Lens Driving Device Leaf Spring Pressing Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lens driving devices have a complex structure due to the use of multiple coil springs to press a piezoelectric element against a lens-retaining member.

Innovation Solution

A lens driving device with a simpler structure, utilizing a leaf spring member as a pressing member to press the piezoelectric driving portion against the lens-retaining member, which includes a fixed portion, a support portion, and an elastically deformable portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple coil springs are used to press the piezoelectric element against the lens-retaining member, then the pressing function is achieved, but the device structure becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressing functionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple coil springs are merged into a single leaf spring member that provides the same pressing function. The leaf spring member integrates the pressing action previously distributed across multiple coil springs, thereby simplifying the structure while maintaining the necessary pressing force on the piezoelectric element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical form and material properties of the pressing element from coiled spring structures to a flat leaf spring configuration. This parameter change allows the pressing function to be achieved with a simpler, more compact structure that eliminates the complexity of multiple coil springs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a simpler pressing structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to maintain constant pressing force may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidpressing force stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The leaf spring member is designed to automatically maintain constant pressing force through its own elastic properties. The springback force of the leaf spring naturally compensates for variations in position and maintains consistent contact pressure on the piezoelectric element without requiring external control mechanisms, thus achieving self-regulating pressing force stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes the physical parameters of the leaf spring member, including its thickness, width, and elastic modulus, to ensure it maintains constant pressing force. By carefully selecting these parameters, the leaf spring achieves stable pressing force equivalent to or better than multiple coil springs, while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively moves the lens-retaining member along the optical-axis direction using the piezoelectric driving portion, while maintaining a constant pressing force and simplifying the control of the driving force, thus enhancing the device's operational efficiency and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

The piezoelectric driving portion includes a piezoelectric element extending in a direction crossing the optical-axis direction, and is configured to move the lens-retaining member in the optical-axis direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The pressing member is formed of a leaf spring member. The pressing member includes: a fixed portion to be fixed to the fixed member; a support portion configured to support the piezoelectric driving portion; and an elastically deformable portion that is provided between the fixed portion and the support portion and is elastically deformable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12306459B2Lens driving device and camera module
Publication Date: 2025.05.20 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD
  • US12306459B2 patent drawing
  • US12306459B2 patent drawing
  • US12306459B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A lens driving device includes: a fixed member; a lens-retaining member; a guide mechanism; a piezoelectric driving portion; and a pressing member. The lens-retaining member, the guide mechanism, the piezoelectric driving portion, and the pressing member are each configured as described in the specification. The pressing member is formed of a leaf spring member. The pressing member includes: a fixed portion to be fixed to the fixed member; a support portion configured to support the piezoelectric driving portion; and an elastically deformable portion that is provided between the fixed portion and the support portion and is elastically deformable. The support portion includes a plate-shaped base portion that is continuous with the elastically deformable portion, and a folded portion that is folded from the base portion in an L shape and projects toward the lens-retaining member. The piezoelectric driving portion is fixed to the folded portion.