PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9591215-B1
Application Number: US-201514852336-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Thermally conductive camera enclosure

Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention include devices, systems and methods for using or manufacturing a camera enclosure or mobile device that includes a thermally conductive camera module, such as having a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 watts per meter Kelvin (W/mK), that enhances heat transfer between a stiffener and cap of the enclosure. This allows heat produced by the camera to be conducted forward, away from the bottom of the stiffener, through the stiffener, and to the top of can so that the bottom of the stiffener does not heat to a high temperature, components of the device or an outer surface of a cover of the device near the bottom of the stiffener. This substantially increases the time before or avoids having the temperature of outer surface reach a high temperature, such as one that will be uncomfortable to the user. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A camera assembly comprising:
 a camera enclosure comprising a stiffener and a can; 
 the stiffener having a rear surface and sides extending forward from the rear surface; 
 the can having a front surface, an opening in the front surface, and sides extending rearward from the front surface, the sides of the can being coupled to the sides of the stiffener; 
 a camera located within the camera enclosure, the camera having a front portion comprising a lens; and a rear portion comprising an image sensor; 
 the camera rear portion being coupled to the rear surface of the stiffener; 
 the lens in the camera front portion facing the opening in the front surface of the can; 
 wherein the stiffener is formed of a first Copper alloy material having a yield strength, an elongation, and a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 watts per meter Kelvin (W/mK); and 
 wherein the can is formed of a second Copper alloy material having a yield strength smaller than that of the stiffener, an elongation greater than that of the stiffener, and a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 W/mK. 
 
     
     
       2. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first Copper alloy material is a 1/4 hardened copper alloy material having a minimum yield strength of 600 MPa, and a minimum allowable elongation of 2%; and wherein the second Copper alloy material is a fully hardened copper alloy material having a yield strength of between 450 and 480 MPa, and a minimum allowable elongation of 10%. 
     
     
       3. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sides of the can are coupled to the sides of the stiffener with a thermally conductive coupling having a thermal conductivity that is at least 80 percent of a thermal conductivity of the stiffener or cap to enhance heat transfer away from the sides of the stiffener and to the sides of the can. 
     
     
       4. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffener is formed of a first Copper alloy material in order to enhance heat transfer (1) forward, away from the camera rear portion, and (2) forward, through the stiffener and to the can; and wherein the can is formed of a second Copper alloy material in order to promote heat transfer (1) forward, away from the stiffener through the sides of the can, and (2) forward, from the sides of the can to the front surface of the can. 
     
     
       5. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second Copper alloy materials have a magnetic permittivity of less than 1.1 Henries meter and are physically formable by deep drawing; and wherein the camera enclosure is resistive to compression between the rear surface of the stiffener and the front surface of the can. 
     
     
       6. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sides of the stiffener bend forward from a perimeter of the rear surface of the stiffener and form a front perimeter of the stiffener; and wherein the sides of the can bend rearward from a perimeter of the front surface of the can and form a rear perimeter of the can;
 wherein the stiffener is formed of a first Copper Silicon alloy material that increases heat transfer (1) from the rear portion of the camera to a rear surface of the stiffener, (2) forward, from the rear surface of the stiffener, through the sides of the stiffener, and to the front perimeter of the stiffener, 
 wherein a thermally conductive coupling between the sides of the stiffener and the sides of the can promotes heat transfer from the sides and the front perimeter of the stiffener to the sides and the rear perimeter of the can; and 
 wherein the can is formed of a second Copper Silicon alloy material that promotes heat transfer forward, away from the coupling and the rear perimeter of the can, through the sides of the can and to the front surface of the can. 
 
     
     
       7. A camera enclosure comprising:
 a stiffener and a can; 
 the stiffener having a rear surface and sides extending forward from the rear surface; 
 the can having a front surface, an opening in the front surface, and sides extending rearward from the front surface, the sides of the can coupled to the sides of the stiffener; 
 the rear surface of the stiffener having a location for mounting a camera; 
 a front surface of the can having an opening to extend a front portion of the camera towards; 
 wherein the stiffener is formed of a first Copper alloy material having a minimum yield strength of 600 MPa, a minimum allowable elongation of 2%, and a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 watts per meter Kelvin (W/mK); and 
 wherein the can is formed of a second Copper alloy material having a yield strength of between 400 and 500 MPa, a minimum allowable elongation 10%, and a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 W/mK. 
 
     
     
       8. The enclosure of  claim 7 , wherein the first Copper alloy material is a 1/4 hardened copper alloy material and wherein the second Copper alloy material is a fully hardened copper alloy material having a yield strength of between 450 and 480 MPa. 
     
     
       9. The enclosure of  claim 7 , wherein the stiffener is formed of a first Copper alloy material in order to enhance heat transfer (1) forward, away from the rear surface of the stiffener, and (2) forward, through the stiffener and to the can; and wherein the can is formed of a second Copper alloy material in order to enhance heat transfer (1) forward, away from the stiffener through the sides of the can, and (2) forward, from the sides of the can to the front surface of the can. 
     
     
       10. The enclosure of  claim 7 , wherein the sides of the can are coupled to the sides of the stiffener with a high thermally conductive coupling having a thermal conductivity that is at least 80 percent of a thermal conductivity of the stiffener or cap to enhance heat transfer away from the sides of the stiffener and to the sides of the can. 
     
     
       11. The enclosure of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second Copper alloy materials have a magnetic permittivity of less than 1.1 Henries meter and are physically formable by deep drawing; and wherein the camera enclosure is resistive to compression between the rear surface of the stiffener and the front surface of the can. 
     
     
       12. An electronic device comprising:
 a camera module having a camera enclosure housing a camera; 
 the camera enclosure comprising a stiffener and a can; 
 the stiffener having a rear surface and sides extending forward from the rear surface; 
 the can having a front surface, an opening in the front surface, and sides extending rearward from the front surface, the sides of the can coupled to the sides of the stiffener; 
 the camera having a front portion comprising a lens; and a rear portion comprising an image sensor; 
 the camera rear portion coupled to the rear surface of the stiffener; 
 the lens in the camera front portion facing the opening in the front surface of the can; 
 the front surface of the can coupled to a rear cover of the electronic device; 
 the rear surface of the stiffener coupled to an inner surface of a front cover of the electronic device; 
 wherein the stiffener is formed of a first Copper alloy material having a yield strength, an elongation, and a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 watts per meter Kelvin (W/mK); and 
 wherein the can is formed of a second Copper alloy material having a yield strength smaller than that of the stiffener, an elongation greater than that of the stiffener, and a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 W/mK. 
 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 12 , wherein the sides of the can are coupled to the sides of the stiffener with a high thermally conductive coupling having a thermal conductivity that is at least 80 percent of a thermal conductivity of the stiffener or cap to enhance heat transfer away from the sides of the stiffener and to the sides of the can. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 12 , wherein the stiffener is formed of a first Copper alloy material in order to enhance heat transfer (1) forward, away from the camera rear portion and the front cover, and (2) forward, through the stiffener and to the can; and wherein the can is formed of a second Copper alloy material in order to enhance heat transfer (1) forward, away from the stiffener and through the sides of the can, and (2) forward, from the sides of the can to the front surface of the can and the inner surface of the rear cover. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 12 , wherein the rear surface of the stiffener is attached to a flexible board or a flexible ribbon of the electronic device. 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 12 , wherein the sides of the stiffener bend forward from a perimeter of the rear surface of the stiffener and form a front perimeter of the stiffener; and wherein the sides of the can bend rearward from a perimeter of the front surface of the can and form a rear perimeter of the can;
 wherein the stiffener is formed of a first Copper Silicon alloy material that increases heat transfer (1) forward, away from the front cover of the device, (2) rearward, from the rear portion of the camera to the rear surface of the stiffener, and (3) forward, from the rear surface of the stiffener, through the sides of the stiffener, and to the front perimeter of the stiffener; 
 wherein a high thermally conductive coupling between the sides of the stiffener and the sides of the can promotes heat transfer from the sides and the front perimeter of the stiffener to the sides and the rear perimeter of the can; and 
 wherein the can is formed of a second Copper Silicon alloy material that promotes heat transfer (1) forward, away from the coupling and the rear perimeter of the can, through the sides of the can and to the front surface of the can, and (2) forward, from the front surface of the can to the rear cover of the device. 
 
     
     
       17. A method of forming a camera module comprising:
 mounting a camera on a stiffener of a Copper alloy material having a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 watts per meter Kelvin (W/mK); and 
 forming a thermally conductive coupling between sides of the stiffener and sides of a cap, to enclose the camera in a thermally conductive camera module, wherein the cap is formed of a Copper alloy material having a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 W/mK, a yield strength smaller than that of the stiffener, and an elongation greater than that of the stiffener. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the stiffener is formed of a first Copper alloy material having a high yield strength, a low elongation, and a high thermal conductivity in order to enhance heat transfer forward, away from a rear portion of the camera, through the stiffener and to the can; and
 wherein the can is formed of a second Copper alloy material having a medium yield strength, a medium elongation, and a high thermal conductivity in order to enhance heat transfer (1) forward, away from the stiffener through the sides of the can, and (2) forward, from the sides of the can to the front surface of the can. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the high thermally conductive coupling has a thermal conductivity that is at least 80 percent of a thermal conductivity of the stiffener or cap to enhance heat transfer away from the sides of the stiffener and to the sides of the can. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 17 , further comprising, prior to mounting the camera:
 selecting at least one highly thermally conductive Copper alloy material to form the stiffener and cap; then 
 forming at least one sheet of the selected at least one highly thermally conductive Copper alloy material; then 
 forming the stiffener and the cap from the at least one sheet. 
 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 17 , further comprising, after forming a thermally conductive coupling, mounting the camera module in an electronic device. 
     
     
       22. A camera module comprising:
 a camera enclosure comprising a stiffener and a can; 
 the stiffener having a rear surface and sides extending forward from the rear surface; 
 the can having a front surface, an opening in the front surface, and sides extending rearward from the front surface, the sides of the can being coupled to the sides of the stiffener; 
 a camera located within the camera enclosure, the camera having a front portion comprising a lens; and a rear portion comprising an image sensor; 
 the camera rear portion being coupled to the rear surface of the stiffener; 
 the lens in the camera front portion facing the opening in the front surface of the can; 
 wherein the stiffener is formed of NKC4419-1/4H having a high yield strength, a low elongation, and a thermal conductivity of 260 watts per meter Kelvin (W/mK); and 
 wherein the can is formed of NKC4419-H having a medium yield strength, a medium elongation, and a thermal conductivity of 260 W/mK.

Description:
FIELD 
     An embodiment of the invention is related to a technique for managing thermal or power dissipation concerns in a camera enclosure that has a rear portion which heats a surface or cover of the electronic device in which the camera module is mounted to exceed a given temperature. Other embodiments are also described. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Currently, a wide range of portable consumer electronics (e.g., mobile electronic devices) that are not dedicated to still or video imaging provide increasingly important imaging capabilities. These portable consumer electronics may include, for example, smart phones, laptops, notebooks, tablet computers, and camcorders. These portable consumer electronics are often constrained in both x-y area and z-height or thickness such that the camera included therein must be designed to meet the sizing constraints while providing adequate still and video image quality. Such a camera may be mounted in a module (or assembly) referred to as a “micro” camera module. The micro camera module may have a camera enclosure housing a camera with a front portion having a lens oriented towards a front opening in a front portion of the enclosure through which the camera takes images. The opening may be covered by a transparent camera cover. 
     Typically, a camera module in a portable consumer electronic device includes heat generating components such as an image sensor and one or more motor drivers for voice coil motors. These components may be mounted on or close to the rear portion of the camera module. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments described herein are devices, systems and methods for improving the handling of power dissipation in a camera module, such as by using a camera module that has a highly thermally conductive camera enclosure to increase the amount of heat (e.g., “thermal energy”) that is transferred from the rear portion of the camera enclosure where the camera which is creating heat is mounted, to the front portion of the enclosure. By transferring the heat, a surface of a device in which the module is mounted, that is near the rear portion, will not reach or will take substantially longer to reach a high temperature. That is, more heat is transferred forward to the front portion of the enclosure; and less heat is transferred rearward from the bottom of the enclosure and towards the surface of the device. 
     Some embodiments of the invention include a camera module of a portable (e.g., mobile) electronic device having a camera enclosure with a “stiffener” or rear housing upon which a camera is mounted and a “can” or front housing having an opening through which the camera takes images. Sides of a lower portion of the can are attached to sides of an upper portion of the stiffener. The stiffener and can are formed of one or more materials that not only meet the other requirements for the enclosure (e.g., physical requirements such as yield strength and elongation thresholds) but are also highly thermally conductive materials, such as by having a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 watts per meter Kelvin (W/mK). Due to the high thermal conductivity of the materials, heat produced at the bottom of the camera is conducted forward, through the stiffener and towards the top of the can so that the bottom of the stiffener does not heat to, or takes substantially longer to heat to, a “high” temperature, components of the device or a surface of the device near the bottom of the stiffener, such as during use of the camera. This avoids components of the camera or device exceeding a given temperature, at which they may become damaged; or the outer surface exceeding a given temperature at which it may become uncomfortable when placed against the user&#39;s skin. This can be especially important in smaller portable consumer electronic devices having a high density of electronic circuitry, such as smart phones. 
     The above summary does not include an exhaustive list of all aspects of the present invention. It is contemplated that the invention includes all systems and methods that can be practiced from all suitable combinations of the various aspects summarized above, as well as those disclosed in the Detailed Description below and particularly pointed out in the claims filed with the application. Such combinations have particular advantages not specifically recited in the above summary. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment of the invention in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and they mean at least one. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates one example of a portable consumer electronic device that is constrained in size and thickness and typically uses “micro” camera modules in which embodiments of the invention may be implemented. 
         FIG. 2A  shows a side cross-sectional view of embodiments of portions of a camera module with a highly thermally conductive camera enclosure. 
         FIG. 2B  shows a side cross-sectional view of embodiments of a portion of an electronic device having a camera module with a highly thermally conductive camera enclosure. 
         FIG. 3  shows a plot of temperature of a front cover of two electronic devices versus time for embodiments of a camera module having different thermally conductive camera enclosures. 
         FIG. 4A  shows a top perspective view of embodiments of a camera module having a highly thermally conductive camera enclosure. 
         FIG. 4B  shows a bottom perspective view of embodiments of a camera module having a highly thermally conductive camera enclosure. 
         FIG. 5  shows a flow diagram of an example process for manufacturing a micro camera module or mobile device that includes embodiments a camera module having a highly thermally conductive camera enclosure. 
         FIG. 6  depicts instances of portable consumer electronics devices in which embodiments of the invention may be implemented. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Several embodiments of the invention with reference to the appended drawings are now explained. Whenever the shapes, relative positions and other aspects of the parts described in the embodiments are not clearly defined, the scope of the invention is not limited only to the parts shown, which are meant merely for the purpose of illustration. Also, while numerous details are set forth, it is understood that some embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this description. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates one example of a portable consumer electronic device (or “mobile device”)  1  that may be constrained in size and thickness and typically uses one or more camera modules (such as camera module  4 ) in which embodiments of the invention may be implemented. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the mobile device  1  may be a mobile telephone communications device or a smartphone such as an iPhone™ device, from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. The mobile device  1  may also be a tablet computer such as an iPad™ device, a personal digital media player such an iPod™ device or a notebook computer such as a MacBook Air™ device, which are all from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. (e.g., also see  FIG. 6 ). The device housing  2  (also referred to as the external housing) encloses a plurality of electronic components of the device  1  and may have a number of openings through the housing and covers over portions of the housing. 
     Housing  2  includes front cover  5  forming a front of the device and rear cover  6  forming a rear of the device. The front cover may include user touch screen  7  for receiving user inputs, displaying information and displaying images. Housing  2  encloses camera module  4  having a camera front portion with camera cover  3  (e.g., a transparent or clear plastic or glass cover) that may be located on or be part of rear cover  6 . It is worth noting that for “rear facing” camera module  4  (e.g., module  4  as shown, which takes images of what is beyond or behind the rear outer surface of rear cover  6  of device  1 ), the rear of module  4  is facing (e.g., oriented or disposed) towards the front of device  1 ; while the front of module  4  is facing towards the rear of device  1 . 
     It is considered that module  4  may be located at different locations or have different orientations than that shown in  FIG. 1 . For example, module  4  may be located at (and have cover  3  on) a different location along the rear cover  6  or may be located on front cover  5 . In some cases, device  1  many include two or more of module  4 . In some cases, two of module  4  may be oriented so that one of their covers is located on rear cover  6  and the other is located on front cover  5  of device, such as to provide cameras to take images to the rear and to the front of device  1 . It can be appreciated that descriptions herein with respect to “rear facing” module  4  (e.g., as shown) can apply to camera module(s)  4  at these other locations. 
     Device  1  may also include electronic components such as a processor, a data storage containing an operating system and application software for execution by the processor, a display panel, an image processor for processing images created by module  4  and a camera control processor for providing control signals to sensors, motors, etc. of module  4  (e.g., through flex board  16  described herein). While  FIG. 1  illustrates a mobile device  1 , it is understood that embodiments of the invention may also be implemented in a non-mobile device such as a compact desktop computer such as an iMac™, from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. 
     The camera module  4  possesses inherent limitations, such as due to its reduced size in the case of a micro camera. These limitations are of special concern when considering maximum use or image rate metrics (e.g., during repetitive, rapid shot or video imaging). In a typical hand held or portable electronic device design, such as device  1 , the camera cooling response is space-limited and the components of the device may be temperature-limited. Due such limitations, components of module  4  may create an amount of heat that causes certain components of the camera or of the device exceed the given (e.g., a “high” or desired) temperature, i.e., become too hot during camera use. In some case, there is a maximum temperature that surfaces of cover  5  or  6  of the device increase to before they become a “high” temperature, such as by being at a high enough temperature to be uncomfortable to the user, especially when placed against the user&#39;s skin; or to create a “hot spot” on a surface of the device. A high temperature may also be a temperature which would damage cover  5  or  6 ; or material upon which the cover or device set or sitting. A high temperature may also be a temperature, which would cause components of the camera or device to become damaged. 
     In some cases, for a “rear facing” camera module, the image sensor of the camera is at the rear portion of the camera module  4  and is located adjacent to the product front cover  5  (e.g., front glass or touch screen). Higher megapixel image sensors dissipate more thermal energy (e.g., “heat”), leading to increased temperature at the image sensor during use, including additional increases during rapid shot use. Some cameras may also employ Video imaging and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) modes, which dissipate additional thermal energy at the motor drivers for voice coil motors during use. These drivers may also be located at the rear portion of the camera module  4 . Consequently, these thermal energies may be thermally conducted rearward, through the bottom (e.g., back of the rear portion) of the module and into the front cover  5 , thus heating cover  5  to a “high” temperature. 
     One strategy for addressing these (e.g., “high”) temperature limitations is to implement a camera module (e.g., module  4 ) having a high (e.g., highly) thermally conductive camera enclosure, such as an enclosure that includes or is formed of at least one highly thermally conductive material (e.g., enclosure  10  herein). In some embodiments, camera module  4  includes a camera housing or enclosure of a high thermally conductive material, such as a material having a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 watts per meter Kelvin (W/mK), so that heat produced at the bottom of camera module  4  (such as during use of the camera) is conducted forward, away from the bottom of the enclosure and towards the top of the enclosure. This may prevent the bottom (e.g., rear portion) of module  4  from heating to a high temperature, components of device  1  or a surface of front cover  5  near or touching the bottom of module  4 , by conducting heat rearward in the device (e.g., forward, away from the bottom of module  4 ). That is, more heat is transferred forward through and to the front portion of the module; and less heat is transferred rearward from the bottom of the module and towards cover  5 . 
       FIG. 2A  shows a side cross-sectional view of embodiments of portions of camera module  4  with a thermally conductive camera enclosure  10 .  FIG. 2A  shows camera module (e.g., assembly)  4  including camera enclosure  10  that is or has (1) rear housing or “stiffener”  11 ; and (2) front housing or “can”  12 . Can  12  has front can opening  13  in can front surface  29 , through which camera  20  can take images (e.g., still or video images). Opening  13  or the front of module  4  may be covered by camera cover  3  (e.g., not shown in  FIG. 2A , but shown in  FIGS. 1, 2B and 6 ). Enclosure  10  may have at least one dimension that is smaller than 20 millimeters (mm). In some cases, enclosure  10  has a width W of between 5 and 15 mm; a length L of between 4 and 15 mm; and/or a height H of between 2 and 11 mm (e.g., see  FIG. 4B ). 
       FIG. 2A  shows module  4  oriented with front portion  21  facing (e.g., extending, disposed or oriented) towards front direction F; and rear portion  23  facing towards rear direction R. Module  4  oriented with front portion  21  facing towards front direction F; and rear portion  23  facing towards rear direction R. 
     Stiffener  11  is shown having sides SS extending forward from rear surface  28 , such as to front perimeter  8 . Sides SS may extend between or connect surface  28  and perimeter  8 . Rear surface  28  may be a lower or bottom surface of stiffener  11 . Sides SS may be attached to or bend up from surface  28 . In some cases, side SS bend forward from a perimeter of rear surface  28  of the stiffener and form perimeter  8 . A top view of stiffener  11  may show surface  28  having a shape and area; and sides SS extending upwards from surface  28  to enclose on all sides, a volume above the area. Perimeter  8  may be or include upper, front or top portions of sides SS. In some cases, perimeter  8  may be a perimeter having the same shape as the perimeter of the area of surface  28 . In some cases, the shape of perimeter  8  is different that than of shape of perimeter of the area of surface  28 . 
     Can  12  is shown having opening  13  in surface  2 , and sides SC extending rearward from surface  29 , such as to rear perimeter. Sides SC may extend between or connect surface  29  and perimeter  9 . Front surface  29  may be an upper to top surface of can  12 . Sides SC may be attached to or bend down from surface  29 . In some cases, side SC bend rearward from a perimeter of front surface  29  of the can and form perimeter  9 . Perimeter  9  may be or include lower, rear or bottom portions of sides SC. A top view of can  12  may show surface  29  having a shape and area; and sides SC extending downwards from surface  29  to enclose on all sides, a volume below the area. In some cases, perimeter  9  may be a perimeter having the same shape as the perimeter of the area of surface  29 . In some cases, the shape of perimeter  9  is different that than of shape of perimeter of the area of surface  29 . Additional descriptions of embodiments of perimeters  8  and  9  are provided further below. 
     In  FIG. 2A , sides SS are shown having inner surface  18  attached to (e.g., physically coupled to by coupling  22 , or touching) outer surface  19  of sides SC. It can be appreciated, that in other cases, sides SS may have an outer surface attached to (e.g., physically coupled to or touching) an inner surface sides SC. In some cases, the attachment is or forms coupling  22 . 
       FIG. 2A  shows camera  20  located within the camera enclosure  10 , having a front portion with lens LE, and a rear portion with comprising an image sensor  24 . Camera  20  also includes optics and electronics  17 . Flex board  16  is shown coupled to the back of rear surface  28  of stiffener  11 . Electronic and optical paths P (e.g., electronic wires, conductive paths or connections; and optical fibers or connections) are shown connecting Electronic and optical paths of board  16  to those of camera  20 . The camera rear portion is coupled to rear surface  28  of the stiffener and the camera front portion extends towards opening  13  in the front surface  29  of the can. 
       FIG. 2B  shows a side cross-sectional view of embodiments of a portion of electronic device  1  having camera module  4  with a thermally conductive camera enclosure  10 .  FIG. 2B  shows module  4  including camera enclosure  10 , stiffener  11  and can  12  with front can opening  13 . Opening  13  or the front of module  4  is shown covered by camera cover  3 . In some cases, cover  3  is a transparent plastic or glass through which camera  20  takes images. 
     In some cases, stiffener  11  provides a bottom or lower housing upon which to mount the camera and/or a “flex cable” (e.g., a flexible cable or flex board  16  having electronic wires, optical paths, and/or signal lines) attached to the camera (e.g., see  FIGS. 4A-B ). It may function as a “stiffener” below the flex cable (e.g., and prior to coupling the can to the stiffener). In some cases, stiffener  11  (e.g., rear surface  28  and sides SS) provides electromagnetic (EM) shield for the camera (e.g., to shield other components of device  1  from EM fields produced by operation of camera  20 ), provides structural support for flexible board/cable  16 , acts as a reinforced module for the camera, provides additional stiffness with the flex for the camera, reduces delamination between the flex and the camera, and/or provides support for handling the camera (e.g., during assembly of device  1 ). In some cases, can  12  (e.g., front surface  29  and sides SC) provides a top or upper housing to hold the camera between the top of the can (e.g., front surface  29 ) and the bottom of the stiffener (e.g., rear surface  28 ) or the top of cable  16  (e.g., see  FIGS. 4A-B ). 
     According to embodiments, stiffener  11  is attached to or coupled to can  12 . In some cases the attachment is of sides SS to SC; surface  19  to  18 ; or stiffener  11  to can  12 . In some cases, sides SC of can  12  are attached or coupled to sides SS of stiffener  11 . This may optionally include attaching rear perimeter  9  to sides SS and front perimeter  8  to sides SC. In some cases, surface  19  of can  12  is attached to surface  18  of stiffener  11 . In some cases there may be other components between surfaces  19  and  18 . In some cases, the attachment is of the upper part of the stiffener to the lower part of the can. In either case, there may be an embodiment of stiffener  11  that does not have or excludes side surfaces SS, and perimeter  8  of the can is directly attached or coupled by coupling  22  to the top of surface  28 . 
     The attachment of the stiffener to the can may include or represent high thermally conductive coupling  22  that conducts heat between the stiffener (e.g., from sides SS or surface  18 ) and the can (e.g., to sides SC or surface  19 ). In some cases, this attachment is a high thermally conductive coupling  22  that conducts heat from the stiffener (e.g., from sides SS or surface  18 ) to the can (e.g., to sides SC or surface  19 ) in the forward direction. This conduction or transfer may occur during or over a period of time when the stiffener is heated to a temperature higher than that of the can, which may be during use of camera. 
     In some cases, the attachment region between the stiffener and can is or has relatively low thermal conductance (e.g., where sides SC of can  12  are attached or coupled to sides SS). However since the contribution to the total conductance by the attachment region between them is small, it has a relatively negligible effect on the total thermal conductance between the stiffener and can (e.g., between sides SC and sides SS). In some cases, the individual component thermal conductance is (k*A/L), where k is the thermal conductance (e.g., a thermal conductivity constant or measure) of the component; A is the area across which the conductance occurs; and L is the length in the direction of conductance (e.g., forward). For the attachment region between the stiffener and can, k may be the thermal conductivity of the attachment region (e.g., such as k of an adhesive between sides SS and SC); A may be the area across the attachment region (e.g., the area defined in directions H×L and H×W shown in  FIG. 4A-B  of the overlap of surfaces of sides SC with sides SS; or an adhesive between those surfaces); and L is the length of the direction of conductance in the attachment region (e.g., the length sideways defined in directions from the stiffener side (e.g., surface  18 ) through the attachment (e.g., adhesive) and to the can side (e.g., surface  19 )). That is, the attachment region conduction direction L may be 90-degrees to directions H×L and H×W shown in  FIG. 4A-B . 
     In this case, although “k” may be low for the attachment region between the stiffener and can, L is very small compared to the stiffener and can length (e.g. compared to height H shown in  FIG. 4A-B ). Thus, one benefit of having a high thermally conductive can and stiffener material provides a large thermal benefit to transfer thermal energy from the stiffener (e.g., sides SS), forward, towards the can (e.g., to sides SC), and eventually to the product rear (e.g., to surface  29  or cover  6 ), regardless of whether “k” (e.g., the thermal conductance) is low for the attachment region between the stiffener and can. In some cases, k for the attachment region is low, medium or high thermal conductance (e.g., it does not matter since the overall thermal conductance for coupling  22  is high due to A and L). In some cases, k for the attachment region is low. In some cases it is medium or low thermal conductance. 
     In some cases, the attachment region between the stiffener and can is an adhesive at that interface or between opposing surfaces (e.g., surfaces  18  and  19 ) of sides SS and SC that has a k as noted above. In some cases, the attachment region is an adhesive, an adhesive tape, a glue, a bond, a mechanical mating (e.g., friction mating), an anchoring, a solder, weld, an indexing, “snap” attachment, or other attachment sides SS to SC; surface  19  to  18 ; or stiffener  11  to can  12 . In some cases, the attachment region is a known attachment for such a can and stiffener. 
     In some cases, coupling  22  includes or provides a high thermally conductive attachment between the can (e.g., sides SC, and optionally perimeter  9 ) and the stiffener (e.g., sides SS, and optionally perimeter  8 ). In some case, the thermal conductivity of coupling  22  is at least as great as the thermal conductivity of the material of the can or of the stiffener. In some case, the thermal conductivity of coupling  22  is within 5 or 10 percent of the thermal conductivity of the material of the can or of the stiffener. In some case, the thermal conductivity of coupling  22  is between 70 and 90 percent of the thermal conductivity of the material of the can or of the stiffener. In some case, the thermal conductivity of the coupling  22  (or the attachment) of sides SC (e.g., the lower portion) of the can to sides SS (e.g., the upper portion) of the stiffener has a conductivity at least 80 percent of the conductivity of the stiffener or of the cap to enhance (or promote) heat transfer away from sides SS of the stiffener and to sides SC of the can. In some cases, coupling  22  has a minimum thermal conductivity of 160 W/mK. In some cases, coupling  22  has a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 W/mK. 
       FIG. 2B  shows camera  20  located (e.g., mounted or disposed) within the camera enclosure  10 , and has camera front portion  21  with lens LE. Portion  21  (and lens LE) are shown extending through opening  13 . In some cases, portion  21  (and lens LE) are do not extend through opening  13 , but are oriented (e.g., disposed or facing) towards opening  13 . 
     Camera  20  has camera rear portion  23  with image sensor  24  and motor driver  25 . In some cases, portion  23  does not include driver  25 . In some cases portion  23  includes more than one driver  25 . In some case, driver  25  represents one or more motor drivers for voice coil motor coils of the camera. 
     Rear portion  23  of the camera is coupled to or is directly attached (e.g., touching) stiffener  11 . In some cases a lower (e.g., rear or bottom) surface of portion  23  is directly attached to an upper (e.g., front or top) surface of rear surface  28  of stiffener  11 . In some cases, the attachment includes or provides a high thermally conductive attachment between rear potion  23  and stiffener  11  (or surface  28 ), such as described for the high thermally conductive attachment between can  12  and stiffener  11 . In some cases, flex board  16  is between portion  23  and stiffener  11  (or surface  28 ) (e.g., see  FIGS. 4A-B ). 
     This attachment may be made using adhesive, glue, bonding, soldering, welding, indexing, “snap” attachment, or other known attachment for such a can and stiffener. In some cases, the attachment is glued using a known adhesive or attachment for attaching a camera to a housing or stiffener. 
     Front surface  29  (e.g., front of can  12 ), lens LE and opening  13  are shown oriented towards an inner surface of rear cover  6 . According to embodiments, front surface  29  or module front portion  21  are oriented towards, coupled to, or attached directly to an inside surface of rear outer cover  6  of device  1 . In some cases, camera front portion  21  is coupled to or directly attached to the inner surface of rear cover  6 . In some cases, surface  29  is coupled or directly attached to the inner surface of rear cover  6 . In each of these cases, the attachment may include or provide a high thermally conductive attachment between potion  21  or surface  29  and the inner surface of rear cover  6 , such as described for the high thermally conductive attachment between can  12  and stiffener  11 . 
     In some cases, front portion  21  or surface  29  are free standing, not mounted or not directly attached to an inside surface of rear outer cover  6 . They may be attached to another component of device  1 , but heat may still be transferred forward, away from stiffener  11  and/or to cover  6  as described herein due to use of materials described herein for enclosure  10  to avoid creating a high temperature at cover  5 . This transfer may occur during or over a period of time when the stiffener is heated to a temperature higher than that of the can, which may be during use of camera. 
     Rear surface  28  (e.g., rear, bottom or lower surface of stiffener  11 ) is shown mounted on or attached to a top surface of flex board  16 . In some cases, part of board  16  is disposed above surface  28  of stiffener  11 , instead of being below the stiffener (e.g., below surface  28 ) (e.g., see  FIGS. 4A-B ). In these cases, part of board  16  may be coupled to or directly attached to a top surface of surface  28 . Flex board  16  may represent a flexible cable, circuit board, electronic “ribbon” cable, and the like upon which module  4  may be mounted. It may provide electronic (and optionally optical) signals to and from module  4  (e.g., from a processor of device  1 ). It may also provide physical support for module  4 . In other cases, board  16  may not exist and the signals may be provided by other structure. In each of these cases, surface  28  (e.g., rear of stiffener  11 ) and flex board  16  (if it exists) are shown oriented towards an inner surface of front cover  5 . In some cases, surface  28  (e.g., rear of stiffener  11 ) or flex board  16  (if it is below stiffener  11 ) are located adjacent to (e.g., within 1 or 2 millimeter (mm) above) or are touching an inner surface of front cover  5 . 
     According to embodiments, surface  28  or module rear portion  23  are oriented towards, coupled to, or attached directly to an inside surface (possibly through board  16 ) of front outer cover  5  of device  1 . In some cases, board  16  is coupled to or directly attached to the inner surface of front cover  5 . In some cases, surface  28  is coupled or directly attached to the inner surface of front cover  5 . In each of these cases, the attachment may include or provide a high thermally conductive attachment between board  16  or surface  28  and the inner surface of front cover  5 , such as described for the high thermally conductive attachment between can  12  and stiffener  11 . 
     In some cases, surface  28  or board  16  are free standing, not mounted or not directly attached to an inside surface of front outer cover  5 . They may be attached to another component of device  1 , but heat may still be transferred forward, away from cover  5  as described herein due to use of materials described herein for enclosure  10  to avoid creating a high temperature at cover  5 . This transfer may occur during or over a period of time when the stiffener is heated to a temperature higher than that of the can, which may be during use of camera. 
       FIG. 2B  shows high heat  27  radiating from front surface  15  of cover  5 . It also shows rear surface  14  of cover  6 . It shows heat transfer  26  in a forward direction (e.g., towards front F of module  4 ) from cover  5  towards cover  6 . Transfer  26  may be a transfer forward, away from surface  28  or stiffener  11  and towards surface  29  or can  12 . In some embodiments, camera module  4  includes camera housing or enclosure  10  of a high thermally conductive material (and optionally having coupling  22 ) so that heat produced at rear portion  23  of camera  20  is conducted through the rear surface  28  of the enclosure and towards the front surface  29  of the enclosure  10 , so that the bottom of module  4  does not heat to, or takes substantially longer in time to heat to a high temperature, components of device  1  or surface  15  of front cover  5  near the bottom of module  4 . This may be because transfer  26  causes more heat to be transferred forward towards surface  29 ; and less heat to be transferred rearward toward cover  5  or heat  27 . These transfers may occur during a period of time when the stiffener is heated to a temperature higher than that of the can, which may be during use of camera  20 . 
     In some cases, stiffener  11  and can  12  are formed of materials that not only meet the other (e.g., structural) requirements for enclosure  10  (e.g., yield strength and elongation thresholds) but are also highly thermally conductive materials, such as materials having a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 watts per meter Kelvin (W/mK). In some cases, stiffener  11  and can  12  are the same highly thermally conductive material. In some cases, stiffener  11  and can  12  are different highly thermally conductive materials. 
     Due to the high thermally conductivity of the material(s), heat produced at the bottom of the camera  20  (e.g., at portion  23 ) is conducted forward (e.g., frontwards or towards Front F) (e.g., see transfer  26 ) away from surface  28 , through stiffener  11 , and towards surface  29  at the top of can  12  so that surface  28  at bottom of the stiffener  11  does not heat to a high temperature, components of device  1  or surface  15  near the bottom of the stiffener. This may include heat being conducted forward (e.g., see transfer  26 ), away from surface  28 , through sides SS to perimeter  8 ; from sides SS through coupling  22  to sides SC; and through sides SC to surface  29 . In some cases, one or more high thermally conductive materials are used to form the stiffener and cap, thus, enhancing heat transfer (1) forward, away from the camera rear portion; (2) forward, through the stiffener (e.g., through surface  28  and sides SS) and to the can (e.g., to sides SC, such as through coupling  2 ); (3) forward, away from the stiffener (e.g., away from sides SC) through sides SC of the can; and (4) forward, from the sides of the can SC to the front surface  29  of the can. Thus, selecting one or more high thermally conductive materials to be used to form the stiffener and cap increases (e.g., enhances or promotes) the amount of heat transferred from surface  28  or the rear portion of enclosure  10  to surface  29  or the front portion of enclosure  10  where the transferred heat  26  may not create a high temperature or may be more efficiently distributed (e.g., across cover  6 ). 
     This transfer may cause the thermal energy to be more evenly or homogenously distributed through components and covers of device  1 . In some cases it may cause more or most of the transferred thermal energy  26  to be distributed to rear cover  6  of the device (e.g., instead of to front cover  5 ). By transferring the heat  26 , front surface  15  that is near the rear portion of the camera module will not reach or will take substantially longer to reach a high temperature. These transfers may occur during a period of time when the stiffener is heated to a temperature higher than that of the can, which may be during use of camera  20 . 
     According to some embodiments, enclosure materials for cap  12  and stiffener  11  are selected to have a substantially higher thermal conductivity than for materials having low or medium conductivity as noted below. In some cases, manufacturability and structural integrity may also be a factor in the selection of the materials. In some cases, the materials are selected to not only meet the other requirements for the enclosure (e.g., yield strength and elongation thresholds) but to also be highly thermally conductive materials. In some cases, the materials are selected (1) to have a substantially higher (e.g., between 8 and 12 times higher) thermal conductivity than for materials having low or medium conductivity as noted below; (2) to be capable of being folded (e.g., bent) and deep drawn to the requirements for forming the shape of the cap and stiffener; and (3) to have a proven structural integrity to survive reliability testing (e.g., such as by enclosure  10  of the material surviving a selected compressive load test without excessive deformation). In some cases, the materials are selected to maintain the structural load requirements (e.g., having material strength—e.g., yield strength of at least 450 MPa) of enclosure  10 , such as during pinch, squeeze in pressure, and drawing (e.g., deep drawing). This may include having load requirements during impact of device such as onto a floor or surface if device  1  is dropped by a user. In some cases, any two, three or more of the above cases (e.g., sentences) are combined. 
     According to some embodiments, the stiffener is formed of a first Copper alloy material having a high yield strength, a low elongation, and a high thermal conductivity, such as a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 watts per meter Kelvin (W/mK), in order to enhance (or promote) heat transfer (1) forward, away from the camera rear portion, and (2) forward, through the stiffener and to the can. In some cases, sides SS, rear surface  28  and front perimeter  8  are formed of the same material. In some cases, they are different materials but have the same yield strength, elongation, and thermal conductivity. In some cases, they are different materials but have each of a yield strength, elongation, and thermal conductivity within 15 percent of each other. In some cases, they are different materials but have each of yield strength, elongation, and thermal conductivity within 10 percent of those listed above. In some cases, they are different materials but each have thermal conductivity within 10 percent of that listed above. 
     According to some embodiments, the can is formed of a second Copper alloy material having a medium yield strength, a medium elongation, and a high thermal conductivity, such as a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 watts per meter Kelvin (W/mK), in order to enhance heat transfer away from the stiffener to a lower (e.g., rear) portion of the can; and from the lower (e.g., rear) portion of the can to the upper portion of the can. This may include enhancing heat transfer (1) forward, away from the stiffener through the sides of the can, and (2) forward, from the sides of the can to the front surface of the can. These transfers may occur during a period of time when the stiffener is heated to a temperature higher than that of the can, which may be during use of camera  20 . 
     In some cases, sides SC, front surface  29  and rear perimeter  9  formed of the same material. In some cases, they are different materials but have the same yield strength, elongation, and thermal conductivity. In some cases, they are different materials but have each of a yield strength, elongation, and thermal conductivity within 15 percent of each other. In some cases, they are different materials but have each of yield strength, elongation, and thermal conductivity within 10 percent of those listed above. In some cases, they are different materials but each have thermal conductivity within 10 percent of that listed above. In some cases, embodiments of this paragraph and the paragraph above (e.g., sentences) are combined. 
     In some cases, the stiffener is formed of a Copper alloy (e.g., known as “NKC4419-1/4H” or “C64800” and having a thermal conductivity of k=260 W/m-K). In some cases, this material is considered to have a high yield strength and a low elongation. In some cases, the can is formed of a Copper alloy (e.g., known as “NKC4419-H” and having a thermal conductivity of k=260 W/m-K). In some cases, this material is considered to have a medium yield strength and a medium elongation. In some cases, this material is considered to have a lower yield strength, and a higher elongation than the material noted above for the stiffener. It can be appreciated that copper alloy NKC4419 (1/4H or H) has substantially higher thermal conductivity than “US305” (e.g., 260 v. 16 W/m-K), and it can be folded and deep drawn to the requirements and has proven structural integrity to survive reliability testing for enclosure  10 . In some cases, the above materials are considered to be high thermally conductive materials. 
     In some cases, the can is made (e.g., completely) of a material (once formed into the can) having a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 watts per meter Kelvin (W/mK), a yield strength of between 450 and 500 megapascal (MPa), and a minimum allowable elongation of 10% (e.g., a percent of the length of the material that the material may be pulled before it shatters or permanently deforms). In some cases, the can material is a fully hardened copper alloy material having the thermal conductivity and elongation characteristics above. In some cases, the stiffener is made (e.g., completely) of a material (once formed into the stiffener) having a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 W/mK, a minimum yield strength of 600 MPa, and a minimum allowable elongation of 2%. In some cases, the stiffener material is a fully hardened copper alloy material having these thermal conductivity, yield strength and elongation characteristics. In some cases, any two, three or four of the above cases (e.g., descriptions in the above sentences) are combined. 
     In some cases, the can material is a copper alloy including (1) copper silver and silicon; (2) Copper 97.66% Cobalt 1.9% and Silicon 0.44%; (3) Chromium 0.09% Phosphorus 0.5% Cobalt 1-3.0% and Copper rest %; or (4) a 1/4 hardened copper cobalt silicon alloy. In some cases, the stiffener material a copper alloy including (1) copper silver and silicon; (2) Copper 97.66% Cobalt 1.9% and Silicon 0.44%; (3) Chromium 0.09% Phosphorus 0.5% Cobalt 1-3.0% and Copper rest %; or (4) a fully hardened copper cobalt silicon alloy. In some cases, the two above cases (e.g., sentences) are combined. In some cases, the above materials are considered to be high thermally conductive materials. 
     In some embodiments, the material of stiffener  11  and cap  12  are or includes a non-ferromagnetic or a non-ferrous material. In some cases, the stiffener and can are each materials that have a “Low” magnetic permittivity, such as one of less than 1.1 Henries meter. In some cases the permittivity is less than 1.5 Henries meter. In some cases, it is less than 2.5 Henries meter. 
     In some cases, the stiffener and can are each made of materials that are easily physically formable, such as by folding, drawing, deep drawing, rolling, pressure forming into a shape (e.g., as shown herein) over a mold, and/or forming into a shape by “punch” forming (e.g., see block  53  of  FIG. 5 ). In some cases they are each of a material and formed into enclosure  10  such that the enclosure is resistive to compression of between surface  28  (e.g., the lower portion) of the stiffener and surface  29  (e.g., the upper portion) of the can (e.g., by having a yield strength of at least 450 MPa). 
     It can be appreciated that forming the can and stiffener of the materials noted above (e.g., such as a stiffener of NKC4419-1/4H and a can of NKC4419-H) can be unexpected as compared to other selections of materials. One reason for this can be that the materials above could only be selected after trying dozens of metal and alloy materials. One reason for this can be that the materials above could only be selected after testing many different combinations of metal alloys to find the particular two that are quite effective in meeting all of specified requirements for the camera module. Such requirements may include manufacturability, structural integrity (e.g., yield strength and elongation thresholds), and high thermal conductivity. In some cases, the requirement are (1) to have a substantially higher (e.g., between 8 and 12 times higher) thermal conductivity than for materials having low or medium conductivity; (2) to be capable of being folded (e.g., bent) and deep drawn to the requirements for forming the shape of the cap and stiffener; and (3) to have a proven structural integrity to survive reliability testing (e.g., such as by enclosure  10  of the material surviving a selected compressive load test without excessive deformation). In some cases, the requirements include being able to maintain the structural load requirements (e.g., having material strength—e.g., yield strength of at least 450 MPa) of enclosure  10 . In some cases, the unexpected results include identifying a combination of the copper alloy materials noted above for forming the can and stiffener (e.g., such as a stiffener of NKC4419-1/4H and a can of NKC4419-H) as one combination of numerous available materials for those skilled in the art to try. 
     The embodiments of the invention herein may be contrasted against using enclosure materials for cap  12  and stiffener  11  that are selected mainly or only based on manufacturability and structural integrity (e.g., and not on having high thermal conductivity). In those cases, the enclosure may have a bottom housing or “stiffener” (e.g., a housing upon which the bottom of the camera or image sensor are mounted or attached) formed of a Phosphor Bronze alloy 1/2 Hard (e.g., known as “C5191”) and having a thermal conductivity of k=67 W/m-K with adequate strength to be a stiffener and that can be deep drawn. This material does not have high thermal conductivity as desired by embodiments herein (e.g., and may be considered a low or medium thermally conductive material). 
     The embodiments of the invention herein may be contrasted against the enclosure having a top housing or “can” (the housing having an opening towards which the camera lens is aimed, through which the lens extends, or through which the camera takes images) formed of stainless steel alloy (e.g., known as “US305” and having a thermal conductivity of k=16 W/m-K), or of a Nickel Silver alloy (e.g., known as “C7521” and having a thermal conductivity of k=33 W/m-K). These materials do not have high thermal conductivity as desired by embodiments herein (e.g., and may be considered a low or medium thermally conductive materials). 
     The embodiments of the invention herein may also be contrasted against having (1) the stiffener and/or can of Phosphor Bronze (e.g., known as C5191), 1/2 Hard, which has adequate strength and can be deep drawn, but which does not have a high thermal conductivity (only at 67 W/m-K); (2) the stiffener and/or can are Brass (e.g., known as C2801) 1/2 Hard, which has inadequate strength, can be deep drawn, and has medium thermal conductivity (only at 117 W/m-K); (3) the stiffener and/or can are Molybdenum, which cannot be deep drawn or fabricated into the stiffener or can, has adequate strength, and has medium thermal conductivity (only at 138 W/m-K). These materials do not have high thermal conductivity as desired by embodiments herein (e.g., and may be considered a low or medium thermally conductive materials). 
     In some cases, low thermally conductive represents a material having a thermal conductivity of k&lt;50 W/m-K. In some cases it is between 10 and 50 W/m-K. In some cases, medium thermally conductive represents a material having a thermal conductivity of k between 15 and 150 W/m-K. In some cases, low or medium thermally conductive represents a material having a thermal conductivity of k&lt;200 W/m-K. In some cases it is between 50 and 200 W/m-K. 
     In some cases, high (e.g., highly) thermally conductive represents a material having a thermal conductivity of k&gt;200 W/m-K. In some cases it is between 200 and 300 W/m-K. In some cases it is between 250 and 300 W/m-K. 
     In some cases, a high yield strength is a minimum yield strength of 600 MPa. In some cases it is between 600 MPa and 800 MPa. In some cases, a medium yield strength is a maximum yield strength of 600 MPa. In some cases it is between 400 and 500 MPa. 
     In some cases, a low elongation is a minimum allowable elongation of 2%. In some cases it is between 2% and 10%. In some cases, a medium elongation is a minimum allowable elongation of 10%. In some cases it is between 10% and 20%. 
     In some cases, the stiffener has a high yield strength and the can has a medium a high yield strength. In some cases, the stiffener has a low elongation and the can has a medium elongation. In some cases, the can has a yield strength smaller than that of the stiffener, and an elongation greater than that of the stiffener. 
     In some cases, the stiffener and can are each materials that have a “low” electrical conductivity, such as by having a resistance of greater than 1K Ohms from the rear of the stiffener to the top of the can. In some cases the resistance is greater than 10K Ohms. In some cases, it is greater than 50K Ohms or greater than 100K Ohms. 
     In some cases, the stiffener and can are each materials that have a “very high” spring constant, such as by requiring a force of 4 pounds between the rear of the stiffener to the top of the can, to cause a compression of 20% the length from the rear of the stiffener to the top of the can. In some cases the spring constant requires a force of 10 pounds. In some cases, it requires greater than 20 pounds. 
     In some cases, stiffener  11  and can  12  are different high thermally conductive same materials. In some cases, they are the same material. In some cases, they are different materials but have each of a yield strength, elongation, and thermal conductivity within 10 percent of those described for embodiments. In some cases, they are different materials but each have thermal conductivity within 10 percent of that described herein. 
     In some cases, perimeter  8  includes a vertical (e.g., up and down with respect to  FIG. 2A ) projection, lip, outcropping, flange or vertical surface, such as a flat portion wider than the vertical thickness of sides SS. This projection may project upward, downward, or both. The sides or rear surface of this projection may be coupled to sides SC or perimeter  9  (which may have a projection as noted below). 
     In some cases, perimeter  9  includes a vertical (e.g., up and down with respect to  FIG. 2A ) projection, lip, outcropping, flange or vertical surface, such as a flat portion wider than the vertical thickness of sides SC. This projection may project upward, downward, or both. The sides or front surface of this projection may be coupled to sides SS or perimeter  8  (which may have a projection as noted below). 
     Perimeters  8  and  9  (e.g., formed by sides SS and SC, respectively) may be square or rectangular shaped perimeters from a top perspective view (e.g.,  FIG. 4 ) around the front end of stiffener  11  and rear end of can  12 . In some cases, perimeters  8  and  9  may have a width (e.g., cross section length from above, or thickness) of between 1 and 5 percent of the distance of width W or length L of enclosure  10 . In some cases, instead of a square or rectangular perimeter, perimeters  8  and  9  may be perimeters that have the shape of a circle, ring, oval, a triangle, rhombus, trapezoid, or a polygon. 
     Thus, embodiments described herein use a material for the camera enclosure that has a thermal conductivity (e.g., that is a high thermally conductive material such as a Copper alloy) for the camera enclosure to adequately reduce temperature at both the image sensor and the product front surface  5 , in part, by transferring the thermal energy forward, away from the front surface  5  of the device (e.g., from the rear portion of the camera module or enclosure) and towards or to the rear of the device (e.g., to the front portion of the camera module or enclosure), thus transferring less heat rearward. This transfer may occur without increasing the thickness of device  1 , without adding heat transfer material below module  4 , and without adding components or material (e.g., thermally conducting straps) to device  1 . 
     This transfer may cause the thermal energy to be more evenly or homogenously distributed forward, through components and covers of the device. In some cases it may cause more or most of the transferred thermal energy to be distributed forward, to a rear cover of the device (e.g., instead of to the front cover of the device). By transferring the heat forward, a front surface  5  that is near the rear portion of the camera module will not reach or will take substantially longer to reach a high temperature, because less heat is transferred rearward to surface  5 . These transfers may occur during or over a period of time when the stiffener is heated to a temperature higher than that of the can, which may be during use of camera. 
       FIG. 3  shows plot  30  of temperature of a front cover  31  of two electronic devices versus time  32  during use of camera  20  for embodiments of a camera enclosure  10  having different thermally conductive camera enclosures. These temperatures may occur during a time when the stiffener is heated to a temperature higher than that of the can, which may be during use of camera  20 . The use may begin at time T 0 ; and may be taking images in a periodic, video, rapid shot, sports shot, “heavy” use or frequent use of sensor  24  with respect to time  32 . Plot  30  shows temperature curves  35  and  36  of a front cover of two electronic devices versus time for two camera modules having two different thermally conductive camera enclosures. 
     Temperature curve  35  may represent a curve for the temperature of front cover  5  or surface  15  electronic device  1  versus time for a camera enclosure having a low or medium thermally conductive camera enclosures. Temperature curve  35  reaches high temperature  37  at time T 1 . In some cases, time T 1  represents a time of between 1 and 5 minutes from time T 0 . 
     Temperature curve  36  may represent a curve for the temperature of front cover  5  or surface  15  electronic device  1  versus time for a camera enclosure  10  having a highly thermally conductive camera enclosures. Temperature curve  36  reaches high temperature  37  at time T 2 . In some cases, time T 2  represents a time of between 10 and 50 minutes from time T 0 . In some cases, time T 2  is “substantially longer” than T 1 . This may mean T 2  is between 5 and 15 times longer than T 1  from time T 0 . This may mean T 2  is between 8 and 12 times longer than T 1  from time T 0 . It can be appreciated that curve  36  can be obtained by using materials for enclosure  10  that not only meet the other requirements for enclosure  10  (e.g., yield strength and elongation thresholds) but that are also highly thermally conductive materials; as to where curve  35  may be for materials that meet the other requirements, but are low or medium thermally conductive. 
       FIG. 4A  shows a top perspective view of embodiments of a camera module having a highly thermally conductive camera enclosure.  FIG. 4B  shows a bottom perspective view of embodiments of a camera module having a highly thermally conductive camera enclosure.  FIGS. 4A-B  show module  4  physically and electronically attached to board  16 . They also show high thermally conductive stiffener  11 , high thermally conductive can  12 , and coupling  22  of high thermally conductive enclosure  10 . They show rear surface  28  and front surface  29 .  FIG. 4A  shows lens LE of camera  20  extending through opening  13  of can  12  and above surface  29 . 
       FIGS. 4A-B  also show heat transfer  26 , such as from stiffener  11  towards or to can  12  (or from surface  28  towards or to surface  29 ). Transfers  26  may occur during or over period of time when the stiffener is heated to a temperature higher than that of the can, which may be during use of camera  20 .  FIGS. 4A-B  also shows surfaces  19  and  18  of enclosure  10 , which may be attached by a high thermally conductive coupling or attachment such as described herein, for the attachment between stiffener  11  and can  12 . 
       FIGS. 4A-B  show embodiments where board  16  extends above or within the bottom surface of stiffener  11 . In this case, stiffener  11  may be behind or below board  16 . In some cases, board  16  includes flexible cable or board having electrical signal lines (e.g., wires, traces and the like) extending, disposed in, or located within enclosure  10  between the top of the bottom surface of stiffener  11  and a bottom of camera  20  to provide electrical control signals to camera  20  and receive electrical image signals from camera  20 . 
     While stiffener  11  and cap  12  are shown have a rectangular or square side, top and bottom view shapes, other shapes are considered. In some cases, the side, top and/or bottom view shapes may have curved edges, have a curved shape or have a polygon shape. In some cases, the side, top and/or bottom view shapes may be or include a rounded, oval, triangular, circular or bowed shape. 
     It can be appreciated that in some embodiments, stiffener  11  and cap  12  may represent one single piece of highly thermally conductive material. In some cases, stiffener  11  and cap  12  may represent more than 2 pieces of material. In some cases they may represent 3, 4 or 5 separate, highly thermally coupled pieces of highly thermally conductive materials. In each case, each material may have the high yield strength, a low elongation, and minimum thermal conductivity noted for embodiments. In some cases, they are different materials but have each of a yield strength, elongation, and thermal conductivity within 10 percent of those listed herein. In some cases, they are different materials but each have thermal conductivity within 10 percent of that listed above. 
     Some embodiments may include sides SS of the stiffener bent forward from a perimeter of rear surface  28  and forming perimeter  8 ; and sides SC of the can bent rearward from a perimeter of front surface  29  and forming perimeter  9 . This may include the stiffener formed of a first Copper Silicon alloy material that increases heat transfer (1) from the rear portion of the camera to a rear surface of the stiffener, (2) forward, from the rear surface of the stiffener, through the sides of the stiffener, and to the front perimeter of the stiffener. This may also include high thermally conductive coupling  22  between sides SS of the stiffener and sides SC of the can that enhances heat transfer from the sides SS and the front perimeter  8  of the stiffener to the sides SC and the rear perimeter  9  of the can. This may also include the can formed of a second Copper Silicon alloy material that enhances heat transfer forward, away from the coupling  22  and the rear perimeter  9  of the can, through the sides SC of the can and to the front surface  29  of the can. 
     Descriptions herein with respect to  FIGS. 1-6  may address heat transfer (e.g., transfer  26  from stiffener  11  and cap  12 ) during use of camera  20 , such as during the camera taking images that cause repetitive, periodic, video, rapid shot, sports shot, “heavy” use and/or frequent use of sensor  24 . However, it can be appreciated that a heat transfer (e.g., transfer  26  from stiffener  11  and cap  12 ) may also occur when camera  20  is not in use. For example, stiffener  11  may be heated by another component of device  1  (e.g., by cover  5  or board  16 ) to a temperature greater than that of cap  12 . In some cases, a heat transfer (e.g., transfer  26  from stiffener  11  and cap  12 ) may also occur when camera  20  is not in use, due to the materials selected for enclosure  10  (e.g., stiffener  11  and cap  12  and the coupling between them). For example, according to some embodiments, the stiffener is formed of a first Copper alloy material having a high yield strength, a low elongation, and a high thermal conductivity in order to enhance heat transfer away from the rear of the stiffener, through the stiffener and to the can. According to some embodiments, the can is formed of a second Copper alloy material having a medium yield strength, a medium elongation, and a high thermal conductivity, such as having a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 W/mK, in order to enhance heat transfer forward, away from the stiffener (e.g., forward from surface  28 ) to a lower or rear portion (e.g., to sides SC, such as through coupling  22 ) of the can; and from the lower or rear portion of the can (e.g., forward through sides SC) to the upper portion (e.g., to surface  29 ) of the can. In some cases, the two above cases (e.g., sentences) are combined. 
       FIG. 5  shows a flow diagram of an example process  50  of manufacturing the camera enclosure, module or mobile device that includes embodiments of a camera module having a highly thermally conductive camera enclosure. Process  50  may describe embodiments of manufacturing all or part of enclosure  10 , camera module  4  or device  1  that includes embodiments a camera module having a thermally conductive camera enclosure. 
     Process  50  begins with (Optional) block  51  where at least one highly thermally conductive material is selected to form stiffener  11  and cap  12 . This may be selecting from predetermined materials (e.g., from a list or those described herein) that are known or selected to have material characteristics including (1) to have a high thermal conductivity; (2) to be capable of being folded (e.g., bent) and deep drawn to the requirements for forming the cap and stiffener; and (3) to have a proven structural integrity to survive reliability testing. This may include selecting the same or different materials for the stiffener  11  and cap  12  that will have the characteristics above once formed (e.g., folded and drawn) into the stiffener  11  and cap  12 . This may include selections of a coppery alloy material(s) based on or that satisfy descriptions herein (e.g., see descriptions for  FIGS. 1-4 ) with respect to requirements for, capabilities of, or selections of materials for the stiffener  11  and cap  12 . 
     Next, at (Optional) block  52 , a sheet of the selected material(s) is formed. Block  52  may include folding the selected material(s) to form a sheet or plate of material that will be further formed or “drawn” to form stiffener  11  and cap  12 . Here, the selected copper alloy material(s) may be repetitively folded and pressed; or repetitively folded until they have the characteristics noted at block  51 , once formed (e.g., drawn) into the stiffener  11  and cap  12 . In some cases, this includes hardening or tempering the folded, formed sheets. In some cases, this does not include hardening or tempering the folded, formed sheets. This may include forming a sheet of a copper alloy material(s) based on or that satisfy descriptions herein (e.g., see descriptions for  FIGS. 1-4 ) with respect to requirements for, capabilities of, or selections of materials for the stiffener  11  and cap  12 . 
     Next, at (Optional) block  53 , stiffener  11  and cap  12  are formed, such as for a highly thermally conductive camera enclosure  10 . Block  53  may include forming the stiffener  11  and cap  12  from the sheets formed in block  52 . Block  53  may include “drawing” or “deep drawing” the sheets of material to form stiffener  11  and cap  12 . In some cases, the stiffener and can are each formed such as by one or more of drawing, deep drawing, molding, casting, etching, cutting, electroplating, pressure forming over a mold, and/or forming into a shape by “punch” forming the sheets of block  52  into the shapes of stiffener  11  and cap  12  (e.g., as shown herein). Drawing may include a process in which a sheet metal blank (e.g., the sheet of block  52 ) is radially drawn into a forming die by the mechanical action of a punch. It may thus be a shape transformation process with material retention. The process may be considered “deep” drawing when the depth of the drawn part exceeds its diameter. This may be achieved by redrawing the part through a series of dies. In some cases, stiffener  11  and cap  12  are formed separately, during different manufacturing processes, at different locations or during different periods of time, such as by being formed from different pieces or layers of materials. In some cases, they are formed with all of the differences noted above. Block  53  may include forming surfaces  28  and  29 ; sides SS and SC; and perimeters  8  and  9 . 
     Here, stiffener  11  and cap  12  are formed may be formed until they have the characteristics described at block  51  for the stiffener  11  and cap  12 . This may include forming stiffener  11  and cap  12  based on or that satisfy descriptions herein (e.g., see descriptions for  FIGS. 1-4 ) with respect to requirements for, capabilities of, or selections of materials for the stiffener  11  and cap  12 . In some cases, this includes hardening or tempering the formed stiffener  11  and cap  12 . In some cases, this does not include such hardening. 
     Next, at block  54 , enclosure  10  is formed, such as to for a highly thermally conductive camera enclosure  10 , such as having a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 watts per meter Kelvin (W/mK). Block  54  may include coupling stiffener  11  to cap  12  (e.g., formed at block  53 ) using or with a highly thermally conductive coupling (e.g., coupling  22 ) as noted herein. Block  54  may include attaching stiffener  11  to cap  12  as noted herein. Block  54  may include attaching stiffener  11  to cap  12  using coupling  22 . Here, enclosure  10  may be formed until it has the characteristics noted at block  51  for stiffener  11  and cap  12 . This may include forming enclosure  10 ; or coupling stiffener  11  to cap  12  based on or that satisfy descriptions herein (e.g., see descriptions for  FIGS. 1-4 ) with respect to requirements for, capabilities of, or selections of materials for enclosure  10 ; or stiffener  11  and cap  12 . In some cases, this includes hardening or tempering the formed enclosure  10 . In some cases, this does not include such hardening. 
     In some cases, block  54  optionally includes mounting camera  20  within or to stiffener  11  prior to coupling stiffener  11  to cap  12 . This may include enclosing, mounting or disposing the camera within camera enclosure  10  to form camera module  4 . In some cases, block  54  includes mounting camera  20  and board  16  within or to stiffener  11  prior to coupling stiffener  11  to cap  12 . In some cases, block  54  includes mounting camera  20  within or to stiffener  11  (and optionally to cap  12 ) while or during coupling stiffener  11  to cap  12 . This may include forming module  4  based on or to satisfy descriptions herein (e.g., see descriptions for  FIGS. 1-4 ) with respect to requirements for, capabilities of, or selections of materials for module  4  (e.g., and enclosure  10 , camera  20 , stiffener  11  and cap  12 ). 
     Next, at (Optional) block  55 , module  4  (and enclosure  10 ) is mounted (e.g., enclosed or disposed in) electronic device  1 . Block  55  may include enclosing module  4  in or within device  1 , so that camera  20  can take still and/or video images through cover  3  of a scene or objects behind or beyond surface  14 , outside of device  1 . In some embodiments, block  55  may include enclosing module  4  in a mobile telephone communications device, a smart phone, a personal digital media player, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, and a compact desktop computer. Block  55  is optional and is not performed in some embodiments. This may include mounting module  4  in or within device  1  based on or to satisfy descriptions herein (e.g., see descriptions for  FIGS. 1-4 ) with respect to requirements for, capabilities of, or selections of materials for enclosure  10 , module  4 , and/or device  1 . 
     In some embodiments, block  55  may include mounting module  4  so that front surface  29  or module front portion  21  are oriented towards, coupled to, or attached directly to inside surface  14  of rear outer cover  6  of device  1 . In some embodiments, block  55  may include mounting module  4  so that rear surface  28  or module rear portion  23  are oriented towards, coupled to, or attached directly to inside surface  15  (through board/cable  16 ) of front outer cover  5  of device  1 . In some cases, the two above cases (e.g., sentences) are combined. 
     According to some embodiments, only block  54  is performed. In some cases, only blocks  51  and  54  are performed. According to some embodiments, only blocks  53 - 54  are performed. In some cases, only blocks  51 - 54  or  52 - 54  are performed. According to some embodiments, only blocks  54 - 55  are performed. In some cases, all of blocks  51 - 55  are performed. 
     As explained above, an embodiment of the invention may be housed in a portable device such as a mobile telephone communications device, a smart phone, a personal digital media player, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, and a compact desktop. For example,  FIG. 6  depicts instances of portable consumer electronics devices in which embodiments of the invention may be implemented. As seen in  FIG. 6 , the highly thermally conductive camera enclosure, such as having a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 watts per meter Kelvin (W/mK), that enhances heat transfer between stiffener and cap may included in camera module  4  that is integrated within a consumer electronic device  57  (or device  1 ) such as a smart phone with which user  58  can conduct a call with a far-end user of another communications device over a wireless communications network. In another example, the highly thermally conductive camera enclosure may be integrated within the housing of tablet computer. These are just examples of where the highly thermally conductive camera enclosure may be used, it is contemplated, however, that the highly thermally conductive camera enclosure may be used with any type of electronic device in which it is desired to have a highly thermally conductive camera enclosure hat enhances heat transfer between stiffener and cap, such as in a lap top computing device, portable headset, watch or glasses. 
     Thus, embodiments have been described for providing devices, systems and methods for using or manufacturing a camera enclosure, module or mobile device that includes embodiments of a camera module having a highly thermally conductive camera enclosure, such as having a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 watts per meter Kelvin (W/mK), in order to enhance heat transfer between stiffener  11  and cap  12 . These embodiments provide benefits such as reducing instance of or avoiding components of module  3 , camera  20 , device  1  or cover  5  (e.g., proximity sensors, light sensors, motors, sensors, cables, ribbons, flex boards, wires, electrical components, speakers, microphones, processors, batteries, yokes, coils, diaphragms, etc.) or housing (e.g., covers, cover surfaces, walls, bonds, glue, mounting, etc.) exceeding a high temperature or a given temperature at which they may become damaged, inoperative or melt. They also provide benefits such as increasing the amount of time before or avoiding instances of the temperature of outer surfaces of covers (e.g., cover  5  or  6 ) of the device increasing to a high enough temperature to be uncomfortable, especially when placed against the skin of user  58 , such as on the user&#39;s face or cheek (e.g., during a telephone call such as depicted in  FIG. 6 ). They also provide benefits such as increasing the amount of time before or avoiding instances of the temperature of outer surfaces of covers (e.g., cover  5  or  6 ) of the device increasing to a high enough temperature to damage a cover of the device; or damage a material upon which the cover or device is placed. They also provide these benefits without increasing the thickness of device  1  (or device  57 ) and without adding components or material (e.g., thermally conducting straps) to device  1 . 
     They also provide benefits such as improving power-handling in-camera module by allowing heat to be exchanged (e.g., by transfer  26 ) from a hotter stiffener to a cooler can. By exchanging the heat, more power can be used to operate the camera, thus allowing for longer use of the camera (e.g., longer continuous use such as for taking video images); and allowing the camera to have more features and options (e.g., for image processing, stabilization, and the like). Also, by exchanging the heat, more power can be used to operate the camera, with less risk of damaging components of the camera or device; or having covers of the device reach a high temperature. In some cases, they may also provide benefits such as reducing the need for letting heat from the camera escape at the product level (e.g., by escaping through cooler cover  6  instead of other components of device  1 ), thus, allowing the heat to escape in a manner that does not need to impact 1) constraints in product size or 2) constraints in the number of product components, weight, and cost. They provide the benefits of exchanging or transferring this heat without increasing the thickness of device  1 , without adding heat transfer material below module  4 , and without adding components or material (e.g., thermally conducting straps) to device  1 . It can be appreciated that the exchanging or transferring (e.g., conducting heat from the bottom towards the top of module  4 ) may be counterintuitive as a typical design for cooling of active electronics or circuitry (e.g., module  4 ) would use a heat sink or other additional heat transfer components located at or that draw heat in a direction below or to the side of the circuitry instead of to the top the circuitry. 
     To conclude, various aspects of a camera enclosure, module or mobile device that includes embodiments of a camera module having a highly thermally conductive camera enclosure in order to enhance heat transfer between a stiffener and cap of the enclosure have been described. While certain embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that the invention is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, although embodiments of the highly thermally conductive camera enclosure, such as having a minimum thermal conductivity of 200 watts per meter Kelvin (W/mK), described in  FIGS. 1-6  show one camera module  4 , device  1  (or device  57 ) may include multiple (e.g.,  2  or  3 ) highly thermally conductive camera enclosures or modules  4 . This may include a camera module similar to camera module  4  but facing the front surface  5  of the device (e.g., to take images of scenes beyond surface  5 ), having a highly thermally conductive camera enclosure so that the temperature of surface  14  does not increase to or takes substantially longer to increase to a high temperature. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20150911
Publication Date: 20170307
Grant Date: 20170307
Priority Date: 20150911
Inventors: MILLER SCOTT W.
CHOWDHURY IHTESHAM H.
DUNN RYAN J.
GLEASON JEFFREY NATHAN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04N23/52", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/51", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/51", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/57", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/52", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/57", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/52", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/51", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/2253", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/2254", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/23241", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/2252", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 58163583