, the lens module comprising at least one lens and an image sensor; a reflective member comprising a first surface onto which external light is incident and a second surface formed at a predetermined angle with the first surface so as to face the lens; and a holder on which the reflective member is disposed, the holder comprising a support portion supported on the base so as to rotate around a first rotational axis perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens and around a second rotational axis perpendicular to the optical axis and to the first rotational axis. The first movable member is connected to one side of the reflective member, with reference to the support portion, and the second movable member is connected to the other side thereof. When the first movable member and the second movable member move in the same direction, the reflective member may rotate around the first rotational axis. When the first movable member and the second movable member move in different directions, the reflective member may rotate around the second rotational axis.