Shape Memory Alloy Lens Actuator for Compact Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motors used in imaging apparatuses for moving lenses are slow, expensive, complex, require external encoder systems for high accuracy, and suffer from gear lash and positional repeatability issues, making them unreliable and difficult to miniaturize effectively.
Innovation Solution
The use of shape memory materials as actuators to move lenses within imaging apparatuses, which can recover their original shape upon actuation, allowing for precise and reliable lens movement without the need for external encoder systems, and can be thermally or electrically cycled for operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional motors are used to move lenses, then lens movement can be achieved, but the system becomes slow, complex, and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional motor systems with shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators that use thermal-mechanical coupling to achieve lens movement. The SMA elements transform thermal energy into mechanical displacement through phase transformation, eliminating the need for motors, gears, and external encoder systems, thus reducing complexity while improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters by using temperature changes to control the phase transformation of shape memory alloy elements. By heating and cooling the SMA materials, the system achieves reversible mechanical deformation to move lenses, replacing the electrical control parameter of conventional motors with a thermal parameter
2Volume of moving object
If conventional motors are miniaturized for compact imaging apparatuses, then device size is reduced, but performance deteriorates with increased cost and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes miniaturized motor systems with shape memory alloy actuators that inherently provide compact, reliable motion without the complexity of miniaturized mechanical components. The SMA-based actuators achieve lens movement through material phase transformation rather than mechanical rotation and gear reduction, eliminating reliability issues associated with miniaturized motors
3Measurement precision
If conventional motors are used for precise lens positioning, then lens movement control is achieved, but external encoder systems are required increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The shape memory alloy actuators are self-sufficient in achieving precise lens positioning without requiring external encoder systems. The inherent phase transformation characteristics of SMA materials provide controlled, repeatable displacement that can be precisely managed through thermal control, making the system self-contained and eliminating the need for separate measurement and feedback components
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 provides faster, more reliable, and cost-effective lens movement with improved positional accuracy and repeatability, addressing the limitations of conventional motors in imaging apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
at least one actuator being comprised of a shape memory material... actuating at least one actuator comprising a shape memory material to move a lens
Implementation Method 2
can be thermally or electrically cycled for operation
Implementation Method 3
can be thermally or electrically cycled for operation
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus comprises an image pickup and a lens. A shape memory actuator is coupled to the lens and configured to move the lens relative to the image pickup.