Optical Actuator Shaft Support for Lens Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing optical actuators in camera modules, such as those used in smartphones and digital cameras, face instability in supporting the lens holder due to the use of a ball between the holder and the base, leading to an unstable supported state.
Innovation Solution
The optical actuator design incorporates a movable part that slides on first and second shafts fixed to the fixing part, with specific contact points to stabilize the movement and support the lens, allowing for improved stability and reduced product size through optimized shaft and supporting mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a ball is used to support the holder between the holder and base, then the structure is simple, but the supported state becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented into multiple shafts (first shaft and second shaft) spaced apart in the width direction, with the movable part contacting each shaft at specific locations. This distributes the support function across multiple contact points, improving stability while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The support mechanism transitions from a single-point ball support to a multi-point shaft support system. The shafts extend in the width direction, and the movable part contacts them at different axial positions, adding dimensional complexity to the support geometry to achieve better stability
2Reliability
If the movable part slides on multiple shafts with specific contact points, then the supported state stability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable part is designed with specific local features: a first contact portion contacting the first shaft at two axial locations and a second contact portion contacting the second shaft at one axial location. This localized contact design provides stable support while keeping the overall structure manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The contact configuration is asymmetric: the movable part contacts the first shaft at two places in the axial direction but the second shaft at only one place. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes stability for the specific operational requirements while controlling complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An optical actuator is configured to include: a movable part on which a lens part is mountable, the movable part being configured to move by driving of a driving part; a fixing part accommodating the movable part; and a first shaft and a second shaft that are spaced apart from each other in a width direction of the movable part, and are fixed to the fixing part, in which the movable part is configured to slide on the first shaft and the second shaft while making contact with the first shaft at two places in an axial direction and with the second shaft at one place in the axial direction. Thus, the optical actuator capable of stably supporting the movable part with respect to the fixing part is provided.