Wire-Driven Camera Module for Compact OIS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera modules face challenges in effectively performing both auto-focusing (AF) and optical image stabilization (OIS) functions while maintaining a compact size, as existing methods often require large lens-moving apparatuses with high power consumption and additional cover glass, which increase the module's size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A camera module design that utilizes a liquid lens unit for AF and a wire-driven lens-moving unit for OIS, where the liquid lens unit includes a plate with different liquids and electrodes, and a wire-driving unit that contracts or expands wires to move the lens assembly horizontally, allowing for precise control of the lens position without the need for magnets, thereby enhancing OIS performance and reducing module size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lens-moving apparatus is used to move the lens assembly for OIS, then OIS function is achieved, but power consumption increases and additional cover glass is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the magnet from the camera module design, replacing the conventional magnet-based lens-moving apparatus with a wire-driven system. This removes the source of high power consumption and eliminates the need for additional cover glass to protect the magnet, while maintaining the OIS function through direct wire-driven lens movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic actuation system (magnet-based) with a direct mechanical wire-driven system. The wires are directly connected to the lens assembly and can be actuated to move the lens for OIS, eliminating the need for electromagnetic fields and reducing power consumption significantly.
2Reliability
If a magnet-based lens-moving apparatus is used for OIS, then OIS function is achieved, but the overall size of the camera module increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the magnet component entirely from the camera module, which is a bulky element in conventional OIS systems. By extracting the magnet and replacing it with thin wire actuators, the overall volume of the camera module is reduced while maintaining OIS capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thin wire actuators instead of bulky magnetic components. These wires can be made as thin films or flexible elements that occupy minimal space, allowing the camera module to maintain a compact form factor while achieving the required lens movement for OIS.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lenses are combined and directly moved for various photographing functions, then AF and OIS functions are achieved, but the size of the optical device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dual-function system where the same wire-driven lens-moving mechanism performs both AF (auto-focusing) and OIS (optical image stabilization) functions. By making the lens assembly movable in multiple directions through the wire actuation system, the device achieves multiple photographing functions without requiring separate mechanisms, thus avoiding size increase.
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
The solution enables accurate and enhanced OIS performance, improving image resolution in peripheral regions and allowing for a smaller camera module size, suitable for use in dual-camera modules without the need for additional cover glass or bulky magnet-based systems.
Implementation Method 1
studies have been conducted on a liquid lens unit, which performs auto-focusing and hand-tremor compensation functions by electrically adjusting the curvature of an interface between two types of liquids
Implementation Method 2
A camera module design that utilizes a liquid lens unit for AF and a wire-driven lens-moving unit for OIS, where the liquid lens unit includes a plate with different liquids and electrodes, and a wire-driving unit that contracts or expands wires to move the lens assembly horizontally
Data Source
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AI summary
A camera module according to an embodiment comprises: a lens assembly for accommodating a liquid lens unit; an image sensor disposed on an optical axis of the liquid lens unit; a lens moving unit disposed on an optical axis between the lens assembly and the image sensor and moving the lens assembly in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the liquid lens unit in response to a horizontal control signal; and a control unit for supplying a driving voltage for driving the liquid lens unit so as to change a focal distance of the optical axis and generating the horizontal control signal. The lens moving unit comprises: a fixed body; a movable body disposed movably in a horizontal direction on the fixed body and including a support surface for supporting the lens assembly; and a plurality of wires each having one end connected to the fixed body and the other end connected to the moving body and capable of contracting or expanding independently of each other so as to move the moving body in the horizontal direction in response to the horizontal control signal.