Screen Assembly Camera Integration via Optical Surface Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Full-screen electronic devices face challenges in achieving a light and thin design due to the complex stacking structure of front camera modules caused by perforated screens, which increases thickness and complicates the design.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a light-transmitting layer with an optical surface structure within the screen assembly, where a blind hole is formed to house the camera module, utilizing glass substrates as lens elements to reduce the number of stacked lens elements and simplify the design, while maintaining the original screen assembly structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a perforated screen is used to arrange the front camera, then the camera can be integrated into the full-screen device, but the stacking structure of the camera module becomes complicated and the thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera integrationVSAvoidstacking structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the screen assembly and camera module into a single integrated unit. The camera module is positioned directly on the screen assembly, sharing the same structural space. This integration eliminates the need for separate camera housing and reduces the overall stacking layers, thereby simplifying the structure while maintaining full-screen functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The screen assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both the display component and the structural housing for the camera module. The rigid plate within the screen assembly provides both structural support and serves as the mounting base for the camera, eliminating the need for separate structural components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a perforated screen is used to arrange the front camera, then the camera can be integrated into the full-screen device, but the thickness of the module increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera integrationVSAvoidmodule thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The camera module is nested within the screen assembly structure. The rigid plate is embedded in the screen assembly, and the camera module is mounted on this rigid plate, creating a nested configuration. This nesting approach allows the camera components to occupy the same spatial envelope as the screen assembly, thereby reducing overall thickness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

By merging the screen assembly and camera module into a single integrated unit with shared structural components, the patent eliminates redundant layers and reduces the overall thickness of the front camera assembly while maintaining full functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If multiple lens elements are stacked in the camera module, then the imaging performance can be improved, but the stacking thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging performanceVSAvoidstacking thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a vertical stacking arrangement of lens elements to a lateral distribution arrangement. Multiple lens elements are positioned side-by-side or in a planar configuration on the rigid plate rather than being stacked vertically, thereby maintaining the required number of optical elements for good imaging performance while significantly reducing the thickness dimension

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 approach significantly reduces the stacking thickness of the camera module, allows for a light and thin design, improves the utilization of screen space, and enhances the imaging effect with glass lenses offering higher refractive index and lower chromatic dispersion compared to plastic lenses.

Implementation Method 1

an optical surface structure which is formed at a part of the at least one light-transmitting layer, so as to form a first lens element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3993373B1Screen assembly, camera system and electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3993373B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3993373B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3993373B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A screen assembly (200) is applied to an electronic device, and includes at least one light-transmitting layer capable of transmitting light, an optical surface structure (241) is formed at a part of the at least one light-transmitting layer, to form a first lens element at the part of the at least one light-transmitting layer, and the first lens element serves as a lens element of a camera module (300) of the electronic device.