Miniature Camera Shutter Virtual Pivot Flexure Stiction Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing miniature camera shutter systems face issues with stiction and wear due to physical pivot pins, leading to unreliable and slow shutter movement, and are not optimal for rapid and accurate exposure control.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a virtual pivot system using flexures that transmits force to a shutter apparatus without a physical rotation element at the center of rotation, allowing for quick and accurate positioning of the shutter, reducing stiction and wear, and incorporating a snubber for shock cushioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a physical pivot pin is used to rotate the shutter, then the shutter can be positioned to cover or uncover the aperture, but stiction and wear occur leading to unreliable and slow shutter movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshutter movement reliabilityVSAvoidstiction and wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pivot pin system with a magnetic field-based actuation system. Magnets positioned behind the shutter interact with ferromagnetic material in the shutter to provide rotational force, eliminating the need for physical contact at the pivot point and thereby reducing stiction and wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the actuation mechanism from mechanical contact to magnetic field interaction. By using magnetic fields to apply torque to the shutter, the system transforms the physical interaction parameters, eliminating friction-based stiction and wear while maintaining reliable shutter movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If a physical pivot pin is used to rotate the shutter, then the shutter can be positioned to cover or uncover the aperture, but the shutter movement becomes slow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshutter movement speedVSAvoidshutter movement reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pivot pin system with a magnetic field-based actuation system. Magnets positioned behind the shutter interact with ferromagnetic material in the shutter to provide rotational force, eliminating the need for physical contact at the pivot point and thereby reducing stiction and wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the actuation mechanism from mechanical contact to magnetic field interaction. By using magnetic fields to apply torque to the shutter, the system transforms the physical interaction parameters, eliminating friction-based stiction and wear while maintaining reliable shutter movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a mechanical shutter system with pivot pin is used, then the shutter can block light effectively, but the system becomes complex and larger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshutter system complexityVSAvoidexposure control reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pivot pin system with a magnetic field-based actuation system. Magnets positioned behind the shutter interact with ferromagnetic material in the shutter to provide rotational force, eliminating the need for physical contact at the pivot point and thereby reducing stiction and wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the actuation mechanism from mechanical contact to magnetic field interaction. By using magnetic fields to apply torque to the shutter, the system transforms the physical interaction parameters, eliminating friction-based stiction and wear while maintaining reliable shutter movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enables rapid, reliable, and precise shutter movement, reducing stiction and wear, and allows for the design of smaller miniature cameras with improved exposure control, as demonstrated in the described MEMS shutter systems.

Implementation Method 1

The virtual pivot system may incorporate one or more flexures, and may transmit a force from an actuator to a shutter apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

incorporating a snubber for shock cushioning

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS7570882B2Shutter for miniature camera

Publication Date: 2009.08.04 DIGITALPTICS MEMS

AI summary

Systems and techniques for using one or more virtual pivots in a shutter system for a miniature camera. A virtual pivot system may comprise one or more flexures, so that a shutter apparatus may be rotated about a center of rotation without a physical rotation element at the center of rotation. The virtual pivot system may provide a number of benefits, including the reduction or elimination of stiction.