Optical Actuator Cushioning Structure for Camera Impact Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional camera modules lack a mechanism to absorb impacts caused by collisions between movable and fixed-side members, leading to potential damage and abnormal noise.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a cushioning member engaged with the base portion of the movable-side member to prevent it from coming off, allowing for impact absorption between the movable and fixed-side members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a movable-side member is made movable to enable optical element adjustment, then optical functionality is improved, but impact damage and abnormal noise occur during collision with fixed-side member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical element adjustment capabilityVSAvoiddamage resistance during collision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A cushioning member is provided in advance between the movable-side member and the fixed-side member. This cushioning member absorbs impact energy when the movable-side member collides with the fixed-side member, preventing damage to both members and suppressing abnormal noise generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If cushioning member is added to absorb impact, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact absorption capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cushioning member is configured as a thin, flexible component that can be easily integrated into the existing structure between the movable-side member and the fixed-side member. This flexible structure provides effective impact absorption while adding minimal complexity to the overall device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution effectively suppresses damage and abnormal noise by absorbing impacts during normal operation and external influences, enhancing the durability and operational stability of the camera module.

Implementation Method 1

the movable-side member includes a cushioning member that is engaged with the base portion to be prevented from coming off

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20230288720A1Optical actuator, camera module, and camera-mounted device

Publication Date: 2023.09.14 MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

An optical actuator is an optical actuator configured to move an optical element by a driving part, and includes a movable-side member including a base portion configured to hold the optical element, and a fixed-side member configured to support the movable-side member such that the movable-side member is movable, in which the movable-side member includes a cushioning member that is engaged with the base portion to be prevented from coming off.