Camera Actuator Magnetic Return Structure for Collision Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuators in camera modules experience significant noise generation, wear, and damage due to collisions and external shocks, which affect image quality and precision, especially with heavy and long-stroke zoom lenses, and conventional dampers fail to effectively mitigate these issues.
Innovation Solution
An actuator design utilizing differential magnetic forces between a magnet and a yoke plate to minimize collisions by applying a reverse return force to the mover, combined with a non-contact method to suppress noise and reduce stress on dampers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a damper is used to cushion impact on the carrier, then shock mitigation is provided, but the damper accumulates stress from continuous external impact causing plastic deformation and loss of elasticity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical damper system with a magnetic field-based system. Magnets are positioned to generate magnetic forces that counteract external shocks and vibrations on the carrier, eliminating the need for physical contact and stress accumulation on a mechanical damper component.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic force is configured to act in advance against external shocks and vibrations before they can cause significant impact damage to the carrier or housing, providing continuous protective counter-action without requiring the carrier to physically collide with the housing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the carrier is equipped with a heavy lens having a long travel distance, then zoom functionality is achieved, but physical impact between housing and carrier increases causing noise and component wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical impact absorption with a magnetic field-based shock counteraction system. The magnetic force acts on the carrier to counteract external shocks and vibrations, preventing physical collisions between the carrier and housing that would generate noise and wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field serves as an intermediary between the external shock forces and the carrier, providing a non-contact force that counteracts harmful impacts without requiring physical contact or mechanical intermediaries like dampers.
3Force
If a magnet is positioned to generate attractive force with the yoke plate, then a return force is applied to the carrier, but the carrier may be continuously attracted to the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic force characteristics are configured to provide different force levels in different positions. The magnetic force is stronger when the carrier is away from the housing, providing a return force, and weaker when the carrier is near the housing, preventing continuous attraction and maintaining stable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic force is configured to be dynamic rather than static, automatically adjusting its strength based on the carrier's position relative to the housing. This dynamic characteristic allows the magnetic force to provide return force when needed while preventing over-attraction and maintaining stable carrier positioning.
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 actuator effectively reduces noise and minimizes collisions, improves operating precision, and prolongs damper lifespan by using magnetic forces to manage impact, thereby enhancing image quality and reducing damper fatigue.
Implementation Method 1
a second magnetic body provided in the housing to face the first magnetic body and configured to generate an attractive force with the first magnetic body
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator for a camera according to an embodiment includes a carrier having a first magnetic body and performing a linear movement, a housing configured to support the linear movement of the carrier, and a second magnetic body provided in the housing to face the first magnetic body and configured to generate an attractive force with the first magnetic body. The second magnetic body includes a first part configured to face the first magnetic body when the carrier is located at an upper portion or a lower portion based on a movement direction of the carrier, and a second part which is a middle portion of the second magnetic body based on the movement direction of the carrier, and a magnetic force between the first magnetic body and the first part is smaller than a magnetic force between the first magnetic body and the second part.