Optical Actuator Swing Center Redesign for Compact Camera Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical actuators for camera modules have a large swing locus due to the distance from the swing center to the prism, leading to increased product size.

Innovation Solution

An optical actuator design with a movable part having a recessed portion and a fixing part with a protruding portion to define a swing center near the center of the mounting surface, reducing the swing locus and product size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the prism is swung about a ball disposed between the lower surface of the holder and the upper surface of the base, then the optical actuator can achieve image stabilization function, but the distance from the swing center to the upper surface of the prism increases causing a large swing locus and increased product size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage stabilization functionVSAvoidproduct size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent repositions the swing center from a vertical location (between holder and base) to a horizontal location (on the lower surface of the holder at the center of the mounting surface). This dimensional shift in the swing center position reduces the swing radius and locus while preserving the image stabilization function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a localized recessed portion in the holder at the center of the mounting surface to precisely position the swing center. This local structural modification allows the swing center to be exactly at the center of the mounting surface, minimizing the swing locus without affecting other parts of the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If the swing center is positioned far from the mounting surface center, then the mechanical structure can be simpler, but the swing locus becomes large requiring larger product dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical structure complexityVSAvoidproduct size

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a localized recessed portion in the holder to precisely position the swing center at the center of the mounting surface. This local structural feature achieves compact swing locus while maintaining overall mechanical simplicity through the ball-supported rotation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20230067072A1Optical actuator, camera module, and camera-mounted device

Publication Date: 2023.03.02 MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

An optical actuator is configured to include: a movable part including a mounting surface for an optical path bending member, and a recessed portion extending toward a center of the mounting surface at a back side of the mounting surface, the movable part being swung by driving of a driving part; and a fixing part including a protruding portion inserted into the recessed portion so as to define a swing center of the movable part as a position near the center of the mounting surface. Thus, an optical actuator capable of reducing the size of a product is provided.