Single Camera Module with Rotating Reflector for Dual-Surface Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increased manufacturing cost and difficulty of assembly, as well as decreased product yield rate, resulting from the installation of two camera modules in mobile devices for main and sub-camera functions.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a single camera module that includes a housing with two openings, a reflecting element, and an image sensor, where the reflecting element can rotate to direct light beams from either opening to the image sensor, allowing for photography from either the display surface or rear surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two camera modules are installed in one mobile phone, then camera functions for both photography and video communications are achieved, but manufacturing cost and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single camera module is designed to perform multiple functions by capturing images through different openings. The module can photograph objects through the display surface opening for video communications and through the rear surface opening for standard photography, eliminating the need for separate main and sub-camera modules while reducing manufacturing cost and assembly complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If two camera modules are installed in one mobile phone, then camera functions for both photography and video communications are achieved, but assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of two separate camera modules into a single integrated camera module. By combining the image sensor, lens, and supporting structures into one module that serves both openings, the assembly process is simplified and assembly difficulty is reduced compared to installing two separate modules
3Adaptability or versatility
If two camera modules are installed in one mobile phone, then camera functions for both photography and video communications are achieved, but product yield rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating two camera modules into one, the patent reduces the number of components that need to be assembled and tested. This merging reduces potential failure points and simplifies quality control, thereby increasing product yield rate
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 reduces manufacturing costs and assembly complexity while maintaining functionality, increasing the product yield rate by allowing a user to take photographs from either surface with a single camera module.
Implementation Method 1
The reflecting element reflects the S-polarized light beam and the P-polarized light beam to the image sensor
Implementation Method 2
The first polarization converter is adjacent to the first opening and converts a first light beam to an S-polarized light beam
Implementation Method 3
The second polarization converter is adjacent to the second opening and converts a second light beam to a P-polarized light beam
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device with camera functions includes a housing and a camera module. The housing has a first opening and a second opening. The first opening is disposed on a display surface of the housing, and the second opening is disposed on a rear surface of the housing. The camera module is located between the first opening and the second opening. Therefore, a user can take a photograph for an object by the display surface or the rear surface of the electronic device facing toward the object.