Image Stabilizer Magnetic Urging Layout for Lower Actuator Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image blur correcting devices using voice coil motors face challenges with increased returning force and driving load as the moving distance increases, affecting the ability to correct larger camera shakes effectively.
Innovation Solution
A drive device with a movable unit and a fixed unit, utilizing rolling members and an urging unit that includes a magnet and magnetic body, where the magnet's movement range does not protrude from the magnetic body, reducing returning force and actuator load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the moving amount of the movable unit is increased to correct larger camera shake amounts, then the image blur correction capability is improved, but a returning force occurs due to magnetic force that increases the driving load of the actuator
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic body is divided into a first magnetic body fixed to the fixed unit and a second magnetic body fixed to the movable unit. This segmentation allows the magnetic fields to be independently controlled and positioned, enabling the magnet movement range to be constrained within the magnetic body boundaries, thereby reducing the returning force while maintaining the ability to correct larger camera shakes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies magnetic bodies with specific local properties at strategic locations. The first magnetic body is disposed at a specific position on the fixed unit, and the second magnetic body is disposed at a specific position on the movable unit. This local quality approach optimizes the magnetic field distribution to minimize returning force while enabling larger movement ranges for image blur correction.
2Length of moving object
If the moving amount of the movable unit is increased to correct larger camera shake amounts, then the image blur correction capability is improved, but the driving load of the actuator increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the magnetic system into fixed and movable magnetic bodies with optimized positions, the patent reduces the returning force that opposes actuator motion. This segmentation allows the actuator to move the movable unit over larger distances with reduced load, improving the image blur correction capability without proportionally increasing the driving power requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the magnetic field parameters by optimizing the positions and configurations of the magnetic bodies. This parameter optimization reduces the magnetic returning force, allowing the actuator to operate more efficiently over larger movement ranges, thereby correcting larger camera shakes without excessive power consumption.
3Ease of operation
If a magnet and magnetic body are used to pull the movable unit and fixed unit close to each other, then smooth driving is achieved, but the returning force increases with moving distance
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic attraction system is segmented into two separate magnetic bodies positioned at optimized locations. This segmentation maintains the smooth driving effect through controlled magnetic attraction while reducing the returning force that increases with movement distance, as each magnetic body can be independently positioned to minimize unwanted magnetic effects during motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the returning force issue by considering the spatial dimensionality of the magnetic field distribution. By optimizing the positions of magnetic bodies in three-dimensional space and constraining the magnet movement range within the magnetic body boundaries, the design reduces the returning force component that acts opposite to the actuator motion, while maintaining smooth driving through controlled magnetic attraction.
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 configuration reduces the returning force and actuator load, enhancing the ability to correct camera shakes without increasing the size of the actuator or current, thereby improving image stabilization performance.
Implementation Method 1
an urging unit configured to urge the movable unit to the fixed unit via the rolling members, wherein the urging unit includes a magnet and a magnetic body
Implementation Method 2
a coil is disposed at another of the movable unit and the fixed unit, and the driving force is generated by energizing the coil in a magnetic circuit that is formed by the magnet
Data Source
AI summary
A drive device that reduces a returning force to return to the center when moving a movable unit with respect to a fixed unit and suppresses a load of an actuator driving the movable unit is provided. The drive device includes a fixed unit, a movable unit that is disposed so as to be capable of relatively moving in a predetermined range within a plane with respect to the fixed unit, a plurality of rolling members that are disposed between the fixed unit and the movable unit, an actuator configured to drive the movable unit, and an urging unit configured to urge the movable unit to the fixed unit via the rolling members. The urging unit includes a magnet and a magnetic body. One of the magnet and the magnetic body is held by the movable unit, and another of the magnet and the magnetic body is held by the fixed unit. A range, in which the magnet can move when the actuator is driven to move the movable unit, does not protrude from an end of the magnetic body when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the plane.