Wireless Lens Heating in Camera Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera modules for vehicular applications require complex structures to house electric heaters for lens heating, leading to increased size and potential signal interference, as well as distortion of incident light.
Innovation Solution
A camera module that wirelessly supplies power to a heating element using a transmission coil and reception coil, allowing for efficient lens heating without physical connections, minimizing structural changes and preventing signal interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an electric heater with electric wire is installed on or near the lens to heat the lens, then the lens can be heated to prevent moisture or frost, but the structure becomes complex and larger in size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional electric wire-based heating system with a wireless power transmission system using electromagnetic fields. A transmission coil generates an electromagnetic field that induces current in a reception coil attached to the heater, eliminating the need for electric wires penetrating the lens assembly. This reduces structural complexity while maintaining heating functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reception coil as an intermediary component that converts electromagnetic energy from the transmission coil into electrical current for the heater. This intermediary mechanism allows wireless power transfer without requiring direct electrical connections through the lens structure, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Temperature
If an electric wire is connected to the heater for power supply, then the heater can function, but water-proofing becomes complex and increases device size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for electric wires that would require water-proofing by using wireless electromagnetic power transmission. The transmission coil generates an electromagnetic field that induces current in the reception coil, removing the vulnerability of wire penetrations to moisture and improving reliability in outdoor vehicular environments.
3Temperature
If a heating element is installed on the lens unit, then the lens can be heated, but incident light may be distorted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin-film heating element that can be deposited on the lens surface or adjacent substrate. This thin-film approach minimizes light distortion while maintaining heating effectiveness, as the minimal thickness reduces optical interference compared to bulk heating elements.
4Temperature
If a complex heater structure is installed, then the lens can be heated effectively, but the camera module size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless power transmission system eliminates the need for complex wire routing, connectors, and water-proofing structures, reducing the overall camera module volume. The transmission coil can be integrated into the existing circuit board, and the reception coil is attached directly to the compact heater element, minimizing space requirements.
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
Enables a compact camera module design that maintains clear images by preventing light distortion and reducing signal interference, while efficiently heating the lens.
Implementation Method 1
a transmission coil accommodated inside the housing to be electrically connected to the substrate unit; and a heating element arranged at the lens unit to generate a heat in response to an electromagnetic interaction with the transmission coil
Implementation Method 2
a heating element arranged at the lens unit to generate a heat in response to an electromagnetic interaction with the transmission coil
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a camera module, and the present invention comprises: a lens unit; a lens barrel for fixing the lens unit; a substrate unit, which has an image sensor mounted thereon, for converting light incident through the lens unit into an electric signal; and a housing accommodating the substrate unit in an inner space thereof and of which one side is coupled to the lens barrel, and the present invention can comprise: a transmission coil accommodated inside the housing so as to form an electric field, and a conductive heating element arranged on an outer surface of the lens unit or on an outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel, and in which an induced current is generated by the electric field formed by the transmission coil. Since the present invention heats a lens by wirelessly supplying power to a heating element through simple configurations such as a transmission coil and the heating element, large changes are unnecessary in the volume and the structure of a camera module. In addition, since the heating element of the present invention does not restrict incident light, an image of a subject is not distorted and a clean image can be obtained, and thus the present invention is efficient. In addition, the present invention prevents signal interference with other electronic components or electrical components when power is wirelessly supplied to a heating element, and thus, camera malfunction can be prevented.