Camera Actuator Sub-Coil and Hall Sensor Layout for Slim Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
The miniaturization of camera modules poses challenges in manufacturing, particularly in maintaining driving accuracy and securing space for electrical connections, while also requiring different driving distances and increased efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A camera actuator design featuring a housing with first and second lens assemblies and a driving part that includes sequentially disposed sub-coils and sub-Hall sensors, with misaligned Hall sensors and terminals for improved reliability and space efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the camera module is miniaturized to reduce size, then the camera module becomes more compact and suitable for portable devices, but manufacturing becomes more difficult and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module is divided into multiple functional sub-assemblies: a lens assembly, a driving assembly with voice coil motors, and a sensor assembly with Hall sensors. Each sub-assembly can be manufactured and positioned independently, allowing for modular assembly that improves manufacturing reliability while maintaining compact overall dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving assembly is positioned within the lens assembly, and the sensor assembly is integrated into the driving assembly structure. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional components to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, reducing the overall camera module size while maintaining proper spacing for manufacturing and assembly.
2Volume of moving object
If the camera module is miniaturized to reduce size, then the camera module becomes more compact, but space for electrical connections becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Electrical connections are routed through the vertical (optical axis) dimension rather than only through the horizontal plane. Connection terminals extend in the optical axis direction, allowing electrical pathways to utilize the Z-dimension for routing signals and power between assemblies without requiring additional lateral space.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving assembly structure serves multiple functions: it provides electromagnetic driving force through voice coils, positions the sensor assembly, and simultaneously houses electrical connection terminals. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated connection spaces, maximizing space utilization.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform spacing between Hall sensors is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but driving accuracy and efficiency decrease due to inability to provide different driving distances
Solution Approach 1:
The Hall sensor array features non-uniform spacing where specific sensors are positioned at different intervals along the optical axis. This local variation in spacing allows different regions of the sensor array to detect magnetic field changes at different positions, enabling precise control of lens movement distances for different driving functions (focusing, zooming, stabilization) while maintaining overall manufacturing feasibility.
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 design enhances reliability, maintains driving accuracy, and provides different driving distances for increased efficiency, making it suitable for ultra-slim, ultra-small, and high-resolution cameras.
Implementation Method 1
a first Hall sensor including a plurality of sub-Hall sensors disposed in one of the first sub-coil and the second sub-coil
Implementation Method 2
a driving part that moves the first lens assembly and the second lens assembly, wherein the driving part includes a first coil including a first sub-coil and a second sub-coil
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention is a camera actuator including: a housing including a first side portion and a second side portion facing each other; a first lens assembly and a second lens assembly which move in the optical axis direction within the housing; and a driving unit which moves the first lens assembly and the second lens assembly, wherein the driving unit includes a first coil including a first sub-coil and a second sub-coil sequentially arranged in the optical axis direction, and the first side portion includes a first groove in which the first coil is disposed and a first reinforcing member disposed between the first sub-coil and the second sub-coil.