Closed-Loop Lens Drive Layout for Fast, Precise Autofocus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lens drive devices for automatic focusing cameras in mobile phones are time-consuming and lack precision due to inertia and stabilization issues, leading to inaccuracies in focusing.

Innovation Solution

A closed-loop lens drive device with elongated driving magnets, a Hall magnet position detection unit, and a screening can to enhance focusing accuracy and speed, utilizing four-pole magnetization and a stainless steel Hall magnet back gasket to improve magnetic flux intensity and prevent magnetic interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a conventional lens drive device with coil and magnets is used, then the lens can be driven to move to achieve focusing, but the focusing process is time-consuming and the lens shakes at the expected position due to inertia

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocusing speedVSAvoidstabilization time
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a closed-loop feedback control system using a Hall sensor to detect the lens support position and feed back to the control circuit. This real-time position feedback enables the system to adjust the coil current dynamically, allowing the lens to stop precisely at the target position without overshooting or shaking, thereby reducing stabilization time and improving focusing speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a spring to elastically support the lens support in advance, creating a pre-compressed elastic force that counteracts the inertia of the moving lens. This preliminary mechanical support system helps the lens stabilize faster at the target position by providing continuous restoring force during and after the electromagnetic driving action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If the lens is moved quickly to the target position, then focusing speed is improved, but the actual position stayed does not coincide with the specified position due to inertia

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocusing speedVSAvoidposition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The Hall sensor continuously monitors the actual position of the lens support and feeds back to the control circuit. The control circuit compares the actual position with the target position and adjusts the coil current in real-time to compensate for inertia effects, ensuring the lens stops precisely at the specified position even when moved quickly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces pure mechanical positioning with an electromagnetic control system combined with electronic feedback. Instead of relying solely on mechanical stopping mechanisms that cannot account for inertia, the system uses electromagnetic forces controlled by feedback signals to achieve precise positional control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Force

If multiple magnets are arranged in the screening can, then the magnetic field intensity is improved, but magnetic field interference between magnets occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic field intensityVSAvoidmagnetic field interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the Hall magnet from the screening can structure and places it on the lens support instead. This separation removes the source of magnetic interference from the screening can, allowing multiple driving magnets to be arranged in the screening can to improve magnetic field intensity without causing interference to the position detection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a non-magnetic gasket between the driving magnets and the screening can wall, and uses the lens support as an intermediary structure to carry the Hall magnet. These non-magnetic intermediaries prevent magnetic field interference while maintaining the structural integrity and magnetic field intensity benefits of multiple driving magnets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Measurement precision

If the Hall magnet is placed close to the driving magnets to improve detection sensitivity, then position detection precision is improved, but magnetic field interference affects the Hall chip operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition detection precisionVSAvoidHall chip operation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The Hall magnet is extracted from the screening can structure and relocated to the lens support, physically separating it from the driving magnets in the screening can. This spatial separation eliminates magnetic field interference on the Hall chip while maintaining position detection precision through the closed-loop feedback control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 device achieves faster and more accurate focusing with lower power consumption, improved anti-interference capacity, and reduced delay and shaking issues, enabling better imaging even in insufficient light conditions.

Implementation Method 1

By powering on the coil, the magnets and the coil are interacted to generate an electromagnetic force, so that the lens support is driven to move to an optical axis direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

a Hall chip is provided on the PCB board; a Hall magnet back gasket and a Hall magnet are provided at corresponding positions of the lens support; spatially, the Hall magnet and the Hall chip are spaced to each other and are configured oppositely

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3415967B1Lens drive device
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 SHANGHAI BILLU ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3415967B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3415967B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3415967B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A lens drive device, comprising a lens support (1), a coil (2) winded at a periphery of the lens support (1), an upper cover (3) arranged above the lens support (1), and a lower cover (4) arranged below the lens support (1); a screening can (5) is covered outside the lens support (1); a driving magnets (9) is respectively provided on opposite two inner sidewalls of the screening can (5); a Printed Circuit Board board (PCB board) (10) is provided on a sidewall at another side of the screening can (5); a Hall chip (11) is provided on the PCB board (10); a Hall magnet back gasket (12) and a Hall magnet (13) are provided at corresponding positions of the lens support (1); spatially, the Hall magnet (13) and the Hall chip (11) are spaced to each other and are configured oppositely; and the PCB board (10) and the Hall chip (11) thereon and the Hall magnet (13) form a lens position detection unit. Since the driving magnets (9) and the Hall magnet (13) are not hindered to each other in a configuration structure, no obstacle is produced to assembly work, and the further miniaturization and thinning of the lens drive device also become possible.