Magnetic Camera Brake for Focus Stability Under High Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cameras with traditional autofocus mechanisms struggle to capture sharp images in high acceleration environments due to shaking and blurring.
Innovation Solution
A camera module design incorporating a magnetic brake mechanism that uses magnets and ferromagnetic materials to hold the sensor or lens in a desired focus position, utilizing magnetic attraction or repulsion forces to stabilize the camera components under high acceleration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional autofocus mechanisms are used, then the camera can adjust focus positions, but the camera shakes around excessively in high acceleration environments leading to blurry images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical autofocus mechanisms with a magnetic field-based system. Magnets embedded in the sensor carrier interact with ferromagnetic materials in the lens holder to provide contactless positioning and stabilization, eliminating mechanical wear and vibration while maintaining focus adjustment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the positioning system from mechanical contact to magnetic field interaction. By utilizing magnetic attraction and repulsion forces between magnets and ferromagnetic materials, the system achieves stable sensor positioning without the physical vibrations inherent in traditional mechanical autofocus mechanisms
2Reliability
If a magnetic brake mechanism is added to stabilize the sensor, then the camera can capture sharp images in high acceleration environments, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic brake mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides stabilization in high acceleration environments, enables precise focus positioning, and works passively without requiring additional power consumption. The same magnets and ferromagnetic materials that provide braking also enable focus adjustment, reducing the need for separate mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic brake system operates passively using magnetic field interactions without requiring active power consumption or complex control systems. The magnetic attraction and repulsion forces automatically provide stabilization and positioning, eliminating the need for additional actuators or control electronics that would increase device complexity
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
Enables sharp image capture across a range of focus positions, even in high acceleration conditions, by maintaining focus without active power consumption and effectively rejecting disturbance forces.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic brake mechanism that uses magnets and ferromagnetic materials to hold the sensor or lens in a desired focus position, utilizing magnetic attraction or repulsion forces to stabilize the camera components
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic brake mechanism that uses magnets and ferromagnetic materials to hold the sensor or lens in a desired focus position, utilizing magnetic attraction or repulsion forces to stabilize the camera components
Data Source
AI summary
Various magnetic camera brake embodiments are disclosed. According to some embodiments, the magnetic camera brakes leverage a magnetic attraction (or repulsion) force between an iron and magnetic body to hold the moving camera components at a desired focus position—even under high amplitude acceleration loads. When high disturbance rejection is desired, the magnet attracts the camera to the desired focus position (e.g., an infinity focus position) with enough force to overcome approximately 10 g's of external acceleration. In some embodiments, ball bearings may be used to provide constraints in up to 5 degrees of freedom (e.g., all but z-axial translation along the optical axis), so there is no rocking of the image sensor (or lens barrel). When “macro” photos are desired of subjects closer than the hyperfocal distance, an actuator mechanism may be configured to pull the image sensor out of the desired focus position and into the macro focus region.