Passive Damping for Voice Coil Motor Image Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small form factor cameras face challenges in maintaining image stability due to external excitations or disturbances, particularly at natural resonant frequencies, which can lead to unstable motion and reduced image quality during optical image stabilization.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of passive damping techniques using viscoelastic materials like silicon gel applied around suspension wires within the actuator module, which passively dampen motion and reduce impact shock, thereby stabilizing the optics assembly during optical image stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If passive damping materials are applied around suspension wires, then motion stability at resonant frequencies is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a thin film of passive damping material (such as viscoelastic polymer) around the suspension wires of the optics assembly. This thin film configuration provides effective motion damping at resonant frequencies while maintaining a compact structure and minimal impact on the overall device form factor, thus resolving the contradiction between improving motion stability and avoiding increased device complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If passive damping is applied to reduce motion amplitude, then image quality is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes passive damping materials with specific viscoelastic properties that can be applied in a controlled manner around the suspension wires. By carefully selecting and controlling the damping material parameters (such as viscosity, elasticity, and layer thickness), the system achieves effective motion amplitude reduction to improve image quality while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes that do not require complex assembly steps or precision manufacturing beyond standard capabilities.
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 passive damping solution effectively stabilizes the optics assembly, reduces motion amplitude at resonant frequencies, and enhances image quality by mitigating the impact of external disturbances, making it suitable for small form factor cameras in mobile devices.
Implementation Method 1
The implementation of passive damping techniques using viscoelastic materials like silicon gel applied around suspension wires within the actuator module, which passively dampen motion and reduce impact shock
Implementation Method 2
passive dampen motions of the optics assembly - reducing motion amplitude at resonant frequencies
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an optics assembly housing an optics component. In some embodiments, the optics assembly is configured to move within the apparatus. In some embodiments, the optics assembly is suspended by a plurality of wires on a base component of the apparatus. In some embodiments, one or more passive dampers disposed around the plurality of wires. In some embodiments, the passive dampers are configured to passively dampen motions of the optics assembly within the apparatus, and each of the one or more passive dampers radially surrounds a portion of a length of a respective one of the plurality of wires over a portion of the length of the respective one of the plurality of wires.