Electromagnetic Imager Actuation for Low-Friction Camera Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voice coil motors (VCMs) used in camera image stabilization suffer from non-linear friction forces caused by balls, which complicate precise motion control and affect image stabilization performance.
Innovation Solution
The electromagnetic driving mechanism employs a novel structure with a coil, magnetic elements, and an actuating assembly to drive the imager, avoiding ball-driven mechanisms and thus reducing non-linear friction forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a ball is used in the VCM for motion transfer, then the device can achieve motion conversion, but non-linear friction forces increase causing poor motion control precision and degraded image stabilization performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the ball component from the VCM structure entirely. The actuating assembly is directly connected to the coil and magnetic elements, eliminating the ball-mediated motion transfer mechanism that generated non-linear friction forces. This extraction of the harmful ball component resolves the contradiction by eliminating the source of friction while preserving the electromagnetic driving function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical ball-driven motion transfer system with a direct electromagnetic actuation system. The coil and magnetic elements generate electromagnetic forces that directly deform the actuating assembly, substituting the mechanical friction-based ball contact system with an electromagnetic field-based system that eliminates non-linear friction.
2Ease of manufacture
If a ball-driven mechanism is used in the VCM, then motion conversion is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and difficult to manufacture precisely
Solution Approach 1:
The ball component and its associated complex mechanical interfaces are removed from the structure. The simplified actuating assembly consists of the coil, magnetic elements, and flexible circuit board directly integrated together, reducing the number of parts and assembly steps while improving manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the coil, magnetic elements, and actuating assembly into a unified structure where the flexible circuit board serves multiple functions as both the actuating element and the electrical connection medium. This merging of functions reduces structural complexity and simplifies manufacturing compared to the separate ball-driven mechanism.
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 solution enables precise motion control and improved image stabilization performance by eliminating non-linear friction forces, while also simplifying the structure and facilitating mass production.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one coil is driven by an Ampere force to move with respect to the at least one magnetic element within a magnetic field of the at least one magnetic element after being energized
Implementation Method 2
driving the at least one actuating assembly to deform to drive the imager to move
Data Source
AI summary
An electromagnetic driving mechanism, a camera module, and an electronic device are provided. The electromagnetic driving mechanism includes a first metal plate, a second metal plate, at least one coil, at least one magnetic element, and at least one actuating assembly. The second metal plate is disposed opposite to the first metal plate. The at least one coil and the at least one magnetic element are stacked between the first metal plate and the second metal plate. The at least one actuating assembly is disposed on the first metal plate and connected to the at least one coil, and the at least one actuating assembly is configured to support the imager.