Image Stabilizer Leaf Spring FPC Routing

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image stabilizers face challenges in downsizing due to the sagged flexible printed circuit (FPC) causing reaction forces and requiring large storage space or high-power actuators, which complicates the design and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

The image stabilizer employs a novel structure with pairs of leaf springs and a flexible printed circuit, where the FPC is integrated along the springs, eliminating the sag and reducing reaction forces, allowing for a compact design by using leaf springs to shift the optical element and counteract camera shake.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the FPC is sagged to allow shift of the image sensor, then the FPC can accommodate the movement, but the sag causes reaction force and requires large storage space or high-power actuators

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveFPC flexibilityVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The FPC is divided into multiple sections: a first section connected to the image sensor that bends with movement, a second section that remains relatively straight, and connection sections. This segmentation allows the FPC to accommodate sensor shift while minimizing sag and reaction forces, eliminating the need for large storage space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of allowing the entire FPC to sag freely to accommodate movement, the patent inverts the approach by constraining the FPC in specific sections while allowing bending in controlled areas. This reduces the reaction force and eliminates the need for high-power actuators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the FPC is sagged to allow shift of the image sensor, then the FPC can accommodate the movement, but the sag causes reaction force requiring high-power actuators

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveFPC flexibilityVSAvoidactuator power

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The FPC is divided into multiple sections: a first section connected to the image sensor that bends with movement, a second section that remains relatively straight, and connection sections. This segmentation allows the FPC to accommodate sensor shift while minimizing sag and reaction forces, eliminating the need for high-power actuators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of allowing the entire FPC to sag freely to accommodate movement, the patent inverts the approach by constraining the FPC in specific sections while allowing bending in controlled areas. This reduces the reaction force and eliminates the need for high-power actuators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If the FPC is manually or with a jig to form a sagged shape, then the FPC can be formed, but there are wide variations in size and shape making it difficult to precisely estimate the sagged shape

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveFPC formingVSAvoidsagged shape precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The FPC is divided into multiple sections with specific functions: a first section for bending, a second section for stability, and connection sections. This segmentation provides clear manufacturing guidelines for each section, reducing variations and improving precision of the final shape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the FPC have different structural characteristics: the first section is designed to be flexible for bending, while the second section is designed to be relatively rigid for stability. This local differentiation allows precise control of the FPC shape during manufacturing and operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively eliminates the need for large storage space and high-power actuators, enabling a smaller and more cost-effective image stabilizer that minimizes reaction forces and enhances the compactness of digital still cameras and optical instruments.

Implementation Method 1

Each first leaf spring is fixed to the inner frame at an end and to the outer frame at the other end, and elastically bent in a first direction in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis. Each second leaf spring is fixed to the outer frame at an end and to the base block at the other end, and elastically bent in a second direction transverse to the first direction in the plane orthogonal to the optical axis.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8208031B2Image stabilizer and optical instrument therewith

Publication Date: 2012.06.26 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

An image stabilizer has a base block, an inner frame for holding a CCD, an outer frame, a pair of horizontal leaf springs, a pair of vertical leaf springs, voice coil motors (VCMs) and a flexible printed circuit (FPC). Upon a shake of a digital still camera due to hand-held shooting, the VCMs shift the inner or outer frame while bending the horizontal or vertical leaf springs so that the CCD is shifted to counteract the camera shake. The FPC connected to the CCD and the VCMs is routed from the inner frame, through the horizontal leaf spring, the outer frame and the vertical leaf spring, and pulled out above the base block. The FPC is glued to the horizontal and vertical leaf springs, and elastically bent together with the horizontal and vertical leaf springs.