Viscoelastic Damper Pin Geometry for Lens Actuator Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small form factor cameras face challenges with extended focusing times and reliability due to excessive damping coefficients caused by larger pin cross-sections in damping arrangements, leading to mechanical-induced cyclic motion and structural integrity issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of a damper arrangement with a viscoelastic material and an interface member, where the interface member has a circular or elliptical cross-section pin to reduce gouging and improve adhesion, and varying the wire diameter and plate thickness to tailor the damping characteristics, allowing for a broader selection of gel grades and curing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a larger pin cross-section is used in the damping arrangement, then the damping coefficient increases, but the focusing time extends and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the pin interface member, specifically using a circular or elliptical cross-section instead of larger dimensions, to optimize the damping coefficient and reduce focusing time while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties and geometric characteristics to specific regions of the damping arrangement, such as using viscoelastic material with specific adhesion properties at the pin interface, to achieve optimal damping performance without excessive focusing time
2Reliability
If a larger pin cross-section is used in the damping arrangement, then the damping coefficient increases, but mechanical-induced cyclic motion and structural integrity issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pin cross-section geometry to circular or elliptical and optimizes the wire diameter and plate thickness parameters to reduce mechanical stress and eliminate cyclic motion while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of mechanical-induced cyclic motion by using viscoelastic material that absorbs and dissipates mechanical energy, transforming harmful cyclic stresses into beneficial damping effects
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard wire diameter and plate thickness are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but damping characteristics cannot be tailored and gel selection is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables tailoring of damping characteristics by varying wire diameter and plate thickness parameters, allowing selection from broader gel grades and curing processes while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic manufacturing approach where wire diameter and plate thickness can be adjusted based on desired damping characteristics and gel properties, providing flexibility in the manufacturing process rather than fixed standard dimensions
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 configuration enhances the reliability and efficiency of the damping arrangement by reducing stress on the gel, improving adhesion, and allowing for more flexible manufacturing processes, resulting in faster focusing times and improved camera performance.
Implementation Method 1
The volumetric area may hold a viscoelastic material
Implementation Method 2
excessive damping coefficients caused by larger pin cross-sections in damping arrangements
Implementation Method 3
improve adhesion
Data Source
AI summary
A damper arrangement may be used in a camera module that includes a first (e.g., stationary) and a second (e.g., dynamic) component. The second component may hold a lens such that the lens moves together with the second component. The damper arrangement may include an interface member that extends from the first or the second component to at least partially into a viscoelastic material within a volumetric space configured in the first component, the second component, or both. The interface member may include a mounting portion having a thickness and a viscoelastic material section, having a different thickness, that interacts with viscoelastic material to dampen motion of the second component, for example, during operation of a lens actuator to move the second component along an optical axis of the lens. The interface member may be a two-piece interface member, such as a pin soldered into a hole in a plate, for example.