Camera Actuator With Sensor Shift for AF and OIS Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Camera modules in mobile devices face challenges with increased weight and difficulty in precisely controlling driving forces for autofocus and optical image stabilization due to the weight of the driving unit, which affects performance.
Innovation Solution
An actuator design with a housing, first and second carriers, and dual driving units using coils and magnets to move the carriers in parallel and perpendicular directions relative to the imaging surface, reducing the need to move the lens module, thereby minimizing weight and enhancing control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the lens module is moved to perform autofocus and optical image stabilization, then the camera module can achieve high-resolution imaging, but the weight of the driving unit increases and precise control of driving force becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the lens module to achieve focus and stabilization, the patent inverts the approach by moving the image sensor while keeping the lens module stationary. This is accomplished through a movable platform that carries the image sensor, allowing the sensor to be positioned at different locations relative to the lens module. This inversion transfers the movement burden from the lens module to the image sensor, thereby reducing the weight of the driving unit required for lens movement and improving control precision.
2Measurement precision
If camera module performance is increased, then imaging quality improves, but the overall weight of the camera module increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the camera module into fixed and movable components. The lens module remains fixed in position, while the image sensor is placed on a separate movable platform. This segmentation allows the imaging quality to be enhanced through precise sensor positioning without requiring the entire camera module or the lens assembly to be moved, thereby preventing overall weight increase while maintaining high imaging performance.
3Weight of moving object
If the image sensor is moved relative to the lens module, then autofocus and optical image stabilization are achieved with reduced driving unit weight, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the image sensor is mounted on a movable platform that is positioned within the camera module housing. The platform can be moved along the optical axis to adjust the distance between the image sensor and the lens module. This nested arrangement allows the sensor movement mechanism to be integrated compactly within the existing module structure, minimizing additional space requirements and reducing overall structural complexity despite the added functionality.
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 allows for precise control of the image sensor movement with reduced weight and energy consumption, improving autofocus and optical image stabilization performance.
Implementation Method 1
a first driving unit configured to move the first carrier, relative to the housing, in a direction parallel to an imaging surface of the image sensor, the first driving unit including a coil portion disposed on the first carrier
Implementation Method 2
the second driving unit may include a third coil disposed on the first carrier, and the third coil may face the first magnet disposed on the second carrier
Implementation Method 3
The actuator may further include a Hall sensor facing the first magnet
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator for a camera includes a housing having an internal space; a first carrier disposed in the housing; a second carrier disposed in the first carrier; an image sensor fixed to the second carrier; a first driving unit configured to move the first carrier, relative to the housing, in a direction parallel to an imaging surface of the image sensor, the first driving unit including a coil portion disposed on the first carrier; and a second driving unit configured to move the second carrier, relative to the first carrier, in a direction perpendicular to the imaging surface, the second driving unit including a first magnet disposed on the second carrier.