Miniature camera shutter and filter/aperture
AssigneeFlextronics AP, LLC
InventorLothar Westerweck
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is a miniature camera module for use in miniature camera applications. It is an object of the present invention to provide the miniature camera module with solenoid controlled blades in order to alter the amount and quality of light passing through a conduit disposed on the surface of the module. In some embodiments of the present invention, the blade comprises a shutter to completely block light. In other embodiments, the blade comprises an aperture, a neutral-density filter, a monochromatic filter, and the like. In some embodiments of the present invention, the miniature camera module is positioned within a more elaborate miniature camera chassis.
Claims25
A miniature camera shutter module comprising:
- a. a module frame with a conduit passing therethrough;
- b. a solenoid coupled to the module frame, wherein the solenoid is configured to receive an electric signal for actuating the solenoid;
- c. a pin coupled to the solenoid;
- d. a first axle coupled to the module frame;
- e. a second axle coupled to the module frame;
- f. a first blade with a first guide, wherein the first blade is coupled to the first axle, wherein the first blade is substantially disposed in the same plane as the module frame, wherein the pin extends into the first guide, and wherein the first blade is configured such that the actuation of the solenoid causes the pin to move, causing the first blade to rotate about the first axle and at least partially eclipse the conduit;
- g. a second blade with a second guide, wherein the second blade is coupled to the pin and the second axle, wherein the second blade is substantially disposed in the same plane as the module frame, wherein the pin extends into the second guide, and wherein the second blade is configured such that the actuation of the solenoid causes the pin to move, causing the second blade to rotate about the second axle and at least partially eclipse the conduit, wherein the pin is configured to run substantially parallel to a length of the second guide at a beginning portion of the motion of the pin, whereby the pin effectuates movement of only the first blade during the beginning portion.
A miniature camera shutter module comprising:
- a. a module frame comprising a surface with a channel passing therethrough;
- b. at least one solenoid coupled to the module frame;
- c. at least one pin coupled to the at least one solenoid, wherein the at least one pin is configured to move in the channel upon actuation of the at least one solenoid;
- and
- d. at least two blades coupled to the at least one pin, wherein the at least two blades include a first blade with a first guide and a second blade with a second guide, wherein the first blade and the second blade are positioned such that the first guide is substantially perpendicular to the movement of the pin and the second guide is substantially parallel to the movement of the pin, wherein the at least one pin runs substantially parallel to the length of the second guide at a beginning portion of the motion of the at least one pin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.