Sensor Shift Flexure Ground Current Resistance Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small form factor cameras in mobile devices face challenges in achieving high-resolution image stabilization and autofocus due to limitations in signal routing and mechanical stiffness in existing sensor shift flexure arrangements.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a sensor shift flexure arrangement that includes a stack of layers with an additional conductive layer for improved electrical grounding and an impedance adjusting feature to match signal pad impedance with signal channel impedance, enhancing signal routing and mechanical compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a sensor shift flexure arrangement is used in small form factor cameras, then mechanical compliance for image stabilization is achieved, but signal routing performance deteriorates due to ground current resistance and voltage drop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a via structure that extends in the vertical dimension through the flexure layers, creating a three-dimensional ground current path. This via connects ground planes across multiple layers, allowing current to flow vertically through the flexure rather than being constrained to horizontal paths, thereby reducing ground resistance without compromising mechanical compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The flexure is constructed as a composite structure with multiple conductive layers (first conductive layer, second conductive layer) combined with flexible substrate layers. This composite arrangement creates multiple parallel ground current paths and reduces overall ground resistance while maintaining the flexible, compliant nature of the flexure for mechanical motion
2Strength
If the flexure structure is optimized for mechanical stiffness, then image stabilization effectiveness improves, but signal routing deteriorates due to increased ground current resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The ground connection is segmented into multiple conductive layers distributed across the flexure structure. Each conductive layer provides a separate ground path, and the via connects these segments vertically. This segmentation allows the mechanical structure to maintain stiffness while the electrical ground paths are distributed to reduce resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges mechanical and electrical functions into the same flexure structure. The conductive layers serve both as structural elements maintaining mechanical stiffness and as electrical ground paths reducing resistance. The via simultaneously provides mechanical support and creates an low-resistance vertical ground connection
3Reliability
If signal pad impedance is reduced for better signal routing, then ground current resistance decreases, but impedance matching with signal channels deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The via structure provides localized ground connection improvement at the signal pad region. By placing the via directly beneath or adjacent to signal pads, the ground resistance is reduced locally at critical signal routing points without requiring a complete redesign of the entire flexure ground system, thus maintaining impedance matching elsewhere
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
This arrangement improves signal routing performance by reducing ground current resistance and voltage drop, while maintaining mechanical stiffness for effective image stabilization and autofocus in small form factor cameras.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor shift flexure arrangement that includes a stack of layers with an additional conductive layer for improved electrical grounding
Implementation Method 2
an impedance adjusting feature to match signal pad impedance with signal channel impedance, enhancing signal routing
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments include sensor shift flexure arrangements for improved signal routing. For example, a camera with sensor shift actuation may include a flexure for suspending an image sensor from a stationary structure of the camera, and for allowing motion of the image sensor enabled by one or more actuators of the camera. The flexure may be configured to convey electrical signals between the image sensor and a flex circuit in some embodiments. According to some embodiments, the flexure may include a stack of layers comprising an electrical grounding portion that has an additional conductive layer adjacent to a base layer, which may reduce the overall resistivity of a ground current return path. In some embodiments, the flexure may additionally or alternatively include an impedance adjusting feature configured to adjust the impedance of an electrical signal pad used to connect the flexure with another component of the camera.