MEMS Image Stabilizer with Dynamic Stopper for Tremble Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera devices, especially in portable terminals like smartphones, face challenges in stabilizing images due to hand-trembling and vibration, as previous solutions are cumbersome and not suitable for small-size, lightweight designs.
Innovation Solution
A MEMS device with a substrate, driven member, elastic member, driving member, and dynamic stopper that allows the driven member to move relative to the substrate for image stabilization, using a dynamic stopper to latch and unlatch the driven member for effective tremble compensation, reducing the need for strong elasticity in the elastic member and enabling low-voltage operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a voice coil motor with pitch coil, pitch yoke, yaw coil, and yaw yoke is used to drive the correction lens for image stabilization, then image stabilization performance is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional voice coil motor mechanical system with a MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) device. The MEMS device uses electrostatic fields between fixed electrodes and movable electrodes to drive the correction lens, eliminating the need for complex mechanical components like coils, yokes, and permanent magnets. This substitution significantly reduces device complexity while maintaining image stabilization functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple functional components into a compact nested structure. The driven member containing the correction lens is positioned within the fixed member, and the elastic member connects these components in a space-efficient arrangement. This nested configuration allows the entire image stabilization system to be miniaturized, reducing overall device size while preserving stabilization performance.
2Reliability
If the elastic member is designed to strongly constrain the driven member to improve stability, then reliability is improved, but the driven member cannot move freely for tremble compensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic stopper mechanism that adaptively adjusts the constraint strength of the elastic member. During normal operation, the driven member can move freely within the elastic member's flexible range to compensate for trembles. When the driven member reaches its movement limit or during non-operational periods, the dynamic stopper engages to provide strong constraint and prevent excessive displacement. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between stability and movability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the constraint parameter of the elastic member dynamically through the stopper mechanism. The stopper can engage or disengage based on operational conditions, effectively changing the stiffness parameter of the system. When engaged, the stopper increases the constraint force to improve stability; when disengaged, it allows greater freedom of movement for tremble compensation.
3Ease of operation
If the driven member is left floating to enable free movement for tremble compensation, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability and durability decrease due to lack of fixation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a stopper mechanism that performs preliminary action by positioning and constraining the driven member at predetermined positions (such as home positions or limit positions). During non-operational periods or when tremble compensation is not needed, the stopper engages to firmly fix the driven member, preventing unintended movement and ensuring durability. When tremble compensation is required, the driving member can move the driven member away from the stopped position within the elastic member's flexible range.
4Ease of operation
If the elastic member is made very elastic to allow large movement range, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the effective stiffness parameter of the elastic member through the stopper mechanism. By engaging the stopper at appropriate positions, the system effectively reduces the movement range that the elastic member must accommodate, thereby reducing the required elasticity. This allows the elastic member to be manufactured with standard precision while still providing sufficient movement range for tremble compensation when needed.
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 MEMS device effectively compensates for camera trembles by stabilizing images, improving reliability and durability by fixing the driven member when not in use, and reducing the elastic member's deformation, allowing for low-voltage operation.
Implementation Method 1
a driving member fixed to the substrate for driving the driven member
Implementation Method 2
an elastic member connected to the driven member and the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) device and an apparatus for compensating for a tremble. The MEMS device includes a substrate; a driven member moving relative to the substrate; an elastic member connected to the driven member and the substrate; a driving member fixed to the substrate for driving the driven member; and a dynamic stopper fixed to the substrate and latched to the driven member.