Sealed Lens Actuator Structure for Compact Impact Resistance

Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to design a lens driving apparatus that is compact in size and resistant to impact while preventing external impurities from entering, which is essential for small-sized electronic devices with cameras that are prone to environmental exposure and damage.

Innovation Solution

A lens driving apparatus comprising a base, a yoke with a hole and closed sides, a movable bobbin, a magnet inside the yoke, a coil around the bobbin, and springs for restoration force, which simplifies the structure, reduces parts, and maintains a sealed environment by coupling the base and yoke without additional cases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate case is used to protect the lens driving apparatus, then impact resistance and impurity prevention are improved, but device size and structural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The base is designed to serve dual functions: it provides the structural foundation for the lens driving apparatus while simultaneously acting as the protective case. The base includes a through hole that serves as both the optical path opening and the interface with the electronic appliance, eliminating the need for a separate case structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base structure is designed to perform multiple functions: supporting the yoke and lens module, providing structural strength for impact resistance, and serving as the outer protective case. This multi-functional design reduces the overall number of components while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate case is used to protect the lens driving apparatus, then impurity prevention is improved, but device size and structural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpurity preventionVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base is designed to serve dual functions: it provides the structural foundation for the lens driving apparatus while simultaneously acting as the protective case. The base includes a through hole that serves as both the optical path opening and the interface with the electronic appliance, eliminating the need for a separate case structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base structure is designed to perform multiple functions: supporting the yoke and lens module, providing structural strength for impact resistance, and serving as the outer protective case. This multi-functional design reduces the overall number of components while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a ring-shaped magnet is used, then magnetic field uniformity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic field uniformityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a prism-shaped magnet instead of a ring-shaped magnet. While the prism magnet may produce slightly less uniform magnetic field, it is significantly cheaper to manufacture and easier to assemble, making it economically advantageous for mass production of compact camera modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 allows for a compact, impact-resistant lens driving apparatus that prevents impurities from entering, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances economical efficiency by eliminating the need for a separate case and using cost-effective prism magnets.

Implementation Method 1

a coil fixed to an outer portion of the bobbin while facing the magnets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a magnet fixed to an inner portion of the yoke; a coil fixed to an outer portion of the bobbin while facing the magnets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force interaction: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentUS11754800B2Lens driving apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 LG INNOTEK CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a lens driving apparatus. The lens driving apparatus includes a base, a yoke coupled to the base, having an upper surface formed with a hole, a closed side surface, and an opened bottom surface, a bobbin movably installed in an inner portion of the yoke, a lens module coupled to the bobbin to go in and out the hole according to movement of the bobbin, a magnet fixed to an inner portion of the yoke, a coil fixed to an outer portion of the bobbin while facing the magnets, and springs coupled to the bobbin to provide restoration force to the bobbin.