Ball Bearing Suspension for Camera Tilt Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small form factor cameras face stability issues due to imperfections in manufacturing tolerances, which affect the ball bearing suspension mechanism's ability to maintain tiltable structures, leading to reduced stability and potential misalignment during optical image stabilization and autofocus operations.
Innovation Solution
A ball bearing suspension arrangement with three ball bearings positioned in a non-orthogonal plane to the tilt axis, where one ball bearing is higher than the others, enhances stability and allows for additional space within the camera housing for upgraded components, improving the camera's mechanical stability and optical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional ball bearing suspension mechanism is used with standard manufacturing tolerances, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability and alignment precision of tiltable structures deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning ball bearings at specific non-orthogonal locations rather than uniform symmetric positions. The first and second ball bearings are positioned at different heights relative to the tilt axis, creating localized geometric variations that compensate for manufacturing tolerances and enhance stability without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms throughout the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by deliberately arranging ball bearings in a non-symmetric configuration where the first and second ball bearings are at different heights relative to the tilt axis. This asymmetric arrangement creates a geometric configuration that is insensitive to manufacturing tolerances, improving reliability while maintaining relatively simple device complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If ball bearings are positioned in a non-orthogonal plane with varying heights, then the manufacturing precision and stability improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the vertical position parameter of the ball bearings relative to the tilt axis. The first ball bearing is positioned at a first height and the second ball bearing at a second height, creating a non-orthogonal arrangement that improves manufacturing precision by compensating for tolerances. This parameter variation achieves the desired precision while maintaining manageable device complexity through a straightforward height differentiation approach.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional space is created within the camera housing, then the versatility for upgraded components improves, but the mechanical stability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by utilizing the vertical dimension (height relative to tilt axis) to position ball bearings in a non-orthogonal plane. This three-dimensional arrangement creates additional spatial freedom within the camera housing, allowing for upgraded components while maintaining mechanical stability through the geometric configuration of the ball bearings that compensates for the added space.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The arrangement increases the mechanical stability of tiltable structures, enhances optical image stabilization, and autofocus capabilities, while providing additional space for upgraded components within the camera module.
Implementation Method 1
a ball bearing suspension arrangement that suspends one or more tiltable structures from a base structure and that allows motion of the optical element or the image sensor enabled by the tilt actuator
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments include a camera with a ball bearing suspension arrangement that suspends one or more tiltable structures. In some embodiments, the camera may include an optical element, an image sensor, an actuator arrangement, and the ball bearing suspension arrangement. The actuator arrangement may include a tilt actuator configured to tilt one or more tiltable structures about a tilt axis. The ball bearing arrangement may suspend the tiltable structure(s) from a base structure and allow motion of the tiltable structure(s) enabled by the tilt actuator. In various embodiments, the ball bearing suspension arrangement may include a ball bearing that is positioned at a different height, along the tilt axis, than one or more other ball bearings of the ball bearing suspension arrangement.