Patent · US Active

Camera module with contamination reduction feature

US7983556B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
22References
100Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 2, 2007
Grant dateJul 19, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 14, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/49826
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A novel digital camera module includes an image capture device, a lens unit including a body, a housing including an opening for receiving the lens unit and positioning the lens unit with respect to the image capture device, and a contaminant trap formed by an isolated annular space between the lens unit and the opening of the housing. In a particular embodiment, the opening of the housing includes surfaces having at least two different perimeters, the smaller of which slidably engages the outer surface of the lens unit. The contaminant trap collects and contains any contaminants before they reach vulnerable components such as the image capture device and/or other optical components within the camera module.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.