Rotating Camera Module Layout for Stable Focus During Image Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional camera modules and electronic devices face issues with image quality deterioration due to changes in the relative positions of the image sensor and lens during image stabilization, affecting the auto focusing and image stabilization functions.

Innovation Solution

The camera module incorporates a lens that moves along an optical axis for auto focusing and rotates together with the image sensor to maintain optimal image quality during stabilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the number of lens elements is increased to improve optical performance, then image quality is improved, but the length of the optical axis increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidoptical axis length
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by using aspherical surfaces with specific curvature radii and conic constants, as well as materials with specific Abbe numbers and refractive indices. These parameter optimizations allow each lens element to contribute more effectively to image quality, reducing the need for additional elements and thereby shortening the optical axis length while maintaining high image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material design by selecting specific glass materials for each lens element based on their refractive indices and Abbe numbers. This allows the optical system to achieve superior aberration correction and image quality with fewer elements, thus reducing the overall optical axis length while maintaining high performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If the aperture diameter is increased to improve light gathering ability, then low-light performance is improved, but the F-number decreases and depth of field is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight gathering abilityVSAvoiddepth of field control
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the F-number by carefully selecting the aperture diameter relative to the focal length, achieving an F-value between 1.8 and 2.8. This parameter optimization balances light gathering ability with acceptable depth of field control. Additionally, the aspherical lens surfaces and material selection further optimize light path control to maintain image quality across the aperture range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of moving object

If the distance between the optical unit and image sensor is reduced to miniaturize the device, then device size is reduced, but heat dissipation becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a thin film cooling structure formed by depositing heat-radiating material on the rear surface of the image sensor. This thin film approach provides effective heat dissipation without adding significant thickness to the device, enabling compact design while maintaining adequate thermal management for the high-power LED flash and image sensor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Illumination intensity

If high-power LED is used to improve flash brightness, then illumination intensity is improved, but heat generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflash brightnessVSAvoidheat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a thin film cooling structure with heat-radiating material deposited on the image sensor rear surface to efficiently dissipate heat generated by the high-power LED flash. This allows the system to maintain high flash brightness while preventing excessive heat accumulation that would otherwise require reducing LED power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The heat-radiating thin film acts as an intermediary thermal management component between the heat-generating LED flash and the heat-sensitive image sensor, enabling the system to simultaneously achieve high illumination intensity and adequate heat dissipation by mediating the thermal transfer pathway.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4055817B1Camera module and electronic device including the same
Publication Date: 2026.05.20 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4055817B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4055817B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3a
  • EP4055817B1 patent drawingFigure 3b

AI summary

An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include a housing and a camera module, a first camera housing enclosing a camera assembly, the camera assembly including a second camera housing enclosing a lens carrier having at least one lens, and an image sensor. The second camera housing includes a first surface, a second surface, at least one side area surrounding a space defined between the first and second surface, and at least one corner area. The camera assembly is rotatable about the camera assembly, so that an optical axis of the lens is angled at a predetermined angle with respect to the first direction. The side area is spaced by a first gap from an inner surface of the second camera housing, and the at least one corner area is spaced by a second gap from the inner surface of the second camera housing.