Camera Actuator Carrier Stopper and Damper for Shake Impact Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera actuators in mobile devices face challenges in reducing noise and impact due to increased movement range for shaking correction, which can damage internal components and limit the angle of view during image stabilization.

Innovation Solution

A camera actuator design featuring a first carrier moving along the optical axis, a second carrier moving perpendicular to the optical axis, a damper, and a stopper to limit movement, along with rolling members and a magnet-coil driving mechanism, reduces noise and impact by controlling the movement range and providing a stable driving force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the movable range of the lens barrel is increased to correct larger shaking, then the shaking correction capability is improved, but the impact and noise when the lens barrel hits the case increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshaking correction capabilityVSAvoidimpact and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A damper is provided in the lens barrel assembly that protrudes from the first carrier and can be accommodated in a groove portion of the second carrier. The groove portion has a width greater than the damper width, allowing the damper to move within the groove during normal operation. When the lens barrel reaches its movement limit, the damper contacts the stopper, providing cushioning that reduces impact and noise while preventing damage to internal components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the movement range of the lens barrel is increased to correct larger shaking, then the shaking correction capability is improved, but the risk of damage to internal components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshaking correction capabilityVSAvoidinternal component durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The damper protrudes from the first carrier and can be accommodated in the groove portion of the second carrier. The groove portion width is greater than the damper width, allowing controlled movement. When the lens barrel reaches its movement limit, the damper contacts the stopper, providing cushioning that reduces impact and noise while preventing damage to internal components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The damper acts as an intermediary element between the movable first carrier and the fixed second carrier. It provides a controlled interface that allows the lens barrel to move within safe limits while preventing direct contact between the carrier and case, thereby protecting internal components from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If software post-processing is used to correct handshaking, then the mechanical structure remains simple, but the angle of view is narrowed due to image cropping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical structure simplicityVSAvoidangle of view

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces software-based image processing with a mechanical solution. The lens barrel is driven to physically move in directions perpendicular to the optical axis, shifting the optical path to compensate for handshaking. This mechanical approach maintains the full angle of view without cropping, unlike software methods that require cutting off image portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This design effectively reduces noise and impact during shaking correction, maintaining a wider angle of view while protecting internal components, and allows for precise movement control to correct camera shake without compromising the mechanical structure.

Implementation Method 1

a damper that protrudes from a first surface of the first carrier that faces the second carrier... configured to reduce an impact that occurs when the second carrier hits the first carrier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

a magnet-coil driving mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentUS20250013124A1Camera actuator and camera module

Publication Date: 2025.01.09 SAMSUNG ELECTRO MECHANICS CO LTD

AI summary

A camera actuator is provided. The camera actuator includes a first carrier configured to move in an optical axis direction; a second carrier disposed on the first carrier, and configured to move in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction; a damper that protrudes from a first surface of the first carrier that faces the second carrier; and a stopper that is disposed on a first surface of the second carrier to face the damper in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and configured to limit a movement of the second carrier in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.