Camera Drive Device With Magnetic Spherical Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera driving apparatuses face challenges in compensating for camera shake, especially when the camera is in motion, as they lack sufficient degree of freedom and accuracy in controlling large angles and high-frequency movements, leading to mechanical limitations and potential mechanical backlash.
Innovation Solution
A camera driving apparatus with a movable unit featuring a convex partial sphere that allows for three-axis rotation and two-dimensional image sensor movement, utilizing magnetic attractive forces for precise control and reducing mechanical resonance, along with a stopper member for impact resistance, enabling compensation for camera shake in a broader frequency range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional camera shake compensation mechanisms are used, then the device structure is simple, but the degree of freedom for controlling camera section is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The camera driving apparatus is divided into multiple independent driving sections: a first camera driving section for rotating the camera section around the optical axis, and a second camera driving section for tilting the camera section in panning and tilting directions. This segmentation allows each section to handle specific degrees of freedom independently, achieving comprehensive control while maintaining modular simplicity in each component.
2Measurement precision
If conventional single-point elastic support is used, then the device is compact, but the accuracy for large angle and high-frequency movement control is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure uses a convex partial sphere on the movable unit that fits into a corresponding concave depression in the fixed unit. This localized spherical contact provides precise rotational control and positioning for large angles while maintaining a compact overall structure. The spherical geometry naturally accommodates large angular movements without requiring complex mechanical linkages.
3Reliability
If conventional mechanical pivot structures are used, then the device is simple, but mechanical backlash and resonance occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical pivot structures with a magnetic field-based driving system. Drive magnets and magnetic yokes generate rotational and tilting movements through magnetic attraction and repulsion forces, eliminating mechanical contact points that cause backlash and friction-induced resonance. This substitution maintains reliability while reducing mechanical complexity through contactless actuation.
4Measurement precision
If multi-axis driving sections are added, then camera shake compensation accuracy is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second camera driving sections are arranged in a nested configuration where the tilting mechanism of the second section is positioned within or adjacent to the rotational mechanism of the first section. The drive magnets and magnetic yokes are compactly integrated, with multiple driving components sharing common structural elements and space, thereby achieving multi-axis compensation accuracy without proportionally increasing device volume.
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 apparatus achieves robust and precise camera shake compensation across a wide frequency range, allowing for accurate focus control, nodal point correction, and pixel-level image stabilization, even during walking or high-speed movements, while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
brings the first convex partial sphere of the movable unit into a point or line contact with the depressed portion under magnetic attractive force of the at least one attracting magnet to the at least one magnetic body
Data Source
AI summary
A camera driving apparatus according to the present invention includes: a camera section with an imaging plane; a movable unit which houses the camera section inside and includes an attracting magnet and a convex partial sphere on its outer surface; a fixed unit which has a depressed portion in which a magnetic body and the movable unit are loosely fit, which brings the convex partial sphere of the movable unit into a point or line contact with the depressed portion under magnetic attractive force of the attracting magnet to the magnetic body, and which allows the movable unit to rotate freely on the spherical centroid of the first convex partial sphere; a panning driving section; a tilting driving section; a rolling driving section; a lens driving section; an image sensor driving section; a first detector which detects the tilt angles of the camera section in the panning and tilting directions with respect to the fixed unit; a second detector which detects the angle of rotation of the camera section that is rotating in the rolling direction; and a third detector which detects the magnitudes of shift of the image sensor along the panning rotation axis and the tilting rotation axis.