Variable Aperture Camera Module Radial Actuation
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile phone camera modules have fixed apertures, making it difficult to achieve decent image quality both day and night, as they cannot adapt to varying light conditions.
Innovation Solution
A camera module with a variable aperture system, comprising a radial propulsion device to move aperture pieces radially and an axial propulsion device to adjust the lens assembly, allowing for interchangeable aperture pieces with different diameters to be inserted or removed through openings in the lens barrel, enabling adjustable aperture sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed aperture is used in a small camera module, then the device size is reduced, but image quality cannot be maintained in both daytime and nighttime conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture system is segmented into multiple interchangeable aperture pieces (first aperture piece, second aperture piece) with different aperture sizes. Each aperture piece can be independently selected and installed in the lens barrel based on lighting conditions, allowing the camera module to adapt between daytime and nighttime photography without increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture system transitions from a static fixed aperture to a dynamic variable aperture system. The lens barrel is designed with openings that allow aperture pieces to be inserted or removed, enabling the aperture size to change dynamically according to different shooting conditions, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining a compact structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a variable aperture system with interchangeable aperture pieces is implemented, then adaptability to different lighting conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens barrel is designed with universal features including openings that can accommodate different aperture pieces and a guiding structure that works with various aperture dimensions. This multi-functional design allows the same basic structure to support multiple aperture configurations, reducing the need for separate mechanisms for each aperture size and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A guiding structure acts as an intermediary between the aperture pieces and the lens barrel. This guiding structure facilitates the insertion and removal of aperture pieces while maintaining proper alignment and positioning. By introducing this intermediary component, the system achieves variable aperture capability without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms, thus limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A camera module includes a variable aperture module and a lens module. The variable aperture module includes at least one aperture piece and a radial propulsion device. The lens module includes a lens assembly and an axial propulsion device. The axial propulsion device is configured to drive the lens assembly along an axial direction. The radial propulsion device is configured to propel the aperture piece in a radial direction approaching a central axis of the lens assembly, such that a portion of the aperture piece enters the lens assembly through an opening defined by the wall of the lens barrel. The radial propulsion device is configured to retract the aperture piece in a radial direction away from the central axis of the lens assembly, such that the portion of the aperture piece leaving the lens assembly through the opening defined by the wall of the lens barrel.