Capacitive OIS Actuator for Miniaturized Camera Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional OIS devices for small-sized mobile devices face challenges due to their large size, high power consumption, and difficulty in mounting, which restricts their adoption in capturing high-quality images.

Innovation Solution

A capacitive type OIS actuator with horizontal and vertical driving units, utilizing electrostatic and elastic forces to compensate for optical path warping caused by hand tremor, enabling miniaturization and reduced power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional VCM type, piezo type or step motor type OIS devices are used, then optical image stabilization function is achieved, but device size becomes large and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical image stabilization functionVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical OIS actuators (VCM, piezo, step motor) with a capacitive type OIS actuator that uses electrostatic force between combteeth-shaped electrodes to drive the lens unit, eliminating complex mechanical structures and reducing device volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the actuation mechanism from mechanical (electromagnetic, piezoelectric, or stepper motor) to electrical (electrostatic capacitance), using voltage control to adjust the position of the lens unit through electrostatic attraction between interdigitated electrodes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional VCM type, piezo type or step motor type OIS devices are used, then optical image stabilization function is achieved, but power consumption increases and battery charged time is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical image stabilization functionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces power-hungry mechanical actuators with a capacitive actuator that consumes minimal power, using electrostatic field interactions between electrodes to move the lens unit without continuous electrical power input

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The capacitive OIS actuator uses periodic voltage application to the combteeth-shaped electrodes to achieve lens unit movement, where electrostatic attraction and release create controlled displacement with minimal average power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If conventional VCM type, piezo type or step motor type OIS devices are used, then optical image stabilization function is achieved, but mounting difficulty increases in small sized mobile devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical image stabilization functionVSAvoidmounting ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical assemblies requiring precise mounting with a planar capacitive structure that can be integrated into the device housing or circuit board, simplifying the mounting process for small-sized mobile devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The capacitive OIS actuator is divided into independent electrode arrays (first combteeth-shaped electrode and second combteeth-shaped electrode) that can be separately manufactured and assembled, facilitating easier integration into compact device structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 capacitive OIS actuator effectively compensates for optical path warping, facilitating miniaturization and low power consumption, while addressing size and power consumption limitations in camera modules.

Implementation Method 1

driven to a horizontal direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the OIS lens unit based on electrostatic force acting on the first electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic force: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

driven to a horizontal direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the OIS lens unit based on electrostatic force acting on the first electrode and elasticity force acting on the first elastic unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8937665B2OIS (optical image stabilizer) actuator and camera module having the same OIS actuator

Publication Date: 2015.01.20 LG INNOTEK CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to an OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer) actuator and a camera module having the OIS actuator, the OIS actuator including: a horizontal driving unit; a vertical driving unit; and a support unit positioned at a periphery of the vertical driving unit and formed with a fourth electrode, wherein any one of the horizontal driving unit and the vertical driving unit is driven to compensate a warping of an optical path of an OIS lens unit.